Background: Sarcopenia is defined as a loss of muscle mass, strength, and physical function associated with aging. It is due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and physiological factors. It is also associated with an increased risk of health problems. Since there are many different researchers in the field, with their own algorithms and cut-off points, there is no single criterion for diagnosis. This review aims to compare the prevalence of sarcopenia according to these different diagnostic criteria in older adult populations by age group and sex. Methods: Different databases were searched: Web of Science, Pubmed, Dialnet, Scopus, and Cochrane. The keywords used were “sarcopenia”, “diagnosis”, “prevalence”, “assessment”, “aged”, “aging” and “older”. Studies conducted in a population aged ≥65 assessing the prevalence of sarcopenia were selected. Results: Nineteen articles met the inclusion criteria, with a total of 33,515 subjects, 38.08% female and 61.42% male, at a mean age of 74.52. The diagnostic algorithms used were 52.63% AWGS2, 21.05% EWGSOP2, 10.53% AWGS1 and EWGS1, and 5.26% FNIH. Prevalence ranged from 1.7% to 37.47%, but was higher in males and increased with age. Conclusions: The prevalence of sarcopenia varies depending on the diagnostic algorithm used, but it increases with age and is higher in men. The EWGSOP2 and AWGS2 are the most used diagnostic criteria and measure the same variables but have different cut-off points. Of these two diagnostic algorithms, the one with the highest prevalence of sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia is the AWGS2. These differences may be due to the use of different tools and cut-off points. Therefore, a universal diagnostic criterion should be developed to allow early diagnosis of sarcopenia.

Introduction: In recent years, the vegetarian diet has increased in popularity among athletes. The aim of this review is to ascertain the differences in variables related to performance, nutritional intake, and health in athletes according to whether they are omnivores or vegetarians. Methodology: A literature search was carried out in different databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Dialnet, and Cochrane. The keywords used were “vegetarian diet”, “vegan diet”, “exercise”, “sport”, and “performance”. After applying different inclusion criteria, six studies were included in the review. Results: No significant differences were obtained in variables related to physical performance (adherence exercise, Vo2Máx, muscle power, and sprint test) or health (body composition, psychological well-being, and social relationships), but dietary intake was significantly higher in carbohydrates and lower in proteins in vegetarian athletes (p < 0.05). Conclusions: It cannot be affirmed that vegetarian subjects have a higher sports performance, for which more research should be carried out.

Background: Breast and prostate cancer represent a significant global public health burden. Among the adverse effects of oncological treatments, fatigue is one of the most prevalent, persistent, and disabling symptoms. Therapeutic exercise has been shown to be effective for its management, with supervision identified as a key factor that may enhance adherence, safety, and intensity control. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of supervised exercise programs versus usual care on cancer-related fatigue in patients with breast or prostate cancer. Methods: A systematic search (September–December 2024) was conducted in six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, PEDro, Scielo), selecting RCTs from the past 10 years in English or Spanish. Studies compared supervised exercise with unsupervised exercise or usual care in stage I–III breast or prostate cancer patients within five years post-treatment. Methodological quality was assessed with the PEDro scale and risk of bias with Cochrane’s RoB 2.0. A random-effects model was used to calculate pooled effect sizes (ES, 95% CI), with heterogeneity (I²), sensitivity, subgroup, and publication bias analyses. Results: A total of 25 interventions from 19 randomized controlled trials involving over 2200 participants were included. Supervised exercise significantly reduced cancer-related fatigue compared to usual care (effect size = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.22–0.47; p < 0.001; I² = 56%). Sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of the findings. Subgroup analyses revealed greater effects in combined exercise programs, in men, and in patients with prostate cancer. No evidence of publication bias was observed. While 73.7% of studies were rated as having good methodological quality, the risk of bias was often unclear or high. Conclusions: Supervised therapeutic exercise programs are effective and safe for reducing fatigue in breast and prostate cancer survivors. These interventions should be incorporated into comprehensive care plans, with individualization based on patients’ clinical and demographic characteristics. Further research is needed to identify the most effective and sustainable strategies for different patient subgroups.

