Does a skiing intervention influence the psycho‐social characteristics of the elderly?

This article aims to (a) describe the study design of a 6‐year follow‐up multidisciplinary research project on aging, (b) report the psychosocial characteristics of the sample in detail, and (c) evaluate aging‐related changes of health, physical activity, and psychosocial characteristics in 10 young‐old (age at pre‐test: M ± SD = 63.2 ± 1.5) and 12 old‐old (age at pre‐test: M ± SD = 69 ± 2) individuals. Both age groups consist of individuals displaying a high health status, a high extent of physical activity, high levels of psychosocial properties in the dimensions of well‐being, life satisfaction, self‐concept, body image, self‐esteem, and self‐efficacy, as well as a low general depression index. Psychosocial characteristics demonstrated a stable pattern over a period of nearly 6 years in both age groups with the exceptions of physical activity, satisfaction with children, general depression, and self‐efficacy. Furthermore, physical self‐concept decreased in old‐old adults, whereas the young‐olds showed no change. We assume that a high psychosocial status and a physically active lifestyle play an important role for mastering aging successfully in two life phases, each of which has its own challenges for older individuals. The decline in the physical self‐concept of old‐olds is interpreted as a first sign of subjective aging. Its association with losses in physical performance should be addressed in future studies. Finally, aging‐related changes should be monitored on an individual level in order to capture the complex dynamic of aging that is not considered in analyses of between‐person differences or averages.

Section: Subjectsmentioning

confidence: 86%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Aging in high functioning elderly persons: study design and analyses of behavioral and psychological factors

Finkenzeller

Pötzelsberger

Kösters

et al. 2019

“…The data were collected in the context of an extensive project, which was initially designed to investigate the effect of an alpine skiing intervention in a multifaceted manner . The sample is characterized by above average values in psychological well‐being and psychosocial variables, such as life satisfaction, self‐concept, health status, and self‐efficacy . Details regarding the study design and participants are described in the introductory article within this supplement.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aging‐related changes in the relationship between the physical self‐concept and the physical fitness in elderly individuals

Amesberger

Finkenzeller

Müller

et al. 2019

The paper focuses on long‐term changes in parameters of self‐perception (ie, physical self‐concept, self‐esteem, and self‐efficacy), physical activity, and its relationship to physical fitness of healthy and active old adults. The sample of 22 physically active and healthy elderly (age M t1 = 66.00) originates in an earlier skiing intervention study following a longitudinal study design with four time points of measurement over a period of 6 years. Self‐reports on physical self‐concept (PSK), general self‐esteem and self‐efficacy, and an activity index were assessed and compared to physical fitness data (VO 2max and muscle strength). Significant time effects (over 6 years) were obtained with respect to global physical self‐concept, endurance (PSK), and VO 2max. Muscle strength turned out to be stable over time. The positive correlations between VO 2max and the corresponding self‐concept evaluation of endurance abilities diminished across the 6 years. Self‐esteem correlated with the PSK scales and VO 2max. In contrast to our expectation, self‐esteem, self‐efficacy, and activity level hardly predicted changes in the PSK scales, VO 2max, and physical strength. Although VO 2max and some parameters of the physical self‐concept declined over the 6 years, results indicate that physical self‐concept, self‐esteem, self‐efficacy, physical fitness, and physical activity display a complex pattern. The decrease in self‐perception measured by the correlation of PSK and physical fitness suggests that self‐concept of old adults is not sensitive to changes in physical fitness.

“…The muscular adjustments to ski training are poorly understood despite the considerable interest in this leisure time activity (Berg et al., ; Müller et al., ). It has recently been pointed out that 3 months of recreational downhill skiing positively affects physical fitness and psychological well‐being in elderly subjects (Dela et al., ; Finkenzeller et al., ). Increased leg strength because of an enlarged cross‐section of slow‐type muscle fibers and improved whole body aerobic capacity were identified as two important contributors to the effects of skiing on fitness (Flueck et al, ; Niederseer et al, ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Adjustments of muscle capillarity but not mitochondrial protein with skiing in the elderly

Ginkel

Amami

Dela

et al. 2014

Self Cite

Downhill skiing in the elderly increases maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and carbohydrate handling, and produces muscle hypertrophy. We hypothesized that adjustments of the cellular components of aerobic glucose combustion in knee extensor muscle, and cardiovascular adjustments, would increase in proportion to VO2max. Nineteen healthy elderly subjects (age 67.5 ± 2.9 years) who completed 28.5 days of guided downhill skiing over 3 months were assessed for anthropometric variables, cardiovascular parameters (heart rate, hematocrit), VO2max, and compared with controls (n = 20). Biopsies of vastus lateralis muscle were analyzed for capillary density and expression of respiratory chain markers (NDUFA9, SDHA, UQCRC1, ATP5A1) and the glucose transporter GLUT4. Statistical significance was assessed with a repeated analysis of variance and Fisher's post-hoc test at a P value of 5%. VO2max increased selectively with ski training (+7 ± 2%). Capillary density (+11 ± 5%) and capillary-to-fiber ratio (12 ± 5%), but not the concentration of metabolic proteins, in vastus lateralis were increased after skiing. Cardiovascular parameters did not change. Fold changes in VO2max and capillary-to-fiber ratio were correlated and were under genetic control by polymorphisms of the regulator of vascular tone, angiotensin converting enzyme. The observations indicate that increased VO2max after recreational downhill ski training is associated with improved capillarity in a mainly recruited muscle group.