Showing papers by "Giuseppe Battaglia published in 2013"

Effects of high-intensity circuit training, low-intensity circuit training and endurance training on blood pressure and lipoproteins in middle-aged overweight men.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the physiological effects of an high-intensity circuit training (HICT) on several cardiovascular disease risk factors in healthy, overweight middle-aged subjects, and to compare the effects of HICT to traditional endurance training (ET) and low-intensity circuit training (LICT) Fifty-eight participants (ages 61±33 yrs, BMI 298±09) were randomly assigned to one of the three exercise treatment groups: HICT, LICT and ET The three groups exercised three times per week, 50 min per session for 12 weeks Baseline and after intervention anthropometric characteristics: body weight (BW), fat mass (FM); blood pressure: diastolic (DBP) and systolic (SBP), blood parameters; CHOL-t (total cholesterol), LDL-C (low density lipoprotein-cholesterol), HDL-C (high density lipoprotein-cholesterol), TG (triglycerides), ApoB and ratio ApoB/ApoA1 were measured Compared to other groups, HICT showed significantly higher reductions in FM, DBP, CHOLt, LDL-C, TG, ApoB and significantly greater increases in high density HDL-C LICT resulted in the greatest reduction in SBP All groups showed a significant improvement of BW without any significant differences between groups Our findings indicate that high-intensity circuit training is more effective in improving blood pressure, lipoproteins and triglycerides than endurance training alone or lower intensity circuit training

Soccer practice as an add-on treatment in the management of individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia

Abstract: Physical activity is an important aspect of good health for everyone; it is even more important for psychiatric patients who usually live an unhealthy lifestyle. In recent years, there has been growing focus on the use of soccer as a vehicle to improve the health of subjects with severe mental illness. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of soccer practice on the self-reported health quality of life (SRHQL) and sports performance (SP) in psychotic subjects. Eighteen male patients with diagnosis of schizophrenia were randomized into either a trained (TG) or a control group (CG). The TG was trained for 12 weeks using two soccer training sessions per week. The CG did not perform any regular sports activity during the experimental period. Anthropometric measurements, SRHQL, personal time records in a 30 meter sprint test and slalom test running with a ball were evaluated before and after the experimental period. SRHQL was assessed using Short Form-12 questionnaire measuring physical and mental component summary scores. After the training period, the TG showed a relevant decrease by 4.6% in bodyweight (BW) and body mass index compared to baseline. Conversely, the CG showed an increased BW and body mass index by 1.8% from baseline to posttest. Moreover, after 12 weeks we found that control patients increased their BW significantly when compared to trained patients (Δ = 5.4%; P < 0.05). After the training period, comparing the baseline TG’s Short Form-12-scores to posttest results, we found an improvement of 10.5% and 10.8% in physical component summary and mental component summary, respectively. In addition, performances on the 30 meter sprint test and slalom test running with a ball in the TG improved significantly (P < 0.01) from baseline to posttest when compared to CG. Soccer practice appears able to improve psychophysical health in individuals with diagnosis of schizophrenia. Indeed, our study demonstrated that programmed soccer physical activity could reduce antipsychotic medication-related weight gain and improve SRHQL and sports performance in psychotic subjects.

The involvement of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in heart exercise-related angiogenesis

Abstract: Little is known about the involvement of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in cardiac vascular remodelling induced by exercise. Our aim was to evaluate and localize MMP-2 and MMP-9’s activities in relation to capillary proliferation in mouse hearts trained for 15, 30 and 45 days. Sixty-three mice were randomly assigned to 7 groups: four control sedentary groups (C0, C15, C30 and C45) and three groups trained by an endurance protocol (T15, T30 and T45). MMP-2 and MMP-9 were examined with zymography and immunostaining analyses. Capillary proliferation was evaluated counting the number of CD31-positive cells. Different activity patterns of the latent form of both MMPs were found. Pro-MMP-9 increased after 15 days of training; whereas pro-MMP-2 gradually decreased after 30 and 45 days of training below the control groups. The latter was inversely correlated with capillary growth. MMP-9 was mainly localized in myocardiocytes and less evident in capillaries. Conversely, MMP-2 was more intense in capillary endothelial cells and slightly in myocardiocytes. A different spatiotemporal modulation of pro-MMP-2 and pro-MMP-9 activities has been detected in the myocardium during angiogenesis related to the aerobic training. These results can be useful to draw up training protocols for improving the performance of healthy and diseased human hearts.

Type 2 Diabetes Family Histories, Body Composition and Fasting Glucose Levels: A Cross-Section Analysis in Healthy Sedentary Male and Female

Abstract: Background: Diabetes type 2 is a world wide spread disease with a multifactorial pathogenetic evolution. Various factors like obesity, physical inactivity and poor lifestyle habits contribute to its development. The aim of this study was to verify if in young healthy sedentary male and female there is positive correlation between family history to type 2 diabetes and an increase in body weight and fat mass, or alterations in basal glycemia values. Methods: Totally183 male and 237 female healthy sedentary subjects were analysed in 2012, in Italy. They were divided in three groups: FH+ with first degree family history, FH++with second degree family history and FH- with no family history. Anthropometrics, body composition and blood parameters were assessed. Results: Male had the highest BMI values (P<0.01). FH+ and FH++ had increased waist and hip circumferences and body weight (P<0.005 for men, P<0.0001 for women), body mass index (P< 0.0001 in both sexes), waist-hip ratio (P< 0.05 for men and women) and triceps skinfold (P< 0.0005 for both sexes). Obesity incidence was higher in FH + and FH++ compared to control groups. Conclusions: The study confirms family history to diabetes type 2 as a risk factor for the development of the illness, mainly in a case of first degree of FH. Preventive interventions are necessary to promote significant life-style changes, such as increased physical activity and controlled quantity and quality of food intake.

