Cost analysis of manual bund shaping in paddy fields: Economical and physiological

Bund shaping is one of the essential operations in preparing a paddy transplanting field. This operation is undertaken manually by spades in a traditional way as this has not been mechanised thus far. Therefore, this study was conducted to expose this operation by evaluating the economic, as well as physiological, cost involved in the bund shaping. For the economic cost, the study was conducted in nine different districts of Assam (India). The bund length for the estimated area was measured and estimated for one ha of land. The average rate of manual bund shaping was also measured to calculate the cost involved in this operation. Moreover, for the physiological cost, ten experienced subjects were calibrated and measured for their maximum aerobic capacity by sub-maximal exercise in laboratory condition. Furthermore, the heart rate was measured during the manual bund shaping and was then correlated with the calibrated data. It was found that the average required bund shaping length per ha was 3 669 m which was associated with a cost of 2 062.8 rupees. It was found that the bund shaping consumed 76.96% of the maximum volume of the oxygen consumption capacity of the subjects; however, the energy expenditure rate with respect to time and bund length were 7.37 kcal·min^–1 and 4.33 kcal·m^–1, respectively. Hence, bund shaping in a paddy field comes under a severe workload category which emphasises the need of mechanisation for the bund shaping operation.

PHOSPHOCREATINE IMPROVES MUSCLE MICROCIRCULATION DURING EXERCISE

ABSTRACT Introduction: Phosphate (CP) its biosynthesis begins with the kidney. Glycocianine was synthesized from glycocianine, then methylated in the liver, and finally formed in each tissue. Objective: To study the effects of phosphatic acid in exercise training. Methods: This paper uses 50 pure male mice, 2 month old, weight at 22 ± 3 g, and mice per day, 5 minutes each time. After exercise training, dry dry with a towel and blow it with a hair dryer, and move it to the end of each other. Results: The average time of motion B mouse to give phosphate creatine is significantly longer than the average time of the non-administration of the A group, and the motion time is prolonged to extend 23.20%. Phosphate has improved motor endurance and promotes improvement in muscle microcirculation during exercise. Conclusions: Motion can be used to improve the maximum aerobic capacity of exercise in motion. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

Evolved changes in maternal care in high-altitude native deer mice

ABSTRACT At high altitude (HA), unremitting low oxygen and persistent cold push small mammals close to their metabolic ceilings, leaving limited scope for aerobically demanding activities. However, HA breeding seasons are relatively short and endemic rodents compensate with larger litters than low altitude (LA) conspecifics. Rodent mothers are the sole source of heat and nutrition for altricial offspring and lactation is energetically costly. Thus, it is unclear how HA females balance energy allocation during the nursing period. We hypothesized that HA female rodents invest heavily in each litter to ensure postnatal survival. We measured maternal energetic output and behaviour in nursing deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) native to LA (400 m a.s.l.) and HA (4350 m a.s.l.) under control (24°C, 760 mmHg) and cold hypoxia conditions, simulating HA (5°C, 430 mmHg). Strikingly, resting metabolic rates of lactating HA and LA females under cold hypoxia were 70–85% of their maximum aerobic capacity. In cold hypoxia, LA mothers increased both nursing time and milk fat content, however their pups were leaner and severely growth restricted at weaning. HA mothers also increased nursing in cold hypoxia but for far less time than LA mothers. Despite receiving less care, HA pups in cold hypoxia only experienced small growth restrictions at weaning and maintained body composition. As adults, HA mice raised in cold hypoxia had increased aerobic capacity compared to controls. These data suggest that HA mothers prioritize their own maintenance costs over investing heavily in their offspring. Pups compensate for this lack of care, likely by reducing their own metabolic costs during development.

Effects of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation in patients with acute coronary syndrome aged 80 years and older

Background The beneficial effects of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (exCR) in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are well known. Patients aged 80+ have, however, been underrepresented in randomized controlled trials. Purpose The primary aim was to evaluate effects of exCR in patients with ACS 80+ in terms of maximum aerobic capacity, compared with a control group. Secondary aims were to evaluate effects of exCR between groups regarding muscular endurance, submaximal aerobic capacity, physical function and self-reported health. Methods A total of 26 patients (58% men), with ACS, median age 82.5 (25th-75th percentiles, 81–84) years, were included at a university hospital. Patients were randomized to hospital-based exCR, including aerobic, resistance- and balance exercises 2 times/week and a home-based exercise program 1 time/week or to a control group (C-group) for 4 months. We report differences in changes (0–4 months) between the groups regarding maximum aerobic capacity (exercise ECG), 6MWT, muscle endurance tests (shoulder flexion and heel-lifts), timed-up and go (TUG), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), one leg stand test and self-reported health (one item question). T-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests and Chi2-tests were used as appropriate to describe differences between groups. Results There were no significant differences between groups at baseline, except for age with the exCR-group being older. At 4 months, we found no significant differences between the groups in maximum aerobic capacity. However, the exCR-group significantly improved their 6-min walking distance more, with a median of 39 m (17–57.5), compared to 16.5 m (−15.5–33) in the C-group, p=0.04. In addition, the exCR-group significantly improved in muscle endurance (maximum reps) while the C-group declined; heel-lift right, mean 2.3±3.8 vs −1.6±4.5, p=0.04 and left, mean 2.9±3.9 vs −4.6±4.6, p=0.001, shoulder flexion mean 5.5±4.5 vs −3.1±3.1, p≤0.001. Moreover, the exCR-group significantly improved their physical function in terms of SPPB total score with in median 1.5 (1–2) points, compared to 0 (−1–1) in the C-group, p=0.02 and one leg stand test 1.5 (0–2) points, compared to a decline with −0.5 (−2–0) points in the C-group, p<0.001. There were no significant differences between groups in shoulder abduction, TUG and self-reported health. Conclusions We report introductory results that patients with ACS, aged 80+, participating in an exCR program can improve walking distance, muscle endurance and physical function, however not maximum aerobic capacity. Therefore, we encourage an increased referral to exCR of this increasing group of patients to potentially enable more elderly to preserve mobility and independence in their daily living. These results must, however, be confirmed in larger studies. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The Swedish Heart- and Lung Association

