Darlan Lopes de Farias

Decreased functional capacity and muscle strength in elderly women with metabolic syndrome

Purpose To compare the metabolic parameters, flexibility, muscle strength, functional capacity, and lower limb muscle power of elderly women with and without the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods This cross-sectional study included 28 older women divided into two groups: with the MetS (n = 14; 67.3 ± 5.5 years; 67.5 ± 16.7 kg; 1.45 ± 0.35 m; 28.0 ± 7.6 kg/m2), and without the MetS (n = 14; 68.7 ± 5.3 years; 58.2 ± 9.9 kg; 1.55 ± 0.10 m; 24.3 ± 3.8 kg/m2). Body composition was evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and dynamic muscle strength was assessed by one-maximum repetition (1RM) tests in leg press, bench press and biceps curl exercises. Six-minute walk test, Timed Up and Go (TUG); 30-second sitting-rising; arm curl using a 2-kg dumbbell, sit-and-reach (flexibility), and vertical jump tests were performed. Results There was no difference between groups regarding age (P = 0.49), height (P = 0.46), body fat (%) (P = 0.19), systolic (P = 0.64), diastolic (P = 0.41) and mean blood pressure (P = 0.86), 30-second sitting-rising (P = 0.57), 30-s arm curl (P = 0.73), leg press 1RM (P = 0.51), bench press 1RM (P = 0.77), and biceps curl 1RM (P = 0.85). However, women without the MetS presented lower body mass (P = 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.0001), waist circumference (P = 0.02), waist-to-height ratio (P = 0.02), fat body mass (kg) (P = 0.05), lean body mass (kg) (P = 0.02), blood glucose (P = 0.05), triglycerides (P = 0.03), Z-score for the MetS (P = 0.05), higher high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (P = 0.002), better performance on TUG (P = 0.01), flexibility (P = 0.03), six-minute walk test (P = 0.04), vertical jump (P = 0.05) and relative muscle strength for leg press (P = 0.03), bench press (P = 0.04) and biceps curl (P = 0.002) exercises as compared to women with the MetS. Conclusion Elderly women with the MetS have higher metabolic risk profile and lower functional capacity, muscle strength, lower limb power and flexibility as compared to women without the MetS. The evaluation of functional capacity may help to determine the degree of physical decline in older persons with the MetS, while exercise interventions should be encouraged.

Relação da circunferência do pescoço com a força muscular relativa e os fatores de risco cardiovascular em mulheres sedentárias

OBJECTIVE To verify the relation of neck circumference and relative muscle strength and cardiovascular risk factors in sedentary women. METHODS A cross-sectional study with 60 premenopausal women (33.9±9.1 years; 67.4±13.6kg; 1.57±0.6cm and 27.2±5.3kg/m²). Based on the neck circumference, the sample was divided into two groups: Group Circumference <35cm (n=27) and Group Circumference >35cm (n=33) to compare relative muscle strength and cardiovascular risk factors. The correlation between variables was tested by Pearson and Spearman correlations, with a significance level established at p<0.05. RESULTS The findings revealed that women with neck circumference >35cm presented higher values of body mass, waist circumference, body adiposity index, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin and volume of visceral fat when compared with the group with neck circumference <35cm. Additionally, the group with larger neck circumference presented lower values of relative strength. CONCLUSION Neck circumference seems to be an important predictive factor of cardiovascular risk and of relative strength loss in middle-aged sedentary women.

Understanding the individual responsiveness to resistance training periodization

This study was designed to compare the effects of linear periodization (LP) and undulating periodization (UP) on functional capacity, neuromuscular function, body composition, and cytokines in elderly sedentary women. We also aimed to identify the presence of high responders (HR), medium responders (MR), and low responders (LR) for irisin, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to resistance training (RT). Forty-nine elderly women were assigned to a control group, LP, and UP scheme. Functional capacity, body composition, maximal strength, irisin, TLR-4, BDNF, and IL-1β were evaluated. Both periodization models were effective in improving 45° leg press 1RM, chair-stand, arm curl, and time-up and go tests, with no significant differences in body composition and cytokines. Furthermore, HR, MR, and LR were identified for irisin, IL-1β, TLR-4, and BDNF, with differences between groups and moments. This study provides evidence that both periodization models were effective in improving functional capacity and neuromuscular function, with no effect on body composition and cytokines (probably as a consequence of the different responsiveness). Furthermore, for the first time, HR, MR, and LR were identified for irisin, IL1-β, TLR-4, and BDNF in response to RT.

