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Copyright of Die Urologie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The closure of all sports facilities during the two lockdowns in Germany favoured a reduction of leisure time physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to compare leisure time physical activity during the 1st and 2nd lockdown and to examine exercise performance before and after resumption of exercise. Leisure time physical activity was measured by the Longitudinal Urban Cohort Ageing Study (LUCAS) functional ability index and energy expenditure in the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire. Participants' exercise performance was extracted from a chip-controlled fitness circuit. Differences were tested for statistical significance using Friedman tests. 35 participants above 60 years were included from the Oldenburg area (20 women, 15 men, mean age and standard deviation 71±6 years). The decline in energy expenditure was higher during the 2nd lockdown (1st lockdown: Median -55.7 kcal.day-1, Q0.25−121.3 kcal.day-1, Q0.75 132.9 kcal.day-1; 2nd lockdown: Median -119.7 kcal.day-1, Q0.25−255.6 kcal.day-1, Q0.75−65.1 kcal.day-1; Friedman test: p<0.001, n = 35, W = 0.262). The time spent in the fitness circuit decreased from lockdown to lockdown as well as the number of participants exercising there. Intense activities were performed during the two lockdowns by only 7 and 3 participants, respectively, and were not resumed by two-thirds of the participants after the 2nd lockdown. During the 1st lockdown, exercise performance on resistance exercise devices increased in most of them, while it decreased by 1 to 7% during the 2nd lockdown. The lockdowns limited leisure time physical activity in older adults. This was more pronounced during the lockdown in winter 2020/2021, when participants engaged less in outdoor activities. Therefore, measures should be taken to maintain physical activity and muscle strength, especially during winter months, with a home-based training, if visiting gyms is not possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: A contextual transferability analysis identified group-based circuit training (GCT) as an optimal intervention in German and Austrian outpatient physical therapy to improve mobility post-stroke. GCT incorporates task-oriented, high-repetitive, balance, aerobic and strength training and allows for increased therapy time without increasing personnel. OBJECTIVE: To determine the extent to which German and Austrian physical therapists (PTs) use GCT and its components in the outpatient treatment of stroke-related mobility deficits and to identify factors associated with using GCT components. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted. Data were analyzed descriptively and using ordinal regression. RESULTS: Ninety-three PTs participated. None reported using GCT moderately to frequently (4–10/10 patients). The percentage of PTs reporting frequent use (7–10/10 patients) of task-oriented, balance, strength, aerobic, and high-repetitive training was 45.2%, 43.0%, 26.9%, 19.4%, and 8.6%, respectively. Teaching or supervising students, time for evidence-based practice activities at work, and working in Austria was associated with using GCT components frequently. CONCLUSION: German and Austrian PTs do not yet use GCT in outpatient physical therapy for stroke. Almost half of PTs, however, employ task-oriented training as recommended across guidelines. A detailed, theory-driven and country-specific evaluation of barriers to GCT uptake is necessary to inform implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This work consists of a review with bibliometric analysis on WB-EMS. One hundred and two articles were analyzed in the period from 2010 to 2022 to find out which country, author and institutions produce the most knowledge on this topic. The results of this work are important to know to determine publication growth trend as well as the most relevant clusters and authors. Whole Body Electromyostimulation [WB-EMS] is a training methodology that applies electrostimulation in the main muscle groups of the human body superimposed with active training exercises. This study aims to carry out a bibliometric analysis on WB-EMS to provide an overview of the state of research and provide new insights for research in the field. Method: One hundred and two citations extracted were examined using a bibliometric approach based on data stored in the Web of Science Core Collection, applying traditional bibliometric laws, and using VOSviewer and excel for data and metadata processing. Results: Among the results, this study points out that Germany is the country that produces more scientific knowledge on WB-EMS. Wolfgang Kemmler is the most relevant author in this field. Moreover, Frontier of Physiology is the journal where the authors publish the most. Conclusion: Research on WB-EMS has been growing in recent years. German and Spanish researchers lead two clusters where most studies and collaborations in this field are carried out. These findings will provide a better understanding of the state of WB-EMS research and may guide the emergence of new lines of investigation and research ideas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of German Journal of Sports Medicine / Deutsche Zeitschrift fur Sportmedizin is the property of Verein zur Forderung der Sportmedizin Hannover e.