Impairments in balance, mobility, and lower-limb strength are common in the growing population of older people and can lead to dramatic consequences for the individual, such as dependency in activities of daily living, admission to nursing home, falls, and fractures. The main purposes of this thesis were, among older people in residential care facilities, to validate a fall-risk assessment tool and to evaluate a high-intensity functional weight-bearing exercise pro-gramme regarding its applicability as well as its effect on physical functions and falls. The prediction accuracy of the Downton fall risk index within 3, 6 and 12 months was evaluated among 78 residents, aged 65 years or more, at one residential care facility. The participants were assessed as having either a low or high fall risk according to the index and were followed-up for falls using two different fall definitions related to the cause of the fall. With all falls included, a significant prognostic separation was found between the low- and the high-risk group at 3, 6 and 12 months. A definition in which falls precipitated by acute illness, acute disease, or drug side-effects were excluded did not improve the accuracy of the fall prediction. The effect on physical functions of a high-intensity functional exercise programme was evaluated in a randomised controlled trial among 191 older people, dependent in activities of daily living, with a Mini-Mental State Examination score of ten or more, and living in nine residential care facilities. Participants were randomised to an exercise programme or a control activity, including 29 supervised sessions over 3 months, as well as to an intake of a milk-based 200 ml protein-enriched energy supplement (7.4 g protein per 100 g) or a placebo drink immediately after each session. The Berg Balance Scale, usual and maximum gait speed, and one-repetition maximum in lower-limb strength in a leg press machine were followed up at 3 and 6 months by blinded assessors and analysed using the intention-to-treat principle. Significant long-term effects of the high-intensity functional exercise programme were seen in balance, gait ability and lower-limb strength in comparison with the control activity. The intake of the protein-enriched energy supplement did not increase the effect of the training. The evaluation of the applicability of the exercise programme showed that there was a high rate of attendance, a relatively high achieved intensity in the exercises, and only two serious adverse events, neither of which led to manifest injury or disease, despite that most of the participants had severe cognitive or physical impairments. The applicability of the programme was not associated with the participants’ cognitive function. The evaluation of the fall-prevention effect of the exercise programme, during the 6 months following the intervention, showed that neither fall rate nor proportion of participants who sustained a fall differed between the exercise programme and the control activity, when all participants were compared. However, among participants who improved their balance during the intervention period, a significant reduction in fall rate was seen in favour of the exercise group. In conclusion, among older people living in residential care facilities, the Downton fall risk index appears to be a useful tool for predicting residents sustaining a fall, irrespective of the cause of the fall, even with a perspective of only a few months. A high-intensity functional exercise programme is applicable for use, regardless of cognitive function, and has positive long-term effects on balance, gait ability, and lower-limb strength. An intake of a protein-enriched energy supplement immediately after the exercise does not appear to increase the effect of the training. Participants who improve their balance function due to the exercise programme may reduce their risk of falling.

Background Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip is a common disease among elderly adults and its prevalence increases with age. Hip OA is presumed to be a group of diseases resulting in the same pathological pathway, but its etiology is not completely understood. The major symptoms are joint pain, joint stiffness, impaired range of motion, and muscle weakness resulting in increased levels of physical disability (PD) and reduced quality of life. Besides the impairments of the individual subject a heavy economic burden goes along with the disease and is expected to increase due to aging societies in western countries throughout the upcoming years. Exercise therapy (ET), including elements to strengthen the hip muscles, is a common treatment in hip OA and considered to reduce pain and PD. Currently, there is only silver-level scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of ET in hip OA due to a limited number of high quality studies. Furthermore, the optimal content and dosage, as well as the mode of delivery of ET need to be evaluated. This doctoral thesis deals with three specific aspects of hip muscle strength (HMS) in patients with hip OA: the precision of measuring HMS, training HMS, and the relevance of HMS to physical disability (PD). Three studies and one study protocol provide the scientific program of this thesis, referring to these aspects of HMS. Methods The first study (S1) investigated the reproducibility of isokinetic and isometric HMS measures in patients with hip OA. 16 subjects with unilateral or bilateral hip OA and 13 healthy subjects were tested twice, 7 days apart. A subpopulation of 11 hip OA patients was tested a third time to evaluate familiarization to these measurements. The standard error of measurement (SEM) served as the reproducibility outcome parameter. The second study (S2) investigated the feasibility of strengthening exercises and their effect on HMS in hip patients. 