Provide a structured summary that includes (as applicable): background, objectives, eligibility criteria, sources of evidence, charting methods, results, and conclusions that relate to the review questions and objectives.

Background Hand hygiene is known to be an effective infection prevention and control measure in health care settings. However, the effectiveness of hand hygiene practices in preventing influenza infection and transmission in the community setting is not clear. Objective To identify, review and synthesize available evidence on the effectiveness of hand hygiene in preventing laboratory-confirmed or possible influenza infection and transmission in the community setting. Methods A systematic review protocol was established prior to conducting the review. Three electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library) were searched to identify relevant studies. Two reviewers independently screened the titles, abstracts and full-texts of studies retrieved from the database searches for potential eligibility. Data extraction and quality assessment of included studies were performed by a single reviewer and validated by a second reviewer. Included studies were synthesized and analyzed narratively. Results A total of 16 studies were included for review. Studies were of low methodological quality and there was high variability in study design, setting, context and outcome measures. Nine studies evaluated the effectiveness of hand hygiene interventions or practices in preventing laboratory-confirmed or possible influenza infection in the community setting; six studies showed a significant difference, three studies did not. Seven studies assessed the effectiveness of hand hygiene practices in preventing laboratory-confirmed or possible influenza transmission in the community setting; two studies found a significant difference and five studies did not. Conclusion The effectiveness of hand hygiene against influenza virus infection and transmission in the community setting is difficult to determine based on the available evidence. In light of its proven effectiveness in other settings, there is no compelling evidence to stop using good hand hygiene practice to reduce the risk of influenza infection and transmission in the community setting.

Introduction. Limited data exist regarding the effects of acute exercise and exercise training on cerebrovascular hemodynamic variables post-stroke. Purpose. This systematic review and meta-analysis 1) examined the effects of acute exercise and exercise training on cerebrovascular hemodynamic variables reported in the stroke exercise literature; and 2) synthesized the peak middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv) achieved during an acute bout of moderate-intensity exercise in individuals post-stroke. Methods. Six databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, AMED) were searched from inception to December 1st 2021, for studies that examined the effect of acute exercise or exercise training on cerebrovascular hemodynamics in adults post-stroke. Two reviewers conducted title and abstract screening, full-text evaluation, data extraction, and quality appraisal. Random effects models were used in meta-analysis. Results. Nine studies, including 4 acute exercise (n=61) and 5 exercise training studies (n=193), were included. Meta-analyses were not statistically feasible for several cerebrovascular hemodynamic variables. Descriptive analysis reveals that exercise training may increase cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular reactivity to carbon dioxide among individuals post-stroke. Meta-analysis of three acute exercise studies revealed no significant changes in MCAv during acute moderate intensity exercise (n=48 participants, mean difference = 5.2 cm/s, 95% CI [-0.6, 11.0], P=0.08) compared to resting MCAv values. Conclusion. This review suggests that individuals post-stroke may have attenuated cerebrovascular hemodynamics as measured by the MCAv during acute moderate-intensity exercise. Higher quality research utilizing agreed upon hemodynamic variables are needed to synthesize the effects of exercise training on cerebrovascular hemodynamics post-stroke.

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Smoking is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is effective for reducing the risk of recurrent cardiac events through improving cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Little is known about the influence of smoking on CRF throughout long-term CR. The purpose of this analysis was to compare CRF trajectories among individuals with positive and negative smoking history enrolled in long-term CR. Participants had a positive smoking history if they currently smoke or formerly smoked (Smoke+, n=55, mean age=64.9 ± 9.0 years) and had a negative history if they never smoked (Smoke–, n=34, mean age=61.4 ± 9.0 years). CRF (VO2peak) was measured at baseline and annually thereafter for 6 years. The Smoke+ group had lower CRF compared to the Smoke– group over enrollment (β=-3.29 (SE=1.40), 95% CI -6.04, -0.54, p=0.02), but there was no interaction of smoking history and enrollment (β=0.35 (SE=0.21), 95% CI -0.06, 0.77, p=0.10). Moreover, trajectories were not influenced by pack-years (β=0.01 (SE=0.01), 95% CI -0.01, 0.04, p=0.23) or time smoke-free (β=-0.002 (SE=0.01), 95% CI -0.02, 0.02, p=0.80). Although the trajectories of CRF do not appear to be affected by smoking behaviour, individuals without a history of smoking maintained higher CRF throughout enrollment. Novelty bullets: • The benefits of long-term exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation on cardiorespiratory fitness are similar between those who have smoked and those who have never smoked. • Neither the number of pack-years nor the length of time spent smoke-free influence cardiorespiratory fitness trajectories following long-term cardiac rehabilitation.

