Physical Activity in Aging Population

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 74
Author(s):  
Rezarta Stena ◽  
Klara Hysenaj ◽  
Mitilda Gugu Karoli ◽  
Armelda Teta ◽  
Gjergji Doka
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Hand Grip ◽  
Trunk Flexibility

It is known that worldwide populations are aging, and also that physical activity can play an important role in minimizing impairments characteristic of old age. Adopting a more active lifestyle and doing regular physical activity, including aerobic and resistance exercises, daily walking etc. have been demonstrated to improve cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal parameters in older adults. We assessed a potential participant from Elbasan (Albania), 67 years, for eligibility to participate in a 5 month training program. The subject gave written informed consent before inclusion.The following parameters were measured at the beginning (baseline) and end of the training period: BMI, body fat percentage, hand grip strength, lower/upper limb and trunk flexibility and range of motion, heart rate, balance, pain intensity, as well as VO2 max, directly and/or an estimate using the Rockport fitness test estimate. An initial evaluation was carried out just before starting the training (baseline). A second evaluation was made 5 months after starting the program of physical exercise (post training). Each evaluation included the recording of health related events, such as any changes in previous symptoms, as well as measurements of balance, flexibility, body composition, coordination, muscle strength, and aerobic capacity, to detect any changes that might have been induced specifically by physical activity. The subject’s attendance and participation in the program was also recorded. Range of motion for each part evaluated (trunk, hip, cervical region and shoulder) is improved about 15-20° degree. BMI, hand grip strength, lower/upper limb and trunk flexibility, heart rate, balance, pain intensity, VO2 max are also improved after training program. Following a training program or a regular physical activity in older adults minimise impairments characteristics in this age and cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal parameters. According to the low importance shown in my country for the physical activity in older adults, I want to emphasize the importance of state structures involvement and the sensibilization of this group of age to stimulate an actively participation in physical training programs followed by professionals for bests life parameters. A higher investment for this age group, building as many facilities as possible for activation and spending quality free time, hiring more physiotherapists in nursing homes will increase life motivation and improve the quality and the parameters of living.

scholarly journals A single-arm feasibility study of community-delivered Baduanjin (Qigong practice of the eight Brocades) training for frail older adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Liu ◽  
Jean Wei Ting Seah ◽  
Benedict Wei Jun Pang ◽  
Mary Ann Tsao ◽  
Falong Gu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Hand Grip Strength ◽  
Frail Older Adults ◽  
Knee Extension Strength ◽  
Hand Grip

Abstract Background: Frailty is a common geriatric syndrome, characterized by reduced physiologic reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors, due to cumulative decline in multiple physiological systems. We studied the feasibility of a community-delivered Baduanjin (BDJ) training program among pre-frail/frail community-dwelling older people. We examined 1) safety (adverse events), physical and psychological effects; and 2) feasibility of recruitment, retention, adherence; recruitment efforts and any program challenges, so as to inform future studies.Methods: Our study was a single arm pre-post study in a community setting. Sixteen week group BDJ training (2x/week in the first 4 weeks, and 3x/week thereafter) co-designed and implemented by community-based providers in Singapore. Recruitment, attendance and adverse events were recorded throughout the training. A participants’ survey was also administered after the training program. Effects of the intervention on physical and functional outcomes (hand grip strength, knee extension strength, Time Up and Go (TUG), Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA), 30-second Sit-to-Stand test, 6-meter fast gait speed test), frailty outcomes (frailty score and status), and other outcomes (Maastricht Questionnaire (MQ), Fall Efficacy Scale (FES), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and EQ-5D-5L) were examined before and after the program.Results: Of 31 older adults screened to be frail, 15 met inclusion criteria and 3 refused participation, resulting in 12 older adults (9 women) enrolled into the program. During the program, one participant was hospitalized (unrelated to BDJ training) and the other 11 (aged 77±6 years; 2 frail, 9 prefrail at baseline) completed the program with average overall attendance of 89%. Most (89%) of the 44 training sessions had attendance >80%. The program received positive feedback with no training-related adverse events. Participants either reversed (n=2) or maintained (n=9) their frailty statuses. There post-training outcomes in hand grip strength, knee extension strength, TUG , MQ , FES , MoCA , GDS and EQ-5D-5L index score appeared to be better. The reduction of frailty and PPA fall risk scores were of moderate-to-large effect size. Conclusions: Community-delivered BDJ training program was safe and feasible for prefrail/frail older adults with the potential to improve physical and cognitive function, reduce fall risk, improve psychological well-being, and reverse frailty status.

scholarly journals Mind-body training – a single-arm feasibility study of community-delivered Baduanjin training for frail older adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Liu ◽  
Jean Wei Ting Seah ◽  
Benedict Wei Jun Pang ◽  
Mary Ann Tsao ◽  
Falong Gu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Frail Older Adults ◽  
Hand Grip ◽  
Frailty Score

