ECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH11
INTRODUCTION: Recent evidence suggests that engaging more physical activity could benefit executive function (EF). Additionally, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has gained attention as a time-efficient training protocol with positive impacts on various health outcomes including EF. However, the effects of different HIIT protocols remain unknown. Therefore, the current study aimed to compare the effects of two different HIIT protocols, i.e., high-intensity circuit training (HICT) and traditional cycling-based HIIT (TC-HIIT), on EF of sedentary young females. The potential neurophysiological mechanisms were also explored. METHODS: Forty-five sedentary young females (age = 22.3 ± 2.2 years, BMI = 20.6 ± 2.0) were recruited and randomly assigned into three different groups: HICT group, TC-HIIT group and Control group. Prior to and following an eight-week intervention period, the participants EF was assessed by a battery of computer tests, including Stroop test, N-back test and Task switching test. Additionally, blood samples were collected to measure several neurophysiological biomarkers associated with EF, namely Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and Cathepsin B (CTSB). RESULTS: In Stroop test, both HICT and TC-HIIT group significantly improved the accuracy and reaction time (p < 0.05), whereas during the post-test, the HICT group exhibited significantly lower reaction times compared to the TC-HIIT group (p < 0.05). In N-back test, both intervention groups displayed a significant reduction in reaction time (p < 0.05). However, an improvement in accuracy was only observed in the TC-HIIT group (p < 0.05). In Task-switching test, significant improvements were only found in TC-HIIT group in both accuracy and reaction time (p < 0.05). No significant change was found in the Control group in any tests. Regarding the blood analysis, no significant changes were detected either within or between the groups in BDNF, IGF-1 and CTSB. CONCLUSION: The results of the current study provide evidence that HIIT can be an effective strategy for enhancing EF, regardless of the HIIT modalities. However, it seemed that the observed positive effects on EF were not directly associated with the neurophysiological biomarkers examined in the present study. Thus, future research should explore potential mechanisms underlying these effects, such as investigating brain hemodynamic responses and exploring alternative biomarkers.
Read CV Borui ZHANGECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH11
INTRODUCTION: Traditionally, sports science research has been predominantly male-centric, assuming that training approaches effective for men are equally applicable to women. However, there is a growing acknowledgment of the imperative for gender-specific research to tailor interventions to optimize the health and performance of female athletes. Female athletes exhibit unique physiological and psychological factors, such as variations in the menstrual cycle, considerations for breast support, pelvic floor health, and hormonal fluctuations. Establishing an equitable training environment for female athletes necessitates a customized approach that accommodates their distinctive needs and differences, rather than replicating the training regimen designed for male athletes. METHODS: Bibliometric techniques were applied in this study to gather highly cited papers in sports sciences published during 2005-2023 (Scopus search, the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science Core Collection, Google Academy, webometrics, perplexity.ai). The method of expert surveying and evaluation was used to determine the modern problems of womens elite sports. From 160 respondents, an expert group of sports scientists and coaches of national teams (n=20) was selected, who had experience working with elite female athletes. The analysis of the experts analytical notes allowed us to obtain individual information about the state of womens sports in each country and different kinds of modern sports, as well as to identify general issues regarding the planning of training and competition loads for female athletes. Mathematical and statistical processing and data analysis were carried out using the computing and graphic capabilities of the computer programs "Statistica" (Statsoft, version 7.0) and Microsoft Excel 2010. RESULTS: Content analysis of the literature-based information allowed us to identify the leaders in sports science in gender questions in the following countries: America, Canada, England, Switzerland, Norway, China, South Africa, Ukraine, and Poland. The officials and the national teams’ coaches (n=20) of these countries were included in the expert group. The following factors were identified based on the experts` answers as the main problems in female sports: outdated systems of training female athletes without taking into account their biological cycles (80%); old injuries or illnesses that arose as a result of the incompetence of the previous/youth coaches (55%); transferring the training models of male athletes to the training of women (60%); insufficient pharmacological and medico-biological support of womens national teams during training, competitions and recovery (60%); load planning during special physical training is the same as for men (70%); less attention to womens sports in financial and organizational aspects (65%). CONCLUSION: Employing the method of expert evaluation, it is evident that womens elite sports encounter disparities in both economic and organizational support when compared to their male counterparts. This imbalance has the potential to adversely impact the motivation of female athletes to pursue a competitive sports career. A comprehensive review of the existing literature affords a unique insight into the optimization of training preparation, offering valuable information to enhance the efficacy of competitive activities in womens elite sports. Acknowledging the gender-specific differences elucidated in this study is anticipated to exert a positive influence on the performance of female athletes in contemporary competitive sports. By addressing these issues, there is an opportunity to foster a more equitable and supportive environment, ultimately contributing to the advancement of womens elite sports on a global scale.
