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PubMed2005

Reliability of selected physical performance tests in young adult women.

The purposes of this investigation were to establish the reliability of selected physical performance tests in women athletes and nonathletes and to determine performance differences between groups. Fifty women (25 athletes, 25 nonathletes) performed 5 tests in 2 sessions. The performance tests included the figure-eight hop test, up-and-down hop test, side-to-side hop test, hexagon hop test, and zigzag run test. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC [2, 1]) were calculated for trial-to-trial, intertester, and day-to-day reliability. Independent t-tests with Bonferroni adjustment (alpha = 0.01) were used for each individual test to compare differences between groups. All tests showed good reliability values (ICC > or = 0.76) in the nonathlete group for all conditions and varied reliability values (0.48-0.99) among conditions in the athlete group. The independent t-tests showed a statistically significant group effect (t > or = 3.041; p < or = 0.004) for all tests. The results showed that these physical performance tests are reliable measurement tools in the female population.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Lower extremity physical performance and hip bone mineral density in elderly black and white men and women: cross-sectional associations in the Health ABC Study.

BACKGROUND: Aging is characterized by declines in physical capacity and bone mineral density (BMD), both of which contribute to increased risk for fracture. However, it is unclear if these factors coexist or are independent in elderly people, and if a relationship does exist, whether it varies by sex and/or race. METHODS: Data are from 847 white women, 723 black women, 927 white men, and 544 black men aged 70-79 years participating in the Health Aging and Body Composition (ABC) Study, a cohort of well-functioning community-dwelling elders. BMD (g/cm(2)) of the hip (femoral neck and trochanter) was determined by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Physical capacity measures included knee extensor strength, repeated chair-stands, gait speed (6 m), walking endurance (400 m), and standing balance. RESULTS: In analyses of BMD as a continuous measure, BMD and physical performance were most consistently related at the trochanter in black women, even after adjusting for body size and several covariates including physical activity. For each performance measure, black women in the bottom quartile(s) had lower BMD than those in the top quartile(s). For the femoral neck, there was a significant association with performance tasks, except for the 400-m walk. In comparison, only chair-rise performance was related to BMD at the femoral neck, and knee extensor strength, chair-rise performance, and balance with the trochanter in white women. For white and black men, trends existed only for lower BMD in those with poorer knee extensor strength. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of well-functioning young-old seniors, physical capacity is only modestly related to BMD at the hip. The association was strongest in black women, who as a group exhibited the poorest functional capacity in the cohort. Our data show that, although both poorer physical performance and low BMD are risk factors for fracture, they remain largely independent in the well-functioning young-old, except in black women. This independence suggests that interventions to reduce fracture incidence should be targeted at improving both physical performance and bone density.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed1994

Effects of cast-bracing of the knee on physical performance in healthy subjects.

Effects of application of a hinged cast-brace on thigh muscle strength and physical performance tests were studied in eight healthy volunteers. The cast-brace was applied to one leg for four weeks. The subjects were free to move around. The extra loading by the cast-brace was determined in a progressive uphill walk test on a treadmill with measurements of oxygen uptake, heart rate and plasma lactate concentration. Submaximal oxygen uptake in the uphill walk test was raised significantly (average 9%) on the day after application. After four weeks of cast-brace wearing the submaximal oxygen uptake in the uphill walk test had decreased, but remained elevated (average 4%) even one day after removal. Heart rate was significantly higher (average 7%) during cast application and after removal. Plasma lactate concentration, however, was not influenced. To investigate the effect of four weeks cast-bracing various performance tests to judge the thigh muscle function were taken before application and after removal. No significant changes in peak torque of knee flexion and extension, in physiologic variables at submaximal running pace during treadmill exercise, maximal running speed, 60 m dash, or in jump height were found. In conclusion, cast-bracing of a healthy knee for four weeks has no significant effects on physical performance after removal.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Caffeine improves physical performance during 24 h of active wakefulness.

