Objective: To review the characteristics of the injuries among CrossFit® practitioners, including prevalence and incidence, nature, location, and risk factors. Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases were searched from inception through August 2020, and English-language articles reporting on CrossFit®-related injuries were included. Data including sample (sex, age, and demographics) and injuries’ characteristics (prevalence, incidence rate, nature, location, percentage of injuries requiring surgery and risk factors) were extracted. Results: Overall, twenty-five studies involving a total of 12,079 CrossFit® practitioners met the inclusion criteria. The mean prevalence of injuries among the included studies was 35.3%, with an incidence rate varying between 0.2 and 18.9 per 1000 hours of training. The most injured areas were shoulder (26%), spine (24%), and knee (18%). Among the studies that reported the injuries requiring surgery, the mean percentage was 8.7%. Regarding the risk factors associated with injuries, older age, male sex, a greater body mass index, the existence of previous injuries, the lack of coach supervision, the experience on CrossFit® and the participation in competitions were reported by the studies. Conclusions: CrossFit® training has an injury incidence rate similar to weightlifting and powerlifting. Findings from the studies suggest that the most affected areas are shoulder, spine, and knee. The limited quality of the studies prevents us from drawing solid conclusions about injury risk factors.

This systematic review evaluates the existing literature about medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) in novice and recreational runners. PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscus and CINAHL databases were searched until July 2020. Studies covering risk factors, diagnostic procedures, treatment methods and time to recovery of MTSS in novice and recreational runners were selected. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria and were included. The risk factors of MTSS are mainly intrinsic and include higher pelvic tilt in the frontal plane, peak internal rotation of the hip, navicular drop and foot pronation, among others. Computed tomography (CT) and pressure algometry may be valid instruments to corroborate the presence of this injury and confirm the diagnosis. Regarding treatment procedures, arch-support foot orthoses are able to increase contact time, normalize foot pressure distribution and similarly to shockwave therapy, reduce pain. However, it is important to take into account the biases and poor methodological quality of the included studies, more research is needed to confirm these results.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of brief bouts of exercise spread throughout the day, termed ‘exercise snacks’, on cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, and cardiometabolic health outcomes in physically inactive adults and older adults (aged ≥65 years). Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources: Seven databases were searched from inception to April 2025. Eligibility criteria: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of adults and older adults, comparing exercise snacks with non-exercising controls. Results: 11 RCTs (n=414; 69.1% women, mean age 18.7±0.8 to 74.2±5.6 years) were included. Exercise snacks were defined as structured bouts lasting ≤5 min, performed at least twice daily, ≥3 times/week, for ≥2 weeks. The interventions varied in duration (4–12 weeks), frequency (3–7 days/week) and intensity (moderate-to-vigorous to near-maximal). Exercise snacks significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness in adults (g=1.37, 95% CI 0.58 to 2.17; p<0.005; I ² =71.4 %, k=6) and muscular endurance in older adults (g=0.40, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.75; p=0.02; I ² =0 %, k=4), with moderate and very low certainty of evidence, respectively. No significant effects were observed for lower limb muscular strength or cardiometabolic outcomes, including body composition, blood pressure and blood lipid profiles. High compliance (91.1%) and adherence (82.8%) rates were observed. Conclusions: Moderate certainty of evidence indicated that exercise snacks improved cardiorespiratory fitness in physically inactive adults. However, evidence for benefits on muscular endurance in older adults was limited, and the current data do not support their effectiveness for improving other cardiometabolic health markers. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024616514.

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is a major and increasingly prevalent health problem worldwide, causing disability and social isolation in the people who present it. This impairment is caused by genetic and environmental factors. Nutritional status has been identified as a related risk associated with hearing loss (HL). This scoping review aimed to characterize the links between HL and nutritional status. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and Scopus databases were searched up to December 2019. Studies examining the relation between nutrition and dietary habits and HL were included. After screening 3510 citations, 22 publications were selected for inclusion in the current review, all of which were published between 2010 and 2019. Diets rich in saturated fats and cholesterol have deleterious effects on hearing that could be prevented by lower consumption. Conversely, greater consumption of fruit and vegetables, and of polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3) and anti-oxidants in the form of vitamins A, C, and E, prevent the development of ARHL. The current literature suggests a possible association between nutritional status and hearing loss. More studies are needed to better characterize the clinical consequences of this association.

To determine the effectiveness of respiratory muscle training in persons with Parkinson’s disease. PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus and PEDro electronic databases were searched until 15 November 2019. Reference lists of included studies were hand-searched. Randomized controlled trials assessing the effects of respiratory muscle training programmes (both inspiratory and expiratory) in patients with Parkinson’s disease were included. Two reviewers independently identified eligible studies and extracted data. Method quality was appraised with the PEDro scale. Five papers including three randomized controlled trials with a total of 111 patients were identified. Method appraisal showed a mean score of 5 in the PEDro scale. One study analysed inspiratory muscle training, one expiratory muscle training and two established a comparison between both of them. Statistically positive results were found in maximal inspiratory pressure (P < 0.05 and d = 0.76), maximal expiratory pressure (P < 0.01 and d = 1.40), perception of dyspnoea (P < 0.01), swallowing function (d = 0.55) and phonatory measures, without significant differences in spirometric indices. Respiratory muscle training may be an effective alternative for improving respiratory muscle strength, swallowing function and phonatory parameters in subjects with Parkinson’s disease. Nevertheless, the lack of primary studies about this type of training prevents obtaining robust evidence.