Read CV Viktoriia NagornaECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH11
INTRODUCTION: High-intensity exercise is essential for optimal development of cardiorespiratory fitness and health. Yet, it is challenging to perform for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to ventilatory limitations, resulting in lower exercise intensities with suboptimal stress on the cardiovascular and muscular system. We aimed to compare the feasibility and acute effects of a novel concept of controlled short-duration supramaximal high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in people with COPD and matched healthy controls (HC). METHODS: Sixteen people with mild to severe COPD (8 males; 75±6 yr; 119±37W max aerobic power [MAP]; 21.8±5.2 ml/kg/min VO2peak; 73±13 FEV1%pred) and 16 HC (8 males; 74±5 yr; 164±38W MAP; 25.4±3.8 ml/kg/min VO2peak; 106±14 FEV1%pred) performed HIIT and MICT on a cycle ergometer in a randomized order. Supramaximal HIIT consisted of 10x6s sprints interspersed with 1-min recovery. Participants performed supramaximal HIIT at two intensities: 60% and 80% of maximal mean power output for 6-sec (HIIT60% and HIIT80%) estimated using the Borg cycle strength test. The MICT session consisted of 20 min at 60% of MAP. Breath-by-breath indirect calorimetry, ratings of perceived exertion, symptoms and exercise modality preference were obtained. Clinical trial registration: NCT05874999. RESULTS: The mean exercise intensity was 3.5-fold higher in supramaximal HIIT (HIIT80%) compared to MICT (245±87W vs. 71±22W for COPD, 358±76W vs. 98±23W for HC, p<0.001 for all). In general, the cardiorespiratory demand was similar between the modalities. At the end of exercise, the VO2 demand was not different between modalities for those with COPD (HIIT60%: 16.3±2.9, HIIT80%: 17.6±3.7 , MICT: 18.8±4.0 ml/kg/min, p=0.09). For HC, MICT required a slightly higher VO2 demand (HIIT60: 19.1±2.1, HIIT80: 20.6±3.5, MICT: 2.2±3.1 ml/kg/min, p=0.02). For those with COPD, supramaximal HIIT during HIIT60% but not at HIIT80% resulted in significant and clinically relevant reductions in dyspnea (5.1±2.3 vs 7.1±1.9, p=0.02) and Borg RPE (14.8±2.4 vs. 17.0±2.1, p=0.03) when compared to MICT. All supramaximal HIIT sessions were completed without premature interruption, while 5 out of 16 people with COPD did not complete the MICT due to exhaustion. A general preference for the supramaximal HIIT modality was seen, with 13 out of 16 participants with COPD and 14 out of 16 HC favouring supramaximal HIIT over MICT. CONCLUSION: Controlled short-duration supramaximal HIIT appears to be feasible in people with COPD and HC. Compared to MICT, it enabled a 3.5-fold increase in exercise intensity. Despite the higher exercise intensities, the cardiorespiratory demand during HIIT was similar to MICT, and clinically relevant reductions in dyspnea were seen in favor of HIIT in people with COPD. Notably, most participants preferred HIIT over MICT. The long-term feasibility and adaptations to supramaximal HIIT is yet to be investigated in COPD.
Read CV Johan JakobssonECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH11