Showing 10 results for Elderly
Hamzeh Baharloohe, Phd Afsun Nodehi Moghadam , Phd Behnam Akhbari, Sahar Goharee,
Volume 2, Issue 1 (4-2012)
Abstract
Objective: Falling is a common problem in elderly. Researches show that impairment of balance and postural control plays a major role in falling. It is suggested that there is a positive correlation between hip and ankle flexibility and falling in elderly. This study aimed to determine if there is a correlation between hip ankle flexibility and postural balance in elderly Materials & Methods: In this cross sectional study, 30 elderly (22men and 8 women) subjects (aged 71±7 yrs) were participated. The Berg Balance Scale and the range of motions of ankle dorsiflexion, passive hip extension, iliopsoas length were measured and the relationship between them was investigated. Results: Results showed that the correlation between ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, passive hip extension and iliopsoas length with balance were direct and significant based on Pearson's test (p<0.05). There was no relationship between age and balance, but balance in men was better than women. Conclusion: It seems that there is a relationship between hip and ankle flexibility and balance in older people, and this index can be used as a criterion to predict falls in elderly people.
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Volume 2, Issue 2 (1-2013)
Abstract
Objective: The elderly population is growing in Iran and worldwide. The erderly people living under poor nutrition status may be more susceptible to disability and diseases. BMI(weight divided by square of height) is a quick way to estimate the proportion of weight to height.Sarcopenia can lead to reduced muscle mass and consequently in weight loss and may result in reduced BMI. Sarcopenia can also decrease muscle strength. Present study designed to investigate the relationship between BMI and muscle strength in older adults (65 years and older) living inTehran. Materials & Methods: Pilot study confirmed the instruments reliability. 30 participants (13 women and 17men) were included. Height and weight were measured.Then BMI was calculated. Muscle strength was measured using dynamometer for hands and manual muscle test for legs. Data analysis was performed using SPSS19 software. Non-parametric statistics using the descriptive results, the differences related to sex and relationship facts were compared and analyzed. Results: A total of 30 elderly participated in the study, 17 patients(56/67%) were males and 13 patients(43.33%) females. The mean BMI for women was 23/11 kg/m2 and in men 26/04 kg/m2. More proportion of women were underweight, while the prevalence of obesity was higher in men. Average power 51.97 lb for the right hand and 49.98 lb for the left hand was obtained for the whole population. The gender breakdown, the number obtained for the right hand was 32.08 lb in women and 67.18 lb in men. For the left, it was 29.38 lb and 65.74 lb for women and men, respectively. Muscle strength was higher in men than women in both hands. The results of the lower extremities which was masured by manual muscle testing showed that 7/7% of women and 11/8% of men gained a score of 3(fair) for the right leg,69/2% of women and 23/5% of men met a score of 4(good) and 23/1% of women and 64/7% of men gained 5(normal).Results for the left leg showed that none of the women scored 3 while 17/6% of men gained this score.the same percentage of men received 4 while women dramatically had higher percentage,76/9%. Finally a high percentage of men(76/8%) and a smaller percentage of women(23/1%) gained 5. Conclusion: The findings of this study regarding the relationship between gender and BMI indicate higher mean of BMI in men than women.The means of both left and right hand’s muscle strength were higher in men compared to women. The average of right muscle strenght was grater than left.No significant relation between upper extremities muscle strength and BMI was concluded (p>0.05) but there was a significant relation between lower extremities muscle strength and BMI (p<0.05).
Soghra Ahi, Afsun Nodehi-Moghadam, Zahra Mosallanezad, Samane Hoseinzadeh,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (4-2015)
Abstract
Purpose: previous studies have suggested that thigh muscle imbalance may be a risk factor for knee injury. The Present study aimed to compare Hamstring-to-Quadriceps (H:Q) Ratio and dynamic stability between the two lower limbs of elderly people.
