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PubMed2005

[Effects of walking exercise on metabolic syndrome risk factors and body composition in obese middle school girls].

PURPOSE: This study was done to determine the effects of walking exercise training(WET) on metabolic syndrome risk factors and body composition in obese middle school girls. METHOD: A non-equivalent pretest-posttest experimental design was used. Twenty seven subjects participated in this study from one women's middle school in Busan. The participants were purposely allocated to an experimental group (n=14) and a control group (n=13). The experimental group participated in 30-60 minutes of WET with 55 to 75% of a maximal heart rate six days a week for 12 weeks. RESULTS: The prevalence of individual risk factors on metabolic syndrome were improved in the experimental group after the intervention. The high waist circumference(WC), high triglyceride(TG), low high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), high blood pressure(BP) and high fasting glucose(FG) were 21.4, 21.4, 14.3, 28.6 and 7.2%, respectively. There were significant differences in WC (F=22.24, p<.001), TG (F=5.34, p=0.30), body weight(F=21.99, p<.001), fat mass(F=19.17, p<.001), and % body fat(F=17.93, p<.001) between the experimental and control group after the intervention. However, there were no significant differences in HDL-C, FG and BP between the experimental and control group after the intervention. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that WET is effective in decreasing risk factors of the metabolic syndrome and body composition components in obese middle school girls. These findings suggest that WET can be useful as a nursing intervention in the prevention of obesity-related disorders in obese adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Effect of dog-walking on autonomic nervous activity in senior citizens.

OBJECTIVE: To compare changes in autonomic nervous activity in healthy senior individuals while walking with and without a dog, and during routine activities at home and periods of interacting with the dog at home. DESIGN: Controlled crossover study. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: 13 healthy volunteers (3 men, 10 women; mean age, 67.5 years) who walked in a park adjacent to Gunma University, Japan, and 4 volunteers among these who underwent monitoring in their own homes. INTERVENTIONS: Heart rate variability was monitored continuously by means of a palm-sized electrocardiographic monitor (which facilitated spectral analysis of the RR interval) while participants walked for 30 minutes (first with, then without, the study dog, or vice versa); three participants underwent this intervention on 3 consecutive days. Four participants underwent continuous monitoring for 6 hours in their own homes, including two 30-minute periods of free interaction with the study dog. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: High frequency (HF) power values of heart rate variability, which is a measure of parasympathetic neural activity. RESULTS: During dog-walking, HF power increased significantly (P < 0.01); this increase was sustained throughout each dog walk, and was more pronounced during succeeding dog walks. At home, HF power was 1.87 times greater when the dog was present, and 1.57 times greater (P < 0.01) than in the walking experiment. CONCLUSIONS: Walking a dog has potentially greater health benefits as a buffer against stress in senior citizens than walking without a dog; and, independent of actually walking, merely patting and talking to a dog also raises parasympathetic neural activity. Power spectral analysis of heart rate variability shows promise as a non-invasive approach to quantifying clinicophysiological research on human health benefits possibly derived from interaction with companion animals.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Malaria, schistosomiasis, and intestinal helminths in relation to microdams in Tigray, northern Ethiopia.

