Tongue Protrusion Strength in Arousal State Is Predictive of the Airway Patency in Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Contraction of the genioglossus affects either tongue protrusion strength or dilating forces of the upper airway. The upper airway in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is thought to collapse during sleep, at least in part because of a sleep related reduction in genioglossus muscle activity. Thus, although tongue protrusion strength by genioglossus activity during sleep contributes to the maintenance of airway patency in patients with OSA, the relationship between tongue protrusion strength in the arousal state and obstructive sleep apnea has not been fully elucidated.

Noninvasive evaluation of left ventricular force-frequency relationships by measuring carotid arterial wave intensity during exercise stress.

Background And Purpose: Estimation of the contractility of the left ventricle during exercise is important in drawing up a protocol of cardiac rehabilitation. It has been demonstrated that color Doppler- and echo tracking-derived carotid arterial wave intensity is a sensitive index of global left ventricular (LV) contractility. We assessed the feasibility of measuring carotid arterial wave intensity and determining force-frequency (contractility-heart rate) relations (FFRs) during exercise totally noninvasively.

Intermittent, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for only eight weeks reduces arterial stiffness: evaluation by measurement of stiffness parameter and pressure-strain elastic modulus by use of ultrasonic echo tracking.

Background And Purpose: Aerobic exercise has been reported to be associated with reduced arterial stiffness. However, the intensity, duration, and frequency of aerobic exercise required to improve arterial stiffness have not been established. In addition, most reports base their conclusions on changes in pulse wave velocity, which is an indirect index of arterial stiffness.