Factors Influencing Autonomy in Middle-Aged and Elderly Women with Urinary Incontinence.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Urinary incontinence (UI) is relatively common among middle-aged and elderly women and can have significant impacts on patients' physiological, psychological, and quality-of-life aspects. A higher level of autonomy can encourage better health behaviors in patients, so as to promote rehabilitation of the disease and improve their quality of life. The study is aimed at exploring the level of autonomy and influencing factors among middle-aged and elderly women with UI. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Shenzhen, China. Middle-aged and elderly women were asked to complete the Index of Autonomous Functioning scale (IAF), the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF), and the Urinary Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL) scale. Data were collected in January 2024 to March 2024. Descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, bivariate correlation and multivariate linear regression were used to analyze data. RESULTS: A total of 646 women completed the questionnaire. The means and standard deviations (SD) of the IAF section were 45.40 ± 8.92, those of the ICIQ-UI SF section were 11.54 ± 3.67, and those of the I-QOL section were 43.95 ± 9.83. Multivariate linear regression models for the IAF revealed that questionnaire scores were independently associated with family's monthly income, education level, regular exercise, UI severity, and I-QOL score (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The factors influencing the level of autonomy among middle-aged and elderly women with UI include family's monthly income, education level, regular exercise, UI severity, and I-QOL score. Higher levels of autonomy were observed among women with high family income, high education level, regular exercise habits, mild to moderate UI, and high quality of life.

Feasibility and Safety of Superomedial Pedicle for Breast Reduction in Geriatric Patients.

INTRODUCTION:  Historically, inferior breast reduction is more commonly performed overall and this applies to the elder population. No study to this date has compared whether there is any difference in complications and overall safety between when using superomedial pedicle and inferior pedicle in geriatric patients and furthermore whether the safety profile of superomedial pedicle differs when compared to general population. METHODS: Patient files of women who had undergone breast reduction by a single surgeon over a 9 year period (2015-2023) was reviewed retrospectively. Patients over 65 years old at the time of surgery were selected as the main study group. Results were compared to a control group aged 65 years and younger consisting of 136 patients, who also had a breast reduction by the same surgeon. RESULTS: Fifty-four women met the inclusion criteria for the study group and they were further broken down into two subgroups; inferior and superomedial pedicle groups with 25 and 29 patients into each group, respectively. The mean age at the time of the operation was 67.8 years. Geriatric group had more significant comorbidities (37% vs. 9%, p<0.05). Looking solely on patients undergone superomedial pedicle breast reduction, OR times were similar between two age groups and hospital stay was slightly longer in the geriatric population albeit statistically insignificant. The average weight of specimens resected from each breast was 592.4 gr in geriatric population and slightly higher in the younger population with an average weight of 624 grams (p=0.27). Two women in the geriatric group and  six women in the  non-geriatric group developed major complications where superomedial pedicle was utilized, no meaningful difference was seen when major complications were compared (p=0.24). On the other hand, minor complications were significantly higher in the geriatric population compared to the younger cohort regarding superomedial pedicle reductions (p=0.02). 'Satisfaction with breasts' scores of BreastQ from the superomedial breast reduction subgroup was slightly higher than inferior pedicle breast reduction subgroup in geriatric population and it was statistically significant (0.032). CONCLUSION: Safety margins and satisfaction scores of superomedial pedicled breast reduction in geriatric patients seem similar to their younger counterparts. Furthermore, with similar complication rates and with its slightly higher 'Satisfaction with breasts'  scores  when compared to inferior pedicle, superomedial pedicled breast reduction technique can be utilized without reservation in geriatric candidates for breast reduction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Help-seeking behavior for nonsevere stress urinary incontinence among elderly women in communities, Beijing, China.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common health problem and influences women's quality of life significantly. In order to enhance health education according to a specific situation, it is essential to identify barriers to seeking help among elderly women with nonsevere SUI. The objectives were to investigate reasons for (not) seeking help for nonsevere SUI among women aged ≥60 years, and to analyze factors affecting help-seeking behavior. METHODS: We enrolled 368 women aged ≥60 years with nonsevere SUI from communities. They were asked to filled out sociodemographic information, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF), Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL), and self-constructed questiones on help-seeking behavior. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze the different factors between seeking group and nonseeking group. RESULTS: Only 28 women (7.61%) had ever sought help from health professionals for SUI. The most frequent reason for seeking help was urine-soaked clothes (67.86%, 19 out of 28). The most frequent reason for not seeking help was that women thought it was normal (67.35%, 229 out of 340). Compared with the nonseeking group, the seeking group had higher total ICIQ-SF scores and lower total I-QOL scores. CONCLUSION: Among elderly women with nonsevere SUI, the rate of seeking help was low. Lack of correct perception about the SUI kept women from doctor visits. Women who were bothered by more severe SUI and lower quality of life were more likely to seek help.

