Heel Rise Test Accuracy in the Assessment of the Functional Capacity of Individuals With Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of heel rise test (HRT) for assessing the functional capacity (FC) of individuals with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and determine the best sensitivity cutoff point to stratify individuals with worse FC.

Methods: This retrospective methodological study included adults of both sexes diagnosed with PAD and intermittent claudication. Individuals performed the HRT (number of plantar flexions, execution time, and execution rate were recorded) and the incremental shuttle walking test (distance walked was recorded).

Exercise Training Reduces Inflammation and Fibrosis and Preserves Myocardial Function and Perfusion in a Model of Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) is caused by an inflammatory process induced by Trypanosoma cruzi, which leads to myocarditis with reactive and reparative fibrosis. CCC progresses with myocardial perfusion abnormalities and histopathological events that affect cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF).

Objectives: We evaluated the effects of aerobic physical training (APT) on myocardial perfusion and on morphological and functional impairments related with inflammation and fibrosis in Syrian hamsters with CCC.