The effect of aerobic exercises of different intensities on anxiety, cigarette addiction, sleep quality, and quality of life in former smokers

Background There is a worldwide struggle to quit smoking and prevent relapsing. Aerobic exercises are frequently utilized to aid in smoking cessation and prevent relapse. Aims This study aimed to investigate the effects of aerobic exercises of different intensity on the level of anxiety, smoking addiction, and quality of sleep and life in former smokers. Methods The study included 60 people aged 18 to 45 who had quit smoking within the previous month. Individuals were randomly assigned to control (CON), mild-intensity aerobic activity (MIA), and moderate-intensity aerobic activity (MoIA) groups. The MIA group did submaximal aerobic exercises at 40% of maximum heart rate (MHR), while the MoIA group did them at 60% of MHR for 8 weeks/3 days. Participants' anxiety levels were assessed using the Beck Anxiety Scale (BAS), smoking addiction was assessed using the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence and Substance Craving Scale (SCS), sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and quality of life was assessed using the SF-36 Short Form Scale (SF-36). Results The SCS score of the MoIA group declined more than the MIA and CON groups, and the MIA group had a lower sleep disturbance score than other groups when the influence of exercise training was assessed over time (p 0.05). Conclusions The benefits of mild and moderate aerobic exercise on quality of life and anxiety are similar. However, mild-intensity aerobic exercises may be suitable for sleep difficulties while moderate-intensity aerobic exercises may be preferred for reducing smoking addiction

The relation of body mass index to muscular viscoelastic properties in normal and overweight individuals

Background: The body mass index (BMI) is closely related to fat tissue, which may have direct or indirect effects on muscle function. Previous studies have evaluated BMI and muscle viscoelastic properties in vivo in older people or individual sexes; however, the relationship between BMI and muscular viscoelastic properties is still unknown. Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation of BMI with muscular viscoelastic properties, and to compare these properties in a young sedentary population with normal and overweight individuals. Methods: A total of 172 healthy sedentary individuals (mean age, 26.00 ± 5.45 years) were categorized by sex (male and female) and BMI classification (normal (BMI, 18.50–24.99 kg/m2), overweight (BMI = 25.00–29.99 kg/m2)). Body weight was evaluated using an electronic scale, while height was measured using a standard stadiometer. BMI was calculated by dividing the weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters. The viscoelastic properties (tone, stiffness, and elasticity) of the biceps brachii (BB) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles were measured bilaterally using the MyotonPRO device at rest. Results: The bilateral BF tone and stiffness, right BB stiffness, and elasticity showed weak correlations with BMI in all participants. Furthermore, the bilateral BF tone and stiffness, right BB stiffness and elasticity, and left BB stiffness were weakly positively correlated with male sex. Only the right BB elasticity was weakly positively correlated with BMI in females (p 0.05). The overweight group showed increased bilateral BF stiffness and tone, right BB stiffness, and reduced bilateral BB elasticity compared to the normal-weight group (p 0.05). Greater bilateral BB tone, BF tone and stiffness, and lower BF elasticity were observed in males than in females (p 0.05). Conclusions: The BB and BF viscoelastic properties were weakly correlated with BMI. Males showed greater muscle tone and stiffness, and lower elasticity. The overweight individuals showed increased stiffness and tone, particularly in lower extremities, and reduced elasticity in upper extremities. The effect of BMI–sex interactions on the viscoelastic properties was not clear. Higher BMI (increased mechanical load) might cause the human body to develop different muscular viscoelastic adaptations in the extremities. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

EFFECTIVENESS OF REFORMER PILATES EXERCISES ON SYMPTOMS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN CHILDREN WITH BLADDER AND BOWEL DYSFUNCTION

Objective. The study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of reformer pilates exercises on symptoms and quality of life in children with bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD). Methods. Children diagnosed as having BBD by a physician and aged between 5-18 years were included in this study. They were divided into two groups: urotherapy group (control) and reformer pilates group (study). Written consent was obtained from both the children and the parents. Children in both groups received a standardized urotherapy. The study group also had 30 minutes of reformer pilates exercise sessions for 2 days a week. BBD symptoms were assessed using the Voiding Disorder Symptom Scoring (VDSS) and Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction Questionnaire (BBDQ). Quality of life was assessed using the Pediatric Incontinence Questionnaire (PinQ). Assessments were performed before and 8 weeks after the reformer pilates exercises. Results. The study included 25 children (10 [40%] boys and 15 [60%] girls). Their median age was 9 years and their body mass index was 17.58 kg/m2. Of these 25 children, 16 were born by normal delivery, 9 of whom were delivered by cesarean section. None of the children used diapers during the day, but 10 of them continued to use diapers at night. The control (n = 16) and study (n = 9) groups were similar in terms of physical properties. The VDSS, BBDQ, and PinQ scores were significantly decreased in both groups (p < 0.05). The decrease in BBDQ and VDSS scores were more prominent in the study group than in the control group. The clinical trial registration number of this study is NCT05779709 (ClinicalTrials.gov.) Conclusion. Reformer pilates exercises can provide additional benefits in the treatment of children with BBD as they were effective in reducing BDD symptoms and enhancing quality of life

