Strenuous Exercise (strenuous + exercise)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Treadmill exercise in mice increases intestinal lymphocyte loss via apoptosis

ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 3 2003
L. Hoffman-Goetz
Abstract Strenuous exercise is associated with a transient decline in circulating lymphocytes, possibly through increased apoptosis. Intestinal lymphocytes are important effector cells of intestinal immune function but have not been studied in relation to exercise. Aim:, The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of exercise on intestinal lymphocyte phenotypes and apoptosis. Methods:, Female C57BL/6 mice (n = 112) were randomized to: (1) treadmill running (90 min, 32 m min,1, 8° grade) and killed immediately after exercise, (2) treadmill running and killed 2 h after exercise, (3) treadmill running and killed 24 h after exercise or (4) a non-exercised control condition with exposure to treadmill noise and vibration without running. Results:, Flow cytometry indicated that the total intestinal CD3+T (P < 0.01), CD4+T (P < 0.005), CD8+T (P < 0.05), pan-NK (P < 0.005) and CD19+B (P < 0.05) lymphocytes were significantly lower 24 h after exercise compared with non-exercised controls. Significantly more CD3+T (P < 0.05) and CD8+T (P < 0.05) intestinal lymphocytes stained positive for annexin V, a marker of apoptosis, at 24 h after exercise compared with intestinal lymphocytes from non-exercised controls. Plasma corticosterone and 8-isoprostane concentrations were also significantly higher immediately after exercise compared with other exercise conditions. Conclusion:, Acute strenuous exercise increases intestinal T (CD3+ and CD8+) lymphocyte loss and apoptosis. The extent to which the exercise-induced apoptosis in intestinal lymphocytes is mediated by increased glucocorticoid concentrations in the gastrointestinal tract will require further studies. [source]


Cerebral oxygenation is reduced during hyperthermic exercise in humans

ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 1 2010
P. Rasmussen
Abstract Aim:, Cerebral mitochondrial oxygen tension (PmitoO2) is elevated during moderate exercise, while it is reduced when exercise becomes strenuous, reflecting an elevated cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen (CMRO2) combined with hyperventilation-induced attenuation of cerebral blood flow (CBF). Heat stress challenges exercise capacity as expressed by increased rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Methods:, This study evaluated the effect of heat stress during exercise on PmitoO2 calculated based on a Kety-Schmidt-determined CBF and the arterial-to-jugular venous oxygen differences in eight males [27 ± 6 years (mean ± SD) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) 63 ± 6 mL kg,1 min,1]. Results:, The CBF, CMRO2 and PmitoO2 remained stable during 1 h of moderate cycling (170 ± 11 W, ,50% of VO2max, RPE 9,12) in normothermia (core temperature of 37.8 ± 0.4 °C). In contrast, when hyperthermia was provoked by dressing the subjects in watertight clothing during exercise (core temperature 39.5 ± 0.2 °C), PmitoO2 declined by 4.8 ± 3.8 mmHg (P < 0.05 compared to normothermia) because CMRO2 increased by 8 ± 7% at the same time as CBF was reduced by 15 ± 13% (P < 0.05). During exercise with heat stress, RPE increased to 19 (19,20; P < 0.05); the RPE correlated inversely with PmitoO2 (r2 = 0.42, P < 0.05). Conclusion:, These data indicate that strenuous exercise in the heat lowers cerebral PmitoO2, and that exercise capacity in this condition may be dependent on maintained cerebral oxygenation. [source]


Cerebral oxygenation decreases but does not impair performance during self-paced, strenuous exercise

ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 4 2010
F. Billaut
Abstract Aim:, The reduction in cerebral oxygenation (Cox) is associated with the cessation of exercise during constant work rate and incremental tests to exhaustion. Yet in exercises of this nature, ecological validity is limited due to work rate being either fully or partly dictated by the protocol, and it is unknown whether cerebral deoxygenation also occurs during self-paced exercise. Here, we investigated the cerebral haemodynamics during a 5-km running time trial in trained runners. Methods:, Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and surface electromyogram (EMG) of lower limb muscles were recorded every 0.5 km. Changes in Cox (prefrontal lobe) were monitored via near-infrared spectroscopy through concentration changes in oxy- and deoxyhaemoglobin (,[O2Hb], ,[HHb]). Changes in total Hb were calculated (,[THb] = ,[O2Hb] + ,[HHb]) and used as an index of change in regional blood volume. Results:, During the trial, RPE increased from 6.6 ± 0.6 to 19.1 ± 0.7 indicating maximal exertion. Cox rose from baseline to 2.5 km (,,[O2Hb], ,,[HHb], ,,[THb]), remained constant between 2.5 and 4.5 km, and fell from 4.5 to 5 km (,,[O2Hb], ,,[HHb], ,,[THb]). Interestingly, the drop in Cox at the end of the trial coincided with a final end spurt in treadmill speed and concomitant increase in skeletal muscle recruitment (as revealed by higher lower limb EMG). Conclusion:, Results confirm the large tolerance for change in Cox during exercise at sea level, yet further indicate that, in conditions of self-selected work rate, cerebral deoxygenation remains within a range that does not hinder strenuous exercise performance. [source]


Treadmill exercise in mice increases intestinal lymphocyte loss via apoptosis

ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 3 2003
L. Hoffman-Goetz
Abstract Strenuous exercise is associated with a transient decline in circulating lymphocytes, possibly through increased apoptosis. Intestinal lymphocytes are important effector cells of intestinal immune function but have not been studied in relation to exercise. Aim:, The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of exercise on intestinal lymphocyte phenotypes and apoptosis. Methods:, Female C57BL/6 mice (n = 112) were randomized to: (1) treadmill running (90 min, 32 m min,1, 8° grade) and killed immediately after exercise, (2) treadmill running and killed 2 h after exercise, (3) treadmill running and killed 24 h after exercise or (4) a non-exercised control condition with exposure to treadmill noise and vibration without running. Results:, Flow cytometry indicated that the total intestinal CD3+T (P < 0.01), CD4+T (P < 0.005), CD8+T (P < 0.05), pan-NK (P < 0.005) and CD19+B (P < 0.05) lymphocytes were significantly lower 24 h after exercise compared with non-exercised controls. Significantly more CD3+T (P < 0.05) and CD8+T (P < 0.05) intestinal lymphocytes stained positive for annexin V, a marker of apoptosis, at 24 h after exercise compared with intestinal lymphocytes from non-exercised controls. Plasma corticosterone and 8-isoprostane concentrations were also significantly higher immediately after exercise compared with other exercise conditions. Conclusion:, Acute strenuous exercise increases intestinal T (CD3+ and CD8+) lymphocyte loss and apoptosis. The extent to which the exercise-induced apoptosis in intestinal lymphocytes is mediated by increased glucocorticoid concentrations in the gastrointestinal tract will require further studies. [source]


DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes of physically active individuals as measured by the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis assay

ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS, Issue 4 2009
Gursatej Gandhi
Abstract DNA damage induced by physical activity and/or exercise has been reported under different conditions but not for individuals maintaining physical fitness by regular strenuous exercise. Therefore, we compared levels of DNA damage in blood leukocytes of 40 healthy individuals (35 males, 5 females) who regularly exercised in gymnasiums/health clubs and 15 healthy sedentary controls who had never exercised. The former group was selected (after informed consent) on the basis of how long they had been exercising on a regular basis as well as their exercise schedule and regimen. The length of time since starting a regular exercise regimen ranged from 2 months to 9 years, whereas the daily exercise duration ranged from 40 min to 3 hrs and warm-up sessions ranged from none to 90 min. The length of DNA migration (44.66 ± 2.68 ,m in males, 29.62 ± 1.69 ,m in females) and the percentage of cells with tails (79.86 ±1.27% in males, 67.20 ± 0.96% in females) in peripheral blood leukocytes of physically active individuals were increased significantly (P < 0.001) with respect to corresponding values in control males and females (18.85 ± 1.79 ,m, 23.37 ± 3.94 ,m; 24.50 ± 1.98%, 33.00 ± 4.44%, respectively). Highly significant differences for DNA damage were also observed between physically active males and females. These observations, in the absence of any other exposures, indicate a correlation between strenuous exercise to keep fit and increased levels of DNA damage. This finding may have relevance in terms of the ageing process, with diseases associated with aging, and with carcinogenesis. Environ. Mal. Mutagen. 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Pulmonary response to airway instillation of autologous blood in horses

EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 4 2007
F. J. DERKSEN
Summary Reasons for performing study: Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) occurs in the majority of horses performing strenuous exercise. Associated pulmonary lesions include alveolar and airway wall fibrosis, which may enhance the severity of EIPH. Further work is required to understand the pulmonary response to blood in the equine airways. Objectives: To confirm that a single instillation of autologous blood into horse airways is associated with alveolar wall fibrosis, and to determine if blood in the airways is also associated with peribronchiolar fibrosis. Methods: Paired regions of each lung were inoculated with blood or saline at 14 and 7 days, and 48, 24 and 6 h before euthanasia. Resulting lesions were described histologically and alveolar and airway wall collagen was quantified. Results: The main lesion observed on histology was hypertrophy and hyperplasia of type II pneumocytes at 7 days after blood instillation. This lesion was no longer present at 14 days. There were no significant effects of lung region, treatment (saline or autologous blood instillation), nor significant treatment-time interactions in the amount of collagen in the interstitium or in the peribronchial regions. Conclusion: A single instillation of autologous blood in lung regions is not associated with pulmonary fibrosis. Potential relevance: Pulmonary fibrosis and lung remodelling, characteristic of EIPH, are important because these lesions may enhance the severity of bleeding during exercise. A single instillation of autologous blood in the airspaces of the lung is not associated with pulmonary fibrosis. Therefore the pulmonary fibrosis described in EIPH must have other causes, such as repetitive bleeds, or the presence of blood in the pulmonary interstitium in addition to the airspaces. Prevention of pulmonary fibrosis through therapeutic intervention requires a better understanding of these mechanisms. [source]


The efficacy of dantrolene sodium in controlling exertional rhabdomyolysis in the Thoroughbred racehorse

EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 7 2003
J. G. T. Edwards
Summary Reasons for performing study: Dantrolene sodium (Dantrium) has been used extensively for the treatment of myopathies in man and anecdotal evidence suggests it is of clinical benefit in the control of exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis (ER) in racehorses, although data to support this are currently lacking. Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of oral dantrolene sodium in controlling ER in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial involving 77 Thoroughbred racehorses in Newmarket, UK. Methods: Horses were treated on 2 occasions 1 week apart, with treatment days coinciding with a return to exercise following 2 days box rest on each occasion. For the first treatment, each horse was randomly selected to receive either 800 mg dantrolene sodium or a colour- matched placebo administered orally 1 h before exercise. This was followed by crossover to the other treatment on the second occasion, with each horse thereby acting as its own control. Degree of ER was assessed using rising serum creatine kinase (CK) levels, by subtracting pre-exercise blood CK levels from those measured in 6 h post exercise blood samples. For each horse, the difference in change between pre- and post exercise CK values between placebo and dantrolene treatments was calculated, with positive values indicating a greater rise with placebo than with dantrolene sodium treatment. Results: The overall mean difference for all horses was +104.8 iu/l and the null hypothesis, that there was no true difference in non-normally distributed post exercise rises in CK values between placebo and dantrolene treatments, was rejected (P = 0.0013) using the nonparametric Wilcoxon signed rank test. Additionally, no horses given dantrolene sodium showed clinical signs of ER, whereas 3 horses given the placebo developed ER following exercise. The incidence of ER in the study was 4% (3/77). Conclusions: The results confirmed that oral administration of dantrolene sodium, 1 h before exercise, had a statistically significant effect on reducing the difference between pre - and post exercise plasma CK levels compared with a placebo in the same animals, and preventing clinical ER in susceptible individuals. Potential relevance: This study suggested that dantrolene sodium is of use in controlling ER in the Thoroughbred racehorse. Further investigation into pre- and post exercise myoplasmic calcium levels and the repeat of the study late in the season when horses receive a much higher energy ration and more strenuous exercise would appear to be warranted. [source]


