Explosive type of moderate-resistance training induces functional, cardiovascular, and molecular adaptations in the elderly

Current recommendations aimed at reducing neuromuscular and functional loss in aged muscle have identified muscle power as a key target for intervention trials, although little is known about the biological and cardiovascular systemic response in the elderly. This study investigated the effects of 12 weeks of low-frequency, moderate-intensity, explosive-type resistance training (EMRT) on muscle strength and powerin oldcommunity-dwellingpeople(70–75years), monitoring functional performance linked to daily liv- ing activities (ADL) and cardiovascular response, as well as biomarkers of muscle damage, cardiovascular risk, and cellular stress response. The present study provides the first evidence that EMRT was highly effective in achieving a significant enhancement in muscular strength and power as well as in functional performance without causing any detrimental modification in cardiovascular, inflammatory, and damage parameters. Moreover, trained elderly subjects showed an adaptive response at both systemic and cellular levels by modulation of antioxidant and stress-induced markers such as myeloperoxidase (MPO), heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and 27 (Hsp27), and thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1)

Experiencing Forest Therapy in the Italian Landscape: Bathing in the Selva of Castelfidardo

According to several evidence, forest environmental seems able to provide beneficial effects on functional and psychological parameters, related to cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory functions as well depression and anxiety. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a one-day forest walking in the Selva of Castelfidardo (AN, Italy) on 37 participants aged 21-68, most of them living in either urban or suburban areas of large cities. We observed a statistically significant effect on sympathicovagal balance by the means of heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body temperature, skin temperature, skin conductance, HRV parameters (AVNN, SDNN, rMSSD, pNN50, LF, HF, LF/HF ratio), oxygen oximetry, PEF, FEV1. A significant difference was also detected on the Perceived Stress Scale responses (19.27 pre vs 13.81 post- immersion, p=<0,05; -28,3% variation). Our data contribute to increase the body of literature about the effect of forest walking, adding data on an Italian area assigned to forest bathing

Case Report: Concurrent Resistance and Aerobic Training Regulate Adiponectin Expression and Disease Severity in Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Study

Adapted exercise is an effective non-pharmacological tool to improve functional, cognitive, and psychological parameters in multiple sclerosis (MS), in association with increased quality of life (QoL) and decreased disease severity. Adipose tissue, through the production of different adipokines, is involved in regulating energy metabolism and inflammation. Adiponectin, increased in MS, circulates as oligomers of low (LMW), medium (MMW), and high molecular weight (HMW), the latter mediating the main biological effects. The aim of study was to evaluate the effects of 4 months training at moderate intensity [65% heart rate reserve (HRR)] on BMI, adiponectin, and QoL in a volunteer with secondary progressive MS. The parameters were evaluated before (T0), after 4 months training (T1), and 6 months after the end of training (T2); total serum adiponectin and its oligomeric profile were evaluated. We found a reduction in BMI (-0.9%) and FAT (-2.6%), an improvement in perceived QoL and a reduced expression of total adiponectin and HMW oligomers together with decreased MS disability level at T1 measured by EDSS. Despite the limitations of a case study, this represent a starting point to understand the influence of exercise in MS and the relationship with adiponectin expression

The performance gut: a key to optimizing performance in high-level athletes: a systematic scoping review

IntroductionThe gut microbiome represents a key ecosystem influencing athletic performance through energy metabolism modulation, inflammatory response regulation, and recovery optimization in high-level athletes. However, the relationship between performance and gut microbiome composition in high-level athletes remains poorly understood.ObjectivesThis systematic scoping review aims to map the current evidence on the relationship between training and gut microbiome in high-level athletes, identify specific patterns in microbial response to different training and sports, analyse the effects of nutritional interventions and highlight some methodological and knowledge gaps in the current literature.MethodologyFollowing the PRISMA-ScR framework, a systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science (2015-2025). Studies were selected according to defined criteria, including a population of high-level athletes, interventions through training and/or nutritional protocols and based on outcomes related to performance and health.ResultsNineteen studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 12 experimental studies and 7 systematic/narrative reviews. The analysis of the studies revealed possible sport-specific patterns in microbiome modulation, with distinctive alterations in metabolic profiles, significant correlations between microbial stability and athletic performance, synergistic effects between training and probiotic supplementation and significant impacts of nutritional strategies and hormonal contraceptives on microbiome composition. The heterogeneity in analysis methodologies and the limited duration of studies emerge as the main limitations of the present study.ConclusionsThe evidence suggests that the significant role of the gut microbiome in athletic performance optimization may be considered in the future, highlighting the importance of implementing an integrated approach between training and nutrition. Further studies are needed to define specific microbiome trends for different types of sports, competition levels and supplementation targeted at implementing performance outcomes in high-level athletes.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://osf.io/yh49t, identifier YH49T

