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1.
Walking football as sustainable exercise for older adults - A pilot investigation.
Reddy, P, Dias, I, Holland, C, Campbell, N, Nagar, I, Connolly, L, Krustrup, P, Hubball, H
European journal of sport science. 2017;(5):638-645
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Abstract
The health benefits of playing football and the importance of exercise and social contact for healthy ageing are well established, but few older adults in the UK take enough exercise. Football is popular, flexible in format and draws players into engrossing, effortful and social exercise, but the physical demands of play at full speed may make it unsustainable for some older adults. Restricted to walking pace, will play still be engaging? Will health benefits be retained? Will physical demands remain manageable? This pilot study aims to investigate: (1) the experience of older adults playing walking football every week, is it sustainable and rewarding, (2) the intensity and locomotor pattern of walking football, (3) the scale and nature of walking football health benefits and (4) possible cognitive benefits of playing walking football through measures of processing speed, selective and divided attention and updating and inhibition components of executive function.
'Walking football' and 'waiting list' groups were compared before and after 12 weeks of one-hour per week football. Walking football was found to be engaging, sustainable for older adults and moderately intensive; however, selective health and cognitive benefits were not found from this brief intervention. Highlights Walking football is a lower impact but authentic form of football that enables older players to extend their active participation. Walking football is enjoyable and moderately demanding and may be a sustainable form of exercise for older adults. Health and cognitive benefits to playing walking football were not found.
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The effect of a 10-week Nordic walking training program on the level of GH and LH in elderly women.
Hagner-Derengowska, M, Kałużny, K, Hagner, W, Plaskiewicz, A, Bronisz, A, Borkowska, A, Budzyński, J
Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society. 2015;(6):835-40
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a 10-week Nordic walking training program on resting growth hormone (GH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) blood concentrations and their relationships to the values of inflammatory, metabolic, and muscle injury parameters in postmenopausal women with overweight and obesity. METHODS Thirty-two postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity (body mass index 30.5 ± 4.1 kg/m(2)), aged 59.6 ± 5.9 years were included in the investigation. Concentrations of GH, LH, C-reactive protein, total cholesterol, low density (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides and albumin, as well as the plasma activity of muscle enzymes such as creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase, were examined before and after the participants finished a 10-week Nordic walking rehabilitation program. RESULTS After a 10-week rehabilitation period in accordance with a Nordic walking program, significant increases in blood concentrations of GH (median 47.5%) and HDL cholesterol (on average by 0.1%) as well as a decrease in LH values (on average by 19%), total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides (all on a similar average by between 0.1 and 0.2%), creatine kinase (on average by 14%), lactate dehydrogenase (on average by 4%), C-reactive protein (on average by 24%), and body mass index (on average by 5.7%) were found. CONCLUSIONS Nordic walking for postmenopausal women with overweight and obesity led to favorable hormonal responses, as well as improvement in muscle integrity and nutritional and inflammatory states, suggesting chronic, regular exercise as an effective tool in protecting against menopause-related catabolic processes.
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Effects of Nordic Walking and Pilates exercise programs on blood glucose and lipid profile in overweight and obese postmenopausal women in an experimental, nonrandomized, open-label, prospective controlled trial.
Hagner-Derengowska, M, Kałużny, K, Kochański, B, Hagner, W, Borkowska, A, Czamara, A, Budzyński, J
Menopause (New York, N.Y.). 2015;(11):1215-23
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cardiometabolic effects of physical exercise depend on its intensity, duration, and type. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two exercise models, Nordic Walking (NW) and Pilates, on postmenopausal women. METHODS The study comprised 196 overweight or obese women: 20 were advised to maintain their previous level of physical activity (control group) whereas the others started either an NW exercise program (n = 88) or a Pilates exercise program (n = 88). Blood was collected twice for testing: before the program commenced and after it had ended. RESULTS Of the 196 women who enrolled in the study, 147 (75%) completed the study; among those women, 69 (47%) completed a 10-week NW exercise program, 58 (39%) completed a 10-week Pilates exercise program, and 20 (14%) were in the control group. After 10 weeks, women in the NW group showed a significant reduction in body weight (6.4%), body mass index (6.4%), blood glucose (3.8%), total cholesterol (10.4%), non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (16.7%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (12.8%), and triglycerides (10.6%), as well as an increase in HDL cholesterol (9.6%). Significantly smaller-although still favorable-changes, except for glucose and HDL cholesterol levels, were observed in the Pilates group (decreases of 1.7%, 1.7%, 1.6%, 5.3%, 8.3%, 7.5%, and 6% and an increase of 3.1%, respectively). Nevertheless, at the end of the study, the percentage of women with target concentrations of the lipid fractions had significantly increased in both exercise groups. No significant changes in the studied parameters were found in the control group. On multiple regression analysis, type of exercise program was an independent predictor of amplitude changes in most of the studied parameters. CONCLUSIONS Exercise training in accordance with the NW model causes statistically and clinically more significant changes in glucose and basic blood lipid levels than do Pilates and dietary intervention alone.
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Walk-run training improves the anti-inflammation properties of high-density lipoprotein in patients with metabolic syndrome.
