O objetivo do estudo foi investigar a eficácia de uma intervenção multifacetada em local de trabalho para o gerenciamento de Distúrbios Osteomusculares (DOM) e suas consequências nos trabalhadores de uma indústria de médio porte. O programa foi composto de Ergonomia Participativa (EP), Ginástica Laboral (GL) e Tratamento Fisioterapêutico (TF) realizados durante 22 meses com 88 trabalhadores de uma indústria fabricante de aparelhos auditivos. As queixas de DOM e o absenteísmo foram medidos pelo Questionário Nórdico de Sintomas Osteomusculares. Também medimos a auto-percepção dos trabalhadores sobre a intervenção por meio de um questionário baseado em Likert referente a 4 aspectos diferentes: queixas de dor ou desconforto musculares, absenteísmo, bem-estar/produtividade no trabalho e hábitos de vida. A taxa global de DOM foi reduzida significativamente em pelo menos uma região do corpo (p=0,001), bem como o absenteísmo (p=0,020). Para os trabalhadores com queixas de dor na linha de base, foi significativa a melhora total das queixas em um alvo de 40% ou pelo menos tiveram a duração, frequência e intensidade da dor, significativamente reduzida para todas as regiões do corpo, exceto para as regiões do baixo das costas e dedos. Para os trabalhadores sem dor na linha de base, a prevenção de DOM foi significativamente alcançada em um alvo de 70% para todas as regiões do corpo. Os trabalhadores concordaram em um intervalo de 56-99% que a intervenção melhorou as consequências dos DOM. Portanto, uma intervenção multifacetada composta por EP, GL e TF realizada em ambiente laboral, é eficaz na redução e prevenção dos DOM e suas consequências nos trabalhadores de uma indústria de médio-porte / Our purpose was to investigate the effectiveness of a workplace-based multifaceted intervention to manage musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and their consequences in the workers of a medium-sized company. A program consisting of Participatory Ergonomics (PE), Workplace Exercise (WE) and Physical Therapy (PT) was conducted for 22 months with 88 workers of a hearing aid company. The outcomes were complaints of MSDs and absenteeism measured by the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Outcomes were analyzed for 1) all eligible participants of the study, 2) only workers with MSDs at baseline, and 3) only workers without MSDs at baseline. We also measured workers\' perceptions about the intervention by using a Likert-based questionnaire addressing muscle pain, absenteeism, wellbeing/productivity at work and life habits. The overall rate of MSDs was significantly reduced in at least one region of the body (p=0.001). Absenteeism was also significantly reduced (p=0.020). For workers with pain at baseline, at least 40% improved totally, while for others the duration, frequency and/or intensity of pain was reduced for all body regions, except for low back and fingers. For workers without pain at baseline, a 70% target for prevention of MSDs was achieved. Most workers (56-99%) agreed that the intervention improved the consequences of MSDs. A multifaceted intervention consisting of PE, WE and PT is effective in reducing and preventing MSDs and their consequences in the workers of a medium-sized company

Exercícios de inclinação da pelve (\"pelvic drop\") são frequentemente utilizados para o fortalecimento do músculo glúteo médio com o objetivo de aumentar ou priorizar o seu recrutamento. No entanto, o efeito da rotação do quadril no desempenho da ação do glúteo médio é desconhecido. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito da rotação do quadril no recrutamento do músculo glúteo médio, tensor da fascia lata e quadrado lombar. Dezessete sujeitos saudáveis executaram o exercício de inclinação pélvica com o rotação de quadril lateral (IPRL), medial (IPRM) e neutro (IPN). A atividade eletromiográfica dos músculos glúteo médio (GM), tensor da fáscia lata (TFL) e quadrado lombar (QL) foram avaliadas por meio da eletromiografia de superfície. Os resultados demonstraram aumento significativo na ativação do GM com rotação medial e posição neutra quando comparados com a rotação lateral. Em relação à rotação medial e neutra não houve diferença. A razão GM/TFL não foi diferente em nenhum dos posicionamentos analisados. Em relação à razão GM/QL houve um aumento significativo da ativação muscular em rotação medial e neutra. Exercícios de inclinação pélvica são mais eficientes para ativar o glúteo médio quando o quadril está em rotação medial e posição neutra / Pelvic drop exercises are often used to strengthen the gluteus medius muscle with the aim of increasing or prioritizing its recruitment. However, the effect of hip rotation on the performance of the action of the gluteus medius is unknown. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of hip rotation on the recruitment of the gluteus medius muscle, tensor fasciae latae and quadratus lumborum. Seventeen healthy subjects performed pelvic drop exercises with lateral (PDLR), medial (PDMR) and neutral (PDN) rotation of the hip. The electromyographic activity of the gluteus medius muscle (GM), tensor fasciae latae (TFL) and quadratus lumborum (QL) were evaluated using surface electromyography (sEMG). The results showed significant increases in activation of the GM with medial and neutral rotation compared with lateral rotation. There was no difference between medial and neutral rotation. The GM/TFL ratio was the same in all analyzed positions. Regarding the GM/QL ratio, there was a significant increase in muscle activation in the medial and neutral rotation. Pelvic drop exercises are more efficient for activating the gluteus medius when the hip is in medial rotation and neutral position

Objective:The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with rehabilitation outcomes following vestibular rehabilitation (VR). Methods:In this prospective cohort study, 116 patients who completed at least 2 supervised sessions participated. Patient characteristics and comorbidities were recorded. Initial and discharge measures included symptom intensity, balance confidence, quality of life, time symptoms interfere with life, perceived benefits of VR, gait speed, fall risk, visual acuity during head movement, and anxiety/depression. Intention-to-treat analyses were performed to determine outcomes at discharge. Bivariate correlations between independent (group characteristics and baseline measures) and dependent (discharge measures) variables were determined. Logistic regressions were performed to identify factors associated with whether a patient would have a normal score or meaningful change at discharge. Results:There was a large effect of VR with significant improvement for the group as a whole on each outcome measure. For each outcome measure most patients improved. Based on preliminary logistic regression, 2 patient characteristics were associated with outcome: number of therapy visits predicted meaningful improvement in gait speed and falls after the onset of the UVH predicted meaningful change in the percent of time symptoms interfered with life. Initial Activities-based Balance Confidence (ABC) scale and Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) scores predicted normal ABC scores at discharge, and initial ABC scores predicted recovery of DGI scores. Preliminary prediction models were generated for balance confidence, impact of dizziness on life, dynamic visual acuity, gait speed, and fall risk. Conclusions:Therapists may use these findings for patient education or the need for adjunct therapy such as counseling. Impact:Not all people with UVH improve following VR, but there is little research examining why. This study looked at multiple factors and identified number of visits and falls after onset of UVH as patient characteristics associated with outcomes following VR, which will help therapists create better predictive models.

Travis, SK, Mujika, I, Zwetsloot, KA, Gentles, JA, Stone, MH, and Bazyler, CD. The effects of 3 vs. 5 days of training cessation on maximal strength. J Strength Cond Res 36(3): 633-640, 2022-The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 3 vs. 5 days of training cessation on body composition, perceived recovery and stress state, and maximal strength. Nineteen strength-trained athletes (23.8 ± 4.1 year; 90.8 ± 20.7 kg; 174.2 ± 7.3 cm) completed a powerlifting specific 4-week training block followed by either 3 or 5 days of training cessation. During the 4-week training block, athletes were trained 3 days per week, performing 3-4 movements that included at least 2-3 competition lifts per session while performing 4-5 sets of 3-5 repetitions with intensity ranging from 75 to 100% 1 repetition maximum (1RM). Body composition, psychometric measures, upper-body maximal strength, and lower-body maximal strength were assessed before (T1) and after 4 weeks of training (T2) and at 3 or 5 days of training cessation (T3). The alpha level was set at p < 0.05. After the 4-week training block (T1 to T2), trivial significant increases in body mass (p = 0.016, Hedge's g = 0.04) and bench press 1RM (p = 0.01, g = 0.16) were observed, as well as small significant increases in back squat 1RM (p < 0.001, g = 0.23), deadlift 1RM (p = 0.003, g = 0.20), powerlifting total (p < 0.001, g = 0.21), and Wilks Score (p < 0.001, g = 0.27). There were no significant differences between groups for isometric back squat performance, psychometric measures, and body composition after training cessation (T2-T3). However, small significant decreases in isometric bench press performance were observed after 5 days (p < 0.001, g = 0.16), but not 3 days of training cessation. The results of this study suggest maximal lower-body strength can be preserved during 3 and 5 days of training cessation, but maximal upper-body strength is only preserved for 3 days after 4 weeks of strength training in athletes.

