Effects of Pilates exercises on postural balance and reduced risk of falls in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: and Purpose: Pilates exercises have been recommended to improve postural balance and reduce the risk of falls in older adults. However, the certainty of these recommendations remains unclear. In this sense, our objective was to update the literature and verify the effects of Pilates on postural balance and the risk of falls in this population. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, LILACS, and PEDro, on April 17, 2023. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the PEDro scale, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE system. Meta-analysis calculations were performed by standardized mean difference (SMD). RESULTS: A total of 39 studies, involving 1770 participants, were included in the systematic review. Only 14 studies exhibited satisfactory methodological quality. Evidence with very low to moderate certainty showed that Pilates was significantly superior to control groups on indicators of dynamic postural balance (SMD = 1.60 to 0.72), static postural balance (SMD = 0.37 to 0.25), and general state of balance (SMD = 0.76), but not to reduce the number and fear of falls. Furthermore, Pilates was comparable to other forms of exercise for these outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Pilates can be recommended to enhance static and dynamic postural balance in older adults, but not to reduce the number of falls or the fear of falling. Given that no outcomes showed high certainty of evidence, future studies may alter these findings.

Effectiveness of pilates-based exercises on the diastasis recti abdominis in climacteric women: a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have related the climacteric period with changes in connective tissue elasticity that may be related to diastasis recti abdominis. Mat Pilates is a method of exercise without impact that currently has more practitioners, due to its satisfactory results. However, there are no studies that evaluate the effectiveness of mat Pilates for women with diastasis recti abdominis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the mat Pilates program in climacteric women with diastasis recti abdominis. METHODS: This randomized single-blinded clinical trial evaluated climacteric women with diastasis recti abdominis. The participants were randomized into the experimental group, which participated in 3 weekly sessions of mat Pilates for 12 weeks for a total of 36 sessions, and the control group (without exercises). The inter-rectus distance was measured with a digital caliper. The G*Power Version 3.1.9.2. software was used for the sample calculation, and the SPSS 20.0 program was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The study comprised 21 women, including 10 in the control group and 11 in the experimental group, with mean ages of 54.3 ± 7.1 and 55.3 ± 6.0 years and body mass index values of 28.8 ± 5.5 kg/m2 and 29.9 ± 4.48 kg/m2, respectively. In the experimental group, reductions were observed in all the measures related to diastasis recti abdominis (p<0.05) in the supraumbilical, umbilical, and infra-umbilical regions. CONCLUSION: The mat Pilates method is effective for reducing diastasis recti abdominis in the climacteric period.

Effects of Pilates exercises on health-related quality of life in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the effects of Pilates exercises on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Web of Science, LILACS, SportDiscus, Scielo, and PEDro. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that intervened with Pilates and had HRQoL as an outcome were eligible. The methodological quality of each RCT was assessed using the PEDro scale and the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE system. Meta-analyses were conducted by standardized mean difference (SMD). RESULTS: Initially, 760 records were located. After screening, 11 RCTs were included in the systematic review. Five studies presented low risk of bias (PEDro score ≥ 6). Evidence of very low to moderate certainty demonstrated significant effects in favor of Pilates exercises vs control groups for five of the nine HRQoL domains analyzed: bodily pain (SMD = 0.96), physical functioning (SMD = 0.85), social functioning (SMD = 0.45), role physical (SMD = 0.79), and role emotional (SMD = 0.61). Subgroup analyzes demonstrated that Pilates had a positive impact on more domains whens administered for ≥ 48 sessions (eight domains) vs < 48 sessions (three domains); and when administered on equipment (seven domains) vs mat (three domains). CONCLUSION: Pilates exercises, in general, allowed significant effects to improve HRQoL in postmenopausal women, especially when performed on equipment and when administered for at least 48 sessions. However, no analysis showed high certainty of evidence, and more RCTs of high methodological quality are needed to confirm these findings.

Application of mobility training methods in sporting populations: A systematic review of performance adaptations.

This systematic review investigates influences of mobility training in sporting populations on performance outcomes. The search strategy involved Embase, MEDLINE Complete, Sports Discus and manual search from inception to March 2022. Mobility training studies with a minimum three-week, or 10-session duration in healthy sporting populations of any age were included. Twenty-two studies comprising predominantly young adult or junior athletes were analysed from 319 retrieved articles. Performance outcomes were strength, speed, change of direction, jumping, balance, and sport-specific skills. Fifteen studies randomized participants with only four indicating systematic allocation concealment and blinding of outcomes assessors in only one study. In 20 of 22 studies mobility training was of some benefit or helped to maintain sports performance to a larger degree than control conditions. Control conditions, which were generally no activity conditions, were primarily non-significant. The majority of evidence suggests that a range of mobility training methods may improve key sports performance variables or are unlikely to impair performance over time. Therefore, coaches can consider the potential benefits of including comprehensive mobility programmes with minimal risk of impairing performance. Higher-quality studies in homogenous populations are necessary to confirm performance changes.

