INTRODUCTION: Resistance exercises are effective for maintaining health and activating stabilizing muscles, as they trigger abdominal wall tension responses. This study compared the effects of multi-joint and single-joint, upper-body and lower-body exercises (Lat pulldown, Rows, Peck deck, Chest press, Biceps curls, Triceps extensions, French-Press, Step up, Hip abduction/adduction, Squat, Leg press, Romanian deadlift, Hamstring curls) performed at maximal and submaximal intensities. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 12 men and 18 women (age:47.8 ± 5.9 years, height:174.8 ± 10.2 cm, weight: 77.7 ± 15.4 kg, BMI:25.3 ± 3.6), who wore a noninvasive sensor Ohmbelt to measure abdominal wall tension performing exercises at 15 repetition maximum (RM), 10RM, 5RM, and 1RM. Differences across exercises and sex were compared by Friedman test with Durbin-Conover post-hoc, and intensities were analyzed by Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: The study found significant differences (p < 0.05) in abdominal wall tension changes based on the type of exercise and training intensity. Multi-joint lower-body exercises, such as the Romanian deadlift, dumbbell front squat, and leg press, led to the greatest increases in abdominal tension in both sexes in comparison to single-joint upper-body exercises. Males had higher abdominal wall tension changes than females (p < 0.05) at 1RM, 5RM, and 10RM. However, no significant difference was found at 15RM, indicating that lower intensities produce similar abdominal wall tension changes in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that multi-joint lower-body exercises were found to produce greatest abdominal wall tension increases, especially compared to single-joint upper-body exercises. The abdominal wall tension was higher in males than females due to higher loads, emphasizing the need for exercise-specific approaches.

• Keywords
• Exercise prescription, Intra-abdominal pressure, Muscle activation, Noninvasive monitoring, Resistance exercise,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Resistance training (RT) and exercise is useful for preventing cardiovascular disease, systolic hypertension and stroke, which are associated with the stiffening of the larger central arterial system. The aim of this systematic review was to (a) understand the changes in arterial stiffness (AS) in various parts of the body measurement after acute RT bout and long-term RT, and (b) to determine the impact of exercise intensity on these changes in healthy individuals. A systematic computerized search was performed according to the PRISMA in PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar with final selection of 23 studies. An acute RT bout led to a temporary increase in pulse wave velocity (PWV) regardless of the measurement method or intensity. A long-term RT at above an 80% repetition maximum (RM) have an ambiguous effect on PWV. A low-intensity RT or whole-body vibration training program decreased carotid-femoral PWV and brachial-ankle PWV (d = 1.02) to between 0.7 ± 1.4 ms-1 (p < 0.05) and 1.3 ± 1.07 ms-1 (p < 0.05) and improved other cardiac functions. A long-term RT of moderate (60-80% 1RM) or low intensity (<60% one-repetition maximum (1RM)) can decrease AS. Low and moderate intensity RT is beneficial to reduce high AS to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

• Keywords
• arterial pressure, arterial stiffness, hypertension, pulse wave velocity, resistance training,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

Carbohydrate-restricted diets have become very popular due to their numerous health benefits. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of 4 weeks of a well-planned, low-energy moderate-carbohydrate diet (MCD) and a low-energy mixed diet (MixD) on the lipoprotein profile, glucose and C-reactive protein concentrations, body mass, and body composition in middle-aged males. Sixty middle-aged males were randomly assigned to the following groups: hypocaloric MCD (32% carbohydrates, 28% proteins, and 40% fat), hypocaloric MixD (50% carbohydrates, 20% proteins, and 30% fat), and a conventional (control) diet (CD; 48% carbohydrates, 15% proteins, and 37% fat). The participants who were classified into the MCD and MixD groups consumed 20% fewer calories daily than the total daily energy expenditure (TDEE). Baseline and postintervention fasting triacylglycerol (TG), LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (tCh), glucose (Gl), and C-reactive protein were evaluated. Body mass (BM) and body composition changes, including body fat (BF), % body fat (PBF), and muscle mass (MM), were monitored. Compared with MixD and CD, MCD significantly changed the fasting serum concentrations of TG (p < 0.05), HDL-C (p < 0.05), LDL-C (p < 0.05), tCh (p < 0.05), and glucose (p < 0.01). Additionally, body fat content (kg and %) was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) after MCD compared with MixD and CD. After the MixD intervention, BM and MM decreased (p < 0.05) compared with baseline values. Compared with baseline, after the MixD, BM, MM, tCh, LDL-C, and TG changed significantly. The 4 week low-energy MCD intervention changed lipoproteins, glucose, and body fat to a greater extent than the low-energy MixD. A hypocaloric MCD may be suggested for middle-aged male subjects who want to lose weight by reducing body fat content without compromising muscle mass.

• Keywords
• body fat, carbohydrate-restricted diet, cholesterol, low energy, weight loss,
• MeSH
• Diet, Fat-Restricted MeSH
• Dietary Proteins MeSH
• Dietary Carbohydrates * MeSH
• Cholesterol, HDL MeSH
• Weight Loss * MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Lipids blood   MeSH
• Obesity * MeSH
• Body Composition * MeSH
• Triglycerides MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Randomized Controlled Trial MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Dietary Proteins MeSH
• Dietary Carbohydrates * MeSH
• Cholesterol, HDL MeSH
• Lipids MeSH
• Triglycerides MeSH