Dexterity and Bimanual Coordination, Cognitive Function, and Mental and Cognitive Well-Being in People with Young Onset Dementia: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Dexterity and bimanual coordination, cognitive function, and mental and cognitive well-being have not been previously examined in people with young onset dementia. Therefore, this study examined dexterity and bimanual coordination, cognitive function, and mental and cognitive well-being in people with young onset dementia (n = 16), and age-matched healthy controls (n = 17).

Methods: Both groups completed the Purdue Pegboard Test (dexterity and bimanual coordination), Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III (cognitive function), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (general anxiety), Generic health-related quality of life measures (overall health), General Self-Efficacy Scale (self-efficacy), Patient Health Questionnaire (depression), and The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (sleep quality).

A scoping review of the feasibility, usability, and efficacy of digital interventions in older adults concerning physical activity and/or exercise.

Background: The global population is aging, leading to significant health challenges among older adults, such as reduced muscle mass, increased risks of dementias, and chronic diseases. Physical activity (PA) is crucial for maintaining health and wellbeing in this demographic, yet participation tends to decrease with age due to various barriers. Digital technologies, including mobile health (mHealth) interventions, show promise in promoting PA among older adults, though their adoption remains limited due to intrinsic and extrinsic challenges.

A method for determination of hematocrit using the mobile app "HaemoCalc": Validity, reliability, and effect of user expertise.

We evaluated validity, reliability, and effect of user expertise of "HaemoCalc", a mobile phone application for hematocrit (Hct) measurement from fingerpick blood samples, compared to a traditional Hawksley microhaematocrit reader (MHR). Experiment 1 examined the effect pitch angle during image capture exerted on the validity of Hct values. Twenty participants' samples were analyzed at 0°, 10°, and 20° directly over the sample, and 33° with a 10 cm setback.

Advancing Age Is Not Associated With Greater Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression.

Objective: The aim of this paper was to undertake a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis-accordant meta-analysis comparing exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) in older and younger adults.

Methods: Google Scholar, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus were searched in June 2023 for the terms "ageing" OR "age" OR "middle-aged" OR "old" OR "older" OR "elderly" OR "masters" OR "veteran" AND "muscle damage" OR "exercise-induced muscle damage" OR "exercise-induced muscle injury" OR "contraction-induced injury" OR "muscle soreness" OR "delayed onset muscle soreness" OR "creatine kinase." From 1,092 originally identified titles, 36 studies were included which had an exercise component comparing a younger against an older group.

Managing Energy, and Shaping Care: Insights from Adults with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Through Co-Production Workshops.

Background: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex, debilitating condition characterized by severe fatigue that is not relieved by rest and is often exacerbated by physical or mental activity. A key challenge for individuals with ME/CFS is energy management and to date, the only recommended strategy is "activity pacing." This approach involves balancing activity and rest to avoid overexertion and minimize the risk of symptom exacerbation, commonly known as "post-exertional malaise".

Tracking Persistent Symptoms in Scotland (TraPSS): a longitudinal prospective cohort study of COVID-19 recovery after mild acute infection.

Background: COVID-19 disease results in disparate responses between individuals and has led to the emergence of long coronavirus disease (Long-COVID), characterised by persistent and cyclical symptomology. To understand the complexity of Long-COVID, the importance of symptom surveillance and prospective longitudinal studies is evident.

Methods: A 9-month longitudinal prospective cohort study was conducted within Scotland (n=287), using a mobile app to determine the proportion of recovered individuals and those with persistent symptoms and common symptoms, and associations with gender and age.

Body Composition, Vascular Health, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Lung Function, Muscle Architecture, and Physical Activity in People with Young Onset Dementia: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Body composition, blood pressure, estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO), lung function, physical activity, muscle architecture, and endothelial function had not previously been examined in people with young onset dementia. Therefore, the study measured these variables in a young onset dementia group, compared them to age-matched controls.

Methods: Estimated VO (via the Astrand-Rhyming test), body composition, blood pressure, lung function (via spirometry), muscle architecture (via ultrasonography), and endothelial function (via flow-mediated dilation) were assessed.

Examining Well-Being and Cognitive Function in People With Long COVID and ME/CFS, and Age-Matched Healthy Controls: A Case-Case-Control Study.

Background: Well-being and cognitive function had not previously been compared between people with long COVID and people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Therefore, this study examined well-being and cognitive function in people with long COVID (∼16 months illness duration; n = 17) and ME/CFS (∼16 years illness duration; n = 24), versus age-matched healthy controls (n = 16).

Methods: Well-being was examined using several questionnaires, namely the Health Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), post-exertional malaise (PEM), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), European Quality of Life-5 Domains (EQ-5D), MRC Dyspnoea, Self-Efficacy (SELTC), The Edinburgh Neurosymptoms Questionnaire (ENS), General Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9).

Validity of resting heart rate derived from contact-based smartphone photoplethysmography compared with electrocardiography: a scoping review and checklist for optimal acquisition and reporting.

Background: With the rise of smartphone ownership and increasing evidence to support the suitability of smartphone usage in healthcare, the light source and smartphone camera could be utilized to perform photoplethysmography (PPG) for the assessment of vital signs, such as heart rate (HR). However, until rigorous validity assessment has been conducted, PPG will have limited use in clinical settings.

