Partial body cryotherapy exposure drives acute redistribution of circulating lymphocytes: preliminary findings.

Partial body cryotherapy (PBC) is proposed to alleviate symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) by reducing associated inflammation. No studies have assessed acute PBC exposure on peripheral blood mononuclear cell mobilisation or compared these with cold water immersion (CWI), which may inform how PBC impacts inflammatory processes. This trial examined the impact of a single PBC exposure on circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells compared to CWI or a control. 26 males were randomised into either PBC (3 min at - 110 to - 140 °C), CWI (3 min at 9 °C), or control (3 min at 24 °C), with blood samples, heart rate, and blood pressure taken before and after exposure. Cytometric analysis determined that CD8+ T-cell populations were significantly elevated after treatments, with PBC increasing CD8+ T cells to a greater degree than either CWI or CON. Natural killer cell counts were also elevated after PBC, with the increase attributed specifically to the CD56loCD16+ cytotoxic subset. This provides the first evidence for the effect of PBC exposure on redistribution of immune cells. An increase in circulating leukocyte subsets such as CD8+ T cells and CD56loCD16+ natural killer cells suggests that PBC may induce a transient mobilisation of lymphocytes. PBC may thus enable a more efficient trafficking of these cells from the circulation to the site of initial cellular insult from exercise, potentially accelerating the process of cellular recovery. This provides novel evidence on the use of PBC as a recovery treatment and may also have applicability in other clinical settings involving the recovery of damaged skeletal muscle.

Fair play? Participation equity in organised sport and physical activity among children and adolescents in high income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity and sport have numerous health benefits and participation is thought to be lower in disadvantaged children and adolescents. However, evidence for the disparity in physical activity is inconsistent, has not been reviewed recently, and for sport has never been synthesised. Our aim was to systematically review, and combine via meta-analyses, evidence of the socioeconomic disparities in physical activity and sport participation in children and adolescents in high income countries. METHODS: We conducted searches of five electronic databases using physical activity, sport, and socioeconomic disparity related terms. Two independent reviewers assessed 21,342 articles for peer-reviewed original research, published in English that assessed socioeconomic disparities in physical activity and sport participation in children and adolescents. We combined evidence from eligible studies using a structural equation modelling approach to multilevel meta-analysis. RESULTS: From the 104 eligible studies, we meta-analysed 163 effect sizes. Overall, children and adolescents living in higher socioeconomic status households were more likely to participate in sport (OR: 1.87, 95% CIs 1.38, 2.36) and participated for a longer duration (d = 0.24, 95% CIs 0.12, 0.35). The socioeconomic disparity in the duration of sport participation was greater in children (d = 0.28, 95% CIs 0.15, 0.41) compared with adolescents (d = 0.13, 95% CIs - 0.03, 0.30). Overall, children and adolescents living in higher socioeconomic status households were more likely to meet physical activity guidelines (OR: 1.21, 95% CIs 1.09, 1.33) and participated for a longer duration (d = 0.08, 95% CIs 0.02, 0.14). The socioeconomic disparity in the duration of total physical activity between low and high socioeconomic status households was greater in children (d = 0.13, 95% CIs 0.04, 0.21) compared with adolescents (d = 0.05, 95% CIs - 0.05, 0.15). There was no significant disparity in leisure time physical activity (d = 0.13, 95% CIs - 0.06, 0.32). CONCLUSIONS: There was evidence of socioeconomic disparities in sport participation and total physical activity participation among children and adolescents. Socioeconomic differences were greater in sport compared to total physical activity and greater in children compared with adolescents. These findings highlight the need importance of targeting sport programs according to socio-economic gradients, to reduce inequities in access and opportunity to organised sport.

Improving access to public physical activity events for disadvantaged communities in Australia.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity has numerous health benefits, but participation is lower in disadvantaged communities. 'parkrun' overcomes one of the main barriers for disadvantaged communities, the cost of activities, by providing a free, regular community-based physical activity event for walkers, runners and volunteers. This study assesses equity of access (in terms of distance to the nearest parkrun) stratified by socioeconomic deprivation, and identifies the optimal location for 100 new events to increase equity of access. METHODS: We combined information about population location and socioeconomic deprivation, with information about the location of 403 existing parkrun events, to assess the current level of access by deprivation quintile. We then used a two-step location-allocation analysis (minimising the sum of deprivation-weighted distances) to identify optimal regions, then optimal towns within those regions, as the ideal locations for 100 new parkrun events. RESULTS: Currently, 63.1% of the Australian population lives within 5 km of an event, and the average distance to an event is 14.5 km. A socioeconomic gradient exists, with the most deprived communities having the largest average distance to an event (27.0 km), and the least deprived communities having the best access (living an average 6.6 km from an event). Access improves considerably after the introduction of new event locations with around 68% of the population residing within 5 km of an event, and the average distance to the nearest event approximately 8 km. Most importantly, the improvement in access will be greatest for the most deprived communities (now an average 11 km from an event). CONCLUSIONS: There is a socioeconomic gradient in access to parkrun events. Strategic selection of new parkrun locations will improve equity of access to community physical activity events, and could contribute to enabling greater participation in physical activity by disadvantaged communities.

Whole-body Cryotherapy as a Recovery Technique after Exercise: A Review of the Literature.

