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Biomedical subjects

G W Fellingham

Publications and source records attributed to G W Fellingham.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

A method for meta-analysis where the level of data aggregation differs between studies.

BACKGROUND: This paper presents a statistical method that was used to assess haemoglobin levels world-wide among women, based on a combination of over 400 studies. METHODS: The methodology is easy to implement and is specifically adapted to the case where mean observations are taken, although the subgroups represented by the mean values may differ from study to study. That is, the level of data aggregation is not consistent between studies. RESULTS: In this example some studies report average haemoglobin levels for a sample of the population, while others give averages by urban/rural classification and/or pregnancy status. Though the method is based on likelihood principles, computation is straightforward. CONCLUSIONS: The methodology can be applied to a variety of meta-analytic situations where assessments are based on combining data from several sources. We provide an example of how the method was implemented in a study of haemoglobin levels among women undertaken at the World Health Organisation.

Data Collection↗
PubMed2001

Stroke volume does not plateau during graded exercise in elite male distance runners.

UNLABELLED: Stroke volume (SV) responses during graded treadmill exercise were studied in 1) elite male distance runners (N = 5), 2) male university distance runners (N = 10), and 3) male untrained university students (N = 10). METHODS: Cardiac output (Q) and SV were determined by a modified acetylene rebreathing procedure. RESULTS: There were no differences in SV responses among the three groups during the transition from rest to light exercise (P > 0.05). However, the rates of change of SV during light to maximal exercise in untrained subjects (slope = -0.1544 mL x beat(-1)) and university distance runners (slope = 0.1041) did not change, whereas it dramatically increased (P < 0.001) in elite distant runners (slope = 0.6734). Moreover, the elite distance runners showed a further slope increase in SV when heart rate was above 160 bpm, which resulted in an average maximal SV of 187 +/- 14 mL x beat(-1) compared with 145 +/- 8 and 128 +/- 14 mL x beat(-1) in the university runners and untrained students, respectively (P < 0.001). Similarly, max Q reached 33.8 +/- 2.3, 26.3 +/- 1.7, and 21.3 +/- 1.5 L x min(-1) in the three groups, respectively (P < 0.001). On the other hand, there was a nonsignificant tendency for maximal arteriovenous oxygen content difference to be lower in the elite athletes compared with the other groups. CONCLUSION: Results from university distance runners and untrained university students support the classic observation that SV plateaus at about 40% of maximal oxygen consumption despite increasing intensity of exercise. In contrast, stroke volume in the elite athletes does not plateau but increases continuously with increasing intensity of exercise over the full range of the incremental exercise test.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The effect of duration of stretching of the hamstring muscle group for increasing range of motion in people aged 65 years or older.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stretching protocols for elderly people (> or = 65 years of age) have not been studied to determine the effectiveness of increasing range of motion (ROM). The purpose of this study was to determine which of 3 durations of stretches would produce and maintain the greatest gains in knee extension ROM with the femur held at 90 degrees of hip flexion in a group of elderly individuals. SUBJECTS: Sixty-two subjects (mean age = 84.7 years, SD = 5.6, range = 65-97) with tight hamstring muscles (defined as the inability to extend the knee to less than 20 degrees of knee flexion) participated. Subjects were recruited from a retirement housing complex and were independent in activities of daily living. METHODS: Subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups and completed a physical activity questionnaire. The subjects in group 1 (n = 13, mean age = 85.1 years, SD = 6.4, range = 70-97), a control group, performed no stretching. The randomly selected right or left limb of subjects in group 2 (n = 17, mean age = 85.5 years, SD = 4.5, range = 80-93), group 3 (n = 15, mean age = 85.2 years, SD = 6.5, range = 65-92), and group 4 (n = 17, mean age = 83.2 years, SD = 4.6, range = 68-90) was stretched 5 times per week for 6 weeks for 15, 30, and 60 seconds, respectively. Range of motion was measured once a week for 10 weeks to determine the treatment and residual effects. Data were analyzed using a growth curve model. RESULTS: A 60-second stretch produced a greater rate of gains in ROM (60-second stretch = 2.4 degrees per week, 30-second stretch = 1.3 degrees per week, 15-second stretch = 0.6 degrees per week), which persisted longer than the gains in any other group (group 4 still had 5.4 degrees more ROM 4 weeks after treatment than at pretest as compared with 0.7 degrees and 0.8 degrees for groups 2 and 3, respectively). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Longer hold times during stretching of the hamstring muscles resulted in a greater rate of gains in ROM and a more sustained increase in ROM in elderly subjects. These results may differ from those of studies performed with younger populations because of age-related physiologic changes.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Cocaine and exercise: temporal changes in plasma levels of catecholamines, lactate, glucose, and cocaine.

