Health-related Physical Fitness in Older Adult Europeans: The IN COMMON SPORT Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose M Cancela ◽  
Irimia Mollinedo-Cardalda ◽  
Manuela Ferreira ◽  
Pedro Bezerra
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Senior Citizens ◽  
Eastern European ◽  
Anthropometric Data ◽  
Hand Grip ◽  
Lower Limb Strength ◽  
Anthropometric Characteristics ◽  
Health Related ◽  
European Group

Abstract Background This comparative descriptive study analysed the physical fitness and the anthropometric data of senior citizens participating in "IN COMMON SPORTS" project, in accordance with their place of residence. MethodsA total of 418 participants divided into two groups: Eastern European Group (EEG) and Southern European Group (SEG). Each participants' anthropometric characteristics (body mass index, body fat and waist hip ratio) and fitness (Senior Fitness Test and Hand grip) were studied. Results The Subjects from the SEG showed significantly lower anthropometric values than those from the EEG. The SEG subjects presented significant differences in physical fitness, with best values for upper and lower limb strength and aerobic resistance, while those from the EEG presented significantly better values for lower limb flexibility. Conclusion Senior citizens aged 60+ years present differences in physical fitness in accordance with their country of residence; the Southern Europeans having the best physical fitness.

scholarly journals Health-Related Functional Fitness within the Elderly Communities of Five European Countries: The in Common Sports Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12810
Author(s):  
Irimia Mollinedo-Cardalda ◽  
Manuela Ferreira ◽  
Pedro Bezerra ◽  
José María Cancela-Carral
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Eastern European ◽  
Functional Fitness ◽  
Lower Limb Strength ◽  
Anthropometric Characteristics ◽  
Health Related ◽  
European Group

(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to analyse the functional fitness and the anthropometric values of older adults participating in the “IN COMMON SPORTS” project. (2) Methods: A total of 418 participants (eastern European Group (GEE, n = 124) and southern European Groups (GES, n = 294) have been evaluated for anthropometric characteristics and fitness. (3) Results: The GES participants presented significant differences in anthropometric values and fitness, with the best values for upper and lower limb strength and aerobic resistance, while those from the GEE presented significantly better values for lower limb flexibility. (4) Conclusion: Older adults present differences in fitness in accordance with their country of residence, with the GES having the best functional fitness.

scholarly journals Components of physical fitness as prognostic factors for falls in elderly female exercise practitioners: a longitudinal study

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovana Zarpellon Mazo ◽  
Raquel Ester Lima ◽  
Pedro Silvelo Franco ◽  
Leonardo Hoffmann ◽  
Enaiane Cristina Menezes
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Hand Grip Strength ◽  
Left Hand ◽  
Elderly Female ◽  
Hand Grip ◽  
Risk Of Falls ◽  
Falls In Elderly

Abstract Introduction: Physical exercise is used as a strategy for the prevention of falls because it improves the physical fitness of older adults. Objective: To determine which components of physical fitness are predictors of falls in elderly female exercise practitioners. Method: Longitudinal, descriptive, comparative study. The components of physical fitness (upper and lower limb strength and flexibility, agility, aerobic endurance, and hand grip strength) and the occurrence or not of falls in the last 12 months were analyzed in 80 older women practitioners of exercise from 2013 to 2016. Descriptive analysis, ROC curve attributing cut-off points, and binary logistic regression for the prediction of falls were used. Results: The mean age of the participants was 67.46 years (SD=7.65). Over the years, a significant difference between elderly fallers and non-fallers was observed for right hand grip strength (2013 and 2015), left hand grip strength (2014 and 2015), lower limb flexibility (2013, 2014 and 2015), agility (2015), and aerobic endurance (2015). In adjusted analysis, older women with poor lower limb flexibility in 2013 had a higher risk of falls in 2016 (OR=4.98; 95%CI 1.12 - 22.1). Older women with poor flexibility in 2015 also had a higher risk of falls (OR= 6.08; 95%CI 1.06 - 34.67). Conclusion: Poor performance in the lower limb flexibility, right and left hand grip strength, agility and aerobic endurance tests was associated with falls and these components are predictors of future falls in elderly exercise practitioners.

