Search

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) with equal energy expenditure on glycaemic and cardiometabolic risk factors in people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) when compared to the control. Sixty-three people with T2DM were randomly assigned to HIIT, MICT, or non-exercising controls. Individuals were trained with HIIT at 90 and 30% of their VO(2)peak (1:2 min ratio) starting from 8 up to 16 intervals and MICT at 50% of VO(2)peak, on a cycle ergometer, 3 times/week for 12 weeks under supervision. The primary outcome measure was the change in HbA1c. Aerobic capacity, cardiovascular responses, anthropometric measures, body composition, glycaemic, and cardiometabolic risk factors were measured at the beginning and the end of the 12-week training period. There was no significant difference between HIIT and MICT or when compared to the control for HbA1c, glucose, insulin resistance, blood lipids, cardiovascular responses, anthropometric measures, body composition, and abdominal and visceral fat (p(adj )> 0.05). HIIT and MICT increased VO(2)peak significantly compared to controls (p < 0.05) but not to each other (p > 0.05). Both HIIT and MICT improved VO(2)peak and HbA1c after 12 weeks of training compared to their baseline, furthermore, only MICT caused additional improvements in cardiovascular responses, anthropometric measures, and abdominal fat compared to baseline (p < 0.05). As a conclusion, isoenergetic HIIT or MICT did not improve HbA1c. The two protocols were equally efficient for improvement in aerobic capacity but had little effect on other cardiometabolic factors.

The first (VT1) and second ventilator (VT2) (anaerobic) thresholds are used to individually prescribe exercise training programs. The purpose of this research was to analyze inter- and intraobserver reliabilities of determining VT1 and VT2 in subjects with lower limb amputation (LLA) and able-bodied (AB) subjects during a peak exercise test on the arm-leg (Cruiser) ergometer. Previously published data of exercise tests on the Cruiser ergometer of subjects with LLA (n = 17) and AB subjects (n = 30) were analyzed twice by two observers. The VT1 and VT2 were determined based on ventilation plots. Differences in determining the VT1 and VT2 between the observers for the first and second analyses were analyzed. To quantify variation in measurement a variance component analysis was performed. Bland-Altmann plots were made, and limits of agreement were calculated. The number of observations in which thresholds could not be determined differed significantly between observers and analysis. Variation in VT1 between and within observers was small (0-1.6%) compared with the total variation, for both the subjects with an LLA and AB subjects. The reliability coefficient for VT1 was more than 0.75, and the limits of agreement were good. In conclusion, based on the results of this study on a population level, VT1 can be used to prescribe exercise training programs after an LLA. In the current study, the determination of VT2 was less reliable than VT1. More research is needed into the clinical application of VT1 and VT2 during a peak exercise test on the Cruiser ergometer.

Background: ‪‪Knowing all the features required for elite performance in sports disciplines under the name of combat sports is among the most important parameters for discipline-specific talent identification and selection. Material and methods: ‪‪The research group consists of male and female athletes within the age range of 12–17 who are licensed in taekwondo, karate, judo, and wrestling. A total of 70 athletes, 21 elite and 49 non-elite athletes, participated in the study voluntarily. Anthropometric, athletic and motor competency tests were applied to determine the elite performance elements of the groups. Results: Comparing the elite and non-elite athletes, statistically significant differences were found in favor of the elite group (p0.05). Conclusions: ‪There seem to be important distinctions between athletes who reach the national peak and those who do not, in terms of height, sitting height, body weight, speed, anaerobic power, grip strength, upper extremity and core strength, as well as motor competency related to anaerobic power.

