lecture 12

Question 1

what is the average life expectancy in Australia?

Answer 1

80. 7 yrs for males

84. 9 yrs for females

Question 2

what is most important for middle age people and old age people? (top 3)

Answer 2

middle age - family, job, activities

old age - family, health, activities

Question 3

why is it difficult to distinguish between the effects of ageing and the effects of reduced physical activity?

Answer 3

this is because they both happen at the same time

Question 4

physical activity tends to decline as we age therefore distinguishing between the effects of ageing and those of reduced physical activity is difficult when studying lifelong changes in physiological function

Answer 4

physical activity tends to decline as we age therefore distinguishing between the effects of ageing and those of reduced physical activity is difficult when studying lifelong changes in physiological function

Question 5

why is it difficult to distinguish effects between ageing and physical inactivity?

Answer 5

1. deconditioning
2. age-related decline
3. disease

Question 6

what is successful ageing?

Answer 6

absence of disease and lowest loss of function with age

Question 7

what systems decline with age?

Answer 7

All systems - strength; muscle mass; flexibility; endocrine; nerves; pulmonary system; VO2max; heart contractility; muscle cells; heart cells; performance

Question 8

is life expectancy increased by exercise?

Answer 8

exercisers tend to live 1.5 - 3years longer than non-exercisers

QOL (quality of life) has been shown to be significantly greater in fit and strong adults

Question 9

at what age do 54% of males and 66% of females report no physical activity?

Answer 9

75yrs

Question 10

what functional capacities decline with age and is worsened by inactivity?

Answer 10

VO2max - declines
Muscle strength and flexibility - decline
muscle mass - decline
lung function - decline
impaired mobility - decline
impaired ability to perform activities of daily living
increased risks of fall

Question 11

what functional capacities improve with higher physical activity?

Answer 11

vo2max
skeletal muscle oxidative enzymes 
skeletal muscle capilarisation 
muscle mass
muscle fibre area 
muscle strength

Question 12

what is the best intervention to reduce the risk of virtually all chronic diseases?

Answer 12

physical exercise

Question 13

does physical activity improve self esteem?

Answer 13

yes, at a young age doesn’t seem to change much but when older it has a large improvement

if you feel good, fit and healthy = improved self esteem

Question 14

does PA influence brain function?

Answer 14

yes has several positive influences on brain function

Question 15

regular PA reduces plasma levels of LDL (low density lipoproteins) why is this good?

Answer 15

because it reduces risk of stroke

Question 16

PA increases balance and stability limits

What are these?

Answer 16

balance - process by which we control the body’s centre of mass (COM) with respect to our base of support (BOS)

Stability limits - how far you can lean in any direction without needs to change BOS

Question 17

why is balance important ?

Answer 17

because it is needed for ADL activities of daily living

Question 18

does posture affect balance?

Answer 18

yes because centre of gravity would move depending on what is stiff in body

Question 19

what are the 3 reactive postural control strategies?

Answer 19

ankle strategy
hip strategy
step strategy

Question 20

what is a strength program for an elderly individual?

Answer 20

anything more intense than a normal elderly program

Question 21

what precautions should you take when administering a training program to elderly individuals?

Answer 21

you need to take see previous medical history, injuries illnesses. there fitness levels, there balance strength, flexibility and cardiovascular

Question 22

briefly outline the general characteristics of an elderly training program

Answer 22

start low intensity then progress to harder. average of 30min a session, most days of week, (higher intensity 3 days a week)

Question 23

describe the physiological mechanisms by which the risk of falls increases in the elderly?

Answer 23

1. sensory system - vision, somatosensation (loss of feeling), vestibular (reduced sensitivity to head movements
2. Neuromuscular - decrease in quality of movement, muscle strength, power and endurance
3. cognitive - ranging from mild deficits to dementia

Question 24

describe the physiological mechanisms by which the risk of falls increases in the elderly?

1. sensory system

Answer 24

which is vision, somatosensation (loss of feeling), vestibular (reduced sensitivity to head movements

Question 25

describe the physiological mechanisms by which the risk of falls increases in the elderly?

2. neuromuscular

Answer 25

loss of large motor neurons
decline in neurotransmitters
decline in nerve conduction
decrease in quality of movement, muscle strength, power and endurance

Question 26

describe the physiological mechanisms by which the risk of falls increases in the elderly?

3. Cognitive

Answer 26

ranging from mild deficits to dementia

identified as important factor associated with falling

Question 27

what is the goal of ageing?

Answer 27

absence of disease and lowest loss of function with age

Question 28

describe the importance of strength training

Answer 28

it is important because it increases strength and fitness which decreases risk of diseases as well as decreasing falls/fractures and improving activities of daily living