Does Aerobic Or Resistance Training Improve Walking Ability In Chronic Stroke Patients?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$152,036.00
Summary
The majority of stroke patients discharged from rehabilitation are often housebound. The criterion which most often limits individuals with stroke from achieving 'community ambulation' is the inability to walk long distances. Current views suggest that an exercise program aimed at improving lower limb strength and aerobic fitness will improve walking ability in those stroke patients with mild to moderate disability. However, there are no reported studies that have rigorously investigated whether ....The majority of stroke patients discharged from rehabilitation are often housebound. The criterion which most often limits individuals with stroke from achieving 'community ambulation' is the inability to walk long distances. Current views suggest that an exercise program aimed at improving lower limb strength and aerobic fitness will improve walking ability in those stroke patients with mild to moderate disability. However, there are no reported studies that have rigorously investigated whether either of these approaches, singularly or combined, is effective for augmenting walking ability in chronic stroke patients. We will use a randomised, double-blinded controlled trial to determine which of strength training, aerobic training or a combination of the two is the most effective approach for improving walking endurance, measured by the 6-minute walk test, in individuals with mild-to-moderate stroke. In addition, we will determine the benefits of each program to subjects' cardiorespiratory fitness, lower limb strength, mobility and psychological function. Subjects will be randomly allocated to one of 4 groups: 1) Aerobic exercise (and sham strength training); 2); Strength training (and sham aerobic training); 3) Combined strength and aerobic training; and 4) Control (sham strength and aerobic training. Sham treatment for strength training is stretching and calisthenics, and for aerobic exercise is passive motorised cycling. All subjects will attend small group sessions for 10 weeks, with 3 sessions per week, and each session about 1 hour duration. The findings from this study are critical in identifying the most effective and efficient approach to improving stroke patient's walking endurance. Improvement in walking endurance will enable many persons following stroke to achieve the level of 'community ambulation'. Last, it will contribute to the 'evidence-based' scientific framework for treatment of stroke patients.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Nitric Oxide In The Regulation Of Skeletal Muscle Glucose Uptake During Exercise
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$249,250.00
Summary
When a muscle is at rest it takes up and uses glucose from the blood. When that muscle is stimulated to contract it increases its glucose use to provide, in part, the energy for that contraction. These facts have been known for decades but the muscle signals involved with the movement of glucose from the blood into skeletal muscle remain poorly understood. Very recently, a new potential regulator of skeletal muscle glucose uptake has surfaced. Nitric oxide (NO), which has been shown to participa ....When a muscle is at rest it takes up and uses glucose from the blood. When that muscle is stimulated to contract it increases its glucose use to provide, in part, the energy for that contraction. These facts have been known for decades but the muscle signals involved with the movement of glucose from the blood into skeletal muscle remain poorly understood. Very recently, a new potential regulator of skeletal muscle glucose uptake has surfaced. Nitric oxide (NO), which has been shown to participate in blood flow, nerve transmission and immune function, appears to be a necessary component for muscle glucose uptake at rest and during exercise. We have shown that blocking muscle NO production substantially reduces leg glucose uptake during exercise. The aim of this project is to verify this finding and to determine the mechanisms underlying this result. One way we intend to do this is to see whether a drug (Viagra) which increases the effects of NO, raises muscle glucose uptake at rest and during exercise. In rats, a drug almost identical to Viagra stimulates muscle glucose uptake. If Viagra is shown to increase glucose uptake this information may provide the initial human data necessary to develop new drugs to lower blood glucose levels in people with diabetes.Read moreRead less
BRAIN Training Trial: Balance, Resistance, Or INterval Training Trial: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Three Exercise Modalities In Mild Cognitive Impairment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,016,192.00
Summary
About 10% of older adults have mild changes in memory or thinking (Mild Cognitive Impairment, or MCI) which don’t interfere with daily life, but increase the risk of dementia. Exercise may improve thinking abilities, but the best kind of exercise is not clear. We will randomise 530 older adults with MCI in Australia, Canada, and Israel to weight lifting, high intensity aerobic training or toning exercises for 12 months to see which prescription is best for brain health and overall function.
Does Manipulation Of Arterial Shear Stress Enhance Cerebrovascular Function And Cognition In The Aging Brain?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$707,914.00
Summary
Globally, 9.2 million less cases of dementia could result from delaying it by as little as 12 months. We will assess the impact, on artery health and cognition, of a novel exercise intervention involving enhanced patterns of brain blood flow and arterial shear stress during exercise, stimuli which should optimise cerebrovascular health. Given that pharmacological approaches to prevention are ineffective, this project has the potential to address the future impact of this common and debilitating ....Globally, 9.2 million less cases of dementia could result from delaying it by as little as 12 months. We will assess the impact, on artery health and cognition, of a novel exercise intervention involving enhanced patterns of brain blood flow and arterial shear stress during exercise, stimuli which should optimise cerebrovascular health. Given that pharmacological approaches to prevention are ineffective, this project has the potential to address the future impact of this common and debilitating disease in Australians.Read moreRead less
Discovering And Targeting Genes Regulating Skeletal Muscle Function, Metabolism, And Adaptations To Exercise Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Muscle wasting and decreased in mitochondrial function due to ageing or lack of physical activity are associated with reduced quality of life. The overarching aim is to develop a unique research program focusing on targeting specific genes, and to discover novel genes regulating muscle wasting and mitochondrial (dis)function. I anticipate this approach to assist in the development of targeted and personalised prevention and therapy for diseases associated with muscle (dis)function.
Mechanisms Underlying Adaptation To Reactive Balance Training For Falls Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$83,832.00
Summary
Reactive balance training using unpredictable trips and slips can reduce fall rates in older people by 60%, a significant improvement on current interventions. This project will determine the optimal dose to and physiological adaptations underlying reactive balance training. It will also determine how older people with a high fall risk benefit by this training. This study has the potential to enhance clinical practice and assist older people in maintaining independence and quality of life.
Targeted Strength Training To Improve Functional Walking Capacity Of Adolescents And Young Adults With Cerebral Palsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$263,449.00
Summary
Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of disability in children. Caused by damage to the brain in early childhood cerebral palsy leads to muscle weakness and difficulties in walking. There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but we can help the weak muscles . The purpose of this trial is to establish that exercises to strengthen the weakest muscles will help the walking ability of teenagers and young adults with cerebral palsy, as they make the transition to independence and adulthood.
The BEST At Home Pragmatic Fall Prevention Program: Effectiveness, Cost Effectiveness And Implementation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,386,133.00
Summary
Falls are a major public health issue with enormous personal, social and economic consequences. Certain types of exercise can prevent falls, however new strategies are needed to implement these programs more effectively to maximise uptake and adherence by older people. Researchers in fall prevention and health promotion are partnering with the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District to evaluate the fall prevention effect of the Otago Exercise Programme when implemented in a group-based worksh ....Falls are a major public health issue with enormous personal, social and economic consequences. Certain types of exercise can prevent falls, however new strategies are needed to implement these programs more effectively to maximise uptake and adherence by older people. Researchers in fall prevention and health promotion are partnering with the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District to evaluate the fall prevention effect of the Otago Exercise Programme when implemented in a group-based workshop format for older community-dwelling people.Read moreRead less