Effect of a 6-Month Brisk Walking Program on Walking Endurance in Sedentary and Physically Deconditioned Women Aged 60 or Older: A Randomized Trial

Cardiovascular response to brisk walking on different surfaces in an innovative senior playground: a randomized trial in older adults

Brisk walking is a simple exercise for older adults. We aimed to assess the cardiovascular response to a short bout of brisk walking on walking loops in an innovative senior playground in Thailand. Twenty older adults were randomly assigned to brisk walking on artificial turf (AT group, n = 10) or an uneven surface (US group, n = 10). We assessed cardiovascular parameters, average walking speed, and rate of perceived exertion. Blood pressure, heart rate, rate-pressure product, and rate perceived exertion were significantly increased, while the mean RR interval of heart rate variability was significantly decreased in both AT and US groups after exercise compared with pre-exercise (p < 0.05). A greater change in systolic blood pressure was observed in the US group than in the AT group (p < 0.05). These data indicated that brisk walking on AT and US increases cardiovascular response. Our findings provide information on planning exercise programs for older adults.

Effect of Brisk Walking on Health-Related Physical Fitness Balance and Life Satisfaction Among the Elderly: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Although the elderly frequently engages in brisk walking as a form of exercise, little has been reported in the literature about the effect of brisk walking on health-related physical fitness, balance, and overall life satisfaction.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this systematic review is to determine the effect of brisk walking on the elderly's health-related physical fitness, balance, and life satisfaction.

DESIGN

We conducted a comprehensive search from the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases from January to September 2021. We selected studies through PICOS and conducted a systematic literature review according to the PRISMA guidelines.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies met all criteria; 11 were classed as low risk of bias, while two were classified as high risk of bias. Generally, brisk walking has been shown to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and body composition. Limited evidence was presented on flexibility, muscular endurance and development and life satisfaction, and there was conflicting evidence on balance. Moreover, evidence of restriction proves that high-intensity (80-85%) brisk walking is more effective than moderate-intensity (60-75%) brisk walking on the aerobic capacity of the elderly. Furthermore, there was less research conducted on males.

CONCLUSION

Brisk walking has been shown to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and body composition. Other outcomes (balance, flexibility, muscular endurance, and life satisfaction) and the impact of the intensity of brisk walking on the elderly should be confirmed. Therefore, there remains insufficient research on brisk walking, while single brisk walking cannot meet requirements of elderly in terms of their health-related physical fitness, balance, and life satisfaction. Future research should aim to examine the effectiveness of combining several types of exercises to promote general health in the elderly, as the World Health Organization recommends. Unintelligible FITT (frequency, intensity, time, type) principles of brisk walking training should be trenched for the results of scientific and effective physical exercise.

Many inpatients may not be physically prepared for community ambulation on discharge from a publicly funded rehabilitation centre: a cross-sectional cohort study

PURPOSE

We assessed the ability of patients discharging home from inpatient rehabilitation to meet criteria for community ambulation.

METHODS

Cross-sectional observational study design. Participants were assessed, within 48-hours of discharge on their ability to: ascend/descend three steps, walk at a speed of 0.44 m/s, ascend/descend a slope, ascend/descend a kerb, and walk 315 m continuously. Demographic data were collected from medical records. Multiple logistic regression determined factors predictive of meeting criteria.

RESULTS

Of 200 participants (mean 73 years, 66% women, mixed diagnosis), 64 (32%) met all criteria. The least commonly met criteria were walking 315 m continuously (37%) and ascending/descending steps (70%). Participants who were female (OR: 0.27, 95%CI: 0.12-0.61), with a high comorbidity index (OR: 0.71, 95%CI: 0.56-0.91) or a traumatic orthopaedic diagnosis (OR: 0.22, 95%CI: 0.05-0.96) were less likely to meet all criteria. Participants with a higher admission functional independence walk item score (OR: 1.37, 95%CI: 1.05-1.78) or higher ambulatory self-confidence (OR: 1.02, 95%CI: 1.01-1.04) were more likely to meet all criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately, one-third of inpatients discharged home from a publicly funded rehabilitation centre met the community ambulation criteria, suggesting many may not be physically prepared to participate in their community.Implications for RehabilitationOnly about one in three inpatients discharging home from a publicly funded rehabilitation centre met physical criteria for community ambulation.Patients discharging home from inpatient rehabilitation have most difficulty walking long distances (≥315 m) compared to other criteria required for community ambulation (i.e., walking at a speed of 0.44 m/s, stepping up/down a kerb, ascending/descending a slope and ascending/descending three steps) and rehabilitation during this phase may require an increased focus on improving walking endurance/physical activity.Women with a high co-morbidity index, traumatic orthopaedic diagnosis, low self-confidence with ambulation on discharge and who require more assistance with walking on admission are least likely to meet the physical criteria for community ambulation at discharge, and therefore may require additional rehabilitation or supports.

Home-based exercise can be beneficial for counteracting sedentary behavior and physical inactivity during the COVID-19 pandemic in older adults

The novel pandemic called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as a global public health emergency, seems to be having a major impact on physical activity (PA) behaviors. Older adults are at high risk of death from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2). Health authorities around the world have been implementing preventive health measures, including quarantine and self-isolation, to mitigate the COVID-19 outbreak. This period is characterized by the cessation of outdoor exercising. During this period of lockdown, PA has been one of the rare reasons for going out in some countries. To avoid the harmful effects of periods of exercise cessation, PA could be prescribed to older adults, which is of great importance for breaking their sedentary lifestyle and improving their immunity. The present review discusses the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on sedentary behavior and physical inactivity in older adults. The importance of performing PA to reduce the harmful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is discussed, and useful recommendations on home-based exercise for the older adults to maintain their level of independence, physical and mental health as well as their well-being are provided.

