The effect of Brain Gym on cognitive function in older people: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This review aimed to systematically evaluate and meta-analyze the available data on the effects of Brain Gym (BG) on cognitive function in older people. Six electronic databases were searched systematically using: “Brain Gym” AND “elderly, “Brain Gym” AND “older people”. The PEDro and MINORS scales were used to evaluate methodological quality. For the meta-analysis, inverse variance or generic inverse variance was used and heterogeneity was assessed with the Chi2 test and I2 test. Ten research studies with a high to low quality. Significant changes intra- and inter-group were observed for neurocognitive outcomes in the BG groups. Findings from the metaanalysis indicated changes in the BG groups, on cognitive function by means of the Mini–Mental State Examination, were not greater than those reported in the control/comparison groups. BG will not lead to improvements in cognitive function in people with and without cognitive impairment, supported by low to high evidence

Health-related quality of life, handgrip strength and falls during detraining in elderly habitual exercisers

Background: The effects of regular exercise on physical functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) have been thoroughly studied. In contrast, little is known about the changes which occur following cessation of activity (detraining). Here, we have investigated the effect of a 3 month detraining period on HRQOL and on handgrip strength in elderly people who had regularly exercised, and examined the association of these variables with falls. Methods: Thirty-eight women and 11 men (mean age, 75.5 +/- 5.7 years) took part in a supervised physical exercise program for 9 months, followed by a 3 month detraining period. Participants completed the SF-36 HRQOL questionnaire at the beginning of detraining (baseline) and 3 months later. Handgrip strength and number of falls were also recorded. Results: Participants had been exercising for 12.1 +/- 8.7 years. After the detraining period, we found a significant (p < 0.001--0.05) decline in all SF-36 dimensions, with the exception of handgrip strength. Women presented a larger decline (p < 0.05) in more items than men. During the detraining period, 18.4% participants had a fall incident. HRQOL declined in both fallers and non-fallers during detraining. Interestingly, fallers already had at baseline significantly lower values in physical functioning (p < 0.05), emotional role (p < 0.05) and mental health (p < 0.01), than non-fallers. Conclusions: An important decline was found in most items of the SF-36 following a 3 month detraining period, particularly in women. In contrast, strength of the upper limb was not affected by the detraining. The prior lower HRQOL values of those who will subsequently fall suggest that this criterion should be studied as a candidate risk factor for falls. Efforts should be made to encourage the elderly to continue with exercise activities and/or to shorten holiday break periods, in order to maintain their quality of life.Esain I was supported by a grant from the Basque Government (Pre_2014_1_137). This work was supported by the Basque Government (IT922-16)

Anthropometry and Somatotype of Pre-adolescent Soccer Players: Comparisons amongst Elite, Sub-elite and Non-elite Players with Non-players

The aim of the present study was to compare the anthropometry and somatotype of pre-adolescent soccer players of a wide range of levels and ages, and boys of the general population, in order to define the most relevant anthropometric characteristics related to success and promotion to youth soccer elite levels. To this end, 528 youngsters (11.9±0.3 years) divided in four different age groups (Under-11, Under-12, Under-13 and Under-14) and four different training levels (elite, sub-elite and non-elite soccer players, and the general population) were compared. Height, body mass, skinfolds, and limb diameters and circumferences were measured. Moreover, body composition and somatotype were calculated. To determine the differences between the training groups in each age group, the effect size (Cohen’s d) was calculated. Elite players were significantly taller than the rest of the players across all ages (d=0.30-1.18). In the Under-11 group, elite players were lighter than sub-elite players and the general population (d=0.30-0.54) but, as age increased, elite players became heavier than players in the rest of the groups (d=0.28-0.87). Also, our findings indicate that elite players had the lowest BMI (d=0.21-0.84), and the smallest limb diameters (d=0.24-1.19) and circumferences (d=0.22-0.96) across all ages. In addition, elite and sub-elite players had significantly lower values of skinfolds (d=0.21-2.18) and, the lowest fat (d=0.24-1.35) and the highest muscle (d=0.40-1.47) percentages. Finally, while mesomorphy was the major component in elite and sub-elite players (d=0.27-0.89), non-elite players and the general population presented higher levels of endomorphy (d=0.72-2.21). The present study supports the idea that young soccer players are bigger and leaner than their age counterparts who never engaged in regular sporting activity. Moreover, high fat percentage appeared to be a negative factor related to the selection of players

The relative age effect in young athletes: a countywide analysis of 9–14-year-old participants in all competitive sports

