Title: Postural stability of school age children Objectives: The purpose of this work is description of selected postural stability parameters of school age children population and evaluation of sensomotoric stimulation and ball excercises effect on the postural stability. Methods: This work is a descriptive work with included intervention. During the study, four groups of 10 and 11 year old children were examined, each group had 21 members (n=84; average height=148,2 ± 5,67 cm; average body weight=37,4 ± 4,29 kg, average age=10,96 ± 0,69 years). All 84 children participated in the first measurement on a Footscan to evaluate the level of postural stability based on the selected parameters. Then 15 children were chosen for a 5 week long intervention. After this intervention the group took the measurement again. The final number of children tested in this work was 12 (n=12; average height=151,7 ± 4,61 cm; average body weight=39,71 ± 2,99 kg; average age=11,43 ± 0,29 years). Outcome of the first and second measurement was compared and processed. Results: Most of the selected parameters have shown, that girls have better postural stability than boys of the same age and that 11 year olds have better postural stability than 10 year olds. The parameter TTW (Total Traveled Way) was chosen for the...

O fenômeno do precondicionamento isquêmico é definido como o aumento da tolerância à isquemia e à lesão de reperfusão, induzida por curtos e sucessivos episódios de isquemia prévios a período de isquemia prolongada. A angina do aquecimento e a de pré-infarto são duas condições clínicas relacionadas ao precondicionamento. Este fenômeno apresenta duas fases distintas, clássica ou precoce e tardia. A atenuação do infradesnível do segmento ST provocada pelo precondicionamento precoce está bem documentada, porém sua expressão cintilográfica permanece controversa. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar se as atenuações eletrocardiográficas do precondicionamento durante testes sequenciais estão associadas a modificações simultâneas das imagens de cintilografia de perfusão miocárdica em indivíduos com doença coronariana. Vinte e três pacientes foram selecionados entre março de 2009 e julho de 2011. A média de idade foi 64,5 anos (dp=7,0), 19 (82,6%) do sexo masculino e todos tinham lesão coronária em pelo menos um vaso superior a 60%. A medicação antiisquêmica foi suspensa por três a cinco dias. Os pacientes foram submetidos a três testes ergométricos a partir do exame de seleção, sendo dois deles sequenciais e o terceiro realizado após sete dias. A injeção do radiofármaco sestamibi-Tc-99m no teste de precondicionamento e contraprova foi administrado no tempo de aparecimento do infradesnível de ST de -2,0 mm na derivação MC5 e/ou dor precordial anotados no teste inicial ou de seleção. A imagem cintilográfica foi adquirida entre 60 a 90 minutos após o esforço. Os resultados do segundo teste (precondicionamento) mostraram aumento significativo do tempo para o aparecimento da depressão do segmento ST de 1,0 mm (338±130) e 2,0 mm (431±126), em relação ao teste inicial (245±96; 366±103) p<0,001. A diferença na redução do valor máximo de infradesnível de ST entre os três testes foi significativa (3,8±0,8; 2,3±0,6; 3,1±1,0) p<0,001. Houve redução significativa nos escores de perfusão de estresse (p=0,045) entre o primeiro e o segundo testes, bem como para o escore da diferença entre o estresse e repouso (p= 0,03), sem diferença na extensão da área de isquemia entre as três etapas detectadas pela cintilografia (p=0,691). Em conclusão, houve redução significativa das alterações eletrocardiográficas induzidas pelo precondicionamento isquêmico precoce em maior proporção do que as observadas nas respectivas imagens de cintilografia de perfusão miocárdica; não se observou associação entre a redução da depressão do ST e a redução do escore de perfusão na fase de precondicionamento, nem correlação entre a magnitude do infradesnível máximo de ST e a redução do escore de perfusão (r=0,07 e p=0,75). / The phenomenon of ischemic preconditioning is defined as the increase of tolerance to ischemia and injury of reperfusion induced by short and consecutive episodes of isquemia prior to prolonged arterial occlusion. Warm-up and pre-infarction angina are two clinical conditions regarding this phenomenon. The ischemic preconditioning has two distinct windows designed as classical and late. The improvement of ST depression induced by classical preconditioning is well documented, however its scintigraphy expression is still controversial. The aim of this research was to assess whether the reduction of ST depression induced by preconditioning during these sequencial exercise testing are associated to simultaneous alterations of the scintigraphy images of myocardial perfusion in individuals with coronary artery disease. From March 2009 to July 2011, 23 patients were selected, mean age 64,5 (sd=7,0), 19(82,6%) male. All patients had coronary artery stenosis at least 60% in one vessel. The anti ischemic therapy was discontinued for three days. Patients underwent three exercises testing after screening process; two of these tests were in a sequence and the other one performed after seven days. Tc-99m-sestamibi radiotracer injection was applied in the preconditioning test as well as for the third test at the time of development of ST depression 2,0 mm in the CM5 lead and/or chest pain estabilished in the screening process or first test. The scintigraphy image was obtained from 60 to 90 minutes after exertion. The results of the preconditioning test showed a significant increase of time for manifestation of the ST depression 1,0 mm (338±130) and 2,0 mm (431±126) regarding the first test (245±96; 366±103), p<0,001. There was a significant difference in the decrease of maximum value of ST depression among the three tests (3,8±0,8; 2,3±0,6; 3,1±1,0), p<0,001. A significant reduction in stress perfusion score (p=0,045) occurred between the first and second test as well as for the difference score between stress and rest (p=0,03). However, there was not a significant difference in the total defect size among the three stages detected by myocardial scintigraphy (p=0,691). In conclusion, there was a significant decrease of electrocardiographic alterations resulting from early preconditioning in greater proportion than the observed in scintigraphy images. It was not observed an association between the decrease of ST depression with the stress perfusion score during the preconditioning period nor the correlation between the magnitude of the maximum value of ST depression and the decrease of perfusion score (r=0,07 and p=0,75).

Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease have a reduced capacity for exercise, the exact causes of which are poorly understood. This thesis investigated alternative testing procedures that aim to provide a more complete and precise description of the exercise capacities of these patients. Furthermore, the potential roles of gastrocnemius muscle fibre morphometry, capillary supply and glycogen stores in the exercise tolerance of PAD patients were studied. Study one aimed to determine the effect of test repetition on maximal exercise performance and test-to-test variability in PAD patients using an incremental treadmill walking test (T) (n=5), an incremental cycle test (C) (n=5), and incremental endurance (PF-endurance) and maximal strength (PF-strength) plantar flexion tests (n=5). Tests were conducted once per week for eight weeks. Performance was stable on the T (~530 s) and C (~500 s) tests across the eight weeks. Test-to-test variance on T decreased from 16%CV (CV: coefficient of variation) to 6%CV (p=.21,NS), and from ~8%CV to 2%CV on C (p<.05) over the eight week period. Variance of peak gas exchange variables tended to decrease with performance variance on both tests; however, other physiological variables, and the associated variance levels, were stable throughout the study. PF strength (635-712N) gradually increased over the initial 2-3 weeks (p<.05) which was accompanied by a reduction in variance from ~8%CV to ~3%CV (p<.05). Similarly, PF endurance increased over the first two weeks (~32,000 to 41500 N.s-1) while variance of this measure fell from ~21%CV to ~10%CV (p<.05) over the study duration. It is concluded that the implementation of familiarisation sessions leads to a reduction in whole body and local calf muscular performance variance in patients with PAD. Using a randomised crossover design, study two aimed to compare performance and the physiological and symptomatic responses between a T test and a C test in 16 patients with PAD. Peak exercise time on C (690 s) was greater than that on T (495 s); however the two were significantly correlated (n=16, r=.69, p<.05). Peak HR (120 bpm), VO2 (~1.22 l.min-1) and rate pressure product (~20') did not differ between the two tests, nor did the post exercise ankle pressure (T: 56; C: 61 mmHg). In two subjects with lower back pain during C, the ankle pressure of their "worst" limbs failed to fall by >10mmHg. Performance on both the T and C tests was closely related to the onset of leg symptoms; however the site of pain