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• Development of exercise-induces arm-leg blood pressure gradient and abnormal arterial compliance in patients with repaired coarctation of the aorta.

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  Development of exercise-induces arm-leg blood pressure gradient and abnormal arterial compliance in patients with repaired coarctation of the aorta.

  Author(s)

  Larry W. Markham, MD, Sandra K. Knecht, BS, Stephen R. Daniels, MD, Wayne A. Mays, RCPT, Philip R. Khoury, MS, Timothy K. Knilans, MD

  Date

  2004-11-01

  Source

  Volume 94, Issue 9, 1 November 2004, Pages 1200–1202

  Often, the lack of systemic arterial hypertension and the lack of a resting arm-leg blood pressure gradient are used to assess the adequacy of the anatomic result after intervention for coarctation of the aorta (CoA). Some patients with no arm-leg gradient at rest may develop a gradient with exercise, leading caregivers to question the success of the repair. It is not clear what the prevalence is of patients who have undergone a successful intervention for CoA and have no arm-leg gradient at rest but develop a significant gradient with exercise and which factors may predict the development of an arm-leg gradient with exercise. This study evaluates the prevalence and predictors of an exercise-induced arm-leg gradient in subjects who have undergone an apparently successful intervention for CoA.

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• Effects of cardiac rehabilitation and exercise training programs on depression in patients after major coronary events

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  Effects of cardiac rehabilitation and exercise training programs on depression in patients after major coronary events

  Author(s)

  Richard V. Milani, Carl J.Lavie MD, Mark M. Cassidy MD

  Date

  1996-10-01

  Source

  American Heart Journal, Volume 132, Issue 4, October 1996, pages 726 – 732

  To evaluate the effect of cardiac rehabilitation and exercise training on depression after major cardiac events, we studied 338 consecutive patients in whom a major cardiac event had occurred 4 to 6 weeks previously and who were participating in phase II cardiac rehabilitation consisting of 36 sessions over a 3-month period. Depressive symptoms and other behavioral characteristics and quality-of-life parameters were analyzed by validated questionnaire. Depression was prevalent in patients with coronary heart disease, occurring in 20% of the patients evaluated. At baseline, depressed patients had lower exercise capacity, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, and higher triglyceride levels; had lower scores for mental health, energy or fatigue, general health, pain, overall function, well-being, and total quality of life; and had greater scores for somatization, anxiety, and hostility than those of nondepressed patients. After cardiac rehabilitation, depressed patients had marked improvements in depression scores and other behavioral parameters (anxiety, somatization, and hostility) and quality of life. Depressed patients also showed improved exercise capacity, percentage of body fat, and levels of triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Depressed patients exhibited statistically greater improvements in certain behavioral and quality-of-life parameters than did nondepressed patients. Two thirds of the patients who were initially depressed resolved their symptoms by study completion. In conclusion, depression is reduced in patients with symptomatic coronary heart disease patients enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation. Greater emphasis is needed to ensure that depressed patients are referred to and attend formal cardiac rehabilitation programs after major cardiac events.

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• Effects of exercise intensity on lymphocyte apoptosis induced by oxidative stress in men

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  Effects of exercise intensity on lymphocyte apoptosis induced by oxidative stress in men

  Author(s)

  Jong-Shyan Wang, Yu-Hsiang Huang

  Date

  2005-11-14

  Source

  European Journal of Applied Physiology; November 2005, Volume 95, Issue 4, pp 290-297

  Exercise is linked with intensity-dependent immune response. Intracellular redox status is important in programmed cell death. This study, by closely examining 18 sedentary men who exercised moderately and severely (ie. 60% and 80% VO2max, respectively) for 40 min, investigated how exercise intensities influence intracellular redox status and oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in lymphocyte. Intracellular superoxide and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP), active caspases contents, phosphotidyl serine (PS) exposure, and DNA fragmentation in lymphocytes were determined. Moreover, sublethal oxidative stress was administered by treating the lymphocyte with H2O2, to closely approximate in vivo pro-oxidative conditions. Immediately or 24 h after severe exercise, (1) lymphocyte GSH level and MTP had diminished while active caspase-8, -9, and -3 contents and DNA fragmentation had risen; and (2) H2O2 induced- lymphocyte PS exposure and DNA fragmentation were enhanced. In contrast, lymphocyte MTP, caspases activation, PS exposure, and DNA fragmentation were unaltered immediately following moderate exercise, whereas GSH level rose, lipid peroxidation diminished, and H2O2 induced- PS exposure and cell damage reduced 24 h after this exercise. These results suggest that heavy exercise diminishes lymphocyte GSH content and subsequently enhances the oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. However, moderate exercise attenuates lymphocyte apoptosis induced by oxidative stress, possibly by improving intracellular anti-oxidative capacity.

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• Effects of Exercise Therapy on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Schizophrenia Patients.

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  Effects of Exercise Therapy on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Schizophrenia Patients.

  Author(s)

  Scheewe TW, Takken T, Kahn RS, Cahn W, Backx FJ.

  Date

  2012-02-19

  Source

  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2012 Apr 19. [Epub ahead of print]

  Abstract

  BACKGROUND:

  Increased mortality in schizophrenia is caused largely by coronary heart disease. Low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a key factor for coronary heart disease mortality. We compared CRF in patients with schizophrenia to CRF of matched, healthy controls and reference values. Also, we examined the effects of exercise therapy on CRF in schizophrenia patients and controls.

