2-min Step Research Articles

Associations among lumbopelvic muscle activation, functional capacity, and self-reported clinical outcomes in individuals with chronic low back pain: A cross-sectional study

Background Lumbar multifidus (LM) and transverse abdominis (TrA) muscle activation deficits have been reported in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). These activation deficits could be related to poor functional capacity and self-reported clinical outcomes. Objective To determine the associations between lumbopelvic muscle activation and functional capacity, as well as self-reported clinical outcomes in individuals with CLBP. Methods Thirty individuals with CLBP were recruited. Ultrasound imaging was used to measure muscle activation. Participants performed a functional reach test (FRT), 5-time sit-to-stand test (5STS), 2-min step test (2MST), prone trunk extension test (PTET), and abdominal curl test (ACT). Self-reported clinical outcomes including visual analog scale (VAS), duration of low back pain (DLBP), modified Oswestry disability questionnaire (MODQ), and short-form health survey (SF-36) were also collected. Results LM activation was significant associated ( P < 0.05) with functional capacity (5STS and PTET) and self-reported clinical outcome (SF-36) were observed. Results also demonstrated TrA activation was significant associated ( P < 0.05) with ACT, VAS, and DLBP. Conclusion Our findings suggest that clinicians should focus on LM activation to potentially improve functional capacity and quality of life, as well as minimize the chronicity. In addition, pain duration can influence TrA activation, while TrA activation training may be able to modulate pain.

Feasibility, safety and preliminary efficacy of telehealth-delivered group exercise for people with type 2 diabetes: A pilot trial.

Several barriers can preclude people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) from in-person exercise session participation. Telehealth may be an alternative mode of service delivery to increase uptake. We evaluated the feasibility, safety and preliminary efficacy of delivering group exercise via telehealth for people with T2D. Sixteen people with T2D (age 59.9 ± 12.7 years, 63% male, duration of T2D 11.5 ± 11.1 years) underwent an 8-week telehealth-delivered group exercise intervention. Weekly supervised sessions incorporated whole-body aerobic and resistance exercises, followed by education. Feasibility was evaluated by recruitment, enrolment, attendance and attrition rates, the practicality of telehealth delivery, and participant feedback. Adverse events were monitored throughout (safety). Preliminary efficacy was determined from changes in glycaemic control, body composition, blood pressure, exercise capacity, neuromuscular strength/fitness, quality of life and physical activity levels. The agreement/reliability of in-person clinician-measured versus telehealth-supervised participant-self-measured assessments was also evaluated. Feasibility was supported by high attendance (97.1%) and low attrition (81%). All (100%) participants reported they would participate in telehealth-delivered exercise interventions in the future and would recommend them to other people with T2D. No serious adverse events were reported. There were improvements in hip circumference (Cohen's d -0.50), diastolic blood pressure (-0.75), exercise capacity (1.72), upper body strength (1.14), grip strength (0.58), health-related quality of life (0.76-0.81) and self-reported physical activity (1.14). Participant-self-measured assessment of body weight, 2-min step test and 30-sec sit-to-stand test were deemed acceptable. Telehealth-delivered group exercise appears feasible, safe and efficacious for people with T2D. These findings warrant further exploration in a powered trial. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12622000379718).

Predicting sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults through comprehensive physical fitness tests

