Medicine and science in sports and exercise
-
Since the mid-1980s resistance training has become an accepted part of the exercise rehabilitation process for patients eligible for traditional cardiac rehabilitation programs. A growing number of studies have demonstrated the safety of resistance training in Phase III/IV programs (Phase III--community based, beginning 6-12 wk posthospital discharge; a typical patient would be clinically stable with a functional capacity of > or = 5 METs; Phase IV--long-term maintenance) and more recently in Phase II (beginning within 3 wk posthospital discharge and lasting up to 3 months). Evidence is consistent that this form of training provokes fewer signs and symptoms of myocardial ischemia than aerobic testing and training, perhaps because of a lower heart rate (HR) and higher diastolic pressure combining to produce improved coronary artery filling. ⋯ Studies on blood lipid profiles have mostly been contaminated by confounders, and the effects on blood pressure (BP) are inconsistent. There are encouraging reports that resistance training may increase glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, independent of changes in body fat or aerobic capacity. Future studies are needed in patients with congestive heart failure and orthotopic heart transplantation; muscle weakness is common in these groups and makes them excellent candidates to benefit from this form of exercise.
-
Med Sci Sports Exerc · Oct 1998
Insights into the AHA scientific statement concerning cardiovascular preparticipation screening of competitive athletes.
In 1996 the American Heart Association (AHA) published recommendations concerning the cardiovascular component of the preparticipation exam in competitive athletes as part of an AHA medical scientific statement. This article will review the rationale for the development of such a statement and how it has been incorporated into the current state-of-the-art preparticipation exam of athletes.
-
Med Sci Sports Exerc · Sep 1998
Physical fitness, physical activity, and functional limitation in adults aged 40 and older.
A cohort of middle-aged and older men and women were followed for an average of 5.5 yr to examine the association between physical fitness, physical activity, and the prevalence of functional limitation. ⋯ These data support a protective effect of physical fitness and physical activity on functional limitation among older adults and extend this protective effect to middle-aged men and women.
-
The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that a sustained reduction of physical activity (deconditioning) would alter the cardiovascular regulatory function. ⋯ We concluded that the functional modification of the cardiac pressure-volume relationship resulted in the reduced LBNP tolerance, despite the accentuated aortic and cardiopulmonary baroreflex function following deconditioning.
-
Med Sci Sports Exerc · Apr 1998
Different effects of physical exercise on cold pain sensitivity in fighter pilots with and without the history of acute in-flight neck pain attacks.
The cold pain sensitivity in fighter pilots was studied by using a cold pressor test. ⋯ The results suggest that exercise stress-related analgesia mechanisms may be enhanced in pilots with a history of acute in-flight neck pain attacks. Moreover, sensory and nonsensory aspects of pain experience may be differentially influenced by exercise stress.