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S15-2: Changes in physical activity and sport club membership in Finnish adolescents with disabilities /
No full textPurpose: It is well established that physical activity (PA) levels in people with disabilities are typically lower than in same age peers without disabilities, yet few studies have observed if there is a closing of the gap. The aim of this study was to analyse changes in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sport club membership of Finnish adolescents with disabilities. Methods: Secondary data analyses (logistic regressions) from pooling Finnish School-age Physical Activity (FSPA) 2016, 2018, 2022, and 2024 studies. FSPA is a national monitoring study of PA of adolescents (11y-, 13y-, and 15y-olds), with questions on functional limitations, self-reported physical activity, and sport club membership. After establishing the year of data collection, disability type was entered into logistic regression models, one for PA using four categories with 0–2 days as the reference, and one for binary (reference = not member), after controlling for gender and age. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used. Results: After pooling the data, 24,795 adolescents (51% female; 37% 11y-, 34% 13y-, 29% 15y-olds; 19% disabilities) were in the sample. Daily and 5–6 days of MVPA both increased between 2024–2016 (OR= 1.4, CI 1.1–1.8), and a decline in 3–4 days of MVPA (OR = 0.7, CI = 0.5–0.9) between 2018–2016 for adolescents with disabilities was observed. However, sport club memberships reduced each cycle from 2018, 2022, and 2024 (OR = 0.7–0.8, CI = 0.5–0.9) compared to 2016 for adolescents with disabilities. Conclusions: Although PA levels have improved between 2016 to 2024, rates of sport club memberships have declined, suggesting daily PA for adolescents with disabilities takes place in other environments than sport clubs. More inclusive clubs are needed to ensure quality movement among adolescents with disabilities. Support/Funding Source: Strategic Research Council at the Academy of Finland (320400 and 320403) co-funded the FSPA data collection. They were not involved in the analysts of the research. Keywords: Organised sport, functional limitations, time trends
Lygumų slidinėjimas kaip paauglių fizinio aktyvumo ir sveikatos ugdymo veiksnys: teorinis aspektas.
No full textAktualumas ir naujumas. Sparčiai kintanti socialinė ir technologinė aplinka turi reikšmingą poveikį jaunosios kartos gyvensenai bei fiziniam aktyvumui. Moksliniai tyrimai rodo, kad paauglių judėjimo trūkumas tampa vis aktualesne visuomenės sveikatos problema, kuri susijusi su mažėjančiu fiziniu pajėgumu, antsvoriu, psichologiniais sunkumais bei motyvacijos dalyvauti aktyviose veiklose stoka (Ostermeier et al., 2024; World Health Organization, 2021). Žiemos laikotarpiu fizinio aktyvumo galimybių natūralioje aplinkoje gerokai sumažėja, todėl būtina skatinti žiemos sporto formas, tokias kaip lygumų slidinėjimas, kurios gali padėti išlaikyti ir stiprinti jaunimo sveikatą bei motyvaciją judėti (Babaei-Zarch et al., 2024). Nors lygumų slidinėjimas turi akivaizdžių fiziologinių ir psichologinių privalumų, šio sporto poveikis paauglių sveikatai ir fiziniam aktyvumui dar nepakankamai ištirtas, ypač Lietuvoje. Todėl aktualu sistemingai analizuoti lygumų slidinėjimo įtaką paauglių sveikatos stiprinimui ir ugdymui (Hoffman & Clifford, 1992). Lygumų slidinėjimas – viso kūno treniruotė, kurioje derinama ištvermė, koordinacija, kvėpavimo ir širdies ir kraujagyslių sistemų stiprinimas. Šis sportas gali tapti ne tik veiksminga sveikatinimo priemone, bet ir motyvacijos ugdymo įrankiu paaugliams, skatinant juos pažinti judėjimo džiaugsmą, patirti bendrystę bei ugdyti atsakomybę už savo sveikatą. Mokslinė problema. Nors fizinio aktyvumo svarba paauglių sveikatai gerai žinoma, pastaruoju metu vis dažniau konstatuojama jo stoka, kas neigiamai veikia tiek fizinę, tiek psichinę sveikatą. Nepaisant to, kad fizinio aktyvumo ugdymas tarp paauglių plačiai pripažintas kaip svarbi sveikatos stiprinimo priemonė, žiemos sezonu fizinio aktyvumo lygis žymiai sumažėja dėl ribotų galimybių lauke užsiimti sportu (Ostermeier et al., 2024). Todėl ypač žiemos laikotarpiu, kai galimybių užsiimti aktyvia veikla natūralioje aplinkoje sumažėja, paaugliai tampa mažiau aktyvūs. Lygumų slidinėjimas yra kompleksinė fizinio aktyvumo forma, kuri gali veiksmingai skatinti paauglių fizinę ir psichinę