Back Scratch Test Research Articles

Effects of suryanamaskar on peak expiratory flow rate and quality of life in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Background. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common, preventable, and treatable disease characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation that is due to airway and/or alveolar abnormalities usually caused by significant exposure to noxious particles or gases. Surya Namaskar is an ancient yogic method to worship the sun. This specific postural and breathing protocols were developed in Indian Subcontinent in the 17th century by Saint Samarth Ramdass. Aim. To find out the effects of Suryanamaskar on peak expiratory flow rate and quality of life in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Methods. Experimental design, pre and post type. 14 COPD patients, aged 35–50 years, both men and women, grade I and II in GOLD classification was randomly allotted into two groups. The patients had to clear the flexibility tests – Sit and reach test and back scratch test. For the Experimental group (n = 7), Suryanamaskar, with conventional chest physiotherapy intervention, was given for 5 days per week for 6 weeks. For the control group (n = 7), conventional chest physiotherapy intervention was given for the same duration. Outcome measures: Peak expiratory flow rate (l/min), SF–36 questionnaire. Results: The study showed that the peak expiratory flow rate and SF–36 questionnaire showed non-significant result for both the groups as p > 0.05, though there was a clinically significant improvement. Conclusion: This study concluded that there is no statistically significant improvement in PEFR and QOL in COPD patients who performed Suryanamaskar along with chest physiotherapy.

Associations between older adults’ physical fitness level and their engagement in different types of physical activity: cross-sectional results from the OUTDOOR ACTIVE study

ObjectivesTo describe the prevalence of different types of physical activities and to explore the association between engagement in these physical activities and performance in the physical fitness dimensions among older...

Model of qualification for physical therapy program: experiences from the Mental Health Support Centre in Tarnowskie Góry, Poland.

IntroductionIn terms of physical and mental health benefits, psychiatric rehabilitation requires diverse therapeutic activities offered by an interdisciplinary team. In order for patients to be able to fully participate in social life, it is necessary to strengthen health-promoting activities, control the symptoms and side effects of pharmacological treatment, effectively manage resources and counteract interpersonal and environmental barriers caused by disability. Physical activity and exercise programs answer both psychosocial and biological aspects of health leading to higher self-efficacy, lower self-perceived stigma, longer lifespan and overall better quality of lifeObjectivesThe aim of this study is to present qualification process of adult patients for physical therapy program at the Mental Health Support Centre’s (Centrum Wsparcia Zdrowia Psychicznego, CWZP) daily rehabilitation unit in Tarnowskie Góry.MethodsAdult patients with diverse diagnoses (schizophrenia, affective disorders, anxiety disorders or organic mental disorders) and varied degree of functioning who met the admission criteria were accepted to the ward for a period of 12 weeks. During the stay, a wide range of therapeutic activities was offered, including individual psychological support, group work, art therapy, relaxation sessions, culinary/ dietary workshops, individual training and general fitness group exercises, as well as cognitive training (also via computer-based programs). Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, some of the activities have been limited.ResultsPhysical exercises, just as any treatment, should be offered in appropriate doses. Patients with mental disorders, especially severe mental illnesses, experience many barriers in engaging in physical activity and are under a greater risk of sedentary lifestyle. Thus, for the qualification, exercise tolerance assessment was performed in the form of 6-min Walk Test (6MWT) with Borg scale for subjective fatigue. Through aerobic capacity and endurance assessment patients’ respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and neuromuscular system functions can be evaluated. Functional fitness was assessed through 3 elements of Senior Fitness Test (SFT) (Back Scratch test, Up and go test, Chair Sit-and-Reach test) along with Romberg Test to evaluate the static and dynamic balance as well as flexibility of the upper and lower body.ConclusionsProperly planned and carried out qualification for the physical therapy program allows to adjust the activities to the needs of the patient. Additionally, it can be a tool to evaluate the achieved results at the end of the rehabilitation process.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

16주간 댄스스포츠와 근력운동이 남성노인의 기능체력과 낙상효능감에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of dance sports and muscle strength exercise in the elderly men on functional fitness, and fall efficacy scale test. The subjects of the study were 27 male seniors aged 65 or older living in G-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, and were classified into three groups: Dance Sports Group (n=10), Muscle Exercise Group (n=7), and Control Group (n=10). The experimental group was conducted three times a week for 16 weeks. As a result, in terms of functional body change in the elderly, the dance sports group showed more positive effects than the muscle exercise group and the control group in the 30-second chair stand test, 30-second push-up test, chair sitting and reaching test, backscratch test, and 2.44m up and high test. However, the exercise intervention effect did not appear in the two-minute step-by-step test. In the fall efficacy scale change test, the dance sports group showed better results than the control group. Therefore, in the case of the elderly, through regular physical activity and exercise, the overall physical health of the elderly can be maintained, such as maintaining muscle mass, reducing the prevalence of disease, and maintaining and enhancing functional fitness and fall efficacy. It is thought that the results of this study can be used as useful data for the elderly to form a successful aging process in the future as they maintain their health.

