Physical Training Group Research Articles

Effects of Practicing Yogasanas and Physical Training on Selected Physiological Variables

The study was intended to substantiate the relative effects of yogasana practices and physical training on selected physiological variables. To achieve the purpose sixty male students aged 15 through 18 years were selected as subjects from Govt. Junior College, Ponnalur, Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh. The subjects selected were equated on the basis of their cardiorespiratory endurance and segregated them into two groups: Group I – yogasana practice group and Group II – physical training group of thirty subjects each. The criterion variables confined to this study were systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate. The experimental programme is five days a week for eight weeks in the morning session. The one-way analysis of variance was used to test the statistical significance. The results of the study reveal that there was no significant difference among the yogasana practices and physical training on systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate. It suggests that practicing yogasanas is better as compared to isometric exercise training in improving the blood pressure and pulse rate.

Action observation training for functional activities after stroke: A pilot randomized controlled trial

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of action observation training and motor imagery training on recovery from chronic stroke. Thirty patients who were more than six months post stroke participated in this study and were randomly allocated to three groups. The action observation training group practiced additional action observation training for five 30-minute sessions over a four-week period. The motor imagery training group practiced additional motor imagery training for five 30-minute sessions over a four-week period. The following clinical measures were used for assessment of dynamic balance and gait abilities: Timed Up and Go Test, Functional Reaching Test, Walking Ability Questionnaire, and Functional Ambulation Category. Spatiotemporal gait parameters were also collected using a GAITRite system. Compared with the physical training group, the action observation training group showed significant improvement in the Timed Up and Go test, gait speed, cadence, and single limb support of the affected side. No significant differences in any of the outcome measures were observed between the action observation training group and the motor imagery training group. Action observation training and motor imagery training results in improvement of dynamic balance and gait ability. These results suggest the feasibility and suitability of action observation training for patients with chronic stroke.

INTEGRATED HEALTH ASSESMENT OF SCHOOLCHILDREN STUDYING AT GOMEL SCHOOLS

Objective: to analyze the integrated assessment of schoolchildren’s health from definite age groups (6-10, 11-14, 15-18). Material and methods. 952 schoolchildren from schools No. 32, No. 46 took part in the research (500 boys and 452 girls, of them, 364 aged 6-10, 385 aged 11-14, 203 schoolchildren aged 15-18). The primary medical records were analyzed (the history of child development - form #112/у, medical record of a schoolchild - form #026/у, with the account of the planned and additional medical examinations). The statistical data processing was performed with the programs SPSS-13, SPSS-16 using the comparative assessment of criteria distribution. Results. On the assumption of the performed assessment of the schoolchildren’s health we can conclude that 72 % schoolchildren had mid-harmonic physical development, 20.6 % schoolchildren observed disharmonic physical development and 2.4 % revealed high harmonious physical development. Over 2006-2010, the incidence rate of urogenital diseases 1.5 times increased. The incidence rate of musculoskeletal diseases, eye, endocrine, alimentary diseases, blood circulation and blood diseases 2 times increased. The percentage of the schoolchildren being in the first health group 2 times decreased, meanwhile, the percentage of children being in the second and third health groups 1.2 increased. 65.3 % schoolchildren were in the main health group in physical training. 24.9 % schoolchildren were in the preparatory group. The special medical group included 6.8 % schoolchildren. 2 % schoolchildren attended therapeutic physical training group. 1 % schoolchildren were released from physical training classes. Conclusion. The health of schoolchildren in modern conditions is characterized by the increased rate of urogenital, musculoskeletal diseases, eye diseases, blood circulation and blood diseases, endocrine and metabolic, alimentary diseases, also by reduction in the percentage of children being in the first health group.