To determine the combined sympathoadrenal effects of cocaine and exercise in awake animals, rats were assigned to one of four treatment groups: saline-rest (SR), saline-exercise (SE), cocaine-rest (CR), and cocaine-exercise (CE). Venous blood samples from jugular catheters were obtained at -40, 0-4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 26, and 36 min after intravenous injection of cocaine (5 mg/kg) or saline and the simultaneous onset of a 16-min treadmill run (26 m/min, 10% grade). CE increased plasma epinephrine (24.2 nM at 16 min), norepinephrine (28.0 nM at 10 min), and lactate (11.2 mM at 4 min) to levels 2-5 times greater than either treatment (SE and CR) alone (P<0.05) and 11-35 times higher that SR. Blood glucose values were significantly depressed in CE (-33% vs. SE) but increased in CR (+26% vs. SR). Plasma cocaine peaked < 2 min after injection in both CR and CE, and the peak was 69% higher in CE (P<0.05); however, the plasma elimination half-life (12-14 min) was not different. These results indicate that the combined effect of the two sympathoadrenal stimulants, exercise and cocaine, amplify the catecholamine responses to levels far greater than when each stimulant is used alone.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Cocaine and exercise: alteration in carbohydrate metabolism in adrenodemedullated rats.

The combined treatment of cocaine-exercise (CE) causes an exaggerated catecholamine response, a rapid depletion of muscle glycogen, and accumulation of lactic acid. To assess the contribution of the adrenal medulla in the catecholamine response and to determine the role of epinephrine (Epi) on carbohydrate metabolism, cocaine (20 mg/kg ip) or saline was injected into sham-operated (Sham) or adrenodemedullated (AdM) rats, which then ran for 5 min at 56 m/min, 0% grade. In Sham rats, CE caused plasma Epi values (means +/- SE) to rise to 27.7 +/- 6.9 nM compared with 13.3 +/- 1.5 nM in saline-exercise (SE) and 0.8 +/- 0.2 nM in both AdM-CE and AdM-SE animals (P < 0.05). With minimal Epi in AdM, CE still caused glycogen to fall to lower levels (25.4 +/- 3.0 mumol/g vs. 40.5 +/- 2.4 mumol/g) and lactate to rise to higher levels (17 +/- 3 vs. 9 +/- 1 mumol/kg) in white vastus muscle than in SE group (P < 0.05). CE had no significant effect on soleus and red vastus glycogenolysis but it did cause lactate accumulation in red vastus. As a result, plasma lactate levels were also higher after CE compared with SE in AdM (17.9 +/- 2.0 vs. 8.5 +/- 0.5 mM, P < 0.05). We conclude that during CE 1) Epi is not essential to the alteration in carbohydrate metabolism; 2) the latter may be related to the other catecholamines; 3) the adrenal medulla is the only source of Epi; and 4) the adrenal medulla is not the source of the increased levels of norepinephrine or dopamine.

Adrenal Medulla↗
PubMed1995

Cocaine and exercise: physiological responses of cocaine-conditioned rats.

