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Objectives Home-based physiotherapy interventions to improve post-stroke mobility are successful in high-income countries. These programs require less resources compared to center-based programs. However, feasibility of such an intervention in a low and middle-income setting remains unknown. Therefore, the SunRISe (Stroke Rehabilitation In Suriname) study aimed to assess feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a home-based semi-supervised physiotherapy intervention to promote post-stroke mobility in a low resource setting. Design Prospective randomized controlled trial. Methods Chronic stroke patients were recruited and randomized into either an intervention group (IG (N = 20)) or a control group (CG (N = 10)). The IG received a 3-days-a-week home-based physiotherapy program that was supervised in the first 4 weeks and tele-supervised during the second 4 weeks. The physiotherapy program consisted of walking as well as functional and mobilization exercises. The CG received usual care. Feasibility outcome measures included adherence, patient satisfaction and safety. Efficacy measures included functional exercise tolerance (six-minute walking test (6MWT), functional balance (Berg Balance Score (BBS), upper extremity (UE) function (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire), and UE strength ((non-)paretic handgrip (HG) strength). Two-way analysis of variance was used for data analysis. Results Thirty participants (61.8 ± 9.2 years old, 13 men) were enrolled in the study. The intervention was completed by 14 participants (70%). Adherence was affected by rainy season associated infrastructural problems (n = 2), the medical status of participants (n = 3) and insufficient motivation to continue the program without direct supervision (n = 1). No adverse events were noted and participants were satisfied with the program. Functional exercise tolerance (57.2 ± 67.3m, p = 0.02) and UE function (-9.8 ± 15.2, p = 0.04) improved in the IG compared to no change in the CG. HG strength was unaltered and a ceiling effect occurred for BBS. Conclusion Our home-based semi-supervised physiotherapy intervention seems safe, associated with moderate to high levels of engagement and patient satisfaction and results in functional improvements.

Objective: Resveratrol (RV) is a polyphenol with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cardio-protective properties. Our objective was to investigate whether acute supplementation with high doses of RV would improve flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and oxygen consumption (VO2) kinetics in older coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Design: We employed a placebo-controlled, single-blind, crossover design in which ten participants (aged 66.6 ± 7.8 years) received either RV or placebo (330 mg, 3× day-1) during three consecutive days plus additional 330 mg in the morning of the fourth day with a seven-day wash-out period in-between. On the fourth day, FMD of the brachial artery and VO2 on-kinetics were determined. Results: RV improved FMD in patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG; -1.4 vs. 5.0%; p = .004), but not in those who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; 4.2 vs. -0.2%; NS). Conclusion: Acute high dose supplementation with RV improved FMD in patients after CABG surgery but impaired FMD in patients who underwent PCI. The revascularization method-related differential effects of RV may be due to its direct effects on endothelial-dependent dilator responses. Our findings have important implications for personalized treatment and stratification of older CAD patients. ispartof: SCANDINAVIAN CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL vol:54 issue:1 pages:14-19 ispartof: location:England status: published

Different environments might influence energy expenditure (EE) from physical activity (PA) monitors. We evaluated and compared the test-retest reliability and criterion validity of the Sensewear mini (SWAmini) and Actiheart (AH) to estimate EE in two climatologically different countries, i.e. Suriname (tropical rainforest climate) and Belgium (oceanic climate). Fifty-six healthy participants (18–40 years) were recruited (Suriname: n = 30; Belgium n = 26). On three occasions they completed a standardized protocol including sitting, standing, low (LOW), moderate (MOD) and vigorous (VIG) intensity walking on a treadmill whilst wearing both PA monitors and a metabolic measurement system. The first session was a familiarization test, the second and third were used for reliability [intraclass correlation (ICC)] and validity analysis (mean absolute percentage error calculations, Bland-Altman, and scatterplots). Comparisons between countries were done by independent sample t-tests. We found i) fair to excellent SWAmini reliability [ICC between 0.41 (0.04–0.70) and 0.97 (0.92–0.99)]; ii) good to excellent AH reliability [ICC between 0.72 (0.45–0.87) and 0.96 (0.92–0.98)]; iii) underestimation of EE for all activities except for LOW by SWAmini; iv) in Belgium EE underestimation was greater by the SWAmini for sitting (Suriname: 5% ± 20% vs Belgium: 15% ± 12%) and by the AH for VIG (Suriname:18% ± 26% vs Belgium:37% ± 16%) v) overall poor agreement between AH and metabolic measurement system. The reliability of the PA monitors is between fair and excellent in both environments. There is a difference in validity between the two environments for sitting activities by the SWAmini and for VIG by the AH.

In order to be able to prescribe exercise in cardiac rehabilitation, a basic understanding of the training principles is mandatory. After discussing the general concepts of exercise prescription (FITT principles), a more detailed elaboration on the exercise modes in strength training (e.g. volume, type and intensity of contraction and difference between strength and endurance training) is provided. Next, exercise modes in aerobic (endurance) training in continuous and interval exercise training is described in greater detail, including the concepts of exercise intensity, training volume and mode of exercise training. In final, some considerations on how to maximise adherence to exercise training interventions, or increase the attractiveness of exercise training, are made.

Resveratrol is a plant-derived phytoalexin with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cardio-protective properties and may be a promising therapeutic intervention strategy in cardiovascular disease. Here, we investigated the acute direct effects of trans-resveratrol (RV), on acetylcholine (ACh)-induced and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of isolated pressurized femoral arteries of young (4-month-old) and old (26-month-old) mice. Vessel exposure to RV enhanced ACh (0.01- 1.0 mM)-induced dilation (p

Regular physical activity at moderate to intense intensity provides substantial health benefits. Therefore individuals should be encouraged to increase their level of physical activity. However, acute bouts of moderate to vigorous exercise may induce cardiovascular (CV) complications, such as malignant arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death/arrest (SCD/SCA), in adults and seniors, mainly due to known or occult cardiovascular disease. The rationale for cardiovascular evaluation and screening is to minimize these dangerous cardiac complications and to ensure safe participation in competitive or leisure-time sports. In individuals engaged in moderate to intense leisure-time physical activities or sporting activities, cardiovascular evaluation should be based on theidentification and severity of the underlying cardiovascular disease. The extent of the evaluation should depend on the intended level of physical activity, the habitual level of exercise and the individual risk profile. Several recommendations for screening, evaluation, and eligibility, given by international societies in Europe and the USA, are discussed. For adult/senior competitive athletes, screening should consist of, at least, personal and familial history (including symptoms), clinical examination, resting ECG, and graded maximal exercise testing, with the last of these mainly in subjects with increased CV risk. Depending on the underlying disease or risk, additional examinations may be required.

Aging is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Despite a significant reduction in the mortality and morbidity rates over the last decade, the socio-economic burden of cardiovascular disease is still substantial. Consequently, there is a considerable need for alternative strategies, such as nutraceutical supplementation, that delay the functional vascular decline present in the elderly. Compromised autophagy and oxidative stress (OS) are considered major causes of the age-related endothelial dysfunction. OS reduces the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO), which has been associated with hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and a reduced vasodilatory response. High levels of free radicals and the low bioavailability of NO lead to a positive feedback loop of further OS, organelle damage, poor repair, and endothelial dysfunction. Here we draw attention to the relationship between OS and autophagy in the aged vasculature. We have reviewed the published literature and provided arguments that support that treatment with resveratrol stimulates autophagy and thereby has the potential to restore oxidative balance in the endothelium, which indicates that treatment with resveratrol might have therapeutic potential to restore endothelial function in the elderly.

Peak oxygen uptake is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, patients with CAD are not always capable of reaching peak effort, and therefore submaximal gas exchange variables such as the oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) have been introduced. Baseline exercise capacity as expressed by OUES provides prognostic information and this parameter responds to training. Therefore, we aimed to assess the prognostic value of post-training OUES in patients with CAD.We included 960 patients with CAD (age 60.6 ± 9.5 years; 853 males) who completed a cardiac rehabilitation program between 2000 and 2011. The OUES was calculated before and after cardiac rehabilitation and information on mortality was obtained. The relationships of post-training OUES with all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality was assessed by Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis was performed in order to obtain the optimal cut-off value.During 7.37 ± 3.20 years of follow-up (range: 0.45-13.75 years), 108 patients died, among whom 47 died due to CV reasons. The post-training OUES was related to all-cause (hazard ratio: 0.50, p 0.001) and CV (hazard ratio: 0.40, p 0.001) mortality. When significant covariates, including baseline OUES, were entered into the Cox regression analysis, post-training OUES remained related to all-cause and CV mortality (hazard ratio: 0.40, p 0.01 and 0.26, p 0.01, respectively). In addition, the change in OUES due to exercise training was positively related to mortality (hazard ratio: 0.49, p 0.01).Post-training OUES has stronger prognostic value compared to baseline OUES. The lack of improvement in exercise capacity expressed by OUES after an exercise training program relates to a worse prognosis and can help distinguish patients with favorable and unfavorable prognoses.

Exercise training improves peak oxygen uptake, an important predictor of mortality in coronary artery disease patients. The influence of clinical and disease characteristics on training response is not well established in coronary artery disease. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate whether baseline cardiovascular disease variables and training intensity can predict the maximal aerobic response to exercise training. The Study on Aerobic INTerval EXercise training in coronary artery disease patients (SAINTEX-CAD) previously showed that 12 weeks of aerobic interval training and continuous training equally improved peak oxygen uptake in coronary artery disease patients. We identified 24 exercise non-responders (change peak oxygen uptake

Background Aerobic interval training (AIT) and aerobic continuous training (ACT) both improve physical fitness (peak VO2) in coronary artery disease patients. However, little is known about the long-term effects of AIT and ACT on peak VO2 and exercise adherence. Design This study is a randomized clinical multicenter trial. Methods In total, 163 patients were assessed after 12 weeks of AIT or ACT and 12 months after their enrollment. Physical fitness and physical activity measures served as the primary outcomes, and peripheral endothelial function, cardiovascular risk factors and quality of life (QoL) served as the secondary outcomes. Results Twenty-six patients dropped out during the intervention; 11 were lost during the follow-up period. Dropouts (n=37) consisted of more women (p=0.001) compared to completers (n=163). Physical fitness (VO2, heart rate and workload at peak and at thresholds) and physical activity (steps, active energy expenditure [kcal], physical activity duration [minutes]) were preserved at the 1-year follow-up (p-time>0.05) after both AIT and ACT (p-interaction>0.05). Forty percent of patients showed increased peak VO2, 52% showed increased active energy expenditure and 91.2% met the recommended levels of 150 minutes/week of moderate physical activity (p-group>0.05). Further, peripheral endothelial function, QoL and cardiovascular risk factors, except systolic blood pressure (p-time0.05) after both AIT and ACT (p-interaction>0.05). Conclusion The short-term improvements of center-based AIT and ACT on physical fitness, physical activity, peripheral endothelial function, cardiovascular risk factors and QoL are sustained after a 1-year follow-up period. The majority of patients (>90%) met the recommended physical activity levels of 150 minutes/week.

In this large multicenter trial, we aimed to assess the effect of aerobic exercise training in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients on cellular markers of endothelial integrity and to examine their relation with improvement of endothelial function. Two-hundred CAD patients (left ventricular ejection fraction > 40%, 90% male, mean age 58.4 ± 9.1 yr) were randomized on a 1:1 base to a supervised 12-wk rehabilitation program of either aerobic interval training or aerobic continuous training on a bicycle. At baseline and after 12 wk, numbers of circulating CD34+/KDR+/CD45dimendothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), CD31+/CD3+/CXCR4+angiogenic T cells, and CD31+/CD42b−endothelial microparticles (EMPs) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Endothelial function was assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. After 12 wk of aerobic interval training or aerobic continuous training, numbers of circulating EPCs, angiogenic T cells, and EMPs were comparable with baseline levels. Whereas improvement in peak oxygen consumption was correlated to improvement in FMD (Pearson r = 0.17, P = 0.035), a direct correlation of baseline or posttraining EPCs, angiogenic T cells, and EMP levels with FMD was absent. Baseline EMPs related inversely to the magnitude of the increases in peak oxygen consumption (Spearman rho = −0.245, P = 0.027) and FMD (Spearman rho = −0.374, P = 0.001) following exercise training. In conclusion, endothelial function improvement in response to exercise training in patients with CAD did not relate to altered levels of EPCs and angiogenic T cells and/or a diminished shedding of EMPs into the circulation. EMP flow cytometry may be predictive of the increase in aerobic capacity and endothelial function.

