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Scandinavian Journal of Medicine &... Feb 2023The Achilles tendon (AT) can be exposed to considerable stress during athletic activities and is often subject to pathologies such as tendinopathies. When designing a... (Review)
Review
The Achilles tendon (AT) can be exposed to considerable stress during athletic activities and is often subject to pathologies such as tendinopathies. When designing a prevention or rehabilitation protocol, mechanical loading is a key factor to consider. This implies being able to accurately determine the load applied to the AT when performing exercises that stress this tendon. A systematic review was performed to synthesize the load borne by the AT during exercises/activities. Three databases (Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane) were searched for articles up to May 2021, and only the studies assessing the AT load in newtons relative to body-weight (BW) on humans during activities or exercises were included. Most of the 11 included studies assessed AT load when running or walking (N = 10), and only three tested exercises were usually performed during rehabilitation. The load on the tendon ranged from 2.7 to 3.95 BW when walking, from 4.15 to 7.71 BW when running, and from 0.41 to 7.3 BW according to the strengthening exercise performed. From the collected data, a progression of exercises progressively loading the Achilles tendon, as well as the possible connections with walking and running activities, could be defined. However, the trends highlighted in the relationship between tendon loading and walking or running speeds present some inconsistencies. Further research is still needed to clarify them, but also to complete the data set in healthy and injured people.
Topics: Humans; Achilles Tendon; Exercise; Walking; Running; Exercise Therapy
PubMed: 36278501
DOI: 10.1111/sms.14242 -
Journal of Sport and Health Science Jan 2024The Compendium of Physical Activities was published in 1993 to improve the comparability of energy expenditure values assigned to self-reported physical activity (PA)...
BACKGROUND
The Compendium of Physical Activities was published in 1993 to improve the comparability of energy expenditure values assigned to self-reported physical activity (PA) across studies. The original version was updated in 2000, and again in 2011, and has been widely used to support PA research, practice, and public health guidelines.
METHODS
This 2024 update was tailored for adults 19-59 years of age by removing data from those ≥60 years. Using a systematic review and supplementary searches, we identified new activities and their associated measured metabolic equivalent (MET) values (using indirect calorimetry) published since 2011. We replaced estimated METs with measured values when possible.
RESULTS
We screened 32,173 abstracts and 1507 full-text papers and extracted 2356 PA energy expenditure values from 701 papers. We added 303 new PAs and adjusted 176 existing MET values and descriptions to reflect the addition of new data and removal of METs for older adults. We added a Major Heading (Video Games). The 2024 Adult Compendium includes 1114 PAs (912 with measured and 202 with estimated values) across 22 Major Headings.
CONCLUSION
This comprehensive update and refinement led to the creation of The 2024 Adult Compendium, which has utility across research, public health, education, and healthcare domains, as well as in the development of consumer health technologies. The new website with the complete lists of PAs and supporting resources is available at https://pacompendium.com.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Middle Aged; Exercise; Human Activities; Energy Metabolism; Data Collection
PubMed: 38242596
DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2023.10.010 -
The International Journal of Behavioral... Feb 2020One in two older adults report sleep problems, which not only cause fatigue, but also negatively affect general functioning, activities of daily living, and physical and...
BACKGROUND
One in two older adults report sleep problems, which not only cause fatigue, but also negatively affect general functioning, activities of daily living, and physical and mental health. Although it is known that physical activity is positively associated with sleep in older adults, the effects of physical activity programs on sleep in older adults has not been reviewed. The aim of this systematic review was to systematically review the effects of physical activity programs on sleep in generally healthy older adults aged 60+ years.
METHODS
Searches were performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, PEDro and CINAHL. The methodological quality of the included studies was rated using the 'Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies'. Only studies of moderate and strong quality were included. This review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42018094007).
RESULTS
Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria (six randomised controlled trials and eight pretest-posttest studies). Of these studies, five were moderate and nine were strong quality studies. Mean age of study samples ranged from 64 to 76 years. Exercise programs included various activities aimed at improving mobility, endurance and strength. Intervention duration ranged from 2 weeks to 12 months. Eleven studies used subjective measures of sleep, two used objective measures and one used both. Sixteen different sleep outcomes were reported. All but one study, found at least one significant improvement on sleep outcomes. No significantly detrimental effects were reported. Effect sizes, calculated in ten studies, ranged from 0,34-1,55 and were substantial (≥0,8) in four studies.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review suggests that exercise programs positively affect various aspects of sleep in generally healthy older adults. More specifically, moderate intensity exercise programs, with a frequency of three times per week and a duration of 12 weeks up to 6 months, showed the highest number of significant improvements in different sleep outcomes in older adults. Furthermore, programs that offered single exercise types, such as Baduanjin, Tai chi and the silver yoga program, or a combination of exercises showed the highest proportion of significant versus reported effects on sleep outcomes.
