scholarly journals When COVID-19 affects muscle: effects of quarantine in older adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-222
Author(s):  
Tatiana Moro ◽  
Antonio Paoli

At the beginning of 2020 a respiratory diseased named COVID-19 rapidly spread worldwide. Due to the presence of comorbidities and a greater susceptibility to infections, older adults are the population most affected by this pandemic. An efficient pharmacological treatment for COVID-19 is not ready yet; in the meanwhile, a general quarantine has been initiated as a preventive action against the spread of the disease.  If on one side this countermeasure is slowing the spread of the virus, on the other side is also reducing the amount of physical activity. Sedentariness is associated with numerous negative health outcomes and increase risk of fall, fractures and disabilities in older adults. Models of physical inactivity have been widely studied in the past decades, and most studies agreed that is necessary to implement physical exercise (such as walking, low load resistance or in bed exercise) during periods of disuse to protect muscle mass and function from catabolic crisis. Moreover, older adults have a blunted response to physical rehabilitation, and a combination of intense resistance training and nutrition are necessary to overcome the loss of in skeletal muscle due to disuse.

Author(s):  
Tatiana Moro ◽  
Antonio Paoli

At the beginning of 2020 a respiratory diseased named COVID-19 rapidly spread worldwide. Due to the presence of comorbidities and a greater susceptibility to infections, older adults are the population most affected by this pandemic. An efficient pharmacological treatment for COVID-19 is not ready yet; in the meanwhile, a general quarantine has been initiated as a preventive action against the spread of the disease.  If on one side this countermeasure is slowing the spread of the virus, on the other side is also reducing the amount of physical activity. Sedentariness is associated with numerous negative health outcomes and increase risk of fall, fractures and disabilities in older adults. Models of physical inactivity have been widely studied in the past decades, and most studies agreed that is necessary to implement physical exercise (such as walking, low load resistance or in bed exercise) during periods of disuse to protect muscle mass and function from catabolic crisis. Moreover, older adults have a blunted response to physical rehabilitation, and a combination of intense resistance training and nutrition are necessary to overcome the loss of in skeletal muscle due to disuse.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Veiga Sardeli ◽  
Marina Lívia Venturini Ferreira ◽  
Lucas do Carmo Santos ◽  
Marília de Souza Rodrigues ◽  
Alfredo Damasceno ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Introduction: Resistance exercise (RE) training is widely recommended for increasing muscle strength and mass in older adults. RE is also a potential stimulus to improve cognitive functions (CF), but the best protocol for this purpose is unknown. Objective: To compare the effects of different RE protocols on CF in the same group of individuals. Methods: Twenty-four older adults were randomized (cross over) to control (CON) and lower limb RE protocols with high load (HL - 80% of 1RM), low load (LL - 30% of 1RM) and LL with blood flow restriction (LL-BFR - 30% of 1RM and 50% BFR). For CF assessment, participants underwent the Stroop test before and after each RE protocol. Results: Reduction in response time for Stroop neutral stimuli was greater after LL (effect size (ES) = -0.92) compared to CON (ES = -0.18) and HL (ES = -0.03), but was not different from LL-BFR (ES = -0.24). The reduced response time was associated with reduced parasympathetic modulation and increased cardiac output across protocols. Conclusion: LL was the most effective RE protocol to improve CF of older adults and a potential beneficial effect of LL-BFR on CF (non-significant) was identified. Therefore, LL resistance exercise appears to stimulate acute cognitive improvements in healthy older adults, probably through exercise-induced optimal autonomic modulation changes. Level of Evidence I; Therapeutic studies-Investigating the results of treatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
João Guilherme Almeida Bergamasco ◽  
Deivid Gomes da Silva ◽  
Diego Fernandes Bittencourt ◽  
Ramon Martins de Oliveira ◽  
José Carlos Bonjorno Júnior ◽  
...  

Gerontology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 318-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arunima Awale ◽  
Thomas J. Hagedorn ◽  
Alyssa B. Dufour ◽  
Hylton B. Menz ◽  
Virginia A. Casey ◽  
...  

