Is tDCS an Adjunct Ergogenic Resource for Improving Muscular Strength and Endurance Performance? A Systematic Review

Exercise performance is influenced by many physical factors, such as muscle strength and endurance. Particularly in the physical fitness and sports performance contexts, there are many types of ergogenic aids to improve muscular strength and endurance performance, with non-athletes and even athletes using illegal drugs to reach the top. Thus, the development of innovative methods to aid in exercise performance is of great interest. One such method is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). A systematic search was performed on the following databases, until January 2019; PubMed/MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and Pedro database. Studies on tDCS for muscular strength and endurance performance improvement in non-athletes and athletes adults were included. We compared the effect of anodal-tDCS (a-tDCS) to a sham/control condition on the outcomes muscular strength and endurance performance. We found 26 controlled trials. No trial mentions negative side effects of the intervention. The data show differences between the studies investigating muscle strength and the studies evaluating endurance, with regard to successful use of tDCS. Studies investigating the efficiency of tDCS on improving muscular strength demonstrate positive effects of a-tDCS in 66.7% of parameters tested. In contrast, in studies evaluating the effects of a-tDCS on improving endurance performance the a-tDCS revealed a significant improvement in only 50% of parameters assessed. The majority of the data shows consistently influence of a-tDCS on muscular strength, but not to endurance performance. The results of this systematic review suggest that a-tDCS can improve muscular strength, but not to endurance performance

Aquatic therapy in stroke rehabilitation: systematic review and meta-analysis

The main object of this systematic review and meta‐analysis is to collect the available evidence of aquatic therapy in stroke rehabilitation and to investigate the effect of this intervention in supporting stroke recovery. The PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the PEDro databases were searched from their inception through to 31/05/2020 on randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of aquatic therapy on stroke recovery. Subjects´ characteristics, methodological aspects, intervention description, and outcomes were extracted. Effect sizes were calculated for each study and outcome. Overall, 28 appropriate studies (N = 961) have been identified. A comparison with no intervention indicates that aquatic therapy is effective in supporting walking, balance, emotional status and health‐related quality of life, spasticity, and physiological indicators. In comparison with land‐based interventions, aquatic therapy shows superior effectiveness on balance, walking, muscular strength, proprioception, health‐related quality of life, physiological indicators, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Only on independence in activities of daily living the land‐ and water‐based exercise induce similar effects. Established concepts of water‐based therapy (such as the Halliwick, Ai Chi, Watsu, or Bad Ragaz Ring methods) are the most effective, aquatic treadmill walking is the least effective. The current evidence is insufficient to support this therapy form within evidence‐based rehabilitation. However, the available data indicate that this therapy can significantly improve a wide range of stroke‐induced disabilities. Future research should devote more attention to this highly potent intervention

The level of special force in swimming and triathlon

Veldema J. The level of special force in swimming and triathlon . Thesis; 1999

Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation and Sex/Polypeptide Hormones in Reciprocal Interactions: A Systematic Review

Veldema J. Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation and Sex/Polypeptide Hormones in Reciprocal Interactions: A Systematic Review. Biomedicines. 2023;11(7): 1981.A better understanding of interindividual differences and the development of targeted therapies is one of the major challenges of modern medicine. The sex of a person plays a crucial role in this regard. This systematic review aimed to summarise and analyse available evidence on the mutual interactions between non-invasive brain stimulation and sex/polypeptide hormones. The PubMed database was searched from its inception to 31 March 2023, for (i) studies that investigated the impact of sex and/or polypeptide hormones on the effects induced by non-invasive brain stimulation, or (ii) studies that investigated non-invasive brain stimulation in the modulation of sex and/or polypeptide hormones. Eighteen studies (319 healthy and 96 disabled participants) were included. Most studies focused on female sex hormone levels during the menstrual cycle. The later follicular phase is associated with a weak between hemispheric and intracortical inhibition, strong intracortical facilitation, and high stimulation-induced neural and behavioural changes. The opposite effects are observed during the luteal phase. In addition, the participant’s sex, presence and/or absence of real ovulation and increase in oestradiol level by chorionic gonadotropin injection influence the stimulation-induced neurophysiological and behavioural effects. In Parkinson’s disease and consciousness disorders, the repetitive application of non-invasive brain stimulation increases oestradiol and dehydroepiandrosterone levels and reduces disability. To date, male hormones have not been sufficiently included in these studies. Here, we show that the sex and/or polypeptide hormones and non-invasive brain stimulation methods are in reciprocal interactions. This may be used to create a more effective and individualised approach for healthy individuals and individuals with disabilities

Resistance training in stroke rehabilitation: systematic review and meta-analysis

