Exercise considerations for postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

Individuals with osteoporosis are at an increased risk of fracture due to a net loss of bone mass. The cellular mechanisms causing decreased bone mass are increased osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and/or decreased osteoblast-mediated bone formation. Clinical studies have shown that bone loss can be prevented by estrogen replacement therapy and calcium supplementation. Weight-bearing and strengthening exercise may also play a role in retarding bone loss in the postmenopausal woman, and it may even increase bone mass. The essential components of an exercise program include intensity, duration, frequency, and type of activity. Additional goals of a therapeutic exercise program are to improve flexibility and balance, and to prevent falls. Structure-function relationships in normal and osteoporotic bone and the effects of exercise on bone are reviewed. A rational approach for exercise strategies is discussed.     

Effect of different types of exercise on postural balance in elderly women: A randomized controlled trial

Different types of exercise are indicated for the elderly to prevent functional capacity limitations due to aging and reduce the risk of falls. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of three different exercises (mini-trampoline, MT; aquatic gymnastics, AG and general floor gymnastics, GG) on postural balance in elderly women. Seventy-four physically independent elderly women, mean age 69 ± 4 years, were randomly assigned to three intervention groups: (1) MT (n = 23), (2) AG (n = 28), and (3) GG (n = 23). Each group performed physical training, including cardiorespiratory, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and sensory-motor exercises for 12 weeks. To determine the effects on each intervention group, five postural balance tasks were performed on a force platform (BIOMEC 400): the two-legged stand with eyes open (TLEO) and two-legged stand with eyes closed (TLEC); the semi-tandem stand with eyes open (STEO) and semi-tandem stand with eyes closed (STEC) and the one-legged stand. Three trials were performed for each task (with 30 s of rest between them) and the mean was used to compute balance parameters such as center of pressure (COP) sway movements. All modalities investigated such as the MT, AG and GG were significantly (P < 0.05) efficient in improving the postural balance of elderly women after 12 weeks of training. These results provide further evidence concerning exercise and balance for promoting health in elderly women.     

Effects of muscle strengthening versus aerobic exercise program in fibromyalgia

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of aerobic training with a muscle-strengthening program in patients with fibromyalgia. Thirty women with fibromyalgia were randomized to either an aerobic exercise (AE) program or a strengthening exercise (SE) program for 8 weeks. Outcome measures included the intensity of fibromyalgia-related symptoms, tender point count, fitness (6-min walk distance), hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) scale, and short-form health survey (SF-36). There were significant improvements in both groups regarding pain, sleep, fatigue, tender point count, and fitness after treatment. HAD-depression scores improved significantly in both groups while no significant change occurred in HAD-anxiety scores. Bodily pain subscale of SF-36 and physical component summary improved significantly in the AE group, whereas seven subscales of SF-36, physical component summary, and mental component summary improved significantly in the SE group. When the groups were compared after treatment, there were no significant differences in pain, sleep, fatigue, tender point count, fitness, HAD scores, and SF-36 scores. AE and SE are similarly effective at improving symptoms, tender point count, fitness, depression, and quality of life in fibromyalgia.     

The effects of a 16-week aerobic exercise programme on cognitive function in people living with HIV

High levels of cardiovascular fitness and physical activity are associated with higher levels of cognitive function in people with HIV, thus, they may reduce the risk of developing HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 16-week aerobic exercise intervention on cognitive function in people with HIV. Eleven participants living with HIV were recruited into the study. Participants were randomised into either an exercise group (n?=?5), that completed a 16-week aerobic exercise programme training, 3 times per week (2 supervised sessions and one unsupervised session) or a control group (n?=?6) that received no intervention. Outcomes measured included cognitive function (Montreal cognitive assessment (MOCA) and the Trail making tests A and B), aerobic fitness (modified Bruce protocol), sleep quality (Pittsburgh sleep quality index; PSQI) and physical activity levels (seven-day accelerometry). At baseline, higher levels of moderate physical activity were positively correlated with higher MOCA scores and levels of aerobic fitness were negatively associated with Trail A scores (P?=?0.04 and P?=?0.001 respectively). However, exercise training did not induce any significant improvements in cognitive function or aerobic fitness. The overall mean adherence rate to the exercise programme was 60%. In conclusion, in the present study a 16-week aerobic exercise intervention did not affect the cognitive function of participants with HIV. It is likely that longer intervention periods and/or higher adherence rates to exercise might be needed for an aerobic exercise programme to be effective in improving cognitive function in a cohort with no baseline cognitive impairments.     

