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Volume 4, Issue 4
One-legged exercises improve aerobic capacity in patients with COPD
There are currently over 11.4 million people in the United States who have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition which obstructs airflow to the lungs and interrupts normal breathing. Treatment for the disease include a variety of medication types, oxygen therapy and, according to new research, one-legged exercises.
Researchers from the University of Toronto gathered a group of 18 patients with COPD and divided them into two groups, performing either one-legged exercises or two-legged exercises. Both groups exercised for the same duration, however the one-legged exercise group switched legs half way through. The results indicated that while both groups improved their peak oxygen intake, only the one-legged exercise group had a significantly greater increase in ventilation and sub-maximal heart rate. Researchers credit these results to the fact that one-legged exercises put less stress on the lungs while still working the same muscles.
1
Obesity and high carb intake linked to esophageal cancer
Esophageal cancer is not as common as breast, colon, or lung cancer, however the rates have risen dramatically over the years, from 300,000 cases in 1973 to 2.1 million cases in 2001. Those diagnosed with esophageal cancer generally have a poor prognosis, with a five-year survival rate of 11 to 18 percent; the discrepancy is due to variables including socioeconomic status and other demographics. Much research has been conducted in attempt to determine the reason for this increase in esophageal cancer.
In a report recently published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, researchers closely examined trends over the last 30 years and found that the increase in esophageal cancer rates closely mirror the rise in obesity rates and carbohydrate intake. Based on this correlation, researchers conclude that by reversing current trends with regards to obesity and carbohydrate intake, we may see a decrease in incidence of esophageal cancer.
2
Increased stroke rate in women linked to obesity
Stroke rates in the United States have been increasing rapidly in recent years and, according to research reported at the 2008 American Stroke AssociationŐs International Stroke Conference, this increase is primarily due to growing numbers of middle aged women who are having strokes.
In an effort to determine the cause for the increase, investigators at the University of Southern California analyzed data from two National Health and Nutrition Surveys (NHANES); the results were collected between 1988 and 1994 and also between 1999 and 2004. In comparing the two time periods, researchers found that reported incidences of stroke rates among women nearly tripled, increasing from .63 percent of the population in the earlier survey to 1.79 percent of the population in the later time period. Researchers then considered all of the risk factors for stroke including body mass index (BMI), cardiovascular disease, diabetes and blood pressure. The only risk factors that significantly increased in women were BMI and waist circumference. Researcher concluded that these two risk factors were primarily to blame for the increased incidence of stroke amongst middle aged women.
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Low intensity exercise treats fatigue symptoms
Sedentary people often complain of fatigue and use this as an excuse for their lack of exercise. However, while fatigue can be caused by a variety of conditions, in most cases it is the absence of physical activity itself which is the root of the problem. Researchers have found that sedentary individuals can significantly decrease their fatigue symptoms by increasing levels of physical activity.
Researchers at the University of Georgia recently conducted a six-week study on fatigue. They gathered a group of 36 sedentary individuals who reported persistent fatigue and divided them into three groups: 20 minutes of moderate intensity exercise 3 times per week, 20 minutes of low intensity exercise 3 times per week and a control group that did not exercise. After six weeks, both exercise groups reported an increase in energy levels, however the group performing exercise reported a mere 20 percent increase while the low intensity group reported a 49 percent increase.
4
Arthritic patients who exercise after hospital stay cut healthcare costs
Arthritis is the name for a group of conditions that cause joint inflammation; it is the leading cause of disability in people aged 55 and older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that with medical costs and lost wages combined, arthritis costs the United States $127.8 billion dollars annually, which equals 1.2% of the U.S. gross domestic product. According to a new study, exercise may help reduce the cost of arthritis.
In past studies, researchers have found that arthritis patients often times see a decline in physical function while in the hospital. In an effort to curb this trend, researchers studied a group of 85 arthritis patients who were split into two groups, 50 of which participated in an exercise training program consisting of two 75-minute training sessions as well as two group training sessions per week. The remaining 35 participants received standard care. Data analysis results indicated that the annual costs associated with the exercise group were $1,087 less per person than those who received standard care.
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Sources
1Dolmage, T.E. and Goldstein, R.S. (2008). Effects of one-legged exercise training of patients with COPD. Chest, 133, 370-6.
2 American Journal of Gastroenterology, 2008.
3American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference, 2008.
4Puetz, T.W., Flowers, S.S. and O'Connor, P.J. (2008). A randomized controlled trial of the effect of aerobic exercise training on feelings of energy and fatigue in sedentary young adults with persistent fatigue. Psychotherapy Psychosomatic, 77, 167-174.
5Bulthuis, Y., at al. (2008). Cost-effectiveness of intensive exercise therapy directly following hospital discharge in patients with arthritis: Results of a randomized controlled clinical trial. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 59, 247-54.
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