Background Exercise training has been suggested to prevent anthracycline-related cardiac dysfunction, but clinical-based evidence is scarce. Aim We investigated the effects of a supervised exercise training program (SETP) on cardiac toxicity markers in women with breast cancer receiving anthracycline-containing chemotherapy. Methods Ninety-three women with early-stage breast cancer were randomly allocated to a SETP plus usual care group (Exercise, n=47) or usual care alone group (UC, n=46). The SETP consisted of 3 sessions per week, combining aerobic and resistance training, conducted concurrently across the anthracycline-containing chemotherapy length. The primary endpoint was the change in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) from baseline to the end of anthracycline cycles. Secondary endpoints included global longitudinal strain (GLS) and other conventional echocardiographic parameters, cardiorespiratory fitness (estimated peak VO2), circulating biomarkers (NT-proBNP, hs-TnT), and safety of the SETP. The study endpoints were also assessed 3 months after the end of anthracycline cycles. Results All patients were prescribed four cycles of doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide (AC). No significant between-group differences in LVEF change were seen at the end of AC [mean difference: 0.7%; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.8, 2.3; p=0.349] and 3 months after AC [1.1% (95% CI: -0.5, 2.6; p=0.196]. Compared to the UC group, the estimated peak VO2 increased in the exercise group at the end of AC (1.6 mL O2·kg−1·min−1; 95% CI: 0.06, 3.1; p=0.041) and 3 months after AC (3.1 mL O2·kg−1·min−1; 95% CI: 1.4, 4.7; p<0.001). No between-group differences were found in the remaining secondary endpoints. No serious adverse events were observed during SETP. Conclusion Exercise training was safe during chemotherapy and significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness. No significant effects were seen on cardiac toxicity markers (LVEF or GLS) as compared to usual care.

RESUMO: a prática regular de atividade física influencia a saúde e o bem-estar, com papel importante na prevenção de várias doenças crônicas, como doenças cardiovasculares, acidente vascular cerebral, hipertensão, obesidade, diabetes, osteoporose, dentre outras. As vantagens da prática de exercício físico por pessoas com deficiências de desenvolvimento, especificamente de pessoas com transtorno do espetro do autismo (TEA), têm sido estudadas, mas dados as diferentes metodologias e abordagens presentes na literatura, há necessidade de fazer uma compilação das diferentes investigações existentes que permitam concluir quais os efeitos de diferentes tipos de exercício em pessoas com TEA. O objetivo deste artigo é reunir os principais estudos que foram realizados nos últimos anos no âmbito da atividade física em indivíduos com (TEA) e retirar as conclusões acerca dos mesmos. São apresentados 18 estudos, num total de 140 crianças e adultos com várias variantes desta síndrome e que participaram em atividades individualmente ou em grupo. Foram realizadas diversas atividades tais como jogos, natação, corrida, passeios terapêuticos, hidroginástica. As intervenções pretenderam estudar a influência das atividades propostas no comportamento agressivo e estereotipado, funcionamento social, resistência, qualidade de vida e stress, aptidão física e resistência. Os programas de intervenção revelaram melhorias significativas, mostrando as potencialidades do exercício em pessoas com TEA. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Educação Especial. Atividade Física. Transtorno do Espectro do Autismo.ABSTRACT: Regular physical activity influences health and well-being, with an important role in the prevention of several chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis. The advantages of physical exercise for people with developmental disabilities, specifically people with autism-spectrum disorder (ASD) have been studied, but given the different methodologies and approaches in the literature, there is the need to make a compilation of the different existing research that might allow us to conclude which are the effects of the different types of exercise in people with ASD. The purpose of this article is to bring together the main studies that have been conducted in the latest years in the context of physical activity in individuals with ASD and draw conclusions about them. Eighteen studies are presented, with a total of 140 children and adults with various variants of this syndrome, who participated in individual activities or in groups. Various activities, such as games, swimming, jogging, therapeutic walks, aerobics were performed. Interventions intended to study the influence of the activities proposed in aggressive and stereotyped behavior, social functioning, strength, quality of life and stress, physical fitness and endurance. Intervention programs revealed significant improvement, showing the benefits of exercise for people with ASD.

