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At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1975

Muscular exertion: a test of pituitary function in children.

The elevated level of growth hormone after moderate standardized physical exercise was compared with that induced by intravenous arginine infusion and by insulin induced hypoglycemia in children with normal pituitary function. Tests were performed on 49 prepubertal children (34 boys and 15 girls); in 42 cases the increase was significant for all three tests, in 5 cases the response was minimal after insulin stimulation but normal after arginine and physical exertion; in 1 case arginine produced no response but the other tests were positive; in 1 case there was a response to arginine but none to insulin or physical exertion. The results indicate that frequently more than one test is necessary for the diagnosis of normal pituitary function; physical exertion being a physiologic test, is simple to perform, acceptable to the children and without side effects. It appears the test of first choice because it can be used in patients seen ambulatorily, other tests being performed in case of doubt or negative response.

Arginine↗
PubMed1976

Summer day camp for multihandicapped children.

A six-week enriched sensorimotor, communication, and recreational summer day camp for twenty multihandicapped preschool children is described. The program, planned and supervised by therapists and mental retardation counselors, provided training for students who worked as camp counselors. Each counselor was assigned to work with one child and family and was responsible for assessing, establishing goals, designing appropriate programs, attending the child throughout the day, and relating to the family. The camp provided a trial for use of the Functional Skills Profile (FSP), an assessment battery designed by physical and occupational therapists to measure performance changes in low functioning, developmentally handicapped persons in order to determine the value of therapy programs. The camp is evaluated in terms of improvement in the children, the effectiveness of the student training, and parent satisfaction.

Aftercare↗
PubMed1977

Effects of "lifelong" physical training on functional aging in men.

Functional aging was examined in a cross-sectional study of 22 habitually trained and 22 sedentary men (aged 34 to 70 and 33 to 68, respectively) by using various physiological, psychophysiological, and anthropometric measurements. Compared to the control group, the trained subjects had significantly higher maximal oxygen uptake, vertical velocity, maximal breathing capacity, percentage of slow twitch muscle fibers, and muscle isocitrate dehydrogenase activity, in addition to lower values in body weight, systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure, patellar reflex time, serum triglycerides, and fast twitch muscle fibers (particularly glycolytic fibers). The results showed that the effects of endurance training are largely limited to functions which are apparently relevant to physical performance. The age regression lines were parallel or as in some of the variables influenced by training, even slightly steeper for the trained versus the untrained group. It is suggested that the aging process itself is not retarded by habitual physical training. Great differences between the two groups in muscle fiber composition and maximal oxygen uptake indicate that endurance-active people are also selected on the basis of inherited structural and functional properties.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Cochlear micromechanics--a mechanism for transforming mechanical to neural tuning within the cochlea.

A linear mathematical model is proposed which will account for the differences observed between mechanically measured data of Rhode (1971) for basilar membrane motion, and the responses of neural tuning curves (Kiang et al., 1974). We show that theoretical tuning curves may be derived from mechanical responses by forming the difference between the pressure across the basilar membrane and its displacement. Some ramifications of this proposal are discussed. We then propose a hypothetical physical model which could perform such a function.

Acoustics↗
PubMed1979

Improved physical performance as a therapeutic objective in patients with angina.

1 Improvement in physical performance, based on exercise tolerance, self-assessed work and physician-rated functional capacities, is proposed as a measure of efficacy of anti-anginal therapy in the rehabilitation of the cardiac patient. 2 Improved physical performance parallels changes in frequency of anginal attacks and a nitroglycerin requirements following beta-blocker therapy. 3 Nadolol (a beta-blocker), given once daily is as effective as propranolol, given four times daily as an anti-anginal agent.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1975

Guidelines for the functioning of a helping service.

The purpose and the operation of an effective helping service are defined along the principles developed by R. R. Carkhuff. A functional operationalism directly linking each aspect of a helping service to the objective of servicing the needs of those people for whom the service exists is developed. The personal fitness of the staff as defined by their effectiveness at living is identified as the critical variable determining service effectiveness. The level of staff performance on the operational indices of physical, emotional, and intellectual functioning including, specifically, the interpersonal dimensions of empathy, respect, genuineness, concreteness, confrontation, and immediacy is designated as the operational basis for the organizational decisions of hiring, firing, promotion, and role assignment. Systematic programs designed to meet specific client needs serve to complete staff and service effectiveness.

Counseling↗
PubMed1978

Skeletal muscle fibre types, enzyme activities and physical performance in young males and females.

