Acute effects of stretching duration on the range of motion of elderly women

The effect of the duration of static stretching as well as that of multiple stretches in acute stretching protocols has not been extensively examined in the elderly. The aim of the present study was to investigate the acute effects of stretching duration on the range of motion (ROM) of the lower extremities and the trunk in elderly women, when stretching is performed once or in multiple repetitions while controlling the total amount of the time spent in one stretching session. Twenty sedentary subjects aging 65–85 years old (mean age=75.9) participated in this study. Subjects were recruited through advertisements in the local newspapers, as well as by word to mouth. Participants were healthy with no history of musculoskeletal or neurological disease. Subjects performed three static stretching protocols lasting for 60 s each, in non-consecutive training sessions. The first stretching protocol comprised of a 60 s stretch (1×60), the second of two 30 s stretches (2×30), whereas the third was of four 15 s stretches (4×15). ROM was determined during hip flexion, extension and abduction, knee flexion, and ankle dorsiflexion for the right and left side of the body, as well as during trunk flexion, using a flexometer and a goniometer. A mixed within—and between—subjects analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures revealed similar ROM values between both sides of the body, for all measured joints. No significant differences were observed between the stretching protocols. Further statistical analysis indicated significant (P<0.001) improvements after the stretching exercises, in all flexibility protocols. The findings suggest that a single 60-s static stretch of the lower extremities and trunk's muscles produced the same effect as two 30 s and four 15 s stretches, during a flexibility training session involving sedentary elderly women.     

Greater Mediterranean diet adherence is observed in Dutch compared with Greek university students

Background and aims

Research has demonstrated that Mediterranean youth appear to abandon the traditional diet. The present study aimed to assess Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence in Greek university students, compared with a non-Mediterranean (Dutch) population.

Methods and results

The MD was assessed through the MD score (MedDietScore, MDS) in 100 nutrition students from Amsterdam and 85 from Thessaloniki. Subjects at both sites demonstrated average MDS, which was higher in the Dutch sample (27.5 ± 3.9) compared to the Greek (26.1 ± 3.4) (p ≤ 0.001). The highest score was observed in Amsterdam (39). Potatoes, non-refined cereals, vegetables and olive oil were more frequently consumed by Dutch students (p ≤ 0.001), but the Greeks demonstrated a higher legume intake (p ≤ 0.05). The Dutch diet comprised 17% protein, 50% carbohydrate and 33% fat, whereas the Greeks consumed 14% protein, 48% carbohydrate and 38% fat (p ≤ 0.001 and p ≤ 0.031 for between-country protein and fat intake, respectively). In Amsterdam, significantly greater amounts of polyunsaturated (PUFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA) fatty acids as a percentage of energy intake (p ≤ 0.001, p ≤ 0.01) were consumed.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that the MD has been transmitted to non-Mediterranean populations, probably as a result of its declared health benefits. However, it is alarming that an average adherence score was demonstrated by the Greek nutrition students and this is indicative of the need for new approaches in transmitting the Mediterranean dietary pattern.