Effects of a 10-week combined Aerobics and Aquafitness training program on anthropometric parameters, aerobic fitness, muscle endurance, and dynamic balance in middle-aged women

This study aimed to develop a more effective exercise program for lower extremity muscle function by evaluating the effects of an 8-week lunge exercise performed on an unstable support surface on lower extremity muscle function, body composition, and body balance in middle-aged women. Twenty participants were divided into two groups (control group: exercise on a stable support surface, n=10; experimental group: exercise on an unsta ble support surface, n=10). Each participant performed the exercise program for 8 weeks (three sessions a week, 50 min/session). The results revealed that body fat percentage decreased significantly in the experimental group (p<0.01). Additionally, lower-extremity muscle mass and function increased significantly in both groups (p<0.05), but with no significant difference between the groups. Moreover, the results of the static and dynamic balance tests indicated that balance improved in both groups, with significantly greater improvements in the experimental group than in the control group (p<0.05). Lunge exercise on stable and unstable support surfaces improves muscle function and static balance in middle-aged women. In particular, lunge exercise on an unstable support surface was more effective at reducing body fat than lunge exercise on a stable support surface and was also found to improve dynamic balance. Therefore, a program consisting of lunge exercises on an unstable support surface may be suitable for body improvements in middle-aged women.

The purpose of this study was to establish the effects of a 10-week strength training program on pain intensity reduction, muscle endurance and kinesophobia in patients with non-specific LBP in a tertiary health institution. This study was a pre-test, post-test control group design. A total of 53 patients with LBP participated successfully in the study. The anthropometric parameters were taken and pain intensity was measured using a visual analog scale in which the participants’ response to the level of pain was recorded; the fear of movement was measured with Tampa scale kinesiophobia Questionnaire and the muscle endurance with Sorensen back muscle endurance test for both the control and experimental groups before and following a 10-week muscle strength training program. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation were used to summarize the anthropometric profile of the participants while inferential statistics of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the hypotheses. The outcome of this study indicated that factors such as pain intensity and muscle endurance were found to significantly respond to muscle strength training program, and kinesiophobia did not significantly respond. It was concluded that muscle strength training program can substantially reduce the pain and increase the muscle endurance of patients with LBP. The study, therefore, revealed that the lumbar muscle strength training program is a key element in improving the pain and muscle endurance of patients with LBP.

The Effect of Feedback based on Inherent and Incremental Ability Theories on Dynamic Balance in Middle-aged Women

Purpose: This study examines the influence of lower extremity muscular training on stable supporting surfaces and unstable supporting surfaces on muscle strength and balance in middle-aged women. It aims to contribute to the design of a lower extremity exercise program for middle-aged females. Methods: In this study, 20 middle-aged women were randomly assigned into two groups―experimental group (ET, n = 10) and control group (CT, n = 10)―and tested at baseline and at the 8-week follow-up. Subjects in both groups were put on a lower extremity training program 2 times per week for 8 weeks. The intensity was set at 40%-50% intensity of 1RM for weeks 1-2, 50%-60% intensity of 1RM for weeks 3-6, and 60%-70% intensity of 1RM for weeks 7-8, with 10-15 repetitions. Subjects in the ET exercised on unstable surfaces, while those in the control group exercised on stable surfaces. Conclusion: In this study, the static balance was significantly improved in both the experimental group exercising on the unstable support surface and the control group exercising on the stable support surface. The dynamic balance, which was only improved in the experimental group exercising on the unstable support surface, improved in all directions except the backward. In this study, the strength and endurance of the knee extensors were improved in both the experimental group and the control group, and the strength and endurance of the knee flexors were improved only in the experimental group that exercised on an unstable support surface. Exercises on unstable surfaces further improve knee flexion. Thus, this study suggests that training on unstable support surfaces has a greater favorable effect on muscle strength and balance in middle-aged women than exercise on stable support surfaces.

Introduction The risk of falling and its subsequent injuries increases with aging. Impaired balance and gait are important contributing factors to the increased risk of falling. A wide range of methods was examined to improve balance, but these interventions might produce small effects or be inapplicable for this population. The current study aimed at investigating the effect of motor imaginary (MI) training combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the cerebellum on balance in middle-aged women with high fall risk. Methods Thirty subjects aged 40-65 years old were divided into two groups including intervention (n = 15) and sham control (n = 15). The participants completed a 4-week program 3 times per week. The intervention group performed MI training combined with tDCS over the cerebellum, and the control group performed MI training combined with sham tDCS over the cerebellum. Static and dynamic balance were measured at baseline and after completing the 4-week program using balance error scoring system (BESS) and Y balance testing, respectively. Result A one-way analysis of covariance and paired t-tests were used to analyze the data. Significant improvement was observed in both balance tests in the intervention group after the implementation of the 4-week intervention program compared to the control group. The within-group analysis showed that both static and dynamic balance improved significantly from the baseline values only in the intervention group (p < 0.05) and not in the control group (p > 0.05). Conclusion The results of the study indicate that MI training combined with tDCS over the cerebellum can lead to balance improvement in middle-aged women with high fall risk.

