High-intensity interval training is superior to moderate intensity training on aerobic capacity in rats: Impact on hippocampal plasticity markers

High-intensity interval training ameliorates postnatal immune activation-induced mood disorders through KDM6B-regulated glial activation

Postnatal immune activation (PIA) induces persistent glial activation in the brain and causes various neuropathologies in adults. Exercise training improves stress-related mood disorders; however, the role of exercise in psychiatric disorders induced by early-life immune activation and the association between exercise training and glial activation remain unclear. We compared the effects of different exercise intensities on the PIA model, including high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). Both HIIT and MICT in adolescent mice inhibited neuroinflammation, remodeled synaptic plasticity, and improved PIA-induced mood disorders in adulthood. Importantly, HIIT was superior to MICT in terms of reducing inflammation and increasing body weight. RNA-seq of prefrontal cortex (PFC) tissues revealed a gene expression pattern, confirming that HIIT was more effective than MICT in improving brain glial cell activation through epigenetic modifications of KDM6B. We investigated the role of KDM6B, a specific histone lysine demethylation enzyme - histone 3 lysine 27 demethylase, in inhibiting glial activation against PIA-induced depression and anxiety by regulating the expression of IL-4 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Overall, our data support the idea that HIIT improves PIA-induced mood disorders by regulating KDM6B-mediated epigenetic mechanisms and indicate that HIIT might be superior to MICT in improving mood disorders with PIA in mice. Our findings provide new insights into the treatment of anxiety and depression disorders.

Effects of different exercise modes and intensities on cognitive performance, adult hippocampal neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity in mice

Exercise can induce beneficial improvements in cognition. However, the effects of different modes and intensities of exercise have yet to be explored in detail. This study aimed to identify the effects of different exercise modes (aerobic and resistance) and intensities (low and high) on cognitive performance, adult hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity in mice. A total of 40 C57BL/6J mice were randomised into 5 groups (n = 8 mice per group): control, low-intensity aerobic exercise, high-intensity aerobic exercise, low-intensity resistance exercise, and high-intensity resistance exercise. The aerobic exercise groups underwent treadmill training, while the resistance exercise groups underwent ladder climbing training. At the end of the exercise period, cognitive performance was assessed by the Y-maze and Barnes maze. In addition, adult hippocampal neurogenesis was evaluated immunohistochemically by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU)/ neuronal nuclei (NeuN) co-labeling. The levels of synaptic plasticity-related proteins in the hippocampus, including synaptophysin (SYP) and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95), were analyzed by western blotting. Our results showed no significant differences in cognitive performance among the groups. However, high-intensity aerobic exercise significantly increased hippocampal adult neurogenesis relative to the control. A trend towards increased adult neurogenesis was observed in the low-intensity aerobic group compared to the control group. No significant changes in synaptic plasticity were observed among all groups. Our results indicate that high-intensity aerobic exercise may be the most potent stimulator of adult hippocampal neurogenesis.

Effects of moderate intensity training and lithium on spatial learning and memory in a rat model: The role of SIRT3 and PGC1-α expression levels and brain-derived neurotropic factor

In this study we investigated the potential synergistic effects of moderate interval training (MIT) and lithium on spatial learning and memory. Forty-two male Wistar males were classified into six groups including I: Control, II: 10 mg/kg/day IP lithium (Li10), III: MIT, IV: Li10 + MIT, V: 40 mg/kg/day IP lithium (Li40), and VI: Li40 + MIT. Then, the rats underwent Morris Water Maze (MWM) test to assess their spatial memory and learning ability. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) density was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression of PGC1 and SIRT3 were assessed via qRT-PCR. The results show that MIT improves both memory and spatial learning; but lithium alone, does not cause this. Additionally, those exposed to a combination of exercise and lithium also had improved spatial learning and memory. Finally, we observed a positive role of BDNF protein, and PGC1 gene on the effects of exercise and lithium.

