Benefits Of Aerobic Training Research Articles

Arterielle Hypertonie und metabolisches Syndrom

Das metabolische Syndrom oder Insulinresistenzsyndrom ist eine metabolische Storung, die durch eine eingeschrankte physiologische Reaktion auf Insulin charakterisiert ist. Die klinische Definition stutzt sich auf den Nachweis einer arteriellen Hypertonie, einer abdominellen Adipositas, erhohte Triglyzerid- sowie niedrige HDL-Cholesterin-Werte und eine diabetische Stoffwechsellage. Die Pravalenz des Insulinresistenzsyndroms nahm in den letzten Jahrzehnten dramatisch zu und ist auf die Anderung des Lebensstils in industrialisierten Landern sowie in Schwellen- und Entwicklungslandern zuruckzufuhren. Die klinische Bedeutung des metabolischen Syndroms liegt im hohen Risiko, fruhzeitig kardiovaskulare Erkrankungen zu bekommen bzw. an diesen zu versterben. Ziel arztlichen Handelns ist es deshalb, das Auftreten eines metabolischen Syndroms zu verhindern (Pravention) und begleitende Faktoren wie arterielle Hypertonie und Dyslipidamie zu therapieren. Die abdominelle Adipositas ist hierbei als Schlussel fur die Entstehung des metabolischen Syndroms zu sehen, weshalb eine konsequente Gewichtsreduktion die erste Prioritat einnehmen sollte. Die Gewichtsreduktion mit Ruckgang der Adipositas fuhrt nachfolgend auch zur Verbesserung von Hypertonie und Dyslipidamie. Die Bedeutung eines aeroben Ausdauertrainings wird kontrovers diskutiert, es wird jedoch als begleitende Masnahme zur Gewichtsreduktion empfohlen. Erhohte Blutdruckwerte sind zum einen Kardinalsymptom des metabolischen Syndroms, zum anderen fuhren sie zu einer uberproportionalen Steigerung des kardiovaskularen Risikos bei Patienten mit diabetischer Stoffwechsellage. Aus diesem Grund wird eine aggressive Blutdrucksenkung auf Werte unter 130/80 mmHg gefordert, wobei Diuretika, ACE-Hemmer und Angiotensin-II-Typ- 1-Rezeptor-Blocker als First-Line-Antihypertensiva verwendet werden sollten.

Improving health Status in the Elderly: Aerobic or Strength Training? 207

It is well established that regular exercise can improve the health status of older women and men, but the optimal training modality has not been adequately addressed. Although only a few studies have directly compared the effects of aerobic exercise training to those of strength training, there are a large number of investigations that have examined the effects of each training modality separately. The purpose of this symposium is to evaluate the relative benefits of aerobic exercise training vs strength training on important indicators of health status in older women and men. To achieve this purpose, the effects of each training modality on blood pressure, glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism, resting metabolic rate, daily energy expenditure, nutritional requirements, bone mass and body composition in older women and men will be discussed. Evidence from current research findings will be presented to determine the most appropriate exercise modality to achieve specific health objectives for the elderly.

Benefits of aerobic exercise after stroke.

The debilitating loss of function after a stroke has both primary and secondary effects on sensorimotor function. Primary effects include paresis, paralysis, spasticity, and sensory-perceptual dysfunction due to upper motor neuron damage. Secondary effects, contractures and disuse muscle atrophy, are also debilitating. This paper presents theoretical and empirical benefits of aerobic exercise after stroke, issues relevant to measuring peak capacity, exercise training protocols, and the clinical use of aerobic exercise in this patient population. A stroke, and resulting hemiparesis, produces physiological changes in muscle fibres and muscle metabolism during exercise. These changes, along with comorbid cardiovascular disease, must be considered when exercising stroke patients. While few studies have measured peak exercise capacity in hemiparetic populations, it has been consistently observed in these studies that stroke patients have a lower functional capacity than healthy populations. Hemiparetic patients have low peak exercise responses probably due to a reduced number of motor units available for recruitment during dynamic exercise, the reduced oxidative capacity of paretic muscle, and decreased overall endurance. Consequently, traditional methods to predict aerobic capacity are not appropriate for use with stroke patients. Endurance exercise training is increasingly recognised as an important component in rehabilitation. An average improvement in maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) of 13.3% in stroke patients who participated in a 10-week aerobic exercise training programme has been reported compared with controls. This study underscored the potential benefits of aerobic exercise training in stroke patients. In this paper, advantages and disadvantages of exercise modalities are discussed in relation to stroke patients. Recommendations are presented to maximise physical performance and minimise potential cardiac risks during exercise.