Effects of stretching in a pilates program on musculoskeletal fitness: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The scientific literature questions the impact of stretching exercises performed immediately before muscle strengthening exercises on different components of musculoskeletal physical fitness. Pilates is a physical exercise modality that typically uses stretching exercises preceding muscle-strengthening exercises. However, no studies have investigated the effects of stretching in a Pilates program on components of musculoskeletal fitness. The aim of the present study was to verify the effects of stretching in a Pilates exercise program on flexibility, strength, vertical jump height and muscular endurance. METHODS: Thirty-two sedentary young women were randomized into two groups: traditional Pilates (TP), who performed flexibility and muscle strengthening exercises (n = 16), and nontraditional Pilates (NTP), who only performed muscle-strengthening exercises (n = 16). Sessions took place 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The following tests were performed pre- and postintervention: 10-RM knee extensors, vertical jump, handgrip, 1-min sit-ups, Sorensen and sit-and-reach. The occurrence of adverse events was recorded throughout the intervention and compared between groups using odds ratio (OR). To compare the results of motor tests between groups, ANCOVA or Mann‒Whitney U test was used for parametric and nonparametric data, respectively. The data were analyzed by intention-to-treat. RESULTS: After intervention, the TP was superior to NTP for the sit-and-reach test, with a large effect size (d = 0.87; p = 0.035), with no differences between groups for the other tests. Intragroup comparisons showed significant differences (p < 0.05) for TP and NTP for improvement in 10-RM knee extensors and vertical jump measurements, while only TP showed significant intragroup improvement (p < 0.05) for the sit-and-reach test. A greater chance of experiencing pain or other discomfort as a result of exercise was shown by NTP (OR = 4.20, CI95% 0.69 to 25.26). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated that stretching exercises performed at the beginning of sessions in a Pilates program did not impair or enhance the development of strength, vertical jump height and muscular endurance in young women. However, only the Pilates program with stretching improved flexibility and reduced the chances of adverse events such as musculoskeletal pain and other discomfort resulting from the exercise protocol. CLINICALTRIALS: GOV: NCT05538520, prospectively registered on September 16, 2022.

Aassociation of school natural environment perception, exercise identification and exercise behavior among junior high school students / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To analyze the relationship of school natural environment perception, exercise identification and exercise behavior, so as to provide references for promoting and improving exercise behavior among junior high school student.@*Methods@#A total of 607 junior high school students were selected from Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi, Jilin and Henan provinces by adopting a combination of convenience sampling and stratified cluster random sampling methods, and a longitudinal tracking survey was conducted over a threemonth period in two stages (T1: March 2023, T2: June 2023), from March to June 2023. Assessment was carried out by using School Natural Environment Perception Scale, Physical Exercise identification Scale and Physical Activity Rating Scale. The associations of school natural environment perception, exercise identification and exercise behavior were explored using correlation analysis and the crosslagged model.@*Results@#For the junior high school students during T1 and T2 periods, there were positive correlations between the two of school natural environment perception, exercise identification and exercise behavior (r=0.04-0.61, P<0.01). The crosslagged analysis revealed that school natural environment perception in T1 period significantly predicted exercise identification (β=0.22, P<0.01) and exercise behavior (β=0.18, P<0.01) in T2 period. Moreover, the exercise identification in T1 period significantly predicted school natural environment perception (β=0.18，P<0.01) and exercise behavior in T2 period (β=0.19, P<0.01). However, the effects of exercise behavior on the school natural environment perception (β=0.03) and exercise identification (β=0.03) were not statistically significant (P>0.05).@*Conclusions@#For the junior high school students, school natural environment perception and exercise identification are the cause variables of the exercise behavior. Moreover, school natural environment perception and exercise identification have an interactive effect.

