Search Results (22)

The core objective of racehorse breeding is to enhance the speed and endurance of the horses. The Grassland-Thoroughbred is an emerging horse breed developed in northern China in recent years, characterized by excellent speed performance, enduring stamina, and strong environmental adaptability. However, research on the genetic characteristics within this breed and the genes associated with athletic performance remains relatively limited. We conducted whole-genome resequencing of Grassland-Thoroughbred F1, F2, F3, and the crossbred population (CY) and obtained a total of 4056.23 Gb of high-quality data after quality control. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were primarily distributed in intergenic regions, followed by intronic regions. Principal component analysis (PCA) and STRUCTURE revealed clear distinctions among the generations, with a notable overlap between CY and F3. Using the SNP dataset, we analyzed the number and length distribution patterns of runs of homozygosity (ROHs) in the genomes of different generational groups of Grassland-Thoroughbreds. Short ROHs ranging from 0.5 to 2 Mb were the most abundant, with the following distribution: F1 (85.15%) > F2 (82.92%) > CY (78.75%) > F3 (77.51%). Medium-length ROHs (2–8 Mb) and long ROHs (>8 Mb) together exhibited a similar but opposite trend. The average length of ROHs was 1.57 Mb. The inbreeding coefficients (F_ROH) among different generational groups of Grassland-Thoroughbreds were as follows: F1 (0.0942) < F2 (0.1197) < CY (0.1435) < F3 (0.1497). Through ROH island analysis, 10 high-frequency ROH regions were identified and annotated with 120 genes. Genomic regions and candidate genes associated with athletic traits—ACAD8, OPCML, PRDX2, NTM, NDUFB7, SCL25A15, FOXO1, and SLC4A10—were identified. These genes may play important roles in regulating muscle performance, mitochondrial energy supply, and learning and memory processes in horses and are closely associated with the athletic ability of the Grassland-Thoroughbred population. This study is the first to systematically characterize the genomic diversity and inbreeding dynamics of the Grassland-Thoroughbred during the breeding process. It identifies candidate genes that may influence athletic performance, thereby providing an important molecular foundation and theoretical basis for the genetic improvement and performance-based selection of this emerging breed. Full article

Background: Core stability is a cornerstone of optimum athletic performance, and its reduction is a risk factor for athletic injuries. Evidence has shown that core impairments can alter lower-limb mechanics through the kinetic chains. Additionally, plantar pressure can be influenced by proximal conditions, such as core muscle fatigue. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the correlation between core endurance and plantar pressure distribution (PPD) during double-leg stance, single-leg stance, and single-leg squat positions in healthy male athletes. Methods: A total of 21 healthy male recreational athletes between 19 and 26 years of age volunteered to participate in this correlational study. The McGill core endurance test was used to measure the endurance of their core flexors, extensors, and lateral flexors. The participants’ PPD was evaluated using the Tekscan Mobile Mat pressure measurement system in three positions (double-leg stance, single-leg stance, and single-leg squat) for both the dominant and non-dominant feet. Results: There was a poor and insignificant correlation (p > 0.05) between the core flexors’, extensors’, and side flexors’ endurance and the peak and total PPD in all the tested positions for both the dominant and non-dominant feet. Conclusions: Core muscle endurance is neither a component that affects nor is affected by the PPD in this study population. Thus, the endurance of core flexors, extensors, and side flexors may not be considered in screening, examination, or intervention for the total and peak pressure during double-leg stance, single-leg stance, and single-leg squat positions for both the dominant and non-dominant feet in the study population. Further similar studies are warranted in various sports and during dynamic tasks to better understand the different dimensions of the studied relationship in athletes. Full article

The abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) is one of the most valuable exercises for explicitly targeting and strengthening the transversus abdominis (TrA), a key muscle in the deep core. However, using the ADIM for the selective training of the transverse abdominis can be challenging for certain individuals. This study investigated the effects of combining ADIM with blood flow restriction (BFR) training on TrA strengthening in sedentary university students. Forty university students with sedentary lifestyles (mean age: 23.28 ± 2.468 years; range 20–25 years) were randomly assigned to an ADIM+BFR group and a control group (ADIM only). Both groups underwent 25 min ADIM training sessions twice weekly for four weeks. Ultrasound measurements assessed TrA thickness, contraction ratio, and preferential activation. Core stability, strength, and endurance were evaluated using the double leg lowering, abdominal strength, and abdominal static endurance tests. The ADIM+BFR group showed significant improvements in TrA thickness, contraction ratio, and preferential activation compared to the control group following the four-week training intervention (p < 0.05). The ADIM+BFR group demonstrated improved core stability and enhanced abdominal strength and endurance compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The results support the effectiveness of ADIM+BFR training in enhancing TrA contraction and activation in sedentary university students. This approach also improves core stability, strength, and endurance. BFR provides a novel and readily applicable method for promoting TrA activation during ADIM training. Full article

