Internal Training Load Perceived by Athletes and Planned by Coaches: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and session RPE (sRPE) has been widely used to verify the internal load in athletes. Understanding the agreement between the training load prescribed by coaches and that perceived by athletes is a topic of great interest in sport science. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate differences between the training/competition load perceived by athletes and prescribed/intended/observed by coaches. METHODS: A literature search (September 2020 and updated in November 2021) was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and SPORTDiscus databases. The protocol was registered in the Open Science Framework (osf.io/wna4x). Studies should include athletes and coaches of any sex, age, or level of experience. The studies should present outcomes related to the RPE or sRPE for any scale considering overall training/competition sessions (physical, strength, tactical, technical, games) and/or classified into three effort categories: easy, moderate, and hard. RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies were included in the meta-analysis. No difference was found between coaches and athletes for overall RPE (SMD = 0.19, P = 0.10) and overall sRPE (SMD = 0.05, P = 0.75). There was a difference for easy RPE (SMD = - 0.44, small effect size, P = 0.04) and easy sRPE (SMD = - 0.54, moderate effect size, P = 0.04). No differences were found for moderate RPE (SMD = 0.05, P = 0.74) and hard RPE (SMD = 0.41, P = 0.18). No difference was found for moderate (SMD = -0.15, P = 0.56) and hard (SMD = 0.20, P = 0.43) sRPE. CONCLUSION: There is an agreement between coaches and athletes about overall RPE and sRPE, and RPE and sRPE into two effort categories (moderate and hard). However, there were disagreements in RPE and sRPE for easy effort category. Thus, despite a small disagreement, the use of these tools seems to be adequate for training monitoring.

Risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries in military personnel: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries in military personnel. METHODS: A systematic literature search was carried out in August 2019 and updated in July 2020 without language or time filters. The inclusion criteria were prospective studies that investigated the risk factors for injuries in military personnel. Only risk factors analyzed by at least ten studies were selected for the meta-analysis. For data analysis, the RevMan5.3 program was used to compare the number of participants with injuries between high- or low-risk groups. The measurement of dichotomous variables was one of the selected parameters for the analysis, as well as the Mantel-Haenszel statistical method, random-effects model, and analysis with a relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval for the included studies. RESULTS: A total of 2,629 studies were identified through databases. Thirty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. The groups considered at risk were the oldest [RR = 1.22; (95% CI 1.06-1.41)], with overweight or obesity [RR = 1.27; (95% CI 1.08-1, 48)], with previous injuries [RR = 1.15; (95% CI 1.01-1.30)], and with the worst performance in running tests of 1,600-3,200 m [RR = 1.87; (95% CI 1.28-2.71)]. Gender, ethnicity, and smoking were not associated with injuries. However, a subgroup analysis showed that among studies with a follow-up of fewer than 12 months, women presented RR = 2.44 (95% CI 1.65-3.60) more likely to develop injuries. CONCLUSION: Age, overweight or obesity, previous injuries, and performance in the 1600-3200 m run are associated with an increased risk of injury in the military.

Effects of physical exercise on low back pain and cortisol levels: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Aim: To verify the effects of physical exercise on low back pain (LBP) and serum cortisol levels in individuals with chronic LBP. Materials & methods: Randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of exercise on LBP perception and cortisol levels in adults with nonspecific chronic LBP were included. Results: Four randomized controlled trials were included, with a total of 85 participants in the exercise group and 84 in the control group. The interventions reduced -1.61 (95% CI: -2.36 to -0.85) with inconsistency I2 = 72% (p = 0.031) the LBP level and increased 1.05 (95% CI: 0.22-2.32) with inconsistency I2 = 86% (p < 0.0001) the cortisol levels. Conclusion: The practice of physical exercise for 6 weeks or more reduced LBP levels, whereas the rate of progression of an exercise-training program in people with chronic LBP is greater than 4 weeks, but increased the cortisol serum levels in individuals with LBP.

Effect of Dance on Postural Control in People with Parkinson's Disease: A Meta-Analysis Review.

This systematic review verified the effect of dance on postural control in people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and investigated whether this practice can be as effective over a short period as when it is performed over a longer period in relation to the postural control of this population. The search was performed in April 2019 in nine databases. Only randomized/quasi-randomized controlled trials with participants with idiopathic PD were included. The meta-analysis of the 11 articles included, with 13 results, showed that the 211 participants with PD, who belonged to the group performing dance, had a standardized mean difference of postural control 0.82 [0.52, 1.12] greater than the 182 participants who were in a control situation. The statistically significant results of this meta-analysis indicate that dance can improve postural control in people with PD in a short period of time and therefore contribute to the prevention of falls.

