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The functional significance of pomegranate (POM) supplementation on physiological responses during and following exercise is currently unclear. This systematic review aimed (i) to evaluate the existing literature assessing the effects of POM supplementation on exercise performance and recovery; exercise-induced muscle damage, oxidative stress, inflammation; and cardiovascular function in healthy adults and (ii) to outline the experimental conditions in which POM supplementation is more or less likely to benefit exercise performance and/or recovery. Multiple electronic databases were used to search for studies examining the effects of POM intake on physiological responses during and/or following exercise in healthy adult. Articles were included in the review if they investigated the effects of an acute or chronic POM supplementation on exercise performance, recovery and/or physiological responses during or following exercise. The existing evidence suggests that POM supplementation has the potential to confer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects during and following exercise, to improve cardiovascular responses during exercise, and to enhance endurance and strength performance and post-exercise recovery. However, the beneficial effects of POM supplementation appeared to be less likely when (i) unilateral eccentric exercise was employed, (ii) the POM administered was not rich in polyphenols (

Adaptive card control strategy-based heuristics are used to change the number of cards dynamically in response to stochastic and fluctuated customers’ demands. However, when the decisions are taken...

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lifestyles and training of elite athletes around the world. The detrimental effects of lockdown periods may vary among individuals, as well as among sports and sexes. This study investigated the changes in dietary habits, and the predictors of perceived stress during lockdown and a “bubble” training camp. This cross-sectional, online survey involved 76 elite and world-class athletes from six able-bodied sports and nine parasports, all of whom were involved in a 30-day “bubble” training camp. Questions were asked on socio-demographics, training routines and wellbeing, perceived stress, and dietary habits, pertaining to “normal” training (prelockdown), lockdown training, and “bubble” camp training periods. Changes in perceived stress were trivial to small during lockdown compared to “normal” training, and trivial to moderate during a “bubble” camp, compared to lockdown. Para-athletes, males, older athletes, less experienced athletes, married individuals, and specific ethnicities appeared to be more detrimentally affected (increased perceived stress) by lockdown. These negative experiences, however, were largely reversed during “bubble” camps. During lockdown, more athletes reported increased evening snack consumption (+8%), later meal-times (+6%), decreased fluid intake (−6%), and no breakfast (+7%). These changes were reversed during “bubble” camps (12–18% improvements). Sport classification accounted for 16% of the increased perceived stress (p = 0.001) during lockdown. Overall, socio-demographic factors, improvements in training routines, well-being, and dietary habits explained 28% of the decreased perceived stress during a “bubble” camp. In conclusion, better dietary habits, training routines and well-being have implications for reduced perceived stress. During lockdown, “bubble” camps may be beneficial, but this observation may be a case-by-case consideration, and short split “bubble” periods are recommended.

Manufacturing systems are often characterized by a stochastic and uncertain behavior in which frequent changes and unpredictable events may occur over time. Moreover, the customers’ demands can sometime evolve drastically along time. In order to cope with such changes in the manufacturing system state, and to optimize given performance criteria, the assignment of multi-skilled workers to the machines in the system can be decided online, in a dynamic manner, whenever workers become available and need to be assigned. Indeed, the starting and completion times of jobs in such systems cannot be predicted, so that static optimization approaches turn out not to be relevant. Several studies, in the ergonomics literature, have outlined that the operators' performances often decline because of their fatigue in work. In particular, in manufacturing contexts, fatigue can increase the processing times of jobs. Several online heuristic have been published, but to the best of our knowledge, they do not cope with this consequence of fatigue. We propose to solve this dynamic multi-skilled workers assignment problem using a new methodology, which aims to provide an adaptable dynamic assignment heuristic, which is used online. Our approach takes the impact of fatigue into consideration, in order to minimize the mean flowtime of jobs in the system. We suggest computing more realistic task durations, in accordance with the worker's fatigue. The heuristic uses a multi-criteria analysis, in order to find a compromise that favors short processing times and avoids congestions. The Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method is used to select the machine where to assign the worker. Since in our case no expertise is available, an offline adaptation process, based on simulation optimization, is used to identify the weights needed by TOPSIS, so as to better fit with the system specificities. A Job-Shop system is simulated to illustrate the proposed approach. The performance of the suggested heuristic is assessed and compared to two other workers assignment rules, which are widely used in the scientific literature because of their efficiency on the mean flowtime: SPT and LNQ. The comparisons are made under different conditions (staffing level, operators’ flexibility). A sensitivity analysis is also performed to analyze the impact of the way how fatigue affects the task duration. Our experimental results show that our heuristic provides better results in every case studied. Several important research directions are finally pointed out.

Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased over the past 30 years to be doubled in children and adolescents and become a major health problem in developing countries. This phenomenon, was often attributed to the engagement in sedentary behaviors and to the lower levels of physical activity. Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among primary school children in Assiut city, aged from 6 to 11 years and its association to the level of physical fitness. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the period 2014–2015, at 13 governmental primary schools in Assiut city. The sample consisted of 676 children (341boys and 335girls). The data were collected by measuring the anthropometric characteristics including body height, body weight and body mass index and the physical fitness items including endurance, strength, speed, coordination, and flexibility. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 11.24% and 12.28% respectively. The results of physical fitness data showed significant effects of body anthropometric characteristic in all test items except flexibility with p

National audience; Hypo-vigilance detection is becoming an important active research areas in the biomedical signal processing field. For this purpose, electroencephalogram (EEG) is one of the most common modalities in drowsiness and awakeness detection. In this context, we propose a new EEG classification method for detecting fatigue state. Our method makes use of a and awakeness detection. In this context, we propose a new EEG classification method for detecting fatigue state. Our method makes use of a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture. We define an experimental protocol using the Emotiv EPOC+ headset. After that, we evaluate our proposed method on a recorded and annotated dataset. The reported results demonstrate high detection accuracy (93%) and indicate that the proposed method is an efficient alternative for hypo-vigilance detection as compared with other methods.

Underweight and overweight are serious health concerns for many children and could be associated with low physical-fitness levels. This study aimed (i) to evaluate the prevalence of underweight and overweight and (ii) to examine its association with the physical fitness levels in primary male and female schoolchildren. Including 13 government primary-schools, a cross-sectional survey was conducted between 2014 and 2017. Anthropometric characteristics together with the physical-fitness level were measured in 931 schoolchildren aged between 6- and 11-years old. The prevalence of under- and overweight children were 8.49% and 24.06%, respectively. These proportions were not significantly different between males and females and were affected by age (p &lt, 0.001), with a higher prevalence of overweight and a lower prevalence of underweight at 9&ndash, 11 years, compared to 6&ndash, 8 years old. Concerning the physical fitness levels, statistical analysis showed a better performance among males compared to females, among participants aged 9&ndash, 8 years old, and among underweight and normal-weight, compared to overweight children (p &lt, 0.001). There was a higher prevalence of overweight and lower prevalence of underweight at 9&ndash, 11 years compared to 6&ndash, 8 years old. Physical fitness levels were better in (i) males, compared to females, (ii) schoolchildren aged 9&ndash, 8 years old, and (iii) underweight and normal-weight, compared to overweight children.

Context: Affecting older and even some younger adults, neurodegenerative disease represents a global public health concern and has been identified as a research priority. To date, most anti-aging interventions have examined older adults, but little is known about the effects of polyphenol interventions on brain-related aging processes in healthy young and middle-aged adults. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the acute and chronic effects of (poly)phenol-rich diet supplementation on cognitive function and brain health in young and middle-aged adults. In July 2019, two electronic databases (PubMed and Web of Science) were used to search for relevant trials examining the effect of acute or chronic (poly)phenol-rich supplementation on cognitive function and neuroprotective measures in young and middle-aged adults (p = 0.033), which was accompanied by higher performance in serial (7s) subtraction (ES = 1.467, p = 0.001) and decreases in simple reaction time (ES = −0.926, p = 0.015) and mental fatigue (ES = −3.521 p = 0.010). Data related to cognitive function were skewed towards an effect from acute compared to chronic polyphenol intervention; data related to BDNF were skewed toward an effect from higher bioavailability phenolic components. Conclusion: This meta-analysis provides promising findings regarding the usefulness of polyphenol-rich intervention as an inexpensive approach for enhancing circulation of pro-cognitive neurotrophic factors. These beneficial effects appear to depend on the supplementation protocols. An early acute and/or chronic application of low- to high-dose phenolic components with high bioavailability rates (≥30%) at a younger age appear to provide more promising effects.

The fear of falling (FOF) limits the movements of the older adults, which, in turn, might impair postural mobility. An aquatic environment has a relatively low risk of falling and can improve motor abilities. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aquatic exercise on postural mobility of the healthy endomorph elderly somatotype. Therefore, 37 healthy endomorphic older adults with an average age of 64.38 &plusmn, 4.12 years participated in this study. Participants were randomly divided into four groups (i.e., Aquatic exercise, Dry-land exercise, Aquatic control, and Dry-land control). The Heath-Carter method was used to estimate the criterion somatotype, and the Tinetti method was used to determine postural mobility. Covariance analysis was used to examine the mean differences at a significance level of p &lt, 0.05. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the aquatic exercise group and the two control groups (p &lt, 0.01), and the dry-land exercise group was significantly different from the aquatic control (p &lt, 0.05) and dry-land control groups (p &lt, 0.01). The results indicate that the design of aquatic exercise programs, especially for endomorphic older adults with inappropriate body shape, for whom dry-land exercises are not appropriate, likely, has a positive effect on the motor control and both the balance and gait and provide appropriate postural mobility without FOF in older adults.

During the month of Ramadan, many Muslims continue to exercise and/or to compete in sporting events. However, the combination of Ramadan observance (RO) and physical activity (PA) is likely to be associated with disrupted sleep-wake patterns.to (i) evaluate the effects of RO on sleep patterns in practitioners of PA and (ii) provide some evidence-based practical recommendations to improve an active individual's sleep patterns during RO.The entire content of two databases, PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science was searched for relevant articles through March, 25 2019. All accepted articles concerned healthy practitioners of PA and have assessed sleep quantity and/or quality and/or daily naps, whether based on objective or subjective methods.Thirteen studies evaluated total sleep time (TST) of active individuals in relation to RO; TST decreased in five studies, increased in one and remained unchanged in seven studies. Sleep quality was self-estimated in five studies, with three noting a decreased quality of sleep and two reporting no change. The duration of daily naps was increased in two studies. Conclusions and practical recommendations: Continuation of PA during RO did not decrease TST. However, no firm conclusions can be drawn regarding sleep quality/characteristic and daily naps durations. Sleep quantity and quality should be evaluated in order to counteract sleep disturbances. Physically active individuals should avoid large late night meal, and if possible take 20- to 30- minute daytime naps. A 10- minute shower at ∼40°C and a self-administered 6-min mindfulness induction video may be helpful immediately before bedtime. Tryptophan (1g/day) or melatonin (5- 8mg) supplements may also improve sleep characteristics.

