The Effects of Exercise on Perceived Stress and IL-6 Levels Among Older Adults

2007 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 186-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela R. Starkweather

Biochemical markers of inflammation have been used in recent physical activity intervention studies. However, these same biochemical markers, mainly proinflammatory cytokines, may also be influenced by the individual’s level of stress and mood. Accordingly, this pilot study was implemented to determine the effect of a physical activity intervention on perceived stress, mood, quality of life, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), and cortisol among 10 older adults, age 60 to 90. The results were compared to those of 10 older adults who were not engaging in regular physical activity. The 10-week intervention was applied using student nurses who taught the older adults how to calculate 60% of their maximum heart rate while ambulating for 30-min intervals. After the 10-week period, the participants in the exercise group reported significant improvements in stress, mood, and several quality of life indices. They also demonstrated a significant decrease in serum IL-6. Stress, mood, and quality of life scores in the exercise group were also significantly improved compared to the control group. This study adds information on the specific intensity, duration, and frequency of exercise necessary to achieve improvements in psychological variables and IL-6 levels. It also supports the need to measure psychological stress in physical activity intervention studies. Although the psychological variables were highly correlated, there were only weak correlations found with IL-6, suggesting that other factors are likely involved in reducing IL-6 when engaging in low-impact physical activity.

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. e74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Broekhuizen ◽  
Jelle de Gelder ◽  
Carolien A Wijsman ◽  
Liselotte W Wijsman ◽  
Rudi GJ Westendorp ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 205435812098705
Author(s):  
Kathryn Wytsma-Fisher ◽  
Stefan Mustata ◽  
Theresa Cowan ◽  
Manuel Ester ◽  
S. Nicole Culos-Reed

Background: Low physical activity levels and poor physical functioning are strongly associated with poor clinical outcomes and mortality in adult kidney failure patients, regardless of treatment modality. Compared with the general population, individuals with chronic kidney disease are physically inactive, have reduced physical abilities and difficulties performing routine daily tasks, lower health-related quality of life, and higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In addition, frail kidney failure patients have higher hospitalization and mortality rates as compared with other kidney failure patients. Evidence suggests that assessment and recommendations for physical activity should be part of standard care for kidney failure patients. Structured exercise can improve physical function and quality of life in frail older adults and may be used specifically for management of frailty in kidney failure. However, research is needed to determine best practices for implementation of physical function measurements and physical activity promotion in standard kidney failure care. Objective: The proposed Move More study will assess the feasibility of a physical activity intervention offered to the kidney failure inpatients in Calgary, Alberta. Specifically, this study is designed to examine the effects of an early physical activity/mobility intervention led by a kinesiologist, and supported by the clinical care team including physiotherapists (PT) and nurse clinicians. Methods: The Move More study is a single-arm pilot intervention examining feasibility and optimal improvement in real-world conditions. Kidney failure inpatients at the Foothills Medical Centre will be recruited to participate. Patients will receive an individualized in-hospital physical activity/mobility intervention. Frailty and physical function will be assessed at baseline and postintervention prior to hospital discharge. The goal is to recruit 24 to 36 patients. Conclusions: Evidence needed to support the inclusion of mobility and physical activity as part of standard care will be gathered, with knowledge gained used to help direct future physical activity programming for kidney failure inpatients.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nduka C. Okwose ◽  
Leah Avery ◽  
Nicola O’Brien ◽  
Sophie Cassidy ◽  
Sarah J. Charman ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Less than 10% of heart failure patients in the UK participate in cardiac rehabilitation programmes. The present pilot study evaluated feasibility, acceptability and physiological effects of a novel, personalised, home-based physical activity intervention in chronic heart failure. Methods Twenty patients (68 ± 7 years old, 20% females) with stable chronic heart failure due to reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (31 ± 8 %) participated in a single-group, pilot study assessing the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week personalised home-based physical activity intervention aiming to increase daily number of steps by 2000 from baseline (Active-at-Home-HF). Patients completed cardiopulmonary exercise testing with non-invasive gas exchange and haemodynamic measurements and quality of life questionnaire pre- and post-intervention. Patients were supported weekly via telephone and average weekly step count data collected using pedometers. Results Forty-three patients were screened and 20 recruited into the study. Seventeen patients (85%) completed the intervention, and 15 (75%) achieved the target step count. Average step count per day increased significantly from baseline to 3 weeks by 2546 (5108 ± 3064 to 7654 ± 3849, P = 0.03, n = 17) and was maintained until week 12 (9022 ± 3942). Following completion of the intervention, no adverse events were recorded and quality of life improved by 4 points (26 ± 18 vs. 22 ± 19). Peak exercise stroke volume increased by 19% (127 ± 34 vs. 151 ± 34 m/beat, P = 0.05), while cardiac index increased by 12% (6.8 ± 1.5 vs. 7.6 ± 2.0 L/min/m2, P = 0.19). Workload and oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold also increased by 16% (49 ± 16 vs. 59 ± 14 watts, P = 0.01) and 10% (11.5 ± 2.9 vs. 12.8 ± 2.2 ml/kg/min, P = 0.39). Conclusion The Active-at-Home-HF intervention is feasible, acceptable and effective for increasing physical activity in CHF. It may lead to improvements in quality of life, exercise tolerance and haemodynamic function. Trial Registration www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT0367727. Retrospectively registered on 17 September 2018.


