Tai Chi Chuan to improve muscular strength and endurance in elderly individuals: a pilot study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the training effect of a Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) program on knee extensor muscular strength and endurance in elderly individuals.

DESIGN

Before-after trial.

SETTING

Community setting.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-one community dwelling subjects aged 61.1 +/- 9.8 years undertook a TCC program. Nine dropped out during the study. Pretraining and posttraining measurements were obtained from 15 men and 17 women.

INTERVENTION

Subjects participated in a 6-month TCC program. Each session consisted of 20 minutes of warm-up, 24 minutes of structured TCC training, and 10 minutes of cool-down exercises.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Peak torque of dominant and nondominant knee extensors was tested at speeds of 60 degrees , 180 degrees , and 240 degrees/sec concentrically and eccentrically. Muscular endurance of the knee extensor was tested at the speed of 180 degrees /sec.

RESULTS

In the group of men, concentric knee extensor peak torque increased by 15.1% to 20.0% and eccentric peak torque increased by 15.1% to 23.7%. The group of women also showed increases, ranging from 13.5% to 21.8% in concentric peak torque, and 18.3% to 23.8% in eccentric peak torque. In addition, the knee extensor endurance ratio increased by 9.6% to 18.8% in the men and 10.1% to 14.6% in the women.

CONCLUSION

TCC training may enhance muscular strength and endurance of knee extensors in elderly individuals.

Role of chronic exercise in decreasing oxidized LDL-potentiated platelet activation by enhancing platelet-derived no release and bioactivity in rats

This study investigates how chronic exercise affects Ox-LDL mediated-platelet activation. Five-week-old male Wistar rats were assigned to either control or trained groups. Trained rats were treadmill-trained for 10 weeks after familiarization. The following measurements were taken in both control and trained groups: plasma lipid profile, oxidation of LDL, platelet adhesiveness, aggregability, cGMP contents, plasma and platelet-NO metabolite (nitrite plus nitrate) levels, and urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha (8-iso-PG F2alpha) levels. Based on those measurements, major findings in this study can be summarized as follows: 1) the trained group prolonged the lag time of isolated LDL subjected to copper-induced in vitro oxidation significantly longer than the control group; 2) although having higher plasma and platelet derived-NO metabolite levels, the trained group had lower urinary excretion of 8-iso-PGF2alpha than the control group; 3) the trained group had a lower platelet adhesiveness and aggregability and higher platelet derived-NO metabolite and cGMP productions than the control group; 4) the trained group had a lower Ox-LDL-potentiated platelet adhesiveness and aggregability and Ox-LDL-attenuated NO metabolite and cGMP productions in platelet than the control group; and 5) treating the platelet with L-arginine inhibited Ox-LDL-potentiated platelet activation in both control and trained groups. Results in this study demonstrate that amounts of preformed lipid peroxides decrease while NO production (which acts as an antioxidant) is significantly increased after chronic exercise. Moreover, exercise training decreases Ox-LDL-potentiated platelet activation most likely by enhancing platelet-derived NO release and bioactivity.

Brain lesion size and location: effects on motor recovery and functional outcome in stroke patients

OBJECTIVE

To investigate effects of brain lesion profiles that combined sizes and locations on motor recovery and functional outcome after stroke in hemiplegic patients.

DESIGN

Delimiting sizes (a threshold lesion size) of 5 primary locations were identified to establish brain lesion profiles based on magnetic resonance imaging findings 1 month after stroke. Motor and functional outcome were correlated with brain lesion profiles and other brain lesion factors to identify the most dominant factor.

SETTING

Medical center, rehabilitation department.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty-five hemiplegic patients.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Brunnström's stages and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores were assessed 1 and 6 months after stroke.

