Association between phase angle from bioelectrical impedance analysis and level of physical activity: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between physical activity and phase angle. DESIGN: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: Electronic searches of MEDLINE (via PUBMED), EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library), SciELO, LILACS, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception to December 10th, 2017. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: The PICOS strategy was defined, in which "P" corresponded to participants of any age, sex or ethnicity, "I" indicated any type of physical activity program, "C" denoted lack of exercise or irregular physical activity, "O" corresponded to the phase angle obtained by bio-impedance, and "S" indicated longitudinal or cross-sectional studies. RESULTS: In cross-sectional studies the phase angle was higher among the active individuals (MD = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.48, 0.92, P < 0.001), with low heterogeneity (I2 = 0%; P = 0.619). In longitudinal studies, the mean of the difference of phase angles from the baseline was significantly higher for the active group than the control group (MD = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.49, P = 0.001), with low heterogeneity (I2 = 13%, P = 0.331). No evidence of publication bias was found and the overall risk of bias was moderate to high. SUMMARY/CONCLUSION: The positive association of physical activity with phase angle reinforces the importance of routinely including exercise in health care. We also identified the need for further studies to define with different types, intensities and frequencies of exercises should be conducted in order to find the best dose-effect relationship.

Physical exercise recommendations improve postural changes found in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate postural changes and the distribution of plantar pressures in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). We also sought to evaluate the effects of an educational guideline for physical activity on body posture in children and adolescents with CF. STUDY DESIGN: This was a 2-phase study of individuals between age 7 and 20 years. Phase I was a cross-sectional study in which healthy subjects were selected for postural evaluation and baropodometry, aiming to perform a later comparison with patients with CF. In phase II, we performed a randomized controlled clinical trial to assess the influence of the exercise guideline on the postural changes. Patients were assigned to 2 groups: control and intervention. The intervention consisted of a handbook with instructions for aerobic exercise and stretching. Main outcomes were postural abnormalities, plantar pressure distribution, and lung function. RESULTS: In phase I, 34 patients with CF and 34 healthy matched individuals were included. No significant baseline differences were identified. Children with CF presented more postural deviations compared with healthy subjects (P < .05), as to alignment of the head, shoulder girdle, and pelvis, increased cervical lordosis, and lateral chest distance. In phase II (n = 34), there were no baseline differences between groups. The intervention caused (P < .05) a decrease in cervical lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, lateral chest distance, and abdominal protrusion, as well as in the baropodometric mean pressure and contact area. CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents with CF present postural changes when compared with healthy individuals. The educational guideline for exercise practice helped to improve posture, preventing the progression of some postural disorders.

Effects of an educational intervention of physical activity for children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Regular aerobic exercise in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) improves aerobic conditioning and delays disease progression, resulting in better quality of life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an aerobic exercise program based on verbal and written guidelines on maximum exercise capacity using a cardiopulmonary exercise test, quality of life, and the self-reported aerobic exercise practice of children and adolescents with CF. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial followed guidelines for physical exercise in a CF center. Subjects were assigned to 2 groups: intervention (group 1), with 17 subjects; and control (group 2), also with 17 subjects. Data were collected from October 2010 to October 2011, and the study population comprised 7-20-y-old children and adolescents with CF. The intervention consisted of handing out a manual with guidelines for aerobic physical exercises and reinforcing recommendations in telephone calls every 2 weeks. RESULTS: Thirty-four subjects were included in the study, 20 of whom were boys (58.5%). The groups were similar at baseline. In group 1, 6 subjects (35.2%) reported practicing physical exercises regularly. The mean age was 13.4 ± 2.8 y, the mean percent-of-predicted FEV1 was 95.5 ± 17.9%, and the mean peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2 ) relative to body mass was 34.9 ± 9.0 mL/kg/min. In group 2, 4 subjects (23.5%) reported practicing physical exercises regularly. The mean age was 12.7 ± 3.3 y, the mean percent-of-predicted FEV1 was 100.1 ± 21.2%, and the mean peak V̇O2 was 33.2 ± 8.2 mL/kg/min. In group 1, there was a significant increase in physical exercise practice as reported by subjects after 3 months of intervention compared with group 2 (P = .01). No statistically significant differences were found for the other variables. CONCLUSIONS: Verbal and written guidelines for aerobic exercise, together with supervision over the telephone, had a positive impact on the self-reported regular physical exercise practice of children and adolescents. However, no improvement was found in lung function and maximum exercise capacity or domains of the quality of life questionnaire.

