Effects of remote limb ischemic conditioning on muscle strength in healthy young adults: A randomized controlled trial.

Remote limb ischemic conditioning (RLIC) is a clinically feasible method in which brief, sub-lethal bouts of ischemia protects remote organs or tissues from subsequent ischemic injury. A single session of RLIC can improve exercise performance and increase muscle activation. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to assess the effects of a brief, two-week protocol of repeated RLIC combined with strength training on strength gain and neural adaptation in healthy young adults.

Dose of remote limb ischemic conditioning for enhancing learning in healthy young adults.

Remote limb ischemic conditioning (RLIC) is a technique in which tissues distant from the target organ are exposed to brief, sub-lethal bouts of ischemia. The effects of remotely applied ischemic conditioning are systemically transferred to the target organ, and typically manifested as protection from subsequent ischemic injury. Previous studies in our lab have found and confirmed that RLIC enhances learning and retention during motor training on a balance task.

Remote Limb Ischemic Conditioning and Motor Learning: Evaluation of Factors Influencing Response in Older Adults.

Remote limb ischemic conditioning (RLIC) is a clinically feasible method of promoting tissue protection against subsequent ischemic insult. Recent findings from our lab demonstrated that RLIC robustly enhances motor learning in young, healthy humans. The next step is to determine which individuals would receive maximum benefit from RLIC before applying these findings to clinical rehabilitation populations such as stroke.

Recumbent Stepper Submaximal Test response is reliable in adults with and without stroke.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to determine the reliability of the exercise response (predicted peak VO2) using the total body recumbent stepper (TBRS) submaximal exercise test in: 1) healthy adults 20-70 years of age and 2) adults participating in inpatient stroke rehabilitation. We hypothesized that the predicted peak VO2 (Visit 1) would have an excellent relationship (r > 0.80) to predicted peak VO2 (Visit 2).

Use of a Nonexercise Estimate for Prestroke Peak Vo During the Acute Stroke Hospital Stay.

Purpose: For individuals with acute stroke, it is difficult to conduct an exercise test to assess peak oxygen consumption (peak Vo). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to use a clinically feasible tool for assessing prestroke peak Vo using a nonexercise estimation equation to test whether estimated prestroke peak Vo was related to the functional outcome measures at discharge from the hospital in individuals after an acute stroke. We hypothesized that the estimated prestroke peak Vo would be significantly related to discharge Physical Performance Test (PPT), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and lower extremity Fugl-Meyer (LEFM) assessment.

Estimated Prestroke Peak VO2 Is Related to Circulating IGF-1 Levels During Acute Stroke.

Background Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is neuroprotective after stroke and is regulated by insulin-like binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3). In healthy individuals, exercise and improved aerobic fitness (peak oxygen uptake; peak VO) increases IGF-1 in circulation. Understanding the relationship between estimated prestroke aerobic fitness and IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 after stroke may provide insight into the benefits of exercise and aerobic fitness on stroke recovery.

The relationship of pro-inflammatory markers to vascular endothelial function after acute stroke.

Unlabelled: Purpose/Aim: Data from chronic stroke studies have reported reduced blood flow and vascular endothelial function in the stroke-affected limb. It is unclear whether these differences are present early after stroke. First, we investigated whether vascular endothelial function in the stroke-affected limb would be different from healthy adults.

Decrease in Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Ratio in the First Week of Stroke Is Related to Positive Outcomes.

Background: High insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), measured once during acute stroke, is associated with greater survival rates and lower stroke severity. However, information is lacking regarding how IGF-1 availability, determined by IGF-1's ratio to insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), relates to recovery and how the response of IGF-1 during the first week of stroke relates to outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the following: (1) the relationship between percent change in IGF-1 and IGF-1 ratio during the first week of stroke and stroke outcomes; and (2) the difference in percent change in IGF-1 and IGF-1 ratio in individuals being discharged home and individuals being discharged to inpatient facilities.

Use of Accelerometers to Examine Sedentary Time on an Acute Stroke Unit.

Background And Purpose: Observational studies demonstrate low levels of physical activity during inpatient stroke rehabilitation. There are no prior studies that have objectively measured sedentary time on the acute stroke unit and whether sedentary time is related to functional outcomes. The purpose of this study was to characterize sedentary time after acute stroke and determine whether there is a relationship to functional performance at discharge.

Decreased tidal volume may limit cardiopulmonary performance during exercise in subacute stroke.

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study was to determine whether pulmonary function was reduced at submaximal and peak exercise in subacute stroke (SG) when compared with sedentary adults (CON).

Methods: Ten individuals with subacute stroke and 10 sedentary, age- and gender-matched adults performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), using a recumbent stepper. We used independent t tests to determine between-group differences at peak effort.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing is well tolerated in people with Alzheimer-related cognitive impairment.

Objective: To retrospectively assess whether cardiopulmonary exercise testing would be well tolerated in individuals with Alzheimer disease (AD) compared with a nondemented peer group.

Design: We retrospectively reviewed 575 cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPETs) in individuals with and without cognitive impairment caused by AD.

Setting: University medical center.

Cross-validation of the recumbent stepper submaximal exercise test to predict peak oxygen uptake in older adults.

Background: Submaximal exercise testing can have a greater application in clinical settings because peak exercise testing is generally not available. In previous work, a prediction equation was developed to estimate peak oxygen consumption (Vo2) using a total body recumbent stepper (TBRS) and the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) protocol in adults who were healthy.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to cross-validate the TBRS peak Vo2 prediction equation in older adults.

Submaximal and peak cardiorespiratory response after moderate-high intensity exercise training in subacute stroke.

Purpose: Reduced cardiovascular fitness post-stroke may negatively impact recovery. There is little information regarding exercise testing performance and cardiorespiratory response to an aerobic exercise intervention in subacute stroke. The purpose of this study was to examine cardiorespiratory response in subacute stroke after an 8-week aerobic exercise intervention using a total body recumbent stepper (TBRS).

Aerobic exercise in subacute stroke improves cardiovascular health and physical performance.

Background And Purpose: Cardiovascular health is often impaired after stroke. Reduced exercise capacity ((Equation is included in full-text article.)VO(2peak)) and changes in the vascular system in the stroke-affected limb may impact performance of physical activities such as walking.

Measures of Cardiovascular Health and Physical Function after an Aerobic Exercise Intervention in a Patient Fifteen Days Post-Stroke.

: Case Study : Changes in cardiorespiratory (CR) fitness post-stroke severely impact an individual's quality of life. The purpose of this case study was to demonstrate whether a moderate to high intensity aerobic exercise program would improve cardiovascular fitness, and physical performance measures in a participant following discharge from acute stroke rehabilitation. The participant is a 58 year-old female who experienced an ischemic stroke 15 days prior to beginning the exercise intervention.