Rationale Cardiovascular exercise is an effective method to improve cardiovascular health outcomes, but also promote neuroplasticity during stroke recovery. Moderate-intensity continuous cardiovascular training (MICT) is an integral part of stroke rehabilitation, yet it may remain a challenge to exercise at sufficiently high intensities to produce beneficial adaptations to neuroplasticity. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) could provide a viable alternative to achieve higher intensities of exercise by using shorter bouts of intense exercise interspersed with periods of recovery. Methods and design This is a two-arm, parallel-group multi-site RCT conducted at the Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital (Laval, Québec, Canada) and McMaster University (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada). Eighty participants with chronic stroke will be recruited at both sites and will be randomly allocated into a HIIT or MICT individualized exercise program on a recumbent stepper, 3 days per week for 12 weeks. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, at 12 weeks post-intervention, and at an 8-week follow-up. Outcomes The primary outcome is corticospinal excitability, a neuroplasticity marker in brain motor networks, assessed with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). We will also examine additional markers of neuroplasticity, measures of cardiovascular health, motor function, and psychosocial responses to training. Discussion This trial will contribute novel insights into the effectiveness of HIIT to promote neuroplasticity in individuals with chronic stroke. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.govNCT03614585. Registered on 3 August 2018

BackgroundStroke is a highly disabling condition and is the second leading cause of death globally. Engaging in aerobic exercise is important for the prevention of a recurrent stroke through improving markers of cardiovascular health such as blood pressure and arterial stiffness. While higher intensities of aerobic exercise generally elicit greater cardioprotective effects, little is known about the acute cardiovascular effects of a single session of high intensity aerobic exercise in people with stroke. The objective of this study was to model the recovery of arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, cfPWV), heart rate and blood pressure following peak intensity aerobic exercise in individuals with chronic stroke.MethodsTen participants with chronic stroke (mean ± SD age = 56.9 ± 11.8 years, median [IQR] years post-stroke = 2.9 [1.9]) performed a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on a recumbent stepper. Before the CPET, resting cfPWV, heart rate and blood pressure were measured. Immediately following the CPET, all outcomes were measured again continuously for 20 min to use all available observations (n = 245 observations) and capture any potential non-linear changes. Mixed model analyses were then applied to model post-exercise changes of cfPWV, heart rate and blood pressure.ResultsCarotid-femoral pulse wave velocity was increased from rest following the CPET (9.0 ± 0.53 to 9.9 ± 0.52 m/s, p < 0.001) and remained elevated for 20 min into post-exercise recovery, independent of heart rate (p = 0.001). Heart rate also increased from baseline (71.2 ± 3.2 to 77.4 ± 3.1 bpm, p < 0.001) and remained elevated for 10 min post-exercise (p < 0.001). Finger systolic blood pressure was reduced from rest (117.3 ± 4.7 to 111.8 ± 4.6 mmHg, p < 0.001) and remained reduced for 15 min after exercise (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in finger diastolic or mean arterial pressures from rest.ConclusionThis was the first study to capture continuous changes in cfPWV following peak aerobic exercise in any clinical population. The present study revealed that cfPWV is elevated for 20 min after peak aerobic exercise in individuals with stroke, which was independent of heart rate. These findings suggest there may be autonomic imbalances in large arteries following peak intensity aerobic exercise in individuals with stroke.

Aging is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, which are preceded by early, negative remodeling of the vasculature. Low physical activity is a well-established risk factor associated with the incidence and development of disease. However, recent physical activity literature indicates the importance of considering the 24-hour movement spectrum. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to examine the impact of the 24-hour movement spectrum, specifically physical activity (aerobic and resistance training), sedentary behaviour, and sleep, on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outcomes in older adults, with a focus on recent evidence (<10 years) and sex-based considerations. The review identified that both aerobic training and being physically active (compared to sedentary) are associated with improvements in endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and cerebrovascular function. Additionally, there is evidence of sex-based differences in endothelial function: a blunted improvement in aerobic training in postmenopausal women compared to men. While minimal research has been conducted in older adults, resistance training does not appear to influence arterial stiffness. Poor sleep quantity or quality are associated with both impaired endothelial function and increased arterial stiffness. Finally, the review highlights mechanistic pathways involved in the regulation of vascular and cerebrovascular function - specifically the balance between pro- and anti-atherogenic factors, which mediate the relationship between the 24-hour movement spectrum and vascular outcomes. Finally, this review proposes future research directions: examining the role of duration and intensity of training, combining aerobic and resistance training, and exploration to sex-based differences in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outcomes.