Increase In Physical Work Capacity Research Articles

Short-term physical exercise impacts on the human holobiont obtained by a randomised intervention study

BackgroundHuman well-being has been linked to the composition and functional capacity of the intestinal microbiota. As regular exercise is known to improve human health, it is not surprising that exercise was previously described to positively modulate the gut microbiota, too. However, most previous studies mainly focused on either elite athletes or animal models. Thus, we conducted a randomised intervention study that focused on the effects of different types of training (endurance and strength) in previously physically inactive, healthy adults in comparison to controls that did not perform regular exercise. Overall study duration was ten weeks including six weeks of intervention period. In addition to 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of longitudinally sampled faecal material of participants (six time points), detailed body composition measurements and analysis of blood samples (at baseline and after the intervention) were performed to obtain overall physiological changes within the intervention period. Activity tracker devices (wrist-band wearables) provided activity status and sleeping patterns of participants as well as exercise intensity and heart measurements.ResultsDifferent biometric responses between endurance and strength activities were identified, such as a significant increase of lymphocytes and decrease of mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) only within the strength intervention group. In the endurance group, we observed a significant reduction in hip circumference and an increase in physical working capacity (PWC). Though a large variation of microbiota changes were observed between individuals of the same group, we did not find specific collective alterations in the endurance nor the strength groups, arguing for microbiome variations specific to individuals, and therefore, were not captured in our analysis.ConclusionsWe could show that different types of exercise have distinct but moderate effects on the overall physiology of humans and very distinct microbial changes in the gut. The observed overall changes during the intervention highlight the importance of physical activity on well-being. Future studies should investigate the effect of exercise on a longer timescale, investigate different training intensities and consider high-resolution shotgun metagenomics technology.Trial registrationDRKS, DRKS00015873. Registered 12 December 2018; Retrospectively registered.

Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Fitness During Childhood and Adolescence: Association With Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Thickness in Young Adulthood.

Higher physical working capacity (PWC) at age 17 was associated with thicker peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) at age 20, suggesting a mechanistic link between cardiovascular fitness and neuroretinal integrity. Physical activity and cardiovascular fitness have been linked with lower odds of developing glaucoma. We tested the hypothesis that early beneficial effects of physical activity and cardiovascular fitness can be observed by measuring the pRNFL thickness in young healthy adults. The Raine Study is a longitudinal study that has followed a cohort since before their births in 1989-1992. Parent-reported physical activity was collected between 8 and 17 years, and latent class analysis was used to identify the participants' physical activity trajectories. At the 20-year follow-up (participants' mean age=20.1±0.4 y), participants' metabolic equivalent of task-minutes/week was determined using self-reported physical activity data. Participants' PWC was assessed at the 14- and 17-year follow-ups to estimate their level of cardiovascular fitness. An eye examination, which included spectral-domain optical coherence tomography imaging, was conducted at the 20-year follow-up for 1344 participants. Parent-reported or participant-reported physical activity was not associated with pRNFL thickness. However, higher PWC at 17 years was associated with thicker pRNFL globally [by 0.3 µm; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.2-0.6; P<0.001], superotemporally (by 0.4 µm; 95% CI=0.1-0.7; P=0.013), inferonasally (by 0.7 µm; 95% CI=0.1-0.9; P=0.002), and nasally (by 0.4 µm; 95% CI=0.1-0.7; P=0.006) per 10 Watt increase in PWC. The association between estimated cardiovascular fitness and pRNFL thickness suggests there may be overlapping mechanisms for cardiovascular health and retinal ganglion cell integrity. While the effect sizes were small, it is possible that larger effects and clinically significant associations may arise as we follow this cohort of participants through their later adulthood.