sveikatą, tačiau trūksta teorinių ir empirinių tyrimų, išsamiai nagrinėjančių šios sporto šakos naudą ir integravimo į ugdymo procesą galimybes (Hoffman & Clifford, 1992; Babaei-Zarch et al., 2024). Dėl to kyla būtinybė išsamiau išanalizuoti lygumų slidinėjimo poveikį paauglių fizinio aktyvumo stiprinimui ir motyvacijai, taip pat įvertinti jo taikymo galimybes švietimo sistemoje. Tyrimo objektas. Paauglių (14–16 metų) fizinio aktyvumo ir sveikatos stiprinimo procesai, susiję su lygumų slidinėjimo praktika. Straipsnio tikslas – atskleisti lygumų slidinėjimo svarbą 14–16 metų paauglių sveikatai ir fiziniam aktyvumui. Analizuojami fiziologiniai, psichologiniai ir ugdymo aspektai, pabrėžiama šios veiklos įtraukimo į bendrąjį ugdymo procesą reikšmė. Metodai: 1. mokslinės literatūros analizė ir tyrimas; 2. duomenų analizė, apdorojimas. Rezultatai. Žiemos sezonas labai mažina paauglių fizinio aktyvumo lygį, nes galimybės užsiimti lauko veikla natūralioje aplinkoje tampa ribotos. Lygumų slidinėjimas, kaip žiemos sporto šaka, atlieka svarbų prevencinį vaidmenį, leidžiantį išlaikyti ir skatinti paauglių fizinį aktyvumą bei sveikatą žiemos mėnesiais. Skatinant šią veiklą, mažėja žiemos laikotarpio neaktyvumo poveikis, kuris gali sukelti fizinio pajėgumo mažėjimą, antsvorį ir psichologinius sunkumus. Todėl žiemos fizinio aktyvumo skatinimas per lygumų slidinėjimą yra svarbi priemonė siekiant užtikrinti nuoseklų fizinio aktyvumo palaikymą visus metus. Raktiniai žodžiai: lygumų slidinėjimas, fizinis aktyvumas, sveikata, paaugliai, ugdymas, motyvacija, žiemos sportas
Application of muscle oxygenation measure methods in a World-class kayak athlete – case study /
No full textThe work aimed to investigate the changes in oxygen levels (SmO2) in the muscles of World-class kayak athletes during special physical exercises. Organisation and methods of the research. One elite kayak athlete, a prize winner in World and European championships and Olympic games in a 1000 m kayak flat water race event, aged 30 (height of 184.5 cm, body mass of 89 kg.), participated in the study. Two physically different loads while working on an ergometer (Dansprint PRO, KE001) were applied: the high-intensity interval method (the 60s, 200W during the working phase and 60s, 40 during the rest phase) (HIIT) and the highintensity short-distance sprint interval (10s, 30W during working phase and 30s, 40W during rest phase) (HIST) method. A total of six repeated series were performed. NIRS monitors were placed on the left (dominant)Vastus Lateralis, Pectoralis Major, and Latissimus Dorsi muscles. The heart rate (b./min.) and lactate in the blood (mmol/l) were also measured. Results: Studies showed that two different training sessions significantly affect oxygenation processes in active muscles. During HIST, SmO2 decreased 10% more than during HIIT. During the 6-minute recovery phase, SmO2 returns to baseline level before exercise in both cases. Muscle oxygenation had the greatest variations in the Pectoralis Major muscle and the smallest 7% variations in the Vastus Lateralis muscle. Lactate concentration in blood was lower after HIST than in HIIT. Conclusion. Muscle oxygenation responding to training stimuli can provide valuable insights as internal predictors of hemodynamic and metabolic changes. Data regarding oxygenation across different muscles can help us gain insights into the internal load of kayak movements. However, this area requires further research
Cardiovascular protein profiling in patients with first-episode psychosis /
No full textPatients with schizophrenia have a threefold higher mortality from cardiovascular disease than people in the general population. Atherosclerosis is linked to immune activation, a process tentatively entwined with the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of schizophrenia. The aim of the present study was to investigate an extensive array of cardiovascular biomarkers in individuals experiencing their first episode of psychosis (FEP), either drug-naïve or exposed to short-term antipsychotic treatment, alongside a group of healthy controls (HC). Using the OLINK Proximity Extension Assay, Cardiovascular II Panel, we analyzed plasma from 72 FEP patients, including 42 later diagnosed with schizophrenia and 54 HCs. Biomarker levels, that significantly differed between patients and controls, were correlated with symptom severity, cognitive performance and cardiovascular risk factors. Fifteen out of 92 