Low Physical Ability Research Articles

Evaluation of Upper Limb Exercise with Respiratory Muscle Stretch Gymnastics for Lung Function and Quality of Life in Copd Patients

Progressive decline in pulmonary function can be unveiled by shortness of breath and lower physical ability, and decreased life quality among COPD. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Upper Limb Exercise with Respiratory Muscle Stretch Gymnastics for lung function and quality of life in COPD patients. A quasi-experiment design (pre-post test with control group design). 50 respondents participated, divided into two groups at Airlangga Hospital and Bangil Regency Hospital, Indonesia, with consecutive sampling. Data were collected by a spirometry test for lung function using the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), subsequently was analyzed by employing aired T-test and MANOVA test. Treatments were given three times a week for a month. The outcome showed that the treatment group increased lung function with FEV1 value and quality of life before and after the treatment with a value of 0.000 (p<0.05), but the control group was otherwise. There were lung function and quality of life values with MANOVA of 0.011 (p<0.05). Upper Limb Exercise with Respiratory Muscle Stretch Gymnastics improve lung function and quality of life among COPD patients to complement pharmacological therapy.

Elderly Women’s Lifestyle Management in Old Age Homes

Old age is a universal and inevitable phenomenon in life. It assigns to a multidimensional procedure of mental, physical, psychological and social-economy changes. Low physical ability, the decline in mental capacity, gradual role-playing in socio-economic activities and change in status of economic dependence refer to a phase of elderly human life. The elderly are known as "dark" not because the illumination fails to shine, but because the elderly refuse to see it. There have been many changes in recent years that have impacted society in various fields social, financial and then elderly female lifestyle management have changed, some with better and some with negative consequences. In general, the population continues to benefit and most of the younger or newly generation has been able to realize their dreams, goals and develop their careers in a better way than before. However, older women face certain to different problems as a result of social change. The transition from conventional and additional modes of life to more contemporary patterns, which frequently call for compromise and acceptance, reflects this. One of these contains old age homes. Thus, most elderly women in old age homes are not very happy, because they are in isolation. Unfortunately, children are unable to arrive on time when parents fall ill or even die in old age homes. But some older women feel comfortable with the freedom and friendly atmosphere at old age homes with other elders who keep them company, enjoying time with TV, games and gossip. They show some detachment from family members and feel more secure in old age homes and avoid restricted lives with their children. In the present age, the life of elderly women is full of problems for both themselves and their children. Lucky people depart with satisfaction and peace of mind, while others leave an unhappy state of mind. Meanwhile, old age homes have become part of our social system.

Dietary Energy Density, Not Caloric Intake, Is Associated with Sedentary Behavior in Older US Adults

Abstract Objectives National surveillance data has demonstrated that fewer than 1 in 5 older adults meet physical activity (PA) guidelines, despite research showing that PA is associated with decreased functional limitations in older adults. Most strategies for healthy eating focus on caloric intake as opposed to overall diet quality. Energy density (ED; kcal/g) is an established indicator of diet quality as well as an established risk factor for chronic disease. Studies in children and adolescents have also demonstrated that dietary ED is associated with physical functioning, however there has been minimal research in older adults. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association between dietary energy density and physical activity in a nationally representative sample of older adults. Methods Using data from a sample of 4484 adults > 60y who participated in the 2014–2016 NHANES, the association between dietary ED and physical functioning was assessed. During the NHANES, participants were asked to report whether or not they engaged in moderate PA (mPA) and report hours of sedentary behaviors. All data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 survey procedures to account for the unequal sampling probability and complex survey design of the NHANES. Results Energy-dense diets were associated with sedentary behavior and lower physical abilities in older adults. Individuals who reported engaging in mPA had a significantly lower dietary ED than those who did not engage in any mPA; this was observed in men (1.71 vs. 1.87, P = 0.03) and women (1.61 vs. 1.72, P = 0.02) after controlling for age, education, race/ethnicity, and beverage ED. Further, each unit increase in dietary energy density was associated with a 39% decrease in probability of engaging in mPA (P < 0.001). In contrast, there was no association between caloric intake and sedentary behavior in this population Low-ED diets were also lower in saturated fat; higher in vegetable, fiber and micronutrient content, offering additional health benefits. Conclusions These results indicate the energy density of the diet is associated with diet quality and active lifestyle behaviors. Strategies that promote low-ED diets may be effective tools in the promotion of healthy aging in the US population. Funding Sources None.

