The impact of a 40-min nap on neuromuscular fatigue profile and recovery following the 5-m shuttle run test.

This study aims to investigate the impact of a 40-min nap opportunity on perceived recovery, exertion, and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) following the 5-m shuttle run test (5SRT), after 1 night of normal sleep. In a randomised, counterbalanced, cross-over design, 17 trained men (mean [SD] age 20 [3] years, height 173 [6] cm, body mass 68 [6] kg) performed a 5SRT under two conditions: a 40-min nap opportunity and no-nap condition. After both conditions, electromyography signals during a 5-s isometric knee extension were recorded before and immediately after the 5SRT. Two electrical nerve stimulations at the femoral nerve were measured during and after the MVIC. Force, voluntary activation level, M-wave amplitudes, potentiated twitch, and electromyography signals (root mean square) were measured during each MVIC. Perceived exertion was recorded after each repetition of the test and perceived recovery was determined after the end of the MVIC. Compared to the no-nap condition, the 40-min nap resulted in significant enhancements in both the highest distance (p < 0.01, Δ = +7.6%) and total distance (p < 0.01, Δ = +7.5%). Before and after exercise, values for MVIC, root mean square, M-wave amplitudes, and voluntary activation level were improved after the 40-min nap opportunity compared to no-nap condition (all p ≤ 0.01). Values for perceived exertion and recovery were improved after the 40-min nap opportunity in comparison with no-nap condition (p ≤ 0.01). A 40-min nap opportunity improved repeated high-intensity short-term maximal performance, perceived recovery, associated neuromuscular responses, and reduced perceived fatigue. Therefore, our findings suggest that central and peripheral processes are involved in the improvements of 5SRT performance after napping.

Translating and establishing the psychometric properties of the Jenkins Sleep Scale for Arabic-speaking individuals.

BACKGROUND: The Jenkins Sleep Scale is a widely used self-report questionnaire that assesses sleep quality and disturbances. This study aimed to translate the scale into Arabic and evaluate its psychometric properties in an Arabic-speaking population. METHODS: The Jenkins Sleep Scale was translated into Arabic using forward and backward translation procedures. The Arabic version was administered to a convenience sample of 420 adults along with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) for validation purposes. Reliability was examined using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was also conducted to test the unidimensional factor structure. Convergent validity was assessed using correlations with PSQI and AIS scores. RESULTS: The Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega values for the Arabic Jenkins Sleep Scale were 0.74 and 0.75, respectively, indicating good internal consistency. The 2-week and 4-week test-retest intraclass correlation coefficients were both 0.94 (p < 0.001), indicating excellent test-retest reliability. The CFA results confirmed the unidimensional factor structure (CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.08). The measurement model had an equivalent factor structure, loadings, intercepts, and residuals across sex, age, and marital status. Significant positive correlations were found between the Arabic Jenkins scale score and the PSQI (r = 0.80, p < 0.001) and AIS (r = 0.74, p < 0.001), supporting convergent validity. CONCLUSION: The Arabic version of the Jenkins Sleep Scale demonstrated good psychometric properties. The findings support its use as a valid and reliable measure for evaluating sleep quality and disturbances among Arabic-speaking populations.

Examining the reliability and validity of the arabic version of the Glasgow Sleep Effort Scale (GSES).