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study was conducted in a home-based context where trained occupational therapists delivered progressive physical exercise training and home modification intervention for preventing falls, namely the FIT-at-Home intervention. We assessed the feasibility of the intervention's content and mode of delivery from the occupational therapists' perspective as well as the feasibility of study procedures. We used a mixed-methods approach, which generated qualitative data from 14 OTs' after delivering the intervention via interviews and quantitative data of the study procedures via questionnaires and documentation sheets. In total, 16 of the 17 older people completed the intervention. Of 9 recorded falls, no serious physical problems occurred. Qualitative data suggested that the intervention content and mode was feasible. Only minor adaptations to the program are needed based on the users' feedback. The main benefit was seen in the fact that simple exercises can be integrated into everyday life for older people with restricted mobility. The FIT-at-Home intervention comprising lifestyle-integrated balance and strength exercises and home safety is feasible for occupational therapists to deliver. The findings will help to further refine the intervention and study procedures. Falling is a frequent and serious health problem for many community-living older people, and the incidence of injurious falls increases with advancing age. Home visiting programs comprising physical exercise training and home modification appear to be beneficial for older people with poor health, functional limitations, and limited mobility. This study indicates that it is feasible to introduce lifestyle-integrated balance and strength exercises, performed as part of daily routine for older people at risk of falling. Behavioural self-management strategies have the potential to improve the implementation of exercises during the course of rehabilitation treatment and afterward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Whole-body vibration training (WBV) performed on a vibration platform can significantly improve physical performance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It has been suggested that an important mechanism of this improvement is based on an improvement in balance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of WBV compared to conventional balance training.Methods: 48 patients with severe COPD (FEV1: 37 ± 7%predicted) and low exercise performance (6 min walk distance (6MWD): 55 ± 10%predicted) were included in this randomized controlled trial during a 3 week inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation. All patients completed a standardized endurance and strength training program. Additionally, patients performed 4 different balance exercises 3x/week for 2 sets of 1 min each, either on a vibration platform (Galileo) at varying frequencies (5-26 Hz) (WBV) or on a conventional balance board (BAL). The primary outcome parameter was the change in balance performance during a semi tandem stance with closed eyes assessed on a force measurement platform. Muscular power during a countermovement jump, the 6MWD, and 4 m gait speed test (4MGST) were secondary outcomes. Non-parametric tests were used for statistical analyses.Results: Static balance performance improved significantly more (p = 0.032) in favor of WBV (path length during semi-tandem stand: - 168 ± 231 mm vs. + 1 ± 234 mm). Muscular power also increased significantly more (p = 0.001) in the WBV group (+ 2.3 ± 2.5 W/kg vs. - 0.1 ± 2.0 W/kg). 6MWD improved to a similar extent in both groups (WBV: 48 ± 46 m, p < 0.001 vs. BAL: 38 ± 32 m; p < 0.001) whereas the 4MGST increased significantly only in the WBV-group (0.08 ± 0.14 m/s2, p = 0.018 vs. 0.01 ± 0.11 m/s2, p = 0.71).Conclusions: WBV can improve balance performance and muscular power significantly more compared to conventional balance training.Trial Registration: Clinical-Trials registration number: NCT03157986; date of registration: May 17, 2017. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=&term=NCT03157986&cntry=&state=&city=&dist  = . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the 2016 German "NationalRecommendationsforPhysicalActivityandPhysicalActivityPromotion" stating that adults (≥18 years) should engage in: [a] ≥150 minutes of aerobic moderate‐to‐vigorous‐intensity physical activity/week (MVPA); and [b] ≥2 days/week of muscle‐strengthening exercise (MSE), there is limited research on the descriptive epidemiology on the adherence to these guidelines among German adults. This study describes the prevalence and correlates of physical activity guideline adherence among a nationally representative sample of German adults. Data were drawn from the 2014 German Health Update survey, collected via a combination of web‐based and mail surveys. Self‐reported physical activity levels were assessed using the previously validated European Health Interview Survey Physical Activity Questionnaire. Weighted prevalence levels of the sample meeting the aerobic MVPA (≥150 minutes/week), MSE (≥2 times/week), and combined MVPA‐MSE guidelines were calculated. Poisson regressions were used to assess prevalence ratios for physical activity guideline adherence categories across sociodemographic and lifestyle‐related variables. Out of 24,016 participants (response rate = 27.6%), aged ≥ 18 years, 45.3% (95% CI: 44.5%‐46.0%), 29.4% (95% CI: 28.7%‐30.1%), and 22.6% (95% CI: 21.9%‐23.2%) met the aerobic MVPA, MSE, and combined guidelines, respectively. Population sub‐groups less likely to meet the combined guidelines included those with poor self‐rated health, being unemployed, low socioeconomic status, being a current smoker, and those being overweight or obese. Since ~ 80% of German adults do not meet the nationally recommended combined aerobic MVPA‐MSE physical activity guidelines, there is a necessity for large‐scale public health interventions promoting both aerobic MVPA and MSE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Both open and closed kinetic chain exercises can be applied to meniscal lesions in the knee joint, but their mechanisms are different. There is still no clinical report on the improvement of meniscus lesions by the two exercise methods. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of open kinetic chain exercise and closed kinetic chain exercise on meniscus lesions in young patients. METHODS: Forty-nine young patients with meniscus lesions were treated with rehabilitation and conservative treatments. They were randomly divided into two groups using a random digital table method: a biofeedback open kinetic chain group (n=25) treated with basic therapy combined with terminal knee extension biofeedback training, and a leg press closed kinetic chain group (n=24) treated with basic therapy combined with single-leg press training. The basic treatment included electro-acupuncture, manipulation therapy and unarmed exercise therapy. Biofeedback open chain training was conducted with Myotrac infinitie biofeedback instrument produced by Thought, Canada. Closed chain training with leg press was conducted using pedal accessories of GYM80 intelligent strength training system, Germany. All the trainings were conducted once a day for 3 consecutive weeks. Curative effects were assessed by joint range of motion (ROM) during knee joint flexion and extension, total ROM, visual analogue scale score, modified Lysholm knee score, and activity of daily Iiving score. The study protocol was implemented in line with the relevant requirements of Sichuan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital. All the patients were informed of the study procedures. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Assessment for ROM: After treatment, the ROM during joint flexion and extension and total ROM in the biofeedback open kinetic chain group were significantly better than the baseline (P < 0.05), the ROM during joint extension and total ROM in the leg press closed kinetic chain group were significantly better than the baseline (P < 0.05), and the ROM in the biofeedback open kinetic chain group was higher than that in the leg press closed kinetic chain group, but there was no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). Assessment for pain and function: The two groups had statistically significant improvements on visual analogue scale score, modified Lysholm knee score, and activity of daily living score after treatment (P < 0.05). Compared with the biofeedback open kinetic chain group, the activity of daily living score was higher in the leg press closed kinetic chain group (P < 0.05). The two groups had satisfactory effects on the knee joint ROM, pain and functional performance. Therefore, biofeedback open kinetic chain exercise has a better improvement on the knee joint ROM, while the leg press closed kinetic chain exercise shows better outcomes in the improvement of knee functional performance and activity of daily living based on the basis of pain control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Knee injuries and especially anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are frequent in athletes. Therefore, primary and secondary prevention of sports-related lower limb injuries is an ongoing topic of interest. The aim of present study was to establish guidelines for the prevention of knee and ACL injuries on the basis of evidence-based concepts represented in current literature.Methods: A comprehensive literature review regarding prevention programs for knee and ACL injuries was conducted.Results: Several modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for knee injuries in athletes have been reported in literature. Referring to the ACL, specific injury