during C was much more variable than during T. Incremental cycle testing would overcome some of the limitations of treadmill testing (e.g. measurement of mechanical work), and it appears to be an acceptable alternative for measuring the exercise capacity and physiological exercise responses in known claudicants. Use of cycle ergometry for the diagnosis of PAD requires testing in the general population. Study three aimed to compare whole body (T test and C test) and local calf muscular (PF strength and endurance) exercise performance between 16 PAD patients (age: 63 ± 2; BMI: 25.9 ± 1.1) and 13 healthy, sedentary control (CON) subjects (age: 62 ± 1; BMI: 25.9 ± 0.4), and to describe relationships between the whole body and local calf muscular exercise capacities within the two groups. Furthermore, this study aimed to compare several histochemical characteristics of the medial gastrocnemius muscle fibres between PAD and CON, and to establish whether these factors were related to the exercise capacities of both groups. Maximal performance on T was 59% lower in the PAD group compared with the CON group, as was performance on C (50%), PF strength (25%), and PF endurance (58%). Compared with CON, PAD patients had a lower estimated calf muscle mass and a slight reduction (10%) in muscle fibre size (p=.14, NS). They also had a lower proportion of type I fibres (PAD: 49%; CON: 62%) that was offset by a greater proportion of type IIA fibres (PAD: 27%; CON: 16%), and a reduction in the capillary contacts per muscle fibre (PAD: 1.63; CON: 2.12) compared with CON. When expressed relative to fibre area there were no differences in capillarisation between PAD and CON; however this index was significantly related to resting and post exercise ABI in the PAD patients. There were no differences in the mixed muscle [glycogen], nor the optical density of glycogen in the individual fibres, between the two groups. PF endurance was poorly predictive of walking performance, and did not correlate with any of the morphological variables in both groups. Calf muscle mass correlated with PF strength (r=.59 - .62), and strength was correlated with T performance (r= .61 - .63) in both groups. In the PAD patients, T performance was correlated with the cross sectional area (n=12, r=.72, p<.05), capillary contacts (n=10, r=.81, p<.05) and glycogen density (n=9, r=.81, p<.05) of type I fibres. This study confirms that a reduction in calf strength, which appears to be mediated through muscle atrophy, plays some role in the reduced exercise capacity of claudicants. While both fibre area and capillary supply seem to be of relevance to the exercise capacity of PAD patients, these two factors are closely linked and further research is required to establish the determinants, and relative importance of both. An important, and possibly limiting role of carbohydrate oxidisation in PAD patients is supported by the strong relationship between type I glycogen stores and whole body exercise capacity.

Resumo: Algumas variáveis propostas para predizer o risco de complicação pósoperatória (CPO) são a altura no teste da escada (TE) e a distância do teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6) e acreditamos que o tempo no teste da escada (tTE) também pode ser utilizado para este fim. Além disso, são utilizados a prova de função pulmonar e os índices pré-operatórios. Objetivo: Determinar se os índices de Torrington e Henderson, American Society of Anesthesiologists, Goldman, Detsky e Charlson, a variável VEF1 da espirometria e as variáveis obtidas nos testes de esforço (TC6 e TE) podem ser preditivos das complicações pós-toracotomia e qual deles seria o melhor preditor dessas complicações. Método: Foram avaliados pacientes com indicação de toracotomia para ressecção pulmonar ou não, maiores de 18 anos. As comorbidades foram obtidas e traçados os índices de Comorbidade de Charlson, de risco de Torrington e Henderson, de Goldman, de Detsky e o ASA. A espirometria foi realizada de acordo com a ATS, em espirômetro Medgraphics Pulmonary Function System 1070. O TC6 foi realizado segundo os critérios da ATS e a distância prevista calculada. O TE foi realizado numa escada à sombra, composta por seis lances, num total de 12,16m de altura. O tTE em segundos percorrido na subida da altura total foi obtido e a partir deste a Potência (P) foi calculada utilizando a fórmula clássica. Também foi estimado o VO2 a partir do tTE (VO2 t) e da P (VO2 P). No intra-operatório foram registradas as complicações e o tempo cirúrgico. E no pós-operatório foram registradas as CPOs. Para análise estatística