Background: Both physical exercise and cognitive training can effectively improve executive functions in older adults. However, whether physical activity combined with cognitive training is more effective than a single intervention remains controversial. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of combined physical and cognitive interventions on executive functions in older adults aged 65–80 years old. Methods: Randomized controlled trials of combined physical and cognitive interventions on executive functions in older adults were searched using the Web of Science, Elsevier Science, PubMed, EBSCO, Springer-Link, and NATURE databases. Data extraction and quality evaluation were done by Comprehensive Meta-Analysis, V3. Results: A total of 21 studies were included. The results showed that the combined physical and cognitive interventions produced significantly larger gains in executive functions, compared to the control group (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.14, 0.39], p < 0.01). Furthermore, the effects of the combined physical and cognitive interventions were moderated by the study quality, intervention length, and intervention frequency. No significant differences were found between the combined interventions and the physical intervention alone (SMD = 0.13, 95% CI [−0.07, 0.33], p > 0.05) or the cognitive intervention alone (SMD = 0.13, 95% CI [−0.05, 0.30], p > 0.05). Conclusions: The combined physical and cognitive interventions effectively delayed the decrease of executive functions in older adults and this effect was influenced by the length and frequency of the intervention as well as the research quality. However, the effect of the combined physical and cognitive interventions was not significantly better than that of each intervention alone.

The goal of our study was to examine the muscle activity of the shoulder girdle after isokinetic fatigue, which may simulate muscle activities commonly occurring during specific sport-related activities in recreational overhead asymptomatic athletes. We hypothesized that exercise-induced fatigue, reported after isokinetic protocols, may cause a decrease in the median frequency (MF) of the upper trapezius (UT), infraspinatus (IS), and deltoid muscles. Twenty-four male overhead volleyball (n = 8), handball (n = 8), and tennis (n = 8) athletes participated in this study. All subjects were without shoulder injury history. The surface electromyography (SEMG) was collected on the right (dominant) side of the shoulder girdle muscles in the following order: UT, IS and anterior (DA), and posterior deltoideus (DP). The fatigue protocol consisted of three sets of 32 maximum isokinetic concentric contractions while performing shoulder internal and external rotation at an isokinetic speed of 120 o/s. The resultant difference in median frequency (ΔMF) values consistently dropped after the fatiguing tasks across all recorded muscles, in terms of the initial MF (MF_INI = 65.1 ± 1.1 Hz) and final MF (MF_FIN = 57.9 ± 0.9 Hz), and the main effect of time was significant (F(1,22) = 43.15, p < 0.001). MF values decreased mostly for IS (ΔMF_IS = −9.9 ± 1.6 Hz) and DP (ΔMF_PD = −9.5 ± 1.9 Hz) muscles, while DA and UT showed smaller changes (ΔMF_DA = −6.9 ± 1.5 Hz) and (ΔMF_UT = −3.2 ± 1.3 Hz). The results of our study show a meaningful contribution in determining increased fatigue of the shoulder girdle muscles during repeated isokinetic internal-external rotation protocols. We have also demonstrated a significant decrease in MF in all examined muscles, especially IS and DA.