Elderly women with metabolic syndrome present higher cardiovascular risk and lower relative muscle strength

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the metabolic, anthropometric, arterial blood pressure, and muscle strength parameters of elderly women with and without metabolic syndrome. Methods: A case-control study with 27 (67.3±4.8 years of age, 31.0±5.0kg/m2) elderly women with metabolic syndrome and 33 (68.8±5.6 years of age, 27.2±5.3kg/m2) sedentary control elderly women. They were submitted to an evaluation of body composition by means of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and muscle strength testing with 10 maximal repetitions of knee extension. Results: When compared to the elderly women without metabolic syndrome, those with the metabolic syndrome had higher levels for body mass (72.2±13.5 versus 63.4±14.6kg, p=0.03), body mass index (31.0±5.0 versus 27.2±5.3kg/m2, p=0.007), fat mass (30.9±9.9 versus 24.4±8.5kg, p=0.01), systolic arterial pressure (125.1±8.2 versus 119.3±8.7mmHg, p=0.01), diastolic arterial pressure (75.5±6.9 versus 71.4±6.7mmHg, p=0.03), mean arterial pressure (92.5±6.2 versus 87.1±6.7mmHg, p=0.004), blood glucose (103.8±19.1 versus 91.1±5.9mg/dL, p=0.001), triglycerides (187.1±70.2 versus 116.3±36.7mg/dL, p=0.001), and creatine kinase (122.6±58.6 versus 89.8±32.5U/L, p=0.01); lower levels were found for fat-free mass (55.9±5.8 versus 59.3±6.7%; p=0.05), HDL-C (40.7±5.0 versus 50.5±10.1mg/dL, p=0.001), and relative muscle strength (0.53±0.14 versus 0.62±0.12, p=0.01). Conclusion: Elderly women with metabolic syndrome have a higher cardiovascular risk and less relative muscle strength when compared to those without metabolic syndrome. Relative muscle strength may be related to the cardiovascularr risk factors of the metabolic syndrome.

Sustained effect of resistance training on blood pressure and hand grip strength following a detraining period in elderly hypertensive women: a pilot study.

Introduction Hypertension is the most prevalent modifiable risk factor with a high prevalence among older adults. Exercise is a nonpharmacological treatment shown to benefit all patients with hypertension. Objective This study examined the effects of a 14-week moderate intensity resistance training program (RT) on the maintenance of blood pressure and hand grip strength during an extended detraining period in elderly hypertensive women. Methods Twelve hypertensive sedentary elderly women completed 14 weeks of whole body RT at a moderate perceived exertion following a detraining period of 14 weeks. Results Following the training period, participants demonstrated an increase in absolute hand grip strength (P=0.001), relative hand grip strength (P=0.032) and a decrease of systolic (P=0.001), diastolic (P=0.008), and mean blood pressure (P=0.002) when compared to pre-exercise values. In addition, these effects were sustained after 14 weeks of detraining. Conclusion Resistance training may be a valuable method to improve muscular strength and blood pressure in elderly people with benefits being maintained up to 14 weeks following training cessation.

Identification of high responders for interleukin-6 and creatine kinase following acute eccentric resistance exercise in elderly obese women

OBJECTIVES Resistance exercise is used as a non-pharmacological tool to elicit both gains in and maintenance of physical function in the elderly. Thus, the present study examined the acute response of creatine kinase and interleukin-6 following an eccentric resistance exercise session in elderly obese women classified as high responders or normal responders. DESIGN Cross-sectional field study. METHODS Ninety elderly obese women (69.4 ± 6.01 years) were tested for a 10 repetition maximum on the leg extension exercise and then completed an acute eccentric resistance exercise session consisting of seven sets of 10 repetitions at 110% of 10 repetition maximum with a rest of 3 min between sets. Subjects were divided into normal response or high response on the basis of the peak serum interleukin-6 (NR = 59 and HR = 7) and creatine kinase (NR = 81 and HR = 9) concentration being greater than (HR) or less than (NR) the 90th percentile. RESULTS Creatine kinase was higher at 0 h, 3h, 24h and 48 h following the ERE for the HR group. The peak creatine kinase was significantly higher in HR group versus the normal response group. The average increase in the serum interleukin-6 Δ for the HR group (∼ 850%) was significantly higher versus the normal response group (∼ 55%). Serum interleukin-6 was significantly higher at 0 h and 24h following eccentric resistance exercise only for the high response group, while peak levels were significantly higher in high response group versus the normal response group (p ≤ 0.005). Only one subject met the criteria to be classified as high response for both creatine kinase and interleukin-6 responsiveness. CONCLUSIONS Elderly individuals classified as high response experienced greater creatine kinase and interleukin-6 responses to ERE. Thus, a prudent approach for eccentric resistance exercise prescription might be programming additional recovery days and/or lower intensity training, especially in the beginning stages of a program.

