Sex Differences in Athletic Performance Response to the Imagery and Mental Toughness of Elite Middle- and Long-Distance Runners.

This study aimed to determine whether there is a difference between the levels of imagery and mental toughness in the context of sports performance in male and female athletes. A total of 344 track and field athletes, 205 male (59.6%, 23.3 ± 4.0 years) and 139 female (40.4%, 22.9 ± 4.0 years), voluntarily participated in the study. Imagery Inventory and Mental Toughness Inventory in Sport were used as data collection tools in the study. In the evaluation of athletic performance, athletes were asked about their ranks in the years 2020, 2021, and 2022 and were categorized according to the scoring tables specified by the International Association of Athletics Federation. A MANOVA analysis was used to determine whether there was a difference between low (-2% to +5%), medium (+6 to +11%), and high (+12 to +17%) performers among male and female athletes, and a post hoc analysis was used to determine the source of the difference. According to the present findings, there was no significant difference between the imagery and mental toughness levels of athletes with high, medium, and low performance among male athletes. On the contrary, a significant difference was detected between the imagery and mental toughness levels of female athletes with medium and high performances, showing that athletes in the high-performance range had higher levels of imagery (Eta2 = 8) and mental toughness (Eta2 = 10) than athletes in the medium- and low-performance ranges. The findings of this study show that imagery and emotional intelligence are important factors for sports performance. In this context, coaches and sports psychologists can include these parameters in their training programs to achieve the optimal performance range.

Relationship between quadriceps muscle architecture and lower limb strength and physical function in older adults community-dwelling individuals: a cross-sectional study.

Background and objective: Factors related to muscle architecture may lead to functional limitations in activities of daily living in the older adults. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between quadriceps femoris (QF) architecture and physical function in older adults community-dwelling people. Methods: The study included 25 community-dwelling older adults participants aged over 60 years (14 women and 11 men) who were not engaged in regular physical activity. The rectus femoris (RF) and vastus intermedius (VI) muscle thicknesses as well as the RF cross-sectional area (CSA) were assessed using 2D ultrasonography. The 30 Seconds Chair Stand test (30sCST) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) were used to assess lower body muscle power and functional mobility, respectively. Results: The QF muscle architecture showed moderate and large correlations with the 30sCST (r range = 0.45-0.67, p < 0.05) and TUG (r range = 0.480-0.60, p < 0.05). RF thickness was a significant (p < 0.01) independent predictor of 30sCST (R 2 = 0.45) and TUG (R 2 = 0.36). VI thickness was a significant (p < 0.05) independent predictor of 30sCST (R 2 = 0.20) and TUG (R 2 = 0.231). RF CSA was a significant independent predictor of the 30sCST (R 2 = 0.250, p < 0.05) and TUG (R 2 = 0.27, p < 0.01). Multiple linear regression models explained 38% of the 30sCST variance and 30% of the TUG variance in the older adults group. Conclusion: Quadriceps muscle group directly affects basic activities of daily living in the older adults. Ultrasound measurements, which are non-invasive tools, are extremely valuable for understanding the limitations of activities of daily living in the older adults.

Effects of combined aerobic and resistance training on glycemic control, blood pressure, inflammation, cardiorespiratory fitness and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes and overweight/obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Structured aerobic or resistance training alone seems to be a beneficial tool for improving glucose homeostasis, chronic systemic inflammation, resting cardiovascular function, and mental health in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of the present study was to synthesize the available data on the effectiveness of combined aerobic and resistance training (CART) on glycemic control, blood pressure, inflammation, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and quality of life (QoL) in overweight and obese individuals with T2DM. Methods: A database search was carried out in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar from inception up to May 2023. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess eligible studies, and the GRADE method to evaluate the reliability of evidence. A random-effects model was used, and data were analyzed using standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals. The study protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (ID: CRD42022355612). Results: A total of 21,612 studies were retrieved; 20 studies were included, and data were extracted from 1,192 participants (mean age: 57 ± 7 years) who met the eligibility criteria. CART demonstrated significant improvements in body mass index, glycated hemoglobin, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, CRF, and QoL compared to ST. These findings highlight the significance of exercise interventions such as CART as essential elements within comprehensive diabetes management strategies, ultimately enhancing overall health outcomes in individuals with T2DM and overweight/obesity.No differences were found in resting heart rate between CART and ST. An uncertain risk of bias and poor quality of evidence were found among the eligible studies. Conclusion: These outcomes show clear evidence considering the positive role of CART in inducing beneficial changes in various cardiometabolic and mental health-related indicators in patients with T2DM and concurrent overweight/obesity. More studies with robust methodological design are warranted to examine the dose-response relationship, training parameters configuration, and mechanisms behind these positive adaptations.

