Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2025-11-05"
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- The Influence of Muscle Flexibility Training on Chronic Pain in Older Adults: An Exploratory Systematic ReviewPublication . Melenas, Rodrigo; Antunes, Raul; Matos, Rui; Monteiro, Diogo; Amaro, Nuno; Couto, Nuno; Susano Jacinto, Miguel ÂngeloBackground/Objectives: This exploratory systematic review aims to analyze the influence of isolated muscle flexibility training on the reduction of chronic pain symptoms in older adults aged 65 years or more. Articles were selected from the Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases, using the EndNote software for reference management. The selection process followed the PICOS framework and the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and the review protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database. Methods: The inclusion criteria comprised randomized controlled trials with participants aged 65 or older, evaluating the effect of flexibility training as a standalone intervention on chronic pain, and published in English or Portuguese. Studies were excluded if they involved multimodal training, did not specify participants’ ages, evaluated only acute or postoperative pain, or were not peer-reviewed articles. Results: From an initial pool of 1390 articles, only three met all criteria and were included in the final analysis. These studies—conducted in China (n = 2) and the United States (n = 1)—showed moderate methodological quality (PEDro score = 7/10). Two trials applied Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) in participants with knee osteoarthritis, while the third compared a flexibility-based program to combined strength and aerobic training in a healthy elderly population. All studies reported significant reductions in chronic pain symptoms following flexibility training interventions. Conclusions: The reviewed evidence suggests that muscle flexibility training, particularly using techniques like PNF, may be a promising therapeutic strategy to mitigate specific chronic pain-related symptoms in older adults, particularly reductions in joint stiffness, movement discomfort, and pain intensity associated with osteoarthritis. However, the limited number of high-quality trials and heterogeneity in protocols and pain assessment tools highlight the need for further research.
- Pablo’s Camp - Developing a Business Plan for a Sustainable Camping and Glamping BusinessPublication . Linhart, Maren Sophie; Bento, Carla Isabel Santos de SousaTourism is one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world. Despite its potential for economic development, job creation and intercultural exchange, the industry causes considerable environmental and social impacts. The hospitality industry in particular is increasingly being criticised for its excessive consumption of resources, high emissions and poor working conditions. This raises the question of how tourism offers can be designed in order to be ecologically, economically and socially sustainable. This master's project focuses on the development of a sustainable business model in the hospitality industry using the example of Pablo's Camp, a planned camping and glamping site in northern Germany. The aim is to create a tourism offer that combines ecological responsibility, economic viability and positive social impact on the local community. Building on theoretical foundations, such as the 3P concept and the circular economy framework, a comprehensive business plan is developed that can be put into practice. The work combines academic research with entrepreneurial implementation. An evaluation of the location, market and competitor analyses, target group definition, sustainability strategies and financial planning are developed and implemented in the business plan. The master's project contributes to the practice-oriented implementation of sustainable principles in the tourism and hospitality industries and serves as an example of how responsible business models can be developed in this area.