International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Editorial

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6 pages, 264 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Opportunities of Wearable Technology to Increase Physical Activity in Individuals with Chronic Disease: An Editorial

by Jennifer L Scheid and Sarah L West

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(17), 3124; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16173124 - 28 Aug 2019

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3963

Abstract

In this editorial, we will discuss one promising tool to encourage physical activity participation in individuals with chronic disease: The use of wearable technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise and Chronic Disease)

Research

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13 pages, 835 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Determining the Functional State of Cardiac Surgery Patients with Complicated Postoperative Period

by Alexey N. Sumin, Pavel A. Oleinik, Andrey V. Bezdenezhnykh and Natalia A. Bezdenezhnykh

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(7), 4329; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074329 - 4 Apr 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2121

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to study the factors determining the functional state of cardiac surgery patients with a complicated postoperative period upon discharge from the hospital. This observational study included 60 patients who underwent cardiac surgery with a complicated postoperative course [...] Read more.

The purpose of this work was to study the factors determining the functional state of cardiac surgery patients with a complicated postoperative period upon discharge from the hospital. This observational study included 60 patients who underwent cardiac surgery with a complicated postoperative course and with a prolonged intensive care unit stay of more than 72 h. We assessed handgrip and lower-extremity muscle strength and the six-minute walk test (6MWT) distance 3 days after the surgery and at discharge from the hospital. Some patients (53%) additionally underwent a course of neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES). Two groups of patients were formed: first (6MWT distance at discharge of more than 300 m) and second groups (6MWT distance of 300 m or less). The patients of the second group had less lower-extremity muscle strength and handgrip strength on the third postoperative day, a longer aortic clamping time and a longer stay in the intensive care unit. Independent predictors of decreased exercise tolerance at discharge were body mass index, foot extensor strength and baseline 6MWT distance in the general group, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass in the NMES group and in the general group, and age in the NMES group. Thus, the muscle status on the third postoperative day was one of the independent factors associated with the 6MWT distance at discharge in the general group, but not in patients who received NMES. It is advisable to use these results in patients with complications after cardiac surgery with the use of NMES rehabilitation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise and Chronic Disease)

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10 pages, 1787 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Neuromodulation in Patients with Chronic Lateral Epicondylalgia: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

by Blanca De-la-Cruz-Torres, Vanesa Abuín-Porras, Emmanuel Navarro-Flores, César Calvo-Lobo and Carlos Romero-Morales

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(9), 4877; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094877 - 3 May 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4429

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to analyze effects of a percutaneous neuromodulation (PNM) treatment on the radial nerve, regarding pain, functionality, electrophysiologic excitability, and morphology, in patients with chronic lateral epicondylalgia (LE). Methods: Twenty-four patients with chronic unilateral elbow pain were recruited for this [...] Read more.

Objective: The aim was to analyze effects of a percutaneous neuromodulation (PNM) treatment on the radial nerve, regarding pain, functionality, electrophysiologic excitability, and morphology, in patients with chronic lateral epicondylalgia (LE). Methods: Twenty-four patients with chronic unilateral elbow pain were recruited for this preliminary study and were divided into two groups: control (n = 12) and PNM group (n = 12). The subjects in the PNM group received percutaneous peripheral neurostimulation with an acupuncture needle that was located next to the nerve with ultrasound guidance. Pain using a numerical rating scale (NRS), functional ability using patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation (PRTEE), radial nerve cross-sectional area measured by ultrasound, and chronaxie and accommodation index (AI) measured by the strength–duration curve were evaluated. Results: Both groups showed no differences in the baseline measurements (all p = 0.001). However, at the end of the treatment, there were significant differences between groups since only the PNM group significantly improved their values compared to their baseline values: level of pain and cross-sectional area (CSA) values showed a significant decrease while the PRTEE scores showed a significant improvement. Then, regarding AI, the PNM group showed significant improvement for the electrophysiologic nerve excitability pattern, reporting normal function in all radial nerves after treatment (p = 0.001). However, chronaxie values always reported similar values with no differences between groups (p >0.05); Conclusion: Ultrasound-PNM technique may be an interesting therapeutic tool for the treatment of chronic LE due to the improvement in the level of pain, functionality, nerve morphology, and excitability in this population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise and Chronic Disease)

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10 pages, 1676 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Icariin Treatment Enhanced the Skeletal Response to Exercise in Estrogen-Deficient Rats

by Renqing Zhao, Wenqian Bu and Yingfeng Chen

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(19), 3779; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193779 - 8 Oct 2019

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3015

Abstract

Estrogen deficiency frequently leads to a fall in estrogen receptor-α (ERα) numbers and then reduces the skeletal response to mechanical strain. It, however, is still unclear whether phytoestrogen administration will enhance the effects of exercise on the estrogen-deficient bone loss. This study aimed [...] Read more.

