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OBJECTIVE: Myocardial infarction is the irreversible cell death of cardiac muscle that takes place after the blood flow is cut off to a specific region of the heart muscle. The molecular angiogenesis process that may follow after the incidence, due to any activity or its intensity, is unknown. The purpose of this research was to examine some of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) responses to an acute course of endurance exercise and electrical stimulation in induced myocardial infarcted Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental case-control study, 40 induced myocardial infarcted Wistar rats (8-week-old, mean weight 130±30 g) were randomly assigned into 4 conditions: endurance exercise, exercise + electrical stimulation, only electrical stimulation, and control group. The infarction was induced 24 hours after the subcutaneous injection of 150 mg/kg of Isoproterenol. The exercise and exercise plus electrical stimulation groups performed a session of endurance exercise on an animal treadmill, at 20 m/min for one hour. The electrical stimulation was delivered by foot shock, set with the intensities of 0.5 mA for 20 minutes. Immediately after the cessation of the treatment protocol, MMP1, MMP2, and MMP9 were measured by the ELISA method. Data analysis was performed by using Two-way ANOVA and significance was set at a = 0.05. RESULTS: One session of endurance exercise or electric stimulation, or their combination, had no significant effect on the level of MMPs. CONCLUSIONS: One session of acute endurance exercise, stimulation, or their combination, elicited no significant effect on the level of MMPs of artificially induced myocardial infarcted Wistar rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of time-of-day on oxidative stress, cardiovascular parameters, muscle damage parameters, and hormonal responses following the level-1 Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (YYIRT). A total of 11 healthy subjects performed an intermittent test (YYIRT) at two times-of-day (i.e., 07:00 h and 17:00 h), with a recovery period of ≥36 h in-between, in a randomized order. Blood samples were taken at the rest (baseline) and immediately (post-YYIRT) after the YYIRT for measuring oxidative stress, biochemical markers, and hormonal response. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way and two-way repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni test at p < 0.05. Observed power (α = 0.05) and partial eta-squared were used. Our results showed that oxygen uptake (VO2max), maximal aerobic speed, and the total distance covered tended to be higher in the evening (17:00 h). There was also a main effect of time-of-day for cortisol and testosterone concentration, which were higher after the YYIRT in the morning (p < 0.05). The heart rate peak and the rating of perceived exertion scales were lower in the morning (p < 0.05). However, the plasma glucose (p < 0.01), malondialdehyde, creatine kinase (p < 0.01), lactate dehydrogenase (p < 0.05), high-density lipoprotein (p < 0.01), total cholesterol (p < 0.01), and triglycerides (p < 0.05) were higher after the YYIRT in the evening. Low-density lipoprotein, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and lactate levels (p > 0.05) were similar for the morning and evening test. In conclusion, our findings suggest that aerobic performance presents diurnal variation with great result observed in the evening accompanied by an improvement of hormonal, metabolic, and oxidative responses. These data may help to guide athletes and coaches and contribute to public health recommendations on exercise and muscle damage particularly in the competitive periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to assess the effect of strength and power training on throwing velocity and muscle strength in handball players according to their playing positions. Twenty-two male handball players were assigned to either an experimental group (n=11) or a control group (n=11) (age: 22.1 ± 3.0 years). They were asked to complete (i) the ball throwing velocity test and (ii) the one-repetition maximum (1-RM) tests for the half-back squat, the pull-over, the bench press, the developed neck, and the print exercises before and after 12 weeks of maximal power training. The training was designed to improve strength and power with an intensity of 85-95% of the 1RM. In addition to their usual routine handball training sessions, participants performed two sessions per week. During each session, they performed 3-5 sets of 3-8 repetitions with 3 min of rest in between. Then, they performed specific shots (i.e., 12 to 40). Ball-throwing velocity (p<0.001) was higher after the training period in rear line players (RL). The training programme resulted in an improvement of 1RM bench press (p<0.001), 1RM developed neck (p<0.001) and 1RM print (p<0.001) in both front line (FL) and RL. The control group showed a significant improvement only in ball-throwing velocity (p<0.01) and 1RM bench press (p<0.01) in RL. A significantly greater improvement was found in ball-throwing velocity (p<0.001), 1RM bench press (p<0.001), and 1RM half-back squat exercises in players of the central axis (CA) compared to the lateral axis (LA) (p<0.01). The power