Background: Determining thresholds by measuring blood lactate levels (lactate thresholds) or gas exchange (ventilatory thresholds) that delineate the different exercise intensity domains is crucial for training prescription. This systematic review with meta-analyses aims to assess the overall validity of the first and second heart rate variability - derived threshold (HRVT1 and HRVT2, respectively) by computing global effect sizes for agreement and correlation between HRVTs and reference - lactate and ventilatory (LT-VTs) - thresholds. Furthermore, this review aims to assess the impact of subjects' characteristics, HRV methods, and study protocols on the agreement and correlation between LT-VTs and HRVTs.
Methods: Systematic computerised searches for studies determining HRVTs during incremental exercise in humans were conducted. The agreements and correlations meta-analyses were conducted using a random-effect model. Causes of heterogeneity were explored by subgroup analysis and meta-regression with subjects' characteristics, incremental exercise protocols, and HRV methods variables. The methodological quality was assessed using QUADAS-2 and STARDHRV tools. The risk of bias was assessed by funnel plots, fail-safe N test, Egger's test of the intercept, and the Begg and Mazumdar rank correlation test.
Results: Fifty included studies (1160 subjects) assessed 314 agreements (95 for HRVT1, 219 for HRVT2) and 246 correlations (82 for HRVT1, 164 for HRVT2) between LT-VTs and HRVTs. The standardized mean differences were trivial between HRVT1 and LT1-VT1 (SMD = 0.08, 95% CI -0.04-0.19, n = 22) and between HRVT2 and LT2-VT2 (SMD = -0.06, 95% CI -0.15-0.03, n = 42). The correlations were very strong between HRVT1 and LT1-VT1 (r = 0.85, 95% CI 0.75-0.91, n = 22), and between HRVT2 and LT2-VT2 (r = 0.85, 95% CI 0.80-0.89, n = 41). Moreover, subjects' characteristics, type of ergometer, or initial and incremental workload had no impact on HRVTs determination.
Conclusion: HRVTs showed trivial differences and very strong correlations with LT-VTs and might thus serve as surrogates. These results emphasize the usefulness of HRVTs as promising, accessible, and cost-effective means for exercise and clinical prescription purposes.
Background: Running is a widely practiced sport worldwide associated with a host of benefits on cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal, and mental health, but often leads to musculoskeletal overuse injuries. The prescription of a foot orthosis (FO) is common to manage musculoskeletal impairments during physical activity or functional tasks. Although FOs are frequently prescribed by clinicians for symptomatic populations of runners, the existing literature supporting the prescription of FOs in runners has predominantly focused on either uninjured individuals or a mix of uninjured and symptomatic populations. Thus, the effects of FOs on the treatment and/or prevention of overuse running injuries need to be investigated to guide future research and assist clinicians in their decision-making process.
Main body: This scoping review aimed to evaluate the immediate and long-term effects of FOs on lower limb biomechanics, neuromuscular parameters, and pain and disability in symptomatic runners, and to identify factors that may influence the effects of FOs. Five databases (CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science) were searched, resulting in 2536 studies. A total of 30 studies, published between 1992 and 2023 (730 symptomatic runners), were included following the removal of duplicates and the screening process. Wearing FOs while running is related to an immediate and a long-term decrease in pain and symptoms of overuse running injuries. Also, wearing FOs while running decreases eversion at the foot/ankle complex, leads to a more lateral plantar pressure at the heel and forefoot, and may change running motor control strategies. Finally, the effectiveness of FOs is influenced by its added features.
Conclusions: This study provides recommendations for future research such as the need for standardized methods in describing FOs, considering participant characteristics such as foot morphology, and comparing different types of FOs. Also, this scoping review provides valuable insights for guiding the prescription and design of FOs, and suggests that integrating FOs into a comprehensive treatment plan may yield better results than standalone first-line treatments. Nonetheless, this scoping review highlights the need for future research to explore the optimal integration of FOs into injury-specific treatment plans.
