Michael H. Cole

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (+)-dependent class III histone deacetylases, widely known as sirtuins (SIRTs), have been found to play key functions in a wide range of biological processes implicated in ageing processes. The downregulation of some specific SIRTs was reported in ageing and in some neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. SIRT modulator factors, such as diet, exercise and various natural compounds, have recently emerged as a potential new avenue of therapy to modify the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and delay some ageing effects. This review synthesises recent advances in the understanding of the modulatory effects of SIRTs in the context of healthy ageing with a particular focus on cognitive function and implications for Alzheimer’s disease.

This study aimed to: (1) quantify the accuracy of commercially available computer-vision and artificial intelligence (AI) player tracking software to measure player position, speed and distance covered using broadcast footage and (2) determine the impact of camera feed and resolution on accuracy. Data were obtained from one match at the 2022 Qatar Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup. Tactical, programme and camera 1 feeds were used. Three commercial tracking providers that use computer-vision and AI participated. Providers analysed instantaneous position (x, y co-ordinates) and speed (m·s ⁻¹ ) of each player. Their data were compared with a high-definition multi-camera tracking system (TRACAB Gen 5). Root mean square error (RMSE) and mean bias were calculated. Position RMSE ranged from 1.68 to 16.39 m, while speed RMSE ranged from 0.34 to 2.38 m·s ⁻¹ . Total distance mean bias ranged from −1745 m (−21.8%) to 1945 m (24.3%) across providers. Computer-vision and AI player tracking software offer the best accuracy when players are detected by the software. Providers should use a tactical feed when tracking position and speed, which will maximise player detection, improving accuracy. Both 720p and 1080p resolutions are suitable, assuming appropriate computer-vision and AI models are implemented.

Cognitive decline associated with healthy ageing and pathological conditions is driven by multifactorial processes, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and chronic neuroinflammation. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting cognition and behaviour, is the leading cause of dementia worldwide. Current pharmacological interventions provide modest and transient benefits, targeting limited molecular pathways with safety and cost concerns, underscoring the need for safe, accessible and multi-targeted strategies. This review explores new avenues of therapy with a focus on bioactive compounds derived from brown, red and green seaweeds and their potential to modulate key mechanisms underlying AD. Preclinical and emerging clinical studies demonstrate that phlorotannins, fucoidans, fucoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, ulvan, and astaxanthin exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cholinergic-modulating and neuroprotective effects. Supplementation with seaweed-derived bioactive compounds has been shown to exert molecular and cellular effects that lead to reduced amyloid burden, preservation of synaptic integrity, and enhanced cognitive performance. Collectively, seaweed-derived compounds represent promising candidates for multi-target therapeutic strategies in cognitive decline prevention in the context of AD and healthy brain ageing.

Child maltreatment and problematic alcohol use in adolescence represent significant public health concerns with interrelated risks. We examined relationships between maltreatment exposure, non-maltreatment adversities, and problematic alcohol use in a representative sample of Australian youth aged 16–24 ( n = 3,500). Structural equation models revealed that youth experiencing multiple maltreatment types reported greater levels of problematic alcohol use, even after controlling for non-maltreatment adversities, mental health, and gender. When accounting for co-occurrence, only sexual abuse was independently associated with alcohol problems. Household substance use was most strongly associated with youth problematic alcohol use among non-maltreatment adversities, while self-perceived racial bias showed an inverse relationship. Duration of maltreatment was directly associated with alcohol outcomes, though neither age of onset nor duration moderated the relationship between maltreatment exposure and alcohol use. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive prevention and intervention strategies addressing both maltreatment and family-level risk factors for problematic alcohol use.

Sirtuins (SIRTs), nicotine adenine dinucleotide (+)-dependent histone deacetylases, have emerged as critical regulators in many signalling pathways involved in a wide range of biological processes. Currently, seven mammalian SIRTs have been characterized and are found across a number of cellular compartments. There has been considerable interest in the role of SIRTs in the brain due to their role in a plethora of metabolic- and age-related diseases, including their involvement in learning and memory function in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Although cognitive function declines over the course of healthy ageing, neurological disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can be associated with progressive cognitive impairments. This review aimed to report and integrate recent advances in the understanding of the role of SIRTs in cognitive function and dysfunction in the context of AD. We have also reviewed the use of selective and/or natural SIRT activators as potential therapeutic agents and/or adjuvants for AD.

