Physical Activity and the Improvement of Autonomy, Functional Ability, Subjective Health, and Social Relationships in Women over the Age of 60

Regarding functional ability, autonomy, promotion of social relationships and health, little scientific evidence has been found of physical practice in active women over 60 years of age. Hence, the goal of this study was to assess the functional abilities and autonomy, social relationships and subjective health of physically active older women according to the level of activity practiced. The IPAQ and CUBRECAVI scales were applied to a sample of 257 women between 61 and 93 years old (M = 69.44, SD = 4.61). Statistically significant outcomes were obtained in functional ability and autonomy according to their level of physical activity (p = 0.001): greater satisfaction and frequency of social relationships with a mild level of physical activity (p = 0.011), and statistically significant differences in the degree of satisfaction with their health according to the level of physical activity they practice (p < 0.001). The results showed that those with high physical activity obtained better levels of functional abilities and autonomy. Additionally, dissatisfaction with one’s own health is associated with low levels of physical activity. In conclusion, it could be said that the practice of mild physical exercise in older women encourages greater autonomy and functional ability for activities of daily living, which results in independence in everyday life in addition to fostering social links as well as gaining a better satisfaction with their own health, with the socio-emotional benefits that this can bring.This research was funded by Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Campus of Elche, Miguel Hernandez University (UMH), and Department of General Didactics and Specific Didactics, University of Alicante, funded this research

Satisfaction with Life, Subjective Well-Being and Functional Skills in Active Older Adults Based on Their Level of Physical Activity Practice

Studies about the influence of physical activity on life satisfaction, functional ability and subjective well-being in physically active older adults without cognitive impairment are very few for the moment. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the life satisfaction, functional skills and subjective well-being of physically active older adults based on the level of activity practiced. The IPAQ (International Physical Activity), CUBRECAVI and LSIA (Life Satisfaction Index) scales were tested for a sample of 397 Spanish older adults between 61 and 93 years of age (M = 69.65; SD = 4.71). The results showed that those who performed high physical activity obtained higher scores in functional skills (p < 0.01) and in the activities of daily living (p < 0.01). In addition, subjective well-being (p < 0.01) and the functional autonomy of older adults (p < 0.01) were related to the level of physical activity that they practiced. In conclusion, it could be said that the older adults with a high level of physical activity have more functional skills and less difficulties performing the activities of daily living, and that they value their autonomy and health better.Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Social and Health Sciences, Campus of Elche, Miguel Hernandez University (UMH), and Department of General Didactics and Specific Didactics, funded this research

Estado físico-emocional y actividad física: influencia sobre la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud post-confinamiento

Son escasos los estudios que han evaluado en periodos post-confinamiento la percepción de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) de adultos jóvenes y personas mayores. El objetivo de este estudio piloto fue evaluar si el contacto que las personas mayores tuvieron con el virus, la frecuencia de práctica de actividad física y algunos indicadores del estado físico-emocional (estrés, dolor y felicidad) influyeron sobre su percepción de CVRS. Además se pretendió determinar qué variables fueron más predictivas de esta percepción de salud. Para ello, se aplicaron las escalas de felicidad subjetiva (SHS), percepción subjetiva de salud (SF-12), estrés percibido (PSS), escala visual analógica del dolor (VAS) y cuestionario de actividad física en tiempo libre (VREM). En este estudio analítico de corte transversal participaron 71 personas mayores, edad media 63.07±5.49 años. Se incluyeron en el estudio adultos de edades entre los 55 y 75 años; con dispositivos electrónicos con acceso a internet y que hubiesen dado su consentimiento para participar. Los resultados mostraron que los participantes con menor grado de dolor y estrés y mayor percepción de felicidad indicaron mejor percepción subjetiva de CVRS. Seguidamente como principales factores predictores de tener alto nivel de percepción CVRS se postularon las altas puntuaciones en felicidad (OR=3.244; p<.017) y bajas puntuaciones en intensidad del dolor (OR=12.083; p<.001). En conclusión, las sensaciones físico-emocionales que experimentaron las personas mayores durante la pandemia son factores que influyeron sobre su percepción CVRS.There are few studies that have evaluated the subjective perception of quality of life related to health in older adults after confinement periods. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate whether the subjective perception of quality of life in elderly were influenced by the contact with the virus, the frequency of physical activity and some indicators of physical-emotional state (stress, pain and happiness). In addition, it was intended to decide which variables were more predictive of this perception of health. The scales of subjective happiness (SHS), subjective perception of health (SF-12), perceived stress (PSS), visual analogue scale of pain (VAS) and free time physical activity questionnaire (VREM) were applied. In this cross-sectional analytical study involving 71 elderly, mean age 63.07±5.49 years. Adults aged between 55 and 75 years; with electronic devices with Internet access and who had given their consent to participate, were included in the study. The results showed that the participants with a lower degree of pain and stress and a higher perception of happiness showed a better subjective perception of quality of life. Furthermore, high scores in happiness (OR=3.244; p<.017) and low scores in pain intensity (OR=12.083; p<.001) were postulated as the main predictors of having an important level of perceived health. In conclusion, the physical-emotional sensations experienced by the elderly during the pandemic are factors that influenced their subjective perception of quality of life related to health

