scholarly journals Association between Cigarette Smoking and Physical Fitness Level of Korean Adults and the Elderly

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
Hyung Gyu Jeon ◽  
Gyuri Kim ◽  
Hee Seong Jeong ◽  
Wi-Young So

Although previous studies have examined the relationship between smoking and physical fitness, they only considered current smoking status and the same fitness measurements regardless of age. This study investigated differences in physical fitness based on tobacco smoking habits. A total of 2830 non-elderly adults (NEA; 19–64 years) and 629 elderly (65–89 years) participated in the study, using data extracted from a Korean national database. One-way ANCOVA and ANOVA were conducted to analyze the results. The subjects were classified into three groups (smokers, those who had quit, and never-smokers). In NEA men, a significant difference was observed in 50-m dash (p = 0.003) and 20-m shuttle-run (p < 0.001), while in elderly men differences were only seen in sit-ups (p = 0.015). In the case of NEA and elderly women, no significant differences were observed in physical fitness levels (p > 0.05). The decreased fitness level due to smoking was more noticeable in men than in women, and in NEA more than in elderly persons. A non-smoking policy and customized training based on age or gender are necessary to increase fitness and improve health conditions.

Author(s):  
Morteza Taheri ◽  
Shakiba Farzian ◽  
Atefeh Esmaeili ◽  
Ebrahim Shabani

Objectives: The aim of this research was to study the effects of a course of water therapy and jogging on factors related to the physical fitness of elderly women. Methods: Semi experimental study was performed by pretest-posttest design in which elderly women over 60 (64.3 ± 2.5 years old) were randomly divided into 3 groups of water therapy exercises, jogging group (JG) and control group (CG). Factors related to physical fitness (lower limb muscle strength test, static balance, dynamic balance and physical flexibility) before and after interventional exercises. One-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test were applied to analyze the data. Results: It was shown that both water therapy exercises and jogging had a significant effect on static (P = 0.03), dynamic (P = 0.04), lower limb strength [P = 0.03 and (P = 0.01) for WTE and JG, respectively] and physical flexibility scores (P = 0.03), but there was no significant difference between the two experimental groups in all research variables (P ≥ 0.05). Conclusions: The use of water therapy and jogging exercises leads to improved static and dynamic balance, muscular strength of the lower extremities. Since improving the motor performance variables has a significant effect on preventing the falling of the elderly, it is recommended to use these exercises for the elderly.


2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 43221
Author(s):  
Daniel Vicentini de Oliveira ◽  
Lucas Guilherme Muzolon ◽  
Mateus Dias Antunes ◽  
José Roberto Andrade do Nascimento Júnior

This quasi-experimental study aimed to analyze the impact of swimming initiation on the physical fitness and mental health of 10 elderly women. It used the Senior Fitness Test, the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale, the WHOQOL-BREF and the WHOQOL-OLD. The program involved 12 weeks of swimming initiation lessons, twice a week. There was significant difference between pre- and post-test in ‘sit-to-stand’ (p = 0.005), ‘elbow flexion’ (p = 0.007), ‘walk 2.44 m and sit’ (p = .005), ‘walk 6 min.’ (p = 0.005), as well as in anxiety (p = 0.005), stress (p = 0.005), self-esteem (p = 0.007) and quality of life (p < 0.05). Swimming was effective in improving the physical fitness and mental health of the elderly women.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Mendes Araújo ◽  
Temístocles Bezerra de Sousa Neto ◽  
Ângelo José Gonçalves Bós

Objective To identify the demographic, environmental, economic, functional, and health characteristics and the lifestyle habits of elderly persons considering their degree of institutionalization. Method A cross-sectional observational study was carried out of individuals in long-term care institutions for the elderly (resident group) in João Pessoa in the state of Paraíba, those on the waiting list (waiting list group) for such institutions, and those who did not demonstrate interest in being institutionalized (non-waiting list group). Fifty elderly persons per group were interviewed, paired by sex, age and education level. Results The non-waiting list group had a higher proportion of married individuals (p<0.0001), mean number of children (p=0.0068), number of homeowners (p=0.0060) and less difficulty going out, with a higher frequency of activities. The waiting list group presented a higher proportion of individuals living alone (p=0.0089), and a lower frequency and more difficulty going out. There was no significant difference in the functional capacity of the three groups (p=0.2019). Conclusion There were differences among the three groups; however, the waiting list group had much more similar characteristics to the resident group than the non-waiting list group. Elderly persons on waiting lists to be institutionalized represent a neglected social group both in terms of research and public policies.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taysi Seemann ◽  
Carolina Weber Schmitt ◽  
Adriana Coutinho de Azevedo Guimarães ◽  
Simone Korn ◽  
Joseani Paulini Neves Simas ◽  
...  