Effect of alcohol tincture of Aralia elata on the organism of rats and their gut microbiota against the background of excessive fat diet

Pharmacological effects of the medicinal plant Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem. 1868 (Araliaceae) are related to presence of over 150 secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, sterols, polysaccharides, terpenoid saponins and terpenoid acids, though the main biologically active substances of A. elata are saponins and flavonoids. Some clinical tests and experimental studies have proved the influence of A. elata on the organism through increase in physical work capacity, exerting an anti-stress effect against a broad range of harmful factors, including stress from cold, immobilization, ultraviolet radiation and low pressure. The literature also reports the anti-ulcer, anti-secretory, antifungal, anti-tumour, and antimicrobial activity of preparations from this plant. In our laboratory experiment, we determined that ethanolic tincture of A. elata has no effect on the intensity of growth of body weight of young rats against the background of excessive content of fat in their diet. Excessive fat-feeding of male rats leads mostly to disorders in the functioning of the liver and development of steatosis. This was accompanied by reduction in relative mass of the liver, increase in activity of hepatic enzymes, dysproteinemia, increase in the level of bilirubin and decrease in the level of urea. Additional use of 0.1% ethanol led to impaired functioning of the kidneys, reduction of their relative mass, signs of dehydration, increase in the level of creatinine and total calcium in the blood. Use of ethanolic tincture of A. elata mitigates negative excess of fat, is accompanied by normalization of indices of mass of the organs, less notable dysproteinemia, impairment in the level of creatinine, glucose, urea, cholesterol, bilirubin and total calcium. Ethanolic tincture of A. elata has a low immunosuppressive action, against the background of a high fat diet it leads to increase in the amount of typical Escherichia сoli, decrease in Еnterococcus spp. and Enterobacter spp., significant decrease and in high concentrations (0.1% ethanolic tincture of A. elata) elimination of bacteria of Clostridium and Klebsiella genera, and also various yeast fungi in the intestine. In the examined male rats, against the background of excess of fat in the diet, no serious changes in the composition of the normal gut microbiota (Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus spp., Proteus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Candida spp.) was observed, nor were any lactose-negative enterobacteria (Citrobacter genus) found. Perspectives of further research include determining histological, histochemical and immune-histological changes in the organs of laboratory animals under the effect of ethanolic tincture of A. elata following excessive accumulation of fat.

Integration of Functional, Psychophysiological, and Biochemical Processes in Athletes after Audiovisual Stimulation

We studied intra- and inter-system structural interactions between functional, psychophysiological, and biochemical processes in athletes after audiovisual stimulation (AVS). We used multiple linear regression and correlation analysis after AVS to investigate the formation of new relations between the nervous, hormonal, cardiorespiratory, and metabolic systems. AVS training leads to an increase in physical working capacity (PWC170) and in the number of its correlations, e.g., with the amplitude of alpha-rhythm, resting heart rate (HR), concentrations of thyroxine, phosphorus, glucose, bilirubin, and triglycerides, antioxidant status, and the level of life satisfaction, which indicates the elevation in inter-system integration processes at different functional levels. An increase in the number and effects of factors contributing to PWC170 (chronoinotropic reserve, lung capacity, reaction of individual α-rate power depth, reaction to the moving object, and the concentrations of glucose, creatinine, bilirubin, and thyroxine) eventually resulted in higher PWC170. This indicates that the rate of synchronization between the studied parameters increases under the influence of sensory impact, which results in the improvement of adaptive capacity and provides a lower cost of adaptation to physical loads at the competitive stage of sports training.

Факторна структура професійно-прикладної фізичної підготовленості студентів залізничних спеціальностей

Purpose: to define the factorial structure of professionally-applied physical fitness of students – future electrical engineers of railway transport. Material & Methods: analysis and synthesis of references, questioning, anthropometry, testing, functional tests, and methods of mathematical statistics (the factorial analysis) with application of the computer program SPSS 17.0. 50 students (young men) of Ukrainian state railway university participated in the research. Results: the ratio of means of physical culture which are expedient to use for the optimization of professionally-applied physical training of future specialists of the railway branch is defined. Conclusions: the factorial analysis allowed to distribute means of physical education as follows: physical exercises which are directed to the increase in physical working capacity and overall physical fitness – about 40%; exercises on the development of power qualities – 25%; exercises on the development of high-speed and power endurance – 15%; means which are allocated for the improvement of functions of attention and kinetic sensitivity – 10%; exercises which are directed to the increase in special working capacity – 10%.

