1,720,966 research outputs found
The relationship between upper leg muscle strength and walking capacity in persons with multiple sclerosis
No full textBackground: In persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) resistance training improves muscle strength but effects on walking capacity are inconsistent. Objective: The objective was to determine the relation between different types of upper leg muscle strength measurements and walking capacity in PwMS. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study design was applied. Upper leg muscle strength of 52 PwMS (Expanded Disability Status Scale, EDSS range 1.5-6.5) was measured using isometric (knee extensors and flexors) and isokinetic (knee extensors) dynamometry. Walking capacity was assessed using the Timed 25-Foot Walk, Timed Up and Go and Two Minute Walk Test. Subgroups with mild (EDSS 1.5-4.0, n=31) and moderate (EDSS 4.5-6.5, n=21) ambulatory dysfunction were distinguished, and results were hypothesized to differ depending on multiple sclerosis (MS)-related disability status. Correlation and regression analyses were performed on the data of the most affected leg. Results: Greatest (r:0.2-0.7) and significant Pearson correlation coefficients were found in the moderate compared to mild MS subgroup. Within knee extensor measurements, it was found that isokinetic endurance strength related best to walking capacity. When comparing maximal isometric strength measurements, knee flexors (r:0.5-0.7) related better to walking capacity than knee extensors (r:0.1-0.4). Regression analyses confirmed endurance knee extensor strength (similar to 25 %) and isometric knee flexor strength (similar to 40%) as main predictors for walking capacity. Conclusion: Resistance training protocols may consider inclusion of exercises focusing on endurance knee extensor and isometric knee flexor strength when aiming to enhance walking capacity in persons with moderate ambulatory dysfunction.This study was partly supported by IWT Tetra grant #50078, Flanders, Belgium
Rotavirus vaccination coverage and adherence to recommended age among infants in Flanders (Belgium) in 2012
No full textIn Belgium, rotavirus vaccination has been recommended and partially reimbursed since October 2006. Through a retrospective survey in 2012, we estimated the coverage rate of the rotavirus vaccination in
Flanders among infants born in 2010. Using a standardised questionnaire, 874 families were interviewed at home, collecting information on demographic characteristics, socio-economic background and documented vaccination history (updated from medical files and vaccination database, if needed). Adherence to the recommended age for vaccination (8, 12 and 16 weeks) was also assessed. The coverage rate for two doses of rotavirus vaccination was 92.2% (95% confidence
interval: 90.2–93.8). Respectively 31.7% and 10.1% of the children received their first and second dose at the recommended age. Incomplete vaccination was often a deliberate choice of the parents. Only eight children (1%) were vaccinated after the maximum age of 26 weeks. Factors identified by multiple logistic regression as related to incomplete vaccination were: living in the province of Antwerp, unemployed mother, and three or more older siblings in the household. Four years after introduction, the coverage rates were surprisingly
high for a vaccine that is not fully reimbursed and not readily available in the vaccinator’s fridge, which is the case for the other recommended infant vaccines.This study received full funding from the Flemish government, and was commissioned by the Flemish Minister in charge of the health policy. The work was supported by grants of the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO postdoctoral fellowship to HT)
Rotavirus vaccination coverage and adherence to recommended age among infants in Flanders (Belgium) in 2012
No full textIn Belgium, rotavirus vaccination has been recommended and partially reimbursed since October 2006. Through a retrospective survey in 2012, we estimated the coverage rate of the rotavirus vaccination in
Flanders among infants born in 2010. Using a standardised questionnaire, 874 families were interviewed at home, collecting information on demographic characteristics, socio-economic background and documented vaccination history (updated from medical files and vaccination database, if needed). Adherence to the recommended age for vaccination (8, 12 and 16 weeks) was also assessed. The coverage rate for two doses of rotavirus vaccination was 92.2% (95% confidence
interval: 90.2–93.8). Respectively 31.7% and 10.1% of the children received their first and second dose at the recommended age. Incomplete vaccination was often a deliberate choice of the parents. Only eight children (1%) were vaccinated after the maximum age of 26 weeks. Factors identified by multiple logistic regression as related to incomplete vaccination were: living in the province of Antwerp, unemployed mother, and three or more older siblings in the household. Four years after introduction, the coverage rates were surprisingly
high for a vaccine that is not fully reimbursed and not readily available in the vaccinator’s fridge, which is the case for the other recommended infant vaccines.This study received full funding from the Flemish government, and was commissioned by the Flemish Minister in charge of the health policy. The work was supported by grants of the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO postdoctoral fellowship to HT)
Clinical benefits of additional resistance-type exercises during endurance-based exercise intervention in coronary artery disease patients.
No full textPurpose: In the early rehabilitation of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients, resistance-type exercises are advocated in addition to endurance-type exercises. However, the clinical effects of these additional exercises remain to be explored.
Methods: 55 CAD patients were included and randomly assigned to 6 weeks of endurance exercise training or combined endurance and resistance exercise training (mean 18 sessions). All subjects performed 3 exercises sessions/week at 65% of baseline VO2max, for 40 min/session. In the combined group, leg extension and leg squat exercise were additionally executed: 2 series, 12 up to 25 repetitions. Following parameters were evaluated: maximal exercise capacity and ventilatory threshold (ergospirometry test), body composition (dual x-ray absorptiometry scan), hematology, blood lipid profile and glycemic control, blood endothelial progenitor cell content, muscle strength (dynamometry test on Biodex), home-based habitual activity.