The influence of strenuous exercise on collagen characteristics of articular cartilage in Thoroughbreds age 2 years

EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 6 2000
P. A. J. BRAMA
Summary In order to assess the influence of strenuous exercise on collagen characteristics of articularcartilage, the response of the collagen network was studied in seven 2-year-old Thoroughbreds subjected to strenuous exercise compared to 7 nontrained individuals. After 13 weeks, the animals were subjected to euthanasia, fetlock joints of the forelimbs were scored macroscopically after Indian Ink staining, and articular cartilage from different locations of the articular surface of the proximal first phalanx was sampled and analysed for water content, collagen content, hydroxylysine content and amount of hydroxylysylpyridinoline (HP) crosslinks. Gross lesions were significantly more severe in the exercised than in the nonexercised group. In the control animals, the characteristic site-specific differences in collagen parameters were found as described earlier, but in the strenuously exercised animals this physiological biochemical heterogeneity had disappeared. In the exercised animals, an increase in water content and a sharp decrease in HP crosslinking was found that was correlated with the presence of wear lines. It is concluded that the strenuous exercise provoked significant alterations in the characteristics of the collagen network of the articular cartilage of the fetlock joint which were suggestive of microdamage and loosening of the collagen network. The collagen component of cartilage, in contrast to the proteoglycan component, is known to have a very limited capacity for repairand remodelling due to an extremely low turnover rate. Therefore, alterations within the articular collagen network might be expected to play an important role in the pathophysiology of degenerative joint disorders. [source]


Acute Hypervolaemia Improves Arterial Oxygen Pressure in Athletes with Exercise-Induced Hypoxaemia

EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 4 2003
Gerald S. Zavorsky
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of acute plasma volume expansion on arterial blood-gas status during 6.5 min strenuous cycling exercise comparing six athletes with and six athletes without exercise-induced arterial hypoxaemia (EIAH). We hypothesized that plasma volume expansion could improve arterial oxygen pressure in a homogeneous sample of athletes - those with EIAH. In this paper we have extended the analysis and results of our recently published surprising findings that lengthening cardiopulmonary transit time did not improve arterial blood-gas status in a heterogeneous sample of endurance cyclists. One 500 ml bag of 10% Pentastarch (infusion condition) or 60 ml 0.9% saline (placebo) was infused prior to exercise in a randomized, double-blind fashion on two different days. Power output, cardiac output, oxygen consumption and arterial blood gases were measured during strenuous exercise. Cardiac output and oxygen consumption were not affected by acute hypervolaemia. There were group × condition interaction effects for arterial oxygen pressure and alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference, suggesting that those with hypoxaemia experienced improved arterial oxygen pressure (+4 mmHg) and lower alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference (-2 mmHg) with infusion. In conclusion, acute hypervolaemia improves blood-gas status in athletes with EIAH. The impairment of gas exchange occurs within the first minute of exercise, and is not impaired further throughout the remaining duration of exercise. This suggests that arterial oxygen pressure is only minimally mediated by cardiac output. [source]


Examination of the Validity of a Stages of Exercise Change Algorithm

JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 6 2003
Heather A. Hausenblas
The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of a stages of exercise change questionnaire with self-reported exercise, age, and body mass index (BMI) in 1,034 male and female community residents. It was found that the maintenance stage participants reported more strenuous exercise than did individuals in the other stages; and participants in the action stage reported more strenuous exercise than did individuals in the preparation and contemplation stages. There were no significant group differences among participants in the preparation, contemplation, and precontemplation stages for strenuous and moderate exercise. The maintenance stage participants engaged in more moderate exercise than did the preparation, contemplation, and precontemplation individuals; and the action stage participants reported more moderate exercise than did individuals in the preparation and precontemplation stages. The participants in the maintenance stage were older than were those in the action stage. No significant stage differences were found for mild exercise or BMI. Knowing an individual's stage of exercise change may provide researchers and practitioners with a mechanism for developing, testing, and delivering stage-matched exercise interventions. [source]