Salud cognitiva y física de los cuidadores informales de personas mayores con demencia: una revisión narrativa

El acto de cuidar a una persona con demencia repercute en un empobrecimiento cognitivo y físico que genera un declive en la salud del cuidador informal, y que afecta al buen rendimiento de sus tareas como cuidador. Conocer y cuidar la salud cognitiva y física del cuidador es de relevancia desde la atención sociosanitaria para garantizar el soporte principal de la atención a las personas mayores con un diagnóstico de demencia, es decir, cuidar al cuidador. Su conocimiento nos ayudará a establecer programas de prevención para adelantarnos a los posibles problemas emocionales como la depresión, y físicos, como las lesiones musculoesqueléticas. Con la presente revisión se pretende sintetizar los indicadores de salud cognitiva y física en cuidadores informales de personas mayores con demencia, que ayuden al establecimiento de futuras estrategias de intervención para preservar la salud de dichos cuidadores.The act of caring for a person with dementia has repercussions in cognitive and physical impoverishment, that generates a decline in the health of the informal caregiver, and that affects the Good performance of their tasks as a caregiver. Knowing and taking care of the cognitive and physical health of the caregiver it is of relevance from the social health care to guarantee the main support of the care for the older people with a dementia, that is, caring for the caregiver. The knowledge Will help us establish prevention programs to anticipate possible emotional problems such as depression, and physical, such as musculoskeletal injuries. The present review aims to synthesize the indicators of cognitive and physical health in informal caregivers of older people with dementia, which help to establish future intervention strategies to preserve the health of caregivers

Mejoras y valoración tras un programa de ejercicio específico para adultos mayores crónicos/paliativos

After analysing the impact of a cognitively oriented multicomponent home-based exercise training program on independence, perceived health status, and lower limb strength in a group of multimorbid and/or palliative older patients (MPO-P), we studied the associations between improvements following training and the participants and health personnel’s opinion of the program. 13 MPO-P, (80.15+4.20 years) completed four months of training progressing in autonomy (from two supervised sessions and one autonomous weekly -60min session-, to two autonomous and one supervised). This was followed by fourautonomous (detraining) weeks with a recommendation to continue the exercises. Volume and intensity were increased by introducing more global exercises, with a greater neuromuscular load and double tasks, and a shorter resting interval. No exercise was repeated during the session (EFAM-UV©). Independence (Barthel) and perceived health (physical SF-36, with no changes in the mental domain), were improved after supervised training, with a tendency to improve in strength (sitting and standing for 30-s) and perceived health (total SF-36). This effect was maintained after the autonomous detraining phase, with a very favourable final perception by both patients and health personnel, as indicated in questionnaires. The gain in independence correlated negatively with the users’perception, but this requirement ensured the improvement. There was no association between perceived health and the evaluation of the program.Tras analizar el impacto de un programa de entrenamiento domiciliario multicomponente, con orientación cognitiva, sobre independencia, percepción subjetiva de salud, y fuerza del miembro inferior en un grupo de adultos mayores crónicos multimórbidos y/o paliativos (MCM-Ps), se estudiaron las asociaciones entre las mejoras obtenidas y la valoración del programa de participantes y personal sanitario. 13 MCM-Ps (80.15+4.20 años) completaron cuatro meses de entrenamiento progresando en autonomía (de dos sesiones supervisadas y una autónoma semanalmente -60 min/sesión-, a dos autónomas y una supervisada). Le siguieron cuatro semanas autónomas (desentrenamiento) con recomendación de ejercicio. El volumen y la intensidad se aumentaron introduciendo más ejercicios integrales, con mayor carga neuromuscular y doble tarea, y menor tiempo de descanso entre ellos, sin repetirlos en la sesión (EFAM-UV©). Independencia (Barthel) y salud percibida (SF-36 físico, sin cambios en dominio mental) mejoraron tras el entrenamiento supervisado, con tendencia a la mejora de fuerza (sentarse y levantarse 30-s) y la salud percibida (SF-36total). El efecto permaneció tras la fase autónoma/desentrenamiento, con una percepción final muy favorable de pacientes y personal sanitario-determinada mediante cuestionarios-. La ganancia en independencia correlacionó negativamente con la valoración del usuario, pero esta exigencia aseguró su mejora. No hubo asociación entre salud percibida y valoración del programa.The study was financed by Vali+D Grant Nº ACIF/2014/137)

