Exergaming, combining elements of video game into the realm of exercise, has recently incorporated immersive virtual reality (IVR) with resistance training. Thirty-two participants (14 females, mean age = 24.3) were randomized to IVR or self-directed control group (SELF) and worked out thrice weekly for 12 weeks (for 36 sessions). The IVR group spent 14 fewer minutes per session (p < 0.001) while reporting the sessions “enjoyable’. Compared to SELF, the IVR group had significantly greater improvement in changes from baseline to post-training in upper-and-lower muscular strength (1-RM) and muscular endurance (85% 1-RM) (14.3 kg vs. 10.0 kg for 1-RM upper, 28.6 kg vs. 22.5 kg for 1-RM lower, 2.6 reps vs. 1.9 reps for 85% 1-RM of upper, 2.7 vs. 2.0 reps for 85% 1-RM of lower, all p < 0.001), peak leg power (1424 vs. 865 W, p < 0.001), body fat% (−3.7% vs. −1.9%, p < 0.001), heart rate variability (4.3 vs. 1.8 ms, p < 0.001), rVO2max (3.28 vs. 0.89 mL/min/kg, p < 0.001) with decreased systolic BP (−0.4 vs. −2.3 mmHg, p < 0.001), and level of perceived exertion during workouts (RPE 14 vs. 16, p < 0.001). With its high-paced and action-filled gaming coupled with superior fitness and cardiometabolic outcomes, this IVR exergaming platform should be considered as another exercise modality for performance and health-related training.

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Purpose: Wearable biometric monitoring devices (WBMD) show promise as a cutting edge means to improve health and prevent disease through increasing accountability. By regularly providing real-time quantitative data regarding activity, sleep quality, and recovery, users may become more aware of the impact that their lifestyle has on their health. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of a biometric tracking ring on improving sleep quality and increasing physical fitness over a one-year period.Methods: Fifty-six participants received a biometric tracking ring and were placed in one of two groups. One group received a 3-month interactive behavioral modification intervention (INT) that was delivered virtually via a smartphone app with guided text message feedback (GTF). The other received a 3-month non-directive wellness education control (CON). After three months, the INT group was divided into a long-term feedback group (LT-GTF) that continued to receive GTF for another nine months or short-term feedback group (ST-GTF) that stopped receiving GTF. Weight, body composition, and VO2max were assessed at baseline, 3months, and 12months for all participants and additionally at 6 and 9months for the ST-GTF and LT-GTF groups. To establish baseline measurements, sleep and physical activity data were collected daily over a 30-day period. Daily measurements were also conducted throughout the 12-month duration of the study.Results: Over the first 3months, the INT group had significant (p&lt;0.001) improvements in sleep onset latency, daily step count, % time jogging, VO2max, body fat percentage, and heart rate variability (rMSSD HRV) compared to the CON group. Over the next 9months, the LT-GTF group continued to improve significantly (p&lt;0.001) in sleep onset latency, daily step count, % time jogging, VO2max, and rMSSD HRV. The ST-GTF group neither improved nor regressed over the latter 9months except for a small increase in sleep latency.Conclusion: Using a WBMD concomitantly with personalized education, encouragement, and feedback, elicits greater change than using a WBMD alone. Additionally, the improvements achieved from a short duration of personalized coaching are largely maintained with the continued use of a WBMD.

217cases, aerobic--training is poorly tolerated. Thankfully, other modes of exercise training, such as resistance training (RT) have previously been successfully integrated into general rehabilitation programs. However, it is not known whether such exercise modalities are sufficient to enhance cardiopulmonary system function and whether they could be utilized in rehabilitation programs that integrate interventions related to respiration. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of different RT modalities on chest expansion, spirometry, and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO 2max ) in untrained smokers. METHODS: Forty-two untrained male smokers were randomized into either a non-exercising control group (n=15) or a muscle endurance RT group (MERG; n=15) and hypertrophy RT group (HRG; n=15), who trained using their respective one-hour resistance training regimes non-consecutively, thrice weekly. Abdominal and thoracic dimensions and kinematics, spirometry, and VO 2max were assessed pre-and post-test following the eight-week training period. Differences from pre-to post-test were examined using t-tests with alpha levels set at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Hypertrophy type RT improved PIF (from 5.76±2.56 L.sec -1 to 7.46±2.71 L.sec -1 ; p=0.009) and maximum inhalation (from 90.93±4.15 cm to 92.76±4.32 cm; p=0.000). In turn, the muscle endurance type RT only improved VO 2max (from 46.37±7.66 mL.kg -1 .min -1 to 63.62±7.86 mL.kg -1 .min -1 ; p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that RT can be used to improve abdominal and thoracic dimensions and kinematics, spirometry, and VO 2max in untrained smokers. However, to fully gain the benefits from RT, both hypertrophy and muscle endurance RT should be incorporated into their program design.

The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had deleterious effects on our healthcare system. Lockdown measures have decreased the number of patients presenting to the hospital for non-respiratory illnesses, such as strokes. Moreover, there appears to be a racial disparity among those afflicted with the virus. We sought to assess whether this disparity also existed for patients presenting with strokes. Methods The Get with the Guidelines National Stroke Database was reviewed to assess patients presenting with a final diagnosis of ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), or spontaneous/nontraumatic intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH). The period of February-May 2020 was chosen given the surge of patients affected with the virus and national shutdowns. Data from this same time during 2019 was used as the control population. Our hospital numbers and four additional regions were assessed (California hospitals, Pacific State hospitals, Western Region hospitals, and all hospitals in the United States). Patients were categorized by race (White, Black/African American, Asian, Native American, Hispanic) in each cohort. The primary endpoint of this study is to compare whether there was a significant difference in the proportion of patients in each reported racial category presenting with stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Results A downward trend in total number of patients was noted in all five regional cohorts assessed. A statistically significant increase in the number of Black and Hispanic patients presenting with strokes was noted in California, Pacific hospitals, Western hospitals, and all hospitals in the United States during various months studied comparing 2020 to 2019. A statistically significant increase in the Hispanic population was noted in February and March in all California hospitals (p=0.005 and 0.02, respectively) and Pacific Coast hospitals (p=0.005 and 0.039, respectively). The Western region and all national hospitals noted a significant increase in strokes in the Hispanic population in April (p=0.039 and 0.023, respectively). A statistically significant increase of strokes in the Black population was noted in April in Pacific hospitals,