Laparoscopic surgery required a relatively high muscular load, putting surgeons at risk for fatigue and injury. Altering the monitor placement did not reduce the surgeon's risk of fatigue. Experience slightly reduced the level of fatigue, but not enough to reduce the surgeon's risk category.

This investigation is an objective report describing the compromised gait and walking endurance of adult patients with spinal deformity before spinal fusion surgery. Results supported subjective observations regarding the preoperative gait of these patients and presented results difficult to observe in a clinical setting. The techniques appear useful in providing objective information regarding the gait abilities of these patients.

Objective gait data quantifying the efficacy of reconstructive spinal surgery in both primary and revision patients indicated improved gait. Gait endurance was improved in the revision group, and gait speed for the primary was not significantly different from able-bodied at 2 years postoperation. Clinically, it would appear that rehabilitation strategies to improve gait endurance and gait speed could be implemented to further improve the gait of these patients.

PurposeCalorie restriction (CR) improves health span and delays age-related diseases in many species. The multicenter Comprehensive Assessment of Long-term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE) study was the first randomized controlled trial of CR in nonobese humans. The aim of this investigation was to determine the effects of CR on V˙O2max and muscle strength in the CALERIE trial.MethodsHealthy, normal-weight, and mildly overweight women and men (n = 218, mean ± SE age = 37.9 ± 0.5 yr) were randomized to 25% CR or an ad libitum (AL) control condition in a 2:1 allocation (143 CR, 75 AL). V˙O2max was determined with an incremental treadmill test; the strength of the knee flexors and extensors was assessed by dynamometry at baseline, 1 yr, and 2 yr.ResultsThe CR group achieved an average 11.9% ± 0.7% CR during the 2-yr intervention. Body weight decreased in CR (−7.7 ± 0.4 kg), but not AL (+0.2 ± 0.5 kg). Absolute V˙O2max (L·min−1) decreased at 1 and 2 yr with CR, whereas V˙O2max expressed relative to body mass increased at both time points (1 yr: +2.2 ± 0.4; 2 yr: +1.9 ± 0.5 mL·kg−1·min−1) and relative to AL. The CR group increased their treadmill test time and workload at 1 and 2 yr. Strength results in CR were similar, with decreases in absolute flexor and extensor strength, but increases when expressed relative to body mass. No changes were observed for V˙O2max expressed relative to lean body mass or leg lean mass.ConclusionsTwo years of modest CR without a structured exercise component did not appear to compromise aerobic capacity in healthy nonobese adults. The clinical implications of the observed changes in V˙O2max and muscle strength will be important to explore in future studies.

The surgical and ROM results seem to favor the anterior approach over the posterior approach for the classification of patients in this investigation. However, it should be noted that both groups had decreased postoperative ROM.