The combined effects of physical exercise training and detraining on adiponectin in overweight and obese children

BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to assess the combined exercise programs (12 weeks' physical exercise training, resistance and aerobic) and 6 weeks' detraining on the correlation of metabolic syndrome (MS) markers and plasma adiponectin level in two groups. MethodsParticipants were divided into two groups [physical exercise training group (EG, n=8) and control group (CG, n=7)]. The EG performed a 12-week training program (aerobic and resistance training twice/wk, more than 40min/d). After 12 weeks' exercise training and 6 weeks' detraining, we also evaluated MS markers and plasma adiponectin at three time periods (baseline, EBP; 12 weeks' exercise program, 12 EP; 12 weeks' and 6 weeks' detraining, 12+6 EDP) in overweight and obese children. ResultsCompared with the CG, After the 12 weeks' exercise treatment, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist girth, percent body fat, lean body mass (LBM), percentage lean body, systolic blood pressure, and insulin and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) indices were lowered in the EG, and plasma adiponectin levels were not altered in the EG. After 6 weeks' detraining, insulin, insulin resistance, and plasma adiponectin levels were significantly increased in the EG. In the adiponectin level, there were positive correlations with LBM and percent lean body and negative correlations with percent body fat, insulin, and insulin resistance after 12 weeks' physical exercise intervention and 6 weeks' detraining. ConclusionThese findings suggest that combined physical training is a useful tool in the management of MS markers in the training periods. Moreover, there was an additive effect even after the 6-weeks detraining period.

Single Versus Combined Cognitive and Physical Activity Effects on Fluid Cognitive Abilities of Healthy Older Adults: A 4-Month Randomized Controlled Trial With Follow-Up

Physical and cognitive activity seems to be an effective strategy by which to promote age-sensitive fluid cognitive abilities in older adults. In this randomized controlled trial, 70 healthy senior citizens (age 60-75) were allocated to a physical, cognitive, combined physical plus cognitive, and waiting control group. The trial assessed information processing speed, short-term memory, spatial relations, concentration, reasoning, and cognitive speed. In contrast to the control group, the physical, cognitive, and combined training groups enhanced their concentration immediately after intervention. Only the physical training group showed improved concentration 3 months later. The combined training group displayed improved cognitive speed both immediately and three months after intervention. The cognitive training group displayed improved cognitive speed 3 months after intervention. Physical, cognitive, and combined physical plus cognitive activity can be seen as cognition-enrichment behaviors in healthy older adults that show different rather than equal intervention effects.

Shorter term aerobic exercise improves brain, cognition, and cardiovascular fitness in aging

Physical exercise, particularly aerobic exercise, is documented as providing a low cost regimen to counter well-documented cognitive declines including memory, executive function, visuospatial skills, and processing speed in normally aging adults. Prior aging studies focused largely on the effects of medium to long term (>6 months) exercise training; however, the shorter term effects have not been studied. In the present study, we examined changes in brain blood flow, cognition, and fitness in 37 cognitively healthy sedentary adults (57–75 years of age) who were randomized into physical training or a wait-list control group. The physical training group received supervised aerobic exercise for 3 sessions per week 1 h each for 12 weeks. Participants' cognitive, cardiovascular fitness and resting cerebral blood flow (CBF) were assessed at baseline (T1), mid (T2), and post-training (T3). We found higher resting CBF in the anterior cingulate region in the physical training group as compared to the control group from T1 to T3. Cognitive gains were manifested in the exercise group's improved immediate and delayed memory performance from T1 to T3 which also showed a significant positive association with increases in both left and right hippocampal CBF identified earlier in the time course at T2. Additionally, the two cardiovascular parameters, VO2 max and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) showed gains, compared to the control group. These data suggest that even shorter term aerobic exercise can facilitate neuroplasticity to reduce both the biological and cognitive consequences of aging to benefit brain health in sedentary adults.

