Patient-reported questionnaires to preoperatively identify high-risk surgical patients.

Purpose: Low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) increases the risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality following major surgery. Assessing CRF preoperatively, by measuring peak oxygen uptake (VO) during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), is valuable yet not widely available. This study aimed to assess whether questionnaires could be used preoperatively to identify high-risk surgical patients.

Test-retest reliability of the FitMáx©-questionnaire in a clinical and healthy population.

Purpose: The FitMáx© was developed as a questionnaire-based instrument to estimate Cardiorespiratory Fitness (CRF) expressed as oxygen uptake at peak exercise (VO). Test-retest reliability is a clinometric measurement property, which defines stability over time if multiple measurements are performed (i.e.

Multimodal prehabilitation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer undergoing anatomical resection: protocol of a non-randomised feasibility study.

Background: The preoperative period can be used to enhance a patient's functional capacity with multimodal prehabilitation and consequently improve and fasten postoperative recovery. Especially, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) surgical patients may benefit from this intervention, since the affected and resected organ is an essential part of the cardiorespiratory fitness. Drafting a prehabilitation programme is challenging, since many disciplines are involved, and time between diagnosis of NSCLC and surgery is limited.

Monitoring aerobic capacity in cancer survivors using self-reported questionnaires: criterion validity and responsiveness.

Background: Evaluating the criterion validity and responsiveness of the self-reported FitMáx©-questionnaire, Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) and Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire (VSAQ) to monitor aerobic capacity in cancer survivors.

Methods: Cancer survivors participating in a 10-week supervised exercise program were included. The FitMáx©-questionnaire, DASI, VSAQ and a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) were completed before (T) and after (T) the program.

Short- and long-term outcomes after endarterectomy with autologous patching in endurance athletes with iliac artery endofibrosis.

Objective: Endurance athletes such as cyclists may develop intermittent claudication owing to iliac artery endofibrosis after long-lasting extreme hemodynamic challenges. This study investigated short-term (<1.5 years) and long-term (>5 years) satisfaction and safety after a surgical endarterectomy and autologous patching.

Diagnosing Sport-Related Flow Limitations in the Iliac Arteries Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.

Background: A flow limitation in the iliac arteries (FLIA) in endurance athletes is notoriously difficult to diagnose with the currently available diagnostic tools. At present, a commonly used diagnostic measure is a decrease in ankle brachial index with flex hips (ABIFlexed) following a maximal effort exercise test. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a non-invasive technique that measures skeletal muscle oxygenation as reflected by the balance of O2 delivery from microvascular blood flow and O2 uptake by metabolic activity.

Surgical shortening of lengthened iliac arteries in endurance athletes: Short-term and long-term satisfaction.

Objective: Endurance athletes are prone to develop flow limitations in iliac arteries (FLIA). Especially in cyclists and ice speed skaters, excessive hemodynamic loading coupled with hip hyperflexion may cause kinking in lengthened iliac arteries necessitating surgical correction. This study investigated the short-term (≤1.

Construct Validity of the Steep Ramp Test for Assessing Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Patients With Breast Cancer and the Effect of Chemotherapy-Related Symptom Burden.

Objective: To investigate the construct validity of the Steep Ramp Test (SRT) by longitudinally comparing the correlation between maximum short exercise capacity of the SRT and direct measurements of peak oxygen consumption (Vopeak) during or shortly after treatment in patients with breast cancer and the potential effect of chemotherapy-induced symptom burden.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Multicenter.

Estimating VO in 18-90 Year-Old Adults: Development and Validation of the FitMáx©-Questionnaire.

Purpose: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) plays an essential role in health outcomes and quality of life. However, it is often not assessed nor estimated. Objective CRF assessment is costly, labour intensive and not widely available.

Short- and long-term results of operative iliac artery release in endurance athletes.

Objective: Endurance athletes can develop intermittent claudication due to sports-related flow limitations of the iliac artery (FLIA) caused by arterial kinking. In the present study, we investigated the short- and long-term efficacy of an operative release for iliac artery kinking.

Methods: Between 1996 and 2015, all patients with a diagnosis of FLIA due to iliac artery kinking without substantial arterial stenosis (<15%) or an excessive arterial length (vessel length to straight ratio, <1.

Test-retest reliability of skeletal muscle oxygenation measurement using near-infrared spectroscopy during exercise in patients with sport-related iliac artery flow limitation.

The ankle-brachial index is an accurate tool for detecting claudication in atherosclerotic patients. However, this technique fails to identify subtle flow limitations of the iliac arteries (FLIA) in endurance athletes. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive technique that measures skeletal muscle tissue oxygenation status.

The effect of additional protein on lean body mass preservation in post-bariatric surgery patients: a systematic review.

Background: As result of bariatric surgery, patients are susceptible to protein deficiency which can result in undesirable lean body mass (LBM) loss. Consumption of high-protein diets or supplements could counteract this, but evidence about the effect is scarce. This paper systematically reviewed the literature to determine the effect of additional protein intake (≥60 g/day) on LBM preservation in post-bariatric patients.

Physical Activity is Associated with Health Related Quality of Life in Lymphoma Survivors Regardless of Body Mass Index; Results from the Profiles Registry.

