Articles

Does physical exercise improve perceptual skills and visuospatial attention in older adults? A review

Neuroimaging studies suggest that when the brain ages, more areas are involved to perform a task in order to obtain the same results. This, together with the increase in crystalized intelligence and wisdom, is...

Authors: Monica Muiños and Soledad Ballesteros

Exercise or physical activity and cognitive function in adults with type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance or impaired glucose tolerance: a systematic review

Diabetes is an important risk factor for cognitive impairment. Although some studies suggest that physical exercise can minimize age-related cognitive declines or improve brain morphology or function, benefits...

Authors: Ren Ru Zhao, Anthony J. O’Sullivan and Maria A. Fiatarone Singh

The beneficial effects of different types of exercise interventions on motor and cognitive functions in older age: a systematic review

The decline in cognitive and motor functions with age affects the performance of the aging healthy population in many daily life activities. Physical activity appears to mitigate this decline or even improve m...

Authors: Oron Levin, Yael Netz and Gal Ziv

Study of the association between gait variability and physical activity

Gait variability can be considered an indirect measure of gait stability, in particular regarding temporal or spatial variability assessment. Physical activity, such as walking, is advised for the elderly and ...

Authors: Daniela Ciprandi, Filippo Bertozzi, Matteo Zago, Claudia Lucia Pimenta Ferreira, Giuseppe Boari, Chiarella Sforza and Christel Galvani

How an aging society affects the economic costs of inactivity in Germany: empirical evidence and projections

Aging societies represent a major challenge for health care systems all over the world. As older people tend to be more physically inactive, economic costs of inactivity are likely to increase notably. The pre...

Authors: Sören Dallmeyer, Pamela Wicker and Christoph Breuer

Relationships between self perceptions and physical activity behaviour, fear of falling, and physical function among older adults

There has been a lack of research examining the relationship among self-perceptions, behaviour, cognitions and functioning in older adults. This study, therefore, examined the relationship between global and p...

Authors: Myrla Sales, Pazit Levinger and Remco Polman

Effects of 12 weeks of Nordic Walking and XCO Walking training on the endurance capacity of older adults

Several studies have already examined the positive effects of various forms of endurance training in patient groups and in healthy adults up to 60 years old. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of...

Authors: Tobias Morat, Jenny Krueger, Angus Gaedtke, Manuela Preuss, Joachim Latsch and Hans-Georg Predel

Does physical activity benefit motor performance and learning of upper extremity tasks in older adults? – A systematic review

Upper extremity motor performance declines with increasing age. However, older adults need to maintain, learn new and relearn known motor tasks. Research with young adults indicated that regular and acute phys...

Authors: Lena Hübner and Claudia Voelcker-Rehage

Development of low-volume, high-intensity, aerobic-type interval training for elderly Japanese men: a feasibility study

The purposes of this study were to identify 1) the feasibility of a novel exercise protocol (elderly Japanese male version of high-intensity interval aerobic training: EJ-HIAT) and 2) its preliminary data (%V̇O_2p...

Authors: Yosuke Osuka, Muneaki Matsubara, Ai Hamasaki, Yuji Hiramatsu, Hiroshi Ohshima and Kiyoji Tanaka

The effect of three different exercise training modalities on cognitive and physical function in a healthy older population

Older adults are encouraged to participate in regular physical activity to counter the age-related declines in physical and cognitive health. Literature on the effect of different exercise training modalities ...

Authors: Carla Coetsee and Elmarie Terblanche

Relational developmental systems metatheory: a conceptual framework to understand and promote older adults’ involvement in sport

Sport is viewed as a vehicle to develop or augment adaptive developmental processes, resources, and experiences across the lifespan. However, research has acknowledged that sport participation is associated wi...

Authors: Amy M. Gayman, Jessica Fraser-Thomas and Joseph Baker

Whole-body vibration training improves balance control and sit-to-stand performance among middle-aged and older adults: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Aging is associated with decreased balance, which increases falling risk. The objective of the current study was to determine the feasibility and effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) training on knee extensor...

