Teleassessment using five times sit-to-stand test in older adults with and without Parkinson's disease: Guidelines and barriers.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Assessing lower limb strength, balance, and fall risk are crucial components of rehabilitation, especially for the older adult population. With the growing interest in telehealth, teleassessment has been investigated as an alternative when in-person assessments are not possible. The Five Times Sit-to-Stand test (5TSTS) provides a quick measure of balance during chair transfers, muscle power, endurance, and the hability to change and maintain body position, and is highly recommended by guidelines. However, the literature is unclear about the viability and safety of teleassessment using the 5TSTS in older adults with and without Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of teleassessment using the 5TSTS and to determine its feasibility and safety for older adults with and without PD. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included older adults with and without PD who were evaluated remotely through a videoconference platform. To ensure effective and comprehensive instructions for the test, we developed a guideline called OMPEPE (an acronym for: Objective; Materials; Position-Start; Execution; Position-End; Environment). We assessed the 5TSTS intra- and inter-rater reliability by comparing scores obtained from the same examiner and from different examiners, respectively. Participants and examiners completed online surveys to provide information about feasibility and safety. RESULTS: Twelve older adults with PD and 17 older adults without PD were included in this study (mean ages 69.0 and 67.6 years, respectively). Based on the participants' perspectives and the absence of adverse effects, teleassessment using the 5TSTS is feasible and safe for older adults with and without PD. Excellent intra- and inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.90) was found for all measurements of the 5TSTS. DISCUSSION: This study demonstrated the feasibility, safety, and reliability of teleassessment using the 5TSTS. The guidelines developed may help health professionals minimize barriers and safely conduct an online assessment that includes a physical test such as the 5TSTS in older adults with or without PD. In addition to addressing technological barriers, the OMPEPE guideline might ensure the optimal execution of evaluations. CONCLUSION: Teleassessment using the 5TSTS for older adults with and without PD is feasible and safe. Both synchronous (i.e., live) and asynchronous (i.e., recorded) online 5TSTS tests demonstrate excellent intra- and inter-rate reliability.

Functional capacity using sit-to-stand tests in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its relationship with disease severity-a cross-sectional study with matched controls.

BACKGROUND: Functional capacity impairment is a crucial consequence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although it can be identified with simple tests, such as the sit-to-stand tests, its prevalence, relation with disease severity, and the characteristics of people presenting this impairment remain unknown. OBJECTIVE: To explore the functional capacity of people with COPD. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with people with COPD and age-/sex-matched healthy controls was conducted. Functional capacity was assessed with the 5-repetitions (5-STS) and the 1-minute (1-minSTS) sit-to-stand tests. People with COPD were grouped according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) classifications. Comparisons between people with COPD and healthy controls, and among GOLD groups were established. Associations between symptoms, muscle strength, quality of life, and measures of functional capacity were explored. RESULTS: 302 people with COPD [79% male; mean (SD) 68 (10) years old] and 304 healthy controls [75% male; 66 (9) years old] were included. 23% of people with COPD presented impairment in the 5-STS and 33% in the 1-minSTS. People with COPD from all GOLD classifications presented significantly lower functional capacity than healthy controls (5-STS: COPD median [1st quartile; 3rd quartile] 8.4 [6.7; 10.6] versus healthy 7.4 [6.2; 9.3] s; 1-minSTS: COPD 27 [21; 35] vs healthy 35 [29; 43] reps). Correlations with symptoms, muscle strength, and quality of life were mostly weak (5-STS: rs [-0.34; 0.33]; 1-minSTS: rs [-0.47; 0.40]). CONCLUSION: People with COPD have decreased functional capacity independently of their GOLD classifications. The prevalence of functional impairment is 23-33%. Because impaired functional capacity is a treatable trait not accurately reflected by other outcomes, comprehensive assessment and management is needed.

Exploring lower limb muscle activity and performance variations during instrumented Sit-to-Stand-to-Sit in sedentary individuals: Influence of limb dominance and testing modalities.

