Cardiorespiratory fitness and sports activities in children and adolescents with solitary functioning kidney

Background: An increasing number of children with chronic disease require a complete medical examination to be able to practice physical activity. Particularly children with solitary functioning kidney (SFK) need an accurate functional evaluation to perform sports activities safely. The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of regular physical activity on the cardiorespiratory function of children with solitary functioning kidney. Method: Twenty-nine patients with congenital SFK, mean age 13.9 ± 5.0 years, and 36 controls (C), mean age 13.8 ± 3.7 years, underwent a cardiorespiratory assessment with spirometry and maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing. All subjects were divided in two groups: sedentary (S) and trained (T) patients, by means of a standardized questionnaire about their weekly physical activity. Results: We found that mean values of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and exercise time (ET) were higher in T subjects than in S subjects. Particularly SFK-T presented mean values of VO2max similar to C-T and significantly higher than C-S (SFK-T: 44.7 ± 6.3 vs C-S: 37.8 ± 3.7 ml/min/kg; p < 0.0008). We also found significantly higher mean values of ET (minutes) in minutes in SFK-T than C-S subjects (SFK-T: 12.9 ± 1.6 vs C-S: 10.8 ± 2.5 min; p <0.02). Conclusion: Our study showed that regular moderate/high level of physical activity improve aerobic capacity (VO2max) and exercise tolerance in congenital SFK patients without increasing the risks for cardiovascular accidents and accordingly sports activities should be strongly encouraged in SFK patients to maximize health benefit

Estimated Cardiorespiratory Fitness Is Associated With Reported Depression in College Students

Depression is a serious but treatable health issue that affects college students at an alarming rate. Improved cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) decreases depression risk and severity but this relationship has not been fully evaluated in the college student population. Non-exercise estimated CRF (eCRF) could be used to identify students at risk for or suffering from depression. This study investigated the associations of depression and eCRF in college students. Participants (N = 437) completed a survey which included demographic and student-status questions, eCRF variables, and a validated depression instrument. Descriptive, chi-square, t-test, regression, and odds ratio analyses were employed. Depression was associated with low-fitness (X2 = 4.660, P = 0.031) and eCRF below age-predicted CRF (t = 3.28, P... (see full abstract in article)

The Effects and Differences of Sprint Interval Training, Endurance Training and the Training Types Combined on Physiological Parameters and Exercise Performance

Sprint Interval Training (SIT) is a time efficient way in order to elicit similar changes as Endurance Training (ET) on aerobic capacity, with the purpose of the exercise training to alter physiological systems and exceed resting homeostasis to improve and enhance physical work capacity (Hawley et al., 1997), ultimately achieving the most out of each training session, beneficial for health and performance. Research in the area has demonstrated, the positive effects of SIT and ET on some physiological, performance and health parameters, with further needed to establish these adaptations. Yet no research is currently available combining these two training types, in a single training session to obtained potentially greater benefits over the same period of time. The aim of this study was to compare and contrast the effects of SIT, ET and COMB training modalities on physiological parameters and exercise performance after an 8 week training programme. Twenty nine participants volunteered to take part in the 10 week matched paired study, which included an 8 week training programme (age; 35.1±13.1 years, female; 16). All participants undertook a preliminary VO2max test and baseline measurements were taken. Participants were then matched paired into groups, based on sex, VO2peak (ml/kg/min) and resting heart rate (HR), then randomly assigned into a sprint interval (SIT), endurance (ET), a combined (COMB) sprint interval and endurance group or control group (CON). Participants in the SIT group undertook; 5-8 repetitions of 5-second sprints over the 8 weeks, on a cycle ergometer with intervals of 30 seconds, twice, interspaced with 4 minutes rest (<50rpm) three times per week. Those assigned to the ET group carried out cycling for 40 increasing to 60 minutes over the 8 weeks, at 60% of VO2peak equivalent to 78.5% of maximum HR, three times per week. The COMB group undertook combination of the above two protocols based on the pilot study undertaken. The CON group were not required to undertake any training regime. After 4 week and 8 weeks of the training, all participants were required to undertake a VO2max test and baseline measures were re-recorded. Prior to each VO2max test, capillary blood samples were taken for the colorimetric assessment of cholesterol. Two way factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistical analysis with lowest standard deviation (LSD) correction to reduce the type 1 error. Repeated measures ANOVA were used to assess changes within each individual training modality. Results indicate that SIT, ET, COMB and CON groups were not significantly different at baseline in VO2max (p=0.993) and Resting HR (p=0.790) after being match paired into groups by these variables. Significant differences were evident in resting HR between the CON and SIT (p=0.005), CON and ET (p=0.016) as well as CON and COMB (0.026) after the 8 weeks of training. Additionally within the training groups in resting HR; SIT (p=0.006), COMB (p=0.016), ET (p=0.036). Significant differences were seen in relative AT between SIT and CON (p=0.097) after 8 weeks, as well as within the COMB group (p=0.028). Furthermore in diastolic blood pressure after 4 weeks between SIT and COMB (p=0.024), COMB and CON (p=0.029) and after 8 weeks between COMB and ET (p=0.032), COMB and SIT (p=0.033) and COMB and CON (p=0.029). In addition, significance was shown in triglycerides after 8 weeks of training, between ET and CON (p=0.032), SIT and COMB (p=0.025) and COMB and CON (p=0.008) CON. Finally significance was evident in blood glucose between COMB and SIT, halfway (p=0.002) and post training (p=0.019). In terms of age, there was a significant difference in VO2max between those aged 35 years in VO2max after 4 (p=0.022) and 8 weeks (p=0.020) of the training programme. Overall the results indicated that when ET is substituted partly with SIT greater beneficial effects are obtained in numerous variables, demonstrated in this study, which has previously established, SIT is a time efficient training method. Furthermore, a lower duration of sprint i.e. 5 seconds, a more feasible sprint duration, as undertaken in this study provided comparable benefits to previous studies who have adopted longer sprint duration. Finally, these findings on various physiological measures and in a range of ages, indicate that a short time frame or by adopting a combined approach to training, can assist with reducing important health and performance parameters such as blood cholesterol, resting HR, blood pressure and ultimately maximal oxygen consumption and exercise performance, key indicators of cardiorespiratory fitness and health