To evaluate the effects of Ramadan fasting on hematological data in athletes through a systematic appraisal of the literature.Systematic review Data sources: The entire content of two databases, PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science Eligibility criteria for selecting studies: Ramadanrelated measurements of any hematological indices in athletes were considered. Both single-group pre-post with and without a control group studies conducted in athletes and published in English language before December 31, 2018 were included. Study appraisal: The methodological quality of the studies identified was assessed using 'QualSyst'.Of nine selected articles, eight were of moderate quality and only one was of strong quality. The main problem to date has been a lack of appropriate controls. Compared to before Ramadan, hematocrit and hemoglobin values increased in three studies, decreased in one study and did not change in one study during Ramadan fasting. Another study reported increased hematocrit and a puzzling decrease of hemoglobin during as compared to before Ramadan fasting. In most studies, blood platelet counts and the limited number of immune function used to date remainedunchanged.All reported changes in hematological indices remained within the normal reference range of the laboratory. Therefore, regular training can continue safely during Ramadan fasting from a hematological view point.

Sleep is fundamental for recovery and good mental, cognitive and physical performance. Many factors could affect the sleep of the physical active people or athletes such as: late night training sessions or competition, Ramadan fasting and jetlag. These conditions that affect the sleep quality have significant negative effects on mental, cognitive and physical performance. Thus, scientists have to find strategies to overcome the perturbation of sleep and to optimize mental, cognitive and physical performance especially for physical active people and athletes. One of the proposed strategies is the nap opportunity. Otherwise, in their routinely training sessions, athletes are required to perform short-term repetitive maximal sprints. One of the utilized exercise for testing or training is the 5-m shuttle run test (5mSRT). Recent studies concluded that a nap opportunity has a positive effect on performance during the 5mSRT. These studies reported that this positive effect depends on the duration and the time of day of the nap opportunity. Indeed, the positive effect of the nap opportunity was better after a duration of 45-minutes compared to a 25-minutes. Also, this positive effect was reported when the nap opportunity was performed at 14h00 or 15h00. However, no-positive effect was reported when the nap opportunity was realized at 13h00.

The main objective of the present review is to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of physical education (PE) teachers concerning dental trauma first-aid through a systematic appraisal of the literature, meta-analysis and meta-regressions. The entire content of PubMed and ISI/Web of Science was mined. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies were studies evaluating dental trauma first-aid knowledge and/or attitudes and/or the effectiveness of mouthguards use by PE teachers. Articles written in any language and published or accepted by peer-reviewed journals were considered. Methodological quality was assessed using an adapted version of the Downs and Black instrument. Of 15 selected articles, three were of strong quality, three were moderate, and the remaining nine were rated as weak. The majority of studies showed that PE teachers had an inadequate knowledge of the initial management of dental trauma. Specifically, there was a lack of knowledge concerning an appropriate washing and transporting medium and the extra-alveolar period of an avulsed tooth. Due to the inadequate knowledge of PE teachers regarding dental trauma management, specific education should be added to PE classes to improve the emergency treatment of dental injuries.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of observing Ramadan on athletes’ sleep patterns.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Data sourcesThe entire content of PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesSingle-group, prepost and cross-over design studies conducted in athletes aged ≥18 years, training at least twice a week and published in English before 12 July 2018 were included. Studies assessing sleep quantity, quality, daytime sleepiness and/or daily naps based on objective or subjective methods were deemed eligible.Study appraisalThe methodological quality was assessed using ‘QualSyst’.ResultsOf 13 selected articles, 7 were of strong quality, 3 were moderate and 3 were weak. 11 studies evaluated total sleep time (TST); this decreased during Ramadan in 4 studies, increased in 1 and remained unchanged in 6. Pooled TST findings indicated a moderate effect size (− 0.97, SE=0.37, 95% CI −1.69 to −0.25, t=−2.64, p=0.01) with significant heterogeneity but no publication bias. Meta-regressions showed no effects of study year, age, sample size, type of sport or competition level, but there were effects of country (with France and Tunisia being the most affected countries and Turkey the least affected, Q=32.14, pConclusionWhen athletes continue to train at least two times/week while observing Ramadan, TST is decreased compared with athletes’ baseline levels.

The current study examined the relationships between the effects of consuming a caffeine-containing &ldquo, energy drink&rdquo, upon (i) short-term maximal performance, (ii) reaction times, and (iii) psychological factors (i.e., mood state, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and affective load) and on physiological parameters (i.e., blood pressure and blood glucose). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced crossover design was implemented in this study. Nineteen male physical-education students (age: 21.2 &plusmn, 1.2 years, height: 1.76 &plusmn, 0.08 m, body-mass: 76.6 &plusmn, 12.6 kg) performed two test sessions: after drinking the &ldquo, Red Bull&rsquo, beverage (RB) and after drinking a placebo (PL). One hour after ingestion of each drink, resting blood glucose and blood pressure were measured and the participants completed the Profile of Mood States questionnaire. Then, after a 5-min warm-up, simple visual reaction time and handgrip force were measured, and the 30-s Wingate test was performed. Immediately after these tests, the RPE, blood glucose, and blood pressure were measured, and the affective load was calculated. Differences between treatments were assessed using two-way repeated measures analyses of variance and paired t-tests, as appropriate. Relationships between the test variables were assessed using Bland&ndash, Altman correlations. Significant (i) improvements in peak and mean power output, handgrip force, pre- and post-exercise blood glucose, blood pressure, and vigor and (ii) reductions in reaction times, depression, confusion, fatigue, anger, anxiety, RPE, and affective load scores were observed after RB compared to PL. There were significant correlations of (i) physical performances and reaction times with (ii) RPE, affective load, and pre- and post-exercise blood glucose levels. Gains in peak and mean power were significantly correlated with reductions in fatigue, anxiety (peak power only), and anger (mean power only). The reduction of reaction times was significantly correlated with decreases in confusion and anger and with increases in vigor. Handgrip force and reaction times were significantly correlated with pre- and post-exercise blood pressures. We conclude that RB ingestion has a positive effect on physical performance and reaction times. This effect is related to ergogenic responses in both psychological (i.e., RPE, affective load, and mood state) and physiological (i.e., blood glucose and blood pressure) domains.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of 3- vs. 2-minute inter maximal-repetition rest period (IMRRP) on maintaining jerk technical efficiency and power production during...