Perioperative care of adolescents

To describe adolescent development within the context of perioperative anesthetic management. Most adolescent deaths are as a result of unintentional injury. Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause, with homicide the second most common cause of intentional injury. Suicide is also a significant cause of adolescent death. The thinning of gray matter following preadolescence overtakes synaptogenesis, resulting in a more efficient, adult-like brain. Although adolescent substance use has declined over the last 30 years, cigarette smoking, alcohol and illicit drug use, sexual activity, and violent behavior remain significant concerns in perioperative care. The tremendous increase in physical working capacity and maximum oxygen consumption during adolescence commonly results in the pursuit of muscularity, substance use and abuse, dieting regimens, and muscle dysmorphia. Childhood obesity has risen by more than 50% in the last 10 years. Anorexics die at a rate of 10-20% from complications of starvation or from suicide. Up to 8% of adolescents are diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Poorly controlled perioperative pain is still common. Many adolescents have decision-making capacity and therefore assent to surgery becomes an important perioperative consideration. Adolescents are a very healthy population subject to unintentional and intentional injury. Emotional and judgmental maturation is a cofactor in these injuries, better appreciated through improved understanding of developmental neurobiology. In addition, increases in muscle mass, requirements for nutrition and rest, maladaptive behavior, and health choices are important for optimal perioperative care.

Cardiac rehabilitation today: programs, their effects and practical guidelines

Cardiac rehabilitation programs started to develop in the early 1970s. At that time the emphasis was on physical training. The goal was early return to work and lowering of mortality. Today, cardiac rehabilitation also includes risk factor modification and stress management. From 1972 to 1986, 22 randomized, controlled trials were performed to evaluate whether cardiac rehabilitation would be able to decrease mortality and improve people's ability to return to work. Although all of them reported an increase in physical working capacity, only one reported a decrease in mortality. However, a meta-analysis of the 22 trials was reported in 1989. The study found a 20% decrease in total mortality and a 22% decrease in cardiovascular mortality, both significant. This article describes the principles of cardiac rehabilitation and different types of program models with a detailed description of 3 different programs. It also reviews the effect of cardiac rehabilitation on mortality and its use in primary prevention.

Effect of oral pentoxifylline in exercise-induced silent myocardial ischemia

Pentoxifylline, a methyl xanthine derivative with hemorheologic properties, has been used in the treatment of peripheral and cerebrovascular occlusive diseases. To assess its effect in myocardial ischemia, 20 patients with previous myocardial infarction and silent ischemia at exercise were randomized to receive pentoxifylline 1.2 gm/day or placebo during a 3-month double-blind trial. There were no differences in age, body mass index, or risk factors between groups. At the end of the study, patients in the placebo group showed no changes in physical work capacity or ST segment depression. In contrast, patients in the pentoxifylline group showed a slight but significant increase in physical work capacity (+0.24 ± 0.07 watts/kg; P < 0.01) and a decrease in both maximal exercise-induced ST segment depression (−0.80 ± 0.18 mm; P < 0.01) and at the ninth minute of recovery (−0.38 ± 0.13 mm; P < 0.05). The drug was generally well tolerated. We conclude that pentoxifylline diminishes exercise-induced electrocardiographic changes of myocardial ischemia and improves physical work capacity.

Aerobic exercise in the treatment of nonpsychotic mental disorders: An exploratory study

Ninety-two nonpsychotic inpatients took part in an exploratory study to assess the therapeutic effect of aerobic exercise intervention. All patients were hospitalized for 8 weeks and took part in aerobic exercise for at least 1 h five times a week. Degree of general mental distress was measured by the Symptom Rating Test (SRT); physical work capacity (PWC) was calculated from a submaximal bicycle ergometer test. Three patients dropped out. In every diagnostic category there was significant increase in PWC. Patients with alcohol abuse or dependence had the greatest reductions in symptom scores at the hospital, followed by those with unipolar depressive and anxiety disorders. Eighty-four per cent responded to a 1-year follow-up investigation by mailed questionnaires. The best long-term outcome was found in patients with alcohol abuse and dependence and unipolar depressive disorders. Sixty-five per cent of respondents exercised regularly, and regular exercise habits were most strongly associated with low SRT...

