The benefits of brief-duration, early exercise programs in stroke have been shown, but the effects of longer-duration aerobic training early after stroke have not been examined. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an early aerobic exercise program that extended beyond inpatient into outpatient rehabilitation on aerobic capacity, walking parameters (walking distance, speed, and symmetry), health-related quality of life, and balance. Patients in the subacute phase after stroke (n = 15) with mild to moderate impairment received aerobic exercise in addition to conventional rehabilitation. The study participants demonstrated significant improvement in aerobic and walking capacity, peak work rate, quality of life, balance, and gait velocity from baseline to midpoint. However, no difference was found between midpoint and final. This early aerobic exercise program following stroke significantly improved aerobic capacity, walking ability, quality of life and balance during the inpatient period although no further improvement was observed during the outpatient period.

The benefits of brief-duration, early exercise programs in stroke have been shown, but the effects of longer-duration aerobic training early after stroke have not been examined. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an early aerobic exercise program that extended beyond inpatient into outpatient rehabilitation on aerobic capacity, walking parameters (walking distance, speed, and symmetry), health-related quality of life, and balance. Patients in the subacute phase after stroke (n = 15) with mild to moderate impairment received aerobic exercise in addition to conventional rehabilitation. The study participants demonstrated significant improvement in aerobic and walking capacity, peak work rate, quality of life, balance, and gait velocity from baseline to midpoint. However, no difference was found between midpoint and final. This early aerobic exercise program following stroke significantly improved aerobic capacity, walking ability, quality of life and balance during the inpatient period although no further improvement was observed during the outpatient period.

Different field tests are currently used in a wide extent in different levels of soccer teams. To be able to assess the players’ physiological status the tests must have high validity, reliability and external validity. Many different tests have been developt, but currently only five of these tests are most commonly used: Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (YIRT), Yo-Yo intermittent endurance test (YIET), Multi-sprint-test, Beep-test and Cooper-test. Presently there is no definitive conclusion regarding which of these tests is most suitable for soccer players. Therefore the present study aimed to, on the basis of previous studies evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the five most commonly used field test; to analyze the physiological requirements on soccer players with respect to their aerobic and anaerobic capacity; and last to compare among the five field tests and evaluate the validity of the field tests through comparison of field tests results with results from laboratory and soccer matches. During soccer match about 75-96 % of the energy is provided by the aerobic systems, while the rest, 4-25 %, is provided by the anaerobic systems. This fits approximately most of the results from both field tests and laboratory tests through measurement of either pulse, running distance, VO2max or lactate. Among the five tests, Yo-Yo tests (YIRT and YIET) has the best correlation to soccer match with respect to physiological demands on both aerobic and anaerobic capacities. Among the different Yo-Yo tests YIRT2 seems to be the best compared to YIET1, YIET2 and YIRT1.

Strong evidence exists to support the use of a continuous (>8hr/day) hypoxic stimulus (either geographical altitude or simulated hypoxia) for enhancing the physical performance of endurance athletes. However, evidence supporting the use of acutely intermittent hypoxia (<1hr/day) for enhancing performance is less clear. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of acutely intermittent hypoxic exposure on physiological and physical performance measures in team sport athletes. Using a single-blind controlled design, 14 trained basketball players (HYP = 7, CON = 7) were subjected to 15 days of intermittent hypoxia or normoxia. Each exposure was 37 minutes in duration (four cycles of 7min on, 3min off) and achieved using a nitrogen dilution device (Airo Ltd, Auckland, NZ). Prescribed peripheral oxygen saturation levels (SpO2) were maintained using an automatic biofeedback system and were progressively decreased from 86-89% on Day 1 to 75-78% on Day 15. A range of physiological measures and performance tests were conducted seven and two days before, and ten days after the intervention. The tests were: an incremental treadmill test to establish peak oxygen consumption ( peak) and running economy (RE), Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (YYIRT), and the Repeated High-Intensity Endurance Test (RHIET). Whole-blood samples were taken to assess a range of haematological measures. At 10 days post-intervention the HYP group, relative to the CON group, exhibited the following percent changes (±90% confidence limits, CL), and effect sizes (ES; ±90% CL); YYIRT running speedpeak (4.8; ± 1.6%, ES: 1.0 ± 0.4; benefit almost certain), RHIET total sprint time (-3.5; ± 1.6%; ES: -0.4 ± 0.2; benefit very likely), RHIET slowest sprint time (-5.0; ± 2.4%; ES: -0.5 ± 0.2; benefit very likely), soluble transferrin receptor (9.2; ± 10.1%; ES: 0.3 ± 0.3; benefit possible) running economy (11km.hr-1) (-9.0; ± 9.7%; ES: -0.7 ± 0.7; benefit likely, probable), and running economy (13km.hr-1) (-8.2; ± 6.9%; ES: -0.7 ± 0.5; benefit likely, probable). Changes to running economy (9km.hr-1), peak, maximum heart rate and lactate and all other blood measures were unclear. In conclusion, acutely intermittent hypoxia resulted in worthwhile changes in physical performance of trained basketball players in tests relevant to competition. However, the lack of clear change in physiological and haematological measures makes it difficult to determine the underlying mechanism for such enhancement.

Strong evidence exists to support the use of a continuous (>8hr/day) hypoxic stimulus (either geographical altitude or simulated hypoxia) for enhancing the physical performance of endurance athletes. However, evidence supporting the use of acutely intermittent hypoxia (<1hr/day) for enhancing performance is less clear. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of acutely intermittent hypoxic exposure on physiological and physical performance measures in team sport athletes. Using a single-blind controlled design, 14 trained basketball players (HYP = 7, CON = 7) were subjected to 15 days of intermittent hypoxia or normoxia. Each exposure was 37 minutes in duration (four cycles of 7min on, 3min off) and achieved using a nitrogen dilution device (Airo Ltd, Auckland, NZ). Prescribed peripheral oxygen saturation levels (SpO2) were maintained using an automatic biofeedback system and were progressively decreased from 86-89% on Day 1 to 75-78% on Day 15. A range of physiological measures and performance tests were conducted seven and two days before, and ten days after the intervention. The tests were: an incremental treadmill test to establish peak oxygen consumption ( peak) and running economy (RE), Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (YYIRT), and the Repeated High-Intensity Endurance Test (RHIET). Whole-blood samples were taken to assess a range of haematological measures. At 10 days post-intervention the HYP group, relative to the CON group, exhibited the following percent changes (±90% confidence limits, CL), and effect sizes (ES; ±90% CL); YYIRT running speedpeak (4.8; ± 1.6%, ES: 1.0 ± 0.4; benefit almost certain), RHIET total sprint time (-3.5; ± 1.6%; ES: -0.4 ± 0.2; benefit very likely), RHIET slowest sprint time (-5.0; ± 2.4%; ES: -0.5 ± 0.2; benefit very likely), soluble transferrin receptor (9.2; ± 10.1%; ES: 0.3 ± 0.3; benefit possible) running economy (11km.hr-1) (-9.0; ± 9.7%; ES: -0.7 ± 0.7; benefit likely, probable), and running economy (13km.hr-1) (-8.2; ± 6.9%; ES: -0.7 ± 0.5; benefit likely, probable). Changes to running economy (9km.hr-1), peak, maximum heart rate and lactate and all other blood measures were unclear. In conclusion, acutely intermittent hypoxia resulted in worthwhile changes in physical performance of trained basketball players in tests relevant to competition. However, the lack of clear change in physiological and haematological measures makes it difficult to determine the underlying mechanism for such enhancement.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-02-02Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:49:02Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 brandao_bb_me_prud.pdf: 398716 bytes, checksum: 6a9dceb68e18af5e254c82d9681c19e4 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Pro-Reitoria de Auxilio A Pesquisa / Introdução: A prática regular de atividade física pode atuar como uma medida não farmacológica na prevenção e/ou tratamento das alterações metabólicas causadas pela obesidade. Objetivo: 1) Avaliar a aplicabilidade do teste de duplos esforços em animais saudáveis e obesos; 2) avaliar os efeitos de dois protocolos de treino, sobre a expressão gênica e atividade de proteínas envolvidas na captação de glicose estimulada pela atividade contrátil e capacidade aeróbia em ratos com obesidade induzida. Metodologia: Ratos machos Wistar foram alojados no biotério, sob temperatura média de 22 ± 2ºC e ciclo claro/escuro de 12 horas. Sessenta animais foram distribuídos em seis grupos com dez animais - Controle Sedentário (CS), Controle Exercício Contínuo (CEC), Controle Exercício Intervalado (CEI), Obeso Sedentário (OS), Obeso Exercício Contínuo (OEC) e Obeso Exercício Intervalado (OEI). Dieta: Os animais controles foram alimentados com água e ração padrão ad libitum. Os grupos de ratos obesos foram alimentados com dieta hiperlipídica composta por bacon, mortadela, salsicha, bolacha... / Background: The regular practices of physical activity can be characterized as a non-pharmacological prevention and/or treatment of metabolic disorders caused by obesity. Aim: 1) To evaluate the applicability of double effort test for obese-induced rats; 2) To evaluate the effects of two training protocol, continuous or interval, on gene expression and protein content involved in glucose uptake stimulated by contractile activity and aerobic capacity in rats of obese-induced rats. Method: Sixty male Wistar rats aged 90 days were divided into 6 groups: sedentary control (SC), control continuous exercise (CCE), control intermittent exercise (CIE) obese sedentary (OS), obese continuous exercise (OCE), obese intermittent exercise (OIE). Diet: The control animals were fed with standard chow and water ad libitum... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Title: The effects of the application of insoles in sports shoes on aerobic capacity of soccer players Objectives: Effects of insoles Bootmatetsi on aerobic capacity of football players. Methods: The research sample included a soccer player in the U16 category (n = 19). The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 was used to verify the interventional effect of the Bootmatetsi insoles. For the subjective perception of physical activity during the pretest and posttest was used a 15-degree Borg scale of 6 - 20. A five-point Likert scale was used to evaluate the comfort of Bootmatetsi insoles. The data was processed using Microsoft Office Excel 2010. Results: The application of Bootmatetsi insoles to football boots has provided a significant improvement in aerobic performance compared to original insoles (d = 1.1). Performance improved on average by 24%, i.e average improvement VO2max by 2,43 ml.min-1.kg-1. At the same time, research group claims that Bootmatetsi insoles have been rated as comfortable. Keywords: insoles, Bootmatetsi, aerobic capacity, VO2max

For years, heart rate (HR) kinetics have been used as an indicator of training status and fatigue. Slowed kinetics indicate poor fitness and/or fatigue. In this study it was determined that HR kinetics can be reliably estimated during modeled, quasi-binary, and dynamic exercise using cross-correlation analysis of HR and external work rate. Heart rate and running speed were cross-correlated yielding a cross-correlation function (CCF) and analyzed for its peak (CCFmax) and time delay (CCFlag). Modeled exercise data where the time constants for HR (τ) increased from 2-120 sec. yielded linear decreases in CCFmax (r2 = 0.9949) and linear increases in CCFlag (r2=0.9996). A strong linear relationship existed between CCFmax and CCFlag (r2=0.9989). Steady-state exercise data produced strong relationships between the calculated τ and CCFmax (r2=0.8736) and CCFlag (r2=0.9061), and CCFmax and CCFlag showed a positive relationship (r2=0.7753). CCFmax between repeated sprint trials (R2=0.9123) and super set trails (R2=0.9227) were very similar. These results suggest good repeatability for both quasi-binary activity and random activity. To assess validity, CCFmax values during the sprint trials were compared to two standard field tests of fitness (Beep and Man U tests). There were strong relationships between CCFmax and distances covered during the Beep (r2=0.7911) and Mann U tests (r2=0.7770). Lastly, the applicability of the CCF method was applied to dynamic exercise, using data collected from competitive soccer matches. For the field players, significant reductions in CCFmax occurred during the first and second periods of the match. There was a significant relationship between the total distance covered during the match and the decline in CCFmax (r=-0.4297, p<0.05). Larger declines in CCFmax during the last 15 min of the match were also seen in the second match of a multiple match week compared to the first match. Tis later finding suggests that CCFmax may be a use tool to evaluate "fatigue" during dynamic exercise. Overall, cross-correlation of HR and running speed appears to be a reliable, valid and applicable approach to evaluate HR kinetics during exercise. As such, it may be beneficial for evaluating player fitness and readiness for competition. / Doctor of Philosophy / Exercise physiologists and sports professionals are continually in search of novel techniques which would assess training effectiveness and performance on the field. However, it is of paramount importance that any field-based data collection method must be noninvasive as to not interfere with the athlete's ability to perform in sport. Currently, heart rate (HR) is the most readily accessible and commonly used variable to estimate cardiovascular response to exercise. Heart rate kinetics have proven to be a powerful indicator of training status as HR responses to changes in exercise intensity are accelerated following exercise training. In this study we were able to determine that HR kinetics can be reliably estimated during modeled, quasi-binary, and dynamic exercise using cross-correlation analysis of HR and external work rate. Heart Rate and running speed were cross-correlated yielding a cross-correlation function (CCF). That function was then analyzed for its peak (CCFmax) and time delay (CCFlag). Modeled exercise data yielded linear decreases in CCFmax and linear increases in CCFlag. Also, CCFmax and CCFlag were correlated to each other. Steady-state exercise data produced the same linear relationships observed for the modeled data for CCFmax and CCFlag. CCFmax between repeated sprint trials were found to be highly reliable which suggest good repeatability for both quasi-binary activity and random activity. CCFmax was also found to be highly valid when comparing sprint values to validated fitness test values. Additionally, good relationships were found between CCFmax derived during fitness tests and distances covered on the fitness tests. As HR kinetics are linked to fitness, these results suggest that CCFmax values are valid. There was a significant relationship between the total distance covered during a full soccer match and the decline in CCFmax in field players that were not seen in the goalkeeper. Lastly, CCFmax declined during the last 15 minutes of the match compared to the start of the match. These results demonstrate CCF derived HR kinetics appear to be reliable and valid metrics for evaluating soccer fitness and "fatigue". This method may prove to be a strong indicator of fitness in other high activity sports as well.

