Xing Zhang

This systematic review with meta-analysis evaluated whether individualized training programs tailored to an athlete’s F-V profile were more effective than non-individualized programs (i.e., without considering the athlete´s F-V profile) in decreasing F-V imbalances and enhancing jump height and maximal power (Pmax). A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO and Cochrane Library databases from inception until April 19th 2024. Pooled meta-analysis and subgroup meta-analysis were performed using the random-effects and fixed-effects models. The individualized training program was more effective at reducing the F-V imbalance compared to the non-individualized training program (SMD = 0.59 [95%, p < 0.001), but no significant differences were reached for jump height (SMD = 0.50, p = 0.059) and Pmax (SMD = 0.10, p = 0.543). Regarding subgroup analyses, differences were found only between the velocity-deficit subgroup and the non-individualized group with the former showing greater reductions in the F-V imbalance (SMD = 1.28, p < 0.001) and greater improvements in jump height (SMD = 0.77, p = 0.010), but no significant differences were noted for Pmax (SMD = 0.40, p = 0.165). No significant differences in the F-V imbalance, jump height or Pmax were obtained between force-deficit and well-balanced subgroups compared to the non-individualized group. Individualized training programs are more effective at reducing F-V imbalances than non-individualized programs because they target specific segments of the F-V profile. However, pooled evidence suggests that individualized training is only more effective at enhancing jump height for athletes experiencing a velocity-deficit at the start of the training program.

The aims of this study were (1) to determine how stair-climbing-based exercise snacks (ES) compared to moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) for improving cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and (2) to explore whether ES could improve maximal fat oxidation rate (MFO) in inactive adults. Healthy, young, inactive adults ( n: 42, age: 21.6 ± 2.3 years, BMI: 22.5 ± 3.6 kg·m⁻², peak oxygen uptake (VO₂peak): 33.6 ± 6.3 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) were randomly assigned to ES, MICT, or Control. ES ( n = 14) and MICT ( n = 13) groups performed three sessions per week over 6 weeks, while the control group ( n = 15) maintained their habitual lifestyle. ES involved 3 × 30 s “all-out” stair-climbing (6 flight, 126 steps, and 18.9 m total height) bouts separated by >1 h rest, and MICT involved 40 min × 60%–70% HR_max stationary cycling. A significant group × time interaction was found for relative VO₂peak ( p < 0.05) with ES significantly increasing by 7% compared to baseline (MD = 2.5 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ (95% CI = 1.2, 3.7), Cohen’s d = 0.44), while MICT had no significant effects (MD = 1.0 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ (−1.1, 3.2), Cohen’s d = 0.17), and Control experienced a significant decrease (MD = −1.7 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ (−2.9, −0.4), Cohen’s d = 0.26). MFO was unchanged among the three groups (group × time interaction, p > 0.05 for all). Stair climbing-based ES are a time-efficient alternative to MICT for improving CRF among inactive adults, but the tested ES intervention appears to have limited potential to increase MFO.

People with high levels of intelligence are more aware of risk factors, therefore choosing a healthier lifestyle. This assumption seems reasonable, but is it true? Previous studies appear to agree and disagree. To cope with the uncertainty, we designed a mendelian randomization (MR) study to examine the causal effects of genetically proxied intelligence on alcohol-, smoking-, and physical activity (PA)-related behaviors. We obtained genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets concerning these variables from separate studies or biobanks and used inverse-variance weighted (IVW) or MR-Egger estimator to evaluate the causal effects according to an MR protocol. The MR-Egger intercept test, MR-PRESSO, and funnel plots were employed for horizontal pleiotropy diagnosis. The Steiger test (with reliability test), Cochran’s Q test, MR-PRESSO, and leave-one-out method were employed for sensitivity analysis. We found significant or potential effects of intelligence on alcohol dependence (OR = 0.749, p = 0.003), mental and behavioral disorders due to alcohol (OR = 0.814, p = 0.009), smoking (OR = 0.585, p = 0.005), and smoking cessation (OR = 1.334, p = 0.001). Meanwhile, we found significant or potential effects on walking duration (B = −0.066, p < 0.001), walking frequency (B = −0.055, p = 0.031), moderate PA frequency (B = −0.131, p < 0.001), and vigorous PA frequency (B = −0.070, p = 0.001), but all in a negative direction. In conclusion, our findings reinforce some existing knowledge, indicate the complexity of the health impacts of human intelligence, and underline the value of smoking and alcohol prevention in less intelligent populations. Given the existing limitations in this study, particularly the potential reverse causality in some estimations, re-examinations are warranted in future research.

