Asian Journal of Sports Medicine
Volume:15 Issue: 1, Mar 2024

Context: 

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) plays a crucial role in regulating oxidative phosphorylation and energy utilization, both of which are diminished in obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM), major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is well established that exercise, as one of the significant modifiable lifestyle factors, is associated with the expression and activity of PPAR-γ-controlled genes.

Evidence Acquisition: 

In this systematic review, we conducted comprehensive searches across various databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, for relevant literature published between January 2000 and May 2022. This study focused on published articles (in-vivo and human) in English. This review encompasses 16 studies (4 involving humans and 12 involving animals).

 The findings from 14 studies indicated that various types of exercise programs, including regular exercise, resistance exercise, swimming, climbing, and treadmill running, effectively improved PPAR-γ levels in individuals with T2DM, obese populations, and healthy subjects. Only two studies reported no significant improvement in PPAR-γ levels following physical activity. Notably, all studies involving subjects with T2DM showed improved PPAR-γ levels after exercise training.

 Upon comparing various types of exercise training, the collected data suggest that all forms of aerobic exercise, regardless of their type and duration, have the potential to up-regulate PPAR-γ messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression. This study lays the foundation for further research into the association between different types of exercise training and PPAR-γ levels/activity across various human populations. However, given the limited number of human studies, further high-quality research is necessary to draw firm conclusions.

 The most common musculoskeletal disorder among military personnel, especially office workers, is chronic low back pain due to lumbar disc herniation.

 This study aimed to investigate the effect of selected motor control retraining exercises after conventional treatments on the persistence of changes in pain, functional disability, and range of motion in male military personnel with lumbar disc herniation.

 Military personnel with lumbar disc herniation were divided into two groups of intervention (N = 18) and control (N = 18) after 10 sessions of conventional exercises. The intervention group performed 60 minutes of motor control retraining exercises three times a week for eight weeks, while the control group continued the usual stretching for back pain.

 The average scores of pain intensity, functional disability, and range of motion after conventional and selected motor control retraining exercises showed a significant difference (P < 0.001).

 Motor control retraining exercises after conventional treatments can improve pain, functional disability, and range of motion in male military personnel with chronic back pain caused by lumbar disc herniation. This technique may improve the quality of life and function for military personnel who are at high risk of this disorder. More research is needed to confirm these findings and examine the intervention's long-term effects. These physical exercises may be appropriate for treating people with similar symptoms.

 Non-steroidal Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) are currently a group of drug candidates with anabolic effects, tissue selectivity, and the potential to improve the therapeutic process in a number of socially significant diseases. There is insufficient data on their effects during exercise and on their adverse side effects.

 Our objective was to examine the role of selective androgen receptor modulators for the physical working capacity of the body, hematological and biochemical parameters, and to evaluate any side effects of SARMs. We studied the effects of ostarine (S-22, MK-2866, GTx-024, Enobosarm) alone or in combination with submaximal training in sexually mature male Wistar rats.

 The rats used were divided into a treadmill-trained group and a sedentary group. Half of each group received either ostarine or vehicle for 8 weeks (n = 10 each). We performed functional tests and blood analysis at the end of the experiment to analyze clinical chemistry and hematological indicators.

 Ostarine did not affect maximal sprint speed, VO2max, and running economy, while submaximal training increased these parameters. Ostarine increased total plasma cholesterol and energy expenditure and decreased plasma glucose concentration. Neither treatment changed the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, the respiratory quotient, the concentration of triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol, or creatine kinase. Combined treatment neutralized the negative effect of ostarine on plasma total cholesterol levels.

 Ostarine did not affect the examined hematological and physical working capacity parameters, but it changed some clinical chemistry indicators. Training improved the physical working capacity but did not affect the clinical chemistry and hematological parameters. Further research is needed to clarify other aspects of the influence of non-steroidal SARMs on the physical working capacity and possible side effects during long-term use, as their administration, along with physical activity, is becoming popular among healthy adult bodybuilders in gyms.

 Many General Practitioners (GPs) are unable to manage musculoskeletal disorders, chronic diseases, and disabilities.

 This study aimed to design, implement, and evaluate a virtual Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) course for medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 This pre-experimental study used the ADDIE model. The statistical population was all fifth-semester medical students of Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, who chose the PMR course in 2020 - 2021. Educational content and exams in the two fields of musculoskeletal and rehabilitation were virtually compiled. Learners were evaluated based on their knowledge (with exams), attitudes, and satisfaction (with researcher-made questionnaires). Data were analyzed using SPSS16 software with descriptive statistics.

