Acute effects of a vigorous-intensity warm-up on response suppression and decision-making of football referees.

This study investigates the acute effect of physical exercise simulating a standard pre-competitive warm-up on the response suppression and decision-making of football referees. Thirty-four referees (n = 17 - regional level; n = 17 - national level) participated in the study. A Stop-Signal Task (SST) and a decision-making video test were used to evaluate the referees' perceptual-cognitive functions. The findings revealed that the vigorous aerobic exercise acutely impacted basic cognitive functions, as indicated by decreased reaction time and decreased choice accuracy. However, higher-order cognitive functions such as response suppression and decision-making did not exhibit significant changes post-exercise. Based on these results, there is no evidence to suggest that a vigorous-intensity warm-up is likely to favour response suppression and decision-making factors in the initial phases of the game. National referees showed superior response suppression abilities (shorter stop-signal reaction times and lower probability of responding to the stop-signal) than regional referees, indicating that higher-level referees possess enhanced perceptual-cognitive skills, likely influenced by their experience. Further studies are required to determine whether these variables can be acutely improved through physical exercise. In this regard, our results suggest the need for alternative strategies in pre-competitive referee warm-ups if aiming to improve perceptual-cognitive skills in the initial phases of the game.

Assessing Motor Variability during Squat: The Reliability of Inertial Devices in Resistance Training.

Movement control can be an indicator of how challenging a task is for the athlete, and can provide useful information to improve training efficiency and prevent injuries. This study was carried out to determine whether inertial measurement units (IMU) can provide reliable information on motion variability during strength exercises, focusing on the squat. Sixty-six healthy, strength-trained young adults completed a two-day protocol, where the variability in the squat movement was analyzed at two different loads (30% and 70% of one repetition maximum) using inertial measurement units and a force platform. The time series from IMUs and force platforms were analyzed using linear (standard deviation) and non-linear (detrended fluctuation analysis, sample entropy and fuzzy entropy) measures. Reliability was analyzed for both IMU and force platform using the intraclass correlation coefficient and the standard error of measurement. Standard deviation, detrended fluctuation analysis, sample entropy, and fuzzy entropy from the IMUs time series showed moderate to good reliability values (ICC: 0.50-0.85) and an acceptable error. The study concludes that IMUs are reliable tools for analyzing movement variability in strength exercises, providing accessible options for performance monitoring and training optimization. These findings have implications for the design of more effective strength training programs, emphasizing the importance of movement control in enhancing athletic performance and reducing injury risks.

Analysis of Concentric and Eccentric Power in Flywheel Exercises Depending on the Subjects' Strength Level and Body Mass.

ABSTRACT: Asencio, P, García-Valverde, A, Albaladejo-García, C, Beato, M, Moreno-Hernández, FJ, and Sabido, R. Analysis of concentric and eccentric power in flywheel exercises depending on the subjects' strength level and body mass. J Strength Cond Res 38(8): 1394-1400, 2024-The objective of this study is to describe how flywheel exercise mechanical outputs are affected by the athletes' body mass (BM) and strength level and by the exercise type. Forty-six recreational athletes came to a laboratory 3 times. On the first day, descriptive data, squat (1 repetition maximum: 1RM) and flywheel familiarization were performed. After a second day of familiarization, subjects performed a randomized flywheel exercise-testing protocol of squat and split squat exercises. The variables used for data analysis were peak concentric power and peak eccentric power, eccentric/concentric ratio, and their relationship with 1RM/BM. Subjects were assigned to a stronger or weaker group according to their 1RM/BM ratio. Group differences were found in absolute values of eccentric overload (EOL) ( p < 0.01; effect size [ES] = 0.51) and EOL/BM ( p < 0.01; ES = 0.46) only in the split squat. Absolute power values in the concentric phase showed differences between inertial load ( p < 0.01; ES = 0.41). The stronger group did not present significant differences between inertial loads during squat ( p < 0.01; ES = 0.46), but they showed different ratios with light inertias in comparison with the weaker group ( p < 0.01; ES = 0.46). There were significant differences between groups with light inertias in split squat (nondominant) and squat exercises ( p < 0.05; ES = 0.29) in the eccentric and concentric phases ( p < 0.116; ES = 0.20). Squat and split squat exercises present different profiles depending on the training level. In conclusion, it is recommended that practitioners perform a test to understand the inertial load-power profile (concentric, eccentric, and their ratio) for each exercise and also consider the user's strength level for selection of the inertial load and for the exercise to use in training.