Ageing, Cognitive Decline, and Effects of Physical Exercise: Complexities, and Considerations from Animal Models

In our ageing global population, the cognitive decline associated with dementia and neurodegenerative diseases represents a major healthcare problem. To date, there are no effective treatments for age-related cognitive impairment, thus preventative strategies are urgently required. Physical exercise is gaining traction as a non-pharmacological approach to promote brain health. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN), a unique form of brain plasticity which is necessary for certain cognitive functions declines with age and is enhanced in response to exercise. Accumulating evidence from research in rodents suggests that physical exercise has beneficial effects on cognition through its proneurogenic capabilities. Given ethical and technical limitations in human studies, preclinical research in rodents is crucial for a better understanding of such exercise-induced brain and behavioural changes. In this review, exercise paradigms used in preclinical research are compared. We provide an overview of the effects of different exercise paradigms on age-related cognitive decline from middle-age until older-age. We discuss the relationship between the age-related decrease in AHN and the potential impact of exercise on mitigating this decline. We highlight the emerging literature on the impact of exercise on gut microbiota during ageing and consider the role of the gut-brain axis as a future possible strategy to optimize exercise-enhanced cognitive function. Finally, we propose a guideline for designing optimal exercise protocols in rodent studies, which would inform clinical research and contribute to developing preventative strategies for age-related cognitive decline.

Effect of high-intensity interval training on self-care and anxiety-like behaviors in naive rats

Self-care behavior covers individual's health, life and well-being to maintain the necessary activities. The aim of this study is to examine the self-care and possible anxiolytic effects of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIT). Eight-week-old Wistar Albino male rats were divided into Control (n = 8), and Exercise (n = 8). Rat exercised for 38 min a day, 5 days a week, for 8 weeks The animals were then subjected to open field test and splash test, and the behaviors were video recorded. Student t test and Shapiro-Wilk test were used as statistical tests. In the exercise group, spray-induced grooming behavior increased significantly in terms of duration and frequency (p < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed in the latency of grooming (p > 0.05). In the open-field test, the total distance traveled, which is a locomotor activity parameter, did not change between the groups. Anxiolytic-like behaviors such as total rearing behavior, unsupported rearing, central time, and central region entries increased remarkably in the exercise group vs. control (p < 0.0001). Freezing as an anxiogenic behavior decreased in the exercise group positively (p < 0.0001). Intermittent high-intensity exercise improved and increased self-care behaviors. Further, the present study shows that HIIT has beneficial effects on different aspects of behaviors such as exploratory behaviors, increasing anxiolytic behaviors, and reducing anxiogenic behavior. The present study is a preclinical study that will pave the way for new studies.

Dynamics of indicators of functional state and physical development of students in the process of high-intensity interval training

OBJECTIVE

Aim: To investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) based on the CrossFit system on the level of students' functional state and physical development.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and Methods: The research involved 36 male students who were engaged in HIIT during their studies. Indicators of students' functional state and physical development after 1 and 3 years of HIIT were studied. The functional state was assessed by indicators of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and physical development - by physical education tests.

RESULTS

Results: It has been found that HIIT has a positive effect on the indicators of the functional state of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of the body and the physical development of students. After three years of HIIT sessions, students significantly improved their heart rate, vital capacity of the lungs, Stange test, Genchi test, duration of recovery heart rate, as well as the level of development of speed qualities, strength qualities, endurance and flexibility.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: It has been established that the sports-oriented form of organization of physical education training sessions with the use of HIIT based on the CrossFit system is quite effective in improving the indicators of the functional state and physical development of students. A high level of these indicators will help to improve students' health, improve their well-being, and increase the effectiveness of their educational and, in the future, professional activities.

Moderate intensity continuous versus high intensity interval training: Metabolic responses of slow and fast skeletal muscles in rat

The healthy benefits of regular physical exercise are mainly mediated by the stimulation of oxidative and antioxidant capacities in skeletal muscle. Our understanding of the cellular and molecular responses involved in these processes remain often uncomplete particularly regarding muscle typology. The main aim of the present study was to compare the effects of two types of exercise training protocol: a moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on metabolic processes in two muscles with different typologies: soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL). Training effects in male Wistar rats were studied from whole organism level (maximal aerobic speed, morphometric and systemic parameters) to muscle level (transcripts, protein contents and enzymatic activities involved in antioxidant defences, aerobic and anaerobic metabolisms). Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: untrained (UNTR), n = 7; MICT, n = 8; and HIIT, n = 8. Rats of the MICT and HIIT groups ran five times a week for six weeks at moderate and high intensity, respectively. HIIT improved more than MICT the endurance performance (a trend to increased maximal aerobic speed, p = 0.07) and oxidative capacities in both muscles, as determined through protein and transcript assays (AMPK-PGC-1α signalling pathway, antioxidant defences, mitochondrial functioning and dynamics). Whatever the training protocol, the genes involved in these processes were largely more significantly upregulated in soleus (slow-twitch fibres) than in EDL (fast-twitch fibres). Solely on the basis of the transcript changes, we conclude that the training protocols tested here lead to specific muscular responses.