2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 1647-1654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siobhan M. Phillips ◽  
Thomas R. Wójcicki ◽  
Edward McAuley

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wojtek J. Chodzko-Zajko

For more than half a century fellows of the National Academy of Kinesiology have enthusiastically advocated for the promotion and adoption of physically active lifestyles as an affordable and effective means to prevent chronic diseases and conditions, and enhance independence and high quality of life for older adults. It is possible to discern distinct evolutionary stages when examining scholarship related to the role of physical activity in the promotion of healthy aging. Research into physical activity and aging began with critical early studies that established the underlying scientific evidence for a relationship between physical activity and healthy aging. More recent work has addressed such topics as building consumer demand, developing policies and legislation to support active aging, and understanding the complex interrelationships between physical activity and other lifestyle factors in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases and conditions. It is increasingly apparent that strategies to promote active and successful aging must be integrated into an effective public policy. Kinesiologists and other health professionals, working in collaboration with colleagues from other disciplines, can help to reduce risk factors for chronic disease and improve quality of life for older adults by building awareness of the importance of physical activity and by assisting with the development and implementation of appropriate and effective interventions that reduce risk factors and improve quality of life.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Otones ◽  
Eva García ◽  
Teresa Sanz ◽  
Azucena Pedraz

Abstract Background Exercise have shown being effective for managing chronic pain and preventing frailty status in older adults but the effect of an exercise program in the quality of life of pre-frail older adults with chronic pain remains unclear. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of multicomponent structured physical exercise program for pre-frail adults aged 65 years or more with chronic pain to improve their perceived health related quality of life, compared with usual care. Methods Open label randomized controlled trial. Participants were community-dwelling pre-frail older adults aged 65 years or older with chronic pain and non-dependent for basic activities of daily living attending a Primary Healthcare Centre. Forty-four participants were randomly allocated to a control group (n = 20) that received usual care or an intervention group (n = 24) that received an 8-week physical activity and education program. Frailty status (SHARE Frailty Index), quality of life (EuroQol-5D-5L), pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale), physical performance (Short Physical Performance Battery) and depression (Yessavage) were assessed at baseline, after the intervention and after 3 months follow-up. The effect of the intervention was analysed by mean differences between the intervention and control groups. Results The follow-up period (3 months) was completed by 32 patients (73%), 17 in the control group and 15 in the intervention group. Most participants were women (78.1%) with a mean age (standard deviation) of 77.2 (5.9) years and a mean pain intensity of 48.1 (24.4) mm. No relevant differences were found between groups at baseline. After the intervention, mean differences in the EuroQol Index Value between control and intervention groups were significant (-0.19 95%CI(-0.33- -0.04)) and remained after three months follow-up (-0.21 95%CI(-0.37- -0.05)). Participants in the exercise group showed better results in pain intensity and frailty after the intervention, and an improvement in physical performance after the intervention and after three months. Conclusions An eight-week physical activity and education program for pre-frail older adults with chronic pain, compared with usual care, could be effective to improve quality of life after the intervention and after three-months follow-up. Study registration details: This study was retrospectively registered in ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT04045535.


BMJ Open ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. e048203
Author(s):  
Nessa Millet ◽  
Hilary J McDermott ◽  
Fehmidah Munir ◽  
Charlotte L Edwardson ◽  
Esther L Moss

IntroductionCervical cancer treatment can have life changing sequelae and be associated with poor short-term and long-term quality of life. Physical activity (PA; that is, bodily movement) is known to improve health outcomes and quality of life for cancer survivors, both physically and psychologically. To date, no interventions to increase PA following cervical cancer have been evaluated. This study aims to (1) determine the feasibility of conducting a PA intervention after cervical cancer and (2) to explore the acceptability of the programme and evaluation measures.Methods and analysisThe design is a pre study and post study design. Thirty participants aged between 18 and 60 years from the Midlands region, UK, who have completed primary treatment for cervical cancer at least 6 months previously and do not meet the national PA guidelines will be recruited. Identification of potential participants will take place through the University Hospitals of Leicester National Health Service (NHS) Trust. Participants will receive an intervention focused on increasing PA through the provision of education, action planning, goal setting, problem solving and self-monitoring of PA behaviour, particularly steps per day. Device assessed PA and questionnaires will be completed at baseline, week 6, week 12 and week 24. Feasibility will be assessed in terms of recruitment, retention, attrition, completion of measures and intervention compliance, for which specific feasibility criteria have been established. The process evaluation will explore the experiences and acceptability of the intervention components and evaluation measures.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been granted by the West of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1 for this study. Results will inform intervention refinement for the design of a definitive pilot trial. These results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and international conferences while input from a patient and public involvement (PPI) group will inform effective ways to circulate results among the wider community.Trial registration numberISRCTN16349793, Registered 30 September 2020.


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