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Reproducibility of the Autonomic Response during Anticipatory Stress
Get PDFMental stress increases blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR), although muscle sympathetic nerve reactivity (MSNA) differs between individuals. PURPOSE: Anticipatory stress alone causes a cardiovascular and autonomic response to a stressful situation before it occurs. However, the reproducibility of the autonomic response to anticipatory stress remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the reproducibility of the autonomic response to anticipatory stress in healthy adults. We hypothesize the autonomic system will have a reproducible response during anticipatory stress. METHODS: Twenty-one adults (9 male, 12 female; 25±6 years old, BMI: 24± 3kg/m2) underwent the Tier Social Stress Test (TSST) twice with a month between each study. The TSST consisted of a baseline (10 min), speech preparation (5 min), speech delivery (5 min), mental math (5 min), and recovery (5 min). There were simultaneous recordings of beat-to-beat BP, continuous HR, and MSNA from the fibular nerve during the TSST. These recordings were used to quantify mean arterial BP (MAP), MSNA burst frequency (BF) and burst index (BI), HR variability (HRV), sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity (sBRS), cardiovagal BRS (cvBRS), and t50. Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) were used to measure the reproducibility of the autonomic system response RESULTS: MAP (ICC=0.664, P=0.003) demonstrated moderate reliability (ICC=0.5-0.75) while MSNA BF (ICC=0.812, P=0.004), MSNA BI (ICC=0.767, P=0.010), and sBRS (ICC=0.760, P=0.005) exhibited good reliability (ICC=0.75-0.9). There was poor reliability for HR (P=0.197), high frequency HRV (P=0.656), cvBRS up (P=0.296), cvBRS down (P=0.111), or t50 (P=0.190) (all ICC \u3c 0.812). CONCLUSION: The present study observed a reproducible response in the sympathetic system with a seemingly paradoxical decrease in MSNA during anticipatory stress. However, the parasympathetic system did not show a reproducible response. These findings provide more insight to the reproducibility and variability among responses of the cardiovascular system during anticipatory mental stres
Effects of Aquatic Therapy on Joint Mobility and Muscular Strength on an Adult Male with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy
Get PDFCerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological motor impairment syndrome caused by damage to the developing brain. Therapeutic aquatic exercise can be extremely beneficial when aiming to take pressure off of the back and lower extremities because water is proven to better support body weight and relieve joint stress. Aquatic therapy has also been seen to affect overall motor function, spasticity, and quality of life. PURPOSE: To determine if aquatic therapy improves joint mobility, muscular strength, and quality of life in an adult with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. METHODS: Single-subject six-week aquatic therapy intervention consisted of one-hour sessions, two days a week, with exercises targeting mobility and strength in the upper and lower extremities. Range of motion along with triceps and quadriceps strength were measured at week 0 and week 6. A goniometer was used to measure range of motion, a handheld dynamometer was used to measure muscular strength. A word jumbled with positive, neutral and negative emotionally descriptive words was shown to the participant pre and post each training session. The participant identified an emotionally descriptive word that related to their current state. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in joint range of motion of the left shoulder flexion (t(2)= - 6.15, p= 0.03), right ankle dorsiflexion (t(2)= 4.46, p= 0.047). Statistically significant differences in strength were identified in the left quadricep (t(2)= - 41, p= 0.0006), right quadricep (t(2)= - 5.03, p= 0.04), left triceps (t(2)= - 6.91, p= 0.02), and right triceps (t(2)= - 22.3, p= 0.002). The greatest percent increases were 219% for the left triceps strength, 218% for the left quadricep strength, and 127% for the right quadricep strength. Words typically selected pre-session included ‘ready’, ‘anticipation’ and ‘happy’ and post sessions were ‘relaxed’, ‘recharged’ and ‘tired’. CONCLUSION: The aquatic therapy program improved joint mobility, muscular strength, and quality of life. In addition to the significant data, the percent increases contributed to the participant’s neuromuscular adaptations. It’s important to note the additional improvements that were enhanced due to participation in this program including more controlled daily living activities and new skills in and out the pool
PATTERNS OF DAILY ACTIVITY, SLEEP, DIET, AND HORMONAL FLUCTUATIONS AMONG PREMENOPAUSAL WOMEN: A TWO-MONTH ANALYSIS
No full textDespite growing recognition of potential interplays among female reproductive hormones, physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), sleep, and diet; a dearth of evidence exists examining how these behaviors interact. Current evidence is primarily cross-sectional, and often includes only naturally menstruating (NM) women, and often excludes women using hormonal contraceptives (HC). PURPOSE: To identify potential interactions between estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and leptin on PA, SB, sleep, and diet among NM and HC women. METHODS: Premenopausal women (N=16, HC=9, NM=7) completed weekly testing for 8 weeks including a serum blood draw and completion of the Simple Physical Activity Questionnaire (SIMPAQ), the Automated Self-Administered Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA-24), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data was analyzed using general linear mixed models with HC/NM and cycle phase as fixed effects and participant as a random effect. RESULTS: Significant positive interactions were identified between FSH and carbohydrate and added sugar intake among all participants (b=0.93, p=0.030; b=0.15, p=0.006; respectively). A significant negative interaction was observed between LH and added sugar intake (b=-1.91, p=0.006). E2 and