Men In Age Group Research Articles

The Age-related Microstructural Changes of the Cortical Gray and White Matter Ratios on T2-, FLAIR and T1-weighted MR Images

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the microstructural changes according to aging on the thickness and signal intensity (SI) of the cortical gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) on the T2-, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and T1- weighted MR images in normal subjects. Materials and Methods : The 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 year age groups of men and women (each 10 individuals) who underwent routine brain MRI, including the T2-, FLAIR and T1- weighted images, were selected for this study. We measured the thickness and the SI of the cortical GM and WM at the postcentral gyrus, which has an even thickness at the level of centrum semiovale, on the axial scans and we calculated the mean values of the thickness ratio of the gray/white matter (TRGW) and the signal intensity ratio of the gray/white matter (SRGW), and we compared the ratios of each age group. Results : On the T2-weighted images, the TRGWs were 0.81 and 0.79 at the age of 10 and they were 0.73 and 0.71 at the age of 90 in the men and women, respectively. So, the GM thickness was decreased more than the WM thickness was with aging. On the FLAIR images, the TRGWs were 1.09 and 1.00 at the age of 10 and they were 1.11 and 0.95 at the age of 70 in the men and women, respectively. On the T1weighted images, the TRGWs were 0.66 and 0.80 at the age of 10, and the ratio was changed to 0.90 and 0.78 at the age of 90 in the men and women, respectively. On the T2-weighted image, the SRGWs were 1.53 and 1.43 at the age of 10, and they were 1.23 and 1.27 at the age of 90 in the men and women, respectively. On the FLAIR images, the SRGWs were 1.23 and 1.25 at the age of 10 and they were 1.06 and 1.05 at the age of 90 in the men and women, respectively. On the T1-weighted images, the SRGWs were 0.86 and 0.85 at the age of 10, and they were 0.90 and 0.87 at the age of 90 in the men and women, respectively. Conclusion : We suggest that the age-related microstructural changes of the thickness and the SI of the cortical GM and WM on the T2-, FLAIR and T1- weighted images are unique, and so this knowledge will be helpful to differentiate neurodegenerative disease from normal aging of the brain.

Population Trends of Recurrent Coronary Heart Disease Event Rates Remain High

Survivors of nonfatal coronary heart disease (CHD) can reduce their risk of further events by various preventive interventions. The impact of such measures as delivered over 11 years, on population rates of subsequent major CHD events, has not been extensively studied. This study determined population trends in the prevalence of clinically manifest CHD and the proportion of major CHD events that occur in this population. A population longitudinal person-based event-linked file of CHD extracted from State Hospital Morbidity Data and Death Registry for 1980 to 2005 was used to identify, for each year from 1995 to 2005, survivors who had a hospitalization for CHD over the previous 15 years (population with established CHD), and to examine the occurrence of CHD death and hospitalization with a principal diagnosis of myocardial infarction in both populations with and without established CHD. The average annual age-standardized prevalence of CHD in the Perth metropolitan region (population 1.6 million) was 28 373 (8.8%) in men and 14 966 (4.0%) in women. Age-specific prevalence increased exponentially with age, from <1% in 35 to 39 age group to 42% in 80 to 84 age group in men and half that in women. The percentage of total CHD events (n=28 941) that occurred in the population with established CHD was approximately 43% in both men and women, 55% and 51%, respectively, for CHD death and 35% and 36% for nonfatal myocardial infarction. More than 40% of major CHD events annually occur in persons with manifest disease, highlighting the imperative to implement systems of care that support effective secondary prevention.