The effect of acute high-intensity interval training and Tabata training on inhibitory control and cortical activation in young adults

Introduction

Physical exercise not only benefits peoples' health, but also improves their cognitive function. Although growing evidence suggests that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a time-efficient exercise regime that can improve inhibitory control performance by enhancing cortical activation in the prefrontal cortex, less is known about how Tabata training, a subset of HIIT that requires no equipment or facilities to perform, affects inhibitory control and cortical activation in young adults. Therefore, we aimed to reveal the effect of an acute bout of HIIT and Tabata training on inhibitory control and attempted to identify its potential neural substrates.

Methods

Forty-two young adults (mean age: 19.36 ± 1.36 years; 21 females) performed the Stroop task and Simon task before and after acute HIIT, Tabata training, or a control session, and cortical hemodynamic changes in the prefrontal area were monitored by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during the tasks. Both HIIT and Tabata interventions lasted for a total of 12 min. The HIIT participants performed ergometer cycling at their 80% maximal aerobic power at 90-100 rpm, and the Tabata participants performed a total of 8 intense activities, such as jumping jacks, high knees, and butt kickers, without using equipment or facilities, keeping the heart rate at 80-95% of their maximum heart rate. Participants in the control group watched a sport video while sedentary. Cognitive tasks data and fNIRS data were analyzed by repeated-measures three-way ANOVA.

Results and discussion

Our results indicated that both the HIIT and Tabata groups exhibited reduced reaction times after the intervention, and there were alterations in activation patterns in the dorsolateral and ventrolateral prefrontal cortices.

High-intensity interval training improves long-term memory and increases hippocampal antioxidant activity and BDNF levels in ovariectomized Wistar rats

Menopause is the period in which women cease to produce the hormone estrogen, which can trigger physiological, cognitive, and behavioral changes. In this context, alternatives are needed that can reduce the effects provided by menopause, specifically in terms of cognitive and behavioral aspects. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an exercise protocol that has shown the potential to improve cognition by promoting an increase in antioxidant defenses and BDNF levels. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of HIIT on behavior and hippocampal neurochemistry in ovariectomized adult rats. Four groups of rats were divided into: females without ovariectomy surgery and sedentary (SHAM-SED); females with ovariectomy surgery and sedentary (OVX-SED); females without ovariectomy surgery and trained (SHAM-HIIT); females with ovariectomy surgery and trained (OVX-HIIT). After the surgical procedure and the HIIT protocol, the animals underwent anxiety (elevated plus maze and open field) and memory (novel object recognition) tests. Corticosterone was measured in blood and BDNF levels and redox status were evaluated in the hippocampus. The OVX-SED group showed low BDNF levels and antioxidant enzymes, which may be linked to the observed memory impairments. The HIIT protocol (SHAM-HIIT and OVX-HIIT groups) increased the BDNF levels and antioxidant enzymes in the hippocampus, improving the animals' memory. However, HIIT also led to increased plasma corticosterone and anxiety-like behaviors. The ovariectomy procedure induced memory impairment probably due to reductions in hippocampal BDNF levels and redox imbalance. The HIIT protocol demonstrates promising results as an alternative to improve memory in ovariectomized rats.

Train Smart Study: protocol for a randomised trial investigating the role of exercise training dose on markers of brain health in sedentary middle-aged adults

INTRODUCTION

Regular aerobic exercise is associated with improved cognitive function, implicating it as a strategy to reduce dementia risk. This is reinforced by the association between greater cardiorespiratory fitness and larger brain volume, superior cognitive performance and lower dementia risk. However, the optimal aerobic exercise dose, namely the intensity and mode of delivery, to improve brain health and lower dementia risk has received less attention. We aim to determine the effect of different doses of aerobic exercise training on markers of brain health in sedentary middle-aged adults, hypothesising that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) will be more beneficial than moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT).

