Chinese Martial Art Training Failed to Improve Balance or Inhibit Falls in Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 126 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ada W. W. Ma ◽  
Hsing-Kuo Wang ◽  
Duan-Rung Chen ◽  
Ya-Mei Chen ◽  
Yvonne T. C. Chak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Peak Force ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Balance Confidence ◽  
Martial Art ◽  
Knee Flexors

This randomized controlled trial explored the effects of a Ving Tsun (VT) Chinese martial art training program on reactive standing balance performance, postural muscle reflex contraction latency, leg muscle performance, balance confidence and falls in community-dwelling older adults. We randomly assigned 33 healthy older adults to either a VT group (mean age = 67.5 years) or a control group (mean age = 72.1 years). The VT group received two 1-hour VT training sessions per week for three months (24 sessions). Primary outcome measures collected before and after the intervention period were electromyographic muscle activation onset latencies of the hamstring and gastrocnemius and the center of pressure path, length and movement velocity in standing (reactive balance performance). Secondary outcome measures included isometric peak force and time to isometric peak force of the knee extensors and flexors, the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale score, and fall history. Results revealed that the mean gastrocnemius muscle activation onset latency was significantly longer (22.53 ms) in the VT group after the intervention. The peak force of the knee flexors significantly increased (by 1.58 kg) in the control group over time but not in the VT group. The time to reach peak force in the knee flexors was significantly longer (by 0.51 s) in the control group (but not the VT group) at posttest compared with the pretest value. No other significant group, time, or group-by-time interaction effects were noted. We discussed possible reasons for the failure of three months of martial art training to benefit fall risks among these older adults.

scholarly journals Effects of Ving Tsun Chinese Martial Art Training on Upper Extremity Muscle Strength and Eye-Hand Coordination in Community-Dwelling Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Pilot Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirley S. M. Fong ◽  
Shamay S. M. Ng ◽  
Yoyo T. Y. Cheng ◽  
Janet Y. H. Wong ◽  
Esther Y. T. Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Peak Force ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Martial Art ◽  
Hand Coordination ◽  
Elbow Extensor

Objectives. To evaluate the effects of Ving Tsun (VT) martial art training on the upper extremity muscle strength and eye-hand coordination of middle-aged and older adults.Methods. This study used a nonequivalent pretest-posttest control group design. Forty-two community-dwelling healthy adults participated in the study; 24 (mean age ± SD =68.5±6.7years) underwent VT training for 4 weeks (a supervised VT session twice a week, plus daily home practice), and 18 (mean age ± SD =72.0±6.7years) received no VT training and acted as controls. Shoulder and elbow isometric muscle strength and eye-hand coordination were evaluated using the Lafayette Manual Muscle Test System and a computerized finger-pointing test, respectively.Results. Elbow extensor peak force increased by 13.9% (P=0.007) in the VT group and the time to reach peak force decreased (9.9%) differentially in the VT group compared to the control group (P=0.033). For the eye-hand coordination assessment outcomes, reaction time increased by 2.9% in the VT group and decreased by 5.3% in the control group (P=0.002).Conclusions. Four weeks of VT training could improve elbow extensor isometric peak force and the time to reach peak force but not eye-hand coordination in community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults.

Effects of golf training on cognition in older adults: a randomised controlled trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 72 (10) ◽  
pp. 944-950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Shimada ◽  
Sangyoon Lee ◽  
Masahiro Akishita ◽  
Koichi Kozaki ◽  
Katsuya Iijima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Logical Memory ◽  
Randomised Controlled

