Effects of Ballroom dancing in older adults: systematic review

The combination of scientific progress and improvement of public health status, housing and working conditions has led to a decrease in birth and death rates and an increase of the average life expectancy. As a result the world’s population is aging (NIS – “Projections of resident population from 2012 to 2060.”). This scenario urged the need to promote a healthy and active aging among the population through physical activity programs, for example cardiorespiratory, neuromotor, flexibility and endurance exercises. (Garber, et al. 2011). Ballroom dancing is an activity that combines cardiorespiratory, endurance, balance, coordination and flexibility training activities. Systematic revision is a very accurate way of summarising data and determining the methodologic quality of various research articles. Here we present the first systematic review of studies that investigated the effects of ballroom dancing on aging population. To assess the effectiveness of ballroom dancing in promoting healthy aging in the elderly. We searched 6 databases (Scielo, PEDro, Lilacs, PubMed, SportDiscus and Medline) for published research on the topic of ballroom dancing in the elderly using a selection of keywords: Dance, Ballroom, Elderly, Older adults, Age, Dança, Danças de Salão, Idoso e Sénior. The studies were selected according to the inclusion criterions and the quality and the strength of the evidence reported were assessed. Specifically, the methodological quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and the strength of the evidence using an evidence synthesis grading system (Van Tulder, et al. 1997). Four articles were evaluated according to the PEDro scale, which obtained a mean score of 4.75, i.e. a low methodological quality. The papers showed improvements in terms of balance (3 of 4 articles analysed), strength, overall fitness, cognitive function, autonomy or gait speed. This systematic review showed, although with limited evidence, that ballroom dancing promotes the improvement of several variables such as balance, overall physical condition and gait. It is clear that the effects of Ballroom Dancing as a promoter of healthy aging, although a very promising area of research given the current status of the developed world’s population, is still in its infancy

Jardim de infância: será um campo de intervenção do assistente social?

O tema "Jardim de Infância: será um campo de intervenção do assistente social?", engloba um trabalho de reflexão sobre a temática da intervenção social, junto do público do jardim de infância, que frequenta a instituição "Sol", num bairro social, em Setúbal. Para o desenvolvimento da problemática optei por uma metodologia qualitativa desenvolvendo uma investigação ação, recorrendo a diferentes técnicas bem como entrevistas, conversas informais e ainda instrumentos de recolha de dados, tais como a análise documental e a leitura de bibliografia fundamentada. Sendo, posteriormente, desenvolvida uma análise cuidada aos dados recolhidos, de forma, a evidenciar as conclusões, relativas às problemáticas existentes nas famílias e crianças que frequentam a instituição. Os resultados que se pretendem obter com este projeto, focam-se no bem-estar social na infância, na cidadania da criança, nos direitos da criança, na participação da família no dia-a-dia da criança e na qualidade de vida da família para conseguir sustentar a criança. As ações desenvolvidas pretendem criar condições para a implementação de práticas mais ajustadas, no progresso da criança, como cidadã, na escola, em família e em sociedade.The theme "Kindergarten: Is it an intervention field for the social worker?" encompasses a reflection on the theme of social intervention, with the kindergarten public, who attends the institution "Sol", in a social neighbourhood, in Setúbal. For the development of the problem I opted for a qualitative methodology developing an action research, using different techniques as well as interviews, informal conversations and data collection tools such as documentary analysis and reading grounded bibliography. Subsequently, a careful analysis of the collected data was developed, in order to highlight the conclusions regarding the existing problems in the families and children who attend the institution. The results of this project focus on social welfare in childhood, children’s citizenship, children’s right, family participation in the child’s daily life and the family’s quality of life to be able to support the child. The actions developed to create conditions for the implementation of more adjusted practices, without progress of the child, as citizen, at school, in family and in society

A gerontopsychomotor rehabilitation program can revert losses of motor and cognitive functioning on nursing home residentes.