training programme induced significantly greater increases in ball-throwing velocity and muscle strength in FL than RL and in CA than LA axis players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Judo is a weight-classified combat sport, and many athletes seek to compete at the lightest possible weight category to gain an advantage from competing against shorter/smaller, and supposedly weaker opponents. To achieve a desired weight, most judokas opt for rapid weight loss techniques. Short-duration maximal efforts are not greatly affected by "making weight", but prolonged and/or repeated exercise is significantly impaired. Negative effects on mood, ratings of perceived exertion, and cognitive function are also reported. Moreover, rapid weight loss reduces maximal cardiac output and glycogen stores, and impairs thermo-regulation. Limited empirical data suggest that Ramadan reduces judokas' performance, and this is likely to be exacerbated by attempts at rapid weight loss. Weight reduction during Ramadan tends to be counterproductive, and judokas who aim for a lower weight category are advised to attempt any desired reduction of body mass during the weeks leading up to Ramadan, rather than during the holy month. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, it’s well established that aging is associated with various health problems that may interfere with the maintenance of a good nutritional status. Otherwise, pomegranate (POM) was shown to prevent or treat various disease risk factors in adults. However, its efficacy is still not well widespread in elderly population. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to investigate the effect of natural pomegranate juice (POMj) rich in polyphenols on the blood levels of selected biochemical parameters using older adults. Twelve active healthy aged men (age: 60 ± 5 years) volunteered to participate in this randomized study. Before and after the supplementation period fasting blood samples were collected, heart rate (HR) and systolic arterial pressure (SAP) were recorded. Supplements of placebo (PLA) or POMj were taken twice daily (250 ml × 2) for 15 days. Paired simple t-test showed a significant difference between PLA and POMj supplementation effects on systolic blood pressure (SAP), creatinine (CRE), hematological and muscle damage parameters and C-reactive protein (CRP) (p

This study examined the effect of acute acetaminophen (ACTP) ingestion on physical performance during the 5 m shuttle run test (5mSRT), attention, mood states, and the perception of perceived exertion (RPE), pain (PP), recovery (PRS), and delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) in well-trained female athletes. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial, fifteen well-trained female athletes (age 21 ± 2 years, height 165 ± 6 cm, body mass 62 ± 5 kg) swallowed either 1.5 g of ACTP or 1.5 g of placebo. The profile of mood states (POMS) and digit cancellation (DCT) were assessed 45 min postingestion, and 5mSRT was performed 60 min postingestion. The RPE and PP were determined immediately after each 30-s repetition of the 5mSRT, and the PRS and DOMS were recorded at 5 min and 24 h post-5mSRT. For the 5mSRT, ACTP ingestion improved the greatest distance (+ 10.88%, p < 0.001), total distance (+ 11.33%, p = 0.0007) and fatigue index (+ 21.43%, p = 0.0003) compared to PLA. Likewise, the DCT score was better on the ACTP (p = 0.0007) than on the PLA. RPE, PP, PRS, and DOMS scores were improved after ACTP ingestion (p < 0.01 for all comparisons) compared to PLA. POMS scores were enhanced with ACTP ingestion compared to PLA (p < 0.01). In conclusion, this study indicates that acute acetaminophen ingestion can improve repeated high intensity short-term maximal performance, attention, mood states, and perceptions of exertion, pain, recovery, and muscle soreness in well-trained female athletes, suggesting potential benefits for their overall athletic performance and mood state., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: The present study investigated the effect of time of day (08h00 vs. 11h00 vs. 14h00 vs. 17h00) and sex (girls vs. boys) on physical (i.e., five jump test (5JT), push-ball test and 5 m shuttle run test (5mSRT)), cognitive (i.e., attention) and mental (i.e., mental flexibility) performances., Methods: Thirty schoolchildren, equally divided in girls (n = 15; age: 9.60 ± 0.51 years) and boys (n = 15; age: 9.40 ± 0.51 years) performed the digit cancellation test, the trail making test, the 5JT, the 2 kg push-ball test and the 5mSRT in a counterbalanced and cross over study design at 08h00, 11h00, 14h00 and 17h00 with 48 h of rest in between. Additionally, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was determined after each repetition of the 5mSRT and the average of the score (i.e., sum of RPE scores divided by 6) was determined., Results: Results showed that RPE at the end of the test was significantly higher at 11h00 compared to 08h00 (p = 0.02) and 14h00 (p = 0.001) and average RPE was higher at 11h00 compared to 08h00 (p = 0.001). Likewise, attention was significantly higher at 08h00 compared to 17h00 (p = 0.001) before and after the 5mSRT test only in girls. However, 5JT performance was significantly lower at 17h00, both in girls and boys, compared to at 08h00 (p = 