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High-intensity interval training improves cardiovascular fitness and induces left-ventricular hypertrophy during off-season /
No full textBackground: Well-designed endurance training leads to improved cardiovascular fitness and sports performance in prolonged exercise tasks, with the adaptations depending on multiple factors, including the training modality and the population in question. It is still disputable how the type of training affects myocardial remodeling, and the information on myocardial remodeling by high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is particularly scarce. Methods: The current study investigated changes in cardiac structure after volume-progressive HIIT in running mode. As part of their conditioning program, amateur athletes (mean ± SD age of 18.2 ± 1.0 years) exclusively conducted HIIT in a volume-progressive fashion over 7 weeks (a total of 21 sessions). Peak oxygen uptake as well as 200 m and 2000 m running performance were measured, and transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography was conducted before and after the intervention. Results: Training improved running performance, increased the peak oxygen uptake and left atrium diameter (from 32.0 ± 2.5 to 33.5 ± 2.3 mm; p = 0.01), and induced ~11% thickening of the left-ventricular posterior wall (7.5 ± 0.7 to 8.2 ± 0.4 mm; p = 0.01) and interventricular septum (7.6 ± 0.7 to 8.6 ± 0.9 mm; p = 0.02), but not the dilation of left-ventricular, right-ventricular, or right atrium chambers. Conclusions: HIIT of just 127 km of running per 8.5 h during 7 weeks was sufficient to improve aerobic capacity and running performance, and induce left-ventricular wall hypertrophy and left atrium dilation, in young healthy athletes
Evaluation of the perspectives of organizing leisure services: the viewpoint of users of Alytus "Leisure centre".
No full textResearch problem: unvalued perspectives of leisure service organization, from the point of view of Alytus “Leisure Centre” users. The constantly changing market, the development of innovations and technological breakthroughs require leisure service organizations to adapt to the changing environment and consumer habits. The transformation of libraries into leisure centres is a emerging trend, so the perspectives of these organizations’ services are closely related to the user‘s evaluation of leisure services. The user is the main priority of any organization providing leisure services, so the viewpoint of Alytus “Leisure Centre” users has a significant impact on the adaptation of innovations and changes in the organization of leisure services of this organization. The purpose of the work: to assess the perspectives for organizing leisure services from the viewpoint of users of the Alytus "Leisure Centre". Work tasks: 1. To reveal theoretical concepts of the organization and perspectives of leisure services; 2. To present the characteristics of a leisure service user from a theoretical perspective; 3. To discuss the leisure organization services of the Alytus Leisure Centre"; 4. To analyze the organization of leisure services at the Alytus "Leisure Centre" from the viewpoint of users and to prepare perscpective‘s guidelines. Research methods: analysis of scientific literature, questionnaire survey, analysis of statistical data. The nature of the research is quantitative. The questionnaire consists of 4 parts: assessment of the organization of leisure services, the need for innovations and changes in the organization of leisure services, perspectives of innovations and needs in leisure services, and demographic questions. The most important results of the study: users of the Alytus "Leisure Centre“ express a need for a wide range of leisure services. The most important perspective of leisure organization services of Alytus "Leisure Centre" is the transformation from a "book house" into an organization organizing cultural and entertainment leisure services, educating the public and mobilizing the community. The organization must respond to changes in market and user needs, apply innovations, improve user experience, ensure appropriate infrastructure, effectively use its resources, maintain a balance between modernity and traditions, and promote local community gatherings
A standard operating procedure for the evaluation of vertical jumps performance through surface electromyography assessment: A scoping review /
No full textIntroduction The Countermovement Jump (CMJ) and the Squat Jump (SJ) are widely adopted tests to assess muscle strength and power. Neuromuscular data of the jump performance could be provided by surface Electromyography (EMG). While from a biomechanical and technical point of view, there are articles that support the two vertical jumps, less is published regarding surface EMG and the jumps. The objective of the present study was to review the literature to better understand the protocols adopted for a surface EMG evaluation during the CMJ and the SJ and eventually to propose a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). A SOP could be a useful tool to better understand, compare, and interpret the findings. Methods A scoping review was performed. Data were collected on PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus till 20th December 2024. The articles were screened against the eligibility criteria and narratively discussed. Results A total of 54 articles met the eligibility criteria. The articles present important differences in the methodology and the procedures followed. Differences were also detected in the hardware and the data analysis. From the common information of the articles, a SOP was proposed. Conclusions Different methodologies were adopted to evaluate neuromuscular function during the CMJ and the SJ tests. This makes difficult to compare the data. A SOP was proposed with information and guidelines related to muscles, hardware, and data processing. In this way, future studies could follow similar protocols increasing the possibility to compare the findings
Changes in aerobic capacity to prepubertal children in sports 12-month training period /
