Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology最新文献

Background: Cancer treatments often reduce quality of life (QoL), and non-pharmacological options are limited. Supervised exercise shows promise, but its effectiveness across exercise types and patient subgroups is unclear. Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of supervised exercise on QoL in breast and prostate cancer patients, considering exercise type, duration, and patient characteristics. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis including 26 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and approximately 3500 participants was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Web of Science, PEDro, SciELO, Cochrane, and Scopus were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2014 and 2024. Eligible studies involved adults with breast or prostate cancer undergoing supervised exercise versus usual care or unsupervised activity. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool, methodological quality with the PEDro scale, and certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach. Results: Supervised exercise was associated with significant improvements in QoL (SMD = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.22-0.70; p < 0.001), with considerable heterogeneity (I² = 91.5%). Combined programs had the greatest effect (SMD = 0.77), followed by high-intensity interval training (HIIT) (SMD = 0.30). Shorter interventions (≤12 weeks) yielded larger improvements. Effects were more consistent in women with breast cancer. Overall, the certainty of the evidence was low. Conclusions: Supervised therapeutic exercise is associated with significant improvements in QoL in breast and prostate cancer patients. Combined and well-structured programs, particularly of short duration, appear especially beneficial. These findings support the integration of supervised exercise into standard oncological care. Further research should explore long-term sustainability and optimize interventions for specific patient profiles.

Knee health constitutes a pivotal determinant of locomotor function and overall mobility throughout the healthspan. Impairments in knee function lead to a series of biomechanical and physiological alterations that pose substantial public health challenges and economic burdens worldwide. This review synthesizes evidence that delineates the complex and multifaceted relationship between knee health and mobility, emphasizing the interplay across various domains in adult populations. Knee health is conceptualized as a dynamic, interconnected system whereby structural integrity, neuromuscular mechanisms, biomechanical adaptations, and functional mobility are intricately interrelated through cascades of mechanistic processes operating across different temporal stages. A comprehensive understanding of these interrelationships is necessary for developing precise and targeted interventions that aim to preserve mobility and functional independence throughout the healthspan.

Background: This study aimed to examine the impact of a 4-month multicomponent exercise program on bone and functional health in older women with osteopenia. Methods: Thirty women with osteopenia, aged 66.96 ± 5.71 years, were randomly assigned to two groups. The exercise group (Group A) participated in a combined exercise training program for 4 months, while the control group (Group B) remained untrained. All participants underwent bone density testing using DEXA, along with biochemical testing for bone metabolism and mineral exchange. This included measuring serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, and estrogen. Functional capacity was assessed using various tests, including the 6 min distance (6MWD) test, the Timed Up and Go test (TUG), the 30 s Sit-to-Stand test (30 s-STS), and the Berg Balance Scale. Results: At the end of the study, repeated measures analysis showed a significant effect of time, group, and the interaction between time and group on the average scores of the 6MWD, TUG, 30 s-STS, and Berg Balance Scale for Group A. In terms of DEXA measurements, there were significant effects of time, group, and their interaction on average scores of Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and the right total hip T-score for Group A. Additionally, a statistically significant interaction between time and group was observed for lumbar spine BMD (p = 0.006). A significant group effect was also noted on the total left hip T-score (p = 0.033). Conclusions: A 4-month multicomponent exercise program can improve bone health and functional capacity in older women with osteopenia.

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament injuries often lead to muscle atrophy and prolonged recovery following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Blood flow restriction (BFR) has emerged as a strategy to optimize neuromuscular adaptations with lower loads, potentially enhancing rehabilitation outcomes in both preoperative and postoperative phases. This review aims to comprehensively evaluate the comparative effectiveness of BFR applied during resistance and endurance exercises versus non-BFR protocols, both before and after ACLR, while also examining key training parameters and BFR protocols to guide further research and clinical practice. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including WoS, PEDro, Scopus, PUBMED (MEDLINE), SportDiscus, and the Cochrane Library, covering publications from inception to 24 September 2025. Studies eligible for inclusion were randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized controlled trials that compared BFR interventions with non-BFR training in patients undergoing ACLR. Data synthesis followed the recommendations of the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The PEDro and CERT scales were used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Detailed training parameters and cuff specifications were extracted and are summarized in tables. Results: In total, 15 of the initial 441 articles identified met the eligibility criteria and were included in the final analysis, comprising a sample of 417 patients. Outcomes were categorized into six areas: body composition, neuromuscular responses and adaptations, self-report questionnaires, functional measures, muscle physiology and biomarkers, and return to activity. Five articles focused on preoperative interventions, nine focused on postoperative interventions, and one addressed both phases. Conclusions: This review suggests that BFR resistance training is an effective tool in the preoperative and postoperative phases of ACLR. Additionally, it can help improve muscle size, strength, functional measurements, body composition, muscle blood flow, and subjective perceptions.