  METHODS:

  Sixty-three schizophrenia patients and 55 controls, matched for gender, age, and socioeconomic status, were randomized to exercise (n=31) or occupational therapy (n=32) and controls to exercise (n=27) or life-as-usual (n=28). CRF was assessed with an incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test and defined as the highest relative oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and peak work rate (Wpeak). Minimal compliance was 50% of sessions (n=52).

  RESULTS:

  Male and female schizophrenia patients had a relative VO2peak of 34.3 (±9.9) ml·kg·min and 24.0 (±4.5) ml·kg·min, respectively. Patients had higher resting heart rate (p<.01) and lower peak heart rate (p<.001), peak systolic blood pressure (p=.02), relative VO2peak (p<.01), Wpeak (p<.001), respiratory exchange rate (p<.001), minute ventilation (p=.02), and heart rate recovery (p<.001) than controls. Relative VO2peak was 90.5 ± 19.7% (p<.01) of predicted relative VO2peak in male and 95.9 ± 14.9% (p=.18) in female patients. In patients, exercise therapy increased relative VO2peak compared to decreased relative VO2peak after occupational therapy. In controls, relative VO2peak increased after exercise therapy and to a lesser extend after life-as-usual (group: p<.01; randomization: p=.03). Exercise therapy increased Wpeak in patients and controls compared to decreased Wpeak in nonexercising patients and controls (p<.001).

  CONCLUSION:

  Patients had lower CRF-levels compared to controls and reference values. Exercise therapy increased VO2peak and Wpeak in patients and controls. VO2peak and Wpeak decreased in non-exercising patients.

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• Estimating peak oxygen uptake in adolescents with cystic fibrosis

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  Estimating peak oxygen uptake in adolescents with cystic fibrosis

  Author(s)

  Werkman MS, Hulzebos EH, Helders PJ, Arets BG, Takken T.

  Date

  2013-07-26

  Source

  Archives of disease in childhood

  To predict peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) from the peak work rate (Wpeak) obtained during a cycle ergometry test using the Godfrey protocol in adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF), and assess the accuracy of the model for prognostication clustering.
  METHODS:

  Out of our database of anthropometric, spirometric and maximal exercise data from adolescents with CF (N=363; 140 girls and 223 boys; age 14.77±1.73 years; mean expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1%pred) 86.82±17.77%), a regression equation was developed to predict VO2peak (mL/min). Afterwards, this prediction model was validated with cardiopulmonary exercise data from another 60 adolescents with CF (28 girls, 32 boys; mean age 14.6±1.67 years; mean FEV1%pred 85.43±20.01%).
  RESULTS:

  We developed a regression model VO2peak (mL/min)=216.3-138.7×sex (0=male; 1=female)+11.5×Wpeak; R2=0.91; SE of the estimate (SEE) 172.57. A statistically significant difference (107 mL/min; p<0.001) was found between predicted VO2peak and measured VO2peak in the validation group. However, this difference was not clinically relevant because the difference was within the SEE of the model. Furthermore, we found high positive predictive and negative predictive values for the model for prognostication clustering (PPV 50-87% vs NPV 82-94%).
  CONCLUSIONS:

  In the absence of direct VO2peak assessment it is possible to estimate VO2peak in adolescents with CF using only a cycle ergometer. Furthermore, the regression model showed to be able to discriminate patients in different prognosis clusters based on exercise capacity.
  KEYWORDS:

  Cystic Fibrosis, Exercise, Paediatric Lung Disaese

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• Evaluation of vital parameter response to load changes using an ergometer system in a group of healthy subjects

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  Evaluation of vital parameter response to load changes using an ergometer system in a group of healthy subjects

  Author(s)

  Alejandro Mendoza Garcia, Ulrich Schreiber, Alois Knoll

  Date

  2015-12-01

  Source

  Computing in Cardiology 2015; 42:993-996.

  Exercising plays an important role in maintaining a
  healthy life. For patients who have undergone cardiac
  surgery exercise may help to restore physical condition
  and decrease the recovery time. Doctors perform on
  patients endurance tests such as the V02 max using an
  ergometer to evaluate their condition, these tests however
  are very intense and cannot be used for exercising as a
  regular basis.
  This paper presents a system that can be used for the
  evaluation of the response of vital parameters to physical
  activity without exhausting the patient and can motivate
  them to do exercise. A small study consisting on 14
  healthy subjects is presented to show the usability of the
  proposed system.

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• Exercise capacity in children with isolated congenital complete atrioventricularblock: does pacing make a difference?

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  Exercise capacity in children with isolated congenital complete atrioventricularblock: does pacing make a difference?

  Author(s)

  Blank AC, Hakim S, Strengers JL, Tanke RB, van Veen TA, Vos MA, Takken T.

  Date

  2012-02-14

  Source

  Pediatr Cardiol. 2012;33(4):576-85.

  Abstract

  The management of patients with isolated congenital complete atrioventricular block (CCAVB) has changed during the last decades. The current policy is to pace the majority of patients based on a variety of criteria, among which is limited exercise capacity. Data regarding exercise capacity in this population stems from previous publications reporting small case series of unpaced patients. Therefore, we have investigated the exercise capacity of a group of contemporary children with CCAVB. Sixteen children (mean age 11.5 ± 4; seven boys, nine girls) with CCAVB were tested. In 13 patients, a median number of three pacemakers were implanted, whereas in three patients no pacemaker was given. All patients had an echocardiogram and completed a cardiopulmonary cycle exercise test. Exercise parameters were determined and compared with reference values obtained from healthy Dutch peers. The peak oxygen uptake/body mass was reduced to 34.4 ± 9.5 ml kg(-1) min(-1) (79 ± 24% of predicted) and the ventilatory threshold was reduced to 52 ± 17% of peak oxygen uptake (78 ± 21% of predicted), whereas the peak work load/body mass was 2.8 ± 0.6 W/kg (91 ± 24% of predicted), which was similar to controls. Importantly, 25% of the paced patients showed upper rate restriction by the pacemaker. In conclusion, children with CCAVB show a reduced peak oxygen uptake and ventilatory threshold, whereas they show normal peak work rates. This indicates that they generate more energy during exercise from anaerobic energy sources. Paced children with CCAVB do not perform better than unpaced children.

