Energy Costs of Chair Sitting and Standing Video Exercises in Chinese Older Adults Over 60 Years.

Home-based video exercise interventions improve older adults' physiological performance and functional capacity. Little is known about the energy costs of video exercises in older adults. The Compendium of Physical Activities (PAs) has few items with PA metabolic equivalents (METs) in older adults. This study measured the energy costs of four chair and two standing exercises (sitting Tai Chi, Yoga, mobility ball, aerobics: standing, slow aerobics, and fast aerobics). Fifteen females and 14 males, 62-87 years (M ± SD, 73 ± 7.7 years), were categorized into three age groups (60-69, 70-79, 80-89). Oxygen uptake (VO2, ml·min-1·kg-1) and heart rate (HR, b·min-1) were measured by indirect calorimetry and heart rate monitor. MET values were calculated as standard- (activity VO2/3.5), rounded- (significant digit rounded to 0, 3, 5, 8), and corrected METs (individual resting metabolism). Results showed chair Yoga, Tai Chi, and mobility ball ranged from 2.0 to 2.8 rounded METs (light intensity). Chair- and standing aerobics ranged from 3.0 to 4.3 rounded METs (moderate intensity). Averaged HR ranged from 91.9 ± 12.7 b·min-1 to 115.4 ± 19.1 b·min-1 for all PAs. Corrected METs were higher than standard METs (P < .05). Standard METs were similar between age groups (P > .05). In conclusion, this study is unique as it measures the energy costs of sitting and standing video exercises that can be performed by older adults at home or in an exercise facility. Knowing the energy costs of PAs for older adults can provide exercises interventions to prevent sedentary lifestyles.

Effects of Traditional Chinese Exercise on Oxidative Stress in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Network Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the best option among traditional Chinese exercises for reducing oxidative stress in middle-aged and older adults, using a network meta-analysis. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI databases were used. We searched randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on middle-aged and older adults to influence oxidative stress by any traditional Chinese exercises from the beginning to 20 January 2022. A network meta-analysis of randomized control trials was performed comparing the changes in the concentration of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as primary outcomes, following different therapeutic interventions with traditional Chinese exercises in middle-aged and older adults over 30 years old. Standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to assess the correlation between each group of interventions, and surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) was used to rank the best interventions. RESULTS: The meta-analysis comprised 15 trials with a total of 927 participants and six interventions: (Wuqinxi (WQX), Baduanjin (BDJ), Tai Ji Quan (TJQ), Yijinjing (YJJ), Mawangdui Daoyin (MWD), and no exercise intervention (NEI)). Regarding GPX: WQX [SMD = 2.79 (1.75, 3.83)], TJQ [SMD = 0.47 (0.23, 0.70)], YJJ [SMD = 1.78 (1.18, 2.37)], MWD [SMD = 1.89 (1.36, 2.43)] were superior in increasing GPX relative to NEI. Regarding MDA: WQX [SMD = 1.68 (0.94, 2.42)], YJJ [SMD = 0.99 (0.28, 1.69)] were superior in reducing MDA relative to NEI. Regarding SOD: WQX [SMD = 1.05 (0.10, 2.01)] were superior in increasing SOD relative to NEI. WQX topped the SUCRA with GPX: 0.97, MDA: 0.91, and SOD: 0.94. Furthermore, WQX was more effective than TJQ in interfering with GPX [SMD = 2.32 (1.26, 3.39)] and MDA [SMD = 1.47 (0.26, 2.67)], and a significantly better intervention effect on SOD than YJJ [SMD = 1.52 (0.80, 2.24)] and MWD [SMD = 0.89 (0.03, 1.75)]. CONCLUSION: Traditional Chinese exercise can help middle-aged and older adults reduce oxidative stress. WQX may be the best traditional Chinese exercise of the exercises evaluated for reducing oxidative stress in middle-aged and older adults.

Effect of vitamin D supplementation on upper and lower limb muscle strength and muscle power in athletes: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D may play a role in skeletal muscle because of the discovery of VDR in skeletal muscle. However, vitamin D deficiency is a global problem, including athletes. Studies examining the effect of vitamin D supplementation on muscle function in athletes have inconsistent results. Therefore, we aimed to quantitatively summarize the evidence for the effect of vitamin D supplementation on skeletal muscle strength and explosive power of athletes using a meta-analysis. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched for studies to identify randomized controlled trials or controlled trials meeting the inclusion criteria. By a meta-analysis, effect sizes (standardized mean differences, SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated to compare reported outcomes across studies, I2 index was used to assessing heterogeneity, and heterogeneity factors were identified by regression analysis. The potential publication and sensitivity analyses were also assessed. RESULTS: Eight RCTs involving 284 athletes were included. The protocols used to evaluate the muscle strength of athletes were inconsistent across the included studies, and muscle explosive power was assessed via vertical jump tests. The results indicated that vitamin D supplementation had no impact on overall muscle strength outcomes (SMD 0.05, 95% CI: -0.39 to 0.48, p = 0.84). In subgroup analysis, vitamin D supplementation had an effect on lower-limb muscle strength (SMD 0.55, 95% CI:0.12 to 0.98, p = 0.01) but not upper-limb muscle strength (SMD -0.19, 95% CI:-0.73 to 0.36, p = 0.50) or muscle explosive power (SMD 0.05, 95% CI:-0.24 to 0.34, p = 0.73). Vitamin D supplementation was more effective for athletes trained indoors (SMD 0.48, 95% CI:0.06 to 0.90, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D supplementation positively affected lower limb muscle strength in athletes, but not upper limb muscle strength or muscle power. Different muscle groups and functions may respond differently to vitamin D supplementation. Additional studies should focus on determining the appropriate vitamin D supplementation methods and optimal serum 25(OH)D levels for athletes. REGISTRATION: The protocol for our study is registered in the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO registration number CRD42016045872).