Physical Performance Research Articles

Prevalence and associated body composition factors of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults

BackgroundThe objective of this investigation was to examine the frequency and determinants related to body composition of sarcopenia among aging individuals residing in the Beijing community through implementation of the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia outlined by the 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS).MethodsA cross-sectional examination employing multistage cluster sampling was conducted on a sample consisting of 933 individuals aged 50 years or above. The study utilized the AWGS 2019 criteria for muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical function to gauge sarcopenia. In addition, data on demographic characteristics, anthropometry, and body composition were collected. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to ascertain the relationships between sarcopenia and correlated factors.ResultsThe study found that the overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 8.3%. Sex (p < 0.001) and body mass index (BMI p < 0.001) were determined to have a significant association with the occurrence of sarcopenia. The adjusted analyses demonstrated that with each standard deviation increase in fat-free mass index (OR = 0.02 (0.01–0.05), of 95%), skeletal muscle mass (OR = 0.17 (0.12–0.25), of 95%), and other body composition indicators (including total body water 0.26 (0.2–0.35), intracellular water 0.1 (0.06–0.17), protein 0.01 (0–0.02), soft lean mass 0.35 (0.28–0.44), BMI 0.58 (0.51–0.67), body cell mass 0.21 (0.15–0.29), OR < 0.60, of 95%), the risk of sarcopenia decreased by more than 40%. Certain straightforwardly accessible anthropometric indices such as upper arm circumference (correlation coefficient 0.94 (0.9–0.97), 0.97 (0.95–1), 1.01 (0.99–1.03), respectively, of 95%), waist circumference (0.94(0.92–0.96), 1.01 (0.99–1.03), 1.02 (1–1.03), of 95%), hip circumference (0.93 (0.9–0.96), 0.99 (0.97–1.02), 1.02 (1–1.04), of 95%), waist-to-hip ratio (0.93 (0.87–1), 1.04 (1–1.08), 1 (0.97–1.03), of 95%), body fat percentage (1 (0.98–1.02), 1.02(1–1.04), 1.01 (0.99–1.02), of 95%), and phase angle (0.91 (0.89–0.93), 0.96 (0.94–0.98), 0.99 (0.98–1), of 95%) exhibited substantial correlation with skeletal muscle index, muscle strength or physical performance. However, no noteworthy link between sarcopenia and most variables associated with physical function was discovered.ConclusionsThe findings of the study highlight the prevalence of sarcopenia among the aging residents of Beijing. Certain easily measured anthropometric indices demonstrated strong correlation with muscle strength or physical performance, thereby providing an avenue for screening and diagnosing sarcopenia in older people who may not be able to undergo grip strength or physical function assessments. To investigate causal relationships, future studies employing longitudinal or interventional designs with a more comprehensive population are warranted.

Effectiveness of home-based exercise for functional rehabilitation in older adults after hip fracture surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to assess effectiveness of home-based exercise compared with control interventions for functional rehabilitation in elderly patients after hip fracture surgery. Comprehensive literature search was performed on PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane library, and Clinicaltrails.gov to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Standard mean difference (SMD) and risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. The certainty of evidence of each outcome was assessed by using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. A total of 28 articles reporting 21 unique RCTs (n = 2470) were finally included. Compared with control interventions, home-based exercise significantly improved Berg balance scale (BBS, SMD = 0.28, 95%CI: 0.03 to 0.53, P = 0.030), timed-up-and-go test (TUG, SMD = -0.28, 95%CI: -0.50 to -0.07, P = 0.009), Short Fort-36 physical component score (SF-36 PCS, SMD = 0.49, 95%CI: 0.28 to 0.70, P&lt;0.001), and knee extensor strength (SMD = 0.23, 95%CI: 0.09 to 0.37, P = 0.001). No significant improvement was observed in gait speed, 6-minute walking test, short physical performance battery performance (SPPB), activities of daily living (ADL), or fear of falling in the home exercise group. Risk of adverse events, including emergency department visits, hospital readmissions, and falls, did not differ between both groups. According to GRADE, the overall certainty of evidence was moderate for usual gait speed, SPPB, ADL, fear of falling, and SF-36 PCS, and was low or very low for the other outcomes. Our meta-analysis demonstrated home-based exercise had positive effect on physical function after hip fracture surgery. Home-based rehabilitation might be recommended for rehabilitation of fractured patients after hospital discharge.

