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Nanotechnology has widespread applications in sports; however, there are very few studies reporting the use of nanotechnology to enhance physical performance. We hypothesize that a natural-mineral-based novel nanomaterial, which was developed from Japanese hot springs, might overcome the limitations. We examined if it could enhance physical performance. We conducted a treadmill exercise test on 18 students of athletic clubs at Fukushima University, Japan, and measured heart rate, oxygen consumption, maximal oxygen consumption, CO2 production, and respiratory quotient 106 times in total. The results showed that the elevation of heart rate was significantly suppressed in the natural-mineral-based nanomaterial group, while no differences were observed in oxygen consumption, maximal oxygen consumption, CO2 production, and respiratory quotient between groups. To our knowledge, this result is the first evidence where an improvement of cardiovascular and pulmonary functions was induced by bringing a natural-mineral-based nanomaterial into contact with or close to a living body without pharmacological intervention or physical intervention. This could open new avenue of biomedical industries even in an eco-friendly direction. The precise mechanisms remain a matter for further investigation; however, we may assume that endothelial NO synthase, hemoglobin and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor are deeply involved in the improvement of cardiovascular and pulmonary functions.

Background: Habitual school backpack carriage causes neuro-musculoskeletal vertebral, shoulder and hand pain; deviated posture compromised cardiopulmonary function and proprioception.Objective: Present a novel literature summary of the influence of backpack carriage associated with deviated cervical posture and compromised pulmonary function.Method: An electronic literature appraisal adopting the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews, using Google Scholar, Science Direct, EMBASE, AMED, OVID, PubMed and Sabinet search engines, was instituted during 2009–2019. Key search words: schoolbag, backpack, carriage, cervical posture and children. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Downs and Black Appraisal Scale.Results: 583 records were initially identified which was reduced to 14 experimental and observational studies. A total of 1061 participants were included across the 14 studies, with an average age of 11.5 ± 1.3 years, body mass of 37.8 ± 6.6 kilograms (kg), height of 1.41 ± 0.05 meters (m), backpack mass of 5.2 ± 0.9 kg and percentage backpack mass to child’s body mass of 13.75%. The studies mean rating according to the Downs and Black Appraisal Scale was 76.3%. The average craniovertebral angle (CVA) was 53.9° ± 14.6° whilst standing without carrying a backpack was reduced to 50.4° ± 16.4° when loaded (p 0.05). Backpack loads carried varied from 5% – 30% of the participant’s body mass that produced a mean CVA decline of 3.5°.Conclusion: Backpack carriage alters cervical posture, resulting in smaller CVA and compromised pulmonary function. There is no consensus of the precise backpack mass that initiates postural changes. Girls’ posture begin changes when carrying lighter backpacks as compared to boys of the same age strata.

Due to the unique plateau climate, such as low atmospheric pressure, hypoxia, cold, and dryness, people in plain areas will have a series of physiological and pathological changes after entering the plateau. This observational study was designed to assess the effects of long-term very high-altitude (HA) exposure on the cardiopulmonary function of healthy adults in plain areas through cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). We tracked and observed 45 healthy adult men or women from the plain area (Beijing, with an altitude of approximately 40 m). They worked and lived in very HA areas (Lhasa, with an altitude of approximately 3,700 m) for 5 months before returning to plain areas. Participants completed health checkups, including basic physiological indexes, static pulmonary function tests, and CPET at baseline and after very HA exposure. The resulting data showed that after long-term very HA exposure, multiple CPET indicators significantly decreased ( p  < 0.05), including peak oxygen uptake, anaerobic threshold, peak work rate, oxygen uptake/work rate, peak oxygen uptake/heart rate, oxygen uptake efficiency slope, peak minute ventilation, peak end-expiratory carbon dioxide partial pressure, and peak cardiac output. The minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production slope was significantly higher than that before very HA exposure ( p  = 0.004). There were no significant changes in static pulmonary function ( p  > 0.05). In conclusion, long-term very HA exposure can lead to varying degrees of negative effects on cardiopulmonary function (including respiratory, circulatory, and metabolic function decline) in healthy adults in plain areas. The abnormality of related functional indicators may indicate that the body’s adaptive compensatory mechanism to the high altitude hypobaric hypoxia environment is decompensated. It is suggested that it is necessary to implement individualized cardiopulmonary rehabilitation training as soon as possible after long-term very HA exposure to mitigate functional decline in individuals.

