scholarly journals Effects of aquatic physical intervention on fall risk, working memory and hazard-perception as pedestrians in older people: a pilot trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Nissim ◽  
Abigail Livny ◽  
Caroline Barmatz ◽  
Galia Tsarfaty ◽  
Yitshal Berner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Aging Effects ◽  
Hazard Perception

Abstract Background: Normal aging is associated with balance, mobility and working memory decline that increase fall risk and influence activity of daily living functions. Mounting evidence suggests that physical activity is beneficial for decreasing aging effects. Previous studies have focused on land-based physical activity. Research concerning the aquatic environment is scarce. The primary objectives of this three arm intervention pilot study were to examine the effects of an aquatic physical intervention program on balance, gait, fall risk and working memory among community-dwelling older individuals. The secondary objective was to examine the effects of an aquatic physical intervention program on safety of street–crossing among community-dwelling older individuals. Methods: Forty-two healthy participants aged 65 or older were enrolled into one of three intervention groups: aquatic physical intervention (API) (N=13), on-land physical intervention (OLPI) (N=14) or non-physical intervention (NPI) (N=15). The intervention took place from 2018 until 2019 at Tel-Aviv University, Sheba medical center and Reich Center. The protocol included 30-minute sessions twice a week for 12 weeks. Balance, gait and fall risk were assessed by the Tinneti test, working memory abilities were assessed by digit span and Corsi blocks tests and simulated safe streets-crossing was assessed by the hazard perception test for pedestrians.Testing and data collection was conducted at baseline, after six weeks and 12 weeks of intervention. All members of the professional team involved in evaluating participants were blind to the intervention group to which participants were allocated. Results: The differences in Tinetti balance (F(2,39)=10.03, p<0.01), fall risk (F(2,39)=5.62, p0>.05), digit span forward (F(2,39)=8.85, p<0.01) and Corsi blocks forward (F(2,39)=3.54, p<0.05) and backward (F(2,39)=6.50, p<0.05) scores after 12 weeks between the groups were significant. The API group showed improved scores. The differences in hazard perception test for pedestrians scores after 12 weeks of intervention between the groups were marginally significant (F(2,39)=3.13, p=0.055). The API group showed improved scores. Conclusions: These findings may affect experts working with the elderly population when making decisions concerning therapeutic prevention interventions for the deficiencies of elderly patients. Older adults practicing aquatic physical activity could contribute to their increased safety. Trial registrationTrial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov Registry NCT03510377. Date of registration: 10/31/2017

scholarly journals Effects of aquatic physical intervention on fall risk, working memory and hazard-perception as pedestrians in older people

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Nissim ◽  
Abigail Livny ◽  
Caroline Barmatz ◽  
Galia Tsarfaty ◽  
Yitshal Berner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Aging Effects ◽  
Hazard Perception ◽  
Prevention Interventions

Abstract Background: Normal aging is associated with balance, mobility and working memory decline that increase fall risk and influence activity of daily living functions. Mounting evidence suggests that physical activity is beneficial for decreasing aging effects. The environment in which the physical activity occurs influences the results of the activity. Previous studies have focused on land-based physical activity. Research concerning the aquatic environment is scarce. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an aquatic physical intervention program on fall risk, working memory and safety of streets–crossing among community-dwelling older individuals.Methods: Forty-two healthy participants aged 65 or older were divided into one of three intervention groups: aquatic physical intervention (API), on-land physical intervention (OLPI) or non-physical intervention (NPI). The intervention took place from 2018 until 2019 and the protocol included 30-minute sessions twice a week for 12 weeks. Balance, gait and fall risk, working memory abilities and simulated safe streets-crossing were tested. Testing and data collection was conducted at baseline, after six weeks and 12 weeks of intervention. Results: After six and 12 weeks of intervention, the API group achieved higher improvement on fall-risk score as compared to the NPI group, and both OLPI and NPI groups achieved less improvement on balance score compared to the API group. Additionally, after 12 weeks of intervention, both OLPI and NPI groups scored significantly lower than the API group in verbal and visuospatial working memory tests. Finally, a trend of improvement was found on the hazard-perception as pedestrians test after 12 weeks of intervention only among the API group. Conclusions: These findings may affect experts working with the elderly population when making decisions concerning therapeutic prevention interventions for the deficiencies of elderly patients. Such interventions may help reduce falling and cognitive deficits, which can lead to decreased injuries and fatalities of older pedestrians. Older adults practicing aquatic physical activity could contribute to their increased safety. Trial registration Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov Registry NCT03510377. Date of registration: 10/31/2017 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03510377

scholarly journals Effects of Ai-Chi Practice on Balance and Left Cerebellar Activation during High Working Memory Load Task in Older People: A Controlled Pilot Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12756
Author(s):  
Michal Nissim ◽  
Abigail Livny ◽  
Caroline Barmatz ◽  
Galia Tsarfaty ◽  
Yitshal Berner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Older People ◽  
Memory Load ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Exercise Session ◽  
Aging Effects ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Working Memory Load ◽  
Practice Group