cardiovascular biomarkers were higher in individuals with FEP compared to HC, and one biomarker was lower in FEP patients compared to HC. BMI, waist size, blood pressure, fp-glucose, HbA1c and serum lipid levels were similar between the groups. No correlations that held for multiple comparisons were seen between biomarker concentrations and symptom severity, cognitive performance or cardiovascular risk factors in FEP patients. Higher concentrations of several cardiovascular biomarkers were observed in individuals with FEP compared to in HC. This suggests that patients with FEP are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease from the onset of psychosis, even before changes in traditional biomarkers are detectable. It underscores the need for innovative approaches to detect and monitor this risk early
Factors determining the change in physical fitness of lithuanian primary schoolchildren over a one-year period.
No full textThe scientists highlight the issue of physical activity and there has also been intensive dialogue on the reasons for the consistent decline in physical fitness (Aubert et al., 2018; Aubert et al., 2022; Sukys et al., 2019; Venckunas, et al., 2017). The results of an epidemiological study conducted every ten years since 1992 by researchers at the Lithuanian Sports University have demonstrated that the physical fitness of Lithuanian schoolchildren aged between 11 and 18 has been declining consistently over the last twenty years (Venckūnas et al., 2017). Among 167,000 school-aged youth surveyed across 37 countries, only a small fraction—around 20%—meet the daily standard of engaging in 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity, highlighting a widespread lack of sufficient movement in this population (Marques et al., 2019). Comparative international analyses indicate a downward trend in physical activity levels among children and adolescents across various countries (Aubert et al., 2018; Aubert et al,. 2022). In addition to the negative effects on physical fitness, insufficient physical activity and increasing physical inactivity lead to health problems (Global Status Report on Physical Activity, 2022). The lack of physical activity in young people has a cumulative effect, with chronic diseases in older age (Booth et al., 2012; Ligero et al., 2023 López Sánchez et al., 2022). The younger school age is a particularly important stage in the development of children’s physical fitness (Huotari et al., 2010; Gallahue &Ozmun, 2015; Malina et al., 2004; Stodden et al., 2016). Physical activity constitutes a key modifiable determinant of physical fitness. However, a range of conditions must coincide at this stage of a child’s development to ensure their physical fitness. A systematic literature review provides a conceptual model of the factors affecting physical fitness based on the Ecological Theory (Perumal et al., 2017). According to this model, physical fitness is both directly and indirectly affected by the interactions between individual, sociodemographic, genetic, and health-related behaviour as well as interpersonal and institutional factors (Perumal et al., 2017). Physical fitness is influenced by a multifactorial set of determinants, whose individual effects may be either attenuated or potentiated through complex interrelations. Consequently, analyses focusing solely on isolated variables fail to capture the synergistic or antagonistic interactions among these factors. Few studies have examined how multiple interacting factors affect physical fitness (Perumal et al., 2017). The aim of the study is to assess the physical fitness of 7- to 11- year-old schoolchildren, its changes over the course of one year, and to identify associations and causal relationships with: 1. individual factors of the schoolchildren; 2. interpersonal factors – specifically, family-related aspects; 3. institutional factors – specifically, school-related aspects. Research Objectives 1. To compare physical fitness across gender and age groups and to evaluate the significance of individual factors for physical fitness. 2. To assess interpersonal factors and their associations with individual factors. 3. To evaluate school-related characteristics and their associations with the physical fitness of primary schoolchildren. 