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Journal of the International Society of... Dec 2023Citrulline is a popular dietary supplement, primarily thought to exert ergogenic effects on exercise performance through the enhancement of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Citrulline is a popular dietary supplement, primarily thought to exert ergogenic effects on exercise performance through the enhancement of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and ammonia buffering. However, recent findings surrounding citrulline's effect on endurance performance have been inconsistent. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the relevant literature have yet to be undertaken.
AIM
To determine if acute ingestion of citrulline has an ergogenic effect on endurance performance in young healthy adults.
METHODS
A systematic search of three databases was undertaken to find peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English investigating the effects of citrulline supplementation on endurance performance in young healthy adults. Two independent investigators completed a three-phased screening procedure against pre-determined eligibility criteria. Included studies evaluated loading or bolus dosage regimes of citrulline in participants aged 18 or over that were at least recreationally active. Outcome measures focused on time-to-completion (TTC) or time-to-exhaustion (TTE) in continuous submaximal intensity exercise. Cochrane's Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool was used to assess the risk of bias in individual studies. Meta-analysis was conducted using a fixed-effects model to pool the weighted estimate of standardized mean differences (SMD) across studies. A chi-squared test assessed heterogeneity between studies. This review was conducted and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
RESULTS
Nine studies ( = 158 participants) met the eligibility criteria; five reported TTE outcomes (I = 0%, χ = 0.37, df = 4, = 0.99) and four reported TTC outcomes (I = 0%, χ = 0.46, df = 3, = 0.93), both with a low between-study heterogeneity. The results of the meta-analyses showed no significant difference in the endurance performance measures, TTE (pooled SMD = 0.03 [-0.27, 0.33]) and TTC (pooled SMD = -0.07 [-0.50, 0.15]), after acute ingestion of citrulline supplementation or a control in young healthy adults.
DISCUSSION
The current evidence suggests no significant benefit of citrulline supplementation for endurance performance. However, the small evidence base requires further research to fully evaluate this topic. Recommendations include a focus on female populations; higher continuous doses of citrulline over seven days; and TTC outcome measures over longer distances to simulate competition.
Topics: Female; Humans; Adult; Citrulline; Exercise; Dietary Supplements; Nutritional Status
PubMed: 37155582
DOI: 10.1080/15502783.2023.2209056 -
JMIR Public Health and Surveillance Mar 2024Burnout is a multidimensional psychological syndrome that arises from chronic workplace stress. Health care workers (HCWs), who operate in physically and emotionally...
BACKGROUND
Burnout is a multidimensional psychological syndrome that arises from chronic workplace stress. Health care workers (HCWs), who operate in physically and emotionally exhausting work contexts, constitute a vulnerable group. This, coupled with its subsequent impact on patients and public economic resources, makes burnout a significant public health concern. Various self-care practices have been suggested to have a positive effect on burnout among HCWs. Of these, physical activity stands out for its ability to combine psychological, physiological, and biochemical mechanisms. In fact, it promotes psychological detachment from work and increases self-efficacy by inhibiting neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, increasing endorphin levels, enhancing mitochondrial function, and attenuating the hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal axis response to stress.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to conduct a systematic review of the evidence on the association between physical activity and burnout among HCWs.
METHODS
We considered HCWs, physical activity, and burnout, framing them as population, exposure, and outcome, respectively. We searched APA PsycArticles, MEDLINE, and Scopus until July 2022. We extracted relevant data on study design, methods to measure exposure and outcome, and statistical approaches.
RESULTS
Our analysis encompassed 21 independent studies. Although 10% (2/21) of the studies explicitly focused on physical activity, the remaining investigations were exploratory in nature and examined various predictors, including physical activity. The most commonly used questionnaire was the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Owing to the heterogeneity in definitions and cutoffs used, the reported prevalence of burnout varied widely, ranging from 7% to 83%. Heterogeneity was also observed in the measurement tools used to assess physical activity, with objective measures rarely used. In total, 14% (3/21) of the studies used structured questionnaires to assess different types of exercise, whereas most studies (18/21, 86%) only recorded the attainment of a benchmark or reported the frequency, intensity, or duration of exercise. The reported prevalence of physically active HCWs ranged from 44% to 87%. The analyses, through a variety of inferential approaches, indicated that physical activity is often associated with a reduced risk of burnout, particularly in the domains of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Furthermore, we compiled and classified a list of factors associated with burnout.
CONCLUSIONS
Our comprehensive overview of studies investigating the association between physical activity and burnout in HCWs revealed significant heterogeneity in definitions, measurements, and analyses adopted in the literature. To address this issue, it is crucial to adopt a clear definition of physical activity and make thoughtful choices regarding measurement tools and methodologies for data analysis. Our considerations regarding the measurement of burnout and the comprehensive list of associated factors have the potential to improve future studies aimed at informing decision-makers, thus laying the foundation for more effective management measures to address burnout.