The Effects of Flywheel Training with a Portable Device on Physical Performance in Soccer Players

Soccer is a team sport in which players expend high-intensity intermittent efforts that require the production of sprints, accelerations, decelerations, changes of direction, and jumps. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of training with portable and low-cost flywheel devices, using multi-directional exercises over 8 weeks, on the performance of linear sprint, curve sprint, and change of direction in senior soccer players. Thirty-three players participated in the research, divided into a control group and an experimental group. The latter group performed the training protocol in addition to the technical–tactical soccer training. Before and after the application of the training protocol, the linear and curve sprint and change of direction (V-cut) were evaluated. At the end of the training program, significant improvements (p &lt; 0.05) were found in change of direction and in curve sprint with respect to the control group. The results suggested that resistance training with flywheel devices with low training volumes improves performance in change of direction and in curve sprint, which are key performance variables in soccer. Therefore, this type of training could be added to technical–tactical soccer training to enhance the variables that are essential to reach high-performance metrics in soccer.

Steps to Avoid Falls in the Elderly – a TECHnology Enhanced Intervention (SAFE-TECH) study: randomized controlled trial protocol for a community-based, multi-component fall prevention program

BackgroundFalls and fall-related injuries among older adults in Singapore are a serious health problem that require early intervention. In previous research, exercise interventions have been effective in improving functional outcomes and reducing falls for a broad group of older adults. However, results from multi-domain, multi-component falls prevention programs for high fall risk older adults in the community remain equivocal. One reason for these results is that there is significant heterogeneity in falls risk factors amongst high falls risk older adults which makes tailoring multicomponent interventions complex. The objective of the trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of an enhanced version of the predecessor program, SAFE. The Steps to Avoid Falls in the Elderly—a TECHnology enhanced intervention (SAFE-TECH) is designed for older adults in the community who are at high risk of falls, with candidate selection and program tailoring based on gait variables derived from wearable sensors and various questionnaire-based features.MethodsSAFE-TECH is a 12-month randomized controlled trial involving 400 older adults at high risk of falling, who are randomly allocated to an intervention or control group in a 1:1 ratio. Participants will be assessed at baseline, 3rd-month and 12th-month for functional status, physical performance, cognitive status, quality of life, and medical history. Monthly phone calls will assess fall status, healthcare utilization, physical activity, and exercise self-efficacy. Participants in the intervention group will undergo a tailored, multi-domain, multi-component falls prevention program. The active intervention phase will last for 12-weeks with exercises focusing on strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, and aerobic endurance; and weekly educational sessions on falls risk with personalized feedback based on participant’s falls risk assessments and environmental checklist.DiscussionsSAFE-TECH seeks to evaluate enhanced existing falls prevention programs by addressing the heterogeneity of falls risk through rapid assessments and personalisation of exercise and education components while maintaining the efficiency of the group setting. Our findings will inform practical efforts to reduce falls and falls-related injuries among community-dwelling older adults.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov. Clinical Trial Number: NCT06102954|| 22–10-2023.

Early player transition in elite youth and first team soccer: The predictive role of sprint distance and high-intensity acceleration and deceleration attributes

Physical performance is an important determinant of elite youth soccer player development and can influence successful transition through the professional phase of the talent development pathway. In response to previous research highlighting key stakeholders’ perceptions that successful transitions within the club pathway are influenced by sprinting capacity and explosive power; this study objectively quantified the predictive value of sprint distance and high intensity acceleration and deceleration efforts on the early transition of elite, professional youth soccer players from U18 to U21, and U21 to first team squads of a Scottish Premier League club. Early transition was defined as a player progressing to the next age group (i.e., U18 to U21) prior to reaching the chronological age limits of his current squad. Retrospective physical performance data of thirty-seven players from training and competitive matches across two seasons were analysed. Results suggest that early transition is less likely for players progressing from the U21 to the first team relative to players progressing from U18 to U21. Relative sprint distance resulted in a 52% probability of early transition (OR = 0.52) with relative aggregated high intensity acceleration and deceleration efforts reflecting an increased probability of early transition (OR = 1.70) for elite youth soccer players within the club. This novel study provides a unique insight to the complexities and context-specific nature of youth soccer player development and transition. This paper challenges the subjective perceptions of key stakeholders using objective physical data of youth players who have transitioned to advanced squads.

