Browsing by Author "Leite, Luciano Bernardes"
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- Assessment of heart rate variability and infrared thermography in response to exercise-induced muscle damagePublication . Marques, Wanessa Karoline Brito; Santana, Paulo Vitor Albuquerque; Oliveira, Vinícius Fernandes Ferreira de; Pussieldi, Guilherme de Azambuja; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Forte, Pedro; Assis, Miller Gomes; Pimenta, Eduardo Mendonça; Mostarda, Cristiano Teixeira; Costa, Herikson Araújo; Dibai-Filho, Almir Vieira; Oliveira Junior, Mario Norberto Sevilio; Cabido, Christian Emmanuel Torres; Veneroso, Christiano EduardoThe aim of this study is to investigate the behavior of autonomic nervous activation and infrared thermography (IR) after an eccentric exercise protocol. The sample consisted of ten physically active men (22.5 ± 3.3 years) who had not practiced plyometric training in the 6 months prior to the study. After a period of familiarization and assessment of body composition, the participants underwent a plyometric jumping protocol, including jumps over a 50 cm obstacle and jumps from a 50 cm box, after a 5-min warm-up on the treadmill. Subsequently, the following assessments were performed: assessments included measures of rating perceived fatigue (RPF), delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), IRT and heart rate variability (HRV) performed at 24, 48 and 72 h after exercise. The RPF results showed a significant increase from baseline at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after the muscle damage protocol. For DOMS, significant increases were observed at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h compared to baseline, with values notably higher at 24 h and 48 h than at 72 h. Thermographic assessments of the posterior thigh region showed a higher concentration of pixels in the warm zone at 48 h and 72 h compared to baseline, as well as at 48 h and 72 h compared to 24 h. Regarding HRV, the LF/HF ratio and %LF were elevated at 24 h and 48 h compared to baseline and 72 h, while %HF decreased at 24 h and 48 h relative to baseline. The exercise-induced stress increased warm-zone pixels and elevated sympathetic activity (LF/HF ratio and %LF) up to 48 h post-exercise. This was followed by a shift to increased parasympathetic modulation (higher %HF), indicating recovery. These findings underscore the utility of IRT and HRV in monitoring recovery and optimizing training.
- Blueberry Extract and Resistance Training Prevent Left Ventricular Redox Dysregulation and Pathological Remodeling in Experimental Severe Pulmonary Arterial HypertensionPublication . Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Soares, Leôncio Lopes; Guimarães-Ervilha, Luiz Otávio; Costa, Sebastião Felipe Ferreira; Generoso, Sara Caco dos Lúcio; Xavier, Mirielly Alexia Miranda; Iasbik-Lima, Thainá; Oliveira, Leandro Licursi; Lucia, Ceres Mattos Della; Bianchi, Sara Elis; Bassani, Valquíria Linck; Herter, Flavio Gilberto; Turck, Patrick; Araujo, Alex Sander da Rosa; Forte, Pedro; Reis, Emily Correna Carlo; Machado-Neves, Mariana; Natali, Antônio JoséTo investigate whether the regular administration of blueberry extract and low-intensity resistance exercise training (RT), either alone or in combination, during the development of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in rats protect the left ventricle (LV) from redox dysregulation and pathological remodeling. Groups of seven male Wistar rats were formed for the experiment: sedentary control; sedentary hypertensive; sedentary hypertensive blueberry; exercise hypertensive; and exercise hypertensive blueberry. PAH was experimentally induced through a single intraperitoneal administration of MCT at a dose of 60 mg/kg. One day after injection, the blueberry groups started receiving a daily dose of blueberry extract (100 mg/kg) by gavage, while the exercise groups initiated a three-week program of RT (ladder climbing; 15 climbs carrying 60% of maximum load; one session/day; 5 times/week). Echocardiographic evaluations were conducted 23 days after injection, and the rats were euthanized the next day to harvest LV tissue. Separately, blueberry extract and RT mitigated augments in pulmonary artery resistance, LV tissue redox dysregulation (i.e., increased PC levels) and detrimental remodeling (i.e., reduced inflammation), and reductions in ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) caused by PAH. The combination of treatments prevented reductions in EF and FS, along with the development of a D-shaped LV. blueberry extract and moderate-intensity resistance training administered during the development of MCT-induced severe PAH in rats prevented LV redox dysregulation and pathological remodeling, thereby preserving its function.
