Justin W L Keogh1,2,3, Sinead O'Reilly4,5, Ethan O'Brien4,5, Steven Morrison6, Justin J Kavanagh7. 1. Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia. jkeogh@bond.edu.au. 2. Human Potential Centre, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand. jkeogh@bond.edu.au. 3. Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. jkeogh@bond.edu.au. 4. Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia. 5. Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. 6. School of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA. 7. Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The ageing process and several health conditions may increase tremor and reduce force steadiness and dexterity, which can severely impact on function and quality of life. Resistance training can evoke a range of neuromuscular adaptions that may significantly reduce tremor and/or increase force steadiness and/or dexterity in older adults, irrespective of their health condition. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to systematically review the literature to determine if a minimum of 4 weeks' resistance training can reduce postural tremor and improve force steadiness and/or dexterity in older adults, defined as aged 65 years and over. METHODS: An electronic search using Ovid, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus and EMBASE was performed. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. RESULTS: Fourteen studies met the eligibility criteria, including six randomised controlled trials and two quasi-randomised controlled trials. All eight studies that recruited healthy older adults reported significant reductions in postural tremor and/or improvements in force steadiness and dexterity. Five out of seven studies that examined older adults with a particular health condition reported some improvements in force steadiness and/or dexterity. Specifically, significant benefits were observed for older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and essential tremor; however, small or no changes were observed for individuals with osteoarthritis or stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Resistance training is a non-pharmacological treatment that can reduce tremor and improve force steadiness and dexterity in a variety of older adult populations. Future research should employ randomised controlled trials with larger sample sizes, better describe training programme methods, and align exercise prescription to current recommendations for older adults.
BACKGROUND: The ageing process and several health conditions may increase tremor and reduce force steadiness and dexterity, which can severely impact on function and quality of life. Resistance training can evoke a range of neuromuscular adaptions that may significantly reduce tremor and/or increase force steadiness and/or dexterity in older adults, irrespective of their health condition. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to systematically review the literature to determine if a minimum of 4 weeks' resistance training can reduce postural tremor and improve force steadiness and/or dexterity in older adults, defined as aged 65 years and over. METHODS: An electronic search using Ovid, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus and EMBASE was performed. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. RESULTS: Fourteen studies met the eligibility criteria, including six randomised controlled trials and two quasi-randomised controlled trials. All eight studies that recruited healthy older adults reported significant reductions in postural tremor and/or improvements in force steadiness and dexterity. Five out of seven studies that examined older adults with a particular health condition reported some improvements in force steadiness and/or dexterity. Specifically, significant benefits were observed for older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and essential tremor; however, small or no changes were observed for individuals with osteoarthritis or stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Resistance training is a non-pharmacological treatment that can reduce tremor and improve force steadiness and dexterity in a variety of older adult populations. Future research should employ randomised controlled trials with larger sample sizes, better describe training programme methods, and align exercise prescription to current recommendations for older adults.
Authors: Isabel A Ely; Eleanor J Jones; Thomas B Inns; Síobhra Dooley; Sarah B J Miller; Daniel W Stashuk; Philip J Atherton; Bethan E Phillips; Mathew Piasecki Journal: Exp Physiol Date: 2022-08-12 Impact factor: 2.858
Authors: Anna Pieczyńska; Ewa Zasadzka; Tomasz Trzmiel; Małgorzata Pyda; Mariola Pawlaczyk Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-05-24 Impact factor: 3.390