Physical activity in Parkinson's disease: examining prescription sources, patterns, and the influence of quality of life and disease severity. / La actividad física en la enfermedad de Parkinson: identificación de los responsables de su prescripción, hábitos e impacto en la calidad de vida, y de la gravedad de la enfermedad.

INTRODUCTION: Limited research has explored the influence of quality of life (QoL) and disease severity on physical activity (PA) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, and the sources of PA prescription and advice for this population. This study aims to expand scientific knowledge on these topics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two-hundred eleven PD patients were personally interviewed to collect data on PA levels using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form and QoL using the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-8. An ad hoc questionnaire gathered information on disease severity (Hoehn and Yahr stages), PA behaviors, and PA recommendations. RESULTS: Weak but significant associations were found between PA levels, disease severity (r: -0.218; p = 0.004), and QoL (r: -0.244; p = 0.001). Most participants (85%) received PA counselling, predominantly from neurologists, either at diagnosis (52%) or shortly after (28%). Before PD onset, ~86% engaged in PA, decreasing to 66% post-diagnosis. Approximately 78% reported changes in PA, including reduced frequency (18.4%) and duration (32.8%), with walking as the primary activity. CONCLUSIONS: Disease severity and QoL significantly affect PA levels in PD patients. Diagnosis is associated with decreased PA frequency and duration, and walking is the preferred activity. Neurologists primarily provide PA advice.

TITLE: La actividad física en la enfermedad de Parkinson: identificación de los responsables de su prescripción, hábitos e impacto en la calidad de vida, y de la gravedad de la enfermedad.Introducción. Escasas investigaciones han explorado la influencia de la calidad de vida (CV) y la gravedad de la enfermedad en la actividad física (AF) en pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson (EP), así como las fuentes de prescripción de AF y consejos para esta población. Este estudio tiene como objetivo ampliar el conocimiento científico sobre estos temas. Pacientes y métodos. Se entrevistó personalmente a 211 pacientes con EP para recopilar datos sobre los niveles de AF con el International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form y la CV con el Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-8. Un cuestionario ad hoc recopiló información sobre la gravedad de la enfermedad (etapas de Hoehn y Yahr), los comportamientos de AF y las recomendaciones de AF. Resultados. Se encontraron asociaciones débiles, pero significativas, entre los niveles de AF, la gravedad de la enfermedad (r = ­0,218; p = 0,004) y la CV (r = ­0,244; p = 0,001). La mayoría de los participantes (85%) recibió asesoramiento sobre AF, principalmente de neurólogos, ya sea en el momento del diagnóstico (52%) o poco después (28%). Antes del inicio de la EP, ~86% participaba en AF, lo que disminuyó al 66% después del diagnóstico. Aproximadamente el 78% informó sobre cambios en la AF, incluida una reducción en la frecuencia (18,4%) y la duración (32,8%), y la caminata era la actividad principal. Conclusiones. La gravedad de la enfermedad y la CV afectan significativamente a los niveles de AF en pacientes con EP. El diagnóstico se asocia con una disminución en la frecuencia y la duración de la AF, y la caminata es la actividad preferida. Los neurólogos aconsejan principalmente sobre AF a las personas con EP.

La actividad física en la enfermedad de Parkinson: identificación de los responsables de su prescripción, hábitos e impacto en la calidad de vida, y de la gravedad de la enfermedad / Physical activity in Parkinson’s disease: examining prescription sources, patterns, and the influence of quality of life and disease severity

Introducción: Escasas investigaciones han explorado la influencia de la calidad de vida (CV) y la gravedad de la enfermedad en la actividad física (AF) en pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson (EP), así como las fuentes de prescripción de AF y consejos para esta población. Este estudio tiene como objetivo ampliar el conocimiento científico sobre estos temas. Pacientes y métodos: Se entrevistó personalmente a 211 pacientes con EP para recopilar datos sobre los niveles de AF con el International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form y la CV con el Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-8. Un cuestionario ad hoc recopiló información sobre la gravedad de la enfermedad (etapas de Hoehn y Yahr), los comportamientos de AF y las recomendaciones de AF. Resultados: Se encontraron asociaciones débiles, pero significativas, entre los niveles de AF, la gravedad de la enfermedad (r = –0,218; p = 0,004) y la CV (r = –0,244; p = 0,001). La mayoría de los participantes (85%) recibió asesoramiento sobre AF, principalmente de neurólogos, ya sea en el momento del diagnóstico (52%) o poco después (28%). Antes del inicio de la EP, ~86% participaba en AF, lo que disminuyó al 66% después del diagnóstico. Aproximadamente el 78% informó sobre cambios en la AF, incluida una reducción en la frecuencia (18,4%) y la duración (32,8%), y la caminata era la actividad principal. Conclusiones: La gravedad de la enfermedad y la CV afectan significativamente a los niveles de AF en pacientes con EP. El diagnóstico se asocia con una disminución en la frecuencia y la duración de la AF, y la caminata es la actividad preferida. Los neurólogos aconsejan principalmente sobre AF a las personas con EP. (AU)

