The effects of normal and interrupted sleep combined with acute caffeine supplementation on some immune system indices and anaerobic power in male athletes

Background and Purpose: Adequate sleep is recognized as a fundamental factor in enhancing athletic performance. Studies have shown that poor sleep can lead to decreased anaerobic power and increased risk of diseases. Additionally, caffeine consumption, as one of the popular sports supplements, can directly or indirectly affect the immune system through its impact on sleep and rest, and also result in positive effects on performance. In the current study, the effects of normal and interrupted sleep combined with acute caffeine supplementation on some immune system indices and anaerobic power in male athletes were examined.Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental study was conducted using a randomized design. Fourteen male athletes (mean±SD; age, 22.92±1.32 years; height, 176.4±4.38 cm; weight, 71.42±9.65 kg) participated in this study. Participants were randomly and equally assigned to 2 groups and 2 sessions: 1) normal sleep, caffeine/placebo (NSP/NSC) and 2) Interrupted sleep, caffeine/placebo (ISP/ISC). The supplement group consumed 6 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight, while the placebo group consumed chickpea flour. To assess anaerobic power, a Monark cycle ergometer test was applied with 20 seconds of cycling followed by 20 seconds of rest, immediately followed by 12 sets of 4-second cycling with 10-second rests. Blood samples were taken at four time points: 8 AM (baseline), 60 minutes after supplementation, 5 minutes post-test, and 360 minutes post-test.Results: Five minutes after the test, platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and systemic immune-inflammation (SII) values showed a significant decrease in normal sleep and caffeine conditions compared to interrupted sleep and placebo conditions. Whith blood cells (WBC) values in normal sleep and placebo conditions demonstrated a significant (p<0.05) increase compared to other conditions at 360 minutes post-test. Additionally, at 360 minutes post-test, NLR and SII values in interrupted sleep and caffeine conditions showed a significant increase compared to normal sleep and caffeine conditions (p<0.05). Caffeine supplementation significantly increased NLR and SII values in interrupted sleep and caffeine conditions compared to normal sleep and placebo conditions (p<0.05). Caffeine consumption led to a significant increase in peak power in the normal sleep group compared to other conditions (p<0.05).Conclusion: The results indicated that sleep deprivation negatively impacts immune system indicators, and caffeine supplementation after sleep deprivation improves some immune markers. Although the ergogenic effects of caffeine were confirmed under normal sleep conditions, the lack of enhancement in anaerobic performance with caffeine supplementation during sleep deprivation suggests a need for further research on the effects of different dosages of caffeine supplementation on anaerobic performance. Therefore, considering the improvement in immune function markers under sleep deprivation with caffeine supplementation, even without enhancing anaerobic performance, and the fact that sleep deprivation strongly activates the body's inflammatory signaling network, the use of this supplement can be recommended for athletes in conditions of sleep deprivation and before intense activities

GOALS OF PARTICIPATION IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES

The importance of physical education in school life and for health points to the need to the better understands goal's participation of students in school education classes. This study was an attempt to investigate students' goals for participates in physical education (PE) classes. 455 random out of 72673 students of junior and senior high schools with the age range of 11 to 19 years (M=14.67). A 28-items survey was administrated to assess (a) demographics and (b) Purposes for Engaging in Physical Activity (PEPAS), on a 5-point Likert scale [23]. A panel of experts (n=10) reviewed the translated from of survey and provided feedback and comments on content validity of the instrument, and 50 student participated in pilot study. The analysis of the result indicated that the Individual development (the physiological efficiency and Psychic equilibrium) was rated the highest goal of participating in physical activity followed by the social interaction (the group interaction and cultural involvement) and the environmental coping (the spatial orientation and object manipulation). One-way Tukeys' post hoc comparison revealed significant difference between groups of subject differentiated on the basis gender age, Junior/senior high school, physical activity out of school, school team member ships, and physical activity on summer & holidays as Independent factors. The multivariate effect of these factors on some of the student's purpose was significant. The unvaried analyses showed that these factors had a significant effect on some of goals. These findings indicate the importance of ranking of students' purposes for engaging in PE classes. It is also necessary that these goals to be considered by the parents & teachers point of view

The effects of exercise training on maximum aerobic capacity, resting heart rate, blood pressure and anthropometric variables of postmenopausal women with breast cancer

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise training on maximum aerobic capacity, resting heart rate (RHR), blood pressure and anthropometric variables of postmenopausal women with breast cancer. Methods: Twenty nine women with breast cancer who received surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy with current hormone therapy were divided into two groups; intervention and control. Subjects in the intervention group performed 15 weeks combination exercise training including walking for 25 to 45 minutes (2 sessions per week) and resistance training for 60 minutes (2 sessions per week that were different from walking days). In pre and post tests, VO 2 max, RHR, blood pressure, body weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were measured in both groups. Data was analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results: Significant differences were observed for VO 2 max, RHR, body weight, BMI and WHR between intervention and control groups after 15 weeks (p < 0.05). In fact, exercise training had positive effects on the VO 2 max, RHR, body weight, BMI and WHR in postmenopausal women with breast cancer. No significant different was found for blood pressure between two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: It can be concluded that exercise training may improve maximum aerobic capacity, RHR and anthropometric variables in postmenopausal women with breast cancer

Relationship between Bone Mineral Density and Physical Activity Level in the Elderly

This study purposed to investigate the relationship between physical activity level and bone mineral density (BMD) in the elderly of Amirkola in northern Iran. This cross-sectional study was part of a proposal to assess the situation of the elderly in Amirkola (AHAP) (Amirkola Health and Ageing Project) conducted on 1113 elderly individuals (616 males and 497 females) in Amirkola city. Physical activity was measured using a standard questionnaire of physical activity in the elderly (Physical Activity Scale for Elderly). Mineral bone mass was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in the femur neck and lumbar spines, and vitamin D levels were measured in morning blood samples. T-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and linear regression tests were used to analyze data. The mean physical activity of women (118.6±55.5) was higher than that of men (110.3±71.1) (p=0.035). This study found a significant positive relationship between total physical activity and femur bone mineral density (p=0.001 and r=0.101), but this association was not significant in lumbar spines (p=0.597 and r=0.016), though bone mineral density increased in both areas with increased physical activity (p=0.098). A significant inverse relationship between age and physical activity (p=0.001) and between age and bone mineral density (p=0.001) was observed. Analyzing the influencing variables using the linear regression model indicated physical activity, age, and BMI had significant relationships with bone mineral density in the femur, but neither vitamin D nor calcium played a role. Given the positive correlation between bone mineral density and physical activity, it can be concluded that low intensity weight-bearing activities carried out in compliance with safety rules may be suitable for the elderly