Combined Aerobic and Resistance Training Improves Body Composition, Alters Cardiometabolic Risk, and Ameliorates Cancer-Related Indicators in Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors with Overweight/Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Breast cancer survivors with obesity are at a high risk of cancer recurrence, comorbidity, and mortality. This review aims to systematically evaluate the effects of combined aerobic and resistance training (CART) on body composition, lipid homeostasis, inflammation, adipokines, cancer-related fatigue, sleep, and quality of life in breast cancer patients and survivors with overweight/obesity. An electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases from inception up to January 8, 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) meeting the inclusion criteria were selected for the analysis. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess eligible studies, and the GRADE method to evaluate the quality of evidence. A random-effects model was used, and data were analyzed using mean (MD) and standardized mean differences (SMD) for continuous variables with 95% confidence intervals (CI). We assessed the data for risk of bias, heterogeneity, sensitivity, reporting bias, and quality of evidence. A total of 17 randomized controlled trials were included in the systematic review involving 1,148 female patients and survivors (mean age: 54.0 ± 3.4 years). The primary outcomes showed significant improvements in body mass index (SMD -0.57 kg/m2, p = 0.04), body fat (SMD -0.50%, p = 0.02), fat mass (SMD -0.63 kg, p = 0.04), hip circumference (MD -3.14 cm, p = 0.02), and fat-free mass (SMD 1.03 kg, p < 0.001). The secondary outcomes indicated significant increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD -0.05 mmol/L, p = 0.008), natural killer cells (SMD 0.42%, p = 0.04), reductions in triglycerides (MD -81.90 mg/dL, p < 0.01), total cholesterol (SMD -0.95 mmol/L, p < 0.01), tumor necrosis factor α (SMD -0.89 pg/mL, p = 0.03), and leptin (SMD -0.63 ng/mL, p = 0.03). Also, beneficial alterations were found in cancer-related fatigue (SMD -0.98, p = 0.03), sleep (SMD -1.17, p < 0.001), and quality of life (SMD 2.94, p = 0.02) scores. There was very low to low confidence in the estimated effect of most of the outcomes. The present findings reveal that CART could be considered an adjunct therapy in supporting the conventional clinical approach observed following exercise. However, further high-quality research is needed to evaluate whether CART would be a valuable intervention to lower aggressive pharmacologic use in breast cancer patients with overweight/obesity.

