Measure Of Cardiovascular Fitness Research Articles

Responsiveness of respiratory function in Parkinson's Disease to an integrative exercise programme: A prospective cohort study.

Respiratory disorders are the most common cause of death in Parkinson's Disease (PD). Conflicting data exist on the aetiology of respiratory dysfunction in PD and few studies examine the effects of exercise-based interventions on respiratory measures. This study was conducted to better understand respiratory dysfunction in PD and to identify measures of dysfunction responsive to an integrative exercise programme. The objectives were to compare baseline respiratory measures with matched, published population norms and to examine immediate and longer-term effects of a 12-week integrated exercise programme on these measures. Twenty-three people with mild PD (median Hoehn & Yahr = 2) self-selected to participate in this exploratory prospective cohort study. Evaluation of participants occurred at three time points: at baseline; following the 12-week exercise programme and at 4-month follow-up. Outcome measures included: Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), Inspiratory Muscle Strength (MIP), Expiratory Muscle Strength (MEP), Peak Cough Flow (PCF), and Cardiovascular Fitness measures of estimated VO2 max and 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Compared to published norms, participants had impaired cough, reduced respiratory muscle strength, FEV, FVC, PEF and cardiovascular fitness. Post exercise intervention, statistically significant improvements were noted in MEP, cardiovascular fitness, and PEF. However only gains in PEF were maintained at 4-month follow-up. Significant respiratory dysfunction exists, even in the early stages of PD. Metrics of respiratory muscle strength, peak expiratory flow and cardiovascular fitness appear responsive to an integrative exercise programme.

‘Get Healthy!’ physical activity and healthy eating intervention for adults with intellectual disability: results from the feasibility pilot

BackgroundPeople with intellectual disabilities (ID) experience high rates of lifestyle related morbidities, in part due to lack of access to tailored health promotion programmes. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a tailored healthy lifestyle intervention, Get Healthy!MethodsGet Healthy! is a 12-week physical activity and healthy eating programme designed to address lifestyle-related risks for adults with mild-moderate ID. The feasibility pilot was designed to assess subjective participant experience and programme feasibility across: recruitment and screening, retention, session attendance and engagement, adverse events, and practicality and reliability of outcome procedures. Exploratory programme efficacy was assessed across the following measures: anthropometry (body mass index, weight, waist circumference), cardiovascular fitness, physical strength, dietary intake, healthy literacy, and quality of life.ResultsSix participants with moderate ID and two carer participants completed the feasibility trial, representing a 100% retention rate. Qualitative data indicated the programme was well received. Participants with ID attended 75% of sessions offered and displayed a high level of engagement in sessions attended (91% mean engagement score). While most data collection procedures were feasible to implement, several measures were either not feasible for our participants, or required a higher level of support to implement than was provided in the existing trial protocol. Participants with ID displayed decreases in mean waist circumference between baseline and endpoint (95% CI: − 3.20, − 0.17 cm) and some improvements in measures of cardiovascular fitness and physical strength. No changes in weight, body mass index, or objectively measured knowledge of nutrition and exercise or quality of life were detected from baseline to programme endpoint. Dietary intake results were mixed.DiscussionThe Get Healthy! programme was feasible to implement and well received by participants with moderate ID and their carers. Exploratory efficacy data indicates the programme has potential to positively impact important cardiometabolic risk factors such as waist circumference, cardiovascular fitness, and physical strength. Several of the proposed data collection instruments will require modification or replacement prior to use in a sufficiently powered efficacy trial.Trial registrationACTRN: ACTRN12618000349246. Registered March 8th 2018—retrospectively registered, https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=374497 UTN: U1111-1209–3132.

DEVELOPING A FITNESS AGE-NORMALIZED PERCENTILE-BASED APPROACH TO DEFINE EXCEPTIONAL AGING

Abstract An operational definition of ‘well-aged’ is integral to research identifying biological, psychological and behavioral parameters that predict and/or support healthy aging but remarkably few measures exist. A major challenge is incorporating age-related physiologic decline – a normal feature of healthy aging. We defined well-aged using fast 400m walk performance, a measure of cardiovascular fitness and hallmark of healthy aging. We determined the sex-specific, age-normalized 75th percentile using 4000+ observations collected over 15 years from BLSA participants aged 50-96y (51% women). In 1257 BLSA participants mean age 68.9y (52% women) we compared well-aged to average-aged (25th-75th percentile) adjusting for age, sex and race, and found more favorable WBC, triglycerides, CRP, depressive symptoms, waist/height ratio, eGFR and FEV1 z-score distinguished concurrent well-aged status (all p<.003). Waist/height ratio and pulse-wave velocity (both p<.001) predicted retained well-aged status 2-plus years later. Future work aims to identify physiologic and behavioral facilitators of healthy aging.

A study on the benefits of participation in an electronic tracking physical activity program and motivational interviewing during a three-month period

Background: The purpose was to investigate if participation in a three-month electronic tracking outdoor physical activity and a motivational interviewing (MI) intervention led to positive behavioural, psychological, and physiological outcomes. Methods: Based on a two-group pre-post design, 12 middle-aged women and 6 men were randomly assign to an experimental and a control group. Physical activity data were collected by wrist-worn activity sensors, and pre-post data were collected on the GHQ-12, the BREQ-2, body mass, body fat mass and total body muscle. Measures of cardiovascular fitness were taken pre to post. The experimental group was supported through individual MI coaching sessions and resistance-training for use in an outdoor gym. Magnitude based inferences (MBI) were calculated based on the disposition of the confidence limits for the mean differences to the smallest worthwhile changes. Results: The experimental group had a beneficial increase in its physical activity behaviour (steps). The control group had a medium decrease in identified regulation, the experimental group maintained the same level at the post-measure. Conclusion: Few studies have investigated how the combination of MI and the use of activity-tracking devices effect physical and mental health. This study investigates the use of both MI and activity-tracking devices on psychological well-being, motivation, and physical health in an outdoor context. Future research recommendations are given.

Assessing the Effect of Six-Weeks of Moderate Intensity Exercise Training on Cardiovascular Fitness among Young Obese Adults

Aim – To determine the effectiveness of 6 weeks of moderate intensity exercise training & To provide an appropriate measure of cardiovascular fitness. The YMCA 3minute step test is based on how quickly your heart rate recovers following a short bout of exercise. Hence the purpose was to provide a submaximal measure of cardiovascular fitness after six-weeks of moderate intensity exercise training among young obese adults. Methodology - According to simple random sampling 50 participants were included in the study after screening for the inclusion criteria. Thereafter They were explained the purpose of the study and the procedure involved in the study. Informed Consent was obtained and a YMCA 3-minute step test was done. Heart rate measures were recorded at the end of the 3-min step test Pre & Post intervention. Data analysis was done at the end of the study. Results – Post intervention 10 students (20%) out of 50 had good cardiovascular fitness level, 22 students (44%) had an above average cardiovascular fitness, 13 students (26%) had average fitness & 5 students (10%) had below average level of cardiovascular fitness. Conclusion- This study concluded that, six weeks of moderate intensity exercise training improved cardiovascular fitness and lowered the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in obese young adults. Keywords: Cardiovascular fitness, YMCA 3minute step test, Moderate intensity exercise training.

Temporal Skin Temperature as an Indicator of Cardiorespiratory Fitness Assessed with Selected Methods.

Simple SummaryThe aim of this study was to investigate whether it is possible to use infrared thermography to assess cardiovascular fitness and aerobic capacity. Changes in temporal temperature during and after a single bout of high-intensity exercise were measured from subjects with varying levels of physical activity. Significant correlation between the temporal temperature measured during recovery time with cardiovascular fitness parameters (HRR and HRV) and maximum oxygen consumption confirm the usefulness of thermal imagining in aerobic capacity evaluation. These results could foster the employment of infrared thermography to monitor athletic/athletes’ performance.The aim of this study was to determine whether there are associations between cardiovascular fitness (and aerobic capacity) and changes in temporal skin temperature during and after a single bout of high-intensity exercise. Twenty-three men with varying levels of physical activity (VO2max: 59.03 ± 11.19 (mL/kg/min), body mass 71.5 ± 10.4 (kg), body height 179 ± 8 (cm)) participated in the study. Each subject performed an incremental test and, after a 48-h interval, a 110%Pmax power test combined with an analysis of the thermal parameters, heart rate recovery and heart rate variability. Thermal radiation density from the body surface (temple) was measured using a Sonel KT384 thermal imaging camera immediately after warm-up (Tb), immediately after exercise (Te) and 120 sec after the end of exercise (Tr). The differences between measurements were then calculated. The correlation analysis between the thermal and cardiovascular function parameters during the recovery period showed strong positive associations between the Tr-Te difference and measures of cardiovascular fitness (50 < r < 69, p < 0.05). For example, the correlation coefficient between Tr-Te and VO2max reached 0.55 and between Tr-Te and Pmax reached 0.68. The results obtained indicate that the measurement of temporal temperature during and after an intense 3-min bout of exercise can be used to assess aerobic physical capacity and cardiovascular fitness.

