ChesterRep Collection: Collection of journal articles/book chapters/conference papers/other research materials written by members of the Centre for Exercise and Nutrition Sciences during their employment at the University of Chester

Promoting health through physical activity: Prescribing exercise intensity

Thu, 01 Jan 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Promoting health through physical activity: Prescribing exercise intensity Authors: Sykes, Kevin Description: This article is not available through ChesterRep.

Exercise training and fall-risk prevention for community-dwelling elders

Thu, 01 Jan 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Exercise training and fall-risk prevention for community-dwelling elders Authors: Sykes, Kevin; Ling, Wai Mun Abstract: Purpose: To investigate how a group of community-dwelling Hong Kong Chinese elderly persons with a history of falling can benefit from an eight-week home-based program of exercise. Methods: From an initial group of 69 volunteers, 40 participants (mean age = 80 ± 4.5years) with a history of falling were selected and randomly assigned into Group 1—the exercise group (n = 20) and Group 2—the control group (n = 20). Following an introductory talk and exercise instruction session, Group 1 engaged in a daily 45-minute home-based exercise session, plus a 30-minute walk twice per week, for eight weeks. Measurements, taken at baseline and after eight weeks, included strength of hip flexors and knee extensors, mobility, dynamic balance, and functional reach. Participants were requested to complete a daily activity diary. Physiotherapists followed up by phone in the first, second, fourth, and sixth week, with regard to the exercise program, health status, motivation, and advice if necessary. Results: Twenty-seven participants successfully completed the eight-week program (Group 1 = 5; Group 2 = 12). There was no difference between the groups in any outcome measure at baseline. However, following the eight-week intervention, Group 1 demonstrated significant improvements in strength of hip flexors and knee extensors (p < 0.000). Performance in Functional Reach (p = 0.008), Time to Get-up and Go (p = 0.034), and Berg Balance Scale (p = 0.022) test scores improved markedly. There was no significant change in any outcome measures in Group 2. Conclusion: Participation in a home-based exercise program is an effective intervention to enhance strength, gait, and balance and to reduce the functional declines associated with aging in the elderly. Lower-limb strength, gait, and balance training exercises should be a major component within a fall-risk reduction program for the elderly. Description: This article is not available through ChesterRep.

A 12-week prospective randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of aerobic training on type 2 diabetes patients

Thu, 01 Jan 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Title: A 12-week prospective randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of aerobic training on type 2 diabetes patients Authors: Sykes, Kevin; Yeung, Tin Lo Victor; Ko, Gary T C Abstract: This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of a 12-week aerobic exercise program in the management of patients with type 2 diabetes. A prospective randomized controlled trial with repeated measures was conducted. Thirty-six Hong Kong Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (mean age, 58.1 yr) were randomized into Group 1 (exercise, n = 24) and Group 2 (controls, n = 16). Assessments at baseline and at three months included anthropometry, body fat measurement, biochemistry, six-minute walking distance (6MWD) assessment, exercise capacity, and SF-36® quality of life assessment (QualityMetric Inc., Lincoln, RI). Blood glucose was monitored before and after each exercise session. The immediate response to one hour of moderate aerobic exercise was a significant decrease in blood glucose (10.4 ± 3.5 mmol/L to 7.1 ± 2.7 mmol/L, p < 0.05). After 12 weeks, significant differences were noted between the groups in 6MWD (498 ± 128 m versus 299 ± 75 m, p = 0.000), exercise capacity in terms of metabolic equivalent units (5.1 ± 1.0 METs versus 2.8 ± 0.8 METs, p = 0.001), and insulin sensitivity (1.7 ± 1.0 S1 versus 4.3 ± 2.5 S1, p = 0.048). Group 1 also demonstrated an increase in HDL (1.16 ± 0.30 mmol/L to 1.27 ± 0.33 mmol/L, p = 0.002), lower body weight (67.3 ± 12.8 kg to 66.9 ± 12.8 kg, p = 0.045), lower body mass (26.5 ± 4.6 BMI to 26.3 ± 4.6 BMI), reduced glycosylated hemoglobin HbA1c) (8.1 ± 1.3 percent to 7.7 ± 1.0 percent), and improved quality of life. In contrast, participants in Group 2 showed a significant decrease in the SF-36 social functioning domain (p = 0.035), lowered scores in all eight quality of life domains, and no changes in other variables. We conclude that moderate aerobic exercise should be advocated in the management of patients with type 2 diabetes. Description: This article is not available through ChesterRep.

Health benefits of Tai Chi exercise: Improved balance and blood pressure in middle-aged women

Mon, 01 Mar 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Health benefits of Tai Chi exercise: Improved balance and blood pressure in middle-aged women Authors: Thornton, Everard W; Sykes, Kevin; Tang, Wai K Abstract: Tai Chi has been widely practiced as a Chinese martial art that focuses on slow sequential movements, providing a smooth, continuous and low intensity activity. It has been promoted to improve balance and strength and to reduce falls in the elderly, especially those 'at risk'. The potential benefits in healthy younger age cohorts and for wider aspects of health have received less attention. The present study documented prospective changes in balance and vascular responses for a community sample of middle-aged women. Seventeen relatively sedentary but healthy normotensive women aged 33-55 years were recruited into a three times per week, 12-week Tai Chi exercise programme. A further 17 sedentary subjects matched for age and body size were recruited as a control group. Dynamic balance measured by the Functional Reach Test was significantly improved following Tai Chi, with significant decreases in both mean systolic (9.71 mmHg) and diastolic (7.53 mmHg) blood pressure. The data confirm that Tai Chi exercise can be a good choice of exercise for middle-aged adults, with potential benefits for ageing as well as the aged. Description: This article is not available through ChesterRep.