-
Life (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Parkinson's disease pose significant challenges to older adults globally. While pharmacological treatments remain... (Review)
Review
Neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Parkinson's disease pose significant challenges to older adults globally. While pharmacological treatments remain primary, increasing evidence supports the role of non-pharmacological strategies like physical activity in managing these conditions. This systematic review critically evaluates the effectiveness of Nursing based physical activity interventions in improving cognitive function, physical functioning, mobility, and overall quality of life among older adults with neurodegenerative diseases. We conducted a comprehensive search across PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and other relevant databases, focusing on randomized controlled trials and observational studies that examined the impact of structured physical activity. Our findings from nineteen studies involving 1673 participants indicate that interventions ranging from aerobic exercises, resistance training, to mind-body exercises like Tai Chi and yoga have beneficial effects. Specifically, physical activity was consistently found to enhance cognitive performance, increase mobility, and improve balance and daily living activities, contributing to a better quality of life. However, these benefits vary depending on the type, intensity, and duration of the activity performed. Despite promising results, limitations such as small sample sizes, study heterogeneity, and short-term follow-up periods call for more robust, long-term studies to solidify these findings. This review underscores the potential of tailored physical activity programs as adjunctive therapy in the comprehensive management of neurodegenerative diseases among the elderly population.
PubMed: 38792618
DOI: 10.3390/life14050597 -
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 -
Sports Medicine - Open May 2024While it has been examined whether there are similar magnitudes of muscle strength and hypertrophy adaptations between low-load resistance training combined with...
Potential Moderators of the Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Muscle Strength and Hypertrophy: A Meta-analysis Based on a Comparison with High-Load Resistance Training.
BACKGROUND
While it has been examined whether there are similar magnitudes of muscle strength and hypertrophy adaptations between low-load resistance training combined with blood-flow restriction training (BFR-RT) and high-load resistance training (HL-RT), some important potential moderators (e.g., age, sex, upper and lower limbs, frequency and duration etc.) have yet to be analyzed further. Furthermore, training status, specificity of muscle strength tests (dynamic versus isometric or isokinetic) and specificity of muscle mass assessments (locations of muscle hypertrophy assessments) seem to exhibit different effects on the results of the analysis. The role of these influencing factors, therefore, remains to be elucidated.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the effects of BFR- versus HL-RT on muscle adaptations, when considering the influence of population characteristics (training status, sex and age), protocol characteristics (upper or lower limbs, duration and frequency) and test specificity.
METHODS
Studies were identified through database searches based on the following inclusion criteria: (1) pre- and post-training assessment of muscular strength; (2) pre- and post-training assessment of muscular hypertrophy; (3) comparison of BFR-RT vs. HL-RT; (4) score ≥ 4 on PEDro scale; (5) means and standard deviations (or standard errors) are reported or allow estimation from graphs. In cases where the fifth criterion was not met, the data were requested directly from the authors.
RESULTS
The main finding of the present study was that training status was an important influencing factor in the effects of BFR-RT. The trained individuals may gain greater muscle strength and hypertrophy with BFR-RT as compared to HL-RT. However, the results showed that the untrained individuals experienced similar muscle mass gains and superior muscle strength gains in with HL-RT compared to BFR-RT.
CONCLUSION
Compared to HL-RT, training status is an important factor influencing the effects of the BFR-RT, in which trained can obtain greater muscle strength and hypertrophy gains in BFR-RT, while untrained individuals can obtain greater strength gains and similar hypertrophy in HL-RT.
PubMed: 38773002
DOI: 10.1186/s40798-024-00719-3 -
BMC Geriatrics May 2024Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity (SO) are age-related syndromes that may compromise physical and mental health among older adults. The Nordic countries differ from... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity (SO) are age-related syndromes that may compromise physical and mental health among older adults. The Nordic countries differ from other regions on prevalence of disease, life-style behavior, and life expectancy, which may impact prevalence of sarcopenia and SO. Therefore, the aim of this study is to review the available evidence and gaps within this field in the Nordic countries.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, and Web of science (WOS) were searched up to February 2023. In addition, grey literature and reference lists of included studies were searched. Two independent researcher assessed papers and extracted data.