scholarly journals Comparison of quadriceps setting strength and knee extension strength tests to evaluate lower limb muscle strength based on health-related physical fitness values in elderly people

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000753
Author(s):  
Yuki Ito ◽  
Takumi Aoki ◽  
Takeru Sato ◽  
Kan Oishi ◽  
Kojiro Ishii
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Walking Distance ◽  
Lower Limb Muscle ◽  
Limb Muscle ◽  
Knee Extension Strength ◽  
Health Related

ObjectiveConventionally, knee extension strength is often used as the indicator for lower limb muscle strength; however, several recent studies have also used quadriceps setting strength. This study aimed to investigate and compare the association of quadriceps setting and knee extension strength with health-related physical fitness.MethodsWe evaluated quadriceps setting strength and isometric knee extension strength in 75 elderly subjects (mean age, 76.8±5.3 years) to determine their lower limb muscle strength. Health-related physical fitness was evaluated using the physical fitness test advocated by the Ministry of Education and Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan. The test consists of the following components: grip strength, sit-up, sit and reach, one leg standing with eyes open, 10 m obstacle walk and 6 min walk.ResultsWhen adjusted for age, sex and body mass index, quadriceps setting strength was significantly correlated with grip strength, number of sit-ups, sit and reach distance, 10 m obstacle walking time and 6 min walking distance. In contrast, knee extension strength was associated only with grip strength and number of sit-ups.ConclusionMore health-related physical fitness parameters with quadriceps setting strength than knee extension strength. Quadriceps setting strength may be superior to knee extension strength as a predictor of health-related physical fitness.

scholarly journals Large-Scale Assessment of Health-Related Physical Fitness in French Older Adults: Feasibility and Validity

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damien Mack-Inocentio ◽  
Mehdi Menai ◽  
Eric Doré ◽  
Bastien Doreau ◽  
Camille Gaillard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Test Battery ◽  
Large Scale Assessment ◽  
Hand Grip ◽  
Vitality Test ◽  
Health Related ◽  
External Consistency

Objectives: This study aims to assess the validity, internal consistency, implementation, and feasibility of a sequence of tests, the Vitality Test Battery, designed to measure physical fitness, at a large scale in French older adults.Methods: A total of 528 volunteers (age ≥60 years) took the battery of 10 tests: 6-min walk, trunk strength, hand grip strength, medicine ball throwing, 30-s chair stand, flexibility, balance, plate tapping, ruler drop, and dual task.Results: Internal consistency was high, with the Cronbach alpha coefficients at around 0.77, explaining 64% of the variance. The test–retest correlations (0.3–0.6) between the items were acceptable and displayed an internal consistency property. Although five components explained 65% of the variance, all the items were kept because their eigenvalues were near to 0.9. External consistency was validated by a significant decrease in fitness scores (p < 0.001) with age and body mass index.Discussion: The Vitality Test Battery is a safe, valid tool for assessing physical fitness in persons aged over 60 years.

scholarly journals FTO POLYMORPHISM AND PHYSICAL FITNESS IN OBESE SCHOOLCHILDREN AFTER AN INTERVENTION PROGRAM

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-16
Author(s):  
Greice Graziela Moraes ◽  
Cézane Priscila Reuter ◽  
Elisa Inês Klinger ◽  
Daniel Prá ◽  
Andréia Rosane de Moura Valim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Polymorphism ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Motor Performance ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Fto Gene ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Lower Limb Strength ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Abdominal Strength