Walking Speed: A Factor in the Physical Fitness of the Elderly

The main purpose of the study was to explore whether gait velocity predicts the level of separate and overall physical fitness. In this study, we asked one hundred and twenty older adults over the age of 60 (mean ± SD age 71 ± 7 38 years, height 159 ± 21 cm, weight 70 ± 13 kg) to complete a Senior Fitness Test battery to assess the level of physical fitness and walked across the Zebris pressure platform (Munich, Germany) to measure gait velocity. To calculate overall physical fitness, we summed z-score values of each physical fitness test. Pearson’s coefficient (r) was used to determine the level of correlation and coefficient of determination (r2) for variance explained between gait velocity and physical fitness. Respondents conducted a battery of six tests: “chair stand in 30 s”, “arm curl in 30 s”, “2–minute step test”, “chair sit-and-reach test”, “back scratch test” and “8-feet up-and-go test”. Gait velocity was significantly correlated with chair stand in 30 sec (r=0.45, r2=20%, p<0.001), arm curl in 30 sec (r=0.56, r2=31%, p<0.001), 2-minute step test (r=0.44, r2=19%, p<0.001), chair sit-and-reach test (r=0.46, r2=21%, p<0.001), back scratch test (r=0.30, r2=9%, p<0.001) and 8-feet up-and-go test (r=-0.23, r2=5%, p=0.011). Gait velocity was not significantly correlated with waist circumference (r=0.12, r2=1%, p=0.189). Overall physical fitness was strongly correlated with gait velocity (r=0.75, r2=56%, p<0.001). In conclusion this study shows that gait velocity may be an easy and quick screening tool to predict the level of separate and overall physical fitness in a sample of older adults.
 
 Keywords: elderly, speed, performance, correlation, tool

Impact of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation and Resistance Training on the Level of Functional Fitness in Elderly Women

ABSTRACT 
 Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) and resistance training (RT) on the level of functional fitness in a group of elderly women.
 Participants: 63 women (60-65 years) were randomly divided into 2 experimental groups (19 in WB-EMS, 22 in RT) and one control group (22 women). Both experimental groups underwent a ten-week lasting interventional program, the control group was asked to maintain their usual daily regimen and lifestyle.
 Methods: Senior fitness test battery (SFT) determined the level of functional fitness in participants, and the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) assessed the body composition. 
 Results: The RT group reported a statistically significant difference between pre-and post-test in values of the Chair Stand test (p = 0.04), 8 Foot up and Go (p = 0.03), in the Back Scratch test left side (p = 0.02) and the Chair Sit and Reach test right side (p = 0.05). The WB-EMS interventional program had a positive statistically significant effect only the on level of flexibility of the lower limbs measured by the Chair Sit and Reach test left side (p = 0.05).
 Conclusions: The results of all individual components of functional fitness measured by SFT in both experimental groups (WB-EMS, RT) show an improving tendency. Comparing WB-EMS and RT groups, better results were confirmed in the RT group.
 Study limitations: Extending the length of intervention programs could have a more significant effect on the level of functional fitness in elderly women.
 Keywords: ageing, functional fitness, Senior fitness test, DXA, resistance training, WB-EMS

The effect of 8-week multicomponent intervention on physical fitness in trained older women

