Leonardo José da Silva

Association between levels of physical activity and use of medication among older women

The aim of this study was to determine the association between levels of physical activity and usage of medication in older women. The level of physical activity was assessed using a pedometer. Use of medication was assessed through medical records supplied in reports kept by the Family Health Program, City Health Department, São Caetano do Sul, São Paulo State, Brazil. Regular use of pharmaceuticals, regardless of type of illness or treatment, was listed. Data analysis was performed using Poisson regression to estimate the prevalence ratio. The results of the study indicated that, amongst the 271 eligible women, 84.9% had been classified as active. Only 23.2% did not use any type of medication while 29.8% used three or more medications. The level of physical activity was inversely associated with the number of medications used, under both crude analysis and after adjustment. The study concluded that higher volumes of physical activity were significantly associated with lower usage of pharmaceuticals in women who are involved in a physical activity program.

Modifications of adiposity in school-age children according to nutritional status: a 20-year analysis

OBJECTIVE To analyze adiposity changes in school-age children over a 20 year-period, according to nutritional status. METHODS The study is part of the Ilhabela Longitudinal Mixed Project on Growth, Development and Physical Fitness. A sample of 1,095 school students of both sexes, from 7 to 10 years, met the following inclusion criteria: (a) at least one complete assessment in one of the analyzed periods; (b) to be in prepubertal stage of sexual maturation; (c) to be apparently healthy. The periods analyzed were 1990/1991 (initial), 2000/2001 (10 years) and 2010/2011 (20 years). The variables analyzed were: body weight, height and adiposity through individual analysis of each skinfold. Children were classified as eutrophic, overweight and obese, according to the curves of body mass index for age and sex proposed by the World Health Organization. The statistical analysis used was one-way ANOVA, followed by Scheffés post-hoc test, with p < 0.01. RESULTS In boys, the largest increase occurred in the overweight group, followed by the obese and eutrophic groups. In girls, the largest increases occurred in the groups with overweight and eutrophic children, followed by the obese group. CONCLUSION During the 20-year period analyzed, there were changes in adiposity, even when the nutritional status was controlled, showing that individuals who have similar body mass indexes may vary in proportion and distribution of subcutaneous adipose tissue. In both sexes, the increase was higher in the overweight group, and mainly in central skinfolds.

Association between knee alignment, body mass index and physical fitness variables among students: a cross-sectional study

Objective To assess the association between malalignment of the knees (genu valgum) and variables of physical fitness among schoolchildren. Methods We analyzed data collected between the years 2000 to 2009. The sample comprised 1,141 schoolchildren of both sexes aged 06 to 18 years. To participate in the research, the students must meet the following criteria: age between 6 and 18 years and a full assessment of physical fitness, including measurement of genu valgus in at least one of the semester assessments. Postural evaluation (valgus) was determined by the intermalleolar distance, in centimeter. Body Mass Index (BMI) determined through the growth curves of the World Health Organization. Physical fitness variables (strength of upper and lower limbs, agility, speed and flexibility), were taken according to CELAFISCS standardization. Results Among male students it was found a prevalence of 23.2% obese, 44.4% overweight and 32.4% eutrophic. Among females, the values were: 30.9% obese, overweight 39.5% and 20.6% eutrophic. When analyzing the prevalence of valgus according to the BMI classifications it was, found a significant positive association in both sexes. Association was found between genu valgum and upper limbs strength only in crude analysis. The other variables, agility, speed and flexibility were not associated even when the analysis was adjusted. Conclusion there was a positive association between malalignment of the knees, body mass index and physical fitness among schoolchildren.

Estabilidade das variáveis de aptidão física e capacidade funcional de mulheres fisicamente ativas de 50 a 89 anos

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a physical activity program and the stability of physical fitness and functional capacity in physically active adult women. Thirty-four adult women aged 50-89 years, who participated in a physical activity group at Camilo Castelo Branco University, were studied. Criteria for inclusion were attendance of at least 75% of the classes (3x/week) and undergoing at least one assessment per year between 2005 and 2007. All evaluations were conducted in June. Anthropometric (body weight, height, waist-hip ratio), neuromotor (rising from a chair in seconds, rising from a chair in 30 seconds, elbow flexion, shuttle-run, static and dynamic balance), and metabolic parameters (2-min step in place test according to the CELAFISCS standard) were evaluated. One-way ANOVA followed by the post hoc Scheffe test, delta percentage and Spearman’s rho correlation were used for data analysis, with the level of significance set at p<0.05. In the three evaluations, body weight, body mass index and waist-hip ratio indicated overweight. Analysis of functional capacity showed a significant increase in upper (42%) and lower (5.2%) limb strength and in balance (14.1%) when comparing the results from 2005 to 2007. The same was not observed for agility (2.1%). For body mass index, waist-hip ratio, strength and static balance, stability ranged from 0.26 to 0.91 (p<0.05. The physical activity program contributed to the maintenance of physical fitness and functional capacity in adult women.

