Surgical prehabilitation aims to optimise patients' physiological reserves to better withstand the stress of surgery, reduce the risk of postoperative complications, and promote a faster and optimal recovery. The purpose of this commentary is to outline the key aspects of prehabilitation before surgery for cancer which seem to impact its effectiveness and wider implementation. Particular attention is paid to the role and integration of resistance training programmes as a key component of multimodal prehabilitation for patients with cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this study, we aimed to develop a theoretical framework for a multimodal, integrative, exercise, anti-inflammatory and dietary counselling (MMIEAD) intervention for patients with renal cachexia with reference to how this addresses the underlying causal pathways for renal cachexia, the outcomes anticipated, and how these will be evaluated. We used a Theory of Change (ToC) approach to guide six steps. Step 1 included inputs from a workshop to obtain key stakeholder views on the potential development of a multimodal intervention for renal cachexia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicrocurrent is a non-invasive and safe electrotherapy applied through a series of sub-sensory electrical currents (less than 1 mA), which are of a similar magnitude to the currents generated endogenously by the human body. This review focuses on examining the physiological mechanisms mediating the effects of microcurrent when combined with different exercise modalities (e.g.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) and community-acquired pneumonia are common in frail older people and maybe addressed through targeted training of the anterior neck musculature that affects the swallow. We have developed a swallowing exercise rehabilitation intervention (CTAR-SwiFt) by adapting a previously established swallowing exercise to ensure patient safety and ease of execution in the frail elderly population. The CTAR-SwiFt intervention consists of a feedback-enabled exercise ball that can be squeezed under the chin, with real-time feedback provided via a mobile application.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: This systematic scoping review sought to summarise and synthesise the qualitative evidence on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) to understand the experiences of AIS, and of its diagnosis and treatment, and effective coping strategies to inform directions for future research.
Method: A systematic scoping review and textual narrative synthesis was undertaken. Qualitative or mixed-methods studies with extractable qualitative data were included if participants had AIS, and patient or patient relative perspectives about AIS or its treatment were reported.
Despite the reported association between diurnal variations in ambulatory blood pressure (BP) and elevated cardiovascular disease risk, little is known regarding the effects of isometric resistance training (IRT), a practical BP-lowering intervention, on ambulatory BP and morning BP surge (MBPS). Thus, we investigated whether (i) IRT causes reductions in ambulatory BP and MBPS, in young normotensives, and (ii) if there are any sex differences in these changes. Twenty normotensive individuals (mean 24-h SBP = 121 ± 7, DBP = 67 ± 6 mmHg) undertook 10-weeks of bilateral-leg IRT (4 × 2-min/2-min rest, at 20% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) 3 days/week).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: The World Health Organization emphasises the need for cost-effective alternative methods to lower blood pressure (BP). Endorsed nationally in HTN guidelines, isometric handgrip (IHG) training is an alternative method of BP control. The purpose of this study was to compare the BP, heart rate (HR) and rates of perceived exertion (RPE) responses between a bout of IHG training performed using the traditional computerized device and a more affordable, inflatable stress ball.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIsometric exercise training (IET) is an effective method for reducing resting blood pressure (BP). To date, no research studies have been conducted using multiple exercises within an IET intervention. Previous research has suggested that varied exercise programmes may have a positive effect on adherence.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlthough it is recognized in the early stages of cancer recovery that changes in lifestyle including increases in physical activity improves physical function, there are no clear findings whether low versus moderate intensity activity or home or gym exercise offer optimal benefit. Isometric-resistance exercises can be carried out with very little equipment and space and can be performed while patients are bed-bound in hospital or at home. This embedded qualitative study, based in an English hospital trust providing specialist cancer care, was undertaken as a component of a feasibility trial to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of an isometric-resistance exercise program and explore the suitability of functional assessments by drawing from the experiences of abdominal cancer patients following surgery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Aims: Although it has been widely recognized the potential of physical activity to help cancer patients' preparation for and recovery from surgery, there is little consideration of patient reflections and recovery experiences to help shape adherence to exercise programs. The aim was to explore the acceptability of our newly proposed isometric exercise program in a large general hospital trust in England providing specialist cancer care by using patient recollections of illness and therapy prior to undertaking a randomized controlled trial.