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• Habitual physical activity in Dutch children and adolescents with haemophilia.

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  Habitual physical activity in Dutch children and adolescents with haemophilia.

  Author(s)

  Groen WG, Takken T, van der Net J, Helders PJ, Fischer K.

  Date

  2011-01-01

  Source

  Haemophilia. 2011;17(5):e906-12.

  Abstract
  For patients with haemophilia, a physically active lifestyle is important to maintain musculoskeletal health and to prevent chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease. Therefore, we studied physical activity levels, in Dutch children and adolescents with haemophilia as well as its association with aerobic fitness and joint health. Forty-seven boys with haemophilia (aged 8-18) participated. Physical activity was measured using the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire (MAQ) and was compared with the general population. Aerobic fitness was determined using peak oxygen uptake (VO(?peak)). Joint health was measured using the Haemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS). Associations between physical activity, joint health and aerobic fitness were evaluated by correlation analysis. Subjects were 12.5 (SD 2.9) years old, had a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 19.5 (SD 3.1; z-score 0.5) and a median HJHS score of 0 (range 0-6). Cycling, physical education and swimming were most frequently reported (86%, 69% and 50% respectively). Children with severe haemophilia participated significantly less in competitive soccer and more in swimming than children with non-severe haemophilia. Physical activity levels were similar across haemophilia severities and comparable to the general population. VO(?peak) kg?¹ was slightly lower than healthy boys (42.9 ± 8.6 vs. 46.9 ± 1.9 mL kg?¹ min?¹; P = 0.03). Joint health, aerobic fitness and physical activity showed no correlation. Dutch children with haemophilia engaged in a wide range of activities of different intensities and showed comparable levels of physical activity to the general population. Aerobic fitness was well preserved and showed no associations with physical activity levels or joint health.

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• Human critical power-oxygen uptake relationship at different pedaling frequencies

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  Human critical power-oxygen uptake relationship at different pedaling frequencies

  Author(s)

  Tyler Barker, David C. Poole, M. Larry Noble, Thomas J. Barstow

  Date

  2006-09-10

  Source

  Experiomental Physiology, 2006, 91, 621-632

  Critical power (CP) is lower at faster rather than slower pedalling frequencies and traditionally reported in watts (W). Faster pedalling frequencies also engender a greater metabolic rate at low work rates, but with progressive increases in power output, the initial difference in between fast and slower pedalling frequencies is reduced. We tested the hypothesis that CP represents a unique metabolic rate for any given individual which would be similar at different pedalling frequencies. Eleven collegiate athletes (five cross-country runners, END; six sprinters, SPR), aged 18–23 years, performed exhaustive rides at either 60 or 100 r.p.m. on separate days for the determination of the pedal rate-specific CP. The at CP (CP- ) was determined from an 8 min ride at the CP for each pedal frequency. The group mean CP was significantly lower at 100 r.p.m. (189 ± 50 W) compared to 60 r.p.m. (207 ± 53 W, P < 0.05). However, the group mean CP- values at 60 (2.53 ± 0.60 l min−1) and 100 r.p.m. (2.58 ± 0.53 l min−1) were not significantly different. Critical power was significantly higher in the END athletes (242 ± 50 W at 60 r.p.m.; 221 ± 56 W at 100 r.p.m.) compared to SPR athletes at both pedal frequencies (177 ± 38 W at 60 r.p.m.; 162 ± 27 W at 100 r.p.m., P < 0.05), but the CP- was not (P > 0.05). However, when the CP- was scaled to body weight, the END athletes had a significantly greater CP- (41.3 ± 4.1 ml min−1 kg−1 at 60 r.p.m.; 40.8 ± 5.5 ml min−1 kg−1 at 100 r.p.m.) compared to the SPR athletes at both pedal frequencies (27.7 ± 4.6 ml min−1 kg−1 at 60 r.p.m.; 29.4 ± 2.8 ml min−1 kg−1 at 100 r.p.m., P < 0.05). We conclude that CP represents a specific metabolic rate which can be achieved at different combinations of power outputs and pedalling frequencies.

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• Influence of carvedilol on the benefits of physical training in patients with moderate chronic heart failure

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  Influence of carvedilol on the benefits of physical training in patients with moderate chronic heart failure

  Author(s)

  J.F. Forissier, P. Vernochet, P. Bertrand, B. Charbonnier, C. Ponpère

  Date

  2001-05-08

  Source

  European Journal of Heart Failure 3 (2001) 335-342

  Aims: To evaluate prospectively the impact of carvedilol on a short-term physical training program in stable patients with moderate chronic heart failure (CHF), and to analyze parameters predictive of improvement after training.
  Methods and results: Thirty-eight patients with CHF were referred for cardiac rehabilitation. Etiology was ischemic in 26 patients, dilated in 12 patients and left ventricular ejection fraction was < 35%. Patients were classified into three groups: group 1 (n = 14) = ACE inhibitors, diuretics and digitalis; group 2 (n = 11) = idem group 1+cardioselective beta-blocker; group 3 (n = 13) = idem group 1+carvedilol. Exercise tests with VO2 measurement were performed before and after a 4-week exercise training program. Patients with carvedilol experienced a 16.6% increase in peak VO2 which was similar to the 13.9% increase in the group with cardioselective beta-blocker and to the 18.5% in the group without beta-blocker. Moreover non-ischemic etiology of CHF was the only parameter predictive of improvement after training (P = 0.02).
  Conclusions: Addition of carvedilol did not alter benefits of a short-term physical training program in patients with moderate CHF. No baseline characteristic except for etiology of CHF was predictive of a response to training.