Background Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) has been demonstrated to improve cardiac function and exercise capacity in patients with inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), but its instant impact on cardiopulmonary function has seldom been evaluated. This study aims to determine the safety and efficacy of BPA and its immediate and lasting effects on cardiopulmonary function among CTEPH patients. Methods From May 2018 to January 2019, patients with inoperable CTEPH who underwent BPA sessions were consecutively enrolled. Hemodynamics were measured by right heart catheterization, selective pulmonary angiography and BPA were successively conducted. Hemodynamic variables, WHO functional class (WHO-FC), 6-min walk distance (6MWD) and serum NT-proBNP were evaluated before and after BPA sessions during hospitalization. Pulmonary function testing (PFT) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) were performed within 1–3 days pre and post BPA to evaluate the effect of BPA on cardiopulmonary function. Results Twenty-five patients with inoperable CTEPH who underwent a total of forty BPA sessions were consecutively enrolled. A total of 183 segmental or subsegmental vessels (4.6 ± 1.9 vessels per session) in 137 segments (3.4 ± 1.6 segments per session) were dilated. No procedure-related complications occurred. Instant hemodynamics, WHO-FC, 6MWD and NT-proBNP were all significantly improved after a single BPA session. Significant improvement in cardiopulmonary function was also evident as assessed by PFT indexes (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second, maximal voluntary ventilation) and CPET parameters (peak work rate, peak VO 2 , oxygen uptake efficiency slope). Further analysis among ten CTEPH patients receiving multiple BPA sessions (2–4 sessions) indicated BPA resulted in lasting improvements in hemodynamics and cardiopulmonary function. Conclusions BPA, a safe and effective approach, can bring instant improvements after a single session and lasting benefits after multiple sessions to hemodynamics and cardiopulmonary function for patients with inoperable CTEPH.

Breast cancer survivors (BCS) have a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease and low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). CRF is an important predictor of survival in BCS. However, the physiological factors that contribute to low CRF in BCS have not been completely elucidated. To assess differences in physiological factors (cardiac, pulmonary, muscle function) related to CRF between BCS and controls. Twenty-three BCS and 23 age-body mass index (BMI) matched controls underwent a peak cycling exercise test to determine CRF, with physiological factors measured at resting and at peak exercise. Cardiac hemodynamics (stroke volume [SV], SVindex, heart rate [HR], cardiac output Q˙, and Q˙index) were evaluated using ultrasonography. Pulmonary function was evaluated using the oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES), ventilation to carbon dioxide production slope V˙E/V˙CO2slope and breathing reserve at peak exercise (BR). Muscle oxygenation variables (oxygenated [HbO2] deoxygenated [HHb] and total hemoglobin [Hb], and tissue oxygenation index [TSI]) were measured with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Both groups had similar CRF and similarly increased all hemodynamic variables (HR, SV, SVindex, Q˙ and Q˙index) at peak exercise compared to resting (p < 0.001). BCS had higher overall HR and lower SVindex (group effect, p < 0.05). BCS had similar OUES, V˙E/V˙CO2slope and BR compared to the controls. Both groups decreased TSI, and increased Hb and HHb similarly at peak exercise compared to resting (p < 0.001). Our data suggest BCS do not exhibit differences in cardiac, pulmonary, or muscle function at peak exercise compared to controls, when both groups have similar CRF and physical activity.

Individuals with Sjögren's syndrome (SjD) experience notable health challenges, including chronic pain, fatigue, and depression; however, the potential benefits of physical activity in alleviating these issues remain unclear. We aim to systematically assess the comprehensive effects of physical activity on individuals with SjD. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, SPORTDiscus, and ClinicalTrials.gov for studies published from inception to November 2025. Two independent reviewers screened the search results and extracted the data. Effect sizes were calculated as the standardized mean difference (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using random-effects models. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool 2.0, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated with the GRADEpro online tool. Sensitivity, subgroup, and regression analyses were performed to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. This analysis included six studies with a total of 277 participants with SjD. Compared to controls, physical activity interventions significantly improved cardiopulmonary function (SMD 0.59 [95% CI 0.20 to 0.99]), functional capacity (SMD 0.69 [95% CI 0.33 to 1.05]), general health status (SMD 0.46 [95% CI 0.15 to 0.76]), vitality (SMD 0.51 [95% CI 0.15 to 0.86]), and mental health (SMD 0.42 [95% CI 0.13 to 0.72]). However, no significant improvements were observed in pain, social aspects, fatigue, and the EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index. The results highlight aerobic and resistance training are regarded as effective and practical exercise options. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42024513141.

Metaverse physical therapy (MPT), an adjuvant technology for the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy (CP), has gained notoriety in the clinical field owing to its accessibility and because it provides motivation for rehabilitation. The aim is to compare the gross motor function and cardiopulmonary function, the activities of daily living, quality of life (QOL), and the perceived risk of coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 transmission between MPT and conventional physical therapy (CPT). A convenience sample of 26 children with CP (mean age, 11.23 ± 3.24 years, 14 females) were randomized into either the MPT or CPT group and received therapy three days/week for four weeks. Clinical outcomes included gross-motor-function measure 66 (GMFM-66), heart rate (HR), Borg-rating perceived exertion (BRPE), functional independence measure (FIM), pediatric QOL, and the risk of COVID-19 transmission. An analysis of variance showed that compared with CPT, MPT exerted positive effects on GMFM, HR, and BRPE. An independent t-test showed that compared with CPT, MPT exerted positive effects on the perceived transmission risk of COVID-19 but not on FIM and QOL. Our results provide promising therapeutic evidence that MPT improves gross motor function, cardiopulmonary function, and the risk of COVID-19 in children with CP.

