Nordic Walking in Rehabilitation of Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence after Sling Operations

It is known that urinary incontinence remains one of the most common diseases in women, representing a serious medical and social problem. Practice shows that sling operations without subsequent rehabilitation measures, especially in the long term, do not solve the problem. In urogynecology, the use of physical exercises and physiotherapeutic methods is aimed at restoring impaired urinary functions. A relatively new approach to the rehabilitation of women after sling operations is the inclusion of Nordic walking (NW) into the rehabilitation program. Certain experience in this field has been accumulated in Sverdlovsk Regional Clinical Hospital № 1 (Yekaterinburg). Aim. To improve the efficiency of treatment of female stress urinary incontinence using the technique of NW in rehabilitation programs after sling operations. Material and methods. In Sverdlovsk Regional Clinical Hospital № 1 in Yekaterinburg, NW is included in rehabilitation programs for women with stress urinary incontinence after sling operations. Experience in planning and conducting a four-week course of NW under the physiotherapist guidance has been accumulated. Patients after sling operations (n= 85) were randomized into two groups. Rehabilitation program of patients of the first group (n = 37) included a 4-week course of NW on the background of basic therapy (antibacterial therapy, antispasmodics, anticoagulants), while in the second group (n = 48) only basic therapy was realized. The dynamics of clinical manifestations of stress urinary incontinence was studied, uroflowmetry parameters, PAD-test data, cough test were evaluated; the answers of the patients to the questions of the international questionnaires PFDI-20, PFIQ-7 were analyzed. Results and discussion. The variability of the currently used methods of rehabilitation of patients with stress urinary incontinence requires objectification of the results. The study showed that Nordic walking (NW) is a pathogenetically justified and clinically effective method for rehabilitation of women with stress urinary incontinence after sling operations. The analysis of the rehabilitation activities data based on the dynamics of leading clinical symptoms, PAD test, cough test, uroflowmetry parameters revealed significant differences (p<0.05) between two groups at all follow-up periods: a month, three and nine months. Postoperative objective evaluation of the treatment results correlate with patients’ subjective data: women who completed a course of NW rated their quality of life significantly higher than patients of the control group under the rehabilitation program without inclusion of therapeutic physical factors. The structure of NW classes is based on the understanding that the body response to the physical factors impact is provided by various organs and systems. The inclusion of NW in rehabilitation programs requires adherence to the basic principles of achieving training status. Conclusion. The expediency of NW including in the complex treatment of patients with stress urinary incontinence is due to the regression of main clinical symptoms, reliably significant dynamics of instrumental parameters and test results in comparison with the group that received only basic therapy. The implementation of the therapeutic effect is based on the principle of unity of syndromicpathogenetic and clinical-functional approaches. Clinical-functional approaches is the basis for the implementation of the therapeutic effect.

Nordic Walking Rather Than High Intensity Interval Training Reduced Myostatin Concentration More Effectively in Elderly Subjects and the Range of This Drop Was Modified by Metabolites of Vitamin D

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent self-isolation exacerbated the problem of insufficient amounts of physical activity and its consequences. At the same time, this revealed the advantage of vitamin D. Thus, there was a need to verify the effects of those forms of training that can be performed independently. In this study, we examined the effects of Nordic walking (NW) and high intensity interval training (HIIT) with regard to the impact of the metabolite vitamin D. We assigned 32 overweight adults (age = 61 ± 12 years) to one of two training groups: NW = 18 and HIIT = 14. Body composition assessment and blood sample collection were conducted before starting the training programs and a day after their completion. NW training induced a significant decrease in myostatin (p = 0.05) concentration; however, the range was dependent on the baseline concentrations of vitamin D metabolites. This drop was accompanied by a significant negative correlation with the decorin concentration. Unexpectedly, NW caused a decrement in both forms of osteocalcin: undercarboxylated (Glu-OC) and carboxylated-type (Gla-OC). The scope of Glu-OC changes was dependent on a baseline concentration of 25(OH)D2 (r = −0.60, p = 0.01). In contrast, the HIIT protocol did not induce any changes. Overall results revealed that NW diminished the myostatin concentration and that this effect is more pronounced among adults with a sufficient concentration of vitamin D metabolites.

Application of phytocomplex and nordic walking in dyslipidemia

The results of assessing the effectiveness of using the original phytocomplex in combination with physical training in the form of Nordic walking in 78 men with dyslipidemia are presented. It was found that in the main group (n=39), against the background of the use of phytocomplex and physical training, there is a decrease in the content of atherogenic lipid fractions and the atherogenic coefficient, an increase in physical performance, and an improvement in the indicators of the adaptive reserve of the cardiovascular system. In the control group (n=39), against the background of a hypolipidemic diet and climatotherapy, less significant dynamics of the parameters is noted.

