Exercise Performance Research Articles

The association between six-minute walk test and one minute sit to stand test in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD

ABSTRACT Aim: Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are a major complication of COPD and a leading cause of hospitalization, detrimentally affecting functional exercise capacity. The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is a reliable measure of exercise capacity in chronic lung diseases. Conversely, the 1-minute sit-to-stand test (1STST) offers a simpler assessment of physical function. The aim was to demonstrate the association of functional exercise capacity assessed by 1STST and 6MWT in COPD patients with acute exacerbation. Materials and Methods: In this study, 37 hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation COPD (mean age:66 years) underwent assessments including pulmonary function testing, 6MWT, 1STST and modified Medical Research Council (MMRC). Parameters such as heart rate, oxygen saturation, and perceived dyspnea (via the modified Borg scale) were monitored during tests. Results: The results showed a significant correlation between 6MWT and 1STST performance (r=0.656, p<0.001). Notably, end-tidal oxygen saturation differed between tests, with the 6MWT showing higher end-tidal dyspnea scores. During recovery, 1STST induced increased heart rate and decreased oxygen saturation. Both 6MWT and 1STST were negatively associated with age and MMRC. Positive correlations were observed between 6MWT and FEV1(L) and PEF(L). Conclusions: Similar to the 6MWT, the 1STS test may be used to evaluate how well patients with AECOPD perform during functional exercise. We propose that the 1STST is a suitable alternative to the 6MWT for the assessment of functional exercise performance during hospitalization in AECOPD patients.

Respiratory Assist Devices in Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

Patients with advanced lung disease, especially patients with COPD, suffer from dyspnea at rest that worsens during the performance of even limited physical activities. The causes of dyspnea are multifactorial and are related to structural changes found in the parenchymal compartment of the lung as well as the airway and pulmonary vasculature. Alterations in any of the lung compartments may have negative consequences for the physiological performance of exercise. Respiratory assist devices that attenuate the pathophysiological derangements induced by the underlying lung disease, and/or unload the increased work of breathing, can enhance the performance of exercise, and help to produce more robust training effects in patients with lung disease. Herein we review the data that examines these approaches using respiratory assist devices to improve exercise outcomes in patients with COPD.

Effects of preparticipating hypohydration oncardiac burden in recreational athletes.

The global temperature rise will have extensive consequences on our organ systems, but hypohydration caused by reduced water intake or increased water loss through sweating plays the most relevant role. Many studies have already demonstrated the association between hypohydration and impaired exercise performance, but data related to the cardiac burden of hypohydration are scarce. This study is a sub-investigation of our large, prospective, self-controlled trial on the effects of hypohydration on cardiopulmonary exercise capacity with previously published results. In the current sub-study, we analyzed the impact of hypohydration on cardiac burden in this cohort of fifty healthy, recreational athletes during cardiopulmonary exercise test.Therefore, each participant underwent cardiopulmonary exercise test with a standardized ramp protocol twice, once in hypohydrated state and once in euhydrated state as control, and the cardiac markers Troponin T, NT-pro-BNP and Chromogranin A were measured before and after the exercise test at each state. Mean age was 29.7 years and 34% of probands were female. Hypohydration led to a reduced body water, a significant decrease in oxygen uptake and lower levels of power output. Yet, Troponin T, NT-proBNP, Chromogranin A and lactate levels did not significantly differ between the two conditions.In this study cohort, decreased exercise capacity during hypohydration was more likely due to impaired cardiac output with diminished plasma volume rather than measurable cardiac stress from fluid deprivation. However, whether these data are generalizable to a diseased cohort is left unanswered and should be addressed in future randomized controlled trials.

