Search

Summary Introduction This study was designed to determine the anthropometric and the physical profile of Tunisian elite kyokushinkai athletes. Summary of facts and results The sample consisted of 33 kyokushinkai athletes divided into 2 groups: 16 elites and 17 regional athletes. Anthropometric measurements were recorded. Aerobic endurance, maximal strength, muscular power, muscle strength endurance and flexibility were measured. Athletes in both groups were similar in their mean age, body mass and body mass index. Kyokushinkai fighters in the elite group have less fat body mass (P ≤ 0.006) and more lean body mass (P ≤ 0.002) than regional athletes. The athletes in elite group achieved significantly higher performance in countermovement jump test (P ≤ 0.0.3) and medicine ball throw test (P ≤ 0.008) and had significantly higher repetition in pushups (P ≤ 0.004) and sit ups (P ≤ 0.02) than regional athletes. No significant differences were observed between groups in flexibility and VO2 max values. Conclusion Elite Tunisian kyokushinkai athletes had important maximal strength, abdominal and upper body strength endurance. The findings of the present study provided coachs and conditioning trainers working with kyokushinkai athletes a valuable tool for monitoring training and performance.

Objectives. - Leg muscle strength estimation and cardiac functional exploration helps to better understand some physical demands of practicing different styles of Taekwondo. The current study aimed to demonstrate the effect of the two existing Taekwondo practices on cardiac remodeling and leg isokinetic muscle strength in female players. Equipment and methods. - Twenty female taekwondo players divided into 2 groups [International Taekwondo (ITF) style (n = 10) and World Taekwondo (WT) style (n = 10)] were asked to achieve an echocardiographic exploration and concentric isokinetic evaluation of the knee at 60 degrees/s and 180 degrees/s with isokinetic dynamometer. Peak torqueses, peak torque relative to body mass, power and flexors/extensors ratios were studied. Results. - ITF group presented almost a higher muscular strength of the two extensors and flexors compared to WT group at the two velocities (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between dominant and non-dominant side for WT female. At 60 degrees/s, ITF knee peak torque extensors (+18.8 Nm, ES = 0.5) and flexors (+ 32.73 Nm, ES = 0.95) were significantly higher than WT group (P < 0.05). Knee mean power flexors and extensors, peak torqueses flexors and ratio were greater also at 180 degrees/s (P < 0.05). Echocardiography test showed the interventricular septum thickness (+ 1.12 mm, ES = 1.05), the shortening fraction (+ 5.13%, ES = 0.99) and the "A" wave velocity in Doppler echocardiography (+ 0.12 cm/s, ES = 1.62) were higher in the IT group compared to the WT group (P < 0.05). Since this study showed that IT females are stronger in their legs, and induce a better adaptation of left ventricle, they may be exposed to a serious risk of muscle and knee joints injuries. (C) 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and minimal detectable change (MDC) of various outcome measures that are potentially suitable for evaluating postural control in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods This was a test-retest reliability study. Participants with COPD were asked to complete 5 balance assessments, separated by 1 week. The assessments included Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test, Unipodal Stance Test (UST), Tinetti Test, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the Activities Balance Confidence (ABC) scale. Test-retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients and MDC values were calculated for each assessment. Results All 5 outcome measures were found to have excellent test-retest reliability (r > 0.90). The MDC95 values were 3.01 seconds and 4.03 seconds for the TUG Test and the UST, respectively; 3.23 points and 3.46 points for the Tinetti Test and the BBS, respectively; and 8.25% for the ABC scale. Conclusion The TUG, UST, BBS, the Tinetti Test, and the ABC scale are reliable outcome measures for use with people with COPD, recognizing that individual variability of performance is high. Minimal detectable change scores at the 95% CI can be used to assess change in performance over time and the impact of interventions in this population.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 6 months of specific balance training included in endurance-resistance program on postural balance in haemodialysis (HD) patients.Forty-nine male patients undergoing HD were randomly assigned to an intervention group (balance training included in an endurance-resistance training, n = 26) or a control group (resistance-endurance training only, n = 23). Postural control was assessed using six clinical tests; Timed Up and Go test, Tinetti Mobility Test, Berg Balance Scale, Unipodal Stance test, Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test and Activities Balance Confidence scale.All balance measures increased significantly after the period of rehabilitation training in the intervention group. Only the Timed Up and Go, Berg Balance Scale, Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test and Activities Balance Confidence scores were improved in the control group. The ranges of change in these tests were greater in the balance training group.In HD patients, specific balance training included in a usual endurance-resistance training program improves static and dynamic balance better than endurance-resistance training only. Implications for rehabilitation Rehabilitation using exercise in haemodialysis patients improved global mobility and functional abilities. Specific balance training included in usual endurance resistance training program could lead to improved static and dynamic balance.

Summary Objectives The aim of this study is to explore relationships between balance deficit and disease-related factor such as lung function, nutritional status and exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods This was a cross-sectional study in which adults with COPD underwent pulmonary function testing (plethysmography), 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and nutritional status assessment using Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Body balance was quantified using Timed UP and GO test (TUG), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Tinetti test and Unipodal Stance test (UST). Results Fifty-eight patients with COPD completed the investigation. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), Tiffeneau index, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) and dyspnea were significantly lower in COPD patients with low scores (at risk) in all assessment balance tests. The MNA score was very significantly lower in COPD patients who have an “at risk” score in TUG and Tinetti test. Similarly, it was lower in patient with “at risk”score in BBS and UST. All balance tests were associated significantly to FEV1, MNA and dyspnea max and to Tiffeneau index and BMI. The 6MWD was correlated with TUG, BBS and Tinetti test but not with UST. Conclusion The present study confirms that body balance limitation is associated with lung function and nutritional status and exercise tolerance in COPD patients.

