Cardiorespiratory Exercise Performance Research Articles

Pain tolerance and cardiorespiratory fitness in women with dysmenorrhea

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hormonal changes are known to affect quality of life of women and may interfere in pain tolerance and cardiorespiratory exercise performance. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate and compare pressure pain tolerance threshold and cardiorespiratory fitness in women in luteal and follicular phases of the menstrual cycle. METHODS: University students aged 18-30 years old with a regular menstrual cycle were evaluated for cardiorespiratory fitness (ergospirometry), pain perception through the visual analog scale and pressure pain tolerance (algometry). RESULTS: When evaluated in follicular phase, the 13 participants exhibited a significant increase (p<0.001) in pain perception. Follicular phase also resulted in a significant reduction in pressure pain tolerance in all sites evaluated (p<0.05). At rest, follicular phase resulted in a significant increase (p<0.05) in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, but no effect was observed in heart rate. At peak exercise, follicular phase caused a significant reduction (p<0.05) in heart rate and peak VO2, without significantly affecting speed, test duration and indicators of metabolism efficiency. CONCLUSION: Healthy women with dysmenorrhea show higher pain perception in follicular phase, which results in increased pain sensitivity and prejudice in hemodynamic aspects at rest and during exercise, as well as in cardiorespiratory fitness, without significant alterations in metabolism.

Effect of music on anaerobic exercise performance.

For years, mostly the effects of music on cardiorespiratory exercise performance have been studied, but a few studies have examined the effect of music on anaerobic exercise. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of listening to music and its rhythm on anaerobic exercise: on power output, heart rate and the concentration of blood lactate. 28 male subjects were required to visit the laboratory on 6 occasions, each separated by 48 hours. Firstly, each subject performed the Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) under 3 conditions on separate days: while listening to “slow rhythm music”, “fast rhythm music” or “no music”. 48 hours after the subjects completed RAST under 3 conditions, Wingate Anaerobic Power (WAN) tests were performed under 3 music conditions. The order of the 3 conditions (slow music, fast music and no music) was selected randomly to prevent an order effect. Results showed no significant differences between 3 conditions in anaerobic power assessments, heart rate or blood lactate (p > 0.05). On the basis of these results it can be said that music cannot improve anaerobic performance. The type of music had no impact on power outputs during RAST and WAN exercise. As a conclusion, listening to music and its rhythm cannot enhance anaerobic performance and cannot change the physiological response to supramaximal exercise.

Abstract P377: Insulin, Muscle Mass and Exercise Performance in Overweight Women

Introduction Obesity is associated with many negative health impacts, including hyperinsulinemia and reduced exercise performance, despite being associated with greater lean skeletal mass which works as the insulin-targeting and exercising organ. Purpose of Study We delineated the associations amongst cardiorespiratory capacity, fat mass, skeletal mass distributions, and fasting plasma insulin in overweight, non-diabetic women. Methods One hundred and seventy-two sedentary women, age 22 to 68 years (range), body mass index (BMI) (34.2 ± 6.3 [mean ± SD]; range 25.3 to 57.6 kg/m 2 ), underwent dual energy x-ray absorptiometry for body composition, fasting insulin, and graded treadmill exercise test using the Bruce protocol with measurement of oxygen consumption (peak VO 2 ). Results After adjustment for age, fasting insulin (9.8 ± 8.1; range 1.9 to 47.6 mcU/ml) was positively associated with BMI (r = 0.43, p&lt;0.001), fat mass (r = 0.41, p&lt; 0.001), load-bearing skeletal muscle mass (lower extremity lean mass; r = 0.29, p&lt; 0.001), and non-load-bearing skeletal muscle mass (upper extremity lean mass; Figure, Panel A). By multiple regression analysis with age, fat mass and lower and upper extremity lean masses as covariates, fat mass, age and upper extremity lean mass (Figure, Panel B) were independent negative predictors of peak VO 2 (all p&lt; 0.01). Lower extremity, however, trended to be positively predictive of peak VO 2 (p = 0.067). Conclusions In non-load-bearing muscle, increased lean mass associated with elevated plasma insulin is predictive of reduced oxygen consumption during exercise, suggesting additional load that may diminish cardiorespiratory exercise performance or intrinsic impairment in skeletal muscle function. In load-bearing muscle, compensatory hypertrophy due to increased fat and lean mass loads may preserve exercise performance.

