Determination of functional fitness age in women aged 50 and older

Developing a predictive equation of cardiovascular age to evaluate cardiovascular health in Chinese community-dwelling women

Cardiovascular health plays a dominant role in shaping the overall health of individuals. Our aim was to develop a predictive equation of cardiovascular age (CVA) and determine its validity. In this study, we developed an equation of CVA based on 101 healthy women by using multiple linear regression analysis. Based on cross-sectional validity tests, we discovered that the mean CVA is remarkably younger than the mean chronological age in the active group, while there was no statistical age difference in the non-active group. We conclude that CVA is a valid assessment to evaluate cardiovascular health in Chinese community-dwelling women. Healthcare practitioners should consider CVA as a motivational tool for increasing physical activity or modifying diet to improve cardiovascular health in community-dwelling women.

Functional Capacity of Noninstitutionalized Older Adults from Northwest Mexico: Reference Values

INTRODUCTION

Physical capacity (PC) is a strong determinant of health, quality of life, and functional independence in older adults. Having reference values for PC specific to a particular region allows for a contextual interpretation of an individual's level.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to describe the evolution of key aspects of PC during the aging process and provide reference values for the major components of health-related PC for the older adult population in Northwest Mexico.

METHODS

A total of 550 independent older adults (60-84 years, 70% women) from the city of Hermosillo (Sonora, Mexico) were included between January and June 2019. PC was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test Battery (SFTB) and grip-strength test. Reference values were established for 5-year age groups, providing percentile values at 10, 25, 50, 75, and 90. The percentage decrease in functional capacity with aging was determined via a linear regression analysis of age against the percentage value of each subject relative to the average value of 60-year-old individuals of the same sex.

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences in the results between men and women within the same age group were few and inconsistent, except for handgrip strength, which was lower in women across all age groups. The functional level, with respect to reference values for each age and sex group, was similar between men and women. The most pronounced functional decline during the aging period occurs between 70 and 80 years of age. The various tests generally show an annual percentage loss of approximately 1% from 60 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study in Mexico that provides reference values for physical capacity using the Senior Fitness Test Battery. In general, older adults-both men and women-show similar functional levels with respect to their respective reference values. In general, an annual decline of 1% from the age of 60 years occurs.

Effect of telling older adults their predictive physical fitness age on physical activity: A quasi-experimental study

Physical activity plays an essential role in preventing diseases and improving overall health. Promoting physical activity has become an important intervention against low physical fitness and chronic diseases in older adults. This study aimed to determine whether telling older people their predictive physical fitness age prompts physical activity. Two hundred and fifty-three older Chinese people were assigned single-blindly to either an intervention group (n = 140) or control group (n = 113) in this quasi-experimental study. Participants in the intervention group were informed of the predictive physical fitness age and taught the difference from their chronological age while participants in the control group were not. Participants in both groups were encouraged to get more physical activities each day. The primary outcome was physical activity, and the secondary outcome was the change in physical fitness age. Results showed that for older adults with low physical fitness, all physical activity parameters (vigorous physical activity, moderate physical activity, walking, total physical activity and sitting) showed a significant difference between intervention and control groups after 2 and 12 weeks (p < 0.05). Moreover, physical fitness age was improved remarkably after 12 weeks compared to the control group (73.57 ± 5.75 vs. 66.85 ± 6.33 years, p < 0.05). For older adults with normal physical fitness, a remarkable difference was observed in moderate physical activity, total physical activity, and sitting between intervention and control groups after 2 weeks (p < 0.05), but the difference disappeared after 12 weeks. For older adults with high physical fitness, no significant changes were found between groups (p > 0.05). The findings suggest that telling older people their predictive physical fitness age can become a viable motivational tool to promote physical activity especially for those with low physical fitness, thereby improving their physical fitness age and overall health.