BackgroundSarcopenia is typically assessed through hand grip strength, walking speed, and chair stand tests. However, it has been inadequately examined in terms of other physical fitness (PF) components in community-dwelling older adults. Thus, in this study, we explored factors influencing the risk of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults. In addition, we analyzed the clinicodemographic characteristics of older adults with or without sarcopenia and investigated the effect of sex on their PF.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 745 older adults from a community health promotion program in Taiwan. Their clinicodemographic characteristics were recorded. PF was assessed through various tests, such as hand grip strength evaluation, 8-foot up-and-go test (8-UGT), 2-min step test, and 6-m walk test. PF and factors influencing sarcopenia risk were compared between older adults with sarcopenia (sarcopenia group) and those without it (nonsarcopenia group). A logistic regression model was performed to identify key factors associated with sarcopenia. Its predictive performance was evaluated by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve.ResultsRegardless of sex, the sarcopenia group performed worse in almost all components of PF—for example, upper and lower limb muscular strength and endurance, cardiopulmonary fitness, and balance—than did the nonsarcopenia group. However, for men, no significant between-group difference was observed in flexibility. The logistic regression model indicated age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.107), sex (OR: 2.881), Mini Nutritional Assessment—Short Form scores (OR: 0.690), and performance in 8-UGT (OR: 1.346) as factors influencing the risk of sarcopenia. The model exhibited excellent discriminative ability in predicting sarcopenia, as indicated by an area under the curve value of 0.867 (95% confidence interval: 0.827–0.906; p < 0.05).ConclusionOlder adults without sarcopenia tend to outperform those with sarcopenia in almost all PF measures, regardless of sex. Older age, male sex, low Mini Nutritional Assessment—Short Form scores, and poor performance in 8-UGT are associated with a high risk of sarcopenia.

The Effects of an 8-Month Multicomponent Training Program in Body Composition, Functional Fitness, and Sleep Quality in Aged People: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background/Objectives: This study examined the effects of an intervention on anthropometrics, body composition, physical fitness, and sleep quality in aged individuals, comparing a control group (N = 11) and an experimental group (N = 13) across two measurement points. Methods: A multicomponent training program of 8 months was adopted as the intervention group. A bioimpedance balance, functional fitness test, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index measured body composition, functional fitness, and sleep quality. Results: Both groups showed minimal changes in body mass and hand grip strength. However, the experimental group experienced significant improvements in physical fitness, including a 26% increase in arm curl repetitions, an 18% reduction in 5 times sit-to-stand (5TSTS) completion time, and a 29% rise in 2-min step test (2MST) steps, indicating enhanced muscle endurance and cardiovascular fitness. Flexibility decreased significantly in the experimental group, while body fat percentage was reduced by 10%. Sleep quality improved by 47% in the experimental group but declined by 14% in the control group. Correlational analysis revealed that better sleep quality was linked to improved fitness performance and reduced body fat in the experimental group, with post-intervention results further confirming the connection between sleep and fat reduction. In the control group, improved sleep quality was associated with higher metabolic rates after 8 months. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the intervention positively impacted physical fitness and sleep quality, with potential benefits for overall health.

Feasibility, reliability, and validity of the two-minute step test for assessing aerobic exercise capacity and functional endurance in participants with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility, test-retest reliability, and construct validity of the 2-min step test (2MST) in measuring aerobic exercise capacity and functional endurance in participants with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Fifty participants with quadriceps tendon autograft, bone-patellar tendon-bone graft, or hamstring autograft were included. Feasibility was assessed by the time and support required to complete the measures and the feedback from participants, including their satisfaction ratings. Test-retest reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC2,1), a Bland-Altman plot with 95% limits of agreement (LoA), SEM, SEM%, and minimum detectable change (MDC95). The participants were assessed with the visual analogue scale (VAS), Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), stair climbing test (SCT), and 6-min walk test to assess construct validity. The test took less than 5 min to describe and perform, and participants required minimal verbal support. The satisfaction rate was notably high. The ICC2,1 was 0.98 (0.96-0.99). SEM and MDC95 were 2.96 and 8.20 (2.41-14.00), respectively. The SEM% of 2.99 was considered to be at a very good level. The Bland-Altman plot illustrates that the 2MST scores had a 95% LoA ranging from -21.52 to 2.68 steps. The SCT score and VAS rest score were found to be associated with the 2MST performance, explaining 42.5% of the variance. The 2MST is a feasible, reliable, and valid test to measure aerobic exercise capacity and functional endurance in participants with ACLR.

