http://hdl.handle.net/10453/35205 2026-07-21T05:25:29Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/195711 Title: Running in the heat similarly reduces lipid oxidation and peak oxygen consumption in trained runners and inactive individuals. Authors: Mougin, L; Macrae, HZ; Henderson, A; Cable, TG; Taylor, L; James, LJ; Mears, SA Abstract: This study compared oxygen consumption and substrate oxidation while exercising in hot and temperate conditions in individuals with different physical activity statuses (i.e., inactive individuals vs. trained runners). Ten inactive individuals (IA: 26 ± 6 yr; 79.1 ± 14.1 kg; 40.7 ± 5.1 mL·kg-1·min-1) and 10 trained runners (TR: 25 ± 6 yr; 69.5 ± 9.1 kg; 63.1 ± 5.1 mL·kg-1·min-1) completed two incremental exercise tests (4-min stages) until exhaustion in temperate (TEMP: 18.7 ± 0.1°C; 43.2 ± 4.1% relative humidity) and hot (HOT: 34.4 ± 0.2°C and 42.6 ± 1.6% relative humidity) conditions. Expired gas and blood lactate concentrations were measured at the end of each stage. Peak oxygen consumption similarly decreased in HOT compared with TEMP for IA and TR [-13.2 ± 4.5% vs. -15.2 ± 7%; P = 0.571; effect size (ES) = 0.25]. In HOT compared with TEMP, lipid oxidation, from 30% to 70% of peak oxygen consumption (V̇o2peak), was reduced for both groups (IA: P = 0.023, ES = 0.43; TR: P < 0.001, ES = 0.72), whereas carbohydrate oxidation was increased for TR (P = 0.011; ES = 0.45) but not for IA (P = 0.268; ES = 0.21). Core temperature was different between conditions for TR (higher in HOT, P = 0.017; ES = 0.66) but not for IA (P = 0.901; ES = 0.25). Despite reduced physiological capacities in IA, both populations demonstrated reductions in lipid utilization and peak oxygen consumption in hot compared with temperate conditions. However, the increased carbohydrate oxidation in HOT for TR was not observed in IA, potentially explained by lower thermal strain. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study shows that lipid oxidation and oxygen consumption are similarly affected by heat exposure in trained runners and inactive individuals. Carbohydrate oxidation and core temperature are greater in hot conditions in trained runners but not in inactive individuals. A lower metabolic heat production in inactive individuals for a similar relative intensity compared with trained runners could explain these differences in core temperature. 2025-02-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/195690 Title: Exploring the innovation landscape of ginger: Insights from patent documentation analysis Authors: Matin, M; Kapoor, B; Gulati, M; Mickael, ME; Matin, FB; Kamińska, A; Bensz, J; Sołdacki, D; Wierzbicka, A; Marcinkowska-Lesiak, M; Fatimi, A; Liu, HY; Gan, RY; Adamska, O; Stolarczyk, A; Horbańczuk, JO; Jóźwik, A; Atanasov, AG Abstract: Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, holds a prominent place in both culinary and medicinal practices worldwide. This study is the first to present a comprehensive analysis of ginger-related patents, aiming to elucidate patterns and trends in innovation surrounding this versatile plant. The analysis, conducted using The Lens database, encompasses 7193 patent documents retrieved on April 26, 2025. Annual patent counts illustrate a significant increase in ginger-related patents over the years, with a notable rise observed since 2010. Analysis of the Cooperative Patent Classification system provides a structured framework for organizing these patents, revealing predominant covered categories such as food compositions, plant extracts, and tea substitutes. Additionally, the top-cited patents underscore the diverse applications of ginger, ranging from therapeutic formulations to food and beverage additives. Furthermore, examination of frequently mentioned diseases in ginger patents identifies respiratory ailments, digestive disorders, and skin conditions as key therapeutic areas. These findings show the multifaceted nature of ginger's pharmacological properties and its potential in addressing various health challenges. Overall, by focusing on ginger as a key food and medicine plant, this study highlights the significance of patent analysis in understanding the innovation landscape of medicinal plants and nutraceuticals, and is specifically opening the ways for future research and development in ginger utilization for global health promotion and sustainable development. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/195682 Title: Head, Face, and Neck Cooling for Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Authors: Stevens, CJ; Borg, D; Brade, C; Carter, S; Filingeri, D; Lee, J; Lim, L; Mündel, T; Taylor, L; Tyler, CJ Abstract: PURPOSE: Cooling the head, face, and neck can have strong perceptual effects that contribute to improved performance. This systematic review aimed to determine the effect of cooling strategies targeting the head, face, and neck on physical and cognitive performance, determine any associated physiological and perceptual responses, synthesize adverse events, and provide practical applications. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Studies that investigated the effect of cooling strategies targeting the head, face, or neck on a physical or cognitive task using a controlled trial design were included. RESULTS: Sixty-three studies were identified, involving 618 participants (86.6% male). Cooling strategies included water-perfused devices (18.7%), phase-change neck collars (17.3%), fanning/cold air (14.7%), phase-change headwear (13.3%), ice/gel packs (13.3%), cold towels (5.3%), menthol application (4.0%), water spraying/dousing (4.0%), or a combination of strategies (9.3%). The effect of cooling on both self-paced and fixed-intensity exercise tasks was inconclusive; the 95% CI of the pooled effect was compatible with no effect and medium beneficial effects but not harmful effects. We were unable to pool cognitive data. Cooling reduced the skin temperature at the target site and improved thermal sensation and comfort. Effects on heart rate and core and mean skin temperatures were negligible. Adverse events were rare, and no intervention subgroup was superior. CONCLUSION: We recommend that athletes experiment with a range of head-, face-, and neck-cooling strategies, including using different doses and timings, to determine the optimal strategy for their individual and sport context. 2025-06-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/195680 Title: The effect of chatbot-based exercise interventions on physical activity, exercise habits, and sedentary behavior: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Authors: Wang, Q; Yang, W; Xu, K; Lam, LT Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Chatbots, transcending the limitations of space and time while reducing user resistance, offer a personalized and autonomous approach potentially enhancing digital health interventions. This systematic review aims to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of chatbot-based exercise interventions (EIs) in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), emphasizing physical activity (PA), exercise habits (EH), and sedentary behavior (SB). METHODS: A comprehensive search was carried out across Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane databases for studies published from January 2010 to October 2024. The characteristics of the included studies and the employed chatbots were analyzed. A meta-analysis was performed to synthesize the impact of chatbot-based EIs on PA, EH, and SB. We carried out subgroup analyses (SAs) for investigating potential modifying effects. RESULTS: This review includes 12 studies conducted between 2013 and 2024, encompassing 2446 participants and 240 parent-child dyads, with participant ages ranging from 8 to 71 years. The chatbot-based EIs significantly enhanced PA compared to control groups (SMD = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.04-0.37, p = 0.02; I² = 51%, p = 0.04). However, these interventions did not significantly impact EH (SMD = 0.29, 95% CI = -0.48-1.06, p = 0.46) or reduce SB (SMD = 0.32, 95% CI = -0.54-1.19, p = 0.46). Notably, SAs revealed a small but significant short-term increase in EH (SMD = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.08-0.50, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Chatbot-based EIs appear promising in improving PA, particularly moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA). Nonetheless, further RCTs with diverse chatbot designs, larger sample sizes, low-resource settings, objective measures of SB (e.g., accelerometers), and extended follow-ups are essential to corroborate these findings. Future research should also explore the adaptation of chatbots to various socioeconomic and cultural contexts and the integration of technologies like ChatGPT into EIs.Trial Registration: Meta-analysis PROSPERO: CRD42024609852. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z