0.02 and p = 0.001 respectively), 11h00 (p = 0.004 and p = 0.001 respectively) and 14h00 (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001 respectively). However, push-ball (p = 0.086) and 5mSRT performances [best distance (p = 0.173), total distance (p = 0.306), mean distance (p = 0.29), fatigue index (p = 0.06)] were time of day independent. Mental flexibility was significantly higher at 08h00, 11h00 and 14h00 compared to 17h00 (p = 0.001)., Conclusion: Mental flexibility, attention and jump performances were time of day dependent and push-ball test and 5mSRT performances did not change according to the time of day. Also, no clear sex effect was found on the diurnal variation of mental, cognitive and physical performances., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Our aim in the present study was to examine the effect of listening to self-selected music during soccer warm-ups in morning and afternoon sessions on repeated-sprint performances of elite soccer players. Twenty elite academy male soccer players performed a repeated-sprint ability (RSA) test in the morning (i.e., 07:00 hours) and in the afternoon (i.e., 17:00 hours), with or without listening to music during the warm-up period. The RSA test consisted of six 40-meter sprints with 180° direction changes interspersed with a 20-second passive recovery period. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were obtained at the end of the warm-up period and immediately after the RSA test. Results showed that listening to music during warming-up had no significant effect on these selected performance measures (i.e., mean sprint time, best sprint time, RSA decrement), regardless of whether performances were in the morning or the afternoon. Moreover, players reported higher post-warm-up RPE scores in the music listening condition than in the no-music listening condition, only in the afternoon session. Furthermore, RPE scores measured after the RSA test were higher in the no-music listening condition compared to the music listening condition, only in the morning session. Thus, the use of music during warming-up in elite soccer players appears to be an individual athlete's choice but not a reliable means of enhancing performance., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Objective: To examine the relationships between Ramadan fasting observance (RFO) and sleep-wake patterns, daytime sleepiness, and insomnia levels in student-athletes., Methods: Sleep was measured using wrist-actigraphy in 25 semi-professional student-athletes (mean ± SD; age = 22 ± 2 years, height = 182.0 ± 5.8 cm, body mass = 81.3 ± 15.2 kg) during seven nights before RFO (academic study period), during the first half of RFO (14 nights, holiday period), and the second half of RFO (14 nights, academic study period). Additionally, participants completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaires seven days before RFO and on the last day of RFO., Results: Actigraphy results indicated RFO was associated with significant decreases in sleep duration during the second half of RFO vs. before and during the first half of RFO (p < 0.001). However, the first half of RFO was associated with a delay of ⁓ 2.5 h in sleep onset compared to before RFO; this delay persisted during the second half of RFO (p < 0.001). The total PSQI score before RFO (6.6 ± 2.3 AU) and during RFO (8.2 ± 2.3 AU) suggested poor overall sleep quality. ISI and ESS scores were greater during than before RFO (p = 0.002 and p = 0.041, respectively)., Conclusions: The second half of RFO was associated with decreases in objectively assessed sleep duration among student-athletes. RFO was also associated with impaired sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, and increased insomnia symptoms. Personalized interventions to address sleep-related issues in student-athletes during RFO are warranted., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Exogenous melatonin has been proven to have beneficial effects on sleep. A good sleep quality promotes recovery and improves physical performance. In this sense, the present study aimed to explore the potential effect of nocturnal melatonin ingestion on psycho-cognitive and short-term maximal performances, in the following morning. Method: Twelve professional soccer players (22.9 ± 1.3 years, 1.80 ± 0.05 m, and 72.0 ± 8.8 kg) volunteered to perform two separate testing sessions after either nocturnal melatonin or placebo ingestion. The next morning, participants performed the following psycho-cognitive and physical tests: Hooper's index, reaction time, vigilance, handgrip strength (HG), squat jump (SJ), modified agility T-test (MAT) and Wingate anaerobic test (WanT). Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and blood lactate [La] were recorded, respectively, immediately and 3 min after the WanT. Blood glucose [GL] was measured before and 3 min after WanT. Results: Compared with placebo, melatonin improved subjective sleep quality, short-term maximal performances (HG and SJ), reaction-time, as well as peak and mean WanT powers and decreased fatigue index and RPE scores. However, [La] and [GL] were not affected by melatonin ingestion. Conclusion: Nocturnal melatonin intake before sleep has beneficial effects on cognitive and physical performances the following day.

Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to systematically examine and summarize recent evidence on the effects of soccer-based training (SBT) on anthropometric measures in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity., Methods: Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis 2020 guidelines, a thorough literature search across 7 electronic databases was conducted on October 11, 2023. The studies' methodological quality was evaluated using the QualSyst tool, followed by conducting a meta-analysis with a random-effects model, and the certainty of evidence was assessed., Results: Six studies were included, with 4 studies of strong methodological quality and 2 studies of moderate methodological quality. The results of the meta-analysis revealed SBT decreases fat mass percentage (effect size [ES] = 0.47 [small]; P = .002), with no significant effect of SBT on body mass index (ES = 0.180 [small]; P = .275), body mass (ES = 0.183 [trivial]; P = .212), fat-free mass (ES = 0.074 [trivial]; P = .635), or waist circumference (ES = 0.358 [small]; P = .053). The certainty of evidence was moderate for all outcomes., Conclusions: SBT appears to decrease fat mass percentage, without affecting body mass, body mass index, fat-free mass, or waist circumference in obese/overweight children and adolescents. These findings require further investigation given the moderate certainty of evidence., Registration: The protocol of this review was registered in the Open Science Framework database (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/8P4V2).

Background: In sports science, optimizing athletic performance is pursued through an emerging approach that combined light-loaded squat (LLS) training and plyometric jump training (PJT), targeting strength, power, and neuromuscular adaptations, particularly beneficial for the dynamic demands of youth soccer. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a combined LLS training and PJT program on athletic performance and balance in youth soccer players., Methods: Thirty-two male players were randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group (EG: N.=16; age: 18.56±0.51 years; body mass: 66.87±4.99 kg; height: 1.78±0.07 m) and a control group (CG: N.=16; age: 18.68±0.47 years; body mass: 67.93±4.58 kg; height: 1.77±0.07 m) from the same U19 team of a professional club voluntarily participated in the study. Squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), horizontal jump (HJ), drop jump (DJ), 30 m sprint (30 mS), change of direction ability (4×5 m sprint test [S 4×5 m]) and static balance (the stork balance) performance tests were carried out in the week before and the week after the 8 weeks with combined LLS and PJT period. The two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for all tests., Results: The results of this study show that the EG had significantly greater improvements than the CG in all tests (all P<0.001). Also, EG experienced higher performance between preintervention and post intervention measures (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the 4×5mS performance (P>0.05)., Conclusions: We conclude that coaches may be advised to use the combined LLS and PJT since it is as effective as traditional methods and perfect for sports and activities requiring fast, explosive movements during the in-season period than regular training.

Patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) display many cognitive and physiological alterations resulting from renal failure and physical inactivity. Caffeine intake has been reported to improve cognitive/physical performance in several studies. However, whether the benefits of caffeine intake apply to patients with ESRD remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of caffeine intake on postural balance, cognitive function and functional capacity in patients with ESRD. In a randomized order, 12 patients with ESRD (age: 33.85 ± 8.57 years; Female: 45.5%) performed a battery of tests after either caffeine (CF) (400 mg) or placebo (PLA) ingestion. Postural balance was evaluated using a stabilometric platform. Functional capacity was assessed with the sit-to-stand and up-and-go tests, and for cognitive performances, reaction time test and a vigilance test were used. Results showed a significant improvement in up-and-go test ( p = 0.01) and sit-to-stand test performances with CF compared to PLA ( p < 0.01). Time of reaction test and vigilance test ( p < 0.01) performances were significantly higher with CF. No significant difference was observed in postural balance between CF and PLA. The results of this study suggest that acute caffeine ingestion positively enhances cognitive function and functional capacity in patients with ESRD.

While previous studies have explored a range of factors governing the optimal use of caffeine (CAF) in athletes, limited research has explored how time of day (TOD) affects the ergogenic effects of various CAF dosages on physical performance. This study aimed to increase knowledge about how different recommended CAF doses (3 mg/kg vs. 6 mg/kg) ingested at different TODs affected maximal high-intensity physical performance and the perception of potential side effects in female athletes. In this double-blind, randomized, and counterbalanced study, 15 low CAF consumer athletes (aged 18.3 ± 0.5 y) underwent six trials, including three testing conditions assessed across two TODs: one in the morning (08:00 a.m.) and one in the evening (06:00 p.m.). During each condition, the participants ingested either a placebo, 3 mg/kg CAF (CAF (3 mg)), or 6 mg/kg CAF (CAF (6 mg)) capsules 60 min before each test with an in-between washout period of at least 72 h. In each trial, the participants performed a countermovement jumps test (CMJ), a modified agility t test (MATT), a repeated sprint ability (RSA), a rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and finally, a CAF side effects questionnaire. Our findings indicate the absence of an ergogenic effect on CMJ, MAT, and RSA performance in the evening after administering CAF (3 mg) or CAF (6 mg) compared to a placebo. Likewise, when CAF was ingested in the morning, there was an improvement in these performances with both CAF (3 mg) and CAF (6 mg), with greater improvement observed after CAF (6 mg). Additionally, neither the CAF dosage nor the TOD had a significant effect on the RPE. The occurrence of side effects increased significantly after the evening ingestion of CAF, particularly with a moderate dose of CAF (6 mg). Our findings indicate that the effectiveness of CAF depends on the TOD and CAF dosage. When ingested in the morning, a moderate dose of CAF (6 mg), rather than CAF (3 mg), is more effective in improving short-term physical performance without affecting CAF side effects in female athletes. Nevertheless, when ingested in the evening, neither dose was sufficient to enhance short-term physical performance, and both dosages increased the incidence of CAF side effects, particularly at a moderate dose.

The increasing prevalence of age-related cognitive decline, alongside the aging global population, underscores the urgent need for innovative and effective preventative strategies. While the advantages of combining physical and cognitive exercises have been recognized as a promising approach to address these socioeconomic challenges, the acute effects of such interventions on cognitive functions remain understudied. This study aimed to investigate whether simultaneous physical and cognitive exercise has a greater beneficial impact on the cognitive functions of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) than physical exercise alone or reading activities. A total of 44 MCI patients (75% females aged between 65 and 75 years) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: aerobic exercise alone (EG group, n = 15), aerobic combined with cognitive exercises (CEG group, n = 15), or a reading task for controls (CG group, n = 14). Attention, memory, and problem solving were assessed before and after the acute intervention using the Tower of Hanoi, Digit Span, and Stroop tasks, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed that both of the experimental interventions appeared to enhance cognitive function scores ( p < 0.05), except for the number of moves in the Tower of Hanoi task, where no improvement was noted. In contrast, no significant differences in any cognitive performance measures were observed following the reading session. Notably, the CEG group exhibited a more pronounced positive impact, especially on working memory. This advantage was specifically evident in the digit span tasks, where significantly greater percentage gains were found in the CEG than in the CG ( p = 0.02), while no significant difference existed between the EG and CG. Simultaneous combined exercise has proven to be a more effective method than aerobic physical exercise alone for improving cognitive function. The results of this study are recommended for inclusion in clinical practice guidelines to maintain the mental health of older adults, as simultaneous exercise seems to offer a time-efficient strategy to enhance cognitive performance in adults with MCI.

