A Simple Equation to Estimate Maximal Oxygen Uptake in Older Adults Using the 6 min Walk Test, Sex, Age and Body Mass Index

PURPOSE

The 6 min walk test (6MWT) is used in clinical and epidemiological practice as a simple tool to evaluate the maximal aerobic exercise capacity (VO2max). To date, little evidence has been provided regarding regression equation models to predict VO2max in older adults. Therefore, the main purpose of the study was to develop a reference equation to estimate objectively measured VO2max, based on the 6MWT, sex, age and body mass index (BMI).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this observational prospective study, we collected the data from 233 asymptomatic participants aged 60-80 years (52.4% women). VO2max and the 6MWT were measured using standardized protocols. BMI was calculated as weight (kg) divided by height squared (m2). To be able to develop the predictive equation for VO2max, we used linear generalized estimating equations (GEE).

RESULTS

Older men performed better in VO2max (30.9 ± 8.8 vs. 26.3 ± 6.3 mL/kg/min, p < 0.001) and the 6MWT (673.9 ± 58.7 vs. 642.3 ± 48.0 m, p < 0.001), compared to women. VO2max was correlated with the 6MWT (r = 0.71, p < 0.001), sex (r = -0.29, p < 0.001), age (r = -0.62, p < 0.001) and BMI (r = -0.38, p < 0.001). The model to predict VO2max included: VO2max (mL/kg/min) = 59.44 - 3.83 *, sex (1-men; 2-women) - 0.56 *, age (years) - 0.48 *, BMI (kg/m2) + 0.04 *, and the 6MWT (m) (R = 0.85; R2 = 72.3%, SEE = 3.99 mL/kg/min, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The newly developed regression equation can be a guideline in clinical and epidemiological practice to predict the VO2max in apparently healthy older adults.

The Effect of High Nicotine Dose on Maximum Anaerobic Performance and Perceived Pain in Healthy Non-Smoking Athletes: Crossover Pilot Study

Background: In recent years, there has been intensive discussion about the positive effect of nicotine usage on enhancing sports performance. It is frequently applied through a non-burned tobacco form before physical activity. Nicotine is under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2021 monitoring program. Therefore, study results that reveal either positive or negative effects are expected. This is the pilot study that reports the effect of 8 mg dose of nicotine on performance and perceived pain. Material and Methods: This research aimed to explore the oral intake effect of a high-nicotine dose (8 mg) on the maximum anaerobic performance and other selected physical performance parameters in healthy, well-trained adult athletes (n = 15, age 30.7 ± 3.6, BMI 25.3 ± 1.7). The cross-sectional study protocol included the oral administration of either sublingual nicotine or placebo tablets before the anaerobic load assessed by a standardized 30 s Wingate test of the lower limbs. Afterward, the Borg subjective perception of pain (CR 10) and Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were evaluated. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for the analysis of data with a 0.05 level of significance. Results: The results revealed that oral administration of an 8 mg nicotine dose does not significantly improve any of the physical performance parameters monitored. We only reported the statistically significant positive effect in RPE (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Lower perception of pain intensity that we reported after nicotine application might be an important factor that affects performance. However, we did not report any improvement in physical performance parameters.

The Effect of Early Applied Robot-Assisted Physiotherapy on Functional Independence Measure Score in Post-Myocardial Infarction Patients

Robot-assisted training has been widely used in rehabilitation programs, but no significant clinical evidence about its use in productive working-age cardiac patients was demonstrated. Thus, we hypothesized that early applied robot-assisted physiotherapy might provide additional treatment benefits in the rehabilitation of post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients. A total of 92 (50 men, 42 women) hospitalized post-MI patients with the age of 60.9 ± 2.32 participated in the research. An early intensive physiotherapy program (7×/week, 2×/day) was applied for each patient with an average time of 45 min per session. Patients were consecutively assigned to Experimental group (EG) and Control group (CG). Then, 20 min of robot-assisted training by Motomed letto 2 or Thera-Trainer tigo was included in all EG physiotherapy sessions. The Functional Independence Measures (FIM) score at the admission and after 14 days of rehabilitation was used for an assessment. When analyzing time * group effect by repeated-measures ANOVA, we reported that EG showed a higher effect in ADL (p = 0.00), and Motor indicators (p = 0.00). There was no statistically significant effect reported in the Social indicator (p = 0.35). Early rehabilitation programs for post-MI patients might be enhanced by robotic tools, such as THERA-Trainer tigo, and Motomed letto 2. The improvement was particularly noticeable in mobility and ADLs.

Somatotype profiles of Slovak and Saudi Arabian male soccer players according to playing positions

Somatotype of the human body is influenced by many factors. In addition to genetic, there are also environmental factors and cultural differences. The aim of this study was to compare the morphological configuration of men’s body of Slovak and Saudi Arabian soccer players and find out the differences between soccer players in different the playing positions . The study sample consisted of 50 Slovak soccer players aged 19-26 years (21.28±1.46), including 18 defenders, 13 forwards, six goalkeepers, and 13 midfielders, and 50 Saudi Arabian soccer players aged 18-25 years (20.12±1.77), including 16 defenders, 20 forwards, four goalkeepers, and 10 midfielders. The used Heath-Carter method categorize people into 13 groups according to the predominant physical component. The results indicated that soccer players differed among themselves according to playing positions. Slovak defenders and forwards were balanced mesomorphs, Slovak goalkeepers were endomorphic mesomorphs and central type was the predominant in Slovak midfielders. Almost all Saudi Arabian soccer players were predominantly mesomorph-endomorphs, with the exception of the defenders who were endomorphic mesomorphs. On average, the predominant somatotype of Slovak soccer players was balanced mesomorph (2-8,4-1,2-4), and of Saudi Arabian soccer players mesomorph-endomorph (3-8,4-3,1-4). It seems that the somatotype of soccer players varies depending on the country as well as the playing position. Therefore, it is necessary to examine anthropometry also with regard to geographical and cultural differences. In addition, regular evaluation of soccer player’s somatotype can help coaches implement exercise elements that would probably increase players’ sports performance.