BACKGROUND: Reductions in both cognitive and physical performance occur during periods of sleep loss with sustained operations. It was the purpose of this study to examine the effects of caffeine on activities chosen to simulate the physical challenges that might occur during a military scenario involving a period of sleep loss. METHODS: There were 16 subjects (26.7 +/- 7.8 yr, 83.8 +/- 11.0 kg) who completed a double-blind caffeine and placebo trial involving a control day and sleep period followed by 28 h of sleep deprivation. A 400-mg dose of caffeine was administered at 21:30 followed by subsequent 100-mg doses at 03:00 and 05:00. At 22:00, subjects began a 2-h forced march followed by a sandbag piling task. A treadmill run to exhaustion at 85% of maximal aerobic power was performed at 07:00 of the second day of sleep deprivation. RESULTS: Caffeine had no effect on the heart rate or oxygen consumption, but rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was reduced with caffeine during the forced march. Time to complete the sandbag piling task during set 1 was significantly reduced with caffeine (12.9 +/- 1.0 min) compared with placebo (13.8 +/- 1.0 min) but there was no difference during set 2 and RPE was increased. Time to exhaustion was significantly increased 25% during the run with caffeine (17.0 +/- 4.4 min) compared with placebo (13.5 +/- 3.3 min), and caffeine maintained performance at control levels (16.9 +/- 4.6 min). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that caffeine is an effective strategy to maintain physical performance during an overnight period of sleep loss at levels comparable to the rested state.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Meaningful change and responsiveness in common physical performance measures in older adults.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the magnitude of small meaningful and substantial individual change in physical performance measures and evaluate their responsiveness. DESIGN: Secondary data analyses using distribution- and anchor-based methods to determine meaningful change. SETTING: Secondary analysis of data from an observational study and clinical trials of community-dwelling older people and subacute stroke survivors. PARTICIPANTS: Older adults with mobility disabilities in a strength training trial (n=100), subacute stroke survivors in an intervention trial (n=100), and a prospective cohort of community-dwelling older people (n=492). MEASUREMENTS: Gait speed, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), 6-minute-walk distance (6MWD), and self-reported mobility. RESULTS: Most small meaningful change estimates ranged from 0.04 to 0.06 m/s for gait speed, 0.27 to 0.55 points for SPPB, and 19 to 22 m for 6MWD. Most substantial change estimates ranged from 0.08 to 0.14 m/s for gait speed, 0.99 to 1.34 points for SPPB, and 47 to 49 m for 6MWD. Based on responsiveness indices, per-group sample sizes for clinical trials ranged from 13 to 42 for substantial change and 71 to 161 for small meaningful change. CONCLUSION: Best initial estimates of small meaningful change are near 0.05 m/s for gait speed, 0.5 points for SPPB, and 20 m for 6MWD and of substantial change are near 0.10 m/s for gait speed, 1.0 point for SPPB, and 50 m for 6MWD. For clinical use, substantial change in these measures and small change in gait speed and 6MWD, but not SPPB, are detectable. For research use, these measures yield feasible sample sizes for detecting meaningful change.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Validity of 3 physical performance measures in inpatient geriatric rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the construct validity and the responsiveness of 3 measures of physical performance measures as outcome measures for frail older persons. DESIGN: Pre-post design with measures at admission and discharge. SETTING: Three inpatient geriatric rehabilitation programs. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-two subjects (35 women, 17 men; age, 80+/-8y). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physical performance measures were Timed Up & Go (TUG) test, two-minute walk test (2MWT), and functional reach. Functional status was measured with the FIM instrument and the Modified Barthel Index. RESULTS: The TUG and 2MWT scores differed significantly in groups of patients using different ambulatory aids (P=.006), whereas no such difference was observed for the functional reach (P=.40). The correlations between the TUG test and FIM and between the 2MWT and FIM were -.59 and .59 (P<.001), respectively, at admission, and -.42 and .47 (P< or =.04), respectively, at admission and discharge. The correlations between functional reach and the FIM were not significant (P> or =.09). Standardized response means were 1.1 for the TUG, 0.7 for the 2MWT, and 0.5 for functional reach. CONCLUSIONS: The TUG test and 2MWT are valid and responsive outcome measures in older persons participating in geriatric rehabilitation. Functional reach was a moderately responsive outcome measure but did not consistently reflect ambulatory or functional status.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1994

Thiamin, riboflavin and vitamin B6: impact of restricted intake on physical performance in man.