Topics: Aged; Exercise; Exercise Therapy; Health Promotion; Humans; Middle Aged; Sleep
PubMed: 32024532
DOI: 10.1186/s12966-020-0913-3 -
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) Mar 2023The current literature on the chronic effects of static stretching (SS) exercises on muscle strength and power is unclear and controversial. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Chronic Effects of Static Stretching Exercises on Muscle Strength and Power in Healthy Individuals Across the Lifespan: A Systematic Review with Multi-level Meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
The current literature on the chronic effects of static stretching (SS) exercises on muscle strength and power is unclear and controversial.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to examine the chronic effects of SS exercises on muscle strength and power as well as flexibility in healthy individuals across the lifespan.
DESIGN
Systematic review with meta-analysis of (randomized) controlled trials.
DATA SOURCES
A systematic literature search was conducted in the databases PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and SPORTDiscus up to May 2022.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES
We included studies that investigated the chronic effects of SS exercises on at least one muscle strength and power outcome compared to an active/passive control group or the contralateral leg (i.e., using between- or within-study designs, respectively) in healthy individuals, irrespective of age, sex, and training status.
RESULTS
The main findings of 41 studies indicated trivial-to-small positive effects of chronic SS exercises on muscle strength (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.21, [95% confidence interval 0.10-0.32], p = 0.001) and power (SMD = 0.19, 95% confidence interval 0.12-0.26], p < 0.001). For flexibility, moderate-to-large increases were observed (SMD = 0.96, [95% confidence interval 0.70-1.22], p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses, taking the participants' training status into account, revealed a larger muscle strength improvement for sedentary (SMD = 0.58, p < 0.001) compared with recreationally active participants (SMD = 0.16, p = 0.029). Additionally, larger flexibility gains were observed following passive (SMD = 0.97, p < 0.001) compared with active SS exercises (SMD = 0.59, p = 0.001). The chronic effects of SS on muscle strength were moderated by the proportion of female individuals in the sample (β = 0.004, p = 0.042), with higher proportions experiencing larger gains. Other moderating variables included mean age (β = 0.011, p < 0.001), with older individuals showing larger muscle strength gains, and the number of repetitions per stretching exercise and session (β = 0.023, p = 0.004 and β = 0.013, p = 0.008, respectively), with more repetitions associated with larger muscle strength improvements. Muscle power was also moderated by mean age (β = 0.006, p = 0.007) with larger gains in older individuals. The meta-regression analysis indicated larger flexibility gains with more repetitions per session (β = 0.094, p = 0.016), more time under stretching per session (β = 0.090, p = 0.026), and more total time under stretching (β = 0.078, p = 0.034).
CONCLUSIONS
The main findings indicated that chronic SS exercises have the potential to improve muscle strength and power. Such improvements appear to benefit sedentary more than recreationally active participants. Likewise, chronic SS exercises result in a marked enhancement in flexibility with larger effects of passive, as compared with active, SS. The results of the meta-regression analysis for muscle strength indicated larger benefits of chronic SS exercises in samples with higher proportions of female, older participants, and a higher number of repetitions per stretching exercise and session. For muscle power, results suggested larger gains for older participants. Regarding flexibility, findings indicated larger benefits following a higher number of repetitions per exercise and a longer time under stretching per session as well as a longer total time under stretching.
Topics: Humans; Female; Aged; Muscle Stretching Exercises; Longevity; Muscle Strength; Resistance Training
PubMed: 36719536
DOI: 10.1007/s40279-022-01806-9 -
Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair Jan 2020Epidural spinal electrical stimulation at the lumbar spinal level evokes rhythmic muscle activation of lower-limb antagonists, attributed to the central pattern...
Epidural spinal electrical stimulation at the lumbar spinal level evokes rhythmic muscle activation of lower-limb antagonists, attributed to the central pattern generator. However, the efficacy of noninvasive spinal stimulation for the activation of lower-limb muscles is not yet clear. This review aimed to analyze the feasibility and efficacy of noninvasive transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) on motor function in individuals with spinal cord injury. A search for tSCS studies was made of the following databases: PubMed; Cochrane Registry; and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). In addition, an inverse manual search of the references cited by the identified articles was carried out. The keywords [Mesh term], and were used. A total of 352 articles were initially screened, of which 13 studies met the inclusion criteria for systematic review. The total participant sample comprised 55 persons with spinal cord injury. All studies with tSCS provided evidence of induced muscle activation in the lower and upper limbs, and applied stimulation at the level of the T11-T12 and C4-C7 interspinous space, respectively. All studies reported an increase in motor response measured by recording surface electromyography, voluntary movement, muscle strength, or function. Although this review highlights tSCS as a feasible therapeutic neuromodulatory strategy to enhance voluntary movement, muscle strength, and function in patients with chronic spinal cord injury, the clinical impact and efficacy of electrode location and current intensity need to be characterized in statistically powered and controlled clinical trials.