Authors: Ming-Chen Ko, Long-Shan Wu, Sangwoo Lee, Chien-Chun Wang, Po-Fu Lee, Ching-Yu Tseng and Chien-Chang Ho

Physical activity does not alter prolactin levels in post-menopausal women: results from a dose-response randomized controlled trial

Increased circulating levels of prolactin have been associated with increased risk of both in situ and invasive breast cancer. We investigated whether or not physical activity had a dose–response effect in low...

Authors: Darren R. Brenner, Yibing Ruan, Andria R. Morielli, Kerry S. Courneya and Christine M. Friedenreich

Association between handgrip strength, walking, age-related illnesses and cognitive status in a sample of Portuguese centenarians

Centenarians are a growing population in Europe and present significant variability in motor and cognitive functions. The aim of our study was to characterize health status, as well as cognitive and motor func...

Authors: Maria Vaz-Patto, Belén Bueno, Óscar Ribeiro, Laetitia Teixeira and Rosa Marina Afonso

Changes in health-related quality of life in elderly men after 12 weeks of strength training

Muscular strength is associated with functional ability in elderly, and older adults are recommended to perform muscle-strengthening exercise. Understanding how improved muscle strength and -mass influence gen...

Authors: Kristin Haraldstad, Gudrun Rohde, Tonje Holte Stea, Hilde Lohne-Seiler, Ken Hetlelid, Gøran Paulsen and Sveinung Berntsen

Influence of a home-based exercise program on the urine pH in elderly female subjects: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

A low urine pH is a characteristic metabolic feature of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of a 12-week home-based bench step exercise on th...

Authors: Yuichiro Nishida, Keitaro Tanaka, Megumi Hara, Noriko Hirao, Hiroaki Tanaka, Takuro Tobina, Masaharu Ikeda, Hiroshi Yamato and Masanori Ohta

Does the diurnal cycle of cortisol explain the relationship between physical performance and cognitive function in older adults?

Regular physical activity is a promising strategy to treat and prevent cognitive decline. The mechanisms that mediate these benefits are not fully clear but physical activity is thought to attenuate the harmfu...

Authors: B. Dijckmans, J. Tortosa-Martínez, N. Caus, G. González-Caballero, B. Martínez-Pelegrin, C. Manchado-Lopez, J. M. Cortell-Tormo, I. Chulvi-Medrano and A. Clow

Evaluation of hip abductor and adductor strength in the elderly: a reliability study

In elderly individuals an increased muscle strength contributes to the diminution of the falls risk and associated adverse events. An increasing interest in lateral control exists due to the fatal consequences...

Authors: Simone Gafner, Caroline H. G. Bastiaenen, Philippe Terrier, Ilona Punt, Serge Ferrari, Gabriel Gold, Rob de Bie and Lara Allet

Validity of the microsoft kinect system in assessment of compensatory stepping behavior during standing and treadmill walking

Rapid compensatory stepping plays an important role in preventing falls when balance is lost; however, these responses cannot be accurately quantified in the clinic. The Microsoft Kinect™ system provides real-...

Authors: Guy Shani, Amir Shapiro, Goldstein Oded, Kagan Dima and Itshak Melzer

A systematic review of gait perturbation paradigms for improving reactive stepping responses and falls risk among healthy older adults

Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults and most often occur during walking. While strength and balance training moderately improve falls risk, training reactive recovery responses following sud...

Authors: Christopher McCrum, Marissa H. G. Gerards, Kiros Karamanidis, Wiebren Zijlstra and Kenneth Meijer

Perceptions of physical activity among elderly residents and professionals in assisted living facilities

Physical activity is often described as being important for people of all ages, but what different people mean when they talk about physical activity is unclear.

