Application of a Reactive Agility Training Program Using Light-Based Stimuli to Enhance the Physical and Cognitive Performance of Car Racing Drivers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: There is a need to develop strategies that could contribute to the physical and mental preparation of motorsport athletes. A common method used by experienced motorsport athlete physical trainers is flashing light devices to train or assess reactive agility, despite limited evidence. Therefore, in the present study, we determined the effects of a 6-week reactive agility training program using light-based stimuli on the physiological and cognitive abilities of car racing drivers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CONSORT guidelines for randomized controlled trial were used. In a single-blinded randomized controlled trial, 24 car racing drivers (EXP, n = 12; CON, n = 12) performed a comprehensive battery of cognitive tests marketed specifically at motorsport athletes from Vienna test system (VTS) at rest or during moderate intensity exercise on a bicycle. Physiological abilities were determined via a maximal incremental cardio-respiratory treadmill test. Baseline and post-intervention tests were performed on three consecutive days. Participants in EXP underwent a 6-week intervention consisting of 60-min training sessions twice a week using the Witty SEM light stimulus. RESULTS: Participants in EXP but not in CON performed some of the VTS cognitive tasks with higher accuracy and/or shorter reaction time after the intervention at rest and during exercise. Car racing drivers performed the STROOP word-reading condition more accurately when the task was performed during the exercise vs. rest, regardless of group. In addition, the intervention induced beneficial changes in peak heart rate (HR), HR at gas exchange threshold, ventilation, and relative maximal oxygen consumption (rVO2 max). In contrast, body mass and fat mass increased, while peak HR and rVO2 max decreased in CON. Finally, participants in EXP improved their reactive agility performance and reaction time throughout the training program. CONCLUSION: Overall, the reactive agility training program using light-based stimuli appeared to be efficient to induce beneficial effects on some physiological and cognitive performance measures; therefore, it may have the potential to contribute to car racing drivers' physical and mental performance.

The use of near-infrared spectroscopy for the evaluation of a 4-week rehabilitation program in patients with COPD.

BACKGROUND: Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology can evaluate muscle metabolism and oxygenation. NIRS-based oximeters can measure skeletal muscle oxygen delivery and utilization during static and dynamic work non-invasively. Our goal was to assess the value and usability of NIRS technology in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) rehabilitation program. METHODS: Forty patients with COPD participated in a 4-week inpatient rehabilitation program that included breathing exercises and personalized cycle/treadmill training adjusted to the functional capacity, physical activity and comorbidities of the patients. A NIRS muscle oxygen monitor was used to measure tissue oxygenation and hemoglobin levels. Total hemoglobin index, average muscle oxygenation, minimal and maximal muscle oxygenation were recorded before and after the rehabilitation program. RESULTS: Rehabilitation resulted improvement in 6 min walking distance (6MWD:335.3 ± 110. vs. 398.3 ± 126.2 m; P < 0.01), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP: 57.7 ± 22.7 vs. 63.6 ± 18.0 cmH2O; P < 0.01), chest wall expansion (CWE: 2.84 ± 1.26 vs, 4.00 ± 1.76 cm; P < 0.01), breath hold time (BHT: 25.8 ± 10.6 vs. 29.2 ± 11.6 s; P < 0.01) and grip strength (GS: 24.9 ± 11.9 vs. 27.0 ± 11.4 kg; P < 0.01). Quality of life improvement was monitored by COPD Assessment Test (CAT: 17.00 ± 8.49 vs. 11.89 ± 7.3, P < 0.05). Total hemoglobin index (tHb: 12.8 ± 1.3% vs. 12.8 ± 1.4), average muscle oxygenation (SmO2: 67.5 ± 14.4% vs. 65.2 ± 20.4%) showed a tendency for improvement. Maximal muscle oxygenation decreased (SmO2 max: 98.0 ± 20.5% vs. 90.1 ± 14.3%; P < 0.01). Minimal muscle oxygenation increased (SmO2 min: 42.6 ± 12.6% vs. 54.8 ± 14.3%; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: NIRS results showed that muscle oxygenation and microcirculation can be described as a high-risk factor in COPD patients. The 4-week rehabilitation improves functional parameters, quality of life and tissue oxygenation levels in COPD patients.

