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It is well established that there is an underlying process of muscular atrophy that occurs throughout the aging process. This issue of muscle atrophy more specifically known as sarcopenia, has been (and will continue to be) a great burden on both health care and quality of life. Current research has shown the importance of resistance training (RT) within all age groups, regardless of level of functionality or lifestyle. It was hypothesized that aging adults (≥50 years of age) who completed a 6-week RT program using a thick training bar attachment would increase upper limb muscle strength and endurance (primary outcome measure: handgrip strength; secondary outcome measures: handgrip endurance, upper body strength) to a greater extent than individuals who completed a program without the attachment. To the author's knowledge there is no current research outlining any similar interventions involving aging adults and strength adaptations of the upper extremities of this nature. Twenty-nine participants completed the study [experimental group: n = 15 (7 F, 8 M); control group: n = 14 (8 F, 6 M)]. No significant baseline differences between the groups were noted for sex (p = .573), age (p = .685), BMI (p = .224), or hand size (p = .713). When the data for both groups was combined, there were significant improvements over time for most strength and endurance outcomes [grip strength (p = .018), static grip endurance (p = .010), 1 RM lat pull down (p

Mirroring a worldwide phenomenon in industrialized nations, the U.S. is experiencing a change in its demographic structure known as population aging. Concern about the aging population tends to focus on the adequacy of Medicare and Social Security, retirement of older Americans, and the need to identify policies, programs, and strategies that address the health and safety needs of older workers. Older workers differ from their younger counterparts in a variety of physical, psychological, and social factors. Evaluating the extent, causes, and effects of these factors and improving the research and data systems necessary to address the health and safety needs of older workers may significantly impact both their ability to remain in the workforce and their well being in retirement. Health and Safety Needs of Older Workers provides an image of what is currently known about the health and safety needs of older workers and the research needed to encourage social polices that guarantee older workers a meaningful share of the nation's work opportunities.

This new edition of the comprehensive and renowned textbook Principles and Practice of Geriatric Medicine offers a fully revised and updated review of geriatric medicine. It covers the full spectrum of the subject, features 41 new chapters, and provides up-to-date, evidence-based, and practical information about the varied medical problems of ageing citizens. The three editors, from UK, USA and France, have ensured that updated chapters provide a global perspective of geriatric medicine, as well as reflect the changes in treatment options and medical conditions which have emerged since publication of the 4th edition in 2006. The book includes expanded sections on acute stroke, dementia, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory diseases, and features a new section on end-of-life care. In the tradition of previous editions, this all-encompassing text continues to be a must-have text for all clinicians who deal with older people, particularly geriatric medical specialists, gerontologists, researchers, and general practitioners. This title is also available as a mobile App from MedHand Mobile Libraries. Buy it now from Google Play or the MedHand Store. Praise for the 4th edition: "...an excellent reference for learners at all clinical and preclinical levels and a useful contribution to the geriatric medical literature." —Journal of the American Medical Association, November 2006 5th edition selected for 2012 Edition of Doody's Core TitlesTM

It is well established that aging is associated with numerous health concerns, including poor balance. Deteriorations in attention demand also place older adults at a greater risk for falls. Emerging experiments have explored the impact of dual-task training programs and have improved dual-tasking in older adults. However, it is unknown whether these performance-related improvements are a function of the intervention itself or the repeated exposure to the testing protocol. Study 1 explored the implications of repeated administration, once per week for 5 weeks, of a protocol involving standing postural sway while concurrently performing reaction time (RT) tasks in older adults. Results revealed that postural sway was stable across testing sessions whereas the difficult RT task gradually improved over time. Study 2 examined the influence of repeated exposure, once per week for 5 weeks, of a protocol involving negotiating a series of obstacles while performing RT tasks in older adults. Participants walked significantly faster with repeated exposure and gradually improved RT. Study 3 investigated the impact of repeated exposure, once per week for 5 weeks, to three functional mobility measures in older adults. It also examined the influence of a 12-week balance and mobility training (BMT) program as well as a 12-week balance and mobility plus cognitive training (BMT+C) program on functional mobility in older adults. Functional mobility served to be stable over time. Both the BMT and BMT+C groups significantly improved functional mobility and sustained these improvements at the 12-week follow-up, while no changes were observed in the control group. No differences between the BMT and BMT+C groups emerged. Experiment 4 examined the influence of BMT and BMT+C on postural sway and RT in older adults. Participants in both training groups significantly improved RT and sustained these improvements at the follow-up, while no changes were observed in the control group. No changes to postural control were shown in any group. No differences between the BMT and BMT+C groups emerged. Experiment 5 examined the influence of BMT and BMT+C on negotiating a series of obstacles while performing RT tasks in older adults. Both the BMT and BMT+C groups significantly improved RT and sustained these improvements at the follow-up, while no changes were observed in the control group. All groups showed faster time to completion of the obstacle series. No differences between the BMT and BMT+C groups emerged. Collectively, these findings suggest that BMT and BMT+C significantly improve functional mobility and divided attention, and sustain these improvements over time. Although some improvements were observed after repeated exposure over 5 weeks, no changes in the control group were observed. Therefore, the improvements exhibited from BMT and BMT+C are likely not a function of repeated exposure to the testing protocol, as participants may be more susceptible to performance-related improvements when the testing sessions are close in proximity. Altogether, these findings propose that, whether or not cognitive training is included, attention demanding dual-task training not only improves functional mobility and RT, but also sustains these improvements over time in older adults. These results may be used to improve the prescription of exercise in older adults.

Falls, fractures, frailty, osteoporosis and sarcopenia are highly prevalent in older persons. While the concept of osteosarcopenia is new, it is a rapidly evolving and cross-disciplinary problem. Prevention and treatment are challenging and a combined therapeutic approach is needed. Osteosarcopenia provides evidence-based information on how to prevent and treat these conditions at multiple settings, including multiple illustrations, care pathways and tips to easily understand the pathophysiology, diagnostic methods and therapeutic approach to these conditions. This work evaluates the potential for a link between osteoporosis, sarcopenia and obesity. - Presents diagnostic and therapeutic tips that facilitate the design and implementation of new care pathways, impacting the wellbeing of our older population - Provides cross-disciplinary understanding by experts from the bone/osteoporosis field and the muscle/sarcopenia field - Covers muscle and bone biology, mesenchymal stem cells, age-related changes and cross-talk between muscle, fat and bone, falls and fracture risk, glucose metabolism, diagnosis, imaging, and genetics of osteosarcopenia