Physiology Commons^™

Impaired Hydrogen Sulfide Protein Expression In Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease, Dong Gun Jin, Kollyn B. Jallen, Liz Pekas, Song-Young Park

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

INTRODUCTION: Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a gaseous signaling molecule that serves various roles in the vasculature, such as upregulating angiogenesis, vascular smooth muscle relaxation, protecting endothelial function, and regulating redox balance. Despite H₂S’s positive impacts on vascular homeostasis, it is important to note that its actions depend on its concentrations. At high concentrations, H₂S has been reported to increase oxidative stress damage, such as oxidation of cysteine residues and lipid peroxidation. This may indicate that H₂S may act as a ‘double-edged sword’ in the field of vascular physiology. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) …

The Effects Of 3-Weeks Of Aerobic Exercise In Heat On Fitness And Pgc1a In Females, Mark Mcglynn, Robert L. Shute, Brent Ruby, Walter Hailes, Dustin Slivka

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

The effects of exercise training in the heat are well documented in men. However, the effects of exercise training in the heat in women have not received as much attention. We have previously reported a blunted rise in PGC1α in men after acute aerobic exercise in the heat. Purpose: To determine the impact of three weeks of aerobic exercise training in the heat compared to training in room temperature on thermoregulation, PGC1α mRNA response, and aerobic capacity in women. Methods: Twenty-three untrained college aged females (24±4 yoa, 168±5 cm, and 67.3±11.2 kg) were randomly assigned to 3 weeks of aerobic …

Effects Of Environmental Temperature On Aerobic Training Adaptations, Katherine Marshall

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

BACKGROUND: Previously we have demonstrated acute effects of endurance exercise in different environmental temperatures. However, training within these temperatures has not been examined. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of exercise training in different environmental temperatures on aerobic capacity, body composition, heart rate, sweat rate, core, and skin temperature. METHODS: Thirty-six recreationally trained males made 18 visits to the lab and performed a 3-week cycling training protocol in either a 7°C, 20°C, or 33°C environment. Aerobic capacity, body composition, heart rate, sweat rate, core, and skin temperature were measured before and after the acclimation period. During …

Physiological Response To Exercise With Naturally-Occurring Carbon Dioxide Exposure, Megan Johnson

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

BACKGROUND: Carbon dioxide (CO₂) plays a normal part in gas exchange and acid-base equilibrium in the human body. With added stress or exposure, CO₂ levels can accumulate in the blood and tissues, causing hypercapnia. Research has shown that exposure to CO₂ at 4% or 40,000 ppm will cause cardio-respiratory changes, both at rest and during exercise. Lower levels may still cause changes under conditions of added stress, but this has not been elucidated. Preliminary data from our laboratory chamber suggests physiological changes at levels of CO₂ reaching 0.08% or 8,000 ppm during experiments with exercising …

The Effects Of Swimming Training On Arterial Stiffness, Muscular Strength And Cardiorespiratory Endurance In Postmenopausal Women With Stage 2 Hypertension, Steven Scott

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Objective:

Aging is associated with progressive decreases in arterial health and function as well as overall fitness. It is crucial to prevent or reduce the negative effects of aging on vasculature and fitness components by implementing appropriate lifestyle interventions, such as exercise training. We examined the effects of a swimming (SWM) regimen on arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity, PWV), blood pressure (BP), wave reflection (AIx), muscle strength and aerobic capacity in postmenopausal women with stage 2 hypertension.

Methods:

Using a parallel experimental design, participants were randomly assigned to either a SWM (n=52) or non-exercising control group (n=48) for 20 weeks. …

Effect Of Local Cold Application During Exercise On Mitochondrial Gene Expression, Ben Meister

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

BACKGROUND: Different modes of exercise and temperatures can elicit different responses in mitochondrial gene expression. Stresses including exercise and cold exposure act to trigger the transcription of genes associated with mitochondrial growth (biogenesis). Traditional endurance exercise is known to have a potent effect on mitochondrial growth biogenesis. However, limited knowledge exists on the effect of local cold application during endurance exercise. Additionally, it is currently unknown how cold exposure impacts mitochondrial breakdown (mitophagy). PURPOSE: Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the impact of local muscle cooling during endurance exercise on human skeletal muscle gene expression related to …

Effects Of 7°C Environmental Temperature During A 3-Week Training Period, Robert J. Shute

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Approximately three weeks is required for cold temperature acclimation to occur. However, the effects of cold temperature acclimation on fitness and performance remain unknown. Purpose: To determine the impact of cold environmental temperature on training adaptations, fitness measurements, and aerobic performance. Methods: Two groups of twelve inactive male subjects completed 1-hour of cycling in fourteen temperature acclimation trials of either a cold (7°C) or room temperature (20°C) environmental temperature. A performance trial and tolerance trial occurred pre- and post-acclimation. The performance trials assessed VO_2peak and body composition. Skin and core temperature were recorded during the 1-hour tolerance trials. Tympanic …

Skeletal Muscle Mitophagy In Response To Cold Exposure During Exercise, Megan Vande Hei

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

BACKGROUND: The signaling pathways generated during exercise elicit mitochondrial adaptation, which includes both biogenesis and removal of damaged mitochondria (also known as mitophagy). It has been established that training followed by cold exposure alters the transcription of genes associated with mitochondrial growth and division. However, it is currently unknown whether temperature intervention during exercise influences the mRNA expression of genes associated with mitophagy, which is essential to maintaining the quality of this organelle. PURPOSE: To determine the expression of PINK1, PARK2, BNIP3, and BNIP3L mRNA following exercise in a cold environmental temperature with recovery at room temperature compared to exercise …

Crae Training Reduces Insulin Resistance And Central Adiposity In Obese Adolescent Females, Rebecca Cuthbert

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

CRAE Training Reduces Insulin Resistance and Central Adiposity in Obese Adolescent Females

Rebecca Cuthbert, Leena P Bharath, William W Choi, Jae-min Cho, Alexus A Skobodzinski, Alexei Wong, Ty E Sweeney, Dustin Slivka, Song-Young Park University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska

Exercise training is recommended for maintaining health and reducing the risks of developing metabolic and cardiovascular pathologies. Combined resistance and aerobic exercise (CRAE) training has been utilized to decrease metabolic risk factors in obese adults. PURPOSE: To determine the effects of CRAE on obese adolescent females with hyperinsulinemia. METHODS: Forty obese adolescent females aged 14.7 ± 1 years (BMI …

Effects Of Hypobaric And Normobaric Hypoxia On Heart Rate And Blood Oxygen Saturation, Madison Brooks Coleman

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

There has been recent debate on the difference in physiological response between exposure to normobaric hypoxia (oxygen fraction altered) and hypobaric hypoxia (barometric pressure altered). Purpose: To determine the effects of normobaric normoxia (NN), hypobaric hypoxia (HH), and normobaric hypoxia (NH) on heart rate and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO₂) after exercise. Methods: Fifteen recreationally active participants (eight males and seven females) completed three separate 1 h cycling bouts at 70% of their peak aerobic capacity. Following each trial, participants recovered in the supine position for 4 h in NN (975 m), HH (4420 m), or NH (4420 m). …

Oxygen Transport In Normobaric Versus Hypobaric Hypoxia, Christina N. Angeli

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

BACKGROUND: Various physiological changes occur in the human body when ascending to altitude. Exposure to hypoxia increases heart rate and decreases arterial oxygen saturation (SaO₂), with both changes being expedited during exercise. Incremental exercise in ambient conditions decreases muscle oxygenation, specifically with increasing intensity. Previous research has examined heart rate and SaO₂ in response to normobaric versus hypobaric hypoxia. However, there is lack of research examining muscle oxygenation in response to these conditions. Therefore, additional research investigating acute responses to normobaric and hypobaric hypoxia during exercise is warranted. PURPOSE: To examine acute responses in arterial and muscle …

Human Stress Protein Response To Exercise And The Environment, Rebecca Cuthbert

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Stress proteins are molecular chaperones that protect cells from the damaging effects that can be caused by exercise and environmental changes. Cold-inducible RNA binding protein (CIRP) and RNA binding motif protein 3 (RBM3) protect cells from mild hypothermia and hypoxia. They allow cells to rapidly respond to environmental stresses by regulating gene expression. Heat shock proteins 27, 70, and 90 protect skeletal tissue from exercise and heat stress. They accelerate cellular repair and prevent misfolding of proteins. These proteins, especially CIRP and RBM3, have been studied in cell cultures and animal models, but limited data exist in humans. Purpose: To …

Responses Of Appetite And Appetite Regulating Hormones To Acute Altitude Exposure, Morgan Busboom

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

PURPOSE: To determine the acute response of appetite and appetite regulating hormones after exposure to simulated altitude in resting conditions. METHODS: Seven male and six female recreationally active subjects (height 178±8.1cm, weight: 77.3±24.8kg, body fat: 18.4±5.7%) participated in two, three-hour trials in an environmental chamber with one trial simulating 5000 m altitude (hypoxic) and the other simulating 350 m altitude (control). Blood samples from the antecubital vein were collected prior to entering the environmental chamber and immediately following the three hours of seated rest. Blood samples were analyzed for serum leptin, adiponectin, and ghrelin concentrations via enzyme-linked immunosorbent …

Effects Of Normobaric And Hypobaric Hypoxia On Mitochondrial Related Gene Expression, Robert J. Shute

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Environmental stimuli such as temperature and hypoxia can influence cellular signaling in the skeletal muscle. Previously we have reported no changes in gene expression related to mitochondrial development with acute exposure to normobaric hypoxia. However, exposure to hypobaric hypoxia may elicit different physiological responses. Purpose: To determine the response of skeletal muscle mitochondrial related gene expression after 4 h of exposure to normobaric normoxia (NN), normobaric hypoxia (NH), and hypobaric hypoxia (HH) after exercise. Methods: Recreationally trained participants (8 male, 7 female) each completed three trials of 1-h cycling at 70% of W_max. Following exercise, participants sat in …