OBJECTIVE: A combined marginally deficient status of thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and vitamin C may affect physical performance, but the relative contribution of each vitamin can only be speculated. In a previous study we did not find any effect of restricted intake of vitamin C individually. Therefore, the functional effect of restriction of thiamin, riboflavin or vitamin B6, individually or in conjunction, was investigated. METHODS: A double-blind, 2 x 2 x 2 complete factorial experiment on the effects of thiamin, riboflavin and vitamin B6 restriction on physical performance was executed with 24 healthy men. During 11 weeks of low vitamin intake, the subjects were given a daily diet of regular food products providing no more than 55% of the Dutch Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for thiamin, riboflavin and vitamin B6. Other vitamins were supplemented at twice the RDA level. RESULTS: In vitamin-restricted subjects, blood vitamin levels, erythrocytic enzyme activities and urinary vitamin excretion decreased and in vitro erythrocytic enzyme stimulation increased. Short-time vitamin restriction had no harmful effects on health. A significant overall decrease was observed in aerobic power (VO2-max; 11.6%), onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA; 7.0%) and oxygen consumption at this power output (VO2-OBLA; 12.0%), peak power (9.3%), mean power (6.9%) and related variables (p < 0.01). However, the observed performance decrements could not be attributed to marginal deficiency for any of the vitamins studied. CONCLUSION: The absence of vitamin-specific effects on performance decrements due to thiamin, riboflavin and vitamin B6 restriction suggests quantitatively similar but non-additive effects of these B-vitamins on mitochondrial metabolism.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Severe elder obesity and 1-year diminished lower extremity physical performance in homebound older adults.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether severe obesity in older people is independently associated with diminished lower extremity physical performance (LEP) in a random sample of homebound older adults that were considered ambulatory. DESIGN: Prospective cohort with 1 year of follow-up (2000-02). SETTING: In-home assessments of homebound older adults in four North Carolina counties. PARTICIPANTS: Random sample of 282 home-delivered meal recipients aged 60 and older who completed both in-home assessments (n = 253) or were nursing home residents (n = 29) at the 1-year follow-up assessment of the Nutrition and Function Study. MEASUREMENTS: Objective measures were selected for baseline and 1-year LEP (timed walking, static and dynamic balance, and chair rise) and baseline body mass index (BMI, based on measured weight and knee height). BMI was categorized as underweight/normal (<25.0 kg/m2), overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2), moderately obese (30.0-34.9 kg/m2), and severely obese (> or =35.0 kg/m2). Based on summary scores, overall LEP was categorized as poor, intermediate, or good. Sample characteristics included depressive symptomatology, fear of falling, medical conditions, and medication use. RESULTS: Almost 23% of participants were moderately obese and 15% severely obese. Only severe obesity independently increased the odds (odds ratio 2.9-7.0) for diminished performance at 1 year in individual tests and in overall LEP performance. Severe obesity was independently associated with poor LEP at both assessments or with decline in LEP at 1 year. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the need to distinguish between moderate and severe obesity in older people in terms of relationships with key functional outcomes. The findings identify severe obesity in older people as an important target for future interventions. In particular, this calls for greater understanding of intervention goals, whether to primarily target weight reduction or improvement in physical performance.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Effects of ubiquinone-10 supplementation and high intensity training on physical performance in humans.

