Critical Analysis of Information Provided by ChatGPT on Lactate, Exercise, Fatigue, and Muscle Pain: Current Insights and Future Prospects for Enhancement.

This study aimed to critically evaluate the information provided by ChatGPT on the role of lactate in fatigue and muscle pain during physical exercise. We inserted the prompt: "What is the cause of fatigue and pain during exercise?" using ChatGPT versions 3.5 and 4o. In both versions, ChatGPT associated muscle fatigue with glycogen depletion and "lactic acid" accumulation, while pain was linked to processes such as inflammation and microtrauma. We deepened the investigation with ChatGPT 3.5, implementing user feedback to question the accuracy of the information about lactate. The response was then reformulated, involving a scientific debate about the true role of lactate in physical exercise and debunking the idea that it is the primary cause of muscle fatigue and pain. We also utilized the creation of a "well-crafted prompt", which included persona identification and thematic characterization, resulting in much more accurate information in both the ChatGPT 3.5 and 4o models, presenting a range of information from the physiological process of lactate to its true role in physical exercise. The results indicated that the accuracy of the responses provided by ChatGPT can vary depending on the data available in its database and, more importantly, on how the question is formulated. Therefore, it is indispensable that educators guide their students in the processes of managing the AI tool to mitigate risks of misinformation.

Quality of life among home office-based university administrative personnel.

Introduction: The integration of remote work into higher education institutions has led to increased administrative activities and has affected quality of life, especially at work. Objectives: To verify the influence of income on the quality of life and quality of work life of administrative personnel of a higher education institution who worked remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 18 employees who worked via home office in the teaching, research, and/or extension sectors of a public university in Bahia, Brazil. Data were collected through an online questionnaires regarding sociodemographic data, quality of life (36-item Short-Form Health Survey), and quality of work life (Total Quality of Work Life). Results: Older employees had higher income. Higher income was associated with higher quality of life scores for physical, emotional, and mental health, while lower income was associated with better scores for interpersonal relationships and work hours. There was a high prevalence of COVID-19 infection. Quality of life and quality of work life were considered worse than in the pre-pandemic period. Conclusions: Income influenced several aspects of quality of life and quality of work life (physical, emotional, and mental health, as well as interpersonal relationships and work hours) among university administrative personnel who worked remotely working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introdução: A implementação do trabalho remoto nas instituições de ensino superior tem provocado um aumento nas atividades administrativas e causado diversos efeitos na qualidade de vida, sobretudo em relação ao trabalho. Objetivos: Verificar a influência da renda na qualidade de vida e na qualidade de vida no trabalho dos servidores técnicos administrativos de uma instituição de ensino superior em home office durante a pandemia da covid-19. Métodos: Tratou-se de um estudo transversal descritivo com 18 servidores técnicos administrativos em home office, lotados nos setores de ensino, pesquisa e/ou extensão de uma universidade pública no estado da Bahia, Brasil. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um questionário on-line no qual se investigou dados sociodemográficos, a qualidade de vida (Short-Form Health Survey) e a qualidade de vida no trabalho (Total Quality of Work Life). Resultados: Os técnicos administrativos mais velhos possuíam maior renda. A maior renda esteve associada a melhores escores na qualidade de vida para os aspectos físicos, emocionais e de saúde mental, enquanto aqueles com menor renda obtiveram melhores escores na qualidade de vida no trabalho para os aspectos relações interpessoais e jornada de trabalho. Houve elevada prevalência de contaminação pela covid-19, e a qualidade de vida e a qualidade de vida no trabalho foram consideradas piores em comparação ao período pré-pandemia. Conclusões: A renda influencia em aspectos físicos, emocionais e de saúde mental, bem como em aspectos de relações interpessoais e jornada de trabalho, impactando a qualidade de vida e a qualidade de vida no trabalho de técnicos administrativos em home office durante a pandemia da covid-19.