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• Muscle deoxygenation to VO2 relationship differs in young subjects with varying τVO2

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  Muscle deoxygenation to VO2 relationship differs in young subjects with varying τVO2

  Author(s)

  Juan M. Murias, Matthew D. Spencer, John M. Kowalchuk, Donald H. Paterson.

  Date

  2011-12-19

  Source

  European Journal of Applied Physiology

  The relationship between the adjustment of muscle deoxygenation (∆[HHb]) and phase II VO2p was examined in subjects presenting with a range of slow to fast VO2p kinetics. Moderate intensity VO2pand ∆[HHb] kinetics were examined in 37 young males (24 ± 4 years). VO2p was measured breath-by-breath. Changes in ∆[HHb] of the vastus lateralis muscle were measured by near-infrared spectroscopy. VO2p and ∆[HHb] response profiles were fit using a mono-exponential model, and scaled to a relative % of the response (0–100%). The ∆[HHb]/∆VO2p ratio for each individual (reflecting the matching of O2 distribution to O2 utilization) was calculated as the average ∆[HHb]/∆VO2p response from 20 to 120 s during the exercise on-transient. Subjects were grouped based on individual phase II VO2p time-constant (τVO2p): <21 s [very fast (VF)]; 21–30 s [fast (F)]; 31–40 s [moderate (M)]; >41 s [slow (S)]. The corresponding ∆[HHb]/∆VO2p were 0.98 (VF), 1.05 (F), 1.09 (M), and 1.22 (S). The larger ∆[HHb]/∆VO2p in the groups with slower VO2p kinetics resulted in the ∆[HHb]/∆VO2p displaying a transient “overshoot” relative to the subsequent steady state level, which was progressively reduced as τVO2 became smaller (r = 0.91). When τVO2p > ~20 s, the rate of adjustment of phase II VO2p appears to be mainly constrained by the matching of local O2distribution to muscle VO2. These data suggest that in subjects with “slower” VO2 kinetics, the rate of adjustment of VO2 may be constrained by O2 availability within the active tissues related to the matching of microvascular O2 distribution to muscle O2 utilization.

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• Near-infrared spectroscopy during exercise and recovery in children with juvenile Dermatomyositis.

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  Near-infrared spectroscopy during exercise and recovery in children with juvenile Dermatomyositis.

  Author(s)

  Habers G.E., De Knikker R, van BrusselM, HulzebosHJ, StegemanDF, van RoyenA, Takken T.

  Date

  2012-01-01

  Source

  Muscle Nerve. 2012.

  Abstract
  BACKGROUND
  We hypothesized that microvascular disturbances in muscle tissue play a role in the reduced exercise capacity in juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM).
  METHODS
  Children with JDM, children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (clinical controls), and healthy children performed a maximal incremental cycloergometric test from which normalized concentration changes in oxygenated hemoglobin (?[O2Hb]) and total hemoglobin (?[tHb]) as well as the half recovery times of both signals were determined from the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis muscles using near-infrared spectroscopy.
  RESULTS
  Children with JDM had lower ?[tHb] values in the vastus medialis at work rates of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of maximal compared with healthy children; the increase in ?[tHb] with increasing intensity seen in healthy children was absent in children with JDM. Other outcome measures differed not by group.
  DISCUSSION
  The results suggest that children with JDM may experience difficulties in increasing muscle blood volume with more strenuous exercise.

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• Relationship between salivary and serum testosterone levels in response to different exercise intensities

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  Relationship between salivary and serum testosterone levels in response to different exercise intensities

  Author(s)

  Amy R. Lane, Anthony C. Hackney

  Date

  2014-12-01

  Source

  Research Gate

  Abstract
  The anabolic hormone testosterone (T) continues to be researched extensively in exercise
  studies, with blood serum or plasma samples collected routinely. This method is considered
  both valid and reliable; however, the collection process can be invasive and difficult during
  exercise. For this reason, non-invasive sampling, such as saliva collections, is increasing in
  popularity. PURPOSE: To investigate the association between salivary and serum T before
  and after various intensities of exercise to assess the validity of saliva collection for T measurement.
  METHODS: 12 endurance-trained males (Mean±SD; VO2max 58.2±6.4 ml/kg/min,
  22±4.6 years, BMI 21.6±1.9) completed three 30-minute exercise (cycling) sessions at 40%
  (Low), 60% (Moderate), and 80% (High) of VO2max as well as a 30-minute resting Control session
  on four separate days. Salivary (s) and serum (S) samples were assessed for T prior to
  (Pre), immediately post (Post), and 30 minutes post (30 Min Post) each session. RESULTS:
  Low exercise caused a significant (p<0.05) increase in ST, but not sT, while Moderate and
  High exercise caused an increase (p<0.01) in both ST and sT. A strong positive correlation
  (Spearman [rs]) existed between sT and ST in the Moderate (rs = 0.912 [p<0.001; n=36; 12
  subjects x 3 measurement times-samples]), and High (rs = 0.898 [p<0.001]) sessions, but not
  as strong for the Low (rs = 0.517 [p=0.001]) session. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest
  that sT and ST levels are strongly associated to exercise. However, the exercise-related sT and
  ST responses-changes were more closely aligned at Moderate and High intensities, suggesting
  a greater validity between the saliva and serum responses to higher intensity exercise.
  Key words: Endocrine, Hormones, Men, Sport, Training

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• Respiratory Gas Exchange During Exercise in Children with Congenital Heart Disease: Methodology and Clinical Concepts.