os pacientes foram divididos em grupos sem e com CPO. Foi aplicado o teste de acurácia para obtenção dos valores preditivos para o TC6 e para o tTE, a curva ROC e dessa o ponto de corte. As variáveis foram testadas para uma possível associação com as CPO pelo teste t de ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Some varieties purposed to predict the postoperative complication (POC) risk are the height in the stair-climbing test (SCT) and the distance in the six minute walk test (6MWT), we also believe that the time on the stair-climbing test can also be used for this purpose. Besides, the pulmonary function test and the preoperative index are also used. Objectives: We aim to determine if the Charlson, Torrington and Henderson, Goldman, Detsky and American Society of Anesthesiologists indexes, the variable FEV1 obtained on the Spirometry and on the Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (6MWT, SCT) can be predictive of the complication after thoracic surgery and which one of them would be the best. Method: Patients with indication to thoracic surgery, for resection or not, and older than 18 years old were evaluated. The comorbidities were obtained and the Comorbidity Charlson, Torrington and Henderson risk, Goldman, the Detsky and ASA indexes were calculated. The spirometry was performed according to ATS in Medgraphics Pulmonary Function System 1070. The 6MWT was performed according to the ATS criteria and the predicted distance was calculated. The SCT was performed indoor, on six flights of stairs, which results as a 12,16m climb. The time on the SCT was obtained after finished the stair height total in seconds and the Power (P) was calculated using the class formula. The maximum oxygen uptake (VO2) was estimated from the time of SCT (VO2 t) and the P (VO2 P). In the intraoperative was registered the complication and the surgery time. And in the postoperative was registered the POC. In the statistics analysis, the patients were divided in groups with and without POC. It was applied the accuracy test for the distance 6MWT and for the time in the SCT. We have found the cutoff from the ROC curve. The correlation between the variables and POC were tested using the t test for independent population ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Orientador: Daniele Cristina Cataneo / Coorientador: Antônio José Maria Cataneo / Banca: Roberto Saab Junior / Banca: Paulo Monoel Pego Fernandes / Banca: Irma de Godoy / Banca: Lidia Raquel de Carvalho / Doutor

O fenômeno do precondicionamento isquêmico é definido como o aumento da tolerância à isquemia e à lesão de reperfusão, induzida por curtos e sucessivos episódios de isquemia prévios a período de isquemia prolongada. A angina do aquecimento e a de pré-infarto são duas condições clínicas relacionadas ao precondicionamento. Este fenômeno apresenta duas fases distintas, clássica ou precoce e tardia. A atenuação do infradesnível do segmento ST provocada pelo precondicionamento precoce está bem documentada, porém sua expressão cintilográfica permanece controversa. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar se as atenuações eletrocardiográficas do precondicionamento durante testes sequenciais estão associadas a modificações simultâneas das imagens de cintilografia de perfusão miocárdica em indivíduos com doença coronariana. Vinte e três pacientes foram selecionados entre março de 2009 e julho de 2011. A média de idade foi 64,5 anos (dp=7,0), 19 (82,6%) do sexo masculino e todos tinham lesão coronária em pelo menos um vaso superior a 60%. A medicação antiisquêmica foi suspensa por três a cinco dias. Os pacientes foram submetidos a três testes ergométricos a partir do exame de seleção, sendo dois deles sequenciais e o terceiro realizado após sete dias. A injeção do radiofármaco sestamibi-Tc-99m no teste de precondicionamento e contraprova foi administrado no tempo de aparecimento do infradesnível de ST de -2,0 mm na derivação MC5 e/ou dor precordial anotados no teste inicial ou de seleção. A imagem cintilográfica foi adquirida entre 60 a 90 minutos após o esforço. Os resultados do segundo teste (precondicionamento) mostraram aumento significativo do tempo para o aparecimento da depressão do segmento ST de 1,0 mm (338±130) e 2,0 mm (431±126), em relação ao teste inicial (245±96; 366±103) p<0,001. A diferença na redução do valor máximo de infradesnível de ST entre os três testes foi significativa (3,8±0,8; 2,3±0,6; 3,1±1,0) p<0,001. Houve redução significativa nos escores de perfusão de estresse (p=0,045) entre o primeiro e o segundo testes, bem como para