Part II. Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show?

Creatine monohydrate supplementation (CrM) is a safe and effective intervention for improving certain aspects of sport, exercise performance, and health across the lifespan. Despite its evidence-based pedigree, several questions and misconceptions about CrM remain. To initially address some of these concerns, our group published a narrative review in 2021 discussing the scientific evidence as to whether CrM leads to water retention and fat accumulation, is a steroid, causes hair loss, dehydration or muscle cramping, adversely affects renal and liver function, and if CrM is safe and/or effective for children, adolescents, biological females, and older adults.

Prevalence and risk factors of headache in Chinese with stroke: a cross-sectional study based on CHARLS.

Background: Stroke ranks as the second leading cause of death worldwide. Meanwhile, headaches are considered the second leading cause of disability, and they often occur as a stroke complication. However, insufficient attention has been given to the treatment and rehabilitation of headaches among stroke patients, and the research on the epidemiology and risk factors of headaches in stroke patients in China is limited.

From Food Supplements to Functional Foods: Emerging Perspectives on Post-Exercise Recovery Nutrition.

Effective post-exercise recovery is vital for optimizing athletic performance, focusing on muscle repair, glycogen replenishment, rehydration, and inflammation management. This review explores the evolving trend from traditional supplements, such as protein, carbohydrates, creatine, and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), toward functional foods rich in bioactive compounds. Evidence highlights the benefits of functional foods like tart cherry juice (anthocyanins), turmeric-seasoned foods, and sources of omega-3 fatty acids, including fish, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts, for mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation.

Understanding Needs for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Management in a Northern Dene and Métis Community: A Community Based Needs Assessment.

Background: Chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain disproportionately affects Indigenous Peoples, and rural/remote communities face significant barriers in accessing care. La Loche, a Dene/Métis community in northern Saskatchewan, has limited access to specialized chronic pain management services and specialized health providers.

Aims: The aim of this needs assessment was to gain insight into the community's priorities, strengths, and concerns regarding chronic MSK pain management.

The impact of family and friend support of physical activity on the participation in physical activity within Indigenous individuals in Saskatoon.

Introduction: Social support within Indigenous worldviews is recognized as a component of health and has been associated with physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Physical Activity (PA) is a modifiable behaviour that can help reduce risks of disease and benefit many dimensions of health. The purpose of this study was to compare the physical activity of Indigenous adults in Saskatchewan with and without family/friend support of PA.

Treating Yourself in a Fairway: Examining the Contribution of Self-Compassion and Well-Being on Performance in a Putting Task.

Researchers have advocated for greater insight regarding the contributions of psychological resources to sports performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the contributions of self-compassion and well-being to sports performance using a golf putting task. Male golfers (N = 87, M = 54.

Enhancement of a Mathematical Model for Predicting Puberty Stage in Boys: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Previously, we developed a mathematical model capable of predicting pubertal development (PD) through seven anthropometric variables, with an accuracy of 75%. We believe that it is possible to develop a similar model that uses fewer anthropometric measurements and provides greater precision.

Objective: Develop a mathematical model capable of predicting PD through anthropometric variables.

Are Experiences of Discrimination Associated With Views of Physical Activity and Climate Policy Support in Canada?

Background: Social climate refers to the general feelings, norms, and opinions in a society and may be affected by experiences of discrimination. This study examined whether experiences of discrimination are associated with the social climate of physical (in)activity and support for policies addressing dual benefits of physical activity (PA) and climate change.

Methods: Data from the 2023 Social Climate Survey were used (n = 1950; ≥18 y).

Effects of mindfulness intervention on competition state anxiety in sprinters-a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: With the rapid growth of China's sprint program's international competitiveness, the psychological problems of sprinters have become a common concern in sports training theory and practice. Hence, the study examined the impact of a 7-week Mindfulness training program on competition state anxiety in Chinese sprinters.

Methods: Twenty-four sprinters (M = 22.

Impact of whole-body and skeletal muscle composition on peak oxygen uptake in heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: Heart failure (HF) has a major impact on exercise tolerance that may (in part) be due to abnormalities in body and skeletal muscle composition. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess how differences in whole-body and skeletal muscle composition between patients with HF and non-HF controls (CON) contribute to reduced peak oxygen uptake (VOpeak).

Methods And Results: The PubMed database was searched from 1975 to May 2024 for eligible studies.

A Pilot and Feasibility Study on a Mindfulness-Based Intervention Adapted for LGBTQ+ Adolescents.

(1) Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other gender and sexual minority-identified (LGBTQ+) adolescents face mental and physical health disparities compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) may be a potential method to intervene upon health disparities in this population. This pilot study explores the initial acceptability and feasibility, along with the descriptive health changes of an online MBI, Learning to Breathe-Queer (L2B-Q), which was adapted to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ adolescents.

Non-Pharmacological Exercise Randomized Controlled Trials in Alzheimer's Disease.

