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Abstract: The paradox of rest lies in its dual nature: essential for recovery yet potentially harmful when prolonged. Prolonged physical inactivity (PI) significantly contributes to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Studies show nearly a third of adults worldwide were insufficiently active in 2022, with the economic costs of PI projected to reach INT$520 billion by 2030. Bedrest models have illuminated the rapid onset of insulin resistance, general functional decline and muscle atrophy associated with PI, particularly in hospitalised older adults. Innovative technologies, such as extended reality (XR), offer promising solutions for mitigating the effects of PI and can enhance non-physical rehabilitation techniques such as motor imagery and action observation. These technologies provide immersive, personalised therapeutic experiences that engage multiple senses, transforming passive recovery into an active process and addressing both the physical and cognitive consequences of inactivity. Results of bedrest study showed significant preservation of muscle mass, improved strength and enhanced insulin sensitivity in the intervention group compared to controls. These findings highlight the potential of XRbased strategies in addressing structural and functional declines during inactivity. As part of the Interreg VI-A Italia-Slovenija project X-BRAIN.net, advanced XR-equipped active rooms were developed to aid post-stroke rehabilitation in acute care settings. XR technologies, particularly VR, have shown promise in providing dynamic and adaptable therapeutic environments that facilitate early and targeted interventions. Future advancements focus on integrating XR with brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and synchronised visual-haptic neurofeedback, enhancing sensorimotor cortical activation and improving rehabilitation outcomes. Comprehensive multimodal approaches, including nutritional, physical and non-physical interventions, are emerging as effective strategies to personalise and optimise patient recovery.
Keywords: physical inactivity, functional and cognitive decline, rehabilitation, extended reality, multimodal interventions
Published in DiRROS: 05.03.2025; Views: 485; Downloads: 288
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Abstract: This study evaluated the effects of a neuromuscular training (NMT) warm-up program on injury incidence,neuromuscular function, and program adherence, maintenance and acceptance in adolescent basketballplayers. A total of 275 players from 20 Slovenian teams (15 ± 1.7 years of age), were randomized into anintervention group (IG, n=129) and a control group (CG, n=146). Over three months, the IG incorporatedNMT into their warm-ups, while the CG followed their usual practice. Measurements of body anthro-pometry, muscle contractile properties, and balance were taken before and after the intervention. Also,the injury incidence, training adherence and maintenance were reported. Both groups showed improvedbalance, with no significant difference between them. However, IG demonstrated reduced delay times inspecific muscles, indicating improved neuromuscular function. Injury prevalence proportion (%) duringthe whole study period was higher in the control group compared to intervention (IG: 10.9% vs. CG:23.3%), and incidence rate. Moreover, the incidence rate ratio for sustaining an injury was 2.6 on average(ranging from 0.88 to 7.07 for tendon and muscle injuries, respectively), indicating significantly lowerinjury risk in IG than CG. These findings highlight the effectiveness of NMT warm-ups in reducing injuryrisk and enhancing neuromuscular function, emphasizing the value of structured injury preventionstrategies in youth sports.
Keywords: muscle contractile properties, balance, injury prevalence, training adherence
Published in DiRROS: 18.11.2024; Views: 783; Downloads: 442
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Abstract: Motor imagery (MI) is fundamentally linked to the motor system. It improves motor learning and optimizes motor actions without physical execution, highlighting its unique role in rehabilitation programs and motor performance. Understanding the developmental trajectories of MI and the factors influencing its variability across ages could enable more effective, age-specific strategies for pediatric rehabilitation. This study assessed 65 children aged 7 to 14 years at two time points 1 year apart. MI ability was assessed using the Movement Imagery Questionnaire for Children, and physical fitness was evaluated using the SLOfit testing battery. Among the three perspectives assessed; internal visual imagery (IVI), external visual imagery (EVI), and kinesthetic imagery (KI), KI was unique in not correlating with age at both time points. The development of MI perspectives varied between athletes and non-athletes, with non-athletes showing a decline in IVI compared with athletes. This differential was further evidenced by significant differences in KI between the groups at the second assessment, with a similar trend observed at the first assessment. Of the physical fitness tests, only the 600-m run correlated consistently with KI at both assessments. Our findings suggest that regular participation in sports significantly affects KI performance, highlighting the importance of sports participation for the development of MI abilities in children. Future research should examine additional assessment points in different age groups and sport experience to better understand the development of MI and its potential implications for pediatric rehabilitation.
