Irisin is an exercise-induced cytokine mainly secreted by myocytes. Circulating level of irisin can increase in response to acute exercise, promoting pleiotropic effects on health. Generally, irisin is evaluated in blood, however, its collection is invasive. Saliva sample would not have any risk associated with blood collection and would represent a less invasive method for irisin detection. Until now, there are only a few studies that have analyzed irisin levels in saliva. In the present research, five healthy male adults performed an incremental exercise until exhaustion on cycle ergometer. Serum and saliva samples were collected before exercise and 15min, 24h and 48h after reaching the exhaustion. Irisin was detected by ELISA assay. Serum and salivary irisin levels increased from baseline to 24h post exercise and reverted to basal levels after 48h of rest. A significant rise of both serum and salivary irisin level at 24h (p≤0.05) compared to baseline levels was found. Furthermore, a significant correlation between irisin percentage change in serum and saliva from baseline to 24h post exercise was detected (r=0.92, p<0.05). Despite the relatively limited sample, this research suggests that collecting saliva samples might represent a valid and less invasive method to detect irisin level changes induced by exercise.

This study aimed to analyze the acute impact of exercise on serum irisin levels in 22 young (YA, 24.6 ± 3.5 yrs) and in 12 middle-aged male adults (MA, 54.6 ± 5.7 yrs) 15 min and 24 h after an incremental cycling exercise test to exhaustion. ELISA assay was used for serum irisin detection. Circulating irisin increased significantly from baseline (9.0 ± 2.0 ng/ml) to 15 min post-exercise (10.2 ± 2.0 ng/ml, P < 0.001), but the greatest increment was detected after 24 h (13.5 ± 2.5 ng/ml, P < 0.001) reaching more than 50% of the basal release. Levels were significantly higher in YA (9.7 ± 1.7 to 11.1 ± 1.8 to 14.5 ± 2.2 ng/ml) than MA (7.6 ± 1.6 to 8.7 ± 1.5 to 11.8± 2.2 ng/ml) for all measured time-points (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, MA showed a comparable increase in serum irisin levels when compared to YA. These findings highlight the importance of acute physical exercise as a countermeasure against age-related deterioration of skeletal muscle mass and function in both YA and MA.

Physical activity promotes metabolic health and prevents lifestyle-related diseases. Adiponectin is specifically produced by adipose tissue and comes in three forms, differing in terms of weight: trimers (LMW), hexamers (MMW), and high-molecular-weight (HMW) oligomers. The oligomers are associated with the beneficial effects of adiponectin. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of a single bout of exhaustive exercise on adiponectin expression in 25 male amateur athletes, divided into two groups, one comprising young adults (YAs) (n = 15), and the other comprising middle-aged adults (MAs) (n = 10). Body fat was estimated through skinfold thickness. Adiponectin levels were assessed at baseline and at 15 min and 24 h post-exercise, while HMW oligomer levels were evaluated at baseline and at 24 h post-exercise. We observed a significant increase in total adiponectin at both 15 min and 24 h after exercise, with there being a more evident effect among the YA subjects. HMW oligomers also increased significantly after exercise both in the total sample and among the YA subjects, but this was not the case in the MA subjects. The increase in adiponectin levels was significantly associated with Power_peak. Furthermore, a significant inverse correlation was found between basal adiponectin and VO_2peak and Power_peak. In conclusion, a single bout of exhaustive exercise can rapidly and significantly enhance the basal circulating adiponectin concentration, which seems to be negatively associated with maximal aerobic capacity.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the time course of β-endorphin (β-EDP) levels in healthy males following an acute exercise, while considering their age and physical fitness (PF) level. Methods: Participants (N = 29, 20–65 years) were categorized in good PF young adult (YA1), excellent PF young adult (YA2), and excellent PF middle-aged adult (MA) group, depending on peak oxygen uptake and age. They underwent a maximal incremental cycling test, with blood samples collected at baseline (T0), 15 min (T1), and 24 h post-exercise (T2). Serum β-EDP levels were measured using an ELISA kit. Results: Significant increases in β-EDP levels were observed from T0 to T1 in all enrolled subjects. In YA1, levels rose from 170.1 to 202.5 pg/ml (p < 0.001), in YA2 from 188.4 to 230.3 pg/ml (p < 0.05), and in MA level increased from 153 to 189.3 pg/ml (p < 0.01). YA2 showed higher levels of β-EDP than MA in any time point (p < 0.05). All groups displayed a significant decrease of β-EDP from T1 to T2. Comparison between groups revealed that age significantly influenced baseline β-EDP levels, with notable differences between young and middle-aged individuals. Noteworthy, MA with excellent PF presented similar β-EDP levels to young with good PF. Conclusion: Acute exercise triggers a notable but transient elevation of serum β-EDP levels in both young and middle-aged adults, with the latter exhibiting lower baseline levels. Additionally, our findings suggest that age may have a greater influence on β-EDP secretion, both at rest and after physical exercise compared to PF level.