PURPOSE Balance impairment is recognized as an important issue for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of balance training as part of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on balance in COPD patients. METHODS Patients were randomly assigned to an intervention or usual care group. The intervention group underwent balance training 3 times a week for 6 months in addition to the standard PR. The control group received 6 months of the standard PR program only. Balance was assessed by the Timed Up and Go (TUG), Tinetti, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the Unipodal Stance (UST) tests. Balance confidence was rated using the ABC scale. Exercise tolerance was determined using a 6-Minute Walk Test. RESULTS Following the completion of PR, the intervention group showed improvement in all balance measures. Only TUG, ABC, and UST scores were improved in the usual care group (P < .05). Results demonstrated significant between-group differences in TUG, Tinetti, BBS, and ABC scores (P < .01) and UST score (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Balance training incorporated into a standard PR program significantly improves scores on balance tests in COPD patients.

PURPOSE Balance impairment in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with a worsening of quality of life (QOL) as related with fatigue perception, depression, and anxiety. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of balance training included in pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on QOL, fatigue perception, depression, and anxiety in patients with COPD. METHODS Patients were assigned randomly to an intervention or PR-only group. The intervention group underwent balance training 3 times a week for 6 months concurrently with PR. The PR-only group received 6 months of the standard PR program. Quality of life was assessed at the beginning and at the end of the program using the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, fatigue using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, and anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Exercise tolerance was determined from the 6-minute walk test. RESULTS After the 6 months of the intervention or PR-only, both the intervention (n = 32) and PR-only (n = 30) groups improved their QOL (activity, impact, and total) with a significant intergroup difference (P < .05) after PR. General fatigue, physical fatigue, and reduced activity decreased in both groups with an intergroup difference (P < .05). Anxiety decreased significantly in both groups with a greater change in the intervention group (P < .01). Only the intervention group had an improved depression score at the end of 6 months. CONCLUSIONS Balance training added to PR improved health-related QOL, fatigue, and mental health in patients with COPD.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether listening to Holy Qur’an recitation would augment the beneficial effects of physical exercise on physiological and psychological measures in elderly patients undergoing haemodialysis. Fifty-three male haemodialysis patients were randomly assigned to an intervention group (listening to Holy Qur’an recitation in combination with endurance–resistance training, n = 28) or a control group (endurance–resistance training only, n = 25). Functional capacity was assessed using the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Psychosocial outcomes were assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Dialysis adequacy (Kt/V) was calculated for all patients. After intervention, a significant Group × Period interaction effect was observed for all measured parameters (p < 0.05), except for 6MWT performance (p > 0.05). All measured parameters were significantly improved over baseline in both groups, except for Kt/V in the control group (p > 0.05). Moreover, final measurements were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group for all measured parameters, except for 6MWT performance and the physical component summary of the SF-36 (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the present study showed that listening to a recitation of the Holy Qur’an in combination with interdialytic endurance–resistance training induced an improvement in physical condition and quality of life and a large reduction in anxiety among patients undergoing haemodialysis.Keywords: End-stage renal disease; Holy Qur’an recitation; exercise; quality of life; anxiety; depression

Skeletal muscle wasting commonly occurs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and has been associated with the presence of systemic inflammation and endocrinological disturbance. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of rehabilitation program on the balance of anabolic versus catabolic hormone in patients with COPD and in healthy subjects.Nineteen patients with COPD and 16 age-matched healthy subjects undertooked exercise training 3 days/week for 8 weeks. Before and after the training program the concentration of growth hormone (GH), Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), Insulin-like Growth Factor-Binding Protein 3 (IGF-BP3), testosterone and cortisol in serum were determined. The exercise measurements included a 6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT).After 8 weeks, there was no significant change in lung function in patients with COPD and healthy subjects. Growth hormone, Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 and Insulin-like Growth Factor-Binding Protein 3 increased significantly after rehabilitation training (p0.01). The rehabilitation program improves the testosterone/cortisol ratio (T/C ratio) in both groups. There is a significant improvement in the 6-Minute Walking distance (6MWD) in both groups (p0.01). Dyspnea and heart rate at rest and at the peak of the 6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT) decreased significantly after training program (p0.01).Pulmonary rehabilitation induces an improvement of the anabolic process and reduces proteine distruction by the modifications in endocrinological factors regulating skeletal muscle in patients with COPD.

Background: Deficits in balance are increasingly recognized among the important secondary impairments in COPD. Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of rehabilitation program on balance in COPD patients compared to healthy subjects. Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted. The balance of COPD patients and healthy subjects was assessed by the Timed up and go test (TUG), the Tinetti test, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Unipodal stance test (UST) test with measurement of balance confidence using ABC scale. Exercise tolerance was determined from the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Results: We noted a significant difference between the two groups in all measures of balance at baseline. Following the period of PR, it was found no significant difference in the confidence of COPD patients and healthy subjects in their balance. However, for the TUG, BBS score and UST, a statistically significant improvement in the COPD group was found (p

Background: Skeletal muscle wasting commonly occurs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and has been associated with the presence of systemic inflammation and endocrinological disturbance. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of rehabilitation program on the balance of anabolic versus catabolic hormone in patients with COPD and in healthy subjects. Methods: Seventeen patients with COPD and sixteen age-matched healthy subjects’ underwent exercise training 3 days/week for 8 weeks. Before and after the training program the concentration of growth hormone (GH), Insulin like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), Insulin-like Growth Factor-Binding Protein 3 (IGF-BP3), testosterone and cortisol in serum were determined. The exercise measurements included a Six-Minute Walking Test (6MWT). Results: After 8 weeks, there was no significant change in lung function in patients with COPD and healthy subjects. There is a significant improvement in the Six-Minute Walking distance (6MWD) in both groups (p