Effects of magnesium supplementation on muscle soreness in different type of physical activities: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Magnesium is a micronutrient and an intracellular cation responsible for different biochemical reactions involved in energy production and storage, control of neuronal and vasomotor activity, cardiac excitability, and muscle contraction. Magnesium deficiency may result in impaired physical performance. Moreover, magnesium plays an important role on delayed onset muscle soreness after training. Thus, physically active individuals and sport specialists have to pay attention to magnesium supplementation (MgS). However, the type, timing and dosage of magnesium intake are not well elucidated yet. Hence, we aimed to systematically review the literature regarding the effects of MgS on muscle soreness in physically active individuals. We focused exclusively on MgS, excluding those studies in which magnesium was administered together with other substances. METHODS: Three electronic databases and literature sources (PUBMED, SCOPUS and Web of Sciences-Core Collection) were searched, in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. After the database search, 1254 articles were identified, and after excluding duplicates, 960 articles remained. Among these, 955 were excluded following the title and abstract screening. The remaining 5 articles were screened in full text and 4 study met the eligibility criteria. RESULTS: These studies showed that MgS reduced muscle soreness, improved performance, recovery and induced a protective effect on muscle damage. CONCLUSION: To reach these positive effects, individuals engaged in intense exercise should have a Mg requirement 10-20% higher than sedentary people, to be taken in capsules and 2 h before training. Moreover, it is suggested to maintain magnesium levels in the recommended range during the off-season. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024501822.

The Effects of Concurrent Resistance and Aerobic Exercise Training on Functional Status in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Loss of balance and walking ability are two of the primary impairments in multiple sclerosis (MS), which leads to loss of autonomy, increased fatigue perception, and disease severity in patients. Physical activity has been shown to ameliorate MS functional impairments, but there is limited evidence of synergistic efficacy of exercise training interventions that have both a resistance and aerobic focus in these patients. We evaluated the effect of a 12-wk combined training intervention (resistance and aerobic exercise) on balance, walking ability, fatigue perception, quality of life, and severity of disease in patients with MS. The combined training was well tolerated by the patients and improved the quality of life of the patients as also reflected in the improvement in walking and balance ability as well as reduced depression, fatigue, and severity of disease. The results of this study confirm the beneficial effects of physical activity in patients with MS and support the use of a combination of resistance and aerobic exercise training to achieve functional and psychological therapeutic outcomes.

The effects of pre-task music on choice visual reaction time in elite taekwondo athletes.

OBJECTIVES: The effects of music on sport performance mainly involved endurance or resistance exercises overlooking possible effects on reaction time, which is deemed essential in martial arts for a proficient performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the exposure to pre-task music on choice visual reaction time in elite taekwondo athletes. DESIGN: Repeated measure study design. METHODS: Reaction time and mean Heart Rate (HRmean) were recorded in twenty young taekwondo athletes (17.5 ±â€¯2.5 years old) while performing a roundhouse kick in response to different visual stimuli after three warmup conditions: listening to self-selected music (SM), research-selected music (RM) or no music (CC). Moreover, Feeling Scale (FS), Felt Arousal Scale (FAS) were recorded before (T0) and after warmup (T1) in each testing session. RESULTS: SM and RM elicited significantly faster reaction times compared to CC (-3.3 % and -5.2 %, respectively). No significant difference in reaction time was observed between SM and RM. The FS and FAS scores were significantly higher at T1 compared to T0 in the SM and RM conditions, whereas no difference between T0 and T1 was observed in the CC condition. No difference was observed for HRmean between SM, RM and CC conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Listening to SM and RM during the warmup improved choice visual reaction times in elite taekwondo athletes. These results suggest the use of music as a performance-enhancing strategy prior to combat competition or training in martial arts.

Influence of living settings on physical activity levels and volition in exercise in male and female university students.

