Evolução da aptidão física e capacidade funcional de mulheres ativas acima de 50 anos de idade de acordo com a idade cronológica, na cidade de Santos

Square dance, loneliness, quality of life, and attitude toward aging in middle-aged and older women in China

Background

With the ongoing advancement of society and the economy, population aging has emerged as an unavoidable global trend, leading to various social issues and exerting a profound impact on the physical and mental well-being of middle-aged and older adults. While women often face greater challenges than men during the aging process, particularly in terms of physical health vulnerabilities, mental health disparities and socioeconomic disadvantages. These factors underscore the importance of studying middle-aged and older women to better address their unique needs and promote healthy aging. Much attention has been paid to how middle-aged and older women can improve healthy aging, positive emotions and subjective well-being through regular physical activity.

Methods

Using 4,819 middle-aged and older women who participated in square dance exercise, structural equation modeling was used to explore the relationship between square dance exercise and attitude toward aging, as well as the chain-mediated effects of loneliness and quality of life.

Results

(a) Square dance exercise is a positive predictor of attitude toward aging in middle-aged and older women. (b) Loneliness and quality of life moderated the relationship between square dance exercise and attitude toward aging, and their mediating effects included three pathways. (c) The single mediating effect of quality of life was the largest compared to the chain mediating effects of loneliness and loneliness-quality of life.

Conclusion

This study aimed to reveal the reduction of loneliness and improvement of quality of life as potential mechanisms in the relationship between square dance exercise and attitude toward aging, and to emphasize that square dance exercise can be effective in promoting positive attitude toward aging and enhancing subjective well-being in middle-aged and older women.

Physical function, ADL, and depressive symptoms in Chinese elderly: Evidence from the CHARLS

Background

Depressive symptoms are a serious public health problem that affects the mental health of older adults. However, current knowledge of the association between ADL disability and physical dysfunction and depressive symptoms in Chinese adults is insufficient. We intend to analyze the association between physical function, ADL, and depressive symptoms in older Chinese adults.

Methods

The data obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (2015 and 2018) (CHARLS). This includes 3,431 in 2015 and 3,258 in 2018 over the age of 60. Comparing 2015 and 2018 data, multivariate logistic regression models were used to explore the relationship between physical function, ADL, and depressive symptoms in urban and rural older adults, adjusting for sociodemographic factors associated with depression in older adults.

Results

The prevalence of depressive symptoms among older adults in China was 33.8 percent in 2015 and 50.6 percent in 2018. In baseline data from 2015 and 2018, residence, gender, marital status, drinking, physical function, ADL, and self-rated health were all found to be significantly associated with depressive symptoms in older adults. The differences in physical function, ADL and depressive symptoms among older adults in 2015 and 2018 were further analyzed based on urban and rural stratification. Both physical dysfunction and ADL disability were significantly associated with depressive symptoms in rural older adults in 2015 and 2018. And in urban areas, ADL was found to be significantly associated with depressive symptoms in urban older adults. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that ADL disability was significantly associated with depressive symptoms among older adults in both urban and rural areas. Physical dysfunction was only significant in rural areas with depressive symptoms. The alpha level was instead set to 0.05 for all statistical tests.

Conclusion

Rural, female, 60-70 years of age, primary school or below, married, non-smoking, non-drinking, physical dysfunction, ADL disability and self-rated poor health make-up a higher proportion of depressed older adults. ADL disability and physical dysfunction were more likely to be associated with depressive symptoms in rural Chinese older adults. Therefore, the physical and mental health of rural elderly should be of concern. The rural older adults should receive additional support from the government and society.

Construct validity and reliability of the 2-minute step test in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Objective

To validate and evaluate the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the 2-min step test (2MST) in measuring the functional performance of patients with knee pain associated with osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

Forty-one patients with knee OA was included. Two examiners assessed the patients at two times with interval between the test and retest from 7 to 14 days. All executions of 2MST were recorded in real time by the examiners and were also recorded by video. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and 95% confidence interval (CI), standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimum detectable difference (MDD) were used to determine reliability. In the construct validity, we correlate the score of the 2MST with the other instruments used in the study: The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Numerical Pain Scale (NPS), Pain-Related Catastrophizing Thoughts Scale (PCTS) and Chronic Pain Self-Efficacy Scale (PSEQ). The agreement between the face-to-face assessment and the evaluation based on the video record was assessed using the Bland-Altman methodology in the 4 moments of the 2MST.

