Abstract Aim: We investigated the effects of continuous or interval aerobic exercise training on vascular reactivity of female rats fed with fructose. Methods: Female Wistar rats (8-wk old) were divided into: sedentary (SD), continuous training (CTR), and interval training (ITR). Moderate intensity training protocols consisted of running 3 days/week for 7 weeks. CTR ran 40 min at 30%–40% of the maximal speed (MS) and TRI consisted of 7 sets of 1 min at 70% of MS followed by 3 min at 35% of MS. Animals were fed with standard chow and fructose (10%) in drinking water. Concentration-response curves to acetylcholine and phenylephrine, and oxidative stress biomarkers, were determined in the aorta. Body weight gain, visceral fat, and plasma triglycerides and glucose were also evaluated. Results: Endothelium-dependent relaxation was significantly increased by both exercise regimens (CTR: Emax = 85 ± 6% and ITR: Emax = 84 ± 1%) compared to sedentary rats (SD: Emax = 62 ± 5%). The contractile maximal response was not different but phenylephrine potency was increased in CTR (pEC50: 8.41 ± 0.19) and reduced in ITR (pEC50: 7.06 ± 0.11) compared to SD (pEC50: 7.77 ± 0.08). In addition, the generation of superoxide was lower in trained groups as compared with sedentary (about −28% in CTR and −22% in ITR). TBARS and nitrate/nitrite levels were not modified. Compared to the SD group, ITR gained 39% less body weight and CTR has 29% less visceral fat. Glucose and triglycerides were not modified. Conclusion: CTR and ITR, carried out 3 days/week, were efficient to improve endothelium-dependent relaxation and reduce superoxide generation in the aorta from female rats fed with fructose.

Abstract Strength training (ST) with blood flow restriction (BFR) is known to promote increases in hypertrophy and strength sometimes similar to traditional ST despite the effects of the arterial BFR on muscle adaptations and safety are not well established. The aim of this study was to assess whether ST with arterial BFR is able to improve muscular adaptations, performance and its safety in Wistar rats. Animals aging 8 weeks were divided in four groups: sedentary sham (S/S), sedentary with arterial BFR (S/BFR), trained sham (T/S), and trained with arterial BFR (T/BFR). Training protocol consisted of four weeks of ST composed by six sets of 10 ladder climbing with 50% of 1 maximal voluntary contraction. Body weight, epididymal fat, maximum loaded weight, manual grip strength, muscular hypertrophy index, systolic blood pressure, enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase, nitrite/nitrate concentration and tumor necrosis factor alpha were analyzed. The BFR rate was between 36% and 38%. T/BRF was effective to promote strength and hypertrophy. T/S is an alternative to improve strength, but it did not promote hypertrophy. Furthermore, we found no significant cardiac and metabolic changes. Thus, T/BFR is able to improve muscle adaptations and performance in rats, without causing cardiovascular and metabolic damage.

Abstract Aim: Animal disease model studies are widely used to show the effectiveness of physical exercise to improve cognitive function. Thus far, few studies are investigating the effects of exercise training on memory performance in fructose feed animals. Method: The present study investigated the effects of physical exercise protocol carried out with three weekly sessions, on the short and long-term memory performance of animals fed with fructose. Male Wistar rats were divided into sedentary (SD); sedentary+fructose (SDF); trained (TR); trained+fructose (TRF). Treadmill running sessions consisted of a five-minute warm-up at 20% maximum speed (MS) followed by 40 minutes at 40% MS and a 5-minute cool-down at 20% MS. Sessions were carried out three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) for six weeks. Object Recognition Test was used to evaluate short and long-term memory. Results: The access to fructose altered food intake and drinking volume, as fructose-fed animals had lower food intake (SDF: -27% and TRF: -24%) and higher drinking volume (SDF: +49% and TRF: +45%) than an animal which drank water. Trained groups had lower epididymal fat pad compared to their sedentary counterparts (TR: -30% and TRF: -11%). In addition, TR and TRF had an improvement in glucose tolerance. Regarding memory performance, neither fructose intake nor exercise training influenced short-term memory. On the other hand, long-term memory was enhanced by exercise training. An improvement of about 39% was observed for TR and the largest effect was seen for TRF, which improved long-term memory in 76%. Conclusion: In conclusion, moderate-intensity exercise training, carried out three days a week, for six weeks was effective to improve long-term memory in fructose-fed rats. This result was related neither to the visceral fat amount nor to the glucose metabolism. Further studies should considerer the investigation regarding cerebral areas, associated with memory that might be adapted facing physical exercise.

