Exercise Groups (exercise + groups)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Oestrogen receptor-alpha activation augments post-exercise myoblast proliferation

ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 1 2010
A. Thomas
Abstract Aim:, Our laboratory has shown that oestrogen acts to augment myoblast (satellite cell) activation, proliferation and total number and that this may occur through an oestrogen receptor (OR)-mediated mechanism. The purpose of this study was to further investigate the mechanism of oestrogen influence on augmentation of post-exercise myoblast numbers through use of a specific OR-, agonist, propyl pyrazole triol (PPT). Methods:, Ovariectomized rats were used (n = 64) and separated into four groups: sham, oestrogen supplemented, agonist supplemented, and a combined oestrogen and agonist supplemented group. These groups were further subdivided into control (unexercised) and exercise groups. Surgical removal of white vastus and soleus muscles was performed 72 h post-exercise. Muscle samples were immunostained for the myoblast markers Pax7 and MyoD. Results:, A significant increase in total (Pax7-positive) and activated (MyoD-positive) myoblasts was found in all groups post-exercise. A further significant augmentation of total and activated myoblasts occurred in oestrogen supplemented, agonist supplemented and the combined oestrogen and agonist supplemented groups post-exercise in white vastus and soleus muscles relative to unsupplemented animals. Conclusion:, These results demonstrate that both oestrogen and the specific OR-, receptor agonist, PPT, can significantly and to similar degrees augment myoblast number and activation following exercise-induced muscle damage. This suggests that oestrogen acts through an OR-mediated mechanism to stimulate myoblast proliferation following exercise, with OR-, playing a primary role. [source]


Retraining cervical joint position sense: The effect of two exercise regimes

JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 3 2007
Gwendolen Jull
Abstract This study compared the effects of conventional proprioceptive training and craniocervical flexion (C-CF) training on cervical joint position error (JPE) in people with persistent neck pain. The aim was to evaluate whether proprioceptive training was superior in improving proprioceptive acuity compared to another form of exercise, which has been shown to be effective in reducing neck pain. This may help to differentiate the mechanisms of effect of such interventions. Sixty-four female subjects with persistent neck pain and deficits in JPE were randomized into two exercise groups: proprioceptive training or C-CF training. Exercise regimes were conducted over a 6-week period, and all patients received personal instruction by an experienced physiotherapist once per week. A significant pre- to postintervention decrease in JPE, neck pain intensity, and perceived disability was identified for both the proprioceptive training group (p,<,0.001) and the C-CF training group (p,<,0.05). Patients who participated in the proprioceptive training demonstrated a greater reduction in JPE from right rotation compared to the C-CF training group (p,<,0.05). No other significant differences were observed between the two groups. The results demonstrated that both proprioceptive training and C-CF training have a demonstrable benefit on impaired cervical JPE in people with neck pain, with marginally more benefit gained from proprioceptive training. The results suggest that improved proprioceptive acuity following intervention with either exercise protocol may occur through an improved quality of cervical afferent input or by addressing input through direct training of relocation sense. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 2007 [source]


CONSUMER PERCEPTION OF WHEY AND SOY PROTEIN IN MEAL REPLACEMENT PRODUCTS

JOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 3 2008
JESSICA L. CHILDS
ABSTRACT Meal replacement products including protein bars, shakes and powdered drinks have increased in demand and sales. The objective of this study was to assess the consumer perception of protein content and type and product claims for meal replacement beverages and bars. The impact of exercise frequency on product perception was also investigated. Focus groups were conducted with exercisers and nonexercisers. An adaptive conjoint analysis survey was subsequently developed and conducted (n = 138 consumers, ages 18,35 years). Relative importance of product attributes was determined through a realistic trade-off scenario. Utility scores were extracted and rescaled by the zero-centered differences method, and two-way analysis of variance was conducted to identify the differences between exercise frequency and product attributes. Both groups preferred bars to beverages, and no clear preferences were observed for protein type, which was consistent with focus group results of low knowledge/understanding of specific proteins. All respondents valued the products with low-fat/fat-free, calcium, all-natural, protein, vitamin/mineral, heart health and muscle-building claims. Exercisers viewed muscle-building claims as more important than nonexercisers. Nonexercisers viewed heart health, calcium and vitamin/mineral claims as more important than exercisers. Three distinct consumer clusters were identified, and both exercise groups were found in all three clusters, although exercise frequency influenced membership in two of the three clusters (P < 0.05). These findings can be used to develop and market meal replacement products to specific consumer groups while leveraging their specific and unique needs. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Conjoint analysis provides a useful model of how consumers think during the purchase process and an understanding of the motivation for purchase through the testing of possible claims or product attributes. By applying this method to the purchase process of meal replacement bars and beverages, those in the field of development of these products can benefit from this information by being able to understand the motivation for purchase by the targeted consumer. [source]