The impact of sensorimotor experience on affective evaluation of dance

Past research demonstrates that we are more likely to positively evaluate a stimulus if we have had previous experience with that stimulus. This has been shown for judgment of faces, architecture, artworks and body movements. In contrast, other evidence suggests that this relationship can also work in the inverse direction, at least in the domain of watching dance. Specifically, it has been shown that in certain contexts, people derive greater pleasure from watching unfamiliar movements they would not be able to physically reproduce compared to simpler, familiar actions they could physically reproduce. It remains unknown, however, how different kinds of experience with complex actions, such as dance, might change observers' affective judgments of these movements. Our aim was to clarify the relationship between experience and affective evaluation of whole body movements. In a between-subjects design, participants received either physical dance training with a video game system, visual and auditory experience or auditory experience only. Participants' aesthetic preferences for dance stimuli were measured before and after the training sessions. Results show that participants from the physical training group not only improved their physical performance of the dance sequences, but also reported higher enjoyment and interest in the stimuli after training. This suggests that physically learning particular movements leads to greater enjoyment while observing them. These effects are not simply due to increased familiarity with audio or visual elements of the stimuli, as the other two training groups showed no increase in aesthetic ratings post-training. We suggest these results support an embodied simulation account of aesthetics, and discuss how the present findings contribute to a better understanding of the shaping of preferences by sensorimotor experience.

Electrocardiographic Abnormalities in Medically Screened Military Aircrew

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) recently published its updated recommendations for electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation in athletes. It distinguishes ECG changes related to physical training (group 1 abnormalities) from training-unrelated changes (group 2) which may represent underlying electrical and structural heart disorders implicated in exercise related sudden cardiac death. This study sought to prospectively apply the ESC screening criteria to a large cohort of screened military aircrew. This was a prospective observational study. The 12-lead ECGs of 868 consecutively evaluated healthy aircrew were analyzed for the presence of ESC-defined group 1 and 2 abnormalities. The average age was 39.6 (11.2) yr (95.4% male). Overall, 402 (46.3%) of ECGs could be classified as entirely normal. However, 466 ECGs (53.7%) were abnormal. Group 1 abnormalities were identified in 400 (46.1%) persons with 66 (7.6%) persons classified as having group 2 abnormalities. The most commonly identified group 1 ECG changes were sinus bradycardia (32.5%), early repolarization (11.8%), and isolated voltage criteria of left ventricular hypertrophy (10.1%). The most commonly noted group 2 abnormalities were left-axis deviation/left anterior hemiblock (2.4%), T-wave inversion (1.6%), and ST-segment depression (1.3%). Prolongation of the QTC > 0.46 s was observed in 0.69% of ECGs. The vast majority of ECGs performed in military aircrew could be classified as representing likely normal physiological changes. Training unrelated ECG changes, suggestive of possible genuine cardiac pathology, were observed in only a minority of persons who should be considered for further investigation.

The Effect of Three Months of Aerobic Training on Stroop Performance in Older Adults

Growing evidence supports the use of physical training interventions to improve both physical and cognitive performances in healthy older adults. Few studies have examined the impact of aerobic exercise on Stroop task performance, a measure of executive functions. In the current 3-month aerobic training study, 50 older adults (mean age = 67.96 ± 6.25 years) were randomly assigned to either a three-month physical training group or to a control group (waiting list). Training sessions were 3 times per week for 60 minutes. All participants completed pre- and post-test measures of cognitive performance using the modified Stroop task and physical performance (Rockport one-mile test). Compared to controls, the training group showed significant improvements in physical capacity (P < 0.001) and enhanced Stroop performance, but only in the inhibition/switching condition (P < 0.03). Furthermore, the increase in aerobic capacity induced by the training regimen correlated negatively with reaction time in the inhibition/switching condition of the Stroop task at posttest (r = −0.538; P = 0.007). Importantly, the reported gains in cognitive performance were observed after only three months of physical training. Taken together, the results suggest that even short-term physical interventions can enhance older adults' executive functions.

Moderate intensity physical training accelerates healing of full-thickness wounds in mice

