scholarly journals Physical capacity in elderly women

2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 29-36
Author(s):  
Andrzej Magiera ◽  
Katarzyna Kaczmarczyk ◽  
Ida Wiszomirska ◽  
Ewelina Olszewska

Abstract Introduction: Physical fitness has a direct impact on daily motor function. The level of fitness generally increases with age to reach a maximal level for a given individual at around 20-30 years of age, after which it begins to gradually decrease - with the pace of the decrease depending on the type of physical activity engaged in. At every age, physical fitness can be improved by the right physical training. One factor that frequently limits participation in various types of physical activity is insufficient free time. Older individuals frequently have more free time, yet do not spend it in an active way. At the same time, elderly individuals are becoming an increasingly sizeable group within society. That means that soon a large share of Poland's population will consist of individuals with low motor fitness. To mitigate this, organizations are being formed where older individuals can participate in motor-exercise classes. This type of activity can have a positive impact on the condition of older individuals, who represent an ever-larger part of society. It is thus possible to boost the physical fitness of the elderly, and doing so is very important for this population segment's health. The objective of this study is to identify the level of physical fitness of elderly individuals who participate in the Third Age University at the Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw, and to trace the evolution of their physical fitness after 3 months of motor-exercise classes. Materials and methods: The physical fitness of 31 women was tested. All were female participants in the Third Age University at the Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw. The mean age of the subjects was 65.3 years (SD 4.42), with mean body mass 66.4 kg (SD 7,44) and mean height 157.7cm (SD 5,11). Their body mass index (BMI) ranged between 21.5 and 31.7, with the mean value being 26.5. The test was conducted twice, after an interval of 3 months. The objective was to identify an exercise regime that would cause a given individual's heart rate to increase to 130 bpm. Results: The individuals studied showed a low level of physical fitness. A 3 month period was sufficient to effect an improvement in the physical fitness of elderly individuals Conclusions: 1. Physical capacity subjects is low. 2. Using regular physical activity adapted specifically for the needs of older people can improve physical performance in elderly people. 3. A period of three months is sufficient to improve physical performance in the elderly.

Author(s):  
V. V. Bondarenko ◽  
S. M. Reshko ◽  
A. Yu. Martishko ◽  
O. S. Ryabukha

The analysis of scientific and educational-methodical works which cover methods and means of restoration of physical working capacity of experts of various specialties is carried out. It was stated that the official activity of police officers involves significant physical and psychological stress. It is substantiated that a high level of physical performance is one of the conditions for quality performance of functional duties and contributes to less manifestation of the effects of fatigue. The specifics of physical activity in the conditions of police service necessitate the search for tools that contribute to the rapid and full recovery of physical performance of law enforcement officers. It is established that the quantitative manifestation of the level of physical fitness of the specialist is necessary for the assessment of the functional reserves of the organism during the organization of physical education of the population; in sports, during the selection, planning and forecasting of training loads of athletes; in adaptive physical education; to determine the motor mode of patients in clinics and rehabilitation centers; forecasting the course of diseases. The specifics of application of pedagogical, medico-biological and psychological means of restoration of physical working capacity of policemen are characterized. It is argued that in the conditions of professional training of police officers, pedagogical tools are key in optimizing the recovery processes, as they are based on the body's natural ability to self-healing. Medico-biological and psychological means of recovery are considered additional only if the rational construction of the educational process. These tools help to increase the body's resistance to stress, accelerate the reduction of acute manifestations of general and local fatigue, effective recovery of energy resources, accelerate adaptation processes. It is determined that restorative means should be used in accordance with the type and specifics of physical activity, taking into account the individual characteristics of the police officer. When choosing the means of recovery, a rational combination of means of general and local action becomes important.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Whitcher ◽  
Charilaos Papadopoulos

The purpose of this investigation was to compare accelerometer activity counts and oxygen consumption between young and elderly individuals. Sixteen young (21.3±2.5 yrs) and sixteen elderly (66.6±2.9 yrs) participants completed 30 minutes of resting oxygen consumption to determine resting metabolic rate and four 6 min walking intensities ranging from 27 to 94 m·min−1. Resting oxygen uptake was significantly lower for the older participants. Exercise oxygen consumption was significantly higher for the elderly group. There were no significant differences in activity counts between groups at each of the exercise intensities. When using measured resting metabolic rate, activity counts of 824 and 2207 counts·min−1were associated with moderate (3 METs) physical activity intensity for the older and young participants, respectively. However, using standard resting metabolic rate (3.5 mL·kg−1·min−1), activity counts of 784 and 2009 counts·min−1were associated with moderate physical activity intensity for the elderly and young participants, respectively. These findings indicate that activity counts are similar across age groups even though the oxygen consumption of exercise is greater among elderly individuals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-29
Author(s):  
Magdalena Pracka ◽  
Marcin Dziedziński ◽  
Przemysław Łukasz Kowalczewski

