Search

Objectives: Flexibility is recognized as one of the components of physical fitness and commonly included as part of exercise prescriptions for all ages. However, limited data exist regarding the relationship between flexibility and survival. We evaluated the sex‐specific nature and magnitude of the associations between body flexibility and natural and non‐COVID‐19 mortality in a middle‐aged cohort of men and women. Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Anthropometric, health and vital data from 3139 (66% men) individuals aged 46–65 years spanning from March 1994 to October 2022 were available. A body flexibility score, termed Flexindex, was derived from a combination of 20 movements (scored 0–4) involving seven different joints, resulting in a score range of 0–80. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were obtained, and unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality estimated. Results: During a mean follow‐up of 12.9 years, 302 individuals (9.6%) comprising 224 men/78 women died. Flexindex was 35% higher in women compared to men (mean ± SD: 41.1 ± 9.4 vs. 30.5 ± 8.7; p < 0.001) and exhibited an inverse relationship with mortality risk in both sexes (p < 0.001). Following adjustment for age, body mass index, and health status, the HR (95% CI) for mortality comparing upper and bottom of distributions of Flexindex were 1.87 (1.50–2.33; p < 0.001) for men and 4.78 (1.23–31.71; p = 0.047) for women. Conclusions: A component of physical fitness—body flexibility—as assessed by the Flexindex is strongly and inversely associated with natural and non‐COVID‐19 mortality risk in middle‐aged men and women. Future studies should assess whether training‐induced flexibility gains are related to longer survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effects of a dyadic intervention of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for informal dementia caregivers and home-based balance and progressive resistance training (PRT) for their loved ones. Methods : The study was a two arm, randomized, controlled, single-blinded, parallel-group trial. Dyads were randomized to an intervention group: an 8-week MBSR course (daily) and an 8-week PRT and balance training (3 days/week) for their loved ones or a waiting list control group. Results : Nine dyads were randomized [caregivers: median age 75 (40–81) years, loved ones: 77 (73–88) years]. The intervention significantly improved caregiver mindfulness [relative effect size (95% confidence interval) 1.35 (−0.10, 2.81); p =.009] and functional mobility in their loved ones [mean difference (95% confidence interval) 1.53 (−3.09, 6.14)] with no significant effects on caregiver burden [relative effect size (95% confidence interval) 0.22 (−1.09, 1.54); p =.622]. Conclusion : The study appeared feasible in the home environment and future large and longer trials should test the efficacy of a more abbreviated MBSR intervention and to optimize adoption and sustain adherence over time. Trial registry name: HOMeCare: Caring for the Dementia Caregiver and their Loved One via the HOMeCare Exercise and Mindfulness for Health Program Trial URL: https://www.australianclinicaltrials.gov.au/anzctr/trial/ACTRN12617000347369 Registration number: ACTRN12617000347369 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele and retinal structural and vascular characteristics in older adult participants from several research studies. We also studied the relationship between these structural and vascular characteristics with multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) indices, neuropsychological parameters and MRI brain volumes in these participants. Methods: In this study, 109 participants with a mean (SD) age of 67.1 (9.0) years were recruited. Participants were classified as APOE ε4 carriers or non-carriers based on the presence or absence of the ε4 allele. Baseline measurements included peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer optical coherence tomography (RNFL OCT), and OCT–angiography (OCT-A) for evaluation of the retinal layer thickness and vessel density (VD) parameters. A multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) test, including amplitude and latency, was used to assess the visual pathway function. Finally, cognitive function was evaluated using a battery of neuropsychological tests. OCT-A images were analysed in ImageJ to quantify VD in the superficial and deep vascular plexus and the size of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ). The relationship between carriers of APOE ε4 allele and these ocular parameters was analysed using generalised estimating equation (GEE) models and data adjusted for age, sex and inter-eye differences as within-subject variables (p < 0.05). Results: Twenty-four participants were APOE ε4 carriers. Temporal RNFL thickness was decreased in APOE ε4 carriers (p < 0.01). Vessel density between carriers and non-carriers was not significantly different at either the superficial or deep level. The FAZ area was significantly smaller in ε4 carriers in both superficial (p < 0.01) and deep layers (p < 0.003). Conclusions: Retinal abnormalities were present in participants with increased genetic risk of dementia due to presence of the ε4 allele. These findings provide preliminary evidence for their potential role in the diagnosis of dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Systematically evaluate the effects of structured exercise and behavioral intervention (physical activity [PA] alone/PA + diet) on long-term PA in type 2 diabetes. Methods: Systematic search of 11 databases (inception to March, 2017). Randomized controlled trials investigating structured exercise/behavioral interventions in type 2 diabetes reporting PA outcomes ≥6 months were selected. Results: Among 107,797 citations retrieved, 23 randomized controlled trials (including 18 behavioral programs and 5 structured exercise) met inclusion criteria (n = 9640, 43.6% men, age = 60.0 (4.0) y). All structured exercise trials demonstrated increased objective PA outcomes relative to control (pooling was inappropriate; I2 = 92%). Of 18 behavioral interventions, 10 increased PA significantly, with effect sizes ranging from 0.2 to 6.6 (pooling was inappropriate; I2 = 96%). After removing 1 outlier, the remaining 17 studies significantly improved PA (pooled effect size = 0.34), although smaller compared with structured exercise. After removing the outlier, meta-regression also revealed significant direct relationships between total contacts (r =.50, P <.01) and more face-to-face counseling (r =.75, P <.001) and increased PA. However, long-term changes in PA and HbA1c were not related. Conclusion: Both structured exercise and behavioral interventions increased PA in type 2 diabetes, although effect sizes were larger for supervised exercise. The effectiveness of behavioral programs was improved when delivery included more extensive and face-to-face contact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]