Associations of age with serum insulin, proinsulin and the proinsulin-to-insulin ratio: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundInsulin responses and insulin levels seem to decline with age. However, the question of beta cell impairment attributable to ageing has been sparsely addressed in population-based studies. Non-fasting insulin levels are determined by the ambient degree of insulin resistance together with the capacity of beta cells to compensate by insulin secretion to prevent hyperglycaemia. A raised proinsulin-to-insulin ratio (proinsulin/insulin) due to impaired processing of proinsulin is an early marker of beta cell dysfunction. We hypothesised that in a general population, signs of beta cell failure with advancing age manifest not only by decreases in random insulin, but also with a corresponding increase in its precursor proinsulin.MethodsIn the Tromsø Study 1994-95 we measured insulin and proinsulin concentrations in random blood samples from 6212 persons without self-reported diabetes mellitus and plotted the levels as percentiles according to age. In regression analyses we assessed the relationships between age and insulin, proinsulin, and proinsulin/insulin, while adjusting for the concomitant measurements of glucose and other metabolic variables, and the time since the last meal.ResultsMedian insulin concentrations declined significantly with advancing age group in men, but not in women. Proinsulin levels and proinsulin/insulin increased across age groups in both genders. After adjustment, greater age was associated with lower log10(insulin) and higher log10(proinsulin) and log10(proinsulin/insulin) (p = 0.0001 for all).ConclusionsNegative associations of age with random insulin levels, together with positive associations of age with proinsulin and proinsulin/insulin, point towards a loss of beta cell function inherent in the ageing process.

Nationwide Population-Based Epidemiologic Study of Huntington’s Disease in Taiwan

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the epidemiology and medical expenses of Huntington’s disease (HD) in Taiwan. Methods: Cases of HD were identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database with corresponding International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) code 333.4 from January 2000 to December 2007. Age- and sex-specific incidences were estimated by dividing the incidence number by population data obtained from the Department of Statistics, Ministry of the Interior. Results: During the study period, 182 cases were identified, including 81 males and 101 females. The average annual incidence rate was 0.1 per 100,000. The age-specific incidence peaked in the 40–49 age group in men (0.23 per 100,000 per year) and in the 50–59 age group in women (0.24 per 100,000 per year). The incidence rate was only 0.01 per 100,000 per year in those under 20 years of age. The prevalence was 0.42 per 100,000 in 2007. Conclusions: This is the first population-based epidemiologic study on HD in Taiwan. The incidence rates and prevalence were much lower than those of Caucasians although the age distribution was similar.

Explaining structural change in cardiovascular mortality in Ireland 1995-2005: a time series analysis

Deaths from diseases of the circulatory system and the seasonality of deaths from these causes fell sharply between 1995 and 2005 among older age groups in Ireland. We examine whether a structural break occurred in deaths from circulatory causes in Ireland between 1995 and 2005 and test whether this can be statistically accounted for by cardiovascular prescribing during the same period controlling for weather trends. Grouped logit time series models were used to identify if and at which quarter a structural break occurred in Irish circulatory deaths between 1995 and 2005. Data on cardiovascular prescribing and temperature within the quarter were entered into the trend-break model to account for the structural break. Controlling for temperature, β-blocker, ace-inhibitor and aspirin medications rendered the structural break indicator insignificant among all age groups for men. Diuretic, statin and calcium channel blocker medications could not account for the break point for men aged 75-84 years. β-Blocker, aspirin and calcium channel blocker medications account for mortality trends among all age groups among women. Ace inhibitor and statin could not account for trends amongst women aged 65-74 years and nitrates and diuretics did not account for trends for any age group. Cardiovascular prescribing accounts for the trend break in circulatory mortality among men and women aged ≥65 years after 1999 in Ireland but the effect of prescribing is lower for women. β-Blocker, ace inhibitor and aspirin medications were more successful than statin, diuretic and nitrates in accounting for the trends.

