Abstract 27: Group- Plus Home-based Tai Chi Program Improves Physical Function and Psychosocial Well-being Among Patients With Coronary Heart Disease

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Liu ◽  
Sek Ying Chair ◽  
Aileen W Chan

Introduction: Substantial evidences demonstrate impaired physical health and decreased psychosocial well-being among patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Tai Chi is an effective exercise option in cardiac rehabilitation to manage CHDs. There has been an increasing focus on home-based cardiac rehabilitation to improve participation rate, while none of studies emphasized the effect of home-based Tai Chi program. Hypothesis: A group- plus home-based Tai Chi program improves physical function (aerobic endurance, lower-body strength, lower-body flexibility, and agility and dynamic balance), and psychosocial well-being (perceived stress, social support, exercise self-efficacy) among CHD patients. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 98 community-dwelling patients with CHD (mean age: 69.2±4.68 years; 69 women; 29 men) were randomized to Tai Chi (n=49) or control group (n=49). Participants in Tai Chi group first attended 6 weeks supervised group-based Tai Chi classes that were scheduled as follows: 2 times/week for week 1 and 2, 3 times/week for weeks 3 and 4, and then 4 times/week for week 5 and 6, with 60 minutes/class. After that, participants in Tai Chi group practiced home-based Tai Chi 4 times/week, 60 minutes for each time, for another 6 weeks. Outcomes, namely, aerobic endurance, lower-body strength, lower-body flexibility, and agility and dynamic balance were tested by 2-Minute Step Test (steps), Chair Stand Test (times), Chair Sit-and-Reach Test (cm), and 8-Foot Up-and-Go Test (seconds), respectively. Other outcomes included perceived stress, social support, and exercise self-efficacy. Data were collected at baseline, post group-based Tai Chi training at 6-week, post Tai Chi intervention at 12-week, and at 24-week follow-up assessment. Generalized estimating equations models were used to compare changes in outcomes over time between groups. Results: Compared to changes in control group, Tai Chi showed significant improvements in aerobic endurance (+12 steps), lower-body strength (+3 times), agility and dynamic balance (log-transformed score: -0.058s), perceived stress, emotional support, belonging support, tangible support, and exercise self-efficacy at 24-week. Significant improvement in lower-body flexibility (4 cm) was only achieved at 12-week, compared to changes in control group. No significant changes in self-esteem support over time between groups were observed. Intervention adherence: Tai Chi=79.6% (39 of 49) (attending ≥75% of total Tai Chi sessions). Attrition rate: Tai Chi=20.4% (10 of 49), control=24.5% (12 of 49). Conclusions: This Tai Chi program significantly improve physical function and psychosocial well-being among CHD patients, indicating that Tai Chi could be taught in group sessions and then continued independently as a home exercise routine for health promotion in CHD patients.

2020 ◽  
pp. 026921552095434
Author(s):  
Birgit Vahlberg ◽  
Erik Lundström ◽  
Staffan Eriksson ◽  
Ulf Holmbäck ◽  
Tommy Cederholm

Objective: To evaluate whetherdaily mobile-phone delivered messages with training instructions during three months increase physical activity and overall mobility in patients soon after stroke or transient ischemic attack. Design: Randomised controlled trial with intention-to-treat analyses. Setting: University hospital. Data collection from November 2016 until December2018. Subjects: Seventy-nine patients (mean (SD) age 63.9 (10.4) years, 29 were women) were allocated to either intervention ( n = 40) or control group ( n = 39). Participants had to be independent (modified Ranking Scale ⩽2) and able to perform the six-minute walking test at discharge from the hospital. Interventions: The intervention group received standard care and daily mobile phone instructional text messages to perform regular outdoor walking and functional leg exercises. The control group received standard care; that is, primary care follow-up. Main measures: Walking performance by six-minute walking test (m), lower body strength by five times chair-stand test (s), the short physical performance battery (0–12 points) and 10-metres walk test (m/s) were assessed at baseline and after three months. Results: The estimated median difference in the six-minute walking test was in favour of the intervention group by 30 metres (95% CI, 55 to 1; effect size 0.64; P = 0.037) and in the chair-stand test by 0.88 seconds (95% CI, 0.02 to 1.72; effect size 0.64; P = 0.034). There were no differences between groups on the short physical performance battery or in 10-metres walking time. Conclusions: Three months of daily mobile phone text messages with guided training instructions improved composite mobility measures; that is, walking performanceand lower body strength. Clinical Trial Registry: The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT02902367.


2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane E. Adamo ◽  
Susan Ann Talley ◽  
Allon Goldberg

Age-related changes in physical abilities, such as strength and flexibility, contribute to functional losses. However, older individuals may be unaware of what specific physical abilities compromise independent functioning. Three groups of women, aged 60 to 69, 70 to 79, and 80 to 92 years, were administered the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) to determine age differences in physical abilities and risk for functional losses. The oldest group showed significant differences in lower body strength, aerobic endurance, and agility and dynamic balance when compared with the other groups who performed similarly. Across all groups, a faster rate of decline was found for lower body strength (50.6%) and dynamic balance and agility (45.7%) than upper body strength (21.3%) and aerobic endurance (33.6%). Criterion-referenced (CR) fitness standards suggested that 45% of the individuals were at risk for loss of independent functioning. This study highlights age-related differences in physical abilities and the risk for the loss of independence in later life.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 11507-11507
Author(s):  
Po-Ju Lin ◽  
Kah Poh Loh ◽  
Julia Ellen Inglis ◽  
Richard Francis Dunne ◽  
Ian Kleckner ◽  
...  

11507 Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a persistent daily lack of energy commonly experienced by breast cancer (BC) patients. Due to CRF, BC patients have difficulties carrying out daily activities, become less active and consequently reduce muscular strength. Exercise can improve muscular strength and increase energy level; therefore it may alleviate CRF. This phase II RCT assessed the effects of exercise on CRF and muscular strength in BC patients. Methods: Ninety BC patients (55.5±9.6 years, 79% white, 48% and 46% under radiation or hormone therapy) were randomized into two arms: a 6-week Exercise for Cancer Patients (EXCAP) program or standard care (Control). EXCAP is a home-based, personalized, progressive exercise program combining aerobic walking and resistance band training. The Brief Fatigue Inventory was used to assess CRF and CRF interference with daily activities and a 7-10 repetition maximum chest press and leg extension strength test was used to assess upper- and lower-body strength at pre- and post-intervention. T-tests and ANCOVA with pre-intervention as the covariate were used to analyze within- and between-group changes, respectively. Results: Participants in the EXCAP group decreased CRF (-0.9±0.3, p = 0.01) and CRF interference with daily activities (-1.1±0.3, p < 0.01) from pre- to post-intervention while participants in the Control group did not. The mean improvement (from pre- to post-intervention) in CRF and CRF interference of daily activities for the EXCAP group were significantly higher than the change in the Control group (both p < 0.01). Participants in the EXCAP group increased upper- (3.9±1.4, p < 0.01) and lower-body strength (6.4±1.3, p < 0.01) from pre- to post-intervention, while participants in the Control group did not. The mean increase (from pre- to post-intervention) in lower-body strength for the EXCAP group was significantly higher than the change in the Control group (p = 0.01). Conclusions: Exercise combining aerobic walking and resistance band training reduces CRF and CRF interference with daily activities and improves muscular strength in BC patients. Results from this study provide further evidence of the benefits of exercise for supportive cancer care. Clinical trial information: NCT00851812.


Author(s):  
Camelia Branet ◽  
◽  
Carmen Grigoroiu ◽  
Mihaela Netolitzchi ◽  
Teodora Wesselly ◽  
...  

In athletics, strength plays a special role, given that its development is focused on improving the speed of movement. The main form of expressing strength in athletics is speed-strength (explosive strength, take-off), which is representative for sprinting, jumping and throwing. Specialised studies have revealed that one of the most effective training methods used to develop explosive strength, also called explosive power, is the training based on plyometric exercises, but studies regarding the use of this method for the prepubertal age segment in athletic training are scarce. The purpose of this research is to investigate the degree of improvement in explosive strength in preadolescent athletes with the help of weekly plyometric training as compared to the control group. The research was carried out at the School no. 190 between 20 February and 17 June 2017. In order to conduct the experimental research, 42 athlete subjects of both genders, aged 11 to 13 years, were investigated. The experimental group was made up of 20 athletes, members of the Municipal Sports Club in Bucharest. The control group included 22 athlete subjects of both genders, who were trained by other coaches. Both groups performed four training sessions per week for 17 weeks. Analysing the results of the experiment, we can conclude that plyometric workouts contribute to the development of lower body strength in preadolescent athletes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Yuan Yang ◽  
Jia-hui Li ◽  
Nan-Jun Xu ◽  
Wei-Yi Yang ◽  
Jun Liu

