Background/objectives: The global shift towards vegan and vegetarian diets has garnered attention for their ethical, environmental, and potential health benefits. These diets are often rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants, which have been associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), suggesting a potential protective effect against systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. However, despite these benefits, concerns remain regarding their impact on neurological health due to the possible deficiencies of critical nutrients such as vitamin B12, DHA, EPA, and iron.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: This study aimed to analyse the differences between pressure training and official competition matches in high-level male padel players from Finland, focusing on the proportion of points won by serving and returning players, the frequency of break points and golden points, and the effectiveness of the last shot.
Methods: A total of 4,417 points from 38 matches played during the 2022 and 2023 seasons were analyzed.
Results: The results revealed no significant association between match type (pressure training vs.
Anxiety disorders have been rising globally, particularly among adolescents and women. However, the relationship between diet, psychological traits, and anxiety levels in athletes remains underexplored. This study aimed to analyze the nutritional and psychological differences between athletes with varying anxiety levels, hypothesizing that higher anxiety correlates with unhealthier dietary habits, greater body distortion, and less adaptive psychological profiles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe interplay between nutrition, physical activity, and mental health has emerged as a frontier in bioengineering research, offering innovative pathways for enhancing cognitive function and psychological resilience. This review explores the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the synergistic effects of tailored nutritional strategies and exercise interventions on brain health and mental well-being. Key topics include the role of micronutrients and macronutrients in modulating neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity, the impact of exercise-induced myokines and neurotrophins on cognitive enhancement, and the integration of wearable bioelectronics for personalized monitoring and optimization.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe gut microbiota is a complex and dynamic ecosystem that plays a fundamental role in human health by regulating immunity, metabolism, and the gut-brain axis. Beyond its critical physiological functions, it has emerged as a rich source of inspiration for biomimetic innovations in healthcare and biotechnology. This review explores the transformative potential of microbiota-based biomimetics, focusing on key biological mechanisms such as resilience, self-regulation, and quorum sensing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRock climbing is a multifaceted athletic activity that requires both psychological and physiological resilience. This study aimed to examine the differences in psychological factors and fatigue predictors between novice and advanced climbers, with a focus on the interplay between experience and performance. The study included 60 participants categorized based on climbing experience (novice or advanced).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study examines the biochemical profile of saliva, focusing on flow rate, total protein concentration, and the enzymatic activities of amylase and catalase. The study aims to explore the correlations between these parameters and their response to physiological stress induced by physical activity, providing insights into saliva's diagnostic potential. Thirty-one participants were recruited, and saliva samples were collected before and after a structured physical activity session.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF: This systematic review focused on collecting the most significant findings on the impact of the administration of (or subps. infantis) and , alone, in conjunction, or in combination with other strains, in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). These diseases are characterized by the progressive degeneration of neurons, resulting in a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study analyze the effect of a single functional neurology session on sports performance, pain perception, fatigue perception and thermographic muscular response in an international female weightlifting athlete with incapacity to tolerate weight. Functional neurology is a discipline leveraging neuroplasticity for non-invasive recovery and performance optimization. We found how a single session of functional neurology improved load tolerance, enabling her to lift weights at pre-injury levels after just a single session of functional neurology and reduced pain perception from 80 to 0 and fatigue perception from 90 to 20 on a 100-point scale while thermographic data showed up to a 15% decrease in body temperature indicating reduced inflammation and improved muscle recovery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of external (EXT) versus internal (INT) focus of attention on acquiring and transferring simple and complex motor skills in novice female volleyball players.
Methods: Fifty-seven participants were assigned to one of the three groups: The external focus (EXT), the internal focus (INT), and the control group (CON). Over a 6-week intervention, participants practiced a simple skill (volleyball passing) and a complex skill (overhead tennis serve).
Background: Regular physical activity plays a crucial role in modulating cellular metabolism and mitigating the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Multiple Sclerosis.
Objective: The objective of this review is to evaluate the molecular mechanisms by which exercise influences cellular metabolism, with a focus on its potential as a therapeutic intervention for neurological disorders.
Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed scientific articles, with a focus on the period between 2015 and 2024, to analyze the effects of exercise on mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and metabolic health.
Unlabelled: The increasing ubiquity of digital devices in childhood had outpaced the understanding of their effects on cognitive development, creating a significant research gap regarding their long-term impact.
Objective: The present narrative overview explored the complex relationship between digital device usage and cognitive development in childhood.
Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search across multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science, to critically assess cognitive domains such as attention, memory, executive functions, problem-solving skills, and social cognition.