A survey was undertaken in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia, to assess the prevalence of malaria, schistosomiasis, and intestinal helminths in relation to microdams. The survey took place from March to June 1995, during the dry season, at 41 microdams. At each site the village nearest the dam (within thirty minutes walk) was selected, ten households were randomly chosen, and all family members were examined for malaria and intestinal parasites. The overall study sample was 2271 people, of all age groups. Plasmodium falciparum infection was documented in four villages (at 10% of microdams); prevalence was 1.2% (range 0-20% by village). Larvae of Anopheles gambiae s.l. were found at one microdam. Infection with intestinal schistosomiasis was documented in 20 villages (at 49% of microdams), and one third of those infected had moderate to heavy infections. Biomphalaria species, the intermediate host snails of Schistosoma mansoni, were found at 16 microdams (39%), and snails infected by mammalian cercariae were found in one locality. Infections with soil-transmitted nematodes were prevalent: hookworm was detected in more than two thirds of the villages, and Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura were present in almost half of the villages. Out of 2078 stool examinations, the prevalence of S. mansoni infection was 7.2% (range 0-48% by village), of A. lumbricoides 2.3% (range 0-31%), of T. trichiura 2.4% (range 0-21%), and of hookworm 8.9% (range 0-78%). The prevalence of malaria, S. mansoni and hookworm was higher at altitudes below 2000 metres above sea level. S. mansoni was more prevalent in microdams built more than 5 years before the survey, while T. trichiura was more prevalent at recently constructed microdams. The widespread distribution of schistosomiasis and intestinal helminths, and the presence of malaria infection during the dry season confirm that microdams create favourable conditions for the transmission of these parasitic diseases. Health safeguards must be incorporated into the planning, construction, and operation of microdams and irrigation systems in order to prevent or reduce these diseases. In areas with high prevalence, control activities should be intensified.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Physical exercise intensity can be related to plasma glutathione levels.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of different kinds of physical exercise on plasma glutathione levels. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: In walking group (W; n=6), rats were trained to walk 0.8 m/min for 45 min; slow running group (SR; n=6) were trained to run 4 m/min for 45 min; fast running group (FR; n=6) ran 8 m/min for 60 min and control rats (C; n=6) remained in their home cages. All animals were sacrificed after exercise and the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) in plasma samples determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a fluorescent detector. Compared to controls, exercise did not change GSH plasma levels of the W group. A tendency to decrease blood GSH was observed in plasma samples of the SR group and in the FR group, physical exercise resulted in a dramatic decrease in GSH plasma levels. These data suggest that during light physical exercise there is a low production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with a low request for antioxidant defence such as oxidation of GSH. The dramatic decrease observed in GSH levels in FR rats would indicate the presence of oxidative stress able to modify blood antioxidant profiles. Our results suggest that GSH plays a central antioxidant role in blood during intensive physical exercise and that its modifications are closely related to exercise intensity.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Physical exercise intensity can be related to plasma glutathione levels.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of different kinds of physical exercise on plasma glutathione levels. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: In walking group (W; n=6), rats were trained to walk 0.8 m/min for 45 min; slow running group (SR; n=6) were trained to run 4 m/min for 45 min; fast running group (FR; n=6) ran 8m/min for 60 min and control rats (C; n=6) remained in their home cages. All animals were sacrificed after exercise and the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) in plasma samples determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a fluorescent detector. Compared to controls, exercise did not change GSH plasma levels of the W group. A tendency to decrease blood GSH was observed in plasma samples of the SR group and in the FR group, physical exercise resulted in a dramatic decrease in GSH plasma levels. These data suggest that during light physical exercise there is a low production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with a low request for antioxidant defence such as oxidation of GSH. The dramatic decrease observed in GSH levels in FR rats would indicate the presence of oxidative stress able to modify blood antioxidant profiles. Our results suggest that GSH plays a central antioxidant role in blood during intensive physical exercise and that its modifications are closely related to exercise intensity.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Creatine supplementation improves muscle strength in patients with congestive heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Both, cardiac and skeletal muscle creatine levels are depressed in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Oral supplementation of creatine (Cr) could increase physical performance in healthy volunteers. We therefore hypothesized that oral creatine supplementation improves skeletal muscle strength, quality of live and symptom-limited performance in patients with CHF. METHODS: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled and crossover-designed study, 20 patients suffering from congestive heart failure more than 6 months and a peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) below 20 ml/min/kg received 4 x 5 g Cr daily vs. placebo for 6 weeks and were crossed over for the following 6 weeks. Peak VO2, VO2 at the anaerobic threshold (VO2AT), ejection fraction (EF), distance in 6-minute-walk-test (6 min W), and muscle strength (Modified Sphygmomanometer (MS)) were determined at baseline, after 6, and after 12 weeks. Dyspnoea after 6-minute-walk-test was measured using the Borg Scale. Quality of live was assessed with the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). RESULTS: 13 of 20 Patients finished the study. After 6 weeks of creatine supplementation there was a significant increase in body weight and muscle strength compared to baseline and placebo (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant change in peak VO2, VO2AT, walking distance, quality of life assessment and EF. CONCLUSION: Short-term creatine supplementation inaddition to standard medication in patients with CHF leads to an increase in body weight and an improvement of muscle strength. This effect is restricted to the time of supplementation.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Do snacks of exercise lower blood pressure? A randomised crossover trial.

