<div> <div> <div> <p>Skeletal muscle occupies approximately 40 to 50 percent of body mass and is responsible for respiration, postural control, and locomotion and plays a pivotal role in regulating glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism. Acute muscle trauma and chronic disease conditions such as muscular dystrophies are associated with structural abnormalities, enhanced fatigability and impaired metabolism and consequently lead to exercise intolerance and poor quality of life. Despite the clinical importance and a number of studies on the treatment of muscle damage, few modalities have shown to elicit beneficial effects. Heat treatment has been used for a long time to treat soft tissue injuries in the field of physical therapy and sports medicine. However, the underlying mechanisms by which heat treatment accelerates muscle recovery following injury are not clear. </p> <p>The primary aim of my dissertation studies was to determine the impact of heat therapy on skeletal muscle structure and function in humans and animals. In Chapter 2, we report that a single session of local heat treatment promotes the expression of angiogenic and myogeneic mediators including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin 1(ANGPT1) in healthy human skeletal muscle. In Chapter 3, we report repeated exposure to heat therapy stimulates factors involved in muscle repair process and accelerates functional recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage. In Chapter 4, we show that 8 weeks of local heat therapy improves muscle strength of knee extensor and increases skeletal muscle capillarization in type II muscle fibers. In Chapter 5, we describe the effects of heat therapy in a mouse model of ischemia induced-muscle damage. Animals that were exposed to heat therapy at 39°C had improved maximal absolute force and relative muscle mass in the soleus muscle. These observations reveal that the beneficial effects of heat therapy are muscle fiber type specific and dependent on the treatment temperature. In Chapter 6, we review and summarize the outcomes described in Chapters 2-5 and provide a general conclusion as well the clinical implications of our findings. </p> </div> </div> </div>

No description available.

Introduction: A hallmark of the human aging process is the gradual loss of muscle mass and strength, a phenomenon commonly referred to as sarcopenia. Although sarcopenia is likely the result of both a reduction in fiber size and a loss of muscle fibers, it has become abundantly clear that sarcopenia is primarily characterized by the reduction in type II fiber size. The mechanism(s) driving this fiber type-specific loss still remain largely unknown, but it has become evident that the dysregulation of a muscle-specific stem cell population called satellite cells (SC) plays an important role in its progression. Luckily, older adults still retain the ability to activate and expand their SC in response to exercise; what remains unclear is which modality of exercise is optimal for promoting SC contribution to skeletal muscle remodelling. We sought to test the hypothesis that both resistance exercise (RE) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) would stimulate greater expansion of SC when compared to traditional aerobic exercise (AE). Furthermore, we also sought to determine potential extrinsic/intrinsic factors that might contribute to regulating the differences in SC behavior across the different modalities of exercise Methods: Sedentary older men (n=22; 67 ± 4 yr; BMI: 27.0 ± 2.6 kg•m-2 [mean ± SEM]) were randomly assigned to complete an acute bout of either RE (3 sets of leg extensor and press, 95% 10RM, n = 7), HIIT (10 x 1min, 95% maximal heart rate [HRmax], n= 8) or AE (30min, 55-60% HRmax. n = 7). Muscle biopsies were obtained before and at 24h and 48h following each exercise bout, while blood samples were taken before and at 24h after exercise. The SC response was analyzed using immunofluorescent microscopy and whole-muscle mRNA analysis, while the variability in exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) was estimated by analyzing serum samples for creatine kinase (CK) concentration. Results: The muscle SC content increased 45% (p < 0.001) and 