Assessment of Cardiovascular Fitness amongst College Students Involved in Sport Activities and Dance

Purpose- To provide an appropriate measure of cardiovascular fitness. The YMCA 3minute step test is based on how quickly your heart rate recovers following a short bout of exercise. Hence the purpose was to provide a submaximal measure of endurance fitness between the students who are involved in sport activities and dance. Methodology- According to simple random sampling 40 participants were included in the study after screening for the inclusion criteria. Thereafter the Participants were divided into 2 groups. 20 participants included in sports group and 20 in dance group. They were explained the purpose of the study and the procedure involved in the study. Informed Consent was obtained and a YMCA 3minute step test was done. Heart rate measures were recorded in both the groups of population. Data analysis was done at the end of the study. Results – 12 students in the sports group had a good to above average fitness level, and 3 students in dancing group had a above average fitness. No student in dance had a good fitness. Further 7 students in dance had a average fitness compared to 2 students in sports who had average fitness. 6 students involved in sports had below average to very poor fitness and 10 students involved in dance had their fitness in this category. Conclusion- It was concluded from the results obtained that the students involved in sport activities had a significantly good cardiovascular fitness than students involved in dance. Keywords: cardiovascular fitness, sports, dance, YMCA 3minute step test.

A single bout of hybrid intradialytic exercise did not affect left-ventricular function in exercise-naïve dialysis patients: a randomized, cross-over trial.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, especially those receiving hemodialysis (HD) therapy. HD has many side effects that are related to patients' hearts, such as recurrent myocardial ischemia and global or segmental left-ventricular dysfunction, which is associated with intradialytic hypotension, long-term loss of systolic function, and high incidence of cardiovascular events and death. Systematic exercise training has a beneficial effect on measures of cardiovascular fitness and reducing cardiovascular risk factors in ESRD. Whether there is an acute benefit of exercise during HD on left-ventricular function is not well known. The current study aimed to investigate whether a single bout of hybrid (aerobic and resistance) intradialytic exercise could affect left-ventricular function during HD sessions. Twenty-one exercise naïve and clinically stable HD patients participated in the study. All participants completed two different HD trials on two different days, separated by 1 week: (1) standard HD and (2) HD including a single bout of hybrid intradialytic exercise. Hybrid intradialytic training included the usual intradialytic cycling followed by resistance training using elastic bands and dumbbells. Echocardiographic assessment of left-ventricular function was completed before HD, half an hour before the end of HD, and 30min after the end of HD. Cohort data for left-ventricular function indices were not different between trials and did not change across time in either the standard HD or HD plus exercise trial. Cohort data for the change in ejection fraction from baseline to during HD did mask considerable inter-individual variability (HD -0 ± 15; HD plus exercise (-2 ± 20). Despite this, the variability was not mediated by the addition of intradialytic hybrid exercise. A single bout of hybrid intradialytic exercise did not affect left-ventricular function during the HD therapy. It is important to determine whether chronic exercise training could beneficially affect left-ventricular function abnormalities often observed during the HD therapy. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01721551) as a clinical trial.

Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation: A Mixed-Method RCT

IntroductionPhysical activity declines in adolescence, especially among those in deprived areas. Research suggests this may result from accessibility barriers (e.g., cost and locality). The Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation RCT aimed to improve the fitness and heart health of teenagers in Wales with the help of teenagers who co-produced the study.Study designThis study was a mixed-method RCT.Setting/participantsBefore data collection, which took place at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months for both arms, 7 schools were randomized by an external statistician (4 intervention schools, n=524; 3 control schools, n=385).InterventionThe Active Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation intervention included provision of activity vouchers (£20 per month), a peer mentoring scheme, and support worker engagement for 12 months between January and December 2017. Data analysis occurred February–April 2018.Main outcome measuresData included measures of cardiovascular fitness, cardiovascular health (blood pressure and pulse wave analysis), motivation, and focus groups.ResultsThe intervention showed a trend to improve the distance ran (primary outcome) and was significant in improving the likelihood of intervention teenagers being fit (OR=1.21, 95% CI=1.07, 1.38, p=0.002). There was a reduction in teenagers classified as having high blood pressure (secondary outcome) in the intervention group (baseline, 5.3% [28/524]; 12 months, 2.7% [14/524]). Data on where teenagers used vouchers and evidence from focus groups showed that teenagers wanted to access more unstructured, informal, and social activities in their local areas.ConclusionsActive Children Through Individual Vouchers Evaluation identified methods that may have a positive impact on cardiovascular fitness, cardiovascular health, and perspectives of activity. Consulting with teenagers, empowering them, and providing more local opportunities for them to take part in activities that are fun, unstructured, and social could positively impact teenage physical activity.Trial registrationISRCTN, ISRCTN75594310.

Predictors of real-life mobility in community-dwelling older adults: an exploration based on a comprehensive framework for analyzing mobility

BackgroundReduced mobility is associated with a plethora of adverse outcomes. To support older adults in maintaining their independence, it first is important to have deeper knowledge of factors that impact on their mobility. Based on a framework that encompasses demographical, environmental, physical, cognitive, psychological and social domains, this study explores predictors of different aspects of real-life mobility in community-dwelling older adults.MethodsData were obtained in two study waves with a total sample of n = 154. Real-life mobility (physical activity-based mobility and life-space mobility) was assessed over one week using smartphones. Active and gait time and number of steps were calculated from inertial sensor data, and life-space area, total distance, and action range were calculated from GPS data. Demographic measures included age, gender and education. Physical functioning was assessed based on measures of cardiovascular fitness, leg and handgrip strength, balance and gait function; cognitive functioning was assessed based on measures of attention and executive function. Psychological and social assessments included measures of self-efficacy, depression, rigidity, arousal, and loneliness, sociableness, perceived help availability, perceived ageism and social networks. Maximum temperature was used to assess weather conditions on monitoring days.ResultsMultiple regression analyses indicated just physical and psychological measures accounted for significant but rather low proportions of variance (5–30%) in real-life mobility. Strength measures were retained in most of the regression models. Cognitive and social measures did not remain as significant predictors in any of the models.ConclusionsIn older adults without mobility limitations, real-life mobility was associated primarily with measures of physical functioning. Psychological functioning also seemed to play a role for real-life mobility, though the associations were more pronounced for physical activity-based mobility than life-space mobility. Further factors should be assessed in order to achieve more conclusive results about predictors of real-life mobility in community-dwelling older adults.

Chronic Cannabis Use and Circulating Bio‐Markers of Neural Health, Stress, and Inflammation in Physically Active Individuals

PurposeThe purpose of this cross‐sectional study is to compare measures of general health, circulating concentrations of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), c‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and cortisol in physically active cannabis users (CU) and physically active non‐cannabis users (NU).MethodsParticipants (N=30; n=20 male) were defined as CU (n=15; n=10 male) if they were using cannabis products at least once a week for the past 6‐months or NU (n=15; n=10 male) if they had not used any cannabis products in the past 6‐months. Age, height, weight, and body composition were assessed. Resting heart rate (HR) was obtained using a Polar heart rate monitor and VO2max, as a measure of cardiovascular fitness, was assessed with a ParvoMedics metabolic cart using a graded treadmill protocol. Fasted and rested intravenous blood samples were collected and ELISAs were used to obtain NGF, BDNF, CRP, IL‐6, and cortisol concentrations. Data are presented as mean ± SD and analyzed with a student's t‐test (alpha=0.05).ResultsCU used cannabis products an average of 4.5±2.5 times per week. There were no significant differences between CU and NU age (23.4±4.4 yrs), height (177.6±8.2 cm), weight (75.7±15.5 kg), body composition, or VO2max (50.3±7.4 ml/kg/min). HR was significantly higher in CU (72.7±15.9 bpm) compared to NU (62.5±7.9 bpm) (p=0.04). Concentrations of BDNF were significantly lower in CU (5.6±0.8 ng/mL) compared to NU (6.3±0.8 ng/mL) (p=0.02). There were no differences in concentration of NGF (193.7±71.6 pg/mL), CRP (CU=1.0± 1.83; NU=0.5±0.4 mg/L), IL‐6 (1.28±0.6 pg/mL), or cortisol (19.8±7.0 ng/mL).ConclusionsAlthough aspects of general health appeared to be similar between NU and CU groups, this study revealed elevated resting HR and reduced BDNF concentrations in CU compared to NU. Although there were no differences between groups with respect to bio‐markers of stress (IL‐6, CRP and cortisol); CU were classified as moderate risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to low CVD risk for NU as defined by CRP concentrations. This study suggests that chronic cannabis use is associated with altered central and peripheral synaptic plasticity, as well as the potential for increased CVD risk classification in physically active individuals.Support or Funding InformationThis research was funded by the University of Northern Colorado New Projects Program Grant, University of Northern Colorado Graduate Student Association and Natural and Health Sciences Student Grants.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Effects of a novel exercise training protocol of Wingate-based sprint bouts dispersed over a day on selected cardiometabolic health markers in sedentary females: a pilot study

