Skeletal muscle has recently been identified as an endocrine organ. It has, therefore, been suggested that cytokines and other peptides that are produced, expressed, and released by muscle fibers and exert paracrine, autocrine, or endocrine effects should be classified as "myokines." Recent research demonstrates that skeletal muscles can produce and express cytokines belonging to distinctly different families. However, the first identified and most studied myokine is the gp130 receptor cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6). IL-6 was discovered as a myokine because of the observation that it increases up to 100-fold in the circulation during physical exercise. Identification of IL-6 production by skeletal muscle during physical activity generated renewed interest in the metabolic role of IL-6 because it created a paradox. On one hand, IL-6 is markedly produced and released in the postexercise period when insulin action is enhanced but, on the other hand, IL-6 has been associated with obesity and reduced insulin action. This review focuses on the myokine IL-6, its regulation by exercise, its signaling pathways in skeletal muscle, and its role in metabolism in both health and disease.

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Muscle as an endocrine organ: focus on muscle-derived interleukin-6.

わが国における成人市中肺炎原因微生物についてのsystematic review/meta‐analysis

The current review presents the 2005 update of the human gene map for physical performance and health-related fitness phenotypes. It is based on peer-reviewed papers published by the end of 2005. The genes and markers with evidence of association or linkage with a performance or fitness phenotype in sedentary or active people, in adaptation to acute exercise, or for training-induced changes are positioned on the genetic map of all autosomes and the X chromosome. Negative studies are reviewed, but a gene or locus must be supported by at least one positive study before being inserted on the map. By the end of 2000, in the early version of the gene map, 29 loci were depicted. In contrast, the 2005 human gene map for physical performance and health-related phenotypes includes 165 autosomal gene entries and QTL, plus five others on the X chromosome. Moreover, there are 17 mitochondrial genes in which sequence variants have been shown to influence relevant fitness and performance phenotypes. Thus, the map is growing in complexity. Unfortunately, progress is slow in the field of genetics of fitness and performance, primarily because the number of laboratories and scientists focused on the role of genes and sequence variations in exercise-related traits continues to be quite limited.

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The human gene map for performance and health-related fitness phenotypes: the 2005 update.

During the past 20 yr, it has been well documented that exercise has a profound effect on the immune system. With the discovery that exercise provokes an increase in a number of cytokines, a possible link between skeletal muscle contractile activity and immune changes was established. For most of the last century, researchers sought a link between muscle contraction and humoral changes in the form of an "exercise factor," which could mediate some of the exercise-induced metabolic changes in other organs such as the liver and the adipose tissue. We suggest that cytokines and other peptides that are produced, expressed, and released by muscle fibers and exert either paracrine or endocrine effects should be classified as "myokines." Since the discovery of interleukin (IL)-6 release from contracting skeletal muscle, evidence has accumulated that supports an effect of IL-6 on metabolism. We suggested that muscle-derived IL-6 fulfils the criteria of an exercise factor and that such classes of cytokines should be named "myokines." Interestingly, recent research demonstrates that skeletal muscles can produce and express cytokines belonging to distinctly different families. Thus skeletal muscle has the capacity to express several myokines. To date the list includes IL-6, IL-8, and IL-15, and contractile activity plays a role in regulating the expression of these cytokines in skeletal muscle. The present review focuses on muscle-derived cytokines, their regulation by exercise, and their possible roles in metabolism and skeletal muscle function and it discusses which cytokines should be classified as true myokines.

Role of myokines in exercise and metabolism.

Meta-Analysis of Workplace Physical Activity Interventions

Rate of perceived exertion (RPE) can be used to identify exercise intensities in relation to an individual’s fitness level or at ventilatory breakpoint (Vpt). Few studies have investigated direct kinematic observational procedure in a field setting and application in school or training settings. PURPOSE: This study investigated the validation in applying a direct kinematic observational procedure between field and laboratory settings using the OMNI Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale. METHODS: Ten healthy participants (age: 23.2 ± 2.0 years; height: 1.65 ± 0.07 m; weight: 56.5 ± 9.2 kg; body mass index (BMI): 20.6 ± 2.4 kg•m-2)) completed 2 protocols: 1) A 20 m Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) field-test. 2) Bruce protocol incremental treadmill laboratory test. Both tests were terminated upon volitional exhaustion. OMNI RPE was self-rated by participants and rated by 2 observers in the last 50-60 seconds and last 30 seconds of each PACER and treadmill stage respectively. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2) and heart rate (HR) were measured by a portable gas analyzer and HR monitor for both sessions. RESULTS: Linear regression analysis indicated significant positive correlations between OMNI RPE and VO2 (R = 0.987, R2 = 0.973, SEE = 0.381, p = 0.013), OMNI RPE and HR (R = 0.979, R2 = 0.958, SEE = 0.482, p = 0.021); observed and self-rated OMNI RPE across PACER test stages (R = 0.995, R2 = 0.989, SEE = 0.243, p = 0.005). Mixed ANOVA measures revealed no significant interactions between OMNI RPE and protocols F(1, 12) = 0.548, p = 0.473; observed and self-rated OMNI RPE during PACER F(1, 9) = 3.574, p = 0.091; procedure and PACER stages F(3, 27) = 2.124, p = 0.121. No significant difference was found for VO2 between PACER and treadmill (PACER: 46.50 ± 6.54 ml•kg•min-1 vs. treadmill: 45.30 ± 6.50 ml•kg•min-1), treadmill average self-rated and observer 1 RPE (self-rated: 5.54 ± 3.42 vs. observer 1: 5.42 3.25, p = 0.261), average self-rated and observer 2 RPE (self-rated: 5.54 ± 3.42 vs. observer 2: 5.26 ± 3.48, p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Observed RPE estimated through direct kinematic observation is positively correlated with the self-rated RPE during PACER test. PE teachers, sports coaches and sports enthusiasts may apply the use of direct kinematic observational procedure in a field setting using the OMNI RPE scale. 

