The Benefits of Physical Exercise on Mental Disorders and Quality of Life in Substance Use Disorders Patients. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Physical exercise seems to have a promising effect on numerous variables related to the recovery of drug-dependent patients. However, some contradictions are found in the literature. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis in order to identify the effect of physical exercise on mental disorders, quality of life, abstinence, and craving, and make a comparison of the effect of exercise depending on the type of program. A search for articles was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Studies were selected that measured the acute effects or long-term effect (≥2 weeks) of exercise in patients who met criteria for alcohol use disorders or substance use disorders. A total of 59 studies were included. An effect of exercise on mental disorders (standardized mean differences (SMD) = 0.66 (confidence interval (CI): 0.46, 0.86); z = 6.50; p < 0.00001) and quality of life (SMD = 0.69 (95% CI: 0.53, 0.84); z = 8.65; p < 0.00001) was identified. Subgroup analysis revealed an effect of exercise in craving (SMD = 0.80 (CI: 0.07, 1.53); z = 2.15, p = 0.03), stress (SMD = 1.11 (CI: 0.31, 1.91); = 2.73; p = 0.006), anxiety (SMD = 0.50 (CI: 0.16, 0.84); z = 2.88; p = 0.004) and depression (SMD = 0.63 (CI: 0.34, 0.92); z = 4.31; p < 0.0001). Body–mind activities and programs based on improving physical conditions produced similar results in mental disorders and quality of life. Available evidence indicates that physical exercise, both body–mind and physical fitness programs, can be effective in improving mental disorders, craving, and quality of life in drug-dependent patients

Effect of Core Training on Male Handball Players’ Throwing Velocity

In handball, throwing velocity is considered to be one of the essential factors in achieving the ultimate aim of scoring a goal. The objective of the present study was to analyze the effect of a core training program on throwing velocity in 30 handball players (age 18.7 ± 3.4 years, body height 179.3 ± 7.0 cm, body mass 78.9 ± 7.7 kg), 16 of whom were in the junior category and 14 of whom were in the senior category. The 30 players were randomly divided into two groups, the control group (n = 15) and the experimental group (n = 15). For a period of ten weeks, both groups attended their regular handball training sessions (four per week), but in addition, the experimental group participated in a program specifically aimed at progressively strengthening the lumbo-pelvic region and consisting of seven exercises performed after the general warm-up in each regular session. Pre- and post-tests were carried out to analyze each player’s throwing velocity from different throwing positions and thus assess the effects of this specific training program. Statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in throwing velocity were observed between the experimental group, which presented a percentage improvement of 4.5%, and the control group, which did not show any improvement. The results seem to indicate that an increase in the strength and stability of the lumbo-pelvic region can contribute to an improvement in the kinetic chain of the specific movement of throwing in handball, thus, increasing throwing velocity

Influence of Abdominal Hollowing Maneuver on the Core Musculature Activation during the Prone Plank Exercise

This cross-sectional study of repeated measures investigated whether integrating the abdominal hollowing maneuver (AHM) into the prone plank performance is an effective strategy for increasing both the activation of the deep and superficial core musculature. Electromyographical (EMG) responses of rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and lumbar erector spinae (LES), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) of 20 participants (13 male, 7 female; mean ± standard deviation (SD) age: 24.25 ± 3.54 years; body mass: 66.42 ± 8.40 kg; height: 1.70 ± 9.51 m) were compared across two experimental conditions: the traditional prone plank (STANDARD); and a variation including the AHM (HOLLOWING). Regarding Total Intensity, HOLLOWING resulted in significantly greater EMG response than STANDARD (p < 0.001; Effect size (ES) = 3.01). Specifically, RA showed no significant differences between STANDARD and HOLLOWING (p = 0.056; ES = 0.285). However, for the remaining analyzed muscles, HOLLOWING significantly provided higher EMG activation compared to STANDARD (LES: p = 0.004; ES = 0.619; left EO: p < 0.001; ES = 1.031; right EO: p < 0.001; ES = 1.419; left IO: p < 0.001; ES = 2.021; right IO: p < 0.001; ES = 2.269). Regarding RPE, HOLLOWING reported values significantly greater than STANDARD (p < 0.001; ES = 2.94). In conclusion, integrating the AHM into the prone plank exercise enhances overall abdominal activity, particularly in both obliques. These findings provide updated guidelines for lumbar stabilization and core strengthening in health-related physical fitness programs.This research was funded by Consellería de Educación, Investigación, Cultura y Deporte de la Generalitat Valenciana, and European Social Fund (European Union), grant project number ACIF/2016/048

