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Effects of hypoxia-supported endurance training on Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Parameters in Patients older than 65.

Not Applicable
Conditions
Cardipulmonal Rehabilitation with geriatric patients.
Registration Number
DRKS00005241
Lead Sponsor
niversität Ulm. Hermann Buhl Institut für Hypoxie- und Schlafmedizinforschung
Brief Summary

Rationale: Evidence suggests that training in hypoxia can be very effective even while requiring less physical effort. We therefore aimed to measure the effect of endurance training under hypoxic conditions on pulmonary and cardiovascular parameters in an elderly population undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. Methods: Forty patients over age 65 years with multiple co-morbid conditions were recruited during a 3-week stay in a geriatric rehabilitation center. Using a randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled design, patients were assigned to a hypoxic (HG) or normoxic (NG) group. HG patients completed seven training sessions of 30 min duration on a treadmill in a normobaric chamber with inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2) of 15.27%, with 10–30 min active training. Training was conducted with target heart rate at 80% of peak oxygen consumption (VO2-peak). NG group performed similar training in sham hypoxia (room air or FiO2 = 20.94%). At pre- and post-test completion, measures included: (1) cycle ergometry with ECG monitoring and measurement of VO2-peak, and (2) echocardiography for ejection fraction. Results: The physical effort required of patients to reach target heart rate was reduced significantly (-28%, p = 0.043) in the HG compared to NG. Cardiopulmonary parameters showed no differences between groups. Conclusion: Endurance training at 3,000 meters elevation imposes less stress on the locomotor systems while resulting in a similar physiological strain (i.e., heart rate). Hypoxic training holds promise for successful geriatric rehabilitation by being more accommodating to physical limitations in geriatric patients.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
Complete
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
40
Inclusion Criteria

•Age > 65;
•Willingness to participate with written consent.
•Sufficient peripheral blood flow to deliver a pulseoximetry signal.
•Physical and mental capability to perform an Ergospirometry test. (Minimum : 25Watt for 8 minutes)
•Minimum Heart Rate and systolic blood pressure adaption of 20% of the resting pulse.

Exclusion Criteria

•Final (palliative) status of any disease.
•High risk for Cardiac events or Stroke
•Cognitive Impairment
•Insufficient peripheral blood flow for a reasonable pulseoximetry signal.
•Unwillingness to sign the written consent.
•Incapability to perform an Ergospirometry test.
•Such high dosage of heart and blood circuit medication (ß-Blocker, Amyodaron) that the minimum requirements of adaption to physical stress and hypoxia are not fulfilled. (See above and Pretest)
•Patients with a cardiac impairment equivalent to NYHA IV

Study & Design

Study Type
interventional
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
The data will be collected at the first day of accomodation in the Hospital via Ergospirometry and Echokardiography. Then each Patient will have to perform 7 trainings each second day. The final test will be after 3 weeks via Ergospirometry and Echokardiography.<br><br>Main Parameter: Vo2peak
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pretest at first day of accomodation:<br><br>Ecg,<br>Workload,<br>Weight,<br>Bloodpreasure,<br>Vo2 max,<br>oxigensaturation,<br>Puls,<br>Diagnosis<br><br>Posttest after 3 Weeks:<br><br>Ecg,<br>Workload,<br>Weight,<br>Bloodpreasure,<br>Vo2 max,<br>oxigensaturation,<br>Puls,<br>Diagnosis<br>
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