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Results for “Physical Functional Performance”

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PubMed2003

Non-dominant leg training improves the bilateral motor performance of soccer players.

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate bilateral motor performance effects from training the non-dominant leg of competitive soccer players. The subjects were 39 soccer players, 15-20 years of age, performance-matched and randomly divided into a training group (n = 18) and a control group (n = 21) both belonging to the same team. Both groups were tested by using two standardised foot-tapping tests and three soccer-specific tests. The training intervention consisted of the experimental group participating in all parts of their soccer training except full play, using the non-dominant leg for 8 weeks. Statistical analyses for the soccer-specific tests revealed that the experimental group improved significantly as compared to the control group from the pre-test to the post-test period in their use of the trained non-dominant leg. Somewhat unexpectedly, the experimental group also improved significantly in the tests, which made use of the dominant side. The standardised foot-tapping tests revealed similar results. The results might be explained by improved generalised motor programmes, or from a Dynamic Systems Approach, indicating that the actual training relates to the handling of all the information available to the subject in the situation, and that the body self-organises the motor performance.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1983

Physical work capacity and lung function in competitive swimmers.

Competitive swimmers require a high aerobic capacity to support the sustained performance of severe exercise. Maximal oxygen uptake values and blood lactate concentrations were measured in ten male and fifteen female swimmers from the Scottish National and Youth Squads 1981-82. Lung function tests were also performed to determine pulmonary efficiency. The results of these studies were compared with other investigations of international competitive swimmers and indicate a high level of fitness among Scottish national swimmers.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Effects of exercise training on frailty in community-dwelling older adults: results of a randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Although deficits in skeletal muscle strength, gait, balance, and oxygen uptake are potentially reversible causes of frailty, the efficacy of exercise in reversing frailty in community-dwelling older adults has not been proven. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of intensive exercise training (ET) on measures of physical frailty in older community-dwelling men and women. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Medical school research center. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred fifteen sedentary men and women (mean age +/- standard deviation = 83 +/- 4) with mild to moderate physical frailty, as defined by two of the following three criteria: Modified Physical Performance Test (modified PPT) score between 18 and 32, peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) between 10 and 18 mL/kg/min, and self-report of difficulty or assistance with one basic activity of daily living (ADL), or two instrumental ADLs. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly assigned to a control group that performed a 9-month low-intensity home exercise program (control) or an exercise-training program (ET). The control intervention primarily consisted of flexibility exercises. ET began with 3 months of flexibility, light-resistance, and balance training. During the next 3 months, resistance training was added, and, during the next 3 months, endurance training was added. MEASUREMENTS: Modified PPT score, VO2 peak, performance of ADLs as measured by the Older Americans Resources and Services instrument, and the Functional Status Questionnaire (FSQ). RESULTS: ET resulted in significantly greater improvements than home exercise in three of the four primary outcome measures. Adjusted 95% confidence bounds on the magnitude of improvement in the ET group compared with the control group were 1.0 to 5.2 points for the modified PPT score, 0.9 to 3.6 mL/kg/min for VO2 peak, and 1.6 to 4.9 points for the FSQ score. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that intensive ET can improve measures of physical function and preclinical disability in older adults who have impairments in physical performance and oxygen uptake and are not taking hormone replacement therapy better than a low-intensity home exercise program.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2004

Inflammatory markers and physical performance in older persons: the InCHIANTI study.

