Search Results (663)

Background: Despite the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), the actual participation rate in CR is low. While home-based CR offers a viable alternative, it faces challenges in participation due to factors such as a lack of self-motivation and fear of exercising without supervision. Utilizing a mobile healthcare application (app) during counseling may be an effective strategy for patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess whether 6 weeks of home-based CR with exercise readjustment using a mobile app is an effective therapy for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: Post-AMI patients eligible for home-based CR were randomized into the intervention group (CR-Mobile) and the control group, which followed the usual home-based CR protocol (CR-Usual). Both groups participated in a 6-week home-based CR program, with exercise readjustment and encouragement carried out every 2 weeks. The CR-Mobile group was supervised using data recorded in the mobile app, while the CR-Usual group was supervised via phone consultations. The primary outcome measured was maximal oxygen consumption (VO_2max). Results: Within-group comparisons showed significant improvements in VO_2max (P_CR-Mobile = 0.011 vs. P_CR-Usual = 0.020) and METs (P_CR-Mobile = 0.011 vs. P_CR-Usual = 0.011) for both groups. Conclusions: These findings suggest that a 6-week home-based CR program with exercise readjustment using a mobile app can potentially enhance exercise capacity as effectively as verbal supervision. Full article

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a supplement rich in ω-3 and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and antioxidant vitamins on physical performance and body composition following a period of high-intensity functional training (HIFT). Nineteen healthy young adults (nine males, ten females) underwent an 8-week HIFT program (3 days·week⁻¹) where they were randomized 1:1 into either the supplement group (SG)—n = 10, receiving a 20 mL daily dose of a dietary cocktail formula (Neuroaspis™ PLP10) containing a mixture of ω-3 and ω-6 PUFAs (12,150 mg), vitamin A (0.6 mg), vitamin E (22 mg), and γ-tocopherol (760 mg)—or the placebo group (PG)—n = 9, receiving a 20 mL daily dose of virgin olive oil. Body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and muscle endurance were assessed before and after the training period. Body mass did not change, but muscle mass increased by 1.7 ± 1.9% or 0.40 ± 0.53 kg in the SG (p = 0.021) and decreased by 1.2 ± 1.6% or 0.28 ± 0.43 kg (p = 0.097) in the PG, compared with baseline. VO₂max, vertical jump, squat 1RM, bench press 1RM, and muscle endurance increased similarly in both groups. The effects of HIFT on physical performance parameters, muscle damage, and inflammation indices were not affected by the supplementation. In conclusion, HIFT combined with high doses of ω-3 and ω-6 PUFAs and antioxidant vitamins resulted in a small but significant increase in muscle mass and fat reduction compared with HIFT alone. Full article

While anaerobic fitness is highly important for the performance in Olympic (amateur) boxing, the relationship between anaerobic performance metrics is poorly understood, and profiling boxers according to their anaerobic capacity is still a challenge. With the current study in elite amateur boxers, we aimed to compare the metabolic and cardiovascular responses to different maximal tests and the intercorrelations between performance indices (peak and mean power, duration of the test, punching frequency) of several all-out tests and their correlation to physiological response metrics (blood lactate and heart rate, HR). Twelve male Olympic boxers performed a battery of tests, including 30 s Wingate cycling and arm cranking, boxing bag punching, steep uphill treadmill running to exhaustion, and progressive treadmill running VO₂max test. Performance indices of different anaerobic tests were not closely correlated except for the duration of uphill running with body weight scaled (relative) peak and mean power produced during Wingate cycling test and absolute mean power of both Wingate tests. The number of punches landed on a bag per 30 s was associated only with relative power achieved during Wingate cycling test. HRpeak but not peak lactate response correlated strongly across exercise tasks. Finally, no correlation between the highly developed aerobic and anaerobic capacity, suggests a complex picture of the adaptation in elite amateur boxers. Full article

