Individualized supervised resistance training during nebulization in adults with cystic fibrosis

Background and Objective: Since dyspnea limits exercise adherence and intensity in cystic fibrosis [CF] patients, engaging in resistance training [RT], which causes less dyspnea than other exercise modalities, while using nebulizers could not only overcome this barrier, but also enhance long-term adaptations to treatment. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of RT during nebulization on spirometry, anthropometry, chest wall excursion, respiratory muscle strength and health-related quality of life [HRQOL]

Methods:Fourteen male and female CF patients were assigned to a four-week, 20-minute, 5-day per week proof-of-concept RT group [RTG] [n=7] or non-exercising control group [CON] [n=7], with 3 CON patients later dropping out of the study. Patients performed whole body exercises for 3 sets of 10 reps using resistance bands, since such bands have previously demonstrated a greater effect on functional exercise capacity than conventional RT in lung patients

Results:The RTG displayed significant [p

Conclusion:This small scale proof-of-concept investigation demonstrates the multiple and simultaneous benefits of RT during nebulization in CF patients. The improvements in pulmonary measures are particularly promising especially since this study only made use of a four-week experimental period. This study provides an important alternative, time-saving treatment for the CF patient that does not add to the treatment burden of CF patients

Shoulder injury incidence and severity through identification of risk factors in rugby union players

This study aimed to analyze shoulder injury incidence and severity to reduce players' risk of sustaining injuries and missing playing time. Ninety-five South African Premier team rugby Union players [mean: 25 years of age] took part in the study with injury data collected through the use of injury reports. This study found that approximately two of every five participants sampled incurred a primary shoulder injury with dislocation being the most prevalent. Twenty-one [80.8%] of the participants that experienced a primary shoulder injury also sustained a secondary shoulder injury with rotator cuff tears being most predominant. Only three players were found to have suffered tertiary shoulder injuries. The injuries were mainly related to tackling during training and matches. Twenty players were found to have adhered to a strength and conditioning program prior to their injuries and 14 of the injured participants received or adhered to a prehabilitation program. Eight of the injured players also suffered from recurrent injuries with dislocations being the most common. Results indicated that specific positions in rugby are at higher risk of shoulder injuries than others and that with the correct preventive measures put in place, the severity of injuries can be reduced

Centripetal fat patterning in South African children

The waist-to-stature ratio [WSR] is newly developed index, proposed to be of greater value as a simple anthropometric indicator, for predicting abdominal obesity and related cardiovascular co-morbidities in adults and children. This study examined age and gender differences in waist-to-stature [WSR] as measure of centripetal fat patterning in a sample of children in Pretoria, South Africa. A cross-sectional study of 1136 schoolchildren [548 boys and 588 girls] aged 9-13 [11.2 +/- 1.3] years were studied. Anthropometric measurements included body mass, stature and waist circumference. WSR was calculated by dividing waist circumference [in cm] by stature [in cm]. Data were analysed using means and standard deviation. The parametric t-test was applied to examine sexual dimorphism in fat patterning among the children. The proportion of children with a WSR /= 0.5 was 47 [8.6%], while girls were 108 [18.4%]. The prevalence of central obesity [WSR >/= 0.5] was found at all age and sex categories with the highest prevalence rate found at age 13 in both sexes. The fact that WSR >/= 0.5 [13.6%] was found in these children, even among the youngest, is a cause for concern since obesity-related problems are likely to be present among the children. The need to design and implement appropriate intervention strategies at school and community levels is evident

Static standing posture and pulmonary function in moderate-persistent asthmatics following aerobic and diaphragmatic breathing training

The present study evaluated and compared the effects of aerobic and diaphragmatic breathing training on static standing posture and its relation to effort-dependant pulmonary function in moderate-persistent asthmatics. Sixty-six inactive, moderate-persistent asthmatics were matched and randomly assigned to an eight-week, three times weekly aerobic training [At], diaphragmatic breathing training [Db] or as part of a non-exercise control [No] group. At walked and jogged at 60%HR[max]. Db performed diaphragmatic breathing combined with inspiratory resistive breathing at varying inspiration, expiration ratios while control group received no structured exercise. Following At and Db, significant improvement were found in FVC [At:p=0.001;Db:p=0.000], FEV[1] [At:p=0.000;Db:p=0.000], PEF [At:p=0.012; Db: p=0.000] and IVC [At:p=0.006;Db:p=0.000]. Only At improved MVV [p=0.000]. At and Db did not significantly change the position of their knee [At:p=0.296;Db:p=0.247], hip [At:p=0.236;Db:p=0.383], shoulder [At:p=0.289;Db:p=0.509] and anterior auditory meatus [At:p=0.207;Db:p=0.198]. Both At and Db improved pulmonary function in asthmatics despite no changes in posture suggesting that both modes may be a useful adjuvant therapy in moderate-persistent asthmatics for optimized asthma management