Abstract Aim: Reactive oxygen species and high concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines are related to diseases that are often triggered during the aging process. This study aimed to investigate the effect of moderate-intensity physical exercise, twice a week, on oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers. Methods: Participants were older women aged 60-70 years, engaged in a moderate-intensity exercise program carried out in 60 minutes sessions, twice a week, for 24 weeks. Exercise sessions consisted of step, resistance and stretch exercises. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), serum iron and cytokines IL-6, IL-1β and IL-1ra were determined using specific kits. Physical fitness was assessed using tests provided by AAPHERD. A paired t test was performed. Results: Moderate-intensity exercise program provided a reduction in lipid peroxidation (27%) and in the serum release of prooxidant iron ions (40%). Cytokine levels were reduced by 37% for IL-6, 16% for IL-1β and 32% for IL-1ra. Improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness (13%), muscular endurance (11%) and flexibility (12%) were also observed. Conclusion: Diminished redox state and inflammation were obtained using a twice-weekly exercise program. These results have important implications for older adults who are unable or unwilling to attend exercise programs more than twice a week. Moreover, these results could re-establish the minimum exercise activity necessary for obtaining health benefits in the elderly population.

ABSTRACT Objective Complexes like conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduce the percentage of body fat by increasing energy expenditure, fat oxidation, or both. The aim of this study was to verify if CLA is able to mimic caloric restriction (CR), and determine the effects of CLA on liver metabolic profile of young adult male Wistar rats. Materials and methods We divided 36 animals into the following groups: 1) Control; 2) CLA (1% of daily food intake, 21 days, orogastric intubation); 3) Restr (fed 60% of the diet offered to controls); and 4) CLA Restr. Liver tissues were processed for biochemical and molecular or mitochondrial isolation (differential centrifugation) and blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses. Results Treatment of the animals for 21 days with 1% CLA alone or combined with CR increased liver weight and respiration rates of liver mitochondria suggesting significant mitochondrial uncoupling. We observed a decrease in adipose tissue leading to insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and hepatic steatosis due to increased liver cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels, but no significant effects on body mass. The expression of hepatic cellular connexins (43 and 26) was significantly higher in the CLA group compared with the Control or Restr groups. Conclusion CLA does not seem to be a safe compound to induce mass loss because it upregulates the mRNA expression of connexins and induces hepatic mitochondrial changes and lipids disorders.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect aerobic exercise training on fat pad mass, adipocyte size, leptin release and insulin sensitivity in rats fed with high fat-palatable diet. Twenty-four male Wistar rats (250-260g) were divided into four groups: sedentary control (CTR/SD), trained control (CTR/TR), obese sedentary (OB/SD) and obese trained (OB/TR). Obese groups were fed with high fat-palatable diet (27% of fat) and control groups fed with AIN-93. Our results showed that aerobic exercise training was effective to reduce body weight and epididymal fat mass in CTR/TR and OB/TR. Insulin and glucose levels were increased in OB/TR compared with OB/SD. Aerobic exercise training reduced the average area of adipocytes in CTR/TR and OB/TR and it was associated with reduced plasma insulin and leptin. In conclusion, 7-week aerobic exercise training reduces adipocyte area and improves insulin sensitivity and leptin levels in high fat-palatable diet-fed Wistar rats.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi aplicar e avaliar a eficácia de uma sistematização de ensino do futebol centrada no uso de jogos sobre o conhecimento tático processual de jovens jogadores. Participaram 16 voluntários alunos de uma escola de futebol vinculada a um clube de futebol profissional do interior do estado de São Paulo - Brasil. Para tal, os voluntários foram submetidos a 37 aulas organizadas em três diferentes módulos, com conteúdos específicos. A análise quanto à evolução do aprendizado dos participantes foi baseada no sistema de avaliação tática denominado FUT-SAT. Este instrumento considera a ação tática realizada, a localização da ocorrência, assim como seu resultado prático, gerando um Índice de Performance Tática (IPT) e um Número de Ações Táticas (NAT) para cada jogador analisado. Para avaliar e comparar o desenvolvimento do aprendizado tático dos participantes foram realizadas quatro avaliações, uma pré-intervenção (1ª), uma pós-intervenção (4ª) e duas intermediárias (2ª e 3ª). A 2ª e a 3ª avaliações foram realizadas após a última aula do Módulo 1 e 2 respectivamente. Ao comparar os valores médios dos IPTs ofensivos, defensivos e do jogo obtidos na 1ª avaliação, nomeada pré-intervenção, com os valores da 4ª avaliação, ou pós-intervenção, observou-se um aumento significante (p ≤ 0,05). Face ao exposto, a sistematização de ensino proposta neste estudo oportunizou um desenvolvimento significante na aprendizagem tática dos jogadores participantes.

