La prise en charge des personnes âgées présentant une maladie neurodégénérative aboutissant à des troubles cognitifs et une démence représente un enjeu majeur de santé. Il est important de concevoir des outils pour aider les cliniciens à mieux prendre en charge les patients par la stimulation. L’Environnement Enrichi – favorisant les stimulations cognitives, physiques et sociales dans un contexte émotionnel positif – apparait être une puissante stratégie non-médicamenteuse pour réduire ou retarder les évolutions des processus neurodégénératifs et les pertes cognitives. Dans cette approche, l’hypothèse de l’Enrichissement Cognitif stipule que les comportements qu’adopte un individu tout au long de sa vie vont avoir un impact sur le fonctionnement de son cerveau, même à l’âge avancé. C’est dans cette idée que les Jeux Vidéo et les Serious Games à activité physique sont utilisés. X-Torp est un Serious Game d’action conçu pour être accessible et stimulant pour les sujets âgés en bonne santé et présentant une Maladie Neurodégénérative due à un trouble cognitif léger ou une démence de type Alzheimer. Le joueur incarne un sous-marin et est plongé dans un monde quasi maritime où seules quelques îles sont en surface. Il doit ainsi évoluer dans un scénario pour monter en grade à travers la réalisation de missions et d’affrontements en mer. X-Torp est jouable sur Microsoft® Kinect™ pour PC. L’objectif de cette thèse est de présenter l’ensemble des travaux scientifiques entrepris pour (1) concevoir une première version du jeu ; (2) la tester chez les populations cibles et (3) concevoir en conséquence une seconde version commercialisable / The care of elderly people affected by neurodegenerative diseases leading to cognitive impairment and dementia represents a major challenge in the healthcare domain. It is important to design tools that can help clinicians to better treat these patients through stimulation. Enriched Environments - which favor cognitive and physical stimulations in a positive emotional context – look like a powerful non-pharmacological strategy to reduce or delay the evolution of neurodegenerative processes, and the consequent cognitive disorders. Based on this approach, the Enriched Environment hypothesis states that the behavior of an individual during the lifetime, even during old age, affect his brain functioning. Video Games and Serious Games implying physical activity are used in this context. X-Torp is an action Serious Game conceived to be usable and stimulating for healthy elderly people and people with neurodegenerative disorders leading to Mild Cognitive Impairment or to Alzheimer’s’ dementia. The player takes the command of a submarine and is immersed in a sea-world where only a few islands appear on the surface. The player needs to advance in the game scenario to improve his grade position accomplishing missions and battling over the sea. X-Torp is played with Microsoft® Kinect™ for PC. The aim of this thesis is to present the scientific work undergone to (1) conceive and design the first game version; (2) test this version on the target populations, and (3) based on the results, design a second game version ready to be commercialized

Ageing is associated with changes in body composition, which is caused by decreases in muscle mass and a progressive increase of fat mass. It is also associated with redistribution of adipose tissue with increased visceral and ectopic fat deposition. These changes are related to insulin resistance and other metabolic disturbances. Adipose tissue dysfunction is important contributor to the disturbed metabolic status of elderly and it is characterized by altered adipogenesis, metabolic flexibility and changes in secretory activity. Regular exercise is indisputably a key part of a healthy lifestyle. It was shown to improve muscle function, cardiovascular fitness and metabolic health of elderly. The aim of this thesis was to investigate whether a regular physical exercise can influence characteristics of an adipose tissue in elderly women, and if these changes in the adipose tissue can contribute to an improvement in an insulin sensitivity. In the two groups of elderly women, a long-term trained and a sedentary, the subcutaneous adipose tissue was analyzed for a gene expression of number of metabolic genes, an adipocyte size and a lipolytic rate at the basal state and after the isoproterenol stimulation. Anthropometric parameters and insulin sensitivity were also determined. Outcomes of this thesis...