BackgroundAlthough research indicates that a physically active lifestyle has the potential to prevent cognitive decline and dementia, the optimal type of physical activity/exercise remains unclear. The present study aimed to determine the cognitive benefits of a golf-training programme in community-dwelling older adults.MethodsWe conducted a randomised controlled trial between August 2016 and June 2017 at a general golf course. Participants included 106 Japanese adults aged 65 and older. Participants were randomly assigned to either a 24-week (90–120 min sessions/week) golf-training group or a health education control group. Postintervention changes in Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and National Centre for Geriatrics and Gerontology-Functional Assessment Tool scores were regarded as primary outcome measures. Secondary outcome measures included changes in physical performance and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) scores.ResultsA total of 100 participants (golf training, n=53; control, n=47) completed the assessments after the 24-week intervention period. The adherence to the golf programme was 96.2% (51/53 participants). Analysis using linear mixed models revealed that the golf training group exhibited significantly greater improvements in immediate logical memory (p=0.033), delayed logical memory (p=0.009) and composite logical memory (p=0.013) scores than the control group. However, no significant changes in MMSE, word memory, Trail Making Test or Symbol Digital Substitution Test scores were observed. In addition, no significant changes in grip strength, walking speed or GDS were observed.ConclusionsGolf-based exercise interventions may improve logical memory in older adults, but no significant changes in other cognitive tests. Further follow-up investigations are required to determine whether the observed effects are associated with delayed onset of mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease in older adults.Trial registration numberUMIN-CTR UMIN000024797; Pre-results.

scholarly journals Musculoskeletal Strength, Balance Performance, and Self-Efficacy in Elderly Ving Tsun Chinese Martial Art Practitioners: Implications for Fall Prevention

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirley S. M. Fong ◽  
Shamay S. M. Ng ◽  
Karen P. Y. Liu ◽  
Marco Y. C. Pang ◽  
H. W. Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Strength ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Balance Confidence ◽  
Functional Balance ◽  
Martial Art

Objectives.To (1) compare the bone strength, lower limb muscular strength, functional balance performance, and balance self-efficacy between Ving Tsun (VT) martial art practitioners and nonpractitioners and (2) identify the associations between lower limb muscular strength, functional balance performance, and balance self-efficacy among the VT-trained participants.Methods.Thirty-five VT practitioners (mean age ± SD = 62.7 ± 13.3 years) and 49 nonpractitioners (mean age ± SD = 65.9 ± 10.5 years) participated in the study. The bone strength of the distal radius, lower limb muscular strength, functional balance performance, and balance self-efficacy were assessed using an ultrasound bone sonometer, the five times sit-to-stand test (FTSTS), the Berg balance scale (BBS), and the Chinese version of the activities-specific balance confidence scale, respectively. A multivariate analysis of covariance was performed to compare all the outcome variables between the two groups.Results.Elderly VT practitioners had higher radial bone strength on the dominant side(P<0.05), greater lower limb muscular strength(P=0.001), better functional balance performance(P=0.003), and greater balance confidence(P<0.001)than the nonpractitioners. Additionally, only the FTSTS time revealed a significant association with the BBS score(r=-0.575, P=0.013).Conclusions.VT may be a suitable health-maintenance exercise for the elderly. Our findings may inspire the development of VT fall-prevention exercises for the community-dwelling healthy elderly.

scholarly journals The effects of the Otago Exercise Programme on actual and perceived balance in older adults: A meta-analysis

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0255780
Author(s):  
Huei-Ling Chiu ◽  
Ting-Ting Yeh ◽  
Yun-Ting Lo ◽  
Pei-Jung Liang ◽  
Shu-Chun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Exercise Programme ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Group Setting ◽  
Balance Confidence ◽  
Balance Ability

Objective Falls are serious issues in older populations. Balance problems are a major cause of falls and may lead to fear of falling and decreased balance confidence. The Otago Exercise Programme (OEP) is an effective fall prevention program that benefits balance function and fear of falling. The primary aim of the meta-analysis was to investigate the effectiveness of the OEP intervention on actual balance performance (i.e., static, dynamic, proactive or reactive balance) and perceived balance ability (i.e., balance confidence or fear of falling) for older adults; the secondary aim was to examine which OEP protocol most improves balance in older adults. Methods A systematic electronic review search was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of the OEP on actual balance performance and perceived balance ability in healthy older adults, and examining which OEP training protocol and intervention format most improves balance. Results A total of 12 RCTs were included in the analyses. The OEP exerted significant effects on static balance (Hedges’s g = 0.388; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.131 to 0.645), dynamic balance (g = -0.228; 95% CI = -0.352 to -0.1.4), proactive balance (g = 0.239; 95% CI = 0.061 to 0.416) and perceived balance (g = -0.184; 95% CI = -0.320 to -0.048) in older adults. Subgroup analysis indicated that the group format for the OEP was more effective for improving static (p = 0.008), dynamic (p = 0.004) and perceived balance (p = 0.004) than was the individual format. Sessions of >30 minutes were more effective in improving static (p = 0.007) and perceived balance (p = 0.014) than were sessions of ≤30 minutes. However, the effects of the OEP on balance were unrelated to the types of control group, training frequency and training period. Discussion The OEP is helpful for improving actual balance including static, dynamic, and proactive balance; enhancing confidence in balance control; and reducing fear of falling in older adults. In particular, administrating the OEP in a group setting in >30-minute sessions may be the most appropriate and effective exercise protocol for improving balance.

