Adult 20-60 Years- Physical

Question 1

Describe physiological changes in height and weight

Answer 1

• Long bones grow until 25
• Vertebral column grow until 30
• Skull grows until 40 years
• Weight gain continues (muscle mass and fat mass)

Question 2

Describe physiological changes in strength

Answer 2

• Greatest 25-30 years
• Gradual decline 50 years
• Sharp decline 70+
• 50% loss of strength due to inactivity or ageing

Question 3

What motor changes occur in adults?

Answer 3

• Peak performance in 30s as does attention and speed of cognition
• Reaction time decrease in late adolescent, early adulthood

Question 4

What are sensory changes during adulthood?

Answer 4

• Visual acuity increases 20-30s, stable until middle adulthood where it declines
• Hearing peaks in early adulthood then declines; happens slowly at higher frequencies
• Tactile sensitivity increases

Question 5

Describe motor changes with balance and gait

Answer 5

-Gait & balance stable, associated systems compromised: musculoskeletal, visual, vestibular, somatosensory

Question 6

What changes occur in the body through pregnancy?

Answer 6

-Blood plasma volume increase
-Cardiac output increase
-Renal changes
-Metabolic & respiratory rate
-Endocrine changes
1st Trimester= 1-13
2nd Trimester= 12-26
3rd Trimester= 26-40

Question 7

Describe climacteric changes in adults

Answer 7

• Fertility decreases and sexual activity declines

- Age genetically determined

Question 8

Describe climacteric changes in females

Answer 8

Perimenopause
-Reduced ovarian hormone production until menstruation stops
Menopause
-Ovaries stop producing eggs
Postmenopause
-Stabilised hormone levels

Question 9

Describe climacteric changes in males

Answer 9

• Testicular function and testes decrease
• Number of viable sperm reduce
• Mood swings, concentration/memory lapses, irritability