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Biomedical subjects

Lawrence E Armstrong

Publications and source records attributed to Lawrence E Armstrong.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Effects of dietary protein intake on indexes of hydration.

This study aims to characterize the relationship between increased protein intake and hydration indexes. Five men participated in a 12-week, randomized, crossover, controlled diet intervention study. Subjects consumed eucaloric diets containing 3.6 (high protein), 1.8 (moderate protein), and 0.8 (low protein) g/kg/day of protein for 4 weeks each. Energy intakes were based on requirements established relative to resting energy expenditure and activity at baseline. Assessments included blood urea nitrogen, plasma osmolality, urine-specific gravity, and estimates of fluid balance. Repeated-measures analyses of variance and paired t tests were used to determine effects of treatment and time. Fluid intake and fluid balance were unaffected. Blood urea nitrogen was higher for high protein vs low protein and vs moderate protein, and urine-specific gravity was higher for high protein vs moderate protein. Baseline plasma osmolality was greater for high protein vs low protein and vs moderate protein. The effect of increasing dietary protein on fluid status was minimal.

Adult↗

A new proposed guidance system for beverage consumption in the United States.

The Beverage Guidance Panel was assembled to provide guidance on the relative health and nutritional benefits and risks of various beverage categories. The beverage panel was initiated by the first author. The Panel's purpose is to attempt to systematically review the literature on beverages and health and provide guidance to the consumer. An additional purpose of the Panel is to develop a deeper dialog among the scientific community on overall beverage consumption patterns in the United States and on the great potential to change this pattern as a way to improve health. Over the past several decades, levels of overweight and obesity have increased across all population groups in the United States. Concurrently, an increased daily intake of 150-300 kcal (for different age-sex groups) has occurred, with approximately 50% of the increased calories coming from the consumption of calorically sweetened beverages. The panel ranked beverages from the lowest to the highest value based on caloric and nutrient contents and related health benefits and risks. Drinking water was ranked as the preferred beverage to fulfill daily water needs and was followed in decreasing value by tea and coffee, low-fat (1.5% or 1%) and skim (nonfat) milk and soy beverages, noncalorically sweetened beverages, beverages with some nutritional benefits (fruit and vegetable juices, whole milk, alcohol, and sports drinks), and calorically sweetened, nutrient-poor beverages. The Panel recommends that the consumption of beverages with no or few calories should take precedence over the consumption of beverages with more calories.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Thermoregulatory responses to exercise in the heat: chronic caffeine intake has no effect.

INTRODUCTION: Authorities advise individuals to refrain from caffeine intake before or during exercise, especially when performed in the heat, due to potential fluid-electrolyte imbalances that exaggerate physiological strain. Yet, military personnel are often deployed to hot environments and must perform under sleep-deprived conditions where caffeine would be an ideal intervention strategy to enhance physical and cognitive performance. PURPOSE: To assess the effects of controlled chronic and acute caffeine ingestion on fluid-electrolyte, physiological and thermoregulatory responses during an exercise heat tolerance test (EHT). METHODS: Subjects were 59 active, college-aged males (mean +/- SE 21.6 +/- 0.4 yr, 177.9 +/- 0.8 cm, 75.4 +/- 1.0 kg, 11.1 +/- 0.7% body fat) who were randomized and stratified by age, bodyweight, and body composition into three groups. All subjects equilibrated caffeine intake at 3 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) for days 1-6. On days 7-12, they consumed a treatment dose of either 0 (G0), 3 (G3), or 6 (G6) mg x kg(-1) x d(-1). Fluid-electrolyte and physiological measures were made on day 12, 1 h after caffeine intake, during the EHT (90 min walking, 1.56 m x s(-1), 5% grade; dry bulb temperature, 37.7 +/- 0.1 degree C; relative humidity, 56.3 -1.5%). RESULTS: There were no between-group differences (p > 0.05) in plasma, urinary, thermoregulatory, cardiovascular, and perceptual variables across time (pre- vs. post-EHT), although some of these variables increased significantly over time (p < 0.05). EHT time was significantly greater in G3 (86 +/- 2.0 min) vs. GO (75 +/- 3.3 min, p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: Acute caffeine ingestion, in chronically consuming subjects (3 and 6 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) did not alter fluid-electrolyte, exercise endurance or thermoregulatory responses during EHT when compared with G0.

Adult↗

Rehydration with glycerol: endocrine, cardiovascular, and thermoregulatory responses during exercise in the heat.

