Effects of physical exercise on executive functions of individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Executive functions are commonly impaired in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Physical exercise has the potential for improving executive functions and can be easily implemented as a therapeutic method. However, there are only few systematic reviews of exercise effects in schizophrenia including cognitive outcomes, and no meta-analytical syntheses of effects on "cool" and "hot" executive functions. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis will be to determine the effects of physical exercise on "cool" and "hot" executive functions of adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This protocol was guided by PRISMA-P guidelines. Studies will be searched using combinations of keywords and medical terms in the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO databases. Inclusion criteria will be determined as per PICOS approach. The risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane RoB2 tool. The certainty of evidence (per outcome) will be assessed using the GRADE method. The meta-analyses will be performed using the DerSimonian and Laird random effects model. Effect sizes (Hedges' g) with 95% confidence intervals will be calculated for each main outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this review may be useful for mental health professionals to design treatment plans for adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, offering potential benefits related to the quality of life and cognitive abilities of this population. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023392295.

Effects of Physical Exercise on Executive Function in Adults with Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Executive function is among the most affected cognitive dimensions in depression. Physical exercise may improve executive function (e.g., working memory, inhibition, cognitive flexibility), although this is without consensus on adults with depression. Through this systematic review, we aim to elucidate the effects of physical exercise programs on executive functions in adults with depression. The literature search was performed in four relevant electronic databases, combining keywords and medical subject headings, from inception until September 2022. Controlled interventions, involving adults with depression, and reporting working memory, inhibition, and/or cognitive flexibility pre-post-intervention data, were considered includable. Results from meta-analyses included effect size (ES, i.e., Hedges' g) values reported with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs), with p set at ≤0.05. Seven studies were included, including 202 men and 457 women (age: 21.0-51.2 years; mild-moderate depression). For working memory, a small favoring effect was observed in the experimental groups compared with controls (ES = 0.33, 95%CI = 0.04-0.61; p = 0.026; I2 = 64.9%). For inhibition, physical exercise had a small favoring non-significant effect compared with controls (ES = 0.28, 95%CI = -0.17-0.74; p = 0.222; I2 = 72.4%). Compared with the control group, physical exercise had a trivial effect on cognitive flexibility (ES = 0.09, 95%CI = -0.21-0.39; p = 0.554; I2 = 68.4%). In conclusion, physical exercise interventions may improve working memory behavioral measures in adults with mild-to-moderate depression when compared with active and passive control conditions. However, the reduced number of available high-quality studies precludes more lucid conclusions.

Effects of Sport-Based Exercise Interventions on Executive Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Exercise programs of moderate-to-vigorous intensity have been shown to improve the cognitive performance of older people. However, the specific effects of sports-based exercise programs on cognitive performance, particularly executive functions, remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to clarify the effects of sports-based exercise programs on executive functions in older adults using a systematic review and meta-analysis of the scientific literature. A systematic review was conducted between 1 March and 1 July 2022, to look for published scientific evidence that analyzed different sports programs that may have affected executive function in healthy older adults. Longitudinal studies, which assessed the effects of sports interventions on healthy older adults, were identified through a systematic search of the four principal electronic databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO. A total of nine studies with a total of 398 subjects met the inclusion criteria and were classified based on one or more of the following categories: working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility. The DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model was performed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software to facilitate the analysis of the studies. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. In terms of working memory, a small but positive significant effect was noted for the intervention group compared to the control group (effect size (ES) = 0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.04-0.67; p = 0.029; I2 = 36.7%); in terms of inhibition, the intervention had a small favoring but no significant effect compared to the control group (ES = 0.20, 95% CI = -0.42-0.84; p = 0.517; I2 = 78.8%); and in terms of cognitive flexibility, the intervention had a small favoring but no significant effect compared to the control group (ES = 0.39, 95% CI = -0.11-0.89; p = 0.131; I2 = 75.5%). Our findings suggest that healthy older adults should be encouraged to participate in sports to improve their working memory; however, more studies are required in this area to reach more robust conclusions. This systematic review was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (registration number: CRD42022284788).

Effects of Sport-Based Interventions on Executive Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocol.

