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Walking Distance (walking + distance)
Selected AbstractsBosentan treatment of portopulmonary hypertension related to liver cirrhosis owing to hepatitis CEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 2006W. Grander Abstract Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) with coexisting portal hypertension has been defined as portopulmonary hypertension (PPHTN). It is often related to liver cirrhosis of various aetiologies and is associated with a high mortality rate. Endothelin-1 (ET) is supposed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of PAH as well as portal hypertension. Therefore, therapy with an ETA/ETB receptor antagonist might be of use in the treatment of PPHTN. We report the case of a 76-year-old male with liver cirrhosis owing to chronic hepatitis C virus infection and PPHTN who was treated with the dual ETA/ETB receptor antagonist bosentan. The patient showed remarkable improvement of 6-min walking distance from 300 to 480 m after 2 weeks and to 540 m after 14 weeks, respectively. In addition, a significant decline of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide fraction (NT-proBNP) from 4928 ng mL,1 to 640 ng mL,1 was observed. Bosentan might be a promising new therapeutical option for patients suffering from PPHTN. [source] Repeat intrathecal triamcinolone acetonide application is beneficial in progressive MS patientsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 1 2006V. Hoffmann Available immunomodulatory and conventional steroid treatment regimens provide a limited symptomatic benefit for patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). We performed an open trial on the short-term efficacy of repeated intrathecal application of the sustained release steroid triamcinolone acetonide (TCA) in 27 progressive MS patients. Six TCA administrations, performed every third day, reduced the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score [initial: 5.4 ± 1.3, 3,7.5 (mean ± SD, range); end: 4.9 ± 1.1; 2.5,6.5; P < 0.001] and significantly increased the walking distance and speed in particular after the fourth TCA injection. Concomitantly serially determined cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers of cell injury, neuron-specific enolase, total , -protein, S-100, and , -amyloid did not significantly change within the interval of TCA treatment. No serious side effects appeared. We conclude that repeat intrathecal injection of 40 mg TCA provides a substantial benefit in progressive MS patients with predominant spinal symptoms and does not alter CSF markers of neuronal cell injury. [source] Comparison of Effect of Aerobic Cycle Training and Progressive Resistance Training on Walking Ability After Stroke: A Randomized Sham Exercise,Controlled StudyJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 6 2008Mi-Joung Lee PhD OBJECTIVES: To determine whether changes in strength or cardiorespiratory fitness after exercise training improve walking ability in individuals who have had a stroke. DESIGN: A sham exercise-controlled, randomized two-by-two factorial design, in which the two factors investigated were cycle training (AEROBIC) and resistance training (STRENGTH). SETTING: University exercise laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-two individuals with a history of stroke (aged 63±9; time since stroke, 57±54 months). INTERVENTION: Participants undertook 30 exercise sessions over 10 to 12 weeks. Depending on group allocation, individuals underwent aerobic cycling plus sham progressive resistance training (PRT) (n=13), sham cycling plus PRT (n=13), aerobic cycling plus PRT (n=14), or sham cycling plus sham PRT (n=12). MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcomes were 6-minute walk distance, habitual and fast gait velocities, and stair climbing power. Secondary outcomes included measures of cardiorespiratory fitness; muscle strength, power, and endurance; and psychosocial attributes. RESULTS: Neither AEROBIC nor STRENGTH improved walking distance or gait velocity significantly more than sham exercise, although STRENGTH significantly improved participants' stair climbing power by 17% (P=.009), as well as their muscle strength, power, and endurance; cycling peak power output; and self-efficacy. Conversely, AEROBIC improved indicators of cardiorespiratory fitness only. Cycling plus PRT produced larger effects than either single modality for mobility and impairment outcomes. CONCLUSION: Single-modality exercises targeted at existing impairments do not optimally address the functional deficits of walking but do ameliorate the underlying impairments. The underlying cardiovascular and musculoskeletal impairments are significantly modifiable years after stroke with targeted robust exercise. [source] A randomized controlled trial of a community nurse-supported hospital discharge programme in older patients with chronic heart failureJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 1 2008Timothy Kwok MD Aims and objectives., To evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a community nurse-supported hospital discharge programme in preventing hospital re-admissions, improving functional status and handicap of older patients with chronic heart failure. Design., Randomized controlled trial; 105 hospitalized patients aged 60 years or over with chronic heart failure and history of hospital admission(s) in previous year were randomly assigned into intervention group (n = 49) and control group (n = 56) for six months. Intervention group subjects received community nurse visits before discharge, within seven days of discharge, weekly for four weeks, then monthly. Community nurse liaised closely with a designated specialist in hospital and were accessible to subjects during normal working hours. Control and intervention group subjects were followed up in the same specialist medical clinics. Primary outcome was the rate of unplanned re-admission at six months. Secondary outcomes were number of unplanned re-admissions, six-minute walking distance, London Handicap Scale and public health care and personal care costs. Results., At sixth months, the re-admission rates were not significantly different (46 vs. 57% in control subjects, p = 0·233, Chi-square test). But the median number of re-admissions tended to lower in the intervention group (0 vs. 1 in control group, p = 0·057, Mann Whitney test). Intervention group subjects had less handicap in independence (median change 0 vs. 0·5 in control subjects, p = 0·002, Mann Whitney test), but there was no difference in six-minute walking distance. There was no significant group difference in median total public health care and personal care costs. Conclusion., Community nurse-supported post-discharge programme was effective in preserving independence and was probably effective in reducing the number of unplanned re-admissions. The cost benefits to public health care were not significant. Relevance to clinical practice., Older chronic heart failure patients are likely to benefit from post-discharge community nurse intervention programmes. More comprehensive health economic evaluation needs to be undertaken. [source] Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Patients with Mildly Impaired Left Ventricular FunctionPACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2009PAUL W.X. FOLEY M.R.C.P. Aims: We sought to determine the unknown effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >35%. Because of its technical limitations, echocardiography (Echo) may underestimate LVEF, compared with cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Methods: Of 157 patients undergoing CRT (New York Heart Association [NYHA] functional class III or IV, QRS , 120 ms), all of whom had a preimplant Echo-LVEF ,35%, 130 had a CMR-LVEF ,35% (Group A, 19.7 ± 7.0%[mean ± standard deviation]) and 27 had a CMR-LVEF >35% (Group B, 43.6 ± 7.7%). All patients underwent a CMR scan at baseline and a clinical evaluation, including a 6-minute walk test and a quality of life questionnaire, at baseline and after CRT. Results: Both groups derived similar improvements in NYHA functional class (A =,1.3, B =,1.2, [mean]), quality of life scores (A =,21.6, B =,33.0; all P < 0.0001 for changes from baseline), and 6-minute walking distance (A = 64.5, B = 70.1 m; P < 0.001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Symptomatic response rates (increase by ,1 NYHA classes or 25% 6-minute walking distance) were 79% in group A and 92% in group B. Over a maximum follow-up period of 5.9 years for events, patients in group A were at a higher risk of death from any cause, hospitalization for major cardiovascular events (P = 0.0232), or cardiovascular death (P = 0.0411). There were borderline differences in the risk of death from any cause (P = 0.0664) and cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure (P = 0.0526). Conclusions: This observational study suggests that the benefits of CRT extend to patients with a LVEF > 35%. [source] Improvement of Congestive Heart Failure by Upgrading of Conventional to Resynchronization PacemakersPACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 8 2006IBRAHIM MARAI Aims: To compare the clinical response of patients with right ventricular apical pacing (RVAP) upgraded to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) to that of previously nonpaced heart failure (HF) patients who had de novo CRT implantation. Background: The role of CRT in patients with wide QRS and HF due to RVAP is less well established than in other CRT candidates. Methods: Ninety-eight consecutive patients with CRT were studied (mean age 70, mean ejection fraction 