The Effect of Short-Term Balance Training on Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2001 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann-Charlotte Grahn Kronhed ◽  
Claes Möller ◽  
Boel Olsson ◽  
Margareta Möller
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Balance Training ◽  
Exercise Group ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Ordinary Life ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
The Right

This study evaluated a balance-training program’s influence in healthy older adults. Fifteen community-dwelling participants aged 70–75 years were randomized to an exercise group, and 15 gender- and age-matched participants, to a control group. The 9-week training program comprised ordinary-life balance, vestibular-habituation, and ball exercises and station training. Clinical balance tests were conducted before and after training. Tests that showed significant improvement in the exercise group after the intervention included standing on the right leg with eyes closed, standing on the right leg and the left leg while turning the head and walking 30 m. Significant between-group differences were found at posttest. A significant decrease was seen in the control group in the walking-forward test, and this change was significantly different between groups. The study indicates that balance performance in healthy older adults might be improved by balance training including exercises that stimulate multiple sensory systems and their central integration.

scholarly journals Multidirectional Overground Robotic Training Leads to Improvements in Balance in Older Adults

Robotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 101
Author(s):  
Lara A. Thompson ◽  
Mehdi Badache ◽  
Joao Augusto Renno Brusamolin ◽  
Marzieh Savadkoohi ◽  
Jelani Guise ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Robotic System ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Support Surface ◽  
Training Methods ◽  
Robotic Training ◽  
Balance Confidence ◽  
Balance Ability ◽  
Abc Scale

For the rapidly growing aging demographic worldwide, robotic training methods could be impactful towards improving balance critical for everyday life. Here, we investigated the hypothesis that non-bodyweight supportive (nBWS) overground robotic balance training would lead to improvements in balance performance and balance confidence in older adults. Sixteen healthy older participants (69.7 ± 6.7 years old) were trained while donning a harness from a distinctive NaviGAITor robotic system. A control group of 11 healthy participants (68.7 ± 5.0 years old) underwent the same training but without the robotic system. Training included 6 weeks of standing and walking tasks while modifying: (1) sensory information (i.e., with and without vision (eyes-open/closed), with more and fewer support surface cues (hard or foam surfaces)) and (2) base-of-support (wide, tandem and single-leg standing exercises). Prior to and post-training, balance ability and balance confidence were assessed via the balance error scoring system (BESS) and the Activities specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, respectively. Encouragingly, results showed that balance ability improved (i.e., BESS errors significantly decreased), particularly in the nBWS group, across nearly all test conditions. This result serves as an indication that robotic training has an impact on improving balance for healthy aging individuals.

scholarly journals Short-term balance training and acute effects on postural sway in balance-deficient older adults: a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Niklas Sörlén ◽  
Andreas Hult ◽  
Peter Nordström ◽  
Anna Nordström ◽  
Jonas Johansson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Balance Exercise

Abstract Background We aimed to determine the effectiveness of 4 weeks of balance exercise compared with no intervention on objectively measured postural sway. Methods This was a single-center parallel randomized controlled, open label, trial. A six-sided dice was used for allocation at a 1:1-ratio between exercise and control. The trial was performed at a university hospital clinic in Sweden and recruited community-dwelling older adults with documented postural instability. The intervention consisted of progressively challenging balance exercise three times per week, during 4 weeks, with follow-up at week five. Main outcome measures were objective postural sway length during eyes open and eyes closed conditions. Results Sixty-five participants aged 70 years (balance exercise n = 32; no intervention n = 33) were randomized. 14 participants were excluded from analysis because of early dropout before follow-up at week five, leaving 51 (n = 22; n = 29) participants for analysis. No significant differences were detected between the groups in any of the postural sway outcomes. Within-group analyses showed significant improvements in hand grip strength for the intervention group, while Timed Up & Go improvements were comparable between groups but only statistically significant in the control group. Conclusions Performing balance exercise over a four-week intervention period did not acutely improve postural sway in balance-deficient older adults. The lower limit in duration and frequency to achieve positive effects remains unclear. Trial registration Clinical trials NCT03227666, July 24, 2017, retrospectively registered.