Background: Although foot pain has been linked to fall risk, contributions of pain severity, foot posture, or foot function are unclear. These factors were examined in a cohort of older adults. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of foot pain, severity of foot pain, and measures of foot posture and dynamic foot function with reported falls in a large, well-described cohort of older adults from the Framingham Foot Study. Methods: Foot pain, posture, and function were collected from Framingham Foot Study participants who were queried about falls over the past year (0, 1, and ≥2 falls). Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the relation of falls with foot pain, pain severity, foot posture, and foot function adjusting for covariates. Results: The mean age of the 1,375 participants was 69 years; 57% were female, and 21% reported foot pain (40% mild pain, 47% moderate pain, and 13% severe pain). One-third reported falls in the past year (1 fall: n = 263, ≥2 falls: n = 152). Foot pain was associated with a 62% increased odds of recurrent falls. Those with moderate and severe foot pain showed increased odds of ≥2 falls (OR 1.78, CI 1.06-2.99, and OR 3.25, CI 1.65-7.48, respectively) compared to those with no foot pain. Foot function was not associated with falls. Compared to normal foot posture, those with planus foot posture had 78% higher odds of ≥2 falls. Conclusion: Higher odds of recurrent falls were observed in individuals with foot pain, especially severe foot pain, as well as in individuals with planus foot posture, indicating that both foot pain and foot posture may play a role in increasing the risk of falls among older adults.


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (14) ◽  
pp. 1594-1601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren L. Richardson ◽  
Michael J. Duncan ◽  
Alfonso Jimenez ◽  
Victoria M. Jones ◽  
Paul M. Juris ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Shun-Hsi Tsai ◽  
Hao-Chien Cheng ◽  
HUNG-WEN LIU

The purpose of the investigation was to examine the influence of resistance training (RT) with equal volume and varying load on glycemic control, inflammation, and body composition in non-obese prediabetic older adults. Non-obese older adults with prediabetes were randomized into two groups – high-load (80% 1RM) and low-load (40% of 1RM) RT (n=12/group), both with the same training volume. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and blood samples were collected at baseline and again after 10 weeks of RT. Fasting plasma glucose (103.8 vs. 99.9 mg/dL) and the area under the curve (AUC) of OGTT (0-30min) decreased significantly in older adults with prediabetes after 10-weeks of volume-matched RT (p < 0.05). Serum levels of MCP-1 (138.7 vs. 98.5 pg/mL) and TNF-α (1.8 vs. 1.3 pg/mL) showed significant decrease after 10-weeks of high-load RT (p < 0.05). There were no changes in IL-10, IL-6, and CRP levels in both groups. Leptin showed significant decrease after 10-weeks of low-load RT (p < 0.05). Changes in fasting glucose and AUC of OGTT (0-120 min) were positively correlated with changes in MCP-1 and TNF-α (p < 0.05). Lean body mass (39.6 vs. 40.3 kg) increased significantly after 10-weeks of volume-matched RT (p < 0.05). Results indicate that equal-volume RT at different loads is beneficial to glycemic control and muscle growth, and high-load RT shows more prominent anti-inflammatory effects. Novelty: ●Short-term high-load resistance training can help older adults bring their blood sugar level back to normal. ●High-load resistance training attenuates aging-associated chronic inflammation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i7-i11
Author(s):  
R Marshall-McKenna ◽  
E Campbell ◽  
F Ho ◽  
M Banger ◽  
P Rowe ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Resistance training (RT) is the most effective way to increase muscle mass and function in older adults both with/without sarcopenia/frailty. In younger adults, when RT is performed to muscle failure the load lifted does not mediate the magnitude of response, but there are no studies in older adults. We aimed to determine the feasibility of recruitment to a RT intervention working to muscle failure at different loads in frail and healthy older adults. Methods We performed an 8-week randomised feasibility trial of lower limb RT to volitional muscular failure, at high and low load. Participants were recruited via hospital outpatient clinics and newspaper advertisements. Outcomes included: frailty assessment (Fried criteria); muscle strength (maximum voluntary contraction/one-repetition maximum); functional abilities (Short Physical Performance Battery); safety/adverse events were recorded via a log, and patient experiences from focus groups. Results 110 people were assessed for eligibility, and 58 randomised (frail n = 6, prefrail n = 20, robust n = 32) to either high (n = 30) or low load (n = 28) groups. Mean age of participants was 72 years (range 65–93), 36 were female, 22 male. Session attendance was 95% (high load) and 90.4% (low load). Most participants were recruited via advertisements. All participants reported feeling safe and reassured in the RT sessions. Two participants had a serious adverse event, one related to RT (hypotension) and several had adverse events (three intervention-related). Pain was reported at both loads (high n = 9, low n = 8) yet all completed. There were no differences (P &gt; 0.05) in effects of RT outcome variables between low and high load groups. Conclusion In this feasibility trial the recruitment of frail patients via clinics was limited. Performing supervised RT to muscle failure in older adults was safe/acceptable and the load at which RT was performed did not influence its efficacy. Future research into the effectiveness of such RT is warranted.


