Acute exercise effects on cognitive flexibility in preterm and full-term children: an event-related potential study /

Background: Preterm birth is associated with impairments in executive functions (EFs), particularly in cognitive flexibility, which is essential for adaptive and goal-directed behavior. While acute exercise has been shown to transiently enhance cognitive flexibility in children born full-term, its effects in preterm children remain poorly understood. This study aimed to examine the effects of acute aerobic exercise on cognitive flexibility and its underlying neural mechanisms in preterm children, and to determine whether these effects are comparable to those observed in full-term peers. Methods: Children aged between 10 and 16 years were assigned based on gestational age to either the preterm group (n = 20; born before 37 weeks of gestation) or the full-term group (n = 22; born at or after 37 weeks) to complete two sessions, including a 30-minute aerobic exercise (AE) session and a seated control (CON) session. Cognitive flexibility was assessed immediately after each session using a task-switching paradigm, with concurrent electroencephalographic recording to measure P3b event-related potentials (ERPs). Results: Across both groups, participants exhibited shorter response times in the global and local switch conditions and higher accuracy in the local switch condition following AE compared with CON, although switching costs did not differ significantly between sessions. ERP analyses showed increased P3b amplitudes after AE in both switch conditions, indicating enhanced allocation of attentional resources. No significant group differences were observed, suggesting comparable behavioral and neural patterns between preterm and full-term children. Conclusion: These findings indicate that a single session of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise may transiently enhance cognitive processing in both preterm and full-term children. Although behavioral improvements were not observed in the core index of cognitive flexibility (i.e., switching cost), the ERP results suggest a short-term modulation of neural efficiency following acute exercise

School-level variation in physical fitness outcomes among children and adolescents /

Radiomics allows for quantitative utilisation of radiological data and carries great potential for improving the diagnosis and management of hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) cancers. Radiomic features represent changes at the mesoscopic scale and serve as non-invasive markers for tumour heterogeneity. Using deep learning and machine learning approaches, retrospective studies have demonstrated that radiomic signatures have the capability to improve the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), pancreatic cancer and cholangiocarcinoma, in conjunction with radiological evaluation. Radiomic models have been successfully implemented to predict prognosis and treatment response, consistently outperforming established clinical markers. Novel pretreatment radiomic signatures predicting progression, survival and response to immunotherapy in advanced HCC demonstrate the great potential for radiomics in precision medicine. Correlation and integration of radiomics with genomic, metabolomic and immunological data allows for non-invasive profiling of HPB cancers and the development of highly predictive integrated models. Future adoption of these works into clinical practice will allow for personalised diagnostic and treatment strategies. However, though these works show promise, further evaluation of optimal imaging strategies, image standardisation and prospective validation across diverse patient populations is needed before widespread adoption in routine clinical practice

Co-designing the Join4Joy approach to boost enjoyment and social inclusion for the increase of physical activity among older people in nursing homes and community settings: a qualitative study in Spain, Denmark, Germany, Italy and France /

The global ageing population faces significant health challenges linked to insufficient physical activity (PA). Although PA offers emotional, cognitive, and physical benefits, long-term participation among older adults remains low. Enhancing enjoyment may boost their motivation and sustain engagement, while improving inclusivity is essential to reach underserved groups. This study describes the process of co-designing strategies to enhance enjoyment and social inclusion in PA interventions for community-dwelling and nursing home residents, guided by the Octalysis gamification framework. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, we conducted 13 focus groups and 3 online individual interviews with 98 participants, including 51 older adults, 29 formal caregivers, 5 family members, 10 policymakers, and 3 students from Spain, Denmark, France, Germany, and Italy. Analysis revealed barriers such as fatigue, fear of injury, and social isolation, and facilitators including enjoyment, adaptability, and community support. Participants emphasized tailoring interventions to individual abilities and cultural contexts, integrating social connection, and fostering supportive environments. Stakeholders proposed innovative strategies to improve accessibility and enjoyment of PA. The findings underscore the value of co-design in meeting the needs of older adults and fostering a sense of ownership and commitment to PA programmes. Group-based interventions can benefit from the Join4Joy approach, which promotes enjoyment, improves movement behaviour, and mitigates social isolation. Following the co-design process, practical strategies are presented to increase PA and reduce sedentary behaviour, offering a pathway to more impactful, inclusive, and sustainable interventions for older adults

