Effect of number of college baseball pitching on movement, performance, physical strength, physiological, and psychological functions of pitchers / 体力科学

This study aimed to examine the effects of college baseball pitching on movement, performance, physical strength, and physiological and psychological functions of pitchers. The participants were 10 right-handed male pitchers from the University baseball team. The number of pitches were 15 per inning and 135 per nine innings. Ball speed and accuracy were measured for each pitching. The grip strength, back muscle strength, and standing long jump were measured before and after all pitches. Blood lactate levels were measured before pitching, at the end of the 5th and 7th innings, and at 3rd, 6th, and 9th minutes after pitching. The participant’s heart rate and subjective exercise intensity were measured at the beginning and end of each inning using the Borg scale measurement. Five high-speed cameras were used to capture the pitching motions. The displacement of the center of gravity, lower and upper limb joint angles, and the speed of each segment were calculated. The baseball speed and accuracy did not change with the increased number of pitches. However, the grip strength decreased. Although blood lactate and heart rate were not altered, subjective exercise intensity was increased. The lower limb kinematics remained unchanged; however, elbow height was reduced in the upper limb. These results suggest that highly competitive pitchers experience subjective fatigue with the increased number of pitches, however, they maintain pitch performance, speed, and accuracy without altering whole-body physiology and lower-body function and form.

Effectiveness of a Conditioning Program on Amateur Female Marathon Runners.

There is a sudden rise in the participation of middle-aged women in marathons across India without proper knowledge about how to prepare for these marathons. This leads to rise in injuries in them like low back pain, knee pain, stress fractures, urinary incontinence etc., some of which can easily be avoided. There is a need to find out a suitable conditioning program for these participants that will target problems affecting this age group and gender specifically. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of conditioning program on post run physical functioning in female amateur marathon runners. Pain Assessment, DOMS, Modified Borg Scale were used for assessing the individuals. METHODSIn this comparative study, 52 amateur female marathon runners, were randomly allocated into two groups with 26 runners in each group. We evaluated pain and exertion using pain assessment and Borg Scale. Occurrence of incontinence was assessed by asking a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ question. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) was assessed using pain pressure threshold (PPT) 24 hrs. post run. RESULTSThere was a significant effect of the conditioning program on these female runners compared to administration of no conditioning at all. There was a reduction of pain in all the components of the pain scale (p= <0.001). Exertion of the trained runners was also less (p= <0.001) as well as in the occurrence of incontinence (p= <0.0430). PPT was also substantially increased in them (p= <0.001). CONCLUSIONSThe conditioning program administered to amateur female marathon runners was effective in reducing their risk of injuries and problems related to women’s health that occur while running a marathon.

Effort Assessment of Stroke Patients in Physiotherapy Session by Accelerometry and Perceived Exertion Score: Preliminary Study

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether post-stroke patient’s perceived exertion correlates with effort intensity score as measured by a wearable sensor and to assess whether estimates of perceived exertion are correlated to the cerebral hemisphere involved in the stroke. METHODS: We evaluated the effort intensity score during physiotherapy sessions using a wearable sensor and subjects assessed their perceived exertion using the modified Borg CR10 Scale. RESULTS: Fifty-seven subacute stroke patients participated in the study. The correlation between perceived exertion rating and measured effort intensity was insignificant—mean (r=−0.04, p=0.78) and peak (r=−0.05, p=0.70). However, there was a significant difference (p<0.02) in the perceived exertion ratings depending on the cerebral hemisphere where the stroke occurred. Patients with left-hand side lesions rated their perceived exertion as 4.5 (min–max, 0.5–8), whereas patients with right-hand side lesions rated their perceived exertion as 5.0 (2–8). CONCLUSION: While there was an insignificant correlation between perceived exertion and effort intensity measured by a wearable sensor, a consistent variations in perceived exertion estimates according to the side of the cerebral lesion was identified and established.

Comparação do índice de esforço percebido e consumo de oxigênio em exercício em cicloergômetro entre gestantes e não-gestantes e entre o exercício aquático e terrestre / Comparison of the rating of perceived exertion and oxygen uptake during exercise between pregnant and non-pregnant women and between water and land-based exercises