Abstract Background Frailty is a common geriatric syndrome, characterized by reduced physiologic reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors, due to cumulative decline in multiple physiological systems. Our study examined the feasibility and effects of a community-delivered BDJ training program among pre-frail/frail community-dwelling older people in preparation for a randomised control implementation study.Methods Our study was a single arm feasibility study in community setting. Eleven participants (aged 77 ± 6 years; 2 frail, 9 prefrail at baseline) completed the program. Sixteen week group BDJ training co-designed and implemented by community-based providers in Singapore. Recruitment, attendance and adverse events were recorded throughout the training. A participants’ survey was also administered after the training program. Effects of the intervention on physical and functional outcomes (hand grip strength, knee extension strength, Time Up and Go (TUG), Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA), 30-second Sit-to-Stand test, 6-meter fast gait speed test), frailty outcomes (frailty score and status), and other outcomes (Maastricht Questionnaire (MQ), Fall Efficacy Scale (FES), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and EQ-5D-5L) were examined before and after the program.Results Of 31 older adults screened to be frail, 15 met inclusion criteria and 3 refused participation resulting in 12 older adults enrolled in the program. One participant was hospitalized (unrelated to BDJ training) and the other 11 completed the program with average overall attendance of 89%. Most (89%) of the 44 training sessions had attendance > 80%. The program received positive feedback with no training-related adverse events. Participants either reversed (n = 2) or maintained (n = 9) their frailty statuses. There were significant within-group post-training improvements in hand grip strength (p = 0.013), knee extension strength (p = 0.048), TUG (p = 0.018), MQ (p = 0.001), FES (p = 0.022), MoCA (p = 0.014), GDS (p = 0.028), EQ-5D-5L index score (p = 0.029). The reduction of frailty score and PPA fall risk score showed moderate-to-large effect size.Conclusions Community-delivered BDJ training program was safe and feasible for prefrail/frail older adults with the potential to improve physical and cognitive function, reduce fall risk, improve psychological well-being, and reverse frailty status.

Clinical Outcomes After Aggressive Active Early Motion and Modified Kleinert Regimens: Comparison of 2 Consecutive Cohorts

Hand ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 155894472110172
Author(s):  
Kaisa Jokinen ◽  
Arja Häkkinen ◽  
Toni Luokkala ◽  
Teemu Karjalainen
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Flexor Tendon ◽  
Hand Grip Strength ◽  
Active Motion ◽  
Hand Grip ◽  
Active Range Of Motion

Background Modern multistrand repairs can withstand forces present in active flexion exercises, and this may improve the outcomes of flexor tendon repairs. We developed a simple home-based exercise regimen with free wrist and intrinsic minus splint aimed at facilitating the gliding of the flexor tendons and compared the outcomes with the modified Kleinert regimen used previously in the same institution. Methods We searched the hospital database to identify flexor tendon repair performed before and after the new regimen was implemented and invited all patients to participate. The primary outcome was total active range of motion, and secondary outcomes were Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand; grip strength; globally perceived function; and the quality of life. Results The active range of motion was comparable between the groups (mean difference = 14; 95% confidence interval [CI], −8 to 36; P = .22). Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand; grip strength; global perceived function; and health-related quality of life were also comparable between the groups. There was 1 (5.3%) rupture in the modified Kleinert group and 4 (15.4%) in the early active motion group (relative risk = 0.3; 95% CI, 0.04-2.5; P = .3). Conclusions Increasing active gliding with a free wrist and intrinsic minus splint did not improve the clinical outcomes after flexor tendon injury at a mean of 38-month follow-up.

scholarly journals Physical activity in the classroom to prevent childhood obesity: a pilot study in Santiago, Chile

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Mardones ◽  
Pilar Arnaiz ◽  
Johana Soto-Sánchez ◽  
Juana Saavedra ◽  
Angélica Domínguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Hand Grip Strength ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Waist Circumference ◽  
Hand Grip

AbstractThis paper describes a 4-month pilot study that tested the suitability of a physical activity intervention for first graders (children aged 6 and 7 years) in a public school in Santiago, Chile. Teachers were trained to deliver the programme in the classroom during the school day. Teachers were surveyed to determine if this intervention fit within their curriculum and classroom routines and they reported in a focus group that it was suitable for them. All children actively participated in the programme and positive changes in their attitudes towards physical activity were observed by their teachers. Anthropometrics, blood pressure and hand grip strength were measured in the students. A significant reduction was observed in children with high waist circumference ≥ 90th percentile, and in mean systolic blood pressure. However, statistical power values for those comparisons were rather low. Anthropometry and hand grip strength were not modified. The latter calculations and the lack of a control group are showing the weaknesses of this pilot study and that further research with a larger sample size and an experimental design is strongly needed.

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