Effects of physical training on coagulation parameters, interleukin-6, and angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 in COVID-19 survivors.

COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus that uses Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a receptor to enter human cells. The virus leads to an increase in inflammatory cytokines (i.e. IL-6) and an impaired coagulation system, which can cause serious complications during and after the disease. Physical exercise has been shown to improve COVID-19 complications through various mechanisms, such as modulation of the immune and coagulation systems. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of 8 weeks of training on inflammatory, coagulation, and physical factors in patients with COVID-19 during the recovery phase. Twenty-seven male and female volunteers (age 20-45 years) who recently recovered from COVID-19 were assigned to the control (n = 13) or the training group (n = 14). Blood samples, aerobic capacity and muscle endurance were collected 24 h before the start of the interventions and 24 h after the final training session in week 4 and 48 h after the final training session in week 8. IL-6, ACE2, fibrinogen, and D-dimer were measured using ELISA. The training group showed a significant increase in muscle endurance (p = 0.004) and aerobic capacity (p = 0.009) compared to the control group. Serum levels of IL-6 and fibrinogen decreased in the training group but this decrease was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Despite a slight increase in the quality of life and sleep in the training group, no statistically significant difference was observed between the training and the control group. It appears that physical training has beneficial effects on the coagulation system, inflammatory factors, and sleep quality and can facilitate the recovery of COVID-19 patients.

The effect of different high-intensity interval training protocols on cardiometabolic and inflammatory markers in sedentary young women: A randomized controlled trial.

Few studies have reported the cardiovascular health effects of different high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocols among sedentary young women. We investigated the impact of a traditional HIIT programme and a high-intensity circuit training (HICT) programme on lipid profiles and inflammatory cytokine levels in sedentary young women. Forty-two women were randomly assigned to HICT (body weight-based training), HIIT (cycling-based training), or control groups (n = 14 each). HICT and HIIT participants completed an 8-week training programme of three sessions per week. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, high- and low-density lipoprotein, leptin, resistin, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-8, and interferon-gamma levels were measured before and after the intervention. Post-intervention, TC and leptin were decreased in the HICT group. The HICT group also demonstrated increased lean mass, upper and lower limb strength, and balance, while the HIIT group displayed improved lower limb strength. Additionally, the control group showed significant increases in triglyceride levels, weight, body mass index, and fat mass. In conclusion, although both HICT and HIIT interventions showed improvements in cardiovascular health and physical fitness, participants in the HICT group experienced more health benefits.

Effect of resistance circuit training on comprehensive health indicators in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aging process leads to the degeneration of body structure and function. The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of resistance circuit training (RCT) on comprehensive health indicators of older adults. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched until August 2023. Primary outcomes were body composition, muscle strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, blood pressure, and functional autonomy. Muscle function and exercise intensity subgroups were analyzed. RCT reduces body fat (MD = - 5.39 kg, 95% CI - 10.48 to - 0.29), BMI (MD = - 1.22, 95% CI - 2.17 to - 0.26), and body weight (MD = - 1.28 kg, 95% CI - 1.78 to - 0.78), and increases lean body mass (MD = 1.42 kg, 95% CI 0.83-2.01) in older adults. It improves upper limb strength (SMD = 2.09, 95% CI 1.7-2.48), lower limb strength (SMD = 2.03, 95% CI 1.56-2.51), cardiorespiratory endurance (MD = 94 m, 95% CI 25.69-162.67), and functional autonomy (MD = - 1.35, 95% CI - 1.73 to - 0.96). High-intensity RCT benefits BMI and body weight, while low-intensity exercise reduces blood pressure. RCT improves muscle function in push, pull, hip, and knee movements in older adults. RCT improves body composition, muscle strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, blood pressure, and functional autonomy in older adults. High-intensity training is superior for body composition, while moderate to low intensity training is more effective for lowering blood pressure.

