Progressive resistance exercise for people with multiple sclerosis.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine if participation in a progressive resistance exercise (PRE) programme can: (1) increase the ability to generate maximal muscle force, (2) increase muscle endurance, (3) increase functional activity, and (4) improve overall psychological function of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: A pre-post single group research design with a 4-week baseline familiarisation phase was used. Nine people (mean age 45.6 years, SD 10.7) with MS attended a gymnasium three times over 4 weeks for familiarization. Participants then completed a twice-weekly 10-week PRE programme, with two sets of 10 - 12 repetitions of each exercise. Outcome measures of muscle strength (1RM for arms and legs), muscle endurance (repetitions at half 1RM), walking speed, the 2-min walk test (2MWT), a timed stairs test, and the impact of MS on physical and psychological function were taken at weeks 2, 4, and 14. RESULTS: Participants attended 94.3% (SD 8.2%) of the training sessions, with no adverse events. After accounting for baseline stability, significant improvements (P < 0.05) were found in arm strength (14.4%), leg endurance (170.9%), fast walking speed (6.1%), and there was a trend for increased distance in the 2MWT (P = 0.06). The perceived impact of MS on physical function was reduced (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Adults with MS benefited from a PRE programme by improving muscle performance and physical activities, without adverse events. These findings suggest that PRE may be a feasible and useful fitness alternative for people with mild to moderate disability due to MS.

A qualitative analysis of a progressive resistance exercise programme for people with multiple sclerosis.

PURPOSE: This qualitative study explored the perceptions of adults with multiple sclerosis about the positive and negative effects of a progressive resistance strengthening programme; and identified factors that might facilitate or create barriers to participation. METHODS: Seven women and two men (mean age 45.6 years, SD 10.7) with multiple sclerosis participated in a 10-week gymnasium based progressive resistance strengthening programme held twice a week. Participants were interviewed at the end of the programme. The recorded interviews were transcribed and then independently coded by three researchers. From these codes, the main themes emerged. RESULTS: Reports about the programme were very positive with physical, psychological and social benefits noted. Most participants said that they had less fatigue as a result of the programme. Few negative outcomes were reported and these were minor such as aches and pains. Key extrinsic factors for programme completion were the leaders' encouragement and knowledge of exercise; and the group aspect of the programme. Key intrinsic factors were enjoyment, determination, seeing the signs of progress, and a previously held positive attitude about the benefits of exercise. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that progressive resistance strength training is a feasible fitness option for some people with multiple sclerosis. Factors perceived to be important for programme completion suggest that choosing encouraging leaders with knowledge of exercise, and exercising in a group may contribute to programme success.

[Changes of mitochondrial oxidation and phosphorylation in the testes of white rats under excessive supply of sodium nitrate into the organism]. / Izmeneniia mitokhondrial'nogo okisleniia i fosforilirovaniia v semennikakh belykh krys v usloviiakh izbytochnogo postupleniia v ikh organizm nitrata natriia.

The functional state of mitochondria, obtained from the testicles, after chronic intoxication by sodium nitrate (in a dose of 200 mg/kg during 14; 30 and 90 days) was investigated in experiment on white rats. It was revealed, that in dynamics of changes of mitochondrial oxidation and phosphorylation in the testicles under the excessive supply of sodium nitrate into the organism the determined phases should be marked: on the 14th day of intoxication this is the ascending of rate of respiration, on the 30th and 90th day--separation of the mitochondrial oxidation and ADP phosphorylation. It is supposed, that in pathogenesis of these changes the essential role belongs to nitric oxide production.

QSAR correlations of the algistatic activity of 5-amino-1-aryl-1H-tetrazoles.

The algistatic activity of 20 substituted 5-amino-1-aryl-1H-tetrazoles was correlated with the second order Kier and Hall index, the XY shadow on the XY rectangle and the total hybridization component of the molecular dipole by the CODESSA program in a three parameter equation with r2 = 0.9330.

Conversions by dimethyldioxirane of 1-alkylbenzotriazoles into their N-oxides and of 2-alkylbenzotriazoles into 2-alkyl-trans-4,5,6,7-diepoxy-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzotriazoles.

Dimethyldioxirane converted 1-alkylbenzotriazoles 4 to the corresponding 3-alkylbenzotriazole 1-oxides 5 in good yields, but transformed 2-alkylbenzotriazoles 12 into 2-alkyl-trans-4,5,6,7-diepoxy-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzotriazoles 13.

Changes in balance and locomotion measures during rehabilitation following stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the utility of a number of measures of balance and locomotion for the purpose of measuring change in a group of stroke patients undergoing in-patient rehabilitation. The aim was to select a core group of measures based on empirical evidence of usefulness rather than personal preference. METHODS: Twenty-nine stroke patients undergoing in-patient rehabilitation (mean age 71.8 +/- 10.5 years; 66% male) participated in the study. A prospective design was utilized with repeated measurement undertaken at four, six and eight weeks post-stroke. Static standing, the Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction of Balance (CTSIB) (Shumway-Cook & Horak, 1986), functional reach (FR), repetitive reach (RR), step test (ST), gait velocity, stride length and the Motor Assessment Scale (Carr et al., 1985) (walking item) were assessed at each interval. RESULTS: All measures of dynamic balance showed significant change over the four-week measurement period (p < 0.0036). Factor analysis identified two factors which grouped tests into static and dynamic, with a trend towards a third factor incorporating bipedal dynamic tests. Tests of static balance suffered from ceiling effects, whereas dynamic tests of balance and gait suffered from floor effects. Dynamic tests were more responsive (Standardized Response Measure (SRM) > 0.75) to change over the rehabilitation period than static tests. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that a clinically useful and responsive balance and mobility test battery should include one component of the CTSIB (Shumway-Cook & Horak, 1986), RR (step stance), ST and gait velocity.