Dietary protein intake and its association with physical fitness test among older adults with pre-sarcopenia and sarcopenia: A cross-sectional study.

Low protein intake and physical inactivity are factors that associated with muscle deterioration and poor physical performance among older adults. To assess the association between dietary protein intake and physical fitness tests among older adults with pre-sarcopenia and sarcopenia. A total of 110 older adults were recruited through a convenience sampling method. Data including sociodemography, anthropometry, body composition, medical history, and dietary protein intake were obtained through the interview-administered method. Most of the subjects have low household income (<RM 3030) (90%), Malay ethnicity (66.4%), and are married (64.5%). 74.55% of the subjects were pre-sarcopenic, whereas 25.45% were sarcopenic. Those with sarcopenia were mostly underweight (± 21.78 kg/m2), whereas those with pre-sarcopenia had a slightly higher Body Mass Index (BMI) (± 27.30 kg/m2). Both men and women did not meet the dietary protein requirement (± 43.86 g/ day) based on the Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) of 2017. Moreover, both pre-sarcopenic and sarcopenic subjects have reduced functional ability. Although no significant differences were found in the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score, those with sarcopenia had poorer physical performance than those with pre-sarcopenia (82.1% versus 69.5%). Apart from that, there was a significant association between the 2-min step test (2MST) and dietary protein intake among those with pre-sarcopenia (r-value = 0.252). In conclusion, lifestyle interventions among older adults are important, including ensuring adequate protein intake and encouraging appropriate physical activity to enhance muscle mass, strength, and performance to improve their daily life efficiency and quality of life.

The IntegraPark Study: An Opportunity to Facilitate High-Intensity Exercise with Immersive Virtual Reality in Parkinson's Disease Patients.

high-intensity exercise is a feasible and effective modality in the early stages of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, there are only a few studies that have carried out this type of intervention in customizable immersive virtual reality (IVR) environments. We explore the feasibility and effects of IVR-based high-intensity training through rowing and cycling exercises on the functional capacity, quality of life, and progression of PD. a total of 12 participants (61.50 ± 10.49 years old; 41.7% female, 58.3% male; stages I-III) were part of the study, which consisted of interventions of rowing and cycling in an IVR commercial exergame (25 min; twice per week for 14 weeks). The main variables measured were functional capacity, handgrip strength, functional mobility (TUG), functional lower-limb strength (FTSST), aerobic capacity (2-min step test), quality of life (PDQ-39), and Parkinson's disease progression (MDS-UPDRS). the results showed a general improvement in handgrip strength in both hands (p = 0.008; d = 0.28), FTSST (p = 0.029; d = 0.96), and TUG times (p = 0.152; d = 0.22). Aerobic capacity, assessed by a 2-min step test, showed enhanced scores (p = 0.031; d = 0.78). Related to the PDQ-39, all dimensions of the scale were enhanced, highlighting activities of daily living (p = 0.047; d = 0.29) and bodily discomfort (p = 0.041; d = 0.37). Finally, the main symptoms of the disease were reduced, with an improvement in the parameters that show a better incidence of disease progression, such as Part IA and IB (p = 0.013; d = 0.29 and p = 0.021; d = 0.25, respectively), Part II (p = 0.021; d = 0.23), Part III (p = 0.040; d = 0.39), and Part IV (p = 0.013; d = 0.39). the therapeutic exercise (rowing and cycling), when carried out at a high intensity and in a personalized IVR scenario, appear to be a feasible and safe modality for patients with stages I-III of PD, improving their functional capacity, quality of life, and disease progression.