The aim of this study was to implement and evaluate a based on games teaching systematization of soccer for young players. The study was realized at a soccer school of a professional soccer club cited in São Paulo state - Brazil. It has 16 volunteers, who underwent 37 lessons organized into three different modules, with specific content. The analysis regarding the evolution of the participant’s learning was based on tactical assessment system called FUT-SAT. This instrument considers the tactical action performed, the location of the occurrence, as well as its practical outcome, generating a Tactical Performance Index (IPT), and a number of Tactical Actions (NAT) for each player analyzed. To evaluate and compare the development of tactical learning of the participants, four tests were performed, one as a control function, during the first class, and the other three during the last class of each teaching module. Comparing the mean values of the offensive, defensive and game IPT obtained in 1th recording, named pre -intervention, with the values of the 4th recording, or post-intervention, there was a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05). From the data obtained, the systematization of teaching proposed in this study provided an opportunity significant positive development in learning tactical players involved.

Embora a literatura aponte malefícios da especialização esportiva precoce, sua aplicação permanece recorrente, embasada na crença que quanto mais cedo os treinos e a participação em competições se iniciarem, maiores serão as chances de sucesso no alto rendimento. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar como ocorreu o processo de formação esportiva de 52 jogadores profissionais de voleibol masculino, atuantes no Campeonato Paulista e Superliga Nacional. O foco foi analisar a possível ocorrência de especialização precoce e de vivências esportivas diversificadas. Os dados foram coletados através de questionário por escrito e apresentados com estatística descritiva. Os resultados apontam que a maioria dos atletas não foi especializada precocemente e vivenciou práticas diversificadas durante sua formação, em diferentes modalidades esportivas. Os dados sinalizam para a tese que quando os treinamentos com foco nos resultados competitivos se iniciam após ou durante a puberdade há maiores chances de sucesso esportivo em comparação à especialização esportiva precoce.

Although the literature indicates harms of early sport specialization, this procedure remains applicant, based on the belief that sooner training and participation in competition increase the chance of success in highest level. The purpose of this study was to investigate how was the process of sports initiation of 52 male professional volleyball players, in the Paulista Championship and National Superligue. The focus was to analyze the possible occurrence of early specialization and diverse sporting experiences. Data was collected using a questionnaire and analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results show that the majority of the athletes were not early specialized and experienced different practices during training in childhood in different sports. The data support the belief that when sport training focusing on competitive results begins after or during the puberty there are greater chances of success in sports compared to early sport specialization.

A obesidade vem aumentando significativamente em todo o mundo, e os fatores ambientais, como o consumo excessivo de alimentos e o sedentarismo, são os principais fatores relacionados com a gênese dessa doença. Em animais de laboratório, a gênese da obesidade está relacionada, em sua maioria, com mutações genéticas, porém esse modelo é muito distante do encontrado nos humanos. A adoção de dietas hipercalóricas ou hiperlipídicas vem sendo utilizada como modelo de indução da obesidade em animais, devido à sua semelhança com a gênese e às respostas metabólicas decorrentes da obesidade em humanos. Assim, o objetivo dessa revisão de literatura é apresentar os diferentes tipos de dietas utilizadas para a indução da obesidade em roedores, as modificações metabólicas induzidas e identificar alguns cuidados que devem ser tomados para que esse modelo seja eficaz para o estudo das complicações relacionadas com a obesidade. Realizou-se busca na base de dados PubMed utilizando as expressões: 1-"hipercaloric diet" AND "rodent", 2- "hiperlipidic diet" AND "rodent", sendo selecionadas aquelas consideradas mais relevantes a partir dos critérios: data de publicação (1995-2011), a utilização de animais wild type, a descrição detalhada sobre a dieta utilizada e a análise de parâmetros bioquímicos e vasculares de interesse. Foram inseridas referências para introduzir assuntos como o aumento da prevalência da obesidade e questões relacionadas com a gênese da obesidade em humanos. Podemos considerar eficiente o modelo de obesidade induzida por dieta em roedores quando o objetivo é o estudo da fisiopatologia das complicações metabólicas e vasculares associadas à obesidade.