Travis, SK, Pritchard, HJ, Mujika, I, Gentles, JA, Stone, MH, and Bazyler, CD. Characterizing the tapering practices of United States and Canadian raw powerlifters. J Strength Cond Res 35(12S): S26-S35, 2021-The purpose of this study was to characterize the tapering practices used by North American powerlifters. A total of 364 powerlifters completed a 41-item survey encompassing demographics, general training, general tapering, and specific tapering practices. Nonparametric statistics were used to assess sex (male and female), competition level (regional/provincial, national, and international), and competition lift (squat, bench press, and deadlift). The highest training volume most frequently took place 5-8 weeks before competition, whereas the highest training intensity was completed 2 weeks before competition. A step taper was primarily used over 7-10 days while decreasing the training volume by 41-50% with varied intensity. The final heavy (>85% 1 repetition maximum [1RM]) back squat and deadlift sessions were completed 7-10 days before competition, whereas the final heavy bench press session was completed <7 days before competition. Final heavy lifts were completed at 90.0-92.5% 1RM but reduced to 75-80% 1RM for back squat and bench press and 70-75% for deadlift during the final training session of each lift. Set and repetition schemes during the taper varied between lifts with most frequent reports of 3 × 2, 3 × 3, and 3 × 1 for back squat, bench press, and deadlift, respectively. Training cessation durations before competition varied between deadlift (5.8 ± 2.5 days), back squat (4.1 ± 1.9 days), and bench press (3.9 ± 1.8 days). Complete training cessation was implemented 2.8 ± 1.1 days before competition and varied between sex and competition level. These findings provide novel insights into the tapering practices of North American powerlifters and can be used to inform powerlifting coaches and athlete's tapering decisions.

Twenty subjects were audio and video taped during their exercise leadership examination. The tapes were used to code the interactions that occurred between the exercise leaders and the participants in the simulated cardiac rehabilitation exercise session using an interaction analysis system developed specifically for this physical activity setting group. The system identified interactions that could occur during the warm-up, stimulus, and cool-down phases of the session. The tapes were coded using the Datamyte 801 Observational Recorder. The phases of the sessions were coded individually. A frequency count was made as the interaction categories occurred. The frequencies were converted into rates of interaction (f•min⁻¹) for comparison. The mean rates of interaction were low for the phases and overall (warm-up= .38/min; stimulus= .59/min; cool-down= .29/min; total= .46/min). The individual subject's rates of interaction were all less than 1 interaction per minute (minimum= .28/min; maximum= .72/min). Related t-tests across category facets between phases showed the instruction and explanation facets in the warm-up phase differed significantly from the same facets in the stimulus phase. The compliance facet differed significantly in the stimulus phase from the compliance facet in the other two phases. The monitor facet in the stimulus phase differed significantly from the monitor facet in the cool-down phase. There was no significant differences across facets between the warm-up and cool-down phases. Higher rates of interaction occurred more frequently in the stimulus phase. The coding showed the differences in the interactions of the exercise leaders in the different phases in the simulated exercise session. The low rates of interaction suggest that the exercise leaders may have been reactive to the specific examination situation in which these data were collected. / M.S.