The association between the changes in lifestyle during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) confinement and body weight have not been studied deeply. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine lifestyle changes, such as eating habits and physical activity (PA) patterns, caused by confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and to analyze its association with changes in body weight. Seven hundred participants (women, n = 528 and men, n = 172) aged between 18–62 years old of the Chilean national territory participated in the study. Food habits, PA, body weight, and sociodemographic variables were measured through a survey in May and June 2020. The body weight increase presented positive association with the consumption of fried foods ≥ 3 times per week (OR; 3.36, p < 0.001), low water consumption (OR; 1.58, p = 0.03), and sedentary time ≥6 h/day (OR; 1.85, p = 0.01). Conversely, fish consumed (OR; 0.67, p = 0.03), active breaks (OR; 0.72, p = 0.04), and PA ≥ 4 times per week (OR; 0.51, p = 0.001) presented an inverse association with body weight increase. Daily alcohol consumption (OR; 4.77, p = 0.003) was associated with PA decrease. Food habits, PA, and active breaks may be protective factors for weight increase during COVID-19 confinement.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 10 week contrast training (CT) programme (isometric + plyometric) on jumping, sprinting abilities and agility performance in prepubertal basketball players. Fifty-eight children from a basketball academy (age: 8.72 ± 0.97 years; body mass index: 17.22 ± 2.48 kg/m²) successfully completed the study. Participants were randomly assigned to experimental groups (EG, n = 30) and control groups (CG, n = 28). The CT programme was included in the experimental group’s training sessions – twice a week – as part of their usual weekly training regime. This programme included 3 exercises: 1 isometric and 2 plyometric. Jumping, sprinting and agility performance were assessed before and after the training programme. Significant differences were found in posttest between EG and CG in sprint and T-test: EG showed better results than CG. Furthermore, there were significant differences in posttest-pretest between EG and CG in squat jump, countermovement jump, drop jump, sprint and T-test with the EG showing better results than CG. The CT programme led to increases in vertical jump, sprint and agility levels, so that the authors suggest that prepubertal children exhibit high muscular strength trainability.

In this work we aimed to perform a systematic review of randomized controlled trials within an aging population that investigated the general impacts of a resistance training (RT) protocol on key outcome measures relating to gait and/or balance. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement guidelines, two electronic databases (PubMed, and Scopus) were searched for randomized controlled trials that measured at least one key outcome measure focusing on gait and/or balance in older adults. 3794 studies were identified, and after duplicates were removed, 1913 studies remained. 1886 records were removed due to the abstract not meeting the inclusion criteria. 28 full-text articles were assessed further, and 20 of the articles were identified as meeting the criteria for inclusion. The remaining 20 studies were assessed for quality using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale; 12 studies remained and were included in this systematic review. Our review suggests that RT has a positive effect on both gait and balance in an elderly population. RT improves gait, specifically straight-line walking speed in older adults. RT is an adequate training method to improve balance in an aging population. Improvements in strength, attributed to RT, may allow for greater autonomy and independence to carry out activities of daily living as we age.

Background: Neurological dysfunction due to stroke affects not only the extremities and trunk muscles but also the respiratory muscles. Aim: to synthesise the evidence available about the effectiveness of respiratory muscle training (RMT) to improve respiratory function parameters and functional capacity in poststroke patients. Methods: a systematic electronic search was performed in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, PEDro and Web of Science databases, from inception to May 2020. Study selection and data extraction: randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the effects of RMT versus non-RMT or sham RMT in poststroke patients. We extracted data about respiratory function, respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity (walking ability, dyspnea, balance, activities of daily life), characteristics of studies and features of RMT interventions (a type of RMT exercise, frequency, intensity and duration). Two reviewers performed study selection and data extraction independently. Results: nineteen RCTs met the study criteria. RMT improved the first second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and walking ability (6 min walking test), but not Barthel index, Berg balance scale, and dyspnea. Conclusions: RMT interventions are effective to improve respiratory function and walking ability in poststroke patients.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a 10-week active recess programme in school setting on physical fitness, school aptitudes, creativity and cognitive flexibility in children. A total of 114 children (age range = 8–12 years old, 47.3% girls) participated in this study. The students were randomly assigned to two groups, experimental group (EG) and control group (CG). The EG performed a programme of physical exercise at moderate to vigorous intensity with cognitive engagement for 10 weeks, three times a week. Physical fitness, school aptitudes, creativity, and cognitive flexibility were tested. Non-significant differences were found in physical fitness (both pre-test and post-test) between groups. The EG experienced significant improvements in all school aptitudes, creativity and cognitive flexibility (TMT test). In addition, the EG showed greater increase (p<0.05) than the CG in all variables of school aptitudes (p<0.01), creativity (p<0.001) and cognitive flexibility (p<0.05). Significant correlation between ∆ TMT-B and ∆ $\stackrel{.}{V}$O₂max (r=-0.289, p=0.031) was found. In conclusion, active recess based on high intensity training can be a proper tool to improve some cognitive skills, such as school aptitudes, creativity, and cognitive flexibility.