Obesity is a risk factor able to trigger several inflammatory alterations and the imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine productions. Physical exercise is an important strategy for reduction of inflammatory established process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 16 weeks of three exercise training programs in the inflammatory profile and insulin resistance in overweight/obesity. Thirty two men and women (46.4±10.1 years; 162.0±9.1 cm; 82.0±13.6 kg) were divided into three groups for training on a treadmill: continuous at 70% maximum heart rate (HRmax) 5 times a week (CONT); 1×4 min (1-bout) and 4×4 min (high intensity interval training, HIIT) at 90% HRmax 3 times a week. Interleukin (IL) 6 and IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), insulin and adiponectin levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance was calculated. After 16 weeks of training blood concentrations of IL-6 decreased in the HIIT group (P=0.035), TNF-α decreased in the CONT (P=0.037) and increased in HIIT (P=0.001) and adiponectin decreased in the three training models. There was a trend towards decreased body weight and body mass index (BMI) after HIIT only (P=0.059 and P=0.060, respectively). Despite the decrease of adiponectin and the increase of TNF-α in HIIT group, insulin sensitivity showed a trend for improvement (P=0.08). HIIT program decreased IL-6 at rest and although not significant was the only who tended to decrease total body weight and BMI. Taken together, our data suggest that both HIIT as well as CONT exercises training program promotes changes in inflammatory profile in overweight/obesity, but dissimilar response is seen in TNF-α levels.

The purpose of this study was to verify the influence of the genotype or haplotype (interaction) of the NOS3 polymorphisms [‐786T>C, 894G>T (Glu298Asp), and intron 4b/a] on the response to multicomponent training (various capacities and motor skills) on blood pressure (BP), nitrite concentration, redox status, and physical fitness in older adult women. The sample consisted of 52 participants, who underwent body mass index and BP assessments. Physical fitness was evaluated by six‐minute walk, elbow flexion, and sit and stand up tests. Plasma/blood samples were used to evaluate redox status, nitrite concentration, and genotyping. Associations were observed between isolated polymorphisms and the response of decreased systolic and diastolic BP and increased nitrite concentration and antioxidant activity. In the haplotype analysis, the group composed of ancestral alleles (H1) was the only one to present improvement in all variables studied (decrease in systolic and diastolic BP, improvement in nitrite concentration, redox status, and physical fitness), while the group composed of variant alleles (H8) only demonstrated improvement in some variables of redox status and physical fitness. These findings suggest that NOS3 polymorphisms and physical training are important interacting variables to consider in evaluating redox status, nitric oxide availability and production, and BP control.

Metabolic syndrome substantially increases risk of cardiovascular events. It is therefore imperative to develop or optimize ways to prevent or attenuate this condition. Exercise training has been long recognized as a corner-stone therapy for reducing individual cardiovascular risk factors constituting the metabolic syndrome. However, the optimal exercise dose and its feasibility in a real world setting has yet to be established. The primary objective of this randomized trial is to investigate the effects of different volumes of aerobic interval training (AIT) compared to the current exercise guideline of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on the composite number of cardiovascular disease risk factors constituting the metabolic syndrome after a 16 week, 1-year, and 3-year follow-up. This is a randomized international multi-center trial including men and women aged ≥30 years diagnosed with the metabolic syndrome according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Recruitment began in August 2012 and concluded in December 2016. This trial consists of supervised and unsupervised phases to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of different exercise doses on the metabolic syndrome in a real world setting. This study aims to include and randomize 465 participants to 3 years of one of the following training groups: i) 3 times/week of 4 × 4 min AIT at 85–95% peak heart rate (HRpeak); ii) 3 times/week of 1 × 4 min AIT at 85–95% HRpeak; or iii) 5–7 times/week of ≥30 min MICT at 60–70% HRpeak. Clinical examinations, physical tests and questionnaires are administered to all participants during all testing time points (baseline, 16 weeks and after 1-, and 3-years). This multi-center international trial indeed aims to ease the burden in healthcare/economic cost arising from treating end-stage CVD related conditions such as stroke and myocardial infarction, that could eventually emerge from the metabolic syndrome condition. Clinical registration number: NCT01676870, ClinicalTrials.gov (August 31, 2012).

Background: Combined (CT) and multicomponent training (MT) presents several benefits for aging individuals. However, the literature does not provide evidence on which of the two physical training models can better enhance improvements in physical capacity and health parameters in middle-aged and older women. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of MT and CT on physical capacity, cognitive, behavioral, and psychosocial assessment, and biochemical profile of physically inactive women aged between 50 and 70 years. Methods: Participants were randomized into two groups: MT (32 women, 64.2 ± 6.4 years) and CT (39 women, 61.4 ± 4.3 years). Both training sessions had a weekly volume of 180 min, for 14 weeks, with assessments at baseline and after the training period. Results: CT showed better results when compared to MT. In the four evaluation blocks, we noticed differences in the effect size (L = large, M = moderate, S = small, and T = trivial) between the groups in 26 variables in total, highlighting the CT group (L = 11, M = 5, S = 2, and T = 8) compared to the MT group (L = 8, M = 7, S = 7, and T = 4). Our findings showed group-time differences for strength variables using the maximum dynamic repetition test in upper and lower limbs and for agility. The multicomponent training showed improvement in the functional strength of the upper limbs evaluated through the elbow flexion and extension test (p = 0.037), and HDL (p = 0.022). Conclusions: Fourteen weeks of CT showed better benefits when compared to MT.

Rodrigues, JAL, Santos, BC, Medeiros, LH, Gonçalves, TCP, and Júnior, CRB. Effects of different periodization strategies of combined aerobic and strength training on heart rate variability in older women. J Strength Cond Res 35(7): 2033–2039, 2021—The preservation of autonomic function has been proposed to be a key determinant of health and longevity. Periodization in combined training (CT) (strength plus aerobic exercise in the same session) might improve autonomic modulation. However, the specific influences of nonperiodized (NP), flexible nonlinear periodized (FNLP), and nonlinear periodized (NLP) strategies of CT on heart rate variability (HRV) are currently unknown. Therefore, we investigated the effects of NP, FNLP, and NLP strategies of CT on HRV in physically active women. In total, 54 physically active older women (61.6 ± 6.3 years) previously engaged in a regular exercise training were randomly allocated into 3 groups: NP, FNLP, and NLP. All the subjects performed 12 weeks of training, 3 times per week, with the sessions divided into aerobic (bicycle or treadmill) and strength exercises. Before and after the exercise training, we examined anthropometric, body composition, and HRV measures (low-frequency [LF], high-frequency [HF], LF/HF, and root mean square successive difference of RR intervals [RMSSD]) during rest, a maximum exercise test, and recovery post-test. Mixed-model measures were used, and statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. The waist circumference reduced only in the NP group (∆ = −2.01%). The RMSSD increased in the NLP (∆ = 76.5%) and LF/HF ratio increased in the FNLP (∆ = 34.51%) during the rest period. There were no differences during the exercise test and recovery after test for LF, HF, LF/HF, or RMSSD. In active women, nonlinear periodization strategies of CT improved one of the cardiovascular health outcomes because HRV is a direct predictor of cardiovascular risk.