Differences In Physical Capacity Research Articles

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TOGETHER FOR COUPLES WITH MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT: A FEASIBILITY STUDY

Abstract Spouses often assume the role of informal caregivers for older adults living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). These couples represent a population with low levels of physical activity, however, there is limited research regarding promotion of physical activity among these dyads. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a dyadic intervention, hypothesized to enhance physical activity via mutual support. We recruited three dyads (mean age: 66 [MCI] and 67 [spouse] years) from a local memory clinic. The dyads were asked to engage in physical activity together for 16 weeks. The weekly intervention consisted of 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) on their own and two lower body strength training sessions per week, one videoconferencing-supervised and one on their own. The adherence rate to the weekly MVPA and strength training was 88% and 83%, respectively. However, the percentage meeting the goal of 150 minutes/week of MVPA as measured using a Fitbit was 31% and 73% among those with MCI and spouses, respectively. There were no issues with the retention rate (100%) or safety; satisfaction scores were high (MCI = 93%, spouses = 98%). Exit interviews revealed three key themes: (1) value of the program (accountability, togetherness), (2) difficulties (differences in physical capacity between spouses), and (3) suggestions to improve the program (incorporating various types of strength training). Our dyadic intervention was feasible to support regular physical activity for older adults living with MCI and their spouses. Future work will incorporate participants’ feedback to optimize the intervention.

Mujeres mayores de 65 años que realizan ejercicio físico supervisado: diferencias en la capacidad física, la actividad física y la calidad de vida en función de su velocidad de la marcha

IntroductionWalking speed (WS) is an easy, quick and inexpensive measure that could be used to discern between older people with greater and lesser function and thus individualize physical exercise programs. ObjectivesTo analyze the differences in physical capacity, physical activity, and quality of life in people over 65years of age who attended a physical exercise program according to their WS and age. Methods55 women (mean age: 76.67±6.66years) were divided into groups based on their WS (low WS: ≤1.59m/s and high WS: >1.59m/s) and age (older-younger: ≤76years and older-older: >76years). The following parameters were compared: 10Meters Walk Test (10MWT), Arm Curl Test, Handgrip, Chair Stand Test, 8Foot Up and Go Test (8FUG), 6Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and the Minnesota and The Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaires. ResultsThe level of physical activity was higher than 3000METs/week in all groups. The high WS group had better results in the Arm Curl Test, 10MWT, 8FUG and 6MWT and in the Physical Role and Vitality dimensions of the SF-36 (P<.05). The older-older group had lower weight, BMI and Handgrip (P<.01). ConclusionsThe best results in physical capacity and quality of life are in those women with higher WS, suggesting that WS could be useful to individualize physical exercise programs.

The Physical Parameters of Tactical Climbing and Performance Characteristics of Naval Special Warfare Operators.

Wood, DE and Swain, DP. The physical parameters of tactical climbing and performance characteristics of naval special warfare operators. J Strength Cond Res 35(4): 949-954, 2021-Vertical elevation may be critical for advantage to Special Operation Forces and require strength, power, endurance, and technique. This study sought to (a) study differences in physical capacities of Naval Special Warfare lead climbers from nonlead climbers, (b) compare anthropometrics of lead climbers from nonlead climbers, and (c) catalogue the types and weights of the various climbing systems to assess total system weight to the lead climber's body mass. Climbing surveys were collected and retrospective physical capacity data from 15 SEa, Air and Land lead climbers (age: 31.2 ± 5.1 years; height: 181.4 ± 6.4 cm; mass: 89.4 ± 10.0 kg; body fat: 14.1 ± 3.7%) were compared against previously reported data of 305 nonlead climbers (age: 28.8 ± 5.2 years; height: 177.6 ± 12.0 cm; mass: 85.8 ± 9.7 kg; body fat: 17.3 ± 4.7%). Lead climbers had significantly less body fat percentage (p = 0.017). Lead climbers also performed significantly better on the pro-agility test (p = 0.017) and deadlift (p = 0.002). The total mass reported for the climbing equipment for each tactical scenario was up to 4.9 kg for urban climbing, up to 13.7 kg for alpine climbing, and up to 8.0 kg for maritime climbing. With a typical combat load of 21.4 kg, adding an alpine climbing load exceeds one-third of the lead climbers' own body mass. Strength and conditioning programming for this population should take into consideration the total system weight for testing and training purposes and should also consider climbing-specific strength testing and training to optimize climbing capability.

