Teesside University

About: Teesside University is a education organization based out in Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 2155 authors who have published 5540 publications receiving 118373 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Teesside.

Validity of the 6 min walk test in prediction of the anaerobic threshold before major non-cardiac surgery

Abstract: Background For perioperative risk stratification, a robust, practical test could be used where cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is unavailable. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of the 6 min walk test (6MWT) distance to discriminate between low and high anaerobic threshold (AT) in patients awaiting major non-cardiac surgery. Methods In 110 participants, we obtained oxygen consumption at the AT from CPET and recorded the distance walked (in m) during a 6MWT. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to derive two different cut-points for 6MWT distance in predicting an AT of 2 kg −1 min −1 ; one using the highest sum of sensitivity and specificity (conventional method) and the other adopting a 2:1 weighting in favour of sensitivity. In addition, using a novel linear regression-based technique, we obtained lower and upper cut-points for 6MWT distance that are predictive of an AT that is likely to be ( P ≥0.75) 11 ml O 2 kg −1 min −1 . Results The ROC curve analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.85 (95% confidence interval, 0.77–0.91). The optimum cut-points were 563 m, respectively. Conclusions Patients walking >563 m in the 6MWT do not routinely require CPET; those walking

Effect of short-term exercise training on aerobic fitness in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms: a pilot study

Abstract: Background Patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) represent a high-risk surgical group. Despite medical optimization and radiological stenting interventions, mortality remains high and it is difficult to improve fitness. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of a 6 week, supervised exercise programme (30 min continuous moderate intensity cycle ergometry, twice weekly) on anaerobic threshold (AT) in subjects with AAA. Methods Thirty participants with an AAA under surveillance were randomized to either the supervised exercise intervention (n=20) or a usual care control group (n=10). AT was measured using cardiopulmonary exercise testing, at baseline (AT1), week 5 (AT2), and week 7 (AT3). The change in AT (AT3–AT1) between the groups was compared using a mixed model ancova , providing the mean effect together with the standard deviation ( sd ) for individual patient responses to the intervention. The minimum clinically important difference (MCID) was defined as an improvement in AT of 2 ml O2 kg−1 min−1. Results Of the 30 participants recruited, 17 of 20 (exercise) and eight of 10 (control) completed the study. The AT in the intervention group increased by 10% (equivalent to 1.1 ml O2 kg−1 min−1) compared with the control (90% confidence interval 4–16%; P=0.007). The sd for the individual patient responses to the intervention was 8%. The estimated number needed to treat (NNT) for benefit was 5 patients. Conclusions The small mean benefit was lower than the MCID. However, the marked variability in the individual patient responses revealed that a proportion of patients did benefit clinically, with an estimated NNT of 5.

Mathematical coupling causes spurious correlation within the conventional acute-to-chronic workload ratio calculations.

Abstract: The monitoring of training loads is now a much-researched topic in team sports.1 Within this topic, researchers and practitioners are particularly interested in the impact of relatively short (acute) periods of higher training loads normalised for the prior and longer term (chronic) loads. In recent years, a well-established approach for normalising this acute ‘spike’ to chronic load has been by calculating the ‘acute:chronic workload ratio’ (ACWR). Importantly, the term "load" was retained given its common use in this research area. Both this index and chronic load itself have been reported to be independent predictors of training-related injuries.2 It has also been reported, particularly in team sports competitors, that there are associations between acute spikes in training loads (relative to chronic loads) and time-loss injuries.1 The ACWR is usually calculated as the simple ratio of recent (ie, 1 week) to longer term (ie, 4 weeks) training loads.1 While it is important for the numerator and denominator of any ratio to be correlated only through biological mechanisms,3 one aspect of the ACWR calculation is that the acute load also constitutes a substantial …

The effects of exergaming on balance, gait, technology acceptance and flow experience in people with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract: Background: Exergaming is a promising new alternative to traditional modes of therapeutic exercise which may be preferable and more effective for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Impaired balance is reported as one of the most disabling aspects of MS. The purposes of this study were to examine the effects of exergaming on: (1) postural sway, (2) gait, (3) technology acceptance and (4) flow experience in people with MS. Secondary outcomes were disability: 12‐item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12) and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) questionnaire. Methods: Fifty-six adults (mean age = 52 years, SD = 5.8; 38 women) with a clinical diagnosis of MS and able to walk 100 meters with or without use of a walking aid were included in this study and randomized into 3 groups. Group 1 received balance training using the Nintendo Wii Fit™ (exergaming) and Group 2 undertook traditional balance training (non-exergaming). Group 3 acted as a control group, receiving no intervention. Exergaming and traditional balance training groups received four weeks of twice weekly balance-orientated exercise. Postural sway was measured using a Kistler™ force platform. Spatiotemporal parameters of gait were measured using a GAITRite™ computerised walkway. Technology acceptance and flow experience were measured using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and the Flow State Scale questionnaires, respectively. Results: There were significant improvements in bipedal postural sway in both intervention groups when compared to the control group; and no effects of either intervention on gait. There were no significant differences between the interventions in technology acceptance but on several dimensions of flow experience the Wii Fit™ was superior to traditional balance training. Both interventions showed improvements in disability compared to control. Conclusions: In terms of the physical effects of exergaming, the Wii Fit™ is comparable to traditional balance training. These findings would support the use of the Wii Fit™ as an effective means of balance and gait training for people with MS, which is both accepted and intrinsically motivating to MS users.