Silvia Varela

Effects of two different intensities of aerobic exercise on elderly people with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized pilot study:

Objective: To evaluate the effect of different intensities of aerobic exercise on elderly people with mild cognitive impairment. Design: A randomized trial. Setting: Residential care homes for elderly people. Subjects: Forty-eight patients were included in the study. Interventions: The patients were randomized in three groups. Group A performed aerobic exercise at 40% of heart rate reserve, group B did the same at 60% and group C carried out recreational activities. The duration of the study was three months. Main measures: Cognitive level and functional ability were assessed by means of the Mini Mental State Examination and the Timed Up and Go test before the intervention, at the end of it and three months later as a follow-up. Results: After completion of the aerobic training programme, the patients’ Mini Mental State Examination scores improved marginally (group A from 19.8 ± 5.1 to 20.6 ± 7.3; group B from 20.8 ± 4.6 to 21 ± 5.4). A similar trend was observed for the Timed Up and Go test scores (group A from 18.8 ± 5.3 to 18.5 ± 5 seconds; group B from 15.4 ± 4.2 to 14.3 ± 5.1 seconds). However, no statistically significant differences were found at any time during the evaluation regarding cognitive level and functional autonomy among the three groups. Conclusion: In this pilot study, intensity does not seem to be a determining factor when aerobic exercise is performed by people with mild cognitive impairment.

Batteries assessing health related fitness in the elderly: a brief review

Evaluation of physical functioning is a key issue in clinical geriatrics and in aging research. In recent years, different physical performance batteries in which individuals are asked to perform several tasks and are evaluated using different criteria have been designed and used in elderly populations. These batteries include different types of test which range from basic motor abilities to relevant everyday activities, depending on the construct area in the domain of physical function that must be measured. This paper reviews and classifies the main physical functioning batteries that can be found in the scientific field of aging research in order to provide knowledge on selection, administration, and interpretation of this indispensable assessment tools.

Correlation between the Yale Physical Activity Survey (YPAS) and a submaximal performance-based test: A study in a population of elderly Spanish women

The aim of this study is to research the degree of correlation between the Spanish version of the questionnaire YPAS and the 6-minute walking test (6MWT) in women over 60. In addition, the authors analyzed the relationship between the variables age and body mass index (BMI) and the walked distance. The study was carried out with 44 elderly women (68.1 ± 5.4 years) who filled in the questionnaire and immediately afterwards performed the 6MWT. Total time and energy expenditure (EE) values obtained in the questionnaire are significantly correlated with the 6MWT (p=0.02; p=0.01, respectively), while BMI and age showed an inverse association (r=-0.433; r=-0.318, respectively) with the walked distance. The Spanish version of YPAS is beginning to be considered as a valid and useful tool for habitual physical activity (PA) measurement and can be used among elderly Spanish speaking women.

Validity of a combined fibromyalgia (FM) questionnaires to asses physical activity levels in Spanish elderly women: an experimental approach.

Questionnaires designed to assess the level of physical activity among elderly Spanish speaking women usually have problems of reproducibility and are difficult to administer. This study aims to validate a Spanish combined version of two questionnaires originally designed to assess physical activity levels in fibromyalgia women. The leisure time physical activity instrument (LTPAI) and the physical activity at home and work instrument (PAHWI). Both questionnaires were translated to Spanish using translation/back translation methodology, and then were administered to 44 women aged 60-80 twice, with an interval of 2 weeks. During the first administration, participants answered the Yale physical activity questionnaires (YPAS) and performed the 6-min walking test (6MWT). Although the Spanish version of the LTPAI and the PAWHI showed poor test-retest reliability and poor construct validity, the sum of the two questionnaires showed much better associations. The results suggest that the Spanish combined version of LTPAI and PAHWI would seem to be useful tools for assessing the level of physical activity among elderly Spanish speaking women. Nevertheless, such considerations as the cultural adaptation of their content or the link between the intensity of physical activity as perceived and that actually done must be adjusted for greater efficiency.

Treadmill training combined with water and land-based exercise programs: Effects on Parkinson’s disease patients

BACKGROUND There is a need for studies about the effects of treadmill training (TT) on Parkinsons disease (PD) patients when combined with other exercise training modalities. OBJECTIVE To identify the effects of a multicomponent rehabilitation program on the illness impact, quality of life and fitness level in Parkinsons disease. METHODS Participants were assigned to two exercise groups: water and land-based exercise (WL) or water and land-based exercise plus treadmill training (TWL). The water and land-based exercise group performed one water-based exercise and one land-based exercise session per week for 15 weeks. Participants in the water and land-based exercise plus treadmill training added two sessions of treadmill training to this schedule. The Senior Fitness Test (SFT) was used to assess the samples fitness level. RESULTS Participants in the water and land-based exercise Group experienced significant benefits in the disease impact (UPDRS t = 3.083; p = 0.029) and quality of life (PDQ-39 t = 2.942; p = 0.036). The addition of treadmill training did not have any significant effect on these variables. Both programs showed similar effects on the fitness components evaluated. CONCLUSION Adding treadmill training to a combination of water and land-based exercise programs may have limited effects on quality of life and the impact on the disease.