ECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH23
INTRODUCTION: Aging is associated with an increased risk of chronic disease and loss of function, profoundly affecting independence and quality of life. Physical activity, particularly exercise training, has been highly recommended for older adults. Community-based exercise programs for older adults play an important role in encouraging, enabling, and engaging older adults to participate in regular, appropriate, and health-promoting exercise; therefore, helping to mitigate the decline in both physical and cognitive outcomes that commonly occurs with advancing age [1]. This study examined the effects of a 16-week community-based multimodal exercise program (CBMEP) on physical and cognitive function of older adults. METHODS: This pilot pre-post study included and enrolled eight older adults (Age: 76.87±3.22 years; 50% women). The 16-week program consisted of Monday through Friday, 60-minute fitness classes at a recreational center, with participants attending at least three days per week. The exercise program incorporated stretch, balance, resistance, aerobics, yoga, and tai-chi, and it was delivered by trained students majoring in Kinesiology and supervised by an experienced graduate student. Participants were assessed pre- and post-16 weeks of intervention on measures of lower extremity function (Short Physical Performance Battery; SPPB), functional mobility (Timed Up and Go; TUG), functional muscle power (Stair Climbing Power Test; SCPT), walking endurance (2-Minute Walking Test; 2MWT) and global cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment; MOCA). Data were analyzed using paired t test with a significance set at P<0.05, and percentage improvement (PEI), which was calculated using the following: PEI = (Pre – Post)/Pre) x 100. RESULTS: After 16 weeks of a multimodal exercise program, a trend toward improved functional muscle power from pre- to post-intervention was observed (SCPT; Pre: 4.32±0.59s vs. Post: 3.89±0.89s; P=0.05; PEI = 9.95%). No significant improvements were found for lower extremity function (SPPB; Pre: 11.38±0.74 vs. Post: 11.75±0.46; P=0.29; PEI = 3.25%), functional mobility (TUG; Pre: 6.05±0.61s vs. Post: 5.73±0.79s; P=0.19; PEI = 5.29%), walking endurance (2MWT; Pre: 640.63±65.79ft vs. Post: 669.93±81.32ft; P=0.21; PEI = 4.57%), or global cognition (MOCA; Pre: 27.67±2.58 vs. Post: 28.00±2.00; P=0.47; PEI = 1.19%). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that 16 weeks of CBMEP did not significantly improve the selected outcomes. However, the results indicated a trend toward improved functional muscle power. Although the selected physical and cognitive function outcomes did not show significant effects, the observed maintenance of these functions over time could be viewed as positive, given the normal declines associated with aging. References 1. Fien S, et al. Characteristics of community-based exercise programs for community-dwelling older adults in rural/regional areas: a scoping review. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2022; 34(7):1511-1528.
Read CV Emerson SebastiaoECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH23
INTRODUCTION: Lower extremity muscle power critically impacts mobility and quality of life in older adults. Aging leads to declines in Type II muscle fibers and strength, linked to reduced mobility, higher disability risk, and cognitive impairment, affecting daily living activities[1]. Muscle power training uses progressive, high-intensity exercises with rapid movements to quickly enhance force generation, unlike endurance training, which focuses on sustained effort[2]. The study examined lower extremity power training with visual feedback to improve health performance in community-dwelling elderly individuals. METHODS: Twenty-five elders from two centers were recruited: one was assigned to the intervention group (n=11) and the other to the control group (n=14). The intervention group participated in a 12-week progressive resistance training program with two sessions per week, while the control group continued their usual activities. Outcome variables included body composition, muscle strength, physical performance, Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), measured at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention, except HRV and MoCA, which were assessed only at baseline and post-intervention. Repeated-measures ANOVA and generalized estimating equations were used for statistical analyses, with p<0.05 deemed significant. RESULTS: Our results revealed muscle strength improved in both groups. The control group showed significantly increased strength in the left quadriceps and bilateral hamstrings from baseline to mid-phase. The intervention group improved in quadriceps, hamstrings, and right-hand grip strength from mid to post-phase, while no further changes occurred in the control group. Diastolic blood pressure (η²=3.936, p=0.047) and HRV, measured by the root mean square of successive differences (η²=5.10, p=0.024), showed significant interaction effects, increasing in the intervention group. Gait speed improved significantly in the intervention group (p=0.004), along with overall Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores. Regarding cognitive function, orientation ability and total score showed significant differences between groups (p=0.003; p=0.04), with the control group experiencing a significant decline in orientation ability. Systolic blood pressure and oxygen levels increased in both groups without between-group differences, while the body mass remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: The control group showed early strength gains, likely due to higher activity levels, while the intervention group, following progressive overload, achieved greater long-term improvements. Power training improved parasympathetic activity and cardiac regulation, enhancing physical performance and cognitive function.
Read CV Yi-Wei KaoECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH23
INTRODUCTION: Physical activity (PA) increases functional ability and balance in older individuals, but engagement is low [1]. Improving engagement with PA in the community, requires a range of programmes on offer [2]. Trampoline-based exercise increased power in older individuals in the laboratory [3]. The present study explored the effect of a pragmatic, community-based 6-week trampoline exercise programme on functional ability and postural control in older adults. METHODS: Forty-six older adults (>60 years) were randomly allocated to a mini-trampoline (EXP, n=25) or a usual (CON, n=21) exercise group. EXP exercised on individual mini-trampolines while CON with standard exercise class activities. Both groups exercised at a community centre for 6 weeks, for 30 minutes, twice a week; participants completing <70% (i.e. <9) sessions were excluded from the analysis [4]. Functional ability (timed-up and go (TUG) time), leg power (sit to stand time (STS) and power (STS-P)), postural control (single leg stance path (SL-P) and velocity (SL-V)) and performing ambulatory activities confidence (Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale) were measured before (PRE) and after (POST) the 6-weeks. Age, height, body mass and sex between groups was compared was baseline. A generalised linear mixed-effects model was used to examine for differences in all variables between EXP and CON. RESULTS: A total of 29 participants attended ≥9 sessions (EXP: n=16, 64.5±3.8 years; CON: n= 13, 64.1 ± 2.7 years). There were no differences in age, height, body mass or sex between groups. No adverse effects were reported by any participant. No significant interaction or group main effect existed for TUG, STS and ABC but there was a significant PRE-POST main effect, with performance improvement at POST (TUG: PRE = 9.35 ± 1.23 s, POST = 8.68 ± 1.22 s, P = 0.001, g = 0.547; STS: PRE = 17.5 ± 3.33 s, POST = 15.3 ± 4.52 s, P = 0.182, g = 0.554; ABC: PRE = 93.8 ± 8.12%, POST = 96.2 ± 4.60%, P = 0.001, g = 0.34). SL-P and SL-V showed no significant interaction or main effects. CONCLUSION: Whilst there was no difference between interventions for any outcome, both EXP and CON groups improved functional ability, leg power and balance confidence but not postural control. A notable outcome of the study is the comparable adherence rate above the specified 70% attendance and the lack of adverse events in both groups. These results support that a pragmatic, community-based mini-trampoline exercise programme may be an effective exercise option for older adults to support promotion of PA in this population and merits further investigation. REFERENCES 1. Wickramarachchi et al., 2023, Gerontol Geriatr Med, 9:23337214231158476 2. British Heart Foundation, 2008, Guidelines for the promotion of physical activity with older people 3. Franchi et al., 2019, Front Physiol, 10:178 4. Hawley-Hague et al., 2016, BMJ Open, 6(6):e011560
Read CV Theodoros BampourasECSS Paris 2023: CP-MH23