Psychological factors enhanced heterogeneous learning interactive graph knowledge tracing for understanding the learning process

IntroductionWith the rapid expansion of online education, there is a burgeoning interest within the EdTech space to offer tailored learning experiences that cater to individual student's abilities and needs. Within this framework, knowledge tracing tasks have garnered considerable attention. The primary objective of knowledge tracing is to develop a model that assesses a student's proficiency in a particular skill based on their historical performance in exercises, enabling predictions regarding the likelihood of correct responses in future exercises. While existing knowledge tracing models often incorporate information such as students' exercise answering history and skill mastery level, they frequently overlook the students' mental states during the learning process.MethodsThis paper addresses this gap by introducing a novel psychological factors-enhanced heterogeneous learning interactive graph knowledge tracing model (Psy-KT). This model delineates the interactions among students, exercises, and skills through a heterogeneous graph, supplementing it with four psychological factors that capture students' mental states during the learning process: frustration level, confusion level, concentration level, and boredom level. In the modeling of students' learning processes, we incorporate the forgetting curve and construct relevant cognitive parameters from the features. Additionally, we employ the Item Response Theory (IRT) model to predict students' performance in answering exercises at the subsequent time step. This model not only delves into the psychological aspects of students during the learning process but also integrates the simulation of forgetting, a natural phenomenon in the learning journey. The inclusion of cognitive parameters enhances the description of changes in students' abilities throughout the learning process. This dual focus allows for a more comprehensive understanding of students' learning behaviors while providing a high level of interpretability for the model.Results and discussionEmpirical validation of the Psy-KT model is conducted using four publicly available datasets, demonstrating its superior performance in predicting students' future performance. Through rigorous experimentation, the integration of psychological and forgetting factors in the Psy-KT model not only improves predictive accuracy but also enables educators to offer more targeted tutoring and advice, enhancing the overall efficacy of the learning experience.

Influence of acute dietary nitrate supplementation on oxygen delivery/consumption and critical impulse during maximal effort forearm exercise in males: a randomized crossover trial.

Beetroot juice supplementation (BRJ) increases nitric oxide bioavailability under conditions of hypoxia and acidosis, characteristics of maximal effort exercise, which is required to identify forearm critical impulse. We hypothesized BRJ would improve oxygen delivery:demand matching and forearm critical impulse performance. Healthy males (20.8±2.4 years) participated in a randomized crossover trial between October 2017-May 2018 (Queen's University, Kingston, ON). Participants completed 10-minutes of rhythmic maximal effort forearm handgrip exercise 2.5 hours post placebo (PL) vs. BRJ (9 completed PL/BRJ vs. 4 completed BRJ/PL) within a 2 week period. Data are presented as mean±SD. There was a main effect of drink (PL > BRJ) for oxygen extraction (P=0.033,ηp2=0.351) and oxygen consumption/force (P=0.017,ηp2=0.417). There was a drink x time interaction (PL > BRJ) for oxygen consumption/force (P=0.035,ηp2=0.216) between 75-360s (1.25-6 min) from exercise onset. BRJ did not influence oxygen delivery (P=0.953,ηp2=0.000), oxygen consumption (P=0.064,ηp2=0.278), metabolites [[lactate] (P=0.196,ηp2=0.135), pH (P=0.759,ηp2=0.008)] or power-duration performance parameters [critical impulse (P=0.379,d=0.253), W' (P=0.733,d=0.097)]. BRJ during all-out handgrip exercise does not influence oxygen delivery or exercise performance. Oxygen cost of contraction with BRJ is reduced as contraction impulse is declining during maximal effort exercise resulting in less oxygen extraction. https://osf.io/pga37/registrations.

Comparison of trunk muscle activity during lumbar stabilization exercises on stable and unstable surfaces.

Lumbar stabilization exercises (LSE) provide dynamic trunk stability, promote muscle strength and endurance, and improve low back pain rehabilitation and performance. To clarify the differences in trunk muscle activity during LSEs on stable and different unstable surfaces. Fifteen healthy males performed three exercises (elbow-toe, hand-knee, and side bridge) on stable (floor) and unstable surfaces. Muscle activity of the bilateral rectus abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique, and erector spinae were recorded. Data were compared using the Friedman test. Pairwise comparisons were performed using Wilcoxon's signed rank test if significant differences were observed. In the elbow-toe exercise, muscle activity of the rectus abdominis and right internal oblique increased in the following order: floor, low-difficulty, and high-difficulty unstable surface. In the hand-knee exercise, muscle activity of the internal oblique on the lower-extremity elevated side, external oblique, and erector spinae on the upper-extremity elevated side were greater on unstable surface exercise performance. In the side bridge exercise, rectus abdominis muscle activity was highest on a high-difficulty unstable surface. Trunk muscle activity increased during exercise on unstable surfaces. Since the effects of unstable surfaces vary depending on muscle and exercise types, exercise difficulty and surface stability must be considered accordingly.