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Classification of physical exercises is an important task in many applications, particularly within health services. Innowearable AB has developed a device called Inno-X that collects data using an accelerometer and sEMG sensors. To optimizeInno-X, a Machine Learning AI must be implemented for real-time exercise classification, balancing simplicity and flexibility for maximum market impact. This enhances efficiency and accuracy in analysis. This thesis investigates how raw data from Inno-X can be used to implement a pipeline and a machine-learning AI with the purpose of classifying physical exercises in real time. Starting from implementing a protocol for collecting data to a finished end-to-end pipeline and AI that can perform the classification, this thesis includes all the steps in between. Comparison of different machine learning algorithms and the execution of transitioning from a training environment to a real-time environment has led to the obtained result. The highest accuracy achieved in the training and real-time environment was 96.98% and 90.00%, respectively. This thesis concludes that the more complex machine-learning algorithms perform better in the training environment, and the less complex algorithms perform better in the real-time environment.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate acute effects of physical exercise of different intensities on working memory. Method: Twelve young adults, 20-40 years, 8 males and 4 females passed the screening and participated in a randomized experimental crossover within-subject design study with three experimental conditions. Working memory was measured with n-back consisting of three difficulty levels.  Results: No significant interaction effect within subjects between the three different exercise intensity conditions for accuracy or response time was found. A significant main effect of time was detected for n-back response time, F(1,11)=40.2, p=<.001, reflecting an overall shorter response time after exercise compared to before, independent of exercise intensity condition. A two-way interaction effect on accuracy was found between n-back session 1 and 2 in the low fitness group.  Conclusions: The exercise intensity does not seem to matter for the improvement of working memory performance. However, participants response time was shown to be faster following any given exercise intensity.

Introduction: L'exercice physique est l’une des approches les plus prometteuses permettant de ralentir l’affaiblissement des fonctions cognitives relié au vieillissement. Différents programmes d'exercice physique peuvent améliorer la cognition et l'humeur, via leur impact sur certaines voies moléculaires. En effet, différentes interventions d’exercice physique peuvent augmenter la production du facteur neurotrophique dérivé du cerveau (BDNF). Cette protéine est une neurotrophine qui augmente la survie et la croissance des neurones et favorise donc la neuroplasticité. Cependant, peu d'études ont comparé les différents types d’interventions et leur impact sur les niveaux de BDNF, en particulier chez les participants âgés de 60 ans et plus. L’objectif de cette étude était de comparer les effets de deux protocoles d'exercice distincts sur les niveaux sériques de BDNF chez des ainés sains. Méthodologie: Au total, trente-quatre adultes âgés de 65 ans et plus ont participé à un des deux groupes d’intervention. Le premier groupe présentait une combinaison d’entrainements par résistance et d’aérobie (CSA, âge: 70,5 ± 5,3 ans) et le deuxième groupe pratiquait des exercices de motricité avancé et de flexibilité. (GMA, âge: 74,6 ± 5,2 ans). Les deux interventions comprenaient trois séances hebdomadaires de 60 minutes, pour une période de 8 semaines. Les exercices du groupe CSA incluaient des exercices physiques en résistance de force maximale et des intervalles d’aérobies à haute intensité. Le groupe GMA pratiquait des activités de locomotion (manipulation de balle, parcours à obstacles, exercices de coordination et d’équilibre) et des étirements. Une analyse de covariance a été réalisée sur le changement absolu de chaque variable, tout en contrôlant pour l'âge et la valeur de base. Résultats: Seuls les participants CSA ont enregistré une augmentation significative au niveau de leurs performances aérobies (VO2max) due à l’intervention. Toutefois, les niveaux sériques de BDNF ont augmenté de façon significative seulement chez participants du groupe GMA grâce à l’intervention. Conclusion: Les résultats suggèrent que les activités motrices pourraient potentiellement conduire à des améliorations de la cognition par l’augmentation des niveaux de BDNF chez les participants. / Introduction: Physical exercise has been reported as a promising approach to counteract aging-associated decreased cognitive functions. Different exercise training programs have been associated with improvement of cognition and mood potentially by acting on several molecular pathways. Different exercise interventions have been shown to increase the levels of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This protein is a key neurotrophin, it increases the survival and growth of neurons and consequently favours neuroplasticity. However, few studies