A Thematic Survey on the Reporting Quality of Randomized Controlled Trials in Rehabilitation: The Case of Multiple Sclerosis.

Background And Purpose: Optimal reporting is a critical element of scholarly communications. Several initiatives, such as the EQUATOR checklists, have raised authors' awareness about the importance of adequate research reports. On these premises, we aimed at appraising the reporting quality of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) dealing with rehabilitation interventions.

Are the Current Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs Optimized to Improve Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Patients? A Meta-Analysis.

Previous meta-analyses have shown that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is more suitable than moderate continuous training (MCT) for improving peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) in patients with coronary artery disease. However, none of these meta-analyses have tried to explain the heterogeneity of the empirical studies in optimizing cardiac rehabilitation programs. Therefore, our aims were (a) to estimate the effect of MCT and HIIT on VO2peak, and (b) to find the potential moderator variables.

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation and parasympathetic function in patients with coronary artery disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The effects of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on parasympathetic modulation are controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to (a) determine the effect of exercise-based CR on heart-rate-derived indices associated with cardiac parasympathetic modulation in resting and post-exercise conditions in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients and (b) identify the possible moderator variables of the effect of exercise-based CR on parasympathetic modulation.

Methods: We searched CENTRAL and Web of Science up to November 2018 for the following terms: adult CAD patients, controlled exercise-based CR interventions and parasympathetic modulation measured in resting (vagal-related heart rate variability [HRV] indices of the root mean square of the differences in successive in RR interval [RMSSD] and high frequency [HF]) and post-exercise (heart rate recovery [HRR]) pre- and post-intervention.

A Bayesian Network approach to study the relationships between several neuromuscular performance measures and dynamic postural control in futsal players.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between several parameters of neuromuscular performance with dynamic postural control using a Bayesian Network Classifiers (BN) based analysis.

Methods: The y-balance test (measure of dynamic postural control), isokinetic (concentric and eccentric) knee flexion and extension strength, isometric hip abduction and adduction strength, lower extremity joint range of motion (ROM) and core stability were assessed in 44 elite male futsal players. A feature selection process was carried out before building a BN (using the Tabu search algorithm) for each leg.

Updated systematic review and meta-analysis on the role of isometric resistance training for resting blood pressure management in adults.

Background And Method: This meta-analysis sought to: quantify the effects of isometric resistance training (IRT) on the magnitude of change in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and resting heart rate in adults; and examine whether the magnitude of change in SBP, DBP, MAP and heart rate was different with respect to the patient demographic characteristics and IRT parameters. To be included in the meta-analysis, studies had to be randomized controlled trials lasting 2 or more weeks, investigating the effects of IRT on blood pressure in adults. The methodological quality of the studies selected was evaluated using the PEDro scale.

A Preventive Model for Muscle Injuries: A Novel Approach based on Learning Algorithms.

Introduction: The application of contemporary statistical approaches coming from Machine Learning and Data Mining environments to build more robust predictive models to identify athletes at high risk for injury might support injury prevention strategies of the future.

Purpose: The purpose was to analyze and compare the behavior of numerous machine learning methods to select the best-performing injury risk factor model to identify athlete at risk for lower extremity muscle injuries (MUSINJ).

Methods: A total of 132 male professional soccer and handball players underwent a preseason screening evaluation that included personal, psychological, and neuromuscular measures.

Dynamic trunk muscle endurance profile in adolescents aged 14-18: Normative values for age and gender differences.

Background: The selection and validation of age- and gender-specific criterion-referenced cut-points for abdominal endurance are still unclear.

Objective: To stablish normative values for abdominal endurance in adolescents by age and gender using the Bench Trunk Curl-up Test (BTC). Additionally, the reliability of the BTC was analyzed.