Adverse Effect of Bundle Branch Block on Exercise Performance in Patients with Fontan Physiology: From the Pediatric Heart Network Fontan Public Data Set.

Patients with Fontan physiology have reduced exercise performance compared to their peers as well as a higher incidence of bundle branch block (BBB). This study aims to investigate the association between BBB and exercise performance in the Fontan population through a retrospective review of the Pediatric Heart Network Fontan study public use dataset. "Low Performers" were defined as ≤ 25th percentile (for Fontan patients) for each exercise parameter at anaerobic threshold (AT) for gender and age and "Normal Performers" were all other patients. A total of 303 patients with Fontan physiology who underwent exercise testing reached AT and had complete data for BBB. BBB occurred more frequently in Low Performers for VO2 [OR (95% CI): 2.6 (1.4, 4.8)] and Work [OR (95% CI): 2.7 (1.4, 5.1)], suggesting that BBB in the Fontan population is associated with reduced exercise performance. This data adds to the existing clinical evidence of the adverse effects of conduction abnormalities on single ventricle cardiac output and adds support for consideration of cardiac resynchronization and multi-site ventricular pacing in this patient population.

Microplastics in the environment: analytical chemistry methods, sorption materials, risks and sustainable solutions.

This Feature Article reports general and more specific aspects about microplastic (MP) contamination in continental and marine waters as well as in terrestrial environment. It describes a critical vision of the analytical methods commonly used for MP characterization and determination, including recommendations on green analytical chemistry (GAC) protocols. Insights into MPs as sorption materials and carriers for a variety of emerging contaminants like pharmaceuticals and pesticides are highlighted. Risks to biota living in aquatic and terrestrial environments and human-health-related effects with specific examples of surface and groundwater used for drinking water sources near contaminated sites like landfills are summarized. Lastly, sustainable solutions for how to improve the analysis and comparison of MP detection at the global level is given, including the need for standardized analytical protocols as well as the performance of additional interlaboratory exercises. Additional recommendations include a global database on MP levels made available to all authors to better compare their data qualitatively with that previously published. Policy and remediation actions on how to reduce and mitigate MP pollution may include different types of actions like an improved waste management and reuse system, the development of bioplastics and new plastic materials, as well as legally binding additional funding to cope with increasing plastic pollution at the global scale.

Tangible and Mid-Air Interactions in Hand-Held Augmented Reality for Upper Limb Rehabilitation: An Evaluation of User Experience and Motor Performance

Hand-held augmented reality (AR) offers accessible, interactive rehabilitation options for patients with upper limb motor deficits. Incorporating hand-involved interactions (e.g., tangible and mid-air interactions) into hand-held AR provides patients with intuitive manners to perform rehabilitation exercises mimicking real-world activities. Previous work has shown the importance of user experience and motor performance in rehabilitation systems, but little was known in the literature regarding the impact of hand-involved interactions in hand-held AR on user experience and motor performance in rehabilitation exercises. Hence, this study aims to evaluate user experience and motor performance when using three types of hand-involved interactions in hand-held AR rehabilitation: (1) tangible cube (i.e., a space-multiplexed tangible interaction with a physical cube acting as a real proxy to manipulate a virtual object in the same form); (2) tangible controller (i.e., a time-multiplexed tangible interaction with a physical controller applied to manipulate a virtual object); and (3) hand motion (i.e., a form of mid-air interaction to move a virtual object with hands). Based on the findings from self-report, electroencephalography (EEG), and performance measures, this study reveals the advantages of the tangible cube over the tangible controller, both superior to the hand motion in hand-held AR rehabilitation regarding user experience and motor performance. This study offers new understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of various interaction techniques in hand-held AR rehabilitation, emphasizing crucial design considerations for these systems, with a focus on user experience and motor performance in upper limb rehabilitation.

