Exercise training soon after myocardial infarction

To assess the cardiovascular effects of exercise training soon after clinically uncomplicated myocardial infarction, 70 men (mean age 54 years) underwent gymnasium training (no. = 28), home training (no. = 12) or no training (no. = 30) 3 to 11 weeks after the acute event. During this 8 week interval functional capacity increased significantly (P < 0.001) in all three groups: gymnasium training, 66 percent; home training, 41 percent; and no training, 34 percent. Peak functional capacity at 11 weeks was 11.0 ± 1.6, 10.3 ± 1.4 and 9.4 ± 1.8 (mean ± standard deviation) multiples of resting energy expenditure (METs) in the three groups—values approximating those of sedentary men of similar age without coronary heart disease. Functional capacity increased more in the gymnasium training group than in the no training group, but this difference was statistically significant only in patients without exercise-induced ischemie S-T segment depression or angina pectoris (P < 0.01). Another “training effect”—diminished heart rate response to submaximal work—was also observed in all three groups. It is concluded that (1) symptom-limited treadmill exercise testing performed soon after clinically uncomplicated myocardial infarction is feasible and safe and provides useful guidelines for physical reconditioning. (2) Patients who demonstrate nonischemic responses to treadmill exercise testing soon after infarction may safely undergo unsupervised exercise training at home. (3) Formal exercise training may not be required to restore functional capacity to nearly normal values soon after clinically uncomplicated myocardial infarction.     

Body weight-supported treadmill training after stroke

Gait rehabilitation is a major aspect of neurologic rehabilitation. This review focuses on locomotor therapy by treadmill stimulation with partial body weight support (BWS), which has become a very promising treatment concept over the past few years. It enables severely affected patients to follow modern aspects of motor learning, favoring a task-specific approach. Initially two therapists assist the movement, placing the paretic limbs and controlling the trunk movements. As compared with overground walking, patients walked more symmetrically, less spastically, and more efficiently on the treadmill with BWS. Several clinical controlled studies have shown its potential in patients after stroke, who regained walking ability faster in the acute or in the chronic stage. Controlled multicenter trials comparing locomotor and conventional therapy will be the next step. Also, the use of BWS during overground walking could be incorporated into the locomotor treatment program of less affected stroke patients. An electromechanical gait trainer relieving the strenuous effort of the therapists and controlling the trunk in a phase-dependent manner is a new technical alternative for severe stroke patients.     

卒中后早期运动训练的神经保护作用

卒中后早期运动训练的治疗策略已是一个备受关注的热点。一系列研究显示,卒中后早期运动训练能通过抑制急性神经炎性反应和细胞凋亡、增加神经营养因子表达和保护血脑屏障完整性来减轻脑损伤。文章就早期运动训练在卒中后的神经保护作用以及其可能的分子机制进行了综述。     

Exercise training intervention after coronary angioplasty: the ETICA trial

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to determine the effects of exercise training (ET) on functional capacity and quality of life (QOL) in patients who received percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary stenting (CS), the effects on the restenosis rate and the outcome. BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether ET induces beneficial effects after coronary angioplasty. METHODS: We studied 118 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease (mean age 57+/-10 years) who underwent PTCA or CS on one (69%) or two (31%) native epicardial coronary arteries. Patients were randomized into two matched groups. Group T (n = 59) was exercised three times a week for six months at 60% of peak VO2. Group C (n = 59) was the control group. RESULTS: Only trained patients had significant improvements in peak VO2 (26%, p < 0.001) and quality of life (26.8%, p = 0.001 vs. C). The angiographic restenosis rate was unaffected by ET (T: 29%; C: 33%, P = NS) and was not significantly different after PTCA or CS. However, residual diameter stenosis was lower in trained patients (-29.7%, p = 0.045). In patients with angiographic restenosis, thallium uptake improved only in group T (19%; p < 0.001). During the follow-up (33+/-7 months) trained patients had a significantly lower event rate than controls (11.9 vs. 32.2%, RR: 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60 to 0.91, p = 0.008) and a lower rate of hospital readmission (18.6 vs. 46%, RR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.55 to 0.93, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate ET improves functional capacity and QOL after PTCA or CS. During the follow-up, trained patients had fewer events and a lower hospital readmission rate than controls, despite an unchanged restenosis rate.     

Exercise and hormesis: oxidative stress-related adaptation for successful aging

The hormesis theory purports that biological systems respond with a bell-shaped curve to exposure to chemicals, toxins, and radiation. Here we extend the hormesis theory to include reactive oxygen species (ROS). We further suggest that the beneficial effects of regular exercise are partly based on the ROS generating capability of exercise, which is in the stimulation range of ROS production. Therefore, we suggest that exercise-induced ROS production plays a role in the induction of antioxidants, DNA repair and protein degrading enzymes, resulting in decreases in the incidence of oxidative stress-related diseases and retardation of the aging process.     