RESULTS

With delimiting sizes for the cortical, corona radiata, internal capsule, putaminal, and thalamic regions set at 75, 4, .75, 22, and 12cm3, respectively, brain lesion profiles play a dominant role in determining final Brunnström's stages (Spearman's rho = .861, p < .01) and FIM score (Spearman's rho = .571, p < .01). Brunnström's and FIM scores had no or only weak negative relationship with either absolute or relative lesion size.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings may suggest that motor and functional outcomes after stroke correlate with brain lesion profiles (a combination of delimiting sizes and primary locations) more than with absolute or relative lesion sizes only. Delimiting sizes in determining final outcomes varied markedly according to the primary lesion locations.

Effect of exercise training on oxidized LDL-mediated platelet function in rats

This study investigates how exercise training affects Oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL) mediated-platelet activation. Five-week-old male Wistar rats were assigned to either control or trained groups. Trained rats were treadmill-trained for 10 weeks after familiarization. The following measurements were taken in both control and trained groups: Ox-LDL-mediated platelet aggregability and [Ca2+]i, plasma and platelet-derived nitric oxide (NO) metabolite (nitrite plus nitrate) levels, and antiaggregating activity of NO derived from endothelial cells. Based on those measurements, major findings in this study can be summarized as follows: 1) the trained group had a higher plasma -NO metabolite level than the control group; 2) the trained group had a lower platelet aggregability and [Ca2+]i elevation and a higher platelet derived-NO metabolite level than the control group; 3) the trained group had lower Ox-LDL-potentiated platelet aggregability and [Ca2+]i elevation and Ox-LDL-attenuated NO metabolite in platelet than the control group; 4) treating the platelet with L-arginine inhibited Ox-LDL-potentiated platelet activation in both control and trained groups; 5) Ox-LDL enhances platelet aggregation directly although impairing NO bioactivity but not guanylate cyclase activity in both control and trained groups. Results in this study demonstrate that exercise training decreases Ox-LDL-potentiated platelet activation most likely by enhancing platelet-derived NO release.

A non-transmembrane form of Jagged-1 regulates the formation of matrix-dependent chord-like structures

Jagged-Notch interactions regulate a transmembrane ligand-receptor signaling pathway involved in the regulation of cell fate determination as well as myoblast and endothelial cell differentiation. To further examine the role of the transmembrane ligand, Jagged-1, in the regulation of cell differentiation, we stably transfected NIH 3T3 cells with a truncated form of Jagged(J)-1, which results in the secretion of a soluble(s) form of the protein. Comparison of gene expression by serial analysis demonstrated that among the 227 transcripts differentially regulated in the sJ-1 transfectants, the expression of the pro-alpha-2(I) collagen transcript and pro-alpha-1(I) collagen translation product was predominantly repressed in sJ-1 transfectants. When plated on extracellular matrices, sJ-1 transfectants formed prominent chord-like structures on type I collagen but not on fibrin, fibronectin, or vitronectin. While the sJ-1 transfectants exhibited growth kinetics similar to control cells and were unable to grow in soft agar, the cells were less sensitive to contact inhibition of growth in vitro and sJ-1 allografts formed tissue masses in nude mice after a prolonged latency period and exhibited an abundance of host-derived microvascular endothelial cells. These data suggest that J-1 may be able to modulate, in a matrix-dependent manner, the organization of cell to cell interactions including its ability to promote the development of chord-like structures.

The new design of an infrared-controlled human-computer interface for the disabled

This paper reports on the development of an eyeglass- type infrared (IR)-controlled computer interface for the disabled. This system may serve to assist those who suffer from spinal cord injuries or other handicaps to operate a computer. This system is comprised of three major components: 1) an infrared transmitting module, 2) an infrared receiving/signal-processing module, and 3) a main controller, the Intel-8951 microprocessor. The infrared transmitting module utilizes tongue-touch circuitry which is converted to an infrared beam and a low power laser (<0.1 mW) beam. The infrared receiving/signal-processing module, receives the infrared beam and fine tunes the unstable infrared beam into standard pulses which are used as control signals. The main controller is responsible for detecting the input signals from the infrared receiving/signal-processing module and verifying these signals with the mapping table in its memory. After the signal is verified, it is released to control the keys of the computer keyboard and mouse interface. This design concept was mainly based on the idea that the use of an infrared remote module fastened to the eyeglasses could allow the convenient control of the input motion on the keys of a computer keyboard and mouse which are all modified with infrared receiving/signal-processing modules. The system is designed for individuals with spinal cord injuries and disabled in which the subjects' movement are severely restricted. The infrared transmitting module can be easily mounted on eyeglasses or artificial limbs.

