Excellent review looking at brain atrophy and exercise

Neuroscientist. 2012 Feb;18(1):82-97. Epub 2011 Apr 29.

The aging hippocampus: interactions between exercise, depression, and BDNF.

Erickson KI, Miller DL, Roecklein KA.

Source

Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. kiericks@pitt.edu

"In summary, we conclude from this review that there is mounting evidence that BDNF protein expression
plays an important role in age-related hippocampal atrophy and that geriatric depression magnifies hippocampal atrophy and risk for AD through BDNF pathways while exercise enhances hippocampal morphology and physiology by elevating the production of BDNF. Future research is needed to determine the extent to which BDNF mediates hippocampal atrophy and memory impairment or is a biomarker for other cellular and molecular changes."

5k Nov. 17th

Rock Springs Turkey Trot (5K) and Kids Gobble Jog

Rock Springs 4-H Center
1168 K-157 Highway

Saturday, November 17, 2012 @ 1:00 PM

http://www.rocksprings.net

Carbohydrate drinks and endurance performance

Study supports what I have been recommending for years, during endurance events like 10km or longer hydrate using a drink containing 4-7% carbohydrate for maximum performance and the least amount of digestive distress.In the study below, the carbohydrate was supplied in grams of CHO per liter of fluid per hour. 70 grams/liter is equivalent to 7% CHO in the drink.

Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2012 Oct 2. [Epub ahead of print]

Curvilinear Dose-Response Relationship of Carbohydrate (0-120 g•h-1) and Performance.

Smith JW, Pascoe DD, Passe DH, Ruby BC, Stewart LK, Baker LB, Zachwieja JJ.

Source

1Gatorade Sports Science Institute, Barrington, IL 2Department of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 3Scout Consulting, Hebron, IL 4Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 5Department of Kinesiology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 6Dairy Research Institute, Rosemont, IL.

Abstract

ABSTRACT: There is a lack of consensus regarding the optimal range of carbohydrate (CHO) ingestion rates recommended for endurance athletes. Purpose: This study investigated the relationship between CHO dose and cycling time-trial performance to identify an optimal range of CHO ingestion rates for endurance performance. Methods: Fifty-one cyclists and triathletes (28 ± 7 yr, mean ± SD) across four research sites completed four trials. Each trial consisted of a 2-h constant load ride at 95% of the workload that elicited a 4-mM blood lactate concentration immediately followed by a computer-simulated 20-km time-trial, which subjects were asked to complete as quickly as possible. Twelve CHO electrolyte (18 mmol•L Na, 3 mmol•L K, and 11 mmol•L Cl) beverages (three at each site) were tested in a double-blind manner, providing subjects 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120 g CHO (1:1:1 glucose-fructose-maltodextrin)•h during the 2-h constant load ride at a fluid intake rate of 1 L•h. All subjects also consumed a non-caloric placebo on one counterbalanced test occasion. Data were natural log transformed, subjected to a mixed model analysis, and are reported as adjusted treatment means. Results: We estimate incremental performance improvements of 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, and 4.7% at 9, 19, 31, 48 and 78 g•h respectively with diminishing performance enhancement seen at CHO levels greater than 78 g•h. Conclusion: CHO beverage ingestion and endurance (~160 min) performance appear to be related in a curvilinear dose-response manner, with the best performance occurring with a CHO (1:1:1 glucose-fructose-maltodextrin) ingestion rate of 78 g•h.

PMID:

22968309

[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Running does reduce stress

Effects of Emotional Exposure on State Anxiety after Acute Exercise

Smith, J. Carson

 

Abstract

Purpose: Despite the well-known anxiolytic effect of acute exercise, it is unknown if anxiety reductions after acute exercise conditions survive in the face of a subsequently experienced arousing emotional exposure. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of moderate intensity cycle ergometer exercise to a seated rest control condition on state anxiety symptoms after exposure to a variety of highly arousing pleasant and unpleasant stimuli.

Method: Thirty-seven healthy and normally physically active young adults completed two conditions on separate days: 1) 30-minutes of seated rest, and; 2) 30-minutes of moderate intensity cycle ergometer exercise (RPE = 13; 'somewhat hard'). After each condition, participants viewed 90 arousing pleasant and unpleasant and neutral pictures from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) for 30 minutes. State anxiety was measured before and 15 minutes after each condition, and again after exposure to the affective pictures.

Results: State anxiety significantly decreased from baseline to after the exercise and seated rest conditions (p = .003). After the emotional picture viewing period, state anxiety significantly increased to baseline values after the seated rest condition (p = .001) but remained reduced after the exercise condition.

Conclusion: These findings suggest the anxiolytic effects of acute exercise may be resistant to the potentially detrimental effects on mood after exposure to arousing emotional stimuli.

(C)2012The American College of Sports Medicine

 

Donut Dash Sunday, September 16, 2012 at 1 pm

San Jose State University looking for female marathoners to participate in a sport nutrition study

Are you a female currently training for a marathon?

Have you ever wondered if you’re eating to optimize your running performance? 

Participate in a sports nutrition study and find out!

We are conducting a graduate research study in sports nutrition and are looking for females at least 18 years of age that have completed at least one previous marathon.
What we want you to do:

• Email us at womenwhorace26.2@gmail.com and let us know that you would like to participate in our study!
• We will email you an eligibility determination form which you will complete and return.
• Eligible participants will be emailed a participation packet that includes:
  • A study consent form
  • Three surveys which will take about 1 hour to complete.
  • Datasheets to maintain a 7-day diet and training log, which will take a total of about 3.5 hours to complete.

What you get out of it:

• In return for your participation you will receive a dietary intake analysis and a personalized nutrient needs assessment that is created to support your athletic performance.
• You get to feel good knowing that you are contributing to science.
• All submitted information will remain confidential.

Ruby Slipper Run 10km/2mile

Ruby Slipper Run 10 km and 2 mile run
Saturday, September 29, 2012
10km 7:00am
2 mile 7:15 am
start at 6th & Lincoln, Wamego, KS

2012Ruby Slipper Run.pdf