Tania Santos Giani

Aerobic resistance, functional autonomy and quality of life (QoL) of elderly women impacted by a recreation and walking program

The present study had as a goal to analyze the impact of a physical activity program (recreation and walking) over the aerobic resistance, the functional autonomy and the quality of life of elderly women. To this experimental study the elderly women (65±6.40 years old) were randomly separated in experimental group (EG, n=31) and a control group (CG, n=28). A 6-min-walking test (aerobic resistance); a protocol of autonomy evaluation of the Latin-American Group for Maturity Development (functional autonomy), and the WHO QoL-old tests were utilized. The intervention happened with classes of recreation and walking practice, three times a week, for 1h, during 4 months. The results found revealed significant improvement for the EG at the aerobic resistance (Δ%=29.06%, p=0.0001), functional autonomy (Δ%=-27.15%, p=0.0001) and QoL (Δ%=15.47%, p=0.0001). It was concluded that the systematic physical exercise interferes in a positive way at the autonomy, aerobic resistance and QoL of the elderly women.

Correlation between static balance and functional autonomy in elderly women

The purpose of the present study was to verify the correlation between static balance and functional autonomy in elderly women. The sample was a random selection of 32 sedentary elderly women (mean age=67.47 ± 7.37 years, body mass index=BMI=27.30 ± 5.07 kg/m(2)), who live in the city of Teresina in the state of Piauí, Brazil. Static balance was analyzed by stabilometric assessment using an electronic baropodometer which measured the average of the amplitude of postural oscillations in the right (RLD) and left (LLD) lateral displacements, anterior (AD) and posterior (PD) displacements, and in the elliptical area (EA) formed by the bodys center of gravity. Functional autonomy was evaluated by a battery of tests from the LADEG protocol which is composed of: a 10 m walk (10 mW), getting up from a seated position (GSP), getting up from the prone position (GPP), getting up from a chair and movement around the house (GCMH), and putting on and taking off a shirt (PTS). The Spearmans correlation coefficient (r) indicated a positive and significant correlation between GPP and LLD (r=0.382; p=0.031), GPP and PD (r=0.398; p=0.024) and GPP and EA (r=0.368; p=0.038). These results show that sedentary elderly women who spent the greatest amount of time performing the GPP test achieved the largest mean amplitude of displacement leading to greater levels of instability.

Comparação da força funcional de membros inferiores e superiores entre idosas fisicamente ativas e sedentárias

The objective of this research was to compare the functional strength of the higher and lower limbs in physically active and sedentary elderly women. The sample consisted of 540 volunteers, divided into: Physically Active Group (PAG) and Sedentary Group (SG), subdivided into: PAG1 (n=107 with 61.6±1.5 years old and BMI=27.1±3.9), PAG2 (n=94, with 66.7±1.3 years old and BMI=27.5±3.6), PAG3 (n=82, with 72.2±1.4 years old and BMI=27.5±3.8), PAG4 (n=75, with 77.2±1.3 years old and BMI=28.1±3.9), SG1 (n=36, with 2.9±1.2 years old and BMI=27.7±4.4), SG2 (n=39, with 67.7±1.3 years old and BMI=28.1±3.1), SG3 (n=49, with 72.5±1.3 years old and BMI=28.3±2.9) and SG4 (n=58, with 77.6±1.1 years old and BMI=28.3±3.8). To measure the variable in question were used the tests Chairs Stand and Arm Curl. The statistic analysis employed the software OFFICE EXCEL 2007 and SPSS16, adopting as significance level: U<0.05. For the functional strength of MMII, all PAG presented significant differences on their respective SG. For the functional strength of MMSS, only PAG1 and PAG2 presented significant differences on the SG1 and SG2. The conclusion is that physical activity programs have been able to maintain, although in limited levels, the functional strength of MMII and MMSS among physically active elderly women.

Elderly quality of life impacted by traditional chinese medicine techniques

Background: The shift in age structure is having a profound impact, suggesting that the aged should be consulted as reporters on the quality of their own lives. Objectives: The aim of this research was to establish the possible impact of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) techniques on the quality of life (QOL) of the elderly. Sample: Two non-selected, volunteer groups of Rio de Janeiro municipality inhabitants: a control group (36 individuals), not using TCM, and an experimental group (28 individuals), using TCM at ABACO/Sohaku-in Institute, Brazil. Methods: A questionnaire on elderly QOL devised by the World Health Organization, the WHOQOL-Old, was adopted and descriptive statistical techniques were used: mean and standard deviation. The Shapiro–Wilk test checked the normality of the distribution. Furthermore, based on its normality distribution for the intergroup comparison, the Student t test was applied to facets 2, 4, 5, 6, and total score, and the Mann–Whitney U rank test to facets 1 and 3, both tests aiming to analyze the P value between experimental and control groups. The significance level utilized was 95% (P < 0.05). Results: The experimental group reported the highest QOL for every facet and the total score. Conclusions: The results suggest that TCM raises the level of QOL.