This was the first study investigating both linear associations between lower limb muscle strength and balance in middle-aged women and the potential for thresholds for the associations. There was strong evidence that even in middle-aged women, poorer LMS was associated with reduced balance. However, no evidence was found for thresholds. Decline in balance begins in middle age, yet, the role of muscle strength in balance is rarely examined in this age group. We aimed to determine the association between lower limb muscle strength (LMS) and balance in middle-aged women and investigate whether cut-points of LMS exist that might identify women at risk of poorer balance. Cross-sectional analysis of 345 women aged 36-57years was done. Associations between LMS and balance tests (timed up and go (TUG), step test (ST), functional reach test (FRT), and lateral reach test (LRT)) were assessed using linear regression. Nonlinear associations were explored using locally weighted regression smoothing (LOWESS) and potential cut-points identified using nonlinear least-squares estimation. Segmented regression was used to estimate associations above and below the identified cut-points. Weaker LMS was associated with poorer performance on the TUG (β -0.008 (95% CI: -0.010, -0.005) second/kg), ST (β 0.031 (0.011, 0.051) step/kg), FRT (β 0.071 (0.047, 0.096) cm/kg), and LRT (β 0.028 (0.011, 0.044) cm/kg), independent of confounders. Potential nonlinear associations were evident from LOWESS results; significant cut-points of LMS were identified for all balance tests (29-50kg). However, excepting ST, cut-points did not persist after excluding potentially influential data points. In middle-aged women, poorer LMS is associated with reduced balance. Therefore, improving muscle strength in middle-age may be a useful strategy to improve balance and reduce falls risk in later life. Middle-aged women with low muscle strength may be an effective target group for future randomized controlled trials. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) NCT00273260.

Regular moderate physical activity positively affects health, fitness, and body composition; it regulates the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines levels. Vitamin D plays an important regulatory role; its adequate levels correlate with low values of inflammation markers and an increase in muscle strength and fitness in exercising people. The study's aim was to evaluate changes in somatic variables, oxidative stress, and inflammation markers, as well as blood calcidiol concentration in middle-aged healthy women after 12 weeks of aerobics classes—endurance exercises, including choreographic sequences, aiming to improve fitness and motor coordination. The training led to a significant reduction of body mass and fat tissue; it induced an increase in lean body mass. After the 12-week training program, plasma antioxidant status increased (0.65 ± 0.21, p < 0.01) and the concentration of lipid peroxidation products decreased (0.07 ± 0.02, p < 0.001). A significant increase in plasma antioxidant status associated with training could have reduced the level of proinflammatory interleukin as indicated by a positive correlation between these variables (rs = 0.64, p < 0.05). The study proved that a 12-week health training program in physically inactive middle-aged women might provide improvements in their anthropometric parameters and selected biochemical indicators.

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of Greek folk dancing on postural stability in middle age women. Sixty-three women aged from 47-53 participated in this study. All participants were randomly divided into the experimental group - 33 participants (mean ± SD; body height=160.13 ± 12.07 cm, body mass=63.81 ± 10.56 kg), and the control group - 30 participants (mean ± SD; body height=160.63 ± 6.22 cm, body mass=64.79 ± 8.19 kg). The following tests were used to evaluate the motor balance and posture stability of participants; the double-leg stance along the length of a balance beam (eyes open), the double-leg stance along the width of a balance beam (eyes open), the single-leg stance (eyes open) and the double-leg stance on one's toes (eyes closed). The Functional Reach Test for balance and the Star Excursion Balance Test were used to evaluate dynamic balance. The multivariate analysis of covariance of static and dynamic balance between participants of the experimental and control group at the final measuring, with neutralized differences at the initial measuring (Wilks' λ=0.45), revealed a significant difference (p<0.05). The intergroup difference at the final measuring was also found to be significant (p<0.05) for the following variables; the double-leg stance on one's toes, the Functional Reach Test, balance of the right anterolateral, balance of the right posterolateral and balance of the left posteromedial. An organized dance activity programme does lead to the improvement of static and dynamic balance in middle aged women.

