Marilia A. Correia

Controversies in Posttraumatic Epilepsy

In civilian accidents the factors involved in the origin of posttraumatic epilepsy are controversial. In this study of 506 consecutive head trauma patients and 101 epileptic patients developing seizures after head trauma, we have examined the importance of the duration of coma, type of seizure and drug therapy, time to first seizure, age and focal lesions and compared our results with the literature. The importance is stressed of focal lesions and of neurological deficits for the origin of posttraumatic seizures.

Low-intensity resistance exercise does not affect cardiac autonomic modulation in patients with peripheral artery disease

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of a single bout of resistance exercise on cardiac autonomic modulation in patients with peripheral artery disease. METHODS: Fifteen patients with peripheral artery disease (age: 58.3±4.0 years) underwent the following sessions in a random order: resistance exercise (three sets of 10 repetitions of the six resistance exercises with a workload of 5–7 in the OMNI-RES scale) and control (similar to the resistance session; however, the resistance exercises were performed with no load). The frequency domain (low frequency, high frequency and sympathovagal balance) and symbolic analysis (0V, 1V and 2V patterns) of heart rate variability were obtained before and until one hour after the interventions. RESULTS: After the resistance exercise and control sessions, similar increases were observed in the consecutive heartbeat intervals (control: 720.8±28.6 vs. 790.9±34.4 ms; resistance exercise: 712.9±30.1 vs. 756.8±37.9 ms; p<0.05) and in the pattern of the symbolic analysis with no variation (0V) (control: 25.1±3.5 vs. 33.4±4.1%; resistance exercise: 26.1±3.2 vs. 29.7±3.5%; p<0.05) until 50 min after both interventions. The pattern of two variations (2V) decreased similarly (control: 11.2±2.1 vs. 8.3±2.1%; resistance exercise: 9.5±1.7 vs. 7.8±1.7%; p<0.05). In contrast, the pattern of one variation (1V), the low and high frequency bands and sympathovagal balance did not change after the interventions (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: A single bout of resistance exercise did not alter cardiac autonomic modulation in patients with peripheral artery disease.

A session of resistance exercise increases vasodilation in intermittent claudication patients

No study has shown the effects of acute resistance exercise on vasodilatory capacity of patients with peripheral artery disease. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of a single session of resistance exercise on blood flow, reactive hyperemia, plasma nitrite, and plasma malondialdehyde in patients with peripheral artery disease. Fourteen peripheral artery disease patients underwent, in a random order, 2 experimental sessions: control (rest for 30 min) and resistance exercise (8 exercises, 2 sets of 10 repetitions at an intensity of 5-7 in the OMNI Resistance Exercise Scale). Blood flow, reactive hyperemia, plasma nitrite, and malondialdehyde were measured before and 40 min after the interventions in both sessions. Data were compared between sessions by analysis of covariance, using pre-intervention values as covariates. The increases in blood flow, reactive hyperemia, and log plasma nitrite were greater (p ≤ 0.05) after resistance exercise than the control session (3.2 ± 0.1 vs. 2.7 ± 0.1 mL · 100 mL(-1) tissue · min(-1), 8.0 ± 0.1 vs. 5.7 ± 0.1 AU, and 1.36 ± 0.01 vs. 1.26 ± 0.01 μmol ∙ L(-1), respectively). On the other hand, malondialdehyde was similar between sessions (p > 0.05). In peripheral arterial disease patients, a single session of resistance exercise increases blood flow and reactive hyperemia, which seems to be mediated, in part, by increases in nitric oxide release.

