Background: Foam roller and vibration techniques are currently used to assist in recovery after fatigue. The main purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the use of a foam roller with and without vibration on dynamic balance, ankle dorsiflexion, hamstring and lumbar spine flexibility and perceived knee and ankle stability after an induced fatigue protocol. Methods: A total of 24 healthy recreationally active participants (17 males and seven females) were recruited to a randomized cross over trial consisting of; no treatment (NT), foam roller treatment (FR) and vibration foam roller treatment (VFR). The assessments included; the Sit & Reach test, Y balance test and post-treatment perceived knee and ankle stability. Measurements were taken after a standardized warm up (baseline) and repeated following an exercise-induced muscle fatigue protocol consisting of repeated lunges until volitional fatigue. The three treatment conditions were assessed on three separate days in a randomized order. A 3 × 3 repeated measures ANOVA was used to investigate differences between the three treatments over the three time points and a one factor repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine any differences between treatments using the Global Rate of Change scale when considering perceived stability. Results: FR and VFR conditions both showed a greater ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) (p < 0.001), greater posteromedial and posterolateral reach distances (p < 0.001) and a better knee and ankle perceived stability (p < 0.001) when compared to the NT condition. A trend toward significance was observed in the hamstring and lumbar spine flexibility (p = 0.074) in both treatment conditions when compared to the NT condition. However, no differences were seen between the FR and VFR conditions. Conclusions: Both FR conditions seem to assist in exercise-induced muscle fatigue recovery with improvements in ROM, balance and perceived stability.

Resistance training is recommended for preventing sarcopenia, but the benefits for the quality and quantity of muscle mass are uncertain. To assess the effects of high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) on clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters in women with sarcopenia. A researcher-blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted. Community-dwelling older women with sarcopenia were randomized to six months of HIRT or a control group (CG). Body composition was assessed with bioimpedance equipment, and participants underwent strength and functional performance tests (short physical performance battery [SPPB] and gait speed). MRI scans of the thigh were taken to quantify muscle mass and quality. Thirty-eight women completed the study (20 in the HIRT group). Sarcopenia remitted in 50 % of the HIRT group. HIRT elicited a significant group × time interaction effect for muscle mass (p = 0.027; Ƞ² = 0.129), muscle mass index (p = 0.023; Ƞ² = 0.135), fat mass (p = 0.048; Ƞ² = 0.103) and all strength variables (p < 0.05; Ƞ² > 0.120). Moreover, the HIRT group obtained higher scores on the SPPB (mean difference [MD] 1.2; p = 0.005) and the 5 times sit-to-stand test (MD = 0.7; p = 0.009). Regarding MRI parameters, infiltrated microscopic fat decreased significantly (HIRT: MD = -0.01; p < 0.05), while hydration (T2) decreased in the CG (MD = 3.6 ms; p = 0.053) at six months. There were significant between-group differences at six months for water diffusion (HIRT: 1.09 × 10^-3 mm²/s vs CG: 1.26 × 10^-3 mm²/s) and total muscular volume (HIRT: 832.4 L vs CG: 649.2 L). HIRT led to the remission of sarcopenia in half of the older women, as seen in muscle mass, strength, and functional performance and MRI biomarkers, with significant increases in muscle quality. REGISTERED IN CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: NCT03834558.

Ageing entails a decrease in muscle mass and strength, known as sarcopenia, which also affects respiratory function. Physical exercise is an appropriate intervention to treat both conditions. This study aims to assess the efficacy of high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) on clinical parameters of respiratory function and health-related quality of life (QoL) in community-dwelling older women with sarcopenia. Fifty-one sarcopenic community-dwelling women aged 70 years and older were randomized to either six months of HIRT (n = 24) or control (n = 27). At baseline and post-intervention, participants were assessed for skeletal-muscle sarcopenia; respiratory sarcopenia status; respiratory function: spirometry (FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC, and FEF_25-75) and expiratory (MEP) and inspiratory (MIP) respiratory muscle strength parameters; and health-related QoL (EURO-QOL 5D-3 L). A group-by-time interaction effect for MEP (p = 0.044, Ƞ²=0.108) was observed. CG showed a significant decrease in FEV₁ (mean difference [MD] -0.12 L; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.20, -0.05; p = 0.002); and FVC (MD -0.18 L; 95% CI -0.33, -0.03; p = 0.024) after six months, whereas the HIRT maintained respiratory function without change. Post-intervention, mean EQ-VAS increased in the HIRT and decreased in CG, resulting in a significant between-group difference (mean 73.0 standard deviation [SD] 16.99 vs 61.1 SD 18.2 points, respectively; p = 0.044). Respiratory sarcopenia status was reverted in the HIRT. HIRT increased muscle strength and halted age-related respiratory function decline in sarcopenic old women. A strength intervention could benefit health-related QoL and physical well-being. REGISTERED IN CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: NCT03834558.

Multicomponent lifestyle interventions achieve good results in the management of obesity among the adult population. However, their implementation in certain populations poses difficulties. A good level of nutritional knowledge enables people to make changes in their diet that improve their health. This study aims to assess the relationship between nutritional knowledge and nutritional parameters such as dietary intake, anthropometric parameters and biomarkers. A before–after, non-randomized interventional study involving a two-monthly nutritional educational intervention was carried out over 8 months. Anthropometric and biomarker data were collected, and nutritional knowledge was evaluated using the Bach questionnaire and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The study comprised 66 overweight and obese adults with mean age of 50.23 years. Females predominated (84.8%). At the end of the intervention, nutritional knowledge increased significantly, with a significant reduction in the consumption of sweets, soft drinks, high-fat products, and processed meats, and an increase in the intake of lean meat and poultry. A 3% decrease in body weight was observed. An intervention for the management of obesity in the adult population based on nutritional education achieves weight loss, modifications in eating habits and reduction of fat intake. Increased nutritional knowledge is associated with healthier eating habits and a decreased cardiovascular risk.

Article: Benefits of a self-myofascial release program on health-related quality of life in people with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial - The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2017 July-August;57(7-8):993-1002 - Minerva Medica - Journals

The global rate of obesity in childhood is becoming an epidemic and many authors have established a significant association between childhood obesity and overweight in adulthood. It is therefore necessary to seek effective strategies to reduce these levels of obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the Healthy Habits Program (HHP). The participants comprised 158 children from the fifth and sixth grades (intervention group, n = 82; control group, n = 76). The HHP is a school-based physical activity program focusing on promoting a healthy lifestyle. It lasted for 8 months, and measurements were taken at the beginning and end of the program. Physiological variables (total cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose, blood pressure, and maximal oxygen consumption), anthropometric variables (body mass index (BMI)) and behavioral variables (breakfast, quality of diet, meal frequency, physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, and perceived health) were evaluated. Repeated-measures ANOVA showed significant improvements (p < 0.05) after the intervention for the intervention group in triglycerides, blood glucose and maximal oxygen consumption. Significant improvements were also observed in breakfast habits and quality of diet. Finally, a significant improvement in prevalence of normal levels was observed for total cholesterol, blood pressure, and BMI. It can therefore be stated that the HHP is an innovative and useful school-based program that can help to improve diet and health in childhood.