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Background and Study Aim. The progressive aging of the global population presents significant challenges, particularly in maintaining the functional reserves of vital systems. The respiratory system is crucial for sustaining physical performance. However, it is especially vulnerable to age-related decline. This study aims to assess the impact of structured physical activity on the respiratory function of sports-active veteran track-and-field athletes aged 50–59 and 60–75 years. Material and methods. A total of 93 men were examined, including 54 in the reference group (30 men with an average age of 53.67±0.25 years and 24 with an average age of 67.08±0.35 years). These men were involved in athletics in the past but did not participate in veteran sports. The study group included 29 athletics veterans. Among them, 18 individuals had an average age of 52.27±0.18 years, and 11 had an average age of 65.64±0.16 years. These athletes engage in specifically organized physical activity 2–4 times a week and have participated in athletics competitions over the last five years. Anthropometric measurements included the assessment of chest circumference at rest, maximal inspiration, maximal exhalation, and diaphragmatic excursion (DE). The functional state of the respiratory system was assessed using the SpiroCom diagnostic complex (HAI). The data were processed using the SPSS Statistics 17.0 software. Results. Sports veterans aged 50–59 years and those over 60 years exhibit statistically significant differences compared to their peers in several indicators. These include diaphragmatic excursion, tidal volume, minute volume, respiratory rate, tidal volume maximal, respiratory rate maximal, and maximal voluntary ventilation. The respiratory reserve indicator showed a lower degree of respiratory function tension during physical exertion. Statistically significantly higher values of external respiration indicators were found in veteran athletes compared to men with no regular activity (NRA). These indicators include expiratory time, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and forced expiratory volume maximal. Additionally, veteran athletes showed higher values in the modified Tiffeneau-Pinelli index, peak expiratory flow, and forced expiratory flow at 25%, 50%, 75%, and forced mid-expiratory flow. As a result, sports veterans with high regular activity (RA) exhibited the lowest rates of regressive-destructive changes in the respiratory system indicators overall, with the exception of HOD and BH. In contrast, men with low RA are characterized by an accelerated rate of aging in the respiratory system. Conclusions. The results of the study identified indicators that can serve as spirographic criteria for selecting functional types. These types include individuals with low, medium, and high regular activity (RA). It has been proven that systematic exercises involving specially organized cyclic motor activity form a rational, physiologically optimal type of breathing. Additionally, these exercises inhibit age-related degenerative-dystrophic processes in the human respiratory system.

Incentive spirometry is one of the most common methods used for respiratory rehabilitation in the early period after cardiac surgery. Inspiratory capacity values, obtained by a patient using spirometer, are not reliably trusted.Objectives. To compare volumetric parameters measured with incentive spirometer and results obtained with bedside ultrasound-based spirometer to assure the feasibility of the use of incentive spirometry to assess the inspiratory capacity and effectiveness of postoperative respiratory rehabilitation.Materials and methods. The study included 50 patients after elective cardiac surgery. Pulmonary rehabilitation involved the use of various respiratory therapy methods. Spirography was performed before and after each session. Both approaches were used simultaneously to obtain the spirometry maximum inspiratory capacity (SMIC) with a bedside ultrasonic spirography and maximum inspiratory capacity (MIC) index using an incentive spirometer. Patient’s discomfort and adverse events during the procedures were recorded.Results. The absolute values of the MIC measured before and after each session by the two methods were dissimilar, however, the average increment values (6) did not show statistically significant differences. The correlation analysis revealed a strong positive statistically significant relationship between 6 SMIC and 6 MIC (R = 0.74 before the session, R = 0.79 after the session, R = 0.77 across the whole data set, P < 0.01), also consistent with the Bland–Altman analysis, evidencing that more than 95% of all values fell within ± 1.96 SD of the mean difference. The inspiratory spirometry method showed good diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity 87%, specificity 85%, area under the curve (AUC) 0.8 (95% CI: [0.76; 0.83]), P < 0.001). Refusals of procedure were more often documented with ultrasonic spirography.Conclusion. The increment in the inspiratory capacity index measured with incentive spirometer shows good agreement with ultrasonic spirography measurements. Therefore, incentive spirometry can be reliably used to assess the effectiveness of respiratory rehabilitation interventions in cardiac surgery patients during early postoperative period.

Single mode-Multimode-Single mode (SMS) sensors have been attracted a relevant attention because of their simple manufacturing, their capability of sensing different quantities, and their enhanced sensitivity compared to the most common fiber optic sensor represented by Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs). Moreover, SMS sensors exhibit blue-shift sensitivity to strain, opposite to FBGs, making them suitable in applications where strain-temperature cross-sensitivity may be an issue. SMS sensors are made by splicing a short multimode, preferably a two mode or quasi two-mode, optical fiber jumper between single mode pigtails. The interference of the modes propagating at different phase velocities produces a spectral pattern that shifts with temperature, strain or any perturbation of the phase difference among the modes. In this paper we review the main features of SMSs as temperature sensors and we present a potential biomedical application in an all-fiber flowmeter based on the hot-wire principle: a fiber-coupled laser source at 980 nm is used as a controllable heating source of the SMS sensor that, when immersed in fluid flow, converts the temperature variation, caused by the heat removal, into a wavelength shift of the transmitted spectrum. Thermal characterization and proof-of-concept experiments show the feasibility and functionality of the sensor and provide an outlook on possible developments and potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single mode-Multimode-Single mode (SMS) sensors have been attracted a relevant attention because of their simple manufacturing, their capability of sensing different quantities, and their enhanced sensitivity compared to the most common fiber optic sensor represented by Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs). Moreover, SMS sensors exhibit blue-shift sensitivity to strain, opposite to FBGs, making them suitable in applications where strain-temperature cross-sensitivity may be an issue. SMS sensors are made by splicing a short multimode, preferably a two mode or quasi two-mode, optical fiber jumper between single mode pigtails. The interference of the modes propagating at different phase velocities produces a spectral pattern that shifts with temperature, strain or any perturbation of the phase difference among the modes. In this paper we review the main features of SMSs as temperature sensors and we present a potential biomedical application in an all-fiber flowmeter based on the hot-wire principle: a fiber-coupled laser source at 980 nm is used as a controllable heating source of the SMS sensor that, when immersed in fluid flow, converts the temperature variation, caused by the heat removal, into a wavelength shift of the transmitted spectrum. Thermal characterization and proof-of-concept experiments show the feasibility and functionality of the sensor and provide an outlook on possible developments and potential applications.