Topics: Humans; Motor Activity; Muscle, Skeletal; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Recovery of Function; Spinal Cord Injuries; Spinal Cord Stimulation
PubMed: 31858871
DOI: 10.1177/1545968319893298 -
Clinical Rehabilitation Dec 2019To investigate the psychometric properties of measures of balance and falls risk prediction in people with Parkinson's disease (PD).
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the psychometric properties of measures of balance and falls risk prediction in people with Parkinson's disease (PD).
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Ovid Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception to August 2019.
REVIEW METHOD
Studies testing psychometric properties of measures of balance and falls risk prediction in PD were included. The four-point COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) assessed quality.
RESULTS
Eighty studies testing 68 outcome measures were reviewed; 43 measures assessed balance, 9 assessed falls risk prediction, and 16 assessed both. The measures with robust psychometric estimation with acceptable properties were the (1) Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BEST), (2) Berg Balance Scale, (3) Timed Up and Go test, (4) Falls Efficacy Scale International, and (5) Activities-Specific Balance Confidence scale. These measures assess balance and falls risk prediction at the body, structure and function level, falls risk and balance, and falls risk at the activity level. The motor examination of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-ME) with robust psychometric analysis is a condition-specific measure with acceptable properties. Except the UPDRS-ME and Mini-BESTest, the responsiveness of the other four measures has yet to be established.
CONCLUSION
Six of the 68 outcome measures have strong psychometric properties for the assessment of balance and falls risk prediction in PD. Measures assessing balance and falls risk prediction at the participatory level are limited in number with a lack of psychometric validation.
Topics: Accidental Falls; Humans; Motor Activity; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Parkinson Disease; Physical Therapy Modalities; Postural Balance; Psychometrics; Reproducibility of Results; Time and Motion Studies
PubMed: 31571503
DOI: 10.1177/0269215519877498 -
PloS One 2023The literature has proven that plyometric training (PT) improves various physical performance outcomes in sports. Even though PT is one of the most often employed... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
The literature has proven that plyometric training (PT) improves various physical performance outcomes in sports. Even though PT is one of the most often employed strength training methods, a thorough analysis of PT and how it affects technical skill performance in sports needs to be improved.
METHODS
This study aimed to compile and synthesize the existing studies on the effects of PT on healthy athletes' technical skill performance. A comprehensive search of SCOPUS, PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, and SPORTDiscus databases was performed on 3rd May 2023. PICOS was employed to establish the inclusion criteria: 1) healthy athletes; 2) a PT program; 3) compared a plyometric intervention to an active control group; 4) tested at least one measure of athletes' technical skill performance; and 5) randomized control designs. The methodological quality of each individual study was evaluated using the PEDro scale. The random-effects model was used to compute the meta-analyses. Subgroup analyses were performed (participant age, gender, PT length, session duration, frequency, and number of sessions). Certainty or confidence in the body of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE).
RESULTS
Thirty-two moderate-high-quality studies involving 1078 athletes aged 10-40 years met the inclusion criteria. The PT intervention lasted for 4 to 16 weeks, with one to three exercise sessions per week. Small-to-moderate effect sizes were found for performance of throwing velocity (i.e., handball, baseball, water polo) (ES = 0.78; p < 0.001), kicking velocity and distance (i.e., soccer) (ES = 0.37-0.44; all p < 0.005), and speed dribbling (i.e., handball, basketball, soccer) (ES = 0.85; p = 0.014), while no significant effects on stride rate (i.e., running) were noted (ES = 0.32; p = 0.137). Sub-analyses of moderator factors included 16 data sets. Only training length significantly modulated PT effects on throwing velocity (> 7 weeks, ES = 1.05; ≤ 7 weeks, ES = 0.29; p = 0.011). The level of certainty of the evidence for the meta-analyzed outcomes ranged from low to moderate.
CONCLUSION
Our findings have shown that PT can be effective in enhancing technical skills measures in youth and adult athletes. Sub-group analyses suggest that PT longer (> 7 weeks) lengths appear to be more effective for improving throwing velocity. However, to fully determine the effectiveness of PT in improving sport-specific technical skill outcomes and ultimately enhancing competition performance, further high-quality research covering a wider range of sports is required.
Topics: Adult; Adolescent; Humans; Plyometric Exercise; Athletic Performance; Exercise; Athletes; Muscle Strength
PubMed: 37459333
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288340 -
Archives of Physical Medicine and... Aug 2023To investigate the associations between adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and physical activity (PA). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the associations between adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and physical activity (PA).
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL electronic databases were searched from inception to August 2022/plus citation tracking.
STUDY SELECTION
Observational studies of participants with radiographically confirmed AIS with ≥10° lateral spinal curvature (Cobb method) and comparator groups without AIS that measured PA were selected by 2 reviewers.
