Health and Fitness of Postmenopausal Women in Urban versus Rural Gurugram: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Context: Throughout that process of menopause, a slew of health and fitness problems arise, all of which have a major effect on a woman's standard of living. Health-related physical fitness has been described as an individual's cardiac fitness (aerobic capacity), musculoskeletal fitness, and body composition. Aim: To investigate and compare the health and fitness of postmenopausal women in rural and urban Gurugram. Settings and Design: The postmenopausal women of Gurugram, both urban (n = 175) and rural (n = 175), who attended the outpatient department of SGT Hospital in the urban area and a house-to-house survey in the rural area, were the subjects of a cross-sectional survey that was carried out using interviews and a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Levels of physical activity (PA) were assessed using the International PA Questionnaire (short form). The evaluation of body composition, which was the following step, included determining one's body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-hip ratio. Six-minute Walk Distance Test was used to assess cardiopulmonary fitness. Through chair squat tests, sit-and-reach tests, and grip tests, researchers were able to measure the lower limb strength, flexibility, and upper limb strength of participants. Results: The mean age of subjects was 53.61 ± 5.08 years. Most commonly reported health problems were hypertension (31.3%), hyperlipidemia (21.2%), and diabetes (13.4%). Odds of urban women developing hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and myocardial infarction (MI) were found to be 0.61, 0.42, and 0.96 times higher than rural women. There was a statistically significant difference for the squat test, grip test, body composition parameters, and aerobic capacity; however, no statistically significant difference was seen for sit-and-reach test (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The current research shows that postmenopausal women living in metropolitan areas may face higher health risks since they are more prone to develop hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and MI. Furthermore, all fitness metrics - aside from flexibility - were higher for rural women. The results of the current study highlight the urgent need for health promotion initiatives to enhance the health and fitness of urban postmenopausal women.

Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of Spinal Cord Independence Measure version III in Hindi Language.

BACKGROUND: The Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM III) specifically assesses individuals with spinal cord injuries. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to translate the SCIM-III into Hindi language to make it available for use in large Indian Hindi speaking population in their native language. METHODS: The SCIM III was translated into the Hindi version with a forward-backward translation and made ready for application by a translation committee. The tool was then reviewed by a review committee to check the translation. Then, pilot testing was done, where patients' responses and comments were noted. A sample of 10 patients was recruited for the pilot testing. RESULTS: The scale was translated into Hindi by the liberal and literal methods. Translation and replacement of the words was done in discussion with professional translator in Hindi language and expert committee. After forward-backward translation and clinical review submitting the final version and then pilot study was done on 10 patients (7 males and 3 females) of spinal cord injury. The mean age is 27.1 years and mother tongue of all the patients was Hindi (100%). CONCLUSION: The Hindi version of the SCIM III is easy and understandable to the large Hindi speaking Indian population.

Effect of isometric quadricep activation on "Q" angle in young females.

The Q angle represents an estimate of the resultant force of the quadriceps on the patella and is a predictor of the lateral movement of the patella under dynamic conditions. The aim of the present study was to observe whether isometric quadriceps activation (IQA) can decrease the Q angle and to identify people at high risk of patellar subluxation. Q angles were measured in 23 non impaired young women (22.9 +/- 2.3 years) in relaxed standing and during IQA. There was a significant decrease (4.65 +/- 2.74 degrees) in the Q angle values for subjects with IQA as compared to subjects with measurements in relaxed standing Significance levels were set at P < 0.05. The Q angle decreases with IQA which was highly significant (t = 8.01, P < 0.001). The result supports the view that an excessive Q angle may predispose women to greater lateral displacement of the patella during vigorous activities and sports in which the quadriceps muscle is stressed.