The specifics of short-term physical exercise are similar to the immediate reaction demands placed on police officers. Identifying the physiological predisposition to short-term high-intensity exercise in male law enforcement officers will assist in understanding their metabolism and make a significant contribution to a much more personal and individualized workout program. This will improve physical fitness of individual officers, improving their preparedness for such times of emergency. This cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the responses of hematological (erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, leucocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes), hormonal (testosterone, cortisol, melatonin), biochemical (glucose, uric-acid, lactate, creatine-phosphokinase) data to short-term maximal exercise in male police officers ( n = 20). Blood samples were collected before- and after- the running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST), and biological values were corrected for fluid shifts. Data were mean ± standard deviation of differences (= after minus before RAST). After the RAST, values of cortisol, lactate, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes increased significantly by 7.01 ± 37.36 mmol/l, 7.55 ± 1.67 mmol/l, 0.17 ± 0.26 103/µl, 0.61 ± 0.28 103/µl, and 0.10 ± 0.13 103/µl, respectively. After the RAST, values of melatonin, uric-acid, creatine-phosphokinase, hemoglobin, and hematocrit decreased significantly by −13.24 ± 4.60 pg/ml, −13.28 ± 14.35 µmol/l, −10.23 ± 10.13 IU/l, −2.01 ± 0.81 g/dl, and −4.46 ± 0.59%, respectively. Biological data of male police officers were affected by sprint test. Understanding changes in biological data following short-term maximal exercise can further assist in a better understanding of anaerobic metabolism, which will be helpful to find available methods for coaches to quantify training loads.

The aims of the present study were to: (1) investigate the effect of a weightlifting training session and time-of-day (TOD) upon biological parameters (i.e., oral temperature, hematological, C-reactive protein (CRP), and oxidative stress) and (2) assess their possible link with muscle damage responses. Nine weightlifters (21 ± 0.5 years) performed, in a randomized order, three Olympic-Weightlifting sessions (i.e., at 08:00, 14:00, and 18:00). Blood samples were collected at rest, 3 min and 48 h after each training session. Between pre- and post-training session, ANOVA showed significant increases in oxidative stress markers at the three TODs (p

Diminished volumes of habitual physical activity and increased sedentary levels have been observed as a result of COVID-19 home-confinement. Consequences of inactivity, including a higher mortality rate and poorer general health and fitness, have been reported. This systematic review aimed to provide practical recommendations for maintaining active lifestyles during pandemics. In May 2020, two electronic databases (PubMed; Web of Science) were used to search for relevant studies. A total of 1206 records were screened by two researchers. Thirty-one relevant studies were included in this systematic review, in which the methodological quality was assessed. With regard to six studies, which explicitly dealt with physical activity during COVID-19, the evidence level is classified by three articles to level II, and in the other three to level VI. Regarding the physical activity recommendations in these papers, three of them were classified to a medium, and the same number to a weak evidence base. Of the 25 papers which refer to other pandemics and/or isolation situations, one was classified to evidence level I, four were ranged to level II, three to level III, one to level V, and the others to level VI. This systematic review revealed that reduced physical activity levels are of serious concern during home confinement in pandemic times. The recommendations provided by many international organizations to maintain active lifestyles during these times mainly target the general population, with less consideration for vulnerable populations (e.g., older adults, people with health issues). Therefore, personalized and supervised physical activity programs are urgently needed, with the option to group-play physical activity programs (e.g., exergames). These can be assisted, delivered, and disseminated worldwide through information and communication technology solutions. If it is permitted and safe, being active outside in daylight is advised, with an effort level of mild to moderate using the rating of perceived exertion scale. Relaxation techniques should be integrated into the daily routine to reduce stress levels. On the evidence base and levels of the included articles in this review, the results need to be interpreted with caution. Given that policies are different across regions and countries, further research is needed to categorize recommendations according to different social-distancing scenarios.

