Physical activity and health: Musculoskeletal issues

Association between Chronic Disease Self-Management, Health Status, and Quality of Life in Older Taiwanese Adults with Chronic Illnesses

Aging is accompanied by many chronic comorbidities and disabilities, and entails medical expenses, which affects the quality of life among older adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the health status of older adults with chronic diseases mediates chronic disease self-management to predict quality of life.

METHODS

This research adopted a cross-sectional correlation study design. Convenient sampling was performed in outpatient departments commonly visited by older adults in a medical center in Southern Taiwan. The following measures were collected: (1) Physiological measurement: left handgrip, right handgrip, and lower extremities' muscle strength. (2) Questionnaires: cognitive function was measured by the Alzheimer's disease (AD)-8 scale, possible frailty with the Kihon Checklist (KCL), functional status with the Barthel Index (BI) and the Lawton and Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scales, and self-management for chronic disease and quality of life with the (WHOQOL)-BREF, Taiwan version.

RESULTS

Chronic disease self-management is correlated with health status and is directly related to quality of life. Chronic disease self-management also indirectly affects quality of life through health status (cognitive status and risk of frailty), showing that health status partly mediates the correlation between chronic disease self-management and quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

A health status feedback system should be introduced in related chronic disease self-management measures for older adults so that they can be aware of their own health status and so that their quality of life is improved. Custom-made nursing interventions are necessary for the reduction in or delay of disability or risk of frailty in older adults, thereby enhancing their quality of life.

Positive and negative skeletal adaptation in young gymnasts

This article discusses how participation in recreational gymnastics can improve the skeletal health of young girls in terms of gaining bone mass, strength, and density. Additionally, the article investigates negative skeletal adaptations, such as overuse injuries and the effects of rigorous training on growth and maturity.

The role of physical activity and diet on bone mineral indices in young men: a cross-sectional study

Background

Osteoporotic fractures are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in developed countries. Increasing peak bone mass in young people may be the most important primary prevention strategy to reduce the risk of osteoporosis. This study aimed to examine the relationship between dietary factors and physical activity on bone mineralization in young men.

Methods

Thirty-five healthy men aged 18–25 y had anthropometric measures, body composition, resting metabolic rate, blood pressure, blood lipids, food intake, physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness assessed.

Results

Participants who consumed more than 1000 mg/d of calcium were taller and had higher levels of whole body mineral content than participants who consumed less than 1000 mg/d of calcium. Similarly, participants who expended more than 20% of total daily energy engaged in moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity had higher cardiorespiratory fitness and higher levels of body mass adjusted bone mineral content than participants who did not meet this level of energy expenditure. There were no differences in blood pressure or blood lipids between participants in calcium or in physical activity energy expenditure categories.

Conclusions

A high intake of dietary calcium and high daily energy expenditure engaged in moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity were positively associated with bone mineralization in young men, particularly in the lumbar region.

Treinamento aeróbico prévio à compressão nervosa: análise da morfometria muscular de ratos

INTRODUÇÃO: Ciatalgia origina-se da compressão do nervo isquiático e implica em dor, parestesia, diminuição da força muscular e hipotrofia. O exercício físico é reconhecido na prevenção e reabilitação de lesões, porém quando em sobrecargas pode aumentar o risco de lesões e consequente déficit funcional. OBJETIVO: Avaliar efeitos de treinamento aeróbico prévio a modelo experimental de ciatalgia em relação a parâmetros morfométricos dos músculos sóleos de ratos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: 18 ratos divididos em três grupos: simulacro (mergulho, 30 segundos); exercício regular (natação, dez minutos diários); e treinamento aeróbico progressivo (natação em tempos progressivos de dez a 60 minutos diários). Ao final de seis semanas de exercício, os ratos foram submetidos ao modelo experimental da ciatalgia. No terceiro dia após a lesão, foram eutanasiados e tiveram seus músculos sóleos dissecados, pesados e preparados para análise histológica. Variáveis analisadas: peso muscular, área de secção transversa e diâmetro médio das fibras musculares. RESULTADOS: Observou-se diferença estatisticamente significativa para todos os grupos quando se comparou músculo controle e aquele submetido à lesão isquiática. A análise intergrupos não apresentou diferença estatisticamente significativa para nenhuma das variáveis analisadas. CONCLUSÃO: Tanto o exercício físico regular quanto o treinamento aeróbico não produziram efeitos preventivos ou agravantes às consequências musculares da inatividade funcional após ciatalgia.