This study explored the influence of living settings on physical activity (PA) levels and volition in exercise and their correlation, considering sex differences. Five hundred and sixty-six university students (261 rural and 305 urban) from Calabria region (Italy) attending universities courses filled an online survey where Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and Volition in Exercise Questionnaire were administered. Rural females (RF) showed lower PA levels and self-confidence than rural males (RM) (p<0.01). Postponing training and unrelated thoughts were higher in RF than RM (p<0.01 and p<0.05 respectively). PA levels, self-confidence and coping with failure were lower in urban females (UF) than urban males (UM) (p<0.01), Postponing training and unrelated thoughts were higher in UF than UM (p<0.01 and p<0.05). In RF and UF, PA levels positively correlated with self-confidence (Rho = 0.397) and coping with failure (Rho = 0.330), whereas negatively correlated with postponing training (Rho = -0.487) and unrelated thoughts (Rho = -0.283). In RM and UM, PA levels positively correlated with self-confidence (Rho = 0.270) and coping with failure (Rho = 0.258), whereas it negatively correlated with postponing training (Rho = -0.285). PA levels positively correlated with reasons (Rho = 0.260) only in UM. We showed for the first time the relationship between PA and volition factors considering the living setting in university students. Sex differences were observed in some volition facilitators and PA levels independently by the living context.

Protective role of exercise on breast cancer-related osteoporosis in women undergoing aromatase inhibitors: A narrative review.

Hormone therapy following surgery reduces the risk of breast cancer (BC) recurrence and progression of hormone-sensitive BC, especially in postmenopausal women. Despite the antitumor efficacy of hormone therapy, particularly of aromatase inhibitors, they cause long-term side effects, mainly bone density reduction. Exercise can slow the rate of bone loss, which reduces the risk of fractures from osteoporosis, and could be an integrative treatment able to mitigate the BC treatment side effects positively impacting bone health. This narrative review aims to discuss studies on the effect of exercise on bone health in BC women undergoing aromatase inhibitors, highlighting the possible role of exercise as complementary to conventional therapies. Additionally, according to the literature revision, exercise practical applications to improve bone health in these patients are summarized.

The impact of physical activity on promoter-specific methylation of genes involved in the redox-status and disease progression: A longitudinal study on post-surgery female breast cancer patients undergoing medical treatment.

Most anticancer treatments act on oxidative-stress pathways by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) to kill cancer cells, commonly resulting in consequential drug-induced systemic cytotoxicity. Physical activity (PA) has arisen as an integrative cancer therapy, having positive health effects, including in redox-homeostasis. Here, we investigated the impact of an online supervised PA program on promoter-specific DNA methylation, and corresponding gene expression/activity, in 3 antioxidants- (SOD1, SOD2, and CAT) and 3 breast cancer (BC)-related genes (BRCA1, L3MBTL1 and RASSF1A) in a population-based sample of women diagnosed with primary BC, undergoing medical treatment. We further examined mechanisms involved in methylating and demethylating pathways, predicted biological pathways and interactions of exercise-modulated molecules, and the functional relevance of modulated antioxidant markers on parameters related to aerobic capacity/endurance, physical fatigue and quality of life (QoL). PA maintained levels of SOD activity in blood plasma, and at the cellular level significantly increased SOD2 mRNA (≈+77 %), contrary to their depletion due to medical treatment. This change was inversely correlated with DNA methylation in SOD2 promoter (≈-20 %). Similarly, we found a significant effect of PA only on L3MBTL1 promoter methylation (≈-25 %), which was inversely correlated with its mRNA (≈+43 %). Finally, PA increased TET1 mRNA levels (≈+15 %) and decreased expression of DNMT3B mRNA (≈-28 %). Our results suggest that PA-modulated DNA methylation affects several signalling pathways/biological activities involved in the cellular oxidative stress response, chromatin organization/regulation, antioxidant activity and DNA/protein binding. These changes may positively impact clinical outcomes and improve the response to cancer treatment in post-surgery BC patients.

