The influence of protocol design on the identification of ventilatory thresholds and the attainment of peak physiological responses during synchronous arm crank ergometry in able-bodied participants

Purpose To examine the effects of stage duration on power output (PO), oxygen uptake (VO2), and heart rate (HR) at peak level and ventilatory thresholds during synchronous arm crank ergometry. Methods Nineteen healthy participants completed a ramp, 1-min stepwise, and 3-min stepwise graded arm crank exercise test. PO, VO2, and HR at the first and second ventilatory threshold (VT1, VT2) and peak level were compared among the protocols: a repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to test for systematic differences, while intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots were calculated to determine relative and absolute agreement. Results Systematic differences among the protocols were found for PO at VT1, VT2, and peak level. At peak level, PO differed significantly among all protocols (ramp: 115 +/- 37 W; 1-min stepwise: 108 +/- 34 W; 3-min stepwise: 94 +/- 31 W, p Conclusions PO at VTs and peak level was significantly higher in short-stage protocols compared with the 3-min stepwise protocol, whereas HR and VO2 showed no differences. Therefore, training zones based on PO determined in short-stage protocols might give an overestimation. Moreover, due to large random error in HR at VTs between the protocols, it is recommended that different protocols should not be used interchangeably within individuals

Training for the HandbikeBattle:an explorative analysis of training load and handcycling physical capacity in recreationally active wheelchair users

Purpose: (1) to analyze training characteristics of recreationally active wheelchair users during handcycle training, and (2) to examine the associations between training load and change in physical capacity. Methods: Former rehabilitation patients (N = 60) with health conditions such as spinal cord injury or amputation were included. Participants trained for five months. A handcycling/arm crank graded exercise test was performed before and after the training period. Outcomes: peak power output per kg (POpeak/kg) and peak oxygen uptake per kg (VO 2peak/kg). Training load was defined as Training Impulse (TRIMP), which is rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) multiplied by duration of the session, in arbitrary units (AU). Training intensity distribution (TID) was also determined (time in zone 1, RPE ≤4; zone 2, RPE 5–6; zone 3, RPE ≥7). Results: Multilevel regression analyses showed that TRIMP sRPE was not significantly associated with change in physical capacity. Time in zone 2 (RPE 5–6) was significantly associated with ΔVO 2peak, %ΔVO 2peak, ΔVO 2peak/kg and %ΔVO 2peak/kg. Conclusion: Training at RPE 5–6 was the only determinant that was significantly associated with improvement in physical capacity. Additional controlled studies are necessary to demonstrate causality and gather more information about its usefulness, and optimal handcycle training regimes for recreationally active wheelchair users.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Monitoring of handcycle training load is important to structure the training effort and intensity over time and to eventually optimize performance capacity. This is especially important for relatively untrained wheelchair users, who have a low physical capacity and a high risk of overuse injuries and shoulder pain. Training load can be easily calculated by multiplying the intensity of the training (RPE 0–10) with the duration of the training in minutes. Results on handcycle training at RPE 5–6 intensity in recreationally active wheelchair users suggests to be promising and should be further investigated with controlled studies

Low drop-out rates in the HandbikeBattle free-living training study:understanding the reasons for dropping out

STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal observational study. OBJECTIVES: During the five-month free-living training period for the HandbikeBattle event several participants dropped out. The aim of this study was to clarify the numbers and reasons for drop out, and to characterize the differences between study participants who did (dropouts) and did not (competitors) drop out during the training period for the HandbikeBattle event. SETTING: Former participants of the HandbikeBattle, a handcycling race on an Austrian mountain. METHODS: Participants (N = 313 (N = 209 (67%) with spinal cord injury or spina bifida)) enrolled between 2013-2018. Drop out and reasons for drop out were registered. Competitors and dropouts were compared regarding personal, disability, physical, and psychological factors, which were measured at the start of the training period. RESULTS: Forty-five participants (14%) dropped out during the training period with medical complications (49%) and motivational problems (29%) as main reasons. The only differences were that competitors participated more in sports before the study (p = 0.01) and achieved a higher peak power output (p = 0.04) compared to dropouts. CONCLUSIONS: The drop-out rate of the HandbikeBattle study was low compared to previous exercise intervention studies, which might be related to the less strictly imposed free-living training. Persons with less experience in sport and a lower fitness level might need more attention during a training intervention to prevent them from dropping out

Core-binding factor acute myeloid leukemia with t(8;21) Risk factors and a novel scoring system (I-CBFit)

