Occupation-specific, high-intensity cardiac rehabilitation for return to work of a young police officer after myocardial infarction from traumatic coronary artery dissection.

Following a traumatic coronary artery dissection and subsequent myocardial infarction from a nonpenetrating strike to the chest by an airborne metal pipe, a 33-year-old male police officer completed 12 weeks of high-intensity, symptom-limited cardiac rehabilitation in order to return to active duty. Physiological and perceptual responses to exercise were used to progress the patient through high-intensity activities that challenged the musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory systems while simulating real work activities. In addition to substantial improvements in functional capacity (8.

Impact of symptom-guided, progressive cardiac rehabilitation after left ventricular assist device implantation.

A 29-year-old woman with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) completed a progressive, symptom-limited cardiac rehabilitation program consisting of boxing, weight-lifting, and aerobic exercise, where she improved her exercise capacity by 2.7 metabolic equivalents ( < 0.001) and demonstrated significant myocardial recovery, allowing for successful LVAD explant 9 months after implantation.

An alternative approach to prescribing sternal precautions after median sternotomy, "Keep Your Move in the Tube".

Traditional sternal precautions, given to sternotomy patients as part of their discharge education, are intended to help prevent sternal wound complications. They vary widely but generally include arbitrary load and time restrictions (lifting no more than a specified weight for up to 12 weeks) and may prohibit common shoulder joint and shoulder girdle movements. Having observed the negative effects of restrictive sternal precautions for many years, our research team performed a series of studies that measured the forces exerted during various common activities and their relationship to the sternum.

Use of the bootstrap method to develop a physical fitness test for public safety officers who serve as both police officers and firefighters.

Physical fitness testing is a common tool for motivating employees with strenuous occupations to reach and maintain a minimum level of fitness. Nevertheless, the use of such tests can be hampered by several factors, including required compliance with US antidiscrimination laws. The Highland Park (Texas) Department of Public Safety implemented testing in 1991, but no single test adequately evaluated its sworn employees, who are cross-trained and serve as police officers and firefighters.