Acetabular revision. The role of rings and cages

This study reports on the successful long-term use of the acetabular roof ring and the antiprotrusio cage in acetabular reconstruction in which the hip center and acetabular biomechanics are normalized and bone stock is restored through the use of morselized allograft. The failure rate of the acetabular roof ring used in 57 patients who were followed up for a mean of 8.3 years was 12.5%. The failure rate of the antiprotrusio cage used in 38 patients who were followed up for a mean of 6.6 years was 5.4%. The higher failure rate of the acetabular roof ring resulted from its inappropriate use in patients with medial wall deficiency and protrusio. The acetabular roof ring is indicated for patients with isolated peripheral segmental or cavitatory defects. The antiprotrusio cage is indicated for patients with extensive combined segmental and cavitatory defects but particularly for those patients with protrusio and medial segmental bone loss. Both methods have given a high degree of success for evaluation of implant specific, patient subjective, and global health status instruments such as the Short Form-36.

Correlation of clinical and ultrasonographic features in congenital muscular torticollis

OBJECTIVE

To find the relationship between the ultrasonographic pictures and the clinical features of patients with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT).

DESIGN

Prospective survey of patients with clinically suspected CMT by high-resolution ultrasonography.

SETTING

Rehabilitation department of a tertiary care center.

PARTICIPANTS

Two hundred fifty-six CMT patients, from the ages of 9 days to 16yrs, with a mean follow-up period of 6.7 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Correlation of the ultrasound appearance of the involved sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles with clinical features. The pathologic findings in diseased muscles from patients who underwent surgical intervention were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Muscle abnormalities were identified ultrasonographically in 218 CMT patients (85%) and were classified into four types: a fibrotic mass in the involved muscle (type I, 15%); diffuse fibrosis mixing with normal muscle (type II, 77%) and without normal muscle in the involved muscle (type III, 5%); and a fibrotic cord in the involved muscle (type IV, 3%). Compared with type I patients, type IV patients were more likely to undergo surgical treatment (odds ratio = 31.54, p = .0196). Type III patients were more likely to undergo surgical treatment, although this tendency was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasonography can precisely identify pathologic changes in the involved SCM muscle of CMT patients. Type III and IV patients are more likely to require surgical intervention.

The effect of Tai Chi on cardiorespiratory function in patients with coronary artery bypass surgery

PURPOSE

This study prospectively evaluated the training effect of a 1-yr Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) program for low-risk patients with coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS) after a postoperative outpatient (phase II) cardiac rehabilitation program.

METHODS

Twenty patients with mean age of 56.5+/-7.4 yr completed this study. The TCC group included nine men who practiced classical Yang TCC with an exercise intensity of 48-57% heart rate range (HRR). The control group included 11 men whom were recommended to do a home-based self-adjusted exercise program with similar intensity of phase II cardiac rehabilitation. Graded exercise tests were performed before and after 1 yr of training for all subjects.

RESULTS

Mean attendance of the TCC group was 3.8+/-1.5 times weekly in contrast to 1.7+/-1.1 times for the control group. During the follow-up examination, the TCC group increased 10.3% in VO2peak (from 26.2+/-4.4 to 28.9+/-5.0 mL x kg(-1) min(-1), P<0.01) and increased 11.9% in peak work rate (from 135+/-26 W to 151+/-28 W, P<0.01). However, the control group showed slight decrease in VO2peak from 26.0+/-3.9 to 25.6+/-4.6 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1) and in peak work rate from 131+/-23 W to 128+/-32 W. At the ventilatory threshold, the TCC group also showed significant increase in VO2 and work rate (P<0.05). The control group did not significantly change in these variables.

