The effects of visual skills training on cognitive and executive functions in stroke patients: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

The visual system and associated skills are of particular importance in stroke rehabilitation. The process of neuroplasticity involved in restoring cognitive function during this period is mainly based on anatomical and physiological mechanisms. However, there is little evidence-based knowledge about the effects of visual skills training that could be used to improve therapeutic outcomes in cognitive rehabilitation. A computerized systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Medline, and Web of Science databases from 1 January 1960 to 11 Febuary 2024. 1,787 articles were identified, of which 24 articles were used for the calculation of weighted standardized mean differences (SMD) after screening and eligibility verification. The findings revealed moderate effects for global cognitive function (SMD = 0.62) and activities of daily living (SMD = 0.55) as well as small effects for executive function (SMD = 0.20) - all in favor of the intervention group. The analyses indicate that the results may not be entirely robust, and should therefore be treated with caution when applied in practice. Visual skills training shows positive effects in improving cognitive and executive functions, especially in combination with high cognitive load and in an early phase of rehabilitation. An improvement in activities of daily living can also be observed with this type of intervention. The high heterogeneity of the studies and different treatment conditions require the identification of a relationship between certain visual skills and executive functions in future research.

Changes After a Conventional vs. an Alternative Therapy Program on Physical, Psychological, and Injury-Related Parameters in Male Youth Soccer Players With Patellar Tendinopathy During Return to Competition.

ABSTRACT: Niering, M and Muehlbauer, T. Changes after a conventional vs. an alternative therapy program on physical, psychological and injury-related parameters in male youth soccer players with patellar tendinopathy during return to competition. J Strength Cond Res 37(9): 1834-1843, 2023-Changes after a conventional (CON) vs. alternative (ALT) therapy program on physical, psychological, and injury-related or pain-related parameters in soccer players with patellar tendinopathy (PT) during return to competition were examined. Thirty-four male youth soccer players (15-16 years) with PT were randomly assigned to a CON ( n = 18) or ALT ( n = 16) program. The ALT program consisted of 60 minutes of balance training, eccentric and isometric exercises, static stretching, and a dual-task progression. The CON program consisted of 30 minutes of eccentric and isometric exercises and static stretching. Both programs were conducted until painlessness was reported during full training load. Assessments of muscle power (drop jump, jump and reach), change of direction speed (CODS) (acyclic sprint), speed (tapping, 30-m linear sprint), endurance (Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level-1), the Achievement Motives Scale Sport, and injury-related or pain-related correlates were performed immediately, 6 weeks, 16 weeks, and 20 weeks after the respective therapy program. Players in the ALT group required a shorter program duration (ALT: 47.1 ± 15.6 days, CON: 58.2 ± 24.6 days) and achieved the same (muscle power, speed, endurance) or greater (CODS) improvements in physical performances, the same enhancements in psychological measures (achievement motives), and better values for injury-related or pain-related correlates (injury incidence, pain-related training interruptions). Results indicate that both programs effectively improve relevant outcome parameters in players with PT. The ALT therapy is more time efficient than the CON therapy. Therapists should consider this multimodal training program for effective treatment of athletes to shorten their return to competition time and minimize the risk of secondary injuries.

Prevalence, severity, and predictors of self-reported depression in ultra-distance runners: An online survey based on 265 athletes.