AIM: To assess whether four 10-minute 'snacks' of exercise per day are as effective at lowering blood pressure as 40 minutes of continuous moderate exercise, when compared with no exercise. METHOD: Single blind randomised crossover trial of three 'exercise' regimes in general practice. PARTICIPANTS: 35 hypertensive adults without complications. INTERVENTIONS: Regimes included 4x10-minute episodes of brisk walking per day, 40 minutes continuous brisk walking per day, and no brisk walking. Each regime lasted 4 days with 10 days of no exercise in between. OUTCOMES: Change of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. RESULTS: Mean age 53 years and mean baseline blood pressure 166/103 mmHg. Systolic blood pressure changed by: -7.5 mmHg (95%CI: -8.9, -6.0) with 40-minutes regime; -7.3 mmHg (95%CI: -8.7, -5.8) with 4x10-minutes regime; and +1.0 mmHg (95%CI: -0.4, 2.5) with 'no brisk walking' regime (p<0.001). Diastolic blood pressure reduced by -4.0 mmHg (95%CI: -5.0, -3.0) with 40 minutes regime; -5.4 mmHg (95%CI: -6.4, -4.4) with 4x10 minutes regime; and -0.2 mmHg (95%CI: -1.2, 0.8) with 'no brisk walking' regime (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Four 10-minute snacks of brisk walking were as effective as 40 minutes of continuous brisk walking per day at reducing blood pressure. This has implications for public health messages and advice to patients with hypertension.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1996

The effect of moderate exercise on mood in mildly hypertensive volunteers: a randomized controlled trial.

This study reports an investigation of the effect of participating in moderate exercise (three 40-min sessions of brisk walking a week for 6 months) on mood state in 177 sedentary, mildly hypertensive volunteers. Mood was assessed by the Profile of Mood States, Bipolar Form (POMS-BI), and no significant differences were found between control and exercise groups. The intervention group increased its exercise output more than the control group, but there was also a significant increase in exercise done by the control group. We conclude that exercise has no major effect on mood in hypertensive volunteers.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study to assess the immediate effect of sublingual glyceryl trinitrate on the ankle brachial pressure index, claudication, and maximum walking distance of patients with intermittent claudication.

PURPOSE: The goal of the present study was to assess the immediate effect of sublingual glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) in patients with intermittent claudication. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Inclusion criteria consisted of history of intermittent claudication, resting ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) of 1.00 or less, a 20% or greater fall in ABPI after exercise, and maximum walking distance (MWD) of less than 250 m. Patients already receiving nitrates were excluded. In study 1, patients (n = 25) underwent a standard exercise test after randomization to receive either 800 microg of sublingual GTN or placebo. The postexercise ABPI was recorded. Then, the crossover portion of the study was performed. In study 2, patients (n = 22) had their claudication distance and MWD measured. They then were randomized to receive either GTN or placebo spray, and the exercise test was repeated, with the claudication distance and MWD recorded, followed by the crossover portion of the study. Statistical analysis was performed with the Wilcoxon matched pairs signed ranks test and the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: In study 1, the median postexercise ABPIs for placebo and GTN were 0.29 and 0.36 (P =.0001). In study 2, the median claudication distance for both placebo and GTN groups was 70 m (P =.59). The median MWD for the placebo and GTN groups was 105 and 125 m (P =.0084) CONCLUSION: GTN can decrease the fall in ABPI after exercise and increase the MWD.

