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Resistance training (RT) is performed for improvements in body composition in young healthy adults and for health benefits in middle-aged and older adults. Traditionally, RT is prescribed at moderate- to high-intensity to promote benefits on skeletal muscle mass and strength in middle-aged and older adults without considering the vascular effects. Recent evidence suggests that muscle strength may be more protective than muscle mass for cardiovascular disease prevention and that muscle strength can be importantly improved with low-intensity RT. The main purpose of this review was to examine the effects of RT intensity on arterial stiffness and blood pressure (peripheral and central) in young and older adults. Although small increases in central arterial stiffness (carotid β and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity [PWV]) have been reported in young and middle-aged men, this review suggests that low- and high-intensity RT may not affect arterial stiffness whereas low-intensity RT may decrease systemic arterial stiffness (brachial-ankle PWV) in young healthy adults or not affect arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older adults. Independently of the intensity, RT may be effective to reduce blood pressure (peripheral and central) in middle-aged and older adults with at least elevated blood pressure at baseline. Further studies are needed to examine the impact of RT on arterial stiffness, central blood pressure, and wave reflection in middle-aged and older adults.

The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in cuff pressure which occludes arterial blood flow for two different types of cuffs which are commonly used in blood flow restriction (BFR) research. Another purpose of the study was to determine what factors (i.e., leg size, blood pressure, and limb composition) should be accounted for when prescribing the restriction cuff pressure for this technique. One hundred and sixteen (53 males, 63 females) subjects visited the laboratory for one session of testing. Mid-thigh muscle (mCSA) and fat (fCSA) cross-sectional area of the right thigh were assessed using peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Following the mid-thigh scan, measurements of leg circumference, ankle brachial index, and brachial blood pressure were obtained. Finally, in a randomized order, arterial occlusion pressure was determined using both narrow and wide restriction cuffs applied to the most proximal portion of each leg. Significant differences were observed between cuff type and arterial occlusion (narrow: 235 (42) mmHg vs. wide: 144 (17) mmHg; p  = 0.001, Cohen’s D  = 2.52). Thigh circumference or mCSA/fCSA with ankle blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure, explained the most variance in the cuff pressure required to occlude arterial flow. Wide BFR cuffs restrict arterial blood flow at a lower pressure than narrow BFR cuffs, suggesting that future studies account for the width of the cuff used. In addition, we have outlined models which indicate that restrictive cuff pressures should be largely based on thigh circumference and not on pressures previously used in the literature.

This study examined standard echocardiographic measures of cardiac size and performance in response to a 3-h firefighting training exercise. Forty experienced male personnel completed a standardized 3 h live firefighting exercise. Before and after the firefighting activities, participants were weighed, height, heart rate, blood pressure and blood samples were obtained, and echocardiographic measurements were made. Firefighting produced significant decreases in left ventricular diastolic dimension, stroke volume, fractional shortening, and mitral E velocity, tachycardia, a rise in core temperature, and a reduction in calculated plasma volume. On tissue Doppler imaging, there were no changes in systolic contractile function, but a decreased lateral wall diastolic velocity was observed. These findings show that 3 h of live firefighting produced cardiac changes consistent with cardiac fatigue, coupled with a decrease in systemic arterial compliance. These data show that live firefighting produces significant cardiovascular changes and future work is needed to evaluate if these changes are related to the increase in cardiovascular risk during live firefighting.

If neutrinos are their own antiparticles the otherwise-forbidden nuclear reaction known as neutrinoless double beta decay can occur. The very long lifetime expected for these exceptional events makes its detection a daunting task. In order to conduct an almost background-free experiment, the NEXT collaboration is investigating novel synthetic molecular sensors that may capture the Ba dication produced in the decay of certain Xe isotopes in a high-pressure gas experiment. The use of such molecular detectors immobilized on surfaces must be explored in the ultra-dry environment of a xenon gas chamber. Here, using a combination of highly sensitive surface science techniques in ultra-high vacuum, we demonstrate the possibility of employing the so-called Fluorescent Bicolor Indicator as the molecular component of the sensor. We unravel the ion capture process for these molecular indicators immobilized on a surface and explain the origin of the emission fluorescence shift associated to the ion trapping. One of the possible events signaling a neutrinoless double beta decay is a Xe atom decaying into a Ba ion and two electrons. Aiming at the realisation of a detector for such a process, the authors show that Ba ions can be efficiently trapped (chelated) in vacuum by an organic molecule layer on a surface.

