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Background: Determine whether true exercise-associated interindividual response differences (IIRD) occur in cardiorespiratory fitness as a result of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation in heart transplant patients. Methods: Using data from a recent (2023) meta-analysis of 9 randomized controlled trials representing 296 patients (163 exercise, 133 control), an aggregate data meta-analysis of treatment effects (change outcome differences between exercise and control groups) was conducted as well as an IIRD meta-analysis using the inverse variance heterogeneity model. The primary outcome was cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) in ml/kg/min. Results: Statistically significant and clinically important increases equivalent to 14.5% were observed for VO2max in ml/kg/min (X̅, 3.0, 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.4-3.7 ml/kg/min, p

Background and Hypothesis: There is increasing concern about the role sport specialization might play in the increasing injury rates observed among youth baseball pitchers. However, existing research on specialization in baseball has focused on high school and professional baseball populations. We hypothesized that pitchers who were highly specialized, reported pitching more than eight months in the past year, received private coaching, or pitched with pain or fatigue in the previous year would report worse throwing-arm health. Methods: One-hundred eighty-four Little League pitchers (boys N = 181, age 9.8 ± 1.6 years old) between 7 and 12 years of age completed an anonymous, online questionnaire with their parents’ assistance. The questionnaire consisted of participant demographics, sport specialization status, months of pitching per year, whether they traveled regularly to participate in showcases, if they received private coaching, whether they pitched with elbow or shoulder pain, whether they pitched with fatigue, and the Youth Throwing Score (YTS), a valid and reliable patient-reported outcome measure for youth baseball players. The associations between variables of interest and YTS were examined using multivariable linear regression, adjusting for covariates. Results: Sport specialization, pitching year-round, and receiving private coaching were not associated with the YTS (P > .05). Pitching with pain in the previous year was associated with a worse YTS score than pitching without pain (least square mean [standard error]: 49.6 [1.8] vs. 57.8 [1.1], P < .001). Similarly, pitching with fatigue in the previous year was associated with worse YTS scores (least square mean [standard error]: 52.1 [1.4] vs. 55.3 [1.3], P = .01). Pitchers who reported traveling regularly for showcases scored worse on the YTS compared with those who did not travel regularly for showcase events (least square mean [standard error]: 51.0 [2.0] vs. 56.4 [0.9], P = .01). Conclusions: Pitching with pain or fatigue was associated with worse throwing-arm health in Little League baseball pitchers. While traveling at least once a month to participate in showcases was also associated with worse throwing-arm health, specialization and private coaching were not related to worse throwing health. Clinicians working with pediatric patient populations should be aware that while the factors examined in this article were reported relatively infrequently, screening for Little League pitchers who participate in showcases or pitch with pain or fatigue may be an effective strategy for identifying these individuals who are at higher risk of injury.

Heart failure is a primary health concern in North and South America, with hospitalizations for heart failure as the primary diagnosis continuing to rise. There is a positive relationship between the prevalence of heart failure and age. However, mortality from heart failure is on the decline due to medical advancements, pharmacotherapy and nonpharmacological interventions. One of these nonpharmacological interventions is physical training or exercise. Physical training or exercise is becoming widely accepted by the medical community as a viable option in the medical management of stable heart failure patients. Both aerobic and resistance type exercise have been shown to be efficacious in stable heart failure patients. Evidence now exists not only supporting exercise to improve or maintain physical function in heart failure patients, but also quality of life. Many studies have shown that utilizing exercise in this population improves mood and overall self-reported well being. While the myocardial benefits from exercise may be minimal in heart failure patients, the peripheral benefits leading to improved physical function and preservation of independence are indispensible. Based on the research that has been conducted in the area of exercise and heart failure to this point, clinicians working with this population have the data necessary to prescribe evidence-based exercise prescriptions that can be utilized as part of a comprehensive medical management approach. Currently, several medical position statements endorse exercise as a safe and effective modality in heart failure patients.

La insuficiencia cardíaca constituye una prioridad esencial en el ámbito de la salud, tanto en Norteamérica como en Sud-américa, donde incluso se llega a las hospitalizaciones cuando el diagnóstico principal presenta condiciones graves. Hay una relación directamente proporcional entre prevalencia de insuficiencia cardíaca y edad. Sin embargo, la mortalidad por insuficiencia cardíaca está en declinación debido a los avances médicos, administración de medicamentos, e intervenciones no farmacológicas. Una de estas intervenciones es, el entrenamiento físico o el ejercicio, los cuales están siendo ampliamente aceptados por la comunidad médica como una opción viable en el manejo médico de pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca permanente. Tanto los ejercicios aeróbicos como de fuerza han demostrado ser eficaces en este tipo de pacientes. Actualmente la evidencia no sólo respalda el ejercicio para mejorar o mantener la función física en pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca, sino también la calidad de vida en general. Muchos estudios han demostrado que el ejercicio en la población mejora el carácter de las personas y el bienestar general reconocido por ellas mismas. Aunque los beneficios al miocardio producidos por el ejercicio pueden ser mínimos en pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca, los beneficios periféricos que dan como resultado una mejor capacidad física y la conservación de la independencia son muy significativos. Basados en la evidencia científica existente en el ámbito del ejercicio y la insuficiencia cardíaca, los médicos que trabajan con esta población tienen la información necesaria para recomendar prescripciones de ejercicios. Actualmente, diversas declaraciones de puntos de vista médicos confirman el ejercicio como una modalidad segura y efectiva para pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca.