exercise, fitness, performance

The goal of this study was to examine the impact of assistance with donning and time on quantitative fit factors (FF) and pass rates for subjects wearing an N95 filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) and a non-certified adhesive mask. Fit factors were measured using two side-by-side TSI Portacount instruments sampling second-by-second simultaneous inside- and outside-facepiece concentrations. Naïve subjects made two visits at least one week apart. At each visit subjects first donned either the respirator or adhesive mask without assistance and performed a five-exercise fast fit test...

This study investigated whether different breathing conditions during exercise testing will influence measures of exercise capacity commonly used for training prescription in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Twenty-seven patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (forced expiratory volume in 1 sec = 45.6 [9.4]%) performed three maximal exercise tests within 8 days, but at least 48 hrs apart. Subjects were thereby breathing either room air through a tightly fitting face mask like during any cardiopulmonary exercise test (MASK), room air without mask (No-MASK), or 10 l/min of oxygen via nasal cannula (No-MASK + O2)...

Performing exercise to maintain a good physical condition is crucial to improve and prevent frailty in older adults. The aim of this review was to assess the beneficial effects of physical exercise on fitness in frail older adults. A thorough literature search of randomised clinical trials (RCT) in the last 15 years was performed on different electronic databases. The methodological assessment of studies was obtained using the PEDro scale. Ten RCT were included, providing a final sample of 1,130 individuals...

BACKGROUND: High intensity interval training (HIIT) increases maximal oxygen uptake similar to aerobic exercise. However, changes in body composition are equivocal in response to HIIT. AIM: We examined changes in body composition and dietary restraint in response to 20 sessions of HIIT varying in structure. METHODS: Thirty nine active men and women (age and VO2max = 22.5 ± 4.4 yr and 40.1 ± 5.6 mL/kg/min) were randomized to one of three periodized HIIT regimes performed on a cycle ergometer...

This study examined the suitability of sigmoidal (SIG) and exponential (EXP) functions for modeling HR kinetics at the onset of a 5-min low-intensity cycling ergometer exercise test (5MT). The effects of training status, absolute and relative workloads, and high versus low workloads on the accuracy and reliability of these functions were also examined. Untrained participants (UTabs; n = 13) performed 5MTs at 100W. One group of trained participants (n = 10) also performed 5MTs at 100W (ETabs). Another group of trained participants (n = 9) performed 5MTs at 45% and 60% V˙O2 max (ET45 and ET60, respectively)...

BACKGROUND: An educational SUpport PRogramme called SUPR has been developed for hearing aid users (HAUs) and their communication partners (CPs) offering care beyond hearing aid fitting. SUPR teaches its users communication strategies, hearing aid handling skills and personal adjustment to hearing impairment. METHODS/DESIGN: Using a cluster randomised controlled trial design, 70 Dutch hearing aid dispenser practices were randomised into hearing aid fitting (care as usual, 34 practices) and hearing aid fitting including SUPR (36 practices)...

BACKGROUND: The overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) in breast cancer is a poor prognosis. Trastuzumab improves overall survival but is associated with cardiotoxicity, especially a decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). In addition, chemotherapy and radiotherapy increase fatigue and pain, decrease physical capacity and health-related quality of life. To date, no study has evaluated the benefits of physical activity on the side effects of treatment in patients with HER2 positive breast cancer...

INTRODUCTION: Fatigue is a distressing symptom for adults with acute leukemia, often impeding their ability to exercise. OBJECTIVES: 1) Examine effects of a 4-week mixed-modality supervised exercise program (4 times a week, twice a day) on fatigue in adults with acute leukemia undergoing induction chemotherapy. 2) Evaluate effects of exercise program on cognition, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance. 3) Evaluate effect of intervention on adherence to exercise...

INTRODUCTION: From the previously published literature on the relationship between obesity and infertility, it is clear that male obesity negatively impacts semen quality. Accordingly, this study was conducted to determine whether regular exercise may improve semen quality in sedentary obese adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety obese adults were randomly allocated to the intervention (n = 45) or control group (n = 45). Participants in the intervention group performed a 16-week aerobic training program in a treadmill, three sessions per week, consisting of a warm-up (10-15 minutes), 35-50 minutes treadmill exercise (increasing five minutes per four weeks) at a work intensity of 50-65% of peak heart rate (increasing a 5% per four weeks) and cooling-down (5-10 minutes)...