AIMS: Intense exercise places disproportionate strain on the right ventricle (RV) which may promote pro-arrhythmic remodelling in some athletes. RV exercise imaging may enable early identification of athletes at risk of arrhythmias. METHODS AND RESULTS: Exercise imaging was performed in 17 athletes with RV ventricular arrhythmias (EA-VAs), of which eight (47%) had an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD), 10 healthy endurance athletes (EAs), and seven non-athletes (NAs). Echocardiographic measures included the RV end-systolic pressure-area ratio (ESPAR), RV fractional area change (RVFAC), and systolic tricuspid annular velocity (RV S'). Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) measures combined with invasive measurements of pulmonary and systemic artery pressures provided left-ventricular (LV) and RV end-systolic pressure-volume ratios (SP/ESV), biventricular volumes, and ejection fraction (EF) at rest and during intense exercise. Resting measures of cardiac function were similar in all groups, as was LV function during exercise. In contrast, exercise-induced increases in RVFAC, RV S', and RVESPAR were attenuated in EA-VAs during exercise when compared with EAs and NAs (P < 0.0001 for interaction group × workload). During exercise-CMR, decreases in RVESV and augmentation of both RVEF and RV SP/ESV were significantly less in EA-VAs relative to EAs and NAs (P < 0.01 for the respective interactions). Receiver-operator characteristic curves demonstrated that RV exercise measures could accurately differentiate EA-VAs from subjects without arrhythmias [AUC for ΔRVESPAR = 0.96 (0.89-1.00), P < 0.0001]. CONCLUSION: Among athletes with normal cardiac function at rest, exercise testing reveals RV contractile dysfunction among athletes with RV arrhythmias. RV stress testing shows promise as a non-invasive means of risk-stratifying athletes. ispartof: EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL vol:36 issue:30 pages:1998-2010 ispartof: location:England status: published

Whereas exercise training is key in the management of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk (obesity, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, hypertension), clinicians experience difficulties in how to optimally prescribe exercise in patients with different CVD risk factors. Therefore, a consensus statement for state-of-the-art exercise prescription in patients with combinations of CVD risk factors as integrated into a digital training and decision support system (the EXercise Prescription in Everyday practice & Rehabilitative Training (EXPERT) tool) needed to be established. EXPERT working group members systematically reviewed the literature for meta-analyses, systematic reviews and/or clinical studies addressing exercise prescriptions in specific CVD risk factors and formulated exercise recommendations (exercise training intensity, frequency, volume and type, session and programme duration) and exercise safety precautions, for obesity, arterial hypertension, type 1 and 2 diabetes, and dyslipidaemia. The impact of physical fitness, CVD risk altering medications and adverse events during exercise testing was further taken into account to fine-tune this exercise prescription. An algorithm, supported by the interactive EXPERT tool, was developed by Hasselt University based on these data. Specific exercise recommendations were formulated with the aim to decrease adipose tissue mass, improve glycaemic control and blood lipid profile, and lower blood pressure. The impact of medications to improve CVD risk, adverse events during exercise testing and physical fitness was also taken into account. Simulations were made of how the EXPERT tool provides exercise prescriptions according to the variables provided. In this paper, state-of-the-art exercise prescription to patients with combinations of CVD risk factors is formulated, and it is shown how the EXPERT tool may assist clinicians. This contributes to an appropriately tailored exercise regimen for every CVD risk patient. ispartof: SPORTS MEDICINE vol:48 issue:8 pages:1781-1797 ispartof: location:New Zealand status: published

1. Barbara Sassen[1][1] 2. Gerjo Kok[2][2] 3. Jan Schepers[3][3] 4. Luc Vanhees[4][4] 1. 1University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands 2. 2Maastricht University, The Netherlands 3. 3Maastricht University, The Netherlands 4. 4University of Leuven, Belgium 1. Barbara Sassen, University of Applied Sciences, Bolognalaan 101, Utrecht, 3584 CJ, Netherlands. Email: Barbara.Sassen{at}hu.nl This study reports on the stability of social-cognitive determinants, and on associations between social-cognitive determinants to show insight in the theory of planned behavior (TPB). In all, 278 health professionals who encourage patients to become physically active completed online TPB-based surveys at baseline (Time 1 [T1]) and six months later (Time 2 [T2]). No intervention took place. No differences were found for all social-cognitive determinants measured at T1 compared with T2 (6 months later), except for intention ( t test = 5.18, p < .001). Structural equation modeling—χ2(5, N = 278) = 2.35, p = .80, root mean square error of approximation = 0.00—showed that behavior T1 and attitude T1 predicted intention T1 ( R 2 = .57, p =

BACKGROUND: Increase of exercise capacity (peak VO2) after cardiac rehabilitation improves outcome in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Systolic and diastolic function have been associated with peak VO2, but their role towards improvement of exercise capacity remains unclear. It is unknown which exercise intensity has the most beneficial impact on left ventricular (LV) geometry and function in CAD patients without heart failure. METHODS: 200 stable CAD patients without heart failure were randomized to 3months of aerobic interval training (AIT) or aerobic continuous training (ACT). Cardiopulmonary exercise test and transthoracic echocardiography were scheduled before and after 3months of training. RESULTS: At baseline, a higher peak VO2 correlated with lower LV posterior wall thickness (p=0.002), higher LV ejection fraction (p=0.008), better LV global longitudinal strain (p=0.043) and lower E/e' (0=0.001). After multivariate stepwise regression analysis only E/é remained an independent predictor of peak VO2 (p=0.042). Improvement of peak VO2 after 3months of training correlated with reverse remodeling of the interventricular septum (p=0.005), enlargement of LV diastolic volume (p=0.007) and increase of LV stroke volume (p=0.018) but not with other indices of systolic or diastolic function. Significant reduction of the interventricular septum thickness after cardiac rehabilitation was observed (p=0.012), with a trend towards more reverse remodeling after ACT compared to AIT (p=0.054). In contrast, there were no changes in other parameters of LV geometry, diastolic or systolic function. CONCLUSION: Systolic and diastolic function are determinants of baseline exercise capacity in CAD patients without heart failure, but do not seem to mediate improvement of peak VO2 after either AIT or ACT. ispartof: International Journal of Cardiology vol:257 pages:193-198 ispartof: location:Netherlands status: published

The purpose of this statement is to provide specific recommendations in regard to evaluation and intervention in each of the core components of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) to assist CR staff in the design and development of their programmes; the statement should also assist health care providers, insurers, policy makers and consumers in the recognition of the comprehensive nature of such programmes. Those charged with responsibility for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, whether at European, at national or at individual centre level, need to consider where and how structured programmes of CR can be delivered to the large constituency of patients now considered eligible for CR.

A consensus document from the Study Group of Sports Cardiology of the Working Group of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Physiology and the Working Group of Myocardial and Pericardial Diseases of the European Society of Cardiology.