52% (p = 0.001) relative to baseline at 24h and 48h respectively following RE, while HIIT stimulated a significant increase of 33% (p = 0.007) at 48h. Fiber type-specific analysis further revealed that both RE and HIIT were capable of inducing significant increases in both type I and type II-specific SC by 48h post-exercise. Further analysis of individual SC responses also revealed a correlation (r = 0.737, p < 0.001) between the change in SC content across the acute time-course and the relative change in creatine kinase (CK) activity levels 24h post-exercise. The lack of any notable SC expansion following AE was to some degree explained by insufficient changes to cell cycle and myostatin (MSTN)-related genes. Conversely, RE produced the greatest reduction in MSTN mRNA over the 48h time-course while inducing a noticeable decrease of 124% in SMAD3 (a mediator of MSTN signaling) mRNA at 48 post-exercise. Conclusions: These data illustrate that RE is the most potent stimulator of acute SC activity in older men, while also showing for the first time that of HIIT can induce a SC response in the same population. The positive relationship between the changes in SC content in response to exercise and CK activity levels suggests that the level of muscle damage induced by an exercise type may influence the magnitude of the subsequent SC response. The magnitude of each SC response is also likely influenced by unique changes in MSTN signaling that follow each modality of exercise. / Thesis / Master of Science in Kinesiology

No description available.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis aims to determine whether supplementation with a grape-seed derived antioxidant, oligomeric proanthocyanidin (PCO) or the glutathione precursor, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) may prove beneficial as treatment for exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) in athletes. In this double-blind cohort study, 21 healthy, uninjured male rugby-players in mid-season training phase, aged between 18 and 25 years were randomly divided into three treatment groups. Participants received 210 mg PCO, NAC or placebo treatment for 9 consecutive days. The study comprised a 6-day wash-out period (protocol days: -12 to -7), followed by a 6-day supplement loading period (protocol days: -6 to -1) a plyometric exercise intervention (protocol day 0) and continued supplementation for 2 days (protocol days: 1 to 2). The exercise intervention comprised 15 sets of 10 near maximal, vertical plyometric squat jumps. Blood samples and delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) scores were collected on protocol days: -6, 0, 1 and 2. Assessments included serum creatine kinase (CK) activity, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) concentrations over time as well as a differential circulating leukocyte count (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils). Data analysis of CK activity revealed no significant differences between groups. However, PCO treatment prevented a significant peak in the CK response at 24 h (as seen in the placebo and NAC groups) when compared to baseline, pre and post readings (p<0.05). NAC supplementation significantly improved serum ORAC after the exercise intervention. By 48 h, serum ORAC had improved significantly from readings taken immediately post exercise (p<0.05) only in the NAC group. For all groups, absolute neutrophil counts peaked at 6 h post exercise from baseline or pre readings (p<0.05). In both NAC and placebo treated groups, neutrophil counts had decreased significantly in circulation by 24 h post exercise from the 6 h time-point (p<0.05). However, neutrophil counts only reached significantly lower levels by 48 h post exercise (p<0.05) in the group supplemented with PCO. The monocyte count also peaked significantly at 6 h post exercise when compared with other time-points before and after the exercise intervention (p<0.05) in all treatment groups. Neither antioxidant treatment significantly altered the responses of other leukocyte sub-populations, MDA or sVCAM-1 concentrations where main effects of plyometric exercise was evident. Although not statistically significant, a trend toward diminished sVCAM-1 expression with either antioxidant supplementation was apparent. These findings suggest that PCO supplementation (210mg/d) which includes a 7 day loading period may diminish plyometric EIMD by limiting (but not completely inhibiting) the neutrophil response. Secondary muscle damage may be prevented by partially blunting neutrophil infiltration, rather than only quenching free radicals released during the neutrophil oxidative burst. Furthermore, the finding that NAC supplementation improves serum ORAC only after exercise may provide added benefit when administered in combination with PCO. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierde tesis is daarop gerig om vas te stel of aanvulling met ‘n druifsaadekstrak (DSE) gederiveerde antioksidant: pro-antosianiedoliese oligomeer (PSO), of die glutathione voorloopermolekule, N-asetielsistien (NAS) voordelig beskou kan word as behandeling vir atlete onderhewig aan spierskade veroorsaak deur oefening. Gedurende hierdie dubbelblinde kohort studie is 21 gesonde, manlike rugbyspelers sonder beserings tussen die ouderdom van 18 en 25 jaar in middel-seison fase ewekansig in drie behandelingsgroepe verdeel. Deelneemers het elk 210 mg PSO, NAS of placebo-aanvulling geneem vir nege agtereenvolgende dae. Die studie het bestaan uit ‘n 6-dag uitwasperiode (protokoldae: -12 tot -7), as ook ‘n 6-dag aanvullings periode (protokoldae: -6 tot -1), gevolg deur ‘n pliometriese oefeningsintervensie (protokol dag 0) en verdere aanvulling tot en met 2 dae na die oefening (protokol dae: 1 tot 2). Die oefeningsintervensie het 15 stelle van 10 naastenby maksimale, vertikale pliometriese hurkspronge behels. Bloedmonsters en vertraagde aanvang spierseerheid (VAS) tellings is op protokoldae: -6, 0, 1 en 2 geneem. Analiese het serum kreatien kinase (KK) aktiwiteit, suurstof radikaal absorpsie kapasiteit (SRAK), Malondialdahied (MDA) en oplospare vaskulêresel adhesie molekule-1 (oVAM-1) konsentrasie bepalings asook ‘n differentiële sirkulerende leukosiet seltelling ingesluit. KK aktiewiteit het geen merkwaardige verskil tussen groepe getoon nie. PSO aanvulling het wel gelei tot die voorkoming van ‘n merkwaardige piek in die KK response soos in die placebo en NAC behandelde groepe bevind is by die 24 h tydspunt in vergelyking met basislyn-, voor- en na-oefeningslesings (p<0.05). NAS het ‘n merkwaardige verbetering in serum SRAK getoon, maar eers teen 48 h na oefening. Slegs die NAS behandelde groep het op hierdie tydspunt ‘n betekenisvolle verbetering in SRAK getoon in vergelyking met lesings direk na oefening (p<0.05). Vir alle groepe is ‘n betekenisvolle toename in absolute neutrophiltellings waargeneem 6 h na oefening in vergelyking met basislyn- en vooroefeningslesings (p<0.05). Beide NAS en placebo-behandelde groepe het ‘n betekenisvolle afname in neutrophiltellings teen 24 h na oefening getoon in vergelyking met die 6 h tydspunt (p<0.05) maar met die PSO-behandelde groep word hierde afname eers teen 48 h waargeneem (p<0.05). Monosiettellings het in alle groepe 6 h na oefening ‘n betekinsvolle piek getoon (p<0.05). Waar slegs die hoofeffek van die pliometriese oefening betekenisvol was, het nie een van die twee antioksidant aanvullings ‘n merkwaardige verandering aan die respons van ander leukosiet sub-populasies, MDA of oVAM-1 konsentrasies getoon nie. Al kon statistiese beduidenheid nie bewys word nie, wil dit blyk dat ‘n verminderde oVAM-1 uitdrukking onstaan het in die geval van beide antioksidant-behandelde groepe. Tesame stel hierdie bevindinge voor dat PSO toediening (210mg/d) insluitende ‘n 7-dag aanvullingsperiode die vermoë verleen om die neutrophielrespons gedeeltelik te onderdruk (sonder om dit heeltemal te inhibeer) en sodoende spierskade verminder. Dus word verdere spierskade moontlik verlaag deur die voorkoming van neutrophil weefsel infiltrasie eerder as verwydering van reaktiewe spesies wat vrygestel word tydens oefening. Die bevinding dat NAS aanvulling serum SRAK eers na oefening merkwaardig verbeter, kan as voordelig beskou word, veral wanneer toegedien in samewerking met PSO om verdere spierskade te voorkom en herstelling vinniger te bewerkstellig.

Thesis (PhD (Sport Sc) (Sport Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / Please refer to full text to view abstract.