CONCLUSIONS

The study demonstrated that a 1-yr TCC program for low-risk patients with CABS could favorably enhance cardiorespiratory function.

Variations in heel pad mechanical properties variation between children and young adults

The purpose of this study was to compare the mechanical properties of the heel pads of adults and children, using ultrasound to assess the responses of the heel pad during compression. Thirty volunteers without heel problems, aged from 4 to 36 years, were recruited. There were 10 children (< 15 years old) and 20 adults (> 18 years old). A 7.5-MHz linear array ultrasound transducer was incorporated into a specially designed device to measure the thickness of the heel pad under different loads. The load on the heel pad was increased serially in increments of 0.5 kg, to a maximum of 3 kg, and then reduced sequentially. The load-displacement curve of the heel pad during a loading-unloading cycle was then plotted. Mechanical properties of the heel, including unloaded heel-pad thickness (UHPT), compressibility index, elastic modulus, and energy dissipation ratio (EDR), were calculated from the load-displacement curves. The average UHPT was 1.53 +/- 0.09 cm in children and 1.76 +/- 0.20 cm in adults (p < 0.001). The EDR, which represents the shock absorbency of the heel pad, was 13.5 +/- 2.0% in the children and 23.7 +/- 6.9% in adults (p < 0.001). The average compressibility index and elastic modulus were also higher in adults than in children, although the differences were not statistically significant. These findings suggest that the mechanical properties of the heel pad change from childhood to adulthood. Less energy is absorbed in the heel pad of children, which may partially explain why children tend to have fewer heel problems than adults.

The sit-to-stand movement in stroke patients and its correlation with falling

OBJECTIVE

To use kinetic assessment of the sit-to-stand movement as a means of sorting out those stroke patients at risk for falling.

DESIGN

A retrospective study, using a force platform to assess sit-to-stand performance and to determine its correlation with falls in stroke patients.

SETTING

Hospital-based rehabilitation units.

METHODS

Thirty-three stroke patients (18 fallers, 15 nonfallers) and 25 age-matched healthy subjects were included in this study. Subjects sat in an adjustable chair with their feet on two force plates and performed the standing up/sitting down movement at a self-paced, comfortable speed.

RESULTS

The rate of rise in force (dF/dT) was significantly lower in stroke fallers than in stroke nonfallers and healthy subjects (23.78+/-17.38, 55.23+/-31.24, and 85.96+/-42.4 percent body weight per second, respectively [p < .005]). The center of pressure sway in mediolateral direction during rising/ sitting down was much greater in stroke fallers than in stroke nonfallers or healthy subjects (p < .05). Body weight distribution was asymmetric on the feet of stroke patients, with much more body weight on their sound side.

CONCLUSIONS

The significantly lower rate of rise in force and greater postural sway while rising/sitting down may be useful in identifying stroke patients who are at risk for falling.

A therapeutic trial of acupuncture in neurogenic bladder of spinal cord injured patients--a preliminary report

Eighty patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and neurogenic bladder were studied. Among them, 28 (70%) cases in the control group and 32 (80%) cases in the electroacupuncture group achieved ultimately balanced voiding and were selected for further analysis. The acupuncture group received electroacupuncture at four acupoints: Chung Chi (Conception Vessel CV3), Kuan Yuan (CV4), and bilateral Tzu Liao (Urinary Bladder UB32), in addition to conventional intermittent catheterization program (ICP). Whereas the control group underwent conventional bladder training program with ICP only. The results revealed that the time of achieving balanced voiding was statistically significantly shorter with electroacupuncture than in the control group: 57.1 +/- 22.6 vs 85.2 +/- 27.4 days (P < 0.005) for upper motor neuron lesions, and 55.4 +/- 22.6 vs 83.4 +/- 26.1 days (P < 0.01) for lower motor neuron lesions. However, there was almost no difference between upper motor neuron lesions and lower motor neuron lesions. When acupuncture commenced was alos a factor to influence the results. Those who received acupuncture within 3 weeks after injury had significantly shortened the total days to achieve a balanced bladder, as compared to those who received acupuncture 3 weeks after injury (46.6 +/- 13.2 vs 65.8 +/- 15.4 days, P < 0.005). Our study implied that acupuncture might be beneficial in the management of neurogenic bladder of SCI, and the earlier the patient received electro-acupuncture therapy, the sooner the bladder balanced. On the other hand, we also found that complete spinal cord injury, either with pronounced detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia in upper motor neuron lesion or with persistent areflexic bladder in lower motor neuron-lesion, was not affected by acupuncture.