- Combined exercise hinders the progression of pulmonary and right heart harmful remodeling in monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertensionPublication . Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Soares, Leôncio Lopes; Portes, Alexandre Martins Oliveira; Silva, Bruna Aparecida Fonseca da; Dias, Taís Rodrigues; Soares, Thayana Inácia; Assis, Mirian Quintão; Guimarães-Ervilha, Luiz Otávio; Carneiro-Júnior, Miguel Araújo; Forte, Pedro; Machado-Neves, Mariana; Reis, Emily Correna Carlo; Natali, Antônio JoséThe aim of this study was to test whether combined physical exercise training of moderate intensity executed during the devel- opment of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) hinders the progression of pulmonary and right heart harmful functional and structural remodeling in rats. Wistar rats were injected with MCT (60 mg/kg) and after 24 h were exposed to a combined exercise training program: aerobic exercise (treadmill running—60 min/day; 60% of maximum running speed); and resistance exercise (vertical ladder climbing—15 climbs; 60% of maximum carrying load), on alternate days, 5 days/ wk, for 3 wk. After euthanasia, the lung and right ventricle (RV) were excised and processed for histological, single myocyte, and biochemical analyses. Combined exercise increased the tolerance to physical effort (time until fatigue and relative maximum load) and prevented increases in pulmonary artery resistance (acceleration time (TA)/ejection time (TE)] and reductions in RV function [tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)]. Moreover, in myocytes isolated from the RV, combined exercise pre- served contraction amplitude, as well as contraction and relaxation velocities, and inhibited reductions in the amplitude and max- imum speeds to peak and to decay of the intracellular Ca2 þ transient. Furthermore, combined exercise avoided RV (RV weight, cardiomyocyte, extracellular matrix, collagen, inflammatory infiltrate, and extracellular matrix) and lung (pulmonary alveoli and al- veolar septum) harmful structural remodeling. In addition, combined exercise restricted RV [nitric oxide (NO) and carbonyl protein (CP)] and lung [catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and NO] oxidative stress. In conclusion, the applied combined exercise regime hinders the progression of pulmonary and right heart functional and structural harmful remodeling in rats with MCT-induced PAH.
- Comparative Effects of Resistance Training Modalities on Mental Health and Quality of Life in Individuals with Spinal Cord InjuryPublication . Santos, Lucas Vieira; Freitas, Karla Raphaela da Silva Ramos; Pereira, Eveline Torres; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Forte, Pedro; Oliveira, Claudia Eliza Patrocínio de; Moreira, Osvaldo CostaBackground: Anxiety and depression are prevalent after spinal cord injury, impairing social participation and quality of life. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of traditional resistance training (TRT), flywheel resistance training (FWRT), and high-velocity resistance training (HVRT) on the mental health and quality of life in individuals with spinal cord injury. Methods: Thirty-two participants were divided into TRT (n = 12), FWRT (n = 8), and HVRT (n = 12) groups, undergoing 8 weeks of upper-limb training twice weekly under super-vision. Training intensity and volume were progressively increased. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and SF-36 Questionnaire were used to assess outcomes. Results: Both the TRT and FWRT groups showed a reduction in HADS-D scores post-intervention (p < 0.001). The TRT group also presented a significant reduction in HADS-A scores post-intervention (p = 0.003). Concerning quality of life, after training, TRT showed improvements in social functioning (p = 0.013), FWRT improved scores in physical functioning (p = 0.002), bodily pain (p = 0.002), vitality (p = 0.046), and role emotional (p < 0.001), while HVRT enhanced role physical (p < 0.001), social functioning (p = 0.013), and role emotional (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Overall, TRT was the most effective in reducing anxiety and depression and enhancing quality of life, while FWRT showed notable gains in physical and functional capacity. HVRT demonstrated improvements primarily in role physical but was less effective in other domains.
- Comparative Efficacy of Bodyweight and Free Weights Training on Shooting Strength in Roller HockeyPublication . Paiva, Eduardo; Afonso, Pedro; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Teixeira, José Eduardo; Forte, Pedro; Rodrigues, Pedro M.This study evaluated the impact of an 8-week training program on two groups of players, one performing free weights training and the other bodyweight training. The sample consisted of 14 athletes with a mean age of 22.6 years. Assessments of shooting strength were conducted before and after the program, measuring shot speed, acceleration, and strength. The free weights training included exercises with dumbbells and barbells, while the bodyweight training included squats, push- ups, and planks. Sessions occurred twice a week, with gradual progress in the number of sets and repetitions. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism software, with significance set at p<0.05. Data distribution was tested using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and comparisons between pre- and post-intervention assessments were made with paired t- tests. Results showed significant improvements in shot speed, acceleration, and strength in the free weights training group, while the bodyweight training group showed no significant changes. It was concluded that free weights training is more effective for improving shooting strength in roller hockey players.