Purpose: The present study aimed to characterize the exercise-induced neuromuscular fatigue and its possible links with cerebral and muscular oxygen supply and utilization to provide mechanistic insights into the reduced exercise capacity characterizing patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)., Methods: Thirteen patients with ESRD and thirteen healthy males (CTR group) performed a constant-force sustained isometric contraction at 50% of their maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) until exhaustion. Quadriceps muscle activation during exercise was estimated from vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and rectus femoris EMG. Central and peripheral fatigue were quantified via changes in pre- to postexercise quadriceps voluntary activation (ΔVA) and quadriceps twitch force (ΔQ tw,pot ) evoked by supramaximal electrical stimulation, respectively. To assess cerebral and muscular oxygenation, throughout exercise, near-infrared spectroscopy allowed investigation of changes in oxyhemoglobin (∆O 2 Hb), deoxyhemoglobin (∆HHb), and total hemoglobin (∆THb) in the prefrontal cortex and in the vastus lateralis muscle., Results: ESRD patients demonstrated lower exercise time to exhaustion than that of CTR (88.8 ± 15.3 s and 119.9 ± 14.6 s, respectively, P < 0.01). Following the exercise, MVC, Q tw,pot , and VA reduction were similar between the groups (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in muscle oxygenation (∆O 2 Hb) between the two groups (P > 0.05). Cerebral and muscular blood volume (∆THb) and oxygen extraction (∆HHb) were significantly blunted in the ESRD group (P < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was observed between time to exhaustion and cerebral blood volume (∆THb) in both groups (r 2  = 0.64, P < 0.01)., Conclusions: These findings support cerebral hypoperfusion as a factor contributing to the reduction in exercise capacity characterizing ESRD patients., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: The aims of this study were to compare cerebral hemodynamics and maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2peak ) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) vs. age-matched healthy controls during maximal exercise., Methods: Twelve patients with ESRD and twelve healthy adults (CTR group) performed exhaustive incremental exercise test. Throughout the exercise test, near-infrared spectroscopy allowed the investigation of changes in oxyhemoglobin (∆O 2 Hb), deoxyhemoglobin (∆HHb), and total hemoglobin (∆THb) in the prefrontal cortex., Results: Compared to CTR, VO 2peak was significantly lower in ESRD group (P < 0.05). Increase in ∆THb (i.e., cerebral blood volume) was significantly blunted in ESRD (P < 0.05). ESRD patients also had impaired changes in cerebral ∆HHb and ∆O 2 Hb during high intensity of exercise (P < 0.05). Finally, no significant correlation was observed between VO 2peak and changes in cerebral hemodynamics parameters in both groups (All P > 0.05)., Conclusion: Maximal exercise highlights subtle disorders of both hemodynamics and neuronal oxygenation in the prefrontal cortex in patients with ESRD. This may contribute to both impaired cognitive function and reduced exercise tolerance throughout the progression of the disease., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Sleep is essential for athletes' physical performance as well as their general health, well-being, and quality of life. To assess athletes' sleep behaviors, the Athlete Sleep Behavior Questionnaire (ASBQ) was developed in the English language. However, a validated Arabic-version of the ASBQ is lacking. This study aimed to translate the ASBQ into Arabic (ASBQ-AR) and evaluate its reliability and validity among Arabic-speaking athletes. A total of 458 participants (254 athletes, 202 non-athletes) from four Arabic countries completed the ASBQ-AR and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) questionnaires. The psychometric properties of the ASBQ-AR were examined using unidimensional reliability analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Item Response Theory (IRT), and convergent validity. The ASBQ-AR had acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.723, McDonald's ω = 0.725) and a factorial structure, confirming its construct validity. CFA demonstrated improved model fit indices after the removal of two potentially misfitting items (items 4 and 13); however, the model's fit to the data remains suboptimal. IRT results indicated that the majority of items demonstrated a good model fit, suggesting effective measurement of the intended construct without significant interference, except for ASBQ-AR 4. Additionally, ASBQ-AR 4 appears to present the highest level of difficulty for respondents. In terms of convergent validity, the mean ASBQ-AR global score was correlated with the mean ISI global score (r = 0.5, p < 0.0001). The ASBQ-AR is a reliable and valid tool for assessing maladaptive sleep practices among Arabic-speaking athletes. Additional refinements to the ASBQ-AR are warranted to optimize its psychometric properties., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