Sang, H, Yao, S, Zhang, L, Li, X, Yang, N, Zhao, J, Zhao, L, Si, Y, Zhang, Y, Lv, X, et al
The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. 2015;(3):870-9
Abstract
CONTEXT Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of cardiovascular risk factors, including central obesity, dysglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The anti-inflammatory properties of high density lipoprotein (HDL) can be compromised in MetS. Exercise is recognized as an important factor in the prevention and treatment of MetS. OBJECTIVE This study was designed to investigate whether walk/run training without any specific diet could enhance anti-inflammation capacity of HDL from MetS patients. DESIGN This was a case control study. SETTING The study was conducted in a Zhoudian community, Taian. PATIENTS Thirty nine patients with MetS were recruited and divided into a control group (n = 12) remaining in an untrained state and exercise group (n = 27) performing a 10-week walk/run training program. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The anti-inflammation capacities of HDL3 (HDL subfractions) from MetS patients with or without exercise were investigated by co-incubating with TNF- α-injured endothelial cells in vitro. RESULTS The training did not influence serum lipoprotein level in MetS patients and cholesterol efflux capacity of circulating HDL. However, walk/run training increased paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity and decreased the levels of malondialdehyde in either serum or isolated HDL from MetS patients prominently. More importantly, HDL3 isolated from MetS patients with 10 weeks training protected endothelial cells against tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) -induced injury, decreased monocyte chemotactic protein-1 levels in media and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression markedly. Furthermore, HDL3 isolated from MetS patients with walk/run training inhibited the TNF-á-induced monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells and obviously increased nitric oxide production by activating endothelial nitric oxide synthase. CONCLUSION Walk/run training leads to a significant improvement in HDL anti-inflammation capacity in subjects with MetS without restricted diet, the mechanism underlying which at least partially is due to increased PON1 activity in HDL, NO production, and eNOS expression in endothelial cells.
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Evaluation of inactive adults' ability to maintain a moderate-intensity walking pace.
Rowe, DA, Kang, M, Sutherland, R, Holbrook, EA, Barreira, TV
Journal of science and medicine in sport. 2013;(3):217-21
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine self-selected brisk walking pace in currently inactive adults and investigate the efficacy of rhythmic auditory stimuli to regulate moderate intensity walking. DESIGN A single-sample controlled laboratory design. METHODS Currently inactive adults (N=25; 76% female; age=34±13yr) completed a moderate intensity treadmill walking trial, during which cadence and steady-state O2 were measured. Participants then completed a 10-min self-paced "brisk" walk followed by a 10-min moderate-paced walk, prompted by a clip-on metronome matched to the treadmill cadence. Data were analyzed using RM t-test, Cohen's d, Bland-Altman plot, and one-way RM ANOVA. RESULTS Mean energy expenditure and cadence during the treadmill trial were 3.88±0.53METs and 114±8stepsmin(-1). During self-paced brisk walking cadence was 124±8stepsmin(-1). Cadence during metronome-paced walking was slower for all participants (114±8stepsmin(-1); p<0.05, d=1.23). From the Bland-Altman plots, 23 participants walked within ±3stepsmin(-1) of the metronome cadence, and the other 2 participants were within ±10stepsmin(-1). There were no significant differences (p>0.05) among the minute-by-minute cadences across the 10min of either condition. CONCLUSIONS Energy expenditure during 2.7mph treadmill walking was higher than 3 METs. Inactive adults walk at a higher cadence during "brisk" walking, compared to walking at a metronome-guided moderate pace. While the natural walking pace of inactive adults was at an intensity known to produce health benefits, and was maintained for 10min, the use of rhythmic auditory feedback is an effective method for regulating walking at a prescribed intensity in inactive adults.
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Effect of Tai Chi versus walking on oxidative stress in Mexican older adults.
Rosado-Pérez, J, Ortiz, R, Santiago-Osorio, E, Mendoza-Núñez, VM
Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity. 2013;:298590
Abstract
It has recently been reported that the practice of Tai Chi reduces oxidative stress (OxS), but it is not clear whether walking or Tai Chi produces a greater antioxidant effect. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the practice of Tai Chi and walking on markers for OxS. We carried out a quasi-experimental study with 106 older adults between 60 and 74 years of age who were clinically healthy and divided into the following groups: (i) control group (n = 23), (ii) walking group (n = 43), and (iii) Tai Chi group (n = 31). We measured the levels of lipoperoxides (LPO), antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total antioxidant status (TAS) pre- and post-intervention in all subjects. The data were subjected to a covariant analysis. We found lower levels of LPO in the Tai Chi group compared with the walking group (Tai Chi, 0.261 ± 0.02; walking, 0.331 ± 0.02; control, 0.304 ± 0.023 µmol/L; P = 0.05). Likewise, we observed significantly higher SOD activity and lower OxS-score in the Tai Chi group (P < 0.05). Our findings suggest that the practice of Tai Chi produces a more effective antioxidant effect than walking.
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Acute effects of walking in forest environments on cardiovascular and metabolic parameters.