Exercise training in juvenile dermatomyositis

Objective

To investigate the effects of a supervised exercise training program on health parameters, physical capacity, and health‐related quality of life in patients with mild and chronic juvenile dermatomyositis (DM).

Methods

This was a prospective longitudinal study following 10 children with mild and chronic juvenile DM (disease duration >1 year). The exercise program consisted of twice‐a‐week aerobic and resistance training. At baseline and after the 12‐week intervention, we assessed muscle strength and function, aerobic conditioning, body composition, juvenile DM scores, and health‐related quality of life.

Results

Child self‐report and parent proxy‐report Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory scores were improved after the intervention (?40.3%; P = 0.001 and ?48.2%; P = 0.049, respectively). Importantly, after exercise, the Disease Activity Score was reduced (?26.9%; P = 0.026) and the Childhood Muscle Assessment Scale was improved (+2.5%; P = 0.009), whereas the Manual Muscle Test presented a trend toward statistical significance (+2.2%; P = 0.081). The peak oxygen consumption and time‐to‐exhaustion were increased by 13.3% (P = 0.001) and 18.2% (P = 0.003), respectively, whereas resting heart rate was decreased by 14.7% (P = 0.006), indicating important cardiovascular adaptations to the exercise program. Upper and lower extremity muscle strength and muscle function were also significantly improved after the exercise training (P < 0.05). Both the whole‐body and the lumbar spine bone mineral apparent density were significantly increased after training (1.44%; P = 0.044 and 2.85%; P = 0.008, respectively).

Conclusion

We showed for the first time that a 12‐week supervised exercise program is safe and can improve muscle strength and function, aerobic conditioning, bone mass, disease activity, and health‐related quality of life in patients with active and nonactive mild and chronic juvenile DM with near normal physical function and quality of life.

     

Exercise training in heart failure

BACKGROUND: In patients with chronic heart failure, exercise limitation cannot be exclusively attributed to cardiac dysfunction. During progression of the disease, peripheral factors have a growing impact on functional capacity. Chronic underperfusion of skeletal muscles, inactivity and a harmful effect of neuroendocrine stimulation lead to a myopathy syndrome characterized by atrophy, a shift in muscle fiber type and a loss of capillaries and mitochondria, which cause reduced muscle strength and aerobic capacity. Unlike left ventricular systolic function, which is a poor predictor of exercise tolerance in patients with chronic heart failure, parameters characterizing the myopathy syndrome correlate well with functional capacity. In the last 20 years, numerous studies have demonstrated that chronic heart failure patients in NYHA classes II and III benefit from physical training without deterioration of their cardiac function. EFFECTS OF EXERCISE TRAINING: Physical activity primarily improves muscle function and increases maximal as well as submaximal exercise capacity. Advantageous effects have also been observed with regard to neuroendocrine stimulation. The effect on central hemodynamics is much smaller and indirectly mediated by a trend towards decreased peripheral resistance. Left ventricular diameters, ejection fraction and filling pressures do not show significant changes. The gain in exercise capacity is usually accompanied by an improvement in symptom status and quality of life. Recent studies indicate that prognosis may also be improved by exercise training. CONVERSION INTO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Although continuous exercise training (mainly by use of cycle ergometry) has been investigated most thoroughly, there is an increasing number of studies reporting beneficial effects of interval and resistance training. Before starting a standardized training program, functional limitation and training intensity should be determined by an appropriate stress test. During the first training sessions, patients should always be supervised by a physician. In order to increase efficiency and feasibility of the exercise therapy, home-based training should be engaged as soon as a stable condition during repeated training sessions has been proven.     

Exercise training in heart failure

Patients with heart failure challenge the clinician with a constellation of difficult clinical, pathophysiologic, and psychologic issues. As a result, until recently, exercise training was not considered a safe and effective treatment strategy to be used in these patients. However, in the past 10 years, data from both randomized and nonrandomized trials showed that regular exercise training in patients with stable Class II and III heart failure can safely improve exercise tolerance, attenuate an overactivated sympathetic nervous system, partially reverse skeletal muscle abnormalities, and enhance health-related quality of life. These outcomes are achievable with a relatively moderate dose of physical activity, such as 30 to 60 minutes of walking or cycling 3 to 5 days per week at an intensity equivalent to 60% to 70% of peak oxygen consumption. Sufficiently powered trials are needed to assess morbidity, mortality, and cost-effectiveness endpoints relative to exercise training in patients with heart failure.     