To compare the physiological response to a cocaine-exercise challenge in cocaine-conditioned animals with that of acute-cocaine animals, rats were injected i.p. with either cocaine (20 mg.kg-1) or saline, twice daily for 14 consecutive days. On the 15th day (test day) cocaine-conditioned rats received an i.v. injection of cocaine (5 mg.kg-1) (chronic group). One-half of the chronic saline rats also received the cocaine injection (acute group), while the other half received saline (saline group). Immediately after injection, all rats were either rested or exercised (22 m.min-1, 10% grade) for 30 min. For most parameters there was no difference between the responses of the chronic and acute cocaine groups at rest or to the cocaine-exercise challenge. During exercise, both cocaine groups had similarly higher lactate values than the saline animals (P < 0.05). Both groups had similarly greater reductions in glycogen content of the white and red vastus muscles than occurred in the saline group; and both groups had similar increases in corticosterone. In contrast, cocaine-conditioned animals had a greater rise in norepinephrine (P < 0.059) and epinephrine (P < 0.001) in response to cocaine-exercise than did the acute group. The mechanism responsible for the exaggerated catecholamine response in the chronic cocaine animals is unknown.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1994

Developing an optimal scoring system with a special emphasis on volleyball.

Scoring systems for two-team (two-person) net games are typically evaluated for accuracy, efficiency, and variability. This evaluation may be difficult if many points are involved, the probability of winning a point changes with service, and/or points are not scored every rally. A computer program that may be used to evaluate general scoring systems for accuracy, efficiency, variability, and expected score difference is presented. Four scoring systems, side-out, quick, side-out point, and bonus point, are analyzed. A list of items to consider when developing an optimal scoring system is suggested. An optimal scoring system for volleyball is introduced.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

Effects of cocaine on glycogen metabolism and endurance during high intensity exercise.

Because cocaine causes a rapid sympathetic response and central euphoria, we tested whether it would improve endurance or alter carbohydrate metabolism during high-intensity activity. Thirty male rats (10 animals/group) were injected intraperitoneally with either saline (S) or one of two doses of cocaine-HCl (12.5 (C-1) or 20.0 (C-2) mg.kg-1 b.w.). Ten minutes later they began gradually running on a rodent treadmill. Within 2 min they were running at 56 m.min-1 until fatigued. The run time to exhaustion (mean +/- SE) for C-2 (569 +/- 97 s) was less than S (859 +/- 71) and C-1 (923 +/- 65) (P < 0.05) and 25% shorter (marginally insignificant) than a pretreatment run (754 +/- 67 s) (P > 0.05). Plasma lactate concentrations at exhaustion were 4.0 +/- 0.5 (S), 7.3 +/- 1.1 (C-1), and 13.9 +/- 2.5 (C-2) mmol (P < 0.05, S vs C-2). Lactate concentrations in white vastus muscle were also elevated by C (4.7 +/- 0.6 (S), 8.1 +/- 1.3 (C-1), and 15.0 +/- 3.7 (C-2) mumol.g-1, (P < 0.05, S vs C-2)], which correlated with the reduction in glycogen content in both C groups (9.9 +/- 2.3 (C-2), 10.3 +/- 1.2 (C-1), vs 33.9 +/- 2.0 (S) mumol.g-1]. These results show that, in spite of its purported stimulatory effect, cocaine treatment (20 mg.kg-1) immediately prior to intense exercise causes accelerated glycogen degradation and lactate accumulation in white vastus muscle during exercise and premature fatigue.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1993

VO2max estimation from a submaximal 1-mile track jog for fit college-age individuals.

