Cardiovascular Exercise Training Research Articles

Differences in 6-Minute Walk Distance Across Heart Disease Recurrence Risk Levels in Cardiac Rehab Patients

Background/Objectives: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are multi-component interventions comprising structured strength and cardiovascular exercise training, psychological support, education, and therapies to promote positive lifestyle changes. This study aimed to determine if there are differences in the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) across risk groups for recurrent heart disease. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used existing data collected from electronic medical records. The 6-minute walk distance was measured at baseline (pre-6MWD) and upon the completion of the CR program (post-6MWD). Short-term cardiac event recurrence risk was determined using a two-year recurrent coronary heart disease (2yRCHD) risk percentage, calculated according to the Framingham 2yRCHD calculator. Risk was then stratified into (1) low, (2) moderate, and (3) high-risk groups. Demographic variables (e.g., age, sex, racial/ethnic group) and clinical variables (e.g., BMI, lipid panels, fasting glucose levels, comorbidities) were collected to describe the study participants and identify potential confounders. An ANOVA and ANCOVA were performed to examine the differences in 6MWD across the 2yRCHD risk groups. Results: A total of 394 CR participants’ data were included in this analysis. Ninety-nine percent of the female participants were classified as low risk for recurrent heart disease, resulting in an extremely small sample size in the moderate-risk (n = 1) and no representation (n = 0) in the high-risk group. This lack of representation made it impossible to conduct comparative analyses across all the participants or to analyze female participants separately by risk category. Consequently, only male participant data were included in the final analysis. The study showed that pre- and post-6MWD measurements were significantly different across the three 2yRCHD risk groups (p = 0.006 for pre-6MWD; p = 0.002 for post-6MWD). The ANCOVA indicated that these differences were independent of the selected covariates. Post hoc analyses revealed significant differences in 6MWDs between the low- and high-risk groups and between the moderate- and high-risk groups, but not between the low- and moderate-risk groups, for both pre- and post-6MWD measurements. Compared to the CR participants in the high-risk group, those in the low- and moderate-risk groups achieved significantly longer distances in the 6-minute walk tests. Conclusions: The observed differences in the 6MWD across short-term cardiac recurrence risk levels suggest its potential as a simple, accessible tool for assessing cardiac recurrence risk levels in community settings. Further research is needed to generalize these findings to more diverse populations and to support aging in place for older adults living with heart disease.

Low energy availability reduces myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic muscle protein synthesis in trained females.

Low energy availability (LEA) describes a state where the energy intake is insufficient to cover the energy costs of both exercise energy expenditure and basal physiological body functions. LEA has been associated with various physiological consequences, such as reproductive dysfunction. However, the effect of LEA on skeletal muscle protein synthesis in females performing exercise training is still poorly understood. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to investigate the impact of LEA on daily integrated myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic muscle protein synthesis in trained females. Thirty eumenorrheic females were matched based on training history and randomized to undergo 10days of LEA (25kcal·kg fat-free mass (FFM)-1 ·day-1 ) or optimal energy availability (OEA, 50kcal·kg FFM-1 ·day-1 ). Before the intervention, both groups underwent a 5-day 'run-in' period with OEA. All foods were provided throughout the experimental period with a protein content of 2.2gkg lean mass-1 ·day-1 . A standardized, supervised combined resistance and cardiovascular exercise training programme was performed over the experimental period. Daily integrated muscle protein synthesis was measured by deuterium oxide (D2 O) consumption along with changes in body composition, resting metabolic rate, blood biomarkers and 24h nitrogen balance. We found that LEA reduced daily integrated myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic muscle protein synthesis compared with OEA. Concomitant reductions were observed in lean mass, urinary nitrogen balance, free androgen index, thyroid hormone concentrations and resting metabolic rate following LEA. These results highlight that LEA may negatively affect skeletal muscle adaptations in females performing exercise training. KEY POINTS: Low energy availability (LEA) with potential health and performance impairments is widespread among female athletes. We investigated the impact of 10days of LEA on daily integrated myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic muscle protein synthesis in young, trained females. We show that LEA impairs myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic muscle protein synthesis in trained females performing exercise training. These findings suggest that LEA may have negative consequences for skeletal muscle adaptations and highlight the importance of ensuring adequate energy availability in female athletes.