Background/Objectives: High-intensity functional training (HIFT) combines multijoint aerobic and resistance exercises. Despite its popularity, limited research has investigated dietary or supplementation strategies to enhance adaptations to HIFT. Hence, this study aimed to examine the effects of egg white and whey protein supplementation during HIFT on physical performance in trained individuals. Methods: Thirty recreationally trained volunteers (20 males, 10 females), aged 23–55, underwent 6 weeks of HIFT (three times/week) while receiving 0.6 g/kg/day of egg white protein, whey protein, or maltodextrin (placebo) in a researcher-blinded, randomized, triple-crossover, and counterbalanced design, with 2 weeks of washout between supplements. Participants followed isoenergetic diets providing 1.0 g/kg/day of protein. Before and after each intervention, VO₂max, the maximal strength (1 RM) and force–velocity relationship of shoulder press, the peak torque and strength endurance of knee extensors and flexors, and the strength endurance of core muscles were measured. The training session load was monitored during each intervention period’s first and last weeks. Data were analyzed by three-way ANOVA (supplement × time × sex), with repeated measures on supplement and time. Results: The duration, energy expenditure, training load score, and cardio load of each training session increased from the beginning to the end of each training period by 2–11% (p < 0.05). The 1 RM of shoulder press and strength endurance of core muscles increased by 3–6% (p < 0.001). Protein supplementation did not affect any of these outcomes. Conclusions: Short-term HIFT improved exercise capacity, upper-body strength, and core endurance. However, increasing protein intake from 1.0 to 1.6 g/kg/day did not further enhance performance. Full article

Basketball demands a sophisticated blend of tactical, technical, physical, and psychological skills, and various methods have been proposed to prepare players for these demands, including resistance training to enhance strength, power, speed, agility, and endurance. Complex training (CT) integrates diverse strength training methodologies by combining heavy-resistance exercises (e.g., squat at 90% of one repetition maximum) with high-velocity movements or plyometrics, both sharing the same biomechanical pattern. However, the optimal application of CT in basketball remains uncertain due to diverse protocols and a lack of consensus in the literature. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the acute and chronic effects of CT interventions on physical fitness performance in basketball players and identify the most effective characteristics of moderators. Methods: A bibliographic search was conducted using PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines using the PICOS strategy. Results: Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria, three articles analyzed acute effects, and thirteen analyzed chronic effects. The total number of participants in the studies analyzing acute effects was 50, while for studies examining chronic effects, it was 362. Conclusions: Acutely, CT triggers post-activation potentiation and enhances sprint performance when coupled with brief rest intervals. Over time, these acute improvements contribute to more substantial, long-lasting benefits. Chronic effects of CT improve strength, as evidenced by enhanced 1 RM performance, jumps, sprints, and core muscle strength. Full article

Worldwide, lung cancer remains the predominant cause of cancer cases and deaths and poses significant health challenges, with surgical resection being a key treatment. Post-surgery, patients often experience functional impairments. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive ICF version for assessing the functional profile and disability in lung cancer patients post-thoracic surgery undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation using the ICF and WHODAS 2.0 tool. We analyzed the correlation between the ICF Core Set and WHODAS 2.0 data to understand the impact on daily functioning. This study included 50 patients (23 F, 27 M) from the Clinic of Thoracic Surgery and Respiratory Rehabilitation in Lodz. Essential ICF codes were determined using the Delphi method, and assessments were conducted on the third day post-operation. Statistical analyses included various tests with α = 0.05. The results showed no impairments in voice functions (b310), respiration rates (b4400), and diaphragm functions (b4451), but there were significant issues with chest pain (b28011), respiratory muscle functions (b445), exercise tolerance (b455), and muscle endurance (b740). In Activities and Participation and Environmental Factors, most codes were not problematic, except for employment (d845, d850) and atmospheric pressure (e2252). Significant correlations were found between mobility limitations (d410, d460) and self-care (d510, d540) with the WHODAS 2.0 results. The comprehensive ICF Core Set effectively described the functional profile of post-surgery patients, confirming its utility and highlighting the impact of disability on daily functioning. Full article

