Electromyogram Power Spectrum and Cardiac Function Changes After Combined Aerobic Interval Training and Inspiratory Muscle Training in Chronic Heart Failure Patients.

Exercise intolerance and dyspnea are the major symptoms of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and are associated with a poor quality of life. In addition to impaired central hemodynamics, symptoms may be attributed to changes in peripheral skeletal muscles. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of aerobic interval training (AIT) combined with inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on cardiac and skeletal muscle function and on functional capacity and dyspnea in patients with CHF and inspiratory muscle weakness.Left ventricle ejection fraction was improved significantly after AIT and AIT & IMT with a high percentage of amelioration (17%, P < 0.042) in the combined group compared to the control group. Therefore, we showed a significant improvement in maximal voluntary isometric force, isometric endurance time, root mean square, and frequency median in both strength and endurance manipulations in the aerobic and combined group; however, the improvement was superior in the combined group compared to the control group. Significant amelioration was proved in functional capacity and dyspnea after all types of training but was performed at 18% higher in 6 minutes' walk test and 43% lower in dyspnea for the combined group compared to the control group.Combining AIT to IMT had optimized exercise training benefits in reversing the cardiac remodeling process and improving skeletal muscle function, functional capacity, and dyspnea in patients with CHF.

Effects of Powerchair Football: Contextual Factors That Impact Participation.

The aim of this study was to identify contextual factors that negatively affect activity and participation among powerchair football (PF) players. Thirty-seven semistructured interviews were conducted with PF players (Mage = 27.9 ± 8.2 years) in France (n = 18) and the United States (n = 19). Participants reported acute back and neck pain as the primary morbidities resulting from PF participation, with sustained atypical posture in the sport chair as the primary cause. Competition-related physical and mental stress were also identified as participation outcomes. Accompanying the many benefits of PF, participants recognized negative impacts of discomfort, physical fatigue, and mental fatigue. Interventions such as seating modifications, thermotherapy to combat pain, napping to combat acute physical stress, and mental preparation to manage state anxiety were all identified as prospective interventions.

Effects of specific inspiratory muscle training combined with whole-body endurance training program on balance in COPD patients: Randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This study aims to assess the effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) combined with endurance training (ET) on balance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: We studied 32 male patients (62 ± 6 years) with moderate to very severe COPD. They were randomly assigned to an experimental group (IMT+ET) n = 16 or a control group (ET) n = 16 with similar characteristics. The evaluations were carried out at inclusion and after eight weeks of the training period. Functional balance was assessed by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed-up and Go (TUG), the Single Leg Stance test (SLS), and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale. The strength of the inspiratory muscles (PImax) was assessed by maximal inspiratory mouth pressure. Functional exercise performance was assessed by the 6 minutes walking test (6MWT). IMT program consists in performing two daily sets of 30 inspirations with 50% of PImax increased by 10% every two weeks. ET program consists in performing 30 min treadmill exercise at 60% to 80% of the average speed achieved during the 6MWT three days per week. RESULTS: After the training period, the experimental group demonstrated greater improvements in BBS (IMT+ET vs. ET; p = 0.019), and in ABC (IMT+ET vs. ET; p = 0.014). However, no significant differences between groups were observed for TUG, SLS, and 6MWT. There was a significant difference between groups in PImax (IMT+ET vs. ET; p = 0.030). Significant moderate correlations were obtained between ΔPImax and ΔBBS for both groups (IMT+ET: r = 0.624, p = 0.010; ET r = 0.550, p = 0.027) as well as for ΔABC but only in the experimental group (IMT+ET: r = 0.550, p = 0.027). CONCLUSION: Compared to ET alone, the results suggest that IMT combined with ET enhances inspiratory muscle function and functional balance according to BBS and ABC in patients with COPD. We suggest that inspiratory muscle training might be introduced as additional training to pulmonary rehabilitation programs aimed at improving balance in COPD patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial registry name: Clinical Trials; Registration number: NCT04084405; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04084405.

Post-exercise Heart Rate Variability: Whole-body Cryotherapy vs. Contrast Water Therapy.

