scholarly journals The Effects of 12 Weeks of a Combined Exercise Program on Physical Function and Hormonal Status in Elderly Korean Women

Author(s):  
Ji Yu Im ◽  
Hyun Seok Bang ◽  
Dae Yun Seo

Aging causes a decline in physical function and hormonal balance. Exercise can improve these parameters. However, the beneficial effects of a combined exercise program (Korean dance and yoga) on physical function and hormonal status in elderly women remain unknown. This study aims to investigate the effects of a 12-week combined exercise program on balance, flexibility, muscle strength, and hormonal status in elderly Korean women. Twenty-five healthy elderly women were recruited and randomly divided into the control (CON) and exercise (EXE) groups. The EXE group underwent the combined exercise program (60 min/day and 3 times/week) for 12 weeks. The two groups did not differ in body weight, lean body mass, fat mass, body fat percentage, or body mass index at baseline or in the changes following the experimental conditions. A significant time × group interaction was detected for anterior and posterior dynamic balance, static balance, and growth hormone (GH). After the combined exercise program, anterior dynamic balance, posterior dynamic balance, static balance, flexibility, muscle strength, GH, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, and estrogen significantly increased in the EXE group compared to the CON group. In conclusion, the combined exercise program contributed to improvements in overall health, including physical function and hormonal status, in elderly Korean women.

Author(s):  
Mohammad Reza Vafaeenasab ◽  
Najme Kuchakinejad Meybodi ◽  
Hamid Reza Fallah ◽  
Mohammad Ali Morowatisharifabad ◽  
Seyeseh Mahdieh Namayandeh ◽  
...  

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an 8-week resistance exercise program on balance, walking speed, and muscle strength in elderly women.   Methods: This randomized controlled trial was performed on 50 elderly women aged 60-66 years who were assigned to two groups of experimental and control. The Time Up and Go test, was used to measure dynamic balance, Romberg's test was used to measure static balance, and the 10 Meter Walk Test was used to measure walking speed, and the 30 Second Chair Stand test was used to measure muscle strength. Paired t-test and independent t-test was used for comparing balance time before and after the exercise program.   Results: The mean duration of static balance increased in the experimental group from 21.64 ± 10.98 before exercise to 28.20 ± 13.47 after exercise (p < 0.001). The mean duration of Up and Go Time decreased from 12.88 ± 1.45 seconds before exercise to 10.80 ± 1.80 seconds after exercise (p < 0.001). Ten-meter walking time in the experimental group decreased from 1.15 ± 0.1 seconds before exercise to 1.00 ± 0.11 seconds after exercise (p < 0.001) and muscle strength in the experimental group increased from 7.8 ± 1 before exercise to 9.56 ± 1.71 after exercise (p < 0.001).   Conclusion: Lower limb resistance exercises with elastic band improve static and dynamic balance and also walking speed, which possibly improve muscle strength. It is recommended that these exercises be considered in developing the elderly women's health care programs due to their accessibility, affordability, and reliability.


Author(s):  
Remigija Dekaminavičiūtė ◽  
Vilma Dudonienė

Research background. Aging constantly manifests itself not only in physiological changes, but also in cognitive ones. Exercise programs for elderly have been created aiming at avoiding risk of falling, but there is little known about changes in cognitive functions under the effect of exercise. The aim was to evaluate the effect of water-based and land-based exercises on balance and cognitive functions in elderly women and men. Methods. The dynamic balance of study participants (n = 32) was evaluated using Timed Up & Go Test, the static balance was evaluated with a 4-position Static Balance Test and the cognitive functions were evaluated with Six-Item Cognitive Impairment Test, the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire and the Trail Making Test. The participants were randomly divided in two groups: water exercise and land-based exercise. Results. After 8 weeks of exercise in water and on land, static and dynamic balance and cognitive functions improved in both groups (p < 0.05), no statistically signifcant difference was found between the groups except for the trail making test, which was performed more quickly by subjects who attended exercise in water. After the exercise program, the men’s dynamic and static balance (while standing in the tandem position) were better than women’s, but women’s standing on one leg position was better than that of men’s (p < 0.05). Conclusion. There were no statistically signifcant differences in cognitive function between men and women after intervention. After both exercise programs, dynamic and static balance (in the tandem position) in men were better (p < 0.05) than those in women, standing on one leg but women’s position was statistically signifcantly better than that of men’s.Keywords: exercise program in water and land-based, static and dynamic balance, cognitive functions.