Physical exercise is often associated with increases in muscle damage markers and inflammation. However, biomarkers of muscle damage and inflammation responses to the 5-m shuttle run test (5mSRT) have not yet been evaluated. The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of the 5mSRT on muscle damage markers, inflammation, and perception of fatigue and recovery in healthy male athletes. Fifteen male amateur team sports players (age: 20 &plusmn, 3 yrs, height: 173 &plusmn, 7 cm, body-mass: 67 &plusmn, 7 kg) participated in this study. Blood biomarkers were collected at rest, 5 min after, and 72 h after the 5mSRT to measure muscle damage (i.e., creatinine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT)) and inflammation (i.e., C-reactive protein (CRP)). Best distance (BD), total distance (TD), fatigue index (FI), and percentage decrement (PD) during the 5mSRT were assessed. Perceived recovery (PRS) and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) were recorded before, 5 min after, and 72 h after the 5mSRT, perceived exertion (RPE) was recorded before, during, and 72 h after the 5mSRT. Muscle damage biomarkers post 5mSRT showed a significant increase compared to pre 5mSRT (p &lt, 0.001) levels ((i.e., CK (190.6 &plusmn, 109.1 IU/L vs. 234.6 &plusmn, 113.7 IU/L), LDH (163.6 &plusmn, 35.1 IU/L vs. 209.9 &plusmn, 50.8 IU/L), ASAT (18.0 &plusmn, 4.4 IU/L vs. 21.7 &plusmn, 6.2 IU/L), and ALAT (10.2 &plusmn, 3.4 IU/L vs. 12.7 &plusmn, 3.8 IU/L)) and 72 h post 5mSRT (p &lt, 0.001) levels ((CK (125.3 &plusmn, 80.5 IU/L vs. 234.6 &plusmn, 113.7 IU/L), LDH (143.9 &plusmn, 36.6 IU/L vs. 209.9 &plusmn, 50.8 IU/L), ASAT (15.0 &plusmn, 4.7 IU/L vs. 21.7 &plusmn, 6.2 IU/L), and ALAT (8.6 &plusmn, 2.4 IU/L vs. 12.7 &plusmn, 3.8 IU/L)). CRP was also significantly higher post 5mSRT compared to pre 5mSRT (2.1 &plusmn, 2.5 mg/L vs. 2.8 &plusmn, 3.3 mg/L, p &lt, 0.001) and 72 h post 5mSRT (1.4 &plusmn, 2.3 mg/L vs. 2.8 &plusmn, 0.001). Significant correlations were reported between (i) physical performance parameters (i.e., PD, FI, TD, and BD), and (ii) markers of muscle damage (i.e., CK, LDH, ASAT, and ALAT) and inflammation (i.e., CRP). Similarly, DOMS and RPE scores were significantly higher post 5mSRT compared to pre 5mSRT (2.4 &plusmn, 1.0UA vs. 6.7 &plusmn, 1.1UA and 2.1 &plusmn, 0.6 UA vs. 8.1 &plusmn, 0.6 UA, respectively p &lt, 0.001) and 72 h post 5mSRT (1.9 &plusmn, 0.7 UA vs. 6.7 &plusmn, 1.1 UA and 1.5 &plusmn, 0.001). PRS scores were significantly lower post 5mSRT as compared to pre 5mSRT (6 &plusmn, 1 UA vs. 3 &plusmn, 1 UA, p &lt, 0.001) and 72 h post 5mSRT (7 &plusmn, 0.001). Significant correlations existed between (i) performance parameters (PD, FI, TD, and BD) and (ii) RPE, PRS, and DOMS. The 5mSRT increased biomarkers of muscle damage and inflammation, as well as the DOMS and RPE and reduced the PRS. Seventy-two hours was sufficient for fatigue recovery induced by the 5mSRT. PD is better than FI for the calculation of performance decrements during the 5mSRT to represent fatigue.

Based on Moon observation, every year, adults healthy Muslims practiced Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) for 29 or 30 consecutive days. During RIF Muslims are allowed to food and fluid intake only during night (from sunset to sunrise). Thus, behavioral changes are observed during RIF (e.g., food and sleep habits). Despite these changes, many healthy Muslims maintain their normal habitual physical exercise practice during RIF. However, changes in blood lipids, metabolic markers, electrolytes and hematological parameters during RIF in practitioners of physical activity are yet poorly studied. Therefore, the present review article will summarize the health specific effects of RIF in subjects engaged in physical training during Ramadan.

Ammar, A, Riemann, BL, Abdelkarim, O, Driss, T, and Hökelmann, A. Effect of 2- vs. 3-minute interrepetition rest period on maximal clean technique and performance. J Strength Cond Res 34(9): 2548-2556, 2020-Currently, it is widely accepted that adopting a long rest period (3-5 minutes) during maximal strength and power exercise is of importance in reducing acute fatigue and maintaining power and technique proficiency. However, despite the fact that weightlifting is an example of maximal strength exercise, only 2 minutes are officially allowed when athletes attempt 2 successive lifts. The purpose of this study was to compare 3- vs. 2-minute intermaximal repetition rest periods (IMRRPs) on performance, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), technical efficiency, and power production during 2 successive maximal repetitions of cleanjerk (CJ). Nine elite weightlifters (age: 24.4 ± 3.6 years, body mass: 77.2 ± 7.1 kg, height 176.0 ± 6.4 cm, and 1 repetition maximum CJ: 170.0 ± 5.0 kg) performed 2 separate testing sessions using 2-minute IMRRP (IMRRP-2) and 3-minute IMRRP (IMRRP-3), in a randomized order, while barbell kinematics and kinetics were recorded. Results showed that the longer IMRRP-3 minutes led to the maintenance of clean technique (from the first to the second repetition) evidenced by a 1.86% lower decline in peak vertical displacement (p = 0.03) and attenuation of increased peak horizontal displacements with a 1.74% (p = 0.03) less backward movement during the first pull, a 3.89% (p = 0.008) less forward movement during the second pull, and a 4.7% (p = 0.005) less backward movement during the catch phase. In addition, attenuation of peak velocity (2.22%; p = 0.02), peak vertical ground reaction force (1.70%; p = 0.03), and peak power (2.14%; p = 0.02) declines were shown using IMRRP-3 compared with IMRRP-2. Increasing IMRRP from 2 to 3 minutes was also shown to decrease RPE values (8.02%; p = 0.008) and to enhance supramaximal CJ performance (1.55%; p = 0.003). The results of this study suggest 3 minutes to be the most advantageous IMRRP in terms of maintaining technical efficiency, power output, reducing fatigue perception, and enhancing performance in elite weightlifters.