BACKGROUND: Sleep effort refers to the cognitive and behavioral exertion involved in initiating and maintaining sleep. High sleep effort is increasingly recognized as perpetuating insomnia and poor sleep quality. Validated sleep effort scales enable the quantification of this construct in clinical and research settings. However, no Arabic version has been available. This study translated and validated the Glasgow Sleep Effort Scale (GSES) into Arabic to assess sleep effort in Arabic-speaking populations. METHOD: The GSES was translated into Arabic using the forward-backward translation approach. This involved an initial Arabic translation from the source followed by a back translation into English to ensure accuracy. A total of 369 participants were recruited to assess the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the GSES, specifically its reliability and validity. The reliability analysis included Cronbach's α, McDonald's ω, and test-retest reliability. Validity was examined using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to evaluate the unidimensionality of the scale and assess model fit. Convergent validity was also assessed through correlation analysis with the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale (GAD-7). RESULTS: The Cronbach's α reliability coefficient and McDonald's ω for the scale were found to be 0.87 (95% CI: 0.85-0.89). The test-retest reliability was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.93 - 0.97) after two weeks. The one-factor model showed an acceptable fit, with a CFI of 0.96, a TLI of 0.94, and an SRMR of 0.04. Invariance analysis revealed that male and female participants conceptualized and responded to the GSES items similarly, without differences in factor loadings or scale characteristics between the sexes. The Arabic version of the GSES has good convergent validity, as shown by the significant correlation between the AIS and the GSES (r = 0.72, p < 0.001). Similarly, the GAD-7 score was significantly correlated with the GSES score (r = 0.77, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This is the first study in which the GSES was validated in Arabic. This allows the scale to reliably gauge sleep effort among Arabic speakers, providing new clinical and research opportunities to understand how maladaptive sleep effort may contribute to insomnia and suboptimal sleep in this demographic population.

Acute ingestion of acetaminophen improves cognitive and repeated high intensity short-term maximal performance in well-trained female athletes: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

This study examined the effect of acute acetaminophen (ACTP) ingestion on physical performance during the 5 m shuttle run test (5mSRT), attention, mood states, and the perception of perceived exertion (RPE), pain (PP), recovery (PRS), and delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) in well-trained female athletes. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial, fifteen well-trained female athletes (age 21 ± 2 years, height 165 ± 6 cm, body mass 62 ± 5 kg) swallowed either 1.5 g of ACTP or 1.5 g of placebo. The profile of mood states (POMS) and digit cancellation (DCT) were assessed 45 min postingestion, and 5mSRT was performed 60 min postingestion. The RPE and PP were determined immediately after each 30-s repetition of the 5mSRT, and the PRS and DOMS were recorded at 5 min and 24 h post-5mSRT. For the 5mSRT, ACTP ingestion improved the greatest distance (+ 10.88%, p < 0.001), total distance (+ 11.33%, p = 0.0007) and fatigue index (+ 21.43%, p = 0.0003) compared to PLA. Likewise, the DCT score was better on the ACTP (p = 0.0007) than on the PLA. RPE, PP, PRS, and DOMS scores were improved after ACTP ingestion (p < 0.01 for all comparisons) compared to PLA. POMS scores were enhanced with ACTP ingestion compared to PLA (p < 0.01). In conclusion, this study indicates that acute acetaminophen ingestion can improve repeated high intensity short-term maximal performance, attention, mood states, and perceptions of exertion, pain, recovery, and muscle soreness in well-trained female athletes, suggesting potential benefits for their overall athletic performance and mood state.

Ramadan intermittent fasting and its association with health-related indices and exercise test performance in athletes and physically active individuals: an overview of systematic reviews.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review, summarise and appraise findings of published systematic reviews, with/without meta-analyses, examining associations between Ramadan fasting observance (RO), health-related indices and exercise test performances in athletes and physically active individuals. DESIGN: Overview of systematic reviews with assessment of reviews' methodological quality. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, SPORTDiscus, ProQuest, PsycINFO and SciELO. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: Systematic reviews with/without meta-analyses examining associations of RO with health-related indices and exercise performances in athletes and physically active individuals. RESULTS: Fourteen systematic reviews (seven with meta-analyses) of observational studies, with low-to-critically-low methodological quality, were included. Two reviews found associations between RO and decreased sleep duration in athletes and physically active individuals. One review suggested athletes may experience more pronounced reductions in sleep duration than physically active individuals. One review found associations between RO and impaired sleep quality in athletes and physically active individuals. RO was associated with decreased energy, carbohydrate and water intake in adult-aged athletes, but not adolescents. One review suggests RO was associated with athletes' increased feelings of fatigue and decreased vigour. No association was found between RO and athletes' lean mass or haematological indices. RO was unfavourably associated with changes in athletes' performance during high-intensity exercise testing. CONCLUSION: Continuance of training during RO could be associated with athletes' mood state disturbances, decreased sleep duration and performance decline during high-intensity exercise testing, while preserving lean mass. However, careful interpretation is necessary due to the low-to-critically-low methodological quality of the included reviews.

