Physiological and Stroke Parameters to Assess Aerobic Capacity in Swimming

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of gender on stroke rates, critical speed and velocity of a 30-min swim in young swimmers

Our objective was to analyze the effect of gender on the relationship between stroke rates corresponding to critical speed (SRCS) and maximal speed of 30 min (SRS30) in young swimmers. Twenty two males (GM1) (Age = 15.4 ± 2.1 yr., Body mass = 63.7 ± 12.9 kg, Stature = 1.73 ± 0.09 m) and fourteen female (GF) swimmers (Age = 15.1 ± 1.6 yr., Body mass = 58.3 ± 8.8 kg, Stature = 1.65 ± 0.06 m) were studied. A subset of males (GM2) was matched to the GF by their velocity for a 30 min swim (S30). The critical speed (CS) was determined through the slope of the linear regression line between the distances (200 and 400 m) and participant's respective times. CS was significantly higher than S30 in males (GM1 - 1.25 and 1.16 and GM2 - 1.21 and 1.12 m·s-1) and females (GF - 1.15 and 1.11 m·s-1). There was no significant difference between SRCS and SRS30 in males (GM1 - 34.16 and 32.32 and GM2 - 34.67 and 32.46 cycle·s-1, respectively) and females (GF - 34.18 and 33.67 cycle·s-1-1, respectively). There was a significant correlation between CS and S30 (GM1 - r = 0.89, GF - r = 0.94 and GM2 - r = 0.90) and between SRCS and SRS30 (GM1 - r = 0.89, GF - r = 0.80 and GM2 - r = 0.88). Thus, the relationship between SRCS and SRS30 is not influenced by gender, in swimmers with similar and different aerobic capacity levels. ©Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2007).

Stroke phases responses around maximal lactate steady state in front crawl

The objective of this study was to analyze changes in stroke rate (SR), stroke length (SL) and stroke phases (entry and catch, pull, push and recovery) when swimming at (MLSS) and above (102.5% MLSS) the maximal lactate steady state. Twelve endurance swimmers (21±8 year, 1.77±0.10m and 71.6±7.7kg) performed in different days the following tests: (1) 200- and 400-m all-out tests, to determine critical speed (CS), and; (2) 2-4 30-min sub-maximal constant-speed tests, to determine the MLSS and 102.5% MLSS. There was significant difference among MLSS (1.22±0.05ms-1), 102.5% MLSS (1.25±0.04ms-1) and CS (1.30±0.08ms-1). SR and SL were maintained between the 10th and 30th minute of the test swum at MLSS and have modified significantly at 102.5% MLSS (SR - 30.9±3.4 and 32.2±3.5cyclesmin-1 and SL - 2.47±0.2 and 2.38±0.2mcycle-1, respectively). All stroke phases were maintained at 10th and 30th minute at MLSS. However, the relative duration of propulsive phase B (pull) increased significantly at 102.5% MLSS (21.7±3.4% and 22.9±3.9%, respectively). Therefore, the metabolic condition may influence the stroke parameters (SR and SL) and stroke strategy to maintain the speed during swim tests lasting 30min. © 2010 Sports Medicine Australia.

Trochlear nerve palsy associated with claude bernard-horner syndrome after brainstem stroke

The association of unilateral trochlear nerve palsy with Claude Bernard-Horner syndrome represents a rare clinical condition. We present the case of a patient with this unusual presentation. The investigation performed implicated cerebrovascular disease as the underlying cause of the condition in this patient. © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Comparison between the six-minute walk test and the six-minute step test in post stroke patients

Background: The Stroke remains one of the major chronic diseases worldwide, and is considered a major cause of disability, which results not only in persistent neurological deficits, but also in the high physical deconditioning, nevertheless there are not many forms of assessing functional capacity in this population. We aimed to investigate the feasibility of the Six Minute Walk Teste and the Six-Minute Step Test (6MST) in post-stroke patients and compare the behavior of physiological variables during the 6MST and the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), by correlating the functional performance obtained in both tests. Method. The 6MWT was carried out according to the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the 6MST was performed in six minutes in order to compare it to the 6MWT in a 20 cm step. Was included post-stroke individuals able to walk without aid. All of them did the 6MWT and the 6MST. Results: 12 patients participated in the study. There was no statistical difference in the parameters analyzed when tests were compared. There was poor correlation between the functional performance in both tests. Conclusion: The 6MWT and the 6MST is feasible for post-stroke patients and physiological responses are equal during the performance of both tests. However, there was no correlation with respect to functional performance, which was assessed by the distance walked in the 6MWT and by the number of steps climbed in the 6MST. © 2013 da Silva et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Sour taste and cold temperature in the oral phase of swallowing in patients after stroke