O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar o índice de esforço percebido (IEP) e o consumo de oxigênio (VO2) durante o exercício aquático e terrestre, na intensidade do primeiro limiar ventilatório entre gestantes e não-gestantes. Sete gestantes (idade gestacional entre 27ª e 30ª semanas) e sete não-gestantes realizaram dois testes contínuos em cicloergômetro (água e terra) na intensidade do primeiro limiar ventilatório. Durante os testes, os gases respiratórios foram coletados com um analisador de gases portátil KB1-C da marca Aerosport. A frequência cardíaca (FC) foi obtida através de um Polar modelo F1. Os dados foram coletados a cada 20s. O IEP era indicado ao término do exercício através da escala RPE de Borg (6-20). Utilizou-se ANOVA para medidas repetidas de 1 FATOR, com post hoc de Bonferroni (p < 0,05). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas para o VO2 e para o IEP comparando os exercícios aquático e terrestre. Além disso, não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre gestantes e não-gestantes. Concluímos que o IEP pode ser usado para prescrição do exercício aquático e terrestre e para gestantes e não-gestantes, quando este for realizado na intensidade do primeiro limiar ventilatório e em cicloergômetro.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the differences in ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and oxygen uptake (VO2) behavior during water and land-based exercise, performed in the exercise intensity of the first ventilatory threshold between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Seven pregnant (gestational ages between the 27th and 30th week) and seven non-pregnant women performed two continuous cycle ergometer tests (water and land-based) at the first ventilatory threshold intensity. During all sessions, respiratory gases were collected with a portable AEROSPORT KB1-C mixing box gas analyzer. A pneumotach was used with a neoprene mask. Heart rate (HR) measurements were obtained with a POLAR F1. Data were collected every 20s. RPE on Borg scale from 6 to 20 was derived at the end of the exercise. One-way ANOVA was applied for repeated measures using the post-hoc Bonferroni test (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in VO2 or RPE when comparing water with land-based exercise. In the same way, no significant difference was found between pregnant and non-pregnant subjects. We suggest that RPE can be used for water and land-based exercise prescription on cycle ergometer at the intensity of first ventilatory threshold, for both pregnant and non-pregnant women.

A escala de Borg como ferramenta de auto-monitorização e auto-adaptação do esforço em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca na hidroterapia e no solo: estudo randomizado, cego e controlado / The Borg scale as a tool for self-monitoring and self-regulation of the exercise effort in patients with heart failure in hydrotherapy and land: a randomized, blinded, controlled trial

INTRODUÇÃO: A escala de Borg é a padronização da percepção subjetiva de esforço mais difundida e seu uso já foi proposto para garantir um esforço submáximo em portadores da síndrome da insuficiência cardíaca (SIC). A hidroterapia é um novo método usado nos programas de reabilitação cardiovascular que parece proporcionar ao paciente um benefício extra em relação ao treinamento físico convencional. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o uso da escala de Borg entre relativamente fácil e ligeiramente cansativo como uma ferramenta de auto-monitorização e auto-adaptação do esforço físico em portadores da SIC no solo e na piscina, por possivelmente levar a freqüência cardíaca a uma faixa entre o limiar anaeróbio e o ponto de compensação respiratório. MÉTODOS: Os pacientes realizaram uma ergoespirometria para determinação dos limiares metabólicos. O percentual da freqüência cardíaca média durante a sessão de exercício em relação à freqüência cardíaca referente ao limiar anaeróbio (%FCE-LA), em relação ao ponto de compensação respiratório (%FCE-PCR), em relação à freqüência cardíaca de pico medida pela ergoespirometria (%FCE-pico) e em relação à freqüência cardíaca máxima predita para a idade (%FCE-Predita) foi realizado. Posteriormente, os pacientes foram randomizados para os grupos piscina ou solo. Um investigador, cego para a freqüência cardíaca referente aos limiares metabólicos instruiu os pacientes a caminhar entre relativamente fácil e ligeiramente cansativo. A freqüência cardíaca média após 30 minutos de exercício foi considerada. RESULTADOS: O %FCE-LA (114±11 versus 111±11, p=0,352) e %FCE-Predita (61±8 versus 58±7, p=0,306) não diferiram entre os grupos piscina e solo; mas diferente no %FCE-PCR (95±7 versus 86±7, p<0,001) e no %EHR-Peak (85±8 versus 78±9, p=0,007). O %FCE-LA (ri=0,63, p=0,018) mostrou uma concordância entre os grupos, mas o %FCE-PCR (ri=0.33, p=0.192), %FCE-pico (ri=-0,18, p=0,643) e %FCE-Predita (ri=-0,38, p=0,755) não. CONCLUSÃO: O exercício físico...

BACKGROUND: The Borg scale is the standardization of perceived exertion most widespread and has been proposed to ensure a submaximal effort in patients with the syndrome of heart failure (SIC). Hydrotherapy is a new method used in cardiovascular rehabilitation programs that seems to offer the patient an extra benefit compared to conventional exercise training. AIM: To evaluate the use of the Borg scale between "relatively easy and slightly tiring" as a tool for self-monitoring and self-adaptation to physical exertion in patients with the SIC on the land and on the hidrotherapy, by possibly lead the heart rate to a range between anaerobic threshold and respiratory compensation. METHODS: Patients performed the cardiopulmonary exercise test to determine the metabolic thresholds. The percentage of the mean heart rate during the exercise session in relation to the anaerobic threshold heart rate (%FCE-LA), in relation to the respiratory compensation point (%EHR-PCR), in relation to the peak heart rate by the exercise test (%EHR-Peak) and in relation to the maximum predicted heart rate (%EHR-Predicted) were performed. Then, patients were randomized into land or water groups. One investigator, blinded to metabolic thresholds heart rate, instructed the patients to walk between relatively easy and slightly tiring. The mean heart rate after the 30 minutes of exercise session was recorded. RESULTS: The %EHR-AT (114±11 to 111±11, p=0,352) and %EHR-Predicted (61±8 to 58±7, p=0,306) were not different between land and water groups; but different in the %EHR-PCR (95±7 to 86±7, p<0,001) and in the %EHR-Peak (85±8 to 78±9, p=0,007). The %EHR-AT (ri=0,63, p=0,018) showed an agreement between groups, but %EHR-VT (ri=0,33, p=0,192), %EHR-Peak (ri=-0,18, p=0,643) and %EHR-Predicted (ri=-0,38, p=0,755) did not. CONCLUSION: The exercise guided by the Borg scale has led to heart rate during exercise to a range between the threshold and respiratory compensation point...