Effect of a group-based exercise program on balance in elderly

Objective:

To determine the effectiveness of 8-week group functional balance training classes on balance outcomes in community-dwelling veterans at risk for falls.

Design:

Pre-test, post-test using retrospective data.

Setting:

VISN 8 Patient Safety Center at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, FL, USA.

Participants:

Fifty one community living veterans with mean age of 78 at risk for falls.

Intervention:

Participants received a weekly 1-hour functional balance training class for 8 weeks in a small group setting (4–5 participants).

Measurements:

Pre and post intervention measures included Berg Balance Scale, Limits of Stability (LOS) and modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB).

Results:

Eighty four percent of the participants completed 5 or more weekly classes. Peripheral neuropathy was the most common risk factor among the participants. There was a significant improvement in the Berg (p < 0.0001) and Composite Reaction Time (p < 0.0004) after the intervention.

Conclusion:

An eight week group functional balance training class was safe and effective in improving balance outcomes in a cohort of elderly veterans at risk for falls.     

Performance of simple calculated osteoporosis risk estimation in a sample of women with suspected osteoporosis in the turkish population

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the simple calculated osteoporosis risk estimation (SCORE) in a random sample of postmenopausal women. We collected data on 177 consecutive patients aged over 45 years. Bone mineral density (BMD) measurements were taken at the hip and lumbar spine. The test performance cut-off value was evaluated according to scores of 5, 6, 7, 8 and age distribution. When all groups were evaluated, SCORE 6 sensitivity (Sn), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 86.7, 59.1, 63, 82.5%, respectively. In the age ranged 45-49, we determined SCORE 6 results of Sn 85, Sp 100%. The test was able to identify women not requiring detailed densitometric investigation in this age group to a high level of accuracy. At SCORE 6 receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.6. We determined that the SCORE questionnaire performance in estimating those women with low BMD in the Turkish population was limited. However, since it is a simple, economical and practical pre-test, a SCORE 6 cut-off value can be used together with the physician's clinical analysis in sending patients with suspected low BMD for dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) measurement.     

绝经后妇女骨量减少期药物干预治疗的研究进展

处于骨量减少期的绝经后妇女相对于骨质疏松患者同样有较大的骨折风险,判断这类人群是否需要使用药物干预治疗的适用标准不应仅根据骨密度,还应同时结合存在的骨折风险因素等综合考虑.二膦酸盐类、选择性雌激素受体调节剂、雷尼酸锶盐等多种药物在这一人群中的应用可以提高骨密度、降低骨折风险.     

绝经后妇女脊椎压缩性骨折与骨密度的关系

目的探讨绝经后妇女脊椎压缩性骨折与骨密度（BMD）的关系。方法为病例一对照研究，入选250例有脊椎压缩性骨折的绝经后妇女，另有250名无脊椎压缩性骨折的绝经后妇女作为对照组。两组均有胸腰椎正侧位X线摄片，并应用双能X线吸收仪检测腰椎1～4和左股骨近端各部位BMD。结果脊椎压缩性骨折组身高、体重、腰椎2～4和股骨近端各部位BMD值均显著低于对照组（均P〈0．01）。腰椎2～4BMD是发生脊柱骨折的预报因子（r=-0．416，P〈0．01）。身高和全髋部BMD与骨折次数和骨折椎体数目呈负相关（均P〈0．01）。按股骨颈和全髋部BMD值，骨折组骨质疏松检出率各为50．8％和50．4％；另外剔除在腰椎2～4发生椎体骨折53例，按腰椎2～4BMD检出骨质疏松占64．5％。同时，腰椎2～4、股骨颈或全髋部BMD值低于-2．5s者发生脊柱压缩性骨折的风险分别是BMD正常者的4．76、2．36和3．52倍。结论腰椎呈低骨量是发生脊椎压缩性骨折的重要危险因素。身高的下降和全髋部低BMD值是骨折发生次数和受累椎体数目的危险因子；对绝经后妇女在重视BMD测量的同时，应重视脊柱X线正侧位检查。     

