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Wet-cupping therapy (WCT) is one of the oldest known medical techniques, used as a traditional and complementary therapy with a wide application all around the world for general health. Research on the effects of WCT on sports performance are sparse and inconsistent. Thus, we aimed to explore the effects of WCT on repeated sprint ability, wellness, and exertion in young active males. Forty-nine active adult males (age: [28 ​± ​5] years; body height [177 ​± ​8] cm; body mass: [79 ​± ​7] kg; body mass index: [25.4 ​± ​1.8] kg/m2) were selected for the study. The participants performed a running-based sprint test on two separate occasions (Control and Post-WCT). WCT was performed 24 ​h before the testing session. They completed the Hooper questionnaire to assess their well-being (i.e., sleep, stress, fatigue, and soreness) before each session. The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was collected after each testing session. A higher maximum power (p ​

Abstract Ultramarathon running is of increasing popularity, where the time-limited 24-hour run is one of the most popular events. Although we have a high scientific knowledge about different topics for this specific race format, we do not know where the best 24-hour runners originate from and where the fastest races are held. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the origin of these runners and the fastest race locations. A machine learning model based on the XG Boost algorithm was built to predict running speed based on the athlete´s age, gender, country of origin and the country where the race takes place. Model explainability tools were used to investigate how each independent variable would influence the predicted running speed. A sample of 171,358 race records from 63,514 unique runners from 73 countries participating in 24-hour races held in 57 countries between 1807 and 2022 was analyzed. Most of the athletes originated from the USA, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Russia, Australia, Austria, and Canada. Tunisian athletes achieved the fastest average running speed, followed by runners from Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Island, Croatia, Slovenia, and Israel. Regarding the country of the event, the ranking looks quite similar to the participation by the athlete, suggesting a high correlation between the country of origin and the country of the event. The fastest 24-hour races are recorded in Israel, Romania, Korea, the Netherlands, Russia, and Taiwan. On average, men were 0.4 km/h faster than women, and the fastest runners belonged to age groups 35–39, 40–44, and 45–49 years. In summary, the 24-hour race format is spread over the world, and the fastest athletes mainly originate from Eastern Europe, while the fastest races were organized in European and Asian countries.

Abstract Introduction : Statins are effective in reducing high cholesterol levels; however, due to associated side effects, many patients actively seek alternative medications. This review evaluates the efficacy, side effects, patient adherence, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility of dietary supplements (DS) as a treatment option for hypercholesterolemia. Methods This narrative review compares red yeast rice (RYR), flaxseed, artichokes, bergamot, Ayurvedic mixtures (with garlic as a prominent ingredient), and statins for treating hypercholesterolemia. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases for studies published between 2012 and 2024 using “hypercholesterolemia” in combination with a dietary supplement (red yeast rice, flaxseed, artichokes, garlic, or bergamot). The selected articles were published until 28th January 2024 with no language restrictions. Results Study results suggest that alternative treatments using dietary supplements such as flaxseed, bergamot, or red yeast rice may effectively reduce cholesterol levels, with the specific value varying based on the study. Conclusion The following natural ingredients - red yeast rice, artichoke extract, bergamot, garlic, and flaxseed - have been specifically selected for their cholesterol-lowering properties. Based on consistent usage, except for aged garlic extract, these ingredients appear to have a beneficial impact on cholesterol levels. (1) It is advisable to conduct a comprehensive cohort study to assess the efficacy of relevant dietary supplements, particularly red yeast rice, bergamot, and flaxseed, in treating hypercholesterolemia. This is important due to the varying effectiveness of alternative treatments. However, there are lingering concerns regarding the lack of supervision and quality control that require attention. (2) Further research into the specific molecular composition and the underlying mechanisms by which it reduces cholesterol levels is warranted.

Little is known about the physiological and psychobiological responses that occur during and after high intensity functional training (HIFT). We compared physiological and psychobiological responses during and after a HIFT session with a high intensity continuous training (HICT) session. Twenty-one trained and healthy men were submitted to 20-min session of HIFT and HICT on separate days. The heart rate, blood lactate concentration [Lac], levels of state anxiety, rates of perceived exertion (RPE) and perceived discomfort (RPE-D), and affective valence were measured. Exercise intensity of the HICT was adjusted to the mean heart rate obtained in the HIFT session. The highest heart rate in the training sessions was significantly higher in HIFT (mean ​± ​standard deviation [SD]: [187 ​± ​9] bpm) than in HICT (mean ​± ​SD: [178 ​± ​8] bpm, p ​

