Effects of Exergaming on Balance of Healthy Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Balance is critical for older adults to perform daily activities. However, age-related declines in balance increase the risk of falls and severe injuries, such as bone fractures and head injuries. Exergames have been widely applied to improve health-related outcomes in older adults. This meta-analysis aims to quantify the effects of exergaming interventions on balance performance in healthy older adults. A literature search was performed using PubMed, ScienceDirect, SPORTDiscus, COCHRANE, EBSCO, and EMBASE. A total of 16 experimental studies met inclusion criteria for a full-text review. Data synthesis examined balance functions, including static, dynamic, proactive, and perceived balance abilities when performing daily activities. Intervention protocols of the reviewed studies included an average of two to three 40-minute exergaming sessions per week for 8 weeks. A random effects model identified significant effects in favor of the exergaming group, with moderate effect size in dynamic balance (Hedges' g = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.26-1.30, P < 0.001), and perceived balance (Hedges' g = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.04-0.58, P = 0.02); and considerable effect size in Chair Stand Test (Hedges' g = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.26-1.30, P = 0.003), and balance test batteries (Hedges' g = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.42-1.02, P < 0.001). No significant effect was found in the static balance (Hedges' g = 0.22, 95% CI = -0.31 to 0.76, P = 0.42), or proactive balance (Hedges' g = 0.54, 95% CI = -0.12 to 1.20, P = 0.11). Meta-analysis identified exergaming-associated benefits in older adults' balance function and confidence. This finding supports the feasibility of exergaming as a supplementary approach to improve balance for healthy older adults. Health professionals may optimize treatment effect by integrating exergaming sessions into a traditional balance exercise program.

Estimating biodiversity impacts without field surveys: A case study in northern Borneo.

In many regions of the world, biodiversity surveys are not routinely conducted prior to activities that lead to land conversion, such as development projects. Here we use top-down methods based on global range maps and bottom-up methods based on macroecological scaling laws to illuminate the otherwise hidden biodiversity impacts of three large hydroelectric dams in the state of Sarawak in northern Borneo. Our retrospective impact assessment finds that the three reservoirs inundate habitat for 331 species of birds (3 million individuals) and 164 species of mammals (110 million individuals). A minimum of 2100 species of trees (900 million individuals) and 17 700 species of arthropods (34 billion individuals) are estimated to be affected by the dams. No extinctions of bird, mammal, or tree species are expected due to habitat loss following reservoir inundation, while 4-7 arthropod species extinctions are predicted. These assessment methods are applicable to any data-limited system undergoing land-use change.