Strength Training

Researchers are evaluating a digital, personalized exercise program designed to reduce disease activity in adults recently diagnosed with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). This controlled trial assesses whether remote exercise supervision through the SPARK app, combined with patient education videos, can improve health outcomes. The study compares this approach to usual care in patients who have not used biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and who have active disease. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receiving a personalized exercise program with remote coaching and another receiving usual care. The exercise program includes high intensity interval training (HIIT), muscular strength exercises, and moderate aerobic activity spread over three days per week, with the goal of 20 minutes of HIIT weekly at 85-95% of maximal heart rate. The program is remotely delivered via the SPARK application, with weekly coaching sessions and exercise data tracked by a sports watch. Throughout the 6-month trial, participants undergo assessments including disease activity measures like ASDAS and BASDAI, physical fitness tests, psychological wellbeing scales, and safety evaluations with physical exams and MRI scans. Medication use and adverse events are also monitored. The primary outcome is disease activity at 3 months, with further evaluations at 6 months to measure the effects of the exercise intervention on health, wellbeing, and physical function.

Adults with cerebral palsy (CP) often face difficulties in accessing exercise programs tailored to their needs due to limited mobility, lack of suitable options, and restricted physiotherapy access. Regular exercise is important for improving physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life, but many adults with CP do not have structured opportunities for physical activity. This research aims to evaluate the feasibility of delivering an accessible online exercise program designed specifically for adults with CP, focusing on demand, practicality, acceptability, and potential benefits to physical, mental, and social health. The study will recruit 60 adults with CP who will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will participate in an 8-week online exercise and education program that includes weekly online exercise classes targeting strength, balance, and range of movement, along with educational materials covering topics like exercise, nutrition, fatigue, bone health, pain management, mental health, and sleep. The other group will receive the same educational materials over 8 weeks without the exercise classes and will be informed about the home exercise program after the intervention period. Participants will be monitored throughout the study with data collected on attendance, completion rates, engagement with exercises, and any adverse events. Health-related surveys will be completed before and after the program to assess changes in physical function, mobility, pain, fatigue, sleep, self-efficacy, depression, and participation. Selected participants will also provide feedback through interviews. The study duration includes rolling recruitment over 1.2 years and outcome measurements over 2 years, aiming to support the development of effective online exercise programs for adults with CP.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of a smartphone-based Healthy Lifestyle (HLS) intervention on the mental and physical health of firefighters in Tainan, Taiwan. This cluster randomized controlled trial aims to determine if the Traditional Chinese version of the HLS mobile app can improve firefighters' health compared to usual care. The study also seeks to find out whether the intervention can promote a healthier lifestyle and reduce the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases among firefighters. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which uses the Traditional Chinese HLS mobile app designed specifically for firefighters, or the control group, which receives usual care. The intervention period lasts from 3 to 6 months, during which firefighters in the intervention group will use the app to support healthier behaviors. The control group will continue with their standard practices without the app. Throughout the study, firefighters will undergo health and fitness assessments at the start and again 3 to 6 months after the intervention begins. Measurements include blood pressure, depressive symptoms, PTSD symptoms, body mass index, smoking habits, diet patterns, physical activity levels, sitting time, sleep duration and napping frequency, glycated hemoglobin, lipid profiles, C-reactive protein, and physical performance. The study will monitor these outcomes to assess changes in mental and physical health. Safety and progress will be observed through these regular evaluations during the study period.

Researchers are studying older adults aged 65 and above who are pre-frail or mildly frail to evaluate the effects of Whole Body Vibration Training (WBVT) combined with usual care compared to usual care alone. This trial aims to improve muscle mass, strength, and function, addressing the challenges of traditional exercise programs that many older adults find difficult to follow due to physical or cognitive limitations. The study focuses on measuring muscle strength and physical function changes after interventions. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group will receive WBVT along with usual care, and the other will receive only usual care. WBVT sessions use the Galileo Vibration machine three times a week for four weeks, progressively increasing vibration frequency, squat angles, and session duration. Both groups will receive instruction on Otago exercises to be done at home, with encouragement to continue aerobic activities like brisk walking. Exercise and falls diaries will be kept for up to three months. Participants will undergo assessments before the intervention, two weeks after, and three months after. These include measurements of knee extension strength, hand grip strength, muscle mass, gait speed, chair stands, calf circumference, physical activity levels, and quality of life. Falls, emergency visits, hospitalizations, and mortality will also be tracked for one year. The study includes surveys and interviews to evaluate feasibility and accessibility, with adherence monitored by reminders and diaries.

Researchers are investigating how different training methods—plyometric training, functional training, and whole-body electrical muscle stimulation (WB-EMS)—affect athletic performance and health in university basketball and volleyball players. This randomized crossover study aims to determine which training type best improves power, speed, agility, and overall health, while also assessing injury risk reduction and psychological well-being. The study involves 120 male and female athletes aged 18 to 30 with competitive experience. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups that receive different sequences of training: plyometric followed by WB-EMS, functional followed by plyometric, WB-EMS followed by functional, or a control group maintaining their usual training. Each intervention period lasts 8 weeks, separated by a 4-week washout phase. Training sessions include warm-ups, specific exercises tailored to each modality, and cool-downs. WB-EMS sessions use the miha bodytec® device to stimulate muscles during dynamic exercises, performed twice weekly for 20-25 minutes. Throughout the study, participants will undergo various assessments at baseline, after each intervention period, and during follow-up. These include physical fitness tests like jump and sprint tests, balance and movement screenings, and questionnaires on sleep quality, self-efficacy, life satisfaction, and emotion regulation. Researchers will monitor changes in athletic performance and health over the 20-week intervention timeline to evaluate the effects of each training method.

