International journal of exercise science最新文献

In recent years, innovative technologies have gained prominence in stroke patient rehabilitation worldwide, with virtual reality-based mirror therapy (VRBMT) emerging as a notable example. Hence, the present study aims to determine the efficacy of VRBMT on upper extremity motor function, manual performance, and gross manual dexterity among stroke patients. The systematic search utilized Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Design (PICOD) paradigm, and the study searched was based on 2012-2023, utilizing different databases. The meta-analysis data was evaluated using MedCalc version 18.11.3. The Pooled effect size mean was statistically examined using a fixed and random effect model. Among the 6 studies selected, 4 studies involving upper-limb stroke patients were identified between the VRBMT. Pooled analysis of VRBMT revealed no significant effect on motor function [standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.815; 95% CI 0.00 to 81.37; P = 0.5562]. The remaining 2 of 6 studies participated in the study of the manual performance stroke patients (SMD 0.869; 95% CI 0.00 to 93.22; P = 0.0684). The pooled analysis of VRBMT revealed no significant effect. The last 2 of 6 included studies on gross manual dexterity in stroke. The pooled analysis also showed no significant effects on VRBMT (SMD 0.198; 95% CI 0.00 to 0.00; P = 0.6951). The present study concluded although VRBMT exhibits potential as a novel method for stroke rehabilitation, its effects on gross manual dexterity, manual performance, and upper extremity motor function are not statistically significant may be due to a limited number of studies on VRBMT in stroke patients.

Neuroplasticity is an essential mechanism by which the nervous system shapes and adapts according to functional requirements. Evidence suggests that physical exercise induces a cascade of cellular processes that favours brain plasticity. The Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin closely linked to neuroplasticity that can be increased due to exercise. To verify the effects of therapeutic exercise on neuroplasticity and/or peripheral BDNF levels in neurological conditions in adults, such as stroke, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases and mild cognitive impairment and address its clinical relevance in the treatment of neurological dysfunctions. A systematic review was carried using PUBMED, Web of Science and Scopus databases. Inclusion criteria were: randomized controlled trials or pilot studies; humans with age > 18 yrs with neurological condition; English language; score ≥ 6 in PEDro Scale (moderate to high quality). Reviews, meta-analyses and other articles that did not meet the criteria were excluded. The PRISMA methodology was applied for studies' selection. A total of 9 studies were selected for a systematic and comprehensive analysis. According to these studies, moderate to high intensity aerobic exercise (AE), increases the level of peripheral BDNF and positively influences functional gains in neurological conditions. Larger outcomes are observed in protocols with minimum session duration of 30 minutes, frequency of 3 times/week and intervention duration of 4 weeks. Current evidence shows that moderate to high intensity AE induces neuroplasticity in neurological patients, thus being a fundamental therapeutic strategy to include in interventions aiming to repair/delay neurological dysfunctions.

Extreme postures and imbalances in neuromuscular activity may place classical ballet dancers at higher risk of injury. Dance studio mirrors provide visual feedback by which a dancer can self-correct their body position and alignment, but have been suggested to negatively impact kinesthetic abilities and decrease performance capabilities. Thus, we investigated the effects of a mirror on muscle activity of the quadriceps, heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and qualitative performance. A lack of visual feedback would increase muscle activity of the quadriceps, HR, and RPE, and decrease self-reported perception of technical quality. 10 female participants completed a single leg balance, an adagio, and a jump task twice - once in each condition. Muscle activity of the vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis oblique (VMO), as well as HR and RPE were assessed during each combination. Qualitative performance was assessed with an exit survey. No significant differences were found between conditions for RPE or HR in all three tasks (RPE: Balance p = 0.468, Adagio p = 0.191, Jumps p = 0.769; HR: Balance p = 0.409, Adagio p = 0.424, Jumps p = 0.244). No significant differences were found between conditions/tasks for peak, mean, and RMS sEMG. Dancers significantly ranked their artistic expression lower in a non-mirror condition (p = 0.018, Cohen's d = 0.775). No differences in muscle activity of the VMO and VL or vital signs of fatigue were found. Psychological implications of visual feedback, including dancer's perceived decrease in artistic expression without a mirror present, should be further explored in future studies.