Effects of fasting during Ramadan month on soccer-specific technical performance, cognitive function, and perceptions in soccer players.

We aimed to examine the effects of Ramadan fasting (RF) and high-intensity short-term maximal performance on elite soccer players' shooting accuracy, executive function (EF), and perceptions. Sixteen Muslim elite players fasting during Ramadan underwent assessments before (BR), during (DR), and after Ramadan (AR). Soccer-specific technical performance was evaluated using the Loughborough Soccer Shooting Test (LSST) before and after a 5-metre shuttle run test (5mSRT), conducted at the same time-of-day (17:00 h). Performance metrics recorded included higher distance (HD), total distance (TD), and fatigue index (FI). RPE after a 5-min warm-up and each repetition of the 5mSRT were obtained, and the mean RPE score was calculated. Trail Making Test (TMT Parts A and B) were used after the warm-up and the 5mSRT. Perceived difficulty (PD) was assessed following the LSST. HD, TD, and FI were not affected by RF (p > 0.05). DR, RPE and accuracy scores in the LSST were significantly lower after the 5mSRT compared to BR (1.29 vs. 1.24 AU; 1.29 vs. 1.24, respectively). In conclusion, RF had no adverse effects on physical performance. However, when combined with high-intensity running sessions, RF may impact accuracy and PD, and these adverse effects seem to have been translated into EF.

Using artificial intelligence for exercise prescription in personalised health promotion: A critical evaluation of OpenAI's GPT-4 model.

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in healthcare provides new possibilities for personalized health management. AI-based fitness applications are becoming more common, facilitating the opportunity for individualised exercise prescription. However, the use of AI carries the risk of inadequate expert supervision, and the efficacy and validity of such applications have not been thoroughly investigated, particularly in the context of diverse health conditions. The aim of the study was to critically assess the efficacy of exercise prescriptions generated by OpenAI's Generative Pre-Trained Transformer 4 (GPT-4) model for five example patient profiles with diverse health conditions and fitness goals. Our focus was to assess the model's ability to generate exercise prescriptions based on a singular, initial interaction, akin to a typical user experience. The evaluation was conducted by leading experts in the field of exercise prescription. Five distinct scenarios were formulated, each representing a hypothetical individual with a specific health condition and fitness objective. Upon receiving details of each individual, the GPT-4 model was tasked with generating a 30-day exercise program. These AI-derived exercise programs were subsequently subjected to a thorough evaluation by experts in exercise prescription. The evaluation encompassed adherence to established principles of frequency, intensity, time, and exercise type; integration of perceived exertion levels; consideration for medication intake and the respective medical condition; and the extent of program individualization tailored to each hypothetical profile. The AI model could create general safety-conscious exercise programs for various scenarios. However, the AI-generated exercise prescriptions lacked precision in addressing individual health conditions and goals, often prioritizing excessive safety over the effectiveness of training. The AI-based approach aimed to ensure patient improvement through gradual increases in training load and intensity, but the model's potential to fine-tune its recommendations through ongoing interaction was not fully satisfying. AI technologies, in their current state, can serve as supplemental tools in exercise prescription, particularly in enhancing accessibility for individuals unable to access, often costly, professional advice. However, AI technologies are not yet recommended as a substitute for personalized, progressive, and health condition-specific prescriptions provided by healthcare and fitness professionals. Further research is needed to explore more interactive use of AI models and integration of real-time physiological feedback.

