Influencing walking behavior can increase the physical activity of patients with chronic pain hospitalized for multidisciplinary rehabilitation: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Physical therapy and exercising are key components of biopsychosocial rehabilitation for chronic pain. Exercise helps reduce pain and improve physical functions. In addition, a high level of physical activity benefits quality of life and emotional well-being. However, the degree to which hospitalization for extensive rehabilitation effectively increases physical activity has not yet been studied. Therefore, we investigated the physical activity level and the walking behavior of inpatients with musculoskeletal pain. The objectives were 1) to compare physical activity level and walking with or without rehabilitation, 2) to evaluate whether pain site influences physical activity level, and 3) to measure the association between physical activity and pain-related interference with physical functioning. METHODS: During a rehabilitation stay, 272 inpatients with lower limb, spine, or upper limb pain wore an accelerometer over 1 week. We assessed the daily duration of the practice of moderate physical activity and walking. Weekend days, during which the participants went home (days off), were used as a reference for habitual activities. We also evaluated 93 patients before the hospitalization to validate the use of days off as a baseline. Pain interference was measured with the brief pain inventory questionnaire. Generalized linear mixed models analyzed the association between physical activity and walking levels, and 1) rehabilitation participation, 2) pain sites, and 3) pain interference. RESULTS: Weekend days during the stay have similar physical activity level as days measured before the stay (73 min / day at the clinic, versus 70 min / day at home). Rehabilitation days had significantly higher physical activity levels and walking durations than days off (+ 28 min [+ 37%] and + 32 min [+ 74%], respectively). Mixed models revealed 1) a negative association between physical activity and pain interference, and 2) no effect of pain sites. Overall, patients increased their physical activity level independently of reported pain interference. CONCLUSIONS: Despite their painful condition, the inpatients were able to engage themselves in a higher level of physical activity via increased participation in walking activities. We conclude that walking incentives can be a valid solution to help patients with chronic pain be more physically active.

Optimal slopes and speeds in uphill ski mountaineering: a field study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to describe the effects of speed and gradient during uphill ski mountaineering on energy expenditure, to relate any changes to changes in stride characteristics, and to determine an optimal gradient and speed allowing minimization of energy expenditure. METHODS: 11 subjects were tested on snowy trails using their mountaineering skis (fitted with skins), boots and poles, at three gradients (7, 11 and 33 %) at 80 % of maximum heart rate (HRmax), and at 11 % also at 90 and 100 % of HRmax. Energy expenditure was calculated by indirect calorimetry to derive energy cost of locomotion (EC), vertical energy cost (ECvert) and mechanical efficiency, while stride length, stride frequency, relative and absolute thrust phase duration, and slope gradient were measured with an inertial sensor-based system. RESULTS: At 11 % there was no change with speed in EC, ECvert and mechanical efficiency, while stride length and frequency increased and absolute thrust phase duration decreased. There was an effect of gradient on EC, ECvert and mechanical efficiency, while speed, stride length and stride frequency decreased and absolute and relative thrust phase duration increased. The most economical gradient (lowest ECvert) was the steepest one. CONCLUSION: During ski mountaineering uphill at shallow gradient (11 %), EC, ECvert and mechanical efficiency do not vary with speed, while at steeper gradient (33 %) economy is improved. It follows that to minimize energy expenditure and optimize performance to reach a place located at a higher altitude, an athlete should choose a steep gradient, if he/she is able to maintain a sufficient speed.

Optimal slopes and speeds in uphill ski mountaineering: a laboratory study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the energy cost of linear (EC) and vertical displacement (ECvert), mechanical efficiency and main stride parameters during simulated ski mountaineering at different speeds and gradients, to identify an optimal speed and gradient that maximizes performance. METHODS: 12 subjects roller skied on a treadmill at three different inclines (10, 17 and 24 %) at three different speeds (approximately 70, 80 and 85 % of estimated peak heart rate). Energy expenditure was calculated by indirect calorimetry, while biomechanical parameters were measured with an inertial sensor-based system. RESULTS: At 10 % there was no significant change with speed in EC, ECvert and mechanical efficiency. At 17 and 24 % the fastest speed was significantly more economical. There was a significant effect of gradient on EC, ECvert and mechanical efficiency. The most economical gradient was the steepest one. There was a significant increase of stride frequency with speed. At steep gradients only, relative thrust phase duration decreased significantly, while stride length increased significantly with speed. There was a significant effect of gradient on stride length (decrease with steepness) and relative thrust phase duration (increase with steepness). CONCLUSION: A combination of a decreased relative thrust phase duration with increased stride length and frequency decreases ECvert. To minimize the energy expenditure to reach the top of a mountain and to optimize performance, ski-mountaineers should choose a steep gradient (~24 %) and, provided they possess sufficient metabolic scope, combine it with a fast speed (~6 km h(-1)).

Energy expenditure of extreme competitive mountaineering skiing.

PURPOSE: Multi-hour ski mountaineering energy balance may be negative and intake below recommendations. METHODS: Athletes on the 'Patrouille des Glaciers' racecourses (17 on course Z, 27 km, +2,113 m; 11 on course A, 26 km, +1,881 m) volunteered. Pre-race measurements included body mass, stature, VO2max, and heart rate (HR) vs VO2 at simulated altitude; race measurements HR, altitude, incline, location, and food and drink intake (A). Energy expenditure (EE) was calculated from altitude corrected HR derived VO2. RESULTS: Race time was 5 h 7 min ± 44 min (mean ± SD, Z) and 5 h 51 min ± 53 min (A). Subjects spent 19.2 ± 3.2 MJ (Z), respectively, 22.6 ± 2.9 MJ (A) during the race. Energy deficit was -15.5 ± 3.9 MJ (A); intake covered 20 ± 7 % (A). Overall energy cost of locomotion (EC) was 9.9 ± 1.3 J m(-1) kg(-1) (Z), 8.0 ± 1.0 J m(-1) kg(-1) (A). Uphill EC was 11.7 ± 1 J m(-1) kg(-1) (Z, 13 % slope) and 15.7 ± 2.3 J m(-1) kg(-1) (A, 19 % slope). Race A subjects lost -1.5 ± 1.1 kg, indicating near euhydration. Age, body mass, gear mass, VO2max and EC were significantly correlated with performance; energy deficit was not. CONCLUSIONS: Energy expenditure and energy deficit of a multi-hour ski mountaineering race are very high and energy intake is below recommendations.

