scholarly journals Effects of Ballroom Dance on Physical Fitness and Reaction Time in Experienced Middle-Aged Adults of Both Genders

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2036
Author(s):  
Valerio Bonavolontà ◽  
Francesca Greco ◽  
Umberto Sabatini ◽  
Francisco J. Saavedra ◽  
Francesco Fischetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Step Test ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Balance Test ◽  
Jump Test ◽  
Handgrip Test ◽  
Ballroom Dance ◽  
Middle Aged Adults

Ballroom dance practice might play a pivotal role for successful aging, but its effects could differ depending on dancers’ experience level. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of six months of ballroom dance (three times/w) on physical fitness and reaction time (RT) in 24 middle-aged adults who are experienced dancers (age: 59.4 ± 11.6 years). Body composition, handgrip test (HG), standing long-jump test (SLJ), step test (ST), one-legged stance balance test (OLSB), and RT were assessed before (T0) and after six months (T6) of dance practice. RT was re-evaluated four months later (T10). RT was significantly (p < 0.05) lower at T6 (221.2 ± 20.3 ms) and T10 (212.0 ± 21.9 ms) than T0 (239.1 ± 40,7 ms); no significant differences were found between T6 and T10. No significant differences were observed for all the other parameters between T0 and T6: weight and muscle mass were significantly lower (p < 0.01) in females than in males, and percentage of fat mass was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in females than in males. HG was significantly higher in males than females (p < 0.01). Results suggest that in experienced middle-aged adults of both genders, ballroom dance may positively influence RT, and this result could be maintained for four months.

scholarly journals Association of physical fitness and motor ability at young age with locomotive syndrome risk in middle-aged and older men: J-Fit+ Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaoshuai Shen ◽  
Koya Suzuki ◽  
Yoshimitsu Kohmura ◽  
Noriyuki Fuku ◽  
Yuki Someya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Young Age ◽  
Step Test ◽  
Motor Ability ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Locomotive Syndrome ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Ability Test

Abstract Background Physical fitness and motor ability are associated with the incidence of locomotive syndrome (LS) in older adults. The relationships between physical fitness and motor ability at a young age to LS risk in later life remain unclear. This study examined the association between physical fitness and motor ability among university students and their risk of LS in middle and old age. Methods The participants were 231 male alumni aged 48–65 years from the Department of Physical Education of a university in Japan. Physical fitness and motor ability test results during their fourth year at the university were used. Physical fitness tests included the side-step test, vertical jump test, back muscle, grip strength, trunk lift, standing trunk flexion, and step-test. Motor ability was tested using the 50-m and 1500-m run, running long jump, hand-ball throw, and pull-up test. LS risk was assessed using a seven-question standardized self-administered Loco-check questionnaire. Participants were divided into three groups (low, medium, and high) based on physical fitness and motor ability test results at young age, and LS risk was assessed at an older age across the three groups using Cox proportional hazards models. Results From the 2017 follow-up survey, the median follow-up period was 37 years (interquartile range, 33–41), and LS risk was suspected for 31 (13.4%) participants. Better performance on the side-step test was associated with the reduced risk of LS (hazard ratio 0.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.101–0.983, P = 0.047). Conclusions Good agility (side-step test) at a young age may reduce the future risk of LS among middle-aged and older men.

scholarly journals Physical Fitness and Body Composition in 10–12-Year-Old Danish Children in Relation to Leisure-Time Club-Based Sporting Activities

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Ørntoft ◽  
Malte Nejst Larsen ◽  
Mads Madsen ◽  
Lene Sandager ◽  
Ida Lundager ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Resting Heart Rate ◽  
Balance Test ◽  
Sports Club ◽  
Jump Test ◽  
Sporting Activities ◽  
Fitness And Health

This study investigated whether the physical fitness and body composition of 10–12-year-old Danish children are related to participation in leisure-time club-based sporting activities. The study involved 544 Danish 10–12-year-old 5th-grade municipal schoolchildren (269 boys and 275 girls, 11.1 ± 0.4 years). After answering a questionnaire about leisure-time sporting activities, the children were divided into four groups: football club participation (FC; n=141), other ball games (OBG; n=42), other sports (OS; n=194), and no sports-club participation (NSC; n=167). The children completed a battery of health and fitness tests, including a 20 m sprint test, a standing long-jump test, the Yo-Yo IR1 children’s test (YYIR1C), and body composition, blood pressure, resting heart rate (HRrest), and the flamingo balance test. The children engaged in club-based ball games (FC and OBG) had higher (p<0.05) lean body mass than NSC (FC: 17.5 ± 2.9; OBG: 18.4 ± 2.6; OS: 16.7 ± 2.9; NSC: 16.4 ± 2.8 kg), performed better (p<0.05) in the YYIR1C test (FC: 1083 ± 527; OBG: 968 ± 448; OS: 776 ± 398; NSC: 687 ± 378 m), and had lower (p<0.05) %HRmax after 1, 2, and 3 min of YYIR1C. Moreover, HRrest was lower (p<0.05) for FC than for OS and NSC (FC: 68 ± 9 vs OS: 72 ± 10 and NSC: 75 ± 10 bpm), and lower (p<0.05) for OBG than for NSC (OBG: 70 ± 10 vs NSC: 75 ± 10 bpm). This study found that 10–12-year-old Danish children engaged in club-based football and other ball games had better exercise capacity, lower resting heart rate, and higher muscle mass than children not engaged in leisure-time sports. Thus, participation in club-based leisure-time ball-game activities seems to be of importance for the fitness and health profile of prepubertal children.

