[Long-/Post-COVID symptoms in a hotspot collective of the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Germany].

Introduction: Despite a high number of long/post-COVID cases and an enormous psychological strain on the part of the patients, no scientific consensus has yet been reached on a clearly defined disease entity. The comprehensive media coverage has made the public more sensitive to this topic, which makes it more difficult to take an objective perspective.

Methods: We report on long/post-COVID symptoms in a hotspot collective of the first SARS-CoV-2 wave of infections in Germany; these infections began in Spring 2020 and therefore preceded the start of an intensive media coverage.

[Risk factors for a severe course of COVID-19 in a hotspot clinic during the first and second wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Germany].

Background: During the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, Weiden Hospital was a hotspot and was thus in an exceptional medical situation. This study deals with the question of whether the recognized risk factors for a severe course of COVID-19 also apply to the patients treated in Weiden Hospital during this time or whether other factors could have influenced patient outcomes.

Methods: In a retrospective analysis, data on 669 patients of Weiden Hospital with proven SARS-CoV-2 infections in the first year of the pandemic were evaluated.

Affective associations towards running: fuzzy patterns of implicit-explicit interaction in young female runners and non-runners.

Empirical evidence demonstrates that high concordance and low discrepancy of implicit and explicit affective processes facilitate consistent exercise behavior. Novice runners often have difficulties implementing their running behavior on a regular basis resulting in irregular running behavior. To investigate the potential value of affective associations 89 young female runners (regular and irregular) and non-runners were recruited.

Step-adaptive sound guidance enhances locomotor-respiratory coupling in novice female runners: A proof-of-concept study.

Introduction: Many runners struggle to find a rhythm during running. This may be because 20-40% of runners experience unexplained, unpleasant breathlessness at exercise onset. Locomotor-respiratory coupling (LRC), a synchronization phenomenon in which the breath is precisely timed with the steps, may provide metabolic or perceptual benefits to address these limitations.

Effects of physical stress in alpine skiing on psychological, physiological, and biomechanical parameters: An individual approach.

Alpine skiing is an attractive winter sport that often includes mental and physical demands. Since skiing is often done for several hours, fatigue processes occur that might lead to action errors associated with a higher risk of accidents and injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the timing of changes in subjective, physiological, and biomechanical parameters during a physically demanding, standardized, non-competitive alpine skiing session.

Learning Curve for Flow Diversion of Posterior Circulation Aneurysms: A Long-Term International Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background And Purpose: Flow diversion has gradually become a standard treatment for intracranial aneurysms of the anterior circulation. Recently, the off-label use of the flow diverters to treat posterior circulation aneurysms has also increased despite initial concerns of rupture and the suboptimal results. This study aimed to explore the change in complication rates and treatment outcomes across time for posterior circulation aneurysms treated using flow diversion and to further evaluate the mechanisms and variables that could potentially explain the change and outcomes.

The modified German subjective vitality scale (SVS-GM): Psychometric properties and application in daily life.

Subjective vitality describes the positive feeling of experiencing physical and mental energy, which can lead to purposive actions, but no German instruments exist with action-oriented verbiage: This work supports the development and modification of already existing German Subjective Vitality Scales and provides further evidence for its psychometric properties. In a first step ( = 56) two modified (action-oriented) short-forms were developed. An extension of time perspectives (past, present, future) should also enrich the scale by enhancing the accuracy of self-reports.

The Salzburg 10/7 HIIT shock cycle study: the effects of a 7-day high-intensity interval training shock microcycle with or without additional low-intensity training on endurance performance, well-being, stress and recovery in endurance trained athletes-study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Performing multiple high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions in a compressed period of time (approximately 7-14 days) is called a HIIT shock microcycle (SM) and promises a rapid increase in endurance performance. However, the efficacy of HIIT-SM, as well as knowledge about optimal training volumes during a SM in the endurance-trained population have not been adequately investigated. This study aims to examine the effects of two different types of HIIT-SM (with or without additional low-intensity training (LIT)) compared to a control group (CG) on key endurance performance variables.

Breath Tools: A Synthesis of Evidence-Based Breathing Strategies to Enhance Human Running.

Running is among the most popular sporting hobbies and often chosen specifically for intrinsic psychological benefits. However, up to 40% of runners may experience exercise-induced dyspnoea as a result of cascading physiological phenomena, possibly causing negative psychological states or barriers to participation. Breathing techniques such as slow, deep breathing have proven benefits at rest, but it is unclear if they can be used during exercise to address respiratory limitations or improve performance.

Differential trends of admissions in accident and emergency departments during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany.

Background: Recent studies have shown a decrease of admissions to accident and emergency (A&E) departments after the local outbreaks of COVID-19. However, differential trends of admission counts, for example according to diagnosis, are less well understood. This information is crucial to inform targeted intervention.