PURPOSE: to explore lower limb muscle activity concerning limb dominance, as well as variations in force and power during the standing up and sitting down phases of the instrumented sit-to-stand-to-sit test in sedentary individuals, across isokinetic and isotonic modalities. METHODS: 33 sedentary individuals underwent testing using a functional electromechanical dynamometer in both isokinetic and isotonic modes, accompanied by surface electromyography. RESULTS: In the isokinetic mode, the non-dominant gastrocnemius medialis and vastus medialis exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) higher muscle activity values during the standing up and sitting down phase compared to dominant counterparts. In the isotonic mode standing up phase, significant differences in muscle activity were noted for non-dominant gastrocnemius medialis, vastus medialis, and biceps femoris compared to their dominant counterparts. The sitting down phase in isotonic mode showed higher muscle activity for non-dominant vastus medialis compared to dominant vastus medialis. Regard to performance outcomes, significantly lower (p < 0.0001) values were observed for standing up (12.7 ± 5.1 N/kg) compared to sitting down (15.9 ± 6.1 N/kg) peak force, as well as for standing up (18.7 ± 7.8 W/kg) compared to sitting down (25.9 ± 9.7 W/kg) peak power in isokinetic mode. In isotonic mode, lower values were found for sitting down (6.5 (6.3-7.1) N/kg) compared to standing up (7.8 (7.3-8.9) N/kg) peak force and for sitting down (18.5 (13.2-21.7) W/kg) compared to standing up (33.7 (22.8-41.6) W/kg) peak power. CONCLUSIONS: Limb dominance influences lower-limb muscle activity during the instrumented sit-to-stand-to-sit test, and the choice of testing mode (isokinetic or isotonic) affects muscle engagement and performance outcomes.

Rehabilitación Respiratoria con cánula nasal de alto flujo en pacientes con enfermedades respiratorias crónicas / Respiratory Rehabilitation with high-flow nasal cannula in patients with chronic respiratory diseases / Reabilitação Respiratória com cânula nasal de alto fluxo em doentes com doença respiratória crónica

Las enfermedades respiratorias crónicas, se incrementan a nivel mundial, destacándose EPOC, fibrosis pulmonar, bronquiectasia y sumándose la condición post COVID-19 asociadas a las vías respiratorias. Objetivo. Determinar los efectos de la rehabilitación respiratoria con cánula nasal de alto flujo en pacientes con enfermedades respiratorias crónicas. Material y método. Estudio realizado en un hospital militar peruano a una muestra constituida por 115 pacientes, quienes ingresaron a un programa de Rehabilitación Respiratoria de 12 semanas con la asistencia de la Cánula de alto flujo durante cada sesión y evaluados al inicio y al final mediante el test de pararse y sentarse en un minuto. El diseño fue pre experimental con pre y post test, corte longitudinal, de tipo aplicada. Se obtuvo la media y desviación estándar y se realizó la prueba de rangos con signo de Wilcoxon, se consideró una significancia del 95% y un valor p<0,05 como estadísticamente significativo. Resultados. La media de la edad fue de 58,30 ± 8,17; el 62,6% fue hombres y 37,4% mujeres; los pacientes con condición Post COVID-19 fueron el 71.30%, seguidos de fibrosis pulmonar con 12,17%; con 7,16±1,24 (p<0,000), en el número de repeticiones mediante pararse y sentarse durante un minuto, lo que mejoró principalmente la fatiga muscular (p<0,003). Conclusiones. Se determina como cambio, que se duplica lo mínimamente significativo mediante la prueba de pararse y sentarse durante un minuto. Además, se evidencia mejor respuesta al ejercicio, con menor disnea y fatiga muscular, por efecto de la presión positiva de la cánula de alto flujo.

Chronic respiratory diseases are increasing worldwide, with COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, bronchiectasis and post COVID-19 conditions associated with the respiratory tract standing out. Objective. To determine the effects of respiratory rehabilitation with high-flow nasal cannula in patients with chronic respiratory diseases. Method. Study carried out in a Peruvian military hospital on a sample of 115 patients, who entered a 12-week Respiratory Rehabilitation program with the assistance of the high-flow nasal cannula during each session and evaluated at the beginning and at the end by means of the test of standing up and sitting down in one minute. The design was pre-experimental with pre- and post-test, longitudinal cut, applied type. The mean and standard deviation were obtained and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed, a significance of 95% and a value p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. The mean age was 58.30±8.17; 62.6% were male and 37.4% female; patients with Post COVID-19 condition were 71.30%, followed by pulmonary fibrosis with 12.17%; with 7.16±1.24 (p<0.000), in the number of repetitions by standing and sitting for one minute, which mainly improved muscle fatigue (p<0.003). Conclusions. It is determined as a change, that the minimally significant is duplicated by the test of standing and sitting for one minute. In addition, a better response to exercise is evidenced, with less dyspnea and muscle fatigue, due to the effect of the positive pressure of the high flow cannula.