In this study, the relationship between maximal aerobic capacity (VO₂max) and left ventricular function was examined in two distinct age groups. A young group (20 - 30 years of age) and an elderly group (over 60 years of age) were compared. Left ventricular function was examined over wide variations in preload accomplished by 5º head-down tilt (TILT) for ninety minutes and lower body negative pressure (LBNP) to -40 mm Hg. with two-dimensional echocardiography. A greater response to an increase in preload (TILT) was related to high VO₂max levels in the young subjects but not in the elderly groups of subjects, suggesting that lower VO₂max levels of the elderly population affected the mechanism of response to the increased levels of preload. Additionally, in the elderly, greater reductions in ventricular volume reflected increased peripheral pooling due to decreased venous tone and/or increased venous compliance during LBNP and were related to increased VO₂max. In the young, VO₂max does not appear to affect the response to reduced preload.

Heart disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States with coronary artery disease (CAD) representing more than half of all cardiovascular events. Stable patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of CAD are likely to undergo either an exercise ECG and/or imaging study as a first line diagnostic assessment. A cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) is an ECG stress test plus ventilatory gas analysis. Recently CPX has been used to detect exercise-induced myocardial ischemia suggestive of underlying CAD. Currently there are a number of diagnostic tests available for the identification of CAD with the most widely used being exercise ECG, myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and cardiac catheterization. Exercise ECG, although inexpensive, has a number of well-recognized limitations, including low sensitivity resulting in false positive results. MPI and catheterization are more accurate but also more invasive and expensive. It appears that CPX may improve the diagnostic accuracy of exercise ECG in a cost effective manner.