Purpose This study aimed to verify participation and performance in all road and trail-based races in Switzerland over two decades (1999–2019). Methods This is a secondary data-based study. We used 1,149,182 race records (788,818 from men and 360,364 from women) from 407,944 unique finishers of the 5 km, 10 km, half-marathon, marathon, and ultra-marathon races in Switzerland, between 1999 and 2019. Data included the athletes’ genders, ages, race distances, and types of races (road or trail). The mento- women ratio was calculated and box plots were used to present differences according to gender, age groups, and race distances in both terrains. Differences between the groups were calculated. Results The men-to-women ratio has generally decreased in all race distances over the years. Runners competing in roadbased races were faster than those in a trail run in all distances. Men had faster finish times than women independent of age, except those competing in 10 km trail races. In road-based races, the men-to-women ratio was higher among older marathoners, while for trail runs, a higher men-to-women ratio was shown for older half-marathoners and participants in 10 km races. For 5 km, 10 km, half-marathon, and ultra-marathon races, a decrease in running speed differences was shown until the age of 50 years. Conclusions In Switzerland, most of the runners competed in road-based races, but the interest in trail running has increased. The men-to-women ratio declined over time, which could show an increase in the interest of women to participate in endurance activities.

Marathon sports events and those who participate in them have grown over the last years, reflecting notably an augmentation of women and master runners’ participation. The aim of the present narrative review was to briefly present the results of studies on anthropometric, physiological, and training characteristics, as well as predictors of performance, in marathon runners. It was observed that performance was better in runners with a small body weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, and rate of endomorphy. Regarding physiology, an increased maximal oxygen uptake, anaerobic threshold, and improved running economy could result in a faster race time. The training variables that could predict performance involved weekly training volume (distance) and intensity (running speed), as well as history of training (years). A combination of these three broad categories of characteristics may offer an approximate estimation of the race speed considering that other aspects (e.g., nutrition, biomechanics, and motivation) influence race performance, too. In summary, the findings of the present study provided an overview of the anthropometric, physiological, and training characteristics associated with marathon race times; thus, optimization of any of these characteristics would be expected to improve the race time.

Abstract The study aimed to investigate the effects of acute ingestion of saffron (SAF) on physiological (i.e., heart rate and blood lactate) and perceptual (i.e., ratings of perceived exertion [RPE] and feeling scale) measures in response to a repeated-sprint ability test (RSS) in healthy young males (N = 22; mean ± SD: age, 21.7 ± 1.24 yrs.). All participants completed two experimental trials with a one-week washout period using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. In each session, the participants were randomly chosen to receive either a capsule of saffron (300 mg) (SAF session) or a capsule of lactose (PLB session) two hours before performing the RSS. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found for heart rate, RPE, and feeling scale between the SAF or PLB sessions at pre- and post-RSS. There were no significant changes (p > 0.05) in peak time, total time, fatigue index, and blood lactate in either the SAF or PLB sessions. Acute SAF ingestion did not significantly improve RSS performance nor physiological and perceptual measures in active young males. Future trials should address the topic by using shortened/prolonged higher doses of SAF on biological, physical, physiological, and perceptual responses to acute and chronic exercise.

Abstract The majority of participants in Ironman triathlon races are age group athletes. We have extensive knowledge about recreational athletes’ training and competition participation. Nonetheless, Ironman age group triathletes must achieve fast race times to qualify for the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. They can, therefore, benefit from knowing where the fastest Ironman racecourses in the world are. The aim of the present study was to investigate where the fastest Ironman racecourses for age group triathletes are located in the world. Data from 677,702 Ironman age group finishers’ records (544,963 from men and 132,739 from women) originating from 228 countries and participating in 444 events across 66 different Ironman race locations between 2002 and 2022 were analyzed. Data was analyzed through traditional descriptive statistics and with machine learning regression models. Four algorithms were tested (Random Forest Regressor, XG Boost Regressor, Cat Boot Regressor, and Decision Tree Regressor). The models used gender, age group, country of origin, environmental factors (average air and water temperatures), and the event location as independent variables to predict the final overall race time. Despite the majority of successful Ironman age group triathletes originating from the USA (274,553), followed by athletes from the United Kingdom (55,410) and Canada (38,264), these countries exhibited average overall race times that were significantly slower compared to the fastest countries. Most of the triathletes competed in Ironman Wisconsin (38,545), followed by Ironman Florida (38,157) and Ironman Lake Placid (34,341). The fastest overall race times were achieved in Ironman Copenhagen (11.68 ± 1.38 h), followed by Ironman Hawaii (11.72 ± 1.86 h), Ironman Barcelona (11.78 ± 1.43 h), Ironman Florianópolis (11.80 ± 1.52 h), Ironman Frankfurt (12.03 ± 1.38 h) and Ironman Kalmar (12.08 ± 1.47 h). The fastest athletes originated from Belgium (11.48 ± 1.47 h), followed by athletes from Denmark (11.59 ± 1.40 h), Switzerland (11.62 ± 1.49 h), Austria (11.68 ± 1.50), Finland (11.68 ± 1.40 h) and Germany (11.74 ± 15.1 h). Flat running and cycling courses were associated with faster overall race times. Three of the predictive models identified the ‘country’ and ‘age group’ variables as the most important predictors. Environmental characteristics showed the lowest influence regarding the other variables. The origin of the athlete was the most predictive variable whereas environmental characteristics showed the lowest influence. Flat cycling and flat running courses were associated with faster overall race times. The fastest overall race times were achieved mainly in European races such as Ironman Copenhagen, Ironman Hawaii, Ironman Barcelona, Ironman Florianópolis, Ironman Frankfurt and Ironman Kalmar. The fastest triathletes originated from European countries such as Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, Finland, and Germany.