Hybrid telerehabilitation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy without left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction-the randomised clinical trial

Background Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common hereditary heart disease, and its diagnosis is often associated with limited physical activity. Little is known about cardiac rehabilitation programs for patients with HCM. Therefore the novel hybrid cardiac telerehabilitation (HCTR) model consisting of hospital-based rehabilitation and home-based telemonitored rehabilitation might be an option to improve physical capacity in patients with HCM. Purpose To evaluate the safety, effectiveness and adherence to HCTR in patients with HCM without the left ventricle (LV) outflow tract obstruction and preserved LV ejection fraction. Methods The study group comprised 60 patients with HCM (51.1±13.3 years; NYHA II-III; LV ejection fraction 66.1±6.9%). Patients were randomised (1:1) to either HCTR program (hospital-based rehabilitation [1 month] based on cycloergometer training and home-based telemonitored rehabilitation [2 months] based on Nordic walking, five times a week, at 40–70% of maximal estimated heart rate) - training group (TG), or to a control group (CG). All patients had implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. In order to perform home-based telemonitored rehabilitation, a special device was used which enabled patients to: (1) do Nordic walking training according to a preprogrammed plan, (2) record and send electrocardiograms (ECGs) via mobile phone network to the monitoring centre. The moments of automatic ECGs registration were pre-set and coordinated with exercise training. The effectiveness of HCTR was assessed by changes - delta (Δ) in duration (t) of the workload, peak oxygen consumption (pVO2) in cardiopulmonary exercise test, 6-minute walking test distance (6-MWT) as a result of comparing t (s), pVO2 (ml/kg/min), 6-MWT (m) from the beginning and the end of the program. Results Safety of HCTR. Neither death nor other serious adverse events occurred during HCTR. We did not observe any ICDs intervention during the HCTR. Effectiveness of HCTR: Within-group analysis: t, pVO2, 6-MWT increased significantly in TG: t 657±183 vs 766±181 (p&lt;0.001), pVO2 19.2±5.0 vs 20.6±4.9 (p=0.007), 6-MWT 445±88 vs 551±77 (p&lt;0.001). In the untrained CG, the unfavourable results were observed: 695±198 vs 717±187 (p=0.114), pVO2 21.2±5.1 vs 21.1±5.6 (p=0.723), 6-MWT 512±83 vs 536±84 (p=0.061). Between-group analysis: The differences between TG and CG were statistically significant: in Δt (p&lt;0.001); ΔpVO2 (p=0.012); Δ6-MWT (p&lt;0.001). Adherence to HCTR: In TG 28 patients (93%) completed the HCTR program. Two patients did no undergo HCTR because of personal issues. Conclusion Hybrid cardiac telerehabilitation in patients with HCM without the left ventricle (LV) outflow tract obstruction and preserved LV ejection fraction is safe and effective. The adherence to HCTR is high. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Statutory work in The Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński National Institute of Cardiology in Warsaw, Poland

Participation and performance trends: Polish Nordic marathoners

For the last two decades, the physical activity of the Poles has increased dynamically. Nevertheless, there has been a decline in the number of Polish athletes running marathons compared with an increase in participation in a variety of competitions not directly associated with running. The purpose of this study was to investigate participation and performance trends in Nordic walking marathons in Poland between 2014 and 2019. A total of 490 Polish Nordic walking marathoners, who completed races between 2014 and 2019 were included. Participation and performance were analysed with an emphasis on the demographics of the age and gender of the athletes. The results suggest that overall male participation in Nordic walking marathons was high, yet the number of female finishers increased over the period of the study. Though men also had significantly better finishing times over the same period. In terms of age, middle-aged competitors were the biggest and the fastest age-group between 2014 and 2019.The strength of this study lies in its novelty. It is the first research project to directly examine the participation and performance of Nordic walking marathoners between 2014 and 2019 in terms of gender and age.

In vivo analysis of hip joint loading on Nordic walking novices

Objective To evaluate the influence of Nordic walking (NW) on hip joint loads in order to determine whether it can be safely performed during postoperative physiotherapy in patients after orthopeadic surgery of the hip. Methods Internal hip joint loads were directly measured in vivo in 6 patients using instrumented hip prostheses during NW and ordinary walking (OW). All patients received training in two different NW techniques (double-poling and the diagonal technique) by a certified NW instructor. Measurements were conducted on a treadmill at a speed of 4 km/h on level ground, at 10% inclination and at 10% slope as well as on a level lawn at a self chosen comfortable speed. Resultant contact force (Fres), bending moment (Mbend) and torsional torque (Mtors) were compared between NW and OW as well as between both NW techniques. Results Joint loads showed a double peak pattern during all setups. Neither NW technique significantly influenced hip joint loads at the time of the first load peak during contralateral toe-off (CTO), which was also the absolute load peak, in comparison to OW. Compared to OW, double-poling significantly reduced Fres and Mbend at the time of the second load peak during the contralateral heel strike (CHS) on level ground both on the treadmill (− 6% and − 7%, respectively) and on the lawn (− 7% and − 9%). At 10% inclination, the diagonal technique increased Fres and Mbend at CHS (by + 6% and + 7%), but did not increase the absolute load peak at CTO. Conclusion Joint loads during NW are comparable to those of OW. Therefore, NW can be considered a low-impact activity and seems to be safe for patients that are allowed full weight bearing, e.g. during postoperative rehabilitation after THA.

