O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar indicadores ergoespirométricos entre um grupo de idosos não-treinados (GINT) e o grupo de idosos treinados (GIT) em corridas de longa distância e a associação com a qualidade de vida. Uma amostra de 46 indivíduos idosos, dos quais 27 (idade = 73,1 ± 4,3 anos) estavam engajados em treinamento para corridas de longa distância e 19 (idade = 73,5 ± 6,4 anos) idosos que não praticavam exercício físico regular. Todos foram submetidos à avaliação cardiorrespiratória e metabólica, utilizando se analisador metabólico de gases (CPX/D, MedGraphics®, EUA) acoplado a eletrocardiógrafo (HeartWere®, 6.4, BRA), ambos os sistemas computadorizados. A determinação da capacidade física máxima foi verificada em esteira rolante (Inbramed®, ATL10200, BRA) utilizando se protocolo escalonado contínuo (1,2 km.h-1 a cada dois minutos) e inclinação fixa de 1%. Os seguintes resultados verificados foram: No segundo limiar ventilatório (VT2) [GINT vs. GIT]: FC (bpm) [69,4 ± 9,9 vs. 65,4 ± 6,8; p <0,05]; RQ [1,03 ± 0,03 vs.1,01 ± 0,03; p <0,05]; PO2 (mL/bpm) [11,3 ± 2,4 vs.14.4 ± 2,8; p <0,05]. No pico do esforço: VO2max (mL/kg/min) [27 ± 5,4 vs. 39,3 ± 5,6; p <0,05], TT (min) [9,6 ± 2,9 vs. 16,4 ± 2,7; p <0,05] e velocidade de corrida (km.h-1) [9,7 ± 2,5 vs. 13,3 ± 2,5; p <0,05]. Para medir a qualidade de vida foi utilizado o questionário WHOQOL. WHOQOL pontos [GINT vs. GIT: [70 ± 5 versus 71 ± 6] Avaliou-se o uso de medicamentos de diferentes grupos farmacológicos através de entrevistas e análise de pedidos médicos. Concluindo, a capacidade de desempenho cardiorrespiratório do GIT foi significativamente maior do que o GINT. No entanto, a qualidade de vida não foi diferente entre os dois grupos. Houve diferença na proporção de medicamentos utilizados entre os grupos. O GIT aparece com maior incidência no uso de Antiarrítmicos, Antiinflamatórios e Relaxantes Musculares. Ao contrário, o GINT apresentou maior uso de Hipoglicemiantes e Anti-Coagulantes. A maior utilização de antiinflamatórios e analgésicos pelo GIT pode ser devido ao fato de que os corredores têm maior prevalência de lesão muscular. Já a maior utilização de Hipoglicemiantes e Anti-Coagulantes pelo GINT, demonstra a falta de proteção cardiovascular pelo sedentarismo / The main purpose of this study was to compare ergoespirometric indicators among a group of elderly untrained (GEU) and a group of elderly old trained (GET) in long-distance race and the association with quality of life. Twenty seven (age = 73.1 ± 4.3 years) were engaged in training for distance running and 19 (age = 73.5 ± 6.4 years) older adults who did not practice regular physical exercise. All were underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test evaluation. To this end we used a gas explorer (CPX/D, breathby breath Medgraphics®, Saint Paul, MN, USA) coupled to an electrocardiograph (HeartWere®, 6.4, BRA). Both systems were computerized. The determination of the maximum physical capacity was assessed on a treadmill (Inbramed ®, ATL-10200, BRA) using incremental protocol (1.2 km.h-1every two minutes) and a fixed inclination of 1%. The following results were observed: In second ventilatory threshold (VT2) [GEU vs. GET]: HR (bpm) [69.4 ± 9.9 vs. 65.4 ± 6.8; p <0.05], RQ [1.03 ± 0.03 vs.1.01 ± 0.03; p <0.05]; PO2 (mL/bpm) [11.3 ±2.4 vs.14.4 ± 2.8, p <0.05]. At peak effort: VO2max (mL/kg/min) [27 ± 5.4 vs. 39.3 ± 5.6; p <0.05], TT (min) [9.6 ± 2.9 vs. 16.4 ± 2.7; p <0.05] and running speed (km.h-1) [9.7 ± 2.5 vs. 13.3 ± 2.5; p <0.05]. To measure quality of life we used the WHOQOL. WHOQOL points [GEU vs. GET: [70 ± 5 vs. 71 ± 6] evaluated the use of drugs from different pharmacological groups through interviews and medical applications. In conclusion, the cardiorespiratory capacity of the GET was significantly higher than the GEU. However, the quality of life was not different between the two groups. Differences in the proportion of medicines used by the groups. GET appears with a higher incidence in antiarrhythmics, anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxants. Instead, the GEU showed greater use of hypoglycemic and anti-coagulants. The increased use of antiinflammatory and muscle relaxants effects by the GET may be due to the fact that runners have a higher prevalence of muscle damage. Instead, the increased use of hypoglycemic and anti-coagulants by GEU, demonstrates the lack of cardiovascular protection by physical inactivity