Gaze Behaviors, Estimated Quiet Eye Characteristics, and Decision Making of Nonexpert Assistant Referees Judging Offside Events in Soccer.

The study analyzed the gaze behavior and decision-making performance of 20 soccer assistant referees while judging offside events. Specifically, gaze behaviors, gaze entropy, and estimated quiet eye (eQE; defined as the last fixation prior to the attacker's ball pass) characteristics (i.e., location, onset, offset, and duration) were analyzed in relation to decision-making accuracy. Although a significant number of fixations were observed on the offside line, the highest viewing time corresponded to the ball carrier. The gaze behavior indicated a high distribution of fixations, as evidenced by high stationary gaze entropy (>90%). The assistant referees also distinguished offside from onside positions above chance. However, they displayed nonprolonged eQE on the offside line. As a result, no significant relationships were found between the eQE characteristics and decision-making accuracy. The study concludes that the absence of more functional gaze behaviors, specifically with longer eQE focused on the offside line, impaired the decision-making accuracy of nonexpert assistant referees in soccer.

Human Motor Noise Assessed by Electromagnetic Sensors and Its Relationship with the Degrees of Freedom Involved in Movement Control.

Motor variability is a prominent feature of the human movement that, nowadays, can be easily measured through different sensors and analyzed using different types of variables, and it seems to be related to functional and adaptative motor behavior. It has been stated that motor variability is related to the system's flexibility needed to choose the right degrees of freedom (DoFs) to adapt to constant environmental changes. However, the potential relationship between motor variability and DoFs is unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze how motor variability, both the amount and structure, changes depending on the mechanical DoFs involved in the movement control. For this purpose, movement variability was assessed by a tracking sensor in five tasks with different DoFs, and the amount, using standard deviation, and the structure of variability, through fuzzy entropy and detrended fluctuation analysis, were also assessed. The results showed a higher amount of variability and a less predictable and more auto-correlated variability structure in the long-term when more mechanical DoFs are implied. The studies that analyze motor variability should consider the type of movement and the DoFs involved in the analyzed task since, as the findings have shown, both factors have a noticeable influence on the amount and the structure of motor variability.

Efficacy of a multivalent vaccine against Fasciola hepatica infection in sheep.

In this work we report the protection found in a vaccination trial performed in sheep with two different vaccines composed each one by a cocktail of antigens (rCL1, rPrx, rHDM and rLAP) formulated in two different adjuvants (Montanide ISA 61 VG (G1) and Alhydrogel®(G2)). The parameters of protection tested were fluke burden, faecal egg count and evaluation of hepatic lesions. In vaccinated group 1 we found a significant decrease in fluke burden in comparison to both unimmunised and infected control group (37.2%; p = 0.002) and to vaccinated group 2 (Alhydrogel®) (27.08%; p = 0.016). The lower fluke burden found in G1 was accompanied by a decrease in egg output of 28.71% in comparison with the infected control group. Additionally, gross hepatic lesions found in vaccine 1 group showed a significant decrease (p = 0.03) in comparison with unimmunised-infected group. The serological study showed the highest level for both IgG1 and IgG2 in animals from group 1. All these data support the hypothesis of protection found in vaccine 1 group.

Motor Synergies Measurement Reveals the Relevant Role of Variability in Reward-Based Learning.

Currently, it is not fully understood how motor variability is regulated to ease of motor learning processes during reward-based tasks. This study aimed to assess the potential relationship between different dimensions of motor variability (i.e., the motor variability structure and the motor synergies variability) and the learning rate in a reward-based task developed using a two-axis force sensor in a computer environment. Forty-four participants performed a pretest, a training period, a posttest, and three retests. They had to release a virtual ball to hit a target using a vertical handle attached to a dynamometer in a computer-simulated reward-based task. The participants' throwing performance, learning ratio, force applied, variability structure (detrended fluctuation analysis, DFA), and motor synergy variability (good and bad variability ratio, GV/BV) were calculated. Participants with higher initial GV/BV displayed greater performance improvements than those with lower GV/BV. DFA did not show any relationship with the learning ratio. These results suggest that exploring a broader range of successful motor synergy combinations to achieve the task goal can facilitate further learning during reward-based tasks. The evolution of the motor variability synergies as an index of the individuals' learning stages seems to be supported by our study.