Background: Chronic back pains are progressively disabling working individuals, including 60–80% of the general population, for which their diagnosis is challenging to healthcare workers worldwide, thereby becoming a burden to nations. Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the efficacy of core strengthening exercise (CSE) and intensive dynamic back exercise (IDBE) on pain, core muscle endurance, and functional disability in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP). Methods: The study was based on a three-arm parallel-group randomized control design. Forty-five participants with chronic non-specific LBP were recruited and randomly divided into the CSE, IDBE, and Control groups. The CSE and IDBE groups received CSE and IDBE, respectively. However, the Control group received no intervention. Numeric pain rating scale, Oswestry Disability Index, core flexors, extensors, and side bridge tests assessed pain intensity, functional disability, and endurance of core muscles. Outcome scores for the dependent variables were collected at baseline (pre-intervention) and six-week post-intervention. There were no follow-up measurements in this study. A one-way multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to analyze the intervention effects on the outcomes within groups and between groups, respectively; keeping the significance-level alpha at 95%, i.e., p < 0.05. A univariate F-test was performed to observe the superiority of one treatment over another. Pearson’s correlation coefficient test was conducted to determine a relation between the dependent variables. In all statistical analyses, the level of significance α was kept at 0.05. Results: All forty-five out of sixty-three participants with chronic non-specific low back pain (male, 32 and female, 23; average age, 20.24 ± 1.46 years; average pain duration, 19.6 ± 5.42 weeks) completed the study and their data were analyzed. The MANCOVA test showed a significant difference between the treatment groups on the combined multiple endurance tests for the core muscles (flexors, extensors, side bridge tests to the right and left), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores after controlling for baseline scores of all the dependent variables: F (6, 12) = 23.381; p < 0.05; Wilks’ Λ = 0.033; partial η² = 0.819. A post hoc pair-wise comparison followed by a univariate F-test indicated that a significant improvement was found between the CSE vs. IDBE vs. Control groups on the post-test scores of all the dependent variables except VAS and EET (CSE vs. IDBE only). A Pearson’s correlation coefficient test revealed a notable relation between the dependent variables. Conclusions: The experimental group CSE was found to be more effective than IDBE on improving functional disability, cores’ flexors, and side bridges’ endurance tests than IDBE. The magnitude of this improvement exceeded the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), suggesting a clinically relevant enhancement in functional disability, core flexors, and side bridge endurance for participants engaged in CSE. However, CSE vs. IDBE revealed non-significant differences on reducing pain and core extensors’ endurance. The absence of statistically significant differences suggests that the observed changes did not exceed the established MCID for pain intensity and core extensors’ endurance. In addition, partial eta-squared value revealed the superiority of CSE over IDBE and Control groups. This suggests that the observed differences between the two interventions are not only statistically significant, but also clinically relevant, surpassing the established MCID. Full article

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) substantially impacts quality of life through a multifarious interplay of physical and psychological elements. A comprehensive understanding of this relationship is imperative for developing effective treatment strategies. This study recruited 64 participants (35 males and 29 females) experiencing chronic low back pain to explore the associations between psychological factors, muscle endurance, and functional impairments. The study was conducted over six months in an outpatient department and a rehabilitation unit. The study utilized established outcome measures, such as the Biering-Sorensen Test and the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, and psychological variants as the core dependent variables, including the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), STAI questionnaire, the FABQ-PA, and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). The findings uncovered pronounced gender disparities, with females exhibiting elevated levels of depression (BDI: 27.68 ± 9.43, p < 0.001) and anxiety (STAI: 42.34 ± 8.94, p < 0.001) and diminished muscle endurance (130.47 ± 30.56 sec, p = 0.001). These revelations are congruent with the prevailing literature, emphasizing the need for gender-sensitive and personalized interventions. Bivariate correlations presented robust associations between psychological distress and decreased muscle endurance (r values ranging from −0.82 to −0.88, p < 0.001) alongside elevated functional impairments (r values from 0.89 to 0.94, p < 0.001) for both genders. Additionally, linear regression analyses illuminated the consequential impact of specific psychological variables such as the BDI, FABQ-PA, and PCS on muscle endurance and functional impairments (all p < 0.001). This study reveals gender-specific variations in chronic back pain, highlighting the influence of psychological factors on pain perception. It underscores the necessity for gender-sensitive treatment strategies. Future research is needed to explore these differences further and assess treatment efficacy to improve care and quality of life for chronic low back pain sufferers through personalized treatment plans. Full article