Impact of smart physical education assignment on physical health of male college students / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the impact of smart physical education assignment on physical health of male university students, so as to provide theoretical support and practical references for physical health improvement of male university students and implementing smart sports assignments.@*Methods@#From September 2023 to January 2024, 317 sophomore male students from six Taekwondo elective classes at Hunan Institute of Engineering were selected and were randomly divided into an intervention group (n=157) and a control group (n=160). The intervention group was given sports assignments twice a week through smart means with an intervention duration of 15 weeks, each time for 25-35 minutes, in addition to the teaching according to the public course syllabus, while the control group was taught according to the public course syllabus. The physical and health indicators of both groups were tested before and after intervention,then the differences in various physical health indicators between two groups of students before and after intervention were compared through ttest and Mann-Whitney U test.@*Results@#After the intervention, the vital capacity, 50 m run, sitandreach, 1 000 m run, and pullup scores of the intervention group significantly improved compared to those before intervention. The scores improved from (3 918.27±737.34)mL, 7.88(7.53,8.45)s, 9.80(2.70,15.75) cm, 4.30(4.12,4.50) min and 3.00(0.00,7.50) times to (4 574.19±800.61) mL, 7.65(7.37,8.12)s, 17.20(11.80,21.55)cm, 4.13(3.58,4.31)min and 5.00(1.00,10.00) times,respectively (t/Z=-7.60, 2.61, -8.39, 5.62, -2.72, P<0.05). Before intervention, there was no statistically significant difference in physical health indicators between the intervention group and the control group (P>0.05).After intervention,the scores of the intervention group on the vital capacity,50 m run,sitandreach,1 000 m run and pullup, were significantly higher than those of the control group [(4 310.97±808.90)mL, 7.75(7.40,8.30)s, 14.10(8.42,17.87)cm, 4.29(4.08,4.45)min and 4.00(1.00,7.00) times] (t/Z=2.91, -4.55, -4.75, -4.15, 2.58, P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#Having 25-35 min smart physical education assignment twice a week can effectively improve physical health level of male college students. It is recommended to assign appropriate amount of smart sports homework to improve physical health level of college students, while ensuring the amount and intensity of physical activity in public physical education courses.

Effect of self efficacy and smoking rationalization tendency in the association of physical activity and smoking cessation beliefs among college students / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the roles of self efficacy and smoking rationalization tendency in the relationship between college students physical activity and smoking cessation beliefs, in order to provide a basis for the positive effects of college students physical activity on smoking cessation beliefs.@*Methods@#From May 6 to 23 in 2023, 3 048 students from 10 colleges in Jiangxi Province were recruited and surveyed using the Physical Activity Participation Scale, the Smoking Cessation Self efficacy Scale, the Smoking Rationalization Tendency Scale and the Smoking Cessation Belief Scale. The Harman one way test was adopted for common method bias test. Bias correction was unfolded by Bootstrap method, and 95% confidence intervals of parameter estimates were analyzed using repeated sampling 5 000 times.@*Results@#The results of the sequential mediation model analysis showed that physical activity was positively associated with college students beliefs about smoking cessation ( β =0.17), and physical activity, self efficacy and smoking rationalization tendency were positively associated with each other ( β =0.41, 0.08, 0.19) ( P <0.05). Both self efficacy and smoking rationalization tendency positively predicted smoking cessation beliefs ( β =0.19, 0.17, P <0.01). Self efficacy and smoking rationalization tendency mediated the relationship between physical activity and smoking cessation beliefs, with a mediating effect value of 0.09, accounting for 62.82% of the total effect value (0.15).@*Conclusions@#Self efficacy and smoking rationalization tendency have a serial mediating effect between physical activity and smoking cessation beliefs among college students. Interventions should be actively used to enhance college students beliefs about smoking cessation, promote smoking cessation behaviors.

Intervention effects of moderate and high intensities of classroom physical activity on cardiorespiratory fitness and executive function among junior grade one students in Tibetan / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the intervention effect of different intensity of classroom physical exercise on cardiorespiratory fitness and executive function of Tibetan first grade students at high altitude, so as to provide reference for improving the level of cardiorespiratory fitness and executive function of Tibetan adolescents.@*Methods@#From September to December 2020, 184 Tibetan students from five first grade classes in a middle school in Lhasa, Tibet, were randomly assigned into a control group (81 students in two classes) and an intervention group (103 students in three classes). Both groups followed the same teaching programme, but the intervention group received 36 sessions of moderate to high intensity classroom physical activity, one session per day, Monday,Wednesday and Friday, for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, cardiorespiratory fitness and executive function were tested by 20m round trip running and Flanker s experimental paradigm, 2-back s experimental paradigm, and More odd shifting experimental paradigm for inhibitory control, refreshing memory, and switching flexibility, and the results were analysed by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to compare the results of the pre and post intervention periods.@*Results@#The maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2max ) of Tibetan first grade students in the intervention group increased by 2.25 mL/(kg〖WW）〗·〖WW(〗min) compared with the control group after the intervention ( t =-3.89, P <0.01); the response time of the inhibitory function was reduced by 4.40 ms, that of the refreshing function by 196.06 ms, and that of the switching function by 92.72 ms in the intervention group compared with the control group ( t =2.98, 4.82 ,3.21, P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#The 12 week moderate to high intensity classroom physical activity intervention has different degrees of improvement effects on cardiorespiratory fitness and executive function in Tibetan adolescents.