Wait a Minute? Uniting Physical Exercise and Data Science in Higher Learning

Purpose: This study explores the design and implementation of a novel Data Science course that integrates physical activity and physiological data collection. The course, scheduled twice weekly, combines a 30-minute physical exercise session with data collection activities focusing on metrics such as temperature, three separate heart rates, blood pressure, Functional Movement Screening (FMS), nutritional assessment using MyPlate.gov categories, urinalysis, and other metrics. The primary objective was to provide students with practical experience in data science by engaging them in real-time physiological data collection and analysis. Methods: This study involved a structured course format where students engaged in physical activities and recorded physiological data using standardized measurement tools and techniques. The course structure included instructional sessions on data science principles, data collection procedures, and statistical analysis. Students then applied their knowledge by undertaking a project that involved analyzing the collected data to address specific research questions or hypotheses related to physical health and performance. Each student presented their findings through a PowerPoint presentation, fostering peer review and collaborative learning. Results: Findings indicated that students successfully developed data science skills while gaining insights into the relationship between physical activity and physiological metrics. The projects revealed varied patterns and correlations, demonstrating the practical applicability of data science in health and fitness contexts. Discussion/Conclusions: The study highlights the effectiveness of integrating physical activity with data science education, enhancing both engagement and learning outcomes. The course equips students with technical skills while emphasizing the importance of holistic health data analysis.

A IMPORTÂNCIA DA SUPLEMENTAÇÃO NUTRICIONAL PARA A PREVENÇÃO E RECUPERAÇÃO DE LESÕES EM ATLETAS: UMA REVISÃO BIBLIOGRÁFICA

Sports nutrition is an area dedicated to the study and application of nutritional principles with the aim of improving the physical performance of athletes, in addition to helping to prevent and recover from injuries. This work investigates how sports nutrition contributes to preventing and recovering from injuries, analyzing nutrients that maintain tissue integrity, reduce risk and accelerate healing. Material and methods: A survey of studies was conducted in the Scielo, Google Scholar, Pubmed, Lilacs databases, published between the years 2015 and 2024, capturing 10 articles that met all inclusion criteria. Results: Of the 10 studies analyzed, 8 demonstrated positive results when using a protein dosage between 1.6 and 2.5 g/kg. Regarding the use of supplements, 8 studies indicated beneficial effects, while 2 presented inconclusive results. Thus, only 8 studies showed improvements in injury recovery. Conclusions: The results of this research demonstrated that sports nutrition plays a fundamental role in preventing and recovering from sports injuries, in addition to a balanced and diversified diet providing the necessary substrates for carrying out physical activities.

The feasibility of a visuo-cognitive training intervention using a mobile application and exercise with stroboscopic glasses in Parkinson's: Findings from a pilot randomised controlled trial.

