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The impact of the mechanical whole-body vibration experienced during military land transit on the physical attributes underpinning dismounted combatant physical performance: A randomised controlled trial.
Debenedictis, TA, Billing, D, Milanese, S, Furnell, A, Tomkinson, G, Thewlis, D
Journal of science and medicine in sport. 2021;(4):380-385
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this randomised controlled trial was to explore the impact of the mechanical WBV experienced during simulated military land transit on the physical attributes that underpin tasks performed by dismounted combatants. DESIGN This study used a parallel group randomised control trial design. METHODS Sixty participants were randomly assigned to one of four, 2-h laboratory-based simulations (restricted posture, sealed road, cross country or a control condition). A smaller sample of 16 Australian Defence Force infantry personnel served as a validation group and were exposed to the same conditions. Neither the restricted posture nor the control conditions were exposed to any WBV, but the former were secured in place using the built-in seat harness. Prior to, and following the assigned condition, participants performed a series of battlefield relevant physical performance tests including; drop jump, 20-m sprint, reactive agility, arm-hand steadiness, isometric mid-thigh pull, and sit-and-reach. RESULTS Medium decreases in the drop jump were observed for both the sealed road (effect size [ES]=0.53) and cross-country (ES=0.97) simulation conditions indicating a decrease in performance of the jump phase. A large decrease in 20-m sprint performance was observed in both the sealed road (ES=1.37) and cross-country (ES=0.88) exposure conditions. Additionally, a large decrease in 20-m sprint performance was observed for the restricted posture (ES=1.02) exposure condition. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that exposure to WBV experienced during motorised land transit has a negative influence on aspects of lower body explosive strength.
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Omega 3 Supplementation Can Regulate Inflammatory States in Gas Station Workers: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.
Barkhordari, S, Mirmosayyeb, O, Mansourian, M, Hosseininasab, F, Ramezani, S, Barzegar, M, Amin, MM, Poursafa, P, Esmaeil, N, Kelishadi, R
Journal of interferon & cytokine research : the official journal of the International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research. 2020;(5):262-267
Abstract
Environmental exposure to diesel particulate matter and commercial gasoline in gas station workers might induce oxidative stress and changes in the balance of the immune system. In this study, the immunomodulatory impacts of omega 3 fatty acid (ω3FA) supplement were assessed on inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers in gas station workers in a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Fifty-three men working in gas stations were treated with ω3FA (n = 29) or placebo (n = 24) for 60 days. C-reactive protein, interleukin-12 (IL-12), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), interferon γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor α, IL-10, and IL-17 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method before and after the completion of the trial. The concentrations of IFN-γ and IL-17 were significantly decreased in ω3FA group compared with the placebo group (P < 0.001). Moreover, the levels of inhibitory cytokines including TGF-β and IL-10 significantly were increased in ω3FA group (P < 0.001). Overall, ω3FA nutritional supplementation can be useful in reducing inflammatory immune responses and maintaining immune tolerance in people with high exposure to inflammation-inducing factors. [Figure: see text].
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Firefighting Induces Acute Inflammatory Responses that are not Relieved by Aspirin in Older Firefighters.
Smith, DL, Friedman, NMG, Bloom, SI, Armero, WL, Pence, BD, Cook, MD, Fernhall, B, Horn, GP, Woods, J
Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. 2019;(7):617-622
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sudden cardiac events account for 40% to 50% of firefighter line-of-duty deaths. Inflammatory proteins are strong biomarkers of cardiovascular inflammation. The present study investigated the effects of aspirin supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers following firefighting. METHODS Using a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover design, 24 male firefighters (48.2 ± 5.9 years) were allocated into four conditions: acute (81 mg; single-dose) aspirin and placebo supplementation, and chronic (81 mg; 14 days) aspirin and placebo supplementation. Inflammatory proteins [interleukin (IL)-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, P-selectin, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)] and antioxidant potential [total antioxidant capacity (TAC)] were measured pre- and post-structural firefighting drills. RESULTS Firefighting activities significantly increased IL-6, MMP-9, and P-Selectin; however, no changes in TAC and ICAM-1 were detected. Neither acute nor chronic aspirin supplementation attenuated this inflammatory response. CONCLUSION Firefighting significantly increases inflammatory biomarkers and neither acute nor chronic low-dose aspirin mitigates this response.
