Search Results (20,095)

Training not only enhances the athletic performance of horses but also improves cardiac structure and function, strengthens cardiovascular adaptability, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, the consequences of training on equine cardiac structure and function remain unclear. This study investigated the morphological, functional, genetic, and metabolic changes in the hearts of Yili horses divided into three groups: high athletic performance (agility group, AG), low athletic performance (ordinary group, OG), and untrained (untrained group, UN). The results showed remodeling of the cardiac structure and physiological adaptations in AG and OG compared to UN groups, with differences between AG and OG primarily in the left ventricle. To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenotypic changes, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses (particularly GO and KEGG pathway analyses) were performed to assess differences in gene expression and metabolite levels among the three groups. Our results show that miR-1842, miR-671, miR-106b and miR-18a were differentially expressed in the trained groups (AG group and OG group) compared with the control group that did not receive training. These regulatory factors would regulate PFKFB3 to affect the glycolytic activity mediated by HIF-1, there by promoting glycolysis and changing lactate level. This, in turn, would positively feedback to stabilize HIF-1, thus forming a closed loop for the reprogramming of myocardial energy metabolism. In the AG group, positive effects of cAMP signaling were noticeable. In conclusion, our findings offer new insights into physiological cardiac remodeling in Yili horses by highlighting genetic and metabolomic changes resulting from exercise training. Full article

Objectives: The present study analyzes the effects of a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program based on the Tabata method on physiological and psychological variables in contemporary dancers (n = 10) and sedentary individuals (n = 8), who performed a 10-week protocol, with sessions of self-loading exercises structured in intervals of 20 s of effort and 10 s of rest three times a week. Methods: Parameters of body composition, muscle strength, aerobic and anaerobic capacity, heart rate variability, as well as perceptions of health, anxiety, stress, sleep quality, and levels of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle were evaluated. Results: The results showed that no significant changes occurred in most body composition variables, except for visceral fat, where group differences were observed (F = 5.66, p = 0.030, η²ₚ = 0.261). In the indicators of strength and power, the dancers improved the height and relative power of the jump (F = 5.996, p = 0.026, η²ₚ = 0.273), while the sedentary ones increased the strength of the handgrip (p = 0.023). In terms of functional performance, both groups significantly increased anaerobic endurance (F = 10.374, p = 0.005, η²ₚ = 0.393), although no changes were recorded in maximal oxygen consumption or heart rate variability (p > 0.05). On a psychological level, improvements in healthy lifestyle habits and a decrease in the trait anxiety variable were evidenced in dancers (p = 0.023), while in sedentary participants no relevant effects were found. Conclusions: In conclusion, the Tabata protocol may represent an efficient and complementary strategy to enhance strength, anaerobic power, and psychological well-being, particularly among dancers. The observed improvements suggest potential benefits related to movement quality, injury prevention, and general physical conditioning. Full article

Individuals post-stroke commonly experience impairments in upper extremity function that limit participation in valued activities. Task repetitive practice is an effective intervention strategy, but accurately monitoring adherence and movement quality in home programs remains a challenge. This pilot study investigates the reliability and validity of raw accelerometer data captured by a commercially available, wrist-worn activity monitor to assess upper extremity movement in healthy adults during task repetitive practice. Measures of duration, angular velocity, and acceleration were obtained from activity monitors worn by 25 healthy adults performing four functional tasks under varying conditions. Preliminary results indicate moderate to excellent within-session reliability in these three measures when compared across repeated trials of the same task, with one exception. Across all tasks, the duration measure consistently detected differences in exercise time between sets of 5, 10, and 20 repetitions at a comfortable pace. All three measures differentiated between 10 comfortable repetitions and 10 fast repetitions on three out of four tasks. These findings provide initial psychometric properties in a healthy population and further research is required to determine whether these properties remain robust in the presence of motor impairment. This work represents an early step towards developing approaches for monitoring home exercise programs that support stroke recovery. Full article

