The effect on lower limbs of wearing ankle weights in people under/over 70 years old: single comparison after intervention

Abstract Background Since the emergence of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), safety management in gymnastics classrooms has been difficult. As a result, healthy older adults are more likely to voluntarily refrain from attending because of fear of contracting COVID-19, and thus engage in less exercise. In this context, it is important to develop methods for self-prevention of frailty that can be conducted safely and easily at home. We examined the effectiveness of providing ankle weights to older adults as a frailty prevention device. Methods All participants were 50–90 years old and were screened for falls using the Motor Fitness Scale (MFS). Participants were divided into two groups (≤ 70 and ≥ 71 years old) and analyzed. We rented ankle weights for 3 months to older adults in the community and evaluated changes in physical and motor function before and after wearing them. A total of 75 people who responded to the call for participants used ankle weights for 3 months, and underwent various measures of physical condition, cognitive condition, and performance (body composition, grip strength, standing on one leg with eyes open, 30-second chair stand test [CS-30], timed up-and-go test [TUG], walking speed, body sway measurement, and the Japanese version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MOCA-J]) before and 3 months after wearing ankle weights. Results CS-30 performance improved in both younger and older participants. Conclusions CS-30 reflects lower limb/trunk muscle strength and can be used as an index of fall risk. Our results suggest that wearing ankle weights can be recommended as a fall-prevention measure. Trial registration: University hospital Medical Information Network ID 000038073) and registration date at April 14th 2020

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Biopsychosocial factors associated with complaints of dizziness in older adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia ◽

10.1590/1981-22562020023.190192 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Eliza Mikaele Tavares da Silva ◽

Bartolomeu Fagundes de Lima Filho ◽

Vanessa da Nóbrega Dias ◽

José Diniz Júnior ◽

André Gustavo Pires de Sousa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Older Adults ◽

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

University Hospital ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Factors Associated

Abstract Objective: To analyze the biopsychosocial factors associated with complaints of dizziness in older adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study with a sample selected for convenience was performed in a university hospital. The participants were individuals aged 60 years or older diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Patients were assessed using a multidimensional survey, containing sociodemographic, clinical-functional, psycho-psychological and cognitive data. The Mini-Mental State Exam and the Short Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) were used to screen for cognitive deficits and depressive symptoms, respectively, and the Timed Up and Go Test was used to assess mobility. Data analysis was performed using the Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests. Results: The sample consisted of 157 older adults of whom 45.22% complained of dizziness. There was a statistically significant association between dizziness and the variables: female sex, being unmarried, a low level of education, a negative self-perception of general health and vision, complaints of pain in the lower limbs, a fear of falling, a tendency to fall, cognitive impairment and psychological symptoms. Conclusion: Knowledge of the factors associated with the complaint of dizziness in older adults with DM2 allows improved targeting of prevention, assessment and intervention actions, in order to minimize the occurrence of falls, maintain or optimize functional capacity and cognitive skills, and thus improve quality of life.

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Visual Information Effect to Control Body Sway in Older Adults in the Community. Magnitude of Body Sway with Eyes Open and Eyes Closed.

Equilibrium Research ◽

10.3757/jser.58.640 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 58 (6) ◽

pp. 640-644

Author(s):

Hideyuki Okuzumi ◽

Taketo Furuna ◽

Satoshi Nishizawa ◽

Miho Sugiura

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Visual Information ◽

Body Sway ◽

Information Effect ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Eyes Open ◽

Control Body

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The Effects of Stochastic Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation on Body Sway and Muscle Activity

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience ◽

10.3389/fnhum.2020.591671 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

Author(s):

Akiyoshi Matsugi ◽

Kosuke Oku ◽

Nobuhiko Mori

Keyword(s):

Soleus Muscle ◽

Muscle Activity ◽

Center Of Pressure ◽

Vestibular Stimulation ◽

Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation ◽

The Body ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Body Sway ◽

Eyes Open ◽

Significant Increment

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether galvanic vestibular stimulation with stochastic noise (nGVS) modulates the body sway and muscle activity of the lower limbs, depending on visual and somatosensory information from the foot using rubber-foam.Methods: Seventeen healthy young adults participated in the study. Each subject maintained an upright standing position on a force plate with/without rubber-foam, with their eyes open/closed, to measure the position of their foot center of pressure. Thirty minutes after baseline measurements under four possible conditions (eyes open/closed with/without rubber-foam) performed without nGVS (intensity: 1 mA, duration: 40 s), the stimulation trials (sham-nGVS/real-nGVS) were conducted under the same conditions in random order, which were then repeated a week or more later. The total center of pressure (COP) path length movement (COP-TL) and COP movement velocity in the mediolateral (Vel-ML) and anteroposterior (Vel-AP) directions were recorded for 30 s during nGVS. Furthermore, electromyography activity of the right tibial anterior muscle and soleus muscle was recorded for the same time and analyzed.Results: Three-way analysis of variance and post-hoc multiple comparison revealed a significant increment in COP-related parameters by nGVS, and a significant increment in soleus muscle activity on rubber. There was no significant effect of eye condition on any parameter.Conclusions: During nGVS (1 mA), body sway and muscle activity in the lower limb may be increased depending not on the visual condition, but on the foot somatosensory condition.

