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Biomedical subjects

R Ehrsam

Publications and source records attributed to R Ehrsam.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Muscle strength in the elderly: its relation to vitamin D metabolites.

OBJECTIVE: To identify a relation between loss of muscle strength and vitamin D deficiency in ambulatory elderly persons not receiving vitamin D supplementation. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: All measurements were taken at the Department of Geriatrics, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland. SUBJECTS: Three hundred nineteen patients (103 women, 216 men) selected by random sampling from participants in an ongoing interdisciplinary study on aging (mean age for women, 74.2 yrs; for men, 76.7 yrs). OUTCOME MEASURES: Leg extension power (LEP) and body mass index (BMI); serum values of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [calcidiol, 25(OH)D], 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D [calcitriol, 1,25(OH)2D], and intact parathyroid hormone (iPHT). RESULTS: Twelve percent of women and 18% of men had 25(OH)D values below the normal range (<12 ng/mL). Muscle strength was lower in older subjects (female: r = -.35; p = .0005/male: r = -.48; p < .0001) and was lower in women than in men (p < .0001). In men both 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D was significantly correlated with LEP (r = 0.24; p = .0004/r = .14; p = .045). In women, only 1,25(OH)2D was significantly correlated with LEP (r = 0.22; p = .034). In an ANCOVA including all participants and explaining LEP by sex, age, BMI, 1,25(OH)2D, 25(OH)D, and iPTH, all factors showed significant effects except 25(OH)D and iPTH (r2 = .41). CONCLUSION: Muscle strength declined with age in ambulatory elderly people and showed modest, but significant, positive correlation with 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D in both sexes and with 25(OH)D in male subjects. Therefore vitamin D deficiency appears to contribute to the age-related loss of muscle strength, which might be more pronounced in institutionalized elderly people with a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

The effects of resistance training on well-being and memory in elderly volunteers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the short- and long-term effects of resistance training on muscle strength, psychological well-being, control-beliefs, cognitive speed and memory in normally active elderly people. METHODS: 46 elderly people (mean age 73.2 years; 18 women and 28 men), were randomly assigned to training and control groups (n=23 each). Pre- and post-tests were administered 1 week before and 1 week after the 8-week training intervention. The training sessions, performed once a week, consisted of a 10 min warm-up phase and eight resistance exercises on machines. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in maximum dynamic strength in the training group. This training effect was associated with a significant decrease in self-attentiveness, which is known to enhance psychological well-being. No significant changes could be observed in control-beliefs. Modest effects on cognitive functioning occurred with the training procedure: although there were no changes in cognitive speed, significant pre/post-changes could be shown in free recall and recognition in the experimental group. A post-test comparison between the experimental group and control group showed a weak effect for recognition but no significant differences in free recall. Significant long-term effects were found in the training group for muscular strength and memory performance (free recall) 1 year later. CONCLUSION: An 8-week programme of resistance training lessens anxiety and self-attentiveness and improves muscle strength.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Lipoprotein(a) and plasma lipids in 429 elderly and very old subjects: significance as risk factor, effect of nutrition and life style].

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] was discovered in 1962. Lp(a) consists of an LDL particle linked to apolipoprotein(a). The latter shows large genetically determined interindividual variation in size. The close relationship of apo(a) to plasminogen suggests interactions with coagulation. Epidemiological studies established Lp(a) as an independent cardiovascular risk factor. In a follow-up to the Basel Study, we measured Lp(a) in 429 healthy men and women aged 65-95. The influence of nutrition and lifestyle and correlation with plasma lipids and other cardiovascular risk factors was analyzed. The mean concentration was 416 +/- 266 mg/l (median 320 mg/l). Lp(a) concentration did not differ between men and women. In contrast to the simultaneously determined lipid fractions, Lp(a) concentration is lower with increasing age. The correlation with plasma cholesterol is low but statistically significant (p < 0.01). Higher Lp(a) values were associated with a history of myocardial infarction and anticoagulant medication (p < 0.01). Other risk factors did not correlate with Lp(a). There was a low but statistically significant correlation between low Lp(a) and regular intake of vitamin pills. Our results confirm the association of longer life expectancy with low Lp(a) concentration, which are to a large extent independent of external factors. Thus, Lp(a) could be a true longevity gene.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[Muscle strength training in old age].