Long-Term Outcome of Cardio Respiratory Exercise Performance After Surgery

Cardio respiratory exercise testing provides an objective measurement of aerobic exercise capacity in patients with congenital heart disease. Many patients with congenital heart disease have decreased exercise capacity despite a lack of symptoms. Patients with simple lesions tend to have better exercise capacity than those with complex lesions, but individual variation exists. The reasons for this impairment in exercise capacity cannot be explained by ventricular dysfunction alone. Chronotropic impairment, disturbances of pulmonary function and deconditioning also play a key role. In patients with congenital heart disease, cardio respiratory exercise testing has prognostic value and could be important in deciding the need for re-interventions. Keywords: Exercise, congenital, heart, physical activity, aerobic, capacity-prognosis, low morbidity, ventricular dysfunction, Chronotropic impairment, prognostic value, musculoskeletal systems

Assessment of Oxygen Deficit during Exercise in Obese Children and Adolescents

This study analyzes whether cardiorespiratory exercise performance is impaired in obese children when parameters of aerobic exercise function are used that are independent of body mass. Twenty-one obese patients (mean age 11.6 ± 2.5 years) were studied and compared with 22 normal controls of the same age range (11.4 ± 2.2 years; p = .78). All participants underwent square wave exercise testing on a treadmill for 6 min (speed 5 km/hr, inclination 4%). The oxygen deficit, calculated as ml·min·kg−1, was expressed as a percentage of the total oxygen cost for the 6-min exercise bout (also expressed as ml·min·kg−1). Oxygen deficit amounted to 7.2 ± 1.9% in the obese patients and was not significantly different (p = .25) from the normal controls (6.6 ± 1.1%). The similar values for O2 deficit in obese patients compared with normal controls shows that cardiovascular fitness in obese patients is normal when parameters of aerobic exercise function are not normalized per kg of body mass.

Low physical performance in obese adolescent boys with metabolic syndrome

To assess cardiorespiratory exercise function in obese children with and without metabolic syndrome (MS). Comparing three groups of subjects with different cardiovascular risk profiles. Twenty-two MS (body weight (mean+/-s.d.) 97.3+/-15.3 kg; age (mean+/-s.d.) 14.2+/-1.9 y), 17 obese (82.6+/-15.7 kg; 14.2+/-2.6 y) and 29 normal weight control (64.3+/-8.5 kg; 15.3+/-1.0 y) boys. Exercise duration (ED), resting heart rate (HR(0)), peak heart rate (HR(peak)), physical working capacity at 170 beat/min (PWC-170), peak oxygen consumption (VO(2peak)) and the lactic acidosis threshold (LAT) were determined on treadmill, using a continuous ramp protocol. ED (MS (mean+/-s.d.); 655+/-86 s; obese 703+/-64 s; control 750+/-0 s) in absolute value and PWC-170 normalised for body weight (139+/-40 w; 177+/-40 w; 211+/-40 w) were significantly shorter and lower in the MS group, as compared to obese and control groups (P<0.05). VO(2peak) (2.2+/-0.4 l/min; 2.4+/-0.5 l/min; 2.9+/-0.4 l/min) and LAT (1.3+/-0.4 l/min; 1.5+/-0.4 l/ min; 1.8+/-0.4 l/min) normalised for body weight, were significantly shorter and lower in the MS group, as compared to control group (P<0.05). HR(0) was significantly higher (P<0.05) in MS group than in obese and control groups (88+/-12 bpm; obese 78+/-10 bpm; 73+/-10 bpm). Cardiorespiratory exercise performance capacity in MS boys are reduced. It still remains to be elucidated whether the metabolic alterations or the decreased physical activity is responsible for the observed reduction in cardiorespiratory performance.

Long-term assessment and serial evaluation of cardiorespiratory exercise performance and cardiac function in patients with atrial switch operation for complete transposition

At present, a considerable number of patients survive who underwent an atrial switch operation for correction of complete transposition. Our study aimed to assess their long-term exercise performance and the serial evolution of cardiac function. We studied 22 patients 5 to 17 years after an atrial switch operation, and followed them serially for 3.5 +/- 2 years after the first evaluation. Cardiorespiratory exercise function was assessed by analysis of gas exhange and by determination of the ventilatory anaerobic threshold. Echocardiography was performed on all evaluations. All patients were in Class I of the classification of the New York Heart Association at all assessments. Ventilatory anaerobic threshold, however, was significantly lower than normal. It averaged 77.9% +/- 13.7 of the normal mean value at the initial evaluation, and remained stable when re-evaluated later (76.2 +/- 13.7%). At the initial study, the increase in oxygen uptake during graded exercise was below the 95% confidence limit in 6 of the patients, and was below this level in 10 patients at re-assessment. The subnormal values for oxygen uptake during submaximal exercise were associated with moderate to severe haemodynamic dysfunction. At echocardiography, 15 of 17 patients studied twice had mild to moderate right ventricular dilation and tricuspidregurgiation, which remained virtually the same at reasssesment. A stable sinus rhythm was initially present in 17 patients, and persisted in 15 patients during follow-up. At medium term follow-up, cardiorespiratory exercise performance remains stable in patients after atrial switch repair. Serial exercise testing appears useful, because in individual patients in the present study, a decreasing exercise tolerance correlated with development of haemodynamic sequels.