There is currently no pharmacological treatment for visuo-cognitive impairments in Parkinson's disease. Alternative strategies are needed to address these non-motor symptoms given their impact on quality of life. Novel technologies have potential to deliver multimodal rehabilitation of visuo-cognitive dysfunction, but more research is required to determine their feasibility in Parkinson's. To determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a home-based, technological visuo-cognitive training (TVT) intervention using a mobile application and exercise with stroboscopic glasses compared to non-technological care in people with Parkinson's. This 18-month, parallel, two-arm pilot trial took place between July 2021-December 2022. Participants were community-dwelling individuals with a diagnosis of Parkinson's, aged over 50 years. Participants were randomly allocated to one of two active four-week interventions, TVT (n = 20) or standard care (SC) (n = 20). A physiotherapist delivered 8 home visits over 4 weeks, lasting 45-60 mins. Participants were evaluated at baseline and then on completion of the intervention. Primary outcomes were feasibility of the study design and intervention (recruitment/retention, adherence, assessment time scale, equipment and safety). Exploratory outcomes included assessments of cognitive, visual, clinical and motor function. (Blinding of participants was not possible due to the nature of the intervention). The recruitment rate was 60% (40/67), and the retention rate was 98% (39/40). Adherence to both arms of the intervention was high, with participants attending 98% of visits in the TVT group and 96% of visits in the SC group. 35% (9/20) of participants in the TVT group experienced mild symptoms associated with use of the stroboscopic glasses which included dizziness, queasiness and unsteadiness. There were minimal between group differences, with both interventions having positive effects on a variety of clinical, cognitive, and physical performance outcomes. Our findings suggest that home-based TVT with a physiotherapist is feasible in people with Parkinson's and could provide an alternative approach to addressing cognitive and motor dysfunction in this population. We make recommendations for future trials and invite ensuing studies to improve upon the design and utilise stroboscopic visual training and digital tools to investigate this emerging area of multimodal rehabilitation. This trial was prospectively registered at ISRCTN (registration number: ISRCTN46164906; https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN46164906).

Relevance of patient-centered actigraphy measures in pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: a qualitative interview study

BackgroundPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) are severe, progressive diseases characterized by key symptoms such as dyspnea and fatigue. These symptoms impair physical functioning, with patients struggling to perform their daily activities. One traditional measure of physical functioning and exercise capacity is the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Actigraphy represents a promising tool to complement the 6MWT and provide a holistic picture of physical performance in patients with PAH or CTEPH. However, the current literature holds limited evidence on content validity of actigraphy in these populations, as reported by patients themselves. The primary objective of this study was to understand which physical functioning concepts are most meaningful to patients with PAH or CTEPH and identify relevant actigraphy variables and appropriate timeframes for their measurement.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional, qualitative study in adults with a confirmed diagnosis of PAH or CTEPH. Participants from the UK and USA were interviewed one-on-one via a web-based platform, with interviewers using a semi-structured discussion guide that included concept elicitation and cognitive debriefing sections. Data within the anonymized interview transcripts were coded and thematically analyzed.ResultsConcept elicitation identified the physical functioning concepts most meaningful to patients with PAH or CTEPH and generated a combined conceptual model of physical functioning, which strongly aligned with previous literature. During cognitive debriefing, of the four actigraphy variables debriefed in relation to these physical functioning concepts, study participants highly valued time spent in non-sedentary physical activity and time spent in moderate to vigorous activity, while step count and walking speed emerged as less relevant. Participants indicated four alternative variables as relevant: walking distance, walking up hills or inclines, duration of continuous walking bouts, and time spent walking. Regardless of the variable, participants suggested a timeframe of approximately 10 or 12 h/day over a minimum of 14 days for measuring physical functioning.ConclusionsBy demonstrating the content validity of actigraphy measures of physical functioning, this qualitative study begins to address the evidence gaps identified by the regulatory requirements for using actigraphy endpoints in future PAH and CTEPH clinical trials.

A Fundamental Study on an SAP Mixed Asphalt Mixture for Reducing the Urban Heat Island Effect

As the average temperature in summer rises and heat waves occur more frequently, the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon is becoming a social problem. Asphalt road pavement stores heat during the day, raising the surface temperature, and releases the stored heat at night, thereby aggravating the UHI phenomenon. Government authorities often spray water to lower the temperature of road pavement for the safety and convenience of citizens. However, the effect is immediate and does not last long. Therefore, in order to reduce the urban heat island phenomenon by spraying water, the recovery time of the surface temperature must be delayed. In this study, Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP), a highly absorbent polymer that absorbs 100 to 500 times its weight in water, was applied to asphalt road pavement. SAP is commonly used in diapers, feminine hygiene products, soil moisturizers, and concrete, and its scope is gradually expanding. The purpose of this study is to reduce the urban heat island phenomenon by mixing the SAP into asphalt and to increase the latent heat flux by evaporating the water absorbed by the SAP, thereby delaying the recovery time of the surface temperature of the road pavement. In this study, the performance of asphalt mixtures mixed with the SAP and the thermal characteristics according to the mixing amount were analyzed. In this study, the physical properties and temperature reduction performance of the asphalt mixture according to the SAP type and content were studied. The results of indoor and outdoor experiments on asphalt mixtures using the SAP showed that they satisfied the mechanical performance criteria as asphalt pavement materials and that the temperature recovery delay effect was improved.

