University students are a vulnerable group for poor dietary intake, insufficient physical activity and sedentary behaviour. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on university students’ dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour. Participants were students (n = 125) from the Universities of Saskatchewan and Regina. An online questionnaire was administered retrospectively (for prepandemic) and prospectively (during the pandemic) to examine students’ dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour. Overall, nutrient and caloric intakes were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) during the pandemic, and alcohol intake increased (p = 0.03). Before the pandemic, 16% and 54% of the participants were meeting the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Adults (18–64 years) of 150 min of moderate−vigorous physical activity and 8 h or less of sedentary activity, respectively. Only 10% met the guidelines for physical activity while 30% met the guidelines for sedentary behaviour during the pandemic. The minutes per week spent engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity during the pandemic decreased by approximately 20% (p < 0.001). The hours spent in sedentary activities increased by 3 h per day (p < 0.001). Our findings confirm that during the pandemic, students’ inadequate dietary intake, high alcohol consumption, low physical activity, and high sedentary behaviour were significantly compounded. Novelty: During COVID-19, the nutrient and caloric intakes of university students decreased, and alcohol intake increased significantly. University students’ physical activity levels decreased, and sedentary activity increased significantly during COVID-19. During COVID-19 students did not engage in sufficient physical activity to offset the increased sedentary behaviour.

Wearing face masks is recommended for the prevention of contracting or exposing others to cardiorespiratory infections, such as COVID-19. Controversy exists on whether wearing face masks during vigorous exercise affects performance. We used a randomized, counterbalanced cross-over design to evaluate the effects of wearing a surgical mask, a cloth mask, or no mask in 14 participants (7 men and 7 women; 28.2 ± 8.7 y) during a cycle ergometry test to exhaustion. Arterial oxygen saturation (pulse oximetry) and tissue oxygenation index (indicator of hemoglobin saturation/desaturation) at vastus lateralis (near-infrared spectroscopy) were assessed throughout the exercise tests. Wearing face masks had no effect on performance (time to exhaustion (mean ± SD): no mask 622 ± 141 s, surgical mask 657 ± 158 s, cloth mask 637 ± 153 s (p = 0.20); peak power: no mask 234 ± 56 W, surgical mask 241 ± 57 W, cloth mask 241 ± 51 W (p = 0.49)). When expressed relative to peak exercise performance, no differences were evident between wearing or not wearing a mask for arterial oxygen saturation, tissue oxygenation index, rating of perceived exertion, or heart rate at any time during the exercise tests. Wearing a face mask during vigorous exercise had no discernable detrimental effect on blood or muscle oxygenation, and exercise performance in young, healthy participants (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04557605).

Face masks are promoted for preventing spread of viruses; however, wearing a mask during exercise might increase CO₂ rebreathing, decrease arterial oxygenation, and decrease exercise performance. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted on the impact of wearing a mask during exercise. Data sources included SPORTDiscus, PubMed, and Medline. Eligibility criteria included all study designs comparing surgical, N95, or cloth masks to a no mask condition during any type of exercise where exercise performance and/or physiological parameters were evaluated. Healthy and clinical participants were included. Mean differences (MD) or standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated and pooled effects assessed. Twenty-two studies involving 1573 participants (620 females, 953 males) were included. Surgical, or N95 masks did not impact exercise performance (SMD −0.05 [−0.16, 0.07] and −0.16 [−0.54, 0.22], respectively) but increased ratings of perceived exertion (SMD 0.33 [0.09, 0.58] and 0.61 [0.23, 0.99]) and dyspnea (SMD 0.6 [0.3, 0.9] for all masks). End-tidal CO₂ (MD 3.3 [1.0, 5.6] and 3.7 [3.0, 4.4] mm Hg), and heart rate (MD 2 [0,4] beats/min with N95 masks) slightly increased. Face masks can be worn during exercise with no influences on performance and minimal impacts on physiological variables. PROSPERO registration: CRD42020224988. Novelty: Face masks can be worn during exercise with no impacts on performance and minimal impacts on physiological variables.

COVID-19 transmission is prevalent during ice-hockey; however, it is unknown whether wearing face masks as a mitigation strategy affects hockey players’ performance. We used a randomized cross-over study to compare wearing a surgical mask to a sham mask (control) in youth hockey players (21 males, 5 females, 11.7 ± 1.6 y) during a simulated hockey period (cycle ergometry; six shifts of 20 s of “easy” pedaling (40% peak power), 10 s of “hard” pedaling (95% peak power), 20 s of “easy” pedaling, with shifts separated by 5 min rests). A seventh shift involved two 20 s Wingate tests separated by 40 s rest. Heart rate, arterial oxygen saturation and vastus lateralis tissue oxygenation index (hemoglobin saturation/desaturation) was assessed each shift. On-ice testing was conducted with the maximal Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test. No differences between mask and control conditions for performance were found (Wingate average power: 245 ± 93 vs. 237 ± 93 W, Peak power: 314 ± 116 vs. 304 ± 115 W, on-ice distance: 274 ± 116 vs. 274 ± 110 m) and for heart rate or arterial oxygen saturation during simulated hockey shifts. Tissue oxygenation index was lower from shifts one to six for males (p < 0.05) and shift seven for females (p < 0.01) while wearing a mask. Wearing a face mask had no effect on performance in hockey players with only minor effects on muscle oxygenation. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04874766) (accessed on 6 May 2021).

The use of dietary supplements is high among athletes and non-athletes alike, as well as able-bodied individuals and those with impairments. However, evidence is lacking in the use of dietary supplements for sport performance in a para-athlete population (e.g., those training for the Paralympics or similar competition). Our objective was to examine the literature regarding evidence for various sport supplements in a para-athlete population. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, SPORTDiscus, MedLine, and Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Source. Fifteen studies met our inclusion criteria and were included in our review. Seven varieties of supplements were investigated in the studies reviewed, including caffeine, creatine, buffering agents, fish oil, leucine, and vitamin D. The evidence for each of these supplements remains inconclusive, with varying results between studies. Limitations of research in this area include the heterogeneity of the subjects within the population regarding functionality and impairment. Very few studies included individuals with impairments other than spinal cord injury. Overall, more research is needed to strengthen the evidence for or against supplement use in para-athletes. Future research is also recommended on performance in para-athlete populations with classifiable impairments other than spinal cord injuries.

We determined whether improvements in metabolic health occur when sedentary office workers replace their regular workplace lunches with pulse-based meals (containing chickpeas, lentils, or split peas). We first tested 10 meals for favourability in 180 participants randomly given combinations of meal pairs. Based on their rankings, we chose seven meals to include in our clinical study. For the clinical study, we used a randomized, single-blind (researchers blind), cross-over design, where participants (n = 20 females; six males; 39 ± 13 y) were assigned to a pulse-based diet to replace their regular workplace meals or their regular diet for 2 months before crossing over to the other diet. Outcomes included insulin sensitivity, blood lipids, blood pressure, and body composition. Diet phase did not impact insulin sensitivity (Matsuda Index; pulse diet: −5.4 ± 23.5; regular diet: −7.5 ± 21.8; p = 0.81). The pulse diet significantly reduced the total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) ratio (−0.13 ± 0.30 vs. +0.08 ± 0.29; p = 0.014), and the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to HDL-c ratio (−0.17 ± 0.36 vs. +0.03 ± 0.29; p = 0.033) compared to the regular diet. There were no significant differences between diet phases for blood pressure or body composition. Pulse-based meals incorporated into the office work environment improved blood lipid ratios, but had no effect on insulin sensitivity. (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03941704).