Effect of Online Home-Based Training on Functional Capacity and Strength in Two CKD Patients: A Case Study

chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a clinical condition characterized by the loss of kidney function over time, as well as several complications affecting gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems. physical exercise seems to induce positive adaptations in CKD patients, without side effects. usually, these patients show a reduced physical activity and physical performance. the aim of this case-report was to evaluate the effects of an online training protocol on functional capacity and on muscle mass, in CKD stage III patients. methods: Two CKD (stage III according to KDIGO guidelines) participants (1 female, patient A; 1 male, patient B) were enrolled and they performed an online tailored-supervised combined training lasting 12 weeks, including multi-joint strength exercises using thera band and an aerobic session at 65-70% of the patients' heart rate reserve. Results: Both patients showed an improving trend on functional capacity (6 min walking test: patient A = +3%; patient B = +5.3%) and on strength of the upper arms (handgrip strength test-right: patient A = +13.4%; patient B = +19.1%; handgrip strength test-left: patient A = +42.8%; patient B= +12.9%), as well as a reduction in inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers. the protocol was feasible, and no side effects were evidenced. these case studies suggest that the online combined training can produce beneficial effects in CKD patients under conservative therapy, by reducing the CKD-related complications and improving the adherence to exercise of this population of patients, overcoming logistic barriers such as transportation, availability of facilities, and working and personal-life schedule

Chirality Effects on Peptide Self-Assembly Unraveled from Molecules to Materials

Self-assembling short peptides are attractive minimal systems for mimicking the constituents of living systems and building (bio)materials. The combination of both D- and L-amino acids into heterochiral sequences is a versatile strategy for building durable supramolecular architectures, especially when their homochiral analogs do not self-assemble. The reasons for this divergent behavior have remained obscure until now. Here, we elucidate how and why homochiral and heterochiral peptides behave differently. We identify a key spectroscopy signature and its corresponding molecular conformation, whereby an amphiphilic structure is uniquely enabled by the peptide stereochemistry. Importantly, we unravel the self-assembly process as a continuum from the conformation of single molecules to their organization into nano- and microstructures and through to macroscopic hydrogels, which are probed for cytotoxicity in fibroblast cell culture. In this way, (bio)material properties at the macro-scale can be linked to the chemical structure of their building blocks at the angstrom scale. Nature makes pervasive use of homochirality (e.g., D-sugars and L-peptides) to assemble biomolecules, whose interactions determine life processes. D-amino acids rarely occur, and their effects are not yet completely understood. For a long time, structural complexity (e.g., polypeptides and constrained molecules) was considered a requirement for achieving defined conformations that ultimately allow biomolecule recognition and function. Here, we detail how minimalist building blocks can adopt conformations with a characteristic spectroscopic signature, whereby substitution of just one L-amino acid for its D mirror image leads to a divergent path for assembly in water. Subtle molecular variations are amplified through increasing size scale all the way to macroscopic differences that are visible to the eye. Ultimately, the design of heterochiral (bio)molecules thus provides an alternative approach to shed new light on the supramolecular interactions that define life as we know it. This work explains why and how heterochiral and homochiral tripeptides differ in their assembly in water. A characteristic spectroscopic signature is assigned to molecular conformation. We monitor the process as a continuum from the molecular scale to the macroscopic biomaterials so that the final properties are linked to chemical structure of the building blocks. This work lays the foundation for the design of supramolecular hydrogel biomaterials based on short sequences of hydrophobic D- and L-amino acids

Kinesiology students' perception regarding exercise oncology: a cross-sectional study