To assess the effects of warm-up music and low dose (3 mg·kg -1 ) of caffeine (CAF) on female taekwondo athlete's activity profile and psychophysiological responses during simulated combat. In a double-blinded, randomized, crossover study, 16 female athletes participated in simulated combats under one control and 5 experimental conditions [i.e., CAF alone (CAF), placebo alone (PL), CAF with music (CAF + M), PL with music (PL + M), and no supplement with music (M)]. After warming-up, athletes rated their felt arousal (FAS). Mean (HR mean ) and peak (HR peak ) heart rate values were determined for each combat. After fighting, athletes rated their perceived exertion (RPE), feeling scale (FS), FAS, and physical enjoyment (PACES). Time-motion and technical-tactical variables were analyzed. CAF + M induced shorter skip and pause time, while attack time increased compared to other conditions (p < 0.05). Moreover, CAF + M increased single attacks, combined attacks, counter-attacks (p < 0.001), and defensive actions (p < 0.05) than other conditions. HR mean and HR peak were lower under CAF + M than other conditions (p < 0.05). Additionally, higher FAS post-combat, FS, and PACES were observed under CAF + M, while RPE was lower (except CAF condition) compared to the other conditions (p < 0.05.Using CAF with warm-up music may increase combat cadence and improve the psychological state in female athletes more effectively than either strategy alone., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: The evidence supporting the effectiveness of combined interventions in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients remains inconclusive., Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the mid- and long-term effectiveness of physical training, alone or combined with cognitive games, on cognitive performance in patients with moderate AD., Methods: Seventy-nine AD patients (≈73% females, age of ≈70±1 years) were randomly divided into three groups: aerobic-based training (AT-group, n  = 27), aerobic-based training plus cognitive games (ACT-group, n  = 25), and a control group engaged in reading (CG, n  = 26), two sessions per week. Cognitive performance was evaluated at the start, 4th week (W4), end of the 8th week (W8), and after a 4-week detraining period (W12), using problem-solving (Tower-of-Hanoi), selective attention (Stroop-test), and working memory (Digit-Span-test) assessments. Stress levels and quality of life were also evaluated. Results:: Aerobic and combined training induced a positive effect on all cognitive functions tested at W4 (except problem-solving) and W8 (all p  < 0.001) with greater improvements in working-memory and problem-solving in ACT-group ( p  < 0.05). Depression levels also decreased significantly, and quality of life improved at W8 ( p  < 0.001) in both groups. After 4 weeks of detraining, the beneficial effect of AT and ACT was still observed. The CG did not show any significant improvements at all time points. Conclusions:: Physical and cognitive interventions appear effective for improving cognitive-functions, quality-of-life, and reducing depression in AD patients. Combined training emerges as a more effective strategy to mitigate AD progression. Further research is necessary to validate these results and explore their potential for preventing early cognitive decline., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflict of interest to report., (© 2024 – The authors. Published by IOS Press.)

Objective: This overview of systematic reviews (OoSRs) aimed, firstly, to systematically review, summarize, and appraise the findings of published systematic reviews with or without meta-analyses that investigate the effects of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) on post-exercise recovery of muscle damage biomarkers, muscle soreness, and muscle performance. The secondary objective was to re-analyze and standardize the results of meta-analyses using the random-effects Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman (HKSJ) method. Methods: The methodological quality of the reviews was assessed using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2.We searched on five databases ( i.e., PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, ProQuest) for systematic reviews with or without meta-analyses that investigated the effects of BCAA supplementation on the post-exercise recovery of muscle damage biomarkers, muscle soreness, and muscle performance. Results: Eleven systematic reviews (seven with meta-analyses) of individual studies were included. Evidence suggests BCAA ingestion attenuates creatine kinase (CK) levels (medium effects) and muscle soreness (small effects) immediately post-exercise and accelerates their recovery process, with trivial-to-large effects for CK levels and small-to-large effects for muscle soreness. BCAA supplementation has no effect on lactate dehydrogenase, myoglobin, and muscle performance recovery. The re-analyses with HKSJ method using the original data reported a slight change in results significance, concluding the same evidence as the original results. The major flaws found in the analyzed reviews were the absence of justification for excluding studies, and the lack of provision of sources of funding for primary studies and sources of conflict of interest and/or funding description. Conclusions: BCAA supplementation is an effective method to reduce post-exercise muscle damage biomarkers, particularly CK levels, and muscle soreness, with no effect on muscle performance. Future systematic reviews with/without meta-analyses, with greater methodological rigor, are needed.