2011 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 322-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.L.A.S. Santos ◽  
W.F. Gomes ◽  
D.S. Pereira ◽  
D.M.G. Oliveira ◽  
J.M.D. Dias ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Polaquini Simões ◽  
Viviane Castello ◽  
Marco Antonio Auad ◽  
Jadiane Dionísio ◽  
Marisa Mazzonetto

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES: Respiratory muscle strength is relevant to the clinical situation of elderly patients, particularly those presenting with respiratory or cardiac diseases. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the respiratory muscle strength of institutionalized elderly women, compare this with predicted values for the Brazilian population and calculate the correlation with age and anthropometric characteristics. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study at the Department of Physiotherapy of Universidade Camilo Castelo Branco. METHODS: The participants were 56 institutionalized elderly women (74.87 ± 10.55 years of age), evaluated in eight institutions in three cities in the central region of the State of São Paulo, between January 2005 and March 2006. They were separated into three subgroups according to age: 60-69 years (n = 20), 70-79 (n = 18) and 80-89 years (n = 18). Maximal respiratory pressures were obtained using a manovacuometer. The values obtained were compared between subgroups and with predicted values. Correlation analysis was used to evaluate age, weight, height and body mass index in relation to maximal respiratory pressures. The significance level was P < 0.05. RESULTS: No significant differences in maximal respiratory pressures were seen between the three subgroups. The maximal respiratory pressures were significantly lower in the three subgroups, compared with predicted values. Negative correlations between maximal respiratory pressures and age and positive correlations in relation to weight, height and body mass index were found. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory muscle strength was markedly reduced in institutionalized 60 to 89-year-old women and the values demonstrated correlations with age and anthropometric characteristics.


2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 340-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel A. Galvão ◽  
Dennis R. Taaffe ◽  
Nigel Spry ◽  
David Joseph ◽  
Robert U. Newton

Purpose Androgen suppression therapy (AST) results in musculoskeletal toxicity that reduces physical function and quality of life. This study examined the impact of a combined resistance and aerobic exercise program as a countermeasure to these AST-related toxicities. Patients and Methods Between 2007 and 2008, 57 patients with prostate cancer undergoing AST (commenced > 2 months prior) were randomly assigned to a program of resistance and aerobic exercise (n = 29) or usual care (n = 28) for 12 weeks. Primary end points were whole body and regional lean mass. Secondary end points were muscle strength and function, cardiorespiratory capacity, blood biomarkers, and quality of life. Results Analysis of covariance was used to compare outcomes for groups at 12 weeks adjusted for baseline values and potential confounders. Patients undergoing exercise showed an increase in lean mass compared with usual care (total body, P = .047; upper limb, P < .001; lower limb, P = .019) and similarly better muscle strength (P < .01), 6-meter walk time (P = .024), and 6-meter backward walk time (P = .039). Exercise also improved several aspects of quality of life including general health (P = .022) and reduced fatigue (P = .021) and decreased levels of C-reactive protein (P = .008). There were no adverse events during the testing or exercise intervention program. Conclusion A relatively brief exposure to exercise significantly improved muscle mass, strength, physical function, and balance in hypogonadal men compared with normal care. The exercise regimen was well tolerated and could be recommended for patients undergoing AST as an effective countermeasure to these common treatment-related adverse effects.


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