Search

For physiological closed-loop control of mechanical ventilation, the relationship between fraction of inspired oxygen and oxygen saturation is required. A system identification method is proposed which models this relationship as a non-linear Hammerstein model. The static non-linearity is modelled as a fourth order polynomial and the linear dynamics are modelled as a first order system with dead time. Results from data from one animal experiment show good accuracy of this model. This model could be used for controller testing or as a surrogate measurement in case of sensor failure. more...

Idiopathic as well as nonspecific low back pain is relevant in health care systems as well asinleisure and high-performance sports. Neuromuscular and/or structural deficits, mostly accompanied by biopsychological factors,are known risk factors for both the onset and chronification of symptoms. Meta-analytic evidence describes positive effects of physical activity. However, type, dose-response relation, minimum of training required and setting-specific implementation has not been fullyclarified. Since 2011, the national research network Medicine in Spine Exercise [MiSpEx] has beenfollowing a project layout called Ran Rcken focussing on the development and validation of intervention programs including neuromuscular and pain adaptation moderated by individual training status, pain behaviour, allostatic load and social settings. Overall about 8000 patients and athletes have been and are being followed experimentally and clinically in 34 studies. It could be shownthat a training program focussing on compensation of external loads elicited by perturbations is effective in prevention and rehabilitation in both athletes and general population. Besides validation of further consecutively developed programs emphasis is put on the evaluation of transfer strategies to medical systems, sports as well as general population. Finally, the evaluation of an efficient dose-response relation is addressed.KEY WORDS: Low Back Pain, MiSpEx, Sports, Perturbations, Therapy, Prevention, Training more...

Objectives: The primary objectives of this investigation were to provide an overview of data about back pain prevalence in athletes, to analyse the prevalence in the German elite athletic population, and to compare it with physically-active individuals.Methods: 1. A comprehensive analysis of the literature was undertaken, using specifically developed search strategies for relevant epidemiological research on back pain. 2. An online back pain questionnaire was sent to approximately 4,000 German elite athletes and a control group of 253 physically-activeindividuals.Results: Lifetime and point prevalence were the most commonly researched episodes and the lower back was the most common location of pain. Lifetime prevalence of low back pain in athletes was 1-94%, and point prevalence was 18-65%. In German elite athletes,prevalence rates were 77% and 34%, respectively, and were slightly higher in athletes than inactive controls (71% and 29%, respectively) and the general population (11-84% and 7-33%, respectively). Prevalence of back pain varied between athletes of different disciplines. Conclusion: Back pain is a common complaint in athletes and in the general population. A high training volume in athletes and a low training volume in the general population might increase prevalence rates. Our findings indicate the necessity for specific prevention programs, especially in high-risk sports. Further research should investigate the optimal dose-effect relationship of sporting activity to prevent back pain. KEY WORDS: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Spine, Prevalence, Elite Sport, Athletes more...

Hintergrund: Im Rahmen eines RCTs wurden Effekte eines Bewegungsprogramms für Ältere u.a. auf Funktion und Lebensqualität untersucht. In Hausarztpraxen wurden Kraft-, Gleichgewichts- und Beweglichkeitsübungen durch Bewegungstherapeuten an chronisch kranke und mobilitätseingeschränkte[zum vollständigen Text gelangen Sie über die oben angegebene URL], 49. Kongress für Allgemeinmedizin und Familienmedizin more...

Diminished muscular activity is associated with alterations of protein metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of short-term muscle inactivity on regulation of whole-body protein deposition during amino acid infusion to simulate an experimental postprandial state. We studied nine healthy young volunteers at the end of 14 day periods of strict bed rest and of controlled ambulation using a cross-over design. Subjects received a weight-maintaining diet containing 1 g protein kg(-1) day(-1). l[1-(13)C]leucine was used as a marker of whole-body protein kinetics in the postabsorptive state and during a 3 h infusion of an amino acid mixture (0.13 g amino acid (kg lean body mass)(-1) h(-1)). In the postabsorptive state, bed rest decreased (P < 0.05) the rate of leucine disposal (R(d)) to protein synthesis and tended to decrease leucine rate of appearance (R(a)) from proteolysis, whereas the rate of leucine oxidation did not change significantly. Amino acid infusion increased leucine R(d) to protein synthesis and oxidation and decreased leucine R(a) from proteolysis in both the bed rest and ambulatory conditions. Changes from basal in leucine R(d) to protein synthesis were lower (P < 0.05) during bed rest than those in the ambulatory period, whereas changes in leucine R(a) from proteolysis and oxidation were not significantly different. During amino acid infusion, net leucine deposition into body protein was 8 +/- 3% lower during bed rest than during the ambulatory phase. In conclusion, short-term bed rest leads to reduced stimulation of whole-body protein synthesis by amino acid administration. Results of this study were, in part, presented at the meeting, Experimental Biology, 2004, Washington DC. more...

Einleitung: Körperliche Aktivität leistet einen wesentlichen Beitrag zur Erhaltung der Lebensqualität, Funktionsfähigkeit und Selbständigkeit älterer Erwachsener. Über das Aktivitätsverhalten der älteren Bevölkerung in Deutschland ist in Ermangelung [for full text, please go to the a.m. URL], Mainz//2011; 56. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Medizinische Informatik, Biometrie und Epidemiologie (gmds), 6. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Epidemiologie (DGEpi) more...