 The final exam scores of nearly half of the 55 learners were above 17. About 80% of the students had a positive attitude, and 75% of them were satisfied at the end of the course. They believed this course is a suitable link between the basic and clinical fields, and acquiring rehabilitation skills is necessary for GPs.

 Combining musculoskeletal with rehabilitation topics, not neglecting practical aspects such as physical examination, and using educational videos led to the improvement of students’ knowledge, attitude, and satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 In diabetic patients, lipid profile (LP) management is crucial. Quercetin (QUE), as an antioxidant supplement, has received a great deal of attention in improving the LP.

 The current study aimed to investigate the simultaneous effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and QUE on LP in male diabetic rats.

 Fifty Wistar male rats were randomly assigned to healthy control (HC; n = 10), diabetic control (DC; n = 10), high-intensity interval training (HIIT; n = 10), quercetin supplement (QS; n = 10), high-intensity interval training and quercetin (HIIQ; n = 10). QUE was given (20 mg/kg/d) to the animals daily for six weeks. HIIT has performed five sessions per week for six weeks in 8-10 sets with 85 - 65% of the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) on the treadmill. Blood samples were taken directly from the animal’s heart 48 hours after the last training session, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG) cholesterol (CHOL), and fasting blood glucose (FBS) were measured in the serum. To analyze the data, two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc test were used.

 There was no significant difference between HIIQ with HIIT, QS in LDH-C and LDL-C (P > 0.05). Also, no significant difference was seen between HIIT, QS, and HIIQ in TG concentration after intervention (P > 0.05). CHOL was significantly lower in HIIT than QS (P = 0.001), while there was no significant difference between the HIIQ with QS (P > 0.05). Also, there was no significant difference between QS and HIIQ in FBS (P > 0.05).

 It seems that high-intensity interval training and quercetin alone can be effective in improving lipid profile. However, quercetin does not have a synergetic effect with high-intensity interval training in ameliorating lipid profile in diabetic male rats.

 Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has been shown to help maintain muscle function and reduce muscle soreness after exercise-induced muscle damage. However, the relationship between the dietary and biological status of omega-3 fatty acids in rugby players remains unclear.

 This study aimed to investigate the connection between the dietary and biological status of omega-3 fatty acids in university rugby players.

 We conducted a cross-sectional study involving university rugby players and age-matched sedentary controls. We assessed diets, including omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, using self-administered dietary questionnaires. Whole blood lipidomics was performed before and after a single training session.

 The rugby group (n = 29) had significantly higher intakes of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids compared to the control group (n = 31). While the blood omega-6 relative concentration did not differ between the groups, the rugby group had lower omega-3 fatty acid levels than the control group (4.4 ± 1.1 vs. 6.2 ± 1.8%). Approximately 48% of rugby players had an omega-3 index (O3i) considered as high risk for cardiovascular disease, and 52% were classified as intermediate risk. None of the players had a low-risk O3i. A single training session had an impact on the omega-3 and omega-6 metabolic pathways.

 Despite having a higher omega-3 fatty acid intake than controls, rugby football players may still be deficient in omega-3 fatty acids. Further nutritional interventions are needed to address these issues.

 High-intensity soccer activities due to overtraining can cause the emergence of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in an imbalance of free radicals in the form of malondialdehyde (MDA) and endogenous antioxidants in the form of superoxide dismutase (SOD). As a result, it can interfere with the formation of hemoglobin (Hb) needed by an athlete to take in oxygen (VO2max).

 This study was designed to determine the effect of giving a healthy drink Mar’ke Bilar on MDA, SOD, and Hb levels in soccer athletes at PPLP North Sumatra, Indonesia.

 This type of research is quasi-experimental with a one-group pre- and post-test design. The population and research samples amounted to 33 soccer athletes at PPLP North Sumatra. The administration of Mar’ke Bilar as much as 200 ml was carried out for 14 days, and then MDA, SOD, and Hb levels were measured before and after. A normality test was conducted with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, followed by a different test using a paired t-test.

 Malondialdehyde levels decreased from 17.5 to 10.9 µmol/L. There was an increase in SOD from 45.945 to 53.256 pg/mL. However, the results of Hb also showed an increase from 14.3 to 15.1 gr/dL. There was a significant effect on levels of MDA (P = 0.001), SOD (P = 0.001), and Hb (P = 0.002).

 Mar’ke Bilar healthy drink consumption has an effect on reduced MDA levels and increased SOD and Hb.