Methods: This was a correlational study and by nonprobability sampling 19 healthy community doweling elderly (age=65.93±3.53 yrs.) participated in this study. Dynamic strength and power of knee extensor and flexor muscles and H:Q ratios of each lower limb were measured by isokinetic dynamometer. Dynamic stability was evaluated using the biodex balance system. Paired t test and Wilcoxon test were performed to compare power, strength, H:Q ratio, and balance index of 2 sides. Data analysis were conducted using SPSS software, version 19.
Results: Strength and power between two legs was significantly asymmetrical. There was no significant difference in H:Q strength ratios (P=0.057) between the two sides although this ratio was 14.42% greater in weaker leg. Antero-posterior stability index (APSI) was significantly different between two legs (P=0.03), however there is no significant difference in overall stability index (OSI) and medio-lateral stability index (MLSI).
Conclusion: The asymmetry between limbs or weakness of the quadriceps and/or hamstring muscle strength and the resultant change in H:Q ratio should be considered in rehabilitation of older adults.
Mohamad Rostami, Zahra Mosalla Nezhad, Afsoon Nodehi Moghaddam, Enayat Allah Bakhshi, Shapoor Jaberzadeh,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (4-2016)
Abstract
Purpose: Increased life expectancy leads to an increase in the elderly population. However, with an increase in the age, the number of chronic diseases and cognitive disorders also increases. Since the social, cultural, environmental, lifestyle and health-related behavior is specific to each nation, the present study aimed at investigating the relationship between socio-economic status, health, physical fitness, and cognitive function in older adults with functional performance in Iran.
Methods: It is a cross-sectional study involving 42 older adults (20 women, 22 men) through a survey questionnaire and accessible sampling method. The age range of the study participants was 60 to 91 years. The questionnaire was used by the examiner to collect information on the age, height and weight, history of diseases, health status, physical fitness, and socio-economic status, for assessing the functional performance of older adults. The three performed tests included Sit-to-Stand test to examine the strength and lower extremity function, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test to measure the speed and balance while walking and the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) for measuring the hand function. A step-wise regression model analysis was applied by using SPSS (version 19).
Results: In sit-to-stand test, the test of significance of regression coefficients was profound in case of dependent variables (marital status (P=0.003) and overweight (P=0.014)). In TUG test, the dependent variables, age (P=0.002), marital status (P=0.081), and cognitive function (P=0.048) were influential on the TUG performance. In PPT, the independent variables, age (P=0.041), gender (P=0.012), marital status (P=0.058), and cognitive function (P=0.001), had a significant effect on the hand function.
Conclusion: Age-related changes, cognitive functions, and socioeconomic status were the most important factors affecting the functional performance of the elderly. Weight and gender also affected some aspects of functional performance. The author further recommends controlling and preventing loss of cognitive function and improving the social status and age-related changes in the older Iranian adults.
Mehrdad Bastani, Gholamali Ghasemi, Morteza Sadeghi, Amirreza Afshon, Hossein Sadeghi,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (7-2017)
Abstract
Purpose: The elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis who developed end-stage renal failure are at higher risk for falling and its critical outcomes compared with their healthy counterparts due to of poor balance, reduced muscle endurance, and sedentary lifestyle. The current study aimed at evaluating the effect of selected core stability exercises on balance and muscle endurance in the elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Methods: In the current quasi-experimental study, a total of 30 patients undergoing hemodialysis with the mean age of 62.24±6.51 years, the mean hemodialysis duration of 29.4±18.44 months, and the history of falling at least once during the last year were selected using the purposive convenience sampling method and then, the subjects were randomly allocated into 2 groups of intervention (n=15) and control (n=15). To assess the static balance, dynamic balance, and muscle endurance in the patients, the stork stand test, the timed Up and Go test (TUG), and the sit-to-stand-to-sit test for 60 seconds (STS-60) were used, respectively. The selected core stability exercises were performed for the intervention group in 6 weeks, three 45-minute sessions per week. To analyze data, the repeated measures analysis of variance (RM ANOVA) with SPSS version 22 was used; P<0.05 was considered the level of significance.
