Role of physical activity and health-related fitness on self-confidence and interpersonal relations in 14-year-old adolescents from secondary school settings: DADOS study.

BACKGROUND: The effect of physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) on self-confidence and interpersonal relations in adolescents is uncertain. AIM: To analyzed the associations of PA and PF with self-confidence and interpersonal relations in adolescents. SAMPLE: A total of 268 (138 boys) adolescents (13.9 ± 0.3 years) from the DADOS study were included in the analysis. METHODS: PA was evaluated using GENEActiv accelerometers and the health-related PF components by the ALPHA health-related fitness test battery. The levels of self-confidence and interpersonal relations were determined by the Behavior Assessment System for Children Level 3. RESULTS: The associations of PA levels and PF components with self-confidence reported positive associations of moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA), standing long jump, and 20-m shuttle run (shuttle run test) tests (all p < 0.05), and negative association of 4 × 10-m shuttle run test (4 × 10-m test), but only the 4 × 10-m test remained significant in the adjusted model for the whole sample and only in boys (p ≤ 0.01) when analyzed by sex. Regarding interpersonal relations, positive associations of standing long jump and shuttle run test (all p < 0.05), and negative association of 4 × 10-m test were found in all the adolescents. The shuttle run test was associated with interpersonal relations in boys independently of confounders. PA levels were not associated with interpersonal relations. CONCLUSION: A higher level of lower-limb muscle strength, speed-agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness might improve self-confidence and interpersonal relations in adolescents, but these relationships seem to be influenced by sex, body mass index, and pubertal status. Speed-agility and cardiorespiratory fitness seem to have a stronger impact on boys. MVPA may improve self-confidence in adolescents.

Train at home, but not alone: a randomised controlled multicentre trial assessing the effects of live-streamed tele-exercise during COVID-19-related lockdowns.

OBJECTIVE: Public life restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic caused reductions in physical activity (PA) and decreases in mental and somatic health. Considering the interplay between these factors, we investigated the effects of digital home exercise (DHE) during government-enforced lockdowns. METHODS: A multicentre randomised controlled trial was performed allocating healthy individuals from nine countries (N=763; 523 female) to a DHE or an inactive control group. During the 4-week main intervention, DHE members engaged in live-streamed multicomponent home exercise. Subsequently, both groups had access to prerecorded workouts for an additional 4 weeks. Outcomes, assessed weekly, included PA level (Nordic Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7), mental well-being (WHO-5 Questionnaire), sleep quality (Medical Outcome Study Sleep Scale), pain/disability (Chronic Pain Grade Scale) and exercise motivation (Self-Concordance Scale). Mixed models were used for analysis. RESULTS: Live-streamed DHE consistently increased moderate PA (eg, week 1: 1.65 times more minutes per week, 95% CI 1.40 to 1.94) and vigorous PA (eg, week 1: 1.31 times more minutes per week, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.61), although the effects decreased over time. In addition, exercise motivation, sleep quality and anxiety were slightly improved for DHE in the 4-week live streaming period. The same applied to mental well-being (mean difference at week 4: +0.99, 95% CI 0.13 to 1.86), but an inverted trend was observed after live streaming was substituted by prerecorded exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Live-streamed DHE represents an efficacious method to enhance PA and selected markers of health during pandemic-related public life restrictions. However, research on implementation is warranted to reduce dropout rates. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: DRKS00021273.

Combined changes in temperature and pH mimicking exercise result in decreased efficiency in muscle mitochondria.

It is well known that exercise efficiency declines at intensities above the lactate threshold, yet the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Some have suggested it is due to a decline in mitochondrial efficiency, but this is difficult to examine in vivo. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to examine how changes in temperature and pH, mimicking those that occur during exercise, affect mitochondrial efficiency in skeletal muscle mitochondria. This study was performed on quadriceps muscle of 20 wild-type mice. Muscle tissue was dissected and either permeabilized (n = 10) or homogenized for isolation of mitochondria (n = 10), and oxidative phosphorylation capacity and P/O ratio were assessed using high-resolution respirometry. Samples from each muscle were analyzed in both normal physiological conditions (37°C, pH 7.4), decreased pH (6.8), increased temperature (40°C), and a combination of both. The combination of increased temperature and decreased pH resulted in a significantly lower P/O ratio, mirrored by an increase in leak respiration and a decrease in respiratory control ratio (RCR), in isolated mitochondria. In permeabilized fibers, RCR and leak were relatively unaffected, though a main effect of temperature was observed. Oxidative phosphorylation capacity was unaffected by changes in pH and temperature in both isolated mitochondria and permeabilized fibers. These results indicate that exercise-like changes in temperature and pH lead to impaired mitochondrial efficiency. These findings offer some degree of support to the concept of decreased mitochondrial efficiency during exercise, and may have implications for the assessment of mitochondrial function related to exercise.NEW & NOTEWORTHY To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the effects of combined changes in temperature and pH, mimicking intramuscular alterations during exercise. Our findings suggest that mitochondrial efficiency is impaired during exercise of moderate to high intensity, which could be a possible mechanism contributing to the decline in exercise efficiency at intensities above the lactate threshold.

Experiences, behaviours, and perspectives of young cancer survivors on physical activity.

