Background: The 2-minute step test (2MST) is a simple and inexpensive functional test that measures an individual's ability to perform continuous stepping up and down on a step platform for two minutes. This study evaluated the 2MST as a tool for assessing functional fitness in older individuals with hypertension and determined the correlation between the 2MST and physical fitness tests.Methods: A total of 91 older individuals with hypertension performed physical fitness tests, including the 2MST, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), five times sit-to-stand test (FTSST), grip strength and leg strength assessments, and timed up and go test (TUG) to collectively assess their physical fitness.Results: A cutoff score of ≤60 steps in the 2MST had 87.50% sensitivity and 70.59% specificity in predicting functional exercise performance in older individuals with hypertension. Additionally, the number of steps in the 2MST was positively correlated with the distance covered in the 6MWT, isometric grip strength, and isometric leg strength and negatively correlated with the duration of the FTSST and TUG. Conclusions: A cutoff score of ≤60 steps in the 2MST predicted functional exercise performance in older individuals with hypertension with 87.50% sensitivity and 70.59% specificity and was correlated with other physical fitness tests, suggesting that the 2MST is a useful tool for assessing functional exercise performance.

This study aimed to examine the validity of balance tests and compare their diagnostic accuracy to determine the risk of falls among older community-dwelling individuals. Eighty-five older participants were assessed based on their demographics and fall data. They were then assessed for the ability to perform balance measures, including five times sit-to-stand tests (FTSSTs), timed up and go tests (TUGs), three times stand and walk tests (TTSWs), functional reach tests (FRTs), and single-leg stance tests (SLSs). The correlation between fall data and balance measures was found to be significant for all parameters (p < 0.05). The TTSW showed the highest level of ability to indicate the risk of falls among older community-dwelling adults with sensitivity = 92.68%, specificity = 84.09%, and AUC = 0.931 (95%CI = 0.860 to 1.000). These findings confirm the benefits of the practical functional balance measures to determine the risk of falls among older community-dwelling individuals.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the combi-nation of elastic band resistance exercise (EBRE) with modified Thai yoga on the alleviation of blood glucose and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Forty-two patients with T2DM were enrolled and allocated to an exercise or control group (n=21/group). The exer-cise group participated in EBRE combination with modified Thai yoga for 40 min, 5 days/wk, for 12 consecutive weeks. Blood glucose, oxida-tive stress markers, antioxidants, pulmonary function, respiratory mus-cle strength, and airway inflammation were measured before and after the 12 weeks. The results showed that the exercise group had a signifi-cant reduction in fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin. More-over, T2DM patients in the exercise group showed a significant reduc-tion in plasma malondialdehyde, while superoxide dismutase and cata-lase were significantly increased. The exercise group also observed a significant improvement in pulmonary function; forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, peak ex-piratory flow, and forced midexpiratory flow as well as respiratory mus-cle strength. Interestingly, the combination of EBRE with modified Thai yoga markedly improved airway inflammation through the reduction in fractional exhaled nitric oxide. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the combination of EBRE with modified Thai yoga improves blood glu-cose, oxidative stress, antioxidants, pulmonary function, respiratory mus-cle strength, and airway inflammation in T2DM patients. Hence, it could be considered as a possible exercise program for T2DM patients.

Study purpose. Although it is acknowledged that exercise can positively affect both physical and biochemical markers in older individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), there are still uncertainties about the specific impacts of combining Thai yoga with an elastic band exercise in this population. The objective of the study was to assess the impact of a 12-week program involving Thai yoga combined with an elastic band exercise on the physical fitness and functional exercise capacity among older individuals with T2DM. Materials and methods. A total of 42 participants, consisting of 20 men and 22 women with T2DM and a mean age of 64.6±3.6 years, were randomly assigned to two groups: the control group and the exercise group. The exercise group engaged in a daily regimen of Thai yoga combined with an elastic band exercise for 40 minutes, 5 days a week, over a 12-week period. In contrast, the control group maintained their regular routines. Physical fitness and functional exercise capacity were assessed both before and after the 12-week intervention. Results. The exercise group showed significant reductions in body weight (58.7±11.9 vs. 58.0±12.0 kg), body mass index (24.2±3.0 vs. 23.9±3.0 kg/m2), waist circumference (33.6±3.6 vs. 33.1±3.6 in), and waist-hip ratio (0.90±0.06 vs. 0.89±0.06) (p < 0.001). Additionally, there were notable improvements in physical fitness parameters, including hand grips, back strength, leg strength (p < 0.01), and trunk flexibility (p < 0.001). Functional exercise capacity, indicated by the 6-minute walk test and estimated peak oxygen consumption (p < 0.01), also improved significantly. Conclusions. Thai yoga combined with an elastic band exercise enhances physical fitness and functional exercise capacity in older individuals with T2DM. This improvement has the potential to enhance their cardiopulmonary performance. Consequently, this exercise regimen is considered a health alternative for older individuals with T2DM.

Objective: To formulate an equation estimating months to independent walking in moderate to late preterm infants based on neonatal characteristics and gross motor development from 7 months to independent walking.Methods: Sixty infants born between 32 to 36 weeks were assessed using Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) for gross motor development. Neonatal characteristics were recorded at 7 months, and caregiver-reported independent walking onset. Pearson correlation analyzed age, AIMS scores, and neonatal factors. Multiple regression developed the prediction equation.Results: The equation for independent walking onset, which included gestational age (GA) at birth, total AIMS score at 10 months of age (10th AIMS), and birth head circumference (BHC), exhibited a strong correlation (r=0.707) and had a predictive power of 50.0%. The equation is as follows: age onset of independent walking (months)=33.157, -0.296 (GA), -0.132 (10th AIMS), -0.196 (BHC), with an estimation error of 0.631 months.Conclusion: Neonatal characteristics, such as GA, 10th AIMS, and BHC, are key determinants in estimating the onset of independent walking in moderate to late preterm infants.