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News
18.03.2008
Research by Pirkanmaa University of Applied Sciences and a Japanese university.
Regular Nordic Walking may reduce the risk of falls in elderly people
Pirkanmaa University of Applied Sciences and one Japanese university are investigating how the structured long-term Nordic Walking exercise program effects on mobility, balance and physical condition of the elderly. These factors promote to instability in common daily movement thereby increasing the risk of fall. It is well known phenomenon that the improvement of mobility and balance prevents falls and fractures.
 The aim of the research is study how the long-term Nordic Walking effects on mobility, balance and physical condition of the elderly. The study includes a total of 40 interested Japanese. In the picture Sadayoshi Murakawa (left) and Mayumi Sakuma.
High resolution image (384 Kb)
Photo: Takayuki Kawamura
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The training effects of Nordic Walking on cardiorespiratory fitness and endurance have been shown in the previous studies. This is assumed to enhance an elderly person’s performance ability and reduce the risk of falls. This would be a very benefit in Japan especially, because Japan is the fastest ageing nation in the world.
Currently there are 32,000 centenarians in Japan. The study carried out there involves two groups of 20 Japanese people over the age of 65 (experimental group and control group). After baseline measurements the members of experimental group have participated for eight weeks in supervised Nordic Walking practice. The final measurements have just been taken and the results are analyzed this spring. The participants were very enthusiastic about the experiment even though Nordic Walking is a totally new form of exercise for them.
The effects of Nordic Walking on their mental well-being will also be evaluated. The balance measurements were supervised by the Finns and muscle strength and well-being evaluations will be done by the Japanese.
Sufficient leg muscle forces have been proven to be connected to good balance. Poor balance increases the risk of falling, and falls are the greatest single cause of accidents and accidental death among the elderly. If Nordic Walking reduces the risk of falls in the elderly, it is safe and cost effective exercise and it gives new ways for health promotion, support independent living and reduce fall risk globally. The effects of Nordic Walking have been shown to be similar on a global level regardless of the elderly person’s cultural environment.
The research project was originally made by Pirkanmaa University of Applied Sciences (PIRAMK), which is implementing it together with the University of Tohoku Fukushi, Exel Ltd. and Hur Labs Ltd. In Japan the project has got support from the Sendai-Finnish Wellbeing Center. In Tampere also the Wellbeing Technology project (HYVITE) has supported the study.
More information:
Pirkanmaa University of Applied Sciences
Jarmo Perttunen, Principal Lecturer
Tel. +358 50 560 3159
firstname.lastname@piramk.fi |
Hur Labs Ltd.
Anssi Lipsonen, Management Director
Tel. +358 20 743 7843
anssi.lipsonen@hurlabs.com |
Pirkanmaa University of Applied Sciences
Esa Ala-Uotila, R&D Director
Tel. +358 50 568 5352
firstname.lastname@piramk.fi |
09/01/2007
WCPT News - WCPT Publications
HUR Labs is a major sponsor of the 'World Physical Therapy' congress, which will be held in Vancouver, Canada, during 2nd – 6th June, 2007.
Please visit the conference website (link below) where you can download the Congress Newsletters and get further information about the event.
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 http://www.wcpt.org/publications/news.php
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10/11/2006
Article from the Physical Therapy Products magazine, July/August, 2006:
Dean Sbragia, president of Med-Fit Systems Inc, Fallbrook, Calif, recently spoke with Physical Therapy Products about the latest trends in exporting, importing, and distributing physical rehabilitation equipment.
What are a few of the new services that Med-Fit provides?
We have recently added two new services to our offerings. One is our affiliation with IDS, Temecula, Calif, a balance diagnostic equipment company providing primarily physician-driven visual and vestibular testing equipment and training. This affiliation allows us to bridge the gap between our rehab professionals’ proprioceptive training and testing with our HUR balance systems, and the VOR and VAT testing required for accurate balance-disorder diagnostics. This approach has been well received by both physicians and the rehabilitation referral source, and is mostly being implemented in senior housing/assisted living facilities in fall-reduction programs. Augmenting the balance program is our strength and cardiovascular training program, featuring HUR compressed-air strength products and Lamar cardiovascular machines.
Where do You see the industry heading in the next 5 years?
We see the senior care market and PT merging in several areas. Fall-reduction and strengthening regimens are best implemented by PTs, and treatment of aging patients and active Baby Boomers will fuel further growth in the rehab market. Dizziness and ataxia patients being seen by primary care physicians will benefit from rehab professionals trained in the assessment and treatment of these disorders.
What challenges or obstacles has Med-Fit encountered over the years, and what has the company done to overcome them?
I have spent 25 years in the rehab equipment distribution business, and in that time we have overcome changes in reimbursement, the “corporatization” of private practice, hospital group buying contracts, and changing geographical distribution. We have overcome by continuing to provide products and services that our dealers and customers want and need.
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Dean Sbragia
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|  http://www.medfitsystems.com
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31/05/2006
HUR Labs and IDS announce strategic partnership to Reduce Falls
HUR Labs and Integrated Diagnostics Systems LLC of Temecula, CA proudly announce a strategic partnership to develop integrated balance prevention programs. These programs aim to integrate balance testing with training of Strength and fall prevention.
Globally, according to the World Health Organization, falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury death. Europe and the Western Pacific region combined account for nearly 60% of the total number of fall-related deaths worldwide. Falls are the leading cause of injury related visits to the emergency room in the United States today. According to the Center for Disease Control - more than 1/3 of adults aged 65 and older fall each year.
Falling is not a natural byproduct of aging, and falls can be prevented. Through the formation of a new strategic partnership, HUR Labs and IDS have combined forces to offer effective care strategies to healthcare professionals around the world who work with balance compromised patients.
Balance disorders, whether resultant of imbalance due to muscle weakness, inactivity, underlying vestibular loss, or a myriad of other causes can be successfully treated. Patients can enjoy safer, fuller and more independent lives through interventions that combine proprioceptive diagnostics with proven vestibular rehabilitation techniques and strength/ conditioning exercises. A new approach to Balance Rehabilitation, available through the combined efforts of HUR and IDS, offers a multi-factoral solution to the problem of falls that is progressive, fun, and effective. Look for more information and resources on the new Integrated Balance program in the near future.
Additional info at www.ids4balance.com and www.hur.fi.
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hurlabs.com