The role of different physical activity (PA) characteristics, i.e. domain, duration and intensity in obesity prevention still requires investigation. Furthermore, ethnicity can modify the effect of PA on body composition. Therefore, we aim to describe the association between obesity and PA characteristics across the Asian- and African-Surinamese population, living in the capital of Suriname. Between February 2013 and July 2015, we included 1157 healthy subjects, 18-70 years, from the Healthy Life in Suriname (HELISUR) study. We measured height, weight, hip and waist circumference and defined general and central obesity according to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess PA and to calculate the duration (minutes/week) and the total volume (METs-minutes/week) of activity. Ethnicity was self-reported. Out of 1157 participants we included 1079 (42.6% Asian-Surinamese, 40.1% African-Surinamese and 17.3% of other ethnicity), mean age 42.6 ± 13.6 years for analysis. Obesity prevalence ratio (PR) was significantly lower in participants meeting WHO PA recommendations [PR= 0.81 (0.68-0.97)], especially within the commuting [PR= 0.66 (0.47-0.91)] and leisure time domains [PR= 0.67 (0.47-0.94)], compared to participants that did not meet the recommendations. Active minutes/week and total volume of activity were inversely associated with obesity and waist circumference, in the overall (p

The effect of alterations in the processing of proprioceptive signals, on postural control, has been studied using muscle vibration effects. However, reliability and agreement of muscle vibration have still to be addressed.This study aimed to assess intra- and interday reliability and agreement of vibration effects of lumbar paraspinal and triceps surae muscles in a non-selected sample of 20 subjects, standing on solid surface and on foam. We used mean position and velocity of Centre of Pressure (CoP), during and after vibration to quantify the effect of muscle vibration. We also calculated the ratio of vibration effects on the lumbar paraspinal and triceps surae muscles (proprioceptive weighting).Displacement of the CoP during vibration showed good reliability (ICCs. >. 0.6), and proprioceptive weighting of displacement fair to good reliability (0.52-0.73). Agreement measures were poor, with most CV's ranging between 18% and 36%. Change in CoP velocity appeared not to be reliable. Balance recovery, when based on CoP position and calculated a short period after cessation of vibration, showed good reliability. According to this study, displacement during vibration, proprioceptive weighting and selected recovery variables are the most reliable indicators of the response to muscle vibration. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.

Background Individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis have become a major focus for research designed to explore early predictors of transition to full psychosis. Characterizing differences in neurocognitive (NC) functioning between psychosis converters (CHR-C) and non-converters (CHR-NC) might contribute to the identification of specific NC predictors of psychosis onset. Therefore, the aim of the present meta-analysis was to compare the baseline NC performance between CHR-C and CHR-NC. Method PubMed (MEDLINE), Web of Science, Embase and reference lists were searched for studies reporting baseline cognitive data of CHR-C and CHR-NC. Included NC tests were classified within the MATRICS – Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia – cognitive domains. Results Of 95 studies assessed for eligibility, 9 studies comprising 583 CHR subjects (N CHR-C = 195, N CHR-NC = 388) met all the inclusion criteria. CHR-C performed significantly worse compared to CHR-NC on 2 MATRICS domains namely working memory (ES = − 0.29, 95% CI = − 0.53 to − 0.05) and visual learning (ES = − 0.40, 95% CI = − 0.68 to − 0.13). For the remaining 4 domains (processing speed, attention/vigilance, verbal learning, reasoning/problem solving) no significant differences between CHR-C and CHR-NC were observed. Conclusion Based on the current meta-analytic data we might conclude that it is possible to differentiate between CHR-C and CHR-NC with respect to working memory and visual learning. The addition of visual learning and working memory tasks to psychosis regression models might contribute to the predictive power of these models.

Objective Although closure of an atrial septal defect type secundum often normalizes right heart dimensions and pressures, mild tricuspid insufficiency might persist. This study aimed at (1) identification of determinants explaining the persistence of tricuspid insufficiency after atrial septal defect closure, and (2) evaluation of functional capacity of patients with persistent mild tricuspid insufficiency. Methods and results Twenty-five consecutive patients (age 42+17 y) were included from the outpatient clinic of congenital heart disease at the University Hospitals of Leuven. All underwent transthoracic echocardiography, semi-supine bicycle stress echocardiography and cardio-pulmonary exercise testing. Six patients (24%) had mild tricuspid insufficiency (2/4) compared to 19 patients (76%) with no or minimal tricuspid insufficiency ( 1/4) as assessed by semi-quantitative colour Doppler echocardiography. Mann-Whitney U and Fisher's exact tests were performed where applicable. Patients with persistent mild tricuspid insufficiency were significantly older than those with no or minimal tricuspid insufficiency (P = 0.042). At rest, no differences in right heart configuration, mean pulmonary artery pressure or right ventricular function were found. At peak exercise, mean pulmonary artery pressure was significantly higher in patients with mild persistent tricuspid insufficiency (P = 0.026). Peak oxygen uptake was significantly lower in patients with mild persistent tricuspid insufficiency (P = 0.019). Conclusions Mild tricuspid insufficiency after atrial septal defect repair occurs more frequently in older patients and in patients with higher mean pulmonary artery pressure at peak exercise. In patients with mild tricuspid insufficiency, functional capacity was more reduced. Mild tricuspid insufficiency could be a marker of subclinical persistent pressure load on the right ventricle.

Regular physical activity induces significant health benefits and most middle-aged/senior individuals should therefore be encouraged to increase their level of physical activity. Sporting activity may be especially beneficial because it is intense enough to increase cardiovascular, muscular, and metabolic fitness, compared with everyday physical activity. The rationale for evaluation of middle-aged/senior individuals is to ensure their safe participation in leisure-time sports, with the aim of maximizing the benefits while minimizing the risks of exercise. This article reviews the existing recommendations on evaluation of master athletes and middle-aged/senior individuals before they take part in physical activity and sports.

Background Exercise rehabilitation is highly recommended by current guidelines on prevention of cardiovascular disease, but its implementation is still poor. Many clinicians experience difficulties in prescribing exercise in the presence of different concomitant cardiovascular diseases and risk factors within the same patient. It was aimed to develop a digital training and decision support system for exercise prescription in cardiovascular disease patients in clinical practice: the European Association of Preventive Cardiology Exercise Prescription in Everyday Practice and Rehabilitative Training (EXPERT) tool. Methods EXPERT working group members were requested to define (a) diagnostic criteria for specific cardiovascular diseases, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and other chronic non-cardiovascular conditions, (b) primary goals of exercise intervention, (c) disease-specific prescription of exercise training (intensity, frequency, volume, type, session and programme duration), and (d) exercise training safety advices. The impact of exercise tolerance, common cardiovascular medications and adverse events during exercise testing were further taken into account for optimized exercise prescription. Results Exercise training recommendations and safety advices were formulated for 10 cardiovascular diseases, five cardiovascular disease risk factors (type 1 and 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia), and three common chronic non-cardiovascular conditions (lung and renal failure and sarcopaenia), but also accounted for baseline exercise tolerance, common cardiovascular medications and occurrence of adverse events during exercise testing. An algorithm, supported by an interactive tool, was constructed based on these data. This training and decision support system automatically provides an exercise prescription according to the variables provided. Conclusion This digital training and decision support system may contribute in overcoming barriers in exercise implementation in common cardiovascular diseases. The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article: The realisation of the proof of concept of the EXPERT tool was supported by a UHasselt Industrial Research Fund (IOF) proof of concept (PoC) project.

In this particular report, we choose to present this rather exceptional case, who had a sedentary employment but with high levels of leisure time physical activity. This patient had a first stable period of many years after a first implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation. However, when the ICD device was replaced because of battery failure, the patient experienced several electrical storms, for which he received psychological treatment because of fear of shock delivery in general and reticence toward exercise in particular.