The relationship between technology addictions and schizotypal traits: mediating roles of depression, anxiety, and stress.

BACKGROUND: The way how technology addiction relates to psychosis remains inconclusive and uncertain. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis of a mediating role of depression, anxiety and stress in the association between three technology (behavioral) addictions (i.e., Addiction to the Internet, smartphones and Facebook) and psychosis proneness as estimated through schizotypal traits in emerging adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed among non-clinical Tunisian university students (67.6% females, mean age of 21.5 ± 2.5 years) using a paper-and-pencil self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Results for the Pearson correlation revealed that higher smartphone, Internet, and Facebook addictions' scores were significantly and positively correlated with each of the depression, anxiety and stress subscores; whereas depression (r = 0.474), anxiety (r = 0.499) and stress (r = 0.461) scores were positively correlated with higher schizotypal traits. The results of the mediation analysis found a significant mediating effect for depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms on the cross-sectional relationship between each facet of the TA and schizotypal traits. CONCLUSION: Our findings preliminarily suggest that an addictive use of smartphones, Internet and Facebook may act as a stressor that exacerbates psychosis proneness directly or indirectly through distress. Although future longitudinal research is needed to determine causality, we draw attention to the possibility that treating psychological distress may constitute an effective target of interventions to prevent psychosis in adolescents with technology addictions.

The Good Behaviour Game: Maintaining students' physical distancing in physical education classes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Maintaining physical distancing is one of the most important steps to enforce in educational institutions to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. However, close proximity and physical contact between students are often considered 'normal' during physical education (PE) classes, making it challenging for PE teachers to ensure physical distancing. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the implementation of the Good Behaviour Game (GBG) in maintaining physical distancing in PE settings in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: In a quasi-experimental design, two groups were separately designated as an experimental group (20 classes involving 220 students) and a control group (20 classes involving 231 students). They were all enrolled in the eighth grade of the Tunisian education system. In the experimental group, the PE teacher managed physical distancing by administering the GBG. Physical distancing was evaluated by direct observation of videos of filmed PE sessions using a code grid. It was measured twice for the two groups using Kinovea software. Results: Quantitative data analyses showed that the level of maintaining physical distancing increased after the GBG intervention in the experimental group (p < .001). Furthermore, greater percent changes between pre- and post-intervention were identified in the experimental group compared to the control group (120% vs 1%, respectively). Conclusion: The GBG was effective in ensuring students' physical distancing when implemented in PE settings.

Physiological responses of small-sided vs. regular games in youth volleyball players.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of two different formats of small-sided games (SSGs; 2 vs. 2 and 3 vs. 3) on physiological parameters in youth volleyball players. Twelve youth volleyball players (17.2 ± 7.44 years, 1.89 ± 0.6 m, 72.83 ± 8.57 kg) completed three different games formats (regular game (RG): 6 vs. 6, SSG3: 3 vs. 3 and SSG2: 2 vs. 2). associated with two pitch dimensions (i.e., 2 vs. 2 and 3 vs. 3 on 18 × 4.5 m; 6 vs. 6 on 18 × 9 m). Each player performed 4 × 5 min SSG with a recovery period of 1 min between bouts. All players were members of the same youth team and played in a professional league. They had at least 6 years of volleyball training and no current injuries. This study was carried out during the competitive period. Heart rate (HR), blood lactate ([La-]), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured. Compared to RG, physiological (i.e., HR and [La-]) and RPE responses were significantly higher during SSG3 and SSG2 (all p < 0.05; ƞp 2 = 0.77, ƞp 2 = 0.65, ƞp 2 = 0.30, respectively). Moreover, HR and RPE were significantly higher in SSG2 compared to SSG3. In contrast, no significant differences were observed in [La-] between SSG2 and SSG3. These results suggest that the number of players influences the exercise intensity in small-sided volleyball games in youth players. Therefore, coaches could benefit from incorporating SSGs to manipulate the exercise intensity in youth volleyball players.