Relationship between body composition and age, menopause and its effects on bone mineral density at segmental regions in Central Southern Chinese postmenopausal elderly women with and without osteoporosis

We aimed at evaluating the relationship between lean mass and fat mass with age, menopausal age (MA) and years since menopause (YSM) and their effects on bone mineral density (BMD) at segmental regions in postmenopausal elderly women with and without osteoporosis. After using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) methodology to measure body composition and BMD at posteroanterior spine and hip in 244 postmenopausal elderly non-osteoporotic (Non-OP) women (65.5 ± 4.3 years) and 298 postmenopausal elderly osteoporotic (OP) women (67.1 ± 4.4 years), we found that in postmenopausal elderly Non-OP women, there was no correlation between lean mass with age, MA, and YSM, as well as no correlation between fat mass with age (all, p > 0.05); leg fat (LF) mass (r = 0.187; p < 0.01), whole body fat (WF) mass (r = 0.151; p < 0.05), and trunk fat (TRF) mass (r = 0.141; p < 0.05) were positively correlated with MA; LF (r = −0.131; p < 0.05) and WF (r = −0.127; p < 0.05) were negatively associated with YSM; WF and whole body lean (WL) mass were the most important body composition components influencing BMD at the third lumbar spine (L3), total first to fourth lumbar spine (L1-4) and hip, respectively; TRF was the most significant determinant of BMD at both L2 and L4. In postmenopausal elderly OP women, there was no relationship between body composition with MA (p > 0.05); Trunk lean (TRL) mass (r = −0.183; p < 0.05), leg lean (LL) mass (r = −0.136; p < 0.01), and WL mass (r = −0.162; p < 0.01) were negatively correlated with age; TRL mass (r = −0.132; p < 0.05), LL mass (r = −0.152; p < 0.01), WL mass (r = −0.170; p < 0.01) were also negative with YSM; WF was the most important factor influencing BMD at lumbar spine and hip. These data suggest in postmenopausal elderly Non-OP women, fat mass (TRF, LF, and WF) was more related with MA; WF and WL mass were the most important body composition components influencing BMD at L1-4 and hip, respectively; in postmenopausal elderly OP women, body composition was not correlated with MA; lean mass (TRL, LL, and WL) was more age-related negatively; WF mass was the most significant factor affecting BMD at lumbar spine and hip.     

Effects of short-term aerobic exercise with and without external loading on bone metabolism and balance in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of submaximal aerobic exercise with and without external loading on bone metabolism and balance in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (OP). Thirty-six volunteer, sedentary postmenopausal women with OP were randomly divided into three groups: aerobic, weighted vest, and control. Exercise for the aerobic group consisted of 18 sessions of submaximal treadmill walking, 30 min daily, 3 times a week. The exercise program for the weighted-vest group was identical to that of the aerobic group except that the subjects wore a weighted vest (4–8 % of body weight). Body composition, bone biomarkers, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and N-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (NTX), and balance (near tandem stand, NTS, and star-excursion, SE) were measured before and after the 6-week exercise program. Fat decreased (p = 0.01) and fat-free mass increased (p = 0.005) significantly in the weighted-vest group. BALP increased and NTX decreased significantly in both exercise groups (p ≤ 0.05). After 6 weeks of exercise, NTS score increased in the exercise groups and decreased in the control group (aerobic: +49.68 %, weighted vest: +104.66 %, and control: ?28.96 %). SE values for all directions increased significantly in the weighted-vest group. Results showed that the two exercise programs stimulate bone synthesis and decrease bone resorption in postmenopausal women with OP, but that exercise while wearing a weighted vest is better for improving balance.     