As doenças respiratórias crónicas estão a aumentar em todo o mundo, com destaque para a DPOC, a fibrose pulmonar, as bronquiectasias e as doenças pós-COVID-19 associadas ao trato respiratório. Objetivo. Determinar os efeitos da reabilitação respiratória com cânula nasal de alto fluxo em doentes com doenças respiratórias crónicas. Método. Estudo realizado num hospital militar peruano com uma amostra de 115 pacientes, que entraram num programa de Reabilitação Respiratória de 12 semanas com a assistência da cânula nasal de alto fluxo durante cada sessão e avaliados no início e no fim através do teste de sentar e levantar de um minuto. O delineamento foi pré-experimental com pré e pós-teste, longitudinal, do tipo aplicado. Obteve-se média e desvio padrão e realizou-se o teste de Wilcoxon signed-rank, com 95% de significância e valor de p < 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Resultados. A média de idade foi de 58,30±8,17; 62,6% eram do sexo masculino e 37,4% do sexo feminino; pacientes com quadro pós COVID-19 foram 71,30%, seguido de fibrose pulmonar com 12,17%; com 7,16±1,24 (p<0,000), no número de repetições em pé e sentado por um minuto, que melhorou principalmente a fadiga muscular (p<0,003). Conclusões. Determina-se como mudança, que o minimamente significativo é duplicado pelo teste de estar de pé e sentado durante um minuto. Além disso, evidencia-se uma melhor resposta ao exercício, com menos dispneia e fadiga muscular, devido ao efeito da pressão positiva da cânula de alto fluxo.

The interior climate and its microclimatic variation of temperate forests in Northern Patagonia, Argentina.

Knowledge on mesoclimatic zonation and microclimatic variations within mountain forest ecosystems is crucial for understanding regional species turnover and effects of climate change on these systems. The temperate mountain forests in the Andean region of South America are among the largest and contiguous natural deciduous forest areas in the world. Due to their pronounced disturbance regime and different successional stages, a climatic zonation combined with the characterisation of its microclimatic variation is important to identify thresholds of species occurrences.We used micro-loggers to measure air temperature and relative humidity for one year at 40 measurement locations along longitudinal and elevation gradients in mountain forests in Northern Patagonia, Argentina. Our results unveil mesoclimatic patterns within these forests characterised by variations in temperature and vapour pressure deficit along the elevational gradient in general, but also at different times of the year. For example, Austrocedrus chilensis and Nothofagus dombeyi forests differed mainly by temperature and its diurnal range in the warmest months of the year. Also, differences between forest stands and gaps were more pronounced in the warmest months of the year and at lower elevations, with up to 2.5 K higher temperatures in the second half of the day in gaps. We found clear indications that shrubland of Nothofagus antarctica representing a successional stage after disturbances alters the mesoclimatic pattern, favouring forest fire ignition. Such mesoclimatic variations have a major influence on tree species turnover and ecological processes within these forest ecosystems.The findings contribute to our understanding of the complex interplay between topography, climate, and vegetation in shaping the spatial patterns of species occurrences.

Upper extremity effort during the sit-to-stand task in able-bodied and in individuals with spinal cord injury: A preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between the presence of spinal cord injury (SCI) on biomechanical variables by comparing individuals with SCI and able-bodied individuals during the sit-to-stand (STS) task assisted by a walker device. Specifically, we compared the upper-extremity joint angles and moments, trunk forward tilt angle, vertical forces of the instrumented walker, and ground reaction forces between groups. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, UNICAMP-Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Six individuals with SCI and fourteen able-bodied individuals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Kinematics and kinetics of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints; trunk forward tilt angle, vertical walker forces, and ground reaction forces (GRF) were analyzed during the STS task in two phases: before and after the seat-off event. RESULTS: A higher peak elbow flexion angle and higher vertical walker forces were observed before the seat-off, whereas the lower peak vertical GRF was found, after the seat-off, in the SCI group compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: SCI affects kinematics and kinetics variables during the STS task compared to able-bodied controls. Individuals with SCI adopted different standing-up strategies that affected the distribution of the forces in the upper and lower extremities of the human body.