Results: Results of the current study indicated significant differences between the groups in terms of static balance, dynamic balance, and muscle endurance (P<0.001). In other words, the implemented exercises significantly affected the studied variables.
Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, the therapists can suggest the core stability exercises as a safe and functional strategy to improve balance and muscle endurance in patients undergoing hemodialysis, which may result in increased independence of action and reduced risk of falling due to loss of balance.
Afsaneh Eyvazi, Hamidreza Mokhtarinia,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (10-2017)
Abstract
Purpose: With the global growth of elderly population, their increasing need to public and recreational spaces has become a novel challenge. Such spaces should be designed based on ergonomic principles in order to decrease their risk of injury. This research aimed to design an ergonomic bench for the elderly people with respect to their anthropometric dimensions.
Methods: In this descriptive study, 90 older participants, 24 females and 66 males, aged over 60 years, were recruited by cluster sampling method. A trained ergonomists measured their 13 anthropometric dimensions based on ISO (7250-1:2008). The dimensions of the available benches in the parks were also measured. Then, the fitness of elderly’s anthropometric parameters were compared with the dimensions of the benches (N=100) in the parks. We also explored the problems and difficulties of the using benches by “future workshop technique”. A total of 45 elder subjects were participated in the workshop (recruited by convenience sampling method). They were asked about their problems in using the benches. Their comments and suggestion were sorted and prioritized. Then, using CATIA software and considering the proposed solutions, a pilot ergonomic bench was designed in accordance with the elder anthropometric dimensions. The descriptive and inferential analyses were done by SPSS V. 16.
Results: Descriptive results of the anthropometrics dimensions of the older people including Mean, Standard Deviation (SD) as well as percentiles, frequency, cumulative frequency, percentage, Mean and SD for the dimensions of the benches were provided. The study results show a significant difference between the bench seating depth and elderly’s buttock-popliteal length, also between bench seating width and elderly’s buttock width, and finally between bench backrest height and elderly’s shoulder height. There was no significant difference between bench seating height of concrete benches and popliteal height dimension, as well as between elbow rest height of iron benches and arm support height.
Conclusion: The elderly take undesirable postures during sitting on incompatible furniture (knee bending, trunk flexion, twisting, etc.).These unnatural postures impose physical strain on them. It is recommended that an anthropometric database of older adults be prepared so that new adjustable furniture can be designed based on these data.
Zohreh Afsharmand, Mahdiyeh Akoochakian, Hasan Daneshmandi, Yahya Sokhanguei,
Volume 8, Issue 3 (10-2018)
Abstract
Purpose: Static balance decrease with aging. Exercise program has significant effects on improving balance. However, the most effective method on improving balance in elderly remains undiscovered. Therefore, the present study investigated the effect of training on the stable and unstable surfaces on the static balance in elderly.
Methods: This was a clinical randomized trial with a pre-test post-test design. A total of 75 elderly women were studied. The samples were assigned into 4 different exercise groups and a control group. Biodex Balance equilibrium was used to record static balance and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was applied to record functional balance. Data were analyzed using one-way Analysis of Variance at the significance level of P<0.05.
Results: The total balance, anterior-posterior and medio-lateral balance scores significantly decreased in the training groups after performing the exercise program (P=0.00). After conducting the exercise program, balance scores differently decreased in different groups (P<0.01).
Conclusion: The exercise program improved the BBS, total balance, anterior-posterior, and mediolateral balance scores in the elderly subjects. The proprioceptive system function decreases with aging; thus, exercising on an unstable surface can challenge the proprioceptive system and increase proprioceptive function in elderly. The obtained results revealed that exercising on foam and sand improve the function of this system, due to the involvement of proprioceptive system. Thus, the increased involvement of proprioceptive system in balance, may improve balance on unstable surfaces, compared to hard ones.
Majid Barzegari, Seyed Sadredin Shojaedin, Mohammad Bayat Tork,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (1-2019)
Abstract
Purpose: of the most critical changes in the elderly is the weakness in keeping their balance that can expose them to severe injury risks. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 8 weeks of strength, balance, and combined (strength and balance) training programs on the dynamic and static balance of inactive older men.