Inspiratory Muscle Strength and Cardiorespiratory Fitness Association With Health-Related Quality of Life in Healthy Older Adults

The main purpose of this study was to explore similarities and differences in the association between two capabilities affecting the cardiorespiratory system (overall and multifactorial cardiorespiratory fitness and inspiratory muscle strength) and the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), in a group of active healthy seniors. Sixty-five individuals (age, 73.01 ± 5.27 years; 53 women) who participated regularly in a multicomponent training program completed the EuroQol 5D-5L questionnaire, the 6-min walking test (6MWT), and the maximum inspiratory pressure test (MIP). Non-parametric correlations (Spearman's rho) were conducted to analyze the association between HRQoL indices (EQindex and EQvas), MIP, and 6MWT, considering both, the whole sample and men and women separately. Furthermore, partial correlation was made by controlling age and sex. We found a moderate association between HRQoL and cardiorespiratory fitness (EQvas: r = 0.324, p = 0.009; EQindex: r = 0.312, p = 0.011). Considering sex, relationship EQvas-6MWT decrease to small (r = 0.275; p = 0.028) whereas EQindex-6MWT remained moderated (r = 0.425; p = 0.000). When we considered women and men separately, the association between HRQoL and 6MWT appeared only in women, while the observed strong trend (p = 0.051) toward a large and positive association between EQindex and MIP, mediated by the covariate age, appeared only in men. Conversely to the cardiorespiratory fitness, MIP is not a limiting factor of HRQoL in healthy active elderly. Moreover, MIP and HRQoL should be included in the assessment of exercise interventions because they provide different information about the cardiorespiratory system deterioration. Similarly, EQvas and EQindex confirm to be complementary in the assessment of HRQoL. Furthermore, like aging process is different for men and women, the association between MIP and cardiorespiratory fitness with HRQoL may behave differently, so keeping on research these associations could help to improve training programs for this population

Electromyographical responses of the lumbar, dorsal and shoulder musculature during the bent-over row exercise: a comparison between standing and bench postures (a preliminary study)

Rowing exercises are widely used in resistance training. However, from an efficacy and safety standpoint, few science-based recommendations about proper ergonomics performing different rowing variations are currently available. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the electromyographical (EMG) differences between four variations during the dynamic performance of the bent-over row (BOR) exercise: BOR in inclined bench with 90º shoulder abduction (B/AB); BOR in inclined bench with maximum shoulder adduction (B/AD); standing BOR with 90º shoulder abduction (S/AB); standing BOR with maximum shoulder adduction (S/AD). A cross-sectional preliminary study of repeated measures was designed. three young and healthy participants with previous experience in resistance training were recruited from university students of Sport Sciences Degree (mean ± SD age: 21.67 ± 1.21 years; body mass: 75.13 ± 7.00 kg; IMC: 26.15 ± 1.63 kg/m2; % body fat= 9.72 ± 2.41% height: 1.69 ± 9.43 m; training experience: 4.64 ± 1.39 years). Muscle activity was measured using surface EMG in six lumbar, dorsal, and shoulder muscles: posterior deltoid (PD), latissimus dorsi (LD), upper trapezius (UT), middle trapezius (MT), lumbar portion of erector spinae (LES) and thoracic portion erector spinae (TES). Results showed that the two variations based on standing postures (S/AB and S/AD) caused greater EMG responses both on shoulder and lumbar and dorsal muscles. However, importantly, participants had the highest EMG activity on target muscles (deltoid and trapezius muscles) when performing the BOR in a shoulder abduction position (B/AB and S/AB), independent of whether they were, or were not, working with the bench. Thus, considering that the mild activity showed from the lumbar and dorsal back muscles when performing the bench variations would denote lower spine loads, we can conclude that, from an ergonomic standpoint, the use of the bench should be indicated when performing the BOR exercise. However, this is only a preliminary conclusion and the subject needs future analysis.This research was funded by Consellería de Educación, Investigación, Cultura y Deporte de la Generalitat Valenciana, and European Social Fund (European Union), grant project number ACIF/2016/048

Physical activity as a complementary approach for the pharmacological treatment of Fibromyalgia Syndrome: Effects of a 6-week aquatic strength and core training program