36 participants from an institutional training group for hip patients were allocated randomly to an intervention or control group. While the intervention group completed an eight-week progressive home-based strengthening exercise program (PHSEP) in addition to the weekly institutional supervised group-based exercise therapy (ISET), the control group continued weekly ISET, only. Exercise logs were used to monitor adherence, pain, and the applied exercise intensity of the PHSEP. Before and after the intervention period, HMS was determined using isokinetic concentric and isometric HMS measurements. Additionally, health-related quality of life was assessed by the SF36 questionnaire. These two studies served as a basis for developing strength-specific aspects of a study design for a randomized controlled trial (RCT), which was in progress at the writing of this thesis. This RCT addresses the above-mentioned lack of scientific evidence about the effectiveness of ET in hip OA. A study protocol (P1) describes this RCT, which evaluates the effectiveness of ET on pain and PD in patients with hip OA. 217 patients with hip OA were recruited from the community and allocated to one of the four groups: (1) exercise group, n = 70 (2) non-intervention group, n = 70, (3) “Sham” ultrasound group, n = 70, and (4) ultrasound group, n = 7. The main outcome measure is the change in the subscale bodily pain of the SF36. Secondary outcomes are PD assessed by the SF36 and the WOMAC questionnaire, isometric HMS, several gait variables and postural control. Finally, the relationship of HMS and PD in hip OA was investigated in a third (cross-sectional) study (S3). A stepwise regression model was applied with data from 149 subjects suffering from hip OA. The outcome variable was the self-reported physical disability, assessed with the physical function subscale of the WOMAC questionnaire. Age, gender, body mass index BMI , HMS, pain, stiffness, and range of motion were included in the statistical model as associated factors of PD. Results The results of S1 showed high variability in HMS measurements between days. The highest SEM values, indicating poorest reproducibility, were obtained for hip extension, followed by hip adduction and hip flexion measures, while the smallest values were found for hip abduction measures. Lower reproducibility occurred in patients with hip OA in comparison to healthy controls during the isometric measures of hip abduction, adduction, and flexion. Reproducibility of 11 hip OA patients was lower for the second test sequence (test-day 2 and 3) than for the first test sequence (test-day 1 and 2). The findings of S2 indicated high exercise adherence (99%) of the intervention group to the applied PHSEP. Furthermore, exercise logs reported that pain resulting from the PHSEP was low. HMS improved about 7-11% in comparison to the control group. The SF36 variables did not change throughout the exercise period. In S3, the statistical model revealed stiffness, pain, and HMS to be significant factors of self-reported physical disability in hip OA. Conclusion In conclusion, the precision of several HMS measures may be affected by hip OA and clinicians should be aware of a higher measurement error in patients with hip OA under isometric test conditions than for healthy subjects. A familiarization measurement may be an approach to diminish the measurement error. The applied PHSEP amended to an ISET is feasible for hip patients to carry out and can be applied to improve HMS. Furthermore, a significant cross-sectional relationship between HMS and PD has been evaluated, indicating that HMS may be an important factor to stimulate during exercise therapy in hip OA. The upcoming results of the RCT (P1) described in the study protocol will help to reduce the shortcomings in scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of strengthening exercise regimes to reduce pain and PD in patients with hip OA. / Hintergrund Coxarthrose ist eine weit verbreitete Krankheit in der älteren Bevölkerung westlicher Industrienationen. Die Bedeutung und Zahl der Neuerkrankungen nehmen mit steigendem Lebensalter zu. Schmerz, Steifheit, Bewegungseinschränkungen und Muskelschwäche zählen zu den Leitsymptomen dieser Krankheit, die sich in einer zunehmenden körperlichen Funktionseinschränkung und eingeschränkten Lebensqualität der Patienten äußern. Neben der Bedeutung für die betroffenen Patienten selbst wachsen in westlichen Industrienationen aufgrund der demographischen Entwicklung hin zu einer alternden Gesellschaft der Druck und die finanzielle Belastung auf die Renten- und Gesundheitssysteme. Die Sporttherapie wird häufig in frühen Stadien der Krankheit eingesetzt und zählt zu den konservativen Therapieverfahren. Nach aktuellem Stand der Wissenschaft scheinen sporttherapeutische Interventionen mit Trainingselementen zur Kräftigung der hüftumgebenden Muskulatur sinnvoll. Dennoch wurde die Wirksamkeit von Sporttherapie bei Coxarthrose bisher nur in einzelnen Studien nachgewiesen (Silver-level Evidence). Es fehlen qualitativ hochwertige randomisierte Kontrollgruppenstudien (RCTs). Zudem ist bislang ungeklärt, wie ein optimales Trainingsprogramm bei Coxarthrose hinsichtlich der Inhalte, Dosierung und Durchführungsmodalität zu gestalten ist, um Schmerz und körperliche Funktionseinschränkungen bestmöglich zu therapieren. Vor diesem Hintergrund beschäftigt sich die vorliegende Dissertation mit drei Aspekten der Hüftmuskelkraft bei Patienten mit Coxarthrose. Drei entsprechende Studien, die in vier wissenschaftlichen Artikeln aufgearbeitet wurden, bilden den wissenschaftlichen Schwerpunkt der Arbeit. Methode Die erste Studie (S1) befasst sich mit der Messgenauigkeit von Hüftkraftmessungen bei Coxarthrosepatienten. Unter diesem Aspekt wurden isometrische und isokinetische Kraftmessgrößen an der Hüfte bei 16 Coxarthrosepatienten und 13 gesunden Personen zwei Mal im Abstand von sieben Tagen erhoben. Bei einer Teilstichprobe von 11 Coxarthrosepatienten wurden die Messungen ein drittes Mal durchgeführt, um mögliche Gewöhnungseffekte zu evaluieren. Der Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) wurde verwendet, um den Messfehler zu quantifizieren. Die zweite Studie (S2) greift einen weiteren Aspekt auf, der sich auf das Training der Hüftmuskelkraft bei Hüftpatienten bezieht. Hier wurde die Machbarkeit eines ergänzenden Heimtrainingsprogramms zur Kräftigung der hüftumgebenden Muskulatur evaluiert sowie mögliche Auswirkungen auf die Hüftmuskelkraft untersucht. 36 Teilnehmer einer Hüftsportgruppe mit Coxarthrose und/oder einer Total-Endoprothese (TEP) wurden randomisiert in zwei Untersuchungsgruppen aufgeteilt. Während die Patienten der Kontrollgruppe im Untersuchungszeitraum weiterhin wöchentliche institutionelle sporttherapeutische Trainingseinheiten wahrnahmen, führten die Patienten der Interventionsgruppe zusätzlich Heimtrainingseinheiten zur Kräftigung der Hüftmuskeln durch. Vor und nach der Intervention wurden isometrische und isokinetische Maximalkraftmessungen durchgeführt. Die Patienten der Trainingsgruppe haben ein Trainingstagebuch geführt, um die Teilnahme am Heimtrainingsprogramm und mögliche Schwierigkeiten damit zu dokumentieren. Der SF36 Fragebogen wurde eingesetzt, um die gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität im Verlauf zu kontrollieren. Die Erkenntnisse der beiden beschriebenen Studien wurden verwendet, um kraftspezifische Aspekte eines Studiendesigns zu entwickeln. Dieses Studiendesign entspricht einem RCT und soll die Effektivität eines sporttherapeutischen Trainingskonzepts hinsichtlich Schmerzreduktion und Verbesserung der körperlichen Funktionsfähigkeit überprüfen. 217 Hüftarthrosepatienten werden rekrutiert und randomisiert auf eine der folgenden Untersuchungsgruppen aufgeteilt: (1) Trainingsgruppe, n = 70 (2) Kontrollgruppe ohne Intervention, n = 70, (3) “Schein” Ultraschallgruppe, n = 70, und (4) Ultraschallgruppe, n = 7. Die primäre Zielgröße ist Veränderung in der Subskala „Körperliche Schmerzen“ des SF36-Fragebogens. Sekundäre Zielgrößen sind Schmerz und Körperliche Funktionsfähigkeit aus dem WOMAC-Fragebogen, weiteren Subskalen des SF36-Fragebogens, isometrische Hüftmuskelkraft, verschiedene Variablen des Gangs und posturale Kontrolle. Die Bedeutung der Hüftmuskelkraft auf die alltagsrelevante körperliche Funktionsfähigkeit stellt den dritten Aspekt dieser Dissertation dar und wurde in Studie 3 (S3), einer Querschnittsuntersuchung an 149 Coxarthrosepatienten behandelt. Ziel der Studie war die Untersuchung des Zusammenhangs verschiedener Variablen und der alltagsbezogenen körperlichen Funktionsfähigkeit. In einem statistisches Modell wurde die Beziehung zwischen den Variablen: Hüftmuskelkraft, Body Mass Index (BMI), Alter, Geschlecht, Schmerz, Steifheit und Beweglichkeit der Hüfte und der Subskala „Körperliche Funktionsfähigkeit“ des WOMAC-Fragebogens als Maß für die alltagsbezogene körperlichen Funktionsfähigkeit berechnet. Ergebnisse In der ersten Studie (S1) wurden die größten Messfehler in den Messgrößen Hüftextension ermittelt. Danach folgten die Messgrößen Hüftadduktion und -flexion. Der geringste Messfehler wurde für Hüftabduktion ermittelt. Unter isometrischen Bedingungen wurden in den Kraftmessgrößen Hüftabduktion, -adduktion und -flexion bei Coxarthrosepatienten größere Messfehler quantifiziert als bei gesunden Personen. Zudem war die Reproduzierbarkeit in der ersten Test-Sequenz (Messtag 1 und 2) im Vergleich zur zweiten Test-Sequenz reduziert (Messtag 2 und 3). In der zweiten Studie (S2) konnte gezeigt werden, dass das verwendete Heimtrainingsprogramm sicher und selbstständig von den Hüftpatienten durchgeführt werden konnte. Die Trainingstagebücher ließen auf eine nahezu hundertprozentige Teilnahme am ergänzenden Heimtrainingsprogramm schließen und zeigten außerdem, dass das Heimtrainingsprogramm keine schmerzverursachende Wirkung hatte. Nach der Intervention war die Kraft der hüftumgebenden Muskulatur im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe um 7-9% gesteigert. Befunde hinsichtlich einer veränderten Lebensqualität konnten nicht registriert werden. Das statistische Modell, das in der dritten Studie (S3) eingesetzt wurde, erkannte Schmerz, Steifheit und Hüftmuskelkraft als die drei bedeutsamsten Faktoren für die alltagsbezogene körperliche Funktionsfähigkeit bei Patienten mit Coxarthrose. Schlussfolgerungen Kraftmessungen an der Hüfte scheinen erheblichen Tagesschwankungen ausgesetzt zu sein. Bei Coxarthrosepatienten und gesunden Personen scheint sich die Wiederholbarkeit von isokinetischen Kraftmessungen zu ähneln. Unter isometrischen Testbedingungen muss mit höheren Messfehlern bei Coxarthrosepatienten gerechnet und entsprechend bei der Interpretation von Ergebnissen berücksichtigt werden. Eine Gewöhnungsmessung kann den Messfehler reduzieren, birgt allerdings einen erheblich höheren finanziellen und personellen Aufwand. Das ergänzende Heimtrainingsprogramm wurde von den Patienten gut angenommen, so dass lediglich kleinere Modifikationen vorgenommen werden mussten, um es in dem geplanten RCT zu evaluieren. Zudem konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Hüftmuskelkraft zu den drei bedeutsamsten Faktoren zählt, die Einfluss auf die alltagsbezogene körperliche Funktionsfähigkeit bei Patienten mit Coxarthrose haben können. Ob diese Beziehung tatsächlich kausaler Natur ist, werden zukünftige Verlaufsstudien aufzeigen, in denen gezielt solche Faktoren der alltagsrelevanten körperliche Funktionsfähigkeit durch sporttherapeutische Maßnahmen modifiziert werden. Die ausstehenden Ergebnisse des RCT sollen die noch unzureichende wissenschaftliche Beweislage bezüglich der Wirksamkeit sporttherapeutischer Interventionen bei Coxarthrose verbessern. Dabei soll gezeigt werden, ob und in welchem Maß eine Schmerzreduktion und Verringerung der körperlichen Funktionseinschränkung erzielt werden kann.

Bakgrund: Ospecifik ländryggssmärta är en av de vanligaste orsakerna till att man söker hjälp inom primärvården. För långvarig, ospecifik ländryggssmärta är träning ett förstahandsval och fokus har under det senaste årtiondet legat på bålstabiliserande träning. Psykosociala faktorer som self-efficacy och rörelserädsla kan vara viktiga att beakta vid behandlingen då de spelar en roll i hur ländryggssmärtan utvecklas. Syfte: Att undersöka hur skattad smärta, self-efficacy och rörelserädsla samt funktionsnivå förändrades hos enskilda patienter med långvarig, ospecifik ländryggssmärta under och efter en intervention i grupp med bålstabiliserande träning. Metod: Designen var en A-B-A single-subject design (SSED). Smärtnivå, self-efficacy och rörelserädsla mättes med självskattningsformulär en gång per vecka under fas A-B-A och funktionsnivå före och efter avslutad intervention. Interventionen pågick under åtta veckor, en gång per vecka. Data presenterades visuellt och analys gjordes även av statistisk (2-SD band metod) och klinisk signifikans. Resultat: Analysen visade att skattad smärta, self-efficacy, rörelserädsla och funktionsnivå förändrades i positiv riktning hos flera patienter. Statistisk och klinisk signifikans varierade. Slutsats: Graderad bålstabiliserande träning i grupp under handledning av sjukgymnast verkar för flera av deltagarna ha en positiv effekt på såväl smärtnivå, self-efficacy, rörelserädsla som funktionsnivå. Eftersom SSED har en begränsad generaliserbarhet bör resultaten replikeras i ytterligare studier. / Background: Non-specific low back pain is one of the most common reasons for seeking help in primary care. For chronic, non-specific low back pain exercise rehabilitation is a first choice and focus in the last decade has been on motor control exercises. Psychosocial factors such as self-efficacy and fear of movement may be important to consider in the treatment as they play a role in how low back pain develops. Aim: To investigate how rated pain, self-efficacy and fear of movement as well as level of function changed in individual patients with chronic, nonspecific low back pain during and after an intervention group with motor control exercises. Method: The design was an A-B-A single-subject design (SSED). Pain level, self-efficacy and fear of movement were measured by self-assessment questionnaires once a week during phase A-B-A and level of function before and after the intervention. The intervention lasted for eight weeks, once a week. Data were presented visually and analysis was done to prove statistical (2-SD band method) and clinical significance. Results: The analysis showed that rated pain, self-efficacy, fear of movement and level of function changed in a positive direction for several of the patients. Statistical and clinical significance varied. Conclusion: Graded motor control exercises in a group under the supervision of a physiotherapist seem to have a positive effect for several of the participants with regards to level of pain, self-efficacy, fear of movement as well as level of function. Since SSED has a limited generalizability, results should be replicated in further studies.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Teachers College, Columbia University, 1996. / Typescript; issued also on microfilm. Sponsor: Susan W. Salmond. Dissertation Committee: Marvin Sontag. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-87).