Acute Sarcopenia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Its Incidence and Muscle Parameter Shifts During Hospitalisation.

Acute sarcopenia is sarcopenia lasting less than 6 months, typically following acute illness or injury. It may impact patient recovery and quality of life, advancing to chronic sarcopenia. However, its development and assessment remain poorly understood, particularly during hospitalisation. This systematic review aimed to elucidate the incidence of acute sarcopenia and examine changes in muscle parameters during hospitalisation. Eighty-eight papers were included in the narrative synthesis; 33 provided data for meta-analyses on the effects of hospitalisation on handgrip strength (HGS), rectus femoris cross-sectional area (RFCSA) and various muscle function tests. Meta-regressions were performed for length of hospital stay (LoS) and age for all meta-analyses; sex was also considered for HGS. Acute sarcopenia development was assessed in four studies with a pooled incidence of 18% during hospitalisation. Incidence was highest among trauma patients in intensive care (59%), whereas it was lower among medical and surgical patients (15%-20%). Time of development ranged from 4 to 44 days. HGS remained stable during hospitalisation (SMD = 0.05, 95% CI = -0.18:0.28, p = 0.67) as did knee extensor strength. LoS affected HGS performance (θ = 0.04, 95% CI = 0.001:0.09, p = 0.045) but age (p = 0.903) and sex (p = 0.434) did not. RFCSA, reduced by 16.5% over 3-21 days (SMD = -0.67, 95% CI = -0.92:-0.43, p < 0.001); LoS or time between scans did significantly predict the reduction (θ = -0.04, 95% CI = -0.077:-0.011, p = 0.012). Indices of muscle quality also reduced. Muscle function improved when assessed by the short physical performance battery (SMD = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.03:1.69, p = 0.046); there was no change in 6-min walk (p = 0.22), timed up-and-go (p = 0.46) or gait speed tests (p = 0.98). The only significant predictor of timed up-and-go performance was age (θ = -0.11, 95% CI = -0.018:-0.005, p = 0.009). Assessment and understanding of acute sarcopenia in clinical settings are limited. Incidence varies between clinical conditions, and muscle parameters are affected differently. HGS and muscle function tests may not be sensitive enough to identify acute changes during hospitalisation. Currently, muscle health deterioration may be underdiagnosed impacting recovery, quality of life and overall health following hospitalisation. Further evaluation is necessary to determine the suitability of existing diagnostic criteria of acute sarcopenia. Muscle mass and quality indices might need to become the primary determinants for muscle health assessment in hospitalised populations.

Association of Protein Intake with Sarcopenia and Related Indicators Among Korean Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives: Due to variations in the standards for optimal protein intake and conflicting results across studies for Korean older adults, this study aimed to quantitatively integrate existing research on the association of protein intake with sarcopenia and related indicators in Koreans aged 65 and older through meta-analysis. Methods: A total of 23 studies were selected according to the study selection criteria (PICOS). Sixteen cross-sectional studies, 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and 2 non-RCTs were included in the review, with 9 out of 23 studies included in the meta-analysis. We used fixed-effects models and performed subgroup and sensitivity analyses. Results: A meta-analysis found that the risk of sarcopenia was significantly higher in the &lt;0.8 g/kg/day protein intake group compared to the 0.8–1.2 g/kg/day and ≥1.2 g/kg/day groups, with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.25 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10 to 1.42; I2 = 55%) and 1.79 (95% CI, 1.53 to 2.10; I2 = 71%), respectively. For low hand grip strength (HGS), the risk was higher in the &lt;0.8 g/kg/day group compared to the 0.8–1.2 g/kg/day or ≥1.2 g/kg/day groups (OR 1.31; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.65; I2 = 28%). No significant associations were found with other sarcopenia indicators, such as skeletal muscle mass, short physical performance battery score, balance test, gait speed, and timed up-and-go test. Conclusions: Lower protein intake is associated with a higher risk of sarcopenia and low HGS in Korean older adults. To establish protein intake recommendations for the prevention and management of sarcopenia in this population, further well-designed RCTs incorporating both protein supplementation and resistance training are necessary.

