Plasma lipid levels in active and sedentary premenopausal females

Cross-sectional data on 19 long-distance runners (LD), 17 aerobic dancers (AD), 19 recreational joggers (RJ), and 15 inactive controls (IC) were examined for cardiovascular endurance and determination of plasma lipoproteins. Subjects included premenopausal eumenorrheic females who were non-smokers and presently not using oral contraceptives. Results indicated that all groups were similar in age, height and weight. Only the AD group had a significantly lower percent body fat (p less than .001) than the other groups. The LD, AD and RJ groups had a significantly higher VO2max than the IC group (p less than .05), and the LD and AD groups had a significantly higher VO2max than the RJ group (p less than .05). Analysis of a one-day food log indicated that the only difference in diet among the groups was a significantly lower intake of total and monounsaturated fat in the AD group (p less than .05) and a significantly lower intake of carbohydrates in the IC group than the AD group (p less than .05). Analysis of plasma lipids revealed no significant differences in any lipid variables among the groups. These findings indicate that healthy premenopausal eumenorrheic females with similar physical characteristics also have similar plasma lipid profiles regardless of their physical activity level.

[Changes in plasma interleukin-1 and their possible relationship with the changes in glucocorticoid receptor in aged long-distance runner]

For the study of the changes in plasma interleukin-1 (IL-1) and their possible relationship with the changes in glucocorticoid receptor (GR), plasma IL-1 and GR in peripheral blood leukocytes in aged long-distance runner were measured simultaneously. The activity of IL-1 was expressed as its ability to stimulate 3H-TdR incorporation in the thymocytes of C57 mice. GR was determined by whole cell assay with 3H-Dex. The results showed that the activity of plasma IL-1 in aged long-distance runner was 209%, 223% and 145% of the control at 14.7-18.7, 3.8-7.0 and 1.5-2.6 KD fractions. The GR in peripheral blood leukocytes in aged runner was 65% of the control. Possible relationship between the changes in IL-1 and GR in aged long-distance runner and its physiological significance are discussed.

Concurrent myocardial and cerebral infarctions after intranasal cocaine use

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Cardiac and cerebrovascular complications associated with cocaine abuse have increasingly been reported, but concurrent development of cocaine-induced cardiac disease and stroke has rarely been reported.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 37-year-old man with a remote history of intravenous heroin and amphetamine use, cardiomyopathy, and recent cocaine use developed chest pain and ventricular tachycardia 30 minutes after intranasal cocaine hydrochloride use and jogging on a cold winter morning. Ventricular tachycardia was converted to atrial fibrillation. He was proven to have a small myocardial infarction. Within 6 hours of cocaine use he suffered a left hemisphere stroke. Cardiac electrophysiologic evaluation revealed inducible ventricular tachycardia.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first report of concurrent myocardial infarction, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, and cerebral infarction temporally related to cocaine use. It is probable that one mechanism by which cocaine use causes stroke is to trigger expression of a known cardiac source of embolism.

The effects of exercise on serum potassium levels

In view of the significant influence of potassium on the heart, a decision was made to study the effect of exercise on this important ion in two exercise groups of different intensity. The first group consisted of 44 individuals with known coronary artery disease participating in a supervised cardiac rehabilitation program while the other consisted of 30 healthy joggers. Postexercise mean potassium levels were higher in both groups than resting baseline values. In addition, 5 of 44 participants in the coronary artery disease group experienced major potassium increases of 0.9 mmol/L or more while 7 of 30 healthy joggers experienced this magnitude of increase. Remaining unanswered is the question of whether such abrupt rises in potassium levels in this subset of patients alter their vulnerability to cardiac rhythm and conduction disturbances. A question is also raised as to whether rapid return of potassium levels to baseline postexercise contributes to any risks.