This review aims to evaluate the current body of literature investigating the effect of whole body cryotherapy on recovery after exercise. A systematic search was conducted to investigate the effect of whole body cryotherapy (WBC, exposure to temperatures between -110 to -190°C) on markers of recovery after damaging exercise in healthy, physically active subjects. Of the 16 eligible articles extracted, ten induced muscle damage using controlled exercise in a laboratory setting, while six induced damage during sport-specific training. Results indicated that muscle pain was reduced in 80% of studies following WBC. Two applied studies found recovery of athletic capacity and performance with WBC improved, variables of this nature were also improved in 71% of studies using controlled exercise. Further benefits of WBC treatment included reduction of systemic inflammation and lower concentrations of markers for muscle cell damage. These results suggest that WBC may improve recovery from muscle damage, with multiple exposures more consistently exhibiting improvements in recovery from pain, loss of muscle function, and markers of inflammation and damage. The diversity in muscle damage protocols, exposure timing with regards to exercise, as well as temperatures, duration and frequencies of exposure, make specific recommendations preliminary at present.

Participation and dropout of Hockey New South Wales participants in 2017 and 2018: a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Sports have a focus on increasing participation, which contributes to increasing population levels of physical activity, social cohesion and longevity of the sport. The primary aim of this study was to examine reasons for drop-out of a popular team sport in Australia, Field Hockey and identify opportunities to increase participation. METHODS: This longitudinal study obtained routinely collected registered player data from Hockey New South Wales over two consecutive years, and survey data from registered players who dropped out. Logistic regression models identified demographic subgroups who were more likely to drop out of sport, and the reasons for dropping out. RESULTS: In 2018, 8463 (31%) of hockey players did not return to play hockey after the previous season and 805 (10%) of these completed a survey. Specific groups who were more likely to stop playing included 5-6 years (OR: 2.1, 95% CI 1.8-2.6; reference: 12-17 years), females (OR: 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.2; reference: males), Indigenous (OR: 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.4; reference: non-Indigenous), most disadvantaged (OR: 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.2; reference: least disadvantaged) or regional and remote (1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.2; reference: major cities). Top reasons for drop out were medical/age (17%), change in circumstances (16%) and high cost (13%), lack of time (13%) and lack of enjoyment (7%). CONCLUSIONS: Although Hockey successfully reaches a large proportion of underrepresented groups in sport, these groups are more likely to drop out. Sports should consult these groups to develop enjoyable, flexible, and modifiable versions of the game that are appropriate to their needs.

"We Don't Have to Do Things the Way They've Been Done Before"; Mixed-Method Evaluation of a National Grant Program Tackling Physical Inactivity through Sport.

National strategies are needed to continue to promote the broader benefits of participating in sport and organised physical activity to reduce physical inactivity and related disease burden. This paper employs the RE-AIM framework to evaluate the impact of the federally funded $150 million Move it AUS program in engaging inactive people in sport and physical activity through the Participation (all ages) and Better Ageing (over 65 years) funding streams. A pragmatic, mixed-methods evaluation was conducted to understand the impact of the grant on both the participants, and the funded organisations. This included participant surveys, case studies, and qualitative interviews with funded program leaders. A total of 75% of participants in the Participation stream, and 65% in the Better Ageing stream, were classified as inactive. The largest changes in overall physical activity behaviour were seen among socioeconomically disadvantaged participants and culturally and linguistically diverse participants. Seven key insights were gained from the qualitative interviews: Clarity of who, Partnerships, Communication, Program delivery, Environmental impacts, Governance, and that Physical inactivity must be a priority. The Move It AUS program successfully engaged physically inactive participants. Additional work is needed to better engage inactive people that identify as culturally and linguistically diverse, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and those that live in disadvantaged communities in sport and physical activities. Tangible actions from the seven key insights should be adopted into workforce capability planning for the sport sector to effectively engage physically inactive communities.

Linking sports registration information and player feedback to enhance netball participation.

BACKGROUND: Sports should endeavour to provide inclusive opportunities for all people to participate. More evidence is required to understand who joins sports clubs and what keeps participants engaged throughout their lifetime. Little is known about who plays netball or what drives participation and retention of players in netball. This study aimed to identify the sociodemographic characteristics of Netball New South Wales (NSW) members, their odds of re-registering in the sport, and explore their motivations to play, experiences during participation and the perceived benefits of playing netball. METHODS: We used longitudinal sport registration data from all Netball NSW members in 2018 and 2019. A cross-sectional online survey was sent to all players registered during the two-year study period (n = 157,152). We used logistic regression to determine the odds of individuals returning to netball in 2019 after playing in 2018 and linked the sports registration data with the survey responses, calculating frequencies and proportions. RESULTS: Netball NSW members were mostly female (98 %) and aged less than 18 years old (69 %). Netball NSW retained 68 % of members in 2019 who played the previous year. Members who were male, aged 18-44 years old, lived in low SES areas, lived in regional/remote locations, identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, spoke a language other than English at home or were born outside Australia had lower odds of returning to play from 2018 to 2019. Survey participants (n = 10,795) rated their experience playing netball highly and reported that playing netball improved their health and wellbeing. The main reason to play netball reported was 'fun and enjoyment' while the main reason to consider quitting was the 'skill/experience of umpires and officials'. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the strengths of netball in engaging and retaining females, who often participate in less sport than males. The positive experiences reported by netball participants should be fostered to retain current participants throughout the lifecourse. The data provided by members should be inform strategic actions to enhance netball participation for sociodemographic groups who had greatest odds of dropout. Routine surveillance using linked registration and player feedback should be utilised by sports to enhance sport delivery and increase participation.