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Abstract Background Sudden cardiac death is the leading cause of on-duty death in United States firefighters. Accurately assessing cardiopulmonary capacity is critical to preventing, or reducing, cardiovascular events in this population. Methods A total of 83 male firefighters performed Wellness-Fitness Initiative (WFI) maximal exercise treadmill tests and direct peak VO2 assessments to volitional fatigue. Of the 83, 63 completed WFI sub-maximal exercise treadmill tests for comparison to directly measured peak VO2 and historical estimations. Results Maximal heart rates were overestimated by the traditional 220-age equation by about 5 beats per minute (p < .001). Peak VO2 was overestimated by the WFI maximal exercise treadmill and the historical WFI sub-maximal estimation by ~ 1MET and ~ 2 METs, respectively (p < 0.001). The revised 2008 WFI sub-maximal treadmill estimation was found to accurately estimate peak VO2 when compared to directly measured peak VO2. Conclusion Accurate assessment of cardiopulmonary capacity is critical in determining appropriate duty assignments, and identification of potential cardiovascular problems, for firefighters. Estimation of cardiopulmonary fitness improves using the revised 2008 WFI sub-maximal equation.

A comparison of the physical and mental strain experienced by five caregiving working women and five noncaregiving working women proves that caregivers experience psychological stress that may affect their health in future. While interacting with an ailing family member, caregivers show an increase in blood pressure levels, which can cause cardiovascular diseases. Working women who have to take care of an unwell family member are better prepared for interactions with their colleagues.

Abstract Background Sudden cardiac death is the leading cause of on-duty death in United States firefighters. Accurately assessing cardiopulmonary capacity is critical to preventing, or reducing, cardiovascular events in this population. Methods A total of 83 male firefighters performed Wellness-Fitness Initiative (WFI) maximal exercise treadmill tests and direct peak VO2 assessments to volitional fatigue. Of the 83, 63 completed WFI sub-maximal exercise treadmill tests for comparison to directly measured peak VO2 and historical estimations. Results Maximal heart rates were overestimated by the traditional 220-age equation by about 5 beats per minute (p < .001). Peak VO2 was overestimated by the WFI maximal exercise treadmill and the historical WFI sub-maximal estimation by ~ 1MET and ~ 2 METs, respectively (p < 0.001). The revised 2008 WFI sub-maximal treadmill estimation was found to accurately estimate peak VO2 when compared to directly measured peak VO2. Conclusion Accurate assessment of cardiopulmonary capacity is critical in determining appropriate duty assignments, and identification of potential cardiovascular problems, for firefighters. Estimation of cardiopulmonary fitness improves using the revised 2008 WFI sub-maximal equation.

This investigation identified demographic and health-related characteristics of 1,877 sedentary, underactive, and regularly active individuals aged 50 to 65 randomly sampled from a northern California city. Physiological and psychosocial information was available in greater detail for a subsample (n = 327) of sedentary and underactive persons who were subsequently enrolled in a randomized, controlled, clinical trial (SSHIP). Results suggested that unmarried men, women reporting poor health, and smokers were most likely to be completely sedentary. Sedentary and underactive individuals responded differently to two recruitment strategies designed to attract participants into SSHIP. In addition, the initially sedentary participants had significantly lower adherence rates across the 1-year exercise trial compared to the initially underactive regardless of either the format or intensity of the program. These data underscore the utility of differentiating between levels of less-than-optimal physical activity in formulating campaigns promoting physical activity as well as designing exercise interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limitation of walking due to claudication is the hallmark of peripheral arterial disease. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to identify biobehavioral predictors of physical function in peripheral arterial disease patients that included walking ability, gender, age, disease severity, environmental factors (social support), and medical comorbidity (arthritis). All subjects performed an exercise treadmill test to determine initial and absolute claudication distance. The sample consisted of 97 peripheral arterial disease patients, 71 (73%)men and 26 (27%)women, with a mean age of 73 ± 8 years (range 52-90 years). Initial claudication distance occurred at 171.88 ± 136.35 m. Absolute claudication distance was 421.03 ± 286.37 m.A simultaneous multiple regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of physical function.The model accounted for 35%of the variance (p<0.001)and included personal characteristics (age, gender, years of education), severity of disease by ankle-brachial index, environmental factors of social support (marital status), absolute claudication distance, and arthritis. Education (p=0.011), absolute claudication distance (p=0.014), social support (p=0.026), arthritis (p=0.028), and age (p=0.033) were the strongest predictors of physical function. This study identifies biobehavioral factors that place peripheral arterial disease patients at greater risk for reduced physical function and provides a rationale for interventions that improve walking ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate responses to the stress of work and caregiving in older women. Evaluation of the hemodynamic and psychological responses of women identified as caregivers; Comparison of result between caregivers and noncaregivers; Effect of caregiving on the physiological and psychological response system.

Purpose: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem. The impact of TBI on the individual is multifaceted and includes neurocognitive, behavioral, and psychiatric disturbances as well as greater predisposition for dementia. A common but significant problem reported by patients after TBI is sleep disturbance. The purpose of this manuscript is twofold: (1) to describe our experience with implementation of the newly developed sleep hygiene guidelines; and (2) to report our preliminary results of implementation of the sleep hygiene guidelines on TBI patient outcomes., Methods: A mixed methods approach was used to assess implementation of sleep hygiene guidelines and to gather preliminary data on outcomes., Results: Although not statistically significant, the average self-reported sleep duration of these TBI patients was slightly higher in 2010 than 2009, with a FIM score that was similar for both time points. In 2009, the mean change in functional independence measure (FIM) score (n = 34) was 1.44. In 2010, the mean change in FIM score (n = 33) was 1.42. In 2009, most patients (n = 13) admitted to the hospital continued to take medications and were discharged with a sleep aid. In 2010, most patients reported a change in their sleep medication prescriptions (on medications at admission and none at discharge) or had continued to take their prescribed sleep medications from admission to discharge (n = 12)., Conclusion: Sleep disorders have a major impact on health outcomes in patients with TBI. To optimize rehabilitation and ultimately improve functional outcomes of patients with TBI, implementation of evidence-based clinical guidelines for sleep is imperative. We report our initial experience with implementation of sleep guidelines., (© 2013 Association of Rehabilitation Nurses.)