Objectives: Knee proprioception is affected by many biomechanical and physiological factors. Often, during training, rehabilitation, or specific sport requirements, weight or pressure is applied to the foot. However, it is not clear if such applications affect knee proprioceptive acuity. This study examined whether the application of an external weight (3 kg) or of pressure (120 mmHg) at a level above the ankle joint would affect knee proprioception in an open kinematic chain movement in resting or fatigue conditions. Methods: Participants included active young men (n = 7) and women (n = 15), aged 21-34 years, without prior knee injury. Women were tested in their follicular phase. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to evaluate knee joint repositioning. Three knee angles were targeted (30°, 45°, 60°) before and after localized muscle fatigue. A three-way ANOVA analysis with repeated measures and one independent variable (gender) was performed. Results: Analysis showed that ankle weight application positively influenced knee joint proprioceptive acuity resulting in an overall reduction in knee joint angular error for both genders, with the "corrective" effect most evident at 45° and 60° knee joint angles (p < 0.05), whether in the rested or fatigued state. The application of pressure however improved knee proprioceptive performance in men (p < 0.05), in both the rest and fatigue states, but not in women (ns tendency). Conclusions: Application of a small weight at the ankle level significantly improved proprioceptive knee joint acuity. These findings may have wider applicability by allowing the development of specific preventive measures towards safeguarding weaker and/or less resilient players.

IntroductionThe study aimed to determine the antibody response associated with physical activity (PA) levels and participants’ individual characteristics following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination.MethodsThe study population included adults vaccinated with either mRNA, adenovirus vector-based, or protein-based adjuvanted vaccines. The sample was derived from participants in a larger cohort study, whose blood samples were collected on days 21, 42, 90, and 180 following COVID-19 vaccination. We tested for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody responses, excluding samples collected on day 180, which were analyzed only for IgG antibody titers. Physical Activity (PA) levels were estimated using the short-form International PA Questionnaire (IPAQ), which measures usual weekly physical activity.ResultsOverall, 641 individuals participated in the study. Seropositivity for IgG antibodies was significantly higher among participants with moderate or high PA levels at 21 days (92.6 and 97.0%, respectively) than among those in the low exercise intensity group (70.4%) (p < 0.001). Increasing age was associated with reduced IgG antibody production across all time points (p < 0.001). The presence of at least one comorbidity was also linked to lower IgG and IgA titers at all time points (IgG: p < 0.05; IgA: day 21, p < 0.001; days 42 and 90, p > 0.05). Vaccine type, COVID-19 history, and PA levels significantly affected IgG and IgA antibody responses at specific time points.ConclusionEncouraging moderate-to-high levels of exercise regimens before immunization could enhance vaccine efficacy, particularly among groups at risk of poor immune responses, such as older adults and those with chronic diseases.

Objectives: Although many governments and scientific organisations have developed strategies to combat the epidemic of childhood obesity, the unsatisfactory results thus far warrant further studies. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the effects of active video games (AVGs) on physical activity (PA) levels and BMI (body mass index)/body composition in overweight and obese children 6–12 years of age. Methods: Articles were retrieved from the databases of Scopus, PubMed (MEDLINE), SPORTDiscus, and CINAHL. Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria and were categorised according to the AVG intervention length. Results: AVG intervention periods of 4–12 weeks seem to moderately improve PA levels and refine BMI/body composition levels. In contrast, interventions lasting 13–24 weeks revealed encouraging results for improving PA, but had little effect on BMI/body composition levels. Conclusions: AVGs can generally help overweight and obese children 6–12 years of age to improve their PA levels and reduce BMI and/or improve body composition.