Preliminary Evaluation of Sedentary Lifestyle in Italian Children after Solid Transplant: What Role Could Physical Activity Play in Health? It Is Time to Move.

BACKGROUND: Advances in the medical-surgical field have significantly increased survival after solid organ transplantation in the pediatric population. However, these patients are predisposed to the development of long-term complications (e.g., cardiovascular disease). The therapeutic role of physical activity (PA) to counteract these complications is well known. The purpose of the study was to investigate the level of PA in a pediatric population after solid organ transplantation. METHODS: In the first 4 weeks at the beginning of the school year, the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children and Adolescents was administered to young patients who had previously undergone solid transplants at our institute. RESULTS: Questionnaires of 49 patients (57.1% female, mean age 13.2 ± 3.5 years) were analyzed and 32.7% of subjects did not perform any exercise during school physical education classes. Only 24% practiced a moderate quantity of exercise in the previous week (2-3 times/week) and 72% engaged in sedentary behaviors during weekends. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary data confirmed that young recipients are still far from meeting the minimum indications of the World Health Organization on PA and sedentary behavior. It will be necessary to increase their involvement in PA programs in order not only to increase their life expectancy but also to improve their quality of life.

Impact of active lifestyle on the primary school children saliva microbiota composition.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of Active or Sedentary lifestyle on saliva microbiota composition in Italian schoolchildren. Methods: Male (114) and female children (8-10 years) belonging to five primary schools in the neighborhoods of Turin were classified as active (A) or sedentary (S) based on PAQ-C-It questionnaire. PCR amplification of salivary DNA targeted the hypervariable V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA bacterial genes. DADA2 workflow was used to infer the Amplicon Sequence Variants and the taxonomic assignments; the beta-diversity was obtained by PCoA with the UniFrac method; LEfSe algorithm, threshold at 5%, and Log LDA cutoff at ±0.5 were used to identify differently abundant species in A compared to S saliva sample. Daily food intake was assessed by 3-Days food record. The metabolic potential of microbial communities was assessed by PICRUSt. Results: No significant differences were found in individual's gender distribution (p = 0.411), anthropometry, BMI (p > 0.05), and all diet composition between A and S groups (p > 0.05). Eight species were differently abundant: Prevotella nigrescens (LDA score = -3.76; FDR = 1.5×10-03), Collinsella aerofaciens (LDA score = -3.17; FDR = 7.45×10-03), Simonsiella muelleri (LDA score = -2.96; FDR = 2.76×10-05), Parabacteroides merdae (LDA score = -2.43; FDR = 1.3×10-02) are enriched in the A group; Gemella parahaemolysans, Prevotella aurantiaca (LDA score = -3.9; FDR = 5.27×10-04), Prevotella pallens (LDA score = 4.23; FDR = 1.93×10-02), Neisseria mucosa (LDA score = 4.43; FDR = 1.31×10-02; LDA score = 2.94; FDR = 7.45×10-03) are enriched in the S group. A prevalence of superpathway of fatty acid biosynthesis initiation (E. coli) and catechol degradation II (meta-cleavage pathway) was found in saliva from A compared to S children. Conclusion: Our results showed that active children had an enrichment of species and genera mainly associated with a healthier profile. By contrast, the genera and the species enriched in the sedentary group could be linked to human diseases.

Online Home-Based Physical Activity Counteracts Changes of Redox-Status Biomarkers and Fitness Profiles during Treatment Programs in Postsurgery Female Breast Cancer Patients.

