Remote Pilates Training Is Effective in Improving Physical Fitness in Healthy Women: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Despite its positive impact on physical and mental well-being, adults may refrain from performing regular physical activity, due to inadequate time, accessibility, or funds. Yet remote platforms could overcome such obstacles and increase participation. This study evaluated the effectiveness of remote-synchronous group-Pilates classes compared to in-studio classes in healthy sedentary women. In a randomized controlled design, 40 women, aged 20-45, were assigned to a Zoom or studio group-Pilates training. The intervention included twice-weekly 45 min sessions over an eight-week period. Attendance (adherence) was recorded, and the participants completed physical motor tests (plank, curl-up, stork, push-up, and V-sit and reach), Profile of Mood State Surveys, and Nordic Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaires. Evaluations were performed at baseline, mid-intervention (4 weeks), and post intervention (8 weeks). Adherence to training was high in the Zoom and studio groups (80% and 74%, respectively). Improvements in physical motor tests were seen in both groups following the Pilates interventions, thereby indicating the effectiveness of group-Pilates Zoom training. In conclusion, remote online physical activity such as Pilates offers a good alternative to in-studio trainings, as a means for improving physical fitness and promoting a healthy lifestyle in adults, by offering a more accessible and less timely alternative to in-studio physical activity programs.

[RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGING CARDIOVASCULAR SCREENING OF ATHLETES WHO ARE REQUIRED FOR PRE-PARTICIPATION SCREENING UNDER THE SPORTS LAW - A POSITION PAPER ON BEHALF OF THE ISRAEL HEART SOCIETY].

INTRODUCTION: For many years routine screening of athletes in Israel includes frequently performed ECGs and exercise tests that overload the system with questionable benefits. The purpose of the current document is to reevaluate the need for pre-participation testing and establish new evidence-based guidelines. It should be noted that our proposal for a change of approach relates only to subjects whose health questionnaire is normal, who do not have a family history of sudden and unexpected death at an early age, or a family history of hereditary heart disease and whose physical examination from a cardiovascular point of view is normal.

Prenatally diagnosed isolated perimembranous ventricular septal defect: Genetic and clinical implications.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of chromosomal aberrations and the clinical outcomes following the prenatal diagnosis of isolated perimembranous ventricular septal defect (pVSD). METHODS: This retrospective study was composed of a cohort of pregnant women whose fetuses were diagnosed with isolated pVSD. Complete examinations of the fetal heart were performed, as well as a postnatal validation echocardiography follow-up at 1 year of age. The collected data included: spontaneous closure of the pVSD, need for intervention, chromosomal aberrations and postnatal outcome. RESULTS: Fifty-five pregnant women were included in the study. 34/55 (61.8%) of the fetuses underwent prenatal genetic workup which revealed no abnormal results. No dysmorphic features or abnormal neurological findings were detected postnatally in those who declined a prenatal genetic workup during the follow-up period of 2 years. In 25/55 of the cases (45.4%), the ventricular septal defects (VSD) closed spontaneously in utero, whereas in 17 cases of this group (30.9%) the VSD closed during the first year of life. None of the large 3 VSDs cases (>3 mm), closed spontaneously. CONCLUSION: Prenatally isolated perimembranous VSD has a favorable clinical outcome when classified as small-to-moderate size, children in our cohort born with such findings had no macroscopic chromosomal abnormalities.

Effective and safe lead extraction using the bidirectional rotational Evolution® sheath in a child with congenital heart disease.

We reported a challenging transvenous lead extraction procedure for lead failure in a child with congenital heart disease. Our report demonstrates that the new hand-powered bidirectional rotational Evolution RL (Cook Medical, USA) mechanical extraction sheath is an effective and safe tool for the extraction of chronically implanted leads in children.

Premarketing surveillance of ibuprofen suppositories in febrile children.

In many countries, ibuprofen is available only in oral formulations. The authors aimed to investigate parental satisfaction and possible adverse reactions among children receiving newly marketed ibuprofen suppositories, prior to their arrival at the pharmaceutical points of distribution. Children needing antipyretic medication were recruited from 11 pediatric wards and clinics in Israel. Each patient received ibuprofen suppositories (5-10 mg/kg/dose) after completing a data collection form. After 3 to 7 days of treatment, information regarding parent satisfaction, possible adverse reactions, and concomitant use of drugs was obtained. Overall, 490 children completed the study. Parents' satisfaction was high (4.5 ± 0.47 on a scale of 1-5), and 92.2% reported that they would use the medication in the future. Adverse reactions were reported in 8 patients (1.63%, 95% confidence interval = 1.77-3.25), the most common being diarrhea. Rectal administration of ibuprofen suppositories is well tolerated and overall satisfaction and the repeated expected use were high.