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  Respiratory Gas Exchange During Exercise in Children with Congenital Heart Disease: Methodology and Clinical Concepts.

  Author(s)

  Takken T, Blank AC, Hulzebos H

  Date

  2011-08-01

  Source

  Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews. 2011; 7: 87-96.

  Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in pediatric patients differs in many aspects from the tests as performed in adults. Children’s cardiopulmonary responses during exercise testing present different characteristics, particularly indices of respiratory gas exchange (e.g. oxygen uptake, ventilation and ventilatory efficiency), which are essential in interpreting hemodynamic data. Diseases that are associated with myocardial ischemia are very rare in children. Important indications for CPET in children are the evaluation of exercise capacity and the non-invasive identification of pathologic features. In this article we will review the methodology, and clinical concepts exercise testing and interpretation of respiratory gas-exchange during exercise in children with congenital heart disease.

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• Role of exercise intensities in oxidized low-density lipoprotein-mediated redox status of monocyte in men

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  Role of exercise intensities in oxidized low-density lipoprotein-mediated redox status of monocyte in men

  Author(s)

  Jong-Shyan Wang, Tan Lee, Shu-Er Chow

  Date

  2006-09-11

  Source

  Journal of Applied Physiology September 2006 vol. 101 no. 3 740-744

  Exercise significantly influences the progression of atherosclerosis. Oxidized LDL (ox-LDL), as a stimulator of oxidative stress, facilitates monocyte-related atherogenesis. This study investigates how exercise intensity impacts ox-LDL-mediated redox status of monocytes. Twenty-five sedentary healthy men exercised mildly, moderately, and heavily (i.e., 40, 60, and 80% maximal oxygen consumption, respectively) on a bicycle ergometer. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cytosolic and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (c-SOD and m-SOD, respectively) activities, and total and reduced-form γ-glutamylcysteinyl glycine (t-GSH and r-GSH, respectively) contents in monocytes mediated by ox-LDL were measured. This experiment obtained the following findings: 1) ox-LDL increased monocyte ROS production and was accompanied by decreased c-SOD and m-SOD activities, as well as t-GSH and r-GSH contents, whereas treating monocytes with diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) (a NADPH oxidase inhibitor) or rotenone/2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA) (mitochondrial complex I/II inhibitors) hindered ox-LDL-induced monocyte ROS production; 2) production of ROS and reduction of m-SOD activity and r-GSH content in monocyte by ox-LDL were enhanced by heavy exercise and depressed by mild and moderate exercise; and 3) heavy exercise augmented the inhibition of ox-LDL-induced monocyte ROS production by DPI and rotenone/TTFA, whereas these DPI- and rotenone/TTFA-mediated monocyte ROS productions were unchanged in response to mild and moderate exercise. We conclude that heavy exercise increases ox-LDL-induced monocyte ROS production, possibly by decreasing m-SOD activity and r-GSH content in monocytes. However, mild and moderate exercise likely protects individuals against suppression of anti-oxidative capacity of monocyte by ox-LDL.

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• Speeding of V̇O2 kinetics with endurance training in old and young men is associated with improved matching of local O2 delivery to muscle O2 utilization

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  Speeding of V̇O2 kinetics with endurance training in old and young men is associated with improved matching of local O2 delivery to muscle O2 utilization

  Author(s)

  Juan M. Murias, John M. Kowalchuk, Donald H. Paterson

  Date

  2010-04-01

  Source

  Journal of Applied Physiology; April 1st, 2010. Vol 108 no. 4 913-922

  The time course and mechanisms of adjustment of pulmonary oxygen uptake (V̇O2) kinetics (time constant τV̇O2p) were examined during step transitions from 20 W to moderate-intensity cycling in eight older men (O; 68 ± 7 yr) and eight young men (Y; 23 ± 5 yr) before training and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 wk of endurance training. V̇O2p was measured breath by breath with a volume turbine and a mass spectrometer. Changes in deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration (Δ[HHb]) were measured by near-infrared spectroscopy. V̇O2p and Δ[HHb] were modeled with a monoexponential model. Training was performed on a cycle ergometer three times per week for 45 min at ∼70% of peak V̇O2. Pretraining τV̇O2p was greater (P< 0.05) in O (43 ± 10 s) than Y (34 ± 8 s). τV̇O2p decreased (P < 0.05) by 3 wk of training in both O (35 ± 9 s) and Y (22 ± 8 s), with no further changes thereafter. The pretraining overall adjustment of Δ[HHb] was faster than τV̇O2p in both O and Y, resulting in Δ[HHb]/V̇O2p displaying an “overshoot” during the transient relative to the subsequent steady-state level. After 3 wk of training the Δ[HHb]/V̇O2p overshoot was attenuated in both O and Y. With further training, this overshoot persisted in O but was eliminated after 6 wk in Y. The training-induced speeding of V̇O2p kinetics in O and Y at 3 wk of training was associated with an improved matching of local O2 delivery to muscle V̇O2 (as represented by a lower Δ[HHb]/V̇O2p). The continued overshoot in Δ[HHb]/V̇O2p in O may reflect a reduced vasodilatory responsiveness that may limit muscle blood flow distribution during the on-transient of exercise.

