Long-term effects of group exercise intervention on maximal step-up height in middle-aged female primary care patients with obesity and other cardio-metabolic risk factors

• Published in: BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation medicine & rehabilitation, 2020-03, Vol.12 (1), p.11-11, Article 11
• Main Authors: Nyberg, Lillemor A, Sundberg, Carl Johan, Wändell, Per, Kowalski, Jan, Hellénius, Mai-Lis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arthritis; Body mass index; Exercise; Exercise therapy; Female; Health; Health aspects; Health care reform; Medical personnel; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Melanocyte stimulating hormone; Metabolic syndrome; Middle age; Morbidity; Mortality; Muscle strength; Obesity; Pain; Patients; Physical fitness; Primary care; Quality of life; Rehabilitation; Risk factors; Sick leave; Step-up height; Strength training; Studies; Time; Type 2 diabetes; Weight training; Women's health; Womens health
• ISSN: 2052-1847; 2052-1847
• DOI: 10.1186/s13102-020-00161-4

Low physical performance is a predictor of morbidity and mortality. This study looks at long-term effects of an exercise intervention on maximal step-up height (MSH) in individuals with low physical function. Factors associated with changes in MSH was studied. Female patients (  = 101), mean (SD) age of 52 (11) years, were recruited for a 3-month group exercise intervention including 2-3 sessions/week of mixed aerobic fitness and strength training. MSH, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, maximal oxygen consumption (VO -max), self-reported health (SF-36) and physical activity (PA) were measured at baseline (T0), after 3 months (T1) and after 14-30 (mean 22) months (T2). Relationships between changes in MSH (cm) and age, baseline MSH, time to follow-up, changes in anthropometric measurements, VO -max, SF-36 and PA were studied with regression analyses. MSH, significantly, increased from T0 to T1, 27.2 (5.7) to 29.0 (5.5) cm and decreased to 25.2 (5.5) cm at T2. Time to follow-up (B = - 0.42,