Nitrous oxide and methane emissions from a Ferralsol as affected by loblolly pine cultivation time in subtropical Brazil.

We hypothesized that the age of loblolly pine stands influences soil methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. This is a relevant topic to be studied in subtropical Brazil, where the pine plantation area is increasing considerably. We evaluated N2O and CH4 emissions for two years in a Ferralsol under loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stands of 1, 9 and 18 year-olds and a native forest (NF). We calculated the net CO2eq emission by considering the N2O and CH4 emissions from soil and the carbon (C) accumulation as litter in the forest floor. The soil N2O emission reduced gradually over the loblolly pine cultivation years, whereas CH4 uptake rates showed no clear pattern. Soil N2O emission showed a positive relationship with soil temperature in NF, and with soil ammonium and nitrate intensities in the pine stands. Soil CH4 uptake was inversely related to water-filled pore space in the pine stands, but this relationship was not observed in NF. The soil CH4 uptake rate was 4.6 times higher (p < 0.10) in NF than the average uptake in loblolly pine stands. On the other hand, soil N2O emissions in 9 and 18-year-old stands were similar (p > 0.10) to those in NF (1.3 kg N ha-1 yr-1). Our results suggest that cultivation with loblolly pine for 18 years can reduce soil N2O emission, and the uptake of CH4 in this system offsets 17 % of N2O emissions. Furthermore, the C accumulation as litter in the forest floor of the mature pine stands (9- and 18-year-old) generated a net emission of -1.6 Mg CO2eq ha-1 yr-1, showing to be an expressive offsetting mechanism. Therefore, we conclude that aged loblolly forests can reach N2O emissions levels comparable to those of NF, and the C sequestration in these forests floor can significantly contribute to offset N2O emissions and act as sink for net atmospheric CO2eq.

Short-term effects of a high-severity summer wildfire on conifer forest moth (Lepidoptera) communities in New Mexico, USA.

Forest fires in North America are becoming larger in area and burning with higher severity as a result of climate change and land management practices. High-severity, stand-replacement fires can inflict major changes to forest insect communities, potentially extirpating many species through altered post-fire habitat resources. We assessed forest-dwelling macrolepidopteran moth communities in mixed conifer and ponderosa pine forests during the first year after the 2011 Las Conchas fire in New Mexico, USA. We deployed blacklight traps in replicated burned and unburned stands during June, July, and August in 2012. We collected 9,478 individuals, representing 211 species and 8 families. Noctuidae (124 species) and Geometridae (53) comprised the majority of the taxa, followed by Erebidae (21), Sphingidae (5), Notodontidae (3), Lasiocampidae (2), Saturniidae (2), and Drepanidae (1). Moth communities (species composition and abundances) in each forest type (mixed conifer vs. ponderosa pine) were statistically distinguishable, but shared 56.4% (119) of observed species. Overall, compared to unburned forests, post-fire moth communities in both forest types had significantly lower numbers of individuals, species richness and diversity, and lower evenness in ponderosa pine forests. As expected, categorizing moth taxa by larval host plant taxa revealed that reductions of moth populations following fire were associated with the elimination or reduction of available larval host plants (particularly conifers, oaks, and junipers). We predict that future moth community succession will likely parallel the overall transformation from a forested landscape to a montane meadow/grassland ecosystem, with continued reduction in tree-feeding species and increasing dominance by forb/grass-feeding species.

