Effect of hippotherapy on walking performance and gait parameters in people with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Walking dysfunction is one of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective: To evaluate the effects of an 8-week hippotherapy intervention on walking performance and spatiotemporal gait parameters in people with relapsing-remitting MS; and to examine whether the effects of hippotherapy on walking performance are mediated by changes in spatiotemporal gait parameters.

Methods: Participants were assigned into a hippotherapy intervention group (n = 17) or a control group (n = 16).

Stages of sarcopenia, bone mineral density, and the prevalence of osteoporosis in older women.

Unlabelled: A better understanding of the relationship between osteoporosis and sarcopenia may help to develop effective preventive and therapeutic strategies. In the present study, the association between different stages of sarcopenia, BMD, and osteoporosis was examined. The salient findings indicate that a dose-response relationship exists between sarcopenia stages and bone-related phenotypes.

A reference equation for normal standards for knee extensor isokinetic strength in Brazilian older women.

Background: Knee extensor strength assessment has been especially emphasized in older people, but lack of reference values limits its usefulness in geriatric evaluation.

Aims: The aim of this study was to develop a reference equation for knee extensor isokinetic strength standards in older women.

Methods: Knee extensor isokinetic tests at 60°/s were performed in 390 Brazilian older women aged 60-84 years (67.

Stages of sarcopenia and the incidence of falls in older women: A prospective study.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the association between different stages of sarcopenia and the incidence of falls over 18 months in older community-dwelling women. 246 women (68.1 ± 6.

The relationship between muscle quality and incidence of falls in older community-dwelling women: An 18-month follow-up study.

Introduction: Important components that might mediate the relationship between aging and falls are reduced muscle strength and mass. Although muscle-related phenotypes have been linked to falls in older people, the role of muscle quality has yet to be examined.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between muscle quality and incidence of falls over an 18-month follow-up in older community-dwelling women.

Normative Values of Knee Extensor Isokinetic Strength for Older Women and Implications for Physical Function.

Background And Purpose: Lower-limb strength is required for everyday activities and thus its evaluation has been especially emphasized in older adults. Isokinetic testing is a criterion standard method to assess muscle strength; however, lack of reference values limits its usefulness in geriatric evaluation and rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to develop reference values of knee extensor isokinetic strength for older women.

Childhood obesity is associated with altered plantar pressure distribution during running.

Background: Obesity is associated with higher foot loading during walking. The impact of this condition on running, however, has yet to be elucidated.

Research Question: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between childhood obesity and plantar pressure distribution during running.

Severity of sarcopenia is associated with postural balance and risk of falls in community-dwelling older women.

Unlabelled: Background/Study context: Falls represent the leading cause of accidental deaths in the elderly. Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome defined as the loss of muscle mass and strength. However, the association between falls and sarcopenia is still unclear.

The Association Between Body Adiposity Measures, Postural Balance, Fear of Falling, and Fall Risk in Older Community-Dwelling Women.

Background And Purpose: Recent investigations demonstrate an association between obesity and the propensity of older adults to fall. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between body adiposity measures, postural balance, fear of falling, and risk of falls in older women.

Methods: One hundred forty-seven volunteers took part in this cross-sectional study.

Obesity is Associated With Altered Plantar Pressure Distribution in Older Women.

Increased plantar pressure has been found to be related with greater risk of falling. Although there is evidence suggesting that obesity is linked to foot disorders, the association between obesity and plantar pressure of older adults has been poorly investigated. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between obesity and plantar pressure distribution and to explore its relationship with body fat distribution.