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to examine the influence of Structural Integration and Fascial Fitness, a new form of physical exercise, on body image and the perception of back pain. [Subjects and Methods] In total, 33 participants with non-specific back pain were split into two groups and performed three sessions of Structural Integration or Fascial Fitness within a 3-week period. Before and after the interventions, perception of back pain and body image were evaluated using standardized questionnaires...

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of an exercise referral scheme (ERS) aligned to the UK best practice guidelines on a range of outcomes including those associated with key health concerns of the Scottish population. STUDY DESIGN: A longitudinal design with data collection at three time points (baseline, midway and post) during a 12-week ERS intervention was employed. METHODS: Health-related physical fitness was assessed through measurement of resting heart rate, blood pressure, FEV1:FEV6 (ratio of forced expiratory volume over one [FEV1] and six [FEV6] seconds), body mass and peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak), whilst functional capacity was assessed through the five times sit to stand test...

[Purpose] The study aimed to investigate the effects of daily living occupational therapy and resistance exercise on the performance of activities of daily living and muscular fitness in a patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome. [Subject and Methods] A 35-year-old man was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. He was hospitalized at A Hospital for 3 years, and was discharged from the hospital after he became able to execute daily life activities. After discharge, he performed daily occupational therapy and resistance exercise twice a week for 70 minutes per session for 12 weeks...

BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from an injury to the developing brain. It is the most common form of childhood disability with prevalence rates of between 1.5 and 3.8 per 1000 births reported worldwide. The primary impairments associated with CP include reduced muscle strength and reduced cardiorespiratory fitness, resulting in difficulties performing activities such as dressing, walking and negotiating stairs.Exercise is defined as a planned, structured and repetitive activity that aims to improve fitness, and it is a commonly used intervention for people with CP...

INTRODUCTION: Prehabilitation interventions have shown efficacy in the orthopaedic and cardiothoracic surgical populations, but there has been limited evidence for general surgical patients. We present the protocol for a pilot trial of a novel prehabilitation intervention, consisting of a physiatrist-directed preoperative assessment and treatment programme. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a single-centre pilot randomised controlled trial investigating physiatrist-directed prehabilitation for a 4 to 6-week preoperative period...

Objective 1) To assess the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in a university population, and 2) to investigate the effects of an 8-week exercise intervention on CVD risk factors. Methods Forty-six students participated in this study. Baseline cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max). Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and triglycerides were measured. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR), blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness were also assessed...

Musculoskeletal symptoms, especially in the upper body, are frequent among professional symphony orchestra musicians. Physical exercise may relieve pain but might also interfere with playing performance. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and effect of "specific strength training" (SST) versus "general fitness training" (GFT). METHODS: A feasibility study using randomized controlled methods. Primarily, evaluations involved self-reported impact on instrument playing and satisfaction with the interventions...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the time course of peak torque and total work recovery after a resistance training session involving the bench press exercise. DESIGN: Repeated measures with a within subject design. METHODS: Twenty-six resistance-trained men (age: 23.7±3.7years; height: 176.0±5.7cm; mass: 79.65±7.61kg) performed one session involving eight sets of the bench press exercise performed to momentary muscle failure with 2-min rest between sets...

This study examined the capacity of nonlinear resistance training (NRT) to alter some cytokines and markers of insulin resistance in men who are obese. An additional aim was to compare these variables between obese and lean men. Age- and fitness-matched obese men were randomly allocated to NRT (n=12) and control (CON, n=10) groups. An age- and fitness-matched control group of lean men (n=11) were also recruited for baseline comparison. The NRT (12 weeks, 3 d/wk, 5-11 exercises) performed at different intensities (40-95% of IRM) with flexible periodization...

BACKGROUND: Costochondritis is commonly encountered in primary care, but is not routinely referred to PT. Costochondritis can last from several weeks to several months, limiting the patient's ability to perform tasks at work and home. PURPOSE: Identify common impairments and examine the effects of treatment in subjects with costochondritis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. CASE DESCRIPTION: Eight subjects were referred to physical therapy for costochondritis (mean duration of condition 6...

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is estimated to be at least 500,000 in the United States and is most commonly found in premenopausal females. This syndrome shares clinical features with orthostatic hypotension (OH); however, the inclusion criteria and clinical features for POTS are not well known. The purposes of this case report are to: 1) describe the common clinical features of POTS and highlight the differences to orthostatic hypotension and 2) discuss physical therapy management of patients with POTS using exercise...