european college of sport science

Thursday, June 25th, 2009
EFFECTS OF SENSORIMOTOR TRAINING ON PATIENTS WITH MALIGNANT LYMPHOMA
STRECKMANN, F., LEIFERT, J.A., MERTELSMANN, R., KLEBER, M., BERTZ, H., GOLLHOFER, A.
MEDICAL CENTRE FREIBURG / UNIVERSITY OF FREIBURG
Introduction: Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy suffer from severe balance problems corresponding with peripheral neuropathy,
progressive loss of lean muscle mass and weakness associated with a strong impairment in their quality of life. Studies have shown that
sensorimotor training leads to neural adaptations that effect reflex pathways, improve proprioception and intermuscular coordination as
well as the sensitivity for joint angles. The aim of this study was to improve patients’ balance control, enable them to reduce the side
effects of chemotherapy and improve their quality of life.
Methods: Balance control was investigated in a total of 20 patients aged 19 to 68. The patients were assigned randomly to 2 groups: an
intervention group (IG) (N=10) and a control group (CG) (N=10).The IG participated in a defined sports program, containing of aerobe
endurance, strength and sensorimotor exercises, twice a week. Patients were evaluated 4 times over a time period of 36 weeks: Before
start of chemotherapy (T0), 12W(T1), 24W(T2) and (T3) after chemotherapy. Status of peripheral deep sensibility was evaluated by tuning
fork at each test interval. Balance control following mechanical perturbation was measured on the Posturomed®. Cumulative sway paths
were evaluated as well as the number of failed attempts during a bipedal mediolateral as well as bi- and monopedal anteroposterior
perturbation. Static- and dynamic balance control was registered via the central point of pressure on the force plate GKS 1000. A balance
pad was adjusted on top of the platform for dynamic balance measurements. Quality of Life was assessed with the QLQ-C-30 questionnaire.
Results: Patients in the IG showed significant improvement of balance control, decrease in cumulative sway paths and a highly significant
reduction of failed attempts in the monopedal task on the Posturomed®. Loss of peripheral deep sensibility during chemotherapy could
be diminished and the sensitivity for joint position was improved. Furthermore, the IG experienced a highly significant improvement in
quality of life. In the CG, however, no improvements were shown in any of the above mentioned tests. On the contrary, they progressively
declined in their cumulative sway paths and with that in their balance control.
Conclusion: Sensorimotor training is a feasible and effective method in support for cancer patients during chemotherapy treatment. The
training not only improves balance and postural control but also helps to reduce discomfort from chemotherapy induced peripheral
neuropathy associated with an improvement in quality of life.
References
Granacher U., Gollhofer A., Strass D., (2006).Neuromuskuläre Leistungsfähigkeit im Alter, Geislingen: Maurer.
Gruber M., Gollhofer A., (2004), Impact of sensorimotor training on the rate of force development and neural activation, Eur. J. Appl.
Physio.: 92: 98–105.
Quasthoff S., Hartung HP., (2002), Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, J Neurol.:249:9-17.
METABOLIC SYNDROME IS ASSOCIATED WITH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN DAILY LIFE AS MEASURED USING A TRIAXIAL
ACCELEROMER IN JAPANESE
KIM, J.H., TANABE, K., YOKOYAMA, N., ZEMPO, H., SATO, H., OSHIMA, Y., KAWAGUCHI, K., KUNO, S.
COMPREHENSIVE HUMAN SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF TSUKUBA
Introduction: The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of risk factors that predispose individuals to cardiovascular disease. Individuals
with MS are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and have greater cardiovascular
disease mortality rates than those without the syndrome. In Japan, MS is now a serious health problem for the middle-aged population.
Therapeutic lifestyle changes, including increased physical activity, are recommended for the prevention and treatment of MS. The effects
of physical activity on MS have been examined in European and American populations, with results showing that physical activity improve
the metabolic risk. However, the Japanese populations differs from European and American population in genetic background and
social environment. Moreover, the required volume of physical activity remains unclear, because most investigators have either used
questionnaires.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between physical activity in daily life and the prevalence of MS in
middle-aged Japanese.
Methods: The subjects included 77 men and 58 women middle-aged Japanese (means±SD, 46.1±8.0 years). We measured metabolic
syndrome risk factors and physical activity. The physical activity was measured for a period of 2 weeks using a triaxial accelerometer for
movement registration (Omron Healthcare Co.). MS was classified using criteria modified from the National Cholesterol Education Program
Adult Treatment Panel Ⅲ (NECEP-ATP Ⅲ). The relationship between physical activity and MS was assessed using
logistic regression after adjustment for sex and age.
Results: A total of 31.9 % of participants has MS in this subject. The prevalence of MS was markedly lower in physically activity group
compared with those who were physically inactivity group (physically activity group: 22.4 %, physically Inactivity group: 41.2 %, p