Gerontology
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Physical activity (PA) and exercise have numerous beneficial effects in older adults. The effect of sustaining an injury from a fall on subsequent PA levels has received little research attention, even though about a quarter of older adults who fall sustain a serious injury. Even less is known about the effect of injurious falls on different PA categorizations. ⋯ Categorization of PA type (household vs. recreational) suggests distinct differences in PA response following an injurious fall. Use of an overall PA measure would obscure this finding. Following further research, the results from this study may help in the design of preventive strategies to maximize physical activity in those who have sustained an injurious fall.
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Current demographic trends pose a major societal challenge due to the rising number of older people with chronic conditions such as stroke. The relative impact of various disabilities at the time of discharge from an acute unit on discharge outcome is poorly understood. ⋯ The ability to transfer has a pivotal role in the clinical decision making of discharge destination after stroke. Understanding of the factors which may increase the potential for improving this ability after acute stroke could have an impact on clinical outcome.
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Hospital inpatient falls are common and may lead to injuries and prolonged hospitalization. Although hospital studies have reported overall fall rates and injuries associated with falls, few have addressed population characteristics and circumstances of falls across clinical departments within a hospital setting. ⋯ In the hospital studied, inpatient falls are significantly more common in departments of geriatrics and internal medicine than in surgical departments. Fall rates, related injuries and circumstances of inpatient falls varied significantly among clinical departments, probably due to differences in patient characteristics. When monitoring falls, hospitals should therefore consider differences in characteristics associated with patient falls across clinical departments. High priorities should be allocated in view of identifying patients at risk of falling and implementing fall prevention strategies and interventions.
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Comparative Study
What maintains energy supply at peak aerobic exercise in trained and untrained older men?
Aging-related changes occur mainly in the cardiopulmonary system and skeletal muscles, bringing about a reduction in physical performance. Consequently, maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2)max) decreases. ⋯ The present study suggests that the differences between trained and untrained elderly in absolute oxygen uptake of the working muscles and peak power output at maximal exercise test are due to physical activity status. The higher aerobic capacity in the trained elderly is related to increased cardiovascular function and to a lesser extent to increased muscle mitochondria concentration and capillarity. Although untrained elderly have reduced maximal oxygen uptake at peak aerobic exercise, intrinsic regulation of mitochondrial function does not seem to be significantly altered because of aging associated physical inactivity. Therefore, untrained elderly can partially compensate for their lower cardiac output by increasing oxygen extraction to levels comparable with those of trained elderly.