Background The two-minute walk test (2MWT) is a practical cardiopulmonary function assessment for obese individuals; however, the current reference equations for the two-minute walk distance (2MWD) are limited, and there are no equations for two-minute walk work (2MWW), reducing its clinical applicability. This study aimed to create new reference equations for the 2MWD and 2MWW in obese Chinese adults. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at Wenzhou People’s Hospital (May 2019–April 2022) and targeted Chinese individuals aged 18–69 years with a BMI greater than 30 kg/m². Following the 2002 American Thoracic Society (ATS) recommendations, the 2MWT was adapted from the 6MWT. Separate equations for the 2MWD and 2MWW were developed by sex via stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results Among the 288 participants, the mean 2MWD was 185.9 ± 15.68 m, and the mean 2MWW was 15630.7 ± 2136.38 kg·m, with males showing significantly greater results than females did ( P  < 0.001). Sex-specific equations explained 35% and 61% of the variance for men, and 33% and 62% for women, respectively. Conclusion The newly developed reference equations for obese Chinese adults enhance the accuracy of cardiopulmonary function assessment and may facilitate more precise monitoring and individualized management of obesity-related cardiopulmonary conditions.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a major health issue worldwide, as patients with T2DM show an excess risk of death for cardiovascular causes, twice as high as the general population. Among the many complications of T2DM, heart failure (HF) deserves special consideration as one of the leading causes of morbidity and reduced life expectancy. T2DM has been associated with different phenotypes of HF, including HF with reduced and preserved ejection fraction. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) can evaluate the metabolic and ventilatory alterations related to myocardial dysfunction and/or peripheral impairment, representing a unique tool for the clinician to study the whole HF spectrum. While CPET allows for a thorough evaluation of functional capacity, it cannot directly differentiate central and peripheral determinants of effort intolerance. Combining CPET with imaging techniques could provide even higher accuracy and further insights into the progression of the disease since signs of left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction can be detected during exercise, even in asymptomatic diabetic individuals. This review aims to dissect the alterations in cardiopulmonary function characterising patients with T2DM and HF to improve patient risk stratification.

Traditional Chinese exercises may be effective in improving cardiorespiratory fitness in post-stroke patients; however, no study has conducted a meta-analysis to assess their its efficacy in meta. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to evaluate how traditional Chinese exercises affect post-stroke cardiorespiratory fitness. We conducted a comprehensive search across eight Chinese and English databases, including Wan Fang, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, from the inception of these databases until May 2025. Our focus was on clinical randomized controlled trials related to stroke, cardiorespiratory function, and traditional Chinese exercises. After assessing the quality of the literature, we utilized Rev Man 5.4 software to analyze the data. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots as well as Begg's and Egger's tests, employing Stata 17.0 software. A total of 23 studies were included in the analysis, and the results of the meta-analysis indicated that traditional Chinese exercises significantly improved cardiopulmonary function in post-stroke patients: pulmonary function indexes [FVC: SMD = 1.01, 95 %CI(0.66,1.35), I2= 88 %,P < 0.00001; FEV1: SMD = 1.22, 95 % CI (0.77,1.66), I2 = 91 %, P < 0.00001; PEF: SMD = 0.87, 95 % CI (0.53,1.21), I2= 83 %, P < 0.00001; MVV: MD = 9.65, 95 % CI (8.60,10.70), I2= 0 %, P = 0.55]; respiratory muscle function indexes [MIP: SMD = 0.72, 95 % CI (0.43,1.01) I2= 67 %, P = 0.001; MEP: SMD = 0.67, 95 %CI (0.49,0.86),I2 = 0 %, P = 0.55]; cardiac function index [LVEF: MD = 4.00, 95 % CI (2.28,5.72), I2 = 72 %, P = 0.01]; exercise endurance index [6MWT: MD = 4.49, 95 % CI (3.55,5.42), I2 = 0 %, P = 0.77]. No serious adverse events related to traditional Chinese exercises were reported. Only one study documented instances of patients experiencing panic attacks and shortness of breath, which resolved upon rest. Following a physician's examination, it was suggested that these symptoms may have been attributed to the patient's failure to consume breakfast, and no subsequent harm was reported. Traditional Chinese exercise positively influences cardiorespiratory function in stroke patients, demonstrating the most significant improvements in athletic endurance and cardiac function. However, due to methodological flaws in the literature quality included in the study, there is a need for a multi-center, large-sample, and more rigorously designed experiment to validate these findings and ensure the accuracy of the results. •TCE, emphasizing the harmony of the body, breathing, and spirit, is beneficial to the recovery of function in the prognosis of stroke patients.•TCE can improve cardiopulmonary function in stroke patients, with the most significant improvements in exercise endurance and cardiac function.•Early and moderate TCE can better improve the cardiorespiratory function of patients.