4. To identify changes in schoolchildren physical fitness over the course of a longitudinal study and determine the individual, interpersonal, and institutional factors associated with more favorable health-related physical fitness. Scientific novelty. Both practitioners and researchers in the country lack scientifically validated, adapted and reliable methodologies for assessing the physical fitness of primary school children. Fragmented studies (Rutkauskaitė and Barkauskė, 2016; Paulauskas, 2011) do not reflect the population of Lithuanian primary school children. A population-based study of the physical fitness of primary school children has been conducted by researchers at the Lithuanian Sports University, and reference norms by age and gender have been presented (Emeljanovas et al., 2019), however, no deeper analysis of the factors that determine physical fitness has been carried out. CONCLUSIONS. 1. Male gender, a normal body mass index, higher levels of both organized and unorganized physical activity, and greater satisfaction with such activity are associated with higher physical fitness among primary schoolchildren. 2. Families of primary schoolchildren generally exhibit a favorable context—subjectively assessed—for physical activity and healthy nutrition, with these factors being interrelated. However, a supportive context for physical activity does not correlate with the children's actual physical activity levels. Moreover, only about one-third of parents are sufficiently physically active. Conversely, a more health-promoting nutritional environment within the family is associated with healthier eating habits in children, though not with their body mass index. 3. The physical education competencies of school principals, the school's involvement in projects promoting physical activity, and the size of the school contribute to higher physical fitness levels among primary schoolchildren. 4. The physical fitness of primary schoolchildren improves annually; however, not all attributes show consistent enhancement, with variations depending on gender and age group. When positive changes occur, they are most frequently linked to higher physical activity levels, greater satisfaction with physical activity, and reduced sedentary behavior. Interpersonal factors do not emerge as significant contributors to improvements in physical fitness. In contrast, organizational factors— such as the school's participation in physical activity promotion projects, the physical education competencies of school principals, and the size of the school—are significantly associated with positive changes in physical fitness
How does the number of small goals affect national-level female soccer players in game-based situations? effects on technical–tactical, physical, and physiological variables /
No full textThis study investigated the impact of varying the number of small goals on elite female soccer players’ decision-making, technical–tactical skills, running performance, and perceived exertion during game-based situations (GBSs). Sixteen national female players (aged 22.33 ± 2.89 years) participated in three conditions within an 8vs8 game without a goalkeeper (45 × 40 m), each featuring a different number of small goals (1.2 × 0.8 m): (i) 1 small goal (1G); (ii) 2 small goals (2G); and (iii) 3 small goals (3G). Sensors to track players’ positioning, perceived exertion, and notational analysis were used to evaluate player performance. The results indicated that players covered a greater distance at low intensity during the 2G condition compared to both 1G (p = 0.024) and 3G (p ≤ 0.05). Conversely, the 3G condition promoted a higher distance covered at high intensity compared to 2G (p ≤ 0.05). The 1G condition resulted in fewer accelerations (2G, p = 0.003; 3G, p < 0.001) and decelerations (2G, p = 0.012) compared to conditions with additional goals. However, there were no statistically significant effects on technical–tactical actions. Notably, a trend toward improved decision-making was observed in the 1G condition compared to 2G (ES = −0.64 [−1.39; 0.11]) and a longer ball possession duration compared to 3G (ES = −0.28 [−0.71; 0.16]). In conclusion, coaches working with elite female soccer players can strategically vary the number of goals to achieve specific physical aims (i.e., using 2G to emphasize acceleration and deceleration or 3G to promote high-intensity distance) with minimal effects on their perceived fatigue, technical–tactical variables, and decision-making
Jėgos treniravimas ir raumenų-smegenų sąveika: smegenų silpimo pasekmės senėjimo ir nugaros smegenų sužalojimo atvejais.