Iron Deficiency in Stabled Dutch Warmblood Foals

JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2001
H. Brommer
Forty-three Dutch Warmblood foals were divided at random into 3 rearing groups immediately after birth: a box-rest group, a box-rest with exercise group, and a pasture group. All stabled foals (box-rest and exercise groups) were fed freshly cut grass harvested from the same pastures on which the pasture group foals were grazing. Blood samples were obtained monthly for CBC and biochemical analyses. At 1,3 months of age, the foals at pasture were active but the foals in the box-rest and exercise groups were listless. Mean hemoglobin concentrations, PCVs, blood iron concentrations, and saturation of total iron binding capacity were significantly lower (P < .05) in the box-rest group (11.3 ± 1.2 g/dL, 33 ± 3%, 123 ± 67 ,g/dL, and 18 ± 9%) and the exercise group (11.6 ± 1.5 g/dL, 34 ± 4%, 101 ± 61 ,g/dL, and 15 ± 10%) compared with the pasture group (14.0 ± 0.8 g/dL, 42 ± 3%, 212 ± 67 ,g/dL, and 32 ± 10%). Oral supplementation of iron to all foals resulted in significant increases in the values of these variables in the box-rest group and exercise group at 4,5 months of age, and the stabled foals were as active as the foals at pasture. In the pasture group, no significant changes occurred. Management practices clearly influence the iron state in young growing foals from 1 to 3 months of age, and although not a frequent cause of anemia in the horse, an absolute deficit of body iron may occur in stabled foals fed freshly cut grass. [source]


Exercise and Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in cognitively normal older adults

ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 3 2010
Kelvin Y. Liang BS
Objective In addition to the increasingly recognized role of physical exercise in maintaining cognition, exercise may influence Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, as transgenic mouse studies show lowered levels of AD pathology in exercise groups. The objective of this study was to elucidate the association between exercise and AD pathology in humans using Pittsburgh compound-B (PIB), amyloid-, (A,)42, tau, and phosphorylated tau (ptau)181 biomarkers. Methods Sixty-nine older adults (17 males, 52 females) aged 55 to 88 years, were recruited and confirmed to be cognitively normal. A questionnaire on physical exercise levels over the past decade was administered to all. Cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected from 56 participants, and amyloid imaging with PIB was performed on 54 participants. Results Participants were classified based on biomarker levels. Those with elevated PIB (p = 0.030), tau (p = 0.040), and ptau181 (p = 0.044) had significantly lower exercise, with a nonsignificant trend for lower A,42 (p = 0.135) to be associated with less exercise. Results were similar for PIB after controlling for covariates; tau (p = 0.115) and ptau181 (p = 0.123) differences were reduced to nonsignificant trends. Additional analyses also demonstrated that active individuals who met the exercise guidelines set by the American Heart Association had significantly lower PIB binding and higher A,42 levels with and without controlling for covariates (PIB: p = 0.006 and p = 0.001; A,42: p = 0.042 and p = 0.046). Last, the associations between exercise engagement and PIB levels were more prominent in APOE epsilon 4 noncarriers. Interpretation Collectively, these results are supportive of an association between exercise engagement and AD biomarkers in cognitively normal older adults. Ann Neurol 2010;68:311,318 [source]


A six-month randomized controlled trial of exercise and pyridostigmine in the treatment of fibromyalgia

ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 2 2008
K. D. Jones
Objective A subset of fibromyalgia (FM) patients have a dysfunctional hypothalamic,pituitary,insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis, as evidenced by low serum levels of IGF-1 and a reduced growth hormone (GH) response to physiologic stimuli. There is evidence that pyridostigmine (PYD) improves the acute response of GH to exercise in FM patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of 6 months of PYD and group exercise on FM symptoms. Methods FM patients were randomized to 1 of the following 4 groups: PYD plus exercise, PYD plus diet recall but no exercise, placebo plus exercise, and placebo plus diet recall but no exercise. The primary outcome measures were the visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain, tender point count, and total myalgic score. Secondary outcome measures were the total score on the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and FIQ VAS scores for individual symptoms (fatigue, poor sleep, stiffness, and anxiety), as well as quality of life (QOL) and physical fitness (lower body strength/endurance, upper and lower body flexibility, balance, and time on the treadmill). Results A total of 165 FM patients completed baseline measurements; 154 (93.3%) completed the study. The combination of PYD and exercise did not improve pain scores. PYD groups showed a significant improvement in sleep and anxiety in those who completed the study and in QOL in those who complied with the therapeutic regimen as compared with the placebo groups. Compared with the nonexercise groups, the 2 exercise groups demonstrated improvement in fatigue and fitness. PYD was generally well tolerated. Conclusion Neither the combination of PYD plus supervised exercise nor either treatment alone yielded improvement in most FM symptoms. However, PYD did improve anxiety and sleep, and exercise improved fatigue and fitness. We speculate that PYD may have improved vagal tone, thus benefiting sleep and anxiety; this notion warrants further study. [source]