This study investigated the effects of oral supplementation with ubiquinone-10 (Q10) (n = 9) compared with a placebo (n = 9) on aerobic and anaerobic physical performance over 22 days of supplementation. The supplementation period included 5 days of high intensity anaerobic training between days 11 and 14. The results demonstrated, that on an anaerobic (10 x 10 s) cycling test, the placebo group showed a significantly greater improvement than the Q10-group after a supplementation and training period (P < 0.001). Further, the Q10 group had a significantly lower increase in total work performed during the seven training sessions (15 x 10 s) compared with the placebo group (P < 0.001). There was a significant increase in maximal blood lactate accumulation during cycling in the both groups, when compared with levels before the training and recovery period. There was no significant difference between the groups, either in VO2max determined during running, or in submaximal and peak VO2, Rate of Perceived Exertion, respiratory quotient, blood lactate concentration or heart rate determined during submaximal and maximal cycling. Although insignificant (P = 0.1-0.3), there was evidence of higher submaximal VO2 (55-80% of VO2peak) during cycling in the Q10-group compared with the placebo group after training and recovery. It is concluded that with high intensity anaerobic training, there was a significantly greater increase in anaerobic performance in the placebo group compared with the Q10 group. The results suggest less increase in physical performance with Q10 supplement and high intensity anaerobic training, compared with placebo.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

The influence of intense Tai Chi training on physical performance and hemodynamic outcomes in transitionally frail, older adults.

BACKGROUND: Few data exist to evaluate whether Tai Chi (TC) training improves physical performance and hemodynamic outcomes more than a wellness education (WE) program does among older fallers transitioning to frailty. METHODS: This 48-week randomized clinical trial was provided at 10 matched pairs of congregate living facilities in the Atlanta metropolitan area to 291 women and 20 men, who were transitionally frail, >or=70 years old, and had fallen at least once within the past year. Pairs of facilities were randomized to either TC exercise (n = 158) or WE (control) interventions (n = 153) over 48 weeks. Physical performance (freely chosen gait speed, reach, chair-rises, 360 degrees turn, picking up an object from the floor, and single limb support) and hemodynamic outcomes (heart rate and blood pressure) were obtained at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 months. RESULTS: Mean percent change (baseline to 1 year) for gait speed increased similarly in both cohorts (TC: 9.1% and WE: 8.2%; p =.78). However, time to complete three chair-rises decreased 12.3% for TC and increased 13.7% for WE (p =.006). Baseline to 1 year mean percent change decreased among TC and increased within WE cohorts for: body mass index (-2.3% vs 1.8%; p <.0001), systolic blood pressure (-3.4% vs 1.7%; p =.02), and resting heart rate (-5.9% vs 4.6%; p <.0001). CONCLUSIONS: TC significantly improved chair-rise and cardiovascular performance. Because TC training reduced fall occurrences in this cohort, factors influencing functional and cardiovascular improvements may also favorably impact fall events.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Physical performance in long-term survivors of acute leukaemia in childhood.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to assess the physical performance in long-term survivors of acute leukaemia in childhood and to evaluate the effects of anthracycline therapy. Electrocardiography, echocardiography and spiroergometry were carried out on 56 patients aged 9-28 years, of whom 44 patients had been treated with 15-483 mg/m2 doxorubicin (or equivalent). Acute leukaemia had been diagnosed 1.5-16 years earlier. Of the patients 75% reached normal maximal oxygen uptake, 69% normal oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold and 95% normal maximal work rate. Of the patients 75% achieved adequate values for maximal heart rate and 78% normal blood lactate concentration. No difference was seen between patients treated with and without anthracyclines. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide little evidence for cardiopulmonary impairment in long-term survivors of ALL. Both the cardiac function, as evaluated by ECG and echocardiography, and the physical performance in spiroergometry are normal in a large number of these patients. Anthracycline treatment does not appear to have a negative effect on these parameters.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Calcaneus bone mineral density is lower among men and women with lower physical performance.