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed types of cancer in women. Oxidative stress may contribute to cancer etiology through several mechanisms. A large body of evidence indicates that physical activity (PA) has positive effects on different aspects of BC evolution, including mitigation of negative effects induced by medical treatment. With the aim to verify the capacity of PA to counteract negative effects of BC treatment on systemic redox homeostasis in postsurgery female BC patients, we have examined the modulation of circulating levels of oxidative stress and inflammation markers. Moreover, we evaluated the impacts on physical fitness and mental well-being by measuring functional parameters, body mass index, body composition, health-related quality of life (QoL), and fatigue. Our investigation revealed that PA was effective in maintaining plasma levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and tGSH, as well as peripheral blood mononuclear cells' (PBMCs) mRNA levels of SOD1 and heat-shock protein 27. Moreover, we found a significant decrease in plasma interleukin-6 (≈0.57 ± 0.23-fold change, p < 0.05) and increases in both interleukin-10 (≈1.15 ± 0.35-fold change, p < 0.05) and PBMCs' mRNA level of SOD2 (≈1.87 ± 0.36-fold change, p < 0.05). Finally, PA improves functional parameters (6 min walking test, ≈+6.50%, p < 0.01; Borg, ≈-58.18%, p < 0.01; sit-and-reach, ≈+250.00%, p < 0.01; scratch right, ≈-24.12%, and left, ≈-18.81%, p < 0.01) and body composition (free fat mass, ≈+2.80%, p < 0.05; fat mass, ≈-6.93%, p < 0.05) as well as the QoL (physical function, ≈+5.78%, p < 0.05) and fatigue (cognitive fatigue, ≈-60%, p < 0.05) parameters. These results suggest that a specific PA program not only is effective in improving functional and anthropometric parameters but may also activate cellular responses through a multitude of actions in postsurgery BC patients undergoing adjuvant therapy. These may include modulation of gene expression and protein activity and impacting several signaling pathways/biological activities involved in tumor-cell growth; metastasis; and inflammation, as well as moderating distress symptoms known to negatively affect QoL.

Dropout and compliance to physical exercise in menopausal osteopenic women: the European "happy bones" project.

Introduction: Decline in muscle mass and bone density seem to be two of the most disabling side effects of menopause that negatively affect women's quality of life. Promoting physical activity protocols in the workplace can represent a focal point in the prevention and management of several diseases. The study aims to evaluate the compliance and drop-out of menopausal osteopenic women engaged in combined training performed inside and outside the workplace. Strength and balance were analyzed to evaluate the effect of this protocol on osteoporosis prevention and the risk of falling. Methods: 73 menopausal women were enrolled in 5 European countries. They performed 72 lessons of a combined training proposed in the working place (IW) or sport center (SC). Results: Out of the total 39 women enrolled in the IW, 12.8% had to leave the program, while out of the 34 women enrolled in SC, 41.2% did not complete the training. According to the compliance results, 47% of women that completed the trained IW and 85% in the SC recorded high compliance (p = 0.019). Moreover, the strength of the lower limbs (p < 0.001) and static balance (p = 0.001) significantly improved in the whole group. Discussion: In conclusion, proposing well-structured training in the workplace for menopausal women seems to reduce drop-out. Strength and balance results suggest its positive impact on bone health and risk of falls, despite where it is performed.

The Beneficial Role of Physical Exercise on Anthracyclines Induced Cardiotoxicity in Breast Cancer Patients.

The increase in breast cancer (BC) survival has determined a growing survivor population that seems to develop several comorbidities and, specifically, treatment-induced cardiovascular disease (CVD), especially those patients treated with anthracyclines. Indeed, it is known that these compounds act through the induction of supraphysiological production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which appear to be central mediators of numerous direct and indirect cardiac adverse consequences. Evidence suggests that physical exercise (PE) practised before, during or after BC treatments could represent a viable non-pharmacological strategy as it increases heart tolerance against many cardiotoxic agents, and therefore improves several functional, subclinical, and clinical parameters. At molecular level, the cardioprotective effects are mainly associated with an exercise-induced increase of stress response proteins (HSP60 and HSP70) and antioxidant (SOD activity, GSH), as well as a decrease in lipid peroxidation, and pro-apoptotic proteins such as Bax, Bax-to-Bcl-2 ratio. Moreover, this protection can potentially be explained by a preservation of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform distribution. Despite this knowledge, it is not clear which type of exercise should be suggested in BC patient undergoing anthracycline treatment. This highlights the lack of special guidelines on how affected patients should be managed more efficiently. This review offers a general framework for the role of anthracyclines in the physio-pathological mechanisms of cardiotoxicity and the potential protective role of PE. Finally, potential exercise-based strategies are discussed on the basis of scientific findings.