Introduction: A sufficient level of aerobic endurance, strength and balance is an important precondition for performing almost all activities of daily living with advancing age. Multimodal physical interventions seem to be an effective tool to improve overall fitness for of elderly. However, it is not known to what extent such interventions are effective in healthy and physically active elderly people. Therefore, this study aims to assess the effect of an 8-week multimodal training programme focused on aerobic endurance, strength and dynamic balance in physically active elderly females. Methods: A total of 25 physically active women over 60 years of age completed and 8-week multimodal training programme with two 60-minute sessions a week. Their functional performance before and after the intervention was evaluated with the Chair stand test, Arm curl test, 2-minute step test, Chair sit-and-reach test, Back scratch test and Foot up and go test. A program STATISTICA was used for data analyses (TIBCO Software Inc., 2018; version 13). Results: An 8-week multicomponent training programme resulted in a statistically significant performance in 2-minute step test. Moreover, training resulted in a significant reduction of BMI. Surprisingly, training resulted in the significantly prolonged time in the Foot up and go test. No other significant changes have been observed. The training programme resulted in a statistically significant improvement in the 2-minute step test (p=0.007). Moreover, the BMI index significantly decreased after the programme (p=0.037). Surprisingly, training resulted in the significantly prolonged time in the Foot up and go test (p=0.011). No other significant changes have been observed. Conclusion: The 8-week multimodal training programme seems to be an effective tool for increasing aerobic endurance in physically active elderly women. This training does not contribute to more pronounced improvements of other abilities.

Physical fitness assessment in wheelchair basketball: A mini-review.

Wheelchair basketball (WB) is a Paralympic sport ideated for people with motor disabilities, and the research on this topic still requires attention. It is fundamental to evaluate physical fitness characteristics with appropriate tests and standardized routines to plan and monitor the training. Considering that a standard operating procedure is a document that makes the test battery replicable, the objective of the present study was to review the literature on physical fitness assessment in WB players and to create a standard operating procedure. Studies were collected from different databases, and after a screening process, data were discussed narratively. Only 18 articles met the eligibility criteria. The test batteries presented similarities in different studies. The suggested standard operating procedure consists of 10-min warm-up followed by handgrip evaluation (only if the instrument is available), 20-m sprint test, maximal pass, modified push-up, back scratch test, and the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test adapted test Version 1.

Factors Associated with Poor Health-Related Quality of Life in Physically Active Older People.

This study aimed to associate morphological variables and physical fitness with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in physically active older people. A cross-sectional study was carried out that evaluated 470 older people (89.57% female) with a mean age of 70.13 ± 6.57 years, residing in two regions of Chile. Morphological variables (body weight, bipedal height, waist circumference, body mass index, and waist to height ratio), physical fitness through the Senior Fitness Test protocol, and HRQoL using the SF-36 questionnaire were obtained. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors between morphological variables and physical fitness associated with HRQoL. The main results indicated that overweight (OR = 1.52; p = 0.034), a waist circumference with risk (OR = 1.56; p = 0.021), poor performance in the back scratch tests (OR = 1.02; p = 0.008) and timed up-and-go (OR = 1.19; p = 0.040) increased the probability of having a low general HRQoL. Also, the low performance of chair stand and arm curl tests was associated with poor physical and social dimensions of HRQoL (p < 0.05). In conclusion, a low HRQoL in physically active older people is associated with both morphological and physical fitness factors.

Physical fitness and its correlation with handgrip strength in active community-dwelling older adults

In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the physical fitness levels of active community-dwelling older adults. Moreover, we investigated the correlation of their (stratified by age and sex) fitness levels with handgrip strength (HGS). Comprehensive physical fitness tests, including sarcopenia screening, were conducted with a total of 2,130 older adults residing in a rural area of Taiwan. The 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 95th percentiles of age- and sex-specific physical fitness levels were determined. Furthermore, we identified the key parameters for assessing the physical fitness of older adults and performed stepwise multiple linear regression analysis. Both men and women exhibited age-related decreases in all aspects of functional fitness, a trend indicating that older adults in Taiwan may lose their independence in the future. Furthermore, the regression analysis revealed that HGS was positively correlated with sex, body mass index, and the results of 30-s arm curl and back scratch tests but negatively correlated with age and the result of 8-foot up-and-go test. Our reference values for physical fitness may help assess the fitness levels of active community-dwelling older adults and design community-based health programs to prevent the early loss of independence in community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan.

Effects of resistance training combined with balance training on physical function among older adults: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionThe world’s population is ageing. Age-related declines in physical function negatively affect the quality of life but may be ameliorated by certain types of exercise. The purpose of this study...

