Search results for "physical performance"

Activity profile, PlayerLoad™ and heart rate response of Gaelic football players : A pilot study

2019

The objectives of this study were to; quantify positional differences in the activity profiles of Gaelic football players and to evaluate decrements in physical performance during a pre-season competition. Global positioning system (GPS) data was recorded from 36 players from 3 teams across 5 games. The relative distance covered in locomotor activities, peak speed, relative PlayerLoad™ (PL.min -1 )and heart rate responses were evaluated between playing positions and across match periods using a mixed model analysis. The mean relative distance of 92.4 ± 23.3 m.min -1 covered,comprised 28.4 ± 10.2 m.min -1 of high intensity running (m.min -1 ≥4.0 m.s -1 ) and 9.9 ± 3.9 m.min -1 of very high i…

Aging and microRNA messaging : associations with systemic estrogen levels and physical performance

2018

This thesis took an innovative approach, which involved methodological development, to investigate microRNAs as candidate molecules and as genome-wide regulators of age, menopausal status and physical condition in both sexes. The focus was on potential serum microRNAs indicative of age, pre- or postmenopausal status, with or without estrogen- based hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and long-term physical training. MicroRNA associations with adiposity and inflammatory markers were also analyzed. Three different study designs were used: 1) the SAWEs study comprised healthy postmenopausal monozygotic twin sisters (n=11, 54-62 years) with discordance for HRT and premenopausal women (n=30, 20-4…

Serum hormone concentrations and physical performance during concurrent strength and endurance training in recreational male and female endurance run…

2011

To investigate the effects of concurrent strength and endurance training on physical performance and serum hormone levels a total of 32 recreational endurance runners were trained for 18 weeks. Subjects were divided into four training groups separated by the strength training mode and gender. The groups were women’s and men’s combined maximal and explosive strength training group (WME; n=9 and MME; n=9), and women’s and men’s muscle endurance strength training group (WE; n= 8 & ME; n=8). The training was executed in three consecutive periods (I; 10 weeks, II; 4 weeks and III; 4 weeks). The endurance training in all groups was low-intensity (below lactate threshold) running throughout the wh…

Relationship between cognitive performance and mobility over the life course

2018

We studied cross-sectional, longitudinal and temporal associations between executive function and life-space mobility in old age. We assessed the association between intellectual ability in early adulthood and physical functioning in old age, and the association between early life motor development and cognitive performance in early old age. The participants of the first dataset were 157 persons aged 76-91 y who were followed up for two years as part of the Life-Space Mobility in Old Age study, and who took part in measurements on executive function (EF) implemented with the Trail Making Test and Life-Space Assessment. The second dataset comprised persons from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Stud…

The combined effect of lower extremity function and cognitive performance on perceived walking ability among older people : a 2-year follow-up study

2018

Background We studied the combined effects of cognitive performance and lower extremity function on self-reported walking modifications and walking difficulty and on self-reported walking difficulty incidence over a 2-year follow-up. Methods A total of 848 community-dwelling older people aged 75-90 years participated at baseline, 816 at the 1-year follow-up, and 761 at the 2-year follow-up. Baseline lower extremity function was measured with the Short Physical Performance Battery (<10 vs. ≥10) and cognitive performance with the Mini-Mental State Examination (<24 vs. ≥24). Difficulty in walking 2 km was self-reported and categorized into no difficulties, no difficulties but walking modificat…

Estimating Heart Rate, Energy Expenditure, and Physical Performance With a Wrist Photoplethysmographic Device During Running

2017

BackgroundWearable sensors enable long-term monitoring of health and wellbeing indicators. An objective evaluation of sensors’ accuracy is important, especially for their use in health care. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to use a wrist-worn optical heart rate (OHR) device to estimate heart rate (HR), energy expenditure (EE), and maximal oxygen intake capacity (VO2Max) during running and to evaluate the accuracy of the estimated parameters (HR, EE, and VO2Max) against golden reference methods. MethodsA total of 24 healthy volunteers, of whom 11 were female, with a mean age of 36.2 years (SD 8.2 years) participated in a submaximal self-paced outdoor running test and maximal voluntary exe…

Muscular Fitness and Work Ability among Physical Therapists.

2021

The Work Ability Index (WAI) is a validated and widely used tool in occupational research. However, normative values for physical therapists (PTs) by age and sex are lacking. Although the nature of PTs’ work is physically demanding, it is unknown whether muscular fitness is associated with their WAI. This study sought to provide reference WAI data for Spanish PTs and to evaluate the association between PTs’ muscular fitness and WAI. Data on WAI of 1005 PTs were collected using a questionnaire. A subgroup (n = 68) performed a battery of physical tests including grip strength, push-ups and back-extension endurance. Associations between muscular fitness and WAI were evaluated using logistic re…

Relationship between functional movement screens and physical performance tests in junior basketball athletes

2011

The effectiveness of the Feldenkrais method: a systematic review of the evidence

2014

The Feldenkrais Method (FM) has broad application in populations interested in improving awareness, health, and ease of function.This review aimed to update the evidence for the benefits of FM, and for which populations. A best practice systematic review protocol was devised. Included studies were appraised using the Cochrane risk of bias approach and trial findings analysed individually and collectively where possible. Twenty RCTs were included (an additional 14 to an earlier systematic review). The population, outcome, and findings were highly heterogeneous. However, meta-analyses were able to be performed with 7 studies,finding in favour of the FM for improving balance in ageing populati…

HAND GRIP STRENGTH, LOWER EXTREMITY PERFORMANCE AND ACTIVE AGING AMONG 75-YEAR-OLD PEOPLE

2018

Active aging is an endorsed policy goal, which we defined and quantified at the individual level as a striving for activities as per one’s goals, abilities and opportunities. This study examines the association of physical functioning with active aging. Participants were 127 men and 167 women aged 75 years randomly drawn from the population register as part of the AGNES study. The validated University of Jyväskylä Active Aging Scale (UJACAS) assesses 17 meaningful activities from four aspects: goals, ability, opportunity and activity. Each dimension forms a sub-scale and their sum forms a total score ranging from 0 to 272 (higher scores indicate more active agency). Maximal handgrip strengt…