Despite growing evidence on the adaptive movement patterns that horses adopt during water treadmill (WT) exercise, underlying adaptations in muscle activity remain uninvestigated. This feasibility study aimed to develop a method for the synchronous measurement of muscle activity and movement of horses during WT exercise. Combined surface electromyography (sEMG) (2000 Hz) from selected hindlimb (biceps femoris, gluteus medius, tensor fascia latae) and epaxial (longissimus dorsi) muscles, and three-dimensional kinematic (200 Hz) data from the back and pelvis of one (n = 1) horse were collected during overground (OG), dry treadmill (TM), and WT walking conditions. Statistical parametric mapping evaluated differences in time- and amplitude-normalised sEMG and thoracolumbar and pelvis kinematic waveforms between conditions. Distinct, significant (p < 0.05) adaptations in hindlimb and epaxial muscle activation patterns and axial and pelvic kinematics, were observed in this horse across exercise conditions. Adaptive muscle activity was most pronounced in this horse during WT, compared to OG walking. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of this method, which combines sEMG and motion capture technologies to synchronously quantify equine movement and muscle activation patterns during WT exercise. This justifies the replication of this work in a larger sample of horses to inform evidence-based training and rehabilitation programmes. Full article

Athletic performance results from complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. This review compiles and synthesizes available literature on polymorphic genes associated with endurance, power, and strength performance, as well as their links to injury susceptibility and chronic metabolic diseases. Endurance performance is modulated by ACE, PPARGC1A, HFE, UCP2, UCP3, CDKN1A, and PPARA, regulating mitochondrial biogenesis, oxygen utilization, and muscle fiber composition. Power performance involves ACTN3, MCT1, IGF1, AMPD1, AGT, and AGTR2, affecting anaerobic metabolism, lactate clearance, and fast-twitch fiber recruitment. Strength performance is influenced by AR, PPARG, ARK2N, MMS22L, LRPPRC, PHACTR1, and MTHFR, related to androgen signaling, muscle hypertrophy, and recovery. Injury-related genes (COL1A1, COL5A1, IL6, VEGFA, NOG) and metabolic risk genes (FTO, PPARG, ADRB3) further highlight the clinical relevance of genomics. Collectively, these insights support the application of genetic information to personalize training, enhance performance, prevent injuries, and guide exercise interventions to mitigate metabolic disease risk. Full article

Prehabilitation programs for abdominal pre-operative patients are increasingly recognized for improving surgical outcomes, reducing post-operative complications, and enhancing recovery. Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled human movement monitoring systems offer promising support in mixed-mode settings that combine clinical supervision with home-based independence. These systems enhance accessibility, reduce pressure on healthcare infrastructure, and address geographical isolation. However, current implementations often lack personalized movement analysis, adaptive intervention mechanisms, and real-time clinical integration, frequently requiring manual oversight and limiting functional outcomes. This review-based paper proposes a conceptual framework informed by the existing literature, integrating Digital Twin (DT) technology, and machine learning/Artificial Intelligence (ML/AI) to enhance IoT-based mixed-mode prehabilitation programs. The framework employs inertial sensors embedded in wearable devices and smartphones to continuously collect movement data during prehabilitation exercises for pre-operative patients. These data are processed at the edge or in the cloud. Advanced ML/AI algorithms classify activity types and intensities with high precision, overcoming limitations of traditional Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)-based recognition methods, such as frequency overlap and amplitude distortion. The Digital Twin continuously monitors IoT behavior and provides timely interventions to fine-tune personalized patient monitoring. It simulates patient-specific movement profiles and supports dynamic, automated adjustments based on real-time analysis. This facilitates adaptive interventions and fosters bidirectional communication between patients and clinicians, enabling dynamic and remote supervision. By combining IoT, Digital Twin, and ML/AI technologies, the proposed framework offers a novel, scalable approach to personalized pre-operative care, addressing current limitations and enhancing outcomes. Full article

