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Difference between diabetic and nondiabetic smokers in the pituitary response to physical exercise.

The growth hormone (GH), cortisol, and arginine vasopressin (AVP) responses to bicycle ergometry (with increasing workload until exhaustion) were measured in 20 patients affected by insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) (10 habitual smokers and 10 nonsmokers) and 20 nondiabetic subjects (normal controls) (10 habitual smokers and 10 nonsmokers). Cardiorespiratory parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, ventilation, frequency of breathing, tidal volume, oxygen consumption (Vo(2)), carbondioxide production (Vco(2)), and respiratory exchange ratio (R) were monitored before and during exercise tests. No significant differences between groups were observed; furthermore, there were no differences in circulating somatomedin-C (SM-C) and free fatty acids (FFA) levels between groups. Blood glucose levels were similar before exercise and followed a similar pattern during tests in diabetic smokers and nonsmokers. Basal GH, cortisol, and AVP levels were similar in diabetic smokers, diabetic nonsmokers, normal smokers, and normal nonsmokers. In all groups, exercise induced a significant increase in the serum concentrations of all examined hormones. Increments were significantly higher in diabetic than in nondiabetic groups. No significant differences were observed between diabetic smokers and nonsmokers for all examined hormones. AVP responses during tests were similar in normal smokers and nonsmokers. In contrast, exercise-induced GH and cortisol increments were significantly lower in normal smokers than in normal nonsmokers. These data support the hypothesis that in normal subjects habitual nicotine consumption may attenuate both GH and cortisol responses to a releasing stimulation, such as physical exercise. This phenomenon may represent an expression of adaptation of nicotinic neurotransmission to chronic stimulation. Furthermore, the data show that the effect induced by habitual smoking is absent in diabetics, probably because of diabetes-induced neuroendocrine alterations in the central nervous system.

Arginine Vasopressin↗

[Effect of bunitrolol on heart rate, metabolic parameters during physical exercise, and performance].

Plasma catecholamines, glucose, lactate, free fatty acids, and glycerol in the blood, as well as heart rate, oxygen intake, and work capacity have been examined in 9 healthy subjects (28.5 +/- 2 years) at rest, during submaximum and maximum ergometric exercise, after oral administration of a placebo and of 10 mg O-[3-(tert.-butylamino)-2-hydroxypropoxy]-benzonitril (bunitrolol, Stresson), respectively. The results are as follows: 1. As caused by the intrinsic activity of bunitrolol, the heart rate does not show nearly any reduction at rest and during submaximum physical exercise. At maximum exercise level the heart rate is 37 beats/min lower with bunitrolol. The limitation of heart function leads to a work capacity reduction of approx. 14%. 2. After administration of bunitrolol, adrenaline level is significantly lower at rest and during submaximum exercise than with placebo. At a 200 W level, the concentration is higher with bunitrolol, but the maximum results are not attained with placebo. In relation to the percentile of the maximum work capacity, plasma catecholamine level shows no differences with placebo and with bunitrolol, respectively, except that it is lower during maximum exercise and the recovery phase. 3. Glucose, free fatty acids, and glycerol levels show no significant changes with bunitrolol. Lactate decreases significantly after bunitrolol at submaximal exercise levels and during the recovery stage, which can be looked upon as an indication of a glycolysis restriction.

Adult↗

[Characteristics of smoking, drinking, dietary habits, and physical exercise in health behavioral models].

Various kinds of preventive health behaviors are promoted by health education. The extent of behavioral modification achieved, however, obviously differs from individual to individual according to habits, one of the reasons being the characteristics of various health habits are perceived differently. This cross-sectional study examined the association of indices representing health behavior models with smoking, drinking, dietary habits, and physical exercise. The indices and their meaning were as follows; health locus of control (HLC) and saliency of health are thought to cause the most active behavioral change, health norm relatively passive change, and vulnerability to illness the most passive change. The indices and lifestyle (health related practices) were surveyed by a self-administered questionnaire in a rural town in March 1994. The study sample consisted of 1,010 males and 1,055 females aged 20 years or older who responded to all questions related to the indices. Results are as follows: 1) Smoking and alcohol drinking were associated with vulnerability to illness, suggesting that people who quit smoking or alcohol drinking do so because of perception of their association with illness. Alcohol drinking seemed to have a higher magnitude of being associated with becoming ill or with fear of illness than smoking. 2) Consuming green-yellow vegetables and fresh fish, and physical fitness were associated with internal HLC, saliency of health, and health norm. These habits appeared to be easy to modify by active personal behavior choice. 3) Consuming milk, yogurt, boiled beans, tofu, oranges, and other fruits were associated with saliency of health. These habits seemed to relate to personal sense of being "healthy". 4) It seemed that younger people more likely changed their behavior by active self-management, while, older people changed due to their sense of value or norm. While it is important for health education to promote "self-management of health" by active behavioral change, certain habits are more resistant to change despite educational efforts possibly because of their characteristics in health behavioral models. For cases such as these, techniques promoting passive behavioral change should be considered.