Home-based circuit training improves blood lipid profile, liver function, musculoskeletal fitness, and health-related quality of life in overweight/obese older adult patients with knee osteoarthritis and type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: There is strong evidence showing the association between obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and knee pain resulting from osteoarthritis. Regular exercise has been reported as a foundational piece of the preventive therapy puzzle for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients. Nonetheless, evidence-based exercise protocols for people with comorbidities, such as obesity, T2DM, and KOA are limited. Therefore, the present trial aimed to assess the effectiveness of a 12-week home-based circuit training (HBCT) protocol on various indices related to cardiometabolic health, musculoskeletal fitness, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among overweight/obese older adult patients with KOA and T2DM during the COVID-19 lockdown. METHODS: This is a randomized controlled trial study registered at the National Medical Research Register (ID: RSCH ID-21-01180-KGTNMRR ID-21-02367-FUM) and obtained approval on December 9, 2021. Seventy overweight or obese patients with KOA and T2DM (62.2 ± 6.1 years; 56% female) were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 35, HBCT) or the no-exercise control group (n = 35, CON). HBCT performed a 12-week progressive protocol (seven exercises; 15-30 repetitions per exercise, 1 min passive rest between exercises; 2-4 rounds per session; 20-60 min total session duration). Blood samples were collected, and assays were performed to assess the lipid profile, liver function, and fasting blood glucose (FBG). In addition, the 30-s Chair Stand Test (30CST) was used to evaluate lower body muscular strength and endurance while the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was used to evaluate lower limb function, mobility, and the risk of falls for all the participants. HRQoL was assessed using the Osteoarthritis Knee and Hip Quality of Life (OAKHQoL). All the assessments were conducted at pre-, mid-, and post-training stages during the application or practice of the exercise protocol, rather than during the training sessions themselves. RESULTS: HBCT significantly reduced total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, FBG and knee pain (p < 0.05). Furthermore, HBCT induced meaningful increases in high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), lower body muscular strength, endurance, function, mobility, and HRQoL in overweight/obese older adults with T2DM and KOA (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present outcomes recommend that an injury-free HBCT program may improve various indicators related to cardiometabolic health, musculoskeletal fitness, and HRQoL in elderly with overweight/obesity, T2DM and KOA. These findings offer valuable insights for clinicians and practitioners seeking evidence-based exercise interventions tailored for patients managing substantial metabolic and musculoskeletal health challenges in clinical practice.

Psychophysiological Adaptations to Exercise Training in COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Many COVID-19 patients display adverse symptoms, such as reduced physical ability, poor quality of life, and impaired pulmonary function. Therefore, this systematic review is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of physical exercise on various psychophysiological indicators among COVID-19 patients who may be at any stage of their illness (i.e., critically ill, hospitalized, postdischarge, and recovering). Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from 2019 to 2021. Twenty-seven studies, which assessed a total of 1525 patients, were included and analysed. Results: Overall, data revealed significant improvements in the following parameters: physical function, dyspnoea, pulmonary function, quality of life (QOL), lower limb endurance and strength, anxiety, depression, physical activity level, muscle strength, oxygen saturation, fatigue, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), lymphocyte, leukocytes, and a fibrin degradation product (D-dimer). Conclusions: Physical training turns out to be an effective therapy that minimises the severity of COVID-19 in the intervention group compared to the standard treatment. Therefore, physical training could be incorporated into conventional treatment of COVID-19 patients. More randomized controlled studies with follow-up evaluations are required to evaluate the long-term advantages of physical training. Future research is essential to establish the optimal exercise intensity level and assess the musculoskeletal fitness of recovered COVID-19 patients. This trial is registered with CRD42021283087.

The Effect of Combining Blood Flow Restriction with the Nordic Hamstring Exercise on Hamstring Strength: Randomized Controlled Trial.

(1) Background: It is a matter of curiosity what effect the blood flow restriction (BFR) method, which is usually combined with low-intensity resistance exercises, will have when used with high-intensity eccentric exercises. (2) Methods: The present study examined the effects of combining BFR with nordic hamstring exercises (NHEs) on hamstring muscle strength, bilateral deficit (BLD), and training volume. Thirty young female volleyball players, who trained three times a week, participated voluntarily in the study. These players were stratified into three groups, each comprising ten individuals: a control group (CG), an NHE group, and an NHE + BFR group. Hamstring muscle strength and BLD values were determined using an H-BORD device, while training volume was measured in terms of sets and repetitions. (3) Results: Statistical analysis revealed that there were no statistically significant differences in non-dominant and dominant leg peak torque parameters in the exercise groups (F = 2.65; p = 0.097; ηp2 = 0.17; F = 1.15; p = 0.0334; ηp2 = 0.084), while the total training volume was lower in the NHE + BFR group. (4) Conclusions: As a result, it was seen that adding the BFR method to NHE did not provide additional gains. However, due to the low training volume of BFR + NHE, it may be recommended to apply BFR together with NHE to athlete groups.

