<jats:p> <jats:bold>Introduction:</jats:bold> Cardiovascular diseases have been... more <jats:p> <jats:bold>Introduction:</jats:bold> Cardiovascular diseases have been associated with impaired cognitive performances, especially in functions. In contrast, it is clearly established that regular physical activity maintained throughout life protects against age-related cognitive decline. </jats:p> <jats:p> <jats:bold>Purpose:</jats:bold> to assess maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), cardiac output, and cerebral hemodynamic changes, assessed by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), during a graded maximal exercise tests, and cognitive performance at rest in patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD) and healthy matched adults. </jats:p> <jats:p> <jats:bold>Methods:</jats:bold> Ten stable CHD patients (67.1±10.5 years) and 9 age-matched controls (62.2± 11.4 years) were included in this pilot study. Measurements included: body composition (bioelectrical impedance), complete blood analysis in a fasting state, cognitive performance using validated neuropsychological tests, graded maximal exercise testing on ergocycle with gas exchange analysis, non-invasive cardiac output measurement (cardiac bioimpedance) and NIRS signals measurement at the left prefrontal brain level (oxyhaemoglobin: O2Hb, deoxyhaemoglobin: HHb ; total haemoglobin: THb, and differential haemoglogin: Hbdiff). </jats:p> <jats:p> <jats:bold>Results:</jats:bold> Several cognitive performance items were lower in the CHD group, especially regarding executive functions (Backward digit span score, p&lt;0.05; trail making test B, p=0.05; Stroop test (inhibition/flexibility), p&lt;0.05). There was no difference between CHD and controls in VO2 max (29.7±8.5 Vs 32±6.3 ml/kg/min) and maximal cardiac output (15.5±3.9 Vs 17±2.6 l/min), whereas cardiac output and cardiac index at the ventilatory threshold were lower in CHD (5.75±1 Vs 7.06±0.6 l/min/m2, p&lt;0.05, and 11.2±2.2 Vs 14.1±2.8 l/min, p&lt;0.01, respectively). There was a significant difference in the kinetics of NIRS signal with higher amplitude for CHD patients vs. controls for O2Hb (p&lt;0.01); THb (p&lt;0.05) and Hbdiff (p&lt;0.05). Significant higher amplitude were also found for O2Hb, THb, Hbdiff (p&lt;0.0001) in younger (62 years) participants. HHb (p&lt;0.0001) and Hbdiff (p&lt;0.01) amplitude was higher for fit (≥120% theoretical VO2max) vs. less fit (&lt;120%) participants. </jats:p> <jats:p> <jats:bold>Discussion:</jats:bold> Compared to age-matched controls, our sample of stable fit CHD patients had a comparable maximal exercise tolerance and cardiac output, with higher NIRS cerebral signals amplitude for O2Hb, THb and Hbdiff. This latter parameter thus does not seem to influence cognitive performance at rest, that was lower in CHD patients, especially in executive functions. However, an important inter-individual variability of cerebral NIRS signal amplitude was observed, with age and fitness appearing as major contributors. We plan to recruit a larger sample of subjects to assess more clearly relationships between exercise, tolerance hemodynamic parameters and cognitive performance. </jats:p>
Background: The assessment of microvascular reactivity by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was s... more Background: The assessment of microvascular reactivity by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was shown to be associated with cardiovascular status and the number of cardiovascular risk factors and could be of interest in cardiac or high-risk patients. However, the reliability of NIRS parameters measured at the arm has never been studied and should be known before they could be used in research and clinical settings. The aim of this study was to measure the absolute and relative reliability of the most commonly used NIRS parameters during post-occlusive hyperaemia in healthy young men. Methods: 18 healthy men (33.56±7.88 years), without any cardiovascular risk factors (dyslipidemia, hypertension, abdominal obesity, diabetes and smoking) or cardiac symptoms had their fasting microvascular function evaluated twice, on two mornings separated by at least 7 days. Briefly, NIRS optodes were placed on the brachio-radialis muscle and a pressure cuff was installed on the upper-arm of subjects ...
