A randomized controlled trial of Promoting Physical Activity in Regional and Remote Cancer Survivors(PPARCS)

Background:Physical activity(PA)is important for cancer survivors.Trials of remotely delivered interventions are needed to assist in reaching under-served non-metropolitan cancer survivors.The objective of this study was to ascertain whether wearable technology,coupled with health coaching was effective in increasing PA in breast and colorectal cancer survivors living in regional and remote areas in Australia.Methods:Cancer survivors from 5 states were randomized to intervention and control arms.Intervention participants were given a Fitbit Charge 2TMand received up to 6 telephone health coaching sessions.Control participants received PA print materials.Accelerometer assessments at baseline and 12 weeks measured moderate-to-vigorous PA(MVPA),light PA,and sedentary behavior.Results:Eighty-seven participants were recruited(age=63±11 years;74(85%)female).There was a significant net improvement in MVPA of 49.8 min/week,favoring the intervention group(95%confidence interval(95%CI):13.6-86.1,p=0.007).There was also a net increase in MVPA bouts of 39.5 min/week(95%CI:11.9-67.1,p=0.005),favoring the intervention group.Both groups improved light PA and sedentary behavior,but there were no between-group differences.Conclusion:This’s the first study to demonstrate that,when compared to standard practice(i.e.,PA education),a wearable technology intervention coupled with distance-based health coaching,improves MVPA in non-metropolitan cancer survivors.The results display promise for the use of scalable interventions using smart wearable technology in conjunction with phone-based health coaching to foster increased PA in geographically disadvantaged cancer survivors.

Responses to oral glucose challenge differ by physical activity volume and intensity: A pilot study

Background:One-hour postprandial hyperglycemia is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.Physical activity(PA)has short-term beneficial effects on post-meal glucose response.This study compared the oral glucose tolerance test results of 3 groups of people with habitually different levels of PA.Methods:Thirty-one adults without diabetes(age 25.9±6.6 years;body mass index 23.8±3.8 kg/m^2;mean±SD)were recruited and divided into 3 groups based on self-reported PA volume and intensity:low activity<30 min/day of moderate-intensity activity(n=11),moderately active≥30 min/day of moderate-intensity PA(n=10),and very active≥60 min/day of PA at high intensity(n=10).Participants completed an oral glucose tolerance test(50 g glucose)with capillary blood samples obtained at baseline,15 min,30 min,45 min,60 min,90 min,and 120 min post-ingestion.Results:There were no significant differences between groups for age or body fat percentage or glycated hemoglobin(p>0.05).The groups were significantly different in terms of baseline glucose level(p=0.003)and,marginally,for gender(p=0.053)and BMI(p=0.050).There was a statistically significant effect of PA on the 1-h postprandial glucose results(p=0.029),with differences between very active and low activity groups(p=0.008)but not between the moderately active and low activity groups(p=0.360),even when baseline glucose level and gender differences were accounted for.For incremental area under the curve there was no significant effect of activity group once gender and body fat percentage had been accounted for(p=0.401).Those in the low activity group took 15 min longer to reach peak glucose level than those in the very active group(p=0.012).Conclusion:The results suggest that high levels of PA have a beneficial effect on postprandial blood glucose profiles when compared to low and moderate levels of activity.

Maturity-associated considerations for training load,injury risk,and physical performance in youth soccer:One size does not fit all

Biological maturation can be defined as the timing and tempo of progress to achieving a mature state.The estimation of age of peak height velocity(PHV)or percentage of final estimated adult stature attainment(%EASA)is typically used to inform the training process in young athletes.In youth soccer,maturity-related changes in anthropometric and physical fitness characteristics are diverse among individuals,particularly around PHV.During this time,players are also at an increased risk of sustaining an overuse or growth-related injury.As a result,the implementation of training interventions can be challenging.The purpose of this review was to(1)highlight and discuss many of the methods that can be used to estimate maturation in the applied setting and(2)discuss the implications of manipulating training load around PHV on physical development and injury risk.We have provided key stakeholders with a practical online tool for estimating player maturation status(Supplementary Maturity Estimation Tools).Whilst estimating maturity using predictive equations is useful in guiding the training process,practitioners should be aware of its limitations.To increase the accuracy and usefulness of data,it is also vital that sports scientists implement reliable testing protocols at predetermined time-points.

