Effects of 8-Week Online, Supervised High-Intensity Interval Training on the Parameters Related to the Anaerobic Threshold, Body Weight, and Body Composition during Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

O-GlcNAcylation in ischemic diseases

Protein glycosylation is an extensively studied field, with the most studied forms being oxygen or nitrogen-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc or N-GlcNAc) glycosylation. Particular residues on proteins are targeted by O-GlcNAcylation, which is among the most intricate post-translational modifications. Significantly contributing to an organism's proteome, it influences numerous factors affecting protein stability, function, and subcellular localization. It also modifies the cellular function of target proteins that have crucial responsibilities in controlling pathways related to the central nervous system, cardiovascular homeostasis, and other organ functions. Under conditions of acute stress, changes in the levels of O-GlcNAcylation of these proteins may have a defensive function. Nevertheless, deviant O-GlcNAcylation nullifies this safeguard and stimulates the advancement of several ailments, the prognosis of which relies on the cellular milieu. Hence, this review provides a concise overview of the function and comprehension of O-GlcNAcylation in ischemia diseases, aiming to facilitate the discovery of new therapeutic targets for efficient treatment, particularly in patients with diabetes.

Exercise FITT-V during pregnancy: Association with birth outcomes

BACKGROUND

Prenatal exercise improves birth outcomes, but research into exercise dose-response effects is limited.

METHODS

This study is a retrospective, secondary analysis of pooled data from three blinded, prospective, randomized controlled trials. Prenatal exercise frequency, intensity, type, time, and volume (FITT-V) were assessed in supervised sessions throughout pregnancy. Gestational age (GA), neonatal resting heart rate (rHR), morphometrics (body circumferences, weight-to-length and ponderal index) Apgar and reflex scores, and placental measures were obtained at birth. Stepwise regressions and Pearson correlations determined associations between FITT-V and birth outcomes.

RESULTS

Prenatal exercise frequency reduces ponderal index (R2 = 0.15, F = 2.76, p = .05) and increased total number of reflexes present at birth (R2 = 0.24, F = 7.89, p < .001), while exercise intensity was related to greater gestational age and birth length (R2 = 0.08, F = 3.14; R2 = 0.12, F = 3.86, respectively; both p = .04); exercise weekly volume was associated with shorter hospital stay (R2 = 0.24, F = 4.73, p = .01). Furthermore, exercise type was associated with placenta size (R2 = 0.47, F = 3.51, p = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Prenatal exercise is positively related to birth and placental outcomes in a dose-dependent manner.

Stress is not so bad-cortisol level and psychological functioning after 8-week HIIT program during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial

Background

Amid extensive pregnancy exercise research, the impact of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on pregnant women's mental health is underexplored. Despite exercise benefits, it can trigger stress responses like elevated cortisol. This study fills the gap by investigating correlations between hair cortisol levels, mental health, and HIIT effects in pregnant women.

Methods

We conducted a randomized control trial among 38 Caucasian women in uncomplicated, singleton pregnancy (age 31.11 ± 4.03 years, 21.82 ± 4.30 week of gestation; mean ± SD). The experimental group comprised 22 women engaged in an 8-week high-intensity interval training program (HIIT). The comparative group consisted of 16 pregnant women undergoing an 8-week educational program (EDU). Before and after the interventions, all women were evaluated using the following tools: Hair cortisol level measurements, Beck Depression Inventory - II for depressive symptoms assessment, Childbirth Attitudes Questionnaire for childbirth fear measurement, 12-item Short Form Health Survey to gage health-related quality of life, International Physical Activity Questionnaire for physical activity level estimation, and a Progressive maximal exercise test to evaluate maternal exercise capacity.

Results

The key finding of our study reveals that women engaged in the HIIT intervention exhibited a distinct cortisol production pattern in contrast to the EDU group practicing standard moderate intensity physical activity. In the HIIT group, there was an increase in hair cortisol levels, while the EDU group showed a notable decrease. Remarkably, HIIT stimulated cortisol production without adversely impacting fear of childbirth and psychophysical condition during pregnancy. In fact, only the HIIT group showed a significant enhancement in mental health.

Conclusion

No links were discovered between hair cortisol levels and the severity of depressive symptoms, psychophysical well-being, or fear of childbirth. Hence, based on our research, employing cortisol levels during pregnancy as an indicator of negative stress or depression risk appears unwarranted.