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Does Aerobic Exercise Increase 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Among Workers With High Occupational Physical Activity?-A RCT.
Korshøj, M, Krause, N, Clays, E, Søgaard, K, Krustrup, P, Holtermann, A
American journal of hypertension. 2017;(4):444-450
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE High occupational physical activity (OPA) increases cardiovascular risk and aerobic exercise has been recommended for reducing this risk. This paper investigates the effects of an aerobic exercise intervention on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) among cleaners with high OPA. METHODS Hundred and sixteen cleaners between 18 and 65 years were randomized. During the 4-month intervention period, the aerobic exercise group (AE) (n = 57) performed worksite aerobic exercise (2 × 30 minutes/week), while the reference group (REF) (n = 59) attended lectures. Between-group differences in 4-month ABP changes were evaluated by intention-to-treat analysis using a repeated-measure 2 × 2 multiadjusted mixed-models design. RESULTS Relative to REF, 24-hour ABP significantly increased in AE: systolic 3.6 mm Hg (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-5.7) and diastolic 2.3 mm Hg (95% CI 0.9-3.8). Cleaners with high aerobic workload exhibited particularly high 24-hour ABP increases: systolic 6.0 mm Hg (95% CI 2.4-9.6), and diastolic 3.8 mm Hg (95% CI 1.3-6.4). CONCLUSION Aerobic exercise increased 24-hour ABP among cleaners. This adverse effect raises questions about the safety and intended benefits of aerobic exercise, especially among workers with high OPA and a demanding aerobic workload. http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN86682076. Unique identifier ISRCTN86682076. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION Trial Number ISRCTN86682076.
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Radiation Exposure and Vascular Access in Acute Coronary Syndromes: The RAD-Matrix Trial.
Sciahbasi, A, Frigoli, E, Sarandrea, A, Rothenbühler, M, Calabrò, P, Lupi, A, Tomassini, F, Cortese, B, Rigattieri, S, Cerrato, E, et al
Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2017;(20):2530-2537
Abstract
BACKGROUND It remains unclear whether radial access increases the risk of operator or patient radiation exposure compared to transfemoral access when performed by expert operators. OBJECTIVES This study sought to determine whether radial access increases radiation exposure. METHODS A total of 8,404 patients, with or without ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome, were randomly assigned to radial or femoral access for coronary angiography and percutaneous intervention, and collected fluoroscopy time and dose-area product (DAP). RAD-MATRIX is a radiation sub-study of the MATRIX (Minimizing Adverse Haemorrhagic Events by Transradial Access Site and Systemic Implementation of AngioX) trial. We anticipated that 13 or more operators, each wearing a thorax (primary endpoint), wrist, and head (secondary endpoints) lithium fluoride thermoluminescent dosimeter, and randomizing at least 13 patients per access site, were needed to establish noninferiority of radial versus femoral access. RESULTS Among 18 operators, performing 777 procedures in 767 patients, the noninferiority primary endpoint was not achieved (p value for noninferiority = 0.843). Operator equivalent dose at the thorax (77 μSv) was significantly higher with radial than femoral access (41 μSv; p = 0.02). After normalization of operator radiation dose by fluoroscopy time or DAP, the difference remained significant. Radiation dose at wrist or head did not differ between radial and femoral access. Thorax operator dose did not differ for right radial (84 μSv) compared to left radial access (52 μSv; p = 0.15). In the overall MATRIX population, fluoroscopy time and DAP were higher with radial compared to femoral access: 10 min versus 9 min (p < 0.0001) and 65 Gy·cm2 versus 59 Gy·cm2 (p = 0.0001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Compared to femoral access, radial access is associated with greater operator and patient radiation exposure when performed by expert operators in current practice. Radial operators and institutions should be sensitized towards radiation risks and adopt adjunctive radioprotective measures. (Minimizing Adverse Haemorrhagic Events by Transradial Access Site and Systemic Implementation of AngioX; NCT101433627).
