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Johnson MB, Cohen RG. Altered coordination strategies during upright stance and gait in teachers of the Alexander Technique. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2023; 4:1090087. [PMID: 37214774 PMCID: PMC10192613 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2023.1090087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Deterioration in movement and posture often occurs with aging. Yet there may be approaches to movement training that can maintain posture and movement coordination patterns as we age. The Alexander Technique is a non-exercise-based approach that aims to improve everyday movement and posture by increasing awareness and modulating whole-body postural muscle activity. This study assessed whether nineteen 55-72-year-old Alexander Technique teachers showed different posture and movement coordination patterns than twenty age-matched controls during a standing and walking protocol using 3D inertial sensors. During upright stance, Alexander Technique teachers showed lower centroidal sway frequency at the ankle (p = .04) and lower normalized jerk at the sternum (p = .05) than controls. During gait, Alexander Technique teachers had more symmetrical gait cycles (p = .04), more symmetrical arm swing velocity (p = .01), greater arm swing velocity (p < .01), greater arm swing range of motion (p = .02), and lower range of acceleration of the torso in the frontal plane (p = .03) than controls. Smoother control of upright posture, more stable torso motion, and less restrained arm mobility suggest that Alexander Technique training may counter movement degradation that is found with aging. Results highlight the important balance between mobility and stability within the torso and limbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly B. Johnson
- Trauma and Injury Research Center, Dell Children’s Medical Center, Austin, TX, United States
- Kinesiology Department, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Rajal G. Cohen
- Mind in Movement Laboratory, Department of Psychology and Communication, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
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Unver F, Buke M. The Effect of Music on Balance Parameters. PHYSIKALISCHE MEDIZIN, REHABILITATIONSMEDIZIN, KURORTMEDIZIN 2023. [DOI: 10.1055/a-2015-3446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to determine the effect of music on balance
parameters in healthy individuals.
Methods Forty-two participants were included in the study, mean
age=23.3 (SD=5.31). Prokin Tecnobody balance device was used for
balance measurements. Static and dynamic balance measurements on the dominant
foot and bipedal stance were recorded while listening to high-intensity music
and without music.
Results In the study, there was a statistically significant difference in
the dominant foot static mediolateral balance in measurements taken with music
(p=0.013). But, there was no difference in other parameters
(p>0.05). When examined by gender, it was found that the mediolateral
balance scores of females on static and dynamic dominant feet were significantly
higher in high-intensity music than males (p<0.05).
Conclusion In healthy participants, music improves the mediolateral
balance on the dominant foot. Therefore, high-intensity music can be a safe and
motivating method to be used in addition to clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Unver
- Faculty of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Pamukkale University,
Denizli, Turkey
| | - Meryem Buke
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and
Rehabilitation, Van Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey
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Postural instructions affect postural sway in young adults. Gait Posture 2023; 100:193-195. [PMID: 36584422 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Instructions to exert effort to correct one's posture are ubiquitous, but previous work indicates that effort-based postural instructions can impair balance control in older adults with and without neurodegenerative disease. Although less-studied, young adults are at high risk of injurious falls. RESEARCH QUESTION How do different postural instructions influence static balance in young adults? METHODS Single-session, counterbalanced, within-subjects design. Twenty young adults briefly practiced three different ways of thinking about their posture, then attempted to employ each way of thinking while standing on springy foam for 30 s with eyes open. Relax instructions were used as a baseline between experimental conditions. Effort-based instructions emulated popular concepts of posture correction using muscular exertion. Light instructions aimed at encouraging length and width while reducing excess tension. Postural sway was assessed with an inertial sensor at the low back. RESULTS Effort-based postural instructions increased path length and jerk of postural sway during quiet stance, relative to Light and Relaxed instructions. SIGNIFICANCE These results are consistent with previous work in older adults indicating that thinking of upright posture as inherently effortful impairs balance. Therefore, the common practice of instructing young adults to use effortful posture may impair their balance performance.
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Maruyama Y. Change in static standing balance ability of community-residing elderly females after the onset of COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. J Phys Ther Sci 2022; 34:183-186. [PMID: 35291472 PMCID: PMC8918099 DOI: 10.1589/jpts.34.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the changes in the balance ability of
community-residing elderly females between 2017 and 2020. [Participants and Methods] The
participants included 202 females with ≥65 years of age (average age, 78.3 ± 5.88 years),
living independently in the community and attending the salon. The balance ability was
measured through a one-legged standing test by keeping the participants’ eyes open. The
measurement duration was a maximum of 120 s while standing still. Each participant
underwent the measurement twice, and the best attempt was recorded. The survey period was
from 2017 to 2020, and the measurements were conducted once a year. [Results] The 2020
records showed a statistically significant difference compared to those of the other
3 years. The degree of decline was higher in the old-old than that in the young-old.