Comparison of bone mineral density between female amateur triathletes and nonathletes: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Physical inactivity is considered an important risk factor for osteoporosis, however, some athletes performing extremely high training volumes can also develop bone mass loss. Moreover, the effect of total body mass or body surface area on bone mineral density remains controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the absolute bone mineral density and bone mineral density adjusted to body surface area between amateur triathletes and nonactive women. METHODS: Forty-two healthy women (23 amateur triathletes and 19 nonactive individuals) were evaluated for body composition using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry system. RESULTS: Compared to nonactive women, amateur triathletes exhibited lower body mass index (p < 0.001), lower bone mineral density (p < 0.001), and body surface area (p < 0.001). However, bone mineral density adjusted by body surface area in the triathletes was higher than in the nonactive women (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: These findings showed that amateur triathles presented lower absolute bone mineral density, but higher bone mineral density adjusted to body surface area. Future studies are recommended to identify if the higher bone mineral density adjusted to body surface area are associated with a lower bone fragility.

Impact of aging on maximal oxygen uptake in female runners and sedentary controls.

The present study aimed to compare V̇O2max (absolute, adjusted to total body mass, and adjusted to lean mass) in recreational runners and sedentary women < and > 50 yr and verify the effect of aging and physical activity level on the three types of V̇O2 max expression. The study included 147 women:85 runners (45.7 ± 14.1 yr) and 62 sedentary controls (48.8 ± 9.8 yr). They were subjected to cardiopulmonary exercise testing for V̇O2 max measurement and a body composition test by dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry system. V̇O2max were expressed as absolute values (L/min), relative to total body mass values (mL/kg/min), and relative to lean mass values (mL/kgLM/min). The two-way analysis of variance revealed a significant interaction [F(2,131) = 4.43, p < 0.001] and effects of age group [F(2,131) = 32.79, p < 0.001] and physical activity group [F(2,131) = 55.64, p < 0.001] on V̇O2max (mL/min). V̇O2max (mL/kg/min) and V̇O2 max (mL/kgLM/min) were significantly influenced by age and physical activity levels. The multiple regression model explains 76.2 % of the dependent variable V̇O2max (mL/kg/min), age (ß = -0.335, t = -7.841, p < 0.001), and physical activity group (ß = -0.784, t = -18.351, p < 0.001). In conclusion, female runners had higher V̇O2 max values than sedentary women at all ages, even though aging has a greater impact on V̇O2 max in the runners group. In addition to cardiorespiratory fitness, women's metabolic lean mass function, as measured by V̇O2max adjusted by lean mass, is significantly influenced by aging. Finally, physical activity has a greater impact on V̇O2 max levels than aging.

Does yoga improve sexual function? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Yoga practice can increase blood flow in the genital area, increase muscular strength, and improve body perception, which is related to sexual function. This study aimed to summarize the available evidence about the effects of yoga on sexual function in adults. METHODS: Systematic searches of five databases were conducted from inception to April 28, with the last update on September 28, 2023. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that compared yoga with nonintervention control groups on sexual function in adults. Risk of bias and certainty of evidence were assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias tool 2, and the GRADE approach, respectively. Summary effect size measures were calculated using a random-effects model estimation and are reported as standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals. Reporting followed the PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: Ten RCTs that comprised 730 adults (range mean age, 26.64-68.2 years; 680 [93.2 %] women) were included. For the primary outcome, yoga intervention was associated with a significant small improvement in sexual function (-0.31; -0.47 to -0.15, p = 0.0002), with some concerns about risk of bias in nine RCTs (90%) and low-certainty evidence. Subgroup analyses revealed that yoga interventions performed by women (-0.36; -0.52 to -0.21, p < 0.00001), healthy individuals (-0.38; -0.59 to -0.16, p = 0.0006), or middle-aged individuals (-0.44; -0.63 to -0.25, p < 00001) significantly improved sexual function compared with control groups. CONCLUSION: Yoga was associated with a small improvement in sexual function compared with nonintervention control groups in adults. However, high-quality, larger RCTs are required to draw more definitive conclusions.

