On 18 October at 12 Anni Rava will defend her „Associations between body composition, mobility and blood inflammatory biomarkers with physical activity in healthy older women“.
Supervisors:
Professor Jaak Jürimäe, Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy,
Professor Mati Pääsuke, Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy
Opponent:
Professor Arvydas Stasiulis, Lithuanian Sports University, Lithuania
Summary
Aging is characterized by multiple changes in an organism. Loss of skeletal muscle mass andfunction, increased share of fat mass, decline in bone mineral density and prevalence of chronicdiseases are all in some extent connected to aging. As a result of aging-related changes older adults may experience loss of independence in later life. One factor affecting those changes could bedecreased commitment in everyday physical activity, which commonly decreases with aging. Although it is not possible to prevent aging as such, physical activity may counteract at some levelof aging adverse physiological consequences and minimize the effect of an otherwise sedentarylifestyle
The main aim of the thesis was to determine relationships between body composition, mobility and blood biomarker indices with physical activity among older women. In total, 133 olderwomen volunteered to participate. Study participants were allocated into groupsaccording to objectively assessed physical activity intensity and duration. Body composition,mobility and blood biomarker indices were studied between groups and also relationships withphysical activity were studied.
Regularly exercising older women had better body composition, muscle strength and better results in mobility indices compared to in-active older women. In addition, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is associated with better body composition and mobility parameters, while light physical activity isnot related to any measured body composition nor mobility parameters among older women. Inaddition, negative association between resistin concentration and steps per day was found, concluding that physical activty may be associated with more favourable serum resistin concentration.Accordingly, healthy older women could benefit from moderate-to-vigorous physical activity to maintain body composition andmobility parameters to preserve independence in later life.