MTUG: an Instrumented Timed Up and Go Extended Test.

Background The aim of this study was to, using the inertial sensor found in the iPhone4®, locate in the ten meter Extended Timed Get Up and Go test the series of kinematic variables deriving from accelerometry and from angular velocity and displacement which show the greatest level of precision in order to discriminate between two groups of elderly persons (frail and physically active) compared to the traditionally used variable, namely time. Methods This study used the transversal analytical approach in an attempt to locate the series of kinematic variables which showed the highest degree of precision in order to discriminate between two groups. Firstly, the differences between the two groups (frail elderly persons and healthy elderly persons) were analyzed using variance analysis. The statistical significance level was established at p<0.05. Secondly, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn up in order to evaluate the level of precision in the predictive capability of the kinematic variables compared to the traditionally used variable, namely time. Results In phases Si-St and T-St-Si, the results indicate that the variables for acceleration showed greater sensitivity in terms of discriminating between the population groups in the study than the angular velocity and displacement data; specifically, they were the minimum acceleration variables in motion axes x, z and y. In sub-phases GG and GC, accelerations in the x axis showed greater discrimination sensitivity between the frail and the controls. For the turning phase, the minimum acceleration variables which obtained area values below the curve greater than for time were the accelerations in the z and y axes. Conclusions The readings deriving from acceleration and angular velocity and displacement during the ETGUG test present a higher degree of precision in discrimination capability between a group of frail and a group of physically active elderly persons, in a more sensitive manner than the variable traditionally used in this test, namely time.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Body composition changes over three years in older adults: a descriptive longitudinal analysis

Este trabalho foi financiado pelo Concurso Anual para Projetos de Investigação, Desenvolvimento, Inovação e Criação Artística (IDI&CA) 2016 do Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa. Código de referência: IPL/2016/SFQ2017_ESTeSLIntroduction: Many studies analyze body composition changes in older adults. However, few studies analyze body composition in elderly people with functional measures. Studies using Double X-Ray analysis (DXA) or Bioimpedance analysis proved to be reliable but expensive or only possible in a laboratory environment. The purpose of our study was to analyze changes in body composition over three years using anthropometric measures in a sample of elderly people in order to perceive functional changes. Methods: Forty-three participants (12 men; 31 women) aged 60 years and over and independent in activities of daily life were assessed using anthropometric measures in the first moment and past three years. Weight, height, waist and hip circumference were measured, and body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were also calculated. Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) was also calculated using Al-Gindan et al. (2014) equations and normalized for height to found skeletal muscle index (SMI) in order to analyze cut-off points associated with physical disability according to Janssen et al (2004). Results: A significant difference was found over three years in SMM (p = 0.007), SMI (p = 0.027), BMI (p = 0.041) and WHR (p = 0.003). The majority of the participants has decreased SMM, SMI, and BMI and increased WHR, which favors a worst prognostic for comorbidities associated with these variables, and a tendency for sarcopenic obesity seems to be present although more studies are needed. Also, we found that using cut-off points for disability risk 83.3% of the men and 38.7% of the women of our sample were at moderate or high risk of disability. Three years later this percentage has increased but only for women to 54.8%. Conclusions: Although men are at risk of disability, women quickly lose their functional capacity, making necessary a rapid intervention to reduce the risk of disability in this population.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Gait speed, balance and functional capacity in a sample of community-dwelling older adults

Introduction: Falls in older people is an important public health concern since they are responsible for a high number of hospitalizations, health complications, disability, and death. Gait speed has been identified as a predictor of health state in elderly populations and it is related to falls and functional capacity. The aim of this study was to identify the risk of falling in a sample of Portuguese older adults living in the community and to investigate the associations between gait speed, balance, and functionality. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Assessment included gait speed (GS) with 4-meter walk test; balance with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS); functional capacity with the Composite Physical Function Scale (CPF). Descriptive and correlational statistics were performed to analyze data. Results: 46 community-dwelling older adults (32 women; 14 men) aged 77 ± 9 years participated in our study. Mean value for GS was 1.17 ± 0.37 m/s which is normal for this population. For BBS and CPF median was 52 and 19, respectively. BBS results revealed a risk of falling off 43% and functional capacity of our participants was at moderate levels. The study of correlations between variables also showed positive associations between GS and BBS (R = 0.631; p = 0.00) and between GS and CPF (R = 0.605; p = 0.00). Conclusions: Positive associations between GS and balance and between GS and functional capacity highlight the role of GS in the assessment of fall risk and functional capacity since it is a simple and easy test to perform.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Gait speed, balance and functional capacity in a sample of community-dwelling older adults

Introduction: Falls in older people is an important public health concern since they are responsible for a high number of hospitalizations, health complications, disability, and death. Gait speed has been identified as a predictor of health state in elderly populations and it is related to falls and functional capacity. The aim of this study was to identify the risk of falling in a sample of Portuguese older adults living in the community and to investigate the associations between gait speed, balance, and functionality. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Assessment included gait speed (GS) with 4-meter walk test; balance with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS); functional capacity with the Composite Physical Function Scale (CPF). Descriptive and correlational statistics were performed to analyze data. Results: 46 community-dwelling older adults (32 women; 14 men) aged 77 ± 9 years participated in our study. Mean value for GS was 1.17 ± 0.37 m/s which is normal for this population. For BBS and CPF median was 52 and 19, respectively. BBS results revealed a risk of falling off 43% and functional capacity of our participants was at moderate levels. The study of correlations between variables also showed positive associations between GS and BBS (R = 0.631; p = 0.00) and between GS and CPF (R = 0.605; p = 0.00). Conclusions: Positive associations between GS and balance and between GS and functional capacity highlight the role of GS in the assessment of fall risk and functional capacity since it is a simple and easy test to perform.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ultrasound Muscle Assessment and Nutritional Status in Institutionalized Older Adults: A Pilot Study

Muscle thickness, measured by ultrasonography, has been investigated for nutritional assessment in older adults, however the associations between muscle ultrasound parameters in the lower limb and nutritional status have not been studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between muscle thickness echo intensity (EI), and nutritional status in home care residents. A cross sectional study was conducted involving 19 older adults from a home care in Malaga (Spain). We evaluated lower leg muscles by ultrasound, anthropometric data, physical function (measured by gait speed and the Short Physical Performance Battery), strength (handgrip and knee extensors strength) and nutritional status across the Mini-Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (MNA-SF). We found that muscle thickness assessed by ultrasonography independently predicts nutritional status by MNA-SF and after adjusting for handgrip strength or age and sex. As secondary findings, we found relations between strength, functional capacity and the MNA-SF test. These results suggest that lower leg muscle ultrasound parameters could be used as a low-cost objective method for muscle evaluation in nutritional assessment in older adults

Muscle Thickness and Echo Intensity by Ultrasonography and Cognitive and Physical Dimensions in Older Adults

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the associations between muscle thickness and echo intensity with cognitive and physical dimensions like functional capacity measured in older people. This cross-sectional study involved 20 older adults (15 women and 5 men, mean age +/- SD: 85 +/- 7 years, body mass index: 25 +/- 3 kg/m(2)) from a geriatric centre in Malaga (Spain). Anthropometric measurements, cognitive assessment with Pfeiffer Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire and Motor Memory test, Physical Performance with Short Physical Performance Battery, and muscle strength were tested. Additionally, using B-mode ultrasonography, images of wrist flexors, biceps brachii, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, medial gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior were captured, and muscle thickness and echo intensity variables were extracted. An association between muscle parameters assessed by ultrasonography and cognitive and physical dimensions were found in older people. Echo intensity was the best predictor in a set of regression models with different muscle parameters and a battery of cognitive and physical tests in older people. Echo intensity adjusted by handgrip strength could be a low cost and ambulatory index and an indirect and reversible indicator of functional capacity.This work was partial financial supported by the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership for Higher Education Programme (Key Action 203) [Grant number: 2018-1-PL01-KA203-051055]

Kinematic Mobile Drop Jump Analysis at Different Heights Based on a Smartphone Inertial Sensor

The purpose of this study was to describe the acceleration variables in a plyometric jump test using the inertial sensor built into an iPhone 4S (R) smartphone, and the jumping variables from a contact mat. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 16 healthy young adults. Linear acceleration, flight time, contact time and jump height were measured in a drop jump test from 60 cm and from 30 cm. Greater acceleration values were found in the drop jump test from 60 cm; the same was observed for the values from the contact mat. Multiple regression analysis was performed for each drop jump test: jump height was used as the dependent variable, and the most relevant variables were used as predictor variables (weight and maximum angular velocity in the Y axis for analysis of the drop jump from 60 cm, and weight and maximum acceleration in the Z axis for the drop jump from 30 cm). We found a significant regression model for the drop jump test from 60 cm (R2 = 0.515, p < 0.001) and for the test from 30 cm (R2 = 0.460, p < 0.01). According to the results obtained in this study, the built-in iPhone 4S (R) inertial sensor is able to measure acceleration for healthy young adults performing a vertical drop jump test. The acceleration kinematic variables are higher in the drop jump test from 60 cm than from 30 cm

Contribution of Physical Fitness Component to Health Status in Elderly Males and Females over 60 years – Short Report