Thesis (Masters) -- The College of Saint Elizabeth, 2010. / Typescript. Available at The College of Saint Elizabeth - Office of Graduate Programs. "March 2010"

Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos de um programa de exercício aeróbio sobre o condicionamento cardiorrespiratório em gestantes hígidas, de baixo risco, com sobrepeso. Métodos: 92 mulheres gestantes com sobrepeso (índice de massa corporal 26-31kg/m2), idade ≥ 20 anos, idade gestacional ≤ 20 semanas, com ausência de diabetes e hipertensão, foram alocadas aleatoriamente para realizar exercício aeróbio três vezes por semana com uma hora de duração ou para realizar sessões de relaxamento no grupo controle. Foram realizados dois testes de exercício submáximo em esteira, utilizando protocolo de rampa na entrada do estudo e outro teste após 12 semanas. Resultados: Em teste de exercício submáximo 12 semanas após randomização, o consumo de oxigênio (VO2) no limiar anaeróbio aumentou 17% (± 3) no grupo intervenção enquanto reduziu 16% (± 3) no grupo controle, de modo que após 12 semanas de exercício ajustado através da análise de covariância pelo o VO2 no limiar na linha de base, idade gestacional e idade materna foi de 2,68ml/kg/min (IC 95% 1,32-4,03) maior, P = 0,002. Conclusão: Exercício aeróbio realizado em gestantes com sobrepeso produz um aumento no limiar anaeróbio, sobrepondo os efeitos negativos da gestação sobre o condicionamento cardiorrespiratório em mulheres com estilo de vida sedentário. / Objective: To evaluate the effects of aerobic training on functional capacity, in overweight pregnant women. Methods: Ninety-two pre-obese (body mass index 26-31kg/m2), otherwise healthy pregnant women ≥ 20 years of age, with gestational age ≤ 20 weeks and without diabetes or hypertension were randomized either to undergo 3 aerobic exercise sessions of one hour duration per week, or to control group with relaxation sessions. Results: In exercise test evaluation 12 weeks after randomization, oxygen consumption at the anaerobic threshold increased 17% (± 3) in the intervention group, while decreasing 16% (± 3) among controls, such that with approximately 12 weeks of intervention consumption at the anaerobic threshold adjusted through analysis of covariance for consumption at baseline and gestational age was 2,68 ml/kg/min (IC 95% 1,55-4,14) greater, P = 0,002. Conclusion: Aerobic training in overweight pregnant women provides an effective increase in aerobic metabolic capacity, overcoming the otherwise negative effects of gestation on this capacity within the context of a basically sedentary lifestyle.

Title: Comparison of educational and compensation exercise programmes for ankylosing spondylitis patients Objective: The objective of the research was to determine the effect of two educational and compensation exercise programmes on the mobility of the axial system, the functional status and disease activity (including inflammatory process activity) in individuals with ankylosing spondylitis. Methods: The research group included men and women (average age of 35.42 ± 7.15 years), all out-patients of the Institute of Rheumatology in Prague. This characteristic sample (n ═ 38) consisted of respondents who were randomised into three groups: The first experimental group (n ═ 13) attended an educational and compensation exercise programme in a group setting in a gym (twice a week) and an educational and compensation exercise programme in the form of a group exercise in a pool - hydrokinesiotherapy (once a week); the second experimental group (n ═ 13) attended the same educational and compensation exercise programme in a group setting in a gym (twice a week); the control group educational and compensation exercise programme in a group setting in a gym (twice a week) received no exercise intervention but its members were allowed to use "passive" physiotherapeutic procedures (e.g. hydrotherapy or...