Administration, Sublingual↗
PubMed2006

Tai Chi versus brisk walking in elderly women.

PURPOSE: to compare the effects of a short style of Tai Chi versus brisk walking training programme on aerobic capacity, heart rate variability (HRV), strength, flexibility, balance, psychological status and quality of life in elderly women. METHODS: nineteen community-dwelling, sedentary women (aged 71.4 +/- 4.5 years) were randomly assigned to Tai Chi Chuan (TCC; n = 11) or brisk walking group (BWG; n = 8). A separate group of elderly women was recruited from the same population to act as a sedentary comparison group (SCG; n = 8). The exercise groups met for 1 h, three days per week for 12 weeks. Outcomes measured before and after training included estimated VO2max, spectral analysis of HRV (high-frequency, low-frequency power as well as high- and low-frequency power in normalised units) as a measure of autonomic control of the heart, isometric knee extension and handgrip muscle strength, single-leg stance time, the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Profile of Mood States (POMS) and Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaires. RESULTS: significant improvement was seen in estimated VO(2)max in the TCC group (TCC versus SCG P = 0.003, TCC versus BWG P = 0.08). The mean within-person change of high-frequency power in normalised units (HFnu) increased [8.2 (0.14-16.3)], representing increased parasympathetic activity, and low-frequency power in normalised units (LFnu) decreased [-8.7 (-16.8-0.5)], representing decreased sympathetic activity, in the TCC group only. Significant gains were also seen in the non-dominant knee extensor strength and single-leg stance time (TCC versus BWG P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: a short style of TCC was found to be an effective way to improve many fitness measures in elderly women over a 3-month period. TCC was also found to be significantly better than brisk walking in enhancing certain measures of fitness including lower extremity strength, balance and flexibility.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Efficient low redundancy large-scale DNA sequencing at EMBL.

An efficient low redundancy DNA sequencing strategy should allow high accuracy determination of the consensus sequence on both strands of a DNA fragment from a minimal number of sequencing reactions with minimal overlap. At EMBL we developed a directed strategy for cosmid-scale sequencing based on primer walking, whereas most other sequencing projects of this scale rely on the random 'shotgun' strategy. In our strategy, highly accurate raw data are obtained from automated double-stranded Sanger dideoxy sequencing with inexpensive walking primers (8 to 10 $ per primer), T7 DNA polymerase and internal labelling by fluorescein-15- dATP on A.L.F. DNA sequencers (Pharmacia Biotech). The use of 60-cm long glass plates enables reading length of up to 1000 bases. Comparing various random and directed sequencing strategies in the course of the European Community yeast genome sequencing project on cosmids from chromosomes IX, XI and XV, primer walking was found to be the strategy resulting in the lowest possible redundancy of 2.6 to 2.8. Future development of the sequencing strategy is based on the new EMBL 2-dye sequencing device for simultaneous sequencing on both strands, and implementation of an initial limited random sequencing phase to reduce the number of walking primers required by a factor of 3, while still maintaining a low redundancy of approx. 3.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Fractal dynamics of human gait: stability of long-range correlations in stride interval fluctuations.