Physical training influences the cells and mediators involved in skin wound healing. The objective of this study was to determine the changes induced by different intensities of physical training in mouse skin wound healing. Ninety male C57BL6 mice (8 weeks old, 20-25 g) were randomized into three physical training groups: moderate (70% VO2max), high (80% VO2max), and strenuous intensity (90% VO2max). Animals trained on a motorized treadmill for 8 weeks (E lesion: physical training until the day of excisional lesion, N = 10) or 10 weeks (E euthan: physical training for 2 additional weeks after excisional lesion until euthanasia, N = 10), five times/week, for 45 min. Control groups (CG) trained on the treadmill three times/week only for 5 min (N = 10). In the 8th week, mice were anesthetized, submitted to a dorsal full-thickness excisional wound of 1 cm², and sacrificed 14 days after wounding. Wound areas were measured 4, 7, and 14 days after wounding to evaluate contraction (d4, d7 and d14) and re-epithelialization (d14). Fragments of lesion and adjacent skin were processed and submitted to routine histological staining. Immunohistochemistry against alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was performed. Moderate-intensity training (M) until lesion (M/E lesion) led to better wound closure 7 days after wounding compared to controls and M/E euthan (P < 0.05), and both moderate-intensity groups showed better re-epithelialization rates than controls (M/E lesion = 85.9%, M/E euthan = 96.4% and M/CG = 79.9%; P < 0.05). Sections of M/E lesion and M/E euthan groups stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Picrosirius red and α-SMA showed the most mature granulation tissues among all trained groups and controls. Thus, moderate-intensity physical training improves skin wound healing.

Subjective Well-being in Patients With Chronic Tension-type Headache

Episodic tension-type headache is a common problem affecting approximately 2 of 3 of the population. The origin of tension-type headache is multifactorial, but the pathogenesis is still unclear. In some individuals episodic tension-type headache transforms into chronic tension-type headache (CTTH). Subjective symptoms related to the central nervous system might affect patients subjective well-being and quality of life. This study compared 3 nonpharmacologic treatments; acupuncture, relaxation training, and physical training on subjective well-being in patients with CTTH. Ninety consecutive patients with CTTH were randomly allocated to acupuncture, relaxation training, or physical training. At baseline 88 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls were compared with the patients with CTTH. Subjective, central nervous system-related symptoms that might affect patients' subjective well-being and quality of life were assessed with the Minor Symptom Evaluation Profile, which contains 24 self-administered standardized items with visual analog scale responses. Fifteen items are categorized into 3 dimensions: contentment, vitality, and sleep. Assessments were made before treatment, immediately after, and 3 and 6 months after the last treatment. Baseline values of the total score of the 24 items and the 3 dimensions were generally lower in patients with tension-type headache compared with the reference group. No significant differences were found among the 3 treatment groups during the baseline period. All treatments proportionally improved the subjective, central nervous system-related symptoms in patients with CTTH. The 3-month follow-up, the total score of the Minor Symptom Evaluation Profile was significantly improved in the physical training group compared with the acupuncture group (P=0.036). Total mean over period was also highest in the physical training group compared with the acupuncture group (P=0.025). The vitality and sleep dimension was significantly improved at the 6-month follow-up in the relaxation training group compared with the acupuncture group (P=0.04). Physical training and relaxation training seem to be preferable nonpharmacologic treatments for improvement of central nervous system-related symptoms and subjective well-being for patients with CTTH.

Anabolic Steroid - and Exercise - Induced Cardio-Depressant Cytokines and Myocardial β1 Receptor Expression in CD1 Mice

Few animal model studies have been conducted in order to evaluate the impact of androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) supraphysiological doses on the cardiovascular system and myocardial injury. Twenty-five male CD1 mice (8-10 weeks old; 35g initial body weight) were randomized into three AAS treated groups and two control groups. The AAS mice received intramuscular Nandrolone Decanoate (DECA-DURABOLIN), vehicled in arachidis oil, for 42 days, twice per week, with different dosages, studying plasma lipid analysis, cardiac histopathological features, cardiac β (1) adrenergic receptor expression, and the effects of the myocardial expression of inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, TNF-α) on the induction of cardiomyocytes apoptosis (HSP 70, TUNEL), using proteomic and immunohistochemical analysis. The mice had free movements in their animal rooms (two groups) or exercised by running on a motor-driven treadmill the others three groups. Recurring high dose AAS administration and physical training in mice produce significant increase in body weight and for total cholesterol. A moderate increase of the heart weight, cardiac hypertrophy and wide colliquative myocytolysis, were observed in high dose AAS administration and physical training group. The expression of HSP70 and inflammatory cytokine IL-1β, increased in the three AAS-treated groups. TNF- α showed a more extensive expression in the AAS-high dose group. A significant apoptotic process randomly sparse in the myocardium was described. Our data support the hypothesis that the combined effects of vigorous training, anabolic steroid abuse and stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, may predispose to myocardial injury.