o escore da diferença entre o estresse e repouso (p= 0,03), sem diferença na extensão da área de isquemia entre as três etapas detectadas pela cintilografia (p=0,691). Em conclusão, houve redução significativa das alterações eletrocardiográficas induzidas pelo precondicionamento isquêmico precoce em maior proporção do que as observadas nas respectivas imagens de cintilografia de perfusão miocárdica; não se observou associação entre a redução da depressão do ST e a redução do escore de perfusão na fase de precondicionamento, nem correlação entre a magnitude do infradesnível máximo de ST e a redução do escore de perfusão (r=0,07 e p=0,75). / The phenomenon of ischemic preconditioning is defined as the increase of tolerance to ischemia and injury of reperfusion induced by short and consecutive episodes of isquemia prior to prolonged arterial occlusion. Warm-up and pre-infarction angina are two clinical conditions regarding this phenomenon. The ischemic preconditioning has two distinct windows designed as classical and late. The improvement of ST depression induced by classical preconditioning is well documented, however its scintigraphy expression is still controversial. The aim of this research was to assess whether the reduction of ST depression induced by preconditioning during these sequencial exercise testing are associated to simultaneous alterations of the scintigraphy images of myocardial perfusion in individuals with coronary artery disease. From March 2009 to July 2011, 23 patients were selected, mean age 64,5 (sd=7,0), 19(82,6%) male. All patients had coronary artery stenosis at least 60% in one vessel. The anti ischemic therapy was discontinued for three days. Patients underwent three exercises testing after screening process; two of these tests were in a sequence and the other one performed after seven days. Tc-99m-sestamibi radiotracer injection was applied in the preconditioning test as well as for the third test at the time of development of ST depression 2,0 mm in the CM5 lead and/or chest pain estabilished in the screening process or first test. The scintigraphy image was obtained from 60 to 90 minutes after exertion. The results of the preconditioning test showed a significant increase of time for manifestation of the ST depression 1,0 mm (338±130) and 2,0 mm (431±126) regarding the first test (245±96; 366±103), p<0,001. There was a significant difference in the decrease of maximum value of ST depression among the three tests (3,8±0,8; 2,3±0,6; 3,1±1,0), p<0,001. A significant reduction in stress perfusion score (p=0,045) occurred between the first and second test as well as for the difference score between stress and rest (p=0,03). However, there was not a significant difference in the total defect size among the three stages detected by myocardial scintigraphy (p=0,691). In conclusion, there was a significant decrease of electrocardiographic alterations resulting from early preconditioning in greater proportion than the observed in scintigraphy images. It was not observed an association between the decrease of ST depression with the stress perfusion score during the preconditioning period nor the correlation between the magnitude of the maximum value of ST depression and the decrease of perfusion score (r=0,07 and p=0,75).

Title: Power output and selected cardiorespiratory parameters in elite athletes during the third to fourth week after COVID-19 infection Objectives: The aim of this thesis is to compare power output and selected cardiorespiratory parameters in elite athletes before and three to four weeks after COVID- 19 infection. Since the elite athletes undergo these health checks on a yearly basis, it is possible to compare the data before and immediately after the infection without difficulty. Methods: This thesis has a character of a quantitative research based on testing the outcomes with confirming or denying hypotheses. Out of the total of 64 elite athletes with the CPET data after the infection 17 athletes, fulfilling other criteria, were selected. I was provided with the data by Centrum sportovní medicíny z. s.. These values became the foundation for statistical hypotheses testing. Analysis of the data was done by means of a pair t-test in R software. Results: There were no significant differences in the majority of the spirometry parameters. Only the inspiration vital capacity was significantly higher (p = 0,004) after the COVID-19 infection in 14 athletes with 0,21±0,18 l improvement. There were significant differences in five of CPET parameters. Load in RCP was significantly lower (p = 0,011) in 13...