Background: The cardioprotective effects of the Mediterranean diet have been well established in ... more Background: The cardioprotective effects of the Mediterranean diet have been well established in epidemiological studies. More recently, it has been shown to improve the cardiometabolic risk profile and endothelial function, as well as reduce markers of vascular inflammation, independent of weight loss. Since cardiovascular disease is the second cause of death in the Canadian and North American populations, randomized clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of the Mediterranean diet in high-risk primary and secondary prevention are warranted. In order to conduct such studies, validated dietary assessment methods specific to population and food habits are needed. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the reproducibility and the relative validity of a quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to be used in clinical trials at the Montreal Heart Institute’s Prevention Center. Methods: Fifty (50) participants (54% (27 of 50) women) aged 19 to 86 years with and without coron...
Introduction: Exercise training in patients who have suffered an acute coronary syndrome is assoc... more Introduction: Exercise training in patients who have suffered an acute coronary syndrome is associated with a significant reduction in mortality and cardiovascular events. Moderate intensity continuous exercise training (MICET) is currently recommended. Recently, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), that utilizes short bursts of very intense efforts interspersed with periods of recovery, has been explored as an alternative to MICET. The safety aspects of HIIT in patients post acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have been poorly described. Methods: Thirty-seven low-risk patients post ACS (65% STEMI, fully revascularized, EF > 40%, age 61±9 years, 8 women) were randomized 4 weeks to 6 months post ACS; to 12 to 18 weeks of 2-3 sessions/week (total: 36 sessions) of isocaloric MICET or HIIT on cycle ergometer. VO2peak and maximal aerobic power (MAP) were determined using maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on cycle ergometer and continuous ECG and BP were monitored every 2 min....
Reproducibility of near-infrared spectroscopy parameters measured during brachial artery occlusio... more Reproducibility of near-infrared spectroscopy parameters measured during brachial artery occlusion and reactive hyperemia in healthy men
Background: Endothelial dysfunction is considered to be a precursor of atherosclerosis and is an ... more Background: Endothelial dysfunction is considered to be a precursor of atherosclerosis and is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. A high-saturated fat meal (HFM) has been shown to induce postprandial endothelial dysfunction. However, no studies have evaluated the acute endothelial effect of a single mixed Mediterranean-type meal (MMM). Our objective was to evaluate postprandial endothelial and metabolic function in response to a MMM in comparison to an isocaloric HFM. Methods: In this ongoing crossover study, 22 of 28 healthy non-smoking males have completed the research protocol. In random order on two separate days during a 1-week interval, subjects were fed two isocaloric meals after a 12-hour overnight fast. The MMM (885 kcal) consisted of fresh salmon, almonds and vegetables baked in olive oil providing 51% of total calories from fat (7.87g SFA and 2.29g of omega-3, 2:1 DHA:EPA). The HFM consisted of a McDonald's sausage, egg and cheese McMuffin and three has...
Limited data is available on the sex differences and individual responses of cardiometabolic para... more Limited data is available on the sex differences and individual responses of cardiometabolic parameters adjusted with potential confounders (i.e. sex, age, baseline values) after a longer term Mediterranean diet (MedD) and high intensity interval training (HIIT) in obese subjects. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of nine-month MedD counseling and supervised HIIT on cardiometabolic risk factors and individual responses in obese women (n = 99) and obese men (n = 35). Body composition (body mass, fat mass, lean body mass, waist circumference), cardiorespiratory fitness (METs), and cardiometabolic risk factors (blood pressure, blood sample variables) were measured at baseline and after nine months of a program combining MedD and HIIT two to three times a week. When adjusted with sex, age, and baseline values, obese women similarly improved their body composition, METs, and cardiometabolic risk factors vs. obese men. The proportion of responders according to clinica...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020
We compared cognitive profiles in chronic heart failure patients (HF), heart transplant recipient... more We compared cognitive profiles in chronic heart failure patients (HF), heart transplant recipients (HT) and healthy controls (HC) and examined the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness (V˙O2peak), peak cardiac output (COpeak) and cognitive performance. Stable HT patients (n = 11), HF patients (n = 11) and HC (n = 13) (61.5 ± 8.5 years) were recruited. Four cognitive composite scores targeting different cognitive functions were computed from neuropsychological tests: working memory, processing speed, executive functions and verbal memory. Processing speed and executive function scores were higher, which indicates lower performances in HF and HT compared to HC (p < 0.05). V˙O2peak and first ventilatory threshold (VT1) were lower in HF and HT vs. HC (p < 0.01). COpeak was lower in HF vs. HT and HC (p < 0.01). Processing speed, executive function and verbal memory performances were correlated with V˙O2peak, VT1 and peak cardiac hemodynamics (p < 0.05). Mediation ana...