Abstract Backstroke has been thoroughly investigated in the context of sports science. However, we have no knowledge about the nationalities of the fastest age group backstroke swimmers. Therefore, the present study intended to investigate the nationalities of the fastest backstroke swimmers. For all World Masters Championships held between 1986 and 2024, the year of competition, the first and last name, the age, and the age group, and both the stroke and the distance were recorded for each swimmer. Descriptive data were presented using mean, standard deviation, maximum and minimum values, and confidence intervals. The top ten race times for each swimming distance and sex were identified for descriptive purposes. Nationalities were then grouped into six categories: the top five nationalities with the most appearances in the backstroke swimming top ten times by distance each year and one group consisting of all other nationalities. The Kruskal–Wallis test compared nationality differences, followed by Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons to identify specific distinctions. Between 1986 and 2024, most age group backstroke swimmers (39.6%) competed in the 50 m event (11,964, 6206 women, and 5,758 men), followed by the 100 m event (32.3%, n = 9764, 5157 women, and 4607 men), and the 200 m event (28.1%, n = 8483, 4511 women, and 3,972 men). Germany had the highest number of top ten female swimmers in the 50 m backstroke distance. Brazil had the highest number of top ten male swimmers in the same distance. The USA had the highest number of female and male swimmers among the top ten in the 100 m and 200 m backstroke distances. Germany and Great Britain were the only countries with swimmers in the top ten for all female backstroke distances. Brazil, the USA, Italy, and Germany were the countries that had swimmers in the top ten for all male backstroke distances. In summary, the fastest backstroke age group swimmers originated from Germany, Brazil, USA, Great Britain, and Italy, where differences between the sexes and race distances exist.

Purpose: Antarctic expeditions are exceptional physiological challenges. Sleep plays a critical role in athletic performance, recovery, and wellness, with sleep disturbances having a negative impact on health and performance. Methods: The authors investigated sleep, fatigue, and recovery profiles of the longest solo unsupported one-way polar ski journey across Antarctica. A 33-year-old woman covered 1484.53 km from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole, finishing at the Ross Ice Shelf, in 70 days and 16 hours. Questionnaires on sleep (Pittsburgh Insomnia Rating Scale and Karolinska Sleepiness Scale), fatigue (Subjective Assessment of Fatigue), recovery (Total Quality Recovery), and wellness were completed at different time points (before, during, and after the expedition). Results: Average daily sleep time was between 4 and 5 hours, increasing to 7 hours for the final part of the expedition. Satisfaction of sleep and lack of energy deteriorated as the expedition progressed, alongside signs of clinical insomnia. Fatigue and muscle soreness increased with increasing milage, with extreme levels and very poor recovery toward the end of the expedition. Despite this, the adventurer continued to perform on extremely high levels. Postexpedition scores returned to baseline, demonstrating the incredible adaptation and ability to recovery. The postexpedition interview showed that prior experience of an Antarctic expedition may have prepared the athlete and made her more resilient for this challenge. Conclusions: The data provide unique insights into Antarctic expeditions and may help us understand the limits of human performance when planning future expeditions of this nature. Female athletes are capable of extreme challenges, breaking established performance boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The IRONMAN® triathlon is an endurance multisport discipline of high popularity. Professional IRONMAN® triathletes need to qualify for the IRONMAN® World Championships and, therefore, would benefit from identifying the fastest race courses. Our purpose was to identify the fastest races held for professional IRONMAN® triathletes competing from 2002 to 2022. Methods This was an observational study, sampling 7,078 race records (380 different events in 55 different event locations) of professional IRONMAN® triathletes of both sexes (4,235 males and 2,843 females). We downloaded information about sex, nationality, both split (swimming, cycling, and running) and overall race times, the event location, and the year. Information about race course characteristics, water temperatures, and air temperatures was obtained. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each event location, and factorial ANOVA tests were used to explore the statistical significance of the results. A confidence interval of 95% was adopted. Results The fastest overall IRONMAN® average race times were achieved during the IRONMAN® Tallinn, IRONMAN® Switzerland held in Thun, and IRONMAN® Des Moines. A lake for the swim split characterized the first five courses, while the bike split featured rolling or hilly terrain. For the run split, most of the courses were characterized as flat. For environmental characteristics, lower water and air temperatures also added time to the average finish time. Conclusions Understanding the fastest race courses and their characteristics would assist professional IRONMAN® triathletes in selecting races that offer the optimal conditions for their competition. Fast IRONMAN® race courses typically feature a lakeside swim course, a rolling or hilly bike course, and a flat run course.