We examined heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) in young and middle-aged men after a period of detraining that immediately followed the completion of an exercise training program. Eight young (27.8 ± 3.8 years) and ten middle-aged (41.9 ± 3.8 years) men were randomly assigned to complete an 8-week exercise training program that included either aerobic (young: n = 3; middle-aged: n = 2), resistance (young: n = 3; middle-aged: n = 3), or combined (aerobic/resistance) (young: n = 2; middle-aged: n = 5) exercise. Thereafter, participants ceased all planned exercise training activities during an 8-week detraining period. Resting HR and HRV were assessed at baseline, after exercise training, and after detraining. An analysis of mean differences between age groups at each time-point revealed a significantly higher standard deviation of normal RR intervals (SDNN), square root of the mean of squared differences between successive RR intervals (RMSSD), high-frequency (HF) band (0.15–0.40 Hz), and cardiac vagal index (CVI) in young participants when compared to middle-aged participants at baseline (p ≤ 0.019) and after detraining (p ≤ 0.045), but not after the 8-week exercise training intervention (p ≥ 0.057). Additionally, in middle-aged participants, we observed a significant negative association between the percent change in HRV indices (RMSSD, HF, and CVI) and systolic blood pressure in response to detraining (p < 0.05). In conclusion, young participants had higher levels of HRV indices at baseline, reflecting greater cardiac vagal modulation when compared to middle-aged participants. We showed that these age-related differences in HRV are diminished following exercise training but are reestablished following 8 weeks of detraining. Given that age-related attenuations in HRV may reflect changes in cardiovascular health, it is important to further investigate the relationships between HRV, exercise training and detraining, aging, and the risk of poor health outcomes.

OBJECTIVE:We investigated the impact of workplace heat and cold on work time loss. METHODS:Field experiments in different industrial sectors were conducted in multiple countries across all seasons between 2016 and 2024. Hundreds of workers were video recorded, and their full shifts (n = 603) were analyzed on a second-by-second basis (n = 16,065,501 seconds). Environmental data were recorded using portable weather stations. The Workplace Environmental Labor Loss (WELL) functions were developed to describe work time loss due to workplace temperature. RESULTS:The WELL functions revealed a U-shaped relationship whereby the least work time loss is observed at 18°C (64°F) and increases for every degree above or below this optimal temperature. CONCLUSIONS:The WELL functions quantify the impact of workplace temperature on work time loss, extending to temperatures previously believed to be unaffected.

Objectives: We examined how opposing running slopes can modulate interval training effects on aerobic performance and reduction–oxidation (REDOX) determinants. Methods: Fourteen physically active volunteers, assigned to either the Uphill group (UG) or the Downhill group (DG), completed 16 workouts of ten 30-s runs, at either +10% or −10% grade, with a work-to-rest ratio of 1:2 at 90% of their Maximum Aerobic Speed (MAS) over 8 weeks. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), MAS, Running Economy (RE), time to exhaustion at MAS (Tmax), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and blood lactate at rest, 5th, and 10th runs were evaluated pre-, mid-, and post-training. Also, REDOX markers [Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), Protein Carbonyls (PCs) were assessed in blood samples taken at rest and 3 min post-exercise of the first and last workouts. Results: VO2max was unchanged in both groups; in the DG, MAS increased (from 14.2 ± 1.7 to 15.0 ± 1.5 km/h, d = 0.43), and post-training RER significantly increased (from 1.06 ± 0.07 to 1.12 ± 0.03). In the last training session, blood lactate levels increased in the UG (from 9.30 ± 2.69 mmοl/L to 13.34 ± 4.64 mmοl/L) but remained low and unchanged in DG (<2 mmοl/L). Post-training, resting TAC decreased in both groups, and the exercise-induced rise in PC levels was attenuated. Conclusions: Despite the brief intervention, VO2max levels were maintained in both groups, with divergent changes in metabolic, REDOX, and performance indicators; uphill HIIT may serve for enhancing lactate tolerance, while downhill intermittent running may improve running economy.

Objective: To investigate the effects of a dance intervention on selected functional parameters during the 180° turning phase of the Timed Up & Go (TUG) test in people with Parkinson’s Disease (PwPD). Methods: Fifteen adults clinically diagnosed with idiopathic PD were allocated into dance intervention (DIG; n = 7 ; age 73 ± 2 years) and control (CG; n = 8; age 64 ± 5 years) groups. The dance intervention lasted for 3 months (1 hour, twice a week). At baseline, all participants completed the Unified PD Rating Scale–part III, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form, and the Hoehn & Yahr scale. Pre- and post-intervention, the primary outcomes were measured (number of steps and time to complete the 180° turning phase of the TUG test) at 2 speeds (comfortable walking and as quickly and safely speed) while using the Xsens ® 3D motion suit. The secondary outcome (girdle dissociation) was assessed by calculating the difference between pelvis and affected shoulder orientation in the transverse plane (dissociation angles) at each data point during the TUG test’s 180° turning phase. Results: At participant’s comfortable walking speed, the functionality during the 180° turning remained unaffected following the dance intervention. However, at participant’s fast speed, the dance intervention group significantly reduced the number of steps with a large effect size, and the total time taken to complete the 180° turning with a medium effect size. Post-intervention, most participants in the dance intervention group reduced the affected shoulder and pelvic girdle dissociation and turned more “en bloc.” Conclusion: Dance can improve selected functional parameters during the 180° turning at fast speed in PwPD. The current results should be considered in rehabilitation programs.