Does a broad‐spectrum cannabidiol supplement improve performance in a 10‐min cycle ergometer performance‐test?

AbstractCannabidiol (CBD) is a non‐intoxicating phytocannabinoid which has been proposed to possess anti‐inflammatory and analgesic properties. Given the potential for perceptions of pain to limit exercise performance, the aim of the present study was to investigate if 3 weeks of daily CBD supplementation (150 mg day−1) improved performance in a 10‐min performance‐trial on a cycle ergometer. In a randomized, double‐blind and placebo‐controlled study, 22 healthy participants (n = 11 male and n = 11 female) completed two 10‐min performance trials on a WattBike cycle ergometer interspersed with a 3‐week supplementation period. Supplementation involved either 150 mg day−1 oral CBD or 150 mg day−1 of a visually identical placebo (PLA). During trials, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE [6–20]), heart rate (HR) and blood lactate (BLa) were collected every 2 min. Mean power (W) was also taken throughout the exercise at each time point. All data were analyzed using two‐way ANOVAs. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between CBD or PLA groups for mean power (W) during the 10‐min performance trial. There were also no significant differences (P > 0.05) in any of the physiological or perceptual parameters (HR, BLa and RPE) between conditions. Three weeks supplementation of a broad‐spectrum CBD supplement did not improve performance via any change in RPE during a 10‐min time trial on a cycle ergometer, and as such, this evidence does not support the claim that broad‐spectrum CBD supplements could be performance‐enhancing in this exercise modality.

Enhanced Design of a Tai Chi Teaching Assistance System Integrating DTW Algorithm and SVM

Physical education using technology has enabled traditional practices like Tai Chi, a martial art known for its multiple health benefits and meditative aspects, to set coordinated goals. This research presents an intelligent Tai Chi Teaching Assistance System supported by the integration of the Dynamic Time Warping algorithm and Support Vector Machine, in which can practitioners providing real-time feedback to improve Tai Chi learning and quality. In the system, the DTWA Dynamic Time Warping Algorithm was used to accurately compare a practitioner’s complex body movements with the Tai Chi standard movements dataset, taking into account execution speed deviations and others. Meanwhile, the SVM was employed to classify the movement as to quality and correctness, thereby being able to provide precise, individual feedback. This hybrid approach ensures a high-motion recognition accuracy rate while also adhering to nuanced Tai Chi requirements. The system was evaluated through detailed testing with various levels of Tai Chi experience. Evaluation showed that the students’ performance and understanding of most Taijiquan movements and related physical exercises improved significantly. It indicates the system has a practical application value for also beginners and intermediate and last expert, respectively. It also shows the effectiveness of combining DTW and SVM to support learners ‘body movement trajectory in a physical learning environment, opening them up to additional technology-assisted physical training applications. This provides implications for a more promising generation of future physical education involving the incorporation of complex AI technology.

Role of Virtual Rehabilitation in Total Knee Arthroplasty: Functional Outcomes and Cost-Effectiveness