BACKGROUND Patients with aortic coarctation (COA) have a reduced exercise capacity and seem to be more prone to adopt a sedentary lifestyle. During clinical practice, we often observe that patients seem to be overweight. However, data on physical activity and weight status in this population are currently not available. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to describe weight status, self-reported physical activity levels, and self-perceived health status in adults with repaired COA in comparison with healthy counterparts and to investigate the relationships among exercise capacity, physical activity, weight status, and perceived health status. METHODS We studied 103 COA patients who underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing and who completed the Flemish Physical Activity Computerized Questionnaire and the short-form 36 health survey questionnaire. RESULTS Patients with COA show a significantly lower exercise tolerance than what would be expected in healthy persons (P < .0001). Weight status was similar to the overall Belgian population, but a tendency toward higher body mass index was present. Patients with COA report a lower level of habitual physical activity (P < .05) as well as reductions in perceived vitality, general health, and mental health (P < .05). Parameters of habitual physical activity are related to exercise capacity (total energy expenditure: r = 0.278, P = .0015). The more active COA patients report higher scores of perceived physical functioning, general health, and mental health. Overweight patients did not perform significantly different than patients with a healthy weight did. CONCLUSIONS Adults with repaired COA have a reduced exercise tolerance, which is related to low physical activity levels. Up to one-third of the COA patients we studied are overweight. As a poor exercise capacity identifies patients at risk for hospitalization and death and obesity might adversely influence the development of cardiovascular disease, it is important to improve the exercise capacity in these patients. Guiding patients toward more physical activity in daily life might therefore be the number 1 preventive measure to be taken in this patient group.

Background: Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation is considered an important adjunct treatment and secondary prevention measure in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the issues of training modality and exercise intensity for CAD patients remain controversial.Objective: Main aim of the present study is to test the hypothesis that aerobic interval training (AIT) yields a larger gain in peak aerobic capacity (peakVO2) compared to a similar training programme of moderate continuous training (MCT) in CAD patients.Study design: In this multicentre study stable CAD patients with left ventricular ejection fraction>40% will be randomized after recent myocardial infarction or revascularization (PCI or CABG) to a supervised 12-week programme of three weekly sessions of either AIT (85-90% of peak oxygen uptake [peakVO2], 90-95% of peak heart rate) or MCT (60-70% of peakVO2, 65-75% of peak heart rate). The primary endpoint of the study is the change of peakVO2 after 12 weeks training. Secondary endpoints include safety, changes in peripheral endothelial vascular function, the evolution of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, quality of life and the number and function of circulating endothelial progenitor cells as well as endothelial microparticles. Possible differences in terms of long-term adherence to prescribed exercise regimens will be assessed by regular physical activity questionnaires, accelerometry and reassessment of peakVO2 12 months after randomization. A total number of 200 patients will be randomized in a 1:1 manner (significance level of 0.05 and statistical power of 0.90). Enrolment started December 2010; last enrolment is expected for February 2013.Keywords:Exercise intensity, Exercise training, Coronary artery disease, Secondary prevention, Cardiac rehabilitation

Aerobic interval training (IT) seems to be superior to continuous training (CT) in improving exercise capacity (peak oxygen uptake (VO2)) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients in some, but not in all studies. Based on theoretical calculations, these comparative studies stated that the energy expenditure (EE) of both programmes is similar. To date, the caloricity of both programmes has never been objectively measured. Therefore, our aim was to objectively measure the EE of the IT and CT programmes described in the protocol of the SAINTEX-CAD study (based on Wisloff et al.; ITw and CTw), and the actually performed training intensities in the SAINTEX-CAD study by Conraads et al. (ITc and CTc).Following a two-week run-in period with three IT and three CT training sessions, 18 male CAD patients (mean age 62.4 ± 6.1 years) performed four training sessions in random order on the cycle ergometer: an ITw, CTw, ITc and CTc test session. The EE was assessed by indirect calorimetry using gas exchange measurements obtained with the Oxycon mobile.We found a higher EE for CTc compared to ITc (352 ± 90.8 kcal versus 269 ± 70.7 kcal; p = 0.026), while CTw and ITw seemed to be isocaloric (317 ± 85.2 kcal versus 273 ± 65.3 kcal; p = 0.42). Higher lactate levels were reached after IT sessions (ITw 5.42 ± 1.42 mmol/l, ITc 5.05 ± 1.38 mmol/l) compared to CT sessions (CTw 2.45 ± 1.04 mmol/l, CTc 3.41 ± 1.44 mmol/l) (p 0.01). Lactate levels increased above baseline levels (1.91 ± 0.34 mmol/l) except for the CTw session.CTc expended significantly more energy compared to ITc, showing that the programmes used in the SAINTEX-CAD study were not isocaloric. In contrast, isocaloricity was met for CTw and ITw.

COPD is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular events and mortality. Endothelial dysfunction is an early event in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases; the gold standard for its measurement is the flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). Aim: To compare endothelial function of patients with COPD, coronary artery disease (CAD) and healthy controls. Methods: 8 male COPD patients and respectively 16 and 14 CAD patients and healthy controls, age and gender matched, were included. We measured: FMD, spirometry and physical activity (PA) using ambulatory monitoring (SenseWear Armband). ANOVAs test were applied to examine differences. Results: As shown in table, compared to the other groups, smoking was more prevalent among COPD. Both patient groups were significantly less PA. Further, after adjustment for smoking and PA, FMD was significantly worse in both patient groups compared to healthy controls. A correlation between number of steps and FMD was found in the whole group (p=0.02, r=44) as well as between METs and FMD in COPD (p=0.01, r=0.89). No correlation was established between FMD and severity of obstruction. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that COPD have an endothelial function worse than healthy subjects but better than CAD patients. These results should now be confirmed in a large study.

Background Numerous meta-analyses have investigated the effect of exercise in different populations and for single cardiovascular risk factors, but none have specifically focused on the metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients and the concomitant effect of exercise on all associated cardiovascular risk factors.

We aimed to investigate the effect of exercise on endothelium-dependent vasodilator function assessed simultaneously in the brachial artery and in the distal arterial bed by flow-mediated dilation and the pulse amplitude tonometry method, respectively, in coronary artery disease patients. The study included 146 patients with stable coronary artery disease (123 men, mean age 62 ± 9 years) who participated in the Cardiac Rehabilitation and Genetics of Exercise performance study. All patients completed a 12-week supervised cardiac rehabilitation programme (three sessions per week at an intensity of 80% of the heart rate reserve). At baseline and upon completion of the training, we measured brachial artery diameters by means of ultrasound scanning (linear array transducer of 12 MHz) and simultaneously assessed pulse amplitudes in the fingertip using a pulse amplitude tonometry device both at rest and after reactive hyperaemia induced by a 5-min forearm cuff occlusion. Peak oxygen uptake significantly increased (+22%; p 0.0001) and flow-mediated dilation improved from 10.0% to 13.1% (+37%; p 0.0001), whereas the reactive hyperaemia index of the pulse amplitude tonometry method remained unchanged (p = 0.47) following exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation. However, the basal digital pulse amplitude (+58%; p 0.001) increased as a result of training, as did the digital pulse amplitude after reactive hyperaemia (+22%; p 0.05). Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation is associated with an improvement in endothelial function, as can be measured by flow-mediated dilation but not by the reactive hyperaemia index of the pulse amplitude tonometry method.

