Biomedicin – inriktning träningsfysiologi på Utexpo

Acute effects of low-intensity aerobic exercise on cholesterol in physical inactive women

• Participants: Josefine Möller and Mais Awad.
  

This project investigates the acute effects of a single session of low-intensity aerobic exercise on blood lipid levels in young, physically inactive women aged 18–35. Physical inactivity is a growing global health issue, particularly among women, and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). While regular aerobic exercise is known to improve lipid profiles, limited research has explored whether a single bout of low-intensity exercise can have immediate benefits.

14 inactive women completed a 20-minute treadmill session at 40–59 % of their maximum heart rate. Blood samples were taken before and 10 minutes after the exercise to measure total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL. Results showed a significant reduction in LDL levels, while changes in total cholesterol and HDL were not statistically significant. No correlation was found between changes in heart rate and lipid outcomes.

Aspects of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in individuals with axial spondyloarthritis included in a randomized controlled trial

• Participants: Isac Kristensson and Hanna Nguyen Persson.

Background: Individuals with axial spondyloarthritis (axial SpA) often show reduced cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), potentially influenced by physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and exercise. However, these associations are unclear in a group already meeting PA recommendations.
Aim: The aim of this study is to explore associations between self-reported PA, SB and exercise with CRF. The secondary aim is to study changes in the aspects of PA after 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention in individuals with axial SpA compared with a control group.
Methods: 50 participants with axial SpA were randomized to HIIT (n=25) or control (n=25). Self-reported PA, SB, and exercise data were collected at baseline and after 12 weeks. CRF was estimated via a submaximal cycle test (VO₂max) at baseline. Pearson’s correlation and two-way ANOVA were used to analyze associations and group × time interactions.
Results: At baseline, the mean age was 41.3 (±13.0) years and mean VO₂max was 35.2 (±7.7) mlO₂/kg/min. Self-reported exercise correlated significantly with VO₂max (r=0.351, p=0.013), while PA and SB did not. After 12 weeks, exercise levels increased significantly in the HIIT group (p=0.03), with no significant changes in PA or SB in either group.
Conclusion: Self-reported exercise was positively associated with CRF, unlike PA or SB. The HIIT intervention increased exercise levels, though self-reported methods may not fully reflect the changes.

Association between lipid profile and chronic widespread pain in individuals with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis

• Deltagare: Viktor Bris och Michael Johansson.
  
• Samarbetspartner: FoU Spenshult.

Utbredd långvarig smärta (CWP) är ett komplext tillstånd som ofta förekommer vid muskuloskeletala sjukdomar såsom artros. Nyare forskning antyder att metabola faktorer, däribland rubbningar i blodfetterna, kan bidra till smärtsensibilisering. Denna tvärsnittsstudie undersöker sambandet mellan lipidmarkörer: triglycerider, totalt kolesterol, HDL, LDL, oxiderat LDL och förekomsten av CWP hos individer med symtomgivande knäartros. Studien baseras på baslinjedata från 286 deltagare i åldern 30–65 år inom HALLOA-kohorten. Blodprover, BMI och validerade frågeformulär (KOOS, NRS, WP2019) användes för analys.

Comparing Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1α and High Density Lipoprotein as biomarkers for chronic pain in healthy individuals and those affected by chronic pain in relation to physical activity: an experimental study

• Participants: Nellie Laurell and Alexander Toll.
  

Chronic pain is a widespread problem for individuals and society. Chronic pain can be defined as pain lasting for three or more months and symptoms can be depression and decreased quality of life. Biomarkers are defined as things that can be measured to see if the body works normally or how it reacts to our surroundings. This study investiges if High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and Macrophage inflammatory protein 1-α (MIP-1α) can be biomarkers for chronic pain. HDL or “the good cholesterol” is a molecule that transports cholesterol from around the body back to the liver, whilst MIP-1α attracts inflammatory cells to inflammatory sites.

18 participants volunteered to participate in the study. The participants were divided into two groups, pain group and control group. A capillary bloodsample, a saliva sample and self-reported pain were obtained prior to, and post a bicycle test.

High levels of HDL were associated with lower levels of pain and values were significantly higher post bicycle test. MIP-1α was strongly associated with pain prior to the bicycle test but not after the test and values did not significantly differ after the test.