Differences in skeletal muscle characteristics, metabolic profiles and functional performance between males and females were investigated using young (15--24 yrs) male and female twins as subjects. The comparison included such variables as anthropometry, muscle strength, mechanical power, maximum oxygen uptake, electrical activation of muscle, muscle fibre composition (m. vastus lateralis), and activities of several skeletal muscle enzymes. The results disclosed the following primary differences between males and females: In the various functional tests the performance of females was from 61.1 to 84.6% of that in males; distribution of slow twitch fibres in m. vastus lateralis of the females (49.1 +/- 7.7%) was lower (p less than .05) than that of the males (55.9 +/- 11.9); activities of enzymes Ca2+ stimulated ATPase, CPK, phosphorylase and LDH1a leads to py were higher (p less than .05--0.1) in the males, whereas the distribution pattern of LDH-1 isozyme was higher (p less than .05) in the females. A pronounced difference between the two groups was a almost 100% longer rise time of isometric force in females. It is concluded that the males as compared to the females demonstrate higher aerobic and strength performance capacity, more efficient neuromotoric output during contraction, more slow twitch muscle fibres and more pronounced contractile and glycolytic profiles in the skeletal muscles.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1977

Effects of physical training on end-diastolic volume and myocardial performance of isolated rat hearts.

We studied the performance of ventricular muscle and cardiac function of hearts from rats conditioned by swimming (CH) and from sedentary rats (SH) in an isolated working heart apparatus modified to measure end-diastolic volume by dye dilution. Instantaneous aortic flow, left ventricular (LV) pressure and oxygen consumption were measured. Heart rate and mean aortic pressure were kept constant, and atrial filling pressure was varied from 5 to 20 cm H2O. Heart weights of SH and CH were equal and end-diastolic pressures and volumes were similar at all atrial pressures. However, ejection fraction, calculated circumferential fiber velocity, peak systolic pressure, peak aortic flow, cardiac output, and stroke work were all greater in CH than in SH, and the differences increased as atrial pressure was increased. Maximal negative dP/dt was greater in CH than SH at all preloads (P less than 0.001). Oxygen consumption of CH was increased in proportion to the increase in work. These results indicate that the improved pumping performance of CH is due to a change in ventricular muscle function. Faster relaxation is a prominent effect of physical training on the rat heart and may foster more complete filling at high heart rates.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

[Effects of rapeseed oil on production of corticosterone by rats subjected to stresses (physical effort, cold].

Investigations were carried out on male Wistar rats from an own animal farm of the Institute of Food and Nutrition. The animals were kept on two types of diet containing 50 p. 100 of calories from rapeseed or sunflower oil. The investigations on the effect of rapeseed oil on functional changes of rat adrenals in animals exposed to graded physical exercise were performed on 40 rats aged 3.5 months at the beginning of the experiment. The animals were divided into two groups and were given during 6 weeks diets containing rapeseed or sunflower oil. Then, each group was divided into two subgroups. Administering further these diets one subgroup was left without physical exercise during 7 days, the 2nd group was exposed to graded physical exercise during 45 min. daily during 7 days. Physical exercise was graded by means of special rotating drums driven electrically and provided with running-tracks. Each rat had a daily run of 630 m., and during 7 days this distance was 4 410 m. The investigations on the effect of rapeseed oil on functional changes of rat adrenals in animals exposed to low temperature were performed on 40 rats aged 3.5 months at the beginning of experiment. After 6 weeks on diets each of the two groups was divided into two subgroups. Administering further the same diets one group was left in the laboratory and the other subgroup was placed for 2 weeks in a room at 4 degrees C. After the experiment the animals were decapitated and their adrenals and plasma were taken for corticosterone determinations by the fluorimetric method. Differences were demonstrated in the effects of rapeseed oil and sunflower oil during these stresses. During graded physical exercise the corticosterone level in the adrenals of rats kept on diet with rapeseed oil was unchanged, while it rose significantly in the group receiving sunflower oil. In the plasma the corticosterone level increased during physical exercise in both groups, but in the group receiving rapeseed oil this increase was lower. During exposure to low temperature the adrenal corticosterone level decreased in the group receiving rapeseed oil and was unchanged in the group on sunflower oil. In the plasma the corticosterone level increased on exposure to low temperature in both groups but less in the group receiving rapeseed oil as compared with the group on sunflower oil.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1977

[Physical performance in patients with focal infection ergospirometric stress-testing before and after tonsillectomy (author's transl)].

The diagnosis of a focal infection in 13 patients (6 men and 7 women, aged 18 to 36) was based on the findings of chronic tonsillitis and general complaints interpreted as focal symptoms. The patients underwent symptom-limited maximal stress-testing before and after tonsillectomy to rule out any impairment of physical performance on the basis of computer-assisted processing of ergospirometric data. It can be concluded that the actual data of maximal oxygen uptake (aerobic power), the phenomenon of adaptation to increasing work loads (derived from rating of the increase in oxygen uptake during rectangular-triangular bicycle ergometry), the on-line processed index of anaerobic power and the anaerobic threshold, as well as heart rate and arterial blood pressure regulation did not differ in these patients from findings in healthy subjects. Nor were these parameters altered by tonsillectomy. Tonsillar focal infection is unlikely to cause any impairment of physical performance with respect to parameters of cardio-respiratory and metabolic function.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1977

Multidisciplinary treatment of chronic pulmonary insufficiency. 3. The effect of physical training on cardiopulmonary performance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

We examined the effect of physical training on cardiopulmonary function in 21 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and compared the results with similar observations in eight untrained patients. The training consisted of daily walking on a treadmill at increasing speeds and grades and other graded physical exercises. Evaluation of pulmonary function, including spirometric studies, lung volumes, and arterial blood gas levels, showed no significant change after training. Hemodynamic functions, including heart rate, cardiac index, stroke index, pulmonary vascular resistance, and arteriovenous oxygen content difference, were similarly unchanged at comparable submaximal loads. Pulmonary arterial wedge pressure increased after training in the treated group at rest and during exercise, but this may be related to changes in respiratory mechanics. Consumption of oxygen and minute ventilation decreased in the treated group during treadmill exercise, suggesting improved neuromuscular coordination and efficiency of walking on the treadmill. Total work performed on the treadmill increased significantly in the trained group. This increase was unexplained by physiologic observations but was thought to be due in part to increased efficiency of walking and increased motivation. We conclude that improvement in the capacity for exercise following physical training for four weeks is not associated with improvement in cardiopulmonary function at submaximal exercise.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1975

[Results of the exercise (ergometer) test as a diagnostic screening procedure in children with short stature].

The so-called Exercise Test of Lacey and coworkers (1973) is based on the fact that a functioning pituitary can be stimulated by physical exercise. The test was performed in 28 children of short stature as an out-patient screening test. The results were satisfactory since a growth-hormone deficiency could be excluded in 70% of the cases. The convenience of this test, which entails the investigation of only two blood samples, is stressed in respect to paediatric practice.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Joint Committee on Aviation Pathology: IV. Crew behavior in accident causation.

The behavioral intercrew dynamics were investigated in three fatal air carrier accidents. This is apparently the original research done on this vital safety area and certain important factors have been identified for use in the prevention of future accidents. It is seen that a pilot in a flying situation is, in reality, a processor of information encompassing a system of behavior patterns. A failure in the information processing modes may be contributory to accident causation. The processing system contains four interrelated phases: 1) sensing the incoming information (Perception); 2) analyzing and understanding the processed information (Comprehension); 3) making a decision based on the understanding (Decision); and 4) performing or not performing some physical act based on the decision (Action). The dynamic factors of selective inattention, ego function, and level of awareness are present in all crew behavior. If any one of these dynamic factors affects the performance of the flight task, the behavior may lead to inappropriate performance. This may result in a fatal accident. Conclusions concerning accident prevention are drawn from this study.

Accidents, Aviation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of physical performance by rectangular-triangular bicycle ergometry and computer-assisted ergospirometry.

A great deal of information about physical adjustment to work can be obtained from quantitative stress testing. Maximal stress limited by symptoms of exertional intolerance is the concept of the 2 min duration work increment test (rectangular-triangular exercise test). Compared to steady-state work tests strict observation of the standardized procedure- and computer assisted evaluation of ergospirometric parameters offer innovatory opportunities: (1) the test is of short duration (8-14 min), (2) the subjects recover rapidly, even from an exhausting test, (3) one is more likely to be able to observe plateauing of VO2, should determination of maximal VO2 be desired, (4) adaptation to increasing work rates and maximal work capacity is assessable, (5) computer technics provide on-line assessment of aerobic and anaerobic power in quantitative terms, (6) measurements proved to be highly reproducible, (7) the relationship between variables such as increments of heart rate and systolic blood pressure, respiratory minute volume, oxygen uptake during the early phase of the non-steady-state condition and the index of anaerobic power, and the influence of factors such as work load and work output, has been studied to derive standard values. Soft-ware programs have been designed to estimate deviation of parameters actually measured from standard values in terms of multiples of the standard deviation of the standard regression line. In particular, evaluating oxygen uptake during short time-intervals (0.5 min) provides information about adequate adaptational forces of the cardio-circulatory system. Energy that is not accounted for by reactions involving the VO2 measured is computed by substracting the caloric equivalent of oxygen uptake during work exceeding the steady-state level during rest from the energy demand to sustain a given work load aerobically. This index of anaerobic power is defined in kcal, cal/kg body wt., and as a percentage of the total amount of energy required (moderately trained athletes 350-500 cal/kg; sedentary people 200-300 cal/kg). A close relationship to parameters of metabolic acidosis (base excess) exists. It is concluded that the physical performance of sedentary people, athletes and patients with impaired cardio-pulmonary function can be more precisely qualified in quantitative terms by means of computer assisted rectangular-triangular ergospirometry. Results obtained in patients with diseased conditions must be carefully interpreted, their condition suggesting the use of more invasive investigations to reveal the pathophysiologic mechanism.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Dynamics of the blood circulatory indices in the crew of the Saliut space station in a functional test under physical load].

