Impaired Cardiovascular Parameters in Resistance Training Practitioners Who Take Ergogenic Aids.

BACKGROUND: Although there are studies on blood pressure (BP) and autonomic cardiac control (ACC) impairments caused by ergogenic aids, research has scarcely addressed this analysis during sleep. This study analyzed BP and ACC during sleep and wake periods in three groups of resistance training (RT) practitioners: ergogenic aid non-users, thermogenic supplement (TS) self-users, and anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) self-users. METHODS: RT practitioners were selected for the Control Group (CG; n = 15), TS self-users Group (TSG; n = 15), and AAS self-users Group (AASG; n = 15). All individuals underwent cardiovascular Holter monitoring (BP, ACC) during sleep and wake periods. RESULTS: The maximum systolic BP (SBP) during sleep was higher in AASG (p < 0.01) than CG (p < 0.001). CG had lower mean diastolic BP (DBP) than TSG (p < 0.01) and lower mean SBP (p = 0.009) than the other groups. Additionally, CG had higher values (p < 0.01) than TSG and AASG for SDNN and pNN50 during sleep. HF, LF, and LF/HF ratio values during sleep were statistically different in CG (p < 0.001) from the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that high doses of TS and AAS can impair cardiovascular parameters during sleep in RT practitioners who take ergogenic aids.

Effects of Exercise Training on Cardiovascular and Autonomic Parameters in Stroke Survivors: A Systematic Review

Negative changes in cardiovascular and autonomic variables in stroke survivors have encouraged the global scientific community to focus on investigating therapeutic strategies to mitigate stroke damage. The objective of the present study was to describe the effects of exercise training on cardiovascular and autonomic variables in stroke survivors. We used the PICO (population, intervention, control/comparison, and outcome variables) model for the search of articles in PubMed and Physiotherapy Evidence Databases from 2009 to December 2018. The following data were also recorded: type of study, author, year of publication, participants (time after stroke, sample size, and age) and benefits of exercise training. A total of 544 articles were initially selected, of which nine peer-reviewed articles met the search criteria. These nine studies enrolled 611 participants (middle-aged or elderly), and pointed to positive effects of training on maximal oxygen uptake, peak aerobic capacity, 6-minute walk test and resting heart rate. However, more well-controlled studies are needed to confirm the benefits of exercise training on cardiovascular and autonomic variables in this population

Acute Response to Aerobic Exercise on Autonomic Cardiac Control of Patients in Phase III of a Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program Following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the acute response to aerobic exercise on autonomic cardiac control of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: The study sample consisted of eight patients (age: 58.6±7.7 years; body mass index: 26.7±3.5 kg.m2) who underwent a successful CABG (no complications during surgery and/or in the following weeks). To assess heart rate variability (HRV), participants remained in a supine position with a 30-degree head elevation for 20 minutes. Electrocardiographic signal (protocol with three derivations) was collected from 600 Hz sample rate to obtain beat-to-beat intervals (R-R interval). This assessment was performed before, after one hour and after 24 hours of the exercise session. All patients underwent a 35 minutes aerobic exercise session (AES) (low-moderate intensity) on the cycle ergometer. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in the time domain, with positive changes in root mean square of successive RR interval differences (rMSSD) (ms) (parasympathetic component) (one [P=0.017] and 24 hours [P=0.007] post-session). In the frequency domain, we found a significant difference in high frequency (HF) (ms2) (parasympathetic component) (one hour [P=0.048] post-session). The low frequency (LF)/HF ratio (sympathetic and parasympathetic components with a predominance of the sympathetic component) reached statistical significance only 24 hours (P=0.018) post-session. Additionally, the largest effect size was observed only for the LF/HF ratio at one (d=-0.8) and 24 hours (d=-1.3) after one AES. CONCLUSION: The practice of (acute) aerobic exercise improved autonomic cardiac control in patients undergoing CABG.