Motor Learning Without Doing: Trial-by-Trial Improvement in Motor Performance During Mental Training

Although there is converging experimental and clinical evidences suggesting that mental training with motor imagery can improve motor performance, it is unclear how humans can learn movements through mental training despite the lack of sensory feedback from the body and the environment. In a first experiment, we measured the trial-by-trial decrease in durations of executed movements (physical training group) and mentally simulated movements (motor-imagery training group), by means of training on a multiple-target arm-pointing task requiring high accuracy and speed. Movement durations were significantly lower in posttest compared with pretest after both physical and motor-imagery training. Although both the posttraining performance and the rate of learning were smaller in motor-imagery training group than in physical training group, the change in movement duration and the asymptotic movement duration after a hypothetical large number of trials were identical. The two control groups (eye-movement training and rest groups) did not show change in movement duration. In the second experiment, additional kinematic analyses revealed that arm movements were straighter and faster both immediately and 24 h after physical and motor-imagery training. No such improvements were observed in the eye-movement training group. Our results suggest that the brain uses state estimation, provided by internal forward model predictions, to improve motor performance during mental training. Furthermore, our results suggest that mental practice can, at least in young healthy subjects and if given after a short bout of physical practice, be successfully substituted to physical practice to improve motor performance.

Effect of Mental Training on the Balance Control Ability of Healthy Subjects

[Purpose] This study investigated the effect of physical training with visual feedback and mental training with motor imagery on balance control ability. [Subjects] Twenty-one healthy adults (male/female: 7/14, mean age: 19.8 ± 0.1 years) with no history of neurological or orthopedic problems were enrolled in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into a physical training group (PTG), a mental training group (MTG), and a control group (CG). [Methods] PTG and MTG performed a dynamic balance task with physical and mental training, respectively, in a 30-minute training session, 5 days a week for 3 weeks. The CG did not receive any training. The outcomes of postural balance were evaluated in terms of the performance time and sway length measured by a force platform. [Results] In the baseline test, the three groups showed similar demographic data, performance time, and sway length. The PTG and MTG showed a significant decrease in performance time, but neither group showed any significant change in sway length. There was no significant difference in the CG. [Conclusion] Our findings indicate that physical balance training with visual feedback as well as mental balance training with motor imagery is effective. Therefore, mental training could contribute to improving dynamic balance ability in a cost-effective home-based training program.

Effects of Two Different Eight-Week Training Programs on Military Physical Performance

Various physical demands are placed on soldiers, whose effectiveness and survivability depend on their combat-specific physical fitness. Because sport training programs involving weight-based training have proven effective, this study examined the value of such a program for short-term military training using combat-relevant tests. A male weight-based training (WBT) group (n = 15; mean +/- SD: 27.0 +/- 4.7 years, 173.8 +/- 5.8 cm, 80.9 +/- 12.7 kg) performed full-body weight-based training workouts, 3.2-km runs, interval training, agility training, and progressively loaded 8-km backpack hikes. A male Army Standardized Physical Training (SPT) group (n = 17; mean +/- SD: 29.0 +/- 4.6 years, 179.7 +/- 8.2 cm, 84.5 +/- 10.4 kg) followed the new Army Standardized Physical Training program of stretching, varied calisthenics, movement drills, sprint intervals, shuttle running, and distance runs. Both groups exercised for 1.5 hours a day, 5 days a week for 8 weeks. The following training-induced changes were statistically significant (P < 0.05) for both training groups: 3.2-km run or walk with 32-kg load (minutes), 24.5 +/- 3.2 to 21.0 +/- 2.8 (SPT) and 24.9 +/- 2.8 to 21.1 +/- 2.2 (WBT); 400-m run with 18-kg load (seconds), 94.5 +/- 14.2 to 84.4 +/- 11.9 (SPT) and 100.1 +/- 16.1 to 84.0 +/- 8.4 (WBT); obstacle course with 18-kg load (seconds), 73.3 +/- 10.1 to 61.6 +/- 7.7 (SPT) and 66.8 +/- 10.0 to 60.1 +/- 8.7 (WBT); 5 30-m sprints to prone (seconds), 63.5 +/- 4.8 to 59.8 +/- 4.1 (SPT) and 60.4 +/- 4.2 to 58.9 +/- 2.7 (WBT); and 80-kg casualty rescue from 50 m (seconds), 65.8 +/- 40.0 to 42.1 +/- 9.9 (SPT) and 57.6 +/- 22.0 to 44.2 +/- 8.8 (WBT). Of these tests, only the obstacle course showed significant difference in improvement between the two training groups. Thus, for short-term (i.e., 8-week) training of relatively untrained men, the Army's new Standardized Physical Training program and a weight-based training experimental program can produce similar, significant, and meaningful improvements in military physical performance. Further research would be needed to determine whether weight-based training provides an advantage over a longer training period.

