Effects of exercise programs on phase angle in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The purpose of this study was to calculate the effects of exercise programs on phase angle (PhA) in older people. A systematic review was undertaken in multiple electronic databases in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement guidelines for the purposes of selecting randomized controlled trials that measured the effects of the exercise programs on PhA in older adults on 31 March 2022. We carried out a random-effect meta-analysis for the effects of exercise programs on PhA. Additionally, we analysed the differences between subgroups in terms of weekly frequency, number of sets and repetitions, and duration of interventions. Studies were methodological assessed through the PEDro scale where one had excellent, ten had good, and three had poor methodological quality. For the purposes of the study, fourteen studies met the criteria for inclusion. However, four studies did not have enough information to be included in the quantitative analysis. The remaining ten articles revealed moderate effects on PhA in favour of intervention groups (p=0.009, SMD=0.72 [0.46–0.99], I2=54%). The meta-analysis also showed that interventions lasting twelve weeks are more successful in generating positive effects on PhA as opposed to eight weeks (SMD’s=0.79 vs. 0.64, respectively). These results indicate that resistance training (RT) is an effective and safe to improve PhA in the older people, especially through RT programs lasting from eight to twelve weeks. A novel finding of this study was that RT is the most used type of exercise by authors when assessing the PhA in older adults

The effect of handlebar height and bicycle frame length on muscular activity during cycling: a pilot study

The cycling literature is filled with reports of electromyography (EMG) analyses for a better understanding of muscle function during cycling. This research is not just limited to performance, as the cyclist’s goal may be rehabilitation, recreation, or competition, so a bicycle that meets the rider’s needs is essential for a more efficient muscular activity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the contribution of the activity of each of the following muscles: TD (trapezius descending), LD (latissimus dorsi), GM (gluteus maximus), and AD (anterior deltoid) in response to different bicycle-rider systems (handlebar height; bicycle frame length) and intensities in a bicycle equipped with a potentiometer. Surface EMG signals from muscles on the right side of the body were measured. A general linear model test was used to analyze the differences between muscle activation in the test conditions. Effect sizes were calculated using a partial Eta2 (η 2 ). The level of significance was set at 0.05. Muscle activation of different muscles differs, depending on the cycling condition (Pillai’s trace = 2.487; F (36.69) = 9.300; p < 0.001. η 2 = 0.958), mostly during low intensities. In high intensities, one specific pattern emerges, with a greater contribution of GM and TD and weaker participation of LD and AD, enhancing the cycling power output.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Test-Retest Reliability of Isokinetic Knee Strength Measurements in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Background: Reliability studies are used to verify the evaluation accuracy of a given device. Strength is an important factor for the development of daily activities and its correct management is fundamental. The objective of this study was to examine the reliability of a concentric strength test in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Twenty-seven individuals with T2DM performed three repetitions of extension-flexion in concentric-concentric action at 60°/s, for both legs, using an isokinetic dynamometer. For the reliability analysis, we performed an intra-session test retest. Results: The total sample and men sub-group intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) values were excellent for peak torque and work. In the women sub-group, ICC values were excellent for extensors in both peak torque and work; however, concerning flexor, the ICC values were good for peak torque while, for work, they were good for the right leg and moderate for the left leg. Standard error of measurement (SEM) percentage oscillated from 3.85% to 6.80%, with the smallest real difference (SRD) percentage being from 10.66% to 18.86% for peak torque. Furthermore, the SEM (%) was around 5.5% and SRD (%) was around 15% for work. Conclusions: The isokinetic dynamometry had “good” to “excellent” relative reliability for peak torque (0.862–0.983) and work (0.744–0.982) of extension-flexion in concentric-concentric action at 60°/s. In addition, our study showed that, in general, an SRD < 20% could indicate a true change in strength regarding this protocol in T2DM

Analysis of caloric intake and its relationship with body composition in university students

Thirty-one older people (age 70,2±6,3 years) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=16), performing 16 weeks, 2 weekly sessions of 30 min of exercise with warm up (5 min bycicle and 5 min 4 set of exercises) 30 sec x 4 sets of whole body vibration (WBV) with 60 sec of rest between sets; or to a control group (n=15). Maximal isokinetic strength was measured at 60º/s in the knee extensors and flexors in concentric action. Dynamic balance was evaluated using The Timed up and Go Test (Rikli & Jones, 1999). Fueron observadas diferencias significativas entre hombres y mujeres en Kcal (male 22 vs. female 2026±3; p=0,044). After 16 weeks of WBV exercise significant improvements occurred in concentric extensors strength at 60º/s and in dynamic postural balance (Table 1). Multivariate regression analyses indicated that gains in concentric knee extensors strength predicted improvements in postural balance |F (2, 17) = 17,410; R2 = 0,351; p = 0.026)|. A WBV exercise produced relevant gains in dynamic postural balance (≈16%) and muscle strength at low velocities of movements in extensors (≈17%), some of which predicted improvements (≈35%) in dynamic balance