Personality of marathon runners: a narrative review of recent findings.

Participation in marathons has dramatically increased over the last few years. Marathon running has many proven beneficial effects, especially on cardiovascular health and fitness. Most research has focused on physiologic and pathophysiologic adaptations in connection with endurance exercise. Nevertheless, marathon running also has a major impact on psychological aspects and positively influences mental health, which has only recently attracted research interest. The present narrative review aimed to review the personality traits of marathon runners with an emphasis on recent literature. Marathon runners show a distinct personality and highly characteristic personality traits needed to successfully finish such a demanding race, i.e., a strong sense of vigor, self-sufficiency, and intelligence as well as low scores in anger, fatigue, tension, and depression. Furthermore, personality differences are detectable between runners of different sexes, ages, and performance level groups. This has significant clinical implications for athletes, coaches and competition organizers, as these groups show different patterns of personality traits. Future studies should focus on changes in cognition and mood states pre-, during, and post-endurance events, as well as during training periods. Large-scale studies comparing personality differences by sex, age, and performance are also important for better clinical guidance. See also the graphical abstract(Fig. 1).

A single session of a beach volleyball exergame did not improve state anxiety level in healthy adult women.

This study evaluated the acute effect of the exergame Kinect Sports® beach volleyball on state anxiety level in adult women. Thirty healthy adult women (age: 21 [4] years, body mass: 54.70 [19.50] kg, height: 1.61 ± 0.05 m, and body mass index: 21.87 [5.76] kg/m2, data are expressed as median [interquartile range] and as the mean ± standard deviation) were assigned to play an exergame of beach volleyball in singleplayer mode session (intervention session) for ~ 30 min using the Xbox 360 Kinect® or remained seated (control session). State anxiety was evaluated before and after the intervention and control sessions through the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. State anxiety obtained in both sessions (exergame and control) was classified as intermediate before (median: 36.00 [IQR: 4.75] and mean = 38.73 ± 7.23, respectively) and after (mean: 34.86 ± 6.81 and mean: 37.66 ± 8.44, respectively). Friedman test found no time significant effect on state anxiety of the sessions (χ2 [3] = 6.45, p-value = 0.092, Kendall's W = 0.07 "trivial"). In conclusion, the present study showed that there were no significant differences in the state anxiety level after an acute session of the exergame beach volleyball.

KEY POINTS: • Exergame beach volleyball presented high enjoyment and a moderate to strong future engagement possibility. • A session of the volleyball exergame did not improve affectivity and state anxiety level compared with control condition. • A session of the volleyball exergame elicited moderate physical exercise intensity.

Maximal Oxygen Uptake, Muscular Oxidative Capacity, and Ventilatory Threshold in Amateur Triathletes: Eight-Month Training Follow-Up.

Purpose: Endurance sports performance is influenced by several factors, including maximal oxygen uptake (⩒O2max), the percentage of ⩒O2max that can be sustained in endurance events, running economy, and body composition. Traditionally, ⩒O2max can be measured as an absolute value, adjusted for body mass, reflecting the athlete's central capacity (maximal cardiac output), or adjusted for lean mass (LM), reflecting the athlete's peripheral capacity (muscular oxidative capacity). The present study aims to evaluate absolute, total body mass, and lower limb LM-adjusted ⩒O2max, ventilatory thresholds (VT), respiratory compensation points (RCP), and body composition during two training periods separated by 8 months. Patients and Methods: Thirteen competitive amateur triathletes [seven men (40.7±13.7 years old, 76.3±8.3kg, and 173.9±4.8cm) and six women (43.5±6.9 years old, 55.0±2.7kg, 164.9±5.2cm)] were evaluated for body composition with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and ⩒O2max, VT, RPC, and maximal aerobic speed (MAS) with a cardiorespiratory maximal treadmill test. Results: The absolute ⩒O2max (p = 0.003, d = 1.05), body mass-adjusted ⩒O2max (p < 0.001, d = 1.2859), and MAS (p = 0.047, d = 0.6139) values differed significantly across evaluation periods. Lower limb LM-adjusted ⩒O2max (p = 0.083, d = -0.0418), %⩒O2max at VT (p = 0.541, d = -0.1746), speed at VT (p = 0.337, d = -0.2774), % ⩒O2max at RCP (p = 0.776, d = 0.0806), and speed at RCP (p = 0.436, d = 0.2234) showed no difference. Conclusion: The sensitivities of ⩒O2max adjusted for body mass and ⩒O2max adjusted for LM to detect changes in physical training state differ. Furthermore, decreases in physical fitness level, as evaluated by ⩒O2max values, are not accompanied by changes in VT.

