Understanding and Involving the Perspective of Pregnant Women as Users When Designing the Framework of e-Health and Exercise Interventions during Pregnancy: Preliminary Study.

Health and exercise technology may promote a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to understand and involve the perspective of pregnant women as users in the design of a framework for future e-health and exercise interventions during pregnancy. Pregnant women replied to a questionnaire aimed at understanding their physical activity patterns, needs, and preferences regarding the use of mobile applications (apps).

The impact of pre-, pro- and synbiotics supplementation in colorectal cancer treatment: a systematic review.

Introduction: The effectiveness of the supplementation of prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics as a therapeutic approach in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. The aim of this systematic review is to critically examine the current scientific evidence on the impact of modulating the microbiota, through the use of prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics, in patients diagnosed with CRC undergoing treatment, to determine the potential therapeutic use of this approach.

Methods: This systematic review was made according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines.

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) for the Assessment of Body Composition in Oncology: A Scoping Review.

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) is a reliable, non-invasive, objective, and cost-effective body composition assessment method, with high reproducibility. This scoping review aims to evaluate the current scientific and clinical evidence on BIA for body composition assessment in oncology patients, under active treatment. Literature search was conducted through MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science databases, following PRISMA-ScR Guidelines.

Physical Therapists' Choices, Views and Agreements Regarding Non-Pharmacological and Non-Surgical Interventions for Knee Osteoarthritis Patients: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Objective/aims: The aims of this study are to collect the most common non-pharmacological and non-surgical interventions used by the Portuguese physical therapists in their knee osteoarthritis patients, and to deeper understand the factors associated to their intervention choices.

Methods: This study incorporated a mixed-methods design. For the quantitative data it was choose an e-survey (with 25 close-end questions, plus general information of the study and a clinical vignette), retrieving sociodemographic and self-reported practice on knee osteoarthritis information.

Analysing the Effects of Different Types of Exercise on Dyspnoea and Fatigue in Adults through COPD-Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Clinical Trials.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous lung condition, the main symptoms of which are dyspnoea and fatigue. Though exercise has been recommended for subjects with COPD, its benefits remain unclear. The aim of this study was to summarise, through a systematic review and meta-analysis, the available evidence on the effects of aerobic, resistance, stretching, and combined exercise on the main symptoms of COPD.

Differences in visual search behavior between expert and novice team sports athletes: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Background: For a long time, in sports, researchers have tried to understand an expert by comparing them with novices, raising the doubts if the visual search characteristics distinguish experts from novices. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to review and conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the differences in visual search behavior between experts and novices in team sports athletes.

Methods: This systematic review with meta-analysis followed the PRISMA 2020 and Cochrane's guidelines.

Older Women Who Practiced Physical Exercises before the COVID-19 Pandemic Present Metabolic Alterations and Worsened Functional Physical Capacity after One Year of Social Isolation.

Background: Because the consequences of the lifestyle changes in older adults associated with the social isolation imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are not fully understood, here, we investigated the effects of one year of social isolation imposed by COVID-19 on the metabolic parameters and functional physical capacity of older women who regularly practiced physical exercises before the pandemic.

Methods: Systemic lipid and protein profiles, estimated creatinine clearance (ECC), and functional physical capacity (FPC) were assessed before (January-February 2020) and 12 months after social isolation in 30 older women (mean age 73.77 ± 6.

Promoting Physical Activity in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes an Anthropomorphic Conversational Agent: Development of an Evidence and Theory-Based Multi-Behavior Intervention.

Introduction: Anthropomorphic conversational agents (ACA) are a promising digital tool to support self-management of type 2 diabetes (T2D), albeit little explored. There is a dearth of literature on the detailed content of these interventions, which may limit effectiveness and replication. Our aim is to describe the development of an evidence and theory-based intervention to improve physical activity in older adults with T2D, subsumed in a multi-behavior intervention a mobile application with an ACA.

Vertical Jump Tests: A Safe Instrument to Improve the Accuracy of the Functional Capacity Assessment in Robust Older Women.

Age-related decreases in muscle function lead to disabilities and are associated with negative health outcomes in older people. Although several physical tests can be used to assess physical performance, muscle strength, and power, their interpretation can be hampered by the ceiling effect of some of them. The aim of this study was to assess whether vertical jump tests are safe in terms of physical integrity and whether they are useful in assessing physical performance in forty-one robust older women.

Measuring evidence-based practice in physical therapy: a mix-methods study.

Background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is considered the "holy grail" to manage patients by health practitioners (such as physical therapists). However, sometimes, patients are not treated with the best interventions for their condition. Although studies already explored the facilitators and barriers for this issue, they increase in the level of importance if the information gathered are context appropriated.

Effect of exercise on phase angle in cancer patients: a systematic review.

Introduction: Body composition is one of the main variables of interest in clinical practice in cancer patients. Specific markers from bioelectrical impedance analysis, such as phase angle (PhA), have been assuming increasing relevance in this population. The aim of the present systematic review was to study and systematise the effect of exercise on PhA in cancer survivors, as compared to control conditions, namely usual care, with no exercise.

Protein intake and muscle mass maintenance in patients with cancer types with high prevalence of sarcopenia: a systematic review.

Rationale: Cancer is associated with muscle wasting. However, optimal protein intake has not been determined, limiting the efficacy of nutritional interventions. This systematic review aims to assess the effect of protein intake on muscle mass of patients with cancer types with high prevalence of sarcopenia during treatment, in longitudinal studies.