Functional Variability in Team-Handball Players during Balance Is Revealed by Non-Linear Measures and Is Related to Age and Expertise Level.

Postural control is considered a key variable in team sports, such as handball, which require abilities strongly related to balance. However, postural control and its relationship to the performance of handball skills according to the players' skill level and age has not been evaluated to date. This study analyzes the relationship between balance ability and team-handball performance according to age and expertise, applying a non-linear approach to balance assessment. Postural control from 114 male team-handball players was analyzed through the center of pressure (COP) during a balance task. Sport performance was measured by the accuracy and speed in throwing. Expert players threw faster, but not more accurately than recreational players. Balance performance was better for 18+ players (older than 18 years old) than those U12 (under 12 years old), but no differences were found according to their skill level. Players who threw with less accuracy showed slower COP velocity during the balance task and their moves were less irregular. Players who threw faster displayed more irregular and less auto-correlated COP movements. In conclusion, experienced team-handball players exhibited better balance performance, and this seems to be related to the maturation of the motor system more than to sport performance level. Nevertheless, non-linear measures of COP excursion revealed an exploratory behavior during balance in expert players, exhibiting more motion adjustments to reduce motor output error. Traditional variables measuring balance performance did not show sensitivity to this motor control process. A non-linear approach to balance assessment revealed functional variability during balance as an intrinsic characteristic of individuals' motor control according to age and skill level.

Effects of Therapeutic Doses of Celecoxib on Several Physiological Parameters of Cultured Human Osteoblasts.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-selective NSAIDs, are associated with adverse effects on bone tissue. These drugs are frequently the treatment of choice but are the least studied with respect to their repercussion on bone. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of celecoxib on cultured human osteoblasts. Human osteoblasts obtained by primary culture from bone samples were treated with celecoxib at doses of 0.75, 2, or 5µM for 24 h. The MTT technique was used to determine the effect on proliferation; flow cytometry to establish the effect on cell cycle, cell viability, and antigenic profile; and real-time polymerase chain reaction to measure the effect on gene expressions of the differentiation markers RUNX2, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OSC), and osterix (OSX). Therapeutic doses of celecoxib had no effect on osteoblast cell growth or antigen expression but had a negative impact on the gene expression of RUNX2 and OSC, although there was no significant change in the expression of ALP and OSX. Celecoxib at therapeutic doses has no apparent adverse effects on cultured human osteoblasts and only inhibits the expression of some differentiation markers. These characteristics may place this drug in a preferential position among NSAIDs used for analgesic and anti-inflammatory therapy during bone tissue repair.

Long-Term Survival of Dental Implants with Different Prosthetic Loading Times in Healthy Patients: A 5-Year Retrospective Clinical Study.

PURPOSE: To compare survival rates among dental implants restored with immediate, early, and conventional loading protocols, also comparing between maxillary and mandibular implants, and to evaluate the influence of implant length and diameter and the type of prosthesis on treatment outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study initially included all 52 patients receiving dental implants between July 2006 and February 2008 at a private oral surgery clinic in Granada (Southern Spain). Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed, including periapical or panoramic radiographs, and incidences during completion of the restoration were recorded at 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, and at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years. After a 5-year follow-up, 1 patient had died, 3 were lost to follow-up, and 6 required grafting before implant placement; therefore, the final study sample comprised 42 patients with 164 implants. RESULTS: Variables associated with the survival/failure of the restoration were: number of implants (higher failure rate with fewer implants), bone type (higher failure rate in type III or IV bone), and type of prosthesis (higher failure rate with single crowns). No significant association was found in univariate or multivariate analyses between survival rate and the loading protocol, implant length or diameter, or maxillary/mandibular location. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate occlusal loading, immediate provisionalization without occlusal loading, and early loading are viable treatment options with similar survival rates to those obtained with conventional loading. Bone quality and number of implants per patient were the most influential factors.

