Effects of active exergames on physical performance in older people: an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analysis.

This overview assessed the available body of published peer-reviewed systematic reviews and meta-analyses related to the effects of active exergames compared with active/passive control on physical performance outcomes in older people. The methodological quality and certainty of evidence were assessed using PRISMA, AMSTAR 2, and GRADE. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (code: CRD42023391694). The main outcomes indicate that 4,477 records, five systematic reviews, and 10 meta-analyses were included. The AMSTAR-2 reported six meta-analyses with high methodological quality, four moderate quality, two systematic reviews with low quality, and three very-low quality. Meta-analysis was performed on balance using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) tests, on cardiorespiratory fitness using the 6-min walk test, and on upper and lower limbs muscle strength using the handgrip strength, knee extension, and 30-s chair stand tests. Significant differences in favor of the active exergames groups concerning active/passive groups were reported in BBS (SMD = 0.85; 95% CI = 0.12-1.58; I2 = 96%; p = 0.02), TUG (SMD = 1.44; 95% CI = 0.71-2.16; I2 = 97%; p < 0.0001), and 30-s chair stand test (SMD = 0.79; 95% CI = 0.33-1.25; I2 = 88%; p = 0.0008). However, no significant differences were reported in favor of the active exergames groups in 6-min walk (SMD = 0.93; 95% CI = -0.64 to 2.50; I2 = 95%; p = 0.24), handgrip strength (SMD = 0.67; 95% CI = -0.04 to 1.38; I2 = 84%; p = 0.06), and knee extension tests (SMD = 0.20; 95% CI = -0.05 to 0.44; I2 = 95%; p = 0.12) compared to active/passive control. However, it was impossible to perform a meta-analysis for the variables of walking speed as a fall risk due to the diversity of instruments and the small number of systematic reviews with meta-analysis. In conclusion, interventions utilizing active exergames have shown significant improvements in the static and dynamic balance and lower limb muscle strength of apparently healthy older people, compared to control groups of active/inactive participants, as measured by BBS, TUG, and 30-s chair stand tests. However, no significant differences were found in the 6-min walk, HGS, and knee extension tests. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO, CRD42023391694.

Effects of combat sports on cognitive function in older people: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: This systematic review aimed to analyze the available body of published peer-reviewed studies on the effects of combat sports compared with active/passive control on cognitive function and electrophysiological markers of brain activity in older people. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The studies were searched in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO databases from deadline to June 2023. The PRISMA, TESTEX, RoB, and GRADE scales assessed the evidence's methodological quality and certainty of evidence. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (code: CRD42022361695). EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: After reviewing 3768 studies, seven combat sports interventions (score ≥60% in methodological quality) were selected, composed of 381 older people (63% female), with a mean age of 66 years. In the selected studies, interventions based on judo, karate, and taekwondo were carried out, where it was not possible to verify the benefits of combat sports in cognitive function and electrophysiological markers of brain activity regarding active/passive control groups, although the individual results of the analyzed studies indicate that the practice of combat sports favor selective attention, divided attention, executive function, visual perception, and cognitive processing speed in older people. CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence does not allow a definite recommendation regarding combat sports as an effective cognitive function intervention in older people.

Effects of Olympic Combat Sports on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Non-Athlete Population: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

This systematic review aimed to assess the available body of published peer-reviewed articles related to the effects of Olympic combat sports (OCS) on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in the non-athlete population. The methodological quality and certainty of evidence were evaluated using PRISMA, TESTEX, RoB, and GRADE scales. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (code: CRD42023391433). From 4133 records, six randomized controlled trials were included, involving 855 non-athletes (mean age = 27.2 years old). The TESTEX scale reported all studies with a ≥ 60% (moderate-high quality) score. The GRADE scale indicated moderate to low certainty of evidence. It was only possible to perform a meta-analysis on direct methods to maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max). The main results indicated significant differences in favor of OCS compared to active/passive controls in VO2max (SMD = 4.61; 95%CI = 1.46 to 7.76; I2 = 99%; p = 0.004), while the individual results of the studies reported significant improvements in favor of the OCS on the indirect methods of the CRF. OCS improved CRF in a healthy non-athlete population of different ages, specifically showing a significant improvement in VO2max with direct tests, such as cardiopulmonary tests. However, moderate to low certainty of evidence is reported, so no definitive recommendations can be established.