RESULTS
Thirty-three studies out of 6,363 searched studies were included in this scoping review. Overall prevalence of sarcopenia varied from 0.9 to 58.5%. A wide prevalence range was still present for community-dwelling older adults when definition criteria and setting were considered. The prevalence of SO ranged from 4 to 11%, according to the only study on this field. Based on the included studies, potential risk factors for sarcopenia include malnutrition, low physical activity, specific diseases (e.g., diabetes), inflammation, polypharmacy, and aging, whereas increased levels of physical activity and improved dietary intake may reduce the risk of sarcopenia. The few available interventions for sarcopenia were mainly focused on resistance training with/without nutritional supplements (e.g., protein, vitamin D).
CONCLUSION
The findings of our study revealed inadequate research on SO but an increasing trend in the number of studies on sarcopenia. However, most of the included studies had descriptive cross-sectional design, small sample size, and applied different diagnostic criteria. Therefore, larger well-designed cohort studies that adhere to uniform recent guidelines are required to capture a full picture of these two age-related medical conditions in Nordic countries, and plan for prevention/treatment accordingly.
Topics: Humans; Sarcopenia; Aged; Obesity; Scandinavian and Nordic Countries; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Aged, 80 and over
PubMed: 38741067
DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-04970-x -
PloS One 2024Elastic band resistance training in elderly individuals can improve physical fitness and promote mental health in addition to other benefits. This systematic review...
OBJECTIVES
Elastic band resistance training in elderly individuals can improve physical fitness and promote mental health in addition to other benefits. This systematic review aimed to review, summarize, and evaluate quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methodological studies on the use of elastic band resistance training in elderly individuals, and to investigate the influence of elastic band resistance training on the physical and mental health of elderly individuals, as well as their preferences and obstacles in training.
METHODS
A convergent separation approach was used to synthesize and integrate the results, specifically the mixed systematic review approach recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute. The extensive search strategy included electronic database searches in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, and CINAHL. The researchers rigorously screened the literature, extracted and analyzed the data, and evaluated the quality of the included studies using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).
RESULTS
Twenty-eight studies were included, of which 25 were quantitative studies, 2 were qualitative studies, and 1 was a mixed-methods study. A total of 1,697 subjects were investigated across all studies. Quantitative evidence supports the notion that elastic band resistance training can improve upper and lower limb flexibility, endurance, upper strength, physical balance, and cardiopulmonary function and enhance the mental health of elderly individuals. Participants in the qualitative study reported some preferences and obstacles with band resistance training, but most participants reported physical benefits.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite the heterogeneity between studies, this review is the first systematic review to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of elastic band resistance training in older adults. It not only shows the influence of elastic band resistance training on the physical and mental health of the elderly, but also emphasizes the preference and obstacles of elderly individuals face.
Topics: Humans; Resistance Training; Mental Health; Aged; Physical Fitness; Muscle Strength; Male
PubMed: 38739588
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303372 -
Supportive Care in Cancer : Official... May 2024Over the past few decades, the incidence of cancer among adolescents and young adults (AYA) has been increasing. The impact of behaviors, such as physical activity (PA)...
PURPOSE
Over the past few decades, the incidence of cancer among adolescents and young adults (AYA) has been increasing. The impact of behaviors, such as physical activity (PA) and nutrition, on disease progression, prognosis, and overall health and quality of life for AYA cancer survivors is of significant importance. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of PA and diet interventions for AYA cancer survivors and to critically evaluate existing literature, gaps, and limitations.
METHODS
A search of literature was conducted in PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar following the PRISMA guidelines. Twenty-two studies were included from online databases from 2012 to 2022, 13 of which were randomized controlled trials.