Topics: Humans; Exercise; Health Personnel; Psychological Tests; Self Report; Burnout, Professional
PubMed: 38498040
DOI: 10.2196/49772 -
JMIR MHealth and UHealth Jul 2023Increasingly, parents use child health promotion apps to find health information. An overview of child health promotion apps for parents currently does not exist. The... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Increasingly, parents use child health promotion apps to find health information. An overview of child health promotion apps for parents currently does not exist. The scope of child health topics addressed by parent apps is thus needed, including how they are evaluated.
OBJECTIVE
This scoping review aims to describe existing reported mobile health (mHealth) parent apps of middle- to high-income countries that promote child health. The focus centers on apps developed in the last 5 years, showing how the reported apps are evaluated, and listing reported outcomes found.
METHODS
A scoping review was conducted according to PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews) guidelines to identify parent apps or web-based programs on child health promotion published between January 2016 and June 2021 in 5 databases: PubMed, ERIC, IEEE Xplore, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Separate sources were sought through an expert network. Included studies were summarized and analyzed through a systematic and descriptive content analysis, including keywords, year of publication, country of origin, aims/purpose, study population/sample size, intervention type, methodology/method(s), broad topic(s), evaluation, and study outcomes.
RESULTS
In total, 39 studies met the inclusion criteria from 1040 database and 60 expert-identified studies. Keywords reflected the health topics and app foci. About 64% (25/39) of included studies were published after 2019 and most stemmed from the United States, Australian, and European-based research. Studies aimed to review or evaluate apps or conducted app-based study interventions. The number of participants ranged from 7 to 1200. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used. Interventions included 28 primary studies, 6 app feasibility studies, and 5 app or literature reviews. Eight separate topics were found: parental feeding and nutrition, physical activity, maternal-child health, parent-child health, healthy environment, dental health, mental health, and sleep. Study intervention evaluations cited behavior change theories in 26 studies and evaluations were carried out with a variety of topic-specific, adapted, self-developed, or validated questionnaires and evaluation tools. To evaluate apps, user input and qualitative evaluations were often combined with surveys and frequently rated with the Mobile App Rating Scale. Outcomes reported some positive effects, while several intervention studies saw no effect at all. Effectively evaluating changes in behavior through apps, recruiting target groups, and retaining app engagement were challenges cited.
CONCLUSIONS
New parents are a key target group for child health apps, but evaluating child health promotion apps remains a challenge. Whether tailored to parent needs or adapted to the specific topic, apps should be rooted in a transparent theoretical groundwork. Applicable lessons for parent apps from existing research are to tailor app content, include intuitive and adaptive features, and embed well-founded parameters for long-term effect evaluation on child health promotion.
Topics: Humans; Australia; Health Promotion; Mobile Applications; Exercise; Parents
PubMed: 37471125
DOI: 10.2196/39929 -
International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2023Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are prevalent and lead to high morbidity and mortality globally. Physiotherapists regularly interact with patients with or at risk of CVDs... (Review)
Review
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are prevalent and lead to high morbidity and mortality globally. Physiotherapists regularly interact with patients with or at risk of CVDs (pwCVDs). This study aimed to assess the nature of existing evidence, interventional approaches used, and the population groups included in physiotherapy-led health promotion (PLHP) for pwCVDs. The scoping review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Medline, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and PEDro databases were searched from inception until June 2023. Two reviewers independently screened the titles, abstracts, and full text and conducted data extraction. All conflicts were resolved with a third reviewer. A total of 4992 records were identified, of which 20 full-text articles were included in the review. The studies had varied populations, including those with stroke, coronary artery diseases, peripheral artery diseases, hypertension, diabetes, and multiple CVD risk factors. The interventions ranged from exercise and physical activity programmes, dietary interventions, education, and counselling sessions with various supplementary approaches. Most interventions were short-term, with less than 12 months of follow-up. Interventions were personalised and patient-centred to promote adherence and health behaviour change. Among the included studies, 60% employed experimental designs, with the remainder using quasi-experimental designs. Although a wide range of PLHP strategies have been used for pwCVDs, exercise and physical activity were employed in 85% of the included studies. Other components of health promotion, such as sleep, smoking, and alcohol abuse, should be investigated within PLHP.