Arterial hypertension is one of the major treatable cardiovascular risk factors (1). It is associated with elevated mortality and the incidence of heart insufficiency, myocardial infarcts, and apolex (2). Elevated blood pressure in highperformance athletes is one of the most significant risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (3). Exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise testing is commonly regarded as a predictor of developing overt hypertension (4, 5). However, findings in adults are inconsistent (6), and no commonly accepted upper limits indicative of increased risks have been defined so far (7). There are only a few recommendations for tolerable upper blood pressure limits in exercise testing (8, 9). In the Guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), it states that an exceeding systolic blood pressure (SB) of 210 mmHg in men and 190 mmHg in women has been termed “exercise hypertension” (7). In the American Heart Association (AHA) guideline for exercise testing (10) a limit of 214 mmHg (based on the 90th percentile calculated from >27,000 treadmill tests (11) is reported beyond which the risk of developing hypertension appears particularly increased (7). Compared to adults, the prevalence of elevated blood pressure in children and adolescents is clearly lower. However, there is a correlation between elevated blood pressure in children and relation to obesity. In contrast to the recommended upper blood pressure limits in adults, the definition of arterial hypertension in children and adults is based on body height and age-dependent limits. These blood pressure limits are determined in healthy children and adolescents. However, such blood pressure limits do not exist for young highperformance athletes, who are exposed to frequent exerciseinduced blood pressure increase. There is only limited data available in which the effects of exercise-induced blood pressure elevation have been investigated in children and adolescents. Furthermore, very little is known about the exercise-induced blood pressure response in children. The study by Wanne et al. (12) investigated the blood pressure response under maximal dynamic movement in 497 healthy 9 to 18-year-old on a treadmill in young non- athletes. They described higher systolic values in postpuberty youths than in prepuberty. Szmigielska et al. (13) examined 711 (age 10– 18 y) young athletes (training load 7.62 h ± 4.2 h per week). In the maximal testing on the bike ergometer, the SBP was significantly higher in boys than in girls (183.2 ± 27.9 mmHg vs. 170.9 ± 21.4 mmHg, p = 0.03). Description of normative response to physical exercise in healthy children and adolescents in terms of percentiles was just recently given by Sasaki et al. and Clark and al. In the study by Clarke and collegues normative percentiles of blood pressure response on a treadmill for healthy children and adolescents were described (14) in contrast to resting blood pressure and individual height which was not considered in the study by Sasaki et al. (15) Although exercise testing in young elite athletes is frequently performed during preparticipation screenings, very little is known about the “normal” magnitude and distribution of exercise-induced blood pressure in this cohort. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the magnitude and determinants of blood pressure response to dynamic exercise testing in young elite athletes.

A doença aterosclerótica macrovascular se inicia em fases precoces das alterações do metabolismo glicídico. Este estudo teve por objetivos: 1) avaliar a prevalência de aterosclerose subclínica diagnosticada por métodos não-invasivos em indivíduos com indicação de teste oral de tolerância a glicose; 2) avaliar a distribuição de biomarcadores e de marcadores genéticos nessa população; e 3) determinar os fatores de risco para aterosclerose subclínica em pacientes disglicêmicos. Indivíduos em prevenção primária foram inicialmente submetidos a teste oral de tolerância a glicose e classificados em grupos controle, glicemia de jejum alterada, intolerância à glicose e diabete melito; posteriormente, foram submetidos a pesquisa de aterosclerose subclínica e de biomarcadores, e a avaliação de polimorfismos genéticos e expressão gênica. Foram incluídos 103 pacientes no grupo controle, 80 no grupo glicemia de jejum alterada, 98 no grupo tolerância diminuída à glicose e 59 no grupo diabete melito, com média de idade de 59 + 7,4 anos, sendo 62,4% mulheres. Não foram encontradas diferenças quanto às características clínicas e laboratoriais entre os grupos. Foi observada alta prevalência de aterosclerose subclínica na população (77,1%) e, apesar