Osteopathic manipulation treatment versus therapeutic exercises in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: A randomized, controlled and double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Osteopathic manipulation treatment is widely used in the clinical practice in the care of patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain, however, its benefits still seem uncertain. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to verify the efficacy of osteopathic manipulation for chronic nonspecific low back pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two participants with chronic nonspecific low back pain were selected and randomized into two groups: active control group (ACG - n= 19) and osteopathic manipulation treatment group (OMTG - n= 23). Therapeutic exercises were performed with the ACG and osteopathic manipulation techniques with the OMTG. The interventions were carried out over 5 weeks of treatment, totaling 10 treatments for the ACG and 5 for the OMTG.The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to measure chronic nonspecific low back pain and the Oswestry Disability Index 2.0, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia and Beck Depression Inventory were used to measure disability, kinesiophobia and depression, respectively. RESULTS: The final chronic nonspecific low back pain in both groups was significantly lower than the initial low back pain (p⩽ 0.01) and the final chronic nonspecific low back pain of the OMTG was significantly lower than that of the ACG (p= 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the treatments were effective in both groups. However, the efficacy of the osteopathic manipulation treatment was greater than that of the therapeutic exercises.

Pressões inspiratória e expiratória máximas: confiabilidade intra e interexaminadores / Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures: intra- and inter-rater reliability

Introdução: Pressões estáticas ventilatórias máximas são mensuradas pelo manômetro/ manovacuômetro, expressam a força dos músculos ventilatórios em cmH2O. Objetivos: Verificar a confiabilidade intra e interexaminadores das PImáx e PEmáx. Métodos: Constituiu-se amostra randomicamente (n=70). Dois examinadores independentes, executaram três medições intradia (consistência interna) e duas interdias (estabilidade). O instrumento utilizado para medir as PImáx e PEmáx foi um manovacuômetro digital MDV®300 (MDI/Brasil) de intervalo operacional de ±300 cmH2O. Calcularam-se o coeficiente de correlação intraclasse e o erro típico da medida, a significância adotada foi de P ≤ 0,05 e o pacote estatístico usado foi SPSS 20.0. Resultados: Consistência interna: intra examinador PImáx CCI = 0,97 e ETM(ETM%) = 6,71(6) e PEmáx CCI = 0,95 e ETM(ETM%) = 10,92(8); interexaminadores da PImáx CCI = 0,98 e ETM(ETM%) = 5,41(5) e PEmáx CCI = 0,96 e ETM(ETM%) = 8,82(7). Estabilidade: intra examinador da PImáx CCI = 0,95 e ETM (ETM%) = 7,92(7) e PEmáx CCI = 0,93 e ETM(ETM%) = 12,34(9); interexaminadores da PImáx CCI = 0,96 e ETM(ETM%) = 6,36(6) e PEmáx CCI = 0,93 e ETM(ETM%) = 11,75(9). Todas as análises estatísticas foram (P = 0,0001). Conclusão: PImáx e PEmáx têm confiabilidade intra e interexaminadores adequada à prática clínica. (AU)

Introduction: Maximal static respiratory pressures, measured using a manometer, express the strength of respiratory muscles in cmH2O. Objective: To assess the intra- and inter-rater reliability of MIP and MEP. Methods: A random sample was used (n=70). Two independent raters performed three intraday (internal consistency) and two interdays (stability) measurements. The instrument used to measure the MIP and MEP was a digital manometer MDV®300 (MDI/Brazil), with a pressure range of ±300 cmH2O. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the standard error of measurement (SEM) were calculated, the significance was P ≤ 0.05 and the statistical package used was SPSS 20.0. Results: Internal consistency: intra-rater MIP ICC = 0.97 and SEM (SEM%) = 6.71(6) e MEP ICC = 0.95 and SEM(SEM%) = 10.92(8); inter-rater MIP ICC = 0.98 and SEM(SEM%) = 5.41(5) and MEP ICC = 0.96 and SEM(SEM%) = 8.82(7). Stability: intra-rater MIP ICC = 0.95 and SEM (SEM%) = 7.92(7) and MEP ICC = 0.93 and SEM(SEM%) = 12.34(9); inter-rater MIP ICC = 0.96 and SEM(SEM%) = 6.36(6) and MEP ICC = 0.93 and SEM(SEM%) = 11.75(9). All statistical analyses were (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: MIP and MEP have adequate intra-and inter-rater reliability for clinical practice. (AU)

Wii Balance Board: Reliability and Clinical Use in Assessment of Balance in Healthy Elderly Women.