Background: Plyometric training (PT) and resistance training (RT) can improve jumping and sprinting performance, although their comparative effectiveness in elite female basketball players remain unknown. Objectives: To compare the effects of PT and RT on jumping and sprinting performance in elite female basketball players. Methods: Thirty elite female basketball players were randomly assigned to PT (n = 10), RT (n = 10) or control groups (n = 10, standard basketball training). Performance assessments before and after the interventions (8 weeks, 16 training sessions) included countermovement jump (CMJ) height and peak power, drop jump (DJ) height and reactive strength index (RSI), standing long jump distance (LJ), CMJ with arm swing (CMJA) height, running CMJA height, and 22.2 m linear sprint time. Performance changes were analyzed using linear and Bayesian mixed-effects models. Results: Compared to controls, RT and PT improved the RSI. Additionally, PT improved (p < 0.05; posterior probability >0: 99.4–99.9%) CMJ height, CMJ peak power, DJ height and RSI, LJ, CMJA, Running CMJA and sprint time when compared to both controls and RT. Conclusions: Compared to RT, PT induced greater jumping and sprinting performance improvements in elite female basketball players. Full article

Background: Obesity is a complex health issue influenced by various factors, including behavioral patterns that can be assessed more deeply in real time using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), which can capture the moment in which a person experiences a situation or an emotion that could trigger an eating behavior. Methods: This systematic review synthesizes findings from 89 studies employing EMA to investigate obesity and overweight-related behaviors. The studies were identified through comprehensive searches across multiple databases and included peer-reviewed articles. The primary aim was to analyze how EMA contributes to understanding the temporal dynamics of eating behaviors, physical activity, and psychological factors associated with overweight and obesity. Results: Key findings indicate that EMA provides a nuanced understanding of real-time contexts influencing behaviors contributing to overweight and obesity. Studies consistently report that EMA captures fluctuations in eating habits, exercise routines, stress levels, and emotional states, elucidating the interplay between these factors and weight status. Methodological variations across studies included differences in EMA implementation (e.g., smartphone apps, electronic diaries), assessment frequency, and duration. These variances highlight the flexibility and adaptability of EMA in capturing diverse behavioral aspects relevant to obesity and overweight research. Moreover, the review discusses methodological challenges such as participant compliance, data integration, and real-time data interpretation in longitudinal analyses. Conclusions: In conclusion, EMA emerges as a powerful tool for exploring the complex, dynamic nature of overweight and obesity-related behaviors. Future research should focus on refining EMA methodologies, enhancing data analysis techniques, and integrating findings into personalized interventions aimed at reducing obesity effectively. Full article

An essential component of modern musculoskeletal rehabilitation systems is treadmills of various sizes, the control of which may rely either on manual adjustment of treadmill speed, fixed for the entire training session, or on automatic regulation based on analysis of the user’s movements and velocity. The aim of this study was to experimentally compare the control functions of an adaptive treadmill designed for musculoskeletal rehabilitation and to assess the influence of the hardware configuration and tracking systems on user stability and the smoothness of transient processes. Two running platforms (of different lengths, one equipped with handrails and one without), two tracking systems (virtual reality trackers and a computer vision system using the MediaPipe Pose model), and three control functions—linear, nonlinear, and proportional-integral-derivative (PID)—were investigated. A set of metrics with both metrical and physiological interpretability was proposed (including positional stability, duration and amplitude of transient processes in position and velocity, subjective assessment, and others), all integrated into a single quality control criterion. This study presents extensive experimental research comparing various designs of adaptive running platforms and tracking systems, exploring the relationships between the available working area length and user comfort, and determining the optimal parameters for the selected control functions. The optimal control function was identified as the linear law for the tracking system based on virtual reality trackers and the PID function for the computer-vision-based tracking system. The conducted experiments made it possible to formulate recommendations regarding the minimum permissible working area length of treadmill platforms and the selection of tracking systems and control functions for musculoskeletal rehabilitation systems. The obtained results are of practical relevance for developing adaptive rehabilitation simulators and creating control algorithms that ensure smooth and stable treadmill motion, thereby enhancing user comfort, efficiency, and safety during musculoskeletal rehabilitation exercises. Full article

