Are exergames an option to cope with sleep disorders during the COVID-19 outbreak?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, factors related to the isolation and quarantine period increased psychobiological distress in the general population around the world, increasing anxiety, emotional stress, and depression, as well as worsening of the quality of sleep. Seeking alternatives to provide support for the implementation of some interventions for well-being and health under pandemic conditions, exergames (active video games) seem to be a feasible alternative to keep people physically active and to positively impact sleep health. In this overview article, we discussed the feasibility of exergames as an option to cope with sleep disorders and improve sleep quality during the COVID-19 outbreak through increasing physical exercise and physical fitness levels.

Supervised home-based resistance training for managing idiopathic peripheral polyneuropathy - A case report.

Purpose: This case report aimed to investigate the effects of supervised home-based resistance training (RT) on functional capacity and mental health on a man with idiopathic peripheral polyneuropathy (PP).

Method: A 50-year-old man diagnosed with PP with no previous experience in RT performed 24 session of home-based RT for 12 weeks. Resistance training consisted of 3 exercises performed with 3 sets and lasted approximately 30 min per session.

Shoulder Isokinetic Strength Balance Ratio in Overhead Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Studies have grouped different overhead sports and evaluated together the isokinetic strength of shoulder internal (IR) and external (ER) rotator muscles. However, muscular adaptations could be a consequence of the specific sport, and some strength imbalance between these muscles may exist as a consequence of the muscular demand unique to the sport. Therefore, grouping different overhead sports together may not be adequate.

Effects of mat Pilates training and habitual physical activity on thoracoabdominal expansion during quiet and vital capacity breathing in healthy women.

Background: Pilates is a body/mind method that requires different types of exercise (balance, endurance, strength, and flexibility) and attention to muscle control, posture, and breathing. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of mat Pilates training and habitual physical activity on thoracoabdominal motion of healthy and physically active women.

Methods: Thirty-five women without experience in Pilates exercise, aged between 18 and 35 years, participated in the study (habitual physical activity group: N.

Is muscular strength balance influenced by menstrual cycle in female soccer players?

Background: Muscular strength imbalance is an important risk factor for ACL injury, but it is not clear the impact of menstrual cycle on muscular strength balance. Our aims were to compare muscular balance (hamstring-to-quadriceps peak torque strength balance ratio) between luteal and follicular phases and compare gender differences relative to strength balance to observe possible fluctuations in strength balance ratio.

Methods: Thirty-eight soccer athletes (26 women and 12 men) took part in this study.

The geometric curvature of the lumbar spine during restricted and unrestricted squats.

Background: The main purpose of this study was to analyze the behavior of the geometric curvature of the lumbar spine during restricted and unrestricted squats, using a novel investigative method. The rationale for our hypothesis is that the lumbar curvature has different patterns at different spine levels depending on the squat technique used.

Methods: Spine motion was collected via stereo-photogrammetric analysis in nineteen participants (11 males, 8 females).

Assessment of isokinetic peak torque reliability of the hip flexor, extensor, adductors and abductors muscles in female soccer players from 14 to 25 years old.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate test-retest reliability of concentric flexor, extensor, abductor and adductor muscular isokinetic hip torques in female soccer players.

Methods: Sixteen highly-trained female soccer players were evaluated. Isokinetic dynamometer assessment was performed at 30°/s and 150°/s concentrically.