Division of Training and Movement Sciences, Research Focus Cognition Sciences, University of Potsdam, Am Neuen Palais 10, Bldg 12, 14469, Potsdam, Germany.
Division of Movement and Training Sciences, Biomechanics of Sport, University of Duisburg- Essen, 45141, Essen, Germany.
BMC Geriatr. 2021 Apr 17;21(1):257. doi: 10.1186/s12877-021-02206-w.
High prevalence rates have been reported for physical inactivity, mobility limitations, and falls in older adults. Home-based exercise might be an adequate means to increase physical activity by improving health- (i.e., muscle strength) and skill-related components of physical fitness (i.e., balance), particularly in times of restricted physical activity due to pandemics.
The objective of this study was to examine the effects of home-based balance exercises conducted during daily tooth brushing on measures of balance and muscle strength in healthy older adults.
Fifty-one older adults were randomly assigned to a balance exercise group (n = 27; age: 65.1 ± 1.1 years) or a passive control group (n = 24; age: 66.2 ± 3.3 years). The intervention group conducted balance exercises over a period of eight weeks twice daily for three minutes each during their daily tooth brushing routine. Pre- and post-intervention, tests were included for the assessment of static steady-state balance (i.e., Romberg test), dynamic steady-state balance (i.e., 10-m single and dual-task walk test using a cognitive and motor interference task), proactive balance (i.e., Timed-Up-and-Go Test [TUG], Functional-Reach-Test [FRT]), and muscle strength (i.e., Chair-Rise-Test [CRT]).
Irrespective of group, the statistical analysis revealed significant main effects for time (pre vs. post) for dual-task gait speed (p < .001, 1.12 ≤ d ≤ 2.65), TUG (p < .001, d = 1.17), FRT (p = .002, d = 0.92), and CRT (p = .002, d = 0.94) but not for single-task gait speed and for the Romberg-Test. No significant group × time interactions were found for any of the investigated variables.
The applied lifestyle balance training program conducted twice daily during tooth brushing routines appears not to be sufficient in terms of exercise dosage and difficulty level to enhance balance and muscle strength in healthy adults aged 60-72 years. Consequently, structured balance training programs using higher exercise dosages and/or more difficult balance tasks are recommended for older adults to improve balance and muscle strength.
在老年人中，身体活动不足、行动受限和跌倒的发生率很高。家庭锻炼可能是一种通过改善健康相关（即肌肉力量）和技能相关的身体素质（即平衡）来增加身体活动的适当手段，尤其是在由于大流行而限制身体活动的时期。
本研究旨在研究在日常刷牙过程中进行家庭平衡练习对健康老年人平衡和肌肉力量的影响。
51 名老年人被随机分配到平衡运动组（n=27；年龄：65.1±1.1 岁）或被动对照组（n=24；年龄：66.2±3.3 岁）。干预组在八周的时间内，每天刷牙两次，每次刷牙三分钟，进行平衡运动。在干预前后，进行了静态稳态平衡（即 Romberg 测试）、动态稳态平衡（即使用认知和运动干扰任务的 10 米单任务和双任务步行测试）、主动平衡（即计时起立行走测试[TUG]、功能性伸手测试[FRT]）和肌肉力量（即椅子起立测试[CRT]）的测试。
无论组别如何，统计分析显示，双任务步行速度（p<0.001，d=1.12-2.65）、TUG（p<0.001，d=1.17）、FRT（p=0.002，d=0.92）和 CRT（p=0.002，d=0.94）在时间（前 vs. 后）上有显著的主效应，但单任务步行速度和 Romberg 测试则没有。在任何研究变量上，都没有发现组间时间的交互作用。
在日常刷牙过程中每天进行两次的应用生活方式平衡训练计划，在运动剂量和难度水平方面似乎不足以提高 60-72 岁健康成年人的平衡和肌肉力量。因此，建议老年人采用更高运动剂量和/或更难的平衡任务的结构化平衡训练计划，以提高平衡和肌肉力量。
