Earticle

This experiment studied the effect of arginine intake on blood pressure and blood variables during weight training in 20 men in their 20s. The re-sistance exercise program was performed 3 times a week at 60% of one repetition maximum for 8 weeks. The arginine intake group con-sumed 1,000 mg of arginine 2 tablets per day before weight training for 8 weeks. The placebo group was instructed to consume two of placebo with water, the same as the arginine intake group. After 8 weeks, the day after the end of the resistance exercise program, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipopro-tein, low-density lipoprotein, muscle mass, and maximum muscle strength were measured. In changes in systolic blood pressure, the ar-ginine intake group was 118.20±2.40 mmHg, showed a statistically sig-nificant decrease compared to the placebo group. Triglyceride in the arginine intake group was 112.62±2.40 mg/dL, showing a statistically significant decrease compared to the placebo group. Based on these results, arginine intake during resistance exercise is judged to have a positive effect on lowering blood pressure, and is also believed to re-duce triglycerides, a blood lipid variable, so it is thought to function as a supplement during exercise.

We adopted a within-subjects quasi-experimental approach to assess the impact of kinesio taping (KT) on joint range of motion (ROM), static balance, and dynamic balance. The research subjects were 15 patients who had, within the previous 3 weeks, undergone total knee replace-ment (TKR) by an orthopedic surgeon in 2022. We measured the ROM, static balance, and dynamic balance of the knee joint before and after applying KT. We then compared the pre- and post-tape measurements to assess the effects of KT on joint function and balance. The ROM of the knee joint was measured using a goniometer in the supine position before the KT application. The static and dynamic balance were as-sessed using a balance assessment device by measuring the sway area and length of the center of gravity during the measurement period. The effects of KT on the ROM and static and dynamic balance of the knee joint were investigated. The differences in joint ROM and static and dynamic balance between pre- and post-KT applications were an-alyzed using a paired-sample t-test. This study found that the ROM of the knee joint was significantly increased after applying KT. For static and dynamic balance, both the sway area and length of the center of gravity decreased after applying KT, indicating a significant improve-ment in static and dynamic balance. KT, when combined with standard physiotherapy, can be a useful therapeutic approach for TKR patients, effectively enhancing joint ROM and balance function.

Fibromyalgia (FM) patients present impaired cardiac autonomic regula-tion during maximal exercise; however, it is unknown whether these al-terations also manifest during submaximal exercise. The aim of this study was to compare the on-transient heart rate (HR) response and HR variability during a constant-load submaximal cycling exercise between FM and control (CON) women. Ten women with FM (age: 45.2±9.3 years) and 10 age-matched CON women (age: 48.4±6.1 years) performed a 15-min cycling exercise, with the work rate fixed at 50% of the individual peak power output attained in a maximal graded exercise test. The time intervals between consecutive heartbeats were recorded regularly during the exercise for subsequent analysis of on-transient HR response and HR variability indices. The on-transient HR time constant was simi-lar (P=0.83) between the FM (41.0±14.1 sec) and CON (42.2±10.4 sec). During the 5–10 and 10–15 min of exercise, HR variability indices indi-cating sympathetic and parasympathetic activities were similar (P>0.05) between FM and CON groups. In conclusion, women with FM present-ed a normal cardiac autonomic response to submaximal cycling exer-cise. These findings have clinical relevance, as submaximal exercises are commonly prescribed for FM patients.