A Short-Term Body Jump® Training Program Improves Physical Fitness and Body Composition in Young Active Women

(1) Background: Body Jump® is a novel group fitness program with musical support, which is performed rebounding in a minitrampoline. Although the number of practitioners has increased exponentially in recent years, this activity’s short-term effects on physical fitness and body composition in women have not yet been studied. (2) Methods: 27 healthy young women were randomly divided into a Body Jump® group (BJ) and a control group (CG). BJ performed three classes per week for one month. The week before and after the intervention, the anthropometric assessments were carried out to estimate the body composition, and different performance tests were performed to assess the jumping capacity (countermovement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ) tests), the muscular strength (1RM test) and the aerobic fitness (UKK test). (3) Results: VO2 max (p = 0.001), CMJ flight height (p = 0.023), SJ flight height (p = 0.003) and the 1RM value in the half-squat exercise (p = 0.009) were significantly increased in BJ. In CG, there were no statistically significant differences after the intervention period. Regarding the changes in body composition, a significant enhancement in several parameters were found in BJ, such as the sum of skinfolds (p = 0.003) and the percentage of fat mass (p = 0.002), while no changes were found in any of the anthropometric variables in CG. (4) Conclusions: carrying out the Body Jump® program three days per week for one month had positive effects on physical fitness and body composition in a group of healthy young women. This training program can be an effective option for enhancing, in the short term, these fitness parameters and the body composition of these recreational users into the fitness centers.This research was partially supported by project EAC1-16I

The Effect of Cranio-Cervical Position on Core Muscle Activation during the Prone Plank Exercise

This study aimed to investigate the influence of head position on the electromyographical activity of the core muscles during the prone plank exercise. Twenty healthy participants were enrolled in this study. Muscle activation was registered using surface electromyography in the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and the lumbar portion of erector spinae. Three plank conditions were randomly evaluated, varying the position of the cranio-cervical segment during the plank performance (neutral, flexion and extension). The activation of each individual examined muscle and the overall core muscle activity (Total Intensity), as well as the ratings of perceived exertion were analysed with statistical significance set at p 0.90). The rectus abdominis presented larger activation in flexion compared to the other variations (p 0.70). Flexion elicited a greater response for both sides of external oblique when compared to neutral and extension, and also for both sides of internal oblique compared to the other conditions (p 0.70). Both flexion and extension reported higher exertion rating values compared to neutral (p 0.90). Head position influenced the electromyographical activation of core musculature, showing highest values when performing the plank in a head flexion.This research was funded by Consellería de Educación, Investigación, Cultura y Deporte de la Generalitat Valenciana, and European Social Fund (European Union), Grant Project Number ACIF/2016/048

Functional movement screen differences between male and female young judokas athletes

Background and Study Aim: The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test has been used in different sports to identify the alterations and asymmetries in the basic movement patterns of the athletes, although it has not been analysed as widely in children population, and even less in judo. The cognitive objective of this study was knowledge about the basic motor competence and the probability of injury in children practicing judo through the evaluation of fundamental movement patterns using the FMS test, and to establish a comparison between genders. Material and Methods: Thirty young judokas (16 girls and 14 boys) participated in the study. The performance of each participant was digitally recorded by two cameras, one in each plane (front and sagittal), and was later analysed jointly by two evaluators who are experts in the use of FMS. Results: The girls obtained higher scores on the sum of the seven tests, compared to boys (16.00 ±1.79 vs. 13.57 ±2.59; p = 0.005). In particular, girls scored significantly better than boys in the deep squat, the rotary stability and the active straight leg raise tasks (p<0.05). The boys scored statistically significantly higher than girls in the trunk stability push up task (p<0.05). Conclusions: The girls scored higher on most tasks, indicating better fundamental movement patterns. In addition, most girls scored above 14 points, while most boys scored at or below 14 points, which may indicate decreased motor competence and increased risk of injury in boys

Electromyographical responses of the lumbar, dorsal and shoulder musculature during the bent-over row exercise: a comparison between standing and bench postures (a preliminary study)

