Pedro L. Valenzuela

Hospital 12 de Octubre · Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria

We explored the association between aerobic capacity (AC) and the skeletal muscle proteome of McArdle (n = 10) and wild‐type (n = 8) mice, as models of intrinsically ‘low’ and ‘normal’ AC, respectively. AC was determined as total distance achieved in treadmill running until exhaustion. The quadriceps muscle proteome was studied using liquid chromat...

INTRODUCTION: Supervised center-based exercise programs have proven beneficial for enhancing physical function in older adults (Gómez-Redondo et al., 2024). Unsupervised home-based exercise programs may be a more feasible option than supervised ones, although their effectiveness is usually limited by issues such as lack of adherence/motivation (Mañ...

Objectives The effects of acute physical exercise in patients with resistant hypertension remain largely unexplored compared with hypertensive patients in general. We assessed the short-term effects of acute moderate-intensity (MICE) and high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) on the clinic (BP) and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) of patients...

CONTEXT Mixed evidence exists on whether physical exercise interventions influence intelligence measures in children and adolescents. OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of exercise interventions on intelligence in children and adolescents. DATA SOURCES Relevant articles were identified in PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Scopus (until Februar...

Background: Preexercise caffeine intake has proven to exert ergogenic effects on cycling performance. However, whether these benefits are also observed under fatigue conditions remains largely unexplored. We aimed to assess the effect of caffeine ingested during prolonged cycling on subsequent time-trial performance in trained cyclists. Methods: Th...

INTRODUCTION: Exercise seems to improve brain health in older adults. Motivational strategies may enhance cognitive outcomes (1), but their effectiveness to maximize exercise benefits remains unclear. We aimed to assess the effects of a supervised exercise program on cognitive function in older adults, and whether motivational strategies influence...

Background: Efforts are needed to improve antidoping procedures. The widespread use of power meters among cyclists could help in this regard. However, controversy exists on whether performance monitoring through power-output data could be of help for antidoping purposes. Purpose: The objective of the present study was to provide insight into the fe...

Purpose: This study compared the effects of off- and on-bike resistance training (RT) on endurance cycling performance as well as muscle strength, power and structure. Methods: Well-trained male cyclists were randomly assigned to incorporate two sessions/week of off- (full squats, n=12) or on-bike (all-out efforts performed against very high resist...

Introduction Whether cardiac impairment can be fully discarded in McArdle disease—the paradigm of ‘exercise intolerance’, caused by inherited deficiency of the skeletal muscle-specific glycogen phosphorylase isoform (‘myophosphorylase’)—remains to be determined. Methods Eight patients with McArdle disease and seven age/sex-matched controls perform...

The effects of some widely abused doping substances such as anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) on performance are well-documented, particularly in the short-term, and the use of these substances is banned by various sporting authorities, with athletes sanctioned from competing for up to 4 years. However, controversy exists on whether residual physi...

A nonsense polymorphism in the ACTN3 gene (R577X, rs1815739) results in the loss of the fast skeletal muscle fiber protein α-actinin-3 in an estimated 1.5 billion humans worldwide. Homozygosity for this common polymorphism (ACTN3 577XX) does not cause disease but is detrimental to sprint performance in elite athletes. Recently, we reported that ACT...

This study aimed to compare the acute inflammatory response following high-intensity eccentric exercise between resistance-trained young and master athletes with similar performance levels. Resistance-trained young (n=8; 22±2 years) and master (n=8; 52±4 years) male athletes of a similar performance level performed a standardized high-intensity ecc...

Purpose : To assess the effect of 2 work-matched efforts of different intensities on subsequent performance in well-trained cyclists. Methods : The present study followed a randomized controlled crossover design. Twelve competitive junior cyclists volunteered to participate (age, 17 [1] y; maximum oxygen uptake, 71.0 [4.7] mL·kg ⁻¹ ·min ⁻¹ ). The p...

INTRODUCTION: Integrating motivational strategies within exercise programs may enhance physical and well-being outcomes in older adults (1), although their actual effectiveness remains unclear. This study aimed to analyze the effect of motivational strategies during a supervised exercise program on physical and well-being outcomes in individuals ag...

Background: Together with environmental factors, intrinsic capacity (the composite of all the physical and mental capacities of an individual) has been proposed as a marker of healthy ageing. However, whether intrinsic capacity predicts major clinical outcomes is unclear. We aimed to explore the association of intrinsic capacity with functional dec...