Gender and age differences in the recurrence of sickness absence due to common mental disorders: a longitudinal study

BackgroundCommon mental disorders (CMDs) are an important cause of sickness absence and long-term work disability. Although CMDs are known to have high recurrence rates, little is known about the recurrence of sickness absence due to CMDs. The aim of this study was to investigate the recurrence of sickness absence due to CMDs, including distress, adjustment disorders, depressive disorders and anxiety disorders, according to age, in male and female employees in the Netherlands.MethodsData on sickness absence episodes due to CMDs were obtained for 137,172 employees working in the Dutch Post and Telecommunication companies between 2001 and 2007. The incidence density (ID) and recurrence density (RD) of sickness absence due to CMDs was calculated per 1000 person-years in men and women in the age-groups of < 35 years, 35-44 years, 45-54 years, and ≥ 55 years.ResultsThe ID of one episode of CMDs sickness absence was 25.0 per 1000 person-years, and the RD was 76.7 per 1000 person-years. Sickness absence due to psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression) does not have a higher recurrence density of sickness absence due to any CMDs as compared to stress-related disorders (distress and adjustment disorders): 81.6 versus 76.0 per 1000 person-years. The ID of sickness absence due to CMDs was higher in women than in men, but the RD was similar. Recurrences were more frequent in women < 35 years and in women between 35 and 44 years of age. We observed no differences between age groups in men. Recurrences among employees with recurrent episodes occurred within 3 years in 90% of cases and the median time-to-onset of recurrence was 11 (10-13) months in men and 10 (9-12) months in women.ConclusionsEmployees who have been absent from work due to CMDs are at increased risk of recurrent sickness absence due to CMDs and should be monitored after they return to work. The RD was similar in men and in women. In women < 45 years the RD was higher than in women ≥ 45 years. In men no age differences were observed.

An Exploration of Sample Representativeness in Anthropometric Facial Comparison*

Faces are assumed to be unique, but their use in court has remained problematic as no method of comparison with known error rates has been accepted by the scientific community. Rather than relying on the assumed uniqueness of facial features, previous research has been directed at estimations of face shape frequency. Here, the influence of age, sex, and ancestry on variation was investigated. Statistical shape analysis was used to examine the necessity for sub-divisions in forensic comparisons, using a large sample of facial images on which 30 anthropometric landmark points had been placed in 3D. Results showed a clear pattern of separation of the sexes in all age groups, and in different age groups in men. It was concluded that sub-division of databases by sex will be necessary in forensic comparisons. Sub-division by age may be necessary in men (although not necessarily in women), and may be necessary by ancestry.

The Difference between Acute Coronary Heart Disease and Ischaemic Stroke Risk with Regard to Gender and Age in Finnish and Swedish Populations

We studied the age and gender difference between acute coronary heart disease and ischaemic stroke risk and examined the extent to which such a difference may be explained by known risk factors. Data from Finnish and Swedish population-based cohorts including 9278 individuals were collaboratively analysed. Hazards ratios (95% confidence intervals) for coronary heart disease and stroke incidence were estimated using the Cox-proportional hazards model. The incidence of coronary heart disease and stroke was higher in all age groups in men than in women, and the gender difference was more marked for coronary heart disease than for ischaemic stroke. There was a 10-year lag in the development of coronary heart disease and stroke in women compared with men. The multivariable adjusted hazard ratios for the incidence of coronary heart disease in men and women were 3.87 (2.49-6.02) and 1.71 (1.07-2.74) at age 50-59 years, and 7.22 (4.59-11.36) and 3.49 (2.18-5.57) at age 60-69 years compared with women aged 40-49 years. For ischaemic stroke, they were 2.64 (1.45-4.82) and 2.17 (1.18-3.97) at age 50-59 years, and 5.19 (2.81-9.58) and 4.89 (2.67-8.97) at age 60-69 years, respectively. Acute coronary heart disease and ischaemic stroke events appeared approximately 10 years earlier in men than in women, and these rates remained higher in men than in women in all age groups. The gender difference was more marked for coronary heart disease than for ischaemic stroke. This may be taken into account when developing interventions and treatment strategies.

Influences of Gender and Age on Relationships Between Alcohol Drinking and Atherosclerotic Risk Factors

Alcohol drinking affects atherosclerotic progression mainly through blood pressure and lipid metabolism. The purpose of the present study was to clarify whether effects of alcohol drinking on atherosclerotic risk factors differ by gender and age. The database of periodic health check-ups for local district workers was used. The subjects were divided into 3 groups according to mean ethanol consumption per day (nondrinkers; light drinkers, less than 30 g per day; moderate-to-heavy drinkers, 30 g or more per day). The mean levels of each atherosclerosis-related variable in the 3 groups were compared. The mean level of body mass index (BMI) was slightly but significantly lower in drinkers than in nondrinkers in the thirties, forties, and fifties age groups in men and in the twenties, thirties, forties, and fifties age groups in women, while this tendency was not found in the sixties age groups of men and women. In men, mean blood pressure was higher in moderate-to-heavy drinkers than in nondrinkers in all age groups and was higher in light drinkers than in nondrinkers only in the age groups after 40 years. Mean blood pressure of women was higher in the moderate-to-heavy drinker group than in the nondrinker group and this difference became higher with advance of age. In women, mean blood pressure was not affected by light drinking in any of the age groups except for the fifties age group. In men, serum total cholesterol was higher in drinkers than in nondrinkers in the twenties age group but was lower in drinkers than in nondrinkers at thirties or older. Serum total cholesterol in women was lower in drinkers than in nondrinkers in the age groups from twenties to forties but tended to be higher in drinkers than in nondrinkers in the sixties age group. Serum HDL cholesterol increased with advance of age from thirties to sixties in men, while it decreased with advance of age from twenties to sixties in women. Serum HDL cholesterol was higher in drinkers than in nondrinkers in all age groups of men and women, and atherogenic index, calculated by using serum total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol concentrations, was lower in drinkers than in nondrinkers in all age groups of men and women. Both in men and women, blood pressure and HDL cholesterol were strongly affected by alcohol drinking: the elevating effect of alcohol drinking on blood pressure was more prominent in the elderly than in the young, while the elevating effect of alcohol drinking on serum HDL cholesterol was not influenced by age. Relationships of drinking with total cholesterol and BMI vary by age and gender.

The Prevalence of Headache With Emphasis on Tension-Type Headache in Rural Tanzania: A Community-Based Study

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of headache with special attention to tension-type headache (TTH) in a rural area in northern Tanzania. A door-to-door study was performed using a standardized and validated questionnaire. A total of 7412 participants were screened. The total headache prevalence during the past year was 12.1%; the overall 1-year prevalence of TTH was 7%; 5% reported episodic TTH and 0.4% chronic TTH. Borderline cases (International Headache Society code 2.3) were described in 1.6%. The prevalence of headache was highest in the 41-50-year-old group in women and in the 61+ age group in men. This is the first account of the prevalence of TTH in a rural Tanzanian population, and shows that headache in general and, more specifically, TTH are prevalent disorders that deserve attention. However, the prevalence of primary headache seems to be lower than in Western countries.

Physical Activity Levels in American-Indian Adults: The Strong Heart Family Study

A limited body of evidence, mostly based on self-report, is available regarding physical activity levels among American-Indian adults.This study aims to examine physical activity levels objectively using pedometers among a large cohort of American-Indian adult participants in the Strong Heart Family Study (SHFS).Physical activity levels in 2604 American-Indian adults, aged 18-91 years, from 13 American-Indian communities were assessed using Accusplit AE120 pedometers over a period of 7 days during 2001-2003. Anthropometric measurements were also assessed. All data analyses were conducted in 2008. Age-adjusted Pearson correlations were used to examine the relationship between average steps per day and age and anthropometric variables. Subjects were placed in age and BMI categories (according to National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute cut points) to examine trends in physical activity with increasing age and BMI.Daily pedometer steps ranged from 1001 to 38,755. Mean step counts by age group for men were 5384 (aged 18-29 years); 5120 (aged 30-39 years); 5040 (aged 40-49 years); 4561(aged 50-59 years); 4321 (aged 60-69 years); and 3768 (aged >or=70 years) and for women, 5038 (aged 18-29 years); 5112 (aged 30-39 years); 5054 (aged 40-49 years); 4582 (aged 50-59 years); 3653 (aged 60-69 years); and 3770 (aged >or=70 years). A significant linear trend in physical activity was noted with increasing age (p=0.002 for men, p<0.0001 for women) and with increasing BMI (p=0.05 for men, p=0.04 for women).Objectively measured data suggest that inactivity is a problem among American-Indian adults and that a majority of American-Indian adults in the SHFS may not be meeting the minimum physical activity public health recommendations. Efforts to increase physical activity levels in this population are warranted.