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Effects of dietary green tea polyphenol supplementation on the health of workers exposed to high-voltage power lines.
Zhang, Y, Zhang, D, Zhu, B, Zhang, H, Sun, Y, Sun, C
Environmental toxicology and pharmacology. 2016;:183-187
Abstract
Although it has been several decades since the focus on the effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) of high-voltage power lines on human health, no consistent conclusion has been drawn. The present study aimed to investigate the change in oxidative stress after exposure to ELF-EMFs, and potential protective effects of green tea polyphenol supplementation (GTPS) on ELF-EMFs induced oxidative stress. A total of 867 subjects, including workers with or without exposure to ELF-EMFs of 110-420kV power lines, participated and were randomized into GTPS and placebo treatment groups. Oxidative stress and oxidative damage to DNA were assessed by urinary tests of 8-isoprostane and 8-OHdG. Significant increased urinary 8-isoprostane and 8-OHdG were observed in workers with ELF-EMFs exposure, which were diminished after 12 months of GTPS. No protective effects of GTPS on oxidative stress and oxidative damage to DNA were observed after three months of GTPS withdraw. We found a negative impact of high-voltage power lines on the health of workers. Long-term GTPS could be an efficient protection against the health issues induced by high-voltage power lines.
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Background, design and conceptual model of the cluster randomized multiple-component workplace study: FRamed Intervention to Decrease Occupational Muscle pain - "FRIDOM".
Christensen, JR, Bredahl, TV, Hadrévi, J, Sjøgaard, G, Søgaard, K
BMC public health. 2016;(1):1116
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several RCT studies have aimed to reduce either musculoskeletal disorders, sickness presenteeism, sickness absenteeism or a combination of these among females with high physical work demands. These studies have provided evidence that workplace health promotion (WHP) interventions are effective, but long-term effects are still uncertain. These studies either lack to succeed in maintaining intervention effects or lack to document if effects are maintained past a one-year period. This paper describes the background, design and conceptual model of the FRIDOM (FRamed Intervention to Decrease Occupational Muscle pain) WHP program among health care workers. A job group characterized by having high physical work demands, musculoskeletal disorders, high sickness presenteeism - and absenteeism. METHODS FRIDOM aimed to reduce neck and shoulder pain. Secondary aims were to decrease sickness presenteeism, sickness absenteeism and lifestyle-diseases such as other musculoskeletal disorders as well as metabolic-, and cardiovascular disorders - and to maintain participation to regular physical exercise training, after a one year intervention period. The entire concept was tailored to a population of female health care workers. This was done through a multi-component intervention including 1) intelligent physical exercise training (IPET), dietary advice and weight loss (DAW) and cognitive behavioural training (CBT). DISCUSSION The FRIDOM program has the potential to provide evidence-based knowledge of the pain reducing effect of a multi component WHP among a female group of employees with a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and in a long term perspective evaluate the effects on sickness presenteeism and absenteeism as well as risk of life-style diseases. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02843269 , 06.27.2016 - retrospectively registered.
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Studying the effect of antioxidants on cytogenetic manifestations of solvent exposure in the paint industry.
El Safty, A, Metwally, FM, Mohammed Samir, A, ElShahawy, A, Raouf, EA
Toxicology and industrial health. 2015;(12):1087-94
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the antioxidant role in reversing cytogenetic changes caused by solvent exposure in paint industry. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A prospective controlled clinical trial was performed on 39 workers exposed to solvents and 39 workers not exposed to solvents by supplying a mixture of antioxidant vitamins (A, C, E and selenium) and the after effects of such regimen were analyzed. Environmental monitoring was carried out for air concentrations of different solvents at workplace. Exposed group was cytogenetically tested before and after giving the mixture of antioxidant vitamins for 1 month duration. RESULTS Frequency of chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and the mean of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) were statistically significantly higher among exposed workers than among controls. After the supplementation of antioxidants, there was a statistically significant decrease in the frequency of CAs, and 88% abnormal levels of SCEs were back to normal levels. CONCLUSION Antioxidant supplementation decreases the frequency of CAs and SCEs among exposed workers.