Athlete performance and post-load recovery can be considered one of the most important and actively discussed topics in professional sport. One substance aimed at improving performance is cannabidiol (CBD), which has been actively gaining popularity with several studies published in recent years. The PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to April 2024 according to PRISMA recommendations to identify studies on the effects of CBD on exercise capacity and post-load recovery. An initial search identified 901 publications, of which seven fully met the inclusion criteria. Current evidence supports a limited beneficial effect of CBD on a number of physiological parameters, such as VO2, mean power, and relative mean power. At the same time, there were limited data on the beneficial effects of CBD on strength parameters (including vertical jump, counter movement jump, one repetition max bench press, and barbell back squat) and post-load recovery. Notably, most of the studies included in the analysis were conducted between 2021 and 2024, indicating a growing interest among researchers in the use of CBD in healthy, physically active individuals. Further studies are needed to assess the safety of different CBD administration protocols in professional athletes. Full article

Background: Preserving health and physical fitness is critical to ensure independent living across the lifespan. Lower levels of physical fitness are associated with age-related cognitive decline and a higher prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Thus, this study investigates the influence of a six-month dance intervention on selected measures of physical fitness in older adults with MCI. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 55 patients with MCI were randomized into a sportive dance training (IG; n = 26; age: 70.7 ± 5.6 years; 62% female) or an inactive control group (CG; n = 24; age: 69.1 ± 6.8 years; 46% female). The dance group received two 90 min dance training sessions per week over a duration of six-months, which focused on learning dance movement patterns. During the training sessions, heart rate was measured to control exercise intensity. Physical fitness was assessed using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), lower limb functional fitness via sit-to-stand test, handgrip strength, and heart rate variability (HRV). Results: We observed that the dance intervention preserved the cardiorespiratory fitness as measured by maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max) during CPET, which decreased in the CG. Furthermore, participants in the IG demonstrated increases in leg and handgrip strength, although these were not statistically significant. HRV displayed a non-significant decrease following the intervention. Conclusions: The results of this randomized controlled trial suggest that sportive dance training can preserve elements of physical fitness (i.e., cardiorespiratory fitness) in older adults with MCI. Although improvements in the other parameters (i.e., leg and handgrip strength) were statistically non-significant, likely due to the small sample size, stabilizing muscular fitness and preventing age-related decline in older adults with MCI is important for maintaining functional independence. For future studies, we recommend a longer training duration paired with precise control of regular physical activity levels, an important confounding factor. Full article

(1) Background: Although daily time-use is associated with diet quality and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in children, their interdependence remains unexplored. This study first examined the associations between reallocating daily movement time and diet quality and CRF, and second the mediating role of diet quality in the relationship between daily time-use and CRF. (2) Methods: This study included 1131 Chinese children (aged 8 to 10 years; median [interquartile range]: 8.5 [8.3, 8.8]) at baseline (September 2022) and 1268 children at the 9-month follow-up (June 2023) from the OptiChild study. Daily durations of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sleep, and sedentary behavior (e.g., screen time) were self-reported or proxy-reported by parents. Diet quality was assessed via the Diet Quality Questionnaire (DQQ), which uses a 24 h dietary recall and is categorized according to the Global Dietary Recommendations (GDR) score and Food Group Diversity Score (FGDS). The CRF was measured using VO_2max after the 20 m shuttle run test. Longitudinal associations between daily time-use, diet quality, and CRF were calculated using isotemporal substitution models. Mediation analyses were used to determine whether diet quality mediated the associations between daily time-use and CRF. (3) Results: Reallocation of 30 min from screen time to MVPA resulted in significant improvements in the GDR score (β baseline = 0.11, p = 0.024; β follow-up = 0.26, p < 0.001), FGDS (β baseline = 0.11, p = 0.006; β follow-up = 0.19, p < 0.001), and CRF (β baseline = 0.40, p < 0.001; β follow-up = 0.26, p = 0.001). Diet quality partially mediated the associations between MVPA, screen time, and CRF. Substituting 30 min of screen time for MVPA led to diet quality mediating a proportion of the association with CRF (GDR score: 11.4%, FGDS: 6.6%). (4) Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of optimizing daily time-use of MVPA and screen time and improving diet quality to promote physical fitness in school-aged children. Full article