The velocity loss method is often used in velocity–based training (VBT) to dynamically regulate training loads. However, the effects of velocity loss on maximum strength development and training efficiency are still unclear. Therefore, we conducted a dose–response meta–analysis aiming to fill this research gap. A systematic literature search was performed to identify studies on VBT with the velocity loss method via PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, EBSCO, and Cochrane. Controlled trials that compared the effects of different velocity losses on maximum strength were considered. One–repetition maximum (1RM) gain and 1RM gain per repetition were the selected outcomes to indicate the maximum strength development and its training efficiency. Eventually, nine studies with a total of 336 trained males (training experience/history ≥ 1 year) were included for analysis. We found a non–linear dose–response relationship (reverse U–shaped) between velocity loss and 1RM gain (p_{dose–response relationship} < 0.05, p_{non–linear relationship} < 0.05). Additionally, a negative linear dose–response relationship was observed between velocity loss and 1RM gain per repetition (p_{dose–response relationship} < 0.05, p_{non–linear relationship} = 0.23). Based on our findings, a velocity loss between 20 and 30% may be beneficial for maximum strength development, and a lower velocity loss may be more efficient for developing and maintaining maximum strength. Future research is warranted to focus on female athletes and the interaction of other parameters.

Velocity-based training (VBT) is a rising auto-regulation method that dynamically regulates training loads to promote resistance training. However, the role of VBT in improving various athletic performances is still unclear. Hence, the presented study aimed to examine the role of VBT in improving lower limbs’ maximum strength, strength endurance, jump, and sprint performance among trained individuals. A systematic literature search was performed to identify studies on VBT for lower limb strength training via databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, EBSCO, Cochrane, CNKI (in Chinese), and Wanfang Database (in Chinese). Controlled trials that deployed VBT only without extra training content were considered. Eventually, nine studies with a total of 253 trained males (at least one year of training experience) were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled results suggest that VBT may effectively enhance lower limbs’ maximum strength (SMD = 0.76; p < 0.001; I² = 0%), strength endurance (SMD = 1.19; p < 0.001; I² = 2%), countermovement jump (SMD = 0.53; p < 0.001; I² = 0%), and sprint ability (SMD of sprint time = −0.40; p < 0.001; I² = 0%). These findings indicate the positive role of VBT in serving athletic training. Future research is warranted to focus on the effect of velocity loss of VBT on athletic performance.

TikTok, the most popular social media, brings various benefits to nowadays living. However, the problematic use of TikTok has also elicited a range of health problems, such as sleep problems. Physical activity (PA) appears to play a protective role in the problematic use of TikTok and its health consequences, but the pathways between PA and sleep health are understudied. Therefore, we aimed to propose a framework to check whether PA can benefit the sleep health of TikTok users by reducing bedtime delays for TikTok. Stress and mental health issues were also considered as they are potential mediators between PA and sleep health and may also influence the problematic use of smartphones. A cross-sectional investigation that involved 660 Chinese TikTok users was conducted in April 2021. The volume of PA, perceived stress (PSS-10), depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), bedtime delay for TikTok use, and sleep quality (PSQI) were investigated through an online questionnaire survey. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine pathways from PA to sleep quality through stress, mental health issues (depression and anxiety), and bedtime delay for TikTok. We found that PA exerted a significant effect on sleep quality through indirect pathways (β = −0.056, p = 0.001). Stress was a critical mediator of all indirect pathways, and the pathway mediated by stress and mental health issues made a major contribution to the total effect (β = −0.048, p = 0.002). The identified pathways mediated by bedtime delay for TikTok were relatively weak but significant. PA showed a distinct effect on bedtime delay for TikTok through stress and mental health issues (β = −0.043, p = 0.001). In conclusion, our framework highlights some pathways to understanding the benefits of PA on TikTok users’ sleep quality. Future research is warranted to explore extra indirect pathways and re-examine the causal relationships between variables.

