ACTRN12613000390785. [Hwang R, Bruning J, Morris NR, Mandrusiak A, Russell T (2017) Home-based telerehabilitation is not inferior to a centre-based program in patients with chronic heart failure: a randomised trial. Journal of Physiotherapy 63: 101-107].

An SLE can replace clinical time in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy practice. Part education in the SLE satisfied clinical competency requirements, and all stakeholders were satisfied.

Strong evidence suggests that the 6MWT is responsive to clinical change following cardiac rehabilitation. Intra- and intertester reliability of the 6MWT and its validity in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation requires further research.

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registration Number: ANZCTR12612000451808.

These RCTs provide evidence that clinical education in an SLE can in part (25%) replace clinical time with real patients without compromising students' attainment of the professional competencies required to practise.

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the thermoregulatory responses during exercise in a hot climate among three age categories. Eight prepubertal (PP), eight young adult (Y) and eight elderly (O) male subjects cycled at an intensity of 50 ± 1% of their maximum oxygen uptake (V O 2 peak ) for 85 min (three 20 min bouts with three 7 min rest periods) in hot and dry conditions (41 ± 0.67• C, 21 ± 1% relative humidity). During the exercise-in-heat protocol, rectal temperature (T re ) skin temperatures (T sk ), heart rate (HR),V O 2 ,V CO 2 ,V E , RER, sweat rate, and the number of heat activated sweat glands (HASG) were determined. Despite highest and lowest end-exposure T re in the Y and O groups, respectively, the rise in rectal temperature (accounting for differences in baseline T re ) was similar in all age groups. Changes in body heat storage (∆S), both absolute and relative to body mass, were highest in the Y and O groups and lowest in the PP group. While end-session as well as changes in mean skin temperature were similar in all three age groups, HR (absolute and percentage of maximum) was significantly lower for the O compared with the PP and Y groups. Total body as well as per body surface sweating rate was significantly lower for the PP group, while body mass-related net metabolic heat production ((M − W ) kg −1 ) and heat gained from the environment were highest in the PP and lowest in the O group. Since mass-related evaporative cooling (E sk kg −1 ) and sweating efficiency (E sk /M sw kg −1 ) were highest in the PP and lowest in the O group, the mass-dependent heat stored in the body (∆S kg −1 ) was lowest in the PP (1.87 ± 0.03 W kg −1 ) and highest in Y and O groups (2.19 ± 0.08 and 1.97 ± 0.11 W kg −1 , respectively). Furthermore, it was calculated that while the O group required only 4.1 ± 0.5 W of heat energy to raise their body core temperature by 1• C, and the Y group needed 6.9 ± 0.9 W (1 • C) −1 , the PP group required as much as 12.3 ± 0.7 W to heat up their body core temperature by 1• C. These results suggest that in conditions similar to those imposed during this study, age and age-related characteristics affect the overall rate of heat gain as well as the mechanisms through which this heat is being dissipated. While prepubertal boys seem to be the most efficient thermoregulators, the elderly subjects appear to be the least efficient thermoregulators. Several factors affect the responses of an individual to the combined stresses of exercise and heat, including age, anthropometric characteristics, maximal aerobic capacity (V O 2 max ) and the level of acclimatization. Often these factors create methodological constraints when comparing the effects of age on the thermoregulatory response to exercise. Typically, young children and older people (as groups) have low maximal aerobic power, high adiposity and small body stature and body mass compared with young adults. Such morphological and physiological characteristics imply relatively large surface area-to-mass ratio (especially in c...

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a b s t r a c tObjectives: To describe patient experiences and perspectives of a group-based heart failure (HF) telerehabilitation program delivered to the homes via online video-conferencing. Background: Limited information currently exists on patient experiences of telerehabilitation for HF. Patient feedback and end-user perspectives provide important information regarding the acceptability of this new delivery model which may have a substantial impact on future uptake. Methods: We used mixed-methods design with purposive sampling of patients with HF. We used selfreport surveys and semi-structured interviews to measure patient experiences and perspectives following a 12-week telerehabilitation program. The telerehabilitation program encompassed groupbased exercise and education, and were delivered in real-time via videoconferencing. Interviews were transcribed and coded, with thematic analysis undertaken. Results: Seventeen participants with HF (mean age [SD] of 69 [12] years and 88% males) were recruited. Participants reported high visual clarity and ease of use for the monitoring equipment. Major themes included motivating and inhibiting influences related to telerehabilitation and improvement suggestions. Participants liked the health benefits, access to care and social support. Participants highlighted a need for improved audio clarity and connectivity as well computer training for those with limited computer experience. The majority of participants preferred a combined face-to-face and online delivery model. Conclusion: Participants in this study reported high visual clarity and ease-of-use, but provided suggestions for further improvements in group-based video telerehabilitation for HF.Crown