Nitrate reduction capacity of the oral microbiota is impaired in periodontitis:potential implications for systemic nitric oxide availability

The reduction of nitrate to nitrite by the oral microbiota has been proposed to be important for oral health and results in nitric oxide formation that can improve cardiometabolic conditions. Studies of bacterial composition in subgingival plaque suggest that nitrate-reducing bacteria are associated with periodontal health, but the impact of periodontitis on nitrate-reducing capacity(NRC)and, therefore, nitric oxide availability has not been evaluated. The current study aimed to evaluate how periodontitis affects the NRC of the oral microbiota. First, 16S rRNA sequencing data from five different countries were analyzed, revealing that nitratereducing bacteria were significantly lower in subgingival plaque of periodontitis patients compared with healthy individuals(P < 0.05 in all five datasets with n = 20–82 samples per dataset). Secondly, subgingival plaque, saliva, and plasma samples were obtained from 42 periodontitis patients before and after periodontal treatment. The oral NRC was determined in vitro by incubating saliva with 8 mmol/L nitrate(a concentration found in saliva after nitrate-rich vegetable intake) and compared with the NRC of 15healthy individuals. Salivary NRC was found to be diminished in periodontal patients before treatment(P < 0.05) but recovered to healthy levels 90 days post-treatment. Additionally, the subgingival levels of nitrate-reducing bacteria increased after treatment and correlated negatively with periodontitis-associated bacteria(P < 0.01). No significant effect of periodontal treatment on the baseline saliva and plasma nitrate and nitrite levels was found, indicating that differences in the NRC may only be revealed after nitrate intake. Our results suggest that an impaired NRC in periodontitis could limit dietary nitrate-derived nitric oxide levels, and the effect on systemic health should be explored in future studies.

The effects of artificial surface temperature on mechanical properties and player kinematics during landing and acceleration

Background: Artificial turf is considered a feasible global alternative to natural turf by many sports governing bodies. Consequently, its ability to provide a safe and consistent playing surface regardless of climate becomes essential. The aims of this study were to determine the effects of artificial surface temperature on:(1) mechanical properties of the turf and(2) the kinematics of a turf-sport related movement.Methods: Two identical artificial turf pitches were tested: one with a cold surface temperature(1.8°C–2.4°C) and one with a warm surface temperature(14.5°C–15.2°C). Mechanical testing was performed to measure the surface properties. Four amateur soccer players performed a hurdle jump to sprint acceleration movement, with data(contact time, step length and hip, knee and ankle kinematics) collected using CODASport(200 Hz).Results: The temperature difference had a significant influence on the mechanical properties of the artificial turf, including force absorption,energy restitution, rotational resistance, and the height where the head injury criterion was met. Both step length(p = 0.008) and contact time(p = 0.002) of the initial step after the landing were significantly longer on the warm surface. In addition, significant range of motion and joint angular velocity differences were found.Conclusion: These findings highlight different demands placed on players due to the surface temperature and suggest a need for coaches,practitioners, and sports governing bodies to be aware of these differences.

Affect and prefrontal hemodynamics during exercise under immersive audiovisual stimulation:Improving the experience of exercise for overweight adults

Objective:Research on methods of improving the affective experience of exercise remains limited,especially for low-active overweight adults.We investigated the effectiveness of a virtual-reality headset and headphones in improving affective responses over conventionally delivered audiovisual stimulation.Methods:Low-active,overweight adults(16 women,5 men;age:34.67±9.62 years;body mass index:28.56±4.95 kg/m^2;peak oxygen uptake for men:29.14±6.56 mL/kg/min,for women:22.67±4.52 mL/kg/min,mean±SD)completed 15-min sessions of recumbent cycling at the ventilatory threshold:(a)high immersion(HI,virtual reality headset and headphones),(b)low immersion(LI,television screen and speakers),and(c)Control.During-exercise pleasure and post-exercise enj oyment were self-reported.Oxygenation of the right dorsolateral pre frontal cortex(dIPFC)was assessed with near infrared spectroscopy.Results:Higher pleasure was reported during HI than during LI and Control(Condition×Time interaction;p<0.001,ηp^2=0.43).Participants who reported a preference for low exercise intensity showed higher dIPFC oxygenation during Control,but this difference diminished during LI and HI(Condition×Time×Preference interaction;p=0.036,ηp^2=0.10).Conclusion:Compared with conventionally delivered audiovisual stimulation,using a virtual-reality headset strengthens the dissociative effect,further improving affective responses to exercise at the ventilatory threshold among overweight,low-active adults.Presumably by competing with interoceptive afferents at the level of sensory input,audiovisual stimulation may lessen reliance on cognitive efforts to attenuate declining affect,as indicated by lower right dIPFC activity,particularly among participants disinclined toward high exercise intensity.