[Conclusion] The balance ability of the elderly females was found to reduce significantly
during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, supporting physical activities in the old-old
females is necessary to improve their balance ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Maruyama
- Tokai Gakuen University Miyoshi Campus: 21-233 Nishinohora, Ukigai, Miyoshi, Aichi 470-0207, Japan
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Halloway S, Dhana K, Desai P, Agarwal P, Holland T, Aggarwal NT, Evers J, Sacks FM, Carey VJ, Barnes LL. Free-living standing activity as assessed by seismic accelerometers and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults: The MIND trial. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2021; 76:1981-1987. [PMID: 33835152 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glab106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few older adults are able to achieve recommended levels of moderate-vigorous physical activity despite known cognitive benefits. Alternatively, less intense activities such as standing can be easily integrated into daily life. No existing study has examined the impact of free-living standing activity during daily life as measured by a device on cognition in older adults. Our purpose was to examine the association between free-living standing activity and cognitive function in cognitively healthy older adults. METHODS Participants were 98 adult participants aged 65 years or older from the ongoing MIND trial (NCT02817074) without diagnoses or symptoms of mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Linear regression analyses tested cross-sectional associations between standing activity (duration and intensity from the MoveMonitor+ accelerometer/gyroscope) and cognition (4 cognitive domains constructed from 12 cognitive performance tests). RESULTS Participants were on average 69.7 years old (SD = 3.7), 69.4% women, and 73.5% had a college degree or higher. Higher mean intensity of standing activity was significantly associated with higher levels of perceptual speed when adjusting for age, gender, and education level. Each log unit increase in standing activity intensity was associated with 0.72 units higher of perceptual speed (p=.023). When we additionally adjusted for cognitive activities and moderate-vigorous physical activity, and then also for body mass index, depressive symptoms, prescription medication use, and device wear time, the positive association remained. CONCLUSIONS These findings should be further explored in longitudinal analyses and interventions for cognition that incorporate small changes to free-living activity in addition to promoting moderate-vigorous physical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Halloway
- Rush University College of Nursing, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Klodian Dhana
- Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.,Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Pankaja Desai
- Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.,Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Puja Agarwal
- Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.,Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Thomas Holland
- Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.,Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Neelum T Aggarwal
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.,Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | | | - Frank M Sacks
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Vincent J Carey
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Lisa L Barnes
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.,Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
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The Effects of Abdominal Hypopressive Training on Postural Control and Deep Trunk Muscle Activation: A Randomized Controlled Trial. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18052741. [PMID: 33800428 PMCID: PMC7967465 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: Abdominal Hypopressive Training (AHT) provides postural improvement, and enhances deep trunk muscle activation. However, until recently, there was a lack of scientific literature supporting these statements. The major purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of AHT on posture control and deep trunk muscle function. Methods: 125 female participants aged 18–60 were randomly allocated to the Experimental Group (EG), consisting of two sessions of 30 min per week for 8 weeks of AHT, or the Control Group (CG), who did not receive any treatment. Postural control was measured with a stabilometric platform to assess the static balance and the activation of deep trunk muscles (specifically the Transverse Abdominal muscle (TrA)), which was measured by real-time ultrasound imaging. Results: The groups were homogeneous at baseline. Statistical differences were identified between both groups after intervention in the Surface of the Center of Pressure (CoP) Open-Eyes (S-OE) (p = 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.60) and the Velocity of CoP under both conditions; Open-Eyes (V-OE) (p = 0.001, Cohen´s d = 0.63) and Close-Eyes (V-CE) (p = 0.016, Cohen´s d = 0.016), with the EG achieving substantial improvements. Likewise, there were statistically significant differences between measurements over time for the EG on S-OE (p < 0.001, Cohen´s d = 0.99); V-OE (p = 0.038, Cohen´s d = 0.27); V-CE (p = 0.006, Cohen´s d = 0.39), anteroposterior movements of CoP with Open-Eyes (RMSY-OE) (p = 0.038, Cohen´s d = 0.60) and activity of TrA under contraction conditions (p < 0.001, Cohen´s d = 0.53). Conclusions: The application of eight weeks of AHT leads to positive outcomes in posture control, as well as an improvement in the deep trunk muscle contraction in the female population.
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