Background: Normal aging is associated with balance and working memory decline. From a neurobiological standpoint, changes in cerebellar functional plasticity may mediate the decline in balance and working memory for older adults. Mounting evidence suggests that physical activity is beneficial for decreasing aging effects. Previous studies have focused on land-based physical activity and research concerning the aquatic environment is scarce. This study investigated the effectiveness of Ai-Chi on balance abilities and cerebral activation during a high working memory load task among community-dwelling older people. Methods: A total of 19 people aged 65–86 years were allocated to receive Ai-Chi practice (n = 6), structured on-land Ai-Chi practice (n = 7) or guided-imagery of Ai-Chi practice (n = 6) for a bi-weekly, 30-min exercise session for 12 weeks. Balance was measured by the Tinetti balance sub-test and working memory was measured by the N-back test during functional-MRI scan. Results: The Ai-Chi practice group presented a significant change in balance between pre and post intervention (balance t = −4.8, p < 0.01). In the whole-brain analysis, during high working memory load task, the Ai-Chi practice group presented a decrease in left cerebellar activation. Region of interest analyses yielded similar results by which pre-cerebellar activation was higher than post-intervention (t = 2.77, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Ai-Chi is an available, non-invasive intervention method that may serve as a tool to improve cerebellar activation that in turn might improve balance. In addition, our findings may provide new insights into the neuronal mechanisms that underlie both motor and cognitive abilities.

scholarly journals Changes in Health Behaviors, Mental and Physical Health among Older Adults under Severe Lockdown Restrictions during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 7067
Author(s):  
Esther García-Esquinas ◽  
Rosario Ortolá ◽  
Iago Gine-Vázquez ◽  
José A. Carnicero ◽  
Asier Mañas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Lifestyle Risk Factors ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Lifestyle Risk

We used data from 3041 participants in four cohorts of community-dwelling individuals aged ≥65 years in Spain collected through a pre-pandemic face-to-face interview and a telephone interview conducted between weeks 7 to 15 after the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown. On average, the confinement was not associated with a deterioration in lifestyle risk factors (smoking, alcohol intake, diet, or weight), except for a decreased physical activity and increased sedentary time, which reversed with the end of confinement. However, chronic pain worsened, and moderate declines in mental health, that did not seem to reverse after restrictions were lifted, were observed. Males, older adults with greater social isolation or greater feelings of loneliness, those with poorer housing conditions, as well as those with a higher prevalence of chronic morbidities were at increased risk of developing unhealthier lifestyles or mental health declines with confinement. On the other hand, previously having a greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet and doing more physical activity protected older adults from developing unhealthier lifestyles with confinement. If another lockdown were imposed during this or future pandemics, public health programs should specially address the needs of older individuals with male sex, greater social isolation, sub-optimal housing conditions, and chronic morbidities because of their greater vulnerability to the enacted movement restrictions.

scholarly journals Combined Intervention of Physical Activity, Aerobic Exercise, and Cognitive Exercise Intervention to Prevent Cognitive Decline for Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Park ◽  
Park ◽  
Na ◽  
Hiroyuki ◽  
Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Exercise Adherence ◽  
Disease Assessment ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Combined Intervention

This study aimed to investigate the association between a dual-task intervention program and cognitive and physical functions. In a randomized controlled trial, we enrolled 49 individuals with MCI. The MCI diagnosis was based on medical evaluations through a clinical interview conducted by a dementia specialist. Cognitive assessments were performed by neuropsychologists according to standardized methods, including the MMSE and modified Alzheimer’s disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog), both at baseline and at 3 months follow-up. The program comprised physical activity and behavior modification, aerobic exercise, and a cognitive and exercise combined intervention program. Analysis of the subjects for group-time interactions revealed that the exercise group exhibited a significantly improved ADAS-Cog, working memory, and executive function. Total physical activity levels were associated with improvements in working memory function and the modified ADAS-Cog score, and the associations were stronger for daily moderate intensity activity than for daily step count. The 24-week combined intervention improved cognitive function and physical function in patients with MCI relative to controls. Encouraging participants to perform an additional 10 min of moderate physical activity under supervision, during ongoing intervention, may be more beneficial to prevent cognitive decline and improve exercise adherence.