Oral pregabalin for postoperative pain relief after third molar extraction: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pregabalin administered pre- and postoperatively in patients with pain and swelling due to the surgical removal of impacted lower third molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The final study sample comprised 60 volunteers (23 males and 37 females). Group 1 (n = 30) received 75 mg oral pregabalin 1 h before surgery and 1 h after surgery. Group 2 (n = 30) served as a control group and received no pregabalin. Both groups were administered with 650 mg paracetamol every 8 h for 2 days. Postoperative pain intensity and swelling were measured using a visual analog scale (VAS); pain relief experienced was reported using a four-point verbal rating scale (VRS); the rescue medication requirement, adverse effects, and global impression of the medication were also recorded. RESULTS: No significant difference in pain intensity (VAS) was observed between the groups. However, fewer rescue medication tablets were needed by pregabalin-treated patients than by controls (p = 0.021). The frequency and intensity of adverse effects were significantly higher in pregabalin-treated patients (p < 0.001), although no serious adverse events occurred. No significant difference in the degree of swelling was observed in any measurement except that from mandibular angle to lip junction, which showed lesser inflammation in the pregabalin group at 24 h post-surgery (p = 0.011). The global opinion on the medication received was more positive in the pregabalin group (p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: The administration of pregabalin reduces the requirement for rescue medication after third molar surgery and results in a more constant pain level, with fewer peaks of pain intensity. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings suggest that pregabalin may be useful to control acute postoperative pain. Adverse effects are known to be reduced at the low pregabalin dose used in our study.

Risk factors associated with early implant failure: A 5-year retrospective clinical study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The replacement of lost teeth with dental implants is a widespread treatment whose associated problems are also frequently encountered. Nevertheless, the factors associated with early implant failure have not been well documented. Further analyses of the factors influencing osseointegration establishment are required to maximize the predictability of the procedure and minimize implant failures. PURPOSE: The purpose of this retrospective clinical study was to explore the association between possible risk factors and early implant failure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective clinical study evaluated 142 participants who received 276 external connection BTI implants between 2007 and 2011. Participant variables (age, sex, systemic disease, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, bruxism, and degree of periodontal disease), implant variables (type of edentulism, localization, area, diameter, length, and bone quality), intervention variables (expansion mechanisms, sinus augmentation techniques, bone regeneration, and implant insertion), and postoperative variables (presence of pain/inflammation at 1 week postsurgery) were studied. A multilevel logistic regression model (mixed effects-type model) was used to determine the influence of variables on early implant failure. RESULTS: Early implant failure was significantly associated with the male sex (P=.001), severe periodontal disease (P=.005), short implants (P=.001), expansion technique (P=.002), and postoperative pain/inflammation at 1 week postsurgery (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Early dental implant failure is more frequent in men and in individuals with severe periodontal disease, short implants, pain/inflammation at 1 week postsurgery, or bone expansion treatment.

[Perception of physicians on factors that influence the choice of a dicoumarin or a new oral anticoagulant in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation]. / Percepción de los médicos sobre los factores que influyen en la elección de un dicumarínico o de un nuevo anticoagulante oral en pacientes con fibrilación auricular no valvular.

AIMS: Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of new oral anticoagulant drugs for the prevention of thromboembolic events in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Our aim was to evaluate the factors that can influence physicians in their choice between a classic and a new anticoagulant in these patients. DESIGN: Several variables of interest were discussed and analysed using a WorkmatTM methodology. SITES: Six regional meetings were held in Spain (East, Catalonia, Andalusia-Extremadura, Madrid, North-east, and North of Spain). PARTICIPANTS: Meetings were attended by 39 specialists (cardiologists, neurologists, haematologists, internists, and emergency and Primary Care physicians). MEASUREMENTS: Each participant graded their level of agreement, with a score from 1 to 10, on every analysed variable. RESULTS: A new anticoagulant drug was preferred in patients with previous failure of dicoumarin therapy (9.7±0.5), high haemorrhagic risk (8.7±1), prior bleeding (7.8±1.5), and high thrombotic risk (7.7±1.2). Dicoumarins were preferred in cases of severe (1.2±0.4) or moderate (4.2±2.5) kidney failure, good control with dicoumarins (2.3±1.5), cognitive impairment (3.2±3), and low haemorrhagic risk (4.3±3). Age, sex, weight, cost of drug, polymedication, and low thrombotic risk achieved intermediate scores. There were no differences between the different specialists or Spanish regions. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a high thrombotic or haemorrhagic risk and the failure of previous dicoumarin therapy lead to choosing a new oral anticoagulant in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, while kidney failure, cognitive impairment, good control with dicoumarins, and a low bleeding risk predispose to selecting a classic dicoumarin anticoagulant.