Effects of community building environment and sports with fitness APP usage on physical exercise habits in teachers in the Yangtze River Delta Region / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the effects of community building environment and sports with fitness APP usage and their interactions on teachers exercise habits in the Yangtze River Delta Region, so as to provide a scientific basis for the development of a sports and health promotion intervention program for teachers.@*Methods@#A total of 2 530 in service teachers from four provinces and cities in the Yangtze River Delta region, namely, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Anhui Province, were sampled in May-June 2023 by using convenient cluster random sampling method. Self designed questionnaire was used to collect the basic information of the surveyed teachers, Physical Activity Building Environment Evaluation Questionnaire and the Sports with Fitness APP Usage Questionnaire were used to measure the teachers subjective perception of the community building environment and the usage of sports with fitness APP, respectively. Physical Exercise Habituation Scale was used to assess the level of exercise habits. Logistic regression models were applied to analyze the effects of community building environment and sports with fitness APP usage on physical exercise, and the interaction effects were analyzed by using additive and multiplicative models.@*Results@#Among all the teachers surveyed, 658 of them reported good physical exercise habits (26.0%), and differences in the rate of physical activity habit formation by gender, age, years of teaching, as well as subject of teaching were statistically significant ( χ 2=42.94, 39.73, 35.47, 218.23 , P <0.05). Teachers with physical exercise habits had significantly higher community building environment scores and sports and fitness APP use than teachers without exercise habits ( t =12.17,16.54, P <0.05). Adjusting for the confounders of age, gender, years of teaching experience, and subjects taught, multifactorial unconditional Logistic regression analysis showed that the probability of teachers having good physical exercise habits increased by 22% for every 1-point increase in the community building environment score on average ( OR =1.22, 95% CI =1.11-1.40), and the probability of teachers having good physical exercise habits increased by 16% for every 1-point increase in the sports with fitness APP score on average ( OR = 1.16 , 95% CI =1.03-1.31) ( P <0.05). Interaction analyses showed that there was an additive interaction between the effects of community building environment and sports and fitness APP use on teachers physical exercise habits after adjustment, and the 95% CI for RERI , API and SI were 1.17 -1.65, 0.12-0.46 and 1.78-3.33 ( P <0.05), respectively, and there was no multiplicative interaction ( P >0.05).@*Conclusions@#The community building environment and the usage of sports & fitness APP show impacts in the formation of teachers physical exercise habits in the Yangtze River Delta region, and there is an interaction effect. Enhancing the construction of smart sports centers around the community can provide a high quality external environment for the physical exercise habits formation.

Landing wise program: feasibility study protocol for Parkinson's disease.

Regardless of the benefits of fall prevention programs, people with Parkinson's disease (PD) will still fall. Therefore, it is crucial to explore novel therapeutic approaches that are well-accepted and effective for addressing fall risk and the fear of falls among this population. The present study aims to assess the feasibility of the Landing Wise program as a therapeutic intervention for reducing the fear of falling in people with PD. A mixed-methods study will be conducted using convenience sampling to recruit 20 people with PD with a moderate concern of falling from a Parkinson's Patients Association. In addition to usual care, participants will attend 2 days per week, 90 min group sessions for 8 weeks. The intervention combines group cognitive behavioral intervention with the training of safe landing strategies. Feasibility will be assessed by six key domains (recruitment strategy and rates, enrollment, retention, acceptability, reasons for decline/withdrawal, and adverse events). Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics to characterize the sample, followed by inferential statistics to evaluate differences in the Short Falls Efficacy Scale-International Scale, Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Timed Up Go, 6-Minutes Walking Distance, and fall frequency and severity scores between baseline and final assessment. Qualitative data will be analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis process. There is a growing interest in developing new effective therapeutic approaches for people with PD. If proven program feasibility, this study precedes a randomized controlled trial to establish the effectiveness of the Landing Wise program.

Functional Neuromyofascial Activity: Interprofessional Assessment to Inform Person-Centered Participative Care-An Osteopathic Perspective.