scholarly journals Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity Are Independent Predictors of Successful Aging in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilpa Dogra ◽  
Liza Stathokostas
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Canadian Community Health Survey ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Middle Aged Adults

Background. Sedentary behavior is emerging as an important risk factor for poor health. Physical activity has proven to be important in determining overall successful aging (SA) among older adults; however, no data exists on the influence of sedentary behavior on SA. The purpose of this analysis was to determine whether there is an association between sedentary behavior and successful aging, independent of physical activity levels.Methods. 9,478 older (M= 4,245;F= 5,233) and 10,060 middle-aged (M= 4.621;F= 5,439) adults from the Healthy Aging cycle of the Canadian Community Health Survey were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regressions were conducted with SA and its three components as outcomes while physical activity and sedentary behavior were entered as main exposures.Results. Among older adults, compared to those who were sedentary (4 hours or more/day), those who were moderately (2–4 hours/day) and least sedentary (<2 hours/day) were 38% (OR: 1.38; CI: 1.12–1.69) and 43% (OR: 1.43; CI: 1.23–1.67) more likely to age successfully, respectively. Among middle-aged adults, those who were least sedentary were 43% (OR: 1.43; CI: 1.25–1.63) more likely to age successfully.Conclusions. These novel findings suggest that sedentary activities are significantly associated with lower odds of SA among middle-aged and older adults, potentially in a dose-dependent manner.

Acute Effect of Exercise on Cognitive Performance in Middle-Aged Adults: Aerobic Versus Balance

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 773-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damiano Formenti ◽  
Luca Cavaggioni ◽  
Marco Duca ◽  
Athos Trecroci ◽  
Mattia Rapelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Executive Control ◽  
Simple Reaction Time ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Perceptual Speed ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Simple Reaction ◽  
Balance Exercise ◽  
Middle Aged Adults

Background: Recent evidence has suggested that chronic physical activities including balance exercises have positive effects on cognition, but their acute effects are still unknown. In the present study, the authors tested the hypothesis that an acute bout of balance exercise would enhance cognitive performance compared with aerobic activity. Methods: A total of 20 healthy middle-aged adults completed 2 acute 30-minute balance and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise sessions on 2 counterbalanced separate occasions. To assess cognitive functions, performance tasks in executive control, perceptual speed, and simple reaction time were tested before and immediately after each exercise session. Results: Although there were no significant interactions (time × exercise condition, P > .05), the main effects of time were significant in executive control (P < .05), perceptual speed (P < .05), and simple reaction time (P < .001), showing improvements after both exercises. Conclusions: These findings highlight that both types of exercise (aerobic, more metabolic and less cognitively demanding; balance, more cognitively and less metabolically demanding) were able to positively affect simple reaction time performance, perceptual speed, and executive control independently of physiological adjustments occurring during aerobic or balance exercise.

scholarly journals Role of physical activity and fitness on sleep in sedentary middle-aged adults: the FIT-AGEING study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sol Mochón-Benguigui ◽  
Almudena Carneiro-Barrera ◽  
Manuel J. Castillo ◽  
Francisco J. Amaro-Gahete
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Peak Torque ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Sleep Quantity ◽  
Subjective Sleep ◽  
Middle Aged Adults

AbstractThe association of physical activity and fitness with sleep still remains unclear since there is a lack of studies in this field of research using objective measurements of these variables. This study aimed to investigate the association of objectively-measured sedentariness, physical activity levels, and physical fitness with sleep quantity and quality in sedentary middle-aged adults. A total of 74 volunteers (52.7% women; aged 53.7 ± 5.1) were recruited for the present study. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured through a maximal treadmill test, and muscular strength by extension and flexion peak torque, and by the hand grip test. Physical activity and objective sleep parameters were determined through accelerometry, and subjective sleep by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Reduced levels of sedentariness, greater VO2max, and greater muscular strength were positively related to improved objective sleep quantity and quality (all P ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, higher levels of overall physical activity, VO2max, and muscular strength were related to better subjective sleep quantity and quality (all P ≤ 0.05). Reduced sedentariness and increased physical activity and fitness may be a potential prevention and/or treatment pathway to reduce sleep disturbances and, in general, to improve patients physical and psychological health for a successful aging process.

Level of processing and reaction time in young and middle-aged adults and the effect of education

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 216-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willemien A. Meijer ◽  
Renate H. M. de Groot ◽  
Pascal W. M. van Gerven ◽  
Martin P. J. van Boxtel ◽  
Jelle Jolles
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Middle Aged Adults ◽  
Level Of Processing
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