Self-modeling (SM) and self-control (SC) feedback can be presented as two solutions for learning improvement. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of SM and SC feedback on 100-m freestyle performance of professional swimmers and waterpolo players. 25 elite male swimmers and waterpolo players, were randomly assigned to four groups: swimmer group with SM, swimmer group with SM and SC feedback, waterpolo players group with SM, and waterpolo players group with SM and SC feedback. 100-m freestyle times and performance were recorded. SM and SC feedback for the participants were utilized at the acquisition stage. The device used included a Lenovo B570 laptop and an Exilim ZR200 canon camcorder. SM and SC feedback presented to the swimmers and waterpolo players led to improved speed and results, and the effect of presenting SM with SC feedback to swimmers had better results. In conclusion, the present study indicates that SC modeling of watching video is a suitable method for professional swimmers. Water polo trainers can also use SM and SC feedback to enhance their players' swimming technique.

Abstract Background Ultra-endurance events are gaining popularity in multiple exercise disciplines, including cycling. With increasing numbers of ultra-cycling events, aspects influencing participation and performance are of interest to the cycling community. Main body The aim of this narrative review was, therefore, to assess the types of races offered, the characteristics of the cyclists, the fluid and energy balance during the race, the body mass changes after the race, and the parameters that may enhance performance based on existing literature. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar using the search terms ‘ultracycling’, ‘ultra cycling’, ‘ultra-cycling’, ‘ultra-endurance biking’, ‘ultra-bikers’ and ‘prolonged cycling’. The search yielded 948 results, of which 111 were relevant for this review. The studies were classified according to their research focus and the results were summarized. The results demonstrated changes in physiological parameters, immunological and oxidative processes, as well as in fluid and energy balance. While the individual race with the most published studies was the Race Across America, most races were conducted in Europe, and a trend for an increase in European participants in international races was observed. Performance seems to be affected by characteristics such as age and sex but not by anthropometric parameters such as skin fold thickness. The optimum age for the top performance was around 40 years. Most participants in ultra-cycling events were male, but the number of female athletes has been increasing over the past years. Female athletes are understudied due to their later entry and less prominent participation in ultra-cycling races. A post-race energy deficit after ultra-cycling events was observed. Conclusion Future studies need to investigate the causes for the observed optimum race age around 40 years of age as well as the optimum nutritional supply to close the observed energy gap under consideration of the individual race lengths and conditions. Another research gap to be filled by future studies is the development of strategies to tackle inflammatory processes during the race that may persist in the post-race period.

Abstract The 50-km ultra-marathon is a popular race distance, slightly longer than the classic marathon distance. However, little is known about the country of affiliation and age of the fastest 50-km ultra-marathon runners and where the fastest races are typically held. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate a large dataset of race records for the 50-km distance race to identify the country of affiliation and the age of the fastest runners as well as the locations of the fastest races. A total of 1,398,845 50-km race records (men, n = 1,026,546; women, n = 372,299) were analyzed using both descriptive statistics and advanced regression techniques. This study revealed significant trends in the performance of 50-km ultra-marathoners. The fastest 50-km runners came from African countries, while the fastest races were found to occur in Europe and the Middle East. Runners from Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, and Kenya were the fastest in this race distance. The fastest 50-km racecourses, providing ideal conditions for faster race times, are in Europe (Luxembourg, Belarus, and Lithuania) and the Middle East (Qatar and Jordan). Surprisingly, the fastest ultra-marathoners in the 50-km distance were found to fall into the age group of 20–24 years, challenging the conventional belief that peak ultra-marathon performance comes in older age groups. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the performance models in 50-km ultra-marathons and can serve as valuable insights for runners, coaches, and race organizers in optimizing training strategies and racecourse selection.

