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Problem statement In Japan, KAATSU training has been extensively utilized by athletes, ordinary people, and older adults. This pneumatic band workout, involving controlled blood flow restriction, is gaining global recognition. Its rehabilitation and hypertrophic effects have been definitively proven. Its positive role in rehabilitation is supported by research demonstrating that it reduces symptoms in patients with metabolic syndrome. Owing to its high metabolic effect and the application of 20-40% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), KAATSU training also significantly impacts muscle mass gain. Approach and purpose This study investigated the effect of high-repetition training using KAATSU on strength endurance. We implemented a training protocol encompassing exercises at 20-25 percent of 1RM. We compared the performance differences between KAATSU users and those in traditional dumbbell-based strength and endurance training. Did KAATSU training lead to enhanced one-repetition maximum performance? Moreover, we investigated whether, in addition to the low intensity and high repetition rate, functional hypertrophy occurred among subjects employing KAATSU. The study enrolled ten male combat sports athletes into two groups (5 individuals per group). Both groups performed two large bilateral exercises: bench press and back squat. Results After the 6-week program, the results showed that KAATSU use had no significant effect on 1RM, with a 6% improvement at maximum. However, at the maximum number of repetitions at 40% of 1RM, the KAATSU group exhibited a 9% increase in horizontal pressure and a 32% improvement in squats. In contrast, the traditional volume-based group showed modest enhancements of 10% and 18%, respectively. The KAATSU group experienced functional hypertrophy during the program because their upper arm circumference increased by 1.2 cm, chest circumference by 3.7 cm, and thigh circumference by 2 cm after completing the training program. Conclusions It can be concluded that the KAATSU method did not significantly affect the value of 1RM when applied at 20-25%. However, it significantly improved strength and endurance levels, particularly in the lower body muscles. The results indicate that KAATSU-based training has a more significant effect on strength and endurance than conventional weight training using 1RM at 30-50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the results of an experiment which used a group of triathlon athletes to investigate the relationship between antioxidants and exercise. The production of free radicals by exercise, the two main physiological processes which protect against free radical damage, and the question of whether the duration or intensity of exercise influences the preferential use of either one of these responses were studied.

Background: Earlier results suggest the role of speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE)-derived left ventricular (LV) strains in screening and could help better understanding of adaptation to exercise. The present retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate three-dimensional STE-derived LV strains representing its deformation in athletes playing sports with high dynamics with different grades of static components of their training., Methods: The study consisted of 67 athletes (mean age: 23.6±6.4 years, 39 males). This group of athletes was further divided into the following groups: Group C.I. (high dynamic/low static) (n=12), Group C.II. (high dynamic/moderate static) (n=22) and Group C.III. (high dynamic/high static) (n=33). The control group comprised 83 age- and gender-matched non-athletic healthy volunteers (mean age: 23.6±3.2 years, 50 males)., Results: Global LV longitudinal strain (LS) representing LV lengthening or shortening (-18.5%±3.0% vs. -16.3%±2.3%, P<0.05), LV circumferential strain (CS) representing LV widening or narrowing (-29.9%±5.2% vs. -28.1%±4.8%, P<0.05) and LV area strain (AS; combination of LS and CS; -43.7%±5.4% vs. -40.9%±4.8%, P<0.05) were increased in elite athletes as compared to those of non-athlete controls. All apical LV strains proved to be increased in all athletes with enhanced basal radial strain (RS, representing LV thickening and thinning) and LS and midventricular LS, AS and 3D strain (3DS, combination of RS, LS and CS)., Conclusions: Increased LV-LS, LV-CS and LV-AS represents enhanced LV deformation in longitudinal and circumferential directions in athletes playing sports with high dynamics. This enhancement is not related to the grade of the static component of training. Some regional differences in LV strains could be detected., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://qims.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/qims-22-417/coif). AN serves as an unpaid editorial board member of Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2023 Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Background: In normal circumstances while left ventricular (LV) apex rotates counterclockwise, LV base has a clockwise movement at the same time. This sort of towel-wringing-like movement is called LV twist. The present study was designed to test whether differences in LV rotational mechanics could be detected in elite athletes doing high dynamic sports with different static components in their training., Methods: The subject group comprised 80 elite sportsmen. The following groups were created regarding their physical activity: group CI (high dynamic/low static)(N.=13, mean age: 24.0±5.1 years, group CII (high dynamic/moderate static)(N.=23, mean age: 24.6±7.7 years) and group CIII (high dynamic/high static)(N.=34, mean age: 22.8±6.0 years). Their results were compared to 67 age- and gender-matched non-athletic healthy controls (mean age: 24.0±5.1 years). Three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography was used for the evaluation of LV rotational abnormalities., Results: Reduced LV basal rotation was seen in group CII and CIII subjects compared to the control group (-4.31±1.82 degrees vs. -3.17±2.81 degrees and -2.88±1.88 degrees, P<0.05 and P<0.05, respectively). It was accompanied with LV twist reduction in groups CII and CIII subjects compared to the control group (14.0±3.4 degree vs. 11.3±4.3 degrees and 11.5±4.1 degrees, P<0.05 and P<0.05, respectively). None of the elite athletes showed absence of LV twist called as LV "rigid body rotation.", Conclusions: Significant LV rotational abnormalities including reduced LV basal rotation and twist could be detected in elite athletes doing high dynamic sports with moderate/high static components in their training.