On the 4th, 9th, 16th and 21st days of the "Salyut" mission the crewmembers performed exercises with a load of about 1100 kgm. The results were compared with those obtained on the Earth. Immediately after the tests the crewmembers showed an increased heart rate and greater changes in the diastolic and pulse pressure, cardiac output and left ventricular ejection time. The above parameters returned to the normal at a slower rate. A comparison of the values recorded on different flight days did not demonstrate a distinct correlation between the changes and time of the weightlessness exposure.

Blood Circulation↗
PubMed2026

Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Individualized Physical Therapy on Pain and Function in Individuals With Chronic Knee Pain: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Noninvasive brain stimulation is a promising neuromodulatory intervention for chronic pain. This study aimed to determine the impact that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in combination with individualized physical therapy (PT) has on pain and function in individuals with chronic knee pain. METHODS: This study was a preliminary pragmatic, triple-blinded, randomized, and sham-controlled clinical trial performed in an outpatient orthopedic physical therapy clinic. Participants participated in 5 sessions of active or sham tDCS followed by individualized PT intervention. Pain outcomes included the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Movement-Evoked Pain, pressure pain thresholds (PPT), and the Central Sensitization Inventory. Functional outcomes included the 2-minute walk test, 5-time sit-to-stand test, quadriceps strength, knee range of motion, Patient Specific Functional Scale, and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale. RESULTS: Thirty participants with chronic knee pain completed the study. There were no significant differences observed for primary patient-centered pain and functional outcomes. For secondary outcomes, the active tDCS group had a significant effect (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05) on percent change in lateral joint line PPT and a significant multivariate effect of group on PPT change scores for 3-site and 5-site clusters (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05). Exploratory responder analyses demonstrated that the active tDCS group was 12.8 times more likely to achieve the minimum detectable change in quadriceps strength improvement compared with the sham tDCS group (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05). DISCUSSION: There were no significant between-group differences for primary pain and functional outcomes. However, the active tDCS group showed improvements in pain sensitivity, as measured by PPT, and quadriceps strength, which were superior to those seen in the sham tDCS group. These preliminary findings provide insight into possible mechanisms of tDCS in addressing pain as opposed to efficacy. Given that there were no clear between-group differences in patient-centered outcomes, there is insufficient evidence for routine tDCS use for chronic knee pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT06132412.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Symptom assessment and health-related quality of life in children with lower urinary tract dysfunction: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) significantly impacts children's health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but key determinants of this impairment remain incompletely understood within a patient-centered framework. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study enrolled 272 children with LUTD. Clinical symptoms were assessed using the Dysfunctional Voiding Scoring System (DVSS) and the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), and HRQoL via the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL&#x2122;) 4.0 Generic Core Scales. RESULTS: The mean total PedsQL score was 83.66 &#xb1; 16.07, with the School Functioning domain being the most impaired (73.75 &#xb1; 20.94). Univariate analysis identified older age (&#x2265;11 years), daytime urinary leakage, overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms, and abnormal DVSS scores as factors associated with reduced HRQoL (all P < 0.05); multivariate regression further confirmed only older age and abnormal DVSS were independent influencing factors (both P < 0.001). A significant negative correlation existed between the total DVSS score and the total PedsQL score (r = -0.390, P < 0.01), indicating that greater symptom severity predicts poorer overall HRQoL. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that in children with LUTD, the severity of voiding dysfunction (quantified by DVSS) is inversely correlated with HRQoL. Voiding dysfunction impairs multiple domains of daily functioning, including physical well-being, emotional adjustment, social interaction, and school performance. Shifting from a symptom-focused to a patient-centered care model and integrating routine HRQoL assessment into standard clinical management can optimize clinical practice for pediatric LUTD.

Humans↗