Resistance Training Improves Physical Fitness and Reduces Pain Perception in Workers with Upper Limb Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Pilot Study

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) are a cause of productivity loss and disability. Resistance training (RT) and stretching seems to relieve pain, reducing the relative workload via an improvement in range of motion. Sixteen women (age: 48.69 ± 5.88 years old, working career duration as a packager: 22.75 ± 2.18 years) were recruited to participate in a 14-week work-based RT and stretching program. Specific exercise training (SET) targeting all body areas affected by WRMDs was performed after week 6. Physical fitness was measured via the 2 min step test (2MST), the back scratch test and the handgrip test (HG). To evaluate the level of pain in the cervical spine, shoulder, elbow and wrist, the visual analogue scale (VAS) was used. Differences were verified with a t-test. The cervical spine (p = 0.02) and left wrist (p = 0.04) VAS decreased, whereas the HG for both right (p = 0.01) and left (p = 0.01) hands and the 2MST (p = 0.01) improved. Participants with WRMDs affecting the cervical spine reported a 3.72 higher VAS score for the neck at the beginning of the protocol (p = 0.03). The protocol improved the physical fitness of participants but showed a limited effect on WRMD pain. The mean adherence was 86.2%, which indicated that exercise performed in the workplace is well accepted and could be used for pain management.

Efficacy and Safety of a Combined Aerobic, Strength and Flexibility Exercise Training Program in Patients with Implantable Cardiac Devices.

Purpose: The “FIDE Project” (Fitness Implantable DEvice) was organized by the Institute of Sports Medicine and Science and the World Society of Arrhythmias with the aim of demonstrating the usefulness of exercise training in improving functional capacity in patients with implantable cardiac devices. Materials and Methods: Thirty sedentary patients were selected for the project (25 males and 5 females), with a mean age of 73 ± 5 years (range 44–94 years). Twenty-five were implanted with a Pacemaker (PM) and five with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD). Atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter was present in ten (34%) patients, post-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy in five (17.2%), sick sinus syndrome in six (20,7%), complete atrium-ventricular block in six (20.7%), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in one (3.4%) and recurrent syncope in one (3.4%). The baseline assessment comprised cardiovascular examination, resting and stress ECG, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (V ˙O2peak), strength assessment of different muscle groups, and a flexibility test. The same measurements were repeated after 15–20 consecutive training sessions, over a 2-month period. The exercise prescription was set to 70–80% of HRR (Heart rate reserve) and to 50–70% of 1RM (1-repetition maximum, muscular force). The training protocol consisted of two training sessions per week performed in our institute, 90 min for each (warm-up, aerobic phase, strength phase and stretching) and one or more at home autonomously. Results: The cardiopulmonary testing after the training period documents a significant improvement in V ˙O2peak (15 ± 4 mL/kg/min vs. 17 ± 4; p = 0.001) and in work load (87 ± 30 watts vs. 108 ± 37; p = 0.001). Additionally, strength capacity significantly increased after the cardiac rehabilitation program, (quadriceps: 21 ± 18 kg vs. 29 ± 16 kg, p = 0.00003). Flexibility tests show a positive trend, but without statistical significance (sit-and-reach test: −19 ± 11 cm vs. −15 ± 11.7 cm; back-scratch test: −19 ± 11.6 cm vs. −15 ± 10 cm; lateral flexibility right −44 ± 1.4 cm vs. −43 ± 9.5 cm; left −43 ± 5 vs. −45 ± 8.7 cm). Conclusion: A brief period of combined aerobic, strength and flexibility exercise training (FIDE project) proved to be effective and safe in improving functional capacity in patients with cardiac implantable devices.

Healthy Eating Enhances Intrinsic Capacity, Thus Promoting Functional Ability of Retirement Home Residents in Northern Taiwan.

Healthy aging is defined as the process of developing and maintaining functional ability in older age with intrinsic capacity, the composite of all the physical and mental capacities of an individual, being the core. This study was conducted to explore the intervention effects of improved dietary quality on intrinsic capacity. A prospective single-group interventional quasi-experimental study with 59 functional independent older adults from retirement homes were recruited. Texture-modified plant-based dietary supplements were provided. In addition, dietary intake, functional ability, and intrinsic capacity in vitality, locomotion, cognition, and psychological capacity were assessed. Vitality was captured by nutritional status, muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory endurance. Locomotor capacity was assessed based on the performance of physical fitness in backscratch test, chair-sit-and-reach test, chair-stand test, one-foot-standing test, and gaits peed. Psychomotor capacity and cognition were measured by using 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), respectively. In a 4-month of intervention, after controlling for baseline values and covariates, participants with higher dietary intervention adherence showed a significant improvement over time in vitality captured by cardiorespiratory endurance (Pinteraction = 0.009) and significant improvement in locomotion captured by gait speed (Pclusters = 0.034). A significant decrease in the chair-stand test (Ptime = <0.001) and MMSE (Ptime = 0.022) was observed during the four months of intervention. Enhanced intrinsic capacity further contributed to the improvement of ADL over time (Pinteraction = 0.034). In conclusion, healthy eating enhances intrinsic capacity in vitality and locomotion thus promoting functional ability among older adults.