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:18:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3878.pdf: 5612737 bytes, checksum: f29d73d585fd4a443e6ecd3e27bbdfa4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-08-12 / A tese constou de 3 estudos descritos a seguir. O estudo I, intitulado: Programa fisioterapêutico hospitalar de curto periodo composto por exercícios físicos supervisionados melhora a função autonômica cardíaca após cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio - Estudo randomizado e controlado teve como objetivo investigar se um programa fisioterapeutico hospitalar melhora a funcao autonomica cardiaca (FAC) apos a cirurgia de revascularizacao do miocardio (CRM). 47 pacientes pos- CRM, foram randomizados para: grupo de exercicios (GE,n=24) ou cuidados usuais de fisioterapia (GCU, n=23). A avaliacao da FAC incluiu medidas da variabilidade da frequencia cardiaca (VFC). Na alta hospitalar, GE apresentou maiores valores dos indices rMSSD, AF,SD1, STD RR, SD2, DFA &#945;1, DFA &#945;2, entropia aproximada e media RR, p<0,05. Contrariamente, maiores valores da media FC, BF e BF/AF (balanco simpato-vagal) foram encontrados em GCU. Concluimos que um programa fisioterapeutico de exercicios fisicos, realizado durante a internacao pos-CRM, melhora a FAC. Na sequencia, o estudo II, intitulado: Função ventricular esquerda e adaptações autonômicas cardíacas após RC hospitalar em curto período - Estudo clínico prospectivo. objetivou avaliar as adaptacoes autonomicas cardiacas em pacientes com diferenca na funcao do ventriculo esquerdo (FVE) submetidos a CRM e a reabilitacao cardiaca (RC). Em 44 pacientes divididos em grupo FVE normal (FVEN >55%, n=23) e FVE reduzida (FVER= 35-54%,n=21) a FAC foi avaliada antes e apos a RC. Foi encontrada interacao grupo (FVEN vs FVER) vs tempo (efeito da RC) para dimensao de correlacao (CD) e SD2, com melhora significativamente maior para FVER. Pacientes com FVER apresentaram melhor adaptacao autonomica cardiaca frente a RC. Finalmente, o estudo III, intitulado: Respostas autonômicas cardíacas induzidas pelo exercício durante a RC hospitalar em pacientes submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca e com funções ventriculares diferentes. avaliou se os exercicios fisicos realizados na RC hospitalar podem evocar respostas autonomicas diferenciadas em pacientes pos-CRM e FVE diferentes. Nos mesmos pacientes do estudo II foram avaliados os indices da VFC em repouso e durante os exercicios metabolicos e deambulacao no primeiro dia pos-operatorio (PO1) e na alta hospitalar, respectivamente. No PO1 foram observadas diferencas (media RR e media da FC) entre o repouso e exercicio em ambos os grupos. Durante a deambulacao foram encontrados menores valores da VFC (STDRR, TINN, SD2, entropia Shannon e dimensao de correlacao) para FVER, assim como, para a variacao entre repouso e deambulacao para os indices STDRR, RR tri, TINN, SD2, rMSSD e dimensao de correlacao, P<0,05. Concluimos que em pacientes pos-CRM e com FVE normal, o exercicio fisico hospitalar desencadeou resposta autonomica cardiaca mais atenuada comparado a FVEN. / A tese constou de 3 estudos descritos a seguir. O estudo I, intitulado: Programa fisioterapêutico hospitalar de curto periodo composto por exercícios físicos supervisionados melhora a função autonômica cardíaca após cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio - Estudo randomizado e controlado teve como objetivo investigar se um programa fisioterapeutico hospitalar melhora a funcao autonomica cardiaca (FAC) apos a cirurgia de revascularizacao do miocardio (CRM). 