Adult↗

[Experimental study on effects of a high-sugar diet and physical exercise on serum phospholipids in young adults].

The life style of young adults has been receiving attention with a view to its improvement to prevent coronary heart diseases (CHD) later in life. In this study, to determining the influence of different life styles on the serum phospholipids level, we carried out experimental studies on the effects a high sugar diet and physical exercise on serum phospholipid levels. Considering the trend for young people to consume large quantities of carbonated drinks, in which most of the sugar is sucrose, we tested the effect of a high carbohydrate diet on one group of six healthy male subjects and did not find that it caused a significant increase in the serum phospholipids level. In another group of 108 healthy young female subjects, a mild exercise regimen results in a slight, but significant decrease in the serum phospholipid level (p < 0.01). The serum total cholesterol level of the group did not exhibit a significant change.

Adult↗

Plasma catecholamines, platelet aggregation and associated thromboxane formation after physical exercise, smoking or norepinephrine infusion.

To study the possible role of catecholamines in platelet activation, platelet aggregation stimulated by ADP, collagen, arachidonic acid and L-epinephrine, thromboxane B2 (TXB2) formation and plasma levels of catecholamines and renin were studied in healthy men both before and after 6 days of propranolol treatment (40 mg three times daily) under control conditions and during sympathoadrenergic stimulation by physical exercise (200 W) or smoking. Exercise markedly increased plasma norepinephrine from 128 +/- 28 to 998 +/- 418 pg/ml (+/- SD), and plasma renin activity from 1.0 +/- 0.5 to 4.2 +/- 1.8 ng AI/ml . hour. Smoking predominantly increased plasma epinephrine, from 47 +/- 25 to 154 +/- 76 pg/ml. Propranolol did not consistently influence these variables, but blunted the circulatory response to exercise and smoking. Despite the marked increases of plasma catecholamines after both stimuli with and without beta blockade, platelet aggregation stimulated by ADP, 1-epinephrine, collagen and arachidonic acid and associated TXB2 formation were not enhanced. Moreover, as already suggested by a trend toward reduced aggregability in these settings, plasma norepinephrine levels in the same range (745 +/- 368 pg/ml) due to infusion (5 micrograms/min) significantly reduced platelet aggregation with low-dose collagen (0.25-0.75 micrograms/ml), I-epinephrine (0.2-1.0 microM) and ADP (0.5-1.5 microM). These data do not support a role of endogenous catecholamines in initiating platelet activation and TXB2 formation.

Adult↗

Coronary artery disease: changes of blood lymphocyte subsets induced by physical exercise.

To examine the changes in the absolute numbers of blood lymphocyte subsets in patients with coronary artery disease, we studied 26 patients with documented coronary artery disease (group I) and 15 other subjects (group II) with atypical complaints and negative exercise test who served as controls. Blood lymphocyte subsets were determined at rest, immediately and 24 h after a bicycle exercise test. In both groups the absolute number of leukocytes/mm3 and lymphocytes/mm3 was significantly greater immediately after exercise than at rest and returned to baseline values by 24 h post-exercise. The absolute number of B-lymphocytes and CD8+ T-lymphocytes did not change significantly in both groups, while CD3+ and CD4+ T-lymphocytes as well as CD25+ activated T-lymphocytes declined insignificantly immediately after exercise but increased significantly 24 h after exercise in both groups, with a higher increase (P<0.01) in all three variables under study (CD3+, CD4+ and CD25+ T-lymphocytes) in group I in comparison to group II (P<0.05). Our findings showed that changes in lymphocyte subsets induced by physical exercise differ between patients with and without documented coronary artery disease, suggesting that an alteration in immune function may account for these differences.

