High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is considered one of the most effective methods for improving cardiorespiratory and metabolic functions. However, it is necessary to clarify their effects on neurophysiological responses and coginitive functioning. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effects of an acute bout of HIIT on neurocognitive and stress-related biomarkers and their association with working memory (WM) capacity in healthy young adults. Twenty-five male college students performed a single bout of HIIT consisting of 10 × 1 min of cycling at their VO₂ peak power output. Plasma Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and cortisol (CORT) levels, and WM (Digit Span Test (DST)), were assessed pre-, post- and 30 min post-intervention. Significant post-exercise increases in circulating BDNF and CORT levels were observed coinciding with the highest DST performance; however, no statistical associations were found between cognitive and neurophysiological variables. Moreover, DST scores obtained 30 min after exercise remained higher than those assessed at pre-exercise. In conclusion, the stress induced by a single bout of HIIT induces a remarkable response of BDNF and CORT boosting WM capacity in healthy young males. Future research should clarify the association between cognitive and neurobiological markers during intense exercise stimulation.

This pilot study, conducted in advance of a future definitive randomized controlled trial, aimed to investigate the feasibility of using a HIIT-based intervention to induce neurophysiological stress responses that could be associated with possible changes in mood. Twenty-five active male college students with an average age of 21.7 ± 2.1 years, weight 72.6 ± 8.4 kg, height 177 ± 6.1 cm, and BMI: 23.1 ± 1.4 kg/m² took part in this quasi-experimental pilot study in which they were evaluated in two different sessions. In the first session, subjects performed a graded exercise test to determine the cycling power output corresponding to VO_2peak. The second session consisted of (a) pre-intervention assessment (collection of blood samples for measuring plasma corticotropin and cortisol levels, and application of POMS questionnaire to evaluate mood states); (b) exercise intervention (10 × 1-min of cycling at VO_2peak power output); (c) post-intervention assessment, and (d) 30-min post-intervention evaluation. Significant post-exercise increases in corticotropin and cortisol plasma levels were observed whereas mood states decreased significantly at this assessment time-point. However, a significant increase in mood was found 30-min after exercise. Finally, significant relationships between increases in stress hormones concentrations and changes in mood states after intense exercise were observed. In conclusion, our HIIT-based intervention was feasible to deliver and acceptable to participants. A single bout of HIIT induced acute changes in mood states that seems to be associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation.

Padel is becoming one of the most widespread racket sports that may have potential health benefits. Considering that several myokines mediate the cross-talk between skeletal muscles and the brain, exerting positive effects on brain health status, this study was designed to evaluate the responses of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and irisin (IR) to padel competition in trained players and to determine whether these responses were sex-dependent. Twenty-four trained padel players (14 women and 10 men with a mean age of 27.8 ± 6.3 years) participated voluntarily in this study. Circulating levels of BDNF, LIF, and IR were assessed before and after simulated padel competition (real playing time, 27.8 ± 8.49 min; relative intensity, 75.2 ± 7.9% maximum heart rate). Except for BDNF responses observed in female players (increasing from 1531.12 ± 269.09 to 1768.56 ± 410.75 ng/mL), no significant changes in LIF and IR concentrations were reported after padel competition. In addition, no sex-related differences were found. Moreover, significant associations between IR and BDNF were established at both pre- and post-competition. Our results suggest that while competitive padel practice stimulates BDNF response in female players, padel competition failed to boost the release of LIF and IR. Future studies are needed to further explore the role of these exercise-induced myokines in the regulation of brain functions and to identify the field sports that can contribute to myokine-mediated muscle–brain crosstalk.

Looking for useful and motivational strategies for promoting healthy habits and improving cognitive functioning in young populations, the aim of the present study was to determine if a single bout of high-intensity interval exercise could stimulate mood and working memory in college students. A total of 25 male subjects (mean ± SD, age: 21.7 ± 2.1 years; height: 1.77 ± 0.06 m; weight: 72.6 ± 8.4 kg; body mass index: 23.1 ± 1.4 kg/m²; VO_2peak: 47.1 ± 9.3 mL/kg/min) participated voluntarily in this study. Participants underwent a high-intensity interval exercise consisting of 10 × 1 min of cycling at VO_2peak power output. The Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire and Digit Span Test (DST) were administered at three assessment time points: (a) pre-intervention assessment, (b) post-intervention assessment, and (c) 30 min post-intervention. The mood states decreased significantly after exercise; however, a significant increase in mood was found after 30 min of recovery. A significant post-exercise increase in DST performance was observed; moreover, DST scores obtained 30 min after exercise remained higher than those assessed pre-exercise. In conclusion, a single bout of HIIT induces acute positive changes in mood states in male college students and seems to be a powerful stimulus for cognitive functioning.

El objetivo del presente estudio fue contrastar los efectos de dos tipos de fatiga, local y general, sobre la propiocepción de la rodilla. 22 jugadores semi-profesionales de fútbol, fueron evaluados en un dinamómetro isocinético antes y después de realizar esfuerzos que indujeron fatiga muscular local así como fatiga general. Dicha evaluación se basó en la prueba de reposicionamiento angular activo de la rodilla, registrando las desviaciones absolutas y relativas respecto al ángulo diana (30º de flexión). La inducción de ambos tipos de fatiga consiguió alterar de forma significativa la capacidad propioceptiva de los sujetos tras valorar únicamente el error absoluto, si bien no se observaron diferencias significativas en su contraste. En conclusión, e independientemente de su tipología, la fatiga inducida a estos futbolistas parece influir sobre la propiocepción de sus rodillas, aunque este efecto está condicionado por el tipo de error angular que se considere.

Objective: Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction Training (LLBFRT) is an emerging approach in order to increase muscle endurance and muscle volume, as well as decrease pain in the early rehabilitation phase. The purpose of this review was to analyze the published literature on the effects of this intervention on musculoskeletal postsurgical rehabilitation. Methods: Six electronic databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, SCOPUS, CINAHL, and Web of Science) were searched from 2004 to 2024. Articles including adults who underwent any type of musculoskeletal surgery were screened. The Risk of Bias and Quality of Evidence were assessed using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Tool (RoB 2) and GRADE-CERQual scale. A meta-analysis was performed on the identified studies using RevMan version 5.4. The analysis model was synthesized as a random effects model, and the standard mean difference (SMD) was used as the effect measure. Results: Thirteen articles fulfilled the selection criteria and were included in this review. Muscle strength, muscle volume, and perceived pain had positive results in almost all studies; however, the meta-analysis reported a lack of overall effect in favor of LLLBFRT vs. control interventions in both lower and upper limb evaluations. Conclusions: Although some studies indicate positive effects of LLBFRT on strength, muscle size, and pain perception in operated lower and upper limbs, these results must be interpreted carefully since the overall effects are unclear. Nonetheless, the selected studies did not report discomfort claims; therefore, the LLBFRT could be a safe recovery strategy to use when rehabilitation programs need to gain variety.