Core stability is the ability to control the position and motion of the trunk over the pelvis and legs to allow the optimum production and transfer of force to the terminal segment in sporting activities. The effect of fatigue, especially core muscle fatigue, on stiffness as a performance index requires more study. This research aimed to investigate the effect of the core stabilization muscles’ fatigue on lower limb stiffness during hopping. Thirty active basketball players participated in this study (age: 20.90 ± 1.49 years; weight: 60.30 ± 3.10 kg; height: 163.2 ± 5.04 cm). The hopping test (15 jumps) was performed before and after the fatigue protocol in three states including at a preferred (no frequency control), maximum, and 2.2 Hz frequency on the force plate. The stiffness of the lower extremities was measured before and after the fatigue protocol. The results of the dependent t-test showed core muscle fatigue led to reduced lower extremity stiffness under all three hopping-test conditions by 15.3–15.9% (p ≤ 0.005). It seems that core muscle function affects lower extremity stiffness, and can function as a performance index in athletes. Although performed in healthy volunteers, this study may have implications for injury prevention, highlighting the necessity to perform interspersed endurance training using the different body parts of the kinetic chain. Full article

This study investigates the effect of 12-week core strengthening and weight training on muscle strength, endurance and flexibility in school-aged athletes. Ninety male athletes at the age of 12 were randomly divided into three equal groups (30 in each). Group 1 underwent core strengthening training, group 2 underwent weight training, and group 3 was the control. The training was for 12 weeks, with three sessions per week (one hour per session). Prior to and after the training, abdominal strength, endurance, and flexibility were evaluated using the sit-ups test, the Cooper 12 min run test and the sit and reach test. The analysis of variance was used to analyze pre- and post-intervention data. The results showed that both the core strength training group and the weight training group significantly (p = 0.00) improved in abdominal strength, represented by the number of sit-ups (from 18.70 ± 3.20 to 22.21 ± 3.50 and from 17.60 ± 3.29 to 21.60 ± 3.63, respectively); endurance, represented by distance covered in 12 min (from 1817 ± 185.78 m to 2008.97 ± 214.79 m and from 1806 ± 237.25 m to 2002.59 ± 83.32 m, respectively); and flexibility, represented by the sit and reach distance (from 23.48 ± 2.75 cm to 25.96 ± 2.38 cm and from 23.66 ± 2.92 cm to 25.86 ± 2.55 cm, respectively) when compared to the control group (from 17.20 ± 3.20 to 16.39 ± 2.69; from 1813 ± 224.69 m to 1778.15 ± 05.28 m; from 23.46 ± 3.06 cm to 21.76 ± 2.56 cm). More specifically, abdominal strength and endurance improved slightly more in the weight training group than in the core strength training group, whilst flexibility increased slightly more in the core strength training group than in the weight training group. These findings indicate that both core strengthening training and weight training are effective in improving physical fitness in school-aged athletes; however, the improvement is to differing extents regarding their endurance, flexibility, and abdominal strength. Full article

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a six-week core stability training program on the fundamental movement pattern assessed using the Functional Movement Screen Test in tennis players. The study group consisted of 160 subjects (74 women, 86 men) with a mean age of 20.26 ± 1.55. The Functional Movement Screen Test (FMS™), as well as the core stability tests including the lateral trunk muscles endurance test (the side bridge test), the abdominal muscles endurance test and the trunk extensors muscle endurance test—were used to evaluate the effects of core stability training. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the FMS test scores before and after introducing a core stability exercise program. Initially, the average total score of the FMS test in female tennis players was 14.58 ± 2.91, and after core stability training it was 17.20 ± 1.68 (p < 0.001). In the male group, the total FMS test score was 14.44 ± 2.76 before and 16.91 ± 1.36 after (p < 0.001) in the final assessment. Additionally, statistically significant differences were observed in the core stability test scores before and after introducing a stabilisation training program. The results of the study showed that specific core strengthening exercises could improve the FMS test scores in adult tennis players. This may also have an influence on reducing injury risk in this group, although further studies would be required to test this. Full article

This study investigated the factors that influence core muscle endurance, i.e., the symmetry of frontal core motion during indoor walking and cycling, the symmetry of lateral core muscle endurance, the symmetry of the hip abductor strength, the weekly workout time and fast walking and cycling speeds, while controlling for gender. Seventy-nine healthy young adults participated in this study. In a regression analysis, the core muscle endurance time was the dependent variable. The independent variables were the symmetry of frontal core motion (measured using a wireless earbud sensor during walking and cycling), the symmetry of side plank time and of hip abductor strength, the weekly workout time and fast walking and cycling speeds. In the multiple regression analysis, weekly workout time, fast walking speed, symmetry of frontal core motion during fast cycling and symmetry of lateral side plank time predicted core muscle endurance (adjusted R² = 0.42). Thus, clinicians and fitness personnel should consider the association of core muscle endurance with the symmetry of frontal core motion during cycling and the symmetry of side plank holding time, as well as with the weekly workout time and a fast walking speed, when designing core muscle exercise programmes. Full article

