Is there a beneficial effect difference between age, gender, and different cardiac pathology groups of exercise training at ventilatory threshold in cardiac patients?

Background: Research on cardiac rehabilitation has raised interesting methods and effects without however establishing the share of the profits according to age, sex and cardiac pathology. Yet today, this disease with various pathologies strikes people of all ages and both sexes, and the recommended rehabilitation exercise intensity is often the ventilatory threshold. The aim of this study was to compare benefits of a training program at ventilatory threshold according to age, gender and cardiac pathology. Methods: One hundred and eighty eight cardiac patients, of whom 62 had coronary artery bypass surgery, 22 artery angioplasty, 54 myocardial infarction and 50 valve replacements, aged 31–82 years, performed spirometric and cardiopulmonary exercise tests before and after a training program. This program consisted of exercise on a cycloergometer for three sessions of 45 min per week for eight weeks at heart rates attenuated at ventilatory threshold (VTh) obtained during a cardiopulmonary exercise test conducted before the training period. Results: Peak heart rate, peak aerobic power, and peak oxygen uptake determined at VTh increased during the training period in all groups of subjects. Men and adult groups had higher absolute values compared to women and elderly groups. No difference was observed in cardiac pathology groups. Similar improvements of aerobic capacities were observed in age, gender and cardiac pathology groups. Conclusions: A training program conducted at personalised VTh significantly improves the aerobic physical capacities of all cardiac patients, and inducessimilar benefits whatever the age, gender or cardiac pathology. (Cardiol J 2011; 18, 6: 632–638

C-Reactive Protein Levels in the Brugada Syndrome

Background. Inflammation in the Brugada syndrome (BrS) and its clinical implication have been little studied. Aims. To assess the level of inflammation in BrS patients. Methods. All studied BrS patients underwent blood samples drawn for C-reactive protein (CRP) levels at admission, prior to any invasive intervention. Patients with a previous ICD placement were controlled to exclude those with a recent (<14 days) shock. We divided subjects into symptomatic (syncope or aborted sudden death) and asymptomatic groups. In a multivariable analysis, we adjusted for significant variables (age, CRP ≥ 2 mg/L). Results. Fifty-four subjects were studied (mean age 45 ± 13 years, 49 (91%) male). Twenty (37%) were symptomatic. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. Mean CRP level was 1,4 ± 0,9 mg/L in asymptomatic and 2,4 ± 1,4 mg/L in symptomatic groups (P = .003). In the multivariate model, CRP concentrations ≥ 2 mg/L remained an independent marker for being symptomatic (P = .018; 95% CI: 1.3 to 19.3). Conclusion. Inflammation seems to be more active in symptomatic BrS. C-reactive protein concentrations ≥ 2 mg/L might be associated with the previous symptoms in BrS. The value of inflammation as a risk factor of arrhythmic events in BrS needs to be studied

ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF ATHLETES OF MOUNT CAMEROON ASCENT: PREVENTION OF SUDDEN DEATH

Mountain ultra-marathons participants are exposed to multiple internal and external stressors, from exercise and environment that can affect the cardiovascular response such as electrocardiographic profile (ECG). The aim of this study was to determine the electrocardiographic profile of athletes participating on the mount Cameroon race. Fifty-nine athletes and 50 non-athletes (31±7 vs 24±3 years) participated to the study during the 17th edition of Mount Cameroon ascent on February 18, 2012. ECG of 12-leads rest was measured in athletes and non-athletes. Resting heart rate (54±3 vs 71±9 bats/min) was lower (P&lt;0.001) in athletes than non-athletes. P wave duration (108.5±1.8 vs 100.7±1.7 ms), PR interval (170.4±27.2 vs 155.8±22.3 ms), and RR interval (1072.3±188.2 vs 875.6±128.4 ms) were significantly higher (P&lt;0.001) in athletes compared to non-athletes. However, on Rhythm and morphology abnormalities, athletes developed a sinus bradycardia (88.1 vs 8%), sinus arythmia (76.3 vs 22%) and left ventricular hypertrophy (54.2 vs 6%) higher than those of non-athletes (P&lt;0.001). For the abnormalities of ECG conduction, atrioventricular block I (11.9 vs 6%), incomplete Right Bundle Branch Block (5.1 vs 2 %), incomplete Left Branch Block (1.7 vs 0%), Left anterior fascicular block (1.7 vs 0%), T-wave inversion (V1-V6) (10.2 vs 8%), Short PR (3.4 vs 2%), Sus ST Segment shift (5.1 vs 4%) were similar in both groups. But, early repolarization (40.7 vs 16%) was significantly higher (P&lt;0.001) in athletes than non-athletes. Mountain race athletes develop some cardiac ECG electric morpho-functional abnormalities.  Article visualizations