Methods: Four Focus groups (FGs) were conducted with cancer survivors with an explicit focus on patient identity, functional capacity, physical strength, exercise advice, types of activities as well as the timing of our exercise program and its suitability.
: With increasing age the prevalence of frailty, sarcopenia, undernutrition and dysphagia increases. These are all independent markers of outcome. This study explores the prevalence of these four and explores relationships between them.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Isometric handgrip (IHG) training lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, respectively), but the efficacy of IHG training in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation patients is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if IHG decreases blood pressure in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation patients.
Methods: Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program participants (n = 11; 50-80 yr old) were randomized to IHG (n = 6) or control (CON; no treatment; n = 5) groups.
Hypertension is the leading risk factor for global mortality. Isometric resistance exercise training reduces blood pressure (BP). However, the protocols used are often limited by cost/immobility and the use of rigid exercise modalities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Previous meta-analyses based on aggregate group-level data report antihypertensive effects of isometric resistance training (IRT). However, individual participant data meta-analyses provide more robust effect size estimates and permit examination of demographic and clinical variables on IRT effectiveness.
Methods: We conducted a systematic search and individual participant data (IPD) analysis, using both a one-step and two-step approach, of controlled trials investigating at least 3 weeks of IRT on resting systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure.
J Sports Med Phys Fitness
September 2019
Introduction: The first widely-available dry-land training machines for swimmers were introduced about 40 years ago. They were designed so that swimmers could perform resistance exercise whilst more-closely replicating the movements of swimming, than when using other gymnasium-based resistance training machines. These machines were subsequently adapted and used as measurement tools (ergometers) in an array swimming research study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To determine whether there is an association between hypermobility and sports injury.
Methods: A quantitative observational approach using a cross-sectional survey was adopted. Individuals were identified as hypermobile or not.
Isometric exercise training (IET)-induced reductions in resting blood pressure (RBP) have been achieved in laboratory environments, but data in support of IET outside the laboratory are scarce. The aim of this study was to compare 12 weeks of home-based (HOM) IET with laboratory-based, face-to-face (LAB) IET in hypertensive adults. Twenty-two hypertensive participants (24-60 years) were randomized to three conditions: HOM, LAB, or control (CON).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To systematically review the effects of preoperative and postoperative resistance exercise training on the recovery of physical function in patients undergoing abdominal surgery for cancer.
Data Sources: A systematic review of English articles using Medline, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library electronic databases was undertaken.
Eligibility Criteria For Selecting Studies: Studies were included if they used a randomised, quasi-randomised or controlled trial study design and compared the effects of a muscle-strengthening exercise intervention (±other therapy) with a comparative non-exercise group; involved adult participants (≥18 years) who had elected to undergo abdominal surgery for cancer; and used muscle strength, physical function, self-reported functional ability, range of motion and/or a performance-based test as an outcome measure.
Purpose: Isometric exercise (IE) has been shown to lower blood pressure (BP). Using equipment with force output displays, intensity is usually regulated at 30% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC); however, the cost of programmable equipment and their requirement for maximal contractions presents limitations. A simple, cost-effective alternative deserves investigation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: This work aimed to explore whether different forms of a simple isometric exercise test could be used to predict the blood pressure (BP)-lowering efficacy of different types of isometric resistance training (IRT) in healthy young adults. In light of the emphasis on primary prevention of hypertension, identifying those with normal BP who will respond to IRT is important. Also, heightened BP reactivity increases hypertension risk, and as IRT reduces BP reactivity in patients with hypertension, it warrants further investigation in a healthy population.
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