Physical Activity, Muscle Strength, and Functional Fitness

Abstract

Background: Muscle strength and fitness are important in supporting an independent lifestyle in the elderly, especially those with Alzheimer disease (AD). Objectives: To establish the relationships of physical activity, key muscle strength, and functional fitness on the elderly with and without AD. Methods: Twenty AD patients and 20 non-AD elderly were tested for senior functional fitness test, handgrip strength, and muscle strength of elbow flexors and knee extensors. The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly was also documented. Results: Handgrip strength and elbow flexor strength were significantly lower in the AD group, especially in those with mild severity. They also showed worst agility and least amount of physical activity weekly. Handgrip and elbow flexor strength of the AD group also correlated with the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly. Conclusions: Older people with AD appear to engage less in physical activity as the disease progresses. The decline in muscle strength and agility might contribute further to limited physical activity and dependent lifestyle.

Multidomain Integrated Exercises Decreased the Risk of Falls of Community-Dwelling Older Adults

“…The current study also recommends the 8-ft Up-and-Go test as a screening tool for risk of falls, as it is functional, easy to administer, and consists of multiple aspects related to prevent a person from falls. 11,[24][25][26][27] Nevertheless, as found in these communitydwelling elderly, most had multiple risk factors of falls, even in the young-old group (Table 3), so from a preventive and proactive perspective, it would be necessary to investigate thoroughly when possible if such older persons are known to have multiple risk of falls and to address their needs fully.…”

“…In this study, significant difference was revealed among age groups, which makes it useful in community settings for clarifying the extent of influence of age on balance performance. Lusardi et al27 also recommended a similar strategy for selecting measures to identify older people for their risk of falls; they suggested a combination of taking medical history with 3 functional performance measures (Berg Balance Scale score <50, 3-m Timed Up-and-Go time >11 seconds, and 5 times sit-to-stand test >12 seconds) to not only identify “possible modifiable risk factors to inform intervention” but also “the means to quantify change in risk after intervention.” The current study also recommends the 8-ft Up-and-Go test as a screening tool for risk of falls, as it is functional, easy to administer, and consists of multiple aspects related to prevent a person from falls 11,24–27. Nevertheless, as found in these community-dwelling elderly, most had multiple risk factors of falls, even in the young-old group (Table 3), so from a preventive and proactive perspective, it would be necessary to investigate thoroughly when possible if such older persons are known to have multiple risk of falls and to address their needs fully.…”

“…8 Weakness, slow walking velocity, and low physical activity from a frail older person are also presented as factors influencing high risk of falls. [5][6][7][9][10][11][12] It is important to identify risk factors and implement risk-reducing interventions, especially for community-dwelling older persons, as maintaining an independent life style in the community would often increase their exposure to risk of falling. [13][14][15][16][17][18] Determining the risk for falls for older persons is complex and yet needs to be efficient, as the underlying causes for falls are usually multiple, and older persons do not often have enough compliance to complete lengthy interview or examination processes for investigation of falls.…”

“…Preventing older or frail adults from falling is a challenge with the growth of an older population. Frailty is defined by the World Health Organization Clinical Consortium on Healthy Ageing (2017) as “a clinically recognizable state in which the ability of older people to cope with everyday or acute stressors is compromised by an increased vulnerability brought about by age-associated declines in physiological reserve and function across multiple organ systems.”8 Weakness, slow walking velocity, and low physical activity from a frail older person are also presented as factors influencing high risk of falls 5–7,9–12. It is important to identify risk factors and implement risk-reducing interventions, especially for community-dwelling older persons, as maintaining an independent life style in the community would often increase their exposure to risk of falling 13–18…”

Einfluss des Demenzgrades auf die motorischen Fähigkeiten von Senioren

“…Zur Untersuchung der motorischen Leistungsfähigkeit der Seniorinnen und Senioren kamen verschiedene standardisierte Tests in immer derselben Reihenfolge zum Einsatz, die die Gesamtkraftfähigkeit und Reaktionsgeschwindigkeit der oberen Extremitäten, die Gleichgewichtsfähigkeit sowie die Kraftfähigkeit der unteren Extremitäten erfassen (Zusatzmaterial online). Die Testung mittels Handdynamometer, der Fall-Stab-Test, der FICSIT‑4, der Timed-up-and-go-Test (TUG) sowie der Chair-Rising-Test (CRT) eignen sich als motorische Testverfahren für Demenzpatienten und wurden bereits in vorherigen Studien verwendet [ 3 , 6 , 8 ]. Die Messungen aller Probanden erfolgte in allen Einrichtungen durch dieselbe Testleitung.…”