Three methods of manual external chest compressions during microgravity simulation.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in microgravity is challenging. There are three single-person CPR techniques that can be performed in microgravity: the Evetts-Russomano (ER), Handstand (HS), and Reverse Bear Hug (RBH). All three methods have been evaluated in parabolic flights, but only the ER method has been shown to be effective in prolonged microgravity simulation. All three methods of CPR have yet to be evaluated using the current 2010 guidelines. METHODS: There were 23 male subjects who were recruited to perform simulated terrestrial CPR (+1 G(z)) and the three microgravity CPR methods for four sets of external chest compressions (ECC). To simulate microgravity, the subjects used a body suspension device (BSD) and trolley system. True depth (D(T)), ECC rate, and oxygen consumption (Vo2) were measured. RESULTS: The mean (+/- SD) D(T) for the ER (37.4 +/- 1.5 mm) and RBH methods (23.9 +/- 1.4 mm) were significantly lower than +1 G(z) CPR. However, both methods attained an ECC rate that met the guidelines (105.6 +/- 0.8; 101.3 +/- 1.5 compressions/min). The HS method achieved a superior D(T) (49.3 +/- 1.2 mm), but a poor ECC rate (91.9 +/- 2.2 compressions/min). Vo2 for ER and HS was higher than +1 Gz; however, the RBH was not. CONCLUSION: All three methods have merit in performing ECC in simulated microgravity; the ER and RBH have adequate ECC rates, and the HS method has adequate D(T). However, all methods failed to meet all criteria for the 2010 guidelines. Further research to evaluate the most effective method of CPR in microgravity is needed.

A comparison between the 2010 and 2005 basic life support guidelines during simulated hypogravity and microgravity.

BACKGROUND: Current 2010 terrestrial (1Gz) CPR guidelines have been advocated by space agencies for hypogravity and microgravity environments, but may not be feasible. The aims of this study were to (1) evaluate rescuer performance over 1.5 min of external chest compressions (ECCs) during simulated Martian hypogravity (0.38Gz) and microgravity (µG) in relation to 1Gz and rest baseline and (2) compare the physiological costs of conducting ECCs in accordance with the 2010 and 2005 CPR guidelines. METHODS: Thirty healthy male volunteers, ranging from 17 to 30 years, performed four sets of 30 ECCs for 1.5 min using the 2010 and 2005 ECC guidelines during 1Gz, 0.38Gz and µG simulations (Evetts-Russomano (ER) method), achieved by the use of a body suspension device. ECC depth and rate, range of elbow flexion, post-ECC heart rate (HR), minute ventilation (VE), peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured. RESULTS: All volunteers completed the study. Mean ECC rate was achieved for all gravitational conditions, but true depth during simulated microgravity was not sufficient for the 2005 (28.5 ± 7.0 mm) and 2010 (32.9 ± 8.7 mm) guidelines, even with a mean range of elbow flexion of 15°. HR, VE and VO2peak increased to an average of 136 ± 22 bpm, 37.5 ± 10.3 L·min-1, 20.5 ± 7.6 mL·kg-1·min-1 for 0.38Gz and 161 ± 19 bpm, 58.1 ± 15.0 L·min-1, 24.1 ± 5.6 mL·kg-1·min-1 for µG from a baseline of 84 ± 15 bpm, 11.4 ± 5.9 L·min-1, 3.2 ± 1.1 mL·kg-1·min-1, respectively. RPE was the only variable to increase with the 2010 guidelines. CONCLUSION: No additional physiological cost using the 2010 basic life support (BLS) guidelines was needed for healthy males performing ECCs for 1.5 min, independent of gravitational environment. This cost, however, increased for each condition tested when the two guidelines were compared. Effective ECCs were not achievable for both guidelines in simulated µG using the ER BLS method. This suggests that future implementation of an ER BLS in a simulated µG instruction programme as well as upper arm strength training is required to perform effective BLS in space.