Resistance training during cardiac rehabilitation improves physical performance in patients with coronary artery disease: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Slovenian Research Agency Background Resistance training (RT) is an adjunct exercise therapy to aerobic training (AT) in cardiac rehabilitation, but it remains unknown whether the dose-dependent relationship between RT load (high load [HL] vs. low load [LL]) and improvement in anthropometry, body composition and physical performance exists in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Purpose The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of HL-RT and LL-RT on top of AT in comparison to AT on anthropometry, body composition and physical performance in patients with CAD. Methods A total of 79 patients with a stable CAD were randomised to HL-RT+AT (n = 21), LL-RT+AT (n = 19) or AT (n = 19) and performed 36 training sessions. Fifty-nine patients with mean (SD) age 61 (8) years and left ventricular ejection fraction 53 (9) % completed the study. AT progressed from 50 % to 80% of peak power output achieved at baseline cardiopulmonary exercise test, and RT progressed from 70% of one repetition maximum (1-RM) to 80% of 1-RM in HL-RT group, and from 35% of 1-RM to 40% of 1-RM in LL-RT group. We measured anthropometry (body mass, waist and hip circumference, and waist to hip circumference ratio), body composition (lean body mass and %, body fat mass and %, and phase angle) and physical performance evaluating upper muscle strength (arm curl and hand grip test) and lower muscle strength (five sit-to stand test, up-and-go test, heel raise test), mobility (gait speed test), flexibility (back scratch test, sit-and-reach test), balance (stork balance test) and submaximal endurance (6 min walk test distance) at baseline and post-training. Results Waist circumference and waist-to-hip circumference ratio decreased significantly following LL-RT (both p &amp;lt; 0.01), without post-training differences between training interventions in other anthropometry measures and body composition measures (all p &amp;gt; 0.079). HL-RT and LL-RT induced improvements in all physical performance measures, while AT alone did not improve gait speed, upper limb flexibility and performance of up-and-go test. HL-RT was associated with greater improvement in gait speed (+12 %, p =0.044), arm curl test (+13 %, p = 0.037) and time of Up-and-go test (+9 %, p &amp;lt;0.001) compared to AT group, while LL-RT improved more time of Up-and-Go test (+18 %, p &amp;lt; 0.001) and time of five sit-to-stands (+14 %, p = 0.016) compared to AT. There was no difference between HL-RT and LL-RT in post-training change of physical performance measures. Conclusions The addition of RT to AT is associated with greater improvements in submaximal muscle strength and mobility compared to AT and should be encouraged in future multimodal exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation.

The effect of low impact aerobic exercise on increasing physical fitness for the elderly

This study aimed to investigate the effect of low-impact aerobic exercise on increasing physical fitness for the elderly. This one group of pretest-posttest quasi-experimental research recruited elderly subjects from Sumber Waras Elderly Association in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Twenty-four elderly subjects aged 60-70 years old participated in the 16 sessions of aerobic exercise intervention. All subjects completed pre-and post-intervention physical fitness tests comprising the aerobic/cardiovascular (CV) endurance (2 minutes step test), upper body strength (arm curl test), lower body strength (chair stand test), upper body flexibility (back scratch test), core and lower body flexibility (sit and reach test) and balance (8 foot up and go test). Changes in physical fitness (post- versus pre-intervention) of the subjects were analyzed using paired T-test. The normality and homogeneity tests were performed using the Kolmogorov Smirnov and Levene’s tests, respectively. Statistical significance was set to p 0.05. This study showed that all physical fitness components, including aerobic endurance, upper and lower body strength, upper and lower body flexibility, and balance, were increased significantly in the subjects (p 0.05). The results suggest that low-impact aerobic exercise positively affects physical fitness improvement in the elderly.

Yi Jin Bang exercise versus usual exercise therapy to treat subacromial pain syndrome: a pilot randomised controlled trial

ABSTRACT To evaluate the effect of Yi Jin Bang (YJB) exercise on pain, disability, flexibility, and muscular endurance in individuals with subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS). Fifty-four adults with SAPS were randomly allocated into either a YJB (n = 18), a usual exercise therapy (UET; n = 18), or a control group (n = 18). YJB and UET interventions involved 10 weeks of home-based exercise training, with four sessions per week. The control group received no treatment. Outcome measures included Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), pain at rest and during activity, flexion and abduction range of motion (ROM), back scratch test, and shoulder abduction endurance test. These measures were assessed at baseline, immediately after a single face-to-face session (acute effects), and after 10 weeks of intervention (chronic effects). For acute effects, significant group-by-time interactions were observed for flexion ROM, abduction ROM, and the back scratch test (all p < 0.05). For chronic effects, significant group-by-time interactions were found for pain during activity, the SPADI score, and the back scratch test (all p < 0.05). Home-based YJB exercise is comparable to home-based UET in reducing pain and disability and improving flexibility.