The primary purpose of this study was to develop a submaximal field test for the estimation of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) using a 1-mile track jog. A second purpose was to determine the accuracy of the 1.5-mile run in estimating VO2max for both male and female subjects. VO2max was measured in 149 relatively fit college students (males = 88, females = 61) 18-29 yr using a treadmill protocol (mean +/- SD; VO2max = 47.7 +/- 6.3 ml.kg-1 x min-1). Multiple regression analysis (N = 54) to estimate VO2max from the submaximal, steady-state 1-mile track jog yielded the following validation (V) model (r(adi) = 0.87, SEE = 3.0 ml.kg-1 x min-1): VO2max = 100.5 + 8.344* GENDER (0 = female; 1 = male) - 0.1636* BODY MASS (kg) - 1.438* JOG TIME (min.mile-1) - 0.1928* HEART RATE (bpm). To help ensure that a submaximal level of exertion was realized for the 1-mile track jog, elapsed jog time was restricted to > or = 8.0 min for males and > or = 9.0 min for females and exercise HR to < or = 180 bpm. Cross-validation (CV) of the 1-mile track jog comparing observed and estimated VO2max (N = 52) resulted in radj = 0.84, SEE = 3.1 ml.kg-1 x min-1. Multiple regression analysis (N = 50) to estimate VO2max from the 1.5-mile run (V:N = 49, radj = 0.90, SEE = 2.8 ml.kg-1 x min-1; CV: N = 47, radj = 0.82, SEE = 3.9 ml.kg-1 x min-1), used elapsed run time, body mass, and gender as independent variables.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Development of a submaximal treadmill jogging test for fit college-aged individuals.

The purpose of this study was to develop a single-stage submaximal treadmill jogging test for the estimation of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). VO2max was measured in 129 relatively fit individuals (males = 84, females = 45), 18-29 yr, using a maximal treadmill protocol (mean +/- SD; VO2max = 48.3 +/- 6.2 ml.kg-1 x min-1, range = 35.6 to 62.3 ml.kg-1 x min-1). The treadmill test required subjects to sustain a comfortable, submaximal jogging pace (4.3-7.5 mph; level grade) until a steady-state heart rate was achieved (approximately 3 min). To help ensure that a submaximal level of exertion was realized for the treadmill jogging test, treadmill speed and exercise HR criteria were established that restricted treadmill speed to < or = 7.5 mph for males and < or = 6.5 mph for females and steady-state exercise HR < or = 180 bpm. Multiple regression analysis (N = 66) to estimate VO2max from the treadmill jogging test yielded the following validation (V) model (r(adj) = 0.84, SEE = 3.2 ml.kg-1 x min-1): VO2max = 54.07 + 7.062 * GENDER (0 = female; 1 = male) - 0.1938 * WEIGHT (kg) + 4.47* SPEED (miles.h-1) - 0.1453 * HEART RATE (bpm). Cross-validation (CV) of the treadmill jogging test comparing observed and estimated VO2max (N = 63) resulted in r(adj) = 0.88, SEE = 3.1 ml.kg-1 x min-1. The results indicate that this submaximal single-stage treadmill jogging test based on multiple linear regression provides a valid and convenient method for estimating VO2max.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Fibrinolytic response during exercise and epinephrine infusion in the same subjects.

To determine whether exercise-induced increases in tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) were related to plasma epinephrine concentration during exercise, 14 healthy men (aged 24 to 62 years) were studied during epinephrine infusions (10, 25 and 50 ng/kg per min) and graded supine bicycle exercise, beginning at 33 W and increasing in 33-W increments until exhaustion. Plasma epinephrine, active and total t-PA, active plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and t-PA/PAI-1 complex concentrations were measured at each exercise and infusion level. During epinephrine infusion, active and total t-PA levels increased linearly with the plasma epinephrine concentration (respective slopes [+/- SEM] of 0.062 +/- 0.003 and 0.076 +/- 0.003 pmol/ng epinephrine). During exercise, t-PA levels did not increase until plasma epinephrine levels increased, after which both active and total t-PA levels again increased linearly with the plasma epinephrine concentration, but at twice the rate observed with epinephrine infusion (0.131 +/- 0.005 and 0.147 +/- 0.005 pmol/ng, respectively). The t-PA level in blood was directly proportional to the plasma epinephrine concentration during both exercise and epinephrine infusion, suggesting that epinephrine release during exercise stimulates t-PA secretion. In these healthy subjects, active plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 and t-PA/PAI-1 complex levels were low (41 +/- 11 and 21 +/- 5 pmol/liter, respectively) and did not change significantly during exercise or epinephrine infusion. It is concluded that approximately 50% of the increase in t-PA during exercise is due to stimulated release of t-PA by epinephrine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Exercise training delineates the importance of B-cell dysfunction to the glucose intolerance of human aging.