Evaluation of thoracic ROM in elderly women after a specific flexibility-training program

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a specific flexibility training program on thoracic spinal range of motion (T-ROM) in female older subjects. Thirty older women were randomized into either a trained group [TG] (n: 17; age: 68.35±6.04 years; height: 1.54±0.06 m; weight: 64.78±10.16, kg, BMI: 27.28±3.08) and a control group [CG] (n: 13; age: 69.69±7.94 years; height: 1.57±0.06 m; weight: 68.42±8.18 kg, BMI: 27.88±2.81). Trained subjects were trained for 8 weeks by two sessions/week. In particular, every trained session included: a warm up period (~15 min), a training period (~60 min) including specific exercises to train spinal flexibility, cool down period (~15 min). Control subjects did not perform any programmed physical activity during the experimental period. Data were obtained before and after the experimental phase. Spinal ranges of motion were measured using SpinalMouse® (Idiag, Volkerswill, Switzerland), which is an electronic computer-aided device that measures sagittal spinal ROM and inter-segmental angles non-invasively (Imagama et al. 2011). Each angle was measured three times in a neutral standing (nS) position, maximum extension (maxE) position and maximum bending (maxB) one, and average data were used. We found a significant increase in thoracic ROM from nS to maxB position (p 0.05). In conclusion, our findings indicate that used flexibility training protocol performed for eight weeks can improve the thoracic ROM from nS to maxB position in elderly people. In agreement with Imagama et al. (2011), we suggest that an increase in T-ROM could have positive consequences on quality of life and activities of daily living in older women.

Changes in plasmatic redox status following low-moderate interval exercise training in rhythmic gymnastics trainers

Abstract: Different types and intensities of exercise may induce varying levels of reactive oxygen species and antioxidants affecting plasma redox state in a specific way (Bloomer et al., 2005). The aim of our study was to investigate whether the plasmatic production of H2O2 and antioxidant capacity changed in response to a low-moderate intensity interval training session and after 48 hours of recovery in rhythmic gymnastics trainers. Ten women (age: 23.8 ± 3.42 y; weight: 52.58 ± 4.57 kg; height: 158.42 ± 2.20 cm; body mass index: 20.88 ± 1.23) with 13.14 ± 5.40 years of experience in rhythmic gymnastics and trainers from at least 4 years at a competitive level voluntarily participated in this study. One week before the training session, trainers performed a laboratory graded exercise test on the treadmill in order to determine their maximal heart rate (HRmax) and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). Following, they executed a interval training session at an average intensity of 57% FCmax, mainly in aerobic condition and only 2% of total time in anaerobic condition. The session included exercises typical of rhythmic gymnastics and a competition simulation. Immediately before and after the training session, blood samples were taken from trainers and H2O2 levels and antioxidant capacity were measured by dROMs and BAP test, respectively. The same think was performed after 48 h of recovery. After training, H2O2 levels were significantly lower than baseline; however they increased until to reach the baseline following 48 h of recovery. Antioxidant capacity decreased after training and was significantly higher than baseline after 48h of recovery. These results show that a low-moderate intensity interval training session of rhythmic gymnastics has different effects on ROS production and antioxidant capacity, and a regular exercise can protect the trainers by oxidative stress.

1RM bench press performance: a new method of evaluation in recreational male and female

Abstract: It is widely recognised that the 1 RM bench press test is the most valid in evaluating the upper body maximal strength in both athletes and sedentary individuals Various approaches are used for its evaluation, both through prediction equations or practical attempts The aim of this study was to assess a new method to perform the bench press test combining previously validated theoretical and practical procedures Fifteen participants (8 male Age=235±23 FM%=173±92 and 7 female Age=279±10 FM%=256±69) with no specific training history were tested Physiological parameters ware recorded before, during and after each test Participants had to perform a set of repetitions to fatigue (RTF) with a workload corresponding to ⅓ of their body mass (BM) for a maximum of 25 repetitions After a 5-minute rest, a set of RTF was performed with ½ of BM The number of repetitions performed in this set was then used to predict the theoretical 1RM using the Mayhew’s equation At this point participants were invited to attempt the 1 RM bench press test with the predicted workload, for a maximum of 3 attempts Rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was assessed at the end each test The results of the set RTF performed with ½ BM was significantly (p<001) gender related, with higher performance values for males (25±66 repetitions) than for females (11±106 repetitions) Mayhew’s equation predicated the 1RM performance with an accuracy of 11% in females However, this was underestimated (-155%) in males No significant differences were found on Blood Lactate and RPE post 1RM performance Oxygen uptake and Heart rate varied significantly during the set RTF performed with ½ BM The new method we propose seems to be highly accurate, effective and not time consuming when estimating 1RM bench press performance, particularly in female individuals These preliminary findings will be useful in the design of a validation study with a larger cohort of participants of both sex