Aline Mendes Gerage

Cardiovascular adaptations to resistance training in elderly postmenopausal women.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance training on resting blood pressure and heart rate variability in elderly postmenopausal women. 29 untrained, non-hypertensive elderly women were randomly assigned to 2 groups: an intervention group (n=15, 65.5±5.0 years, 57.3±6.5 kg, 156.7±5.1 cm) that underwent a supervised resistance training program (8 exercises, 2 sets, 10-15 repetitions, 3 times/week) or a control group (n=14, 66.2±4.1 years, 61.1±11.7 kg, 157.5±7.1 cm) that participated in a supervised stretching program (25-30 min/session, 2 times/week). Resting auscultatory blood pressure, heart rate variability, evaluated from short recordings in a seated position, and maximal dynamic strength (1-RM test) were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks. A group x time ANOVA revealed that muscular strength increased significantly in the resistance training group (+ 10.2% for bench press and +12.7% for leg extension, P<0.05). Systolic blood pressure was reduced significantly in the resistance training group from pre- to post-intervention period (- 5 mmHg; P<0.05), while no significant effect was noted for diastolic blood pressure and heart rate variability indexes (P>0.05). None of these variables changed in the control group throughout the study. In conclusion, a supervised resistance training program improved muscular strength and reduced systolic blood pressure without affecting diastolic blood pressure and heart rate variability in elderly postmenopausal women.

Sedentary Behavior and Light Physical Activity Are Associated with Brachial and Central Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients

Background Physical activity is recommended as a part of a comprehensive lifestyle approach in the treatment of hypertension, but there is a lack of data about the relationship between different intensities of physical activity and cardiovascular parameters in hypertensive patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the time spent in physical activities of different intensities and blood pressure levels, arterial stiffness and autonomic modulation in hypertensive patients. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 87 hypertensive patients (57.5 ± 9.9 years of age) had their physical activity assessed over a 7 day period using an accelerometer and the time spent in sedentary activities, light physical activities, moderate physical activities and moderate-to-vigorous physical activities was obtained. The primary outcomes were brachial and central blood pressure. Arterial stiffness parameters (augmentation index and pulse wave velocity) and cardiac autonomic modulation (sympathetic and parasympathetic modulation in the heart) were also obtained as secondary outcomes. Results Sedentary activities and light physical activities were positively and inversely associated, respectively, with brachial systolic (r = 0.56; P < 0.01), central systolic (r = 0.51; P < 0.05), brachial diastolic (r = 0.45; P < 0.01) and central diastolic (r = 0.42; P < 0.05) blood pressures, after adjustment for sex, age, trunk fat, number of antihypertensive drugs, accelerometer wear time and moderate-to-vigorous physical activities. Arterial stiffness parameters and cardiac autonomic modulation were not associated with the time spent in sedentary activities and in light physical activities (P > 0.05). Conclusion Lower time spent in sedentary activities and higher time spent in light physical activities are associated with lower blood pressure, without affecting arterial stiffness and cardiac autonomic modulation in hypertensive patients.

Cross-cultural equivalence and psychometric proprieties of the social support scale for healthy eating habits

Objective: To assess the cross-cultural equivalence and psychometric proprieties of the Brazilian version of the Eating Habits Social Support Scale. Methods: The scale was administered to 381 subjects aged 24 to 86 years from Recife and Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Cross-cultural equivalence was evaluated by expert agreement. The psychometric proprieties were assessed by factor validity (factor analysis), internal consistency (Cronbachs alpha), and reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient), using a test-retest with an interval of seven days. Results: Factor analysis identified two factors for each social support group (friends and family). The questions were clustered by type of social support (positive or negative comments). The eigenvalues for family social support were 3.22 and 3.00, corresponding to 62.2% of the total variance. For friend social support, the eigenvalues were 3.02 and 2.95, explaining 59.7% of the total variance. In the internal consistency analysis, the alpha values ranged from 0.83 to 0.75. The reproducibility intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.676 to 0.873. All these values were acceptable, indicating the validity and reliability of the scale. Conclusion: The Brazilian version of the Eating Habits Social Support Scale presented cross-cultural equivalence and psychometric characteristics that were appropriate for Brazilian adults and older adults. This scale is easy to use and obtained high scores for question clarity and answer options.