Bacterial contamination levels of autogenous bone particles collected by 3 different techniques for harvesting intraoral bone grafts.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare levels of bacterial contamination of autogenous bone collected when using low-speed drilling, a back-action chisel, and a bone filter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bone tissue samples were taken from 31 patients who underwent surgical extraction of their third lower molars. Before surgical removal of the molar, bone particles were collected by a low-speed drill or a back-action chisel. Then, a stringent aspiration protocol was applied during the ostectomy to collect particulate bone by a bone filter. Processing of samples commenced immediately by incubation in an anaerobic or a CO2-rich atmosphere. The number of colony-forming units (CFUs) was determined at 48 hours of culture. RESULTS: No significant difference in the number of CFUs per milliliter was observed between the low-speed drilling group and the back-action chisel group in the anaerobic or CO2-rich condition (P = .34). However, significantly more micro-organisms were found in the bone filter group than in the low-speed drilling group or the back-action chisel group in the anaerobic and CO2-rich conditions (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Particulate bone harvested with low-speed drilling or a back-action chisel is safer for use as an autograft than are bone particles collected with a bone filter. These results suggest that bone obtained from low-speed drilling is safe and straightforward to harvest and could be the method of choice for collecting particulate bone. Further research is needed to lower the bacterial contamination levels of autogenous bone particles used as graft material.

Factors Affecting Dental Implant Stability Measured Using the Ostell Mentor Device: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to review the literature on factors that may affect dental implant stability as measured with the Ostell mentor device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search of the literature was performed in Pubmed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases using dental implants, stability, and resonance frequency analysis as key words. RESULTS: The most relevant randomized controlled trials and clinical trials (n = 39) were selected from among 264 articles. CONCLUSIONS: Many factors can affect dental implant stability as measured with the Ostell mentor device. This may be a useful instrument for deciding the timing of implant loading, but additional research is required to establish the reliability and predictability of resonance frequency analysis for the future osseointegration of dental implants, which remains controversial.

Concordance between automated oscillometric measurement of ankle-brachial index and traditional measurement by eco-Doppler in patients without peripheral artery disease.

AIM: To evaluate the concordance between automated oscillometric measurement (WatchBP® Office ABI) of the ankle- brachial index (ABI) and the traditional measurement by eco-Doppler in a Spanish population without peripheral artery disease attended in primary care. METHODS: The ABI was determined by both methods in a general population aged ≥ 18 years, from the RICARTO study. The intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated to assess the concordance between both techniques and the Bland-Altman plot was determined to analyze the agreement between them. RESULTS: A total of 322 subjects (mean age 47.7 ± 16.0 years; 54.3% women) were included in the study. With regard to cardiovascular risk factors, 70.5% of subjects had dyslipidemia, 26.7% hypertension, 24.8% obesity, 8.4% diabetes and 25.5% were smokers. Mean ABI measured by eco-Doppler and the automated method were 1.17 ± 0.1 and 1.2 ± 0.1, respectively (mean differences - 0.03 ± 0.09; p < 0.001). The Pearson correlation coefficient and the intraclass correlation coefficient were in both cases 0.70. CONCLUSIONS: The automated oscillometric measurement of ABI is a reliable and useful alternative to conventional eco-Doppler determination in the general population without peripheral artery disease attended in primary care.

