Background: Older persons are the fastest growing segment of the population living in the Western hemisphere. Longevity comes at a price, including a higher rate of morbidity, functional and mental disability and the eventual loss of independence. Physical inactivity further aggravates the decline in physiological function along the aging process. Therefore, the promotion of regular exercise may be seen as one of the main non-pharmacological approaches that should be recommended to older adults. Methods: We performed a comprehensive review on the interaction between exercise training and improved physical fitness in the elderly. Specifically, 175 papers describing the overall benefits of exercise training on the cardiovascular, neuromuscular and brain function of older adults were included. The effectiveness of training for improving quality of life at an older age was also reviewed. Results: Exercise training can partially reverse the age-related physiological decline and enhance work capacity in the elderly. Numerous studies have shown that maintaining a minimum quantity and quality of physical exercise decreases the risk of cardiovascular mortality, sarcopenia, prevents the onset of osteopenia and even exerts a prophylactic role against neurodegeneration. The systemic physiologic effects are profound and may be directly linked to a favorable feedforward cycle whereby improved physiologic function begets improved physical function and so on. Conclusion: We conclude that structured training programs should be designed to improve the physiological function in this population. Finally, the benefits of exercise training vary as a function of training volume and this relationship is independent of age and sex.

This study examines how digital technologies influence the competitiveness of manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a focus on labor productivity and export performance. Using a sample of 669 firms in the Portuguese ornamental stone sector, a framework was applied to evaluate five levels of digital maturity through a quantitative approach. This analysis covers five years after the investment and combines digital profiling with scenario-based forecasts. Results, presented in figures and tables, indicate a positive link between digital maturity and firm performance, with higher digitalisation levels correlating with increased productivity and export efficiency. For example, the most digitally mature firms experienced labor productivity increase significantly, and their digital investments yielded returns very handsomely for every euro invested. These findings, while illustrative, depend on specific contextual factors and assume ongoing digital adoption. This study offers a replicable model for evaluating digital revolution in traditional industries, supporting SME policy development and strategic planning.

Based on the Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Technologies, manufacturing industries are witnessing the fourth Industrial Revolution, the Industry 4.0 (I4.0), and digital transformation is a keystone in this change. Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) are strategic in thoroughly digitalizing companies, and I4.0 operations depend on CPS efficiency. Digital plants are held by digital technologies that provide excellent tools for improving product security and supply chain security but requires structured information management to maintain the CPS in its highest level of efficiency. These systems are overly complex and hard to handle when several CPS need to be combined as in a large factory, where several machines must work together to achieve a common goal. This research addresses these issues, and we propose an information management framework of industrial CPS that, towards the industrial efficiency, affords an increase in value for all stakeholders. The framework structures the information through the introduction of two innovative value co-creation concepts: (i) Fingerprint (FP-I4.0), a virtual vehicle that can carry two types of structured information and (ii) Cockpit4.0, an interaction entity between the various service systems, applied from cradle-to-cradle. Validated through the Service Science Theory, we conclude that the proposed empirical framework may boost up CPS efficiency and, from it, I4.0 operations will be more effective.

This research explores development requirements and policy arguments in the emerging medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) sector. Supported by a reference model adapted from the European Collaborative networked Organisations LEADership (ECOLEAD) project, the creation of a virtual organisation (VO) breeding environment (VBE) is also assessed using a qualitative exploratory case study involving an EPAM (Entrepreneurship-in-MAP project) IT-platform, where data was collected from the EPAM website and from multiple secondary sources. Contributions to practice include the setting of critical success factors, the assessment of management roles and the discussion of the MAP-VBE positioned within the scope of EPAM. While the introduction of a 'neutral mediator' role constitutes a contribution to theory, innovative insights into MAP structuring promotes operations management research on VO incubation/formation in nascent and emerging industry contexts.