The effectiveness of recovery interventions following prolonged multiple sprint team sports matches has rarely been studied despite the potential for exercise-induced muscle damage to adversely affect training in the days following games. The lack of research related to this topic is probably owing to the wide variability that exists in the movement demands of players between matches and the impact that this has on the subsequent rate and magnitude of recovery which makes it difficult to detect meaningful differences when conducting research with small sample sizes. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis was to develop a rugby league-specific match simulation protocol that replicates the movement demands, physiological responses and subsequent recovery from matches in order to study the effectiveness of recovery interventions. Hence, two time-motion analysis studies were conducted using a semi-automated image recognition system to inform the development of the rugby league match simulation protocol (RLMSP). Whilst mean total distance covered over the duration of the match was 8,503 m, ball in play and stoppage work-to-rest ratios were 1:6.9 and 1:87.4, respectively, for all players. Furthermore, a significant decline in high and very high intensity running locomotive rates were observed between the initial and final 20 min periods of the match. Thus a RLMSP was devised to replicate the overall movement demands, intra-match fatigue and recovery from a senior elite rugby league match. Not only was there a low level of variability in the movement demands during the RLMSP over consecutive trials, but with the exception of creatine kinase, the rate and magnitude of recovery following the RLMSP was similar to that that has been published following competitive matches. Therefore, the RLMSP devised in this thesis may be a more appropriate research tool for assessing the effectiveness of recovery interventions following match related exercise than following actual match play.

A glutamina é o aminoácido livre mais abundante no plasma e músculo, sendo utilizada em elevadas taxas por diversas células na manutenção e promoção de funções essenciais à homeostasia celular. Entretanto, em algumas situações catabólicas, entre as quais exercícios físicos intensos e prolongados ou exaustivos é observada a redução na concentração de glutamina, o que pode comprometer as funções celulares. A suplementação com dipeptídeos de glutamina, tais como a L-alanil-L-glutamina (DIP) pode representar um eficiente meio de fornecimento de glutamina por via oral para o organismo. Desta forma, ratos Wistar machos foram treinados e suplementados com o DIP (1,49 g&#8226;kg-1) ou uma solução contendo os aminoácidos L-glutamina (1 g&#8226;kg-1) e L-alanina (0,61 g&#8226;kg-1) livres (GLN+ALA) ou água (CON), sendo sacrificados em dois tempos, antes (TR) e após (INT) um exercício intenso de natação. No plasma, a concentração de glutamina, glutamato, glicose, amônia, CK, LDH, TNF-&#945; e PgE2 foram avaliadas. No músculo sóleo e gastrocnêmio e no fígado foram determinadas as concentrações de glutamina, glutamato, GSH, GSSG e proteínas totais. Antes do exercício intenso, ambas as suplementações atenuaram a liberação de CK no plasma. O grupo DIP-TR apresentou maior concentração de glutamato, GSH e GSH/GSSG no sóleo e fígado. Maior concentração de glutamina, glutamato, GSH ou GSH/GSSG foi observada no sóleo e fígado do grupo GLN+ALA-TR. Após o exercício intenso, ambas as suplementações atenuaram a liberação de amônia e TNF-&#945;, e no grupo DIP-INT menor concentração de PgE2 foi observada. Maior concentração de glutamina, glutamato e GSH/GSSG no sóleo e glutamato no gastrocnêmio foram encontrados nos grupos DIP-INT e GLN+ALA-INT. No fígado foi encontrada também maior concentração de GSH e GSH/GSSG, decorrentes das suplementações. Os nossos resultados levam à conclusão de que a suplementação oral com L-glutamina e L-alanina na forma livre ou como dipeptídeo, L-alanil-L-glutamina, pode aumentar os estoques musculares e hepáticos de GSH e alterar o estado redox celular, atenuando lesão e a inflamação induzidas pelo