0.23). Group A: patients having RVAP prior to CRT implantation (n = 25), group B: patients without prior RVAP (n = 73). Clinical and echocardiographic parameters were recorded prior to, and 3 months after, CRT implantation. Results: Group A patients had a wider QRS at baseline compared to group B (203 ± 32 ms vs 163 ± 30 ms respectively, P < 0.001), and a shorter 6-minute walking distance (222 ± 118 m vs 362 ± 119 m, respectively, P < 0.005). Otherwise, clinical and echocardiographic parameters were not different. At follow up, group A patients had an average 0.7 ± 0.5 decrease in their NYHA functional class, compared to 0.3 ± 0.7 in group B patients (P < 0.05). Six-minute walking distance increased by 93 ± 113 m in group A, versus 36 ± 120 m in group B (P = 0.22). There was no difference in echocardiographic response to CRT between the groups. Conclusions: HF patients with prior RVAP demonstrate clinical improvement after upgrading to CRT that is comparable, and in some aspects, even better than that observed in HF patients with native conduction delay who undergo de novo CRT implantation. [source] The six-minute walk test in outpatients with obesity: reproducibility and known group validityPHYSIOTHERAPY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2008Ulla Evers Larsson Abstract Background and Purpose.,To assess the reproducibility and validity of the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in men and women with obesity in order to facilitate evaluation of treatment outcome.,Method.,A test,retest design was used to test reproducibility and a comparative design to test known group validity. Forty-three obese outpatients (16 male), mean age 47 (21,62) years, mean body mass index (BMI) 40 (3,62)kg-m,2 performed the 6MWT twice within one week. Intraclass correlation (ICC1.1) and measurement error (Sw) were calculated from the mean square values derived from a one-way repeated-measures ANOVA (fixed effect model). The reproducibility was also analysed by means of coefficient of variation (CV) and the Bland Altman method including 95% limits of agreement. The variance of the distance walked was analysed by means of regressions. The known group validity of the 6MWT (distance walked and the work of walking) in obese participants was shown by comparisons with 41 lean participants (18 male), mean age 47 (24,65) years, mean BMI 22.7kg-m,2 (19,25).,Results.,The obese group walked 534,m (confidence interval [CI] 508,560 the first and 552,m (CI 523,580) the second walk (p < 0.001). Sw was 25,m, CV 4.7%, ICC1.1 was 0.96. The limits of agreement were ,46,m+80,m. The validity tests showed that they walked 162,m shorter (p < 0.001) and performed much heavier work (p < 0.001) than the lean group. In the obese group, BMI alone explained 38% of the variance of the distance walked.,Conclusions.,The 6MWT showed good reproducibility and known group validity and can be recommended for evaluating walking ability in subjects with obesity. For individual evaluation, however, an improved walking distance of at least 80,m was required to make the difference clinically significant. Despite shorter walking distance the obese participants performed heavier work than the lean. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Latest news and product developmentsPRESCRIBER, Issue 10 2008Article first published online: 3 JUN 200 Glitazones more than double fracture risk An analysis of the UK General Practice Research Database has found that both glitazones increase the risk of fracture more than two-fold (Arch Intern Med 2008;168:820-5). Compared with nonusers, the odds ratio for fracture (mostly hip and wrist) was 2.59 for pioglitazone and 2.38 for rosiglitazone. The risk increased with dose but was unrelated to age and sex. Reduce antipsychotics in dementia patients Antipsychotics should be prescribed for patients with dementia only as a last resort at times of severe distress or critical need, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia has concluded. Its inquiry (available at www.alzheimers.org.uk) found that antipsychotics are being prescribed for patients with mild behavioural symptoms and for prolonged periods despite the limited benefits they offer and the risk of serious adverse effects such as stroke. Contributory factors include lack of training for staff, inadequate leadership and exclusion of family and friends from decisions about treatment. High-dose atorvastatin in chronic kidney disease High-dose atorvastatin (Lipitor) reduces cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) more than a low dose , despite similar reductions in LDL-C (J Am Coll Cardiol 2008;51:1448-54). A post hoc subgroup analysis of the Treating-to-New-Targets study involving 10 001 patients with CHD, with or without CKD, found that atorvastatin 10 and 80mg per day reduced LDLC and triglycerides