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RESEARCH NEWS The effects of a
walking exercise programme on fall- related fitness, bone metabolism, and fall-related psychological factors in elderly women
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 3-month walking exercise programme with ankle weights, on fall-related fitness, bone metabolism, and fall-related psychological factors.
Fall-related fitness was determined from strength, balance, agility, aerobic endurance, muscle mass, and fat mass measures. Bone metabolism was measured using bone density, hormones and biochemical markers. Fall-
Contribution of physical fitness,
cerebrovascular reserve and cogni- tive stimulation to cognitive function in post-menopausal women
related psychological factors included fear of falling and falls efficacy. All subjects were community-dwelling elderly women. Results revealed significant changes in upper body strength, leg strength, aerobic endurance, and body composition. Additionally, hormones and biochemical markers changed significantly over time. Trunk fat and fear
of falling changed differently among the two groups. In conclusion, this study suggests that a 3-month walking exercise programme with ankle weights may have positive effects on fall-related fitness, bone metabolism, and fall- related psychological factors. Research in Sports Medicine 2010;18(4):236-250
Fitness consultations in routine care of patients with type 2 diabetes in general practice: an 18-month non-randomised intervention study
Increasing physical activity is a cornerstone in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and in general practice it is a challenge to achieve long- term adherence to this life style change. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the introduction of motivational interviewing combined with fitness tests in a type 2 diabetes care programme was followed by
a change in cardio-respiratory fitness.
In this 18-month study, participants who had repeated fitness consultations, including physical testing and motivational interviewing to improve physical activity, improved VO2max, muscle strength, and lipid profile. The results indicate that physical testing combined with
motivational interviewing is feasible in a primary health care setting. Here, a fitness consultation tailored to the individual patient, his/her comorbidities and conditions in the local area can be incorporated into the diabetes programme to improve patients’ muscle strength and cardio-respiratory fitness. BMC Family Practice 2010;3(Nov):11:83
Effect of pilates mat exercises and conventional exercise
programmes on transversus abdominis and obliquus internus abdominis activity: pilot randomised trial.
Pilates training is said to increase transversus abdominis (TrA) and internal oblique (OI) activation during exercise and functional activities. Thirty four pain-free health club members with no Pilates experience and an average age of 30, were randomised to Pilates mat exercises or strength training. Participants exercised unsupervised twice-weekly for eight weeks. TrA and OI thickness were measured with ultrasound pre- and post-training during Pilates exercises which included ‘Imprint’ (an abdominal drawing-in manoeuvre), ‘Hundreds A’ (lying supine, arms slightly raised, hips and knees flexed to 90°), ‘Hundreds B’ (as A, with neck flexion) and functional postures in sitting and standing. Pilates training appears to increase TrA activity but only when performing Pilates exercises. Further research is required into Pilates in clinical populations and how to increase deep abdominal activation during functional activities. Manual Therapy 2010 Nov 11 (Epub ahead of print)
Studies of the effects of physical fitness on cognition suggest that exercise can improve cognitive abilities in healthy older adults, as well as delay the onset of age-related cognitive decline. The mechanisms for the positive benefit of exercise and how these effects interact with other variables known to influence cognitive function are less well understood. The current study examined the associations between the physical fitness, blood flow to the brain and involvement in cognitive activities with neuropsychological function in healthy post-menopausal women. It was concluded that cognitive function in older adults is associated with multiple factors, including physical fitness, cerebrovascular health and cognitive stimulation. Interestingly, cognitive stimulation effects appear related more to the diversity of activities, rather than the duration of activity. Frontiers in Ageing Neuroscience 2010;13(2):137