The impact of rehydration with glycerol on cardiovascular and thermoregulatory responses during exercise in the heat was studied in eight highly trained male cyclists. Each subject completed three dehydration-rehydration experimental trials that differed only in the rehydration treatment, each separated by 7 days. Before each experimental day, subjects dehydrated to -4% of their body weight by exercise and water restriction. The experimental treatments were as follows: no fluid (NF), glycerol bolus (1 g/kg body wt) followed by water (G), and water alone (W). Rehydration (3% body weight) was given over an 80-min period. After rehydration, subjects cycled (74% peak O2 uptake) to exhaustion in a hot and wet (37 degrees C and 48% relative humidity) environment. For G, plasma volume was expanded (P < 0.05) during rehydration and remained higher than W (P < 0.05) during exercise. Exercise time to exhaustion during G (33 +/- 4 min) was longer (P < 0.05) compared with both W (27 +/- 3 min) and NF (19 +/- 3 min). Cutaneous vascular conductance was significantly elevated (P < 0.05) during G, but G provided no other thermoregulatory or cardiovascular benefits compared with W and NF. Fluid-regulating hormones (vasopressin, aldosterone, atriopeptin, and plasma renin activity) decreased during rehydration and increased during exercise (except atriopeptin), but there were no differences between G and W. These data indicated that glycerol had little or no major effect on fluid-regulating factors during rehydration or exercise, and the improved exercise capacity in G was likely due to a greater plasma volume during exercise.

Adult↗

Dietary protein intake and renal function.

Recent trends in weight loss diets have led to a substantial increase in protein intake by individuals. As a result, the safety of habitually consuming dietary protein in excess of recommended intakes has been questioned. In particular, there is concern that high protein intake may promote renal damage by chronically increasing glomerular pressure and hyperfiltration. There is, however, a serious question as to whether there is significant evidence to support this relationship in healthy individuals. In fact, some studies suggest that hyperfiltration, the purported mechanism for renal damage, is a normal adaptative mechanism that occurs in response to several physiological conditions. This paper reviews the available evidence that increased dietary protein intake is a health concern in terms of the potential to initiate or promote renal disease. While protein restriction may be appropriate for treatment of existing kidney disease, we find no significant evidence for a detrimental effect of high protein intakes on kidney function in healthy persons after centuries of a high protein Western diet.

Journal Article↗

Effect of chronic caffeine intake on choice reaction time, mood, and visual vigilance.

The stimulatory effects of acute caffeine intake on choice reaction time, mood state, and visual vigilance are well established. Little research exists, however, on the effects of chronic caffeine ingestion on psychomotor tasks. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 5 days of controlled caffeine intake on cognitive and psychomotor performance. Three groups of 20 healthy males (age=22+/-3 years, mass=75.4+/-7.9 kg, body fat percentage=11.2+/-5.1%) twice completed a battery of cognitive and psychomotor tasks: after 6 days of 3 mg.kg(-1) day(-1) caffeine equilibration (Day 6), and after 5 days of experimental (0 [G0], 3 [G3], or 6 [G6] mg.kg(-1) day(-1)) caffeine intake (Day 11). Groups were randomized and stratified for age, mass, and body composition; all procedures were double-blind. Cognitive analyses involved a visual four-choice reaction time test, a mood state questionnaire, and a visual vigilance task. Experimental chronic caffeine intake did not significantly alter the number of correct responses or the mean latency of response for either the four-choice reaction time or the visual vigilance tasks. The Vigor-Activity subset of the mood state questionnaire was significantly greater in G3 than G0 or G6 on Day 11. All other mood constructs were unaffected by caffeine intake. In conclusion, few cognitive and psychomotor differences existed after 5 days of controlled caffeine ingestion between subjects consuming 0, 3, or 6 mg.kg(-1) day(-1) of caffeine, suggesting that chronic caffeine intake (1) has few perceptible effects on cognitive and psychomotor well-being and (2) may lead to a tolerance to some aspects of caffeine's acute effects.

Adult↗

Aerobic exercise training decreases leucine oxidation at rest in healthy adults.