BACKGROUND: Literature suggests a high prevalence of mental health disorders among athletes practicing elite and extreme sports. One of the most commonly encountered disorders in this group of individuals is depression. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence, severity, and risk factors of symptoms of self-reported depression among ultra-distance runners. METHODS: Data was collected using an online survey (February to April 2023) and included 265 (age 48.35 ± 10.52 years) adult ultra-runners. The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) was used to measure self-reported depression. Additional variables comprised basic sociodemographic information and information regarding training, ultramarathon experience, and previous injury. Descriptive and interferential statistics were performed using JASP Version 0.16.4. RESULTS: We found that 21.9 % (n = 58) of ultra-runners suffered from self-reported depression (i.e., BDI-II score ≥ 14) with an average BDI-II score of 22.7 ± 7.1 (moderately severe symptoms). Female ultra-runners had a higher prevalence (30.8 %) of self-reported depression than males (16.2 %, p = .001). Logistic regression revealed that ultra-runners without previous sports injury (p = .01) and those of increasing age (p = .003) had a significantly lower risk of self-reported depression. Similarly, linear regression showed the absence of injury (p < .001) and increasing age (p = .02) resulted in significantly lower BDI-II scores. Training volume in distance and hours per week as well as ultra-running experience did not show any significant association. CONCLUSIONS: Affecting more than one-fifth of our collective, depressive symptoms appear to be highly prevalent among ultra-runners. Our findings underline the importance of screening for clinical depression, especially among injured athletes. However, the previously assumed peculiarities of the sport in the area of high training volume do not appear to be a significant factor.

The Influence of Menstrual Cycle Phases on Maximal Strength Performance in Healthy Female Adults: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Maximal strength is a significant factor in achieving peak performance and injury prevention in athletes. In individualization strategies for the efficient development of athletes, it is necessary to consider the respective components separately. The purpose of this study was to systematically examine the effects of the different cycle phases on isometric, isokinetic, and dynamic maximum strength. A systematic literature review was conducted; databases were searched from January 1960 to September 2023. The included studies focused on the expression of maximal strength in the earlier follicular phase as well as at least one comparative phase. Of the initial 707 articles identified, 22 met the selection criteria and were included. The studies considered a total of 433 subjects. Our results revealed medium effects (weighted mean standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.60; seven studies) for isometric maximal strength in favor of the late follicular phase, small effects (weighted mean SMD = 0.39; five studies) for isokinetic maximal strength in favor of the ovulation phase, and small effects (weighted mean SMD = 0.14; three studies) for dynamic maximal strength in favor of the late follicular phase. The results indicate that the early follicular phase is unfavorable for all strength classes. Peak performance in isometric strength is seen in the late follicular phase, whereas isokinetic strength peaks during ovulation. Dynamic strength is optimal in the late follicular phase.

Effects of Psychological Interventions on Performance Anxiety in Performing Artists and Athletes: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Levels of state and trait anxiety are relevant for performing artists and professional athletes to obtain optimal performance outcomes. However, evidence-based knowledge regarding the effectiveness of psychological interventions on performance anxiety is currently minimal. Thus, the objective of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to characterize, aggregate, and quantify intervention effects on measures of state and trait performance anxiety in performing artists and professional athletes. A systematic search of the literature according to the PRISMA guidelines was conducted on the databases PubMed, Medline, SPORTDiscus, PsycInfo, Embase, and Web of Science from 1 January 1960 to 9 November 2022. The search only included controlled studies employing pre-post measures and excluded performing arts fields that do not depend on fine motor skills. Initially, 1022 articles were identified; after removing duplicates and assessing abstracts and full texts, 20 articles were used to calculate weighted standardized mean differences (SMDs). In terms of state performance anxiety, our results revealed a large overall effect (SMD = 0.88), a medium effect (SMD = 0.62) for studies using scales with total scores (i.e., MPAI-A, STAI), and large effects (cognitive anxiety: SMD = 0.93, somatic anxiety: SMD = 0.92, self-confidence: SMD = 0.97) for studies applying scales with sub-scores (i.e., CSAI-2R)-all in favour of the intervention groups. Regarding trait performance anxiety (e.g., SCAT), we detected a small effect (SMD = 0.32), also favouring the intervention groups. Interventions to reduce performance anxiety in performing artists and professional athletes revealed varying levels of effectiveness ranging from small (trait) to large (state). Therefore, future studies should investigate modalities to increase intervention efficacy, especially for the small-sized changes in trait performance anxiety.

