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The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on a roundhouse kick (RHK) and the rate of force development (RFD) and peak force during maximal isometric contractions with the knee extensors. Sixteen martial arts athletes were randomly assigned to either a training group (NMES + martial arts) or a control group (martial arts). The RHK was performed to a fixed target located approximately 1.5 m away from the athlete. The reaction time and execution time were quantified with a light-sensor system. Participants were tested before and after completing 15 sessions of training (5 weeks, 3 sessions/week, 90 min/session). In addition, the training group performed another 15 sessions (3 sessions/week, 30 min/session) in which electrical stimulation was superimposed on maximal isometric contractions of the quadriceps (100 Hz, 450 μs). There were no statistically significant changes in either RFD or maximal isometric force for either group (p > 0.05). However, the training group experienced significant reductions (p < 0.05) in both reaction time (−9.2%) and the execution time (−5.9%). The findings indicate that supplemental NMES training can improve sport-specific movements, such as the RHK, without any changes in maximal force capabilities in skilled martial arts athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to determine the association between dry-land exercises and the start kinetics in elite swimmers. Fourteen swimmers (eight males and six females) included in a national team took part in this study. A fixed smith-machine was used to measure the maximal full squat strength (Smax). The height of squat (SJ) and countermovement (CMJ) jumps were collected with a contact mat. The ground reaction force of the kick starts in the three-dimensional axis (Fz horizontal; Fy, vertical; Fx, lateral) was obtained by an instrumented force plate in the starting block. Overall, the Smax showed a high and significant association with Fz (r = 0.60) and Fy (r = 0.87). Moderate and significant associations were found between Fy and SJ (r = 0.51) and CMJ (r = 0.57). While Smax in males showed high association with Fy (r = 0.77), the Smax for females showed greater association with Fz (r = 0.84). As conclusion, the full back squat seems to be the dry-land exercise with higher association with the kick start kinetics. While in males the full squat defines better the vertical component, for females it defines the horizontal one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexion-relaxation phenomenon (FRP) is a well-known phenomenon in spinal extensor muscles. According to the literature, prolonged flexed posture leads to creep phenomenon and affects the active and passive neuromuscular control of the spinal column. The purpose of this study was to investigate FRP occurrence in elite cyclists that prolonged flexion posture is an integral part of their professional life. Their muscles' contraction pattern during forward bending was also compared. Electromyography (EMG) was recorded during flexion and extension from standing position in thoracic erector spinae (TES), lumbar erector spinae (LES) and gluteus maximus (Gluteus max) in 15 healthy male elite cyclists. In addition, the kinematic data related to the trunk angles were simultaneously recorded by a motion analysis system. Two-way ANOVA was used to assess the effects of muscle group and direction of movement on maximum amplitude of EMG activity. Among 15 cyclists, FRP was detectable in 60%, 87% and 73% of the participants in TES, LES and Gluteus max, respectively, and happened between 74% and 82% of the trunk flexion. There was no statistically significant difference in onset and offset of muscles FRP. Despite prolong hyper kyphotic posture, FRP was identifiable in TES, LES and Gluteus max muscles of elite cyclists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the associations between serve velocity (SV), maximal absolute and relative isometric voluntary contraction (MVC and RMVC), peak rate of force development (PRFD), rate of force development (RFD) and impulse (IMP) at different stages of contraction (≤200 ms). Sixteen players performed four maximum isometric tests in positions involved in the tennis serve motion. Variables tested included MVC, PRFD, RFD and IMP at 50, 100, 150 and 200 ms while performing a 90º shoulder internal rotation (SHIR), shoulder flexion (SHF), horizontal shoulder abduction (SHABD) and an isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP). Significant (p ≤ 0.05) moderate-to-very-large correlations were found between SV, MVC and PRFD. RFD at different time intervals showed positive associations with SV, except in the SHF0-200 ms and IMTP0-200 ms. Accordingly, IMP values positively correlated with SV in all positions except in the SHIR0-50 ms and the IMTP in late contraction stages. Results indicate that the combination of maximum isometric strength in several body positions involved in the serve kinetic chain alongside RFD and IMP in short periods of time (≤200 ms) positively influences SV in young participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to compare baseball pitching kinematics measured with marker-less and marker-based motion capture. Two hundred and seventy-five fastball pitches were captured at 240 Hz simultaneously with a 9-camera marker-less system and a 12-camera marker system. The pitches were thrown by 30 baseball pitchers (age 17.1 ± 3.1 years). Data for each trial were time-synchronised between the two systems using the instant of ball release. Coefficients of Multiple Correlations (CMC) were computed to assess the similarity of waveforms between the two systems. Discrete measurements at foot contact, during arm cocking, and at ball release were compared between the systems using Bland-Altman plots and descriptive statistics. CMC values for the five time series analysed ranged from 0.88 to 0.97, indicating consistency in movement patterns between systems. Biases for discrete measurements ranged in magnitude from 0 to 16 degrees. Standard deviations of the differences between systems ranged from 0 to 14 degrees, while intraclass correlations ranged from 0.64 to 0.92. Thus, the marker-based and marker-less motion capture systems produced similar patterns for baseball pitching kinematics. However, based on the variations between the systems, it is recommended that a database of normative ranges be established for each system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flywheel-based iso-inertial training (FIT) has been purported to provide enhanced adaptations to muscle overload compared to dynamic constant external resistance (DCER), but previous studies have not controlled for exercise intensity. We compared quadriceps electromyography (EMG) amplitude between FIT- and DCER-squats with similar tempo. Eleven (5 M and 6F) resistance-trained participants completed sets of five maximal velocity FIT (0.025 kg∙m2) and DCER (55 ± 15 %1RM) squats. Sagittal plane knee joint angles and surface EMG activity of the vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM) and rectus femoris (RF) were measured. Repetition time and peak knee angles were similar between FIT and DCER squats. Mean knee angular velocity during the concentric (122.2 ± 23.6 vs. 108.9 ± 22.9, p = 0.022, Cohen's D: 0.820), but not eccentric, phase was significantly greater during FIT. Peak VM (210.4 ± 49.3 vs. 177.5 ± 56.3 %MVIC, p = 0.001; Cohen's D: 1.416), but not VL or RF, EMG amplitude was significantly greater in FIT compared to DCER. Mean EMG amplitude was significantly (p < 0.001) greater during the concentric than the eccentric phase for the VL and VM but not RF. Mean EMG amplitude was not significantly different between modes during either the concentric or eccentric phase. Quadriceps EMG amplitude is largely similar between FIT and DCER squats when matched for movement velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertical body position during swimming is assumed to closely affect drag. It is consequently associated with swimming velocity; however, the association between swimming velocity and vertical body position has not yet been sufficiently established. Here, we aimed to clarify how vertical body position increases with front crawl velocity and whether there are inter-individual differences in velocity effect. Eleven college-level male swimmers performed a 15 m front crawl with sustained forced maximal inspiration at various swimming velocities. The body's centre of mass (CoM) was estimated from individual digital human models with inertial parameters using inverse kinematics. The horizontal CoM velocity and vertical CoM position from the water surface were averaged for one stroke cycle as respective indexes of swimming velocity and vertical body position. Linear mixed-effects model analysis revealed that there is a positive trend between swimming velocity and vertical CoM position during front crawl across the participants. These results indicate that swimming velocity is associated with vertical body position during front crawl. Additionally, the linear mixed-effects model with random intercepts and slopes was a better fit than that with only random intercepts, indicating that there are inter-individual differences in the rate of increase in vertical body position against swimming velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Force plate analyses of various activities sometimes require the average (WPav) and standard deviation (WPsd) of force across the Weighing Phase (i.e., quiet period) to calculate kinetic, temporal and kinematic metrics. Yet, the influence of weighing phase duration on these analyses has been scarcely investigated. This study investigated the effects of weighing phase duration on the agreement between vertical force-time variables and the repeatability of WPav and WPsd. Durations of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 s were compared to 2.0 s. Limits of agreement (LOA) for system weight, onset threshold, onset time, net impulse, take-off velocity and take-off displacement were calculated for 137 counter-movement, squat and single leg jumps. Repeatability coefficients for WPav and WPsd estimated the consistency between repeated trials. Shorter weighing phase durations produced small differences in WPav (LOA < ±0.25%), which accumulated during integration, affecting net impulse, take-off velocity (LOA ±2%) and take-off displacement (LOA ±23%). Differences were substantial using 5xWPsd as the onset threshold (LOA approximately ±25% to ±72%), consequently influencing onset time (LOA approximately ±6% to ±18%). WPav repeatability was high but the within-trial differences could augment with integration, requiring weighing phases longer than 2 s. WPsd had poor repeatability and its use requires further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed (i) to verify if underwater horizontal, vertical and medio-lateral hand displacements (HD), in pull and push phases of the front crawl stroke, can be associated with arm-stroke efficiency (ƞp) and (ii) to compare np and selected kinematic variables between male and female swimmers. Ten male and 10 female swimmers performed an all-out front crawl 25-m test. Data were obtained with six synchronised video cameras (60 Hz) and analysed with a three-dimensional method. Results for males and females were respectively, as follows: (i) horizontal HD: 0.55 ± 0.06 m and 0.61 ± 0.09 m (p = 0.062; d = 0.78); vertical HD: 0.68 ± 0.06 m and 0.58 ± 0.07 m (p < 0.001; d = 1.53); and medio-lateral HD: 0.22 ± 0.07 m and 0.16 ± 0.03 m (p = 0.012; d = 1.11); (ii) ƞp: 0.33 ± 0.02 and 0.32 ± 0.03 (p = 0.48; d = 0.39); (iii) vCOM: 1.77 ± 0.06 m∙s−1 and 1.55 ± 0.10 m∙s−1 (p < 0.001; d = 2.42). Multiple linear regression (p = 0.019) indicated that horizontal and medio-lateral HD were able to predict np. The lower the horizontal hand displacement, the higher the ƞp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Softball pitchers are often above-average size and frequently injured; therefore, it is necessary to understand how biomechanics can change according to pitcher body composition. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between joint peak angular velocities and pitch velocity, as well as examine how pitchers' joint angular velocities differ between high and healthy body-fat percentage (BF%) groups. Forty high-school and college softball pitchers (170.6 ± 6.3 cm, 75.5 ± 16.1 kg, 16 ± 2 years, 34.6 ± 7.4 BF%) completed body composition testing and were placed in one of two groups: 1) high-fat% (≥32%) or 2) healthy-fat% (<32%). Pitchers completed fastball trials. Kinematic data were tracked using an electromagnetic system synced with motion analysis software. Peak and times-series joint angular velocities were tracked over the final 101 frames of the pitch. Pitch velocity was significantly correlated with peak elbow flexion (r =.380, p =.016) and wrist flexion (r =.621, p <.001) angular velocity. A small difference in elbow joint angular velocity was found between body fat percentage groups between ball release and follow-through (SPM(t)1,38 = 3.296, p =.003). Peak joint angular velocities are related to pitch velocity and slight differences in movement patterns exist according to pitcher body fat percentage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pirouette en dehors (PeDh) is multiple turns using the angular momentum generated by swinging the arms with both feet on the ground. The purpose of this study was to investigate how the arm swing facilitates increasing peak angular momenta of both arms during multiple PeDh. Upper body movements in single to six-revolutions clockwise (as seen from above) PeDhs were analysed to determine arm's angular momentum induced by the individual joint torque, gravitational force and motion-dependent terms. The horizontal abduction and adduction torques of the right and left shoulder joints, respectively, and clockwise torsional torque of the upper torso induced the clockwise angular momentum (CWAM) of the arms in the horizontal plane, about the vertically upward axis. The motion-dependent term induced the CWAMs after joint torques and contributed to the maximum total CWAM of both arms substantially. The CWAMs induced by the motion-dependent term increased with joint torques up to the triple PeDh in the right arm but independently from the left shoulder joint torque up to the sextuple PeDh in the left arm. Using a whip-like motion of the arm, increasing the arm joint torques would not be required necessarily when performing, i.e., more than quaruple PeDhs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archery is a sport accessible to a wide range of people, no matter their age, gender or ability, and can be practiced both by able-bodied and impaired athletes on a level playing field. The recent increase in the number of studies concerning the biomechanical evaluation of the archery discipline revealed the need to advance an evidence-based approach for a standardised and objective assessment of the athletic gesture. A systematic literature search of relevant databases in July 2021 yielded 41 studies spanning 35 years (1986–2021). The research strings focused on the parameters, employed measurement systems and on the outcomes. The investigation of the influence of a wide range of physiological and kinematic parameters on the archer performance revealed that expert athletes tend to maximise postural stability and develop personal strategies of muscular activation and time management. These findings evidenced the importance of the repeatability of the technical gesture, opening additional scenarios for further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is essential to provide the community with evidenced-based care to optimize healthcare outcomes; more specifically, women in underserved communities with limited access to healthcare services. The purpose of this research was to determine the effectiveness of a single virtual movement-based pelvic health education session on women's pelvic health knowledge, adherence to performing pelvic exercises and confidence in performing the exercises. Forty-two female participants were recruited in Western Arkansas. Participants completed an online pre-session (pre) questionnaire and then received a single virtual education session led by a healthcare provider trained in pelvic health. A post-session (post-1) questionnaire was completed by each participant as well as a 1-month follow-up (post-2) questionnaire. Thirty-five women completed all three questionnaires and pelvic health knowledge, adherence to pelvic floor exercises and confidence in performing pelvic floor exercises were assessed. After the participants completed the post-2 questionnaire, they were invited for a semi-structured interview and 13 women participated. Results of this study suggest pelvic health knowledge increased after a single session of movement-based education, and this was retained 1 month later. Adherence and confidence to perform the exercises did not change; however, learning about pelvic health in a virtual movement-based method was a positive experience and initiated an eagerness to learn more about pelvic health. Pelvic health education can be implemented in a virtual approach to engage women in underserved communities to learn more about pelvic health through a positive experience for an educational baseline to gain healthcare autonomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the connection between the voice, body, and somatic practices in supporting vocal expression. Topics include the impact of somatic movement practices on vocal health, the role of posture, alignment, and breathing in vocal care, and how mindful movement and voice exploration can enhance self-awareness and expressivity.

Neurologists encounter a range of neurological disorders triggered by head and neck movement, reflecting an array of underlying pathologies and producing diverse symptoms. This article provides a practically orientated review of 14 disorders and how to diagnose and manage them, including common disorders such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and uncommon entities such as arterial compression syndromes leading to stroke or syncope, mobile intraventricular masses and medication withdrawal states. The article considers atypical scenarios including unusual manifestations and important mimics and discusses controversial entities, as well as the risk of misattributing symptoms based on incidental imaging abnormalities. Guidelines are referenced where they exist, while in rarer situations, approaches taken in published cases are described, with the acknowledgement that management decisions are at the clinician's discretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the skeletal muscle hypertrophic, architectural, and performance‐related adaptations in response to volume‐matched, total‐body flywheel versus traditional resistance training in a randomized, non‐exercise controlled study in physically active young adults. Thirty‐one healthy young adults (24 ± 3 y) were randomized to 10 weeks of traditional resistance training (TRT; n = 7F/5M), flywheel training (FWRT; n = 7F/4M), or a habitual activity control (CON; n = 5F/3M). Maximal voluntary isometric torque (MVIT), one repetition‐maximum (1RM) for the free weight squat and bench press, three repetition work maximum (3Wmax) for the flywheel squat and bench press, countermovement jump height, and broad jump distance, as well as site‐specific muscle hypertrophy, fascicle length (FL), and pennation angle, were measured. Both TRT and FWRT increased MVIT (p ≤ 0.021) and FFM (p ≤ 0.032) compared to CON. However, TRT promoted superior improvements in free weight squat and bench 1RM (p < 0.001), and FWRT improved flywheel 3Wmax squat and bench (p < 0.001). FWRT increased the FL and cross‐sectional area of the distal VL, countermovement jump height, and broad jump distance (p ≤ 0.048), whereas TRT increased the pennation angle and cross‐sectional area of the proximal VL. Therefore, 10 weeks of volume‐matched, total‐body traditional, and flywheel resistance training similarly increased maximal isometric strength and fat‐free mass. However, FWRT promoted unique skeletal muscle architectural adaptations that likely contributed to region‐specific VL hypertrophy and jump performance improvements. Thus, FWRT provides a novel training stimulus that promotes architectural adaptations that support improved athletic performance in a manner that is not provided by traditional resistance exercise training. Highlights: Participants using the flywheel isoinertial training device developed unique skeletal muscle adaptations in the vastus lateralis compared to the traditional resistance training group.The flywheel group also increased both their countermovement jump height and broad jump distance, whereas there were no improvements in the traditional resistance training group.The traditional training group had greater improvements in the free weight back squat and bench press compared to the flywheel group.Both groups improved fat‐free mass and isometric strength to a similar degree compared to the habitually exercising control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The need to increase exercise and decrease sedentary behaviour in people diagnosed with psychosis is well-recognised. Aims: We set out to explore caregivers' perspectives on what supports and prevents physical activity, and how to use carers' support most effectively. Method: Fourteen caregivers of people diagnosed with psychosis were interviewed. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, in collaboration with caregivers. Results: Four themes were developed, the first flagging the importance of physical activity, then the others calling for action: (a) Physical inactivity matters: carers are keen to support efforts to increase physical activity in their family or friends because of the enormous impact physical inactivity has on patients, and consequently on carers themselves, such as social isolation and reduction in their own activity. (b) Tell us: without being well-informed about how to help, carers can feel like they are powerless to stop a 'slow suicide' or 'decline' in patients. (c) Listen to us: through knowing their family and friends well, carers are able to identify important changes in patients and identify successful motivators for them, but these insights can feel uninvited. (d) Ask us: being invited to support activity as a partner in a patients' care is desirable but having offers of help rejected can "demotivate the motivator." Conclusions: Caregivers described strong motivation to help patients to be more physically active but can feel that their support is overlooked and under-used by services. Clinical recommendations for carer involvement in physical activity interventions are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Isometric maximal voluntary force (IMVF) is essential for individuals' health and physical performance. Therefore, there is a need for valid and reliable devices to assess IMVF. OBJECTIVE: To determine the validity and reliability of the Valkyria Trainer Balance® portable force platform in its isometric mode. METHODS: Fifty-eight physically healthy individuals (30 men and 28 women) participated in the study. A repeated measures design was used to compare the inter-day test-retest reliability of peak force. The validity of the Valkyria Trainer Balance® force platform was determined by comparing the peak force with the ArtOficio® force platform. The analysis consisted of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and coefficient of variation (CV). A CV ⩽ 10% and ICC ⩾ 0.80 were considered acceptable reliability, while a ⩽ 5% and ICC ⩾ 0.90 were regarded as high reliability. RESULTS: CV the peak force showed high test-retest inter-day reliability (CV = 4.3% and ICC = 0.99). When comparing both force platforms, there was a 1.1% difference between the two devices. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that the Valkyria Trainer Balance® force platform is valid and reliable for assessing IMVF in physically healthy individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Patellar tendinopathy (PT) is a common injury involving inadequate eccentric (ECC) knee extensor contractions during dynamic sports activities. However, any discrepancies in ECC power output between Olympic athletes with and without PT utilizing a flywheel ergometer squat remain to be determined. OBJECTIVE: To compare peak ECC power, concentric (CON) power, the ECC/CON power ratio, and performance speed in female and male athletes with and without PT, respectively. METHODS: Forty Olympic athletes with and without PT were included and analyzed for ECC power, CON power, ECC/CON power ratio, and performance speed (m/s) under varying load conditions, with analyses separated by gender. RESULTS: The ECC power, ECC/CON power ratio, and performance speed of the PT group were significantly lower than those of the non-PT (NPT) group in both genders. ECC and CON power significantly increased with higher inertial loads in the NPT groups, whereas the speed significantly decreased as the inertial load increased in both PT and NPT groups. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic flywheel ergometer assessments may help in the quantitative diagnosis of athletes with PT under differing dynamic squat conditions. This assessment may be used to create standardized guidelines for squat performance testing, strengthening, conditioning, and rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disabling common chronic inflammatory joint disease. In Ontario, the burden is higher in those aged 65 and older, in females, and in northern communities. This study examined patient disease impact and healthcare provider access and satisfaction as well as provider satisfaction, patient experience and educational suggestions. Methods: Semi‐structured interviews and reflexive thematic analysis were used. Results: Interviews occurred with: (1) 18 Northern (N) Ontario patients, (2) 6 N Ontario family physicians, (3) 6 N Ontario pharmacists and (4) a rheumatologist and 4 advanced clinical practitioners in arthritis care (ACPACs) who treat N Ontario patients. Patients emphasised the need to: (1) act on early symptoms, (2) self‐advocate, (3) attract more N Ontario rheumatologists, (4) educate the public, (5) recognise that medication can change over time and (6) pace physical tasks. Satisfaction was expressed with providers. Family physicians mentioned the need to: (1) be front‐line educators, (2) commence initial treatment, (3) enhance undergraduate medical curricula and (4) require rheumatology rotations. Pharmacists expressed: (1) acting as patient educators, (2) assisting with insurance plans, (3) encouraging family physicians to commence treatment, (4) monitoring medication interactions and (5) professional collaboration. The ACPACs and rheumatologist stressed the value of: (1) patient advocates, (2) family physicians initiating treatment, (3) pharmacists monitoring for drug interactions, (4) expanding undergraduate medical school rheumatology curricula and (5) accessing local care. Conclusion: Additional patient and public education are needed. Enhancing undergraduate and graduate medical school rheumatology curricula, rotations, continuing rheumatology education and interprofessional collaboration were recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective/Aim: The aim was to compare the levels of physical activity, kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, body awareness, and depression in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and to explore the associations between these outcomes and disease activity. Methods: Seventy‐eight patients with AS (n = 30) and RA (n = 48) were included. Outcomes were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire‐Short Form, the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, the Body Awareness Questionnaire, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Disease activity levels were determined using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index for AS and the Disease Activity Score 28 score for RA. Results: AS patients were younger, had a higher proportion of men, and were more physically active than RA patients (p < 0.05). Both groups exhibited high levels of kinesiophobia but low levels of pain catastrophizing, similar body awareness and mild depression scores. Moderate correlations (r ≥ 0.5) were observed between kinesiophobia and depression, body awareness and pain catastrophizing and depression, and pain catastrophizing and disease activity in AS patients. In RA patients, moderate correlations (r ≥ 0.5) were found between kinesiophobia and pain catastrophizing. Conclusion: Addressing physical activity, kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, body awareness, and depression is important in managing AS and RA patients. Notably, correlations among outcomes differed between groups, with more significant correlations in AS. Further studies are needed to explore these in greater detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firefighters' cardiometabolic health and physical fitness levels were found to be significantly associated, particularly measures of strength and absolute aerobic capacity. These results highlight the possible association between cardiometabolic health and physical fitness, which may be significant contributors to early retirement related to morbidity in this population. Objective: To assess the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and physical fitness in firefighters. Methods: Firefighters (n = 309) were systematically recruited to participate in this study. A questionnaire and physical measures were used to collect data on firefighters' cardiometabolic health and physical fitness levels. Data were analyzed using binary and multinomial logistic regressions. Results: The prevalence of MetS was 23.0%, which was most prevalent in station and platoon commanders. Multivariable analysis showed that age (P < 0.001), lean body mass (P < 0.001), absolute aerobic capacity (P < 0.001), and leg strength (P < 0.001) was significantly associated with MetS. In addition, relative aerobic capacity (P < 0.001), push-ups (P = 0.016), and sit-ups (P < 0.001) were inversely associated with MetS. Conclusions: Firefighters with MetS had a higher absolute aerobic capacity and strength, and healthier fighters had a higher relative aerobic capacity, muscular endurance capacity, and flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To explore the postoperative kinesophobia of patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and its related factors. Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention is an effective method to treat coronary heart disease (CHD), and cardiac rehabilitation is an important auxiliary method after PCI. However, the compliance of patients with cardiac rehabilitation after PCI is not good, among which kinesophobia is an important influencing factor. Design: A descriptive cross‐sectional design was implemented, and the high‐quality reporting of the study adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Statement. Methods: In total, 351 inpatients who underwent PCI in three tertiary grade‐A hospitals in China were selected by convenient sampling method. We use one‐way ANOVA and multiple linear regression analysis to determine the relevant related factors. Results: The kinesophobia of patients after PCI was negatively correlated with chronic illness resource utilization and sense of personal mastery, and positively correlated with illness perception. Education level, clinical classification of CHD, exercise habits, chronic illness resource utilization, illness perception and sense of personal mastery entered the regression equation, which could explain 78.1% of the total variation. Conclusion: The level of kinesiophobia of patients after PCI is high. Education level, clinical classification of CHD, exercise habits, chronic illness resource utilization, illness perception and sense of personal mastery are the related factors of kinesiophobia of patients after PCI. Relevance to Clinical Practice: By reducing the level of exercise fear of patients after PCI, patients are more likely to accept and adhere to the cardiac rehabilitation plan, thus improving their prognosis and improving their quality of life. Patient or Public Contribution: The patient underwent PCI in the research hospital. Researchers screen them according to the inclusion criteria and invite them to participate in this study. If they meet the requirements, participants will answer the research questionnaire face to face after signing the informed consent form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loturco, I, Pereira, LA, Mercer, VP, Oliveira, LP, Zanetti, V, Lima, L, Bastos, T, Moura, TBMA, and McGuigan, MR. Jump squat vs. resisted sprint training programs applied to elite youth soccer players: effects on sprint and power-related performance. J Strength Cond Res 38(12): 2107–2113, 2024—This study examined the effectiveness of 2 different and widely used training programs on the sprint and power-related performance of youth soccer players. Two distinct training strategies—vertically oriented jump squats (JSs) or horizontally oriented resisted sprints (RSs)—were executed under the same absolute loading conditions (i.e., 30% of the athletes' body mass [BM]) during a 4-week preseason period. Training schemes, loading intensities (based on %BM), and the number of experimental sessions were designed in conjunction with the soccer club's coaching staff, considering the calendar, available resources, and regular training programs. Twenty-five under-17 soccer players performed a series of speed, power, and jump tests before and after 10 resisted training sessions, consisting solely of loaded JS or RS. Overall, neither group (i.e., JS or RS training groups) exhibited any improvement in linear sprint and change-of-direction (COD) speed. Conversely, vertical jumping ability and peak velocity in the loaded JS increased significantly only in the JS group, which may positively affect players' performance and training prescription during short soccer preseasons. Given the challenges in enhancing sprint speed among soccer players during preseasons (and even over the competitive season), coupled with the limited effectiveness of RS in improving sprinting, COD, and jumping capabilities within congested and short training phases (i.e., ≤4 weeks), the regular use of RS training methods during these phases may be highly questionable. Coaches should carefully consider these critical limitations and potential disadvantages when designing neuromuscular training programs for soccer players during the preparatory phases of the annual training season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Racil, G, Padulo, J, Trabelsi, Y, Frizziero, A, Russo, L, and Migliaccio, GM. Rhythmic exercises before basketball training: A study on motor skills, static balance, and reaction speed in school-aged children. J Strength Cond Res 38(12): e761–e768, 2024—The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of combining rhythmic exercises with basketball training on the improvement of basic motor and physical skills in children. Thirty-four female subjects, all from the same secondary school and aged 12 ± 0.7 years, participated in a 6-week training program (3 times per week). They were randomly divided into 3 groups: one group practiced rhythmic exercises in combination with basketball training (R-BT, n = 12), another group practiced basketball only (BT, n = 11), and a control group (CON, n = 11). The subjects underwent assessments that included regular and irregular rhythmic exercises, flexibility, coordination, and static balance. After the intervention, all groups showed improvements in their motor skills (MS) when they followed a regular rhythm. The R-BT group showed significantly higher performance in hopping and jumping from preintervention to postintervention [ p = 0.003, effect size (ES) = 0.67 and p = 0.005, ES = 0.64, respectively] and differed significantly from the other 2 groups (p < 0.01). In addition, the R-BT group showed a greater improvement in the implementation of irregular rhythms (p < 0.001) and differed significantly from the other groups in all parameters (p < 0.01). The Stork Stand Balance Test improved in the R-BT group and outperformed the other 2 groups, whereas the Alternate-Hand Wall-Toss Test improved in both the R-BT and the BT groups compared with the control group, indicating better coordination. In summary, basketball training preceded by a regular rhythm can lead to greater improvement in MS, resulting in improved coordination and leg stability. These results could be considered crucial for young school-age children who play basketball. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Chaize, C, Allen, M, and Beato, M. Physical performance is affected by players' position, game location, and substitutions during official competitions in professional Championship English football. J Strength Cond Res 38(12): e744–e753, 2024—This study aimed to verify, first, if physical parameters were different between positions during official matches in the English Football League Championship. Second, whether game location (home vs. away games) and playing status (full match vs. substitute) affected players' physical performance. Twenty-six, male, professional, football players of the same club were included in this data analysis during the 2023–24 season. STATSports 10 Hz global navigation satellite systems Apex units (Northern Ireland, United Kingdom) were used to monitor official matches (21 games). The metrics recorded were distance covered (m·min−1), high-speed running distance (>19.8 km·h−1), sprint distance (>25.2 km·h−1), the number of accelerations (>3 m·s−2), decelerations (<−3 m·s−2), and high-metabolic-load distance (HMLD) measured in meters (>25.5 w·kg−1). Significant differences were found between positions and game location for distance covered and high-speed running (HSR; p < 0.05) as well as between game location (p = 0.020) for sprinting distance. Differences were found between game location (p = 0.034) for decelerations. Differences were found between positions and game location for HMLD (p < 0.05). Significant difference between full-match players vs. substitutes were found for distance covered (p < 0.001), HSR (p = 0.002), accelerations (p = 0.017), decelerations (p = 0.023), and HMLD (p = 0.008). In conclusion, this study found that physical performance was influenced by players' positions and player status, whereas it found that game location affected a minor number of physical metrics. Therefore, practitioners should be aware that training should be tailored based on the physical demands of the players' positions. Moreover, practitioners and managers need to be aware of the positive impact of substitutions on match intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eserhaut, DA, DeLeo, JM, and Fry, AC. Blood flow restricted resistance exercise in well-trained men: Salivary biomarker responses and oxygen saturation kinetics. J Strength Cond Res 38(12): e716–e726, 2024—Resistance exercise with continuous lower-limb blood flow restriction (BFR) may provide supplementary benefit to highly resistance–trained men. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare cardiovascular and salivary biomarker responses, along with skeletal muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) during passive lower-limb BFR (pBFR), BFR resistance exercise performed to task failure (BFR+RE), and volume-matched resistance exercise (RE). A within-subjects, repeated measures design was used. Nineteen men (x̄± SD : relative squat 1RM: 1.9 ± 0.3 kg·bw−1) reported for 3 visits. First, body composition, blood pressure, back squat, and leg extension 1 repetition maximums (1RM) were assessed. Resting systolic blood pressure and proximal thigh circumferences were used to estimate arterial occlusion pressures (eAOP). Visit 1 involved pBFR, where BFR cuffs were inflated to 80% eAOP around the proximal thighs for 10 minutes while subjects were seated in a leg extension machine. Then, 24–120 hours later, 4 sets of bilateral seated leg extensions at 30% 1RM were performed to momentary task failure with 1-minute rest at the same 80% eAOP. After 72–120 hours rest, subjects matched the repetition performances from BFR+RE at 30% 1RM for the RE condition. BFR+RE elicited greater (p ≤ 0.05) heart rates, systolic, and diastolic blood pressures relative to pBFR and RE. Significantly elevated (p ≤ 0.05) blood lactate, salivary cortisol concentrations, and α-amylase activity occurred following BFR+RE relative to pBFR and RE. BFR+RE also induced blunted (p < 0.001) SmO2 interset resaturation rates compared with RE. In trained men, continuous BFR+RE seems to significantly alter acute physiological responses to a greater degree than either pBFR alone or volume-matched RE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Philipp, NM, Blackburn, SD, Cabarkapa, D, and Fry, AC. The effects of a low-volume, high-intensity pre-season micro-cycle on neuromuscular performance in collegiate female basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 38(12): 2136–2146, 2024—The use of stretch-shortening cycle (SSC)–based measures of vertical jump performance to monitor responses to training exposures is common practice in sport science. However, evidence is limited with regards to which assessments and metrics may be most sensitive toward changes in training volume and intensity. The aim of this study was to investigate how a reduction in training volume, paralleled with an increase in training intensity, affects neuromuscular performance as measured through a countermovement jump (CMJ) and 10-5 hop test over a preseason period in female collegiate basketball players. Over a 3-week baseline period, athletes completed CMJ and 10-5 hop tests to quantify baseline performance. Measures of neuromuscular response to the changes in training volume and intensity were performed 2 and 4 days into the intervention week, as well as post 72 hours, post 7 days, and post 10 days. External workload data and descriptive analyses of resistance training stimuli suggest that during the intervention week, athletes experienced significantly lower training volumes and increases in training intensity. In response to these changes in training stimulus, athletes showed depressed performance acutely in metrics derived from both the CMJ and 10-5 hop test. Authors also observed a supercompensation effect at post 72 h, post one week, and post 2 weeks for metrics related to lower-limb stiffness and braking rate of force development. These findings highlight that in response to a high-intensity, low-volume training phase, female basketball players experienced alterations in lower-limb function, reflected in both decreases and increases in SSC performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

