Given the ergogenic properties of β-alanyl-L-histidine (carnosine) in skeletal muscle, it can be hypothesized that elevated levels of circulating carnosine could equally be advantageous for high-intensity exercises. Serum carnosinase (CN1), the enzyme hydrolyzing the dipeptide, is highly active in the human circulation. Consequently, dietary intake of carnosine usually results in rapid degradation upon absorption, yet this is less pronounced in subjects with low CN1 activity. Therefore, acute carnosine supplementation before high-intensity exercise could be ergogenic in these subjects. In a cross-sectional study, we determined plasma CN1 activity and content in 235 subjects, including 154 untrained controls and 45 explosive and 36 middle- to long-distance elite athletes. In a subsequent double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 12 men performed a cycling capacity test at 110% maximal power output (CCT 110%) following acute carnosine (20 mg/kg body wt) or placebo supplementation. Blood samples were collected to measure CN1 content, carnosine, and acid-base balance. Both male and female explosive athletes had significantly lower CN1 activity (14% and 21% lower, respectively) and content (30% and 33% lower, respectively) than controls. Acute carnosine supplementation resulted only in three subjects in carnosinemia. The CCT 110% performance was not improved after carnosine supplementation, even when accounting for low/high CN1 content. No differences were found in acid-base balance, except for elevated resting bicarbonate following carnosine supplementation and in low CN1 subjects. In conclusion, explosive athletes have lower serum CN1 activity and content compared with untrained controls, possibly resulting from genetic selection. Acute carnosine supplementation does not improve high-intensity performance.

The purpose of the study was to characterize the changes in purine metabolism in long-distance runners in the main phases of their 1-year training cycle. Nine male athletes competing in distances 5 and 10 km at national/regional level, mean age 22.9 +/- 0.6 years, practising sport for 8.6 +/- 0.3 years, participated in the study. The changes in plasma concentrations of hypoxanthine (Hx), xanthine (X) and uric acid (UA) and the activity of the enzyme HGPRT in red blood cells haemolysate were followed in four characteristic points of the annual training cycle: preparatory phase (specific subphase), competition period, transition period and preparatory phase (intermediate subphase). Resting and postexercise plasma concentrations of X and, Hx and HGPRT activity changed significantly during 1-year training cycle. Significant changes in postexercise Hx values between training phases were found, from 9.3 micromol l(-1) in competition period to 22.9 micromol l(-1) in transition period (Friedmann's ANOVA, P < 0.01). Postexercise UA values ranged from 371 to 399 micromol l(-1) and did not change significantly between training phases. An increase in resting (from 52.0 to 58.4 IMP mg(-1) Hb min(-1), P < 0.05) and postexercise (from 70.7 to 76.2 IMP mg(-1) Hb min(-1), not significant) HGPRT activity between the specific preparation and competition period was observed. In the transition period, Hx postexercise concentration increased (22.9 micromol l(-1), P < 0.01) and HGPRT postexercise activity decreased (58.8 IMP mg(-1) Hb min(-1), P < 0.01) significantly. The results indicate that the level of plasma Hx at rest and after standard exercise may be a useful tool for monitoring the adaptation of energetic processes in different training phases and support the overload/overtraining diagnosis.

The aim of the following paper was to determine the influence of soft tissue therapy on respiratory efficiency and chest mobility of women suffering from breast cancer. This study was a controlled, randomized trial. Tests were carried out in a group of patients (n = 49) who were hospitalized in the Province Polyclinic Hospital, Konin, Poland. In the study group, irrespective of the standard physical therapy program, an additional therapy program was run. The program consisted of applying specific techniques of soft tissue treatment. All patients in each term were subject to pulmonary function tests, chest mobility, and pain assessment. Statistical analysis of the obtained results of spirometry and chest mobility assessment has revealed no differences in the analyzed parameters between the examined groups in the period of joint therapeutic treatment. In the period between the third examination and the end of the 11-month-rehabilitation treatment, statistically significant differences were observed in the analyzed spirometry parameters; however, there was no difference in the parameters describing airflow in small airways (maximal expiratory flow at 50% (MEF 50 ), peak expiratory flow (PEF) between individual groups during consecutive examinations in the course of diversified therapeutic treatment. Chest mobility assessment of the patients, performed during diversified therapeutic treatment, revealed statistically significant differences between the groups. However, there was no difference between the examined groups as far as pain sensation is concerned. Enhancing the regular rehabilitation program by including additional therapeutic methods, which are based on myofascial release and post-isometric relaxation techniques, had beneficial effects regarding respiratory system efficiency.

Late adulthood is associated with atrophy of brain areas, which contribute to cognitive deterioration and increase the risk of depression. On the other hand, aerobic exercise can improve learning and memory function, ameliorate mood, and prevent neurodegenerative changes. This study demonstrates the effect of Nordic walking (NW) and NW with poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber (NW with RSA) on aerobic capacity and body composition in postmenopausal women. It also measures the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) serum levels and determines correlations with cognitive functions and depression symptoms. These relationships with the use of NW with RSA as a new form of exercise have not been described thus far. In this study, 31 women (NW-16, NW with RSA-15) participated in eight weeks of training. The findings showed that only NW with RSA training caused a significant decrease in body mass and body mass index (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in GDNF levels between groups studied. Regarding BDNF, a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the NW group and an increase (not statistically significant) in the NW with RSA group was found. A comparative analysis of cognitive and depression outcomes and changes in BDNF and GDNF concentration showed no significant differences in the efficacy of either form of training. Training loads resulted in a significant increase in VO 2 max in both the NW (p < 0.01) and NW with RSA (p < 0.05) groups. This indicates an improvement in cardiopulmonary efficiency of the examined women.

Aging is a complex, multietiological process and a major risk factor for most non-genetic, chronic diseases including geriatric syndromes that negatively affect healthspan and longevity. In the scenario of “healthy or good aging”, especially during the COVID-19 era, the proper implementation of exercise as “adjuvant” or “polypill” to improve disease-related symptoms and comorbidities in the general population is a top priority. However, there is still a gap concerning studies analyzing influence of exercise training to immune system in older people. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide a brief summary of well-established findings in exercise immunology and immunogerontology, but with a focus on the main exercise-induced mechanisms associated with aging of the immune system (immunosenescence). The scientific data strongly supports the notion that regular exercise as a low-cost and non-pharmacological treatment approach, when adjusted on an individual basis in elderly, induce multiple rejuvenating mechanisms: (1) affects the telomere-length dynamics (a “telo-protective” effect), (2) promote short- and long-term anti-inflammatory effects (via e.g., triggering the anti-inflammatory phenotype), 3) stimulates the adaptive immune system (e.g., helps to offset diminished adaptive responses) and in parallel inhibits the accelerated immunosenescence process, (4) increases post-vaccination immune responses, and (5) possibly extends both healthspan and lifespan.