BACKGROUND: Moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise programs have proven to exert positive effects on the cognitive performance of older people. However, the specific effects sport-based exercise programs have on cognitive performance, upon executive functions, remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to clarify the effects of sport-based exercise programs on executive functions in older adults, through a systematic review protocol of the scientific literature, with a meta-analysis. METHODS: The search was performed in the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO electronic databases by combining keywords and different medical subject headings (MeSH) to identify and evaluate the relevant studies from inception up until June 2022. This study considers longitudinal studies with at least one experimental group and pre- and post-intervention measurements involving healthy older adults of 60 years of age or older. Studies have to consider one or more measures of executive function, including dimensions of working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility, in order to meet the eligibility criteria for inclusion in this report. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used for methodological quality assessment studies. The DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model was used to compute the meta-analyses and report effect sizes (ES, i.e., Hedges' g) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), and a statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05. The ES values were calculated for executive function globally and for each dimension of executive function (e.g., working memory, inhibition, cognitive flexibility) in the experimental and control/comparator groups using the mean and standard deviation values before and after the intervention period. CONCLUSIONS: Our systematic review aims to clarify the effects of sport-based exercise programs on executive functions in older adults. The results may help practitioners and stakeholders to provide better evidence-based decisions regarding sport-based exercise program implementation for older adults, and to help them to optimize cognitive functions during the aging process. Ethical permission is not required for this study. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: this systematic review is registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; registration number: CRD42022284788).

Effects of the Type of Sports Practice on the Executive Functions of Schoolchildren.

There is a close relationship between the development of complex motor skills and executive functions during childhood. This study aimed to analyze the differences in different dimensions of executive functions in children practicing an open-skill sport (handball) and a closed-skill sport (athletics) and controls who did not participate in sports activities after a 12-week intervention period. School-aged male and female subjects (n = 90; mean ± standard deviation = 11.45 ± 0.68 years) participated in a non-randomized controlled study. Data analysis was performed using the STATA V.15 statistical software. The athletics intervention promoted semantic fluency (p = 0.007), whereas handball increased inhibition (p = 0.034). Additionally, physical activity improved in both intervention groups (p = < 0.001), whereas sprint performance improved in the handball group following intervention (p = 0.008), lower body muscular power improved in athletics (p = 0.04), and evidence of improvement in upper body muscular strength was noted in handball (p = 0.037). In turn, an increase in the Physical Activity Questionnaire for older Children score showed an association with the Standard Ten scores of executive functions. In conclusion, compared to controls, both athletics and handball induced meaningful improvements in physical activity and executive functions. However, sport-specific adaptations were noted after athletics (i.e., semantic fluency and lower body muscular power) and handball (i.e., inhibition, sprint, and upper-body muscular strength).

Anthropometric Parameters, Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Executive Functions among Primary School Children.

Physical activity during childhood and adolescence favors brain development and cognitive functioning, particularly the executive functions. This study aimed to assess potential associations between anthropometric parameters, physical activity, physical fitness, and executive functions among elementary school children returning to school after the COVID-19 lockdown in Chile. School-age male and female participants (n = 90; age, 10−12 years) participated in the study. To determine the association between variables, a multivariable linear regression analysis was performed. Higher fat-related anthropometric indexes were associated with lower working memory, cognitive flexibility, planning, and attention (r = −0.55 to −0.22; p = 0.031 to <0.001). In contrast, higher physical activity levels, better sprint performance, higher lower-body muscular power, and greater upper-body muscular strength were associated with better working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibition, planning, and/or attention (r = 0.19 to −0.54; p = 0.04 to <0.001). Current results consistently suggest the need for adequate levels of physical activity, physical fitness, and anthropometric parameters among the school-age population to promote healthy and adequate executive functions.

Effects of intra-set rest on morphological variables, maximal strength and jump performance in university students / Efectos del descanso intra-serie sobre variables morfológicas, fuerza máxima y saltabilidad en estudiantes universitarios

SUMMARY: The appropriate dosage of resistance training could promote physical and physiological adaptations and decrease injuries. The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of the different intra-set rest after eight weeks of resistance training on morphological variables, maximal strength, and jump performance in physically active university students. Twenty-five students (15 men and 10 women) were randomized by sex and distributed in Control Group (CG) (n=8) with rest only at the end of the series; Experimental Group 1 (EG1) (n=9) with an intra-set rest of 30 s, and Experimental Group 2 (EG2) (n=8) with four intra-set rest of 10 s. Morphological variables [body weight, bipedal height, body mass index (BMI), fat mass and muscle mass], maximum upper body strength (bench press and military press), lower body strength [parallel squat (45°) and deadlift], as well as countermovement jump (CMJ) were measured. All three groups obtained a significant increase (p0.05); thereby, there is an equivalent increase in muscle mass, maximal strength, jump performance, and a fat mass reduction.

