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Exercise Evaluation and Prescription in Older Adults

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (2 July 2022) | Viewed by 25376

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Eduardo Carballeira

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Guest Editor

Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Faculty of Sports Science and Physical Education, Campus Bastiagueiro, University of A Coruña, 15071 A Coruña, Spain
Interests: exercise prescription in people with chronic disease; exercise evaluation and monitoring; heart rate variability; exercise and physical activity in older adults; strength and conditioning in older adults; exercise physiology; blood flow restriction training; power training and high-velocity training; motor learning and behavior in combat sports

Dr. Guilherme Furtado

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Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Applied Research Institute, Rua da Misericórdia, Lagar dos Cortiços–S. Martinho do Bispo, 3045-093 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: psychobiological of exercise; frailty and sarcopenia; changes in behavior; active life style promotion; health literacy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Rubens Vinícius Letieri

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Multidisciplinary Research Nucleus in Physical Education (NIMEF), Federal University of Northern of Tocantins (UFNT), Tocantinópolis 77900-000, Brazil
Interests: physical activity and health; exercise and cognition; blood flow restriction exercise; elderly
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is well known that increasing the time spent practicing physical activity and exercise reduces the risk of mortality. In addition, regular physical activity and especially exercise have been proven to be one of the most effective tools to prevent and even reverse many diseases associated with aging and reduce late-life dependency. Regular exercise is a polypill that produces adaptations that generate physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits. Physical exercise along with good nutrition, appropriate sleep habits, an adequate level of socialization, and stress management strategies form the fundamental pillars of health. These pillars interact with each other producing a summative or even a multiplicative effect. Due to the existing variability in responses to exercise, especially in older people, it is necessary to optimize the evaluation, monitoring, and prescription protocols based on scientific evidence of physical exercise to improve the health of our older adults.

We will be accepting papers including intervention studies, random controlled trials, and systematic reviews with or without meta-analysis; innovative technologies, such as exergames and new technologies for evaluating and monitoring physical exercise adaptations; and research analysis methods, such as those centered on analyzing individual variability response to exercise-related interventions. We also cordially invite all colleagues from the most diverse areas to collaborate in this Special Issue, such as sports and exercise scientists, physiotherapists and rehabilitation scientists, and kinesiologists, among others.

Dr. Eduardo Carballeira
Dr. Guilherme Furtado
Dr. Rubens Vinícius Letieri
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

Exercise prescription
Applied technology to evaluating and monitoring
Evaluation and monitoring
Physical conditioning
Exercise and nutritio
Exercise and sleep quality
Exercise and stress coping
Exercise and cognition
Physical activity and health

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 208 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Exercise Evaluation and Prescription in Older Adults

by Guilherme Eustáquio Furtado, Rubens Vinícius Letieri and Eduardo Carballeira

Healthcare 2023, 11(1), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11010042 - 23 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1274

Abstract

The over-65 age group is growing faster than other age groups worldwide [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Evaluation and Prescription in Older Adults)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

14 pages, 707 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Older Women Who Practiced Physical Exercises before the COVID-19 Pandemic Present Metabolic Alterations and Worsened Functional Physical Capacity after One Year of Social Isolation

by Kizzy Cezário, Carlos André Freitas dos Santos, Clineu de Mello Almada Filho, Gislene Rocha Amirato, Vitória da Paixão, Ewin Barbosa Almeida, Jônatas Bussador do Amaral, Adriana Caldo-Silva, Nuno Pimenta, António Rodrigues Sampaio, Pedro Teques, Fernanda Monteiro Rodrigues, Carolina Nunes França and André Luis Lacerda Bachi

Healthcare 2022, 10(9), 1736; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10091736 - 09 Sep 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2172

Abstract

Background: Because the consequences of the lifestyle changes in older adults associated with the social isolation imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are not fully understood, here, we investigated the effects of one year of social isolation imposed by COVID-19 on the metabolic parameters and functional physical capacity of older women who regularly practiced physical exercises before the pandemic. Methods: Systemic lipid and protein profiles, estimated creatinine clearance (ECC), and functional physical capacity (FPC) were assessed before (January-February 2020) and 12 months after social isolation in 30 older women (mean age 73.77 ± 6.22) who were engaged in a combined-exercise training program for at least 3 years before the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: In this group, we observed increased plasma levels of triglycerides and creatinine, an increase in the time necessary to perform gait speed and time-up-and-go tests, and reduced muscle strength assessed by the handgrip test and ECC post-COVID-19 pandemic relative to values recorded pre-pandemic. In addition, we observed significant correlations (both negative and positive) between anthropometric, some metabolic parameters, and physical tests. Conclusion: One year of interruption of physical exercise practice imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered some systemic metabolic parameters and worsened ECC and FPC in older women. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Evaluation and Prescription in Older Adults)