We measured ventilation, oxygen consumption and blood gases in burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) breathing moderate and extreme hypoxic gas mixtures to determine their hypoxic ventilatory threshold (HVT) and to assess if they, like other birds and mammals, exhibit a relationship between HVT and hemoglobin O2 affinity (P50) of their blood. An earlier report of an attenuated ventilatory responsiveness of this species to hypoxia was enigmatic given the low O2 affinity (high P50) of burrowing owl hemoglobin. In the current study, burrowing owls breathing 11% and 9% O2 showed a significantly elevated total ventilation. The arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) at which ventilation is elevated above normoxic values in burrowing owls was 58 mm Hg. This threshold value conforms well to expectations based on the high P50 of their hemoglobin and the HVT vs. P50 relationship for birds developed in this study. Correcting for phylogenetic relatedness in the multi-species analysis had no effect on the HVT vs. P50 relationship. Also, because burrowing owls in this study did not show a hypometabolic response at any level of hypoxia (even at 9% O2); HVT described in terms of percent change in oxygen convection requirement is identical to that based on ventilation alone.

Purpose: To examine the effects of 28 days of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate free acid (HMB) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on maximal oxygen consumption (VO2peak), ventilatory threshold (VT), respiratory compensation point (RCP) and time to exhaustion (Tmax) in collegeaged men and women. Methods: Healthy men and women (n=34, age and VO2peak= 22.7+3.1yr and 39.3+5.0 mL. kg-1.min-1, respectively) participated in this study. All participants completed a series of tests prior and subsequent to treatment. A maximal oxygen consumption test was performed on a cycle ergometer to assess VO2peak, Tmax, VT, and RCP. The peak power output (Ppeak), power at VT (PVT) and power at RCP (PRCP) were also recorded from this test. Twenty-six subjects completed 12 HIIT (80-120% maximal workload) exercise sessions consisting of 5-6 bouts of a 2:1 minute cycling work to rest ratio protocol over a four-week period, while eight served as controls (CTL). In double-blind fashion, the HIIT groups were assigned into either a placebo (HIIT) or 3g per day of HMB (HMB-HIIT). Body composition was measured with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Outcomes were assessed by ANCOVA with posttest means adjusted for pretest differences. Results: The HMB-HIIT intervention showed significant (p & lt 0.05) gains in VO2peak, VT, and PVT versus the CTL and HIIT group. Both HIIT and HMB-HIIT treatment groups demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) improvement over CTL for Ppeak, Tmax, RCP, and PRCP with no significant difference between the treatment groups. There were no significant differences observed for any measures of body composition. An independent-samples t-test confirmed that there were no significant differences between the training volumes for the HIIT and HMB-HIIT groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the addition of HMB supplementation may result in greater changes in VO2peak and VT than HIIT alone. Therefore, in college-aged men and women, the use of HMB supplementation may enhance the benefits of HIIT on aerobic performance measures.

No description available.