No full textCognitive decline is inherent to aging [1]. It can manifest in various ways, including concentration difficulties, disorientation, slower information processing, frequently being unable to recall things, absent-mindedness, or forgetfulness, while the ability to use previously acquired knowledge, skills, and experiences generally remains intact [2]. Depending on individual and environmental factors, cognitive aging will sooner or later lead to a need for assistance [3]. Some major risk factors include educational level, physical inactivity, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, smoking, high blood pressure, alcohol use, brain trauma, depression, air pollution, hearing loss, and social isolation. It is estimated that the prevalence of dementia could be reduced by 40% at the population level by eliminating these risk factors [4]. However, worldwide, the opposite trend is occurring. For example, the prevalence of physical inactivity increased by 5% between 2005 and 2017 [5], type 2 diabetes mellitus increased by 50% between 1990 and 2015 [6], and the prevalence of obesity rose by 300% between 1975 and 2014 [7]. A 2013 research article estimated that by 2025, the current healthcare system would no longer be able to provide necessary care due to the aging population and an increase in individuals living with chronic diseases if no additional efforts are made in prevention [8]. Exercise plays an important role in maintaining good physical and mental health. It has positive effects on nearly every body system, including the brain [9]. An improvement in cognitive functions has been confirmed in an impressive number of studies involving participants of all ages [10][11][12]. Despite this knowledge, which has been around for decades, there remains uncertainty and a lack of consensus on the underlying mechanisms [13]. An interesting finding was made in 2003 by Bente Pedersen’s research group in Denmark. They discovered that the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) was released by muscle cells during contractions, triggering signaling cascades in other organs, and they called it a ‘myokine’ [14]. It later became clear that during exercise, thousands of factors enter the bloodstream from almost all body systems, each with its own local and/or systemic effects. These exercise-related factors were called ‘exerkines’ [15]. Only a limited number of these exerkines are known to have effects on the brain or to be associated with cognitive changes after exercise [16]. The function of most exerkines remains unknown. The primary goal of this dissertation was to gain more knowledge and understanding of the role of exerkines in promoting brain health and cognitive function after exercise in older adults. Research into the role of exerkines, and the mechanism underlying the effect of exercise on cognitive functioning in general, is essential for developing evidence-based exercise programs aimed at preventing age-related cognitive decline. For our intervention studies, we chose resistance training, as more research has been conducted on endurance training up till now, while some researchers argued that myokines might be released to a greater extent after resistance training compared to endurance training [17]. In addition, research was conducted on individuals with spinal cord injuries. In this population, neuromuscular electrical stimulation was chosen as an intervention, as it may release even higher amounts of myokines than resistance training [18][19]. In Part I of this dissertation, a literature review was conducted on the effects of exerkines on neuroplasticity. In the first study (Chapter 1), we detailed the signaling cascades activated by 16 exerkines with known (in)direct effects on long-term synaptic potentiation (LTP) [20]. LTP is a form of neuroplasticity at the level of the synaptic connection between two nerve cells. In these synaptic connections, a chemical reaction occurs that leads to the transmission of a nerve impulse from one nerve cell to the next. To reach the threshold at which a new nerve signal is generated in the following nerve cell, the chemical signal must be sufficiently strong. LTP increases the chemical signal released by the pre-synaptic nerve cell and lowers the threshold for transmitting the signal in the post-synaptic nerve cell [21]. Although the described signaling cascades are based on animal research, they can be seen as an indication of the neurobiological effects of exerkines at the molecular level. Therefore, this knowledge forms an important theoretical background for research into the effects of exerkines. Additionally, we described changes in exerkine levels in circulation after exercise from human studies and in the brain, primarily from animal studies. Overall, we can state that exerkines with neurotrophic or anti-inflammatory effects increased after a single session of exercise (acute exercise) and after exercise over several weeks (chronic exercise). Exerkines with pro-inflammatory effects also increased after acute exercise but decreased after chronic exercise. Thus, sustained exercise appears to have a neurotrophic and antiinflammatory effect, mediated by changes in exerkines. It is important to note that the effect of exercise depended on various influencing factors, such as the type of exercise (resistance training, endurance training, multimodal training, mind-body