Langley

This research aims to evaluate whether completing a heat acclimation maintenance period after initial heat acclimation improves exercise performance in the heat more than heat acclimation alone in healthy trained females. The study addresses the impact of global warming and heat waves on people exercising outdoors, focusing on how repeated heat exposure helps the body adjust to tolerate heat better. It also seeks to fill the gap in understanding how females respond to heat acclimation, especially given their increasing participation in demanding sports and occupations. Participants will be divided into two groups an experimental group undergoing heat acclimation sessions and a control group performing heart rate matched training in cool conditions. The heat acclimation group will complete 10 sessions over two weeks followed by three weeks of heat acclimation maintenance with three heat sessions per week. Both groups will exercise at home during 19 one-hour sessions, using perceptual scales or heart rate to guide effort and thermal sensation. Performance tests will be conducted before, during, and after the interventions. Throughout the study, researchers will assess heart pumping capacity, blood volume, core temperature, and exercise performance at baseline, mid-point, and post-intervention. Measurements include VO2max, plasma volume, and cardiac output to determine effects of heat acclimation and maintenance. The study will monitor participant adherence and safety, with total participation spanning at least five weeks. Data analysis will compare cardiovascular and performance changes between groups to understand which approach better supports exercise in the heat.

Researchers are studying adults with persistent memory problems following a concussion to compare two behavioral treatments cognitive behavioral therapy CBT and cognitive compensatory strategy training CCST. The study aims to find out which approach better improves how participants feel about their memory, compared to usual care. This is a multisite, randomized controlled trial where participants are assigned to one of three groups CBT, CCST, or a waitlist usual care group. The CBT group will have ten one-on-one videoconference sessions led by a psychologist to help participants reduce avoidance behaviors and view memory lapses as less threatening. The CCST group will receive ten individual videoconference sessions with an occupational therapist focused on optimizing and learning memory compensatory strategies to reduce memory lapses. The waitlist group will receive usual care without intervention during the study period. Participants will be involved for about 20 weeks, during which they will complete self-reported assessments including the Multifactorial Memory Questionnaire-Satisfaction scale at week 20, and other measures at baseline and week 20 such as the Fear-Avoidance of Memory Loss Scale, Patient Global Impression of Change, and Work and Social Adjustment Scale. These tools will assess subjective memory functioning, avoidance behaviors, overall change impressions, and socialwork adjustment. The study will monitor participants closely through these questionnaires and videoconference sessions.

Researchers are studying the reliability of pelvic floor measurements taken from ultrasound images at rest and during weightlifting tasks in women with female pelvic anatomy. This observational study aims to assess how consistently trained assessors can measure pelvic floor structures using 2-dimensional transperineal ultrasound imaging during both rest and dynamic, externally loaded barbell resistance exercises. This foundational research supports future investigations into pelvic floor behavior during resistance training and its potential link to exercise-induced urinary incontinence. Participants will undergo a standard bladder filling protocol before ultrasound imaging is performed by two trained assessors. Images and video loops will be collected under four conditions lying down supine, standing, and during three back squats and deadlifts each at 40%, 60%, and 80% of the participants one-repetition maximum weight. The imaging data will be analyzed offline to measure specific pelvic floor features such as levator plate length and angle, bladder neck height, and anorectal junction height. The study evaluates the consistency of image acquisition and analysis for these measurements under each condition. During the study, participants will complete questionnaires about urinary incontinence, pelvic floor health, and hypermobility at enrollment. The researchers will monitor specific pelvic floor measurements on the day of imaging. Participants must be able to safely perform weightlifting exercises with submaximal loads and communicate in English. The study involves a single visit for imaging and assessments, and the total participation time is brief. Safety and reliability of the measurements are key outcomes, with data collection expected to conclude by late 2026.