Kinesiology Students' Perception Regarding Exercise Oncology: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Delivering physical activity in cancer care requires knowledge, competence, and specific skills to adapt the exercise program to the patients' specific needs. Kinesiology students could be one of the main stakeholders involved in the promotion of physical activity. This study aims to investigate the knowledge, perception, and competence about exercise in patients with oncological disease in a sample of students attending the Sports Science University. A total of 854 students (13% response rate) from four Italian universities completed the online survey between May and June 2021. About half of the study participants identified the correct amount of aerobic (44%) and strength (54%) activities proposed by the American College of Sports Medicine for patients with cancer. Almost all the students recognized the importance of physical activity in cancer prevention (96%), in the management of cancer before surgery (96%), during anticancer treatments (84%), and after therapies completion (98%). On the contrary, they reported a lack of university courses dedicated to cancer diseases, psychological implications, and prescription of physical activity in all types of cancer prevention. Overall, few students felt qualified in delivered counseling about physical activity and individual or group-based exercise programs in patients with cancer. Logistic regression revealed that the students attending the Master's Degree in Preventive and Adapted Physical Activity were more likely to have knowledge and competence than other students. The present study suggests that kinesiology universities should increase the classes and internships about exercise oncology to train experts with specific skills who are able to adequately support patients in their lifestyle modification.

The Impact of Functional Bars and Adapted Physical Activity on Quality of Life in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Pilot Study.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a public health problem because it is characterized by several comorbidities, including uremic sarcopenia (US), and a poor quality of life. Currently, there are no standardized treatments available to counteract the onset of US but only some possible therapeutic approaches to slow its progression. The aim of this pilot study is to collect descriptive data in order to design a clinical trial based on the power analysis and simple size. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the possible beneficial action induced by the functional anti-inflammatory and antioxidant bars in combination with the adapted physical activity (APA), on the onset and progression of US and other related-CKD comorbidities. We enrolled 21 CKD patients under conservative therapy, divided into four groups: (A) the physical exercise program (PEP), three times a week, in combination with the daily consumption of the two functional bars group; (B) the PEP group; (C) the daily consumption of the two functional bars group; (D) the control group. The duration of the study protocol was 12 weeks. We observed an improvement trend of body composition, blood pressure levels, lipid metabolism, and functional test in A and B groups. These preliminary data would seem to confirm the effectiveness of APA and to demonstrate the additive role of the natural bioactive compound's assumption in countering US and other CKD comorbidities.

Effect of Online Home-Based Training on Functional Capacity and Strength in Two CKD Patients: A Case Study.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a clinical condition characterized by the loss of kidney function over time, as well as several complications affecting gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems. Physical exercise seems to induce positive adaptations in CKD patients, without side effects. Usually, these patients show a reduced physical activity and physical performance. The aim of this case-report was to evaluate the effects of an online training protocol on functional capacity and on muscle mass, in CKD stage III patients. Methods: Two CKD (stage III according to KDIGO guidelines) participants (1 female, Patient A; 1 male, Patient B) were enrolled and they performed an online tailored-supervised combined training lasting 12 weeks, including multi-joint strength exercises using TheraBand and an aerobic session at 65-70% of the patients' heart rate reserve. Results: Both patients showed an improving trend on functional capacity (6 min walking test: Patient A = +3%; Patient B = +5.3%) and on strength of the upper arms (handgrip strength test-right: Patient A = +13.4%; Patient B = +19.1%; handgrip strength test-left: Patient A = +42.8%; Patient B= +12.9%), as well as a reduction in inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers. The protocol was feasible, and no side effects were evidenced. These case studies suggest that the online combined training can produce beneficial effects in CKD patients under conservative therapy, by reducing the CKD-related complications and improving the adherence to exercise of this population of patients, overcoming logistic barriers such as transportation, availability of facilities, and working and personal-life schedule.

