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Resistance exercise therapy after COVID-19 infection :
No full textImportance: Long COVID presents an unmet therapeutic need. Objective: To determine the effects of a resistance exercise intervention on exercise capacity, health status, and safety among adults after COVID-19 infection. Design, setting, and participants: A 2-arm, multicenter, randomized clinical trial including 233 adults with a hospital or community diagnosis of COVID-19 infection in the preceding 12 months was undertaken from June 1, 2021, to April 26, 2024. The intervention group comprised 117 individuals, and the control group comprised 116 individuals. A total of 224 individuals at baseline and 193 individuals at 3 months completed Incremental Shuttle Walk Tests. Exposures: The intervention group received the personalized resistance exercise intervention for 3 months, and the control group received treatment as usual. Main outcomes and measures: The primary outcome was the distance achieved (in meters) in the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test undertaken 3 months after randomization. Secondary outcome measures included health-related quality of life (measured by the European Quality of Life 5-Dimension 5-Level Instrument [EQ-5D-5L]), anxiety and depression (measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire), and grip strength. Results: A total of 233 adults (median age, 53.6 years [IQR, 43.8-60.8 years]; 146 women [62.7%]; 91 [39.1%] hospitalized with COVID-19 infection) were randomized (117 [50.2%] to the intervention group and 116 [49.8%] to the control group). The median percentage adherence with the exercise intervention was 71.0% (IQR, 47.8%-96.8%), equivalent to performing the exercises 5 days per week. The mean (SD) distance achieved in the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test was 328 (225) m for 224 individuals at baseline and 389 (249) m for 193 individuals at follow-up. The mean (SD) change in Incremental Shuttle Walk Test distance at 3 months compared with baseline was 83 (118) m in the intervention group (n = 94) and 47 (95) m in the control group (n = 98) (adjusted mean difference, 36.5 m [95% CI, 6.6-66.3 m]; P = .02). By 3 months, compared with the control group, greater improvements in the intervention group were also observed for the health-related quality of life utility score (EQ-5D-5L) (0.06 [95% CI, 0.01-0.11]; P = .02), Patient Health Questionnaire category (0.5 [95% CI, 0.2-0.8]; P = .01), and handgrip strength (2.6 kg [95% CI, 0.9-4.2 kg]; P = .002). Conclusions and relevance: In this randomized clinical trial, a 3-month program of resistance exercise among adults after COVID-19 infection appeared to improve walking distance, health-related quality of life, anxiety, depression, and grip strength. This pragmatic intervention may be a generalizable therapy for individuals with persisting physical symptoms after COVID-19 infection. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04900961
The impact of the time of day on muscle and metabolic responses to resistance exercise in healthy adults: A randomised controlled trial /
No full textResistance exercise provides numerous health benefits, including improved glucose control and enhanced muscular strength. However, it remains unclear whether the time of day resistance exercise is performed affects these benefits. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of time of day on muscle and metabolic responses to resistance exercise training in young healthy adults. The study included 36 participants (30 ± 7 years old; and 28 ± 4 kg/m2) who were randomised into control, morning (06.00-10.00 h) or evening (16.00-20.00 h) groups. Exercise groups performed eight resistance exercises, 3 times per week, for 6 weeks, at their allocated time. At baseline and post-intervention, insulin sensitivity, flash glucose monitor data, muscle strength and vastus lateralis muscle thickness were measured. Over the 6-week intervention, there were significant main effects of time on insulin sensitivity (P < 0.001), muscle thickness (P = 0.008) and knee extensor maximal torque (P < 0.001), indicating improvements with resistance exercise training. However, there were no significant time × group interactions for any outcome measures (insulin sensitivity P = 0.206, muscle thickness P = 0.279, knee extensor torque P = 0.151), demonstrating that exercise timing did not differentially affect training adaptations. Both exercise groups showed similar improvements compared to controls, regardless of whether training occurred in the morning or evening. No significant effects were observed for flash glucose monitor data. This study highlights the benefits of resistance exercise and demonstrates that timing has little influence on these effects. Promotion of resistance exercise at convenient times is recommended. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05321914
Gydomųjų pratimų poveikis skausmui, judesių amplitudės ir girnelės sausgyslės būklei tinklininkams su „šuolininko keliu“.