Choriocapillaris Perfusion after 8 Weeks of High-Speed Circuit Training in Older Healthy Adults.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of an 8-week high-speed circuit resistance training program (HSCT) on choriocapillaris density (CCD) in healthy older adults. METHODS: Eighteen cognitively normal older adults were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the HSCT or the control group (CON). The HSCT group was comprised of 11 participants who trained three times a week for eight weeks, while the CON group consisted of 7 participants who did not engage in formal training. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was employed to image both eyes of each subject at baseline and at the 8-week follow-up. The choriocapillaris density (CCD) of 2.5 mm in diameter centered on the fovea was measured. RESULTS: The average age of the HSCT group was 70.3 ± 5.7 years, which was not different from the CON group (average age: 71.6 ± 5.2 years, p = 0.62). There were no significant changes in CCD between baseline and the 8-week follow-up in either the HSCT or the CON group-specifically, the baseline CCD in the HSCT group was 63.3% ± 5% (Mean ± SD), which did not differ significantly from the 8-week follow-up after HSCT training (64.7% ± 4%, p = 0.19). Likewise, there was no significant difference in CCD between baseline and the 8-week follow-up in the CON group (63.3% ± 3% and 62.7% ± 5%, respectively, p = 0.66). CONCLUSION: CCD appeared to remain stable after 8 weeks of HSCT in healthy older individuals, possibly due to autoregulation. Further research with extended training may be necessary to verify these findings.

Comparison of Nonimmersive Virtual Reality and Task-Oriented Circuit Training on Gait, Balance, and Cognition Among Elderly Population: A Single-Blind Randomized Control Trial.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of nonimmersive virtual reality (VR) and task-oriented circuit training on gait, balance, cognitive domains, and quality of life among the elderly population. Methods: This is a single-blind randomized control trial in which 28 elderly individuals between 60 and 75 years were selected. The participants were divided into two groups, task-oriented circuit training and the other receiving nonimmersive VR treatment, with 14 participants in each group. To analyze the effects of both training on balance and gait time up and go test (TUGT), dynamic gait index (DGI), measures were used and for cognitive domains Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) scale was used. Short form 12 (SF-12) (along with two domains, Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary) was used for the measurement of quality of life. The treatment duration was 8 weeks for both groups. Both the pre-test and post-test readings were analyzed and compared. Results: The mean age of participants was 66.91 ± 3.79 years. Within-group comparison between the pre-test and post-test indicated that significant differences (P < 0.05) existed in all the outcome measures (TUGT, DGI, MoCA, and SF-12) in both groups. However, between-group comparison, significant differences were only found in TUGT and DGI in nonimmersive VR group. Conclusion: This study concluded that both interventions nonimmersive VR and task-oriented circuit training were beneficial for improving balance, gait, quality of life, and cognitive domains like memory, attention spans, executive functions, and so on in elderly population. However nonimmersive virtual reality training is a more effective, feasible, and safe alternative and can be proposed as a form of fall prevention exercise for the older adults. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05021432.

Circuit Training Improves the Levels of ß-Amyloid and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Related to Cognitive Impairment Risk Factors in Obese Elderly Korean Women.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of circuit training on ß-amyloid, BDNF, and cognitive function in untrained obese elderly Korean women. Methods: The subjects for the study were aged 65-70 years and were each assigned to a circuit training group (EG, n = 12) or a control group (CG, n = 11). The 60 min combined exercise was performed 3 times per week for 16 weeks. The exercise intensity was progressively increased from a 40% heart rate reserve to a 70% heart rate reserve. The test data were analyzed using a paired t-test, an independent t-test, and a two-way repeated measures ANOVA, and an alpha level of 0.05 was set for all tests of significance. Results: Group-by-time interaction effects were observed for ß-amyloid (p < 0.05), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (p < 0.01), and cognitive function (p < 0.05). Within the exercise group, significant differences were found in ß-amyloid (p < 0.05), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (p < 0.001), and cognitive function (p < 0.05) when comparing across different time points. Additionally, there were statistically significant differences between groups in post-exercise ß-amyloid (p < 0.05), change in ß-amyloid (p < 0.05), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (p < 0.01), and cognitive function (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Therefore, it is suggested that the circuit training used in this study could be an effective exercise method for improving the risk factors of cognitive impairment in obese elderly Korean women.

Energy Expenditure, Intensity, and Perceived Effort in Recreational Functional Training.