A health communication campaign for prevention of osteoporosis in rural elderly women.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis, as the most common metabolic disease and the leading cause of death among older people, affects more than 200 million women throughout the world. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a health communication campaign on knowledge, attitude, and practice of older women towards prevention and control of osteoporosis. METHODS: In this multi-stage mixed methods study, 30 days' health communication campaign for prevention of osteoporosis was conducted on 60- 75-year-old women, in rural areas of Fasa, Iran. Subjects were divided into two groups, control (n = 103) and intervention (n = 98). Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS 25.0. The significance level was set at < 0.05. RESULTS: Inter-group group analysis revealed that the mean scores of knowledge, attitude, and practice were not significantly different between the two groups before the intervention, but after the intervention, unlike the behavior (P = 0.569), mean scores of knowledge (p < 0.001) and attitude (p < 0.001) of the intervention group were significantly more than the control group. Intra-group comparisons showed that, unlike the control group, the mean scores of knowledge (p < 0.001), attitudes (p < 0.001), and behavior (P < 0.001) increased significantly in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: Health communication campaign is an effective way to change the knowledge and attitude and to a lesser extent the practice of the eldery toward prevention and control of osteoporosis.

[Comparison of medical care expenditure between participants and non-participants of exercise class for middle-aged and elderly women].

Objectives　This study aimed to compare and verify the medical care expenditure of participants and non-participants of exercise classes for middle-aged and elderly women.Methods　This study compares and analyzes the medical care expenditure of two groups. The total amount of outpatient treatment, pharmacies, and hospitalization expenditures will be referred to as medical care expenditure. The participating and control groups were 6,576 women aged between 60 and 69 years with a 4-year insurance by the National Health Insurance. The participating group composed 416 women who participated in the exercise class for 2 years and whose hospitalization and outpatient treatment expenditures for 1 year before the exercise class were 0 yen and <500,000 yen, respectively. The control group were matched with the participating group for 1:1 in age and medical care expenditure. Wilcoxon's signed rank test was used to compare the medical costs of the groups. The significance level was set at <5%.Result　In comparing the medical care expenditure between years, both groups had increased medical care expenditure and there was no significant difference in the medical care expenditure between the groups within each year; however, the increased medical care expenditure was lower in the participating group than that in the control group.　The outpatient treatment and pharmacies expenditures for aged <65 years who participated in ≥15 exercise classes in both years was significantly lower for the participating group compared to that of the control group of the same age group.　The hospitalization expenditure was significantly lower in the participating group for all age groups and aged <65 years group after participating in exercise classes.Conclusion　Women who continually participate in exercise classes could further reduce their medical care expenditure, especially for those aged ≤65 years.

Oral L-Arginine (5 g/day) for 14 Days Improves Microcirculatory Function in Healthy Young Women and Healthy and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Elderly Women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of oral supplementation with L-arginine on serum biochemical profile, blood pressure, microcirculation, and vasoreactivity/endothelial function in young controls, and elderly women with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Healthy young (n = 25), healthy elderly (n = 25), and elderly women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DME, n = 23, glycated Hb ≥6.4% and mean of 7.7 years for duration of the disease), aged 18-30 and older than 65 years, respectively, were included in the study. All patients underwent biochemical analysis (fasting glycemia and lipidogram), arterial blood pressure, nailfold videocapillaroscopy (capillary diameters, functional capillary density [FCD], peak red blood cell velocity [RBCVmax] after 1 min ischemia, time to reach peak RBCV [TRBCVmax]), and venous occlusion plethysmography (vasoreactivity), before and after 14 days of oral supplementation with L-arginine (5 g/day). RESULTS: L-Arginine did not change fasting glycemia and lipidogram, but it decreased systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure in elderly women, increased RBCVmax in all groups, and did not decrease TRBCVmax in T2DME. Capillary diameters and FCD remained unchanged in all groups. L-Arginine improved vasoreactivity during reactive hyperemia and after sublingual nitroglycerin (0.4 mg) in all groups. CONCLUSION: L-Arginine supplementation (5g/day during 14 days) was able to improve vascular/microvascular health in the elderly women with or without T2DM.

