Search

Introduction: This editorial focuses on strength training, an integral part of the exercise prescription for children, adolescents and adults. While filling the complete exercise prescription of aerobic and strength components provides maximal health benefits, it is noteworthy that even performing only aerobic activities or strength training is still better than no activity. The exercise prescription should be individually tailored to every person, according to her/his preferences, physical or technical limitations, medical conditions, etc. Some prefer, or are limited to, strength training only. Such activities improve muscle strength and athletic capabilities, in children mostly via improved neuromuscular control, and in youth and adults through muscle hypertrophy as well. From a health perspective, strength training had only been associated with better cardiovascular risk profiles in youth and with reduced mortality risks in adults. Interventional studies demonstrated that such training improves cardiovascular risk and physical functioning in youth and in adults, in healthy individuals and in those with chronic health conditions. Undoubtedly, strength training is medicine.

Introduction: The cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) permits the most accurate and reproducible quantification of cardiopulmonary fitness, a grading of the etiology and severity of cardiopulmonary impairments, and an objective assessment of the response to an intervention. Moreover, over the last three decades, a large volume of research has been directed toward the utility of CPET as a diagnostic and prognostic tool; these studies have established CPET as a scientifically sound and, therefore, clinically valuable method for accurately assessing exercise limitation and prognosis in various disease states. The CPET is relatively easy to perform, yet complex in the interpretation of the results. The current review presents the principles of the analytic process of the test results, in order to obtain possible diagnoses.

Background: Taekwondo is a martial art and a combat Olympic sport. Similar to other types of combat sports, Taekwondo fights are conducted between opponents grouped by sex, age and weight classes. Disordered eating behaviors are common in combat sports with weight classes, attributed to the athletes' need to remain within a specific weight range. Pre-competition rapid weight loss (RWL) is also common, and entails a health risk., Aim: To assess the eating attitudes and the prevalence and techniques of RWL among young Taekwondo fighters., Methods: A total of 112 competitive Taekwondo fighters in national championships and regional competitions aged 12-21.5 years completed questionnaires pertaining to eating attitudes (EAT-26) and RWL techniques., Results: A total of 38% of the respondents reported precompetition RWL, with no significant between-sex difference. Common practices were training harder and eating less, but several potentially dangerous techniques were also described. Findings showed that: 70% of those reporting RWL were not assisted by another person, and the degree of RWL reached -5.5kg; 23%-40% of participants reporting RWL felt an improvement in some physical measure, yet 16% reported a decrease in subjective sport performance; 2.7% had abnormal scores on the EAT-26 questionnaire., Conclusions: There is a high rate of pre-competition RWL in young Taekwondo fighters, even in lower levels of competition. Most athletes performing RWL were unassisted, and some utilized potentially dangerous techniques. Most athletes did not feel that RWL affected their sport performance, yet a significant proportion felt decreased levels of performance. Weight-class athletes should be consulted by personnel trained in sports nutrition, in both training and competition states.

This review summarizes the existing knowledge regarding the effects and recommendations for physical training (PTr) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). In addition, perceived benefits and barriers to PTr in this population are reviewed. One of the primary aims of rehabilitation for patients with MS is to increase their levels of activity and independence. PTr is a central component in the rehabilitation process. Nonetheless, the use of PTr in the rehabilitation of patients with MS has been a controversial issue for years. Nowadays, strong evidence exists that aerobic training in individuals with MS has a positive effect on overall physical conditioning, gait speed, fatigue, depression and cognition. Unlike aerobic training, the number of studies that investigated strength training effects in this population is limited. However, the available data show that resistance training also has beneficial effects on MS patients. It is important to note, that PTr has no deleterious effects in MS patients. In the various studies, there was diversity with regard to the duration and the frequency of PTr, while intensity was often poorly described. It is recommended that individuals with MS engage in aerobic training (at 60-80% of maximal heart rate), strength training (1-3 sets of 8-15 repetitions), the range of motion, balance and ambulation exercises. Awareness of the benefits of physical activity and sense of achievement are not sufficient to promote exercise participation in persons with MS. Factors relating to physical exertion, sports facilities availability and self-efficacy play an important role in promoting exercise participation.