Širdies ir kraujagyslių sistemos stebėsena taikant ištvermės, jėgos užduotis arba multimodalines fizinių pratimų programas sveikatos gerinimo tikslais.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide, responsible for 19.8 million deaths in 2022 – approximately 32% of all global deaths - with a considerable proportion occurring prematurely in individuals under 70 years of age (WHO, 2024). It is projected that between 2025 and 2050, the prevalence of CVD will increase by as much as 90%, while overall mortality is expected to rise by 73.4% (Chong et al., 2024), further emphasizing the growing importance of prevention strategies in the coming decades. Efforts to control CVD must be intensified to meet Sustainable Development Goal 3.4, which aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases, including CVD, by one-third by 2030. This objective corresponds with the World Heart Federation’s World Heart Vision 2030 (Di Cesare et al., 2023). Health promotion and preservation are pertinent scientific and practical issues, given the greater resources allocated to prevention compared with rehabilitation or treatment (Al-Worafi, 2023). Among the available interventions, regular physical activity (PA) stands out as the most accessible, cost-effective, and evidence-based approach for reducing cardiovascular system (CVS ) risk and improving population health. Large-scale epidemiological studies consistently demonstrate that individuals engaging in recommended levels of PA have a significantly lower risk of developing CVD and a reduced risk of premature death (Pavlović et al., 2022; Quinn et al., 2022; Sari et al., 2024; Warburton & Bredin, 2021). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adults should engage in 150–300 minutes of moderateintensity aerobic activity per week, ideally supplemented by strength and multicomponent exercises (WHO, 2022). While the benefits of PA are indisputable, participation rates remain suboptimal, and the specific exercise modalities that maximize CVS health outcomes are not yet fully established. As a form of PA, exercise is generally classified into endurance (aerobic) and resistance (strength) training (Bosscher et al., 2023; Hollerbach et al., 2021; Manojlović et al., 2021). Endurance exercise increases heart and respiratory rates for extended periods, enhancing CVS efficiency by strengthening the heart and lungs, improving myocardial function, boosting circulation, and reducing the risk of heart disease (Barcelos et al., 2022; Farrell & Turgeon, 2023). Resistance training, on the other hand, contributes to musculoskeletal resilience, bone density, metabolic health, and long-term functional capacity through improvements in muscle mass and strength (Abou Sawan et al., 2023; Hutchinson et al., 2023; Tyler & Thanos, 2023). In recent years, multimodal exercise programs (EP) have gained increasing attention as a promising approach to health promotion. These programs integrate aerobic, strength, balance, and flexibility components into a single session, thereby targeting multiple physiological systems simultaneously (Palermi et al., 2023; Sharp et al., 2022). Multimodal EPs, typically incorporating three or more components, have been shown to benefit both motor and non-motor functions, enhance functional skills, support mental and physical well-being, and serve as a preventive measure for numerous chronic diseases across all ages and ability levels (Fraga et al., 2021; WHO, 2022). Researchers emphasize the need to scientifically evaluate the effectiveness of PA to optimize their design and ensure maximal health benefits. Although numerous forms of physical activity have been shown to provide general health benefits, there is limited understanding of their specific and differential effects on the CVS, particularly in relation to both acute responses and long-term adaptations (Egan & Sharples, 2023). Identifying how various exercise modalities influence the CVS is essential for optimizing training loads and selecting the most appropriate type of activity for each individual. Furthermore, the interaction between CVS and neuromuscular adaptations remains insufficiently explored, despite its relevance for tailoring exercise prescriptions to maximize preventive and therapeutic outcomes. The mechanisms through which body systems interact are central to understanding the organism as a complex, dynamic, and adaptive entity. Continuous changes in functional status, the need to assess fatigue and recovery processes, and the evaluation of adaptation effectiveness are daily practical challenges for both health-oriented individuals and professional athletes (Bestwick-Stevenson et al., 2022; Hou et al., 2020). In health sciences, the assessment of the CVS functional state is among the most