Hydroxyproline Levels in Young Adults Undergoing Muscular Stretching and Neural Mobilization

Hydroxyproline Levels in Young Adults Undergoing Muscular Stretching and Neural Mobilization This study aimed to assess the acute effect of stretching and neural mobilization on urinary hydroxyproline (HP) levels in young adults. The sample, composed of physical therapy students from Teresina (PI), was divided into three groups: a neural mobilization group (NMG; n=15; age=22±3 years; BMI=24.75±3.09); a static stretching group (SSG; n=15; age=23±4 years; BMI: 25±4.33) and a control group (CG; n=15; age: 24±4 years; BMI: 23.91±3.09). The NMG underwent neural mobilization of the sciatic nerve while engaged in hip flexion with knee extension in a direct, oscillatory and strenuous manner for 60 seconds. The SSG performed passive static stretching, which consisted of the maintenance of a high amplitude posture, without exceeding the limits of the movement, for a period of tension ranging from four to six seconds. Urinary HP was evaluated at the baseline and 24 hours after the intervention using the colorimetric method. Repeated measures ANOVA showed significant intragroup increases in the NMG (Δ7.38 mg/24h; p=0.0001) and the SSG (Δ=3.47 mg/24h; p=0.002) and inter-group increases in the NMG (Δ%=118.89%) when compared to the SSG (Δ%=60.32%; p=0.006) and the CG (Δ%=-0.91%; p=0.0001). These results indicate that the NMG worked with tension beyond the ordinary amplitude arches of articular movement, thus causing a restructuring of collagen. Nivoi Hidroksiprolina Kod Mladih Pacijenata na Terapiji Mišićnog Istezanja i Neuralne Mobilizacije Cilj studije bio je da se proceni akutni efekat istezanja i neuralne mobilizacije na nivoe hidroksiprolina (HP) u urinu mlađih odraslih osoba. Uzorak, koji su činili studenti fizikalne terapije iz Terezine, podeljen je u tri grupe: grupa za neuralnu mobilizaciju (NMG; n=15; starost: 22±3 godine, indeks telesne mase (BMI): 24,75±3,09); grupa za statičko istezanje (SSG; n=15; starost: 23±4 godine; BMI: 23,91±3,09). NMG podvrgnuta je neuralnoj mobilizaciji išijatikusa tokom fleksije kuka uz ekstenziju kolena uz direktan, oscilatoran i naporan pokret tokom 60 sekundi. SSG izvodila je pasivno statičko istezanje, sastavljeno od održavanja položaja s velikom amplitudom, ne prelazeći granice pokreta, za period naprezanja od četiri do šest sekundi. HP u urinu određen je na početku i 24 časa posle intervencije pomoću kolorime-trijske metode. Ponovljena merenja pomoću ANOVA pokazala su značajne poraste u NMG (d=7,38 mg/24h; p=0,0001) i SSG (Δ;=3,47 mg/24h; p=0,002) i poraste u NMG (Δ%=118,89%) u poređenju sa SSG (Δ%=118,89%) u poređenju sa SSG (Δ%=60,32%; p=0,006) i CG (Δ%=-0,91%; p=0,0001). Rezultati ukazuju na to da je NMG radila s tenzijom izvan uobičajenih lukova amplitude artikularnog pokreta, što je izazvalo restrukturaciju kolagena.

Níveis de qualidade de vida em idosas ativas praticantes de dança, musculação e meditação

This study aimed to compare the levels of quality of life between active and sedentary elderly, practitioners of dance, meditation and strengthening. So in this study ex post facto, the sample was divided into four groups: dance group (DG, n = 20, age = 67 ± 4 years), strength group (SG, n = 15, age = 67 ± 5 years), meditation group (MG, n = 15, age = 68 ± 4 years) and the control group (CG, n = 20, age = 68 ± 6 years). The protocol used to assess the quality of life was the questionnaire World Health Organization Quality of Life Group-old - WHOQOL-OLD. In multiple comparisons (Post Hoc Sheffe, or confidence interval) we found satisfactory results in the variables dom1 (Sensory abilities; DGxGC, p = 0006), dom2 (Autonomy; DGxSG, p = 0026; DGxGC, p <0001; SGxGC, p = 0001; MGxGC, p <0001), dom3 (past present and future activities; DGxGC, p = 0004; SGxGC, p = 0033; MGxGC, p <0001), dom4 (Social Participation; DGxGC , CI = +0421, +41479; MGxGC, CI = +4456, 48804), and QVG (DGxGC, p <0001; SGxGC, p = 0033; MGxGC, p <0001). After data exposure, we inferred that the two programs of physical activity (dance and strenghtining) and the practice of meditation had satisfactory results in the trial, contributing to a better quality of life when compared with those presented by the GC.

Assessment of effects of a formula used in the traditional Chinese medicine (Buzhong Yi Qi Wan) on the morphologic and osmotic fragility of red blood cells

Buzhong Yi Qi Wan (BYQW) is a combination of some medicinal herbs widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat blood, spleen and stomach disorders. Morphometric analysis and osmotic fragility assay have been used to evaluate changes on membrane integrity of red blood cells. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of an aqueous BYQW extract on the morphology and osmotic fragility of red blood cells. Blood samples were treated with BYQW extract, quantitative/qualitative morphological analysis and osmotic fragility assay were carried out against control groups treated with saline. The data obtained indicated no modification on morphology but osmotic fragility assay suggested a significant (p<0.05) increasing of hemolysis in red blood cells isolated from blood treated with aqueous BYQW extract. In conclusion, the aqueous BYQW extract could affect the membrane integrity decreasing the osmotic resistance but without altering the shape of red blood cells.