Pedro Acosta-Manzano

Association of physical fitness, body composition, cardiometabolic markers and adherence to the Mediterranean diet with bone mineral density in perimenopausal women. The FLAMENCO project

ABSTRACT This study aimed to analyse the association of different components of physical fitness, body composition, cardiometabolic markers and the Mediterranean diet with bone mineral density (BMD) in perimenopausal women, and to test which of these components are independently associated with BMD. The sample comprised 197 perimenopausal women (52.6 ± 4.5 years). Physical fitness was assessed with the “Senior Fitness Test” battery and the handgrip strength and Bruce tests. Fat and lean mass and BMD were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We analysed the markers of metabolic syndrome, C-reactive protein, and components of the Mediterranean diet. Handgrip muscle strength (β = 0.212, P = 0.005), body weight (β = 0.244, P = 0.001), BMI (β = 0.180, P = 0.011) and lean mass (β = 0.379, P < 0.001) were positively associated with BMD. No associations were observed between cardiometabolic markers or the Mediterranean diet with BMD (all P > 0.05). When all relevant indicators of BMD were simultaneously considered, lean mass was the only 1 showing an independent association with BMD (β = 0.392, P < 0.001), explaining 14% of the BMD variability. In conclusion, muscle strength might be a marker of BMD in perimenopausal women. However, lean mass was the only factor independently associated with BMD. Future research to determine whether increasing lean mass through specific exercise-based interventions contributes to increasing BMD is warranted.

Effects of supervised aerobic and strength training in overweight and grade I obese pregnant women on maternal and foetal health markers: the GESTAFIT randomized controlled trial

BackgroundDuring pregnancy, a sedentary lifestyle may have negative consequences on maternal and foetal health status. The main objective of this project is to assess the effects of an exercise intervention in overweight and grade I obese pregnant on maternal and foetal health markers.Methods/designThe present study aims to recruit 60 overweight and grade I obese women interested in participating in an exercise intervention program from the 17th gestational week until delivery. Women will be randomized to either an exercise (three 60-min sessions/week of combined aerobic and strength training and pelvic floor exercises), or usual care (control) group (30 women per group). The primary outcome measures are maternal weight gain, and maternal and neonatal glycaemic profile. Secondary outcome measures are: i) perinatal obstetric records; i) body composition; iii) dietary patterns; iv) physical fitness; v) low-back pain; vi) objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour; vii) haematology and biochemical analyses; viii) oxidative stress; ix) pro- and anti-inflammatory markers; x) bone health biomarkers; xi) sleep quality; xii) mental health, quality of life and positive health.DiscussionThe findings of this project will help to identify strategies for primary prevention and health promotion based on this exercise-based intervention program among overweight and grade I obese pregnant women.Trial registrationNCT02582567; Date of registration: 20/10/2015

Physiological responses to acute cold exposure in young lean men

The aim of this study was to comprehensively describe the physiological responses to an acute bout of mild cold in young lean men (n = 11, age: 23 ± 2 years, body mass index: 23.1 ± 1.2 kg/m2) to better understand the underlying mechanisms of non-shivering thermogenesis and how it is regulated. Resting energy expenditure, substrate metabolism, skin temperature, thermal comfort perception, superficial muscle activity, hemodynamics of the forearm and abdominal regions, and heart rate variability were measured under warm conditions (22.7 ± 0.2°C) and during an individualized cooling protocol (air-conditioning and water cooling vest) in a cold room (19.4 ± 0.1°C). The temperature of the cooling vest started at 16.6°C and decreased ~ 1.4°C every 10 minutes until participants shivered (93.5 ± 26.3 min). All measurements were analysed across 4 periods: warm period, at 31% and at 64% of individual´s cold exposure time until shivering occurred, and at the shivering threshold. Energy expenditure increased from warm period to 31% of cold exposure by 16.7% (P = 0.078) and to the shivering threshold by 31.7% (P = 0.023). Fat oxidation increased by 72.6% from warm period to 31% of cold exposure (P = 0.004), whereas no changes occurred in carbohydrates oxidation. As shivering came closer, the skin temperature and thermal comfort perception decreased (all P<0.05), except in the supraclavicular skin temperature, which did not change (P>0.05). Furthermore, the superficial muscle activation increased at the shivering threshold. It is noteworthy that the largest physiological changes occurred during the first 30 minutes of cold exposure, when the participants felt less discomfort.

Association of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time with arterial stiffness in women with systemic lupus erythematosus with mild disease activity

Objectives To examine the association of objectively measured physical activity (PA) intensity levels and sedentary time with arterial stiffness in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with mild disease activity and to analyze whether participants meeting the international PA guidelines have lower arterial stiffness than those not meeting the PA guidelines. Methods The study comprised 47 women with SLE (average age 41.2 [standard deviation 13.9]) years, with clinical and treatment stability during the 6 months prior to the study. PA intensity levels and sedentary time were objectively measured with triaxial accelerometry. Arterial stiffness was assessed through pulse wave velocity, evaluated by Mobil-O-Graph® 24h pulse wave analysis monitor. Results The average time in moderate to vigorous PA in bouts of ≥10 consecutive minutes was 135.1±151.8 minutes per week. There was no association of PA intensity levels and sedentary time with arterial stiffness, either in crude analyses or after adjusting for potential confounders. Participants who met the international PA guidelines did not show lower pulse wave velocity than those not meeting them (b = -0.169; 95% CI: -0.480 to 0.143; P = 0.280). Conclusions Our results suggest that PA intensity levels and sedentary time are not associated with arterial stiffness in patients with SLE. Further analyses revealed that patients with SLE meeting international PA guidelines did not present lower arterial stiffness than those not meeting the PA guidelines. Future prospective research is needed to better understand the association of PA and sedentary time with arterial stiffness in patients with SLE.