Objectives This observational follow-up study investigated the associations of nutrition and body composition with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, including pro-inflammatory biomarkers, in soldiers during a 6-month deployment. Material and Methods Thirty-five male soldiers were assessed at months 0, 3 and 6, and their parameters, i.e., M±SD, were as follows: age 30.0±8.7 years, height 179±6 cm, and BMI 24.2±2.5 kg/m 2 . Three-day food diaries were used for monitoring macronutrient intake. Body composition was estimated using bioimpedance. Fasting blood samples for lipids and pro-inflammatory biomarkers were collected, and blood pressure measurements were performed. Results Carbohydrate intake increased and protein intake decreased at month 3 (p = 0.034, p < 0.001), while body composition remained stable. Systolic blood pressure increased at month 6, while other CVD risk factors remained within the reference values. Fat mass and body fat percentage were associated positively with total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations at all measurement points. A negative association was found between the change in fiber intake vs. the change in total (r = –0.36, p = 0.033) and LDL cholesterol (r = –0.39, p = 0.019). Conclusions Lower fiber intake and a greater amount of body fat were associated with high total and LDL cholesterol concentrations. Nevertheless, the measured CVD risk factors remained within the reference values, except for the higher systolic blood pressure. A regular screening of body composition and a higher consumption of fiberrich foods may promote cardiometabolic health in soldiers. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2020;33(4):457–66

BACKGROUND: Clinical laboratory testing of locomotor disorders is challenging in patients with intellectual disability (ID). Nevertheless, also in this population gait analysis has substantial value as motor problems are common. To promote its use, adequate protocols need to be developed and the impact on clinical decision making needs to be documented. RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the clinical usefulness of instrumented motion analysis in patients with ID? METHOD: This narrative review consists of three parts. A literature review was performed to describe the gait pattern of patients with ID. Next, benefits and challenges of standard gait analysis protocols are described. Finally, a case of a girl with ID due to genetic cause showing gait abnormalities is discussed. RESULTS: The literature review resulted in 20 studies on "gait" in patients with an "ID", published since August, 1st 2013. Gait deviations were observed in all studies investigating the ID population with an underlying genetic syndrome. Observed gait deviations in the ID population might be attributed to physical characteristics, cognitive components or both. The main goal of clinical gait assessment is the identification of gait deviations and the evaluation of their progress over time, in order to optimize the treatment plan. The choice of adequate method and measurement modalities depends on the clinical goal, the available resources and the abilities of the patient. In the case report we presented, we succeeded in performing an instrumented 3D gait analysis in a girl with severe ID at the ages of 4y4m, 6y0m, 7y2m and 8y2m. Progressive gait deviations were found suggesting a crouch gait pattern was developing. Results of the gait analysis led to the prescription of rigid ankle-foot orthoses. SIGNIFICANCE: Gait analysis has substantial value for patients with ID. Gait analysis allows clinicians to objectify the relationship between physical characteristics and gait features. ispartof: GAIT & POSTURE vol:71 pages:105-115 ispartof: location:England status: published

Background Hand grip strength (HGS) test is commonly used as an indicator of overall muscle strength in medical and sport practices. Recently, several studies have proposed that the measurement of the maximal HGS depends on dynamometer’s handle position. The aim of the present study was to identify the optimal handle position to obtain maximal HGS using the hand grip dynamometer (HGD) for school-aged children. Methods HGS was assessed with the Jamar digital HGD. Each participant performed three maximum contractions of each hand on three handle positions progressing from first to third position. Results A total of 135 healthy children aged 5–9 years participated in the study. Participants obtained significantly higher results using position 2 than using positions 1 or 3. The maximal mean (± SD) HGS achieved was 9.9 (± 3.1) kg with position 1, 10.4 (± 3.1) kg with position 2, and 9.0 (± 3.2) kg with position 3. Handle position 2 was the most comfortable position for 73% of participants. Conclusions Our results provide useful methodological information indicating that the second handle position of the Jamar digital HGD is optimal to measure maximal HGS in non-athletic healthy pediatric participants aged 5–9 years.