Reproducibility of the self-controlled six-minute walking test in heart failure patients

INTRODUCTION: The six-minute walk test (6WT) has been proposed to be a submaximal test, but could actually demand a high level of exercise intensity from the patient, expressed by a respiratory quotient >1.0, following the guideline recommendations. Standardizing the 6WT using the Borg scale was proposed to make sure that all patients undergo a submaximal walking test. PURPOSE: To test the reproducibility of the six-minute treadmill cardiopulmonary walk test (6CWT) using the Borg scale and to make sure that all patients undergo a submaximal test. METHODS: Twenty-three male heart failure patients (50±9 years) were included; these patients had both ischemic (5) and non-ischemic (18) heart failure with a left ventricle ejection fraction of 23±7 percent, were diagnosed as functional class NYHA II-III and were undergoing optimized drug therapy. Patients were guided to walk at a pace between "relatively easy and slightly tiring" (11 and 13 on Borg scale). The 6CWT using the Borg scale was performed two times on a treadmill with zero inclination and patient control of speed with an interval of 24 hours. During the sixth minute, we analyzed ventilation (VE, L/min), respiratory quotient, Oxygen consumption (VO2, ml/kg/min), VE/VCO2 slope, heart rate (HR, bpm), systolic blood pressure (SBP, mmHg), diastolic (DBP, mmHg) blood pressure and distance. RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficients at the sixth minute were: HR (r i=0.96, p<0.0001), VE (r i=0.84, p<0.0001), SBP (r i=0.72, p=0.001), distance (r i=0.88, p<0.0001), VO2 (r i=0.92, p<0.0001), SlopeVE/VCO2 (r i=0.86, p<0.0001) and RQ<1 (r i=0.6, p=0.004). CONCLUSION: Using the 6CWT with the Borg scale was reproducible, and it seems to be an appropriate method to evaluate the functional capacity of heart failure patients while making sure that they undergo a submaximal walking test.

Effect of Spa Therapy on the Six-minute Walk Test in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

Our previous studies have shown that spa therapy can reduce subjective symptoms and improve ventilatory function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study is to measure the effects of spa therapy on walking distance during the six-minute walk test in patients with COPD. Twenty-five COPD patients hospitalized for pulmonary rehabilitation at our hospital were included in this study. Twenty-two patients were male and 3 patients were female. Two patients had stage I, 9 patients had stage II, and 14 patients had stage III COPD, according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. We offered complex spa therapy (swimming training in a hot spring pool, inhalation of iodine salt solution, and fango therapy) in all patients for 4 weeks. Ventilatory function, six-minute walk distance, oxygen saturation and Borg scale were measured. Vital capacity (VC) was significantly improved by spa therapy at 4 weeks (p<0.05). The values of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV_1.0), forced expiratory flow after 75% of expired FVC (FEF₇₅), forced expiratory flow after 50% of expired FVC (FEF₅₀), forced expiratory flow after 25% of expired FVC (FEF₂₅), mean expiratory flow during the middle half of the FVC (FEF_25-75), residual volume (RV), functional residual capacity (FRC), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) showed a tendency to increase, however the increase in the 10 parameters was not significant. The values of six-minute walk distance before and after spa therapy were 288±106m and 323±114m, respectively (p<0.05). There was a significant decrease in values of maximum Borg Scale values (p<0.05). The values of minimum oxygen saturation and the values of oxygen saturation at rest slightly increased, but not significantly. The change of six-minute walk distance correlated with change of VC (r=0.545; p<0.05), with change of FVC (r=0.628; p<0.05), with change of FEV_1.0 (r=0.559; p<0.05), with change of FEF₅₀ (r=0.480; p<0.05), with change of minimum oxygen saturation (SpO₂) (r=0.554; p<0.05) and with change of SpO₂ at rest (r=0.445; p<0.05). We found that spa therapy induced improvements in ventilatory dysfunction and six-minute walk distance in patients with COPD. The results from this study reveal that spa therapy may improve disease control and exercise tolerance in patients with COPD.