Summary
The purpose of the study Structured Exercise in Older Adults with Limited Functional Ability was to determine the effects of an exercise program for older adults with functional limitations. Independent living and improved health requires the older adult to perform their daily activities safely and without getting worn out. The authors’ central theme is the use of exercise interventions to improve the functionality of elder adults with limitations.
The authors of the study chose elderly participants that had trouble with their activities of daily living by screening them through surveys, interviews, and physical tests. The control group was to maintain their current daily activities. The exercise group reported once a week for a group exercise session and exercised two more days at home. The exercise group went through aerobic and strength training exercises for sixteen weeks. The participants were evaluated using several reliable tests; 6-minute walk test, submaximal exercise test were used to measure aerobic activity; isokinetic strength testing, time to and off the floor, stair test, chair stand, and biceps curl test were used to measure muscle strength. (Fahlman, Topp, McNevin, Morgan, & Boardley, 2007)
At the end of the study it was discovered that the exercise group did improve significantly on their muscle strength over the control group. “Participants in the exercise group increased their isokinetic leg strength by 9%, arm strength by 6%, chair stands by 27%, and the number of biceps curls by 30%.” (Fahlman, Topp, McNevin, Morgan, & Boardley, 2007) Neither group improved on their aerobic capacity. The authors noted that the walking time of twenty five minutes for three days a week was below the c...
... middle of paper ...
...of improving their physical functional ability.
References
Bean, J., Kiely, D., LaRose, S., O'Neill, E., Goldstein, R., & Frontera, W. (2009). Increased Velocity Exercise Specific to Task Training Versus the National Institute on Aging's Strength Training Program: Changes in Limb Power and Mobility. Journal of Gerontology , 64A (9), 983-991.
Fahlman, M., Topp, R., McNevin, N., Morgan, A., & Boardley, D. (2007). Structured Exercise in Older Adults With Limited Functional Ability. Journal of Gerontological Nursing , 33 (6), 32-39.
Potter, P., & Perry, A. (2009). Fundamentals of Nursing 7th Edition. St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby Elsevier.
Rejeski, J., Marsh, A., Chmelo, E., Prescott, A., Dobrosielski, M., Walkup, M., et al. (2009). The Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders Pilot (LIFE-P): 2-Year Follow-up. Journal of Gerontology , 64A (4), 462-467.
Practice. In P. A. Potter, & A. G. (7th ed.) Perry, Fundamentals of Nursing (pp. 215-324). Saint Louis MO: Mosby-Elsevier.
Fatigue, decreased mobility and impaired balance from the rheumatoid and osteoarthritis pain also increases the risk of falls (Stanmore et al., 2013). Age related changes such as sarcopenia causes muscle tone and strength to decrease, especially in the lower limbs and as a result, balance and gait become impaired (Culross, 2008). These factors significantly influence the risk of falls and also affect the ability to carry out daily activities therefore, with a physiotherapists assistance, the nurse could introduce a personalised exercise regime to enhance muscle tone and strength (Culross, 2008). According to Neuberger et al (1997), exercise lessens fatigue and improves muscle tone and balance in older people. Recommending an exercise programme for Mrs Jones that incorporates strength training exercises and aerobics, could potentially improve muscle tone and strength and as a result improve mobility, balance and lessen the risk of falls (Bird, Pittaway, Cuisick, Rattray & Ahuja, 2013). The nurse could also suggest safety precautions such as advising Mrs Jones to use a mobility aid (Gooberman-Hill & Ebrahim,
Valent, Linda J.M. Et al. "Effects of Hand Cycle Training on Physical Capacity in Individuals With Tetraplegia: A Clinical Trial." Physical Therapy 89.10 (2009): 1051-060. Print.
Taylor, C. (2011). Introduction to Nursing. Fundamentals of nursing: the art and science of nursing care (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Due to the strong and growing evidence in scientific literature on the beneficial effects of physical activity on health and well-being, the importance of Clinical Exercise Science has increased. Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. Exercise, is a subcategory of physical activity that is planned, structured, repetitive, and purposeful in the sense that the improvement or maintenance of one or more components of physical fitness is the objective (http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/pa/en/; last accessed on 30 April 2016). Generally speaking, Clinical Exercise Science is an applied clinical branch which deals with the application of various exercise modalities for
...s can help people to strengthen the muscles in their back and hips (Exercise 2). Balance exercises strengthen legs and challenge balance. They can decrease people’s chance of falling. Functional exercises improve how well people move. They can help people in everyday activities and decrease chance of falling and breaking a bone. (Exercise 3).
As the life expectancy in the United States rises, the number of elderly in the population has also expanded. These increases have led to the oldest-old (people aged 90 and older) to become the fastest growing age group in the country. The oldest-old face many unique challenges because of their age, one of which is disability. Disability in the elderly has major impact upon society 1 and will continue will be a growing burden in years to come.
Taylor, C. R., Lillis, C., LeMone, P., & Lynn, P. (2011). Fundamentals of nursing: The art and science of nursing care (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Exercise programs for elderly women and men should include not only weight-bearing endurance and resistance activities aimed at preserving bone mass, but also activities designed to improve balance and prevent falls.
Regular exercise program is known to be beneficial for people with SCI. Exercise program designed for SCI patients is somewhat similar to the program for stroke survivors. However, it should be noted that the concerns for each condition are different, so there must be focus on specific requirements for the individual. Stroke survivors’ disability depends on the area of the brain that is damaged, whereas the disability of individuals with SCI depends on the damage in their spine. Therefore, detailed assessment of the spinal lesion must be carried out before designing exercise program for a person with SCI (Jacobs & Nash, 2004). An exercise program that combines mobility activities, aerobic resistance, strength, coordination, recreation, and relaxation can improve their functionality and fitness (Durán, Lugo, Ramírez & Lic, 2001). The individual should have 3 sessions per week with the total of 120 minutes (Durán, Lugo, Ramírez & Lic, 2001). The duration of each session can be shorter at first and increased over time to avoid injury and overwhelming stress for the patients. Some very common modalities of exercise for this group include arm crank ergometry and swimming. This is because SCI often causes paralysis and weakness in the lower limbs, which makes sense to place more focus on the upper extremity exercise modes in order to achieve the desired fitness level (Nash,
This study suggests that fall risk prevention should include information on physical activity. This shows that Activity Theory is important on aging. The article suggested ways to help get older adults involved in physical activity such as; exercise programs focused only on older adults, practicing positive reinforcement, and teaching ways to overcome barriers in activity.
[1] Lemura L.M., Von Dubillard S.P., Mookerjee S. The Effects of Physical Exercise on Functional Capacity in Adults. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2010;40:1-10.
Potter, P. A., & Perry, A. G. (2009). Fundamentals of nursing (Seventh ed.). St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby Elsevier.
Lack of physical body exercises; basing on their tight schedules, most adults allocate little time or none at all for body exercises, subjecting themselves to cardiovascular body problems which may trigger harmful cases such heart attack, high blood pressure, heart/kidney failure, among others. Moreover, body exercises also enhance the functioning of body systems, organs, tissues and cells, which is instrumental for the health of adults. This can be improved through deliberate support to old individuals, and creation of awareness for them to embrace