The effects of exercise training on arterial baroreflex sensitivity in neurally mediated syncope patients

The clinical effects of different modalities of treatment for neurally mediated syncope have been studied for years; however, their influences on its pathophysiological mechanisms still have not been determined. This research aimed to observe the effects of physical training, tilt training, and pharmacological therapy on the arterial baroreflex sensitivity and muscle sympathetic nerve activity in neurally mediated syncope patients. Seventy patients with recurrent neurally mediated syncope were included in this study. Patients were divided into the following four groups, depending on the treatment proposed: (i) physical training, (ii) tilt training, (iii) pharmacological therapy, and (iv) control group. All patients underwent an autonomic evaluation with microneurography, when the vagal and sympathetic arterial baroreflex gain were tested, using graded infusions of phenylephrine or sodium nitroprusside, before and 4 months after the interventions. The vagal and sympathetic arterial baroreflex gain significantly increased after a 4-month protocol of physical training. Tilt training, pharmacological therapy, and the control group had no significant change in the arterial baroreceptor responses. Physical training improves arterial baroreflex sensitivity in neurally mediated syncope patients and could be applied as a non-pharmacological therapeutic alternative for these patients.

Physical training preserves bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with forearm fractures and low bone mineral density

One hundred and twelve postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density (BMD) and forearm fractures were randomized to physical training or control group. After one year the total hip BMD was significantly higher in the women in the physical training group. The results indicate a positive effect of physical training on BMD in postmenopausal women with low BMD. The fivefold increase in hip fracture incidence since 1950 in Sweden may partially be due to an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. Our hypothesis was that physical training can prevent bone loss in postmenopausal women. One hundred and twelve postmenopausal women 45 to 65 years with forearm fractures and T-scores from -1.0 to -3.0 were randomized to either a physical training or control group. Training included three fast 30-minute walks and two sessions of one-hour training per week. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in the hip and the lumbar spine at baseline and after one year. A per protocol analysis was performed, including 48 subjects in the training group and 44 subjects in the control group. The total hip BMD increased in the training group +0.005 g/cm2 (+/-0.018), +0.58%, while it decreased -0.003 g/cm2 (+/-0.019), -0.36%, (p = 0.041) in the control group. No significant effects of physical training were seen in the lumbar spine. A sensitivity intention to treat analysis, including all randomized subjects, showed no significant effect of physical training on BMD at any site. The results indicate a small but positive effect of physical exercise on hip BMD in postmenopausal women with low BMD.

Psychological and Physical Activity Training for Older Persons: Who Does Not Attend?