mechanisms have been identified and are well understood. In particular, it has been demonstrated that dynamic valgus is one of the most important modifiable risk factors. Simple tests like the drop jump test have shown their efficacy in screening and detecting athletes at risk. There is only few evidence for the preventive effect on knee and ACL injuries by single exercises. However, in order to prevent or correct endangering movement patterns including dynamic valgus, several complex prevention programs have been developed in the past. These prevention programs are included in standard warm-up exercises and are focusing on muscle strength, balance, and proprioception, as well as running and flexibility. It is reported that these training programs can reduce the incidence of knee injuries by up to 27% and ACL injuries by up to 51%.Conclusions: Screening, identification, and correction of endangering movement patterns like the dynamic valgus are the first crucial steps in order to prevent knee and ACL injuries in athletes. Furthermore, jumping, running and flexibility exercises as well as balance and strength training are proven to reduce the incidence of these injuries and should, therefore, be integrated into the regular warm up program. Appropriate complete prevention programs are freely accessible via the Internet and should be adapted to the specific sport disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a multiple set squat exercise training intervention with superimposed electromyostimulation (EMS) on strength and power, sprint and jump performance. Twenty athletes from different disciplines participated and were divided into two groups: strength training (S) or strength training with superimposed EMS (S+E). Both groups completed the same training program twice a week over a six week period consisting of four sets of the 10 repetition maximum of back squats. Additionally, the S+E group had EMS superimposed to the squat exercise with simultaneous stimulation of leg and trunk muscles. EMS intensity was adjusted to 70% of individual pain threshold to ensure dynamic movement. Strength and power of different muscle groups, sprint, and vertical jump performance were assessed one week before (pre), one week after (post) and three weeks (re) following the training period. Both groups showed improvements in leg press strength and power, countermovement and squat jump performance and pendulum sprint (p < 0.05), with no changes for linear sprint. Differences between groups were only evident at the leg curl machine with greater improvements for the S+E group (p < 0.05). Common squat exercise training and squat exercise with superimposed EMS improves maximum strength and power, as well as jumping abilities in athletes from different disciplines. The greater improvements in strength performance of leg curl muscles caused by superimposed EMS with improvements in strength of antagonistic hamstrings in the S+E group are suggesting the potential of EMS to unloaded (antagonistic) muscle groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined whether different pre-information conditions could lead to a volitional modulation of the occurrence and magnitude of the bilateral force deficit (BFD) during isometric leg press. Twenty trained male adults (age: 24.5 ± 1.7 years; weight: 77.5 ± 7.1 kg; height: 1.81 ± 0.05 m) were examined on three days within a week. Isometric leg press was performed on a negatively inclined leg press slide. Each participant completed three maximal isometric strength test sessions with different pre-information conditions given in a graphical chart: no pre-information (NPI; first day), false pre-information (FPI; bilateral force > sum of unilateral forces; second or third day) and correct pre-information (CPI; bilateral force < sum of unilateral forces; second or third day) during bilateral, unilateral-left and unilateral-right leg-press. The sum of left- and rightsided force values were calculated for bilateral (FBL = FBL_left + FBL_right) and unilateral (FUL = FUL_left + FUL_right) analyses. Force data for NPI revealed: Mean (SD): FUL_NPI = 3023 N (435) vs. FBL_NPI = 2812 (453); FPI showed FUL_FPI = 3013 N (459) vs. FBL_FPI = 2843 (446) and the CPI revealed FUL_CPI = 3035 (425) vs. FBL_CPI = 2844 (385). The three (no, false, correct) x 2 (FUL, FBL) rANOVA revealed a high significant main effect of Force (F = 61.82, p < 0.001). No significant main effect of the factor Condition and no significant interaction between Force x Condition was observed. The BFD does not rely on the trueness of the given pre-information (no, false, correct). Cognition-based volitional influences on the BFD on supra-spinal level seem negligible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensive exercise like strength training increases blood lactate concentration [La]. [La] is commonly used to define the metabolic stress of an exercise and depends on the lactate production, transportation, metabolism, and elimination. This investigation compared multiple set training of different volumes to show the influence of