RESUMEN: La dosificación adecuada de ejercicios de resistencia muscular permite favorecer adaptaciones físicas y fisiológicas, y reducir lesiones. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los efectos de distintos tiempos de descanso intra-serie luego de ocho semanas de ejercicios de resistencia muscular sobre variables morfológicas, fuerza máxima y saltabilidad en estudiantes universitarios físicamente activos. Veinticinco estudiantes (15 hombres y 10 mujeres) fueron aleatorizados por sexo y distribuidos en: grupo control (GC) (n=8) con descanso sólo al final de la serie; grupo experimental 1 (GE1) (n=9) con un descanso intra-serie de 30 s y grupo experimental 2 (GE2) (n=8) con cuatro descansos intra-serie de 10 s. Se midieron variables morfológicas [peso corporal, estatura bípeda, índice de masa corporal (IMC), masa adiposa y masa muscular], fuerza máxima del tren superior (press de banco plano y press militar) e inferior [sentadilla paralela (45°) y peso muerto] y saltabilidad con el salto contramovimiento (CMJ). Se obtuvo un aumento significativo (p<0,01) del peso corporal e IMC y, una reducción significativa (p<0,01) de la masa adiposa en los tres grupos. La masa muscular aumentó significativamente (p<0,01) en el GC y GE1. La fuerza máxima del tren superior e inferior aumentaron significativamente (p<0,05) en los tres grupos y para todos los ejercicios, mientras que el CMJ aumentó significativamente en el GC y GE1. No existen diferencias significativas entre distintos tiempos de descanso intra-serie cuando se utiliza el mismo volumen, intensidad y descanso total durante las series de ejercicios, logrando un aumento equivalente en masa muscular, fuerza máxima, saltabilidad y reducción de la masa adiposa.

Percepción de los estudiantes de kinesiología sobre la incorporación de la metodología b-learning y uso de dispositivos móviles en el curso de análisis del movimiento / Kinesiology students' perception of the incorporation of the b-learning methodology and the use of mobile devices in the course of movement analysis

Introducción: el aumento del número de estudiantes en carreras de la salud hace necesario incluir nuevas metodologías de enseñanza-aprendizaje. La literatura avala el uso de las tecnologías de la información y comunicación (TICs) y el b-learning como recursos para abordar esta problemática. El propósito fue evaluar la percepción de los estudiantes universitarios de la carrera de kinesiología sobre la incorporación de TICs y b-learning en el curso Análisis del Movimiento. Material y Método: se aplicó un cuestionario a 94 estudiantes. Se determinó evidencia de validez de constructo a través de análisis confirmatorio de factores y confiabilidad mediante Alpha de Cronbach. Se estimó la mediana (Q1-Q3) de cada dimensión, determinando posibles diferencias mediante la prueba de Kruskal-Wallis. Resultados: se definió una encuesta con 5 dimensiones y 27 ítems. Los enunciados cargaron en las 5 dimensiones. El coeficiente de Alpha de Cronbach fue de α=0,83. Los resultados según la Mediana (Q1-Q3) por dimensión fueron: Percepción General de la Metodología 4,83 (4,67-5), Percepción de los materiales utilizados 4,75 (4,5-5), Percepción del Autoaprendizaje 4,09 (3,82-4,27), Interacción con los docentes y compañeros 4,75 (4,25-5), Evaluación 5 (4,67-5) y la nota global fue de 6 (6-7). Discusión: el cuestionario posee adecuada evidencia de validez y confiabilidad, hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre dimensiones, especialmente en Percepción del Autoaprendizaje. Los estudiantes valoran positivamente la organización en los procesos de innovación en metodologías de enseñanza y evaluación, el uso de sistemas digitales como facilitadores de su aprendizaje y la oportunidad de aprendizaje autónomo.(AU)

Introduction: physiotherapy has systematically increased its students, being necessary to include new teaching and learning methodologies. The literature supports the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) and b-learning as resources to address this problem. The aim was to evaluate the perception of Physiotherapy students about the incorporation of ICTs and b-learning in the course of Movement Analysis. Methods: experts designed an instrument that applied to 94 students. The construct validity determined through a factor confirmatory analysis and reliability by Cronbach's Alpha. The median (Q1-Q3) of each dimension was estimated, determining the existence of possible differences through the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: a survey with five categories and 27 items was defined and loaded in the five dimensions. The coefficient of Cronbach's alpha was α = 0.83. The results according to the Median (Q1-Q3) for the measure were: General Perception of the Methodology 4.83 (4.67-5), Perception of the materials used 4.75 (4.5-5), Perception of Self-Learning 4.09 (3.82-4.27), Interaction with teachers and classmates 4.75 (4.25-5), Evaluation 5 (4.67-5) and overall score was 6 (6-7). Discussion: the questionnaire has validity and reliability, statistical differences between measures were found, especially in the Perception of Self-Learning. The students valued positively the organization in the processes of innovation in teaching and evaluation methodologies, the use of digital systems as facilitators of their learning and the opportunity for autonomous learning.(AU)

Validity and reliability of evaluating hip abductor strength using different normalization methods in a functional electromechanical device.