BackgroundTriathletes are pushing their limits in multi-stage Ironman-distance triathlons. In the present case study, we investigated the pacing during 20, 40, and 60 Ironman-distance triathlons in 20, 40, and 60 days, respectively, of one professional IRONMAN® triathlete.Case studyEvent 1 (20 Ironman-distance triathlons in 20 days), Event 2 (40 Ironman-distance triathlons in 40 days), and Event 3 (60 Ironman-distance triathlons in 60 days) were analyzed by discipline (swimming, cycling, running, and overall event time), by Deca intervals (10 days of consecutive Ironman-distance triathlons) and additional data (sleep duration, body mass, heart rate in cycling and running). To test differences between Events and Deca intervals within the same discipline, T-tests (2 groups) or one-way ANOVAs (3 or more groups) were used.ResultsSwimming splits were fastest in Event 1, (ii) cycling and running splits were fastest in both Event 2 and 3, (iii) overall speed was fastest in Event 3, (iv) sleep duration increased during Event 2 but decreased in Event 3, (v) body mass decreased in Event 2, but increased in Event 3 and (vi) heart rate during cycling was similar in both Event 2 and 3. In contrast, heart rate during running was greater in Event 3.ConclusionIn a professional IRONMAN® triathlete finishing 20, 40, and 60 Ironman-distance triathlons in 20, 40, and 60 days, respectively, split performances and both anthropometrical and physiological changes such as body mass and heart rate differed depending upon the duration of the events.

ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate and predict the long-term effectiveness of five lifestyle interventions for individuals with eating disorders using machine learning techniques.MethodsThis study, conducted at Dr. Irandoust’s Health Center at Qazvin from August 2021 to August 2023, aimed to evaluate the effects of five lifestyle interventions on individuals with eating disorders, initially diagnosed using The Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale (EDDS). The interventions were: (1) Counseling, exercise, and dietary regime, (2) Aerobic exercises with dietary regime, (3) Walking and dietary regime, (4) Exercise with a flexible diet, and (5) Exercises through online programs and applications. Out of 955 enrolled participants, 706 completed the study, which measured Body Fat Percentage (BFP), Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR), Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol, Total Cholesterol (CHO), Weight, and Triglycerides (TG) at baseline, during, and at the end of the intervention. Random Forest and Gradient Boosting Regressors, following feature engineering, were used to analyze the data, focusing on the interventions’ long-term effectiveness on health outcomes related to eating disorders.ResultsFeature engineering with Random Forest and Gradient Boosting Regressors, respectively, reached an accuracy of 85 and 89%, then 89 and 90% after dataset balancing. The interventions were ranked based on predicted effectiveness: counseling with exercise and dietary regime, aerobic exercises with dietary regime, walking with dietary regime, exercise with a flexible diet, and exercises through online programs.ConclusionThe results show that Machine Learning (ML) models effectively predicted the long-term effectiveness of lifestyle interventions. The current study suggests a significant potential for tailored health strategies. This emphasizes the most effective interventions for individuals with eating disorders. According to the results, it can also be suggested to expand demographics and geographic locations of participants, longer study duration, exploring advanced machine learning techniques, and including psychological and social adherence factors. Ultimately, these results can guide healthcare providers and policymakers in creating targeted lifestyle intervention strategies, emphasizing personalized health plans, and leveraging machine learning for predictive healthcare solutions.

The present study aimed to compare V̇O2max (absolute, adjusted to total body mass, and adjusted to lean mass) in recreational runners and sedentary women < and > 50 yr and verify the effect of aging and physical activity level on the three types of V̇O2 max expression. The study included 147 women:85 runners (45.7 ± 14.1 yr) and 62 sedentary controls (48.8 ± 9.8 yr). They were subjected to cardiopulmonary exercise testing for V̇O2 max measurement and a body composition test by dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry system. V̇O2max were expressed as absolute values (L/min), relative to total body mass values (mL/kg/min), and relative to lean mass values (mL/kgLM/min). The two-way analysis of variance revealed a significant interaction [F(2,131) = 4.43, p