exercise volume on [La]. Ten male subjects performed 3 sets of resistance exercises within 4 separate sessions: Arm Curl with 1 or 2 arms (AC1 or AC2), and Leg Extension with 1 or 2 legs (LE1 or LE2). Each set was performed at a standard velocity and at a previously determined 10RM load. Blood lactate samples were taken immediately before and after each set (pre1, post1, pre2, post2, pre3, post3). Maximum [La] was significantly higher after LE2 (6.8 ± 1.6mmol·L-1) and significantly lower after AC1 (2.8 ± 0.7mmol·L-1) in comparison with the other exercise protocols. There was no difference between AC2 (4.3 ± 1.1mmol·L-1) and LE1 (4.4 ± 1.1mmol·L-1). Surprisingly, [La] decreased during the 3rd set (for AC exercise), and during both the 2nd and 3rd sets (for LE exercise) and increased only during the recovery phases. In contrast to our expectations, blood [La] decreased during the 2nd and 3rd exercise sets and further increased only during recovery phases. However, from the increases observed following the first set, we know that lactate was produced and transported to the blood during our exercise protocol. We speculate that lactate is taken up and metabolized by distal muscle fibres or organs. In addition, as the decreases occurred within a short period of time, blood volume shifts and/or the muscle-to-blood gradient may account for the rapid decreases in [La]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a systematic review of the effects of different electromyostimulation (EMS) methods on selected strength parameters in trained and elite athletes. Topics include the use of EMS in high-performance sports, an overview of the study's experimental design, and the study's conclusion regarding the effectiveness of EMS for developing physical performance in trained and elite athletes.

Cannabidiol supplements (CBD) are increasingly consumed by athletes to improve regeneration. However, the evidence for the pro-regenerative effects of CBD in sports is quite limited. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the effects of a single CBD supplementation in a six-arm placebo-controlled crossover study after resistance training on performance and muscle damage. Before and after the resistance training, one-repetition maximum in the back squat (1RM BS), countermovement jump (CMJ), and blood serum concentrations of creatine kinase (CK) and myoglobin (Myo) were measured in healthy, well-trained participants. 16 out of 21 participants completed the study and were included in the analysis. In 1RM BS, a significant decrease was observed after 24 h ( p < 0.01) but not after 48 and 72 h. A significant group difference was detected after 72 h ( p < 0.05; ES = 0.371). In CMJ, no significant changes were observed. The CK and Myo concentrations increased significantly after 24 h (CK: p < 0.001; Myo: p < 0.01), 48 h (CK: p < 0.001; Myo: p < 0.01) and 72 h (CK: p < 0.001; Myo: p < 0.001). After 72 h, significant group differences were observed for both muscle damage biomarkers (CK: p < 0.05 ES = 0.24; Myo: p < 0.05; ES = 0.21). The results show small but significant effects on muscle damage and recovery of squat performance after 72 h. However, more data are required for clearer statements concerning potential pro-regenerative effects of CBD supplementation after resistance training.

Background: We report on the correlation between the proportion of people who fulfil the recommended amount of aerobic physical activity in the general population and the prevalence of frailty or prefrailty in the population ≥65 years in 11 European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden). In a subgroup analysis, it was assessed if people who do aerobic physical activity also do strength training., Methods: Aggregated physical activity data were taken from the European Health Interview Survey with the minimum effective sample size of 90,036 participants. Data on frailty status were taken from the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) study (N = 24,590). For the subgroup analysis, data of the Austrian Health Interview Survey (ATHIS) (N = 15,770) were included., Results: The results indicate a significant negative correlation between the proportion of people fulfilling the minimal aerobic physical activity recommendations (≥150 min/week) and the proportion of prefrail or frail people (R = -0.745; p = 0.008). The correlation between the optimal aerobic physical activity recommendations (≥300 min/week) and the proportion of prefrail or frail individuals was R = -0.691 (p = 0.019). In both data sets a north-south gradient was seen. Austrian data showed that 52.0% of the participants fulfilled the minimal aerobic physical activity recommendations and conducted strength training, whereas 18.4% did not fulfil the aerobic recommendations but performed strength training (p < 0.001)., Conclusions: By taking into account that the number of people ≥65 years will increase in the future these results may be relevant in planning public health interventions for the whole population with the goal of reducing frailty in the elderly.