scholarly journals Aerobic fitness is a potential crucial factor in protecting paralympic athletes with locomotor impairments from atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk

Author(s):  
Marco Bernardi ◽  
Silvio Romano ◽  
Maria Rosaria Squeo ◽  
Emanuele Guerra ◽  
Paolo Emilio Adami ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose To test the hypothesis that aerobic fitness is inversely related to the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) in athletes with locomotor impairments deriving from health conditions, such as spinal cord injury (SCI), lower limb amputation, cerebral palsy, poliomyelitis, and other health conditions different from the previous ones. Methods A total of 68 male athletes who competed in either summer or winter Paralympic games were divided in two health conditions groups (35 with SCI, mean age 37.2 ± 8.0 years, and 33 with different health conditions, mean age 37.8 ± 9.9 years) and in four sport type groups (skill, power, intermittent—mixed metabolism—and endurance). They were evaluated through anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, laboratory blood tests, and graded cardiopulmonary maximal arm cranking exercise test, with oxygen uptake peak (VO2peak) measurement. Cardiovascular risk profile was assessed in each athlete. Results The prevalence of ACVD-risk factors in the overall population was 20.6% for hypertension; 47% and 55.9% for high values of total and LDL cholesterol, respectively; 22.1% for reduce glucose tolerance; and 8.8% for obesity. No difference was found between athletes with and without SCI, while the prevalence of obesity was significantly higher in those practicing skill sports (22.7%, p = 0.035), which was the sport type group with Paralympic athletes with the lowest VO2peak (22.5 ± 5.70 ml kg−1 min−1). VO2peak was lower in athletes with SCI than those with different health conditions (28.6 ± 10.0 vs 33.6 ± 8.9 ml kg−1 min−1p = 0.03), and in those with 3–4 risk factors (19.09 ± 5.34 ml kg−1 min−1) than those with 2 risk factors (27.1 ± 5.50 ml kg−1 min−1), 1 risk factor (31.6 ± 8.55 ml kg−1 min−1), or none (36.4 ± 8.76 ml kg−1 min−1) (p < 0.001). Conclusions The present study suggests that having higher VO2peak seems to offer greater protection against ACVD in individuals with a locomotor impairment. Prescribing physical exercise at an intensity similar to that of endurance and intermittent sports should become a fundamental tool to promote health among people with a locomotor impairment.

Spinal Cord ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Francis Raguindin ◽  
Gion Fränkl ◽  
Oche Adam Itodo ◽  
Alessandro Bertolo ◽  
Ramona Maria Zeh ◽  
...  

Abstract Study design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Objective To determine the difference in cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, lipid profile, and markers of glucose metabolism and inflammation) according to the neurological level of spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods We searched 5 electronic databases from inception until July 4, 2020. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers using a pre-defined data collection form. The pooled effect estimate was computed using random-effects models, and heterogeneity was calculated using I2 statistic and chi-squared test (CRD42020166162). Results We screened 4863 abstracts, of which 47 studies with 3878 participants (3280 males, 526 females, 72 sex unknown) were included in the meta-analysis. Compared to paraplegia, individuals with tetraplegia had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure (unadjusted weighted mean difference, −14.5 mmHg, 95% CI −19.2, −9.9; −7.0 mmHg 95% CI −9.2, −4.8, respectively), lower triglycerides (−10.9 mg/dL, 95% CI −19.7, −2.1), total cholesterol (−9.9 mg/dL, 95% CI −14.5, −5.4), high-density lipoprotein (−1.7 mg/dL, 95% CI −3.3, −0.2) and low-density lipoprotein (−5.8 mg/dL, 95% CI −9.0, −2.5). Comparing individuals with high- vs. low-thoracic SCI, persons with higher injury had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure (−10.3 mmHg, 95% CI −13.4, −7.1; −5.3 mmHg 95% CI −7.5, −3.2, respectively), while no differences were found for low-density lipoprotein, serum glucose, insulin, and inflammation markers. High heterogeneity was partially explained by age, prevalent cardiovascular diseases and medication use, body mass index, sample size, and quality of studies. Conclusion In SCI individuals, the level of injury may be an additional non-modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Future well-designed longitudinal studies with sufficient follow-up and providing sex-stratified analyses should confirm our findings and explore the role of SCI level in cardiovascular health and overall prognosis and survival.


