The role rehabilitation plays in the management of patients with lateral epicondylalgia (LE) remains elusive secondary to high recurrence rates. Addressing scapular muscle deficits may be important in the rehabilitation of patients with LE. However, it is unknown if scapular muscle impairments exist in a working population of patients with LE. The purpose of this dissertation was to assess scapular muscle strength and endurance in a working population of patients with LE. Clinical scapular muscle assessment tools are limited in their ability to isolate specific muscles. Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) is a potentially useful tool but few studies have investigated its utility. Absolute muscle thickness measurements were obtained on healthy individuals for the lower trapezius (LT) and serratus anterior (SA) under three conditions (arm at rest, arm elevated with a low load, arm elevated with a high load). For both the LT and SA, a significant distinction could be made in muscle thickness between rest and a loaded condition but not between the two load conditions. Furthermore, excellent reliability was demonstrated for both muscles. It is unknown whether arm dominance plays a role in scapular muscle assessments. Therefore, healthy individuals between the ages of 30 and 65 were recruited to compare the effect of arm dominance on scapular muscle strength, endurance, and change in thickness measured by RUSI. Results indicate that arm dominance does significantly affect some measures of scapular muscle strength and endurance. However, the differences between the dominant and non-dominant limbs were not beyond measurement error. Scapular muscle strength, endurance, and change in muscle thickness of the LT and SA were assessed in 28 patients presenting with signs and symptoms consistent with LE. LT strength, SA strength, middle trapezius strength, endurance, and change in SA thickness were significantly less in patients with LE compared to matched controls. SA and LT strength were significantly less in the involved limb compared to the uninvolved limb in patients with LE. The results suggest that assessing scapular muscle endurance as well as LT and SA strength is indicated when evaluating patients with LE, and the results should be compared to normative data.

No description available.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in North America (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2012; Canadian Cancer Society [CCS], 2012). Women diagnosed with breast cancer undergo a traumatic experience that disrupts their quality of life (Holmberg, Scott, Alexy, & Fife, 2001). In the psychological domain of quality of life, body image is disrupted due to the changes associated with breast cancer surgeries and treatments (Hormes et al., 2008). This is important because breast cancer survivors’ quality of life is an essential part of their survivorship (Kaiser, 2008). Evidence has suggested that physical activity shows improvements in body image, survival rates, and decreased risk of mortality (Schmitz, 2011). Furthermore, a unique form of physical activity associated with breast cancer that has risen among this population is endurance sporting events, such as dragon boating and running (Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation [CBCF], 2012; Parry, 2008). Endurance sporting events are common among breast cancer organizations to raise funds and spread breast cancer awareness (Kaiser, 2008). However, they also provide breast cancer survivors with a fun and healthy sporting environment to explore their body image as well as shared experiences with other breast cancer survivors. Researchers have shown endurance sporting events to be a comfortable environment for breast cancer survivors to allow their experiences to unfold (McDonough, Sabiston, & Crocker, 2008; Sabiston, McDonough, & Crocker, 2007). Due to the uniqueness of each woman’s breast cancer experience, it is important to explore their body image experiences to understand their personal stories and provide meaning to enhance their quality of life as breast cancer survivors. The general purpose of this dissertation is to explore the body image and camaraderie experiences of breast cancer survivors in endurance sporting events. Furthermore, the guiding research question of this dissertation is: What are the body image and camaraderie experiences of breast cancer survivors participating in endurance sporting events? Narrative research methodology will be used to provide insight into this research question across two studies. To address the gap in the literature, Study 1 of my dissertation provided narratives of three breast cancer survivors’ body image experiences as they trained for and participated in the CIBC Run for the Cure 5k. Two individual semi-structured interviews, prolonged engagement, and blogging were used as sources of data collection over a time period of 10 weeks. Data analyses led to the emergence of three themes: "new normal", goal setting, and camaraderie. Camaraderie, representing the shared breast cancer survivors’ experiences that allowed the women to focus on their physical capabilities, accept their bodies, and create an overall body image experience, was a particularly salient theme to the women throughout their training. Hence, the purpose of Study 2 was to explore the camaraderie narrative experiences of breast cancer survivors in a season of dragon boating. Focus group interviews and creative practices were conducted with a core group of 11 breast cancer survivors over a six month time period. The women defined camaraderie as fellowship, teamwork, and support shared between women with breast cancer experiences. Subsequent data analyses resulted in five themes: attention please, paddles up, take it away, hold the boat, and reach. Overall, camaraderie was shown to be crucial to the survivorship of the women, as social experiences are an important component to life after breast cancer. The findings were written as a collective (e.g., camaraderie) narrative. Taken together, these two studies demonstrated that body image and camaraderie are important components to breast cancer survivors’ participation in endurance sporting events. More specifically, both studies informed the literature by describing the relationship between the camaraderie and body image experiences for the women involved in both the CIBC Run for the Cure 5k and a season of dragon boating. Camaraderie was the motive that created an overall positive body image experience for the women. Furthermore, endurance sporting events associated with breast cancer formed natural, comfortable, and safe environments for the women to express their experiences. In addition, camaraderie seemed to be a key process through which the women were able to accept their bodies and the body-related changes that resulted from cancer. In both studies, breast cancer survivors’ participation in endurance sports included camaraderie experiences that led to fulfilling the physical, emotional, and social needs as a mode for the women to move beyond their breast cancer experiences.

Little is known about the strain and consequences of very prolonged and sustained exercise lasting multiple days. This thesis comprises two multi-day exercise field studies and a 24-h, controlled-trial field/laboratory study. The field studies were undertaken using international adventure races (2003 and 2004 Southern Traverses: 86-120 h) to profile exercise intensity and associated physiological and psychophysical strain, and physical and cognitive performance. The 2003 study showed that exercise intensity (from heart rate range) averaged 64% during the first 12 h, dropped to 41% by 24 h, and remained so thereafter. Body core temperature (gastrointestinal pills), throughout racing (n=8) was relatively stable (min 36.0�C and only briefly >39�C), despite widely varying endogenous and exogenous thermal stress. Blood samples obtained before (n=34), during (n=11) and after (n=34) racing revealed a large plasma volume expansion (24%), with stable [sodium]plasma (n=6). Acute (15-30 h) and chronic (96-120 h) elevation of neutrophil, monocyte and lymphocyte numbers were observed across the race. Standardised exercise tests (rest, 25 and 50% peak power output (PPO)) before and after racing (n=9) revealed an extreme shift toward fat utilisation, consistent with lowered fat mass (11%; n=44) and high [free fatty acids]plasma (up 370%; n=9) at race-finish, although [HAD]muscle was unchanged. Muscle glycogen was only 50% lower post-race (290 nmol�kg⁻�d.w.). Complex cognitive performance (Stroop test) impairment was attenuated during 50% PPO post-race. Perceived exertion uncoupled from HR at standardised workloads. Explosive power (jump test; n=24) and anaerobic power (30-s Wingate; n=27) were modestly (<10%) impacted. Strength reduction of arms (11%) and legs (17%) was equivalent (p=0.17). The 2004 study (n=4) involved dissimilar terrain, vegetation, and sequence of exercise modes, yet the profile of exercise intensity was similar: first 12 h 65%, then 45% by 24 h and thereafter. Thus, athletes reliably attain sustainable, low-to-moderate exercise intensity by 24 h. Plasma volume, neutrophil and monocyte responses were reliable across races, whereas lymphocytes were not. Plasma [IL-6] and [S100β] were elevated, substantially in some individuals (IL-6: 223 pg�mL⁻�; S100β: 113 pg�mL⁻�), during racing. A 24-h adventure race simulation (n=9) was then undertaken to investigate physiological and psychophysical factors influencing exercise intensity, autonomic function and orthostatic tolerance. Tests were at 0, ~7, ~15 and 24 h. The 24-h HR profile matched that observed during racing: first 12 h 58% (including 3-h testing), remainder 41%. The shift toward fat utilisation was almost complete within 7 h, and similar to that following 2003 race. The perceived exertion-to-HR uncoupling was also similar; being complete within 15 h. Plasma [noradrenaline] for rest and 12-km�h⁻� run was elevated post-simulation. Plasma [IL-6] peaked by 7 h, although not as high as field observations. The timeframe of metabolic change and perceived exertion uncoupling coincided with that of pace reduction, and may be important regulatory components of very prolonged exercise intensity. Orthostatic intolerance was evident during the simulation (n=6/9), as was cerebral hypo-perfusion (15 h & 24 h). Autonomic function (baroreflex sensitivity, sympathetic activation, parasympathetic withdrawal) was altered only at 7 h, whereas postural-induced hypotension (via impaired venous response) and hypocapnia were always present.

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.)--Brock University, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-86).

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.M.) PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Gait speed and walking endurance are measures of performance and overall health in older adults; however it is unclear whether measuring both provides additional clinically useful information over measuring just one. The purpose of this study is to systematically explore the co-variation of trajectories of speed and endurance over 8 years in healthy older adults, and to examine the association of knee extensor strength and cardiorespiratory impairment with distinct trajectories. Understanding such trajectories and their determinants will help clarify the utility of testing each outcome separately. METHODS: Data were obtained prospectively in a subset of the Health, Aging and Body Composition study (Health ABC), which included 2364 initially well-functioning men and women 70 to 79 years of age. Gait speed was determined from a 20-meter walk. Walking endurance was measured from a two-minute walk. The dual trajectories of gait speed and walking endurance were estimated using a group-based mixture model using SAS macro “PROC TRAJ”. The procedure calculates the probabilities of trajectory group membership for gait speed membership conditioning on walking endurance groups and vice versa. We also examined the association of knee extensor strength and cardiorespiratory impairment with distinctive trajectories adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: We identified four gait speed trajectories and three walking endurance trajectories. Older adults with the greatest decline in gait speed and walking endurance slowed 0.032 m/s and 0.025 m/s per year, respectively. There was high correlation between gait speed and walking endurance trajectories, r= 0.84, p<0.0001. Less knee extensor strength and the presence of cardiorespiratory impairment were associated with membership in worse gait speed and walking endurance trajectories. After adjustment for walking endurance trajectories, only knee extensor strength was associated with worse gait speed trajectories. After adjustment for gait speed trajectories, both strength and cardiorespiratory impairments continued to be associated with walking endurance trajectories. CONCLUSIONS: There was high convergence of trajectories of gait speed and walking endurance. Therefore, changes in walking endurance can be inferred from measuring gait speed alone. However, cardiorespiratory impairment had a unique association with trajectories of walking endurance, but not gait speed. Therefore, measuring gait speed alone may not provide as much information as measuring walking endurance for those with cardiorespiratory impairment. / 2031-01-01

The aim of this thesis was to develop and validate squash-specific fitness tests to identify physiological determinants of repeat-sprint ability and performance in sub-elite and elite-standard squash players. Study one examined the validity of a squash-specific test of endurance capability and VO[2max]. Trained squash players and runners completed squash-specific and treadmill incremental tests to exhaustion. Squash players achieved greater VO[2max] on the squash-specific than the treadmill test while runners did not differ. Squash players exercised longer than runners on the squash-specific test despite similar VO2max. The squash test discriminated endurance capability between squash and non-squash players of similar fitness and elicited higher VO[2max] in squash players. The results suggest that it is a valid test of aerobic fitness in squash players. Study two assessed the reproducibility of physiological and performance measures from the squash specific test in county-standard players. Test-retest variability was low for all measures (Typical error < 5%) though the magnitude varied depending on the metric used. Studies three and four examined the validity and reproducibility of squash-specific tests of change-of-direction speed and multiple-sprint ability. County-standard squash players and footballers completed squash-specific and equivalent non-specific tests on separate days. Performance time was recorded. Participants repeated the tests seven days later to assess reproducibility. Squash outperformed non-squash players on the squash-specific tests despite similar non-specific capabilities. Squash-specific tests discriminated squash player rank while non-specific tests did not. Test-retest variability was low (Typical Error < 3%) for both tests. Squash-specific tests predicted ability in squash players and discriminated between squash and non-squash players of equal nonspecific fitness. The findings suggest that the squash-specific tests are valid for the assessment of high-intensity exercise capabilities in squash players. Studies five and six explored correlates of multiple-sprint ability and performance in sub-elite and elite squash players. Squash-specific and general tests were performed by regional league players ranging from division three to premier standard and elite players on three tiers of a national performance program. In sub-elites, multiple-sprint ability and endurance capability discriminated performance and multiple-sprint ability was related to change-of-direction-speed, VO[2max] and endurance capability. In world-ranked men and women, the ability to perform and sustain rapid changes of direction correlated with multiple-sprint ability and together with multiple-sprint ability discriminated performance. Aerobic fitness was not related to performance or multiple-sprint ability in elite players. Senior elites performed better than players on the talented athlete scholarship scheme (TASS) on all tests except VO[2max] and counter-movement jump. Drop-jump power and reactive strength discriminated senior and transition level from TASS players and indices from the multiple-sprint test discriminated seniors from transition and TASS players. This thesis has validated squash-specific tests of endurance and high-intensity exercise capabilities. These tests have shown that high-intensity exercise capabilities determine performance in elites while sub-elite performance is determined by multiple-sprint ability and endurance capability. The findings can be used to improve assessment of training effects and to inform the design of effective training methods.

The main objective of this Diploma Thesis is to determine effects of endurance running on body weight reduction of men within the age group between 35 and 45 years young middle age. The theoretical part revealed interesting facts and compilations provided by various available resources related to the given issue and thus served as a basis for the elaboration of the practical part consisting in heart rate values obtained during several hours of endurance run. The impact on health of probands (tested men) was discovered while assessing heart rate, BMI values and anthropometric measurements of four skin-fold thickness by using skinfold calipers. The result revealed considerable reduction in body fat percentage rate as a consequence of endurance running which was proved as a convenient and recommended activity bringing many benefits to human health, such as reducing overweight of men within the aforementioned age group.