Összefoglaló. Az elhízás és következményes megbetegedései fontos népegészségügyi problémát jelentenek hazánkban is. Kezelése komoly szakmai kihívás, ugyanakkor prevenciója eredményesebb lehet. Az elhízott betegekkel leggyakrabban találkozó háziorvosok, más szakorvosok és egészségügyi szakemberek részéről nagy igény van egy viszonylag rövid, áttekinthető, naprakész gyakorlatias útmutatóra. A különböző orvosszakmai társaságokban tevékenykedő, évtizedes szakmai tapasztalatokkal rendelkező szerzők összefoglalják tudományosan megalapozott, bizonyítékokon alapuló ismereteiket. Az elhízás kezelését lépcsőzetesen célszerű megkezdeni, előtte felmérve a beteg motivációját, általános állapotát, lehetőségeit. A szerzők leírják az energiaszükséglet meghatározásával, az étrenddel és a fizikai aktivitás megtervezésével kapcsolatos alapvető szempontokat. Felsorolják a hazánkban elérhető gyógyszereket és metabolikus sebészeti beavatkozásokat, az életmódi támogatás igényét. Az elhízás megelőzésében az élet első 1000 napjának táplálkozása, a későbbiekben a szülői minta a meghatározó. Sok kihasználatlan lehetősége van a háziorvosok, a lakóközösségek, az állami szervek koordinált együttműködésének, helyi kezdeményezéseknek. Az elhízás betegségként való meghatározása egyaránt igényel egészségpolitikai és kormányzati támogatást, az elhízottak ellátására szakosodott multidiszciplináris centrumok számának és kompetenciájának növelését. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(9): 323-335. Summary. Obesity and related morbidities have a high public health impact in Hungary. The treatment is a challenge, but prevention seems more effective. General practitioners, other specialists and health care professionals who are treating obese persons require short, summarized, updated and practical guideline. Hungarian medical professionals of different scientific societies, having decennial practices, are summarizing their evidence-based knowledge. Obesity management requires step by step approach, evaluating previously the general health condition, motivation and options of the patients. The measurement of energy requirement, planning of diet and physical activities, available surgical methods and medications are described in detail with life style and mental support needed. The most important period in the prevention of obesity is the first 1000 days from conception. Other significant factors are the life style habits of the parents. Proper obesity prevention requires better coordination of primary health care, community and governmental activities. Obesity should be defined as morbidity, therefore stronger governmental support and more health-policy initiatives are needed, beside increasing number and developing of multidisciplinary centres. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(9): 323-335.

This study examined the effects of short-term eccentric-concentric knee extensor training on mechanical and biochemical variables, myoelectric activity, and muscle soreness. Seventeen men were assigned to either experimental (E, n = 10) or control group (C, n = 7). Group E performed 90 maximal isokinetic eccentric-concentric knee extensor contractions on each of 3 consecutive days (Tr1-Tr3) followed by 1-day rest, and then on 4 more consecutive days (Tr4-Tr7). Peak eccentric torque of each contraction during the training was recorded and averaged for each session (MTr). Maximal isometric torque (M0), eccentric torque (M(ecc)), integrated electromyography (iEMG), plasma creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were measured before, immediately, 24, 48, and 72 hours after Tr1, at 1 and 3 days after Tr7. Group C did not train but performed all exercise tests; CK and LDH were measured at 3 time points only. Acutely, M0 and M(ecc) decreased and CK, LDH, and soreness increased more in E than in C 24 hours after Tr1. Chronically, MTr and M0 increased more in E than C by Tr7 and CK, LDH, and muscle soreness gradually decreased by Tr7 whereas iEMG increased more in E than in C after Tr3 through Tr7. High-intensity short-term eccentric-concentric knee extensor exercise training produced immediate reductions in maximal voluntary force. Most likely neural adaptations contributed to rapid recovery and strength adaptations because maximal voluntary force increased by the end of the training protocol in previously trained healthy adults.