Muscle strength decreases with increasing age. The main causes for this are intrinsic age-dependent mechanisms and hypokinesia. Immobilization and bed rest accelerate the loss of muscle strength. A number of studies show that even very old people can increase their strength, sometimes to a surprising degree. Thus, there is considerable potential for strength training in the rehabilitation of the elderly. Adaptation to strength training, the methods for improving strength and the importance of health problems related to strength training are discussed. If carefully planned and supervised, strength training is feasible even in people with chronic diseases like mild hypertension, coronary heart disease and osteoarthritis; actually, strength training may even be beneficial. Also, strength training becomes increasingly important in rehabilitation after orthopedic surgery.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Reasons for athletic activity versus inactivity of urban population of Basel-Stadt 1988].

A representative sample of 778 inhabitants of Canton Basel-Stadt aged 16 to 75 years were asked about their exercise habits and reasons for participating in or abstaining from sports (Response rate: 81%). 56% of the responders took part in a sport more than once a month; the percentage was higher among younger adults and markedly lower among obese subjects. For 27% of the "active" respondents, the most important single motivation for sports was "fun, pleasure und well-being", in 20% of the cases "fitness", in 16% "health" and in 12% "compensation for work and relaxation". For 32% of the "inactive" group, the main reason for abstaining from sports was "lack of time", for 22% "no interest" and in 16% of the cases "sickness or disability"; "no clubs or sports-facilities" was hardly ever mentioned as a reason for being physically inactive (1%). Some significant differences were found when sociodemographic subgroups were analysed. For example, "health" was more often given as a reason for sports by the elderly, and "compensation for work and relaxation" was more often mentioned as the level of education rose. "Lack of time" was a more frequent reason for being physically inactive among young adults, whereas "sickness" was more important among the elderly. A better knowledge of the relative importance of the motivation for leisure time physical activity is likely to be significant for effective sports-promotion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

The use of transdermal nicotine in smoking cessation.

The transdermal administration of nicotine by means of a transdermal nicotine system (TNS) affords a novel way of nicotine replacement to alleviate smoking cessation. The plasma levels of nicotine maintained with the TNS are in the range of the footpoint concentrations observed in smokers. The efficacy of the TNS was investigated in two placebo-controlled double-blind smoking cessation programs with minimal contact and minimal psychological support. A total of 311 smokers were treated for 3 months or 9 weeks. The abstinence rates at the end of the treatment and weaning periods were almost doubled in the TNS groups (36% and 39%) as compared to the placebo groups (23% and 20%) with a significant difference for both studies (p less than 0.05). These data suggest that the TNS can also improve the smoking cessation rates under the conditions of general medical advice, making it suitable for use outside of specialized smoking cessation centers.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1989

Effectiveness of a transdermal nicotine system in smoking cessation studies.

To investigate the effectiveness and tolerability of a transdermal nicotine system (TNS) as an aid towards easing smoking cessation, two double-blind placebo-controlled randomized field studies were performed. The TNS was available in sizes of 10, 20 and 30 cm2, delivering 7, 14 and 21 mg of nicotine per 24 h. A first study was undertaken in general medical practice by a group of 21 doctors (Practitioner Study). This study involved 199 nicotine-dependent cigarette smokers of whom 100 were allocated to the nicotine group and 99 to the placebo group. The second trial was performed in 112 young people, 56 in each treatment group, at the Universities of Basle and Zurich (University Study). The placebo and the nicotine groups were comparable in both studies. Participants smoking more than 20 cigarettes a day were treated with the 30-cm2 system and the others with the 20-cm2 system. When abstinence, as verified by CO measurements, was achieved, the next smaller system was applied. In the Practitioner Study, the double-blind treatment phase lasted for 12 weeks with consultations every month and in the University Study the consultations during the 9-weeks' treatment period took place every 3 weeks. Abstainers in both studies will be followed up until 12 months after treatment was begun. After 1, 2 and 3 months of treatment 41%, 36% and 36% of the participants in the nicotine group of the Practitioner Study were abstinent. The corresponding figures in the placebo group were 19.4%, 20.4% and 22.5%. The differences were statistically significant for all three months (p = 0.001; p = 0.018 and p = 0.043). Body weight did not increase in the TNS group, but did in the placebo group (+ 4.4 kg). The craving for cigarettes and withdrawal symptoms decreased more under nicotine substitution. Abstinence rates in the University Study were initially higher with 51.8% in the nicotine group and 28.6% in the placebo group after 3 weeks of treatment, but then declined to 42.9% after 6 weeks and 39.3% after 9 weeks in the nicotine group and to 25% and 19.6%, respectively, in the placebo group. The differences between the groups were statistically significant on all 3 occasions, with p = 0.012, p = 0.046 and p = 0.023.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Role of physical activity training in attenuation of height loss through aging.