No full textIntroduction: This study was long-term and lasted for one year. The study aims to determine whether there is a change in aerobic capacity indicators for prepubertal children when playing football. Methods: There were two groups of subjects: children of prepubertal age who trained in football and those who did not attend football. There were 16 participants in the FG (football-trained group) and 15 in the CG (control group) who attended no football lessons. An incremental treadmill test was performed three times with a half-year break to determine the following peak variables: oxygen uptake, stroke volume, cardiac output, and minute ventilation. Results: After one year of training, the VO2 peak at FG increased from 51.81 ± 6.55 ml/kg/min. to 53.11 ± 5.27 ml/kg/min. (p = 0.0412), stroke volume at FG increased from 41.3 ml/min to 46.4 ml/min. (p = 0.0012), cardiac output (Q) also increased from 8.15 l/min to 9.44 l/min. At stage II and 10.2 l/min at stage III (p = 0.0143) at FG. Conclusions: After one year of football training at FG-related VO2, RR (-respiratory rate), and Q also shifted, SV (-stroke volume) also increased significantly, while at UG, results were the opposite- only a few parameters, such as HR, increased significantly, while the others did not
Exploring digital competence’s impact on faculty well-being through SEM-SVM analysis /
No full textThis research aims to explore the impact of digital teaching competence on faculty career well-being, teacher self-efficacy, and the moderating role of pedagogical content knowledge within the context of colleges in Pakistan. A quantitative approach was adopted, involving 266 faculty members from various academic programs in colleges across Pakistan. Data were collected through an online survey using validated scales adapted from prior research. The study used partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the relationships between constructs. Support vector machine (SVM) analysis was conducted using JASP software to enhance predictive accuracy and identify the importance of key features in the dataset. The results confirm that digital teaching competence significantly impacts faculty career well-being and teacher self-efficacy. Teacher self-efficacy mediated the relationship between digital teaching competence and faculty career well-being, providing deeper insights into this linkage. Furthermore, pedagogical content knowledge moderated the effect of digital teaching competence on faculty career well-being, emphasizing its critical role. The inclusion of SVM analysis revealed the significance of variables such as psychological factors and AI exposure in influencing predictive performance, further validating the robustness of the findings. This study contributes to the existing literature by demonstrating the critical role of digital teaching competencies in enhancing faculty members’ well-being and effectiveness. It underscores the need for targeted professional development programs that integrate technology and pedagogy, ultimately fostering a more supportive educational environment for faculty and improving overall teaching quality
Age-related cardiovascular responses to intermittent back muscle and bicycle ergometer exercise in healthy adults /
No full textBackground and Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Regular physical activity (PA) represents a key modifiable factor in CVD prevention. Methods: Fifty-two healthy adult males participated in this study, divided into two groups: aged up to 45 years and over 45 years. The subjects performed a bicycle ergometer exercise and a standardised back muscle workload protocol. ECG, arterial blood pressure (ABP), and muscle oxygen saturation (StO2) measurements were obtained during workload and recovery. Results: During bicycle ergometer workload, heart rate (HR) at minute 2 was significantly lower in participants over 45 years of age compared to the younger group (126.8–109.8 bpm), while diastolic blood pressure (dBP) was significantly lower in the under-45 group during maximal workload (65.4–71.9 mmHg) and the first minute of recovery (54.6–69.3 mmHg). During workload for back muscles, the over-45 group showed significantly lower dBP at the third rest period (87–74.7 mmHg), while StO2 was significantly lower in the over-45 group compared to the under-45 group (54.4–77.8%). Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrate that both bicycle ergometer exercise and standardised back muscle workload had a significant influence on cardiovascular system (CVS) responses, particularly when stratified by age. Participants over the age of 45 exhibited a higher incidence of functional myocardial ischaemia, reduced StO2 and more pronounced increases in HR during and following exertion
Online physical education: a mixed-methods study of the health perceptions and professional effectiveness of physical education teachers /
No full textThe professional efficacy and health perceptions of physical education (PE) teachers, along with school characteristics, significantly impact their ability to navigate remote teaching challenges, maintain student engagement, and deliver inclusive, effective instruction. Remote teaching has become a widespread instructional method, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it also presents unique challenges for PE educators, requiring specialized pedagogical strategies and technological adaptation. This study aims to evaluate the professional efficacy, health perceptions, and pedagogical approaches of PE teachers in the context of remote teaching. Employing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, we conducted a cross-sectional web survey (N = 757) followed by in-depth interviews (N = 15). Participants were selected from a list provided by the Israeli Ministry of Education, with inclusion criteria requiring at least one year of PE teaching experience. Quantitative data analysis included chi-square tests, t-tests, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analyses, while qualitative data were analyzed using conventional content analysis to identify emergent themes. Our analysis reveals that female with higher levels of education, research skills, and advanced knowledge in teaching technologies exhibit significantly greater teaching professional efficacy in remote settings. These findings suggest that educational institutions should develop tailored training programs that account for gender and educational differences, thereby equipping PE teachers with the necessary skills to excel in remote teaching environments. This proactive approach will better prepare PE educators to navigate future challenges in the ever-evolving landscape of education
Psichinio nuovargio poveikis greičio ir tikslumo judesiams.