Introduction: Health professionals and bodyworkers may be pivotal in promoting prevention programs, providing tailored advice and guidance to patients' adherence to self-care strategies, such as physical activity. Contemporary evidence encourages manual therapists to involve patients in decision-making and treatment procedures integrating passive and active approaches in treatment planning. This manuscript provides a definition and applications of neuromyofascial movement patterns, discusses the significance of functional assessment, and gives an example of clinical applications in the osteopathic field to highlight how this assessment can promote interdisciplinarity. Methods: The reporting framework used in the current manuscript followed guidelines for writing a commentary. Results: The manuscript highlights the crucial role that the neuromyofascial system plays in human movement and overall well-being and the importance of a functional neuromyofascial activity assessment in the context of person-centered participative care. Conclusions: Understanding individual neuromyofascial patterns could help healthcare practitioners, movement specialists, and bodyworkers in tailoring treatment plans, meeting patients' unique needs, and promoting a more effective personalized approach to care. The current perspective could spark debates within the professional community and provide a research roadmap for developing an evidence-informed interprofessional framework.

Sincronismo muscular en patrones de movimiento de miembros superiores descritos por Kabat: latencia al inicio del pico de la máxima activación electromiográfica / Muscle timing in upper limb movement patterns described by Kabat: Latency at the beginning of the peak of maximum electromyographic activation

Introducción El método Kabat sostiene que el sincronismo normal se produce de distal a proximal, lo cual requiere evidencia electromiográfica. Objetivo Describir el sincronismo muscular de patrones motores de miembros superiores descritos por Kabat, en posiciones sedente y supina, a partir de la medición de la latencia al inicio del pico de la máxima activación electromiográfica (IPMA-EMG) de músculos seleccionados. Material y métodos Se realizó un estudio analítico comparativo. Se evaluó a 20 hombres y 20 mujeres entre 19 y 26 años. Cada participante realizó 3repeticiones activas sin resistencia externa de cada uno de los patrones de movimiento (flexor y extensor) de las 2diagonales. Se registró la latencia del IPMA-EMG para cada uno de los 8músculos evaluados en los 4patrones de movimiento, tanto en supino como en sedente. Estos se promediaron y se ordenaron de menor a mayor para obtener la secuencia de contracciones musculares en cada patrón de movimiento. Se compararon las secuencias obtenidas para cada patrón en sedente y supino y se valoró la existencia de correlaciones entre ellas. Resultados Se observó correlación significativa en las secuencias del IPMA-EMG entre posiciones supina y sedente, en todos los patrones de movimiento (p<0,05), excepto en el patrón extensor de la primera diagonal (p=0,139). No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre posiciones en ninguno de los patrones (p>0,05). Conclusiones Aunque con variaciones en la IPMA-EMG, se halló, en general, un sincronismo muscular de proximal a distal, más evidenciado en la posición sedente y en los patrones flexores (AU)

Introduction The Kabat method argues that normal synchronism occurs from distal to proximal, which requires electromyographic evidence. Objective To describe the muscular timing of motor patterns of the upper limbs described by Kabat, in seated and supine positions, from the measurement of the latency at the beginning of the peak of the maximum electromyographic activation (BPM-EMG-A) of selected muscles. Material and methods A comparative analytical study was carried out. Twenty men and 20 women between 19 and 26 years old were evaluated. Each participant performed 3active repetitions without external resistance of each of the movement patterns (flexor and extensor) of the 2diagonals. BPM-EMG-A latency was recorded for each of the 8muscles tested in the 4movement patterns, both supine and seated. These were averaged and ordered from lowest to highest to obtain the sequence of muscle contractions in each movement pattern. The sequences obtained for each pattern in seated and supine were compared and the existence of correlations between them was assessed. Results Significant correlation was observed in the BPM-EMG-A sequences between supine and seated positions, in all movement patterns (P<0.05), except in the extensor pattern of the first diagonal (P=0.139). There were no statistically significant differences between positions in any of the patterns (P>0.05). Conclusion Although with variations in BPM-EMG-A, muscle timing was generally found from proximal to distal, more evident in the sitting position and in flexor patterns (AU)

Desempenho no teste FMS® em mulheres e homens praticantes de exercício resistido / FMS® performance of women and men practicing resistance training