Objective To assess the trainability and reversibility of variables of physical fitness in elderly participants in Active Living Functional Gymnastics. Method This ex post facto study was composed of 115 elderly women from six functional fitness groups in the Active Living Program in Florianopolis. The Rikli and Jones battery of tests (Chair Stand Test, Arm Curl Test, Chair Sit and Reach Test, Back Scratch Test, 8-Foot Up and Go Test, 6 Minute Walk Test) was used. The intervention period lasted for eight months, and the detraining period took three months. Descriptive and inferential statistics with paired Student t-test and Scheffé post hoc was used. Results The performance of the age groups differed in agility and aerobic capacity; Trainability was identified in the strength and resistance variables of the lower and upper limbs, and the flexibility of the lower limbs; Detraining was perceived in the strength and resistance of upper limbs, and aerobic capacity. Conclusion A Functional Gymnastics program produces positive effects on the strength and resistance of the lower and upper limbs, and flexibility of the lower limbs in elderly women. An interruption period lasting three months results in detraining in strength and resistance of the lower limbs and aerobic capacity.


Author(s):  
Hassan Zareei Mahmoodabadi ◽  
Mansoreh Nourian ◽  
Seyed Reza Reza Javadian ◽  
Elahe Fallah Tafti

Background: Elderly is an era of life, which affects quality of life; aging changes the thinking ways and reduces the self-confidence. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of hope therapy on the elderly quality of life in Mehriz, Yazd in 2016 - 2017. Methods: In this controlled study with pre-test post-test design, the study population consisted of all elderly people who referred to daily care centers of Mehriz. The sample consisted of 24 elderly women in the daily care centers, who were divided into two groups of experimental (n = 12) and awaiting (n = 12).Hope therapy was provided in eight sessions for the experimental group. The instrument used in this research was Quality of Life Scale for the Elderly. Results: The MANOVA results showed a significant difference between the experimental and awaiting groups. In the experimental group, physical function, depression, anxiety, mental performance, and life satisfaction improved, but education did not affect the sex dimension. Hope therapy, was effective on improving the elderly quality of life. Conclusion: The studied training can be used as an effective treatment to improve the elderly quality of life.


2008 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 369-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajit Shah

A negative correlation between societal suicide rates and social integration has been reported, but rarely specifically examined for suicide rates of the elderly although suicide rates of elderly persons are among the highest. The associations of suicide rates of elderly persons and fertility rates for 81 countries were examined using data from the World Health Organisation and United Nations. Fertility rates were considered a proxy measure for social integration. Multiple regression analysis indicated that suicide rates for males and females in the age bands 65–74 years and 75+ years were independently (negative) correlated with fertility rates. Fertility rates, as a measure of social integration, may interact with, modify and mediate the effect of cultural factors on suicide rates of elderly persons.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaohua Qi ◽  
Abdullah Al Mamun ◽  
Romana Sharmeen ◽  
Conelius Ngwa ◽  
Louise D. McCullough ◽  
...  

Introduction: Stroke is a sexually dimorphic disease. Women are protected against ischemia compared to men before menopause due to estrogen’s neuroprotection; after menopause the elderly women become vulnerable to stroke attack. Our previous studies with four core genotype mice found a chromosomal effect (either X or Y) in stroke sensitivity. Recently, we found two X-linked genes ( Kdm6a and Kdm5c ) that escape from X chromosome inactivation (XCI) are higher expressed in aged female vs. male microglia after stroke. KDM6A and KDM5C are histone demethylases that modify gene expression of inflammatory mediators. By these early studies, we hypothesized that the second X chromosome contributes to stroke sensitivity in aged mice through immune responses mediated by KDM6A and KDM5C. Methods: XY* aged (18-22 months) mice (natural menopause cohort) that have four genotypes (XO, XX, XY, XXY) were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Another cohort of gonadectomized XY* mice were also used as the “surgical menopause” cohort. Infarct volumes and behavior deficits were quantified 3 days after MCAO. KDM6A and KDM5C localization with microglial marker TMEM119 was examined by IHC. Plasma inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-4, TL-10, etc.) levels were analyzed with MultiPlex. The contribution of the second X-chromosome to stroke sensitivity was determined by comparing XX vs. XO or XXY vs. XY mice, and the effect of the Y-chromosome was evaluated by a comparison between XY vs. XO and XXY vs. XX mice. Results: In both surgical and natural menopause cohorts, XX and XXY mice showed worse stroke outcomes compared to XO or XY mice respectively; however, no significant difference was found between XX vs. XXY or XO vs. XY mice. IHC results showed higher expression of KDM6A and KDM5C in TMEM119 positive cells in mice with two vs. one copy of X chromosome. XXY mice had significantly higher levels of circulating TNF-α and IL-6 than XY mice. Conclusion: The second X chromosome contributes to stroke sensitivity in mice. Kdm6a and Kdm5c may play important roles in mediating post-stroke inflammation. Future work will genetically manipulate the expression of Kdm6a and Kdm5c in microglia to examine the roles of the two XCI escapee gene in stroke.