BACKGROUND The present study aimed to investigate the effect of time-of-days (TOD) on some biochemical and hormonal responses after resistance training sessions. METHODS Ten trained subjects (22±2 years) performed, in randomized order, three resistance-training-sessions at 7 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Each training-session included six upper and lower body resistance exercises with 3×10 repetitions. Blood lactate (Lac), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) were collected at rest, 3 min and 48 h after each-session. RESULTS At rest, steroidal hormones were higher in the morning compared to the evening (P

The aims of the present study were to analyze selected kinematical parameters of free throw shooting in basketball performed during the learning process and identify which one has a greater effect on success. Fifteen FT attempts performed by 10 male college sports students were recorded with a high-speed camera (200 Hz) and analyzed using the system software SIMI-Motion. Statistical analysis showed that the knee angle helped determine success in FT shooting. Comparing various body angles effect on missed to scored baskets, only knee angles showed a significant difference with a higher value in scored baskets (p

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an Olympic-Weightlifting-session followed by 48-h recovery period on the oxidative and antioxidant parameters' diurnal variation. Nine weightlifters (21 ± 0.5 years) performed, in randomized order, three Olympic-Weightlifting-sessions at 08 h:00, 14 h:00 and 18 h:00. Blood samples were collected: at rest and 3 min and 48 h after each session. C-reactive protein (CRP), rate of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant activities were assessed. At rest, analysis of variance showed a significant time of day (TOD) effect (p

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of 3 and 5 weeks of detraining after 14 weeks of resistance training at a specific time of day on performances during the squat jump (SJ) and the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Thirty-one healthy male physical education students (age: 23.1 ± 1.0 years; height: 176.1 ± 6.3 cm; weight: 74.9 ± 10.9 kg) were randomly assigned to either a morning training group (MTG, training between 07:00 and 08:00 h, n = 10), an evening training group (ETG, training between 17:00 and 18:00 h, n = 11) or a control group (CG, no training, n = 10). Participants then performed eight test sessions (twice per day, at 07:00 and 17:00 h) over the course of four phases: during pre-training, immediately post-training, and after 3 and 5 weeks of detraining. Before each test session, oral temperature was recorded. During the first 12 weeks of resistance training, participants performed 3 sets of 10 repetitions to failure (10-RM) for 4 exercises (squat, leg press, leg extension and l...

The potential benefits from the reduction of excessive weight levels among the general population are of considerable public health importance. Early intervention against selected risk factors is a principle key in the prevention of chronic diseases. In this context, a number of school-based interventions to promote healthy lifestyles have been implemented globally in response to the WHO health promotion initiatives. In Tunisia, most studies have primarily focused on the principal determinants of overweight and obese school children. A number of intervention programs for school children have been implemented in different regions and similarly show that supplemental educative program interventions result in only substantive improvements with regard to knowledge, and behavior intent, in the children intervention group (p

The aim of the present study was to compare the physical fitness of Egyptian (n = 403) and German (n = 1712) volunteer children aged between 6 and 10 years. The German motor test (DMT), height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were measured. ANOVA showed that the results of the motor performance ability (MPA) were affected by the ethnicity with higher performance for German children (p < 0.05). German children’s superiority in strength is present from the age of 6 years (p < 0.001 for the Push-Ups and p < 0.05 for the Long Jumping), to the age of 10 years (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). However, their superiority in coordination ability was observed only in school aged children (p < 0.05 and p > 0.05, respect to 6 and 10 years old). With maturation from six to ten years, the achievement level for both populations show a positive improvement in the coordination and strength, and reduction in the flexibility (p < 0.001), with a higher rate of increase for the German children, except boys in the Push-Ups. Therefore, more strength-oriented physical activities before the age of 6 years and coordination-oriented activities between 6 and 8 years are recommended for Egyptian PE curriculum.

Background: The relationship between motor and cognitive development has already been proven in young children. However, in relation to the academic achievement the association between motor and cognitive performance still not well established. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the levels of motor and cognitive learning abilities and their independent and combined associations among German primary school-children.Methods: Participants were (n = 197) between the ages of six to eight. The German motor test (DMT), the cognitive abilities test (KFT), height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were measured.Results: ANOVA testing found that boys perform better in long jumping and in the six minutes running test while girls perform better in balancing backwards and in deductive thinking test (p < 0.05). With maturation from ages six to eight the achievement level of both populations showed a higher performance in motor and cognitive learning abilities (p < 0.001). Concerning the combined and independent associations between the tested abilities, a significant correlation was shown between total motor and total cognitive learning abilities (p < 0.001, r = 0.60) with higher contribution of balancing backwards, six minutes running and push-up levels (r = 0.63, r = 0.62, r = 0.60, respectively) in the performance of the cognitive learning abilities (i.e. mathematical thinking, r = 0.62 and language understanding, r = 0.59).Conclusions: In conclusion, fostering the childrens’ physical fitness during the primary school age could enhance both motor and cognitive learning abilities related to the academic achievement. published

