Search Results (22,471)

This study hypothesizes that, in client firms, audit teams or auditors go through life cycle phases—entry, adjustment, and recursion—that give rise to distinct patterns of independence across time. The life cycle paradigm depicts the auditors as facing pressures during entry to adhere strongly to their professional mandate, including the strict exercise of independence. The result is tense auditor–client relations and an increased likelihood of auditor turnover during the entry phase. Auditors that gain entry will “loosen up” and adjust their stance on independence due to the reduced entry pressures. As a result, the adjustment phase will witness a decline in auditor–client disagreements and a lower likelihood of auditor turnover. Over protracted periods, the audit process becomes tightly structured and recursive; the repetitive nature of the processes leads to audit fatigue, less attention to the independence mandate, and greater reliance on clients. The phenomenon portends an even further decline in auditor–client tension and a diminished likelihood of auditor turnover. These predictions are tested using auditor turnovers following auditor–client disputes as surrogates for auditor independence. The results confirm the life cycle phenomena and show that the level of auditor independence peaks during the early years of the auditors’ tenure and declines afterwards. Full article

Background: Although the level of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in older adults has been well documented, little evidence has been provided regarding sex- and age-specific reference standards. Therefore, the main purpose of the study was to examine objectively measured CRF in older adults based on sex and age. Methods: This observational study included 450 men (N = 170) and women (N = 280) aged ≥60 years with mean ± standard deviation (SD) for age (67.4 ± 5.4), height (165.7 ± 8.6 cm), weight (75.1 ± 13.3 kg) and body mass index (BMI, 27.1 ± 3.9 kg/m²). Participants performed an incremental exercise ramp test until exhaustion on a treadmill, and the outcome of CRF was presented as peak oxygen uptake (VO_2peak) in milliliters per kilogram of body mass per minute (ml/kg/min). Results: Relative VO_2peak values were 37.3 ± 7.1, 30.3 ± 6.6, 24.8 ± 5.4 and 21.7 ± 5.8 mL/kg/min for men aged 60–64 years, 65–69 years, 70–74 years and ≥75 years. For the same age groups in women, values were 30.5 ± 4.8, 27.1 ± 5.4, 22.4 ± 3.4 and 18.9 ± 4.7 mL/kg/min. Age-related declines were observed in both men and women (p < 0.001). In a sex–age interaction term, significant main effects occurred, where men in every age group exhibited higher VO_2peak values, compared to women in the same age groups. Conclusions: This study shows that CRF needs to be assessed by considering sex and age as significant predictors. Thus, sex- and age-specific reference findings may serve as an avenue to monitor, track and compare between older adults of different nationalities. Full article

Background/Objectives: Diet quality is important for the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which are now responsible for leading causes of death worldwide. Although health professionals often recommend diet improvement for the treatment and management of many NCDs, patients continually struggle to make dietary changes and maintain them long-term. This may be due to an interplay of many factors that affect dietary quality. This paper discusses some lifestyle-related factors that may offer additional points of intervention for health professionals to use to increase diet quality. Methods: This review examines the effects of exercise, sleep, mindfulness practice, meal socialization, social media use, and tobacco and alcohol use on diet quality. Studies examining the effects of these factors on diet were found by searching PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Results: Evidence suggests that a positive relationship between exercise, adequate sleep, and all forms of mindfulness have positive effects on diet quality. Meal socialization’s effects on diet quality were nuanced. Individuals tend to eat similarly to those they share a meal with. However, food quantity intake may be affected by the physical characteristics of individuals with whom people share a meal. Social media use was found to have negative effects on diet quality in those who used it excessively and was found to promote disordered eating patterns. Both tobacco and alcohol use were found to have negative impacts on diet quality. Conclusions: Using these findings, health professionals may be able to educate people about lifestyle-related factors that can improve diet quality. Full article