High-intensity training sessions are known to alter cardiac autonomic modulation. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of whole-body cryotherapy, contrast water therapy and passive recovery on the time course of cardiac autonomic markers following a standardized HIT session. Eleven runners completed a high intensity session followed by one of the following recovery interventions: whole-body cryotherapy, contrast water therapy or passive recovery. Changes in cardiac autonomic modulation were assessed in supine and standing positions during an active tilt test at pre-, post-14 h and post-38 h. In supine, high-frequency power increased from pre- to post-14 h following whole-body cryotherapy (1661.1±914.5 vs. 2799.0±948.4 ms2, respectively; p=0.023) and contrast water therapy (1906.1±1327.9 vs. 4174.3±2762.9 ms2, respectively; p=0.004) whereas high frequency power decreased in response to passive recovery (p=0.009). In standing, low-frequency power increased from pre-to post-38 h (1784.3 ± 953.7 vs. 3339.8±1862.7 ms2, respectively; p=0.017) leading to an increase in total power from pre- to post-38 h (1990.8 ± 1089.4 vs. 3606.1±1992.0 ms2, respectively; p=0.017). Spectral analysis revealed that contrast water therapy appears to be a more efficient recovery strategy than whole-body cryotherapy in restoring cardiac autonomic homeostasis.

Effects of combined supervised intermittent aerobic, muscle strength and home-based walking training programs on cardiorespiratory responses in women with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this investigation was to study the effects of supervised combined intermittent aerobic, muscle strength and home-based walking training programs on cardiorespiratory fitness in women with breast cancer during adjuvant chemotherapy treatment. METHODS: Thirty-two women with breast cancer undertaking adjuvant chemotherapy participated in the study (trained group n=20 and control group n=12). The trained group carried out 6weeks of supervised intermittent cycling aerobic, muscle strength and home-based walking training programs. The self-selected walking speed (WS), walking distance covered (WD), heart rate (rHR), blood lactate ([La]b) concentration and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed in the two groups during the 6-min walking test before and after the training period. RESULTS: Compared to controls, a significant increase in the WS (P<0.01) and the WD (P<0.01) accompanied by a significant decrease in resting rHR (P<0.01), exercising HR6' (P<0.01), [La]b (P<0.05), HR6'/WS (P<0.01) and [La]b/WS ratios (P<0.01) was reported in the trained group. However, a significant decrease both in WD (P<0.01) and WS (P<0.01) has been observed in the controls. No significant difference was observed in resting HR, exercising HR6', [La]b, HR6'/WS, and [La]b/WS ratios were observed in the control group. A significant improvement was observed for RPE in training group (P<0.05). However, no difference was shown in controls. CONCLUSION: Combined training based on intermittent aerobic exercise, muscle strength and walking improve cardiorespiratory responses and reduce the perception of fatigue in women with breast cancer.

Best mode of inspiratory muscle training in heart failure patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of inspiratory muscle training on inspiratory muscle strength, functional capacity and dyspnoea for patients with chronic heart failure, by summarising the published research on the effects of inspiratory muscle training. To identify the best mode of intervention in terms of: the load of maximal inspiratory pressure; the frequency of sessions; and the total duration of intervention. Methods A relevant literature research using the PubMed database, Cochrane and references of published studies, from 1998 to 2016, was conducted. Out of 65 randomised controlled trials, seven were considered as potentially relevant and were retrieved for detailed analysis. The methodological quality of each randomised controlled trial was rated using the physiotherapy evidence database scale. Results The included seven studies contained data on 203 patients. Typical training protocols involved training three, six or seven times per week with intensity ranging from 30% to 60% and for a duration ranging from 6 to 12 weeks. Maximal inspiratory pressure, walking distance and dyspnoea were improved in all studies and especially in those who set a load of 60% in their maximal inspiratory pressure, and have trained patients six times per week for 12 weeks. Conclusion In chronic heart failure patients, inspiratory muscle training results in a marked improvement in inspiratory muscle strength, walking distance and dyspnoea, notably when training patients at 60% of maximal inspiratory pressure, six times per week and for 12 weeks. A small number of studies and heterogeneity among studies may limit the findings of the present study.

Sleep Hygiene and Recovery Strategies in Elite Soccer Players.

