Changes in plasma C1q, apelin and adropin concentrations in older adults after descending and ascending stair walking intervention

This study compared changes in plasma complement component 1q (C1q), apelin and adropin concentrations in older obese women after descending (DSW) and ascending stair walking (ASW) training (n = 15/group) performed twice a week for 12 weeks, with gradual increases in exercise time from 5 to 60 min. Fasting blood samples were collected 3 days before the first and 4 days after the last training session. The improvements in the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) strength of the knee extensors, functional physical fitness [e.g., 30-s chair stand (CS) performance], resting systolic blood pressure (SBP), insulin sensitivity [e.g., oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)] and blood lipid profiles [e.g., total cholesterol (TC)] were greater (p < 0.05) in the DSW than ASW group. Plasma C1q decreased (− 51 ± 30%), and apelin (23 ± 15%) and adropin (127 ± 106%) increased (p ≤ .0.05) only after DSW. Significant (p ≤ 0.01) partial correlations were found between the pre- to post-DSW changes in C1q, apelin or adropin and changes in outcome measures [e.g., C1q and MVIC (r = − 0.837), apelin and SBP (r = − 0.854), and andropin and OGTT (r = − 0.729)]. These results showed that greater decreases in plasma C1q and greater increases in apelin and adropin concentrations were associated with greater improvements in outcome measures after DSW than after ASW.

Effect of Posterior Pelvic Tilt Taping on Pelvic Inclination, Muscle Strength, and Gait Ability in Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study

Objective: Pelvic alignment asymmetry in stroke patients negatively affects postural control ability. This study aimed to investigate the effect of posterior pelvic tilt taping on pelvic inclination, muscle strength, and gait ability in stroke patients. Methods: Forty stroke patients were recruited and randomly divided into the following two groups: the posterior pelvic tilt taping (PPTT) group (n = 20) and the control group (n = 20). All participants underwent sitting-to-standing, indoor walking, and stair walking training (30 min per day, 5 days per week, for 6 weeks). The PPTT group applied posterior pelvic tilt taping during the training period, while the control group did not receive a tape intervention. Pelvic inclination was measured using a palpation meter (PALM). A hand-held dynamometer and the 10-meter walk test were used to measure muscle strength and gait ability. Results: Significantly greater improvements in the pelvic anterior tilt were observed in the PPTT group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Muscle strength in the PPTT group was significantly increased compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Significantly greater improvements in gait speed were observed in the PPTT group than the control group. Conclusions: According to our results, posterior pelvic tilt taping may be used to improve the anterior pelvic inclination, muscle strength, and gait ability in stroke patients.