Purpose: The present study aims to investigate the combined effect of slow breathing exercise (SBE) and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) technique on blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and anxiety in patients diagnosed with essential hypertension. Trial design: This study was based on a 4-arm parallel-group, randomized control design. Methods: Sixty-four participants diagnosed with essential hypertension were randomly allocated into SBE, PMR, SBE-PMR, and Control groups, with 16 subjects each. All 3 groups received different treatments according to their name; however, the Control group received no treatment. Systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP), HR, RR, and anxiety were all evaluated as the study outcomes using a digital sphygmomanometer and perceived stress scale (PSS) at baseline (pretest), 2^nd week and 4^th weeks post-intervention. A repeated measure analysis of variance test assessed intra-group comparison (overall) analyses across multiple time points. Bonferroni multiple comparison tests were used to analyze the mean differences between the groups. The confidence interval was kept at 95% for all the statistical analyses, that is, P < .05 is considered significant. Results: There was a significant change in the HR (F = 239.04, P = .0001), RR (F = 167.74, P = .0001), SBP (F = 266.64, P = .0001), DSP (F = 279.80, P = .0001), and PSS (F = 473.42, P = .0001) as an outcome of baseline measurements versus (vs) the following weeks. There were significant (F = 48.57, P = .001) differences among different training on HR. The SBE vs SBE-PMR showed an insignificant difference (F = 48.54, P = 1.000). The RR showed significant differences (F = 32.05, 0.0001) between the SBE vs PMR, SBE vs Control, PMR vs Control, and SBE-PMR vs Control groups and insignificant differences for the SBE vs SBE-PMR and PMR vs SBE-PMR groups. The SBE vs SBE-PMR groups showed insignificant differences for DPP and SBP. However, PSS showed significant differences (F = 67.12, P = .0001) among the intervention groups except for the PMR and SBE-PMR groups. Conclusions: The combined interventions of SBEs and progressive muscle relaxation techniques can effectively reduce the heart rate, respiratory rate, BP, and anxiety in essential hypertensive patients compared to both techniques when given alone.

Obesity is a risk factor for a broad range of diseases. This study aimed to estimate association between selected variables (visceral fat, abdominal circumference and waist-hip ratio) and health risk in between male and female. The university student based cross-sectional study was conducted among male and female students. The anthropometric measurements were taken through the auto-calibrated digital scale. Bioelectrical impedance analyzer device was used to determine visceral fat area, abdominal circumference and waist-hip ratio. Independent t-test and Pearson Chi-Square was used for statistical analysis. To see the association among the all three variables, scatter plots were also drawn. The results showed that 28.3% male and 9.4% female at risk for visceral fat, for the abdominal circumference 16.9% male and 6% female at risk and for waist-hip ratio 27.5% male and 6% female fell under risk category. There was a significant relationship among all variable for male and female. Findings suggested that visceral fat area, abdominal circumference and waist-hip ratio were strong predictors of health risk. Male were more prone to health risk than female participants.

Postural stability during gait is a crucial factor that reduces the risk of falls. Researchers determine the most effective way to assist patients whose postural stability deficit predominantly related to gait parameters. The aim of this study was to investigate the comparison and relationship between spatiotemporal gait parameters and postural stability in young male and female. 96 participants (male, and female) with age range from 18-40 years were selected to conduct this cross-sectional correlation study. Any participants with cardiovascular, neuromuscular diseases, musculoskeletal injury, vision, and hearing problem were excluded from the study. To measure spatiotemporal data, the Physilog application by Gaitup was used. Stabilometer was used to assess unipedal dynamic postural stability. Statistical analysis of data was performed by using SPSS software. Mann Whitney U test, Kruskall Wallis H test, and Spearman rank correlation coefficient tests were used to statistical analysis. The results of this study revealed that anteroposterior stability for left leg was significant (p=.002) between male and female. The gait parameters as stride length (Left Leg, p=.050), (Right leg, p=.001); gait speed (Left Leg, p=.006), (Right leg, p=.009); and maximal heel clearance (Left Leg, p=.001), (Right leg, p=.001) were significant between genders. No significant relationship was found among the dynamic postural stability and spatiotemporal parameters of gait. In summary, this research illustrates the putative mechanisms of gait parameters and postural dynamic stability parameters differences in male and female participants and also relationship among them. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) often leads to cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN), a severe complication affecting cardiovascular health. Exercise training is a proven intervention for improving metabolic control and cardiovascular health in T2DM, but the effects of concurrent exercise training (CET), combining aerobic and resistance exercises, on CAN are not fully understood. Objective: This randomized controlled trial investigates the impact of a structured CET program on cardiac autonomic modulation, metabolic profile, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and quality of life (QoL) in individuals with T2DM and CAN. Methods: A total of 96 participants, aged 35–70 years, with T2DM and CAN, were randomized into CET (n = 48) and control (n = 48) groups. The CET group engaged in combined aerobic and resistance training three times per week for 13 weeks, while the control group received standard care. Primary outcomes included heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate recovery (HRR). Secondary outcomes were metabolic profile, body composition, CRF, and QoL, which were assessed using standardized protocols and validated questionnaires. The trial was registered with the Clinical Trials Registry—India (CTRI/2021/09/036711). Results: Significant improvements were noted in the CET group compared to controls. HRV metrics (SDNN, RMSSD, pNN50, TP, LF power, HF power, and LF/HF ratio) and HRR metrics (HRR30s, HRR1, HRR2, and HRR3) all showed significant enhancements (p < 0.01). The CET group also exhibited substantial reductions in fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, HbA1c, waist circumference, hip circumference, and percentage body fat (p < 0.01). Improvements were observed in lipid profile markers and CRF (VO_2max) (p < 0.01). QoL scores improved significantly in the CET group as per the ADDQoL-19 (p < 0.01). Conclusions: CET significantly enhances cardiac autonomic modulation, metabolic profile, body composition, CRF, and QoL in individuals with T2DM and CAN. These findings support the integration of CET into standard T2DM management to improve clinical outcomes and QoL. Further research is needed to explore the long-term benefits and broader applicability of CET in diverse diabetic populations.

