Concurrent training associated with moderate walnut consumption improved isokinetic strength, subjective sleep quality, cognitive performance and postural balance in elderly active men: a randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: To investigate the effects of concurrent training (resistance and endurance) associated with moderate walnut consumption on isokinetic strength, subjective sleep quality, cognitive performance and postural balance in physically active elderly men. METHODS: Twenty healthy elderly men were divided into two matched groups, in a randomized controlled experiment. They have participated in three training sessions per week: concurrent (strength and endurance) training + ad libitum diet with walnuts (15 g/day for 6 weeks, CTW: n = 10) and concurrent training + ad libitum diet (CT: n = 10). Isokinetic strength, Spiegel questionnaire, Montreal cognitive assessment and postural balance parameters were assessed 48 h pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: Absolute peak torque of knee extensors and knee flexors significantly increased compared to pre-training in CTW (15.2% ± 6.7; 13.2% ± 2.3, p < 0.05, respectively) and CT (10.6% ± 6.8; 7.4% ± 2.9, p < 0.05, respectively). Subjective sleep quality increased compared to pre-training for CTW and CT (24% ± 14.4; 10.5% ± 9.4, p < 0.05, respectively) with a significantly greater increase in CTW (p < 0.05). Cognitive performance measured by Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) increased only in CTW compared to baseline (7.7% ± 2.5, p < 0.05). Postural balance parameters with dual task decreased only in CTW compared to baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The present study clearly revealed that concurrent training alone or associated with daily walnut (15 g) consumption for 6 weeks significantly increased knee isokinetic strength, support leg standing parameters and sleep quality. Meanwhile, cognitive performance evaluated by MoCA test and postural balance with dual task were improved for CTW group only.

The effects of backpack load and carrying method on the balance of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis subjects.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Concerns have been raised about the effect of backpack carrying on adolescent balance. For adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) subjects, the effect of backpack carrying method on their balance has not been determined. Our aim is to examine the effects of backpack load and carrying method on AIS subjects' balance. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Paired sample matched for age and sex. PATIENT SAMPLE: Twelve healthy adolescents matched for age and sex with 14 adolescents with mild AIS participated in this study. OUTCOME MEASURES: A test battery including clinical examination, radiological assessment, and stabilometric measurements of the postural sways in the upright standing posture were conducted. METHODS: Center of pressure excursions of our subjects were recorded with a stabilometric platform during the upright standing posture without a backpack and while carrying a backpack symmetrically and asymmetrically on each shoulder. For each carrying method, the backpack is loaded at 10% and 15% of body weight (BW). RESULTS: Our results indicated that postural sways increased with increasing backpack load. These postural sways were observed when normal adolescents carried a backpack loaded with 15% BW load, whereas, for age- and sex-matched AIS subjects, these postural responses were observed for the 10% BW load. The symmetrical backpack carrying induced better balance compared with the asymmetrical one. Asymmetrical carrying on the convex side of the scoliotic curve affects AIS subjects' balance more than carrying it on the concave side. CONCLUSIONS: Load carriage of 10% BW seems to alter AIS subjects' balance. Asymmetrical carrying should be avoided especially on the convex side of the scoliotic curve because it causes balance impairments that may increase spinal pain.