Jennifer L. Vincenzo

Acute citrulline-malate supplementation improves maximal strength and anaerobic power in female, masters athletes tennis players

Abstract Citrulline-malate (CM) is a precursor to nitric-oxide (NO) in the NO synthase (NOS) pathway and is suggested to increase exercise performance in younger individuals. With age, NO production decreases and augmented NO production may provide beneficial effects on sports performance among masters athletes (MAs). Purpose: To examine the effects of acute CM supplementation on grip strength, vertical power, and anaerobic cycling performance in female, MA tennis players. Methods: Seventeen female MA (51 ± 9 years) completed two double-blind, randomized trials consuming CM (12 g dextrose + 8 g CM) and placebo (PLA) (12 g dextrose). One hour after consumption, subjects completed grip strength, vertical power, and Wingate anaerobic cycling assessments in respective order. Maximal and average grip strength, peak and average vertical power, anaerobic capacity, peak power, explosive power, and ability to sustain anaerobic power were calculated from the tests. Results: When consuming CM, participants exhibited greater maximal (p = .042) and average (p = .045) grip strength compared to PLA. No differences existed between trials for peak (p = .51) or average (p = .51) vertical power. For the Wingate, peak power (p < .001) and explosive power (p < .001) were significantly greater when consuming CM compared to PLA. For the ability to sustain power, a significant effect (p < .001) was observed for time within trials, but no significant differences were observed between trials regarding supplement consumed. Conclusions: These data suggest that consuming CM before competition has the potential to improve tennis match-play performance in masters tennis athletes. However, this study utilized a controlled laboratory environment and research evaluating direct application to on-court performance is warranted.

Habitual and Maximal Dual-Task Gait Speeds Among Sedentary, Recreationally Active, and Masters Athlete Late Middle-Aged Adults

UNLABELLED Gait speed predicts survival in older adults; however, gait has not been evaluated in late middle-aged (LMA) populations. PURPOSE Evaluate single- and dual-task gait speeds among sedentary (SED), recreationally active (RA), and masters athlete (MA) LMA adults. METHODS Participants were SED (n = 20, age = 61.0 ± 5.8), RA (n = 57, age = 63.5 ± 8.4), and MA (n = 25, age = 57.5 ± 7.9). Two trials of each task (10 m) were completed: habitual speed (HS), maximal speed (MS), dual-task (counting backward from a number by 3) habitual speed (DTHS), and dual-task maximal speed (DT-MS). RESULTS MA (2.08 ± 0.63 m/s) had significantly (p < .05) greater MS compared with SED (1.94 ± 0.30 m/s) and RA (1.99 ± 0.53 m/s). Similar differences existed for DT-MS (SED = 1.77 ± 0.32 m/s, RA = 1.80 ± 0.51 m/s, MA = 1.89 ± 0.63 m/s). MA had smaller MS and DT-MS changes (difference between MS and DT-MS speeds) compared with RA (12%) and SED (13%). CONCLUSION Maintaining a competitively active lifestyle increases MS in LMA adults and may support healthy aging.

An Evaluation of Functional Sit-to-Stand Power in Cohorts of Healthy Adults Aged 18–97 Years

This investigation examined differences in functional sit-to-stand power/velocity between cohorts of adults aged 18-97 years. This study included 264 healthy adults classified into four cohorts (18-40, C1; 60-69, C2; 70-79, C2; ≥ 80, C4). Participants completed the sit-to-stand task five times. Power and velocity were measured via the TENDO power analyzer. Absolute average power was maintained from C1-C3, but decreased (p < .01) in C4. Absolute peak power decreased between C1-C2 (p < .01), was similar between C2-C3, and decreased in C4 (p < .01). Relative (to body weight) average and peak power decreased between C1-C2 (p < .01), was similar between C2-C3, and decreased in C4 (p < .01). Average velocity was similar between C1 and C2, but decreased in C3 (p < .01) and C4 (p < .01), respectively. Peak velocity was significantly different between all cohorts (p < .01). Declines in functional power may plateau during the seventh and eighth decades, accelerating after 80 years.