The impact of talent detection on increasing the number of children participating in sports

Sports talent detection is an attempt to find children who have the potential to become athletes but are not currently involved in sports through a series of tests. The aim of this research is to determine the characteristics of the distribution of children's sports talents in Payakumbuh City, West Sumatra Province. From this research, information was obtained on the anthropometric profile, physical abilities and movement coordination of each child. Apart from that, it was found that there were differences in the movement coordination abilities of children who had not and had participated in sports (training in clubs) after sports talent detection was carried out. This research involved 750 children (486 boys, 264 girls) aged 7-12 years in Payakumbuh City, West Sumatra, Indonesia. The talent detection instrument used in this research is the Sekora TID which was adopted from the SportKompas test battery. To see the impact of implementing talent detection, researchers conducted a survey using a Google form which was distributed to all test participants. Surveys were conducted to monitor children who had participated in sports as confirmed by teachers and parents. The results of the study provide information that there is no significant difference in the anthropometry of men and women (p&gt;0.05), but a significant difference is seen in age (p&lt;0.05). Significant differences were also found in motor coordination elements based on age and gender (p&lt;0.05). Physical performance elements also show significant differences in age and gender (p&lt;0.05). The results of this research will be used as a first step in implementing a sports talent identification system as part of LTAD.

Effectiveness of Physical Activity in the Management of Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review

Background and Objectives: This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of exercise interventions for managing nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) and explores their impact on related biopsychosocial factors, physical health variables, and inflammatory biomarkers. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search of five databases (PubMed, CINAHL, PEDro, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library) was conducted, covering studies from 2019 to 2024. Fifteen randomized controlled trials involving 1338 participants aged 18 to 65 years with NSLBP were included. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers using the PEDro scale, and risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool (RoB 2.0). Results: Exercise significantly reduced pain intensity and improved biopsychosocial factors such as depression, disability, functionality, quality of life, and kinesiophobia. Additionally, it enhanced physical parameters like proprioception, muscle thickness, and physical performance. However, the review found insufficient evidence regarding the effects of exercise on inflammatory biomarkers in NSLBP patients. Conclusions: The findings suggest that physical exercise is an effective intervention for pain reduction and the improvement of overall health in NSLBP, though further research is needed to clarify its impact on inflammation.

The characteristics of volcanic lithofacies and volcanic reservoirs in the Permian Jiamuhe formation, Southern Zhongguai rise, Junggar Basin, Northwest China

The southern Zhongguai Rise has gained wide attentions due to its commercial hydrocarbon discoveries from volcanic deposits in Jinlong Oilfield. An integrated analysis of geologic and geophysical data assists in determination and depiction of volcanic lithology and volcanic facie, characterization of volcanic reservoirs, and discussion of constrains on volcanic lithology and lithofacies. The conclusions suggest that two types of volcanic lithology, including volcaniclastic rocks and silicic molten lava, can be identified based on cores. In addition, two types of volcanic lithofacies can be delineated according to cores and wireline responses. Whereas explosive facies are mainly developed in the early depositional period, the effusive facies are developed through the depositional period. Furthermore, the reservoir space predominantly consists of pores and fractures according to thin sections. The physical property varies with time; that is, the porosity distribution varies slightly. In contrast, permeability distribution varies significantly. The volcanic reservoirs can be generally attributed to high-porosity and low-permeability reservoirs in volcaniclastic rocks or silicic molten lava. The volcanic lithofacies, facies distribution, diagenism, and paleogeomorphology exert controls on physical property and reservoir performance of volcanic reservoirs together.

