Effects of rehabilitation based on endurance training in adolescent girls with surgically treated scoliosis

The aim of the study was to investigate whether appropriate rehabilitation program in the postoperative period can further improve pulmonary function and increase physical performance in patients with idiopathic scoliosis.The study group consisted of 16 adolescent girls in average 2.3 years after surgical treatment of scoliosis. Patients participated in a 4-week, intensive rehabilitation program. Before the rehabilitation program (Term I) and directly after completing it (Term II) patients performed a spiroergometry with intensity increasing up to the ventilatory threshold and a resting spirometry to assess their physical performance. Additionally, patients’ maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was determined indirectly. The results of the exercise test performed at the beginning of the study were used to select individual loads for the endurance training. The workload at which the ventilatory threshold was reached and the value of VO2max were significantly higher during the ergometry at Term II, which indicates that patients’ physical performance improved during the rehabilitation program. Ventilatory and circulatory parameters did not differ between exercise tests at Term I and II. Similar response of the cardiopulmonary system to submaximal exercise at greater work load proves increased physical performance. Vital capacity was similar at Term I and II. Maximal voluntary ventilation increased significantly following the rehabilitation program, but was still lower than the predicted value. Rehabilitation training in girls after surgical treatment of scoliosis caused an important increase in the physical performance capacity, which most probably was the result of the endurance training of individually selected intensity

The effect of endurance training on cell metabolism and exercise tolerance in patients with ischemic heart disease

We have investigated the effect of endurance training on cell metabolism and exercise tolerance in patients with ischemic heart disease. Study population consisted of 24 survivors of myocardial infarction. Patients were assigned to the training group (n=18, mean age 48.2 years) or to the control group (n=6, mean age 42.6 years). Directly before (ExTest I) and after completing a 3-week endurance training program (ExTest II) patients performed bicycle ergometry with computer analysis of ventilatory expired gas (CardioO2, Medical Graphics Corporation). The exercise intensity increased gradually until ventilatory threshold was reached. ExTest II was finished at the same workload level as ExTest I. ECG was recorded and blood pressure was assessed during each ergometry. Prior to and 3 minutes after finishing each test, capillary blood samples were taken for measurements of acid-base equilibrium parameters and lactate concentrations and venous blood samples were collected for assessment of oxypurines and uric acid levels (HPLC method). The training consisted of five 40-min sessions of continuos working on a bicycle ergometer weekly. The workload was 25 W lower than the load at which ventilatory threshold had been reached by the patient. Subjects in the control group did not participate in endurance training. During exercise tests performed after the rehabilitation program, heart rate and rate-pressure product at particular workload were lower than on admission. Similarly, the increases in lactate concentrations and changes in base excess were reduced during ExTest II. The oxypurines pool was reduced after the training, which reflects improvement in cell metabolism. No influence of training on uric acid concentrations was observed