Rowing exercises are widely used in resistance training. However, from an efficacy and safety standpoint, few science-based recommendations about proper ergonomics performing different rowing variations are currently available. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the electromyographical (EMG) differences between four variations during the dynamic performance of the bent-over row (BOR) exercise: BOR in inclined bench with 90º shoulder abduction (B/AB); BOR in inclined bench with maximum shoulder adduction (B/AD); standing BOR with 90º shoulder abduction (S/AB); standing BOR with maximum shoulder adduction (S/AD). A cross-sectional preliminary study of repeated measures was designed. three young and healthy participants with previous experience in resistance training were recruited from university students of Sport Sciences Degree (mean ± SD age: 21.67 ± 1.21 years; body mass: 75.13 ± 7.00 kg; IMC: 26.15 ± 1.63 kg/m2; % body fat= 9.72 ± 2.41% height: 1.69 ± 9.43 m; training experience: 4.64 ± 1.39 years). Muscle activity was measured using surface EMG in six lumbar, dorsal, and shoulder muscles: posterior deltoid (PD), latissimus dorsi (LD), upper trapezius (UT), middle trapezius (MT), lumbar portion of erector spinae (LES) and thoracic portion erector spinae (TES). Results showed that the two variations based on standing postures (S/AB and S/AD) caused greater EMG responses both on shoulder and lumbar and dorsal muscles. However, importantly, participants had the highest EMG activity on target muscles (deltoid and trapezius muscles) when performing the BOR in a shoulder abduction position (B/AB and S/AB), independent of whether they were, or were not, working with the bench. Thus, considering that the mild activity showed from the lumbar and dorsal back muscles when performing the bench variations would denote lower spine loads, we can conclude that, from an ergonomic standpoint, the use of the bench should be indicated when performing the BOR exercise. However, this is only a preliminary conclusion and the subject needs future analysis.This research was funded by Consellería de Educación, Investigación, Cultura y Deporte de la Generalitat Valenciana, and European Social Fund (European Union), grant project number ACIF/2016/048

Physical activity as a complementary approach for the pharmacological treatment of Fibromyalgia Syndrome: Effects of a 6-week aquatic strength and core training program

Fibromyalgia is a chronic and multifactorial disease, characterized by the presence of generalized pain that negatively influences the health-related quality of life of the affected person. Despite the severity and disabling effects that this disease causes in most cases, the physical and psychological symptoms can be alleviated through adequate physical fitness, with water-based exercise being one of the most recommended approaches for fibromyalgia patients. The objective of this case report was to verify the suitability and feasibility of a multicomponent aquatic training program carried out in a high temperature spa pool for a woman with fibromyalgia. For this purpose, a complete physical and psychological analysis in this patient with a history of lack of compliance and tolerance of physical activity is presented as a case report. A 62 year-old woman with fibromyalgia participated in 6-week program of strength, core, aerobic, and flexibility training developed in the aquatic environment, with analyses performed before and after intervention, where physical and psychological parameters were evaluated. The percentage of improvement showed an enhancement in all physical and psychological factors, with some test results over the reference values of minimal detectable change and minimal clinically significant difference for fibromyalgia patients and women of similar age. The presented case report provides a comprehensive examination of the physical and psychological status of a woman with fibromyalgia, prior to and proceeding a non-pharmacological intervention based on a multicomponent water-based training program. Results highlighted that a 6-week programme of water-based exercise program in a spa pool was suitable for reaching an enhancement in different physical and psychological parameters in this fibromyalgia patient, with her history of poor compliance and tolerance to conventional physical activity. If future studies with more sample size confirm our results, this approach could result interesting for fibromyalgia patients with low adherence and tolerance to land based training

Is Acute Lower Back Pain Associated with Heart Rate Variability Changes? A Protocol for Systematic Reviews

Acute lower back pain (ALBP) is an extremely common musculoskeletal problem. ALBP consists of a sudden onset of short-duration pain in the lower back. However, repeated attacks can make the pain chronic. It can be measured through a self-report scale as well as through physical and physiological evaluations. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) has been used to evaluate the body’s response to pain. However, to the best of our knowledge, no clear consensus has been reached regarding the relationship between both variables and on an optimal protocol for ALBP evaluation based on HRV. The objective of this review is to analyze the relationship and effectiveness of HRV as an instrument for measuring ALBP. Furthermore, we consider the influence of different types of interventions in this relationship. The protocol of this review was previously recorded in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (number CRD42023437160). The PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews and PubMed, WOS and Scopus databases are employed. Studies with samples of adults with ALBP are included. This study sets out a systematic review protocol to help identify the relationship between HRV and ALBP. Understanding this relationship could help in designing early detection or action protocols that alleviate ALBP.This research was funded by the Valencian Innovation Agency of Spain (grant number INNVA1/2020/81)