Effects of a symptom-titrated exercise program on fatigue and quality of life in people with post-COVID condition – a randomized controlled trial

Fatigue is the most prevalent symptom within the post-COVID condition (PCC). Furthermore, many patients suffer from decreased physical performance capacity and post-exertional malaise. Although exercise has been proposed as an effective therapeutic strategy for PCC, there is limited evidence on individualised and symptom-titrated exercise interventions in patients with fatigue and PEM. Therefore, we conducted a multi-centre randomised controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of an individualised and symptom-titrated exercise program. We measured fatigue, health-related quality of life, hand-grip strength, endurance capacity and PEM before and after the 10-week intervention. A total of 118 individuals with PCC were included in the final intention-to-treat analysis. All tests and training sessions took place in commercial fitness and health facilities. We found significant effects on fatigue severity, health-related quality of life and physical performance capacity. Adjusting the individual exercise load to daily fatigue has proven to be an effective and safe strategy in PCC patients with fatigue. Under the guidance of qualified professionals and by utilising symptom-titrated training recommendations, commercial fitness and health facilities present an appropriate setting for outpatient exercise rehabilitation in PCC.

Contribution of social activity participation to the relationship between sensory impairment, physical performance and cognitive decline: a longitudinal study in China

ObjectivesThis study examined the impact of sensory impairment (hearing and/or vision) combined with poor physical performance on cognitive decline and assessed whether social activity participation mediated this relationship.MethodsMultilevel models were used to explore the relationships between sensory impairment, physical performance, their combination, and cognitive decline. A multilevel mediation model analyzed the mediating effect of social activity participation. The study included 10,149 adults aged 45 and older (mean age 53.84) from five waves (2011–2020) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). The exposure variable, body function (BF), was categorized into six groups based on sensory impairment and physical performance. Cognitive function was measured using an adapted Chinese Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).ResultsCompared to BF group 1 (normal physical performance without sensory impairment), individuals in BF group 4 (low physical performance without sensory impairment) (β = −0.670, P &amp;lt; 0.001), BF group 5 (low physical performance with single sensory impairment) (β = −1.029, P &amp;lt; 0.001), and BF group 6 (low physical performance with dual sensory impairment) (β = −1.630, P &amp;lt; 0.001) showed worse cognitive function. Only BF group 4 (β = −0.670, P &amp;lt; 0.001) had a faster cognitive decline. Mediation analysis revealed a significant indirect effect of social activity participation on cognitive function in BF group 4 (β = −0.03, P &amp;lt; 0.01, mediation proportion: 4.32%).ConclusionThe combined effect of sensory impairment and low physical performance on cognitive decline may be accumulative, and social activity participation could mitigate this effect. Prioritizing social activity participation is crucial for health professionals and policymakers.

Impact of Eccentric Exercises on Soccer Players’ External Load, Muscle Soreness and Physical Performance: A Comparative Study of Pre and Post-Training Routines

AbstractThis study examined the impact of integrating eccentric bodyweight exercises (Nordic Hamstring and Single Leg Deadlift) into soccer training, before and after training sessions, on players’ well-being, external load and physical performance over two successive training sessions. Twenty-one male trained players (23.6 ± 3.7 years, playing experience of 13.3 ± 4.01 years) participated in the study. The study spanned two days of the microcycle (MD-4 and MD-3) over four consecutive weeks, during which the players were subjected to two conditions: eccentric training before or after the MD-4 training (pre-strength and post-strength, respectively). The players’ wellness, external load and physical performance (CMJ, 10 m and 30 m-sprint) were assessed in all training sessions. In pre-strength condition, players exhibited a decrease in the CMJ following the eccentric intervention (P = 0.02). For the 30 m-sprint, a decline in performance was noted after the soccer training compared to the moments immediately before (P = 0.04) and after the eccentric intervention (P = 0.002). In the post-strength condition, players reported increased muscle soreness in the following day (MD-3, P = 0.03). Additionally, a reduced number of high-intensity accelerations were observed on MD-3 when the eccentric training was performed after MD-4 (P = 0.04). The study reveals that jumping and sprinting performance may decrease immediately after eccentric routines. However, while jumping performance may recover after the training, sprinting remains affected. Conversely, conducting eccentric routines after training may influence players’ muscle soreness and physical performance on the following day. This study offers valuable insights for optimizing soccer training schedules that incorporate eccentric routines either before or after regular training sessions.

