The Effect of Circuit Resistance Training With Varying Intensity on Selected Inflammatory Markers in Obese Men

Obesity and associated chronic inflammation lead to insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of varying intensity circuit resistance training on metabolic and inflammatory markers in obese men. In a semi-experimental trial, 44 obese men were selected and randomly divided into four groups, including 1) Control (n=11), 2) Low-intensity circuit resistance training (n=11), 3) Moderate-intensity circuit resistance training (n=11), and 4) High-intensity circuit resistance training (n=11). Resistance training was performed at different intensities, including 1) High-intensity circuit resistance training (80% 1RM), 2) Moderate-intensity circuit resistance (60% 1RM), and 3) Low-intensity circuit resistance training (40% 1RM), three sessions per week for 12 weeks. Serum levels of Dectin-1, TLR2, TLR4, MyD88 were measured using an ELISA kit. Data were analyzed with covariance analysis at P<0.05. Twelve weeks of moderate and high-intensity circuit resistance training significantly reduced weight, body mass index, serum levels of Dectin-1, TLR2, TLR4, MyD88, and HOMA-IR (P=0.001). The reduction of weight, body mass index, serum levels of Dectin-1, TLR2, TLR4, MyD88, and HOMA-IR were significant in obese men in the high-intensity training group compared to low-intensity training (P=0.001). It seems that circuit resistance training, especially high-intensity circuit resistance training, can be used as an option to reduce the inflammatory and metabolic complications associated with obesity.

Electric Power Steering Power Circuit Health Assessment and Mitigation Strategy

With recent developments of energy efficient design and control for electric motors, electrical subsystems and components have become integral parts of main actuators in vehicle systems (e.g., steering and propulsion systems). To ensure proper vehicle operations, it is important to make sure that electrical power is properly transmitted through the power circuit from vehicle power source to the electric motor. However, degradation in the power circuit health, which often manifests itself as increased resistance, may affect power transmission and degrade the system performance. For example, in Electric Power Steering (EPS) systems, if the EPS power circuit resistance is increased and the EPS is drawing power to assist the driver, voltage at the EPS module will drop significantly, causing the EPS to reset and, consequently, Loss of Assist (LOA) incidents. Due to compliance in the steering system and suspension design, drivers often feel that the steering system is fighting back when an LOA incident occurs. While previous work has partially addressed this issue by developing algorithms that estimate resistance increase in EPS power circuits, this paper further validates and refines the algorithms for vehicle on-board and off-board implementations using test drive data collected. Since on-board and off-board implementations impose different limits on signal sampling rates, a total of 250 and 465 minutes of data are respectively collected with various vehicle speeds and steering maneuvers. Moreover, a supervisory control solution, referred to as EPS Anti-Loss-of-Assist (ALOA), is proposed that gradually and proactively reduces EPS torque assist as resistance in the EPS power circuit increases so that the EPS voltage is kept above a resetting threshold. Stationary steering tests of the proposed solution as well as demonstrations on parking lot maneuvers at General Motors Milford Proving Grounds are conducted. The stationary steering tests and demonstrations show that, with the proposed supervisory control, negative effects of increased EPS power circuit resistance can be mitigated without noticeable changes in normal driving experience.

High-intensity interval training versus progressive high-intensity circuit resistance training on endothelial function and cardiorespiratory fitness in heart failure: A preliminary randomized controlled trial

Introduction Exercise training is strongly recommended as a therapeutic approach to treat individuals with heart failure. High-intensity exercise training modalities still controversial in this population. The study aims to preliminary assess the consequences of high-intensity exercise training modalities, aerobic interval training (HIIT) and progressive high circuit-resistance training (CRT), on primarily endothelial function and cardiorespiratory fitness, and secondly on muscle strength and physical performance in heart failure patients. Methods This preliminary multicentric randomized controlled trial comprised 23 heart failure patients, aged 56 ± 10 years old, mainly New York Heart Association classification I and II (%), hemodynamically stable, who compromise at least 36 exercise sessions of a randomly assigned intervention (HIIT, CRT or control group). Endothelial function, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, muscle strength and physical performance were completed at baseline and post-intervention. Results Although no effects on endothelial function; both HIIT and CRT modalities were able to produce a positive effect on V˙O2 peak (HIIT = +2.1±6.5, CRT = +3.0±4.2 and control group = -0.1± 5.3 mL/kg/min, time*group p-value<0,05) and METs (HIIT = +0.6±1.8, CRT = +0.9±1.2 and control group = 0±1.6, time*group p-value<0,05). Only HIIT increased isokinetic torque peak (HIIT = +8.8±55.8, CRT = 0.0±60.7 and control group = 1.6±57.6 Nm) matched p-value<0,05. Regarding the physical performance, the CRT modality reduced chair stand test completion time (HIIT = -0.7±3.1, CRT = -3.3±3.2 and control group = -0.3±2.5 s, matched p-value<0,05 and HIIT improved global physical performance(time*group p<0,05). Conclusion This preliminary study trends to indicate for the first time that high-intensity interval training promotes a jointly superior effect compared to progressive high intensity circuit-resistance training by improving cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and physical performance. Further research with larger cohort is necessary. Clinical trial registration number ReBEC RBR-668c8v.