Impact of non-hip fractures in elderly women: a narrative review.

The association of hip fractures with adverse outcomes is well established, but for non-hip fractures this association still needs to be further investigated. The objective of this narrative review is to describe the state of the art with regards to the health impact of clinically relevant non-hip fracture locations in postmenopausal women. PubMed and Scopus databases were searched from January 2010 until December 2020. Studies were included when the crude rates and/or relative risk of 1-year subsequent fractures and/or mortality were reported as well as the precise fracture site. Twenty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. Regarding mortality rates, there was a high variability between studies, with higher rates for vertebral, proximal humerus and pelvic fractures. There was a small or no impact of wrist, ankle or tibia fractures. The mortality rate increased with age after vertebral, proximal humerus and wrist fractures. Moreover, proximal humerus and vertebral fractures were associated with a higher mortality risk. This narrative review indicates that, besides fractures of the hip, fractures of the vertebrae, proximal humerus or pelvis deserve more attention when trying to prevent adverse outcomes of osteoporosis. More studies on the topic of non-hip fractures are urgently needed.

Urinary incontinence and related quality of life among elderly women in Tabas, South Khorasan, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence (UI) is one of the most common problems in old age that is often seen in women, which causes not only physical problems but also psychological, social, economic problems and poor quality of life. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the UI and related quality of life (QoL) in elderly women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 369 women over 60 years old and living in Tabas city, Iran who were selected by cluster random sampling method. The instruments included the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Urinary Incontinence Quality of Life Module, and a demographic questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using independent t-test, chi-square, and logistic regression in SPSS software. RESULTS: The UI prevalence among participants was 24.9% and stress urinary incontinence was the most common type (40.2% of all elderly patients). The mean UI-related QoL score was 38.04 ± 11.67 from the score range of 22-76. There was a significant positive correlation between UI-related QoL score and UI score (r = 0.585, p < 0.001). Age, body mass index (BMI), constipation, history of cesarean section, hypertension, and the use of angiotensin receptor blockers are factors increasing the odds of having UI in this study population. CONCLUSION: Aging, some chronic diseases, high BMI, and the use of some drugs are related to UI prevalence. Also, it is associated with lower QOL among elderly women. Designing appropriate intervention programs, controlling chronic diseases, training in the proper use of drugs, and also some physical exercises can be effective in controlling and improving this common syndrome of old age and promoting their QoL.

Simplified Chinese adaptation of the Yale Physical Activity Survey: reliability and validity measurement in mainland China elderly women.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the reliability and validity of the simplified Chinese version of the Yale Physical Activity Survey (YPAS) scale in the measurement of physical activity of elderly women in mainland China to provide a new standardized scale for evaluating the level of physical activity. METHODS: Twenty-one healthy elderly women completed all the research procedures. The participants completed the questions on the YPAS and wore an Omegawave Sport Technology®System diagnostic system that recorded maximum oxygen uptake and the adaptation index of the energy metabolism system. The reliability of the YPAS was evaluated based on the consistency of the two measurements (pre-test and post-test), and its validity was verified based on the relevant indicators in the Omegawave diagnostic system. Descriptive statistics, intraclass correlation coefficient and Pearson correlation analysis were used. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: In terms of reliability, the Pearson correlation coefficient and ICC of the total physical activity time of YPAS (r = 0.917, ICC = 0.897) was high. In terms of total calories, the Pearson correlation coefficient and ICC of the two test results was high (r = 0.958, ICC = 0.934). On the YPAS total index, the Pearson correlation coefficient and ICC of the two test was high (r = 0.930, ICC = 0.920). In terms of validity, there was a moderate correlation between the energy metabolism system adaptation index and the YPAS-total time (r = 0.472) and a moderate correlation with total calories (r = 0.472). There was a high correlation between the YPAS-total index and the maximum oxygen uptake (r = 0.782). CONCLUSION: The simplified Chinese version of the YPAS can measure the level of physical activity and energy metabolism of elderly women in mainland China. It is a reliable tool for measuring the physical activity of the elderly.