Monitoring training load in youth soccer players: effects of a six-week preparatory training program and the association between external and internal loads.

This study examined the effects of a six-week preparatory training program on physical performance and physiological adaptations in junior soccer players. Additionally, we investigated whether a relationship existed between external and internal loads. Youth soccer players (aged 16 years old) from a youth football academy participated in six weeks of pre-conditioning training. Wireless Polar Team Pro and Polar heart rate sensors (H10) were used to monitor physical performance indicators (sprint and acceleration scores, covered distance, maximum and average speed and duration), physiological responses (maximum and average heart rate [HR] and R-R interval, time in HR zones 4+5, and heart rate variability [HRV]), and training load score. Additionally, muscle status and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scores were measured using digital questionnaires. Significant increases were observed in the majority of physical performance indicators [i.e., sprints (p = 0.015, ES = 1.02), acceleration (p = 0.014, ES = 1), total distance (p = 0.02, ES = 0.87), as well as maximum speed (p = 0.02, ES = 0.87)]. A trend towards improvement was observed in the remaining performance indicators (i.e., distance/min and avg speed; ES = 0.6), training load (ES = 0.2), muscle status (ES = 0.3)), and all physiological responses parameters (ES = 0.1 to 0.6). Significant correlations were found between the majority of external load parameters (i.e., performance indicators) and objective (i.e., physiological responses) and subjective (i.e., RPE, muscle status) internal load parameters (p < 0.001). The highest number of moderate-large correlations were registered between performance indicators and time in HR zone 4+5 (0.58 < r < 0.82), training load (0.53 < r < 0.83), average HR (0.50 < r < 0.87), maximal HR (0.51 < r < 0.54) and average R-R interval (0.58 < r < 0.76). HR zone 4+5, average and maximal HR, average R-R interval, and training load score may help control training parameters and reduce the risk of under- or over-training in youth soccer players. However, these conclusions should be confirmed and replicated in future studies with more diverse subject populations.

Global disease burden attributed to low physical activity in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019: Insights from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 Study.

The purpose of this investigation is to estimate the global disease burden attributable to low physical activity (PA) in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019 by age, sex, and Socio-Demographic Index (SDI). Detailed information on global deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to low PA were collected from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The ideal exposure scenario of PA was defined as 3000-4500 metabolic equivalent minutes per week and low PA was considered to be less than this threshold. Age-standardization was used to improve the comparison of rates across locations or between time periods. In 2019, low PA seems to contribute to 0.83 million [95% uncertainty interval (UI) 0.43 to 1.47] deaths and 15.75 million (95% UI 8.52 to 28.62) DALYs globally, an increase of 83.9% (95% UI 69.3 to 105.7) and 82.9% (95% UI 65.5 to 112.1) since 1990, respectively. The age-standardized rates of low-PA-related deaths and DALYs per 100,000 people in 2019 were 11.1 (95% UI 5.7 to 19.5) and 198.4 (95% UI 108.2 to 360.3), respectively. Of all age-standardized DALYs globally in 2019, 0.6% (95% UI 0.3 to 1.1) may be attributable to low PA. The association between SDI and the proportion of age-standardized DALYs attributable to low PA suggests that regions with the highest SDI largely decreased their proportions of age-standardized DALYs attributable to low PA during 1990-2019, while other regions tended to have increased proportions in the same timeframe. In 2019, the rates of low-PA-related deaths and DALYs tended to rise with increasing age in both sexes, with no differences between males and females in the age-standardized rates. An insufficient accumulation of PA across the globe occurs together with a considerable public health burden. Health initiatives to promote PA within different age groups and countries are urgently needed.

