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Background and Purpose: Test-retest reliability has not been previously reported for the instrumented modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (i-mCTSIB) utilizing the Neurocom Very Simple Rehab (VSR) Sport force plate. The VSR Sport is a portable, relatively inexpensive force plate system utilized to assess postural stability in various populations. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the test-retest reliability, standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC) of the i-mCTSIB when assessed using the VSR Sport in a sample of healthy, older adults. Methods: This was a methodological study with 20 healthy, older adults between the ages of 65 and 85 years. Participants were tested twice in a single session on the i-mCTSIB utilizing the VSR Sport force plate. The mean sway velocity (°/s) measurements for the 2 trials were compared for each test condition to compute intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for each measurement. Standard error of measurements and minimal detectable change at the 90% confidence level (MDC90) were also calculated. Results and Discussion: The test-retest reliability for each of the test conditions ranged from 0.762 to 0.909, which can be broadly interpreted as good-to-excellent reliability. The ICC(2,k) value of 0.898 for the composite score can also be interpreted as excellent reliability. Our results revealed small SEM for all test conditions (SEM = 0.060-0.101) except for the foam surface, eyes closed condition, with an SEM of 0.481. The MDC90 results for all testing conditions ranged from 0.140 to 0.285 except for the foam surface, eyes closed condition, which had an MDC90 = 1.12. Conclusions: The i-mCTSIB measurements utilizing the VSR Sport demonstrated good-to-excellent test-retest reliability. The clinical relevance of this study is that it demonstrates that the VSR Sport is a feasible alternative to other more expensive computerized systems used for the assessment of postural sway. MDC90 scores allow interpretation of change in i-mCTSIB scores following intervention. Practice effects may have contributed to the larger MDC90 for sway scores in the foam surface, eyes closed condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: An observed consequence of aging is a decline in muscle performance that includes a loss in both muscle strength and muscle power. This decline can lead to loss of function and independence and is a predictor of disability in older adults. Although the 2008 Physical Activity (PA) Guidelines for Americans provides a guideline for muscle strengthening, there is no evidence that performing muscle strengthening 2 times a week for all major muscle groups is related to better performance on measures known to be important factors in development or progression of frailty in older adults. The purposes of this study were to assess muscle-strengthening and aerobic PA behaviors in older adults and to determine the relationship between the PA behaviors and physical performance measures. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 85 community-dwelling, ambulatory adults (50 women, 35 men) with a mean (standard deviation) age of 67.5 (5.6) years. All used an internet-based survey, TREST (Tracking Resistance Exercise and Strength Training), to report muscle-strengthening and aerobic PA behavior. Physical performance measures of grip strength, 10-m walk test (10-MWT), five-time sit-to-stand test (FTSST), and stair climb test (SCT) were obtained following completion of the survey. Participants were grouped by whether they met 2008 PA Guidelines for (1) muscle strengthening 2 or more days per week, (2) muscle strengthening 2 or more days per week using all major muscle groups, or (3) 150 minutes or more per week of aerobic moderate to vigorous physical activity. Comparisons of physical performance measures were conducted between participants who met and did not meet guidelines using multivariate analyses. Significant multivariate results were followed with one-tailed t tests. Results and Discussion: The participants meeting muscle strengthening 2 or more days per week performed significantly better on measures of grip strength and SCT. Only 27% of participants met the more stringent-strengthening guideline of 2 or more days per week using all major muscle groups, and these individuals performed significantly better on the SCT and FTSST. The participants meeting the aerobic activity guideline performed significantly better on the SCT, the FTSST, and the 10-MWT. However, participants who met both the strengthening and aerobic activity guidelines performed significantly better on all 4 physical performance measures than participants who met neither of the guidelines. Conclusions: Meeting guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities may be the most effective way of preserving muscle strength, muscle power, and gait velocity in older adults, but this conclusion must be tested with an intervention study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Participating in health-related physical activity (PA) may increase risk for musculoskeletal injury (MSI). Purpose: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of structural/biomechanical risk factors in community-dwelling women and associated risk for incidence of MSI in women who are physically active. Methods: The Women’s Injury study is a surveillance of PA behaviors and MSI in women age 20-83 yr. An orthopedic examination was performed before entry into the study to assess presence of structural/biomechanical risk factors. A total of 886 women completed data collection by reporting weekly PA behavior and MSI for up to 3 yr (2007-2009), with the average participant enrolled for 98 wk. To estimate MSI risk associated with each risk factor separately, time to first MSI was modeled using proportional hazard regression with time-dependent PA covariates, controlling for age, body mass index, and previous injury. Results: Over the course of the study, 236 of the women (26.6%) reported at least one MSI that was PA related. We found a significant association between the number of high flexibility risk factors and PA-related injury at all levels of PA exposure (HR =1.15 and confidence interval (CI) = 1.04-1.27 for moderate-to-vigorous PA; HR =1.16 and CI = 1.05-1.28 for moderate PA; HR = 1.15 and CI = 1.04-1.27 for vigorous PA). Conclusions: When participating at any level of PA for health benefits, women with hypermobility in multiple muscle groups or joints should be watchful for musculoskeletal symptoms and should be counseled not to ignore symptoms when they first occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a randomized controlled trial which explores the effects of weight bearing aerobic exercise and resistance strengthening exercise on postmenopausal women with low bone mass. It cites three risk factors for fall-related fracture in women such as decreased strength, poor balance and low bone mineral density. Furthermore, it suggests the significance of hip extensor strength for postural stability and fall prevention.

The article discusses a study which established the normotive values of lumbar flexion and extension for women of different age and racial groups. The study included free-living women, aged 20 to 83, who underwent orthopedic examinations. It found that the normotive values of lumbar extension are different between white and African American women. It also discovered that lumbar flexion and extension values differ among age groups.

The article reports on research conducted to investigation was to determine the effects metabolic fatigue had on knee muscle activation, peak knee joint angles, and peak knee internal moments in women during two jumping tasks. Researchers evaluated 15 women. They found that they exhibited greater knee injury-predisposing factors during the fatigued jumping task, and greater internal joint movements on both tasks, but that only knee flexion was statistically significant.