Efficacy of Hand Therapy After Volar Locking Plate Fixation of Distal Radius Fracture in Middle-Aged to Elderly Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of hand therapy after volar locking plate fixation of distal radius fractures in middle-aged to elderly women. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients diagnosed with distal radius fractures who had undergone volar plate fixation were enrolled in a prospective, randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomized into the hand therapy and independent exercise (IE) groups, in which they exercised independently under the surgeon's direction with and without hand therapy, respectively. The primary outcome was the functional outcome measured using the Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire after 6 weeks. The secondary outcomes were functional outcomes measured using the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation questionnaire, active and passive ranges of motion (ROMs), grip strength, key pinch strength, and pain measured on a visual analog scale. Patients were followed up in the outpatient department at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks and at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: The Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores were significantly lower in the hand therapy group at 6 weeks after surgery (12.5 vs 19.4 in the IE group). The postoperative visual analog scale pain scores were significantly lower in the hand therapy group at 2, 4, and 6 weeks (10.2 vs 17.6 in the IE group). The active ROM of the wrist flexion-extension arc at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks; active ROM of the pronation-supination arc at 6 and 8 weeks; and passive ROM of the wrist flexion-extension arc at 2, 4, and 8 weeks were significantly greater in the hand therapy group. CONCLUSIONS: Hand therapy improved the outcomes after volar locking plate fixation for distal radius fracture in middle-aged to elderly women at 8 weeks after surgery. No significant between-group differences were observed in any functional outcome measure at 6 months after surgery, as previously reported. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic II.

Age score for assessing motor function in Chinese community-dwelling older women.

The study aimed to develop a physical fitness age score to assess motor function in community-dwelling elderly women and verify its validity. Principal component analysis was employed to build a physical fitness age score based on motor function variables. Validation test showed that the physical fitness age in the exercised older women was significantly lower than their chronological age, while no significant difference was observed between the physical fitness age and the chronological age in the normal elderly. The findings suggest that physical fitness age score is a valid approach to evaluate motor function in Chinese community-dwelling elderly women.

Health Services Utilization Barriers for Rural Elderly Women in Bangladesh: Narratives of Clinicians, Pharmacists and Public Health Assistants.

Bangladesh has the third largest population of poor older adults in the world and 73% of them live in rural areas. Disparity in the country's health services is evident that creates a substantial pressure, especially on rural elderly women who live in a compromised socio-cultural atmosphere. This is true that we know about rural elderly women's self-reported health and service use barriers, but no studies captured the views of health staff. This study presents a qualitative exploration of the views held by rural health staff whose role is to provide care to local elderly women. We conducted 11 interviews with clinicians, pharmacists and public health assistants in Sylhet district, Bangladesh. A critical thematic discourse analysis, using the critical social constructs of Habermas and Honneth, of the data informed the women's inadequate healthcare access and associated barriers that were complex and overlapping but had explicit institutional, subjective and material consequences. Five major themes emerged including: unequal distribution of health services; marginalization in patient-staff relationships; living with poverty; social relegation; and mistrust of clinical treatment. Rural areas were viewed with inequitably distributed health services and traditionally a large proportion of elderly women living in poverty who lacked social support and demonstrated a mistrust towards healthcare system. No recognition of the women and power differences were underpinned by economic factors and cultural societal values. The findings suggest a need for health policy solutions and education of healthcare staff and elderly women regarding accessing healthcare.

[Epidemiology, diagnosis and extension]. / Épidémiologie, diagnostic et bilan d'extension.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. The elderly, whose numbers have been increasing, constitute a population in their own right, because of the many co-morbidities they suffer from. The epidemiology of breast cancer, particularly in elderly women, is described here, as well as the diagnosis and the assessment of extension, which do not differ from the rest of the population.

Treatment patterns and outcomes in older women with early breast cancer: a population-based cohort study in China.