Comparison of Physical Profiles of State-Level Netball Players by Position.

Graham, S, Duthie, G, Aughey, R, and Zois, J. Comparison of physical profiles of state-level netball players by position. J Strength Cond Res 34(9): 2654-2662, 2020-Understanding the physical profiles of state-level netball athletes provides conditioning professionals with testing norms and an understanding of important capacities within particular positions. The purpose was to examine positional differences in physical capacities of state-level netball athletes. Forty-six state-level netball athletes completed physical capacity assessments in the second week of their preseason, over 2 seasons. Tests included stature, 20-m sprint (with 5 and 10 m splits), 505 change-of-direction, countermovement jump, single-leg bounding, and the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level one. A linear mixed-model with fixed and random effects was used in conjunction with magnitude-based inferences to determine meaningful differences with 90% confidence limits (CLs). Midcourt athletes were shorter in stature than shooters (effect size [ES]: 1.26, CL 0.88-1.63) and defenders (-2.58, -3.35 to -1.80). Midcourt athletes were faster than shooters and defenders in linear acceleration over 5 and 10 m distances and 505 change-of-direction (ES range: -0.34 to -0.59). Shooters presented poorer intermittent endurance than midcourt (-0.82, -1.34 to -0.31) and defenders (-0.56, -1.19 to 0.07). Defenders jumped higher than midcourt athletes (-0.56, -1.30 to 0.19) and shooters (-0.61, -1.18 to -0.04), and possessed greater bounding ability compared with shooters (ES range: -0.23 to -0.57). Midcourt athletes require a more holistic set of physical capacities including acceleration, change-of-direction, jumping, and intermittent endurance. For defender and shooter positions, results indicate physical requirements that may be more specific to their positions. Conditioning professionals can use these findings to target specific physical qualities to maximize position-specific performance.

Sex Differences in Physical Capacities of German Bundesliga Soccer Players.

Cardoso de Araújo, M, Baumgart, C, Jansen, CT, Freiwald, J, and Hoppe, MW. Sex differences in physical capacities of German Bundesliga soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 34(8): 2329-2337, 2020-Sex differences in physical capacities of elite soccer players have received limited attention. Therefore, this study investigated sex differences in linear and nonlinear sprint, squat and countermovement jump, core endurance, as well as incremental and intermittent endurance capacities in German Bundesliga soccer players. A total of 76 field players (29 women) were tested for the mentioned anaerobic- and aerobic-related physical capacities in a noninterventional cross-sectional design. The largest sex differences were evident in the explosive- and intermittent endurance-related capacities, with women presenting largely to extremely largely lower values in sprints, jumps, and intermittent endurance (effect size [ES] ≥1.77, p < 0.01). The differences in the total core endurance, running velocity at 2 and 4 mmol·L capillary blood lactate (v2 and v4), maximal heart rate (HR) (ES ≤ 0.72, p ≥ 0.06), and distance covered during the incremental endurance test (ES = 1.09, p = 0.01) were trivially to moderately lower for women. However, women had small to moderately higher ventral and dorsal core endurance (ES ≤ 0.69, p ≥ 0.07) and largely higher relative HR at the lactate thresholds (ES ≥ 1.54, p < 0.01). The individual data of female players showed more variability. Some individual data of women overlapped those of men, most evident in the total core endurance and v2. The findings indicate that there are sex differences in physical capacities according to the underlying amount of anaerobic and aerobic energy supply. The sex specificities should be considered to optimize training and testing procedures for soccer players.