Recent studies have shown that optical indices of cerebral pulsatility, including cerebral pulse ... more Recent studies have shown that optical indices of cerebral pulsatility, including cerebral pulse amplitude, are linked to cerebrovascular health. A chronically higher cerebral pulsatility is associated with cognitive decline. Although it is widely known that regular physical activity improves cognitive functions, little is known about the association between physical activity and the optical index of cerebral pulsatility. This study assessed the impact of 12 months of regular physical activity on the changes in the optical index of cerebral pulsatility and explored its association with cognition. A total of 19 older adults (aged 59–79 years) with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) completed the study. Low-intensity, short-duration walking as a brief cardiovascular challenge was used to study the impact of regular physical activity on post-walking changes in cerebral pulsatility index. The participants walked on a gym track while a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device recorded he...
Cardiovascular fitness is linked to better executive functions, preserved gait speed, and efficie... more Cardiovascular fitness is linked to better executive functions, preserved gait speed, and efficient cortical activity. Older adults with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) typically show poor cognitive performance, low physical fitness, and altered brain functioning compared with healthy individuals. In the current study, the impact of regular physical activity on cognition, locomotion, and brain functions was explored in a cohort of older adults with low or high CVRFs. Cortical activation of the frontal areas was investigated using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) at baseline, at 6 months and at 12 months. Evoked cortical response and behavioral performance were assessed using the dual-task walking paradigm, consisting of three conditions: single cognitive task (2-back task), single walking task (walking), and dual-task (2-back whilst walking). Results show greater task-related cortical response at baseline in individuals with high CVRFs compared to those with low CVR...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Background: Several medications have been associated with an increased risk of balance deficits a... more Background: Several medications have been associated with an increased risk of balance deficits and greater likelihood to sustain a fall, representing a large health and economic issue. Statins are regularly prescribed to prevent strokes and heart attacks, but their impact on balance is unknown. The aim of this paper was to determine whether statin use is associated with poorer balance performances in older adults. Methods: All participants, one group taking statins (n = 34), and the other group not taking statins (n = 31), completed a balance assessment with their eyes closed and their eyes opened on a MatScan Pressure Sensing Mat. Center of Pressure (CoP) velocity, peak-to-peak distance, and standard deviation were collected in both anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed for each balance outcome, testing the statin use status as a predictor and controlling for appropriate factors including participants characterist...
This study compared heart rate recovery (HRR) after incremental maximal exercise performed at the... more This study compared heart rate recovery (HRR) after incremental maximal exercise performed at the same external power output (Pext) on dry land ergocycle (DE) vs. immersible ergocycle (IE). Fifteen young healthy participants (30 ± 7 years, 13 men and 2 women) performed incremental maximal exercise tests on DE and on IE. The initial Pext on DE was 25 W and was increased by 25 W/min at a pedalling cadence between 60 and 80 rpm, while during IE immersion at chest level in thermoneutral water (30°C), the initial Pext deployment was at a cadence of 40 rpm which was increased by 10 rpm until 70 rpm and thereafter by 5 rpm until exhaustion. Gas exchange and heart rate (HR) were measured continuously during exercise and recovery for 5 min. Maximal HR (DE: 176 ± 15 vs. IE 169 ± 12 bpm) reached by the subjects in the two conditions did not differ (P > .05). Parasympathetic reactivation parameters (ΔHR from 10 to 300 s) were compared during the DE and IE HR recovery recordings. During the I...
