scholarly journals Low Volume, Home-Based Weighted Step Exercise Training Can Improve Lower Limb Muscle Power and Functional Ability in Community-Dwelling Older Women

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline L. Mair ◽  
Giuseppe De Vito ◽  
Colin A. Boreham
Keyword(s):  
Exercise Training ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Functional Ability ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Low Volume

Stepping exercise can be used as a scalable form of high intensity exercise to enhance important aspects of physical fitness in older populations. The addition of supplementary weights increases the resistive element of stepping, with the potential for training improvements in muscular strength, power, and functional abilities alongside other fitness outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a low-volume, home-based weighted step exercise programme on muscular strength, power, and functional ability in previously inactive community-dwelling older women. Eleven participants, aged between 65–74 years, independently completed a six-week individualised and progressive step exercise training programme wearing a weighted vest. Knee extensor strength, lower limb power output, and physical function using a battery of functional tests were measured at baseline, following a 6-week control period, and again following the 6-week training programme. Following training, lower limb power output improved by 10–11% (p < 0.05) and was accompanied by a corresponding 9% (p < 0.01) improvement in stair climb time and 10% (p < 0.01) improvement in normalised stair climbing power, highlighting the beneficial effects of weighted stepping for transferable improvements in functional fitness. The magnitude of observed training improvements suggest that weighted step training has the potential to prolong independence and prevent age-related health conditions such as sarcopenia.

scholarly journals Musculoskeletal Strength, Balance Performance, and Self-Efficacy in Elderly Ving Tsun Chinese Martial Art Practitioners: Implications for Fall Prevention

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirley S. M. Fong ◽  
Shamay S. M. Ng ◽  
Karen P. Y. Liu ◽  
Marco Y. C. Pang ◽  
H. W. Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Strength ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Balance Confidence ◽  
Functional Balance ◽  
Martial Art

Objectives.To (1) compare the bone strength, lower limb muscular strength, functional balance performance, and balance self-efficacy between Ving Tsun (VT) martial art practitioners and nonpractitioners and (2) identify the associations between lower limb muscular strength, functional balance performance, and balance self-efficacy among the VT-trained participants.Methods.Thirty-five VT practitioners (mean age ± SD = 62.7 ± 13.3 years) and 49 nonpractitioners (mean age ± SD = 65.9 ± 10.5 years) participated in the study. The bone strength of the distal radius, lower limb muscular strength, functional balance performance, and balance self-efficacy were assessed using an ultrasound bone sonometer, the five times sit-to-stand test (FTSTS), the Berg balance scale (BBS), and the Chinese version of the activities-specific balance confidence scale, respectively. A multivariate analysis of covariance was performed to compare all the outcome variables between the two groups.Results.Elderly VT practitioners had higher radial bone strength on the dominant side(P<0.05), greater lower limb muscular strength(P=0.001), better functional balance performance(P=0.003), and greater balance confidence(P<0.001)than the nonpractitioners. Additionally, only the FTSTS time revealed a significant association with the BBS score(r=-0.575, P=0.013).Conclusions.VT may be a suitable health-maintenance exercise for the elderly. Our findings may inspire the development of VT fall-prevention exercises for the community-dwelling healthy elderly.

Cardiovascular disease markers in type 2 diabetes: the effects of a moderate home-based exercise training programme

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 291-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celena Scheede-Bergdahl ◽  
David Benee Olsen ◽  
Danny Reving ◽  
Robert Boushel ◽  
Flemming Dela
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Disease Markers ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Exercise Training Programme

Accuracy of the step test to evaluate lower limb muscle strength in community-dwelling older women

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 133-139
Author(s):  
Jaqueline Mello Porto ◽  
Renato Campos Freire Júnior ◽  
Luciana Mendes Cangussu-Oliveira ◽  
Erika Leitner ◽  
Lara Gonçalves Freitas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Step Test ◽  
Lower Limb Muscle ◽  
Limb Muscle

scholarly journals Sarcopenia Is Negatively Related to High Gravitational Impacts Achieved From Day-to-day Physical Activity

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (5) ◽  
pp. 652-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
April Hartley ◽  
Celia L Gregson ◽  
Kimberly Hannam ◽  
Kevin C Deere ◽  
Emma M Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Muscle Power ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
Skeletal Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Reduced Physical Activity

Abstract Background Sarcopenia has been associated with reduced physical activity (PA). We aimed to determine if sarcopenia, and specific components of muscle size, function, and physical performance, are associated with high impacts achieved during habitual PA, as these are related to bone strength in community-dwelling older women. Methods Participants were older women from the Cohort of Skeletal Health in Bristol and Avon. We defined sarcopenia using the EWGSOP criteria. Lower limb peak muscle power and force were assessed using Jumping Mechanography (JM). High vertical impacts were assessed by tri-axial accelerometry (at least 1.5g above gravity). Cross-sectional associations were analyzed by linear regression, adjusting for age, height and weight (or fat mass for models including appendicular lean mass index), comorbidities, smoking, alcohol, and Index of Multiple Deprivation. Results Our analyses included 380 participants, with mean age 76.7 (SD 3.0) years; 242 (64%) also completed JM. In age-adjusted analysis, a negative relationship was observed between severity of sarcopenia and high, but not medium or low, impacts (p = .03 for trend). Regarding components of sarcopenia underlying this relationship, multivariable analyses revealed that gait speed (β 1.47 [95% CI 1.14, 1.89], [β-1] reflects the proportionate increase in high impacts per SD increase in exposure) and peak force (1.40 [1.07, 1.84]) were independently associated with high impacts. Conclusions Older women with sarcopenia experienced fewer bone-strengthening high impacts than those with presarcopenia or without sarcopenia. To increase bone strengthening activity in older women, interventions need to improve both lower limb muscle force and walking speed.

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