Although the influence of adiposity indices and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) on heart rate variability (HRV) has been demonstrated extensively, the causal link between the changes in adiposity as well as in CRF and the alterations in cardiac autonomic function is unclear. Thus, this study aimed to assess the correlation between the changes in adiposity and CRF and the alterations in HRV after 12-week exercise training. Twenty obese sedentary men aged 20.5±1.2 years were randomly assigned into 2 groups (n=10 each): the control (CG) and the exercise group (EG). The EG trained 60 min of combined aerobic, anaerobic and strengthening exercise, 4 sessions/wk for 12 weeks, whilst the CG remained relatively inactive. Measurements of resting HRV, body composition, and peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) were obtained at baseline and after the 12-week training program. Compared with CG, the exercise training significantly reduced adiposity indices and improved vagal-related HRV variables and VO2peak. Significant correlations were observed between changes in HRV variables and adiposity indices and VO2peak changes. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that changes in a Poincaré plot index (SD1/SD2 ratio) predicted 32.4% of the variance in the relative VO2peak changes. These findings suggest that obese sedentary young men achieved significant improvements in vagal activity, adiposity indices and aerobic fitness after the exercise training. The higher reduction in fat mass, especially central obesity, the greater alteration of vagal modulation. Moreover, the alteration in resting HRV is a possible predictor for adaptations to exercise training in obese sedentary young men.

BackgroundExercise training is known to increase fat utilization during exercise. Diets containing antioxidants and branch chain amino acids (BCAAs) are also reported to have potential effects on fat utilization. Cashew apple juice (CAJ) comprises many nutritional components including vitamin C and BCAAs. This study aimed to investigate the effect of CAJ supplementation on substrate utilization during high-intensity exercise in trained and untrained subjects.MethodsTen trained and ten untrained men were randomly supplemented with either placebo (PLA) or CAJ at 3.5 ml/kg body mass (BM) /day for 4 weeks with a 4-week washout between treatments in a randomized cross-over design. Before and after the 4-week supplementations all subjects performed cycling exercise at 85% of maximal oxygen consumption for 20 minutes. At rest, before, and immediately after the exercise, venous blood samples were taken to determine glucose, insulin and lipid concentrations. Expired air was collected during the 20 minutes of exercise to calculate substrate utilization.ResultsDuring the exercise in both trained and untrained groups, there were lower carbohydrate (CHO) and higher fat oxidation rates and contributions to total energy expenditure after the CAJ supplementation compared to the PLA supplementation (p<0.05). These values were greater in the trained group than the untrained group except CHO oxidation rates (p<0.05), which were not significantly different. Moreover, in both trained and untrained groups, resting plasma vitamin C concentrations were significantly higher after the CAJ supplementation compared to the PLA supplementation, without any change after the PLA supplementation. These values were greater in the trained group than the untrained group (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in glucose, insulin or lipid concentrations between the groups’ blood samples.ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that CAJ supplementation enhanced fat oxidation during exercise may enhance endurance performance, but specific studies are needed to assess this possibility.

Objective : The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between alcohol consumption and body mass index in university students in Eastern Thailand. Methods : Undergraduate students (19–23 years, n = 396) were randomly surveyed via questionnaires, which included general information, alcohol consumption, and unhealthy food consumption. Average daily alcohol consumption was then calculated from grams of ethanol consumed per day. A subject, who has body mass index (BMI) more than 23 kg/m 2 , was defined as excessive weight. Difference between genders of each variable was compared using independent t -test. Mean of each variable between groups was compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The correlation between average daily alcohol consumption and BMI, unhealthy consumption and BMI were analyzed by applying Pearson correlation coefficient. Results : 229 university students consumed alcohol (58%). After 229 subjects were divided into three categories, the average daily alcohol consumption of the overweight group was significantly higher than the underweight and normal weight groups in women; meanwhile, unhealthy food consumption frequencies was not different between groups. Average daily alcohol consumption levels for overweight group were 74.17 and 73.45 g/day in men and women, respectively. Furthermore, higher daily alcohol consumption was independently associated with higher BMI (95% confidence interval [CI] R = 0.161: p = 0.015; men R = 0.120: p = 0.236; women R = 0.214: p = 0.015). Conclusion : There was a positive relationship between alcohol consumption and BMI in university students in Eastern Thailand. This study supports that the daily alcohol consumption is a risk factor for excessive weight and gender may contribute to the correlation.

BackgroundPhyllanthus amarus (PA) is a herbal plant containing antioxidant compounds that scavenge free radicals. The reduced oxidative stress may decrease muscle damage leading to early recovery from muscle soreness. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of PA powder on oxidative stress, muscle damage, leukocyte counts, inflammation, and muscle soreness after a single bout of high-intensity exercise.MethodsTwelve men participated in two 3-day phases separated by a 1-week washout in a randomized double-blinded, crossover design. On day 1, randomly divided participants ingested two capsules of either PA (PA group) or placebo (PLA group) 20 min before a single bout of cycling at high intensity for 20 min followed by four capsules (two capsules after lunch and dinner), and six capsules/day for the next 2 days. Blood samples were collected before, immediately after, and 24 and 48 h after the exercise. Pain threshold was measured at the mid-thigh on both legs.ResultsMalondialdehyde concentration in the PA group was lower than that in the PLA group (p < 0.05) 48 h after high-intensity exercise. Vitamin C concentration was greater in the PA than in the PLA group (p < 0.05) immediately after high-intensity exercise. Pain threshold in both legs in the PA group was higher than in the PLA group 24 and 48 h after high-intensity exercise. There were no significant differences in creatine kinase, leukocyte counts or inflammation between groups.ConclusionAcute PA supplementation reduced oxidative stress and muscle soreness induced by high-intensity exercise.