training, balance exercises, etc.), the intensity and duration of the training, or the volume of the exercise program, as well as weight loss associated with the intervention, age, gender, or comorbidities of the study participants. In a second article (Chapter 2), we described the protocol for a future literature review with meta-analysis [16]. In this review, we aim to systematically map the current state of knowledge regarding the role of myokines in cognitive functioning in older adults and, if possible, conduct an analysis of the mediating role of these myokines on cognitive functioning. We plan to update this article every six months over a minimum of five years post-publication. To be as comprehensive as possible, we developed a list of 1,126 potential myokines derived from various secretome and transcriptome studies on human skeletal muscle. After an initial literature analysis, we included 33 studies in the meta-analysis. The results are currently being analyzed. Part II of this dissertation contains the results of a cross-sectional analysis we conducted to investigate the relationship between baseline exerkine levels and signs of brain aging [22][23]. More specifically, we assessed the levels of inflammatory (interleukin-6, IL-6; kynurenine) and neurotrophic (insulin-like growth factor-1, IGF-1) factors in the blood of older adults and looked for associations with neurometabolic signs of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, as well as gray matter atrophy in the brain (Chapter 3). We then analyzed the influence of participants’ personal characteristics on blood factors and markers of brain aging (Chapter 4). Based on previous research, we specifically tested whether age, global cognition, body fat percentage, or characteristics of sarcopenia (muscle strength, muscle volume, and physical performance) in older adults were related to the levels of neurotrophic or inflammatory factors in the blood, total gray matter volume in the brain, and neurometabolic status and gray matter volumes of five selected brain regions [23]. We found the following: Older adults with underweight or obesity had lower total brain volumes. Additionally, lower handgrip strength was associated with lower total brain volumes. Furthermore, older adults with lower handgrip strength had lower levels of N-acetylaspartate in two of the five measured brain regions, the dorsal posterior cingulate cortex and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Lower levels of this neurometabolite may indicate that fewer nerve cells are present per volume, a sign of neurodegeneration. Finally, lower handgrip strength was associated with higher levels of kynurenine in blood serum [23]. Higher kynurenine levels in blood serum were also associated with neurometabolic changes consistent with neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration [22]. This suggests that handgrip strength and kynurenine may potentially serve as proxy measures for assessing brain health [22][23]. Part III of this dissertation presents the results of our intervention studies in older adults. We investigated whether a lower-body resistance training intervention could influence circulating blood factors (IL-6, kynurenine, and IGF-1), neurometabolites related to neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, subregional gray matter volume in the hippocampus, or cognitive performance in older adults, and whether there were relationships between changes in these outcomes in the intervention group. In the first intervention study (Chapter 5), we compared cognitive changes immediately after a single high-load resistance training session with a control group [24]. Cognition was tested using three computerized cognitive tasks and a balance-cognition dual-task [24]. In the dual-task, participants were asked to maintain balance while standing in tandem Romberg position on a force plate, while simultaneously solving a math problem. In this study, we confirmed that even a single session of resistance training led to immediate improvements in working memory. This acute effect of exercise has been found in other studies and generally lasts for 15-60 minutes. In a second intervention study (results are presented in Chapters 6 and 7), we evaluated the effect of a twelve-week moderate-tohigh-intensity resistance training intervention in seventy older adults with either intact cognitive function or an elevated risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) [25][26]. We discovered that older adults at higher risk of MCI had higher kynurenine levels and lower subiculum volumes (a part of the hippocampus) compared to cognitively healthy adults. We observed a non-significant increase in IL-6 levels and in total N-acetylaspartate levels in the hippocampus and a reduction in age-related decline of the gray matter volume of the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, with a moderate effect size. The findings for hippocampus volume suggested that the intervention group experienced prevention of further volumetric loss rather than improvement. We can speculate that the effects might have been significant if the intervention had lasted longer. It is estimated that an intervention period of at least 6 months is necessary. This will need to be confirmed in future research. Finally, our results showed improvements in the Go/No-go test in the intervention group compared