207 research outputs found
Assessing fall risk and preventing falls in the elderly
peer reviewedAssessment of fall risk in the elderly is clearly documented in the literature. However, intervention preventive strategies are not well identified. Two types of methods can be discussed: on the one hand, classical techniques using different tests and exercises in balance with materials and/or sensitization by dual task; on the other hand, rhythmic exercises. Their results and value are not quite established and further studies are needed to assess their prospective benefit, even if they seem interesting in some Parkinson's population. Physical activity and global fall management allow a better outcome in different gait parameters of the elderly
Sarcopenia: a physical marker of frailty
peer reviewedSarcopenia is defined by loss of muscular mass, strength and quality that occur in elderly. Multiple factors underlie this process: low physical activity, low steroids hormones, increase of cytokines, loss of motoneurons, decrease of protein synthesis...However, the role of these factors is not yet well understood and consensual clinical definition and assessment are still needed. It has become an important area of research because of its frequency and the influence in the disability of old people. It is a major component of frailty. So far, no pharmacological treatment has proven definitive evidence to treat or prevent sarcopenia. Nevertheless, it needs a multidimensional approach based on physical activity and prevention of malnutrition
Neuropsychological analysis of gait disturbances during dual task in MCI patients
peer reviewedaudience: researcher, professional, studen
The authors reply: Letter on: 'Pitfalls in the measurement of muscle mass: a need for a reference standard' by Clark et al.
However, semantics aside, we think that DXA can indeed serve as a reference standard for measuring muscle mass. Obviously, CT and MRI are advanced techniques that can and have been used to obtain important information such as muscle size/volume and more recently amount and distribution of intra- and intermuscular adipose tissue. Also individual muscles can be assessed separately. However, with respect to muscle mass, the comparison of DXA with CT/MRI is rather difficult because DXA and QCT/MRI measure different physical parameters
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