exercício físico. / Glutamine is the most abundant free amino acid found in plasma and muscle, and is utilized at high rates by many cells for maintenance and promotion of cell function. However, in some catabolic situations, like intense and prolonged or exhaustive physical exercise, a reduction in GLN availability is observed, fact that may impair the cell functions. Oral supplementation with dipeptides of glutamine, like L-alanyl-L-glutamine may serve as an interesting way to deliver glutamine to the organism. Male Wistar rats were trained and supplemented with DIP (1,49 g&#8226;kg-1) or mixture containing free L-glutamine (1 g&#8226kg-1) and Lalanine (0,61 g&#8226;kg-1) or water (CON) and sacrificed in distinct times: before (TR) and immediately after (INT) intense exercise of swim. Plasma and serum concentrations of glucose, GLN, glutamate, ammonia, CK, LDH, TNF-&#8226; and PgE2 were evaluated. In muscles (soleus and gastrocnemius) and liver GLN, glutamate, GSH, GSSG and total proteins also were evaluated. Low concentration of CK in plasma was observed in both supplemented groups before the exhaustive test. The DIP-TR presented more concentration of glutamate, GSH e GSH/GSSG in the soleus muscle and liver. Higher concentration of glutamine, glutamate and GSH/GSSG was seen in GLN+ALATR group. Both groups supplemented with DIP and GLN+ALA after the exhaustive test, exhibit decreases in ammonia and TNF-&#945;, and the group DIP-INT, demonstrated decrease in PgE2. Glutamine, glutamate and GSH/GSSG increases in the soleus and glutamate in the gastrocnemius increases in groups DIP-INT and GLN+ALA-INT. Increases in GSH and GSH/GSSG in liver were found in the same groups, compared to CON-INT. Our results indicate that oral supplementation with free L-glutamine added to L-alanine or the dipeptide, Lalanyl-L-glutamine, may influence the muscle and liver stores of GSH and the cellular redox state, and this may attenuate damage and inflammation induced by severe physical exercise.

A suplementação com leucina pode ser uma forma de terapia importante para a regeneração do tecido muscular lesado, pois modula vias intracelulares reguladoras da massa muscular. Neste estudo, ratos Wistar tiveram os músculos soleus e TA da pata esquerda submetidos à criolesão. Os animais foram divididos em controle e suplementados com leucina (1,35 g/kg por dia), a qual teve início três dias antes da criolesão e prosseguiu por um, três, 10 e 21 dias. A leucina aumentou a AST das fibras no soleus e reduziu o processo inflamatório e a fibrose em ambos, além de reduzir a ativação de elementos da via TGF-&beta;/Smad. A leucina também aumentou o número de células satélites em proliferação no soleus e acelerou a conversão das isoformas de MyHC em ambos, tendo aumentado a taxa de síntese proteica no TA. Entretanto, não houve elevação na expressão de elementos da via PI3K/Akt/mTOR. Observou-se redução da ativação de FoXO3a e do acúmulo de proteínas ubiquitinadas no soleus, além de maior atividade do proteassomo 26S. A leucina também atenuou o prejuízo funcional em ambos. / Leucine supplementation can be an important therapy for the regeneration of injured skeletal muscle tissue, for modulating intracellular pathways regulating muscle mass. In this study, rats had their soleus and TA muscles of the left hind limb damaged. The animals were divided into control and supplemented with leucine groups (1.35 g / kg per day), which started three days before damage and continued for 1, 3, 10 and 21 days. Leucine increased myofiber CSA in soleus and reduced inflammation and fibrosis on both, and reduced the activation of TGF-&beta;/Smad signaling pathways. Leucine also increased the number of proliferating satellite cells in the soleus, accelerated the conversion between MyHC isoforms, and in rate of protein synthesis in the TA. However, no elevation on PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway was observed. There was a reduction on FoXO3a activation and ubiquitinated proteins accumulation in the soleus and an increase in the 26S proteasome activity. Leucine also attenuated the functional impairment on both muscles.