To better delineate intervention programs, knowledge of the factors that are associated with physical fitness in stroke survivors is crucial. This study aimed to predict cardiorespiratory fitness based on standardized measures along the several dimensions of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model at several time intervals in the first year after stroke.Forty patients were assessed at 3, 6 and 12 months poststroke. A symptom-limited graded cycle ergometer test was used to assess cardiorespiratory fitness. Outcome variables were VO(2) peak and the Oxygen Uptake Efficiency Slope (OUES). Impairments, activity limitations, participation restrictions, personal and environmental factors were assessed to determine predictive factors.Explained variance at 3, 6 and 12 months poststroke was 39%, 55% and 91% for VO(2) peak and 55%, 63% and 79% for OUES. A strong association between knee muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness was found at each measurement time, explaining up to 72 % of the variance in fitness. At 12 months poststroke, functional mobility, body mass index (BMI) and emotional status also contributed to explain variance.Knee muscle strength was found to be a very strong predictor of cardiorespiratory fitness during the first year after stroke and functional mobility became important at 12 months poststroke.

BACKGROUND Assessment of health-related quality of life, increasingly being used as an outcome measure in cardiovascular disease research studies and clinical practice, requires questionnaires with sound psychometric properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Flemish version of the MacNew Heart Disease Health-related Quality of Life questionnaire in Flemish-speaking Belgian patients. METHOD Between 2002 and 2008, as part of the international HeartQol Project, 344 Belgian patients with a diagnosis of angina, ischaemic heart failure or myocardial infarction completed the Flemish versions of the MacNew, the Short-Form 36 and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Ceiling and floor effects of the MacNew were analysed. Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach's a and reproducibility (intra-class correlation coefficients) was assessed in a subsample of patients over a 2-3 week period with repeated tests. Convergent validity (Pearson's correlation between MacNew and Short-Form 36 constructs) and discriminant validity ('known-group' approach) were tested. RESULTS The Flemish version of the MacNew appears to be a reliable instrument with a high internal consistency, demonstrating strong discriminative validity and satisfactory construct validity. The results of factor analysis are similar to the factor structure of the original MacNew explaining 59.8% of the total variance. CONCLUSION The Flemish version of the MacNew demonstrates good psychometric properties. It can be recommended as a specific instrument for assessing and evaluating health-related quality of life in Flemish-speaking patients in each of the three major ischaemic heart disease diagnoses: angina, ischaemic heart failure and myocardial infarction. However, responsiveness to change could not be tested in this cross-sectional study and should be further investigated in a larger sample of patients following an intervention likely to induce a change in health-related quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with Mustard/Senning repair for transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) have an impaired exercise capacity, but information about physical activity levels is scarce. The aim of the study was to come to a better understanding of the interrelationships between determinants of exercise capacity, physical activity and self-perceived health status. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 39 d-TGA patients who underwent echocardiography and exercise testing, and who completed questionnaires about physical activity and perceived health status. All results were compared with normal values. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to assess the determinants of peak V02% and exercise duration. Peak VO2 averaged 64 +/- 14.1% of the predicted normal values, which is significantly lower than expected (P < 0.0001). Physical activity measures as well as perceived general health were significantly lower compared to a reference population (P < 0.05). Peak heart rate and peak oxygen pulse explained together 90% of the variability in exercise duration (model F = 162.72; P < 0.0001). Type of surgery, total energy expenditure and right ventricular contractility were independent predictors of peak VO2% explaining 43% of the variability (model F = 8.75; P = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Impaired peak exercise performance in d-TGA patients results mainly from the inability to increase stroke volume and heart rate at higher exercise intensities. Senning repair and a well-preserved right ventricular function are related to a better peak V02%. Furthermore, an active lifestyle has a positive effect on exercise capacity and perceived physical functioning. Therefore it might be indicated to encourage d-TGA patients to adopt a more physically active lifestyle. ispartof: Acta Cardiologica vol:67 issue:1 pages:49-57 ispartof: location:England status: published

In a previous paper, as the first of a series of three on the importance of characteristics and modalities of physical activity (PA) and exercise in the management of cardiovascular health within the general population, we concluded that, in the population at large, PA and aerobic exercise capacity clearly are inversely associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and that a dose–response curve on cardiovascular outcome has been demonstrated in most studies. More and more evidence is accumulated that engaging in regular PA and exercise interventions are essential components for reducing the severity of cardiovascular risk factors, such as obesity and abdominal fat, high BP, metabolic risk factors, and systemic inflammation. However, it is less clear whether and which type of PA and exercise intervention (aerobic exercise, dynamic resistive exercise, or both) or characteristic of exercise (frequency, intensity, time or duration, and volume) would yield more benefit for each separate risk factor. The present paper, therefore, will review and make recommendations for PA and exercise training in the management of cardiovascular health in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors. The guidance offered in this series of papers is aimed at medical doctors, health practitioners, kinesiologists, physiotherapists and exercise physiologists, politicians, public health policy makers, and individual members of the public. Based on previous and the current literature overviews, recommendations from the European Association on Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation are formulated regarding type, volume, and intensity of PA and regarding appropriate risk evaluation during exercise in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors. ispartof: European Journal of Preventive Cardiology vol:19 issue:5 pages:1005-1033 ispartof: location:England status: published

Exercise capacity in grown-ups with congenital heart disease (GUCH) is mostly reported by peak oxygen consumption (peak VO(2)). Our aim was to evaluate the maximal character of exercise tests, and to investigate submaximal measures of exercise capacity.Adults with Coarctation of the Aorta (COA, n=155), Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF, n=98), dextro-Transposition of the Great Arteries (dTGA, n=68) and Univentricular Heart (UVH, n=10), and 122 healthy adults performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing until exhaustion. Gas exchange was measured breath by breath. The maximal performance of the test was evaluated by respiratory exchange ratio (RER), ventilatory equivalent for oxygen and Borg scale. Oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES), VE/VCO(2) slope and VO(2)/WR slope were calculated and ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) was defined. Correlations of these measures with peak VO(2) were calculated.GUCH showed significantly lower peak VO(2) than controls (p0.001), declining from 80% in COA, 74% in TOF, 64% in dTGA, to 55% in UVH. Compared to suggested criteria, mean peak RER and median Borg scale indicated a maximal effort in GUCH, however these results were significantly lower than controls (p0.05). OUES, VO(2)/WR slope and VAT were significantly lower in patients compared to controls. OUES (r=0.853) and VAT (r=0.840) correlated best with peak VO(2); VO(2)/WR slope (r=0.551) and VE/VCO(2) slope (r=-0.421) correlated to a lesser degree (p0.001).The investigated GUCH show reduced exercise tolerance compared to controls, related to the underlying heart defect. Different expressions of exercise tolerance clearly reveal the same differences in exercise capacity across groups of GUCH.

