Effect of Real-Time Feedback on Power Output Using a Novel Smart-Resisted Sled Push

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(6): 1578-1586, 2022. Prior studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of real-time data feedback (RTF) on athletic performance and motivation. Despite this evidence, the lack of practical means to implement RTF has hindered its widespread adoption. Recently, a smart-resisted sled push was developed to improve athletic power by utilizing electromagnetic motors as a resistance mechanism, coupled with an RTF display. Thirty healthy college-aged male football players were recruited in this randomized, crossover designed study to examine the efficacy of the RTF to improve power output. Participants were randomized into either group 1 (receiving RTF first then no RTF) or group 2 (receiving no RTF first then RTF) during six, 10-meter sled pushes with 3 min rest intervals. The first three pushes were set to an easier level (L1) and the last three were set to a resistance level twice that of the first three runs (L2). A one-month washout period was enforced. For trials 1-3 (L1) (p = 0.026, t = -2.34, ES = -0.428) and 4-6 (L2) (p = 0.035, t = -2.22, ES = -0.405), peak power output (the average peak power output over the course of trials 1-3 and 4-6) was greater in both groups when receiving RTF compared to no-RTF. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of RTF in augmenting power output during performance training

Muscle Activity and User-Perceived Exertion During Immersive Virtual Reality Exergaming Incorporating an Adaptive Cable Resistance System

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(7): 261-275, 2022. The purpose of this exploratory study was to characterize muscle activation via surface electromyography (sEMG), user-perceived exertion, and enjoyment during a 30-minute session of immersive virtual reality (IVR) cable resistance exergaming. Ten healthy, college-aged males completed a signature 30-minute exergaming session using an IVR adaptive cable resistance system that incorporated six traditional compound exercises. Muscle activation (sEMG) was captured during the session with a wearable sEMG system. Rated of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) were recorded following the session. Pectoralis major showed the highest activation during chest press, deltoids showed the highest activation on overhead press, latissimus dorsi showed the highest activation during lat pulldown and row exercises, hamstrings were the most activated muscles during Romanian deadlift, and glutes showed the highest activity during squats. RPE and PACES mean scores were 14 (1) and 4.27 (0.38), respectively. IVR exergaming with resistance cable training provides an enjoyable experience and distracts practitioners from exertion while exercising at a high intensity. Results from this study suggest similar muscle activation responses compared to traditional resistance exercises as demonstrated with prior evidence. This novel form of exercise might have important repercussions for improving health outcomes among those who find it challenging to adhere to and enjoy exercise routines, as well as with little knowledge on how to progress in their resistance training. Further investigations are needed to explore long-term adaptations and to assess if IVR exergaming has additional benefits compared to traditional resistance training

Democracy, Financial Openness, and Global Carbon Dioxide Emissions: Heterogeneity Across Existing Emission Levels

The determinants of CO2 emissions have attracted many researchers over the past few decades. Most of studies, however, ignore the possibility that effect of independent variables on CO2 emissions could vary throughout the CO2 emission distribution. We address this issue by applying quantile regression methods. We examine whether greater democracy and more financial openness consistently reduce emissions among the most and least emission nations. Our results show that the effect of democracy on CO2 emissions is heterogeneous across quantiles. Among the most emissions nations, greater democracy appears to reduce emissions, but more financial openness does not appear to reduce it

The mediterranean dietary pattern and breast cancer risk in Greek-Cypriot women: a case-control study

Background: Diet has long been suspected to impact on breast cancer risk. In this study we evaluated whether the degree of adherence to a Mediterranean diet pattern modifies breast cancer risk amongst Greek-Cypriot women. Methods: Subjects included 935 cases and 817 controls, all participating in the MASTOS case-control study in Cyprus. The study was approved by the Cyprus National Bioethics Committee. Information on dietary intakes was collected using an interviewer administered 32-item Food Frequency Questionnaire. Information on demographic, anthropometric, lifestyle, and other confounding factors was also collected. Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet pattern was assessed using two a-priory defined diet scores. In addition, dietary patterns specific to our population were derived using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between the dietary patters and breast cancer risk. Results: There was no association with breast cancer risk for either score, however, higher consumptions of vegetables, fish and olive oil, were independently associated with decreased risk. In addition, the PCA derived component which included vegetables, fruit, fish and legumes was shown to significantly reduce risk of breast cancer (ORs across quartiles of increasing levels of consumption: 0.89 95%CI: 0.65-1.22, 0.64 95%CI: 0.47-0.88, 0.67 95%CI: 0.49-0.92, P trend < 0.0001), even after adjustment for relevant confounders. Conclusions: Our results suggest that adherence to a diet pattern rich in vegetables, fish, legumes and olive oil may favorably influence the risk of breast cancer. This study is the first investigation of dietary effects on breast cancer risk in Cyprus, a country whose population has traditionally adhered to the Mediterranean diet

Caffeine intake during pregnancy, late miscarriage and stillbirth

Caffeine is a commonly consumed drug during pregnancy with the potential to affect the developing fetus. Findings from previous studies have shown inconsistent results. We recruited a cohort of 2,643 pregnant women, aged 18-45 years, attending two UK maternity units between 8 and 12 weeks gestation from September 2003 to June 2006. We used a validated tool to assess caffeine intake at different stages of pregnancy and related this to late miscarriage and stillbirth, adjusting for confounders, including salivary cotinine as a biomarker of smoking status. There was a strong association between caffeine intake in the first trimester and subsequent late miscarriage and stillbirth, adjusting for confounders. Women whose pregnancies resulted in late miscarriage or stillbirth had higher caffeine intakes (geometric mean = 145 mg/day; 95% CI: 85-249) than those with live births (103 mg/day; 95% CI: 98-108). Compared to those consuming < 100 mg/day, odds ratios increased to 2.2 (95% CI: 0.7-7.1) for 100-199 mg/day, 1.7 (0.4-7.1) for 200-299 mg/day, and 5.1 (1.6-16.4) for 300+ mg/day (P (trend) = 0.004). Greater caffeine intake is associated with increases in late miscarriage and stillbirth. Despite remaining uncertainty in the strength of association, our study strengthens the observational evidence base on which current guidance is founded