to similar levels; there was no change in HDL-C. After a median follow-up of five years, the incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with CKD was 9.3 per cent at 80mg per day and 13.4 per cent at 10mg per day (number needed to treat to prevent one event, NNT, 24). In patients with no CKD, the corresponding figures were 7.9 vs 9.2 per cent (NNT 74). There was no difference in all-cause mortality; adverse events were more frequent at the higher dose. COX-2 NSAIDs not more cost-effective An economic analysis of COX-2 selective NSAIDs has concluded that they are not more cost effective than older agents plus a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (Health Technology Assessment 2008;12:No. 11). The analysis concluded that selective and nonselective NSAIDs were similarly effective but selective agents were associated with a lower risk of upper GI events and a higher risk of cardiovascular events. However, the available evidence includes only low numbers of events and further studies are needed. Compared with ibuprofen or diclofenac plus a PPI, the COX-2 selective NSAIDs look ,generally unattractive from a cost effectiveness point of view', even in high-risk patients with a history of peptic ulcer. There were insufficient data to allow a reliable comparison within the COX-2s. Naftidrofuryl helps intermittent claudication Naftidrofuryl increases pain-free walking distance (PFWD) in patients with intermittent claudication, a new Cochrane review has shown (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD001368. DOI: 10.1002/ 14651858.CD001368.pub3; also see page 49 in this issue). The meta-analysis of six trials involving a total of 1083 patients found that, compared with placebo, naftidrofuryl increased PFWD by over a third with a proportion successfully treated of 20 per cent (NNT 4.5). Coversyl Arginine To clarify any confusion following our recent news item (Perindopril brand switch, 19 April issue, page 12), Servier has asked us to reiterate that the new formulations Coversyl Arginine 2.5, 5 and 10mg are equivalent to 2, 4 and 8mg of the discontinued Coversyl formulation. Coversyl Arginine contains perindopril arginine, a salt that offers greater stability and a longer shelf-life. Prescriptions for the Coversyl brand of perindopril must in future be written as Coversyl Arginine in its revised strengths. Coversyl Plus has also been replaced by Coversyl Arginine Plus and the same revised dosages apply. Generic formulations of perindopril remain unaffected. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd [source] Physical training and testing in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseTHE CLINICAL RESPIRATORY JOURNAL, Issue 1 2007Ragnheiður Harpa Arnardóttir Abstract Introduction:, The effects of different training modes need to be investigated further in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Both advanced laboratory tests and field tests are used in patients with COPD to evaluate effects of interventions such as pulmonary rehabilitation. Aims:, The overall aims of the studies were to investigate the effects of different training modalities on exercise capacity and on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with moderate or severe COPD and, further, to explore two of the physical field tests used in pulmonary rehabilitation, the 12-min walk test and the incremental shuttle walking test (ISWT). Materials and Methods:, Patients with moderate or severe COPD were included. In study I (n = 57), the 12-min walk test was performed three times within 1 week. Exercise-induced hypoxemia (EIH) was assessed by pulse oximeter and was defined as SpO2 < 90%. In study II (n = 93), performance on ISWT was compared to performance on two different cycle tests. In study III (n = 42), the effects of two different combination training programmes were compared when training twice a week for 8 weeks. One programme was mainly based on endurance training (group A), and the other was based on resistance training and on callisthenics (group B). In study IV (n = 60), endurance training with interval resistance was compared to endurance training with continuous resistance. Results:, In study I, the 12-min walking distance (12MWD) did not increase on retesting in patients with EIH, but increased significantly on retesting in the non-EIH patients. In study II, the ISWT was as good a predictor of peak exercise capacity (W peak) as peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) was. In study III, W peak and 12MWD increased in group A but not in group B. HRQoL, anxiety and depression were unchanged in both groups. Ratings of perceived exertion at rest were significantly lower in group A than in group B after training and during 12 months of follow-up. Twelve months post training, 12MWD was back to baseline in group A, but was