Resistance Training to Muscle Failure with Variable Load Intensities: Implications for Post-Exercise Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Variability in Trained Men.

Background: The modulation of cardiac sympathovagal balance alters following acute resistance training (RT) sessions. Nevertheless, the precise influence of RT at varying load intensities on this physiological response remains to be fully elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the time course of recovery following low- (40%), moderate- (60%), and high- (80%) load-intensity RT protocols performed up to muscle repetition failure in resistance-trained men. Method: Sixteen young, resistance-trained men (mean age: 21.6 ± 2.5 years, mean height: 175.7 ± 8.9 cm, mean weight: 77.1 ± 11.3 kg) participated in a randomized crossover experimental design involving three sessions, each taken to the point of muscle failure. These sessions were characterized by different load intensities: low (40% of 1-repetition maximum, 1RM), moderate (60% of 1RM), and high (80% of 1RM). The exercise regimen comprised four exercises-back squat (BS), bench press (BnP), barbell row (BR), and shoulder press (SP)-with each exercise consisting of three sets. Throughout each session, heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure (BP) parameters were assessed both pre-exercise and during a 40 min post-exercise period, segmented into 10 min intervals for stabilization. Statistical analysis involved the use of a repeated measures ANOVA. Results: It was observed that the 40% and 60% RT sessions resulted in a significantly higher root mean square of successive R-R intervals (RMSSD) value compared to the 80% RT session in the post-exercise recovery process in 30 min (respectively, p = 0.025; p = 0.028) and 40 min (respectively, p = 0.031; p = 0.046), while the 40% and 60% RT sessions produced similar responses. The 40% RT session was significantly higher in the high frequency (HF) value post-exercise in 40 min compared to the 80% RT session (p = 0.045). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that engaging in resistance training (RT) sessions to muscle failure at an intensity of 80% induces acute increases in sympathetic activity, potentially leading to elevated cardiovascular stress. For individuals with normal blood pressure, it is advisable to opt for lighter loads and higher repetition volumes when prescribing RT, as heavier-load RT may carry an increased risk of cardiac-related factors.

Effects of combined aerobic exercise and diet on cardiometabolic health in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Lifestyle modifications involving diet and exercise are recommended for patients diagnosed with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The purpose of this review was to systematically evaluate the effects of combined aerobic exercise and diet (AEDT) on various cardiometabolic health-related indicators among individuals with obesity and T2DM. METHODOLOGY: A comprehensive search of the PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases was conducted for this meta-analysis. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to evaluate eligible studies, and the GRADE tool was used to rate the certainty of evidence. A random-effects model for continuous variables was used, and the results were presented as mean differences or standardised mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: A total of 16,129 studies were retrieved; 20 studies were included, and data were extracted from 1,192 participants. The findings revealed significant improvements in body mass index, body weight, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, fasting plasma insulin, glycated hemoglobin, leptin, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and adiponectin (p < 0.05) compared to the standard treatment (ST) group. No significant differences were observed between the AEDT and ST groups in fat mass, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. The present findings are based on low- to moderate-quality evidence. CONCLUSIONS: AEDT may be a critical behavior for holistic cardiometabolic health-related benefits as a contemporary anti-obesity medication due to its significant positive impact on patients with obesity and T2DM. Nevertheless, further robust evidence is necessary to determine whether AEDT is an effective intervention for lowering cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors among individuals with obesity and T2DM.

The Effects of Combining Aerobic and Heavy Resistance Training on Body Composition, Muscle Hypertrophy, and Exercise Satisfaction in Physically Active Adults.

