Background: Given the beneficial effects of exercise in different populations and the close relationship between healthy ageing and sleep quality, our objective was to determine if physical exercise delivered through a structured program improves sleep quality in older adults. Methods: Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Register of Clinical Trials (CENTRAL) were searched to 15 January 2023. Studies that applied physical exercise programs in older adults were reviewed. Two independent reviewers analysed the studies, extracted the data, and assessed the quality of evidence. Results: Of the 2599 reports returned by the initial search, 13 articles reporting on 2612 patients were included in the data synthesis. The articles used interventions based on yoga (n = 5), multicomponent exercise (n = 3), walking (n = 2), cycling (n = 1), pilates (n = 1), elastic bands (n = 1), and healthy beat acupunch (n = 1). In the intervention group, we found significant improvement in Pittsburgh sleep quality index of −2.49 points (95% CI −3.84 to −1.14) in comparison to the control group (p = 0.0003) and sleep efficiency measured with objective instruments (MD 1.18%, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.50%, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Our results found that physical exercise programs in older adults improve sleep quality and efficiency measured with objective instruments.

Aim: To determine reference values and propose prediction equations for respiratory muscle strength, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and endurance by means of maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) in healthy Brazilian adults. Methods: Anthropometric data, level of physical activity, pulmonary function, and respiratory muscle strength and maximal voluntary ventilation of 243 participants (111 men and 132 women) aged 20 to 80 years were assessed at three cities in the southeast and northeast region of Brazil. Results: Mean maximal respiratory pressures and MVV were higher in men (MIP = 111.0 ± 28.0; MEP = 149.6 ± 40.3; MVV = 150.6 ± 35.2) than in women (MIP = 87.9 ± 17.6; MEP = 106.7 ± 25.2; MVV = 103.4 ± 23.2; all p < 0.05). Based on regression models, the following prediction equations were proposed for men: MIP = 137–0.57 (age), R² = 0.13, standard error of estimate (SEE) = 26.11; MEP = 179.9–0.67 x (age), R² = 0.08, SEE = 38.54; and MVV = 206.3–1.18 x (age), R² = 0.36, SEE = 28.08. Prediction equations were also proposed for women: MIP = 107.3–0.4 x (age), R² = 0.16, SEE = 16.10; MEP = 127.4–0.43 x (age), R² = 0.08, SEE = 24.09; and MVV = 146.3–0.86 x (age), R² = 0.42, SEE = 17.56. Conclusion: Reference values for MIP, MEP, and MVV were determined in healthy Brazilian adults. Results from different Brazilian regions provided adequate prediction equations considering an ethnically heterogeneous population.

Introduction: The one-minute sit to stand test (1min-STST) is a field test used to assess functional capacity. It is easily implementable and of significant clinical utility; however, no reference values are currently available for the Chilean population. The objective of this study was to establish reference values for the 1min-STST in a healthy Chilean population. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study involving data collection from six locations in Chile was conducted. Healthy adults between 18 and 80 years of age were recruited. The anthropometric variables, levels of physical activity, smoking status, Borg scale ratings, and number of repetitions during the 1min-STST were recorded. Reference values were determined according to sex and age range. Results: Four hundred ninety-nine healthy subjects (57.5% women, n = 287; median height, 1.63 (0.14) m; weight, 72.8 (20) kg; average BMI, 27.3 ± 4.1 kg/m²) were included in the study. The median (and the lower limit of normality (LLN) values) for the 1min-STST in men ranged from 18–29 years, with 38 (LLN 27) repetitions and 23 (LLN 15) repetitions for 70–80 years. For women aged 18–29 years, 38 (LLN 28) repetitions were performed, and for women aged 70–80 years, 24 (LLN 17) repetitions were performed. Conclusions: This study established reference values for the healthy adult Chilean population.