Aging has been associated with glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and diminished islet B-cell function. The relative contribution of these factors to the aging-associated changes in glucose tolerance has been difficult to discern, particularly so for B-cell function, since insulin sensitivity itself is a determinant of B-cell function and, therefore, comparisons of insulin levels and responses between old and young subjects are difficult. To reduce this effect, we compared B-cell function in 14 healthy older men (aged 61-82 yr; body mass index, 21-30 kg/m2), who were exercise trained for 6 months to improve insulin sensitivity, to that of 11 healthy young men (aged 24-31 yr; body mass index, 19-31 kg/m2), who were also trained. Insulin-glucose interactions were assessed by measuring indices of insulin sensitivity (SI) and glucose effectiveness at zero insulin (GEZI) using Bergman's minimal model. B-Cell function was assessed by determining the acute insulin responses (AIR) to glucose (AIRgluc) and arginine at 3 different glucose levels: fasting, approximately 14 mM, and greater than 28 mM (AIRmax). AIRmax provides a measure of B-cell secretory capacity, while the glucose level at which 50% of AIRmax occurs is termed PG50 and is used to estimate B-cell sensitivity to glucose. The insulin sensitivity and glucose effectiveness at zero insulin of the trained older subjects was similar to that of the trained young [SI: old, 5.1 +/- 0.6; young, 6.5 +/- 0.7 x 10(-5) min-1/pM (mean +/- SEM; P = NS); GEZI: old, 1.3 +/- 0.2; young, 1.7 +/- 0.2 x 10(-2) min (P = NS)]. Under these conditions, the fasting glucose levels (old, 5.4 +/- 0.2; young, 5.1 +/- 0.1 mM) and basal insulin levels (old, 49 +/- 6; young, 63 +/- 11 pM) were also similar in the two groups. AIRgluc values were lower in the exercised elderly (old, 253 +/- 50; young, 543 +/- 101 pM; P = 0.01). This decrease in stimulated insulin release was due solely to a reduction in the AIRmax (old, 1277 +/- 179; young, 2321 +/- 225 pM; P less than 0.005); the PG50 was not different (old, 8.9 +/- 0.4; young, 8.8 +/- 0.2 mM; P = NS). These differences in the older subjects were associated with a reduction in iv glucose tolerance (old, 1.49 +/- 0.15; young, 1.95 +/- 0.13%/min; P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The effect of intensive endurance exercise training on body fat distribution in young and older men.

Little is known about the effects of exercise interventions on the distribution of central and/or intra-abdominal (IA) fat, and until now there were no studies in the elderly. Therefore, in this study we investigated the effects of an intensive 6-month endurance training program on overall body composition (hydrostatic weighing), fat distribution (body circumferences), and specific fat depots (computed tomography [CT]), in healthy young (n = 13; age, 28.2 +/- 2.4 years) and older (n = 15; age, 67.5 +/- 5.8 years) men. At baseline, overall body composition was similar in the two groups, except for a 9% smaller fat free mass in the older men (P less than .05). The thigh and arm circumferences were smaller (P = .001 and P less than .05, respectively), while the waist to hip ratio (WHR) was slightly greater in the older men (0.92 +/- 0.04 v 0.97 +/- 0.04, P less than .01). Compared with the relatively small baseline differences in body composition and circumferences, CT showed the older men to have a twofold greater IA fat depot (P less than .001), 48% less thigh subcutaneous (SC) fat (P less than .01), and 21% less thigh muscle mass (P less than .001). Following endurance (jog/bike) training, both the young (+18%, P less than .001) and the older men (+22%, P less than .001) significantly increased their maximal aerobic power (VO2max). This was associated with small but significant decrements in weight, percent body fat, and fat mass (all P less than .001) only in the older men.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abdomen↗
PubMed1990

Body fat distribution in healthy young and older men.