Background: Functional training (FT) has become popular and seems to provoke health benefits. However, there are unsubstantiated claims regarding energy expenditure (EE) vs. weight-loss and cardiorespiratory improvements linked to FT. Objective: This study quantified the EE and intensity during FT performed in a conventional fitness center. Additionally, data of FT and moderate continuous walking (WLK) were compared. Methods: Healthy individuals with no previous experience with FT [n = 25, 11 males/14 females, 38.8 ± 9.3 years; 73.9 ± 13.8 Kg; 168.5 ± 8.5 cm; 26.0 ± 4.5 Kg/m2; 16 overweight (BMI >25 Kg/m2)] performed three FT sessions interspersed with 48 h (two familiarization, one assessment). The circuit included 4 rounds of 12 exercises performed at all-out intensity for 20 s with 1-min intervals between rounds. WLK was performed for 25 min with intensity corresponding to scores 3-5 on Borg CR-10 Scale. Outcomes were EE (kcal), movement counts estimated by triaxial accelerometry, heart rate reserve (%HRR), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE). Results: On average, FT sessions lasted 24 min and EE ranged between 124 and 292 kcal (188 ± 41 kcal), corresponding to 5-8 METs (6.1 ± 0.6 METs), and 70-80%HRR (74 ± 8%). Accelerometry (counts/min) showed that vigorous predominated over moderate intensity during FT and WLK (p = .01), with similar EE. The relative intensity and RPE were higher in FT vs. WLK (74% vs. 55%HRR and Borg 5-8 vs. 3-5, respectively; p < .0001). Conclusion: FT and WLK elicited EE consistent with recommendations to reduce cardiovascular disease risk, but only FT achieved relative intensities compatible with cardiorespiratory improvement. FT should be considered an option in health-oriented exercise programs for the general population.

Face-to-face and telerehabilitation delivery of circuit training have similar benefits and acceptability in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomised trial.

QUESTION: Is periodised circuit training delivered via a telerehabilitation model of care as effective as the same training applied face-to-face for improving pain intensity, physical function, muscle strength, pain catastrophising, body composition, intermuscular adipose tissue and muscle architecture in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA)? DESIGN: Randomised controlled, non-inferiority trial with concealed allocation, blinded assessors and intention-to-treat analysis. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred adults aged ≥ 40 years with knee OA and pain for ≥ 3 months, with current pain ≥ 40 mm on a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS). INTERVENTION: The experimental group received 14 weeks of circuit training delivered via telerehabilitation using video recordings, followed by periodic phone calls in order to motivate and instruct participants. The control group received the same circuit training program in a face-to-face format. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes were pain VAS and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) physical function subscale, measured at 14 weeks. Secondary outcomes included objective physical function, strength, pain catastrophising and morphological measures (muscle architecture and thigh and body composition). Outcomes were measured at 14 and 26 weeks. RESULTS: Periodised circuit training delivered via telerehabilitation had equivalent effects to face-to-face delivery for pain intensity, physical function, muscle strength, pain catastrophising, thigh composition, intermuscular adipose tissue and muscle architecture. Whole body composition did not change appreciably in either group. Adherence to the training was excellent and participants in each group reported good perceptions of their randomised intervention. CONCLUSION: A periodised circuit training protocol can be delivered to people with knee OA in their own homes, using available technology while maintaining high levels of acceptability. More importantly, telerehabilitation appears to cause non-inferior physical and functional outcomes to face-to-face rehabilitation programs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: RBR-662hn2.

School-Based Circuit Training Intervention Improves Local Muscular Endurance in Primary School Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of a 12-week circuit training program in improving local muscular endurance in normal-weighted primary school students. METHODS: The study involved a parallel-group randomized trial with 606 primary school boys assigned to an experimental or a control group. The participants underwent a 12-week circuit training program that involved multi-joint, total-body workouts using body weight, resistance bands, and medicine ball exercises. The study measured the participants' local muscular endurance during sit-ups, dynamic trunk extensions on a Roman bench (DTE), and push-ups. RESULTS: After adjusting for the baseline, the treatment-grade interaction was significant for sit-ups (F = 7.74, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.04), DTE (F = 6.49, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.03), and push-ups (F = 9.22, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.05), where the experimental treatment was more beneficial than the control. The treatment effect seemed to vary depending on the individual's baseline local muscle endurance capacity. As the baseline local muscular endurance values increased, the treatment and grade effects became less beneficial. CONCLUSION: A 12-week circuit training program involving body weight, resistance bands, and medicine ball exercises suits school-based programs and can improve local muscular endurance in normal-weighted primary school boys. The experimental treatment was more effective than the control, and the individual baseline muscular endurance should be considered when designing training programs.