The prevalence of physical activity and its associated effects among students in the São Paulo public school network, Brazil

The current study evaluated physical activity (PA) level and its associated effects among students in the public network of São Paulo, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was taken using a representative sample of students in São Paulo public school system. International Physical Activity Questionnaire determined PA level. Students who reported at least 300 minutes/week of PA were considered active. The independente variables were: gender, age, body mass index, education, region, recognition of the Agita São Paulo program. The prevalence of regular PA was 71.7%. Males (PR = 1.09, 95% CIs = 1.04 -1.15) at least 17 years old (PR = 1.16, 95% CIs 1.09-1.24) in their 3rd year of high school (PR = 1.20, 95% CIs = 1.12-1.29) who resided in the Midwest region (PR = 1.27, 95% CIs 1.16-1.38) were most likely to be active. Males at least 17 years old in their 3rd year of high school who lived in the Midwest and recognized the Agita São Paulo/Agita Galera program had higher levels of PA. São Paulo students presented a high level of PA. Moreover, males older than 17 years, attending their 3rd year of high school, who lived in the Midwest region, and recognized the Agita São Paulo/Agita Galera program were the most likely to be more active.

Stability of physical fitness and functional capacity in physically active women aged 50 to 89 years

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a physical activity program and the stability of physical fitness and functional capacity in physically active adult women. Thirty-four adult women aged 50-89 years, who participated in a physical activity group at Camilo Castelo Branco University, were studied. Criteria for inclusion were attendance of at least 75% of the classes (3x/week) and undergoing at least one assessment per year between 2005 and 2007. All evaluations were conducted in June. Anthropometric (body weight, height, waist-hip ratio), neuromotor (rising from a chair in seconds, rising from a chair in 30 seconds, elbow flexion, shuttle-run, static and dynamic balance), and metabolic parameters (2-min step in place test according to the CELAFISCS standard) were evaluated. One-way ANOVA followed by the post hoc Scheffe test, delta percentage and Spearman’s rho correlation were used for data analysis, with the level of significance set at p<0.05. In the three evaluations, body weight, body mass index and waist-hip ratio indicated overweight. Analysis of functional capacity showed a significant increase in upper (42%) and lower (5.2%) limb strength and in balance (14.1%) when comparing the results from 2005 to 2007. The same was not observed for agility (2.1%). For body mass index, waist-hip ratio, strength and static balance, stability ranged from 0.26 to 0.91 (p<0.05. The physical activity program contributed to the maintenance of physical fitness and functional capacity in adult women.

Stability of physical fitness and functional capacity in physically active women aged 50 to 89 years. DOI: 10.5007/1980-0037.2011v13n1p8

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a physical activity program and the stability of physical fitness and functional capacity in physically active adult women. Thirty-four adult women aged 50-89 years, who participated in a physical activity group at Camilo Castelo Branco University, were studied. Criteria for inclusion were attendance of at least 75% of the classes (3x/week) and undergoing at least one assessment per year between 2005 and 2007. All evaluations were conducted in June. Anthropometric (body weight, height, waist-hip ratio), neuromotor (rising from a chair in seconds, rising from a chair in 30 seconds, elbow flexion, shuttle-run, static and dynamic balance), and metabolic parameters (2-min step in place test according to the CELAFISCS standard) were evaluated. One-way ANOVA followed by the post hoc Scheffe test, delta percentage and Spearman’s rho correlation were used for data analysis, with the level of significance set at p<0.05. In the three evaluations, body weight, body mass index and waist-hip ratio indicated overweight. Analysis of functional capacity showed a significant increase in upper (42%) and lower (5.2%) limb strength and in balance (14.1%) when comparing the results from 2005 to 2007. The same was not observed for agility (2.1%). For body mass index, waist-hip ratio, strength and static balance, stability ranged from 0.26 to 0.91 (p<0.05. The physical activity program contributed to the maintenance of physical fitness and functional capacity in adult women.