Aged↗

Effects of hormone replacement therapy and high-impact physical exercise on skeletal muscle in post-menopausal women: a randomized placebo-controlled study.

An age-related decline in muscle performance is a known risk factor for falling, fracture and disability. In women, a clear deterioration is observed from early menopause. The effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in preserving muscle performance is, however, unclear. This trial examined the effects of a 12-month HRT and high-impact physical exercise regimen on skeletal muscle in women in early menopause. A total of 80 women aged 50-57 years were assigned randomly to one of four groups: exercise (Ex), HRT, exercise+HRT (ExHRT) and control (Co). The exercise groups participated in a high-impact training programme. The administration of HRT (oestradiol/noretisterone acetate) or placebo was carried out double-blind. Knee extension torque and vertical jumping height were evaluated. Lean tissue cross-sectional area (LCSA) and the relative proportion of fat within the muscle compartment were measured for the quadriceps and lower leg muscles. The ExHRT group showed significant increases in knee extension torque (8.3%) and vertical jumping height (17.2%) when compared with the Co group (-7.2%). Vertical jumping height also increased after HRT alone (6.8%). The LCSA of the quadriceps was increased significantly in the HRT (6.3%) and ExHRT (7.1%) groups when compared with the Ex (2.2%) and Co (0.7%) groups. Lower leg LCSA was also increased in the ExHRT group (9.1%) when compared with the Ex (3.0%) and Co (4.1%) groups. In addition, the increase in the relative proportion of fat in the quadriceps in the Co group (16.6%) was significant compared with those in the HRT (4.9%) and ExHRT (-0.6%) groups. Thus, in post-menopausal women, muscle performance, muscle mass and muscle composition are improved by HRT. The beneficial effects of HRT combined with high-impact physical training may exceed those of HRT alone.

Analysis of Variance↗

Plasma beta-thromboglobulin concentration at rest and after physical exercise in complicated and uncomplicated diabetes mellitus.

Plasma beta-thromboglobulin concentration was measured in ten uncomplicated insulin-dependent diabetic subjects, in ten insulin-dependent patients with retinopathy and in ten age- and sex-matched healthy controls, both at rest and after cycloergometric exercise to exhaustion. Resting plasma beta-thromboglobulin was similar in the two patient groups and significantly higher than the control group. After exercising, plasma beta-thromboglobulin rose significantly only in the control group. Platelet hyperactivity is therefore present even in uncomplicated diabetes mellitus and is not influenced by the presence of complications. A chronic overstimulation of platelets could be responsible for the high basal plasma beta-thromboglobulin concentration in diabetes mellitus and for its abnormal behaviour after physical exercise.

Adult↗

Effect of acute physical exercise on lymphocyte subpopulations in trained and untrained subjects.

To clarify the difference in immunity between untrained subjects and well-trained athletes, the number of total leukocytes (WBC), lymphocytes, and neutrophils, percentages of various lymphocyte subpopulations (OKT3, OKT4, OKT8, Leu7, OKla1), and the levels of lymphocyte transformation response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were determined in five untrained male subjects and six male athletes before, immediately after, and 24 and 72 h after acute physical exercise at 60% of VO2max for 2 h. Exercise produced a significant rise in the number of WBC, lymphocytes, and neutrophils in both groups. Immediately after exercise, the percentage of OKT3 or OKT4 positive cells had significantly decreased in both groups, whereas that of OKT8 positive cells had markedly increased only in the athletes. Neither group showed any change in the percentage of OKla1 positive cells. In both groups, the response of lymphocytes to PHA immediately after exercise was significantly lower than before, 24 h and 72 h after exercise. The level of Leu7 positive cells rose remarkably immediately after exercise in the athletes, but not significantly in the untrained subjects. These results suggest that an increase in Leu7 positive cells provides added host defense capacity in trained athletes during periods of stress which impair T-lymphocyte function.