Annals of physical and rehabilitation medicine, Jan 15, 2016
In this article, we discuss certain contemporary and controversial topics in cardiovascular (CV) ... more In this article, we discuss certain contemporary and controversial topics in cardiovascular (CV) nutrition including recent data regarding the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, the role of saturated fatty acids, red meat and the microbiome in CV disease and the current role of personalized CV nutrition. Findings from the PREDIMED study now demonstrate the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet even in the absence of heart disease. The study highlighted that even small, sustained and easily implementable changes to diet can provide significant health benefits even in Mediterranean regions. Likewise, observational data in secondary prevention show that increased adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with good long-term clinical outcomes among subjects with stable coronary heart disease. The role of saturated fats in the development of CV disease remains controversial, although data suggest that these fats are associated with modestly increased risk of CV events...
Background: The Heart Failure and A Controlled Trial Investigating Outcomes of Exercise Training ... more Background: The Heart Failure and A Controlled Trial Investigating Outcomes of Exercise Training (HF-ACTION) Study identified a modest benefit of exercise training (ET) in HF subjects. We undertook this post-hoc analysis to evaluate if there was a differential effect of ET based on HF severity. Methods: HF-ACTION was a randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of ET relative to usual care (UC) alone in patients with LV function ≤ 35% treated with evidence-based HF medical therapy. This analysis uses three criteria for severity: risk score derived from a predictive model based on HF ACTION data, NYHA class and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) duration. Primary analysis used the risk score. To test impact of treatment on endpoints among different severity groups, the interaction between treatment and severity variable was examined in a survival model (unadjusted). The outcomes evaluated were all-cause mortality or all-cause hospitalization (primary), cardiovascular (CV) mortality or CV hospitaliz...
<jats:p> <jats:bold>Introduction:</jats:bold> Cardiovascular diseases have been... more <jats:p> <jats:bold>Introduction:</jats:bold> Cardiovascular diseases have been associated with impaired cognitive performances, especially in functions. In contrast, it is clearly established that regular physical activity maintained throughout life protects against age-related cognitive decline. </jats:p> <jats:p> <jats:bold>Purpose:</jats:bold> to assess maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), cardiac output, and cerebral hemodynamic changes, assessed by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), during a graded maximal exercise tests, and cognitive performance at rest in patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD) and healthy matched adults. </jats:p> <jats:p> <jats:bold>Methods:</jats:bold> Ten stable CHD patients (67.1±10.5 years) and 9 age-matched controls (62.2± 11.4 years) were included in this pilot study. Measurements included: body composition (bioelectrical impedance), complete blood analysis in a fasting state, cognitive performance using validated neuropsychological tests, graded maximal exercise testing on ergocycle with gas exchange analysis, non-invasive cardiac output measurement (cardiac bioimpedance) and NIRS signals measurement at the left prefrontal brain level (oxyhaemoglobin: O2Hb, deoxyhaemoglobin: HHb ; total haemoglobin: THb, and differential haemoglogin: Hbdiff). </jats:p> <jats:p> <jats:bold>Results:</jats:bold> Several cognitive performance items were lower in the CHD group, especially regarding executive functions (Backward digit span score, p&lt;0.05; trail making test B, p=0.05; Stroop test (inhibition/flexibility), p&lt;0.05). There was no difference between CHD and controls in VO2 max (29.7±8.5 Vs 32±6.3 ml/kg/min) and maximal cardiac output (15.5±3.9 Vs 17±2.6 l/min), whereas cardiac output and cardiac index at the ventilatory threshold were lower in CHD (5.75±1 Vs 7.06±0.6 l/min/m2, p&lt;0.05, and 11.2±2.2 Vs 14.1±2.8 l/min, p&lt;0.01, respectively). There was a significant difference in the kinetics of NIRS signal with higher amplitude for CHD