Fractal dynamics were recently detected in the apparently "noisy" variations in the stride interval of human walking. Dynamical analysis of these step-to-step fluctuations revealed a self-similar pattern: fluctuations at one time scale are statistically similar to those at multiple other time scales, at least over hundreds of steps, while healthy subjects walk at their normal rate. To study the stability of this fractal property, we analyzed data obtained from healthy subjects who walked for 1 h at their usual, slow, and fast paces. The stride interval fluctuations exhibited long-range correlations with power-law decay for up to 1,000 strides at all 3 walking rates. In contrast, during metronomically paced walking, these long-range correlations disappeared; variations in the stride interval were random (uncorrelated) and nonfractal. The long-range correlations observed during spontaneous walking were not affected by removal of drifts in the time series. Thus the fractal dynamics of spontaneous stride interval are normally quite robust and intrinsic to the locomotor system. Furthermore, this fractal property of neural output may be related to the higher nervous centers responsible for the control of walking rhythm.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Management of intermittent claudication with pentoxifylline: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of pentoxifylline therapy in improving the walking capacity of patients with moderate intermittent claudication. DATA SOURCES: A search of MEDLINE for trials published between 1976 and 1994 inclusive, and a bibliographic review of all articles retrieved. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials were selected that evaluated the pain-free walking distance (the distanced walked on a treadmill before the onset of calf pain) and the absolute claudication distance (the maximum distance walked on a treadmill) among patients with moderate intermittent claudication. Twelve study groups in 11 trials were included in the analysis. DATA EXTRACTION: In addition to information regarding the trial design, patient characteristics, dosages and treatment periods, the means and standard deviations were collected for both the pain-free walking and absolute claudication distances. Trial quality was also assessed. DATA SYNTHESIS: Overall, there was a statistically significant improvement in the pain-free walking distance after pentoxifylline therapy (weighted mean difference 29.4 m [95% confidence interval (CI) 13.0 to 45.9 m]); this finding was based on a total sample of 612 patients (308 in the treatment groups and 304 in the control groups). A significant improvement was also noted in the absolute claudication distance (weighted mean difference 48.4 m [95% CI 18.3 to 78.6 m]); this was based on a total sample of 511 patients (258 in the treatment group and 253 in the control group). In a sensitivity analysis of the pain-free walking distance, significant treatment effects and no statistically significant heterogeneity were found when only trials were included that were "medically eligible" (involved patients with stage II disease and a pain-free walking distance of 50 to 200 m). In a similar sensitivity analysis of the absolute claudication distance, the two conditions resulting in a significant treatment effect and no significant heterogeneity were the inclusion of "medically eligible" trials and those with a shorter treatment duration (13 weeks or less). CONCLUSION: Pentoxifylline therapy may be efficacious in improving the walking capacity of patients with moderate intermittent claudication. However, properly conducted clinical trials are required to provide a true estimate of the benefit.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMed1992

Does pentoxifylline prolong the walking distance in exercised claudicants? A placebo-controlled double-blind trial.

The aim of this study was to test whether in claudicants oral pentoxifylline, given for twelve weeks in addition to physical exercise, prolongs the walking distance more than placebo plus exercise. Forty outpatients were randomized into group A (2 x 600 mg oral pentoxifylline per day) or group B (placebo). Both groups received the same exercise program in addition. The maximal and painfree walking distances and blood viscosity were measured. Intergroup differences in terms of blood viscosity reached the level of significance only after twelve weeks (p = 0.006 at shear rate of 94.5 s-1), but values of group A continuously decreased and those of group B continuously increased. After one and eight weeks, but not after twelve weeks, the maximal walking distances were significantly longer in group A than in group B. At no point were there significant intergroup differences in terms of painfree walking distance. The data suggest that pentoxifylline is clinically effective in claudicants even when given in addition to exercise. The benefit of drug plus physical therapy compared with exercise alone could be observed mainly in the first weeks of treatment and may wear off during long-term therapy.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of the effects of walking and weight training programs on body image in middle-aged women: an experimental study.