Role of the Inspiratory Muscles on Functional Performance From Critical Care to Hospital Discharge and Beyond in Patients With COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: The role of inspiratory muscle performance in functional performance in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to perform a longitudinal examination of inspiratory and functional performance from intensive care unit (ICU) discharge (ICUD) to hospital discharge (HD) and symptoms at HD and 1 month after HD in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Thirty patients (19 men, 11 women) with COVID-19 were included. Examination of inspiratory muscle performance at ICUD and HD was performed with an electronic manometer, which provided the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and several other inspiratory measures. Examination of dyspnea and functional performance was performed at ICUD and HD with the Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale and the 1-minute sit-to-stand test (1MSST), respectively. RESULTS: The mean age was 71 (SD = 11) years, the mean length of ICU stay was 9 (SD = 6) days, and the mean length of hospital stay was 26 (SD = 16) days. Most of the patients were diagnosed with severe COVID-19 (76.7%) and had a mean Charlson Comorbidity Index of 4.4 (SD = 1.9), reflecting high comorbidity. The mean MIP of the entire cohort increased minimally from ICUD to HD (from 36 [SD = 21] to 40 [SD = 20] cm H2O), reflecting predicted values for men and women at ICUD and HD of 46 (25%) to 51 (23%) and 37 (24%) to 37 (20%), respectively. The 1MSTS score increased significantly from ICUD to HD (9.9 [SD = 7.1] vs 17.7 [SD = 11.1]) for the entire cohort but remained far below population-based reference values (2.5th percentile) for the majority of patients at ICUD and HD. At ICUD, MIP was found to be a significant predictor of a favorable change in 1MSTS performance (ß = 0.308; odds ratio = 1.36) at HD. CONCLUSION: A significant reduction in inspiratory and functional performance exists in patients with COVID-19 at both ICUD and HD, with a greater MIP at ICUD being a significant predictor of a greater 1MSTS score at HD. IMPACT: This study shows that inspiratory muscle training may be an important adjunct after COVID-19.

Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task Costs on Postural Sway During Sit-to-Stand Movement in Children With Cerebral Palsy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the cognitive-motor dual-task costs (DTCs) on postural sway of children with typical development (TD) and children with cerebral palsy (CP) during the sit-to-stand movement. METHODS: Twenty children with TD (mean age = 9.35 years) and 17 children with CP (mean age = 8.29 years) randomly performed 3 test conditions: simple motor task, low-complexity cognitive-motor dual-task, and high-complexity cognitive-motor dual-task. The sit-to-stand movement was divided into 3 phases for data analysis: preparation (P1), rising (P2), and stabilization (P3). For each of these phases, the DTCs were calculated by the percentage change in the center of pressure area of sway, velocity of sway, and duration variables between the simple and dual-task conditions. Analysis of variance was applied to test the group, task conditions, and interaction effects. RESULTS: Children with CP had lower DTC than children with TD in area of sway in P1 and P2 variables; anteroposterior velocity of sway in P1, P2, and P3; and duration in P3. Children with TD had higher DTC in the high-complexity cognitive-motor dual-task than in the low complexity one. Children with CP did not show adaptations between the dual-task conditions, showing no differences in DTCs. CONCLUSION: The simultaneous performance of a motor task and a cognitive task seems to affect children with CP and children with TD differently, but the effects depend on the specific demands of each task. These results demonstrate the importance of rehabilitation actions to place demands involving a variety of postural sway strategies. IMPACT: DTCs are different for children with TD and children with CP. Assessment and rehabilitation strategies must take into account the postural sway behavior of these children.

Biopsychosocial Factors Related to Postural Sway During Sit-to-Stand Movement in Children and Adolescents With Down Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study.

We investigated factors related to postural sway during sit-to-stand movement in children and adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). Our assessment of participants followed the biopsychosocial model. Body function and structure were represented by muscle strength and postural sway during sit-to-stand movement, which were assessed by manual muscle testing and kinetics analysis, respectively. The Gross Motor Function Measure and Pediatric Balance Scale depicted the activity component. In addition, we included these relevant contextual factors: age, Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment, family income, and maternal schooling. A correlation analysis verified a suspected association between biopsychosocial and postural sway variables. There were significant separated correlations between postural sway in the three phases of the sit-to-stand movement, and age, GMFM-88 dimension D, and muscle strength. Thus, postural control in sit-to-stand movement was related to biopsychosocial factors involving different life aspects of children and adolescents with DS, and these factors should be addressed in rehabilitation therapy intended to improve postural control among these individuals.

Physical performance tests and in-hospital outcomes in elective open chest heart surgery.