BACKGROUND: Some studies have proposed chronic inflammation as an underlying biological mechanism responsible for physical function decline in elderly people. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between several inflammatory markers and physical performance in an older population. METHODS: This study is part of the "Invecchiare in Chianti" (InCHIANTI) study, a prospective population-based study of older people, aimed at identifying risk factors for late-life disability. The study sample consisted of 1020 participants aged 65 years and older living in the Chianti area of Italy. Physical performance was assessed using walking speed, the chair-stand test, and the standing balance test. Hand-grip strength was assessed using a hand-held dynamometer. Serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-10, IL-1beta, IL-6sR, and IL-1RA were determined. Linear regression analyses were used to assess the multivariate relationship of inflammatory marker levels with physical performance, scored as a continuous variable from 0 to 3, and hand-grip strength after adjustment for demographics, chronic conditions, medication use, and other biological variables. RESULTS: CRP, IL-6, and IL1RA were significantly correlated with physical performance (r=-0.162, r=-0.251, and r=-0.127, respectively). Significant correlations with hand-grip strength were found for CRP and IL-6 (r=-0.081 and r=-0.089, respectively). After adjustment for covariates, high levels of IL-6 and IL-1RA continued to be strongly associated with worse physical performance (p<.001 and p=0.004, respectively). High levels of CRP (p<.001) and IL-6 (p<.001) were associated with low hand-grip strength. Mean adjusted physical performance scores ranged from 2.21 in the CRP<0.59 mg/dl group to 2.07 in the CRP>0.60 mg/dl group (p for trend=.004), and from 2.25 in the lowest IL-6 quartile to 2.08 in the highest IL-6 quartile (p for trend<.001). This trend was also reflected in mean adjusted hand-grip strength, with a range from 28.8 kg for the CRP<0.59 mg/dl group to 26.0 kg for the CRP>0.60 mg/dl group (p for trend=.001), and from 27.4 kg for the lowest IL-6 quartile to 25.1 kg for the highest IL-6 quartile (p for trend=.001). CONCLUSIONS: Inflammation, measured as high levels of IL-6, CRP, and IL-1RA, is significantly associated with poor physical performance and muscle strength in older persons. These data also support the biological face validity of physical performance measures. The assessment of inflammatory markers may represent a useful screening test and perhaps a potential target of intervention.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Anthropometric indices predict physical function and mobility in older Australians: the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, in terms of function and mobility, the predictive value of commonly adopted anthropometric 'definitions' used in the nutritional assessment of older adults, in a cohort of older Australians. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study - Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ALSA). SETTING: Adelaide, South Australia (1992-1994). SUBJECTS: Data were analysed from 1272 non-institutionalised (685 males, 587 females) older adults > or =70 years old in South Australia. Seven 'definitions' commonly used in the anthropometric assessment of both under- and overnutrition (including four using body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference and percentage weight change) were evaluated at baseline, for their ability to predict functional and mobility limitation assessed (by self-report questionnaire) at two years follow-up. All questionnaires were administered and anthropometry performed by trained investigators. The associations between the definitions and decline in mobility and physical function were evaluated over two years using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: A BMI >85th percentile or >30 kg m-2 or a waist circumference of >102 cm in males and >88 cm in females increased risk of functional and mobility limitations. Over two years, a loss of 10% body weight significantly increased the risk of functional and mobility limitations. CONCLUSION: Maintaining weight within older adults, irrespective of initial body weight, may be important in preventing functional and mobility limitations. Excessive weight is associated with an increased risk of limitation in function and mobility, both key components of health-related quality of life.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Incorporating injured employee outcomes into physical and occupational therapists' practice: a controlled trial of the Worker-Based Outcomes Assessment System.

BACKGROUND: Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) remain costly. The Worker-Based Outcomes Assessment System (WBOAS) is an injury treatment improvement tool. Its purpose is to increase treatment effectiveness and decrease the cost of care delivered in Occupational Health Service clinics. METHODS: The study used a non-randomized (parallel cohort) control trial design to test the effects on injured employee outcomes of augmenting the standard care delivered by physical and occupational therapists (PT/OTs) with the WBOAS. The WBOAS works by putting patient-reported functional health status, pain symptom, and work role performance outcomes data into the hands of PT/OTs and their patients. Test clinic therapists were trained to incorporate WBOAS trends data into standard practice. Control clinic therapists delivered standard care alone. RESULTS: WBOAS-augmented PT/OT care did improve (p< or =.05) physical functioning and new injury/re-injury avoidance and, on these same dimensions, cost-adjusted outcome. It did not improve (p>.05) mental health or pain symptoms or return-to-work or stay-at-work success nor, on these same dimensions, cost-adjusted outcome. CONCLUSION: Training PT/OTs to incorporate patient-reported health status, pain symptom, and work role performance outcomes trends data into standard practice does appear to improve treatment effectiveness and cost on some (e.g. physical functioning) but not other (e.g. mental health, pain symptoms) outcomes.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Religious coping in the nursing home: a biopsychosocial model.