Introduction: Limited research has explored the influence of quality of life (QoL) and disease severity on physical activity (PA) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, and the sources of PA prescription and advice for this population. This study aims to expand scientific knowledge on these topics. Patients and methods: Two-hundred eleven PD patients were personally interviewed to collect data on PA levels using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form and QoL using the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-8. An ad hoc questionnaire gathered information on disease severity (Hoehn and Yahr stages), PA behaviors, and PA recommendations. Results: Weak but significant associations were found between PA levels, disease severity (r: –0.218; p = 0.004), and QoL (r: –0.244; p = 0.001). Most participants (85%) received PA counselling, predominantly from neurologists, either at diagnosis (52%) or shortly after (28%). Before PD onset, ~86% engaged in PA, decreasing to 66% post-diagnosis. Approximately 78% reported changes in PA, including reduced frequency (18.4%) and duration (32.8%), with walking as the primary activity. Conclusions: Disease severity and QoL significantly affect PA levels in PD patients. Diagnosis is associated with decreased PA frequency and duration, and walking is the preferred activity. Neurologists primarily provide PA advice.(AU)

Injuries according to the percentage of adult height in an elite soccer academy.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to ascertain if there is a defined pattern of injury related to the percentage of attained adult height and classify injuries according to maturity status bands. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: From 1998-2019, 63 elite male soccer players of at least the U12 category from a Spanish LaLiga club's academy were followed until reaching their final height. Medical staff recorded injuries following the FIFA consensus and measured height 2-3 times per season. The percentage of adult height at which each injury occurred was calculated using the player's closest height to the injury and his final adult height. Injuries were classified in maturity bands, pre-peak-height-velocity (PHV) <88%, circa-PHV 88%-96%, and post-PHV >96%. RESULTS: There were 509 injuries among the 63 players. Growth-related injuries occurred at a median (IQR) of 91.2% (86.7%-95.2%) of adult height, predominating in pre-PHV and PHV bands. Muscle injuries predominantly occurred at post-PHV, with 77.78% of those conditions occurring within that time frame and at 98.7% (96%-99.5%) of adult height. Likewise, knee and ankle joint/ligament injuries predominated at post-PHV (87% and 65% of total cases, respectively) occurring at 99.0% (97.9%-99.9%) and 98.4% (89.2%-99.4%) of adult height, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Injuries follow a specific pattern according to the percentage of adult height.

Sprint, agility, strength and endurance capacity in wheelchair basketball players.

The aims of the present study were, firstly, to determine the reliability and reproducibility of an agility T-test and Yo-Yo 10 m recovery test; and secondly, to analyse the physical characteristics measured by sprint, agility, strength and endurance field tests in wheelchair basketball (WB) players. 16 WB players (33.06 ± 7.36 years, 71.89 ± 21.71 kg and sitting body height 86.07 ± 6.82 cm) belonging to the national WB league participated in this study. Wheelchair sprint (5 and 20 m without ball, and 5 and 20 m with ball) agility (T-test and pick-up test) strength (handgrip and maximal pass) and endurance (Yo-Yo 10 m recovery test) were performed. T-test and Yo-Yo 10 m recovery test showed good reproducibility values (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC = 0.74-0.94). The WB players' results in 5 and 20 m sprints without a ball were 1.87 ± 0.21 s and 5.70 ± 0.43 s and with a ball 2.10 ± 0.30 s and 6.59 ± 0.61 s, being better than those reported in the literature. Regarding the pick-up test results (16.05 ± 0.52 s) and maximal pass (8.39 ± 1.77 m), players showed worse values than those obtained in elite players. The main contribution of the present study is the characterization of the physical performance profile of WB players using a field test battery. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the agility T-test and the aerobic Yo-Yo 10 m recovery test are reliable; consequently they may be appropriate instruments for measuring physical fitness in WB.

Longitudinal field test assessment in a Basque soccer youth academy: a multilevel modeling framework to partition effects of maturation.

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of age on short-term performance indicators applying multilevel regression modeling, and whether changes induced by age were affected by maturation. The study applied a mixed longitudinal approach with 8 measurement points over a period of 4 years. Anthropometry, predicted adult stature, countermovement jump, 15-m sprint and agility test from 38 under-11 young soccer players were considered. Early maturing players were 3% taller compared to late maturers. A substantial effect of age was present in all performance indicators (P<0.05). Parameters showed improvements in performance, even when accounting for interindividual variation in somatic maturity. Vertical jump tended to be stable in early maturers during the first year, presenting an exponential increase thereafter (16%, P<0.05). Additionally, early maturing boys had lower vertical jump scores but a substantial higher rate of development with age (3% per year). Performance tends to plateau during the first 3 years following the improvements in agility (9.1%, P<0.05). In the running tests, early maturers had better performances (19%, P<0.05), while a higher rate of improvement of 1% was observed for the late maturers. Young soccer players should be expected to have substantial improvements in short-term performance, influenced by independent variation between players in maturity status.

OBLA is a better predictor of performance than Dmax in long and middle-distance well-trained runners.

AIM: The main purpose of this study was to investigate if the lactate threshold estimated by the maximal deviation method (LTDmax) and the onset of blood lactate accumulation speed (LTOBLA) are good correlates of middle- and long-distance running performance in well-trained endurance runners. METHODS: Eleven long- and eleven middle-distance runners participated in this study. All participants completed a maximal incremental running test on a treadmill to determine maximal physiological variables and velocities corresponding to LTDmax and LTOBLA (4 mmol·L-1 of lactate concentration). The relationships between LTDmax, LTOBLA and the best 10-km (S10km) and 3-km (S3km) race pace were analyzed in the long- and middle distance runners, respectively. RESULTS: The velocities for LTDmax and LTOBLA were 17.0±0.7 km·h-1 and 17.5±1.3 km·h-1 for the long-distance runners and 16.9±1.1 km·h-1 and 17.4±1.3 km·h-1 for the middle-distance runners. A positive linear relationship was found between LTDmax and S10km (r=0.873, P<0.001), as well as between LTOBLA and S10km (r=0.919, P<0.001) in the long-distance runners. Similarly, LTDmax and LTOBLA were significantly correlated with S3km in the middle-distance runners (r=0.825, P<0.01 and r=0.849, P<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that both LTOBLA and LTDmax are highly associated to running performance according to S10km and S3km in well-trained long- and middle-distance runners. Thus, we conclude that competitive middle- and long-distance athletes may find these measures useful to monitor running performance within 3 weeks of laboratory testing.

Interaction effects of stride angle and strike pattern on running economy.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between stride angle and running economy (RE) in athletes with different foot strike patterns. 30 male runners completed 4 min running stages on a treadmill at different velocities. During the test, biomechanical variables such as stride angle, swing time, contact time, stride length and frequency were recorded using an optical measurement system. Their foot strike pattern was determined, and VO2 at velocities below the lactate threshold were measured to calculate RE. Midfoot/forefoot strikers had better RE than rearfoot strikers (201.5±5.6 ml · kg(-1) · km(-1) vs. 213.5±4.2 ml · kg(-1) · km(-1)respectively; p=0.019). Additionally, midfoot/fore-foot strikers presented higher stride angles than rearfoot strikers (p=0.043). Linear modelling analysis showed that stride angle is closely related to RE (r=0.62, p<0.001) and that the effect of stride angle on RE was different in the 2 groups. From an arbitrary value of 4°, a rearfoot strike pattern is likely to be more economical, whereas at any lower degree, the midfoot/forefoot strike pattern appears to be more desirable. A biomechanical running technique characterised by high stride angles and a midfoot/forefoot strike pattern is advantageous for a better RE. Athletes may find stride angle useful for improving RE.

Differences in ground contact time explain the less efficient running economy in north african runners.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between biomechanical variables and running economy in North African and European runners. Eight North African and 13 European male runners of the same athletic level ran 4-minute stages on a treadmill at varying set velocities. During the test, biomechanical variables such as ground contact time, swing time, stride length, stride frequency, stride angle and the different sub-phases of ground contact were recorded using an optical measurement system. Additionally, oxygen uptake was measured to calculate running economy. The European runners were more economical than the North African runners at 19.5 km · h(-1), presented lower ground contact time at 18 km · h(-1) and 19.5 km · h(-1) and experienced later propulsion sub-phase at 10.5 km · h(-1),12 km · h(-1), 15 km · h(-1), 16.5 km · h(-1) and 19.5 km · h(-1) than the European runners (P < 0.05). Running economy at 19.5 km · h(-1) was negatively correlated with swing time (r = -0.53) and stride angle (r = -0.52), whereas it was positively correlated with ground contact time (r = 0.53). Within the constraints of extrapolating these findings, the less efficient running economy in North African runners may imply that their outstanding performance at international athletic events appears not to be linked to running efficiency. Further, the differences in metabolic demand seem to be associated with differing biomechanical characteristics during ground contact, including longer contact times.