Effect of Schoolbag Weight on Musculoskeletal Pain among Primary School Children in Yaounde, Cameroon: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Heavy schoolbag is known to cause health problems for school children. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of carrying heavy schoolbags on the musculoskeletal pain among primary school children of the two subsystems in Yaounde, Cameroon. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in primary schools in Yaounde. A total of 457 school-children (8.2 ± 2.2 years) were included, 202 from the French-speaking subsystem, and 255 from the English-speaking subsystem. Parameters studied included weight, height, and schoolbag weight. A questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic information and potential musculoskeletal pain in three regions: back, shoulders, and neck. Results: The mean weight of children and their bags was 28.4 ± 8.2 kg and 5.2 ± 2.3 kg respectively. More than 50% of schoolchildren in the two subsystems carried a schoolbag weighing more than 15% of body weight. The back (38%) was the least affected area in comparison to the shoulders (58.6%) and neck (42.4%) (p &lt; 0.001). Carrying heavy bags and walking to school was associated with pain in the back, shoulders, and neck. School-children in the French-speaking subsystem had lower risk (adjusted Odds Ratio 0.438, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.295-0.651; p &lt; 0.001) to develop a sore neck compared to peers from the English-speaking subsystem. Conclusion: Carrying heavy schoolbags is associated to musculoskeletal pain in schoolchildren. The means moving to and from school is a main risk factor of developing musculoskeletal pain. French-speaking schoolchildren develop less neck pain than English-speaking schoolchildren

Schoolbag Weight and Low Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study among Children of Public and Private Primary Schools in Cameroon

Background: The issue of excessively heavy schoolbags remains a public health concern in Africa. This study aimed to determine the weight of schoolbags among students in the public and private sectors of Yaoundé city, Cameroon and identify factors associated with low back pain.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the first term of the 2020/2021 academic year in French-speaking private and public primary schools in Yaoundé city, Cameroon. The study involved 2000 pupils (8.41±2.11 years), with 1000 from the public sector and 1000 from the private sector. The variables analyzed included weight, height, and schoolbag weight. A questionnaire, developed specifically for this study and based on the Standardized Nordic Body Map Questionnaire, was used to collect socio-demographic information and assess potential musculoskeletal low back pain. A diagram was included to indicate the lower back area for reporting pain. The questionnaire was administered, and each student answered it, with assistance from the investigator if needed. Descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as multiple logistic regressions, were employed for data analysis.Results: The average weight of the children and their schoolbags was 28.51±8.04 kg and 4.04±1.72 kg, respectively. Nearly 45% of the pupils were carrying a schoolbag weighing more than 15% of their body weight, and 23% reported experiencing low back pain. Schoolbag weights ranging from 10-15% of body weight were associated with a threefold higher risk (OR=2.66; 95% CI=1.65 – 4.31; P<0.0001) of developing low back pain. Pupils in the public sector had a lower risk (OR=0.28; P<0.0001) of developing low back pain.Conclusion: Children in the private sector experience low back pain more frequently. Carrying heavy schoolbags is associated with low back pain among pupils

Musculoskeletal disorders among secondary school teachers in Douala, Cameroon: The effect of the practice of physical activities

IntroductionMusculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent an important threat to public health in both developed and developing countries, and are present in many occupational sectors including education. Regular practice of physical activity (PA) is known elicit preventive effects on the occurrence of MSDs.ObjectiveThis study aimed at determining the prevalence of MSDs and the preventive impact of PA on their occurrence among secondary school teachers.Participants and MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 179 teachers in five government secondary schools in Douala, Cameroon. The Nordic and Ricci-Gagnon questionnaires were used to determine MSDs and to assess the level of PA, respectively.ResultsThe 12-month and 7-day prevalence of MSD (PMSD-12m and PMSD-7d) were 84.3% and 69.3%, respectively. The most affected body regions by MSDs were neck (PMSD-12m = 54.2%, PMSD-7d = 33.5%), lower back (PMSD-12m = 43%, PMSD-7d = 33%), and shoulders (PMSD-12m = 35%, PMSD-7d = 22.9%). Compared to female, males were protected against MSDs during the last 12 months (OR = 0.37; 95% CI 0.16–0.93; p = 0.04). The risk of MSDs during the last seven days was higher in teachers aged 30-40 years (OR = 2.86; 95% CI 1.14–7.14; p = 0.02) and 40-50 years (OR = 4.28; 95% CI 1.49–16.29; p = 0.008) than those under 30 years. This risk was tripled in inactive teachers (OR = 3.07; 95% CI 1.40–6.78; p = 0.005), compared to their active counterparts.ConclusionMSDs are prevalent among secondary school teachers and associated with aging, gender, and lower level of P

Electromyographic Pattern during Gait Initiation Differentiates Yoga Practitioners among Physically Active Older Subjects

During gait initiation, postural adjustments are needed to deal with balance and movement. With aging, gait initiation changes and reflects functional degradation of frailty individuals. However, physical activities have demonstrated beneficial effects of daily motor tasks. The aim of our study was to compare center of pressure (COP) displacement and ankle muscle co-activation during gait initiation in two physically active groups: a group of walkers (n = 12; mean age ± SD 72.6 ± 3.2 years) and a yoga group (n = 11; 71.5 ± 3.8 years). COP trajectory and electromyography of leg muscles were recorded simultaneously during five successive trials of gait initiation. Our main finding was that yoga practitioners had slower COP displacements (p &lt; 0.01) and lower leg muscles % of coactivation (p &lt; 0.01) in comparison with walkers. These parameters which characterized gait initiation control were correlated (r = 0.76; p &lt; 0.01). Our results emphasize that lengthy ankle muscle co-activation and COP path in gait initiation differentiate yoga practitioners among physically active subjects

Facteurs de variation de l'aptitude physique anaérobie (approche bioénergétique et électromyographique)