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

In this two-group parallel, open-label blinded endpoint randomised trial, 70 sedentary middle-aged (45-65 years) adults will be randomly allocated to one of two 12-week aerobic exercise training interventions matched for total exercise training volume: (1) MICT (n=35) or HIIT (n=35). Participants will perform ~50 min exercise training sessions, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks. The primary outcome will be measured as between-group difference in cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen uptake) change from baseline to the end of training. Secondary outcomes include between-group differences in cognitive function and ultra-high field MRI (7T) measured markers of brain health (brain blood flow, cerebrovascular function, brain volume, white matter microstructural integrity and resting state functional brain activity) changes from baseline to the end of training.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The Victoria University Human Research Ethics Committee (VUHREC) has approved this study (HRE20178), and all protocol modifications will be communicated to the relevant parties (eg, VUHREC, trial registry). Findings from this study will be disseminated via peer-review publications, conference presentations, clinical communications and both mainstream and social media.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ANZCTR12621000144819.

Physiological significance of elevated levels of lactate by exercise training in the brain and body

For the past 200 years, lactate has been regarded as a metabolic waste end product that causes fatigue during exercise. However, lactate production is closely correlated with energy metabolism. The lactate dehydrogenase-catalyzed reaction uses protons to produce lactate, which delays ongoing metabolic acidosis. Of note, lactate production differs depending on exercise intensity and is not limited to muscles. Importantly, controlling physiological effect of lactate may be a solution to alleviating some chronic diseases. Released through exercise, lactate is an important biomarker for fat oxidation in skeletal muscles. During recovery after sustained strenuous exercise, most of the lactate accumulated during exercise is removed by direct oxidation. However, as the muscle respiration rate decreases, lactate becomes a desirable substrate for hepatic glucose synthesis. Furthermore, improvement in brain function by lactate, particularly, through the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, is being increasingly studied. In addition, it is possible to improve stress-related symptoms, such as depression, by regulating the function of hippocampal mitochondria, and with an increasingly aging society, lactate is being investigated as a preventive agent for brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, the perception that lactate is equivalent to fatigue should no longer exist. This review focuses on the new perception of lactate and how lactate acts extensively in the skeletal muscles, heart, brain, kidney, and liver. Additionally, lactate is now used to confirm exercise performance and should be further studied to assess its impact on exercise training.

Protective Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) against Vascular Dysfunction in Hyperglycemic Rats

Background

Hyperglycemia is a major risk factor for endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction is associated with the inability of endothelial cells to maintain homeostasis of the cardiovascular system. Regular exercise may be considered as an effective and low-cost nonpharmacological tool for improving vascular function, though there is no agreement on the best type of exercise.

Objectives

To determine how high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) may prevent endothelial dysfunction under hyperglycemic conditions, and to compare these two interventions.

Method

Twenty-four eight-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups: healthy nonexercising control (C), hyperglycemic control (HG-C), hyperglycemic + HIIT (HG-IT), and hyperglycemic + MICT (HG-CT). Hyperglycemia was induced by a single injection of streptozotocin. Hyperglycemic animals were subjected to HIIT or MICT protocols six days a week for six weeks. Decapitation was performed the day after the exercise protocols were completed. The ascending aorta (until the abdominal artery) was examined. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the glucagon-likepeptide-1 (GLP-1), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) levels. A colorimetric assay was used to measure superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to measure the expression of the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to histologically analyze the aortas.

Results

There was a significantly higher level of GLP-1 and lower expression of RAGE, NF-κB, and TNFα in the HG-IT and HG-CT group compared to the HG-C group. Microscopic examination of aortic tissue showed a better tissue arrangement in both treatment groups than in the HG-C group. Except for the MDA level, there were no significant differences in any of the measured parameters between the HG-IT and HG-CT groups.

Conclusion

Under hyperglycemic conditions, both HIIT and MICT have a protective role against endothelial dysfunction.

Chronic exercise increases excitability of lamina X neurons through enhancement of persistent inward currents and dendritic development in mice

KEY POINTS

Chronic exercise alters adaptability of spinal motor system in rodents. Multiple mechanisms are responsible for the adaptation, including regulation of neuronal excitability and change in dendritic morphology. Spinal interneurons in lamina X are a cluster of heterogeneous neurons playing multifunctional roles in the spinal cord, especially in regulating locomotor activity. Chronic exercise in juvenile mice increased excitability of these interneurons and facilitated dendritic development. Mechanisms underlying these changes remain unknown. Lamina X neurons expressed persistent inward currents (PICs) composed of calcium (Ca-PIC) and sodium (Na-PIC) components. The exercise-increased excitability of lamina X neurons was mediated by enhancing Ca-PIC and Na-PIC components and facilitating dendritic length. Na-PIC contributed more to lowering of PIC onset and Ca-PIC to increase of PIC amplitude. This study unveiled novel morphological and ionic mechanisms underlying adaptation of lamina X neurons in rodents during chronic exercise.