One of the oldest complete suits of European armour was discovered in 1960 near the village of Dendra, in Southern Greece, but it remained unknown whether this armour was suitable for extended use in battle or was purely ceremonial. This had limited our understanding of the ancient Greek-Late Bronze Age-warfare and its consequences that have underpinned the social transformations of prehistoric Europe and Eastern Mediterranean. In a series of archeo-physiological studies, merging knowledge in archaeology, history, human physiology, and numerical simulation, we provide supporting evidence that the Mycenaean armour found at Dendra was entirely compatible with use in extended combat, and we provide a free software enabling simulation of Late Bronze Age warfare. A group of special armed-forces personnel wearing a replica of the Dendra armour were able to complete an 11-hour simulated Late Bronze Age combat protocol that we developed from a series of studies based on the available evidence. Numerical simulation of the thermal exchanges in Late Bronze Age warfare extended this conclusion across different environmental conditions and fighting intensities. Our results support the notion that the Mycenaeans had such a powerful impact in Eastern Mediterranean at least partly as a result of their armour technology.

Background: A cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) constitutes a non-invasive and safe assessment of the interplay between the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems to supply oxygen to the exercising muscles which makes it an important tool in clinical practice. The supramaximal verification protocol with a CPET for determining a 'true' VO2max is a useful method in the general population to confirm the attainment of maximal effort. However, in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) there is dearth of such studies. Consequently, the evaluation of exercise intolerance, disability diagnosis, response to treatment, exercise prescription, and efficacy of interventions targeted to improve VO2max may not be optimal in RA. Objectives: To investigate in people living with RA compared with non-RA controls (a) the prevalence of 'true' maximal CPETs as confirmed by a verification phase; (b) the diagnostic accuracy of the VO2 plateau and secondary criteria [i.e., maximal values of heart rate (HR), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE)] for determining a 'true' maximal CPET; and (c) the safety of a combined CPET with a verification phase protocol. Methods: We recruited 85 adults for the present study: 42 were people with RA (53.5 ± 11.5 years; 27.3 ± 5.8 kg·m2; 36 females and 6 males) and 43 were non-RA controls (51.7 ± 6.3 years; 27.4 ± 5.2 kg·m2; 29 females and 14 males). All participants were physically inactive (exercising for < 30 minutes, 3 times/week or less). Participants were asked to perform a CPET protocol (modified Bruce) and, following a 20-minute recovery, a verification phase protocol (at 105% of the maximal speed and gradient at CPET). For evidence of a maximal CPET, we first investigated the presence of a plateau in VO2, defined as a change in 15-sec averaged VO2 ≤2.1 ml/kg/min between the last two stages. The following secondary criteria were then assessed: a) maximal heart rate (HRmax) ≥ 95% age predicted HRmax, b) maximal RER ≥ 1.15, and c) maximal RPE >18. A maximal effort was agreed to be 'verified' if the difference between the CPET and the verification phase protocol was no more than ±3%. The diagnostic accuracy of the plateau and secondary criteria during CPET to detect a 'verified' maximal effort was assessed via calculating test sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LH+), negative likelihood ratio (LH-), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). Safety was evaluated via monitoring electrocardiogram, blood pressure measurement, RPE, and acceptability (assessed via participants' self-reported willingness to proceed with the verification protocol). Results: Only 29% (n=12) of RA individuals and the 44% (n=19) of non-RA controls achieved a verified 'true' maximal CPET. On an individual level, the plateau criterion and the secondary criteria (assessed independently and combined) offered poor utility in determining whether a participant is likely to have a verified or unverified VO2max test result for both people with RA and non- RA controls (LHR+ <10 and LHR- >0.1 and DOR<20). No participant experienced any adverse effects during both CPET and verification phase or presented unwillingness to exercise further in both groups. Conclusion: Commonly used secondary criteria failed to accurately 'diagnose' a verified maximal CPET in both people with RA and physically inactive non-RA controls. Therefore, failure to use the verification phase, a safe and acceptable procedure for both of our study groups, may affect the clinical and research practice relevant to the CPET's result application either in people with RA or in physically inactive non-RA controls. REFERENCES: [1] Metsios G, Koutedakis Y, Veldhuijzen van Zanten J, Stavropoulos-Kalino glou A, Vitalis P, Duda J, et al. Cardiorespiratory fitness levels and their association with cardiovascular profile in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study. Rheumatology 2015;54(12):2215–2220. Acknowledgements: NIL. Disclosure of Interests: None declared.

