Browsing by Author "Fricke, Anja"

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    How body mass affects foot structure and arch development in primary-school aged children : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Health Science in Sport and Exercise at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2018) Fricke, Anja
    Introduction: Childhood obesity has long been associated with long term health consequences including musculoskeletal issues. Deviations from the normal foot structure can greatly compromise foot function, causing discomfort and pain. No research has yet examined the feet of primary-school aged children during the critical stage of arch development. The aim of this study was to examine the feet of primary school aged children in terms of foot types and soft tissue structure and how body mass can affect the arch development in young children. Methods: Thirty-nine primary school aged children (mean age, 5.58± 0.67 years) participated in this study. Foot types were determined via footprint analysis with scanned images of the sole of the feet, using the Chippaux-Smirak index. Thickness of the fat pad, plantar fascia as well as cross-sectional areas of the flexor digitorum brevis and flexor hallucis brevis were measured via ultrasound. Soft tissue structures that had the biggest influence on arch flexibility were the flexor hallucis brevis, proximal plantar fascia, and flexor digitorum brevis cross-sectional area when normalised to body mass. Results: Significant differences of foot types between normal weight, overweight and obese children during sitting and standing were found (p=0.009 and p=0.006 respectively). The majority of overweight and obese children were classified with having a pes planus foot type. Overweight and obese children also tend to have more flexible feet compared to normal weight children. When normalised to lean body mass and body mass, all soft tissue structures showed significant differences between the different weight classes. Conclusion: The feet of overweight and obese children tend to be flatter and more flexible compared to normal weight children. As body fat percentage increased the size of the soft tissue structures increased in absolute terms but decreased once normalised to body mass. Therefore, soft tissue structures in overweight and obese children are unable to carry the extra load causing the collapse of the medial longitudinal arch. As these soft tissue structures are vital in forming the medial longitudinal arch, early strengthening programs could prevent symptoms later in life.
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    Mini trampoline jumping as an exercise intervention to improve female specific health risk factors and functional fitness in postmenopausal women : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Sport and Exercise Science, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2023) Fricke, Anja
    Women have increased risk of functional disability compared to men, including osteoporosis and urinary incontinence. Mini trampoline jumping is a low-impact multi-component exercise that could improve functional fitness and female-specific health risk factors. Therefore, the presented research examined the 1) benefits of a 12-week mini trampoline exercise intervention on female-specific health risk factors and functional fitness; 2) women’s perceptions on efficacy of said intervention, and 3) muscle activity and metabolic responses to mini trampoline exercise in postmenopausal women. Thirty-seven postmenopausal healthy women (N=8 control, N=29 intervention; Age: 58.9 y ± 5.8; BMI: 28.64 kg/m2 ± 6.31) participated in the exercise intervention study. The 12-week exercise programme included three 40-min sessions per week. Female-specific health risk factors (i.e., bone health, pelvic floor muscle functioning, urinary incontinence) and functional fitness (i.e., aerobic fitness, walking speed, lower extremity strength, flexibility, balance) were assessed pre- and post-intervention, and at a 3-month follow-up session. Women maintained pelvic floor muscle functioning (1% increase; p=0.31) and improved urinary incontinence symptoms (SUI score: 21% decline; p=0.01) following the intervention, compared to the control group who saw a decline of these measures (PFM functioning: 45% decrease; SUI score: 7% decline). Women significantly improved calcaneal bone mineral density following the intervention (8% increase; p=0.02); however, these improvements declined (4%) again at 3-month follow-up. Resting heart rate (8%; p=0.04) and dynamic balance (14%; p=0.01) significantly improved post-intervention. Aerobic fitness (12% increase; p<0.01), average walking speed (7% increase; p=0.01), flexibility (15% increase; p<0.01), and lower extremity strength (20% increase; p<0.01) also improved following the intervention; these benefits remained after three months. A 13-question open-ended anonymous survey examined participant perceptions after the exercise intervention. Intervention adherence rate was high with participants highlighting the social aspect of group exercise and short durations of exercise sessions. Most women would consider taking part in a mini trampoline exercise programme outside of this study. In a separate cross-sectional study, skeletal muscle activity, cardiovascular and metabolic responses for mini trampoline exercises were compared to more commonly prescribed exercises of walking and home-based strength exercises. Seventeen women (Age = 59.6 y ± 3.92; BMI= 25.5 kg/m2 ± 3.8) performed 5-min of walking, home-based exercises, and trampoline exercises; 10-min rest periods occurred between trials. Metabolic responses were higher for mini trampoline and home-based exercises compared to walking. Mini trampoline elicited higher oxygen consumption (7% gain; p=0.01) and RER response (3% gain; p<0.01) compared to home-based exercises. In summary, mini trampoline exercises provide a novel and enjoyable form of exercise for postmenopausal women to improve female-specific health, functional fitness, and metabolic health.