Effectiveness of a Group-Based Progressive Strength Training in Primary Care to Improve the Recurrence of Low Back Pain Exacerbations and Function: A Randomised Trial

Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability and one of the most common reasons for physician visits in primary care, with a 33% rate of recurrence during the first year. However, the most optimal exercise program in this context remains unknown. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of a group-based progressive strength training program in non-specific chronic LBP (CLBP) patients in primary care on pain recurrence and physical function. Eighty-five patients with non-specific CLBP were separated into two groups (Intervention group: completed a progressive strength training program 3 days per week for 8 weeks

Accuracy of different cutoffs of the waist‐to‐height ratio as a screening tool for cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies

The present systematic review with meta-analysis sought to estimate the accuracy of different waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) cutoff ranges as risk indicators for cardiometabolic health in different populations of children and adolescents. Systematic searches were undertaken to identify studies in apparently healthy participants aged 3–18 years that conducted receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and reported area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for WHtR with any cardiometabolic biomarker. Forty-one cross-sectional studies were included in the meta-analysis, including 138,561 young individuals (50% girls). Higher area under summary receiver operating characteristi…

Association between current physical activity and current perceived anxiety and mood in the initial phase of COVID-19 confinement

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a world pandemic due to COVID-19, and several enacted measures such as compulsory confinement may have collateral consequences on both physical and mental health. We aimed to investigate associations between current physical activity (PA) and current perceived anxiety and mood among a sample of Spanish adults confined due to COVID-19 restrictions of movement. Using an online survey, we collected data on the Spanish adult population regarding health habits during the first days of enacted confinement. A total of 2250 participants (54.8% women) aged 35.3 (SD 13.6) completed the survey, which included questions about sociodemographic characteris…

Knee Extensor Muscle Strength Is More Important Than Postural Balance for Stair-Climbing Ability in Elderly Patients with Severe Knee Osteoarthritis.

Knee osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease which damages articular cartilage. In its severe stages, it results in impairments in balance and muscle strength loss, which affect daily life activities such as walking or climbing stairs. This study sought to investigate associated factors with stair-climbing ability in this population, with special interest in measuring the relevance of postural balance for this task. Forty-four patients scheduled to undergo unilateral total knee arthroplasty were assessed. Timed up and go test, stair ascent–descent test, three different isometric strength tests (knee flexion, knee extension and hip abduction), active knee extension and flexion range of mov…

Cardiorespiratory fitness and all-cause mortality in adults diagnosed with cancer systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION The inverse association between cardiorespiratory fitness and all-cause mortality in apparently healthy populations has been previously reported; however, the existence of this association among adults diagnosed with cancer is unclear. AIM To determine the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and all-cause mortality in adults diagnosed with cancer. METHODS Medline, Embase, and SPORTDiscus databases were searched. Eligible prospective cohort studies that examined the association of cardiorespiratory fitness with all-cause mortality in adults diagnosed with cancer were included. Hazard ratios (HRs) with associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted from studie…

Importance of frequency and intensity of strength training for reduced musculoskeletal pain in the back, neck–shoulder, and arm–hand among physical therapists

Background: Musculoskeletal pain (MP) is common among health care professionals, including physical therapists (PTs). The physically demanding nature of their work might contribute to increase MP rates. Strength training has a positive effect on musculoskeletal health and MP. However, no studies have evaluated the association of strength training during leisure time on MP among PTs. This study aims to analyze the association between frequency and intensity of strength training during leisure time and MP in the back, neck–shoulder, and arm–hand among PTs. Methods: Data on MP and intensity and frequency of strength training were obtained using a questionnaire responded by 1006 PTs. The odds f…

Is device-measured vigorous physical activity associated with health-related outcomes in children and adolescents? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Highlights • Higher vigorous-intensity physical activity seems to be negatively related to adiposity and cardiometabolic risk score among children and adolescents later in life. • Higher vigorous-intensity physical activity is positively related to cardiorespiratory fitness and total body bone mineral density among children and adolescents later in life. • The present results support the need to further strengthen vigorous-intensity physical activity recommendations for children and adolescents.

Prognostic Value of Geriatric Conditions Beyond Age After Acute Coronary Syndrome

The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic value of geriatric conditions beyond age after acute coronary syndrome. This was a prospective cohort design including 342 patients (from October 1, 2010, to February 1, 2012) hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome, older than 65 years, in whom 5 geriatric conditions were evaluated at discharge: frailty (Fried and Green scales), comorbidity (Charlson and simple comorbidity indexes), cognitive impairment (Pfeiffer test), physical disability (Barthel index), and instrumental disability (Lawton-Brody scale). The primary end point was all-cause mortality. The median follow-up for the entire population was 4.7 years (range, 3-2178 …

Corrigendum: Association Between Current Physical Activity and Current Perceived Anxiety and Mood in the Initial Phase of COVID-19 Confinement