It is generally accepted that local muscular fatigue can negatively affect position sense. Interestingly, it has been proposed that in women, position sense and neuromuscular coordination may be affected by fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone levels. The aim of this study was to examine the possible effect of localized muscle fatigue on knee joint position sense at two phases of the menses: follicular and luteal. Twenty physically active females aged 19–30 years, with normal menses, volunteered for this study. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to evaluate proprioception and perform the fatigue protocol of the knee extensors and flexors. Knee proprioception at rest and after fatigue at three knee target angles (30°, 45°, 60°) was measured. A three-way ANOVA analysis with repeated measures was performed. The results showed that the main effect of fatigue was significant, but no main effect of the menstrual cycle phase was found. Additionally, a main effect was found for the target angle (more flexed target knee joint angles were associated with larger angular error deviations). In conclusion, localized muscle fatigue can significantly reduce the accuracy of active knee joint repositioning in both the luteal and the follicular menstrual phases in young, physically active healthy women.

The aim of the present study is to examine the acute effects of a specially designed musicokinetic (MSK) program for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) on (a) anxiety levels, (b) select kinematic and kinetic parameters, and (c) frontal cortex hemodynamic responses, during gait initiation and steady-state walking. Methods: This is a blind cross-over randomized control trial (RCT) in which 13 volunteers with PD will attend a 45 min MSK program under the following conditions: (a) a synchronous learning format and (b) an asynchronous remote video-based format. Changes in gait biomechanics and frontal cortex hemodynamic responses will be examined using a 10-camera 3D motion analysis (Vicon T-series, Oxford, UK), and a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (f-NIRS-Portalite, Artinis NL) system, respectively, while anxiety levels will be evaluated using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. Expected results: Guided by the rules of music, where periodicity is distinct, our specially designed MSK program may eventually be beneficial in improving motor difficulties and, hence, reducing anxiety. The combined implementation of f-NIRS in parallel with 3D gait analysis has yet to be evaluated in Parkinsonian patients following a MSK intervention. It is expected that the aforementioned intervention, through better rhythmicity, may improve the automatization of motor control, gait kinematics, and kinetics-supported by decreased frontal cortex hemodynamic activity-which may be linked to reduced anxiety levels.

Depression represents one of the most common non-motor disorders in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and it has been related to worse life quality, higher levels of disability, and cognitive impairment, thereby majorly affecting not only the patients but also their caregivers. Available pharmacological therapeutic options for depression in PD mainly include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and tricyclic antidepressants; meanwhile, agents acting on dopaminergic pathways used for motor symptoms, such as levodopa, dopaminergic agonists, and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors, may also provide beneficial antidepressant effects. Recently, there is a growing interest in non-pharmacological interventions, including cognitive behavioral therapy; physical exercise, including dance and mind–body exercises, such as yoga, tai chi, and qigong; acupuncture; therapeutic massage; music therapy; active therapy; repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS); and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for refractory cases. However, the optimal treatment approach for PD depression is uncertain, its management may be challenging, and definite guidelines are also lacking. It is still unclear which of these interventions is the most appropriate and for which PD stage under which circumstances. Herein, we aim to provide an updated comprehensive review of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for depression in PD, focusing on recent clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Finally, we discuss the pharmacological agents that are currently under investigation at a clinical level, as well as future approaches based on the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the onset of depression in PD.

