Concurrent validity and reliability of new application for 6-min walk test in healthy adults

Background

Evaluation assessments for physical performance, such as walking tests, are important for measuring a person's well-being. As of current, medical technology is primarily used to administer these assessments. However, medical devices are not easily accessible and are intended for research purposes only, and hence inconvenient for clinical use. Therefore, we aimed to develop a prototype physical performance assessor device with a mobile application and explored concurrent validity and reliability between the standard 6-min walk test (6MWT) and wearable sensor 6MWT using 6-min walk distance in healthy adults.

Methods

Sixty healthy males and females, above 18 years of age, were required to attach a sensor to their dominant ankle while the standard protocol for 6MWT was performed. After completing the walking test, the distance from the wearable sensor 6MWT with a mobile application and the standard 6MWT were recorded and compared.

Results

There was no significant difference between the distance between the standard 6MWT (410.12 ± 74.03 m) and the distance obtained with the wearable sensor. Concurrent validity was found to be moderate, and Cronbach's alpha was 0.79, which indicated good internal consistency.

Conclusion

The innovative prototype wearable walking sensor with a mobile application can effectively evaluate physical performance in healthy individuals.Clinical trial registration number: TCTR20220801002.

Physical Fitness for Depression in Adolescents and Adults: A Meta-Analysis

Background

Depression has been recognized as one of the most significant factors affecting mental health status. For this reason, several efforts to prevent and reduce depression in all ages have been made in various domains to identify the relevant factors as well as the causes of depression. The objective of this meta-analysis was to examine the effect size between physical fitness and depression in adolescents and adults.

Methods

A systematic search for meta-analysis (2009-2020) was performed using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and RISS, with key terms such as depression, depressive illness, and physical fitness or fitness. Overall, 19 out of 448 articles were included in the meta-analysis with strict inclusion criteria.

Results

The effect size is a medium between physical fitness and depression in adolescents and adults. Two fitness factors, namely cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength, are more relevant for alleviating depression in adolescents and adults, whereas agility was not related to depression. In particular, the cardiovascular fitness factor has an impact on almost all ages; however, muscular strength has less impact on depression in young adolescents, but has a great impact on older adults' depression.

Conclusion

The effect size in this study is a medium between physical fitness and depression in adolescents and adults. Thus, more longitudinal and clinical studies with larger sample sizes are needed to clarify the relationship between physical fitness and depression.

The Effects Aerobic Fitness has on Heart Rate Responses for a Custody Assistant Recruit Class Performing a Formation Run

This study measured the heart rate (HR) responses to a formation run (group run completed along a set route) performed by higher fitness (HF), moderate fitness (MF), or lower fitness (LF) custody assistant (CA) recruits. Retrospective data from 26 recruits (12 males, 14 females) were analyzed. Prior to academy training, a YMCA step test was administered. Recruits were divided into three groups based on recovery HR: top 25% were HF; bottom 25% were LF; the rest were MF. Recruit HR was measured during a formation run completed at an ~11-minute mile · pace^-1. HR zones were defined as: very light (< 57% of age-predicted maximum heart rate [HR_max]); light (57%-63% HR_max); moderate (64%-76% HR_max); vigorous (77%-95% HR_max); and very vigorous (> 95% HR_max). A one-way ANOVA, with Bonferroni post hoc, calculated between-group differences in time spent and percentage of total time in the HR zones during the run; effect sizes (d) were also calculated. HF recruits spent a significantly longer time and percentage of total time in the very light HR zone compared to the LF group (p ≤ 0.039; d = 1.20-1.35). There were no other significant between-group differences (p = 0.070-0.980). HF CA recruits spent more time in the very light training zone compared to the other groups (d = 0.92-1.35), which may not be optimal for aerobic adaptations. LF recruits spent more time in the vigorous-to-very vigorous HR zones (~45 minutes; 70% of the run). These recruits may potentially be working above their current capacity. Formation runs may not be the most efficient aerobic conditioning method for all CA recruits.

Despite an improved aerobic endurance, still high attrition rates in initially low-fit recruits-results of a randomised controlled trial

Background

Low baseline fitness of recruits entering basic military training (BMT) is associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) and attrition from training.

Objective

To determine the effects of a pre-training conditioning program (PCP) on aerobic endurance, incidence of musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs), and attrition rates in BMT of a special infantry unit of the Netherlands Armed Forces.

Participants

Recruits were considered eligible for this study when they were ‘low-fit’ at the start of BMT (time to complete a 2.7-km run ≥ 12′23″).

Interventions

‘Low-fit’ recruits were deferred to a seven to twelve week—depending on the time between two consecutive training platoons—PCP consisting of functional training to improve several fitness domains. The control (CON) group started regular BMT without delay.

Results

Forty-nine recruits were included in this study; 26 in the PCP-group and 23 in the CON-group. Recruits who followed the PCP started BMT with better aerobic endurance than the CON-group who started BMT immediately (2.7 km run timings: PCP 11′32″, CON 13′16″). The risk of dropout was lower in the PCP-group (incidence density ratio (IDR) 0.63, 95%CI 0.32; 1.26), but dropout due to training-related MSIs was more frequent (IDR 1.23, 95%CI 0.32; 4.76 (per-protocol 0.94, 95%CI 0.24; 3.63), without statistically significant differences between the groups.

Conclusion

Although a PCP was effective to improve aerobic endurance in low-fit recruits to return to meet pre-enlistment fitness criteria, we could not demonstrate an effect on dropout from military training.

Trial registration

Dutch trial register Trial NL6791 (NTR6977) https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6791.

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Low baseline fitness of recruits is associated with musculoskeletal injuries and dropout from military training.

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A pre-training conditioning program was capable of improving physical fitness in low-fit recruits.

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However, dropout from training remained high, perhaps due to common other causes.

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Future research should focus on identifying these physical, social and mental factors, and their interactions.

A pre-training conditioning program to increase physical fitness and reduce attrition due to injuries in Dutch Airmobile recruits: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background

Low baseline fitness of recruits entering basic military training is shown to be associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) and attrition of military training. This in turn leads to an increased demand for health care, increased health care costs and decreased personnel occupancy rate of military units.

Design

Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Objective

To determine the effects of a pre-training conditioning program on cardiovascular endurance, incidence of overuse injuries, and attrition rates in Dutch Airmobile recruits undertaking initial military training.

Setting

Royal Netherlands Army, Air Assault Brigade military training course.

Participants

Recruits are considered eligible for this study when they are ‘low-fit’ at the start of the initial military training. Time to complete a 2700 m run test in ≥12′23’’ is used as selection criteria.

Interventions

We use a complex system approach to cover multiple domains of MSI prevention and optimise intervention circumstance; a pre-training conditioning program, training staff support, process-focused culture and health accountability. The pre-training conditioning program contains functional training to improve mobility, power, agility, lower and upper body strength and cardiovascular endurance. Cardiovascular endurance will be targeted both by endurance training and high intensity interval training.

Main outcome measurements

Outcome measures include cardiovascular endurance, injury incidence, attrition rates, lost training days due to injuries, and implementation fidelity of the PCP.

Trial status

Recruitment of participants commenced April 18, 2018 and final results are expected in August 2019.

Trial registration

Dutch trial register www.trialregister.nl/=trial/6791.