Validity of a Novel, Clinically Relevant Measure to Differentiate Functional Power and Movement Velocity and Discriminate Fall History Among Older Adults: A Pilot Investigation

Abstract Background and Objectives Lower-body muscular power and movement velocity (MV) are associated with balance and physical function. The Tendo power analyzer (Tendo) is a portable device that calculates functional lower body power (FLBP) and MV. This reliable (Cronbach’s α = .98) method is validated against motion capture analysis of functional lower body sit-to-stand power and velocity (r = .76). However, the Tendo has not been utilized in discrimination or prediction of falls. We determined the discriminant validity of FLBP and MV among older adults based on the history of falls. These results lay the framework for longitudinal research in FLBP and MV in fall prediction/prevention. Research Design and Methods Cross-sectional investigation examining differences between FLBP and MV during 5 sit-to-stands of 98 community-dwelling older adults (aged 77.5 years, 61% female) classified by the history of fall (no = 59, yes = 39). Participants completed 5 consecutive sit-to-stands (60-second rest between each) with FLBP and MV measured by the Tendo. Multivariate analysis of variance modeling determined between-group differences in functional lower body sit-to-stand average velocity, peak velocity, relative average power, and relative peak power. Binary and forward conditional logistic regression models determined the ability of each measure to discriminate fall history. Results FLBP and MV were significantly lower in older adults with a fall history (p < .05). Relative average power and peak power were 15% and 16% lower and average and peak velocity were 18% and 14% slower, respectively among fallers. Logistic regression indicated average velocity was the best discriminator of fall history (p < .05). Discussion and Implications The Tendo detects differences in FLBP and MV during a sit-to-stand while discriminating fall history. Future longitudinal studies should determine efficacy in fall prediction and applicability toward clinically relevant interventions for fall prevention.

Short-Term Effect of BalanceWear Therapy on Mobility in Older Adults With Mobility Limitations.

Background and Purpose: Mobility limitations are prevalent among older adults and are related to falls, morbidity, and mortality. BalanceWear Therapy (BWT) improves measures of mobility among people with multiple sclerosis but has not been studied in older adults. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of BWT on measures of mobility among older adults with limited mobility. Methods: This study was a double-blind, randomized controlled trial of older adults recruited from senior living facilities. Adults aged 86.0 (6.1) years were randomized into a BWT, weighted orthotic (WG), group, n = 17, or a sham BWT, sham-weighted orthotic (SWG), group, n = 16. All participants wore the orthotic for 4 hours per day for 5 days. Mobility, measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Timed Up and Go (TUG), gait speed (GS), and the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), was recorded pre- and postintervention. Separate repeated analysis of variances were conducted for each variable to determine the intervention group (WG, SWG) by time (before, after) interaction effect. Results and Discussion: After a 5-day intervention of strategically weighted BWT intervention compared with a sham intervention, the SPPB improved 1.3 points in the WG, with no change in the SWG (P = .04). No between-group differences were observed for the TUG (P = .70), GS (P = .74), or FGA (P = .22). Conclusion: A short-term BWT intervention resulted in improvements in mobility on the SPPB among older adults with limited mobility.

A Retrospective Comparison of Home Telehealth and Nursing Care With or Without Rehabilitation Therapy on Rehospitalization Rates of Individuals With Heart Failure.

PURPOSE: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is the most common reason for rehospitalization among the aging population, accounting for one-fifth of all hospital admissions. To date, there is no research comparing the rehospitalization rates between patients with CHF (PWCHF) who receive telehealth and home health nursing care versus a multidisciplinary team consisting of telehealth, home nursing, physical therapy (PT), and/or occupational therapy (OT). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed with 132 Medicare Part A home health patients discharged from an inpatient setting with a primary or secondary diagnosis of CHF receiving daily telehealth over the course of 1 year. Allscripts Home Care and Lifestream software was used to query data from patient records. Rehospitalization rates were analyzed using Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel tests. Patients were divided into 3 groups: (1) nursing only; (2) nursing and PT or OT; or (3) nursing, PT, and OT. RESULTS: A total of 41 of the 132 patients (31.06%) were rehospitalized during their home health 60-day episode of care. This percentage includes all-cause rehospitalizations. Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel tests indicated there were no differences in rehospitalization rates between the 3 groups after controlling for the confounding variables: (1) multiple hospitalizations (P = .15); (2) history of falls (P = .16); or (3) depression (P = .18). CONCLUSIONS: There was no statistically significant difference between the 3 groups for all-cause rehospitalization rates. Further prospective research is required to determine best practices and multidisciplinary protocols to further reduce rehospitalization rates in this population.