The aim of the present study was to investigate loading effects on kinematic and kinetic variables among elite-weightlifters in order to identify an optimal training load to maximize power production for clean-movement. Nine elite-weightlifter (age: 24 ± 4years, body-mass: 77 ± 6.5kg, height: 176 ± 6.1cm and 1RM clean: 170 ± 5kg) performed 2 separate repetitions of the clean using 85, 90, 95% and 100%, in a randomized order, while standing on a force platform and being recorded using 3D-capture-system. Differences in kinematics (barbell displacement, velocity and acceleration) and kinetics (power, vertical ground reaction force (vGRF), rate of force development (RFD), and work) across the loads were statistically assessed. Results revealed significant load effects for the majority of the studied parameters (p0.01) and showed that typical bar-displacement, greatest bar-velocity and peak-power were achieved at 85 and 90% 1RM (p0.001). Additionally greater average power was shown for 90 and 95% (p0.01) and greater work and vGRF were shown for 90, 95 and 100% than 85% 1RM (p0.05). Load had no significant effect on peak-vGRF and peak-RFD (p0.05). The results of this study, suggest 90% 1RM to be the most advantageous load to train explosive-force and to enhance power-outputs while maintaining technical efficiency in elite-weightlifters.

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that pomegranate juice supplementation would blunt acute and delayed oxidative stress responses after a weightlifting training session. Nine elite weightlifters (21.0 ± 1 years) performed two Olympic-Weightlifting sessions after ingesting either the placebo or pomegranate juice supplements. Venous blood samples were collected at rest and 3 min and 48 h after each session. Compared to the placebo condition, pomegranate juice supplementation attenuated the increase in malondialdehyde (−12.5%; p < 0.01) and enhanced the enzymatic (+8.6% for catalase and +6.8% for glutathione peroxidase; p < 0.05) and non-enzymatic (+12.6% for uric acid and +5.7% for total bilirubin; p < 0.01) antioxidant responses shortly (3 min) after completion of the training session. Additionally, during the 48 h recovery period, pomegranate juice supplementation accelerated (p < 0.05) the recovery kinetics of the malondialdehyde (5.6%) and the enzymatic antioxidant defenses compared to the placebo condition (9 to 10%). In conclusion, supplementation with pomegranate juice has the potential to attenuate oxidative stress by enhancing antioxidant responses assessed acutely and up to 48 h following an intensive weightlifting training session. Therefore, elite weightlifters might benefit from blunted oxidative stress responses following intensive weightlifting sessions, which could have implications for recovery between training sessions.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of different nap opportunity durations on short-term maximal performance, attention, feelings, muscle soreness, fatigue, stress and sleep. Twenty physically active men (age: 21.1 ± 3.6 years, height: 176.4 ± 5.7 cm, body-mass: 72 ± 10.8 kg) performed the 5-jump and the digit-cancellation (i.e., attention) tests after four randomized nap opportunity conditions: no-nap opportunity (N0), 25 min of nap opportunity (N25), 35 min of nap opportunity (N35) and 45 min of nap opportunity (N45). Subjective measurement of feelings, muscle soreness, fatigue, stress and sleep were performed during each test session. Compared to N0, there was a significant improvement of the 5-jump performance during N35 (Δ = +3.5%, p

Ramadan is one of the pillars of the Islamic creed. Its observance commonly causes chrono-biological changes. The present study examined sleep and alertness during Ramadan observance relative to data collected before and after Ramadan in a sample of young, physically active men. Information was also collected on dietary intake, muscle soreness, fatigue, and mental stress over the three periods. Fourteen physically active men (age: 21.6 &plusmn, 3.3 years, height: 1.77 &plusmn, 0.06 m, body-mass: 73.1 &plusmn, 9.0 kg) completed the Hooper questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and responded to the digit cancellation test (DCT) fifteen days before Ramadan, during the last ten days of Ramadan and 20 days after Ramadan. The PSQI results indicated that sleep duration was significantly longer before Ramadan (p = 0.003) and after Ramadan (p = 0.04) compared to during Ramadan and was longer before Ramadan than after Ramadan (p = 0.04). In addition, the sleep efficiency was lower during Ramadan in comparison to before Ramadan (p = 0.02) and after Ramadan (p = 0.04). The daytime dysfunction score increased during Ramadan in comparison with before Ramadan (p = 0.01) and after Ramadan (p = 0.04), and the sleep quality score was higher during (p = 0.003) and after Ramadan (p = 0.04) as compared to before Ramadan. The sleep disturbance score increased during Ramadan relative to before Ramadan (p = 0.04). However, Ramadan observance had no significant effect on sleep latency. Mental alertness also decreased at the end of Ramadan compared to before (p = 0.003) or after Ramadan (p = 0.01). Dietary intake, muscle soreness, fatigue, and mental stress as estimated by the Hooper questionnaire remained unchanged over the three periods of the investigation (p &gt, 0.05). In conclusion, Ramadan observance had an adverse effect on sleep quantity and on mental alertness, but not on sleep quality. However, dietary intake, muscle soreness, fatigue, and mental stress remained unaffected.