This study investigated the effects of combined aerobic and heavy resistance training on the variables of body composition, muscle hypertrophy, and exercise satisfaction in physically active adults in comparison with heavy resistance training only (predominantly designed for hypertrophy). Twenty-two healthy male adults between the ages of 18 and 35, who had limited previous experience with muscle resistance training, participated in the intervention program while maintaining their physical activity level. The participants were randomly allocated into two groups: the resistance training group (control group) and the combined training group (experimental group), which involved both resistance training and aerobic training. Aerobic training consisted of 30 min aerobic interval training sessions three times a week with a total of 8 min work bouts in each at 60-70% of heart rate reserve (HRR). The intervention training program lasted for eight weeks. Resistance training consisted of a 3-day muscle group split (2-3 exercises per muscle group, 8 sets per muscle group, 6-12 repetition maximum (RM). Upon completion, body composition, muscle hypertrophy, and exercise satisfaction were analyzed using the mixed-design ANOVA. Variables selected for this study as markers of body composition responded differently to the different interventions and time; however, some trends were not statistically significant. Overall, it is not possible to state unequivocally that one training modality was superior to another in the body composition cluster, for significant improvements were observed within the groups from pre- to post-interventions, but no significant differences were observed between the resistance training and combined training groups, while, both interventions showed improvement with time in some variables of muscle hypertrophy. Compared to baseline, the exercise satisfaction post-intervention improved within the groups. From pre- to post-testing, both resistance and combined training groups improved exercise satisfaction (p < 0.05 in both groups). However, there was no significant difference in exercise satisfaction observed between the resistance training and combined training groups after the training intervention (p > 0.05).

Study of the Effects of Physical-Activity Practice and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet on Emotional Intelligence in Elementary School Education Students.

Research shows that regular physical exercise and a healthy lifestyle have a beneficial effect on the health of adolescents. Other studies have also shown that gender is also a determining factor when it comes to leading an active and healthy lifestyle. The aims of this study are (a) to develop a structural-equation model formed by the variables of emotional intelligence, physical-activity practice, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet and (b) to consider that model through a multigroup analysis. A descriptive, comparative, and cross-sectional study was carried out. The sample consisted of 567 primary school students. The KIDMED, PAQ-C, and TMMS-24 questionnaires were used for data collection. We found that there are differences in the effects of the practice of physical activity and adherence to the Mediterranean diet on the emotional domain. We also concluded that, during adolescence, gender is a key element in acquiring a healthy and active lifestyle.

Comparative effectiveness of 10-week equipment-based pilates and diaphragmatic breathing exercise on heart rate variability and pulmonary function in young adult healthy women with normal BMI - a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: The positive effects of Pilates and slow-controlled breathing exercises on health are examined in different studies. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of 10-week equipment-based Pilates, slow-controlled breathing exercises, and a combination of both on heart rate variability (HRV), pulmonary function, and body composition (BC) in young adult healthy women with normal BMI. METHODS: Forty female participants were assigned to either equipment-based Pilates group (PG), slow-controlled breathing exercise group (BG), equipment-based Pilates + breathing exercise group (PBG), and control groups (CG). Equipment-based Pilates exercise consists of training for two days a week and 50 min per day, and breathing exercises were done twice a week for 15 min a day for 8 weeks. In addition, PBG performed a 15-minute breathing exercise after each Pilates session. Pilates sessions were created with Reformer, Cadillac, Ladder Barrel, Chair Barrel, and Spine Corrector. On the other hand, breathing exercises were based on a controlled 5 s inhale and 5 s exhale cycles. RESULTS: Before and after the implementation, pulmonary function, HRV, and BC parameters were measured. The body weight and BMI improved in PG and PBG, and the percent body fat decreased only in PBG (p < 0.05). Both PG and PBG noted significant changes in HRV indices SDSD, SDNN, TP, HF, and LF. However, the RMSSD was recorded higher in only PBG. Similar changes were found in pulmonary parameters. The FVC, FEV1, VC, IC, TV, MVV, and VE im-proved in PBG. PG showed increases in VC and TV. The only changes found in BG were PEF and ERV. CONCLUSIONS: The finding highlights the ample effect of combined breathing and Pilates exercise on HRV, pulmonary function and body composition which has important implications for health promotion.

Examining mindfulness and moral disengagement in doping: Perspective of Turkish wrestlers.