No full textResearch problem: Mental fatigue's impact on cognitive abilities and thinking skills has been widely studied, but its effect on physical performance has not been thoroughly determined. The main problem is: "How does mental exertion affect physical performance, particularly speed-accuracy movement?" Research aim: To evaluate the effect of two hours of cognitive work on the control of speed-accuracy movements. Research objectives: 1) To determine the effect of mental fatigue on the control of both stable and variable speed-accuracy movements; 2) To assess changes in physiological parameters before and after fatigue; 3) To compare the control of stable and variable speed-accuracy movements before and after fatigue between the control and experimental groups. Methods: The study involved 11 healthy participants aged 18–35 years, randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 6), which completed a 2-hour Go/No-Go task to induce cognitive fatigue, or a control group (n = 5), which engaged in neutral activities during the same period. All participants were assessed both before and after the intervention. Motor control was evaluated using the DPA-1 movement analyzer. To complement behavioral data, pupil diameter was measured while participants performed the motor tasks, both pre- and post-intervention. Pupil size was recorded using a dedicated eye-tracking camera (Gazepoint GP3HD V2, Vancouver, Canada) to capture physiological markers of mental fatigue). Results: Motor performance remained stable following the cognitive fatigue intervention. In the experimental group, no statistically significant changes were observed across key motor parameters, including reaction time, time to target, average speed, maximal speed, time to maximal speed, and distance travelled (p > 0.05). A non-significant trend toward reduced distance travelled was noted (p = 0.068), suggesting a possible fatigue-related effect. In the control group, a significant increase in average speed was observed after rest (p = 0.033), while all other motor outcomes remained unchanged (p > 0.05). Pupil diameter measurements, recorded during motor task performance, revealed no significant changes in either group. The experimental group showed stable pupil size (p = 0.93), while the control group demonstrated a non-significant reduction following rest (p = 0.087). Conclusions: 1. Two hours of cognitive fatigue did not impair performance in a stable motor task. Participants who completed a two-hour cognitive task maintained consistent performance in a standardized, stable motor task. Measures such as reaction time, movement speed, accuracy, and distance remained unchanged, indicating that familiar and well-practiced motor actions are resistant to the effects of short-term cognitive fatigue. 2. Two hours of cognitive work did not significantly affect most parameters in a variable motor task, but showed a potential impact on movement precision. Reaction time, speed, and timing-related measures remained stable after sustained cognitive effort. However, a trend toward reduced total distance traveled was observed in the experimental group, which may reflect early signs of declining precision or movement output under cognitive fatigue, even when overall control is maintained. 3. Pupil diameter remained stable and did not reflect cognitive fatigue. No significant changes in pupil size were observed in either group before or after the intervention
The redox enzyme thioredoxin is increased in plasma extracellular vesicles from endurance‐trained females in response to acute exercise /
No full textThe effects of exercise are mediated by molecules secreted into the circulation in response to exercise. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have recently appeared as possible vehicles for some of these molecules, and as mediators of tissue crosstalk during exercise. This study aimed to identify changes in the proteome of EVs released into circulation by endurance running‐trained females after a bout of 60‐min aerobic exercise consisting of incremental treadmill running. Blood samples were collected immediately before and after exercise, and EVs were separated from plasma and characterized by Western blot and electron microscopy. Mass spectrometry‐based proteomics analysis of EV preparations was then performed and showed that the levels of 9 proteins were differentially expressed in response to exercise. Thioredoxin, an enzyme that plays an essential role in the maintenance of redox homeostasis, showed the largest change. The increase in the levels of thioredoxin after exercise was also observed by Western blot analysis. Interestingly, post‐exercise plasma EVs were able to protect cells against oxidative stress. These results support the effect of physical exercise in modulating the levels of molecules involved in the maintenance of redox homeostasis, such as thioredoxin and other antioxidant enzymes, in plasma EVs. Although further studies are needed to fully understand the functional role of these molecules, it is intriguing to consider the protective health effects that exercise‐induced EVs may have against oxidative stressors
