The influence of low resistance respiratory muscle training on pulmonary function and high intensity exercise performance.

Background/objectives: Respiratory muscle training (RMT) was recognized as an effective means to improve respiratory muscle (RM) strength and enhance exercise performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of low-intensity RMT on RM strength, pulmonary function, and performance.

Methods: Fourteen healthy active adults were assigned randomly to either a training or placebo group.

A retrospective comparison of the biceps femoris long head muscle structure in athletes with and without hamstring strain injury history.

Introduction: Hamstring strain injuries (HSI) and re-injuries are endemic in high-speed running sports. The biceps femoris long head (BFlh) is the most frequently injured muscle among the hamstrings. Structural parameters of the hamstring muscle are stated to be susceptible to strain injuries at this location.

Women's experiences of social support during pregnancy: a qualitative systematic review.

Background: Social support during pregnancy can alleviate emotional and physical pressures, improving the well-being of mother and child. Understanding women's lived experiences and perceptions of social support during pregnancy is imperative to better support women. This systematic review explores and synthesises the qualitative research on women's experiences of social support during pregnancy.

Influence of motor imagery training on hip abductor muscle strength and bilateral transfer effect.

Motor imagery training could be an important treatment of reduced muscle function in patients and injured athletes. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of imagery training on maximal force production in a larger muscle group (hip abductors) and potential bilateral transfer effects. Healthy participants ( = 77) took part in two experimental studies using two imagery protocols (∼30 min/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks) compared either with no practice (study 1), or with isometric exercise training (study 2).

Rugby Players Exhibit Stiffer Biceps Femoris, Lower Biceps Femoris Fascicle Length to Knee Extensors, and Knee Flexors to Extensors Muscle Volume Ratios Than Active Controls.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine if hamstring-strain-injury risk factors related to muscle structure and morphology differed between rugby union players and controls.

Methods: The biceps femoris long head (BFlh) fascicle length and passive muscle stiffness and relative and absolute muscle volume of knee flexors (KF) and extensors (KE) were measured in 21 male subelite rugby players and 21 male physically active nonathletes.

Results: BFlh fascicle length was significantly longer (mean difference [MD] = 1.

Differential effects of repeated inspiratory and limb muscle loading on effort perception in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and healthy males.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by collapse of the upper airways during sleep. The contribution of alterations in effort perception is not understood. This study investigated the response of inspiratory and quadriceps muscles to repetitive loading on effort perception in OSA patients, pre and post continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment, and in healthy individuals.

Alterations in biceps femoris long head fascicle length, Eccentric hamstring strength qualities and single-leg hop distance throughout the ninety minutes of TSAFT90 simulated football match.

Introduction: Football matches show higher hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) than football training. The occurrence of HSIs increases in the last fifteen minutes of both halves of football matches and shows an incremental trend towards the end of the ninety minutes.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine football-specific fatigue-induced alterations in risk factors of the HSIs, including biceps femoris long head fascicle length via ultrasonography (BFlh FL), single-leg hop distance, hamstrings' maximal eccentric strength, and single-leg hamstring bridge test (SLHB) performance.

Carrots for the donkey: Influence of evaluative conditioning and training on self-paced exercise intensity and delay discounting of exercise in healthy adults.

To choose exercise over alternative behaviours, subjective reward evaluation of the potential choices is a principal step in decision making. However, the selection of exercise intensity might integrate acute visceral responses (i.e.

Plasma Interleukin-10 and Cholesterol Levels May Inform about Interdependences between Fitness and Fatness in Healthy Individuals.

Relationships between demographic, anthropometric, inflammatory, lipid and glucose tolerance markers in connection with the fat but fit paradigm were investigated by supervised and unsupervised learning. Data from 81 apparently healthy participants (87% females) were used to generate four classes of fatness and fitness. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that the principal component was preponderantly composed of glucose tolerance parameters.

The Effects of Beetroot Juice on Blood Pressure, Microvascular Function and Large-Vessel Endothelial Function: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study in Healthy Older Adults.

Dietary nitrate (NO) has been reported to improve endothelial function (EF) and blood pressure (BP). However, most studies only assess large-vessel EF with little research on the microvasculature. Thus, the aim of the present pilot study is to examine NO supplementation on microvascular and large-vessel EF and BP.

Quarter-mile walk test sensitive to training-induced fitness changes.

Background: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an important aspect of the overall health of an individual and its monitoring must be promoted in the general population. Thus, the aim of the study was to cross-validate and improve CRF estimation based on quarter-mile Rockport Fitness Walking Test.

Methods: Thirty participants (31.

An act of balance: Interaction of central and peripheral chemosensitivity with inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors in obstructive sleep apnoea.

Objectives: Central and peripheral chemosensitivity i.e. ventilatory response to CO and O are thought to be decisive for ventilatory control instability in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

Exercise as a reward: Self-paced exercise perception and delay discounting in comparison with food and money.

