[Water aerobics training: selection and control of the exercise intensity using the Borg scale]. / Vodnye aerobnye trenirovki: vybor i kontrol' intensivnosti uprazhnenii s pomoshch'yu shkaly Borga.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the opportunity of Borg scale using for applying and monitoring the aerobic training intensity in the pool as well as the relationship between the Borg scale and the heart rate (HR) in the aquatic environment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 11 healthy individuals (mean age 46.4±7.5 years). After a cardiopulmonary test on a treadmill and a probation lesson the training was conducted in the pool using a set of basic aerobic exercises lasting 45 minutes. During training the subjects had to maintain a load level corresponding to 12-14 points on the Borg scale. Every 10 minutes of the main training part the heart rate was calculated and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was determined according to the Borg scale. RESULTS: The average heart rate in the main part of the training was 126.8±14.0 beats/min. The intensity of aerobic exercise was 82% of the maximum heart rate determined during the cardiopulmonary test and 68% of the reserve heart rate which corresponded to a high level of intensity. Between the heart rate and the Borg scale a significant correlation was found in the first period of training (r=0.67, p<0.02). At RPE 12-13 in almost 1/2 cases the subjects felt a subjectively lower intensity of the load than they actually performed (by heart rate) while at RPE 14 a high percentage of coincidences was observed between different measurement methods (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: During water aerobics training the use of the Borg scale to prescribe and maintain a level of exercise allows to achieve a sufficient intensity level which is necessary to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and physical performance in order to influence risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The Borg Scale as a stand-alone method of controlling intensity when using water-based aerobic training, especially with high-intensity training should be used with caution. Further investigation is needed to determine the relation between subjective measures of exercise intensity and HR and validity of their use during water aerobics training.

[Balneotherapy and modification of risk factors in cardiovascular disease prevention programs]. / Bal'neoterapiia i modifikatsiia faktorov riska v programmakh profilaktiki serdechno-sosudistykh zabolevanii.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the Russian Federation, as in many other countries. Taking into consideration the observed increase in the spread of risk factors, modern demographic trends (an increase in the proportion of elderly people), and a high economic burden of circulatory system diseases, the search for new forms and effective strategies of prevention is becoming relevant. OBJECTIVE: To provide the data available in the scientific literature on the effectiveness of the measures to modify risk factors and lifestyle, which are implemented during balneotherapy under both resort and in non-resort conditions, and to define areas for further investigators in this field. Investigations evaluating the effectiveness of these measures were sought in the Embase, PubMed, PEDro, Web of Science, eLIBRARY databases in January 2012 to August 2018. The analysis included seven trials that showed an improvement of estimated endpoints (blood pressure, body mass index, lipid profile, physical activity, and morbidity and mortality rates). The generalization of results of the analyzed trials was limited by the high heterogeneity of their protocols and methodological quality, which does not allow for a final conclusion on the effectiveness of preventive measures implemented during balneotherapy. Future research should provide more evidence of the benefits of this approach. The analysis will be able to take into account the existing experience and to develop a strategy to enhance the effectiveness of cardiovascular disease prevention programs based on high-quality randomized clinical trials.

[The specific methodological features of scientific research in the field of balneotherapy]. / Metodologicheskie osobennosti provedeniia nauchnykh issledovanii v oblasti bal'neoterapii.

This review was undertaken for the objective of highlighting and assessing the approaches to obtaining, analysis, and reporting the results of randomized controlled trials (RCT) in balneotherapy. The review covers the following topics: the specific features of the organization of the controlled randomized studies in the field of balneotherapy, the main methodological approaches used for these purposes that should be taken into consideration at different stages of the planning and performance of the studies together with other issues including sample size calculation, sequence generation modes, the application of the distribution concealment technique, types of randomization, blinding of the outcome assessment, the choice of the comparator group, and endpoint selection. We emphasize the importance of the appropriate statistical analysis and the comprehensive reporting of the results of the investigations. Special attention is given to the current approaches to the estimation of the quality of RCTs and to the preparation of the systematic reviews. The examples of the analysis of the relevant publications presented in the review will hopefully help the researchers to take advantage of the currently available experience and improve the compliance of the locally conducted balneotherapeutic trials with the international criteria for the methodological quality.