scholarly journals Comparison of Lateral Perturbation-Induced Step Training and Hip Muscle Strengthening Exercise on Balance and Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark W Rogers ◽  
Robert A Creath ◽  
Vicki Gray ◽  
Janice Abarro ◽  
Sandy McCombe Waller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Muscle Strengthening ◽  
Hip Muscle ◽  
Hip Abduction ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background This factorial, assessor-blinded, randomized, and controlled study compared the effects of perturbation-induced step training (lateral waist-pulls), hip muscle strengthening, and their combination, on balance performance, muscle strength, and prospective falls among older adults. Methods Community-dwelling older adults were randomized to 4 training groups. Induced step training (IST, n = 25) involved 43 progressive perturbations. Hip abduction strengthening (HST, n = 25) utilized progressive resistance exercises. Combined training (CMB, n = 25) included IST and HST, and the control performed seated flexibility/relaxation exercises (SFR, n = 27). The training involved 36 sessions for a period of 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were the number of recovery steps and first step length, and maximum hip abduction torque. Fall frequency during 12 months after training was determined. Results Overall, the number of recovery steps was reduced by 31% and depended upon the first step type. IST and CMB increased the rate of more stable single lateral steps pre- and post-training than HST and SFR who used more multiple crossover and sequential steps. The improved rate of lateral steps for CMB exceeded the control (CMB/SFR rate ratio 2.68). First step length was unchanged, and HST alone increased hip torque by 25%. Relative to SFR, the fall rate ratios (falls/person/year) [95% confidence interval] were CMB 0.26 [0.07–0.90], IST 0.44 [0.18–1.08], and HST 0.30 (0.10–0.91). Conclusions Balance performance through stepping was best improved by combining perturbation and strength training and not strengthening alone. The interventions reduced future falls by 56%–74% over the control. Lateral balance perturbation training may enhance traditional programs for fall prevention.

Effects of Aerobic, Resistance, or Combined Exercise Training Among Older Adults with Subjective Memory Complaints: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Taeko Makino ◽  
Hiroyuki Umegaki ◽  
Masahiko Ando ◽  
Xian Wu Cheng ◽  
Koji Ishida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Logical Memory ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Background: Physical exercise is suggested to be effective for preventing cognitive decline in older adults, but the relative efficacy of different types of exercise have yet to be clarified. Objective: This single-blinded randomized controlled trial was designed to investigate the differential effects of aerobic exercise training (AT), resistance exercise training (RT), and combined exercise training (CT) on cognition in older adults with subjective memory complaints (SMC). Methods: Community-dwelling older adults with SMC (n = 415; mean age = 72.3 years old) were randomly assigned to one of the four groups: AT, RT, CT, or control group. The study consisted of two phases: a 26-week intervention and a 26-week follow-up. The participants were evaluated at baseline, 26 weeks (postintervention), and 52 weeks (follow-up). The primary outcome of this study was memory function, which was assessed using the Logical Memory II subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R) score. The secondary outcomes included global cognitive function, verbal fluency, working memory, processing speed, and executive functions. Results: Intention-to-treat analysis by a mixed-effect model repeated measure showed that the AT group had significantly improved performance on the WMS-R Logical Memory II test (2.74 [1.82–3.66] points) than the control group (1.36 [0.44–2.28] points) at the postintervention assessment (p = 0.037). The effect was more pronounced in those without amnesia than those with amnesia. No significant improvement was observed in the RT and CT groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that AT intervention can improve delayed memory in community-dwelling older adults, particularly in individuals without objective memory decline.

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