Reducing the burden of pain via greenspace exposure is a rising research topic. However, insufficient evidence has been found in relation to the environmental effect itself. Residential greenspace, as a convenient but limited natural environment for urban dwellers, has benefits and services yet to be discovered. Therefore, the current study recruited 24 young adults to evaluate the effects of physical visit to, or image viewing of, residential greenspace on pain perception and related psychophysiological outcomes, via simulated pain. Pain threshold and tolerance were recorded via the level of pain stimuli, and pain intensity was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The state scale of the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) and two adjective pairs were employed to measure the state anxiety and subjective stress, respectively. Meanwhile, heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and blood pressure (BP) were measured to investigate physiological responses. Besides, Scenic Beauty Estimation (SBE) was also employed to assess participants’ preference regarding the experimental environments. The results revealed that visiting the greenspace significantly increased the pain threshold and tolerance, while no significant effect was observed for image viewing. On the other hand, no significant difference was observed in pain-related psychophysiological indices between the experimental settings, but significantly negative associations were found between the scores of SBE and subjective stress and state anxiety. In conclusion, the current study brings experimental evidence of improving pain experience via residential greenspace exposure, while the related psychophysiological benefits require further investigation.

Green exercise is the combination of physical activity and nature exposure, which has been associated with positive effects on psychophysiological health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of nature video viewing on isometric exercise and find a useful practice for green exercise in urban living. In the current study, 18 male subjects were recruited in a randomized crossover trial and underwent a sequence of wall squat exercises. The whole experiment contained three periods of baseline (before exercise), exercise, and recovery (after exercise), and each period lasted for 2 min. A video of forest walking was played in the exercise and recovery periods as treatment, while a black screen was set as control. The Rate of Perceived Exertion Scale (RPE) and Feeling Scale (FS) were employed to measure perceived exertion and affective responses in the exercise period; heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) including the standard deviation of normal-to-normal RR intervals (SDNN), the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), and the standard deviations of the Poincaré plot (SD1), were recorded in the three periods. Heart rate recovery (HRR) in the recovery period was further calculated based on 30 s and 60 s time frames. Results demonstrated that during the exercise period nature video viewing was associated with better affective responses (median of 1.00 and an interquartile (IQR) of 2.00, p = 0.017), lower perceived exertion (median = 6.00, IQR = 2.00, p = 0.021), and lower HR (median = 89.60, IQR = 20.94, p = 0.01), but the differences in HRV indices between the experimental settings were not statistically significant. In the recovery period, significantly higher values of RMSSD (median = 34.88, IQR = 24.52, p = 0.004), SD1 (median = 24.75, IQR = 17.41, p = 0.003), and HR (median = 84.18, IQR = 16.58, p = 0.001) were observed in the treatment setting, whereas no statistically significant difference was found for HRR. In general, our findings support that nature video viewing may help reduce perceived exertion, increase exercise pleasure, buffer heart rate, and improve cardiac autonomic recovery for wall squat exercising, which implies the potential of nature-based stimuli in green exercise. However, due to the limited research sample, further study may need to include female participants and focus on various populations to confirm the effectiveness of using virtual and environments depicting nature at home or in public exercise places to promote positive exercise experience.