Association of objectively measured physical activity and physical fitness with menopause symptoms. The Flamenco Project

Abstract Objective: The primary aim was to analyze the association of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with menopause symptomatology and its overall impact. A secondary/exploratory aim was to assess the association of different components of physical fitness with menopause symptomatology. Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 191 perimenopausal women from Southern Spain (age range 45–60 years, mean age 52.6 ± 4.5 years). The Blatt–Kupperman Menopausal Index was used to evaluate menopause symptomatology. Objectively measured MVPA was registered with accelerometry. Physical fitness was assessed with the Senior Fitness Test battery plus handgrip strength and sit-and-reach tests. Results: After adjustment for multiple confounders, MVPA was only inversely associated with vertigo (r = −0.185, p < 0.05) and palpitations (r = −0.148, p < 0.05). Upper-body flexibility was inversely associated with the Blatt–Kupperman Menopausal Index global score (r = −0.147, p < 0.05). This test was also inversely associated with vertigo (r = −0.230, p < 0.01) and arthralgia (r = −0.168, p < 0.05). Lower-body muscle strength was associated with lower nervousness (r = −0.171, p < 0.05). Cardiorespiratory fitness was inversely associated with paresthesia (r = −0.158, p < 0.05), vertigo (r = −0.219, p < 0.01), fatigue (r = −0.159, p < 0.05) and arthralgia (r = −0.180, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The main findings of the present study indicate a weak association of objectively measured MVPA with menopause symptomatology. Exploratory analyses suggest that upper-body flexibility was associated with slightly lower overall menopause impact whereas neither MVPA nor any physical fitness components studied were associated with vasomotor symptoms.

Sedentary time, physical activity, and sleep quality in fibromyalgia: the al-Ándalus project

To get insight into the potential significance of objectively measured sedentary time (ST), and physical activity (PA) intensity levels on sleep quality (SQ) in women with fibromyalgia; and to assess whether those who meet moderate‐to‐vigorous PA (MVPA) recommendations have better SQ than their counterparts.

Correction: Physiological responses to acute cold exposure in young lean men

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196543.].

Association of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time with health-related quality of life in women with fibromyalgia: the al-Ándalus project.

Highlights • Greater physical activity is related to better health-related quality of life, being moderate-to-vigorous the intensity of physical activity that presented the strongest associations.• The time spent in sedentary behaviours is negatively related to health-related quality of life, independently of the level of physical activity of these patients.• Women with fibromyalgia that accomplish the physical activity recommendations (at least 150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) present better scores in bodily pain and social function domains.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) into Spanish

Abstract Aim: The objective of this study was to translate and transculturally adapt into Spanish the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire. Methods: The translation procedure included a forward step (translation and synthesis) and a quantitative and qualitative control of the usefulness of the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire. Afterwards, a prefinal version of the Spanish adapted questionnaire was pretested on 58 pregnant women from Granada (south of Spain). The content, semantic, technical, conceptual, and experiential equivalents of cultural adaptation were discussed by the research members at each step. Results: After the pre-test, two items of the original Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire were replaced by new items that the team considered more culturally appropriate for Spanish pregnant women. Also, some rewording into the European metric system. The response time ranged from 5 to 15 minutes. These changes were well understood and worked properly in the final version. A final version of the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire was agreed on after a discussion among the research members about the results obtained in the prefinal version. Conclusion: The final Spanish version of the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire has showed cross-cultural equivalence with the original English version.

Influence of a Concurrent Exercise Training Program During Pregnancy on Colostrum and Mature Human Milk Inflammatory Markers: Findings From the GESTAFIT Project

Background: Although exercise reduces systemic inflammation, information regarding its influence on human milk is scarce or inexistent. Research Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of an exercise intervention during pregnancy on colostrum and mature human milk inflammatory markers. Methods: The authors conducted a pseudorandomized controlled trial. The exercise group followed a concurrent aerobic and strength training, three 60-minutes sessions per week, from the 17th gestational week until delivery. For the specific aims of this study, only women able to produce enough milk were included for data analyses, resulting in 24 exercise and 23 control women. Colostrum and mature human milk proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines (fractalkine, interleukin [IL]–1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, interferon [IFN]–γ, and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]–α) were measured using Luminex xMAP technology. Results: The mothers who followed the exercise program had 36% lower IL-8 and 27% lower TNF-α concentrations in their colostrum than those in the control group (p < .05 and p < .01, respectively). The colostrum from mothers who followed the exercise program also presented borderline significant 22% lower IL-6 (p < .100). The mature milk from mothers who followed the exercise program had 30% greater fractalkine (p = .05) and borderline significant 20% higher IL-10 (p = .100). The exercise intervention did not affect IFN-γ concentrations. Conclusions: This concurrent exercise program promoted a less proinflammatory profile in human milk, especially in colostrum. Moreover, it might increase mature human milk fractalkine, which could induce a greater neurodevelopment and neuroprotection in the newborn. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02582567) on October 20, 2015.