Authors: Annsofie Mahrs Träff, Elisabet Cedersund and Catharina Nord

An exploratory study on the impact of daily activities on the pleasure and physical activity of older adults

Pleasure is one determinant of intrinsic motivation and yet a dimension often forgotten when promoting physical activity among the older population. In this study we investigate the relation between daily acti...

Authors: Miriam Cabrita, Richel Lousberg, Monique Tabak, Hermie J. Hermens and Miriam M.R. Vollenbroek-Hutten

Extremity injuries and dementia disproportionately increase the risk for long-term care at older age in an analysis of German Health Insurance routine data for the years 2006 to 2010

Extremity injuries (EI) and dementia are important causes of long-term care (LTC), but they can also cause each other and are often present concurrently. Mobility-limiting EI can increase the risk of dementia,...

Authors: Alexander Barth, Anja Vatterrott, Ying Zhou, Anne Fink and Gabriele Doblhammer

The FARSEEING real-world fall repository: a large-scale collaborative database to collect and share sensor signals from real-world falls

Real-world fall events objectively measured by body-worn sensors can improve the understanding of fall events in older people. However, these events are rare and hence challenging to capture. Therefore, the FA...

Authors: Jochen Klenk, Lars Schwickert, Luca Palmerini, Sabato Mellone, Alan Bourke, Espen A. F. Ihlen, Ngaire Kerse, Klaus Hauer, Mirjam Pijnappels, Matthis Synofzik, Karin Srulijes, Walter Maetzler, Jorunn L. Helbostad, Wiebren Zijlstra, Kamiar Aminian, Christopher Todd…

Impact of a randomized possible selves experiment on new retirees’ physical activity and identity

Retirement is not always associated with greater engagement in physical activity. Previous interventions informed by possible selves, a type of future-oriented self-representation, proved useful to increase ph...

Authors: Mélanie G. M. Perras, Shaelyn M. Strachan, Michelle S. Fortier and Brenden Dufault

Exploring user experience and technology acceptance for a fall prevention system: results from a randomized clinical trial and a living lab

Falls are common in older adults and can result in serious injuries. Due to demographic changes, falls and related healthcare costs are likely to increase over the next years. Participation and motivation of o...

Authors: Daryoush D. Vaziri, Konstantin Aal, Corinna Ogonowski, Thomas Von Rekowski, Michael Kroll, Hannah R. Marston, Rakel Poveda, Yves J. Gschwind, Kim Delbaere, Rainer Wieching and Volker Wulf

Assessment of recovery in older patients hospitalized with different diagnoses and functional levels, evaluated with and without geriatric assessment

The objective of the present study was to investigate 1) the role of different admission diagnoses and 2) the degree of functional loss, on the rate of recovery of older patients after acute hospitalization. F...

Authors: Jenny Foss Abrahamsen, Cathrine Haugland and Anette Hylen Ranhoff

Sensory-motor training targeting motor dysfunction and muscle weakness in long-term care elderly combined with motivational strategies: a single blind randomized controlled study

This study evaluated the effects of a combined innovative training regime consisting of stochastic resonance whole-body vibration (SR-WBV) and a dance video game (DVG) on physical performance and muscle streng...

Authors: Slavko Rogan, Lorenz Radlinger, Heiner Baur, Dietmar Schmidtbleicher, Rob A. de Bie and Eling D. de Bruin

The Contribution of Advanced Glycation End product (AGE) accumulation to the decline in motor function

Diminishing motor function is commonly observed in the elderly population and is associated with a wide range of adverse health consequences. Advanced Glycation End products (AGE’s) may contribute to age-relat...

Authors: Hans Drenth, Sytse Zuidema, Steven Bunt, Ivan Bautmans, Cees van der Schans and Hans Hobbelen

Kinect-based choice reaching and stepping reaction time tests for clinical and in-home assessment of fall risk in older people: a prospective study

Quick protective reactions such as reaching or stepping are important to avoid a fall or minimize injuries. We developed Kinect-based choice reaching and stepping reaction time tests (Kinect-based CRTs) and ev...