Xbox Kinect Sports vs. Nintendo Switch Sports and Their Effects on Body Composition and Physical Performance in Older Females: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of Xbox Kinect Sports (XKS) regarding Nintendo Switch Sports (NSS) and an inactive control group (CG) on body composition (body fat percentage, BFP; and fat-free mass) and physical performance (maximal isometric handgrip strength, MIHS; 30-s chair stand, 30-S; timed up-and-go, TUG; sit-and-reach; and 2-min step) in physically inactive older females. Methods: A randomized controlled trial study was conducted with three parallel groups: XKS (n = 13), NSS (n = 14), and CG (n = 16) considering three weekly 60-min sessions for 12 weeks with pre- and post-assessments. Results: A two-factor mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA) model with repeated measures was performed to measure the time × group effect. Multiple comparisons revealed significant differences in BFP (F(2,18) = 6.12; p = 0.005; ηp2 = 0.226, large effect), 30-S (F(2,18) = 20.7; p = 0.000; ηp2 = 0.496, large effect), TUG (F(2,18) = 10.0; p = 0.000; ηp2 = 0.323, large effect), sit-and-reach (F(2,18) = 37.3; p = 0.000; ηp2 = 0.640, large effect), and 2-min step (F(2,18) = 9.85; p = 0.000; ηp2 = 0.319, large effect) in favor of XKS regarding NSS and CG. The intragroup results only present in XKS a significant decrease in BFP (p = 0.02; d = 0.98) and significant improvements in the 30-S (p = 0.000; d = 1.88), TUG (p < 0.01; d = 2.00), sit-and-reach (p = 0.003; d = 2.58), and 2-min step (p = 0.004; d = 1.05). Conclusions: training using XKS significantly decreases BFP and improves 30-S, TUG, sit-and-reach, and 2-min step in physically inactive older females.

The effect of different exercise on physical fitness, cognition, and mental health in healthy older adults

This study aimed to examine the effects of different exercise programs on physical fitness, cognition, and mental health in healthy older adults. A randomized controlled study was performed with 89 healthy older adults. They were separated into four groups: the control (Con; n=20), physical activity (PA; n=23), cognitive training (CT; n=23), and physical activity coupled with cognitive training groups (PA+CT; n=23). The subjects in PA, CT, and PA+CT groups received exercise programs that lasted 40min daily, conducted at least three days a week for 20 weeks. The PA group received regular aerobic physical activity interventions, the CT group received cognitive training interventions, and the PA+CT group received physical activity combined with cognitive training interventions. Physical fitness (by chair stand, biceps curl, 2-min step, 8-step up and walk, and sit and reach tests), cognitive function (attention, simple reaction time, and spatial memory), and mental health (anxiety and depression status) were evaluated before and after 20 weeks. The body composition results reveal no significant effects among the four groups after 20 weeks before and after aerobic exercise interventions (p>0.05). Compared with Con, the PA, CT, and PA+CT groups significantly improved physical fitness parameters (p<0.05). The post-hoc analysis demonstrated that the PA and PA+CT groups had higher fitness levels than the CT group. Similarly, a significant difference was observed in the cognitive index among the four groups (p<0.05). As determined by post-hoc analysis, attention and simple reaction time differed sequentially between the Con, PA, CT, and PA+CT groups. The spatial memory was superior in the PA, CT, and PA+CT groups compared to the Con group (p<0.05), with the PA+CT group exhibiting the highest level of performance. However, there was no significant difference in the mental health parameters among all the groups (p<0.05). A 20-week intervention involving different exercise methods can enhance physical fitness, cognition, and mental health in older adults. These methods include physical activity, cognitive training, and a combination of physical and cognitive training. The combined physical activity and cognitive training interventions yielded more favorable outcomes than individual physical or cognitive training interventions.

Does combining two evidence-based exercise programs in elderly people with incontinence have a triple effect on incontinence symptoms, balance and functional status?