This research characterizes and compares the job satisfaction of fitness professionals in Portugal between genders, ages, professional experience, professional title, and educational qualifications. A total of 401 fitness professionals answered the online questionnaire Job Satisfaction Scale, which has 16 factors rated on a Likert scale with seven levels. The statistical analysis comprises descriptive and statistical tests to compare the results of two (t-test) or more (ANOVA) groups. Overall, the results demonstrated that fitness professionals were moderately satisfied with their work. The lower degrees of job satisfaction were concerning salary, opportunities for promotion, and stability at work. The highest levels of job satisfaction were related to the freedom to choose their work method, their work colleagues, the physical conditions of their workplace, and the opportunity to use their competencies. There were no differences in job satisfaction in terms of gender and a few differences between professional title and between educational levels. Regarding age and professional experience, the results showed significant differences in almost all factors, suggesting that, as fitness professionals get older and more experienced, their job satisfaction is greater. The results of this study suggest that even though fitness professionals are, in general, moderately satisfied with their work, some aspects can be improved by employers to increase their satisfaction levels. Such findings would assist employers in guiding the job satisfaction of their employees with consequent enhancements in the services provided by fitness professionals, which can increase participants’ retention in exercise fitness activities.

Backpacks for transporting school loads are heavily utilized by children, and their mechanical advantages have been allowing children to transport heavy loads. These heavy loads may increase ground reaction forces (GRFs), which can have a negative effect on joints and bone health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of backpacks on the GRFs generated by children during walking, running, and jumping. Twenty-one children from the fifth (G-5, n = 9) and ninth (G-9, n = 12) grades walked, ran, and jumped over a force plate. When walking, the G-5 had GRF increments in the first (17.3%; p < 0.001) and second (15.4%; p < 0.001) peak magnitude, and in the total integral of the vertical force (20%; p < 0.001), compared to the control condition (i.e., no backpack), and the G-9 had increments of 10.4%, 9%, and 9% (p < 0.001), respectively. The G-9 did not prolong their total stance time (p > 0.05), unlike the G-5 (p = 0.001). When running, total stance time increased 15% (p < 0.001) and 8.5% (p < 0.001) proportionally to the relative load carried, in the G-5 and G-9, respectively. Peak GRF did not increase in any group when running or landing from a jump over an obstacle. It was found that GRF was affected by the backpack load when walking and running. However, when landing from a jump with the backpack, schoolchildren smoothed the landing by prolonging the reception time and thus avoiding GRF peak magnitudes.

Background Anthracyclines are chemotherapeutic agents frequently used in breast cancer (BC) treatment. Although it improves disease-free and overall survival, the use of anthracyclines is associated with a cumulative risk of cardiac toxicity. Preventive strategies to optimize cardiac health are needed and exercise is proposed as a potential non-pharmacological approach for counteracting anthracycline-related cardiotoxicity (ARC). Most of the data on the effects of exercise to reduce ACT are from animal studies, with only a few studies in a limited number of patients indicating beneficial effects. To better understand the effectiveness of exercise in the mitigation of ARC, clinical, real-world trials claim require a larger sample size and more accurate and valuable clinical biomarkers. In this study, we intend to include a large sample and investigate cardiac function through serial measures of biomarkers and imaging techniques. Methods This protocol describes a two-arm, prospective, randomized controlled trial that will explore the cardioprotective effect of a structured exercise program in women with BC undergoing anthracycline-containing chemotherapy (ACT). Ninety adult women with early BC and recommended to receive ACT will be randomly assigned (1:1) to an intervention group or a control group. Patients allocated to the intervention group will perform a supervised exercise program three times per week, consisting of a combination of aerobic and resistance training with progressive intensity and volume, during the time period they receive ACT. The control group will receive standard BC care. Primary outcomes related to cardiac (dys)function will be circulating N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, resting left ventricular (LV) longitudinal strain, and resting LV ejection fraction. Secondary outcomes will include the assessment of resting blood pressure, resting heart rate (HR), resting HR variability (HRV), recovery HR, physical function outcomes, self-reported physical activity level, health-related quality of life, and fatigue. Data will be obtained at baseline (t 0 ), after the end of anthracycline-treatment (t 2 ), and 3 months after t2 (t 3 ). Additionally, NT-proBNP will be measured 1–24 h prior to each anthracycline-treatment cycle (t1). Discussion The implementation of the present study design, using novel clinical biomarkers, will determine the effect of structured exercise interventions at mitigating ARC, with the overall aim of finding means to further improve BC care. Trial registration ISRCTN, ISRCTN32617901 . Registered on 24 October 2018. Last updated on 11 January 2019. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-019-3499-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users....