Our study confirmed a relatively high prevalence of polypharmacy in Slovak elderly patients. Polypharmacy risk rose especially with the increased prevalence of diseases of advancing age (diabetes mellitus, heart failure, arterial hypertension, dementia and cerebrovascular diseases). The increasing numbers of medications in inpatients indicate the need for the careful re-evaluation of pharmacotherapy during the stay in hospital.

Purpose. Sport climbing requires high intensity finger flexor contractions, along with a substantial whole-body systemic oxygen uptake (V ̇O2) contribution. Although fatigue is often localised to the finger flexors, the role of systemic V ̇O2 and local aerobic mechanisms in climbing performance remains unclear. As such, the primary purpose of this study was to determine systemic and local muscle oxygen responses during both isolated finger flexion and incremental exhaustive whole-body climbing tests. The secondary aim was to determine the relationship of isolated and whole-body climbing endurance tests to climbing ability.Methods. Twenty-two male sport climbers completed a series of isometric sustained and intermittent forearm flexor contractions, and an exhaustive climbing test with progressive steepening of the wall angle on a motorized climbing ergometer. Systemic V ̇O2 and flexor digitorum profundus oxygen saturation (StO2) were recorded using portable metabolic analyser and near-infra red spectroscopy, respectively.Results. Muscle oxygenation breakpoint (MOB) was identifiable during an incremental exhaustive climbing test with progressive increases in angle (82±8% and 88±8% V ̇O2 and heart rate climbing peak). The peak angle from whole-body treadwall test and impulse from isolated hangboard endurance tests were interrelated (R 2 = 0.58-0.64).Peak climbing angle together with mean V ̇O2 and StO2 from submaximal climbing explained 83 % of variance in self-reported climbing ability.Conclusions. Both systemic and muscle oxygen kinetics determine climbing specific endurance. Exhaustive climbing and isolated finger flexion endurance tests are interrelated and suitable to assess climbing specific endurance. An exhaustive climbing test with progressive wall angle allows determination of the MOB.

BackgroundBody weight changes are associated with significant variations in blood pressure (BP). Body mass modifications may, therefore, influence hypertension control in primary care.MethodsPatients with a history of essential arterial hypertension were observed for 12 months. Anthropometric data and clinical BP were evaluated at the time of the recruitment and after 12 months of follow-up. The association between (body mass index) BMI change and BP control was analyzed by logistic regression.ResultsSixteen thousand five hundred and sixty-four patients were recruited, while 13,631 patients (6336 men; 7295 women) finished the 1-year follow-up. In obese patients, a BMI decrease by at least 1 kg/m2 was negatively associated with uncontrolled hypertension at the end of the follow-up (men p < 0.0001, OR = 0.586, 0.481–0.713, women p < 0.001, OR = 0.732, 0.611–0.876). A similar association was observed in overweight patients (men p < 0.05, OR = 0. 804, 95% CI: 0.636–0.997, women p < 0.05, OR = 0.730, 95% CI: 0.568–0.937). A BMI increase of at least 1 kg/m2 was associated with a significantly higher odd of uncontrolled hypertension in obese (men p < 0.001, OR = 1.471, 1.087–1.991, women p < 0.001, OR = 1.422, 1.104–1.833) and overweight patients (men p < 0.0001, OR = 1.901, 95% CI: 1.463–2.470, women p < 0.0001, OR = 1.647, 95% CI: 1.304–2.080).ConclusionsWeight loss is inversely associated and weight increase is positively associated with the probability of uncontrolled hypertension in obese and overweight hypertensives.

The purpose of the study was to compare the psychophysiological response of climbers of a range of abilities (lower grade to advanced) when ascending identical climbing routes on a climbing wall and a rotating treadwall. Twenty-two female climbers (31.2 ± 9.4 years; 60.5 ± 6.5 kg; 168.6 ± 5.7 cm) completed two identical 18 m climbing trials (graded 4 on the French Sport scale) separated by 1 week, one on the treadwall (climbing low to the ground) and the other on the indoor wall (climbing in height). Indirect calorimetry, venous blood samples and video-analysis were used to assess energy cost, hormonal response and time-load characteristics. Energy costs were higher during indoor wall climbing comparing to those on the treadwall by 16% (P < 0.001, $$\upmu _{{\text{p}}}^{2}$$ μ p 2  = 0.48). No interaction of climbing ability and climbing condition were found. However, there was an interaction for climbing ability and post-climbing catecholamine concentration (P < 0.01, $$\upmu _{{\text{p}}}^{2}$$ μ p 2  = 0.28). Advanced climbers’ catecholamine response increased by 238% and 166% with respect to pre-climb values on the treadwall and indoor wall, respectively; while lower grade climbers pre-climb concentrations were elevated by 281% and 376% on the treadwall and indoor wall, respectively. The video analysis showed no differences in any time-motion variables between treadwall and indoor wall climbing. The study demonstrated a greater metabolic response for indoor wall climbing, however, the exact mechanisms are not yet fully understood.