Background and Objectives: Recreational football (RF) as a community activity can provide a positive transformative effect on the musculoskeletal systems necessary for the self-care and independent life demands of older adults when designed with a geriatric approach, in addition to its psycho-social benefits. However, studies investigating the potential value of these practices in older adults living in different ecosystems are needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of RF on bone mineral density (BMD) and knee isokinetic muscle strength (KIMS) at angular velocities of 60°/s⁻¹ and 120°/s⁻¹ in older adult men. Material and Methods: A total of 57 elderly men (65.5 ± 2.7 years) were randomly divided into a football group (FG; n = 28) and a control group (CG; n = 29). The FG participated in 28 sessions of training, twice a week. Participants were evaluated using the DEXA and IsoMed 2000. The groups, their pre-test–post-test time differences, and group*time interactions were analyzed by mixed design ANOVA. Results: The results were analyzed considering a p < 0.05 significance level. There was no observed statistically significant difference between the groups for bone mineral density values (p > 0.078), but there was an observed statistically significant difference in the FG group*time interaction (F = 7.009, p < 0.009, η²p = 0.060). There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in the peak torque flexion and peak torque extension values at 60°/s⁻¹ angular velocity, respectively (p < 0.002, p < 0.011). At 120°/s⁻¹ angular velocity, peak torque flexion and extension, total work flexion and extension, and peak power flexion and extension showed statistically significant differences between the groups, respectively (p < 0.001, p < 0.0027; p < 0.003, p < 0.025; p < 0.001, p < 0.009). Conclusion: These results suggest that RF interventions provide positive biochemical and morphological adaptations in bone mineral density and lower extremity muscle groups, making older adults both more resistant to potential risks and encouraging exercise as a way of life with its autotelic flow structure. Full article

Background: Muscle strength plays a critical role in the performance of middle- and long-distance athletes. However, the vertical force–velocity (F–V) profile has not been studied in this population. The objectives of this study were twofold: (i) to characterize the F–V profile in middle- and long-distance athletes and (ii) to explore its relationship with physiological and biomechanical performance variables. Methods: Thirty-nine highly trained athletes (13 middle-distance and 26 long-distance athletes), comprising men (18) and women (21), participated in this study. Each athlete performed a squat-jump to determine their F–V profile, followed by two 5 min bouts of low-intensity running and a graded exercise test to assess physiological and kinematic parameters. Results: Significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were observed in maximal estimated power (P_max) and jump height between middle- and long-distance female athletes (21.20 ± 4.78 W·kg⁻¹ vs. 15.80 ± 2.83 W·kg⁻¹; 26.00 ± 0.05 cm vs. 19.50 ± 0.03 cm), and between male and female long-distance athletes (19.70 ± 2.87 W·kg⁻¹; 24.10 ± 0.02 cm). Stride length during low intensity running showed significant correlations with P_max (r = 0.340) and jump height (r = 0.374). P_max was positively associated with running economy (RE) (r = 0.396) and VO_2max (r = 0.346), and negatively correlated with F–V imbalance (FV_imb) (r = −0.531). Conclusions: Middle- and long-distance athletes demonstrate similar F–V profiles; however, middle-distance athletes exhibit a rightward shift, resulting in higher P_max and jump height, particularly among women. Nevertheless, F–V profile characteristics display only weak associations with physiological and kinematic variables which directly influence performance. Full article

This study explores the effectiveness of the Movement System Impairment (MSI) model compared to traditional physiotherapy for treating knee pain. Fifty patients with unilateral knee pain participated, with their femur, tibia, and knee alignment assessed in nine functional positions. Evaluations included the Tegner Activity Scale, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), muscle power, extensibility, and pain levels. Patients were randomly assigned to either the MSI treatment group, which focused on identifying and correcting faulty movements, or a routine physiotherapy group that received general strengthening and stretching exercises. Results indicated that both treatment approaches improved muscle power in hip abductors and lateral rotators, as well as scores on the Tegner Activity Scale and the KOOS. Notably, the MSI group demonstrated greater improvements in the muscle power of the hip lateral rotators and knee extensors and a significant reduction in knee pain during walking compared to the routine group (p = 0.005). In conclusion, both treatments enhanced pain, function, and muscle strength, while the MSI model significantly reduced knee pain in walking and improved hip and knee muscle power compared to routine physiotherapy. Full article