Introduction: Studies related to attitudes toward the use of prohibited substances in Turkish athletes are scarce. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has implemented anti-doping educational policies emphasizing doping-related education in studies conducted among Turkish wrestlers. However, it is still unclear the extent to which the wrestlers comply and adhere to these anti-doping policies. No research has previously examined the effect of anti-doping education on athletes' mindfulness and moral disengagement in doping (MDD). Therefore, the present study has a two-fold objective: first, to examine whether doping-related education (DRE) and the status of being a national athlete (NA) have an effect on athlete mindfulness and MDD. Second, to analyze the relationship between each sub-dimensions of athlete mindfulness: awareness (ASD), judgment (JSD), and refocus (RSD) with MDD. Methods: A total of 409 male wrestlers participated in this study. MANOVA analysis showed that NA and DRE alone have no effect on MDD but have a general effect on mindfulness. Results: The highest effect was on the ASD of being an NA ( η p 2 = 0.173). When the interaction effect of NA*DRE was examined, significant difference in MDD (F = 8.218, p = 0.004), ASD (F = 8.476, p = 0.004), JSD (F = 5.844, p = 0.016), and RSD (F = 11.476, p = 0.001) were found. MDD has a weak negative relationship with ASD (r = -0.126) and RSD (r = -0.041) and a weak positive relationship with the JSD sub-dimension (r = 0.140). Those results suggest that being a NA and having received anti-doping education affect moral disengagement in doping and athletes' mindfulness. Discussion: As a conclusion, it is recommended to increase awareness and anti-doping education among national-standard Turkish wrestlers to prevent them from engaging in doping behaviors.

Physical activities pre- and post-COVID-19 vaccination and its implementations: A narrative review.

Coronavirus disease 2019 is a severe communicable pulmonary medical problem that has been a challenging disease for everyone in the globe, but vaccines development and administration against this severe acute respiratory syndrome-inducing disease (coronavirus disease 2019) are currently yielding fabulous results. The mean duration of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic for this study spanned from 2020 until 2022. These manifestations are accompanied by symptoms of respiratory tract illnesses such as non-productive cough, sore throat, and nasal discharge. Relevant reviews on coronavirus disease 2019 manifestations and outcomes, consisting mainly of the infections/outbreaks, experimental information, and pre- and post-serovaccination details that occurred, were described. After a typical vaccination course, the study aims to summarize and understand more about the effectiveness of exercise on the pre-and post-coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination and its implementations. Physical activity is an immunological function adjuvant to decrease communicable disease risk and enhance immunity post-viral infection vaccination. Moderate-intensity resistance exercisesession directly before getting the influenza vaccine decreases vaccine responses in older adults, such as redness, pain, or inflammation at the injection spot or other adverse consequences compared to the inactive circumstance. However, it was reported that exercise after a shot is generally safe as long as vaccinated people feel well enough. Though exercise before or after vaccination has no negative impact on the protection afforded by the vaccine, people can exercise immediately after receiving the vaccine, as any changes in blood flow will not affect the vaccine's response. One episode of light-to-moderate-intensifying exercise after vaccination may improve the antibody reactions to influenza or the coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine. Vaccination administered pre- and post-regular exercise is an effective approach for boosting antibody responses due to its immunostimulant effects. Future research should investigate how different vaccine antibodies respond to low, moderate, and high physical activity levels.

Agility Skills, Speed, Balance and CMJ Performance in Soccer: A Comparison of Players with and without a Hearing Impairment.

This study investigates the differences in agility, speed, jump and balance performance and shooting skills between elite hearing-impaired national team soccer players (HISP) and without-hearing-impairment elite soccer players (woHISP). Players were divided into two groups, the HISP group (n = 13; 23.5 ± 3.1 years) and the woHISP group (n = 16; 20.6 ± 1.4 years), and were tested in three sessions, seven apart, for metrics including anthropometrics, speed (10 m, 20 m and 30 m), countermovement jump (CMJ), agility (Illinois, 505, zigzag), T test (agility and shooting skills), and balance. The results showed that 30 m, 20 m and 10 m sprint scores, agility/ skills (sec), shooting skills (goals), zigzag, Illinois, and 505 agility skills, and countermovement jump scores were significantly lower among players with hearing impairments (p < 0.05). There were no significant T test differences between HISP and woHISP (p > 0.05). The HISP showed right posterolateral and posteromedial, and left posterolateral and posteromedial scores that were lower than the woHISP group (p < 0.05). Anterior scores were not significantly different between each leg (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the HISP group showed higher performance scores for speed (10 m, 20 m and 30 m), CMJ, agility (Illinois, 505, zigzag) and T test (sec and goals), but not balance. Hearing-impaired soccer players are determined by their skill, training, and strategy, not their hearing ability.

