Introduction: Physical activity is known to improve physical and psychological outcomes in pregnant women. While aerobic exercise is typically emphasized in physical activity guidelines for pregnant women, emerging research suggests that strength training may offer unique benefits beyond those provided by aerobic exercise alone. This systematic review aimed to systematically explore the effects and characteristics of strength training interventions on the health‐related quality of life of pregnant women, with the goal of informing more comprehensive and specific exercise guidelines.Material and Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO Host databases without time restrictions, following PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO ID: CRD42024511477). Nine randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria, involving a total of 1581 participants.Results: The studies reviewed demonstrated that strength training during pregnancy can mitigate excessive weight gain, alleviate low back and sciatic pain, enhance mood, and improve various aspects of health‐related quality of life. These aspects include physical activity levels, muscular strength, flexibility, sleep quality, energy expenditure, and psychological well‐being.Conclusions: Despite these promising findings, this review highlights the need for standardized methodologies and detailed reporting in future research. Incorporating strength training into general exercise recommendations for pregnant women has the potential to optimize maternal health outcomes such as muscle strength, weight gain, physical activity levels, low back pain, pelvic pain, fatigue, anxiety, energy levels, vitality, sleep duration, and health status.

Purpose: Our aim was to examine the efficacy of concurrent exercise (i.e., aerobic and strength exercise) during prehabilitation programs on functional capacity in comparison with standard cancer care strategies in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients scheduled for surgery. Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials was performed. A search of electronic databases [PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO Host] was conducted to identify all publications employing concurrent exercise in patients with CRC. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to calculate the standardized change in mean difference (SMD) and 95%CI between exercise intervention and control groups for the 6 min walking test (6MWT) distance covered before and after prehabilitation. Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria (379 patients with CRC). Concurrent training during prehabilitation led to significant positive effects on the 6MWT (0.28 SMD [0.03–0.54], p = 0.037). Subgroup analyses showed a higher SMD (0.48 [0.00–0.98], p = 0.050) in younger (i.e., <70 years) CRC patients compared to their older counterparts (0.10 [0.08–0.11], p = 0.310). Meta-regression models between SMD of the 6MWT and body mass index, prehabilitation program duration, and baseline 6MWT distance covered did not show any significant relationship. Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrates the superiority of concurrent exercise prehabilitation in improving functional capacity related to cardiometabolic changes and lowering postoperative risk in patients with CRC.

Background/Objectives: Aquatic therapy is widely used in pediatric rehabilitation because buoyancy and water resistance facilitate movement practice under reduced gravitational load. The Halliwick Method is a prominent approach; however, its effects on balance, motor function, and neuromuscular performance in children and young adults with disabilities have not been comprehensively synthesized. This systematic review summarized the effects of Halliwick aquatic therapy and aquatic exercise on balance, strength, and functional mobility in this population. Methods: This review followed Cochrane and PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42025635215). PubMed, MEDLINE Complete, PEDro, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to November 2025. Randomized controlled trials (≥2 weeks; ≥10 participants per trial) involving individuals aged 3–29 years with disabilities were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB2 tool. Results: Eight randomized controlled trials (involving 222 participants) met inclusion criteria. Despite heterogeneity in diagnoses and protocols (Halliwick-based hydrotherapy, swimming, strengthening, task-oriented balance training), most studies reported improvements in balance and postural control (BBS/PBS, WOTA2), gross motor function (GMFM), and functional mobility (6MWT, TUG, gait indices). Several trials demonstrated gains in strength, and one reported favorable changes in lower-limb electromyographic activation. Methodological limitations included small samples, limited blinding, variable dosing, and scarce follow-up. Due to heterogeneity in interventions and outcomes, findings were synthesized narratively. Conclusions: Halliwick aquatic therapy and aquatic exercise appear to improve balance, motor function, and neuromuscular performance in children and young adults with disabilities. However, evidence is limited by heterogeneity and methodological constraints. More robust, standardized RCTs with direct muscle and neuromuscular assessments are needed.

Objective: This study compared the effects of submaximal and supramaximal accentuated eccentric loading (AEL) on lean mass and function in the trained (TL) and contralateral non-trained (NTL) legs of women. Methods: Twenty recreationally trained women were randomly assigned to submaximal (90% 1-RM) or supramaximal (120% 1-RM) AEL leg press training (2/week, 10 weeks, 4 sets of 8 repetitions) with 30% 1-RM concentric loading. Total thigh lean mass (TTLM), unilateral leg press 1-RM, mechanical power at 40% (P40), 60% (P60), and 80% (P80) of 1-RM, unilateral countermovement (CMJ) and drop jump (DJ) height, and muscle endurance (XRM) were assessed for each leg before and after intervention. Results: Regarding the TL, the submaximal group showed significant (p < 0.05) increases in 1-RM, P40, CMJ, and DJ, while the supramaximal group showed increased TTLM, 1-RM, P40, P60, and XRM. No significant differences were observed between groups. In the NTL, both groups showed significant increases in 1-RM and P40. Additionally, the submaximal group demonstrated improvements in P60, while the supramaximal group showed significant increases in both P60 and P80, and in TTLM. TL and NTL changes correlated significantly for 1-RM, CMJ, and TTLM. However, TL and NTL changes differed significantly for 1-RM and P40 in the submaximal group and for TTLM in the supramaximal group. Conclusions: Submaximal and supramaximal AEL resulted in similar neuromuscular improvements in both TL and NTL in women. Supramaximal loading provided additional benefits in mechanical power lean mass, while submaximal loading improved explosive performance. Supramaximal loading may not be necessary for active women.