Age Related Changes of Superior Orbicularis Oris Muscle in Terms of Tone and Viscoelastic Properties

Objective: To examine the age-related changes in the viscoelastic properties and tone of the superior orbicularis oris muscle by a portablehand-held myotonometer. Methods: A total of 128 individuals (65 female, 63 male) who met the inclusion criteria were evaluated. Individuals were divided into 2 groups as under 40 years old (Group 1), and above (Group 2). The viscoelastic properties and muscle tone of orbicularis oris muscle were evaluated bilaterally in supine position with the Myoton PRO (Myoton AS, Estonia) device from the skin overlying the orbicularis oris. The reference point is accepted as the right and left paramedial philtrum dimple. The statistical analysis was performed. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the elasticity values of the right and left orbicularis oris muscles of the Group 1 and Group 2 individuals. There was a difference between the groups when the tone and stiffness values of both groups were compared. It was determined that individuals over the age of 40 had higher muscle tone and stiffness. All mechanical properties of the superior orbicularis oris muscle between the male and female individuals in Group 1 were different. The values are higher in the female gender. The elasticity values in both genders in Group 2 were similar. Tone and stiffness parameters were different between genders. Conclusions: Myoton PRO can be recommended as an alternative device in the quantitative evaluations of post-operative follow-ups, and pre/post rehabilitation in terms of viscoelastic parameters of the muscle

Validity and Reliability of the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure Turkish Version for Athletes

The clinical assessment of sport-related lower extremity injuries plays important role in diagnosis and therapeutic strategies as well as return to activity. The Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) is a valid and reliable self-reported outcome instrument used to detect foot and ankle disorders. The purpose of this study is to translate, cross-culturally adapt and validate the FAAM questionnaire for use in Turkish-speaking athletes who have foot and ankle disorders. Fifty-one basketball, soccer and volleyball athletes volunteered to participate. Test-retest reliability analyses revealed good and excellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.83-0.92). Concurrent validity was tested between the FAAM-T subscores and both the visual analog scale for pain/activity limitations and functional performance tests, yielding moderate to high correlations (r = -0.522 to -0.869, p < .05). The results of this study showed that the FAAM-T is a reliable and valid questionnaire for self-reported assessment of pain and disability in athletes suffering from foot and ankle disorders

Is YouTube a reliable source for athletic taping?

Background Taping has a critical role in athlete health. Aims To evaluate the quality, characteristics and reliability of the most viewed taping videos in YouTube. Methods Uploaded videos were searched with "athletic taping" and "rigid taping" keywords in YouTube. The educational content quality of the videos was assessed using the Global Quality Scale (GQS), and reliability was evaluated using the Journal American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria. Video uploaders (source) were divided into three groups (physiotherapists (PT), athletic trainers (AT) and non-PT/AT) and compared in terms of video quality, reliability and characteristics. Results 82 videos were included in the study. The mean JAMA score of the videos was 2.91 +/- 0.89 and GQS score was 4.06 +/- 0.87. A significant difference was found among video uploading groups base on days since upload, number of views, daily views, dislikes, like ratio, and JAMA and GQS scores (p < 0.05). Less number of days since upload was found for AT videos versus PT and non-PT/AT videos (p = 0.007, p = 0.007). The number of views and daily views were higher for PT videos than AT videos (p = 0.004, p = 0.017). The number of dislikes was also higher for PT videos compared to AT videos (p = 0.017), with no significant difference versus non-PT/AT group (p < 0.05). Non-PT/AT videos showed a greater like ratio than PT videos (p = 0.022). PT videos had higher JAMA and GQS scores compared to AT and non-PT/AT videos (p = 0.001 vs. p = 0.001, p = 0.010 vs. p = 0.001). Conclusion YouTube can be regarded as a useful platform that provides high quality and reliable videos on athletic taping