Background: Weak lower body strength and balance impairments are fundamental risk factors for mobility impairments and falls that can be improved by physical activity (PA). Previous meta-analyses have focused on these risk factors in adults aged ≥ 65 years. Yet, the potential of PA for improving these risk factors in middle-aged populations has not been systematically investigated. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to examine the effect of general and structured PA on lower limb strength, postural balance and falls in middle-aged adults.
Methods: A computerized systematic literature search was conducted in the electronic databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. PA intervention types were classified according to the ProFaNE taxonomy. Randomized controlled trials exploring the effects of PA on strength (e.g., leg press one-repetition-maximum), balance (e.g., single limb stance) and falls (e.g., fall rates) in adults aged 40-60 years were systematically searched and included in a network analysis. Moderator analyses were performed for specific subgroups (age, sex, low PA). The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) Scale.
Results: Out of 7170 articles screened, 66 studies (median PEDro score 5) with 3387 participants were included. Strong, significant effects on muscle strength were found for strength (SMD = 1.02), strength-aerobic (SMD = 1.41), strength-endurance (SMD = 0.92) and water-based (SMD = 1.08) training (52 studies, I = 79.3%). Strength training (SMD = 1.16), strength-aerobic (SMD = 0.98) and 3D training (SMD = 1.31) improved postural balance (30 studies, I = 88.1%). Moderator analyses revealed significant effects of specific intervention types on certain subgroups and subdomains of strength and balance. No studies were found measuring falls.
Conclusions: Structured PA interventions in middle-aged adults improve strength and balance outcomes related to functional impairments and falls. Strength training increases both strength and balance and can be recommended to prevent age-related functional decline. However, the interpretability of the results is limited due to considerable heterogeneity and the overall low methodological quality of the included studies. Long-term trials are needed to determine the preventive potential of PA on strength, balance and falls. This meta-analysis may inform guidelines for tailored training during middle age to promote healthy aging. Prospero registration: CRD42020218643.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10356733 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40798-023-00606-3 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Fall prevention among older adults in KSA: Role of physical therapy.
J Taibah Univ Med Sci
December 2024
Department of Health Administration, College of Business Administration, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA.
Objectives: Falls and fall-related injuries among older adults are a growing public health concern. Although multiple factors and co-morbidities are associated with falls, balance and gait disorders are among the most common causes. Physical therapists have expertise in fall-risk assessment and management.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFComparison of Lower Limb Mass, Thigh Circumference, and Balance Ability after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and in Control Participants.
Int J Exerc Sci
December 2024
Department of Kinesiology, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, CA, USA.
Injury of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee is common, with up to 250,000 cases annually in the United States. Such injuries can lead to muscle atrophy, impaired balance, and limited movement. This study aimed to compare the lower limbs of individuals with ACL reconstruction to a Control group.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTemporal Lobe Epilepsy Perturbs the Brain-Wide Excitation-Inhibition Balance: Associations with Microcircuit Organization, Clinical Parameters, and Cognitive Dysfunction.
Adv Sci (Weinh)
January 2025
McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2B4, Canada.
Excitation-inhibition (E/I) imbalance is theorized as a key mechanism in the pathophysiology of epilepsy, with ample research focusing on elucidating its cellular manifestations. However, few studies investigate E/I imbalance at the macroscale, whole-brain level, and its microcircuit-level mechanisms and clinical significance remain incompletely understood. Here, the Hurst exponent, an index of the E/I ratio, is computed from resting-state fMRI time series, and microcircuit parameters are simulated using biophysical models.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHämatrain-Hybrid movement therapy during inpatient and outpatient hematological treatment: correlations with physical and psychological parameters.
Support Care Cancer
January 2025
Department of Inner Medicine II (Hematology/Oncology) and University Cancer Center, Schleswig-Holstein (UCCSH), University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Kiel, Germany.
Background: Prior research indicates that engaging in physical activity during chemotherapy can positively influence both physical and psychological parameters in individuals with hematological neoplasms. However, the most effective type, level, intensity, and frequency of exercise remains unclear.
Patients And Methods: We enrolled 53 patients to a clinical trial assessing a partly supervised hybrid training program including both strength and endurance components, commencing at onset of induction therapy (T0) for hematological malignancies, including AML (n = 29), ALL (n = 5), and NHL (n = 19).
Recyclable Millable PolyureThane based on Enaminone Bonds With Upcycled Mechanical Performance.
Macromol Rapid Commun
January 2025
State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China.
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) exhibits re-processable properties, but the properties of TPU is deteriorated during the reprocessing for the oxidation and degradation of polymer chains. Meanwhile, although thermoset polyurethane exhibits excellent mechanical properties, it cannot be recycled for permanent crosslinking. Hence, it's still a challenge to obtain PU which exhibits the balance between the recyclability and mechanical properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!