Background: Although the prognosis of core-binding factor (CBF) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is better than other subtypes of AML, 30% of patients still relapse and may require allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). However, there is no validated widely accepted scoring system to predict patient subsets with higher risk of relapse. Methods: Eleven centers in the US and Europe evaluated 247 patients with t(8;21) (q22;q22). Results: Complete remission (CR) rate was high (92.7%), yet relapse occurred in 27.1% of patients. A total of 24.7% of patients received alloHCT. The median diseasefree (DFS) and overall (OS) survival were 20.8 and 31.2 months, respectively. Age, KIT D816V mutated (11.3%) or nontested (36.4%) compared with KIT D816V wild type (52.5%), high white blood cell counts (WBC), and pseudodiploidy compared with hyper- or hypodiploidy were included in a scoring system (named I-CBFit). DFS rate at 2 years was 76% for patients with a low-risk I-CBFit score compared with 36% for those with a high-risk I-CBFit score (P <0.0001). Low- vs high-risk OS at 2 years was 89% vs 51% (P <0.0001). Conclusions: I-CBFit composed of readily available risk factors can be useful to tailor the therapy of patients, especially for whom alloHCT is not need in CR1 (ie, patients with a low-risk score)

An Incremental Shuttle Wheel Test for Wheelchair Tennis Players

Purpose: To determine the relationship between outcomes of the shuttle wheel test (SWT) and peak oxygen uptake (VO(2)peak) during that test and whether SWT and VO(2)peak can discriminate between different skill levels of wheelchair tennis players. Methods: Fifteen wheelchair tennis players performed an SWT on a tennis court while VO2 was measured continuously. Outcome measures were VO(2)peak and achieved stage. Relations between outcomes and Dutch wheelchair tennis ranking were calculated with Spearman correlation. Independent t tests were used to test for differences between national and international players. Results: Moderate correlations were found between VO(2)peak and SWT outcome (r = .40-.47). The tennis ranking correlated weakly with VO(2)peak (r = -.35) and strongly with SWT outcome (r = -.80). A significant difference was found between national and international players for achieved stage (P = .027) and VO(2)peak (P = .027). Conclusions: The SWT outcome only explained a small part of the variance in VO(2)peak among players, so it cannot be considered a valid test for aerobic capacity. However, SWT outcomes are related to the skill level of the player and give a good indication of the overall peak wheelchair performance

Determinants of physical activity in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury or lower limb amputation:perspectives of rehabilitation professionals and wheelchair users

Purpose: To gain insight into determinants of physical activity in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury or lower limb amputation, from the perspective of both wheelchair users and rehabilitation professionals.  Methods: Seven focus groups were conducted: five with wheelchair users (n = 25) and two with rehabilitation professionals (n = 11). The transcripts were analysed using a sequential coding strategy, in which the reported determinants of physical activity were categorized using the Physical Activity for people with a Disability (PAD) model.  Results: Reported personal determinants of physical activity were age, general health status, stage of life, demotivation due to difficulty burning calories, available time and energy, balance in daily life, attitude, and history of a physically active lifestyle. Reported environmental determinants were professional guidance, inconvenient exercise times, accessibility of facilities, costs, transportation difficulties, equipment difficulties, and social support.  Conclusions: Important, changeable determinants of physical activity that might be influenced in future lifestyle interventions for wheelchair users are: balance in daily life leading to more time and energy to exercise, attitude towards physical activity, professional guidance, accessibility of facilities (providing information on how and where to find accessible facilities), and social support (learning how to get this). Implications for rehabilitation  A physically active lifestyle improves everyday functioning, and decreases disability and the risk of secondary health problems in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury or lower limb amputation. After inpatient rehabilitation, it is difficult for wheelchair users to maintain or further enhance their physical activity, a lifestyle intervention can help them in this. To be effective, lifestyle interventions should address important, changeable determinants of physical activity.  Important, changeable determinants of physical activity reported by wheelchair users and rehabilitation professionals are: balance in daily life leading to more time and energy to exercise, attitude towards physical activity, professional guidance, accessibility of facilities, and social support

Physical activity in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury:prerequisites for and effects of an active lifestyle

Wheelchair users with spinal cord injury generally have a relatively inactive lifestyle. Several studies have shown that an inactive lifestyle is associated with a lower fitness level, poorer health, reduced social participation and a lower quality of life for wheelchair users. There are a number of ways in which wheelchair users can remain active in daily life, for instance, by using a wheelchair or handbike for mobility instead of taking the car, and by participating in sports or wheelchair sports. Some prerequisites should be met to enable wheelchair users to have a more active lifestyle: the wheelchair should be optimally adjusted and the everyday environment, including sport facilities, should be easily accessible. An active lifestyle often also requires a change in attitude or behaviour. General practitioners, other primary healthcare providers and rehabilitation professionals can help in this respect.</p

Rolstoelgebruikers met een dwarslaesie in beweging. Effecten van en voorwaarden voor een actieve leefstijl

Wheelchair users with spinal cord injury generally have a relatively inactive lifestyle. Several studies have shown that an inactive lifestyle is associated with a lower fitness level, poorer health, reduced social participation and a lower quality of life for wheelchair users. There are a number of ways in which wheelchair users can remain active in daily life, for instance, by using a wheelchair or handbike for mobility instead of taking the car, and by participating in sports or wheelchair sports. Some prerequisites should be met to enable wheelchair users to have a more active lifestyle: the wheelchair should be optimally adjusted and the everyday environment, including sport facilities, should be easily accessible. An active lifestyle often also requires a change in attitude or behaviour. General practitioners, other primary healthcare providers and rehabilitation professionals can help in this respect