Lower limb muscle strength and physical activity in healthy individuals approaching retirement.

The purpose of this study was to examine knee extensor/flexor muscle strength and physical activity in healthy males and females approaching retirement. Peak torques of the knee extensor and knee flexor muscle groups were measured bilaterally in 95 individuals (mean age 59.4 years) using an isokinetic dynamometer. Isokinetic concentric contractions were performed at angular velocities of 1.05 and 3.14 rad x s(-1). Physical activity, including household, leisure, and sporting activities, was assessed. The results show that the average peak torques exhibited were lower than previously reported in studies using the same methodology with different populations of similar age and body size. Over one-third of the participants were sedentary, with just 13% being active enough to obtain health benefits. The poor muscle strength and low physical activity of this self selecting group of healthy working adults were surprising, and potentially a cause for concern. The combination of retirement being a potential watershed for a decrease in physical activity and the known age-related decline in physical performance indicates that some of these participants are at risk of losing their functional independence fairly early in the retirement stage. We recommend the introduction of effective health promotion interventions for individuals approaching retirement, encouraging them to become more physically active.

Gender differences in balance performance at the time of retirement.

BACKGROUND: Impairments in balance performance are a commonly accepted risk factor for falling in older people. Since there is a higher reported incidence of falling in women, it is of interest to test whether this correlates with poorer balance performance in women than men at the time of retirement in order to plan health promotional strategies. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether any gender differences exist in balance performance in people approaching retirement age. METHODS: Ninety-seven healthy volunteers (44 males, 53 females) planning to retire shortly were enrolled in the study (age range 50-67 years). Balance assessments during quiet standing were performed under various conditions; feet together eyes open, feet together eyes closed and single limb stance eyes open. The range of centre of pressure displacement in both the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral planes was collected for each task using a force platform. FINDINGS: For several of the balance tasks the men exhibited a statistically significant larger range of centre of pressure displacement than the women (P<0.01). However, after normalising the data for height, no gender differences were seen. Over half of the group failed to complete all three single limb stance trials on both limbs. INTERPRETATION: When the data was normalised for height, no differences were found in static balance performance between men and women of retirement age. A number of participants demonstrated balance impairments whilst performing the single limb stance likely to affect functional activities. Health promotional messages should be targeted equally at men and women.

Effect of group therapy for breast cancer on healthcare utilization.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether participation in a group psychosocial intervention by patients with breast cancer would result in an improvement in psychological measures and in reduced billings in general medical expenses. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY: Eligible women who had completed treatment for stage 0, I, or II primary breast cancer were prospectively and randomly assigned to either the intervention (n=46) or control (n=43) group. Both groups received the usual psychosocial care; however, the intervention group also participated in six weekly cognitive/behavioral psychosocial meetings. All were assessed on psychiatric symptoms, mood, depression, and coping strategies at four time periods: pre-intervention, post-intervention, 1-year follow-up, and 2-year follow-up. Alberta Healthcare billing records were obtained covering the 2-year follow-up period to determine the amount billed per person over the course of the study. RESULTS: Women in the intervention group had less depression, less overall mood disturbance, better overall quality of life, and fewer psychiatric symptoms than those in the control group, beginning immediately post-intervention and remaining so at 2 years post-intervention. Billing in the intervention group was an average of $147 less than in the control group, a 23.5% reduction. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This is the first study to show that a psychosocial intervention can reduce direct healthcare billings in a sample of patients with cancer. Importantly, these findings help to justify the routine availability of such programs in cancer treatment facilities worldwide.