Long-term effects of physical training on coronary patients with impaired ventricular function.

Eighteen patients with coronary heart disease and an ejection fraction of 0.40 or less were entered into an individualized exercise training program. Maximal symptom-limited exercise stress test and cardiac catheterization studies were performed initially and 12--42 months (average 18.5 months) after exercise training. At the time of the follow-up study, the mean functional aerobic impairment (FAI) improved from 32.1 to 23.4% (p less than or equal to 0.01); resting and submaximal heart rates were significantly lower (p less than 0.01 and 0.05, respectively). There was no significant change in the pulmonary artery or left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, cardiac index, stroke index, left ventricular end-diastolic volume or ejection fraction. Exercise training, therefore, can be beneficial even for patients with impaired ventricular function. Increase in physical work capacity was not correlated with improvement of ventricular function; on the other hand, exercise training did not cause deterioration of ventricular function.

Haemodynamics during maximal exercise after coronary bypass surgery.

Fifty patients underwent an objective measurement of physical working capacity by means of a multistage test of maximally tolerated exertion before and after coronary bypass surgery; 29 patients also had haemodynamic measurements during maximal exercise before and after coronary bypass surgery. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the degree of revascularisation: adequate (n = 20), partial (n = 17), or none (n = 13). Adequate revascularisation induces a large increase in physical working capacity because of an increased maximal heart rate and maximal cardiac output; stroke volume during maximal exercise and ejection fraction at rest were not modified, suggesting no major changes in left ventricular function. After unsuccessful coronary bypass surgery, the physical working capacity was unchanged despite an increased maximal heart rate; maximal cardiac output was unchanged and stroke volume during maximal exercise was significantly lower. These undesirable results are often associated with perioperative myocardial infarction and are attended by a decreased ejection fraction at rest; these data suggest an impaired left ventricular function after unsuccessful coronary bypass surgery. The results of partial revascularisation are intermediate but appear to be determined by the incidence of partial graft failure which is also often associated with perioperative myocardial infarction. From individual changes in data collected during maximal exercise testing, it is often impossible to predict the degree of revascularisation.

Physiological Responses to Endurance Work Performance in Relation to Altitude

A study of work capacity and physiological responses to endurancework performance was carried out at plains (Chandigarh 750 ft. above sea level) and at higher altitude (Sainj, India 4500 ft. above sea level). Investigations were carried out on members of a field party consisting of 8 individuals (4 males and 4 females) in the age group of 20-25 years. The team members were first examined soon after their arrival at Sain j. The second reading was taken after a stay of about 14-15 days in Sainj, and the third reading was taken after about a month of their return to plains.The study revealed that cardio-respiratory characteristics are closely related to altitudinal exposure. The principal adaptive responses to hypoxic conditions at higher altitude consisted of increase in pulse rate and decrease in oral temperature and blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic). Vital capacity did not show any adaptive response to altitude at least up to 4500 ft. above sea level. Increase in physical work capacity was observed at higher altitude. Physiological responses to endurance work performance at plains and at higher elevations revealed marked differences.

Physical activity after myocardial infarction

Experimental and clinical research has provided substantial knowledge of the potential benefits and risks associated with the performance of physical activity by patients with uncomplicated myocardial infarction. This knowledge has resulted in the earlier mobilization, a reduction in length of hospitalization, an increase in physical working capacity and a more successful return to work of many patients. These improvements have been associated with a variety of physiologic and psychological changes produced by increased activity during each stage of the patient's recovery. During hospitalization, changes in posture and low intensity activity minimize the cardiovascular and psychological complications caused by prolonged bed rest. After hospitalization, the most valuable benefit of regularly performed exercise appears to be a reduction in myocardial oxygen demand at rest and during submaximal exertion. The unique contribution of increased physical activity to reducing the frequency and severity of reinfarction has not been adequately established but, when combined with other behavior designed to reduce risk factors, the preliminary results are favorable. For these benefits to be obtained without undue risk, exercise for the postmyocardial infarction patient needs to be individually prescribed and periodically reevaluated.