Effects of hypoxia on diaphragmatic fatigue in highly trained athletes

THE JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
Ioannis Vogiatzis
Previous work suggests that exercise-induced arterial hypoxaemia (EIAH), causing only moderate arterial oxygen desaturation (: 92 ± 1%), does not exaggerate diaphragmatic fatigue exhibited by highly trained endurance athletes. Since changes in arterial O2 tension have a significant effect on the rate of development of locomotor muscle fatigue during strenuous exercise, the present study investigated whether hypoxia superimposed on EIAH exacerbates the exercise-induced diaphragmatic fatigue in these athletes. Eight trained cyclists (: 67.0 ± 2.6 ml kg,1 min,1; mean ±s.e.m.) completed in balanced order four 5 min exercise tests leading to different levels of end-exercise (64 ± 2, 83 ± 1, 91 ± 1 and 96 ± 1%) via variations in inspired O2 fraction (: 0.13, 0.17, 0.21 and 0.26, respectively). Measurements were made at corresponding intensities (65 ± 3, 80 ± 3, 85 ± 3 and 90 ± 3% of normoxic maximal work rate, respectively) in order to produce the same tidal volume, breathing frequency and respiratory muscle load at each . The mean pressure time product of the diaphragm did not differ across the four exercise tests and ranged between 312 ± 28 and 382 ± 22 cmH2O s min,1. Ten minutes into recovery, twitch transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi,tw) determined by bilateral phrenic nerve stimulation, was significantly (P= 0.0001) reduced after all tests. After both hypoxic tests (: 0.13, 0.17) the degree of fall in Pdi,tw (by 26.9 ± 2.7 and 27.4 ± 2.6%, respectively) was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than after the normoxic test (by 20.1 ± 3.4%). The greater amount of diaphragmatic fatigue in hypoxia at lower leg work rates (presumably requiring smaller leg blood flow compared with normoxia at higher leg work rates), suggests that when ventilatory muscle load is similar between normoxia and hypoxia, hypoxia exaggerates diaphragmatic fatigue in spite of potentially greater respiratory muscle blood flow availability. [source]


Prolonged strenuous exercise alters the cardiovascular response to dobutamine stimulation in male athletes

THE JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1 2005
Robert C. Welsh
Prolonged strenuous exercise has been associated with transient impairment in left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function that has been termed ,cardiac fatigue'. It has been postulated that cardiac ,-adrenoreceptor desensitization may play a central role; however, data are limited. Accordingly, we assessed the cardiovascular response to progressive dobutamine stimulation after prolonged strenuous exercise (2 km swim, 90 km bike, 21 km run). Nine experienced male athletes were studied: PRE (2,3 days before), POST (after) and REC (1,2 days later). The cardiovascular response to progressive continuous dobutamine stimulation (0, 5, 20, and 40 ,g kg,1 min,1) was assessed, including heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), LV cavity areas (two-dimensional echocardiography) and contractility (end-systolic elastance, SBP/end-systolic cavity area (ESCA)). POST there was limited evidence of myocardial necrosis (measured by troponin I), while catecholamines were elevated. HR was higher POST (mean ±s.d.; PRE, 58 ± 9; POST, 79 ± 9; REC, 57 ± 7 beats min,1; P < 0.05), while SBP was lower (PRE, 127 ± 15; POST, 116 ± 9; REC, 121 ± 12 mmHg; P < 0.05). A blunted HR, SBP and LV contractility (SBP/ESCA; PRE 29 ± 6 versus POST 20 ± 6 mmHg cm,2; P < 0.05) response to dobutamine was demonstrated POST, with values returning towards baseline in REC. Following prolonged strenuous exercise, the chronotropic and inotropic response to dobutamine stimulation is blunted. This study supports the hypothesis that beta-receptor downregulation and/or desensitization may play a major role in prolonged-strenuous-exercise-mediated cardiac fatigue. [source]