Effects of Acute Exercise on Affect in Females with Substance Use Disorder.

Negative mood states experienced during the withdrawal stage of substance dependence have been associated with relapse in persons suffering from substance use disorder (SUD). Exercise is gaining attention as an adjunct therapy for SUD due to its ability to alleviate negative mood states experienced during withdrawal. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acute, controlled bouts of aerobic and resistance exercise versus sedentary control (quiet reading) on positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) in females undergoing SUD treatment at inpatient facilities. Females (n=11; 34 ± 8 yrs) were randomly assigned to each condition in counterbalanced fashion. Aerobic exercise (AE) consisted of 20 minutes of steady-state moderate intensity (40-60% HRR) treadmill walking. Resistance exercise (RE) consisted of 20 minutes of standardized circuit weight training (1:1 work to rest ratio). The Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) was used to assess PA and NA pre- and post-interventions. Repeated measures ANOVAs indicated AE and RE significantly increased PA (p < 0.05) versus control, with no significant difference between AE and RE. Friedman's test revealed AE and RE significantly reduced NA (p < 0.05) versus control. Results indicate short bouts of aerobic and resistance exercise are equally effective for acute mood regulation and superior to a sedentary control in females undergoing inpatient SUD treatment.

Utilizing multimodal high-intensity interval training for a firefighter training academy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Firefighters typically undergo a 16-24-week training academy during which they perform a variety of traditional exercise programs such as cardiovascular, resistance, and concurrent training. Because of limited facility access, some fire departments seek alternative exercise programs, such as multimodal high-intensity interval training (MM-HIIT), which essentially combines resistance and interval training. OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this study was to assess the effect of MM-HIIT on body composition and physical fitness in firefighter recruits who completed a training academy during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A secondary purpose was to compare the effects of MM-HIIT to previous training academies that implemented traditional exercise programs. METHODS: Healthy and recreationally-trained recruits (n = 12) participated in 2-3 days/week of MM-HIIT for 12 weeks and had several components of body composition and physical fitness measured before and after the program. Because of COVID-19-related gym closures, all MM-HIIT sessions were performed outdoors at a fire station with minimal equipment. These data were retroactively compared to a control group (CG) that previously completed training academies with traditional exercise programs. RESULTS: Subjects in the MM-HIIT group significantly improved several components of body composition and fitness, including fat mass, fat-free mass, body fat percentage, aerobic capacity, and muscular endurance. Moreover, there were no significant differences for any dependent variable when MM-HIIT was compared to the CG. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that MM-HIIT may serve as an effective substitute for traditional concurrent training paradigms that are typically used for firefighter academies.

The effect of task-oriented circuit training-based telerehabilitation on upper extremity motor functions in patients with Parkinson's disease: A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Upper extremity functions are impaired in patients with Parkinson's disease (PwPD), which leads to difficulties in activities of daily living (ADL), such as reaching or handwriting. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of task-oriented circuit training-based telerehabilitation (TOCT-TR) on the upper extremity motor function in PwPD. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial (RCT) 30 PwPD (aged 45-70 years, Hoehn & Yahr stage I-III) were recruited and randomly allocated into two groups. The TOCT-TR group received home training through video sessions three days/week for six weeks. Additionally, both the TOCT-TR group and the control group (CG) underwent home exercises aimed at improving balance, gait, and mobility three days/week for six weeks. The primary outcome measure was upper extremity motor functions measured with the Nine Hole Peg test (9-HPT), the Jebsen Hand Function Test (JHFT), grip strengths, pinch strengths, and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-III (UPDRS-III). Secondary outcome measures included the UPDRS-II and the quality of life (QoL, PDQ-8). RESULTS: This study showed significant group-by-time interactions on the 9-HPT (p < 0.001), the JHFT (p < 0.001), grip strengths (p < 0.001), pinch strengths (p ≤ 0.015), and the UPDRS-III (p = 0.007) in favor of the TOCT-TR. Additionally, the UPDRS-II (p < 0.001), and the PDQ-8 (p = 0.005) improved in both groups. CONCLUSION: This is the first RCT showing that the TOCT-TR improved upper extremity motor functions, ADL, and QoL in PwPD. The TOCT-TR may help improve the upper extremities of PwPD who have difficulties reaching rehabilitation clinics.

