{"title":"Impact of exercise on the 21st century epidemic of heart failure","authors":"Michael J. LaMonte","doi":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.07.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.07.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Heart failure (HF) poses a serious threat to public health in an aging population. HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) historically was the focus for developing prevention and management strategies, including exercise training in HFrEF patients. However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is increasingly common among older adults. There are no well-established treatment options making its primary prevention critical. This article reviews the role of exercise in the prevention and management of HF. Selected published articles informed discussion of HF etiology, evidence for the role of exercise in HF, and the biologic mechanisms linking exercise with HF development and prognosis. HF is a complex syndromic condition that manifests with severe exercise intolerance. Several causes of HF-related exercise intolerance respond to exercise training and two randomized controlled exercise interventions in HFrEF patients have demonstrated safety and efficacy for improved physical work capacity, quality of life, and mortality endpoints in medically stable HF patients. At present, only epidemiological cohort data are available for HFpEF outcomes, but the data are generally consistent in supporting lower risk of HFpEF development with levels of lifestyle physical activity meeting recommended amounts. Clinical trial evidence is needed to support this observation in HFpEF. Exercise training is established as part of guideline directed treatment of HFrEF patients. Lifestyle physical activity at guideline recommended amounts appears to be associated with lower risk of developing both HFrEF and HFpEF. There has yet to be a definitive clinical trial on exercise training and HFpEF treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33620,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine and Health Science","volume":"7 5","pages":"Pages 375-383"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144914091","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Two-legged medicine: Exercise-mediated health benefits","authors":"Barry A. Franklin","doi":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.07.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.07.004","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":33620,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine and Health Science","volume":"7 5","pages":"Pages 303-307"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144913885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Exercise-induced cardioprotection: From endogenous to exogenous mechanisms","authors":"John C. Quindry, Ronald E. Michalak","doi":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.03.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.03.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains the leading form of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, while exercise is a preventative and therapeutic countermeasure. The collective benefits of exercise on the heart are called cardioprotection. Exercise-induced cardioprotection encompasses four broad areas: 1) cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor improvement, 2) anatomical remodeling of the heart, 3) improved cardiac physiologic function, and 4) mechanisms of exercise preconditioning.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>With respect to the latter area of cardioprotection, research indicates that a few days of moderate intensity aerobic exercise preconditions the heart against cardiac dysrhythmias, ventricular pump dysfunction, and tissue death. The short duration protective timeframe, hours to days after exercise, indicates that the mechanisms are biochemical in nature. Protective mechanisms within exercised hearts include endogenous antioxidant enzymes, better regulation of cytosolic Ca<sup>2+</sup>, and more efficient bioenergetics. However, a formative body of work conducted over the last decade indicates that additional exogenous mechanisms may be receptor mediated, presumably providing cardioprotection via circulating factors. Preliminary findings indicate that tissue-to-tissue cross talk involves cardioprotective paracrine factors derived from muscle or autocrine factors originating from the heart itself. This protection is termed exogenous (or remote) cardiac preconditioning, and appears to include δ-opioid receptors, IL-6 receptors, and perhaps other surface receptors on exercised cardiac tissue.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The current review outlines existing knowledge on exercise and factors of cardiac preconditioning, and highlights the avenues for next-step scientific advances to understanding treatments against AMI.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33620,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine and Health Science","volume":"7 5","pages":"Pages 366-374"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144914093","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Garrett A. Moseley , Katherine A. Collins-Bennett , William E. Kraus , Leanna M. Ross
{"title":"Effects of amount, intensity, and mode of exercise training on the metabolic syndrome: A narrative review","authors":"Garrett A. Moseley , Katherine A. Collins-Bennett , William E. Kraus , Leanna M. Ross","doi":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.03.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.03.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>The purpose of this narrative review is to: 1) summarize findings from the three Studies of a Targeted Risk Reduction Intervention through Defined Exercise (STRRIDE) randomized trials regarding the differential effects of exercise amount, intensity, and mode on metabolic syndrome (MetS); and 2) compare the STRRIDE findings with other published randomized exercise trials related to changes in MetS.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A literature review was performed to investigate the effects of exercise on composite measures of MetS. PubMed was searched between October 2023 and December 2023. To be included in this review, studies must have employed a randomized study design, whereby exercise amount, intensity, or mode was varied.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Findings from the STRRIDE trials and other randomized exercise trials suggest: 1) there is a relationship between exercise energy expenditure (ExEE) and improvements in composite measures of MetS; 2) there may be an asymptotic effect for ExEE beyond which further improvements in MetS are negligible or counterproductive; 3) improvements in composite measures of MetS are closely linked to insulin sensitivity; and 4) without controlling for total ExEE, combined aerobic and resistance training interventions offer the most robust improvements for composite MetS outcomes compared to either mode alone.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Additional, large-scale, randomized exercise trials should be designed to investigate the potential asymptotic effect and associated threshold for ExEE, the interaction between exercise intensity and baseline insulin sensitivity, and the independent effects of exercise mode on MetS.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33620,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine and Health Science","volume":"7 5","pages":"Pages 393-403"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144912378","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Scott K. Powers , Erica Goldstein , Ronette Lategan-Potgieter , Matthew Schrager , Michele Skelton , Haydar Demirel