Importance. Tai Chi exercise mostly involves muscle fitness with biological, biomechanical, and psychosomatic medicine in elderly rehabilitation. Increased incidents related to elderly muscle fitness deficiency tend to be an urgent public health issue. However, there is a controversy on the effects of Tai Chi exercise on muscle fitness, especially the lower body strength of the elderly. Objective. To determine whether lower body strength such as keen extension and flexion strength may be improved by Tai Chi exercise in older adults from the perspective of evidence-based medicine. Methods. Databases of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched up to July 1, 2021. Randomized clinical trials are adopted to compare Tai Chi exercise with sedentary behavior or other low intensity exercise in terms of influence on lower body strength rehabilitation, especially keen extension and flexion strength in people aged over 60. A meta-analysis was performed to discuss outcomes of lower body strength, knee muscle strength, and knee extension/flexion strength. Results. A total of 25 randomized trials involving 1995 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. (1) Tai Chi exercise significantly improved elderly lower body strength (−0.54, [−0.81, −0.28], p < 0.00001 , I2 = 74%), but there was no differential improvement in the strength of the knee joints (0.10, [−0.02, 0.23], p = 0.11 , I2 = 34%). (2) Elderly individual lower body strength declined with age, while this trend was suppressed by Tai Chi exercise (−0.35, [0.14, 0.56], p = 0.001 , I2 = 70%). (3) Although Tai Chi exercise did no significantly improve the large muscle group of knee joint extensor like quadriceps femoris (3.15, [−0.69, 6.99], p = 0.24 , I2 = 26%), it showed marked enhancement to the strength of deep small muscle group of knee joint flexor (10.25, [6.90, 13.61], p < 0.00001 , I2 = 0%). The heterogeneity might be caused by distinguished measurements of muscle strength. Therefore, Tai Chi exercise specifically enhanced some certain muscle strength of knee joints and improved muscle fitness rehabilitation as well as function activity for elderly. Conclusions. In this RCT meta-analysis, Tai Chi exercise has positive effects on lower body strength of elderly. Although no obvious improvement on the knee extensor is observed, it may be used as a rehabilitation treatment for training stable deep muscle groups to improve the knee flexion strength significantly.


Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 1482
Author(s):  
Alvaro Pano-Rodriguez ◽  
Jose Vicente Beltran-Garrido ◽  
Vicenç Hernandez-Gonzalez ◽  
Joaquín Reverter-Masia

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.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 435
Author(s):  
Laura Delgado-Lobete ◽  
Rebeca Montes-Montes ◽  
Carlos Freire ◽  
María del Mar Ferradás

Performance in basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL; IADL) is an essential indicator of daily functioning and health of people with intellectual disabilities (ID). The aims of this pilot study were to describe the profile of ADL and IADL performance in Spanish adults with ID, and to examine its association with functional physical skills. The Waisman Activities of Daily Living Scale for adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities (W-ADL) scale was administered to the caregivers of twenty adults with ID (mean age = 41.0, SD = 10.1; women = 75.0%). In addition, dynamic balance and maximum walking speed (MWS), lower-body strength, aerobic capacity and manual dexterity of participants were individualized assessed. The results showed that 40% of adults with ID were completely independent in ADL, but all participants reported activity limitations in at least one IADL. Dynamic balance and MWS, lower-body strength and manual dexterity showed significant and moderate-to-strong correlations with daily functioning (r = 0.495–0.814; p < 0.05). Linear regression analysis indicated that lower-body strength and manual dexterity significantly predicted activity performance in adults with ID (adjusted R2 = 0.816, p = 0.004–0.016). This study highlights the need to support the performance of both ADL and IADL and to promote physical fitness in Spanish community-based care centers for adults with ID.


Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 667-677
Author(s):  
Rudi A. Marciniak ◽  
Kyle T. Ebersole ◽  
David J. Cornell

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 472.1-472
Author(s):  
V. Segura-Jiménez ◽  
B. Gavilán Carrera ◽  
M. Borges Cosic ◽  
P. Acosta-Manzano ◽  
V. A. Aparicio ◽  
...  