Continuous Compared to Accumulated Walking-Training on Physical Function and Health-Related Quality of Life in Sedentary Older Persons

The present study aimed to analyze the impact of overground walking interval training (WIT) in a group of sedentary older adults, comparing two different dose-distributions. In this quasi-experimental and longitudinal study, we recruited twenty-three sedentary older adults (71.00 ± 4.10 years) who were assigned to two groups of WIT. The continuous group (CWIT) trained for 60 min/session in the morning, while the accumulated group (AWIT) performed the same duration and intensity of exercise, but it was distributed twice a day (30 min in the morning and 30 more in the afternoon). After 15 weeks of an equal external-load training (3 days/week), Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons revealed significant (p < 0.050) and similar large improvements in both groups in cardiorespiratory fitness and lower limb strength; even larger gains in preferred walking speed and instrumental daily life activity, which was slightly superior for CWIT; and improvements in agility, which were moderate for CWIT and large for AWIT. However, none of the training protocols had an impact on the executive function in the individuals, and only the AWIT group improved health-related quality of life. Although both training protocols induced a general significant improvement in physical function in older adults, our results showed that the accumulative strategy should be recommended when health-related quality of life is the main target, and the continuous strategy should be recommended when weakness may be a threat in the short or medium term.

High-Intensity Interval Circuit Training Versus Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Functional Ability and Body Mass Index in Middle-Aged and Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The literature suggests that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is more effective than moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) to improve functional ability. However, there is no evidence on including HIIT in a circuit programme (HIICT). Our objective was to determine what type of training (HIICT or MICT) induces greater adaptations in the functional ability and body mass index of middle-aged and older women. The study used a quasi-experimental randomized controlled trial with 54 participants (age = 67.8 ± 6.2 years). Participants were randomly allocated to HIICT (n = 18), MICT (n = 18) or a non-exercise control group (CG; n = 18). The participants in the HIICT or MICT groups trained twice a week (1 h/session) for 18 weeks. Forty-one subjects were analysed (HIICT; n = 17, MICT; n = 12, CG; n = 12). Five subjects presented adverse events during the study. Strength, gait, cardiorespiratory fitness, balance and body mass index were measured. A significant training x group interaction was found in the arm curl test, where HIICT was statistically better than MICT and CG. Likewise, HIICT was statistically better than the CG in the BMI interaction. In lower limb strength, gait/dynamic balance and cardiorespiratory fitness, both HIICT and MICT were statistically better than the CG. In conclusion, HIICT generated better adaptations in upper limb strength than MICT. Likewise, HIICT generated better adaptations in body mass index than CG. Finally, both HIICT and MICT had a similar influence on strength, cardiorespiratory fitness and gait/dynamic balance.

The effects of home-based stair and normal walking exercises on lower extremity functional ability, fall risk factors, and cardiovascular health risk factors in middle-aged older women

The purpose of this study was to exam 12 weeks of stair and normal walking effects on lower extremity functional ability and cardiovascular health risk factors in middle-aged older women. Twenty-four subjects were assigned either to the stair walking group (SWG, 57.40±6.11 years, n=10) or the normal walking group (NWG, 57.28±16.83 years, n= 14). They performed exercises 3 times per week, 60 min per day for 12 weeks. Lower extremity functional ability (lower extremity muscular strength, walking speed, active and static balance ability, and agility) and cardiovascular health risk factors were compared by time and groups using a two-way repeated analysis of variance and mean values were compared within group using paired t-test. As results, significant time differences were found in lower extremity muscular strength, walking speed and active balance; no time and group interactions were found. Also, significant time differences were found in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose. Significant time and group interactions were found in body fat. In addition, significant time differences within the groups were found in lower extremity muscular strength, walking speed, active balance in SWG and NWG; systolic blood pressure in SWG; systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting glucose in NWG. These results indicated that home-based stair and normal walking exercises can be utilized to improve lower extremity functional ability and cardiovascular health risk factors in middle-aged and older women.

Exercise for Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease with a prevalence rate of 1-2 per 1000 of the population worldwide. Pharmacological management is the mainstay of treatment. Despite optimal medication, motor impairment particularly balance and gait impairment persist leading to various degree of disability and reduced quality-of-life. The present review describes motor impairment including postural impairment, gait dysfunction, reduced muscle strength and aerobic capacity and falls. Physical therapy and complementary exercises have been proven to improve motor performance and functional mobility. Evidence on the efficacy of physical therapy and complementary exercises is presented in this review. These exercises include gait training with cues, gait training with treadmill, Nordic walking, brisk walking, balance training, virtual reality interventions, Tai Chi and dance. All these treatment interventions produce short-term beneficial effects and some interventions demonstrate long-term benefit. Gait training with treadmill enhance walking performance and the effects sustain for 3-6 months. Balance training improves balance, function and reduces fall rate, and these effects carry over to at least 12 months after training ended. Sustained Tai Chi for 6 months, dance therapy for 12 months, progressive resistive training for 24 months alleviates the PD motor symptoms, suggesting that they could slow down PD progression. Based on this evidence, individuals with PD are encouraged to sustain their training in order to improve/maintain their physical ability and to combat the progression of PD.