Influence of lean and fat mass on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

Despite known positive association between body mass and bone mineral density (BMD), relative contribution of fat and lean tissue to BMD remains under debate. We aimed at investigating the effect of selected anthropometric parameters, including fat content and lean body mass (LBM) on BMD in postmenopausal, osteoporotic women with body mass index (BMI) > 20 kg/m². The study involved 92 never-treated women (mean age 69.5 ± 7.3). L1-L4 and femoral neck (FN) BMD were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Absolute (kg) and relative (%) fat and LBM were assessed by means of electric bioimpedance method. We showed both FN and L1-L4 BMD were positively correlated with body mass, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC) and LBM (kg). Fat content correlated with FN BMD (r = 0.36, p < 0.001). Regression analysis revealed the only predictor of L1-L4 BMD was LBM (R² = 0.18, p < 0.05), for FN - both LBM and fat (R² = 0.18, p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). Of the women, 44.5% were overweight, 18.4% obese. Obese women displayed the highest BMD. Both L1-L4 and FN BMD were higher in women with WC > 80 cm. In postmenopausal osteoporotic women with BMI > 20 kg/m² both fat and lean tissue might contribute to BMD. Positive association between body mass and BMD does not make obesity and osteoporosis mutually exclusive.     

Acute effects of a single session of aerobic exercise with or without weight-lifting on bone turnover in healthy young women

This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of exercise on bone turnover and to determine whether brisk walking with or without weight-lifting makes a difference on bone metabolism. Nine healthy women performed two exercise bouts: brisk walking on a treadmill for 30 min (E), and similar exercise carrying 5 kg of weight in a backpack (WE). Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteocalcin (OC), calcitonin (CT), procollagen type 1 carboxy terminal propeptide (PICP), procollagen type 1 amino terminal propeptide (PINP), type 1 collagen carboxy terminal telopeptide (ICTP), total alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and urine deoxypyridinoline (D-Pyr) levels were studied. Resting values served as control. Significant variances were observed only in serum ALP and PTH values. Variances in ALP values within subjects after exercise were statistically significant (analysis of variance in repeated measurements [AVRM], P = 0.000). E caused a significant decrease, while WE caused a significant increase in ALP values at the 24th h (Bonferroni pairwise comparisons tests [BPC t-test]: P = 0.028, P = 0.000, respectively). Variances in PTH values within subjects after exercise were statistically significant (AVRM, P = 0.029), while diurnal variation was not significant (P = 0.981). E caused significant alterations in PTH levels (an increase at the 30th min, turned towards baseline at the 45th min) (BPC t-test, P = 0.007). WE also caused alterations in PTH levels, though insignificant (BPC t-test, P = 1.00). Brisk walking for 30 min has stimulating effects on bone turnover by various mechanisms without any additive effect of weight bearing.     

Acute effects of a single session of aerobic exercise with or without weight-lifting on bone turnover in healthy young women

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of exercise on bone turnover and to determine whether brisk walking with or without weight-lifting makes a difference on bone metabolism. Nine healthy women performed two exercise bouts: brisk walking on a treadmill for 30?min (E), and similar exercise carrying 5?kg of weight in a backpack (WE). Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteocalcin (OC), calcitonin (CT), procollagen type 1 carboxy terminal propeptide (PICP), procollagen type 1 amino terminal propeptide (PINP), type 1 collagen carboxy terminal telopeptide (ICTP), total alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and urine deoxypyridinoline (D-Pyr) levels were studied. Resting values served as control. Significant variances were observed only in serum ALP and PTH values. Variances in ALP values within subjects after exercise were statistically significant (analysis of variance in repeated measurements [AVRM], P = 0.000). E caused a significant decrease, while WE caused a significant increase in ALP values at the 24th h (Bonferroni pairwise comparisons tests [BPC t-test]: P = 0.028, P = 0.000, respectively). Variances in PTH values within subjects after exercise were statistically significant (AVRM, P = 0.029), while diurnal variation was not significant (P = 0.981). E caused significant alterations in PTH levels (an increase at the 30th min, turned towards baseline at the 45th min) (BPC t-test, P = 0.007). WE also caused alterations in PTH levels, though insignificant (BPC t-test, P = 1.00). Brisk walking for 30?min has stimulating effects on bone turnover by various mechanisms without any additive effect of weight bearing.     