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14 pages, 2525 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From Young to Older, the 4 Phases Method Is Efficient in Promoting Quick Weight, BMI, and Waist Circumference Reductions

by Edson Ramuth, Sylvia Ramuth, Tamaris R. R. Pavão, Kimberlly B. Biacchi and Andre L. L. Bachi

Healthcare 2022, 10(8), 1398; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10081398 - 27 Jul 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3938

Abstract

Background: Investigate the effectiveness of the scientific 4 Phases Method, a methodology developed by EMAGRECENTRO, which is based on a ketogenic approach (total carbohydrate intake <40 g/day; including fibers) associated with health coach assistance, in promoting reductions in body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference after 5 weeks of methodology application. Methods: Record files from 354 individuals, both sexes, aged between 18 and 67, who took part in the 4 Phases Method were used to develop this study. Age, sex, weight, height, BMI, waist circumference measurement, and the presence of ketone bodies in the urine were evaluated before (baseline) and after 5 weeks of the 4 Phases application. Results: In general, a significant reduction in body weight (−7.8 ± 1.2 kg, p < 0.0001), BMI (−2.8 ± 0.4 kg/m², p < 0.0001), and waist circumference measurement (−7.6 ± 0.4 cm, p < 0.0001) was found after the application of the 4 Phases Method, regardless of age, gender, and BMI. Conclusions: Taken together, our results demonstrated that the 4 Phases Method was able to promote significant body weight, BMI, and waist circumference reductions in the short term, particularly by associating a ketogenic intake strategy with a regular close follow-up weekly consultation with a health coach assistance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Evaluation and Prescription in Older Adults)

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15 pages, 361 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Physical Activity Levels and Functional Fitness Status on the Quality of Life Perceived by Older Adults Living in Rural and Urban Areas: The Portuguese Inland Case

by Guilherme Eustáquio Furtado, Cláudia Vaz, Antonio Bovolini, Ermelinda Marques, Nuno Serra, Ana Raquel Costa-Brito and Carolina Vila-Chã

Healthcare 2022, 10(7), 1266; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10071266 - 07 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1859

Abstract

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is influenced by several factors, such as living place, physical activity (PA), and functional fitness levels. Evidence shows that functional fitness and PA levels are strongly associated with positive HRQoL, especially in the older population. However, the impact of the living place has not been investigated as an influencing variable in this context. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between the HRQoL, PA, and functional fitness of older adults living in rural and urban areas of Portugal. A cross-sectional study was performed with community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and over (n = 261) living in the city of Guarda. The participants were assessed for sociodemographic, anthropometric, clinical health, HRQoL, PA levels, and functional fitness status. The results showed that rural residents presented higher scores of HRQoL and functional fitness than older individuals living in urban areas. Regression models showed that functional fitness variables influence the HRQoL overall score and mental and physical subcomponents of HRQoL, regardless of the living place. In contrast, PA levels only influenced the HRQoL score in rural residents. The findings suggest that intervention programs to improve the physical health, quality of life, and well-being of the older population need to consider the country’s different geographical areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Evaluation and Prescription in Older Adults)

10 pages, 277 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between Fear of Falling and Seven Performance-Based Physical Function Measures in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Wen-Ni Wennie Huang, Hui-Fen Mao, Hsin-Min Lee and Wen-Chou Chi

Healthcare 2022, 10(6), 1139; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10061139 - 19 Jun 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1652

Abstract

Fear of falling (FOF), a common phenomenon among older adults, may result in adverse health consequences. The strength of the association between FOF and physical function among older adults has not been well compared in previous studies. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was performed on 105 older adults to determine and compare the strength of the association between FOF and seven common physical function measures. After controlling for age, logistic regression models were fitted for each physical function measure. According to odds ratios, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Short Physical Performance Battery, gait speed, and Timed Up & Go Test were associated with the identification of FOF. Based on a c-statistic value of 0.76, the BBS, a common and quick assessment of functional balance tasks, was found to be able to distinguish between fearful and non-fearful older adults. Interventions targeted to improve lower-extremity physical functions, especially functional balance ability, may help prevent or delay the adverse consequences of FOF. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Evaluation and Prescription in Older Adults)

14 pages, 567 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of a Multicomponent Exercise Program on Prevalence and Severity of the Frailty Syndrome in a Sample of Italian Community-Dwelling Older Adults

by Anna Mulasso, Mattia Roppolo, Alberto Rainoldi and Emanuela Rabaglietti

Healthcare 2022, 10(5), 911; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10050911 - 13 May 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1798