McCarthy, SF, Bornath, DPD, Murtaza, M, Ormond, SC, and Hazell, TJ. Effect of resistance training load on metabolism during exercise. J Strength Cond Res 38(12): 2029–2033, 2024—The effect of resistance training (RT) load on energy expenditure during exercise is unclear as most studies match low-load and high-load RT based on volume or total repetitions and matching volume can attenuate benefits of low-load protocols. This study explored the effect of whole-body low-load and high-load RT completed to volitional fatigue (not volume or repetition matched) on metabolism during exercise. Eleven resistance-trained adults (22 ± 2 years, 3 F) completed 3 experimental sessions: (a) no-exercise control (CTRL); (b) RT at 30% 1 repetition maximum (1RM; 30%); and (c) RT at 90% 1RM (90%) with oxygen consumption ( V ˙ o 2) and heart rate measured continuously. The RT sessions consisted of 3 sets of back squats, bench press, straight-leg deadlift, military press, and bent-over rows to volitional fatigue completed sequentially with 90 seconds rest between sets and exercises. Changes were considered important if p < 0.100 with a greater than medium effect size. There were main effects of session for relative and absolute V ˙ o 2 (L·min−1; p < 0.001, η p 2 > 0.935), both 30 and 90% were greater than CTRL (p < 0.001, d > 4.33) with no differences between RT protocols (p > 0.999, d = 0.28). There was a main effect of session for total O2 consumed (L; p < 0.001, η p 2 > 0.901), both RT sessions were greater than CTRL (p < 0.001, d > 3.08), and 30% was greater than 90% (p = 0.002, d = 1.75). Taken together these data suggest that RT load does not affect metabolism during exercise when completing whole-body exercises to volitional fatigue, though lower loads may result in longer session duration generating a greater total amount of O2 consumed simply because of the extended duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Garner, C, Nachtegall, A, Roth, E, Sterenberg, A, Kim, D, Michael, T, and Lee, S. Effects of movement sonification auditory feedback on repetitions and brain activity during the bench press. J Strength Cond Res 38(12): 2022–2028, 2024—Auditory stimulation and feedback have been found to enhance aspects of motor performance such as motor learning, sense of agency, and movement execution. While music is the most common form of auditory stimulation during exercise, movement sonification (MoSo) may better facilitate motor performance through its use of music elements representing dynamic movements. Despite evidence of MoSo's benefits to motor performance, little is known about MoSo's influence on resistance exercise. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of MoSo auditory feedback on repetitions and brain activity during bench press. Twenty men performed bench press to failure in 3 sound conditions (no-sound, self-selected music, and MoSo). Repetition maximum (RM) was measured, and brain activity was analyzed using beta power spectral density (PSD) and frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA). A 1-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to compare data across sound conditions. To gain a deeper understanding of brain activity during bench press, a 2-way repeated measures ANOVA was performed to investigate changes in beta PSD and FAA over time using sound and timepoint as independent variables. A 1-way ANOVA showed that FAA in MoSo was significantly higher than in music and no-sound; however, no statistically significant differences were observed in RM and beta PSD between conditions. A 2-way ANOVA revealed that beta PSD and FAA increased significantly as bench press repetitions approached failure. Our study suggests that MoSo auditory feedback may not improve bench press repetitions, but it may increase brain activity during bench press better than listening to music. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Leahy, MG, Kipp, S, and Sheel, AW. The effect of waistbands on intra-abdominal pressure and respiratory mechanics during bodyweight exercise. J Strength Cond Res 38(12): 2047–2054, 2024—Athletic apparel is often designed with high-waisted, elastic bands around the abdomen to provide comfort and support during functional exercises. The abdominal musculature aids in both active respiration and trunk stability during the exercise, but whether high-waistband athletic garments affect pulmonary function and respiratory mechanics is unknown. Ten healthy women participated in a single-visit study. Subjects were fitted with esophageal and gastric balloon-tipped catheters and completed three bouts of isometric and dynamic bodyweight squats, lunges, and planks, during which ventilation and pulmonary pressures were continuously recorded. Resting pulmonary function was unchanged by high-waistband garments. During isometric squatting exercise, peak abdominal pressure was significantly greater while wearing high-waistband garments (17 ± 6 cmH2O), relative to low-waistband garments (15 ± 6 cmH2O, p = 0.032). The work of breathing was reduced when completing dynamic squat exercise in a high-waistband garment (16.2 ± 3.9 J·min−1), relative to a low-waistband garment (18.6 ± 5.7 J·min−1, p = 0.026). High waistbands had no effect on abdominal pressures or pulmonary mechanics during lunge or plank exercises. We believe our findings indicate that high-waistband garments have the capacity to alter abdominal and ventilatory mechanics during bodyweight squatting exercises but are unlikely to have an effect during other exercise movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is little evidence of the acute effect of random practice, performed by solely varying the intensity but not the task itself, as compared to block practice, i.e. when one task is repeated in a constant manner. This study aimed to examine the acute neuromuscular effects of physical exercise consisting of repeated jumps of randomized length. Fifteen healthy young participants completed 2 separate sessions of 90 minutes. They did 20 minutes of fatiguing exercise, consisting of 100 repeated standing long jumps (SLJ), in two different manners: one session with targeted jump length kept constant (CO), and one with targeted jump length being varied and unpredictable (RA). Pre- and post-tests were conducted before and immediately after, including measurements of Countermovement Jump (CMJ), SLJ, leg extension maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MViC), EMG activities of leg muscles and patellar tendon reflex amplitude (T-reflex: strike force and evoked force). Results showed that performances decreased after the repeated SLJs, independently of the condition (MViC decreased from 448 ± 118 N to 399 ± 122 N; CMJ decreased from 36.7 ± 7.2 cm to 34.6 ± 6.6 cm). EMG during MViC decreased by 21 ± 28 % from pre- to post-intervention. T-reflex decreased after both conditions ([Force/Strike] ratio decreased by 38 ± 69 % from pre to post). Subjective measures showed a greater sense of personal performance and enjoyment after the RA session. Results suggest that a randomly organized intensity of effort led to a similar decrease in physical performance compared to constant intensity when the session loads were matched. It also led to similar fatigue of the neuromuscular system as shown by T-reflexes and EMG measures. Nonetheless, random practice presents the benefit of being markedly more appreciated by participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to assess the immediate effects of re-warm-up strategies using half-squats with elastic looped bands on the performance of youth soccer players. A cross-over study design with repeated measures was implemented in field youth male soccer players (n = 20, age 15.7 ± 0.8 years). Following the first 45-min of match play, players were subjected to one of four re-warm-up (Re-w) interventions of equal duration: no Re-w (PAS), half-squat without elastic looped bands (SQ), half-squat with bands placed on the thighs (SQT), and half-squat with bands placed on the lower legs (SQL). These interventions were compared against a control condition (CON). The Re-w protocols were initiated 10-min after half-time, and players' performance was evaluated through vertical and horizontal jump tests, 20-m linear sprint, and T-agility test. Statistical analysis using ANOVA revealed that the SQT and SQL interventions significantly improved (p < 0.001) several performance metrics compared to the PAS and SQ conditions. These improvements were observed in squat jumps, unilateral squat jumps (both dominant and non-dominant legs), countermovement jumps, horizontal jumps, triple horizontal jumps, the 20-m linear sprint, and T-agility performance. In conclusion, SQT and SQL are equally effective to enhance performance as Re-w strategies after the 1st-half of a soccer match. However, the lack of physiological data and 2nd-half assessments suggests the need for further research to confirm the persistence of these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of varying frequencies (1 vs. 2 vs. 3) of short sprint interval training (sSIT) on young male soccer players' physical performance and physiological parameters. Forty young male soccer players were randomly assigned to four experimental groups engaging in 36 trials sSIT for a duration of 6 weeks as follows: once weekly (1sSIT = 4 sets of 9 x 5 sec all-out runs), twice weekly (2sSIT = 2 sets of 9 x 5 sec all-out runs), and three times weekly (3sSIT = 2 sets of 6 x 5 sec all-out runs), or an active control group which continued their soccer practice routines. Before and after the 6-week training period, physical performance (countermovement vertical jump, 20-m sprint, Illinois change of direction, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 [Yo-Yo IR 1] and kicking distance) and physiological parameters (cardiorespiratory fitness, peak and average power output) were evaluated. All sSIT groups demonstrated significant (p < 0.01) and small to very large training effects (i.e., effect size) on measured parameters. More importantly, a comparison of inter-individual variability in the adaptive changes revealed that the 3sSIT group results in lower residuals in changes in cardiorespiratory fitness and anaerobic power, coupled with lower coefficient of variations in the mean group changes and perceived exertion throughout the training period. The findings indicate that incorporating one, two, or three weekly sessions of sSIT into routine soccer training can lead to similar enhancements in soccer players' physiological and performance adaptations. More importantly, higher training frequencies result in more homogenized adaptations among team members by reducing inter-individual variability in the magnitude of the adaptive responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare the effects of unilateral (UT), bilateral (BT), and combined (UBT) plyometric training on muscular strength, power, and change-of-direction performance in youth male basketball players. Sixty-six male youth basketball players (age: 16.1 ± 0.8 years) participated in this randomized experimental study, which lasted 8 weeks with a training frequency of 2 sessions per week. The UT group performed only single-leg plyometric exercises, while the BT group conducted similar plyometric drills using both feet. The UBT group combined both approaches, performing one session of UT and one session of BT each week. The players were evaluated at baseline and after the 8-week period using a force platform for the unilateral counter-movement jump test (UCMJ), isometric squat test (IST), isometric knee flexor strength test (KFS), leg land and hold test (LHT), and 5 - 0 - 5 tests. The asymmetry between legs per outcome was measured using the symmetry angle. The UT, BT, and UBT all significantly improved outcomes in the IST, UCMJ, KFS, LHT, and 5 - 0 - 5 tests (p < 0.05) following the intervention, with no significant differences among the three methods. However, while UT and UBT significantly reduced asymmetries in the tests (p < 0.05), BT increased asymmetries. Only, the UT group showed significant improvements over the control group in asymmetry measures: IST asymmetry (mean difference: 1.2%, p = 0.049), KFS asymmetry (mean difference: 2.5%, p < 0.001), and LHT asymmetry (mean difference: 1.1%, p = 0.013). While there are no substantial differences among UT, BT, and UBT in terms of improvements in unilateral tests and symmetry levels, UT stands out for its effectiveness in enhancing neuromuscular performance and reducing asymmetries among basketball players compared to the control condition. UT was the only method that showed significant benefits in this context. Strength and conditioning coaches might consider incorporating UT, either alone or alongside BT, to optimize individual limb strength and coordination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effects of pelvic tilt control using visual biofeedback on gluteus maximus (GM), multifidus (MF), and hamstring (HAM) muscle activities during bridge exercises involving anterior pelvic tilt (APT), neutral pelvic tilt (NPT), and posterior pelvic tilt (PPT) were investigated. Methods: Twenty-five healthy participants were included (mean age, 24.6 ± 1.9 years). Visual biofeedback was used for the participants to self-control pelvic tilt during the bridge exercises. Pelvic tilt controls were performed in a random order (APT vs. NPT vs. PPT) following 30 minutes education program. GM, MF, and HAM muscle activities were measured by surface electromyography. One-way repeated analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test were used. Result: GM and MF muscle activities significantly differed among the different pelvic tilting controls (APT vs. NPT vs. PPT) (p <.017). GM muscle activity during the exercise involving PPT was significantly higher than that involving APT and NPT (p <.017). In contrast, MF muscle activity during the exercise involving PPT was significantly lower than that involving APT (p <.017). In addition, the GM/Right MF, GM/Left MF, and GM/HAM muscle activity ratios during the exercise involving PPT were significantly greater than those involving APT and NPT (p <.017). Conclusions: The bridge exercise involving PPT using visual biofeedback can be recommended as a home exercise to selectively improve the muscle activity of the GM and the muscle activity ratio of the GM/HAM and GM/MF. This information may be valuable for clinicians seeking exercise programs to target specific muscles effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine the associations between the composition of movement-related behaviours (sedentary behaviour, sleep, standing, and stepping) and functional outcomes post-stroke. Methods: This study included 34 adults with stroke (mean age: 64.6 ± 12.5 years; time since stroke: 3.5 ± 1.1 months) who underwent an 8-week sedentary behaviour intervention. Functional outcomes were assessed using the timed up and go (TUG) and gait speed tests. Compositional data analysis was used to investigate the relationships between movement-related behaviours and functional outcomes. Results: The baseline composition of movement-related behaviours showed significant associations with changes in TUG (F = 4.28, p = 0.01) and gait speed (F = 4.63, p = 0.01) after the 8-week reducing sedentary behaviour intervention. Reallocating ≥ 30 min/day to stepping, while proportionally decreasing other movement-related behaviours, was associated with a significant change in TUG. Similarly, a relative reallocation of ≥ 40 min/day to stepping was associated with a clinically meaningful change in gait speed. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of considering movement-related behaviours in relation to functional outcomes post-stroke. Reallocating at least 30 min per day to stepping, relative to a reduction in other movement-related behaviours, is associated with significant and meaningful change in functional outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Reallocating at least 30 minutes/day to stepping, relative to a decrease in other movement-related behaviours, is associated with a positive change in functional mobility after an 8-week post-stroke sedentary behaviour intervention. Relative to a decrease in other movement-behaviours, reallocating ≥ 40 minutes/day to stepping is associated with a meaningful change in gait speed. Reallocating time to standing or sleep at the expense of other movement behaviours is not associated with better functional mobility or gait speed. Finding the optimal balance in movement-related behaviours that favours more stepping may lead to improvements in both functional mobility and gait speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This review synthesised the evidence for the effect of prehabilitation interventions on biopsychosocial and service outcomes. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted. 10 databases were searched to December 2023. Prospective experimental studies exploring prehabilitation interventions in adults undergoing upper gastrointestinal surgery were included. Prehabilitation was any preoperative intervention to improve physical or psychological outcomes. Included studies required a comparator group or alternative preoperative intervention as well as baseline, presurgical and postoperative assessment points. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool (v.2). Data synthesis was narrative (SWiM guidance). Results: 6028 studies were screened, with 25 studies included. Prehabilitation interventions were: inspiratory muscle training (five studies n = 450); exercise (nine studies n = 683); psychological (one study n = 400); and nutritional (ten studies n = 487). High quality studies showed preoperative improvements in impairments directly targeted by the interventions. Generally, these did not translate into functional or postoperative improvements, but multimodal interventions were more promising. Conclusion: Current evidence supports prehabilitation as safe to preserve or improve preoperative function. Heterogeneity in outcomes and variable study quality means definitive conclusions regarding interventions are not yet possible, limiting implementation. Agreement of clinical outcomes and cost effectiveness evaluation is required. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Prehabilitation interventions are safe and when combined optimally may preserve or improve preoperative function in patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal surgery. Multimodal interventions (including exercise, nutritional, and psychological components) showed promise which supports the delivery of prehabilitation by multidisciplinary teams. Development of a core outcome set and agreed time points for both preoperative and postoperative outcomes is needed for effective evidence synthesis. Focus on long term outcomes is necessary to determine cost effectiveness and commissioning of resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Over the past two decades, biopsychosocial models of education have emerged for the treatment of various conditions, including neck pain (NP). One increasingly popular biopsychosocial education method is Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE), which educates patients about the neurobiological and neurophysiological basis of their conditions. Objectives: To review the evidence for the effectiveness of PNE as a treatment approach for patients with NP. Design: A scoping literature review. Methods: We searched the PubMed, PEDro and Scopus databases, conducted an additional non-systematic search in the GoogleScholar database and reviewed the reference lists of identified systematic reviews on this topic. We included articles with any experimental research design that: examined patients with non-traumatic NP; examined the effects of the PNE method alone or in combination with other therapeutic interventions; compared the effects of the PNE intervention with any type of therapeutic intervention or with no intervention. Results and conclusions: The searches identified 216 potentially relevant studies, 9 of which met our inclusion criteria. The included studies examined the effects of the