Improving pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT), balance and functional activity is recommended in the treatment of urinary incontinence (UI) in the elderly people. The aim of this study is to examine whether PFMT combined with Otago exercises is effective on symptoms, balance and functional status in elderly people with UI compared to PFMT alone. This study is an assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Participants with UI aged 65 and over living in a nursing home were randomly assigned to the intervention (IG) and control groups (CG). The intervention group attended an exercise program that included Otago exercises combined with PFMT. The control group was included in the PFMT program with different positions. The duration of exercise for both groups was 45-60min per session three times a week for 12weeks. UI symptoms and severity (Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20, bladder diary), PFM muscle function (superficial electromyography), balance (Berg Balance Scale), functional status (Senior Fitness Test) and fear of falling (Falls Efficacy Scale) were measured at baseline and after the intervention. The median age of the IG (n: 22) and CG (n: 21) was 73.5 and 77years, respectively. At baseline and after the intervention within the group, a significant improvement was observed in the PTDE-20 score (IG and CG, p: 0.00) and the 2-min step test in the IG (p: 0.02) and CG (p: 0.01). A significant decrease was found in the 2.45m get up-and-go test, PFM work average onset, and PFM rest MVC EMG values (p: 0.01, p: 0.01, p: 0.00) in the IG. The PFM rest average value decreased (p: 0.04) in the CG. The findings of this study show that combining PFMT with Otago exercises, two evidence-based interventions, is beneficial for effectively treating incontinence symptoms, balance and functional status in elderly people. Thus, a triple effect can be achieved with a single exercise training in the same treatment session and for the same duration. Clinical trial number: NCT06331039.

Feasibility of prehabilitation for patients awaiting total knee arthroplasty; a pilot study

To examine the feasibility of conducting a preoperative home-based prehabilitation program for total knee arthroplasty patients at risk for delayed in-hospital recovery, and to explore the pre- and postoperative impact of this program. A retrospective cohort study with matched controls, enabling subgroup analyses. Home-based. Patients awaiting primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty between 2019 and 2020, were compared with matched historic cases from 2016 to 2017. Matching criteria were scoring ≤17 points on the De Morton Mobility Index and >12.5s on the timed-up-and-go test. Supervised home-based prehabilitation program versus no prehabilitation. Feasibility, determined by recruitment rate, adherence, and safety of the program. Preoperative impact, assessed for the intervention group by differences in mean values for aerobic capacity, muscle strength and functional mobility between the first and last sessions. Postoperative impact was defined as the time needed to achieve in-hospital independence of physical function and was measured by the differences in mean values between the intervention and control groups. Recruitment rate was 71%; adherence and drop-out rates were 88% and 12% respectively. No adverse events were reported. Preoperatively, the intervention group showed significant improvements in aerobic capacity on the 2-min walking test (84.29 m-98.06m; p=0.007) and 2-min step test (40.35 steps to 52.95 steps; p=0.014), muscle strength on the 30s chair stand test (7.3 stands to 10.1 stands; p=0.002), and functional mobility as seen in the timed-up-and-go-test (19.52s-15.85s; p=0.031). Postoperatively, the intervention group achieved in-hospital independence of physical function earlier (mean rank 16.11) than the control group (mean rank 24.89; p=<0.01). It is feasible to conduct a prehabilitation program 4-6 weeks preoperatively, for high-risk patients awaiting total knee arthroplasty. Additionally, the program appears to have a positive impact on physical fitness both pre- and postoperatively.

Effect of Coenzyme Q10 on Physical Performance in Older Adults with Statin-Associated Asthenia: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Available evidence from randomized clinical trials is contrasting and definitely inconclusive in determining whether or not CoQ10 dietary supplementation is advisable in patients with statin intolerance or poor statin tolerability. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study aimed at investigating the effect of chronic dietary supplementation with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) phytosome on physical performance in older adults with a ≥3-month history of statin-associated asthenia. The study's participants were randomized to either a placebo or 300 mg daily CoQ10 phytosome (equivalent to 60 mg CoQ10; Ubiqsome®, Indena SpA, Milan, Italy). Asthenia, handgrip strength (HGs), 2-min step test (2MST), and 1-min sit-to-stand (STS) repetitions were assessed at baseline and at 8-week follow-up. Results: After the first 4 weeks of dietary supplementation, individuals taking CoQ10 phytosome showed a greater improvement in asthenia compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05). Even more significantly, at 8-week follow-up, participants receiving CoQ10 showed substantial improvements in asthenia (-30.0 ± 20.0%), HGS (+29.8 ± 3.6%), 2MST (+11.1 ± 1.8%), and 1-min STS repetitions (+36.4 ± 3.9%) compared to both baseline and placebo (p < 0.05). Conclusions: According to our findings, chronic dietary supplementation with CoQ10 phytosome significantly enhances physical performance in older adults with statin-associated asthenia. This could have relevant implications for improving the compliance of older adults with statin treatment.

