Ratings of Perceived Exertion Misclassify Intensities for Sedentary Older Adults During Graded Cycling Test: Effect of Supramaximal High-Intensity Interval Training

Validity and reliability of SEIS-3: An instrument for subjective measuring of strength in older adults

The use of rating of perceived exertion (RPE) has grown substantially, providing a valuable alternative for exercise intensity monitoring, especially for older adults. However, some challenges, such as cross-cultural validity, age-related differences, and reliability issues, necessitate the development of a concise and user-friendly RPE instrument, particularly for strength training in this population. This study aimed to validate the Subjective Effort Induction Scale (SEIS-3), a simplified tool for measuring effort during strength training. SEIS-3 is a graded instrument with three exertion levels: 1) Light effort, 2) Moderate effort, and 3) Strong effort. Twenty seniors, aged 71±7 years, of both genders participated in the study (CEP/Unimontes 2,741,071/2018). We collected maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC) data using a digital dynamometer. Subsequently, participants underwent the initial test, following the three SEIS-3 categories in a randomly assigned order of induced subjective effort. SEIS-3 instrument was evaluated by the approaches:•Linear regression analysis: employed to assess the validity of the instrument.•Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC): employed to assess the reliability of the instrument.SEIS-3 effort categories correlated with MIVC in both hands (R2=0.80, F = 25.596, df=3, p < 0.01 for right hand; R2=0.56, F = 9.132, p < 0.01 for left hand). Test-retest reliability for grip strength across effort categories was excellent (ICC > 0.9). SEIS-3 is a valid and reliable user-friendly tool for accurately assessing and regulating exercise intensity in older adults during strength tasks, benefiting their health, functional capacity, and overall quality of life. This low-cost instrument can help health professionals in their activities.

Perturbation-based Balance Training in Adults Aged Above 55 Years with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Comparison of Effects of Water versus Land Medium - A Preliminary Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

'Rapid balance reaction' or 'perturbation' training is an emerging paradigm in elderly back pain rehabilitation due to its connection to postural stability.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to inform the feasibility and practicality of perturbation-based balance training (PBT) using a stratification approach and to determine the effectiveness of land versus water-based PBT in elderly individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

METHODS

Elderly CLBP participants (n=24) received exercise interventions as per treatmentbased classification (TBC) and were randomly allotted into water-based perturbation exercises (WBPE, Mean age=63.0±2.6years, n=12) and land-based perturbation exercise group (LBPE, 62.3±2.6 years, n=12). Pain intensity, disability, scores of fear-avoidance beliefs, fall efficacy, and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed before and at the end of 6 weeks.

RESULTS

WBPE group reported a significant reduction in pain score (median difference(MD)):2, p<0.03), fear avoidance behaviour for work (MD:9, p<0.01) and fear avoidance behaviour for physical activity (MD:10, p< 0.05), improved straight leg raise right (SLR) (MD:37.5°, p<0.05), and improved modified fall efficacy scores (MFES, MD:25, p<0.05) compared to the LBPE group at post-intervention. Within-group analysis in both groups revealed significant improvement in clinical outcomes except for fear-avoidance beliefs related to physical activity in the LBPE group. Subgroup analysis revealed that the high BMI elderly CLBP group of LBPE had significant improvements similar to the WBPE group except for scores of FABQ physical activity scores and SLR.

CONCLUSION

Possible key factors for future research are discussed in the realms of perturbation exercise in the elderly with CLBP.

Physiological and locomotor variations of 3v3 and 5v5 small-sided games soccer formats: A 4-month study on sedentary young adults

The objectives of this study were twofold: (a) to analyze the variability of 3v3 and 5v5 small-sided games (SSG) formats in sedentary young adults, and (b) to compare the physiological and locomotor demands of 3v3 and 5v5 SSG formats while considering variations based on sex. The study followed a longitudinal design over 4 months. Thirty sedentary young adults with a mean age of 20.2 ± 1.0 years, height of 1.67 ± 0.06 m, and body mass of 86.3 ± 11.8 kg were included in the study. The participants engaged in 3v3 and 5v5 SSG formats, with each format being played 10 times per month. During each session, heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and total distance were measured and analyzed. The within-player variability for HR ranged from a minimum of 1.6% to a maximum of 2.8% (considering the levels at each month), while the between-players variability for HR ranged from a minimum of 1.4% to a maximum of 2.6% (considering the levels at each month). Similar variability patterns were observed for the other outcomes. In terms of comparisons between the formats, the 3v3 format resulted in higher RPE than the 5v5 format for both male (p = 0.006) and female (p = 0.628) participants, as well as for the other outcome measures. In summary, these findings highlight the reproducibility of physiological responses in 3v3 and 5v5 SSG among sedentary individuals. Notably, the 3v3 format consistently induced higher RPE levels. These findings underscore the importance of programming SSG based on sex and format preferences for optimizing exercise outcomes in sedentary.

