Purpose: To evaluate the effects of a combination of wheelchair mobility skills (WMS) training and exercise training on physical activity (PA), WMS, confidence in wheelchair mobility, and physical fitness. Methods: Youth using a manual wheelchair (n = 60) participated in this practice-based intervention, with a waiting list period (16 weeks), exercise training (8 weeks), WMS training (8 weeks), and follow-up (16 weeks). Repeated measures included: PA (Activ8), WMS (Utrecht Pediatric Wheelchair Mobility Skills Test), confidence in wheelchair mobility (Wheelchair Mobility Confidence Scale), and physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness, (an)aerobic performance) and were analysed per outcome parameter using a multilevel model analyses. Differences between the waiting list and training period were determined with an unpaired sample t-test. Results: Multilevel model analysis showed significant positive effects for PA (p = 0.01), WMS (p < 0.001), confidence in wheelchair mobility (p < 0.001), aerobic (p < 0.001), and anaerobic performance (p < 0.001). Unpaired sample t-tests underscored these effects for PA (p < 0.01) and WMS (p < 0.001). There were no effects on cardiorespiratory fitness. The order of training (exercise before WMS) had a significant effect on confidence in wheelchair mobility. Conclusions: A combination of exercise and WMS training appears to have significant positive long-term effects on PA, WMS, confidence in wheelchair mobility, and (an)aerobic performance in youth using a manual wheelchair.Implications for rehabilitationExercise training and wheelchair mobility skills (WMS) training can lead to a sustained improvement in physical activity (PA) in youth using a manual wheelchair.These combined trainings can also lead to a sustained increase in WMS, confidence in wheelchair mobility, and (an)aerobic performance.More attention is needed in clinical practice and in research towards improving PA in youth using a manual wheelchair.
ContextRetirement is an opportune time for people to establish new healthy routines. Exercise and nutritional interventions are promising in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenic obesity.ObjectiveThis systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of nutritional and exercise interventions for the treatment of sarcopenic obesity in persons of retirement age.Data SourcesPubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and CENTRAL databases were searched in September 2021 for randomized controlled trials; a manual search was also conducted. The search yielded 261 studies, of which 11 were eligible for inclusion.Data ExtractionStudies of community-dwelling individuals with sarcopenic obesity receiving any nutritional or exercise intervention ≥ 8 weeks with the mean age ± standard deviation between 50 and 70 years were included. Primary endpoint was body composition, and secondary endpoints were body mass index, muscle strength, and physical function. The literature review, study selection, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment were performed by two reviewers independently. Data were pooled for meta-analysis when possible.ResultsMeta-analysis was only possible for the exposure “resistance training” and the exposure “training (resistance or aerobic)” in combination with the exposure “added protein” as compared with “no intervention” or “training alone.” Resistance training led to a significant body fat reduction of −1.53% (95%CI, −2.91 to −0.15), an increase in muscle mass of 2.72% (95%CI, 1.23–4.22), an increase in muscle strength of 4.42 kg (95%CI, 2.44–6.04), and a slight improvement in gait speed of 0.17 m/s (95%CI, 0.01–0.34). Protein combined with an exercise intervention significantly reduces fat mass (−0.80 kg; 95%CI, −1.32 to −0.28). Some individual studies of dietary or food supplement interventions for which data could not be pooled showed positive effects on body composition.ConclusionResistance training is an effective treatment for persons of retirement age with sarcopenic obesity. Increased protein intake combined with exercise may increase reductions in fat mass.Systematic Review RegistrationPROSPERO registration no. CRD42021276461.
Introduction: Patients with cancer receiving radio- or chemotherapy undergo many immunological stressors. Chronic regular exercise has been shown to positively influence the immune system in several populations, while exercise overload may have negative effects. Exercise is currently recommended for all patients with cancer. However, knowledge regarding the effects of exercise on immune markers in patients undergoing chemo- or radiotherapy is limited. The aim of this study is to systematically review the effects of moderate- and high-intensity exercise interventions in patients with cancer during chemotherapy or radiotherapy on immune markers. Methods: For this review, a search was performed in PubMed and EMBASE, until March 2023. Methodological quality was assessed with the PEDro tool and best-evidence syntheses were performed both per immune marker and for the inflammatory profile. Results: Methodological quality of the 15 included articles was rated fair to good. The majority of markers were unaltered, but observed effects included a suppressive effect of exercise during radiotherapy on some proinflammatory markers, a preserving effect of exercise during chemotherapy on NK cell degranulation and cytotoxicity, a protective effect on the decrease in thrombocytes during chemotherapy, and a positive effect of exercise during chemotherapy on IgA. Conclusion: Although exercise only influenced a few markers, the results are promising. Exercise did not negatively influence immune markers, and some were positively affected since suppressed inflammation might have positive clinical implications. For future research, consensus is needed regarding a set of markers that are most responsive to exercise. Next, differential effects of training types and intensities on these markers should be further investigated, as well as their clinical implications.
In het RAAK-mkb project ‘First-time-right’ zijn diverse technieken, waaronder augmented en virtual reality, onderzocht en succesvol toegepast. Een aantal studenten is door de mogelijkheden van virtual reality gegrepen en heeft een Take-off onderzoeksvoorstel geschreven dat gericht is op een technische haalbaarheidsstudie t.b.v. het commercieel aanbieden van virtual reality technieken voor het geven van training. Bij Hogeschool Inholland geloven we sterk in de enorme potentie van augmented reality en willen onze studenten en partners in een vroeg stadium vertrouwd maken met de mogelijkheden die augmented reality biedt bij het optimaliseren van het composietproductieproces. Om dit te ondersteunen is het nodig een demo-opstelling te bouwen waar studenten, docenten, en mkb-partners kennis kunnen maken met augmented reality. Deze demo is cruciaal voor een verdere ontwikkeling van het gebruik van augmented reality in het composietonderwijs en in het mkb.
The central aim of this project is to increase the participation of people (all ages) with severe multiple disabilities (PIMD) in the field of sport, exercise and physical activity, by expanding the number of coaches and organizations who offer a Motor Activity Training Program in a professional and custom way. This aim will be achieved by the following activities:- Creating a more appropriate and varied offer of sport, exercise, and physical activity to increase the choice of the PIMD target group. - To develop a curriculum for MATP Coaches and Trainers (PE Teachers, Physical Therapists, etc). - To implement, test and contextualize a PIMD offer in 3 EU countries, this will be done with local stakeholders. - Strengthening the connection between sport, education and health care organizations to enable participation of the PIMD people in the field of sport, exercise, and physical activity. - Consortium members create a European network and exchange knowledge, including through best practices
expressiveness, performance, musicians, skills, educationUsing the genre of Improvisational theatre as a basis, my research aims to design and develop instructional strategies that would help students enhance their expressive skills and achieve the flexibility to adapt their motor behavior to the musical piece. Embodying diverse characters and physicalities, as well as affective states or fictional realities through improv theatre exercises should enable them to expand their expressive range and, therefore, better convey their interpretation to their audience. Through this process, this study also seeks to gain an understanding of the effect this type of training may have on musicians' performance experience, as well as its implications in other areas of their development.