This review article aims to explore the role of virtual rehabilitation in total knee arthroplasty in terms of functional outcomes and cost-effectiveness. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a widely performed surgery for end-stage knee osteoarthritis, requiring supervised rehabilitation for rapid recovery and pain relief. Virtual rehabilitation has been evolving as an alternative to the traditional rehabilitation program in the recent years especially during the predicament of COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual rehabilitation leverages virtual reality (VR) technology to provide innovative, engaging, and measurable rehabilitation services that can complement or replace traditional therapy approaches. Virtual reality and telerehabilitation represent evolving fields in TKA rehabilitation, offering advantages over traditional therapy in terms of cost-effectiveness, improved outcomes, enhanced exercise adherence, and reduced barriers to accessing postoperative therapy. Despite the need for more research and standardized protocols, VR-based rehabilitation holds significant potential for optimizing the recovery process for patients undergoing TKA. The research indicates that VR-based rehabilitation programs for TKA patients have utilized a variety of interactive virtual environments, gaming activities, and feedback mechanisms to supplement traditional physical therapy exercises. Virtual rehabilitation for TKA encourages clinician-patient interaction beyond the hospital setting and offers the advantages of cost savings, convenience, at-home monitoring, and coordination of care, improved functional outcomes, increased exercise adherence, better balance performance, and psychological benefits like reduced stress and anxiety, all of which are geared to improve adherence and overall patient satisfaction. This review article outlines the importance of virtual rehabilitation in TKA, emphasizing cost-effectiveness and improved balance and function while maintaining enhanced adherence and exercise performance. This article also delves into the mode of administration of VR-based rehabilitation and its delivery, safety concerns, advantages and disadvantages, as well as the most common VR-based rehabilitation protocols for TKA. Further, it discusses the implications of virtual rehabilitation in the healthcare system and future directions for virtual rehabilitation in TKA. In conclusion, the evidence indicates that virtual physical therapy (PT) with remote clinical oversight is a safe, effective, and more cost-effective alternative to traditional in-person PT for patients undergoing TKA. Keywords: Virtual rehabilitation, virtual physical therapy, telehealth, telerehabilitation, total knee arthroplasty.

ACUTE INTERMITTENT HEAT EXPOSURE WITH MORE FREQUENT AND SHORTER COOLING BREAKS ENHANCES PERFORMANCE AND ELICITS COMPARABLE PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO CONTINUOUS HEAT EXPOSURE

INTRODUCTION & AIMS Heat acclimation (HA) is critical to mitigate the adverse effects of heat on exercise performance. While these methods yield physiological adaptations to heat, it also results in greater internal training load. This can potentially compromise training quality and lead to overreaching. Therefore, there is a need for HA protocols that address situations where training quality is crucial, yet the heat stimulus is necessary. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of shorter, more frequent rest breaks with per-cooling (PerC) as an alternative HA session on physiological, perceptual, and self-paced maximal cycling performance, compared to continuous heat exposure. METHODS Thirteen participants completed one continuous and three intermittent heat exposure (IHE) maximal self-paced cycling protocols matched for total exercise and rest duration, in a random order in heat (36°C, 80% relative humidity): 1 x 60-min exercise (CON), 3 x 20-min exercise with 7.5-min rest between sets (IHE-20), 4 x 15-min exercise with 5-min rest between sets (IHE-15), 6 x 10-min exercise with 3-min rest between sets (IHE-10). Mixed-method PerC (crushed-ice ingestion and cooling vest) was applied during rest periods of all IHE protocols. RESULTS Total distance completed was greater in IHE-10, IHE-15, and IHE-20 compared to CON (+11%, +9%, and +8%, respectively), with no difference observed between IHE protocols. Total time spent above 38.5°C core temperature (Tc) was longer in CON compared to IHE-15 and IHE-20 (+62% and +78%, respectively), but similar to IHE-10 (+5%). Furthermore, a longer time above 38.5°C Tc occurred in IHE-10 versus IHE-15 and IHE-20 (+54% and +69%, respectively). Sweat loss did not differ between conditions. CONCLUSION Intermittent heat exposure with PerC may be a viable alternative HA protocol in situations where training quality takes precedence over thermal stimulus, or when both factors hold equal priority.

Choline, Betaine, and Exercise Performance

Choline, Betaine, and Exercise Performance

Caffeine Does Not Alter Performance, Perceptual Responses, and Oxidative Stress After Short Sprint Interval Training.