Comparison of the efficacy of intradialytic core stabilization and aerobic exercises for hemodialysis patients: randomized controlled single-blind study

Purpose This study was performed to investigate and compare the effects of intradialytic core stabilization and aerobic exercises on physical performance, fatigue, quality of life and dialysis adequacy. Materials and methods The study involved 39 individuals on hemodialysis randomized into two groups: aerobic exercise (AE, n = 20) and core stabilization (CSE, n = 19). Over 8 weeks, the AE group performed pedal ergometer exercises, while the CSE group performed 4-phase core stabilization exercises. Physical performance (five times sit to stand test, 2-min step test), quality of life (Kidney Disease Quality of Life-36; KDQOL-36), fatigue levels (Piper Fatigue Scale), and dialysis adequacy (Kt/V and URR) were assessed. Results After training, a significant improvement was observed in the physical performance, fatigue levels, and some parameters of KDQOL-36 of the patients (p < 0.05). However, no significant changes were observed in dialysis adequacy indicators (Kt/V and URR) (p > 0.05). When the amount of development obtained in both treatment groups is compared, kidney disease burden only in the subparameter of KDQOL-36 was statistically significantly improved in the CSE group compared to the AE group (p < 0.05). Conclusions According to the results of the study, intradialytic core stabilization exercises appear to have similar effects to aerobic exercises and can be performed by HD patients.

The Effect of Physical Activity and Nutrition Awareness Education on the Level of Physical Fitness and Nutrition Knowledge in Women Aged 50-60

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of physical activity and nutrition awareness training on the motor skills and nutrition awareness of individuals related to healthy living in sedentary women aged 50-60 years. Material and Methods: The study included 15 healthy sedentary women on voluntary basis; participants were divided into 2 groups as experimental (n=8) and control (n=7) groups by random sampling method. Participants in the experimental group were given physical activity 2 days a week (60 min/day) for 6 weeks and nutrition education 1 day a week (30 min/day). Age-appropriate motor skill tests (arm curl test, back scratch test, two-minutes step, 8 food up and go test, chair stand test, sit and reach test) and the "Nutrition Knowledge Level Scale for Adults" questionnaire were applied as pre-test and post-test. Whether the data obtained at the end of the study were normally distributed was determined by Shapiro-Wilks test, Paired Samples T-Test was used for intra-group comparisons of physical fitness tests before and after exercise, and Independent Samples T-Test was used for inter-group comparisons. Wilcoxon Test was used in the pre-test and post-test intra-group comparisons and Man Whitney U Test was used in inter-group comparisons of the parameters related to nutritional knowledge levels. Results: As a result of the analysis, statistically significant improvements were found in the performance parameters of the participants in the experimental group in arm curl, back scratch, 2-min step and 8 food up and go test (p

High-Throughput Roll-to-Roll Processed Large-Area Perovskite Solar Cells Using Rapid Radiation Annealing Technique.