Effects of physical activity on bone mineral content and muscle strength in women: a cross-sectional study

Physical exercise is known to increase bone mass in men, whereas the effect is less predictable in women. In this cross-sectional report, effects of physical activity on women aged 38-64 years are studied. Bone mass and muscle strength were compared between 30 regularly exercising women jogging only once a week for at least three years and an equal number of controls matched for age. BMC of the distal third of the radius was significantly higher in the active women. The active women over age 50 also had higher trabecular bone mass in the distal end of the radius. Quadriceps strength and balance were also found to be better in the activity group. Active women had a different lifestyle than the non-active women, with less consumption of alcohol, oestrogens, and tobacco. This report supports the hypothesis that regular moderate physical activity might reduce bone loss in women.

Relationship of skeletal muscle fiber type to serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I levels

We measured the percentage of slow-twitch (ST) muscle fibers in the lateral portion of the quadriceps femoris muscle in 41 healthy sedentary male controls, 35 active male joggers, and 26 male coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. We then compared these percentages with serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) found in these 102 middle-aged men. The percentage of ST muscle fibers in all men correlated positively with serum HDL-C (r = 0.57, P less than 0.001) and with apo A-I (r = 0.60, P less than 0.001) and negatively with triglycerides (r = -0.43, P less than 0.001). The proportion of ST fibers in joggers (65%; 61-69%, 95% confidence interval) was higher (P less than 0.001) than in sedentary controls (48%; 44-52%) or in CHD patients (44%; 39-49%). Moreover, 89% of the joggers had a proportion of ST fibers higher than 50%, whilst in sedentary controls and in CHD patients these values were 46% and 38%, respectively. Positive correlations were found between the percentage of ST fibers and both HDL-C and apo A-I in controls (r = 0.33, P less than 0.05 and r = 0.34, P less than 0.05) and in joggers (r = 0.46, P less than 0.01, and r = 0.40, P less than 0.05), respectively. Negative correlations in controls (r = -0.34, P less than 0.05) and in CHD patients (r = -0.43, P less than 0.05) were also found between the percentage of ST fibers and serum TG.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Effects of jogging on mental well-being and seasonal mood variations: a randomized study with healthy women and men]

The long-term effect of jogging on mental well-being and seasonal mood variation was examined in a randomized, controlled intervention study with healthy, middle-aged, sedentary, non-smoking, white collar subjects. 17 women and 39 men were allocated to jog 2 h/week for 4 months, whereas 16 women and 22 men served as controls. After 4 months, there was a partial cross-over with the controls now taking up jogging. After 8 study months, all 38 subjects of the second jogging intervention as well as 10 women and 30 men of the first 4-month jogging period were re-examined for the second time. All participants in the second re-examination were mailed a survey questionnaire one year after beginning of the study (response rate 83%). Despite varying adherence for the exercise regimen, the 4-month "net effects" (i.e. effect in exercise group minus effect in control group) showed a significant improvement in physical fitness (endurance capacity, resting heart rate) in men, but not in women. Among the mood scales assessed, "anger" showed a marginally significant effect in men (relative decrease; p = 0.05) and "calmness" a significant effect in women (relative increase; p = 0.02); after exclusion of 4 non-compliers from analysis in women, also "vigor" (relative increase; p = 0.03) and "depressiveness" (relative decrease; p = 0.02) were significantly improved after jogging. In women, the number of kilometers run was significantly correlated with an improvement in mental well-being (Pearson's r = 0.32 with change in 4 "positive" mood scales and r = 0.57 with change in 4 "negative" mood scales). Changes in endurance capacity were not significantly related to changes in mental well-being. However, in both women and men these mental effects of jogging were superposed by clear seasonal variations in mood, i.e. by a deterioration of mental well-being during the winter months and by a slow "remission" during summer. Taking jogging-induced and seasonal effects on mood together, the magnitude of the 1-year variability in mental well-being was somewhat attenuated in those study groups jogging, with this "buffering" effect reaching statistical significance in women (p = 0.050). We conclude from this training study with normal subjects that regular jogging of approximately 10 to 15 km/week may help to diminish the deterioration of mood observed during winter months (e.g. increase in depressiveness), especially in women. Hereby, a training-induced increase in endurance capacity is apparently not a prerequisite for this long-term mental effect of jogging.

