Association of maximal voluntary isometric handgrip strength with age, gender and handedness in older people

Background: Maximal voluntary isometric handgrip strength (MVIHS) is influenced by age, sex, and handedness. Aim: To assess the association of MVIHS with age, sex, and handedness in older adults. Material and Methods: MVIHS was measured using a digital dynamometer in 60 men and 60 women aged 73 ± 6 years. Weight, height and handedness were also recorded. For analysis purposes, participants were divided into two age groups (65 to 70.9 years of age and ≥ 71 years). Results: A negative correlation was observed between age and MVIHS in the non-dominant (r = −0.65 and −0.59 in men and women, respectively) and dominant hands (r = −0.71 and −0.64 in men and women, respectively). When age and MVIHS were correlated in the group aged 65-70 years, a significant correlation was observed in the non-dominant (r = −045 and −0.61 in men and women, respectively) and dominant hands (r = −0.47 and −0.64 in men and women, respectively). In the group aged ≥ 71 years, a stronger correlation with age was also observed in the non-dominant (r = −0.92 and −0.90 in men and women, respectively) and dominant hands (r = −0.95 and −0.90 in men and women, respectively). MVIHS was 2.8 to 8.9% lower in the non-dominant than in the dominant hand in all age groups. MVIHS was lower in women than in men in both age groups. Conclusions: MVIHS declines with age (especially after 71 years of age), is higher in men than women, and higher in the dominant than the non-dominant hand

Role of age and comorbidities in mortality of patients with infective endocarditis

[Purpose]: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of patients with IE in three groups of age and to assess the ability of age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to predict mortality. [Methods]: Prospective cohort study of all patients with IE included in the GAMES Spanish database between 2008 and 2015.Patients were stratified into three age groups:<65 years,65 to 80 years,and ≥ 80 years.The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was calculated to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of the CCI to predict mortality risk. [Results]: A total of 3120 patients with IE (1327 < 65 years;1291 65-80 years;502 ≥ 80 years) were enrolled.Fever and heart failure were the most common presentations of IE, with no differences among age groups.Patients ≥80 years who underwent surgery were significantly lower compared with other age groups (14.3%,65 years; 20.5%,65-79 years; 31.3%,≥80 years). In-hospital mortality was lower in the <65-year group (20.3%,<65 years;30.1%,65-79 years;34.7%,≥80 years;p < 0.001) as well as 1-year mortality (3.2%, <65 years; 5.5%, 65-80 years;7.6%,≥80 years; p = 0.003).Independent predictors of mortality were age ≥ 80 years (hazard ratio [HR]:2.78;95% confidence interval [CI]:2.32–3.34), CCI ≥ 3 (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.39–1.88),and non-performed surgery (HR:1.64;95% CI:11.16–1.58).When the three age groups were compared,the AUROC curve for CCI was significantly larger for patients aged <65 years(p < 0.001) for both in-hospital and 1-year mortality. [Conclusion]: There were no differences in the clinical presentation of IE between the groups. Age ≥ 80 years, high comorbidity (measured by CCI),and non-performance of surgery were independent predictors of mortality in patients with IE.CCI could help to identify those patients with IE and surgical indication who present a lower risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality after surgery, especially in the <65-year group

Motor skills and nutritional status outcomes from a physical activity intervention in short breaks on preschool children conducted by their educators: A pilot study Resultados en patrones motores y estado nutricional de una intervención de actividad físic

© 2015, Grupo Aula Medica S.A. All Rights Reserved.Introduction: childhood obesity is a worldwide health concern. For this issue different intervention have being planned to increase physical activity patterns and reduce the excess of weight in children with limited or no success. Objective: the aim of this study is to evaluate the results of a pilot intervention consisting in three 15-minute breaks conducted by educators and supervised by physical education teachers on motor skills and nutritional status in preschool children. Methods: sample was 70 preschool children (32 boys and 38 girls), age 4 ± 0,6 years. The physical activity classes were performed three times a week, 45 minutes daily, distributed in three 15 minutes breaks. The circuits were planned to have; jumps, sprints, carrying medicinal balls, gallops and crawling. Motor skill tests that were performed Standing long jump (SLJ) and Twelve meter run. Results: with the intervention no significant differences in nutritional

Diffences of body max index, body composition, and fitness in normo weight, overweight and obese kindergarten teachers: cross sectional study

Objective: To describe body mass index (BMI), body composition, basal metabolic rate, physical condition and the relationship between them in Chilean kindergarten teachers. Subjects and Methods: 46 teachers (age 39,5 +/- 8,6) from the Bio Bio province(Chile) were weighed and heighted and BMI was measured. In addition, fat mass, lean and bone percentages, basal metabolic rate, muscular strength and cardiorespiratory fitness were measured. Results: The teachers had an average BMI of overweight (26,7 +/- 3,5) and a high fat percentage (35,1+/- 5,9) according to national reference values. 58,7% were overweight and moderately obese. When teachers were compared according BMI, teachers with obesity had on average a higher percentage of fat mass (P =, 000), less lean mass (P =,000), took more time to complete the UKK test (P = 035) and had a lower vo2max (P =,001) than normal weight teachers. BMI had a negative association in relation to scores of the physical performance test. Conclusions: The overweight/obese teachers had more fat mass, reduced muscle mass and had worse results on fitness tests. Condition worrying thinking about the important role in modeling healthy habits to preschoolers.Objetivo: Describir el índice de masa corporal (IMC), composición corporal, la tasa metabólica basal, condición física y su relación en educadoras de párvulos chilenas. Sujetos y Métodos: 46 educadoras (edad 39,5±8,6) de la provincia de Bio-Bio (Chile) se pesaron, midieron y se obtuvo su IMC. Se midió el porcentaje de masa grasa, magra, ósea, tasa metabólica basal, fuerza explosiva y capacidad cardiorrespiratoria. Resultados: Las educadoras tuvieron un IMC promedio de sobrepeso (26,7±3,5) y un elevado porcentaje de grasa (35,1±5,9) de acuerdo a referencias nacionales. El 58,7% de ellas presentó sobrepeso y obesidad moderada. Cuando se comparó por IMC, las educadoras con obesidad presentaron en promedio un mayor porcentaje de masa grasa (P =,000), menor de masa magra (P =,000), demoraron más tiempo en terminar el UKK test (P =,035) y tuvieron un menor vo2max (P =,001) en comparación a las educadoras con normopeso. El IMC se asoció negativamente a los test de rendimiento físico. Conclusión: Las maestras con sobrepeso/obesidad presentaron más masa grasa, menos masa muscular y peores resultados en las pruebas de condición física. Condición preocupante pensando en su importante rol modelando hábitos de vida saludables en los prescolares.CONYCY T/BECA CHILE/PAI 7215003