The Investigation of Biofeedback and Neurofeedback Training on Athletic Performance-systematic Review / La investigación del entrenamiento de biorretroalimentación y neurorretroalimentación en el rendimiento deportivo: revisión sistemática

The investigation of biofeedback and neurofeedback training on athletic performance-systematic review. The present study aimed to systematically review the impact of biofeedback and neurofeedback training on sports performance. We investigated both theoretical and practical aspects of biofeedback and neurofeedback techniques. The screened articles involved athletes from various individual and team sports. Participants of the reviewed studies had different levels of experience, from novice to professional. We examined multiple devices and instrumentation (EEG, EMG, Nexus 10, telemetry, etc.) that may facilitate athletes' mental preparation. We also provided an overview of the protocols used with different monitoring devices. This study reviewed current biofeedback and neurofeedback techniques for preparing competitive athletes. Research has shown that athletes using the biofeedback method in their training routines are far more effective in terms of mental preparation than control groups. The researchers also found that the techniques used by athletes needed to be developed and adapted to more sports. This review identified different groups that could benefit from biofeedback-based interventions in sports. Interventions have generally had a positive effect on coping with anxiety.(AU)

Left ventricular deformation in athletes playing sports with high dynamics-insights from the three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiographic MAGYAR-Sport Study.

Background: Earlier results suggest the role of speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE)-derived left ventricular (LV) strains in screening and could help better understanding of adaptation to exercise. The present retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate three-dimensional STE-derived LV strains representing its deformation in athletes playing sports with high dynamics with different grades of static components of their training. Methods: The study consisted of 67 athletes (mean age: 23.6±6.4 years, 39 males). This group of athletes was further divided into the following groups: Group C.I. (high dynamic/low static) (n=12), Group C.II. (high dynamic/moderate static) (n=22) and Group C.III. (high dynamic/high static) (n=33). The control group comprised 83 age- and gender-matched non-athletic healthy volunteers (mean age: 23.6±3.2 years, 50 males). Results: Global LV longitudinal strain (LS) representing LV lengthening or shortening (-18.5%±3.0% vs. -16.3%±2.3%, P<0.05), LV circumferential strain (CS) representing LV widening or narrowing (-29.9%±5.2% vs. -28.1%±4.8%, P<0.05) and LV area strain (AS; combination of LS and CS; -43.7%±5.4% vs. -40.9%±4.8%, P<0.05) were increased in elite athletes as compared to those of non-athlete controls. All apical LV strains proved to be increased in all athletes with enhanced basal radial strain (RS, representing LV thickening and thinning) and LS and midventricular LS, AS and 3D strain (3DS, combination of RS, LS and CS). Conclusions: Increased LV-LS, LV-CS and LV-AS represents enhanced LV deformation in longitudinal and circumferential directions in athletes playing sports with high dynamics. This enhancement is not related to the grade of the static component of training. Some regional differences in LV strains could be detected.

The Effect of Ten-week Ballroom Dance Therapy on Cognitive Abilities, Balance, and Perceived Stress Among Individuals over-60s / El efecto de la terapia de baile de salón de diez semanas sobre las capacidades cognitivas, el equilibrio y el estrés percibido entre personas mayores de 60 años

Nowadays, aging is a popular research topic. Several articles describe the positive effects of dance and music therapies on older individuals' cognitive and physical abilities. Our research examined the effects of ten-week dance therapy on senior participants over 60s. We also assessed their cognitive abilities, physical endurance, and perceived stress levels. The Vienna Test System, Determination Test (VTS DT) was performed to assess the cognitive stress for 12 minutes. We measured a significant increase in the effect of the training program. We observed an elevation in mean pre-training values. After the intensive ballroom dance program, there was also a significant improvement, in mean score. We also examined the acute effect of a single dance class. We observed a significant improvement in acute values. Participants completed the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSS-14) and a Flamingo balance test before and after the dance program. We used a paired T-test to determine the effect of dance therapy on participants' perceived stress. The results indicated a significantly improved ability to balance after completing the dance program. We may conclude that the dance program has improved the current cognitive abilities of the elderly. Practical implications of our study includes improvement the quality of life, and support healthy lifespan of the elderly. Future studies, with higher number of participants, involving various physical activities,would be helpful to support our hypothesis.(AU)

The Effect of Aerobic Exercise and Low-Impact Pilates Workout on the Adaptive Immune System.

Growing evidence indicates the pronounced effects of physical activity on immune functions, which may largely depend on the type of exercise, intensity, and duration. However, limited information is available regarding the effects of low-impact exercises, especially on the level of adaptive immune system. Our study aimed to investigate and compare the changes in a broad spectrum of lymphocyte subtypes after 14 weeks of aerobic-type total-body-shaping workouts (TBSW) and Pilates workouts (PW) among healthy individuals. We determined the percentages of peripheral natural killer cells and different T and B lymphocyte subtypes with flow cytometry. At the end of the exercise program, significant changes in naïve and memory lymphocyte ratios were observed in TBSW group. Percentages of naïve cytotoxic T (Tc) cells elevated, frequencies of memory Tc and T-helper cell subsets decreased, and distribution of naïve and memory B cells rearranged. Proportions of activated T cells also showed significant changes. Nonetheless, percentages of anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-10-producing regulatory type 1 cells and immunosuppressive CD4+CD127lo/-CD25bright T regulative cells decreased not only after TBSW but also after PW. Although weekly performed aerobic workouts may have a more pronounced impact on the adaptive immune system than low-impact exercises, both still affect immune regulation in healthy individuals.

The Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Agility, Explosive Power, and Speed-Endurance Capacity in Youth Soccer Players.

Our goal was to assess agility, explosive power, and speed-endurance capacity by implementing noninvasive procedures and sport-specific tests. We hypothesized that agility, speed, explosive power, and speed-endurance capacity might be maintained or increased by an individualized home-based training program. Eleven adolescent athletes participated in our study; they executed three tests before the coronavirus outbreak and 13 weeks later, after the pandemic curfew. We used the SpeedCourt System to assess the sport-specific speed and agility parameters and monitor speed-endurance capacity. We conducted the first measurement at the end of the preparatory period, on 28 February 2020. The second session consisted of 4 weeks of regular training and 9 weeks of individual, home-based activities. Compared to the first (pre-pandemic) testing session, our participants demonstrated a significantly improved capacity of the lower limbs' explosive strength after completing the home-based exercise routine, compared to the first (pre-pandemic) testing session. We found that agility, speed, and explosive power might be maintained at the same level under home-based conditions. We found that it was challenging for the participants to increase their "pre-pandemic" endurance capacities.

Effects of Functional Training on Sarcopenia in Elderly Women in the Presence or Absence of ACE Inhibitors.

Sarcopenia, defined as loss of muscle mass and strength, develops gradually with aging or after chronic disease. Efforts are ongoing to identify the best interventions that can slow down or stop sarcopenia. Nutrition-based interventions and exercise therapy may be beneficial; however, pharmacotherapy also could play a role. The effect of ACE inhibitors on physical performance is controversial. The present study investigates the impact of functional training on sarcopenia in the presence or absence of ACEi in elderly females. A total of 35 women over 65 years of age were selected for two groups on the basis that they were taking ACEi (n = 18) or not (n = 17). All subjects conducted a training program two times a week for 6 months. We examined various factors related to sarcopenia. After completing the short physical performance battery (SPPB) test, we found a significant improvement after 6 months of functional training. SPPB values of the ACEi group were significantly lower at the beginning of the study; however, we observed no difference between the SPPB results of the two groups after the training period. We conducted further studies to measure posture and spine mobility. Our Schober and Cobra test results revealed significantly improved spine mobility (both flexor and extensor) in both groups after 6 months of training. Furthermore, the grip strength of the hands, studied by an electric dynamometer, was significantly improved in both groups at the end of the training period. Our results indicated that functional training may improve body composition and muscle strength in patients diagnosed with sarcopenia. Furthermore, ACEi may be a helpful additional therapy in older adult patients suffering from severe sarcopenia.

Therapy and prevention of obesity: nutrition, physical activity and medical treatment / Az elhízás kezelése és megelozése: táplálkozás, testmozgás, orvosi lehetoségek.

Összefoglaló. Az elhízás és következményes megbetegedései fontos népegészségügyi problémát jelentenek hazánkban is. Kezelése komoly szakmai kihívás, ugyanakkor prevenciója eredményesebb lehet. Az elhízott betegekkel leggyakrabban találkozó háziorvosok, más szakorvosok és egészségügyi szakemberek részérol nagy igény van egy viszonylag rövid, áttekintheto, naprakész gyakorlatias útmutatóra. A különbözo orvosszakmai társaságokban tevékenykedo, évtizedes szakmai tapasztalatokkal rendelkezo szerzok összefoglalják tudományosan megalapozott, bizonyítékokon alapuló ismereteiket. Az elhízás kezelését lépcsozetesen célszeru megkezdeni, elotte felmérve a beteg motivációját, általános állapotát, lehetoségeit. A szerzok leírják az energiaszükséglet meghatározásával, az étrenddel és a fizikai aktivitás megtervezésével kapcsolatos alapveto szempontokat. Felsorolják a hazánkban elérheto gyógyszereket és metabolikus sebészeti beavatkozásokat, az életmódi támogatás igényét. Az elhízás megelozésében az élet elso 1000 napjának táplálkozása, a késobbiekben a szüloi minta a meghatározó. Sok kihasználatlan lehetosége van a háziorvosok, a lakóközösségek, az állami szervek koordinált együttmuködésének, helyi kezdeményezéseknek. Az elhízás betegségként való meghatározása egyaránt igényel egészségpolitikai és kormányzati támogatást, az elhízottak ellátására szakosodott multidiszciplináris centrumok számának és kompetenciájának növelését. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(9): 323-335. Summary. Obesity and related morbidities have a high public health impact in Hungary. The treatment is a challenge, but prevention seems more effective. General practitioners, other specialists and health care professionals who are treating obese persons require short, summarized, updated and practical guideline. Hungarian medical professionals of different scientific societies, having decennial practices, are summarizing their evidence-based knowledge. Obesity management requires step by step approach, evaluating previously the general health condition, motivation and options of the patients. The measurement of energy requirement, planning of diet and physical activities, available surgical methods and medications are described in detail with life style and mental support needed. The most important period in the prevention of obesity is the first 1000 days from conception. Other significant factors are the life style habits of the parents. Proper obesity prevention requires better coordination of primary health care, community and governmental activities. Obesity should be defined as morbidity, therefore stronger governmental support and more health-policy initiatives are needed, beside increasing number and developing of multidisciplinary centres. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(9): 323-335.

Left ventricular rotational mechanics in elite athletes doing high dynamic sports. Insights from the 3D speckle-tracking echocardiographic MAGYAR-Sport Study.

BACKGROUND: In normal circumstances while left ventricular (LV) apex rotates counterclockwise, LV base has a clockwise movement at the same time. This sort of towel-wringing-like movement is called LV twist. The present study was designed to test whether differences in LV rotational mechanics could be detected in elite athletes doing high dynamic sports with different static components in their training. METHODS: The subject group comprised 80 elite sportsmen. The following groups were created regarding their physical activity: group CI (high dynamic/low static)(N.=13, mean age: 24.0±5.1 years, group CII (high dynamic/moderate static)(N.=23, mean age: 24.6±7.7 years) and group CIII (high dynamic/high static)(N.=34, mean age: 22.8±6.0 years). Their results were compared to 67 age- and gender-matched non-athletic healthy controls (mean age: 24.0±5.1 years). Three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography was used for the evaluation of LV rotational abnormalities. RESULTS: Reduced LV basal rotation was seen in group CII and CIII subjects compared to the control group (-4.31±1.82 degrees vs. -3.17±2.81 degrees and -2.88±1.88 degrees, P<0.05 and P<0.05, respectively). It was accompanied with LV twist reduction in groups CII and CIII subjects compared to the control group (14.0±3.4 degree vs. 11.3±4.3 degrees and 11.5±4.1 degrees, P<0.05 and P<0.05, respectively). None of the elite athletes showed absence of LV twist called as LV "rigid body rotation." CONCLUSIONS: Significant LV rotational abnormalities including reduced LV basal rotation and twist could be detected in elite athletes doing high dynamic sports with moderate/high static components in their training.

Mechanical, biochemical, and electromyographic responses to short-term eccentric-concentric knee extensor training in humans.

This study examined the effects of short-term eccentric-concentric knee extensor training on mechanical and biochemical variables, myoelectric activity, and muscle soreness. Seventeen men were assigned to either experimental (E, n = 10) or control group (C, n = 7). Group E performed 90 maximal isokinetic eccentric-concentric knee extensor contractions on each of 3 consecutive days (Tr1-Tr3) followed by 1-day rest, and then on 4 more consecutive days (Tr4-Tr7). Peak eccentric torque of each contraction during the training was recorded and averaged for each session (MTr). Maximal isometric torque (M0), eccentric torque (M(ecc)), integrated electromyography (iEMG), plasma creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were measured before, immediately, 24, 48, and 72 hours after Tr1, at 1 and 3 days after Tr7. Group C did not train but performed all exercise tests; CK and LDH were measured at 3 time points only. Acutely, M0 and M(ecc) decreased and CK, LDH, and soreness increased more in E than in C 24 hours after Tr1. Chronically, MTr and M0 increased more in E than C by Tr7 and CK, LDH, and muscle soreness gradually decreased by Tr7 whereas iEMG increased more in E than in C after Tr3 through Tr7. High-intensity short-term eccentric-concentric knee extensor exercise training produced immediate reductions in maximal voluntary force. Most likely neural adaptations contributed to rapid recovery and strength adaptations because maximal voluntary force increased by the end of the training protocol in previously trained healthy adults.

Marathon running alters the DNA base excision repair in human skeletal muscle.

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species generated either as products of aerobic metabolism or as a consequence of environmental mutagens, oxidatively modify DNA. Formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase (Fpg) and endonuclease III (endo III) or their functional mammalian homologues repair 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) and damaged pyrimidines, respectively, to curb the deleterious effects of oxidative DNA alterations. A single bout of physical exercise can induce oxidative DNA damage. However, its effect on the activity of repair enzymes is not known. Here we report that the activity of a functional homolog of Fpg, human 8-oxoG DNA glycosylase (hOGG1), is increased significantly, as measured by the excision of 32P labeled damaged oligonucleotide, in human skeletal muscle after a marathon race. The AP site repair enzyme did not change significantly. Despite the large individual differences among the six subjects measured, data suggest that a single-bout of aerobic exercise increases the activity of hOGG1 which is responsible for the excision of 8-oxoG. The up-regulation of DNA repair enzymes might be an important part of the regular exercise induced adaptation process.