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Effect of N-acetylcysteine supplementation on oxidative stress status and alveolar inflammation in people exposed to asbestos: a double-blind, randomized clinical trial.
Alfonso, H, Franklin, P, Ching, S, Croft, K, Burcham, P, Olsen, N, Reid, A, Joyce, D, de Klerk, N, Musk, AB
Respirology (Carlton, Vic.). 2015;(7):1102-7
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Many of the pathological consequences in the lung following inhalation of asbestos fibres arise as a consequence of persistent oxidative stress and inflammation. Inflammatory responses can be observed in asymptomatic asbestos-exposed individuals. There are currently no interventions to reduce inflammatory or oxidative responses to asbestos before disease develops. We investigated the effects of oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on indicators of inflammation or oxidative stress in asymptomatic people previously exposed to asbestos. METHODS A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted to assess the effectiveness and safety of 1800 mg of NAC given orally over a period of 4 months. This was a proof of principle study. Effectiveness was assessed using indicators of inflammation or oxidation as primary end-points. Serum levels of total combined thiols (cysteine, cysteinylglycine, glutathione and homocysteine) were used to monitor the NAC supplementation. RESULTS Thirty-four subjects were randomly allocated to NAC and 32 to placebo. Serum levels of total combined thiols were similar between the groups after intervention. There were no differences in levels of inflammatory or oxidative stress end-points between the groups. No adverse effects were identified. CONCLUSIONS No evidence was found that NAC supplementation replenishes total combined thiols in the blood of healthy subjects with a history of asbestos exposure. There was also no evidence of reduced indicators of inflammation or oxidative stress. Further studies should determine the conditions required to increase levels of total anti-oxidant capacity in the blood and in the lungs of subjects with either asbestos-related diseases or subclinical lung inflammation.
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Workplace sitting and height-adjustable workstations: a randomized controlled trial.
Neuhaus, M, Healy, GN, Dunstan, DW, Owen, N, Eakin, EG
American journal of preventive medicine. 2014;(1):30-40
Abstract
BACKGROUND Desk-based office employees sit for most of their working day. To address excessive sitting as a newly identified health risk, best practice frameworks suggest a multi-component approach. However, these approaches are resource intensive and knowledge about their impact is limited. PURPOSE To compare the efficacy of a multi-component intervention to reduce workplace sitting time, to a height-adjustable workstations-only intervention, and to a comparison group (usual practice). DESIGN Three-arm quasi-randomized controlled trial in three separate administrative units of the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Data were collected between January and June 2012 and analyzed the same year. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Desk-based office workers aged 20-65 (multi-component intervention, n=16; workstations-only, n=14; comparison, n=14). INTERVENTION The multi-component intervention comprised installation of height-adjustable workstations and organizational-level (management consultation, staff education, manager e-mails to staff) and individual-level (face-to-face coaching, telephone support) elements. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Workplace sitting time (minutes/8-hour workday) assessed objectively via activPAL3 devices worn for 7 days at baseline and 3 months (end-of-intervention). RESULTS At baseline, the mean proportion of workplace sitting time was approximately 77% across all groups (multi-component group 366 minutes/8 hours [SD=49]; workstations-only group 373 minutes/8 hours [SD=36], comparison 365 minutes/8 hours [SD=54]). Following intervention and relative to the comparison group, workplace sitting time in the multi-component group was reduced by 89 minutes/8-hour workday (95% CI=-130, -47 minutes; p<0.001) and 33 minutes in the workstations-only group (95% CI=-74, 7 minutes, p=0.285). CONCLUSIONS A multi-component intervention was successful in reducing workplace sitting. These findings may have important practical and financial implications for workplaces targeting sitting time reductions. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry 00363297.