No abstract

Research highlights the benefits of regular traditional multicomponent training in older adults. The potential effect of exergames on perceptive-cognitive and physical function in prefrail older adults is still little explored. The study aimed to compare the effects of two physical exercise training programs (exergaming vs. traditional multicomponent) on perceptive-cognitive and physical functions of prefrail older adults. This study was a randomized controlled trial having 66 prefrail older adults assigned to two groups (exergame group [EG]: n = 32, 70.84 -4.53 years; multicomponent group [MG]: n = 34, 70.76 -5.60 years). Frailty phenotype, fall history, basic and advanced cognition, perceptual, physical (mobility, gait speed, and balance), and muscle (strength and power) functions were evaluated. Intervention was conducted during 12 weeks. The EG and MG performed similar exercise routines involving the main lower limb muscle groups required in daily activities. A mixed model analysis of variance (ANOVA) and effect size (d) revealed that both programs were effective in postponing frailty status, reducing the fear of falling (EG:

This study aimed to determine whether: i) tethe-red-swimming can be used to identify the asymmetry during front crawl swimming style; ii) swimmers that perform unilateral breathing present greater asymmetry in comparison to others that use bilateral breathing; iii) swimmers of best performance present smaller asymmetry than their counterparts; iv) repeated front crawl swimming movements influence body asymmetry. 18 swimmers were assessed for propulsive force parameters (peak force, mean force, impulse and rate of force development) during a maximal front crawl tethered-swimming test lasting 2 min. A factorial analysis showed that propulsive forces decreased at the beginning, intermediate and end of the test (p<0.05), but the asymmetries were not changed at different instants of the test. When breathing preference (uni- or bilateral) was analyzed, asymmetry remained unchanged in all force parameters (p>0.05). When performance was considered (below or above mean group time), a larger asymmetry was found in the sub-group of lower performance in comparison to those of best performance (p<0.05). Therefore, the asymmetries of the propulsive forces can be detected using tethered-swimming. The propulsive forces decreased during the test but asymmetries did not change under testing conditions. Although breathing preference did not influence asymmetry, swimmers with best performance were less asymmetric than their counterparts.

The multisensory exercise programme improved the cognition and functionality of institutionalized older adults. The introduction of a motor and multisensory-based approach in care routines may improve residents' health and engagement to the environment.

This study supports the importance of a combined self-management and exercise intervention to improve functional lower limb strength and aerobic capacity in a Portuguese sample. Additionally, pain and other symptoms have improved clinically.