RESULTS
Most interventions were related to PA, with only four studies including nutrition or Diet interventions. The interventions were generally feasible and acceptable to AYA cancer survivors, and digitally based PA interventions were commonly used. PA interventions mainly comprised aerobic and resistance training and were individualized. Overall, this review found various PA and diet interventions for AYA cancer survivors that were feasible and well-accepted, but gaps in knowledge and design still exist.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review underscores the importance of conducting more research on diet interventions for YCS. PROSPERO REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#aboutregpage.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Young Adult; Cancer Survivors; Diet; Exercise; Neoplasms; Quality of Life
PubMed: 38739198
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08516-0 -
The Journal of Emergency Medicine Jun 2024The need for a stronger evidence-base in paramedicine has precipitated a rapid development of prehospital research agendas. Paramedics are increasingly involved in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The need for a stronger evidence-base in paramedicine has precipitated a rapid development of prehospital research agendas. Paramedics are increasingly involved in research, leading to changes in their role. Yet, the integration of research responsibilities has proven to be challenging, resulting in varying attitudes and levels of engagement.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review aimed to explore paramedics' views and experiences of research as researchers during training and within practice.
METHODS
A systematic search was performed across six databases. Qualitative empirical peer-reviewed articles that discussed paramedic perspectives on engaging with research activity were included. Of 10,594 articles identified initially, 11 were included in the final synthesis after quality appraisal. Data were extracted and subjected to narrative synthesis.
RESULTS
The following four themes were identified: motivation to engage, moral dilemmas, structural issues within the profession, and reflections on trial involvement. Attitudes toward research, understanding of related concepts, and the drive for patient benefit were interwoven core issues.
CONCLUSIONS
Research was highly valued when links to patient benefit were obvious, however, this review highlights some cultural resistance to research, particularly regarding informed consent and changes to standard practice. Paramedic research methods training should provide structured opportunities to explore concerns and emphasize the role of research in developing a high-quality evidence base to underpin safe practice. Currently, there is inadequate organizational support for paramedics to engage effectively in research activity, with minimal allocations of time, training, and remuneration. Without properly integrating research activity into the paramedic role, their capacity to engage with research activity is limited.
Topics: Humans; Allied Health Personnel; Attitude of Health Personnel; Emergency Medical Technicians; Motivation; Paramedics
PubMed: 38734546
DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2024.01.008 -
BMC Public Health May 2024This study aims to investigate the impact of four exercise modes (aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, aerobic combined with resistance multimodal exercise, and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
This study aims to investigate the impact of four exercise modes (aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, aerobic combined with resistance multimodal exercise, and stretching) on the physical performance of cancer patients.
METHODS
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were exclusively collected from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library, with a search deadline of April 30, 2023. Different exercise interventions on the physical performance of cancer patients were studied, and the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool was employed to evaluate the quality of the included literature. Data analysis was conducted using STATA 15.1 software.
RESULTS
This study included ten randomized controlled trials with a combined sample size of 503 participants. Network meta-analysis results revealed that aerobic combined with resistance multimodal exercise could reduce fat mass in cancer patients (SUCRA: 92.3%). Resistance exercise could improve lean mass in cancer patients (SUCRA: 95.7%). Furthermore, resistance exercise could enhance leg extension functionality in cancer patients with sarcopenia (SUCRA: 83.0%).
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that resistance exercise may be more beneficial for cancer-related sarcopenia.In clinical practice, exercise interventions should be tailored to the individual patients' circumstances.
REGISTRATION NUMBER
This review was registered on INPLASY2023110025; DOI number is https://doi.org/10.37766/inplasy2023.11.0025 .
Topics: Humans; Neoplasms; Sarcopenia; Network Meta-Analysis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Exercise Therapy; Exercise; Resistance Training
PubMed: 38730397
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18493-y -
Sports Medicine - Open May 2024Maximal strength may contribute to soccer players' performance. Several resistance training modalities offer the potential to improve maximal strength. During recent...