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Effects of Daily Matcha and Caffeine Intake on Mild Acute Psychological Stress-Related Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13051700 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 1700

Author(s):

Yoshitake Baba ◽

Shun Inagaki ◽

Sae Nakagawa ◽

Makoto Kobayashi ◽

Toshiyuki Kaneko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Single Dose ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Psychological Stress ◽

Medical Information ◽

Acute Stress ◽

Amino Acid Content ◽

University Hospital ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Caffeine Intake

Matcha, a type of green tea, has a higher amino acid content than other types of tea. We previously examined the ability of matcha to improve cognitive function in older adults and determined that continuous matcha intake improves attention and executive function. This study aimed to compare the effects of matcha and caffeine and clarify the differences between these effects. The study was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN000036578). The effect of single and continuous intake was compared, and the usefulness of continuous intake was evaluated under the stress condition. The Uchida–Kraepelin test (UKT) was used to induce mild acute stress, and the Cognitrax was used to evaluate cognitive function. A single dose of caffeine improved attentional function during or after stress loading. The reduced reaction time in the Cognitrax, observed following a single dose of matcha, was likely due to caffeine. The matcha group showed an increase in the amount of work after continuous intake, whereas the caffeine group only showed an increase in the amount of work for the UKT after a single dose. Ingesting matcha with caffeine improves both attention and work performance when suffering from psychological stress compared with caffeine alone.

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Effect of electromyostimulation on intramyocellular lipids of the vastus lateralis in older adults: a randomized controlled trial

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12891-021-04456-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Maya Hioki ◽

Nana Kanehira ◽

Teruhiko Koike ◽

Akira Saito ◽

Hideyuki Takahashi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Plasma Glucose ◽

Medical Information ◽

Vastus Lateralis ◽

Intervention Group ◽

University Hospital ◽

Control Group ◽

Resonance Spectroscopy ◽

Vastus Lateralis Muscle ◽

Link Type

Abstract Background Excessive intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) accumulation is a primary cause of skeletal muscle insulin resistance, especially in older adults, and interventions that reduce IMCL contents are important to improve insulin sensitivity. Electromyostimulation (EMS)-induced changes in IMCL content in older adults remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of a single bout of EMS on the IMCL content of the vastus lateralis muscle in older adults. Methods Twenty-two physically active, non-obese older men and women were randomly assigned to an EMS intervention group (69.0 ± 5.2 years, n = 12) or a control group (68.4 ± 3.5 years, n = 10). EMS was applied to the vastus lateralis (7 s on and 7 s off) for 30 min; control participants sat quietly for 30 min. IMCL content within the vastus lateralis was quantified with 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (n = 7 per group). Fasting plasma glucose and insulin values were determined from blood samples collected before and after the EMS intervention. Results EMS induced a significant reduction in plasma glucose (93.1 ± 9.6 to 89.5 ± 9.1 mg/dL, p < 0.01), but not IMCL content (15.7 ± 15.7 to 15.8 ± 13.1 mmol/kg wet weight, p = 0.49) or insulin (5.4 ± 2.4 to 4.7 ± 2.7 μIU/mL, p = 0.18). In the control group, no changes in IMCL content in the vastus lateralis was observed after prolonged quiet sitting. Conclusion EMS intervention for 30 min induces changes in plasma glucose, but no changes in IMCL content in older adults. Trial registration University hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) Center ID: UMIN000020126. Retrospectively registered on December 222,015. https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000023242

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Short and Long-Term Trainability in Older Adults: Training and Detraining Following Two Years of Multicomponent Cognitive—Physical Exercise Training

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17165984 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (16) ◽

pp. 5984 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Cristina Blasco-Lafarga ◽

Ana Cordellat ◽

Anabel Forte ◽

Ainoa Roldán ◽

Pablo Monteagudo

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cardiovascular Fitness ◽

Cognitive Status ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Final Sample ◽