Background: A modified version of the Berg Balance Scale (mBBS) was developed for individuals with intellectual and visual disabilities (IVD). However, the concurrent and predictive validity has not yet been determined.Aim: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the concurrent and predictive validity of the mBBS for individuals with IVD.Method: Fifty-four individuals with IVD and Gross Motor Functioning Classification System (GMFCS) Levels I and II participated in this study. The mBBS, the Centre of Gravity (COG), the Comfortable Walking Speed (CWS), and the Barthel Index (BI) were assessed during one session in order to determine the concurrent validity. The percentage of explained variance was determined by analyzing the squared multiple correlation between the mBBS and the BI, COG, CWS, GMFCS, and age, gender, level of intellectual disability, presence of epilepsy, level of visual impairment, and presence of hearing impairment. Furthermore, an overview of the degree of dependence between the mBBS, BI, CWS, and COG was obtained by graphic modelling. Predictive validity of mBBS was determined with respect to the number of falling incidents during 26 weeks and evaluated with Zero-inflated regression models using the explanatory variables of mBBS, BI, COG, CWS, and GMFCS.Results: The results demonstrated that two significant explanatory variables, the GMFCS Level and the BI, and one non-significant variable, the CWS, explained approximately 60% of the mBBS variance. Graphical modelling revealed that BI was the most important explanatory variable for mBBS moreso than COG and CWS. Zero-inflated regression on the frequency of falling incidents demonstrated that the mBBS was not predictive, however, COG and CWS were.Conclusions: The results indicated that the concurrent validity as well as the predictive validity of mBBS were low for persons with IVD. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background. People with intellectual disabilities (IDs) seem to have a lower physical fitness (PF) than their peers without disabilities, which coincides with reduced autonomy, life expectancy and quality of life. To assess PF in these individuals, it is necessary to use appropriate tools that permit the assessment of their physical capacities taking into account their specific characteristics. The aim of this work is to study the feasibility and reliability of the Assessing Levels of Physical Activity (ALPHA)‐Fit test battery for adults in a group of men and women with mild to moderate ID. Methods. Forty‐one adults with ID of both sexes, ranging in age from 20 to 60 years old, participated in the study. To identify the feasibility and reliability of the ALPHA‐Fit test battery for adults, two complete assessments were done for each one of the tests included in the battery. The assessments were performed for a period of no more than 2 weeks (test–retest). An intraclass correlation coefficient was used to determinate test–retest reliability, and a mixed analysis of variance factorial was used for each of the dependent variables. Bland–Altman plots were also used to assess consistency between the two measurements. Feasibility was calculated as the percentage of people who were able to perform the tests correctly (not feasible 75%). In order to determine other psychometric properties, minimal detectable change and standard error of measurement (SEM) were also calculated. Results. Of the 10 tests in the ALPHA‐Fit test battery, eight were shown to be feasible. High reliability was obtained (>0.90) for the variables related to body composition. In the hand‐grip test, reliability was high in the men's group but low in the women's group. Good reliability results were also found (0.80–0.89) in the dynamic sit‐up test for women, but not for men. Fair reliability (0.70–0.79) was found in jump‐and‐reach and neck‐shoulder mobility tests. The variables in the 2‐km walk and agility tests indicated poor reliability. All tests showed SEM values related to high variability. However, Bland–Altman plots showed results related to lack of consistency. Conclusions. The feasibility and reliability calculations, as well as the SEM values, confirm that not all the tests of the ALPHA‐Fit Test Battery for Adults are suitable for the assessment of PF in adults with ID, probably because of the complexity of the motor fitness tests. The authors emphasise the necessity of making adaptations to the protocols used or of using other tests more appropriate to the characteristics of people with mild to moderate ID.