Prevalence of dietary supplement use among male Brazilian recreational triathletes: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE: The literature shows that the prevalence of dietary supplements is high and guidance by a nutritionist or specialized professional is low in professional triathletes. It is reasonable to assume that in recreational triathletes, the prevalence of dietary supplements will also be high and that a significant portion of the sampled population will use supplements without any guidance from a qualified professional. The present study investigated dietary supplement use among Brazilian male recreational triathletes. METHODS: A total of 724 Brazilian male recreational triathletes (age: 38.00 [10.00] years and body mass index: 24.16 [3.02] kg/m2) took part in this study. All participants answered an online questionnaire containing questions about their demographic characteristics and the nutritional aspects of their diet. RESULTS: The results showed that ~ 90% (n = 653) of the interviewed participants reported using at least one dietary supplement. Surprisingly, ~ 25% did not receive supplement advice from a professional nutritionist. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dietary supplements in male recreational triathletes was high, and a substantial part of the sample did not receive professional recommendations. This situation is worrisome because dietary supplements should be prescribed by a professional nutritionist. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Our results suggest the need for an appropriate attitude and guidance by health professionals who deal with this population, especially nutritionists, to promote safe practices.

Investigating academic performance and perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology courses among undergraduate students of physical education at a Brazilian public university.

PURPOSE: To compare the academic performance of undergraduate students in physical education who studied exercise physiology before and after studying human physiology and investigate students' perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology courses. METHODS: This study included 311 undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor's degree in physical education. Participants were divided into two groups: those who had previously attended and completed the human physiology course (group 1, n = 212, 68.2%) and those who had not previously attended or had attended but failed the human physiology course (group 2, n = 99, 31.8%). The prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated using a Poisson regression model with a robust variance estimator. The second aim comprised 67 students with bachelor's degrees in physical education who completed an electronic questionnaire about their perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology curriculum. RESULTS: Compared with those who attended human physiology and passed, those who had not previously attended or had attended but failed the human physiology course have a higher PR of 2.37 (95% CI, 1.68-3.34) for failing exercise physiology. Regarding the students' perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology courses, most students reported that they were challenging (58.2% and 64.2%, respectively), but they also recognized the importance of these courses for professional practice (59.7% and 85.1%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Human physiology should be considered a prerequisite for an undergraduate course leading to a bachelor's degree in physical education. Furthermore, students considered human physiology and exercise physiology courses important yet challenging. Therefore, continuous student assessment is vital for improving the teaching-learning process.

"Impact of aging on maximal oxygen uptake adjusted for lower limb lean mass, total body mass, and absolute values in runners".