This narrative review aimed to identify young cancer survivors' behaviours, experiences, and perspectives concerning physical activity, and identify useful strategies for promoting a healthy lifestyle. A manual search on the following databases was conducted: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search was conducted between June 1, 2023, and April 12, 2024. Articles published from database inception up to April 12, 2024, were retrieved. Articles published in any language were considered. Perspectives including ideas, perceived barriers, and facilitators have been identified. Young cancer survivors seem to engage in physical activity as a useful coping strategy to regain normality and keep healthy after the cancer diagnosis. Although emotional and social support seems fundamental to increase participation, several other factors, including physical limitations, fatigue, sex, cancer type, and socio-economic status can influence physical activity participation. For those engaged in physical activity, the preferred activities are walking, biking, going to the gym, and exercising at home, while the least preferred are exercising at the hospital or boot camp-based exercises. Yoga is more frequently chosen by those still under treatment. Young cancer survivors appear to have unique needs different from those of adult cancer survivors. Mode of treatment delivery, increased awareness concerning the effects of physical activity, including families and friends, connecting survivors, and providing social support together with increasing motivation are key strategies for the promotion of physical activity in young cancer survivors. Fitness and healthcare professionals should consider these aspects to increase young cancer survivors' involvement in physical activities.

One more rep! The case for resistance training in young cancer survivors.

Resistance training is now seen as a powerful tool to improve the health and functionality of cancer survivors. Literature shows that it can be implemented both during and after cancer treatment, with the intent of preserving muscle mass in the former and increasing muscle mass in the latter case. However, currently available data on this matter are predominantly derived from adult cancer survivors (ACS), and it is questionable whether the exact same raining regimen should be implemented in young cancer survivors (YCS) given the unique challenges they experience throughout their disease trajectory. Therefore, the goal of this work is to distill the existing evidence on resistance training (RT) interventions in ACS and facilitate discussion on whether the same patterns of RT can be applied in YCS.

Role of cardiorespiratory fitness on the associations between endocannabinoid system and depressive symptoms in adults diagnosed with depression: the SONRIE study / Papel de la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria en la asociación entre el sistema endocannabinoide y los síntomasdepresivos en adultos diagnosticados de depresión: el estudio SONRIE / O papel da capacidade cardiorrespiratória na associação entre o sistema endocanobinóido e os sintomasdepressivos em adultos diagnostados com a depressão: o estudo SONRIE

Objective: Endocannabinoid system (ES) seems to be altered in patients with depression. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) may be an interacting factor inthe relationship between ES biomarkers and depressive symptoms in people diagnosed with depression. The aim was to study the role of CRF on thepossible association between ES biomarkers and depressive symptoms in 73 adults diagnosed with depression. Method: This study examine the outcomes of cardiorespiratory fitness and plasma levels of the lipid mediators; anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) sampled from 73 adults diagnosed with depression.Results: Patients with high CRF level had significant and inverse association among depressive symptoms and 2-AG serum levels ( : -0.013; 95% CI: -β: -0.013; 95% CI: -0.262 to -0.000; R²=22.6; P<0.001).Conclusions: Higher CRF levels could have a protective role on depressive symptoms by increases in 2-AG.(AU)

Objetivo: El sistema endocannabinoide (SE) parece estar alterado en pacientes con depresión. La capacidad cardiorrespiratoria (CRF) puede ser un factor que interactúe en la relación entre los biomarcadores del SE y los síntomas depresivos en personas diagnosticadas de depresión. El objetivo de este trabajo es estudiar el papel del CRF en la posible asociación entre los biomarcadores de ES y los síntomas depresivos en 73 adultos diagnosticados de depresión. Método: Este estudio examina los resultados de la aptitud cardiorrespiratoria y los niveles plasmáticos de los mediadores lipídicos; anandamida (AEA) y 2-araquidoilglicerol (2-AG) en 73 adultos diagnosticados de depresión.Resultados: Los pacientes con alto nivel de CRF tuvieron una asociación significativa e inversa entre los síntomas depresivos y los niveles séricos de 2-AG ( : -0,013; IC 95%: -0,262 a -0,000; R²=22,6; P<0,001). β: -0.013; 95% CI: -Conclusiones: Los niveles más altos de CRF podrían tener un papel protector sobre los síntomas depresivos por el aumento de 2-AG.(AU)

Objetivo: O sistema endocannabinoide (ES) parece ser alterado em doentes com depressão. A aptidão cardiorrespiratória (CRF) pode ser um factor deinteracção na relação entre os biomarcadores SE e os sintomas depressivos em pessoas diagnosticadas com depressão. O objetivo deste estudo foiestudar o papel da CRF na possível associação entre biomarcadores de ES e sintomas depressivos em 73 adultos diagnosticados com depressão. Métodos: Este estudo examina resultados de aptidão cardiorrespiratória e níveis plasmáticos de mediadores lipídicos; anandamida (AEA) e 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) em 73 adultos diagnosticados com depressão.Resultados: Os doentes com CRF elevado tinham uma associação inversa significativa entre sintomas depressivos e níveis séricos 2-AG ( : -0,013; 95%β: -0.013; 95% CI: -CI: -0,262 a -0,000; R²=22,6; P<0,001).Conclusões: Níveis mais elevados de CRF poderiam ter um papel protector nos sintomas depressivos, aumentando o 2-AG.(AU)