GH responses to two consecutive bouts of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in healthy adults.

BackgroundIt is well established that repeated GHRH administration or repeated voluntary exercise bouts are associated with a complete blunting of GH responsiveness when the administration of the second stimulus follows the first one after a 2-h interval.AimTo evaluate GH responses to neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in healthy adults.MethodsSix volunteers (mean age±s.d. 31.7±5.5 years) were studied before and after two consecutive bouts of NMES exercise (a series of 20 contractions at the maximum of individual tolerance, frequency: 75 Hz, pulse duration: 400 μs, on–off ratio: 6.25–20 s) administered at a 2-h interval.ResultsBaseline GH levels (mean: 0.3±0.2 ng/ml) significantly …

Effect of a 3-week body mass reduction program on body composition, muscle function and motor performance in pubertal obese boys and girls

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a multidisciplinary body mass reduction (BMR) program on body composition, muscle function and motor performance in 50 obese [mean body mass index (BMI): 35.9+/-5.8 kg/m2] boys and girls aged 12-17 yr (Tanner stage III, IV and V). The hospital-based BMR program combined an energy-restricted diet (1400-1600 kcal), nutritional education, psychological counselling and moderate physical activity (45-60 min/ session; 5 sessions/week; 60-80% of the maximal heart rate) during a 3-week period. Fat mass, fat-free mass, maximal power during jumping and stair climbing as well as maximal strength of the upper and lower limb muscles were quantified…

Leptin levels do not change following acute exercise in healthy adults and in obese children