OBJECTIVE: To explore the amount of practice and progression during task-oriented circuit training (TOCT) in chronic stroke survivors; to test the use of pedometers and observation-based measures in detecting step activity; to verify the possible correlation between step activity and locomotor function improvements. METHODS: Six community-dwelling chronic stroke survivors underwent 10 TOCT sessions (2 hours/each) over 2 weeks in which they were trained both on a treadmill and on six task-oriented workstations (W1–W6). During the sessions, they wore a piezoelectric pedometer and step activities were recorded. Outcome measures were as follows: % of activities during which pedometers worked properly; pedometer-based measures (total step counts, treadmill steps, workstation steps—total and W2,W3,W5,W6); observation-based measures (number of repetitions in task W1 and W4); walking speed changes measured by the 10-m walking test (10MWT) and walking endurance changes (6-minute walking test) after TOCT. RESULTS: During TOCT sessions (n=57), activities were recorded through pedometer-based measures in 4 out of the 6 patients. The total amount of step activity was 5,980.05±1,968.39 steps (54.29% in task-oriented workstations, 37.67% on treadmill, and 8.03% during breaks). Exercise progression was highlighted significantly by observational measures (W1, W4). A positive correlation was observed between increased gait speed and observational stair step repetitions progression (W1) (r=0.91, p=0.01) or pedometer-based tandem exercise step progression (W3) (r=0.98, p=0.01). CONCLUSION: TOCT can be considered a high-intensity, progressive intervention to restore locomotor function in chronic stroke survivors. Pedometer-based measures might help in quantifying TOCT's volume of practice; however, further investigations are required.
Circuit-Based Exercise* ; Feasibility Studies* ; Gait ; Humans ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Rehabilitation ; Stroke* ; Survivors* ; Walking

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of task-oriented circuit training (TOCT) using the rehabilitation tools for upper extremity function upon the daily life of patients with acute stroke. METHODS: Eighteen patients with acute stroke were randomly allocated into either the experimental group or the control group. The experimental group performed the TOCT program using rehabilitation tools, whilst the control group had neuro-developmental treatment. Both groups received 30 minutes of treatment per session, 5~6 times per week, for 4 weeks. The assessments conducted were the Fugl-Meyer assessment, motor activity log and stroke impact scale to compare the upper extremity function and activities of daily living. RESULTS: The results showed a significant improvement in the TOCT group compared with the neuro-developmental treatment group in the amount of motor activity use and high stroke impact score, indicating recovery (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The TOCT program using rehabilitation tools could have a positive impact on acute stroke patients use of their upper extremity.
Activities of Daily Living ; Circuit-Based Exercise* ; Humans ; Motor Activity ; Rehabilitation* ; Stroke* ; Upper Extremity

BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity and reduced energy expenditure lead to increase in obesity among office workers. In this study, we investigated how 10 weeks of high intensity circuit training and working environment improvement can change body composition, physical strength and markers of metabolic syndrome. METHODS: A total of 83 employees at risk for metabolic syndrome participated in 10 weeks program of one-hour circuit training (30 minutes twice weekly) and workplace improvement program, which consisted of dynamic stretching twice daily for all weekdays. Body composition, anthropometry, blood test, muscle strength/endurance and cardiopulmonary function of participants were assessed at the baseline and after 10 weeks. RESULTS: At the end of 10 weeks, significant increases in levels of body composition, serum lipids, muscle strength and cardiopulmonary were observed in metabolic syndrome risk factor group. In body composition, significant improvements of body weight, body mass index, lean body mass, %body fat, visceral adipose tissue, waist and hip circumference and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure were observed in metabolic syndrome risk factor group. In lipids, hemoglobin A1c and high density lipoprotein were increased significantly in metabolic syndrome risk factor group. In muscle strength and endurance, significant increases were found. Also, there was a significant difference in cardiovascular function of maximal oxygen uptake and total running time among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: These intensive 10 weeks of high intensity circuit training and workplace improvement program were effective in improving body composition, muscle strength/improvement and cardiopulmonary function. Therefore, based on this study result, workplace improvement programs might be more developed and applied for high-risk employees to improve their metabolic syndrome.
Adipose Tissue ; Anthropometry ; Blood Pressure ; Body Composition ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Circuit-Based Exercise* ; Energy Metabolism ; Hematologic Tests ; Hip ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Lipoproteins ; Metabolic Syndrome X ; Muscle Strength ; Muscle Stretching Exercises ; Obesity ; Occupational Health ; Oxygen ; Resistance Training ; Risk Factors ; Running