Active Older Adults Keep Aerobic Capacity and Experience Small Reductions in Body Strength During Confinement Due to COVID-19 Outbreak

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Lucimere Bohn ◽  
Duarte Barros ◽  
Flávia Borges-Machado ◽  
Susana Carrapatoso ◽  
Andreia N. Pizarro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Aerobic Capacity ◽  
Short Version ◽  
Walk Test ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Lower Body Strength

The objective of this study was to observe the home-confinement effects on physical fitness, physical activity (PA), and body composition in active older adults, and to compare physical fitness and PA according to quality of life (QoL) during confinement. A total of 72 physically active older adults (61.1% females; 74.24 ± 5.57 years) were assessed pre- and postconfinement for aerobic capacity (6-min walk test), lower (30-s sit-to-stand), and upper (30-s arm-curl) body strength, PA (short-version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire), and QoL (EQ-5D-visual analogue scale). The pre- and postconfinement comparisons show declines in upper (−2.24 ± 0.45 repetitions; p < .001; η2 = .276) and lower body strength (−2.65 ± 0.42 repetitions; p < .001; η2 = .378) in both genders, but not in aerobic capacity. Ninety percentage of older adults perceived a decline in PA. Older adults reporting high QoL increased 19.27 ± 97.04 m in the 6-min walk test, while the participants with low QoL reduced 28.32 ± 63.27 m (p = .018; η2 = .090). Previously active older adults did not have their aerobic capacity decrease significantly despite a decline in upper and lower body strength during an 11-week home confinement period.

Adoption of Canada's Physical Activity Guide and Handbook for Older Adults: Impact on Functional Fitness and Energy Expenditure

2004 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 395-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuesong Jiang ◽  
Juliette Cooper ◽  
Michelle M. Porter ◽  
A. Elizabeth Ready
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Functional Fitness ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Lower Body Strength ◽  
Over Time

This study investigated whether a behaviour change program, based on Canada's Physical Activity Guide and Handbook to Healthy Active Living for Older Adults (Health Canada, 1999a), would elicit greater benefits than adoption of the guide and handbook alone. Fifteen older adults received the guide and accompanying handbook and completed the 8-week behaviour change program (mean age 73.2 ± 5.2 yrs), while 14 others received only the guide and handbook (mean age 76.8 ± 10.0 yrs). Functional fitness (lower body strength/endurance, flexibility, agility/dynamic balance) (Rikli and Jones, 1999), and estimated energy expenditure (DiPietro et al., 1993) were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks. Lower body strength/endurance and agility/dynamic balance differed between groups at baseline, p <  0.05. All three functional fitness tests improved in both groups over time, p <  0.05. Estimated energy expended in physical activity increased in both groups over time, p <  0.05; however, there was a significantly greater increase in the behaviour-change group (Group × Time interaction, p <  0.05). Participant response to using the guide and handbook was positive. These results indicate that introduction to Canada's Physical Activity Guide and Handbook to Healthy Active Living for Older Adults leads to benefits, whether or not accompanied by program supports. The group receiving the behaviour change program had a greater increase in energy expenditure, which suggests that such an intervention may ultimately lead to greater health benefits. Key words: behaviour change, chair stand test, community residing, lifestyle activity

A Novel Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Classification and Its Relationship With Physical Fitness in Spanish Older Adults: The PHYSMED Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 815-822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Aparicio-Ugarriza ◽  
Raquel Pedrero-Chamizo ◽  
María del Mar Bibiloni ◽  
Gonzalo Palacios ◽  
Antoni Sureda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Working At Home ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Public Health Authorities ◽  
Lower Body Strength ◽  
Objectively Measured ◽  
No Gold Standard

Background:As there is no gold-standard methodology to classify older people in relation to physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB), this paper aimed to propose a classification combining PA and SB.Methods:Within a broader study, 433 subjects, aged 55 years and older (57% females) from Madrid and Majorca, were evaluated for PA and SB by means of validated questionnaires. Physical fitness was analyzed objectively using the EXERNET test battery. Cluster analyses were used to establish behavioral patterns, combining PA and SB.Results:Males spent more time doing regular PA but less time walking and working at home than females (P < .001). Comparing the groups (inactive and high sedentary, inactive and low sedentary, active and high sedentary, and active and low sedentary), the worst aerobic endurance (P < .001) and lower body strength (P < .05) were obtained in males from both inactive groups. Agility was highest in the active and low sedentary group (P < .05). No significant differences were observed in females.Conclusions:The proposed classification is valid, as it classifies subjects according to their PA and SB, and outcomes are related to objectively measured fitness. It could facilitate the work of public health authorities, researchers, and physicians.

The Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Training on Upper and Lower Body Strength in Older Adults

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 35-50
Author(s):  
Chantelle C. Lachance ◽  
Kenji Kenno ◽  
Patricia L. Weir ◽  
Kelly M. Carr ◽  
Nancy McNevin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Whole Body Vibration ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Body Vibration ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Vibration Training ◽  
Lower Body Strength ◽  
Whole Body Vibration Training

Associations of Maternal Prepregnancy Body Mass Index and Gestational Weight Gain With Physical Fitness in Childhood

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-171
Author(s):  
Konstantinos D. Tambalis ◽  
Stamatis Mourtakos ◽  
Labros S. Sidossis
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Gestational Weight ◽  
Prepregnancy Body Mass Index ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Fitness Tests ◽  
Upper Body Strength ◽  
Lower Body Strength

Purpose: To investigate the potential associations of maternal prepregnancy body mass index (mppBMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) with physical fitness in children. Methods: A random sample of 5125 children and their mothers was evaluated. The mothers provided data contained in their medical booklets and pregnancy ultrasound records. The data from 5 physical fitness tests (eg, 20-m shuttle run, 30-m sprint, vertical jump, standing long jump, and small ball throw) were used to assess children’s cardiorespiratory fitness, speed, explosive power, and lower and upper body strength, respectively. Results: MppBMI was inversely associated with cardiorespiratory fitness (b = −0.02), lower body strength (b = −1.01), upper body strength (b = −0.07), and speed (b = 0.04). Also, GWG was unfavorably associated with cardiorespiratory fitness (b = −0.02), lower body strength (b = −1.12), upper body strength (b = −0.03), and speed (b = 0.03), after adjusting for sex, birth weight, and children’s BMI (all P values < .05). Children of mothers with an mppBMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and excess GWG had almost 30% and 20% increased odds for low performances in physical fitness tests than those of mothers with an mppBMI < 25 kg/m2 and adequate GWG, respectively. Conclusions: Antenatal factors such as increased mppBMI and excess GWG could play an unfavorable role in the future health of the offspring.

Does Yoga Engender Fitness in Older Adults? A Critical Review

2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitlyn P. Roland ◽  
Jennifer M. Jakobi ◽  
Gareth R. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Large Variability ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Exercise Activity ◽  
Comprehensive Search ◽  
Lower Body Strength ◽  
And Function

Interest in yoga is growing, especially among older adults. This review critically summarizes the current literature to investigate whether physical fitness and function benefits are engendered through the practice of yoga in older adults. A comprehensive search yielded 507 studies; 10 studies with 544 participants (69.6 ± 6.3 yr, 71% female) were included. Large variability in yoga styles and measurement outcomes make it challenging to interpret results across studies. Studies reported moderate improvements for gait (ES = 0.54, 0.80), balance (ES = 0.25–1.61), upper/lower body flexibility (ES = 0.25, 0.70), lower body strength (ES = 0.51), and weight loss (ES = 0.73, 0.99). Yoga may engender improvements in some components of fitness in older adults. However, more evidence is needed to determine its effectiveness as an alternative exercise to promote fitness in older adults. Further investigation into yoga as an exercise activity for older adults is warranted.

scholarly journals Effects of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation on Physical Fitness in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 1482
Author(s):  
Alvaro Pano-Rodriguez ◽  
Jose Vicente Beltran-Garrido ◽  
Vicenç Hernandez-Gonzalez ◽  
Joaquín Reverter-Masia
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Cardiovascular Endurance ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Lower Body Strength ◽  
The Impact

Whole-body electromyostiulation (WB-EMS) has experienced a boom in recent years, even though its effectiveness is controversial. A sedentary lifestyle is deeply rooted in the European population, mainly in the elderly. This experimental study analyzed the impact of WB-EMS on the physical fitness of postmenopausal women. Thirty-four healthy sedentary women between 55 and 69 years followed an experimental design pre–post-test. Both groups conducted a ten-week aerobic and strength training program. The experimental group overlaid the WB-EMS during exercise. At the end of the intervention, both groups improved upper and lower body strength, lower extremity flexibility, agility, and speed levels (pBonferroni < 0.05). Significant interactions were observed at upper and lower body strength, agility, speed, and cardiovascular endurance (p < 0.05). The WB-EMS group scored better agility than the control group at the end of the intervention (pBonferroni < 0.05) and was the only group that improved cardiovascular endurance. WB-EMS shows a favorable isolate effect on the development of dynamic leg strength, agility, and cardiovascular endurance but did not in dynamic arm strength, gait speed, balance, or flexibility of postmenopausal women.