Influence of body composition on bone mass in postmenopausal osteoporotic women

We aimed at evaluating the relationship of lean and fat mass to bone mass in osteoporotic postmenopausal women. We invited 65 women who were being treated at the São Paulo Hospital osteoporosis outpatients’ clinic to participate. Body composition and bone mineral density (BMD) measurements were performed using Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry methodology (DXA). The mean age and weight were 69.7 ± 6.4 years and 56.3 ± 7.6 kg, respectively. Accordingly to the body mass index (BMI), 52.8% were of normal weight and 47.1% of the patients were overweight. Overweight women had significantly higher bone mass. Similarly, skeletal muscle index (SMI) showed a positive effect on BMD measurements and women with sarcopenia had significantly lower BMD measurements in total femur and femoral neck. In multiple regression analysis only lean mass and age, after adjustments to fat mass and BMI, were able to predict total body bone mineral content (BMC) (R² = 28%). Also lean mass adjusted to age and BMI were able to predict femoral neck BMD (R² = 14%). On the other hand, none of the components of the body composition (lean mass or fat mass) contributed significantly to explaining total femur BMD and neither body composition measurements were associated with spine BMD. These findings suggest that lean mass has a relevant role in BMC and BMD measurements. In addition, lower BMI and lean mass loss (sarcopenia) is associated to lower BMC and BMD of femoral neck and total femur and possible higher risk of osteoporotic fracture.     

有氧运动联合常规康复治疗对卒中偏瘫患者心肺运动功能及康复效果的影响

目的探讨有氧运动联合常规康复治疗对卒中偏瘫患者心肺运动功能及康复效果的影响。方法前瞻性连续纳入30例首次发病的卒中偏瘫患者,按随机数字表法随机分为试验组和对照组,每组15例。4例患者退出,最终26例患者完成研究,每组13例,两组患者均给予常规康复治疗,试验组在常规康复治疗基础上增加有氧运动训练,每天1次,每次30 min,共训练4周。分别于治疗前和治疗4周后对两组患者进行心肺运动试验[峰值摄氧量(VO2peak)、无氧阈(AT)、峰值分钟通气量(VEpeak)]以及运动功能[Fugl-Meyer评定量表(FMA)]、日常生活活动能力[Barthel指数(BI)]的评估,比较两组患者治疗前后的差异。结果 (1)心肺运动试验结果:与治疗前比较,试验组患者治疗后VO2peak、AT、VEpeak均明显提高[分别为(16±4)ml/(kg·min)比(13±3)ml/(kg·min)、(12.9±2.5)ml/(kg·min)比(10.0±2.7)ml/(kg·min)、(41±12)L/min比(34±9)L/min;t值分别为9.668、4.328、3.662,均P0.01],对照组患者治疗后与治疗前VO2peak、AT、VEpeak比较[分别为(14±4)ml/(kg·min)比(14±4)ml/(kg·min)、(11.8±2.6)ml/(kg·min)比(11.5±2.9)ml/(kg·min)、(29±8)L/min比(28±6)L/min],差异无统计学意义(t值分别为0.863、0.583、0.314,均P0.05);对照组患者治疗前后VO2peak、AT、VEpeak差值分别为0.4(0.2,0.6)、0.1(-0.5,0.7)ml/(kg·min)和0(-2.5,5.0)L/min,试验组患者治疗前后VO2peak、AT、VEpeak差值分别为3.0(2.2,3.9)ml/(kg·min)、2.7(1.8,5.3)ml/(kg·min)、7.0(1.0,13.0)L/min,两组间治疗前后VO2peak、AT、VEpeak差值差异有统计学意义(Z值分别为4.287、3.721、2.236,均P0.05)。(2)FMA评分与BI评估结果:与治疗前比较,试验组患者治疗后FMA评分、BI均明显提高[分别为(70±24)分比(52±28)分、(78±20)比(60±28);t值分别为4.076,4.239,均P0.01],对照组治疗后FMA评分、BI较治疗前有明显改善[分别为(68±25)分比(60±27)分、(69±22)比(59±26);t值分别为3.168,5.436,均P0.05]。对照组治疗前后FMA评分、BI差值分别为5.0(2.0,12.0)分、10.0(5.0,15.0),试验组治疗前后FMA评分、BI差值分别为10.0(4.5,32.0)分、11.0(10.0,27.5),组间差异无统计学意义(Z值分别为1.393、1.352,均P0.05)。结论卒中偏瘫患者在常规康复治疗基础上,增加有氧运动训练,能够提高其心肺运动功能。     