Purpose: Although sport climbing is a self-paced whole-body activity, speed varies with climbing style, and the effect of this on systemic and localized oxygen responses is not well understood. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine muscle and pulmonary oxygen responses during submaximal climbing at differing speeds of ascent. Methods: Thirty-two intermediate and advanced sport climbers completed three 4-minute-long ascents of the same route at 4, 6, and 9 m·min−1 on a motorized climbing ergometer (treadwall) on separate laboratory visits. Gas analysis and near-infrared spectroscopy were used to determine systemic oxygen uptake () and muscle oxygen saturation (StO2) of the flexor digitorum profundus. Results: Increases in ascent speed of 1 m·min−1 led to increases of by 2.4 mL·kg−1·min−1 (95% CI, 2.1 to 2.8 mL·kg−1·min−1) and decreases in StO2 by −1.3% (95% CI, 1.9% to −0.7%). There was a significant interaction of climbing ability and speed for StO2 (P < .001, ). The results revealed that the decrease of StO2 was present for intermediate but not advanced climbers. Conclusions: In this study, the results suggest that demand during climbing was largely determined by climbing speed; however, the ability level of the climber appeared to mitigate StO2 at a cellular level. Coaches and instructors may prescribe climbing ascents with elevated speed to improve generalized cardiorespiratory fitness. To stimulate localized aerobic capacity, however, climbers should perhaps increase the intensity of training ascents through the manipulation of wall angle or reduction of hold size.

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in perceived exertion (RPE) and physiological responses for climbers of different abilities completing an identical route low and high above the ground. Materials and Methods: Forty-two male (N = 18) and female (N = 24) sport climbers divided into three groups, lower-grade (N = 14), intermediate (N = 14), and advanced climbers (N = 14), completed two visits to a climbing gym, separated by 7 days. In a random order, the climbers completed a close-to-the-ground ascent (treadwall) and climb to height (climbing gym). Immediately after the test, climbers provided their RPE (6-20). Indirect calorimetry was used to assess physiological response during the ascent and recovery. Results: The mean (±standard deviation) RPE was higher for lower-grade climbers when ascending the route on the wall (RPE = 12 ± 1) when compared to the treadwall route (RPE = 11 ± 1, P = 0.040; d = 0.41). For all ability groups, the physiological response was higher on the climbing gym wall as opposed to the treadwall: ventilation (P = 0.003, η p 2 = 0.199), heart rate (HR) (P = 0.005, η p 2 = 0.189), energy cost (EC) (P = 0.000, η p 2 = 0.501). The RPE demonstrated a moderate relationship with physiological variables (R 2 = 0.14 to R 2 = 0.45). Conclusion: Climbing to height induced a greater metabolic stress than climbing at a low height (treadwall) and led to higher RPE for lower-grade climbers. In this study, RPE appeared to be a good proxy measure of the physiological demands for advanced climbers but not for intermediate and lower-grade climbers. Therefore, using RPE in climbing with less experienced athletes may perhaps overestimate actual exercise intensity and should be interpreted carefully.

Cílem práce bylo posoudit zájem o pohybové aktivity studentů prvních ročníků na 2. a 3. lékařské fakultě (LF) UK. Dotazníkové šetření bylo prováděno na souboru 407 studentů, kdy 182 studentů bylo z 2. LF UK a 225 studentů z 3. LF UK. Studenti obou fakult (2. a 3. LF) sportují nejčastěji do dvou hodin týdně (37 %, respektive 38 %) a dvě až čtyři hodiny týdně (38 % respektive 34 %). 14,5 % studentů se věnuje sportu závodně, 4,6 % studentů se nevěnuje pohybovým aktivitám vůbec. Cyklistice se ze zkoumaného souboru věnuje 111 studentů, plavání 98 studentů, běhání 63 studentů, volejbalu 62, sjezdovému lyžování 47 studentů, fitness aktivitám a turistice 40 studentů. Zájem studentů o zapojení do pohybových aktivit se profiluje jak u tradičních aktivit jako plavání, volejbal, fitness aktivity, cyklistika, tenis, zdravotní tělesná výchova, tak rovněž u „nových“ aktivit jako sportovní lezení, squash, plážový volejbal, in-line bruslení, nordic walking, slackline, golf, florbal. Ukazuje se, že zařazení „nových“ atraktivních pohybových aktivit do vysokoškolské nabídky tělovýchovných kateder a ústavů může zvýšit zájem o tělesnou výchovu studentů.

Purpose: Sport climbing is a technical, self-paced sport, and the workload is highly variable and mainly localized to the forearm flexors. It has not proved effective to control intensity using measures typical of other sports, such as gas exchange thresholds, heart rate, or blood lactate. Therefore, the purposes of the study were to (1) determine the possibility of applying the mathematical model of critical power to the estimation of a critical angle (CA) as a measure of maximal metabolic steady state in climbing and (2) to compare this intensity with the muscle oxygenation breakpoint (MOB) determined during an exhaustive climbing task.Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven sport climbers undertook three to five exhaustive ascents on a motorized treadwall at differing angles to estimate CA, and one exhaustive climbing test with a progressive increase in angle to determine MOB, assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).Results: Model fit for estimated CA was very high (R2 = 0.99; SEE = 1.1°). The mean peak angle during incremental test was −17 ± 5°, and CA from exhaustive trials was found at −2.5 ± 3.8°. Nine climbers performing the ascent 2° under CA were able to sustain the task for 20 min with perceived exertion at 12.1 ± 1.9 (RPE). However, climbing 2° above CA led to task failure after 15.9 ± 3.0 min with RPE = 16.4 ± 1.9. When MOB was plotted against estimated CA, good agreement was stated (ICC = 0.80, SEM = 1.5°).Conclusion: Climbers, coaches, and researchers may use a predefined route with three to five different wall angles to estimate CA as an analog of critical power to determine a maximal metabolic steady state in climbing. Moreover, a climbing test with progressive increases in wall angle using MOB also appears to provide a valid estimate of CA.