Abstract

Background: Frailty is a well-known condition that leads to a lack of resilience, with a reduced homeostatic capacity and a consequent higher risk of suffering adverse health outcomes. This study investigated the effectiveness of an exercise program to improve and reverse physical frailty amongst Italian older adults. Methods: One hundred and twenty-three community dwelling older adults (mean age 74 years, SD = 6; 64% women) were involved in an experimental (EG; n = 62) and a control (CG; n = 61) group. Frailty was assessed at baseline and after the intervention using an adapted version of the frailty phenotype. The EG took part in a 16-week exercise program, consisting of endurance, strength, balance and flexibility exercises, while the CG maintained the same routine. Results: After the exercise program, the EG was more robust than the CG (F = 43.51, p < 0.001). Within the EG, 46% of pre-frail and 50% of frail people reached the robust and pre-frail levels, respectively. Effects of training were higher in frail and pre-frail people (reduction of frailty of 0.67 and 0.76 points, respectively) compared to robust ones (who frailty levels increased by 0.23 points; F = 11.32, p < 0.001). Conclusions: A multicomponent exercise program may be effective at improving and reverting frailty, specifically for frail and pre-frail people. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Evaluation and Prescription in Older Adults)

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15 pages, 871 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of a Resistance Training, Detraining and Retraining Cycle on Postural Stability and Estimated Fall Risk in Institutionalized Older Persons: A 40-Week Intervention

by Rafael Nogueira Rodrigues, Eduardo Carballeira, Fernanda Silva, Adriana Caldo-Silva, Cidalina Abreu, Guilherme Eustaquio Furtado and Ana Maria Teixeira

Healthcare 2022, 10(5), 776; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10050776 - 22 Apr 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2189

Abstract

Physical inactivity and low levels of muscle strength can lead to the early development of sarcopenia and dynapenia, which may increase the number and risk of falls in the elderly population. Meanwhile, exercise programs can stop or even revert the loss of muscle mass, strength, power, and functional capacity and consequently decrease the risk of falls in older adults. However, there is a lack of studies investigating the effect of strengthening programs in octogenarians. The present study investigates the effects of 40 weeks of a training-detraining-retraining cycle of muscle strength exercise program on postural stability and estimated fall risk in octogenarians. Twenty-seven institutionalized participants were allocated into two groups: the muscular strength exercise group (MSEG, n = 14) and control group (CG, n = 13). After the first training period, the MSEG improved postural stability and decreased the estimated fall risk by 7.9% compared to baseline. In comparison, CG worsened their stability and increased their risk of falling by more than 17%. No significant changes were found between groups in the detraining and the retraining period. This study demonstrated that strength exercise effectively improved postural control and reduced fall risk scores. In addition, the interventions were able to reduce the forward speed of postural control deterioration in octogenarians, with great increments in the first months of exercise. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Evaluation and Prescription in Older Adults)

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10 pages, 729 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Balance Differences between North and South American Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional, Age and Sex Matched Study

by Matheus Almeida Souza, Daniel Goble, Paige Arney, Edgar Ramos Vieira, Gabriela Silveira-Nunes, Leonardo Intelangelo, Michelle Almeida Barbosa and Alexandre Carvalho Barbosa

Healthcare 2022, 10(3), 499; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10030499 - 09 Mar 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2256

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize the risk of falling in low-, moderate- and high-risk participants from two different geographical locations using a portable force-plate. A sample of 390 older adults from South and North America were matched for age, sex, height and weight. All participants performed a standardized balance assessment using a force plate. Participants were classified in low, moderate and high risk of falling. No differences were observed between South and North American men, nor comparing North American men and women. South American women showed the significantly shorter center of pressure path length compared to other groups. The majority of the sample was categorized as having low risk of falling (male: 65.69% and female: 61.87%), with no differences between men and women. Moreover, no differences were found between North vs. South Americans, nor between male and female groups compared separately. In conclusion, South American women had better balance compatible with the status of the 50–59 years’ normative age-range. The prevalence of low falls risk was~61–65%; the prevalence of moderate to high risk was~16–19%. The frequency of fall risk did not differ significantly between North and South Americans, nor between males and females. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Evaluation and Prescription in Older Adults)

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12 pages, 1448 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vertical Jump Tests: A Safe Instrument to Improve the Accuracy of the Functional Capacity Assessment in Robust Older Women

by Carlos A. F. Santos, Gislene R. Amirato, Alessandro F. Jacinto, Ana V. Pedrosa, Adriana Caldo-Silva, António R. Sampaio, Nuno Pimenta, Juliana M. B. Santos, Alberto Pochini and André L. L. Bachi

Healthcare 2022, 10(2), 323; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10020323 - 08 Feb 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2395

