scholarly journals Determining Whether Tai Chi Chuan is Related to the Updating Function in Older Adults: Differences Between Experts and Novices

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Yang ◽  
Tingting Chen ◽  
Xiaoxia Yuan ◽  
Xiaoke Zhong ◽  
Shoufu Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tai Chi Chuan ◽  
Novice Group ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Back Task

Abstract Background: Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is one effective method used to delay cognitive decline in older adults. However, the relationship between the long-term practice of TCC and the crucial working memory updating function of the brain in the elderly has not been comprehensively researched.Objective: This cross-sectional study explores how behavioral performance in a laboratory setting is related to long term practice of TCC on the updating function in older people using reaction times (RTs) of N-back tasks. Methods: 26 healthy elderly people participated in this experiment. According to the length of time TCC was practiced, 13 subjects in the TCC group had more than 5 years’ experience of TCC exercise, and 13 elderly subjects who had not been systematically exposed to mind-body exercise were assigned to the novice group. The N-back task was administered to every participant to evaluate the updating function. Results: The TCC group had faster RTs compared to the novice group (p<0.05); For the 1-back task, the TCC group showed faster RTs than the novice group. For the 2-back task, the novice group exhibited faster RTs than the TCC group. Conclusions: TCC experts exhibit greater updating function as compared to TCC novices. Long-term TCC appears to be positive associated with the updating function of older adults, making it an effective exercise to maintain cognitive function in the elderly.

INFLUENCE OF LONG-TERM TAI-CHI CHUAN TRAINING ON STANDING BALANCE IN THE ELDERLY

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (01) ◽  
pp. 17-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsung-Jung Ho ◽  
Sheng-Chang Chen ◽  
Shih-Wun Hong ◽  
Tung-Wu Lu ◽  
Jaung-Geng Lin
Keyword(s):  
Tai Chi ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Good Choice ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Tai Chi Chuan ◽  
Principal Axes ◽  
Challenging Tasks

Tai-Chi Chuan (TCC) is thought to be a low-impact and effective exercise to improve balance capability in the elderly. However, the effects of TCC exercise on balance improvement remain controversial. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of long-term Yang-Style TCC training on balance variables such as stable standing time and center of pressure (COP) movement patterns. Fifteen long-term Yang-Style TCC practitioners and fifteen age-matched adults performed different static balance tests each for 30 seconds. For each test, the time-varying COP positions were measured by two forceplates. The sway area of the COP was described by an equivalent ellipse, the two principal axes of which were obtained by using principal component analysis. The results showed that elderly subjects with long-term Yang-Style TCC training were able to maintain stable standing longer than those without TCC training, with reduced COP sway area during challenging tasks such as single-leg stance and tandem stance. It is suggested that long-term TCC exercise is a good choice in a training program aimed at reducing the risk of falling in the elderly.

scholarly journals Effects of Tai-Chi Chuan Practice on Patterns and Stability of Lower Limb Inter-Joint Coordination During Obstructed Gait in the Elderly

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chien-Chung Kuo ◽  
Sheng-Chang Chen ◽  
Jr-Yi Wang ◽  
Tsung-Jung Ho ◽  
Jaung-Geng Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Tai Chi Chuan ◽  
Obstacle Crossing ◽  
Joint Coordination ◽  
Angular Velocities ◽  
Impact Exercise ◽  
Phase Angles

Losing balance or tripping during obstacle-crossing is one of the most frequent causes of falls in the elderly. As a low speed, low impact exercise, Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) can be promising in helping the elderly develop strategies for improved balance, inter-joint coordination, and end-point control during obstacle-crossing. This study investigates the effects of TCC training on the patterns and variability of the lower-limb inter-joint coordination during obstacle-crossing in the elderly. Fifteen older TCC practitioners and 15 healthy controls crossed obstacles of three different heights, while sagittal angles (x) and angular velocities (x′) of the hips, knees and ankles were measured and their phase angles obtained. The continuous relative phases (CRP) of the hip-knee and knee-ankle coordination were also calculated. The standard deviations of the CRP curve points were averaged to obtain deviation phase (DP) values for the stance and swing phases. The TCC group was found to cross obstacles with increased leading and trailing toe-clearances with unaltered CRP values when the swing toe was above the obstacle. Long-term TCC training altered the patterns and magnitudes of the CRPs primarily over double-limb support and significantly reduced the variabilities of leading knee-ankle and trailing hip-knee and knee-ankle CRP curves over the crossing cycle, regardless of obstacle height. The current results suggest that long-term TCC practice was helpful for a crossing strategy with significantly increased foot-obstacle clearances and reduced variability of the way the motions of the lower limb joints are coordinated during obstacle-crossing. These benefits may be explained by the long-lasting effects of continuous practice of the slow movement patterns emphasizing between-limb transfer of body weight in TCC.

scholarly journals Hubungan serum seng dengan jumlah CD4 pada lansia di Panti Jompo

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Widijanti Sugeng ◽  
Merryana Adriani ◽  
Bambang Wirjatmadi
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Zinc Deficiency ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Zinc Level ◽  
Cd4 Count ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthy Elderly

