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Biomedical subjects

W G Squires

Publications and source records attributed to W G Squires.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Demonstration of training effect during chronic beta-adrenergic blockade in patients with coronary artery disease.

Attenuation of exercise-induced increases in heart rate and cardiac output by chronic beta-adrenergic blockade has been thought to compromise benefit of exercise training in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). To assess this important issue, 35 CAD patients were evaluated by a 3-month walk-jog-cycle training program: 14 patients received no beta blocker (group 1), 14 received propranolol, 30-80 mg/day (group 2), and seven patients received propranolol, 120-240 mg/day (group 3). The extent of CAD, resting heart rate before training blood pressure and VO2 max were similar (p = NS) in each group. The maximal exercise heart rate (mean +/- SD, 147 +/- 21 beats/min in group 1 vs 120 +/- 10 beats/min in group 2 and 115 +/- 12 beats/min in group 3 (both p less than 0.05 vs group 1). The VO2 max before training was 25 +/- 5.0 ml/kg/min in group 1 vs 23 +/- 3.2 ml/kg/min in group 2 and 26 +/- 2.8 ml/Kg/min in group 3 (all p = NS). Training consisted of three 1-hour periods per week at a heart rate of 70-85% of the maximal pretraining heart rate. In each group, VO2 increased (p less than 0.05) after training: group 1, 27%; group 2, 30%; group 3, 46%. The double product was unchanged after training (p = NS) in each group. These data indicate that substantial training effects may be achieved in CAD patients despite therapeutic doses of beta blockers and a reduced training HR. Thus, there appears to be no indication to reduce beta blockers in CAD patients engaged in cardiac rehabilitation.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Fitness variables and the lipid profile in United States astronauts.

The study examines the relationship between several measures of fitness and the lipid profile in United States astronauts. Data were collected on 89 astronauts, previously selected (PSA) and newly selected (NSA), during their annual physical examinations. Several similarities were seen in the two groups. The PSA (mean age of 46.1) had a lower maximum VO2 (41.7 ml . mg . min-1 vs. 47.5 ml . kg . min-1); when adjusted for age, it was no different from the NSA (mean age 33.5). The PSA had similar body composition with 15.7%--lower than expected for age. The lipid profiles of the two groups were basically the same with the differences being a function of age. Compared to a normative population, the astronauts had similar cholesterols, lower triglycerides, and higher HDLs. The astronaut profiles were generally more favorable than the age-matched controls, which is felt to be a result of the self-supervised conditioning program and annual preventive medicine consultation and education.

Adult↗

Psychological profile of college students who use smokeless tobacco.

The purpose of this study was to develop a psychological profile of smokeless tobacco users. We surveyed 1991 college students regarding their use of tobacco products. Twenty-one percent of the white males used smokeless tobacco compared to only 10.4% of blacks, 5.4% of Hispanics, and 5.4% of others, primarily Asians. Although the prevalence of smokeless tobacco use reported by Asians was relatively low, their rate of reported smoking was over twice as high as any other ethnic group, 43.6%. The most important reasons for beginning to use smokeless tobacco were to "see if I would enjoy it," "most friends used it," and "try something new." The personality profile of the smokeless tobacco users differed from that of smokers and non-users of tobacco. College students with the highest probability of being a smokeless tobacco user were white males who scored higher in extraversion and neuroticism but lower on state anxiety than non-users.

Adult↗

Safety and efficacy evaluation of a fitness club weight-loss program.

It is well documented that excess weight is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases, and, despite considerable expenditure of time, money, and effort, little or no progress has been made in reversing the trend toward increased weight. Although fitness and athletic clubs offer one potential for tackling this problem, few provide information about the efficacy of their weight-loss programs. There is general agreement that an efficacious weight-loss program should reduce body fat, maintain or increase fat-free mass (FFM), and lower total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. This study was designed to compare changes in body composition and serum cholesterol associated with participation in a fitness club program (EXP) versus changes that occurred when participants pursued a program of their own choosing (CTL). The EXP group participated in the Bally's Total Fitness program that included exercise, behavior modification, and dietary supplements. Although only small differences in body weight were noted between groups, participation in the EXP program led to significant (sixfold) reductions in fat mass, increases in FFM, and improvements in body composition. These data highlight the importance of using measures of body composition rather than scale weight in evaluating the efficacy of weight-loss programs. Additionally, the EXP group achieved significant reductions in total and LDL cholesterol, particularly among individuals with baseline total cholesterol levels above 200 micrograms/dL. It is also worth noting that respective cholesterol levels were maintained for participants with total cholesterol levels between 150 and 199 micrograms/dL and were increased for those with levels at or below 150 micrograms/dL.

Adult↗