Results

2MST presented excellent intra- (ICC = 0.94, SEM = 4.47, MDD = 12.40) and inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.97, SEM = 3.07, MDD = 8.52). The agreement was acceptable between face-to-face assessments and the analyzes performed on video. All instruments showed a statistically significant correlation with 2MST, except the PCTS. A correlation magnitude above 0.50 was found between the 2MST and pain and function domains of the WOMAC, and a correlation magnitude between 0.30 and 0.50 with the joint stiffness domain of the WOMAC, NRPS and PSEQ.

Conclusion

2MST proved to be valid for assessing functional capacity in patients with knee OA, with excellent reliability.

Factors associated with inflamm-aging in institutionalized older people

The increase in inflammatory cytokines associated with a reduction in the bioavailability of zinc has been used as a marker for inflammation. Despite the high inflammatory state found in institutionalized older individuals, few studies have proposed verifying the factors associated with this condition in this population. To verify the factors associated with inflamm-aging in institutionalized older people. A total of 178 older people (≥ 60 years old) living in nursing homes in Natal/RN were included in the study. Cluster analysis was used to identify three groups according to their inflammatory state. Analysis anthropometric, biochemical, sociodemographic, and health-related variables was carried out. In sequence, an ordinal logistic regression was performed for a confidence level of 95% in those variables with p < 0.20 in the bivariate analysis. IL-6, TNF-α, zinc, low-density lipids (LDL), high-density lipids (HDL), and triglycerides were associated with inflamm-aging. The increase of 1 unit of measurement of LDL, HDL, and triglycerides increased the chance of inflammation-aging by 1.5%, 4.1%, and 0.9%, respectively, while the oldest old (≥ 80 years old) had an 84.9% chance of presenting inflamm-aging in relation to non-long-lived older people (< 80 years). The association between biochemical markers and inflamm-aging demonstrates a relationship between endothelial injury and the inflammatory state. In addition, the presence of a greater amount of fat in the blood may present a higher relative risk of death.

The effects of physical activity on anxiety, depression, and quality of life in elderly people living in the community

INTRODUCTION

Health problems may negatively affect the psychological and physical aspects of life, influencing the quality of life of older adults. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of physical activity on quality of life, anxiety, and depression in the elderly population.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study of 200 elderly people of both genders. Subjects were divided into two groups: one with 100 senior citizens engaged in physical activities in a social center for the elderly; and another composed of 100 subjects who lived in the community but were not engaged in physical activities. The instruments used to assess physical activities, quality of life, and anxiety and depression were, respectively: the modified Baecke questionnaire; the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36); and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The data were analyzed using the Student's t test, Pearson's r, and analysis of variance (ANOVA), with odds ratio and a 5% significance level (p<0.05).

RESULTS

We observed that the active group showed higher scores of physical activity and quality of life. Conversely, the sedentary group revealed higher scores of anxiety and depression. Data assessment revealed a strong correlation between the domains quality of life, level of vitality, and mental health (r=0.77). The prevalence ratio showed that physical activity is a protective factor against anxiety and depression in the elderly.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest a correlation between low levels of physical activity and symptoms of anxiety and depression in the elderly living in the community.

Trainability and reversibility in physical fitness among elderly persons taking part in an intervention program

Objective To assess the trainability and reversibility of variables of physical fitness in elderly participants in Active Living Functional Gymnastics. Method This ex post facto study was composed of 115 elderly women from six functional fitness groups in the Active Living Program in Florianopolis. The Rikli and Jones battery of tests (Chair Stand Test, Arm Curl Test, Chair Sit and Reach Test, Back Scratch Test, 8-Foot Up and Go Test, 6 Minute Walk Test) was used. The intervention period lasted for eight months, and the detraining period took three months. Descriptive and inferential statistics with paired Student t-test and Scheffé post hoc was used. Results The performance of the age groups differed in agility and aerobic capacity; Trainability was identified in the strength and resistance variables of the lower and upper limbs, and the flexibility of the lower limbs; Detraining was perceived in the strength and resistance of upper limbs, and aerobic capacity. Conclusion A Functional Gymnastics program produces positive effects on the strength and resistance of the lower and upper limbs, and flexibility of the lower limbs in elderly women. An interruption period lasting three months results in detraining in strength and resistance of the lower limbs and aerobic capacity.