The management goal of cerebral palsy (CP) is improving functionality, locomotion and independence. Treatment programs commonly encompass adapted physical activity (APA). This review summarizes the knowledge regarding the effects and recommendations for APA in persons with CP. In addition, barriers to APA in this population are reviewed. The available literature on benefits of APA to persons with CP has focused mainly on youth. The components of the APA programs generally consist of strength, aerobic and flexibility training. There is no empirical evidence that strength-training increases spasticity in people with CP. Furthermore, strength-training may increase strength and the ability to perform daily activities. Aerobic-training is especially important as persons with CP typically have low cardiorespiratory fitness and high prevalence of cardiac disease. However, limited published evidence exists on aerobic-training effects in this population. Nonetheless, the evidence suggests that aerobic-training in persons with CP can improve physiological outcomes, yet the influence of these changes on participation has not been investigated sufficiently. Stretching exercise is a common treatment for spasticity. Surprisingly, there is inconclusive evidence for the effectiveness of stretching exercise for persons with CP. Despite the importance attributed to APA for people with CP, low levels of physical activity have been reported in this population. However, when caregivers perceive greater benefits of exercise, individuals with CP are more likely to be active. In contrast, barriers to APA include costs of APA programs, limited means of transportation to APA facilities, lack of information regarding APA facilities and limited appropriate exercising equipment in the APA facilities.

Every competitive athlete in Israel is required by law to undergo a periodical pre-participation physical examination (PPE), before the competitive season. The PPE is intended to discover medical problems which might affect the health of the athletes, and rarely, may even pose a risk to their lives. It includes a sports-oriented medical questionnaire, a thorough physical examination, and a resting electrocardiogram (ECG). From a certain age onwards, it also includes a graded exercise test (GXT). Numerous studies and standpoints of several professional committees and sports medicine organizations in Europe have emphasized the importance of the first 3 parts of the PPE, namely the questionnaire, physical examination, and resting ECG. Currently, the role of the GXT in the PPE remains debatable. In this review, we will discuss the latest available scientific information in favor of including a resting ECG and, sometimes, a GXT in the PPE of competitive athletes, as mandated by the Israeli Sports Law.

Introduction: Overall, more than 80% of children diagnosed with cancer will survive their immediate disease. This growing group of childhood cancer survivors is at an increased risk for several chronic diseases and increased mortality. Physical activity is a well-known and powerful means to reduce such complications, yet many children are not active as recommended. Furthermore, the complex treatments might adversely affect the heart and lungs, possibly limiting physical performance., Aim: To measure aerobic fitness among childhood cancer survivors, while assessing maximal cardiac and respiratory functions., Methods: Eighteen children (mean age 11.5 +/- 2.1 years, 50% males) who had completed medical treatment for cancer, and 16 healthy children, performed a cardiorespiratory exercise test on a bicycle ergometer until exhaustion. Peak oxygen uptake, O2 pulse and several ventilatory parameters were measured and compared between the groups., Results: The mean maximal load obtained by the cancer survivor group was lower than expected, compared with controls (89% +/- 19 vs. 101/% +/- 18, p = 0.055). Peak oxygen consumption was also lower, with a marginal statistical significance (33.3 +/- 7.5 vs. 38.9 +/- 9.7 ml O2/kg/min, p = 0.075), yet was significantly lower when expressed as a percent of age- and sex- appropriate norms [78% +/- 15 vs. 94% +/- 16, p = 0.0081. Cardiac and respiratory functions were normal in all children, with no between-group differences., Conclusions: We conclude that aerobic fitness is lower in children who have survived cancer, with no evidence of significant cardiac or lung damage. Given the importance of regular physical activity for this at-risk population, it should be continuously encouraged, while administering a personally tailored exercise prescription.

A healthy lifestyle is the mainstay of preventive medicine. HeaLthcare personnel might disregard keeping a healthy diet and exercise habits, perhaps due to feeling protected by their own knowledge. Physicians might under-diagnose their own overweight status, and have been shown in some studies to display lower rates of healthy behaviors compared with the general population. This review presents the availabLe data on physicians' own lifestyle habits, and discusses the importance of these for both their own health, and for the benefit of their patients. We supply several healthy lifestyle recommendations based on national and international guidelines, and adapt them to the clinic and hospital settings. Eating a healthy diet, and performing at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise a week, with additional resistance exercises 2-3 times a week, will benefit all caretakers--both personally and professionally.

As in other parts of the western world, the rates of pediatric overweight and obesity are also rising in Israel. This fact warrants immediate action by several government offices and health care providers, and also by the trinity of physician, parent(s) and child. An overweight child is likely to remain undiagnosed if relying on observation alone, unless height and weight are objectively measured by the caring medical staff. This review is based on recommendations on the assessment, prevention, and treatment of children and youth who are overweight and obese, recently published on behalf of the American Medical Association and additional health organizations. In general, preventing and treating pediatric obesity is fairly similar: adhering to a healthy lifestyle which emphasizes healthy food choices and habits, regular physical activity, and limiting screen time. Treating and preventing obesity is a timely, but extremely difficult task. Medical personnel and parents should be continuously educated in this field, while supplied with practical tools for childhood lifestyle modification.