2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Fernanda Brandão de Resende Guimarães ◽  
Carlos Ewerton Maia Rodrigues ◽  
Kirla Wagner Poti Gomes ◽  
Carla Jorge Machado ◽  
Claiton Viegas Brenol ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a well-documented independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Obesity may provide an additional link between inflammation and accelerated atherosclerosis in RA. Objective To evaluate the association between obesity and disease parameters and cardiovascular risk factors in RA patients. Method Cross-sectional study of a cohort of RA patients from three Brazilian teaching hospitals. Information on demographics, clinical parameters and the presence of cardiovascular risk factors was collected. Blood pressure, weight, height and waist circumference (WC) were measured during the first consultation. Laboratory data were retrieved from medical records. Obesity was defined according to the NCEP/ATPIII and IDF guidelines. The prevalence of obesity was determined cross-sectionally. Disease activity was evaluated using the DAS28 system (remission < 2.6; low 2.6–3.1; moderate 3.2–5.0; high > 5.1). Results The sample consisted of 791 RA patients aged 54.7 ± 12.0 years, of whom 86.9% were women and 59.9% were Caucasian. The mean disease duration was 12.8 ± 8.9 years. Three quarters were rheumatoid factor-positive, the mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.1 ± 4.9, and the mean WC was 93.5 ± 12.5 cm. The observed risk factors included dyslipidemia (34.3%), type-2 diabetes (15%), hypertension (49.2%) and family history of premature cardiovascular disease (16.5%). BMI-defined obesity was highly prevalent (26.9%) and associated with age, hypertension and dyslipidemia. Increased WC was associated with diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and disease activity. Conclusion: Obesity was highly prevalent in RA patients and associated with disease activity.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Grace Tungdim ◽  
T. Ginzaniang ◽  
G. Poufullung Kabui ◽  
Deepali Verma ◽  
Satwanti Kapoor

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the major cause of premature mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. The present study was conducted to assess cardiovascular risk among diabetic patients of Northeast India. The present cross-sectional study included 81 diabetic patients (39 males and 42 females) aged 36–74 years from the district Imphal of Manipur, Northeast India. Sex-specific Framingham general cardiovascular risk prediction equations were used to calculate the 10-year risk for cardiovascular disease. The probable risk factors were determined by cross-tabulation of cardiometabolic parameters with the 10-year cardiovascular risk level. Males were found to be at higher risk of developing CVD in the future as compared to females with a discernible accumulation of adverse cardiovascular risk factors among them. 38.3% patients were at high risk, 37.0% at moderate risk and 24.7% at low risk for developing CVD in the next 10 years. Systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and smoking contributed significantly to high degree of cardiovascular risk. Presence of cardiovascular risk factors among diabetic patients at diagnosis accentuates the need of intensive management of cardiovascular complications, taking into consideration the traditional dietary pattern of the population.


Work ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Mohammad Seyedmehdi ◽  
Mirsaeed Attarchi ◽  
Afsaneh Safar Cherati ◽  
Shokoufeh Hajsadeghi ◽  
Ramin Tofighi ◽  
...  

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e030310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolaj Jersild Holm ◽  
Tom Møller ◽  
Lis Adamsen ◽  
Line Trine Dalsgaard ◽  
Fin Biering-Sorensen ◽  
...  

IntroductionSpinal cord injury (SCI) predisposes those who suffer from it to physical inactivity and weight gain; consequently, death due to cardiovascular diseases is more frequent among people with SCI than in the general population. The literature documents a consensus about an interdisciplinary multimodal approach for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors including overweight and obesity in people with SCI, focusing on diet, physical activity (PA) and behavioural interventions. This study will investigate implementation of recommendations from a recent clinical practice guideline for identification and management of cardiometabolic risk after SCI through multimodal patient education in a subacute clinical setting.Methods and analysisAll patients who are aged 18 years or older with an SCI within the previous 12 months and admitted to highly specialised rehabilitation are included, regardless of SCI aetiology or neurological level. A primary study designed as a controlled, pragmatic, preintervention- postintervention study with 6-month follow-up evaluates the effect of the clinical intervention; a prospective national cohort study on body mass index (BMI) serves as a historical control. The intervention consists of a standardised approach to patient education about cardiovascular risk factors, PA and a healthy diet that begins at the outset of primary SCI rehabilitation and is integrated into existing settings and workflows. Outcome measures are collected at admission, discharge and 6 months after discharge and include peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) (primary outcome), BMI, body composition, metabolic profile, neurological status, level of functioning, depression, quality of life, objective PA (accelerometry), self-reported PA, self-assessed PA ability, shared decision making, and dietary habits. Test–retest reliability of four VO2peak test protocols are investigated, as is test–retest reliability of a multisensor accelerometer in a rehabilitation setting.Ethics and disseminationThe project is approved by the Committees on Health Research Ethics in the Capital Region of Denmark on 10 July 2018 (Journal-nr.: H-18018325). The principal investigator obtains informed consent from all participants. The interventions in the project are closely related to existing rehabilitation care, and the risk of pain and discomfort is considered modest. Any unintended events related to the elements of the intervention are reported, according to existing regional procedures. Data are stored in a secure web-based database (Redcap). The primary study and prospective cohort study are registered at Clinicaltrials.gov. Positive and negative results will be submitted to relevant scientific journals related to SCI for publication. Important protocol modifications are reported to the Committees on Health Research Ethics in the Capital Region of Denmark.Trial registration numbersNCT03689023 and NCT03369080.


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