Background: Physical performance tests are essential for a comprehensive health assessment, and have been described as predictors of disability and muscle mass decline after open chest heart surgery (OHS). We evaluated the association between physical performance tests with clinical outcomes after OHS in younger and older patients. Moreover, the ability of physical performance tests and European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (Euroscore II) to predict death was assessed. Methods: Elective OHS patients were evaluated before surgery with handgrip strength (HGS), 30-s Chair-Stand Test (30sCST), and timed up and go test (TUGT). The outcomes were post-surgical complications, total length of stay (LOS), time to walk (TW), time in invasive mechanical ventilation (TIMV), and in-hospital mortality. Data were stratified between patients < 60 (younger) and ≥ 60 years old (older). Results: A total of 166 patients were included in the study (older, n = 89). The only physical test associated with mortality in the adjusted models was HGS in older patients (p = 0.03). Among older patients, both Euroscore II (AUC = 0.77) and HGS (AUC = 0.80) demonstrated good ability to predict death. Combining HGS and Euroscore II did not increase accuracy for mortality prediction (AUC = 0.83). Conclusion: HGS performance was comparable to a well-established surgical risk score in evaluating in-hospital mortality after OHS, only in older patients. Functional testing before OHS could be a tool to improve risk stratification in these patients. Future intervention studies aiming to improve functional capacity before elective OHS can further clarify the impact of physical fitness in surgical recovery.

Reproducibility and safety of the 30" sit to stand test in individuals with obesity and cardiovascular risk factors.

BACKGROUND: The 30″ sit to stand test is a submaximal exercise test that assesses functional capacity and it has been validated for various pathologies. Although it has been used in individuals with obesity, its reproducibility in this population has not yet been determined. The main objective of this study was to determine the reproducibility and safety of the 30″ sit to stand test in individuals with overweight or obesity and with cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed. Individuals with obesity or overweight who also presented cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated with the 30″ sit to stand test. The reproducibility and safety of the 30" sit to stand test were determined, as well as its association with other functional tests and anthropometric characteristics. RESULTS: 59 individuals (27 men, 32 women) with obesity or overweight and cardiovascular risk factors, aged 57.93 (9.62) years, were included in the study. The 30″ sit to stand test showed good overall reproducibility (0.907 ICC) and significant correlation with the 6-minute walk test, handgrip strength test, body fat percentage and waist - height index, with a similar hemodynamic response to the 6-minute walk test. CONCLUSION: The 30" sit to stand test is a highly reproducible and safe test for individuals with obesity and cardiovascular risk factors, with a significant correlation to anthropometric characteristics and other functional tests regularly used for the evaluation of individuals with obesity.

Decoding EEG rhythms offline and online during motor imagery for standing and sitting based on a brain-computer interface.

Motor imagery (MI)-based brain-computer interface (BCI) systems have shown promising advances for lower limb motor rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to develop an MI-based BCI for the actions of standing and sitting. Thirty-two healthy subjects participated in the study using 17 active EEG electrodes. We used a combination of the filter bank common spatial pattern (FBCSP) method and the regularized linear discriminant analysis (RLDA) technique for decoding EEG rhythms offline and online during motor imagery for standing and sitting. The offline analysis indicated the classification of motor imagery and idle state provided a mean accuracy of 88.51 ± 1.43% and 85.29 ± 1.83% for the sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit transitions, respectively. The mean accuracies of the sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit online experiments were 94.69 ± 1.29% and 96.56 ± 0.83%, respectively. From these results, we believe that the MI-based BCI may be useful to future brain-controlled standing systems.

Functional mobility and 10-year all-cause and cause-specific mortality in older people from São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: A better understanding of performance in functional mobility tasks related to the mortality patterns for the different causes of death for the Brazilian older population is still a challenge. OBJECTIVE: To analyze if gait speed and chair stand test performance are associated with mortality in older adults, and if the overall mobility status changes the effect of other mortality risk factors. METHODS: The data were from SABE (Health, Well-being and Aging Study), a multiple-cohort study conducted in São Paulo, Brazil, with a representative sample of people aged 60 and more. Cox regression models were used to analyze 10-year all-cause and cause-specific mortality with consideration for gait speed and the chair stand test. RESULTS: Of the 1411 participants, 26% died during the follow-up. The performance in the chair stand test had a more consistent association with mortality (hazard ratio (HR)=1.03, 95%CI: 1.00, 1.05) than gait speed. Being unable to perform the test also increased the risk to die by all-cause (HR=1.71, 95%CI: 1.21, 2.42) and by diseases of the circulatory system (HR=2.14, 95%CI: 1.25, 3.65). The stratified analysis of mobility performance changed the effects of some of the mortality risk factors, such as cognitive impairment and multimorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: The chair stand test could be a better choice than 3-meters walking test as a mortality predictor. In addition, the impact of cognitive decline and multimorbidity were greater among those with reduced mobility, supporting the development of preventive interventions and public policies targeted at more vulnerable groups of older adults.

