Effets de 3 mois de pratique régulière des activités physiques et sportives de maintien sur la composition corporelle et les paramètres psychologiques chez des femmes obèses ou en surpoids au Cameroun

28 femmes obèses ou en surpoids (IMC>25), nouvellement admises à un programme de remise en forme, âgées de 39 ± 10 ans, ont pris part à une étude dont le but était d'évaluer, sur une période de 3 mois (T0, T1, T2, T3), la variation du poids, l'indice de masse corporelle (IMC), la masse grasse (%MG), la masse musculaire (MM), la densité osseuse (DO) et le pourcentage d'eau (%H2O) d'une part et, d'autre part celle de l'estime de soi (ES) et de la qualité de vie (QV). Elles ont été soumises à des séances d'activités physiques aérobies, quatre fois par semaine, d'une heure trente minutes de durée. Le poids, l'IMC, la MM, la DO et le %H2O n'ont pas varié significativement. Une analyse par classe d'âge montre des baisses significatives de l'IMC (p< 0,01) et du %MG de l'ordre de 9,7% (p<0,0001).Le test post-hoc de Tukey révèle des différences significatives (p< 0,05) sur la MM et le %H2O. L'ES et la QV ont eu des variations respectives de 19,9% et 15,2% (p<0,001). Trois mois d'expérimentation améliorent le bien être psychologique mais, n'ont pas suffi pour améliorer les paramètres corporels

Aerobic dance exercise improves blood glucose level in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Exercise has been recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as an adjunct treatment for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM); however; there is no planned exercise mode and type for this population. This study investigated the effect of structured aerobic dance exercise on the blood glucose level in pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes attending clinic at Federal Medical Centre; Owerri; Nigeria. Thirty-four women diagnosed with gestational diabetes who met the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study. They were randomly assigned into exercise and control groups of 17 participants each. The Exercise group underwent 8 weeks aerobic dance exercise consisting of three exercise sessions per week; 40 minutes per session for the first 4 weeks and 60 minutes per session for the last 4 weeks. The Control group did not participate in any form of structured exercise programme throughout the period of the study but were encouraged to continue with their normal activities of daily living. The data for the study were collected at baseline; at 4 weeks and at 8 weeks of the exercise programme. Thirty (30) of the participants completed the study and so only their data were analysed using Repeated Measure ANOVA and Independent t-test. Results of the study showed significant improvement in the fasting blood sugar (p = .001) of the exercise group. It was suggested following the result of the study; that exercise be made part of treatment plan for women with GDM in our health institutions

Exercise Prescription in the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis

"Background: Over the last few years; the types of exercises prescribed for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have changed. There is also increasing knowledge on the physical status and physical activity levels of these patients. This article aims to give an overview of the physical status; physical activity levels and appropriate exercise prescription for patients with RA. Method: A literature search was conducted of scientific journals and text; including Medline and PubMed (1980-2012). Literature was selected for its in-depth data and well researched information. Key search terms included ""RA and exercise therapy""; as well as ""physical activity levels and physical status of patients with RA"". Results: The literature indicated that RA has a major impact on physical and psychological health. Over the past decade; there has been growing evidence of the health benefits of physical activity for patients with RA. Despite this evidence; patients with RA are less physically active than the general population. The types of exercises prescribed for patients with RA have changed from the traditionally prescribed isometric and range-of-motion exercises. However; proper choice and appropriate utilisation of exercise is essential in order to provide a therapeutic effect. Conclusion: Although pharmacological interventions have largely improved RA management; exercise therapy remains an important part of treatment. Despite the known benefits of physical activity and exercise; patients with RA are less physically active than the general population."

Neuromusculoskeletal disorders in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: outcome of a twelve-week therapeutic exercise programme

ABSTRACT. Background and Objectives:Usual line of management of diabetes patients is drug and diet with their physical needs usually receiving minimal attention. Among the physical needs, requiring attention is their neuromusculoskeletal disorders. This study was designed to investigate the effect of a twelve-week therapeutic exercise on neuromusculoskeletal disorders of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) patients. Methods: Forty-three participants from the Diabetes Specialty Clinic ofAminu KanoTeaching Hospital, Kano completed the study. Selected neuromusculoskeletal disorders including pain, dermatological foot grades, disorders of ranges of motion and strength of selected joints and muscles were assessed before and after a period of twelve weeks of therapeutic exercises. Participants were followed up for another twelve weeks without therapeutic exercises. Results: Baseline assessment revealed poor neuromusculoskeletal status. Significant improvements (P<0.05) were obtained for pain, Severity of Dermatological Foot Grading, Muscle strength (One Repetition Maximum)and Range of Motions at the end of the exercises except that of right wrist extension (P>0.05). Conclusions: T2D patients presented with neuromusculoskeletal disorders at baseline. Therapeutic exercises however assisted in the improvement of these disorders but relapsed when exercises were suspended. Engagement in therapeutic exercises enhanced neuromusculoskeletal health, while withdrawal from the exercise contributed to a decline. T2D patients should be encouraged to participate in therapeutic exercises in order to promote their health and function

Exercice and Depression : a Treatment Manual

Increased frequencies in unipolarmajor depression and dysthymia evolve into chronic depression (Gotlib et Hammen; 1992:ll). Depression is reportedly the most common disorder; comprising 75of all psychiatric hospitalisations (Gotlib et Hammen; 1992:17). In the South African context there are few effective manual-based therapy programmes for the treatment of unipolar major depression or dysthymia. This study aimed to develop a manual-based therapy programme for the treatment of unipolar major depression as well as dysthymia; comprising a short-term intervention strategy (a minimum of eight sessions; and a follow-up session) influenced by a cognitive behavioural model focusing on exercise therapy and medication. The control group received non-specific treatment. The research results indicated a shift in different mood constructs for the sample group; as measured by the Nowlis Mood Adjective Checklist. Furthermore; negative emotional states decreased in severity and positive states increased; during andafter the intervention. A significant decrease in depression scales was also found; as measured by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Millon Multi-Axial lnventory 11. Furthermore; the personal accounts of the clients were used to gain insight into changing cognitive structures andperspectives; which indicated an increase in concentration; motivation and sense of control

Respiratory function in insulin-dependent diabetic patients

The study was designed to evaluate the difference in some respiratory functions between insulin-dependent diabetic patients(n=19) and non-diabetic individuals (n = 19). The measured values of FVC; FEV1 and PEFR of the diabetic patients were compared with those of the non-diabetics; as well as the predicted volumes for Nigerians. The diabetic patients showed significantly lower values when compared with the non-diabetics and the predicted volumes. The reduced volumes observed were related to the widespread abnormality of connective tissue known to occur in diabetes. The need for studies on larger population of insulin-dependent patients was highlighted

The step height and the stepping distance as important predictors of the maximal knee joint angle in stepping movements - A proposal for the reconditioning of the injured knee@

The strategies of steps negotiation by individuals were investigated with the aim of relating anthropometric variable; step height; and stepping distance to the joint movements at the knee. Measurements of statures and lengths of limb; leg and foot were taken from 30 subjects. Absolute maximal knee angles were obtained separately for each of the subjects - for different step heights and for different stepping distances. Correlation coefficients of anthropometric variables with the knee angle were compared in cases in which the step height was normalised with respect to each of the anthropometric variables. Stature was eventually used to normalize both step height and stepping distance. A regression equation was developed to predict the absolute maximal knee angle for a given relative step height and at a given relative distance