Diathermy techniques embody an oscillating electrical current passaging through the body tissues generating therapeutic heat; use of this technique in the physiotherapy field has been introduced recently, and because there is scarce information, the following review is proposed, aiming to explore the available evidence on applying CRET in physiotherapy clinical practice and sports. A systematic search was led through a keyword search on PubMed, MedLine, DialNet, Scopus, PEDro, Web of Science and Clinicaltrials databases. Including randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies, which applied radiofrequency diathermy in sports and physiotherapy fields, without any restrictions on dates, published in Spanish, English, Portuguese or Italian. Data extraction was conducted through the Cochrane data extraction form and presented in tabular format; 30 articles were included for analysis, and assessment of methodological quality was made through the PEDro scale with a “Good/Fair” general quality score. The nature of existing articles does not allow a quantitative analysis. Conclusion: identified fields of applications were musculoskeletal physiotherapy, treatment of pelvic floor and sexual dysfunctions, as well as dermato-functional physiotherapy and sports, evidencing an increase of skin temperature, enhanced skin and muscle blood perfusion, as well as reporting an increase in oxyhaemoglobin. Further research is needed. Prospero registration number: CRD42020215592.

Background: the aim of this study was to analyse muscle fatigue and metabolic stress at 15 min of recovery after performing two independent sessions of functional fitness training (FFT): a session of strength functional fitness training (FFTstrength) and a session of endurance functional fitness training (FFTendurance). Methods: eighteen well-trained men conducted two protocols, separated by one week of rest: FFTstrength (3 sets of 21, 15 and 9 repetitions of Thruster with bar + Pull ups) and FFTendurance (3 sets × (30 kcal rowing + 15 kcal assault air bike)). Neuromuscular fatigue and metabolic stress were measured right before, right after and at 10 and 15 min after completing the FFT workout, as well as the mean heart rate (HRmean) and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) at the end of the FFT. Results: FFTendurance recovered the velocity loss values after 15 min of recovery. On the other hand, FFTstrength only recovered velocity in the 1 m·s⁻¹ Tests in squat (SQ), since the velocity levels were 7% lower in the 1 m·s⁻¹ Tests in military press exercise (MP) after 15 min. Conclusions: These data indicate that there are specific recovery patterns not only as a function of the exercise and the body regions involved, but also regarding the recovery of neuromuscular and metabolic factors, since both FFT workouts obtained high blood lactate concentrations.

Background: Cancer treatments often reduce quality of life (QoL), and non-pharmacological options are limited. Supervised exercise shows promise, but its effectiveness across exercise types and patient subgroups is unclear. Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of supervised exercise on QoL in breast and prostate cancer patients, considering exercise type, duration, and patient characteristics. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis including 26 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and approximately 3500 participants was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Web of Science, PEDro, SciELO, Cochrane, and Scopus were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2014 and 2024. Eligible studies involved adults with breast or prostate cancer undergoing supervised exercise versus usual care or unsupervised activity. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool, methodological quality with the PEDro scale, and certainty of evidence using the GRADE approach. Results: Supervised exercise was associated with significant improvements in QoL (SMD = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.22–0.70; p < 0.001), with considerable heterogeneity (I² = 91.5%). Combined programs had the greatest effect (SMD = 0.77), followed by high-intensity interval training (HIIT) (SMD = 0.30). Shorter interventions (≤12 weeks) yielded larger improvements. Effects were more consistent in women with breast cancer. Overall, the certainty of the evidence was low. Conclusions: Supervised therapeutic exercise is associated with significant improvements in QoL in breast and prostate cancer patients. Combined and well-structured programs, particularly of short duration, appear especially beneficial. These findings support the integration of supervised exercise into standard oncological care. Further research should explore long-term sustainability and optimize interventions for specific patient profiles.

Background: One of the most significant challenges for exercise professionals in designing strength training programs is determining the intensity or effort level of each set performed. One of the most studied methodologies has been the use of Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scales. This study aims to analyze the application of the OMNI-RES scale for monitoring training intensity across different relative loads and fatigue levels in various training protocols. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants completed nine exercise sessions, with one week separating each session. The first session involved a one-repetition maximum (1RM) test in the bench press (BP) to identify the load–velocity relationship. Subsequently, each participant randomly performed two maximum repetition (MNR) protocols at 60% and 90% of 1RM, and two protocols with a 30% velocity loss (VL) at 60% of 1RM and a 10% VL at 90% of 1RM. These sessions were repeated one week later. Results: significant differences were found between the four bench press protocols regarding the number of repetitions and the percentage of velocity loss per set (p < 0.001). However, the RPE of the MNR protocol at 60% of 1RM was significantly higher than the other protocols. Moreover, the RPE for the protocol at 60% of 1RM with a 30% VL was similar to that at 90% of 1RM with a 10% VL (p = 1.000). Post-exercise blood lactate concentrations, percentage VL at 1 m·s⁻¹, and the effort index were significantly higher in the MNR protocol at 60% of 1RM compared to all other protocols (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The most important finding of this study is that the OMNI-RES scale may not be a reliable indicator of exercise intensity. This is because the highest values on the scale were observed at the lowest relative intensity (60% 1RM) during the maximum number of repetitions (MNR) protocol, corresponding to the maximum volume.

Background: The aims of this study were to analyse the effect of creatine supplementation on the performance improvement in a bench pressing (BP) strength test of muscle failure and to evaluate muscle fatigue and metabolic stress 20 min after the exercise. Methods: Fifty young and healthy individuals were randomly assigned to a creatine group (n = 25) or a placebo group (n = 25). Three exercise sessions were carried out, with one week of rest between them. In the first week, a progressive load BP test was performed until the individuals reached the one repetition maximum (1RM) in order to for us obtain the load-to-velocity ratio of each participant. In the second week, the participants conducted a three-set BP exercise protocol against 70% 1RM, where they performed the maximum number of repetitions (MNR) until muscle failure occurred, with two minutes of rest between the sets. After one week, and following a supplementation period of 7 days, where half of the participants consumed 0.3 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹ of creatine monohydrate (CR) and the other half consumed 0.3 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹ of placebo (PLA, maltodextrin), the protocol from the second week was repeated. After each set, and up to 20 min after finishing the exercise, the blood lactate concentrations and mean propulsive velocity (MPV) at 1 m·s⁻¹ were measured. Results: The CR group performed a significantly higher number of repetitions in Set 1 (CR = 14.8 repetitions, PLA = 13.6 repetitions, p = 0.006) and Set 2 (CR = 8 repetitions, PLA = 6.7 repetitions, p = 0.006) after supplementation, whereas no significant differences were seen in Set 3 (CR = 5.3 repetitions, PLA = 4.7 repetitions, p = 0.176). However, there was a significant increase in blood lactate at minute 10 (p = 0.003), minute 15 (p = 0.020), and minute 20 (p = 0.015) after the exercise in the post-supplementation period. Similarly, a significant increase was observed in the MPV at 1 m·s⁻¹ in the CR group with respect to the PLA group at 10, 15, and 20 min after the exercise. Conclusions: Although the creatine supplementation improved the performance in the strength test of muscle failure, the metabolic stress and muscle fatigue values were greater during the 20 min of recovery.