Physical activity and fitness are associated with a lower prevalence of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes. This review discusses the body's response to an acute bout of exercise and long-term physiological adaptations to exercise training with an emphasis on endurance exercise. An overview is provided of skeletal muscle actions, muscle fiber types, and the major metabolic pathways involved in energy production. The importance of adequate fluid intake during exercise sessions to prevent impairments induced by dehydration on endurance exercise, muscular power, and strength is discussed. Physiological adaptations that result from regular exercise training such as increases in cardiorespiratory capacity and strength are mentioned. The review emphasizes the cardiovascular and metabolic adaptations that lead to improvements in maximal oxygen capacity.

This study examined the effects of beverage composition on the voluntary drinking pattern, body fluid balance, and thermoregulation of heat-acclimatized trained boys exercising intermittently in outdoor conditions (wet bulb globe temperature 30.4 +/- 1.0 degreesC). Twelve boys (age 13.4 +/- 0.4 yr) performed two 3-h sessions, each consisting of four 20-min cycling bouts at 60% maximal aerobic power alternating with 25-min rest. One of two beverages was assigned: unflavored water (W) or flavored water plus 6% carbohydrate and 18 mmol/l Na (CNa). Drinking was ad libitum. Total intake was higher (P < 0.05) during CNa (1,943 +/- 190 g) compared with W (1,470 +/- 143 g). Euhydration was maintained with CNa (+0.18% body wt), but a mild dehydration resulted with W (-0.94% body wt; P < 0.05). Sweat loss, much higher than previously published for children of similar age, was similar between conditions (CNa = 1,644.7 +/- 117.5; W = 1,750.2 +/- 152.7 g). The increase in rectal temperature (CNa = 0.86 +/- 0.3; W = 0.76 +/- 0.1 degreesC), heart rate, and all perceptual variables did not differ between conditions. In conclusion, a flavored carbohydrate-electrolyte drink prevents voluntary dehydration in trained heat-acclimatized boys exercising in a tropical climate despite their large sweat losses. Because hydration changes were minor, the thermoregulatory strain observed was similar between conditions.

This study examined the nutritional and performance status of elite soccer players during intense training. Eight male players (age 17 ± 2 years) of the Puerto Rican Olympic Team recorded daily activities and food intake over 12 days. Daily energy expenditure was 3,833 ± 571 (SD) kcal, and energy intake was 3,952 ± 1,071 kcal, of which 53.2 ± 6.2% (8.3 g ⋅ kg BW−1) was from carbohydrates (CHO), 32.4 ± 4.0% from fat, and 14.4 ± 2.3% from protein. With the exception of calcium, all micronutrients examined were in accordance with dietary guidelines. Body fat was 7.6 ± 1.1% of body weight. Time to completion of three runs of the soccer-specific test was 37.65 ± 0.62 s, and peak torques of the knee flexors and extensors at 60° ⋅ s−1 were 139 ± 6 and 225 ± 9 N ⋅ m, respectively. Players' absolute amounts of CHO seemed to be above the minimum recommended intake to maximize glycogen storage, but calcium intakes were below recommended. Their body fat was unremarkable, and they had a comparatively good capacity to endure repeated bouts of intense soccer-specific exercise and to exert force with their knee extensors and flexors.

Limited information is available regarding physical activity (PA) and its assessment in Hispanics living with HIV. This study compared self-reported PA using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) with objectively measured PA using the ActiGraph accelerometer and DigiWalker pedometer in 58 Hispanic adults with HIV. IPAQ was administered before and after a 7-day period in which subjects wore the ActiGraph and DigiWalker. PA classification was based on > or = 150 min/wk (IPAQ, ActiGraph) and > or = 10,000 steps/day (DigiWalker). IPAQ-PA was higher than ActiGraph-PA (423 +/- 298 vs. 165 +/- 134 min/wk, respectively) (p < .01). There was a mismatch in PA classification with the IPAQ, ActiGraph, and DigiWalker (active = 81%, 54%, and 17%, respectively). Hispanics with HIV highly overestimated self-reported PA. Nurse scientists and other investigators must consider accelerometers or pedometers to assess PA in this population.

Adolescent judo athletes who train in tropical climates may be in a persistent state of dehydration because they frequently restrict fluids during daily training sessions to maintain or reduce their body weight and are not given enough opportunities to drink.Purpose:Determine the body hydration status of adolescent judo athletes before, immediately after, and 24 h after (24H) a training session and document sweat Na+ loss and symptoms of dehydration.Methods:Body mass and urine color and specific gravity (USG) were measured before, after, and 24 h after a training session in a high-heat-stress environment (29.5 ± 1.0°C; 77.7 ± 6.1% RH) in 24 adolescent athletes. Sweat sodium loss was also determined. A comparison was made between mid-pubertal (MP) and late pubertal (LP) subjects.Results:The majority of the subjects started training with a significant level of dehydration. During the training session, MP subjects lost 1.3 ± 0.8% of their pretraining body mass whereas LP subjects lost 1.9 ± 0.5% (P < .05). Sweat sodium concentration was 44.5 ± 23.3 mmol/L. Fluid intake from a water fountain was minimal. Subjects reported symptoms of dehydration during the session, which in some cases persisted throughout the night and the next day. The 24H USG was 1.028 ± 0.004 and 1.027 ± 0.005 g/mL for MP and LP, respectively.Conclusions:Adolescent judo athletes arrive to practice with a fluid deficit, do not drink enough during training, and experience symptoms of dehydration, which may compromise the quality of training and general well-being.