Evaluation of wrist and hip sedentary behaviour and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity raw acceleration cutpoints in older adults

Wrist-based accelerometers are now common in assessing physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) in population-based studies, but there is a scarcity of raw acceleration cutpoints in older adults. The study aimed to determine and evaluate wrist-based GENEActiv (GA) and hip-based ActiGraph GT3X+ (AG) raw acceleration cutpoints for SB and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) in older adults ≥60 years of age. A laboratory-based calibration analyses of 34 healthy older adults involved receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves to determine raw acceleration cutpoints for SB and MVPA. ROC analysis revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.88 for GA SB and MVPA, and 0.90 for AG SB and 0.94 for AG MVPA. Sensitivity optimised SB and specificity optimised MVPA GA cutpoints of 57 mg and 104 mg, and AG cutpoints of 15 mg and 69 mg were also generated, respectively. Cross-validation analysis revealed moderate agreement for GA and AG SB cutpoints, and fair to substantial agreement for GA and AG MVPA cutpoints, respectively. The resultant cutpoints can classify older adults as engaging in SB or not engaging in MVPA but the sensitivity optimised SB cutpoints should be interpreted with a degree of caution due to their modest cross-validation results.     

中国农村人口老龄化的趋势、影响与应对

中国农村人口老龄化具有程度高于城镇、速度快于城镇、地区差异大于城镇、老年人口多于城镇等特征,应对农村人口老龄化更为急迫,任务也更为艰巨。未来中国农村人口老龄化将继续发展,并表现出明显的阶段性特征：2010—2020年为快速发展阶段,是应对农村人口老龄化的战略机遇期;2021—2034年为高速发展阶段,是应对农村人口老龄化的关键时期;2035—2050年为高位发展阶段,是应对人口老龄化的常态化时期。农村人口老龄化将对农村劳动力供给、经济发展、社会保障制度风险、养老服务需求等产生深远影响。必须高度重视应对农村人口老龄化,加大对农业、农村的投入,积极推进农业现代化;加快户籍制度改革,减缓农村人口老龄化进程;完善农村社会保障体系和农村社会服务体系,促进城乡社会保障和服务一体化。     

Ageing and free-living daily physical activity effects on salivary beta-defensin 2 secretion

This study examined ageing and free-living daily physical activity effects on salivary human beta-defensin 2 (hBD2). A total of 168 healthy elderly and 26 healthy young volunteers underwent saliva sampling. Free-living step count, energy expenditure and activity durations at specific intensity levels (inactive, light, moderate and vigorous) were evaluated. The results show significantly lower salivary hBD2 secretion rates for elderly than for young participants (P < 0.05). Data from elderly participants were stratified by steps per day using quartiles (Q1–Q4) for distribution. Elderly in quartiles respectively showed step counts of 3145 ± 129 in Q1, 5294 ± 83 in Q2, 7001 ± 86 in Q3 and 10,236 ± 416 steps · day^?1 in Q4. In elderly participants, significant differences were found in the mean step count, energy expenditure and activity duration with increasing pedometer-determined activity quartiles. hBD2 secretion rates were significantly higher for Q2, Q3 and Q4 than for Q1 (P < 0.05). Elderly participants in Q3 had the highest hBD2 secretion. In conclusion, these results suggest that moderate physical activity in daily living improves age-related impairment of oral immune function mediated by hBD2. For oral immune function enhancement and for prevention of upper respiratory tract infections in elderly people, we recommend accumulation of more than 7000 steps · day^?1.     

‘This is the country of premature old men’ Ageing and Aged Miners in the South Wales Coalfield,c.1880–1947*

Abstract

This article considers the effects of work in the south Wales coal industry either side of the turn of the twentieth century and, specifically, the ways in which work aged workers prematurely. It examines the consequences of working practices for miners’ bodies, the expedients utilized by miners to try and cope with the effects of premature ageing, and the consequences for their living standards, experiences and status. It situates these phenomena in the contexts of industrial relations and welfare provision. In so doing, the article engages with historiographies of the life-cycle, the aged, and pensions provision in modern Britain.     

Effects of movement velocity and training frequency of resistance exercise on functional performance in older adults: a randomised controlled trial

Objectives: To investigate the effects that high-velocity, low-load (HVLL) and low-velocity, high-load (LVHL) resistance exercise, performed once or twice-weekly, have on indices of functional performance (primary outcome), maximal strength, and body composition (secondary outcomes) in older adults.

Methods: In a randomised, controlled, multi-armed, parallel design, 54 moderately-highly active, but resistance exercise naïve older adults (aged 60–79 years), attended baseline and post-10-week intervention assessment sessions. Physical and functional assessments were completed, and predicted one-repetition maximums (1-RM) were obtained for eight exercises. Participants were then randomised into one of five conditions: HVLL once-weekly (HVLL1: n?=?11) or twice-weekly (HVLL2: n?=?11), LVHL once-weekly (LVHL1: n?=?10) or twice-weekly (LVHL2: n?=?11), no-exercise control condition (CON: n?=?11). The HVLL conditions completed 3 sets of 14 repetitions at 40% 1-RM and the LVHL conditions, 3 sets of 7 repetitions at 80% 1-RM. In total, 50 participants completed all testing and were included in analyses.