La présente thèse s'intéresse à l'évaluation des aptitudes physiques anaérobies par le moyen d'un test de terrain (la détente verticale) et, à la détermination des aspects bioénergétiques et neuromusculaires des exercices intenses répétés et brefs à charge croissante par le moyen d'un test de laboratoire (l'épreuve force-vitesse). Au total 15 sujets masculins sains et sportifs ont participé à l'épreuve force-vitesse. Ce test devrait servir, d'une part à comparer les aspects bioénergétiques et neuromusculaires des sujets Noirs et Blancs et, d'autre part à déterminer les effets d'une pré élévation par un exercice préalable intense de la lactatémie sur la puissance mécanique externe lors des exercices intenses répétés brefs à charge croissante. La comparaison de 9 sujets Noirs et 6 sujets Blancs appariés en aptitudes aérobies et en caractéristiques anthropométriques montrent qu'il existe des différences, mais très faibles entre les deux groupes de sujets au niveau des aspects bioénergétiques et neuromusculaires sur le plan anaérobie. Si la pré-élevation de la lactatémie chez 12 sujets par un exercice préalable intense n'a pas modifié significativement la puissance maximale anaérobie, elle a modifié de manière significative les comportements bioénergétiques et neuromusculaires lors de l'épreuve force-vitesse. L'étude transversale des aptitudes physiques anaérobie a connu la participation de 138 sujets divisés en 14 groupes en fonction de leurs sexes, âges (13,15, 17, 19 ans), ethnies (sujets Noirs et Bancs) et spécialités sportives (sprinters, demi-fondeurs et fondeurs). La détente verticale a consisté à réaliser un squat jump, un countermovement jump et un rebound jump sur l'ergojump. Les hauteurs de saut et les capacités des puissances anaérobies recueillies via le micro-ordinateur (psion) relié à l'ergo-jump ont permis de comparer les différents groupes de sujets. Les résultats de l'étude montrent que les plus âgés sautent plus haut et ont une capacité de la puissance anaérobie significativement plus importante que celle des plus petits. Les entraînés (surtout les sprinters) sont significativement plus performants que les non entraînés d'âge et de sexe identique. Cependant entre les filles et les garçons de même âge les garçons ont les performances supérieures mais sans différence significative. De même chez les sujets Noirs et Blancs, les différences sont très faibles et ne sont pas statiquement significatives.The present report interested the determination of the bioenergetics and electromyographics during repeated brief and intense exercises with increasing load friction using a laboratory test (force velocity test) and, the assement of the anaerobic fitness using vertical jump test. Fifteen healthy males subjects participated in the force-velocity test. This test permitted, on the one hand to compare the bioenergetics and neuromuscular aspects of the Black and White subjects and, on the other hand to determine the effects of a pre-elevation of blood lactate concentration by a previous intense exercise on the external mechanical power during the force-velocity test. The comparison of 9 Black subjects and 6 White subjects matched in aerobic aptitude and in anthropometrics characteristics showed that some differences existed, but very weak between the two groups of subjects in bioenergetics and neuromuscular aspects during the force-velocity test. If the pre-elevation of the blood lactate concentrations in 12 subjects by a previous intense exercise didn't modify the anaerobic maximal power, it modified the bioenergetics and neuromuscular aspects during the force-velocity test. A total of 138 subjects participated in the transverse survey of the anaerobic physical aptitude. They were separated in 14 groups according to their sexes, ages (13, 15, 17, 19 years), ethnic groups (Black subjects, and white subjects), and sports specialties (sprinters and long distance). The vertical jump consisted in achieving a squat jump, a countermovement jump and a rebound jump on the ergojump. The heights of jump and the anaerobic power were collected via a microcomputer (psion) connected on the ergo-jump. These variables permitted to compare different groups of subjects. The results showed significant increase of anaerobic power with the increase of âge. However between girls and boys with similar âge, boys demonstrated higher performance than girls but without significant difference. With identical âge and sex trained subjects are significantly more performing than untrained subjects. The differences between Black and White subjects are very weak and not statistically significant.AMIENS-BU Lettres (800212104) / SudocSudocFranceF

Relationship between Electromyogram Spectrum Parameters and the Tension-Time Index during Incremental Exercise in Trained Subjects

International audienceThe inspiratory muscle tension-time index TT0.1 (given by P0.1/PI-max x TI/TTOT) could be used to reliably assess inspiratory muscle activity during exercise. So far, the correlation between the TT0.1 and diaphragmatic activity has not been measured and the TT0.1 has not been compared with other measurements of the inspiratory muscle load such as the transdiaphragmatic pressure index or TTdi. In this study we hypothesize that the TT0.1 measuring the mouth is a noninvasive reflection of the electromyographic activity of the diaphragm. We simultaneously measured TT0.1 and surface EMG (SEMG) of 8 trained subjects at rest and during incremental exercise. The curvature of TT0.1 and the root mean square (RMS) follow the same trend during the incremental exercise with a significant correlation between TT0.1 and surface EMG parameters (RMS; r = 0.81 p &lt; 0.001 and MPF; r = 0.80 p &lt; 0.001 respectively). We conclude that TT0.1 measured as s an adequate noninvasive method reflects the diaphragmatic activity during incremental exercise in healthy subjects. \textcopyright Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2018)