Investigating the effect of Tai Chi and Zumba gold(R) on markers of physiological and phychological health in older age adults
<p>As the average life expectancy of populations across the world increases, there is a</p><p>growing challenge to maintain the health of older adults into older age. Older adults are at</p><p>greater risk of endothelial dysfuncti...
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| Format: | thesis |
| Language: | eng |
| Published: |
2019
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://ir.upsi.edu.my/detailsg.php?det=11639 |
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| Summary: | <p>As the average life expectancy of populations across the world increases, there is a</p><p>growing challenge to maintain the health of older adults into older age. Older adults are at</p><p>greater risk of endothelial dysfunction, reduction in functional fitness and mental ill-health</p><p>issues such as depression, anxiety and loneliness. Research has suggested that low physical</p><p>activity (PA) among older age populations contributes to an increase in oxidative stress and</p><p>inflammation, which contribute to perpetuate further endothelial dysfunction, and growing</p><p>mental ill-health. Low PA coupled to the natural process of sarcopenia are factors in an older</p><p>adults decreased functional fitness, which limits their ability to do things independently. This</p><p>creates a declining spiral in ageing leading to isolation, disease and eventually death.</p><p>Therefore, encouraging older adults to increase their PA and adhere to an exercise programme</p><p>is crucial in offsetting the effects of ageing. However, not all modes of PA are perceived as</p><p>suitable for an older age population. This thesis presents two studies investigating the</p><p>potential of Tai Chi and Zumba Gold (i.e., Zumba for older adults) to offset some of the</p><p>effects of ageing on functional fitness, accumulation of oxidative stress and inflammation</p><p>with age, and their role in endothelial function, and mental ill-health. In the acute Tai Chi</p><p>study, 60 minutes of Tai Chi was able to produce a transient increase in plasma markers of</p><p>inflammation (IL-6 and IL-10), and oxidative stress (MDA in old and 8-isoprostane in young)</p><p>measured using the non-invasive technique; flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Following 12</p><p>weeks of exercise training, participants in both the Tai Chi and Zumba Gold groups showed</p><p>participants. Both age groups also had an improvement in endothelium dependent dilation, as</p><p>As the average life expectancy of populations across the world increases, there is a</p><p>an improvement in blood pressure, FMD, leg strength and endurance compared to baseline.</p><p>Physical and mental fatigue, as well as feelings of loneliness were improved in the Tai Chi</p><p>group, while sleep quality, and perceptions of mental and physical health were improved in</p><p>the Zumba Gold group. Both groups also were found to have relatively high autonomous</p><p>motivation for exercise and high self-efficacy to overcome exercise barriers. However,</p><p>autonomous motivation and self-efficacy were not associated with changes in physiological or</p><p>psychological outcome measures. In sum, the data presented in this thesis provide information</p><p>that both Tai Chi and Zumba Gold are suitable exercise modes for older adults, which can</p><p>improve markers of both physical and psychological health.</p><p></p> |
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