Effect of moderate exercise on bowel habit

Ten healthy volunteers (six men and four women, aged 22-41 years) were studied in a crossover trial. The study was divided into three one week periods. During each period the subjects either ran on a treadmill, cycled on a bicycle ergometer, or rested in a chair for 1 hour every day. The exercise was performed at two thirds predicted maximum heart rate (equivalent to 50% VO2 max). The sequences were rotated; no studies were performed in the perimenstrual period. Transit was measured by the method of measuring the excretion of a single dose of radio-opaque markers; all stools were collected, weighed, and x rayed after the ingestion of radio-opaque markers. Dietary fibre and fluid intake were measured on the fourth day of each test period by 24 hour record. Lifestyle was otherwise unchanged. Transit time was dramatically accelerated by moderate exercise (both jogging and cycling); however, stool weight, defecation frequency, dietary fibre intake, and fluid intake did not change significantly. Whole gut transit changed from 51.2 hours (95% confidence intervals 41.9 to 60.5) at rest to 36.6 hours (31.6 to 39.2) when riding and 34.0 hours (28.8 to 39.2) when jogging. Riding and running both differed significantly from resting (p less than 0.01); the difference between riding and running was not significant.

[Treadmill versus field trial. Movement analysis and pressure distribution in the athletic shoe]

Our current knowledge on interactions between runner and runningshoe is mainly based on treadmill measurements. In order to reveal stress load and adaptation on playing surfaces it was necessary to develop a combined measuring device out of 3-D video motion analysis and portable pressure measurement system. By means of a motor driven cart moving parallel to the subject with comparable position of cameras to the treadmill test it was possible to set up an identical trial for track and field. 12 subjects (male, age 24-32, size 9) were tested at a speed of 2.8 m/s. The varying conditions were treadmill and grass and two different constructed running shoes. 200 cycles and over 1000 steps were analyzed. The quantitative analysis of 37 parameters describing the contact phase was performed using the wilcoxon test for paired samples.-A qualitative comparison of running styles was introduced by using angle-angle-diagrams (knee and ankle by 3-D data) similar to those first described for 2-D by P.R. Cavanagh in 1973. It showed a huge interindividual variability under same conditions. Comparing the angle-angle-diagrams for the four different running conditions it was possible to classify them into three characteristic groups: non-adaptors, surface-adaptors and shoe-adaptors. Comparing track and field to treadmill measurements significant differences were found for the knee at impact: On treadmill the initial knee angle was 4.6 degrees more extended at a 13% higher angle velocity and a 30% higher angle deceleration (sig. p less than 0.05). A 7.3% higher impulse was found on grass at a 5.9% higher step length. No difference in maximum pressure was found. These results show that adaptation is performed mainly by the knee. Changing the motion pattern the knee seems to be capable of homogenizing the different stress loads to the foot. Comparing the running shoes significant differences were found in the motion of the ankle: a controversial behaviour was found to be on treadmill and grass. The pressure data revealed significant differences for the treadmill test to be in the heel area, for grass in the arch area. This points to an--up to now--unknown importance of the arch on unplain surfaces that are obviously influenced by the construction of the shoe and are not accessible by treadmill tests. The described different behaviour of shoes in treadmill and track and field tests points out the reduced validity of single treadmill tests.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Activity profile of competition soccer

In order to study the movement pattern of soccer players, 14 top-level players were filmed during several competitive matches. In addition, the relationship between the observed activity during match play and blood lactate values was examined. The mean distance covered during competitive matches was 10.80 km, and the average individual difference between matches was 0.92 km, with no difference in regard to high intensity activities. Midfielders covered a 10% longer (p less than 0.05) distance (11.4 km) than defenders and forwards, with no difference concerning high intensity running. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.61, p less than 0.05) between the amount of high intensity running during the match and lactate concentration in the blood. The results suggest that high intensity running can be used for making comparisons in soccer and that the interpretation of blood lactate in soccer is limited to giving an indication of the type of activity that has been carried out a few minutes before sampling.