Long-term hyperglycemia in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) can detrimentally impact pulmonary function and muscle oxygenation. As a result, these factors can impede the body's adaptation to physical exertion. We aimed to evaluate the oxygen pathway during maximal exercise among overweight/obese individuals with type 2 diabetes free from complications, in comparison with a group of matched overweight/obese individuals without diabetes, specifically concentrating on the effects on pulmonary function and muscle oxygenation. Fifteen overweight/obese adults with type 2 diabetes [glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) = 8.3 ± 1.2%] and 15 matched overweight/obese adults without diabetes underwent pre- and post exercise lung function assessment. A maximal incremental exercise test was conducted, monitoring muscle oxygenation using near-infrared spectroscopy and collecting arterial blood gas samples. Both groups exhibited normal lung volumes at rest and after exercise. Spirometric lung function did not significantly differ pre- and post exercise in either group. During maximal exercise, the type 2 diabetes group showed significantly lower augmentation in total hemoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin compared with the control group. Despite comparable usual physical activity levels and comparable heart rates at exhaustion, the type 2 diabetes group had a lower peak oxygen consumption than controls. No significant differences were found in arterial blood gas analyses ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]) between the groups. Individuals with type 2 diabetes free from complications displayed normal pulmonary function at rest and post exercise. However, impaired skeletal muscle oxygenation during exercise, resulting from reduced limb blood volume and altered muscle deoxygenation, may contribute to the lower V̇o 2peak observed in this population. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Individuals with type 2 diabetes free from micro- and macrovascular complications have normal resting pulmonary function, but their V̇o 2peak is impaired due to poor skeletal muscle oxygenation during exercise. Tailoring exercise regimes for this population should prioritize interventions aimed at enhancing muscle oxygenation and blood flow improvement.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the timing of the last meal, "Suhoor", on diurnal variation in cognitive performance during Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF). In a randomized order, 26 adolescent female athletes (aged 15.9 ± 0.9 y) were tested in three sessions at 7:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. across four different conditions: the 10 days preceding Ramadan (PR); the final 12 days of Ramadan (RO): two different conditions: Early Suhoor (S Early ), and Late Suhoor (S Late ); and, ultimately, the 10 days immediately after Ramadan (AR) with an in-between recovery period of ≥24 h. During each test session, the oral temperature (OT), simple reaction time test (SRT), choice reaction time test (CRT), attention test (ATT), and mental rotation test (MRT) were evaluated. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and daily diary intake were assessed across the three periods. Compared to PR, the sleep parameters assessed by the PSQI were significantly lower during the RO and AR periods. However, neither total dietary intake nor OT showed any changes due to RIF. Compared to PR, the afternoon performances of SRT, CRT, ATT, and MRT significantly declined under both the S Early and S Late conditions. Notably, midday performance decreased only during S Late , while morning performance remained unaffected in both conditions. Additionally, compared to S Early , these performances were better during S Late in the afternoon and at midday. In summary, nutrient intake timing had a significant effect on the diurnal fluctuations in cognitive functions during Ramadan fasting, particularly around noon and in the afternoon. Our results illustrate the benefits of a late last meal (Suhoor) in preserving optimal morning cognitive abilities and preventing any impairment during the fasted state at midday or in the afternoon, which could affect overall athletic performance., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision., (Copyright © 2024 Bougrine, Ammar, Trabelsi, Belgacem, Salem, Chtourou, Jahrami and Souissi.)