This study aimed to compare the agreement of ball speed in throwing and kicking between the Bushnell and the Stalker radar guns. Sixty-four healthy young adults (21.8 ± 3.5 years) performed a total of 320 throws and 320 kicks during the study. Ball speed was measured using both the Bushnell and the Stalker radar guns for each trial. The mean difference in throwing speeds was found to be 1.39 km/h (95% CI: 1.20; 1.59), while the mean difference in kicking speeds was 1.38 km/h (95% CI: 1.20; 1.56). The agreement, assessed through intraclass correlation tests, revealed an excellent level of consistency for both ball speeds in throwing (ICC: 0.989 [95% CI: 0.986; 0.991]) and kicking (ICC: 0.986 [95% CI: 0.983; 0.989]). An analysis of variance showed significant differences for both throwing (p < 0.001; d = 0.799) and kicking (p < 0.001; d = 0.851), accompanied by a percentage difference of 2.17% in throwing and 1.91% in kicking. In conclusion, this study suggests that the correlation between both radar guns is excellent. However, Bushnell consistently underestimates the ball speeds of throws and kicks, with differences that are statistically significant and practically relevant. Despite this, the high correlation between the devices indicates that practitioners can use either device, provided they adjust normative values accordingly.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the biceps brachii and flexor carpi radialis stiffness in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The authors also aimed to verify the relationship between spasticity and muscle stiffness. Methods: Twelve children with CP (mean ± SD; age, 8 ± 1.3 years; height, 118.7 ± 4.1 cm; weight, 23.0 ± 2.2 kg) were involved in the study. Muscle stiffness was estimated using a MyotonPRO device in a MultiScan pattern of five measurements. Simultaneously, the tDCS stimulation was performed. Spasticity was assessed by a neurologist using the Ashworth Scale. Results: Stiffness of the flexor carpi radialis muscle decreased significantly after tDCS therapy (p = 0.04). There was no significant change in stiffness of the biceps brachii. For all participants, the Spearman rank correlation showed statistically significant and positive relationships between muscle stiffness and the Ashworth Scale (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Transcranial direct current stimulation has a decreasing effect on stiffness and spasticity of the flexor carpi radialis in children with CP. The MyotonPRO device provides objective data and correlates with spasticity measurements.

(1) Cognitive function may benefit from physical exercise in older adults. However, controversy remains over which mode of exercise is more beneficial. (2) The aim of the proposed study is to investigate the effect of open-skill exercise training on cognitive function in community dwelling older adults compared with closed-skill exercise, cognitive training, and active control. (3) One hundred and sixty participants, aged between 60 and 80 years old, will be recruited from community senior centers in Yangzhou, China and randomly assigned to one of four groups: open-skill exercise group, closed-skill exercise group, mobile game playing group, and active control group. All participants will join a 24-week program involving 50 min sessions three times a week. The primary outcome measure is visuospatial working memory. Secondary measures include subjective memory complaint, attention network, nonverbal reasoning ability, and physical activities. All participants will be measured before, mid-way, and immediately after intervention, and three months later. (4) If successful, this study is expected to provide evidence-based recommendations for older adults to select the most efficient and effective mode of exercise to improve cognitive function. Importantly, the three intervention groups provide an opportunity to separate the cognitive activity component from the physical activity component. Comparison of these components is expected to help elucidate possible mechanisms contributing to the additional cognitive benefit of open-skill exercises.

BACKGROUND Despite advances in conservative back pain treatments, optimal methods for restoring multifidus muscle function - especially via neuromodulation like intramuscular electrical stimulation (IMES) - remain under investigation. This study evaluated the effects of a 6-week IMES protocol on multifidus muscle properties in individuals with chronic low back pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS In a randomized controlled trial, 29 participants (mean age: 39.2±10.9 years) were assigned to either a control group (receiving transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS], myofascial trigger point therapy, and exercise), or an experimental group (same therapy but with IMES replacing TENS, applied via acupuncture needles under ultrasound guidance). Outcomes included muscle stiffness (MS), tension (MT), tissue perfusion (TP), pressure pain threshold (PPT), pain rating (NRS), postural stability (PS), range of motion (ROM), and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Assessments were conducted at baseline, immediately after treatment, and at follow-up 4 weeks later using validated instruments. RESULTS Compared to controls, the IMES group showed significant improvements after treatment and at follow-up in MT right, TP (right and left), PPT left, NRS, ROM, and PS (P values ranging from <0.001 to 0.006). No significant changes were found in MS (right or left) or MVC at any time point, nor in TP (right and left) at 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS IMES combined with standard therapy significantly improves muscle tension, perfusion, pain threshold, intensity, ROM, and postural stability in chronic low back pain patients, outperforming standard therapy with TENS. However, causality remains uncertain due to both protocols being embedded in multimodal treatment.