The immediate effect of aerobic exercise on haemostatic parameters in patients with recently diagnosed mild to moderate essential hypertension

Background Exercise is frequently recommended for the treatment of patients with arterial hypertension. Previous studies have shown an enhanced coagulation state after exercise. Our study investigates the alterations observed after a single session of submaximal aerobic exercise concerning coagulation, fibrinolysis, platelet activation as well as endothelial function in patients with recently diagnosed essential hypertension. Methods Twenty non-diabetic patients with recently diagnosed essential hypertension participated in a 45 min submaximal exercise test on a bicycle ergometer. Blood samples were drawn before and after exercise in order to determine parameters of coagulation activation (Prothrombin time [PT], activated Partial Thromboplastin time [aPTT], fibrinogen, D-Dimers, prothrombin fragments 1 + 2 [PF1+2], thrombin-antithrombin III complex [TAT] and factors VII, VIII and XII), platelet activation (Platelet count, Platelet factor 4 [PF4] and β-thromboglobulin [β-TG]), fibrinolysis activation (Plasmin-a₂ antiplasmin complex, PAP) and endothelial function (soluble Thrombomodulin [sTM] and von Willebrand factor [vWf]). Soluble P-selectin served as a marker for endothelial and platelet activation. Results All patients completed the exercise test. aPTT (P < 0.001) and factor VII (P = 0.01) significantly decreased while PT (P = 0.04), fibrinogen (P = 0.008), factor VIII (P < 0.001), platelet count (P = 0.002) and β-TG levels (P = 0.01) significantly increased as a result of exercise. Compared to baseline there was an 11% increase in TAT (P = 0.04) and a 28% increase in PAP (P < 0.001) at peak exercise. One hour post exercise, there was a 43% increase in PAP whereas TAT levels became similar to those at baseline. Additionally vWf (P = 0.01) and sP-selectin (P = 0.02) levels significantly increased throughout the exercise protocol. Conclusions Patients with recently diagnosed and never treated mild to moderate essential hypertension undergoing submaximal aerobic exercise present evidence of enhanced fibrinolysis compared with a mild increase of coagulation indices. However, whether there is a favourable effect of exercise on fibrinolysis over coagulation and/or endothelial involvement during exercise needs to be further investigated.     

Lack of hormonal changes in postmenopausal women of equal weight with and without osteoporosis,including relation to time of menopause

Summary The hormonal variations in postmenopausal osteoporosis are not precisely defined. The duration of the menopause and other factors, such as the weight of the patients, may be of significance. Having a basic criterion of uniformi ty in weight, sixty postmenopausal women were studied in regard to the following aspects: urinary hydroxyproline, estrone, estradiol, parathyroid hormone, thyrox ine, triiodothyronine, thyroid stimulating hormone, cortisol and metacarpal cortical area/total area. They were divided into: Group A: 15 patients with osteoporosis and five years since menopause; Group B: 15 patients without osteoporosis (age matched with group A); Group C: 15 patients with osteoporosis and more than ten years since menopause; and Group D: 15 patients without osteoporosis (age matched with Group C). In the group with postmenopausal osteoporosis (A and C) there is a significant increase in urinary hydroxyproline/creatinine and a significant decrease of the cortical area/total area when we compared them with age-matched groups. The hormonal values do not vary significantly among the four groups. Ours results indicate an increase of bone resorption as a cause of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The hormonal variations, if any, cannot be related to basal values.     