Background: Being obese and having a sedentary lifestyle is associated with impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among cancer survivors. The aim of the present study is to investigate the combined influence of body mass index (BMI) and physical activity on HRQoL in lymphoma survivors.

Methods: Lymphoma survivors diagnosed between 1999 and 2012 were invited to complete questionnaires about body height and weight, physical activity and HRQoL using the EORTC QLQ-C30.

Effectiveness of a Low-Calorie Diet for Liver Volume Reduction Prior to Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review.

An energy-restricted diet is often prescribed before bariatric surgery to reduce weight and liver volume. While very-low-calorie diets (VLCDs, 450-800 kcal per day) have shown to be effective, the effectiveness of low-calorie diets (LCDs, 800-1500 kcal per day) is less obvious. The objective of this systematic review was to elucidate the effectiveness of LCD on liver volume reduction in patients awaiting bariatric surgery.

Sport-related femoral artery occlusion detected by near-infrared spectroscopy and pedal power measurements: a case report.

Objectives: Approximately one in five professional cycling athletes will eventually develop a sport-related vascular problem. However, detecting such flow limitation is a diagnostic challenge as the sensitivity of the currently available standard diagnostic tools is limited.

Methods: Here we present an athlete with exercise-induced pain and weakness of the left leg.

Making Patients Fit for Surgery: Introducing a Four Pillar Multimodal Prehabilitation Program in Colorectal Cancer.

Background: Considering the relation between preoperative functional capacity and postoperative complications, enhancing patients' functional capacity before surgery with a prehabilitation program may facilitate faster recovery and improve quality of life. However, time before surgery is short, mandating a multimodal and high-intensity training approach. This study investigated feasibility and safety of a prehabilitation program for colorectal cancer.

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Is Promising to Detect Iliac Artery Flow Limitations in Athletes: A Pilot Study.

Endurance cyclists have a substantial risk to develop flow limitations in the iliac arteries during their career. These flow limitations are due to extreme hemodynamic stress which may result in functional arterial kinking and/or intravascular lesions. Early diagnosis may improve outcome and could prevent the necessity for surgical vascular repair.

Multimodal prehabilitation in colorectal cancer patients to improve functional capacity and reduce postoperative complications: the first international randomized controlled trial for multimodal prehabilitation.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most prevalent type of cancer in the world. Surgery is the only curative option. However, postoperative complications occur in up to 50% of patients and are associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates, lower health related quality of life (HRQoL) and increased expenditure in health care.

Pedal power measurement as a diagnostic tool for functional vascular problems.

Background: Cyclists with flow limitations in the iliac arteries complain of pain and loss of power. To investigate whether pedal power measurement has added value in diagnosing the underlying cause of flow limitations in the iliac arteries, we explored the sensitivity and specificity of various pedal power measurement variables. Moreover, it was assessed what the added value of pedal power measurement is compared to diagnosis based on the conventional ankle-brachial blood pressure index.

Protease-activated receptors are potential regulators in the development of arterial endofibrosis in high-performance athletes.

Objective: High-performance athletes can develop symptomatic arterial flow restriction during exercise caused by endofibrosis. The pathogenesis is poorly understood; however, coagulation enzymes, such as tissue factor (TF) and coagulation factor Xa, might contribute to the fibrotic process, which is mainly regulated through activation of protease-activated receptors (PARs). Therefore, the aim of this explorative study was to evaluate the presence of coagulation factors and PARs in endofibrotic tissue, which might be indicative of their potential role in the natural development of endofibrosis.

Does vibration superimposed on low-level isometric contraction alter motor unit recruitment strategy?

Objective: Beneficial effects, including improved muscle strength and power performance, have been observed during vibration exercise (VE) and partially ascribed to a specific reflex mechanism referred to as Tonic vibration reflex (TVR). TVR involves motor unit (MU) activation synchronized and un-synchronized with the vibration cycle; this suggests VE to alter the temporal MU recruitment strategy. However, the effects of VE on MU recruitment remain poorly understood.

Validation and Refinement of Prediction Models to Estimate Exercise Capacity in Cancer Survivors Using the Steep Ramp Test.

Objective: To further test the validity and clinical usefulness of the steep ramp test (SRT) in estimating exercise tolerance in cancer survivors by external validation and extension of previously published prediction models for peak oxygen consumption (Vo) and peak power output (W).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Multicenter.

Participation in and adherence to physical exercise after completion of primary cancer treatment.

Background: The purpose of this study was  to identify demographic, clinical, psychosocial, physical and environmental factors that are associated with participation in and adherence to a combined resistance and endurance exercise program among cancer survivors, shortly after completion of primary cancer treatment. Data from the randomized controlled Resistance and Endurance exercise After ChemoTherapy (REACT) study were used for this study.

Methods: The participants of the REACT study were randomly allocated to either a high intensity (HI) or low-to-moderate intensity (LMI) exercise program.

Mediators of Exercise Effects on HRQoL in Cancer Survivors after Chemotherapy.

Purpose: We investigated the hypothesis that combined resistance and endurance exercise improves cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength, thereby reducing fatigue and improving global quality of life (QoL) and physical function among cancer survivors who completed curative treatment including chemotherapy.

Methods: Cancer survivors were assigned to a 12-wk exercise intervention (n = 186) or a wait list control group (n = 91). Data were collected at baseline and after 12 wk.