With age, develop certain forms of disabilities, which cause difficulties with walking, standing, balance or preservation of fine motor skills. These changes can affect the ability to perform normal daily tasks, which entails a loss of independence and reduced quality of life.
For example, sufficient muscle strength helps to maintain the ability to function normally. Studies show that for good physical functioning required at least a minimal level of power. The more elderly the better it turns out they have to counteract future disability.
To determine how and to what extent the availability of power can prevent disability, a group of scientists analyzed data of the study SHARE (Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe). It was a poll 30434 people, held every two years. It was attended by people from 50 years and older, living in most countries of the European Union and Israel.
There was collected information about the health, social and economic status and social and family networks of participants. The research team published their findings in the Journal of the American Geriatrics.
The researchers examined the responses of study participants to ten questions about whether or not they:
- go 100 meters,
- to sit for approximately 2 hours
- to get up from the chair after long sitting,
- to climb a few flights of stairs without rest,
- to climb one flight of stairs without rest stops, bent body position
- stretching or pulling of the arm above shoulder level
- you pull or push large objects like a living room chair,
- to raise or move a weight more than 4.5 kg,
- to lift a coin from the table.
Answers to all questions were collected five times. Researchers have studied the effects of grip force and cognition (the ability to remember, think and make decisions), and how they are affected (affected) participants over time. It turned out that maintaining the strength of grip and mental abilities can prevent or delay disability.
The researchers suggested that older people perform physical and mental exercise can slow the deterioration of their physical condition. They have the potential to prevent future problems such as loss of independence, reduced quality of life, the likelihood of developing depression, dementia and even premature death.
Valeria SEMA