The impact of different types of physical activity on walking as a vital everyday movement in older adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenka Svobodová ◽  
Martin Sebera ◽  
Kateřina Strašilová ◽  
Tomáš Hlinský ◽  
Marie Crhová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Aerobic Capacity ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Walk Test ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Proprioceptive Training ◽  
The Impact

Introduction:Due to an international trend of the aging population, we see increased attention paid to studies dealing with the factors that have a positive or negative impact on successful aging. As we know, a higher level of physical activity and thus increased physical fitness sig-nificantly affect the quality of aging. One of the major problems in the elderly is the risks of falls. This age group is at high risk of injuries caused by falls. Analyses of aspects related to the falls revealed the significance of lower muscular tension, previous experience with falling, the bad stereotype of the walk, impaired balanced abilities, and so on. Purpose: In this study, we focused on the impact of different types of physical activity on walking as a vital everyday movement. Methods: Fortyfour older adults (Mage 69,09 years, SD 4,25; 22 male and 22 female) were randomly assigned to four groups, three training groups, and one control group; resistance training group, proprioceptive training group, endurance training group. The group consisted of seniors without a history of malignant disease during their life and without regular physical activity. All groups were tested on timed 10-meter walk test (10MWT), the 3-m backward walk (3MBW), and the 6-minute walk test (6MWD) at baseline, after 12 weeks and after 14 weeks (2 weeks after finishing intervention program). The 10MWT is used to assess walking speed over a short distance. The 3MBW is a test-close related fall risk. The 6MWD is a sub-maximal exercise test used to assess aerobic capacity and endurance. The distance covered over a time of 6 minutes is used as the outcome by which to compare changes in performance capacity. Results: We revealed differences between the types of exercises and the sustain-ability of the acquired skills. Results indicated significant improvements in gait speed in all ex-ercise groups. Subsequent measurements after a 14-day off indicated a slight deterioration trend in all groups. The resistance group showed the best results in the walk-back test. This group was the only one to maintain its standard also after 14-days off. All groups, including control, showed an improvement in aerobic capacity and endurance (measured by 6MWD). We found out differences between groups only after 14-day off. Conclusion: Our study confirmed the usefulness of performing targeted physical activity in older adults. Resistance and proprioceptive training has shown an important role in the pre-vention of falls.

Relationships between balance and physical fitness variables in firefighter recruits

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 667-677
Author(s):  
Rudi A. Marciniak ◽  
Kyle T. Ebersole ◽  
David J. Cornell
Keyword(s):  
Aerobic Capacity ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Fat Free Mass ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Balance Ability ◽  
Lower Body Strength

BACKGROUND: Research has suggested that balance ability contributes to musculoskeletal injury (MSKI) rates in firefighters. Though the Y-Balance Test (YBT) can predict injury, it is unclear what physical measures inform YBT performance in firefighters. Thus, there is a lack of knowledge regarding best practice for improving balance in firefighters. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between the YBT and fitness measures, including body composition, aerobic capacity, functional total-body power, upper and lower-body strength, and movement efficiency, among firefighters. METHODS: Dynamic balance (YBT), body mass index (BMI), body-fat percentage (BF%), fat free mass (FFM), aerobic capacity (VO2max), stair climb (SC), upper (1RMbench) and lower-body (1RMsquat) strength, and Fusionetics™ Movement Efficiency Screen (ME) measures were collected among 35 firefighter recruits. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine relationships between YBT and the performance measures. RESULTS: Dynamic balance ability in firefighter recruits is significantly (p < 0.05) related to BMI, lower-body strength, and movement quality, but not with aerobic capacity, stair climb performance, and upper body strength. CONCLUSIONS: Greater YBT performance in firefighter recruits is associated with lower BMI, greater functional movement, and greater lower-body strength. Future research is warranted to incorporate these elements into balance training programs for firefighter recruits.

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