Paper
Liquid meal enhances balance following exercise in a healthy older population
Published Jan 1, 2003 · DOI · Leah Paige Versteegen
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Abstract
Purpose: This study examined the effects of a liquid meal on self-selected exercise performance and standing balance during exercise in healthy, older mallwalkers. Methods: Seven healthy mall-walkers (age=71.6+5.4 years) were recruited to walk for one-hour at a self-selected pace on each of two mornings. The subject was fed either a standardized liquid meal (LM) 30minutes prior to walking or remained fasted (FST) for 12 hours prior to walking. Time required to complete each lap and heart rate was recorded throughout each of the exercise sessions. Blood/glucose levels and balance assessments, the one-legged stance test (OLST) and Sharpened Romberg test (SR), were measured immediately prior to and after each exercise trial. Results: The primary finding indicated that a liquid meal is associated with better balance in elderly men and women after moderate exercise. Three out of four of the balance tests showed a significantly greater (p<0.05) time in balance for the LM trial when compared to the FST trial. For both variables of SR (eyes open and eyes closed) and the OLST eyes closed, the trial x time interaction was significant (F=l 5.538; F=19.747; F=20.680) with means comparisons revealing that FST balance was significantly lower post exercise than LM balance. For the variable of OLST eyes open, the trial x time interaction was not significant, however balance was significantly higher (F=8.629) during the LM trial compared to the FST trial. OLST eyes open balance was also significantly lower (F=6.194) post exercise compared to pre exercise. No significant difference between trials was found in exercise performance, as indicated by RPE, walking pace and/or heart rate. Blood glucose levels were significantly higher (F=7.746) post exercise for the LM trial compared to the FST trial. Conclusions: Results indicate that the liquid meal (LM), Ensure, is associated with better balance in elderly men and women after moderate exercise. Therefore, it is apparent that older populations should be encouraged to eat prior to morning exercise in order to maintain balance and thus minimize the risk of falling during or after exercise. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Table of
A liquid meal, Ensure, is associated with better balance in elderly men and women after moderate exercise, reducing the risk of falling during or after exercise.
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