The Relationship between Walking Speed and Step Length in Older Aged Patients.

Compared with elderly people who have not experienced falls, those who have were reported to have a shortened step length, large fluctuations in their pace, and a slow walking speed. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the step length required to maintain a walking speed of 1.0 m/s in patients aged 75 years or older. We measured the 10 m maximum walking speed in patients aged 75 years or older and divided them into the following two groups: Those who could walk 1.0 m/s or faster (fast group) and those who could not (slow group). Step length was determined from the number of steps taken during the 10 m-maximum walking speed test, and the step length-to-height ratio was calculated. Isometric knee extension muscle force (kgf), modified functional reach (cm), and one-leg standing time (s) were also measured. We included 261 patients (average age: 82.1 years, 50.6% men) in this study. The fast group included 119 participants, and the slow group included 142 participants. In a regression logistic analysis, knee extension muscle force (p = 0.03) and step length-to-height ratio (p < 0.01) were determined as factors significantly related to the fast group. As a result of ROC curve analysis, a step length-to-height ratio of 31.0% could discriminate between the two walking speed groups. The results suggest that the step length-to-height ratio required to maintain a walking speed of 1.0 m/s is 31.0% in patients aged 75 years or older.

Sarcopenia and physical activity in older male cardiac patients.

BACKGROUND: There is little information on the association of sarcopenia with physical activity in elderly cardiac patients. This study determined differences in physical activity and cutoff values for physical activity according to the presence or absence of sarcopenia in elderly male cardiac patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-seven consecutive men aged ≥65 years with cardiac disease were enrolled. We defined sarcopenia using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People algorithm. Patients were divided into the sarcopenia group (n=25) and the non-sarcopenia group (n=42). In the patients with and without sarcopenia of physical activities were evaluated to determine cutoff values of physical activity. RESULTS: After adjusting for patient characteristics, both the average daily number of steps (3361.43±793.23 vs. 5991.55±583.57 steps, P=0.021) and the average daily energy expenditure of physical activity (71.84±22.19 vs. 154.57±16.18kcal, P=0.009) were significantly lower in the sarcopenia versus non-sarcopenia group. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis identified a cutoff value for steps of physical activity of 3551.80steps/day for 1 week, with a sensitivity of 0.73 and 1-specificity of 0.44 and a cutoff value for energy expenditure of physical activity of 85.17kcal/day for 1 week, with a sensitivity of 0.73 and 1-specificity of 0.27. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity in the male cardiac patients with sarcopenia was significantly lower than that in those without sarcopenia. The cutoff values reported here may be useful values to aid in the identification of elderly male cardiac patients with sarcopenia.

Respiratory muscle strength in relation to sarcopenia in elderly cardiac patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Little information exists on the relation between respiratory muscle strength such as maximum inspiratory muscle pressure (MIP) and sarcopenia in elderly cardiac patients. The present study aimed to determine the differences in MIP, and cutoff values for MIP according to sarcopenia in elderly cardiac patients. METHODS: We enrolled 63 consecutive elderly male patients aged ≥65 years with cardiac disease in this cross-sectional study. Sarcopenia was defined based on the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People algorithm, and, accordingly, the patients were divided into two groups: the sarcopenia group (n = 24) and non-sarcopenia group (n = 39). The prevalence of sarcopenia in cardiac patients and MIP in the patients with and without sarcopenia were assessed to determine cutoff values of MIP. RESULTS: After adjustment for body mass index, the MIP in the sarcopenia group was significantly lower than that in the non-sarcopenia group (54.7 ± 36.8 cmH2O; 95 % CI 42.5-72.6 vs. 80.7 ± 34.7 cmH2O; 95 % CI 69.5-92.0; F = 4.89, p = 0.029). A receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis of patients with and without sarcopenia identified a cutoff value for MIP of 55.6 cmH2O, with a sensitivity of 0.76, 1-specificity of 0.37, and AUC of 0.70 (95 % CI 0.56-0.83; p = 0.01) in the study patients. CONCLUSION: Compared with elderly cardiac patients without sarcopenia, MIP in those with sarcopenia may be negatively affected. The MIP cutoff value reported here may be a useful minimum target value for identifying elderly male cardiac patients with sarcopenia.

Association between mental health and physical activity in patients with chronic heart failure.