Obesity has been significantly increasing worldwide, and environmental factors such as excessive food intake and sedentary lifestyle are the main factors related to the genesis of this disease. In laboratory animals, the genesis of obesity is related mostly to genetic mutations, but this model is far from that found in humans. The use of hypercaloric or hyperlipidemic diets has been used as a model of obesity induction in animals, because of its similarity to the genesis and metabolic responses caused by obesity in humans. The objective of this review is to show the different types of diets used to induce obesity in rodents, the induced metabolic alterations, and to identify some points that should be taken into account so that the model can be effective for the study of obesity-related complications. A search was performed in the PubMed database using the following keywords: 1- "hypercaloric diet" AND "rodent", 2- "hyperlipidic diet" AND "rodent", selecting those considered the most relevant according to the following criteria: date of publication (1995-2011); the use of wild-type animals; detailed description of the diet used and analysis of biochemical and vascular parameters of interest. References were included to introduce subjects such as the increased prevalence of obesity and questions related to the genesis of obesity in humans. The model of diet-induced obesity in rodents can be considered effective when the objective is the study of the physiopathology of metabolic and vascular complications associated with obesity.

No presente estudo foram comparadas as respostas metabólicas agudas ao exercício em ratos alimentados com dieta padrão e à base de espirulina. Ratos Wistar jovens foram divididos em dois grupos de acordo com a dieta: controle (C) (dieta padrão) e espirulina (S) (dieta à base de espirulina). Ao final do período experimental (cinco semanas) os animais foram submetidos a uma sessão aguda de exercício de natação (20 minutos, suportando sobrecarga equivalente a 5% do peso corporal) para avaliação do lactato sanguíneo, glicose, insulina, proteínas, albumina e ácidos graxos livres (AGL) séricos. Amostras do músculo gastrocnêmio e fígado foram utilizadas para determinação dos teores de glicogênio e lipídeos. Ambos os grupos C e S apresentaram aumento da glicemia e dos AGL, queda da insulinemia e redução dos teores de glicogênio muscular e hepático pós-exercício. A lactacidemia durante o exercício foi superior no grupo S em relação ao C. Conclui-se que o padrão de respostas ao exercício agudo dos grupos C e S foi semelhante. Contudo, a proteína da dieta pareceu influenciar aspectos do metabolismo glicídico.

In this study we compared the metabolic response to acute exercise among rats fed on a standard diet or on a spirulina diet. Young Wistar rats were divided into two groups according to diet: control (C) (standard diet) and spirulina (S) (spirulina diet). At the end of experimental period (5 weeks) rats were submitted to an acute exercise session of swimming (20 minutes, supporting a load corresponding to 5% of body weight) to determine blood lactate and serum glucose, insulin, proteins, albumin and fatty free acids (FFA). Gastrocnemius and liver samples were used to determine glycogen and lipids tenors. Both C and S groups showed increase in serum glucose and FFA, a drop in serum insulin and a decrease of muscle and liver glycogen contents after acute exercise. Blood lactate during exercise was higher in S than C rats. It was concluded that the response pattern to acute exercise was similar for C and S rats. However, diet protein seemed to influence aspects of glucose metabolism.

En el presente estudio fueron comparadas las respuestas metabólicas agudas al ejercicio en ratones alimentados con dieta padrón y a base de Spirulina. Ratones Wistar jovenes fueron divididos en dos grupos de acuerdo con la dieta: control (C) (dieta padrón) y Spirulina (S) (dieta a base de Spirulina). Al final del período experimental (5 semanas) los animales fueron sometidos a una sesión aguda de ejercício de natación (20 minutos, soportando sobrecarga equivalente a 5% de su peso corporal) para evaluación del lactato sanguíneo, glucosa, insulina, proteínas, albumina y ácidos grasos libres (AGL) séricos. Las muestras del músculo gastrocnemio y fígado fueron utilizadas para la determinación de los tenores de glicogeno y de lípidos. Ambos grupos C e S presentaron un aumento de la glicemia y de los AGL, mantenimiento de la insulinemia y reducción de los tenores de glicogeno muscular y hepático post-ejercicio. La lactacidemia durante el ejercicio fué superior en el grupo S en relación a C. Se concluye que el padrón de respuestas al ejercicio agudo de los grupos C e S fué semejante. Con todo, la proteína de la dieta parece influir en los aspectos del metabolismo glicídico.