Effects of 7 successive days of unaccustomed prolonged exercise on aerobic performance and tissue damage in fitness joggers

The effects of 7 successive days of prolonged jogging on aerobic performance and biochemical markers of muscle and red blood cell damage were examined in 10 moderately fit men, ages 27 +/- 2 yr (mean +/- SE). The subjects jogged for 2 h per day at 78 +/- 4% of maximal heart rates and covered a total of 129 +/- 2 km, nearly eight times their regular weekly training distance. At baseline, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) during treadmill tests averaged 3.45 +/- 0.24 L/min, or 44.7 +/- 1.4 ml/kg/min. On follow-up tests 2d after the week of increased training, VO2max (3.56 +/- 0.17 L/min) and treadmill performance were not significantly improved. Body weight declined from 79.5 +/- 4.6 kg to 77.8 +/- 4.4 kg (p less than 0.05) because of reduced body fatness (16.8 +/- 2.3% to 13.6 +/- 1.7%, p less than 0.05). Weight-adjusted VO2max increased to 46.4 +/- 2.0 ml/kg/min (p less than 0.05). However, heart rate and systolic blood pressure were not significantly changed at rest, or during submaximal and maximal treadmill exercise. Mean hemoglobin concentration at treadmill testing declined from 14.9 +/- 0.3 g/dl to 13.3 +/- 0.3 g/dl (p less than 0.05). Leg muscle soreness, especially in the thigh region, persisted in all subjects after 3 d. Soreness was accompanied by chronic elevations (p less than 0.05) in serum levels of myoglobin, creatine kinase (CK), lactic dehydrogenase (LD), aminoaspartate, and the isoenzymes CK-MB and LD1,2. Serum haptoglobin levels after jogging fell from 86 +/- 9 mg/dl to 60 +/- 8 mg/dl (p less than 0.05), suggestive of footstrike hemolysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of self-monitored jogging on physical fitness, blood pressure and serum lipids: a controlled study in sedentary middle-aged men

To study the effects of long-term, home-based exercise on physical fitness and cardiovascular risk factors of middle-aged nonsmoking males, a controlled study was conducted in 61 sedentary Swiss men. Thirty-nine men were randomly allocated to jog 2 h/week for 4 months on an individually prescribed and heart-rate-controlled basis, whereas 22 men served as controls. Despite varying adherence to the exercise regimen, the 4-month net change (effect in exercise group minus effect in control group) in estimated endurance capacity was significant and positive. Net changes in arterial blood pressure, measured with a random-zero device, were nonsignificant, but after exclusion of low-normotensive men (n = 19) from analysis, a significant net effect of exercise on diastolic blood pressure was seen (-4.3 mmHg; p = .048). The following net changes in serum lipid levels occurred: HDL cholesterol + 0.12 mmol/l (p = .028), total triglycerides -0.21 mmol/l (ns), HDL-C/total cholesterol ratio +0.02 (p = .047). Exploratory analyses revealed that an increase in estimated endurance capacity was associated with a rise in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.49 and 0.43, respectively; p less than 0.01 both). Changes in the waist-hip ratio were directly related to the change in diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.27; p less than 0.05). Multivariable analysis indicated that much of the beneficial effect of exercise on diastolic blood pressure was apparently mediated through a decrease in body fat. This study confirms that individually prescribed jogging can reduce cardiovascular risk factors in self-selected nonsmoking males.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A comparison of single-versus multi-modal exercise programs: effects on aerobic power

