Measurement properties and feasibility of the Loughborough soccer passing test: A systematic review.

The purpose of this paper was to systematically review the literature and examine the research methodological quality, measurement properties and feasibility of the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT). Databases were searched up to June 2017. Twenty five studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The main methodological limitations of the studies were the small sample size and the lack of information on participants and eligibility criteria. Results showed that test-retest reliability of the LSPT was moderate to excellent. Good discriminative validity was found between playing levels and ages. The LSPT was positively correlated with sprint, dribbling, and agility test; however, a weak correlation was established with in-game performance. Test responsiveness (an ability to detect change over time) to some external interventions was observed in studies. Adjusted Cronbach's alpha (α = 0.67), smallest worthwhile change (SWC = 0.8-3.8) and minimal detectable change (MDC50 = 1.9-11.3) were calculated based on available data. The findings indicate that the LSPT has acceptable test-retest reliability and discriminative validity. However, it may not be a feasible and effective way to interpret the intra-individual change of skill performance in practice. Future work should be undertaken to establish additional measurement properties of the LSPT, and to improve its practical feasibility.

Meta-analysis of the effect of curcumin supplementation on skeletal muscle damage status.

OBJECTIVES: Meta-analysis was conducted to examine the effect of supplemental curcumin intake on skeletal muscle injury status and to propose an optimal intervention program. METHODS: In accordance with the procedures specified in the PRISMA statement for systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials, the Review Manager 5.3 was used to analyze the results of creatine kinase (CK), muscle soreness, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and range of motion (ROM) as outcome indicators in the 349 subjects included in the 14 articles. RESULTS: The effect size of curcumin supplementation on muscle soreness, mean difference (MD) = -0.61; the relationship between curcumin supplementation and muscle soreness for time of measurement (I2 = 83.6%)、the relationship between curcumin supplementation and muscle soreness for period of intervention (I2 = 26.2%)、the relationship between whether one had been trained (I2 = 0%) and supplementation dose (I2 = 0%) were not heterogeneous for the relationship between curcumin supplementation and muscle soreness; The effect size on CK, MD = -137.32; the relationship between curcumin supplementation and CK (I2 = 79.7%)、intervention period (I2 = 91.9%)、whether or not trained (I2 = 90.7%)、and no heterogeneity in the relationship between curcumin supplementation and CK for the time of measurement (I2 = 0%); The effect size MD = 4.10 for the effect on ROM; The effect size for IL-6 was MD = -0.33. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis highlights that curcumin supplementation significantly mitigates skeletal muscle damage, with notable improvements in CK levels, muscle soreness, IL-6 levels, and ROM. The results highlight the importance of curcumin dosage and timing, revealing that prolonged supplementation yields the best results, especially for untrained individuals or those less exposed to muscle-damaging exercise. For muscle soreness and ROM enhancement, a pre-emptive, low-dose regimen is beneficial, while immediate post-exercise supplementation is most effective at reducing CK and IL-6 levels.

Key influences on dysglycemia across Fujian's urban-rural divide.

BACKGROUND: Screening and treatment of dysglycemia (prediabetes and diabetes) represent significant challenges in advancing the Healthy China initiative. Identifying the crucial factors contributing to dysglycemia in urban-rural areas is essential for the implementation of targeted, precise interventions. METHODS: Data for 26,157 adults in Fujian Province, China, were collected using the Social Factors Special Survey Form through a multi-stage random sampling method, wherein 18 variables contributing to dysglycemia were analyzed with logistic regression and the random forest model. OBJECTIVE: Investigating urban-rural differences and critical factors in dysglycemia prevalence in Fujian, China, with the simultaneous development of separate predictive models for urban and rural areas. RESULT: The detection rate of dysglycemia among adults was 35.26%, with rates of 34.1% in urban areas and 35.8% in rural areas. Common factors influencing dysglycemia included education, age, BMI, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. For rural residents, higher income (OR = 0.80, 95% CI [0.74, 0.87]), average sleep quality (OR = 0.89, 95% CI [0.80, 0.99]), good sleep quality (OR = 0.89, 95% CI [0.80, 1.00]), and high physical activity (PA) (OR = 0.87, 95% CI [0.79, 0.96]) emerged as protective factors. Conversely, a daily sleep duration over 8 hours (OR = 1.46, 95% CI [1.03, 1.28]) and middle income (OR = 1.12, 95% CI [1.03, 1.22]) were specific risk factors. In urban areas, being male (OR = 1.14, 95% CI [1.02, 1.26]), cohabitation (OR = 1.18, 95% CI [1.02, 1.37]), and central obesity (OR = 1.35, 95% CI [1.19, 1.53]) were identified as unique risk factors. Using logistic regression outcomes, a random forest model was developed to predict dysglycemia, achieving accuracies of 75.35% (rural) and 76.95% (urban) with ROC areas of 0.77 (rural) and 0.75 (urban). CONCLUSION: This study identifies key factors affecting dysglycemia in urban and rural Fujian residents, including common factors such as education, age, BMI, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Notably, rural-specific protective factors are higher income and good sleep quality, while urban-specific risk factors include being male and central obesity. These findings support the development of targeted prevention and intervention strategies for dysglycemia, tailored to the unique characteristics of urban and rural populations.