Estrogen deficiency frequently leads to a fall in estrogen receptor-α (ERα) numbers and then reduces the skeletal response to mechanical strain. It, however, is still unclear whether phytoestrogen administration will enhance the effects of exercise on the estrogen-deficient bone loss. This study aimed to determine the effect of Icariin treatment on the response of osteogenic formation to exercise in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Thirty-two 3-month old female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly allocated into four groups: (1) Sham-operated (SO); (2) OVX; (3) OVX plus exercise (EX); and (4) OVX plus exercise and Icariin (EI). After 8-week interventions, the rats were killed and samples were collected for bone morphometry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and Western blot analyses. EI interventions showed a greater improvement for the OVX-induced bone loss and the elevated serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) compared with EX only. Both EX and EI interventions bettered the OVX-related reduction of BV/TV and trabecular number and thickness, and decreased the enlargement of trabecular bone separation (Tb. Sp); the improvement for BV/TV and Tb. Sp was greater in EI group. Furthermore, EX and EI treatment significantly increased the number of ALP⁺ cells and mineralized nodule areas compared with OVX group; the change was higher in EI group. Additionally, in comparison to OVX rats, the protein and mRNA expression of β-catenin, phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt) or Akt, ERα, and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) in osteoblasts were elevated in EX and EI intervention rats, with greater change observed in EI group. The upregulated β-catenin and Akt mRNA levels in EX and EI groups was depressed by ICI182780 treatment, and the difference in β-catenin and Akt mRNA levels between EX and EI groups was no longer significant. Conclusively, the combination of Icariin and exercise significantly prevent OVX-induced bone loss and increase osteoblast differentiation and the ability of mineralization compared with exercise alone; the changes might be regulated partly by ERα/Akt/β-catenin pathway. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise and Chronic Disease)

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12 pages, 307 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel, Individualized Exercise Program for Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease Recovering from Bypass Surgery

by Edita Jakubsevičienė, Karolina Mėlinytė and Raimondas Kubilius

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(12), 2127; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16122127 - 16 Jun 2019

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3016

Abstract

The effectiveness of an individual six-month-long physical exercise program in improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is unclear. There is some evidence that an individual exercise program can be effective for this aim. The goal of this study was to compare an individual [...] Read more.

The effectiveness of an individual six-month-long physical exercise program in improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is unclear. There is some evidence that an individual exercise program can be effective for this aim. The goal of this study was to compare an individual six-month-long physical exercise program for patients with PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease) with a traditional exercise program and find the effect of these programs on HRQOL and PAD risk factors. The study included patients who underwent femoral–popliteal artery bypass grafting surgery. Patients were divided into three groups: patients participating in an individual six-month-long physical exercise program (group I), in the standard physical activity program (group II), and in a control group (group III), with no subjects participating in rehabilitation II. Results: group I patients had a significantly (p < 0.001) higher HRQOL at 6 months after their surgery compared with groups II and III. The HRQOL scores were significantly (p < 0.05) lower after surgery among older (≥ 65), overweight participants, as well as among patients with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases when comparing study results with patients without these risk factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise and Chronic Disease)

10 pages, 295 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction and Exercise Intolerance in Children Treated with Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant—A Pilot Feasibility Study

by Sarah L. West, Gillian White, Jessica E. Caterini, Tammy Rayner, Tal Schechter, Paul C. Nathan and Greg D. Wells

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(9), 1608; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16091608 - 8 May 2019

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2871

Abstract

Haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is an intensive therapy for some pediatric hematological illnesses. Survivors are at risk for adverse effects including exercise intolerance. Peripheral tissue dysfunction may contribute to exercise intolerance; therefore, we examined the feasibility of a magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) [...] Read more.

Haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is an intensive therapy for some pediatric hematological illnesses. Survivors are at risk for adverse effects including exercise intolerance. Peripheral tissue dysfunction may contribute to exercise intolerance; therefore, we examined the feasibility of a magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) protocol to evaluate skeletal muscle metabolism in children post-HSCT. We measured demographic characteristics, aerobic exercise capacity (YMCA protocol), and skeletal muscle function in response to exercise (MRS; Siemens 3T MRI) in five children post-allogeneic HSCT and five age/body mass index-matched healthy controls (HCs). The mean age (± standard deviation) of the HSCT group and HC group were 11 ± 1.2 and 12.8 ± 2.4 years, respectively. Children post-HSCT had a lower peak aerobic exercise capacity compared to HCs (27.8 ± 3.4 vs. 40.3 ± 8.1 mL kg⁻¹ min⁻¹, respectively; p = 0.015). Exercise MRS testing protocols were successfully completed by all HSCT and HC participants; however, MRS-derived skeletal muscle metabolism variables were not different between the two groups. In conclusion, the use of exercise protocols in conjunction with MRS to assess peripheral skeletal muscle metabolism was achievable in children post-HSCT. In the future, larger studies should determine if skeletal muscle function is associated with exercise capacity in children post-HSCT. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise and Chronic Disease)

9 pages, 308 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cigarette Smoking Blunts Exercise-Induced Heart Rate Response among Young Adult Male Smokers

by Sri Sumartiningsih, Hsin-Fu Lin and Jung-Charng Lin

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(6), 1032; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16061032 - 21 Mar 2019

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5520

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the exercise-induced heart rate response (HRR) and heart rate variability (HRV) in subjects caused by inhaling smoke from tobacco cigarettes (TC) and aerosolized vapor from electronic nicotine dispensing systems (ENDS) (commonly referred to as e-cigarettes (EC)). A randomized [...] Read more.