Perturbation training is commonly applied; however, its effects on the peroneal muscle remain underexplored in the female basketball player population. This study aimed to investigate the effects of perturbation-based neuromuscular training (PNT) on dynamic balance, peroneal muscle strength, endurance, and functional performance in young female basketball players. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with forty young female basketball players. The players were assigned to either a perturbation-based neuromuscular training group (PG) (n=20) or a control group (CG) (n=20) by simple random allocation. PG received an 8-week neuromuscular training program (two sessions/wk) in addition to routine basketball training, while CG attended routine training only. Dynamic balance, peroneal muscle eccentric strength, endurance, vertical jump (VJ), and side hop (SH) tests were evaluated. Dynamic balance was evaluated with the Y balance test, and peroneal muscle eccentric strength and endurance were evaluated with the Cybex dynamometer. PG demonstrated significant improvements in dynamic balance (p=0.000), VJ (p=0.0049), and SH performance (p=0.010) after the training program, analyzed with analysis of variance. Peroneal eccentric strength significantly increased in PG (p=0.001 right, p=0.020 left). Both groups showed improvements in peroneal muscle endurance parameters; however, the PG group improved significantly (p=0.004 right, p=0.025 left). An 8-week PNT significantly enhances dynamic balance, eccentric eversion strength, and jump performance while contributing to reduced peroneal muscular fatigue in young female basketball players.

Our primary objective was to investigate the effects of short-term core stability training on dynamic balance and trunk muscle endurance in novice weightlifters learning the technique of the Olympic lifts. Our secondary objective was to compare dynamic balance and trunk muscle endurance between novice and experienced weightlifters. Thirty novice (NOV) and five experienced (EXP) weightlifters participated in the study. Mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) dynamic balance and trunk muscle endurance testing were performed a week before (Pre) and after (Post) a 4-week core stability training program. In the NOV group, there was an improvement of both dynamic balance (ML and AP, p = 0.0002) and trunk muscle endurance (p = 0.0002). In the EXP group, there was no significant difference between Pre and Post testing conditions, except an increase in muscle endurance in the right-side plank (p = 0.0486). Analysis of the results showed that experienced lifters were characterized by more effective dynamic balance and greater core muscle endurance than their novice peers, not only before the training program but after its completion as well. In conclusion, the applied short-term core stability training improved dynamic balance and trunk muscle endurance in novice weightlifters learning the Olympic lifts. Such an exercise program can be incorporated into a training regime of novice weightlifters to prepare them for technically difficult tasks of the Olympic snatch and clean and jerk.

Although many women perform postural tasks while listening to music, no study has investigated whether preferred music has different effects than non-preferred music. Thus, this study aimed to explore the effects of listening to preferred versus non-preferred music on postural balance among middle-aged women. Twenty-four women aged between 50 and 55 years were recruited for this study. To assess their static balance, a stabilometric platform was used, recording the mean center of pressure velocity (CoPVm), whereas the timed up and go test (TUGT) was used to assess their dynamic balance. The results showed that listening to their preferred music significantly decreased their CoPVm values (in the firm-surface/eyes-open (EO) condition: (p < 0.05; 95% CI [-0.01, 2.17])). In contrast, when the women were listening to non-preferred music, their CoPVm values significantly (p < 0.05) increased compared to the no-music condition in all the postural conditions except for the firm-surface/EO condition. In conclusion, listening to music has unique effects on postural performance, and these effects depend on the genre of music. Listening to preferred music improved both static and dynamic balance in middle-aged women, whereas listening to non-preferred music negatively affected these performances, even in challenged postural conditions.