Topics: Humans; Cardiovascular Diseases; Exercise; Hypertension; Health Promotion; Physical Therapy Modalities
PubMed: 37998304
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20227073 -
Nutrients Oct 2023The combination of resistance exercise and creatine supplementation has been shown to decrease body fat percentage in adults ≥ 50 years of age. However, the effect on... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The combination of resistance exercise and creatine supplementation has been shown to decrease body fat percentage in adults ≥ 50 years of age. However, the effect on adults < 50 years of age is currently unknown. To address this limitation, we systematically reviewed the literature and performed several meta-analyses comparing studies that included resistance exercise and creatine supplementation to resistance exercise and placebo on fat mass and body fat percentage Twelve studies were included, involving 266 participants. Adults (<50 years of age) who supplemented with creatine and performed resistance exercise experienced a very small, yet significant reduction in body fat percentage (-1.19%, = 0.006); however, no difference was found in absolute fat mass (-0.18 kg, = 0.76). Collectively, in adults < 50 years of age, the combination of resistance exercise and creatine supplementation produces a very small reduction in body fat percentage without a corresponding decrease in absolute fat mass.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Creatine; Resistance Training; Exercise; Dietary Supplements; Body Composition; Muscle, Skeletal; Muscle Strength
PubMed: 37892421
DOI: 10.3390/nu15204343 -
European Journal of Surgical Oncology :... Oct 2023This systematic review aimed to appraise the current available evidence regarding the effects of exercise prehabilitation and rehabilitation on perceived health-related... (Review)
Review
Effects of exercise prehabilitation and/or rehabilitation on health-related quality of life and fatigue in patients with non-small cell lung cancer undergoing surgery: A systematic review.
BACKGROUND
This systematic review aimed to appraise the current available evidence regarding the effects of exercise prehabilitation and rehabilitation on perceived health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and fatigue in patients undergoing surgery for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
METHODS
Studies were selected according to Cochrane guidelines and assessed for methodological quality and therapeutic quality (the international CONsensus on Therapeutic Exercise aNd Training (i-CONTENT)). Eligible studies included patients with NSCLC performing exercise prehabilitation and/or rehabilitation and postoperative HRQoL and fatigue up to 90-days postoperatively.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies were included. Exercise prehabilitation and rehabilitation significantly improved postoperative HRQoL in almost half of the studies (47%), although none of the studies demonstrated a decrease in fatigue. Methodological quality and therapeutic quality were poor in respectively 62% and 69% of the studies.
CONCLUSION
There was an inconsistent effect of exercise prehabilitation and exercise rehabilitation on improving HRQoL in patients with NSCLC undergoing surgery, with no effect on fatigue. Due to the low methodological and therapeutic quality of included studies, it was not possible to identify the most effective training program content to improve HRQoL and reduce fatigue. It is recommended to investigate the impact of a high therapeutic qualified exercise prehabilitation and exercise rehabilitation on HRQoL and fatigue in larger studies.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Quality of Life; Preoperative Exercise; Lung Neoplasms; Fatigue
PubMed: 37301638
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2023.04.008 -
Clinical Nutrition ESPEN Jun 2024The aim of this study was to investigate the omega-3 fatty acids supplementation, and resistance training on muscle strength and mass. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND & AIMS
The aim of this study was to investigate the omega-3 fatty acids supplementation, and resistance training on muscle strength and mass.
METHODS
A review was conducted by searching relevant randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation and resistance training on skeletal muscle strength and mass. Three experts independently performed a thorough examination of the literature database and conducted the systematic review and meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Four studies were ultimately included in the systematic review after screening. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that the supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids and resistance training significantly improved muscle strength compared to the placebo-controlled group. However, no significant effects were observed in the effect for muscle mass.
CONCLUSIONS
The interventions of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation and resistance training show promise as a countermeasure against muscular dysfunction. While further research is warranted to investigate its effects on skeletal muscle mass, the findings of this study hold implications for maintaining and/or improving the quality of life to elderly people.
Topics: Humans; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Resistance Training; Muscle, Skeletal; Dietary Supplements; Muscle Strength; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Quality of Life
PubMed: 38777432
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2024.03.019 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2023Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) are important components of physical behaviour associated with long-term health outcomes. Environmental and cultural... (Review)
Review
Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) are important components of physical behaviour associated with long-term health outcomes. Environmental and cultural factors may influence physical behaviour. To explore full day PA and SB in children and adolescents (2-18 years old) in the Middle East, a systematic literature review was performed including 183 journal articles. A wide range of PA and SB outcomes were reported, in some cases making synthesis of results difficult. As a consequence, results were generally reported narratively (MVPA time, total PA, SB time). Meta-regression of daily step count revealed females took 4600 fewer steps than males, with 3000 fewer steps on weekdays than weekends, and overweight individuals taking 2800 fewer steps/day. Steps decreased with age. Meta-regression for TV viewing time demonstrated an increase by 0.04 h per year of age. Even though environmental and cultural conditions may be different, PA and SB of children and adolescents in the Middle East were largely comparable to those of Europeans and North Americans. The wide range of data collection instruments used (both self-report questionnaire and body-worn devices) and heterogeneity of data made synthesis of reported data across studies very difficult, suggesting a need for greater standardisation of data collection methods.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Child; Adolescent; Child, Preschool; Sedentary Behavior; Exercise; Surveys and Questionnaires; Self Report; Middle East
PubMed: 37887678
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20206940 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2023Taichi is beneficial for functional mobility and balance in older adults. However, such benefits of Taichi when comparing to conventional exercise (CE) are not well... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis
The comparison between effects of Taichi and conventional exercise on functional mobility and balance in healthy older adults: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Taichi is beneficial for functional mobility and balance in older adults. However, such benefits of Taichi when comparing to conventional exercise (CE) are not well understood due to large variance in study protocols and observations.