ABSTRACT Introduction: Recent studies have shown that the association of FTO rs9939609 gene polymorphism with obesity depends on the level of the individual’s physical activity. However, there are some studies that evaluated physical fitness, health, and motor performance in relation to the rs9939609 FTO gene polymorphism. Objective: To evaluate how the rs9939609 FTO gene polymorphism affects the results of physical fitness tests related to health and athletic performance in schoolchildren after 4 months of intervention of physical exercise. Method: The rs9939609 FTO gene polymorphism was genotyped in a total of 36 schoolchildren from southern Brazil, aged 8 to 16 years. Body mass index (BMI), health-related physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness, abdominal strength/endurance, and flexibility) and motor performance (upper and lower limb strength, agility, and speed) were evaluated. The intervention included exercise strategies based on Physical Education, healthy eating, and oral and postural care. Results: In the experimental group, after the intervention, significant differences were noted in individuals with the TT genotype. These individuals showed improvements in abdominal strength (p=0.025), lower limb strength (p=0.037) and agility (p=0.021). For individuals with the AA/AT genotype, improvements in flexibility (p=0.026), abdominal strength (p=0.002), upper limb strength (p=0.008) and lower limb strength (p=0.001) were observed. However, these differences were not statistically significant when comparing the TT and AT/AA genotypes. Conclusions: The experimental group showed improvements in abdominal strength, lower limb strength, and speed. Yet, individuals with different genotypes (AA/AT and TT) for polymorphism rs9939609 exhibited similar values for indicators of physical fitness, health, and motor performance. Level of Evidence II; Lesser quality RCT.

scholarly journals Effects of Multicomponent Exercise Training on Physical Functioning among Institutionalized Elderly

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Justine ◽  
Tengku Aizan Hamid ◽  
Vikram Mohan ◽  
Madhanagopal Jagannathan
Keyword(s):  
Exercise Training ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Exercise Group ◽  
Institutionalized Elderly ◽  
Hand Grip ◽  
Lower Limb Strength ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Endurance

This quasiexperimental study aimed to measure the effects of 12-week multicomponent exercise training on physical functioning among institutionalized elderly. Forty-three participants (age = 70.88 ± 7.82 years) were self-assigned to an intervention (n=23) or control (n=20) group. Before and after training, cardiorespiratory endurance, arm curl strength, grip strength, lower limb strength, upper and lower limb flexibility, balance, and mobility were assessed. The training included aerobic, resistance, balance and flexibility exercises, performed 3 times per week. Significant increases (P<0.05) were observed in the exercise group on cardiorespiratory endurance (41.79%), right arm curl strength (25%), left arm curl strength (30.79%), right hand grip strength (13.65%), left hand grip strength (9.93%), lower limb strength (46.19%), balance (49.58%), and mobility (26.37%). Measures of flexibility in the exercise group also showed improvement (right lower limb (63.57%), left lower limb (44.17%), right upper limb (36.67%), and left upper limb (63.1%)) but were not statistically significant (all, P>0.05). The control group did not show any significant changes (P>0.05) in any variables. The data suggested that 12-week multicomponent exercise training may improve physical functioning among institutionalized elderly.

scholarly journals A Feasibility and Efficacy Randomized Controlled Trial of Two Exercise Programs in Severe AECOPD Patients with Resting Hypoxemia

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1102
Author(s):  
Laura López-López ◽  
Andrés Calvache-Mateo ◽  
Janet Rodríguez-Torres ◽  
María Granados-Santiago ◽  
Araceli Ortiz-Rubio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Acute Exacerbation ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Acute Exacerbation Of Copd ◽  
Lower Limb Strength ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Exacerbation Of Copd

Resting hypoxemia is the most severe stage of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Due to their impairments during the exacerbation, these patients are limited to traditional exercise rehabilitation and are excluded from the majority of the studies. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and the efficacy of two exercise programs in Acute Exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) patients with resting hypoxemia. In this randomized clinical trial, patients hospitalized due to an acute exacerbation of COPD with hypoxemia at rest were included. Patients were randomly assigned into three groups. A Control Group (pharmacological treatment), a Global Exercise Group (GEG), and a Functional Electrostimulation Group (FEG). Patients were treated during the hospitalization period. The main outcomes were lower limb strength (assessed by a dynamometer), balance (assessed by the one leg standing balance test), health related quality of life (assessed by the EQ-5D), adverse events and adherence. At the end of the intervention, there were significant differences in all the variables in favour of the experimental groups (p < 0.05). We concluded that conducting an exercise program is feasible and improves lower limb strength, balance, and health related quality of life in AECOPD patients with resting hypoxemia.

scholarly journals Secular Trends in Anthropometric Characteristics and Health-Related Physical Fitness in Macedonian Children: the Makfit Studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-18
Author(s):  
Abdulla Elezi ◽  
Gresa Elezi ◽  
Seryozha Gontarev ◽  
Georgi Georgiev
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Secular Trends ◽  
Anthropometric Measures ◽  
Cohen’S D ◽  
Standing Long Jump ◽  
Anthropometric Characteristics ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Long Jump ◽  
Cohen's D ◽  
Shuttle Run

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the secular trends in anthropometric characteristics and health-related physical fitness (i.e., flexibility, muscular strength and speed/agility) in Macedonian children between 2012 and 2019. Materials and methods. We analyzed the secular trends in anthropometric characteristics and health-related physical fitness in Macedonian children between 2012 and 2019. Two representative population studies were conducted 7 years apart in children (6-10 years) from Skopje (Mаcedonia). Both studies used the same anthropometric measures and tests to assess physical fitness: height, weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, muscle mass percentage, sit and reach, handgrip strength, standing long jump, 30 sec sit ups, and 4 × 10 m shuttle run.  Result. The boys and girls measured in 2019 had significantly better performance in the sit and reach (Cohen’s d ~0.4 and ~0.5, respectively), 30 sec sit ups (Cohen’s d ~0.3 and ~0.2, respectively), and 4 × 10 m shuttle run (Cohen’s d ~0.7 and ~0.8, respectively) tests compared to those measured in 2012–2013. Levels of the standing long jump were significantly lower in 2019 in boys and girls (Cohen’s d ~0.6 for both).  Conclusions. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that Macedonian children measured in 2019 have higher levels of flexibility, abdominal muscle strength and coordination, speed and agility, but lower levels of explosive force of the lower limbs than their counterparts measured. 7 years ago, no statistically significant differences were found in anthropometric measures and measures of body weight.

scholarly journals Health-related physical fitness among adolescent schoolgirls in Madinah city, western Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-37
Author(s):  
Mohammad Ali Alahmad ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Hand Grip Strength ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Fitness Components ◽  
Hand Grip ◽  
Health Related

In Saudi Arabia, health-related physical fitness components in girls have received far less attention than physical activity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess health-related physical fitness components (cardiorespiratory fitness, body fat, muscle strength, and flexibility) among adolescent schoolgirls in Madinah city, western Saudi Arabia. Thirty-six female students (mean ± standard deviation, age, 17.4 ± 1.3 years; body mass, 51.6 ± 11.1 kg; height, 154.5 ± 6.9 cm) performed a Queen’s College Step Test to estimate maximal oxygen consumption. Body fat percentage was determined using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Hand grip strength was measured using a hand grip dynamometer, and flexibility was determined by using the sit and reach test. The mean (±standard deviation) of estimated maximal oxygen consumption was 39.5 ± 6.3 (ml.kg.min). The mean (±standard deviation) of Body fat percentage, right-hand grip strength, left-hand grip strength, and flexibility were 31.0 ±9.0 (%), 16.5±5.5 (kg), 17.1 ±4.9 (kg), and 10.6±4.8 (cm), respectively. We conclude that multiple health-related physical fitness components—with the exception of cardiorespiratory fitness—should be targeted, particularly body composition, muscle strength, and flexibility, to enhance health status among Saudi adolescent schoolgirls in Madinah. This may be accomplished by local schools, which should offer exercise programs to improve students’ physical fitness components.

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