"OPERATION PHALCO"-Adapted Physical Activity for Breast Cancer Survivors: Is It Time for a Multidisciplinary Approach?

The international literature emphasizes the importance of physical activity (PA) in the first steps after cancer surgery. The regular practice of physical exercise causes positive adaptations on several functional capacities, with positive consequences on patients' quality of life. This project aims to evaluate the effect of a post-operative training protocol, structured by taking into account both cancer-related issues and the presence of comorbidities, on functional capacities and quality of life of breast cancer survivors. Therefore, it was necessary to create a synergy between oncologists (referring physicians), sport medicine physicians (risk stratification and exercise prescription) and kinesiologists (trainers). Thirty-five post-surgery BC patients decided on a voluntary basis to attend an online Adapted PA (APA) protocol for 4 months, twice a week (APA Group) or Usual Care Group (UC Group). Functional capacity of the APA Group significantly increased, by 13.1% (p = 0.000), whereas perceived exertion decreased by 19.7% (p = 0.020). In the same group, the general health evaluated through the questionnaire EORTC-QLQ-C30 increased (p = 0.050). No differences were found in the UC Group. Operation Phalco, creating a network between oncologists, sports medicine physicians and kinesiologists, confirms the importance of structuring a post-operative path where APA should be included as early as possible in the cancer patient care.

Does Caffeine Supplementation Associated with Paralympic Powerlifting Training Interfere with Hemodynamic Indicators?

Exercise, including resistance exercise with high loads, has positive hemodynamic responses such as reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), Pressure Product Rate (PPR), and estimated myocardial oxygen volume (MVO2). Caffeine (CA), used to improve performance, tends to interfere with BP and HR. This study aimed to analyze the effects of CA supplementation on hemodynamic indicators in Paralympic weightlifting (PP). The exercise was performed on 14 male athletes (32.4 ± 8.5 years; 81.7 ± 21.9 kg) for three weeks. Two conditions were evaluated: supplementation with CA Anhydrous 9 mg/kg and with placebo (PL). The adapted bench press was used, with 5 × 5 at 80% 1RM. We evaluated BP, HR, PPR, and MVO2, before, after, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 min, and 24 h later. The CA presented higher absolute values in the pressure indicators than the PL, and after 24 h there was an inversion. The HR was higher in the CA and showed a reduction after 10 min. The PPR and MVO2 in the CA presented absolute values greater than the PL, and 24 h later there was an inversion. There was no hypotensive effect, but the use of CA did not present risks related to PPR and MVO2, demonstrating the safe use of this supplement in adapted strength sports.

AlphaB-crystallin and breast cancer: role and possible therapeutic strategies.

AlphaB-crystallin (HSPB5) is one of the most prominent and well-studied members of the small heat shock protein (sHsp) family. To date, it is known that this protein modulates significant cellular processes and therefore, it is not surprising that its deregulation is involved in various human pathologies, including cancer diseases. Despite the pathogenic significance of HSPB5 in cancer and its regulatory mechanism related to aggressiveness is poorly understood, several reports describe the association of breast carcinoma progression with HSPB5, whose expression is also considered an independent predictor of breast cancer metastasis to the brain. Indeed, numerous authors indicate HSPB5 as a new valuable biomarker for clinicopathological parameters and poor prognosis in breast cancer. Considering the cytoprotective, anti-apoptotic, pro-angiogenic, and pro-metastatic properties of the sHsps, it is not surprising that they are considered as promising targets for anticancer treatment, even though, at present, a deeper understanding of their mode of action is needed to allow the development of precise therapeutic interventions. Data on the direct inhibition of different sHsps demonstrate promising results in cancer pathologies; however, specific strategies against HSPB5 have not been considered. This review highlights the most relevant findings on HSPB5 and its role in breast cancer, as well as the possible strategies in using HSPB5 inhibition for therapeutic purposes.