Effects of silicon-insole socks on pressure distribution and shear force of the foot

BACKGROUND

Many problems of the foot are due to abnormal plantar pressure and shear force, but until now shear force could not be accurately measured. Different methods can be used to reduce foot pressure, such as foot orthosis or shoe modification. The purposes of our study were to propose a method for measuring the maximum shear force of the foot and also to investigate the effect of silicone-insole socks in reducing the peak plantar pressure and shear stress of the foot.

METHODS

Twenty-two healthy subjects were included in this study, each subject underwent 2 kinds of experiments to study the peak plantar pressure, the horizontal shear reaction force, and the maximum shear force under 3 conditions: barefoot, wearing 100% cotton socks, and wearing silicone-insole socks.

RESULTS

Our results showed a significant decrease in midfoot peak plantar pressure while walking, and a decrease in horizontal shear reaction force and maximum shear force while wearing cotton socks and silicone-insole socks in walking and pulling. Silicone-insole socks were more significant in decreasing horizontal shear reaction force than cotton socks.

CONCLUSION

Silicone-insole socks are better than cotton socks in reducing horizontal shear reaction forces and their friction coefficients. Because only normal subjects have been tested, further study is required to prove the efficacy of silicone-insole socks on different kinds of foot pathology.

12-month Tai Chi training in the elderly: its effect on health fitness

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) on health fitness in older individuals.

METHODS

Thirty-eight community-dwelling persons aged 58 to 70 yr completed this study. The TCC group included 9 men and 11 women; the control group included 9 men and 9 women. The TCC group practiced TCC for 11.2+/-1.4 months, with the attendance of 4.6+/-1.3 times x wk(-1). Each session included 20 min of warm-up, 24 min of TCC practice, and 10 min of cooldown. The exercise intensity was 52-63% of the heart rate range. Cardiorespiratory function, strength, flexibility, and percent of body fat were evaluated before and at the end of this study.

RESULTS

The male TCC group showed 16.1% increase in VO2max (P < 0.01), 11 degrees increase in thoracic/lumbar flexibility (P < 0.05), 18.1% increase in muscle strength of knee extensor (P < 0.01), and 15.4% increase of knee flexor (P < 0.05). The female TCC group showed 21.3% increase in VO2max (P < 0.01), 8.8 degrees increase in flexibility (P < 0.05), 20.3% increase in muscle strength of knee extensor (P < 0.05), and 15.9% increase of knee flexor (P < 0.05). The control group showed no significant change in these variables.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that a 12-month Tai Chi Chuan program is effective for improving health fitness of the elderly.

New quantitative and qualitative measures on functional mobility prediction for stroke patients