Li, Q, Otsuka, T, Kobayashi, M, Wakayama, Y, Inagaki, H, Katsumata, M, Hirata, Y, Li, Y, Hirata, K, Shimizu, T, et al
European journal of applied physiology. 2011;(11):2845-53
Abstract
We previously found that forest environments reduced stress hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline and showed the relaxing effect both in male and female subjects. In the present study, we investigated the effects of walking under forest environments on cardiovascular and metabolic parameters. Sixteen healthy male subjects (mean age 57.4 ± 11.6 years) were selected after obtaining informed consent. The subjects took day trips to a forest park in the suburbs of Tokyo and to an urban area of Tokyo as a control in September 2010. On both trips, they walked for 2 h in the morning and afternoon on a Sunday. Blood and urine were sampled on the morning before each trip and after each trip. Blood pressure was measured on the morning (0800) before each trip, at noon (1300), in the afternoon (1600) during each trip, and on the morning (0800) after each trip. The day trip to the forest park significantly reduced blood pressure and urinary noradrenaline and dopamine levels and significantly increased serum adiponectin and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels. Walking exercise also reduced the levels of serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and urinary dopamine. Taken together, habitual walking in forest environments may lower blood pressure by reducing sympathetic nerve activity and have beneficial effects on blood adiponectin and DHEA-S levels, and habitual walking exercise may have beneficial effects on blood NT-proBNP levels.
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Decrease in blood pressure, body mass index and glycemia after aerobic training in elderly women with type 2 diabetes.
Monteiro, LZ, Fiani, CR, Freitas, MC, Zanetti, ML, Foss, MC
Arquivos brasileiros de cardiologia. 2010;(5):563-70
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aging process is associated with the development of several diseases, which can be attenuated by the practice of physical activities. Aerobic training is an effective method to maintain and improve cardiovascular function. Additionally, it has a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of several chronic-degenerative diseases, especially diabetes mellitus. } OBJECTIVE To verify the effect of a 13-week aerobic training program on blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI) and glycemia levels in elderly women with type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). METHODS Eleven sedentary elderly women with DM2, aged 61.0 ± 9.1 years, were submitted a 13-week aerobic training program, constituting group G2. Eleven controlled elderly women (aged 60.2 ± 6.8 years) were not submitted to the aerobic training, constituting the control group (G1). G1 attended educational lectures once a week, whereas G2 walked three times a week. RESULTS Both groups presented a significant decrease in glycemia and diastolic blood pressure levels. No significant decreases in BMI were observed after the aerobic training in either group. CONCLUSION The 13-week aerobic training program was enough to promote significant decrease in the diastolic blood pressure and glycemia levels; therefore, this type of exercise training decreases the risk factors for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
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A walking intervention improves capillary glucose control in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: a pilot study.
Davenport, MH, Mottola, MF, McManus, R, Gratton, R
Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme. 2008;(3):511-7
Abstract
Exercise prescriptions that can be translated into clinical recommendations are clearly needed for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A pilot project was developed to document the effectiveness of a structured low-intensity walking protocol on capillary glucose control in GDM women. Ten GDM women followed conventional management of diet and insulin therapy, plus a low-intensity walking program (W) from diagnosis to delivery. Capillary glucose concentrations, insulin requirements, and pregnancy outcomes were compared with a matched cohort by body mass index (BMI), age, and insulin usage (20 GDM women who followed conventional management alone (C)). Baseline capillary glucose concentrations were not significantly different between the W and C groups. The W group had an average acute drop in capillary glucose concentration from pre- to post-exercise of 2.0 mmol x L(-1). In addition, the W group had significantly lower mean glucose concentrations in the fasted state and 1 h after meals than the C group in the week prior to delivery. These lower glucose concentrations were achieved while requiring fewer units of insulin per day (C, 0.50 +/- 0.37 U x kg(-1); W, 0.16 +/- 0.13 U x kg(-1); p < 0.05), injected less frequently. These results suggest an effective role in glucose regulation for this structured walking program.
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Biomechanical characteristics of adults walking in shallow water and on land.
Barela, AM, Stolf, SF, Duarte, M
Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology. 2006;(3):250-6
Abstract
Although water environment has been employed for different physical activities, there is little available information regarding the biomechanical characteristics of walking in shallow water. In the present study, we investigated the kinematics, ground reaction forces (GRF), and electromyographic (EMG) activation patterns of eight selected muscles of adults walking in shallow water and on land. Ten healthy adults were videotaped while walking at self-selected comfortable speeds on land and in water (at the Xiphoid process level). In both conditions there was a force plate embedded in the middle of each walkway to register the GRF components. Reflective markers were placed over main anatomical landmarks and they were digitalized later to obtain stride characteristics and joint angle information. In general, walking in water was different to walking on land in many aspects and these differences were attributed to the drag force, the apparent body weight reduction, and the lower comfortable speed during walking in shallow water. The joint range of motions (ROM) were not different, the segment ROM, magnitudes of GRF components, impact force, and impulse were different between the two conditions. The present results will contribute to a better understanding of this activity in the context of training and rehabilitation.