Healthy aging is defined as the process of developing and maintaining functional ability in older age with intrinsic capacity, the composite of all the physical and mental capacities of an individual, being the core. This study was conducted to explore the intervention effects of improved dietary quality on intrinsic capacity. A prospective single-group interventional quasi-experimental study with 59 functional independent older adults from retirement homes were recruited. Texture-modified plant-based dietary supplements were provided. In addition, dietary intake, functional ability, and intrinsic capacity in vitality, locomotion, cognition, and psychological capacity were assessed. Vitality was captured by nutritional status, muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory endurance. Locomotor capacity was assessed based on the performance of physical fitness in backscratch test, chair-sit-and-reach test, chair-stand test, one-foot-standing test, and gaits peed. Psychomotor capacity and cognition were measured by using 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), respectively. In a 4-month of intervention, after controlling for baseline values and covariates, participants with higher dietary intervention adherence showed a significant improvement over time in vitality captured by cardiorespiratory endurance (P_interaction = 0.009) and significant improvement in locomotion captured by gait speed (P_clusters = 0.034). A significant decrease in the chair-stand test (P_time = <0.001) and MMSE (P_time = 0.022) was observed during the four months of intervention. Enhanced intrinsic capacity further contributed to the improvement of ADL over time (P_interaction = 0.034). In conclusion, healthy eating enhances intrinsic capacity in vitality and locomotion thus promoting functional ability among older adults. Full article

This study aimed to analyse the impact of an 8-week core strength training (CST) programme in youth karate practitioners on core endurance, agility, flexibility, sprinting, jumping, and kick performance. This study followed a randomized parallel design. Twenty-nine participants (age: 12.86 ± 0.81 years old; height: 152.55 ± 10.37 cm; weight: 42.93 ± 8.85 kg) were allocated to a CST programme (n = 16) performed thrice weekly or to a control group (n = 13) only performing the sport-specific (karate) training. Participants were assessed three times (baseline, mid and post-intervention) for the following tests: (i) flexor endurance test (FET); (ii) back extensor test (BET); (iii) lateral musculature test (LMT); (iv) flexibility; (v) chance of direction (COD); (vi) countermovement jump (CMJ); (vii) back muscle strength (BMS); (viii) horizontal jump (LJ); (ix) sprint test; and (x) karate kick test (KKT). Between-group analysis revealed significant advantages for the CST group on the FET (p < 0.001), BET (p < 0.001), LMT (p < 0.001), 20 m sprint (p = 0.021) and KKT for right (p < 0.006) and left (p < 0.020) legs. No significant differences were found between groups in the remaining physical fitness variables (p > 0.05). The within-group changes revealed significant improvements in the CST group at flexibility (p = 0.002), COD (p < 0.001), CMJ (p < 0.001), BMS (p < 0.002), 20 m sprint (p = 0.033), and KKT (p < 0.001). In addition, within-group changes in the control group were also significant in flexibility (p = 0.024) and right kick (p < 0.042). We conclude that the CST programme improves core endurance and karate kick performance; however, it is not effective enough for other physical performance parameters in KR practitioners. Full article

This study with 40 office workers investigated (a) the effect of time spent standing on low- back and lower limb pain during a 1-h laboratory-based task; (b) the standing time after which a significant increase in pain is likely; and (c) the individual, physical and psychosocial factors that predict pain. The primary outcome was bodily location of pain and pain intensity on a 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale recorded at baseline and every 15 min. Physical measures included trunk and hip motor control and endurance. Self-report history of pain, physical activity, psychosocial job characteristics, pain catastrophizing and general health status were collected. Univariate analysis and regression models were included. The prevalence of low-back pain increased from 15% to 40% after 30 min while feet pain increased to 25% from 0 at baseline. The intensity of low-back and lower limb pain also increased over time. A thirty-minute interval was identified as the threshold for the development and increase in low-back and feet pain. Modifiable factors were associated with low-back pain intensity—lower hip abductor muscle endurance and poorer physical health, and with feet symptoms—greater body mass index and less core stability. Full article