Effect of Wearable Technology-Based Physical Activity Interventions on Breast Cancer Survivors' Physiological, Cognitive, and Emotional Outcomes: A Systematic Review

This systematic review synthesized all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled trials examining the effects of wearable health technology-based physical activity interventions on physiological, cognitive, and emotional outcomes in breast cancer survivors (BCS). We searched NCBI, Academic Search Premier, EMBASE, Web of Science, PubMed, and Medline from inception to March 2021. We included studies which: (1) were RCTs or controlled trials ≥8 weeks in duration; (2) were peer-reviewed and published in English; (3) sampled BCS in full remission and had not received treatment for at least six months; (4) utilized wearable health technology (e.g., Fitbit, Garmin xGC30); and (5) examined physiological, emotional, and/or cognitive outcomes. Sixty-six studies were identified and 14 were included in the review. Most of the observed effects were statistically significant and those which employed multi-component interventions generally yielded greater effects. Overall, the use of wearable health technology reduced sedentary behavior and increased moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity. Further, increased moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity was observed to be associated with increased perceived cognition and higher cognitive performance. Multiple studies also observed significant improvements in attitude, worry, and anxiety. Overall, findings suggested wearable health technology-based physical activity interventions to be effective for improving physical activity, attitude, and cognitive functions and for reducing sedentary behavior, anxiety, and worry in BCS.

Effect of Wearable Technology-Based Physical Activity Interventions on Breast Cancer Survivors' Physiological, Cognitive, and Emotional Outcomes: A Systematic Review

This systematic review synthesized all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled trials examining the effects of wearable health technology-based physical activity interventions on physiological, cognitive, and emotional outcomes in breast cancer survivors (BCS). We searched NCBI, Academic Search Premier, EMBASE, Web of Science, PubMed, and Medline from inception to March 2021. We included studies which: (1) were RCTs or controlled trials ≥8 weeks in duration; (2) were peer-reviewed and published in English; (3) sampled BCS in full remission and had not received treatment for at least six months; (4) utilized wearable health technology (e.g., Fitbit, Garmin xGC30); and (5) examined physiological, emotional, and/or cognitive outcomes. Sixty-six studies were identified and 14 were included in the review. Most of the observed effects were statistically significant and those which employed multi-component interventions generally yielded greater effects. Overall, the use of wearable health technology reduced sedentary behavior and increased moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity. Further, increased moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity was observed to be associated with increased perceived cognition and higher cognitive performance. Multiple studies also observed significant improvements in attitude, worry, and anxiety. Overall, findings suggested wearable health technology-based physical activity interventions to be effective for improving physical activity, attitude, and cognitive functions and for reducing sedentary behavior, anxiety, and worry in BCS.

Age score for assessing motor function in Chinese community-dwelling older women

The study aimed to develop a physical fitness age score to assess motor function in community-dwelling elderly women and verify its validity. Principal component analysis was employed to build a physical fitness age score based on motor function variables. Validation test showed that the physical fitness age in the exercised older women was significantly lower than their chronological age, while no significant difference was observed between the physical fitness age and the chronological age in the normal elderly. The findings suggest that physical fitness age score is a valid approach to evaluate motor function in Chinese community-dwelling elderly women.

Effect of Aging on the Lower Limb Kinematics in Karate Practitioners: Comparing Athletes and Their Senseis

With the life expectancy increasing, older adult population has gained the attention of many researchers. Aging is known to lead to a general decline in bodily functions, which affect the quality of life. The aim of this study was to analyze how the aging process affects veteran active karate practitioners, in the kinematic and temporal structure of the frontal kick. Nine black belt karate practitioners over 50 years old and 24 black belt karate practitioners, aged between 20 and 30 years old, all male, performed the frontal kick mae-geri. Results showed that knee is the structure that holds most differences between young and veterans, both for linear and for angular variables during the mae-geri performance. Statistical differences were found in linear velocity for the knee; linear acceleration of the knee, hip, and RASIS; maximum angular velocity for knee and hip; maximum angular acceleration for ankle and hip; and in the range of motion of knee. The temporal variables show differences, between groups, in maximum linear velocity, maximum linear acceleration, and maximum angular acceleration. However, no differences were found between groups for the time before contact in the maximum linear and angular acceleration, which allow us to remark both the effects of the aging process and the effect of training. This study corroborates the ability of older people to achieve benefits from sports practice, achieving higher efficiency than the younger adults in task execution, but using different motor control strategies.