Ricardo Gass

The influence of active and passive smoking on the cardiorespiratory fitness of adults

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to analyze the influence of active and passive smoking on cardiorespiratory responses in asymptomatic adults during a sub-maximal-exertion incremental test.MethodsThe participants (n = 43) were divided into three different groups: active smokers (n = 14; aged 36.5 ± 8 years), passive smokers (n = 14; aged 34.6 ± 11.9 years) and non-smokers (n = 15; aged 30 ± 8.1 years). They all answered the Test for Nicotine Dependence and underwent anthropometric evaluation, spirometry and ergospirometry according to the Bruce Treadmill Protocol.ResultsVO2max differed statistically between active and non-smokers groups (p < 0.001) and between non-smokers and passive group (p=0.022). However, there was no difference between the passive and active smokers groups (p=0.053). Negative and significant correlations occurred between VO2max and age (r = - 0.401, p = 0.044), percentage of body fat (r = - 0.429, p = 0.011), and waist circumference (WC) (r = - 0.382, p = 0.025).ConclusionVO2max was significantly higher in non-smokers compared to active smokers and passive smokers. However, the VO2max of passive smokers did not differ from active smokers.

Inspiratory muscle training with threshold or incentive spirometry: Which is the most effective?

Inspiratory muscular training (IMT) increases the respiratory muscle strength, however, there is no data demonstrating its superiority over the incentive spirometry (IS) in doing so. Values of muscle strength after IMT (Threshold IMT(®)) and by the IS (Voldyne(®)) in healthy females was compared. Subjects (n=40) were randomly divided into control group (CG, n=14), IS group (ISG, n=13) and threshold group (TG, n=13). PImax was measured before (pre-IMT), at 15 and 30 days of IMT. There was an increase in PImax of the TG at 15 days (p<0.001) and 30 days of IMT (p<0.001). The same occurred with the ISG, which increased the PImax at 15 days (p<0.001) and 30 days of training (p<0.001). After 30 days of IMT, the TG presented a PImax which was significantly higher than ISG and the CG (p=0.045 and p<0.001, respectively). It can be concluded that IMT by threshold was more effective in increasing muscle strength than the Voldyne.

Capacidade funcional submáxima e força muscular respiratória entre idosas praticantes de hidroginástica e dança: um estudo comparativo

Exercise is an effective strategy to prevent and slow the functional losses of aging, but there are few studies indicating the best method to improve functional status of the elderly. OBJETIVE: To compare respiratory muscle strength (RMS) and submaximal functional capacity of older practitioners of hydrogymnastics and dance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study with elderly women (n=46), practitioners of hydrogymnastics (Hydrogymnastics Group - HG; n=23) and dance (Dance Group - DG; n=23). For the measurement of physical activity, it was used tthe International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ - short version); the RMS was assessed by measurement of the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP); and the measure of submaximal functional capacity was assessed by the six-minute walk test (6MWT). RESULTS: The DG showed that higher MIP (84 ± 12.49 cmH2O) compared to the HG (63.35 ± 10.47 cmH2O) (p< 0.0001) and the MEP did not differ significantly between the groups (p= 0.08). The distance covered in the 6MWT DG (616.53 ± 60.81 m) was better performed than HG (446.65 ± 48.67 m) (p <0.0001). For the physical activity level, the DG showed that 19 elderly women (82.61%) were very active and four (17.39%) active, and the HG showed that eight elderly women (30.67%) were very active and 15 (69.23%) active. CONCLUSION: The elderly women practitioners of dance showed higher respiratory muscle strength and submaximal functional capacity, possibly due to the higher level of physical activity and also because dance is primarily an aerobic modality.

Avaliação da força de preensão palmar e dos volumes pulmonares de pacientes hospitalizados por condições não cirúrgicas

AIMS: The aim of this investigation was to analyzehandgrip strength and lung volumes in hospitalized patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled subjects aged between 30 and 80 years of both genders and hospitalized under non-surgical conditions for at least 48 hours (Hospitalized Group) and healthy subjects accessed in a sport club (Control Group) in Santa Cruz do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Forced vital capacity, expiratory volume in the first second, expiratory volume in the first second /forced vital capacity relation, expiratory flow peak, and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity were evaluated. The handgrip strength was evaluated throught hand dinamometry. RESULTS:A total of 32 subjects were evaluated, being 16 in each group. They matched in age (p=0.183), height (p=0.685), weight (p=0.105) and body index mass (p=0.157) in both groups. The Hospitalized Group had a median hospital stay of 9.5 days (7-15; minimum 3, maximum 17). When compared to the Control Group, the Hospitalized Group had a reduction in forced vital capacity (p less than 0.001), expiratory volume in the first second (p less than 0.001), expiratory volume in the first second /forced vital capacity relation (p=0.006), peak expiratory flow (p less than 0.001) and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity (p less than 0.001), as well as in the handgrip force (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The hospitalized subjects showed decrease in handgrip and lung volumes.