Author(s):  
K.E. Krizan ◽  
J.E. Laffoon ◽  
M.J. Buckley

With increase use of tissue-integrated prostheses in recent years it is a goal to understand what is happening at the interface between haversion bone and bulk metal. This study uses electron microscopy (EM) techniques to establish parameters for osseointegration (structure and function between bone and nonload-carrying implants) in an animal model. In the past the interface has been evaluated extensively with light microscopy methods. Today researchers are using the EM for ultrastructural studies of the bone tissue and implant responses to an in vivo environment. Under general anesthesia nine adult mongrel dogs received three Brånemark (Nobelpharma) 3.75 × 7 mm titanium implants surgical placed in their left zygomatic arch. After a one year healing period the animals were injected with a routine bone marker (oxytetracycline), euthanized and perfused via aortic cannulation with 3% glutaraldehyde in 0.1M cacodylate buffer pH 7.2. Implants were retrieved en bloc, harvest radiographs made (Fig. 1), and routinely embedded in plastic. Tissue and implants were cut into 300 micron thick wafers, longitudinally to the implant with an Isomet saw and diamond wafering blade [Beuhler] until the center of the implant was reached.


GeroPsych ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 246-251
Author(s):  
Gozde Cetinkol ◽  
Gulbahar Bastug ◽  
E. Tugba Ozel Kizil

Abstract. Depression in older adults can be explained by Erikson’s theory on the conflict of ego integrity versus hopelessness. The study investigated the relationship between past acceptance, hopelessness, death anxiety, and depressive symptoms in 100 older (≥50 years) adults. The total Beck Hopelessness (BHS), Geriatric Depression (GDS), and Accepting the Past (ACPAST) subscale scores of the depressed group were higher, while the total Death Anxiety (DAS) and Reminiscing the Past (REM) subscale scores of both groups were similar. A regression analysis revealed that the BHS, DAS, and ACPAST predicted the GDS. Past acceptance seems to be important for ego integrity in older adults.


2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (01) ◽  
pp. 7-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Pfeifer ◽  
M. Sinaki

SummaryThe objective of exercise in the treatment of osteoporosis is to improve axial stability through strengthening of back extensor muscles. Therefore, a back extension exercise program specific to one’s musculoskeletal competence and pain can be performed in a sitting position and later advanced to the prone position. When fragility is resolved, back extension is performed against resistance applied to the upper back. A significant reduction in back pain, kyphosis, and risk of falls and an improvement in the level of physical activity have been achieved through the SPEED (Spinal Proprioceptive Extension Exercise Dynamic) program. In addition, the application of a “Posture Training Support” (PTS) using a backpack may decrease kyphosis and pain related not only to compression fractures but also reduce iliocostal friction. Therapeutic exercise should address osteo - porosis-related deformities of axial posture, which can increase risk of fall and fracture. Thus, the role of a therapeutic exercise program is to increase muscle strength safely, decrease immobility-related complications, and prevent fall and fracture. As with pharmacotherapy, therapeutic exercises are individualized.


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