Despite the abundance of research investigating the efficacy of caffeine supplementation on exercise performance, the physiological and biochemical responses to caffeine supplementation during intermittent activities are less evident. This study investigated the acute effects of caffeine supplementation on measures of exercise performance, ratings of perceived exertion, and biomarkers of oxidative stress induced by an acute bout of sprint interval training. In a randomized crossover design, 12 healthy males (age: 26 ± 4years, height: 177.5 ± 6cm, body mass: 80.7 ± 7.6kg) ingested 6mg/kg of caffeine or placebo 60min prior to performing sprint interval training (12 × 6s "all-out sprints" interspersed by 60s of rest). Performance scores and ratings of perceived exertion were assessed after every sprint. Blood samples were collected before supplementation, prior to and following each sprint, and 5 and 60min after the last sprint. Caffeine had no effect on any performance measures, ratings of perceived exertion, or biomarkers of oxidative stress (p > .05). In conclusion, caffeine supplementation does not improve performance or decrease oxidative stress after an acute bout of sprint interval training.

REGULAR LOW-DOSE CAFFEINE SUPPLEMENTATION DURING TRAINING DOES NOT PROVIDE ADDITIONAL BENEFIT TO SUBSEQUENT EXERCISE PERFORMANCE IN AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL ATHLETES

INTRODUCTION & AIMS Acute caffeine supplementation can improve exercise types like those completed by Australian Rules football (ARF) players during training. Hypothetically athletes could implement caffeine supplementation prior to training, allowing them to complete more training volume, improving adaptation and subsequent exercise performance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of regular low-dose caffeine ingestion pre-training during a training block on subsequent exercise performance. METHODS Twenty-nine male semi-professional ARF players were randomly allocated to a caffeine or placebo group. The four-week intervention period involved participants ingesting 2 mg·kg·BM-1 of caffeine or a placebo 60 min prior to two of their three weekly training sessions, which incorporated sport-specific conditioning and skills training. To assess exercise performance, a battery of tests was used before and after the intervention period including the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2 (YYIRT2), 20 m sprint and vertical jump (VJ). Performance differences were assessed using a linear mixed-effect model. RESULTS Mean session rating of perceived exertion (p = .24) and total training load (p =.53) were not different between caffeine and placebo groups over the intervention. There were no significant time x condition interaction effects for YYIRT2 accumulated distance (p = .87), or 5, 10 and 20 m sprint times (p =.06 - .44), however both caffeine and placebo groups improved YYIRT2 distance and sprint times following four weeks of training (p < 0.01). There was a significant effect for time showing decreased VJ performance (p < 0.01), with greater reductions in the placebo group (p = .03). CONCLUSION It is more beneficial to implement an effective training program for athletes rather than focusing effort on regular low-dose caffeine supplementation to augment the training stimulus. The training stimulus itself is typically greater for developing endurance and sprint effort performance, with supplemental caffeine showing no additional performance benefit.

Sport Psychology: Principles and Practices for Sports Medicine Physicians.

Sport psychology is the scientific study and application of psychological principles to enhance performance and well-being in sport, exercise, and physical activity. It has numerous applications to sports medicine, as psychological factors are associated with sport injury risk, recovery, successful return to play, and overall health. This article addresses how sport psychology is important to sports medicine and what applied sport psychologists do. We discuss several psychological principles and practices relevant to individual performance and well-being, including goal setting, communication, arousal and performance, imagery/mental rehearsal, attention management, managing psychological distress, and behavioral health. We also discuss principles and practices of sport psychology relevant to team performance, including stages of team development, goal setting, communication, arousal and performance, and behavioral health. Sport psychology and applied sport psychology practitioners can be valued assets to sports medicine teams in supporting individual and team performance and injury recovery.

A Biomechanical Comparison of the Back Squat and Hexagonal Barbell Deadlift.