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a 10-week single mode (SM) training program (walk/jog) versus a multimode (MM) training program (walk/jog, cycle, arm crank) on peak aerobic power (VO2 peak) during three ergometry modes. Twenty Ss were stratified initially according to gender and then randomly assigned to either of the treatment groups. Seven additional Ss served as controls. Peak VO2 was determined during treadmill running, cycle ergometry and arm crank ergometry prior to and after ten weeks of training. Training for the SM group (N = 9) consisted of walk/jog three days per week for five weeks at approximately 50-60% peak VO2 and an energy cost of approximately 2400 kJ per week, then increased to approximately 3200 kJ for the duration of the study. Training for the MM group (N = 8) was isoenergetic to the SM group. However, the training differed in that subjects exercised one day walk/jog, one day cycling, and one day arm cranking. Controls were tested twice with no treatment between. Post-training VO2 peaks for the three ergometry modes were analyzed with an analysis of covariance, utilizing pre-training scores as a statistical covariate. The post-training SM VO2 was found to be significantly greater than either the MM or C when testing on the treadmill. No other comparison was statistically significant. These data support the concept that a conditioning program can become sufficiently variable so that expected increases in aerobic power are not produced, despite the fact that isoenergetic training is undertaken.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The influence of flexibility on the economy of walking and jogging

The relationship of 11 measures of trunk and lower limb flexibility to the economy of treadmill walking and jogging as measured by steady-state oxygen consumption (VO2) was studied. Subjects (38 women, 62 men, aged 20-62 years) were tested at six speeds between 53.6 and 187.7 m/min. By combining scores from all flexibility tests, and beginning at speeds of 107.3 m/min, the "tightest" third used significantly less O2/m/kg (9%, p less than 0.05) than the "loosest" third, with "normals" in between. Two tests, trunk rotation and lower limb turnout, gave the best separation for walking/jogging economy, with the "tightest" third differing significantly from the "loosest" (8-12%) at all speeds tested (ANOVA with Scheffe). We conclude that nonpathological musculoskeletal tightness was associated with a decreased steady-state VO2 for treadmill walking and jogging.

[Estimation of energy expenditure during walking and jogging by using an electro-pedometer]

Using an electro-pedometer which is commercially available, energy expenditure during walking and/or jogging was assessed, and was compared with that obtained by oxygen uptake (VO2). Thirteen male students and 12 female students exercised on 6 minutes duration treadmill tests which velocities were 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120m/min for walking and 100, 120, 140, 160, and 180m/min for jogging, respectively. During exercise, energy expenditure was calculated by VO2 value and respiratory exchange ratio, and was estimated by an electro-pedometer. There was a significant linear relationship between energy expenditures estimated by the pedometer and calculated by VO2 during walking and jogging. To predict energy expenditure more precisely by the electro-pedometer, it is suggested that more precise value of stride should be inputted into the pedometer. In conclusion, the present study showed that commercially available electro-pedometer is able to use for the estimation of energy expenditure with precise validity during walking and/or jogging.

Jogging causes acute changes in the knee joint: an MR study in normal volunteers

As MR imaging allows evaluation of soft-tissue structures not previously possible with imaging techniques, we undertook a preliminary study to evaluate the effects of a popular form of exercise (jogging) on the knee. The specific question prompting our investigation was, does repetitive impulse loading produced by jogging cause acute structural changes within the knee that are visible by MR imaging? The knees of 10 healthy subjects were examined on a 1.5-T MR system before and immediately after 30 min of continuous jogging. The same extremity was examined each time, and the imaging sequences and photographic technique (meniscal windows) were identical for both examinations. Effusions developed in five of 10 subjects after exercise. In addition, five of 10 subjects had subtle increased signal intensity within their menisci. These results suggest that jogging frequently leads to acute changes in the knee that are visible on MR imaging. The significance of these changes is unknown.