OBJECTIVE: To examine psychosocial and physical health correlates of religious coping in medically ill chronically institutionalized older adults. Religious coping is defined as the extent to which persons use religious beliefs and practices to help them to cope. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional cohort study conducted in a 120 bed VA-affiliated and a 125 bed university affiliated community-based nursing home in Durham, North Carolina. Participants were 115 chronic care nursing home residents; mean age of the sample was seventy-nine years, 44 percent were women, and 17 percent were African Americans. Subjects were enrolled for a one-month period during which comprehensive psychosocial and health assessments were performed, including evaluation of cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Exam), physical function (Barthel index), severity of medical comorbidity (Cumulative Illness Rating Scale), self-reported physical pain (vertical verbal descriptor scale), depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale), social support (social network), and religious coping (Religious Coping Index). RESULTS: Over 43 percent of the sample scored in the depressed range of the Geriatric Depression Scale. Almost 60 percent reported they used religion at least to a large extent when coping with their problems; 34 percent said that it was the most important factor that enabled them to cope. Patients who used religion to cope had greater social support (p = .01), more severe medical illness (p = .04), and better cognitive functioning (p = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Religious beliefs and practices are frequently used by chronically institutionalized older adults to help them to cope. Religious coping is associated with more severe medical illness, higher social support, and better cognitive functioning.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2002

Effects of ageing on prefrontal temporal cortical network function in healthy volunteers as assessed by COWA. An exploratory survey.

The prefrontal temporal cortical network (PFTCN) is a crucial part of a widely distributed neural network which has been shown (a) to subserve language function; (b) to modulate the cognitive circuits that are linked with work production; and (c) to organise thinking and develop word-search strategies. Dysfunction of the PFTCN has been reported in very early states of the dementing process. However, the functional state of the PFTCN during ageing in healthy volunteers remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of ageing, total years of education and use of caffeine and nicotine on Controlled Word Association Test (COWA) performance, a measure of PFTCN function. All subjects were mentally and physically healthy based on self-report and history, and were free of any medication at the time of the test. The COWA (also known as the Verbal Fluency Test or the FAS test) was used to investigate the functional state of the PFTCN. The total score is presented as the sum of all acceptable words generated. Multiple regression analysis was used to analyse the data. COWA scores did not correlate with caffeine or nicotine intake. However, there was a significant linear relationship between total years of education and COWA scores. Age-related changes were noted. A significant quadratic trend was observed in which subjects at both extremes of the age spectrum demonstrated poorer COWA performance. Due to limitations of our data, findings are suggestive of this trend in females but inconclusive vis a vis a possible ageing-related effect for males. These results might suggest that normal ageing-related changes as they involve the PFTCN are observed in females and, pending further studies, may differentially affect males and females. Furthermore, demographic variables such as education must be taken into account in studies in which the COWA is used. However, further studies are required in order to investigate the functional state of the PFTCN in dementia-related disorders.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

A randomized comparison of post-operative pain, quality of life, and physical performance during the first 6 weeks after abdominal or vaginal surgical correction of descensus uteri.

AIMS: With respect to urogenital function, vaginal hysterectomy combined with anterior and/or posterior colporraphy has been shown to be superior to abdominal sacrocolpopexy with preservation of the uterus. We performed a randomized trial to compare the effects of both procedures on pain, quality of life and physical performance during the first six weeks after surgery. METHODS: Eighty-two patients were randomized to have surgery either by vaginal or abdominal approach. All patients were asked to complete the RAND-36 before surgery and 6 weeks after surgery and to keep a diary for the first 6 weeks after surgery. This diary assessed the pain perception and use of pain medication, bother of limitations due to the surgery and performance of daily activities after surgery. These outcomes were compared. RESULTS: All patients completed the RAND-36 and 68 patients completed the diary. Patients who had undergone abdominal surgery had a statistically lower score on the health change domain (56 vs 68), bodily pain domain (63 vs 80) and mental health domain (74 vs 81) of the RAND-36, as compared to patients who had undergone vaginal prolapse surgery. During hospital stay, the abdominal group experienced on average more days of pain (4.5 vs 3.0) and impaired mobility (3.7 vs 2.9) as compared to the vaginal group. Patients received more pain medication following abdominal surgery as compared to vaginal surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The vaginal operation to correct a descensus uteri is associated with less pain, better quality of life and better mobility during the first 6 weeks of the recovery period as compared to the abdominal approach.

