BACKGROUND: To prevent the risk of stair descent falls and associated injuries in the older adults, it is important to understand the factors that affect this frequent locomotion of daily living. The fact that falls are in most cases the result of the interaction between intrinsic and extrinsic factors is very often underestimated when designing test protocols. RESEARCH QUESTION: This study aimed at evaluating balance control during and immediately after step down onto an unstable surface. METHODS: Physically active men and women aged 60-69 years (n = 28) and 70-79 years (n = 18) were asked to perform a step down onto a foam pad and stand still for 30 s (restabilization phase). Centre of pressure (CoP) velocity and standard deviation of CoP sway in anteroposterior and mediolateral direction were evaluated during the step down (CoP VAP, CoP VML, CoP SDAP, CoP SDML) and in the first 5 s of restabilization (CoP VAP5, CoP VML5, CoP SDAP5, CoP SDML5). In addition, time to complete step was investigated. RESULTS: Participants aged 70-79 years presented worse ML balance control after step down onto an unstable surface than their younger counterparts. This was represented by the significantly higher values of CoP SDML5 and CoP VML5 (p = 0.022 and p = 0.017). No other significant differences were detected. SIGNIFICANCE: Age is associated with a more significant ML center of pressure velocity and sway after step down onto a foam pad in physically active older adults. Exercises aimed at improving ML balance control in unstable conditions should be the subject of physical interventions even in older adults with overall good state of health and physical fitness.
- MeSH
- cvičení * MeSH
- fyzikální vyšetření MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- lokomoce MeSH
- posturální rovnováha * MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- terapie cvičením MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Addressing the problem of obesity requires a complex - holistic approach, respecting its biological, psycho-social and health-related elements. Only 2 - 5% of all cases of overweight or obesity arise from objective medical reasons. The others are clearly a result of inappropriate lifestyle. The transition from secondary school to university represents one of the milestones for lifestyle changes in adolescents. In our research, which is part of the VEGA grant "Selected obesity risk factors and their physical prevention", No. 1/1343/12, we focused on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in male and female undergraduates, with respect on their study programme, lifestyle satisfaction and physical activity. We investigated overweight and obesity using the Body Mass Index (BMI) method. The results obtained, via the questionnaire method, from a sample of 939 female and 691 male students of two universities showed negative correlation between increased BMI values and undergraduate lifestyle satisfaction. The negative relation with physical activity, particularly with doing exercise and sports, was not significant. Diet, physical activity and sleep regime are reported to be the most frequent items that undergraduates would like to change to live a healthier lifestyle.
- MeSH
- incidence MeSH
- index tělesné hmotnosti MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- nadváha MeSH
- pohybová aktivita MeSH
- průřezové studie MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
- statistika jako téma MeSH
- studium vysokoškolské MeSH
- životní styl * MeSH
- změny tělesné hmotnosti * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
The author of this contribution chose aerobics for introducing and popularizing strength training amongst women. It is further stated there that the most challenging thing about that task was finding the path of how to make body – shaping weight training exercises become organic part of aerobics lessons without having to make significant changes to its basic concept. The author aimed at creating in women a permanently positive attitude to developing strength abilities throught using additional weights and other body – forming equipment. The motor program presented in the article is also meant to develop the trainees` skills in recognizing muscle groups that need to be shaped preferably in women. To conclude with, the above training program is the author`s reaction on the needs expressed by a major group within our woman population and it talks about key problems that appeared while running the program.