Sport Performance and Manual Therapies: A Review on the Effects on Mitochondrial, Sarcoplasmatic and Ca2+ Flux Response.

The present narrative review aims to highlight the possible effects manual therapies could have on cells and mitochondria, as these effects could improve athletic performance management. To this aim, this review summarizes the relationship between mechanical stimulation, with a special focus on physical activity, and cell response based on the most recent mechanobiology findings. Mechanobiology analyzes how cells respond to mechanical stressors coming from the environment. Indeed, endogenous (e.g., blood pressure, heartbeat and gastrointestinal motility) and exogenous (e.g., physical activity and manual therapies) stimuli can induce biochemical and epigenetic modifications that alter protein synthesis with heavy consequences on cell behavior. Mechanical stress can also influence mitochondrial behavior (i.e., biogenesis, autophagy, fusion, fission and energy production), sarcoplasmic response and calcium ion (Ca2+) flux. Since manual therapies have been shown to affect the extracellular matrix, which represents a primary source of mechanical stress that may alter both the cytoskeleton and mitochondrial metabolism, it is conceivable manual therapies could also affect cellular and mitochondrial behavior. Lastly, by suggesting possible directions for future laboratory and clinical studies, the authors expect this review to inspire further research on how manual therapies could affect bioenergetic metabolism and, thus, athletic performance.

Impact of Active Breaks in the Classroom on Mathematical Performance and Attention in Elementary School Children.

BACKGROUND: The increasing need to face the problem of sedentarism, especially in the COVID-19 era, induced teachers and researchers to find new intervention methodologies in school context. Active breaks (ABs) include brief periods of physical activity as a part of the curriculum. This study aimed to investigate the AB acute responses on attentive skills and mathematical performance and attention in a primary school. METHODS: A total of 141 children (aged 9.61 ± 0.82), divided into six classes, participated in this study. Each class was randomly assigned to three groups on the basis of the type of protocol performed during the three ABs scheduled in a school day: fitness (FIT), creativity (CREAT), and control group (CON). At baseline and at the end of interventions, all participants underwent the Stroop Color and Word test (SCWT) and the math test (MATH) to assess the level of attention and mathematical performance, respectively. The degree of enjoyment was evaluated through the modified Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. RESULTS: The factorial ANOVA showed significant differences between the FIT and CON in MATH test (p = 0.023) and SCWT (p = 0.034). CREAT and FIT groups showed higher degree of enjoyment than the CON (both ps < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a positive acute impact of AB interventions. FIT positively influenced attentive and math performances more than the CREAT, probably due to the correct work/rest ratio and executive rhythm that allowed children to reach a good level of exertion. This report showed that ABs can be a useful and productive activity to be performed between curricular lessons.

Impact of Physical Activity and Natural Bioactive Compounds on Endothelial Dysfunction in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a world-wide public health problem. Inflammation, endothelial dysfunction (ED) and vascular calcifications are clinical features of CKD patients that increase cardiovascular (CV) mortality. CKD-related CV disease pathogenic mechanisms are not only associated with traditional factors such as arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia, but also with ED, oxidative stress and low-grade inflammation. The typical comorbidities of CKD contribute to reduce the performance and the levels of the physical activity in nephropathic patients compared to healthy subjects. Currently, the effective role of physical activity on ED is still debated, but the available few literature data suggest its positive contribution. Another possible adjuvant treatment of ED in CKD patients is represented by natural bioactive compounds (NBCs). Among these, minor polar compounds of extra virgin olive oil (hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol and oleocanthal), polyphenols, and vitamin D seem to exert a beneficial role on ED in CKD patients. The objective of the review is to evaluate the effectiveness of physical exercise protocols and/or NBCs on ED in CKD patients.