Process evaluation of a complex workplace intervention to prevent musculoskeletal pain in nursing staff: results from INTEVAL_Spain

Background INTEVAL_Spain was a complex workplace intervention to prevent and manage musculoskeletal pain among nursing staff. Process evaluations can be especially useful for complex and multifaceted interventions through identifying the success or failure factors of an intervention to improve the intervention implementation. Objectives This study performed a process evaluation of INTEVAL_Spain and aimed to examine whether the intervention was conducted according to the protocol, to investigate the fulfilment of expectations and the satisfaction of workers. Methods The intervention was a two-armed cluster randomized controlled trial and lasted 1 year. The process evaluation included quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative methods were used to address the indicators of Steckler and Linnan’s framework. Data on recruitment was collected through a baseline questionnaire for the intervention and the control group. Reach and dose received were collected through participation sheets, dose delivered and fidelity through internal registries, and fulfilment of expectations and satisfaction were collected with two questions at 12-months follow-up. Qualitative methods were used for a content analysis of discussion groups at the end of the intervention led by an external moderator to explore satisfaction and recommendations. The general communication and activities were discussed, and final recommendations were agreed on. Data were synthesized and results were reported thematically. Results The study was performed in two Spanish hospitals during 2016-2017 and 257 workers participated. Recruitment was 62 and 51% for the intervention and the control group, respectively. The reach of the activities ranged from 96% for participatory ergonomics to 5% for healthy diet. The number of sessions offered ranged from 60 sessions for Nordic walking to one session for healthy diet. Fidelity of workers ranged from 100% for healthy diet and 79% for participatory ergonomics, to 42 and 39% for Nordic walking and case management, respectively. Lowest fidelity of providers was 75% for case management and 82% for Nordic walking. Fulfilment of expectations and satisfaction ranged from 6.6/10 and 7.6/10, respectively, for case management to 10/10 together for the healthy diet session. Discussion groups revealed several limitations for most of the activities, mainly focused on a lack of communication between the Champion (coordinator) and the workers. Conclusions This process evaluation showed that the implementation of INTEVAL_Spain was predominantly carried out as intended. Process indicators differed depending on the activity. Several recommendations to improve the intervention implementation process are proposed. Trial registration ISRCTN15780649.

Whole-Body EMS Superimposed Walking and Nordic Walking on a Treadmill—Determination of Exercise Intensity to Conventional Exercise

Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) is an increasingly popular training method and has become the focus of research in recent years. New EMS devices offer a wide range of mobile applications for whole-body EMS (WB-EMS) training, e.g., the intensification of dynamic low-intensity endurance exercises through WB-EMS. The present study aimed to determine the differences in exercise intensity between WB-EMS-superimposed and conventional walking (EMS-CW), and CON and WB-EMS-superimposed Nordic walking (WB-EMS-NW) during a treadmill test. Eleven participants (52.0 ± years; 85.9 ± 7.4 kg, 182 ± 6 cm, BMI 25.9 ± 2.2 kg/m2) performed a 10 min treadmill test at a given velocity (6.5 km/h) in four different test situations, walking (W) and Nordic walking (NW) in both conventional and WB-EMS superimposed. Oxygen uptake in absolute (VO2) and relative to body weight (rel. VO2), lactate, and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured before and after the test. WB-EMS intensity was adjusted individually according to the feedback of the participant. The descriptive statistics were given in mean ± SD. For the statistical analyses, one-factorial ANOVA for repeated measures and two-factorial ANOVA [factors include EMS, W/NW, and factor combination (EMS*W/NW)] were performed (α = 0.05). Significant effects were found for EMS and W/NW factors for the outcome variables VO2 (EMS: p = 0.006, r = 0.736; W/NW: p &lt; 0.001, r = 0.870), relative VO2 (EMS: p &lt; 0.001, r = 0.850; W/NW: p &lt; 0.001, r = 0.937), and lactate (EMS: p = 0.003, r = 0.771; w/NW: p = 0.003, r = 0.764) and both the factors produced higher results. However, the difference in VO2 and relative VO2 is within the range of biological variability of ± 12%. The factor combination EMS*W/NW is statistically non-significant for all three variables. WB-EMS resulted in the higher RPE values (p = 0.035, r = 0.613), RPE differences for W/NW and EMS*W/NW were not significant. The current study results indicate that WB-EMS influences the parameters of exercise intensity. The impact on exercise intensity and the clinical relevance of WB-EMS-superimposed walking (WB-EMS-W) exercise is questionable because of the marginal differences in the outcome variables.