have compared different types of physical exercise training protocols and their impact on BDNF levels, especially in participants over 60 years old. The goal of this study was to compare the effects of two different exercise protocols on serum BDNF levels in healthy older adults. Methods: Thirty-four older adults were divided in two groups; combined strength and aerobic group (CSA, age: 70.5±5.3 yrs.) and gross motor activities and flexibility group (GMA, age: 74.6 ± 5.2 yrs.). Both interventions were composed of three weekly 60-minute sessions for a period of 8 weeks. The intervention for the CSA group included maximal strength exercises and high intensity aerobic interval training. GMA involved locomotion activities, ball manipulation (hand-eye coordination), and stretching exercises. One-way ANCOVAs were performed on variable absolute change, while controlling for age and baseline value. Results: As expected, CSA participants showed significant increase in aerobic capacity (VO2max). In contrast, only the GMA group showed significant change in BDNF serum levels following intervention. Conclusion: These results suggest that gross motor activities could potentially lead to improvements in cognition through the enhancement of BDNF production.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between exercise duration and level of disordered eating, physical self-esteem, and endorsement of societal mores about attractiveness. Two hundred twenty-nine female college students completed the Bulimia-Test Revised, the Physical Self Perception Profile, the Beliefs About Attractiveness Questionnaire, and a demographic questionnaire. Subjects were classified into one of four levels of exercise duration based on the number of hours they reported engaging in planned exercise per week. Significant differences were identified among the four exercise groups in relation to physical self-esteem. The amount of exercise activity individuals engaged in per week, however, was not indicative of their eating disorder symptomatology or beliefs about attractiveness.

L'étude des mécanismes physiologiques au cours d'une plongée subaquatique estessentielle à la compréhension des accidents qui lui sont associées. Le plongeur subit denombreuses contraintes issues du milieu dans lequel il évolue. Parmi ces contraintes, qui leplus souvent se combinent, nous pouvons citer l'immersion, l'exposition au froid,l'hyperbarie, les variations des conditions d'oxygénation (hypoxie, hyperoxie) et l'exercicephysique. L'objectif de notre travail a été d'apprécier les modifications de la fonction cardiovasculaireet de son contrôle neuro-végétatif induites par ces contraintes rencontrées enplongée chez des sujets sains, novices en plongée, et également chez des chasseurs sousmarins. L'étude de la circulation artérielle et de la fonction endothéliale était basée surl'échographie (bi-dimensionnelle et Doppler). Des mesures de tonométrie d'applanation etautres mesures ultrasonores ont complété nos données hémodynamiques. L'étude du systèmeneurovégétatif était basée sur l'analyse de la variabilité de l'intervalle RR (contrôle cardiaque)et de la variabilité de la pression artérielle (contrôle vasculaire). Après un exercice aigu de pédalage de 45 minutes à haute intensité, l'augmentationpost-exercice du flux sanguin et de la vasodilatation endothéliale a été réduite aux musclesparticipant activement à l'exercice comparé aux muscles non actifs. Pour expliquer cesdifférences, la contribution de l'inflammation locale et du stress oxydatif élevé présents dansles muscles actifs de l'exercice pourrait avoir un rôle. / During a dive, subjects undergo environmental stressors such as immersion, coldexposure, hypoxia, hyperoxia and physical exercise. All these stressors may be responsible forchanges in cardiovascular system and consequently modified autonomic nervous control. Theaim of this work was to assess physiological changes induced by diving to better understandinjuries reported during this activity. Investigations were performed in healthy men and inspearfishermen. Hemodynamic changes and endothelial function were assessed by 2-Dimensional and Doppler echocardiography. Arterial wall compliance was estimated by pulsewave analysis. Autonomic nervous activity was assessed by power spectral density of heartrate variability (cardiac control) and blood pressure variability (vasomotor control). After an acute cycling exercise of 45 minutes in high intensity, the increase postexerciseof the blood flow and the endothéliale vasodilatation was reduced to musclesparticipating actively in the exercise compared with no active muscles. To explain thesedifferences, the contribution of the local inflammation and the important oxydative stress inthe active muscles of the exercise could have a role. Thermoneutral head-out water immersion induce hemodynamic and arterial changes. At rest, we observed a brachial arterial vasodilatation. This might be attributed to endothelialrequest inferred by increase of the peripheral arterial debit flow. Endothelial reactivity did notseem to be modified. With cycling exercise in low intensity,hemodynamic differencesobserved disappear. At rest, normobaric hyperoxia didn't affect blood pressure but induced an increase insystemic vascular resistances.