{"title":"Health benefits of physical activity: What role does skeletal muscle-organ crosstalk play?","authors":"Scott K. Powers , Erica Goldstein , Ronette Lategan-Potgieter , Matthew Schrager , Michele Skelton , Haydar Demirel","doi":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.02.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.02.010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The observation that physical activity (PA) reduces the risk of coronary heart disease dates back more than 70 years ago and it is now established that regular PA reduces all-cause mortality, in part, by reducing the risk of numerous chronic diseases including coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. During the past decade the increased use of activity tracking devices has significantly improved our understanding of the dose-response relationships between PA and all-cause mortality. Further, our appreciation of the impact that prolonged sitting has on all-cause mortality has increased. Moreover, new research provides key insight into the signaling mechanisms that connect PA to the reduced risk of disease in multiple organ systems. Therefore, given the recent advances in the study of PA and all-cause mortality, it is an appropriate time to review the latest evidence on this topic as well as the mechanisms responsible for the PA-induced protection against all-cause mortality. Therefore, this review will summarize recent data on the dose-response association between PA on all-cause mortality and the negative impact that sedentary behavior has on all-cause mortality. Further, we also highlight potential mechanisms linking PA with the reduced risk of developing several chronic diseases. Finally, we conclude with a brief discussion of the emerging evidence that the health benefits associated with PA are derived, in part, from skeletal muscle-organ crosstalk involving muscle produced hormones (myokines) that exert their effects in either an autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine manner.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33620,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine and Health Science","volume":"7 5","pages":"Pages 329-340"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144914089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Johan Y.Y. Ng, Shan Jiang, Cecilia H.S. Chan, Amy S. Ha
{"title":"Assessing fundamental movement skills using the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD): Challenges and solutions to comparability and standardization","authors":"Johan Y.Y. Ng, Shan Jiang, Cecilia H.S. Chan, Amy S. Ha","doi":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.02.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.02.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Proficiency in fundamental movement skills in children is linked to numerous positive physical, behavioral, and cognitive outcomes. The Test of Gross Motor Development is a widely used tool in research to measure this outcome. However, its application faces several limitations and challenges, such as subjectivity in rater judgements, limitation in data precision, and inconsistencies in score aggregations. In this commentary, we discuss these issues and explore how new technology might help address some of the challenges. Nonetheless, a consensus to how scores should be aggregated is still needed, and this could only be achieved through further discussions among researchers in the field.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33620,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine and Health Science","volume":"7 4","pages":"Pages 299-301"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143820855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Episodic denervation as a driver of loss of skeletal muscle redox homeostasis and muscle weakness in sarcopenia: Possible amelioration by exercise","authors":"Malcolm J. Jackson","doi":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.02.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.02.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Substantial reductions in muscle motor unit numbers accompany ageing and occur in parallel the age-related changes in skeletal muscle mass and fibre number. These motor unit changes are reflected in reduced motor neuron numbers and size, axonal integrity and disrupted pre-and post-synaptic neuromuscular junctions (NMJ). Conversely, data indicate that the effects of ageing on neuromuscular transmission are relatively minor. Some authors have therefore argued that structural degeneration of motor axons and NMJ are unimportant in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia and for a non-neurogenic origin for ageing-induced muscle loss. Increased Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) activities and changes in redox status are a feature of ageing and may play a key role in muscle loss through increased mitochondrial peroxide generation. This article will review the changes in motor units and NMJ seen during ageing and develop the argument that the changes in muscle mitochondrial peroxide generation and redox status may be caused by age-related changes in neuromuscular structure, but are not directly related to neuromuscular transmission. This provides an alternative explanation on how age-related changes in neural tissue might drive skeletal muscle fibre loss and weakness. Exercise interventions are known to reduce muscle loss and weakness in the elderly, but studies of such interventions on age-related changes in motor units, motor neurons or NMJ structure and function provide conflicting data. A further aim is therefore to identify areas where there is a need for novel research to understand whether, and how, targeted or long-term exercise might influence neuromuscular changes in ageing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33620,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine and Health Science","volume":"7 5","pages":"Pages 341-350"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144914090","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
William J. Kraemer , Maren S. Fragala , Nicholas A. Ratamess
{"title":"Evolution of resistance training in women: History and mechanisms for health and performance","authors":"William J. Kraemer , Maren S. Fragala , Nicholas A. Ratamess","doi":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.01.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.01.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Throughout history, cultural norms and stereotypes have discouraged resistance training in women. Today, as awareness and acceptance of resistance training in women has grown, supported by scientific research and advocacy, more women are achieving health and performance benefits from resistance training. This narrative review discusses the current scientific literature on sexual dimorphisms, the mechanisms underlying health and performance adaptations of resistance training in women, with implications for program design. In general, the physiological adaptations to resistance training in women are mediated largely by the neuroendocrine and immune systems, similar to in men albeit via some distinct predominant pathways involving sex hormones estrogen, testosterone, growth hormone (GH), and insulin-like growth factor- I (IGF-I). As a result, women may have unique adaptations in terms of muscle hypertrophy, substrate utilization, fatiguability, and recovery. Despite subtle physiological differences, women achieve measurable increases in strength, power and athletic performance via engaging in resistance training programs of sufficient frequency, intensity, and duration. Moreover, beyond performance, resistance training has a favorable impact on women’s health including metabolic health, body composition, bone health, cardiovascular health, mental health, self-esteem, and body image. Resistance training recommendations for men and women are highly similar and goal-dependent, with some specific caveats that need to be addressed in women. As resistance training has become regarded as a key element of programs for achieving performance and health improvements in women, additional research may further our understanding.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33620,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine and Health Science","volume":"7 5","pages":"Pages 351-365"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144914092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lucy-Joy Wachira , Nils Swindell , Noora Kanerva , Muhoro Munuhe , Timo Vuorimaa , Tiina Laiho , Sophie Ochola , Maijaliisa Erkkola , George Owino , Gareth Stratton , Mikael Fogelholm , Vincent Onywera
{"title":"Objectively measured 24-h movement behaviours of child-guardian pairs in low-to-middle income households in Nairobi City County, Kenya","authors":"Lucy-Joy Wachira , Nils Swindell , Noora Kanerva , Muhoro Munuhe , Timo Vuorimaa , Tiina Laiho , Sophie Ochola , Maijaliisa Erkkola , George Owino , Gareth Stratton , Mikael Fogelholm , Vincent Onywera","doi":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.01.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.01.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The decreasing prevalence of physical activity (PA) among urban children in Sub-Saharan Africa is a growing public health concern. More emphasis should focus on examining the influence of parental PA behaviour on the children’s PA patterns. We explored associations of 24 hour (h) accelerometer-measured movement behaviours of guardian-child pairs in Nairobi City County, Kenya.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This cross-sectional study assessed 80 pairs consisting of children aged 9–14 years and their guardians in one area of low and one area of middle socioeconomic status (SES) (Embakasi Sub-County and Lang’ata Sub-County), in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study used waist worn Tri-axial Actigraph (GT3X+ and ActiSleep+) accelerometers to quantify PA and sedentary time (SED). Association between guardians' and children’s PA was examined using linear regression, adjusting for guardians' educational attainment and household wealth.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of the children, 42 (52.5%) and 76 (96.2%) of the guardians were women. Children in low SES areas spent more time (<em>p</em> < 0.001) in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity compared to children from middle SES area. The guardians in low SES area were younger and spent more time in light PA (<em>p</em> = 0.036) while their counterparts had higher daily SED (<em>p</em> = 0.049). Guardian’s SED associated with higher children’s SED (<em>p</em> = 0.033) even after adjusting for guardians' educational attainment (<em>p</em> = 0.032) and wealth (<em>p</em> = 0.05). There was no association between guardians' and children’s MVPA.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Considered alongside the extant literature, these results suggest that health promotion strategies should aim to reduce parental SED time while also planning to increase children’s PA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33620,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine and Health Science","volume":"7 4","pages":"Pages 263-271"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143820905","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ondrej Fiala, Michaela Hanzlova, Lenka Borska, Zdenek Fiala, Drahomira Holmannova
{"title":"Beyond physical exhaustion: Understanding overtraining syndrome through the lens of molecular mechanisms and clinical manifestation","authors":"Ondrej Fiala, Michaela Hanzlova, Lenka Borska, Zdenek Fiala, Drahomira Holmannova","doi":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.01.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.smhs.2025.01.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Overtraining Syndrome (OTS) is a condition resulting from excessive physical activity without adequate recovery, predominantly affecting elite athletes and military personnel. While overreaching can be a temporary state, non-functional overreaching may progress to chronic OTS. This review explores various hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis of OTS, including glycogen depletion, dysregulated cytokine response, oxidative stress, and alterations in the autonomic nervous system function. It also highlights the systemic impact of OTS on multiple organ systems, immune function, and overall health, linking the condition to chronic inflammation and an increased disease susceptibility. Additionally, it addresses the role of the gut microbiome in health modulation through physical activity.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This narrative review was conducted through a structured search of peer-reviewed journal articles in databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, focusing on studies involving human participants and published in English.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>OTS has systemic effects on multiple organ systems, immune function, and overall health, leading to chronic inflammation and increased disease susceptibility. Athletes with OTS exhibit higher morbidity rates, influenced by factors such as sleep deprivation and stress. The review also emphasizes the role of the gut microbiome as a significant modulator of health through physical activity.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Balanced training and recovery are crucial for preventing OTS and maintaining optimal health and quality of life in physically active individuals. Understanding the complex pathophysiology of OTS is essential for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33620,"journal":{"name":"Sports Medicine and Health Science","volume":"7 4","pages":"Pages 237-248"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143820902","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}