de não haver diferença entre os grupos, houve tendência a prevalência crescente de acordo com a piora do perfil glicídico. Dentre os biomarcadores, foi encontrada diferença entre os grupos na análise de microalbuminúria, resistina, fator de necrose tumoral alfa e fosfolipase A2 associada a lipoproteína. Não houve diferença com relação aos polimorfismos, mas o grupo glicemia de jejum alterada apresentou maior expressão de mRNA do gene da fosfolipase A2 associada a lipoproteína. Concluímos que indivíduos com indicação de teste oral de tolerância a glicose têm alta prevalência de aterosclerose subclínica, independentemente do perfil glicídico. Após análise multivariada, os fatores que determinaram aterosclerose subclínica foram idade, pressão arterial sistólica, colesterol ligado à lipoproteína de alta densidade, fator de necrose tumoral alfa e uso de estatinas. / Atherosclerotic macrovascular disease begins in early phases of glucose metabolism alterations. The objectives were: 1) To evaluate the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis diagnosed by non-invasive methods in patients with an indication for oral glucose tolerance test. 2) To evaluate the distribution of biomarkers and genetic markers in this population. 3) Determine the risk factors for subclinical atherosclerosis in dysglycemic patients. Individuals in primary prevention underwent oral glucose tolerance test and were classified as controls, impaired fasting glucose, decreased glucose tolerance and diabetics and submitted to subclinical atherosclerosis search, evaluation of biomarkers, genetic polymorphisms and gene expression. A group of 103 patients were included as controls, 80 as impaired fasting glucose, 98 as decreased glucose tolerance and 59 as diabetes with a mean age of 59 ± 7.4 years, 62.4% women. No differences were found between clinical and laboratory characteristics of the groups. High prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis (77.1%) was observed, although there was no significant difference between groups, a tendency of higher prevalence according to worsening of glucose increasing profile was verified. Among the biomarkers difference between groups were found in the analysis of microalbuminuria, resistin, tumor necrosis factor alfa and phospholipase A2 associated with lipoprotein. There was no difference regardind the polymorphisms, but the impaired fasting glucose group had higher expression of PLA2G7. After multivariate analysis, the factors that determined subclinical atherosclerosis were age, systolic blood pressure, HDL-cholesterol, tumor necrosis factor alfa and statins. We concluded that individuals with indication of oral glucose tolerance test have a high prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis regardless of glucose profile. The factors that determine the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis were age, systolic blood pressure, HDL-cholesterol, tumor necrosis factor alfa and statins.

<p>The overall aims of the studies were to investigate the effects of different training modalities on exercise capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with moderate or severe COPD and, further, to explore two of the physical tests used in pulmonary rehabilitation.</p><p>In <b>study I</b>, the 12-minute walking distance (12MWD) did not increase on retesting in patients with exercise-induced hypoxemia (EIH) whereas 12MWD increased significantly on retesting in the non-EIH patients. In <b>study II</b>, we found that the incremental shuttle walking test was as good a predictor of peak exercise capacity (W peak) as peak oxygen uptake (VO₂ peak) is. In <b>study III</b>, we investigated the effects of two different combination training programmes when training twice a week for eight weeks. One programme was mainly based on endurance training (group A) and the other on resistance training and callisthenics (group B). W peak and 12MWD increased in group A but not in group B. HRQoL, anxiety and depression were unchanged in both groups. Ratings of perceived exertion at rest were significantly lower in group A than in group B after training and during 12 months of follow-up. Twelve months post-training, 12MWD was back to baseline in group A, but significantly shorter than at baseline in group B. Thus, a short endurance training intervention delayed decline in 12MWD for at least one year. Patients with moderate and severe COPD responded to training in the same way. In <b>study IV</b>, both interval and continuous endurance training increased W peak, VO₂ peak, peak exhaled carbon dioxide (VCO₂ peak) and 12MWD. Likewise, HRQoL, dyspnoea during activities of daily life, anxiety and depression improved similarly in both groups. At a fixed, submaximal workload (isotime), the interval training reduced oxygen cost and ventilatory demand significantly more than the continuous training did.</p>