Approximately half of military recruits fail the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), and 70% of all injuries in the US military are musculoskeletal in nature. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether underdeveloped musculoskeletal and cardiovascular fitness levels and subsequent APFT scores of senior military college cadets could be improved by a novel, evidence-based Cadet Athlete Physical Training Intervention (CAPTI) compared to the current Remedial Physical Training program (RPT). Cadets failing the APFT (total score < 180, or < 60 in scored sit-ups, pushups or run time, respectively) participated in a 16-week remedial training program including either CAPTI (periodized full body calisthenic and varied-technique cardiovascular training, along with mobility training and mental health and wellbeing sessions), or a traditional, event-specific remedial training program (RPT). CAPTI was randomly assigned to one of three battalions, while the others received RPT. One hundred and thirty-eight cadets (n = 70 CAPTI, n = 68 RPT) participated in the study. After training, 82.9% (n = 58) of CAPTI passed the APFT compared to 27.9% (n = 19) of RPT. Paired t-tests demonstrated significant improvement (p < 0.01) for CAPTI in total APFT scores (42 ± 31.5 points), sit-ups (13.8 ± 9.4) pushups (6.5 ± 11) and run time (83 ± 123s). In RPT, significant improvements (p < 0.01) were noted in total APFT scores (16 ± 27.8), sit-ups (3.3 ± 6.7) pushups (3.69 ± 8.0) and run time (43 ± 127s). Between-group analyses demonstrated CAPTI had significantly higher improvements compared to RPT in APFT total score (p < 0.01) and sit-ups (p < 0.01). Higher perceived program enjoyment was also demonstrated for CAPTI when compared to RPT (P < 0.01). The CAPTI program could help address the military's physical readiness and musculoskeletal injury problem by incorporating evidence-based, wellness-focused, periodized training as part of a remedial physical training model.

Electronic handgrip dynamometry allows for multiple muscle function aspects to be feasibly measured, yet their relationship with lower extremity muscle function is unknown. We sought to determine the relationships between upper and lower extremity mechanical isometric muscle strength, rate of force development (RFD), and endurance by limb dominance in resistance trained adults. The analytic sample included 30 adults aged 32.1 ± 13.5 years. An electronic handgrip dynamometer ascertained upper extremity strength capacity, RFD, and endurance. Lower extremity strength, RFD, and endurance were collected with the isometric feature on an isokinetic knee dynamometer. Limb dominance was self-reported. Pearson correlations were used for the analyses. Each muscle function attribute on the dominant limb of the upper and lower extremities were correlated: r = 0.76 (p < 0.01) for strength, r = 0.37 (p = 0.04) for RFD, and r = -0.48 (p < 0.01) for endurance. Although strength from the non-dominant limbs were correlated (r = 0.67; p < 0.01), no significant correlations were observed for RFD (r = 0.20; p = 0.29) and endurance (r = -0.21; p = 0.26). For adults aged 18-34 years, only upper and lower extremity strength was correlated on the dominant (r = 0.69; p < 0.01) and non-dominant limbs (r = 0.75; p < 0.01); however, strength (r = 0.88; p < 0.01) and endurance (r = -0.68; p = 0.01) were correlated in adults aged 35-70 years. Upper and lower extremity fatigability was likewise correlated in females (r = -0.56; p = 0.01). Our findings suggest that electronic handgrip dynamometry derived strength, RFD, and endurance could be a whole-body indicator of these muscle function attributes given their relationships with the lower extremities. These findings underscore the promise of handgrip dynamometry in routine muscle function assessments across different age groups.

Many university students, especially graduate students, are experiencing poor physical and psychological health. Thus, universities are initiating programs like Exercise is Medicine-On Campus (EIM-OC) to promote positive physical activity behavior to improve physical and mental health for primarily undergraduate university students. However, the influences on physical activity when transitioning from an undergraduate to a graduate student are unknown. To explore perceptions of if and how the physical activity levels of graduate students changed from their time as undergraduate students while considering environmental and lifestyle factors. METHODS: Using a qualitative, phenomenological research design, a convenience sample of current graduate students enrolled at a large, mid-South university completed a 20-minute interview. Questions included inquiring on current household, occupational, active transportation, leisure time, and overall physical activity during the graduate and past undergraduate programs. All interviews were transcribed, and major themes were derived using thematic analysis. Twenty-one (62% female; 52% master's students) participants completed interviews. Overall, participants perceived their physical activity decreased, including occupational, active transport, and leisure-time physical activity. Major themes discussed by participants included: increased academic and occupational responsibilities, changes in the physical and social environment, increased awareness of health and activity, and life transitions. The decline in physical activity once individuals enter their graduate program necessitates an intervention, like EIM-OC, during or after undergraduate studies to promote the initiation or continuation of regular physical activity to improve graduate students' overall health.

