DITHM EXAM - WEEK 7 - Exercise and Aging

Question 1

What are the risk factors for decreased skeletal composition in aging adults?

Answer 1

• Inactive lifestyle
• Hormonal changes
• Loss of calcium and other minerals in bone

Question 1

What is the average loss of height after 40 years of age?
o What are some of the causes?

Answer 1

On average, 1 cm every 10 years after the age of 40.
This is caused by…
Pathological causes:
- Spondyloarthropathies
- Arthritic pathologies of the spine
- Osteoporosis
Structural:
- Disc pathologies (herniation, dehydration etc)
- Kyphosis

Question 2

What are the different classifications of physical function according to Spirduso?

Answer 2

Spirduso Classification of Physical Function:
- Physically dependent (debilitated)
- Physically frail (Activities of daily living [ADL] affected)
- Physically independent (Free from disease, however, don’t exercise regularly)
- Physically fit (Physically active)
- Physically elite (Masters athletes)

Question 3

What is the daily amount of moderate exercise recommended in the elderly?

Answer 3

30 mins of moderate intensity physical activity on most, preferably all days.

Question 4

What is the rate of loss of VO2 max in active elderly adults versus inactive elderly
adults?

Answer 4

Functional capacity/aerobic fitness (quantified using V.O2 max) has been shown to decrease at half the rate in an active elderly population (“masters athletes”) compared to the sedentary elderly population (3% and 6% per decade respectively).

Question 5

What type of hip fracture has worse outcomes in elderly adults?

Answer 5

Intrascapular fracture.
Higher incidence of non - union and necrosis of femoral head.