Exercise is an important health behavior. Expressed reasons for participation are often delayed outcomes i.e.

Ecological momentary assessment of food perceptions and eating behavior using a novel phone application in adults with or without obesity.

We developed a smart phone application to measure participants' food-reward perceptions and eating behavior in their naturalistic environment. Intensity ratings (0 - not at all to 10 - very strongly) of perceived anticipation of food (wanting) and food enjoyment at endpoint of intake (liking) were recorded as they occurred over a period of 14 days. Moreover, food craving trait, implicit and explicit attitude towards healthy food, and body composition were assessed.

Exercise training and weight loss, not always a happy marriage: single blind exercise trials in females with diverse BMI.

Individuals show high variability in body weight responses to exercise training. Expectations and motivation towards effects of exercise on body weight might influence eating behaviour and could conceal regulatory mechanisms. We conducted 2 single-blind exercise trials (4 weeks (study 1) and 8 weeks (study 2)) with concealed objectives and exclusion of individuals with weight loss intention.

Conceptualization of physical exercise and keeping fit by child wheelchair users and their parents.

Aim: To gain a better understanding of how children aged 6-18 years who use wheelchairs and their families conceptualized physical exercise and keeping fit.

Background: Disabled children with reduced mobility are commonly overweight and unfit. Nurse-led health screening programmes in schools commonly exclude disabled children if they cannot use standard weighing scales or stand against height measuring sticks.

A 45-Second Self-Test for Cardiorespiratory Fitness: Heart Rate-Based Estimation in Healthy Individuals.

Cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF) is a widespread essential indicator in Sports Science as well as in Sports Medicine. This study aimed to develop and validate a prediction model for CRF based on a 45 second self-test, which can be conducted anywhere. Criterion validity, test re-test study was set up to accomplish our objectives.

Systematic review of physical activity and exercise interventions to improve health, fitness and well-being of children and young people who use wheelchairs.

Aim: To perform a systematic review establishing the current evidence base for physical activity and exercise interventions that promote health, fitness and well-being, rather than specific functional improvements, for children who use wheelchairs.

Design: A systematic review using a mixed methods design.

Data Sources: A wide range of databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, BMJ Best Practice, NHS EED, CINAHL, AMED, NICAN, PsychINFO, were searched for quantitative, qualitative and health economics evidence.

Primary skeletal muscle cells cultured on gelatin bead microcarriers develop structural and biochemical features characteristic of adult skeletal muscle.

A primary skeletal muscle cell culture, in which myoblasts derived from newborn rabbit hindlimb muscles grow on gelatin bead microcarriers in suspension and differentiate into myotubes, has been established previously. In the course of differentiation and beginning spontaneous contractions, these multinucleated myotubes do not detach from their support. Here, we describe the development of the primary myotubes with respect to their ultrastructural differentiation.

Well-being, health and fitness of children who use wheelchairs: feasibility study protocol to develop child-centred 'keep-fit' exercise interventions.

Aim: To undertake the pre-clinical and modelling phases of the Medical Research Council complex intervention framework to underpin development of child-centred 'keep-fit', exercise and physical activity interventions for children and young people who use wheelchairs.

Background: Children who use wheelchairs face many barriers to participation in physical activity, which compromises fitness, obesity, well-being and health. 'Keep-fit' programmes that are child-centred and engaging are urgently required to enhance participation of disabled children and their families as part of a healthy lifestyle.

'Keep fit' exercise interventions to improve health, fitness and well-being of children and young people who use wheelchairs: mixed-method systematic review protocol.

Aim: This mixed-method systematic review aims to establish the current evidence base for 'keep fit', exercise or physical activity interventions for children and young people who use wheelchairs.

Background: Nurses have a vital health promotion, motivational and monitoring role in optimizing the health and well-being of disabled children. Children with mobility impairments are prone to have low participation levels in physical activity, which reduces fitness and well-being.

Divers revisited: The ventilatory response to carbon dioxide in experienced scuba divers.

Purpose: To investigate the ventilatory response to CO2 in hyperoxia, hypoxia, and during exercise amongst experienced scuba divers and matched controls.

Methods: Two studies were performed. The first investigated the CO2 sensitivity in rest and exercise using CO2 rebreathing in hyperoxia at a workload typical for diving with divers (n = 11) and controls (n = 11).

Estimation of maximal oxygen uptake via submaximal exercise testing in sports, clinical, and home settings.

Assessment of the functional capacity of the cardiovascular system is essential in sports medicine. For athletes, the maximal oxygen uptake [Formula: see text] provides valuable information about their aerobic power. In the clinical setting, the (VO(2max)) provides important diagnostic and prognostic information in several clinical populations, such as patients with coronary artery disease or heart failure.