Both exercise and dietary protein intake affect whole-body protein turnover (WBPTO). Few studies have investigated the effect of aerobic exercise training on WBPTO [leucine rate of appearance (Ra), oxidation (Ox), and nonoxidative leucine disposal (NOLD)] in untrained individuals consuming a specified level of protein. This study examined the effect of aerobic exercise training on WBPTO in untrained men and women during a controlled diet intervention providing 0.88 g protein/(kg . d). After a 2-wk adaptation to the study diet, 7 subjects [3 men, 4 women; 76.1 +/- 5.8 kg, 164.7 +/- 4.4 cm, 30.7 +/- 4.5% body fat, 39.1 +/- 2.8 VO(2max) (maximal oxygen uptake) mL/(kg . min)] participated in 4 wk of aerobic exercise training (running and walking 4-5 times/wk at 65-85% maximal heart rate). WBPTO (determined via constant infusion of 1-[(13)C] leucine), nitrogen balance, and body composition were determined at baseline and after 4 wk of training. Nitrogen balance (-1.0 +/- 0.7 vs. 0.9 +/- 1.1 g N/24 h, P = 0.03) improved with exercise training, whereas body mass and composition did not change. Leucine Ra did not change, Ox decreased [18 +/- 2 to 15 +/- 2 micromol/(kg . h), P </= 0.001], and NOLD tended to increase [128 +/- 18 to 151 +/- 19 micromol/(kg . h), P = 0.09] in response to training. These data indicate improved protein utilization in response to exercise training in weight-stable subjects. This study emphasizes the importance of dietary control, with specific regard to energy and protein intakes, in the characterization of protein utilization in response to an exercise intervention.

Adult↗

Exertional heat stroke in competitive athletes.

Exertional heat stroke (EHS) is a serious medical condition that can have a tragic outcome if proper assessment and treatment are not initiated rapidly. This article focuses on critical misconceptions that pertain to the prevention, recognition, and treatment of EHS, including 1) the randomness of EHS cases, 2) the role of nutritional supplements in EHS, 3) temperature assessment, 4) onset of EHS and the possible lucid interval, 5) rapid cooling, and 6) return to play. Exploration of these topics will enhance the medical care regarding EHS.

Body Temperature↗

Hydration assessment techniques.

Water in the human body is essential for metabolism, temperature regulation, and numerous other physiological processes that are consistent with good health. Accurate, precise, and reliable methods to assess body fluid compartments are needed. This review describes the hydration assessment techniques of isotope dilution, neutron activation analysis, bioelectrical impedance, body mass change, thirst, tracer appearance, hematologic indices, and urinary markers. It also provides guidance for selecting techniques that are appropriate for use with unique individuals and situations.

Body Fluid Compartments↗

Fluid, electrolyte, and renal indices of hydration during 11 days of controlled caffeine consumption.

This investigation determined if 3 levels of controlled caffeine consumption affected fluid-electrolyte balance and renal function differently. Healthy males (mean +/- standard deviation; age, 21.6 +/- 3.3 y) consumed 3 mg caffeine . kg(-1) . d(-1). on days 1 to 6 (equilibration phase). On days 7 to 11 (treatment phase), subjects consumed either 0 mg (C0; placebo; n= 20), 3 mg (C3; n = 20), or 6 mg (C6; n = 19) caffeine . kg(-1) . d(-1) in capsules, with no other dietary caffeine intake. The following variables were unaffected (P > 0.05) by different caffeine doses on days 1, 3, 6, 9, and 11 and were within normal clinical ranges: body mass, urine osmolality, urine specific gravity, urine color, 24-h urine volume, 24-h Na+ and K+ excretion, 24-h creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, serum Na+ and K+, serum osmolality, hematocrit, and total plasma protein. Therefore, C0, C3, and C6 exhibited no evidence of hypohydration. These findings question the widely accepted notion that caffeine consumption acts chronically as a diuretic.

Adolescent↗

Influence of diuretic-induced dehydration on competitive sprint and power performance.