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Research objective To test a novel concept that exposing patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) to visuals of exercise activities elicits neurophysiological changes in functional brain areas associated with pain catastrophization; thereby providing preliminary support for the further development/testing of a virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) exercise program aimed at reducing pain catastrophization toward exercise therapy in patients with FMS. Methods The main study of this research consisted of a three-phase exploratory fMRI study. Phase 1 involved the development/validation of the fMRI visual task. Phase 2 involved the exploration of the differences in neural correlates associated with pain catastrophizing between participants with FMS and healthy controls when exposed to various visuals of exercise and passive/relaxing activities. Phase 3 involved the testing of the preliminary efficacy of a novel VRET exercise program on pain catastrophization in participants with FMS. The fMRI task consisted of two stimuli: active (exercise activity visuals)/passive (relaxing activity visuals). Structural images as well as blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) contrasts were acquired for the conditions and compared within-subjects/groups and between-groups. The condition of interest was the active>passive condition (where brain activations for the passive condition were subtracted from the active condition). The brain volumes collected during ‗on‘ conditions were compared with the brain volumes collected during ‗off‘ conditions using Students‘ t test. Statistic images were thresholded using clusters determined by Z>2.3 and a (corrected) cluster significance threshold of p=0.05. Results The right (R) middle and inferior frontal gyrus and R posterior cerebellum were significantly activated for the participants with FMS, and not the healthy control group, during the active>passive condition (phase 2). At baseline, during the active>passive condition (phase 3), the intervention/VRET group showed significant activation (p<0.05) in the R insular cortex, R anterior and posterior cerebellum, R parahippocampal gyrus, R middle frontal gyrus, R corpus callosum, R thalamus, R supramarginal gyrus and R middle and superior temporal gyrus; the control group showed significant activation in the R anterior and posterior cerebellum, R middle and superior temporal gyrus, R middle frontal gyrus, R insular cortex, R supramarginal gyrus and R precentral gyrus. Post-intervention, during the active>passive condition, R posterior cerebellum activation was still significant (p<0.05) for the intervention group; R anterior cerebellum, left (L) middle and inferior frontal gyrus, and R superior parietal lobe activation was found to be significant (p<0.000) for the control group, although these areas were not found to be significantly activated at baseline for the control group. Conclusion We could not provide confirmatory evidence for the efficacy of a novel VRET program for pain catastrophization in patients with FMS. However, the findings of this study does suggest that pain catastrophization in patients with FMS could be confirmed with fMRI. Research is therefore warranted to further develop a proper VRET exercise program and to test the effect of this program on pain catastrophization in patients with FMS. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Navorsing doelstelling Om 'n nuwe konsep dat die blootstelling van pasiënte met fibromialgie sindroom (FMS) aan beeldmateriaal van oefening, ontlok neurofisiologiese veranderinge in funksionele brein-areas wat verband hou met pyn katastrofering te toets; sodoende voorlopige steun vir die verdere ontwikkeling/toetsing van 'n virtuele realiteit blootstelling terapie (VRET) oefenprogram wat gemik is op die vermindering van pyn katastrofering na oefenterapie in pasiënte met die FMS te bied. Metodes Die hoofstudie van hierdie navorsing bestaan uit 'n drie-fase verkennende fMRI studie. Fase 1 het die ontwikkeling/validering van die fMRI visuele taak behels. Fase 2 het die ondersoek van die verskille in die neurale korrelate geassosieer met pyn katastrofering tussen deelnemers met FMS en gesonde kontroles wanneer hulle