Nutritional Value of Date Fruits and Potential Use in Nutritional Bars for Athletes

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the oldest primary staple crops in Southwest Asia and North Africa. Date palms are also grown in Australia, Mexico, South America, Southern Africa, and the United States, especially in Southern California, Arizona, and Texas. Date fruit is a high nutritional value food that is rich in carbohydrates, dietary fibers, proteins, minerals and vitamin B complex such as thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic (B5), pyridoxine (B6), and folate (B9). Carbohydrates comprise 70% of date fruit mainly as fructose and glucose. Minerals in date fruits are calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, copper, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, sulfur, cobalt, fluorine, and manganese. Date fruits are highly nourishing and may thus confer numerous potential health benefits. In recent years, a huge interest in the abundant health promoting properties of date fruits has led to the need to develop new food products using dates as a source of nutrients. Thus, the aim of this paper is to review the nutritional value of date fruits in the context of the potential use of dates in nutrition bars for athletes.

Functional performance levels of strength and power needed for independence in 80-year-old individuals

Background: The ability to climb stairs (ascending and descending stair without using a handrail) and rise from a chair (rising from chairs without using an elbow rest) are among the most important measures of physical function for ADL evaluation for the independent living, and assessed by the questioners on many epidemiological studies in elderly. But little is known about the relationship between the self-reported performance level of the tasks and lower leg strength and power in very elderly people. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the relationship between the self-reported performance level of two tasks and the lower leg function in community-dwelling 80-year-old population. Methods: Out of 994 persons who were 80 years old living in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, Japan, 607 individuals (236 men and 371 women) underwent a physical fitness test that included measurements of leg extensor power and knee extensor strength. The ability to climb up stair and to rise from a chair was assessed by self- reported questionnaire which was ranked in three levels. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the measurements. Results: The cut-off points for the leg extensor power of subjects who could completely perform the stair-climbing and chair-rising functions were determined to be approximately 8.6 watt/kg body mass for men and 5.6 watt/kg body mass for women. In addition, the cut-off points for the knee extensor strength of subjects who could completely perform the stair-climbing and chair-rising functions were determined to be approximately 0.97 kg/kg body mass for men and 0.84 kg/kg body mass for women. Conclusions: From a practical viewpoint, the present study suggested that the cut-off points of leg extensor power and knee extensor strength can be used as targets in simple self-reported questionnaires to help in screening for mobility in 80-year-old

A quantification of the treadmill 6-min walk test using the My Wellness Key^(TM) accelerometer

Background： Accelerometers have been suggested to provide additional information during the 6-min walk test which may be useful in evaluating changes in functional exercise capacity. The aim of the study was to identify whether the additional information measured by the My Wellness Key^TM（MWK） accelerometer during a treadmill 6-min walk test（t-6MWT） was related to currently used outcome measures.Methods： Fifteen participants（9 males, 6 females） performed a self-paced t-6MWT. Respiratory gas analysis and walking distance were measured whilst wearing the MWK.Results： A significant correlation was established between activity counts and 6-min walk distance（6MWD）（r=-0.847, p 〈 0.001） yet not 6-min walk work（6MWW）（r=-0.337, p=0.220）. Energy expenditure estimated by the MWK was strongly correlated to 6MWW（r=0.938, p 〈 0.001）but not 6MWD（r=0.477, p=0.072）. The MWK significantly underestimated energy expenditure（36.73, CI=33.9-39.7 kcal） compared to gas analysis（54.35, CI=46.2-61.4 kcal） demonstrating poor agreement between the two analyses（Bias=-17.61 kcal, Limits of agreement=-37.4,t2.2 kcal）. Measurement of time spent undertaking light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity was not significantly different（ p 〉 0.05）between the MWK and gas analysis.Conclusion： Estimated energy expenditure provided by the MWK was strongly correlated to 6MWW; however, MWK underestimated energy expenditure as measured by gas analysis. The MWK may provide outcome data that supplement those currently provided by the 6MWD for functional capacity assessment during the t-6MWT.

Longitudinal trajectories of athlete burnout among young table tennis players: A 3-wave study

Purpose:The purposes of this study were to examine the trajectories of athlete burnout across a 2-month period characterized by high physical,psychological,and social demands to explore(1)whether several subgroups of athletes representing distinct burnout trajectories emerged from the analyses and(2)whether athlete burnout symptoms(reduced accomplishment,sport devaluation,and exhaustion)developed in tandem or whether some burnout dimensions predicted downstream changes in other dimensions(causal ordering model).Methods:One hundred and fifty-nine table tennis players in intensive training centers completed a self-reported athlete burnout measure across 3 time points within a 2-month period characterized by high demands.Data were analyzed through latent class growth analysis.Results:Results of latent class growth analysis showed 3 distinct trajectories for each athlete burnout dimension,indicating not only linear or quadratic change but also stability in longitudinal athlete burnout perceptions.Results also suggested that the 3 dimensions of athlete burnout did not develop in tandem.Rather,the likelihood of belonging to particular emerging trajectories of sport devaluation and physical/emotional exhaustion was significantly influenced by the athletes’perception of reduced accomplishment assessed at Time 1.Thus,reduced accomplishment predicted downstream changes in the 2 other athlete burnout dimensions.Conclusion:As a whole,these results highlighted that the multinomial heterogeneity in longitudinal athlete burnout symptoms needs to be accounted for in future research.

