Topic 6d: Conditions in Specific Populations; Mature Athlete

Question 1

what is aging?

Answer 1

• the process of growing old
• it is individual and is based on genetics, lifestyle, past diseases
• process of physiological change and altered behaviour and motivation

Question 2

results of inactivity?

Answer 2

decreased cardiovascular fitness, strength, flexibility
medical problems:
- hypertension
- osteoporosis
- obesity
- coronary heart disease
- arthritis
- cancer
- type II diabetes

Question 3

what are some cardivascular effects of aging?

Answer 3

• CVD is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults
• 40% have hypertension

Question 4

how does aging affect our respiratory function?

Answer 4

• our lungs can start to lose elasticity and their ability to recoil
• calcification can start to happen around soft tissues in the chest

Question 5

how does aging affect our integumentary system?

Answer 5

• skin becomes wrinkled and dry with uneven pigmentation
• thickness of dermis decreases by 20%
• skin strength and elasticity decreases
• skin disorders are common
• changes in hair colour and growth

Question 6

how is our musculoskeletal system affected with aging?

Answer 6

• skeletal muscle mass declines from 47% at age 21 to 27% as age 70
• increased cross-linkages between collagen fibers (less flexible)
• strength decreases

Question 7

strength gains are achieved by increased recruitment of ______ ______ _____ and not ________

Answer 7

1. muscle motor units
2. hypertrophy

Question 8

neurological effects of aging

Answer 8

• decrease in weight of the brain
• loss of neurons in the brain and spinal cord

Question 9

how are vision, hearing, taste and smell affected with aging?

Answer 9

slowly decline

Question 10

what is arthritis?

Answer 10

chronic inflammation within the joint due to some kind of general breakdown of the articular cartilage and overtime will cause narrowing of the joint spaces and necrosis of the underlying bone
- not painful and no swelling initially
two types: osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis

Question 11

what is osteoarthritis?

Answer 11

• most common type of arthritis
• degeneration of the hyaline (articular) cartilage covering the ends of long bones
• bone on bone contact can cause pain, stiffness, swelling and reduced range of motion
• knees, hips, hands and spine are most common
• genetics, occupation, trauma are all risk factors

Question 12

what is inflammatory arthritis?

Answer 12

• joint damage if from inflammation rather a wearing away of your cartilage
• can lead to further damage within the joint
• can affect other organs like nerves, eyes, lungs, skin or heart tissue

Question 13

what is gout?

Answer 13

a type of inflammatory arthritis caused by small crystals of a chemical called uric acid that forms in the joints.
- active (attacks) and inactive periods
- often joints in lower limbs
- initial attacks last 3-10 days
- second attack within first year
- as attacks become more regular, it can cause permanent joint damage

Question 14

risks of exercise in mature athletes

Answer 14

• dehydration and acute physiological decompensation
• potential for increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality
• progress no more than 5% per week
• eventual goal of at least 3- minutes of exercise per day for 3 days per week