Abdomen↗

PubMed2001

Relative variation to received dose of some erythrocytic and leukocytic indices of human blood as a result of low-level laser radiation: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the in vitro effects of low-level laser radiation (LLLR) on selected rheologic constants of the human blood. The variations of CBC parameters to the received dose were determined, as well as of blood viscosity (an erythrocyte aggregation index), as a research method for some structural alteration of blood proteins. This was also confirmed by the electrophoretic study of plasma proteins from the irradiated blood. METHODS: Fresh blood samples (whole blood) from 16 adult regular blood donors were irradiated with a He-Ne laser (lambda = 632.8 nm; power output = 6 mW; mean irradiance on blood samples approximately 180 mW.cm-2; beam spot diameter approximately 2 mm), operating in continuous wave. Doses ranged between 0 (control sample) and 9.346 J.cm-3.EDTA (for CBC and viscosity measurements) or citrate (for electrophoresis) anticoagulant was used. Measurements were performed before (control samples) and after irradiation. In most of the cases, the measurements were made immediately after irradiation. In some cases, the measurements were made after 24 or 48 h after irradiation, respectively, to conclude whether the modifications caused from irradiation occur in time, or immediately after irradiation. RESULTS: Following irradiation, marked variations of some erythrocyte and leukocyte indices and changes of the erythrocyte aggregation (viscosity), as a function of received dose, were observed. Significant differences between control and irradiated blood samples were found for the following rheologic factors: RBC (in 22.2% of cases); HGB (26.8%); HCT (82.4%); MONO and GRAN (36.7%); viscosity (82.5%). From the plasma proteins: albumin (22.2%); alpha 1 globulin and gamma globulin (18.5%); fibrinogen (70.4%). In most of the cases, remarkable effects (maxima) were noticed around 1.2 J.cm-3 dose value. We consider this dose value as optimal, one that can lead to beneficial effects. The cell membrane integrity was not affected from irradiation, for doses between 0 and 9.346 J.cm-3, and will probably not even be affected at higher doses (see MCV and MCHC behavior). CONCLUSIONS: The effect of LLLR on red blood cells confirms the nonresonant mechanism of this biostimulating effect, by the changes occurring in the cell membrane (in our case, blood cells), by revitalizing of red blood cell functional capacities and by several biochemical effects at the membrane's level. These are to be studied thoroughly in future studies. The physical-biochemical and biological effects caused by LLLR on blood can influence the physical-chemical parameters needed for the long-term storage of blood products. These effects can also lead to a quicker revitalization of the erythrocyte membrane (which was subjected to the action of some physical and biochemical factors during the preservation process), to perform its oxyphoric function in transfusion procedures.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Benefit and risk of exercise on myocardial function in diabetes.

Regular physical activity promotes cardiorespiratory fitness and has been considered a cornerstone for non-pharmacological treatment of more than 17 million Americans with diabetes mellitus. Physical exercise has been shown to positively affect certain cardiovascular risk factors such as insulin resistance, glucose metabolism, blood pressure and body fat composition, which are closely associated with diabetes and heart disease. With the increasingly sedentary life style in our society, routine daily exercise of moderate intensity is highly recommended to reduce cardiovascular risk, the leading cause of death in diabetic patients. Exercise produces many beneficial effects to the heart function such as reduced incidence of coronary heart disease, attenuated severity of diabetic cardiomyopathy, improved cardiac performance, cardiac reserve and autonomic regulation. Nevertheless, many diabetic patients do not appear to gain much benefit from exercise or may even be at risk of performing physical exercise. This review summarizes the benefit and risk of exercise on diabetic heart function, with a special emphasis on myocardial and autonomic function.