47 pacientes pos- CRM, foram randomizados para: grupo de exercicios (GE,n=24) ou cuidados usuais de fisioterapia (GCU, n=23). A avaliacao da FAC incluiu medidas da variabilidade da frequencia cardiaca (VFC). Na alta hospitalar, GE apresentou maiores valores dos indices rMSSD, AF,SD1, STD RR, SD2, DFA &#945;1, DFA &#945;2, entropia aproximada e media RR, p<0,05. Contrariamente, maiores valores da media FC, BF e BF/AF (balanco simpato-vagal) foram encontrados em GCU. Concluimos que um programa fisioterapeutico de exercicios fisicos, realizado durante a internacao pos-CRM, melhora a FAC. Na sequencia, o estudo II, intitulado: Função ventricular esquerda e adaptações autonômicas cardíacas após RC hospitalar em curto período - Estudo clínico prospectivo. objetivou avaliar as adaptacoes autonomicas cardiacas em pacientes com diferenca na funcao do ventriculo esquerdo (FVE) submetidos a CRM e a reabilitacao cardiaca (RC). Em 44 pacientes divididos em grupo FVE normal (FVEN >55%, n=23) e FVE reduzida (FVER= 35-54%,n=21) a FAC foi avaliada antes e apos a RC. Foi encontrada interacao grupo (FVEN vs FVER) vs tempo (efeito da RC) para dimensao de correlacao (CD) e SD2, com melhora significativamente maior para FVER. Pacientes com FVER apresentaram melhor adaptacao autonomica cardiaca frente a RC. Finalmente, o estudo III, intitulado: Respostas autonômicas cardíacas induzidas pelo exercício durante a RC hospitalar em pacientes submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca e com funções ventriculares diferentes. avaliou se os exercicios fisicos realizados na RC hospitalar podem evocar respostas autonomicas diferenciadas em pacientes pos-CRM e FVE diferentes. Nos mesmos pacientes do estudo II foram avaliados os indices da VFC em repouso e durante os exercicios metabolicos e deambulacao no primeiro dia pos-operatorio (PO1) e na alta hospitalar, respectivamente. No PO1 foram observadas diferencas (media RR e media da FC) entre o repouso e exercicio em ambos os grupos. Durante a deambulacao foram encontrados menores valores da VFC (STDRR, TINN, SD2, entropia Shannon e dimensao de correlacao) para FVER, assim como, para a variacao entre repouso e deambulacao para os indices STDRR, RR tri, TINN, SD2, rMSSD e dimensao de correlacao, P<0,05. Concluimos que em pacientes pos-CRM e com FVE normal, o exercicio fisico hospitalar desencadeou resposta autonomica cardiaca mais atenuada comparado a FVEN.

Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos de um programa de exercício aeróbio sobre o condicionamento cardiorrespiratório em gestantes hígidas, de baixo risco, com sobrepeso. Métodos: 92 mulheres gestantes com sobrepeso (índice de massa corporal 26-31kg/m2), idade ≥ 20 anos, idade gestacional ≤ 20 semanas, com ausência de diabetes e hipertensão, foram alocadas aleatoriamente para realizar exercício aeróbio três vezes por semana com uma hora de duração ou para realizar sessões de relaxamento no grupo controle. Foram realizados dois testes de exercício submáximo em esteira, utilizando protocolo de rampa na entrada do estudo e outro teste após 12 semanas. Resultados: Em teste de exercício submáximo 12 semanas após randomização, o consumo de oxigênio (VO2) no limiar anaeróbio aumentou 17% (± 3) no grupo intervenção enquanto reduziu 16% (± 3) no grupo controle, de modo que após 12 semanas de exercício ajustado através da análise de covariância pelo o VO2 no limiar na linha de base, idade gestacional e idade materna foi de 2,68ml/kg/min (IC 95% 1,32-4,03) maior, P = 0,002. Conclusão: Exercício aeróbio realizado em gestantes com sobrepeso produz um aumento no limiar anaeróbio, sobrepondo os efeitos negativos da gestação sobre o condicionamento cardiorrespiratório em mulheres com estilo de vida sedentário. / Objective: To evaluate the effects of aerobic training on functional capacity, in overweight pregnant women. Methods: Ninety-two pre-obese (body mass index 26-31kg/m2), otherwise healthy pregnant women ≥ 20 years of age, with gestational age ≤ 20 weeks and without diabetes or hypertension were randomized either to undergo 3 aerobic exercise sessions of one hour duration per week, or to control group with relaxation sessions. Results: In exercise test evaluation 12 weeks after randomization, oxygen consumption at the anaerobic threshold increased 17% (± 3) in the intervention group, while decreasing 16% (± 3) among controls, such that with approximately 12 weeks of intervention consumption at the anaerobic threshold adjusted through analysis of covariance for consumption at baseline and gestational age was 2,68 ml/kg/min (IC 95% 1,55-4,14) greater, P = 0,002. Conclusion: Aerobic training in overweight pregnant women provides an effective increase in aerobic metabolic capacity, overcoming the otherwise negative effects of gestation on this capacity within the context of a basically sedentary lifestyle.

