Acute effects of virtual reality exercise bike games on psychophysiological outcomes in college North-African adolescents with cerebral palsy: A randomized clinical trial [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]

Background Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder that can affect motor skills and psychophysiological well-being. Virtual Reality Exercise (VRE) improves cognitive and physical outcomes in patients with CP. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of VRE on attention, vigor, and decision-making abilities in adolescents with CP. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted. The intervention consisted of a single 40-minute session of VRE compared to TE conducted in a controlled laboratory environment. Results Fourteen participants (42.9 % female) were included in this analysis. The results indicated that VRE had a statistically significant positive effect on attention and vigor compared to TE. While participants in the VRE group exhibited enhanced attention levels and reported elevated levels of vigor subsequent to the exercise sessions, the memory results did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions The findings suggest that VRE is an effective intervention for improving attention and vigor in adolescents with CP. Registration Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR202308598603482; 31/08/2023). The trial was reported in accordance with the CONSORT reporting guidelines

Effect of creatine supplementation on kidney stones recurrence in an athlete: a case report

INTRODUCTION Several studies examined the effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation on renal function, but no previous study has investigated its effects on kidney stones in humans. OBSERVATION A renal ultrasound in a healthy young athlete (without a known renal morphological anomaly, normal kidney function, normal phospholipid and uric acid data) revealed a kidney stone of 11 mm in the lower right calyx. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy was applied in order to break the down stone. Twentyone days later, a follow-up renal ultrasound showed the absence of stones in the kidney. One week later, the athlete started creatine monohydrate supplementation for two months. Fourteen months after stopping creatine monohydrate supplementation, a third renal ultrasound confirmed the absence of stones in the kidney. CONCLUSION Two months of creatine monohydrate supplementation in an athlete with a history of kidney stones could not be associated with kidney stone recurrence in the long run

Effects of Walking Football During Ramadan Fasting on Heart Rate Variability and Physical Fitness in Healthy Middle-Aged Males

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a walking football (WF) program during Ramadan fasting (RF) on heart rate variability (HRV) indices, body composition, and physical fitness in middle-aged males. Thirty-one healthy sedentary men were randomized to WF ( n = 18) and control ( n = 13) groups. Both groups participated in RF. The WF group were involved in a training program (small-sided games) of three sessions a week during RF. The time and frequency domains of HRV, body composition, handgrip, lumbar strength, Modified Agility Test (MAT), and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were measured before Ramadan (BR), during Ramadan (DR), and after Ramadan (AR). We reported that RF has significantly altered some parameters of HRV DR; the mean HR decreased while the mean RR, LF, and HF increased. WF had a significant effect on HRV and mean HR DR compared with BR and AR decreased while mean RR, HF and LF increased. DR, body mass decreased in both groups, while body mass index (BMI) decreased and lean mass increased only in WF group. Lower body mass and BMI levels were reported AR only in WF group. Physical capacity improved AR, compared with BR, only in the WF group with longer distance in 6MWT, shorter time(s) in MAT, and higher lumbar strength levels. We conclude that RF increases parasympathetic system activity. WF practice during RF is safe and might improve body composition, physical fitness, autonomic cardiac function, and physical fitness in middle-aged males

The effects of the first wave of COVID-19 restrictions on physical activity: a longitudinal study from "step into health" program in Qatar

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic led to restrictions that prevented physical activity in public places. This study sought to conduct a comprehensive longitudinal analysis of how lockdown policies in an Arabian Gulf country influenced the patterns of physical activity during first wave. Methods: In a longitudinal study design, members of the ongoing “Step into health” community-based health promotion program who provided valid pedometer data from January to August 2020, covering pre, during and post-covid first wave period met the inclusion criteria. Results: 420 (76.7% men, 13.8% ≤40 years) were included in the study. Overall, significant decline in daily step counts was recorded (−1,130 ± SE302) after the implementation of lockdown policies (p < 0.001). When the restrictions were removed, the steps per day were still lower compared to pre-covid for men (−910 ± SE610, p = 0.017) and among individuals with normal BMI (−1,304 ± SE409, p = 0.004). The lockdown in Qatar did not significantly affect women and individuals with obesity who already had lower daily steps pre-covid. Discussion: The present study confirms immediate decline in daily steps imposed indirectly through the COVID-19 lockdown measures. Participants with higher physical activity levels pre-covid experienced significant decline in step count during and even after restrictions were uplifted