La décompensation cardiaque se manifeste par une symptomatologie de dyspnée et de fatigue, et par une diminution de l’aptitude aérobie. La décompensation cardiaque peut être globale ou gauche (DCG), ou droite comme dans le cas de l’hypertension artérielle pulmonaire (HTAP). Les mesures fonctionnelles de repos (fonction ventriculaire gauche ou pression artérielle pulmonaire moyenne) sont peu corrélées à l’aptitude aérobie, qui est cependant un élément important de la mise au point et du suivi clinique des patients atteints de DCG ou d’HTAP. L’aptitude aérobie est évaluée par une ergospirométrie. Réalisée sur cycloergomètre ou sur tapis roulant elle mesure l’évolution des variables ventilatoires (ventilation, consommation en oxygène et production de CO2), la fréquence cardiaque et la tension artérielle lors d’un effort à intensité croissante jusqu’à l’effort maximal. Elle apporte une analyse fine du comportement à l’exercice des patients, de la cause de la limitation à l’effort et permet la détermination précise de la consommation d’oxygène maximale (VO2max). Plus simple que l’ergospirométrie, le test de marche de 6 minutes (TDM6) mesure la distance maximale parcourue en marchant 6 minutes. Il évalue la réponse intégrée des systèmes cardiovasculaire, respiratoire et musculaire à l’effort, mais, contrairement à l’ergospirométrie, il ne permet pas d’identifier les facteurs déterminants l’aptitude aérobie. Le TDM6 est corrélé de façon significative, mais non étroite, à la VO2 max et à la classe fonctionnelle telle qu’évaluée par l’échelle à 4 points de la New York Heart Association. Les travaux réunis dans le présent travail ont eu pour but de contribuer à l’étude de la pathophysiologie de l’aptitude aérobie et à la compréhension des tests utilisés pour l’évaluer dans l’HTAP et de la DCG. Dans une première étude, nous avons comparé le profil ergospirométrique et le périmètre de marche de 6 minutes chez les patients DCG ou HTAP. Les résultats montrent que la VO2 max et le TDM sont diminués dans les mêmes proportions chez des patients à handicap fonctionnel (NYHA) comparable, avec toutefois une propension plus marquée à l’hyperventilation dans l’HTAP. Dans une seconde étude, nous avons mesuré la réponse métabolique au TDM6 au moyen d’un ergospiromètre portable chez des patients HTAP. Les résultats montrent que le TDM6 est réalisé à une VO2 correspondant à la VO2max mesurée à l’ergospirométrie sur cycloergomètre, avec cependant une ventilation, un quotient respiratoire et une fréquence cardiaque inférieures. Durant le TDM6, les patients stabilisent leur effort à un quotient respiratoire légèrement inférieur à 1. Ces résultats s’expliquent soit par la cinétique de la VO2 durant l’ergospirométrie à protocole standardisé comportant un incrément de charge trop rapide par minute, soit par une différence des masses musculaires mises en œuvre durant la marche ou l’effort sur bicyclette. Ces résultats suggèrent que le TDM6 pourrait être un test plus adéquat que l’ergospirométrie pour évaluer l’aptitude aérobie dans l’HTAP. Dans un troisième travail, plus modeste, nous avons réalisé la réplique du précédent, dans la DCG. Nous y avons observé les mêmes résultats. Dans un dernier travail nous avons évalué la valeur pronostique de l’ergospirométrie et du TDM6 dans l’HTAP. Nous avons analysé les ergospirométries et TDM6 de 65 patients atteints d’HTAP et discerné un sous groupe de patients atteints d’HTAP idiopathique ou associée à la prise d’anorexigène. Le TDM6 et le produit « distance x poids » étaient pronostiques de mortalité dans le groupe entier de patients et dans le sous groupe de patients atteints d’HTAP idiopathique ou associée à la prise d’anorexigène. La pente VE/VCO2 n’était facteur pronostique de mortalité que dans le groupe de patients atteints d’HTAP idiopathique ou associée à la prise d’anorexigène. La VO2pic n’était prédictive de mortalité dans aucun des groupes de patients. En conclusion, nos travaux ont montré que la DCG et l’HTAP menaient à une diminution similaire de la capacité à l’exercice. Ils ont également contribué à montrer l’intérêt du TDM6 (avec mesures ergospirométriques) dans l’évaluation de cette amputation de l’aptitude à l’effort. Le TDM6 paraît plus adéquat pour la mesure de l’aptitude purement aérobie (quotient respiratoire < 1). Ceci permet probablement de comprendre la supériorité du TDM6 par rapport à l’ergospirométrie en tant que facteur pronostique et en sensibilité aux effets d’interventions thérapeutiques.