Molecular Characteristics and Treatment of Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients with COPD: A Review Article.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) show systemic consequences, such as chronic systemic inflammation leading to changes in the airway, airway penetrability, and endothelial function. Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by a list of alterations of endothelium towards reduced vasodilation, proinflammatory state, detachment and apoptosis of endothelial cells, and development of atherosclerosis. COPD-induced endothelial dysfunction is associated with elevated cardiovascular risk. The increment of physical activities such as pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) training have a significant effect on COPD, thus, PR can be an integrative part of COPD treatment. In this narrative review the focus is on the function of endothelial inflammatory mediators [cytokines, chemokines, and cellular proteases] and pulmonary endothelial cells and endothelial dysfunction in COPD as well as the effects of dysfunction of the endothelium may play in COPD-related pulmonary hypertension. The relationship between smoking and endothelial dysfunction is also discussed. The connection between different pulmonary rehabilitation programs, arterial stiffness and pulse wave velocity (PWV) is presented. Endothelial dysfunction is a significant prognostic factor of COPD, which can be characterized by PWV. We discuss future considerations, like training programs, as an important part of the treatment that has a favorable impact on the endothelial function.

Effectiveness of a 4-week rehabilitation program on endothelial function, blood vessel elasticity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may have considerable cardiovascular risk. Physical activity has a paramount role in COPD treatment. Our aim was to evaluate the applicability of arteriograph in COPD and measure the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation on endothelial function. METHODS: A total of 40 patients with COPD (FEV1: 45.43±20.20%pred, BMI: 27.99±6.98 kg/m2, male: female was 21:19, age: 65.47±7.39 years) participated in a 4-week rehabilitation program. We used a patented, invasively validated Arteriograph. Blood pressure, pulse, augmentation index (AIX), pulse wave velocity (PWV), diastolic area index (DAI) were registered with functional measurements in pulmonary rehabilitation. RESULTS: Pulmonary rehabilitation was effective in 6 minutes walking distance (6MWD: 335.32±110.43 vs. 398.32±126.21 m), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP: 57.72±22.69 vs. 63.63±18.01 cmH2O), chest wall expansion (CWE: 2.84±1.26 vs. 4.00±1.76 cm), breath holding time (BHT: 25.77±10.63 to 29.21±11.60 sec) and grip strength (GS: 24.87±11.88 vs. 27.03±11.43 kg) (P<0.05). Improvement in quality of life was monitored by COPD assessment test marker (CAT: 17.00±8.49 vs. 11.89±7.31, P<0.05). Systolic (133.38±22.15 vs. 126.48±20.22 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (76.95±14.37 vs. 75.4±12.7 mmHg) showed a reduction tendency. Pulse also decreased (76.95±14.37 vs. 72.53±13.65 bpm). AIX levels showed slight improvement (3.54±35.59% vs. 2.93±30.79%); 23 patients peripheral circulation progressed. The PWV data showed abnormal elasticity with minimal change (11.74±2.13 vs. 11.4±2.73 m/s); although 20 patients showed improvement. DAI detected slightly diminished coronary circulation with moderate improvement (43.32±6.81 vs. 47.1±7.01 m/s). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated arterial stiffness, high PWV turned the COPD patients to the high/very high-risk cluster. Rehabilitation resulted significant improvement in MIP, CWE, BHT, 6MWD, CAT with mild, but favorable changes in blood pressure, pulse, AIX, PWV. As a consequence of the four weeks rehabilitation period overall quality of life improved and cardiovascular risk showed a reduction tendency in COPD.