Prevalence of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) in Hepatitis B (HBV), and Hepatitis C (HCV) Liver Cirrhosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background and Aim: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common infection in liver cirrhosis. This systematic review and meta-analysis provide detailed information on the prevalence of SBP among hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver cirrhosis globally. Methods: A systematic search for articles describing the prevalence of SBP in HBV and HCV-related cirrhosis was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Our search returned ten (10) eligible articles involving 1713 viral cirrhosis cases representing eight (8) countries. A meta-analysis was performed on our eligible studies using the random effect model. A protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022321790). Results: The pooled prevalence of SBP in HBV-associated cirrhosis had the highest estimate [8.0% (95% CI, 2.7−21.0%; I2 = 96.13%; p < 0.001)], followed by SBP in HCV-associated liver cirrhosis [4.0% (95% CI, 1.3%−11.5%; I2 = 88.99%; p < 0.001)]. China (61.8%, CI: 57.1−66.3%), the USA (50.0%, CI: 34.6−65.4%), and Holland (31.1%, CI: 21.6−42.5%) had the highest estimate for SBP in HBV associated liver cirrhosis, SBP in HCV associated liver cirrhosis and SBP in HBV + HCV associated liver cirrhosis respectively. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of SBP in viral hepatitis-associated liver cirrhosis with the year of sampling and method of SBP detection at P < 0.001. There was an increase in SBP incidence at the beginning of 2016 across the liver cirrhosis in this study. Conclusion: The findings of this review revealed a rise in the incidence of SBP in viral hepatitis over the last decade. The latter indicates a possible future rise in the global prevalence of SBP among HBV and HCV-related liver cirrhosis.

A GNAS Gene Mutation's Independent Expression in the Growth of Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Globally, colorectal carcinoma CRC is the third most common cancer and the third most common reason for cancer-associated mortality in both genders. The GNAS mutations are significantly linked with poor prognosis and failed treatment outcomes in CRC. A systematic review and meta-analysis of multiple studies executed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) criteria and registered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42021256452). The initial search includes a total of 271 publications; however, only 30 studies that merit the eligibility criteria were eventually chosen. Data analysis via OpenMeta Analyst and comprehensive meta-analysis 3.0 (CMA 3.0) software were used to investigate the prevalence of GNAS gene mutation among CRC patients. The meta-analysis consisted of 10,689 participants with most being males 6068/10,689 (56.8%). Overall, prevalence of GNAS mutations was 4.8% (95% CI: 3.1−7.3) with I2 = 94.39% and (p < 0.001). In 11/30 studies, the frequency of GNAS gene mutations was majorly in codons R201C [40.7% (95% CI: 29.2−53.2%)] and in codon R201H [39.7% (95% CI = 27.1−53.8)]. Overall prevalence of GNAS mutations was highest among the male gender: 53.9% (95% CI: 48.2−59.5%: I2 = 94.00%, (p < 0.001), tumour location (colon): 50.5% (95% CI: 33.2−67.6%: I2 = 97.93%, (p < 0.001), tumour grade (Well): 57.5% (95% CI: 32.4−79.2%: I2 = 98.10%, (p < 0.001) and tumour late stage: 67.9% (95% CI: 49.7−84.3%: I2 = 98.%, (p < 0.001). When stratified according to study location, a higher prevalence was observed in Japan (26.8%) while Italy has the lowest (0.4%). Overall prevalence of GNAS gene mutations was 4.8% with codons R201C and R201H being the most mutated, and the results conformed with numerous published studies on GNAS mutation.

