Isometric training at specific knee angles led to significant shifts of peak torque in the direction of the training muscle lengths. The greater strength gains and the architectural changes with training at long muscle lengths probably come from a combination of different factors, such as the different mechanical stresses placed upon the muscle-tendon complex.

The aims of this study were to assess the association of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) with physical fitness and body composition in Spanish university students and to determine the ability to predict the MD adherence of each Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) item. A cross-sectional study was performed involving 310 first-year university students. Adherence to the MD was evaluated with MEDAS-14 items. Anthropometric variables, body composition, and physical fitness were assessed. Muscle strength was determined based on handgrip strength and the standing long jump test. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) was measured using the Course–Navette test. Only 24% of the university students had good adherence to the MD. The ANCOVA models showed a significant difference between participants with high adherence to the MD and those with medium and low adherence in CRF (p = 0.017) and dynamometry (p = 0.005). Logistic binary regression showed that consuming >2 vegetables/day (OR = 20.1; CI: 10.1–30.1; p < 0.001), using olive oil (OR = 10.6; CI: 1.4–19.8; p = 0.021), consuming <3 commercial sweets/week (OR = 10.1; IC: 5.1–19.7; p < 0.001), and consuming ≥3 fruits/day (OR = 8.8; CI: 4.9–15.7; p < 0.001) were the items most associated with high adherence to the MD. In conclusion, a high level of adherence to the MD is associated with high-level muscular fitness and CRF in Spanish university students.

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Cardiorespiratory fitness has been postulated as an independent predictor of several chronic diseases. We aimed to estimate the effect of Pilates on improving cardiorespiratory fitness and to explore whether this effect could be modified by a participant’s health condition or by baseline VO2 max levels. We searched databases from inception to September 2019. Data were pooled using a random effects model. The Cochrane risk of bias (RoB 2.0) tool and the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies were performed. The primary outcome was cardiorespiratory fitness measured by VO2 max. The search identified 527 potential studies of which 10 studies were included in the systematic review and 9 in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed that Pilates increased VO2 max, with an effect size (ES) = 0.57 (95% CI: 0.15–1; I2 = 63.5%, p = 0.018) for the Pilates group vs. the control and ES = 0.51 (95% CI: 0.26–0.76; I2 = 67%, p = 0.002) for Pilates pre-post effect. The estimates of the pooled ES were similar in both sensitivity and subgroup analyses; however, random-effects meta-regressions based on baseline VO2 max were significant. Pilates improves cardiorespiratory fitness regardless of the population’s health status. Therefore, it may be an efficacious alternative for both the healthy population and patients suffering from specific disorders to achieve evidenced-based results from cardiorespiratory and neuromotor exercises.

Objective: The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the evidence of the effect of pelvic floor muscle training on urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. Methods: A bibliographic search was conducted in four databases. Studies were grouped according to the intervention program (muscle training versus control and individual home-based versus physiotherapist-guided muscle training). Results: Eight studies were selected for meta-analysis after satisfying the selection criteria. The data show that pelvic floor muscle training improves continence rate in the short (RR = 2.16; p < 0.001), medium (RR = 1.45; p = 0.001) and long term (RR = 1.23; p = 0.019) after surgery. The number of randomized controlled trials and the heterogeneity in the study population and type of pelvic floor muscle training were the main limitations. Conclusion: Programs including at least three sets of 10 repetitions of muscle training daily appear to improve continence rate after radical prostatectomy. Our meta-analysis shows that muscle training programs for urinary incontinence provide similar results to those of physiotherapist-guided programs, therefore being more cost- effective.

Background Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths in older adults. Physical exercise is a suitable strategy to reduce the risk of falls, but there is little research on the effectiveness of specific exercise modalities. Objectives To estimate the effectiveness of Pilates compared to habitual or non-exercise on physical performance and the risk of falls in older adults. Data sources Five databases were searched through April 15, 2021. Study selection Randomized controlled trial in people aged ≥60 years. Outcomes: balance, strength, flexibility, functionality, and risk of falls. Data synthesis Pooled standardized mean differences were calculated using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses based on Pilates' modality, the existence of a detailed exercise protocol, supervision by a certified instructor, and overall risk of bias were performed. Results Thirty-nine studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analyses. The meta-analyses indicated a moderate effect of Pilates on balance (ES = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.21 to 0.50), strength (ES = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.44 to 0.81), flexibility (ES = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.16 to 0.67), and functionality (ES = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.32 to 0.72) as well as a large effect on the risk of falls (ES = 0.90; 95% CI = 0.41 to 1.38) in older adults when compared with control groups. The level of certainty of the findings was low for balance, flexibility, and functionality and moderate for strength and falls. Conclusion and implications of key findingsPilates may promote the autonomy of older people in their daily living activities. Contribution of the Paper• Pilates is an alternative exercise for reducing the risk of falls.• Pilates improves balance, strength, flexibility, and functionality in older people.• Pilates may increase the autonomy of older adults in their daily living activities.

DXA and BIA seem to underestimate %BF in young male athletes compared with ADP. Furthermore, the bias significantly increases with %BF in the BIA measurements. At the individual level, BIA and DXA do not seem to predict %BF precisely compared with ADP in young athletic populations.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have assessed the test-retest reliability of the isokinetic strength at 90 • /s and the isometric parameters for knee extensors. OBJECTIVES: To assess the reliability of isokinetic and isometric parameters of knee extensors, and to determine the smallest real difference between the test-retest measures. METHODS: Knee extensor strength was measured twice, 4 to 5 days apart, using a Biodex dynamometer in forty subjects (12 men, 28 women). The protocols consisted of 5 concentric contractions at 90 • /s and 5 isometric contractions. RESULTS: For women, test-retest reliability was very high for isometric and isokinetic peak-torque (ICCc,1 > 0.9 ), moderate for work (ICCc,1 = 0.82) and questionable for angle of peak torque (Angle-PT), mean Angle-PT and rate of torque development (RTD0−100 ms) (ICC < 0.67). The measurement errors were small for all variables, the SEM% ranged between 3.1% to 7.4%, and SRD% from 8.6% to 19.9%, except for RTD0−100 ms that was the most variable (SEM% = 16.4%; SRD = 47.5%). No differences were found in Angle-PT and RTD0−100 ms with regard to sex. CONCLUSIONS: The isokinetic values obtained at 90 • /s and isometric peak-torque for knee extensors are highly repeatable with a standardized test protocol and the SRD values can be used to detect real changes. Alternative strategies of analysis should be developed to improve reliability of Angle-PT and RTD0−100 ms. Angle-PT and RTD0−100 ms do not appear affected by gender