COVID-19 restrictions stipulate the mandatory use of surgical masks during outdoor and indoor physical activities. The impact of this on athletic performance and especially on anaerobic physical activities is poorly known. The aim of the present research was to analyze the effect of surgical mask use on the anaerobic running performance of athletes. Modifications in running time, blood lactate, blood glucose, blood oxygen saturation, subjective perceived stress, rating of perceived exertion, and heart rate variability were measured in 50 m and 400 m maximal running tests with and without the use of surgical masks in 72 athletes. The use of a surgical mask increased blood lactate concentration, sympathetic autonomic modulation, perceived exertion, perceived stress, and decreased blood oxygen saturation in 50 and 400 m running tests. Thus, the higher levels of blood lactate and lower blood oxygen saturation require adaptation of the athlete’s rest and recovery periods to the acute workload. The higher level of sympathetic activation makes the acute and chronic control of autonomic modulation essential for an efficient training periodization. Finally, the use of acid buffers such as bicarbonate or sodium citrate would be a recommended ergogenic strategy.

The study of the origin and implications of fatigue in exercise has been widely investigated, but not completely understood given the complex multifactorial mechanisms involved. Then, it is essential to understand the fatigue mechanism to help trainers and physicians to prescribe an adequate training load. The present narrative review aims to analyze the multifactorial factors of fatigue in physical exercise. To reach this aim, a consensus and critical review were performed using both primary sources, such as scientific articles, and secondary ones, such as bibliographic indexes, web pages, and databases. The main search engines were PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar. Central and peripheral fatigue are two unison constructs part of the Integrative Governor theory, in which both psychological and physiological drives and requirements are underpinned by homeostatic principles. The relative activity of each one is regulated by dynamic negative feedback activity, as the fundamental general operational controller. Fatigue is conditioned by factors such as gender, affecting men and women differently. Sleep deprivation or psychological disturbances caused, for example, by stress, can affect neural activation patterns, realigning them and slowing down simple mental operations in the context of fatigue. Then, fatigue can have different origins not only related with physiological factors. Therefore, all these prisms must be considered for future approaches from sport and clinical perspectives.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and associated fatigue, sleep disturbances, and other cognitive and somatic symptoms. A multidisciplinary approach including pharmacological therapies along with behavioral therapy, exercise, patient education, and pain management is a possible solution for the treatment of this disease. The EXOPULSE Mollii® method (EXONEURAL NETWORK AB, Danderyd, Sweden) is an innovative approach for non-invasive and self-administered electrical stimulation with multiple electrodes incorporated in a full-body suit, with already proven benefits for other diseases. Therefore, the present case report study aims to evaluate the effects that a 60 min session with the EXOPULSE Mollii suit has on a female fibromyalgia patient. After the intervention, we can conclude that a 60 min session with the EXOPULSE Mollii suit has beneficial effects on pain perception, muscle oxygenation, parasympathetic modulation, and function in a female fibromyalgia patient.

Urban centers concentrate high levels of atmospheric pollutants, sourced by vehicular traffic, public transit systems, industrial emissions and agricultural emissions. This leads to the accumulation of gases and particulate matter (PM) which contribute to the degradation of historic buildings. Considering the importance of preserving historic structures, this manuscript examines the analysis of dangerous elements on the facades of two historic, UNESCO listed sites in Bordeaux, France, Grosse Cloche and Cathédrale St-André, due to the multiple influences of atmospheric pollutants, responsible for the degradation of historic buildings, in addition to causing possible compromises to human health. A total of 48 samples of particulate matter were collected between June 2018 and May 2019 using self-made passive samplers (SMPSs). Sedimented dust samples were collected from the same locations at the same time, one collection during each of the 4 seasons of the year. Analyses of accumulated ultrafine particles (UFPs) and nanoparticles (NPs) were performed on the collected samples. The results detected the presence of more than 800 organic NPs with high levels of toxic elements. Of these, 78% were detected in samples obtained via SMPS and the others in sedimented dust. 60% were shown to have a diameter of less than 50 nm. The authors suggest restoring the sampled historical structures for the benefit of humanity, in addition to increasing the rigor of public policies to control the release of particulate matter.

One of the common traits found in cancer patients is malnutrition and cachexia, which affects between 25% to 60% of the patients, depending on the type of cancer, diagnosis, and treatment. Given the lack of current effective pharmacological solutions for low muscle mass and sarcopenia, holistic interventions are essential to patient care, as well as exercise and nutrition. Thus, the present narrative review aimed to analyze the nutritional, pharmacological, ergonutritional, and physical exercise strategies in cancer-related cachexia. The integration of multidisciplinary interventions could help to improve the final intervention in patients, improving their prognosis, quality of life, and life expectancy. To reach these aims, an extensive narrative review was conducted. The databases used were MedLine (PubMed), Cochrane (Wiley), Embase, PsychINFO, and CinAhl. Cancer-related cachexia is a complex multifactorial phenomenon in which systemic inflammation plays a key role in the development and maintenance of the symptomatology. Pharmacological interventions seem to produce a positive effect on inflammatory state and cachexia. Nutritional interventions are focused on a high-energy diet with high-density foods and the supplementation with antioxidants, while physical activity is focused on strength-based training. The implementation of multidisciplinary non-pharmacological interventions in cancer-related cachexia could be an important tool to improve traditional treatments and improve patients’ quality of life.