Including Overweight and Obese Students in Physical Education: An Urgent Need and Effective Teaching Strategies

Students who are overweight or obese generally have low physical ability and fitness levels, experience serious weight-related health implications, are teased and excluded by their peers, and suffer psycho-social and emotional damages as a result of weight stigma. Overweight and obese students have presented an unprecedented challenge for teachers to include them in physical education (PE). There is an urgent need to equip PE teachers with teaching strategies to successfully include overweight or obese students in PE. The purpose of this article is to identify teaching strategies for successful inclusion of overweight and obese students in K-12 PE guided by the social-ecological constraint model.

Relating Older Workers' Injuries to the Mismatch Between Physical Ability and Job Demands.

We examined the association between job demand and occupational injury among older workers. Participants were workers aged 50+ enrolled in the Health and Retirement Study, 2010 to 2014. Participants reported physical ability within three domains: physical effort, stooping/kneeling/crouching, and lifting. To measure subjective job demand, participants rated their job's demands within domains. We generated objective job demand measures through the Occupational Information Network (ONET). Using Poisson regression, we modeled the association between physical ability, job demand, and self-reported occupational injury. A second model explored interaction between job demand and physical ability. The injury rate was 22/1000 worker-years. Higher job demand was associated with increased injury risk. Within high job demands, lower physical ability was associated with increased injury risk. Older workers whose physical abilities do not meet job demands face increased injury risk.

Operationalizing Frailty in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study Cohort.

Factors that may contribute to the development of frailty in late life have not been widely investigated. The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study cohort presents an opportunity to examine relationships of midlife risk factors with frailty in late life. However, we first present findings on the validation of an established frailty phenotype in this predominantly biracial population of older adults. Among 6,080 participants, we defined frailty based upon the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) criteria incorporating measures of weight loss, exhaustion, slow walking speed, low physical activity, and low grip strength. Criterion and predictive validity of the frailty phenotype were estimated from associations between frailty status and participants' physical and mental health status, physiologic markers, and incident clinical outcomes. A total of 393 (6.5%) participants were classified as frail and 50.4% pre-frail, similar to CHS (6.9% frail, 46.6% pre-frail). In age-adjusted analyses, frailty was concurrently associated with depressive symptoms, low self-rated health, low medication adherence, and clinical biomarker levels (ie, cholesterol, hemoglobin A1c, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and hemoglobin). During 1-year follow-up, frailty was associated with falls, low physical ability, fatigue, and mortality. These findings support the validity of the CHS frailty phenotype in the ARIC Study cohort. Future studies in ARIC may elucidate early-life exposures that contribute to late-life frailty.

Factors Associated with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) in Independently Living Elderly Persons in a Community: a Baseline Examination of a Large Scale Cohort Study, Fujiwara-kyo Study

To investigate factors associated with activities of daily living in independently living elderly persons in a community. The potential subjects were 4,472 individuals aged 65 years and older who voluntarily participated in a large cohort study, the Fujiwara-kyo study. We used self-administered questionnaires consisting of an activities of daily living (ADL) questionnaire with the Physical Fitness Test established by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (12 ADL items) to determine the index of higher-level physical independence, demographics, Geriatric Depression Scale, and so on. Mini-mental state examination, measurement of physical fitness, and blood tests were also carried out. A lower ADL level was defined as having a total score of the 12 ADL items (range, 12-36 points) that was below the first quartile of a total score for all the subjects. Factors associated with a low ADL level were examined by multiple logistic regression. A total of 4,198 remained as subjects for analysis. The male, female and 5-year-old groups showed significant differences in the median score of 12 ADL items between any two groups. The highest odds ratio among factors associated with lower ADL level by multiple logistic regression with mutually adjusted independent variables was 4.49 (95%CI: 2.82-7.17) in the groups of "very sharp pain" or "strong pain" during the last month. Low physical ability, self-awareness of limb weakness, a BMI of over 25, low physical activity, cerebrovascular disorder, depression, low cognitive function, unable "to see normally", unable "to hear someone", "muscle, bone and joint pain" were independently associated with lower ADL level. Multiple factors are associated with lower ADL level assessed on the basis of the 12 ADL items.