Author(s):  
Nayoung Ahn ◽  
Kijin Kim

This study aims to verify the efficacy of exercise programs designed to prevent and treat hypertension-induced cardiovascular disease (CVD) by analyzing the effects of a 6-month active aerobic exercise program, administered to prehypertensive elderly women, on reducing the risk of developing CVD by enhancing their physical fitness level and improving the detailed markers of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and inflammatory markers. We assigned the elderly women (≥65 years) recruited into normal blood pressure (120–129/80–84; NBP, n = 18) and high-normal blood pressure (130–139/85–89; HNBP, n = 12) groups according to the European guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension. The exercise program was made up of combined workouts of elastic band resistance exercise and aerobics with dance music. The program took place three times a week for six months, with each session lasting 60 min. We measured pre- and post-intervention body composition, blood pressure, physical fitness level, blood lipids profile, HDL-C, SAA, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-4, IL-15, CRP, and HSP70 and calculated the Framingham risk scores for comparison. A significant post-intervention reduction in the mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was observed in the HNBP group (p < 0.001), with significant increase in HDL-C (p < 0.01) and significant decrease in serum amyloid A (SAA) concentration (p < 0.01). A significant improvement in physical fitness factors such as physical efficiency index (PEI) was also observed in the HNBP group (p < 0.05). The post-intervention TNF-α, IL-6, and SAA concentrations were more significantly lower in the HNBP than in the NBP group (p < 0.05). Compared to the baseline values, a significant decrease in SAA concentration (p < 0.01) and significant increase in HSP70 concentration (p < 0.001) were observed in the HNBP group. The HNBP group’s 10-year CVD risk was also significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The pre–post differences in SBP and DBP were significantly correlated with those in the anti-inflammatory markers IL-4 and IL-15 (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the 6-month active aerobic exercise program of moderate intensity administered to prehypertensive elderly women (≥65 years) had the effect of reducing the 10-year CVD risk through a substantial reduction in SBP, overall physical fitness improvement, increase in HDL-C, decrease in SAA concentration, and substantial decrease in inflammatory biomarkers. It was also confirmed that an increase in anti-inflammatory markers, which showed a small range of increase with respect to the decrease in blood pressure, may have a major effect.


1983 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan B. Howe ◽  
Kenneth A. Blick

At the end of 6 wk., 37 elderly women turned in 145 dream narratives and accompanying emotions. Approximately two emotions were used to describe each dream; enjoyment, surprise, distress, confusion, interest, and fear accounted for 86% of all dream emotions. The emotions of disgust, anger, shame, and contempt were infrequently reported by these elderly persons. The dreams associated with the retirement life style of the elderly exhibited pleasant as well as unpleasant emotions.


Author(s):  
Nitesh Mangal ◽  
Dilip Kumar L. ◽  
K. A. Varghese ◽  
Meet Chauhan ◽  
Matariswa Samanta

Background: There is a paradigm shift in the social values towards the elderly people due to urbanization and higher educational linked migration. Consequently, problems like loneliness, lack of emotional support, economic insecurities are faced by the elderly population. The objectives of the study were to assess the socio-economic dimensions and to examine the morbidity and mortality patterns of elderly persons in the study area.Methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted among 536 elderly persons from May to August 2019 in an urban area of Udaipur. A pre-structured and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic details, morbidity profile and socio-economic problems of elderly persons. The data was analyzed using class frequencies, ‘t’ test for equality of gender difference in mortality ages and Chi-square test for association of age class with morbidity.Results: A majority of study subjects were females (52.05%). There was significant difference in proportions of elderly male and female persons across their educational levels. The chi-square test for association of age classes with number of health problems revealed significant association. About 56.34% of 536 elderly people were leading an unsatisfactory life.Conclusions: The major morbidities included arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, cataract, dental problems, cardiovascular problems etc. Financial problems were more severe among elderly. The availability of trained paramedical professionals for home care and day care units and legal bindings on family members for safety and security of elderly person can be effective measures to overcome the problems being faced by them. 


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document