Development and microstructural characterization of ultra-lightweight aggregate concrete incorporating different sizes of polypropylene fibers

In this study, ultra-lightweight concrete with an oven-dry density of 800 kg/m3 was produced using expanded glass as the lightweight aggregate. Polypropylene fibers of different sizes were incorporated into the specimens to examine their effects on the material properties, such as drying shrinkage and flexural strength. The target dry density was achieved by applying the packing density concept to optimize the mix grading and calculate the content of each concrete component. Specimens with different ratios of short and long fibers were produced. Their fresh state, mechanical performance, and physical properties were extensively analyzed using various methods, including X-ray micro-computed tomography to examine the microstructure. The experimental results indicated a significant reduction in drying shrinkage for the fiber incorporated specimens, dependent on the fiber length and content. The compressive strength of the specimens exceeded 12 MPa. Moreover, the inclusion of polypropylene fibers notably enhanced the flexural strength by approximately 60%, while the lower density contributed to substantially reduced thermal conductivity by up to 26%, which is beneficial for thermal insulation. These results confirm that polypropylene fibers can be used to produce ultra-lightweight concrete with self-leveling properties, without compromising mechanical and physical performance.

Acute Alpha-Glycerylphosphorylcholine Supplementation Enhances Cognitive Performance in Healthy Men.

Choline is an essential nutrient required for proper cell functioning. Due to its status as a precursor to acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter connected to cognition and neuromuscular function, maintaining or enhancing choline levels is of interest. Supplementation with alpha-glycerylphosphorycholine (A-GPC) can maintain choline levels, but its ability to offer support towards cognition remains an area of ongoing research. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover approach, 20 resistance-trained males (31.3 ± 11.0 years, 178.6 ± 7.3 cm, 84.6 ± 11.4 kg, 15.4 ± 5.6% body fat) consumed either a placebo (PL), 630 mg A-GPC (HD), or 315 mg (LD) A-GPC (GeniusPure®, NNB Nutrition, Nanjing, China). After resting hemodynamic assessments, participants took their assigned dose and had cognitive assessments (Stroop, N-Back, and Flanker), visual analog scales, and hemodynamics evaluated 60 min after ingestion. All participants then warmed up and completed vertical jumps and bench press throws before completing a bout of lower-body resistance exercise (6 × 10 repetitions using the Smith squat at a load of 70% 1RM). Venous blood was collected 5, 15, 30, and 60 min after completion of the squat protocol to evaluate changes in growth hormones, and follow-up visual analog scales and cognitive measurements were evaluated 30 min after completing the exercise bout. When compared to PL, changes in Stroop total score were statistically greater after HD (13.0 ± 8.2 vs. 5.2 ± 9.0, p = 0.013, d = 0.61) and LD (10.8 ± 7.7 vs. 5.2 ± 9.0, p = 0.046, d = 0.48) administration, in addition to significantly faster times to complete the Stroop test in the HD group when compared to PL (-0.12 ± 0.09 s vs. -0.05 ± 0.09 s, p = 0.021, d = 0.56). No significant differences between groups were found for the Flanker and N-Back assessments, while a tendency was observed for HD to have faster reaction times when compared to PL during the Flanker test. No group differences were realized for visual analog scales, physical performance, or growth hormone. Statistically significant changes in heart rate and blood pressure were observed in all groups, with all recorded values aligning with clinically accepted normative values. HD and LD A-GPC supplementation significantly increased cognitive performance in a group of young, healthy males as measured by changes in the Stroop Total Score and completion time of the Stroop test. These results offer unique insight into the potential for A-GPC to acutely increase cognition in a group of young, healthy males. While previous research has indicated potential for A-GPC to acutely improve cognition in clinical populations, extending these outcomes to healthy individuals can be potentially meaningful for a wide variety of populations such as athletes, race car drivers, military operators, and other non-athletic populations who desire and have a need to improve their mental performance. This study was retrospectively registered as NCT06690619 on clinicaltrials.gov.