Submit to IJERPH Review for IJERPH Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Exercise Strategies to Enhance Physical Performance and Human Health

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Exercise and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 9817

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Moacir Marocolo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Physiology and Human Performance Research Group, Department of Physiology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais 36036-900, Brazil
Interests: sports performance; vascular occlusion and performance; blood flow; sport placebo; exercise physiology; sports science; muscle physiology

Dr. Gustavo R Mota

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Health and Human Performance Research Group, Department of Sport Sciences, Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38025-180, Brazil
Interests: ergogenic aids; performance; recovery; prevention; health; soccer; team sports; blood flow; fitness
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Exercise is the main key to maximizing performance and human health. In this context, a broad range of methods or strategies to enhance performance and health have been tested by sports sciences researchers. However, wrong interventions could potentiate injury risk and/or reduce or stall performance.

While it could be easily discovered in scientific studies aiming to understand the health parameters or improvements in performance, the relation between these two parameters remains underinvestigated.

This Special Issue aims to present scientific outcomes of well-controlled studies that show the efficacy of (or refute) strategies to enhance health and/or performance (e.g., hypoxia or hyperoxia, ischemic conditioning, myofascial release, compression garments, supplements, grounding, placebo interventions). Our proposal is to analyze different strategies to enhance performance and health and whether there are influence relationships between improved performance and reduced health.

Prof. Dr. Moacir Marocolo
Dr. Gustavo R Mota
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

exercise performance
exercise health
sports performance

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Jump to: Review

10 pages, 3773 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Resistance Exercise on the Cardiorespiratory Tissue of Rats with Parkinson’s Disease

by Graziele Mayra Santos Moreira, Laila Cristina Moreira Damázio, Silvana Venâncio da Silva, Augusto Targino Silveira, Isabella Giordano Mesquita, Luana Aparecida de Sousa Silva, Luan Alves Pereira, Ana Clara Silva Costa, Ismael Augusto Lima Santos, Maria Eduarda Paiva Campos, Luna Sara Campos Vaz, Zenaide Alves Cardoso, José Victor Ribeiro Silva Gomes, Paulo Henrique Almeida Campos Júnior and Liliam Midori Ide

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 2925; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20042925 - 08 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1578

Abstract

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) affects the cardiorespiratory system, causing an increase in the left ventricular mass in the heart and respiratory muscle weakness in relation to healthy individuals. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of progressive resistive physical exercise on the vertical ladder on the histomorphometry of cardiac tissue and respiratory muscles in rats with PD. Seventy male Wistar rats, aged 40 days old, were divided into Parkinson’s (PD) and Sham (SH) groups; they were also subdivided into groups that performed progressive resistive physical exercise on the vertical ladder Before Surgery (ExBS), After Surgery (ExAS), and Before and After Surgery (ExBAS). The physical training was carried out before and/or after PD induction. Exercise was performed five times a week for 25 min/day for four or eight weeks. PD induction was conducted via electrolytic stimulation of the Substantia nigra of the animals’ brains, adopting the following stereotaxic table coordinates: −4.9; lateral medium equal to 1.7, and dorsoventral equal to 8.1. For the morphometric analysis of the heart, the following variables were calculated: relative weight and diameter and thickness of the left ventricle. The diaphragm and the myocardial, intercostal, and abdominal muscles were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE). The histomorphometric analysis was performed using the ImageJ software to assess the cross-sectional area of muscles and the number of muscle fibers. Progressive resistance exercise promoted the hypertrophy of respiratory muscles and the left ventricle in animals with PD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Strategies to Enhance Physical Performance and Human Health)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 2327 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between the Timing of Pre-Workout Macronutrient Intake and Rated Appetite among Resistance-Trained Adults in Jbeil, Lebanon

by Lea Nasr, Yonna Sacre, Randa Attieh and Haider Mannan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2399; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032399 - 29 Jan 2023

Viewed by 1765

Abstract

Macronutrients play an important role in appetite regulation. In addition, adequate nutrient and energy intake, which may be altered by exercise-induced appetite fluctuations, is required to ensure important training outcomes. However, findings regarding appetite responses to macronutrient consumption before training and to different resistance training intensities remain inconclusive. This study investigated the association of three types of macronutrient intake before different intensities of resistance training with appetite. A purposive cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 280 resistance-trained individuals (mean age 26.4 ± 5.8 years) representing five gyms located in Jbeil, Lebanon, and who completed an online questionnaire. Data collected included socio-demographics, nutritional strategies followed by each respondent, training characteristics, and appetite rating before, during and after exercise using a validated visual analogue scale (VAS). A short-term suppression of appetite was reported during resistance-training, with no significant difference in exercise intensities (p > 0.05). In addition, low-fiber carbohydrate and protein food/beverage content consumed 30–60 min before training had an advantage in appetite suppression. In summary, these findings suggest that resistance training combined with pre-workout consumption of a whole meal was associated with appetite suppression, at least during the short period of exercise. From the perspective of appetite control and energy balance, the critical factor is the quantity and quality of macronutrient food sources, in addition to the timing surrounding training of nutrients ingested. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Strategies to Enhance Physical Performance and Human Health)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 332 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship between Body Composition and Specific Motor Abilities According to Position in Elite Female Soccer Players

by Mima Stanković, Ilma Čaprić, Dušan Đorđević, Stefan Đorđević, Adem Preljević, Admira Koničanin, Džejla Maljanović, Hamza Nailović, Iso Muković, Igor Jelaska and Goran Sporiš