Background/Objectives: Muscle-specific RING finger protein 1 (MuRF-1) is a pivotal regulator of muscle protein breakdown, an essential process for post-exercise muscle adaptation. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of physical exercise on MuRF-1 mRNA expression in humans. Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Web of Science following the PRISMA guidelines. The search was limited to studies published from 1 January 2001 to 1 December 2024. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined using the PICOS strategy. Two investigators independently performed the study selection, data extraction, and assessment of methodological quality, with any disagreements resolved by a third investigator. The PEDro scale was used to evaluate the risk of bias. Results: Forty-six studies met the eligibility criteria and were included. The findings evidenced that physical exercise significantly modulates MuRF-1 mRNA expression in humans. Resistance exercise induces transient increases, typically peaking between 1 and 4 h, whereas endurance exercise elicits similar responses within 40 min to 4 h post-exercise. Combined exercise protocols that include resistance and endurance exercises significantly increased MuRF-1 mRNA expression at 3 h post-exercise. The effects of physical exercise on MuRF-1 mRNA expression are influenced by factors such as exercise order, intensity, contraction mode, age, sex, and fitness level. Conclusions: This systematic review shows that MuRF-1 mRNA expression is significantly modulated by physical exercise in humans and is sensitive to different exercise modalities. These findings suggest that this key protein involved in muscle protein breakdown and turnover is essential for exercise-induced adaptations, contributing to skeletal muscle recovery and remodeling after exercise. Full article

Myokine is a general term for hormones, peptides, and other substances secreted by skeletal muscle. Myokine has attracted much attention in recent years as a key substance for understanding the mechanism of “exercise and health”. Skeletal muscle accounts for about 40% of the total human weight and is now recognized as an endocrine organ that produces myokines, which have physiological activity. Representative myokines include IL-6, myostatin, irisin, brain-derived neurotropic factor, fibroblast growth factor-21, and decorin. On the other hand, sarcopenia, defined by quantitative and qualitative loss of skeletal muscle, is a condition that has received much attention in recent years because of its close correlation with prognosis. In patients with chronic liver disease (CLD), sarcopenia is a common complication. Mechanisms underlying sarcopenia in CLD patients have been reported to involve protein-energy malnutrition, which is characteristic of patients with cirrhosis, signaling involved in protein synthesis and degradation, myokines such as myostatin and decorin, the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, sex hormones such as testosterone, dysbiosis, and insulin resistance, etc., in addition to aging. Each of these pathological conditions is thought to be intricately related to each other, leading to sarcopenia. This review will summarize the relationship between CLD and myokines. Full article

Background: The organic sector is often suggested as a lever with a potential for contributing to the three dimensions of sustainability: social, environmental, and economic. This study aims to investigate selected organic initiatives and organic food sectors in different locations, such as capital cities, rural areas, and the bio-district in SysOrg project consortium, in the Warsaw municipality in Poland, North Hessia region in Germany, Cilento bio-district in Italy, Kenitra province in Morocco, and Copenhagen municipality in Denmark to uncover the diverse drivers, barriers, and entry points to enable a transformation process to resilient and sustainable organic food systems. Methods: Following the methodology of the SysOrg project, this study relied on the following mixed data collection methods: quantitative (a household survey distributed among citizens) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews with organized initiatives). Results: The results demonstrate that, despite being in different stages of development in the investigated territories, the organic sector is challenged by similar barriers (e.g., undeveloped market, regulatory/budgetary constraints, and lack of knowledge and awareness) and benefits from analogous drivers (e.g., awareness and education, community support, and incentives). Conclusions: Those similarities, but also analyses of their differences and origins, allowed us to establish critical entry points for the development of a sustainable organic food system, e.g., promoting organics through a top-down approach, providing training and education, reducing information delay, popularizing negative feedback, strengthening the effectiveness of a given incentives scheme by tailored nudging mechanisms, establishing country/regional specific traditional frames, making the system more inclusive, building organic communities, and awareness-building. Full article