Objectives: The objective of this study was to separately examine the effects of exercise addiction and the Collagen Type I Alpha 1 Chain (COL1A1) gene rs1800012 G/T polymorphism on injury susceptibility in elite female volleyball players, and to test the hypothesis that the T allele, previously identified as a risk allele, is underrepresented in volleyball players compared to the general population. Methods: The study included 50 professional Turkish female volleyball players with documented injury data, along with 557 Turkish controls, 53 professional Russian volleyball players, and 810 Russian controls. The Turkish participants were enrolled in a case–control study, an injury study, and an exercise addiction study, whereas the Russian participants were enrolled solely in a case–control study. Results: Injured players had significantly higher scores in the Delay of Individual Social Needs and Conflict subscale of the Exercise Addiction Scale compared to their uninjured counterparts (p = 0.036). The random-effects meta-analysis revealed a significantly lower frequency of the COL1A1 T allele in volleyball players compared to controls (pooled OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.41–0.96, p = 0.031). Athletes who had not undergone surgery had a significantly higher frequency of the G allele compared to controls (89.2% vs. 78.7%, p = 0.037; OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.1–4.7). Among injured athletes, those carrying the GT genotype were significantly more likely to experience prolonged recovery (≥3 months) (57.1%) compared to those with the GG genotype (28.0%, p = 0.017). Conclusions: Exercise addiction and the COL1A1 rs1800012 T allele were associated with a higher incidence of injury in female volleyball players. The T allele was also associated with a longer recovery time following injury. Full article

Maintaining social adaptation in later life has become a key challenge amid China’s rapidly aging population. Using nationally representative data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS 2023), this study examined the relationship between physical exercise and social adaptation among 8913 older adults. Ordinary least squares regression and the Karlson–Holm–Breen decomposition method were applied to test both direct and mediating effects. The results showed that physical exercise significantly improved social adaptation (β = 0.452, p < 0.001), while aging identity played a partial mediating role, accounting for approximately 11.0% of the total effect. The association was stronger among those aged 80 and above, with lower education and income, without chronic diseases, and covered by social security. These findings suggest that physical exercise enhances social adaptation not only through physical benefits but also by strengthening psychological resilience and fostering a positive sense of aging, providing valuable evidence for developing inclusive aging policies and targeted exercise interventions. Full article

Urban blue spaces (UBSs) play a pivotal role in supporting ecological integrity and public health, yet the causal mechanisms connecting the magnitude of water quality improvements to specific health outcomes remain insufficiently explored. The objective of the study is to investigate the effects of two large-scale surface water quality initiatives on the health and physical activity patterns of residents in Qingdao, China: a river pollution clean-up program and a shoreline and estuary monitoring program. Employing a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences (DID) framework with repeated cross-sectional survey data (2017 and 2018; n = 735), we evaluate effects on self-rated health (SRH), happiness, physical activity levels, and body mass index (BMI). Results reveal that both programs significantly enhanced exercise frequency. River pollution clean-up could promote SRH by 0.319 points on the 5-point scale (β = 0.319, p < 0.05), while shoreline quality monitoring program boosted happiness by 0.233 points on the 5-point scale (β = 0.233, p < 0.05). In contrast, both interventions had no significant effect on BMI (p > 0.1). Subgroup analysis revealed that the health and well-being benefits of water quality improvements varied by gender, age, education, and income level. These findings emphasize the importance of prioritizing high-impact UBS interventions in degraded urban areas and integrating them with accessible infrastructure to optimize health gains in a more effective and equitable way. Full article

Institutional violence against transgender individuals in healthcare is a structural phenomenon with multifactorial roots and is embedded in social, cultural, political, and economic dynamics. Drawing on Michel Foucault’s concept of the microphysics of power, this study analyzes how such violence unfolds within Brazil’s healthcare system. For Foucault, power is not solely exercised through centralized institutions but is diffuse and present in everyday practices, relationships, and discourses. Institutional violence, while often manifesting in individual acts, is defined by its persistence and systematic occurrence over time. In healthcare settings, this violence assumes symbolic, structural, psychological, and physical forms ranging from neglect and verbal abuse to sexual violence. Foucault’s framework allows for a deeper understanding of how power relations perpetuate exclusionary and dehumanizing practices. By interpreting these dynamics through the Microphysics of Power, the study reveals that institutional violence against transgender individuals extends beyond explicit acts, encompassing routine interactions that reproduce inequality and restrict access to fundamental rights such as healthcare. These practices sustain a logic of control and exclusion that operates subtly but effectively within healthcare systems, reinforcing the marginalization of trans people and undermining their right to dignified and equitable care. Full article