Estimation of the aerobic capacity by step test in the workers of a tile factory in Yazd in 2017

Introduction: Estimation of the maximum aerobic capacity to find a physiological fitness between worker and the work is of great importance. The purpose of this study was to estimate the highest aerobic capacity and physical work capacity of tile and ceramic workers. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 90 workers were randomly selected from tile and ceramic workers in Yazd. A questionnaire consisting of two parts was used as data collection tool. The first part of the questionnaire included demographic characteristics completed by the interview. In the second part, parameters including height, weight, BMI and heart rate were inserted in the questionnaire. The Queen step test was used to measure the maximum aerobic capacity. The data were analyzed by SPSS software using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests and Spearman,s test. Results: The maximum aerobic capacity in tile and ceramic workers was estimated to be 3.60±.0.03 L/m. The results showed that aerobic capacity was significantly correlated with weight and body mass index. Also, there was no significant relationship between aerobic capacity, smoking and exercise, and education, but there was a significant relationship between gob title and aerobic capacity. Conclusion: Weight, BMI and type of occupation affect the aerobic capacity of workers.

The Relationship of IL-8 and IL-10 Myokines and Performance in Male Marathon Runners Presenting Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction

At present, it is unclear which exercise-induced factors, such as myokines, could diminish the negative impact of the reduction in pulmonary function imposed by the exercise in question. In this study, we aim to evaluate the prevalence of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) and also to investigate the effect of myokines in the performance of marathon runners presenting EIB or not. Thirty-eight male recreational marathon runners (age 38.8 [33–44], height 175.7 [172.0–180.3]; weight 74.7 [69.3–81.6]) participated in this study, and through spirometry tests, a prevalence of 23.6% of EIB was found, which is in agreement with the literature. The volunteers who tested positive to EIB (EIB+) presented lower maximum aerobic capacity compared to those who tested negative (EIB−) (EIB+ 44.02 [39.56–47.02] and EIB− 47.62 [44.11–51.18] p = 0.03). The comparison of plasma levels of IL-1β (EIB+ p = 0.296, EIB− p = 0.176, EIB+ vs. EIB− baseline p = 0.190 immediately after p = 0.106), IL-4 (undetectable), IL-6 (EIB+ p = 0.003, EIB− p ≤ 0.001, EIB+ vs. EIB− baseline p = 0.301 immediately after p = 0.614), IL-8 (EIB+ p = 0.003, EIB− p ≤ 0.001, EIB+ vs. EIB− baseline p = 0.110 immediately after p = 0.453), IL-10 (EIB+ p = 0.003, EIB− p ≤ 0.001, EIB+ vs. EIB− baseline p = 0.424 immediately after p = 0.876) and TNF-α (EIB+ p = 0.003, EIB− p ≤ 0.001, EIB+ vs. EIB− baseline p = 0.141 immediately after p = 0.898) were similar in both groups 24 h before and immediately after the marathon. However, negative correlations were found between the marathon finishing time and the levels of IL-8 (r = −0.81, p = 0.022), and IL-10 (r = −0.97, p ≤ 0.001) immediately after completing the marathon. In conclusion, for the first time, it is shown that the myokines IL-8 and IL-10 are related to improvement of the performance of marathon runners presenting EIB.

Validating the Commercially Available Garmin Fenix 5x Wrist-Worn Optical Sensor for Aerobic Capacity

Recreational exercisers continue to take a greater interest in monitoring their personal fitness levels. One of the more notable measurements that are monitored and estimated by wrist-worn tracking devices is maximum aerobic capacity (VO2max), which is currently the accepted measure of cardiorespiratory fitness. Traditional methods of obtaining VO2max present expensive barriers, whereas new wearable technology, such as of the Garmin Fenix 5x (GF5) provides a more cost-effective alternative. PURPOSE: To determine the validity of the GF5 VO2max estimation capabilities against the ParvoMedics TrueOne 2400 (PMT) metabolic measurement system in recreational runners. METHODS: Twenty-five recreational runners (17 male and 8 female) ages 18-55 participated in this study. Participants underwent two testing sessions: one consisting of the Bruce Protocol utilizing the PMT, while the other test incorporated the GF5 using the Garmin outdoor protocol. Both testing sessions were conducted within a few days of each other, with a minimum of 24 hours rest between sessions. RESULTS: The mean VO2max values for the PMT trial (49.1 ± 8.4 mL/kg/min) and estimation for the GF5 trial (47 ± 6.0 mL/kg/min) were found to be significantly different (t = 2.21, p = 0.037). CONCLUSION: The average difference between the GF5 estimation and the PMT was 2.16 ml/kg/min. Therefore, the watch is not as accurate compared to a PMT for obtaining VO2max. However, although not statically significant, the proximity of scores to the PMT shows that the GF5 can be an option for a person seeking an affordable and easily available method of determining VO2max.