Exercise training in heart failure

The reduction of exercise capacity with early occurrence of fatigue and dyspnea is a hallmark of heart failure syndrome. There are objective similarities between heart failure and muscular deconditioning. Deficiencies in peripheral blood flow and skeletal muscle function, morphology, metabolism, and function are present. The protective effects of physical activity have been elucidated in many recent studies: training improves ventilatory control, skeletal muscle metabolism, autonomic nervous system, central and peripheral circulation, and heart function. These provide the physiologic basis to explain the benefits in terms of survival and freedom from hospitalization demonstrated by physical training also in heart failure.     

Exercise training in heart failure

The reduction of exercise capacity with early occurrence of fatigue and dyspnea is a hallmark of heart failure syndrome. There are objective similarities between heart failure and muscular deconditioning. Deficiencies in peripheral blood flow and skeletal muscle function, morphology, metabolism, and function are present. The protective effects of physical activity have been elucidated in many recent studies: training improves ventilatory control, skeletal muscle metabolism, autonomic nervous system, central and peripheral circulation, and heart function. These provide the physiologic basis to explain the benefits in terms of survival and freedom from hospitalization demonstrated by physical training in heart failure.     

Exercise training in heart failure

The reduction of exercise capacity with early occurrence of fatigue and dyspnea is a hallmark of heart failure syndrome. There are objective similarities between heart failure and muscular deconditioning. Deficiencies in peripheral blood flow and skeletal muscle function, morphology, metabolism, and function are present. The protective effects of physical activity have been elucidated in many recent studies: training improves ventilatory control, skeletal muscle metabolism, autonomic nervous system, central and peripheral circulation, and heart function. These provide the physiologic basis to explain the benefits in terms of survival and freedom from hospitalization demonstrated by physical training also in heart failure.     

优化运动技巧的康复训练对卒中后上肢功能恢复的作用

目的观察优化运动技巧的康复训练对卒中后上肢功能恢复的作用。方法将有上肢功能障碍的40例卒中(脑出血或脑缺血)患者按照入院病例号尾数的奇偶数,分为优化组(20例)和对照组(20例)。所有患者均接受卒中的传统康复和药物治疗,给予优化组患者优化运动技巧的康复训练,40 min/次,2次/d,5 d/周。时间均为6周。分别在治疗前及治疗后6周进行上肢Fugl-Meyer评分(FMA)、临床神经功能缺损程度评分、简易上肢功能检查(STEF)评分。结果①治疗后6周,两组FMA评分均上升,但治疗前后优化组评分的差值高于对照组,分别为(12.6±6.0)分和(3.6±2.6)分,差异有统计学意义(均P<0.01)。②在神经功能缺损程度量表评分中,治疗后肩臂运动评分和手部运动功能评分,优化组较对照组差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。③治疗后两组简易上肢功能检查STEF评分均有提高,治疗前后评分的差值优化组高于对照组,分别为(14.8±5.3)分和(9.5±2.7)分,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论优化运动技巧的康复训练能够帮助改善卒中后上肢的运用和控制能力,促进上肢功能的恢复。     

计算机辅助姿态平衡训练对小脑卒中后平衡障碍的影响

目的 探讨计算机辅助姿态平衡训练系统联合Bobath平衡训练对小脑卒中后平衡障碍的疗效.方法 40例小脑卒中后平衡障碍患者随机分为联合训练组和对照组,每组各20例,对照组给予Bobath平衡训练等常规康复治疗,联合训练组在此基础上使用计算机辅助姿态平衡训练系统进行康复治疗.在治疗前后采用Berg平衡量表(Berg Balance Scale,BBS)、改良Barthel指数(modifiedBarthel Index,mBI)和Fugl-Meyer评定量表(Fugl-Meyer Assessment,FMA)评价平衡功能、日常生活活动能力以及运动功能,并采用计算机辅助姿态平衡训练系统根据重心轨迹长度、轨迹矩形面积和轨迹外周面积进行姿势平衡能力评定.结果 两组患者治疗前各项指标均无显著统计学差异,治疗后BBS、mBI和FMA评分均较治疗前显著提高(P均＜0.001),重心轨迹长、轨迹矩形面积和轨迹外周面积均较治疗前显著下降(P ＜0.001或0.05);除FMA评分外,联合训练组治疗后各项指标均显著优于对照组(P均＜0.05).结论 在Bobath平衡训练基础上使用计算机辅助姿态平衡训练系统能显著改善小脑卒中后的平衡障碍和肢体运动能力,从而提高日常生活活动能力.