Telerehabilitation versus virtual reality supported task-oriented circuit therapy on upper limbs and trunk functions in patients with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled study.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of two different technology-supported rehabilitation approaches which are mobile application based telerehabilitation (TR) and virtual reality supported task oriented circuit therapy groups (V-TOCT) on the upper limb (UL), trunk function, and functional activity kinematics in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). METHODS: Thirty-four patients with PwMS were included in this study. The participants were evaluated at baseline and after eight weeks of treatment by an experienced physiotherapist using the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), kinetic function sub-parameter of the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (K-ICARS), ABILHAND, Minnesota Manual Dexterity tests (MMDT), and trunk and UL kinematics using inertial sensors. The participants were randomized into the TR and V-TOCT groups with a 1:1 allocation ratio. All participants received interventions for 1 hour per session, 3 sessions per week, for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Trunk impairment, ataxia severity, UL, and hand function showed statistically significant improvement in both groups. The functional range of motion (FRoM) of shoulder and wrist increased transversal plane and the FRoM of shoulder increased on sagittal plane in V-TOCT. Log Dimensionless Jerk (LDJ) decreased on transversal plane in V-TOCT group. The FRoM of the trunk joints increased on the coronal plane and the FRoM of the trunk joints increased on the transversal plane in TR. Dynamic balance of the trunk and K-ICARS improved better in V-TOCT than in TR (p < 0,05). CONCLUSIONS: V-TOCT and TR improved UL function, TIS, and ataxia severity in PwMS. The V-TOCT was more effective than the TR in terms of dynamic trunk control and kinetic function. The clinical results were confirmed using the kinematic metrics of motor control.

Effects of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on serum BDNF and motor learning in the upper-limb in patients after chronic-stroke: A randomized, controlled feasibility study with embedded health economic evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes activity-dependent neuroplasticity and is released following aerobic-exercise. OBJECTIVE: Feasibility and efficacy of 1.Moderate-Intensity Cycle-Ergometer-Training (MI-ET) and 2.Low-Intensity Circuit-Training (LI-CT) on BDNF-serum-concentration in chronic-stroke and consequently efficacy of motor-learning in varying BDNF-concentrations (neuroplasticity being the substrate for motor-learning) via upper-limb robotic-training (RT) in both groups. METHODS: Randomised-control feasibility-study. 12-week, 3x/week intervention, 17 chronic-stroke-survivors randomized into: (1) MI-ET&RT or (2) LI-CT&RT. Both groups completed 40 mins MI-ET or LI-CT followed by 40 mins RT. Feasibility outcomes: (1) screening and enrollment-rates, (2) retention-rates, (3) adherence: (i) attendance-rates, (ii) training-duration, (4) adverse events. Primary clinical outcomes: 1. serum-BDNF changes pre-post training (immediate) and pre-training basal-levels over 12-weeks (long-term). 2.upper-limb performance with Action-Research-Arm-Test (ARAT). Additionally, feasibility of an embedded health economic evaluation (HEE) to evaluate health-costs and cost-effectiveness. OUTCOMES: cost-questionnaire return-rates, cost-of-illness (COI) and Health-Utitility-Index (HUI). RESULTS: 21.5% of eligible and contactable enrolled. 10 randomized to MI-ET and 7 to LI-CT. 85% of training-sessions were completed in MI-ET (306/360) and 76.3% in LI-CT-group (165/216). 12-weeks: Drop-outs MI-ET-10%, LI-CT-43%. CLINICAL OUTCOMES: No significant changes in immediate or long-term serum-BDNF in either group. Moderate-intensity aerobic-training did not increase serum-BDNF post-stroke. Individual but no group clinically-relevant changes in ARAT-scores. HEE outcomes at 12-weeks: 100% cost-questionnaires returned. Group-costs baseline and after treatment, consistently favouring MI-ET group. COI: (1-year-time-frame): MI-ET 67382 SD (43107) Swiss-Francs and LI-CT 95701(29473) Swiss-Francs. CONCLUSION: The study is feasible with modifications. Future studies should compare high-intensity versus moderate-intensity aerobic-exercise combined with higher dosage arm-training.