NTRODUCTION European Union older adults number and old-age-dependency has increased (Eurostat, 2015). A frequent answer for their care needs is nursing home admission, although this solution tends to exacerbate older adults losses of cognitive and motor functioning (Frandin et al., 2016). OBJECTIVE To analyze the effect of a psychomotor intervention, accomplished by a multimodal exercise program alternating exercises mainly motor with exercises mainly cognitive, on executive and physical function of nursing homes residents. METHODS This study included 34 nursing home residents (82.4±6.3 yrs): 17 were allocated to the experimental group (EG: engaged on a 10- weeks multimodal exercise program), and 17 to a control group (maintained usual activities). Planning ability and selective attention were assessed by the Tower of London task and the attention Test d2, respectively. Physical function was assessed by the Senior Fitness Test and the Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment. RESULTS Comparison between groups evidenced that the EG improved planning ability variables from5% to 32%, attention variables from 19% to 67%, and physical function variables (aerobic endurance, lower body strength, agility, balance, gait, and mobility) from 11% to 41% (p<0.05), corresponding to an effect size ranging from 0.29 to 1.11. CONCLUSIONS The program induced improvements in the participants ́ executive functions (planning ability and attention) and physical functions, with a treatment effect from small to high. This shows that the psychomotor intervention was able to revert the usual loss of cognitive and motor functioning in old and very old institutionalized persons

Effects of a 10-week multimodal exercise program on physical and cognitive function of nursing home residents: a psychomotor intervention pilot study

Background Nursing home institutionalization tends to exacerbate loss of functioning. Aims Examine the feasibility and the effect of a psycho- motor intervention—a multimodal exercise program pro- moting simultaneous cognitive and motor stimulation—on the executive (planning ability and selective attention) and physical function of nursing home residents. Methods Seventeen participants engaged in a 10-week multimodal exercise program and 17 maintained usual activities. Results Exercise group improved planning ability (25– 32%), selective attention (19–67%), and physical function [aerobic endurance, lower body strength, agility, balance, gait, and mobility (19–41%)], corresponding to an effect size ranging from 0.29 (small) to 1.11 (high), p < 0.05. Discussion The multimodal exercise program was fea- sible and well tolerated. The program improved execu- tive and physical functions of the nursing home residents, reverting the usual loss of both cognitive and motor func- tioning in older adult institutionalized. Conclusions Multimodal exercise programs may help to maintain or improve nursing home residents’ functioning.FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (UID/DTP/04045/2013) - and the European Fund for regional development through Horizon 2020 - Portugal 2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Alentejo (ALT20-03-0145-FEDER-000007 - project: ESACA - Ageing Safely in Alentejo. Understanding for Action)

A Dança: uma prática para a pessoa idosa.

No envelhecimento surgem alterações acompanhadas por um decréscimo das funções físico-motora e cog- nitiva, com impacto nos foros psicológico, emocional, comportamental e social da pessoa idosa. Estudos científicos comprovam que o exercício físico tem um papel importante no retardamento do processo de envelhecimento. Reconhecemos na Dança um conjunto de atributos que a elegem como uma prática pertinente para combater o declínio das habilidades motoras e mentais intrínsecas ao envelhecimento. São eles: a existência de uma multivariedade de formas que se adaptam às especificidades e limitações da pessoa idosa; a diversidade de tarefas que a Dança proporciona; a possibilidade de simplificar as tarefas propostas na Dança; o facto de poder ser praticada em inúmeros espaços, não exigindo recursos físicos dispendio- sos; o constituir-se como um treino multimodal, promovendo uma estimulação simultaneamente físico-motora e cognitiva; e o potenciar as interações sociais e emocionais

Creative dance associated with traditional Portuguese singing as a strategy for active aging: a comparative cross-sectional study