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) causes widespread pain, fatigue, and cognitive abnormalities. Cervical pain is a common and debilitating symptom. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) as a treatment for chronic cervical pain experienced by patients with FM. Methods: A single-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted. A total of 56 women were randomly assigned to 3 groups: G1 (VR+cervical mobility exercises), G2 (cervical mobility exercises), and the control group. Therapy was administered twice a week for 4 weeks. Variables such as disease impact, quality of life, kinesiophobia, pain, range of motion, fatigue, and treatment adherence were measured. Results: The mean age of the participants was 54.26 (SD 7.7) years. Participants were overweight, with a mean BMI of 28.7 (SD 7.8). The mean visual analog scale value was 6.72 (SD 1.8). The baseline values for age, BMI, visual analog scale, algometric measures, and functional capacity (measured using the Timed Up and Go test, cervical rotation, and lateral displacement) were similar across the 3 groups. Following the intervention therapy, the control group did not exhibit notable improvement (mean 3.5, SD 1.4; differences of mean values –0.46, 95% CI –1.1 to 0.2; P =.15), particularly in pain perception, while both therapy groups did show improvements (G1: mean 3.8, SD 1.1; differences of mean values 1.2, 95% CI 0.78-1.54; P <.001; G2: mean 2.8, SD 1.8; differences of mean values 1.2, 95% CI 0.66-1.7; P <.001). Both intervention groups improved significantly compared to control postintervention in FM impact (CG vs G1: differences of mean values 9.31, 95% CI 14.7-3.8; P <.001; CG vs G2: differences of mean values 8.4, 95% CI 13.84-3.06; P <.001), central sensitization (CG vs G2: differences of mean values 7.53, 95% CI 12.12-2.95; P <.001), and cervical disability (CG vs G2: differences of mean values 6.44, 95% CI 9.93-2.94; P <.001). However, at 1 month, only G1 maintained superior improvements across all measures, including a reduction in kinesiophobia (G2: differences of mean values 6.2, 95% CI 4.7-9.8; P <.001), indicating a more sustained effect of the combined approach. Conclusions: The combination of VR with cervical mobility and strengthening exercises produced superior and sustained improvements in women with FM compared to exercise alone or control. Significant benefits were observed in disease impact, central sensitization, cervical disability, and kinesiophobia, with effects maintained at 1 month only in the VR group. These findings support VR as an effective adjunct to enhance symptom management and treatment adherence in FM.

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a condition characterised by chronic pain, which may or may not be associated with muscular stiffness. Sarcopenia is the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength. The loss of muscle mass is a key factor in the progression of both fibromyalgia and sarcopenia and therefore warrants thorough evaluation. It has been demonstrated that obesity directly influences factors that increase pain perception and disease severity and reduce quality of life. The primary objective of this study was to examine the association between fibromyalgia and the increased risk of developing sarcopenia. Methods: The sample consisted of 84 patients diagnosed with FM. We assessed sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric variables (circumferential and ultrasound) pain with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and algometry, risk of developing sarcopenia with SARC-F, quality of sleep, anxiety, and depression using validated questionnaires. Results: A total of 96.3% of the participants were women. Overall, 56.3% of the sample presented a high risk of sarcopenia according to SARC-F, VAS scores showed significant negative correlations with anxiety (p < 0.01) and with almost all algometric measures (p < 0.05). The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) demonstrated a positive and significant correlation with sleep quality (p < 0.01) and depression (p < 0.01). Furthermore, presence of a high risk of sarcopenia according to SARC-F was significantly associated with FIQ scores (p = 0.002) and depression (p < 0.001). Conclusions: There is a significant association between the impact of FM and a high risk of developing sarcopenia according to SARC-F. This population exhibits a high degree of pain, which are significantly associated with elevated levels of anxiety and depression.

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic syndrome characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, accompanied by fatigue, functional alterations, and changes in body composition. Objective: The main objective was to analyse muscle architecture variables using ultrasound in patients with FM. Design: A cross-sectional observational study conducted in accordance with the STROBE guideline. Methods: 80 patients with FM (54.06 ± 9.66 years) were assessed. Sociodemographic and anthropometric variables, functional capacity (5-sit-to-stand-test (STST), Handgrip (HGS), Time Up Go (TUG) and 4- metres-walk-test (4MWT) and muscle architecture variables (cross-sectional-area of vastus lateralis (VL-CSA) and cross-sectional-area of rectus femoralis (RF-CSA), thickness of vastus lateralis and pennation angle of vastus lateralis (AP-VL)) were collected. Normality and variance homogeneity were assessed, and Pearson or Spearman correlations were applied as appropriate. Multiple linear regression was performed to evaluate the association between VL-CSA and clinical, functional, and anthropometric variables. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Participants reported high pain intensity (VAS: 7.03 ± 1.94). Mean VL-CSA was 11.73 ± 3.76 cm ² . Ultrasound-derived muscle parameters showed significant positive associations with lean mass and anthropometric variables, with a stronger association between VL-CSA and trochanteric circumference than with body mass index (BMI). The regression model explained 46.6% of VL-CSA variance ( p < 0.001), with BMI, trochanteric circumference, 5-STST, performance and handgrip strength emerged as independent predictors ( p < 0.05), while gait speed was not significant. Conclusions: Correlations were found between anthropometric variables and muscle architecture. VL-CSA was significantly and independently related to BMI, 4-meter test, 5 sit-stand test, handgrip strength, and trochanter circumference.