Background Preterm birth and low birthweight (LBW) might be associated with reduced physical fitness, although evidence remains inconclusive. Objective To examine the influence of preterm birth and LBW on physical fitness, as well as to assess whether variables such as gestational age, birthweight, or age at assessment moderate these effects. Met...

We quantified and compared the mechanical force demands relative to the maximum dynamic force (MDF) of 11 cyclists when pedaling at different intensities (ventilatory threshold, maximum lactate steady state, respiratory compensation point, and maximal aerobic power), cadences (free, 40, 60 and 80 rpm), and all-out resisted sprints. Relative force d...

Background Unsupervised exercise intervention (UNSUP) appears to be a practical and beneficial strategy for older adults, although its feasibility and effectiveness compared to supervised exercise intervention (SUP) remains unknown. We aimed to compare the safety, attendance/adherence rates, and effectiveness of SUP versus UNSUP on physical functio...

Background Growing evidence supports the ergogenic effects of creatine supplementation on muscle power/strength, but its effects on endurance performance remain unclear. We assessed the effects of high-dose short-term creatine supplementation in professional cyclists during a training camp. Methods The study followed a double-blind, randomized par...

Background Growing evidence suggests that physical activity (PA) could improve cognitive performance in youths, but whether these effects occur from early childhood remains unclear. Objective To summarize evidence on the effects of PA interventions on cognitive performance in early childhood. Methods We performed a systematic search in PubMed, Sc...

Highlights •Exerkines mediate, at least partly, the salutary effects of exercise. •However, the actual responsiveness and time-course profile of most of these molecules remains unknown. •Future research should explore potential factors explaining inter-individual variability in exerkine responses.

Background: Durability (ie, the ability to attenuate the decline in performance after accumulated work) has been identified as a performance determinant in elite cyclists. The aim of the present study was to compare durability in elite cyclists of various performance levels, particularly after high-intensity work, referred to as "high-intensity dur...

We aimed to determine the feasibility, test–retest reliability and long-term stability of a novel method for assessing the force (torque)-velocity (cadence) profile and maximal dynamic force (MDF) during leg-pedaling using a friction-loaded isoinertial cycle ergometer and a high-precision power-meter device. Fifty-two trained male cyclists complete...

Background: Although supervised exercise is frequently recommended for older adults, its superiority over unsupervised exercise remains uncertain. Furthermore, whether motivational techniques could help to enhance the effectiveness of the latter remains to be elucidated. The present randomized controlled trial aims to determine the role of supervis...

We are currently facing a pandemic of physical inactivity that might contribute to the growing prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Here, we summarize currently available evidence on the association between physical activity and CKD, and also review the effects of exercise intervention in affected patients. Physical activity/exercise might a...

Importance Inpatient exercise interventions may prevent, at least partly, hospital-associated disability (HAD) in older adults, but whether they also confer clinical benefits in the months following discharge is unclear. Objective To examine the association of exercise and health education with HAD incidence in hospitalized older adults receiving...

Background: Physical behaviours (ie, physical activity and sedentary behaviour) might have a role in the development of sarcopenia, although the evidence is unclear. We aimed to explore the association of total and intensity-specific levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour with sarcopenia and its components (ie, muscle mass, muscle stre...

Introduction and objectives: This study aimed to describe the cardiovascular risk profile of working young adults from Spain and its association with lifestyle. Methods: Participants (18-30 years) were recruited from a nationwide cohort of economically active adults insured by a large occupational risk prevention company, with data obtained from...

Objective There is a growing prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), a condition associated with a higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We assessed the association between self‐reported physical activity (PA) and CKD and also studied whether PA attenuates CKD‐associated CVD risk. Methods A cohort of Spanish adults (18–64 years) participat...

Cycling Grand Tours are arguably the epitome of strenuous endurance exercise, and they have been reported to represent the ceiling of sustained energy expenditure for humans. It remains unknown, however, if an average recreational athlete could endure such an event. Through the analysis of power output (PO), we compared data from the 2023 Tour de F...

This study aimed to assess the seasonal evolution of field-based and laboratory-based performance indicators in cyclists. Thirteen Junior male road cyclists (age 17.4±0.5 years) were followed-up during a season, which was divided in three phases: early-season (involving mainly training sessions), mid-season (including the first competitions), and l...

Background This study aimed to determine the effect of different carbohydrate (CHO) doses on exercise capacity in patients with McArdle disease—the paradigm of “exercise intolerance”, characterized by complete muscle glycogen unavailability—and to determine whether higher exogenous glucose levels affect metabolic responses at the McArdle muscle cel...

