Meeting physical activity guidelines through community-based group exercise: "better bones and balance"

Effects of group-based virtual reality training on activities of daily living and functional outcomes in older adults: a randomised control trial

Virtual reality training (VRT), a fun, inexpensive and accessible technology, has the potential to improve activities of daily living (ADL) and functional status in older adults. The potential impact of VRT can be increased through group-based training. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of group- based VRT on ADL and functional outcomes in older adults over 65 years of age. Forty-three older adults included in the study were randomized into three groups (group- based VRT, individual VRT and control group). VRT was performed with Xbox 360 Kinect twice a week for 8 weeks. Each session lasted 45 min. Physical activity level, satisfaction level with physical activity, mood, mobility and balance performance, functional exercise capacity and ADL were evaluated. 36 people completed the study. A significant group × time interaction was found in Timed Up and Go test (TUG) (F [2, 57] = 8.60; η2= 0.004, P= <.001) and in Single Leg Stance Test (SLST)) (F [2, 57] = 5.69; η2= 8.509 × 10-4, P= <.007). After 8 weeks group- based VRT showed better scores in overall TUG (p < .001) and SLST (p= .015), whereas individual VRT and control group did not exhibit significant changes. Our results suggested that 8 weeks group- based VRT could improve mobility and balance performance in older adults.

A thematic analysis of the perceptions of a community-based exercise program on the health and well-being of ageing adults

This study explores a weekly community-based exercise program (CBEP) for ageing adults in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. This program aims to improve the health and well-being of ageing adults and was evaluated using an exploratory qualitative study design. Four focus group discussions and two individual interviews were conducted before a thematic analysis using Braun & Clark's (2006) six-step approach. A total of 23 participants were involved in the study over a 6-week period. The thematic analysis resulted in two main themes: (a) meeting community needs and (b) benefits to health and well-being. Five minor themes stemmed from these two themes, in which participants identified that a service gap existed within the community and the program was adaptive in its design to meet community needs. Participants reported benefits to health and well-being, specifically perceived improved mobility and independence, social connections and 'recharging the batteries to feel good'. The inclusion of Tai Chi exercises was noted for increased vitality and pain management benefits. The role of the exercise instructor was deemed to be instrumental to the success of the CBEP. The CBEP provides motivation for older adults to attend, increasing physical activity. Future CBEPs for ageing adults should provide a social component and relevant health education for participants. Exercises should be safely adapted by the exercise instructor to suit people of various abilities and to promote a more 'inclusive' environment.

The Effect of Nordic Walking Training with Poles with an Integrated Resistance Shock Absorber on the Body Balance of Women over the Age of 60

The aim of this study was to assess the changes in the balance of healthy, elderly women as a result of Nordic walking training using of two types of poles: classic poles, and poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber. Thirty-four women completed the experiment (Age = 66.8 ± 4.1 years). They were randomly assigned into the experimental group—training with poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber—EG (n = 17), and the control active group—training with classic poles—CG (n = 17). Body balance was measured with Romberg sharpened test and using the AccuGait ™ force platform before and after an intervention lasting for 8 weeks (2 training sessions × 75 min per week). In ANOVA analysis, the Romberg sharpened test showed a statistically significant effect of “time” (F = 18.62, p < 0.001, ɳ² = 0.37). No interaction effect or clear “time” effect was observed in the ANOVA analysis for the results of posturographic tests (p > 0.05). The lack of pre-post differences in posturographic tests indicates that further research is necessary, where, e.g., there are extended intervention times and more difficult examination tasks are performed. In the case of the Romberg test, both groups improved their results, which may indicate an improvement in perception and processing of sensory information, regardless of the type of training applied.

Relationships Between Body Mass Index and Static and Dynamic Balance in Active and Inactive Older Adults

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Although the association between higher body mass index and poorer balance has been observed in older adults, the role of physical activity in this relationship is not well established. This study aimed to provide scientific evidence about the relationship between body mass index and balance, taking into account the amount of physical activity performed as a confounding variable.