This study aimed to investigate the effects of swimming in cold water on the release of FGF21 from various tissues and its impact on fat metabolism. Twenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: untrained (C), trained in thermo-neutral water (TN, 30 °C) and trained in cold water (TC, 15 °C). The training groups swam intervals (2–3 min) until exhaustion, 1 min rest, three days a week for six weeks, with 3–6% bodyweight load. The mRNA expression of variables was determined in white fat tissue (WAT), and FGF21 protein was also measured in the liver, brown fat tissue (BAT), serum, and muscle. The experimental protocols resulted in lower body weight gain, associated with reduced WAT volume; the most remarkable improvement was observed in the TC group. Swimming significantly increased FGF21 protein levels in WAT, BAT, and muscle tissues compared to the C group; substantial increases were in the TC group. Changes in FGF21 were highly correlated with the activation of genes involved in fat metabolisms, such as CPT1, CD36, and HSL, and with glycerol in WAT. The findings indicate a positive correlation between swimming in cold water and the activation of genes involved in fat metabolism, possibly through FGF21 production, which was highly correlated with fat-burning genes.

Participation in marathons has dramatically increased over the last few years. Marathon running has many proven beneficial effects, especially on cardiovascular health and fitness. Most research has focused on physiologic and pathophysiologic adaptations in connection with endurance exercise. Nevertheless, marathon running also has a major impact on psychological aspects and positively influences mental health, which has only recently attracted research interest. The present narrative review aimed to review the personality traits of marathon runners with an emphasis on recent literature. Marathon runners show a distinct personality and highly characteristic personality traits needed to successfully finish such a demanding race, i.e., a strong sense of vigor, self-sufficiency, and intelligence as well as low scores in anger, fatigue, tension, and depression. Furthermore, personality differences are detectable between runners of different sexes, ages, and performance level groups. This has significant clinical implications for athletes, coaches and competition organizers, as these groups show different patterns of personality traits. Future studies should focus on changes in cognition and mood states pre-, during, and post-endurance events, as well as during training periods. Large-scale studies comparing personality differences by sex, age, and performance are also important for better clinical guidance.

Abstract This study evaluated the acute effect of the exergame Kinect Sports® beach volleyball on state anxiety level in adult women. Thirty healthy adult women (age: 21 [4] years, body mass: 54.70 [19.50] kg, height: 1.61 ± 0.05 m, and body mass index: 21.87 [5.76] kg/m2, data are expressed as median [interquartile range] and as the mean ± standard deviation) were assigned to play an exergame of beach volleyball in singleplayer mode session (intervention session) for ~ 30 min using the Xbox 360 Kinect® or remained seated (control session). State anxiety was evaluated before and after the intervention and control sessions through the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. State anxiety obtained in both sessions (exergame and control) was classified as intermediate before (median: 36.00 [IQR: 4.75] and mean = 38.73 ± 7.23, respectively) and after (mean: 34.86 ± 6.81 and mean: 37.66 ± 8.44, respectively). Friedman test found no time significant effect on state anxiety of the sessions (χ2 [3] = 6.45, p-value = 0.092, Kendall’s W = 0.07 “trivial”). In conclusion, the present study showed that there were no significant differences in the state anxiety level after an acute session of the exergame beach volleyball.

Abstract This study investigated the combined effects of 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and spirulina supplementation on adipokine levels, insulin resistance, anthropometric indices, and cardiorespiratory fitness in 44 obese males (aged 25–40 years). The participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: control (CG), supplement (SG), training (TG), or training plus supplement (TSG). The intervention involved daily administration of either spirulina or a placebo and HIIT three times a week for the training groups. Anthropometric indices, HOMA-IR, VO2peak, and circulating adipokines (asprosin and lipocalin2, omentin-1, irisin, and spexin) were measured before and after the 12-week intervention. Post-intervention analysis indicated differences between the CG and the three interventional groups for body weight, fat-free mass (FFM), percent body fat (%BF), HOMA-IR, and adipokine levels (p

Little is known about the prevalent nationalities among the best-placed athletes participating in “Ironman Hawaii.” Moreover, the age at which athletes achieve their best performances remains unclear. The present study aimed to compare the prevalent nationalities among the athletes, their respective placement among the top five, and the performance difference between the different age groups in ‘Ironman Hawaii’ from 2003 to 2019. A total of 30 354 amateur triathletes were selected from the Obsessed Triathlete (OBSTRI) website. A “TOP 5” division filter was applied for further analysis, resulting in 1 851 athletes being included in this study. Among the male runners, Americans participated the most in Ironman events (39%), followed by Germans (10%). Among female runners, Americans participated the most (54%), followed by Australian runners (8%). Male Americans also featured most among the top five (30%), followed by Germans (16%). Female Americans were the most prevalent among the top five (47%), followed by Australian Americans (10%). There were no significant performance differences (p ​> ​0.05) between the 25–29 and 40–44 age groups for either sex. The 45–49 age group presented significantly worse performance than the 35–39 age group for both sexes (p ​