Effects of neuromuscular responses during whole body vibration exercise with different knee angles

he purpose of this study was to compare the effects of whole body vibration (WBV) exercise using different knee angles on three-dimensional acceleration received in the lumbar region and neuromuscular activation of 8 muscles that were selected in order to determine their implications for rehabilitation. Thirty physically active women (mean ± SD; 21.7 ± 1.67 years) were randomized in three groups. The first group performed on the platform with 15, 45 and 90º knee flexions, the second group with 45, 90, 15º, and the third group with 90, 15, 45º. The WBV frequency was 12.6 Hz. The acceleration was recorded by a tri-axial accelerometer (Biopac) attached on the skin at L3 level and the electromyography (EMG) was recorded by surface active electrodes (Biopac) on the extensors and flexors of the knee and lower trunk. The lateral acceleration was 3 times greater (p< 0.05) at the vertical line in 3 angles of flexion, and the vertical line was 2 times greater (p< 0.05). Maximum accelerations: lateral (11-13 g) and vertical line (6-7 g) had increased when reducing the knee-flexion angles. In conclusion, WBV using the Galileo platform transmits more lateral neuromuscular and mechanical stimuli than vertical stimuli. A smaller degree of knee flexion transmits a greater mechanical stimulus, and a higher flexion of the knees implies an increase of muscular activity in the vastus internus muscle. These findings open the possibility of different applications

The Automatic Assessment of Strength and Mobility in Older Adults: A Test-Retest Reliability Study

Abstract: Background: Simple field tests such as the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and 30 s Chair Stand test are commonly used to evaluate physical function in the elderly, providing crude outcome measures. Using an automatic chronometer, it is possible to obtain additional kinematic parameters that may lead to obtaining extra information and drawing further conclusions. However, there is a lack of studies that evaluate the test-retest reliability of these parameters, which may help to judge and interpret changes caused by an intervention or differences between populations. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the test-retest reliability of the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and 30 s Chair Stand test in healthy older adults. Methods: A total of 99 healthy older adults participated in this cross-sectional study. The TUG and the 30 s Chair Stand test were performed five times and twice, respectively, using an automatic chronometer. The sit-to-stand-to-sit cycle from the 30 s Chair Stand test was divided into two phases. Results: Overall, reliability for the 30 s Chair Stand test was good for almost each variable (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) >0.70). Furthermore, the use of an automatic chronometer improved the reliability for the TUG (ICC >0.86 for a manual chronometer and ICC >0.88 for an automatic chronometer). Conclusions: The TUG and the 30 s Chair Stand test are reliable in older adults. The use of an automatic chronometer in the TUG is strongly recommended as it increased the reliability of the test. This device enables researchers to obtain relevant and reliable data from the 30 s Chair Stand test, such as the duration of the sit-to-stand-to-sit cycles and phases

The acute effects of a swimming session on the shoulder rotators strength and balance of age group swimmers

The purpose of this study was to analyze the acute effects of a standardized water training session on the shoulder rotators strength and balance in age group swimmers, in order to understand whether a muscle-strengthening workout immediately after the water training is appropriate. A repeated measures design was implemented with two measurements performed before and after a standardized swim session. 127 participants were assembled in male (n = 72; age: 16.28 ± 1.55 years, height: 174.15 ± 7.89 cm, weight: 63.97 ± 6.51 kg) and female (n = 55; age: 15.29 ± 1.28 years, height: 163.03 ± 7.19 cm, weight: 52.72 ± 5.48 kg) cohorts. The isometric torque of the shoulder internal (IR) and external (ER) rotators, as well as the ER/IR ratios, were assessed using a hand-held dynamometer. Paired sample t-tests and effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were used (p ≤ 0.05). No significant differences were found on the shoulder rotators strength or balance in males after training. Females exhibited unchanged strength values after practice, but there was a considerable decrease in the shoulder rotators balance of the non-dominant limb (p < 0.01 d = 0.366). This indicates that a single practice seems not to affect the shoulders strength and balance of adolescent swimmers, but this can be a gender specific phenomenon. While muscle-strengthening workout after the water session may be appropriate for males, it can be questionable regarding females. Swimming coaches should regularly assess shoulder strength levels in order to individually identify swimmers who may or may not be able to practice muscle strengthening after the water training.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio