Effectiveness of a Per-Meal Protein Prescription and Nutrition Education with versus without Diet Coaching on Dietary Protein Intake and Muscle Health in Middle-Aged Women

Sufficient dietary protein intake is vital to maintaining muscle health with aging. Yet protein intake among adults is often inadequate. This study’s main objective was to examine the impact of nutrition education (NE) and a per-meal protein prescription (PRx) with versus without diet coaching on protein intake. A secondary objective examined its effects on muscle health. Participants included 53 women, age 45–64 years. All participants received NE and PRx; those randomized to coached-group received 10-weeks of diet coaching. Assessments included: protein intake at baseline, weeks 4 and 12 and muscle health (muscle mass, grip strength, five-chair rise test, 4 mgait speed test). The Chi-square test examined percentages of participants meeting PRx between groups. Repeated measures analysis of variance assessed within group and intervention effects on protein intake and muscle health parameters. Protein intake (g/kg body weight) increased (p < 0.001): not-coached (n = 28) 0.8 ± 0.2 to 1.2 ± 0.3 and coached (n = 25) 1.0 ± 0.2 to 1.4 ± 0.3 with no significant difference between groups. A greater percentage of coached-group participants met (p = 0.04) breakfast (72%) and met (p < 0.001) three-meal (76%) PRx versus not-coached participants (25% and 53%, respectively). Participants in both groups exhibited significantly (p < 0.001) improved times for the five-chair rise test and 4 mgait speed test. Diet coaching in conjunction with a PRx and NE should be considered to assist individuals in improving protein intake through self-selection of protein-rich foods.

Mechanical Compression and Crushing Properties of a Straw-Lime Material

The aim of this study was to determine the compressive mechanical properties and the energy absorption characteristics of a bio-composite material based on lime, wheat straw, and additives (protein and entraining agent). The selected samples with fiber to binder ratio of 30% were subjected to compression tests at different strain rates (1 mm/min, 10 mm/min, and 100 mm/min), in the perpendicular and parallel directions to fiber orientation. Image analysis supported with Digital Image Correlation (DIC) method is performed to follow longitudinal and lateral deformations, thus making it possible to evaluate elastic properties. The results show that the highest density and compressive strength in the parallel direction are ~349 kg/m3 and ~0.101 MPa, respectively. The perpendicular specimens at 100 mm/min of speed test showed the highest values of densification strain, stress plateau, energy efficiency, and absorbed-energy of 47.27%, 0.32 MPa, 16.98 %, and 13.84 kJ/m2, respectively. The values of Young’s modulus identified with DIC are significantly different from those determined by the slope of the linear part of the stress-strain curve. A slight influence of strain rate on mechanical properties is observed.

Investigation of wear mechanics and behaviour of NiCr metallic foam abradables

Current aero-engine sealing materials are reaching their operating limit, as manufacturers seek more efficient engines with longer service lives. Even when utilised in optimum conditions, current materials have inconsistencies in performance due to variabilities in their microstructure, which lead to undesirable responses and events. As such, a new generation of sealing materials is required. Metallic foams are one such material, given the opportunities that exist to both engineer material properties, and achieve relatively consistent microstructures when compared to the current class of thermally sprayed abradable materials. In this study, the abradability of a nickel (70%)–chromium (30%) (NiCr) alloy foam is investigated, with the role of cell size and filler material considered. Tests are performed on a representative high-speed test rig, where a flat blade is used to simulate an aero-engine incursion event. A series of in situ measurement techniques, such as force, temperature and stroboscopic wear measurements are used to characterise the incursion, with DIC (Digital Image Correlation) techniques also employed to investigate breakdown of the foam. Unfilled foams were shown to lead to high blade wear, with the inclusion of filler materials leading to load transfer and collapse of the foam away from the incursion site, along with improved fracture. Both load transfer and ligament collapse mechanisms were found to promote more favourable rub mechanics at all incursion rates tested.

Functional status of COVID-19 patients at discharge from acute care

<p class="abstract">Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a multisystem illness that can affect a person's mental and physical health exhibiting various physiological and behavioural symptoms. The long-term consequence of COVID -19 affects the quality of life of these patients. The quality of life depends on the status of the physical function. Hence the need to focus on post-COVID rehabilitation in addition to already existing acute care Physiotherapy. This case series, describes functional status of 5 patients at the time of discharge from the Tertiary Care Hospital. The evaluation is done on the day of discharge of each patient using six outcomes, namely Breath Holding Time, 1 Minute Sit to Stand Test, 6 Minute Walk test, Heel Raise Test, 4 Meter Gait Speed Test and muscle strength, to study the functional status. All the patients showed impairment in musculoskeletal capacity (one MSTS, manual muscle test, Heel raise test), functional capacity (6 MWT), lung capacity (BHT) and gait speed as compared to their normal values.This case series brings out the reduced functional status of COVID-19 patients in all domains of fitness at discharge. Thus, there is a dire need for Physiotherapy based holistic pulmonary rehabilitation even after discharge to prevent or delay the possible late manifestation of the disease.</p>

Premature white matter microstructure in female children with a history of concussion

As maturation of the brain continues throughout development, there is a risk of interference from concussions which are common in childhood. A concussion can cause widespread disruption to axons and inflammation in the brain and may influence emerging cognitive abilities. Females are more likely to experience persistent problems after a concussion, yet the sex-specific impact of concussions on brain microstructure in childhood is not well understood.In children from a large population sample, this study (1) investigated differences in white matter and cortical microstructure between children with and without a history of concussion, and (2) examined relationships between altered brain microstructure and cognitive performance.Neurite density measures from diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging were examined in 9-to 10-year-old children in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study with (n = 336) and without (n = 7368) a history of concussion. (1) Multivariate regression models were used to investigate the relationships between concussion history, sex, and age in the deep white matter, superficial white matter, subcortical structures, and cortex. (2) Principal component analysis was performed on neurite density, and components were examined in relation to performance on the Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Task and the Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Task to investigate the relationship between altered neurite density and cognitive performance.Neurite density in all tissue types demonstrated robust positive relationships with age reflecting maturation of brain microstructure. (1) Comparisons between children with and without a history of concussion revealed higher neurite density in deep and superficial white matter in females with concussion. No group differences were observed in subcortical or cortical neurite density. (2) Higher neurite density in superficial white matter beneath the frontal and temporal cortices was associated with lower scores on the processing speed test in females with concussion, and higher scores on the processing speed test in males with concussion.These findings suggest that concussion in childhood leads to premature white matter maturation in females and that this may be associated with slower processing speed. These sex-specific effects on the developing brain may contribute to the enhanced vulnerability to persistent symptoms after concussion in females.

Older Adults Performed Worse on Cognitive Assessment at Lonelier Moments: Using Ambulatory Assessment Approach

This study focused on investigating the short-term effect of loneliness on older adults’ cognitive performances in daily life. Loneliness is suggested as a risk factor for cognitive health, but results in previous studies are inconsistent due to the lack of valid measures and limited research design. The attention-depletion hypothesis highlights that acute stress could immediately compromise cognitive ability by consuming attentional resources. Accordingly, this study examined whether loneliness, as one of the stressors related to one’s social relationship, was immediately associated with worse daily cognitive performances in older adults. Using an ecological momentary assessment approach, 311 community-dwelling older adults (Mage=77.5 (range=70-90), 67% female, 45% white) reported their level of loneliness as well as performed cognitive assessment five times a day for 16 days. Multilevel modeling showed that on occasion when participants reported a higher level of loneliness than normal, they performed worse in the processing speed test (p&lt;.01) and the short-term memory binding test (p&lt;.01) during those moments, controlling for age, gender, education, ethnicity, IADL, and retest-practice effect. Moreover, those momentary associations between loneliness and cognitive performances remained significant after controlling for the momentary level of feeling depressed. Unlike the concurrent effect, there was no lagged effect of loneliness on daily cognitive performances. These results suggest that transient but intense feelings of loneliness can function as acute stress and thus, compromise daily cognitive functioning short-term. Results will be discussed in terms of the potential benefit of momentary real-time interventions to lessen feelings of loneliness to maintain older adults’ cognitive functioning.

Injury Risks of Rear Occupant in Typical Four-door Type of Pick-up Truck under Vehicle Collision

This research explores the injury risks of occupants in four-door type of pick-up truck using experimental based collision with Hybrid III dummy for occupant injury indicators. The full-sized crash laboratory was developed to conduct full frontal impact based on standard regulation. To verify performance of full-sized crash laboratory and vehicle deceleration, low and high speed tests were conducted at the same vehicle. The Hybrid III dummy with head and chest sensors was used at the rear outboard seat during high speed test. Consequently, the deflection and thoracic viscous criteria, which represent the chest injuries, are up to 93 mm and 3.96 m/s, respectively, high beyond the standard requirement. Moreover, the most important finding of this research is that the four-door pickup truck is subjected to the 2nd impact up to 116.51 G at dummy head with higher resultant acceleration than the 1st impact (65.62 G) due to the limited space behind the rear headrest and thinner backrest of rear seat. This research also investigates the post-crash results to illustrate the suggestive idea for improving crashworthiness of future design resulting in mitigation of occupant injuries.

