@article{BaritelloKhajooeiEngeletal.2020, author = {Baritello, Omar and Khajooei, Mina and Engel, Tilman and Kopinski, Stephan and Quarmby, Andrew James and M{\"u}ller, Steffen and Mayer, Frank}, title = {Neuromuscular shoulder activity during exercises with different combinations of stable and unstable weight mass}, series = {BMC sports science, medicine and rehabilitation}, volume = {12}, journal = {BMC sports science, medicine and rehabilitation}, number = {1}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, issn = {2052-1847}, doi = {10.1186/s13102-020-00168-x}, pages = {14}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Background Recent shoulder injury prevention programs have utilized resistance exercises combined with different forms of instability, with the goal of eliciting functional adaptations and thereby reducing the risk of injury. However, it is still unknown how an unstable weight mass (UWM) affects the muscular activity of the shoulder stabilizers. Aim of the study was to assess neuromuscular activity of dynamic shoulder stabilizers under four conditions of stable and UWM during three shoulder exercises. It was hypothesized that a combined condition of weight with UWM would elicit greater activation due to the increased stabilization demand. Methods Sixteen participants (7 m/9 f) were included in this cross-sectional study and prepared with an EMG-setup for the: Mm. upper/lower trapezius (U.TA/L.TA), lateral deltoid (DE), latissimus dorsi (LD), serratus anterior (SA) and pectoralis major (PE). A maximal voluntary isometric contraction test (MVIC; 5 s.) was performed on an isokinetic dynamometer. Next, internal/external rotation (In/Ex), abduction/adduction (Ab/Ad) and diagonal flexion/extension (F/E) exercises (5 reps.) were performed with four custom-made-pipes representing different exercise conditions. First, the empty-pipe (P; 0.5 kg) and then, randomly ordered, water-filled-pipe (PW; 1 kg), weight-pipe (PG; 4.5 kg) and weight + water-filled-pipe (PWG; 4.5 kg), while EMG was recorded. Raw root-mean-square values (RMS) were normalized to MVIC (\%MVIC). Differences between conditions for RMS\%MVIC, scapular stabilizer (SR: U.TA/L.TA; U.TA/SA) and contraction (CR: concentric/eccentric) ratios were analyzed (paired t-test; p <= 0.05; Bonferroni adjusted alpha = 0.008). Results PWG showed significantly greater muscle activity for all exercises and all muscles except for PE compared to P and PW. Condition PG elicited muscular activity comparable to PWG (p > 0.008) with significantly lower activation of L.TA and SA in the In/Ex rotation. The SR ratio was significantly higher in PWG compared to P and PW. No significant differences were found for the CR ratio in all exercises and for all muscles. Conclusion Higher weight generated greater muscle activation whereas an UWM raised the neuromuscular activity, increasing the stabilization demands. Especially in the In/Ex rotation, an UWM increased the RMS\%MVIC and SR ratio. This might improve training effects in shoulder prevention and rehabilitation programs.}, language = {en} } @article{DobberkeBaritelloHadzicetal.2022, author = {Dobberke, Jeanette and Baritello, Omar and Hadzic, Miralem and V{\"o}ller, Heinz and Eichler, Sarah and Salzwedel, Annett}, title = {Test-retest reliability of center of pressure measures for postural control assessment in older cardiac patients}, series = {Gait \& posture : official journal of Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society (GCMAS) and European Society of Movement Analysis in Adults and Children (ESMAC)}, volume = {92}, journal = {Gait \& posture : official journal of Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society (GCMAS) and European Society of Movement Analysis in Adults and Children (ESMAC)}, publisher = {Elsevier Science}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0966-6362}, doi = {10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.12.011}, pages = {359 -- 363}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Background Elderly patients are a growing population in cardiac rehabilitation (CR). As postural control declines with age, assessment of impaired balance is important in older CR patients in order to predict fall risk and to initiate counteracting steps. Functional balance tests are subjective and lack adequate sensitivity to small differences, and are further subject to ceiling effects. A quantitative approach to measure postural control on a continuous scale is therefore desirable. Force plates are already used for this purpose in other clinical contexts, therefore could be a promising tool also for older CR patients. However, in this population the reliability of the assessment is not fully known. Research question Analysis of test-retest reliability of center of pressure (CoP) measures for the assessment of postural control using a force plate in older CR patients. Methods 156 CR patients (> 75 years) were enrolled. CoP measures (path length (PL), mean velocity (MV), and 95\% confidence ellipse area (95CEA)) were analyzed twice with an interval of two days in between (bipedal narrow stance, eyes open (EO) and closed (EC), three trials for each condition, 30 s per trial), using a force plate. For test-retest reliability estimation absolute differences (\& UDelta;: T0-T1), intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) with 95\% confidence intervals, standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change were calculated. Results Under EO condition ICC were excellent for PL and MV (0.95) and good for 95CEA (0.88) with \& UDelta; of 10.1 cm (PL), 0.3 cm/sec (MV) and 1.5 cm(2 )(95CEA) respectively. Under EC condition ICC were excellent (> 0.95) for all variables with larger \& UDelta; (PL: 21.7 cm; MV: 0.7 cm/sec; 95CEA: 2.4 cm(2)) Significance In older CR patients, the assessment of CoP measures using a force plate shows good to excellent test retest reliability.