Performance, muscle damage, and inflammatory responses to repeated high-intensity exercise following a 40-min nap.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a 40-min nap opportunity (N40) on performance during, markers of muscle damage and inflammation, and the perception of fatigue and recovery, in response to a 5-m shuttle run test (5msrt). Fifteen male amateur athletes performed the 5msrt under two conditions: N40 and no-nap condition (NN). Blood biomarkers were collected at rest and after the 5msrt to measure muscle damage (i.e., creatinine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT)) and inflammation (i.e., C-reactive protein (CRP)). RPE was determined immediately after each repetition of the test and PRS and DOMS were determined 5 min, thereafter. Compared to NN, N40 improved the highest distance (p<0.001, Δ=+7.9%) and the total distance (p<0.001, Δ=+7.2%) attained during the 5msrt. Pre and post the 5msrt, participants presented lower muscle damage (i.e., CK, LDH, ASAT and ALAT) and inflammation (i.e., CRP) (p<0.05) values in the N40 compared to NN. Concerning RPE, DOMS, and PRS, there was a positive effect in the N40 vs. NN (p<0.01). N40 represents an effective method for improving repeated high intensity short-term maximal performance, PRS, and associated muscle damage and inflammation, and reducing RPE and DOMS.

Physiological response and physical performance after 40 min and 90 min daytime nap opportunities.

This study aimed to examine the impact of 40-min and 90-min naps on performance in the 5-m shuttle run test (5mSRT) and on various physiological and perceptual measures. Sixteen male athletes (20 ± 3 years, 173 ± 7 cm, 67 ± 7 kg) performed the 5mSRT after a 40-min nap (N40), after a 90-min nap (N90), and in a no-nap, control condition (N0). The 5mSRT involves six repetitions of 30 s of all-out exercise. Total distance (in the six repetitions) and highest distance (in a single repetition) in the 5mSRT were greater after naps than in N0 (p < 0.001), and the total distance, which reflects the anaerobic capacity, was greater in N90 than in N40 (p < 0.05). Physiological and perceptual responses were favourable in both nap conditions (p < 0.01), more so in N90 than in N40 (p < 0.05). Together, the results support the contention that physiological/perceptual responses after napping contribute to improved exercise performance and that longer naps are more effective.

Impact of Nomophobia on Musculoskeletal Problems in the Upper Extremity among Adults: Implications for Occupational Therapy.

Nomophobia (NO MObile PHone Phobia) is a psychological condition in which people are anxious of being cut off from their mobile phones and been associated with adverse consequences to physical and psychosocial health. The objective of this study was to measure the impact of nomophobia on musculoskeletal problems in the upper extremity among adults. The Nomophobia scale (NMP-Q) was used to measure addiction to smartphone use among 5,087 Middle Eastern adults. A snowball sampling approach was used to recruit the participants between March and June 2021. Results showed that nomophobia was evident in 1,119 participants (22%) with a mean NMP-Q score of 114.1 (SD 11.1). A total of 3,396 upper extremity symptoms were reported among our participants. The binomial logistic regression showed that NMP-Q score is a significant predictor of symptoms to the thumb only (ß = 0.01, p = .026). This study has provided evidence of the negative physical consequences of addiction to smartphone use. Participants with thumb-related symptoms were more prone to sustain other concurrent upper extremity symptoms, probably due to their maladaptive habits of using the phone. Thus, it is important to increase awareness about the risks associated with the use of smartphones. Implications for occupational therapy are presented.

Development of an efficient veterinary rabies vaccine production process in the avian suspension cell line AGE1.CR.pIX.