Erratum: Niering, M.; Muehlbauer, T. Effects of Physical Training on Physical and Psychological Parameters in Individuals with Patella Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports 2021, 9, 12.

The authors would like to correct an error in the name of the condition in the recently published paper [...].

Effects of Physical Training on Physical and Psychological Parameters in Individuals with Patella Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The effectiveness of physical training on physical and psychological parameters in individuals with patella tendon myopathy has not been investigated in a systematic review and meta-analysis. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of physical exercise interventions for measures of physical and psychological performance in subjects with patella tendon myopathy. A computerised systematic literature search was conducted in the electronic databases PubMed, Medline, and Web of Science from January 1960 to July 2020. Initially, 506 articles were identified for review of which eleven articles met the inclusion criteria. Our results revealed a small effect (weighted mean standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.12; nine studies) of physical training on the psychological measure Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patellar tendon scale and a medium effect (weighted mean SMD = 0.61; five studies) on the psychological measure visual analogue scale-both in favour of the intervention group. In contrast, a small effect (weighted mean SMD = -0.05; two studies) in favour of the control group was detected for the physical measure muscle power. Compared to the control condition, physical training seems to be an effective means to improve psychological but not physical parameters in individuals with patella tendon myopathy; although conclusions on the latter could have been biased by the small amount of eligible studies (n = 2). In addition, the predetermined cut-off value of ≥6 for the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale score (i.e., assessment of methodological quality) was only achieved by six out of eleven studies. Thus, further research of high methodological quality is needed to verify whether there is or is not an effect of physical training on physical parameters in persons with patella tendon myopathy.

Differences in Physical and Psychological Parameters in Sub-Elite, Male, Youth Soccer Players with Jumper's Knee Following Physical Therapy Compared to Healthy Controls: A Longitudinal Examination.

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND: Many adolescent athletes suffer from jumper's knee (JK) over a long period of time and return to sports before symptoms are fully resolved. Current treatment methods may not reduce pain in the short term, especially not during a competitive season. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in physical, psychological, and injury-/pain-related parameters in sub-elite male youth soccer players, who previously underwent physical therapy for JK compared to healthy controls (HC) over the course of a season. METHODS: All subjects were tested four times (start of the season [T1], 6 [T2], 16 [T3], and 20 [T4] weeks after the start of the season). Outcome measures included muscle power (drop jump, jump-and-reach), change of direction speed [CODS] (acyclic sprint), speed (tapping, 30-m linear sprint), endurance (Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1), the Achievement Motives Scale (AMS) Sport, and injury-/pain-related data. Univariate analysis of variance was used to compare differences in variables between the two groups over the course of a soccer season. RESULTS: Over the season, the jumper's knee group (JK; 15.1 ± 0.8 yr) demonstrated significantly worse physical performance in CODS (to the left side: 1.37≤ Cohen's d ≤ 1.51 [T1-T4]; p < 0.001 / to the right side: 1.24 ≤ d ≤ 1.53 [T1-T4]; p < 0.001) and speed (0.48 ≤ d ≤ 1.26 [T1-T4]; p < 0.007) compared to healthy controls (HC; 15.0 ± 1.0 yr). Further, psychological parameters showed worse values in JK than in HC for the AMS Sport items "hope for success" and "fear of failure" that especially showed a significant difference at T1 (d = 0.65; p = 0.032 / d = 0.68; p = 0.027) and T2 (d = 0.50; p = 0.076 / d = 0.80; p = 0.012). Moreover, the JK group showed significantly higher incident rates for non-contact lower limb injuries (d = 0.69; p = 0.049) per 1,000 hours (i.e., practices/competitions), injury-related rest periods (d = 2.06; p = 0.043), and pain-related training interruptions (d = 1.35; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The observed findings imply that there are significant differences in physical and psychological performance of youth soccer players after physical therapy for JK compared to HC. When designing rehabilitation and/or training programs, as well as determining the point of return to sport the impact of the injury needs to be taken into account. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1b.