Background: Impaired motor function and upper extremity spasticity are common concerns in patients after stroke. It is essential to plan therapeutic techniques to recover from the stroke. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of myofascial release with the tennis ball on spasticity and motor functions of the upper extremity in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Twenty-two chronic stroke patients (male-16, female-6) were selected to conduct this study. Two groups were formed: the control group (n=11) which included conventional physiotherapy only and the experimental group (n=11) which included conventional physiotherapy along with tennis ball myofascial release – in both groups interventions were performed for 6 sessions (35 minutes/session) per week for a total of 4 weeks. The conventional physiotherapy program consisted of active and passive ROM exercises, positional stretch exercises, resistance strength training, postural control exercises, and exercises to improve lower limb functions. All patients were evaluated with a modified Ashworth scale for spasticity of upper limb muscles (biceps brachii, pronator teres, and the long finger flexors) and a Fugl-Meyer assessment scale for upper limb motor functions before and after 4 weeks. Nonparametric (Mann–Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test) tests were used to analyze data statistically. This study has been registered on clinicaltrial.gov (ID: NCT05242679). Results: A significant improvement (P < .05) was observed in the spasticity of all 3 muscles in both groups. For upper limb motor functions, significant improvement (P < .05) was observed in the experimental group only. When both groups were compared, greater improvement (P < .05) was observed in the experimental group in comparison to the control group for both spasticity of muscles and upper limb motor functions. Conclusion: Myofascial release performed with a tennis ball in conjunction with conventional physiotherapy has more beneficial effects on spasticity and motor functions of the upper extremity in patients with chronic stroke compared to conventional therapy alone.

Overweight and obesity have become a significant health hazard among adolescents on account of quick growth in its occurrence rate and its common comorbidities like cardiometabolic disease (CMD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of adiposity and assess the risk of CMD among university students in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted during the academic year 2017–2018, in a sample of 310 subjects (127 males; 183 females). The measurements were taken using standardized instruments including Body Mass Index (BMI), Fat Mass Index (FMI), Body Fat Percentage BFP), Mass of Body Fat (MBF), Visceral Fat Area (VFA), Waist Circumference (WC), and Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR). Moreover, CMD risk indicators were calculated by Conicity index (C index), WC, and WHR. The findings showed that the majority was overweight and obese (16.8% and 21.6%, respectively). While evaluating obesity indicators, males were found to have higher adiposity (obese students 34.6%) compared to female students (12.6%; p < 0.001). Additionally, FMI showed that the mean was significantly higher among males (8.65 ± 6.06) compared to females (7.26 ± 3.30; p < 0.019). Analysis of the predictors’ indices for cardiometabolic risk score highlighted a significantly higher percentage of WC, WHR, and C index among male students (50, 38.5, 59) compared to females (16.9, 14.2, 34; p < 0.001). Significant positive correlations were observed between C index quartiles and BMI with the other cardiometabolic indices (p < 0.001). This study highlighted a high prevalence of adiposity and CMD risk among university students. The prediction of CMD in early age is quite helpful in preventing adiposity related health issues. Decision makers need to spread awareness about healthy consumption as well as the relationship between physical inactivity and chronic diseases.