1-year Exercise Program Research Articles

Motivational and evolutionary aspects of a physical exercise training program: a longitudinal study.

Several studies have indicated that motivational level and prior expectations influence one’s commitment to physical activity. Moreover, these aspects are not properly described in terms of proximal (SDT, Self Determination Theory) and distal (evolutionary) explanations in the literature. This paper aims to verify if level of motivation (BREQ-2, Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2) and expectations regarding regular physical exercise (IMPRAF-54) before starting a 1-year exercise program could determine likelihood of completion. Ninety-four volunteers (53 women) included a completed protocol group (CPG; n = 21) and drop-out group (n = 73). The IMPRAF-54 scale was used to assess six different expectations associated with physical activity, and the BREQ-2 inventory was used to assess the level of motivation in five steps (from amotivation to intrinsic motivation). Both questionnaires were assessed before starting a regular exercise program. The CPG group presented higher sociability and lower pleasure scores according to IMPRAF-54 domains. A logistic regression analysis showed that a one-point increment on sociability score increased the chance of completing the program by 10%, and the same one-point increment on pleasure score reduced the chance of completing the protocol by 16%. ROC curves were also calculated to establish IMPRAF-54 cutoffs for adherence (Sociability – 18.5 points – 81% sensibility/50% specificity) and dropout (Pleasure – 25.5 points – 86% sensibility/20% specificity) of the exercise protocol. Our results indicate that an expectation of social interaction was a positive factor in predicting adherence to exercise. Grounded in SDT and its innate needs (competence, autonomy, relatedness), physical exercise is not an end; it is a means to achieve autonomy and self-cohesion. The association of physical activity with social practices, as occurs in hunter-gathering groups, can engage people to be physically active and can provide better results in adherence exercise programs for the general population.

Changes in the physical functions of pre-frail elderly women after participation in a 1-year preventative exercise program

The present study clarifies the effects of participation in a preventative health classroom program (exercise program) for 1 year on the physical functions of pre-frail elderly individuals in comparison with healthy elderly individuals. Participants in the study included 28 elderly pre-frail female participants and 28 elderly healthy female participants. Participants engaged in the exercise program for 1 year. There was no significant age or physical differences between both groups. Before and after the exercise program, the following physical function tests were carried out: grip strength, one-legged balance with eyes open, 5-m walking time and a timed up & go (TUG). The pre-frail elderly group tested significantly lower in the one-legged balance with eyes open test and the TUG test compared with the healthy elderly group. The 5-m walking time test improved significantly in both groups, but the TUG improved only in the pre-frail elderly group. Conversely, the grip strength and one-legged balance with eyes open tests remained unchanged. Improvements in the TUG and 5-m walking time tests were found in the pre-frail elderly group after the 1-year exercise program. Their results in the TUG test might be greater than those among the healthy elderly individuals.

Regular Physical Exercise Improves Physical Motor Functions and Biochemical Markers in Middle-Age and Elderly Women

Lifestyle-related diseases among middle-age and elderly people have become serious problems. Underlying causes might be related to the changes in the lifestyle including the absence of regular physical exercise. To clarify the significance of regular physical exercise to prevent lifestyle-related diseases, we studied motor functions and blood chemistry examinations in middle-age and elderly women (over 40 years old) who performed regular physical exercise for 2 years (exercise group) and those who initially did not (control group). In study 1, VO2max significantly increased in the exercise group compared with the control group in the under 60 years old groups. In the over 60 years old groups, VO2max, foot balance, and HDL cholesterol significantly increased. Plasma glucose at 120 minutes after the 75 g oral glucose tolerance test, fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-R), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) significantly decreased in the exercise group compared with the control group. In study 2, a 1-year exercise program significantly improved physical functions and biochemical markers in the control group. These results suggest that regular physical exercise might help to maintain sound motor functions and decrease insulin resistance and a risk for arteriosclerosis.

The long-term effect of posterolateral fusion in adult isthmic spondylolisthesis: a randomized controlled study

Background Today there is some evidence-based medicine support for a positive short-term treatment effect of fusion in chronic low back pain in spondylolisthesis and in nonspecific degenerative lumbar spine disorders. The long-term effect is, however, unknown. Purpose To determine the long-term outcome of lumbar fusion in adult isthmic spondylolisthesis. Study design Prospective, randomized controlled study comparing a 1-year exercise program with instrumented and non-instrumented posterolateral fusion with average long-term follow-up of 9 years (range, 5–13). Patient sample 111 patients aged 18 to 55 years with adult lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis at L5 or L4 level of all degrees, and at least 1-year's duration of severe lumbar pain with or without sciatica. Outcome measures Pain and functional disability was quantified by pain (VAS), the Disability Rating Index (DRI), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) work status, and global assessment of outcome by the patient into much better, better, unchanged or worse. Quality of life was assessed by the SF-36. Methods The patients were randomly allocated to treatment with 1) a 1-year exercise program (n=34), 2) posterolateral fusion without pedicle screw instrumentation (n=37), or 3) posterolateral fusion with pedicle screw instrumentation (n=40). Long-term follow-up was obtained in 101 (91%) patients. Nine patients in the exercise group were eventually operated on. Results Longitudinal analysis: At long-term follow-up pain and functional disability were significantly better than before treatment in both surgical groups. No significant differences were observed between instrumented and non-instrumented patients in any variable studied. In the exercise group the pain was significantly reduced but not the functional disability. Compared with the 2-year follow-up a significant increase in functional disability was observed, as measured by the DRI, but not the ODI, in the surgical group at long term. In the exercise group no significant changes were observed between the 2-year and the long-term follow-up. Cross-sectional analysis: Between the surgical and conservative group no significant differences were observed in any outcome measurement at long-term follow-up except for global assessment, which was significantly better for surgical patients. Of surgical patients 76% classified the overall outcome as much better or better compared with 50% of conservatively treated patients (p=0.015). Quality of life as estimated by the SF-36 at long term was not different between treatment groups in any of the eight domains studied but was considerably lower than for the normal population. Conclusions Posterolateral fusion in adult lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis results ina modestly improved long-term outcome compared with a 1-year exercise program. Although the results show that some of the previously reported short-term improvement is lost at long term, patients with fusion still classify their global outcome as clearly better than conservatively treated patients. Furthermore, because the long-term outcome of the patients conservatively treated most likely reflects the natural course, one can also conclude that no considerable spontaneous improvement should be expected over time in adult patients with symptomatic isthmic spondylolisthesis. Substantial pain, functional disability and a reduced quality of life will in most patients most likely remain unaltered over many years.

A 1-Year Exercise Program for Older Women: Effects on Falls, Injuries, and Physical Performance

This study examined the effects of a 1-year low intensity exercise program in community dwelling older women on falls, injuries, and risk factors for falls such as poor balance, muscular weakness, and gait abnormalities. Eighty older women were assigned to an exercise (Ex, n = 42) or attention control (Co, n = 38) group. During the 1-year study, 36% of the Ex group experienced a fall compared to 45% of the Co group (χ2 = 0.22, p ≥ 0.05). None of the 10 fallers in the Ex group suffered an injury that required medical attention, compared with 3 of the 14 fallers (21%) in the Co group. Further analyses indicated that the Co group declined significantly in isometric strength of the knee extensors and ankle dorsiflexors while the Ex group did not change significantly across the 1-year study. On measures of hip abductor strength, balance, and gait, the groups were not significantly different from each other pre- to post intervention.