Effect of Spirulina platensis green-blue algae consumption, and circuit resistance training (CRT) on lipid profile in overweight and obese middle-aged men

Background and Aims: Researchers have recently considered the impact of herbal supplements combined with exercise on weight control. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Spirulina platensis green-blue algae consumption, and circuit resistance training (CRT) on lipid profile in overweight and obese middle-aged men. Materials and Methods: This was a single-blind, quasi-experimental, and applied study. The study population included 60 overweight and obese men in the age range of 30-55 years with a body mass index of more than 25 (kg/m2). The participants were purposefully selected and randomly divided into four groups of training plus spirulina (N=15); training plus placebo; spirulina; and Placebo. The intervention and placebo groups took two 500 mg spirulina capsules, and placebo capsules daily for eight weeks, respectively. The CRT was performed for eight weeks and three sessions per week based on a flexible timing pattern, with the observation of the principle of overload with rest intervals between stations and sets. Results: There was a significant difference between the study groups in terms of the levels of triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) of the participants (P<0.05). Moreover, in the intra-group investigation, there was a significant reduction in the values of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglyceride (TG), in the groups of training plus spirulina and training plus placebo, cholesterol (TC), and (Aspartate aminotransferase) AST in the groups of training plus spirulina had a significant decrease, Moreover, a significant increase was observed in the levels of HDL and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the group of training plus spirulina. Conclusion: It seems that the consumption of Spirulina platensis green-blue algae combined with CRT can be effective in controlling weight and obesity and preventing obesity-related diseases through the improvement of some indices of metabolic profile and body composition.

Supplementation with Ziziphus Jujuba Suppresses Apoptosis Signals in Neutrophils after Acute Exercise

It is suggested that jujube might benefit exercise-induced immune fluctuations, specifically on neutrophils’ apoptosis regulation, but its cellular mechanism is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of one-week supplemen- tation with Ziziphus jujuba on pro- and anti-apoptotic protein levels of neutrophils in response to a session of circuit resistance exercise. Fourteen young, healthy male students completed a session of circuit resistance exercise (75% 1RM, nine exercises, three sets) in two groups (n=7). While one group received a placebo, the other group was supplemented with jujube (0.5 g/kg body weight suspended in 2.5 cc distilled water) started a weekday before the exercise session. Blood samples were collected 30 minutes before, immediately, and two hours after the exercise. Neutrophils were col- lected and pro- (Calpain-1, Bax, Caspase-3) and anti-apoptotic (Calpastatin, XIAP) proteins measured with ELISA. In- tracellular calcium ([Ca 2+ ]i) was assessed using the Atomic Absorption/ Flame Emission method. Repeated-Measures ANOVA was used for the interaction effects of TIME×GROUP (3×2) at the significance level (p) of 0.05. The SPSS software was used for analyses. Levels of ([Ca 2+ ]i), expression of calpain-, and caspase-3 were increased in response to circuit resistance exercise (p<0.05). In contrast, supplementation with jujube suppressed these changes (p<0.01). The data indicate that a single session of intensive circuit resistance exercise elevated apoptosis signalling in human neutrophils with the involvement of [Ca 2+ ]i-Calpastatin-Calpain axis upstream caspase-3. Supplementation with the jujube solution attenuated cell death signalling, possibly by providing energy for neutrophils. Otherwise, the improvement of the anti- oxidant status might be protective against ROS-induced apoptosis during exercise.

Optimization of Shunted Loudspeaker for Sound Absorption by Fully Exhaustive and Backtracking Algorithm

The shunted loudspeaker with a negative impedance converter is a physical system with multiple influencing parameters. In this paper, a fully exhaustive backtracking algorithm was used to optimize these parameters, such as moving mass, total stiffness, damping, coil inductance, force factor, circuit resistance, inductance and capacitance, in order to obtain the best sound absorption in a specific frequency range. Taking the maximum average sound absorption coefficient in the range of 100–450 Hz as the objective function, the optimized parameters of the shunted loudspeaker were analyzed. Simulation results indicated that the force factor and moving mass can be sufficiently reduced in comparison with that of a typical four-inch loudspeaker available on the market. For a given loudspeaker from the market as an example, the four optimized parameters of the shunted loudspeaker were given, and the sound absorption coefficient was measured for verification. The measured results were in good agreement with the predicted results, demonstrating the applicability of the algorithm.