UNLABELLED: Diuretic-induced dehydration impairs prolonged running performance (> 1500 m). Sprinting performance may suffer by similar mechanisms (i.e., altered cardiovascular strain, heat storage, and metabolism) or may improve because of reduced mass to accelerate and carry. PURPOSE: To examine sprint and power performance after diuretic-induced dehydration. METHODS: After six sprint practice sessions, nine male former sprinters (mean +/- SD; age, 21 +/- 2 yr; body mass (BM), 80.0 +/- 5.2 kg; height, 1.78 +/- 0.08 m; body fat, 14 +/- 4%) participated in a 50-m race, a 200-m race, a 400-m race, and a vertical jump on an indoor synthetic track, once when dehydrated (40-mg furosemide; DD) and once with no diuretic (CON) using a counter-balanced crossover design. Plasma volume change (%deltaPV), heart rate (HR), blood pressure, rectal temperature, serum electrolytes, plasma lactate, plasma glucose, rating of perceived exertion, thirst, and thermal sensations were measured before and after each race. RESULTS: Sprint times (DD vs CON) for the 50 m (6.72 +/- 0.28 vs 6.73 +/- 0.29 s), 200 m (25.95 +/- 1.20 vs 26.21 +/- 1.42 s), and 400 m (59.01 +/- 4.26 vs 58.68 +/- 3.68 s) were similar for both conditions, as was vertical jump height (0.67 +/- 0.10 vs 0.66 +/- 0.11 m). This occurred despite losing 2.2 +/- 0.4% BM and 7.3 +/- 6.7%deltaPV (50/200 m) or 2.5 +/- 0.4% BM and 7.1 +/- 2.7% deltaPV (VJ/400 m) in response to DD. CONCLUSIONS: Diuretic-induced dehydration was not detrimental to sprint and power performance. Metabolic, thermoregulatory, and cardiovascular variables were not significantly altered by DD. Furthermore, the theoretical benefit of dehydration on performance (i.e., BM reduction) was not supported in this subject cohort.

Adult↗

Heat acclimation and physical training adaptations of young women using different contraceptive hormones.

Although endogenous and exogenous steroid hormones affect numerous physiological processes, the interactions of reproductive hormones, chronic exercise training, and heat acclimation are unknown. This investigation evaluated the responses and adaptations of 36 inactive females [age 21 +/- 3 (SD) yr] as they undertook a 7- to 8-wk program [heat acclimation and physical training (HAPT)] of indoor heat acclimation (90 min/day, 3 days/wk) and outdoor physical training (3 days/wk) while using either an oral estradiol-progestin contraceptive (ORAL, n = 15), a contraceptive injection of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DEPO, n = 7), or no contraceptive (EU-OV, n = 14; control). Standardized physical fitness and exercise-heat tolerance tests (36.5 degrees C, 37% relative humidity), administered before and after HAPT, demonstrated that the three subject groups successfully (P < 0.05) acclimated to heat (i.e., rectal temperature, heart rate) and improved muscular endurance (i.e., sit-ups, push-ups, 4.6-km run time) and body composition characteristics. The stress of HAPT did not disrupt the menstrual cycle length/phase characteristics, ovulation, or plasma hormone concentrations of EU-OV. No between-group differences (P > 0.05) existed for rectal and skin temperatures or metabolic, cardiorespiratory, muscular endurance, or body composition variables. A significant difference post-HAPT in the onset temperature of local sweating, ORAL (37.2 +/- 0.4 degrees C) vs. DEPO (37.7 +/- 0.2 degrees C), suggested that steroid hormones influenced this adaptation. In summary, virtually all adaptations of ORAL and DEPO were similar to EU-OV, suggesting that exogenous reproductive hormones neither enhanced nor impaired the ability of women to complete 7-8 wk of strenuous physical training and heat acclimation.

Acclimatization↗

Fluid and electrolyte needs for preparation and recovery from training and competition.

For a person undertaking regular exercise, any fluid deficit that is incurred during one exercise session can potentially compromise the next exercise session if adequate fluid replacement does not occur. Fluid replacement after exercise can, therefore, frequently be thought of as hydration before the next exercise bout. The importance of ensuring euhydration before exercise and the potential benefits of temporary hyperhydration with sodium salts or glycerol solutions are also important issues. Post-exercise restoration of fluid balance after sweat-induced dehydration avoids the detrimental effects of a body water deficit on physiological function and subsequent exercise performance. For effective restoration of fluid balance, the consumption of a volume of fluid in excess of the sweat loss and replacement of electrolyte, particularly sodium, losses are essential. Intravenous fluid replacement after exercise has been investigated to a lesser extent and its role for fluid replacement in the dehydrated but otherwise well athlete remains equivocal.

Blood Volume↗

Drinking behavior and perception of thirst in untrained women during 6 weeks of heat acclimation and outdoor training.

The purposes of this study were to characterize measures of fluid intake and perception of thirst in women over a 6-week period of exercise-heat acclimation and outdoor training and examine if this lengthy acclimation period would result in changes in fluid intake that differ from those previously reported in men utilizing a shorter acclimation protocol of 8-10 days. Voluntary water intake (11-17 degrees C) and perception of thirst were measured in a group of 5 women (21-26 yr) undergoing exercise-heat acclimation for 90 min/day, 3 days/wk (36 degrees C, rh 50-70%) and outdoor training 3 days/wk for 6 weeks. Decreased drinking during acclimation was characterized by a decrease in the number of drinks (35 +/- 10 to 17 +/- 5; p <.05), greater time to first drink (9.9 +/- 2.0 to 23.1 +/- 4.7 min; p <.05), and a decrease in total volume ingested per week (3310 +/- 810 to 1849 +/- 446 ml; p <.05) through the 6-week study. Mean perceived thirst measurements remained low and showed only slight variance (3 +/- 0.4 to 5 +/- 0.4). These observations support a psycho-physiological response pattern different than that previously observed during 8-10 day acclimation protocols in men.