Autism, or autism spectrum disorders, is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by limitations in social interaction, communication skills, and repetitive behaviors. Although motor disorders were previously considered marginal in autism, recent research has highlighted their significance. Numerous studies have underscored the positive impact of sports on autistic individuals. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the literature regarding the effects of sport interventions on autistic individuals and aims to extract general and practical recommendations. Initially, the article reviews the various characteristics of autism that are positively impacted by sports, ranging from psycho-social skills to motor behavior. Subsequently, it examines how different configurations of sports practice (individual/collective, indoor/outdoor, etc.) may be suitable for autistic individuals. Literature research was conducted in two databases, resulting in the inclusion of 92 articles meeting longitudinal criteria (i.e., containing full sport/physical activity programs with pre-to-post analyses) out of 1665 initially identified articles. The findings suggest that individuals with autism can benefit from sports across a wide range of physical, psychological, and social factors. Importantly, there is no full contraindication for any activity, although some may require specific step-by-step preparation. Each activity has the potential to provide benefits in specific areas, as discussed in the article. In conclusion, further research is needed to explore the most effective strategies for implementing sports programs and maximizing their benefits for individuals across the autism spectrum.
Background: Schools are a key setting for promoting children's physical literacy development. This review aimed to identify school-based interventions that adopted a holistic conceptualisation of physical literacy and examine the effects on children's physical literacy and any other outcomes, including physical activity (PA).
Methods: Searches were conducted in seven databases (APA PsycINFO, EMBASE, ERIC, CINAHL, Global Health, MEDLINE Complete, SPORTDiscus with Full Text), and Google and Google Scholar, to identify articles published since 1/1/2017. Studies were included if they (i) adopted a holistic conception of physical literacy as represented by the Australian Physical Literacy Framework (APLF), (ii) were grounded in movement, (iii) assessed three or more domains of learning (either quantitatively or qualitatively), and (iv) included children aged 5-14 years. Quantitative research designs needed to provide pre-and post-intervention measures, whereas qualitative designs (e.g. post-intervention interviews) did not. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were conducted independently by teams of two authors. For intervention effects, quantitative and qualitative data were synthesised separately. For quantitative data, level of evidence for intervention effects was assessed by physical literacy domain and/or elements/items by examining the proportion of tests with a significant change in the expected direction. Qualitative data were synthesised using the framework synthesis method and mapped to a framework that included APLF domains/elements, PA, and additional outcomes.
Results: Twelve interventions with 1,427 participants from seven countries were identified: six physical education-based, three afterschool, one structured recess, and two multicomponent. All studies assessed the physical domain quantitatively, with strong positive evidence of intervention effects for the controlled designs (10 of 15 tests). For the affective and cognitive domains, evidence was mixed, and there was no evidence for interventions improving the social components of children's physical literacy (although this was understudied). Most studies assessed PA and one measured cognitive performance; however, there was no evidence for positive intervention effects (i.e. ≥35% of tests reporting an improvement) for either outcome. Five studies assessed intervention effects qualitatively, with positive results reported for all physical literacy domains, PA, and cognitive performance.
Conclusions: Holistic interventions in schools can improve the physical domain of children's physical literacy. For wider benefits, future interventions should aim to develop all facets of physical literacy, especially domains of learning less frequently targeted and examined.
Trial registration: PROSPERO CRD42022351317.
Background: The growing concern for player safety in rugby has led to an increased focus on head impacts. Previous laboratory studies have shown that rugby headgear significantly reduces peak linear and rotational accelerations compared to no headgear. However, these metrics may have limited relevance in assessing the effectiveness of headgear in preventing strain-based brain injuries like concussions. This study used an instantaneous deep-learning brain injury model to quantify regional brain strain mitigation of rugby headgear during drop tests. Tests were conducted on flat and angled impact surfaces across different heights, using a Hybrid III headform and neck.
Results: Headgear presence generally reduced the peak rotational velocities, with some headgear outperforming others. However, the effect on peak regional brain strains was less consistent. Of the 5 headgear tested, only the newer models that use open cell foams at densities above 45 kg/m3 consistently reduced the peak strain in the cerebrum, corpus callosum, and brainstem. The 3 conventional headgear that use closed cell foams at or below 45 kg/m3 showed no consistent reduction in the peak strain in the cerebrum, corpus callosum, and brainstem.
Conclusions: The presence of rugby headgear may be able to reduce the severity of head impact exposure during rugby. However, to understand how these findings relate to brain strain mitigation in the field, further investigation into the relationship between the impact conditions in this study and those encountered during actual gameplay is necessary.