The purpose of this study was to explore whether we could provide supportive laboratory evidence for clinical observations that a stroke patient has lost functional mobility/locomotion capability based on dynamic balance responses (centre of pressure, COP sway patterns) and motor control activities (EMG patterns) during the motor task of sit-to-stand. A computerized controlled dynamic postural control assessment system was developed and used in this study. Various dynamic balance indices were introduced and derived from COP sway patterns expressed in four domains (i.e. space, time, force, and frequency). Motor control was assessed by multi-channel surface electromyography of each side of the lower limb during the same motor task. The functional mobility capability was evaluated using a traditional FIM method. Fourteen stroke patients with right hemiplegia and nine healthy elderly were recruited as the experimental and control groups respectively. Muscle activity was recorded for quadriceps, hamstrings, anterior tibialis, and triceps surae muscles and used for analysis. Centre of pressure sway patterns and ground reaction forces were registered. All signals were synchronized at 'seat-off'. Surface electromyographic patterns of activities recorded during sit-to-stand and dynamic balance indices computed from centre of pressure sway patterns were categorized and compared with the functional mobility scores. The results show that both the motor control patterns and dynamic balance indices correlated well to the extent of mobility impairment evaluated using the traditional FIM method. An important conclusion for rehabilitation medicine is that the functional mobility capability of stroke patients may be quantified analytically using dynamic balance indices and visualized graphically through EMG motor patterns.

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the prostate

We report the results of treating a patient with stage IIBE primary large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the prostate. Complete remission was achieved following aggressive chemotherapy and consolidation radiotherapy. The patient remains in clinical remission 2 years after presentation.

Comparison of balance responses and motor patterns during sit-to-stand task with functional mobility in stroke patients

This study was undertaken to explore whether we could provide supportive laboratory evidence for the clinical observations that a stroke patient has lost functional mobility/locomotion capability based on dynamic balance responses (center of force sway patterns) and motor control activities (electromyography patterns) during the motor task of sit-to-stand. A computerized controlled dynamic postural control assessment system was developed and used in this study. Various dynamic balance indexes were introduced and derived from center of force sway patterns expressed in four domains (space, time, force, and frequency). Motor control was assessed by multichannel surface electromyography of each side of the lower limb during the same motor task. The functional mobility capability was evaluated using the traditional FIM method. Fourteen stroke patients with right hemiplegia and nine healthy elderly individuals were recruited as the experimental and control groups, respectively. Muscle activity was recorded for quadriceps, hamstrings, anterior tibialis, and triceps surae muscles and was used for analysis. Center of force sway patterns and ground reaction forces were registered. All signals were synchronized at "seat-off." Surface electromyographic patterns of activities recorded during sit-to-stand and dynamic balance indexes computed from center of force sway patterns were categorized and compared with the functional mobility scores. Results show that both the motor control patterns and dynamic balance indexes correlated well to the extent of mobility impairment evaluated using the traditional FIM method. An important conclusion for rehabilitation medicine is that the functional mobility capability of stroke patients may be expressed numerically using dynamic balance indexes and visualized graphically through electromyographic motor patterns.

Urine levels of aluminum after drinking tea

A microwave-assisted acid digestion procedure coupled with a graphite furnace atomic absorption method has been applied in the determination of aluminum (Al) in urine to verify the correlation of free forms of Al in tea infusions and urinary excretion of Al. Significant urinary Al excretion has been found in 24-h urine of four volunteers after tea drinking. However, the difference in amount of Al excretion in urine between the consumption of Oolong (black tea) and Long-Jin (green tea), each of them with unique Al contents and species, was not significant. These findings indicated that the high levels of free Al species in tea infusions did not result in significant change in urinary excretion of the metal, possibly owing to the transformation by ligands present in food and the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). However, it could not be assumed that there was no big difference in absorption of the metal in the human body if fractions of consumed Al retained in the body or excreted by bile or feces were considered.

Design and assessment of an adaptive intermittent cervical traction modality with EMG biofeedback

An intermittent cervical traction modality with closed-loop traction force control based on EMG biofeedback was developed and used for clinical study. This system consists of a EMG scanner, on-line self-adjusted traction force controller, audio/video alarm system, real time therapeutic status display, computer interface hardware, and control software. Twenty-four subjects with diagnosed cervical radiculopathy and muscle spasm symptom who were randomly divided into two groups served as subjects in this study. The control and experimental groups were treated with conventional open loop and new EMG biofeedback closed loop traction control protocols respectively. The results of this study indicate that the average reductions in paraspinal EMG signal during traction after 7 weeks treatment for experimental and control groups were 71 and 50 percent, respectively (p < 0.001). These results not only support the clinical use of intermittent, sitting traction to produce cervical paraspinal muscle relaxation, but also revealed that the average myoelectric activity of cervical paraspinal muscle during traction was reduced as traction force increased over the 7-week duration of traction treatment. Through EMG biofeedback traction force control, muscle injury, neck soreness, or pain after traction may be avoided.