Endurance exercise, especially under heat stress, temporarily compromises the integrity of the intestinal barrier in healthy individuals. Consequently, there is growing interest in developing effective dietary strategies to alleviate exercise-induced gastrointestinal symptoms and gut damage. This meta-analysis investigated the effects of dietary supplements on mitigating these challenges. The search was performed in November 2024 following PRISMA guidelines, and 26 peer-reviewed studies were included across three meta-analyses: (1) gastrointestinal symptoms, (2) circulating intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (i-FABP), and (3) exercise performance. The moderating effect of variables was assessed via sub-group analysis and meta-regression. Overall, there was no pooled effect of supplement interventions on gastrointestinal symptoms (Hedges’ g = 0.42, 95% CI −0.17: 1.02, p = 0.15), and probiotics had a moderate significant effect for gastrointestinal symptoms (Hedges’ g = −0.62, 95% CI −1.01; 1.01, p = 0.05). There was a significant increase in i-FABP concentrations pre- to post exercise (∆ 106%; Hedges’ g = 1.01, 95% CI 0.63; 1.38, p = 0.01). There were no pooled or sub-group differences for exercise performance for any supplements (p = 0.53). Moderate-to-large heterogeneity was observed across studies (I² ≥ 58.6%), and candidate moderators (exercise duration, modality, and environmental temperature) had no significant effect on any outcomes (p > 0.05). A significant increase in circulating i-FABP during exercise was observed. However, when examining the effects of different supplement categories, although significance was observed for a select few supplements, the changes in i-FABP, gastrointestinal symptoms, and exercise performance were outside of clinical relevance. Although probiotics showed a moderate significant effect for gastrointestinal symptoms, the conflicting findings across studies may have been due to inadequate control of confounding variables across studies. Further research is required to assess the alternative dietary supplements’ effects on gastrointestinal health and exercise performance, particularly under varied environmental conditions, where more rigorous control for cofounding factors is implemented. Full article

Background: The lingering effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection, collectively known as post-COVID syndrome (PCS), affect a significant proportion of recovered patients, manifesting as persistent symptoms like fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and exercise intolerance. Increasing evidence suggests that endothelial dysfunction and coagulation abnormalities play a central role in PCS pathophysiology. This study investigates hypercoagulability and endothelial dysfunction in PCS through thrombin generation and the von Willebrand factor (VWF)/ADAMTS13 axis. Methods: Plasma samples from 97 PCS patients recruited since October 2020 by the clinical research unit of the Brugmann University Hospital were analyzed. A thrombin generation test was performed on a St-Genesia^® analyzer (Stago) using the Thromboscreen kit; VWF antigen was determined on a CS-2500 analyzer (Siemens); and ADAMTS-13 activity was determined using an ELISA kit (Technozym^®) on an ElX808 plate reader. Results: Thrombin generation testing revealed elevated thrombin production in PCS patients, particularly when thrombomodulin was included. Although most PCS patients showed normalized VWF/ADAMTS13 ratios, 11.3% exhibited elevated ratios (≥1.5), associated with advanced age. Conclusions: Patients with PCS show a consistent pattern of prolonged thrombo-inflammatory dysregulation, highlighted by elevated in vitro thrombin generation and the persistence of abnormal VWF/ADAMTS-13 ratios in a subset of patients. Full article