Central and/or intraabdominal (IA) fat is an independent predictor of obesity-related metabolic abnormalities in young and middle-aged subjects. The elderly are "fatter" at any given relative weight and often have similar metabolic abnormalities. In this study we compare body composition, circumferences, and specific fat depots areas in a population of healthy young and older men. Although the two groups were similar in body mass index and percent body fat, their distribution of adiposity was different. The young subjects had 16% and 10% larger thigh (p = .0001) and arm (p less than .01) circumferences respectively, while the ratio of waist-to-hip circumference was greater in the older subjects (0.93 +/- 0.04 vs 0.97 +/- 0.04, p = less than .01). The most striking differences between the groups were noted on computed tomography, with a twofold greater IA fat area (72.6 +/- 38.2 vs 143.6 +/- 56.2 cm2, p less than .0001), and a twofold lesser thigh subcutaneous fat area (156.3 +/- 69.3 vs 82.4 +/- 29.7 cm2, p less than .001) in the older subjects. We conclude there is an age-related central and intraabdominal redistribution of adipose mass, even in healthy older subjects. Since these changes occur in the absence of clinical disease, the associations between metabolic abnormalities and a central and or IA distribution of adiposity in the elderly must be investigated further.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1990

Effect of exercise on insulin action, glucose tolerance, and insulin secretion in aging.

To assess the effect of exercise training on the insulin resistance and impaired pancreatic B-cell function of aging, we studied 13 healthy older men (ages 61-82 yr) before and after 6 mo intensive endurance exercise. An index of insulin sensitivity (SI) was measured using Bergman's minimal model. Intravenous glucose tolerance was quantified using the glucose disappearance constant (KGlc) while oral glucose tolerance was assessed after a 100-g glucose load. B-cell function was evaluated by measuring the acute insulin response (AIR) to glucose injection at fasting glucose (AIRGlc) and the AIR to arginine at multiple clamped glucose levels. Exercise produced an endurance training effect as demonstrated by an 18% increase in maximum O2 consumption (VO2max) [38.2 +/- 1.4 to 45.0 +/- 1.1 (SE) ml.kg fat-free mass-1.min-1, P less than 0.001]. An unchanged fasting glucose (5.3 +/- 0.2 to 5.4 +/- 0.2 mM) despite a reduced fasting insulin (61 +/- 6 to 48 +/- 6 pM, P less than 0.01) suggested exercise training improved insulin sensitivity. This was confirmed by a 36% increase in SI from 3.47 +/- 0.41 to 4.71 +/- 0.42 x 10(-5) min-1/pM (P = 0.01). Intravenous glucose tolerance did not change as measured by KGlc, which was 1.46 +/- 0.09 before and 1.48 +/- 0.16%/min after exercise training. Likewise, the incremental glucose response to oral glucose (633 +/- 49-618 +/- 45 mM.min) was unchanged. B-cell function was decreased as reflected by AIRGlc (351 +/- 73-245 +/- 53 pM, P less than 0.01) and the AIRArg at maximal glycemic potentiation (AIRmax, 1,718 +/- 260-1,228 +/- 191 pM, P less than 0.005).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Organ weight standards for human fetuses.

Five hundred fifty-eight fresh human embryos and fetuses were obtained from the universities of Washington and Michigan following spontaneous loss, elective termination, or neonatal death within 2 days of delivery. The body weights ranged from 1.5 to 1500 g. Each of these autopsied specimens was morphologically normal. Specimens from diabetic or hypertensive mothers were not included. Correlations between fetal body weight and weights of adrenal, brain, kidney, liver, lung, spleen, and thymus were established. For analysis, regression curves were calculated as quadratic equations of best fit by the weighted least squares. The relation of the weights of brain, heart, and liver to body weight appeared linear. The ratios of thymus, spleen, and kidney to body weight were nonlinear and gradually increased. The ratios of lung and adrenal weights to body weight were also nonlinear and gradually decreased. Ninety-five percent prediction intervals were generated for each of the eight organs using a computerized statistical package. The results compare closely with smaller studies in the literature.

Body Weight↗