BACKGROUND: Mass vaccination of dogs as important rabies reservoir is proposed to most effectively reduce and eliminate rabies also in humans. However, a minimum coverage of 70% needs to be achieved for control of the disease in zoonotic regions. In numerous developing countries, dog vaccination rate is still dangerously low because of economic constraints and due to a high turnover in dog populations. Improved vaccine production processes may help to alleviate cost and supply limitations. In this work, we studied and optimized the replication and vaccine potency of PV rabies virus strain in the muscovy-duck derived AGE1.CR and AGE1.CR.pIX suspension cell lines. RESULTS: The BHK-21-adapted PV rabies virus strain replicated efficiently in the avian cell lines without requirement for prior passaging. CR.pIX was previously shown to augment heat shock responses and supported slightly higher infectious titers compared to the parental CR cell line. Both cell lines allowed replication of rabies virus also in absence of recombinant IGF, the only complex component of the chemically defined medium that was developed for the two cell lines. After scale-up from optimization experiments in shake flask to production in 7-l bioreactors peak virus titers of 2.4 × 108 FFU/ml were obtained. The potency of inactivated rabies virus harvest according to the NIH test was 3.5 IU/ml. Perfusion with the chemically defined medium during the virus replication phase improved the potency of the vaccine twofold, and increased the number of doses 9.6 fold. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that a rabies vaccine for animal vaccination can be produced efficiently in the AGE1.CR.pIX suspension cell line in a scalable process in chemically defined medium.

Does observance of Ramadan affect sleep in athletes and physically active individuals? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to provide an accurate description of the effect of Ramadan observance on sleep duration, sleep quality, daily nap duration, and daytime sleepiness in athletes and physically active individuals. Five electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Wiley, and Taylor and Francis) were used to search for relevant studies conducted with athletes or physically active individuals during Ramadan, published in any language, and available before May 23, 2021. Studies that included assessments of sleep quantity and/or quality, and/or daytime sleepiness, and/or daily naps in athletes and physically active individuals were included. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using "QualSyst". Of the 18 papers included in this study (298 participants in total), 14 were of strong quality, two were moderate, and the remaining two were rated as weak. Individuals who continued to train during Ramadan experienced a decrease in sleep duration (number of studies, K = 17, number of participants, N = 289, g = -0.766, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.199 to -0.333, p = 0.001). Additionally, the global score of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index increased from 4.053 (K = 5, N = 65, 95% CI 3.071-5.034) pre-Ramadan, to 5.346 (95% CI 4.362-6.333) during Ramadan, indicating a decrease in sleep quality. The duration of daytime naps increased during compared to pre-Ramadan (K = 2, N = 31, g = 1.020, 95% CI 0.595-1.445, p = 0.000), whereas Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores remained unchanged during versus pre-Ramadan (K = 3, N = 31, g = 0.190, 95% CI -0.139-0.519, p = 0.257). In conclusion, individuals who continued to train during Ramadan experienced a decrease in sleep duration, impairment of sleep quality, and increase in daytime nap duration, with no change in daytime sleepiness levels.

The impact of Ramadan fasting on the metabolic syndrome severity in relation to ethnicity and sex: Results of a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: The primary goal of this meta-analysis was to examine the changes in various components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in healthy adults who observed Ramadan fasting (RF) before Ramadan (T1) and at the end of RF (T2). A secondary goal was to assess the impact of RF on MetS severity in various ethnic and sex groups using the MetS z-score. DATA SYNTHESIS: Using PRISMA2020, seven databases were searched for relevant studies published between January 1950 and March 2022. Data extraction involved high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), triglycerides (TG), fasting blood glucose (FBG), waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) for T1 and T2, respectively. The MetS z-score was computed according to international diabetes federation criteria. At T1, the pooled estimates of HDL, TG, FBG, WC, SBP, DBP, and MAP were 1.20 [1.13; 1.27] mmol/L, 1.32 [1.23; 1.42] mmol/L, 4.98 [4.82; 5.15] mmol/L, 87.21 [84.21; 90.21] Cm, 114.22 [101.45; 126.99] mmHg, 76.80 [70.12; 83.47] mmHg, and 89.27 [80.56; 97.98] mmHg, respectively. At T2, the pooled estimates of HDL, TG, FBG, WC, SBP, DBP, and MAP were 1.24 [1.18; 1.31] mmol/L, 1.24 [1.14; 1.34] mmol/L, 4.77 [4.55; 4.99] mmol/L, 85.73 [82.83; 88.64] Cm, 109.48 [97.20; 121.75] mmHg, 74.43 [68.01; 80.85] mmHg, and 86.11 [77.74; 94.48] mmHg, respectively. The MetS z-score showed improvement at T2 for all ethnic groups and both sexes by -0.22 [-0.24; -0.01]. CONCLUSIONS: The current meta-analysis suggests that the RF positively impact the MetS components and the overall MetS z-score. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: ID CRD42022329297 OPEN SCIENCE FRAMEWORK IDENTIFIER: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/U9H7T.