Objectives: Physical fitness is vital to sustaining the health of each individual and represents the level of readiness that allows them to perform everyday activities with sufficient energy. The aim of this research was to assess the physical fitness index and to determine its relationship with body composition. Methods: This research included 121 students of the State University of Novi Pazar, Serbia. The modified Harvard step test was used to assess physical fitness, and the body mass index was used to assess body composition. Results: Statistical analysis indicated that the physical fitness of students was not significantly satisfactory, given the large percentage of students with low-average and poor levels of physical fitness. A strong negative correlation between physical fitness index and body mass index was shown by Pearson (-0.720) and Spearman (-0.659) correlation coefficients with a p-value < 0.001. The results of the chi-square test (χ²(3) = 88.94, p < 0.001) also confirm this correlation. Conclusions: This study indicates widespread poor physical fitness among students and highlights the importance of regular exercise as a key factor for improving physical abilities. Given the relatively high prevalence of suboptimal prevalence of suboptimal physical fitness among university students, our findings represent a critical wake-up call for public health authorities, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions to reverse this trend and safeguard the health potential of the next generation.

Background: Combining body composition, dynamic postural control, and isokinetic strength allows for a comprehensive physical and functional assessment of football players across specific playing positions. The aim of this study was to analyze the field position-related variations in the physical and functional profiles of male football players. Methods: A convenience sample of 23 professional male football players from a Portuguese second league team, aged 18 to 32 years (23.83 ± 3.77 years), participated in the present study. Players from five field positions (central backs, central midfielders, wide midfielders, and forwards) were assessed for body composition, dynamic postural control, and isokinetic lower limb strength. Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance; composite scores for postural control in the right and left limbs were obtained through the Y-Balance test lower quarter (YBT-LQ). Peak torque (PT) during lower limb flexion and extension was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer chair. Results: Significant differences were found only in peak torque of the right extensors [H (4) = 9.84, p = 0.043, η² = 0.37)], whereas no significant differences emerged in body mass, dynamic balance scores, left-side extension and flexion, or hamstring-to-quadriceps (H:Q) strength ratios. Post hoc analysis using Mann-Whitney U tests with Holm correction did not confirm pairwise differences between positions. The correlation analysis revealed mainly moderate-to-strong associations between symmetrical measures (composite YBT-LQ right and left, PT extension right and left), as well as between anthropometric and strength variables, but without consistent position-specific patterns. Conclusions: Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the physical attributes of professional football players, highlighting the general similarity of profiles across positions and suggesting that individualized training approaches may still be beneficial to optimizing performance and reduce injury risk. Future studies should extend the analysis to larger cohorts across different professional Portuguese football teams and competitions.

Background: Fatigue thresholds such as the gas exchange threshold (GET) and respiratory compensation point (RCP) describe unique physiological responses. This study investigated the reliability of, and sex-dependent responses for, the GET and RCP across absolute, relative, and normalized expressions of volume of oxygen consumption (V˙O₂), power output (PO), heart rate (HR), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Methods: A test-retest graded exercise test (GXT) protocol was conducted on healthy, recreationally trained males (n = 9) and females (n = 9) to determine the GET and RCP (V˙O₂). Linear regression was used to identify the PO, HR, and RPE at the GET and RCP. Separate 2 [test (1, 2)] × 2 [sex (male, female)] mixed-model analysis of variance (ANOVA) examined systematic error across test and sex (p > 0.05). Separate reliability analyses were conducted for each variable for males and females using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC_2,1), minimal differences (MDs), standard errors of measure (SEMs), and coefficients of variation (CVs). Results: Absolute and relative expression of PO and V˙O₂ at the GET and RCP reflected "excellent" relative reliability (R = 0.816-0.978) across sex. Absolute and normalized expression of HR and RPE at the GET and RCP demonstrated "good" to "poor" relative reliability (R= -0.093-0.886) across sex. The SEMs and MDs were relatively small with CVs at or below 10% across thresholds. Absolute PO and V˙O₂ for the GET and RCP were greater for males than females, while females demonstrated greater normalized RCP as well as absolute and normalized HR and RPE at the RCP. Conclusions: Although the relative reliability for HR and RPE at the GET and RCP was, in some cases, limited, these variables demonstrated acceptable absolute reliability and, therefore, have applicability to monitor and prescribe exercise intensities. Current exercise prescription techniques may neglect the unique sex-dependent perceptual and cardiovascular responses at the GET and RCP.