T064 Impact of cardiovascular exercise training on apolipoproteins and atherogenic indices of adult Nigerians

T064 Impact of cardiovascular exercise training on apolipoproteins and atherogenic indices of adult Nigerians

Effects of Different Types of Exercise Training on Fine Motor Skills and Testosterone Concentration in Adolescents: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

We sought to compare the effect of two types of exercise training on fine motor skills and to establish their association with the salivary testosterone. Research participants, 135 adolescents (68 adolescent females; mean age = 12.76, SD = 0.85) were assigned into three groups: coordinative exercise (CE), cardiovascular exercise (CVE), and the control group (CON). Fine motor skills were assessed with a drawing trail test and salivary testosterone concentration was measured before and after 10 weeks of intervention. There were no significant changes in fine motor skills and testosterone concentration after either CE or CVE training. However, a significant positive correlation between post-test fine motor skills and post-test testosterone concentration was found after the CVE training. One type of exercise training cannot be singled out as more effective for fine motor skills and testosterone activity. Nevertheless, our results showed a relationship between fine motor skills and testosterone concentration after the CVE training. Thus, the type of exercise training is important in the exercise-induced testosterone effect on fine motor skills.

The Effects of Cardiovascular Exercises on Body Mass Index and Vital Capacity among Students of Sargodha University

This research was designed to evaluate the effect of cardiovascular exercises on body mass index (BMI) and vital capacity (VC) among student aged between 21-27 years (M � SD 22.3� 3.05). The experimental research study was applied to 54 University students of Sargodha. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 24.0. P-value ? 0.05 was considered significant. The result showed that the average BMI of the control group and experimental groups was 20.73�3.02 vs 21.51�3.21. The effectiveness of cardiovascular exercise on Vital capacity on Pre and post-test of the experimental group was -56.91272 � 22.03192 with a pvalue of 0.000, which was showed there was a highly significant improvement in vital capacity of students and compare with the control group. It was concluded that body masses index and vital capacity is significantly improved in university students of the experimental group as a result of 10 weeks of the cardiovascular exercise training program. Conclude that there is a significant difference between the effects of cardiovascular exercise and daily routine sports activities on BMI.

Intradialytic Cardiovascular Exercise Training Alters Redox Status, Reduces Inflammation and Improves Physical Performance in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Redox status (RS) perturbations and inflammation are fundamental features of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that are substantially exacerbated in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study aimed at investigating the efficacy of a 6-month intradialytic exercise training program on RS, inflammation and physical performance in patients with ESRD. Twenty hemodialysis (HD) patients (17 males, three females) were randomly assigned to either an intradialytic training (bedside cycling) group (TR; n = 10) or a control group (CON; n = 10) for 6 months. Anthropometrics [body mass and height, body mass index (BMI), body composition], physical performance (VO2peak), functional capacity [North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary (NSRI) walk test, sit-to-stand test (STS-60)], quality of life (short form-36 (SF-36) as well as RS [thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyls (PC), reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, GSH/GSSG, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase activity (CAT)] and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were assessed at baseline and after the 6-month intervention. Peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) increased by 15% only in TR (p < 0.01). Performance in NSRI, STS-60 and SF-36 improved by 4–13% only in TR (p < 0.01). Exercise training reduced TBARS (by 28%), PC (by 31%) and hs-CRP (by 15%), and elevated GSH (by 52%), GSH/GSSG (by 51%), TAC (by 59%) and CAT (by 15%) (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that engagement in chronic intradialytic cardiovascular exercise alters RS, reduces inflammation and improves performance in patients with ESRD.