significantly shorter than at baseline in group B. Patients with moderate and severe COPD responded to training in the same way. In study IV, both interval and continuous endurance training increased W peak, VO2 peak, peak exhaled carbon dioxide (VCO2 peak) and 12MWD. Likewise, HRQoL, dyspnoea during activities of daily life, anxiety and depression improved similarly in both groups. At a fixed, sub-maximal workload (isotime), the interval training reduced oxygen cost and ventilatory demand significantly more than the continuous training did. Conclusions:, EIH affects the retest effects on 12MWD. W peak can be predicted from an ISWT similarly well as from VO2 peak. A short training programme can improve W peak and 12MWD when based mainly on endurance training. Both patients with moderate and severe COPD respond to training in the same way. A short endurance training intervention can possibly delay decline in 12MWD for 1 year. Both interval and continuous endurance training improves physical performance and HRQoL. Interval training lowers the energy cost of sub-maximal work more than continuous training does. [source] Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study of caffeine in patients with intermittent claudication,BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 10 2010A. H. Momsen Background: Intermittent claudication is a disabling symptom of peripheral arterial disease for which few medical treatments are available. This study investigated the effect of caffeine on physical capacity in patients with intermittent claudication. Methods: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study included 88 patients recruited by surgeons from outpatient clinics. The participants abstained from caffeine for 48 h before each test and then received either a placebo or oral caffeine (6 mg/kg). After 75 min, pain-free and maximal walking distance on a treadmill, perceived pain, reaction times, postural stability, maximal isometric knee extension strength, submaximal knee extension endurance and cognitive function were measured. The analysis was by intention to treat. Results: Caffeine increased the pain-free walking distance by 20·0 (95 per cent confidence interval 3·7 to 38·8) per cent (P = 0·014), maximal walking distance by 26·6 (12·1 to 43·0) per cent (P < 0·001), muscle strength by 9·8 (3·0 to 17·0) per cent (P = 0·005) and endurance by 21·4 (1·2 to 45·7) per cent (P = 0·004). However, postural stability was reduced significantly, by 22·1 (11·7 to 33·4) per cent with eyes open (P < 0·001) and by 21·8 (7·6 to 37·8) per cent with eyes closed (P = 0·002). Neither reaction time nor cognition was affected. Conclusion: In patients with moderate intermittent claudication, caffeine increased walking distance, maximal strength and endurance, but affected balance adversely. Registration number: NCT00388128 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov). Copyright © 2010 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Endurance exercise improves walking distance in MS patients with fatigueACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 4 2009C. Dettmers Objectives,,, Effects of endurance training in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients complaining of motor fatigue. Materials and methods,,, Thirty MS patients complaining of fatigue with low to moderate disabilities randomly allocated to the intervention (thrice weekly 45-min intervals of endurance exercise) or control treatment (three 45-min episodes of stretching, balance training and coordination), both as ,add-on' therapy for 3 weeks during inpatient rehabilitation. Results,,, Maximal walking distance before intervention averaged 1043 ± 568 and 1163 ± 750 m in the two groups. The intervention group increased its maximal walking distance by 650 ± 474 m. The control group extended its walking distance by 96 ± 70 m. Conclusions,,, The present data confirm a strong effect of endurance exercise on maximal walking distance. Remarkably, there were no parallel improvements on the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory and the Hamburg Quality of Life Questionnaire for MS. [source] Spatial and temporal habitat use of kob antelopes (Kobus kob kob, Erxleben 1777) in the Comoé National Park, Ivory Coast as revealed by radio trackingAFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2001Frauke Fischer Abstract Spatial and temporal habitat use of kob antelopes (Kobus kob kob) have been investigated in the Comoé National Park (Ivory Coast, West Africa) by use of radio telemetry. A total of 23 kob were equipped with radio collars and radio tracked for up to 15 months. Home ranges of males were smaller and those of females larger than expected from theoretical models. Adult males used smaller areas than adult females and did not show seasonal home range shifts. Daily distances travelled