BACKGROUND
Maximal strength may contribute to soccer players' performance. Several resistance training modalities offer the potential to improve maximal strength. During recent years, a large number of plyometric jump training (PJT) studies showed evidence for maximal strength improvements in soccer players. However, a comprehensive summary of the available data is lacking.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of PJT compared with active, passive or intervention controls on the maximal strength of soccer players, irrespective of age, sex or competitive level.
METHODS
To perform a systematic review with meta-analysis following PRISMA 2020. Three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS) were systematically searched. Studies published from inception until March 2023 were included. A PICOS approach was used to rate studies for eligibility. The PEDro scale was used to assess risk of bias. Meta-analyses were performed using the DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model if ≥ 3 studies were available. Moderator and sensitivity analyses were performed, and meta-regression was conducted when ≥ 10 studies were available for a given comparison. We rated the certainty of evidence using GRADE.
RESULTS
The search identified 13,029 documents, and from these 30 studies were eligible for the systematic review, and 27 for the meta-analyses. Overall, 1,274 soccer players aged 10.7-25.0 years participated in the included studies. Only one study recruited females. The PJT interventions lasted between 5 and 40 weeks (median = 8 weeks), with 1-3 weekly sessions. Compared to controls, PJT improved maximal dynamic strength (18 studies, 632 participants [7 females], aged 12.7-24.5 y; effect size [ES] = 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.08-0.78, p = 0.017, impact of statistical heterogeneity [I] = 77.9%), isometric strength (7 studies; 245 participants, males, aged 11.1-22.5 y; ES = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.28-0.87, p < 0.001, I = 17.7%), and isokinetic peak torque (5 studies; 183 participants, males, aged 12.6-25.0 y; ES = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.22-0.80, p = 0.001, I = 0.0%). The PJT-induced maximal dynamic strength changes were independent of participants' age (median = 18.0 y), weeks of intervention (median = 8 weeks), and total number of training sessions (median = 16 sessions). The certainty of evidence was considered low to very low for the main analyses.
CONCLUSIONS
Interventions involving PJT are more effective to improve maximal strength in soccer players compared to control conditions involving traditional sport-specific training. Trial Registration The trial registration protocol was published on the Open Science Framework (OSF) platform in December 2022, with the following links to the project ( https://osf.io/rpxjk ) and to the registration ( https://osf.io/3ruyj ).
PubMed: 38727944
DOI: 10.1186/s40798-024-00720-w -
Physical Activity and Nutrition Mar 2024This study evaluated the effects of blood flow restriction with low-intensity resistance training (BFR + LIRT) on pain, adverse events, muscle strength, and function in...
Effect of blood flow restriction with low-intensity resistance training in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials.
PURPOSE
This study evaluated the effects of blood flow restriction with low-intensity resistance training (BFR + LIRT) on pain, adverse events, muscle strength, and function in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through a systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
This study adhered to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses 2020 (PRISMA 2020) and applied the A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR2) standards to ensure the high quality of the systematic review. A comprehensive literature search was conducted until August 2023 using four selected keywords (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, blood flow restriction training, and resistance training) across five search engines (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and PEDro).
RESULTS
Ten studies were analyzed. The results showed that BFR + LIRT had similar effects on pain, risk of adverse events, muscle strength, self-reported function, and physical function compared with resistance training (RT).
CONCLUSION
This systematic review and meta-analysis further support the potential of BFR + LIRT in the disease management of patients with OA or RA. According to this analysis, BFR + LIRT had a lower risk of adverse events than high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) and may be a safer training modality. BFR + LIRT offers greater advantages in improving physical function than LIRT and was able to provide similar benefits to HIRT without increasing the training load. These findings suggest that BFR + LIRT is a safe and effective strategy for treating patients with OA or RA. However, owing to the limited number of studies covered in this analysis, additional higher-quality studies are needed to strengthen this conclusion.
PubMed: 38719461
DOI: 10.20463/pan.2024.0002