Can complex contrast training interventions improve aerobic endurance, maximal strength, and repeated sprint ability in soccer players?:A systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effects of complex contrast training (CT) on aerobic endurance, maximal strength, and repeated sprint ability (RSA) in soccer players. After an electronic search, nine peer-reviewed articles were considered, including soccer players from junior to professional-level (age 14 – 23 years). One study was conducted during the pre-season, seven studies during the in-season, and one study during the off-season period of a competitive schedule. The studies included were of moderate to high methodological quality (PEDro scale) and incorporated CT with soccer practice. Large significant improvements (ES = 1.30; 95% CI = 0.61 – 2.00; p &lt; 0.001; I2 = 80.6%) for maximal strength, and small non-significant improvements for aerobic endurance (ES = 0.33; 95% CI = -0.19 – 0.85; p = 0.209; I2 = 0.0%) and RSA (ES = 0.32; 95% CI = -0.12 – 0.75; p = 0.156; I2 = 0.0%) were noted for CT groups when compared to active or specific-active control groups. Therefore, supplementing regular soccer training with CT induces adaptations to improve maximal strength. CT may be implemented during the pre-season and in-season to induce adaptations similar to traditional strength training (e.g., maximal strength gains), although alternative training strategies may be needed to further improve aerobic endurance and RSA. The use of CT may be applicable during different periods of the season to achieve certain goals, e.g., pre and in-season for maximal strength development, and off-season to attenuate the decline of strength or power.</p

Effects of Contrast Training with Two Sessions Weekly Frequency on Physical Fitness of University-Level Male Soccer Players

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a six-week contrast training intervention conducted twice per week during the preparatory period on the measures of physical fitness in university-level male soccer players. Materials and methods. Sixteen players were selected as participants and randomly assigned to an experimental group or an active control group. Data were collected at baseline and after a six-week training intervention period for 15 m and 30 m linear sprint, medicine ball throw (MBT), standing long jump (SLJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), change of direction speed (CODS), peak torque (both legs) during extension and flexion, and running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST). Results. The analysis revealed reported significant small to very-large magnitude within-group improvement in all the dependent variables for the experimental group (p<0.001–0.028) but not for the control group (p=0.066–1.000). Further, the analysis of covariance with the pre-test scores as covariates revealed significant differences at post-intervention assessments for all the dependent variables, favoring the contrast training group (p<0.001–0.05). Conclusions. A six-week contrast training intervention with two weekly sessions during the preparatory period may be sufficient to induce small improvement in the 30 m linear sprint and isokinetic strength of both legs, moderate improvement in the 15 m linear sprint, and MBT, large improvements in SLJ, RAST, and a very large improvement in vertical jump (CMJ) and CODS

Effects of upper-body plyometric training on physical fitness in healthy youth and young adult participants: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Background Upper-body plyometric training (UBPT) is a commonly used training method, yet its efects on physical ftness are inconsistent and there is a lack of comprehensive reviews on the topic. Objective To examine the efects of UBPT on physical ftness in healthy youth and young adult participants com‑ pared to active, specifc-active, and passive controls. Methods This systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and utilized the PICOS framework. PubMed, WOS, and SCOPUS were searched. Studies were assessed for eligibility using the PICOS framework. The efects of UBPT on upper-body physical ftness were assessed, including maximal strength, medicine ball throw performance, sportspecifc throwing performance, and upper limb muscle volume. The risk of bias was evaluated using the PEDro scale. Means and standard deviations were used to calculate efect sizes, and the I 2 statistic was used to assess heterogene‑ ity. Publication bias was assessed using the extended Egger’s test. Certainty of evidence was rated using the GRADE scale. Additional analyses included sensitivity analyses and adverse efects. Results Thirty-fve studies were included in the systematic review and 30 studies in meta-analyses, involving 1412 male and female participants from various sport-ftness backgrounds. Training duration ranged from 4 to 16 weeks. Compared to controls, UBPT improved maximal strength (small ES=0.39 95% CI=0.15–0.63, p=0.002, I 2=29.7%), medicine ball throw performance (moderate ES=0.64, 95% CI=0.43–0.85, p<0.001, I 2=46.3%), sport-specifc throw‑ ing performance (small ES=0.55, 95% CI=0.25–0.86, p<0.001, I 2=36.8%), and upper limbs muscle volume (moderate ES=0.64, 95% CI=0.20–1.08, p=0.005, I 2=0.0%). The GRADE analyses provided low or very low certainty for the rec‑ ommendation of UBPT for improving physical ftness in healthy participants. One study reported one participant with an injury due to UBPT. The other 34 included studies provided no report measure for adverse efects linked to UBPT. Conclusions UBPT interventions may enhance physical ftness in healthy youth and young adult individuals com‑ pared to control conditions. However, the certainty of evidence for these recommendations is low or very low. Further research is needed to establish the optimal dose of UBPT and to determine its efect on female participants and its transfer to other upper-body dominated sports.Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL

Controlling the Transverse Proton Relaxivity of Magnetic Graphene Oxide

The engineering of materials with controlled magnetic properties by means other than a magnetic feld is of great interest in nanotechnology. In this study, we report engineered magnetic graphene oxide (MGO) in the nanocomposite form of iron oxide nanoparticles (IO)-graphene oxide (GO) with tunable core magnetism and magnetic resonance transverse relaxivity (r2). These tunable properties are obtained by varying the IO content on GO. The MGO series exhibits r2 values analogous to those observed in conventional single core and cluster forms of IO in diferent size regimes—motional averaging regime (MAR), static dephasing regime (SDR), and echo-limiting regime (ELR) or slow motion regime (SMR). The maximum r2 of 162±5.703mM−1s−1 is attained for MGO with 28 weight percent (wt%) content of IO on GO and hydrodynamic diameter of 414 nm, which is associated with the SDR.These fndings demonstrate the clear potential of magnetic graphene oxide for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications

Inter-limb jump asymmetries and their association with sport-specific performance in young male and female swimmers

This study aimed to examine inter-limb jump asymmetries and their association with sport-specific performance in young swimmers. Thirty-eight (male, n = 19; female, n = 19) regional/national level young swimmers (age: 12.3 ± 1.2 years; height: 159.6 ± 8.2 cm; body mass: 52.5 ± 9.2 kg) participated in this study. Inter-limb asymmetries were assessed for single-leg countermovement jump (SLCMJ) and single-leg standing long jump (SLSLJ). Sport-specific performance was evaluated using front crawl (i.e., 50 m and 25 m) and front crawl kick (i.e., 50 m and 25 m). The kappa coefficient revealed a “slight” level of agreement (Κ = 0.156, 0.184, and 0.197 for female, male, and all, respectively) between the direction of asymmetry for SLCMJ and SLSLJ, indicating that asymmetries rarely favored the same limb during both tests. A paired sample t-test showed a significant difference (p = 0.025) between asymmetry scores obtained in SLCMJ and SLSLJ. No significant difference was found in asymmetry scores between males and females (p = 0.099 to 0.977). Additionally, no association between asymmetry scores and sport-specific performance was observed (p > 0.05). Our findings highlight the independent nature of inter-limb asymmetries derived from SLCMJ and SLSLJ among young male and female swimmers. Further, our results suggest no association between jumping asymmetries and sport-specific performance

The effects of single and combined jump exercises utilizing fast and slow stretch-shortening cycle on physical fitness measures in healthy adult males: A randomized controlled trial.

This study aimed to compare the effects of six-week volume-equated jump training using drop jump (DJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), or a combination of both (COMB) on the physical fitness of adult males. Participants were randomly assigned to DJ (n=10), CMJ (n=9), or COMB (n=10) training groups or an active control group (n=7). Performance data were collected for 10-m and 30-m sprint, DJ, CMJ, standing long jump (SLJ), triple-hop jump, change of direction speed (CODS), and maximal isometric strength. The DJ demonstrated improvements in the 10-m sprint, CMJ, and SLJ (g=0.62–1.13, %Δ=3.0–10.8). The CMJ group improved in the 10-m and 30-m sprints, CODS, CMJ and SLJ (g=0.34–1.17, %Δ=3.4–10.5). The COMB group displayed progress in CMJ and SLJ (g=0.46–0.61, %Δ=6.4–8.6). In comparison to the control and COMB groups, the DJ and CMJ groups improved the 10-m sprint (p=0.008, ηp2=0.311), and in comparison to the control group, the CMJ group improved SLJ (p=0.037, ηp2=0.220). To conclude, the findings presented here deviate from the training principle of specificity, particularly in relation to ground contact time. This suggests that the classification of jump exercises into fast- and slow-SSC categories based solely on ground contact time might oversimplify a more intricate phenomenon

Acid Peptic Disease among Patients with Acute Abdomen Visiting the Department of Emergency Medicine in a Tertiary Care Centre

Introduction: Acid peptic disease is caused by excessive acid secretion or weakened mucosal defense. Symptoms include epigastric pain, bloating, and nausea. Factors like gastric acid, Helicobacter pylori infection, alcohol consumption, smoking, and stress contribute to peptic ulcers. Imbalances between offensive and defensive factors can lead to ulcers. Acid-related disorders impact the quality of life and mortality. Accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment are vital. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of acid peptic disease among patients with acute abdomen in the Department of Emergency Medicine in a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 2 April 2022 and 2 April 2023 among the patients presented in the Department of Emergency Medicine in a tertiary care centre. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee. All patients presenting with acute abdominal pain in the Emergency Department were included in the study. Patients not giving consent were excluded from the study. Convenience sampling method was used. The point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval. Results: Out of the 400 patients with acute abdomen, the prevalence of acid peptic disease was found to be 87 (21.75%) (17.71-25.79, 95% Confidence Interval). Conclusions: The prevalence of acid peptic disease among patients with acute abdomen was found to be lower than in other studies performed in similar settings

Transgender inclusive sanitation - insights from South Asia

This paper provides insights from initiatives to include transgender people in sanitation programming in South Asia. Three case studies of recent actions to make sanitation inclusive for transgender people (in India and Nepal) are presented, accompanied by reflections and recommendations to guide future practice. Practitioners are recommended to: engage with transgender people as partners at all stages of an initiative; recognise that the language of gender identity is not fixed, varying across cultures and between generations; and acknowledge that transgender people are not a single homogenous group but rather have diverse identities, histories and priorities. The case studies aim to raise awareness of the diversity of transgender identities, exploring the needs and aspirations of transgender women, transgender men, and third gender people

Effects of complex-descending versus traditional resistance training on physical fitness abilities of female team sports athletes

Study aim: The study compared the effects of six weeks of complex-descending training (CDT), traditional resistance training (RT), and sport-specific training (i.e., active control group [CG]) on measures of physical fitness