to the control group, but this effect depended on the cognitive status of the older adults and was only significant in those at high risk for MCI. The Go/No-go test is a cognitive inhibition test in which participants must respond as quickly as possible to a ‘Go’ signal, but withhold a response to a ‘No-go’ signal. It is a component of executive functioning. The twelve-week intervention study with older adults took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused additional challenges in recruiting participants and continuing the experiments. Some older participants decided to withdraw from the experiment or had to stop due to illness. It is important to note that an infection with the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) may have neurological consequences, which could have potentially affected our results. We had the opportunity to make a unique comparison of pre- and post-COVID-19 structural and neurometabolic brain measurements in three participants (Chapter 8) [27]. In this case series, we discovered neurometabolic changes in the hippocampus that could indicate neuroinflammation immediately after recovery from COVID-19. Finally, our research findings showed increased hippocampus volume in the experimental participants with COVID-19. In contrast with our statement above that hippocampal volume did not change in experimental group, at group level, but rather decreased in controls, this may indicate that on an individual basis some participants did show increases in volume following resistance exercise and this was not influenced by COVID-19. Part IV of this dissertation contains all studies related to individuals with spinal cord injuries. Chapter 9 consists of a literature review, in which we suggested that there is accelerated age-related cognitive decline in this population, likely caused at least in part by a chronic neuroinflammatory response originating from the location of the spinal cord injury [28]. Based on our previous findings and knowledge from older adults, we hypothesized that the anti-inflammatory and neurotrophic effects of exercise could prevent or delay cognitive decline in individuals with spinal cord injuries. However, a systematic review of this topic did not yield any intervention studies evaluating the relationship between exercise and cognition in this population [28]. Therefore, we conducted our first intervention study (Chapter 10) aimed at evaluating the acute effects of muscle training with low- or high-intensity neuromuscular electrical stimulation on lactate levels, IGF-1 levels, and information processing speed [29]. The study had a crossover design. We found that lactate increased significantly after both interventions. Lactate has previously been shown to have positive direct and indirect effects on neuroplastic processes in the brain [30][31]. However, we did not find a significant increase in IGF-1 or significant improvement in information processing speed. Additional findings showed that a longer time since the spinal cord injury was associated with smaller changes in IGF-1 in the low-intensity group, and a higher injury level was associated with smaller improvements in information processing speed. Using this information, we ultimately designed a new intervention study with a chronic (12-week) intervention using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (Chapter 11). This research is currently ongoing at Maastricht University, Netherlands, but the protocol for this study is included in this dissertation [32]. In conclusion, there is neuroscientific evidence for an effect of exerkines on synaptic plasticity in animal studies [1]. This suggests that exerkines may, at least in part, mediate the positive effects of exercise on cognitive functions. Elevated serum kynurenine levels and decreased handgrip strength are potential markers of brain aging in older adults. Older adults should aim for a healthy body fat percentage, as both underweight and obesity were associated with brain volume loss. Both a single session and a twelve-week resistance training intervention have positive effects on executive functioning in older adults, as demonstrated by a working memory task in healthy older adults and a cognitive inhibition task in older adults with high MCI risk, respectively. Increases in IGF-1 in the exercise group and IL-6 in the total group were associated with improvements in working memory. However, these findings need to be confirmed in larger and longer-duration studies. From the final part of this dissertation, we can conclude that individuals with spinal cord injuries experience accelerated cognitive aging, which may be partly caused by chronic neuroinflammation. To date, there are no studies that have examined the effects of exercise on cognitive functions or brain health in this population. We conducted a pilot study where the intervention consisted of a single session of neuromuscular electrical stimulation. We found an increase in lactate but no changes in IGF-1 or cognitive performance on an information processing speed test. Based on all that I have learned during the preparation of this dissertation, I would advise everyone to choose multimodal physical exercise in a motivating and enjoyable setting, so that exercise can be sustained throughout life and help prevent or mitigate cognitive aging
Greito puolimo analizė tarp laiminčių ir pralaiminčių komandų.