Aim: Physical exercise requires adaptation from the airways, which includes bronchodilation. Prostaglandins are involved in airway regulation and their plasma level changes during exercise. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of symptom-limited exercise on the levels of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE2) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) in the airways of elite sportsmen., Methods: Thirty healthy judo competitors, 15 women and 13 men, aged between 16 and 30 years, participated in this study. Subjects completed a standardized maximal treadmill exercise test. Exhaled breath condensate was collected for non-invasive sampling of the airway lining fluid before and immediately after the exercise. PGE2 and TXB2 levels were determined by commercially available radioimmunoassay. Data are given as median (range)., Results: Baseline levels of PGE2 and TXB2 were not different between male and female subjects. Exercise caused a significant increase both in PGE2 and TXB2 concentrations in male subjects (from 180 [100-350] to 240 [115-720] pg/mL, P<0.01 and from 24 [0-80] to 37 [0-110] pg/mL, P<0.05, respectively), but not in female subjects., Conclusion: Our data indicate that physical exercise modulates the airway level of PGE2 and TXB2 in healthy subjects. These changes may play an important role in the airway adaptation to exercise.

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species generated either as products of aerobic metabolism or as a consequence of environmental mutagens, oxidatively modify DNA. Formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase (Fpg) and endonuclease III (endo III) or their functional mammalian homologues repair 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) and damaged pyrimidines, respectively, to curb the deleterious effects of oxidative DNA alterations. A single bout of physical exercise can induce oxidative DNA damage. However, its effect on the activity of repair enzymes is not known. Here we report that the activity of a functional homolog of Fpg, human 8-oxoG DNA glycosylase (hOGG1), is increased significantly, as measured by the excision of 32P labeled damaged oligonucleotide, in human skeletal muscle after a marathon race. The AP site repair enzyme did not change significantly. Despite the large individual differences among the six subjects measured, data suggest that a single-bout of aerobic exercise increases the activity of hOGG1 which is responsible for the excision of 8-oxoG. The up-regulation of DNA repair enzymes might be an important part of the regular exercise induced adaptation process.

The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the kinetic and kinematic characteristics of the throwing technique, Harai-goshi of novice and advanced judo competitors. A heterogeneous group of 28 male and female judo competitors participated in this study. Each subject was required to perform three successful trials. Kinetic and kinematic data were collected by utilizing the Kistler Instrument Corporation Multicomponent Force Measuring Platform System and the Peak Technologies Motion Video Analysis System. Data were collected in order to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze the horizontal and vertical forces of the support leg, and the horizontal and vertical velocities of the sweeping leg during execution of the throwing technique, Harai-goshi (hip sweep). The study revealed a significant difference in horizontal force application, between novice and advanced judo competitors. In addition, we found numerous significant relationships among mean horizontal ground reaction force application and horizontal leg sweep velocity in 19 of the 28 participants when analyzed individually. The results suggest (1) leg sweep velocity is a function of ground reaction force application; and (2) horizontal leg sweep velocity plays a primary role in good technical execution of the Harai-goshi throw.

The biochemical mechanisms by which regular exercise significantly benefits health and well being, including improved cognitive function, are not well understood. Four-week-old (young) and 14-month-old (middle aged) Wistar rats were randomly assigned to young control and young exercised, middle-aged control and middle-aged exercised groups. Exercise groups were exposed to a swimming regime of 1 h a day, 5 days a week for 9 weeks. The passive avoidance test showed that middle-aged exercised rats had significantly (P<0.05) better short- (24 h) and long-term (72 h) memory than aged-matched control rats. Conditioned pole-jumping avoidance learning was improved markedly in both age groups by exercise. Brain thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and 8-hydroxy-2'deoxyguanosine content in the DNA did not change significantly, while the protein carbonyl levels decreased significantly (P<0.05) in both exercised groups. This decrease was accompanied by an increase in the chymotrypsin-like activity of proteasome complex in the exercised groups, whereas trypsin-like activity did not differ significantly between all groups. The DT-diaphorase activity increased significantly (P<0.05) in the brain of young exercised animals. These data show that swimming training improves some cognitive functions in rats, with parallel attenuation of the accumulation of oxidatively damaged proteins.