Fracture risk is influenced by both bone strength and by falls. Measures of physical function and performance are predictors of falls. However, the interrelationships among bone mineral density (BMD), regular physical activity, and measures of physical performance are not well known. We studied 447 community-dwelling Japanese people aged 40 years and over (96 men and 351 women) to examine the association of calcaneus BMD with measures of physical performance (grip strength, walking speed, chair stand, and functional reach) and regular physical activity. Calcaneus BMD decreased with age by approximately 25% in men and 42% in women. Measures of physical performance decreased with age by approximately 30% in both genders, however, performance on the chair stand test declined by approximately 60%. There were only minimal differences in performance measures and calcaneus BMD between people with and those without regular physical activity in both genders, and most differences were not significant. However, there were significant BMD increases of 3-6% per standard deviation (SD) increase in all performance measures for women and a 7% increase in BMD per SD increase in grip strength for men, after adjusting for age. These associations remained after additional adjustment for body mass index and regular physical activity. These findings suggest that bone density and physical function decline markedly in both men and women with age, and that low BMD and poor function tend to occur together, which would increase fracture risk more than either risk factor alone.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed1994

Changes of physical performance as indicators of the response to enhanced physical education.

The value of field performance tests in the assessment of a programme of enhanced physical education has been examined in a 3-factor study of students over all 6 primary school grades. The enhanced programme under review offered a one hour of required physical education daily from age 7 to 12 years, taught by a specialist physical educator. Control students from immediately preceding and succeeding classes continued with the standard programme, a standard single period of physical education per week taught by a nonspecialist. Subjects were classed by gender, environment (urban vs rural school) and the experimental intervention to allow analysis by MANOVA. Students in the experimental programme showed small but statistically significant gains in laboratory measures of aerobic power and muscle strength relative to controls. In general, these responses were mirrored by gains in scores on the Canadian Association for Health Physical Education and Recreation (CAHPER) field performance test battery. The latter tests also suggested gains of anaerobic power, coordination and muscular endurance. It is concluded that an enhanced programme of physical education can enhance function in primary school students, but the size of gains is not a strong argument for such programmes. Further, gains in performance test scores indicate the direction, but not necessarily the magnitude of programme responses.

Anaerobic Threshold↗

PubMed2000

[Evaluation of nutritional habits, nutritional status and physical performance in selected group of adolescents].

The purpose of the study was the assessment of nutritional status and nutritional habits as well as physical fitness in a group of 74 adolescents (44 girls and 30 boys) aged 13-19 years, spending their holidays in a recreation centre in Klodzko Valley and the evaluation of correlation coefficients between these parameters. The nutritional status (NS) was evaluated on the basis of body mass index (BMI), skin folds thickness and total body fat (FM). Nutritional habits (NH) were estimated by the method of dietary history with special attention paid to consumption of selected food products and regularity of meals. Physical performance (PhP) of the group was assessed by Harvard's step-test. Evaluation of nutritional habits indicated only a few cases of improper nutrition but about 33% of total examined group followed nutrition guidelines and the scores of NH received by the main part of this group (ca. 66%) were recognised as sufficient. Differences of NS, in adolescents were found, but there was no case of obesity. Significant number of girls (21-55%) showed low values of BMI (<18.4 kg/m2) which could indicate insufficient energy intake. No correlation between NH and NS was however found. Level of physical fitness of the examined group was quite high and strongly correlated with nutritional habits (r = 0.77, p < 0.001). The results proved that the relationship between NH and PhP can be noticed in relatively young persons and that the evaluation of NS of youngsters should include a simple physical performance test.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

[Effects of carbon dioxide inhalation prior to maximal exercise on blood lactate and physical performance].

In order to examine the effect of acute respiratory acidosis induced by CO2 inhalation prior to maximal exercise on blood lactate and physical performance, double determinations were carried out for each subject on separate days; one day, after CO2 inhalation and other day, after inhalation of room air. It was observed that in the untrained subjects the CO2 inhalation prior to maximal treadmill exercise does not affect endurance time and maximum aerobic power, whereas blood lactate during recovery was lower in CO2 breathing than that in room air. In addition, no significant difference of 200m sprint time in the athletes was noticed between CO2 and room air while blood lactate after 200m sprint running was significantly lower in the CO2 than that in room air. From these results, it was suggested that the effect of CO2 inhalation prior to maximal exercise as applied here appeared to be mediate through metabolic rather than oxygen transport mechanism, but not related to physical performance.

Acidosis, Respiratory↗

PubMed2002

Health related quality of life and physical performance. SENECA 1999.

UNLABELLED: This paper describes health related quality of life in 81-85 year old participants of the SENECA study and relates outcome to health and physical performance. DESIGN: SENECA is a mixed-longitudinal study in birth-cohorts, 1913-1918, with baseline measurements in 1988/1989 repeated in 1993 and 1999. Nine towns collected data in 1999. The study population consisted of 445 survivors. METHODS: Health related quality of Life was measured by The Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Percentages of answers (yes/no) to 38 items were used for scoring different dimensions. Self-perceived health was measured by a global question with five answer categories and chronic diseases as presence or absence of any chronic reported disease. For functional ability, a standardised Activity of Daily Living (ADL) questionnaire was used with 16 questions on a 4-point scale. Functional limitations were measured by a sum-score of objective simple functions tests (PPT). RESULTS: Average scores in the different sections were: Energy:46, pain:55, emotional reactions:58, sleep:64, social integration:47 and physical mobility:70 11% had no problems in any of the sections. All health and physical performance measures were significantly associated with, not only physical mobility, but also affective and social components of quality of life, age 81-85. CONCLUSION: The Nottingham Health Profile was a useful instrument to measure health related quality of life in physical, affective and social dimensions across birth cohorts, gender and culturally different towns in Europe. The answers apparently mirrored the subjective disadvantage of impairment-related functional limitations and may therefore be used as end point for further analyses of SENECA data.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1994

A short physical performance battery assessing lower extremity function: association with self-reported disability and prediction of mortality and nursing home admission.

BACKGROUND: A short battery of physical performance tests was used to assess lower extremity function in more than 5,000 persons age 71 years and older in three communities. METHODS: Balance, gait, strength, and endurance were evaluated by examining ability to stand with the feet together in the side-by-side, semi-tandem, and tandem positions, time to walk 8 feet, and time to rise from a chair and return to the seated position 5 times. RESULTS: A wide distribution of performance was observed for each test. Each test and a summary performance scale, created by summing categorical rankings of performance on each test, were strongly associated with self-report of disability. Both self-report items and performance tests were independent predictors of short-term mortality and nursing home admission in multivariate analyses. However, evidence is presented that the performance tests provide information not available from self-report items. Of particular importance is the finding that in those at the high end of the functional spectrum, who reported almost no disability, the performance test scores distinguished a gradient of risk for mortality and nursing home admission. Additionally, within subgroups with identical self-report profiles, there were systematic differences in physical performance related to age and sex. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that performance measures can validly characterize older persons across a broad spectrum of lower extremity function. Performance and self-report measures may complement each other in providing useful information about functional status.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2003

Physical performance and soleus muscle fiber composition in wild-derived and laboratory inbred mouse strains.

We compared four inbred mouse strains in their physical performance, measured as a maximal treadmill running time, characteristics of soleus muscle, anatomic character, and growth. The strains used were Mus musculus domesticus [C57BL/6 (B6) and BALB/c], Mus musculus molossinus (MSM/Ms), and Mus spretus. Maximal running time was significantly different among these four mouse strains. Running time until exhaustion was highest in MSM/Ms and lowest in M. spretus. Maximal times for the laboratory mouse strains were nearly identical. Soleus muscle fiber type and cross-sectional area also differed significantly among the species. In particular, M. spretus was significantly different from the other inbred mouse strains. Growth in the wild-derived inbred mice appeared to be complete earlier than in the laboratory mice, and the body size of the wild strains was about half that of the laboratory strains. From these results, we propose that wild-derived inbred mouse strains are useful models for enhancing phenotypic variation in physical performance and adaptability.

Anatomy, Cross-Sectional↗