Background: The complex-contrast training (CCT) method utilizes two exercises with different loads and movement velocities in a set-by-set fashion to induce multiple neuromuscular adaptations. The speculated primary mechanism involves the post-activation potentiation or post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) of the muscles used during the heavy load (low velocity) exercise, thereby improving the performance of lower load (high velocity) exercise. However, no previous study has attempted to systematically synthesize the available evidence on CCT (e.g., if post-activation potentiation or PAPE was measured during the training sessions during the intervention period). This study aimed to synthesize the available evidence on CCT using a systematic scoping review approach. More specifically, we identified gaps in the literature using an evidence gap map (EGM), and provided future directions for research.
Methods: Three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched up to 20th February 2024. Data were extracted under a PICO framework: (a) Participants-related data (e.g., age, sex, type of sport); (b) Intervention-related data (e.g., duration of training); (c) Comparators (when available); and (d) Outcomes (e.g., measures of physical fitness). Interactive EGMs were created using the EPPI mapper software.
Results: From the 5,695 records screened, 68 studies were eligible for inclusion, involving 1,821 participants (only 145 females from 5 studies). All CCT interventions lasted ≤ 16 weeks. More than half of the studies assessed countermovement jump, sprint, and maximal strength performances. No studies were identified which examined upper-body CCT exercises alone, and no study assessed PAPE during the CCT sessions. Overall, the available evidence was rated with a low level of confidence.
Conclusions: In conclusion, whether CCT produces a PAPE that translates into longitudinal performance gains remains unclear. Moreover, the available evidence on the effects of CCT on various outcomes provides low confidence regarding the most effective way to implement this training method, particularly among females, and beyond long-term interventions.
Background: The impact of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) on cognition is thought to be mediated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Aerobic exercise can increase CRF through various activities, including sports participation. The relationship between these factors in females has yet to be elucidated.
Objective: This review aims to map the current literature on the effects of aerobic exercise, sports participation, and CRF in healthy adult females, with sub-topics of pregnancy and menstrual cycle periodicity.
Methods: A scoping review of the literature was conducted following PRISMA guidelines and the PCC mnemonic (population, concept, and context). The following five databases were screened: CINAHL, Medline, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus. Eligible articles included healthy adult females, investigated aerobic exercise, sports participation or CRF, and linked outcomes to cognition. Data from included manuscripts was extracted and analyzed. Two sub-population groupings (pregnant individuals and menstrual cycle) were established to further aid the interpretation of the findings.
Results: Of the 300 titles and abstracts screened, 74 were eligible for full-text screening, and 28 were included in the scoping review. Of the 28 included, 14 did not control for or report on menstrual cycle phase or sex hormones.
Conclusion: This scoping review found an inverse 'U' relationship between aerobic exercise and cognition, demonstrating an optimal dose of aerobic exercise to benefit cognitive functions. As estrogen may impact the relationship between CRF and neural growth factors, more research is needed on this pathway, independent of the menstrual cycle, to determine potential beneficial effects. It is currently unknown whether sports participation can independently impact cognition.
Background: Biomechanical parameters can distinguish a skilled rower from a less skilled rower and can provide coaches with meaningful feedback and objective evidence to inform coaching practices on rowing technique. Therefore, it is critical to understand which technical characteristics can be related to the fundamental rowing performance indicators. The aim of this systematic scoping review was to describe the current focus and density of rowing biomechanics research specific to on-water rowing and provide a guide for practitioners and researchers on future directions for on-water rowing biomechanics research.
Methods: All peer-reviewed publications involving the on-water assessment of rowing biomechanics were reviewed from four databases (SPORTDiscus, PubMed, Sage online journals, and Web of Science). Search results returned 1659 records, of which 27 studies met the inclusion criteria for the review.
Results: All reported variables were collated and summarised according to the three main measurements of basic mechanics: time, space and force. Study characteristics were collated to provide a descriptive overview of the literature. The main categorical variables included time, distance, velocity, acceleration, force, power and crew synchrony.
Conclusion: Data extraction revealed gate force, horizontal oar angle and boat velocity as the most reported variables with numerous subcategories of metrics within each measure. A framework to help guide and standardise on-water rowing biomechanical assessment and the establishment of standards for environmental data collection could help guide practitioners and researchers in the on-water rowing environment. This scoping review was registered on the Open Science Framework ( https://osf.io/8q5vw/ ).
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