METHODS

We collated cross-sectional data from 160 community-dwelling older adults whom we divided into 3 body mass index categories: normal weight (≥18.50-24.99 kg/m), overweight (25.00-29.99 kg/m), and obese (≥30.00-34.99 kg/m). We classified the participants as inactive or active by means of the Yale Physical Activity Questionnaire. We carried out static and dynamic balance measurements by means of a force platform and through the performance of the Timed Up and Go test, respectively.

RESULTS

We found statistically significant correlations between static balance, dynamic balance, and body mass index in inactive normal (r = 0.280; P = .035; r = 0.300; P = .031) and inactive overweight (r = 0.395; P = .025; r = 0.339; P = .023) people. We observed moderately strong and fair significant correlations between static/dynamic balance and BMI in inactive (r = .603; P = .028; and r = 0.720; P = .020) and active (r = 0.406; P = .037; and r = 0.378; P = .037) obese people, respectively.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the amount of physical activity performed is a potential contributing factor affecting the association between body mass index and balance in older persons. These findings could be of importance when identifying the main factors that influence postural control among older adults with obesity.

Does Nordic walking improves the postural control and gait parameters of women between the age 65 and 74: a randomized trial

[Purpose] To assess the effect of 12-weeks Nordic walking training on gait parameters and some elements of postural control. [Subjects and Methods] Sixty-seven women aged 65 to 74 years were enrolled in this study. The subjects were divided into a Nordic Walking group (12 weeks of Nordic walking training, 3 times a week for 75 minutes) and a control group. In both study groups, a set of functional tests were conducted at the beginning and at the end of the study: the Forward Reach Test (FRT) and the Upward Reach Test (URT) on a stabilometric platform, and the analysis of gait parameters on a treadmill. [Results] The NW group showed improvements in: the range of reach in the FRT test and the URT test in compared to the control group. The length of the gait cycle and gait cycle frequency also showed changes in the NW group compared to the control group. [Conclusion] A 12-week NW training program had a positive impact on selected gait parameters and may improve the postural control of women aged over 65 according to the results selected functional tests.

A Pilot Study of Determinants of Ongoing Participation in EnhanceFitness: A Community-Based Group Exercise Program for Older Adults

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Physical activity has many benefits for older adults, but adherence is often low. The purposes of this study were to (1) identify motivators and barriers for participation in EnhanceFitness (EF), a group-based exercise program; and (2) quantitatively examine the association between motivators, barriers and individual characteristics, and ongoing participation in the program.

METHODS

This was a prospective, cross-sectional study. We mailed a pilot, investigator-developed survey to assess motivators and barriers to exercising to 340 adults who started a new EF class, regardless of their attendance rate. We precoded surveys on the basis of class attendance, with former participants defined as having no attendance a month or more before a 4-month fitness check.

RESULTS

Of the 241 respondents (71% response rate), 61 (25%) were precoded as former participants and 180 (75%) as current participants. The mean age of respondents was 71 years and they were predominately female (89%). More than half of respondents were whites (58%), and almost half were married (46%). Former participants reported lower total motivation scores than current participants (P < .01) and had a significantly higher mean total barrier score (P < .001). The effects of 5 barriers ("Class was too hard," "Class was too easy," "I don't like to exercise," "Personal illness," and "Exercise caused pain") and 2 motivators ("I want to exercise" and "I plan exercise as part of my day") were significantly different between current and former participants. Discrete event history models show that dropout was related positively to ethnicity (whites were more likely to drop out) and health-related barriers.

DISCUSSION

In newly formed EF classes, participants who drop out report more program, psychosocial, and health barriers, and fewer program and psychosocial motivators. Total barrier score and health barriers significantly predict a participant's dropping out, and white ethnicity is associated with a higher likelihood of dropping out.

CONCLUSIONS

Employing strategies that address health barriers to participation could improve attendance rates for group-based exercise programs.