Sequencing Effects of Object Control and Locomotor Skill During Integrated Neuromuscular Training in 6- to 7-Year-Old Children.

Duncan, MJ, Hames, T, and Eyre, ELJ. Sequencing effects of object control and locomotor skill during integrated neuromuscular training in 6- to 7-year-old children. J Strength Cond Res 33(8): 2262-2274, 2019-This study examined whether scheduling of object control (e.g., throwing, catching) and locomotor skills (e.g., running, jumping), within an integrated neuromuscular training program, result in different responses in motor competence, muscular fitness, and perceived motor competence in 6- to 7-year-old children. Seventy-seven boys and 63 girls (N = 140) from 3 primary schools were randomized into 3, 10-week interventions: Loco First (n = 50) where locomotor skills were performed first followed by object control skills, Object First (n = 48) where object control skills were performed first followed by locomotor skills, and a control group (CON) (n = 42) who undertook school physical education. Results indicated greater total motor competence in Loco First and Object First vs. CON (p = 0.001) with the increases in motor competence being greater for Object First vs. Loco First (p = 0.001). Sprint speed (10 m) was lower for object first vs. CON (p = 0.024). Standing long jump distance was greater in Loco First vs. CON (p = 0.0001) and Object First (p = 0.0001). Seated medicine ball throw distance was greater for Loco First and Object First vs. CON (both p = 0.001). Perceived motor competence was also higher for Object First vs. Loco First (p = 0.005) and CON (p = 0.001). This study suggests that scheduling object control skills before locomotor skills within school-based strength and conditioning has a greater effect on motor competence, muscular fitness, and perceived motor competence in 6- to 7-year-old children.

Differential Expression of VEGF-Axxx Isoforms Is Critical for Development of Pulmonary Fibrosis.

RATIONALE: Fibrosis after lung injury is related to poor outcome, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) can be regarded as an exemplar. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A has been implicated in this context, but there are conflicting reports as to whether it is a contributory or protective factor. Differential splicing of the VEGF-A gene produces multiple functional isoforms including VEGF-A165a and VEGF-A165b, a member of the inhibitory family. To date there is no clear information on the role of VEGF-A in IPF. OBJECTIVES: To establish VEGF-A isoform expression and functional effects in IPF. METHODS: We used tissue sections, plasma, and lung fibroblasts from patients with IPF and control subjects. In a bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis model we used wild-type MMTV mice and a triple transgenic mouse SPC-rtTA+/-TetoCre+/-LoxP-VEGF-A+/+ to conditionally induce VEGF-A isoform deletion specifically in the alveolar type II (ATII) cells of adult mice. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: IPF and normal lung fibroblasts differentially expressed and responded to VEGF-A165a and VEGF-A165b in terms of proliferation and matrix expression. Increased VEGF-A165b was detected in plasma of progressing patients with IPF. In a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis, ATII-specific deficiency of VEGF-A or constitutive overexpression of VEGF-A165b inhibited the development of pulmonary fibrosis, as did treatment with intraperitoneal delivery of VEGF-A165b to wild-type mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that changes in the bioavailability of VEGF-A sourced from ATII cells, namely the ratio of VEGF-Axxxa to VEGF-Axxxb, are critical in development of pulmonary fibrosis and may be a paradigm for the regulation of tissue repair.

Characteristics of transplant athletes competing at national and international transplant games.

Objective: To describe the characteristics of athletes with solid-organ transplants (TxA) attending the British and World Transplant Games. Methods: 220 TxA completed an online survey to explore transplant history, medications, training advice and support and limitations to training. Results: TxA were predominantly caucasian, male, kidney recipients in their mid-forties and approximately 11 years post-transplant. The majority of TxA took some form of medication (immunosuppressants 88%, steroids 47%, antihypertensives 47%, statins 28%, antiplatelets 26%, antibiotics/antivirals/antifungals 20%). Stem cell recipients were least likely to require medication. Post-transplant complications were experienced by 40% of TxA, with 53% of these being rejection. Although over half the participants (57%) initially received exercise or training advice post-transplant, only 34% of these received this from their consultants or immediate medical team. Only 1% had been specifically directed towards transplant sport. Half of the TxA (53%) perceived there were limitations preventing them from performing at their potential, 45% considered they did not recover from training as well as non-TxA while 29% felt they trained equally to non-Tx's. Only 6% considered medication impaired training. TxA competed for a range of reasons from social and health benefits to winning medals. Conclusions: TxA compete at the British and World Transplant Games for a diverse range of reasons. Athletes manage a range of medications with a range of exercise and health experiences pre-transplant. TxA face a lack of both general and specific exercise training and recovery guidance. The individuality of each TxA's background should be considered and is likely reflected in their exercise capacity and goals.

Does infection with or vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 lead to lasting immunity?

Many nations are pursuing the rollout of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines as an exit strategy from unprecedented COVID-19-related restrictions. However, the success of this strategy relies critically on the duration of protective immunity resulting from both natural infection and vaccination. SARS-CoV-2 infection elicits an adaptive immune response against a large breadth of viral epitopes, although the duration of the response varies with age and disease severity. Current evidence from case studies and large observational studies suggests that, consistent with research on other common respiratory viruses, a protective immunological response lasts for approximately 5-12 months from primary infection, with reinfection being more likely given an insufficiently robust primary humoral response. Markers of humoral and cell-mediated immune memory can persist over many months, and might help to mitigate against severe disease upon reinfection. Emerging data, including evidence of breakthrough infections, suggest that vaccine effectiveness might be reduced significantly against emerging variants of concern, and hence secondary vaccines will need to be developed to maintain population-level protective immunity. Nonetheless, other interventions will also be required, with further outbreaks likely to occur due to antigenic drift, selective pressures for novel variants, and global population mobility.

Therapeutic perceptions in management of transplant athletes at transplant games.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate manual therapist's knowledge and beliefs of working with Transplantee Athletes (TxA) at Transplant Games. DESIGN: On-line questionnaire. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty present and previous members of Transplant Sport 'therapy team' (age; 35 ±â€¯14 years, 24 female). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Questions concerned demographics and general information on the background of the therapists. Closed questions with rating statements concerning beliefs when treating TxA and open questions asking for advice the participants would give to colleagues and further information they would like to have available to them. RESULTS: TxA were thought to be a vulnerable group of athletes requiring special precautions and considerations. Two areas of information evolved: "general advice for TxA management" and "specific advice for therapists". General advice was to understand TxAs and be vigilant with hygiene. Specific therapy advice was to avoid grade V manipulations and care with taping and massage, because of complications resulting from side effects of long-term medication. CONCLUSION: There appears to be a lack of research-based evidence to guide practitioners in their management of TxAs. Generic, good advice is now available from experienced practitioners however there is a paucity of research evidence to support this. Thus, there is a potential danger of being overcautious in approaches to treatment which ultimately may impact on athletic performance. .