patients vs. controls for O2Hb (p&lt;0.01); THb (p&lt;0.05) and Hbdiff (p&lt;0.05). Significant higher amplitude were also found for O2Hb, THb, Hbdiff (p&lt;0.0001) in younger (62 years) participants. HHb (p&lt;0.0001) and Hbdiff (p&lt;0.01) amplitude was higher for fit (≥120% theoretical VO2max) vs. less fit (&lt;120%) participants. </jats:p> <jats:p> <jats:bold>Discussion:</jats:bold> Compared to age-matched controls, our sample of stable fit CHD patients had a comparable maximal exercise tolerance and cardiac output, with higher NIRS cerebral signals amplitude for O2Hb, THb and Hbdiff. This latter parameter thus does not seem to influence cognitive performance at rest, that was lower in CHD patients, especially in executive functions. However, an important inter-individual variability of cerebral NIRS signal amplitude was observed, with age and fitness appearing as major contributors. We plan to recruit a larger sample of subjects to assess more clearly relationships between exercise, tolerance hemodynamic parameters and cognitive performance. </jats:p>
Background: The assessment of microvascular reactivity by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was s... more Background: The assessment of microvascular reactivity by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was shown to be associated with cardiovascular status and the number of cardiovascular risk factors and could be of interest in cardiac or high-risk patients. However, the reliability of NIRS parameters measured at the arm has never been studied and should be known before they could be used in research and clinical settings. The aim of this study was to measure the absolute and relative reliability of the most commonly used NIRS parameters during post-occlusive hyperaemia in healthy young men. Methods: 18 healthy men (33.56±7.88 years), without any cardiovascular risk factors (dyslipidemia, hypertension, abdominal obesity, diabetes and smoking) or cardiac symptoms had their fasting microvascular function evaluated twice, on two mornings separated by at least 7 days. Briefly, NIRS optodes were placed on the brachio-radialis muscle and a pressure cuff was installed on the upper-arm of subjects ...
Background: The cardioprotective effects of the Mediterranean diet have been well established in ... more Background: The cardioprotective effects of the Mediterranean diet have been well established in epidemiological studies. More recently, it has been shown to improve the cardiometabolic risk profile and endothelial function, as well as reduce markers of vascular inflammation, independent of weight loss. Since cardiovascular disease is the second cause of death in the Canadian and North American populations, randomized clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of the Mediterranean diet in high-risk primary and secondary prevention are warranted. In order to conduct such studies, validated dietary assessment methods specific to population and food habits are needed. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the reproducibility and the relative validity of a quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to be used in clinical trials at the Montreal Heart Institute’s Prevention Center. Methods: Fifty (50) participants (54% (27 of 50) women) aged 19 to 86 years with and without coron...
Introduction: Exercise training in patients who have suffered an acute coronary syndrome is assoc... more Introduction: Exercise training in patients who have suffered an acute coronary syndrome is associated with a significant reduction in mortality and cardiovascular events. Moderate intensity continuous exercise training (MICET) is currently recommended. Recently, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), that utilizes short bursts of very intense efforts interspersed with periods of recovery, has been explored as an alternative to MICET. The safety aspects of HIIT in patients post acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have been poorly described. Methods: Thirty-seven low-risk patients post ACS (65% STEMI, fully revascularized, EF > 40%, age 61±9 years, 8 women) were randomized 4 weeks to 6 months post ACS; to 12 to 18 weeks of 2-3 sessions/week (total: 36 sessions) of isocaloric MICET or HIIT on cycle ergometer. VO2peak and maximal aerobic power (MAP) were determined using maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on cycle ergometer and continuous ECG and BP were monitored every 2 min....