O dano muscular induzido pelo exercício (DMIE) é um fenômeno que ocorre ao realizarmos um exercício com o qual não estamos habituados, seja pela modalidade, volume ou intensidade. Além disso, esta condição está fortemente relacionada com contrações excêntricas ou gestos que predominantemente envolvam este tipo de contração, causando prejuízos funcionais importantes e diminuindo o desempenho. Diante disto, estratégias para acelerar o processo de recuperação muscular vem sendo investigadas. Dentre elas, a recuperação ativa, técnica muito utilizada no meio prático e que consiste na execução de exercícios com intensidade baixa ou moderada buscando melhorar a recuperação após uma sessão de treino mais intensa. No entanto, nenhum estudo comparou duas formas de recuperação ativa com exercícios aeróbios até o momento, além dos estudos experimentais da área apresentarem qualidade metodológica frágil. Com isso, o objetivo desta dissertação é comparar o efeito da recuperação ativa em esteira e em cicloergômetro sobre marcadores de dano muscular. Para isso, trinta voluntários do sexo masculino foram alocados de forma randomizada em três grupos: grupo esteira (GE, n = 10), grupo cicloergômetro (GCI, n = 10) e grupo controle (GC, n = 10). Avaliações da contração isométrica voluntária máxima (CIVM), dor, concentração plasmática de creatina kinase (CK) e lactato desidrogenase (LDH) e espessura e ecogenicidade dos músculos reto femoral (RF) e vasto lateral (VL) foram realizadas pré, 24h, 48h e 72h após um protocolo indutor de dano muscular, constituído por cinco séries de 10 contrações excêntricas máximas em dinamômetro isocinético. Após o protocolo indutor de dano muscular, os sujeitos realizaram a intervenção de acordo com o grupo em que foram alocados, com duração de 30 minutos e intensidade de 60% do VO2máx, independente da modalidade. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos nos parâmetros de caracterização da amostra. Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos em todas as variáveis analisadas. Houve redução significativa no torque nos períodos imediatamente após (IP), 24h, 48h e 72h comparado ao período Pré em todos os grupos. Houve aumento significativo da dor nos períodos 24h, 48h e 72h comparado ao período Pré em todos os grupos. Houve aumento significativo na espessura do músculo RF 24h após o protocolo de dano muscular. A ecogenicidade foi maior tanto no RF quanto no VL nos períodos de 48h e 72h quando comparada ao período Pré. Não houve diferença significativa nas concentrações plasmáticas de CK e LDH entre os períodos de avaliação. Os resultados do presente estudo permitem concluir que a execução de recuperação ativa nos parâmetros adotados, seja em cicloergômetro ou esteira, não modifica o processo de recuperação após dano muscular. / The exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is a phenomenon that occurs when we execute an unusual exercise, either by type, volume or intensity. Furthermore, this condition is strongly associated with eccentric contractions or gestures which predominantly involve this type of contraction, causing significant loss of function and decreasing performance. In view of this, the search for strategies to accelerate muscle recovery process has been investigated. Among them, active recovery, technique widely used in practical means and which consists in carrying out exercises with low or moderate intensity seeking to improve recovery after a more intense training session. However, no studies have compared two types of active recovery yet, besides the experimental studies presented fragile methodological quality. Thus, the aim of this study is to compare the effect of active recovery on a treadmill and cycle ergometer on muscle damage markers. For this, thirty male volunteers were randomly divided into three groups: treadmill group (EG, n = 10), cycle ergometer group (GCI, n = 10) and control group (CG, n = 10). Evaluations of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), pain, plasma concentration of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and muscle thickness and echo intensity of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) were performed before, 24h, 48h and 72h after the muscle damage protocol, comprising five sets of 10 maximum eccentric contractions using an isokinetic dynamometer. After muscle damage protocol, the subjects performed the intervention according to the group they were allocated, lasting 30 minutes with an intensity of 60% VO2max, regardless of the type. Significant differences between the groups in the sample characterization parameters were observed. There was no significant difference between groups in all variables. There was a significant reduction in torque in the periods immediately after (IP), 24h, 48h and 72h compared to the Pre period in all groups. There was a significant increase in pain at times 24h, 48h and 72h compared to the Pre period in all groups. A significant increase in muscle thickness of RF was observed in 24h period. The echo intensity was higher in both RF and VL in periods of 48h and 72h compared to the Pre period. There was no significant difference in plasma concentrations of CK and LDH between the evaluation periods. Our results illustrate that the performance of active recovery, in the adopted parameters, either in cycle ergometer or treadmill, does not change the process of recovery after muscle damage.