ABSTRACT

Chronic exercise has been shown to enhance excitability of spinal interneurons in rodents. However, the mechanisms underlying this enhancement remain unclear. In this study we investigated adaptability of lamina X neurons with three-week treadmill exercise in mice of P21-P24. Whole-cell path-clamp recording was performed on the interneurons from slices of T12-L4. The experimental results included: (1) Treadmill exercise reduced rheobase by 7.4±2.2 pA (control: 11.3±6.1 pA, n = 12; exercise: 3.8±4.6 pA, n = 13; P = 0.002) and hyperpolarized voltage threshold by 7.1±1.5 mV (control: -36.6±4.6 mV, exercise: -43.7±2.7 mV; P = 0.001). (2) Exercise enhanced persistent inward currents (PICs) with increase of amplitude (control: 140.6±56.3 pA, n = 25; exercise: 225.9±62.5 pA, n = 17; P = 0.001) and hyperpolarization of onset (control: -50.3±3.6 mV, exercise: -56.5±5.5 mV; P = 0.001). (3) PICs consisted of dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium (Ca-PIC) and tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium (Na-PIC) components. Exercise increased amplitude of both components but hyperpolarized onset of Na-PIC only. (4) Exercise reduced derecruitment current of repetitive firing evoked by current bi-ramp and prolonged firing in falling phase of the bi-ramp. The derecruitment reduction was eliminated by bath application of 3 μM riluzole or 25 μM nimodipine, suggesting that both Na-PIC and Ca-PIC contributed to the exercise-prolonged hysteresis of firing. (5) Exercise facilitated dendritic development with significant increase in dendritic length by 285.1±113 μm (control: 457.8±171.8 μm, n = 12; exercise: 742.9±357 μm, n = 14; P = 0.019). We concluded that three-week treadmill exercise increased excitability of lamina X interneurons through enhancement of PICs and increase of dendritic length. This study provided insight into cellular and channel mechanisms underlying adaptation of the spinal motor system in exercise. Abstract figure legend A. B6 mice were randomly divided into control group and exercise group. Control group mice remained sedentary in the cage; exercise group mice completed 60 min treadmill runs each day (6 days/week) for a period of 3 weeks. B. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings were made from lumbar lamina X neurons after three-weeks exercise. C. Exercise facilitated development of dendrites of lamina X neurons. D. Exercise enhanced persistent inward currents. E. Exercise increased excitability of lamina X neurons by hyperpolarizing voltage threshold for action potential generation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

The impact of aerobic and resistance training intensity on markers of neuroplasticity in health and disease

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of low- vs. high-intensity aerobic and resistance training on motor and cognitive function, brain activation, brain structure, and neurochemical markers of neuroplasticity and the association thereof in healthy young and older adults and in patients with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and stroke.

DESIGN

Systematic review and robust variance estimation meta-analysis with meta-regression.

DATA SOURCES

Systematic search of MEDLINE, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases.

RESULTS

Fifty studies with 60 intervention arms and 2283 in-analyses participants were included. Due to the low number of studies, the three patient groups were combined and analyzed as a single group. Overall, low- (g=0.19, p = 0.024) and high-intensity exercise (g=0.40, p = 0.001) improved neuroplasticity. Exercise intensity scaled with neuroplasticity only in healthy young adults but not in healthy older adults or patient groups. Exercise-induced improvements in neuroplasticity were associated with changes in motor but not cognitive outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Exercise intensity is an important variable to dose and individualize the exercise stimulus for healthy young individuals but not necessarily for healthy older adults and neurological patients. This conclusion warrants caution because studies are needed that directly compare the effects of low- vs. high-intensity exercise on neuroplasticity to determine if such changes are mechanistically and incrementally linked to improved cognition and motor function.