Reproducibility of near-infrared spectroscopy parameters measured during brachial artery occlusio... more Reproducibility of near-infrared spectroscopy parameters measured during brachial artery occlusion and reactive hyperemia in healthy men
Background: Endothelial dysfunction is considered to be a precursor of atherosclerosis and is an ... more Background: Endothelial dysfunction is considered to be a precursor of atherosclerosis and is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. A high-saturated fat meal (HFM) has been shown to induce postprandial endothelial dysfunction. However, no studies have evaluated the acute endothelial effect of a single mixed Mediterranean-type meal (MMM). Our objective was to evaluate postprandial endothelial and metabolic function in response to a MMM in comparison to an isocaloric HFM. Methods: In this ongoing crossover study, 22 of 28 healthy non-smoking males have completed the research protocol. In random order on two separate days during a 1-week interval, subjects were fed two isocaloric meals after a 12-hour overnight fast. The MMM (885 kcal) consisted of fresh salmon, almonds and vegetables baked in olive oil providing 51% of total calories from fat (7.87g SFA and 2.29g of omega-3, 2:1 DHA:EPA). The HFM consisted of a McDonald's sausage, egg and cheese McMuffin and three has...
Limited data is available on the sex differences and individual responses of cardiometabolic para... more Limited data is available on the sex differences and individual responses of cardiometabolic parameters adjusted with potential confounders (i.e. sex, age, baseline values) after a longer term Mediterranean diet (MedD) and high intensity interval training (HIIT) in obese subjects. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of nine-month MedD counseling and supervised HIIT on cardiometabolic risk factors and individual responses in obese women (n = 99) and obese men (n = 35). Body composition (body mass, fat mass, lean body mass, waist circumference), cardiorespiratory fitness (METs), and cardiometabolic risk factors (blood pressure, blood sample variables) were measured at baseline and after nine months of a program combining MedD and HIIT two to three times a week. When adjusted with sex, age, and baseline values, obese women similarly improved their body composition, METs, and cardiometabolic risk factors vs. obese men. The proportion of responders according to clinica...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020
We compared cognitive profiles in chronic heart failure patients (HF), heart transplant recipient... more We compared cognitive profiles in chronic heart failure patients (HF), heart transplant recipients (HT) and healthy controls (HC) and examined the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness (V˙O2peak), peak cardiac output (COpeak) and cognitive performance. Stable HT patients (n = 11), HF patients (n = 11) and HC (n = 13) (61.5 ± 8.5 years) were recruited. Four cognitive composite scores targeting different cognitive functions were computed from neuropsychological tests: working memory, processing speed, executive functions and verbal memory. Processing speed and executive function scores were higher, which indicates lower performances in HF and HT compared to HC (p < 0.05). V˙O2peak and first ventilatory threshold (VT1) were lower in HF and HT vs. HC (p < 0.01). COpeak was lower in HF vs. HT and HC (p < 0.01). Processing speed, executive function and verbal memory performances were correlated with V˙O2peak, VT1 and peak cardiac hemodynamics (p < 0.05). Mediation ana...
Recent studies have shown that optical indices of cerebral pulsatility, including cerebral pulse ... more Recent studies have shown that optical indices of cerebral pulsatility, including cerebral pulse amplitude, are linked to cerebrovascular health. A chronically higher cerebral pulsatility is associated with cognitive decline. Although it is widely known that regular physical activity improves cognitive functions, little is known about the association between physical activity and the optical index of cerebral pulsatility. This study assessed the impact of 12 months of regular physical activity on the changes in the optical index of cerebral pulsatility and explored its association with cognition. A total of 19 older adults (aged 59–79 years) with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) completed the study. Low-intensity, short-duration walking as a brief cardiovascular challenge was used to study the impact of regular physical activity on post-walking changes in cerebral pulsatility index. The participants walked on a gym track while a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device recorded he...