Background: Elderly people tend to have higher susceptibility to infections because of immune dysfunction, especially cell-mediated immune system which is related to zinc deficiency. Zinc has an important role in the cell-mediated immune system which can be determined by CD4 count. Objectives: To determine the zinc level in the serum and CD4 count in healthy elderly and the correlation between the zinc level in the serum and CD4 count. Method: This was a randomized cross-sectional study. Twenty seven healthy elderly subjects of both sexes aged 60-90 years were recruited for this study from a senior center. Zinc level in the serum and CD4 count were measured. Result: The average of CD4 count was 710 + 269 cells/ml, and the average of zinc level in the serum was 87,29 + 10,27 μg/dL. Twenty six percent elderly had low CD4 count (<460cells/ml. There was no zinc deficiency among the elderly but 30% elderly had zinc level 70- 80 μg/dL. There was a significant correlation (p<0,05) between zinc level and CD4 count, which was analyzed using Pearson correlation method.Conclusion: CD4 count has correlation with zinc level in the serum in elderlyKeywords: Zinc level, CD4 count, elderly

Augmentation of deglutitive upper esophageal sphincter opening in the elderly by exercise

1997 ◽  
Vol 272 (6) ◽  
pp. G1518-G1522 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Shaker ◽  
M. Kern ◽  
E. Bardan ◽  
A. Taylor ◽  
E. T. Stewart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Elderly ◽  
Upper Esophageal Sphincter ◽  
Cross Sectional Area ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Sectional Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Esophageal Sphincter ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Ues Opening

Earlier studies have shown that the cross-sectional area of the deglutitive upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening in healthy asymptomatic elderly individuals is reduced compared with healthy young volunteers. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a head-raising exercise on swallow-induced UES opening and hypopharyngeal intrabolus pressure in the elderly. We studied a total of 31 asymptomatic healthy elderly subjects by videofluoroscopy and manometry before and after real (19 subjects) and sham (12 subjects) exercises. A significant increase was found in the magnitude of the anterior excursion of the larynx, the maximum anteroposterior diameter, and the cross-sectional area of the UES opening after the real exercise (P < 0.05). These changes were associated with a significant decrease in the hypopharyngeal intrabolus pressure studied in 12 (real-exercise) and 6 (sham-exercise) subjects (P < 0.05). A similar effect was not found in the sham-exercise group. In normal elderly subjects, deglutitive UES opening is amenable to augmentation by exercise aimed at strengthening the UES opening muscles. This augmentation is accompanied by a significant decrease in hypopharyngeal intrabolus pressure, indicating a decrease in pharyngeal outflow resistance. This approach may be helpful in some patients with dysphagia due to disorders of deglutitive UES opening.

scholarly journals Dairy Product Intake and Long-Term Risk for Frailty among French Elderly Community Dwellers

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2151
Author(s):  
Berna Rahi ◽  
Hermine Pellay ◽  
Virginie Chuy ◽  
Catherine Helmer ◽  
Cecilia Samieri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Dairy Product ◽  
Food Group ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Physical Frailty ◽  
Frailty Phenotype ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sectional Analysis ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Dairy products (DP) are part of a food group that may contribute to the prevention of physical frailty. We aimed to investigate DP exposure, including total DP, milk, fresh DP and cheese, and their cross-sectional and prospective associations with physical frailty in community-dwelling older adults. The cross-sectional analysis was carried out on 1490 participants from the Three-City Bordeaux cohort. The 10-year frailty risk was examined in 823 initially non-frail participants. A food frequency questionnaire was used to assess DP exposure. Physical frailty was defined as the presence of at least 3 out of 5 criteria of the frailty phenotype: weight loss, exhaustion, slowness, weakness, and low physical activity. Among others, diet quality and protein intake were considered as confounders. The baseline mean age of participants was 74.1 y and 61% were females. Frailty prevalence and incidence were 4.2% and 18.2%, respectively. No significant associations were observed between consumption of total DP or DP sub-types and frailty prevalence or incidence (OR = 1.40, 95%CI 0.65–3.01 and OR = 1.75, 95%CI 0.42–1.32, for a total DP consumption >4 times/d, respectively). Despite the absence of beneficial associations of higher DP consumption on frailty, older adults are encouraged to follow the national recommendations regarding DP.

scholarly journals Using Inclusive Design to Develop a Tele–Tai Chi Intervention for Older Adults With Long-Term Mobility Disability

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 599-600
Author(s):  
Tracy Mitzner ◽  
Elena Remillard ◽  
Kara Cohen ◽  
Jordan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Software Developer ◽  
Master Trainer ◽  
Evidence Based Programs ◽  
To Receive

Abstract Tele-technologies may be able to increase access to evidence-based exercise interventions for adults aging with long-term mobility disabilities. This population experiences substantial barriers in attending such programs in person, including lack of transportation to classes, inaccessible buildings where classes are held, and lack of appropriate modifications offered for this population of older adults. It is critical to overcome such barriers to ensure this population has an opportunity to receive the benefits of evidence-based programs. In this study we are translating an in-person evidence-based tai chi intervention, Tai Chi for Arthritis, to an online platform using videoconferencing software for those aging with long-term mobility disabilities. We will describe our approach of including users from the target population and industry representatives (videoconferencing software developer, Tai Chi for Arthritis program developer as well as local master trainer) in the adaptation of the intervention and present the key findings from doing so.