Effect of self-modeling and self-controlled feedback on the performance of professional swimmers and waterpolo players

Self-modeling (SM) and self-control (SC) feedback can be presented as two solutions for learning improvement. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of SM and SC feedback on 100-m freestyle performance of professional swimmers and waterpolo players. 25 elite male swimmers and waterpolo players, were randomly assigned to four groups: swimmer group with SM, swimmer group with SM and SC feedback, waterpolo players group with SM, and waterpolo players group with SM and SC feedback. 100-m freestyle times and performance were recorded. SM and SC feedback for the participants were utilized at the acquisition stage. The device used included a Lenovo B570 laptop and an Exilim ZR200 canon camcorder. SM and SC feedback presented to the swimmers and waterpolo players led to improved speed and results, and the effect of presenting SM with SC feedback to swimmers had better results. In conclusion, the present study indicates that SC modeling of watching video is a suitable method for professional swimmers. Water polo trainers can also use SM and SC feedback to enhance their players' swimming technique

Effects of Hypoxic and Normoxic Training in Altitude on HIF-1α and PGC-1α Levels in Elite Endurance Runners

Introduction: Training at altitude or in a hypoxic environment has gained attention among athletes, coaches, and scientists to enhance sea-level performance. However, the efficacy of “Living-Low, Training-High, Training-Low” (LLTHTL) strategy to escalate the mechanisms associated with enhancing performance in the human athletes is still unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the LLTHTL on Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor-Gamma Coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1α) levels in elite endurance runners.  Methods: The study has a crossover design in University laboratory. Eight elite male runners (Mean±SD age: 24.50±3.96 years; Mean±SD height: 179.75±4.62 cm; Mean±SD body mass: 67.37±3.42 kg; Mean±SD body mass index: 20.85±1.11 kg/m²) took part in the research. After 4 weeks of Living-Low (LL), the athletes performed 4 weeks Training-High (TH) and then, 3 weeks training-low (TL). Main Outcome Measures: Anthropometric parameters, time trial (1500 m), PGC-1α, and HIF-1α levels were measured in four different time points: pre-LL, post-LL, post-TH, and post-TL.  Results: There were no significant differences between the 4 time points for body mass and body mass index (P>0.05). The time trial was improved significantly (p <0.001) at post-TH as well as post-TL compared with the pre-LL and post-LL. TH decreased HIF-1α level but did not affect PGC-1α. Besides, TL increased both HIF-1α and PGC-1α.  Conclusion: Training at altitude reduces HIF-1α and training at sea-level increased PGC-1α and HIF-1α levels. Both types of training induced an improvement in the time trial. Athletes and coaches seek advice on the effective training strategy to enhance performance at different altitudes

Does wet-cupping therapy improve repeated sprint ability, perceived wellness, and rating of perceived exertion in young active males?

Wet-cupping therapy (WCT) is one of the oldest known medical techniques, used as a traditional and complementary therapy with a wide application all around the world for general health. Research on the effects of WCT on sports performance are sparse and inconsistent. Thus, we aimed to explore the effects of WCT on repeated sprint ability, wellness, and exertion in young active males. Forty-nine active adult males (age: [28 ​± ​5] years; body height [177 ​± ​8] cm; body mass: [79 ​± ​7] kg; body mass index: [25.4 ​± ​1.8] kg/m2) were selected for the study. The participants performed a running-based sprint test on two separate occasions (Control and Post-WCT). WCT was performed 24 ​h before the testing session. They completed the Hooper questionnaire to assess their well-being (i.e., sleep, stress, fatigue, and soreness) before each session. The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was collected after each testing session. A higher maximum power (p ​< ​0.05, effect size [ES] ​= ​0.6), mean power (p ​< ​0.01, ES ​= ​0.5) and minimum power (p ​< ​0.01, ES ​= ​0.6) were recorded post-WCT as compared to Control session along with a better perceived sleep (p ​< ​0.01, ES ​= ​0.85). Perceived stress (p ​< ​0.01, ES ​= ​0.6) and RPE (p ​< ​0.001; ES ​= ​1.1) were lower during the post-WCT compared to the Control session. The present findings demonstrated that WCT moderately enhanced repeated sprint ability and had positive effects on perceived sleep, stress, and exertion. WCT may be an effective ergogenic aid to improve repeated sprint ability and general well-being in young adult males. Future large-scale multicentric clinical studies are paramount to confirm the results of our study