Background: Listening to fast-tempo or motivational music before exercise may improve maximal pedaling performance, but the role of lyric comprehension remains unclear. This study tested whether self-selected music with familiar language lyrics perceived as motivational improves sprint performance and psychophysiological responses. Methods: Fourteen healthy young men (age: 19.7 ± 1.7 years; height: 171.2 ± 3.1 cm; weight: 65.8 ± 7.1 kg; body mass index: 22.4 ± 2.1 kg/m²) who exercised regularly (≥3 sessions/week) participated in a within-subject crossover design, completing a 20 s maximal pedaling test across 3 randomized conditions: control (Con; no music), music with unfamiliar language lyrics (UM), and self-selected music with familiar language lyrics (FM). All participants completed all three experimental conditions in a randomized order. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and paired t-tests (α = 0.05). Relative peak and mean power outputs were recorded. Motivation, arousal, and pleasant emotion were assessed at rest, after listening to music, after warm-up, and after exercise. Prefrontal hemodynamics and autonomic nervous system activity were recorded continuously. Results: Relative peak power was higher in FM (8.42 ± 0.61 W/kg) than Con (8.23 ± 0.58 W/kg; p < 0.01; d = 1.05); mean power did not differ across conditions. FM showed higher motivation and arousal after music compared with Con and UM, and higher pleasant emotion throughout. No significant differences across conditions were observed in prefrontal hemodynamics or autonomic nervous system activity. Conclusions: Listening to self-selected music with familiar language lyrics perceived as motivational during subsequent maximal pedaling enhanced peak power and psychological responses. Lyric comprehension and language familiarity likely play an important role in the ergogenic effects of music before high-intensity exercise.

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients present with morphological and functional deficits to the lumbar multifidus. Electromyostimulation (EMS) can be used to improve activation and strength in atrophied skeletal muscle, but its effect on multifidus morphology and function in CLBP patients is understudied. The aims of this study were to compare the effect of two EMS protocols on lumbar multifidus morphology, function, and patient-reported outcomes. Methods: Two-arm randomized control trial (RCT). Individuals with CLBP were randomized to receive either the 'phasic' or 'combined' muscle therapy protocol with the StimaWELL 120MTRS, a medium-frequency EMS device. T-tests and non-parametric equivalents were used to assess change in imaging-based outcomes, and a repeated-measures ANOVA was used for patient-reported outcomes. Results: Apart from a significant within-group decrease in fatty infiltration at left L5-S1 in the combined group (MD = -1.51, 95% CI = -2.79, -0.23, p = 0.024), results revealed no significant within- or between-group changes to multifidus morphology or function. Pairwise comparisons revealed that both groups experienced significant improvements in multiple pain outcome measures, with a significant group*time effect for LBP with sitting (p = 0.019) and pain interference (p = 0.032) in favor of the phasic group. Additionally, there were significant improvements in the phasic group in disability, pain interference, and pain catastrophizing (all p < 0.01). Conclusions: A 10-week EMS intervention produced no between-group differences in multifidus muscle morphology or function. Participants in both groups experienced significant improvements in a variety of patient-reported outcomes.

Background: Coronary artery disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Despite advances in treatment and standard rehabilitation, conventional programs may be monotonous and insufficiently engaging. Normobaric hypoxia, simulating high-altitude conditions, has emerged as a potential method to enhance cardiovascular adaptations in post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Objective: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation performed under normobaric hypoxia corresponding to altitudes of 2000 m and 3000 m above sea level in patients after MI treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 61 male post-MI patients (mean age 60.4 ± 8.9 years) were randomized into two groups: training under simulated altitudes of 2000 m (n = 35) or 3000 m (n = 26). The 22-day program consisted of interval ergometer sessions. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), echocardiography, and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in exercise tolerance. Training at 2000 m significantly increased test duration (r = 0.735) and peak heart rate (r = 0.467). At 3000 m, additional benefits were observed, including improvements in metabolic equivalent (r = 0.861), peak oxygen consumption (d = 0.81), and reduction in respiratory exchange ratio (r = 0.682). Intergroup analysis revealed moderate differences favoring the 3000 m group in MET, breathing frequency, and RER. Echocardiography showed beneficial remodeling in both groups, with improvements in LV dimensions, ejection fraction, and MAPSE. Notably, training at 2000 m resulted in more consistent echocardiographic benefits compared to 3000 m. Conclusions: Cardiac rehabilitation under normobaric hypoxia is effective and safe in stable post-MI patients. Training at 3000 m provides greater improvements in exercise tolerance, while 2000 m confers more favorable effects on cardiac structure and function. These findings suggest that moderate hypoxic exposure (2000 m) may represent an optimal balance between efficacy and safety in post-MI rehabilitation.