blootgestel word aan verskeie beeldmateriaal van oefening en passiewe/ontspannende aktiwiteite behels. Fase 3 het die toets van die voorlopige effektiwiteit van 'n nuwe VRET oefenprogram op pyn katastrofering in deelnemers met FMS behels. Die fMRI taak het bestaan uit twee stimuli: aktiewe (oefening aktiwiteit beeldmateriaal)/passiewe (ontspannende aktiwiteit beeldmateriaal). Strukturele beelde sowel as bloed-suurstof-vlak-afhanklike (BSVA) kontraste is vir die toestande verkry en vergelyk binne-deelnemers/groepe en tussen-groepe. Die toestand van belang was die aktiewe>passiewe toestand (waar brein aktivering vir die passiewe toestand afgetrek is van die aktiewe toestand). Die brein volumes wat ingesamel tydens die 'aan' toestande is vergelyk met die brein volumes wat ingesamel is gedurende die 'af' toestande met die gebruik van Studente se t-toets. Drempel statistiek beelde is gegroepeer deur Z> 2,3 en 'n (gekorrigeerde) groepeerde betekenisvolle drempel van p = 0.05. Resultate Die regter (R) middel- en inferior-frontale gyrus en R posterior serebellum is betekenisvol geaktiveer vir die deelnemers met FMS, maar nie vir die gesonde kontrole groep nie, gedurende die aktiewe>passiewe toestand (fase 2). By basislyn, tydens die aktiewe>passiewe toestand (fase 3), die intervensie / VRET groep het betekenisvolle aktivering (p <0.05) in die R insulaire korteks, R anterior en posterior serebellum, R para- hippokampus gyrus, R middel-frontale gyrus, R korpus kallosum, R talamus, R supramarginale gyrus en R middel- en superior-temporale gyrus; die kontrole groep het betekenisvolle aktivering in die R anterior en posterior serebellum, R middel- en superior-temporale gyrus, R middel-frontale gyrus, R insulaire korteks, R supramarginale gyrus en R presentrale gyrus. Post-intervensie, tydens die aktiewe>passiewe toestand, was R posterior serebellum aktivering betekenisvol (p <0.05) vir die intervensie groep; R anterior serebellum, links (L) middel- en inferior-frontale gyrus en R superior pariëtale lob aktivering was betekenisvol (p <0.000) vir die kontrole groep, alhoewel geen betekenisvolle basislyn aktivering in hierdie areas by die kontrole groep plaasgevind het nie. Gevolgtrekking Ons kan nie bewyse vir die effektiwiteit van 'n nuwe VRET program vir pyn katastrofering in pasiënte met FMS bevestig nie. Nietemin, dui die bevindinge van hierdie studie wel daarop dat pyn katastrofering in pasiënte met FMS bevestig kon word met fMRI. Verdere navorsing is dus geregverdig om 'n behoorlike VRET oefenprogram te ontwikkel en die uitwerking van hierdie program op pyn katastrofering in pasiënte met FMS te toets.

Thesis (PhD (Sport Science))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The benefits of exercise training for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are well-documented. In South Africa, exercise programmes for COPD patients are limited and often expensive and inaccessible to the broader community. The purpose of this study was to assess the responses of COPD patients to an exercise programme and to determine if the same results can be obtained through a less costly programme. In the primary programme of the study, 22 subjects were subjected to 12 weeks of exercise training. Each subject underwent comprehensive pre- and post-intervention assessments, which included the measurement of overall health status by a physician, level of dyspnoea, forced expiratory lung function, exercise capacity, body mass index and health-related quality of life. Exercise sessions included aerobic and strength training exercises and involved three, hour-long exercise sessions a week. In the modified programme, 18 subjects were randomly divided into an experimental and control group. Eleven subjects were included in the experimental group and seven subjects in the control group. Subjects had to complete 32, hour-long exercise sessions in a 10-week period. The experimental group’s exercise programme was adapted so that no specialised equipment was used, while the control group exercised in a well-equipped exercise- and rehabilitation centre.