Can Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index and Maternal Exercise Affect Birth and Neonatal Outcomes-A Cross Sectional Study

There has been a dramatic worldwide increase in the prevalence of obesity or overweight and physical inactivity in women of reproductive age. Growing evidence suggests that pre-pregnancy maternal abnormal body mass index (BMI) and lower physical activity level are associated with poor maternal health and perinatal outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess how self-perceived exercise and pre-pregnancy BMI are associated with preterm birth, low birth weight, and type of birth. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of 394 Polish women in the postpartum period. We used a questionnaire with the structure of the medical interview. To analyze factors related to birth outcomes, we used the Pearson's Chi-squared test of independence and odds ratio (OR), with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI), followed by a multiple logistic regression. Women who reported being physically active before pregnancy (p = 0.00) and during pregnancy (p = 0.03) were more likely to give birth on time and had a lower incidence of very-premature and extremely premature births compared to inactive women. Importantly, they were more likely to have vaginal birth (p = 0.03). Pre-pregnancy BMI influenced the week of delivery, i.e., inadequate, too-high BMI contributed to an increase in the percentage of premature births [OR (95% CI) = 1.19 (1.06; 1.34)]. The findings indicate that promoting physical activity and weight management remains a priority in public health policy, and women of childbearing age should be encouraged to adopt or maintain an active and healthy lifestyle during pregnancy in order to avoid sedentary- and obesity-associated risks affecting birth and newborns' health.

A narrative review of exercise dose during pregnancy

The current recommendations for prenatal exercise dose align with those from the American College of Sports Medicine; 150 min of moderate intensity every week of pregnancy. However, recent works suggest there may be a dose-dependent beneficial effect for mother and offspring; maternal and offspring health outcomes respond differently to low, medium, and high doses of prenatal exercise. It is, therefore, our aim to summarize the published evidence (years 1950-2023) for five metrics of prenatal exercise training commonly reported, that is, "FITT-V": Frequency (number of sessions), Intensity (metabolic equivalents "METs"), Time (duration of sessions), Type (exercise mode), Volume (exercise MET*mins). The target audience includes clinicians and health care professionals, as well as exercise professionals and physiologists. Data suggest that moderate exercise frequency (3-4 times weekly) appears safe and efficacious for mother and offspring, while there is contradictory evidence for the safety and further benefit of increased frequency beyond 5 sessions per week. Moderate (3-6 METs) and vigorous (>6 METs) intensity prenatal exercise have been shown to promote maternal and offspring health, while little research has been performed on low-intensity (<3 METs) exercise. Exercise sessions lasting less than 1 hr are safe for mother and fetus, while longer-duration exercise should be carefully considered and monitored. Taken together, aerobic, resistance, or a combination of exercise types is well tolerated at medium-to-high volumes and offers a variety of type-specific benefits. Still, research is needed to define (1) the "minimum" effective dose of exercise for mother and offspring health, as well as (2) the maximum tolerable dose from which more benefits may be seen. Additionally, there is a lack of randomized controlled trials addressing exercise doses during the three trimesters of pregnancy. Further, the protocols adopted in research studies should be more standardized and tested for efficacy in different populations of gravid women.

Randomised controlled trial of preconception lifestyle intervention on maternal and offspring health in people with increased risk of gestational diabetes: study protocol for the BEFORE THE BEGINNING trial

INTRODUCTION

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes in the mother and cardiometabolic diseases in the child. The preconception period is an optimal window to adapt the lifestyle for improved outcomes for both mother and child. Our aim is to determine the effect of a lifestyle intervention, initiated before and continued throughout pregnancy, on maternal glucose tolerance and other maternal and infant cardiometabolic outcomes.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This ongoing randomised controlled trial has included 167 females aged 18-39 years old at increased risk for GDM who are contemplating pregnancy. The participants were randomly allocated 1:1 to an intervention or control group. The intervention consists of exercise (volume is set by a heart rate-based app and corresponds to ≥ 1 hour of weekly exercise at ≥ 80% of individual heart rate maximum), and time-restricted eating (≤ 10 hours/day window of energy intake). The primary outcome measure is glucose tolerance in gestational week 28. Maternal and offspring outcomes are measured before and during pregnancy, at delivery, and at 6-8 weeks post partum. Primary and secondary continuous outcome measures will be compared between groups based on the 'intention to treat' principle using linear mixed models.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics in Norway has approved the study (REK 143756). The anonymised results will be submitted for publication and posted in a publicly accessible database of clinical study results.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Clinical trial gov NCT04585581.

A research synthesis on successful educational practices and student outcomes for physical education in schools

Although successful educational practices (SEPs) in higher education institutions have well-established student outcomes, the vast majority do not meet physical education standards in schools. Despite the promising nature of policy initiatives supporting schools, there is scant evidence of how these SEPs affect student outcomes. This review aimed to determine the status of the literature and the type of evidence regarding school SEPs. Several studies have demonstrated that these SEPs contribute directly or indirectly to improving student outcomes. Three objectives were examined and synthesized in our review of SEP research findings. The first goal is to identify different types of impacts on students in schools. The second goal is to provide educators, principals, and policymakers with a unified and comprehensive framework. Lastly, we provide suggestions for future SEP research. The review identified 45 studies that met our inclusion criteria. Our reviewed studies documented impacts on the individual level. It encompasses both students' instrumental abilities and their sense of self-esteem and motivation. Secondly, improving interpersonal relationships, reducing conflict, and increasing group cohesion are important components at the group level. Finally, there are factors at the community level, including absenteeism reduction, parental involvement, and changes in attitudes toward school. Current research supports the effectiveness of successful school practices. It stresses the importance of implementing policies to maximize student outcomes. Finally, the review concludes by discussing findings implications and future research directions.