Analysis of the Running Ability Mining Model of Football Trainers Based on Dynamic Incremental Clustering Algorithm

Fast-running ability is a very important basic quality of football players. However, players are dynamic. It is difficult for coaches to grasp the running speed, instantaneous acceleration, and other indicators of small athletes in real time with the naked eye. Therefore, to accurately test the performance of athletes in fast-running ability, this paper studies the running ability mining model of football coaches based on the dynamic incremental clustering algorithm. According to scientific procedures and methods, the evaluation model and standard of running ability of Chinese elite female football players are established. The effectiveness of the model is 0.83, as verified by the standard recognition method, which shows that the evaluation model is efficient. The research considers the denoising of the original data. The model has rich data and standard test methods and procedures. It can be used as a measure of the running ability of China's elite female football players in a certain period and range. The research solves the problem of the insufficient running ability of domestic football players. It provides an important reference for training the next generation of excellent national football players.

Effects of the Training of Aerobic Function on Clinical Symptoms and Quality of Life in Patients with Medium and Advanced Lung Cancer

Objective

To investigate the effects of the training of aerobic function on clinical symptoms and quality of life in patients with medium and advanced lung cancer.

Methods

The study objects were 84 patients with medium and advanced lung cancer who were treated in our hospital (July 2019-July 2021) and their materials were retrospectively reviewed. Depending on the different intervention modes, they were equally divided into control group (routine nursing intervention measures) and experiment group (training of aerobic function), with 42 cases in each group. The clinical symptoms and living quality were compared between the two groups.

Results

After intervention, affective meaning, behavior/severity, cognitive/mood, and sensory scores in both groups were decreased, and the various indexes in the experiment group were lower compared with the control group (P < 0.05). After intervention, the patients' clinical symptoms, such as pain, inappetence, insomnia, and dyspnea in the two groups were improved, and the experiment group achieved eminently better improvement compared with the control group (P < 0.05). After intervention, the walking distances in 6 minute walk test (6MWT) in both groups were increased, and the experiment group achieved observably longer walking distance compared with the control group (P < 0.05). After intervention, the patients' pulmonary function indexes of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC% level in the two groups were all improved, and the experiment group had signally better indexes compared with the control group (P < 0.05). After intervention, the patients' scores of Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) in both groups were decreased, and the experiment group achieved much lower score compared with the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The training of aerobic function has obvious therapeutic effect on medium and advanced lung cancer. This training can mitigate the patients' cancer-related fatigue and clinical symptoms, improve their pulmonary function, and enhance their athletic ability and quality of life.

Effects of exercise intensity on white adipose tissue browning and its regulatory signals in mice

Adipose tissue has been classified into white adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT), and beige adipose tissue the latter of which is produced as WAT changes into BAT due to exposure to cold temperature or exercise. In response to these stimulations, WAT produces heat by increasing mitochondrial contents and the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), thus facilitating browning. Exercise is known to be one of the triggers for WAT browning, but the effects of exercise intensity on the browning of WAT remain to be unclear. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to examine the effects of high- or low-intensity exercises on the browning of WAT. Mice performed high- or low-intensity running on a treadmill running 3 days a week for four weeks. As per our findings, it was determined that four weeks of running did not significantly reduce inguinal WAT (iWAT) wet weight but did significantly reduce adipocytes size, regardless of exercise intensity. The protein expression level of UCP1 was significantly increased in iWAT by high-intensity running. In addition, the expression of oxidative phosphorylation proteins (OXPHOS) in iWAT was significantly increased by high-intensity running. These results demonstrated that high-intensity exercise might be effective for increasing mitochondrial contents and heat production capacity in iWAT. Furthermore, we found that high-intensity running increased the protein expression level of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in skeletal muscle compared with that in low intensity running. We have also examined the relationship between browning of WAT and the expression of FGF21 in skeletal muscle and found a positive correlation between the protein expression of UCP1 in iWAT and the protein expression of FGF21 in gastrocnemius muscle. In conclusion, we suggest that high-intensity exercise is effective for the browning of WAT and the increase of FGF21 in skeletal muscle.

Time-Dependent Cortical Plasticity during Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training Versus High-Intensity Interval Training in Rats

The temporal pattern of cortical plasticity induced by high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) is required to clarify their relative benefits to prevent neurological disorders. The purpose of this study is to define the time-dependent effects of work-matched HIIT and MICT on cortical plasticity, endurance, and sensorimotor performances over an 8-week training period in healthy rats. Adult healthy rats performed incremental exercise tests and sensorimotor tests before and at 2, 4, and 8 weeks of training. In parallel, cortical markers related to neurotrophic, angiogenic, and metabolic activities were assessed. Results indicate that HIIT induced an early and superior endurance improvement compared to MICT. We found significant enhancement of speed associated with lactate threshold (SLT) and maximal speed (Smax) in HIIT animals. MICT promoted an early increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor and angiogenic/metabolic markers but showed less influence at 8 weeks. HIIT upregulated the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) as well as neurotrophic, metabolic/angiogenic markers at 2 and 8 weeks and downregulated the neuronal K-Cl cotransporter KCC2 that regulates GABAA-mediated transmission. HIIT and MICT are effective in a time-dependent manner suggesting a complementary effect that might be useful in physical exercise guidelines for maintaining brain health.