PNE method on pain intensity (7/9 studies), catastrophizing (6/9 studies), kinesiophobia (5/9 studies), and disability (6/9 studies). The results of this review suggest that PNE, when integrated into multimodal treatment plans, can help improve pain-related outcomes and overall quality of life in CNP patients. Further research is needed to investigate the specific benefits of combining PNE with different therapeutic modalities in different patient subgroups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Horizontal decelerations are frequently performed during team sports and are closely linked to sports performance and injury. This study aims to provide a comprehensive description of the kinetic demands of decelerations at the whole-body, structural, and tissue-specific levels of the musculoskeletal system. Team-sports athletes performed maximal-effort horizontal decelerations whilst full-body kinematics and ground reaction forces (GRFs) were recorded. A musculoskeletal model was used to determine whole-body (GRFs), structural (ankle, knee, and hip joint moments and contact forces), and tissue (twelve lower-limb muscle forces) loads. External GRFs in this study, especially in the horizontal direction, were up to six times those experienced during accelerated or constant-speed running reported in the literature. To cope with these high external forces, large joint moments (hip immediately after touchdown; ankle and knee during mid and late stance) and contact forces (ankle, knee, hip immediately after touchdown) were observed. Furthermore, eccentric force requirements of the tibialis anterior, soleus, quadriceps, and gluteal muscles were particularly high. The presented loading patterns provide the first empirical explanations for why decelerating movements are amongst the most challenging in team sports and can help inform deceleration-specific training prescription to target horizontal deceleration performance, or fatigue and injury resistance in team-sports athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the acceleration of population aging, disability in older adults is a growing public health problem; however, little is known about the role of specific leisure-time activities in affecting disability. This study prospectively examined the association of leisure-time activities with disability among the Chinese oldest old. A total of 14 039 adults aged 80 years or older (median age of 89.8 years) were enrolled from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey from 1998 to 2014. Disability was defined as the presence of concurrent impairment in activities of daily living and physical performance. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the associations between leisure-time activities and disability. During a mean of 4.2 years (2.7 years) of follow-up, 4487 participants developed disability. Compared with participants who never engaged in leisure-time activities, participants who engaged in almost daily activities, including gardening, keeping domestic animals or pets, playing cards or mahjong, reading books or newspapers, and watching TV or listening to the radio had a lower risk of disability, with HRs of 0.78 (0.69–0.88), 0.64 (0.58–0.70), 0.74 (0.63–0.86), 0.74 (0.65–0.84), and 0.84 (0.77–0.90), respectively. Moreover, the risk of disability gradually decreased with participation in an increasing number of those leisure-time activities (P for trend <0.001). Frequent engagement in leisure-time activities was associated with a lower risk of disability among the Chinese oldest old. This study highlights the importance of incorporating a broad range of leisure-time activities into the daily lives of older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For judo athletes with visual impairments and their coaches, understanding possible muscle adaptations can be challenging. As it is commonplace for these adaptations to include interlimb asymmetry, we analyzed the magnitude and direction of interlimb asymmetry in judo athletes with visual impairments and verified the association of this asymmetry with their unilateral physical performances. Participants were 18 elite judo athletes (10 male, 8 female) with visual impairments. These athletes performed three physical tests: countermovement jump (CMJ), medicine ball throw (MBT), and handgrip strength (HGS), while we conducted unilateral right and left side assessments using the interlimb asymmetry equation for each physical test. Our main results showed that the CMJ and MBT tests presented asymmetry values above 10%; with CMJ significantly higher than HGS (p = 0.050), and with inconsistencies across the three tests in the direction of interlimb asymmetry (k = −0.22–0.26). Unilateral CMJ (left limb) was negatively correlated with asymmetry (r = −0.51; p = 0.031), and unilateral MBT (right limb) was positively correlated with asymmetry (r = 0.52; p = 0.024). Based on these results, coaches should prioritize regular assessments of interlimb asymmetry using these specific tests. This data can guide the construction of training programs aimed at minimizing asymmetry and enhancing overall physical performance. Continuous monitoring and adjustment of training strategies based on asymmetry findings are crucial for optimizing muscle balance in judo athletes with visual impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Patients with advanced cancer frequently seek care in the emergency department and usually present with a constellation of symptoms. In an emergency/urgent setting, it is crucial to understand the severity of these symptoms, which include pain, fatigue, nausea, disturbed sleeping, and distress, as these can greatly influence patient outcomes and the care of cancer patients. In this study, we aimed to explore the relationship between the severity of these symptoms, the diagnosis of delirium, and short-term survival outcomes. Understanding this relationship offers important insights that aid in managing these symptoms, improving patient outcomes, and enhancing a patient's overall quality of life. Background/Objectives: Patients with advanced cancer often present to the emergency department (ED) with pain and distressing symptoms that are not systematically evaluated. The current study investigated the association of symptom severity with the diagnosis of delirium and short-term survival. Methods: In this secondary analysis of a prospective randomized study of delirium among advanced cancer patients in the ED, in which symptoms were assessed by the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI), we analyzed the distribution of MDASI item scores by 90-day mortality (Kolmogorov–Smirnov), the association of MDASI item scores with short-term mortality (logistic regression models), and the symptoms in those with or without delirium (Mann–Whitney U test or chi-square test). Results: Of the 243 patients included, 222 (91.4%) had complete MDASI scores. The MDASI median symptom scores for pain, fatigue, and interference with work were the highest. A significant difference in MDASI item score distribution with 90-day mortality was observed for fatigue (p = 0.018), shortness of breath (p < 0.001), difficulty remembering (p = 0.038), lack of appetite (p = 0.035), drowsiness (p < 0.001), feeling sad (p = 0.031), and interference with walking (p < 0.001). In multivariable logistic regression models, shortness of breath (adjusted OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.04–1.26, p = 0.005) and drowsiness (adjusted OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.05–1.33, p = 0.008) were associated with 90-day mortality, adjusting for age, race, performance status, and cancer type. The median total MDASI score was significantly higher in patients with delirium than in those without (88, IQR 83–118 vs. 80, IQR 55–104; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with advanced cancer presenting to the ED had severe symptoms, some of which were associated with shorter survival. These findings underscore the necessity of systematic symptom assessment, focusing on shortness of breath, drowsiness, fatigue, difficulty remembering, lack of appetite, feeling sad, and feeling distressed, to enhance clinical decision-making and improve the care of patients with advanced cancer. Additional longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the improvement in symptoms and quality of life for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Hepcidin, a peptide hormone, is overexpressed in colorectal cancer, mainly in the advanced stages. This study assessed whether the pre-treatment serum levels of hepcidin are a predictive factor of the overall survival of patients with microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer receiving first-line treatment with FOLFOX-panitumumab (RAS/BRAF wild-type) or FOLFOX-bevacizumab (RAS or BRAF mutations). Our data showed that patients with metastatic colorectal cancer had higher serum levels of hepcidin than the controls, and patients with circulating levels of hepcidin greater than 40 ng/mL had a reduced overall survival as compared to those with values lower than 40 ng/mL. These data suggest that the serum level of hepcidin can help identify subgroups of microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer patients with a more aggressive course. Background & Aim. Hepcidin, a key hormone in iron homeostasis, is synthesized by colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, particularly in the late stages of tumorigenesis. This study aimed to ascertain whether the serum levels of hepcidin could serve as a prognostic biomarker in microsatellite stable (MSS) metastatic CRC (mCRC). Specifically, we assessed the predictive value of baseline serum hepcidin levels for the overall survival (OS) of patients with MSS mCRC receiving first-line treatment with FOLFOX-panitumumab (RAS/BRAF wild-type) or FOLFOX-bevacizumab (RAS or BRAF mutations). Methods. Serum samples were prospectively collected from 35 normal healthy volunteers (normal controls) and 55 patients with MSS mCRC and analyzed for their content of hepcidin by ELISA. Results. Serum hepcidin levels were significantly greater in patients with mCRC than in the normal controls. In the mCRC group, patients with baseline levels of hepcidin greater than 40 ng/mL had a significantly shorter 1-year OS rate (39%) than those with hepcidin levels lower than 40 ng/mL (80%) [hazard ratio (HR): 2.94; 95% CI: 1.27–6.84; p = 0.01]. A multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the pre-treatment serum hepcidin levels were an