In order to address the long-term complications that arise from poor venous return, a hallmark of the Fontan physiology, we assessed the feasibility of a non-invasive, home therapy that will improve the health of the patient during the heart transplant waiting period and ameliorate the quality of life. In order to achieve this goal we tested a device that applies pressure to the lower extremities of the body (legs and abdomen) in a pulsating fashion with the goal of augmenting systemic blood flow to the pulmonary arteries. This treatment will enhance flow from the great veins and through the lungs and serve as adjunctive clinical treatment of single ventricle physiology. The specific aim of this study was to show improvements in cardiorespiratory measurements after applying external pressure as a proxy for improved health in the Fontan patient. Various studies have shown the impaired exercise capacity of post-operative Fontan patients, but very little data exists focusing on a period much later after the surgery. Our results among the two subjects completed so far have shown a moderately beneficial improvement in exercise capacity after the compression therapy. Subjects performed a treadmill exercise stress test at VCU that was followed by six days of applied external pressure treatment and finished with a final post-treatment stress test. Cardiorespiratory data was collected and analyzed for improvements from base level. Overall an improvement in exercise duration time, VO2 peak, ventilatory threshold, and OUES was observed, with only VE / VCO2 slope having mixed results. Both subjects seem to be relatively healthy Fontan patients, as indicated by their VO2 peak, VE/VCO2 slope and OUES. As a result, benefits of treatment may vary among a cohort of Fontan patients with poor health condition; a failing Fontan physiology for instance. The improvement in exercise capacity suggests that this therapy could be very beneficial to Fontan patients. These results warrants follow up studies to explore the extent of the clinical benefits of compression treatment among the Fontan population.

Background: Working within the military as a ground combat solider is very physically demanding. Soldiers are required to handle situations ranging from peacekeeping to counterinsurgency and combat, while faced with the task of load carriage either in form of the military gear or other additional loads. Therefore, a good aerobic and anaerobic fitness is necessary. The aerobic and anaerobic fitness can be assessed with a wide range is methods such as measuring the peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), ventilator threshold, blood lactate concentration and heart rate. However research is rather spares regarding the effects of load carriage on the aerobic capacity. Aim: The aim of the current study was to investigate if military gear affects VO2peak, ventilatory threshold, blood lactate concentration and heart rate in ground combat soldiers. Methods: A total of eight soldiers (seven men and one woman) participated in the current study. All participants completed two biological calibrations and VO2max tests (one without and one with military gear) using a modified Bruce protocol, where VO2 (L/min), absolute and relative VO2peck (L/min and ml/kg/min respectively), heart rate (beats/min) and blood lactate concentration (mM/L) were assessed. After the completion of the tests, the soldier’s individual ventilatory threshold (VT) was visually located using the V-slope method. The Wilcoxon test was used for the not normally distributed variables (blood lactate concentration and stage when VT occurred) and the paired sample t-test for the others. The significance level was set to 0.05. Results: The results showed that the soldier had 10.6 % lower absolute VO2peak and 23.7 % lower relative VO2peak while wearing military gear compared to without (p=0.002 and p=0.001 respectively). The soldiers also had 11.8 % higher VO2 at VT with military gear (p=0.003) and reached a higher percentage of the VO2peak (p=0.023) at VT. The blood lactate concentration was significantly higher when marching at 5.4 km/h and a trend of a higher blood lactate concentration while standing was observed without military gear compared to with military gear. Conclusion: The findings from the present study shows that performing load carriage in form of the military gear significantly decreased the VO2peak. Wearing a military gear also increased the VO2 at the individual VT and made the soldier reach a higher percentage of the VO2peak at VT. These results can act as guidance when recruiting and training soldiers, along with providing important information to other professions and sports that involve load carriage.

The aim of this study was to compare NIRS (Near-infrared spectroscopy) and respiratory parameters measurement in determination of anaerobic treshold. Additionally changes in muscle oxygenation (SmO2) were described during incremental bicycle excercise. Fifteen subjects, 9 men and 6 women took part in this study. To verify the reliability of the measurement, the experiment was performed in the form of a test/retest with a few day's delay. The value of SmO2 was measured in m. gastrocnemius lateralis and m. vastus lateralis. In addition, respiratory parameters and pulse rate were recorded during the examination. The data obtained show that the breakpoint in the SmO2 dynamics determined by the NIRS method means that the excercise intensity above the anaerobic threshold is reached, because the breakpoint is located in the area of the Respiratory Compensation Point. In the SmO2 parameter, it is also possible to monitor the equilibrium state during the rest phase. The SmO2 parameter after the ramp log terminates exceeds the value in the rest phase, and returns to the quiescent value usually within 2 minutes. The test/re-test method has verified the reliability of the measurement.