Greater levels of physical fitness have been linked to improved dance performance and decreased injury incidence. The aim was to review the efficacy of physical fitness training on dance injury. The electronic databases CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure were used to search peer-reviewed published articles in English or Chinese. Studies were scored using Strength of the Evidence for a Conclusion and a risk bias checklist. 10 studies met the inclusion criteria from an initial 2450 publications. These studies offered physical fitness training for professional (n=3) and pre-professional dancers (n=7), participant sample size ranged between 5 to 62, ages from 11 to 27 years, and most participants were females. Assessment scores were classified as Fair (n=1), Limited (n=7), and Expert Opinion Only (n=2) and risk of bias scores ranged from 22.7-68.2%. After physical fitness training, 80% of studies reported significant benefits in injury rate, the time between injuries, pain intensity, pain severity, missed dance activities and injury count. This review suggests that physical fitness training could have a beneficial effect on injury incidence in dance. The evidence is limited by the current study methodologies.

Objectives: To determine dance injury incidence and severity in full-time Chinese pre-professional dancers. Study design: Prospective weekly online monitoring survey. Methods: Respondents were asked to record all dance-injury incidences between September 2020 and July 2021 using a remote weekly self -report injury monitoring tool. An inclusive definition of injury was used in this study to record all injuries, even if they didn't cause a cessation of training. Data were excluded if respondents completed <90 % of the survey period and had over 3 consecutive weeks of missing data. Results: 450 individuals from 11 different schools were included in the analyses. A total of 1157 injuries were reported over a 30-week academic year. Injury prevalence was 64.9 % and injury incidence was 5.51 injuries per 1000 h. Forty-eight percent of the injuries were minor severity and 41 % were of moderate severity, and the main injury sites were knees (0.89/1000 h), lower back (0.80/1000 h), feet (0.58/1000 h) and groin (0.56/ 1000 h). Female dancers reported significantly higher injury prevalence and injury incidence, and higher rates of moderate to severe injuries than males. The university group reported higher injury incidence than the adolescent group (p < 0.05), whereas the latter reported higher rates of moderate to severe injuries than the former (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The injury incidence found in this study (5.1 injuries/1000 h) is higher than most previous sets of data. Female dancers are at a higher risk of injury and reported higher levels of injury severity than male dancers, especially for the female adolescent group. (c) 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Sports Medicine Australia. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

This chapter discusses the systematic skills needed to become a dance science researcher. It examines different academic degrees (taught and research) and approaches to research from serving a particular population to contributing to a theory. The chapter emphasizes the importance of choosing a functional team of supervisors as you plan your project and underlines the fundamentality of collaboration within the process. Time spent planning and discussing how the question is to be addressed, previous research, comparable methodologies and who is going to do what, are vital preliminary conversations for a research team. The chapter also discusses the importance of dissemination of your research to different audiences from peer-reviewed journals to podcasts. Becoming a researcher is a multi-faceted journey that can become a life-changing catalyst.

BACKGROUND:Previous injury survey recall methods often use one-off questionnaires with varying periods of recall. These methods have proven to show injury incidence inaccuracies and limited information on injury etiology.PURPOSE:The present study aimed to examine the efficacy of a remote weekly self-report injury incidence and etiology tool.METHODS:Two online questionnaires were developed based on the "Fit to Dance 2" survey and sent to volunteers. The first questionnaire was sent once and asked for complete injury history information. The second questionnaire was sent to each respondent on a weekly basis and it focused on new injuries and their causes and whether injuries that occurred in previous weeks were still affecting their dancing. The online survey was opened for full-time dance students from September 2020 to July 2021. All weekly data for each respondent were combined with a unique reference code using their account names, students' numbers, and schools' names. The proportion of participants who drop out is defined as the measurement of outcome.RESULTS:A total of 756 respondents engaged in the survey from 16 different Chinese dance schools; the drop-out rate was 70.1%, with student respondents under 18 years old having a slightly lower drop-out rate than adult respondents (69%vs 71%). 33 respondents (4.4%) who completed all 30 weeks survey. These data allow other researchers to examine respondent compliance rates from a weekly survey.CONCLUSION:A reminder system and teacher engagement could potentially increase the response rate. For frequent completion questionnaires the design needs to be streamlined to increase compliance. It is concluded that the researchers would need to weigh reduced completion rates (<100%) against data efficacy to achieve generalizability.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dementia, depression and cancers, are on the rise worldwide and are often associated with a lack of physical activity (PA). Globally, the levels of PA among individuals are below WHO recommendations. A lack of PA can increase morbidity and mortality, worsen the quality of life and increase the economic burden on individuals and society. In response to this trend, numerous organisations came together under one umbrella in Hamburg, Germany, in April 2021 and signed the ‘Hamburg Declaration’. This represented an international commitment to take all necessary actions to increase PA and improve the health of individuals to entire communities. Individuals and organisations are working together as the ‘Global Alliance for the Promotion of Physical Activity’ to drive long-term individual and population-wide behaviour change by collaborating with all stakeholders in the community: active hospitals, physical activity specialists, community services and healthcare providers, all achieving sustainable health goals for their patients/clients. The ‘Hamburg Declaration’ calls on national and international policymakers to take concrete action to promote daily PA and exercise at a population level and in healthcare settings.