protein intake were positively associated (b=0.10, p=0.013). A significant interaction between walking and cycle phase was identified (b=1.26, p=0.002), and walking was significantly higher in the mid-follicular phase compared to menstruation (p=0.007). A significant interaction between sleep and cycle phase was observed in NM participants (b=5.21, p=0.004), with sleep differing between menstruation and luteal phase (p\u3c0.001). Additionally, a positive interaction between leptin and sleep was observed (b=0.124, p\u3c0.001). No other significant interactions between lifestyle behaviors and hormones were identified. CONCLUSION: In a relatively healthy female population, carbohydrate, added sugar, and protein intake appear to be related to infradian hormonal fluctuations. PA and sleep both appear to have cycle phase interactions among NM participants but not HC participants. Further research is needed to explore these interactions in a larger and more diverse population
EFFECT OF POST RUNNING HOT WATER IMMERSION ON WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS WEARING PROTECTIVE CLOTHING DURING EXERCISE
No full textWildland Firefighting (WFF) is a physically demanding job that can require manual work for 8 or more consecutive hours in hot conditions while wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Early season work and training can pose additional risk because firefighters may not be acclimatized to working in hot conditions. Previous studies have demonstrated that heat acclimatization occurs in response to post-exercise hot water immersion (HWI). However, to our knowledge, the effect of exercise + HWI on exercise efficiency in WFF wearing PPE has not been examined. PURPOSE: Our study aimed to measure the effect of 5 consecutive days of post exercise HWI on heart rate (HR), blood lactate, and rate of perceived exertion in WFF during graded exercise testing while wearing PPE. METHODS: Male WFF (n=4) completed a baseline graded exercise test at room temperature where each stage was 3 min and speed increased after each stage while wearing gym clothes (GC). Next, they completed the same test at room temp while wearing PPE (PPE1). Subjects then completed 40 min of moderate jogging followed by 25 minutes in a hot bath (38-40C) each day for five days. Two to three days after finishing their final exercise + HWI session subjects returned to the lab for a final graded exercise test at room temp while wearing PPE (PPE2). Heart rate, blood lactate, and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured at the end of each stage during all exercise tests. RESULTS: For the GC condition, mean RPE was 6.25±2.44, lactate was 3.6±2.50 mmol/L, and mean HR was 167.09±20.59 BPM. For the PPE1 condition mean RPE was 6.17±2.59 out of 10, mean lactate was 3.78±2.58 mmol/L, and mean HR was 164.75±21.65 BPM. For the PPE2 condition mean RPE was 6.09±2.4 out of 10, mean lactate was 3.78±2.50 mmol/L, and mean HR was 156.06±20.59. Comparison of blood lactate between PPE1 and PPE2 conditions showed no statistical difference. Likewise, there was no difference in RPE between PPE1 and PPE2. Mean HR was significantly lower in PPE2 compared to PPE1 (p\u3c0.05). CONCLUSION: This preliminary study showed that 5 days of 40 min exercise at room temp followed by 25 min of HWI lead to an average HR reduction of 8.69 BPM during a graded exercise test in PPE at room temp. This finding suggests that exercise + HWI increases exercise efficiency and may help WFF acclimatize to heat prior to fire season
EVALUATING THE RELIABILITY AND ACCURACY OF THREE SENSOR PROTOTYPES FOR ENHANCING STAIR MOBILITY
No full textPeripheral neuropathy causes sensory deficits, impaired motor control, and instability. One challenge for individuals with neuropathy is stair navigation due to reduced sensory feedback and altered mechanics, increasing fall risk. Few commercial products mitigate sensory issues, creating a need for an affordable and easy to use product for individuals with neuropathy safely navigate stairs. PURPOSE: To evaluate the reliability and accuracy of three sensor prototypes designed to provide assistive feedback through tactile and visual cues during stair navigation. METHODS: Five of 15 healthy adults (20 ± 2.8 y) completed the study, consisting of stair ascent and descent with the prototypes placed in their own shoes. Each prototype involves a switch pad on the proximal heel, triggering feedback upon activation: Prototype A provides a vibration at the ankle, Prototype B emits a light cue at the ankle and wrist, and Prototype C emits a light cue on the shoelaces. For each prototype, participants completed 3 ascents and 3 descents onto a 17.8 cm stair with the dominant leg. High speed video (120 Hz) was used to visually identify sensor activation, which was compared with kinetic data from a force platform (1200 Hz). Activation delay (ΔT) between sensor and force platform data was calculated to assess timing accuracy, and miss rates were analyzed to assess reliability. A 3 (device) x 2 (direction) ANOVA compared ΔT between devices and ascent/descent and a one-way ANOVA examined differences in miss rates across devices (α = .05). RESULTS: Based on preliminary results, ΔT was 0.34 ± 0.54 s for A, 0.18 ± 0.36 s for B, and 0.31 ± 0.43 s for C. The two-way ANOVA indicated no interaction (p = .49) or main effects of device (p = .57) or direction (p = .26). Miss rates were not significantly different among devices (A: 23.3%, B: 29.9%, and C: 16.7%, p = .68). Methods: Early results indicate all three prototypes exhibit notable activation delays (0.18–0.34 s) and miss rates (16.7%–29.9%) without significant differences in accuracy or reliability. The observed delays exceed typical reaction time thresholds for real time gait adjustments, which may limit the feedback effectiveness for immediate correction. However, more data collection is needed to determine if these trends persist and to assess the potential benefits of these prototypes
The Impact of a Baseball Season on Body Composition in NCAA Division II Baseball Pitchers
No full textThe behavioral and physical effects of surf therapy with developmentally delayed pediatrics: A Case Study
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