The objective of the study was to monitor exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), inflammatory responses (IL-6, TNFα, and IL-10), and immune-endocrine balance (testosterone, cortisol, and salivary SIgA) in official 20 km walking race competitions. Eight 20 km professional walking racers (n = 6 women), 27 ± 9 years, underwent blood and saliva sampling, evaluation of delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and squat (SJ) and countermovement (CMJ) jump tests 2 h before (Pre), immediately after (Post), and 24 and 48 h after the competition. The rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was recorded 20 minutes after the race ended. The race evoked high competitive load (948.3 ± 268.0 a.u.), increased creatine kinase levels at 24 h (p < 0.05), and DOMS at 48 h (p < 0.05), but no significant changes in SJ and CMJ after the race. No significant changes in cytokines were detected. No changes in salivary SIgA secretion rate and inflammatory cytokines were detected (p > 0.05). The race induced increased testosterone (p < 0.05), and cortisol (p < 0.01) levels immediately after the race. Despite the high competitive load, 20-km walking racer athletes presented mild EIMD without impairment in immune-endocrine markers.

This study examined using a traditional Olympic (OL) or safety squat bar (SSB) barbell on force, velocity, and perceived exertion during an acute session of high-intensity back squats in adults. Twelve recreationally trained men (23.0±2.6 years; 88.3±19.1 kg) randomly completed two sessions of 3 sets of 6 repetitions at the same absolute load using the OL barbell or SSB barbell. Force and velocity were measured on every repetition and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was assessed for each set. A two-way ANOVA (set x barbell) with repeated measures and Sidak post-hoc test (repetitions set-by-set) or paired t-test (repetitions independent of set) were used (p<0.05). Compared to a traditional OL barbell, using a SSB barbell resulted in no significant differences in peak force (2443.0±46.6 vs 2622.9±65.8 N, respectively; d=0.28) or average set RPE (7.8±0.8 vs 8.0±1.2, respectively; d=0.15) during an acute multi-set high-intensity back squat session. In contrast, compared to a traditional OL barbell, using a SSB barbell resulted in significantly (p<0.05) lower average velocity (0.42±0.04 vs 0.38±0.05 m/s, respectively; d=0.27) during the same parameters. When performing the back squat exercise recreationally resistance-trained adults exhibit similar peak force and perceived effort with OL or SSB barbells, but greater velocities can be achieved with the OL barbell. Practitioners working with adults to develop lower body strength and power with the back squat exercise across multiple sets can interchangeably use the OL or SSB barbells to similarly train force, but training velocity is trivially better with the OL barbell acutely.

Previous research suggests a high prevalence of low energy availability (LEA) and stress fractures (SF) among competitive female endurance athletes. However, much less is known about these issues among recreational female runners. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and number of self-reported SF and risk of LEA among noncompetitive, recreationally active female runners, aged 18 - 25 years. Additionally, it compared characteristics between females with a history of multiple SF vs. one or no SF, and between those 'at risk' vs. 'not at risk' of LEA. Female recreational runners (n=485) completed an online survey that included the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q) and the Disordered Eating Screening Assessment (DESA-6). Thirty-three percent of participants reported ≥ 2 SF. Eighty-two percent of the ≥ 2 SF group were classified as 'at risk' of LEA (LEAF-Q score ≥ 8). In addition, ≥ 2 SF was associated with higher total LEAF-Q score, self-reported intentional food restriction for weight loss, and self-reported current eating disorder while weekly exercise duration was inversely associated with ≥ 2 SF. In conclusion, one-third of participants had multiple SF with a majority (82%) of this group classified as 'at risk' of LEA. Screening tools such as the LEAF-Q and DESA-6 are useful tools to identify characteristics associated with multiple SF in this demographic, especially questions regarding food restriction and the presence of a current or previous eating disorder.

Both physical activity and social network size decline as people age. However, limited research has examined if social network size and contact frequency differentially influence physical activity across the adult lifespan. This study aimed to assess if these social network characteristics moderated the relationship between age and physical activity level across adulthood. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the main-effect association between age, past-week physical activity, and past-year physical activity, as well as the moderating effect of social network characteristics (i.e., friend network size, friend contact frequency, relative network size, and relative contact frequency) on age-physical activity associations. The results revealed that friend network size had moderated associations between age and past-week physical activity (β = -7.03; p = .025, f² = 0.13) and past-year physical activity (β = -585.52; p = .017, f² = 0.15). Specifically, adults who were older and had smaller friend networks performed more minutes of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) over the past week and past year; on the other hand, adults who were younger and had larger friend networks performed more minutes of MVPA over the past week and past year. Relative network size, friend contact frequency, and relative contact frequency did not moderate the relationship between age and past-week physical activity and past-year physical activity. These findings suggested that building friend networks throughout adulthood may help promote active living across the adult lifespan.