Impact of cardiac rehabilitation exercise frequency on exercise capacity in patients with coronary artery disease: a retrospective study

[Abstract]: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) significantly improves cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). International guidelines vary in the minimum recommended frequency of supervised exercise from 1 to 3 sessions per week. This is the first study in the Middle East and North African regions assessing the impact of 2 versus 3 days/week of supervised exercise on peak exercise capacity in patients with CAD. Single-center retrospective cohort study involving 362 patients enrolled in the only CR center in the State of Qatar. Only high- quality data was included by strict evaluation of compliance to the exercise intervention. Fifty patients who underwent a symptom-limited exercise test before and after CR were included (31 patients on 2 days/week, 19 on 3 days/week). No significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics between groups. Exercise intervention differed significantly between groups in exercise training frequency (2 days/week: 1.97 ± 0.2 vs. 3 days/week: 2.7 ± 0.3; p < 0.00). Peak exercise capacity as peak metabolic equivalents of task (MET) significantly increased in both groups (2 days/week: Pre 8.3 ± 2.4 vs. Post 9.4 ± 2.9, p-value 0.00; 3 days/week: Pre 7.4 ± 1.6 vs. Post 8.4 ± 2.0, p-value 0.00). No significant difference was observed between groups for change in Peak Exercise Capacity (2 days/week 1.1 ± 1.1 vs. 3 days/week 1.0 ± 0.9, p = 0.87). When the total number of exercise sessions is equal, supervised exercise frequencies of 2 and 3 days/week may significantly and equally improve peak exercise capacity in patients with CAD.Open Access funding provided by Qatar National Library.Qatar. National Librar

Avian Metapneumovirus Review: A Focus on Broilers

Avian Metapneumovirus infection first emerged in South African turkeys, followed by respiratory problems in chickens with a swollen head syndrome. The etiological agent is a Metapneumovirus in the Pneumoviridae family and the first pneumovirus identified in avian species. This virus causes respiratory and reproductive affections that are worsened in the presence of other pathogens. The present review summarized the current knowledge about the virus’s properties and spread, its different subtypes, and the immunological and pathological mechanisms, especially in the broilers. The diagnostic methods are based on serology and essentially ELISA to show and titer antibodies following infection in naïve birds. Molecular tools such as PCR aim to detect and subtype avian Metapneumovirus genetic material. Besides biosecurity, prevention relies mostly on good management and vaccination

Association of Ramadan Participation with Psychological Parameters: A Cross-Sectional Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Iran

COVID-19 restrictions are associated with poor physical-activity (PA). Less is known about the relationship between the combination of these restrictions with Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF), PA, mental health, and sleep-quality. The present study aimed to evaluate whether COVID-19 restrictions and RIF during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran are associated with poor PA, anxiety, well-being, and sleep-quality outcomes. A total of 510 individuals participated in an online questionnaire that was disseminated to adults (≥18 years) residing in Iran from 13 May 2021 to 16 May 2021 (~3 days), just after the end of Ramadan 2021. PA behavior (Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder-7), well-being (Mental Health Continuum-Short Form), and sleep-quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). Of 510 individuals included in the study (331 female (64.9%); mean ± SD, 31 ± 12 years), 172 (33.7%) reported less PA during the Ramadan 2021. PA was associated with better well-being and sleep-quality outcomes. Regardless of PA, participants who fasted for all of Ramadan had less anxiety and better well-being outcomes than those who fasted part of Ramadan or did not fast at all. However, the fasting part of Ramadan decreased the sleep-quality of active participants. The Ramadan 2021 was associated with poor PA, well-being, and sleep-quality of Iranians. However, PA was associated with better well-being and sleep-quality outcomes, and those who fasted all Ramadan had better anxiety and well-being outcomes. Therefore, PA during Ramadan might be an essential and scalable mental health resilience builder during COVID-19 restrictions which should be encouraged. Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; exercise training; feasting; holy month; lockdown; mental health; sleep-quality