Csapo Robert, Gormasz Christian, Baron Ramon
Department of Preventative and Rehabilitative Sports Medicine and Training Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2009;121(11-12):383-90. doi: 10.1007/s00508-009-1151-5.
Previous reports have underlined the importance of physical activity for physical functioning in older age. As recent results suggest that living in nursing homes is negatively correlated to physical activity level, this survey examined whether muscular power, balance abilities and response times differ between community-dwelling and institutionalized old women.
A sample of 31 community-dwelling and institutionalized women aged 77-86 years was recruited. Groups did not differ in age, weight, height, or BMI (p > 0.05). Measurements of upper limb power, balance control, and response time were conducted. Upper limb power was tested by dumbbell biceps curl exercise with increasing loads (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 kg). Overall daily time expenditure for walking and further physical activities as well as kinds of further activities were examined via questionnaire.
The community-dwelling subjects achieved significantly better results in tests of upper limb power and response time (p <or= 0.002 and = 0.014) than the institutionalized participants. No significant differences were found in balance control (p = 0.086). Both daily walking time and time for further physical activities were higher in community-dwelling subjects (p = 0.002 and 0.017).
Based on our findings we conclude that independent lifestyle may contribute to higher muscular power and faster response times in older age. To analyze balance abilities in this age group safe and easy to use laboratory testing devices should be developed. We found physical activity levels to be higher in the community-dwelling cohort. However, we do not know whether reduced physical activity is the cause or rather the consequence of institutionalized living.
以往报告强调了身体活动对老年人身体机能的重要性。近期研究结果表明，居住在养老院与身体活动水平呈负相关，本调查旨在研究社区居住和机构养老的老年女性在肌肉力量、平衡能力和反应时间方面是否存在差异。
招募了31名年龄在77 - 86岁之间的社区居住和机构养老的女性。两组在年龄、体重、身高或体重指数方面无差异（p>0.05）。进行了上肢力量、平衡控制和反应时间的测量。通过增加负荷（0.5、1、1.5和2千克）的哑铃二头肌卷曲运动测试上肢力量。通过问卷调查了步行和其他体育活动的总体每日时间消耗以及其他活动的种类。
社区居住的受试者在上肢力量和反应时间测试中取得的成绩显著优于机构养老的参与者（p≤0.002和=0.014）。在平衡控制方面未发现显著差异（p = 0.086）。社区居住的受试者每日步行时间和其他体育活动时间均更长（p = 0.002和0.017）。
根据我们的研究结果，我们得出结论，独立生活方式可能有助于老年人拥有更高的肌肉力量和更快的反应时间。为了分析该年龄组的平衡能力，应开发安全易用的实验室检测设备。我们发现社区居住人群的身体活动水平更高。然而，我们不知道身体活动减少是机构养老生活的原因还是结果。