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a world pandemic due to COVID-19, and several enacted measures such as compulsory confinement may have collateral consequences on both physical and mental health. We aimed to investigate associations between current physical activity (PA) and current perceived anxiety and mood among a sample of Spanish adults confined due to COVID-19 restrictions of movement. Using an online survey, we collected data on the Spanish adult population regarding health habits during the first days of enacted confinement. A total of 2250 participants (54.8% women) aged 35.3 (SD 13.6) completed the survey, which included questions about sociodemographic characteris…

Is adherence to the Mediterranean diet associated with healthy habits and physical fitness? A systematic review and meta-analysis including 565 421 youths

AbstractThe relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour and physical fitness levels has been analysed in several studies; however, there is mixed evidence among youth. Thus, this study aimed to meta-analyse the associations between adherence to the MD, PA, sedentary behaviour and physical fitness among children and adolescents. Three databases were systematically searched, including cross-sectional and prospective designs with a sample of healthy youth aged 3–18 years. Random effects inverse-variance model with the Hartung–Knapp–Sidik–Jonkman adjustment was used to estimate the pooled effect size (correlation coefficient (r)). T…

Muscular Fitness and Work Ability among Physical Therapists.

The Work Ability Index (WAI) is a validated and widely used tool in occupational research. However, normative values for physical therapists (PTs) by age and sex are lacking. Although the nature of PTs’ work is physically demanding, it is unknown whether muscular fitness is associated with their WAI. This study sought to provide reference WAI data for Spanish PTs and to evaluate the association between PTs’ muscular fitness and WAI. Data on WAI of 1005 PTs were collected using a questionnaire. A subgroup (n = 68) performed a battery of physical tests including grip strength, push-ups and back-extension endurance. Associations between muscular fitness and WAI were evaluated using logistic re…

Effect of a brief progressive resistance training program in hospital porters on pain, work ability, and physical function

Background Hospital porters are possibly exposed to the greatest mechanical loads within the hospital environment. However, the evidence about preventive strategies in this population is scarce. Objective To investigate the effect of a workplace-based progressive resistance-training program on musculoskeletal pain among hospital porters. Method A total of 37 hospital porters (27 women, 10 men) participated. Participants allocated to the intervention group performed five brief resistance training sessions/week, for 9 weeks during working hours at the hospital. Intensity was progressively increased. Participants allocated to the control group maintained their usual physical activity. The prim…

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Effect of exercise on myosteatosis in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Muscle tissue typically contains only small amounts of adipose tissue, and the excess deposition of adiposity is considered a pathological phenomenon termed myosteatosis. Several studies have assessed the effects of exercise alone on the severity of myosteatosis, and some studies have reported promising results. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of exercise interventions on myosteatosis (i.e., lipid infiltration and muscle radiation attenuation). Studies were identified through a systematic search of three databases and limited to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focused on evaluating the effect of exercise interventions on lipid infiltration a…

Are Moderate and Vigorous Leisure-Time Physical Activity Associated With Musculoskeletal Pain?:A Cross-Sectional Study Among 981 Physical Therapists

Purpose: Musculoskeletal pain (MP) is common among workers, especially for health-care professionals. Paradoxically, many of those rehabilitating patients for pain—that is, physical therapists (PTs)—also have pain. Adequate levels of physical activity are recommended for cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health. However, the association between physical activity and MP among PTs remains unknown. This study aims to determine the association between moderate and vigorous leisure-time physical activity levels and MP in PTs. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Workplace. Participants: Nine hundred eighty-one PTs. Measures: Data on MP and leisure-time physical activity were collected using …

Physical Function and All-Cause Mortality in Older Adults Diagnosed With Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Abstract Background Physical function is an independent predictor of numerous chronic diseases, but its association with all-cause mortality in older adults diagnosed with cancer has received little attention. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prospective association between physical function and all-cause mortality in older adults diagnosed with cancer. Methods Two authors systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and SPORTDiscus databases. Prospective studies reporting associations of baseline physical function with all-cause mortality in patients aged 60 years or older diagnosed with any type of cancer were included. Hazard ratios (HR) with …

Cardiorespiratory fitness measured with cardiopulmonary exercise testing and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Highlights • High cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is associated with 58% lower all-cause mortality risk and 73% lower cardiovascular mortality risk compared to unfit counterparts. • Each 1 metabolic equivalent (1-MET) increase in CRF is associated with a 19% lower CVD mortality risk among patients with CVD. • Coronary artery disease patients with high CRF have a 68% lower all-cause mortality risk than their unfit counterparts. • Each 1-MET increase in CRF is associated with a 17% lower all-cause mortality risk among patients with coronary artery disease. • No significant associations were found between increments of 1-MET and lower mortality ris…

The Importance of Lifestyle Factors for Work Ability among Physical Therapists: A Cross-Sectional Study

Lifestyle factors such as smoking, sedentarism, low physical activity levels, and overweight are associated with poor health, and they can potentially influence work ability. However, it remains unknown which lifestyle habits are associated with work ability among physical therapists (PTs). The aim of this study was to examine the associations between smoking, alcohol consumption, BMI, sitting time, and physical activity levels with work ability among PTs utilizing a nationwide questionnaire. Associations were modeled using logistic regression controlled for various confounders. Overweight, sitting &gt