PurposeSprint interval training (SIT) provides a strong stimulus for improving cardiovascular fitness, which is among the key markers for premature mortality. Recent literature demonstrated that SIT protocols with as few...

Mindfulness Training, Yoga, or Both? Dismantling the Active Components of a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Intervention

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) can help college students cope effectively with stress, reducing negative affect in the short term and resulting in higher (more adaptive) heart rate variability (HRV). However, HRV is a measure of cardiovascular fitness, as well as parasympathetic control of the stress response. MBSR is a multicomponent intervention and it is unclear to what extent movement, including gentle yoga, mindfulness training, or the synergy between the two, has an impact on emotional and physiological outcomes. The current study dismantled yoga and explicit mindfulness training in a brief stress reduction intervention in college students. Participants were randomly assigned to either mindfulness training and meditation alone (no movement); yoga alone (no explicit mindfulness training); combined yoga and mindfulness training and meditation; an active placebo control consisting of study breaks with party games, access to a therapy dog, and healthful snacks; or a no-treatment control. All active treatments resulted in decreases in anxiety and dysphoria over the 4 weeks of treatment relative to the no-treatment control, although by week 4, only the combined and yoga groups were significantly different from the control group on both measures. The no-treatment control group showed the lowest HRV at rest and during the challenge. The combined and yoga groups showed the highest HRV at rest, followed by moderate declines in HRV during the challenge, suggesting adaptive vagal withdrawal. The mindfulness training alone group was the only group to show no decrease in HRV during the challenge, suggesting that they were the least stressed by the challenge.

Maximal aerobic capacity can be increased by enhancing performers' expectancies.

Maximum aerobic capacity (VO2max) is widely accepted as the best measure of cardiovascular fitness and aerobic power. The present study investigated whether enhancing participants' performance expectancies through positive social-comparative feedback would increase VO2max. Participants were experienced runners who regularly ran for exercise or competitively. All participants completed two VO2max tests within a 2-week period at similar times of the day. Before the second test, enhanced expectancy group participants were informed that their aerobic capacity on the first test was above the group average, whereas control group participants were told the second test was for validation purposes. Measurements taken were relative to VO2max, as well as pulmonary ventilation, respiratory exchange ratio, heart rate, and ratings of perceived exertion. The enhanced expectancy group demonstrated a significant increase (+3.28%) in VO2max from test 1 (61.1±2.8 mL·kg-1·min-1) to test 2 (63.7±2.9 mL·kg-1·min-1, P=0.007), whereas the control group's VO2max decreased significantly (-4.11%, test 1 =59.4±2.9 mL·kg-1·min-1, test 2 =57.8±2.3 mL·kg-1·min-1, P=0.027). No group differences were found with respect to other performance measures (pulmonary ventilation P=0.22, heart rate P=0.97, respiratory exchange ratio P=0.11, rate of perceived exertion P=0.13). The results show that maximum aerobic capacity is, in part, a function of the performer's self-efficacy expectations. These findings add to the increasing evidence demonstrating social-cognitive-affective influences on (maximum) motor performance.

Exercise, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular fitness in breast cancer survivors.