Assessing physiological response mechanisms and the role of psychosocial job resources in the physical activity health paradox : study protocol for the Flemish Employees' Physical Activity (FEPA) study

Background: In the current labour system many workers are still exposed to heavy physical demands during their job. In contrast to leisure time physical activity (LTPA), occupational physical activity (OPA) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality, termed the physical activity (PA) health paradox. In order to gain more insight into the PA health paradox, an exploration of structural preventive measures at the workplace is needed and therefore objective field measurements are highly recommended. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the protocol of the Flemish Employees' Physical Activity (FEPA) study, including objective measurements of PA, heart rate (HR) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) to gain more insight into the PA health paradox. Methods: A total of 401 workers participated in the FEPA study across seven companies in the service and production sector in Belgium. The participants comprised 167 men and 234 women, aged 20 to 65years. OPA and LTPA were assessed by two Axivity AX3 accelerometers on the thigh and upper back. Ambulatory HR was measured by the Faros eMotion 90 degrees monitor. Both devices were worn during two to four consecutive working days. In addition, CRF was estimated by using the Harvard Step Test. Statistical analyses will be performed using Pearson correlation, and multiple regression adjusted for possible confounders. Discussion: This study aims to provide a better insight in the PA health paradox and the possible buffering factors by using valid and objective measurements of PA and HR (both during LTPA and OPA) over multiple working days. The results of the study can contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular disease by providing tailored recommendations for participants with high levels of OPA and by disseminating the results and recommendations to workplaces, policy makers and occupational health practitioners

Aerospace Medicine and Biology: A continuing bibliography, supplement 216

One hundred twenty reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in January 1981 are listed. Topics include: sanitary problems; pharmacology; toxicology; safety and survival; life support systems; exobiology; and personnel factors

Walks4work: Rationale and study design to investigate walking at lunchtime in the workplace setting

Background: Following recruitment of a private sector company, an 8week lunchtime walking intervention was implemented to examine the effect of the intervention on modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors, and further to see if walking environment had any further effect on the cardiovascular disease risk factors. Methods. For phase 1 of the study participants were divided into three groups, two lunchtime walking intervention groups to walk around either an urban or natural environment twice a week during their lunch break over an 8week period. The third group was a waiting-list control who would be invited to join the walking groups after phase 1. In phase 2 all participants were encouraged to walk during their lunch break on self-selecting routes. Health checks were completed at baseline, end of phase 1 and end of phase 2 in order to measure the impact of the intervention on cardiovascular disease risk. The primary outcome variables of heart rate and heart rate variability were measured to assess autonomic function associated with cardiovascular disease. Secondary outcome variables (Body mass index, blood pressure, fitness, autonomic response to a stressor) related to cardiovascular disease were also measured. The efficacy of the intervention in increasing physical activity was objectively monitored throughout the 8-weeks using an accelerometer device. Discussion. The results of this study will help in developing interventions with low researcher input with high participant output that may be implemented in the workplace. If effective, this study will highlight the contribution that natural environments can make in the reduction of modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors within the workplace. © 2012 Brown et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Vascular Health in American Football Players: Cardiovascular Risk Increased in Division III Players

Studies report that football players have high blood pressure (BP) and increased cardiovascular risk. There are over 70,000 NCAA football players and 450 Division III schools sponsor football programs, yet limited research exists on vascular health of athletes. This study aimed to compare vascular and cardiovascular health measures between football players and nonathlete controls. Twenty-three athletes and 19 nonathletes participated. Vascular health measures included flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT). Cardiovascular measures included clinic and 24 hr BP levels, body composition, VO2 max, and fasting glucose/cholesterol levels. Compared to controls, football players had a worse vascular and cardiovascular profile. Football players had thicker carotid artery IMT (0.49 ± 0.06 mm versus 0.46 ± 0.07 mm) and larger brachial artery diameter during FMD (4.3 ± 0.5 mm versus 3.7 ± 0.6 mm), but no difference in percent FMD. Systolic BP was significantly higher in football players at all measurements: resting (128.2 ± 6.4 mmHg versus 122.4 ± 6.8 mmHg), submaximal exercise (150.4 ± 18.8 mmHg versus 137.3 ± 9.5 mmHg), maximal exercise (211.3 ± 25.9 mmHg versus 191.4 ± 19.2 mmHg), and 24-hour BP (124.9 ± 6.3 mmHg versus 109.8 ± 3.7 mmHg). Football players also had higher fasting glucose (91.6 ± 6.5 mg/dL versus 86.6 ± 5.8 mg/dL), lower HDL (36.5±11.2 mg/dL versus 47.1±14.8 mg/dL), and higher body fat percentage (29.2±7.9% versus 23.2±7.0%). Division III collegiate football players remain an understudied population and may be at increased cardiovascular risk