Effects of Three Different Combined Training Interventions on Jump, Change of Direction, Power Performance, and Inter-Limb Asymmetry in Male Youth Soccer Players

Background: This study compared the effects of performing different unilateral combined training interventions on diverse vertical and horizontal jumping performance parameters, change of direction, concentric and eccentric mean power, and their associated inter-limb asymmetries in young soccer players. Methods: Forty-seven young male soccer players (age: 15.5 ± 0.9 years) were distributed into three groups. Two groups performed the same training volume with both legs, beginning with the weaker leg (Stronger Volume Weaker leg group (SVW), n = 14) or with the stronger leg (Stronger Volume Stronger leg group, (SVS), n = 15). The third group executed double the volume with the weaker leg and also commenced with such leg (Double Volume Weaker leg group (DVW), n = 16) during a 10-week period. Pre- and post-intervention tests included a single-leg hop, single-leg lateral hop, triple hop, bilateral and unilateral countermovement jumps, a change of direction speed test, concentric and eccentric mean power during the lateral squat test, and their corresponding asymmetries. Results: Single-leg hop weaker leg, triple hop weaker leg, and bilateral countermovement jump improvements were achieved in the SVW (ES: 0.29 to 0.46) and DVW (ES: 0.55 to 0.73) groups. Between-groups analysis showed better results in single-leg hop in the SVW and DVW compared to group SVS. The DVW group achieved better improvements in countermovement jump in comparison to groups SVS and SVW. Conclusions: Groups that started with the weaker leg seemed to achieve a greater volume of significant changes than when starting with the stronger leg. Performing a double volume on the weaker limb does not guarantee further improved performance compared to other groups.

Phenotyping Adopters of Mobile Applications Among Patients With COPD: A Cross-Sectional Study

Effectiveness of technology-based interventions to improve physical activity (PA) in people with COPD is controversial. Mixed results may be due to participants' characteristics influencing their use of and engagement with mobile health apps. This study compared demographic, clinical, physical and PA characteristics of patients with COPD using and not using mobile apps in daily life. Patients with COPD who used smartphones were asked about their sociodemographic and clinic characteristics, PA habits and use of mobile apps (general and PA-related). Participants performed a six-minute walk test (6MWT), gait speed test and wore an accelerometer for 7 days. Data were compared between participants using (App Users) and not using (Non-App Users) mobile apps. A sub-analysis was conducted comparing characteristics of PA–App Users and Non-Users. 59 participants were enrolled (73% Male; 66.3 ± 8.3 yrs; FEV1 48.7 ± 18.4% predicted): 59% were App Users and 25% were PA-App Users. Significant differences between App Users and Non-App Users were found for age (64.2 ± 8.9 vs. 69.2 ± 6.3yrs), 6MWT (462.9 ± 91.7 vs. 414.9 ± 82.3 m), Gait Speed (Median 1.5 [Q1–Q3: 1.4–1.8] vs. 2.0 [1.0–1.5]m/s), Time in Vigorous PA (0.6 [0.2–2.8] vs. 0.14 [0.1–0.7]min) and Self-Reported PA (4.0 [1.0–4.0] vs. 1.0 [0.0–4.0] Points). Differences between PA–App Users and Non-Users were found in time in sedentary behavior (764.1 [641.8–819.8] vs. 672.2 [581.2–749.4] min) and self-reported PA (4.0 [2.0–6.0] vs. 2.0 [0.0–4.0] points). People with COPD using mobile apps were younger and had higher physical capacity than their peers not using mobile apps. PA-App Users spent more time in sedentary behaviors than Non-Users although self-reporting more time in PA.

Effect of using Weighted Balls on Performance Speed in Wheelchair Basketball Players

Summary The researchers seek to identify the impact of weighted balls on performance speed in wheelchair basketball players. An experimental method has been used in conformity with research nature between pre-tests and post-tests sample. The sample was selected by the intended manner and divided into two equal groups (10 players experimental sample, 10 players control sample) for the 2019/2020 sports season. A speed test (5 m and 20 m without ball), speed test (5 m and 20 m with ball) were used. After statistical treatment of the results, the researchers concluded: The weighted balls are important to develop performance speed in wheelchair basketball players, and the best improvement of the experimental group based on of weighted balls is marked comparing to the control group. A regular physical training with weighted balls is very important to improve of performance speed of persons with disabilities in basketball game.