165 Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been reported higher in breast cancer survivors (BCS) compared to age-matched postmenopausal women. The risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes is significantly increased in women with MetS. Lifestyle behaviors are recommended first line interventions to reduce risk for MetS. Methods: From a 12 month randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a fitness center exercise intervention compared to a home physical activity group, the criteria for MetS (3 of 5 components: waist circumference [WC] ≥ 80cm, triglycerides ≥ 150mg/dL, HDL cholesterol &lt; 40 mg/dL, blood pressure [BP] ≥ 130/85 mmHg, fasting blood sugar [FBS] &gt; 100mg/dL) were used to identify BCS with MetS. General estimating equation was employed for longitudinal changes. Heart rate recovery (reduction in heart rate from peak heart rate at one minute after exercise stress test) was used as a measure of cardiovascular fitness. Pearson correlation coefficients assessed associations between heart rate recovery and metabolic outcomes. Results: Of 148 subjects in the RCT, 21.6% (N = 32) met the criteria for MetS, with a higher baseline incidence in the home (30.1%) versus fitness center (13.3%) groups (p = 0.01). Of subjects on Tamoxifen, 30.9% had MetS, compared to 17.1% on an aromatase inhibitor and 20.7% not on endocrine therapy; these were not significantly different (p = .28). Among those with MetS at baseline, we observed a significant decrease in MetS (p &lt; .01) with significant changes in HDL (p = 0.02) and FBS (p = .01) after the 12 month intervention. The fitness center and home physical activity groups both resulted in fewer subjects meeting MetS criteria at 12 months, but only the home group had a significant change over time (OR = 0.66 (0.44, 0.98) p = .04). Heart recovery rate at 6 months was significantly associated with all 5 MetS components: WC (-0.28 p &lt; .01), triglycerides (-0.32 p &lt; .01), HDL (0.20 p = .04), systolic BP (-0.38 p &lt; .01), diastolic BP (-0.27 p &lt; .01) and FBS (-0.35 p &lt; .01). Conclusions: All-cause mortality now exceeds breast cancer specific mortality. MetS identifies a unique vulnerable population of BCS at high risk for cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle behaviors represent critical risk reduction strategies.

The place of goal-directed haemodynamic therapy in the 21st century

### Key points This article will discuss the history and subsequent development of goal-directed haemodynamic therapy (GDT), reviewing briefly the significant clinical trials of GDT, and finally suggest a practical clinical guide to GDT based on the most up-to-date evidence synthesis. The future role for GDT will also be discussed. The ‘high-risk’ surgical patient may be classified in a variety of ways. One suggested threshold includes those patients who have an individual postoperative mortality risk exceeding 5%, incorporating surgical factors such as complexity and urgency (often emergency), and patient factors such as comorbidities and (increasing) age.1 ‘Extremely high-risk’ patients are those whose postoperative mortality risk is >20%.2 Another classification describes those patients undergoing procedures that carry an inherent mortality rate exceeding 5%. Twenty-five per cent of the surgical population undergoing vascular, upper gastrointestinal, lower gastrointestinal, and hepatobiliary surgery fall into this latter category.3 Measures of cardiovascular fitness can also be used to stratify patient risk. Patients unable to achieve four metabolic equivalents (METS) (such as climbing a flight of stairs or gardening) are designated high risk, as are those with an anaerobic threshold (AT) of <11 ml of oxygen per kilogram per minute (ml O2 kg−1 min−1) on preoperative cardiopulmonary …

Fitness test Polar vs Harvard test en la evaluación de la aptitud física para la selección de los aspirantes al programa de educación física UPTC

Objetivo: comparar el test de Harvard frente al Fitness test Polar como medida de la capacidad cardiovascular en la selección de los aspirantes al programa de Educación Fí- sica, Recreación y Deporte de la Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia. Materiales y métodos: esta indagación es de tipo cuantitativa, descriptiva, sin intervención, se utilizó una muestra no probabilística, constituida por 38 estudiantes de educación física recreación y deporte (32 hombres y 6 mujeres), con edades entre los 18 y 35 años. Los test se realizaron en la misma semana y los datos fueron procesados en SPSS. Resultados: se encontró en primer lugar, una correlación de Pearson de 0,704 y significancia al nivel 0,01 (bilateral), entre el test de Storer y el Fitness test Polar. En segundo lugar, la correlación de 0,509 entre el test de Storer y el test de Harvard. Estos resultados permiten concluir que el Fitness test Polar presenta una mayor correlación con el VO2máx, hallado mediante el test de Storer que el test de Harvard. Conclusiones: el Fitness test Polar se muestra más adecuado y confiable para evaluar la aptitud física y además ofrece una mejor y más detallada clasificación de los aspirantes al Programa de Educación Fí- sica, Recreación y Deporte de la Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia.