Ammar, A, Chtourou, H, and Souissi, N. Effect of time-of-day on biochemical markers in response to physical exercise. J Strength Cond Res 31(1): 272-282, 2017-It is well established that many physiological functions are time-of-day (TOD) dependent, and their circadian rhythms are well documented in healthy populations at resting state. In fact, greater rate of oxidative stress, white blood cell, homocysteine, and muscle damage markers were shown in the early evening (≈18:00 hours), and more efficient antioxidant activity was observed in the early morning (≈06:00 hours). During physical tasks, the majority of the above-mentioned physiological functions increase from pre to post physical exercise with different rates of increases from morning to evening. These different rates of increases are suggested to alter the physiological resting diurnal variation. In this context, given the possible significant interaction "TOD × physical exercise," circadian rhythms of the physiological responses during physical activity are still not well established in trained subjects. Otherwise, it was suggested that the diurnal variation of these biochemical parameters could, in part, explain the typical diurnal fluctuation of physical performance. Therefore, the aim of this review was to summarize the currently available studies investigating the circadian rhythms of physiological functions at rest and after physical exercise and to establish their possible effect on the diurnal variation of sport performance. Although studies in this field are limited, the available information shows that compared with sedentary subjects, trained population maintained similar diurnal variations of hematological parameters, homocysteine, and some biochemical markers at rest and even after physical exercise. However, after strength exercises, the circadian rhythms for the majority of oxidative stress and muscle damage markers were altered because of the higher rate of increased pre-post exercises registered in the morning compared with the afternoon and evening. The available studies reveal that the significant circadian variation observed for sport performances could be more likely explained by the alteration of ionic movement and the diurnal fluctuation of homocysteine, lactate, muscle damage, and antioxidant markers.

To compare the effects of two small-sided game (SSG) training formats (4 × 4 min (SSG-S) and 2 × 8 min (SSG-L)) conducted during Ramadan on Hoff and five-jump (5JT) tests' performances and session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE).Three group, case-control.Field tests.Twenty-four male soccer players were divided into 3 groups: 2 groups undertaking 4 weeks of SSG-S (n = 8) or SSG-L (n = 8) during Ramadan and a control group (n = 8).The Profile of Mood States (POMS) and Hooper questionnaires' scores and 5JT and Hoff test's performances were measured before (BR) and at the end of Ramadan (R4).Compared to BR, fatigue estimated by POMS and Hooper questionnaires was higher at R4 in all groups (ES = 0.77-1.57, p 0.05). Hoff test distance increased to the same extent in SSG-S and SSG-L groups (+7.38-7.39%, ES = 1.49-1.93, p 0.001). Mean sRPE scores measured during Ramadan were higher after SSG-L (6.49 ± 0.38) than SSG-S (5.61 ± 0.14) sessions (+15.58%, ES = 2.79, p 0.001).SSG training can be implemented as an efficient intervention to avoid detraining and equally improve soccer-specific physical performance during Ramadan. Given the lower perceptual responses associated with shorter SSG sequences, this modality would be better tolerated during the fasting month, and therefore is recommended.

In this paper, we address team configuration problems in manufacturing systems, which consist in defining the number of workers to be assigned to a production system, as well as the skills that each worker must have in order to meet several performance measures. This problem is studied in a stochastic production context. A multi-objective evolutionary algorithm is connected to a simulation model to deal with this problem. Two objectives are considered. The first one is the minimization of the expected manpower cost associated to manufacturing team and the second one is the minimization of the expected mean flow time of jobs. Machines redundancy and workers multi-functionality are considered, when defining workers skills, to cope with possible random events such as workers unavailability and bottlenecks. Since the way workers are assigned to work centers strongly impact the results, a recent adaptive assignment heuristic is embedded in the simulation model and its parameters are also optimized. The proposed multi-objective simulation optimization approach is applied to design manufacturing teams, of a job shop production system, using the Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) connected to a simulation model developed using Arena. The set of non dominated solutions is found, so that an additional multi-criteria analysis can be performed.

The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of an Olympic-Weightlifting session training at three times of the day on the performance related to biochemical responses. Nine weightlifters (21 ± 0.5 years) performed, in randomised order, on three Olympic-Weightlifting training (snatch, clean and jerk) sessions (08:00 a.m., 02:00 p. m., 06:00 p. m.). Blood samples were collected: before, 3 min and 48 h after each training session. Haematological parameters and markers of muscle injury were assessed. Resting oral temperature and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were also assessed during each session. ANOVA showed that the performance was better (P0.001) at 02:00 p. m. with a less RPE (P0.01) compared to the morning and the evening sessions while there was higher (P0.05) oral temperature at 06:00 p. m. versus 08:00 a.m. and 02:00 p. m. Muscle damage changed immediately (without significant effect after 48 h) after the training sessions with lower values ​​in the evening compared to the morning. In conclusion, the afternoon training is more effective than morning or evening sessions for weightlifters. Therefore, coaches and weightlifters should be advised to schedule their training session in the afternoon hour.

Assigning workers to machines dynamically, so as to achieve production objectives, is known as a difficult problem which must be addressed in several manufacturing systems. In fact, production managers must determine when and where to assign workers, which is a very difficult task because of the complexity induced by the dynamic changes and the stochastic behavior of these systems. The current scientific literature is mainly oriented towards static assignments problems (only few dynamic heuristics are published). We propose a new approach whose aim is to help the managers in improving their knowledge about how to assign workers in real time. It is based on Serious Games built using Visual Interactive Simulation (discrete event). Our experiments show that an appropriate training using the proposed game can improve the users' ability to make good decisions about dynamic workers assignment and that human decisions can become more efficient than existing workers assignment rules found in the literature.

This paper addresses a worker assignment problem where multi-skilled workers perform a set of tasks independently and without walking and work sharing between workstations. A real case study is considered in this work. This problem is solved as a non-identical parallel machines scheduling problem with stochastic processing time where each machine represent one worker. A simulation optimization (SO) approach, using a robust tabu search (TS) algorithm that is coupled with a simulation model, is proposed to minimize the maximum completion time (makespan). The results is compared with this obtained by the using assignment method in the SETA Company.