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• Supramaximal Verification of Peak Oxygen Uptake in Adolescents With Cystic Fibrosis

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  Supramaximal Verification of Peak Oxygen Uptake in Adolescents With Cystic Fibrosis

  Author(s)

  Werkman MS, Hulzebos HJ, van de Weert-van Leeuwen PB, Arets HGM, Helders, PJM, Takken T.

  Date

  2011-01-01

  Source

  Ped Phys Ther. 2011; 23(1): 15-21

  Abstract
  PURPOSE: To study whether peak oxygen uptake ((Equation is included in full-text article VO??peak), attained in traditional cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF), could be verified by a supramaximal exercise test.

  METHODS: Sixteen adolescents with CF (forced expiratory volume in 1 second as % of predicted [range, 45%-117%]) volunteered and successively performed CPET and a supramaximal test (Steep Ramp Test [SRT] protocol).

  RESULTS: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing and the SRT resulted in comparable cardiorespiratory peak values. We found no significant difference in oxygen uptake ((Equation is included in full-text article VO??peak/kg) between CPET and the SRT (38.9 ± 7.4 and 38.8 ± 8.5 mL min kg, respectively; P = .81). We found no systemic bias for CPET and SRT measurements of (Equation is included in full-text article VO???peak/kg and no differences between CPET and SRT (Equation is included in full-text article VO???peak values within and between the maximal and non-maximal effort groups (P > .4).

  CONCLUSION: The (Equation is included in full-text article VO???peak measured in CPET seems to reflect the true (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2?peak in adolescents with CF.

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• The Effect of Acute Exercise on Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels and Cognitive Function

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  The Effect of Acute Exercise on Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels and Cognitive Function

  Author(s)

  Lee T. Ferris, James S. Williams, Chwan-Li Shen

  Date

  2007-10-01

  Source

  Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Vol. 39, No. 4, pp. 728–734, 2007

  Previous studies using animals have demonstrated that acute and chronic exercise leads to increases in BDNF in various brain regions. Purpose: To determine the effects of acute exercise on serum BDNF levels in humans, and to determine the relationship between exercise intensity and BDNF responses. Additionally, the relationship between changes in BDNF and cognitive function was examined. Methods: Fifteen subjects (25.4 ± 1.01 yr; 11 male, 4 female) performed a graded exercise test (GXT) for the determination of V˙O2max and ventilatory threshold (VTh) on a cycle ergometer. On separate days, two subsequent 30-min endurance rides were performed at 20% below the VTh (VTh – 20) and at 10% above the VTh (VTh + 10). Serum BDNF and cognitive function were determined before and after the GXT and endurance rides with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the Stroop tests, respectively. Results: The mean V˙O2max was 2805.8 ± 164.3 mL•min-1 (104.2 ± 7.0% pred). BDNF values (pg•mL-1) increased from baseline (P < 0.05) after exercise at the VTh + 10 (13%) and the GXT (30%). There was no significant change in BDNF from baseline after the VTh – 20. Changes in BDNF did not correlate with V˙O2max during the GXT, but they did correlate with changes in lactate (r = 0.57; P < 0.05). Cognitive function scores improved after all exercise conditions, but they did not correlate with BDNF changes. Conclusion: BDNF
  levels in humans are significantly elevated in response to exercise, and the magnitude of increase is exercise intensity dependent. Given that BDNF can transit the blood–brain barrier in both directions, the intensity-dependent findings may aid in designing exercise prescriptions for maintaining or improving neurological health.

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• The Steep Ramp Test in Dutch Caucasian Children and Adolescents: Age- and Sex- Related Normative Values

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  The Steep Ramp Test in Dutch Caucasian Children and Adolescents: Age- and Sex- Related Normative Values

  Author(s)

  Bongers BC, de Vries SI, Obeid J, van Buuren S, Helders PJ, Takken T

  Date

  2013-05-30

  Source

  Physical Therapy

  BACKGROUND:

  The steep ramp test (SRT) is a feasible, reliable, and valid exercise test on a cycle ergometer that may be more appealing for use in children in daily clinical practice than the traditional cardiopulmonary exercise test, because of its short duration, its resemblance to children’s daily activity pattern and the fact that it does not require respiratory gas analysis.
  OBJECTIVE:

  The aim of the current study was to provide sex- and age-related norm values for SRT performance in healthy Dutch Caucasian children and adolescents between the ages of 8 and 19 years.
  DESIGN:

  This was a cross-sectional, observational study.
  METHODS:

  Two hundred and fifty-two Dutch Caucasian children and adolescents, 118 boys (mean age 13.4 (3.0) years) and 134 girls (mean age 13.4 (2.9) years), performed a SRT (work rate increments of 10, 15, or 20 W·10 s-1, depending on body height) to voluntary exhaustion to assess peak work rate (WRpeak). Norm values are presented as reference centiles developed using generalized additive models for location, scale, and shape (GAMLSS).
  RESULTS:

  WRpeak correlated highly with age (r=0.915 and r=0.811), body mass (r=0.870 and r=0.850), body height (r=0.922 and r=0.896), body surface area (r=0.906 and r=0.885), and fat free mass (r=0.930 and r=0.902), for boys and girls respectively (P<0.001 for all coefficients). The reference curves demonstrated an almost linear increase with age in WRpeak in boys, even when normalized for body mass. In contrast, absolute WRpeak in girls increased constantly until the age of approximately 13 years, where after WRpeak started to level off. WRpeak normalized for body mass showed only a slight increase with age in girls, with a slight decrease in relative WRpeak as of the age of 14 years.
  LIMITATIONS:

  The sample may not be entirely representative of the Dutch population.
  CONCLUSIONS:

  The current study provides sex- and age-related norm values for SRT performance for both absolute and relative WRpeak thereby facilitating the interpretation of SRT results for clinicians and researchers.

