Science Weekly - 6th November 2020

We have a few unique topics that were covered in the published papers on fitness, nutrition and exercise science this week. See for yourself if there's any result your personal training clients would find useful.

Here are the highlights:
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• Compression garments reduce strength loss after training
• ​​Vitamin D levels during pregnancy linked with child IQ
• ​​Avoiding inflammatory foods can lower heart disease, stroke risk
• ​Gut bacteria associated with animal-based diet may mitigate risk of cardiovascular disease
• ​Western diet impairs odor-related learning and olfactory memory in mice
• ​Gene in mice controls food cravings, desire to exercise
• ​Researchers study strength-training gender gap, possible solutions
• ​Face masks don't hinder breathing during exercise, study finds

Compression garments reduce strength loss after training

Regular training enhances your strength, but recovery is equally important. Elastic bandages and compression garments are widely used in sports to facilitate recovery and prevent injuries. Now, a research team has determined that compression garments also reduce strength loss after strenuous exercise.

Source: Tohoku University

​Vitamin D levels during pregnancy linked with child IQ

A study showed that mothers' vitamin D levels during pregnancy were associated with their children's IQ, suggesting that higher vitamin D levels in pregnancy may lead to greater childhood IQ scores.

Source: Seattle Children's

​Avoiding inflammatory foods can lower heart disease, stroke risk

Study further examines connection between inflammation and heart disease through impact of inflammatory food consumption
Diets high in red and processed meat, refined grains and sugary beverages, which have been associated with increased inflammation in the body, can increase subsequent risk of heart disease and stroke compared to diets filled with anti-inflammatory foods. A separate study assessed the positive effects eating walnuts, an anti-inflammatory food, had on decreasing inflammation and heart disease risk.

Source: American College of Cardiology

Gut bacteria associated with animal-based diet may mitigate risk of cardiovascular disease

Researchers have found that a type of common gut bacteria sometimes associated with inflammation, abscesses, bowel disease and cancer has a major silver lining: It seems to help prevent cardiovascular disease.

Source: Oregon State University

Western diet impairs odor-related learning and olfactory memory in mice

Problems with the sense of smell appear to be an early indicator of cognitive decline in people with type 2 diabetes. However, it's unknown whether factors such as diet and obesity play a role in who develops these symptoms. Now, researchers have found that mice fed a moderate-fat, high-sugar chow (simulating a Western diet) showed a faster decline in their ability to learn and remember new odors.

Source: American Chemical Society

Gene in mice controls food cravings, desire to exercise

National Institutes of Health researchers have discovered a gene in mice that controls the craving for fatty and sugary foods and the desire to exercise. The gene, Prkar2a, is highly expressed in the habenula, a tiny brain region involved in responses to pain, stress, anxiety, sleep and reward. The findings could inform future research to prevent obesity and its accompanying risks for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Source: NIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Researchers study strength-training gender gap, possible solutions

Strength training is an important part of any exercise routine, but some women may not be getting the recommended hours. New research discovered some of the barriers preventing women from strength training, as well as some solutions to overcoming those obstacles.

Source: Penn State

Face masks don't hinder breathing during exercise, study finds

A new study has found that exercise performance and blood and muscle oxygen levels are not affected for healthy individuals wearing a face mask during strenuous workouts.

Source: University of Saskatchewan