Homograft insertion for pulmonary regurgitation after repair of tetralogy of Fallot improves cardiorespiratory exercise performance

Surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) with reconstruction of the right ventricular (RV) outflow tract invariably results in pulmonary regurgitation. Chronic pulmonary regurgitation has been associated with RV dysfunction and decreased exercise performance. The present study assessed the influence of pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) for severe pulmonary regurgitation after previous TOF repair on cardiorespiratory exercise performance and RV function. Eighteen patients, between the ages of 8 and 18 years, underwent an exercise test and a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging scan at least 1 year after PVR. The exercise data were compared with those obtained from 24 age-matched normal controls and 27 age-matched patients with repaired TOF and a moderate degree of pulmonary regurgitation. A subgroup of 11 patients had an exercise test performed before and after PVR. Cardiopulmonary exercise performance was evaluated by determination of the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) and by the steepness of the slope of oxygen uptake versus exercise intensity (SV̇O 2). After PVR there was a significant increase in VAT (86 ± 11% before to 106.9 ± 14% after, p = 0.03) and in SV̇O 2 (1.71 ± 0.47 to 2.3 ± 0.39, p = 0.004). In patients examined after PVR, the VAT and SV̇O 2 values were not significantly different from the values in the normal controls (104 ± 15% [p >0.05] and 2.03 ± 0.77 after PVR vs 2.42 ± 0.68 [p >0.25], respectively). In contrast, patients with repaired TOF and a moderate degree of pulmonary regurgitation had a significantly lower VAT (86 ± 11%, p <0.05) and SV̇O 2 (1.8 ± 0.74 vs 2.42 ± 0.68, p <0.05) than normal controls. Magnetic resonance imaging studies revealed residual RV dilatation and dysfunction. However, there was no correlation between RV dilatation and RV dysfunction and aerobic exercise capacity. It is concluded that aerobic exercise capacity substantially improves after PVR for severe pulmonary regurgitation after previous TOF repair. Although the right ventricle remains significantly dilated and hypocontractile, there is no relation between RV function and exercise performance.

Cardiorespiratory Response to Exercise After Venous Switch Operation for Transposition of the Great Arteries

This study reports on the cardiorespiratory response to graded exercise in patients after venous switch operation for transposition of the great arteries. Several small studies have documented a diminished exercise tolerance after Mustard repair for transposition of the great arteries, little information exists, however, about long-term cardiorespiratory exercise performance in patients who have had the Senning procedure. This prospective study reports on the serial long-term (mean, 11 +/- 2.8 years) cardiopulmonary exercise performance of 43 patients (age, 12 +/- 3.1 years) who underwent a Senning procedure, with no significant postoperative abnormalities. Forty-three matched healthy children were also studied as a control group. All underwent exercise testing (Bruce protocol) with metabolic gas exchange to determine parameters at 3 min, anaerobic threshold, similar heart rate (150 beats/min), and peak exercise. Time of exercise was 10.5 +/- 1.9 min in patients and 13.4 +/- 2 min in control subjects (p = 0.0001). Overall, patients reached 73% of peak oxygen uptake achieved by control subjects (32.6 +/- 5.6 vs 44.7 +/- 6 mL/kg/min). Chronotropic response (188 +/- 15.7 vs 166.5 +/- 19.6 beats/min [p = 0.0001]) and oxygen pulse (7.4 +/- 2.9 vs 10.7 +/- 4.2 mL/beat [p = 0.0002]) were lower in patients at peak exercise. Patients had a greater respiratory response to exercise: both respiratory rate and ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide were significantly higher at all stages of exercise. Exercise capacity assessed by peak oxygen uptake was correlated with time elapsed since surgical repair (r = 0.48; p = 0.001). It is concluded that even in asymptomatic patients, exercise endurance and respiratory response are generally altered as much as 11 +/- 2.8 years after venous switch operation, although early surgical repair is predictive of a better long-term functional result.

Cardiorespiratory exercise performance after Senning operation for transposition of the great arteries.

To assess the cardiorespiratory response to graded exercise in patients after the Senning operation for transposition of the great arteries. Cross sectional study. Exercise performance was assessed by determination of the ventilatory anaerobic threshold. This was defined as the exercise intensity at which the ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (VE/VO2) started to increase systematically without a concomitant increase in the ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide (VE/VCO2). Outpatient department. Sequential sample of 20 patients studied 5-10 years (mean 7.3 years) after the Senning operation. Age at exercise testing varied from 5 to 11 (mean 7.8) years. The ventilatory threshold in the patients was significantly lower than normal (p < 0.005) and averaged 79.3% (SD 13%) and 80% (12%) of the predicted normal value for age and weight, respectively. Also, the ventilatory threshold was surpassed sooner (mean 3.2 (range 2-5) minutes) in the patients than in normal controls (3.9 (2.6-4.6) minutes). The lower ventilatory threshold was associated with a subnormal oxygen uptake (ml/min/kg) during submaximal exercise, a higher than normal ventilatory equivalent for oxygen ratio, and a lower end tidal carbon dioxide tension in the patients compared with normal controls. In half of the patients heart rate was lower during graded exercise. This relative bradycardia was not associated with a normal ventilatory threshold, as often seen in fit young people. No major disturbances in rhythm were observed during exercise. Exercise performance, assessed by respiratory gas exchange, was slightly but significantly lower than normal in patients after the Senning operation. A subnormal ventilatory threshold, associated with a higher than normal ventilatory response during submaximal exercise, supports the hypothesis that oxygen delivery to tissues is slightly impaired in these patients.