Prevention of falling risk in elderly people: the relevance of muscular strength and symmetry of lower limbs in postural stability.

Falls are one of the major health problems affecting the quality of life among older adults. The aging process is associated with decreasing muscle strength and an increasing risk of falling. The variables and techniques adopted to quantify muscular strength and postural stability were different in each protocol; a great number of reports analyzed the risk factors and predictors of falls, but the results appear still uncertain.

Work-rate of substitutes in elite soccer: a preliminary study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the work-rate of substitutes in professional soccer. A computerised player tracking system was used to assess the work-rates of second-half substitutes (11 midfielders and 14 forwards) in a French Ligue 1 club. Total distance, distance covered in five categories of movement intensity and recovery time between high-intensity efforts were evaluated.

Relationship between vertical jumping performance and anthropometric characteristics during growth in boys and girls.

The aim of the study was to compare vertical jumping performances in boys and girls during growth. The maximum heights attained in a countermovement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ) were measured using an Ergojump Bosco System. Average power output (PO) was recorded, and percentage of fast-twitch (%FT) muscle fiber distribution was estimated during the rebound jump.

Effects of home-based training at dyspnea threshold in children surgically repaired for congenital heart disease.

The present investigation was aimed at assessing the effect of home-based training on cardiorespiratory responses in children surgically corrected for congenital heart impairment using dyspnea threshold (DT) as training intensity. A group of 23 children aged 15 +/- 1.4 years who had undergone surgical correction for congenital heart disease (CHD group) and 12 healthy children used as a control group performed an exercise protocol during which aerobic capacity, ventilatory threshold (VT), and DT were assessed.

Does a short period of lower limb strength training improve performance in field-based tests of running and agility in young professional soccer players?

The present study assessed the effects of specific leg strength training (as part of a broader exercise program) on running speed and agility in young professional soccer players. Twenty-six male players (ages 17 to 19 years) were divided into 3 groups. The reference group (Re) performed individual technical work only, the coordination group (Co) performed a circuit designed to promote agility, coordination, and balance control (together with some technical work) and the Squat group (Sq) underwent 3 series of 3 squat repetitions (at 90% of the individual maximum value) and a sprint, before competition of the agility circuit and some technical work.

Caffeine in the milk prevents respiratory disorders caused by in utero caffeine exposure in rats.

Consequences of postnatal caffeine exposure by the milk on ponto-medullary respiratory disturbances observed following an in utero caffeine exposure were analysed. Ponto-medullary-spinal cord preparations from newborn rats exposed to caffeine during gestation but not after the birth display an increase in respiratory frequency and an exaggeration of the hypoxic respiratory depression compared to not treated preparations. These data suggest that tachypneic and apneic episodes encountered in human newborns whose mother consumed caffeine during pregnancy are due in large part to central effect of caffeine at the ponto-medullary level.