PURPOSE: Poor mental health (MH) is common in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. No studies have reported a relation between MH status and objectively measured physical activity (PA) in CHF patients. The study aim was to determine self-reported MH-related differences associated with PA and target values of PA for improved MH in CHF outpatients. METHODS: We divided 243 CHF outpatients (mean age 57.1 years) into two groups according to MH assessed by Short Form-36 score: high-MH (≥68 points) group (n = 148) and poor-MH (<68 points) group (n = 95). Average step count (steps) and energy expenditure on PA (EE) (kcal) per day for 1 week of PA were assessed by an accelerometer and compared between groups. PA resulting in high MH was determined by the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: PA correlated positively with MH in all patients (steps: r = 0.46, p < 0.001; EE: r = 0.43, p < 0.001). After adjusting for patient characteristics, steps and EE were significantly lower in the poor-MH versus high-MH group (5020.1 ± 280.7 versus 7174.1 ± 221.5 steps, p < 0.001; 133.9 ± 10.8 versus 215.9 ± 8.4 kcal, p < 0.001). Cut-off values of 5590.8 steps and 141.1 kcal were determined as PA target values associated with improved MH. CONCLUSIONS: Poor MH status may reduce PA. Attaining PA target values may improve MH status of CHF outpatients.

Usefulness of step counts to predict mortality in Japanese patients with heart failure.

The purpose of this study was to determine both an association between mortality and physical activity (PA) objectively measured by accelerometer and cutoff values for PA in Japanese outpatients with heart failure (HF). This prospective observational study comprised 170 HF outpatients (mean age, 65.2 years; 77% men). Peak oxygen uptake (VO2) and the relation between ventilation and carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2 slope) as indices of exercise capacity were measured during cardiopulmonary exercise testing with a cycle ergometer. PA was assessed by accelerometer-measured average step count (steps) per day for 1 week. Study endpoint was cardiovascular-related death. Over an average follow-up of 1,377.1 (median, 1,335) days, 31 cardiovascular-related deaths occurred. Patients were then divided into survivor (n = 139) and nonsurvivor (n = 31) groups. Brain natriuretic peptide level was significantly different between groups. Peak VO2 and steps were also significantly lower and VE/VCO2 slope higher in the nonsurvivors versus survivors. Univariate Cox proportional hazards analysis showed brain natriuretic peptide, peak VO2, VE/VCO2 slope, and steps to be significant prognostic indicators of survival. Multivariate analysis showed PA of ≤4,889.4 steps/day to be a strong and independent predictor of prognosis (hazard ratio: 2.28, 95% confidence interval: 1.31-6.30; p = 0.008). Kaplan-Meier curves after log-rank test showed significant prognostic difference between PA of ≤4,889.4 and >4,889.4 steps/day in the 2 groups (log-rank: 12.19; p = 0.0005). In conclusion, step count as objectively measured by accelerometer may be a prognostic indicator of mortality in Japanese outpatients with HF.

Decreased physical function in pre-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing dialysis experience decreases in physical function; however, few data exist on physical function in pre-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The primary objective of this study was to clarify physical function in pre-dialysis patients according to CKD stage. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 120 ambulant pre-dialysis CKD stage 2 or higher patients (85 male, 35 female; mean age 66.5 years) who visited St. Marianna University School of Medicine Hospital. Participants were grouped according to CKD stage as follows: stage 2 (n = 17), stage 3 (n = 55), stage 4 (n = 25), and stage 5 (n = 23). Handgrip strength, knee extensor muscle strength, single-leg stance time, and maximum gait speed were used to assess physical function. Clinical laboratory tests were also examined at the same time as physical function measurements. RESULTS: All indices of physical function decreased according to the progression of CKD. Each physical function index was significantly lower in CKD stage 4 or 5 patients than CKD stage 2 or 3 patients. All physical function indices showed a positive correlation with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), blood hemoglobin level, and serum albumin level, and a negative correlation with urinary protein levels. In multiple regression analysis, age, female sex, body mass index, eGFR and urinary protein were significantly correlated with indices of physical function. CONCLUSION: Physical function in pre-dialysis CKD patients decreased as the disease progressed according to stage. Early intervention in CKD patients might delay the loss of physical function.