important measures for evaluating physiological responses to exercise (Rozumbetov & Esimbetov, 2021). Early detection of at-risk individuals, ongoing monitoring of those with diagnosed CVD, and a deeper understanding of CVS mechanisms are critical for advancing diagnostic precision and improving treatment strategies (Merdjanovska & Rashkovska, 2022). Consequently, the identification of specific cardiac deviations through the analysis of ECG signals has become imperative for diagnosing cardiac disorders. A new method for the evaluation of dynamic interactions between ECG parameters using algebraic co-integration has been proposed and utilised in many investigations by Lithuanian scientists (Kairiūkštienė, 2020; Saunoriene et al., 2019; Šiaučiūnaitė et al., 2021; Slapsinskaite et al., 2013; Velicka et al., 2019; Ziaukas et al., 2017). Researchers have conducted extensive studies in the field of complexity assessment and demonstrating that the interrelations between ECG parameters remain an active area of research. Additionally, the stiffness of arteries is closely linked to risk factors for CVD and contributes significantly to CVS morbidity and mortality (Salvi et al., 2022). Pulse wave (PW) velocity is considered one of the most important clinical parameters in assessing the risk of CVD, vascular adaptation, and therapeutic efficacy (Claessens et al., 2023; Clara et al., 2021). The problem - a sedentary lifestyle is a major health risk, highlighting the need to identify the most effective and suitable physical activity and effective evaluation methods. Monitoring CVS parameter dynamics and interactions may provide a sensitive means of assessing functional changes under varying exercise loads. Therefore, the hypothesis of this study is that monitoring the dynamics and interactions of CVS parameters provides a more sensitive assessment of the CVS functional state compared to traditional single-parameter analysis. The aim of this study was to determine the peculiarities of cardiovascular changes during endurance, strength tasks, or multimodal exercise programs are applied for health-promoting purposes. Research objectives: 1. To determine whether the combination of pulsometry and applied kinesiology-based manual muscle testing enables researchers to follow the effects of acute and long-term cardiovascular adaptations. 2. To compare the acute cardiovascular effects of different types of exercise (endurance, strength, and multimodal). 3. To evaluate the features of cardiovascular adaptation following a 6-week endurance, strength, or multimodal exercise program. Novelty of the investigations 1. Dosed exercise tests integrate HR values registered during rest, workload, and recovery, or, when continuously recording ECG, the dynamics of separate parameters. Information technologies allow the application of new and advanced methods for analyzing registered indices, providing an opportunity to more accurately assess individual responses to exercising. Traditional single-parameter ECG measurements are limited, while the analysis of concatenation between ECG parameters offers a more nuanced and accurate description of the residual effects of exercise and monitoring the process of adaptation. The algebraic data cointegration method enables the assessment of dynamic relationships between ECG indices and is a suitable approach for feedback formation. 2. The characteristics of muscle function have a significant influence on the peculiarities of oxygen delivery to the muscles and on the cardiovascular responses to both training and testing workloads. Highlighting the need for further research and consideration of this phenomenon to improve exercise effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS 1. The multimodal approach applied in health-enhancing exercise programs demonstrated broader beneficial effects on both the cardiovascular and muscular systems; however, the combination of pulsometry with applied kinesiology–based manual muscle testing proved methodologically inappropriate for reliable monitoring of these physiological adaptations. 2. Notably, ECG measurements taken 24 hours after endurance exercise demonstrate more significant residual effects on the cardiovascular system compared to strength or multimodal training sessions. Assessment of the dynamic concatenation (interaction) between ECG parameters proves to be a sensitive method for capturing these residual training effects. 3. Endurance, strength, and multimodal physical activity tasks applied for health promotion induce positive adaptations in both the muscular and cardiovascular systems. In individuals performing multimodal exercises, greater improvements in muscle strength were observed, whereas changes in cardiovascular indicators were not pronounced