This narrative review aimed to summarize evidence on responses to exercise in pre-clinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) and on how long-term exercise programs work to improve neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive performance. We conducted a narrative review of the body of research on the benefits of long-term exercise programs in improving cognitive performance and reducing neuropsychiatric scores in patients with AD. Long-term exercise therapy appears to improve blood flow, increase hippocampal volume, and promote neurogenesis in patients with AD.

Promoting precision health using fitness wearable and apps among breast cancer survivors: Protocols of a smart health management trial.

Background: Annually, approximately 1.7 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide. Engaging in regular physical activity (PA) post-diagnosis brings significant health benefits, enhancing breast cancer survivors' (BCS) prognosis and overall health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Walking balance control in different settings: Effects of walking speed and biological sex.

Background: Previous research has suggested that spatiotemporal step parameters differ between settings; however, it remains unclear how different settings influence walking balance control.

Research Question: How do settings and sex influence walking balance control during walking at different speeds for young adults?

Methods: Forty-two adults (21 male (23 ± 4 years), 21 female (24 ± 5 years)) completed overground walking trials in four settings: laboratory (10 m), hallway, indoor open, and outdoor pathway (all 20 m) at three self-selected speeds (slow, preferred, fast) following verbal instructions. Participants wore 17 inertial sensors (Xsens Awinda, Movella, Henderson, NV) to capture total body kinematics.

Dietary Quality and Nutrient Intakes of Elite Paracyclists.

Nutrient requirements for para-athletes will be influenced by a variety of factors secondary to their impairment and, therefore, recommendations for para-athletes cannot be drawn directly from that of able-bodied athletes. Information on the dietary intakes of para-athletes is lacking and therefore needs to be examined. This study assessed the nutrient intakes and diet quality of 31 paracyclists via food frequency questionnaires.

Investigating the relationship between emotions and physical literacy in a quality physical education context.

Affective experiences have been shown to influence attitudes and future behaviors related to physical activity, but no studies have related these experiences to physical literacy or examined affective experiences in quality physical education (QPE). The aim of this study was to describe emotions experienced in a QPE context and relate those emotions to students' physical literacy and self-esteem. A cross-sectional study of 145 4th and 5th grade students was surveyed after a single PE class on their emotional experiences (positive emotions: pride, enjoyment, and relief; negative, emotions: shame, anger, and boredom; aggregate emotional experience as the sum of positive and negative emotions) physical literacy (self-description and movement valuation) and self-esteem.

Effects of External Pacing Type on the Cross-Education of Motor Skill.

Cross-education (CE) is a phenomenon whereby motor training of one limb leads to improved performance in the opposite untrained limb. External pacing of a motor task can enhance CE; however, the influence of different pacing methods is poorly understood. This study explored how motor training with auditory (AP) and visual pacing (VP) impacts CE with a visuomotor force target task.

The effect of tart cherry juice compared to a sports drink on cycling exercise performance, substrate metabolism, and recovery.

Tart cherries have low glycemic index, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and therefore may benefit performance and recovery from exercise. We determined the effects of consuming tart cherry juice versus a high-glycemic index sports drink on cycling performance, substrate oxidation, and recovery of low-frequency fatigue. Using a randomized, counter-balanced cross-over design, with one-month washout, 12 recreational cyclists (8 males and 4 females; 35±16y; VO2peak 38.

Tailored Physical Activity Interventions for Long COVID: Current Approaches and Benefits-A Narrative Review.

This narrative review explores the essential role of physical activity in managing long COVID, which is characterized by persistent symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, and cognitive impairments following SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this context, "physical activity" includes various exercises, such as aerobic and resistance training, as well as flexibility and balance exercises, thereby encompassing the subset known as "exercise". The methodology involved a comprehensive literature search across PubMed, EBSCO (EDS), and Google Scholar, selecting peer-reviewed articles from December 2019 to June 2024 focusing on long COVID physical activity interventions.

Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Adequacy in Powerlifters.

Leonhardt, TPM, Chilibeck, PD, Ko, J, and Zello, GA. Nutrition knowledge and dietary adequacy in powerlifters. J Strength Cond Res 38(11): 1924-1932, 2024-Athletes competing in weight categories (e.

Musculoskeletal perturbations of deep space radiation: Assessment using a Gateway MRI.

Human space exploration expansion from Low-Earth Orbit to deep space is accelerating the need to monitor and address the known health concerns related to deep space radiation. The human musculoskeletal system is vulnerable to these risks (alongside microgravity) and its health reflects the well-being of other body systems. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important approach for assessing temporal physiological changes in the musculoskeletal system.

School-Based Team Sports as Catalysts for Holistic Student Wellness: A Narrative Review.

The narrative review examines how school-based team sports catalyze holistic student wellness, leveraging their inherent nature and addressing barriers to inclusivity. Utilizing the holistic wellness framework-which encompasses physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, and occupational dimensions-the review evaluates the multifaceted effects of these sports on student well-being. Supported by wellness models like Dr.