The Use of Exercise in the Elderly to Enhance Functional Mobility and Prevent Falls

Many studies have been conducted to document the positive effects of exercise in the elderly. Initially, the focus was on the benefits of aerobic training, however, more recent studies have shown that the elderly respond to isometric, isotonic, and isokinetic programs. Strength and mobility are two of the key factors in assessing a person's risk for falling. Studies have shown that people who fall frequently have weaker ankle dorsiflexors and knee extensors than persons who do not fall. As a result, it has been speculated that exercise programs to strengthen these muscle groups will improve functional mobility and reduce the risk of falling. At present ongoing trials are trying to provide documentation to support this idea.

Breathing Easy: Exercise Despite Asthma.

In brief More than 80% of asthmatic patients develop exercise-induced asthma (EIA), but most of them can successfully and safely participate in most types of physical activity. Physicians can teach them to avoid conditions that exacerbate EIA, such as air pollution. These strategies, with premedication and individualized training, make it possible for many asthmatics to achieve high levels of physical fitness and even to excel in competitive sports. In addition to the many psychological and physical benefits of aerobic training, the asthmatic exerciser gets a bonus: better control of EIA.

MOOD ALTERATION WITH YOGA AND SWIMMING-AEROBIC EXERCISE MAY NOT BE NECESSARY

The mood benefits of Hatha yoga and swimming, two activities that differ greatly in aerobic training benefits, were examined. College students (N = 87) in two swimming classes, a yoga class, and a lecture-control class completed mood and personality inventories before and after class on three occasions. A multivariate analysis of variance indicated that both yoga participants (n = 22) and swimmers (n = 37) reported greater decreases in scores on Anger, Confusion, Tension, and Depression than did the control students (n = 28). The consistent mood benefits of yoga supported our earlier observation that the exercise need not be aerobic to be associated with mood enhancement. However, underlying and causal mechanisms remain uncertain. Among the men, the acute decreases in Tension, Fatigue, and Anger after yoga were significantly greater than those after swimming. Yoga may be even more beneficial than swimming for men who personally select to participate. The women reported fairly similar mood benefits after swimming and yoga. It seems that aerobic exercise may not be necessary to facilitate the mood benefits. Also, students with greater mood changes attended class more regularly than those who reported fewer psychological benefits. Maximizing the immediate psychological benefits of exercise might be one way to encourage adults to be physically active.

Effect of early programmes of high and low intensity exercise on physical performance after transmural acute myocardial infarction.

Does a programme of light exercise training after acute myocardial infarction produce the same improvement in treadmill performance as aerobic exercise training? Three hundred and eight men from a consecutive series of 479 men with transmural (Q wave) acute myocardial infarction, admitted to a single coronary care unit, were randomly allocated to eight weeks of group aerobic exercise training or group light exercise. Groups were well matched for all characteristics other than site of infarction, which did not significantly affect results. Mean (SD) physical working capacity (metabolic equivalents) determined by treadmill testing at the start of the study (in the third week after infarction) was 6.8 (2.2) v 6.7 (2.5) METs, at the end (in the eleventh week after infarction) 10.8 (2.3) v 9.9 (2.4) METs, and at 12 month review 10.8 (2.4) v 10.7 (1.9) METs for the exercise training group and the light exercise group respectively. The difference of 0.9 METs at the end of the study was the only significant difference between groups. There were no significant intergroup differences at any stage in resting and maximal heart rate, resting and maximal systolic blood pressure, or rate-pressure product. Apart from a small temporarily greater physical working capacity, the physical benefits of aerobic exercise training were equally well achieved by group light exercise.