No full textBackground. Jumper’s knee is a common overuse injury in athletes, characterised by activity-related pain and impaired patellar tendon function due to microtears. Therapeutic eccentric and isometric exercises have been shown to alleviate symptoms and improve lower-limb function. Aim. To evaluate the effects of an 8-week targeted exercise programme on pain, range of motion, and patellar tendon biomechanical properties in volleyball athletes with patellar tendinopathy. Methods. Twenty-one male volleyball players with patellar pain were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 10) or a control group (n = 11). The intervention group completed a structured physiotherapy programme twice weekly for eight weeks, consisting of bodyweight-based isometric and eccentric exercises, including wall sits, tibialis raises, calf raises, split squats, Patrick step exercises, etc. Outcome measures were symptom severity and functional status assessed via the VISA-P questionnaire, lower-limb range of motion (knee flexion and hip flexion/extension) measured with a goniometer, and patellar tendon biomechanical properties (tone, stiffness, elasticity) measured with the Myoton PRO myotonometer. Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention. Data were analysed using nonparametric tests, with significance set at p 0.05). Between-group differences were significant (89 vs 62; p < 0.001). Minimal changes in range of motion were observed, except for greater right hip flexion gains in the control group (p < 0.05). In the intervention group, patellar tendon tone and stiffness decreased significantly in the relaxed left leg (p < 0.05), indicating improved tendon mechanical properties. Conclusions. An 8-week structured exercise programme effectively reduces pain, enhances functional status, and improves patellar tendon biomechanics in volleyball players with jumper’s knee, supporting its use as a non-invasive management strategy. Keywords: jumper’s knee; physiotherapy; exercise programme; biomechanics
Disrupted contraction-relaxation dynamics in obesity: a potential barrier to active living :
No full textHealth literacy and physical activity among Lithuanian professional soldiers :
No full textPurpose: This study aimed to explore the relationship between soldiers’ health literacy, their participation in organised sports, and their engagement in leisure-time physical activity. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 603 professional soldiers (494 males and 109 females; mean age = 39.08, standard deviation (SD) = 8.89) with service experience ranging from one to 33 years. Participants represented various branches of the armed forces. General health literacy was assessed using the short-form version of the Health Literacy Survey (HLS19-Q12). Leisure-time physical activity was measured by asking how many times per week participants engaged in vigorous physical activity for at least 30 minutes that increased their breathing and heart rate. Participation in organised sports activities was also recorded. Results: The average health literacy score was 80.10 (SD = 19.17), with 45.0% and 29.6% of participants exhibiting excellent and sufficient levels of health literacy, respectively. A total of 37.3% of soldiers reported participating in organised sports activities, with male soldiers participating significantly more than females (p < .01). On average, soldiers engaged in vigorous physical activity 3.65 days per week (SD = 1.75), with 50.4% reporting activity levels of four to seven days per week. Regression analysis showed that higher health literacy was significantly and positively associated with leisure-time physical activity (β = 0.21, p < .001; R² = 0.05, F = 7.49, p < .001). Conversely, health literacy was negatively associated with participation in organised sports (β = –0.13, p < .001; R² = 0.04, F = 5.44, p < .001). Conclusion: Overall, the findings suggest that soldiers generally possess high levels of health literacy and that many are physically active. Notably, health literacy was positively associated with leisure-time physical activity but negatively associated with participation in organised sports, indicating that these forms of physical activity may be influenced by different motivational or contextual factors
S05: Dance and movement for health in lifespan perspectives /
No full textThere is extensive recent literature on play/dance as a physical activity that is beneficial to our physical, mental, and social wellbeing. The speakers of the symposium, movement pedagogists and therapists from three different countries, discuss the role of movement/dance in early childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. Study 1 uses an embodied cognition model to understand the relationship between motor competence (MC) and executive functioning (EF) from early childhood to school age. It identifies diverse school readiness profiles in 91 children, revealing that while MC varies significantly, EF and language skills are consistently scored. The study calls for a deeper understanding of the overlap between motor, cognitive, and social skills when evaluating school readiness, as it may mitigate developmental disparities. Study 2 assesses a four-week dance-focused exergaming intervention on cognitive and psychological outcomes in adolescents, finding that while dance exposure improved working memory, psychological wellbeing changes are complex to demonstrate. Study 3 reviews 13 theses on Dance Movement Therapy (DMT), underscoring its potential in enhancing mental health and coping strategies, particularly in preventing depression. Lastly, Study 4 evaluates the preventive role of dance for neurodegenerative diseases in the elderly, with evidence showing brain volume increases and improved physical fitness in participants with cognitive impairment after dance training, highlighting dance’s contribution to neuroplasticity and overall health in older adults. The symposium emphasises the significant benefits of dance for overall health and concludes by underscoring the importance of integrating dance into programmes for diverse populations, fostering a sense of community. The audience is invited to discuss how to facilitate interdisciplinary research on pedagogical and therapeutic applications of dance related to important themes: 1. Systematic recording of the transformative health benefits of dance as an engaging form of physical activity; 2. Ways to enhance research on the relationship between dance, cognitive function, and mental wellbeing; 3. Quantitative and qualitative assessment tools applied to investigate dance interventions across health conditions; 4. The role of diverse dance styles that appeal to different age/gender/ethnic groups; 5. Creating inspiring physical activity policies and recommendations that include dance to promote healthy self-concept, body image, and reduce anxiety
