Higher rating of perceived exertion and lower perceived recovery following a graded exercise test during menses compared to non-bleeding days in untrained females

The underrepresentation of the female population in exercise sciences could be attributed, at least in part, to difficulty in appropriately accounting for the effects of the menstrual cycle (MC). Previous studies examining the effects of the MC on aerobic performance and subjective measures of aerobic performance show conflicting results. Purpose: The study examined how the MC affects the objective and subjective measures of aerobic performance within untrained female participants and in comparison with untrained male participants assessed at similar time intervals. Methods: Twenty-one participants (12 females and 9 males) completed a graded exercise test (GXT) on a cycle ergometer. The female participants were tested during their early follicular (EF; menses), ovulatory (O), and mid-luteal (ML) phases of the MC. The male participants were included as the control group and were randomly assigned to a menstrual cycle phase for each visit. During GXT, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), maximal heart rate (HRmax), peak blood lactate, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were determined. Twenty-four hours post-exercise, the perceived recovery status (PRS) was assessed. The MC phase was estimated using basal body temperature (BBT) in the female participants. Results: The male participants obtained a higher peak power and VO2max compared to the female participants (p < 0.05). All objective measures of aerobic performance did not significantly differ across the MC phases or time points that were tested. In the untrained female participants, an effect of the MC phase on RPE was found, with RPE being higher at EF (8.92 ± 0.79) compared to O (7.67 ± 1.23; p < 0.05) and ML (7.75 ± 1.06; p < 0.05). In addition, an effect of the MC phase on PRS was found, with perceived recovery being lower at EF (6.83 ± 0.94) compared to O (8.83 ± 1.12) and ML (8.67 ± 0.65; all p < 0.005) for the untrained female participants. No significant differences in RPE and PRS were found between tests in the untrained male participants. The female participants had lower perceived recovery following EF (6.83 ± 0.94) compared with the male participants (9.00 ± 1.00; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The untrained female participants perceived greater exertion during GXT and impaired recovery following GXT in EF compared to O and ML. These results may be attributed to either a drop in female sex hormone concentrations or discomfort associated with menses. The male participants did not exhibit any changes over time. Future studies using subjective parameters such as perceived exertion to track the internal load of training in the naturally menstruating female population should consider menses.

Functional intermuscular reduction in spasticity for people with multiple sclerosis

Background

Eighty-five percent of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) incur gait impairments debilitating enough to significantly impact their function.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine if a novel combination of intermuscular electrical stimulation, followed by functional electrical stimulation combined with supported bodyweight treadmill training, would improve gait, decrease spasticity and fatigue, and improve muscle strength.

Methods

Using a pre-post experimental design, we implemented this combination six-week protocol in 16 individuals with MS. We completed summary statistics and longitudinal pre-post results using Wilcoxon sign rank tests with Bonferroni adjustment.

Results

Participants responded with median increases of 29.4 feet (p < 0.0001) during the Six Minute Walk Test, median decreases of 0.7 s (p = 0.0011) in the 25-Foot Walk Test, median increases of 3.8 toe taps to fatigue (p = 0.0306) and median increases of 5.0 heel raises (p = 0.0093). Significant changes were noted in the Modified Ashworth Scale, both after intermuscular electrical stimulation (median change = −0.5 p = 0.0039) and after treadmill walking (median change = −0.5, p < 0.0005).

Conclusions

Results of this novel protocol suggest this intervention combination has the potential to decrease spasticity, and improve gait speed and endurance in individuals with MS. Observed changes in mobility occurred without accompanying increases in fatigue.

An evaluation of the reliability of the foot-tapping test in a healthy sample

The foot-tapping test (FTT) can be used to assess upper motor neuron dysfunction in clinical populations. However, relatively little is known regarding the reliability or normative values of the FTT in either healthy or clinical populations. Although several different FTT methods have been used, no study to date has demonstrated the reliability or validity of FTT by comparing it across several different counting methods in healthy persons. This unfortunately limits its usefulness in medicine and research.

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to examine the reliability and validity of the FTT in healthy individuals to determine its usefulness and to make recommendations for its implementation in clinical populations. Furthermore, the concurrent validity and reliability of using a force plate as an objective measure of foot-taps was considered.

DESIGN

Thirty-eight healthy individuals had their foot-tapping assessed using Live, Force Plate, and Video Counting methods over four separate visits.

METHODS

Participants were seated as per previous FTT recommendations and asked to tap their foot in 10-second intervals while the number of taps was counted via Live, Video, and Force Plate counters. This was done with both legs, with shoes ON and OFF, and repeated over four separate visits.

RESULTS

Despite significant differences between repeat trials for Force Plate and Video Counts (∼2 foot-taps, p < 0.01), test-retest reliability was high for all three methods (Pearson's R > 0.90). Dominant foot trials were higher (∼2 foot-taps, p < 0.05) than Non-dominant for all three counts. When performed with shoes ON, counts were higher (∼2 foot-taps, p < 0.05) than OFF for the Live and Force Plate counts. Reliability between visits was high (ICC > 0.80) and only the Video count was significantly lower for Visit 1 (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Given findings, the authors suggest using a Force Plate counting method and have compiled a list of suggestions for future implementation of the FTT.