Direct Kinematic Observation Validation And Comparison Between Field And Laboratory Settings Using Omni Rate Of Perceived Exertion Scale

The study of routing protocols in wireless sensor networks has increased. Routing protocols in wireless sensor networks are being addressed to improve the usage of limited network resources. Routing protocols are use to extend the life of the wireless sensor networks without compromising data delivery. Joint Sink Mobility, Routing Metric, and Beacon Vector protocols have been designed by inheriting features from Flat Based Routing, Hierarchical Routing, and Location Based Routing protocols. In this article, we survey and briefly discuss each routing protocol mentioned.

Survey of Recent Routing Techniques in Wireless Sensor Networks

BACKGROUND
Obesity around the world is increasing at an alarming rate. One of the issues with obesity is whether exercise with large energy expenditure have any effect on obesity risk factors such as insulin resistance and coronary heart diseases.


METHODS
Twenty participants (mean age: 19.5±1.09 years) with Body Mass Index (BMI) of >30 kg/m2, and body fat percentage (BF%) of >25% completed an institutionalized regimented training (IRT) for 16 weeks. 12-hour fasting blood samples were collected at least 48 hours after the last exercise session. Glucose and insulin variables were determined through an oral glucose tolerance test. Participants underwent 446 hours of IRT and ate from four standardized meal menus per day with a caloric intake of 3066 kcal.


RESULTS
IRT resulted in a significant weight loss of 13.48±1.97 kg. Pre- and Post-Training total cholesterol (4.80±0.92 vs. 4.12±0.82 mmol/L) (P<0.01), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (3.04±0.83 vs. 2.51±0.74 mmol/L) (P<0.01), triglycerides (1.19±0.57 vs. 0.74±0.30 mmol/L) (P<0.01) and apolipoprotein levels (Apo-A: 133.30±13.10 vs. 120.40±14.54 mg/dL; Apo-B: 88.08±25.72 vs. 70.12±18.21 mg/dL) (P<0.01) were significantly reduced, and glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were also improved.


CONCLUSIONS
Large exercise-induced weight loss can be achieved through IRT and may be a solution for weight loss for individuals with obesity to reduce obesity related complications.

Effects of large exercise-induced weight loss on insulin sensitivity and metabolic risk factors in young males with obesity.

A board game for a plurality of players to learn arithmetic by playing the game with game pieces representative of the players. Each of the players has a first number of tokens, and the game is played on a game board with a dice rollable to advance the game pieces. The board game comprises a vessel for storing a second number of tokens. The game board comprises a plurality of locations extended around a perimeter of the game board. The plurality of locations is delineated for advancement of the game pieces according to a roll of the dice. Each delineated location indicates an arithmetic function operable by each of player based on their corresponding first number of tokens, when the representing game piece arrives on each delineated location.

Board game for learning arithmetic

METHODS Five Asian UT (age: 23.8 ± 0.4 yrs, body fat %: 15.9 ± 5.7 %, height: 174.0 ± 4.1 cm, weight: 65.5 ± 4.1 kg) and 5 Asian ET male participants (age: 24.4 ± 3.9 yrs, body fat %: 12.9 ± 6.9 %, height: 169.4 ± 5.1 cm, weight: 60.6 ± 8.1 kg) participated in this study. Participants attended 3 sessions to determine their body composition, submaximal and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) test, 1500m track running session (RS) and 1500m treadmill RS. The maximally accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) method was used to calculate energy system contribution.

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Govindasamy Balasekaran

Papers

Direct Kinematic Observation Validation And Comparison Between Field And Laboratory Settings Using Omni Rate Of Perceived Exertion Scale

Survey of Recent Routing Techniques in Wireless Sensor Networks

Effects of large exercise-induced weight loss on insulin sensitivity and metabolic risk factors in young males with obesity.

Board game for learning arithmetic

Energy System Contribution during 1500M Running in Untrained and Endurance-Trained Asian Male College Students