In elite soccer, players are frequently exposed to various situations and conditions that can interfere with sleep (e.g., playing night matches interspersed with 3 days; performing activities demanding high levels of concentration close to bedtime; use of products containing caffeine or alcohol in the period preceding bedtime; regular daytime napping throughout the week; variable wake-up times or bedtime), potentially leading to sleep deprivation. We outline simple, practical, and pharmaceutical-free sleep strategies that are coordinated to the constraints of elite soccer in order to promote sleep. Sleep deprivation is best alleviated by sleep extension; however, sleep hygiene strategies (i.e., consistent sleep pattern, appropriate napping, and active daytime behaviors) can be utilized to promote restorative sleep. Light has a profound impact on sleep, and sleep hygiene strategies that support the natural environmental light-dark cycle (i.e., red-light treatment prior to sleep, dawn-simulation therapy prior to waking) and prevent cycle disruption (i.e., filtering short wavelengths prior to sleep) may be beneficial to elite soccer players. Under conditions of inordinate stress, techniques such as brainwave entrainment and meditation are promising sleep-promoting strategies, but future studies are required to ascertain the applicability of these techniques to elite soccer players. Consuming high-electrolyte fluids such as milk, high-glycemic index carbohydrates, some forms of protein immediately prior to sleep, as well as tart cherry juice concentrate and tryptophan may promote rehydration, substrate stores replenishment, muscle-damage repair and/or restorative sleep. The influence of cold water immersion performed close to bedtime on subsequent sleep is still debated. Conversely, the potential detrimental effects of sleeping medication must be recognized. Sleep initiation is influenced by numerous factors, reinforcing the need for future research to identify such factors. Efficient and individualized sleep hygiene strategies may consequently be proposed.

Effects of a 12-week Tai Chi Chuan program versus a balance training program on postural control and walking ability in older people.

UNLABELLED: Lelard T, Doutrellot P-L, David P, Ahmaidi S. Effects of a 12-week Tai Chi Chuan program versus a balance training program on postural control and walking ability in older people. OBJECTIVE: To compare the respective effects of 2 balance training programs: a Tai Chi (TC) program and a balance training program on static postural control and walking ability. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: General community. PARTICIPANTS: Older subjects (N=28) participated in the study. INTERVENTIONS: The TC group (n=14; mean age +/- SD, 76.8+/-5.1y) and the balance training group (n=14; 77.0+/-4.5y) were both trained for 12 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Static postural control was assessed via measurement of center of pressure sway under eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) conditions. Walking speed over a 10-meter course was also assessed. RESULTS: After the 12-week training period, there were no significant differences in walking speed or postural parameters in either the EO or EC conditions for the TC and balance training groups. Performance in the EC condition was lower than in the EO condition in pretest and posttest for the balance training and TC groups. The Romberg quotient (EO/EC ratio) was significantly higher after the balance training program than the TC program (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: We cannot conclude that the balance training program has better effects than the TC program on postural control or walking ability. None of the outcome measures showed significant change posttraining in either the TC or the balance training groups. However, the differences described in the Romberg quotient after the training period between the TC and the balance training groups suggest that TC should be helpful to limit the deleterious effects of eye closure on postural balance.

Survey of advantages obtained by judoka in competition by level of practice.

In judo, placing the opponent in a situation of uncertainty requires the mastery of several throws. French young judoka learn, respectively, 10, 9, and 8 throws to earn yellow, orange, and green belts. These techniques allow throwing down a judoka in several directions (backward, forward, left and right). To see what happens in competition 82 judoka were observed during regional competitions. The average number of matches was 3.3 +/- 0.5. The average number of successful attack directions was 2.8 +/- 1.3 for 8 children at orange to green belt level; 2.1 +/- 0.7 for 11 children at blue belt level; 2.2 +/- 0.8 for 17 children at brown belt level; 2.8 +/- 0.9 for 20 cadets at brown to black belt level, 2.6 +/- 1.1 for 10 juniors at brown to black belt level, and 3.3 +/- 0.9 for 16 seniors at black belt level. These scores for children with blue and brown belts were significantly different (p=.02) from those of seniors with black belts. Such results imply a nonlinear progression between the technical level (represented by the belt) and the capacity to create uncertainty (the ability to throw down the opponent with at least three techniques in three different directions). Judo is a sport of slow technical maturation; it requires this adaptation before its mastery in competition.