Chronic resistance training does not affect post-exercise blood pressure in normotensive older women: a randomized controlled trial

Resistance training has been recommended for maintenance or improvement of the functional health of older adults, but its effect on acute cardiovascular responses remains unclear. Thus, the purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of 12xa0weeks of resistance training on post-exercise blood pressure (BP) in normotensive older women. Twenty-eight normotensive and physically inactive women (≥60xa0years) were randomly assigned to a training group (TG) or a control group (CG). The TG underwent a resistance training program (12xa0weeks, 8 exercises, 2 sets, 10–15 repetitions, 3xa0days/week), while the CG performed stretching exercises (12xa0weeks, 2 sets, 20xa0s each, 2xa0days/week). At baseline and after the intervention, participants were randomly submitted to two experimental sessions: a resistance exercise session (7 exercises, 2 sets, 10–15 repetitions) and a control session. BP was obtained pre- and post-sessions (90xa0min), through auscultation. Post-exercise hypotension was observed for systolic, diastolic, and mean BP in the TG (−6.1, −3.4, and −4.3xa0mmHg, respectively; Pu2009<u20090.05) and in the CG (−4.1, −0.7, and −1.8xa0mmHg, respectively; Pu2009<u20090.05). After the intervention period, the magnitude and pattern of this phenomenon for systolic, diastolic, and mean BP were similar between groups (TG −8.8, −4.1, and −5.7xa0mmHg, respectively; Pu2009<u20090.05 vs CG −11.1, −5.8, and −7.6xa0mmHg, respectively; Pu2009<u20090.05). These results indicate that a single session of resistance exercise promotes reduction in post-exercise BP and 12xa0weeks of resistance training program do not change the occurrence or magnitude of this hypotension. (ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT02346981)

Physical activity levels and hepatic steatosis: a longitudinal follow up study in adults

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of physical activity (PA) on the course of hepatic steatosis (HS) in adults.

Pedômetros: estratégia de promoção da atividade física em idosos

Physical inactivity is a major public health problem, being one of the main risk factors for developing chronic diseases. To contribute to discussions on physical inactivity, this communication aims to describe a strategy for behavior change aimed at promoting physical activity among elderly through the distribution of pedometers. Elderly enrolled in health centers in Florianopolis city, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, participated in the behavior change program (VAMOS-Vida Ativa Melhorando a Saude). Based on the reports recorded during the weekly meetings, it was observed that the pedometer, equipment received by the elderly, was a motivating factor and helped the elderly increase and / or maintain the number of minutes spent in moderate physical activities. It is worth noting that the success of this strategy was only possible due to the relationship information / education / action. It is suggested that this strategy of promoting physical activity can be offered to other elderly in Florianopolis and that can be developed in other Brazilian cities.

Does leisure-time physical activity attenuate or eliminate the positive association between obesity and high blood pressure?

We examine the joint association of weight status and leisure‐time physical activity on high blood pressure in a nationally representative sample of adults and older adults in Brazil. This was a national cross‐sectional survey conducted in Brazil in 2013 (Brazilian Health Survey). The sample consisted of 59 402 participants (56% women, aged 18 to 100 years). Outcome was objectively assessed blood pressure. Body mass index (BMI) was objectively measured, while self‐reported information on leisure‐time physical activity, TV viewing, chronological age, race, educational status, tobacco smoking, sodium consumption, and hypertension medication was obtained using questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis with adjusted odds ratio was conducted to test the joint association of BMI and leisure‐time physical activity categories on high blood pressure. Overall, compared to normal weight (NW) and physically active group, the NW/inactive (OR = 1.28; 1.04 to 1.58), overweight/active (OR = 1.38; 1.08 to 1.78), overweight/inactive (OR = 1.89; 1.53 to 2.33), obese/active (OR = 2.19; 1.59 to 3.01) and obese/inactive (OR = 2.54; 2.05 to 3.15) groups were 28% to 254% more likely to have high blood pressure. The attenuation and high blood pressure was greater for women and adults than for men and older adults. Thus, leisure‐time physical inactivity and being overweight and obesity were associated with high blood pressure in Brazilian population. Engaging in sufficient level of physical activity during leisure could attenuate, but not eliminate, the negative influence of obesity on high blood pressure in Brazilian adults and older adults.