Diabetes Complications↗

PubMed2002

Quality of life after parotid and temporal bone surgery for cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to examine the quality of life (QL) of patients who received treatment for cancer of the parotid or temporal region, and to identify factors contributing to it. The relationships between clinician-based measures of treatment outcome and the patient-based counterparts were also evaluated. METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on 23 patients who had received either a temporal bone resection or a combination of parotidectomy and radiotherapy. The QL survey involved both global QL and measures of the appearance, communication, hearing, physical, psychological, and social domains. Patients were assessed clinically for their performance status, facial nerve function, disfigurement, and hearing and the results were compared with patient-rated QL. Correlation between the QL variables and global QL was identified using Spearman correlation tests. RESULTS: Ongoing physical symptoms, communication difficulties, and social disturbances were associated with poorer global QL (P <.05). No correlation was detected between global QL and objective disfigurement, facial function, and measures of hearing loss. With the exception of hearing testing, clinical assessments generally did not correlate well with patient ratings. CONCLUSION: QL measures provide insight into patients' perceptions of the treatment outcome but do not necessarily correlate with the clinicians' views. The use of a global QL measure overcomes the difficulty of extrapolating the impact of symptom scores or observational measures on patients' overall quality of survival.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1995

Quality of life of women with ovarian cancer.

The primary objectives of this study were to determine the nature and extent of physical problems and psychological distress experienced by women with ovarian cancer and to identify medical and sociodemographic factors that were predictive of distress. Quality of life was assessed at 3-month intervals, for a maximum of 12 months in 151 ovarian cancer patients, most with advanced-stage disease (86%). Patients' pain, other physical symptoms, level of physical functioning, psychological state, and social functioning were evaluated using the following measures: a detailed pain questionnaire, Memorial Pain Assessment Card, Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, Mental Health Inventory (MHI), Functional Living Index--Cancer (FLIC), and the Karnofsky Performance Status. Upon entry, 33% of patients reported significant psychological distress, as indicated by MHI Psychological Distress scores (MHI-PD) equal or greater to 1.5 standard deviations above the mean of a nationwide community sample. Impaired physical functioning (FLIC subscale) was the most important predictor of heightened psychological distress (MHI-PD) at baseline (1.5 SD or greater above the norm) (P = 0.0004) in a stepwise logistic regression involving medical/physical and sociodemographic variables as predictors. Further, significant differences were found in all quality of life scales between patients with Karnofsky Performance Status scores of < or = 80, and those with ratings of 90 or greater (P = 0.036 to P < 0.0001). These data suggest the need for an improved and more frequent assessment of ovarian cancer patients' psychological status, particularly as physical functioning declines, to improve early detection and referral to treatment of those suffering from psychiatric sequelae of cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[Simultaneous traumatic rupture of the patellar and contralateral quadriceps tendon].

We report a very rare case of a simultaneous rupture of the right patellar and left quadriceps tendon in an otherwise healthy 37-year-old patient, who jumped off a kickboard. Suture of both tendons was performed on the day of trauma. We describe our postoperative treatment and report the follow-up examination one year after the trauma. Beside functional questionnaire, Lysholm score and physical examination and x-ray, quadriceps isokinetic testing was performed.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Variability in the attainment of functional milestones during the acute care admission after total joint replacement.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify patients' functional improvement in the immediate postoperative period after total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: A prospective observational study design was used to examine the number of physical therapy treatment sessions and postoperative days required to attain independence in 4 critical functional milestones, with independence defined as the ability to perform the activity without the assistance of another person. The 4 functional milestones selected were the ability to perform supine to sit transfers; sit to stand transfers; ambulation to 100'; and the ability to climb stairs. Consecutive patients undergoing elective THA or TKA for the first time at a community teaching hospital were entered into the study. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 81 patients undergoing elective THA or TKA (33 THA and 48 TKA). There was wide variability in the number of physical therapy sessions and postoperative days required to attain each of the 4 milestones and all 4 milestones. Climbing stairs was the most difficult task, followed by walking 100', performing sit to stand transfers, and performing supine to sit transfers. The achievement of the latter 2 milestones was similar. CONCLUSION: Our examination of patients' progress in attaining specific functional milestones is a unique approach to outcome assessment that emphasizes the physical therapy aspect of postsurgical rehabilitation. A wide variability in patients' functional progress during the acute care admission after elective THA or TKA was demonstrated. The reasons for this variability need to be explored since they may have important implications for planning rehabilitation related to THA, TKA or other orthopedic reconstructive procedures.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