No full textThis paper discusses differences in transition offenses by winning and losing teams in basketball since it explains how they execute transition plays and the factors contributing to their effectiveness. The primary aim of this study is to analyze the ratio of primary and secondary transitions, the forms of their initiation and end, and their efficiency between winning and losing teams. In other words, the research problem answers the question of whether any sequence of transition offenses is strategically proven to be more efficient and more frequently adopted by winning teams. Additionally, this study has been appropriately stated to compare speed, efficiency, decision-making, and shot selection in transition offenses. The sample was obtained through a complete analysis of 54 Euroleague playoff games from 2022-2024 seasons. It aims to bring out the key characteristics and strategies within these that ensure success. Therefore, the study should find key performance metrics in transition offenses that, if correlated, will explain the ultimate game outcome as well as confer possible understanding. The hypothesis of the study was, "Winning teams execute transition offenses more efficiently, and with more accuracy than losing teams." Statistical analysis of game footage was based on diverse metrics for measuring transition play success rates. The proposed research methodology was the use of regression analysis in determining the relationship of transition offense execution to team performance. The major findings reported from the game statistics show that there is no significant difference between the total amount of transition offenses and other key metrics used for this research. In sum, the hypothesis that the efficiency of the transition offense is a major factor in the likelihood of success in a basketball game cannot be supported by this research
Biuro darbuotojų psichosocialiniai veiksniai, miego kokybė ir sveikata, susiję su gyvenimo būdu ir pasitenkinimu darbu.
No full textBackground and Objective: Workplace stress, sleep disturbances, and lifestyle factors are significant concerns among office workers. The research was to (1) investigate the prevalence of workplace stress, sleep patterns, job satisfaction, lifestyle factors and self-rated health in the investigated sample; (2) investigate the associations between workplace stress and sleep quality by industry and working hours, job satisfaction by years of experience and sleep quality and stress by remote vs. in-office work; (3) investigate the associations between work stress components, sleep quality and lifestyle; and (4) investigate the effects of workplace stress, sleep quality and job satisfaction on self-rated health. Methods: The research examines psychosocial work stressor relationships in 300 Nigerian office workers through a cross-sectional study approach. Quantitative statistical analyses through chi- square tests and correlation methods. Results: The duration of work shifts had negative effects on sleep, yet working from home resulted in improved sleep quality. Job satisfaction varied by experience; less experienced employees reported lower satisfaction and poorer sleep. Physical activity correlated with better sleep and reduced stress, while smoking and alcohol exacerbated sleep disturbances. Higher workplace stress and lower job satisfaction correlated with poorer self-rated health, and sleep quality significantly mediated these relationships. Conclusions: The research confirmed that stress manifests at high rates alongside poor sleep quality along with dissatisfactory work conditions and unhealthy lifestyles leading to poor self- perceived health. High correlations between job demand together with job control and working hours and experience and remote work tasks all positively impacted sleep quality. Workers who experience work stress show significant relationships with both sleep quality and lifestyle elements. The condition of one's sleep acted as a middle term to diminish the effects of workplace environment on self-rated health
Fizinės terapijos intervencijų palyginimas gydant šoninį epikondilitą: sisteminė apžvalga ir metaanalizė.
No full textBackground: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is a common chronic degenerative condition primarily caused by repetitive overuse in sports and occupational activities. Different therapeutic methods have been explored. However, the inconsistencies in the therapeutic outcomes, lack of unified treatment dosage, and absence of agreement on the most effective method and modality pose challenges for practitioners. Objective: To compare the therapeutic effect of exercise and shockwave therapy on pain, grip strength and function in patients with lateral epicondylitis. Methods: This meta-analysis was completed following the recommendations outlined in the PRISMA statement. A literature review search was systematically conducted with the year of publication set within 5 years (2019-2025). Participants aged 18 to 78 years were included with diagnosed lateral epicondylitis, and Participants with symptoms ranging from acute onset to chronic cases lasting over three months. Results: Fourteen RCT studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria with 674 participants diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis. Both exercise therapy and shockwave therapy led to significant pain reduction and showed improvements in function. Exercise showed a superior outcome on grip strength than ESWT Conclusions: The majority of the findings support exercise therapy as superior in improving grip strength, while both were significant in pain reduction and function. Therefore, future RCTS should consider direct comparisons of specific exercise with extracorporeal shockwave therapy with long-term follow-up