New ways to address the problem of chronic non-communicable diseases /
No full textAbstract. The review is devoted to the search for new directions for solving the problem of chronic non-communicable diseases in the future. The term "Non-communicable diseases" (NCDs) refers to chronic diseases of internal human organs that are not transmitted from one person to another. This term was first used by the medical academic community and the World Health Organization at the end of the 20th century after the understanding of the common pathogenesis of all non-communicable diseases deepened. All non-communicable diseases have a long duration of course/catamnesis and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors. Results. As a result of the theoretical study, the following promising scientific directions for solving the problem of NCDs in the future were identified: Mitochondrial dysfunction as a new trend in the pathogenesis of NCDs and a new therapeutic target; Continuum of NCDs is a new model for their catamnesis; The Theory of Complex Systems of the human body is a new approach to the systemic study of NCDs; The promising role of Magnetobiology in the search for new mechanisms of the pathogenesis of NCDs; Frequency-wave model of the human body structure is a promising direction in the search for new methods of diagnosis and treatment of NCDs; Kinesiotherapy and regular exercise are scientifically based ways to overcome mitochondrial dysfunction and NCDs. The purpose of this perspective review was to identify new promising directions in solving the problem of chronic non-communicable diseases from the standpoint of modern biophysical knowledge. Materials and methods: general scientific and theoretical methods were used in the theoretical study. The results of the system analysis of existing new scientific knowledge, which can form the basis for new approaches to solving the problem of chronic non-communicable diseases, are presented in the review. Conclusions. The most promising areas were identified as areas related to deepening knowledge of the pathogenesis of chronic non-communicable diseases as the basis of pathology. These are studies devoted to the role of mitochondria, the creation of new ideas about the continuum of chronic non-communicable diseases, the search for new mechanisms of pathogenesis of chronic non-communicable diseases based on new knowledge of magnetobiology, and deepening knowledge about the role of the myofascial system in the energy supply of the human body. Of fundamental importance is the development of ideas of the theory of the human body as a complex system by the professor. A. Vainoras. A promising direction is the study of the possibilities of instrumental diagnostic complexes based on the Vega test and bioresonance therapy in the complex management and treatment of patients with chronic non-communicable diseases
Impact of head-and-neck heating on fatigue and stress responses in healthy men and individuals with multiple sclerosis :
No full textPrevalence of chronic nonspecific neck pain among office workers :
No full textPurpose: There is a lack of comprehensive research in Lithuania examining the prevalence of chronic nonspecific neck pain among office workers and its impact on daily activities. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of chronic nonspecific neck pain among office workers and evaluate its effects on various aspects of daily functioning. Methods: A total of 172 office workers participated in the study by completing a structured questionnaire. The survey collected data on demographic variables (gender, age), duration of sedentary work, presence of neck pain, lower back pain, headaches, use of pain medication, history of neck injuries, as well as the duration and intensity of neck pain. Participants were also asked about the impact of neck pain on personal hygiene, lifting objects, reading, concentration, work performance, driving, sleep, and leisure activities. Results: Of the respondents, 72.4% were women and 27.6% were men, with 95.9% aged between 21 and 65 years. A majority (69.2%) reported working in a sedentary position for more than five years. Neck pain had been experienced at least once in their lifetime by 78% of office workers, and 79.4% had experienced lower back pain. Currently, 7.1% use medication to relieve back pain, while 27.1% reported chronic neck pain lasting longer than three months. According to the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), 10.8% reported neck pain intensity of 4. At the time of the survey, 27.8% experienced mild neck pain and 11.8% experienced moderate pain. Regarding functional activities, 21.2% performed personal hygiene independently but with mild neck pain; 32.4% experienced mild neck pain when lifting weights; 34.1% while reading; 30.4% while driving. Additionally, 49.4% reported sleep disturbances, and 26% experienced mild neck pain during leisure activities. Conclusion: Chronic nonspecific neck pain is highly prevalent among office workers. Although it does not significantly impair daily functioning for the majority of individuals, mild to moderate pain is frequently reported during various daily activities. Further research will continue to explore the effectiveness of incorporating short breaks during work hours as a potential strategy for managing symptoms and improving musculoskeletal health in this population
