Bilateral differences in lower-limb strength in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have been clinically observed. The objectives of this study were to quantify bilateral differences in lower-limb performance and metabolism during exercise. Eight ambulatory individuals with mild MS with an Expanded Disability Status Scale score of 2.6 +/- 1.6 and seven non-MS controls completed bilateral assessments of muscle strength and incremental cycling. Individuals with MS had significant (p < 0.05) between-leg differences in leg strength (strong leg: 43.3 +/- 12.7 kg vs weak leg: 37.7 +/- 15.2 kg), peak oxygen uptake (strong leg: 13.7 +/- 3.2 mL/kg/min vs weak leg: 10.6 +/- 3.0 mL/kg/min), and peak workload (strong leg: 73.4 +/- 22.3 W vs weak leg: 56.3 +/- 26.2 W). No between-leg differences were found in controls (p > 0.05). As anticipated, individuals with MS exhibited significantly greater asymmetry for strength, oxygen uptake, and workload than controls (p < 0.05). The differences between legs varied from 2% to 30% for maximal strength and 4% to 66% for cycling workload in the MS group and 4% to 24% and 0% to 8% for the control group, respectively. Preliminary evidence suggests that the magnitude of differences may be related to limitations in aerobic function.

Abstract-The purpose of this study was to examine unilateral lower-limb exercise tolerance during fixed-load cycling to quantify performance disparities of the legs. Eight individuals with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) and seven controls performed submaximal single-leg cycling. Individuals with MS performed significantly more work with the stronger leg than the weaker leg (stronger leg: 6.4 +/-1.7 kJ, weaker leg: 4.7 +/-2.5 kJ, p = 0.02). The control group displayed no statistical differences between limbs (p = 0.36). These results highlight a need for individualized exercise testing when prescribing training programs for those with MS.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cities and states adopted social distancing, social isolation, or quarantine measurements to slow the transmission of the disease. Negative mental health outcomes including depression and anxiety have been associated with social distancing or social isolation. The purpose of the present study was to examine changes in psychological health and physical activity over an 8 week period under social distancing policies during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Ninety (73.3% female; age 32.04 ± 11.33) individuals participated in this study. Qualifying participants answered questions using an online survey regarding their loneliness, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, mood state, and physical activity over four time points each lasting two weeks.Results: Symptoms of depression and state anxiety were increased in the population when compared to nationwide statistics from before the COVID-19 pandemic. Time point 2, ~1 month into social isolation, showed the most significant effects on mental health. During this time point, 100% of the participants showed symptoms of depression. There were no significant changes in physical activity over the 8 weeks. Loneliness, depressive symptoms, fatigue, and mood state were negatively associated with participation in physical activity. Vigor and state anxiety were associated with participation in physical activity.Conclusion: Social isolation and social distancing practices have had a negative effect on depression, anxiety, and mood over time. It appeared that depressive symptoms and total mood disturbance was elevated during time point two. Depressive symptoms were much higher than average compared to previous epidemiological data. Physical activity amount did not change over time but was associated with poor mental health.

discrimination was found to increase the incidences of ever experiencing sexual violence while it is significantly associated with decreasing a number of completed rape. Discussion:The constructs related to individual, relationship and societal level of ecological model were found to have significant association with unwanted sexual contacts, attempted rapes and completed rapes among college students in dating relationships. Participants' gender, sexual assertiveness and engagement in hooking up were found to be most important risk factors for all kinds of sexual violence occurring while in college. Conclusion:The findings highlight the importance of the use of the ecological model in discovering the variables related to sexual violence victimization among college students in dating relationships. Given the need of sexual violence intervention and prevention on college campuses, consideration of these risk factors while formulating the programs is essential.

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Although systemic sex‐specific differences in cardiovascular responses to exercise are well established, the comparison of sex‐specific cerebrovascular responses to exercise has gone under‐investigated especially, during high intensity exercise. Therefore, our purpose was to compare cerebrovascular responses in males and females throughout a graded exercise test (GXT). Twenty‐six participants (13 Females and 13 Males, 24 ± 4 yrs.) completed a GXT on a recumbent cycle ergometer consisting of 3‐min stages. Each sex completed 50W, 75W, 100W stages. Thereafter, power output increased 30W/stage for females and 40W/stage for males until participants were unable to maintain 60‐80 RPM. The final stage completed by the participant was considered maximum workload( W max ). Respiratory gases (End‐tidal CO 2 , EtCO 2 ), middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv), heart rate (HR), non‐invasive mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO), and stroke volume (SV) were continuously recorded on a breath‐by‐breath or beat‐by‐beat basis. Cerebral perfusion pressure, CPP = MAP (0. 7,355 distance from heart‐level to doppler probe) and cerebral vascular conductance index, CVCi = MCAv/CPP 100mmHg were calculated. The change from baseline (Δ) in MCAv was similar between the sexes during the GXT ( p = .091, ω p 2 = 0.05). However, ΔCPP ( p < .001, ω p 2 = 0.25) was greater in males at intensities ≥ 80% W max and ΔCVCi ( p = .005, ω p 2 = 0.15) was greater in females at 100% W max . Δ End‐tidal CO 2 (ΔEtCO 2 ) was not different between the sexes during exercise ( p = .606, ω p 2 = −0.03). These data suggest there are sex‐specific differences in cerebrovascular control, and these differences may only be identifiable at high and severe intensity exercise.