Este estudo teve como objetivo desenvolver e validar o conteúdo de um software livre e de fácil utilização que personaliza uma rotina de exercícios para pés e tornozelos, segundo as capacidades físicas individuais, para pessoas com Diabetes Mellitus. Foi criado um software de orientação ao pé diabético (SOPED) em suas versões web software e aplicativo, nas linguagens HTML, Javascript e PHP, e baseado nos princípios da gamificação. Para a criação deste software foram considerados três pilares principais: a) recomendações de cuidados com os pés e informações sobre o diabetes; b) autoavaliação dos pés segundo as principais ocorrências do pé diabético (calos, rachaduras, deformidades, lesões teciduais); e c) exercícios para pés e tornozelos para fortalecimento muscular, ganho de amplitude de movimento e melhora da funcionalidade. Cada exercício foi definido com uma média de 8 níveis de dificuldade progressiva, que difere no número de séries e repetições, posições do corpo e materiais utilizados. A progressão individual determinada foi baseada em um algoritmo que ajusta o volume do treinamento a partir da avaliação de esforço percebida e executada pelo próprio paciente por meio de uma escala visual analógica no qual é possível manter, progredir ou retornar no nível dos exercícios. Após elaboração do protocolo de exercícios a compor a ferramenta, bem como todo o seu conteúdo, deu-se origem à versão protótipo do software, que foi submetido a um processo de validação para torna-lo válido e confiável. A Validação foi empregada por meio da técnica Delphi que consiste em obter sugestões e aprovação de experts, neste caso de profissionais especialistas no atendimento a pessoas com diabetes (equipe multiprofissional, n=9), e simultaneamente, de usuários com diabetes (n=20). A análise de dados ocorreu por estatística descritiva simples, através de frequências absoluta e relativa, média, desvio padrão, teste binomial e índice de validade de conteúdo. Na primeira etapa, especialistas e usuários avaliaram a adequação do conteúdo e a clareza das informações da versão protótipo do software, segundo uma escala Likert, obtendo uma média de 89,7% de aprovação pelos especialistas e 90,3% pelas pessoas com diabetes. A segunda etapa consistiu na aprovação ou não das modificações feitas na 2ª versão do software, de acordo com as sugestões advindas da primeira etapa. Uma aprovação mínima de 70% foi estabelecida para a validação da versão final do software. Obtivemos, na segunda etapa, uma média de 97% de aprovação pelo júri de pessoas com diabetes e uma média de 100% de aprovação pelo júri constituído por profissionais da saúde, desta forma não foram necessárias etapas posteriores. Destarte, as conclusões apontam que o SOPED foi desenvolvido a partir de uma alta concordância entre especialistas e usuários. Pode ser uma ferramenta eficaz para facilitar o automonitoramento e autocuidado, além de conter exercícios específicos assemelhando-se a uma terapia convencional. Ele auxilia na independência do cuidado de prevenção e tratamento, e tem o principal benefício de progredir de acordo com as possibilidades do próprio paciente, que é uma situação mais próxima de uma terapia supervisionada. O software é gratuito e tem potencial para ser inserido no sistema de saúde pública, especialmente para os serviços que estão voltados para a atenção primária e secundária como um tratamento complementar às complicações dos pés e tornozelos associadas ao Diabetes Mellitus / The aim of the study was to develop and validate the content of free and easy to use software that customizes an exercise routine for feet and ankles, according to individual physical abilities, for people with Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetic foot orientation software (SOPED) was created in its web and mobile versions in the HTML, Javascript and PHP languages, and based on gamification principles. For the creation of this software, three main pillars were considered: a) foot care recommendations and information about diabetes; b) self evaluation of the feet according to the main occurrences of the diabetic foot (calluses, cracks, deformities, tissue lesions); and c) exercises for feet and ankles for muscle strengthening, gain of range of motion and improvement of functionality. Each exercise was defined with an average of 8 levels of progressive difficulty, which differs in the number of sets and repetitions, body positions and materials used. The individual progression is based in an algorithm that adjusts the volume of the training according to an effort analogic scale. It allows to maintain, progress or return the level of the exercises. After elaborating the exercise protocol to compose the tool, as well as all its contents, a prototype version / first version of the software was created and was submitted to a validation process to make it valid and reliable. Validation was performed through the Delphi technique, which consists of obtaining suggestions and approval from experts, in this case, professionals specialized in the care of diabetics (multiprofessional team, n = 9), and simultaneously from users with diabetes (n = 20). Data analysis was performed by simple descriptive statistics, using absolute and relative frequencies, mean, binomial test and content validity index. In the first round, experts and users evaluated the adequacy of content and clarity of the information of the prototype version of the software, elaborated by the researchers, according to a Likert scale, obtaining an average of 89.7% approval by the specialists and 90.3% by the people with diabetes. The second round consisted of approving or not the changes made in the second version of the software, according to the suggestions from the first round. A minimum approval of 70% has been established for the validation of the final version of the software. We obtained, in the second round, an average of 97% approval by the jury of people with diabetes and an average of 100% approval by the jury constituted by health professionals, so no further rounds were necessary.Thus, the conclusions point out that SOPED was developed with a high agreement between health specialists and users. It can be an effective tool to facilitate self-monitoring and self-care, besides containing specific exercises resembling a conventional therapy. It assists in the independence of prevention and treatment, and has the main benefit of progressing according to the possibilities of each patient, which is a situation closer to a supervised therapy. The software is free and has potential to be inserted into the public health system, especially for primary and secondary health care services as a complementary treatment for the feet and ankles complications associated with Diabetes Mellitus