One leg testing in hip and knee osteoarthritis: A comparison with a two-leg oriented functional outcome measure and self-reported functional measures.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the responsiveness of two unilateral lower-limb performance-based tests, the one-leg rise test and the maximal step-up test, with the bilateral 30-second chair-stand test and the self-reported measure of physical function (HOOS/KOOS). Specific aims were to evaluate responsiveness, floor/ceiling effect and association between the instruments. METHOD: Data was included from 111 participants, mean age 61.3 years (8.3), with clinically verified hip or knee osteoarthritis, who reported less than 150 minutes/week of moderate or vigorous intensity physical activity. Responsiveness, how well the instruments captured improvements, was measured as Cohen's standardised mean difference for effect size, and was assessed from baseline to 12 months following a physical activity intervention. Other assessments were floor and ceiling effects, and correlations between tests. RESULTS: The maximal step-up test had an effect size of 0.57 (95% CI 0.37, 0.77), the 30-second chair-stand 0.48 (95% CI 0.29, 0.68) and the one-leg rise test 0.12 (95% CI 0.60, 0.31). The one-leg rise test had a floor effect as 72% of the participants scored zero at baseline and 63% at 12 months. The correlation between performance-based tests and questionnaires was considered to be minor (r = 0.188 to 0.226) (p = 0.018 to 0.048). CONCLUSION: The unilateral maximal step-up test seems more responsive to change in physical function compared to the bilateral 30-second chair-stand test, although the tests did not differ statistically in effect size. The maximal step-up test provides specific information about each leg for the individual and allows for comparison between the legs.

Association of perceived physical health and physical fitness in two Swedish national samples from 1990 and 2015.

Perceived health and physical fitness have been shown to correlate, and low levels of either variable increase the risk for future illness and mortality. However, risk factors and their interrelationship may vary between societies and over time. In this study, the associations of physical fitness and perceived health were therefore assessed in two Swedish national samples 25 years apart. Perceived physical health, dichotomized as "good" or "bad," maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max), counter movement jump (CMJ), balance (one-legged 60 second stance), and self-reported demographics and lifestyle were recorded in two cross-sectional samples (sample size, number of eligible participants) of Swedish adults, aged 20-65 years, in 1990-1991 (2203, 1365), and 2013-2015 (3357, 422). The odds for good perceived physical health increased by 5% per mL·kg-1 ·min-1 of VO2 max, 3% per cm CMJ height, and decreased by 4% per 1 time of overbalancing, in both samples. Mutually adjusted regression models showed that perceived physical health was best predicted by VO2 max and chronic illness in 1990 and by age, BMI, and educational level in 2015. CONCLUSION: Perceived physical health was related to physical fitness in two samples of Swedish adults from 1990 and 2015. However, multivariate and mutually adjusted models indicate that the most important covariates of perceived physical health may have changed from VO2 max and chronic illness in 1990, to age, BMI, and educational level in 2015.

A pilot study of a joint outdoor exercise program for dog owners and dogs.

Increasing levels of physical inactivity is a global burden for mankind and is also an emerging problem in companion dogs. In both humans and dogs, insufficient physical activity is associated with increased risk for noncommunicable diseases and impaired quality of life (QoL). The aim of the current pilot study was to evaluate effects of a joint outdoor exercise program for dog owners (n = 22) and dogs (n = 22) with focus on QoL and body measurements. Results indicate that an eight-week exercise intervention alone, with a target distance of at least 2 km twice a week, may be sufficient to significantly increase self-reported QoL and acceptance of bodily appearance in dog owners despite no reductions in body measurements. In dogs, a significantly reduced body condition score (BCS) was registered, despite no considerable changes in feeding. The increased owner motivation for continued joint exercise suggests potential for lifestyle changes, which could be investigated in future studies including control groups and long-term follow-ups. The importance of the human-animal bond as a success factor for increased mutual physical activity and health benefits in both dog owners and dogs is recommended to be studied in a more in-depth manner.

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in adults with asthma--comparison between running and cycling and between cycling at different air conditions.

The bronchial response to cycling and running was compared in six adult asthmatic persons. The effects of different air conditions during cycling regarding the induction of bronchoconstriction was studied. The exercise consisted of 6 minutes' work at an intensity of 80-85% of maximal heart rate. Heart rate, oxygen consumption and ventilation were measured to check that the exercise level was the same in all tests. Peak expiratory flow (PEF) was used to test for bronchoconstriction. Bicycling and treadmill running were performed under indoor conditions and bicycling while breathing cold, dry air (-18 degrees C) and room-tempered humid air (60% RH), respectively. No difference in bronchoconstriction was found between cycling and running under indoor conditions. However, bicycling exercise with inhalation of cold dry air provoked more bronchoconstriction than when inhalating humid air (PEF reductions of 19.4+/-6% and 6.1+/-2%, respectively). No differences were found between the exercise modes in heart rate, oxygen consumption, ventilation per minute, respiratory rate, carbon dioxide elimination or subjective ratings of perceived exertion and breathlessness. It is concluded that it is not the type of exercise, but the ventilation demand and humidity of the inspired air that are the main determinants of the occurrence and degree of bronchoconstriction.

Physical activity on prescription in primary health care: a follow-up of physical activity level and quality of life.

To examine whether physical activity on prescription in routine primary care patients would influence physical activity level and quality of life 6 months later. In 2001-2003, 13 Swedish primary health care units took part in an uncontrolled clinical study. If a patient in primary health care needed physical activity preventively or for treatment of a disease and patient-centered motivational counseling found physical activity to be suitable, individualized physical activity could be prescribed. Patients (n=481) of both sexes and all ages [75% women, mean age 50 (12-81)] participated in the study. Self-reported physical activity, readiness to change to a more physically active lifestyle and quality-of-life data were collected through questionnaires. The follow-up rate was 62% at 6 months. Intention-to-treat analysis showed a significant increase (P<0.01) in self-reported physical activity level, the stages of action and maintenance of physical activity as well as quality of life. Physical activity level, stages of change and quality of life increased analogically, indicating that physical activity on prescription may be suitable as a conventional treatment in an ordinary primary health care setting to promote a more physically active lifestyle.