Objective: We examined whether different intensities of exercise and/or physical activity (PA) levels affected and/or associated with vaccination efficacy. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted and registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021230108). The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library (trials), SportDiscus, and CINAHL databases were searched up to January 2022. Results: In total, 38 eligible studies were included. Chronic exercise increased influenza antibodies (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.49, confidence interval (CI) = 0.25–0.73, Z = 3.95, I2 = 90%, p < 0.01), which was mainly driven by aerobic exercise (SMD = 0.39, CI = 0.19–0.58, Z = 3.96, I2 = 77%, p < 0.01) as opposed to combined (aerobic + resistance; p = 0.07) or other exercise types (i.e., taiji and qigong, unspecified; p > 0.05). PA levels positively affected antibodies in response to influenza vaccination (SMD = 0.18, CI = 0.02–0.34, Z = 2.21, I2 = 76%, p = 0.03), which was mainly driven by high PA levels compared to moderate PA levels (Chi2 = 10.35, I2 = 90.3%, p < 0.01). Physically active individuals developed influenza antibodies in response to vaccination in >4 weeks (SMD = 0.64, CI = 0.30–0.98, Z = 3.72, I2 = 83%, p < 0.01) as opposed to <4 weeks (p > 0.05; Chi2 = 13.40, I2 = 92.5%, p < 0.01) post vaccination. Conclusion: Chronic aerobic exercise or high PA levels increased influenza antibodies in humans more than vaccinated individuals with no participation in exercise/PA. The evidence regarding the effects of exercise/PA levels on antibodies in response to vaccines other than influenza is extremely limited.

Supplementary materials Algorithm Data extraction Meta analyses tables Risk of bias results Grade Analysis Prisma checklist

Osteoporosis is defined by loss of bone mass and deteriorated bone microarchitecture. The present study compared the effects of available pharmacological and non-pharmacological agents for osteoporosis [alendronate (ALE) and concomitant supplementation of vitamin D (VD) and calcium (Ca)] with the effects of bovine colostrum (BC) supplementation in ovariectomized (OVX) and orchidectomized (ORX) rats. Seven-month-old rats were randomly allocated to: (1) placebo-control, (2) ALE group (7.5 μg/kg of body weight/day/5 times per week), (3) VD/Ca group (VD: 35 μg/kg of body weight/day/5 times per week; Ca: 13 mg/kg of body weight/day/3 times per week), and (4) BC supplementation (OVX: 1.5 g/day/5 times per week; ORX: 2 g/day/5 times per week). Following four months of supplementation, bone microarchitecture, strength and bone markers were evaluated. ALE group demonstrated significantly higher Ct.OV, Ct.BMC, Tb.Th, Tb.OV and Tb.BMC and significantly lower Ct.Pr, Tb.Pr, Tb.Sp, Ct.BMD and Tb.BMD, compared to placebo (p < 0.05). BC presented significantly higher Ct.Pr, Ct.BMD, Tb.Pr, Tb.Sp, and Tb.BMD and significantly lower Ct.OV, Ct.BMC, Tb.Th, Tb.OV and Tb.BMC compared to ALE in OVX rats (p < 0.05). OVX rats receiving BC experienced a significant increase in serum ALP and OC levels post-supplementation (p < 0.05). BC supplementation may induce positive effects on bone metabolism by stimulating bone formation, but appear not to be as effective as ALE.