The development of a stable roll-to-roll (R2R) process for flexible large-area perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and modules is a pressing challenge. In this study, we introduced a new R2R PSC manufacturing system that employs a two-step deposition method for coating perovskite and uses intensive pulsed light (IPL) for annealing. This system has successfully fabricated small-sized cells and the first-ever large-sized, R2R-processed flexible modules. A key focus of our work was to accelerate the conversion of PbI2 to perovskite. To this end, we utilized IPL annealing and incorporated additives into the PbI2 layer. With these modifications, the R2R-processed perovskite films achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.87%, representing the highest reported value for R2R two-step processed PSCs. However, these cells exhibited hysteresis in reverse and forward PCE measurements. To address this, we introduced a dual-annealing process consisting of IPL followed by a 2-min thermal heating step. This approach successfully reduced hysteresis, resulting in low-hysteresis, R2R-processed flexible PSCs. Moreover, we fabricated large-scale flexible modules (10 × 10 cm2) with a PCE of 11.25% using the dual-annealing system, marking a significant milestone in this field.

Moving together - benefits of an online dance program on physical and mental health for older women: an exploratory mixed-method study

BackgroundPrevious studies show that in-person dance training is a beneficial form of physical activity that involves mental, social, and physical dimensions. This exploratory study investigated the benefits of a 12-week online dance training intervention on mental and physical health outcomes for older women.MethodsA convergent parallel mixed-method design was used. Forty-five older adults (74.0 ± 5.3 yrs old, 44 women) were recruited through advertisements at activity and rehabilitation centers in the North Denmark region. The intervention consisted of two weekly 60-min classes of improvisation and salsa delivered online through video call applications. Changes in physical health outcomes (body mass and composition, resting blood pressure, Senior Fitness Test battery) and self-rated health and wellbeing (health-related quality of life (HRQOL), feelings of loneliness) were assessed prior to and after 12 weeks of dancing. Focus group interviews were conducted post-intervention to further explore the benefits as well as the participant’s experience of the intervention. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data was conducted.ResultsThirty-two participants (all women) completed the study. Significant improvements in fitness were found for the number of arm curls performed (baseline: 12.3 ± 3.0; post-intervention: 13.7 ± 3.0, P = 0.005), 2-min step test performance (baseline: 66.5 ± 20.0 reps.; post-intervention: 73.8 ± 22.6 reps., P = 0.016), and chair sit-and-reach (baseline: 0.4 ± 11.3 cm; post-intervention: 5.5 ± 10.1 cm, P < 0.001). There was a significant increase in body mass from baseline to post-intervention (P < 0.015). The themes from the focus groups included (1) Participation, (2) Challenges, (3) Progression, (4) Motivation, (5) Perceived health and wellbeing, and (6) Online dance instruction. No significant changes were reported in HRQOL and loneliness from the quantitative data, although the qualitative data did reveal improved feelings of physical health and wellbeing.ConclusionsThe intervention improved several aspects of fitness in older women and improved the participants’ perceptions of their own physical abilities and wellbeing. While most participants found the online intervention enjoyable, several participants missed the feedback from the instructors that naturally occurs with in-person instruction.

Validity and reliability of the 2-min step test in individuals with stroke and lower-limb musculoskeletal disorders.

We investigated the reliability and validity of the 2-min step test (2MST) for assessing the exercise endurance of individuals with stroke and lower-limb musculoskeletal disorders. The participants were 39 individuals with stroke and 42 with lower-limb musculoskeletal disorders (mainly hip fractures) from the convalescent rehabilitation wards of four hospitals. The concurrent validity and congruence between the 2MST and the 6-min walk test (6MWT) and construct validity by hypotheses testing, including mobility and lower limb muscle strength, were also confirmed. A subset of participants (stroke-group, n = 15; musculoskeletal-group, n = 19) underwent a retest 2MST for our evaluation of relative and absolute reliability using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC1,1) and Bland-Altman plot. Both groups showed a moderate correlation between the 2MST and 6MWT (ρ = 0.55-0.60), but the congruence was not sufficient. The 6MWT was correlated with mobility in both groups and with muscle strength in the stroke group, whereas the 2MST did not show a significant correlation with mobility. The relative reliability was excellent in both groups (ICC1,1 > 0.9). In terms of absolute reliability, the width of the limit of agreement was 18.8% for the stroke group and 15.4% for the musculoskeletal group, relative to their respective sample means of 2MST. A fixed bias was identified in the stroke group, in which step counts increased by 6.5 steps upon retesting. Our analyses revealed that the 2MST is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the exercise endurance of individuals with stroke or lower-limb musculoskeletal disorders. However, it is necessary to validate the absolute reliability observed herein by using a larger sample size. In addition, when assessing the exercise endurance of individuals with stroke, it may be necessary to consider the potential bias of an increased step count during retesting.