Introdução: Os exercícios resistidos (ER) compõem o programa de condicionamento físico de um grande número de indivíduos. Nesses programas são realizadas avaliações periódicas para planejamento e acompanhamento dos efeitos do treinamento. Recentemente, além das avaliações físicas tradicionais tem sido recomendada a inclusão de testes funcionais para avaliação do padrão de movimento dos indivíduos. Objetivo: Avaliar o desempenho funcional de mulheres e homens praticantes de ER. Métodos: Cinquenta e sete participantes (27 mulheres, 26,2 ± 5,1 anos; e 30 homens, 26,3 ± 5,8 anos) fisicamente ativos e experientes na prática de ER foram avaliados através da bateria de testes Functional Movement Screen (FMS®). O escore total foi comparado entre os sexos através do teste U de Mann-Whitney; já a distribuição dos escores parciais (escores de cada teste) e a proporção de escores assimétricos entre os grupos foram realizadas através do teste do Qui-Quadrado (p < 0,05). Resultados: O escore total das mulheres foi 14,6 ± 1,5 pontos, e o dos homens, 15,3 ± 1,4 pontos, de modo que não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos. Considerando os escores parciais, os homens apresentaram melhor desempenho no teste de estabilidade de tronco (p = 0,001) e de agachamento (p = 0,024), enquanto as mulheres apresentaram melhor desempenho no teste de mobilidade de ombros (p = 0,001). Neste último, além de apresentarem piores resultados, os homens foram significativamente mais assimétricos (p = 0,002). Conclusões: Os resultados deste estudo sugerem a necessidade de uma observação mais detalhada dos escores parciais para o planejamento de programas de treinamento personalizados, que atendam às necessidades de cada indivíduo.

Introduction: Resistance training (RT) is part of the physical fitness program of a large number of people. In these programs, periodic evaluations are carried out to plan and monitor the effects of training. Recently, in addition to the traditional physical evaluations, it has been recommended the inclusion of functional tests to evaluate the movement pattern of individuals. Objective: To assess the functional performance of women and men participating of RT. Methods: Fifty-seven participants (27 women, 26.2 ± 5.1 years old; and 30 men, 26.3 ± 5.8 years old), who are physically active and experienced in RT, were assessed through the use of Functional Movement Screen (FMS®). The total score was compared between the genders using the Mann-Whitney U test, and the distribution of the partial scores (scores of individual tests) and the proportion of asymmetric scores between groups was performed through the Chi-Square test (p < 0.05). Results: Women and men presented, respectively, a total score of 14.6 ± 1.5 and 15.3 ± 1.4 points, and there was no significant difference between genders. Considering the partial scores, men performed better in the trunk stability (p = 0.001) and deep squat (p = 0.024) tests, while women presented higher scores in the shoulder mobility test (p = 0.001). In the latter, besides presenting worse results, men were significantly more asymmetrical (p = 0.002). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest the necessity of a more detailed observation of the partial scores in order to plan personalized training programs that consider the participants' individual needs.

Clasificación de los medios y métodos empleados en el entrenamiento funcional de alta intensidad: una reflexión crítica

El entrenamiento funcional de alta intensidad representa un nuevo paradigma del fitness, además es un tipo de ejercicio que crece a nivel mundial en cuanto a practicantes y centros de acondicionamiento físico que lo ofertan; no obstante, la documentación respecto a la forma de realizar este tipo de entrenamientos es escasa, por lo que se puede presentar diferentes problemáticas en este ámbito de la actividad física, el deporte y la salud por desconocimiento de cómo efectuar este tipo de ejercicio físico de alta intensidad. El objetivo estudio de este artículo es hacer una reflexión crítica sobre los medios y métodos aplicados en el entrenamiento funcional de alta intensidad. Posterior a la consulta de literatura se propone la siguiente clasificación para los medios (calisténicos/gimnásticos, cardiometabólico y levantamiento), mientras que los métodos obtuvieron dos clasificaciones, una basada en la modalidad (medios) y otra en la organización (estructura de la sesión). En conclusión, esta nueva propuesta se ajusta más a la realidad del entrenamiento funcional de alta intensidad desde las bases del entrenamiento deportivo.

High-intensity functional training represents a new fitness paradigm, it is also a type of exercise that is growing worldwide in terms of practitioners and fitness centers that offer it, despite the documentation regarding how to perform this type of exercise is scarce, so different problems can arise in this area of physical activity, sports and health due to a lack of knowledge of how to carry out this type of high-intensity physical exercise. The study objective of this article is to make a critical reflection on the means and methods applied in high intensity functional training. After consulting the literature, the following classification is proposed for the means (calisthenics/gymnastics, cardiometabolic and lifting), while the methods obtained two classifications, one based on the modality (means) and the other on the organizational (structure of the session). In conclusion, this new proposal is more in line with the reality of high-intensity functional training from the bases of sports training.

