Changes in Physical Fitness of Older People During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany: Objective Training Data

The purpose of this study was to analyze objective training data on changes in leg muscle training before and after the COVID-19 lockdown during spring 2020 in Germany. Overall, the training data of 4435 individuals in the age group (AG) 45-64 years (55±5 years, 66% ♀) and of 2853 in the AG 65-95 years (72±6 years, 54% ♀) were exported from chip-controlled exercise circuits. Training weight and number of repetitions performed on the leg extensor were used to calculate a leg score (LS), considering the last three training sessions before the lockdown (baseline) and the first ten individual sessions as well as the averaged sessions for August, September and October after individual training resumption. Based on the baseline LS, three training intensity groups (TG_low, medium, high) were defined, and analyzed for differences (ANOVA). The LS in TG_low remained stable after the lockdown, but increased compared to baseline in both AGs after the first ten sessions (p<0.05). In TG_medium, LS was reduced at the first post training session (p<0.05) and returned to baseline levels at training session eight in the younger and session two in the older adults. In both AGs, LS was reduced in the TG_high (p<0.001), and did not reach baseline levels by October. Hence, the LS of TG_high was identified as being particularly affected by the training interruption, irrespective of age. More individually tailored training recommendations should be made for these individuals to be able to regain their initial training levels and avoid long-term adverse health effects.

How Do Persons with Young and Late Onset Dementia Die?

Background: End of life symptoms and symptom management as well as the quality of dying (QoD) of persons with advanced dementia (PWAD) have not yet been systematically studied in Germany. Objective: 1) To investigate symptoms, treatment and care at the end of life, advance care planning, and circumstances of death of recently deceased PWAD; 2) To determine whether there are differences between young and late onset dementia (YOD and LOD). Methods: The study was performed in the context of the project EPYLOGE (IssuEs in Palliative care for persons in advanced and terminal stages of Young-onset and Late-Onset dementia in Germany). Closest relatives of recently deceased patients with advanced YOD (N = 46) and LOD (N = 54) living at home or in long term care were interviewed. Results: Circumstances of death, symptoms, and treatment appeared to be similar between YOD and LOD, except that persons with LOD had significantly more somatic comorbidities and were admitted to hospital in the last three months of life more often than persons with LOD. At end of life, 60%of PWAD appeared to be “at peace”. Difficulty swallowing, gurgling, shortness of breath, and discomfort were observed most frequently. Large interindividual differences in suffering and QoD were present. Determinants of QoD were not identified. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that low QoD was caused by inadequate recognition and/or insufficient treatment of burdensome physical and emotional symptoms. PWADs’ needs should be assessed regularly, and strategies focusing on treatment and implementing support for both the patient and caregiver must be established.

ТЕХНИКО-ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКОЕ ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ ЖИДКИХ АЗОТНЫХ И АЗОТО-СЕРОСОДЕРЖАЩИХ УДОБРЕНИЙ НА БАЗЕ КАС-32 В ПОСЕВАХ ЗЕРНОВЫХ И ЗЕРНОБОБОВЫХ КУЛЬТУР

В работе представлены материалы лабораторно-полевых исследований Самарского ГАУ по изучению эффективности жидких минеральных азотных и новых азотосеросодержащих удобрений на базе КАС-32 по сравнению с твердыми аммиачная селитра, производимых ПАО КуйбышевАзот (г. Тольятти, Самарская обл.) при возделывании зерновых (твердая пшеница) и зернобобовых (соя) по технологии MINI-TILL, обеспечиваемой сельскохозяйственным машинным комплексом АО Евротехника (г. Самара) немецкой компании AMAZONEN-Werke (Германия). Цель работы: определение эффективности азотных жидких минеральных удобрений производства ПАО КуйбышевАзот и новых азото-серосодержащих в сравнении с традиционными твердыми минеральными удобрениями аммиачная селитра с определением оптимальных доз, способов и времени внесения, необходимых технических средств на различных сельхозкультурах, в том числе на зерновых и зернобобовых. В засушливый 2018 год (седьмой год по засухе с 1936 года) были получены достаточно высокие результаты по урожайности и качеству произведенной продукции при применении КАС-32, КАС-32 с серой и РПС (раствор питательный серосодержащий) в сравнении с твердыми минеральными удобрениями (аммиачная селитра) при их внесении опрыскивателями АО Евротехника , оборудованными крупнокапельными распылителями и шлангами удлинителями для листовой и внекорневой (прикорневой) подкормки растений.The article presents materials from the laboratory and field studies of the Samara State Agrarian University on the effectiveness of liquid mineral nitrogen and new nitrogen-sulfur fertilizers based on KAS-32 compared with solid fertilizers - ammonium nitrate produced by PAO KuibyshevAzot (Tolyatti, Samara oblast) in the cultivation of cereal crops (durum wheat) and legumes (soybeans) using MINITILL technology provided by the agricultural machinery complex AO Evrotehnika (Samara) of the German company AMAZONEN-Werke (Germany). Objective: to determine the effectiveness of nitrogen liquid mineral fertilizers produced by PAO KuibyshevAzot and new nitrogen-sulfur fertilizers in comparison with traditional solid mineral fertilizers - ammonium nitrate - with the determination of the optimal doses, methods and time of application, the necessary technical means for various crops, including cereals and legumes. In the dry year of 2018 (the seventh drought year since 1936), fairly high results were obtained in terms of yield and quality of the products when using KAS-32, KAS-32 with sulfur and RPS (sulfur-containing nutritious solution) in comparison with solid mineral fertilizers (ammonia nitrate) when applied by AO Evrotehnika sprayers equipped with large-droplet sprayers and extension hoses for foliar and nonroot (root) dressing of plants.

Behavioral Competence and Emotional Well-Being of Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment

We examined whether older individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) differed from healthy controls (HC) and persons with dementia (AD) in objective and perceived behavioral competence as well as in emotional well-being. We used a merged sample of 257 older adults aged 59 to 91 years (M = 72.9; SD = 6.4) stemming from Israel and Germany. Objective behavioral competence (assessed based on global positioning system (GPS)-based tracking data and a structured questionnaire) of MCI individuals was mostly similar to the HC group. Regarding perceived behavioral competence and emotional well-being, MCI individuals were more similar to the AD group and below the HC group’s mean levels. Findings suggest that a differentiated view of MCI individual’s competence and emotional well-being is in place.