BACKGROUND: Despite the proportion of elderly breast cancer patients has been consistently increasing, the optimal treatment modalities for this population have not been well explored. We summarized the treatment outcomes of these patients in our hospital. METHODS: Older patients with early breast cancer were identified from the Breast Cancer Information Management System at West China Hospital, Sichuan University (2000-2019). We compared tumor characteristics and treatment outcomes between the older group (65-74 years old) and the elderly group (≥75 years old). The Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis were conducted to determine significant prognostic factors. RESULTS: In total, 1094 patients were included. The median follow-up time for this cohort was 59 months. The majority of patients underwent surgery and benefited from surgical treatment. Elderly group patients were less likely to receive adjuvant chemotherapy or postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) compared to the older group. However, adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.521, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.284-0.955, P = 0.035). Subgroup analysis revealed that patients with grade III disease best benefited from adjuvant chemotherapy. PMRT offered a significant improvement in local disease control, but not in OS. Furthermore, endocrine therapy improved the OS of HR-positive patients (HR 0.440, 95%CI 0.261-0.741, P = 0.002), especially for cases aged 65-74 years. Also, receipt of trastuzumab in HER2-positive patients was associated with better OS (HR 0.168, 95%CI 0.029-0.958, P = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy, endocrine and targeted therapy are associated with improved OS in older breast cancer patients. Moreover, clinicopathological characteristics should be comprehensively considered when making treatment decisions for these patients.

Experiences of elderly women caring for people living with HIV and AIDS in Masindi District, Uganda.

HIV/AIDS prevalence among adults aged 15-49 is increasingly affecting elderly women as caregivers. This study explored the experiences of elderly women caring for people living with HIV/AIDS in Masindi District, Uganda. Employing qualitative methods, 24 participants (18 elderly women caregivers and 6 key informants) were purposively selected. Data was collected from in-depth face-to-face interviews and analysed thematically. Findings revealed that participants performed numerous roles, resulting in economic, psychological, social and physical challenges. Coping strategies employed are problem and emotion-focused. Elderly women caring for HIV/AIDS persons will benefit from direct intervention and support services.

Group B streptococcal colonization in elderly women.

BACKGROUND: In non-pregnant adults, the incidence of invasive Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease is continuously increasing. Elderly and immunocompromised persons are at increased risk of infection. GBS commonly colonizes the vaginal tract, though data on colonization in the elderly are scarce. It is unknown whether the prevalence of GBS colonization is increasing in parallel to the observed rise of invasive infection. We conducted a three-year (2017-2019) prospective observational cross-sectional study in two teaching hospitals in Switzerland to determine the rate of GBS vaginal colonization in women over 60 years and i) to compare the proportions of known risk factors associated with invasive GBS diseases in colonized versus non-colonized women and ii) to evaluate the presence of GBS clusters with specific phenotypic and genotypic patterns in this population. METHODS: GBS screening was performed by using vaginal swabs collected during routine examination from women willing to participate in the study and to complete a questionnaire for risk factors. Isolates were characterized for antibiotic resistance profile, serotype and sequence type (ST). RESULTS: The GBS positivity rate in the elderly was 17% (44/255 positive samples), and similar to the one previously reported in pregnant women (around 20%). We could not find any association between participants' characteristics, previously published risk factors and GBS colonization. All strains were susceptible to penicillin, 22% (8/36) were not susceptible to erythromycin, 14% (5/36) were not susceptible to clindamycin and 8% (3/36) showed inducible clindamycin resistance. Both M and L phenotypes were each detected in one isolate. The most prevalent serotypes were III (33%, 12/36) and V (31%, 11/36). ST1 and ST19 accounted for 11% of isolates each (4/36); ST175 for 8% (3/36); and ST23, ST249 and ST297 for 6% each (2/36). Significantly higher rates of resistance to macrolides and clindamycin were associated with the ST1 genetic background of ST1. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate a similar colonization rate for pregnant and elderly women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trial ISRCTN15468519 ; 06/01/2017.

Pelvic floor morphometrical and functional changes immediately after pelvic floor muscle training and at 1-year follow-up, in older incontinent women.