Background Although supervised exercise is frequently recommended for older adults, its superiority over unsupervised exercise remains uncertain. Furthermore, whether motivational techniques could help to enhance the effectiveness of the latter remains to be elucidated. The present randomized controlled trial aims to determine the role of supervisi...

Introduction: The aim of the present study is to describe the multicomponent training programs implemented in the PRO-Training trial, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating the safety, adherence, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of different training programs for improving physical and mental health in older adults (Trial NCT05619250). T...

Regular physical activity is associated with lower cancer incidence and mortality, as well as with a lower rate of tumour recurrence. The epidemiological evidence is supported by preclinical studies in animal models showing that regular exercise delays the progression of cancer, including highly aggressive malignancies. Although the mechanisms unde...

Purpose: Laboratory-based indicators are commonly used for performance assessment in young cyclists. However, evidence supporting the use of these indicators mostly comes from cross-sectional research, and their validity as predictors of potential future performance remains unclear. We aimed to assess the role of laboratory variables for predictin...

Purpose: The record power profile (RPP) has gained popularity as a method of monitoring endurance cycling performance. However, the expected variation of cyclists' performance between seasons remains unknown. We aimed to assess the between-seasons variability of peak performance (assessed through the RPP) in male professional cyclists. Methods:...

Aims To assess whether overweight and obesity are independently associated with cardiometabolic health (as categorized based on the presence/absence of cardiovascular disease [CVD] risk factors [diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, or hypertension]), and the role of lifestyle on this association. Methods A nationwide cohort of Spanish adults (18-64 yea...

Purpose: Concerns exist on whether athletes--particularly older ones--are at an increased risk of pathological aortic dilation, and the prevalence of aortic calcifications in these individuals is unknown. We aimed to compare the dimensions, distensibility and prevalence of calcifications in the thoracic aorta between former male professional cycli...

The combination of both a healthy lifestyle and avoiding detrimental environmental exposures could be an important public health strategy as a companion measure to develop effective vaccines and medications for the prophylaxis and treatment of future pandemics. A comprehensive paradigm that considers the effects of different endogenous and environm...

Background Surgery and treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC) in the elderly patient increase the risk of developing post-operative complications, losing functional independence, and worsening health-related quality of life (HRQoL). There is a lack of high-quality randomized controlled trials evaluating the potential benefit of exercise as a counter...

Background: Advances in cancer treatments, particularly the development of radiation therapy, have led to improvements in survival outcomes in children with brain tumors. However, radiation therapy is associated with significant long-term neurocognitive morbidity. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the neurocognitive...

Background: Physical exercise is effective at attenuating ageing-related physical decline in general, but evidence of its benefits for older adults in residential care, who often have functional dependency, multimorbidity, and polypharmacy, is inconclusive. We aimed to establish the effects of exercise interventions on the physical function of thi...

Evidence suggests that preterm birth is associated with an impaired physical fitness later in life, but whether these effects are already visible since early childhood remains unknown. We aimed to compare the physical fitness of preterm preschoolers with that of children born at term. Children aged three to six years and born preterm (<35 weeks) we...

Different laboratory-based variables are individually associated with cycling performance, but scarce evidence exists on which of them, when all assessed in combination, could best explain cycling performance. The present study aimed to examine the combined association between laboratory-based endurance, strength/ power and body composition indicat...

There is a pandemic of physical inactivity that appears to parallel the widespread prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Yet, regular physical activity (PA) and exercise can play an important role not only in primary cardiovascular prevention but also in secondary prevention. This review discusses some of the main cardiovascular effects of PA...

Background. Engaging in physical activity (PA) has been associated with lower sarcopenia rates, whereas the role of sedentary behavior (SB) as a sarcopenia modulator has been scarcely investigated. The recent incorporation of objective physical behaviors monitoring allows a better characterization of the exposure and might contribute to a better un...

The prevalence of obesity has reached pandemic proportions, and now approximately 25% of adults in Westernized countries have obesity. Recognized as a major health concern, obesity is associated with multiple comorbidities, particularly cardiometabolic disorders. In this Review, we present obesity as an evolutionarily novel condition, summarize the...

Background: Sarcopenia is defined by the progressive and generalized loss of muscle mass and function associated with aging. We have previously proposed that aging-related hyperphosphataemia is linked with the appearance of sarcopenia signs. Because there are not effective treatments to prevent sarcopenia, except for resistance exercise, we propos...