The effects of an exercise training on steroid hormones in preadolescent children – a moderator for enhanced cognition?

ObjectiveResearch demonstrates a variety of cognitive benefits induced by different chronic physiological stressors (e.g. motor vs. cardiovascular exercise training) and acute exercise to affect steroid hormone secretion, the present study aims to investigate 1.) motor vs. cardiovascular exercise training and their impact on salivary Testosterone, Estradiol and Progesterone and 2.) whether alterations in steroid hormones might moderate exercise-induced cognitive benefits. MethodsIn a randomized control trial, 71 preadolescent children (39 girls) at the age of 9–10 years were randomly assigned to a cardiovascular exercise group (CE), a motor exercise group (ME) as well as a control group (CON) in which students were attending assisted homework. The participants attended their program three times per week, for a total of 10 weeks. Steroid hormones in the saliva, working memory performance and state-trait anxiety levels were determined before and after the intervention. ResultsStatistical analysis showed no chronic changes in hormones through the interventions. Stepwise hierarchical regression revealed the Testosterone*ME-interaction to be a significant moderator for working memory performance post-intervention (β = 0.48, p = 0.014). Within the ME, increases of Testosterone from t1 to t2 were predicting higher working memory performance post-intervention (β = 0.45, R2 = 0.16, p = 0.038). ConclusionOur findings suggest 1.) that motor-exercise-induced cognitive benefits are moderated by changes in Testosterone and 2.) that a 10-week exercise training of moderate intensity and with a motor demanding vs a cardiovascular character does not affect the chronic concentration of salivary Testosterone, Estradiol and Progesterone nor anxiety levels in preadolescent children.

Effects of Motor versus Cardiovascular Exercise Training on Children's Working Memory.

The aim of this investigation was to examine the influence of different types of exercise exertion on primary school children's working memory (WM). Participants (N = 71, 9.4 yr, 39 girls) were randomly assigned to a cardiovascular exercise (CE), a motor exercise (ME), or a control group (CON). They underwent a letter digit span task (WM) before and after an intervention period that involved 10 wk of an additional afterschool exercise regimen, which took place three times a week for 45 min. Students in the control group participated in assisted homework sessions. WM performance of the 9- to 10-yr-old children benefited from both the cardiovascular and the motor exercise programs, but not from the control condition. The increase in WM performance was significantly larger for children in the ME compared with the CE or CON. These findings add to the knowledge base relating different types of exercise and WM. Besides the efficiency of cardiovascular exercise training, a special motor-demanding intervention seems to be a beneficial strategy to improve WM in preadolescent children.

Cardiopulmonary responses to robotic end-effector-based walking and stair climbing

BackgroundA recently developed robotic end-effector device (G-EO system, Reha Technology AG) can simulate walking and stair climbing. This approach has the potential to promote cardiovascular exercise training during rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to characterise cardiopulmonary responses of end-effector-based exercise in able-bodied subjects and to evaluate the feasibility of intensity-guided exercise testing. MethodsFive healthy subjects aged 33.7±8.8 years (mean±SD) performed a constant load test and an intensity-guided incremental exercise test. The outcome measures were steady-state and peak cardiopulmonary performance parameters including oxygen uptake (VO2) and heart rate (HR). ResultsPassive end-effector-based stair climbing (VO2=13.6±4.5mL/min/kg, HR=95±23beats/min) showed considerably lower cardiopulmonary responses compared to reference data (VO2=33.5±4.8mL/min/kg, HR=159±15beats/min). Peak performance parameters during intensity-guided incremental exercise testing were: VO2=35.8±5.1mL/min/kg and HR=161±27 beats/min, corresponding to a relative VO2=76.0±18.7% of predicted aerobic capacity and a relative HR=87.3±14.5% of age-predicted HR maximum. ConclusionEnd-effector-based exercise is a promising method for the implementation of cardiovascular exercise. Although end-effector-based stair climbing evoked lower cardiopulmonary responses than conventional stair climbing, active contribution during exercise elicited substantial cardiopulmonary responses within recommended ranges for aerobic training.

