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Healthcare
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Physical Activity Interventions for Healthy Ageing and Fall Prevention
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Physical Activity Interventions for Healthy Ageing and Fall Prevention

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Assessments".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2024) | Viewed by 6402

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Salvador Romero-Arenas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Sport, Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM), 30107 Murcia, Spain
Interests: near-infrared spectroscopy; mitochondria; resistance training; healthy aging; physical activity for health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Fernanda Borges-Silva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Sport, Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM), 30107 Murcia, Spain
Interests: muscle strength; elderly; physical performance; interventions; exercise program
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Human aging is a universal and inevitable phenomenon. As in the earlier stages, a range of physical, psychological and social changes occur. Aging plays an important role in the alterations observed in elderly organisms, but we do not know in what proportion, since inactivity is a fact consubstantial with aging. Over the years, physical activity not only decreases in intensity but also in duration, which translates into increasing difficulty in coping with daily tasks and, ultimately, a deterioration in quality of life.

This physical inactivity is a key risk factor for increased mortality, morbidity, and functional disability in the elderly. Regular physical exercise is essential for the quality of life of older people, reducing the need for assistance and increasing their independence to carry out everyday tasks without the risk of falling. Therefore, this Special Issue aims to highlight the latest evidence on the potential health benefits of physical activity in the elderly population, and encourages submissions of original articles, reviews and short communications that specifically address physical activity and/or the underlying causes and mechanisms of the prevention of falls in this population. Due to the breadth of the topic, contributions from many disciplines such as epidemiology, biomechanics, physiology, psychology and social sciences are expected. Contributions on these topics are welcome, particularly those that combine high academic standards with a sound approach to addressing the physical activity needs of older people.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in IJERPH.

Dr. Salvador Romero-Arenas
Dr. Fernanda Borges-Silva
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • older adults
  • daily physical activity
  • well-being
  • balance
  • postural control
  • gait analysis
  • exercise prescription
  • strength and conditioning
  • multicomponent
  • Tai Chi
  • yoga
  • exercise physiology
  • exercise therapy
  • wearables
  • sensors
  • virtual reality

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 274 KiB  
Article
Impact of Multicomponent Training Frequency on Health and Fitness Parameters in Postmenopausal Women: A Comparative Study
by Eduardo Martínez-Carbonell, Abraham López-Vivancos, Salvador Romero-Arenas, Fernanda Borges-Silva, Pablo J. Marcos-Pardo, Noelia González-Gálvez and Fco. Javier Orquín-Castrillón
Healthcare 2024, 12(19), 1980; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12191980 - 4 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1044
Abstract
Background: Menopause induces physiological changes in women, including increased risks of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and muscle loss, which can be mitigated by physical exercise. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 12-week multicomponent exercise programme, performed 2 or 3 days per [...] Read more.
Background: Menopause induces physiological changes in women, including increased risks of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and muscle loss, which can be mitigated by physical exercise. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 12-week multicomponent exercise programme, performed 2 or 3 days per week, on health and fitness parameters in postmenopausal women. Methods: Eighty-three postmenopausal women (aged 50–65 years) were randomly assigned to three groups: control group (CG, n = 27), 2 days/week exercise group (EG2, n = 28), and 3 days/week exercise group (EG3, n = 28). The intervention included strength, balance, aerobic, and flexibility exercises. Anthropometric measurements (body weight, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, lean body mass, body fat percentage), lipid profile, and isometric strength were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Data were analysed using a repeated-measures ANOVA, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: Significant reductions in body weight, BMI, and waist-to-hip ratio were observed in EG2 and EG3 compared to CG. Lean body mass increased significantly in both EG2 (p < 0.001, ES = 1.37) and EG3 (p < 0.001, ES = 1.50). EG3 showed a greater reduction in body fat percentage than EG2 (p = 0.049). Strength and balance improved significantly in both experimental groups compared to CG, with no significant differences between EG2 and EG3. EG3 also showed superior improvements in lipid profile compared to EG2 and CG. Conclusion: A multicomponent exercise programme, particularly with higher frequency (3 days per week), improves body composition, strength, balance, and lipid profile in postmenopausal women. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity Interventions for Healthy Ageing and Fall Prevention)

Review

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25 pages, 569 KiB  
Review
Mechanism-Driven Strategies for Reducing Fall Risk in the Elderly: A Multidisciplinary Review of Exercise Interventions
by Yuan-Ji Zhong, Qing Meng and Chun-Hsien Su
Healthcare 2024, 12(23), 2394; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12232394 - 29 Nov 2024
Viewed by 3745
Abstract
Falls among older adults present a major public health challenge, causing significant physical, psychological, and economic consequences. Exercise interventions are a proven strategy to reduce fall risk by targeting biomechanical, physiological, and psychological factors. This review examines evidence from 155 studies published between [...] Read more.
Falls among older adults present a major public health challenge, causing significant physical, psychological, and economic consequences. Exercise interventions are a proven strategy to reduce fall risk by targeting biomechanical, physiological, and psychological factors. This review examines evidence from 155 studies published between 2004 and 2024, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and cohort studies. Data were rigorously screened and extracted using predefined criteria, with studies sourced from PubMed, MEDLINE, EBSCO (EDS), and additional gray literature identified via Google Scholar. Key findings show that balance and strength training improves postural control, gait stability, and neuromuscular coordination, while resistance training mitigates sarcopenia and enhances joint mobility. Cognitive exercises enhance attention, spatial awareness, decision-making, and psychological benefits like reduced fear of falling and greater social engagement. Multidisciplinary approaches integrating physical, cognitive, and social components deliver the most significant impact. This review underscores the value of evidence-based exercise programs in promoting active aging and enhancing the quality of life for older adults. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity Interventions for Healthy Ageing and Fall Prevention)
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Other

Jump to: Research, Review

12 pages, 1172 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Effects of Yoga on Fall-Related Physical Functions for Older Women: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
by Tzu-Chun Huang, Ching Li and Ching-Yu Hsieh
Healthcare 2025, 13(2), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13020124 - 9 Jan 2025
Viewed by 953
Abstract
Introduction: The evidence showed that the risk of falls was higher in women, and yoga was considered an effective rehabilitation method for preventing falls. However, there had been no previous attempts to synthesize the evidence specifically for the use of yoga in preventing [...] Read more.
Introduction: The evidence showed that the risk of falls was higher in women, and yoga was considered an effective rehabilitation method for preventing falls. However, there had been no previous attempts to synthesize the evidence specifically for the use of yoga in preventing falls among older women. Objectives: This systematic review aimed to strengthen the existing body of evidence by focusing exclusively on the impact of yoga in improving fall-related physical functions among older women. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. The protocol was developed in advance of the study and registered on PROSPERO (Registration number: CRD42024506550). Results: The effects of yoga on balance, gait, and lower-limb strength were inconsistent. It showed that yoga programs designed to prevent falls in older women might not demonstrate the same effectiveness as those identified in previous systematic reviews for the general older adult population. Conclusions: This systematic review is the first to exclusively explore the impact of yoga on fall-related physical functions in older women. However, this review did not directly observe a definitive effect of yoga on fall prevention in older women. Future studies should delve deeper into identifying appropriate yoga postures and determining the optimal dose required to enhance physical function and prevent falls. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity Interventions for Healthy Ageing and Fall Prevention)
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