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• The steep ramp test in healthy children and adolescents: reliability and validity.

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  The steep ramp test in healthy children and adolescents: reliability and validity.

  Author(s)

  Bart C. Bongers, Sanne de Vries, Paul J.M. Helders and Tim Takken

  Date

  2013-02-24

  Source

  Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise

  Abstract
  PURPOSE:

  This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the steep ramp test (SRT), a feasible, maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer that does not require the use of respiratory gas analysis, in healthy children and adolescents.
  METHODS:

  Seventy-five children were randomly divided in a reliability group (n = 37, 17 boys and 20 girls; mean ± SD age = 13.86 ± 3.22 yr), which performed two SRTs within 2 wk, and a validity group (n = 38, 17 boys and 21 girls; mean ± SD age = 13.85 ± 3.20 yr), which performed both an SRT and a regular cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) with respiratory gas analysis within 2 wk. Peak work rate (WRpeak) was the main outcome of the SRT. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) was the main outcome of the CPET. Reliability was examined with the intraclass correlation coefficient and a Bland and Altman plot, whereas validity was assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients and stepwise linear regression analysis.
  RESULTS:

  Reliability statistics for the WRpeak values attained at the two SRTs showed an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.986 (P < 0.001). The average difference between the two SRTs was -6.4 W, with limits of agreement between +24.5 and -37.5 W. A high correlation between WRpeak attained at the SRT and the V?O2peak achieved during the CPET was found (r = 0.958; P < 0.001). Stepwise linear regression analysis provided the following prediction equation: VO2peak (mL·min) = (8.262 WRpeak SRT) + 177.096 (R2 = 0.917, SEE = 237.4).
  CONCLUSION:

  The results suggest that the SRT is a reliable and valid exercise test in healthy children and adolescents, which can be used to predict VO2peak.

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• Time course and mechanisms of adaptations in cardiorespiratory fitness with endurance training in older and young men

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  Time course and mechanisms of adaptations in cardiorespiratory fitness with endurance training in older and young men

  Author(s)

  Juan M. Murias, John M. Kowalchuk, Donals H. Paterson

  Date

  2010-03-01

  Source

  Journal of Applied Physiology March 1, 2010vol. 108 no. 3 621-627

  The time-course and mechanisms of adaptation of cardiorespiratory fitness were examined in 8 older (O) (68 ± 7 yr old) and 8 young (Y) (23 ± 5 yr old) men pretraining and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 wk of training. Training was performed on a cycle ergometer three times per week for 45 min at ∼70% of maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2 max). V̇O2 max increased within 3 wk with further increases observed posttraining in both O (+31%) and Y (+18%), (P < 0.05). Maximal cardiac output (Q̇max, open-circuit acetylene) and stroke volume were higher in O and Y after 3 wk with further increases after 9 wk of training (P < 0.05). Maximal arterial-venous oxygen difference (a-vO2diff) was higher at weeks 3 and 6 and posttraining compared with pretraining in O and Y (P < 0.05). In O, ∼69% of the increase in V̇O2 max from pre- to posttraining was explained by an increased Q̇max with the remaining ∼31% explained by a widened a-vO2diff. This proportion of Q̇ and a-vO2diff contributions to the increase in V̇O2 max was consistent throughout testing in O. In Y, 56% of the pre- to posttraining increase in V̇O2 maxwas attributed to a greater Q̇max and 44% to a widened a-vO2diff. Early adaptations (first 3 wk) mainly relied on a widened maximal a-vO2diff (∼66%) whereas further increases in V̇O2 max were exclusively explained by a greater Q̇max. In conclusion, with short-term training O and Y significantly increased their V̇O2 max; however, the proportion of V̇O2 max increase explained by Q̇maxand maximal a-vO2diff throughout training showed a different pattern by age group.

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• Towards an individualized protocol for workload increments in cardiopulmonary exercise testing in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

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  Towards an individualized protocol for workload increments in cardiopulmonary exercise testing in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

  Author(s)

  Hulzebos HJ, Werkman MS, van Brussel M, Takken T.

  Date

  2012-06-14

  Source

  J Cyst Fibros. 2012

  BACKGROUND:

  There is no single optimal exercise testing protocol for children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) that differs widely in age and disease status. The aim of this study was to develop a CF-specific, individualized approach to determine workload increments for a cycle ergometry testing protocol.

  METHODS:

  A total of 409 assessments consisting of maximal exercise data, anthropometric parameters, and lung function measures from 160 children and adolescents with CF were examined. 90% of the database was analyzed with backward linear regression with peak workload (W(peak)) as the dependent variable. Afterwards, we [1] used the remaining 10% of the database (model validation group) to validate the model’s capacity to predict W(peak) and [2] validated the protocol’s ability to provide a maximal effort within a 10±2minute time frame in 14 adolescents with CF who were tested using this new protocol (protocol validation group).

