Relationship among depression, fatigue, and sleep after traumatic brain injury: The role of physical exercise as a non-pharmacological therapy.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a burdensome condition frequently associated with an increased risk of psychiatric disorders. Although the exact molecular signaling pathways have not yet been fully defined, the compromised integrity of functional brain networks in regions such as the prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex has been linked to persistent symptoms, including depression, fatigue, and sleep disorders. Understanding how TBI affects neural physiology enables the development of effective interventions.

Stress, resilience and sense of self-efficacy among Ukrainian, Polish, Romanian, and Slovak women during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to determine the levels of stress, resilience and the sense of self-efficacy, as well as the influence of resilience and the sense of self-efficacy in shaping stress levels, in a sample of women from various countries of origin.

Methods: The study was carried out on a sample of Ukrainian (N = 82), Polish (N = 102), Slovak (N = 79), and Romanian (N = 42) women using the Sense of Stress Questionnaire, the General Self-Efficacy Scale and the Brief Resilience Scale.

Results: Highest total stress levels were found among Ukrainian women, while the lowest were found among Polish women.

Validation of Muscle Ultrasound Speckle Tracking and the Effect of Nordic Hamstring Exercise on Biceps Femoris Displacement.

Objective: This study aimed to validate the ultrasound speckle tracking (UST) algorithm, determine the optimal probe location by comparing normalized cross-correlation (NCC) values of muscle displacement at two locations (proximal vs. middle) of the biceps femoris long head (BFlh) using the UST, and investigate the effects of Nordic hamstring curl exercise (NHE) training on BFlh displacement.

Methods: UST efficacy was verified with ex vivo uniaxial testing of porcine leg muscles.

A Deep Learning Approach for Mental Fatigue State Assessment.

This study investigates mental fatigue in sports activities by leveraging deep learning techniques, deviating from the conventional use of heart rate variability (HRV) feature analysis found in previous research. The study utilizes a hybrid deep neural network model, which integrates Residual Networks (ResNet) and Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM) for feature extraction, and a transformer for feature fusion. The model achieves an impressive accuracy of 95.

The Role of Exerkines in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: From Mechanisms to Exercise Strategies.

With the increasing prevalence of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), the limitations of traditional treatments, such as their limited efficacy in halting disease progression and their potential side effects, are becoming more evident. This situation has prompted scientists to seek more effective strategies. In recent years, exercise therapy has gained prominence in KOA treatment due to its safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness, which are underpinned by the molecular actions of exerkines.

Optimal Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Reducing Problematic Internet Use in Youth: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis.

The purpose of this network meta-analysis (NMA) is to compare the effect of different non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) on Problematic Internet Use (PIU). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from their inception to 22 December 2023 were searched in Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Medline, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, and WanFang Data. We carried out a data analysis to compare the efficacy of various NPIs using Bayesian NMA.

The Role of Immersive Experience in Anxiety Reduction: Evidence from Virtual Reality Sessions.

Background/objectives: Virtual reality (VR) is an innovative technology with the potential to transform digital experiences, particularly in relation to mental health concerns such as anxiety. Therefore, this study investigates the potential of a newly designed VR experience to alleviate anxiety by focusing on the mediating role of VR-induced immersion.

Methods: The study included 419 individuals aged 10 to 80 years, with 29 aged 10-15 years and 390 above 15 years, who were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups on the basis of project-defined criteria, including a random allocation to the wheelchair-using group.

Numerical Simulation of Fluid Shear Stress Distribution in Microcracks of Trabecular Bone.

Bone is one of the hardest tissues in the human body, but it can undergo microcracks under long-term and periodic mechanical loads. The Newton iterative method was used to calculate the steady state, and the effects of different inlet and outlet pressures, trabecular gap width and height, and microcrack's depth and width on the fluid shear stress (FSS) were studied, and the gradient of FSS inside the microcrack was analyzed. The results show that the pressure difference and trabecular gap heigh are positively correlated with the FSS (the linear correlation coefficients were 0.

Impact of combiner aerobic and resistance training on depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: To summarize the existing literature and evaluate the efficacy of combined resistance and aerobic training in alleviating depressive symptoms among individuals with depression. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on study region, age, depression severity, intervention duration, intervention frequency, and whether the intervention was supervised or unsupervised.

Methods: Five databases were thoroughly examined from database establishment until August 20, 2024, to find randomized controlled trials that investigated resistance combined aerobic training impact on depression.

Could physical activity promote indicators of physical and psychological health among children and adolescents? An umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.

Background: We performed an umbrella review to synthesize evidence on the effects of physical activity (PA) interventions on indicators of physical and psychological health among children and adolescents, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), depressive symptoms, and cognitive function.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched from inception through 31 July 2023. We included meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials exploring the effects of PA interventions on BMI, BP, depressive symptoms, or cognitive function in healthy or general children and adolescents.

Optimizing Recovery Strategies in Elite Speedskating: A Comparative Analysis of Different Modalities.

As short-track speed skaters have to race multiple races to achieve success during competition, optimizing the recovery between efforts is a noteworthy performance determinant. Therefore, we compared three different recovery modalities (active cycling recovery, pneumatic compression boots, and isocapnic breathing protocol) in the context of perceived subjective pain and recovery variables, multiple biochemical and biomechanical indices, CMJ height and power, as well as repeated efforts on the ice track. Fifteen elite short-track speed skaters (eight males and seven females; age 18.

Skeletal age assessed by Greulich-Pyle: Intra-observer and inter-observer agreement among male pubertal tennis players.