Cardiovascular Exercise Training Extends Influenza Vaccine Seroprotection in Sedentary Older Adults: The Immune Function Intervention Trial

Cardiovascular Exercise Training Extends Influenza Vaccine Seroprotection in Sedentary Older Adults: The Immune Function Intervention Trial

Cardiovascular Exercise Training Extends Influenza Vaccine Seroprotection in Sedentary Older Adults: The Immune Function Intervention Trial

To determine whether cardiovascular exercise training resulted in improved antibody responses to influenza vaccination in sedentary elderly people who exhibited poor vaccine responses. Single-site randomized parallel-arm 10-month controlled trial. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. One hundred forty-four sedentary, healthy older (69.9 +/- 0.4) adults. Moderate (60-70% maximal oxygen uptake) cardiovascular exercise was compared with flexibility and balance training. The primary outcome was influenza vaccine response, as measured according to hemagglutination inhibition (HI) anti-influenza antibody titer and seroprotective responses (HI titer > or =40). Secondary measures included cardiovascular fitness and body composition. Of the 160 participants enrolled, 144 (90%) completed the 10-month intervention with excellent compliance ( approximately 83%). Cardiovascular, but not flexibility, exercise intervention resulted in improvements in indices of cardiovascular fitness, including maximal oxygen uptake. Although not affecting peak (e.g., 3 and 6 weeks) postvaccine anti-influenza HI titers, cardiovascular exercise resulted in a significant increase in seroprotection 24 weeks after vaccination (30-100% dependent on vaccine variant), whereas flexibility training did not. Participants randomized to cardiovascular exercise experienced improvements in influenza seroprotection throughout the entire influenza season, whereas those in the balance and flexibility intervention did not. Although there were no differences in reported respiratory tract infections, the exercise group exhibited reduced overall illness severity and sleep disturbance. These data support the hypothesis that regular endurance exercise improves influenza vaccine responses.

Determinants of Exercise Capacity in CKD Patients Treated With Hemodialysis

There are many ways to measure physical functioning. Oxygen uptake at peak exercise is considered to be the most objective or 'gold-standard' measure and is determined by the integrated functioning of multiple physiological systems. Renal failure can affect the functioning of several of these systems which results in low levels of peak oxygen uptake. This review examines the determinants of oxygen uptake as defined by the Fick Equation, and presents data from studies that have reported these physiological measures. It becomes clear that there are many factors that may limit peak oxygen uptake in these patients and any one mechanism may be difficult to identify.

Reduction in trunk fat predicts cardiovascular exercise training-related reductions in C-reactive protein

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We sought to determine (1) if 10 months of cardiovascular exercise training (Cardio) reduces CRP in a group of older adults, (2) if such a reduction is related to improvements in trunk fat, fitness, and/or psychosocial variables, and (3) if the effect of Cardio on CRP differs between men and women. Community-dwelling residents ( n = 127; 60–83 yrs) were randomized to a Flex group ( n = 61) where they participated in 2–75 min supervised sessions per wk during which they performed non-cardiovascular flexibility and balance exercises or a Cardio group ( n = 66) where they participated in three supervised sessions per wk during which they performed cardiovascular exercises for ∼45–60 min at 60–70% maximal oxygen uptake. The main outcome measures were serum CRP, cardiovascular fitness, total and central adiposity, and self-reported psychosocial function. Cardio experienced a reduction in CRP (−0.5 mg/L), as well as improvements in fitness (+7%) and total (−1.5%) and central (i.e., trunk) (−2.5%) adiposity. These relationships were not modified by sex. Regression analyses indicated that only the reduction in trunk fat was significantly related to the reduction in CRP. Ten months of cardiovascular exercise training reduced CRP in previously sedentary older adults and this effect was partially mediated by a reduction in trunk fat.