Symptom characteristics in office workers using standing workstations: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: In some occupational groups, prolonged standing is associated with adverse symptoms. While the introduction of sit-stand workstations in office workers is increasingly common, the profile of symptom development is not known. OBJECTIVES: To identify and describe the location, intensity, quality, and timing of symptoms experienced by office workers while standing at a sit-stand workstation. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study was performed in an university campus laboratory simulated as an office with a sit-stand workstation. Sixty-three office workers without low back pain or prior exposure to a sit-stand workstation participated. For primary outcome measures, participants recorded any symptoms of pain, stiffness, and/or fatigue on a body chart every 15 min during a 2-hour standing task. Participants rated symptom intensity on an 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS). RESULTS: Fifty-three participants (84%) experienced symptoms during the 2-hour standing task, with 30 participants (48%) reporting at least one symptom within 30 min of standing. A greater number of participants reported symptoms rated ≥2 on the NRS in the lumbar spine, lower extremity, and feet/ankle than the upper quadrant (odds ratios from 3.84 to 6.86). Mean maximal symptom intensity for the lumbar spine was greater than that for the upper quadrant and feet/ankles (incidence rate ratios: 1.46 to 1.79). CONCLUSION: Symptoms of pain, stiffness, and fatigue, especially those affecting the lumbar spine, lower extremity and feet/ankles are common in office workers who stand at a workstation. Study findings suggest that physical therapists should advise workers using sit-stand workstations to monitor symptoms and consider changing position within 30 min.

Desempenho do teste de sentar e levantar de trinta segundos na população geriátrica da comunidade: um estudo transversal / Thirty second sit to stand test performance in community dwelling geriatric population: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUÇÃO: Encontrar os valores de referência para o teste de sentar e levantar de 30 segundos e estudar a correlação das medidas antropométricas com o teste na população indiana geriátrica residente na comunidade. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: 136 indivíduos com idade >60 anos foram recrutados neste estudo transversal e observacional. O estudo foi realizado na Índia. Após a triagem inicial, as medidas antropométricas foram registradas. Em seguida, foi realizado o teste de sentar e levantar de 30 segundos. RESULTADOS: Os valores normais da década para o teste foram relatados como (média±DP): 60-70 anos (10,2±3,6), 71- 80 anos (9,5±3,4) e 81-90 anos (8,5±5,2). Idade, altura, circunferência da cintura e circunferência do quadril foram significativamente associadas aos valores do teste. CONCLUSÃO: Os valores normais para o teste de sentar e levantar de 30 segundos para a população geriátrica da comunidade foram relatados como média ± DP 10,0 ± 3,7. Os fatores antropométricos devem ser levados em consideração ao realizar o teste de sentar e levantar de 30 segundos em ambientes clínicos.

INTRODUCTION: To find the reference values for the 30-second sit-to-stand test and study the correlation of anthropometric measures with the test in the communitydwelling geriatric Indian population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 136 individuals aged >60 years were recruited in this cross-sectional observational study. The study was conducted in India. After the initial screening, anthropometric measurements were recorded. Then, the 30-second sit-tostand test was conducted. RESULTS: Normal decade-wise values for the test were reported to be (mean ± SD): 60-70 years (10.2±3.6), 71-80 years (9.5±3.4), and 81-90 years (8.5±5.2). Age, height, waist circumference, and hip circumference were significantly associated with the 30-second sit-to-stand test values. CONCLUSION: Normal values for the test in the community-dwelling geriatric population were reported to be mean ± SD 10.0±3.7. Anthropometric factors should be taken into consideration when performing the 30-second sitto-stand test in clinical settings.

The five times sit-to-stand test: safety, validity and reliability with critical care survivors's at ICU discharge.