We sought to determine if blood flow restriction (BFR) by itself or in combination with exercise would result in prolonged decrements in torque when using restriction pressures relative to the participants’ limb size. Sixteen participants were randomized into Experiment A ( n  = 9) or Experiment B ( n  = 7). Experiment A participants performed unilateral knee extensions at 30 % of their one repetition maximum (1RM) with moderate blood flow restriction on one leg (BFR + Exercise) and exercised the other leg without BFR (CON + Exercise). Experiment B participants rested for 4 min with BFR applied to one leg and rested for 4 min without any treatment on the other leg (CON). Maximal voluntary isometric torque (MVC) was measured before and immediately after the exercise or 4 min of rest, 1 h post, and 24 h post. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and discomfort were taken before and after each set. MVC was significantly reduced following both exercise conditions with BFR + Exercise having the largest reduction in torque. However, torque quickly recovered by 1 h post exercise and was back to baseline by 24 h. No changes in torque were observed in Experiment B. RPE and discomfort were rated consistently higher for those in the BFR + Exercise and BFR conditions compared to control. In conclusion, BFR + Exercise does not result in prolonged decrements in torque. The acute changes in torque are due to fatigue and quickly recover back to baseline within 24 h of exercise. In addition, BFR in the absence of exercise has no effect on torque at any time point.

Background The acute effect of high-intensity interval exercise (HI) on blood pressure (BP) is unknown although this type of exercise has similar or greater cardiovascular benefits compared to steady-state aerobic exercise (SS). This study examined postexercise hypotension (PEH) and potential mechanisms of this response in endurance-trained subjects following acute SS and HI. Sex differences were also evaluated. Methods A total of 25 endurance-trained men (n = 15) and women (n = 10) performed a bout of HI and a bout of SS cycling in randomized order on separate days. Before exercise, 30min postexercise, and 60min postexercise, we measured brachial and aortic BP. Cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), end diastolic volume (EDV), end systolic volume (ESV), and left ventricular wall-velocities were measured using ultrasonography with tissue Doppler capabilities. Ejection fraction and fractional shortening (FS), total peripheral resistance (TPR), and calf vascular resistance were calculated from the above variables and measures of leg blood flow. Results BP, ejection fraction, and FS decreased by a similar magnitude following both bouts but changes in CO, heart rate (HR), TPR, and calf vascular resistance were greater in magnitude following HI than following SS. Men and women responded similarly to HI. Although men and women exhibited a similar PEH following SS, they showed differential changes in SV, EDV, and TPR. Conclusions HI acutely reduces BP similarly to SS. The mechanistic response to HI appears to differ from that of SS, and endurance-trained men and women may exhibit differential mechanisms for PEH following SS but not HI.

Purpose To investigate the influence of age on arterial stiffness and blood pressure after performing a resistance exercise bout. Methods Recreationally active men were separated into young (YG, n  = 12, 26.5 ± 3.3 years), middle (MG, n  = 14, 49.4 ± 5.7 years), and old (OG, n  = 10, 67.4 ± 6.3 years)-aged groups. In a randomized cross-over design, participants performed control and exercise conditions with at least 3 days separating conditions. The exercise condition consisted of leg press, chest press, knee flexion, lat pulldown and knee extension at ~65 % one-repetition maximum for three sets of 10 repetitions. Brachial and central blood pressures, augmented pressure, augmentation index, central and peripheral pulse wave velocities were measured prior to each condition and starting at 5 min post-exercise. Results Brachial systolic blood pressure (SBP) significantly increased similarly after exercise for all age groups (YG, 8 ± 8 mmHg; MG, 5 ± 5 mmHg; OG, 5 ± 6 mmHg; p  < 0.05). However, central SBP did not significantly increase for any age group after exercise. Augmentation index significantly increased after exercise only in the YG (11 ± 8 %, p  < 0.05). Central pulse wave velocity did not significantly increase in any age group after exercise when compared to the control condition. Conclusions When performing a whole body moderate resistance exercise bout, acute changes in arterial stiffness and blood pressure appear to be minimally affected by age.