  RESULTS:

  No significant differences were seen in W(peak) and predicted W(peak) in the model validation group or in the protocol validation group. Eight of 14 adolescents with CF in the protocol validation group performed a maximal effort, and seven of them terminated the test within the 10±2minute time frame. Backward linear regression analysis resulted in the following equation: W(peak) (W)=-142.865+2.998×Age (years)-19.206×Sex (0=male; 1=female)+1.328×Height (cm)+23.362×FEV(1) (L) (R=.89; R(2)=.79; SEE=21). Bland-Altman analysis showed no systematic bias between the actual and predicted W(peak).

  CONCLUSION:

  We developed a CF-specific linear regression model to predict peak workload based on standard measures of anthropometry and FEV(1), which could be used to calculate individualized workload increments for a cycle ergometry testing protocol.

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• Validity of the oxygen uptake efficiency slope in children with cystic fibrosis and mild-to-moderate airflow obstruction.

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  Validity of the oxygen uptake efficiency slope in children with cystic fibrosis and mild-to-moderate airflow obstruction.

  Author(s)

  Bongers BC, Hulzebos E HJ, Arets B GM, Takken T.

  Date

  2012-02-01

  Source

  Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2012;24(1):129-41.

  Abstract

  PURPOSE:

  The oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) has been proposed as an ‘effort-independent’ measure of cardiopulmonary exercise capacity, which could be used as an alternative measurement for peak oxygen uptake (VO(2peak)) in populations unable or unwilling to perform maximal exercise. The aim of the current study was to investigate the validity of the OUES in children with cystic fibrosis (CF).

  METHODS:

  Exercise data of 22 children with CF and mild to moderate airflow obstruction were analyzed and compared with exercise data of 22 healthy children. The OUES was calculated using data up to three different relative exercise intensities, namely 50%, 75%, and 100% of the total exercise duration, and normalized for body surface area (BSA).

  RESULTS:

  Only the OUES/BSA using the first 50% of the total exercise duration was significantly different between the groups. OUES/BSA values determined at different exercise intensities differed significantly within patients with CF and correlated only moderately with VO(2peak) and the ventilatory threshold.

  CONCLUSION:

  The OUES is not a valid submaximal measure of cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in children with mild to moderate CF, due to its limited distinguishing properties, its nonlinearity throughout progressive exercise, and its moderate correlation with VO(2peak) and the ventilatory threshold.

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• Vitamin C and E supplementation prevents some of the cellular adaptations to endurance-training in humans.

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  Vitamin C and E supplementation prevents some of the cellular adaptations to endurance-training in humans.

  Author(s)

  Dale Morrison, Jed Hughes, Paul A. Della Gatta, Shaun Mason, Séverine Lamon, Aaron P. Russell, Glenn D. Wadley

  Date

  2015-10-19

  Source

  Free Radical Biology and Medicine 89(2015)852–862

  Background: It isclearthatreactiveoxygenspecies(ROS)producedduringskeletalmusclecontraction
  havearegulatoryroleinskeletalmuscleadaptationtoenduranceexercise.However,thereismuch
  controversyintheliteratureregardingwhetherattenuationofROSbyantioxidantsupplementationcan
  preventthesecellularadaptations.Therefore,theaimofthisstudywastodeterminewhethervitaminC
  and Esupplementationattenuatesperformanceandcellularadaptationsfollowingacuteendurance
  exerciseandendurancetraining.
  Methods: A double-blinded,placebo-controlledrandomizedcontroltrialwasconductedineleven
  healthyyoungmales.Participantswerematchedforpeakoxygenconsumption(VO2peak) andrandomly
  allocated toplaceboorantioxidant(vitaminC(2
  500mg/day)andE(400IU/day))groups.Followinga
  four-weeksupplementloadingperiod,participantscompletedacuteexercise(10
  4 mincyclingat90%
  VO2peak,2minactiverecovery).Vastuslateralismusclesampleswerecollectedpre-,immediately-post-
  and 3h-post-exercise.Participantsthencompletedfourweeksoftraining(3days/week)usingthe
  aforementioned exerciseprotocolwhilecontinuingsupplementation.Followingexercisetraining,par-
  ticipants againcompletedanacuteexerciseboutwithmusclebiopsies.
  Results: Acuteexercisetendedtoincreaseskeletalmuscleoxidativestressasmeasuredbyoxidized
  glutathione (GSSG)(P¼0.058) andF2-isoprostanes(P¼0.056), withnosignificant effectofsupple-
  mentation. Acuteexercisesignificantly increasedmRNAlevelsofperoxisomeproliferator-activatedre-
  ceptorgammacoactivator1α (PGC-1α), mitochondrialtranscriptionfactorA(TFAM)andPGCrelated
  coactivator(PRC),withnoeffectofsupplementation.Followingendurancetraining,supplementationdid
  not preventsignificantly increasedVO2peak,skeletalmusclelevelsofcitratesynthaseactivityormRNA
  or proteinabundanceofcytochromeoxidasesubunit4(COXIV)(Po0.05). However,followingtraining,
  vitamin CandEsupplementationsignificantly attenuatedincreasedskeletalmusclesuperoxidedis-
  mutase (SOD)activityandproteinabundanceofSOD2andTFAM.
  Conclusion: Followingacuteexercise,supplementationwithvitaminCandEdidnotattenuateskeletal
  muscle oxidativestressorincreasedgeneexpressionofmitochondrialbiogenesismarkers.However,
  supplementation attenuatedsome(SOD,TFAM)oftheincreasedskeletalmuscleadaptationsfollowing
  training inhealthyyoungmen.

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