Stahl, CA, Regni, G, Tanguay, J, McElfresh, M, Trihy, E, Diggin, D, and King, DL. A biomechanical comparison of the back squat and hexagonal barbell deadlift. J Strength Cond Res 38(5): 815-824, 2024-Coaches often use different exercises to encourage similar strength adaptations and limit monotony. Anecdotally, the hexagonal barbell deadlift (HBD) exhibits similarities to the back squat (BS). To date, research has not examined the empirical differences between these exercises. This study examined kinematic and kinetic differences between the BS and the HBD across different loads. Sixteen resistance-trained individuals (6 men and 10 women) volunteered to participate. Subjects performed 1-repetition maximum (1RM) testing under BS and HBD conditions. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected during performance of both exercises at submaximal (warm-up sets) and maximal (1RM) loads using a 3D motion capture and force-plate system. Results showed that subjects lifted greater 1RM loads in the HBD relative to the BS (p < 0.05; d = -1.75). Kinematic data indicated that subjects exhibited greater maximum forward lean of the trunk and decreased maximum knee flexion while performing the HBD compared with the BS. The BS resulted in higher maximum extension moments at the hip joint than the HBD. Maximum extension moments at the knee joint showed no difference between the exercises. Data suggest that bar design and position facilitate balanced moment arm length at hip and knee joints during performance of the HBD. By contrast, bar position during performance of the BS increases moment arm length at the hip joint, making it a hip-dominant exercise. The present data have implications for the programming of both exercises. Future research should examine differences in muscle-activation strategies between the 2 exercises.

The effects of wearing face masks on the perception and mood of male healthy male adults during treadmill running: A pilot study.

In the past few years, the face mask has been recommended for the prevention of exposing others to COVID-19. Wearing a face mask may have the potential to increase dyspnea and discomfort during exercise; however, controversy exists on whether wearing face masks during exercise affects exercise performance, perception, and mood in runners. We investigated the physiological and perceptual responses of healthy male adults who had experienced long-distance running while exercising at different intensities. Nine healthy young adults who were long-distance runners wearing surgical face mask conducted an incremental treadmill protocol. The protocol was three 6-min stages (20%, 40%, and 60% of maximal heart rate, respectively). The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and the feeling scale (FS) were measured. RPE was higher in mask condition than in unmask condition (No mask vs. Face mask, light; 8.22 vs. 8.78, p = 0.615, middle; 10.00 vs. 10.78, p = 0.345, high; 12.33 vs. 13.67, p = 0.044.), while FS was not different between conditions. The present study shows that wearing a mask may increase rating of perceived exertion and discomfort when the exercise intensity exceeds a certain threshold in healthy male adults who have experienced long-distance running.

Prognostic value of exercise longitudinal right ventricular free wall strain in patients with sickle cell disease.

Longitudinal right ventricular free wall strain (RVFWS) has been identified as an independent prognostic marker in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Little is known however about the prognostic value of RVFWS in patients with sickle cell (SC) disease, particularly during exercise. We therefore examined the prognostic significance of RVFWS both at rest and with exercise in patients with SC disease and normal resting systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP). Consecutive patients with SC disease referred for bicycle ergometer stress echocardiography (SE) were enrolled ftom July 2019 to January 2021. All patients had measurable tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV). Conventional echocardiography parameters, left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), RVFWS, and ventriculoarterial coupling indices (TAPSE/SPAP and RVFWS/SPAP) were assessed at rest and peak exercise. Repeat SE was performed at a median follow-up of 2years. The cohort consisted of 87 patients (mean age was 31 ± 11years, 66% females). All patients had normal resting TRV < 2.8m/s, RVFWS and LVGLS at baseline. There were 23 (26%) patients who had peak stress RVFWS < 20%. They had higher resting and peak stressTRV andSPAP, but lower resting and peak stressTAPSE/SPAP, RVFWS/SPAP, and LVGLS as well as lower peak stresscardiac output when compared to patients with peak stressRVFWS ≥ 20% (p < 0.05). Patients with baseline peak stressRVFWS < 20% had a significant decrease in exercise performance at follow-up (7.5 ± 2.7min at baseline vs. 5.5 ± 2.8min at follow-up, p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, baseline peak stressRVFWS was the only independent predictor of poorer exercise performance at follow-up [odds ratio 8.2 (1.2, 56.0), p = 0.033]. Among patients with SC disease who underwent bicycle ergometer SE, a decreased baseline value of RVFWS at peak stress predicted poorer exercise time at follow-up.