BACKGROUND: The Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST) has been found reliable, safe and valid for measuring healthy adults' lower limb muscle strength and for determining balance control, fall risk, and exercise capacity among older examinees. We believe that the FTSST has the potential to be a straightforward, low cost and valuable tool for identifying muscle disability and functional status following critical illness. The aim of our study was to establish the applicability, safety, and psychometric qualities of FTSST in patients at Intensive Care Unit (ICU) discharge. METHODS: In our study applicability was determined by assessing the percentage of patients who could perform the test at ICU discharge. Safety was assessed by examining data regarding any exacerbated haemodynamic and respiratory responses or adverse events associated with the test. For assessing FTSST reliability, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), standard error of measurement (SEM) and Bland-Altman plot were used. For assessing concurrent validity handgrip strength, ICU length of stay, duration of invasive ventilation, Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS3) and age variables were used. For investigating predictive validity, correlations between the FTSST and measures of hospital length of stay and functional independence were evaluated. RESULTS: Only 30% of ICU survivors (n = 261 out of 817) were eligible to perform the FTSST and 7% of patients who performed the test (n = 10 out of 142) presented adverse events. Both inter (ICC 0.92 CI95% 0.89-0.94) and intra-rater (ICC 0.95 CI95% 0.93-0.96) reliability were excellent and higher scores were associated with lower muscle strength, longer hospital stay and greater functional impairment at hospital discharge in adult survivors of critical diseases. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the FTSST may be applicable only to high-functioning critical care survivors. In this specifical population, FTSST is a safe, easy to perform, valid and reliable measure that can be applied to fall risk and functional recovery management.

Excess adiposity and low physical fitness hamper Supine-to-Stand test performance among sedentary adolescents

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between body adiposity and physical fitness with performance in the Supine-to-Stand test (STS-test) in sedentary adolescents. Methods: Sixty-two adolescents, of both sexes, between 10 and 16 years old, participated in the study. Body mass (BM), height, waist circumference (WC), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), right and left handgrip strength (HGS-right, HGS-left), abdominal resistance (ABDO), flexibility (FLEX), and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) were measured. Body mass index (BMI), z-score BMI (BMI-z), tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. The STS-test was applied to evaluate the STS-MC by the movement patterns in the execution of the test. The STS-time in seconds (s) was categorized into terciles: fast (FG < 2.0 s), intermediate (IG = 2.0-2.6 s) and slow (SG > 2.6 s). One-way ANOVA, Chi-square, Spearman's correlation coefficient as well as non-parametric tests were used, with significance p 0.05. Results: The SG presented higher BMI, BMI-z, TMI, WHtR, FM, %FM, as well as lower averages for %FFM, HGS-right, HGS-left, FLEX, ABDO, VO2peak, VO2peak relative to BM (VO2peakBM) in relation to GF. The BMI, BMI-z, TMI, WC, WHtR and FM showed moderate and direct correlations with STS-time and inverse with STS-MC (p < 0.01). HGS-right, HGS-left, ABDO, and VO2peakBM showed moderate and an inverse correlation with STS-time (p < 0.05). The VO2peakBM was moderate and with direct correlations to STS-MC (p < 0.01). Conclusion: It is concluded that excess fat and low physical fitness hamper STS-test performance. Therefore, the STS-test can be used for screening students to assess MC.

The Association Between Physical Performance and Health-Related Quality of Life Based on the EQ-5D-3L Questionnaire in Patients With Chagas Disease.

OBJECTIVES: Chagas disease (CD) is a chronic disease to millions worldwide, and many patients develop heart disease. In addition, they are part of an aging population. These characteristics can be associated with a reduction in physical performance and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study evaluated HRQoL, and the relationship between physical performance and HRQoL in patients with chronic CD. METHODS: We used the 3-level version of EuroQol 5-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L), with the visual analog scale (VAS). Physical performance was measured with 30-s chair-stand test (30sCST) and timed up and go test (TUGT). RESULTS: Sixty-three patients were evaluated. The majority were women (68.2%) aged 67.7 ± 9.7 years. Overall EQ-5D-3L utility index was 0.65 ± 0.28, and VAS score was 68.4 ± 25.1. Most patients with intermediate and high performance in 30sCST referred no problems in the domains "mobility," "usual activities," and "pain/feeling ill" (P < .001, P = .01, and P = .025, respectively). In a similar way, most patients with intermediate and high performance in TUGT referred no problems in "mobility" (P < .0001) and "usual activities" (P = .001). Higher performance in both tests was associated with higher overall EQ-5D-3L utility and VAS scores. HRQoL measured by EQ-5D-3L was associated with physical status in a cohort of patients with chronic CD. The results underscore the contribution of physical performance, measured by 2 inexpensive and safe physical tests, to HRQoL in these patients. CONCLUSION: Strategies aiming the improvement of HRQoL in patients with CD may focus on mobility skills and force. Future studies evaluating interventions in physical performance should be a priority in these patients.