Lithuanian Sports University

Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation, metabolic dysregulation, and significant remodeling of particularly muscle and tendon. Emerging evidence implicates periostin (POSTN), a non-structural matricellular protein, as a key mediator of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in response to metabolic and mechanical stressors. POSTN's modular structure enables it to orchestrate ECM architecture by binding collagen, fibronectin, and matrix-modifying enzymes, positioning it as a central modulator of mechanochemical tissue properties. Normally POSTN is expressed at a low level but becomes upregulated during injury and inflammation that are associated with fibrotic responses. In obesity POSTN expression is elevated systemically and locally in adipose, muscle, and tendon tissues, where it may contribute to the maladaptive remodeling through integrin-mediated activation of signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt and TGF-β/Smad. This promotes collagen deposition, matrix cross-linking, and fibrosis, impairing tissue function and regenerative capacity. Evidence from obesity and muscle injury models suggests that POSTN may act as both a biomarker of, and a therapeutic target for mitigating, fibrotic changes in musculoskeletal tissues. This review highlights POSTN's context-dependent roles and its potential as a mechanistic link between metabolic dysfunction and musculotendinous tissue degeneration in obesity.

Resistance Training (RT) is considered a promising intervention to counteract inflammation and cognitive decline. However, the relationship between RT dose (training duration, frequency, intensity, volume, rest period) and RT-induced changes in circulating biomarkers of inflammation and neuroplasticity remains unclear. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the overall and dose-response effects of RT on circulating biomarkers of inflammation and neuroplasticity in older adults. Electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus) were systematically screened for relevant studies. The search identified 8306 articles, of which 36 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Effect sizes (ES) were calculated, and a meta-analysis (RT-effects) and meta-regression (dose-response) were performed when possible. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (ROB) 2.0 tool. Meta-analysis showed that RT significantly increased neuroplasticity biomarkers including IGF-1, BDNF, and FGF-21 (ES=0.51, 95 %CI [0.19, 0.84], p = 0.002). Greater improvements were observed with longer training periods (≥20 weeks), a higher number of exercises (≥8), higher weekly training volume and total training program volume, and shorter rest in between exercises (90-120 s). Additionally, RT significantly reduced pro-inflammatory biomarkers including TNF-α, CAF, IL-6, IL-1β, KYN and CRP (ES=-0.66, 95 %CI [-0.80, -0.52], p < 0.001)), with more pronounced effects seen with a higher frequency (at least 3 times per week) and a higher intensity (≥70 % 1RM). Although RT also increased anti-inflammatory biomarkers (IL-10, IL-13, and IL-4, ES=0.75 95 %CI [0.45, 1.04], p < 0.001) the limited number of studies prevented a meta-regression analysis to determine a significant dose-response relationship. These findings demonstrate that RT can significantly improve circulating biomarkers of neuroplasticity and inflammation and highlight key dose-response relationships critical for optimizing RT programs.

This study was long-term and lasted for one year. The study aims to determine whether there is a change in aerobic capacity indicators for prepubertal children when playing football.

There were two groups of subjects: children of prepubertal age who trained in football and those who did not attend football. There were 16 participants in the FG (football-trained group) and 15 in the CG (control group) who attended no football lessons. An incremental treadmill test was performed three times with a half-year break to determine the following peak variables: oxygen uptake, stroke volume, cardiac output, and minute ventilation.

After one year of training, the VO2 peak at FG increased from 51.81 ± 6.55 ml/kg/min. to 53.11 ± 5.27 ml/kg/min. (p = 0.0412), stroke volume at FG increased from 41.3 ml/min to 46.4 ml/min. (p = 0.0012), cardiac output (Q) also increased from 8.15 l/min to 9.44 l/min. At stage II and 10.2 l/min at stage III (p = 0.0143) at FG.

After one year of football training at FG-related VO2, RR (-respiratory rate), and Q also shifted, SV (-stroke volume) also increased significantly, while at UG, results were the opposite- only a few parameters, such as HR, increased significantly, while the others did not.