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease (CTEPD) with or without pulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterized by persistent perfusion defects and progressive pulmonary vascular dysfunction after acute pulmonary embolism (PE), despite adequate anticoagulant therapy. We aimed at assessing clinical, hemodynamic, and functional evolution in patients screened for CTEPD with persistent lung perfusion scintigraphy (Q-scan) defects to identify non-invasive predictors of right ventricular (RV) impairment and development of exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension (ExPH). We analyzed 55 patients with a history of PE and no prior cardiopulmonary disease, stratified by perfusion (Q)-scan at 4 months into Q-scan-positive (n = 35) and Q-scan-negative (n = 20). At that time, all patients underwent echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), and exercise stress echocardiography (ESE). Clinical evaluation and resting echocardiography were repeated at 24, 36, and 48 months. At baseline, Q-positive patients had higher NT-proBNP levels and greater PESI scores. At 4 months, they exhibited a higher prevalence of exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension (ExPH) on both CPET and ESE (p < 0.001). Both groups showed a partial recovery of echocardiographic parameters over time; however, Q-positive patients featured significantly higher systolic (s) pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and mean PAP and a lower TAPSE/sPAP ratio (p < 0.001), increased eccentricity index, and shorter right ventricle (RV) outflow tract acceleration time at 48 months, suggestive of persistent RV-PA uncoupling and of a higher subclinical hemodynamic burden. Persistent Q-scan defects identify a post-PE population at risk for long-term RV dysfunction and ExPH, even in the absence of pulmonary hypertension at rest. CPET and ESE at 4 months provide useful prognostic information, supporting their integration into structured follow-up strategies to identify patients early on with evolving pulmonary vascular disease. Full article

This research explores how coalitions of leaders who score high in the Dark Triad traits—narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy—rebuild moral architectures in organizations to consolidate power, suppress dissent, and secure their rule. Contrary to work that has focused predominantly on individual toxic leaders, this research examines the collective processes that emerge when multiple high-DT-scoring leaders coalesce and unify their moral leadership front. Adopting a qualitative, article-based document analysis methodology, this study synthesizes and critiques evidence from 55 peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2025. Thematic analysis identified three fundamental dynamics through which Dark Triad leaders collectively exercise dominance. The first, the Ethics Cartel, involves the construction of a shared moral façade that legitimates power and shields wrongdoing. The second, Mutual Cover, outlines forms of mutual protection in which leaders shield one another from accountability and scrutiny. The third, Cultural Capture, outlines processes through which organizational culture is increasingly reconfigured such that “ethics” are structured to favor leadership over employees or wider stakeholders. This study illustrates how these coalitions cross over into individual transgressions, creating systemic risk that warps the fabric of organizational culture. Employees are confronted with a work culture that positions ethics as a means of developing survival adaptive mechanisms, such as silence, withdrawal, or compliance. These processes not only harm psychological safety and break trust but also disable accountability mechanisms established to maintain integrity. This study contributes to the study of leadership and organizational ethics by framing ethics not as merely an individual moral stance but as a collective instrument of power. It calls for more attention to the risks that follow collaboration among toxic leaders and for governance arrangements that address the organizational and systemic consequences of these unions. By situating these findings within the broader debate on power, people, and performance, this paper aligns with the focus of the Special Issue “Power, People, and Performance: Rethinking Organizational Leadership and Management” by showing how collective Dark Triad leadership distorts organizational performance outcomes while reshaping power relations in ways that undermine people’s trust and well-being. These insights extend Alowais & Suliman’s findings, highlighting the systemic feedback loops sustaining ethical distortion. Full article