Relationship between Heart Rate Variability and Functional Fitness in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide. The treatments may also cause neuromuscular and skeletal disorders; therefore, the aim of this study was to verify the existence of a relationship between heart rate variability and different functional fitness parameters in women survivors of breast cancer.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 25 women survivors of breast cancer, with a mean ± SD age, height, and body mass of 50.

Phase angle cutoff value as a marker of the health status and functional capacity in breast cancer survivors.

Accurate predictive tools are key factors for cancer care. Phase angle (PhA) has been proposed as a marker of cellular health, particularly of cell-membrane integrity. Cutoff values have been proposed, including for cancer survivors.

Development and validation of a complex intervention: A physical exercise programme aimed at delaying the functional decline in frail older adults.

Aim: To develop and validate a physical exercise programme aimed at delaying the functional decline in frail older adults.

Design: The revised guideline of Criteria for Reporting the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions in health care was followed.

Methods: The physical exercise programme was designed and validated by exercise specialists to be implemented by healthcare professionals.

Development of a Complex Intervention to Improve Adherence to Antidiabetic Medication in Older People Using an Anthropomorphic Virtual Assistant Software.

Improving adherence to antidiabetic medication is crucial, resulting in improved health outcomes, cost reduction, and minimization of waste. A lack of underlying theory in existing interventions may explain the limited success in sustaining behavior change. This paper describes the development of a theory and evidence-based complex intervention to improve adherence to oral antidiabetics in older people a software prototype with an anthropomorphic virtual assistant.

The acute effect of maximal exercise on central and peripheral arterial stiffness indices and hemodynamics in children and adults.

This study compared the effects of a bout of maximal running exercise on arterial stiffness in children and adults. Right carotid blood pressure and artery stiffness indices measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV), compliance and distensibility coefficients, stiffness index α and β (echo-tracking), contralateral carotid blood pressure, and upper and lower limb and central/aortic PWV (applanation tonometry) were taken at rest and 10 min after a bout of maximal treadmill running in 34 children (7.38 ± 0.

Waist-to-Hip Ratio is Related to Body Fat Content and Distribution Regardless of the Waist Circumference Measurement Protocol in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Patients.

Central accumulation and distribution of body fat (BF) is an important cardiometabolic risk factor. Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), commonly elevated in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients, has been endorsed as a risk related marker of central BF content and distribution, but no standardized waist circumference measurement protocol (WCmp) has been proposed. We aimed to investigate whether using different WCmp affects the strength of association between WHR and BF content and distribution in NAFLD patients.

Finding the Best Waist Circumference Measurement Protocol in Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Background: Central fat accumulation is important in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) etiology. It is unknown whether any commonly used waist circumference measurement protocol (WCmp), as a whole and central fat accumulation marker, is preferable for patients with NAFLD. The present study sought to find a preferable WCmp to be used in patients with NAFLD, based on 3-fold criteria.

Linking cardiorespiratory fitness classification criteria to early subclinical atherosclerosis in children.

It is unclear if cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) can be used as a screening tool for premature changes in carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in paediatric populations. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was 3-fold: (i) to determine if CRF can be used to screen increased cIMT; (ii) to determine an optimal CRF cut-off to predict increased cIMT; and (iii) to evaluate its ability to predict increased cIMT among children in comparison with existent CRF cut-offs. cIMT was assessed with high-resolution ultrasonography and CRF was determined using a maximal cycle test.

Intima-Media Thickness in 11- to 13-Year-Old Children: Variation Attributed to Sedentary Behavior, Physical Activity, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Waist Circumference.

Background: It is unclear how sedentary behavior (SED), physical activity (PA), and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) influence vascular structure in children of varying body size. This study examined whether associations between SED, PA, and CRF with intima-media thickness (IMT) added to that of abdominal fatness and IMT. Differences in physiological measures among waist circumference (WC) percentiles were tested.

Body composition phenotypes and carotid intima-media thickness in 11-13-year-old children.

Unlabelled: Early detection of impairment in vascular structure is an important clinical pursuit. However, it is unknown which measure of body composition best predicts vascular wall changes. We assess the differences in body composition among intima-media thickness (IMT) tertiles and determined which measures of body composition are associated with IMT in 385 children aged 11-13 years (196 girls).

Body fat responses to a 1-year combined exercise training program in male coronary artery disease patients.

Objective: To analyze the body fat (BF) content and distribution modifications in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients in response to a 1-year combined aerobic and resistance exercise training (CET) program.

Design And Methods: We followed two groups of CAD male patients for 12 months. One group consisted of 17 subjects (57 ± 12 years) who engaged in a CET program (CET group) and the other was a age-matched control group of 10 subjects (58 ± 11 years).

Comparison of body composition and body fat distribution of patients following a cardiac rehabilitation program and sedentary patients.

Objective: The aim of this investigation was to analyze differences in body composition and body fat distribution between subjects following a structured cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP) and subjects not involved in any CRP.

Methods: Body composition and body fat distribution were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in 62 male subjects, white, who had been diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD). The sample came from two groups: a CRP group (n=31) who had been engaged in phase IV of a CRP for more than a year (age: 58 +/- 10 years), and a non-CRP group (n=31) who were not involved in any CRP (age: 59 +/- 12 years).