SUMMARY: Graduation theses titled - Development and Application of the health and wellbeing promotion in preschool children - describes preparation, application and evaluation of a project which focuses on health and healthy lifestyle promotion in preschool aged children by using specific physical exercises and activities focused on health. The Project has been applied in a Preschool facility with a specific group of children and its content was adapted by the Preschool's official curriculum.

L'inactivité physique est considérée comme le 4ème facteur de risque de décès dans le monde. Aujourd’hui un défi de santé publique est d’augmenter l’activité physique (AP) des citoyens. Cependant, l'augmentation du volume et de l'intensité de l'AP peut être impossible ou déconseillée dans certaines populations. La myasthénie auto-immune (MG) est une maladie rare dans laquelle un dysfonctionnement de la jonction neuromusculaire provoque une faiblesse et une fatigue. Les symptômes peuvent entraîner une déficience fonctionnelle et une activité réduite, menant à un déconditionnement secondaire. Le présent travail a étudié les symptômes cliniques, la qualité de vie et l'activité physique dans une cohorte de sujets atteints de MG. Les données présentées ici montrent que certaines personnes mènent un mode de vie sédentaire mais d'autres participent à des activités physiques régulières et de haute intensité. La qualité de vie ne semble pas être liée aux comportements d'activité physique et n'est pas améliorée par l'ajout d'un programme d'exercice structuré. Notamment, il a été démontré que l’exercice est sans danger dans les cas de MG stabilisée. De plus, l'exercice procure d'autres avantages tels qu’une meilleure capacité de marche et une éventuelle augmentation sensible de la force. Enfin, nous révélons que même si la fatigue est un symptôme caractéristique de la MG, nous n’avons pas trouvé de fatigue musculaire supérieure à celle de témoins sains, ce qui suggère que la fatigue perçue pourrait davantage être liée à la faiblesse musculaire. En conclusion, nous recommandons qu'un programme d’exercice physique adapté et sur-mesure soit proposé aux personnes atteintes de MG afin de prévenir le déconditionnement et les comorbidités secondaires. Des recherches supplémentaires sont nécessaires pour définir le type et le dosage optimal de l'exercice.Myasthénie auto-immune, qualité de vie, activité physique, exercice physique, fatigue / Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Auto-Immune Myasthenia GravisPhysical inactivity is considered the 4th leading risk factor for death worldwide, linked to increased chronic disease and social isolation. Public health campaigns to encourage increased activity are rife. However, increasing physical activity levels and intensities may not be possible or advised in certain patient populations. Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare, auto-immune disease in which dysfunction at the neuromuscular junction causes weakness and fatigue. Symptoms can cause functional impairment and reduced activity, creating the increased burden of deconditioning in addition to primary disease symptoms. The present work investigated clinical symptoms, MG-specific health-related quality of life and activity levels in individuals with MG. Data presented here show that whilst some individuals lead a sedentary lifestyle, others participate in regular, high-intensity exercise. QoL does not seem to be related to physical activity patterns and is not improved with the addition of a structured exercise program. Exercise provides other benefits such as increased walking capacity and a possible increase in strength. Importantly, exercise has been shown to be safe in stabilized myasthenia. Finally, we reveal that whilst fatigue is a hallmark symptom in MG, formal testing demonstrated that muscle fatigue was not greater than healthy controls suggesting that perceived fatigue may be related to weakness. In light of these results we would recommend that subjects with MG are encouraged to reduce their daily sedentary behaviour and to undertake a regular exercise program to prevent deconditioning and potentially improve functional capacities. The optimal type and dosage of exercise remains to be elucidated.