Effects of a six-week physical activity intervention on health measures of older people.

Konstantaki, Maria and Higgins, Sam (2016) Effects of a six-week physical activity intervention on health measures of older people. In: Ageing, Physical Activity, Recreation and Wellbeing. Cambridge Scholars, Cambridge, pp. 147-169. ISBN (10): 1-4438-9104

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Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a six-week physical activity intervention on physiological and health measures of older people. Participants (n=11; two male and nine female; mean ± SD age: 75.0 ± 6.0y, body mass: 78.4 ± 19.4kg, stature: 159.0 ± 10.5cm) were members of the Caribbean Style ‘Movers & Shakers’ group, an award-winning programme that supports older adults to lead healthier lifestyles. All participants completed an informed consent and PAR-Q before taking part in the study. Participants’ anthropometry (body mass in kg and stature in cm) was used to calculate their body mass index (BMI). Physiological measurements of the resting heart rate (HRrest, bpm), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, mmHg), waist chair stand test to assess lower body muscular endurance. All measurements circumference (cm), body fat (%), total cholesterol (Tchol, mg) and high density lipoproteins (HDL) were taken. Participants also completed a 30- second were taken at baseline and immediately after a six-week intervention period that involved participation in a one-hour weekly exercise session. The number of daily steps of the participants was recorded using pedometers. Results showed changes from baseline to post-intervention (all at P<0.05) in SBP (159 to 144mmHg, -9%), DBP (87 to 77mmHg, -11%), %body fat (38.8 to 35.7%, -8%) and the 30 second chair stand test (11 to 13 stands, +18.2%). Although no significant decreases were seen in waist circumference and body mass there were minimal decreases from baseline to post-intervention. There were no changes in Tchol and HDL levels. These results suggest that even a short period of engagement with structured physical activity can benefit some physiological measures in older adults. However, a longer period of physical activity intervention and/or a higher frequency of weekly sessions may be needed to influence blood lipid profiles in older people.

Item Type: Book Section
Additional Information: This project was funded by the Bucks Community Foundation. The authors would like to express their grateful thanks to all participants of the Caribbean Style ‘Movers & Shakers’ and especially to Olga McBarnett for encouraging participation among group members. There is no embargo for the chapter. It is in the agreement we have with Cambridge Scholars that the authors will retain the copyright of their work. Maria Konstantaki
Keywords: Geography, Anthropology, Recreation
Divisions: ?? BucksNewUniversity ??
Depositing User: J McPeak
Date Deposited: 23 Mar 2017 15:12
Last Modified: 11 Dec 2017 19:27
URI: https://bnu.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/15458

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