The study aimed to evaluate the immediate effects of a dry needling (DN) therapy session on biomechanical properties, muscle power, perfusion, and pressure pain threshold of the gastrocnemius muscle with latent trigger points. Twenty mixed martial arts athletes (MMA) were randomly divided into two groups: experimental (eDN, n = 10) and sham (qDN, n = 10) to undergo one session of DN either with a real or a qazi needle. The measurements were taken at rest, 1-5 minutes after the DN (Post1-5min) and 24h after the DN (Post24h). DN significantly increased the muscle perfusion (Post1-5min and Post24h, p < 0.001), reduced its tone (Post1-5min and Post24h, p < 0.001) and stiffness (Post1-5min, p < 0.05; Post24 h, p < 0.001), and improved its elasticity (Post1-5min and Post24h, p < 0.001). DN also caused a significant increase in pressure pain threshold (Post1-5min, p < 0.001; Post24h, p < 0.05) and in muscle power (Post24h, p < 0.01). The DN session increased the blood perfusion and improved the biomechanical properties of the gastrocnemius muscle, which led to improved muscle power. The DN also had an analgesic effect. These effects were maintained at 24 h, which suggests that DN could facilitate muscle recovery in a post-exercise period of MMA athletes.

Excessive body fat is associated with various comorbidities including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus and certain types of cancer. The search for effective, relatively easy to maintain body-fat reduction interventions has been ongoing. We aimed to review the current literature to assess the effectiveness of high-intensity interval training with and without dietary supplementation on body fat loss, concentration of markers of metabolic health and aerobic capacity of adults with overweight and obesity. Seventy full-text articles were assessed to determine their eligibility and thirteen were included in the review. The methodology of this systematic review was developed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Almost all studies (93%) demonstrated effectiveness of high-intensity interval training of various protocols in reducing body fat, improving metabolic health and aerobic capacity of adults with overweight and obesity. These effects were enhanced by an addition of a dietary supplement, such as green tea or ginger or other. Although combining HIIT with dietary supplementation seem to improve body composition, metabolic health and aerobic capacity in adults with overweight and obesity in some instances to a greater extent than HIIT alone, it does not seem to be necessary to combine these two interventions.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is associated with hyperglycaemia-induced hypoxia and inflammation. This study assessed the effects of a single bout of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) on glycaemia (BG) and serum level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and an essential mediator of adaptive response to hypoxia in T1D patients. The macronutrient intake was also evaluated. Nine patients suffering from T1D for about 12 years and nine healthy individuals (CG) were enrolled and completed one session of HIIE at the intensity of 120% lactate threshold with a duration of 4 × 5 min intermittent with 5 min rests after each bout of exercise. Capillary and venous blood were withdrawn at rest, immediately after and at 24 h post-HIIE for analysis of BG, hypoxia-inducible factor alpha (HIF-1α), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and vascular-endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Pre-exercise BG was significantly higher in the T1D patients compared to the CG (p = 0.043). HIIE led to a significant decline in T1D patients’ BG (p = 0.027) and a tendency for a lower BG at 24 h post-HIIE vs. pre-HIIE. HIF-1α was significantly elevated in the T1D patients compared to CG and there was a trend for HIF-1α to decline, and for VEGF and TNF-α to increase in response to HIIE in the T1D group. Both groups consumed more and less than the recommended amounts of protein and fat, respectively. In the T1D group, a tendency for a higher digestible carbohydrate intake and more frequent hyperglycaemic episodes on the day after HIIE were observed. HIIE was effective in reducing T1D patients’ glycaemia and improving short-term glycaemic control. HIIE has the potential to improve adaptive response to hypoxia by elevating the serum level of VEGF. Patients’ diet and level of physical activity should be screened on a regular basis, and they should be educated on the glycaemic effects of digestible carbohydrates.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is associated with hyperglycaemia-induced hypoxia and inflammation. The study assessed the effects of a single high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) on glycaemia (BG) and serum level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and an essential mediator of adaptive response to hypoxia in T1D patients. The macronutrients intake was also evaluated. Nine patients suffering from T1D for about 12 years and nine healthy individuals (CG) were enrolled and completed one session of HIIE at the intensity of 120% lactate threshold and duration of 4 x 5 min intermittent with 5 min rest after each bout of exercise. Capillary and venous blood was withdrawn at rest, immediately after and at the 24 h post-HIIE for analysis of BG, hypoxia-inducible factor alpha (HIF-1α), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and vascular-endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Pre-exercise BG was significantly higher in the T1D compared to the CG (p = 0.043). HIIE led to a significant decline in T1D patients’ BG (p = 0.027) and to a tendency for a lower BG at 24-h post-HIIE vs pre-HIIE. HIF-1α was significantly elevated in the T1D compared to CG and there was a trend for HIF-1α to decline, and VEGF, TNF-α to increase in response to HIIE in the T1D group. Both groups consumed higher and lower than recommended amounts of protein and fat, respectively. In T1D group, a tendency for a higher digestible carbohydrate intake and more frequent hyperglycaemic episodes on the day after HIIE were observed. HIIE was effective in reducing T1D patients’ glycaemia and improving the short-term glycaemic control. HIIE has the potential to improve adaptive response to hypoxia by elevating the serum level of VEGF. Patients’ diet and level of physical activity should be screened on a regular basis, and they should be educated on the glycaemic effects of digestible carbohydrates.

This study investigated the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in normobaric hypoxia on aerobic performance in young biathlon athletes. In addition, the study aimed to assess the impact of training in hypoxia on the mechanisms of exercise-induced motor performance fatigue. In a randomized, controlled crossover study twelve athletes (age 15.7 ± 1.0 years) completed a HIIT in normobaric hypoxia (hypoxia training) (fraction of inspired oxygen, FiO2 = 15.2%) and normoxia (normoxia training) in a randomized order. The HIIT was performed 3 days/week for 6 weeks (3 weeks in hypoxia and 3 weeks in normoxia, with a 3 week wash-out period in between) and consisted of 5 x 4 minutes running (80% of peak oxygen uptake), separated by 3 minutes of active recovery and 4 x 1minute arm cranking (60% peak power), interspersed with a 2 minute rest. Peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak), hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), pro-inflammatory cytokines, muscle damage biomarkers and total antioxidant status were analyzed before and after both training protocols (HT and NT). A significant effect of hypoxia on V̇O2peak (ηp2 = 0.321, p = 0.044) and hypoxia and training on V̇O2LT and haemoglobin concentrations (ηp2 = 0.689 p = 0.001) were observed. The V̇O2peak was significantly higher post-HT compared to pre-HT (p < 0.01). A significant effect of oxygen conditions and training on the serum post-exercise VEGF (ηp2 = 0.352, p = 0.033) and myoglobin concentrations (ηp2 = 0.647 p = 0.001) was found. A significant effect of hypoxia was also observed for cytokines levels: interleukin-6 (ηp2 = 0.324 p = 0.042), tumour necrosis factor alpha (ηp2 = 0.474 p = 0.009) and transforming growth factor beta (ηp2= 0.410, p = 0.018) with a non-significant effect on antioxidant status. This study shows significant differences in the aerobic performance and biomarkers of muscle damage after exposure to hypoxia training. These findings highlight that HIIT in hypoxia is sufficient to enhance aerobic performance and may also reduce skeletal muscle susceptibility to fatigue in young biathletes.