Physical Activity, Fine Manual Dexterity and a Coach’s Self-Efficacy in a Physical Activity Program for Older Persons Living in Residential Care Facilities

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the efficacy of a physical activity intervention on a group of older elderly individuals living in residential care facilities, in terms of the functionality of their upper limbs, hands, and fingers. It also aimed at determining if the coaches' level of self-efficacy can contribute to the efficacy of the physical activity program. The project involved 44 institutionalized older persons: Their mean age was 84.3 (SD = 7.4) in the experimental group and 85 (SD = 6.6) in the control group; they were all self-sufficient. Seven female coaches, with degrees in physical education and an average age of 29 (SD = 4.4), conducted the physical activity program for 16 weeks. The participants were pre-and post-tested for hand and finger strength with dynamometers. The coaches' level of perceived self-efficacy was assessed through a self-reported questionnaire (Caprara, 2010). The results obtained by using non-parametric statistical techniques, due to the small sample size, confirmed that the physical activity intervention had positive effects on the fine manual dexterity of the elderly in the experimental group, and the high level of self-efficacy perceived by the coaches influenced the effects of the physical training. The results emphasize the importance of setting realistic objectives, and prove that the choice and training of coaches is fundamental for physical exercise practiced in a condition of frailty, such as that of older people living in residential care facilities.

Effects of 1 Year of Lifestyle Intervention on Institutionalized Older Adults

“…This decrease is in line with previous research that highlights how reductions in skeletal muscle mass is also accompanied by a significant decrease in muscle strength during ageing [49,50]. These findings have significant applied implication given the importance muscle strength plays as a determinant of healthy ageing [51,52]. Indeed, the loss of muscle strength has been shown as a principal indicator for many geriatric syndromes, including weakness syndrome, sarcopenia, mobility impairments and falls [53].…”

Shintaido in the elderly: The new way for physical and psychological health

“…Following previous research [27,28], this study tries to understand the way for the maintenance of physical and psychological health in self-sufficient and institutionalized elderly. The present study confirms the effectiveness of the practice of physical activity on both physical and psychological status, underlining the importance to involve elderly in a physical training program.…”

“…The study represents the continuation of a series of research [27,28] that investigate the positive effects of movement on physical functioning and psychological wellbeing in a sample of institutionalized old people. The present study aims to investigate the effects of Shintaido activity in a group of elderly citizens, assuming that the Shintaido, so similar to Tai Chi for movements and purpose, can have positive effects on physical and psychological well-being of participants.…”

The Correlation Between Reach and Grasp Kinematic Measures and Clinical Measures of Manual Dexterity in Patients With Parkinson Disease

“…NHPT is a test for evaluating fine manual dexterity and contains nine pegs that must be inserted and removed by one hand as quickly as possible into nine holes on the test board. NHPT is executed two times by each hand and the mean score of the two trials is recorded as the NHPT score for the respected hand [18]. A high test-retest reliability has been reported for the NHPT in patients with PD [19].…”