Authors: Andreas Ejupi, Yves J. Gschwind, Matthew Brodie, Wolfgang L. Zagler, Stephen R. Lord and Kim Delbaere

Physical activity and neurocognitive functioning in aging - a condensed updated review

This condensed review gives an overview about two methodological approaches to study the impact of physical activity on cognition in elderly, namely cross-sectional studies and randomized controlled interventi...

Authors: Patrick D. Gajewski and Michael Falkenstein

Effects of BDNF polymorphism and physical activity on episodic memory in the elderly: a cross sectional study

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration is highest in the hippocampus compared with that in other brain structures and affects episodic memory, a cognitive function that is impaired in older...

Authors: Anne Canivet, Cédric T. Albinet, Nathalie André, Jean Pylouster, Montserrat Rodríguez-Ballesteros, Alain Kitzis and Michel Audiffren

Aerobic training as a means to enhance inhibition: what’s yet to be studied?

Some of the neurodegenerative processes in healthy aging, including changes in structural and biochemical properties of the brain, are argued to affect cortical inhibitory functions. Age-related deficits in th...

Authors: Oron Levin and Yael Netz

The design of a purpose-built exergame for fall prediction and prevention for older people

Falls in older people represent a major age-related health challenge facing our society. Novel methods for delivery of falls prevention programs are required to increase effectiveness and adherence to these pr...

Authors: Hannah R. Marston, Ashley Woodbury, Yves J. Gschwind, Michael Kroll, Denis Fink, Sabine Eichberg, Karl Kreiner, Andreas Ejupi, Janneke Annegarn, Helios de Rosario, Arno Wienholtz, Rainer Wieching and Kim Delbaere

Effects of whole-body vibration on proxies of muscle strength in old adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis on the role of physical capacity level

Dynapenia (age-associated loss of muscle strength not caused by neurologic or muscular diseases) and functional limitations (e.g. climbing stairs, chair rising) are important problems in elderly persons. Whole...

Authors: Slavko Rogan, Eling D. de Bruin, Lorenz Radlinger, Christine Joehr, Christa Wyss, Neil-Jerome Stuck, Yvonne Bruelhart, Rob A. de Bie and Roger Hilfiker

The effect of sensor-based exercise at home on functional performance associated with fall risk in older people – a comparison of two exergame interventions

There is good evidence that balance challenging exercises can reduce falls in older people. However, older people often find it difficult to incorporate such programs in their daily life. Videogame technology ...

Authors: Yves J. Gschwind, Daniel Schoene, Stephen R. Lord, Andreas Ejupi, Trinidad Valenzuela, Konstantin Aal, Ashley Woodbury and Kim Delbaere

ICT-based system to predict and prevent falls (iStoppFalls): results from an international multicenter randomized controlled trial

Falls and fall-related injuries are a serious public health issue. Exercise programs can effectively reduce fall risk in older people. The iStoppFalls project developed an Information and Communication Technol...

Authors: Yves J. Gschwind, Sabine Eichberg, Andreas Ejupi, Helios de Rosario, Michael Kroll, Hannah R. Marston, Mario Drobics, Janneke Annegarn, Rainer Wieching, Stephen R. Lord, Konstantin Aal, Daryoush Vaziri, Ashley Woodbury, Dennis Fink and Kim Delbaere

A comparison of linear and nonlinear stability parameters in different clinical forms of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the neurological diseases that affect the ability of subjects to stand and walk. The stability of MS subjects has been evaluated in various studies, mostly based on linear app...

Authors: Mehrdad Anbarian, Mahnaz Marvi-Esfahani, Mohammad Taghi Karimi, Masoud Etemadifar, Seyed Mohammad Marandi and Mostafa Kamali

Health benefits of cycle ergometer training for older adults over 70: a review

As the number of older adults continues to increase worldwide, more attention is being paid to geriatric health care needs, and successful ageing is becoming an important topic in the medical literature. A pre...