Mental health is an increasing topic of focus since more than 500 million people in the world suffer from depression and anxiety. In this multifactorial disorder, parameters such as inflammation, the state of the microbiota and, therefore, the patient's nutrition are receiving more attention. In addition, food products are the source of many essential ingredients involved in the regulation of mental processes, including amino acids, neurotransmitters, vitamins, and others.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: This study explores the gender differences in psychological stress perception and autonomic modulation among teachers.
Methods: Utilizing heart rate variability (HRV) as a measure of autonomic function and a suite of validated psychological tests, the study examines the discrepancies in stress, anxiety, burnout, and personality traits between male and female educators.
Results: Results indicate that despite higher reported levels of stress and anxiety, women demonstrate a higher HRV, suggesting a stronger parasympathetic response.
Objective: To compare the cardiovascular risk and physical fitness, according to type of school in a national sample of Chilean school students.
Methods: A total of 7,218 students participated, who completed all the national tests of the National System for Measuring the Quality of Education, which included physical fitness and anthropometric tests. The results were compared according to the type of educational establishment and anthropometric indicators were considered.
Front Physiol
July 2024
This study investigates the comparative efficacy of neuromodulation therapy using the EXOPULSE Mollii Suit and a structured exercise program in pain modulation and muscle oxygenation in Fibromyalgia patients. A randomized, crossover, longitudinal, and experimental study design was employed, involving 10 female Fibromyalgia patients. Participants were subjected to two distinct treatment modalities: neuromodulation therapy with the EXOPULSE Mollii Suit and a strength-based High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) exercise program, each conducted over 16 sessions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe intricate relationship between physical health and cognitive development has been a focal point of multidisciplinary research, suggesting that motor skill proficiency could influence academic outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between motor control, mobility, stability-measured by the Functional Movement Screen (FMS)-and academic performance among high school students. Conducted with 201 participants from a public high school in Spain, this descriptive non-experimental research divided students into high and low academic performance groups based on their average grade scores, with the median used as the criterion for distinction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground/objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not there are notable differences between male and female vocational training students in terms of academic, behavioral, and psychophysiological characteristics.
Methods: A total of 411 vocational training students, 210 of whom were male and 201 of whom were female, participated in an online survey that assessed academic, behavioral, and psychophysiological patterns.
Results: In terms of extraversion and openness to experience, our research revealed that no statistically significant differences were noticed.
Universal health coverage has been proposed as a strategy to improve health in low- and middle-income countries, but this depends on a good provision of health services. Under-5 mortality (U5M) reflects the quality of health services, and its reduction has been a milestone in modern society, reducing global mortality rates by more than two-thirds between 1990 and 2020. However, despite these impressive achievements, they are still insufficient, and most deaths in children under 5 can be prevented with the provision of timely and high-quality health services.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHealthcare (Basel)
July 2024
This narrative review examines the interplay among body image perceptions, social media influence, physical measurements, and their impact on psychological well-being, focusing on the roles of cultural and gender differences and the need to understand the research methodologies employed in this field. In the age of digital proliferation, platforms like Instagram and Facebook have reshaped body image concerns, often leading to increased dissatisfaction and psychological distress due to constant exposure to idealized images and a culture of social comparison. Physical attributes such as weight, height, and BMI are scrutinized under societal standards of health and attractiveness, contributing to a spectrum of mental health issues including low self-esteem, depression, and eating disorders.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis narrative review examines the intricate psychophysiological interplay between cognitive functions and physical responses within military personnel engaged in combat. It elucidates the spectrum of responses elicited by symmetric and asymmetric warfare alongside specialised combat scenarios, including close-quarters and subterranean warfare. Central to this discourse is the emphasis on integrating training programs beyond physical conditioning to encompass psychological resilience and decision-making efficacy under duress.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMuscle testing is an integral component in assessing musculoskeletal function and tailoring rehabilitation efforts. This study aimed i. to identify an objective evaluation system sensitive to analyze changes in different muscular conditions in different neuromuscular tests across a spectrum of professional experience levels; and ii.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study was conducted on 5 March 2024, by the Universidad Europea de Madrid. This study aims to explore how body image perceptions influence health behaviors and mental and physical health outcomes among a specific group of 605 young adults aged 20 to 35 engaged in strength training regimes. To measure these perceptions, the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) was employed, an advanced tool that assesses multiple dimensions of body image through its subscales, including feelings of physical attractiveness, investment in one's appearance, and satisfaction with different body areas.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Environ Res Public Health
March 2024
The aim of this study was to analyze gender differences in stress-related factors among active teachers. A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine gender disparities in psychological, nutritional, physical activity, and oral health factors and how these habits correlate with stress and burnout in their work environment. The sample comprised 1037 teachers from Spain, Colombia, and Chile, consisting of 40.
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