Thesis (MScSportSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of the study was to measure the responses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients to an exercise programme in a South Africa setting. Nine subjects were evaluated before and after aerobic and resistance training three times a week for the total of 12 weeks. Each evaluation measured forced expiratory lung function; health-related quality of life; functional capacity; level of dyspnea; body composition; physician global evaluation; and the patient global evaluation. The exercise programme consisted of one-hour exercise sessions, three times a week for 12 weeks. The exercise sessions included elements of aerobic and resistance training of the upper and lower extremities. Functional capacity improved drastically (p < 0.01), as did the physician and the patient global evaluations (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). Levels of dyspnea also improved (p < 0.01). Health-related quality of life improved marginally (p = 0.03). No significant change was noted in lung function and body composition. The study concluded that an exercise programme consisting of aerobic and resistance training improves chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients' health-related quality of life, functional capacity and levels of dyspnea. Exercise also reduces the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as are perceived by the physician and patient alike. Exercise does not change lung function or body composition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Exercise in conjunction with appropriate medical treatment has the potential to benefit all chronic obstructive patients in South Africa. Keywords: COPD, quality oflife, functional capacity, rehabilitation, exercise. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie was om die reaksies te meet van pasiënte met chroniese obstruktiewe pulmonêre siekte op 'n oefenprogram in 'n Suid-Afrikaanse konteks. Nege proefpersone is voor en na aërobiese en weerstandsoefening drie keer per week vir 'n totaal van 12 weke geëvalueer. Elke evaluering het die volgende gemeet: geforseerde ekspiratoriese longfunksie, gesondheidsverwante lewenskwalitiet, funksionele kapasiteit; dispneevlak, liggaamsamestelling; geneesheer algehele evaluering asook pasiënt algehele evaluering. Die oefenprogram het uit een-uur sessies bestaan, wat drie keer per week vir 12 weke plaasgevind het. Die oefensessies het elemente van aërobiese en weerstandsoefeninge van die boonste en onderste ledemate ingesluit. Funksionele kapasiteit het drasties verbeter (p < 0.01), net so ook die geneesheer en pasiënt algehele evaluerings (p < 0.01 en p < 0.01, respektiewelik). Dispneevlakke het ook verbeter (p < 0.01). Gesondheidsverwante lewenskwaliteit het marginaal verbeter (p = 0.03). Geen beduidende veranderinge is in die longfunksie en liggaamsamestelling gevind nie. Die studie het bevind dat 'n oefenprogram wat uit aërobiese en weerstandsoefening bestaan gesondheidsverwante lewenskwaliteit, funksionele kapasiteit asook dispneevlakke van pasiënte met chroniese obstruktiewe pulmonêre siekte verbeter. Oefening verminder ook die simptome van chroniese obstruktiewe pulmonêre siekte soos waargeneem deur beide die geneesheer en pasiënt. Oefening verander ook nie longfunksie of liggaamsamestelling van pasiënte met chroniese obstruktiewe pulmonêre siekte nie. Oefening tesame met die geskikte mediese behandeling kan voordelig wees vir chronies obstruktiewe pasiënte in Suid- Afrika. Keywords: KOPS, lewenskwaliteit, funksionele kapasiteit, rehabilitasie, oefening.

Thesis (MSportSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There are a growing number of men and women world-wide who are suffering strokes due to poor lifestyle-related habits. While there is evidence of the differences in cerebral haemodynamics between stroke patients and both elderly and young healthy individuals, limited evidence has examined the effect of rehabilitation on cerebral haemodynamics. Furthermore, most studies have examined changes in cerebral haemodynamics during cognitive and functional tasks in isolation, with no literature published on them simultaneously. The primary aim of this study was to examine whether differences in cerebral haemodynamics exist between stroke patients and healthy elderly individuals while performing a simple and complex cognitive task. Thirty two men and women (age 75 ± 8 years) volunteered to participate in the study and were split into an experimental (n = 14) group consisting of stroke patients and a control (n = 18) group consisting of healthy individuals. Each participant was required to attend one testing session where measurements of oxyhaemoglobin (O2Hb), deoxy-haemoglobin (HHb), tissue oxygenation index (TOI) and total haemoglobin index (THI) were obtained. Measurements