AbstractIn recent years have seen increasing percentage of the elderly in the overall population. This has driven the attention to the lifestyle factors that influence the health and quality of life of this social group, including their nutrition and physical activity. Universities of the Third Age (U3A) are a valuable platform for the dissemination and broadening of the knowledge related to these topics. The nutritional habits of 61 U3A students in Poznań were evaluated on the basis of a modified KomPAN questionnaire. Their nutritional status was determined using the body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) indices. Nearly half of the respondents were overweight and 16% had first degree obesity. The WHR index in women was on average 0.8, while in men it was 1.01. Only 13% of the students declared regular eating, with 60% consuming 4-5 meals a day. Women were found to eat snacks between meals more often than men. It was also found that the majority of the elderly do not add salt to ready meals or sweeten beverages with sugars. Taking into account the observed nutritional problems and the occurrence of improper eating habits of the elderly, it is recommended to continue the education on the prevention of common diet-related diseased.


2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Gehris ◽  
Elizabeth Myers ◽  
Robert Whitaker

Adventure-physical education has been proposed to promote adolescents’ physical development, but little is known about physical activity levels during such lessons. Using the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time, we observed students’ (ages 11–14 years) physical activity levels in co-educational classes during 43 adventure-physical education lessons at seven public schools. The mean percentage (±SD) of time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was 28.3% (±16.3%). The greatest percentage of lesson time was spent in two activities—high elements (24.1% ± 36.5%) and initiatives (22.3% ± 32.4%). When data were aggregated across all lessons, 40.0% of the time in high elements and 13.7% of the time in initiatives was spent in MVPA. Of all MVPA time, 31.5% occurred in high elements and another 12.6% in initiatives. Compared with traditional physical education lessons, less time is spent in MVPA during adventure lessons. Efforts to increase MVPA should target high elements and initiative activities.


2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Martinez Orlando ◽  
Maria Stella Peccin da Silva ◽  
Império Lombardi Junior

INTRODUCTION: Ageing has become a huge public health challenge due to the need to find solutions for improving quality of life. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess quality of life, muscle strength, balance and physical capacity among elderly practitioners and non-practitioners of physical activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study was carried out involving 74 elderly individuals in the city of Santos (state of São Paulo, Brazil), divided into two groups: practitioners and non-practitioners of physical activity. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used for the classification of the participants. The generic SF-36 questionnaire was used to assess quality of life. The Berg scale was used for the analysis of balance. Dynamometry was used for the muscle strength test. The six-minute walk test was used for the assessment of physical capacity. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between elderly practitioners and non-practitioners of physical activity regarding quality of life (p = 0.001), muscle strength (p = 0.001), balance (p = 0.001) and physical capacity (p = 0.001). The data also showed that aspects of quality of life were strongly correlated with physical capacity among the non-practitioners of physical activity (r = 0.741). CONCLUSION: Elderly individuals in the city of Santos (Brazil) who practice physical activity have better quality of life, muscle strength, physical capacity and balance in comparison to those who do not practice physical activity.


1994 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna L. Bokovoy ◽  
Steven N. Blair

Habitual exercise provides protection against fatal coronary heart disease, extends longevity, and enhances quality of life. National surveys show less physical activity in older men and women compared with middle-aged and younger persons; older women are particularly sedentary. Although there are still few longitudinal studies on exercise and physical activity in older individuals, the data support a positive relationship between physical activity and health and function in older individuals. The data further show that with regular physical activity, health and physical fitness are maintained or even increased over time in older individuals. Studies on physical activity requirements for beneficial health effects in the elderly are reviewed and presented, and exercise recommendations for older individuals are given.


Author(s):  
Galih Prasetyo ◽  
Suroto ◽  
Dwi Cahyo Kartiko

The purpose of this research is to improve physical fitness which is one of the goals of physical education in Indonesia while also improving the nutritional status of Surabaya vocational high school students. This research uses the treatment of physical activity 3 times a week in 2 months as a task in physical education to improve physical fitness and nutrional status on the sample of this research. Research design uses quasi experimental design with metode non-randomized control group pretest-posttest design. Research data was obtained as follows: data processing result on experiment group show that physical activity to VO2max got significant score based calculating using SPSS of 0,00 and physical activity to nutrional status got sig. of 0,60. Whereas in the control group, physical actifity got sig. of 0.20 to VO2max and sig. to 0.11 on nutrional status. Based on the above analysis it can be concluded that physical activity has a significant effect on physical fitness but physical activity has no significant effect on nutrional status to Surabaya vocational high school students.