The effect of aerobic exercises on balance, aerobic capacity, and cognitive functions in children with autism spectrum disorder /

Background: The increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) worldwide highlights the importance of rehabilitation services, as ASD is often associated with gross motor and cognitive impairments. However, it has not yet been investigated whether aerobic exercise can enhance the effects of conventional physiotherapy on balance, aerobic capacity, and cognitive functions. Methods: This study included 30 children aged 8–11 years with diagnosed ASD. Fifteen children were assigned to control group who performed conventional physiotherapy, while the other 15 of the experimental group had combined conventional physiotherapy with an additional aerobic exercise. Balance was assessed using the modified Berg Balance Scale, aerobic capacity with the 6-minute run test (modified Cooper test), and cognitive functions were assessed using RehaCom computer system tasks evaluating topological memory and logical reasoning. Results: The results showed that balance scores and aerobic capacity increased significantly (p < 0.05), while no significant changes were observed in the control group. Regarding cognitive functions, the experimental group showed significantly reduced task solving time and memory acquisition time, as well as a shorter reaction time median (p < 0.05). No significant changes were found in the control group. Conclusions: The integration of aerobic exercise into conventional physiotherapy significantly improves balance, aerobic capacity, and cognition in children with autism spectrum disorder, highlighting the efficacy of a combined therapeutic approach Keywords: Cognition, aerobic endurance, autism spectrum disorder, postural control

Sex differences in intraocular pressure and retinal vessel responses after sustained isometric knee extension in young adults: a quasi-experimental study /

Purpose: Evidence on the safety of single-joint isometric exercises of the lower legs remains limited. Thus, the aims of this study were to examine intraocular pressure (IOP) and retinal vessel responses during a 1 min isometric knee extension task and to assess potential sex-related differences. Materials and Methods: This prospective, parallel-group, quasi-experimental exploratory trial enrolled 43 healthy young adults (22 males and 21 females; age range: 19–35 years), who performed a 1 min sustained maximal-effort isometric knee extension task. The cardiovascular response, IOP, and retinal vessel diameters were assessed. Results: The isometric task increased fatigue, heart rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and mean arterial pressure in both sexes (p < 0.05), with males exhibiting a significantly greater rise in SBP than females (p < 0.05). A significant reduction in IOP was observed only in males (p < 0.05). Central retinal arteriolar equivalent decreased in both sexes (p < 0.05), whereas central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) increased exclusively in females (p < 0.05). Despite the difference in the CRVE response, both sexes exhibited a comparably reduced arteriolar-to-venular diameter ratio (p < 0.05). Conclusions: To sum up, the isometric maximal-effort knee extension exercise increased cardiovascular loads in both sexes, with males showing a greater SBP rise and a reduction in IOP. Although retinal microvascular responses were sex specific, both sexes showed a similar reduction in the arteriolar-to-venular diameter ratio, indicating a consistent shift in microvascular regulation

Real-world longitudinal sleep changes associated with a wearable transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation device: analysis of consumer data from the United States /

Background and Aim. Non-invasive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is increasingly investigated as a neuromodulation approach for improving sleep and autonomic regulation. Randomised trials have shown beneficial effects of tVNS on insomnia symptoms and sleep quality, although results vary depending on stimulation site and device type. Most previous studies used auricular stimulation, while wearable devices delivering stimulation in the cervical region have recently become available for consumer use. Pulsetto is a commercially available wearable non-invasive tVNS device delivering bilateral cervical stimulation through the skin. Real-world longitudinal data on sleep outcomes associated with consumer-grade VNS devices remain limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in wearable-derived sleep parameters associated with regular use of this device in everyday conditions among users in the United States. Methods. This retrospective longitudinal observational study analysed sleep data linked to regular use of the Pulsetto device. Sleep outcomes were obtained from commercially available wearable devices (Garmin, Apple Watch, Oura). For each night, the stimulation session closest to bedtime was retained. Data were aligned to each user’s first recorded session and restricted to the first six weeks of use. Total sleep time was the primary outcome. Changes over time were evaluated using linear mixed-effects models with participant as a random effect. Results. After filtering, the dataset included 36 users and 969 nightly observations. Total sleep time increased across six weeks, with an estimated change of ~0.12 h/week (p < 0.05), corresponding to ~35–40 min increase from Week 1 to Week 6. Secondary outcomes showed high variability due to differences in wearable devices, repeated sessions, and limited overlap of physiological metrics. Conclusions. In real-world conditions, regular use of a wearable bilateral cervical tVNS device was associated with a modest increase in sleep duration over six weeks. Variability typical of consumer-generated data limits causal interpretation, but results support feasibility of real-world monitoring and the need for controlled prospective studies. Keywords: Vagus nerve stimulation; sleep; wearable devices; real-world data; longitudinal study