were obtained with the participants at rest, while performing the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) and the modified Stroop Task as cognitive tests, and the Timed Up-and-Go (TuG) and six minute walk test (6MWT) or Toe Taps (TT) as the functional tests. Furthermore, the outcome scores of the various tests were also recorded. Change in O2Hb levels were lower in the experimental group than in the control group, especially in the left prefrontal cortex (LPFC) while HHb values were higher in the right prefrontal cortex (RPFC) (p > 0.05). There were almost no differences in TOI between the two groups in either the LPFC or RPFC, however, statistically significant differences were seen in THI in the RPFC during the MMSE (p = 0.03), rest period 2 (p = 0.03), the first modified Stroop Task (p = 0.04), as well as the TuG (p = 0.02). Furthermore, significant differences were seen between the two groups with respect to the time taken to complete the TuG, with the experimental group completing it much faster (p = 0.04). The experimental group participants who had received regular rehabilitation performed consistently better across most of the testing phases, with a number of practically significant findings. The results show that definite differences exist between stroke patients and healthy elderly individuals when performing a simple and complex task. The positive effect of low intensity exercise on task performance was clearly seen in both groups, and holds a great deal of practical significance for the development of exercise programmes for healthy individuals, as well as stroke patients. Furthermore, rehabilitation following a stroke has obvious benefits as shown by the positive results of the current study, however, limited research exists to validate these findings, highlighting the need for further research in this area. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar is ʼn wêreld wye toename in die aantal mans en dames wat beroertes ondervind as gevolg van swak lewenstyl-verwante gewoontes. Alhoewel baie navorsing beskikbaar is oor die verskille in serebrale hemodinamika tussen beroerte pasiënte en bejaardes, asook jong gesonde individue, is daar ʼn beperkte aantal studies oor die effek van rehabilitasie op serebrale hemodinamika. Meeste van hierdie studies het die veranderinge in serebrale hemodinamika tydens kognitiewe of funksionele take in isolasie ondersoek, met geen literatuur waar die effek van albei gesamentlik gemeet word nie. Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie was om die verskille in serebrale hemodinamika tussen beroerte pasiënte en gesonde bejaardes, tydens die uitvoering van ʼn eenvoudige en komplekse kognitiewe taak, te ondersoek. Twee-en-dertig mans en vroue (ouderdom 75 ± 8 jaar) het aan die studie deelgeneem. Die eksperimentele groep (n = 14) het bestaan uit die beroerte pasïente en die kontrole groep (n = 18) was gesonde bejaardes. Elke deelnemer het een toets sessie bygewoon waartydens oksihemoglobien (O2Hb), deoksihemoglobien (HHb), weefsel oksigenasie indeks (TOI) en totale hemoglobien indeks (THI) gemeet is. Metings is tydens rus geneem, asook tydens die kognitiewe toetse, die “Mini Mental State Exam” (MMSE) en die gewysigde Stroop taak gemeet, en die funksionele toetse, naamlik die “Timed Up-and-Go” (TuG) en die ses minute loop toets (6MWT) of “Toe Taps” (TT). Die eksperimentele groep se O2Hb was laer as die kontrole groep, veral in die linker voor frontale korteks (LPFC), en die eksperimentele groep se HHb waardes was hoër in die regter voor frontale korteks (RPFC) (p > 0.05). Daar was geen statisties betekenisvolle verskille in TOI tussen die twee groepe nie, maar wel in die THI in die RPFC tydens die MMSE (p = 0.03), rusperiode twee (p = 0.03), die eerste gewysigde Stroop Taak (p = 0.04) en die TuG toets (p = 0.02). Die kontrole groep was statisties betekenisvol vinniger as die eksperimentele groep in die TuG toets (p = 0.04). Deelnemers in die eksperimentele groep wat gereelde rehabilitasie ontvang het, het konsekwent beter gevaar tydens die toets sessie, en ʼn aantal prakties betekenisvolle verskille is in sekere veranderlikes gevind. Die resultate dui aan dat daar wel ʼn verskil in serebrale hemodinamika bestaan tussen beroerte pasiënte en gesonde bejaardes terwyl hulle eenvoudige en komplekse take verrig. Die positiewe effek van lae intensiteit oefening op prestasie was duidelike sigbaar van beide groepe. Hierdie resultate is prakties betekenisvol as dit kom by die ontwikkeling van oefenprogramme vir gesonde individue asook beroerte pasiënte. Rehabilitasie na ʼn beroerte hou ooglopende voordele in soos aangedui deur die positiewe bevindinge van die huidige studie, hoewel daar beperkte navorsing beskikbaar is om hierdie bevindinge te staaf. Daar is dus ʼn behoefte vir verdere navorsing in hierdie gebied.