The ingestion of beetroot juice (BJ) has been associated with improvements in physical performance in endurance sports, however the literature on resistance training (RT) is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of BJ compared to a placebo (PLA) on muscular endurance and movement concentric velocity during RT. Twelve healthy men performed an incremental RT test (back squat and bench press) with three sets, at 60%, 70%, and 80% of their repetition maximum (1-RM). Movement velocity variables, total number of repetitions performed until concentric failure, blood lactate, and ratings of perceived effort post-training were measured. A higher number of repetitions were recorded with BJ compared to those with PLA (13.8 ± 14.4; p < 0.01; effect size (ES) = 0.6). Differences were found at 60% 1-RM (9 ± 10; p < 0.05; ES = 0.61) and 70% 1-RM (3.1 ± 4.8; p < 0.05; ES = 0.49), however, no differences were found at 80% 1-RM (1.7 ± 1; p = 0.12; ES = 0.41). A greater number of repetitions was performed in back squat (13.4 ± 13; p < 0.01; ES = 0.77), but no differences were observed in bench press (0.4 ± 5.1; p = 0.785; ES = 0.03). No differences were found for the rest of the variables (p > 0.05). Acute supplementation of BJ improved muscular endurance performance in RT.

Background: Beetroot juice (BRJ) is used as an ergogenic aid, but no previous study has analyzed the effect this supplement has on the production of explosive force and muscular endurance in physically active women. Hypothesis: BRJ improves explosive force and muscular endurance in the lower limbs of physically active women. Study Design: Randomized double-blind crossover study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: Fourteen physically active women performed a countermovement jump (CMJ) test, a back squat test for assessing velocity and power at 50% and 75% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), and the number of repetitions on a muscular endurance test consisting of 3 sets at 75% of 1RM in a resistance training protocol comprising 3 exercises (back squat, leg press, and leg extension). The participants performed the test in 2 sessions, 150 minutes after ingesting 70 mL of either BRJ (400 mg of nitrate) or a placebo (PLA). Results: A greater maximum height was achieved in the CMJ after consuming BRJ compared with a PLA ( P = 0.04; effect size (ES) = 0.34). After a BRJ supplement at 50% 1RM, a higher mean velocity [+6.7%; P = 0.03; (ES) = 0.39 (–0.40 to 1.17)], peak velocity (+6%; P = 0.04; ES = 0.39 [−0.40 to 1.17]), mean power (+7.3%; P = 0.02; ES = 0.30 [−0.48 to 1.08]) and peak power (+6%; P = 0.04; ES = 0.20 [−0.59 to 0.98]) were attained in the back squat test. In the muscular endurance test, BRJ increased performance compared with the PLA ( P < 0.00; η_p² = 0.651). Conclusion: BRJ supplements exert an ergogenic effect on the ability to produce explosive force and muscular endurance in the lower limbs in physically active women. Clinical Relevance: If physically active women took a BRJ supplement 120 minutes before resistance training their performance could be enhanced.

Sedentary habits during childhood are associated with adverse health outcomes. The aim of this work was to cluster lifestyle behaviors and metabolic biomarkers to establish different patterns in children. Their physical and sedentary activities were evaluated by accelerometry, and questionnaires that included lifestyle behaviors, such as adherence to a Mediterranean diet, anthropometry and blood biochemical markers. Cluster analysis was performed to establish different groups based on physical activity levels. A total of 489 children were finally selected. Cluster 1 included children with a mostly sedentary state, whereas Cluster 3 included the most active children and Cluster 2 included children that did not fit into either the sedentary or the highly active groups. In Cluster 3, 56% of children were in a sports club, and a lower percentage used electronic devices in their rooms compared to the other groups. Cluster 1 children exhibited higher insulin, HOMA-IR and triacylglycerides with respect to the other groups. No differences were found regarding adherence to a Mediterranean diet. The choice to practice an extracurricular sport could be an influencing factor to increase exercise and ensure an active lifestyle in children. Reducing or limiting screen time mainly in children’s rooms could contribute to an active lifestyle.

The aim of this research was to verify whether the application of percussion therapy during inter-set rest periods increases the number of repetitions performed before reaching a 30% velocity loss threshold during a bench press exercise. Methods: Twenty-four male university students participated in this study (24.3 ± 1.3 years; 77.5 ± 8.3 kg; 177.0 ± 5.6 cm; 24.7 ± 2.6 kg∙m⁻²). Participants were randomized into two groups: a percussion therapy group (PTG) and a control group (CG). They performed 4 sets at 70% of a one-repetition maximum before reaching a 30% velocity loss threshold with an inter-set recovery of 3 min. Results: The PTG performed a greater total number of repetitions compared to the CG (44.6 ± 4.8 vs. 39.5 ± 6.8; p = 0.047; ES = 0.867). No differences were observed for the different movement velocity variables and fatigue control (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Percussion therapy is an effective method to delay the loss of movement velocity in the bench press exercise.

Background and Objective: Fibromyalgia is a condition characterised by disabling levels of pain of varying intensity. Aerobic exercise may play a role in reducing pain in these patients. The aim of this review is to assess the dose of aerobic exercise needed, based on the frequency, intensity, type, time, volume and progression (FITT‐VP) model, to obtain clinically relevant reductions in pain.Databases and Data Treatment: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised clinical trials was conducted in the Web of Science (WoS), PEDro, PubMed and Scopus databases, the search having been conducted between July and October of 2023. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool 2.Results: Seventeen studies were included. The risk of bias varied, with six studies showing low risk; five, some concerns; and six, high risk. Aerobic exercise interventions were analysed using the FITT‐VP model. Frequency ranged from 1 to 10 times per week, intensity varied from light to vigorous, and the types of exercise included music‐based exercise, interval training, pool‐based exercise, stationary cycling, swimming and walking. The intervention durations ranged from 3 to 24 weeks, with session lengths ranging from 10 to 45 min. Most of the studies presented significant differences, favouring aerobic exercise (MD −0.49; CI [−0.90, −0.08; p = 0.02]), with moderate to low heterogeneity in subgroup analyses.Conclusions: The study findings underscore the efficacy of aerobic exercise in alleviating pain among fibromyalgia patients, advocating for tailored exercise dosing to optimise adherence and outcomes.Significance Statement: Individuals with fibromyalgia should engage in aerobic exercises two to three times weekly, for twenty‐five to forty minutes in each session, aiming for more than a hundred minutes per week. They should start at low intensity, gradually increasing to higher intensities over six to twelve weeks, for optimal pain management. Exercise types should be selected in collaboration with the patient and based on personal preferences and accessibility, such as walking, and swimming, to ensure long‐term adherence to the regimen.

Despite the existence of global recommendations for physical activity and lifestyle to avoid childhood obesity, there are no specific recommendations for school-age children. The aim of this meta-analysis was to measure the effects of current interventions with a physical activity component on body mass index (BMI) Z-score and on the moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) time, measured by accelerometry, and focused on children with obesity. Randomized controlled trial studies (RCTs) based on physical activity interventions focused on children with obesity (6 to 12 years old) from January 1991 to August 2018 were included. The post-intervention mean and standard deviation of the BMI Z-score and MVPA engaged time were extracted to calculate the results using random effects models. Of a total of 229 studies considered potentially eligible, only 10 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. There were improvements in the BMI Z-score for physical activity intervention groups, compared with non-intervention children in addition to a significant increase in time engaged in MVPA. In conclusion, interventions with a physical activity component in school-children with obesity seem to be effective at reducing BMI and producing an increase in time spent engaged in physical activity. Therefore, interventions based on physical activity should be considered one of the main strategies in treating childhood obesity.