Delivering physical activity in cancer care requires knowledge, competence, and specific skills to adapt the exercise program to the patients' specific needs. Kinesiology students could be one of the main stakeholders involved in the promotion of physical activity. This study aims to investigate the knowledge, perception, and competence about exercise in patients with oncological disease in a sample of students attending the Sports Science University. A total of 854 students (13% response rate) from four Italian universities completed the online survey between May and June 2021. About half of the study participants identified the correct amount of aerobic (44%) and strength (54%) activities proposed by the American College of Sports Medicine for patients with cancer. Almost all the students recognized the importance of physical activity in cancer prevention (96%), in the management of cancer before surgery (96%), during anticancer treatments (84%), and after therapies completion (98%). On the contrary, they reported a lack of university courses dedicated to cancer diseases, psychological implications, and prescription of physical activity in all types of cancer prevention. Overall, few students felt qualified in delivered counseling about physical activity and individual or group-based exercise programs in patients with cancer. Logistic regression revealed that the students attending the Master's Degree in Preventive and Adapted Physical Activity were more likely to have knowledge and competence than other students. The present study suggests that kinesiology universities should increase the classes and internships about exercise oncology to train experts with specific skills who are able to adequately support patients in their lifestyle modification

Kinesiology Students' Perception Regarding Exercise Oncology: A Cross-Sectional Study

none13noDelivering physical activity in cancer care requires knowledge, competence, and specific skills to adapt the exercise program to the patients' specific needs. Kinesiology students could be one of the main stakeholders involved in the promotion of physical activity. This study aims to investigate the knowledge, perception, and competence about exercise in patients with oncological disease in a sample of students attending the Sports Science University. A total of 854 students (13% response rate) from four Italian universities completed the online survey between May and June 2021. About half of the study participants identified the correct amount of aerobic (44%) and strength (54%) activities proposed by the American College of Sports Medicine for patients with cancer. Almost all the students recognized the importance of physical activity in cancer prevention (96%), in the management of cancer before surgery (96%), during anticancer treatments (84%), and after therapies completion (98%). On the contrary, they reported a lack of university courses dedicated to cancer diseases, psychological implications, and prescription of physical activity in all types of cancer prevention. Overall, few students felt qualified in delivered counseling about physical activity and individual or group-based exercise programs in patients with cancer. Logistic regression revealed that the students attending the Master's Degree in Preventive and Adapted Physical Activity were more likely to have knowledge and competence than other students. The present study suggests that kinesiology universities should increase the classes and internships about exercise oncology to train experts with specific skills who are able to adequately support patients in their lifestyle modification.Avancini, Alice; Ferri Marini, Carlo; Sperduti, Isabella; Natalucci, Valentina; Borsati, Anita; Pilotto, Sara; Cerulli, Claudia; Barbieri, Elena; Lucertini, Francesco; Lanza, Massimo; Parisi, Attilio; Grazioli, Elisa; Di Blasio, AndreaAvancini, Alice; Ferri Marini, Carlo; Sperduti, Isabella; Natalucci, Valentina; Borsati, Anita; Pilotto, Sara; Cerulli, Claudia; Barbieri, Elena; Lucertini, Francesco; Lanza, Massimo; Parisi, Attilio; Grazioli, Elisa; Di Blasio, Andre

Functional Foods and Adapted Physical Activity as New Adjuvant Therapy for Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

background: chronic kidney disease (CKD) will become the fifth leading cause of death in the world by 2040. It is fundamental to prevent and treat this pathology to reduce its impact on national health costs. this trial's aim is to evaluate the effects induced by a combination of consumed functional foods (FFs) with adapted physical activity (APA) on the progression of CKD-related comorbidities. methods: the study lasted 12 weeks. we divided 40 CKD patients into four groups: mixed (FF + APA), APA, FF and control group (usual care). the FFs were characterized by their total antioxidant capacity and antiradical activity. the APA was performed though an online training protocol, three times per week, 1 h each session. results: at the end of the study, we observed, in the mixed group, a decrease in azotemia (p = 0.0272), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.0169), and C-reactive protein (p = 0.0313), with increases in the FORD test (p = 0.0203) and fat free mass (p = 0.0258). the APA group showed a reduction in total cholesterol (p = 0.0039). conclusions: the combination of FFs and APA can help counteract several CKD-related comorbidities, such as arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia and uremic sarcopenia, and improve the CKD patients' quality of life