Results: 42 CAD patients completed this intervention. In the combined-trained group upper leg lean tissue mass increased significantly (from 20.7±3.2 to 21.1±3.4kg, p0.05). The significant improvement in blood haemoglobin content, hematocrit, VO2max, ventilatory threshold, and muscle isokinetic and endurance strength was similar between groups. The significant reduction in adipose tissue was equal between groups. In the combined-trained group, blood HDL cholesterol content increased significantly (from 40±10 to 45±10mg/dl, p0.05).
Conclusion: The addition of resistance-type exercises during an endurance exercise intervention in CAD results into a greater increase in blood HDL cholesterol content and decrease in white blood cell count. Therefore, cardiovascular disease risk could be reduced by greater magnitude in CAD patients when adding resistance-type exercises towards endurance-exercise intervention by a novel physiological mechanism
Effects of long-term resistance training and simultaneous electro-stimulation on muscle strength and functional mobility in multiple sclerosis
No full text Background: Resistance training studies in multiple sclerosis (MS) often use short intervention periods. Furthermore, training efficiency could be optimized by unilateral training and/or electrical stimulation. Objective: To examine the effect(s) of unilateral long-term (20 weeks) standardized resistance training with and without simultaneous electro-stimulation on leg muscle strength and overall functional mobility. Methods: A randomized controlled trial involving 36 persons with MS. At baseline (PRE) and after 10 (MID) and 20 (POST) weeks of standardized (ACSM) light to moderately intense unilateral leg resistance training (RESO, n = 11) only or resistance training with simultaneous electro-stimulation (RESE, n = 11, 100 Hz, biphasic symmetrical wave, 400 µs), maximal isometric strength of the knee extensors and flexors (45°, 90° knee angle) and dynamic (60–180°/s) knee-extensor strength was measured and compared with a control group (CON, n = 14). Functional mobility was evaluated using the Timed Get Up and Go, Timed 25 Foot Walk, Two-Minute Walk Test, Functional Reach and Rivermead Mobility Index. Results: Maximal isometric knee extensor (90°, MID: +10 ± 3%, POST: +10 ± 4%) in RESO and knee flexor (45°, POST: +7 ± 4%; 90°, POST: +9 ± 5%) in RESE strength increased ( p < 0.05) compared with CON but RESO and RESE did not differ. Also, impaired legs responded positively to resistance training (unilateral leg strength analysis) and functional reaching increased significantly in RESO (+18%) compared with CON. Dynamic muscle strength and the remaining functional mobility tests did not change. Conclusion: Long-term light to moderately intense resistance training improves muscle strength in persons with MS but simultaneous electro-stimulation does not further improve training outcome. </jats:p
Effect van vibratie training op spierkracht, prestatie en snelheidsgerelateerde mechanische spierkarakteristieken
No full textDe resultaten van de studies van dit doctoraatsproject tonen aan dat de vibratiestimulus tijdens whole body vibration (WBV) een duidelijke meerwaarde heeft bovenop de oefeningen uitgevoerd op het WBV platform om spierkracht te verbeteren (geen placebo effect). WBV training is een efficiënte trainingsmethode om de kracht van de knie-extensoren en de sprongkracht te verbeteren in specifieke groepen. Voornamelijk mensen met een lage initiële spierkracht ten gevolgen van onvoldoende training of het verouderingsproces kunnen voordeel halen uit WBV training. Vooral zwakke mensen, zoals ongetrainden en ouderen, die zich niet aangetrokken voelen tot klassieke krachttraining kunnen baat hebben bij WBV training. Een optimale trainingsintensiteit en trainingsvolume van het WBV trainingsprogramma, voornamelijk een voldoende totale duur van de vibratie in één trainingssessie, zijn cruciaal om een voldoende overload te creëren voor het induceren van neuromusculaire adaptaties. De resultaten van de studies tonen aan dat 12 weken trilplaat training (3x/week, 35-40 Hz, 1.72.5 mm, max. 30 minuten) een efficiënt en haalbaar alternatief is om de kracht van de beenspieren en de sprongkracht te verbeteren bij ongetrainde jonge mensen en 60-plussers. De grootte orde van de krachtwinst is vergelijkbaar met de effecten na het volgen van een klassiek krachttrainingsprogramma aan matige intensiteit in de fitness zaal. Toch kan men niet stellen dat trilplaat training efficiënter is om de explosiviteit te verbeteren in vergelijking met klassieke krachttraining. In tegenstelling tot bij oudere dames is bovendien aangetoond dat 24 weken trilplaat training bij ongetrainde jonge dames niet leidt tot een daling in percentage lichaamsvet en onderhuids vet. Wel gaat de krachtwinst gepaard met een kleine toename in spiermassa. In een studie bij spurters met een specifiek trilplaat trainingsprogramma toegevoegd aan het klassieke trainingsprogramma konden we geen meerwaarde op krachtsnelheid en spurtprestatie vinden. Tot slot konden we in een fundamentele studie gebruik makend van lokale spiervibratie niet aantonen dat vibratie in staat is om specifieke snelheidsgerelateerde trainingseffecten te induceren.Als conclusie kan gesteld worden dat tot nog toe geen evidentie kon gevonden worden dat vibratietraining werkt bij atleten en leidt tot specifieke snelheidsgerelateerde aanpassingen in de spier. Wel is duidelijk aangetoond dat trilplaat training een efficiënte alternatieve trainingsmethode is voor mensen met een zwakke spierkracht ten gevolge van te weinig lichaamsbeweging of leeftijdsgerelateerde daling in spierkracht. De grootte orde van de trainingseffecten na vibratietraining zijn vergelijkbaar met die van klassieke krachttraining.status: Publishe
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
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