Lower Limb Strength ◽

Physical Capacities ◽

Training And Detraining

Despite the benefits of multicomponent physical–cognitive training programs (MCCogTPs), lower training intensities in the concurrent approach, and bigger heterogeneity with aging, suggest the need for long-term analyses, with special attention to training and detraining in older adults. The present study aims to examine these training/detraining effects in a two year MCCogTP, looking for specific dynamics in the trainability of their physical and cognitive capacities. The intervention was divided into four periods: T1, T2 (8 months of training each), and D1, D2 (3.5 months of detraining plus 0.5 of testing each). Twenty-five healthy seniors (70.82 ± 5.18 years) comprised the final sample and were assessed for cardiovascular fitness (6-minutes walking test), lower-limbs strength (30-seconds chair-stand test) and agility (8-feet timed up-and-go test). Inhibition (Stroop test) was considered for executive function. Physical and cognitive status improved significantly (p < 0.05) throughout the two years, with larger enhancements for physical function (mainly strength and agility). Strength and cardiovascular fitness were more sensitive to detraining, whilst agility proved to have larger training retentions. Inhibition followed an initial similar trend, but it was the only variable to improve along D2 (d = 0.52), and changes were not significant within periods. Notwithstanding aging, and the exercise cessation in D2, physical and cognitive status remained enhanced two years later compared to baseline, except for lower-limb strength. According to these results, basic physical capacities are very sensitive to training/detraining, deserving continuous attention (especially strength). Both reducing detraining periods and complementary resistance training should be considered. Additionally, physical enhancements following MCcogTPs may help cognition maintenance during detraining.

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346 How Do we Increase Adherence to Home Exercise Programmes? Interviews with Older Adults and Physiotherapists

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afz103.225 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 48 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. iii17-iii65

Author(s):

Siti Khalijah ◽

Suzanne Timmons

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cardiovascular Health ◽

Home Exercise ◽

Video Content ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Improve Compliance ◽

Exercise Programmes ◽

Purposive Sample

Abstract Background Regular exercise and physical activity can maintain function and cardiovascular health, and prevent cognitive decline, in older adults. However, studies show that there is often poor adherence to home exercise programmes (HEP). The purpose of this study was to explore how HEP are perceived by both older adults and physiotherapists. Methods A convenience sample of 28 older adults attending outpatient physiotherapy clinics were given an exercise journal to record their adherence to the HEP prescribed by their physiotherapists for six weeks. Subsequently, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample, and the corresponding prescribing physiotherapists, to achieve maximal variation in terms of HEP adherence, age and sex. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and simple content analysis performed. Results Fourteen participants returned their exercise journal. Median age was 80; half were female; median Berg Balance Score and Timed-up-and-Go-Test were 49 and 16 seconds respectively. Participants exercised a median 79.8% of the prescribed dose, or 5.6 days per week. Seven older adults were interviewed; about half had a positive attitude towards exercise. They were also moderately positive about their HEP (comments ranged from “doable” and “nothing bad about it” to “enjoyable”). Barriers included time, mood, boredom, remembering to do the HEP, and variable health status. Enablers included simple instructions and design, family encouragement, and sense of achievement. Physiotherapists (n=5) perceived that many older adults aren’t compliant with HEPs, but there was some therapeutic nihilism (“you can’t force them”). Their HEP instructions varied from verbal to written instructions/diagrams; one physiotherapist used individualised video content. Notably, participants with good adherence understood their HEP well in terms of content and purpose, although this may be cause or effect. Conclusion To improve compliance with HEP, healthcare professionals need to take time to motivate the recipient, simplify their instructions, and trouble-shoot potential barriers at the time of prescription.

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Gender Differences in Postural Stability among 13-Year-Old Alpine Skiers

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17113859 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (11) ◽

pp. 3859 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Agnieszka D. Jastrzębska

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Postural Balance ◽

Lactate Concentration ◽

Blood Lactate Concentration ◽

Body Sway ◽

Foot Pressure ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Before And After ◽

Eyes Open ◽

Alpine Skiers

This experiment examined changes in body sway after Wingate test (WAnT) in 19 adolescents practicing alpine skiing, subjected to the same type of training load for 4–5 years (10 girls and nine boys). The postural examinations were performed with eyes open (EO), eyes closed (EC), and sway reverenced vision (SRV) in the medial-lateral (ML) and anterior-posterior (AP) planes. The displacement of center of foot pressure (CoP), range of sway (RS), mean sway velocity (MV), way length, and surface area were measured in bipedal upright stance before and after the WAnT to assess the influence of fatigue on postural balance. There were no significant differences in WAnT parameters between girls and boys. Relative peak power (RPP), relative total work (RWtot) were (girls vs. boys) 8.89 ± 0.70 vs. 9.57 ± 1.22 W/kg, p < 0.05 and 227.91 ± 14.98 vs. 243.22 ± 30.24 W/kg, p < 0.05 respectively. The fatigue index (FI) was also on similar level in both genders; however, blood lactate concentration (BLa) was significantly higher in boys (10.35 ± 1.16 mM) than in girls (8.67 ± 1.35 mM) p = 0.007. In the EO examination, statistically significant differences between resting and fatigue conditions in the whole group and after the division into girls and boys were found. In fatigue conditions, significant gender differences were noted for measurements in the ML plane (sway path and RS) and RS in the AP plane. Comparison of the three conditions shows differences between EO vs. EC and SRV in AP plane measured parameters, and for RS in ML plane in rest condition in girls. The strong correlations between FI and CoP parameters mainly in ML plane in the whole group for all examination conditions were noted. By genders, mainly RS in ML plane strongly correlates with FI (r > 0.7). No correlation was found between BLa and CoP parameters (p > 0.06). The presented results indicate that subjecting adolescents of both genders to the same training may reduce gender differences in the postural balance ability at rest but not in fatigue conditions and that girls are significantly superior in postural balance in the ML plane than boys. It was also shown that too little or too much information may be destructive to postural balance in young adolescents.