Determination of the effectiveness of accelerometer use in the promotion of physical activity in cardiac patients: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the self-monitoring of physical activity by hospitalized cardiac patients attending phase I cardiac rehabilitation (CR). DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: University hospital CR program. PARTICIPANTS: CR patients (N=126) with a mean age of 59.1 years. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to the self-monitoring group (group A, n=63) or the control group (group B, n=63). Along with CR, group A patients performed self-monitoring of their physical activity at the beginning of a phase I CR program (acute in-hospital phase for inpatients) and ending just before they began a phase II CR program (postdischarge recovery phase for outpatients). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physical activity (averages of daily number of steps taken and daily energy expenditure for 1wk) as measured by accelerometer was assessed in both groups at baseline (t1) and before the beginning of phase II CR (t2). RESULTS: Although there were no significant differences in physical activity values between groups A and B at t1, values of group A at t2 were significantly higher than those of group B (8609.6 vs 5512.9 steps, P<.001; 242.6 vs 155.9kcal, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Self-monitoring of patient physical activity from phase I CR might effectively increase the physical activity level in preparation for entering a phase II CR program. Results of the present study could contribute to the development of new strategies for the promotion of physical activity in cardiac patients.

Upper and lower extremity muscle strength levels associated with an exercise capacity of 5 metabolic equivalents in male patients with heart failure.

PURPOSE: Exercise capacity of fewer than 5 metabolic equivalents (METs) has been associated with high risk of death and poor physical functioning in male patients with heart failure (HF). Therefore, we aimed to determine upper and lower extremity muscle strength levels required to attain an exercise capacity of 5 or more METs in male outpatients with HF. METHODS: We enrolled 148 male HF patients (age 60.1 ± 1.0 years). Peak oxygen uptake (peak (Equation is included in full-text article.)o2) was assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX). After CPX, we further divided the patients into groups according to exercise capacity: 5 or more METs (group A, n = 85) and fewer than 5 METs (group B, n = 63). Handgrip strength and knee extensor and flexor muscle strengths were assessed as indices of upper and lower extremity muscle strength, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to select cutoff values for upper and lower extremity muscle strength resulting in an exercise capacity of 5 or more METs in these patients. RESULTS: Exercise capacity of 5 or more METs in male HF patients was equivalent to approximately 35.2 kgf of handgrip strength and 1.70 Nm/kg of knee extensor and 0.90 Nm/kg of knee flexor muscle strengths. CONCLUSIONS: These upper and lower extremity muscle strength values may be useful target goals for improvement of exercise capacity, risk management, and activities of daily living in male HF patients.

Relation between physical activity and exercise capacity of ≥5 metabolic equivalents in middle- and older-aged patients with chronic heart failure.

PURPOSE: Patients with exercise capacity of <5 metabolic equivalents (METs) are considered to have a high risk of death. The aim of this study was to determine age-related differences in physical activity associated with an exercise capacity of ≥5 METs in chronic heart failure (CHF) outpatients. METHODS: We enrolled 157 stable CHF patients (79.6% men, age 60.3 ± 11.5 years). Patients were divided into two age-based groups (middle-aged, <65 years, n = 97) and (older-aged, ≥65 years, n = 60). Peak oxygen uptake (peak (V)O(2)) was assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing. We further divided patients into groups according to exercise capacity: ≥5 METs and <5 METs. Physical activity was assessed by measuring the average number of steps/day for 1 week with an electronic pedometer. RESULTS: Receiver-operating characteristic curves were used to select cutoff values for steps associated with an exercise capacity of ≥5 METs in the middle- and older-aged patients. Cutoff values of 6045 steps in the middle-aged and 6070 steps in the older-aged patients were determined. CONCLUSIONS: Both middle- and older-aged CHF patients with exercise capacity of ≥5 METs completed approximately 6000 steps/day. This could become a target amount for minimal physical activity that could contribute to increased exercise capacity in CHF patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: • Middle-aged and older-aged chronic heart failure (CHF) patients with a measured exercise capacity of ≥5 METs completed approximately 6000 steps/day as measured by electronic pedometer. • This amount of steps could become a target amount for minimal physical activity that could contribute to increased exercise capacity in CHF patients.

Relation between sleep quality and physical activity in chronic heart failure patients.