- Do Elite Female Judokas Show Asymmetry in the Internal and External Rotators of the Shoulder? A One-Dimensional and Principal Component ApproachPublication . Aedo-Muñoz, Esteban; Merino-Muñoz, Pablo; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Forte, Pedro; Miarka, Bianca; Gonzalez-Valenzuela, Matias; Hernandez-Wimmer, Cristian; Arriagada-Tarifeño, DavidAsymmetry of the internal (IR) and external (ER) shoulder rotators can increase the risk of injuries in judokas. Discrete analyses are usually performed in time series data, but they can have biases by removing trends, so other approaches have been proposed to avoid these biases such as statistical parametric mapping (SPM) and principal component analysis (PCA). This study analyzed the asymmetry in the shoulder rotators in female judokas, comparing dominant (D) vs. non-dominant (ND) upper limbs. For this, 11 elite athletes (age: 20.1 ± 2.9 yrs.; experience: 4.0 ± 0.5 yrs.; body mass: 66.0 ± 14.6 kg; height: 1.6 ± 0.1 m; BMI: 24.8 ± 4.3 kg/m2), were evaluated in an isokinetic dynamometer (Cybex® Humac/Norm Dynamometer CSMI, 502140, Stoughton, MA, USA). All participants performed the concentric (CON/CON) isokinetic evaluations of internal and external rotation of the shoulder in 60◦/s and 180◦/s angular velocities. There was no significative asymmetry between IR vs. ER at 60◦/s; similar results were observed at 180◦/s when analyzed by PCA or SPM methods (p > 0.05 for all comparison). There was no difference between peak torque at 60◦/s or 180◦/s (p > 0.05 for all comparison). No asymmetry was observed in IR and ER in elite female athletes, regardless of the analysis method.
- Effects of Tryptophan and Physical Exercise on the Modulation of Mechanical Hypersensitivity in a Fibromyalgia-like Model in Female RatsPublication . Rezende, Rafael Marins; Coimbra, Roney Santos; Kohlhoff, Markus; Favarato, Lukiya Silva Campos; Martino, Hércia Stampini Duarte; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Soares, Leôncio Lopes; Encarnação, Samuel; Forte, Pedro; Monteiro, A.M.; Peluzio, Maria do Carmo Gouveia; Natali, Antônio JoséThough the mechanisms are not fully understood, tryptophan (Trp) and physical exercise seem to regulate mechanical hypersensitivity in fibromyalgia. Here, we tested the impact of Trp supplementation and continuous low-intensity aerobic exercise on the modulation of mechanical hypersensitivity in a fibromyalgia-like model induced by acid saline in female rats. Twelve-month-old femaleWistar rats were randomly divided into groups: [control (n = 6); acid saline (n = 6); acid saline + exercise (n = 6); acid saline + Trp (n = 6); and acid saline + exercise + Trp (n = 6)]. Hypersensitivity was caused using two intramuscular jabs of acid saline (20 μL; pH 4.0; right gastrocnemius), 3 days apart. The tryptophan-supplemented diet contained 7.6 g/hg of Trp. The three-week exercise consisted of progressive (30–45 min) treadmill running at 50 to 60% intensity, five times (Monday to Friday) per week. We found that acid saline induced contralateral mechanical hypersensitivity without changing the levels of Trp, serotonin (5-HT), and kynurenine (KYN) in the brain. Hypersensitivity was reduced by exercise (~150%), Trp (~67%), and its combination (~160%). The Trp supplementation increased the levels of Trp and KYN in the brain, and the activity of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), and decreased the ratio 5-HT:KYN. Exercise did not impact the assessed metabolites. Combining the treatments reduced neither hypersensitivity nor the levels of serotonin and Trp in the brain. In conclusion, mechanical hypersensitivity induced by acid saline in a fibromyalgia-like model in female rats is modulated by Trp supplementation, which increases IDO activity and leads to improved Trp metabolism via the KYN pathway. In contrast, physical exercise does not affect mechanical hypersensitivity through brain Trp metabolism via either the KYN or serotonin pathways. Because this is a short study, generalizing its findings warrants caution.