Effects of different protocols of high intensity interval training for VO2max improvements in adults: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of different protocols of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on VO2max improvements in healthy, overweight/obese and athletic adults, based on the classifications of work intervals, session volumes and training periods. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, Medline, and Web of Science databases were searched up to April 2018. Inclusion criteria were randomised controlled trials; healthy, overweight/obese or athletic adults; examined pre- and post-training VO2max/peak; HIIT in comparison to control or moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) groups. RESULTS: Fifty-three studies met the eligibility criteria. Overall, the degree of change in VO2max induced by HIIT varied by populations (SMD=0.41-1.81, p<0.05). When compared to control groups, even short-intervals (≤30s), low-volume (≤5min) and short-term HIIT (≤4weeks) elicited clear beneficial effects (SMD=0.79-1.65, p<0.05) on VO2max/peak. However, long-interval (≥2min), high-volume (≥15min) and moderate to long-term (≥4-12weeks) HIIT displayed significantly larger effects on VO2max (SMD=0.50-2.48, p<0.05). When compared to MICT, only long-interval (≥2min), high-volume (≥15min) and moderate to long-term (≥4-12weeks) HIIT showed beneficial effects (SMD=0.65-1.07, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Short-intervals (≤30s), low-volume (≤5min) and short-term (≤4weeks) HIIT represent effective and time-efficient strategies for developing VO2max, especially for the general population. To maximize the training effects on VO2max, long-interval (≥2min), high-volume (≥15min) and moderate to long-term (≥4-12weeks) HIIT are recommended.

Digital phase detection approach and its application for AlN dual-mode differential surface acoustic wave sensing.

Performance of a conventional phase detector implemented using analog circuitry is affected by, among other factors, the parameter value drifting of the analog components with environment (e.g., temperature) and time (i.e., aging). It is also adversely impacted by electromagnetic interferences likely existing in the analog circuits when the detector operates in a high frequency range. More importantly, such a detector is inflexible to compensate various nonlinear characteristics of sensors and is very difficult to realize sophisticated signal processing strategies desired for practical applications. To address issues like these, we have developed a digital system approach that uses the zero-crossing algorithm for phase detection. The phase detection limit and dynamic phase response of the system were assessed using surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors. Our preliminary evaluation involved AlN dual-mode differential sensors, which were fabricated on an AlN(0001)/Al2O3(11 2 ¯ 0) thin film structure, with the SAW and shear horizontal SAW (SH-SAW) operating at approximately 243 MHz and 256 MHz, respectively. Due to the hardware constraints, the digital phase processing was carried out in an off-line fashion. Our baseline experiments without sensor indicate that the system can achieve a lower level of phase noise with the standard deviation being about 0.005°. Experiments with the differential sensors running in the SAW and SH-SAW modes exhibit that the system can reach a phase detection limit of 0.02°. The differential system showed small temperature coefficient at ppm level measured by varying the sensor temperature using a thermal control oven. Finally, our use of the system in measuring the response of the SH-SAW sensor to sodium chloride (NaCl) solution conductivity shows that the system is capable of performing microanalysis of liquid properties. We conclude that a real-time fully digital phase detection system can be practically achieved.