BTrackS is an objective measure of balance that can be used to monitor balance in community-dwelling older adults over time. It can reliably identify changes that may require further attention (eg, fall-prevention strategies, declines in physical function) and shows promise for assessing intervention efficacy in this growing segment of the population.

Early detection of the female athlete triad is essential for the long-term health of adolescent female athletes. The purpose of this study was to assess relationships between common anthropometric markers (ideal body weight [IBW] via the Hamwi formula, youth-percentile body mass index [BMI], adult BMI categories, and body fat percentage [BF%]) and triad components, (low energy availability [EA], measured by dietary restraint [DR], menstrual dysfunction [MD], low bone mineral density [BMD]). In the sample (n = 320) of adolescent female athletes (age 15.9± 1.2 y), Spearman's rho correlations and multiple logistic regression analyses evaluated associations between anthropometric clinical cutoffs and triad components. All underweight categories for the anthropometric measures predicted greater likelihood of MD and low BMD. Athletes with an IBW >85% were nearly 4 times more likely to report MD (OR = 3.7, 95% CI [1.8, 7.9]) and had low BMD (OR = 4.1, 95% CI [1.2, 14.2]). Those in <5th percentile for their age-specific BMI were 9 times more likely to report MD (OR 9.1, 95% CI [1.8, 46.9]) and had low BMD than those in the 50th to 85th percentile. Athletes with a high BF% were almost 3 times more likely to report DR (OR = 2.8, 95% CI [1.4, 6.1]). Our study indicates that low age-adjusted BMI and low IBW may serve as evidence-based clinical indicators that may be practically evaluated in the field, predicting MD and low BMD in adolescents. These measures should be tested for their ability as tools to minimize the risk for the triad.

Community-based exercise programs have demonstrated feasibility, yet many lack controlled studies examining their efficacy. This study examined the efficacy of a community-based exercise program, using a controlled design. Participants ( N = 262, M = 74.0 years, SD = 8.4) were women (77%) and men recruited from senior centers served by the county Area Agency on Aging. Intervention participants ( n = 133) were newly enrolled in classes. Controls ( n = 129) were recruited from matched sites not offering classes. Validated measures of physical function, exercise self-efficacy, balance, and activities of daily living (ADL) confidence were administered at baseline and 3 months. Significant improvements in upper and lower body strength, aerobic endurance, mobility, exercise self-efficacy, and balance were found in the exercisers but not controls. No changes in ADL confidence occurred in exercisers, while significant decreases occurred in controls. Findings support the efficacy of the county-wide program. Building an evidence base for community-delivered programs should provide impetus for increased dissemination through state and national agencies thereby increasing program impact.

While physical activity (PA) improves functions for activities of daily living, little is known of the association between meeting published PA Guidelines for Americans (PAGA) and meeting published physical function guidelines for maintaining independence. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between meeting the PAGA and meeting independence criteria on the Senior Fitness Tests (SFT). Older adults (N = 265) completed SFTs, assessing cardiorespiratory fitness, lower and upper body strength, mobility, and self-reported aerobic and resistance PA. Chi-square tests and logistic regressions examined associations between meeting PAGA and SFT independence criteria. A significant relationship was found between meeting aerobic PAGA and cardiorespiratory and upper body SFT criteria; a significant relationship was found between meeting resistance PAGA and upper body strength criteria. Although research suggests that PAGA are effective in maintaining fitness in older adults when PA is structured and monitored, mixed results were found for self-reported PA and SFT criteria.

During aging there is a natural physiological decline that contributes to a loss of function needed for activities of daily living to maintain independence and high quality of life. Physical function needed for independence includes gross motor function (e.g., lower body strength for standing) and fine motor function (e.g., manual dexterity for dressing). Physical activity (PA) has shown to maintain fitness, such as muscular strength, to delay loss in gross motor function. However, there is limited research on the association between PA and fine motor function. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between meeting national Physical Activity Guidelines (PAG; &gt;150 min./wk.) and manual dexterity in older adults (&gt;60 years). Participants (N=45, Mean age = 80.2±8.2 years) completed an interview-assisted self-report of their PA level and an objectively measured manual dexterity assessment (i.e., Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT)). The PPT included four fine motor skill assessments. For all four PPT’s, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) tests showed a significant main effect for PA level, a main effect for age, and an interaction effect (PA*age) on manual dexterity for all PPTs (ps&lt;0.05). Follow-up comparisons showed a significant main effect for PA level on manual dexterity for the older group (&gt;80yrs; ps&lt;0.05), and not for the younger group (ps&gt;0.05). Pearson’s r correlations showed significant moderate-positive correlations between activity level (min./wk.) and PPTs scores (r=0.45– 0.50; ps&lt;0.005). These findings suggest that meeting PAG may be a preventative strategy to attenuate aging declines in manual dexterity to maintain hand function and independence.

Background: Sedentary behavior (SB) is associated with impaired physical function, frailty, falls, and higher mortality in older adults, the most sedentary age demographic in the US. There is limited research on the efficacy of interventions to reduce SB and improve physical function and mobility in older adults of moderate-to-low physical function. Purpose:To examine the efficacy of a 12-week intervention, Stand Up Now (SUN), to reduce SB and improve physical function and mobility in older adults of moderate-to-low physical function in Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs).Methods: SUN was conducted in four CCRCs that were randomized to two intervention groups with different SB change goals: one group focused on reducing total sedentary time (SUN SL ) and one group focused on increasing sit-to-stand (STS) transitions (SUN STS ). Participants (N = 71; M age =87±7yrs) in both SUN groups had weekly health coaching sessions over 12 weeks. SB, xii physical function, and mobility were measured at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks via the activPAL, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and the 8-foot up-and-go (8ft UG), respectively. Linear Mixed Models (LMM) were used to examine the efficacy of SUN on activPAL measured variables (i.e., sitting, standing, STS transitions, stepping, and steps), physical function, and mobility at 6 and 12 weeks.Results: Both SUN groups significantly decreased sedentary time (1.3±0.3hrs, p<0.001) and increased standing time (0.5±0.2hrs, p<0.02) at 6 weeks that was maintained at 12 weeks, compared to their baseline. SUN STS significantly increased STS transitions at 6 weeks (5.4±4.1, p<0.001) while SUN SL had no changes in STS transitions (0.5±3.1, p>0.9). No significant changes were noted in stepping time (0.04±0.08hrs, p<0.15) or steps (261±234, p<0.14) per day in either group. Both SUN groups improved physical function (SPPB) from baseline to 6 weeks (1.5±0.4 points, p<0.001) that was maintained at 12 weeks. No significant changes were seen in mobility for either group (0.5±1.5sec, p>0.05).Conclusions: SUN demonstrated the efficacy to improve SB and physical function in older adults of moderate-to-low physical function. Interventions targeting SB, such as SUN, are a promising strategy to improve physical function needed for activities of daily living and extend independence in older adults.

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