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Biomedical subjects

G Gehlsen

Publications and source records attributed to G Gehlsen.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Effects of viral upper respiratory illness on running gait.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the kinematic changes that may occur during running with a cold of known etiology and to assess the impact of select accompanying upper respiratory illness symptoms. DESIGN AND SETTING: In this nonrandomized study, subjects with colds and subjects without colds were videotaped while exercising on a treadmill. Three weeks later, the trials were repeated. SUBJECTS: Eighteen young adults (5 females, 13 males; mean age = 20.4+/- 2.4 yr) with naturally acquired moderate to severe (total symptom score) colds were screened and selected for inclusion in the illness group (ILL). A control group (CRL) of 20 subjects (2 females, 18 males) was also examined. Virologic confirmation of specific viral infections, unprecedented in this line of research, revealed that 12 of the 18 subjects in the ILL group (67%) were infected with human rhinoviruses. None of the subjects had a fever. MEASUREMENTS: All subjects exercised on a treadmill for 5 minutes at a heart rate of approximately 85% of their age-predicted maximum. Both groups were videotaped kinematically during two running trials 3 weeks apart. All subjects in the ILL group displayed upper respiratory illness symptoms for the first running trial and were asymptomatic by the second. RESULTS: We identified significant differences in mean changes between the ILL and CRL group stride lengths (p <.01), stride frequencies (p <.05), and ankle maximum angle displacement (p <.01). Mean changes in stride length (p <.03) and in stride frequency (p <.04) were larger for ILL subjects who felt feverish. CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in running gait during a rhinovirus-caused upper respiratory illness, and possibly increases in injury incidence, may be associated with feeling feverish. Gait alterations may increase injury incidence or decrease athletic performance, or both.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

A multidisciplinary investigation of the relation of state sport confidence with preference and velocity of swimming starts.

This study investigated the relations of state sport confidence with preference of swimming start, i.e., pike or flat, and vertical velocity for male and female NCAA Division I swimmers. Ten male and 10 female swimmers who had a minimum of five years competitive swimming experience participated. Men generated greater vertical velocity on both the pike and flat starts. Analyses of variance indicated a relationship foc gender with the most confident swimming start and vertical velocity for the pike and flat starts. In addition, a significant interaction between gender, preferred swimming start, and most confident swimming start was found. Discriminant function analysis using gender as the grouping variable and the dependent variables of vertical velocity and state sport confidence indicated that gender was an indicator of swimmers' performance and state sport confidence on the pike and flat starts.

Acceleration↗
PubMed1986

Gait characteristics in multiple sclerosis: progressive changes and effects of exercise on parameters.

This study determines the characteristics of the multiple sclerosis gait, identifies the progressive gait changes associated with this degenerative disease, and determines the effects of an aquatic exercise program on gait parameters. Eleven patients with multiple sclerosis volunteered to participate and were filmed three times during a 10 week period with a Locam camera at 100 frames/s. During the testing period, subjects participated in an aquatic exercise program. In addition, they were rated according to the Kurtzke Scale for Evaluating Disability in Multiple Sclerosis. Results indicated that these patients with MS have shorter stride lengths, slower free speed walking rates, and higher cadence than do persons without MS. Knee and ankle joint rotation were characterized by lower than normal excursion with less vertical lift of the center of gravity and greater trunk lean than normal. Significant correlations between the Kurtzke Scale and gait parameters were indicated for step length and hip and ankle joint excursion. The aquatic exercise program appeared to have had no effect on the studied gait parameters.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Using isokinetic dynamometry to test ambulatory patients with multiple sclerosis.

This study was designed to 1) determine whether isokinetic dynamometry is appropriate and safe for ambulatory patients with multiple sclerosis and 2) describe the idiosyncrasies the patients with multiple sclerosis exhibited during testing. Ten patients with multiple sclerosis and 20 healthy subjects were matched for age, sex, and weight. The isokinetic peak torque and endurance measurements of knee extensor and knee flexor muscles were recorded at selected angular velocities ranging from 0 to 275 degrees/sec and extensor:flexor muscle strength ratios were calculated. Statistical analysis (t tests) revealed that both the extensor and flexor muscle peak torque values for patients with multiple sclerosis were significantly lower than those for healthy subjects at all angular velocities (p less than .005 to p less than .001), and yet were similar in shape and slope. Mean extensor:flexor ratios for healthy subjects and for patients with multiple sclerosis were not significantly different at 70, 190, and 230 degrees/sec. Individual chart recordings identified any contractile difficulties or increased contraction time. Isokinetic testing is judged to be a safe and reliable form of objective neuromuscular testing for ambulatory patients with multiple sclerosis.

Adult↗