Associations between partial foot amputation level,gait parameters,and minimum impairment criteria in para-sport:A research study protocol

Altered biomechanics due to amputation can contribute to substantial limitations,influencing sporting activities.Individuals with lower extremity amputations or congenital lower limb deficiency are encouraged to participate in para-sports.However,to compete in Paralympic sports,the candidate must have an impairment that results in lower extremity loss of function and meets or exceeds the sport's minimum impairment criteria(MIC).This review will focus on the MIC for competitive wheelchair tennis.Limb deficiency is known as one of the MIC used to regulate participation in competitive para-sports since it impacts gait,kinematics,and biomechanics of both the upper and lower body.Notwithstanding,it is questionable whether the MIC concerning limb deficiency is set at the correct level for determining eligibility for participating in Paralympic sports.This study aims to provide an overview of the evidence examining the impact of different partial foot amputation(PFA)levels on gait as a proxy for sporting performance.This scoping review will be based on a 6-step methodological framework and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis,extension for scoping reviews(PRISMA-ScR).Studies will be selected from PubMed,Embase,CINAHL,and SPORTDiscus.Two authors will screen the titles/abstracts independently.Selected studies will be scrutinised,and the same authors will extract data.Findings will be relevant to informing the evidence-based development of MIC for lower limb impairment after PFA and may be extrapolated to specific Paralympic sports,including wheelchair tennis.Results will be disseminated through scientific publications and conferences to audiences interested in Paralympic sports.

Nutrition in Soccer:A Brief Review of the Issues and Solutions

This review examines the issues surrounding soccer nutrition,including the nature of the game,training,and how nutrition can play a significant role in improving player performance and recovery.In soccer match-play,a total distance covered of up to 13 km is characterised by an acyclical and intermittent activity profile.The aerobic system is highly taxed,with average heart rates of~85%of maximal values,and the finite muscle glycogen stores represent a key aspect of the interface between training,performance and nutritional support.Diets with high CHO content can optimise muscle glycogen,reduce net glycogen depletion,delay the onset of fatigue,and improve soccer performance.It is more common,however,for players to consume an excessive amount of protein in their daily diet perpetuating the popular belief that additional protein increases strength and enhances performance.More comprehensive recommendations suggest that soccer players should consume a high CHO diet from nutrient-rich complex CHO food sources that ranges from a minimum of 7 to 10 g/kg BM and up to 12 g/kg BM on match or heavy training days.Unfortunately,players often have a low energy intake,which can lead to nega-tive energy balance,especially at times of schedule congestion.In many cases,soccer players often consume diets that are not very different from those of the general public.Therefore,despite a clear understanding of the physiological demands of soccer,and the association between nutritional preparation and performance,the dietary habits of soccer players are often characterised by a lack of education and mis-informed sporting traditions.This review discusses the potential barriers and various nutritional phases that need to be considered for training,pre,on the day of,and post-match to enable players and coaches to be more aware of the need to achieve more optimal macronutrient nutrition.

24-Hour movement behaviours and COVID-19 among children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:A repeat cross-sectional study

This study investigated how children's 24-hour(24-h)movement behaviours were affected by SARS-CoV-2(COVID-19)in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Previous research examined 24-h movement behaviours in Saudi Arabia seven months after the World Health Organization(WHO)declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.This repeat cross-sectional study examined changes in 24-h movement behaviours 12 months after the WHO declaration.The Time 2 survey repeated five months(1 March–15 May 2021)after Time 1 survey(1 October–11 November 2020).The survey was distributed to parents of children aged 6–12 years across Saudi Arabia via an online survey.Children were classified as meeting 24-h movement guidelines if they reported uninterrupted sleep for 9–11 h per night,2 h of recreational sedentary screen time(RST)per day and-60 min of moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity(MVPA)per day.A total of 1045 parents from all regions of Saudi Arabia responded(42.4%).Only 1.8%of children met all components of the guidelines,compared to 3.4%in Time 1.In the present study,girls spent more days per week in MVPA-60 min duration than boys(3.0 vs 2.6;p=0.025),while boys had spent more days per week engaged in activities that strengthened muscle and bone than girls(3.0 vs 2.8;p=0.019).Healthy levels of physical activity(PA),sedentary behaviour(SB)and sleep further declined in Saudi children five months after the Time 1 survey.These challenges require urgent intervention to ensure children's movement behaviours improve as Saudi Arabia moves out of the COVID-19 pandemic.