Motor cortex tDCS does not modulate perceived exertion within multiple-sets of resistance exercises

BACKGROUND: Recent evidences have shown that the motor cortex (MC) may influence the rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Given the potential role of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in modulate cortical areas related to exercise performance, it is possible that tDCS applied on motor cortex (MC) could also influence the RPE during resistance exercises. OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on the rating of perceived exertion during multiple sets of resistance exercises. METHODS: Thirteen strength-trained men performed a resistance exercise session after either anodal tDCS or sham stimulation applied over the primary motor cortex. Resistance exercise sessions included 3 sets of 10 repetitions of 6 exercises performed with load of at 85% of 8–12 RM. The RPE was obtained using OMNI-Resistance exercise scale. RESULTS: The RPE assessed at the end of the sessions was similar in tDCS vs. sham condition (6.78 ± 1.48 vs. 6.87 ± 1.49, respectively; p = 0.56). The RPE for each exercise was similar across conditions, except for the second set of bench press (p = 0.04) and first set of seated-row (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the RPE during multiple sets of submaximal exercises was not modulated by tDCS applied upon

Validation of a Brazilian Portuguese Version of the Walking Estimated-Limitation Calculated by History (WELCH)

Background The Walking Estimated-Limitation Calculated by History (WELCH) questionnaire has been proposed to evaluate walking impairment in patients with intermittent claudication (IC), presenting satisfactory psychometric properties. However, a Brazilian Portuguese version of the questionnaire is unavailable, limiting its application in Brazilian patients. Objective To analyze the psychometric properties of a translated Brazilian Portuguese version of the WELCH in Brazilian patients with IC. Methods Eighty-four patients with IC participated in the study. After translation and back-translation, carried out by two independent translators, the concurrent validity of the WELCH was analyzed by correlating the questionnaire scores with the walking capacity assessed with the Gardner treadmill test. To determine the reliability of the WELCH, internal consistency and test-retest reliability with a seven-day interval between the two questionnaire applications were calculated. Results There were significant correlations between the WELCH score and the claudication onset distance (r = 0.64, p = 0.01) and total walking distance (r = 0.61, p = 0.01). The internal consistency was 0.84 and the intraclass correlation coefficient between questionnaire evaluations was 0.84. There were no differences in WELCH scores between the two questionnaire applications. Conclusion The Brazilian Portuguese version of the WELCH presents adequate validity and reliability indicators, which support its application to Brazilian patients with IC.

Individual blood pressure responses to walking and resistance exercise in peripheral artery disease patients: Are the mean values describing what is happening?

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to analyze the average and individual blood pressure responses to walking and resistance exercise in patients with peripheral artery disease. METHODS Thirteen patients underwent three experimental sessions: walking exercise, resistance exercise, and control. Ambulatory blood pressure, heart rate, and rate pressure product were obtained before and until 24 hours after sessions. RESULTS The mean cardiovascular values during 24 hours, awake, and sleep periods were similar (P > 0.05) after the three experimental sessions. The analysis of individual data revealed that during 24 hours, eight of 13 patients reduced systolic or diastolic blood pressure in ≥4.0 mm Hg in at least one of the exercise session; furthermore, most of these patients presented greater responses after resistance exercise. The clinical characteristics of patients seem to influence the blood pressure responses after exercises. Individual data showed that part of patients presented clinically significant decreases in blood pressure, showing that these patients have acute cardiovascular benefits after performing an acute bout of exercise. CONCLUSIONS Although, in average, a bout of walking or resistance exercise did not decrease ambulatory blood pressure in peripheral artery disease patients, the individual data revealed that most patients presented clinically relevant blood pressure reductions, especially after resistance exercise.