Vasoactive molecules are central regulators of vascular tone, angiogenesis and inflammation. Key molecular agents include nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), prostacyclin, free triiodothyronine (fT3), leptin, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). Dysregulation of these compounds can lead to endothelial dysfunction, an early predictor of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Maintaining endothelial health is thus essential for vascular homeostasis and cardiovascular risk prevention. Regular exercise serves as a vital protective measure against CVD and the risk of cardiovascular conditions. However, young athletes often significantly exceed recommended levels of training load, engaging in highly intensive training that leads to substantial physiological adaptations. Despite this, research on the impact of exercise on vasoactive substances in children and adolescents, particularly young athletes, is limited and inconsistent. Most studies focus on those with pre-existing conditions, like obesity or diabetes mellitus. Existing findings suggest exercise may favorably affect vascular biomarkers in youth, but methodological variations hinder consistent conclusions. This literature review examines 68 studies on the effects of exercise on vascular molecules in children and adolescents, young athletes, and children and adolescents with pre-existing conditions, offering deeper insights into how exercise may influence vascular health at the molecular level. Full article

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by motor and cognitive impairments that often manifest as distinct motor subtypes: Postural Instability Gait Difficulty (PIGD) and Tremor-Dominant (TD). Motor–cognitive interference, especially under dual-task (DT) walking conditions, may vary by subtype, providing insights into specific impairments. This study explored DT interference effects in PD subtypes, focusing on the potential impact of self-reported physical activity, which may help mitigate subtype-specific impairments and improve motor–cognitive function. Methods: PD patients classified as PIGD or TD and healthy controls completed single-task (ST) and DT walking assessments involving different cognitive tasks (Serial Subtraction, Auditory Stroop, and Clock Task). Physical activity levels were evaluated using the CHAMPS questionnaire, analyzing the self-reported frequency and duration of weekly exercise-related activities. Results: Interference effects were significantly different between PD patients and controls, with the PIGD group showing greater motor impairment under high cognitive load, primarily affecting gait, than the TD and control groups. Performance differences between groups diminished as cognitive load increased. Self-reported physical activity does not significantly moderate motor performance under DT conditions, suggesting that activity levels in this sample are insufficient to offset motor–cognitive interference. However, like group affiliation, physical activity directly influences motor performance during DT conditions, indicating that both factors independently impact motor–cognitive function in PD. Discussion: These findings suggest that DT assessments help differentiate PD motor subtypes, as group differences were minimal in ST conditions. While physical activity is associated with general improvements in motor ST and DT performance in PD and controls, the lack of a significant moderating effect from self-reported exercise-related physical activity indicates that current activity levels may not be high enough to counter motor–cognitive interference. More intensive or DT-specific exercise may be required to reduce interference effects. Future research should examine the role of structured physical activity programs, potentially incorporating DT training, to evaluate their impact on motor–cognitive interference in PD. Full article

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and patients with operable early-stage NSCLC are typically managed surgically. While effective, surgical resection can significantly impact pulmonary function and quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a comprehensive, multimodal approach that is an established cornerstone in the treatment of COPD. It has similarly demonstrated multiple benefits in patients with lung cancer who have undergone lobectomy or resection by improving pulmonary function, increasing exercise tolerance, improving nutritional status, providing psychological support, and enhancing quality of life. Despite this, PR for early-stage operable NSCLC is oftentimes not standardized, and challenges to adherence remain. In this review, we examine the components of PR, the role of PR in pre- and postoperative settings in patients with early-stage NSCLC, implementation strategies for PR, and future directions and challenges of PR in operable NSCLC. Full article

Postmenopausal women face increased risks of osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases due to estrogen decline. This study investigated the effects of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on bone microstructure and cardiovascular risk factors in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Results showed that both exercise regimens improved blood lipid profiles and vascular structure, reducing systolic blood pressure (−11.81% and −10.89%) and undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOCN) levels (−52.14% and −52.05%). However, moderate-intensity exercise was more effective in enhancing bone mineral density (+82.38% and +45.02%) and microstructure recovery. No significant correlation was found between ucOCN and cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as lipid parameters, systolic blood pressure, and vascular wall thickness. This study suggests that both exercise intensities can mitigate cardiovascular risks in OVX mice, which is independent of OCN. MICT is superior for promoting osteoporosis recovery. Full article