Cross-cultural adaptation and measurement properties of the French version of the Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales-Revised (TAPES-R).

BACKGROUND: The Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales-Revised (TAPES-R) is a self-administered questionnaire to measure multidimensional adjustment to a prosthetic limb. Our aim was to assess the validity and reliability of the French version of the TAPES-R (TAPES-R-F). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cross-cultural adaptation was performed according to the recommendations. Factor analysis and Rasch analysis were also performed to allow comparison with the original English version. Construct validity was assessed by measuring the correlations between TAPES-R-F subscores and quality of life, pain, body image satisfaction, anxiety and depression. Internal consistency was measured with Cronbach's α. The standard error of measurement, smallest detectable change, Bland and Altman limits of agreement, and intraclass correlation were the measures of agreement and reliability. RESULTS: No major difficulties were encountered throughout the trans-cultural adaptation process. The final version of the TAPES-R-F was well accepted and understood by the patients. According to the factor analysis, the satisfaction scale should be treated as a one-dimensional construct when used by French-speaking people and should not be separated into two separate subscales, functional and aesthetic, as is the case in the original English version. Our study confirmed that there is a strong relationship between biopsychosocial factors and adjustment to amputation. Cronbach's α > 0.8 for all the subscales. Reliability was good to excellent for all the subscales (ICCs between 0.61 and 0.89). The smallest detectable changes were 0.7, 0.8, 1.3, 0.4, and 1.8 (general adjustment, social adjustment, adjustment to limitation, activity restriction, and global satisfaction with the prosthesis). CONCLUSIONS: The TAPES-R-F is a valid and reliable instrument to assess multidimensional adjustment of French-speaking lower limb amputees. This questionnaire can be used for both clinical assessment and research purposes.

Measuring spatio-temporal parameters of uphill ski-mountaineering with ski-fixed inertial sensors.

In this study an algorithm designed for the diagonal stride in classical cross-country skiing was adapted to compute spatio-temporal parameters for uphill ski mountaineering using a ski fixed inertial sensor. Cycle duration, thrust duration, cycle speed, cycle distance, elevation gain, and slope angle were computed and validated against a marker-based motion capture system during indoor treadmill skiing. Skiing movement of 12 experienced, recreational level athletes was measured for nine different speed and slope angle combinations. The accuracy (i.e. mean error) and precision (i.e. standard deviation of the error) were below 3ms and 13ms for the cycle duration and thrust duration, respectively. Accuracy (precision) for cycle speed, cycle distance and elevation gain were -0.013m/s (0.032m/s), -0.027m (0.018m), and 0.006m (0.011m), respectively. Slope angle accuracy and precision were 0.40° and 0.32°, respectively. If the cross-country skiing algorithm would be used without adaptations, errors would be up to one order of magnitude larger. The adapted algorithm proved valid for measuring spatio-temporal parameters for ski-mountaineering on treadmill. It is expected that the algorithm shows similar performance on snow.

Nutritional behaviour and beliefs of ski-mountaineers: a semi-quantitative and qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Endurance athletes are advised to optimize nutrition prior to races. Little is known about actual athletes' beliefs, knowledge and nutritional behaviour. We monitored nutritional behaviour of amateur ski-mountaineering athletes during 4 days prior to a major competition to compare it with official recommendations and with the athletes' beliefs. METHODS: Participants to the two routes of the 'Patrouille des Glaciers' were recruited (A, 26 km, ascent 1881 m, descent 2341 m, max altitude 3160 m; Z, 53 km, ascent 3994 m, descent 4090 m, max altitude 3650 m). Dietary intake diaries of 40 athletes (21 A, 19 Z) were analysed for energy, carbohydrate, fat, protein and liquid; ten were interviewed about their pre-race nutritional beliefs and behaviour. RESULTS: Despite belief that pre-race carbohydrate, energy and fluid intake should be increased, energy consumption was 2416 ± 696 (mean ± SD) kcal · day(-1), 83 ± 17% of recommended intake, carbohydrate intake was only 46 ± 13% of minimal recommended (10 g · kg(-1) · day(-1)) and fluid intake only 2.7 ± 1.0 l · day(-1). CONCLUSIONS: Our sample of endurance athletes did not comply with pre-race nutritional recommendations despite elementary knowledge and belief to be compliant. In these athletes a clear and reflective nutritional strategy was lacking. This suggests a potential for improving knowledge and compliance with recommendations. Alternatively, some recommendations may be unrealistic.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome Associated with Primary Parvovirus B19 Infection in an HIV-1-Infected Patient.

Parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection has rarely been reported as responsible for Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). We present the case of a 63-year-old man with AIDS who presented with rapidly progressing weakness of his inferior limbs and a newly appeared pancytopenia. CSF examination and electromyography were characteristic for GBS. Very high CSF and serum B19V DNA concentrations were present, in the absence of IgG or IgM against B19V. The neurologic and hematologic abnormalities improved after a 5-day course of i.v. immunoglobulins in parallel with a dramatic decrease in the B19V viral load.