To determine self-reported sleep quality-related differences in physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and target values of PA for high-quality sleep in chronic heart failure (CHF) outpatients, 149 CHF outpatients (mean age 58 years) were divided into two groups by sleep-quality level determined via self-reported questionnaire: shallow sleep (SS) group (n = 77) and deep sleep (DS) group (n = 72). Steps were assessed by electronic pedometer, HRQOL was assessed with the Short Form 36 (SF-36) survey, and data were compared between groups. PA resulting in high-quality sleep was determined by receiver-operating characteristics curves. All SF-36 subscale scores except that of bodily pain were significantly decreased in the SS versus DS group. A cutoff value of 5723.6 steps/day and 156.4 Kcal/day for 1 week were determined as target values for PA. Sleep quality may affect PA and HRQOL, and attaining target values of PA may improve sleep quality and HRQOL of CHF outpatients. Patents relevant to heart failure are also discussed in this article.

Cardiac rehabilitation outcome following percutaneous coronary intervention compared to cardiac surgery.

To examine differences in objective and subjective outcomes in outpatients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) performed for acute myocardial infarction versus cardiac surgery (CS) following a phase II cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Longitudinal observational study of 437 consecutive cardiac outpatients after 8 weeks of phase II CR. Patients were divided into the PCI group (n = 281) and CS group (n = 156). Handgrip and knee extensor muscle strength, peak oxygen uptake VO2, upper- and lower-body self-efficacy for physical activity (SEPA), and physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores as assessed by Short Form-36 were measured at 1 and 3 months after PCI or CS. All outcomes increased significantly between months 1 and 3 in both groups. However, increases were greater in the CS versus PCI group in handgrip strength (+12.3 % vs. +8.1%, P < 0.01), knee extensor muscle strength (+19.3% vs. +17.5%, P = 0.008), peak VO2 (+20.9% vs. +16.9%, P < 0.01), upper-body SEPA (+27.7% vs. +9.2 vs. , P = 0.001), and PCS score (+6.5% vs. +4.1%, P = 0.001). Although this relatively short-term phase II CR increased all outcomes for both groups, outcomes showed the recovery process was different between the PCI and CS groups, slightly favoring CS patients. Furthermore, patents in the field of CR are presented.

Age-related differences in physiologic and psychosocial outcomes after cardiac rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: To examine differences in physiologic and psychosocial outcomes between age groups after an exercise-based supervised-recovery phase II cardiac rehabilitation outpatient program. DESIGN: This is a longitudinal observational study. The study assessed 442 consecutive cardiac patients. Patients were divided into the middle-aged group (<65 yrs, n = 242) and older-age group (> or =65 yrs, n = 200). Peak oxygen uptake, handgrip and knee extensor muscle strength, upper- and lower-body self-efficacy for physical activity, and physical component summary and mental component summary scores as assessed by SF-36 were measured at 1 and 3 mos after the onset of acute myocardial infarction or cardiac surgery and were compared. RESULTS: All physiologic and psychosocial outcomes increased significantly between months 1 and 3 in both groups. However, increases were greater in the middle-aged vs. older-aged group in peak oxygen uptake (+13.1% vs. +8.7%, P < 0.01), knee extensor muscle strength (+17.6% vs. +13.3%, P = 0.01), lower-body self-efficacy for physical activity (+17.3% vs. +12.7%, P = 0.02), and physical component summary score (+5.4% vs. +2.7%, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Age-related differences in various physiologic and psychosocial measures indicated greater improvement from an exercise-based supervised recovery-phase II cardiac rehabilitation outpatient program in middle-aged vs. older-aged patients. Older adults may derive equal mental or emotional benefit from such a cardiac rehabilitation program but do not experience as much improvement in physiologic outcomes as middle-aged adults.