Risk to Radiology Staff for Occupational COVID-19 Infection in a High-Risk and a Low-Risk Region in Germany: Lessons from the "First Wave".

Purpose: The recent COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increasing overload of the medical system. Healthcare workers (HCW) in radiology departments are exposed to a high infection risk similar to HCWs in the ICU or dedicated COVID wards. The goal of our paper is to evaluate the prevalence of IgG antibody against SARS-CoV-2 among radiology HCWs in two different hospitals and regions in Germany with a low and high COVID-19 prevalence and to compare it to the prevalence in other clinical personnel.

[SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in ICU and clinic staff : From Germany's region with the highest infection rate].

Background: Healthcare workers are a high-risk population for SARS-CoV‑2 infection. For capacity planning of healthcare providers and to optimize protection of healthcare workers (HCW) in SARS-CoV‑2 pandemics, it is essential to know the risk of infection and potential immunity status of staff dealing with COVID-19 patients.

Materials And Methods: We examined seropravalence of SARS-CoV‑2 IgM/IgG antibodies (AB) in HCW of a region with the highest rate of infection (1570/100,000) during COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, 4 months after its start.

The FRED for Cerebral Aneurysms of the Posterior Circulation: A Subgroup Analysis of the EuFRED Registry.

Background And Purpose: Flow diversion for the posterior circulation remains a promising treatment option for selected posterior circulation aneurysms. The Flow-Redirection Intraluminal Device (FRED) system has not been previously assessed in a large cohort of patients with posterior circulation aneurysms. The purpose of the present study was to assess safety and efficacy of FRED in this location.

Temporal Dynamics of Varying Physical Loads on Speed and Accuracy of Cognitive Control.

The present study examined the effect of 4 physical-load conditions on interference control throughout a period of 45 min. A sample of 52 sport students was assigned to either a no, a low, an alternating low to moderate, or a moderate physical-load condition. A modified Eriksen-flanker task was administered in the preexercise period, 7 times during the exercise, and twice after completing the exercise.

Aging-related changes in the relationship between the physical self-concept and the physical fitness in elderly individuals.

The paper focuses on long-term changes in parameters of self-perception (ie, physical self-concept, self-esteem, and self-efficacy), physical activity, and its relationship to physical fitness of healthy and active old adults. The sample of 22 physically active and healthy elderly (age M  = 66.00) originates in an earlier skiing intervention study following a longitudinal study design with four time points of measurement over a period of 6 years.

Aging-related changes of cognitive performance and stress regulation in high functioning elderly individuals.

This article aims to analyse long-term changes in cognitive performance and psychophysiological stress regulation in a specific sample of 10 young-old (age at pre-test: M ± SD = 63.2 ± 1.5) and 12 old-old (age at pre-test: M ± SD = 69 ± 2) persons possessing a high psychosocial status and a physically active lifestyle.

Effect of aging on muscle and tendon properties in highly functioning elderly people.

This study analyzes long-term changes in muscle strength, muscle architecture, and patellar tendon mechanical properties in a specific sample of physically active elderly people. Twenty-two participants were re-examined from a former 12-week-long skiing intervention study: 11 from the intervention group (IG: 7 ♀, 4 ♂; 67 ± 3 years) and 11 from the control group (CG: 6 ♀, 5 ♂; 66 ± 4 years). Muscle architecture, strength endurance, maximum torque, and tendon properties were analyzed three times within 6 months, and again 6 years later in a follow-up test.

Aging in high functioning elderly persons: study design and analyses of behavioral and psychological factors.

This article aims to (a) describe the study design of a 6-year follow-up multidisciplinary research project on aging, (b) report the psychosocial characteristics of the sample in detail, and (c) evaluate aging-related changes of health, physical activity, and psychosocial characteristics in 10 young-old (age at pre-test: M ± SD = 63.2 ± 1.5) and 12 old-old (age at pre-test: M ± SD = 69 ± 2) individuals.

Trajectories of cardio-metabolic health in successful aging.

Maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O ) and muscle mass decrease with age. The loss of cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength is accelerated with physical inactivity and has well-documented consequences for morbidity and all-cause mortality. Participation in exercise training programs will improve one or more of the cardio-metabolic risk factors, but the long-term effects of such programs are questionable.

The influence of physiobiomechanical parameters, technical aspects of shooting, and psychophysiological factors on biathlon performance: A review.

The biathlon, an Olympic sporting discipline that combines cross-country skiing with rifle marksmanship, entails considerable physiological demands, as well as fine motor control while shooting after intense exercise and under mental pressure. Although much of our knowledge about cross-country skiing is probably also applicable to the biathlon, carrying the rifle and shooting under stress make this discipline somewhat unique. The present review summarizes and examines the scientific literature related to biathlon performance, with a focus on physiological and biomechanical factors and shooting technique, as well as psychophysiological aspects of shooting performance.