Three Ways to Improve Arm Function in the Chronic Phase After Stroke by Robotic Priming Combined With Mirror Therapy, Arm Training, and Movement-Oriented Therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of bilateral robotic priming combined with mirror therapy (R-mirr) vs bilateral robotic priming combined with bilateral arm training (R-bilat), relative to the control approach of bilateral robotic priming combined with movement-oriented training (R-mov) in patients with stroke. DESIGN: A single-blind, preliminary, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Four outpatient rehabilitation settings. PARTICIPANTS: Outpatients with stroke and mild to moderate motor impairment (N=63). INTERVENTIONS: Patients received 6 weeks of clinic-based R-mirr, R-bilat, or R-mov for 90 min/d, 3 d/wk, plus a transfer package at home for 5 d/wk. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity subscale (FMA-UE), ABILHAND, and Stroke Impact Scale v3.0 scores before, immediately after, and 3 months after treatment as well as lateral pinch strength and accelerometry before and immediately after treatment. RESULTS: The posttest results favored R-mirr over R-bilat and R-mov on the FMA-UE score (P<.05). Follow-up analysis revealed that significant improvement in FMA-UE score was retained at the 3-month follow-up in the R-mirr over R-bilat or R-mov (P<.05). Significant improvements were not observed in the R-mirr over R-bilat and R-mov on other outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Between-group differences were only detected for the primary outcome, FMA-UE. R-mirr was more effective at enhancing upper limb motor improvement, and the effect has the potential to be maintained at 3 months of follow-up.

Effects of chair-based resistance band exercise on physical functioning, sleep quality, and depression of older adults in long-term care facilities: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Chair-based resistance band exercise (CRBE) is a simple and safe physical activity for persons with limited mobility. This study aimed to review and analyze CRBE effects on physical functioning, sleep quality, and depression among older adults in long-term care facilities (LTCF). Method: A systematic search guided by the PRISMA 2020 approach was performed on specific databases: AgeLine, CINAHL, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science. The randomized controlled trial studies that trialed CRBE for older adults in LTCF, peer-reviewed articles published in the English language from inception to March 2022 were retrieved. Methodological quality was established using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. The random and fixed effects model were used to generate the pooled effect size. Results: Nine studies met the eligibility criteria and were synthesized. The results revealed that CRBE significantly promoted the activity of daily living (six studies; SMD = 0.30, P = 0.001), lung capacity (three studies; MD = 40.35, P < 0.001), handgrip strength (five studies; MD = 2.17, P < 0.001), upper limb muscle endurance (five studies; MD = 2.23, P = 0.012), lower limb muscle endurance (four studies; MD = 1.32, P < 0.001), upper body flexibility (four studies; MD = 3.06, P = 0.022), lower body flexibility (four studies; MD = 5.34, P < 0.001), dynamic balance (three studies; MD = -0.35, P = 0.011), sleep quality (two studies; MD = -1.71, P < 0.001), and reduced depression (two studies; SMD = -0.33, P = 0.035). Conclusion: The evidence suggests that CRBE improved physical functioning parameters, and sleep quality, and lowers depression among older adults in LTCF. This study could be used to persuade long-term care facilities to allow people with limited mobility to engage in physical activity.

A resistência do fluxo inspiratório modifica a intensidade de uma sessão de pilates? / Does inspiratory flow resistance modify the intensity of a pilates session?

INTRODUÇÃO: As evidências sobre a melhora da capacidade funcional utilizando o Método Pilates não são contundentes. Uma possibilidade de melhorar o efeito de uma sessão de Pilates sobre a capacidade cardiorrespiratória de seus praticantes é utilizar a resistência de fluxo inspiratório (RFI) de forma concomitante. Esse efeito pode ser visualizado através da determinação do limiar glicêmico (LG), técnica utilizada como marcador de intensidade do exercício. OBJETIVO: Testar a hipótese de que a utilização de RFI em uma sessão de pilates antecipa o LG. MÉTODOS: Estudo crossover de corte transversal. Foram avaliados 26 indivíduos de ambos os sexos, sendo 10 do sexo masculino, sadios e com idade entre 20 e 40 anos. Os voluntários foram randomizados para dois protocolos: Protocolo RFI ­ 11 movimentos do Método Pilates com RFI utilizando 20% da pressão inspiratória máxima; e Protocolo sem RFI (SRFI) ­ 11 movimentos do Método Pilates sem RFI. Os dois protocolos foram realizados no mesmo dia, sendo um pela manhã e outro à tarde, conforme randomização feita por sorteio aleatório simples. No repouso e ao final de cada movimento coletas de sangue capilar foram realizadas para dosagem da glicemia e construção da curva glicêmica. O LG foi determinado no menor ponto da curva. RESULTADOS: O LG foi antecipado no protocolo que utilizou RFI, ou seja, no protocolo com RFI o LG foi visualizado no sexto exercício, enquanto no protocolo SRFI o LG foi visualizado no nono exercício (p<0,05). CONCLUSÃO: A RFI antecipou o LG, o que sugere que a RFI aumenta a intensidade de uma sessão de pilates. Isso aventa a hipótese de que a RFI pode proporcionar a médio e longo prazo benefícios adicionais aos praticantes do Método Pilates.