The assessment of biological maturation is a central topic in pediatric exercise sciences. Skeletal age (SA) reflects changes in each bone of the hand and wrist from initial ossification to the adult state. This study examined intra-observer and inter-examiner agreement is Greulich-Pyle (GP) assessments of SA in 97 male tennis players 8.

Life satisfaction around the world: Measurement invariance of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups.

The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) is a widely used self-report measure of subjective well-being, but studies of its measurement invariance across a large number of nations remain limited. Here, we utilised the Body Image in Nature (BINS) dataset-with data collected between 2020 and 2022 -to assess measurement invariance of the SWLS across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups (N = 56,968). All participants completed the SWLS under largely uniform conditions.

The boost of force in unfused tetanic contractions at variable interpulse intervals in fast motor units of the rat medial gastrocnemius.

Previously, boost and sag effects seen in unfused tetanic contractions have been studied exclusively at constant stimulation frequency. However, intervals between successive discharges of motoneurons vary during voluntary movements. We therefore aimed to test whether the extra-efficient force production at the onset of contraction (boost) occurs during stimulation with variable intervals, and to what extent it depends on the level of interpulse interval (IPI) variability and history of stimulation.

Immediate effects of Vojta Therapy on gait ability in down syndrome patients: a pilot study.

Background: Vojta Therapy (VT) is a neurorehabilitation approach that targets ontogenetic postural function and automatic body posture control. Research has shown its potential to enhance gait ability. However, limited evidence exists regarding its immediate effects on individuals with Down syndrome (DS).

Influence of sedentary behavior on sleep quality in postmenopausal women in high-altitude regions of China: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: This study investigates the association between sedentary behavior and sleep quality among postmenopausal women residing in China's plateau regions. Particular attention is given to moderating effects of age, body mass index (BMI), and sleep environment. This study aims to identify modifiable risk factors influencing sleep quality in this high-altitude population.

Circulating biomarkers associated with walking performance in elderly subjects: exploring miRNAs, metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers.

Aging phenotype is characterized by musculoskeletal impairment that leads to diminished mobility and physical function. This study investigated whether circulating miRNAs and metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers may reflect the walking performance of the elderly. Elderly hospitalized for an acute condition and recruited from the ReportAge Biobank were grouped, based on their walking performance, in active subjects (n = 23, age: 83.

Impact of Lower-Volume Training on Physical Fitness Adaptations in Team Sports Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: A small number of reviews have explored lower- versus higher-volume training in non-athletes, but the growing challenge of congested schedules in team sports highlights the need to synthesize evidence specific to team sport athletes. Thus, the objectives of this systematic review with meta-analysis are twofold: (i) to summarize the primary physiological and physical fitness outcomes of lower-volume versus higher-volume training interventions in team sports players; and (ii) to compare the effects of lower-volume training with higher, considering the training modalities used.

Methods: We conducted searches across key databases, including PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science.

mHealth-based exercise vs. traditional exercise on pain, functional disability, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: This study aims to compare the efficacy of mHealth-based exercise interventions with traditional exercise in improving pain intensity, functional disability, and quality of life in patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Method: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from their inception to 23 August 2024 were searched in Cochrane, Embase, Medline, Web of Science. Reviewer pairs independently extracted data and evaluated bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool.

Accelerometric assessment of fatigue-induced changes in swimming technique in high performance adolescent athletes.

The present study analyzed the kinematic changes under fatigue in highly trained adolescent swimmers during a 50-m all-out front cwal test. Twenty-four girls and fourteen boys aged 12-13 participated in the study. The movement of the hip rim was analyzed using a specialized inertial device equipped with a triaxial gyroscope and accelerometer to measure changes in angular velocity and acceleration.

Re-reading Pistorius. How Do Hegemonic Masculinity, Celebrity Status, and Affective Atmosphere Help Us Understand Pistorius's Crime?

Oscar Pistorius's parole in January 2024 offers a new perspective on the South African runner. This article examines Pistorius within the context of social factors that influenced his behavior and the murder of Reeva Steenkamp. Drawing on Connell's gender order theory, Messner's triad of violence, and affective atmosphere, it reveals how Pistorius, despite his disability, embraced hegemonic masculinity and became a sports star.

The phenomenon of sensory processing: historical overview, theoretical models, and neurophysiological underpinnings.

The article provides a review of the sensory processing (SP) phenomenon, its origins, theoretical models, and neurophysiological foundations. Initiated by A. Jean Ayres' research on sensory integration in the 1960s and 70s, this field has evolved, leading to the development of concepts such as Winnie Dunn's four quadrant model and Miller's ecological model of sensory modulation.

Does curcumin supplementation affect inflammation, blood count and serum brain-derived neurotropic factor concentration in amateur long-distance runners?

Curcumin is known for its potential health benefits; however, the evidence remains inconclusive regarding its necessity as a supplement for athletes during the preparatory phase of training. This study aimed to assess the effect of 6-week curcumin supplementation at a dose of 2g/day on selected inflammatory markers, blood count, and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) levels in middle-aged amateur long-distance runners during the preparatory period of a macrocycle. Thirty runners were randomly assigned to either a curcumin-supplemented group (CUR, n = 15) or a placebo group (PLA, n = 15).

Differences of simulated ankle dorsiflexion limitation on lower extremity biomechanics during long jump takeoff.

The long jump is an athletic event that demands speed, power, force application, and balance, with each phase being critical to overall performance. However, previous research has neglected the limiting effect of the wedge pedals on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. This cross-sectional study investigated biomechanical changes in the lower extremities during long jumps under varying degrees of ankle dorsiflexion.