A Bayesian Approach to Occupational Mortality Surveillance

The relationship between different social-economic indices and physical and mental functional health of older people compared with younger people is unclear.To examine the effect of age and sex on the relationship between various social-economic indices and self-reported functional health.A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 19,088 participants of European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk, UK, ages 40–79 years at baseline. The independent relationships between three different socioeconomic indices; occupational social class, education and residential area deprivation, and functional health measured by anglicized version of 36-item short form questionnaire (UK SF-36), were compared between older (≥65 years) and younger (<65 years) men and women.Residential area deprivation was significantly associated with poor physical and mental functional health independent of social class and education, and consistent in both age groups in men and women. A low level of education in younger men and being in low social class in younger women were associated with poorer physical functional health compared with their respective older counterparts. Social class had a significantly greater effect in older women compared with younger women.Commonly used socioeconomic indices have differing associations with functional health depending the age and sex of an individual. Residential area deprivation predicts poor functional health in all age and sex groups. This may have implications for health policy.

Stroke Incidence and Mortality Rates 1987 to 2006 Related to Secular Trends of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Gothenburg, Sweden

Stroke incidence rates were unchanged whereas fatality rates declined during the period 1971 to 1987 in Gothenburg (Göteborg), Sweden. For the period 1987 to 2006, we now report on trends in stroke incidence and mortality with concurrent risk factor trends in the same population. Since 1976 the incidence of myocardial infarction decreased by 50%. Through the National Hospital Discharge Register linked with the Cause of Death Register, 12 904 males and 15 250 females with first strokes were detected for the period 1987 to 2006. Cardiovascular risk factor data were available for random population samples of men and women aged 50 years from 1963 to 2003. Incidence and mortality rates for all-stroke were unchanged. Rates for subarachnoid hemorrhage declined for the age group 45 to 54 in men, but not significantly in any other age group of men or women. Mortality rates of intracerebral hemorrhage declined for women aged 65 to 74, with no significant changes in any other age group. Ischemic stroke incidence did not change, but mortality increased for men and women aged 75 and older, whereas mortality declined for the age group 20 to 44 for men. In the general population there were significant reductions in smoking, total cholesterol, and blood pressure levels in both men and women, whereas diabetes prevalence, body weight, and BMI increased among both sexes, and triglycerides increased in men. Contrary to myocardial infarction, stroke incidence and mortality did not change. Monitoring of cardiovascular risk factors in the community is important.

AGE AND SEX SIGNIFICANTLY INFLUENCE FALL RISK IN COMMUNITY‐DWELLING ELDERLY PEOPLE IN JAPAN

AGE AND SEX SIGNIFICANTLY INFLUENCE FALL RISK IN COMMUNITY‐DWELLING ELDERLY PEOPLE IN JAPAN

Effect of Age and Sex on the Relationship Between Different Socioeconomic Indices and Self-Reported Functional Health in the EPIC-Norfolk Population-Based Study