AIMS: To compare the effects of group-based and individual physiotherapy for stress or mixed urinary incontinence (UI) on pelvic floor morphometry, pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function, and related self-efficacy, immediately after treatment and at 1 year. METHODS: This is a planned secondary analysis of the group rehabilitation or individual physiotherapy study, an assessor-blinded, randomized, noninferiority trial. Eligible participants included 362 community-dwelling older women with symptoms of stress/mixed UI. After learning how to contract PFMs, participants completed 12 weeks of PFM training, either individually (one-on-one) or as part of a group (eight women). Pelvic floor transperineal ultrasound volumes (morphometry), PFM intravaginal dynamometric data (function), and self-efficacy in performing PFM exercises were acquired at baseline, posttreatment, and at 1 year. RESULTS: Groups were comparable at all time points. Immediately posttreatment, both groups demonstrated significant changes in pelvic floor morphometry during coughs, and in PFM function during contractions and coughs. Participants also reported improved self-efficacy in performing PFM exercises. Results were sustained at 1 year. When participants coughed, pelvic floor structures were better supported (reflected by less caudal movement of the puborectalis sling and a smaller opening of the levator hiatus) in a pattern consistent with the "knack" strategy. Furthermore, both interventions resulted in stronger, faster, more coordinated, and more endurant PFMs. CONCLUSION: In older women with stress or mixed UI, both individual and group-based PFM training resulted in comparable improvements in overall PFM function, pelvic floor morphometry during coughs, and related self-efficacy in performing PFM exercises, which were sustained at 1 year.

Physical Activity Measured by Accelerometry in Mozambican Older Adult Women Attending a Regular Exercise Program.

Time spent in different Physical Activity (PA) Intensities of 72 Mozambican older adult women (67 ± 7 years old) was assessed by means of triaxial accelerometers for 7 consecutive days, and participants were stratified based on their body mass index, as being normal weight (NW, n = 23); overweight (n = 16); or obese (OB, n = 33). Overall, most daily time was spent in sedentary activities (614 ± 111 min or 69.1%) and light PA (181 ± 56 min or 20.2%). On average, moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) was performed during 10.6% of the day (93 ± 44 min). Time spent in MVPA was significantly higher in the NW compared to OB category (112.8 ± 51.5 vs. 81.0 ± 36.3; p = .021). The overweight group did not differ in time spent in MVPA when compared to NW and OB group. Overall, 75% of the participants spent more than 60 min a day in MVPA (NW: 83%; overweight: 81%; OB: 67%). Pearson's correlation between body mass index and total MVPA controlling for age was -.39 (p < .001). It was concluded that Mozambican older adult women living in urban and rural areas of Maputo province engaged in relatively high Physical Activity Intensities compared with individuals of similar ages in high-income countries, regardless of their nutritional status.

[Anthropometric indices as the indicators of arterial hypertension risk in a group of elderly women of the city of Belgorod.]

A comparative study of three anthropometric indices as generalized characteristics of the morphological status of elderly women of Belgorod (sample size 50) in the connection with blood pressure (BP) was conducted. The age of the participants ranges from 50 to 79, with the average age of 61. In modern scientific literature, the problem of choosing among anthropometric indices the most reliable predictor of metabolic disorders and related diseases, including high BP, is widely discussed. The paper considers three most widely used anthropometric indices - body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WtHR). BMI and WtHR better reflect morphological specificity of the sample, with a tendency to increased body mass and girths. The highest and most reliable associations with BP are identified for BMI. The results of the study confirm the high predictive value of BMI as an indicator of the risk of arterial hypertension and associated metabolic disorders.

[Aged changes of dynamic component of the vertical stability in women 60-74 years old.]

The article presents characteristics of the dynamic component of postural balance and its features in elderly women with postural deficit. The assessment of the dynamic component of postural balance was performed on a computer stabilometric complex «Balance Manager¼ in women aged 60-74 with and without a history of falls. The most significant changes are manifested by an increase in the time of implementation and a decrease in the effectiveness of performing complex motor acts. In the factor structure of indicators of the dynamic component of postural balance in postural deficit, the leading factor is the factor that characterizes speed and power indicators in the implementation of complex motor acts. The study of the dynamic component of postural balance is recommended to be included in the comprehensive diagnosis of walking disorders in the elderly and in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment and rehabilitation measures.