A rapid review of mobile technologies and websites for self-management of urinary incontinence and/or bladder health in adults aged 50 and over /
No full textHypothesis / aims of study To analyse mobile technologies and websites designed for the self-management of bladder health (BH) and/or urinary incontinence (UI) in adults aged 50 and over. Study design, materials and methods Rapid review of digital solutions (mobile applications and websites) that include behaviour change techniques (BCTs) and elements of gamification (protocol registered in Prospero CRD42024597624). The search started in July 2024 and updated in January 2025 in: 1) the app market (Google Play Store and Apple App Store in Spain, Lithuania, and the United Kingdom)); 2) websites (80 results in Google for each country); 3) academic databases (PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Google Scholar for journal articles, book chapters, and full-length conference papers published in English, Spanish, or Lithuanian). Inclusion criteria: apps or websites that can be used without supervision by a healthcare professional, regardless of cost (e.g., to download or to access in-app functions), with at least one BCT (e.g., training, education, monitoring, prompting), evidence-informed (i.e., have included participants aged ≥50 years in the design or piloting phase or target this group), available in Spain, the UK or Lithuania. The 19-item Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) was used to assess the quality of the smartphone apps (1). We used the taxonomy of 93 BCTs developed by Michie et al. (2; the total score for each app ranged from 0 to 93, based on the number of considered BCTs. All previous processes and data extraction were conducted in duplicate. Results 21 articles were included, covering 8 smartphone applications and 1 website. Of the 8 applications we identified in the articles, only 2 of them (Tät, UrinControl) were available in Google Play or the Apple App Store. In Lithuania, no apps were found. In Spain, we identified only one app (URinControl), while in the UK, we identified 3 relevant apps (URinControl, URinControl4all, and BladderBoss). BladderBoss was available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store (in different versions), whereas the other apps were only available in one of the stores. Table 1 presents the technological and quality information of the apps. The apps contained a minimum of 7 BCTs, related to goals and planning, feedback and monitoring, shaping knowledge, comparison of behaviour, repetition and substitution and comparison of outcomes the most used (Figure 1). The website search did not identify any platforms with scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness across the three countries. Only one website with scientific evidence was found in a scientific article from the search: www.tät.nu. Interpretation of results Eleven apps were identified from the articles and app store searches. Only 4 applications met the criteria of both scientific validation and mobile availability: URinControl, Tät®, URinControl4all, and BladderBoss. The latter had the highest score for both MARS and BCTs. All applications were assessed as being of acceptable-good quality (between 3 and 4 points). The review found that mobile applications may effectively improve urinary continence and quality of life, with Tät and Tät II showing significant benefits, while outcomes varied based on adherence, personality, routine integration, and prior experience. Barriers include unrealistic expectations and adherence challenges. The main study limitation is the restriction to three countries. Concluding message Only 4 evidence-based applications are available for download in Lithuania, Spain, and the UK. The findings highlight the need for personalised, evidence-based digital interventions to improve adherence, usability, and therapeutic outcomes among adults aged 50 and over. Figure 1 Table 1. Technological and quality information of the apps for self-managing bladder health (BH) and/or urinary incontinence (UI) in adults aged 50 and over. Figure 2 Figure 1. Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs) used in the apps for self-managing bladder health (BH) and/or urinary incontinence (UI) in adults aged 50 and over. Funding The KOKU Bladder project received funding from the Research Council of Lithuania (code S-MIP-24-112), the Catalan Board of Physiotherapists (code 004_2024) and AGAUR (Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca) through an Industry PhD (2024 DI 00058). Clinical Trial No Subjects Human Ethics not Req'd it is a rapid review (using data from other studies). Helsinki not Req'd it is a rapid review (using data from other studies). Informed Consent No