Adolescent↗

Changes in myocardial perfusion due to physical exercise in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

PURPOSE: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is one of the main therapy options for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), resulting in an improvement in myocardial perfusion and exercise capacity. Nevertheless, studies have also demonstrated a positive effect of regular exercise training on myocardial perfusion and maximum exercise capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in myocardial stress perfusion after 1 year of exercise training in comparison with the effects of PTCA in patients with CAD. METHODS: In 66 male patients with angiographically confirmed significant coronary artery stenosis in one target vessel, myocardial perfusion scintigraphy was performed at baseline and 12 months after randomisation into either a physical exercise group or a PTCA group. Circumferential count rate profiles in 16 wall segments were classified according to their relative count rate and localisation within or outside the area supplied by the stenosed vessel. RESULTS: Ischaemic segments showed a significant improvement in myocardial count rate within the target area after 12 months in both the PTCA and the training group (PTCA group: from 76.8+/-4.9% to 86.6+/-10.9%, p=0.03; training group: from 74.0+/-7.3% to 83.7+/-10.8%, p<0.01). Outside the target area only the training group showed a significant improvement (from 77.7+/-4.4% to 91.7+/-4.8%, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Our data indicate a significant improvement in stress myocardial perfusion in the training group after 12 months. The ischaemia is reduced not only in the target region of the leading stenosis but also in other ischaemic myocardial areas. In contrast, after PTCA stress perfusion improves only in the initially ischaemic parts of the target area.

Adult↗

Fractures of osteochondroma during physical exercise.

BACKGROUND: The mechanism responsible and the best form of treatment for fractures of osteochondromas remain unclear. PURPOSE: We studied the incidence, cause, treatment, and outcome of fractures of osteochondroma over a 17-year period. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all cases of osteochondroma at one institution over 17 years (1985 to 2002) to identify cases of fractures. These patients were then contacted for follow-up. RESULTS: Seven cases of fracture through the stalk of a pedunculated osteochondroma were identified. All fractures were sustained during physical exercise. One fracture was due to a direct blow, and the others to indirect muscle or tendon injury. Five patients were treated surgically with excision of the osteochondroma, and the other two received nonoperative treatment consisting of restriction of physical activity and observation. In all cases, patients were able to resume sporting activity within 4 to 8 weeks. The recovery period was shorter for patients who received surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical excision of the fractured osteochondroma may be preferable for patients engaging in sport.

Adolescent↗

Individual factors, occupational loading, and physical exercise as predictors of sciatic pain.

STUDY DESIGN: In this prospective study, a cohort of 2077 workers free of sciatic pain and another cohort of 327 workers with severe sciatic pain were followed up for 1 year. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of different risk factors on the incidence and persistence of sciatic pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Sciatic pain seems to differ from other types of low back pain in terms of etiology, occurrence, and prognosis. Yet only a few studies of sciatic pain exist. The role of individual characteristics, occupational loading, and participation in different sports has rarely been assessed in a study with a prospective design among a working population. METHODS: The subjects of this study, Finnish forest industry workers, replied to a modified version of the Nordic Questionnaire at the baseline of this study and after 1 year. The effects of the predictors on the 1-year incidence and persistence of sciatic pain were studied with multivariable logistic regression modeling. RESULTS: Greater age, mental stress, smoking of long duration, and work-related twisting of the trunk increased the risk of incidental sciatic pain. Joggers had a lower risk for incidental sciatic pain, but a higher risk for persistent symptoms. Walking was positively associated with the risk of incidental pain. Greater age, mental stress, former smoking, jogging, and poor job satisfaction increased the risk for persistent severe sciatic pain. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study suggest that mental stress and smoking are independent risk factors for incidental sciatic pain. Overall physical exercise and most of the sports activities, except jogging and walking, had no effect on sciatic pain. Physical workload factors seemed to be more involved in the onset of sciatic pain, whereas psychosocial factors were related to the persistence of symptoms.

Adult↗

Exhaustive physical exercise and acid hydrolase activity in mouse skeletal muscle. A histochemical study.