Effects of 6-week Circuit Training on Anaerobic Performance and Simple Reaction Time in Individuals with Intellectual Disability (ID) in Kelantan State (Kesan Latihan Litar Selama 6 Minggu Terhadap Prestasi Anaerobik dan Tindak Balas Masa Ringkas dalam Individu Kurang Daya Intektual (ID) di Negeri Kelantan) / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

@#Participation in exercise benefits health and fitness among Intellectual Disability (ID) individuals. Circuit training is one of the exercise programme that can be tailored by manipulating the intensity, time and types of exercise. The purpose of the present study is to examine the effects of six weeks of circuit training on anaerobic fitness and simple reaction time in ID individuals. Thirty participants with mild to moderate ID were selected from individuals who are registered with the Pusat Pemulihan dalam Komuniti (PDK) and Yayasan Orang Kurang Upaya (YOKUK) in the Kelantan state. Participants were randomly divided into Circuit Training and Control groups. Participants in Circuit Training group followed a circuit training exercise programme, two times per week for six weeks, whereas participants in Control group were not involved in circuit training and carried out their regular activities. The anaerobic peak power was significantly decreased (ƿ < 0.001) in Control group after six weeks. The anaerobic power of post-test was significantly improved (ƿ = 0.042) from the pre-test in Circuit Training group and it was also significantly higher (ƿ = 0.001) than Control group. There were no significant differences for the anaerobic capacity and simple reaction time between and within groups. Circuit training can be conducted to enhance anaerobic power in ID individuals, however longer participation may be needed to improve anaerobic capacity and simple reaction time.

Pilot study of functional circuit exercise in older adults.

Sustainable exercise strategies are needed for older adults to maintain aerobic capacity and strength. The objective of this pilot in 6 adults ≥ 65 years of age was to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of high-intensity functional circuit training which does not require stationary equipment. Instructor-led small group exercise classes were held 3x/week for 12 weeks using weight-bearing exercises performed in a circuit format at ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) of 6-8/10. All 6 participants completed the pilot and showed significant improvements by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The six-minute walk distance increased 10.5%. Timed arm curl and chair stands increased 26.8% and 30.3% (all p ≤ 0.03). These preliminary findings suggest that high-intensity functional circuit exercise is feasible in older adults and increases functional measures of aerobic capacity and strength. Further research is warranted to develop this strategy which has the potential for broad dissemination without the need for a traditional exercise facility.

Effects of Circuit Training on Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The most prevalent joint disease is osteoarthritis (OA), which affects an estimated 240 million individuals worldwide. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the top 10 causes of disability worldwide. The aim of this study is to systematically evaluate the effect of circuit training (CT) on patients with KOA. We searched through PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, and Google Scholar up to 12 February 2022. We used random-effects statistical analysis for continuous variables and reported the results as a standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95 percent confidence intervals (CI). Seven trials involving 346 patients were included. A significant improvement in the intervention group was observed for the parameter, pain level (SMD -0.96, 95% CI -1.77 to -0.14; p = 0.02; seven trials, 346 participants; high quality evidence), while no significant improvement was found in physical function (SMD 0.03, 95% CI -0.44-0.50; p = 0.89; five trials, 294 participants; high-quality evidence), quality of life (SMD -0.25, 95% CI -1.18-0.68; p = 0.60; three trials, 205 participants; high-quality evidence), the activity of daily living (SMD 0.81, 95% CI -0.85-2.48; p = 0.34; three trials, 223 participants; high-quality evidence), and knee stiffness (SMD -0.65, 95% CI -1.96-0.66; p = 0.33; two trials, 71 participants; high-quality evidence). The findings in this meta-analysis suggest that CT could effectively complement the conventional treatment of KOA, particularly in alleviating pain. However, comprehensive data on the guidelines for the CT approach would be needed to adequately examine the effects of CT on quality of life and biochemical markers in patients with KOA.

Effects of Eight-Week Circuit Training with Core Exercises on Performance in Adult Male Soccer Players.