The Maximal Lactate Steady State Workload Determines Individual Swimming Performance

The lactate threshold (LT) and the strongly related maximal lactate steady state workload (MLSS_W) are critical for physical endurance capacity and therefore of major interest in numerous sports. However, their relevance to individual swimming performance is not well understood. We used a custom-made visual light pacer for real-time speed modulation during front crawl to determine the LT and MLSS_W in a single-exercise test. When approaching the LT, we found that minute variations in swimming speed had considerable effects on blood lactate concentration ([La^-]). The LT was characterized by a sudden increase in [La^-], while the MLSS_W occurred after a subsequent workload reduction, as indicated by a rapid cessation of blood lactate accumulation. Determination of the MLSS_W by this so-called "individual lactate threshold" (ILT)-test was highly reproducible and valid in a constant speed test. Mean swimming speed in 800 and 1,500 m competition (S-Comp) was 3.4% above MLSS_W level and S-Comp, and the difference between S-Comp and the MLSS_W (Δ S-Comp/MLSS_W) were higher for long-distance swimmers (800-1,500 m) than for short- and middle-distance swimmers (50-400 m). Moreover, Δ S-Comp/MLSS_W varied significantly between subjects and had a strong influence on overall swimming performance. Our results demonstrate that the MLSS_W determines individual swimming performance, reflects endurance capacity in the sub- to supra-threshold range, and is therefore appropriate to adjust training intensity in moderate to severe domains of exercise.

The effectiveness of continuous and interval exercise preconditioning against chronic unpredictable stress: Involvement of hippocampal PGC-1α/FNDC5/BDNF pathway

Various exercise-training types are known to prevent depression, but mechanisms underlying their beneficial effects remain unknown. In the present study, the preconditioning effect of continuous and interval exercise on stress-induced depression was evaluated. Adult male Wistar rats in the exercise groups were made to run on a motorized treadmill, five sessions per week for six weeks. After that, to induce the depression model, the rats were exposed to chronic unpredictable stress for three weeks. Behavioral tests were assessed by open field, elevated plus maze, and forced swim tests. Hippocampal PGC-1α, FNDC5, and BDNF protein expression by Western blot and serum corticosterone by ELISA were detected. In the present results, after continuous and interval exercise periods, locomotor activity, the number of entries and time spent in the open arms were increased, and immobility time was significantly reduced. PGC-1α, FNDC5, and BDNF protein levels had a significant increase, and serum corticosterone did not change. Also, interval exercise training increased PGC-1α and FNDC5 more than continuous. Chronic unpredictable stress reduced the positive changes caused by exercise training, although, except FNDC5, exercise preconditioned groups experienced less significant adverse changes in most variables. These findings showed that both continuous and interval exercise preconditioning with increasing hippocampal PGC-1α, FNDC5, and BDNF proteins and improve the anxiety- and depression-like behaviors have a protective effect against chronic unpredictable stress.

Is High-Intensity Interval Training Suitable to Promote Neuroplasticity and Cognitive Functions after Stroke?

Stroke-induced cognitive impairments affect the long-term quality of life. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is now considered a promising strategy to enhance cognitive functions. This review is designed to examine the role of HIIT in promoting neuroplasticity processes and/or cognitive functions after stroke. The various methodological limitations related to the clinical relevance of studies on the exercise recommendations in individuals with stroke are first discussed. Then, the relevance of HIIT in improving neurotrophic factors expression, neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity is debated in both stroke and healthy individuals (humans and rodents). Moreover, HIIT may have a preventive role on stroke severity, as found in rodents. The potential role of HIIT in stroke rehabilitation is reinforced by findings showing its powerful neurogenic effect that might potentiate cognitive benefits induced by cognitive tasks. In addition, the clinical role of neuroplasticity observed in each hemisphere needs to be clarified by coupling more frequently to cellular/molecular measurements and behavioral testing.