Abstract

Age-related decreases in muscle function lead to disabilities and are associated with negative health outcomes in older people. Although several physical tests can be used to assess physical performance, muscle strength, and power, their interpretation can be hampered by the ceiling effect of some of them. The aim of this study was to assess whether vertical jump tests are safe in terms of physical integrity and whether they are useful in assessing physical performance in forty-one robust older women. The investigation entailed an assessment of anthropometric characteristics, physical functioning tests (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), sit-to-up 5 times and sit-to-up 30 s, gait speed, time-up-to-go test (TUGT)), and tests evaluating muscle strength and power (handgrip, lower limb isokinetic tests, and vertical jumping tests). Significant negative correlations were found between vertical jumping tests and BMI, body fat percentage, sit-to-up 5 times and TUGT. In addition, significant positive correlations were observed between vertical jumping tests and SPPB, gait speed, handgrip, and concentric isokinetic tests of knee muscles. No adverse events in volunteers’ physical integrity were reported during and after the performance of all physical tests. Thus, the study results showed that vertical jumping tests are safe and accurate for assessing physical performance and are useful for monitoring age-related loss of muscle performance in robust older women. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Evaluation and Prescription in Older Adults)

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14 pages, 1707 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Mediating Role of Vision in the Relationship between Proprioception and Postural Control in Older Adults, as Compared to Teenagers and Younger and Middle-Aged Adults

by Ainhoa Nieto-Guisado, Monica Solana-Tramunt, Adrià Marco-Ahulló, Marta Sevilla-Sánchez, Cristina Cabrejas, Josep Campos-Rius and Jose Morales

Healthcare 2022, 10(1), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10010103 - 05 Jan 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2121

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the mediating role of vision in the relationship between conscious lower limb proprioception (dominant knee) and bipedal postural control (with eyes open and closed) in older adults, as compared with teenagers, younger adults and middle-aged adults. Methods: The sample consisted of 119 healthy, physically active participants. Postural control was assessed using the bipedal Romberg test with participants’ eyes open and closed on a force platform. Proprioception was measured through the ability to reposition the knee at 45°, measured with the Goniometer Pro application’s goniometer. Results: The results showed an indirect relationship between proprioception and postural control with closed eyes in all age groups; however, vision did not mediate this relationship. Conclusions: Older adults outperformed only teenagers on the balance test. The group of older adults was the only one that did not display differences with regard to certain variables when the test was done with open or closed eyes. It seems that age does not influence performance on proprioception tests. These findings help us to optimize the design of training programs for older adults and suggest that physical exercise is a protective factor against age-related decline. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Evaluation and Prescription in Older Adults)

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12 pages, 1060 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Psychological Effects of Motivational Aquatic Resistance Interval Training and Nutritional Education in Older Women

by Alejandro Martínez-Rodríguez, Bernardo José Cuestas-Calero, José Manuel García-De Frutos and Pablo Jorge Marcos-Pardo

Healthcare 2021, 9(12), 1665; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9121665 - 01 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1811

Abstract

Several studies have demonstrated the positive effects of physical exercise programs on physical and mental health throughout life. It is necessary to know the factors that contribute to the well-being of older adults in order to achieve healthy aging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between well-being perception and the use of autonomy supportive coaching behaviours across a motivational aquatic resistance interval training program. Thirty-four women over 65 years of age from the province of Alicante, Spain, participated, and were randomly assigned to: motivational aquatic resistance interval training group (MART; age: 69.6 ± 5.01 years, height: 1.62 ± 7.88 m, weight: 75.3 ± 12.8 kg) and control group (CG; age: 67.7 ± 3.60 years, height: 1.54 ± 5.47 m, weight: 66.9 ± 10.2 kg). The MART program was conducted for 14 weeks, with three training sessions/week. The CG did not perform any physical activity during the study. Perception of autonomy support was assessed through the Autonomy-Supportive Coaching Questionnaire (ASCQ), Psychological needs by the Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale (BPNES), Intrinsic motivation to exercise was assessed through Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) and Perception of Physical Activity by the International physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ). In MART, compared to CG, significant differences were observed in BPNS, IMI and IPAQ questionnaires used, except in the ASCQ. The differences were significant in all three cases in BPNS (p < 0.05 in autonomy and competence and p = 0.001 in relationship with others), obtaining better scores after intervention than previously. As for the IMI scale, significant differences were also obtained in both subscales. The level of physical activity also improved significantly, with higher scores on the IPAQ after the intervention than before (p < 0.001). In conclusion, when practitioners perceive greater well-being, satisfaction of their basic psychological needs, greater self-selection, volition, and autonomy instead of pressure, demand and control, the result is better behaviour with greater psychological well-being, adherence and consequent health benefits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Evaluation and Prescription in Older Adults)

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