Patients after joint arthroplasty tend to be less physically active; however, studies measuring objective physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) in these patients provide conflicting results. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess objectively measured PA, SB and performance at periods up to and greater than 12 months after lower limb arthroplasty. Two electronic databases (PubMed and Medline) were searched to identify prospective and cross-sectional studies from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2020. Studies including objectively measured SB, PA or specific performance tests in patients with knee or hip arthroplasty, were included in the analyses both pre- and post-operatively. The risk of bias was assessed using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). After identification and exclusion, 35 studies were included. The data were analyzed using the inverse variance method with the random effects model and expressed as standardized mean difference and corresponding 95% confidence intervals. In total, we assessed 1943 subjects with a mean age of 64.9 (±5.85). Less than 3 months post-operative, studies showed no differences in PA, SB and performance. At 3 months post-operation, there was a significant increase in the 6 min walk test (6MWT) (SMD 0.65; CI: 0.48, 0.82). After 6 months, changes in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (SMD 0.33; CI: 0.20, 0.46) and the number of steps (SMD 0.45; CI: 0.34, 0.54) with a large decrease in the timed-up-and-go test (SMD −0.61; CI: −0.94, −0.28) and increase in the 6MWT (SMD 0.62; CI: 0.26–0.98) were observed. Finally, a large increase in MVPA (SMD 0.70; CI: 0.53–0.87) and a moderate increase in step count (SMD 0.52; CI: 0.36, 0.69) were observed after 12 months. The comparison between patients and healthy individuals pre-operatively showed a very large difference in the number of steps (SMD −1.02; CI: −1.42, −0.62), but not at 12 months (SMD −0.75; −1.89, 0.38). Three to six months after knee or hip arthroplasty, functional performance already exceeded pre-operative levels, yet PA levels from this time period remained the same. Although PA and functional performance seemed to fully restore and exceed the pre-operation levels at six to nine months, SB did not. Moreover, PA remained lower compared to healthy individuals even longer than twelve months post-operation. Novel rehabilitation protocols and studies should focus on the effects of long-term behavioral changes (increasing PA and reducing SB) as soon as functional performance is restored.

This study investigated the reliability and validity of linear sprint tests (LS) and curvilinear sprint tests (CS) using a GPS device (GPEXE lt). Twenty-one (21) student athletes completed a 40 m LS as well as a left and right CS. Maximum sprint speed (MSS) and split times at short (0–10 m), intermediate (0–20 m), and long (0–30 m) distances were determined using the GPEXE lt and single-beam timing gates (TG). Intrasession reliability and concurrent validity of GPEXE lt were assessed. The GPEXE lt consistently showed high reliability for MSS (ICC ≥ 0.95; CV ≤ 1.8%), despite underestimation compared to TG (bias = −2.57 to −0.95%; ICC ≥ 0.87). Acceptable reliability was observed for CS and LS intermediate and long distance split times (ICC ≥ 0.91; CV ≤ 2.1%), with lower reliability for short distances (ICC ≥ 0.70; CV ≤ 3.6%). The GPEXE lt split times for CS and LS showed good agreement with TG (ICC ≥ 0.66), but were overestimated at long distances (5.5–9.7%) and short distances (11.1–14.6%). Although the MSS was found to be the most reliable and valid variable to assess LS and CS speed performance with GPEXE lt, caution is needed due to limited validity.

Team sports involve various sprinting actions, including curvilinear sprints, yet their neuromuscular factors have been understudied. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between lower limb muscle strength, strength asymmetries, linear sprint and curvilinear sprint performance. At two visits 12 male (age: 24.8 ± 4.7 years, height: 1.82 ± 0.06 m, body mass: 80 ± 6.58 kg) and 6 female (age: 20.8 ± 1.33 years, body height: 1.60 ± 0.02 m, body mass: 55.3 ± 2.88 kg) student-athletes completed isometric strength measurements of the knee flexors (K_F), knee extensors (K_E), hip abductors (H_ABD), hip adductors (H_ADD), as well as linear sprint and curvilinear sprint to the right and left. Sprint split times over 30 m (t₃₀) were measured and curvilinear sprint split time deficits ( t_30deficit) and inter-limb strength asymmetries were calculated. Very large negative correlations were observed between H_ADD and H_ABD strength on one side and t₃₀ of curvilinear sprint to the left ( r = −0.75 and −0.71; p < 0.001) and right ( ρ = −0.81 and −0.70; p < 0.001) on the other. The regression model consisting of H_ADD, H_ABD, and K_F explained 76% and 67% of the variance in left and right curvilinear sprint t₃₀, respectively. Similarly, 59% of the left curvilinear sprint t_30deficit variance was explained by the H_ABD and K_F strength. High inter-limb H_ABD strength symmetry was related to better left and right curvilinear sprint t₃₀ ( r = 0.71 and ρ = 0.75, p < 0.001). These results highlight the pivotal role of hip strength for curvilinear sprint speed, and emphasize the need of symmetrical H_ABD muscle strength to optimize neuromuscular function during curvilinear sprint.

The hydraulic resistance device (HRD), a state-of-the-art device developed primarily for resisted sprint training, lacks exploration of its force-generating properties. This technical note aims to evaluate these properties in vitro. In a laboratory experiment, the HRD was pulled with a motorised winch at four speeds (1–4 m s⁻¹) and 12 different HRD resistance levels (low, medium and high). The resistance force induced by the HRD was measured using a force plate mounted under the device, and calculated as mean horizontal force produced at a constant pulling speed. Resistance force repeatability between pulling speeds at specific resistance levels was assessed using the coefficient of variation (CV) whereas the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC_3,1) was calculated to determine the consistency. A linear regression model quantified resistance force as a function of HRD resistance level. Accuracy of the model was assessed using root mean square error (RMSE). Across 12 resistance levels, the HRD produced resistance forces ranging from 22.57 ± 4.84 to 164.57 ± 4.84 N. The CV decreased from 21.5% at the lowest resistance to 0.4% at the highest. The HRD produced resistance force with high consistency (ICC_3,1 CI = 0.990–0.999). The linear regression model showed a near-perfect fit ( R² = 0.99) and predicted resistance force more accurately at medium and high resistance (RMSE range = 0.97–4.57 N). The HRD provides favourable force-generating properties for resisted sprint training and testing, warranting further studies on its exploration in vivo.

The average age of the European population has been increasing and this fact leads to the need of adapting the physical spaces, so that older adults may stay independent for as long as possible. To that aim, building constructors, furnishing designers but also social care and health sectors need to be aware of the difficulties that older adults face in their homes and in public spaces. Design for All, Universal Design and Smart Healthy Age-Friendly Environments are approaches that build and promote more inclusive spaces to everyone, regardless of their gender, age, ethnicity or functional limitations. The present study aims to identify the needs and gaps in different educational levels, concerning D4All and Universal Design, in four European countries (Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia and Spain), as well as survey the needs of stakeholders. With that purpose, desk research, interviews and workshop sessions were conducted, allowing to build a Matrix of Gaps, comparing the approach to these topics in four educational fields: Architecture, Design, Health, and Social care. Results show differences among the countries, but also that these topics are not sufficiently addressed in formal curricula, highlighting the need for this to be changed in the near future.