Keywords: motor imagery, physical fitness, childhood development, pediatric rehabilitation
Published in DiRROS: 28.10.2024; Views: 738; Downloads: 417
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Abstract: Prolonged bed rest causes a multitude of deleterious physiological changes in the human body that require interventions even during immobilization to prevent or minimize these negative effects. In addition to other interventions such as physical and nutritional therapy, non-physical interventions such as cognitive training, motor imagery, and action observation have demonstrated efficacy in mitigating or improving not only cognitive but also motor outcomes in bedridden patients. Recent technological advances have opened new opportunities to implement such non-physical interventions in semi- or fully-immersive environments to enable the development of bed rest countermeasures. Extended Reality (XR), which covers augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and virtual reality (VR), can enhance the training process by further engaging the kinesthetic, visual, and auditory senses. XR-based enriched environments offer a promising research avenue to investigate the effects of multisensory stimulation on motor rehabilitation and to counteract dysfunctional brain mechanisms that occur during prolonged bed rest. This review discussed the use of enriched environment applications in bedridden patients as a promising tool to improve patient rehabilitation outcomes and suggested their integration into existing treatment protocols to improve patient care. Finally, the neurobiological mechanisms associated with the positive cognitive and motor effects of an enriched environment are highlighted.
Keywords: physical inactivity, bed rest, nonphysical interventions, virtual reality
Published in DiRROS: 11.09.2023; Views: 1437; Downloads: 722
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Abstract: Introduction: Although early inpatient and post-hospital rehabilitation is recognized as necessary, not all COVID-19 patients have access to rehabilitation. There are no published reports in the literature that investigate the outcomes of patients who do not receive rehabilitation after COVID-19. Our aim was to evaluate possible improvements in determinate functional and psychological parameters in COVID19 patients two months after their hospital discharge. Methods: On both time points various motor, cognitive, and clinical measurements such as body composition, tensiomyography, blood pressure, spirometry, grip strength test, Timed Up and Go test, gait speed, 30-second chair-stand test, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment, were performed. Additionally, questionnaires such as the SARC-CalF test, Edmonton frail scale, International Physical Activity questionnaire andThe Mediterranean Lifestyle index were conducted to assess lifestyle characteristics. Results: A total of 39 patients (87.2% male; mean age of 59.1 ± 10.3 years), who were hospitalized due to COVID-19 at the Izola General Hospital (IGH), Slovenia between December 2020 and April 2021, were included. Patients were assessed at two time points (T1 and T2): T1 was taken after receiving a negative COVID-19 test and T2 was taken two months after T1. After two months of self-rehabilitation, we have detected a BMI increase (p < .001), fat free mass increase (p < .001), better Edmonton frail scale (p < .001), SARC-CalF score (p = .014) and MoCA score (p = .014). There were no detected changes in lifestyle habits nor in physical performance tests. Discussion: It is already known that COVID-19 has long-term negative consequences regardless of the stage of the disease. Our findings support the notion that patients cannot fully regain all their functions within a two-month period without receiving structured or supervised rehabilitation. Therefore, it is crucial to offer patients comprehensive and structured rehabilitation that incorporates clinical, cognitive, and motor exercises.
Keywords: pandemics, coronavirus, functional improvement, hospital stay, health perception
Published in DiRROS: 26.07.2023; Views: 1296; Downloads: 707
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