Both regular physical exercise and low levels of H(2)O(2) administration result in increased resistance to oxidative stress. We measured the accumulation of reactive carbonyl derivatives and the activities of proteasome complex and DT-diaphorase in cardiac muscle of trained and untrained rats after chronic i.p. administration of 1 ml t-butyl H(2)O(2) (1 mmol/kg for 3 weeks every second day). Twenty-four rats were randomly assigned to a control group administered with saline, control administered with H(2)O(2), and exercised administered either saline or H(2)O(2). The activity of DT-diaphorase significantly increased in H(2)O(2) administered and exercised groups, indicating that an increase in H(2)O(2) levels stimulate the activity of this enzyme. The cardiac muscle of H(2)O(2) administered nonexercised animals accumulated significantly more carbonyl than control group (P < 0.05). The exercise and H(2)O(2) administration resulted in less oxidatively modified protein than found in nonexercised groups (P < 0.05). The peptide-like activity of proteasome complex was induced by the treatment of H(2)O(2) and exercise and exercise potentiate the effect of H(2)O(2). On the other hand, the chymotrypsin-like and trypsin-like activities were stimulated only by physical training and H(2)O(2) administration. The data suggest that chronic administration of H(2)O(2) after exercise training decreases the accumulation of carbonyl groups below the steady-state level and induces the activity of proteasome and DT-diaphorase. Hence, the stimulating effect of physical exercise on free radical generation is an important phenomenon of the exercise-induced adaptation process since it increases resistance to oxidative stress. Regular exercise training is a valuable physiological means of preconditioning the myocardium to prolonged oxidative stress., (Copyright 2000 Academic Press.)

Serum binding, the effect on striatal dopamine release and the metabolism of (-)-deprenyl [N-methyl-N-propargyl(2-phenyl-1-methyl)ethylammonium chloride], TZ-650 [N-methyl-N-propargyl(2-phenyl)ethylammonium chloride] and J-508 [N-methyl-N-propargyl(indanyl)ammonium chloride] were investigated using various chromatographic methods. A strong interaction between (-)-deprenyl and macroglobulins was found. Deprenyl enhanced the dopamine release from striatal slices of the rat brain and also inhibited the dopamine-DOPAC conversion. Deprenyl analogues showed either smaller or no effect. Hydroxylation of (-)-deprenyl takes place in the para position, in addition to the usual oxidative N-dealkylations, which are known from various metabolic studies on N-substituted phenylalkylamines.

Small pieces of 7 to 12 week old human foetal lung, derived from legal abortions, were maintained in organ culture for 21 days. In the last 5 days of cultivation the explants were treated with dexamethasone (10 ng/ml) or betamethasone (10 ng/ml) or fenoterol (10 ng/ml), or fenoterol + dexamethasone, or bromhexine VIII metabolite (ambroxol: 12 ng/ml) and were then prepared for electronmicroscopic examination. In another experimental group the pregnant were treated before the interruption of 14-17-week old pregnancies with ambroxol (total dose, 1080 mg). The interruption was carried out with PgF2 alpha, and lung pieces were immediately prepared for electron microscopic examination. From the experiments the following conclusions can be drawn: Surfactant production can already be induced in 7-12 week old human fetal pneumocytes; Corticosteroids (dexamethasone, betamethasone) stimulate the formation of osmiophilic lamellar bodies; Fenoterol has probably no effect on the surfactant production. Its administration together with dexamethasone, however, does not inhibit the development of osmiophilic lamellar bodies; Ambroxol has a marked effect on the synthesis of lamellar bodies in vitro: Ambroxol or its active metabolite probably have a reduced placental transport in the first trimester of human pregnancy; Thin-layer chromatography has revealed no qualitative difference between the treated and untreated cultures.

New methods were developed for the separation of major lipid classes varying in polarity from cholesterol esters to lysophosphatidylcholine. The methods were used for the analysis of extracts obtained from human sera. The lipids were separated by overpressured thin-layer chromatography, classical thin-layer chromatography, and one-dimensional thin layer chromatography, using six different solvent systems for development. These techniques are also suitable to separate unsaturated and saturated cholesterol esters according to the number of carbon atoms and double bond numbers of their constituent fatty acids.

The effect of acute physical exercise and a four-month conditioning program on cardiovascular risk factors was investigated in patients with myocardial infarction. The bicycle exercise testing caused a moderate rise in urinary epinephrine, serum cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels. The changes in platelet aggregation and urinary catecholamines were markedly greater in the group with exercise induced ischaemic changes. Under the effect of the conditioning program a significant improvement in the performance capacity and circulatory response could be observed. The direction of changes in platelet aggregation and in the lipid parameters were favourable too.