Methods: Forty older men, who were the members of Robat Karim Social Security Retirement Association, voluntarily participated in this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to 1. The strength training group; 2. The balance training group; 3. The combined (strength and balance) training group; and 4. The control group. To assess the samples’ static balance, we used the Sharpened Romberg test. Also, their dynamic balance was assessed by the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). To analyze the difference in means between groups variables in the pre-test and post-test, the Paired t-test and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) with Tukey’s post hoc test were used. The significance level was set at P≤0.05.
Results: The results of this study showed that strength, balance, and combined exercise programs improved the dynamic and static balance of older men (P=0.001).
Conclusion: Balance is essential for everyday activities for all people, especially older adults. To reduce the probability of falling in older adults, we recommend applying strength, balance, and combined exercise programs for improving balance in these people.
Hamed Zarei, Ali Asghar Norasteh, Masoomeh Koohboomi,
Volume 10, Issue 1 (1-2020)
Abstract
Purpose: The present study examined the relationship between muscle strength and range of motion in lower extremity with balance and risk of falling in the elderly.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The statistical population included healthy elderly (Mean±SD age: 65.64±4.95 y) in Rasht City, Iran. The study was conducted on 65 healthy elderly males who met the study inclusion criteria and were selected by convenience sampling method. In this study, to measure static and dynamic balance, Sharpened Romberg test and Get Up and Go test were conducted, respectively. Additionally, the falling risk was measured by the Berg Balance Scale. Moreover, the maximum isometric force of the muscle groups in the lower extremities was measured using a hand-held dynamometer, and the range of motion was measured by a goniometer. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics by SPSS.
Results: The present study results demonstrated that the muscle strength of hip extension, hip abduction, hamstring, quadriceps, and ankle plantarflexion had a significant relationship with static balance; while being negatively related to dynamic balance (P≤0.05). Furthermore, we observed a significant and negative relationship between the muscle strength of ankle dorsiflexion and dynamic balance and risk of falling (P≤0.05). There was also a positive and significant relationship between the range of motion hip extension, knee flexion, plantar flexion, and ankle dorsiflexion and static balance, while indicating a negative and significant relationship between these variables and dynamic balance and risk of falling (P≤0.05).
Conclusion: The muscle strength hip abduction, hip extensions, hamstring, quadriceps, plantar flexion, ankle dorsiflexion and range of motion hip extension, knee flexion, ankle plantar flexion, and dorsiflexion seem to affect balance maintenance and fall risk in the elderly.
Ali Yalfani, Fatemeh Lotfi, Mohamadreza Ahmadi, Azadeh Asgarpoor,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (10-2022)
Abstract
Purpose: Sensorimotor impairment in the elderly leads to increased postural sway and plantar pressure distribution asymmetric. The plantar pressure distribution asymmetrical can cause secondary problems, such as forefoot pain, neuropathic plantar ulcers, and metatarsal stress fractures. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of sensorimotor training on the plantar pressure distribution symmetry in healthy elderly women.
Methods: Forty healthy elderly women participated in this study and were randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups (20 people in each group). Pressure distribution was evaluated during standing with double-legs and eyes closed. The experimental group performed sensorimotor training for eight weeks, and the control group did not receive any intervention during this period. The statistical method of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to compare the results between the two groups.
Results: Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) test showed that after eight weeks of sensorimotor training, the plantar pressure distribution in the forward and backward of the right (P=0.000) and left (P=0.000) foot was balanced with a high effect size. In addition, the plantar pressure distribution symmetry of the inter-limb was balanced after eight weeks of sensorimotor training with a high effect size (P=0.015).
Conclusion: Sensorimotor training by adjusting balance strategies and increasing the impulse sent from mechanical receptors cause sensorimotor integration and facilitates muscle activity. As a result, posture sway is reduced and plantar pressure distribution symmetrical.
