Effects of endurance, resistance and neuro-muscular electrical stimulation trainings to the anthropometric and functional mobility domains in elderly

Background and aims There\u2019s the need to increase physical activity engagement to promote healthy ageing. Different training protocols elicit different morpho-functional effects: the comprehension of the related assessment tests is a key to improve the specific proposals and to monitor adequately the adaptations. We aimed to identify the functional adaptation processes basing on different training protocols. Methods 40 healthy elderly (28 males and 12 females, 70.7 \ub1 4.39 y) were randomly divided into 4 groups: endurance, resistance, Neuro-Muscular Electrical Stimulation and control, trained for 12 weeks andex-post evaluated on anthropometric and functional domains. Results We found: significant effect for gender, time and time 7 protocols for Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test and Timed Up-and-Go test. Post-hoc analyses revealed effect for resistance and Neuro-Muscular Electrical Stimulation on Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test, and for endurance and Neuro-Muscular Electrical Stimulation on Timed Up-and-Go test. Correlations and factorial analysis linked Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test and Timed Up-and-Go test on the functional domain. Conclusions Medium-term physical interventions significantly modified functional characteristics of elderly. We found no ex-post effect on anthropometric parameters. The two functional tests are based on different underlying domains, our data therefore suggest to use both of them to specifically evaluate the training-induced functional adaptations in elderly. Our results promote the usefulness of evidence-based trainin

Brace related stress in scoliosis patients – Comparison of different concepts of bracing

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The BSSQbrace questionnaire has been shown to be reliable with good internal consistency and reproducibility estimating the stress scoliosis patients have whilst wearing their brace. Eight questions are provided focussing on this topic. A max. score of 24 can be achieved (from 0 for most stress to 24 for no stress). The subdivision of the score values is: 0–8 (strong stress), 9–16 (medium stress) and 17–24 (little stress).</p> <p>Study design</p> <p>Two BSSQbrace questionnaires have been posted to 65 patients under brace treatment from our Cheneau light data base. All patients had another kind of brace prior to the Cheneau light. The patients have been asked to rate their stress level using one questionnaire for the current brace and the other for the previous one.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>63 Patients (59 girls and 4 boys) returned their fully completed questionnaires (average age 13,6 years, average Cobb angle 43,7 degrees). Stress level in the previous brace was 11,04 and in the Cheneau light(r) 13,87. The differences were highly significant in the t-test; t = -4,67; p < 0,001.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The use of the Cheneau light^®brace leads to reduced stress and/or impairment for the patients under treatment compared to heavier brace models used so far.</p

A.C.T.I.V.E. AGEING (Adapted Controlled Training Individualised through Verification in the Elderly): an innovative comprehensive multifactorial evaluation for the planning and monitoring of Adapted Physical Activity in the elderl

Purpose: The project A.C.T.I.V.E. AGEING herein presented is part of an extended ambitious interdisciplinary, multifactorial project started by our group. The project aims to bring back to more active and physically efficient life, elderly people. The general framework is to build individualised adapted physical activities (APA) to contrast sedentary lifestyle, sarcopenia and low-grade chronic inflammatory status (Inflammaging) to prevent immobility syndrome in the elderly. Individualised APA for the elderly is necessary to avoid the overwhelming physical-psychological stress that could lead to failure with reduced functional efficiency, increased pain, subsequent lack of motivation and abandonment of training programmes. Methods: To achieve the \u2018\u2018proper individualised APA\u2019\u2019 and to monitor its effect on the elderly a number of quantitative measurements are planned: 1. Anthropometry including plicometry and measurement of circumferences. 2. Battery of Validated Functional Tests: a. Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST) and Timed Up-andGo test (TUG). b. Maximal Voluntary Contraction (MVC) of quadriceps. 3. Comprehensive Multifactorial Biomechanical Analysis (CMBA) of full 3D skeleton Posture and Movement using new technological Opto-Electronic tereophotogrammetric devices in conjunction with Baropodometric and Surface Electro-Myographic devices [1, 2]. 4. Bio-histo-chemical analysis through muscle biopsy to measure exercise-associated muscle structure changes. Twenty participants (age 71.77 \ub1 4.06 years) were subdivided randomly into 2 groups: controls (n.10 subjects no APA); resistance training APA supplemented with neuro-muscular electrical stimulation (10 subjects). Two-way ANOVA for repeated measures was used to analyse differences between groups and over pre (T0)-and post (T1) after 12 weeks APAs. Results: The groups presented no differences at T0, while as expected the APA group showed improvements at T1 in: FTSST, TUG, MVC, CMBA and in muscle structure. Conversely, 12 weeks period of APA revealed to be insufficient to find significant changes in anthropometry. All participants reported an optimal compliance with planned level of APA. Conclusions: The described general framework proved to be effective to plan and monitor \u2018\u2018proper individualised APA\u2019\u2019. It demonstrates the importance to collect multifactorial data and integrate them into a unique framework, providing a real added value in the detailed comprehension of functional and biomechanical phenomena

Trichloroethylene: An Invisible Cause of Parkinson's Disease?

The etiologies of Parkinson's disease (PD) remain unclear. Some, such as certain genetic mutations and head trauma, are widely known or easily identified. However, these causes or risk factors do not account for the majority of cases. Other, less visible factors must be at play. Among these is a widely used industrial solvent and common environmental contaminant little recognized for its likely role in PD: trichloroethylene (TCE). TCE is a simple, six-atom molecule that can decaffeinate coffee, degrease metal parts, and dry clean clothes. The colorless chemical was first linked to parkinsonism in 1969. Since then, four case studies involving eight individuals have linked occupational exposure to TCE to PD. In addition, a small epidemiological study found that occupational or hobby exposure to the solvent was associated with a 500% increased risk of developing PD. In multiple animal studies, the chemical reproduces the pathological features of PD.Exposure is not confined to those who work with the chemical. TCE pollutes outdoor air, taints groundwater, and contaminates indoor air. The molecule, like radon, evaporates from underlying soil and groundwater and enters homes, workplaces, or schools, often undetected. Despite widespread contamination and increasing industrial, commercial, and military use, clinical investigations of TCE and PD have been limited. Here, through a literature review and seven illustrative cases, we postulate that this ubiquitous chemical is contributing to the global rise of PD and that TCE is one of its invisible and highly preventable causes. Further research is now necessary to examine this hypothesis