Background: Children and adolescents with disabilities engage in low levels of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA), which may create the onset of a sedentary lifestyle. In light of this, MVPA levels must be quantified with a valid tool such as accelerometry. This study aimed to: (i) analyze the accuracy of Evenson cut-points by...

The important role of nutrition on both health and sports performance, and particularly its joint association with physical exercise, is becoming increasingly clear in recent years [...]

Background: The effects of pre-sleep protein supplementation on endurance athletes remain unclear, particularly whether its poten- tial benefits are due to the timing of protein intake or solely to an increased total protein intake. We assessed the effects of pre-sleep protein supplementation in professional cyclists during a training camp accounti...

Muriel, X, Hernández-Belmonte, A, Mateo-March, M, Valenzuela, PL, Zabala, M, Barranco-Gil, D, Lucia, A, and Pallares, JG. Is the record power profile repeatable? A practical analysis and interpretation in professional cyclists. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2022-This study assessed the repeatability of the Record Power Profile (RPP, i.e., the...

Simple Summary The growing prevalence of breast cancer, together with the progress in updating tumor hallmarks, increases the need to develop and investigate the molecular pathways that influence the progression of the disease. It is known that lifestyle greatly influences the disease onset and prognosis, but no research has yet been carried out th...

Background: Exercise might exert anti-tumoral effects in adult cancers but this question remains open in pediatric tumors, which frequently show a different biology compared to adult malignancies. We studied the effects of an exercise intervention on physical function, immune variables and tumoral response in a preclinical model of a highly aggres...

INTRODUCTION: Although it has previously been shown that unsupervised home-based (UHB) exercise training can provide health benefits for reducing the detrimental effects of aging (1), we still do not know how effective an UHB exercise program can be compared to one that is supervised. Thus, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to...

Purpose: To assess durability in professional cyclists, as well as potential associated indicators. Methods: Twelve male professional cyclists participated in the study (age: 26 [5] y, VO2max: 83.0 [3.6] mL·kg-1·min-1). They performed a 20-minute time trial (TT) on 2 different sessions separated by a 48-hour period: (1) with no previous fatigue...

Purpose: No information is available on the torque/cadence relationship in road cyclists. We aimed to establish whether this relationship differs between cyclists of different performance levels or team roles. Methods: Mean maximal power (MMP) output data from 177 riders were obtained from 2012 to 2021 from training and competitions. Cyclists we...

Objectives: School-based physical activity (PA) interventions have proven beneficial for improving cognitive performance and overall academic achievement, but their benefits on language skills remain unclear. We aimed to assess the effects of school-based PA interventions on language skills in children and adolescents. Design: Systematic review wit...

Carbohydrate availability affects fat metabolism during exercise; however, the effects of complete muscle glycogen unavailability on maximal fat oxidation (MFO) rate remain unknown. Our purpose was to examine the MFO rate in patients with McArdle disease, comprising an inherited condition caused by complete blockade of muscle glycogen metabolism, c...

Strong evidence supports physical activity and fitness levels being positively associated with cognitive performance and overall academic performance in youth. This also applies to sports participation. However, whether participation in sports at the elite level is associated with greater academic performance remains unknown. Thus, the present stud...

Introduction During the last decade, physical activity (PA) (or “exercise”) has been identified as one of the main modifiable factors that influence the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathophysiology. We performed an umbrella review to summarize the evidence on the association between PA/exercise and the risk of developing AD risk, and the...

Background McArdle disease is caused by myophosphorylase deficiency and results in complete inability for muscle glycogen breakdown. A hallmark of this condition is muscle oxidation impairment (e.g., low peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak)), a phenomenon traditionally attributed to reduced glycolytic flux and Krebs cycle anaplerosis. Here we hypothesized...

Objective To investigate the influence of road gradient on cycling power output in male professional cyclists, and to determine whether cyclist typology (i.e., flat or climbing specialist, respectively) moderates this influence. Design Observational study. Methods Ninety-eight professional cyclists (27 ± 6 years) were included in the analyses, of...

Purpose: To compare the prevalence of myocardial fibrosis and coronary calcification in individuals who have performed very high levels of strenuous endurance exercise (SEE) (former male professional cyclists) and sex/age-matched controls. Methods: We used a cross-sectional (case-control) observational design, where cases were former finishers of...

Background There is debate about the magnitude of geometrical remodeling [i.e., left ventricle (LV) cavity enlargement vs. wall thickening] in the heart of elite athletes, and no limits of normality have been yet established for different sports. We aimed to determine sex- and sport-specific normative values of LV dimensions in elite white adult at...