Abstract Background and rationale The literature shows that the prevalence of dietary supplements is high and guidance by a nutritionist or specialized professional is low in professional triathletes. It is reasonable to assume that in recreational triathletes, the prevalence of dietary supplements will also be high and that a significant portion of the sampled population will use supplements without any guidance from a qualified professional. The present study investigated dietary supplement use among Brazilian male recreational triathletes. Methods A total of 724 Brazilian male recreational triathletes (age: 38.00 [10.00] years and body mass index: 24.16 [3.02] kg/m2) took part in this study. All participants answered an online questionnaire containing questions about their demographic characteristics and the nutritional aspects of their diet. Results The results showed that ~ 90% (n = 653) of the interviewed participants reported using at least one dietary supplement. Surprisingly, ~ 25% did not receive supplement advice from a professional nutritionist. Conclusion The prevalence of dietary supplements in male recreational triathletes was high, and a substantial part of the sample did not receive professional recommendations. This situation is worrisome because dietary supplements should be prescribed by a professional nutritionist. Practical implications Our results suggest the need for an appropriate attitude and guidance by health professionals who deal with this population, especially nutritionists, to promote safe practices.

Abstract Purpose To compare the academic performance of undergraduate students in physical education who studied exercise physiology before and after studying human physiology and investigate students’ perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology courses. Methods This study included 311 undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in physical education. Participants were divided into two groups: those who had previously attended and completed the human physiology course (group 1, n = 212, 68.2%) and those who had not previously attended or had attended but failed the human physiology course (group 2, n = 99, 31.8%). The prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated using a Poisson regression model with a robust variance estimator. The second aim comprised 67 students with bachelor’s degrees in physical education who completed an electronic questionnaire about their perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology curriculum. Results Compared with those who attended human physiology and passed, those who had not previously attended or had attended but failed the human physiology course have a higher PR of 2.37 (95% CI, 1.68–3.34) for failing exercise physiology. Regarding the students’ perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology courses, most students reported that they were challenging (58.2% and 64.2%, respectively), but they also recognized the importance of these courses for professional practice (59.7% and 85.1%, respectively). Conclusion Human physiology should be considered a prerequisite for an undergraduate course leading to a bachelor’s degree in physical education. Furthermore, students considered human physiology and exercise physiology courses important yet challenging. Therefore, continuous student assessment is vital for improving the teaching–learning process.

Background/Objectives: Sarcopenia is a muscular disease characterized by loss of muscular strength and function, affecting mainly women, and associated with increased mortality risk. The aim of this study was to compare active women with inactive women of different age groups regarding muscle mass, strength, and muscle quality. Methods: This study included 147 women (85 runners and 62 inactive), divided into p < 0.001) on absolute PT (Nm); an age group effect (F(2.146) = 44.1; p < 0.001) and a physical activity group effect (F(2.146) = 113.0; p < 0.001) on PT adjusted by body mass (Nm/kg); and an age group effect (F(2.146) = 36.9; p < 0.001) and a physical activity group effect (F(2.146) = 6.1; p = 0.014) on PT adjusted by lean mass (Nm/kgLM). There was no interaction effect. Conclusion: In both age groups, active women had greater strength and higher muscle quality than inactive women, but the difference in strength, muscle mass, and muscle quality between younger and older women were the same among runners and inactive women.