Retos ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 8-15
Author(s):  
Santiago Guijarro-Romero ◽  
Daniel Mayorga-Vega ◽  
Carolina Casado-Robles ◽  
Jesús Viciana

El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar el efecto de una unidad didáctica intermitente de acondicionamiento físico en Educación Física sobre los niveles de actividad física y capacidad cardiorrespiratoria entre estudiantes con un perfil saludable/no saludable de capacidad cardiorrespiratoria. Ochenta estudiantes de 2º-3º curso de Educación Secundaria fueron asignados aleatoriamente al grupo control y grupo experimental. El grupo experimental, dividido en perfiles saludable/no saludable, realizó una unidad didáctica intermitente de acondicionamiento físico para mejorar la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria. El grupo control trabajó un contenido diferente durante el mismo tiempo y con la misma frecuencia, pero sin hacer hincapié en la mejora de la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria. Antes y después de la intervención, la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria se evaluó objetivamente mediante el test de ida y vuelta de 20 metros. Los niveles de actividad física fueron medidos objetivamente a través de un pulsómetro durante las clases de Educación Física. Ambos perfiles tuvieron mayores niveles de actividad física durante las clases de Educación Física que el grupo control (p < .001). Sin embargo, solo los estudiantes con un perfil no saludable mejoraron significativamente sus niveles de capacidad cardiorrespiratoria tras la unidad didáctica (p < .01). Aunque una unidad didáctica intermitente de acondicionamiento físico parece tener un efecto similar en los niveles de actividad física de todos los perfiles de capacidad cardiorrespiratoria de los estudiantes, solo mejora la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria de los estudiantes con un perfil no saludable. Abstract. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of a Physical Education-based physical fitness intermittent teaching unit on physical activity levels and cardiorespiratory fitness among students with healthy/unhealthy cardiorespiratory fitness profile. Eighty students from 2º-3º grades of Secondary Education were randomly assigned to the control group and experimental group. The experimental group, divided into healthy/unhealthy profiles, performed a physical fitness intermittent teaching unit to improve the cardiorespiratory fitness. The control group worked a different content during the same time and with the same frequency, but without emphasizing cardiorespiratory fitness improvement. Before and after the teaching unit, students’ cardiorespiratory fitness was objectively measured by the 20-meter shuttle run test. Participants’ physical activity levels were measured objectively using a heart rate monitor during Physical Education lessons. Students from both profiles had higher physical activity levels during Physical Education lessons than the control group (p < .001). However, only students with an unhealthy cardiorespiratory fitness profile statistically improved their cardiorespiratory fitness levels after the teaching unit (p < .01). Although an intermittent physical fitness teaching unit seems to have similar effect on physical activity levels of students from all cardiorespiratory fitness profiles, it only improves the cardiorespiratory fitness of those with an unhealthy one.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Houlei Wang ◽  
Zhu ying Wang ◽  
Douye Kang ◽  
xuhui Zhang ◽  
Zhi-jian WU

Abstract BACKGROUND: Sports facilities have great potential in promoting physical activity. Few studies have explored this relationship in the elderly. Therefore, this study explored the relationship between the community availability of sports facilities and physical activity levels in the elderly. METHODS: Overall, 569 elderly individuals (56.9% female) were randomly selected from 32 communities in Nanjing City. Participants were given accelerometers to wear for 4 consecutive days. A global positioning system and ActiGraph GT3+ device ware used to track, measure duration, and determine spatial details of outdoor activities. It was used to measure the availability of sports facilities within a 500-m buffer zone around the residence of the elderly. Sociodemographic variables and community types were included as covariates. RESULTS: Elderly individuals having 6–7 sports facilities in their buffer zone spent 9.19 minutes (95% confidence interval: 0.05–18.33) longer exercising than did individuals without facilities. Sex, age, and community type significantly influenced the duration of physical activity. After controlling for confounding factors, the physical activity standard reaching rate of the elderly with access to 6–7 sports facilities was 118% higher than that of elderly individuals without access. Further, the compliance rate of the elderly aged 60–65 years and the marginal community was relatively higher. The availability of sports facilities was associated with the probability of achieving the recommended amount of physical activity and moderate to high outdoor physical activity levels of the elderly. CONCLUSIONS: We show that the promotion of physical activity and the improvement of health status are based on facility availability, which in turn affects the physical activity levels of the elderly.


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