Background: Interventions to promote successful aging include psychological and physical activity programs. Identification of determinants of attendance of older persons may be useful to develop strategies to improve attendance. For physical activity programs determinants of attendance have been investigated extensively. For psychological programs hardly any knowledge is available. Determinants of attendance at psychological and physical activity programs have never been investigated simultaneously. Objective: To identify demographic, physical and psychological determinants of attendance of older subjects following multifaceted psychological training – aimed at promoting active social participation – and physical activity training and to compare the variation of these determinants between the two training programs. Method: 118 subjects aged 65–92 years were randomized over psychological and physical activity training. Determinants of attendance were obtained at pretest with questionnaires and performance-based tests. Results: Mean attendance was 62%. Attendance was not related to type of program. Having chronic diseases facilitated attendance in the psychological training group and limited attendance in the physical activity training group. Low and high levels of Activities of Daily Living performance (ADLs) and walking endurance were related to a high attendance in the psychological training group. A low level of activities of daily living (ADL) and a low walking endurance were related to a low attendance in the physical activity training group. For both training groups, persons living with a partner had higher attendance rates than persons living alone, and persons with a low level of anxiety had higher attendance rates than persons with a moderate or a high level of anxiety. Conclusion: Psychological training may be more suitable for frail older persons with chronic diseases, low ADL levels and low walking endurance than physical activity training, and may help to prepare such persons for physical activity.

Differential IGF-I System Responses During 8 Weeks of Resistance vs. Generalized Physical Training in Men

Mechanical load is known to consistently induce increased local (i.e. muscle) expression of IGF-I. The extent to which exercise training results in changes in the systemic circulation for the IGF-I system (inclusive of it's family of binding proteins (BPs)) has been far less definitive. PURPOSE: To test the hypotheses that 1) the family of IGFBPs might be more responsive to exercise training than IGF-I itself and 2) that a training program emphasizing greater localized mechanical load might also result in greater systemic changes in the IGF-I system. METHODS: 32 subjects were randomly divided into a resistance training (RT) group (n = 15, 27±5 yr, 174±6 cm, 81±12 kg) and a generalized physical training group (PT) (n= 17, 29±5yr, 179±8 cm, 85±10 kg) and all underwent 8 weeks of training (1.5 hr/day, 5 days/wk). The RT group engaged in conventional weight lifting exercises, running/hiking and interval/agility drills, while the PT group engaged in low-impact callisthenic-type and interval/agility running drills. Blood was sampled at pre, mid-and post training and analyzed by immunoassay for total IGF-I, free IGF-I, IGFBPs 1, 2 and 3, and the acid labile subunit (ALS). A repeated measures ANOVA (p <0.05) was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: No interaction or time effects were observed for total IGF-I, free IGF-I, or IGFBP1. Time effects were observed for IGFBP2, ng/ml (pre; 569±295 <mid; 819±497 = post; 833±481) and ALS, μg/ml (pre; 16±1 = mid; 17±1 >post; 14±1). An interaction effect was observed for the RT group as IGFBP3 increased from pre to mid (3462±216 vs. 3962±227 μg/ml), but was no longer significant post training (3770±228 μg/ml). CONCLUSION: The results support the contention that some IGFBPs are more responsive to exercise stress than IGF-I itself. The changes observed were not specific to exercise modality (i.e. high-impact resistance vs. low-impact generalized callisthenic exercises) suggesting that changes in the systemic IGF-I system during exercise training may be a generalized metabolic response, rather than a response specific to exercise modality or muscle overload.

The effect of physical training on bone mineral density in women with endometriosis treated with GnRH analogs: a pilot study

The effect of physical training on bone mineral density (BMD) in women with endometriosis treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs was studied. Nineteen Caucasian premenopausal women aged 23-38 years were included in the study. The subjects were all treated with 21.6 mg goserelin during 6 months. The patients were randomized to physical training n=8 or to a control group n=11. The total period of training was 12 months, whereas GnRH treatment was terminated after 6 months. BMD was measured in the femoral neck area and the lumbar spine using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). This was performed just before treatment, after 6 months and after 12 months. Six women fulfilled the training during 12 months of observation. In the control group 10 women were followed up for 12 months. After 6 months the women in the physical training group were 2.1% below baseline. Six months later these women had gained BMD in the femoral neck and were 0.6% below baseline. Those in the control group lost 2.8% after 6 months and were 3.6% below baseline after 12 months. The difference in loss of BMD after 12 months between the groups was significant 0.029. In the spine there was no significant difference between the two groups. Physical training in women with endometriosis was found to rebuild bone after treatment with GnRH analogs when compared to a control group. This effect could be demonstrated 6 months after cessation of GnRH treatment.