Search the repository

A+ | A- | | SLO | ENG

Abstract: Introduction: Peripheral neuropathy (PNP) in feet and/or hands and sexual dysfunction are common side effects of cancer therapies. In Nadine Reimer1 Dirk Brodesser1 patients with other diseases, there is evidence of an association Dominik Ratiu2 between peripheral nervous system disorders and sexual dysfunction due to the impact of impaired neuronal control on genital organ sensi- Damir Zubac1 tivity. In cancer patient interviews, it has now been observed that PNP Helmar C. Lehmann3 and sexual dysfunction may be related. The aim of the study was to Freerk T. Baumann1 investigate the potential association between PNP, sexual dysfunction, and physical activity behavior. Methods: Ninety-three patients with PNP of the feet and/or hands were interviewed in August/September 2020 in a cross-sectional study re- 1 University of Cologne, Department I of Internal garding medical history, sexual dysfunction and functionality of the genital organs. Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Results: Thirty-one persons who participated in the survey provided Bonn Cologne Dusseldorf, seventeen evaluable questionnaires (four men, thirteen women). Nine University Hospital of women (69%) and three men (75%) reported sensory disorders of the Cologne, Germany genital organs. Three men (75%) had erectile dysfunction. All men who 2 University of Cologne, Clinic had sensory symptoms of the genital organs received chemotherapy, and Polyclinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Cologne, Germany and one man also received immunotherapy. Eight women were sexually active. Five (63%) of them reported genital organ symptoms and mainly lubrication disorders. Four (80%) of the five sexually inactive women 3 University of Cologne, Clinic reported genital organ symptoms. Eight of the nine women with sensory and Polyclinic for Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, Germany symptoms of the genital organs received chemotherapy, and one woman received immunotherapy. Discussion: Our limited data suggest genital organ sensory symptoms in chemotherapy and immunotherapy patients. Genital organ symptoms do not appear to be directly related to sexual dysfunction, and the association between PNP and genital organ symptoms appears to be more pronounced in sexually inactive women. Chemotherapy could cause sensory symptoms of the genital organs and sexual dysfunction by damaging genital organ nerve fibers. Chemotherapy and anti-hormone therapy (AHT) could trigger a disturbance of the hormone balance, which in turn could be causative for sexual dysfunction. It remains open whether the cause of these disorders is the symptomatology of the genital organs or the altered hormone balance. The significance of the results is limited due to the small number of cases. To our knowledge, this study is the first of its kind in cancer patients and allows a better understanding of the association between PNP, sensory symptoms of the genital organs, and sexual dysfunction. Conclusion: In order to be able to narrow down the cause of these initial observations in cancer patients more precisely, larger studies are needed that can relate the influence of cancer therapy-induced PNP, physical activity level and hormone balance to sensory symptoms of the genital organs and sexual dysfunction. The methodology of further studies should take into account the frequent problem of low response rates in surveys on sexuality.
Keywords: peripheral neuropathy, genital organs, sexual disfunction, oncology, exercise therapy, physical activity
Published in DiRROS: 05.11.2025; Views: 112; Downloads: 56
Full text (1,62 MB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: (1) Background: This study aimed to examine whether an experimental acrobatics curriculum, conducted three times a week, could lead to greater improvements in specific components of motor fitness—coordination, balance, agility, and speed—compared to the standard physical education program; (2) Methods: The research was conducted over a 16-week period and included 50 seventh-grade students, divided into an experimental group (EG, n = 25) and a control group (CG, n = 25). The experimental group participated in a program of acrobatics and skipping twice a week, while the control group followed the standard physical education curriculum. Motor skills tests were administered before and after the intervention using standardized methods; (3) Results: Results from the ANCOVA analysis showed significant improvements in flexibility, coordination, balance, and agility in the experimental group, with large effect sizes, confirming the effectiveness of the acrobatics and skipping program. However, the impact on speed was variable, indicating the need for specific exercises to improve this ability; (4) Conclusions: The findings are consistent with previous research, highlighting the superiority of specialized acrobatic exercises in enhancing overall motor performance in adolescents. Further research is needed to optimize acrobatics and skipping programs for maximum benefits in the development of motor skills and physical education.
Keywords: physical education program, motor skill development, exercise intervention, physical activity, training adaptations, skill acquisition
Published in DiRROS: 14.05.2025; Views: 466; Downloads: 275
Full text (514,84 KB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the acute effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on the microvascular circulation and vascular tumor microenvironment (TME) in a patient with uveal melanoma (UM). Additionally, the acceptance of the applied diagnostics and the exercise protocol in a clinical ophthalmic-oncology setting were evaluated. Methods: This case-control study included a young adult male patient with UM previously treated with radiation and an age-matched healthy control. Participants underwent a baseline assessment of dynamic retinal vessel analysis (DRVA) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) to determine endothelial function and intensity for HIIT. Optical coherences tomography angiography (OCTA) was performed before, immediately and 30 min after one session of HIIT. The primary outcome were changes in ocular vessel parameters and whole body oxygen uptake. Results: The UM patient exhibited lower arterial dilation and constriction in the affected eye compared to his healthy eye and both eyes of the healthy control. OCTA revealed heterogeneous patterns of vascular response to HIIT in both participants. The tumor eye showed an increase followed by a significant decrease in vessel density post-exercise, while the healthy control exhibited minor increases. Conclusions: The findings of this study highlighted the potential of UM combined with OCTA and DRVA as a model for examine exercise-induced vascular effects within the TME. However, a pre-treated UM as well as detailed image analyses and further research with longitudinal, randomized controlled designs are essential to validate these findings and address methodological limitations. Such investigations could refine integrative cancer treatment.
Keywords: uveal melanoma, endothelial dysfunction, aerobic exercise, oxygen kinetics
Published in DiRROS: 21.11.2024; Views: 632; Downloads: 766
Full text (2,08 MB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: Regular physical activity and exercise are beneficial for both physical and mental health. However, in the elderly, the level of physical activity they partake in is consist-ently inadequate. Recognizing the need to enhance the participation of the elderly in organized physical exercise and understanding the factors which influence their deci-sion-making becomes pivotal. The purpose of this study was to develop a measurement instrument, specifically a scale, to identify these factors and evaluate its psychometric properties. First, the statements were formulated, which was followed by content as-sessment by a panel of experts. In the process of scale validation, its internal consist-ency, stability, correlations between the variables, and factor structure were also evalu-ated. The scale was tested on a sample of 1777 participants engaged in guided physical exercise at the School of Health Association (društvo Šola zdravja), all aged 60 years or more. Theexploratory factor analysis yielded a four-factor model with 27 state-ments which explained 42.9% of variability. The results indicated weak, but statistically significant correlations between the factors and an acceptable level of internal consist-ency and stability of the entire scale. This scale, developed to establish the factors that influence the decision-making of the elderly to take part in organized physical exercise, represents a valid and reliable measurement instrument, which can be beneficial in the planning and promotion of organized physical exercise programs for the elderly.
Keywords: physical exercise, quantitative methodology, elderly, social gerontology
Published in DiRROS: 16.04.2024; Views: 893; Downloads: 678
Full text (610,88 KB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: Purpose: The aim of this study was to review the literature analyzing the effects of aerobic interval training in the rehabilitation of cardiovascular patients.Methods: Research data was collected considering the inclusion and exclusion cri-teria of the research studies published in English. In order for the study to be included in the analysis, it had to meet the following criteria: year of publication (2004–2022), respondents were people with cardiovascular disease, and the studies included in this review must contain data on disease, training programme and outcomes. Papers with-out full texts available and systematic review studies were excluded. The first search identified 71 articles. In the initial assessment carried out in accordance with the inclu-sion and exclusion criteria, 15 articles were found suitable and were included in the study, while 20 studies were excluded for being duplicates, 28 studies excluded for not having the full text available and eight for non-compliance. Results: The reviewed materials indicate that aerobic interval training has an im-pact on VO2 max, functional abilities, VO2 peak and functional capacity in the reha-bilitation of cardiovascular diseases, especially in the elderly. The duration of the pro-gramme in most studies has a similar time range from 10 to 16 weeks. The programmes that showed the best effects are related to aerobic interval training, from 2 to 3 times per week with moderate (50–60% of VO2 max) or high intensity (80–90% of VO2 max). Conclusion: Studies indicate that properly dosed physical activity contributes to a better lifestyle for people with cardiovascular diseases. All 15 studies showed positive effects of aerobic interval training in cardiovascular disease rehabilitation.
Keywords: aerobic exercise, interval training, rehabilitation, cardiovascular diseases
Published in DiRROS: 16.04.2024; Views: 851; Downloads: 547
Full text (522,55 KB)
This document has many files! More...