Background Knowledge concerning the feasibility and effects of progressive resistance training (PRT) for persons with intellectual disabilities and visual impairment who are categorized in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Level 1 is limited. The aim of our study was to evaluate feasibility and effect of PRT on participants' Quadriceps strength and personal goals. Methods Eight Participants followed a PRT program for 10 weeks. Feasibility was determined by percentage of attendance and compliance. The effect of PRT was analyzed with a linear mixed model (p

Background: The development of childhood motor competence demonstrates a high degree of inter-individual variation. Some children’s competence levels increase whilst others’ competence levels remain unchanged or even decrease over time. However, few studies have examined this developmental change in motor competence across childhood and little is known on the influencing factors). Aim: Using latent growth curve modeling (LGCM), the present longitudinal study aimed to investigate children’s change in motor competence across a two-year timespan and to examine the potential influence of baseline weight status and physical fitness on their trajectory of change in motor competence. Method: 558 children (52.5% boys) aged between 6 and 9 years participated in this study. Motor assessments took place three times across a two-year timespan. Baseline measurements included weight status, motor competence (i.e., Korperkoordinationstest fur Kinder; KTK) and physical fitness (i.e., sit and reach, standing long jump and the 20m shuttle run test). LGCM was conducted to examine change in motor competence over time, based on the raw scores of the four KTK subtests. Results: The analyses showed a positive linear change in motor competence across two years (=28.48, p

The aim of this study was to quantify the seasonal perceived respiratory and muscular training loads (i.e., sRPEres-TL and sRPEmus-TL) completed by elite-oriented young professional soccer players. Twenty four players (20.3 +/- 2.0 years) belonging to the same reserve team of a Spanish La Liga club participated in this study. Only the players that were available to train for a whole week with the team and also to play the weekly game were considered: Starters, players that participated in the match for at least 45 min and NonStarters, players that did not participate or played less than 45 minutes in the match. The competitive period was analysed after the division into 5x6-8 week blocks and 35x1 week microcycles. Data were also analysed with respect to number of days before the immediate match. Weekly TL variation across the in-season blocks was trivial-small for both groups except between Block 2 and Block 3 (ES= moderate). Substantial TL differences (ES= small-very likely) were found between training days, the TL pattern being a progressive increase up to MD-3 followed by a decrease until MD-1. Except for the match, sRPEres-/sRPEmus-TL was very similar between Starters and Non-Starters. In summary, perceived TL across the season displayed limited variation. Coaches periodized training contents to attain the highest weekly TL 72 hours before the match to progressively unload the players between MD-3 and the match day. The data revealed that the TL arising from the weekly game was solely responsible for the observed higher weekly TL of Starters in comparison with Non-Starters.

The reliability of handgrip strength (HGS) measurement has been confirmed in adults but has been sparsely addressed in pediatric populations. The aims of this study are twofold: to determine whether sex, age and/or hand-dominance influence the test&ndash, retest differences and to establish the reliability level of the HGS measurement in typical developing pediatric participants. A total of 338 participants aged 7&ndash, 13 years were tested using a digital handgrip strength (HGS) dynamometer (Jamar Plus+ Dynamometer) by the same rater on two testing trials separated by a one-day interval between sessions. The HGS testing was conducted according to the American Society of Hand Therapists recommendations. Relative and absolute reliability statistics were calculated. Age influenced the test&ndash, retest difference of the HGS measurement as children compared to preadolescents had lower intraclass correlation coefficients (0.95 vs. 0.98), standard error of measurement (SEM) (0.74 vs. 0.78 kg), smallest detectable difference (SDD) (2.05 vs. 2.16 kg) and higher values of the percentage value of SEM (5.48 vs. 3.44%), normalized SDD (15.52 vs. 9.61%) and a mean difference between the test and retest values (0.50 vs. 0.02 kg) for the dominant hand. The results indicate that the protocol using the Jamar digital handgrip dynamometer is a reliable instrument to measure HGS in participants aged 7&ndash, 13 years with typical development. Clinicians and researchers therefore can have confidence in determining the minimally clinical effect for HGS.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether an increased risk of injury occurrence can be determined through frequent anthropometric measurements in elite-standard youth soccer players. Over the course of one season, we followed 101 male elite-standard youth soccer players between 11 and 19 years of age. Height and body mass were monitored at monthly measurement intervals and fat percentage was assessed every 3 months by use of the sum of skinfold method. Growth in height (cm), alternations in body mass index (kg/m(2)), fat percentage and fat-free mass index (kg/m(2)) were calculated. Injuries were recorded in accordance with the recommendations of the FIFA Consensus Model for Injury Registration. Odds ratio scores and 95 % confidence intervals were calculated using binary logistic regression analyses. The following anthropometric injury risk factors were identified: >= 0.6 centimeter growth per month (p = 0.03; OR = 1.63; 95 % CI: 1.06-2.52), >= 0.3 kg/m(2) increase of body mass index value per month (p = 0.03; OR = 1.61; 95 % CI: 1.04-2.49) and low fat percentage; i.e.

