Evaluation of intraocular pressure and retinal nerve fiber layer, retinal ganglion cell, central macular thickness, and choroidal thickness using optical coherence tomography in obese children and healthy controls.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity affects many organ systems. There have been few studies on the ophthalmological effects of obesity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes in the ophthalmological parameters in obese children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 61 obese and 35 age-and gender-matched control subjects. Obesity was defined as body mass index-standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) >2 SD. Children with a BMI-SDS between >-1 SD and <+1 SD whilst otherwise healthy were recruited as the control group. All clinical and ophthalmological investigations were performed by a pediatric endocrinologist and an experienced ophthalmologist. The ophthalmological examination and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement was performed. The average retinal fiber layer (RNFL), retinal ganglion cell (RGC), central macular thickness (CMT), cup-to-disk ratio (C/D), and central choroidal thickness (CT) were measured using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. The anthropometric, biochemical, and ophthalmological parameters of the obese and control subjects were compared. RESULTS: IOP was higher in the obese group compared to the control group (P = 0.008), whereas the average RNFL was lower in the obese group (P = 0.035). There was a negative correlation between the average RNFL and BMI-SDS (P = -0.044) and waist-hip ratio (P = 0.015). There was no statistically significant difference between the RGC, C/D, CMT, and CT of the obese and control groups. IOP was negatively correlated with HOMA-IR, body fat mass, body fat percentage, and diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: In the present study, which evaluated obesity and its effects on ophthalmological parameters, the elevated IOP and decreased RNFL thickness detected in the obese group may suggest an increased risk for these patients of developing glaucoma at a younger age. Therefore, regular ophthalmological examinations of obese children are essential for prompt diagnosis and appropriate management.

Change of quality of life due to exercise training in knee osteoarthritis: SF-36 and WOMAC.

The aim of this study is to assess the effect of a 12 week multicomponent exercise training program on the quality of life in females with knee osteoarthritis. Thirty four subjects, aged 50-69 years, completed a 12 week multicomponent exercise training program. The SF-36 and WOMAC were applied at baseline, at mid-training, and post-training, and the responses of the exercise group (EG) and the control group (CG) were compared. The multicomponent training program resulted in significant group differences in all domains of SF-36 (p < 0.004), while there were no group difference in WOMAC domains (p > 0.004). In the EG between mid-training and baseline period vitality score increased; physical performance and general health scores increased between mid-training and post-training period; physical function, body pain, mental health, vitality, and general health scores increased between baseline and post-training period (p < 0.004). Between mid-training and baseline period of the WOMAC domains changed in the EG (p > 0.004), while all domains increased between mid-training and post-training and also between baseline and post-training (p < 0.004). Changes in quality of life after multicomponent training are affected by the different evaluation techniques.

Short term and long term detraining: is there any difference between young-old and old people?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of short (six weeks) and long (52 weeks) term detraining on functional fitness in elderly people, and to determine whether these effects differ according to age in elderly people. METHODS: Elderly subjects, aged 60-86 years, completed a nine week multicomponent exercise training programme. They performed the senior fitness test after six and 52 weeks, and the responses of 12 young-old subjects (YO, aged 60-73 years) and nine older subjects (O, aged 74-86 years) were compared. RESULTS: Functional fitness improved during the exercise training period. Short term detraining caused a loss of this improvement in functional performance. Performance on the chair stand test for both YO and O groups and on the up and go and six minute walk tests for the YO group remained significantly higher than before training after six weeks of detraining (p<0.013). Performance in all tests reverted to the pre-training values or lower after 52 weeks of detraining in both groups. In the O group, performances in the six minute walk test and arm curl test were lower than before training (p<0.013). The components of functional fitness most affected by detraining were agility with short term detraining, and aerobic endurance and upper extremity strength with long term detraining. CONCLUSION: Changes in functional capacity after short and long term detraining are affected by age in elderly adults.

Effects of six weeks of detraining on retention of functional fitness of old people after nine weeks of multicomponent training.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of age on functional fitness after six weeks of detraining. METHODS: Elderly subjects, aged 60-86 years, completed a nine week multicomponent exercise training programme. They performed the senior fitness test every two weeks during the six week detraining period, and the responses of 12 young-old subjects (YO, aged 60-73 years) and nine older subjects (O, aged 74-86 years) were compared. RESULTS: Functional fitness improved during the exercise training period. Performances in the chair stand and six minute walk for the O group had significantly declined compared with post-training values after two weeks of detraining (p<0.01), whereas there were no significant changes in the YO group. Scores on the functional fitness tests declined further between two and four weeks of detraining in both of the groups (p<0.01). In the YO group, there were significant losses in performance on the chair stand, chair sit and reach, and six minute walk tests, and in the O group on the chair stand and up and go tests after six weeks of detraining compared with after four weeks of detraining (p<0.01). The components of functional fitness most affected by detraining were lower extremity flexibility after two and four weeks of detraining, and agility/dynamic balance after six weeks of detraining. CONCLUSION: Changes in lower extremity flexibility, up and go, and six minute walk performances in response to six weeks of detraining are affected by age in elderly adults.