The effects of repetitive haemarthrosis on postural balance in children with haemophilia

Sensory information from visual, vestibular and proprioceptive systems is necessary to control posture and balance. Impairment in proprioception due to repetitive joints bleeding may lead to a deficit in postural balance which, in turn, leads to high joint stress and risk of bleeding recurrence. Despite the increase in attention in this field during the past few years, the data concerning to how bleeds can affect postural control in children with haemophilia (CWH) remain scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the postural balance in CWH. Twenty CWH Haemophilia Group (HG) and 20 age‐matched children Control Group (CG) were recruited to this study. A force plate was used to record centre of pressure (COP) displacement under four different postural conditions during quiet standing: eyes open on firm surface, eyes open on foam surface, eyes closed on firm surface and eyes closed on a foam surface. Variables of COP as sway area and mean velocity and in anterior–posterior (y) medio‐lateral (x) direction were processed and for each variable sensory, quotients were calculated and compared between groups. No differences were found in visual and vestibular quotients variables between groups. A higher value was found in sway area variable on proprioception quotient in the HG when compared with CG (P = 0.042). CWH with repetitive joint bleed on lower limbs showed differences in postural balance when compared with non‐haemophiliac children. The identification of early balance impairments in CWH can help us understand better the effects of bleeds inside joints on postural control and plan a more effective preventive and rehabilitative treatment.     

Moderate-intensity exercise reduces the incidence of colds among postmenopausal women

Purpose

Our aim was to assess the effect of a moderate-intensity, year-long exercise program on the risk of colds and other upper respiratory tract infections in postmenopausal women.

Subjects

A total of 115 overweight and obese, sedentary, postmenopausal women in the Seattle area participated.

Methods

Participants were randomly assigned to the moderate-intensity exercise group or the control group. The intervention consisted of 45 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise 5 days per week for 12 months. Control participants attended once-weekly, 45-minute stretching sessions. Questionnaires asking about upper respiratory tract infections in the previous 3 months were administered quarterly during the course of the year-long trial. Poisson regression was used to estimate the effect of exercise on colds and other upper respiratory tract infections.

Results

Over 12 months, the risk of colds decreased in exercisers relative to stretchers (P = .02): In the final 3 months of the study, the risk of colds in stretchers was more than threefold that of exercisers (P = .03). Risk of upper respiratory tract infections overall did not differ (P = .16), yet may have been biased by differential proportions of influenza vaccinations in the intervention and control groups.

Conclusions

This study suggests that 1 year of moderate-intensity exercise training can reduce the incidence of colds among postmenopausal women. These findings are of public health relevance and add a new facet to the growing literature on the health benefits of moderate exercise.     

Neuromuscular adaptations to water-based concurrent training in postmenopausal women: effects of intrasession exercise sequence

This study investigated the effects of different exercise sequences on the neuromuscular adaptations induced by water-based concurrent training in postmenopausal women. Twenty-one healthy postmenopausal women (57.14 ± 2.43 years) were randomly placed into two water-based concurrent training groups: resistance training prior to (RA, n = 10) or after (AR, n = 11) aerobic training. Subjects performed resistance and aerobic training twice a week over 12 weeks, performing both exercise types in the same training session. Upper (elbow flexors) and lower-body (knee extensors) one-repetition maximal test (1RM) and peak torque (PT) (knee extensors) were evaluated. The muscle thickness (MT) of upper (biceps brachii) and lower-body (vastus lateralis) was determined by ultrasonography. Moreover, the maximal and submaximal (neuromuscular economy) electromyographic activity (EMG) of lower-body (vastus lateralis and rectus femoris) was measured. Both RA and AR groups increased the upper- and lower-body 1RM and PT, while the lower-body 1RM increases observed in the RA was greater than AR (34.62 ± 13.51 vs. 14.16 ± 13.68 %). RA and AR showed similar MT increases in upper- and lower-body muscles evaluated. In addition, significant improvements in the maximal and submaximal EMG of lower-body muscles in both RA and AR were found, with no differences between groups. Both exercise sequences in water-based concurrent training presented relevant improvements to promote health and physical fitness in postmenopausal women. However, the exercise sequence resistance–aerobic optimizes the strength gains in lower limbs.