METHODS
We reviewed publications in five databases. Eligible studies that examined the effects of Taichi on the outcomes of functional mobility and balance in healthy older adults as compared to CE were included. Subgroup analyses compared the effects of different types of CE (e.g., single and multiple-type exercise) and different intervention designs (e.g., Taichi types) on those outcomes (Registration number: CRD42022331956).
RESULTS
Twelve studies consisting of 2,901 participants were included. Generally, compared to CE, Taichi induced greater improvements in the performance of Timed-Up-and-Go (SMD = -0.18, [-0.33 to -0.03], = 0.040, I = 59.57%), 50-foot walking (MD = -1.84 s, [-2.62 to -1.07], < 0.001, I = 0%), one-leg stance with eyes open (MD = 6.00s, [2.97 to 9.02], < 0.001, I = 83.19%), one-leg stance with eyes closed (MD = 1.65 s, [1.35 to 1.96], < 0.001, I = 36.2%), and functional reach (SMD = 0.7, [0.32 to 1.08], < 0.001, I = 86.79%) tests. Subgroup analyses revealed that Taichi with relatively short duration (<20 weeks), low total time (≤24 h), and/or using Yang-style, can induce significantly greater benefits for functional mobility and balance as compared to CE. Uniquely, Taichi only induced significantly greater improvements in Timed-Up-and-Go compared to single- (SMD = -0.40, [-0.55 to -0.24], < 0.001, I = 6.14%), but not multiple-type exercise. A significant difference between the effects of Taichi was observed on the performance of one-leg stance with eyes open when compared to CE without balance (MD = 3.63 s, [1.02 to 6.24], = 0.006, I = 74.93%) and CE with balance (MD = 13.90s, [10.32 to 17.48], < 0.001, I = 6.1%). No other significant difference was shown between the influences of different CE types on the observations.
CONCLUSION
Taichi can induce greater improvement in functional mobility and balance in older adults compared to CE in a more efficient fashion, especially compared to single-type CE. Future studies with more rigorous design are needed to confirm the observations here.
Topics: Aged; Humans; Exercise; Exercise Therapy; Health Status; Lower Extremity; Postural Balance; Motor Activity; Tai Ji
PubMed: 38164444
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1281144 -
BMJ Open Jul 2023To systematically review randomised controlled trials (RCTs) using a wearable physical activity monitoring device as an intervention to increase daily walking activity... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Impact of wearable device-based interventions with feedback for increasing daily walking activity and physical capacities in cardiovascular patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review randomised controlled trials (RCTs) using a wearable physical activity monitoring device as an intervention to increase daily walking activity and improve physical capacities in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD).
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Embase and Web of Science from inception to June 2022.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Randomised controlled studies including patients with CVD over 18 years of age at the end of a cardiac rehabilitation programme comparing an intervention group using a wearable physical activity monitoring device with feedback with usual care or with a control group receiving no feedback on their physical activity and reporting a change in the daily number of steps and/or a change in the distance covered in the 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) or a change in peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2) as endpoints.
RESULTS
Sixteen RCTs were included. The intervention of wearing a physical activity monitoring device with feedback significantly improved daily number of steps compared with controls (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.85; 95% CI (0.42; 1.27); p<0.01). The effect was greater when the duration of the intervention was less than 3 months (SMD 1.0; 95% CI (0.18; 1.82); p<0.01) than when the duration of the intervention was 3 months or longer (SMD 0.71; 95% CI (0.27; 1.16); p<0.01), but no significant interaction was found between subgroups (p=0.55). 6-MWT distance and V̇O2 showed only small effects (SMD 0.34; 95% CI (-0.11; 0.80); p=0.02 and SMD 0.54; 95% CI (0.03; 1.03); p=0.07, respectively).
CONCLUSION
The use of wearable physical activity monitoring devices appears to help patients with CVD to increase their daily walking activity and thus their physical activity, particularly in the short term.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42022300423.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Adult; Cardiovascular System; Walking; Cardiovascular Diseases; Exercise; Wearable Electronic Devices; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37433730
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069966