The purpose of this study was to identify the physicalfitness (PF) level of a cohort of elderly people that are subjected tophysical activity (PA), and to establish a regression model for theevaluation of health status (HS) of elderly people based on their PF.This is a Cross-sectional study. Consists of 114 Participants over60 years old, that were recruited from a physical activity program.Were measured variables about anthropometric characteristics,jumping tests with jumping platform, dynamic and static balance, riskof falls, lung capacity, HS and quality of life (QoL). We used Pearson’slinear correlation with 95% Zr. We looked for simple and multiple regression models. We used the bayesianinformation criterion approach and statistical inference to find and calculated a numerical estimate of thebest regression model. We used the dependent variable physical function of SF-12. Physical fitness variablesselected for the models were weight, height, Countermovement Jump test (flight time), Functional Reachtest, lumbosacral flexion mobility, Extended Timed Get Up and Go (ETGUG) (10 meters time score andtotal time score). The HS and QoL measurement are important for the prevention of injury during physicalexercise and should be conducted whenever is possible. The regression models proposed in this study can beused as an initial screening of HS or QoL at fitness facilities and fitness clubs that do not provide HS or QoLquestionnaires. However, these models are not an alternative to health care for a detailed determination ofHS and is not intended for use as a final evaluation

Contribution in the foot health status in elderly people based on the results of biomechanics gait analysis

Purpose: To examine the correlation between the gait biomechanic analysis, foot dynamometry movements and different variables about the foot health status in elderly people. Relevance: Exact knowledge of the biomechanics of foot-print using this tool, as well as the relationship with the function and health status of the foot are important for planning the rehabilitation of the musculo skeletal pathology of the foot. Participants: 22 participants over 60 years old were recruited for a physical activity program. Methods: The variables were about anthropometric characteristics, about general and foot health status by FHSQ questionnaire scores ( foot pain, foot function, participant shoes, general health, physical activity, social capacity and vigour), about biomechanic gait analysis ( maximum pressures retro, mid and front foot, pressures times, times to initiate and end supports, maximum average pressures) and about analogue dynamometry variables in differente foot movements. Analysis: We used Pearson’s linear correlation with 95% Zr and a multivariant correlation. We looked for simple and multiple regression models. Results: the Pearson´s linear correlation showed relationships between foot pain variable with ending support in mid right foot variable (r = 0.562), maximum average pressure in mid right foot (r = 0.424), maximum average time pressure in front right foot (r = 0.588) and first right foot finger flexion (r = 0.434). A multivariant correlation was performed using the foots physical components of the FHSQ questionnaire scores how to dependent variable (foot pain) and the most relevant independents variables; ending support in mid right foot, maximum average time pressure in front right foot, first right foot finger flexion (r2 = 0.484; p < 0.007). Conclusions: We determined a significant quantitative relationship between biomechanics gait analysis, right foot dynamometry movements and the foot health status.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Anthropometric, Cardiopulmonary and Metabolic Benefits of the High-Intensity Interval Training Versus Moderate, Low-Intensity or Control for Type 2 Diabetes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of high-intensity interval training compared with no intervention and other types of training interventions for people with Type 2 diabetes. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that used high-interval intensity training to improve anthropometric, cardiopulmonary and metabolic conditions were conducted. The search was performed during October-December 2017 using the databases PubMed, Web of Science and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the PEDro scale. A total of 10 articles were included in this meta-analysis. After statistical analysis, favorable results were obtained for high-Intensity Interval Training compared with control (non-intervention): [Weight: Standardized mean difference (SMD) = -2.09; confidence interval (CI) 95%: (-3.41; -0.78); body-mass index: SMD = -3.73; CI 95%: (-5.53; -1.93); systolic blood pressure: SMD = -4.55; CI 95%: (-8.44; -0.65); VO2max: SMD = 12.20; CI 95%: (0.26; 24.14); HbA(1c): SMD = -3.72; CI 95%: (-7.34; -0.10)], moderate intensity continuous training: [body-mass index: SMD = -0.41; CI 95%: (-0.80; -0.03); VO2max: SMD = 1.91; CI 95%: (0.18; 3.64)], and low intensity training: [Weight: SMD = -2.06; CI 95%: (-2.80; -1.31); body-mass index: SMD = -3.04; CI 95%: (-5.16; -0.92); systolic blood pressure: SMD = -2.17; CI 95%: (-3.93; -0.41); HbA(1c): SMD = -1.58; CI 95%: (-1.84; -1.33)]. The results show that high-intensity interval training can be a useful strategy in order to improve anthropometric, cardiopulmonary and metabolic parameters in people with Type 2 diabetes. Despite this, it could be essential to clarify and unify criteria in the intervention protocols, being necessary new lines of research