Physical capacity, occupational physical demands, and relative physical strain of older employees in construction and healthcare

PurposeTo assess age-related differences in physical capacity, occupational physical demands, and relative physical strain at a group level, and the balance between capacity and demands at an individual level, for construction and healthcare workers.MethodsShoulder strength, back strength, and aerobic capacity were assessed among construction (n = 62) and healthcare workers (n = 64). During a full working day, accelerometers estimated upper-arm elevation, trunk flexion, and occupational physical activity as indicators of occupational physical demands. Simultaneously, normalised surface electromyography (%sEMGmax) of the upper trapezius and erector spinae muscles, and normalised electrocardiography (percentage heart rate reserve (%HRR)) estimated relative physical strain. Differences between younger (≤ 44 years) and older (≥ 45 years) workers, as well as the moderating effect of age on the associations between capacity and demands, were analysed per sector.ResultsCompared to younger workers, older workers had similar strength and lower aerobic capacity; older construction workers had similar demands while older healthcare workers had higher demands. Compared to younger workers, older employees had unfavourable muscle activity patterns; %HRR had a tendency to be lower for older construction workers and higher for older healthcare workers. Among construction workers, age moderated the associations between shoulder strength and arm elevation (p = 0.021), and between aerobic capacity and occupational physical activity (p = 0.040). Age did not moderate these associations among healthcare workers.ConclusionsIn both sectors, the level of occupational physical demands and the higher relative physical strain in older employees require addressing to promote sustainable work participation among an aging population.

Differences in Physical Capacity Between Junior and Senior Australian Footballers.

Kelly, SJ, Watsford, ML, Austin, DJ, Spurrs, RW, Pine, MJ, and Rennie, MJ. Differences in physical capacity between junior and senior Australian footballers. J Strength Cond Res 31(11): 3059-3066, 2017-The purpose of this study was to profile and compare anthropometric and physical capacities within elite junior and senior Australian football (AF) players of various chronological ages and stages of athletic development. Seventy-nine players, including junior and senior AF players from one professional club, were profiled using 11 assessments. Junior players were divided into 2 groups based on chronological age (under 16 and 18 years) and senior players according to years since drafted to a professional AF team (1-2 years, 3-7 years, and 8+ years). Parametric data were assessed using a 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), whereas nonparametric data were assessed using a Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA. The magnitude difference between players was measured using the Hopkins' effect size (ES). Significant differences were evident between under-16 players and all senior player groups for anthropometric (p = 0.001-0.019/ES = 1.25-2.13), absolute strength (p = 0.001-0.01/ES = 1.82-4.46), and relative strength (p = 0.001-0.027/ES = 0.84-3.55). The under-18 players displayed significantly lower absolute strength (p = 0.001-0.012/ES = 1.82-3.79) and relative strength (p = 0.001-0.027/ES = 0.85-4.00) compared with the 3-7 and 8+ players. Significant differences were evident between the under-16 players and senior player groups for explosive jumping and throwing tests (p = 0.001-0.017/ES = 1.03-2.99). Minimal differences were evident between all player groups for running assessments; however, the under-16 players were significantly slower compared with the 8+ players for the 3-km time trial (p < 0.02/ES = 1.31), whereas both junior player groups covered significantly less distance during the Yo-Yo IR2 (p < 0.02/ES = 1.19 and 1.60). Results of this study display a significant deficit in strength between junior and senior AF players.

Regional differences in physical capacity and cognition among older Chinese: What factors to blame?

Regional differences in physical capacity and cognition among older Chinese: What factors to blame?

Physical capacity in physically active and non-active adolescents

Aim The aim of this study was to investigate differences in physical capacity between physically active and non-active men and women among graduates from upper secondary school.