This review investigates the effect of two different concurrent training sequences on endurance performance. The sequences investigated are Endurance–Resistance (ER) and Resistance–Endurance (RE). A literature search is conducted of the SPORTDiscus and Medline databases. The included studies are randomized control trials, which compare the effect of ER and RE on at least one endurance performance variable. A PEDro scale is used to assess the methodological quality of the articles in this review. Of a total of 152 articles identified during the initial screening, 15 studies meet the inclusion criteria. These studies include 426 participants (298 males and 128 females), with 212 of the participants training with ER and 214 with RE. The results are presented as the percentage change of the mean from pre- to post-test. All the studies show an improvement in endurance from pre to post for both interventions, except for the RE group in one study. This review finds small and non-conclusive sequence effects between ER and RE, suggesting that the sequence of concurrent training is not of great importance in relation to endurance performance. Full article

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) is a determining indicator for cardiorespiratory capacity in endurance athletes, and epigenetics is crucial in its levels and variability. This initial study examined a broad plasma miRNA profile of twenty-three trained elite endurance athletes with similar training volumes but different VO₂max in response to an acute maximal graded endurance test. Six were clustered as higher/lower levels based on their VO₂max (75.4 ± 0.9 and 60.1 ± 5.0 mL.kg⁻¹.min⁻¹). Plasma was obtained from athletes before and after the test and 15 ng of total RNA was extracted and detected using an SYBR-based 1113 miRNA RT-qPCR panel. A total of 51 miRNAs were differentially expressed among group comparisons. Relative amounts of miRNA showed a clustering behavior among groups regarding distinct performance/time points. Significantly expressed miRNAs were used to perform functional bioinformatic analysis (DIANA tools). Fatty acid metabolism pathways were strongly targeted for the significantly different miRNAs in all performance groups and time points (p < 0.001). Although this pathway does not solely determine endurance performance, their significant contribution is certainly achieved through the involvement of miRNAs. A highly genetically dependent gold standard variable for performance evaluation in a homogeneous group of elite athletes allowed genetic/epigenetic aspects related to fatty acid pathways to emerge. Full article

Combined endurance and resistance training, also known as “concurrent training”, is a common practice in exercise routines. While concurrent training offers the benefit of targeting both cardiovascular and muscular fitness, it imposes greater physiological demands on the body compared to performing each modality in isolation. Increased protein consumption has been suggested to support adaptations to concurrent training. However, the impact of protein supplementation on responses to low-volume concurrent training is still unclear. Forty-four untrained, healthy individuals (27 ± 6 years) performed two sessions/week of low-volume high-intensity interval training on cycle ergometers followed by five machine-based resistance training exercises for 8 weeks. Volunteers randomly received (double-blinded) 40 g of whey-based protein (PRO group) or an isocaloric placebo (maltodextrin, PLA group) after each session. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO_2max) and overall fitness scores (computed from volunteers’ VO_2max and one-repetition maximum scores, 1-RM) significantly increased in both groups. The PRO group showed significantly improved 1-RM in all major muscle groups, while the PLA group only improved 1-RM in chest and upper back muscles. Improvements in 1-RM in leg muscles were significantly greater in the PRO group versus the PLA group. In conclusion, our results indicate that adaptations to low-volume concurrent training, particularly leg muscle strength, can be improved with targeted post-exercise protein supplementation in untrained healthy individuals. Full article