[EN] The relative age effect (RAE) has primarily been investigated in male athletes involved in popular sports and high-level competitions. However, occurrence of RAE in other types of sports at the grassroots level, particularly in female athletes, is less well-studied. Thus, we examined the RAE in a large cohort of young athletes who participated in all competitive sports in Bizkaia, Spain, according to gender and specificity of the sport. The birth dates of 38,381 participants (65.1% males and 34.9% females) aged 9–14 years old in 37 competitive sports were analyzed. Birth dates were divided into four birth-quarters and compared to those of all children born in the same period using a χ2 goodness-of-fit test and standardized residuals. The effect size Cramer’s V was measured, and odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine the odds of athletes born in January playing in the highest leagues. In the total sample, in boys RAE was evident in football, but only in highercompetition leagues (p<0.001, large effect size). In girls, RAE was evident in the most popular team sports: basketball (p<0.001, large effect size in basketball 1st league), handball and football (p<0.05, both small effect sizes). Players born in January were 3.23- and 2.89-times more likely to play in the 1st leagues than those born in December, for boys (football) and girls (basketball) respectively. In the overall analysis and in the remaining sports, presence of RAE was negligible. Therefore, the date of birth does not seem to be a constraint to participating in most sports in Bizkaia. The potential mechanisms for RAE are multifactorial and complex, yet a combination of factors, such as the popularity of a sport and the depth of competition, physicality and social influences may be involved. We discuss these mechanisms and potential measures to mitigate RAE.This work was partially supported by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) (https://www.ehu.eus/es/) under grant PPGA19/53 and the Basque government (https://www.euskadi. eus/gobierno-vasco/inicio/) under grant IT922-16. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Influence of the biomechanical variables of the gait cycle in running economy. [Influencia de variables biomecánicas del ciclo de paso en la economía de carrera].

<p algn="justify">The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between biomechanical variables and running economy (RE). Eleven recreational (RR) and 14 well-trained runners (WT) completed 4 min stages on a treadmill at different speeds. During the test, biomechanical variables such as ground contact time (tc), swing time (tsw), stride length, frequency and angle and the length of the different subphases of ground contact were calculated using an optical measurement system. VO2 was measured in order to calculate RE. The WT runners were more economical than the RR at all speeds and presented lower tc, higher tsw, longer strides, lower stride frequencies and higher stride angles (P<0.05). Similarly, the WT runners experienced a later propulsion subphase than the RR runners (P<0.05). RE was positively related to tc, stride frequency and 10-km race pace, whereas it was negatively related to tsw, stride length, stride angle and the propulsive subphase. Our results suggest that running patterns characterized by longer stride lengths and higher stride angles, lower stride frequencies and tc, higher tsw and later propulsion suphases may enable an efficient energy use per stride. </p> Resumen <p align="justify">El objetivo de este estudio fue el investigar las relaciones entre diferentes variables biomecánicas y la economía de carrera (RE). Once atletas populares (RR) y 14 atletas altamente entrenados (WT) completaron estadios de 4 min en tapiz rodante a diferentes velocidades. Durante el test, el tiempo de contacto (tc) y de vuelo (tsw), la longitud, frecuencia y ángulo de zancada y la duración de las diferentes sub-fases del tiempo de contacto se calcularon usando un sistema óptico. Se midió el VO2 para calcular la RE. Los atletas WT fueron más económicos que los RR y presentaron menores tc, mayores tsw, zancadas más largas, frecuencias más bajas y ángulos mayores (P<0.05). Además, los atletas WT experimentaron la sub-fase propulsiva más tarde que los RR (P<0.05). La RE estuvo positivamente relacionada con el tc, la frecuencia de zancada y el ritmo de 10 km, mientras que estuvo negativamente relacionada con el tsw, longitud y ángulo de zancada y la sub-fase propulsiva. Estos resultados sugieren que una biomecánica caracterizada por zancadas más largas, ángulos de zancada y tsw mayores, menores frecuencias y tc, y sub-fases propulsivas más tardías pueden favorecer un uso energético más eficiente.</p

Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults Who Regularly Exercise

The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of social distancing on physical activity (PA) and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in active Spanish older adults according to their physical functionality. The study included 58 older adults aged 76.24 ± 6.00 years who were enrolled in a supervised physical exercise program before the COVID-19 outbreak. Anthropometric, physical function, physical activity and HRQoL were measured at baseline (October 2019). After the two-month lockdown due to the COVID-19, questionnaires were collected again during de-escalation (May 2020). Participants were divided into high- (n = 29) and low-functionality (n = 29) groups. Total PA, walking and cleaning significantly decreased (p < 0.001) whilst exercising or dancing increased (p < 0.001). General health, social and emotional role functioning dimensions and overall mental component scores worsened (p < 0.01–p < 0.05). Low-functionality participants had significantly lower physical functioning scores at baseline (p < 0.01) and lower bodily pain scores at de-escalation (p < 0.01). Emotional role functioning dimension and overall mental component significantly decreased only in low-functionality participants (p < 0.05). Although PA levels decreased significantly, older adults continued being active regardless of their functionality. While mental HRQoL in participants with higher physical functionality remained unchanged, participants with lower functional capacity had a higher risk of mental health concerns. Therefore, attention should focus on strategies to mitigate the negative effects of distancing measures on older people’s mental health, especially in those with lower functionality.This work was supported by the Basque Government (IT1288-19)

Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults Who Regularly Exercise

The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of social distancing on physical activity (PA) and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in active Spanish older adults according to their physical functionality. The study included 58 older adults aged 76.24 ± 6.00 years who were enrolled in a supervised physical exercise program before the COVID-19 outbreak. Anthropometric, physical function, physical activity and HRQoL were measured at baseline (October 2019). After the two-month lockdown due to the COVID-19, questionnaires were collected again during de-escalation (May 2020). Participants were divided into high- (n = 29) and low-functionality (n = 29) groups. Total PA, walking and cleaning significantly decreased (p < 0.001) whilst exercising or dancing increased (p < 0.001). General health, social and emotional role functioning dimensions and overall mental component scores worsened (p < 0.01–p < 0.05). Low-functionality participants had significantly lower physical functioning scores at baseline (p < 0.01) and lower bodily pain scores at de-escalation (p < 0.01). Emotional role functioning dimension and overall mental component significantly decreased only in low-functionality participants (p < 0.05). Although PA levels decreased significantly, older adults continued being active regardless of their functionality. While mental HRQoL in participants with higher physical functionality remained unchanged, participants with lower functional capacity had a higher risk of mental health concerns. Therefore, attention should focus on strategies to mitigate the negative effects of distancing measures on older people’s mental health, especially in those with lower functionality.This work was supported by the Basque Government (IT1288-19)

Effects of physical exercise in people with epilepsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Studies suggest that physical exercise lead to improvements in the psychosocial dimension, associated comorbidities as well as to a higher quality of life (QoL) in people with epilepsy. However, there is a need to provide evidence-based guidelines for its prescription. Therefore, this review aimed to systematically evaluate and meta-analyze the available data on the potential effects of physical exercise training programs in people with epilepsy. Methods: Four electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, PEDro, SPORTDiscuss and Scopus) were searched systematically from their inception until April 2022 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), comparative studies and non-controlled studies that provided information regarding the effects of physical exercise training programs on people with epilepsy. The studies’ methodological quality assessment was performed using the PEDro, the MINORS and the Quality Assessment Tool for Before–After Studies with No Control Group scales. For the meta-analysis, inverse variance or generic inverse variance was use to report mean difference or standardized mean difference for continuous data and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Heterogeneity was assessed with the Chi-squared test and I2 test. Results: After removing duplicated studies, 82 results were retrieved by the literature search and 14 were eligible for full text search. Finally, 14 studies with a methodological quality ranging from good to low quality met the inclusion criteria. Totally, 331 people with epilepsy were evaluated. Significant changes between preand post-intervention results in the exercise intervention groups were observed for QoL, fitness level, psycho-affective and neurocognitive outcomes. Findings from the meta-analysis indicated that moderate exercise led to a non-significant decrease (p = 0.08, Chi-squared test) in seizure frequency (SMD 0.33 95% CI 0.04; 0.70), while a significant effect of exercise was observed on QoL with a mean improvement of 4.72 percentage points (95% CI 0.58; 8.86, p = 0.03). Conclusion: Improvements on QoL, fitness level, psycho-affective and neurocognitive outcomes can be achieved through exercise training in people with epilepsy. Altogether, the findings suggest that people with epilepsy can benefit from exercising

Effect of Baduanjin on physical functioning and balance in adults with mild-to-moderate intellectual disabilities: A comparative study

Background Adults with intellectual disabilities often experience mobility limitations. Baduanjin, a mindfulness-based exercise intervention, can exert positive effects on functional mobility and balance. This study examined the impact of Baduanjin on physical functioning and balance of adults with intellectual disabilities. Method Twenty-nine adults with intellectual disabilities participated in the study. Eighteen received a Baduanjin intervention for 9-months; 11 participants did not receive any intervention (comparison group). Physical functioning and balance were assessed using the short physical performance battery (SPPB) and stabilometry. Results Participants in the Baduanjin group experienced significant changes in the SPPB walking test (p = .042), chair stand test (p = .015), and SPPB summary score (p = .010). No significant changes between groups were observed in any of the variables assessed at the end of the intervention. Conclusions Baduanjin practice may cause significant, albeit small, improvements in physical functioning of adults with intellectual disabilities.The authors would like to acknowledge the staff and participants from Lantegi Batuak for their assistance and willingness to be part of the study. This study was facilitated by an agreement between the regional Government Diputación Foral de Bizkaia/Bizkaiko Foru Aldundia (Departamento de Acción Social/Gizarte Ekintza Saila) and Lantegi Batuak