Results: Only LVHL2 improved 30-sec chair stand performance (p?=?.035; g?=?0.89), arm curls (p?=?.011; g?=?1.65) and grip-strength (p?=?.015; g?=?0.34) compared to CON. LVHL2 improved maximal strength compared to CON for 7/8 exercises (p?p?Conclusion: Possibly due to the lower intensity nature of the HVLL conditions, LVHL, twice-weekly was most beneficial for improving functional performance and strength in moderately-highly active older adults. Therefore, we recommend that exercise professionals ensure resistance exercise sessions have sufficient intensity of effort and volume, in order to maximise functional performance and strength gains in older adults.     

On the use of ASTM closed vessel tests in accelerated ageing research

The ASTM D6819-02e3 standard for testing the accelerated ageing of paper, published in 2002, recommends using closed glass vials in order to keep the degradation products in contact with the paper and thus permitting a better simulation of the natural ageing conditions inside closed books. In the present study, the actual conditions and their stability inside closed vessels have been evaluated. The necessity of assuring a very high sealing performance (tightness) of the systems in order to avoid leakage of water vapour is the main drawback of this ageing method. Systematic studies presented in this publication tried to monitor this tightness and have provided data that helped to answer the question of what circumstances could lead to achieving its improvement. Both gravimetric monitoring of water content in vials and “in situ” IR measurements of the aged paper humidity have been applied for this purpose. As a result, better sealing materials (gaskets and caps) than those recommended by the ASTM standard, have been found. Additionally, application of a dynamometric spanner for closing the vials is recommended, as this is a guarantee of reasonably high and recurring tightness of the systems used in tests. Nevertheless, the systematic, linear with time, loss of moisture for all used vials was observed. A 9% loss of the initial moisture content in samples of the aged paper was observed for the tested conditions (14 days at 90 °C). Therefore, it seems that including some kind of gravimetric control for ageing tests performed in closed vessels is of essential importance.Kinetic studies of accelerated ageing in both closed and open systems, as monitored by DP and breaking length measurements, unexpectedly show that no statistically meaningful difference of degradation rates can be observed. On the other hand, the pH and whiteness index values reveal a meaningful difference between the rates of ageing in these systems, thus confirming the basic assumption of the ASTM test concerning the interaction of paper degradation products with the paper itself.     

Baby boomers engagement as traditional university students: benefits and costs

This study draws from interviews of baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1965) enrolled in a traditional university programme. Interviews focussed on the mental, social and physical benefits of university education, exploring the aspirations of baby boomers as well as the social and academic barriers and costs they encountered. This qualitative phenomenological study investigated the perceptions, understandings and beliefs of 15 baby boomers from South-East Queensland who were returning to or commencing university level education. Informal semi-structured interviews were conducted and thematically analysed to provide a detailed account of the baby boomer students’ university experience. Using an adapted health action process approach, with the health goal being replaced by a learning goal, the results confirm that university study in later life can be beneficial to the individual as well as to the wider community. This research can inform policy-making by emphasising the importance of lifelong learning and healthy ageing for the baby boomer generation. The results highlight the value of higher education creating a supportive environment for baby boomer students which, in addition to educational achievements, can assist participants in maintaining good health and making informed health care decisions in the future.     

从传统老龄化到积极老龄化的角色转变——以旅游志愿者为例

随社会进入老龄化,老龄化问题成了社会的关注焦点。传统老龄化将老年人看作是消极的对象,对社会没有贡献。积极老龄化则认为老年人是积极的社会力量,可以发挥余热,可以积极参与志愿服务或者从事其他有利于社会和自身的活动。老年人参与旅游志愿者活动不仅有助于老人资源的效用最大化,而且有利于老年人实现自我价值,促进健康老年化,丰富中国旅游文化的内涵,塑造中国旅游的国家整体形象。     

中国人口老龄化趋势下老年人科学健身发展策略

进入21世纪,中国人口老龄化趋势日渐明显,作为世界上唯一的老年人口过亿的国家,老年人的健康问题自然成为社会大众关注的热点。通过分析中国社会日渐凸显的老龄化特点,针对老年人的健康状况,研究制定适合老年人体育健身的方法,以促进老年体育朝着科学健康的方向发展。     

The implication of formal educational activities in old age and its relation to psychosocial indicators / La implicación en actividades educativas formales en la vejez y su relación con indicadores psicosociales

This study analyses some psychosocial dimensions (level and type of activity, self-perceived health, self-efficacy in relation to ageing and social support) in non-dependent older people. The sample comprises students of a university programme for older people (PUM) as well as older people who did not participate in the educational activity. Results show similarities and differences between both groups; namely, the older people on the PUM programme were more physically active and participated more in formal activities. Three profiles of older people were identified: a less active group, with lower scores in the indicators assessed; a second group who were socially active, particularly at a family level, with intermediate levels in the dimensions analysed; and a third group who were very active at a formal level (principally made up of the PUM students) and with the best self-efficacy indices in relation to ageing and self-perceived health. Involvement in formal educational activities is related to more satisfactory and positive profiles in old age, and is a highly relevant resource for the promotion of well-being at this stage of life.