Performance in endurance sports decreases with aging, which has been primarily attributed to cardiovascular and musculoskeletal aging; however, there is still no clear information on the factors that are most affected by aging. The aim of this study was to compare two groups of runners (< 50 and > 50 years of age) according to their absolute, weight-adjusted maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max), lower limb lean mass-adjusted V̇O2max, ventilatory threshold, and respiratory compensation point (RCP). A total of 78 male recreational long-distance runners were divided into Group 1 (38.12 ± 6.87 years) and Group 2 (57.55 ± 6.14 years). Participants were evaluated for body composition, V̇O2max, VT, and RCP. Group 1 showed higher absolute and body mass-adjusted V̇O2max (4.60 ± 0.57 l·min-1 and 61.95 ± 8.25 ml·kg-1·min-1, respectively) than Group 2 (3.77 ± 0.56 l·min-1 and 51.50 ± 10.22 ml·kg-1·min-1, respectively), indicating a significant difference (p < 0.001, d = - 1.46 and p < 0.001, d = - 1.16). Correspondingly, Group 1 showed a significantly higher lower limb lean mass-adjusted V̇O2max (251.72 ± 29.60 ml·kgLM-1·min-1) than Group 2 (226.36 ± 43.94 ml·kgLM-1·min-1) (p = 0.008, d = - 0.71). VT (%V̇O2max) (p = 0.19, d = 0.19) and RCP (%V̇O2max) (p = 0.24, d = 0.22) did not differ between the groups. These findings suggest that both variables that are limited by central or peripheral conditions are negatively affected by aging, but the magnitude of the effect is higher in variables limited by central conditions. These results contribute to our understanding of how aging affects master runners.

Acute effects of moderate-intensity continuous physical exercise performed with different amounts of muscle mass on executive function in healthy young adults: a randomized trial.

We examined the effect of amount of muscle mass involved in moderate-intensity continuous physical exercise on executive function. To this end, fifty-five participants completed two acute physical exercise sessions on an airbike ergometer using the upper and lower limbs simultaneously and only the upper limbs, and a resting control session in a randomized order. The physical exercise session lasted 30 min and was performed at moderate intensity (between 64 %-76 % of maximal heart rate evaluated in graded maximal exercise testing). Participants took the Stroop test (congruent and incongruent trials) before and after the sessions to assess executive performance. For the congruent trial, both physical exercise interventions improved executive function performance (pre vs. post, p-value = 0.002 and 0.003 for physical exercise with upper limbs and physical exercise with upper and lower limbs, respectively). Furthermore, executive function performance was higher after the physical exercise interventions than after the control session (p-value = 0.002 and 0.004 for physical exercise with upper limbs and physical exercise with upper and lower limbs, respectively). For the incongruent trial, both physical exercise interventions also improved executive function performance (pre vs. post, p-value < 0.001 for physical exercise with upper limbs and physical exercise with upper and lower limbs, respectively). However, there were no significant differences after both physical exercise interventions and resting control session (p-value = 0.175). Executive function (congruent trial) was positively impacted by acute aerobic physical exercise regardless of the amount of muscle mass involved (upper limbs or upper plus lower limbs). Therefore, we recommend aerobic physical exercise with less or more muscle mass involved to improve cognitive function.

The Decision-Making of High-Level Volleyball Setters in the 2021-2022 Volleyball Men's Superliga: Does the Opponent Matter?

Our primary objective in this study was to investigate the offensive strategies employed in the attack phase of men's volleyball, specifically focusing on side-out as stratified by the type of confrontation that was determined by the opponent's team performance. We analyzed 5524 attacking actions during 22 games of the 12 teams that participated in the Volleyball Men's Superliga (season 2021-2022). Based on their final rankings in the championship, we classified these teams into three tiers: high-performance, intermediate-performance, and low-performance. Subsequently, we examined the dynamics of these matches using Social Network Analysis. We found that the opponent teams' performance levels did not influence the game dynamics. Notably, the eigenvector values were prominently higher for Attack Zones 2 and 4, wherein the middle-blocker jumped to attack close to the setter across all networks. Thus, setters opted for traditional and low-risk strategies to minimize errors, disregarding available information about the skill level of the opposing team, making their offensive tactics predictable.

The burden of prolonged sedentary behavior imposed by uberization.