We reviewed the effect of resistance training on blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors in adults. Randomized, controlled trials lasting ≥4 weeks investigating the effects of resistance training on blood pressure in healthy adults (age ≥18 years) and published in a peer-reviewed journal up to June 2010 were included. Random- and fixed-effects models were used for analyses, with data reported as weighted means and 95% confidence limits. We included 28 randomized, controlled trials, involving 33 study groups and 1012 participants. Overall, resistance training induced a significant blood pressure reduction in 28 normotensive or prehypertensive study groups [−3.9 (−6.4; −1.2)/−3.9 (−5.6; −2.2) mm Hg], whereas the reduction [−4.1 (−0.63; +1.4)/−1.5 (−3.4; +0.40) mm Hg] was not significant for the 5 hypertensive study groups. When study groups were divided according to the mode of training, isometric handgrip training in 3 groups resulted in a larger decrease in blood pressure [−13.5 (−16.5; −10.5)/−6.1(−8.3; −3.9) mm Hg] than dynamic resistance training in 30 groups [−2.8 (−4.3; −1.3)/−2.7 (−3.8; −1.7) mm Hg]. After dynamic resistance training, V o 2 peak increased by 10.6% ( P =0.01), whereas body fat and plasma triglycerides decreased by 0.6% ( P P

PURPOSE: Although exercise capacity is impaired, atrial septal defect (ASD) patients report satisfactory exercise tolerance. This study aimed at (1) evaluating cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) and (2) evaluating the impact of exercise capacity on perceived health status using a self-reported health questionnaire (SF-36) in patients with open and closed ASD. METHODS: Seventeen patients (mean age 37 ± 17, 9 males) with open ASD and 24 (mean age 37 ± 14, 6 male) with closed ASD were included. All underwent CPX and completed a SF-36 questionnaire. Age- and gender-matched controls were selected for comparison of CPX variables and SF-36 was compared with results from a general population. RESULTS: Patients with open ASD had lower peak oxygen uptake (O2) (27.9 ± 9.7 vs 38.5 ± 9.5 mL · kg−1 · min−1. P = .009) and higher E/CO2 slope (31.0 ± 7.7 vs 24.1 ± 4.8; P = .004) than controls. Patients with closed ASD had lower peak O2 (26.2 ± 8.4 vs 34.8 ± 9.7 mL · kg−1 · min−1. P = .014) and peak heart rate (163 ± 25 vs 178 ± 16 bpm; P = .035) than controls. Perceived health-status was lower in patients with open ASD than the general population. Peak O2 correlated significantly with physical functioning, emotional functioning, and bodily pain in open ASD and with physical functioning, bodily pain, role limitation, vitality, and mental health in closed ASD patients. CONCLUSION: Patients with open and closed ASD had decreased peak O2. Patients with open ASD had lower ventilatory efficiency. Closed ASD patients had chronotropic incompetence because of β-blockers. SF-36 was reduced in patients with open ASD but not closed ASD. Reduced exercise capacity affected several domains of perceived health-status in ASD patients.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an essential part of contemporary coronary heart disease management. However, patients exiting a center-based CR program have difficulty retaining its benefits. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the added benefit of a home-based CR program with telemonitoring guidance on physical fitness in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) completing a phase II ambulatory CR program and to compare the effectiveness of this program in a prolonged center-based CR intervention by means of a randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Between February 2014 and August 2016, 90 CAD patients (unblinded, mean age 61.2 years, SD 7.6; 80/90, 89.0% males; mean height 1.73 m, SD 0.7; mean weight 82.9 kg, SD 13; mean body mass index 27.5 kg/m2, SD 3.4) who successfully completed a 3-month ambulatory CR program were randomly allocated to one of three groups: home-based (30), center-based (30), or control group (30) on a 1:1:1 basis. Home-based patients received a home-based exercise intervention with telemonitoring guidance consisting of weekly emails or phone calls; center-based patients continued the standard in-hospital CR, and control group patients received the usual care including the advice to remain physically active. All the patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing for assessment of their peak oxygen uptake (VO2 P) at baseline and after a 12-week intervention period. Secondary outcomes included physical activity behavior, anthropometric characteristics, traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and quality of life. RESULTS: Following 12 weeks of intervention, the increase in VO2 P was larger in the center-based (P=.03) and home-based (P=.04) groups than in the control group. In addition, oxygen uptake at the first (P-interaction=.03) and second (P-interaction=.03) ventilatory thresholds increased significantly more in the home-based group than in the center-based group. No significant changes were observed in the secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Adding a home-based exercise program with telemonitoring guidance following completion of a phase II ambulatory CR program results in further improvement of physical fitness and is equally as effective as prolonging a center-based CR in patients with CAD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02047942; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02047942 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/70CBkSURj). ispartof: JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH vol:20 issue:6 ispartof: location:Canada status: published

Objective: To investigate the effect of oral creatine supplementation in conjunction with an exercise programme on physical fitness in patients with coronary artery disease or chronic heart failure. Design: Single centre double-blind randomized placebo controlled trial. Setting: Cardiac rehabilitation centre. Subjects and intervention: 70 (4 women) cardiac patients (age 57.5 (8.4) years) were randomized to a placebo (n = 37) or creatine (n = 33) treatment for three months. Combined aerobic endurance and resistance training (three sessions/ week) was performed during supplementation. Main Measures: Aerobic power was determined during graded bicycle testing, knee extensor peak isometric and isokinetic strength, endurance and recovery were assessed by an isokinetic dynamometer, and health related quality of life was evaluated with the SF-36 and MacNew Heart Disease questionnaires. In addition, blood samples were taken after an overnight fast and 24 hour urinary collection was performed. Results: At baseline there were no significant differences between both groups. We observed main time effects for aerobic power, muscle performance, health related quality of life, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides (pre vs post; P0.05). Further, no detrimental effect on renal or liver function was observed nor were there any reports of side effects. Conclusion: Oral creatine supplementation in combination with exercise training does not exert any additional effect on the improvement in physical performance, health related quality of life, lipid profile in patients with coronary artery disease or chronic heart failure than exercise training alone.