Multiple short daily bouts of HIIT are more effective than single daily sessions in improving cardiometabolic and cellular adaptations in rats. We hypothesize that a short period of detraining is sufficient to abolish the superior adaptive responses to multiple versus single daily sessions of HIIT in rats. Male rats were divided into untrained, 1xHIIT, and 3xHIIT groups. Over eight weeks, the 1xHIIT group performed 115 min single daily sessions of HIIT, while the 3xHIIT group performed three 5 min sessions with 4 h intervals. After training, both groups remained sedentary for four weeks (detraining). Resting oxygen consumption (VO2), body composition, glucose/insulin tolerance, and blood pressure were recorded. After euthanasia, cardiac function/histology and gastrocnemius mitochondrial density were analyzed. After training, both 1xHIIT and 3xHIIT protocols induced similar improvements in VO2, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), cardiac function/hypertrophy, and gastrocnemius mitochondrial density. These effects were maintained even after detraining. Only the 3xHIIT protocol improved insulin sensitivity. After detraining, this effect was abolished. After training, both 1xHIIT and 3xHIIT protocols reduced adiposity. After detraining, the adiposity increased in both groups, with a more pronounced increase in the 3xHIIT rats. A four-week detraining period abolishes the superior adaptive responses to multiple versus single daily HIIT sessions in rats. Full article

The impact of cardiorespiratory fitness (VO_2max) and obesity on indices of oxidative stress in plasma and circulating exosome-like extracellular vesicles (ELVs) were examined following acute exercise. Indices of oxidative stress in plasma and isolated plasma ELVs were examined in aerobically trained (NW-Tr; n = 15) and untrained (NW-UTr; n = 18) normal-weight individuals and aerobically untrained individuals with obesity (Ob-Utr; n = 10) prior to and immediately following acute maximal treadmill running. Following exercise, ELV flotillin-1 expression (p = 0.008) and plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC; p = 0.010) increased more in NW-UTr compared to NW-Tr and Ob-UTr participants, whereas plasma protein carbonyls (PC) decreased more in Ob-UTr compared to NW-Tr and NW-UTr groups. ELV glutathione (GSH) concentrations decreased more in NW-Tr compared to NW-UTr and Ob-UTr participants (p = 0.009), whereas lipid peroxidase (LPO) concentrations increased more in Ob-UTr compared to NW-Tr and NW-UTr participants (p = 0.003). Body mass index (BMI) was associated negatively with plasma TAC and PC (p < 0.05) and positively with ELV LPO concentration responses (p = 0.009). Finally, plasma-to-total (plasma + ELV) GSH ratios decreased in Ob-UTr compared to NW-Tr and NW-UTr participants (p = 0.006), PC ratios increased in NW-Tr and NW-UTr compared to Ob-UTr subjects (p = 0.008), and reactive oxygen/nitrogen species ratios increased in NW-UTr and decreased in Ob-UTr participants (p < 0.001). BMI, independently of VO_2max, differentially regulates indices of oxidative stress within plasma and circulating ELVs prior to and immediately following acute maximal treadmill exercise. Full article

The aim of this systematic review was twofold: to identify the main trends and issues that are being addressed by researchers in the context of physical fitness and sports performance in deaf and hard-of-hearing (D/HH) athletes and to indicate the needs and future directions that should be implemented in the training process of athletes with hearing impairments. The methodology of this systematic review was planned according to PRISMA guidelines. A search of electronic databases (PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus) was conducted to identify all studies on physical fitness, sports performance and participation, and D/HH athletes from 2003 to 2024. In total, 87 full-text articles were assessed to determine eligibility, while 34 studies met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to detailed analysis and assessment of their methodological quality. The presented systematic review indicates evidence that D/HH athletes are characterized by a similar or higher level in selected motor abilities compared to hearing athletes. Moreover, it seems that hearing impairment is not a barrier in the development of an athlete’s physical fitness, including aerobic capacity, muscular strength and power or speed of reaction. Furthermore, inclusion in sports participation and specific tools (i.e., communication aids) appear to be crucial factors for performance enhancement. Full article