Adult, untrained NMRI mice were exhausted on a motor-driven treadmill by an intermittent-type running programme. Serial cryostate sections for the staining of NADH-tetrazolium reductase, beta-glucuronidase, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, and beta-glycerophosphatase activities and for making hematoxylin-eosin staining were cut from m. quadriceps femoris 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 15 days after physical exhaustion. A strong increase in the activities of beta-glucuronidase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase was observed 7 days after exhaustion and the activity changes, which were similar for the both glycosidases, were more prominent in the highly oxidative red compared to less oxidative white fibres. Activity granules were more numerous in the perinuclear than the interfibrillar area of red fibres. Spots were arranged like longitudinal chains between myofibrils. Activity in connective tissue was usually observed only in animals exhausted 3--7 days earlier. Simultaneous activity in fibres exceeded that in connective tissue. beta-Glycerophosphatase activity was not, by the method used, seen in histologically "healthy" or normal-looking fibres. In samples taken 2--5 days after exhaustion some degenerating and necrotic fibres were observed. Inflammatory reaction was also observed being at its strongest five days after loading when mononuclear cells were seen inside necrotic fibres. The number of regenerating muscle cells was most abundant 7 days after exhaustion. It is suggested that temporary hypoxia, which accompanies exhaustive physical exercise in skeletal muscle, upsets the energy metabolism and homeostasis of fibres and causes the observed histological and histochemical alterations, which possess features typical of both lethal and sublethal acute cell injury.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

Different effects of physical exercise on cold pain sensitivity in fighter pilots with and without the history of acute in-flight neck pain attacks.

PURPOSE: The cold pain sensitivity in fighter pilots was studied by using a cold pressor test. METHODS: The pilots were divided into two groups: one group consisting of eight pilots (N = 8) who had experienced several acute in-flight neck pain attacks, and the control group (N = 8) who had not experienced these pain conditions under similar work and environment conditions. In each pilot cold pain thresholds and pain and unpleasantness responses to suprathreshold cold stimulations were recorded during repeated tests. The ratings of pain and unpleasantness responses to cold stimulations were evaluated by visual analog scales (VAS). The effect of exercise on cold pain sensitivity was tested in a separate experiment. Exercise was performed on a cycle ergometer at different workload levels (50-200 W). RESULTS: In the control conditions (resting measures) of this study during repeated cold pressor tests, the average pain thresholds and pain or unpleasantness responses to suprathreshold cold stimulation were not different between groups. Physical exercise increased pain thresholds (P < 0.001) in pilots with a history of neck pain attacks but not in control group. Exercise induced a significant decrease in pain responses and unpleasantness responses to suprathreshold stimulation in both groups. This exercise effect was more marked both in pain intensity (P < 0.05) and unpleasantness responses (P < 0.01) in pilots with a history of neck pain attacks. Moreover, exercise more markedly (P < 0.05) decreased unpleasantness than pain intensity responses in both groups of pilots. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that exercise stress-related analgesia mechanisms may be enhanced in pilots with a history of acute in-flight neck pain attacks. Moreover, sensory and nonsensory aspects of pain experience may be differentially influenced by exercise stress.

Adult↗

Health Opportunities with Physical Exercise (HOPE): social contextual interventions to reduce sedentary behavior in urban settings.

Physical activity interventions targeting social and physical environments of the urban poor hold promise in improving health outcomes in underserved communities. This study randomly assigned overweight, sedentary, economically disadvantaged adults to one of three intervention conditions at The Hope and Healing Center, a large inner-city health facility providing numerous options for exercise. Within the tenets of Social Action Theory, the Health Opportunities with Physical Exercise (HOPE) trial will test the efficacy of two behavior change models, social support and patient-provider interaction, to increase physical activity. In addition to a standard care condition, in which patients have open access to Hope and Healing physical activity programming, patients were assigned to one of two behavior change interventions. Those assigned to patient-peer receive face-to-face, systematic and scheduled encouragement from study-trained 'peer' interventionists at the facility. Patients assigned to patient-provider receive face-to-face, systematic and scheduled encouragement provided by study-trained 'provider' interventionists also at the facility. The primary outcomes of change in exercise behavior will be documented by self-reported physical activity and confirmed by fitness testing at baseline, 6, 12 and 24 months during the 1 year of active intervention and 1 year of relapse prevention follow-up. Intervention conditions will be compared on psychosocial mediators including motivational appraisals, ratings of social support, rapport, problem solving and self-efficacy for overcoming barriers to increased physical activity. Novel aspects of this intervention include: (1) delivery of socially based physical activity interventions to an economically disadvantaged urban population, (2) reduction of environmental barriers to be physically active and (3) emphasis on social interactions influencing health habit change. Results of this study have the potential to identify mechanisms of behavior change that could be adopted by physical activity interventions aimed at reducing sedentary behavior and health disparities in high-risk, underserved populations.