Acclimatization↗

The effects of exertional heatstroke and exercise-heat acclimation on plasma beta-endorphin concentrations.

INTRODUCTION: It has been suggested that a proopiomelanocortin peptide beta-endorphin may play an important role in temperature regulation and therefore have specific heat stroke response patterns. METHODS: The purpose of this study was to examine the response patterns of plasma beta-endorphin at baseline, during a 7-d exercise-heat acclimation period (HA; 90 min x d(-1), 40 degrees C), and during a 6-h exercise-heat tolerance test (HTT; 6 h, 40 degrees C) performed before and after HA. Subjects were nine previously diagnosed heatstroke patients (P) and eight matched controls (C). No differences between the two groups were observed at rest, prior to HTT. RESULTS: Plasma beta-endorphin concentration in P significantly increased above resting values at 2, 4, and 6 h of HTT and were significantly greater than C responses. During HA tests, a significantly higher beta-endorphin concentration was observed in P before exercise on day 1 and day 7, but not on day 4. A significant increase occurred after exercise in both groups, on all days of HA; no differences were observed between the groups on days 4 and 7. DISCUSSION: These results demonstrate that the opioid peptide responses in individuals with recent exertional heatstroke were greater than control subjects during the initial 6-h HTT. Decreased physical training among P may have contributed to these results. However, 7 d of HA abolished these between-group differences by reducing the magnitude of beta-endorphin responses in P, indicative of an adaptation of pituitary function.

Acclimatization↗

Caffeine, body fluid-electrolyte balance, and exercise performance.

Recreational enthusiasts and athletes often are advised to abstain from consuming caffeinated beverages (CB). The dual purposes of this review are to (a) critique controlled investigations regarding the effects of caffeine on dehydration and exercise performance, and (b) ascertain whether abstaining from CB is scientifically and physiologically justifiable. The literature indicates that caffeine consumption stimulates a mild diuresis similar to water, but there is no evidence of a fluid-electrolyte imbalance that is detrimental to exercise performance or health. Investigations comparing caffeine (100-680 mg) to water or placebo seldom found a statistical difference in urine volume. In the 10 studies reviewed, consumption of a CB resulted in 0-84% retention of the initial volume ingested, whereas consumption of water resulted in 0-81% retention. Further, tolerance to caffeine reduces the likelihood that a detrimental fluid-electrolyte imbalance will occur. The scientific literature suggests that athletes and recreational enthusiasts will not incur detrimental fluid-electrolyte imbalances if they consume CB in moderation and eat a typical U.S. diet. Sedentary members of the general public should be a less risk than athletes because their fluid losses via sweating are smaller.

Adult↗

Metabolic response to provision of mixed protein-carbohydrate supplementation during endurance exercise.

The interaction of substrates and hormones in response to ingestion of intact proteins during endurance exercise is unknown. This study characterized substrate and hormone responses to supplementation during endurance exercise. Nine male runners participated in 3 trials in which a non-fat (MILK), carbohydrate (CHO), or placebo (PLA) drink was consumed during a 2-hour treadmill run at 65% VO2max. Circulating levels of insulin, glucagon, epinephrine, norepinephrine, growth hormone, testosterone, and cortisol were measured. Plasma substrates included glucose, lactate, free fatty acids, and select amino acids. Except for insulin and cortisol, hormones increased with exercise. While post-exercise insulin concentrations declined similarly in all 3 trials, the glucagon increase was greatest following MILK consumption. CHO blunted the post-exercise increase in growth hormone compared to levels in MILK. Free fatty acids and plasma amino acids also were responsive to nutritional supplementation with both CHO and MILK attenuating the rise in free fatty acids compared to the increase observed in PLA. Correspondingly, respiratory exchange ratio increased during CHO. Essential amino acids increased significantly only after MILK and were either unchanged or decreased in CHO. PLA was characterized by a decrease in branched-chain amino acid concentrations. Modest nutritional supplementation in this study altered the endocrine response as well as substrate availability and utilization following and during an endurance run, respectively.

Adult↗