Association between physical activity and walking capacity with cognitive function in peripheral artery disease patients

OBJECTIVEnTo identify the association between objectively measured physical activity and walking capacity with cognitive function in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease.nnnMETHODSnThis was an observational, cross sectional study. One hundred and thirty patients (age 67xa0±xa08 years) were recruited at a tertiary centre specializing in vascular disease. Cognitive function (global, memory, executive function and attention) was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment tool. Physical activity levels (total, light, and moderate-vigorous) were obtained using an accelerometer. A 6xa0min and 4xa0mxa0walk test were undertaken to assess walking capacity. Crude and covariate adjusted, linear regression analyses confirmed significant associations between physical activity levels and walking capacity with cognitive function.nnnRESULTSnPositive and significant associations were observed between moderate to vigorous physical activity (pxa0=xa0.039) and walking capacity (pxa0=xa0.030) with memory after adjusting for covariates. No significant association was identified between light physical activity and usual gait speed with any cognitive function outcome.nnnCONCLUSIONnGreater memory performance was associated with greater moderate to vigorous physical activity levels and walking capacity in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease. Clinical interventions focused on improving moderate to vigorous physical activity levels and walking capacity may provide important therapies to potentially enhance cognitive health in patients with peripheral artery disease.

Effect of resistance training with different frequencies and subsequent detraining on muscle mass and appendicular lean soft tissue, IGF-1, and testosterone in older women

Abstract Objective: To analyse the effect of resistance training (RT) frequency on muscle mass, appendicular lean soft tissue, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), testosterone, and their changes with detraining in older women. Methods: Forty-five physically independent older women (≥ 60u2005years) were randomly assigned to perform RT either two (G2X, n = 21) or three times/week (G3X, n = 24), during 12u2005weeks (8 exercises, 1 set of 10–15 repetition maximum). Muscle mass and appendicular lean soft tissue, IGF-1, testosterone, and dietary intake were measured at pre-training, post-training, and after detraining (12u2005weeks). Results: Muscle mass and appendicular lean soft tissue significantly increased post-training (G2Xu2009=u2009+5.5% and G3Xu2009=u2009+5.8%, Pu2009<u2009.0001) with no differences between groups, and gains were retained after detraining (G2Xu2009=u2009100% and G3Xu2009=u200999%, Pu2009<u2009.0001). IGF-1 and dietary intake did not change for the groups during the study. Testosterone did not change post-training but significantly decreased after detraining (G2Xu2009=u2009−21% and G3Xu2009=u2009−50%, Pu2009<u2009.0001). Conclusion: We conclude that lower RT frequency is as effective as higher frequency to improve muscle mass and appendicular lean soft tissue, and to maintain testosterone and IGF-1. Additionally, detraining may reduce testosterone regardless of RT frequency. These results are specifically for community-dwelling older women and may not be generalized to other populations.

Effectiveness of a Behavior Change Program on Physical Activity and Eating Habits in Patients With Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUNDnThis study aimed to analyze the effect of a behavior change program, called Vida Ativa Melhorando a Saúde (VAMOS), on physical activity, eating habits, and quality of life in patients with hypertension.nnnMETHODSnA randomized controlled trial was carried out in 90 patients with hypertension (57.8u2009±u20099.9xa0y). They were randomly assigned to 2 groups: VAMOS group (nu2009=u200945) and control group (nu2009=u200945). The VAMOS group participated in a behavioral change program aimed at motivating changes in physical activity and nutrition behavior for 12 weeks. Physical activity, eating habits, quality of life, self-efficacy, and social support were evaluated at preintervention and postintervention.nnnRESULTSnThe control group increased sedentary time (407u2009±u200987 vs 303u2009±u2009100xa0min/d; Pu2009<u2009.05) and sedentary bouts (434u2009±u200986 vs 336u2009±u200998xa0min/d; Pu2009<u2009.05) and reduced total physical activity (553u2009±u200987 vs 526u2009±u200986xa0min/d; Pu2009<u2009.05). The VAMOS group improved the general healthy eating habits score (36.9u2009±u20096.6 vs 43.4u2009±u20095.8; Pu2009<u2009.05) and quality of life (44% vs 92%; Pu2009<u2009.05).nnnCONCLUSIONnThe VAMOS program was effective in improving eating habits and quality of life in patients with hypertension.