Ramadan intermittent fasting induced poorer training practices during the COVID-19 lockdown: A global cross-sectional study with 5529 athletes from 110 countries.

Ramadan intermittent fasting during the COVID-19 lockdown (RIFL) may present unique demands. We investigated training practices (i.e., training load and training times) of athletes, using pre-defined survey criteria/questions, during the 'first' COVID-19 lockdown, comparing RIFL to lockdown-alone (LD) in Muslim athletes. Specifically, a within-subject, survey-based study saw athletes (n = 5,529; from 110 countries/territories) training practices (comparing RIFL to LD) explored by comparative variables of: sex; age; continent; athlete classification (e.g., world-class); sport classification (e.g., endurance); athlete status (e.g., professional); and level of training knowledge and beliefs/attitudes (ranked as: good/moderate/poor). During RIFL (compared to LD), athlete perceptions (ranges presented given variety of comparative variables) of their training load decreased (46-62%), were maintained (31-48%) or increased (2-13%). Decreases (≥ 5%, p < 0.05) affected more athletes aged 30-39 years than those 18-29 years (60 vs 55%); more national than international athletes (59 vs 51%); more team sports than precision sports (59 vs 46%); more North American than European athletes (62 vs 53%); more semi-professional than professional athletes (60 vs 54%); more athletes who rated their beliefs/attitudes 'good' compared to 'poor' and 'moderate' (61 vs 54 and 53%, respectively); and more athletes with 'moderate' than 'poor' knowledge (58 vs 53%). During RIFL, athletes had different strategies for training times, with 13-29% training twice a day (i.e., afternoon and night), 12-26% at night only, and 18-36% in the afternoon only, with ranges depending on the comparative variables. Training loads and activities were altered negatively during RIFL compared to LD. It would be prudent for decision-makers responsible for RIFL athletes to develop programs to support athletes during such challenges.

A daytime 40-min nap opportunity after a simulated late evening soccer match reduces the perception of fatigue and improves 5-m shuttle run performance.

The effect of a 40-min nap opportunity was investigated during the day following a late evening simulated soccer match. Twelve male amateur soccer players (23 ± 3 years; 77.3 ± 5.3 kg; 1.76 ± 0.04 m) performed the Loughborough-intermittent-shuttle test at 21h00 and the following day they completed the sleepiness scale after either a nonap (N0) or 40-min nap (N40) opportunity that began at 14h00. At 17h00, participants performed the 5-m shuttle run test (5mSRT) (6 × 30-s with 35-s in-between; best distance (BD) and total distance (TD) were calculated). After performing the 5mSRT, they provided their rating of the perceived exertion (RPE) and rated their muscle soreness. Sleepiness scores were significantly lower in N40 in comparison with N0 (P < 0.05). A significant increase of TD (+64.5 m) and BD (+9.6 m) after N40 compared to N0 was observed (P < 0.05). The improved performance was associated with reduced levels of muscle soreness and lower RPE. In conclusion, a daytime 40-min nap opportunity after a late evening simulated soccer match improves short-term repetitive maximal performance in soccer players, and has positive effects on perception of sleepiness, muscle soreness, and RPE.