This study aimed to compare youth football players’ performance during two small-sided games with different pitch orientation: i) 40x30m and ii) 30x40m formats. Twenty under-15 players (age = 14.1 ± 0.5 years) participated in nine GK+4vs4+GK situations in each format, with the duration of six minutes each. Positional data were collected using individual GPS units, and computed for tactical and physical performance indicators. The SSG were video recorded, using notational analysis for collecting technical indicators. A novel method that incorporates time dependent notational information with spatiotemporal data was used to compute multidimensional parameters. Standardised effect sizes and non-clinical magnitude-based inferences were used to compare formats. Results showed that players covered more distance at higher intensities, presented more passes and dribbles and were more synchronised in the longitudinal axis while playing in the 40x30m pitch. In the 30x40m pitch, results showed a lower distance between team centroids, higher number of shots, more lateral passes and a wider team positioning. Multidimensional indicators, as players position and distance to the closest defender while shooting, revealed a more constant distance between attacker and defender in the 40x30m pitch. These results highlight the importance of integrating information from different indicators for a contextually valid information.

Exercise-induced improvements in the VO₂peak of cardiac rehabilitation participants are well documented. However, optimal exercise intensity remains doubtful. This study aimed to identify the optimal exercise intensity and program length to improve VO₂peak in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) following cardiac rehabilitation. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) included a control group and at least one exercise group. RCTs assessed cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) changes resulting from exercise interventions and reported exercise intensity, risk ratio, and confidence intervals (CIs). The primary outcome was CRF (VO₂peak or VO₂ at anaerobic threshold). Two hundred and twenty-one studies were found from the initial search (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus). Following inclusion criteria, 16 RCTs were considered. Meta-regression analyses revealed that VO₂peak significantly increased in all intensity categories. Moderate-intensity interventions were associated with a moderate increase in relative VO₂peak (SMD = 0.71 mL-kg⁻¹-min⁻¹; 95% CI = [0.27–1.15]; p = 0.001) with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 45%). Moderate-to-vigorous-intensity and vigorous-intensity interventions were associated with a large increase in relative VO₂peak (SMD = 1.84 mL-kg⁻¹-min⁻¹; 95% CI = [1.18–2.50], p < 0.001 and SMD = 1.80 mL-kg⁻¹-min⁻¹; 95% CI = [0.82–2.78] p = 0.001, respectively), and were also highly heterogeneous with I² values of 91% and 95% (p < 0.001), respectively. Moderate-to-vigorous and vigorous-intensity interventions, conducted for 6–12 weeks, were more effective at improving CVD patients’ CRF.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the effect of cardiac rehabilitation programs on the health-related quality of life of patients after a coronary cardiac event using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for up to 6 months of evaluation. Methods: A comprehensive search was carried out in the MEDLINE, CINAHL, CENTRAL, and Web of Science databases for randomized controlled trials comparing the cardiac rehabilitation program with usual care. Two independent reviewers assessed the studies for inclusion, risk of bias using the Cochrane tool, and quality of evidence through the GRADE system. A meta-analysis was performed on studies assessing health-related quality of life with the SF-12 (Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary) up to 6 months after the program. Results: Twelve studies encompassed 2260 patients who participated in a cardiac rehabilitation program after a coronary event, with a mean age of 60.06 years. The generic PROMs used to assess quality of life were the SF-12, SF-36, EQ-5D-3L, EQ-5D-5L, and GHQ, and the specific coronary heart disease PROMs were MacNew and HeartQoL. There was a positive effect of participation in cardiac rehabilitation on the physical component of health-related quality of life at 6 months (MD [7.02]; p = 0.04] and on the mental component (MD [1.06]; p = 0.82) after applying the SF-12. Conclusions: This study highlights the significant benefits of cardiac rehabilitation programs on health-related quality of life, particularly in the physical domain at 6 months. Assessing outcomes over time through PROMs after coronary heart events is essential, thus making it possible to personalize patients’ care and improve their health status.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death globally. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs’ benefits are overall consensual; however, during exercise, progressive physiological effects have not been studied yet in cardiac patients. Our study aims to analyze physiological parameters of thermography, heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure, central nervous system (CNS) fatigue, and cortical arousal in heart attack patients (HAP) who belong to CR programs of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Moderate-intensity Continuous Training (MICT) compared to healthy participants. In this case control study, two HAP patients (both male, age 35 and 48, respectively) and two healthy people (both male, age 38 and 46, respectively) were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1:1 allocation ratio to one of four groups: cardiac MICT, cardiac HIIT, control MICT, and control HIIT. The HIIT at ≈85–95% of peak heart rate (HR) was followed by a one-minute recovery interval at 40% peakHR, and MICT at ≈70–75% of peakHR. Outcome measurements included thermography, HRV, blood pressure, CNS fatigue, and cortical arousal; The HAP presents more than twice the CNS fatigue in MICT than control participants, but HIIT has almost the same CNS fatigue in HAP and control. In addition, both of the HAP groups presented higher temperatures in the chest. The HIIT protocol showed better physiological responses during exercise, compared to MICT in HAP.

Studies have shown that the higher the aerobic capacity, the lower the risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. In the case of cardiac patients, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) seems to be more effective than moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in improving aerobic capacity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two community-based exercise programs using two short-term protocols (HIIT and MICT) on physical fitness and physical activity (PA) levels in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Methods. In this randomized controlled trial, body composition, aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and daily PA levels were assessed before and after 6 weeks of intervention in 69 patients diagnosed with CAD. All patients were randomly (1:1:1) assigned to two exercise groups (HIIT or MICT) or a control group (no exercise). Both training programs consisted of 6 weeks of supervised treadmill exercise, three sessions per week. MICT targeted 70-75 of peak heart rate (HR), while HIIT aimed for 85-95 of peak HR. The control group only followed the medical recommendations. Results. Community-based exercise programs showed more positive effects on physical fitness variables and physical activity levels compared to control. HIIT could significantly improve waist circumference, body fat mass, VO₂peak, sedentary behavior, and moderate-to-vigorous PA compared to MICT. Moreover, the control group showed poorer results. Conclusion. HIIT can improve health outcomes more positively than MICT and control. These findings indicate that HIIT may be an alternative and effective training method in community-based exercise programs for CAD patients. This trial is registered with NCT03538119.