Human fibroblast-like cultures in the presence of platelet-rich plasma as a single growth factor source: clinical implications.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the proliferation, morphology, and antigenic expression of human fibroblast-like cells between primary cultures treated with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or fetal bovine serum (FBS) as the growth factor source. DESIGN: Cells from human gingival tissue samples obtained from healthy volunteers during oral surgery were studied. Isolated cells were cultured in media supplemented with 10% PRP or FBS. Platelet-rich plasma was prepared from the venous blood of each patient. The authors studied short- and long-term cell cultures in the presence of PRP or FBS as the sole growth factor source in order to determine (a) cell growth rate, by MTT (3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay; (b) cell morphology, by electronic microscopy; and (c) antigenic expression, by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. RESULTS: In short-term cultures, the cell growth rate was higher with PRP versus FBS treatment. No differences in morphology or expression of vimentin, fibronectin, or α-actin antigens were observed between PRP and FBS cultures. In long-term cultures, PRP and FBS did not significantly differ in cell growth rate but differed in morphology and in the expression of vimentin, fibronectin, and α-actin. CONCLUSION: The PRP enhances cell proliferation over the short term and induces cell differentiation of fibroblast-like cells to myofibroblast-like cells over the long term, suggesting that fibroblast differentiation to myofibroblasts may underlie the action mechanism of PRP in soft tissue regeneration.

Applying different levels of practice variability for motor learning: More is not better.

Background: Variable practice is a broadly used tool to improve motor learning processes. However, controversial results can be found in literature about the success of this type of practice compared to constant practice. This study explored one potential reason for this controversy: the manipulation of variable practice load applied during practice and its effects according to the initial performance level and the initial intrinsic variability of the learner. Method: Sixty-five participants were grouped into four practice schedules to learn a serial throwing task, in which the training load of variable practice was manipulated: one constant practice group and three groups with different variable practice loads applied. After a pre-test, participants trained for 2 weeks. A post-test and three retests (96 h, 2 weeks and 1 month) were carried out after training. The participants' throwing accuracy was assessed through error parameters and their initial intrinsic motor variability was assessed by the autocorrelation coefficient of the error. Results: The four groups improved their throwing performance. Pairwise comparisons and effect sizes showed larger error reduction in the low variability group. Different loads of variable practice seem to induce different performance improvements in a throwing task. The modulation of the variable practice load seems to be a step forward to clarify the controversy about its benefits, but it has to be guided by the individuals' features, mainly by the initial intrinsic variability of the learner.

Effects of variable intensity and constant intensity flywheel resistance training programs on specific soccer players' performance.

Resistance training programs play a crucial role in optimizing soccer performance. The aim of this study is to compare performance outcomes in sport-specific tasks after implementing two different flywheel resistance training (FRT) programs: variable intensity (VI) and constant intensity (CI). Seventeen (n = 17) amateur footballers were divided into VI and CI groups with the same training volume. For the VI group, a decrease in inertial load was implemented every four sessions, whereas the CI group maintained a constant load during the entire program. After different familiarization sessions and testing (sprint, change of direction, jump, one-repetition maximum and flywheel strength variables), ten sessions of FRT were performed over 5 weeks. Both groups showed similar improvements in the one-repetition maximum (p < 0.01) but the CI group had significant improvements in the 10-m sprint (p = 0.04; ES = 0.72), emphasizing the potential benefits of medium inertial loads to maximize power and specificity in sport tasks. However, no significant differences were observed in the countermovement jump, change of direction and 30-m sprint, possibly attributed to neuromuscular fatigue from a high-volume training schedule and friendly matches. The study highlights the importance of considering training load distribution in FRT programs. The findings emphasize the need for complementary training to maximize the jump and change of direction abilities and caution against high-volume training and friendly match scenarios. In conclusion, FRT programs, whether varying in intensity or not, can yield medium-term performance improvements for soccer players.

Analysis of the Prognostic Factors That Influence the Outcome of Periapical Surgery, including Biomimetic Membranes for Tissue Regeneration: A Review.

The objective of this study was to analyze the prognostic factors that influence the outcome of periapical surgery. A systematic search of the literature was carried out using PubMed and Scopus databases between January 2000 and December 2023 with no language limitations. The PICO question of the present systematic review was: What prognostic factors may influence the outcome of periapical surgery? The most relevant randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs), prospective clinical trials, retrospective studies, and meta-analyses (n = 44) were selected from 134 articles. The reviewed literature evidenced that bone-lesion healing could significantly be improved by the absence of deep periodontal pockets (>4 mm), localization in anterior teeth, the absence of pain and/or preoperative symptoms, a size of bone lesion < 5 mm, the use of ultrasound, the correct placement of retrograde filling material, and the use of different biomimetic membranes for guided tissue regeneration (GTR). Some preoperative and intraoperative factors could significantly improve the prognosis of periapical surgery. However, these results were not conclusive, and further high-quality research is required.