Mixed reality (MR) technologies are being used increasingly to support healthy ageing, but past reviews have concentrated on the efficacy of the technology. This systematic review provides a synthesis of recent experimental studies on the instrumental, emotional and non-instrumental aspects of user experience of healthy older adults in relation to MR-related applications. The review was listed on PROSPERO, utilised a modified PICOS framework, and canvassed all published work between January 2010 to July 2021 that appeared in major databases (Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library). The literature search revealed 15 eligible studies. Results indicated that all included studies measured the instrumental quality of their applications, all but two studies measured the emotional reactions triggered by gameplay, and only six studies examined participants’ perception of non-instrumental quality of the applications. All included studies focused on improving a health domain such as cognitive or physical training. This suggests that the instrumental quality of the MR applications remains the focus of user experience studies, with far fewer studies examining the non-instrumental quality of the applications. Implications for game design and future research are discussed.

The aim of this review was to examine the efficacy of dance interventions for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP), measured at any level of the International Classification of Functioning, Disabil... Movement- and step-based dance practice for cerebral palsy have a positive impact on walking/gait, balance/postural control, and range of motion.Dance programs should move beyond a traditional focu...

Background: Some people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) report poorer dynamic postural stability following high-frequency deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS), which may contribute to an increased falls risk. However, some studies have shown low-frequency (60 Hz) STN-DBS improves clinical measures of postural stability, potentially providing support for this treatment. This double-blind randomised crossover study aimed to investigate the effects of low-frequency STN-DBS compared to high-frequency stimulation on objective measures of gait rhythmicity in people with PD. Methods: During high- and low-frequency STN-DBS and while off-medication, participants completed assessments of symptom severity and walking (e.g., Timed Up-and-Go). During comfortable walking, the harmonic ratio, an objective measures of gait rhythmicity, was derived from head- and trunk-mounted accelerometers to provide insight in dynamic postural stability. Lower harmonic ratios represent less rhythmic walking and have discriminated people with PD who experience falls. Linear mixed model analyses were performed on fourteen participants. Results: Low-frequency STN-DBS significantly improved medial–lateral and vertical trunk rhythmicity compared to high-frequency. Improvements were independent of electrode location and total electrical energy delivered. No differences were noted between stimulation conditions for temporal gait measures, clinical mobility measures, motor symptom severity or the presence of gait retropulsion. Conclusions: This study provides evidence for the acute benefits of low-frequency stimulation for gait outcomes in STN-DBS PD patients, independent of electrode location. However, the perceived benefits of this therapy may be diminished for people who experienced significant tremor pre-operatively, as lower frequencies may cause these symptoms to re-emerge. Trial registration: This study was prospectively registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry on 5 June 2018 (ACTRN12618000944235).

Visual exploratory action, in which football players turn their head to perceive their environment, improves prospective performance with the ball during match-play. This scanning action, however, is relevant for players throughout the entire match, as the information perceived through visual exploration is needed to guide movement around the pitch during both offensive and defensive play. This study aimed to understand how a player’s on-pitch position, playing role and phase of play influenced the visual exploratory head movements of players during 11v11 match-play. Twenty-two competitive-elite youth footballers (M = 16.25 years) played a total of 1,623 minutes (M = 73.8). Inertial measurement units, global positioning system units and notational analysis were used to quantify relevant variables. Analyses revealed that players explored more extensively when they were in possession of the ball, and less extensively during transition phases, as compared to team ball-possession and opposition ball-possession phases of play. Players explored most extensively when in the back third of the pitch, and least when they were in the middle third of the pitch. Playing role, pitch position and phase of play should be considered as constraints on visual exploratory actions when developing training situations aimed at improving the scanning actions of players.

Black, GM, Gabbett, TJ, Naughton, G, Cole, MH, Johnston, RD, and Dawson, B. The influence of contextual factors on running performance in female Australian football match-play. J Strength Cond Res 33(9): 2488–2495, 2019—Given the recent growth of the professional status among multiple female football codes, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of contextual factors on activity profiles and pacing strategies in female Australian football (AF) players. Thirty-five female AF players participated in this study. Global positioning system analysis was completed over 1 competitive season. Matches were separated into eight 10-minute periods. Greater distances were covered during the first half irrespective of playing position (effect size [ES] = 0.39–0.50, Likelihood ≥90%). Throughout a number of periods half-backs (defensive players) covered greater distances during losses (ES ≥ 0.74, Likelihood ≥92%) and against top 3 opponents (ES ≥ 1.0, Likelihood ≥97%). Midfielders and half-backs covered greater distances (ES ≥ 0.49, Likelihood ≥89%) in the final match period in winning compared with losing matches. A reduction in player work rate is evident during the second half of matches. The influence of contextual factors varied across positional groups. However, it is clear that coaches could use player rotation both early in the match in an attempt to delay the effect of fatigue and more frequently during the second half to increase running intensity.