Mobility applications are rapidly growing in cities worldwide due to their convenience and low cost. Mobility applications drivers experience vast flexibility in work hours, often work longer than in fixed-hours jobs, and can constantly transport passengers in their vehicles for up to 12 h; after this, they must go offline for eight consecutive hours before driving again. Nonetheless, drivers have found an easy way around this limitation by switching to other apps and continuing driving. This burden of prolonged work can increase sedentary behavior among mobility applications drivers. Sedentary behavior is any waking activity in which the individual expends 1.5 metabolic equivalents (METs) or less while sitting or reclining. This behavior can increase the risk of detrimental effects on health. In this opinion article, we aim to discuss the possible effects of the burden of prolonged work on the sedentary behavior of mobility applications drivers and propose possible strategies to face this concerning situation.

Sex Differences in Maximal Oxygen Uptake Adjusted for Skeletal Muscle Mass in Amateur Endurance Athletes: A Cross Sectional Study.

Male athletes tend to outperform female athletes in several endurance sports. Maximum cardiac output can be estimated by maximal oxygen consumption (V˙O2max), and it has been established that men present V˙O2max values about 20% higher than women. Although sex differences in V˙O2max have already been well studied, few studies have assessed sex differences with regard to muscle oxidative capacity. The aim of this study was to compare aerobic muscle quality, accessed by V˙O2max and adjusted by lower limb lean mass, between male and female amateur triathletes. The study also aimed to compare sex differences according to V˙O2 submaximal values assessed at ventilatory thresholds. A total of 57 participants (23 women and 34 men), who had been training for Olympic-distance triathlon races, underwent body composition evaluation by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and performed a cardiorespiratory maximal test on a treadmill. Male athletes had significantly higher V˙O2max, both absolutely and when adjusted to body mass. Conversely, when V˙O2max was adjusted for lean mass, there was no significant difference between sexes. The same was observed at submaximal exercise intensities. In conclusion, differences in V˙O2max adjusted to body mass but not lean mass may explain, at least in part, sex differences in performance in triathlons, marathons, cycling, and other endurance sports.

Comparison of Knee Muscular Strength Balance among Pre- and Post-Puberty Adolescent Swimmers: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study.

Muscular weakness and strength imbalance between the thigh muscles are considered risk factors for knee injuries. Hormonal changes, characteristic of puberty, strongly affect muscle strength; however, it is unknown whether they affect muscular strength balance. The present study aimed to compare knee flexor strength, knee extensor strength, and strength balance ratio, called the conventional ratio (CR), between prepubertal and postpubertal swimmers of both sexes. A total of 56 boys and 22 girls aged between 10 and 20 years participated in the study. Peak torque, CR, and body composition were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, respectively. The postpubertal boys group presented significantly higher fat-free mass (p < 0.001) and lower fat mass (p = 0.001) than the prepubertal group. There were no significant differences among the female swimmers. Peak torque for both flexor and extensor muscles was significantly greater in postpubertal male (p < 0.001, both) and female swimmers (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively) than in prepubertal swimmers. The CR did not differ between the pre- and postpubertal groups. However, the mean CR values were lower than the literature recommendations, which brings attention to a higher risk of knee injuries.

Inter e intra-variability of the best ranked teams: A network analysis in male high-level volleyball.

The present research objective was to analyze the offensive phase from Complex I in high-level male volleyball teams in a macro- and micro-level view, through the inter e intra-team variability analysis of eight best teams of the 2018 Men's Volleyball World Championship over the social network analysis and eigenvector centrality. The sample consisted of 22 matches and 2,743 offensive actions, resulting in 8 sub-networks with 368 nodes and 6221 edges. The results showed from macro view the variables that presented highest centrality values were Attack Zone 4 (range 0.56-0.90), Attack Tempo 2 (0.65-0.87), Power Attack (0.62-0.94), No Touch Block (0.61-1), Attack Effect Continuity (0.59-0.94), and Middle Blocker Centralized (0.60-0.95). In a micro view, Reception Effect, Play Position, Reception Zone, and Block Composition showed high variability in each sub-network. The intra- and inter-team variability presented the importance of to respect each team idiosyncrasies and to consider the different approaches to the game and success.