INTRODUCTION: The evidence on the improvement of functional capacity using the Pilates Method is not conclusive. One possibility to improve the effect of a Pilates session on the cardiorespiratory capacity of its practitioners is to use the inspiratory flow resistance (IFR) concomitantly. This effect can be visualized by determining the glycemic threshold (GT), a technique used as an exercise intensity marker. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that the use of IFR in a Pilates session anticipates GT. METHODS: Cross-sectional crossover study. A total of 26 individuals of both genders were evaluated, 10 of whom were male, healthy, and aged between 20 and 40 years. The volunteers were randomized to two protocols: Protocol IFR - Eleven movements of the Pilates method with IFR using 20% of the maximum inspiratory pressure, and Protocol no IFR (NIFR) - Eleven movements of the Pilates method without IFR. The two protocols were performed on the same day, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, according to randomization by simple random draw. At rest and at the end of each movement, capillary blood collections were performed to measure blood glucose and construct the glycemic curve. GT was determined at the smallest point on the curve. RESULTS: The GT was anticipated in the protocol that used IFR; that is, in the protocol with IFR, the GT was visualized in the sixth exercise, while in the NIFR protocol, the GT was visualized in the ninth exercise (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: IFR anticipated GT, which suggests that IFR increases the intensity of a Pilates session. This suggests the hypothesis that IFR can provide additional medium and long-term benefits to Pilates method practitioners.

Education to keep the abdomen relaxed versus contracted during pilates in patients with chronic low back pain: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain is a very common symptom frequently characterized as a biopsychosocial problem. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of education to keep the abdomen relaxed versus contracted during Pilates exercises in patients with primary chronic low back pain. METHODS: Two-group randomised controlled trial with allocation of parallel groups and intention-to-treat-analysis. This study will be conducted in Lavras, MG, Brazil. A total of 152 participants will be randomised into two groups that will be treated with Pilates exercises for 12 weeks (twice a week for 60 minutes). Recruitment began in May 2022. The control group will receive guidance on the specific activation of the center of strength (the powerhouse), while the experimental group will receive guidance to perform the exercises in a relaxed and smooth way. Primary outcomes will be pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale) and disability (Rolland-Morris Questionnaire) 12 weeks post randomisation. Secondary outcomes will be global improvement (Perception of Global Effect Scale) and specific functionality (Patient-specific Functional Scale). The outcomes will be analyzed using repeated-measure linear mixed models. The assessors were not considered blinded because the participants were not blinded, and outcomes were self-reported. DISCUSSION: The findings of this study will help in clinical decision-making concerning the need to demand abdominal contraction during the exercises, understanding if it's a fundamental component for the effectiveness of the Pilates method for this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was prospectively registered in the Clinical Trials (NCT05336500) in April 2022.

Can mat Pilates and belly dance be effective in improving body image, self-esteem, and sexual function in patients undergoing hormonal treatment for breast cancer? A randomized clinical trial.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of a 16-week exercise intervention (mat Pilates or belly dance) on body image, self-esteem and sexual function in breast cancer survivors receiving hormone therapy. Seventy-four breast cancer survivors were randomly allocated into mat Pilates, belly dance, or control group. The physical activity groups received a 16-week intervention, delivered 3 days a week, and 60 min a session. The control group received three education sessions. Data collection occurred at baseline, post-intervention, 6 and 12 months of follow-up with a questionnaire including body image (Body Image After Breast Cancer Questionnaire), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), and sexual function (Female Sexual Function Index) measures. The belly dance group significantly improved body image on limitations scale in the short term and long term, the mat Pilates significantly improved body image on limitations only in the long term, and the control group significantly decreased body image on limitations in the long term. The belly dance group experienced reduced discomfort and pain during sexual relations in the short and long term. All groups showed a significant improvement in self-esteem, but orgasm sub-scale scores declined over time. No adverse events were found for any of the exercise intervention groups. Belly dance seem to be more effective than mat Pilates and control group in improving limitations of body image and sexual discomfort in the short term for breast cancer survivors. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03194997) - "Pilates and Dance to Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Treatment".