The study shows that higher levels of HDL was associated with lower levels of self-reported pain and increased similarly in both groups. MIP-1α was not changed upon exercise. The results suggest potential benefits of physical activity for pain reduction and highlight the need for further research on HDL and MIP-1α.

Effects of Music Tempo on Cardiovascular Recovery During High-Intensity Interval Exercise in Recreationally Trained Adults

• Participants: Wilma Lund and Saga Kullberg.
  

Can music tempo influence your recovery between intense intervals?
We all know music can boost your workout – but could the tempo of your tunes also affect how well your body recovers between tough efforts?

This study aims to investigate that question. Thirteen participants completed a series of high-intensity cycling intervals, each followed by short recovery periods – while listening to either fast or slow tempo music. Key recovery markers were tracked, including heart rate recovery, pulse rate variability and perceived exertion.

Using a crossover design, each participant experienced both music tempos on different test days, allowing for a direct comparison of their physiological response to fast versus slow music.

Does an upbeat tempo help the body recover faster, or does a slower rhythm help the nervous system switch into ‘rest and recover’ mode between intense intervals?

The findings offer new insights into the role of music during recovery from high-intensity interval training. Whether you’re an athlete looking for an edge, or just someone building the ultimate workout playlist, this research adds a fresh beat to the conversation.

The Acute Effects of a Five-Minute Breathing Exercise on Salivary Cortisol Levels in healthy University student

• Participants: Vilma Lundberg and Andrea Johansson.

Background: Stress is a major public health issue, especially among university students who often experience moderate to high stress levels. Prolonged stress negatively affects both physical and mental health, partly due to prolonged activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and elevated cortisol levels. This highlights the need for effective stress reduction interventions, such as breathing exercises.
Aim: The aim of this project is to investigate the acute effects of a five-minute breathing exercise on salivary cortisol levels in healthy university students, compared to a five-minute coloring book painting intervention.
Methods: A cross-over design was used with 12 participants. Each participant completed both interventions on separate occasions. Saliva samples were collected before and after each session and analyzed using ELISA Cortisol Assay. Data were processed with SPSS.
Results: Participants had a mean PSS-10 score of 15.14 (moderate stress). After the breathing exercise, 75 % showed a decrease in cortisol, compared to 50 % after coloring. No significant changes were found after either intervention (breathing: p=0.388, coloring: p=0.209), or between them (p=0.065).
Conclusion: Participants showed moderate stress, but neither intervention significantly affected cortisol levels. Further research on short-term stress-reducing methods is needed.

The difference between running or cycling as active recovery methods on heart rate recovery and lactate clearance in female soccer players

• Deltagare: Alma Åkeborg och Anna Holm.
  

Högintensiv intervallträning (HIIT) är en användbar metod för att främja allmän hälsa odh förbättra kondition och prestation inom fotboll. HIIT-intensitet övervakas generellt genom att mäta puls (HR) och upplevd ansträngning (RPE), medan återhämtning kan mätas genom pulsåterhämtning (HRR) och laktat bortförsel (LC). Det är dock fortfarande oklart vilken typ av aktiv återhämtning (AR) mellan löpning (ARrun) och cykling (ARcycle) som är mest effektiv för HRR och LC. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka vilken metod: ARrun eller ARcycle som är mest effektiv vid HRR och LC mellan 4x4-minuters löpintervaller med 3-minuters AR hos kvinnliga fotbollsspelare som utförde HIIT. Ett sekundärt syfte är att undersöka om återhämtningsmetoderna har effekter på peak HR (HRpeak), laktatackumulering (La- acc) eller RPE, och om det skiljde sig mellan intervallerna. I denna randomiserade crossover-studie inkluderades 13 kvinnliga fotbollsspelare. Varje deltagare utförde två tester med ett 4x4 HIIT protokoll med ARrun eller ARcycle mellan intervallerna som skilde de två testerna åt. Under testerna mättes [La-]b i slutet av varje intervall och aktiv återhämtning. HR och RPE mättes varje 30 sekund under intervallerna och varje minut i vilan. Inga signifikanta skillnader observerades i HRpeak eller La- acc mellan ARcycle och ARrun. HRR var högre vid ARcycle och LC var högre vid ARrun, vilket visar att det finns en skillnad mellan ARrun och ARcycle som återhämtning mellan intervallerna i HIIT.