Development of an upwind sailing ergometer.

PURPOSE: To develop a sailing ergometer that accurately simulates upwind sailing exercise. METHODS: A sailing ergometer that measures roll moment accompanied by a biofeedback system that allows imposing a certain quasi-isometric upwind sailing protocol (ie, 18 bouts of 90-s hiking at constantly varying hiking intensity interspersed with 10 s to tack) was developed. Ten male high-level Laser sailors performed an incremental cycling test (ICT; ie, step protocol at 80 W + 40 W/3 min) and an upwind sailing test (UST). During both, heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO(2)), ventilation (V(E)), respiratory-exchange ratio, and rating of perceived exertion were measured. During UST, also the difference between the required and produced hiking moment (HM) was calculated as error score (ES). HR, VO(2), and V(E) were calculated relative to their peak values determined during ICT. After UST, the subjects were questioned about their opinion on the resemblance between this UST and real-time upwind sailing. RESULTS: An average HM of 89.0% ± 2.2% HM(max) and an average ES of 4.1% ± 1.8% HM(max) were found. Mean HR, VO(2), and V(E) were, respectively, 80% ± 4% HR(peak), 39.5% ± 4.5% VO(2peak), and 30.3% ± 3.7% VE(peak). Both HM and cardiorespiratory values appear to be largely comparable to literature reports during on-water upwind sailing. Moreover, the subjects gave the upwind sailing ergometer a positive resemblance score. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that this ergometer accurately simulates on-water upwind sailing exercise. As such, this ergometer could be a great help in performance diagnostics and training follow-up.

Open study evaluating the onset of antipsychotic action of olanzapine in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia, schizophreniform or schizo-affective disorder.

OBJECTIVE This 6-week, open-label study with olanzapine was designed to determine the onset of antipsychotic action of a 10-mg/day starting dose of olanzapine, continued as a fixed dose for at least 4 weeks. METHODS A total of 306 patients experiencing an acute exacerbation of schizophrenia were prospectively followed-up. Response was defined as a 20% improvement on the Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) positive score, sustained until week 6. Onset of action was defined as the time point at which a 20% improvement in positive symptoms occurred and was maintained to week 6. RESULTS Significant improvements from baseline were observed throughout the study with respect to PANSS positive and PANSS total score (P<0.001). Within the first week of treatment, 20.6% of patients showed a 20% decrease in PANSS positive score, which was maintained until week 6. By weeks 2, 3 and 4 the percentage of responders had risen to 38.2, 49.7 and 52.3%, respectively. Olanzapine 10 mg/day was well tolerated, with the frequency of extrapyramidal symptoms and sexual dysfunction markedly lower following treatment than at baseline. CONCLUSION In this clinical open study, about half of the patients showed a response within 3 weeks, which is at least maintained until week 6.