BACKGROUND: Although the genetic contribution to variability in bone mass has been estimated to be as high as 80%, evidence continues to accumulate suggesting that factors such as physical activity can influence bone mass which may avoid compression of the vertebrae leading to slower stature decline with age. OBJECTIVES: This study examines whether regular exercise has the potential of positively affecting the aging process with regard to height loss. METHODS: The height of 957 females and 1,088 males who were 35-55 years of age in 1965 were measured again in 1995. Based on a questionnaire, the subjects were divided into four groups. Group A (80 females, aged 73. 2 +/- 6 years, and 141 males, aged 72.1 +/- 5.7 years) represented subjects who were engaged in moderate vigorous aerobic activity throughout their lives; group B (95 females, aged 73.6 +/- 5.5 years, and 207 males, aged 71.7 +/- 6.1 years) were subjects who started their moderate vigorous aerobic activity around the age of 40 and kept their activity until the present time; group C (362 females, aged 73.2 +/- 5 years, and 390 males, aged 71.1 +/- 6 years) were persons who were active as young adults, but did not continue to exercise, and group D (425 females, aged 72.8 +/- 5.3 years, and 350 males, aged 70.9 +/- 6.1 years) were subjects who had not exercised regularly throughout their lives. RESULTS: All subjects lost height due to aging. However, significant (p < 0.05) differences in rate of height loss were found among the A, B, C, and D groups: for females 3.4 +/- 0.7, 3.5 +/- 0.8, 6.0 +/- 0.5, and 6.5 +/- 0.7 cm, respectively; for males 2.6 +/- 0.5, 3.1 +/- 0.4, 5.3 +/- 0.4, and 5. 5 +/- 0.5 cm, respectively. In addition, the females' height loss rate was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of the males in all four activity categories. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that lifelong moderate endurance training, especially after the age of 40 years, is associated with attenuation of height loss in both sexes. However, the magnitude of the attenuation is significantly higher in males.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Wellbeing, health and autonomy in old age: the Basal IDA Study (Interdisciplinary Aging Study)].

Current research on successful aging reflects a multicriteria approach, although a consensus on the interrelationship between different factors has not yet been achieved. The longitudinal-sequential study presented here aims at identifying psychological, biological and sociobiographical predictors of well-being, health and autonomy in old age and their interdependency. The concern of this study is thus a multidisciplinary approach including psychology, psychiatry, geriatrics and sports sciences. The ongoing study is described and first findings are reported. Four hundred and forty-two people, aged 65 to 94, were tested twice (1993 and 1995). Since this project is a pursuit of a medical longitudinal study (Basler-Studie), bio-medical parameters from former status measurements (1960, 1965, 1971, 1985, 1990) are available and taken into account for comparison with the newly collected data from 1993 and 1995. The tests included both a medical examination and cognitive and personality measurements. The medical test battery included: clinical and anthropometrical data, bio-chemical data as well as the medical history, health behaviour, complaints and subjective health. The psychological assessment included psychological well-being, health-related control beliefs, causal attribution, religiosity, etc. For memory assessment a computerized test was used which allows to test 1) perceptual error-scanning, 2) naming speed, and memory resources in terms of 3) capacity, 4) explicit and 5) implicit components. It therefore integrates direct (free recall, recognition) and indirect memory tests (perceptual identification: clarification), that were used previously in different experimental and quasi-experimental studies to investigate memory performance over the life-span. Furthermore, the following three experimental interventions are performed: memory and reattribution training, physical training and psychoanalytical group therapy. First descriptive results are presented concerning age-correlated changes in biological and medical parameters, health behavior, cognitive performances and psychological well-being and functional autonomy. The results show the strongest age effects in the cognitive variables (with the exception of priming). Beside age effects in speed variables and episodic memory we also find an age-correlated decline in semantic memory. Psychological well-being however, is not affected by age.

Activities of Daily Living↗