scholarly journals Percepção da imagem corporal e indicadores antropométricos e de composição corporal associados em idosos

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 525-534
Author(s):  
Iasmim Batista Correia ◽  
Nathalie De Almeida Silva ◽  
Paulo Granges e Silva ◽  
Tarciana Nobre de Menezes
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Body Image ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Body Image Dissatisfaction ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
The Body ◽  
Image Perception ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Body Image Perception

Aging leads to psychological losses and various physical changes that, associated with body-stereotyped patterns imposed by society, can cause disturbances in the body image perception (BIP) in the elderly. The aim of this study was to evaluate BIP in older adults living in the city of Campina Grande / PB and its relationship with different anthropometric and body composition indicators. This cross-sectional study was carried out with older adults of both sexes enrolled in the Family Health Strategy of Campina Grande, PB. BIP was considered as a dependent variable and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), triceps skinfold (TSF), and arm fat area (AFA) as independent variables. The association between BIP and anthropometric indicators was verified using the Pearson chi-square test (X²), simple and multiple logistic regression, with significance level of p <0.05. Overall, 420 older adults were interviewed (68.1% women), of whom 409 reported their actual body image perception. Regarding the perception of idealized body image, 11 individuals did not respond and 230 were satisfied, since 179 desired another silhouette. Individuals with BMI indicative of overweight / obesity were more likely of showing body image dissatisfaction compared to those with normal weight. Subjects with excessive TSF showed greater body image dissatisfaction in relation to those with normal weight. Women were more likely of showing body image dissatisfaction. Thus, it was observed that variables BMI, TSF and sex were independently associated with body image satisfaction.

Abstract WMP57: Declining Blood Pressure is Associated with Subcortical Microinfarcts in Older Adults

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mekala R Raman ◽  
Jonathan Graff-Radford ◽  
Scott A Przybelski ◽  
Timothy G Lesnick ◽  
Michelle M Mielke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Blood Pressure Measurement ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Pressure Measurements ◽  
Autopsy Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Blood Pressures

Hypertension is highly prevalent in the elderly population and microinfarcts are the most common vascular brain pathology identified in older adults at autopsy. We investigated the associations between systolic and diastolic blood pressures measured antemortem and the presence of microinfarcts at autopsy. Study subjects (n=302; age range=71-95) were participants in the population-based Mayo Clinic Study of Aging autopsy study, who had blood pressure measurements recorded during life. We investigated both cross-sectional systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements at the baseline visit and the change in blood pressure (slope). Presence and location (subcortical or cortical) of chronic microinfarcts was abstracted from the autopsy reports. Of the 302 study subjects, 47 (16%) had cerebral microinfarcts, and, of those, 18 (38%) had subcortical microinfarcts and 29 (62%) had only cortical microinfarcts. The baseline blood pressures were not different between subjects with no microinfarcts, subcortical microinfarcts, and only cortical microinfarcts. In a logistic regression model including time between last blood pressure measurement and death, a greater decline in systolic [OR= 1.06 (1.01, 1.11); p=0.02]) and greater decline in diastolic [OR= 1.11 (1.02, 1.20); p=0.01] blood pressures were predictors of the presence of subcortical microinfarcts at autopsy. However, these variables were not associated with the presence of cortical microinfarcts. In conclusion, microinfarcts are common in the older adult population, and most of them are located in the cortex. A greater decline in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures and their association with subcortical microinfarcts, but not with cortical microinfarcts, may have implications for aggressive lowering of blood pressure in the elderly population.

The influence of dynamic visual environments on postural sway in the elderly

1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-205
Author(s):  
L.L. Borger ◽  
S.L. Whitney ◽  
M.S. Redfern ◽  
J.M. Furman
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Visual Scene ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Young Subjects

Postural sway during stance has been found to be sensitive to moving visual scenes in young adults, children, and those with vestibular disease. The effect of visual environments on balance in elderly individuals is relatively unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare postural sway responses of healthy elderly to those of young subjects when both groups were exposed to a moving visual scene. Peak to peak, root mean squared, and mean velocity of the center of pressure were analyzed under conditions combining four moving scene amplitudes ( 2 . 5 ∘ , 5 ∘ , 7 . 5 ∘ , 10 ∘ ) and two frequencies of scene movement (0.1 Hz, 0.25 Hz). Each visual condition was tested with a fixed floor and sway referenced platform. Results showed that elderly subjects swayed more than younger subjects when experiencing a moving visual scene under all conditions. The elderly were affected more than the young by sway referencing the platform. The differences between the two age groups were greater at increased amplitudes of scene movement. These results suggest that elderly are more influenced by dynamic visual information for balance than the young, particularly when cues from the ankles are altered.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document