Core exercises have been widely promoted in the last 25 years. However, the scientific debate about its efficacy for improving individual and team sports performance is still open. Thus, the present study aims to investigate the effects of circuit training with a core exercise program on physical performance in competitive amateur soccer players. The training was conducted during the off-season period, two times per week for 8 weeks. Pre- and post-evaluations were conducted using the following tests: Y-Balance Test (YB), standing long jump (SLJ), medicine ball chest press (MBC), curl-up (CU), and Illinois Agility Test (IAT). A total of 19 adults were divided into an experimental group (EG, n = 11, age 22 years, weight 71.2 ± 4.8 kg, height 174 ± 5.8 cm) and a control group (CG, n = 8, age 22 years, weight 73.2 ± 4.1 Kg, height 176 ± 6.3 cm). The EG showed significant improvements in lower and upper body strength, core endurance and balance, whereas the CG did not report significant changes in the pre- and post-test comparison. Despite study limitations, our positive results show that circuit training with core exercises appears to be a good strategy for performance improvement in adult soccer players.

Calanus Oil Supplementation Does Not Further Improve Short-Term Memory or Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Older Women Who Underwent Exercise Training.

Purpose: In our study, we examined changes in short-term episodic memory and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in women after an exercise program alone or in combination with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) supplementation. Patients and Methods: Fifty-five healthy elderly women (65-80 years) were randomly split into two groups: in the first group were women attending an exercise program while taking wax esters-rich oil (Calanus) supplementation (n = 28) and in the other group were women undergoing the same exercise program while taking placebo (n = 27). The 16-week exercise program consisted of functional circuit training (twice a week) and Nordic walking lessons (once a week). Short-term episodic memory was evaluated by the Czech screening Test "Pojmenování OBrázku A jejich Vybavení" (POBAV) baseline and after the program lasting 16 weeks. Results: Our results show that short-term memory significantly improved following the exercise program, but there was no added value in using n-3 PUFA supplements. BDNF values did not differ between baseline and follow-up in either group. However, there was a statistically significant positive relationship between relative change (%) in the POBAV test and VO2peak in the placebo group (r = 0.49). Conclusion: Despite the added value of n-3 PUFA supplementation not being proven, our results may strengthen the importance of physical activity in averting age-related memory decline and dementia.

Investigating Affective Responses to Remotely Delivered "At Home" Low Volume High Intensity Interval Exercise: A Non-Randomized Parallel Group Feasibility Study.

Background: Low volume-high intensity interval exercise (LV-HIIE) has gained interest, due to its efficiency in invoking health and fitness benefits. However, little research has studied "at home" feasibility or effects of LV-HIIE. This study aimed to demonstrate that remote "at-home" LV-HIIE research is possible and to investigate if affective responses to the LV-HIIE protocol, subsequent intentions, and self-efficacy to repeat were related to self-reported tolerance of the intensity of exercise. Methods: Using self-reported tolerance of the intensity of exercise, 41 healthy, physically active participants (25 female and 16 male; age 21.3 ± 1.0 years, body mass index 23.0 ± 2.9 kg.m2) were divided into low tolerance (LT, n = 14), middle tolerance (MT, n = 15), and high tolerance (HT, n = 12) groups. Participants completed a 20-min LV-HIIE circuit training video [2 × (10 ×30 s work, 15 s rest)] at home. Participants reported ratings of perceived exertion, affective valence, and perceived activation at baseline, during the protocol, immediately post-protocol, and during the cool down. 20-min after completion, respondents answered questions on exercise task self-efficacy and intentions to repeat LV-HIIE. Results: The study recruited n = 65 individuals, of whom n = 50 passed screening. Ultimately n = 41 (82%) completed the exercise protocol and data collection. Ratings of perceived exertion were not significantly different between groups (p = 0.56), indicating similar perceptions of task difficulty. There was no significant effect of tolerance on affective valence (p = 0.36) or felt arousal (p = 0.06). There was evidence of high individual variability in affective responses within and between participants. Subsequent intentions and self-efficacy to repeat the exercise protocol did not seem to be related to affective valence during or after the protocol. Discussion: Recruitment and data collection indicated that research into "at home" LV-HIIE is possible. High individual differences in affective responses suggest that LV-HEII may be appropriate for some but not all as an exercise option. Assessing self-reported tolerance of intensity of exercise may not appropriately identify whether or not LV-HIIE will be suitable for an individual.