Association between physical activity and physical functioning in community-dwelling older adults

Aim: To evaluate the association between level of physical activity (PA) and physical functioning among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A total of 176 older adults were assessed with a PA socio-cultural adapted questionnaire (PA-SCAQ), the participants were categorized into three PA groups (low, moderate and high). Physical functioning was examined by using: Hand Grip Strength (HGS), Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Statistical analyses were performed to determine differences between the groups according to age, gender and PA level. Spearman’s correlation was used to examine the association between the PA level and physical functioning values. Major findings: Older adults who participated in moderate-intensity aerobic PA for 150 min/week have recorded higher values of physical functioning than older adults who were classified as low physically active (p<0.001). PA levels were positively correlated with HGS and SPPB and negatively correlated with TUG (p<0.001). Conclusion: There were strong associations between higher levels of PA and levels of physical functioning (p<0.001). Moderate to high level of PA may contribute to maintain physical functioning among community-dwelling older adults.We thank all participants and centres that participated in this study. Many thanks to all colleagues of physiotherapists for their support throughout the study, especially in the recruitment process of the participants

Experiences of Habitual Physical Activity in Maintaining Roles and Functioning among Older Adults: A Qualitative Study

Physically active older adults have reduced risk of functional restrictions and role limitations. Several aspects may interrelate and influence habitual physical activity (PA). However, older adults’ own perspectives towards their PA need to be addressed. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of habitual physical activity in maintaining roles and functioning among older adult Palestinians ≥60 years.Data were collected through in-depth interviews based on a narrative approach. Seventeen participants were recruited (aged 64–84 years). Data were analyzed using a narrative interpretative method. Findings.Three central narratives were identified, “keepmoving, stay healthy,” “social connectedness, amotive to stay active,” and “adapting strategies to age-related changes.” Conclusion. Habitual physical activity was perceived as an important factor to maintain functioning and to preserve active roles in older adults.Walking was the most prominent pattern of physical activity and it was viewed as a vital tool to maintain functioning among the older adults. Social connectedness was considered as a contributing factor to the status of staying active. To adapt the process of age-related changes in a context to stay active, the participants have used different adapting strategies, including protective strategy, awareness of own capabilities, and modifying or adopting new roles.The authors thank all the participants for their valuable contributions to this study

Swedish female physiotherapy students have more stress than Dutch female physiotherapy students

Health care students’ report high levels of stress with academic pressure as the greatest source. Physiotherapy (PT) curriculum in Sweden is 3 years (180 EC’s) and in the Netherlands 4 years (240 Ec’s) Aim : to determine differences in overall level of stress, stressors and reactions to stressors between PT students at University of Gothenburg(GU) and Hanze University of Applied Sciences (HUAS)

Body composition in male elite athletes, comparison of bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study was to compare body composition results from bioelectrical spectroscopy (BIS) with results from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in a population of male elite athletes. Body composition was assessed using DXA (Lunar Prodigy, GE Lunar Corp., Madison, USA) and BIS (Hydra 4200, Xitron Technologies Inc, San Diego, California, USA) at the same occasion. Agreement between methods was assessed using paired t-tests and agreement-plots.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Thirty-three male elite athletes (soccer and ice hockey) were included in the study. The results showed that BIS underestimates the proportion of fat mass by 4.6% points in the ice hockey players. In soccer players the BIS resulted in a lower mean fat mass by 1.1% points. Agreement between the methods at the individual level was highly variable.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Body composition results assessed by BIS in elite athletes should be interpreted with caution, especially in individual subjects. BIS may present values of fat mass that is either higher or lower than fat mass assessed by DXA, independent of true fat content of the individual.</p

Using bilateral functional and anthropometric tests to define symmetry in cross-country skiers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the symmetry of anthropometry and muscle function in cross-country skiers and their association to vertical jumping power. Twenty cross-country skiers were recruited (21.7 ± 3.8 yrs, 180.6 ± 7.6 cm, 73.2 ± 7.6 kg). Anthropometric data was obtained using an iDXA scan. VO2max was determined using the diagonal stride technique on a ski treadmill. Bilateral functional tests for the upper and lower body were the handgrip and standing heel-rise tests. Vertical jump height and power were assessed with a counter movement jump. Percent asymmetry was calculated using a symmetry index and four absolute symmetry index levels. At a group level the upper body was more asymmetrical with regard to lean muscle mass (p = 0.022, d = 0.17) and functional strength (p = 0.019, d = 0.51) than the lower body. At an individual level the expected frequencies for absolute symmetry level indexes showed the largest deviation from zero for the heel-rise test (χ2 = 16.97, p = 0.001), while the leg lean mass deviated the least (χ2 = 0.42, p = 0.517). No relationships were observed between absolute symmetry level indexes of the lower body and counter movement jump performance (p &gt; 0.05). As a group the skiers display a more asymmetrical upper body than lower body regarding muscle mass and strength. Interestingly at the individual level, despite symmetrical lean leg muscle mass the heel-rise test showed the largest asymmetry. This finding indicates a mismatch in muscle function for the lower body

A reliable and useable walking test for residential elderly

The purpose of this study was to investigate the test-retest reliability of the 30mWT and the 4mWT in healthy adults (35-70 years), and the concurrent validity of the two tests