Semi-annual
“Stock Up & Save Sale”
Deep Savings on Exercise Equipment

FitBits
June 15, 2005

Exercise ETC's Review of
Exercise Related Research
Compiled by
Jeannie Patton, MS, CSCS

Semi-annual “Stock Up & Save Sale”
Deep Savings on Exercise Equipment - Click Here


Resistive Exercises Not
Necessarily “Functional” for Older Clients

The term “functional exercise” has become very popular in fitness circles. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a functional-task exercise program and a resistance exercise program have different effects on the ability of community-living older adults to perform daily tasks.

Ninety-eight healthy women aged 70 and older were randomly assigned to one of three exercise programs: a functional-task exercise program, a resistance exercise program or a control group. Subjects attended exercise classes three times a week for 12 weeks. Measurements were taken at baseline, at the end of the training period and 6 months after the end of training.

In this study, the resistance trained group had significantly greater increases in knee extensor and elbow flexor strength, but without a corresponding increase in function. Those in the functional group demonstrated a significantly higher score on the Assessment of Daily Activity Performance Test compared to the resistance group or the controls. In addition, the functional exercise group maintained these improvements during the 6-month follow-up.

The question we must ask ourselves as Fitness Professionals is what good are isolated increases in strength at various joints if they don’t transfer to improvements in Activities of Daily Living? Functional-task exercises are more effective than resistance exercises at improving functional task performance in healthy elderly women; these activities may also have an important role in helping them maintain their independence.

De Vreede, Paul L. Functional-Task Exercise Versus Resistance Strength Exercise to Improve Daily Function in Older Women: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2005, 53(1), 2.

Med Students’ Course of Study
Does Not Always Include Nutrition Education

Fitness Professionals may be surprised to learn that some recent med school graduates may not have as much nutrition education as a recently certified personal trainer.

A survey conducted in 2003 of American medical schools found that 23% of them had no requirement for a nutrition course, and for 13% of them it was merely an elective e. Only 40% of them required a nutrition courses, and in most cases it was just one course worth 3 credits. The remaining schools “integrated” the topic into other curricula.

Soliah, LuAnn. “A Survey of Nutrition in Medical School Curricula.” Today’s Dietitian 6, no. 2. February 2004.

 

Older Adults Respond As Well To
Water As Sports Drinks During Exercise

Older adults are at increased risk for fluid and electrolyte imbalances due to an impaired thirst sensitivity and impaired ability to conserve renal sodium and water. On the other hand, over consumption of water can lead to low blood sodium referred to as hyponatremia. Anecdotal evidence indicates that this happens most commonly in women with low body weight who drink large volumes of sodium free fluids before, during and after exercise. Very little data exists on the sex-related differences in voluntary fluid intake, particularly in older adults. The purpose of this study was to compare voluntary fluid intakes in active older adult men and women during moderate intensity exercise in the heat.

Thirteen men and 14 women between the ages of 54-70 served as subjects. The exercise consisted of 4 bouts of 15 minute cycling at 65% of VO2 followed by 15 minutes of rest. In separate trials, subjects were offered either water or a carbohydrate-electrolyte solution during rest periods. Subjects were unaware that their fluid intake was being monitored.

The results of the study indicate that older adults drank enough fluid during both trials to match cycling rates and maintain body mass. The carbohydrate electrolyte solution promoted greater voluntary fluid intake and restored plasma volume faster than water. There were gender differences in the fluid intake behavior with women drinking more water per kilogram of body mass than men.

The results of this study indicate that voluntary dehydration does not occur in older adults when fluids – water or a carbohydrate beverage -- are available during exercise: Fitness Professionals should make sure that fluids are available when training older adults.

Baker, Lindsay, B. et al. Sex differences in voluntary fluid intake by older adults during exercise. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2005, 37(5), 789-796.

Semi-annual
“Stock Up & Save Sale”
Deep Savings on Exercise Equipment

It’s time for our semi-annual Stock Up & Save Sale…… your chance to stock up on your favorite exercise equipment in time for summer. Take a look at these specials and stock up now. These prices are available only on our secure web site, so visit us at: www.exerciseetc.com/specials.html
Sale ends June 24.

  • 55 cm Swiss balls, charcoal grey $15.00
  • 65 cm Swiss balls, blue $15.00
  • Inflatable balance disc, red $15.00
  • Round foam roller, 12” long $ 5.00
  • Half round foam roller, 12” long $ 5.00
  • Elastic tube, choice of colors $ 5.00
  • Elastic ring, choice of colors $ 5.00

To unsubscribe or change your options,
scroll to the bottom of this newsletter
and click on the link.

© 2010 Exercise ETC Inc.
1881 NE 26 Street # 202
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33305
(p) 800-244-1344
(f) 954-566-3937
info@exerciseetc.com