Decreased Exercise Capacity and Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Mechanisms of decreased exercise capacity in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are not well understood. Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a highly prevalent but treatable disorder in patients with HCM. The role of comorbid SDB in the attenuated exercise capacity in HCM has not been studied previously. Overnight oximetry, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and echocardiographic studies were performed in consecutive patients with HCM seen at the Mayo Clinic. SDB was considered present if the oxygen desaturation index (number of ≥ 4% desaturations/h) was ≥ 10. Peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) (the most reproducible and prognostic measure of cardiovascular fitness) was then correlated with the presence and severity of SDB. A total of 198 patients with HCM were studied (age, 53 ± 16 years; 122 men), of whom 32% met the criteria for the SDB diagnosis. Patients with SDB had decreased VO2 peak compared with those without SDB (16 mL O2/kg/min vs 21 mL O2/kg/min, P < .001). SDB remained significantly associated with VO2 peak after accounting for confounding clinical variables (P < .001) including age, sex, BMI, atrial fibrillation, and coronary artery disease. In patients with HCM, the presence of SDB is associated with decreased VO2 peak. SDB may represent an important and potentially modifiable contributor to impaired exercise tolerance in this unique population.

Birth order and physical fitness in early adulthood: Evidence from Swedish military conscription data

Physical fitness at young adult ages is an important determinant of physical health, cognitive ability, and mortality. However, few studies have addressed the relationship between early life conditions and physical fitness in adulthood. An important potential factor influencing physical fitness is birth order, which prior studies associate with several early- and later-life outcomes such as height and mortality. This is the first study to analyse the association between birth order and physical fitness in late adolescence. We use military conscription data on 218,873 Swedish males born between 1965 and 1977. Physical fitness is measured by a test of maximal working capacity, a measure of cardiovascular fitness closely related to V02max. We use linear regression with sibling fixed effects, meaning a within-family comparison, to eliminate the confounding influence of unobserved factors that vary between siblings. To understand the mechanism we further analyse whether the association between birth order and physical fitness varies by sibship size, parental socioeconomic status, birth cohort or length of the birth interval. We find a strong, negative and monotonic relationship between birth order and physical fitness. For example, third-born children have a maximal working capacity approximately 0.1 (p < 0.000) standard deviations lower than first-born children. The association exists both in small (3 or less children) and large families (4 or more children), in high and low socioeconomic status families, and amongst cohorts born in the 1960s and the 1970s. While in the whole population the birth order effect does not depend on the length of the birth intervals, in two-child families a longer birth interval strengthens the advantage of the first-born. Our results illustrate the importance of birth order for physical fitness, and suggest that the first-born advantage already arises in late adolescence.

Vitamin D Status, Body Composition, and Fitness Measures in College-Aged Students

Low vitamin D, commonly assessed as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), is associated with the development of many age-related chronic diseases. A positive relationship exists between elevated 25OHD and muscle synthesis, strength, power, and decreased body fat in elderly individuals. However, these findings have not been consistently reported in younger healthy populations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between 25OHD and measures of body size, composition, metabolism, and physical fitness in a young physically active population. Thirty-nine subjects (20 men, 19 women; aged 23 ± 0.7 years) reported 6 times for testing. Blood was collected to determine 25OHD. Primary outcomes included the following: body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat (dual x-ray absorptiometry); resting metabolic rate; maximal oxygen uptake (V[Combining Dot Above]O2max); power output (Wingate); and muscular strength (8 repetition maximum for bench press, upright row, and leg extension and flexion exercises). Our analysis included all participants, and subgroup analyses for individuals with suboptimal 25OHD concentration below 35 ng·mL ("low"; n = 20, 25.97 ± 1.97 ng·mL) or equal to and above 35 ng·mL ("high"; n = 19, 44.15 ± 2.17 ng·mL). Twenty subjects in this study had serum levels of 25OHD below 35 ng·mL. There was a significant positive relationship between V[Combining Dot Above]O2max and serum 25OHD and a negative relationship between BMI and serum 25OHD. These data suggest that vitamin D deficiency is prevalent even in a young physically active population in the southern United States and that there was a positive relationship between a measure of cardiovascular fitness and serum 25OHD, and a negative relationship between serum 25OHD and BMI.