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of sour flavor and cold temperature on oral transit time during swallowing. METHODS: Participants were 52 subjects (28 male and 24 female) with ages between 50 and 80 years (median=66 years), after ischemic stroke involving right or left side damage and mild to moderate oropharyngeal dysphagia. Videofluoroscopy was performed to analyze the swallowing times. Each subject was assessed during swallowing of a paste consistency bolus offered in 5 ml spoons, with a total of four different stimuli (natural, cold, sour and sour-cold). After the exam, the oral transit time was measured using specific software. The oral transit time (starting at the beginning of the bolus movement in the mouth) and the total oral transit time (starting at the moment that the bolus is placed in the mouth) were measured. RESULTS: The association between sour and cold stimuli caused a significant decrease of oral transit time and total oral transit time. CONCLUSION: Sour flavor and cold temperature reduced oral transit time in stroke patients.

Correlation Between Laryngeal Sensitivity and Penetration/Aspiration After Stroke

Stroke is the most common neurological disease in adults that is associated with deglutition disorders. The presence of laryngeal sensitivity is very important in developing safe swallowing without risk of pulmonary complications. The aim of this study was to correlate laryngeal sensitivity with laryngeal penetration and tracheal aspiration after swallows of three food consistencies (puree, thickened liquid, and liquid) in poststroke individuals in the late phase. A cross-sectional clinical study was performed with 91 post-ischemic stroke individuals, with oropharyngeal dysphagia, who were in rehabilitation center treatment from 2009 to 2011. They had a mean age of 68.1 years and average time since injury was 22.6 months; 39 had injury to the right hemisphere and 52 had injury to the left hemisphere. All underwent fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing and evaluation of laryngeal sensitivity by touching the tip of the endoscope to the arytenoids and aryepiglottic folds. The linear correlation coefficient of Spearman was applied to evaluate the correlation between laryngeal penetration and tracheal aspiration and the presence/absence of laryngeal sensitivity. There was a negative correlation between the observation of penetration and tracheal aspiration and laryngeal sensitivity, with all bolus consistencies (p < 0.001 for aspiration and p a parts per thousand currency sign 0.01 for penetration). The absence of laryngeal sensitivity determines the more frequent findings of penetration and tracheal aspiration. This sensory stimulus in the mucosa of the pharynx and larynx is an essential element for safe swallowing and its deficiency associated with altered motor activity can cause laryngeal penetration and aspiration in poststroke individuals regardless of food consistency.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for stroke rehabilitation: Is spinal plasticity a possible mechanism associated with diminished spasticity?

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Association between pharyngeal residue and posterior oral spillage with penetration and aspiration in Stroke

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Correlação entre equilíbrio, assimetria de passos e descarga de peso em indivíduos hemiparéticos

Introduction: Hemiparesis is the most common sequels after Stroke. One of the side effects of the motor skills evident in hemiparesis is the tendency to remain in asymmetric posture, with lower distribution of weight on the side hemiparetic, which ends up leading to a deficit in balance. This set of changes can cause an asymmetrical type of gait, marked by difference between the lengths of the steps these individuals. Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the balance, the discharge of weight in the lower limbs and asymmetry of steps in hemiparetic individuals and sees if there is correlation between those variables. Method: A group of 12 hemiparetic individuals (55,33 ± 8,92 years), both sex, who suffered from strokes participated. All subjects performed the assessment of bilateral discharge of weight, the length of the steps and balance (Berg Balance Scale). The results for the difference in the discharge of weight of the lower limbs, asymmetry of the step and the performance on the test of balance were analyzed using the Sperman Correlation Coefficient with a significance level of 5% (p ≤ 0.05). Results: We found a significant correlation between balance and asymmetry of the steps (R = -0.72 and p = 0007), however, found no significant correlation between discharge of weight on each leg and the symmetry of the steps (R =- 0.07 and p = 0, 81) and between discharge of weight and balance (R =- 0.08 and p = 0.79) in these hemiparetic individuals. Conclusion: Can be conclude that hemiparetic individuals of these study show deficits in balance, difference in weight between the discharge of the lower limbs and asymmetry of step and correlation between the asymmetry of the step and balance.