Researchers are investigating whether drinking an energy drink containing caffeine and green tea extract before exercise can increase fat burning compared to a placebo drink. This study focuses on healthy, moderately active adults aged 18 to 45 and uses a double-blind, randomized, crossover design to compare effects during rest, exercise, and recovery periods. The study aims to understand how these ingredients influence fat oxidation during endurance cycling. Participants will attend three clinic visits over 3 to 5 weeks. The first visit determines their individual exercise intensity for maximizing fat use during cycling. In two later visits, participants will consume either two cans of the active energy drink or two cans of a placebo drink without caffeine and green tea extract before completing a 30-minute cycling session at their personalized exercise level. The study compares the effects of these drinks on fat and carbohydrate use and other physiological responses. During each visit, measurements will include fat oxidation, carbohydrate oxidation, respiratory exchange ratio, heart rate, blood pressure, and subjective responses, all assessed from baseline through 30 minutes after exercise using indirect calorimetry. Participants will be monitored closely, and the main outcome is fat oxidation from baseline to 30 minutes post-exercise. The total study participation spans three visits within a few weeks, providing detailed data on how caffeine and green tea extract affect metabolism during exercise.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of Action Observation Therapy (AOT) on balance and mobility in children with spastic cerebral palsy aged 5 to 12 years. This randomized controlled trial compares functional performance outcomes between children receiving training with AOT and those receiving similar training without action observation, aiming to determine the therapy's impact on physical function. The study uses established assessment tools like the Modified Ashworth Scale, GMFCS, Pediatric Balance Scale, and GMFM-88 to measure progress. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives AOT-based mobility and balance exercises combined with conventional therapy including lower limb stretching and strengthening. These exercises involve various stances such as sitting, standing, and turning with fun activities like reaching for objects, tower building, and taking turns. The other group receives the same balance and mobility exercises and conventional therapy but without the action observation component. Both groups undergo training designed to improve functional mobility and balance. Children's functional performance will be assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention to measure static balance, dynamic balance, and mobility. Researchers will monitor changes using the specified scales to evaluate outcomes. The study involves multiple assessments to track progress and compare the effectiveness of training with and without action observation, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the therapy's effects on cerebral palsy management.

Researchers are studying physical activity levels and sleep patterns in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years who have Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The study aims to understand how active these young patients are and whether they meet recommended physical activity guidelines. This observational study is conducted by the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and focuses on quality of life and disease impact in pediatric IBD patients. Participants will complete questionnaires about their physical activity, disease activity, and quality of life. They will also wear a wrist-based accelerometer for one week to monitor activity and sleep. During this period, they will keep a physical activity diary, food diary, and stool chart to provide detailed information about their daily habits and health. Throughout the study, researchers will assess moderate to vigorous physical activity and sedentary time over one week. Additional evaluations at baseline include disease activity, perceived physical activity, sleep quality, nutritional status, and growth measurements. Nutritional assessments will be repeated over a three-day period after the baseline visit. The total involvement includes wearing the device and completing diaries, with ongoing analysis of data to understand activity and health in pediatric IBD patients.

Fatigue is a common side effect for women undergoing pelvic radiation therapy for endometrial cancer, often making daily activities more difficult. While exercise has been recommended to help with fatigue in cancer patients, there is limited research on its role during pelvic radiation therapy. This trial aims to evaluate whether an activity coaching program can improve treatment-related fatigue in women receiving this therapy. Participants will take part in an exercise coaching program involving ten weekly check-ins with a certified exercise coach. They will set weekly activity goals based on what is easy and enjoyable for them, with check-ins available in person or virtually. Participants will be randomly assigned to start the program either immediately during radiation therapy or after radiation therapy has ended, with the study lasting about six months. All participants will receive a Fitbit to monitor activity, heart rate, and steps. Throughout the study, participants will complete four surveys and perform a 6-minute walk test four times to assess heart and lung response to exercise. At the end of the trial, an interview will be conducted to gather feedback on the program. Researchers will monitor adherence to coaching sessions as the primary outcome, along with changes in fatigue, bowel and urinary symptoms, quality of life, cognitive function, sexual function, self-efficacy, and walking distance. The study aims to follow participants for up to 24 months.

Researchers are studying the immediate effects of fibular repositioning taping on balance, jumping, and sprint performance in healthy young women aged 18 to 30. This randomized controlled trial aims to find out if this taping method changes physical performance compared to sham taping or no taping. The study focuses on short-term changes in selected performance measures among healthy participants to understand the taping's impact. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: fibular repositioning taping applied to the dominant ankle, sham taping that looks similar but lacks therapeutic repositioning, or a control group with no taping. Baseline assessments are done before the intervention, and outcome measurements are repeated 30 minutes after the taping or waiting period. The intervention uses a rigid taping technique intended to support fibular positioning. During the study, participants undergo tests including the Y Balance Test, horizontal and vertical jump tests, and a 10-meter sprint test at baseline and 30 minutes after intervention or waiting. Researchers measure these functional outcomes to assess any changes in physical performance. The study is conducted under controlled conditions with single masking and random group allocation, and participation lasts only for the duration of the testing session.