The relationship between different social-economic indices and physical and mental functional health of older people compared with younger people is unclear. To examine the effect of age and sex on the relationship between various social-economic indices and self-reported functional health. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 19,088 participants of European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk, UK, ages 40-79 years at baseline. The independent relationships between three different socioeconomic indices; occupational social class, education and residential area deprivation, and functional health measured by anglicized version of 36-item short form questionnaire (UK SF-36), were compared between older (>or=65 years) and younger (<65 years) men and women. Residential area deprivation was significantly associated with poor physical and mental functional health independent of social class and education, and consistent in both age groups in men and women. A low level of education in younger men and being in low social class in younger women were associated with poorer physical functional health compared with their respective older counterparts. Social class had a significantly greater effect in older women compared with younger women. Commonly used socioeconomic indices have differing associations with functional health depending the age and sex of an individual. Residential area deprivation predicts poor functional health in all age and sex groups. This may have implications for health policy.

Lower leptin concentration in Type 2 diabetic men

Background Leptin is a hormone produced in adipocytes. It has been suggested that leptin directs metabolic fuels towards utilization and away from storage. Few related studies have been conducted on a homogeneous diabetic cohort. The aim of this study was to examine the gender differences in leptin level in a homogeneous Type 2 diabetic cohort and the factors contributing to such a difference. Methods Out of 1306 registered diabetic patients, 116 subjects who met the following criteria, (1) aged between 35 and 74 years, (2) Chinese, (3) having Type 2 diabetes for more than 1 year and (4) having been taking gliclazide and metformin for more than 6 months, were enrolled into the study. The main variable studied was the plasma leptin levels in relation to quartiles of body mass index (BMI) and insulin levels in various age groups of men and women. Factors affecting plasma leptin level in men and women were determined using multiple linear regression analysis. Results This study demonstrated that Type 2 diabetic women had higher plasma leptin concentrations than their male counterparts ( p < 0.001). Insulin level (β = 0.50, p < 0.001), BMI (β = 0.44, p < 0.001) and triglyceride levels (β = 0.16, p = 0.04) were found to be the main predictors of leptin level for Type 2 diabetic men. Conclusions These initial findings reveal that men had lower leptin levels than women, and seem to indicate that insulin concentration is the main predictor of leptin level in both Type 2 diabetic men and women.

Curvature of Cervical Vertebra in 8020 Achievers Observed by Lateral Cephalogram

The hypothesis of this research was that elderly people with many remaining teeth and good occlusion (8020 achievers) would be able to maintain proper head and body posture, despite aging. The purpose of this study, as a first stage, was to clarify the aging phenomenon of cervical curvature in 8020 achievers in comparison with that in young adults. Subjects consisted of twenty-eight 8020 achievers, with a mean age of 82.96+/-3.3 years and 26.5+/-4.0 teeth. For comparison, forty adults in their 20's with a mean age of 22.9+/-0.7 years and 28.2+/-0.6 teeth were also enrolled. The cervical vertebra was assessed based on the distance from the CV line (tangential line of the 2nd and 6th cervical vertebra) to each cervical vertebra and the angles formed by the cervical and reference lines in the cranial bone. Every distance from the CV line to each cervical vertebra in the 8020 group was bigger than that in the 20's group (p<0.01-0.001). The distance from the CV line to CV-3 and CV-5 in 8020 women was larger than that in 8020 men (p<0.05). Every distance from the CV line to each cervical vertebra in 8020 women was larger than that in 20's women (p<0.01-0.001). There was no significant difference between 8020 men and 20's men. The difference between the women's group was more marked than that between age groups for men. The cervical curvature in 8020 achievers showed a greater tendency toward cervical lordosis than that in young adults. In the 8020 achievers, the curvature in women was greater than that in men. The curvature in 8020 women seemed was marked, showing strong cervical lordosis, despite the presence of many remaining teeth and good occlusion. It remains to be determined by comparing 8020 achievers with ordinary elderly whether the condition of the teeth influences spinal curvature with aging.