Purpose It is hypothesized that the intensity of physical activity habits, rather than the time spent on those activities, might mediate cognitive function. This study tested a possible association between changes in the time spent on or the average intensity of weekly physical activities and changes in cognitive function in healthy men and women. Methods This longitudinal cohort study with 1,904 healthy men and women (45–75 years of age) assessed physical activity by a questionnaire and cognitive function with a neuropsychological test battery twice with an interval of 5 years. Results Multiple linear regression analyses showed that changes in the time spent on physical activities were not associated with changes in cognitive function over a 5-year period. By contrast, changes in average intensity of weekly activities were significantly and positively associated with processing speed (beta = 0.063; p Conclusions In this longitudinal cohort study, an increase or smaller decline in average intensity was associated with a smaller age-related decline in processing speed, estimated at 6 years of aging.

Physical activity has a fundamental role in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease. The precise measurement of physical activity is key to many surveillance and epidemiological studies investigating trends and associations with disease. Public health initiatives aimed at increasing physical activity rely on the measurement of physical activity to monitor their effectiveness. Physical activity is multidimensional, and a complex behaviour to measure; its various domains are often misunderstood. Inappropriate or crude measures of physical activity have serious implications, and are likely to lead to misleading results and underestimate effect size. In this review, key definitions and theoretical aspects, which underpin the measurement of physical activity, are briefly discussed. Methodologies particularly suited for use in epidemiological research are reviewed, with particular reference to their validity, primary outcome measure and considerations when using each in the field. It is acknowledged that the choice of method may be a compromise between accuracy level and feasibility, but the ultimate choice of tool must suit the stated aim of the research. A framework is presented to guide researchers on the selection of the most suitable tool for use in a specific study.

Background Physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) are inversely associated with the clustering of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors (RF) associated with the metabolic syndrome (MS). However, the role of individual components of PA, that is, intensity, duration and volume, and the inter-relationship with PF in the prevention of the MS and its individual components remains elusive. Design Cross-sectional analysis. Methods The study was based on 1298 (874 male and 424 female) police employees (aged 18-62 years) who participated in the Utrecht Police Lifestyle Intervention Fitness and Training study. PA was assessed with an extensive questionnaire. Peak oxygen uptake and metabolic markers, including blood pressure, fasting glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and waist circumference, were determined. Results The prevalence of the MS was 18.6% (22.5% in men, 10.6% in women). After adjustment for age and sex, average PA intensity, PA duration, PA volume and PF were each associated with reduced odds of MS. Regression analyses further showed an inverse relation between total CVD risk score and average PA intensity, the hours of PA performed at high intensity (>6 metabolic equivalent values) and PF, but no relation with total hours or the hours of PA performed at low or moderate intensity. When we adjusted our analyses for PF, the relations with the components of PA became nonsignificant. Using pathway analysis, we found that peak oxygen uptake mediated 78% of the effect of average PA intensity and 93% of the effect of the hours performed at high intensity on total CVD risk score. Conclusion PA and PF are inversely associated with the clustering of metabolic abnormalities. With regard to PA, it seems that intensity and more specifically higher intensity is the main characteristic of PA determining its effect on CVD RF. However, compared with PA, PF exerts greater effects on each of these individual CVD RF and its combination. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 16:677-683

Contains fulltext : 89482.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) Cardiovascular remodelling in the conditioned athlete is frequently associated with physiological ECG changes. Abnormalities, however, may be detected which represent expression of an underlying heart disease that puts the athlete at risk of arrhythmic cardiac arrest during sports. It is mandatory that ECG changes resulting from intensive physical training are distinguished from abnormalities which reflect a potential cardiac pathology. The present article represents the consensus statement of an international panel of cardiologists and sports medical physicians with expertise in the fields of electrocardiography, imaging, inherited cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular pathology, and management of young competitive athletes. The document provides cardiologists and sports medical physicians with a modern approach to correct interpretation of 12-lead ECG in the athlete and emerging understanding of incomplete penetrance of inherited cardiovascular disease. When the ECG of an athlete is examined, the main objective is to distinguish between physiological patterns that should cause no alarm and those that require action and/or additional testing to exclude (or confirm) the suspicion of an underlying cardiovascular condition carrying the risk of sudden death during sports. The aim of the present position paper is to provide a framework for this distinction. For every ECG abnormality, the document focuses on the ensuing clinical work-up required for differential diagnosis and clinical assessment. When appropriate the referral options for risk stratification and cardiovascular management of the athlete are briefly addressed. 01 januari 2010

BackgroundEarlier studies have demonstrated low peak oxygen uptake (V̇o2peak) in children with spina bifida. Low peak heart rate and low peak respiratory exchange ratio in these studies raised questions regarding the true maximal character of V̇o2peak values obtained with treadmill testing.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine whether the V̇o2peak measured during an incremental treadmill test is a true reflection of the maximum oxygen uptake (V̇o2max) in children who have spina bifida and are ambulatory.DesignA cross-sectional design was used for this study.MethodsTwenty children who had spina bifida and were ambulatory participated. The V̇o2peak was measured during a graded treadmill exercise test. The validity of V̇o2peak measurements was evaluated by use of previously described guidelines for maximum exercise testing in children who are healthy, as well as differences between V̇o2peak and V̇o2 during a supramaximal protocol (V̇o2supramaximal).ResultsThe average values for V̇o2peak and normalized V̇o2peak were, respectively, 1.23 L/min (SD=0.6) and 34.1 mL/kg/min (SD=8.3). Fifteen children met at least 2 of the 3 previously described criteria; one child failed to meet any criteria. Although there were no significant differences between V̇o2peak and V̇o2supramaximal, 5 children did show improvement during supramaximal testing.LimitationsThese results apply to children who have spina bifida and are at least community ambulatory.ConclusionsThe V̇o2peak measured during an incremental treadmill test seems to reflect the true V̇o2max in children who have spina bifida and are ambulatory, validating the use of a treadmill test for these children. When confirmation of maximal effort is needed, the addition of supramaximal testing of children with disability is an easy and well-tolerated method.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a methodology that has profoundly affected the approach to patients' functional evaluation, linking performance and physiological parameters to the underlying metabolic substratum and providing highly reproducible exercise capacity descriptors. This study provides professionals with an up-to-date review of the rationale sustaining the use of CPET for functional evaluation of cardiac patients in both the clinical and research settings, describing parameters obtainable either from ramp incremental or step constant-power CPET and illustrating the wealth of information obtainable through an experienced use of this powerful tool. The choice of parameters to be measured will depend on the specific goals of functional evaluation in the individual patient, namely, exercise tolerance assessment, training prescription, treatment efficacy evaluation, and/or investigation of exercise-induced adaptations of the oxygen transport/utilization system. The full potentialities of CPET in the clinical and research setting still remain largely underused and strong efforts are recommended to promote a more widespread use of CPET in the functional evaluation of cardiac patients.