Concurrent inspiratory muscle and cardiovascular training differentially improves both perceptions of effort and 5000 m running performance compared with cardiovascular training alone

Objective:To examine whether inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is a useful additional technique with which to augment cardiovascular exercise training adaptations.Methods:16 healthy untrained males agreed to participate in the study and...

Physical functioning in end‐stage renal disease patients: Update 2005

Physical functioning in patients with end-stage renal disease treated with dialysis is low, whether measured using objective laboratory measures, physical performance testing, or self-reported measures. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), self-reported functioning measures, and physical activity levels are independent predictors of mortality in these patients. Cardiovascular exercise training studies result in improvements in VO2peak, physical performance tests, and self-reported functioning. Resistance exercise training improves muscle strength. Exercise training may have positive benefits on other factors that are important clinical issues in dialysis patients, including cardiovascular risk profile, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Endothelial function, a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis, has been shown to improve with exercise training in dialysis patients. Although there have been numerous recent studies on benefits of exercise, few dialysis clinics or nephrologists provide encouragement or programs as a part of their routine care of their patients. There are many national guidelines that include exercise or increasing physical activity as a part of the treatment of many conditions that are relevant in dialysis patients, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and high cardiovascular disease risk. The nephrology community continues to state concern for outcomes; however, a simple, low-tech intervention that has many benefits to their patients (i.e., encouragement, recommendations, and opportunity for increasing physical activity) has not been adopted as part of the standard care. Adoption of routine counseling and encouragement for physical activity has the potential to improve outcomes, improve physical functioning, and optimize quality of life and overall health of dialysis patients.

Exercise in Hypertension

The current exercise prescription for the treatment of hypertension is: cardiovascular mode, for 20-60 minutes, 3-5 days per week, at 40-70% of maximum oxygen uptake (VO2(max)). Cardiovascular exercise training is the most effective mode of exercise in the prevention and treatment of hypertension. Resistance exercise is not the preferred mode of exercise treatment, but can be incorporated into an exercise regime provided the diastolic blood pressure response is within safe limits. It is inconclusive whether durations longer than 30 minutes produce significantly greater reductions in blood pressure. A frequency of three exercise sessions per week has been considered to be the minimal frequency for blood pressure reduction. Higher frequencies tended to produce greater reductions, although not significantly different. Evidence still exists that high intensity exercise (>75% VO2(max)) may not be as effective as low intensity exercise (<70% VO2(max)) in reducing elevated blood pressures. Exercise can be effective without a change in bodyweight or body fat. Bodyweight or body fat loss and anti-hypertensive medications do not have an added effect on blood pressure reduction associated with exercise. beta-blockade is not the recommended anti-hypertensive medication for effective exercise performance in non-cardiac patients. Not all hypertensive patients respond to exercise treatment. Differences in genetics and pathophysiology may be responsible for the inability of some hypertensive patients to respond to exercise. Ambulatory technology may allow advances in individualising a more effective exercise prescription for low-responders and non-responders.

The Effects of Exercise Training on Resting Prostacyclin and Thromboxane A2 in Older Adults

Ten adult volunteers participated in Id weeks of cardiovascular exercise training (EG) to determine the effects of training on resting prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2). Six volunteers of similar age served as sedentary controls (CG). Blood was collected in tubes after training and eicosanoids were measured by standard 125I RIA methods. Over the 16 weeks of the study, PGI2 decreased 48% for EG and 33% for CG. There were no between-group differences for PGI2 values. No significant within-group changes in TXA2 were found, whereas between-group pretraining TXA2 values were significantly different. A time main effect for PGI2 may indicate a seasonal shift in this eicosanoid: however, the additional 15% decrease in PGI2 for EG may be due to a training-induced reduction in PGI2 substrate and/or endothelial sensitivity to agonists. The lack of within-group changes in TXA2 may be due to a combination of high platelet turnover and a training stimulus inadequate to alter platelet function.