Fibromyalgia is a chronic and multifactorial disease, characterized by the presence of generalized pain that negatively influences the health-related quality of life of the affected person. Despite the severity and disabling effects that this disease causes in most cases, the physical and psychological symptoms can be alleviated through adequate physical fitness, with water-based exercise being one of the most recommended approaches for fibromyalgia patients. The objective of this case report was to verify the suitability and feasibility of a multicomponent aquatic training program carried out in a high temperature spa pool for a woman with fibromyalgia. For this purpose, a complete physical and psychological analysis in this patient with a history of lack of compliance and tolerance of physical activity is presented as a case report. A 62 year-old woman with fibromyalgia participated in 6-week program of strength, core, aerobic, and flexibility training developed in the aquatic environment, with analyses performed before and after intervention, where physical and psychological parameters were evaluated. The percentage of improvement showed an enhancement in all physical and psychological factors, with some test results over the reference values of minimal detectable change and minimal clinically significant difference for fibromyalgia patients and women of similar age. The presented case report provides a comprehensive examination of the physical and psychological status of a woman with fibromyalgia, prior to and proceeding a non-pharmacological intervention based on a multicomponent water-based training program. Results highlighted that a 6-week programme of water-based exercise program in a spa pool was suitable for reaching an enhancement in different physical and psychological parameters in this fibromyalgia patient, with her history of poor compliance and tolerance to conventional physical activity. If future studies with more sample size confirm our results, this approach could result interesting for fibromyalgia patients with low adherence and tolerance to land based training

Can the craniocervical position modulate trunk muscle activation during a deadlift? A preliminary electromyographical analysis comparing conventional and sumo variations

To prevent back pain and injuries, it is essential to select appropriate strength training exercises and to ensure their correct technical execution. The deadlift exercise and its variations seem to be highly effective at activating the posterior body kinetic chain. This exercise is therefore recommended, when is properly performed, for injury and back pain prevention in both athletes and inactive people. Therefore, a more comprehensive understanding of the deadlift exercise is still necessary. The aim of this study was to compare trunk muscle activity in conventional and sumo deadlift variations performed in various craniocervical positions. Similar submaximal loads were used across all experimental conditions. Three participants with strength training experience (age: 21.67±1.15 years, height: 169±10 cm, body mass: 75.13 ± 7.00 kg and body fat percentage: 9.87±2.49 %) performed the conventional and sumo deadlift variations in different craniocervical positions: neutral, extension and flexion. Participants followed a familiarization session applying the same submaximal load, number of repetitions, lifting velocity and exercise variations than in the posterior testing session. Trunk muscle activation was quantified via surface electromyography (EMG). Participants presented greater latissimus dorsi activation in the neutral condition, and this activation level was higher during the conventional deadlift variation. The greatest EMG response was found in the erector spinae muscles in the extension position, especially in the conventional variation. Finally, the greatest trapezium musculature activation was found in the flexion condition. During the sumo performance, the highest trapezium activity was detected in the middle trapezium fibers whereas during the conventional performance, the highest value was recorded in the superior trapezium fibers. Deadlift variations and craniocervical positions thus did trigger different levels of myoelectric activation in the analyzed musculature, showing how the craniocervical position influences the activity of posterior trunk musculature.This research was funded by Consellería de Educación, Investigación, Cultura y Deporte de la Generalitat Valenciana, and the European Social Fund (European Union), research project number ACIF/2016/048

Is Acute Lower Back Pain Associated with Heart Rate Variability Changes? A Protocol for Systematic Reviews

Acute lower back pain (ALBP) is an extremely common musculoskeletal problem. ALBP consists of a sudden onset of short-duration pain in the lower back. However, repeated attacks can make the pain chronic. It can be measured through a self-report scale as well as through physical and physiological evaluations. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) has been used to evaluate the body’s response to pain. However, to the best of our knowledge, no clear consensus has been reached regarding the relationship between both variables and on an optimal protocol for ALBP evaluation based on HRV. The objective of this review is to analyze the relationship and effectiveness of HRV as an instrument for measuring ALBP. Furthermore, we consider the influence of different types of interventions in this relationship. The protocol of this review was previously recorded in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (number CRD42023437160). The PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews and PubMed, WOS and Scopus databases are employed. Studies with samples of adults with ALBP are included. This study sets out a systematic review protocol to help identify the relationship between HRV and ALBP. Understanding this relationship could help in designing early detection or action protocols that alleviate ALBP.This research was funded by the Valencian Innovation Agency of Spain (grant number INNVA1/2020/81)