A randomised trial of weight-bearing versus non-weight-bearing exercise for improving physical ability in inpatients after hip fracture.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing exercise on strength, balance, gait and functional performance among older inpatients following hip fracture. Eighty people (mean age 81 years, SD 8) undergoing inpatient rehabilitation after fall-related hip fracture were randomised to receive two-week programs of either weight-bearing or non-weight-bearing exercise prescribed by a physiotherapist. Both groups improved markedly (in the order of 50%) on measures of physical ability. Overall there was little difference between groups in the extent of improvement, however post hoc testing identified some additional strength benefits for the non-weight-bearing group--non-affected leg hip flexion mean difference in extent of improvement was 9.3 N (95% CI 3.7 to 15.0), non-affected leg hip abduction mean difference in extent of improvement was 6.5 N (95% CI 0.1 to 12.9). There were also additional functional benefits for the weight-bearing group--improved ability to complete a lateral step-up on the affected leg with nil or one hand supports (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 12.3) and the need for less supportive walking aids (p = 0.045). Weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing exercise programs produce similar effects on strength, balance, gait and functional performance among inpatients soon after hip fracture.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMed1996

The quality of life of patients with newly diagnosed M1 prostate cancer: experience with EORTC clinical trial 30853.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of previously untreated patients with M1 prostate cancer before and during androgen-suppressive treatment. Assessment of QoL was included as an optimal component of EORTC protocol 30853, a phase III trial comparing LH-RH (luteinising hormone-releasing hormone) analogue combined with a non-steroidal anti-androgen versus orchiectomy in patients with M1 prostate cancer. At pretreatment and during the follow-up period, patients were asked to complete a questionnaire assessing their physical and psychosocial functioning, and their symptom levels. Physicians rated the patients' performance status, pain, urological symptoms and erectile function. Due to its optional nature, only a minority of the patients in the trial were recruited for the QoL investigation. 63 patients completed a pretreatment questionnaire, of whom 49 completed a second questionnaire at least once during the initial 15 month follow-up period. While statistically significant correlations were observed between patients' and physicians' ratings of physical functioning and pain, these were of only a moderate magnitude (r = 0.43 and 0.30, respectively). No significant association was observed between physicians' and patients' ratings of micturation problems or of erectile function. Before treatment, fatigue, pain and decreased social role and sexual functioning were the problems most frequently reported by patients. With an average of approximately 1 year follow-up, statistically significant improvements were observed in patients' self-reported urological symptoms and metastatic pain. No significant changes were noted for the other QoL domains assessed. The results of this study confirm earlier findings that physicians' ratings may not reflect accurately the functional health and symptom experience of their patients. Patient-based QoL questionnaires offer the most direct means of evaluating the subjective morbidity associated with prostate cancer and its treatment. To increase participation and compliance rates in future studies, it is recommended that QoL assessment be made mandatory in those clinical trials in which QoL is considered to be an important study endpoint.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Functional and neuromotor performance in older adults: effect of 12 wks of aerobic exercise.

OBJECTIVE: There is little information regarding the effect of aerobic exercise on physical and neuromotor performance in older adults. The aim of this randomized, controlled trial was to determine the effects of a 12-wk aerobic exercise program on functional and neuromotor performance in inactive healthy older adults. DESIGN: A total of 22 inactive healthy older adults, aged 60-75 yrs, voluntarily participated in the study and were randomly assigned to a progressively increased high-intensity aerobic exercise group (n = 12) or to a control group (n = 10). The aerobic exercise group exercised three times per week for 12 wks on nonconsecutive days. Both groups were evaluated before and after the exercise period in the one-repetition maximum of knee extensors and flexors, 6-min walk distance, chair-rising time, and whole-body reaction time. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis of variance repeated measures (2 x 2) revealed significant (P < 0.05) time by group interaction for one-repetition maximum knee extension and flexion strength, 6-min walk distance, chair-rising time, and whole-body reaction time. For the aerobic exercise group, the following variables improved significantly (P < 0.05) after the exercise period: the one-repetition maximum knee extensors (12%) and flexors (19%) muscle strength, 6-min walk distance (17%), chair-rising time (8%), and whole-body reaction time (20%). No significant differences were observed in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study show that short-term progressively increased high-intensity aerobic exercise improved the physical and neuromotor performance in inactive healthy older adults. These findings suggest that the participation in a progressively increased high-intensity aerobic exercise program may improve mobility and ability to carry out activities of daily living in older adults.

Activities of Daily Living↗