Clinical Research Directory

Grape Extract and Exercise Effects on Blood Pressure

Exercise and grape extract intake (i.e., polyphenol-rich product) can independently improve blood pressure and endothelial function in prehypertensive individuals. Nevertheless, their combined effects remain unexplored. Furthermore, since the biological pathways targeted by both interventions are similar, they could overlap and be amplified by one another, promoting additive or synergistic effects. Animal model studies have reported that a grape seed extract intake prevents exercise-induced oxidative stress, which could improve vascular dysfunction. Furthermore, as previously reported, a single dose of grape seed extract reduces blood pressure, peripheral vasoconstriction, and heart stress, enhancing O2 delivery during exercise in prehypertensive males. These effects may be partly due to endothelium-dependent vasodilation enhancement. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the potential impact of exercise and grape extract on blood pressure and vascular function in prehypertensive individuals.

Impact of Knee Extension Brace on Quadriceps EMG During ASLR

The main objective of this study is to evaluate quadriceps thigh muscle activity during active straight leg raise (ASLR) with a knee brace. An additional aim of the study is to evaluate quadriceps activity during straight leg raise with a knee brace in a variable command and manner of task performance. The study will be conducted on a group of healthy individuals aged 18 - 35 years. Height and weight were measured using a scale and centimetre tape. Then, according to the study protocol, specific measurements will be taken of the rectus femoris, medial vastus and lateral vastus muscles using surface EMG of a non-invasive nature. Study participants will undergo the following measurements: 1. Measurement of the MVIC (maximum voluntary isometric contraction) of the quadriceps of the thigh, in a sitting position with the lower leg flexed to 90 degrees and in knee extended (0 degrees). 2. Measurement of muscle activity during elevation of the straightened lower limb in a supine position without an orthosis. 3. Measurement of muscle activity during straight leg raise in supine position with knee brace (default and different commends).

Caffeine Mouth Rinse on Salivary Immunoglobulin A, Lactoferrin and A-Amylase Levels

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the effects of the mouth rinse form of caffeine (400 mg) on salivary lactoferrin, α-amylase and secretory immunoglobulin-a levels after incremental exercise in young amateur football players. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Caffeine in mouth rinse form increases salivary immunoglobulin a after incremental exercise * Caffeine in mouth rinse form increases salivary lactoferrin after incremental exercise * Caffeine in mouth rinse form increases salivary a-amylase after incremental exercise. This 3-session study will use a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover experimental design. participants will complete three different treatments \[caffeine (CAF), control (C) and placebo (PLA)\] separated by at least 1 week. Baseline saliva samples will be collected while sitting in a chair and then: * CAF Group: They will rinse a solution containing a total of 400 mg caffeine (20 mL, 2% concentration) in the mouth for 20 seconds and try to continue the exercise against increasing resistance until exhaustion. * Control Group: Only rinse a solution containing a total of 400 caffeine (20 mL, 2% concentration) in the mouth for 20 seconds and receive no exercise treatment. * Placebo Group: They will rinse 20 mL of distilled water in the mouth for 20 s and try to continue the exercise against increasing resistance until exhaustion. Saliva samples will be collected at 6 different time points: 5 minutes before exercise (or caffeine mouth rinse) (T0-reference), immediately after caffeine mouth rinse (or immediately before exercise) (T1), 5 minutes/midway through exercise (T2), and immediately after exercise (T3), 60 minutes after the end of exercise (T4) and 120 minutes after the end of exercise (T5).All data will be statistically analyzed using SPSS 25.0 software (Chicago, IL, USA) and expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Shapiro-Wilk and Levene tests will be used to determine whether the data are normally distributed and whether the variance is homogeneous. Repeated measures ANOVA test will be used to compare group means. If there is a difference between the groups as a result of the analysis, post-hoc tests will be used to find out from which group this difference originates. In cases where the data are not normally distributed, nonparametric test methods will be used. The significance level of the tests will be accepted as p\<0.05