BACKGROUND Obesity is linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, increased mortality and vascular remodeling. Although increased arterial diameter is associated with multiple cardiovascular risk factors and obesity, it is unknown whether lumen enlargement is accompanied by unfavorable vascular changes in young and otherwise healthy obese individuals. The purpose of this study was to compare carotid and brachial artery diameter, blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and endothelial function in young, apparently healthy, normal-weight, overweight, and obese male subjects. METHODS One hundred sixty-five male subjects (27.39±0.59 years) were divided into 3 groups (normal weight, overweight, and obese) according to body mass index. Subjects underwent cardiovascular measurements to determine arterial diameter, function, and stiffness. RESULTS After adjusting for age, the obese group had significantly greater brachial, carotid, and aortic pressures, brachial pulse wave velocity, carotid intima media thickness, and carotid arterial diameter compared with both the overweight and normal-weight groups. CONCLUSIONS Obesity is associated with a much worse arterial profile, as an increased carotid lumen size was accompanied by higher blood pressure, greater arterial stiffness, and greater carotid intima media thickness in obese compared with overweight or normal-weight individuals. These data suggest that although obesity may be a factor in arterial remodeling, such remodeling is also accompanied by other hemodynamic and arterial changes consistent with reduced arterial function and increased cardiovascular risk.

Acute aerobic exercise decreases arterial stiffness based on the intensity of the exercise and the arterial segment studied. Arm exercise may differentially affect arterial stiffness compared to leg exercise but this has not been studied. We hypothesized that maximal aerobic exercise would reduce local peripheral pulse wave velocity i.e. femoral-dorsalis pedis (LPWV) following leg exercise and carotid-radial (APWV) following arm exercise without any crossover effect. The main purpose of the study is to compare the effects of maximal arm versus leg aerobic exercise on peripheral and central arterial stiffness. Fifteen healthy participants (9 males and 6 females, 25 ± 5 years) performed maximal arm-ergometer and leg-ergometer exercise in a randomized, crossover design. Peripheral and central pulse wave velocities (PWV) were obtained using applanation tonometry before and 10 min after each maximal exercise bout. 2 × 2 repeated measures analysis of variance was used to detect differences between conditions. There was a significant interaction in the APWV between the two exercise modes. However, there was no condition or interaction effect on LPWV following maximal arm versus leg exercise. There was no significant difference in central PWV between conditions or with time. There was no change in MAP (75 ± 6–77 ± 3) after maximal arm exercise as compared to the maximal leg exercise (73 ± 6–80 ± 2). Arm exercise produced a more generalized effect on arterial stiffness than leg exercise. The prescription of upper limb exercise may be considered for purposes of eliciting post-exercise systemic changes in arterial stiffness.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of muscle group location and gender on the reliability of assessing the one-repetition maximum (1RM) test. Thirty healthy males (n = 15) and females (n = 15) who experienced at least 3 months of continuous resistance training during the last 2 years aged 18-35 years volunteered to participate in the study. The 1RM for the biceps curl, lat pull down, bench press, leg curl, hip flexion, triceps extension, shoulder press, low row, leg extension, hip extension, leg press and squat were measured twice by a trained professional using a standard published protocol. Biceps curl, lat pull down, bench press, leg curl, hip flexion, and squat 1RM's were measured on the first visit, then 48 hours later, subjects returned for their second visit. During their second visit, 1RM of triceps extension, shoulder press, low row, leg extension, hip extension, and leg press were measured. One week from the second visit, participants completed the 1 RM testing as previously done during the first and second visits. The third and fourth visits were separated by 48 hours as well. All four visits to the laboratory were at the same time of day. A high intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC > 0.91) was found for all exercises, independent of gender and muscle group size or location, however there was a significant interaction for muscle group location (upper body vs. lower body) in females (p < 0.027). In conclusion, a standardized 1RM testing protocol with a short warm-up and familiarization period is a reliable measurement to assess muscle strength changes regardless of muscle group location or gender. Key pointsThe one repetition maximum (1RM) test is considered the gold standard for assessing muscle strength in non-laboratory situations.This study was done to examine the influence of muscle group location and gender on the reliability of assessing the 1RM test.The standardized 1RM testing protocol with a short warm-up and familiarization period is a reliable measurement technique to assess muscle strength changes regardless of muscle group location or gender.