Anodal tDCS over the motor cortex improves pain but not physical function in chronic chikungunya arthritis: Randomized controlled trial

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a globally prevalent pathogen, with outbreaks occurring in tropical regions. Chronic pain is the main symptom reported and is associated with decreased mobility and disability. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is emerging as a new therapeutic tool for chronic arthralgia. To evaluate the effectiveness of 10 consecutive sessions of anodal tDCS on pain (primary outcome) in participants with chronic CHIKV arthralgia. Secondary outcomes included functional status, quality of life, and mood. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 30 participants with chronic CHIKV arthralgia were randomly assigned to receive either active (n = 15) or sham (n = 15) tDCS. The active group received 10 consecutive sessions of tDCS over M1 using the C3/Fp2 montage (2 mA for 20 min). Visual analog scale of pain (VAS), health assessment questionnaire (HAQ), short-form 36 health survey (SF-36), pain catastrophizing scale, Hamilton anxiety scale (HAS), timed up and go (TUG) test, lumbar dynamometry, 30-s arm curl and 2-min step test were assessed at baseline, day 10 and at 2 follow-up visits. There was a significant interaction between group and time on pain (p = 0.03; effect size 95 % CI 0.9 (-1.67 to -0.16), with a significant time interaction (p = 0.0001). There was no interaction between time and group for the 2-minute step test (p = 0.18), but the groups differed significantly at day 10 (p = 0.01), first follow-up (p = 0.01) and second follow-up (p = 0.03). HAQ and SF-36 improved but not significantly. There was no significant improvement in mental health, and physical tests. tDCS appears to be a promising intervention for reducing pain in participants with chronic CHIKV arthralgia, although further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore potential long-term benefits. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC): RBR-245rh7.

Effects of lunges inserted in walking (eccentric walking) on lower limb muscle strength, physical and cognitive function of regular walkers.

Walking is a popular exercise but does not increase lower limb muscle strength and balance. We hypothesized that muscle strength, physical and cognitive function would be improved by inserting lunges in conventional walking. Eleven regular walkers (54-88 years) who had more than 5000 steps in exercise walking a day at least 5days a week participated in this study. They walked as usual for the first 4weeks and included lunges and descending stairs or slope walking (i.e., eccentric walking) for the next 8weeks. The steps of eccentric walking were gradually increased from 100 to 1000 steps per week over 8weeks. The average steps per day were 10,535 ± 3516 in the first 4weeks, and 10,118 ± 3199 in the eccentric walking period without a significant difference. No significant changes in maximal voluntary isometric contraction torque of the knee extensors (MVC), 30-s chair stand (CS), 2-min step, balance assessed by center of pressure movement area with eyes close, sit and reach, a digit symbol substitution test (DSST) for cognitive function were observed in the first 4weeks. However, significant (P< 0.05) improvements were evident in MVC (18.6 ± 15.7%), CS (24.2 ± 17.3%), balance ( - 45.3 ± 34.5%), and DSST (20.8 ± 16.7%) from weeks 4 to 12. Serum complement component 1q concentration decreased (P < 0.05) from weeks 4 to 12, although no changes in serum glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol concentrations were observed. These results supported the hypothesis, and suggest that eccentric walking provides effects that are not achieved by conventional walking.

Exercise and behaviour change support for individuals living with and beyond cancer: Interim results and program satisfaction of the EXCEL study

Exercise and behaviour change support for individuals living with and beyond cancer: Interim results and program satisfaction of the EXCEL study