Physical size matters in the domestic dog's (Canis lupus familiaris) ability to use human pointing cues

Researchers have reported differences between breeds of dogs in their ability to utilize human gestures (Wobber et al., 2009). These reports could either be the result of underlying differences in inherent communication abilities or differences in physical capacities amongst breeds. One physical difference between breeds which may make a difference in using visual cues is relative size. Larger dogs should, all other things being equal, have greater inter-ocular distances and this may improve their visual abilities for some tasks. This hypothesis was tested in the present study by comparing the performance of larger (>22.7kg) and smaller (<22.7kg) dogs on a pointing choice task. Larger dogs did perform better on this task than smaller dogs (P=.03). Researchers need to be careful when making comparisons between breeds to first consider physical differences before assuming any inherent cognitive differences.

Effect of various antihypertensive drugs on the physical performance of a healthy person

Physical perfomance was studied uniformly after intake of different antihypertensive drugs, and a comparison was made with placebo. The time needed to run 5000 m was studied in a nonhypertensive subject. In one of the different study periods, heart rate was continuously recorded during and after exercise. Physical perfomance was significantly reduced when a β-blocker was taken. The effect on physical capacity was strongly dose-dependent. With a high but conventional dose of a β-blocker, the time needed to run 5000 m was increased by more than 33%. No differences were observed between types of β-blockers. Physical capacity was slightly but significantly impaired when an α-blocker was taken; no differences in physical capacity between the drugs used and placebo were observed for a diuretic, a calcium antagonist or an inhibitor of the angiotensin-converting enzyme. The reduced physical perfomance seems to be caused by a reduction of the maximal heart rate as a result of the β-blockade. Thus, heart rate did not exceed 120 beats/min when the subject ran at maximal long-distance speed after intake of 100 mg of metoprolol, as recorded by continuous heart rate registration.

Socio-economic position and its relationship to physical capacity among elderly people living in Jyväskylä, Finland: five- and ten-year follow-up studies

Socio-economic differences in self-reported disability are well described but much less is known about their associations with more objective measures of physical capacity. The aim was to study socio-economic differences in performance-based physical capacity in 75-year-old persons, examining changes in performance at five- and ten-year follow-up intervals. At the baseline 350 residents of the city of Jyväskylä, Finland, aged 75 were interviewed and 295 of them took part in clinical examinations. The corresponding figures at the five-year follow-up were 234 and 191 and at the ten-year follow-up 139 and 103. The statistical significance of differences in physical capacity between the socio-economic groups and genders were tested using ANOVA in univariate and repeated measures models and ANCOVA, with confounders added to the models. Generally, higher education and income were separately related to better maximal walking speed and vital capacity at every measurement point. In addition, higher income was related to better maximal isometric hand grip strength at both follow-ups. When education and income were in the same model, only income was related to physical capacity, almost without exception. Similarly, in the five- and ten-year follow-up periods, both education and income groups showed a parallel decline in physical capacity. The association between income and physical capacity remained even after adjusting for smoking, physical activity and number of chronic diseases. The results indicate that elderly people in disadvantaged socio-economic groups show lower levels of performance in almost all domains of physical capacity, but change in capacity over time does not differ significantly between either markers of socio-economic position.

Toward Understanding Ethnic Differences in Late-Life Disability

The authors hypothesized that ethnic differences in late-life disability would be observed and that ethnic differentials would be attributed to differences in physical capacity versus measurement error or cultural response to disabling disease. This study employed performance-based and self-report disability measures in a probability sample of 156 older African American, White, and Puerto Rican adults living in Springfield, Massachusetts. Analyses revealed that Puerto Rican and African American older adults reported significantly more disability than did Whites and that observed ethnic differences in disability were attributed to functional limitations. The current cohort of Puerto Rican and African American older adults clearly is at higher risk of needing long-term health and social services related to their increased levels of disability.