Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.
Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; Department of Physiotherapy, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, 5412 Puch/Urstein, Austria.
Exp Gerontol. 2019 Jul 15;122:74-84. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2019.04.006. Epub 2019 Apr 18.
Population aging is one of the greatest socio-economic challenges of the 21st century, as aging is a well-known risk factor for the development of chronic diseases and functional disabilities. A sedentary life-style promotes the progression of chronic diseases and impaired mobility in older people. Therefore, physical activity is essential for healthy aging. The optimal exercise program for older persons, which covers fall prevention as well as endurance and strength, still remains unclear.
We performed a longitudinal, randomized, controlled intervention study to investigate the combined effects of moderate mountain hiking and balneotherapy on gait, balance, body composition and quality of life on high-functioning people aged 65-85 years. The intervention group (n = 106) participated in a seven-day holiday with mountain hiking tours. In addition, balneotherapy was applied. The control group (n = 33) spent a typical seven-day cultural holiday with sightseeing. Medical examinations were performed before (day 0) and after the intervention week (day 7), after two months (day 60) and after half a year (day 180). Statistical analysis was done by fully nonparametric analysis of variance-type testing.
An improvement of static balance was observed in the intervention group (treatment effect p = 0.02). No significant changes were found in dynamic balance, measured as center of pressure, gait parameters and self-assessed balance confidence. Only for gait speed, a short-term effect was observed (treatment p = 0.03). The gait speed increased in the intervention group. Although quality of life improved significantly in both groups, a sustainable effect until day 60 is only visible in the intervention group (interaction effect for treatment and day-60 p = 0.02). Significant interaction effects of treatment and time were found for total body water (p = 0.04), appendicular muscle mass (p = 0.04) and fat free mass index (p = 0.03), all indicating an increase of these variables in the intervention group.
A seven-day intervention with moderate mountain hiking in combination with balneotherapy is an effective training for highly functioning older persons, inducing short-term improvements in static balance and quality of life.
人口老龄化是 21 世纪最大的社会经济挑战之一，因为老龄化是慢性病和功能障碍发展的已知危险因素。久坐的生活方式会促进老年人慢性病的发展和活动能力下降。因此，身体活动对于健康老龄化至关重要。对于老年人来说，最佳的运动方案包括预防跌倒以及耐力和力量训练，但仍不清楚。
我们进行了一项纵向、随机、对照干预研究，以调查适度山地徒步旅行和矿泉疗法对 65-85 岁高功能人群步态、平衡、身体成分和生活质量的综合影响。干预组（n=106）参加了为期七天的徒步旅行度假。此外，还应用了矿泉疗法。对照组（n=33）则参加了为期七天的文化度假，包括观光。在干预前（第 0 天）、干预后一周（第 7 天）、两个月后（第 60 天）和半年后（第 180 天）进行了体检。统计分析采用完全非参数方差分析检验。
干预组静态平衡得到改善（治疗效果 p=0.02）。动态平衡（以压力中心测量）、步态参数和自我评估平衡信心无显著变化。仅观察到步态速度的短期效果（治疗 p=0.03），干预组的步态速度加快。尽管两组的生活质量都显著改善，但只有干预组在第 60 天仍能看到可持续的效果（治疗和第 60 天的交互效应 p=0.02）。在总水量（p=0.04）、四肢肌肉量（p=0.04）和去脂体重指数（p=0.03）方面，均观察到治疗和时间的显著交互效应，表明干预组这些变量增加。
为期七天的适度山地徒步旅行结合矿泉疗法干预是一种有效的高功能老年人训练方法，可在短期改善静态平衡和生活质量。