- Euterpe Oleracea Martius (Açaí) Extract and Resistance Exercise Modulate Cardiac Parameters of Hypertensive RatsPublication . Meireles, Pilar Barbosa; Miranda, Denise Coutinho; Moura, Anselmo Gomes; Ribeiro, Willian Cruz; Oliveira, Ângela; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Forte, Pedro; Ribeiro, Lucia M.; Encarnação, Samuel; Guimarães-Ervilha, Luiz Otávio; Machado-Neves, Mariana; Dias, Mariana Moura; Campos, Iasmim Xisto; Reis, Emily Correna Carlo; Peluzio, Maria do Carmo Gouveia; Natali, Antônio José; Lavorato, Victor NeivaThe study evaluated the effects of resistance exercise training and açaí supplementation on cardiac parameters in hypertensive animals. Methods: For this study, rats from the Wistar and SHR lines (spontaneously hypertensive rats) were used. The animals were divided into 5 groups: Wistar Control (C); Control Hypertensive (H); Trained Hypertensive (HT); Hypertensive and Supplemented with Açaí (HA); and Hypertensive Trained and Supplemented with Açaí (HAT). Resistance exercise training was carried out through climbing. The supplemented groups received 3 g of açaí/kg of body mass. The animals’ systolic blood pressure (SBP), body mass, and physical test were measured at the beginning and end of the intervention. At the end, an echocardiographic analysis was performed. Histological analysis and oxidative stress of the LV were performed. Results: It was found that hypertensive animals showed an increase in SBP, and the treatments reduced this parameter. The trained groups achieved higher values of maximum carrying load. Hypertension increased the dimension of the left ventricular free wall in diastole and reduced ejection and shortening fractions. The trained groups showed improvement in ejection and shortening fractions. The H group increased the proportion of extracellular matrix and reduced the proportion of cells, with the HAT group attenuating this change. Cell diameter was greater in group H, and all treatments reduced this parameter. Hypertension increased the concentration of malondialdehyde and decreased catalase activity in LV. The treatments managed to mitigate this damage. Conclusions: It is concluded that the treatments managed to generate positive cardiovascular adaptations, and their combination enhanced these effects.
- Hierarchical clustering of the pre-exam anxiety levels in physically inactive and active adolescent students from 56 countries: an observational study using PISA program dataPublication . Encarnação, Samuel; Teixeira, José Eduardo; Forte, Pedro; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Sortwell, Andrew; Branquinho, Luís; Ferraz, Ricardo; Afonso, Pedro; Vaz, Paula Marisa Fortunato; Monteiro, António M.The relationship between physical activity and anxiety among students has been extensively studied, with research highlighting the protective effects of physical activity on mental well-being. Methods: This article synthesizes existing literature on the topic and presents a novel analysis of pre-exam anxiety rates among physically inactive high school students from 56 countries. Using data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2018, a hierarchical clustering method was applied to identify four clusters based on strati ed country groups by the students pre-exam anxiety levels. Results: The results indicated ve clusters for low physically active students (three with higher anxiety rates and two with lower levels of the condition) and four clusters for the low physically active individuals (two for higher anxiety rates and two for lower levels). Furthermore, the hierarchical model worked with good precision in the clustering task. In conclusion, considering the low physically active students, Brazil (82%) and the Dominican Republic (81%) recorded the highest pre-exam anxiety levels, while the Czech Republic (35%) had the lowest. Among the physically active students, Malaysia (82%), Brazil (81%), and Costa Rica (81%) recorded the highest anxiety levels, whereas again, the Czech Republic (35%) had the lowest. Discussion: These ndings emphasize that although physical activity generally relates to reduced anxiety, this association varies across cultural and educational contexts.
- Influence of Sleep Quality on Recovery and Performance in Endurance and Ultra-Endurance Runners: Sex Differences Identified Through Hierarchical ClusteringPublication . Matos, Julia Pagotto; Guilherme, Larissa Quintão; Encarnação, Samuel; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Forte, Pedro; Kravchychyn, Ana Claudia Pelissari; Amorim, Paulo Roberto dos Santos; Souza, Helton de SáAssessing sleep quality is essential in sports science, particularly in ultra-endurance sports, where recovery is critical for performance and health. This study aimed to identify sleep quality patterns among endurance and ultra-endurance athletes using hierarchical clustering analysis, with comparisons by sex and modality. Data were collected during the La Misión Brasil competitions in 2023 and 2024, using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The questionnaire was emailed to all registered runners two weeks before the event. A total of 490 athletes participated, including 276 men (mean ± SD age: 43 ± 11 years) and 214 women (mean ± SD age: 43 ± 13 years). Statistical analyses included Cohen’s d and r effect sizes, and a 95% confidence interval for hypothesis testing. Residuals between-cluster proportions were assessed within a range of −3.3, ensuring a 99.7% confidence level for significant differences. The results showed that endurance runners had better sleep quality, with most scoring low on the PSQI. In contrast, ultra-endurance athletes displayed greater variability, with a higher prevalence of poor sleep quality, particularly in women. The hierarchical clustering method effectively identified distinct sleep patterns, providing insights into the dynamics of recovery and performance. These findings highlight the impact of increased physical and psychological demands in ultra-endurance sports and emphasize the need for tailored sleep monitoring strategies to optimize the recovery and performance of athletes.