Pathophysiology of Inactivity

Question 1

How many american adults meet the CDC guidelines for physical activity?

Answer 1

Only 48%

ages 18-24 were more likely to be fit while ages over 65 were less likely

Question 2

True or False: Roughly 8 out of 10 highschoolers get 60 mins of physical activity a day or more

Answer 2

False: Less than 3 out of 10 and the cardio fitness of children has declined by 2.2% every decade since the 80’s

Question 3

How many deaths world wide are related to physical activity?

Answer 3

3.2-5.3 million (1 in 10 deaths worldwide)

Question 4

How has employment effected the physical activity of the population?

Answer 4

there has been a 83% rise in sedentary jobs since 1950 and physically active jobs make up less than 20% of our workforce now

Question 5

What cardiovascular adaptations occur due to deconditioning?

Answer 5

-reduction in total blood volume
-reduced stroke volume
reduced maximal cardiac output
-reduced peak oxygen uptake
-progressive cardiac atrophy
-reduced ventricular compliance and relaxation speed
-Orthostatic intolerance (POTS)

(some of these are observable after only 20 hrs.)

Question 6

What may cause the heart rate responses with deconditioning?

Answer 6

adrenergic receptor hypersensitivity due to lower circulating catecholmines and less sympathetic activity

Question 7

What is the CDC guidelines for weekly activity?

Answer 7

150-300 minutes of moderate exercises OR 75-150 minutes of vigorous exercise

can be done in intervals but must be done for at least 10 mins in duration

Question 8

What are some common barriers for exercise adherence/compliance for patients?

Answer 8

• physical discomfort
• too boring
• no time
• too tired
• weather
• dislikes the gym
• depression
• expensive
• negative experience

Question 9

How can we improve adherence of exercise program to sedentary patients?

Answer 9

• let them select intensity level (possibly interval training)
• social aspect of the gym
• add in activity to daily routine
• find an activity patient enjoys
• attainable goals
• use of wearable technology

Question 10

True or False: There is no such thing as too much exercise.

Answer 10

False, some people may not respond well and actually display worsening risk profiles (HERITAGE Study) and there is association with risk of developing atrial fibrillation in chronic aerobic exercisers

Question 11

How can we define frailty?

Answer 11

Meeting any 3 of the following 5 conditions

• low grip strength
• low endurance/easy to fatigue
• slow walking speed
• low physical activity
• unintentional weight loss

Question 12

What is sarcopenia?

Answer 12

Loss of muscle fibers which occurs naturally with aging process beginning around the age of 50 but becomes more drastic at the age of 60

it is exacerbated with inactivity!

Question 13

True or False: Aerobic exercise results in greater improvement of function than resistance exercise for the elderly

Answer 13

False, resistance exercise results in greater improvement and a greater reduction in fall risk

Question 14

How can PTs address the issue of structural violence and inactivity?

Answer 14

provide fitness coaching and other services in person or mobile to educate wide population of the risks of inactivity

Question 15

What is dynapenia?

Answer 15

Age-related loss in strength that is not associated with disease or neurological deficits