Rates of compliance and adherence to high-intensity interval training: a systematic review and Meta-analyses

BACKGROUND

To determine rates of compliance (i.e., supervised intervention attendance) and adherence (i.e., unsupervised physical activity completion) to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) among insufficiently active adults and adults with a medical condition, and determine whether compliance and adherence rates were different between HIIT and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT).

METHODS

Articles on adults in a HIIT intervention and who were either insufficiently active or had a medical condition were included. MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched. Article screening and data extraction were completed by two independent reviewers. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2.0 or ROBINS-I. Meta-analyses were conducted to discern differences in compliance and adherence between HIIT vs. MICT. Sensitivity analyses, publication bias, sub-group analyses, and quality appraisal were conducted for each meta-analysis.

RESULTS

One hundred eighty-eight unique studies were included (n = 8928 participants). Compliance to HIIT interventions averaged 89.4% (SD:11.8%), while adherence to HIIT averaged 63% (SD: 21.1%). Compliance and adherence to MICT averaged 92.5% (SD:10.6%) and 68.2% (SD:16.2%), respectively. Based on 65 studies included in the meta-analysis, compliance rates were not different between supervised HIIT and MICT interventions [Hedge's g = 0.015 (95%CI: - 0.088-0.118), p = .78]. Results were robust and low risk of publication bias was detected. No differences were detected based on sub-group analyses comparing medical conditions or risk of bias of studies. Quality of the evidence was rated as moderate over concerns in the directness of the evidence. Based on 10 studies, adherence rates were not different between unsupervised HIIT and MICT interventions [Hedge's g = - 0.313 (95%CI: - 0.681-0.056), p = .096]. Sub-group analysis points to differences in adherence rates dependent on the method of outcome measurement. Adherence results should be interpreted with caution due to very low quality of evidence.

CONCLUSIONS

Compliance to HIIT and MICT was high among insufficiently active adults and adults with a medical condition. Adherence to HIIT and MICT was relatively moderate, although there was high heterogeneity and very low quality of evidence. Further research should take into consideration exercise protocols employed, methods of outcome measurement, and measurement timepoints.

REGISTRATION

This review was registered in the PROSPERO database and given the identifier CRD42019103313.

A Physiological Anchor for the Perception of Effort

This is a two-part study to determine one or more reliable physiological anchors for perception of effort. The purpose of Study 1 was to compare ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) at the ventilatory threshold (VT) in running, cycling, and upper body exercise with the premise that if RPE at VT did not differ across exercise modes, VT might provide a unique set of physiological inputs for perception of effort. For 27 participants, values for VT and for RPE at VT (Borg 6 to 20 scale) averaged 9.4 km⋅h^-1 (SD = 0.7) and 11.9 km⋅h^-1 (SD = 1.4) respectively in running, 135 W (SD = 24) and 12.1 W (SD = 1.6) in cycling, and 46 W (SD = 5) and 12.0 W (SD = 1.7) in upper body exercise. RPE did not differ, suggesting that VT may anchor effort perception. In Study 2, 10 participants performed cycle ergometer exercise for 30 minutes at their VT (M = 101 W, SD = 21), at their maximal lactate steady state (M = 143 W, SD = 22), and at their critical power (CP; M = 167 W, SD = 23). Mean end-exercise RPE were 12.1 (SD = 2.1), 15.0 (SD = 1.9), and 19.0 (SD = 0.5), respectively. The very close clustering of RPE during exercise at CP hints that the confluence of physiological responses at CP may (also) serve as a determinant in perception of effort.

Strength training in elderly: An useful tool against sarcopenia

The loss of muscle mass and strength in elderly population (especially after the age of 65–70) represents a public health problem. Due to the high prevalence of frailty in older adults, cardiovascular or low-intensity exercise is implemented as first choice option. Although beneficial these training schemes are not as effective as strength-based resistance training for increasing muscle strength and hypertrophy. In fact, when performed progressively and under professional supervision, strength-based training has been proposed as an important and valid methodology to reduce sarcopenia-related problems. In this mini-review, we not only summarize the benefits of weight resistance training but also highlight practical recommendations and other non-conventional methods (e.g., suspension training) as part of an integral anti-sarcopenia strategy. Future directions including cluster set configurations and high-speed resistance training are also outlined.