Dragon boating and rowing are reported to be safe and provide physical benefits for women with breast cancer. Sculling, characterized by a distinct biomechanical technique, may serve as a potential tool to mitigate the adverse side effects of cancer treatments. This study investigated the feasibility and impact of a 6-month integrated physical activity program in breast cancer survivors. A longitudinal intervention study was conducted involving 20 women with breast cancer (age: 55.8 ± 6.1 yrs; BMI: 24.6 ± 3.3 kg/m², stages I-III; surgery performed 6 months to 20 years prior) who participated in a 6-month exercise program consisting of three weekly one-hour sessions of adapted physical activity, walking, and sculling, with assessments conducted at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Physical activity, arm lymphedema, flexibility, and fatigue were tested. The program did not lead to the development or worsening of pre-existing lymphedema. A reduction of 78.9 cm³ was observed in the operated limb over 6 months (p = 0.005). An improvement in flexibility was also observed with a 2.7 cm increase in the back scratch test for the operated limb (p < 0.001). However, no significant change in fatigue-related variables was recorded. This is a novel study, as sculling has not previously been investigated in the context of breast cancer rehabilitation. The findings suggested that, when integrated into a structured exercise program, sculling is not only a safe and accessible activity but also effective in promoting physical and health-related improvements, with no adverse events reported. Therefore, it should be considered as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan for breast cancer survivors.

To test the hypothesis that hot water immersion (HWI) improves cerebrovascular function via shear‐mediated mechanisms, this study determined cerebrovascular reactivity to carbon dioxide () before and after 60 min of 39°C HWI and a 21°C air control (CON) in 15 healthy participants. Thermal and haemodynamic variables were assessed throughout the trials, and was determined by a 4‐min inhalation of hypercapnic gas (6% CO₂, 21% O₂, N₂ balance) and the assessment of internal carotid artery (ICA) blood flow by duplex ultrasound before and 45 min after HWI and CON. At 60 min of the interventions, core body temperature (CON, 36.9 ± 0.3°C; HWI, 38.1 ± 0.3°C, P < 0.01), heart rate (P < 0.01) and ICA conductance (P < 0.01) were higher in HWI than CON, while, mean arterial blood pressure was lower (CON, 82 ± 9 mmHg; HWI 65 ± 8 mmHg, P < 0.01). No differences were observed for ICA diameter, ICA blood velocity, ICA shear rate and ICA blood flow between HWI and CON (all P > 0.05). ICA did not change after either CON (pre: 13.9 ± 9.2 to post: 11.3 ± 6.1 mL min⁻¹ mmHg⁻¹) or HWI (pre: 14.6 ± 7.9 to post: 10.9 ± 5.4 mL min⁻¹ mmHg⁻¹; Interaction P = 0.65). In conclusion, HWI reduced blood pressure and increased ICA conductance (i.e. autoregulation) to maintain blood flow to the brain; however, HWI did not influence subsequent cerebrovascular function, as assessed by .