Handgrip strength as a predictor of prognosis in Japanese patients with congestive heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Whether upper-extremity and lower-extremity muscle strength can predict a prognosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) patients is unclear. This study evaluated the impact of muscle strength on long-term mortality in patients with CHF. DESIGN: Prospective observational study of male Japanese CHF patients. METHODS: Clinical characteristics (age, body mass index, left ventricular ejection fraction, heart failure etiology, and medications) were obtained from hospital records of 148 male outpatients with stable CHF. Brain natriuretic peptide was determined as an index of disease severity. Peak oxygen uptake ((Equation is included in full-text article.)), handgrip, and knee extensor muscle strength were also determined. RESULTS: After 1331.9+/-700.3 days of follow-up, 13 cardiovascular-related deaths occurred, and the patients were divided into two groups: survival (n=135) and nonsurvival (n=13). No significant differences were found between the groups in clinical characteristics, brain natriuretic peptide levels, and knee extensor muscle strength. Peak(Equation is included in full-text article.)(P=0.011) and handgrip strength (P=0.008) were significantly lower in the nonsurvival versus survival group. Left ventricular ejection fraction, peak(Equation is included in full-text article.), and handgrip strength were found by univariate Cox proportional hazards analysis to be significant prognostic indexes of survival. Multivariate analysis, however, revealed handgrip strength to be an independent predictor of prognosis. A handgrip strength cutoff value of 32.2 kgf was determined by the analysis of receiver-operating characteristics and was assessed. Kaplan-Meier survival curves after log-rank test showed significant prognostic difference between the two groups (P=0.008). CONCLUSION: Handgrip strength may be useful for forecasting prognosis in patients with CHF.

Gender-related differences in clinical characteristics and physiological and psychosocial outcomes of Japanese patients at entry into phase II cardiac rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: To examine gender differences in clinical characteristics and physiological and psychosocial outcomes at entry into phase II cardiac rehabilitation. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: The study comprised 442 consecutive patients with cardiac diseases assessed at entry into a phase II cardiac rehabilitation programme. METHODS: Clinical characteristics of the patients, such as age, education, marital status, employment and body mass index, were obtained from hospital records. Oxygen uptake, handgrip and knee extensor muscle strength were measured to assess physiological outcomes. Self-efficacy for physical activity, hospital anxiety depression scale and health-related quality of life assessed by Short Form-36 were evaluated to assess psychosocial outcomes. RESULTS: The number of married women and their levels of education, employment and body mass index were significantly lower, and their ages higher, than those of the men. Measures of physiological outcome in women were significantly lower than those in men. Measures of self-efficacy for physical activity and Short Form-36 physical and emotional subscale scores were lower and anxiety levels higher in women than in men. CONCLUSION: Cardiac rehabilitation programmes exclusively for women focusing on physiological outcomes, group counselling, and training to enhance physical and emotional domains may encourage increased participation by women in cardiac rehabilitation.

Muscle strength in relation to disease severity in patients with congestive heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: Indices of exercise capacity such as peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and muscle strength are important in association with reduced mortality. The present study compared differences in VO2peak and muscle strength indices (grip strength and knee extensor and flexor muscle strength) with disease severity and investigated the relation of these variables in congestive heart failure (CHF) patients. DESIGN: The study comprised 102 patients with stable CHF (93 men, age 61.4 +/- 10.2 yrs) with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40% by echocardiography. We used New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class to index disease severity. VO2peak, grip strength, knee extensor, and flexor muscle strength were determined. Patients were divided into three groups by NYHA class: class I (n = 39), class II (n = 49), and class III (n = 14). RESULTS: Age, sex, and LVEF did not differ according to NYHA class. VO2peak and all muscle strength indices decreased with increases in NYHA class (P < 0.05). VO2peak correlated positively with all muscle strengths (P < 0.05). Stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that grip and knee extensor strength were important in predicting VO2peak. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise capacity and disease severity in CHF patients may be influenced not only by lower-limb but also upper-limb muscle strength.

Effect of physical therapy on the sense of perceived fatigue in persons with residual type schizophrenia: report of two cases.

Some schizophrenics experience difficulty in explaining precisely their physical condition because of their blunted senses of fatigue and malaise. In this case presentation, using Borg's scale, we examined the effect of a physical therapy program on the sense of perceived fatigue in two male outpatient cases with residual schizophrenia over 6 years. Case 1 showed that the HR and the RPE linearly increased as the exercise strength increased after year 2. On the other hand, case 2's changes in RPE were not parallel to linear increases in HR, and consistently expressed a certain range of exercise as "light" and ended with "very, very hard" which continued over 6 years. These results suggested that the long period of continuing repetitive physical therapy in case 1 caused habituation to the exercise and he became aware of physical responses, and these resulted in an improvement of RPE. We suggest that awareness of the degree of a patient's ability of expression through the observation of changes in RPE could provide a useful clue for advancing various therapeutic programs for patients with residual schizophrenia.