Panax ginseng Supplementation Increases Muscle Recruitment, Attenuates Perceived Effort, and Accelerates Muscle Force Recovery After an Eccentric-Based Exercise in Athletes.

ABSTRACT: Cristina-Souza, G, Santos-Mariano, AC, Lima-Silva, AE, Costa, PL, Domingos, PR, Silva, SF, Abreu, WC, De-Oliveira, FR, and Osiecki, R. Panax Ginseng supplementation increases muscle recruitment, attenuates perceived effort, and accelerates muscle force recovery after an eccentric-based exercise in athletes. J Strength Cond Res 36(4): 991-997, 2022-The effect of Panax ginseng during and after an eccentric-based exercise is underexplored. In this study, we investigated the effect of Panax ginseng on muscle force and muscle excitation during an eccentric-based exercise and on subsequent muscle damage and delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Using a randomized, double-blind, crossover design, 10 male track and field athletes consumed Panax ginseng or placebo for 8 days. At the fifth day, they performed 4 sets until concentric failure of a half-squat exercise, with eccentric action increased by using an eccentric-inductor device attached to their knees. The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and vastus lateralis electromyographic (EMG) activity was measured during the half-squat. Plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) concentrations, DOMS, and maximal isometric voluntary contractions (MIVCs) with EMG recording were measured at 24, 48, and 72 hours after the half-squat. Panax ginseng attenuated RPE and increased EMG during the sets. The MIVC remained reduced 48 hours after exercise in the placebo but returned to baseline 24 hours after exercise in the Panax ginseng, with values at 24 and 48 hours after exercise significantly higher in the Panax ginseng than in the placebo. The EMG during MIVC was higher in the Panax ginseng than in the placebo over the time points. No significant effect of Panax ginseng on LDH, CK, and DOMS was observed. These findings suggest that Panax ginseng increases muscle excitation and attenuates perceived effort during an eccentric-based exercise as well as accelerates the recovery of muscle force in well-trained athletes.

Healthcare professionals and volunteers education in palliative care to promote the best practice-an integrative review.

BACKGROUND: Family caregivers' empowerment can assume strategic importance in palliative care. Healthcare professionals and volunteers have been showing significant gaps in this field. Hence, education has been advocated as an effective strategy to fill this gap. While several educational initiatives exist, a comprehensive evidence synthesis on the effectiveness of educational training on healthcare professionals and volunteers is lacking. AIMS: An integrative review was conducted to explore worldwide initiatives, aiming to improve healthcare professionals and volunteers' competence in a palliative care setting especially in relation to the family caregiver. METHOD: A scoping literature review was conducted with systematic searches in multiple databases - REDALYC, CINAHL, SCIELO, EBSCO, ERIC and MEDLINE since January 2012. Studies were selected based on programmes content and its impact evaluation. Four researchers assessed the studies regarding their eligibility with reference to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. FINDINGS: Twenty-two studies met the eligibility criteria. Multi-professional learning was reported, emphasising nurses and physician's enrolment. Only few studies showed participants' learning outcomes. Inconsistencies in delivery mode and duration were identified. Impact evaluations were heterogeneous and relied on no validated instruments. Family caregiver's content was addressed only in three initiatives. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed using a more reliable design, mode of delivery and impact measurement of educational training. In addition, more initiatives associated with cost-effectiveness, shorter- and longer-term clinical impact are needed. Despite the strides already made towards the establishment of an evidence base for healthcare professionals in the field of palliative care, either greater consideration is required for family care providers in the education of healthcare professionals and respect for the cultural diversity.

Drinking to thirst influences fluid replacement in adolescents judokas

AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the type of beverage and the use of thirst sensation to guide fluid replacement in the adolescent judokas. METHODS: Nine male judokas aged 10-16 (average age 11,8 ± 4,0 years old) were submitted to a standardized training of 90 minutes. In the first phase of the study, the athletes completed the training with ingestion ad libitum of different beverages: day 1 (water) and after 48 hours, day 2 (sports drink). In the second phase, after 7 days of first stage, the athletes completed the training with ingestion of water or sports drink, guided by thirst sensation. The total volume of liquids ingested (VI) during the training was quantified and the level of dehydration was determined by variation of body weight before and after training (∆W). At the end of each training, the athletes were asked about the training intensity to determine perceived exertion (PE). RESULTS: No differences were observed in weight loss (∆W) (range: -0,04 ± 0,4 to -0,69 ± 1,1 %) and perceived exertion (range: 3,2 to 5,0). The use of thirst sensation to guide fluid replacement reduced the total fluid intake when the beverage offered was the sports drink (no thirst vs. thirst sensation, 521,1 ± 290 vs 152,2 ± 187 mL - p=0,006). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that fluid replacement guided by thirst sensation can be influenced by the type of beverage offered.(AU)

Health and mood among HIV-positive outpatients attending an ART Clinic of a University Hospital.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate how individuals at different stages of infection with HIV perceive their health status and its association with mood states. BACKGROUND: With the introduction of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in 1996, the quality of life of people living with HIV has improved. However, the literature emphasises the negative effects of the disease on the mental health of individuals suffering from this condition and the high incidence of depression among infected individuals. Although people diagnosed and living with HIV are overwhelmed by emotions, we found that various emotional manifestations are understudied within this group of patients. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an outpatient unit of a University Hospital (antiretroviral therapy clinic), with a consecutive sample composed of 152 patients. METHODS: Data were collected through a questionnaire used to assess the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, the Short Form (36) Health Survey, and the Profile of Mood States scale. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The health status negatively affects the role at the emotional and mental health dimensions. The participants showing a worse health condition than in the previous year had higher levels of tension/anxiety, depression/dejection, fatigue/inertia and confusion/bewilderment. The stage of disease and the profile of mood state emerged as independent phenomena. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The results of this study indicate that nurses worldwide should be aware of the emotional aspects (negative emotions strongly impact health) related to the subjective perception of a worsening health status, regardless of the stage of the disease.