Responses of aerobically fit men and women to uphill/downhill walking and slow jogging

Few studies have thoroughly examined metabolic, cardiovascular, and psychophysiological responses to negative treadmill (TM) exercise. We compared oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), and perceived exertion (RPE, 0-10 Borg scale) during incremental TM exercise featuring both downhill and uphill stages. Subjects were aerobically trained males (N = 12, VO2max = 61 ml.kg-1.min-1) and females (N = 12, VO2max = 53 ml.kg-1.min-1). On separate occasions, each subject walked (4.8 kph) or jogged (9.6 kph) for 25 min. Five minutes were spent at each of five grades (-10, -5, 0, 5, 10%, or the reverse). TM speed and percent progressions were randomized. VO2 and HR did not differ in the 4.8 kph condition when TM grade was negative. During 9.6 kph, both VO2 and HR significantly (P less than 0.001) increased with progressive increments, but increases were less when TM grade was negative. RPE did not differ in the 4.8 kph condition except at 10% grade, where responses were significantly (P less than 0.001) higher. In 9.6 kph, RPE responses were significantly (P less than 0.001) greater during positive stages. The only gender effect occurred at 10% in the 9.6 kph condition, where women had greater (P less than 0.01) RPE responses than men. Results suggest that both walking and jogging economies differ between negative and positive TM grades. Gender differences appear negligible when comparing aerobically trained men and women.

The effect of jogging on visual field indices

The Humphrey 30-2 visual field was examined 9 times before and after an 8-km jog in one subject, whose contrast sensitivity had been found to improve after jogging. The mean deviation improved statistically significantly suggesting better sensitivity of the visual system after jogging. Our results suggest that in some individuals physical exercise influences the factors which lie behind the visual field long-term fluctuation.

Effect of alcohol dose on plasma lipoprotein subfractions and lipolytic enzyme activity in active and inactive men

Controversy as to which lipoprotein subfraction of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) increases during alcohol consumption prompted the current study of the effects of two alcohol doses over varying time intervals on plasma lipoproteins and lipolytic enzymes. Measurements were made in 49 healthy men before and after three weeks of abstinence from alcohol and after consumption of one or three 12-ounce cans of beer per day. We found that HDL (10%), HDL2 (14%), and HDL3 (9%) cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A-I (7%) decreased with abstinence from alcohol and then increased with its consumption. These increases were not significant until after 3 weeks of daily alcohol intake, but they were significant in both the one-can and three-cans of beer per day groups. In the 23 inactive subjects HDL and HDL2 cholesterol decreased with abstinence but did not increase significantly with alcohol intake. Lipolytic enzymes were not changed by alcohol manipulation, but the level of lipoprotein lipase was higher and that of hepatic lipase was lower at each measurement point in the 26 habitually active versus the 23 inactive subjects. Adjustment for weight or skinfold thickness did not affect lipoprotein changes over time within groups but did eliminate many of the differences between activity groups. Alcohol consumption seems to be related to possibly beneficial influences on plasma HDL and HDL2 cholesterol, and may thus impact the risk of heart disease.

Jogging in place. Evaluation of a simplified exercise test

The purpose of this study was to evaluate jogging in place as an electrocardiographic exercise test. Jogging in place continuously recorded via an ordinary single-channel electrocardiograph was compared with the Bruce treadmill protocol with a three-channel monitor and recorder in 141 cases with a wide spectrum of chest complaints. Agreement for the presence or absence of electrocardiographic ischemia (ST-segment displacement greater than or equal to 1 mm at 80 ms from the J point, or U-wave inversion) for the two tests was observed in 91 percent of the cases (95 percent confidence intervals: 86 percent to 95.5 percent). One hundred of the previous cases with paired electrocardiographic exercise tests were compared with the presence of reversible defects on exercise myocardial thallium-201 scintigraphy. The electrocardiographic ischemia had a similar correct classification rate in both methods (83 percent with jogging in place and 85 percent with Bruce treadmill protocol; not significant) against the finding of scintigraphic ischemia. This was also true for 52 cases having selective coronary arteriography. The correct classification rate was 54 percent (28/52) with jogging in place and 48 percent (25/52) with Bruce treadmill protocol (not significant). Given the safety and the easy applicability, even in older persons, this simplified test can be recommended as a valid alternative to the established multistage exercise tests.