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Minimal shoes improve stability and mobility in persons with a history of falls

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-78862-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tomasz Cudejko ◽

James Gardiner ◽

Asangaedem Akpan ◽

Kristiaan D’Août

Keyword(s):

Fall Prevention ◽

Postural Stability ◽

Center Of Pressure ◽

Stability Margin ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Balance Test ◽

Margin Of Stability ◽

Eyes Open ◽

History Of ◽

Falls In Older Adults

AbstractPostural and walking instabilities contribute to falls in older adults. Given that shoes affect human locomotor stability and that visual, cognitive and somatosensory systems deteriorate during aging, we aimed to: (1) compare the effects of footwear type on stability and mobility in persons with a history of falls, and (2) determine whether the effect of footwear type on stability is altered by the absence of visual input or by an additional cognitive load. Thirty participants performed standing and walking trials in three footwear conditions, i.e. conventional shoes, minimal shoes, and barefoot. The outcomes were: (1) postural stability (movement of the center of pressure during eyes open/closed), (2) walking stability (Margin of Stability during normal/dual-task walking), (3) mobility (the Timed Up and Go test and the Star Excursion Balance test), and (4) perceptions of the shoes (Monitor Orthopaedic Shoes questionnaire). Participants were more stable during standing and walking in minimal shoes than in conventional shoes, independent of visual or walking condition. Minimal shoes were more beneficial for mobility than conventional shoes and barefoot. This study supports the need for longitudinal studies investigating whether minimal footwear is more beneficial for fall prevention in older people than conventional footwear.

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P005 Rheumatology virtual clinics during COVID-19: are our patients satisfied?

Rheumatology ◽

10.1093/rheumatology/keab247.004 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 60 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Fajer A Altamimi ◽

Una Martin

Keyword(s):

Medical Information ◽

Worker Safety ◽

University Hospital ◽

Free Text ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Further Training ◽

Return Envelope ◽

The Right ◽

Reduced Risk

Abstract Background/Aims Telemedicine can be broadly defined as the use of telecommunication technologies to provide medical information and services. It can be audio, visual, or text. Its use has increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure patient and healthcare worker safety. Any healthcare professional can engage with it. It carries benefits like reduced stress and expense of traveling, maintenance of social distancing, and reduced risk of infection. There are some potential drawbacks such as lack of physical examination, liability and technological issues. Methods A questionnaire was sent to 200 patients, selected from different virtual clinics (new and review, doctor and ANP led) run between March and May 2020 in the rheumatology department of University Hospital Waterford. We formulated 14 questions to cover the following aspects: demography, the purpose of the consult, punctuality, feedback, medico-legal concerns, and free text for comments. A self-addressed return envelope was included. Results 83 responses were received. 2 were excluded. The ratio of females to male respondents was 59: 41, with the majority over 60 years old. The main appointment type was review 67 (83%). 80% of patients were called either before or at the time of their scheduled appointment. The vast majority (98.8%) of our patients had confidence in our data protection and trusted our system to maintain their confidentiality. 95% stated that they felt comfortable, were given enough time to explain their health problem and felt free from stress. The respondents who preferred attending the clinic in person (17 in total) compared to the virtual were mostly follow up patients- 12 vs. 5 new. Conclusion Patient satisfaction among those surveyed was high, despite having to introduce the service abruptly during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are many improvements we can adopt to improve our service and even maintain after the pandemic as a way of communicating with our stable patients. As we are covering a large geographical catchment, we can continue to implement the virtual clinic for some appointments. We should prioritize our efforts on identifying the right patient and the type of service we can offer, further training of staff, and increasing awareness of the patients as to how to get the most out of a virtual appointment. Disclosure F.A. Altamimi: None. U. Martin: None. C. Sheehy: None.

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