Authors: Walid Bouaziz, Elise Schmitt, Georges Kaltenbach, Bernard Geny and Thomas Vogel

The time course of changes induced by resistance training and detraining on muscular and physical function in older adults

It is generally recognised that the physical functioning of older adults is enhanced with resistance exercise. The aim of this study was to investigate the time course of changes in upper and lower body muscle...

Authors: Carla Coetsee and Elmarie Terblanche

Possible neurocognitive benefits of exercise in persons with heart failure

More than 6 million Americans have heart failure (HF) and more than 500,000 are diagnosed each year. In addition to its many adverse medical consequences, HF is also a significant risk factor for neurological ...

Authors: Rachel Galioto, Andrew F. Fedor and John Gunstad

Preliminary inconclusive results of a randomised double blinded cross-over pilot trial in long-term-care dwelling elderly assessing the feasibility of stochastic resonance whole-body vibration

This randomised double-blinded controlled cross-over pilot study examined feasibility and preliminary effects of stochastic resonance whole-body vibration training applied in long term care elderly.

Authors: Slavko Rogan, Lorenz Radlinger, Dietmar Schmidtbleicher, Rob A. de Bie and Eling D. de Bruin

Exploring the context of sedentary behaviour in older adults (what, where, why, when and with whom)

Older adults are the most sedentary segment of the population. Little information is available about the context of sedentary behaviour to inform guidelines and intervention. There is a dearth of information a...

Authors: Calum F. Leask, Juliet A. Harvey, Dawn A. Skelton and Sebastien FM Chastin

A qualitative investigation of exercising with MS and the impact on the spousal relationship

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects more than 2.3 million people around the world. Symptoms are numerous and varied, often having a profound effect on activities of daily living. While for...

Authors: Sean Horton, Dany J. MacDonald, Karl Erickson and Rylee A. Dionigi

The application of strength and power related field tests in older adults: criteria, current status and a future perspective

Leg muscle strength (LMS) and leg muscle power (LMP) are determinants of aspects of functional status and important parameters for measuring intervention effects in older adults. Field tests are often used for...

Authors: G. Ruben H. Regterschot, Tobias Morat, Marjanne Folkersma and Wiebren Zijlstra

EURAPA moves to open access: Research trends and challenges in physical activity in old age

Authors: Yael Netz and Wiebren Zijlstra

Erratum to: Design considerations for a theory-driven exergame-based rehabilitation program to improve walking of persons with stroke

Authors: Seline Wüest, Rolf van de Langenberg and Eling D. de Bruin

Level of physical activity and anthropometric characteristics in old age—results from a national health survey

Advanced age is associated with degenerative changes in body composition. There is evidence suggesting that changes may vary upon differences in lifestyle, environment, or gender. Physical activity engagement ...

Authors: Ayelet Dunsky, Sima Zach, Aviva Zeev, Uri Goldbourt, Tal Shimony, Rebecca Goldsmith and Yael Netz

Physical activity of middle-age adults aged 50–65 years in view of health recommendations

The objective of the study was to assess the level of habitual physical activity, mainly its frequency and duration, of middle-age adults aged 50–65 years in a typical week of their life in comparison to the l...

Authors: Władysław Mynarski, Michał Rozpara, Agnieszka Nawrocka, Zbigniew Borek, Aneta Powerska and Wiesław Garbaciak

Assessing physical activity in inpatient rehabilitation—sensor-based validation of the PAIR

Increased physical activity is positively associated with better health in community-dwelling older persons. It is unclear whether physical activity also influences success of inpatient rehabilitation. For the...

Authors: Michael D. Denkinger, Simone E. Flick, Thorsten Nikolaus, Clemens Becker, Kamiar Aminian and Ulrich Lindemann