Supervised, but Not Home-Based, Isometric Training Improves Brachial and Central Blood Pressure in Medicated Hypertensive Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Meta-analyses have shown that supervised isometric handgrip training reduces blood pressure in hypertensives. However, the mechanism(s) underlying these effects in medicated hypertensive patients, as well as the effects from home-based exercise training, is uncertain. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of supervised and home-based isometric handgrip training on cardiovascular parameters in medicated hypertensives. In this randomized controlled trial, 72 hypertensive individuals (38–79 years old, 70% female) were randomly assigned to three groups: home-based, supervised isometric handgrip training or control groups. Home-based and supervised isometric handgrip training was completed thrice weekly (4 × 2 min at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction, with 1-min rest between bouts, alternating the hands). Before and after 12 weeks brachial, central and ambulatory blood pressures (BP), arterial stiffness, heart rate variability, vascular function, oxidative stress and inflammation markers were obtained. No significant (p > 0.05) effect was observed for ambulatory BP, arterial stiffness, heart rate variability, vascular function and oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in all three groups. Brachial BP decreased in the supervised group (Systolic: 132 ± 4 vs. 120 ± 3 mmHg; Diastolic: 71 ± 2 vs. 66 ± 2 mmHg, p < 0.05), whereas no significant differences were observed in the home-based (Systolic: 130 ± 4 vs. 126 ± 3 mmHg; diastolic: 73 ± 3 vs. 71 ± 3 mmHg) and control groups (p > 0.05). Supervised handgrip exercise also reduced central BP systolic (120 ± 5 vs. 109 ± 5 mmHg), diastolic (73 ± 2 vs. 67 ± 2 mmHg); and mean BP (93 ± 3 vs. 84 ± 3 mmHg), whereas no significant effects were found in the home-based (Systolic: 119 ± 4 vs. 115 ± 3 mmHg; Diastolic: 74 ± 3 vs. 71 ± 3 mmHg) and control groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, supervised, but not home-based, isometric training lowered brachial and central BP in hypertensives.

Acute effects of walking and combined exercise on oxidative stress and vascular function in peripheral artery disease

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a single session of walking and combined exercise on oxidative stress and vascular function in peripheral arterial disease patients. Thirteen patients with peripheral arterial disease underwent two experimental sessions in random order: walking (ten sets of 2‐min walking at the speed corresponding to the onset of claudication pain with 2‐min interval between sets) and combined exercise (1 × 10 reps in eight resistance exercises plus five‐two‐minute sets of walking). Before and after the exercise, vascular function (blood flow, leg vascular resistance and blood‐flow postreactive hyperaemia) and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde and plasma nitrite levels) were obtained. Blood flow increased similarly after both sessions, whilst leg vascular resistance decreased similarly after both sessions. Plasma nitrite increased only after the combined exercise. Malondialdehyde decreased after both sessions, and the decrease was greater after combined exercise. As a conclusion, a single session of combined exercise improves blood flow and leg vascular resistance similarly to walking session; however, combined exercise promoted better effects on oxidative stress.

Cardiovascular responses during resistance exercise after an aerobic session

Highlights • Diastolic and mean BP were higher during resistance exercise after aerobic exercise.• Peak heart rate values were higher during resistance exercise after aerobic exercise.• Aerobic exercise before resistance exercise promoted higher cardiovascular work.

Cardiovascular responses of peripheral artery disease patients during resistance exercise

BACKGROUND: Resistance training has been used for the treatment of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). However, cardiovascular responses during this type of exercise have not been fully elucidated in these patients. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the cardiovascular responses during resistance exercise and to verify whether there are any correlations between these responses and disease severity or blood pressure levels in patients with PAD. METHODS: Seventeen PAD patients performed one set of 10 repetitions of knee extension exercise with an intensity of 50% of one repetition maximum. The responses of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR) were continuously monitored using the finger photoplethysmography technique. The rate-pressure product (RPP) was obtained by multiplication of SBP and HR. RESULTS: During the resistance exercises there were significant increases in SBP (126 ± 14 vs. 184 ± 20 mmHg, p<0.001), DBP (68 ± 8 vs. 104 ± 14 mmHg, p<0.001), HR (76 ± 18 vs. 104 ± 30 bpm, p<0.001) and RPP (9523 ± 2115 vs. 19103 ± 6098 mmHg x bpm, p<0.001). A negative correlation was observed between relative change (Δ) in SBP and SBP at rest (r =-0.549, p=0.022). On the other hand, there was no relationship between Δ SBP and the ankle-brachial index (r=0.076, p=0.771). CONCLUSION: Increases in cardiovascular variables were observed during resistance exercise in PAD patients. The highest increases occurred in patients with lower SBP levels at resting.