Determination of heterocyclic amines in flame-grilled fish patty by capillary electrophoresis

A simple and reliable capillary zone electrophoretic (CZE) method for quantifying mutagenic and carcinogenic heterocyclic amines (HCAs) in cooked foods with UV-visible diode-array detection is described. The buffer system consisted of 50 mM disodium hydrogen phosphate, 30 mM sodium chloride, 20 mM citric acid and 26% methanol at pH 2.1. An uncoated silica tubing, 51 cm in length, was used for the CZE separation. The capillary tubing temperature was maintained at 25 degrees C with a constant voltage of 20 kV. The reproducibility of the method was over 95% for a five-replicate analysis of 10 micrograms/l-spiked 2-amino-3,4,7,8-tetramethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (4,7,8-TriMeIQx) and the detection limit was in the low microgram/l range with coefficients of variation between 6 and 18%. An analytical run took only 15 min for 12 known HCAs. Using this procedure, up to 30 samples could be analysed in a single day. The method is reliable and can be used for screening of various HCAs. It has been applied to assess the concentrations of heterocyclic amines in otak-otak, a Malay-style grilled fish patty. The major mutagenic contaminant found in this foodstuff was 2-aminodipyrido[1,2-a:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-2) (286-1068 micrograms/kg), followed by 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) (1.6-13.0 micrograms/kg) and 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) (14.0-87.5 micrograms/kg). Two co-mutagens norharman (NH) and harman (H) were also detected in otak-otak at levels of 2.0-13.0 micrograms/kg and 12.8-21.3 micrograms/kg, respectively. The substantial amount of Glu-P-2 detected in otak-otak is probably a result of the ingredients used and the high temperature grilling process.

Cardiorespiratory function, flexibility, and body composition among geriatric Tai Chi Chuan practitioners

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the health-related fitness of geriatric Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) practitioners.

DESIGN

Case-control study of a TCC group and a group of sedentary controls.

SETTING

Research project at a hospital-based exercise physiology laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

Seventy-six community-dwelling senior persons (mean age 69.3 +/- 3.9 yr), a TCC group that included 22 men and 19 women and a control group of sedentary subjects that included 18 men and 17 women with matched age and body size.

INTERVENTION

The TCC group had practiced TCC regularly for 11.8 +/- 5.6 years, with an exercise frequency of 4.3 +/- 1.3 times per week. Each session included 20 minutes of warm-up, 24 minutes of TCC training, and 10 minutes of cool-down. Exercise intensity was estimated to exceed 70% of maximal heart rate (HRmax).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Breath-by-breath measurement of cardiorespiratory function was obtained during the incremental exercise of leg cycling. Flexibility of thoracic/lumbar spine was measured by an electronic inclinometer. Percentages of body fat was calculated from biceps and subcapsular skinfolds.

RESULTS

In the peak exercise, men in the TCC group showed 19% higher peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) in comparison with their sedentary counterparts (26.9 +/- 4.7 mL/kg/min vs 21.8 +/- 3.1 mL/kg/min). Women in the TCC group also showed 18% higher VO2peak than in the sedentary group (20.1 +/- 2.9 mL/kg/ min vs 16.5 +/- 2.0 mL/kg/min). The TCC group also showed higher oxygen uptake at the ventilatory threshold. In addition, the TCC practitioners were characterized by greater flexibility and lower percentage of body fat in comparison with their sedentary counterparts.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that TCC training has benefits for health-related fitness, and it may be prescribed as a suitable conditioning exercise for the elderly.