Jorge Salse-Batán

Objectives: We examined the effects of sex and inertia on within-session reliability of flywheel half-squat performance outcomes. Methods: A total of 21 males and 25 females (aged 24.9 and 23.6, respectively) performed two sets of six valid repetitions using four inertial loads. Mean force, mean and peak power, impulse, and work were recorded during concentric and eccentric phases. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV), typical error (TE), smallest worthwhile change (SWC), and minimal detectable change were calculated. A three-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to identify systematic differences and interaction effects. Results: Regardless of inertia or contraction phase, both males and females demonstrated excellent between-set reliability (ICC > 0.803 in males and superior to 0.946 in females) across all variables. Although males showed slightly higher CV values, CVs were good for all variables (≤9%). Overall, good sensitivity (SWC > TE) was observed in the four inertias, with marginal sensitivity (TE > SWC) more frequently observed for the power-related outcomes. Whereas no interactions between Sex × Set × Inertia were observed among the variables, significant interactions between Inertia × Sex were observed in both contraction phases for power-related variables (eccentric peak power, p < 0.001; concentric mean power, p = 0.032). Conclusions: reliability was excellent across all moments of inertia and contraction phases for both sexes, highlighting the importance of considering inertia configuration and sex differences when profiling performance outcomes.

Sex-based differences in performance fatigability during maximal dynamic tasks using FD have not yet been investigated. Immediately after the task, central fatigue was comparable between sexes; however, males exhibited greater deficits in contractile function. Standing out is that contractile impairment persisted in both groups at 10-min postexercise.

Background: Isometric and dynamic tasks of low-to-moderate intensities have been used to study sex differences in fatigability; however, maximal exertions with flywheel devices (FDs) have not been used. This study aimed to (1) detect sex differences in fatigue-related performance in a maximal intermittent fatiguing protocol on a FD, and (2) investigate the most sensitive dynamometric and mechanical variables for assessing fatigue in both sexes. Hypothesis: No sex differences should exist when performing this protocol on a FD. Study Design: Cohort observational study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: A total of 34 young adults (17 female/17 male) performed 10 sets of 10 repetitions with 3 minutes of passive recovery of a half-squat exercise on a FD. Inter- and intraset analysis of force, power, velocity, work, and impulse, together with their relative change and slope, were calculated during concentric and eccentric phases. Raw data were also normalized to body mass in the interset analysis. The relative changes in each variable were compared. Results: Men showed greater and earlier decreases in performance throughout sets ( P < .05; η _p ² ≥ 0.08), but these differences were not consistent after normalization for body mass ( P > .05; η _p ² ≤ 0.05). Irrespective of sex and phase, the intraset analysis revealed that relative change was higher in the last set ( P ≤ .03; η _p ² ≥ 0.14), with power being the most sensitive variable for detecting performance decline ( P ≤ .04; η _p ² = 0.49). Conclusion: Women experienced slower and delayed fatigue kinetics than men during a maximal intermittent fatiguing protocol with FD if body dimensionality is not considered. For training purposes, power seems to be the most sensitive and discriminative variable for detecting decreases in performance. Clinical Relevance: Body dimensionality is a key factor that must be considered when comparing both sexes in FDs.

Purpose: To study the possible sex differences in muscle activity after a maximal intermittent fatiguing protocol (IFP_max) performed with a flywheel device. Methods: Fifteen males and 17 females completed 10 sets of 10 half-squat repetitions with 3 minutes of passive recovery between sets as the IFP_max. Before and after the IFP_max, maximal isometric half-squat and countermovement jump were performed. Surface electromyography was used to analyze muscle activity in the gluteus maximus, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, and semitendinosus. Results: Both sexes exhibited a similar decline in maximal isometric half-squat force and countermovement-jump flight time after the IFP_max. Although males demonstrated higher baseline power performance (F ≥ 4.99, P ≤ .013, ), these differences were no longer significant at the end of the fatiguing protocol. A more pronounced decrease in electromyography activity of the agonist musculature was observed in males (F ≥ 4.84, P ≤ .036, ), whereas delta analysis revealed a greater increase in antagonist muscle activity in females (P < .05). Hip-to-knee cocontraction ratio increased similarly in both sexes (F ≥ 10.14, P ≤ .004, ). However, males and females adopted distinct muscle-activation patterns as fatigue developed. Conclusions: Sex-related differences in muscle activity following an IFP_max performed with a flywheel device suggest the potential for higher training volumes and/or shorter recovery intervals for females. These findings provide valuable insights for the individualization and optimization of training protocols based on sex differences.

Nordic walking (NW) may be a beneficial treatment for people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Since high-quality research has been published on the effects of NW on people with PD by now, an actualised and comprehensive, in-depth review is recommended to guide practitioners in prescribing this exercise modality. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of NW as a rehabilitation strategy for PD. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a literature search was performed using Pubmed, SportDiscus and Scopus up to May 2021. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) addressing the impact of a NW intervention on any outcomes in people with PD were included. The critical appraisal of the RCTs was retrieved from the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) or evaluated using the PEDro scale. The Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool was also employed. The review was not registered a priori on any database and a review protocol was not published. Twelve studies were included in the review. The investigations were mostly good-to-fair methodological quality, and risk of bias was acceptable. None of the reported statistically significant benefits of NW were clinically meaningful, except for walking ability. Although adherence to NW programs was good, some adverse effects derived from its practice were informed. The practice of Nordic Walking does not lead to clinically significant changes in global motor impairment, functional mobility, balance and physical fitness in patients with PD. This therapy seems to improve walking ability and quality of life, although further research in this latter outcome is needed.

Background: Efforts to synthesise existing knowledge concerning the effects of exercise interventions on obesity (i.e. changes in body weight and composition) have been made, but scientific evidence in this matter is still limited. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aims to identify and critically analyse the best available evidence regarding the use of physical exercise as a strategy to attenuate obesity through its effects on adiposity‐related anthropometric parameters in people with intellectual disability (ID).Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines, a literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library through specific keywords up to July 2020. The search adhered to the population, intervention, comparison and outcome strategy. Randomised controlled trials addressing the effects of the exercise intervention on adiposity‐related anthropometric parameters (body mass index, waist circumference, waist–hip ratio, fat percentage or body weight) in children, adolescents and adults with ID were included. The methodological quality of the studies found was evaluated through the PEDro scale.Results: A total of nine investigations with children and/or adolescents (10–19 years) and 10 investigations with adults (18–70 years) were selected, mostly experiencing mild and moderate ID. Methodological quality was fair in 13 of these publications, good in five and excellent in one. Seventeen trials reported comparable baseline and post‐intervention data for the intervention and control groups and were included in the meta‐analysis. In nine studies, the intervention group performed a cardiovascular training programme. Five papers described a combined training programme. Two trials executed whole‐body vibration training programmes, and one publication proposed balance training as the primary intervention. According to the meta‐analysis results, the reviewed studies proposed exercise modalities that, in comparison with the activities performed by the participants' in the respective control groups, did not have a greater impact on the variables assessed.Conclusions: While physical exercise can contribute to adiposity‐related anthropometric parameters in people with mild and moderate ID, these findings show that exercise alone is not sufficient to manage obesity in this population. Multicomponent interventions appear to be the best choice when they incorporate dietary deficit, physical activity increase and behaviour change strategies. Finding the most effective modality of physical exercise can only aid weight loss interventions. Future research would benefit from comparing the effects of different exercise modalities within the framework of a multicomponent weight management intervention.