Determinants for lumbopelvic pain 6 months postpartum

Purpose: To evaluate potential determinants of self-reported lumbopelvic pain 6 months postpartum for pregnant women with and without lumbopelvic pain. Methods: Questionnaires were answered in weeks 19–21 of pregnancy and at 6 months postpartum. The Pain Catastrophizing Scale was used to assess exaggerated negative thoughts about pain experiences, the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire to assess beliefs about how physical activity affects back pain, the Visual Analogue Scale to assess pain intensity, the Disability Rating Index to assess physical ability, and the Nottingham Health Profile to assess health-related quality of life. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyse the data. Results: Of the 273 women who answered at both occasions, 112 had lumbopelvic pain in pregnancy and 161 did not. For pregnant women with lumbopelvic pain a higher level of catastrophizing and a more restricted physical ability both doubled the risk for postpartum lumbopelvic pain. Conclusions: We conclude that catastrophizing and physical ability, in weeks 19–21 of pregnancy determine postpartum lumbopelvic pain, and hence that, women at risk might be identified by the use of a biopsychosocial approach in pregnancy. It seems important to take these results into consideration both when forming preventive strategies and in rehabilitation.Implications for RehabilitationA high level of catastrophizing and a low physical ability in women with lumbopelvic pain during pregnancy increased the risk of reporting postpartum lumbopelvic pain.A biopsychosocial approach during pregnancy seems important for to identify women at risk for future pain.Interventions targeting catastrophizing might have a positive effect but that needs to be studied for this specific population.

Fundamental movement skills and self-concept of children who are overweight

Differences in fundamental movement skills and self-perceptions of physical ability and physical appearance of overweight and non-overweight children were investigated. Overweight (n = 89, mean age = 8.75 ± 1.4 years, BMI z-score = 2.22, SD = 0.46, 46% male) and non-overweight (n = 27, mean age = 8.25 ± 1.5 years, BMI z-score = 0.03, SD = 0.73, 62.1% male) participants enrolled in the KOALA (Kinder Overweight Activity Lifestyle Actions) project were included. The overall objective of the KOALA project was to determine in a randomized controlled trial the effect of a Triple P (Positive Parenting Program), and a family 'Eat Well Be Active' Scouts Camp program on BMI in overweight children. Baseline between-group differences on measures of fundamental movement skills and self-concept perceptions were analyzed using independent samples t-tests. Relationships between BMI and these variables were investigated with multiple linear regression. Overweight children had lower scores on Bruninks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Performance-2 subtests (Bilateral Coordination, Upper Limb Coordination, Strength, Balance, and Running Speed and Agility), and Physical abilities self-concept than non-overweight children. Children who were overweight had significant fundamental movement skill difficulties, as well as having poorer Physical abilities self-concept perceptions compared to non-overweight children. The association between increasing BMI and poor performance of gross motor tasks has potential implications for physical activity participation. Future research is needed to determine if fundamental movement skill difficulties and low physical ability self-concept are predisposing factors for children who are overweight or associated outcomes.

高地居住者の体格・体力・生理機能―海抜の高いチベット族遊牧民と中間高度のチベット族農民の比較―

The purpose of this research is to compare two different high altitudes Tibetan group’s physiques, physical strengths and physiological functions.In total 199 Tibetan subjects, 101 subjects (48 males and 53 females) from a 1800 meter highlands (mid-altitude group) and 98 subjects (48 males and 50 females) from a 4000 meter highlands (high altitude group) were examined morphological and physiological characteristics such as height, weight, vital capacity, blood pressure, grip strength and two step exercise test. Subjects for the analyses were extracted from the total subjects by matching the age and sex between the two groups, 53 subjects respectively.Compared to the mid-altitude group, the high altitude group had a smaller body size, lower physical abilities except for endurance performance, lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure and lower vital capacity. The results of vital capacity were different from that of previous researches. Although the blood pressure was remarkably low in high altitude group, it is difficult to attribute the cause only to the difference of altitude, because besides the altitude some differences such as occupations and eating habits existed between the comparison groups.

Hop Test As A Predictor For Lower Limb Injuries

The isokinetic dynamometer is a reliable tool to predict susceptibility to injury (i.e. hamstring strain). The assessment is, nonetheless, limited to an Open Kinetic Chain (OKC) condition, while most injuries in athletic fields have occurred under a Closed Kinetic Chain (CKC) condition (i.e., running, cutting or pivoting). Thus, a hop test has been proposed to assess the CKC function in the lower extremities. However, to our knowledge, there is no study to examine the ability of a hop test for predicting future injuries in the lower extremities. To determine the reliability of a hop test to predict susceptibility to lower limb injuries. METHOD: Sixty-eight college American Football players performed a Single Leg Hop Test (SHT) and a 6-meter Timed Hop test (THT) for each leg before the season. The players were classified into below-average (BA) and above average (AA) groups according to the score of the SHT and THT, respectively. A certified athletic trainer recorded two types of injuries throughout the season: muscles strain occurred to thigh or calf and ligamentous injuries occurred to knee or ankle. The incidence of those injuries was compared prospectively. RESULT: Chi-square analysis found a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the number of muscle strain injuries between the BA and AA group in the THT (Table 1), but not in the SHT. The individuals with lower physical ability in the THT have a higher risk for muscle strain. A Timed Hop test will be used to identify the individual at a risk for muscle strains at lower limb.

