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.
- Associations Between Pain Intensity and Inflammatory Profile in Women with Android and Gynoid Obesity Diagnosed with Chronic Pain: An Observational StudyPublication . Cota, Cecília Cristina; Miranda-Castro, Stefani; Souza-Gomes, Antônio Felipe; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Forte, Pedro; Monteiro, António M.; Pereira, William Valadares Campos; Moura, Samara Silva; Nunes-Silva, AlbenáThere are different types of obesity, and the metabolic conditions associated with these phenotypes are also heterogeneous. Overweight and obesity are not only associated with pain but are also identified as risk factors for the development of pain. Objective: This study aimed to compare the levels of inflammatory biomarkers, counting of immune cells, and chronic pain between android and gynoid female patients with obesity. Method: Thirty (n = 30) women took part in this study (18 androids, age: 50.61 +/- 9.41 and 12 gynoids, age: 50.67 +/- 9.45). The participants underwent anamnesis, Visual Numeric Scale (VNS), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and blood sampling for the analysis of leukocytes, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin (IL)-6. Results: The number of total leukocytes in the blood was not different when comparing the android group (6045 mu L) with the gynoid group (5230 mu L). No differences were observed for neutrophils (3440 mu L in android and 3017 mu L in gynoid), lymphocytes (2208 mu L in android and 2115 mu L in gynoid), for monocytes (429.7 mu L in android and 392.8 mu L in gynoid), and basophils (17.27 mu L in android and 15.41 mu L in gynoid). However, there was a significant difference between the number of eosinophils when comparing the android group (137.6 mu L) with the gynoid group (204.9 mu L), p = 0.04. Although both groups presented CRP values above 0.3 mg/dL-indicative of low-grade inflammation-no statistically significant difference was observed. Similarly, no difference was found in pain intensity between groups, as measured by the Visual Numeric Scale (VNS). Conclusions: Although most inflammatory and pain markers did not differ between groups, the higher eosinophil count in the gynoid phenotype suggests immunological distinctions between obesity types. These findings underline the importance of considering body fat distribution in clinical assessments of inflammation and chronic pain in women with obesity.
- 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.
- The Effect of Flywheel Resistance Training on Executive Function in Older Women: A Randomized Controlled TrialPublication . Cota, Amanda dos Reis; Pérez Bedoya, Édison Andrés; Agostinho, Pablo Augusto Garcia; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Schneider, André; Forte, Pedro; Monteiro, António M.; Branquinho, Luís; Teixeira, José Eduardo; Oliveira, Claudia Eliza Patrocínio de; Moreira, Osvaldo Costa; Carneiro-Júnior, Miguel AraújoExecutive function, which includes inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, tends to decline with aging. While traditional resistance training (TRT) has shown positive effects in mitigating these declines, limited evidence is available regarding flywheel resistance training (FRT). This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of TRT and FRT on executive function in older women. In this randomized controlled trial (clinicaltrials.gov NCT05910632), 29 older women were allocated into two groups: TRT (n = 15) and FRT (n = 14). The intervention lasted eight weeks with two weekly sessions conducted at the Federal University of Vi & ccedil;osa. The TRT group performed exercises using machines and free weights, while the FRT group used a multi-leg isoinertial device. Executive function was assessed using the Victoria Stroop Test (inhibitory control), Digit Span Test (working memory), and Trail Making Tests A and B (cognitive flexibility). Data were analyzed using a Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (p < 0.05). Results: No significant changes were observed in inhibitory control (p = 0.350). Working memory improved significantly within both groups in forward (p = 0.002) and backward (p = 0.002) span tasks. For cognitive flexibility, Trail Making Test A showed no significant changes (p > 0.05), but Test B showed significant within-group (p = 0.030) and between-group (p = 0.020) improvements. The B-A difference was also significant (p = 0.040). Both resistance training modalities enhanced working memory and cognitive flexibility. However, FRT produced greater improvements in cognitive flexibility, suggesting potential advantages in cognitive aging interventions.
- Effectiveness of a multicomponent physical exercise program against older adults’ frailty and obesity risk during the COVID-19 pandemic: an experimental, longitudinal, and controlled study with responsiveness analysisPublication . Encarnação, Samuel; Alves, João Ribeiro; Barbosa, Tiago M.; Forte, Pedro; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Monteiro, António M.This study assessed the effectiveness of a multicomponent exercise training against old adults' physical fragility and obesity risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. An experimental, controlled, and longitudinal study was performed in October 2021 (during the pandemic) and after the intervention in March 2023 (during the pandemic), totalizing 16-month intervention. A total of 53 elderly (37 older women and 16 older men), aged 69.2 +/- 12.4 years, participated in this study. After some dropouts, 10 participants in the experimental group (EG) and 10 participants in the control group (CG) accomplished the whole intervention and were analyzed after the post test. Bayesian statistical paired tests were applied to analyze the pre-post changes in physical fitness and body composition components. A responsiveness analysis was performed to identify individualized improvements within the follow-up period.The results demonstrated significant benefits, particularly in body composition, with improvements in BMI, VF, and %BF. Training effectively reduced waist circumference and minimized muscle mass loss. For physical frailty, improvements were noted in LLS, while CG showed worsening in UFL but unexpected improvements in static balance measures like APB and the 95% CI ellipse. In addition, training helped mitigate declines in HG strength, ULS, LLS, ULF, LLF, DB, APB, AF, MLB, and balance measures through responsiveness analysis.The multicomponent exercise training improved lower limb strength and reduced BMI, visceral fat, and body fat percentage, with responsiveness analysis showing protective effects across most variables for participants.
- Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Functional Fitness in Older AdultsPublication . Schneider, André; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Santos, Fernando; Teixeira, José Eduardo; Forte, Pedro; Barbosa, Tiago M.; Monteiro, António M.The global increase in life expectancy has generated growing interest in strategies that support functional independence and quality of life among older adults. Functional fitness—including strength, mobility, flexibility, and aerobic endurance—is essential for preserving autonomy during aging. In this context, physical exercise, particularly High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), has gained attention for its time efficiency and physiological benefits. This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of a group-based HIIT program on functional fitness in older adults. Functional outcomes were assessed before, during, and after a 65-week intervention using standardized field tests, including measures of upper and lower body strength, flexibility, aerobic endurance, and agility. This study was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07170579). Significant improvements were observed in the HIIT group across multiple domains of functional fitness compared to the control group, notably in upper body strength, lower limb flexibility, cardiorespiratory endurance, and mobility. These results suggest that HIIT is an effective and adaptable strategy for improving functional fitness in older adults, with the potential to enhance performance in daily activities and support healthy aging in community settings.
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