Improving athletes’ performance is a major topic of interest in studies on competitive sports. Core training has been used as a training method in daily life and rehabilitation, and recently, in competitive sports, with positive results. Previous experimental studies showed that core training can improve the fitness level of athletes (e.g., balance, core stability, etc.), but offer no consistent conclusions on whether it can improve sport-specific performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of core training on the sport-specific performance of athletes through a meta-analysis. Relevant studies on randomized controlled trials were selected, and we calculated the effect size using standardized mean difference values and the random effects model. Results showed that core training had almost no effect on athletes’ power and speed, while agility showed a medium effect size but no statistical significance. On the other hand, there was a large effect on general athletic performance, such as core endurance and balance. Consequently, core training had a great effect on the core endurance and balance of athletes, but little effect on sport-specific performance. This result implies that more elaborate core training programs should be designed to improve the sport-specific performance of athletes.

We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of multidomain intervention (MI) tailored to the Korean context. In an outcome assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial, participants without dementia and with one or more modifiable dementia risk factors, aged 60-79 years, were randomly assigned to the facility-based MI (FMI; n=51), the home-based MI (HMI; n=51), or the control group receiving general health advice (n=50). The 24-week intervention comprised vascular risk management, cognitive training, social activity, physical exercise, nutrition guidance, and motivational enhancement. The FMI participants performed all intervention programs at a facility three times a week. The HMI participants performed some programs at a facility once every 1-2 weeks and performed others at home. The primary outcome was feasibility measured through retention, adherence, and at least no differences from the control group in the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). In the FMI and HMI groups, the retention rates were 88.2% and 96.1%, and adherence to the intervention was 94.5% and 96.8%, respectively. The RBANS total scale index score improved significantly in the FMI (5.46 ± 7.50, P = 0.004) and HMI (5.50 ± 8.14, P = 0.004) groups compared to the control group (-0.74 ± 11.51). The FMI and HMI are feasible and there are indicators of efficacy.

Park HK, et al. J Clin Neurol. 2020 Apr;16(2):292-303. https://doi.org/10.3988/jcn.2020.16.2.292

This study aimed to systematically evaluate the dose-response relationships between physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior(SB) (including near work [NW] and screen time [ST]), sleep duration (SD), and myopia risk among children and adolescents. Systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science up to November 19, 2024. Methodological quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and ROBINS-I tools. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to estimate categorical and continuous dose-response relationships. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were performed to explore heterogeneity sources and test robustness. A total of 45 observational studies (766,848 participants aged 5–19 years) were included. Categorical analyses showed that, compared with the lowest exposure categories, higher PA levels (highest: OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.63–0.96; intermediate: OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.63–0.93) and longer SD (highest: OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.48–0.92; intermediate: OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.73–0.92) significantly reduced myopia risk. Conversely, higher levels of NW (highest: OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.28–2.27; intermediate: OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.19–1.50) and ST (highest: OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.14–2.22; intermediate: OR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.12–1.49) were associated with significantly increased risk. In the continuous dose-response meta-analysis, a linear association was observed between PA, ST, and myopia. Each additional hour of PA per day reduced the risk of myopia by 12%, while each additional hour of ST increased the risk by 31%. Nonlinear associations were found between NW, SD, and myopia. Among children and adolescents, 1.5 and 2.5 h/day of NW increased the risk of myopia by 25% and 29%, respectively. Although longer SD was associated with a reduced risk of myopia, this effect did not reach statistical significance at any exposure level.Subgroup analyses revealed that protective effects of PA were more evident in low- and middle-income countries, smaller sample sizes, and cross-sectional studies, while increased risks related to ST and NW were stronger in low-income settings. No subgroup significantly modified the association between SD and myopia risk. Increasing PA, while limiting ST and NW, effectively reduces the risk of myopia among children and adolescents. The association between sleep duration and myopia remains inconclusive, warranting further investigation.

Values are mean (SD).

This study evaluates the comprehensive impact of different exercise interventions on the quality of life in stroke patients through network meta-analysis, aiming to provide scientific evidence for developing more effective rehabilitation programs and improving patients’ physical, psychological, and social functions. This systematic review, registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024541517) and following PRISMA guidelines, searched multiple databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EMbase, Cochrane, Ebsco) until November 1, 2024. Studies were selected based on the PICOS criteria, including RCTs on stroke and exercise. Methodological quality was assessed using RoB 2. Data analysis involved effect size calculations and network meta-analysis in Stata 17.0, with publication bias detected via funnel plots. This meta-analysis included 41 studies (2,578 stroke patients) from 15 countries, published between 2002 and 2024. Participants aged 50–70 underwent interventions lasting 3 weeks to 6 months. DTOT (Dual-task oriented training)was most effective for Quality of Life, Mental Health, and Upper Limb Function; AQE (Aquatic Exercise) for Physical Health and Social Participation; ST(Strength Training) for Pain and Vitality; CIT(Constraint-Induced Therapy) for Mobility and Recovery; BCT for Memory and Thinking; ALCE(Aquatic and Land Combined Exercise) for Emotion and ADL; and ULT(Upper Limb Training) for Communication. No significant publication bias was found. This study indicates that different training methods have a significant impact on various dimensions of quality of life in stroke patients. Future research should focus on personalized rehabilitation programs, considering individual differences among patients, and explore multimodal integrated interventions to optimize outcomes. Long-term follow-up and outcome assessments should be strengthened to ensure the sustainability of interventions. Additionally, integrating mental health and social participation is essential to enhance overall quality of life. Emerging technologies such as VR, AI, and wearable devices can help optimize rehabilitation training. Interdisciplinary collaboration combining neuroscience, rehabilitation science, and psychology can provide more comprehensive rehabilitation solutions.