Background: Multimodal forms of exercise can influence several physical and mental factors important for successful aging. In the present study, we introduce a new type of multimodal intervention, combining movement (creative dance) with traditional singing. This study aims to compare physical fitness, functional physical independence, depressive symptoms, general cognitive status, and daytime sleepiness among older adults participating in multimodal exercise, those participating in traditional physical exercise, and those not actively engaged in physical exercise. Methods: This cross‑sectional study included 112 people aged ≥ 65 years (75.3 ± 0.7 years) living independently in the community, divided into 3 groups: multimodal exercise (n = 34), traditional exercise (n = 41), and no physical exercise (n = 37). Results: The multimodal exercise group showed greater flexibility of the lower limbs and upper limbs/shoulders and better general cognitive status than the traditional exercise group (p < 0.05). The traditional exercise group had better agility and dynamic balance, aerobic endurance, and strength of the lower and upper limbs than the no‑exercise group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results suggest that the two types of programs studied may have different impacts on some of the variables investigated and support the design of future experimental studies that include interventions based on the combination of creative dance and traditional Portuguese singing

Lower limb edema caused by metastatic signet ring cell stomach cancer

Overall gastric cancer incidence is decreasing, but incidence of gastric signet ring cell carcinoma has been rising. The diagnosis can be challenging. It has a poorer prognosis because it tends to be diagnosed at advanced stages. Lymphedema is a rare presentation. We report a rare presentation of signet ring cell carcinoma in a 49-year old male, with no underlying medical condition. The patient presented with lymphedema of lower limbs, scrotum and abdominal wall

Key factor cutoffs and interval reference values for stratified fall risk assessment in community-dwelling older adults: the role of physical fitness, body composition, physical activity, health condition, and environmental hazards

Background Fall risk assessment and determination of older adults’ individual risk profiles are crucial elements in fall prevention. As such, it is essential to establish cutoffs and reference values for high and low risk according to key risk factor outcomes. This study main objective was to determine the key physical fitness, body composition, physical activity, health condition and environmental hazard risk outcome cutoffs and interval reference values for stratified fall risk assessment in community-dwelling older adults. Methods Five-hundred community-dwelling Portuguese older adults (72.2 ± 5.4 years) were assessed for falls, physical fitness, body composition, physical (in) activity, number of health conditions and environmental hazards, and sociodemographic characteristics. Results The established key outcomes and respective cutoffs and reference values used for fall risk stratification were multidimensional balance (low risk: score > 33, moderate risk: score 32–33, high risk: score 30–31, and very high: score  44 kg, moderate risk: 42–44 kg, high risk: 39–41 kg, and very high:  42%); total physical activity (low risk: > 2800 Met-min/wk., moderate risk: 2300–2800 Met-min/wk., high risk: 1900–2300 Met-min/wk., and very high:  5 h/day); health conditions (low risk: n  5); and environmental hazards (low risk: n  8). Conclusions Assessment of community-dwelling older adults’ fall risk should focus on the above outcomes to establish individual older adults’ fall risk profiles. Moreover, the design of fall prevention interventions should manage a person’s identified risks and take into account the determined cutoffs and respective interval values for fall risk stratification.Alentejo 2020; Portugal 2020; União Europei

EXERCISE PROGRAM IN SCHOOLS: EFFECTS ON FLEXIBILITY, STRENGTH AND POSTURAL ALIGNMENT

A Educação Física tem como objetivo promover a prática de exercício físico nos jovens, combatendo um dos problemas da atualidade - sedentarismo. Este estudo investigou os efeitos de um programa de exercício físico em adolescentes do 12.o ano, em contexto escolar, na flexibilidade, na força e no alinhamento postural. A amostra foi composta por 19 alunos com idades compreendidas entre os 16 e 21 anos, distribuídos por um grupo experimental (n=11), submetidos a uma intervenção e por um grupo controlo (n=8). A intervenção decorreu durante um ano letivo no final das aulas de Educação Física. A avaliação da flexibilidade e da força foram realizadas, antes, ao fim de 15 e de 24 semanas de intervenção e a avaliação postural, antes e após o término da intervenção. O programa de intervenção melhorou a 20 Força e resistência da região superior do corpo, a Força e a flexibilidade do tronco e a Flexibilidade dos músculos posteriores da coxa. No alinhamento postural, a frequência e a intensidade dos exercícios do Método de Pilates não foram suficientes para pro- mover melhorias significativas nos participantes, contudo poderá ter um papel benéfico na manutenção do alinhamento da Coluna cervical