The hip abductor muscles are vitally important for pelvis stability, and common strength deficits can negatively affect functionality. The muscle strength can be measured using different dynamometers and be evaluated in three positions (side-lying, standing, and supine). Obtained strength data can be expressed in different ways, with data normalization providing more objective and comparable results. The aim of this study was to establish the validity and reliability of three protocols in evaluating the isometric strength of the hip abductor muscles. A new functional electromechanical dynamometer assessed strength in three positions, with findings subjected to three data normalization methods. In two identical sessions, the hip abductor strengths of 29 subjects were recorded in the side-lying, standing, and supine positions. Peak force was recorded in absolute terms and normalized against body mass, fat-free mass, and an allometric technique. The peak force recorded in the side-lying position was 30% and 27% higher than in the standing and supine positions, respectively, independent of data normalization methodology. High inter-protocol correlations were found (r: 0.72 to 0.98, p ≤ 0.001). The supine position with allometric data normalization had the highest test-retest reliability (0.94 intraclass correlation coefficient and 5.64% coefficient of variation). In contrast, the side-lying position with body mass data normalization had a 0.66 intraclass correlation coefficient and 9.8% coefficient of variation. In conclusion, the functional electromechanical dynamometer is a valid device for measuring isometric strength in the hip abductor muscles. The three assessed positions are reliable, although the supine position with allometric data normalization provided the best results.

Asociación entre características antropométricas y funcionalidad motriz en sujetos chilenos con distintos niveles de actividad física / Association between anthropometric characteristics and the motor function in Chileans subjects with different levels of physical activity

Existe escasa información respecto a la relación entre los parámetros antropométricos y la funcionalidad motriz en sujetos activos e inactivos. En ese sentido, la presente investigación pretende determinar la relación entre las características antropométricas y la puntuación de funcionalidad motriz en sujetos chilenos con distintos niveles de actividad física. La muestra incluyó 63 sujetos (20 mujeres), distribuidos en tres grupos: grupo físicamente activo (GFA, n=21), grupo deportista (GD, n=21) y grupo físicamente inactivo (GFI, n=21). Las variables estudiadas correspondieron a la composición corporal, perímetro de cintura (PC), índice de masa corporal (IMC), índice cintura-cadera (ICC) y funcionalidad motriz a través del Functional Movement Screen (FMS). Se aplicó Anova una vía, el test de Pearson y un modelo de regresión lineal múltiple, considerando un p <0,05. Los resultados indican correlaciones moderadas e inversas entre la puntuación FMS y la sumatoria de pliegues cutáneos, Zadiposidad, masa adiposa (kg) e IMC en el GFI (-0,52 ≤ r ≤ -0,62), y con la sumatoria de pliegues cutáneos, masa adiposa (kg y %) en el GFA(-0,54 ≤ r ≤ -0,60). Los cambios en la puntuación del FMS se explican principalmente por la suma de pliegues cutáneos, la Zadiposidad, la masa grasa (kg), el porcentaje de masa grasa y el PC. En conclusión, las características antropométricas y la funcionalidad motriz se encuentran asociadas en sujetos chilenos físicamente activos (GFA) e inactivos, mostrando una relación inversa entre el puntaje del FMS con los parámetros de la composición corporal relacionados con la adiposidad(AU)

There is little information about the relationship between anthropometric indexes and motor function in active and inactive subjects. In that sense, this research aims todetermine the relationship between anthropometric characteristics and motor function score in Chilean subjects with different levels of physical activity. The sample included 63 subjects (20 women), allocated into three groups:physically active group (GFA, n=21), athlete group (GD, n=21) and physically inactive group (GFI, n=21).The variables studied were body composition, waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and motor functionality using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS). A One-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation test, and a multiple linear regression model were applied, considering P <0.05.The results showed a moderate inverse correlation (-0.52 ≤ r ≤ -0.62)between FMS score and sum of skin folds, Z-score fat, fat mass (Kg), BMI in the GFI. Similarly, in the GFA the FMS showed a moderate inverse correlation (-0.54 ≤ r ≤ -0.60) with the sum of skin folds, fat mass (Kg& %). Changes in the FMS score were mainly explained by the sum of skin fold, Z-score fat, fat mass (kg), percentage of fat mass and WC. In conclusion, anthropometric characteristics are associated with motor function in physically active (GFA) and inactive Chilean subjects, showing an inverse relationship between the FMS score and adiposity parameters of body composition(AU)