Prevalence and determinants of hypertension in a rural community

Background: There are few epidemiological studies on prevalence of hypertension and its determinants in rural population. This cross sectional study was done to determine the same in a rural community. Methods: A random sample of 406 people (218 men and 188 women) of 30 years and above was selected from a rural area. The pre tested proforma was used to collect the data by trained doctors. Result: Prevalence of smoking and tobacco use was 16%, alcohol intake 9.4 %, daily salt intake (≥ 5 gram) 34.2%, daily saturated fat intake (≥ 10 % of daily energy intake) 47 .0 % and physical inactivity (work and leisure) as 18.5%. Body Mass Index (BMI) was ≥ 25 in 18 % and ≥ 30 in 3.2% men and women. Prevalence of truncal obesity (Waist Hip Ratio: men ≥ 0.9; women ≥ 0.8) was 8.5% with higher incidence in men. Prevalence of abdominal obesity (men ≥ 102 cms; women ≥ 88 cms) was found in 15.7 % with higher incidence in men. Differences in prevalence of risk factors between men and women were statistically significant in case of smoking, alcohol consumption and abdominal obesity. 18.5% men and women were suffering from systolic hypertension (≥ 140 mg Hg) and 15 % from diastolic hypertension (≥ 90 mg Hg). Prevalence of risk factors for hypertension was significantly more among subjects suffering from systolic and diastolic hypertension than normotensive subjects. Conclusion: Prevalence of systolic hypertension in rural community was 18.5 % and of diastolic hypertension 15% with higher prevalence in the age group of 60 years and above, in case of men and women. There was a significant linear trend in prevalence of systolic hypertension with respect to age group in men whereas it was not significant in case of women.

The Ramp Power Test: A Power Assessment During a Functional Task for Older Individuals

Power is critical to mobility and activities of daily living and is a key determinant of independence and falls prevention. Therefore, the quantification of power in older persons is critical. The power tests currently available are often expensive, potentially dangerous, and not reflective of everyday activities. We present a modification of an existing field test that uses ambulation up a standard access ramp to quantify functional power in older individuals. Three hundred sixty-three women and 157 men, aged 73.1 +/- 7.0 years, ambulated up a standard access ramp (1:12 rise/run ratio) as quickly as possible. Each person performed one practice and two timed trials. Comparisons with accepted power measures and reported patterns of change with aging supported the validity of the ramp power test. The test was found to be reliable across multiple trials and days. Pair-wise comparisons showed that for women the test was sensitive to differences in power output by half-decade, whereas for men it could distinguish between 9 of the 15 comparisons among age groups. Percentile scores are reported by half-decade for power in both genders. In > 1200 trials performed during this study, only one injury (a slightly strained hamstring) occurred. The ramp power test is valid and reliable and can safely distinguish power by half-decade in women and among the majority of age groups in men. Its safety, low cost, and ease of administration make it a feasible diagnostic tool to assess functional power levels in ambulatory older persons.

Anthropometric Parameters and Metabolic Syndrome

Rua Aguiar, 30/701 Tijuca Rio de Janeiro RJ CEP 20261-120 ABSTRACT: The World Health Organization (WHO) established in 1999, a defi nition which identifi es factors of risk to Metabolic Syndrome (MS). The objective of this study was analyse the body mass index (BMI), the waist hip ratio (WHR), measure the arterial pressure and compare with literature. This study has a transversal delineating, by character description, with lifting characteristic and comparative delineating. Five hundred people partaked up of the study (n=500). They were men and women, between 13 to 81 years old, who were selected at random amongst trainees of physical activities residents in the city of Rio de Janeiro. It was verifi ed the factor of risk BMI > 30 kg/m2 in three age group of each sex. The presence of the factor of risk WHR > 0,85 for women and > 0,90 to men was verifi ed in three women age group and in whole men age group. It was noticed that the factor of risk PAS ≥ 140 mm Hg appeared only in three women age group. At last, the factor of risk PAD ≥ 90 mm Hg was identifi ed in three age group of each sex. Considering the results of this research, it is possible to conclude that just people who maintained the values of BMI, WHR and arterial pressure within the recommended limit had a long life.