Force plate is considered gold standard tool to assess body balance. However the Wii Balance Board (WBB) platform is a trustworthy equipment to assess stabilometric components in young people. Thus, we aim to examine the reliability of measures of center of pressure with WBB in healthy elderly women. Twenty one healthy and physically active women were enrolled in the study (age: 64 ± 7 years; body mass index: 29 ± 5 kg/m2. The WBB was used to assess the center of pressure measures in the individuals. Pressure was linearly applied to different points to test the platform precision. Three assessments were performed, with two of them being held on the same day at a 5- to 10-minute interval, and the third one was performed 48 h later. A linear regression analysis was used to find out linearity, while the intraclass correlation coefficient was used to assess reliability. The platform precision was adequate (R2 = 0.997, P = 0.01). Center of pressure measures showed an excellent reliability (all intraclass correlation coefficient values were > 0.90; p < 0.01). The WBB is a precise and reliable tool of body stability quantitative measure in healthy active elderly women and its use should be encouraged in clinical settings.

Wii-Workouts on Chronic Pain, Physical Capabilities and Mood of Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Double Blind Trial.

Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) is a public health problem and older women have higher incidence of this symptom, which affect body balance, functional capacity and behavior. The purpose of this study was to verifying the effect of exercises with Nintendo Wii on CLBP, functional capacity and mood of elderly. Thirty older women (68 ± 4 years; 68 ± 12 kg; 154 ± 5 cm) with CLBP participated in this study. Elderly individuals were divided into a Control Exercise Group (n = 14) and an Experimental Wii Group (n = 16). Control Exercise Group did strength exercises and core training, while Experimental Wii Group did ones additionally to exercises with Wii. CLBP, balance, functional capacity and mood were assessed pre and post training by the numeric pain scale, Wii Balance Board, sit to stand test and Profile of Mood States, respectively. Training lasted eight weeks and sessions were performed three times weekly. MANOVA 2 x 2 showed no interaction on pain, siting, stand-up and mood (P = 0.53). However, there was significant difference within groups (P = 0.0001). ANOVA 2 x 2 showed no interaction for each variable (P > 0.05). However, there were significant differences within groups in these variables (P < 0.05). Tukey's post-hoc test showed significant difference in pain on both groups (P = 0.0001). Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests identified no significant differences on balance (P > 0.01). Capacity to Sit improved only in Experimental Wii Group (P = 0.04). In conclusion, physical exercises with Nintendo Wii Fit Plus additional to strength and core training were effective only for sitting capacity, but effect size was small.

Acute Responses of a Physical Training Session with a Nintendo Wii on Hemodynamic Variables of an Individual with Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis is a neurological illness that decreases motor functions. This disease can cause weakness of cardiorespiratory muscles and impaired functional capacity and quality of life. Therefore it requires preventive treatments. This study investigated the acute responses of a virtual physical training session with the Nintendo(®) (Kyoto, Japan) Wii™ on hemodynamic variables of an individual with multiple sclerosis (relapsing-remitting). SUBJECT AND METHODS: A 34-year-old man with multiple sclerosis with previous experience in aerobic, strength, and functional training (2 years) was tested. His Expanded Disability Status Scale was 2.5. We compared the heart rate, blood pressure, and double product obtained at rest and during (heart rate) and after the Nintendo Wii games "Boxing" and "Sword Play." In rest, the variables were measured in the supine position. RESULTS: Our results showed positive hemodynamic alterations after execution of both games. The peak of heart rate was 121 beats per minute (65% of maximal heart rate) and 104 beats per minute (56% of maximal heart rate) for "Boxing" and "Sword Play," respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The training session with "Boxing" was able to stimulate the heart rate to achieve the recommended values for the maintenance of physical fitness in accordance with the American College of Sports Medicine guidelines. We conclude that an exercise training program with the Nintendo Wii may improve physical fitness in people with multiple sclerosis. Moreover, these activities could improve affective status and perhaps maintain the individual engaged at treatment program.