Exercise↗

Association of depressiveness with blunted growth hormone response to maximal physical exercise in young healthy men.

Blunted response of growth hormone secretion to several pharmacological challenges is present in depression, but much less is known about the relationship of depression and secretion of growth hormone elicited by physiological stimuli. Furthermore, it is not known whether blunted growth hormone response occurs in depressiveness as measured with psychometric scales. A total of 82 healthy male volunteers (age 18-26 years) exercised on a bicycle ergometer with incremental load to achieve their maximal performance. Before exercise, subjects filled in approbated versions of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Scale, Cohens Perceived Stress Scale, and Schwartzers Self-Efficacy Scale. Blood samples were collected before and after exercise, and growth hormone, cortisol, and testosterone were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Median perceived stress score of the subjects was identical to our population-based database median value, but the subjects had higher self-efficacy and lower depressiveness as shown by median values. In the majority of subjects, physical exercise induced remarkable increases in blood levels of the hormones. Cortisol and testosterone levels were not associated with the scores of psychometric scales. However, growth hormone response was virtually absent in high scorers (above median population score, n = 24) in BDI total score and the negative attitude subcomponent. Hence, this study demonstrates that growth hormone response to physiological stimuli is reduced in psychometrically measured depressiveness.

Adolescent↗

Physical exercise provokes platelet desensitization in men who smoke cigarettes--involvement of sympathoadrenergic mechanisms--a study of monozygotic twin pairs discordant for smoking.

Since chronic smoking is known to be a dominant risk factor for morbidity and mortality in cardiovascular diseases related to enhanced atherogenesis and arterial thrombogenesis, the mechanisms causing these effects are of interest. The present study aims to assess the basic biochemical and haemorheological parameters among male monozygotic twinpairs, who have been discordant for smoking in average for over 20 years. Because smoking is known to cause enhanced sympathoadrenergic activation, the study was designed to further stimulate this by means of physical exercise. The platelet aggregation in vitro and serum-thromboxane B2 (S-TxB2) did not differ at rest, but after exercise smokers' platelets were desensitized to all doses of adrenaline and low doses of ADP as well as collagen and the levels of S-TxB2 were lower than among nonsmokers. This finding was supported by the decreased release of serotonin and TxB2 during aggregation induced with adrenaline. The leucocyte counts were significantly higher among smokers at rest and haematocrit as well as platelet counts showed the same tendency. Fibrinogen tended to be be elevated among smokers after exercise and together with haematocrit levels implicated increased blood viscosity. FVIII, vWF and beta-thromboglobulin did not differ. In conclusion we suggest that in smokers the significant exhaustion of platelets to in vitro stimulation might be a consequence of continuous platelet activation during physical stress. This phenomenon together with our other findings implies that the sympathoadrenergic system has a multiple role in vivo, which needs further research to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the effects of smoking on cardiovascular diseases.

Adult↗

[Effect of physical exercise and heat on energy expenditure in obesity].

The effect of exercise and thermal stress on energy expenditure was studied in obese and lean subjects. The group of obese subjects comprised 20 women with body weight 81-159 kg, and the control group included 12 lean women weighing 51-58 kg. The energy expenditure was assessed by the method of indirect calorimetry with a Spirolyt II apparatus. The heart rate, the systolic and diastolic pressure were measured. The tested subjects were subjected to a 60 W (60 J/s) exercise on a cycle ergometer during 10 minutes, and immediately after it they were exposed to hot air in a chamber at about 60 degrees for 30 min. On the following day this sequence was reversed, with exercise following heat exposure. In the obese women the energy expenditure at rest was 93.4 +/- 17.5 W, and during exposure to heat after exercise it was 124.0 +/- 21.3 W. During exercise preceded by heat exposure it was 436.3 +/- 51.6 W. In lean subjects the corresponding values were lower: 77.5 +/- 6.5 W, 104.0 +/- 14.8 W, 376.8 +/- 36.1 W. After calculation of energy expenditure per 1 m2 of body area this expenditure was, however, lower in the group of obese subjects. The exposure to physical exercise before thermal stress increased significantly the energy expenditure in relation to that caused by each of these exposures separately. The heart rate and the systolic and diastolic blood pressures were higher in obese subjects. In both groups thermal stress increased the heart rate and systolic pressure but decreased the diastolic pressure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