0804 The Functional Grid, also known as star-excursion test or Star Excursion Balance Tests (SEBT) has been recently implemented in athletes for dynamic balance assessment. However, to date few studies have implemented the SEBT for women between 40–60 years old. This study is the first to use the SEBT to assess balance before and after training with middle-aged women. PURPOSE: To determine if four weeks of training using two different cycle ergometers would improve dynamic balance in middle-aged women as measured by the SEBT. METHODS: Seventeen women were matched by age and BMI and randomly assigned to either a standard ergometer (SE) or strength cycle (SC). Ten subjects (51.0 ± 4.85 yrs; 27.4 ± 4.97 kg.m2) trained on a SE and 7 subjects (49.8 ± 2.19 yrs; 26.2 ± 3.30 kg.m2) trained on a SC. Training consisted of 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks, progressing in duration from 25 to 45 minutes at 65% −85% HRmax. The subjects were required to stand with the dominant leg in a single-leg stance with the calcaneus and malleoli bisecting the center of the SEBT. The non-dominant leg was required to reach along 8 rays of the SEBT, a total of 6 times in a counter-clockwise direction. The same tester recorded each excursion distance in centimeters (cm). These rays include anterior lateral (AL), anterior (A), anterior medial (AM), medial (M), posterior medial (PM), posterior (P), posterior lateral (PL), and lateral (L), which were in relation to the stance foot. The best excursion along each direction was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A paired t-test found that both the SE (A, PM, P, PL, L) and SC (AM, L) groups improved in balance after training, (p<0.05). However, the SE resulted in a greater number of directional excursion improvements following training (PRE vs. POST): A: 82.1 ± 6.36cm vs. 89.1 ± 8.02cm, PM: 76.6 ± 7.14cm vs. 81.7 ± 6.48 cm, P: 77.2 ± 5.11cm vs. 83.0 ± 2.95cm, PL: 70.7 ± 8.35 vs. 79.1 ± 4.58cm, L: 64.1 ± 10.78cm vs. 73.0 ± 6.87cm, (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Following four weeks of cycle ergometry training, dynamic balance in 40–60 year old women improved as measured by the SEBT. The SE group increased their reach in 5 of the 8 directions compared to only 2 directions for the SC group. Thus, the SE appears to result in more improved excursion distances using the SEBT compared to the SC.

Objective: Head-to-head evidence comparing closed-kinetic-chain (CKC) and open-kinetic-chain (OKC) training on balance in middle-aged women with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is limited. Purpose: To compare 10-week hip abduction/external rotation-focused CKC versus OKC on static and dynamic balance. Methods: Twenty-two women with KOA were randomized to CKC (n = 11) or OKC (n = 11) and trained twice weekly for 10 weeks. The primary outcome was the center of pressure (COP) during single-leg stance (AP/ML range, excursion, velocity, and RMS); the secondary outcome was the Y-Balance Test (YBT) composite score. Results: CKC produced significant within-group reductions across all COP variables and significant YBT increases for both affected and unaffected limbs (p < 0.05). OKC showed only small changes in select COP indices and no meaningful change in YBT. Post-intervention between-group comparisons consistently favored CKC for AP/ML and total COP excursion/velocity and for the YBT composite score (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Under weight-bearing conditions, a hip-focused CKC program that promotes multi-joint coordination and co-contraction yields broader and more consistent improvements in postural stability and dynamic balance than OKC in middle-aged women with KOA. These findings support prioritizing CKC when rehabilitation aims include gait and functional stability.

O presente estudo objetivou verificar os efeitos de um programa de treinamento físico multicomponente sobre a capacidade funcional de mulheres de meia idade. Trinta e cinco mulheres (51,8 ± 5,4 anos) foram submetidas a um programa de treinamento físico multicomponente durante 16 semanas. As voluntárias foram submetidas a medidas antropométricas e a uma bateria de testes adaptada para avaliar a capacidade funcional delas. Para verificar a normalidade dos dados adotou-se o teste Shapiro Wilk e para comparar os valores antes e após intervenção adotou-se teste t pareado. Calculou-se também o tamanho do efeito, sendo adotado α = 0,05 para todas as análises. Os resultados do estudo mostraram aumento na força de membros superiores (pré: 18,9 ± 4,3 vs pós: 22,8 ± 7,9 repetições) com tamanho do efeito médio, na força de membros inferiores (pré: 14,9 ± 2,8 vs pós: 17,3 ± 2,6 repetições) com tamanho do efeito grande, assim como melhora na agilidade e equilíbrio dinâmico (pré: 5,4 ± 0,8 vs pós: 4,6 ± 0,5 segundos) com tamanho do efeito grande. Concluiu-se que o programa de treinamento físico multicomponente aumentou a força, agilidade e equilíbrio dinâmico de mulheres de meia idade, melhorando a capacidade funcional.

Interval cycle training could positively influence dynamic balance in middle-aged women. To compare training effects of a strength ergometer and a standard ergometer on 3 dynamic balance tests. Repeated measures. Laboratory. Seventeen women were randomly assigned to standard (n = 10) or strength cycle ergometry (n = 7). A control group consisted of 7 women. Ergometry interval training (3 sessions/wk for 4 wk). Three balance tests-the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), timed up-and-go (TUG), and four-square step test (FSST)-were performed at pretraining and 4 wk posttraining. Four SEBT directions improved and faster scores for FSST and TUG tests for the standard-cycle group were found, whereas the strength-cycle group only improved their TUG scores. No changes posttraining for the control group. Stationary cycle training should be included in the dynamic balance-rehabilitation protocol for middle-aged women.