Lumbopelvic pain associated with catastrophizing and fear‐avoidance beliefs in early pregnancy

To examine and compare levels of catastrophizing, fear-avoidance beliefs, physical ability, and health-related quality of life in women with and without lumbopelvic pain (LP and NLP) in early pregnancy. A cross-sectional study of early pregnancy. Five midwife clinics, one in the center, two in the outskirts of Stockholm, and two in a medium-sized town. Three hundred and twenty-four women in the 19th-21st week of pregnancy. Questionnaires. The Pain Catastrophizing Scale of exaggerated negative thoughts about pain experiences, the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire of beliefs about how physical activity and work affect back pain, the Disability Rating Index of physical ability, and the Nottingham Health Profile to assess health-related quality of life. Two groups were defined: LP (n=141) and NLP (n=183). The Mann-Whitney U-test was used for comparisons. Pregnant women with LP had significantly (p<0.05) higher levels of exaggerated negative thoughts and fear-avoidance beliefs. They also had lower physical ability and health-related quality of life compared to women in the NLP group. It is important to consider exaggerated negative thoughts about pain experiences and fear-avoidance beliefs when treating women with LP during pregnancy and to be aware of the great impact lumbopelvic pain has on women's lives during early pregnancy.

EFFECT OF HAND CYCLE TRAINING ON PHYSICAL CAPACITY IN PERSONS WITH A TETRAPLEGIA

Synchronous hand cycling (HC) is a common form of wheeled ambulation for daily use, sports and recreation in persons with a spinal cord injury in the Netherlands. HC has been shown to be more efficient and less straining than wheelchair propulsion. Therefore HC seems to be a useful alternative for improving physical capacity (PC) in persons with a low physical ability level, like persons with tetraplegia (TP). However, little is known about training effects in HC. PURPOSE To determine the effects of an 8-week HC interval training program in TP and to gain insight in training principles of HC in TP. METHODS At this stage four trained subjects with TP (>2yrs post-injury) received a HC interval training intervention and were tested before and after the training period. The 8-week interval training consisted of 30 minute sessions, 3 times a week, at an intensity of 70–90% heart rate reserve. Peak VO2 and power output (POmax) were evaluated during a discontinuous maximal HC exercise test on a motor driven treadmill. Arm strength (hand-held dynamometry) and pulmonary function were determined as other parameters of PC. RESULTS Results in these four initially trained subjects showed a strong tendency for an increase in VO2 (pre:1.73 ± 0.32, post: 1.93± 0.14 1/min; p = 0.1) and POmax (pre: 65.6± 9.7, post: 75.1± 7.6W; p = 0.06). No tendencies for improvement of arm strength and pulmonary function were seen. CONCLUSIONS Even in this small and trained TP group (n=4) a strong tendency for improvement in PC was seen after an 8-week HC interval training. Future results will involve data of groups of untrained (n=10) and trained TP (n=10) and their controls.

Factors associated with mortality after hip fracture.

There is a well-known excess mortality subsequent to hip fracture, which is probably restricted to subgroups of hip fracture patients with reduced health status. We studied the association between risk factors and death in 248 hip fracture patients and 248 controls originally enrolled in a population-based case-control study. This cohort was followed for 3 1/2 years with respect to total mortality. A markedly increased mortality was found in hip fracture patients passing a mental status test at a low score [relative risk (RR) = 2.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4-3.7], in hip fracture patients reporting two or more selected chronic diseases (RR = 3.3, 95% CI 1.8-6.1), in hip fracture patients not walking outdoors before the fracture (RR = 3.2, 95% CI 2.0-5.1) and in hip fracture patients in the lower half of handgrip strength distribution (RR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.6-3.4), all compared with the control group. In contrast, hip fracture patients without these risk factors did not have increased mortality compared with the control group. This study suggests that otherwise healthy and fit patients do not have increased mortality subsequent to hip fracture. The excess mortality is restricted to persons with reduced mental status, reduced somatic health and low physical ability. Special attention should be paid to patients with such risk factors in the treatment and rehabilitation period.