Factors influencing physical activity participation among older people with low activity levels

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (12) ◽  
pp. 2593-2613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajni Rai ◽  
Michelle I. Jongenelis ◽  
Ben Jackson ◽  
Robert U. Newton ◽  
Simone Pettigrew
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older People ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Low Activity

AbstractDespite the well-documented health benefits of physical activity in older adults, participation levels remain low. With rapid global population ageing, intensive efforts are needed to encourage higher levels of participation to ameliorate the negative effects of physical inactivity for older individuals and society as a whole. The aim of this qualitative study was to inform future physical activity promotion interventions by examining factors contributing to low activity levels among older people undertaking less than half the recommended level of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 102 (65% female) community-dwelling Western Australians aged 60+ years (mean = 71.52, standard deviation = 6.26) who engaged in ⩽75 minutes of MVPA per week as measured by accelerometers. Several modifiable and unmodifiable barriers were identified, of which poor health featured most prominently. Lifetime physical inactivity, caring duties, low motivation, misperceptions of physical activity and ageing, and a lack of affordable and attractive options were the other barriers identified. The results suggest that strategies are needed to raise awareness of current physical activity guidelines, normalise engagement in MVPA throughout the lifespan, develop initiatives to motivate participation, improve the availability of affordable physical activity programmes that are attractive to this population segment, and facilitate participation among those with intensive caring responsibilities.

Evaluation of an osteoporosis and fall risk intervention program for community-dwelling elderly. A quasi-experimental study of behavioral modifications

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann-Charlotte Grahn Kronhed ◽  
Carina Blomberg ◽  
Owe Löfman ◽  
Toomas Timpka ◽  
Margareta Möller
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Quasi Experimental

A 9-Week Jaques-Dalcroze Eurhythmics Intervention Improves Single and Dual-Task Gait Speed in Community-Dwelling Older People

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 740-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Ferguson-Stegall ◽  
Mandy Vang ◽  
Anthony S. Wolfe ◽  
Kathy M. Thomsen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older People ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Movement Training

Background:Falls are a major public health concern among older adults, and most occur while walking, especially under dualtask conditions. Jaques-Dalcroze eurhythmics (JDE) is a music-based movement training program that emphasizes multitask coordinated movement. A previous 6-mo JDE study in older people demonstrated improved gait and balance; however, the effects of short-term JDE interventions on fall risk-related outcomes are largely unknown. We conducted a preliminary investigation on whether a 9-week JDE intervention improved gait and stability in a community-dwelling older cohort, hypothesizing that improvements would occur in all outcome measures.Methods:Nine participants (78.9 ± 12.3 y) completed the supervised JDE intervention (once/week for 60 min). Gait speed was determined by the 6-m timed walk test (6MTW); dual-task gait speed was determined by another 6MTW while counting backward from 50 aloud; and coordinated stability was assessed using a Swaymeter-like device.Results:Gait speed (0.92 ± 0.11 vs 1.04 ± 0.12 m/sec, P = .04) and dual-task gait speed (0.77 ± 0.09 vs 0.92 ± 0.11 m/sec, P = .0005) significantly improved.Conclusions:This novel intervention is an effective short-term physical activity option for those that plan physical activity or fall-risk reduction programs for the older people.

scholarly journals Depressive Symptoms, Fatigue and Social Relationships Influenced Physical Activity in Frail Older Community-Dwellers during the Spanish Lockdown due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 808
Author(s):  
Laura M. Pérez ◽  
Carmina Castellano-Tejedor ◽  
Matteo Cesari ◽  
Luis Soto-Bagaria ◽  
Joan Ars ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Activity Assessment ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Community Dwellers

Due to the dramatic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Spain underwent a strict lockdown (March–May 2020). How the lockdown modified older adults’ physical activity (PA) has been poorly described. This research assesses the effect of the lockdown on PA levels and identifies predictors of sufficient/insufficient PA in frail older community-dwellers. Community-dwelling participants from the +ÀGIL Barcelona frailty intervention program, suspended during the pandemic, underwent a phone-assessment during the lockdown. PA was measured before and after the lockdown using the Brief Physical Activity Assessment Tool (BPAAT). We included 98 frail older adults free of COVID-19 (mean age = 82.7 years, 66.3% women, mean Short Physical Performance Battery = 8.1 points). About one third of participants (32.2%) were not meeting sufficient PA levels at the end of the lockdown. Depressive symptoms (OR = 0.12, CI95% = 0.02–0.55) and fatigue (OR = 0.11, CI95% = 0.03–0.44) decreased the odds of maintaining sufficient PA, whereas maintaining social networks (OR = 5.07, CI95% = 1.60–16.08) and reading (OR = 6.29, CI95% = 1.66–23.90) increased it. Living alone was associated with the reduction of PA levels (b = −1.30, CI95% = −2.14–−0.46). In our sample, pre-lockdown mental health, frailty-related symptoms and social relationships were consistently associated with both PA levels during-lockdown and pre-post change. These data suggest considering specific plans to maintain PA levels in frail older community-dwellers.

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