}, language = {en} } @article{KhajooeiWochatzBaritelloetal.2020, author = {Khajooei, Mina and Wochatz, Monique and Baritello, Omar and Mayer, Frank}, title = {Effects of shoes on children's fundamental motor skills performance}, series = {Footwear science : official journal of the Footwear Biomechanics Group}, volume = {12}, journal = {Footwear science : official journal of the Footwear Biomechanics Group}, number = {1}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis}, address = {Abingdon}, issn = {1942-4280}, doi = {10.1080/19424280.2019.1696895}, pages = {55 -- 62}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Progression or impediment of fundamental motor skills performance (FMSP) in children depends on internal and environmental factors. Shoes as an environmental constraint are believed to affect these movements as children showed to perform qualitatively better with sports shoes than flip-flop sandals. However, locomotor performance assessments based on biomechanical variables are limited. Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to assess the biomechanical effects of wearing shoes while performing fundamental motor skills in children. Barefoot and shod conditions were tested in healthy children between the age of 4 and 7 years. They were asked to perform basic and advanced motor skills including double-leg stance, horizontal jumps, walking as well as counter-movement jumps, single-leg stance and sprinting. Postural control and ground reaction data were measured with two embedded force plates. A 3D motion capture system was used to analyse the spatiotemporal parameters of walking and sprinting. Findings showed that the parameters of single- and double-leg stance, horizontal and counter-movement jump did not differ between barefoot and shod conditions. Most of the spatiotemporal variables including cadence, stride length, stride time, and contact time of walking and sprinting were statistically different between the barefoot and shod conditions. Consequently, tested shoes did not change performance and biomechanics of postural control and jumping tasks; however, the spatiotemporal gait parameters indicate changes in walking and sprinting characteristics with shoes in children.}, language = {en} } @article{BaritelloSalzwedelSuendermannetal.2021, author = {Baritello, Omar and Salzwedel, Annett and S{\"u}ndermann, Simon and Niebauer, Josef and V{\"o}ller, Heinz}, title = {The Pandora's Box of frailty assessments: Which is the best for clinical purposes in TAVI patients? A critical review}, series = {Journal of Clinical Medicine}, volume = {10}, journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine}, edition = {19}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel, Schweiz}, issn = {2077-0383}, doi = {10.3390/jcm10194506}, pages = {1 -- 17}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Frailty assessment is recommended before elective transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) to determine post-interventional prognosis. Several studies have investigated frailty in TAVI-patients using numerous assessments; however, it remains unclear which is the most appropriate tool for clinical practice. Therefore, we evaluate which frailty assessment is mainly used and meaningful for ≤30-day and ≥1-year prognosis in TAVI patients. Randomized controlled or observational studies (prospective/retrospective) investigating all-cause mortality in older (≥70 years) TAVI patients were identified (PubMed; May 2020). In total, 79 studies investigating frailty with 49 different assessments were included. As single markers of frailty, mostly gait speed (23 studies) and serum albumin (16 studies) were used. Higher risk of 1-year mortality was predicted by slower gait speed (highest Hazard Ratios (HR): 14.71; 95\% confidence interval (CI) 6.50-33.30) and lower serum albumin level (highest HR: 3.12; 95\% CI 1.80-5.42). Composite indices (five items; seven studies) were associated with 30-day (highest Odds Ratio (OR): 15.30; 95\% CI 2.71-86.10) and 1-year mortality (highest OR: 2.75; 95\% CI 1.55-4.87). In conclusion, single markers of frailty, in particular gait speed, were widely used to predict 1-year mortality. Composite indices were appropriate, as well as a comprehensive assessment of frailty. View Full-Text}, language = {en} } @article{MugelePlummerBaritelloetal.2018, author = {Mugele, Hendrik and Plummer, Ashley and Baritello, Omar and Towe, Maggie and Brecht, Pia and Mayer, Frank}, title = {Accuracy of training recommendations based on a treadmill multistage incremental exercise test}, series = {PLOS ONE}, volume = {13}, journal = {PLOS ONE}, number = {10}, publisher = {PLOS}, address = {San Francisco}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0204696}, pages = {1 -- 12}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Competitive runners will occasionally undergo exercise in a laboratory setting to obtain predictive and prescriptive information regarding their performance. The present research aimed to assess whether the physiological demands of lab-based treadmill running (TM) can simulate that of over-ground (OG) running using a commonly used protocol. Fifteen healthy volunteers with a weekly mileage of ≥ 20 km over the past 6 months and treadmill experience participated in this cross-sectional study. Two stepwise incremental tests until volitional exhaustion was performed in a fixed order within one week in an Outpatient Clinic research laboratory and outdoor athletic track. Running velocity (IATspeed), heart rate (IATHR) and lactate concentration at the individual anaerobic threshold (IATbLa) were primary endpoints. Additionally, distance covered (DIST), maximal heart rate (HRmax), maximal blood lactate concentration (bLamax) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) at IATspeed were analyzed. IATspeed, DIST and HRmax were not statistically significantly different between conditions, whereas bLamax and RPE at IATspeed showed statistical significance (p < 0.05). Apart from RPE at IATspeed, IATspeed, DIST, HRmax and bLamax strongly correlate between conditions (r = 0.815-0.988). High reliability between conditions provides strong evidence to suggest that running on a treadmill are physiologically comparable to that of OG and that training recommendations and be made with assurance.}, language = {en} }