Chest deformities in children with scoliosis may result in cardiopulmonary disorders, lowering cardiopulmonary capacity levels. However, results regarding the dependence of cardiopulmonary capacity on the severity level of scoliosis remain controversial. We aimed to use dynamic cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) to investigate exercise capacity in reference to spinal deformity in patients with mild or moderate idiopathic scoliosis by means of multivariate analyses. Methods: We included 92 children and adolescents aged 10–17 years with mild and moderate idiopathic scoliosis and 94 healthy peers. The study consisted of three parts: (1) medical record analyses; (2) anthropometric measurements; and (3) CPET. Results: Our results revealed that the mean VO_2peak and VO_2peak/kg values of the participants with scoliosis were 0.27 L/min and 0.37 mL/min/kg lower than their healthy peers, respectively, regardless of age and gender. Furthermore, the occurrence of scoliosis correlates with a mean decrease in minute ventilation volume by 10.10 L/min, tidal volume by 0.11 L, breathing frequency by 3.78 bpm, and breathing reserve by 14.34%, regardless of the age and gender of the participants. Children and adolescents with mild-to-moderate scoliosis during CPET exhibit a lower ventilation capacity and lower VO₂ max than healthy adolescents matched in age but their cardiorespiratory fitness parameters do not depend on the Cobb angle value and the angle rotation of the primary spinal curvature. Conclusions: Physical therapy and activity should be recommended to prevent cardiorespiratory failure in later life in patients with scoliosis. This study may also provide CPET reference values for healthy children and adolescents with scoliosis. Full article

The aim of this study is to assess the relationship of leptin (LEP) and adiponectin (ADPN) with other circulating fat markers, physical capacity, behaviors, and anthropometric indices in a population of overweight and obese Chinese university students. LEP and ADPN levels, as well as behavioral, anthropometric, biochemical, and performance characteristics, were measured. Method: A total of 17 anthropometric parameters, 8 questionnaires (investigating quality of life, sleep, eating, perceived functioning, stress, and depression), 9 biochemical parameters, and 12 functional parameters were investigated. Results: In contrast to previous studies, our work found an unusually strong relationship between LEP and ADPN (r = 0.961, p = 0.000) that can be related to ethnicity. We also found that LEP and ADPN were associated with stress and bodily pain. A total of 12 anthropometric measures were also associated with LEP/ADNP levels. Moreover, LEP and ADPN were found to be related to lower limb, hand, and abdominal strength; blood pressure; and basic metabolism. However, we did not find associations with sleep; eating habits; or cardiovascular fitness, which was measured in the form of resting heart rate and VO_2max. Conclusion: This study reveals new relationships of LEP and ADPN with selected anthropometric and behavioral parameters in obese Chinese college students. Full article

Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) leads to progressive changes in body composition such as loss of muscle mass and increase in adiposity. In healthy subjects, anthropometric parameters are associated with the maximum volume of oxygen consumed per minute (VO₂max), which is a health and function indicator in several populations of subjects, both healthy and pathological. Since VO₂max can be difficult to test in patients with FSHD due to exercise intolerance, the identification of associated anthropometric parameters could provide new easily obtainable elements for the patients’ clinical stratification. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether anthropometric and body composition parameters are associated with VO₂max in patients with FSHD. A total of 22 subjects with a molecular genetics-based diagnosis of FSHD (6 females, 16 males, mean age of 35.18 years) were recruited for the study. VO₂max was measured by cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPETs) on a cycle ergometer, utilizing a step incremental technique (15 Watts (W) every 30 s). Weight (Kg) and height (m) were obtained and utilized to calculate body mass index (BMI). Body composition parameters (fat mass (FM), fat free mass (FFM), and body cell mass (BCM)) were obtained by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Significant negative associations were found between VO₂max and FM (Spearman correlation coefficient (SCC) −0.712), BMI (SCC −0.673), age (SCC −0.480), and weight (SCC −0.634), unlike FFM and BCM. Our results indicate that FM, BMI, age, and body weight are negatively associated with VO₂max in patients with FSHD. This evidence may help practitioners to better stratify patients with FSHD. Full article