Background:Previous evidence has shown physical function (PF) improvements after physical exercise programs in fibromyalgia1. However, research comparing the efficacy of land vs. water-based programs is scarce.Objectives:This study aimed at comparing the effects of two exercise interventions (land- and water-based) on PF in patients with fibromyalgia.Methods:A total of 262 women were initially randomized and 152 (age:50.6 ±7.7 years) completed all the assessments with an attendance ≥70% (control n=62, land-based n=48, water-based n=42). The intervention groups trained three non-consecutive days/week (60 min/session) during 24 weeks. Every session consisted of exercises focused on improving cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and flexibility. Physical function components were assessed with the Functional Senior Fitness Test battery, and a standardized global PF index was calculated. Pre-, post- and re-test (12-week detraining) assessments were conducted. Groups did not differ in sex, sociodemographic characteristics, disease duration, drugs intake, and body mass index. Analysis of covariance was used to test the differences in changes from baseline (post-test vs. pre-test and re-test vs. pre-test) between groups using age, pain sensitivity, and baseline outcomes values as covariates.Results:Land- and water-based exercise groups improved lower body strength (mean difference; 95% confidence interval=2.8; 1.8, 3.8 and 1.7; 0.6, 2.8, respectively), upper body strength (4.8; 2.8, 6.8 and 3.5; 1.4, 5.6, respectively), and agility (-0.8; -1.2, -0.4 and -0.4; -0.8, -0.0, respectively) compared to the control group (all, P≤0.033). Additionally, land-based exercise group improved lower body flexibility and cardiorespiratory fitness compared to both the control (6.4; 2.8, 9.9 and 55.0; 31.0, 79.2, respectively) and water-based (5.4; 1.7, 9.2 and 37.5; 11.4, 63.6, respectively) groups (all, P≤0.002). Global PF improved in the land-based compared to the control group (0.4; 0.2, 0.5, P<0.001) and the water-based group (0.2; 0.0, 0.4, P=0.019). After the detraining period, land- and water-based groups maintained improvements in upper body strength (3.1; 1.2, 5.0 and 2.2; 0.1, 4.2, respectively) compared to the control group (all, P≤0.032). Land-based exercise group maintained improvements in lower body flexibility (5.1; 1.5, 8.8), lower body strength (1.7; 0.8, 2.6), agility (-0.6; -1.0, -0.3) and cardiorespiratory fitness (31.0; 6.8, 55.2) compared to control group (all, P≤0.007), and agility (-0.5; -0.9, -0.1) and cardiorespiratory fitness (40.2; 11.7, 68.7) compared to the water-based group (all, P≤0.014). The improvements in global PF were maintained in the land-based group compared to the control group (0.1; 0.0, 0.3, P=0.049).Conclusion:Land- and water-based exercise interventions are overall effective to improve PF in patients with fibromyalgia. However, the land-based exercise intervention presented greater effectiveness compared to the water-based exercise intervention. Improvements were overall sustained in the land-based group after a 12-week detraining period.References:[1]Macfarlane, G.J.; Kronisch, C.; Dean, L.E.; Atzeni, F.; Häuser, W.; Fluß, E.; Choy, E.; Kosek, E.; Amris, K.; Branco, J.; et al. EULAR revised recommendations for the management of fibromyalgia. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 2017, 76, 318–328.Acknowledgments:This study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (I+D+i DEP2010-15639; I+D+I DEP2013-40908-R) and the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (FPU15/00002).Disclosure of Interests: :None declared


Author(s):  
Raja Nurul Jannat Raja Hussain ◽  
Maisarah Shari

Strength and conditioning coaches frequently use traditional resistance training (TRT) to build strength. However, in recent years, whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) was used in elite athletes to increase muscle strength. This study aimed to assess the effect of two different types of training on muscular strength. Sixty female collegiate players (Age = 23.52±1.89 years, Height = 156.20±1.71cm; Mass = 53.21±3.17kg) participated in this study and were randomly assigned to three training groups. All groups trained as usual for eight weeks, except for the first group, which received additional TRT. The second group received additional electrical stimulation training, and the third group did not receive any additional training following the regular softball bat swing training. Muscular strength (upper and lower body) was assessed by a 3RM bench press and a 3RM squat test before and after the eight-week programme. The primary findings indicate that after eight weeks of training, upper body and lower body strength increased significantly in both the TRT and WB-EMS groups (p = 0.000 and p = 0.000, respectively) in comparison to the control group. However, the t value indicated that the TRT group improved both upper body strength (20.18) and lower body strength (29.18) more than the WB-EMS group (upper body = 6.18; lower body = 6.47). The findings demonstrate the efficacy of both training modalities for increasing muscular strength and suggest that TRT be prioritised over whole-body electrical stimulation training for increasing muscular strength in collegiate softball players.


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