For years soccer training programs were not specific, and improve technical and analytical exercises were used physical and athletic. The objective of the study was to assess the effects of a training program with small-sided games, over the technique and the physical condition in young footballers. Thirty-six players (12,69±0,48 years old; 39,77±6,20 kg; 146,31±6,36 cm) developed fifteen sessions based on reduced football games (2 vs 2, 4 vs 4 and 8 vs 8). These activities lasted 40 minutes of the session and were performed 2 times a week. The footballer was evaluated twice (pre-test and post-test) through 8 field test: run with the ball, run with the ball and turn, dribbling, header, shot on goal, aerobic resistance, horizontal jump and agility. The statistical analysis by Student's t test reflected significant improvements in driving and dribbling (p≤0,01). Respect to physical variables there were significant improvements in agility and resistance (p≤0,05). The small-sided games are an effective stimulus to improve the execution of certain technical gestures and elements of the physical condition in young players. Use small-sided game can make your time and increase the specificity of the intervention.

Cardiorespiratory fitness is the ability of the circulatory, respiratory and muscular systems to supply oxygen during sustained physical activity. Low cardiorespiratory fitness levels have been found in individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID), which puts them at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality. The aims of this review were to update previous reviews about (a) the cardiorespiratory fitness levels and their determinants in individuals with ID, and (b) the validity and reliability of cardiorespiratory fitness testing in individuals with ID. We searched the databases of Pubmed and Embase for relevant studies, resulting in 31 included articles. These studies mainly included younger participants with mild to moderate ID. Results confirmed previous findings of low cardiorespiratory fitness levels in individuals with ID. Cardiorespiratory fitness levels of children and adolescents with ID are already low, with further decline with increasing age. Furthermore, females have lower cardiorespiratory fitness levels than males. Physical inactivity and chronotropic incompetence are most likely to contribute to low cardiorespiratory fitness levels. Peak cardiorespiratory fitness levels of individuals with ID can be assessed with maximal treadmill protocols, after allowing for familiarization sessions. Although, predicting maximal oxygen uptake from field tests is problematic, field tests have been found valid and reliable as indicators of cardiorespiratory fitness. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and reliability of the modified Berg Balance Scale (mBBS) in persons with severe intellectual and visual disabilities (severe multiple disabilities, SMD) assigned Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) grades I and II. Method: Thirty-nine participants with SMD and GMFCS grades I and II performed the mBBS twice with 1-week interval. Feasibility was assessed by the percentage of successful measurements per task and of the total score. First, test-retest reliability was determined by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for each task and for the total score of all tasks combined. Second, level of agreement between test-retest scores was assessed with the proportion of equal scores for each task. Finally, internal consistency of the distinct tasks was assessed by Cronbach's alpha. Results: The results indicated that 92% of the measurements by the mBBS for all selected tasks were successful, indicating that the mBBS is a feasible instrument for the tested target group. ICC for the test-retest of the total score was 0.95. The proportion of equal scores for test-retest of the tasks was 0.80 or more, except for tasks 9 and 10. Cronbach's alpha of distinct tasks was 0.84. Test-retest reliability of tasks 9 and 10 was not acceptable. Conclusions: Feasibility of all tasks and test-retest reliability of 10 out of 12 mBBS tasks is acceptable. The mBBS is a both feasible and reliable test for evaluating the functional balance of persons with SMD and GMFCS grades I and II. PMID: 21155916 ; doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2010.01358