independent prognostic factor for OS, not influenced by other well-known prognostic factors (i.e., CEA status, Karnofsky performance score, number of metastatic sites, RAS/BRAF mutations), and this was evident across all major patient subgroups. Conclusions. Our data show that baseline serum levels of hepcidin are an independent risk factor for OS in MSS mCRC patients undergoing standard first-line treatment. Further prospective and extensive studies are needed to confirm and validate our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Prior research introduced quantifiable effects of three methodological parameters (number of repetitions, stimulus length, and parsing error) on the spatiotemporal index (STI) using simulated data. Critically, these parameters often vary across studies. In this study, we validate these effects, which were previously only demonstrated via simulation, using children's speech data. Method: Kinematic data were collected from 30 typically developing children and 15 children with developmental language disorder, all spanning the ages of 6-8 years. All children repeated the sentence "buy Bobby a puppy" multiple times. Using these data, experiments were designed to mirror the previous simulated experiments as closely as possible to assess the effects of analytic decisions on the STI. Experiment 1 manipulated number of repetitions, Experiment 2 manipulated stimulus length (or the number of movement units in the target phrase), and Experiment 3 manipulated precision of parsing of the articulatory trajectories. Results: The findings of all three experiments closely mirror those of the prior simulation. Experiment 1 showed consistent underestimation of STI values from smaller repetition counts consistent with the theoretical model for all three participant groups. Experiment 2 found speech segments containing fewer movements yield lower STI values than longer ones. Finally, Experiment 3 showed even small parsing errors are found to significantly increase measured STI values. Conclusions: The results of this study are consistent with the findings of prior simulations in showing that the number of repetitions, length of stimuli, and amount of parsing error can all strongly influence the STI independent of behavioral factors. These results further confirm the importance of closely considering the design of experiments, which employ the STI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motor competence is important for lifelong physical activity (PA). The current study aimed to examine associations between PA and motor competence. In total, 43 children aged 7–12 years with intellectual disabilities and/or autism spectrum disorder completed anthropometric measures, the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2, and wore a wrist accelerometer to capture total PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), average acceleration, and intensity gradient. No significant associations were found between PA outcomes and motor competence. Motor competence performance was commonly 'below average' or 'average'. The weakest subtests were upper limb coordination and strength. The strongest subtest was running speed and agility. Total weekly MVPA was 336.1 ± 150.3 min, higher than UK recommendations of 120-180 per week for disabled children and young people. Larger scale studies are needed to better understand the relationship between PA and motor competence. Future research should also consider the influence of environmental factors on PA in this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive research has supported the positive effects of music on exercise performance and enjoyment. However, the extent literature does not fully examine the effect of music presentation timing on exercise experience. Therefore, this experimental study tests the effects of music presentation timing on perceived exertion, attention, and emotional state during aerobic exercise. Researchers randomly assigned 43 participants to either a control or one of two experimental groups. In the first experimental group, participants listened to music throughout the entire exercise while participants in the second experimental group began listening to music when they reached or exceed RPE 11. Participants completed a modified Balke and Ware exercise test while reporting their HR, RPE, and attention every minute. Results indicated a significant time point by music group interaction on RPE, with no-music resulting in significantly higher RPEs than music-throughout or delayed-music at exercise completion, but not before. Similarly, a time point by music group interaction indicated that participants' attention in the no-music group was more associative than participants in the music-throughout or delayed-music groups at exercise completion. These changes did not have a significant effect on affective response. These results replicated previous research on music during exercise but did not find evidence for further dissociation and reduction of RPE with delayed-music stimuli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Preventing functional disability benefits the quality of life of older adults and mitigates the economic burden of an aging society. However, the most effective physical performance tests and optimal cut points for identifying older adults at risk of functional disability remain unclear, and Japan lacks physical function‐based assessment tools. We aimed to identify the physical performance tests related to functional disability and to develop a predictive test battery for it. Methods: We included 975 older adults (mean 72.8 ± 5.2 years, 55.4% women) in Kasama City, Japan. Functional disability was defined as certification of care level 2 or above based on the long‐term care insurance system. Cox proportional hazards analysis examined the association between physical performance tests and incident functional disability. Results: During a mean follow‐up of 8.6 years (maximum 14 years), 236 participants (24.2%) developed functional disability. After adjusting for covariates, higher performances in grip strength, single‐leg balance with eyes open (SLB), timed up‐and‐go (TUG), five‐repetition sit‐to‐stand (5‐STS), and 5‐m habitual walk were significantly associated with a lower risk of functional disability. In a stepwise model, SLB, TUG, and 5‐STS were key predictors of functional disability. Receiver operating characteristic analysis determined optimal cut points of 32.6/32.7 s for SLB, 6.5/6.6 s for TUG, and 7.8/7.9 s for 5‐STS. We developed a predictive battery combining these cut points (area under the curve = 0.78). Conclusions: The developed battery of physical performance tests predicts future functional disability and is useful for screening older adults at high risk. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 1343–1349. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present studies investigated the impacts of the different implementation of body movement into classroom-based comprehensive music programs on the development of music-related and nonmusical abilities in Hungarian primary school children. In Study 1, science-focused classes received Kodály music lessons completed with teacher-directed movements or no movement activities. In Study 2, intensive music classes participated in Kodály music lessons combined either with teacher-directed or improvised movement elements. From the beginning of schooling, participants were measured three times over 1.5 years for musical abilities, sensorimotor entrainment, phonemic awareness, rapid naming, reading, executive functions, and IQ. Results revealed distinct developmental trajectories for melody discrimination, phonemic awareness, and verbal IQ in the science classes; however, the classes' comparable performance at the first and last measurements indicated that their overall growth was similar. Moreover, performance of the intense music classes was comparable at the end of the second school year even though the class with the music curriculum using teacher-directed movements showed greater improvements in rapid naming of pictures and verbal IQ. These findings suggest that in the early school years, diverse movement-based music programs provided in classroom settings supported musical, sensorimotor entrainment, early literacy, and cognitive development similarly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Musculoskeletal injuries (MSK-I) are a well-documented problem in military populations and a leading contributor to disability across military services. However, only a portion of Service members who sustain an MSK-I report it to medical providers. Although several studies have identified barriers to seeking medical care in military populations, less is known about what motivates Service members to seek care for MSK-I. To describe determinants of medical care-seeking behavior for MSK-I and/or musculoskeletal pain (MSK-P) in recently enlisted US Marines during military training. Qualitative study. School of Infantry-West (SOI-W), Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. A total of 1097 US Marines entering Infantry Training Battalion or Marine Combat Training at SOI-W. Participants completed written surveys at entry to (baseline) and graduation from SOI-W. Closed-ended question responses were used to calculate MSK-I/MSK-P and care-seeking frequencies. Open-ended responses describing determinants of care-seeking behavior were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Ten percent of participants self-reported sustaining MSK-I during basic training, whereas 14% self-reported sustaining an MSK-I in SOI-W training. A greater proportion reported seeking medical care for their MSK-I/MSK-P during basic training than during SOI-W training. The thematic analysis resulted in 3 main themes that describe drivers and barriers for seeking medical care: (1) self-perceived need for medical care, (2) prioritizing military training, and (3) training-specific influences. Understanding determinants of care-seeking behavior is valuable when designing intervention strategies to promote early MSK-I treatment. Our findings add to previous research to elucidate reasons underlying the decisions about care-seeking for MSK-I/MSK-P. Interventions, including educational strategies and direct approaches like embedding medical providers within units, to minimize barriers to seeking medical care in the military may reduce the burden of MSK-I/MSK-P on Service members throughout their military careers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]