Effectiveness of pilates method for the posture and flexibility of women with hyperkyphosis / Eficácia do método pilates para a postura e flexibilidade em mulheres com hipercifose

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a eficácia do método Pilates em melhorar a postura e a flexibilidade em mulheres com hipercifose. Foi conduzido um ensaio clínico, controlado e randomizado com 41 mulheres (média de idade= 59 ± 9 anos), divididas aleatoriamente em dois grupos: 22 no grupo de intervenção e 19 no grupo controle. As participantes passaram por dois conjuntos iguais de mensurações, antes e depois de um período de treinamento/ controle, que foram compostos por: características sociodemográficas e clínicas, peso, altura, índice de massa corporal (IMC), percentual de gordura corporal (três pregas cutâneas), razão quadril-cintura (medidas das circunferências). Além desses, o grau de cifose foi mensurado pelo ângulo de Cobb através de um exame radiológico (Raio-X) com o paciente em pé, a flexibilidade foi medida com um flexímetro e a postura analisada através de quatro fotografias (visão anterior, perfil direito e esquerdo e posterior) com o software Fisimetrix. Todas as medições foram realizadas pelo mesmo observador, que foi treinado e cegado quanto à alocação dos sujeitos. Os exercícios foram realizados duas vezes por semana (60 minutos cada aula) durante 30 semanas. Antes do estudo, os dois grupos não diferiram estatisticamente em nenhuma das características analisadas. Após o estudo foram detectadas diferenças significativas entre os dois grupos em termos de: ângulo da cifose torácica (grupo experimental= -8,0 ± 7,5 graus; grupo controle= -0,6 ± 3,4 graus; p <0,001), flexibilidade de todos os movimentos da região cervical e do tronco, IMC (p <0,001), percentual de gordura corporal (p <0,001) e todos os movimentos (p <0,05), com exceção da flexão anterior do tronco. Portanto, o método Pilates é eficaz em melhorar a postura e flexibilidade em mulheres mais velhas com hipercifose, bem como em reduzir a gordura corporal.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Pilates method in improving posture and flexibility in women with hyperkyphosis. A randomized controlled trial was performed with 41 women (mean age of 59 ± 9 years) randomized into two groups: 22 in the intervention group and 19 in the control group. Subjects undertook two equal sets of assessment, before and after a training/ control period, which comprised of sociodemografic and clinical characteristics, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (three skin fold measurement), waist-hip ratio (circumference measurements). In addition to these, the degree of kyphosis was measured by the Cobb angle on a standing lateral radiograph, flexibility was measured with a fleximeter and posture assessment was carried out with theFisimetrix software through four view photographs (front, right profile, left profile and back). All measurements were carried out by the same observer, who was trained and blinded with respect to the subjects’ group allocation. The exercises were carried out twice a week (60-minute class) for 30 weeks. Before the study, the two groups did not differ statistically in terms of any of the characteristics analyzed. After the study, statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of: kyphosis angle (experimental group = -8,0 ± 7,5 degrees; control group = -0,6 ± 3,4 degrees; p <0,001), flexibility of all cervical region and trunk movements, BMI (p <0,001), body fat percentage (p <0,001) e all body movements (p <0,05), except for trunk flexion. Therefore, the Pilates method is effective in improving posture and flexibility in women with hyperkyphosis as well as reducing body fat.

Heart rate and blood lactate responses to changquan and daoshu forms of modern wushu.

The development of specific training designed to enhance physiological aspects of performance relies heavily on the availability of accurate and validity physiological data. In the combat sport of Wushu, katas are used to develop aerobic fitness. It is arguably important to assess and monitor heart rate (HR) and lactate (La) responses when designing effective training programs. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate heart rate and lactate responses to forms execution among Wushu combatants. Male elite modern Wushu athletes (n = 4) from a South Brazilian regional team participated in the study. Athletes were aged 22.5 ± 2.08 years old and had at least eight years of Wushu experience. Athletes carried out the Changquan and Daoshu forms in random order, HR and La were measured pre- and post-exercise. Results indicate that HR was 176 ± 3 and 176 ± 2 bpm and La was 4.38 ± 1.3 and 5.15 ± 1.07 mmol·l(-1) for Changquan and Daoshu forms, respectively. There were no significantly differences in HR and La between the two forms. HR values represent 89.2 ± 1.1 and 89.1 ± 1.8% of age-predicted maximal heart rate and lactate was near of 4 mmol·l(-1) point. In conclusion, training programs to Wushu combatants could target the range of physiological values cited above with no differences between two forms. Key PointsHeart rate and lactate responses are not significantly different between Changquan and Daoshu forms for Wushu combatants.The Wushu katas could be used to develop aerobic fitness.