Veldema J, Jansen P. Resistance training in stroke rehabilitation: systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Rehabilitation. 2020;34(9):1173-1197.**Objective:** This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the effects of resistance training in supporting the recovery in stroke patients. **Data sources:** PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the PEDro databases were reviewed up to 30 April 2020. **Review methods:** Randomized controlled trials were included, who compared: (i) resistance training with no intervention, (ii) resistance training with other interventions and (iii) different resistance training protocols in stroke rehabilitation. **Results:** Overall 30 trials ( n = 1051) were enrolled. The parameters evaluated were: (1) gait, (2) muscular force and motor function, (3) mobility, balance and postural control, (4) health related quality of life, independence and reintegration, (5) spasticity and hypertonia, (6) cardiorespiratory fitness, (7) cognitive abilities and emotional state and (8) other health-relevant physiological indicators. The data indicates that: (i) resistance training is beneficial for the majority of parameters observed, (ii) resistance training is superior to other therapies on muscular force and motor function of lower and upper limbs, health related quality of life, independence and reintegration and other health-relevant physiological indicators, not significantly different from other therapies on walking ability, mobility balance and postural control and spasticity and hypertonia, and inferior to ergometer training on cardiorespiratory fitness and (iii) the type of resistance training protocol significantly impacts its effect; leg press is more efficient than knee extension and high intensity training is superior than low intensity training. **Conclusion:** Current data indicates that resistance training may be beneficial in supporting the recovery of stroke patients. However, the current evidence is insufficient for evidence-based rehabilitation

Ergometer Training in Stroke Rehabilitation: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objective: Ergometer training is routinely used in stroke rehabilitation. Through this meta-analysis, we sought to discover the strength of evidence of its effects. Data Source: The PubMed database and PEDro database were reviewed prior to January 22, 2019. Study Selection: Randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of ergometer training on stroke recovery were selected. Data Extraction: Two reviewers independently selected the studies, performed independent data extraction, and assessed the risk of bias. Data Synthesis: A total of 28 studies (including 1115 subjects with stroke) were included. The data indicates that (1) ergometer training leads to a significant improvement in walking ability, cardiorespiratory fitness, motor function, muscular force of the lower limbs, balance and postural control, spasticity, cognitive abilities, and the brain's resistance to damage and degeneration; (2) neuromuscular functional electrical stimulatione assisted ergometer training is more efficient than ergometer training alone; (3) high-intensity ergometer training is more efficient that low-intensity ergometer training; and (4) ergometer training is more efficient than other therapies in supporting cardiorespiratory fitness, independence in activities of daily living, and balance and postural control, but less efficient in improving walking ability. Conclusions: Ergometer training can support motor recovery after stroke. However, current data is insufficient for evidence-based rehabilitation. More data is required about the effects of ergometer training on cognitive abilities, emotional status, and quality of life in subjects with a history of stroke. (C) 2019 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicin

Ergometer Training in Stroke Rehabilitation: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Veldema J, Jansen P. Ergometer Training in Stroke Rehabilitation: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2020;101(4):674-689

The relation of physical activity, cognition and psychological well-being in older oldest people over 80 years.

Jansen P, Veldema J. The relation of physical activity, cognition and psychological well-being in older oldest people over 80 years. Presented at the XVI European Congress of Psychology, Moscow

The Relationship among Cognition, Psychological Well-being, Physical Activity and Demographic Data in People over 80 Years of Age

Objectives: It is the main goal of this study to investigate the relationships between physical abilities, cognitive abilities and the aspects of psychological well-being in people aged 80 or older. In contrast to other studies, we focus on the executive functions and mental rotation while investigating cognitive performance; this is because it is well known in the literature investigating younger participants that these functions relate to some kind of motor or physical activity. Methods: 41 independently living persons over 80 years were enrolled. Physical activities (German Physical Activity Questionnaire 50+), balance (One leg stand), psychological well-being (Resilience, General depressions scale), cognitive abilities (Flanker task, Mental rotation, Number connection test) as well as the influence of gender and education status were analyzed. Results: Higher physical activity correlates with higher resilience. Persons with higher education and men show better values on the depression scale. Better mental rotation ability could be detected in persons with higher education. Discussion: This first experimental study with people only over 80 years demonstrates the importance of education and physical activity for different aspects of psychological well-being. Due to the aim of investigating participants only over 80 years living independently the sample size is small so the study should be further enlarged

Aquatic therapy in stroke rehabilitation: systematic review and meta‐analysis

Veldema J, Jansen P. Aquatic therapy in stroke rehabilitation: systematic review and meta‐analysis. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. 2021;143(3):221-241.The main object of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to collect the available evidence of aquatic therapy in stroke rehabilitation and to investigate the effect of this intervention in supporting stroke recovery. The PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the PEDro databases were searched from their inception through to 31/05/2020 on randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of aquatic therapy on stroke recovery. Subjects´ characteristics, methodological aspects, intervention description, and outcomes were extracted. Effect sizes were calculated for each study and outcome. Overall, 28 appropriate studies (N = 961) have been identified. A comparison with no intervention indicates that aquatic therapy is effective in supporting walking, balance, emotional status and health-related quality of life, spasticity, and physiological indicators. In comparison with land-based interventions, aquatic therapy shows superior effectiveness on balance, walking, muscular strength, proprioception, health-related quality of life, physiological indicators, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Only on independence in activities of daily living the land- and water-based exercise induce similar effects. Established concepts of water-based therapy (such as the Halliwick, Ai Chi, Watsu, or Bad Ragaz Ring methods) are the most effective, aquatic treadmill walking is the least effective. The current evidence is insufficient to support this therapy form within evidence-based rehabilitation. However, the available data indicate that this therapy can significantly improve a wide range of stroke-induced disabilities. Future research should devote more attention to this highly potent intervention