The impact of mobile phone use on cognitive function /

Background and Aim. The widespread use of social media and short-form video platforms has raised concerns regarding their potential impact on cognitive health in young adults, including mental fatigue, reduced cognitive flexibility, sleep disturbances, and depression. This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of social media scrolling and reading printed text on cognitive function in young adults. Methods. Nineteen participants (mean age 23.8 ± 2.7 years; 9 females and 10 males) were included. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) battery. The 2-Choice Reaction Time and Switching Task tests were administered in a randomised order before and after each condition across three consecutive days (control, social media scrolling, and reading). The social media and reading conditions each lasted 15 minutes. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Ethical approval was granted by the Research Ethics Committee (Protocol No. SMTEK-6). No external funding was received. Results. Reaction time decreased significantly following both the social media (p < 0.021) and reading (p < 0.039) conditions, with significant differences observed between conditions in post-task measures (p < 0.003). The total number of correct responses increased significantly only after the social media condition (p < 0.012), with a significant difference between conditions (p < 0.015). Conclusions. Both social media use and reading were associated with improvements in reaction time, with greater gains observed after reading. In contrast, social media use was associated with greater improvements in response accuracy. These findings suggest differential short-term effects of digital and traditional cognitive engagement on cognitive performance. Keywords: Reaction time; mobile phone usage; short-form video; social media; young adults

Global trends in Tai Chi research: a bibliometric analysis /

Tai Chi has evolved into a widely used mind–body practice increasingly incorporated into complementary therapy, rehabilitation, and public health. This study provides an updated global bibliometric overview, with VOSviewer mapping publication performance, co-authorship networks, and keyword-based thematic clusters. Articles and reviews with Tai Chi–related terms in the title were retrieved from Scopus, with no restrictions on language or publication year. A total of 2253 publications from 1978 to 2025 were analyzed, revealing steady growth, concentrated largely in the past decade. China led the publication output, while the United States had the highest number of citations, forming a dual-core pattern. The field is largely driven by a small group of authors and regional clusters, and its visibility in mainstream medical journals remains limited. Nine software-generated keyword clusters were manually synthesized into five themes: motor function (balance and fall prevention), musculoskeletal conditions (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia), chronic disease management (cardiovascular disease, stroke, COPD), psychological health (quality of life, depression, anxiety, mindfulness), and cognitive aging (dementia, mild cognitive impairment). Future progress requires greater methodological rigor, including mechanistic inquiry, long-term study designs, and community- or population-level applications, along with stronger international collaboration and deeper integration into clinical and public health practice

Enablers and barriers toward home-based resistance exercise among older adults who completed a structured program: qualitative study using reflexive thematic analysis /

Introduction Sarcopenia is associated with many adverse outcomes such as cardiac and respiratory diseases and mobility issues which in turn may lead to the decreased quality of life and loss of independence. Resistance exercise is recommended for older adults to both prevent and treat sarcopenia. However, very few older adults participate in such exercise. Thus, this study aims to explore enablers and barriers toward home-based resistance exercise (include both body weight and resistance band) for older adults. Methods A subgroup of 10 participants aged 60 years and over (5 male and 5 female) from the 46 participants in the Krill Oil exeRcisE Ageing (KOREA) study were included. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Glasgow, UK, following a 16-week study period during which participants performed home-based resistance exercises using both body weight and resistance bands. Interviews lasted between 7 and 25 min and were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Reflexive thematic analysis, using an inductive approach, was employed to analyse the data. Results The analysis generated five themes: Flexibility and simplicity of home-based resistance exercise, navigating commitment (e.g., using an exercise log) and the perceived benefits of home-based exercise such as observing improvements in grip strength were identified as enablers for performing home-based resistance exercises. In contrast, learning home-based resistance along with indolence and procrastination were barriers. Conclusion The current data indicate that to improve older adults’ engagement in home-based resistance exercise, programs should prioritise flexibility, simplicity, and opportunities for participants to monitor their own progress. Interventions should combine bodyweight and resistance band exercises with accessible tools such as grip strength monitors or exercise logs to enhance motivation, commitment, and adherence to home-based resistance exercise