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Background: Subjective data and physical examinations of patients after total hip arthroplasty are used to assess the outcome. But regarding the physical activity, no objective data can be delivered by existing scores. The level of activity can be measured objectively by counting gait cycles. The aim of this study was to measure activity levels of patients before and after total hip arthroplasty (THA)., Methods: Forty-six patients were included in this prospective study. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), Harris Hip Score (HHS), and physical activity level based on the number of steps per day were assessed 1 week before surgery, 6 weeks postoperatively, and 3 months postoperatively. To assess the general constitution of the patients, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and BMI were determined. The physical activity level was measured by StepWatch 3™ Activity Monitor (SAM; Orthocare Innovations, Seattle, WA, USA). The number of GCs per day was assessed. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were used to identify an association between age, body mass index (BMI), and American Society of Anesthesiologists classification with the number of gait cycles and to detect correlation between GCs and HHS and GCs and WOMAC., Results: From preoperatively to 6 weeks postoperatively, the number of gait cycles did not alter significantly. Three months postoperatively, the number of GC/d and GC/h improved significantly. HHS and WOMAC improved significantly from before surgery to 6 weeks and to 3 months follow-up. The number of gait cycles per day did not correlate with the HHS and the WOMAC score at any point of measurement. Age, BMI, and ASA classification did not influence the results., Conclusion: By using a StepWatch 3™ Activity Monitor objective data about physical activity before and after THA can be measured reliable. Subjective and objective data in the postoperative period show different results. Physical activity seems to take longer to reach significantly improved values. By counting gait cycles, surgeons do have an additional tool to measure success after THA.

Background: Due to growing evidence about the value of exercise in pediatric cancer patients, the purpose of this study was to determine factors that influence participation in physical activities and exercise in children and adolescents during treatment., Procedure: This cross-sectional qualitative study included 40 pediatric cancer patients during intensive treatment. Patients were recruited at the Department for Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Muenster where a supervised exercise program has been implemented for hospital stays. The qualitative approach included semi-structured guideline interviews, transcription and coding based on grounded theory. Four major topics were discussed in the interviews: (1) values and beliefs, (2) barriers to exercise, (3) motivations to exercise, and (4) encouragement from parents and physicians., Results: Patients reported mainly positive attitudes toward physical activities during treatment and the local exercise program was desired and valued as essential for engaging in exercise during in-patient stays. Identified barriers included physical, psychological, and organizational aspects. Motivational aspects were based on improvements in physical fitness and mental well-being. Parents' behavior related to physical activities of their children differed between being supportive, inhibiting, and inert. Few patients received information about exercise during treatment by their physicians., Conclusions: Interventions that aim at maintaining physical activities during treatment and eliminating exercise barriers are required due to the patients' positive attitudes and multiple motivations toward exercise. These interventions need to be supervised and should include health-counseling programs for patients, parents, and physicians to underline the importance of physical activities in childhood cancer patients., (© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)