Effectiveness of Pulmonary Rehabilitation among COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Many COVID-19 patients presented with detrimental features, such as impaired respiratory function, physical capacity, and overall poor quality of life. The present study evaluates the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation on COVID-19 patients. Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar from 2019 to 2021. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO with the registration number CRD42021273618. We performed statistical analyses via random effects and expressed the outcomes as standardized mean difference (SMD) for continuous variables, with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: We included six trials involving 432 patients. The primary outcome showed a significant improvement in physical function (SMD 0.83, 95% CI −0.58 to 1.09; p < 0.001; four trials, 266 participants; high-quality evidence). There was significant difference in anxiety (SMD −0.80, 95% CI −1.23 to −0.37; p = 0.003), physical activity intensity levels (SMD −1.27, 95% CI −2.23 to −0.32; p = 0.009), sleep quality (MD −0.05, 95% CI −0.83 to −0.16; p = 0.004), peripheral muscle performance of lower limbs (SMD 0.90, 95% CI −0.60 to 1.20; p < 0.001), and dyspnoea outcomes (SMD −0.55, 95% CI −0.87 to −0.23; p = 0.007). Conclusions: Pulmonary rehabilitation is an effective adjuvant therapy that minimizes COVID-19 severity in the intervention group compared to the conventional treatment. The findings of this study will need to be considered in the framework of the clinical outcome as observed in the intervention outcome. Additionally, safer data on guideline rehabilitation would be needed to examine whether pulmonary rehabilitation would be a fruitful intervention to reduce COVID-19 severity.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Physical Activity Patterns of Dental Students: A Multinational Survey.

BACKGROUND: The authorities of the world had to take extraordinary containment measures due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic spreading across the globe. The only way to stay active during the pandemic was at-home physical activity (PA). The current study evaluates how these preventative measures impacted the PA and well-being of students. METHODS: This study is multicentral and was conducted in Malaysia, India, Cambodia, and Saudi Arabia; participants were recruited from four different regions to answer the online questionnaire provided via a link shared using their personal WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Twitter social media. RESULTS: The means of vigorous, moderate, and light PA (min/day) between the active and inactive groups were significantly different (p = 0.001, 0.007, and 0.001), respectively. In comparison with pre-COVID-19, the participants reported that it became more challenging to engage in regular exercise since the onset of social distance, associated with a lack of motivation followed by "less confidence", "less enjoyment", "less support, and fewer opportunities to engage in exercise"; moreover, it was "difficult to maintain close relationships" and "hard to voice their options on contentious matters" (p = 0.001). Public health measures affected the PA and well-being of active and inactive students; this demonstrates that health promotion strategies aimed at enhancing levels of PA in inactive students may be necessary to improve students' well-being.

Evaluation of physical activity among undergraduate students in Mogadishu Universities in the aftermath of COVID-19 restrictions.

Background: International restrictions were enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic to limit social interaction and viral transmission. These measures had a negative impact on physical activity (PA), creating changes in students' health and lifestyles. The present study aimed to evaluate the levels of PA among undergraduate students in three different universities in Mogadishu after the relaxation of COVID-19 lockdown using the international physical activity questionnaire-long version (IPAQ-L) and its potential associated factors. Methods: This study is a multicentral study conducted at Somali International University, Horn of Africa University, and Daha International University. A total of 1,189 respondents were asked to answer the online questionnaire provided via a link shared using their social media. Results: After COVID-19 restrictions approximately ≥ 150 minutes of PA per week was reported by 500 men (97.3%) and 652 women (96.6%) at work. While 7 (1.4%) of men and 20 (3%) of women participate in < 150 minutes each week, respectively. Furthermore, only seven (1.4%) of males and three (0.4%) of women reported to have not performed any PA at work. Conclusion: The majority of the undergraduate students at the selected universities in Mogadishu were physically active after the relaxation of COVID-19 rules in Somalia. Such a high level of PA is a significant advantage to public health.