Cardiovascular fitness is linked to better executive functions, preserved gait speed, and efficie... more Cardiovascular fitness is linked to better executive functions, preserved gait speed, and efficient cortical activity. Older adults with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) typically show poor cognitive performance, low physical fitness, and altered brain functioning compared with healthy individuals. In the current study, the impact of regular physical activity on cognition, locomotion, and brain functions was explored in a cohort of older adults with low or high CVRFs. Cortical activation of the frontal areas was investigated using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) at baseline, at 6 months and at 12 months. Evoked cortical response and behavioral performance were assessed using the dual-task walking paradigm, consisting of three conditions: single cognitive task (2-back task), single walking task (walking), and dual-task (2-back whilst walking). Results show greater task-related cortical response at baseline in individuals with high CVRFs compared to those with low CVR...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Background: Several medications have been associated with an increased risk of balance deficits a... more Background: Several medications have been associated with an increased risk of balance deficits and greater likelihood to sustain a fall, representing a large health and economic issue. Statins are regularly prescribed to prevent strokes and heart attacks, but their impact on balance is unknown. The aim of this paper was to determine whether statin use is associated with poorer balance performances in older adults. Methods: All participants, one group taking statins (n = 34), and the other group not taking statins (n = 31), completed a balance assessment with their eyes closed and their eyes opened on a MatScan Pressure Sensing Mat. Center of Pressure (CoP) velocity, peak-to-peak distance, and standard deviation were collected in both anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed for each balance outcome, testing the statin use status as a predictor and controlling for appropriate factors including participants characterist...
This study compared heart rate recovery (HRR) after incremental maximal exercise performed at the... more This study compared heart rate recovery (HRR) after incremental maximal exercise performed at the same external power output (Pext) on dry land ergocycle (DE) vs. immersible ergocycle (IE). Fifteen young healthy participants (30 ± 7 years, 13 men and 2 women) performed incremental maximal exercise tests on DE and on IE. The initial Pext on DE was 25 W and was increased by 25 W/min at a pedalling cadence between 60 and 80 rpm, while during IE immersion at chest level in thermoneutral water (30°C), the initial Pext deployment was at a cadence of 40 rpm which was increased by 10 rpm until 70 rpm and thereafter by 5 rpm until exhaustion. Gas exchange and heart rate (HR) were measured continuously during exercise and recovery for 5 min. Maximal HR (DE: 176 ± 15 vs. IE 169 ± 12 bpm) reached by the subjects in the two conditions did not differ (P > .05). Parasympathetic reactivation parameters (ΔHR from 10 to 300 s) were compared during the DE and IE HR recovery recordings. During the I...
Annals of physical and rehabilitation medicine, Jan 15, 2016
In this article, we discuss certain contemporary and controversial topics in cardiovascular (CV) ... more In this article, we discuss certain contemporary and controversial topics in cardiovascular (CV) nutrition including recent data regarding the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, the role of saturated fatty acids, red meat and the microbiome in CV disease and the current role of personalized CV nutrition. Findings from the PREDIMED study now demonstrate the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet even in the absence of heart disease. The study highlighted that even small, sustained and easily implementable changes to diet can provide significant health benefits even in Mediterranean regions. Likewise, observational data in secondary prevention show that increased adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with good long-term clinical outcomes among subjects with stable coronary heart disease. The role of saturated fats in the development of CV disease remains controversial, although data suggest that these fats are associated with modestly increased risk of CV events...
Background: The Heart Failure and A Controlled Trial Investigating Outcomes of Exercise Training ... more Background: The Heart Failure and A Controlled Trial Investigating Outcomes of Exercise Training (HF-ACTION) Study identified a modest benefit of exercise training (ET) in HF subjects. We undertook this post-hoc analysis to evaluate if there was a differential effect of ET based on HF severity. Methods: HF-ACTION was a randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of ET relative to usual care (UC) alone in patients with LV function ≤ 35% treated with evidence-based HF medical therapy. This analysis uses three criteria for severity: risk score derived from a predictive model based on HF ACTION data, NYHA class and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) duration. Primary analysis used the risk score. To test impact of treatment on endpoints among different severity groups, the interaction between treatment and severity variable was examined in a survival model (unadjusted). The outcomes evaluated were all-cause mortality or all-cause hospitalization (primary), cardiovascular (CV) mortality or CV hospitaliz...
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