This study aimed to examine the exercise-induced heart rate response (HRR) and heart rate variability (HRV) in subjects caused by inhaling smoke from tobacco cigarettes (TC) and aerosolized vapor from electronic nicotine dispensing systems (ENDS) (commonly referred to as e-cigarettes (EC)). A randomized crossover study recruited 24 young adult male smokers with an average age of 23 years and with a smoking habit of at least two years. Heart rate response was recorded after a maximal multistage shuttle 20 m run test (MMST) under three different levels of nicotine: Control 0 mg nicotine of EC (C), 3 mg nicotine of EC (3EC), and 3 mg nicotine of TC (3TC). HRV was evaluated based on the beat-to-beat time interval during the running test. The results showed no statistically significant differences in the run time to exhaustion under the three conditions (C: 398 ± 151 s; 3EC: 399 ± 160 s; 3TC: 381 ± 150 s). Exercise-induced HRR was significantly attenuated under the TC condition (p < 0.05). Intriguingly, the HRV standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) during exercise significantly increased under 3EC and 3TC. The results showed that a significant acute autonomic cardiac modulation during exercise is induced by an acute episode of EC and TC smoking. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise and Chronic Disease)

9 pages, 539 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can an Exercise-Based Educational and Motivational Intervention be Durably Effective in Changing Compliance to Physical Activity and Anthropometric Risk in People with Type 2 Diabetes? A Follow-Up Study

by Francesca Gallè, Jesse C. Krakauer, Nir Y. Krakauer, Giuliana Valerio and Giorgio Liguori

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(5), 701; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16050701 - 27 Feb 2019

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3841

Abstract

Aims. A nine-month motivational exercise-based intervention was previously offered to subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D). A year after the end of the intervention, compliance to physical activity (PA) and anthropometric indices of participants were analyzed to evaluate the durability of its effects. [...] Read more.

Aims. A nine-month motivational exercise-based intervention was previously offered to subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D). A year after the end of the intervention, compliance to physical activity (PA) and anthropometric indices of participants were analyzed to evaluate the durability of its effects. Methods. PA levels, expressed as total energy expenditure per week, were assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Changes in Body Mass Index (BMI), A Body Shape Index (ABSI), Hip Index (HI) z-scores, the relative mortality risk related to each of these measures, and a combined Anthropometric Risk Index (ARI) were also evaluated. Results. Of a total of the 52 subjects examined (67.9% males, mean age 61.8 ± 6.0), 46 (88.4%) were still sufficiently active as defined by IPAQ thresholds at follow-up. PA levels, anthropometric indices and related risks improved at follow-up in respect to the baseline and to the end of the intervention, although only PA levels, BMI and related measures, and ARI risk changed significantly. Habitual PA increased significantly after the intervention (p < 0.01) and this increase correlated with changes in BMI z-scores (r = −0.29, p = 0.04). BMI risk was significantly lower (p < 0.01) in participants still active at follow-up. Conclusions. This study testifies to the persistence of compliance to PA and health benefits of a combined exercise-based and motivational intervention in subjects with T2D. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise and Chronic Disease)

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9 pages, 319 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

The Relationship between Physical Activity Levels and Mental Health in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury in South Korea

by Dong-il Kim, Jeongmin Lee, Hyuna Park and Justin Y. Jeon

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(12), 4423; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17124423 - 19 Jun 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3231

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between physical activity (PA) levels and mental health in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: Three hospitals in the Seoul metropolitan area were invited to recruit patients with SCI (n [...] Read more.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between physical activity (PA) levels and mental health in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: Three hospitals in the Seoul metropolitan area were invited to recruit patients with SCI (n = 103). PA levels were measured by the Leisure Score Index of the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ). The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were used to assess mental health. Results: Compared to the least physically active participants (1st tertile, 44.09 ± 52.74 min/week), the most physically active participants (3rd tertile, 670.86 ± 354.97 min/week) scored significantly lower on PHQ-9 (17.03 ± 5.70 vs. 12.49 ± 4.01, p < 0.001), GAD-7 (13.24 ± 4.78 vs. 9.86 ± 3.15, p < 0.001), while significantly higher MSPSS (51.24 ± 10.17 vs. 61.37 ± 11.90, p < 0.001) after the results were adjusted for age, gender, American Spinal Cord Injury Association impairment scale, and impaired spinal cord levels. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the PA was a significant predictor of depression (β = −1.50, p = 0.01), anxiety (β = −1.12, p = 0.02), and social support (β = 4.04, p = 0.01). Conclusion: Higher PA participation was associated with lower depression, anxiety, and higher social support scores. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise and Chronic Disease)

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