DATA EXTRACTION
Data were extracted independently and cross-checked by 2 reviewers. Risk of bias was evaluated using Newcastle Ottawa Scales and overall confidence in the evidence using the GRADE approach.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Sixteen studies with 9627 participants (9162, 95% women) were included. A history of vigorous PA significantly reduced the odds of being newly diagnosed with AIS by 24% (odds ratio [OR] 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65-0.89) (high certainty). Moderate PA reduced odds by 13% (moderate certainty) and light PA increased odds by 9% (low certainty), but neither analysis was statistically significant. Ballet or gymnastics (OR 1.47, 95% CI 3.08 (1.90, 5.00) were the only individual sports significantly associated with AIS diagnosis (moderate certainty). Case-control studies of people with and without AIS provided greater evidence that having AIS reduces vigorous PA and sports participation, and less evidence light PA and walking are affected.
CONCLUSION
Adolescents who participate in more vigorous PA are less likely to be diagnosed with AIS. Ballet and gymnastics are associated with AIS diagnosis, but the direction of this association is uncertain. People with AIS are likely to do less vigorous physical and sporting activity compared with those without AIS, which could negatively affect health and quality of life. Further research is warranted into the inter-relations between PA and AIS, studies need to be of sufficient size, include men, and evaluate vigorous including higher-impact PA compared with moderate or light PA.
Topics: Male; Humans; Adolescent; Female; Quality of Life; Scoliosis; Exercise; Sports; Walking
PubMed: 36764428
DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2023.01.019 -
Biological Psychology Jul 2022Sedentary behaviour, physical activity, and psychobiological reactivity to acute psychological stress are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Sedentary... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Sedentary behaviour, physical activity, and psychobiological reactivity to acute psychological stress are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Sedentary behaviour and physical activity influence autonomic, haemodynamic, and inflammatory pathways under resting conditions, and these pathways become activated under acute psychological stress. However, it is unclear whether sedentary behaviour and physical activity relate to psychobiological responses to stress. Thus, the aim of this study is to systematically review sedentary behaviour and physical activity in the context of psychobiological reactivity to acute psychological stress.
METHODS
Sedentary behaviour, physical activity and psychobiological stress reactivity search terms were combined, and several databases were searched in duplicate. Eligibility criteria included: (1) a validated measure of sedentary behaviour/physical activity; (2) cardiovascular, inflammatory, neuroendocrine, or respiratory markers measured at rest and in response to laboratory-induced acute psychological stress.
RESULTS
6084 articles were screened, with 11 included in a narrative synthesis. No studies measured postural components of sedentary behaviour, but 2/4 studies found that markers of sedentary behaviour (e.g., physical inactivity) were associated with elevated heart rate, dysregulated heart rate variability, or lowered cortisol responses to stress. Higher volumes of physical activity were linked to lower HR, cortisol, or immune responses to stress in 4/7 studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Extensive methodological variability precludes conclusions from being drawn. This review should be used to guide a more homogeneous and gold-standard literature, which accounts for postural components of sedentary behaviour using inclinometery, and the whole physical activity intensity spectrum using universal and reproducible approaches.
Topics: Exercise; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Sedentary Behavior; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 35667480
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108374 -
European Spine Journal : Official... Apr 2021Due to a high prevalence of low back pain (LBP) among children and adolescents, it is significant to seek effective prevention and therapeutic procedures. One idea for... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Due to a high prevalence of low back pain (LBP) among children and adolescents, it is significant to seek effective prevention and therapeutic procedures. One idea for the programmes is a potential relation between the occurrence of LBP and the level of physical activity. The aim of this review was to analyse the current knowledge regarding the association between physical activity and LBP among children and adolescents.
METHODS
Publications were retrieved by searching the following databases: PubMed, The Cochrane library, Web of Science, Medline and SportDiscus with Full Text (EBSCO). The search strategy included keywords related to physical activity and LBP. The studies included were assessed for methodological quality. PRISMA guidelines were followed for the systematic review.
RESULTS
The total sample size of the nine included studies consisted of 75,233 subjects, with an age range of 9-19 years. All the studies were assessed to be of high quality. One cohort study and five cross-sectional studies found the association between physical activity and LBP in children and adolescents. The remaining studies found no relationship between physical activity and LBP. These findings showed that both extremes of activity levels (i.e. being very low and very high physically active) are associated with LBP.
CONCLUSION
There is moderate evidence for the association between physical activity and LBP in children and adolescents. The results highlight the need for continued research. It seems that for clear evaluation of the analysed association the prospective cohort studies should be conducted.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Cohort Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Exercise; Humans; Low Back Pain; Prospective Studies; Young Adult
PubMed: 32845380
DOI: 10.1007/s00586-020-06575-5