Břetislav Zatloukal

Field testing of physical fitness in young patients with idiopathic scoliosis

The aim of this study was the development of a physical fitness examination for girls with scoliosis using a field test of walking for 2 km. Comparison of the results of the field test of walking was made both in patients with different degrees of spine deformity as well as with reference values of a healthy population using the same test. Judgment of the validity of the test for use in longterm supervision was attempted. A total of 33 girls with idio‐pathic scoliosis were examined (before operation) and divided into group A (n = 8; age 15.1 ± 2.8; angle according to Cobb <60°) and group B (n = 25; age 14.7 ± 2.1; ≥60). Spirometry, acid base balance (ABB [BE, cH+]) in blood, oxygen consumption (VO2), and heart rate (HR) were examined during the walking test; in addition, the functional response, a performance time, and a fitness index were evaluated. The test was performed without subjective complaints (RPE x= 11.4) or any significant functional and ABB change. Results showed a better physiological reacti...

Anaerobic threshold determination and its importance in chronic heart failure patients

The goal of this study was to compare various methods of anaerobic threshold (AT) determination and to estimate its importance for both the prescription of appropriate physical activity and long‐term follow‐up evaluation in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Twenty‐eight persons (New York Heart Association Classification II, III) passed a symptom‐limited spiroergometrical test; some of them were serially measured. The incremental work rate was graded by 0.25 W‐kg‐1 every 4 minutes. AT was determined from ventilatory parameters (VT), on the one hand, and from base excess changes (—BET), on the other. VT was determined in 79% and —BET in 50% of patients. The correlation between other functional parameters and both VT and ‐BET parameters was close (r = 0.94 for heart rate, for example). The possibility of making an AT determination decreased in Webers class C patients. AT determination was also possible in persons showing a change in acid‐base balance at rest. Basic functional parameters (heart rate...