Evaluation and Comparison of 300-yd and 500-yd Shallow Water Run Tests as Predictors of Aerobic Power

The purposes of the study were to assess and compare the validity of both 300-yd and 500-yd shallow water run (SWR) tests to predict peak aerobic power (VO2peak). Subjects included 18 women and 18 men who performed a graded exercise treadmill test to predict VO2peak and then performed a 300-yd and 500-yd SWR for time. In addition to SWR times, other independent variables included age, gender, body weight, height, leg length, percent body fat, and 300-yd and 500-yd SWR heart rate and rating of perceived exertion. Correlation coefficients with measured VO2peak were r = -.84 and -.87 for the 300-yd and 500-yd SWR times, respectively. Multiple regression analyses revealed that prediction of VO2peak from 300-yd SWR time improved by including gender and body weight (R = .919; SEE = 0.360 L.min-1). Similarly, prediction of VO2peak improved from 500-yd SWR time by including gender, body weight, and leg length (R = .940; SEE = 0.316 L.min-1). Equations were also developed for use in pools of varying water depths. In conclusion, the 300-yd and 500-yd SWR tests can provide accurate and valid estimates of aerobic power

A Hill Gastropexy Combined with Nissen Fundoplication Appears Equivalent to a Collis-Nissen in the Management of Short Esophagus.

INTRODUCTION: A Collis gastroplasty combined with a Nissen fundoplication is commonly used when a shortened esophagus is encountered. An alternative combines intra-abdominal fixation of the gastroesophageal junction via a Hill gastropexy with a Nissen fundoplication to maintain length and avoid juxtaposing acid-secreting tissue against the diseased esophagus. METHODS: A retrospective case-controlled analysis of 106 consecutive patients with short esophagus undergoing Hill-Nissen (HN) or Collis-Nissen (CN) was compared to a cohort of 105 matched patients without short esophagus undergoing primary Nissen fundoplication (NF). RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 27 months, all groups (HN:CN:NF) improved significantly over preoperative baseline with no differences in overall complications (18 vs 16 vs 19%, p = 0.78), DeMeester score (11.1 vs 19.1 vs 14.2, p = 0.49), postoperative PPI use (16 vs 22 vs 15%, p = 0.24), anatomic recurrences (11.7 vs 5.5 vs 7%, p = 0.43), or quality of life (6.8 vs 6.7 vs 6.4, p = 0.3). CONCLUSIONS: The management of shortened esophagus with Hill-Nissen is safe and as effective as Collis gastroplasty with Nissen fundoplication. Both options appear to produce similar outcomes to patients requiring only a Nissen fundoplication suggesting a shortened esophagus does not beget an inferior outcome