Purpose. This study was conducted to determine the effect of a resistive training intervention on body image in middle-aged women compared to an exercise walking program. Another purpose was to develop two multivariate models to explain improvement in body image among the lifters and walkers. Design. A pretest-posttest experimental design with random assignment of subjects to two exercise groups was employed. Setting. Subjects trained in their own homes and were tested at the university. Subjects. Participants were 60 women recruited from the local community with an average age of 42.5 +/- 4.2 years. Intervention. Subjects were randomly assigned to a resistive training or exercise walking program, both of which were three days per week and 12 weeks in duration. Measures. Body cathexis was assessed using the Body Cathexis Scale; cardiovascular endurance was measured using the one-mile walk test, and muscular strength was assessed using standard weight training procedures. Results. After completion of the exercise interventions, lifters showed greater muscular strength than walkers, and walkers displayed greater cardiorespiratory endurance than lifters, as expected. Lifters also improved significantly more in body image than the walkers. Conclusions. Participation in a three-day-per-week resistive training program seems to improve body image in middle-aged women more than participation in a three-day per week walking program. Further, it appears that hard work and fitness improvements contribute significantly toward positive changes in body image.

Adult↗
PubMed2007

Strategies used by older adults to change travel direction.

INTRODUCTION: A distinct body reorientation strategy during steering tasks has been reported in young adults. As challenges to whole-body stability in older adults occur when navigating complex environments, this study was designed to examine control strategies used by older adults to initiate a voluntary change in travel direction. METHODS: Thirteen older adults, recruited from an independent living division of a local retirement residence, were instrumented with reflective markers and whole-body kinematic data were monitored using a video camera (30 Hz). Participants executed self-paced walking trials 3-m along a straight path and were instructed prior to the trial to continue either straight ahead or randomly turn 40 degrees left or right and continue walking for an additional 2-m. Timing of changes with respect to when the trunk crossed the turning point were calculated for deviations in head and trunk position and foot rotation in the medial-lateral plane. RESULTS: Older adults reoriented themselves into the new travel direction in a top-down, segmental sequence, beginning with head reorientation followed by trunk reorientation, foot rotation and foot displacement into the new travel direction. These changes were initiated over two or more steps 69% of the time and over one step 31% of the time. A significant relationship between turning strategy used and balance confidence was observed; the frequency of using a turning strategy involving two or more steps to initiate a change in travel direction increased as balance confidence decreased. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Older adults made segmental changes to voluntarily reorient themselves in a new travel direction in a similar sequence to that observed in young adults. Older adults chose primarily to initiate these changes two or more steps prior to the turn; the selection of this strategy was related to balance confidence.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1983

Calcitonin treatment for neurogenic claudication.

Forty-one patients with a possible diagnosis of neurogenic claudication were treated with Calcitonin for four weeks. Eleven responded with considerable improvement in their walking distance. Ten agreed to enter a randomized double-blind cross-over trial, and eight made a correct assessment. It is concluded that Calcitonin is effective in relieving symptoms of neurogenic claudication for some patients. Five patients have received the drug for over one year with no serious side effects, and two have not relapsed after discontinuing the drug. Patients likely to respond will probably have symptoms affecting both legs equally pain extending below the upper calf, limiting walking to under a mile; an abnormal myelogram; and no more than one inappropriate sign. They are more likely to be men in late middle age who have been engaged in manual work. The beneficial effect of Calcitonin is probably the result of an arterial shunt mechanism, whereby a reduction in skeletal blood flow provides for a deprived cauda equina.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Effects of the Tibetan herbal preparation Padma 28 in intermittent claudication].

In a placebo-controlled double blind study the effect of Padma 28, a Tibetan herbal prescription, on patients with intermittent claudication was investigated. After two weeks without vasoactive therapy 23 patients were treated by Padma 28 and 20 by placebo. The patients had a disease history of at least 8 months, a steady state for symptoms (maximum walking distance below 250 m), and were distributed randomly in the two groups. After 16 weeks the patients treated with Padma 28 exhibited on standardized ergometry an increase of some 100% (p less than 0.01) in the maximum as well as painfree walking distance. The control patients showed increases of 21% in maximum (p less than 0.05 as compared to Padma 28), and 46% in painfree walking distance. The drug was well tolerated and no drop-out ensued because of side effects.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