The Impact of the Pilates Program on the Mobility of Middle-Aged Women

The aim of the study was to determine the impact of a 16-week Pilates program on the mobility of middle-aged women. The research involved 16 Pilates female exercisers who have been practicing this recreational exercise for at least a year, three times a week. Shoulder Circumduction Test, V Sit and Reach Test, Groin Flexibility Test, Back Scratch Test and Calf Muscle Flexibility Test were used to assess flexibility. In addition to descriptive parameters, repeated-measures ANOVA and Fisher LSD were used in the analysis. 16-week Pilates program has had a positive effect on changes in mobility in female exercisers both in the upper part of the body, in the area of the shoulder girdle (p .05), and in the lower part of the body, in the area of the pelvic girdle and hip joint (p .05). There were no statistically significant changes in plantar flexion. It can be concluded that the Pilates program effectively affects the improvement of flexibility in the shoulder region and the pelvic girdle and hip joint, while in plantar flexors of the feet a statistically significant improvement in the level of mobility under the influence of Pilates exercise was not observed.

The effects of modified Taekwondo on measures of functional fitness in older adults: a pilot study

Functional fitness represents the physical capacity needed to perform activities of daily living, independently without undue fatigue, deteriorates with age. Taekwondo is a traditional form of martial arts training that has shown several positive effects on fitness in younger adults. However, a paucity of research has investigated the impact of modified Taekwondo training in older adults. Therefore, this study aimed to implement a modified Taekwondo program for older adults over the age of 60 and determine its impact on functional fitness. Fifteen participants from a Taekwondo exercise class (average age: 72.7 years) and 10 non-exercising controls (average age: 73.8 years) participated. Functional fitness for all participants was pre-tested and post-tested using the following measures: = finger to nose test (FTNT) = timed single-leg stance (TSLS), timed up and go (TUG) = 30-second sit to stand test (30S2ST), 30-second arm curl test (ACT), two-minute step in place (2SIPT), chair sit and reach test (CSRT), back scratch test (BST). No significant differences were found between pre-test and post-test measures for both groups. Effect sizes showed that the intervention had a small effect on hand-eye coordination, timed single-leg balance, upper limb strength, aerobic fitness, and lower limb flexibility. Despite no functional effect, six weeks of modified Taekwondo training still reached improvements in balance, aerobic fitness, and lower limb flexibility.

Hypomobility in Males and Hypermobility in Females are Risk Factors for Shoulder Pain Among Young Swimmers.

The range of shoulder rotation is associated with shoulder pain in young male and female swimmers. However, the association between shoulder pain and shoulder complex mobility of the scapulothoracic and acromioclavicular joints has not yet been examined. Moreover, shoulder pain occurs more frequently in females than in males, but only a few studies have examined the relationship between shoulder pain and sex as a risk factor. This study aims to determine the association between shoulder complex mobility and shoulder pain in young male and female swimmers. Prospective cohort design. The participants were competitive swimmers (n = 76; 37 males and 39 females) with a mean age of 14 years in Japan. The shoulder rotation width, which was the index of shoulder complex mobility, shoulder internal and external rotation range, and middle finger distance of the back-scratch test were measured. An examiner regularly visited the swimming clubs to evaluate the development of shoulder pain and swimming distance. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the physical characteristics related to the overall development of shoulder pain in both female and male swimmers. The cutoff value was calculated using receiver operating characteristic curves. Sixteen participants, composed of 8 males and 8 females, developed shoulder pain. The overall swimming distance of the male (odds ratio [OR]: 1.0007, P = .01) and female (OR: 1.0018, P = .02) swimmers and the shoulder rotation width of the male (OR: 1.0952, P = .04) and female (OR: 0.888, P = .03) swimmers were identified as risk factors for shoulder pain. The cutoff value for swimming distance was 6000m. Shoulder rotation width was more than 88cm in males and <54cm in females. Hypomobility and hypermobility of the shoulder complex were identified as risk factors for shoulder pain in male and female swimmers, respectively.