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1327; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021327 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1743

Abstract

Contemporary top-division soccer is characterized by high-intensity activity throughout the entire match, which also requires high levels of a wide range of the players’ functional and motor abilities. Furthermore, motor and functional requirements vary in relation to the players’ position on the pitch. In view of the above, the objective of this study was to determine any differences in body composition and specific motor abilities in relation to position. Twenty elite female soccer players (age: 20.90 ± 3.70 years; height: 166.95 ± 5.83 cm; weight: 58.97 ± 7.50 kg; training experience: 9.50 ± 4.11 years) were recruited for the purpose of this study. Based on their position within the team, the players were divided into three groups: defenders (N-7), midfielders (N-6), and forwards (N-7). The instruments used included the InBody770 (for body composition assessment), Optojump and Polar for the assessment of specific motor abilities. The results obtained indicate a strong link between the parameters body composition and specific motor abilities; however, the level of significance varies, as do the variables concerning specific motor abilities and body composition in relation to the players’ position on the pitch. In accordance with these results, coaches and others working in the soccer industry should be apprised of the necessity of a tailored approach when it comes to planning the development of specific motor abilities, as well of with the importance of balanced body composition as prerequisites for achieving top results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Strategies to Enhance Physical Performance and Human Health)

9 pages, 340 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Aerobic Capacity and Restitution Efficiency Level in Relation to the Training Experience and Weekly Training Volume of Male and Female Judo National Team Members in the Cadet Age Group (U18) during the Preparatory Period

by Adam Prokopczyk and Marek Sokołowski

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(17), 11142; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191711142 - 05 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1482

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the relationship between the level of aerobic capacity and post-exercise restitution during the preparation period, with training experience and weekly training volume. All (12) athletes (six women; six men) participating in the training camp of the Polish national judo team in the cadet age group were tested. The Maximal Multistage 20-m Shuttle Run Test was used to investigate the level of aerobic capacity, and the Klonowicz coefficient of restitution (COR) 3 min after exercise (COR 3′) and 5 min after exercise (COR 5′) was used to determine the level of post-exercise restitution efficiency. The results showed that higher training experience significantly affected the deterioration of COR 3′ in female athletes and improved the results in the capacity test of male athletes. Female and male athletes with a higher weekly training volume had a higher HR at the end of the performance test. Considering the demonstrated correlations, special attention should be paid to matching the loads in training programs to the age of the athletes, introducing into training programs the teaching of body management during fatigue. Failing to adjust this may make participation impossible in competitions at the international level for older age groups. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Strategies to Enhance Physical Performance and Human Health)

Review

Jump to: Research

24 pages, 2595 KiB

Open AccessReview

Chronic Adaptations to Eccentric Cycling Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Renan Vieira Barreto, Leonardo Coelho Rabello de Lima, Fernando Klitzke Borszcz, Ricardo Dantas de Lucas and Benedito Sérgio Denadai

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 2861; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20042861 - 06 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2495

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of eccentric cycling (ECC_CYC) training on performance, physiological, and morphological parameters in comparison to concentric cycling (CON_CYC) training. Searches were conducted using PubMed, Embase, and ScienceDirect. Studies comparing the effect of ECC_CYC and CON_CYC training regimens on performance, physiological, and/or morphological parameters were included. Bayesian multilevel meta-analysis models were used to estimate the population’s mean difference between chronic responses from ECC_CYC and CON_CYC training protocols. Group levels and meta-regression were used to evaluate the specific effects of subjects and study characteristics. Fourteen studies were included in this review. The meta-analyses showed that ECC_CYC training was more effective in increasing knee extensor strength, vastus lateralis fiber cross-sectional area, and six-minute walking distance compared to CON_CYC. Moreover, ECC_CYC was as effective as CON_CYC in decreasing body fat percentage. CON_CYC was more effective in increasing

\dot{V} O_{2 \max}

and peak power output attained during concentric incremental tests. However, group-level analyses revealed that ECC_CYC was more effective than CON_CYC in improving

\dot{V} O_{2 \max}

in patients with cardiopulmonary diseases. ECC_CYC is a viable modality for exercise interventions aiming to improve parameters of muscle strength, hypertrophy, functional capacity, aerobic power, and body composition, with more advantages than CON_CYC training in improving neuromuscular variables. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Strategies to Enhance Physical Performance and Human Health)

► Show Figures