did not differ between sexes. Kob walked less during the night than by day and covered shorter distances in the wet season. Whereas an increase in home range overlap between females resulted in higher rates of association among individuals, association of adults of mixed sexes was not correlated with the degree of home range overlap. Territorial behaviour of males and predator avoidance by females are suggested to explain the sex-specific differences in home range size of adults and the deviation from the predicted sizes. Predator avoidance is presumed as the main reason for the reduced walking distances at night as well as in the wet season. Reproductive behaviour and feeding ecology are assumed to determine the degree of association of conspecifics. Résumé On a étudié par radio-télémétrie l'utilisation spatiale et temporelle de l'habitat par les cobes (Kobus kob kob) au Parc National de Comoé (en Côte d'Ivoire, Afrique de l'Ouest). On a équipé un total de 23 cobes de colliers radio et on les a suivis pendant 15 mois (pour certains). L'espace vital des mâles était plus petit et celui des femelles plus grand que ce à quoi on s'attendait d'après les modèles théoriques. Les mâles adultes couvraient une zone plus réduite que les femelles adultes et ne déplaçaient pas leur espace vital en fonction des saisons. Les distances parcourues chaque jour étaient les mêmes pour les deux sexes. Les cobes se déplaçaient moins la nuit que le jour, et couvraient de plus courtes distances pendant la saison des pluies. Alors qu'une augmentation du recouvrement entre espaces vitaux des femelles aboutissait à un taux supérieur d'associations entre individus, l'association d'adultes des deux sexes n'était pas liée au taux de recouvrement des espaces vitaux. On suggère que le comportement territorial des mâles et l'évitement des prédateurs par les femelles pourraient expliquer les différences, spécifiques au sexe, de la dimension de l'espace vital des adultes et la déviation par rapport aux dimensions prévues. On suppose que l'évitement des prédateurs est la raison principale de la limitation des déplacements de nuit ainsi qu'en saison des pluies. On suppose que le comportement reproducteur et l'écologie alimentaire déterminent le degré d'association entre membres de la même espèce. [source] Temperament assessments of lactating cows in three contexts and their applicability as management traitsANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 6 2004Katsuji UETAKE ABSTRACT The applicability of three behavioral assessments of lactating cows as management traits was verified. Flight responses to an approaching human (flight starting and walking distances, and flight walking speed) at pasture, entrance order into the milking parlour and step-kick behavior to cup attachment were observed for 713 subject cows in six Australasian dairy farms. On all farms, cows were kept at pasture without any barn housing. Flight responses were measured once, and other assessments were recorded repeatedly for each subject cow. A principal component analysis was performed to verify whether these assessments appear to measure the same trait. A two-way anova and correlation analyses were then used to test whether obtained principal components were affected by farm, age and milking stage of cows. Australian and some Japanese herd management systems were compared for flight distance using a one-way anova and a multiple comparison test. Three behavioral assessments clustered in different principal components, indicating that these assessments did not appear to measure the same trait. Factor scores of four principal components were affected by farm (all, P < 0.01), and the scores of principal component 1, interpreted as fear of humans (r = ,0.16, P < 0.01), and component 2, interpreted as aversion to cup attachment (r = ,0.28, P < 0.01), were moderately correlated with age. These results emphasize the necessity of data standardization to reduce the non-genetic variation resulting from these two affectors. The flight distance at pasture of herds in Australia (6.06 ± 2.85 m) was significantly (P < 0.05) different from the flight distances measured in paddocks (1.50 ± 0.82 m) and free-stall barns (1.22 ± 1.09 m) in Japan. However, mean distances were not different between the Australian herds at pasture and the Japanese herds at pasture in tie-stall barns (3.96 ± 2.16 m) or in a free-stall barn (4.03 ± 1.79 m). This difference could be a result of the fact that only a single measurement was made, so that repeated measurement might improve the usefulness of flight distance as a management trait. In conclusion, it was verified that step-kick behavior to cup attachment and flight responses to human approach were, although they have some affectors, applicable as objective management traits in lactating cows. [source] | |||||||||||||