Interleukin-6 − 174G/C gene polymorphism affects muscle damage response to acute eccentric resistance exercise in elderly obese women

The IL-6 gene polymorphism has been associated with disease prevalence and different physiological responses to exercise. Eccentric resistance exercise (ERE) is considered a nonpharmacological tool to prevent the chronic degenerative profile associated with aging and obesity. Consequently, the aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of IL-6 -174G/C polymorphism on acute interleukin-6 (IL-6) and creatine kinase (CK) temporal response to ERE in elderly obese women. Ninety women completed seven sets of ten repetitions (eccentric only) of an acute ERE session at 110% of the ten repetitions maximum (10RM). IL-6 genotypes displayed no difference at baseline. ERE induced changes in CK concentration over time occurred only in the GG group, F(2.619, 136.173)=5.199, p=0.003, with CK activity increased from 106.8±6.9 U/l pre-intervention to 122.7±11.2 U/l at 24 h and 131.9±14.4 U/l at 48 h post-exercise. IL-6 concentration in the GG group was lower than the CC/CG group only at 0 h post-exercise (3.78±0.58 pg/ml versus 6.51±1.91 pg/ml, p=0.030). Only the GG genotype group had higher CK activity 24-48 h following ERE and greater CK integral values, while IL-6 activity over 48 h was higher in the CC/CG genotype group. In conclusion, IL-6 genotype affects CK and IL-6 in response to ERE. It is of interest that the ERE protocol induced an elevation in CK, indicating possible muscle damage without exacerbating IL-6 and CK for the GG genotype.

Reliability of Vertical Jump Performance evaluated with contact mat in elderly women

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the vertical jump (VJ) using a contact mat in elderly women. Thirty‐one physically active women aged 69·5 ± 5·6 years participated in this study. Jump performance was evaluated with a contact mat. The first testing session (s1) consisted of four countermovement jumps interspersed with 40 s rest intervals. After a period of 5–7 days, volunteers performed the second session (s2) utilizing the same procedures. The intersession statistical analysis was calculated considering the two highest jumps, one obtained in each section. The intra‐session analysis utilized all eight jumps, all four from each section, and the differences between means were calculated by repeated measures ANOVA. Reliability was tested using the intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC) and agreement by the Bland–Altman method. The intra‐ and inter‐subject variation percentage was calculated by the coefficient of variation (CV). Results: The intersession results displayed a high ICC (0·91; P<0·001) and a good agreement verified by the Bland–Altman method. There was a significant difference in the intra‐session analysis only in s2 between the jumps 2 and 4. Both in s1 and s2, the ICC was high (0·96; P<0·001; 0·95; P<0·001), and the within session reliability CV was low (10·14% and 9·07%). Conclusion: In physically active elderly women, VJ evaluation using a contact mat is a reliable method and could be used to estimate jump height. Additionally, the results of this study could serve as reference values in similar samples evaluated with the same procedures.

Variáveis cardiovasculares durante e após a prática do VÍDEO GAME ativo "Dance Dance Revolution" e televisão

Abstract: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide and the pathological processes associated with their development in the early childhood. The objective of this study was to investigate the cardiovascular responses during and after the practice of video game interactive and television. The sample consisted of eight healthy children (9.8 ± 0.5 years, 30.1 ± 3.4 kg, 133.3 cm ± 13.6, 17.4 ± 4.7 kg/m 2 ). The study consisted of three sessions, where the 1st was FAM – for anthropometric measurement and procedures familiarization, and the other sessions, were performed in randomized order; DDR - Dance Dance Revolution: the volunteers realized 30 min in the beginner level; TV - 30 min watching a children’s cartoon (Ben 10 and Sponge Bob). The heart rate (HR), systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were measured at rest and during the 10th, 20th and 30th minutes of activity and recovery in the 2nd 10th, 20th, 30th and 40th min. Statistical analysis was checked for normal distribution of data by Kolgomorov-Smirnov test, ANOVA, one-way MANOVA with post hoc Scheffe for comparison between sessions, ANOVA repeated measures, comparing the times of each session. The significance level was p ≤ 0.05 (ESTATISTICA 6.0). The results show a significant rise in HR, SBP and MAP during the DDR (30min: 110bpm, 116.3 and 89.6 mmHg) compared to the TV (30min: 86.7 bpm, 102 mmHg and 70.3mmHg). There was a downward trend in HR and SBP at 40 min of recovery after session DDR, as well as an upward trend in HR, SBP, DBP, and MAP after TV when compared to the rest, but these were not significant (p>0,05). We conclude that video game is an interesting alternative of active playing, which might bring cardiovascular benefits. If these BP values be maintained throughout the day during childhood, we may expect a better health during adulthood what, in turn, may be important for public health.

Combined Exercise in HIV Treatment: Prospects for Non Pharmacological Therapy

The physical exercise is a tool that assists the treatment of various diseases because it improves from aspects of functional capacity (mobility, balance, muscle strength) to the risk factors for several diseases (obesity, Diabetes mellitus, systemic arterial hypertension). Among the many exercise types, the combined physical training has been considered a very interesting method due to responses generated in several populations, for instance, people living with HIV/AIDS.