Objective: We aimed to conduct a scoping review assessing the validity of resting heart rate (RHR) acquisition from PPG utilizing contact-based smartphone devices.

Associations between biological maturation, physical performance, postural control, and mathematical achievement in youth soccer players.

This investigation explored relationships between biological maturation, physical and academic performance in young male soccer players. Thirty-eight players (age: 9.79 ± 1.

People with Long COVID and ME/CFS Exhibit Similarly Impaired Dexterity and Bimanual Coordination: A Case-Case-Control Study.

Purpose: Dexterity and bimanual coordination had not previously been compared between people with long COVID and people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Therefore, this study determined dexterity and bimanual coordination in people with long COVID (∼16-month illness duration; n = 21) and ME/CFS (∼16-year illness duration; n = 20), vs age-matched healthy controls (n = 20).

Methods: Dexterity and bimanual coordination was determined using the Purdue pegboard test.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in People with Long COVID, ME/CFS, and Controls.

Background: Prevalences of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) have not previously been compared between individuals with long coronavirus disease (COVID) and individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and healthy age-matched controls. For these reasons, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of PTSD and CPTSD in individuals with long COVID (n = 21) and ME/CFS (n = 20) and age-matched controls (n = 20).

Methods: A case-case-control approach was employed; participants completed the International Trauma Questionnaire, a self-report measure of the International Classification of Diseases of PTSD and CPTSD consisting of 18 items.

Youths Are Less Susceptible to Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage Than Adults: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: This meta-analysis aimed to (1) provide a comparison of peak changes in indirect markers of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) in youths versus adults and (2) determine if the involved limb moderated this effect.

Method: Studies were eligible for inclusion if they (1) provided a human youth versus adult comparison; (2) provided data on muscle strength, soreness, or creatine kinase markers beyond ≥24 hours; and (3) did not provide a recovery treatment. Effect sizes (ES) were presented alongside 95% confidence intervals.

A scoping review of 'Pacing' for management of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): lessons learned for the long COVID pandemic.

Background: Controversy over treatment for people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a barrier to appropriate treatment. Energy management or pacing is a prominent coping strategy for people with ME/CFS. Whilst a definitive definition of pacing is not unanimous within the literature or healthcare providers, it typically comprises regulating activity to avoid post exertional malaise (PEM), the worsening of symptoms after an activity.

People with Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Exhibit Similarly Impaired Vascular Function.

Background: This study aimed to compare flow-mediated dilation values between individuals with long COVID, individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and healthy age-matched controls to assess the potential implications for clinical management and long-term health outcomes.

Methods: A case-case-control approach was employed, and flow-mediated dilation measurements were obtained from 51 participants (17 long COVID patients, 17 ME/CFS patients, and 17 healthy age-matched controls). Flow-mediated dilation values were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance for between-group comparisons.

People with Long Covid and ME/CFS Exhibit Similarly Impaired Balance and Physical Capacity: A Case-Case-Control Study.

Purpose: Postural sway and physical capacity had not previously been compared between people with long COVID and people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Therefore, this study determined postural sway and physical capacity in people with long COVID (∼16-month illness duration; n = 21) and ME/CFS (∼16-year illness duration; n = 20), vs age-matched healthy controls (n = 20).

Methods: Postural sway was during a 30-s static stand test.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Symptom Prevalence, Frequency, Severity, and Impact of Long COVID in Scotland: Part II.

Background: There has been some effort to map the prevalence, frequency, and severity of symptoms of long COVID at local and national levels. However, what is frequently absent from such accounts is details of the impact the disease and its symptoms have had on those living with the condition. In this article, we present details of the impact on work, caring, and mental health gathered using a cross-sectional survey.

Differences in body composition, static balance, field test performance, and academic achievement in 10-12-year-old soccer players.

This study aimed to compare 10-12-year-old Qatari male soccer players ( = 45) regarding different dimensions (anthropometric, academic and physical performance). Anthropometric parameters (body mass, fat percentage (%BF), body mass index (BMI)) academic achievement (mathematics and science grade point average [GPA]) and physical performance [Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (level 1), squat jumps (SJ), counter-movement jumps (CMJ), stork balance test, 10 and 15 m sprint tests, T-half test for change-of-direction (CoD) ability, hand-grip strength, medicine ball throw (MBT)] were measured. Schoolchild soccer players were divided into three groups: 12-year-old players (U12; = 16), 11-year-old players (U11; = 14), 10-year-old players (U10; = 15).

Aerobically trained older adults show impaired resting, but preserved exercise-induced circulating progenitor cell count, which was not improved by sprint interval training.

Older adults exhibit a reduced number and function of CD34 + circulating progenitor cells (CPC), a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Exercise promotes the mobilisation of CPCs from bone marrow, so whether ageing per se or physical inactivity in older age reduces CPCs is unknown. Thus, this study examined the effect of age on resting and exercise-induced changes in CPCs in aerobically trained adults and the effect of 8 weeks of sprint interval training (SIT) on resting and exercise-induced CPCs in older adults.

Perception of Size and Mass Relationships of Moving and Stationary Object in Collision Events in 10-to-11-Month-Old Infants.

Around 5.5-6.5 months of age, infants first attend to object size and perceive its mass cues in simple collision events.