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in healthcare provides new possibilities for personalized health management. AI-based fitness applications are becoming more common, facilitating the opportunity for individualised exercise prescription. However, the use of AI carries the risk of inadequate expert supervision, and the efficacy and validity of such applications have not been thoroughly investigated, particularly in the context of diverse health conditions. The aim of the study was to critically assess the efficacy of exercise prescriptions generated by OpenAI’s Generative Pre-Trained Transformer 4 (GPT-4) model for five example patient profiles with diverse health conditions and fitness goals. Our focus was to assess the model’s ability to generate exercise prescriptions based on a singular, initial interaction, akin to a typical user experience. The evaluation was conducted by leading experts in the field of exercise prescription. Five distinct scenarios were formulated, each representing a hypothetical individual with a specific health condition and fitness objective. Upon receiving details of each individual, the GPT-4 model was tasked with generating a 30-day exercise program. These AI-derived exercise programs were subsequently subjected to a thorough evaluation by experts in exercise prescription. The evaluation encompassed adherence to established principles of frequency, intensity, time, and exercise type; integration of perceived exertion levels; consideration for medication intake and the respective medical condition; and the extent of program individualization tailored to each hypothetical profile. The AI model could create general safety-conscious exercise programs for various scenarios. However, the AI-generated exercise prescriptions lacked precision in addressing individual health conditions and goals, often prioritizing excessive safety over the effectiveness of training. The AI-based approach aimed to ensure patient improvement through gradual increases in training load and intensity, but the model’s potential to fine-tune its recommendations through ongoing interaction was not fully satisfying. AI technologies, in their current state, can serve as supplemental tools in exercise prescription, particularly in enhancing accessibility for individuals unable to access, often costly, professional advice. However, AI technologies are not yet recommended as a substitute for personalized, progressive, and health condition specific prescriptions provided by healthcare and fitness professionals. Further research is needed to explore more interactive use of AI models and integration of real-time physiological feedback.

This study aimed to investigate the trends of finishers in the São Silvestre race in Brazil, taking into account sex, age, and performance levels. A total of 31 ​775 runners (women, n ​= ​13 ​847; men, n ​= ​17 ​928), aged (45.2 ​± ​16.8) years, finishers in the São Silvestre race between 2007 and 2021, were considered in the present analysis. Data (event year, date of birth, sex, and race times) were downloaded from the official race website. The man-Whitney U test, Spearman correlation, and robust regression model were computed. Participation increased over time for both sexes. Regarding age groups, “31–40 years” (women) and “> 60 years” (men) were those with the highest number of finishers. We found a decrease in performance across the years (β ​= ​2.45; p ​

Abstract Background Although several studies have shown that the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown has had negative impacts on mental health and eating behaviors among the general population and athletes, few studies have examined the long-term effects on elite and sub-elite athletes. The present study aimed to investigate the long-term impact of COVID-19 lockdown on mental health and eating behaviors in elite versus sub-elite athletes two years into the pandemic. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted between March and April 2022, involving athletes from 14 countries, using a convenient non-probabilistic and snowball sampling method. A total of 1420 athletes (24.5 ± 7.9 years old, 569 elites, 35% women, and 851 sub-elites, 45% women) completed an online survey-based questionnaire. The questionnaire included a sociodemographic survey, information about the COVID-19 pandemic, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale—21 Items (DASS-21) for mental health assessment, and the Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants (REAP-S) for assessing eating behavior. Results The results showed that compared to sub-elite athletes, elite athletes had lower scores on the DASS-21 (p = .001) and its subscales of depression (p = .003), anxiety (p = .007), and stress (p

Abstract Complications such as diabetes and preeclampsia can occur during pregnancy. Moderate-intensity exercise can prevent such complications by releasing placentokines and exerkines, such as apelin, adiponectin, leptin, irisin, and chemerin. Exercise and apelin increase thermogenesis and glucose uptake in pregnancy by activating AMPK, PI3K, PGC-1α, AKT1, UCP3, and sarcolipin. Exercise increases apelin levels to reduce preeclampsia symptoms by increasing eNOS, NO, placental growth factor (PlGF), and VEGF and decreasing levels of fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), soluble endoglin (sEng), and oxidative stress. A negative relationship has been reported between plasma leptin and VO2peak/kg and VO2peak in women with gestational diabetes. In active women, decreases in leptin levels reduce the risk of preeclampsia by ~ 40%. Higher adiponectin levels are associated with greater physical activity and lead to increased insulin sensitivity. Increased adiponectin levels in preeclampsia and exercise counteract inflammatory and atherogenic activities while also having vascular protective effects. Exercise increases irisin levels that correlate negatively with fasting glucose, insulin concentration, and glycosylated hemoglobin levels. Irisin augments mRNA expression levels of UCP1 and cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor-like effector A (cidea) to cause browning of adipose tissue, increased thermogenesis, and increased energy consumption. Irisin concentrations in mothers with preeclampsia in the third trimester negatively correlate with systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Expression levels of chemerin, IL-6, and TNF-α are increased in gestational diabetes, and the increases in chemerin in late pregnancy positively correlate with the ratio of sFlt-1 to PlGF as a marker of preeclampsia. The effects of physical exercise on placentokines and exerkines in women at various stages of pregnancy remain poorly understood.