Background/Objectives: Telemedicine has emerged as a valuable tool for overcoming access barriers in healthcare, particularly in rehabilitation. However, the validity and reliability of remotely conducted physical capacity assessments remain unclear. This study evaluated the agreement and intra-rater reliability between in-person and tele-assessment administration of the one-minute sit-to-stand test (1 min-STST) in individuals with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, forty adults (55% female; mean age 59.8 ± 15.9 years) diagnosed with CRDs—including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (52.5%), asthma (20%), and pulmonary fibrosis (20%)—completed the 1 min-STST in two conditions: in person and via tele-assessment. The primary outcome was the number of repetitions completed in each condition. Intra-rater reliability was analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and agreement between methods was evaluated with Bland–Altman analysis. Results: The mean number of repetitions was 24.4 ± 8.0 in person and 24.3 ± 8.1 via tele-assessment, with no significant difference (p = 0.78). Excellent reliability was observed (ICC = 0.978, p < 0.001), and Bland–Altman analysis showed good agreement with a mean difference of 0.08 ± 1.7 repetitions and limits of agreement from −3.26 to 3.41. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Tele-assessment of the 1 min-STST shows excellent agreement and reliability compared to in-person assessment in individuals with CRDs. These findings support tele-assessment as a valid and practical alternative for evaluating functional capacity remotely. Further research is needed to confirm its implementation in home-based or less-controlled settings.

Introduction: Sniff nasal inspiratory (SNIP) and expiratory pressure (SNEP) may complement the assessment of respiratory muscle strength. Thus, specifying their reliability is relevant to improving the clinical consistency of both tests. Objective: To assess the reliability of SNIP and SNEP in healthy young adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study included self-reported healthy aged 18 to 29 years. SNIP was performed using a plug to occlude one nostril, while SNEP was conducted using a facemask. Participants performed 20 SNIP and SNEP maneuvers with 30-second intervals in between. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimum detectable change (MDC) assessed the reliability of SNIP and SNEP. Analyses were conducted between the highest peak pressure and the first reproducible maneuver in men and women. Results: The total sample comprised 32 participants: 16 men and 16 women. The ICC, SEM, and MDC for SNIP maneuvers were 0.994 (95%CI 0.988 to 0.997), 1.820 cmH₂O, and 5.043 cmH₂O, respectively. For SNEP, these parameters were 0.950 (95%CI 0.897 to 0.976), 6.03 cmH₂O, and 16.716 cmH₂O. The SNIP and SNEP in men showed ICC of 0.992 (95%CI 0.977 to 0.997) and 0.877 (95%CI 0.648 to 0.957), SEM of 2.07 and 7.66 cmH₂O, and MDC of 5.74 and 21.23 cmH₂O. In women, SNIP and SNEP presented ICC of 0.992 (95%CI 0.977 to 0.997) and 0.957 (95%CI 0.878 to 0.985), SEM of 1.15 and 6.11 cmH₂O, and MDC of 3.19 and 16.95 cmH₂O. Also, 60% of the highest SNIPs occurred among the 11th and 20th maneuvers in men and women. In men, 55% of the highest SNEPs occurred among the 11th and 20th maneuvers; this value was 50% in women. Conclusion: SNIP and SNEP showed excellent reliability. The reliability of SNIP and SNEP in men was good and excellent, respectively, whereas both tests had excellent reliability in women. Also, women reached the highest peak pressure faster than men in both tests.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the functional capacity of post-COVID-19 patients with a control group and analyze cardiac hemodynamics and muscle tissue oxygenation responses during assessment protocols in both groups. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving patients with COVID-19 and a control group who were all aged ≥18 years. Participants underwent two functional capacity tests: the one-minute sit–stand test (1-STS) and the six-minute walk test (6MWT). Cardiac hemodynamic responses were evaluated using impedance during the 1-STS, and tissue perfusion responses in the oxygenation were recorded during and after both tests. The Friedman test was used for within-group and the Mann–Whitney test was used for between-group comparisons. Results: Thirty-six post-COVID-19 patients (median age 36 years, BMI 26.51 kg/m²) and eleven control subjects (median age 25 years, BMI 23.71 kg/m²) were enrolled. The post-COVID-19 group showed a 20% decrease in 6MWT distance (p = 0.0001) and a 28% decrease in 1-STS repetitions (p = 0.01) versus the control group. Cardiac hemodynamic differences were observed in the post-COVID-19 group during the 1-STS, with reductions in the stroke volume index (18%, p = 0.004), cardiac index (21%, p = 0.0009), Contractility Index (78%, p = 0.0001), and Ejection Fraction (29%, p = 0.0003) and increases in Systemic Vascular Resistance (25%, p = 0.03) and the Systemic Vascular Resistance Index (27%, p = 0.0007). Tissue oxygenation during the 6MWT and 1-STS showed no significant differences between groups. Conclusions: The post-COVID-19 subjects exhibited a reduction in functional capacity, changes in hemodynamic responses related to cardiac and systemic vascular resistance, and a similar pattern of muscle oxygen delivery and consumption in both tests