Acute response to aerobic exercise on autonomic cardiac control of patients in phase iii of a cardiovascular rehabilitation program following coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the acute response to aerobic exercise on autonomic cardiac control of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: The study sample consisted of eight patients (age: 58.6±7.7 years; body mass index: 26.7±3.5 kg.m2) who underwent a successful CABG (no complications during surgery and/or in the following weeks). To assess heart rate variability (HRV), participants remained in a supine position with a 30-degree head elevation for 20 minutes. Electrocardiographic signal (protocol with three derivations) was collected from 600 Hz sample rate to obtain beat-to-beat intervals (R-R interval). This assessment was performed before, after one hour and after 24 hours of the exercise session. All patients underwent a 35 minutes aerobic exercise session (AES) (low-moderate intensity) on the cycle ergometer. Results: Significant differences were found in the time domain, with positive changes in root mean square of successive RR interval differences (rMSSD) (ms) (parasympathetic component) (one [P=0.017] and 24 hours [P=0.007] post-session). In the frequency domain, we found a significant difference in high frequency (HF) (ms2) (parasympathetic component) (one hour [P=0.048] post-session). The low frequency (LF)/HF ratio (sympathetic and parasympathetic components with a predominance of the sympathetic component) reached statistical significance only 24 hours (P=0.018) post-session. Additionally, the largest effect size was observed only for the LF/HF ratio at one (d=-0.8) and 24 hours (d=-1.3) after one AES. Conclusion: The practice of (acute) aerobic exercise improved autonomic cardiac control in patients undergoing CABG.

Novel Combined Training Approach Improves Sleep Quality but Does Not Change Body Composition in Healthy Elderly Women: A Preliminary Study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a novel combined training protocol on sleep quality and body composition of healthy elderly women. The study sample consisted of 8 sedentary elderly individuals with mean (±SD) of 67 (±8) years of age, 96.0 (±7.8) mg/dL fasting blood glucose, 94.4 (±36.1) mg/dL triglycerides, 179.1 (±22.4) mg/dL total cholesterol, 57.2 (±15.7) mg/dL high-density lipoprotein (HDL), 103.1 (±25.2) mg/dL low-density lipoprotein (LDL), 125.3 (±8.4) mmHg systolic blood pressure, and 72.6 (±10.1) mmHg diastolic blood pressure. The training protocol consisted of resistance training exercises (approximately 18-minute duration) combined with aerobic exercises (approximately 26-minute duration), performed interspersed in the same session, for 8 weeks (3 times a week), with a 24-hour interval rest between each session. Continuous variables were expressed as the mean (±standard deviation) and the paired sample t-test compares baseline with final measurement. The results showed a significant improvement (p = 0.01) in quality of sleep (4.9 ± 1.5 versus 3.8 ± 1.8 for total PSQI index) without body significant improvements in the fat-free mass (59.9 ± 4.0 versus 60.5 ± 4.4; p = 0.20) and fat mass (40.1 ± 4.0 versus 39.5 ± 4.4; p = 0.20) in healthy elderly women. In this sense, the novel combined training proposed may be an effective alternative or adjunct to present therapies aimed at improving the sleep quality in this population.

Resistance Training and Stroke: A Critical Analysis of Different Training Programs.

The aim of this study was to carry out a literature review on the overall benefits of resistance training (RT) after stroke and undertake a critical analysis of the resistance exercise programs surveyed (rest interval between sets and exercises, number of sets, number of repetitions, intensity, duration of training, and weekly frequency). To obtain articles for the review, we searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). Inclusion criteria were considered using the PICO (population, intervention, control/comparison, and outcome variables) model. The following characteristics were recorded for all articles: type of study, author, year of publication, participants (time after stroke, sample size, and age), benefits of RT, and structured resistance exercise programs. Positive effects of training were found on anxiety status, quality of life, muscle hypertrophy, cognitive function, strength, and muscle power. Only 5 studies described the main variables of RT in detail. Lack of control of some variables of RT may negatively affect the results of this practice. The findings of the present study may further inform health and physical conditioning professionals on the importance and necessity of using the main variables in the search for benefits for individuals with stroke.

Application of kinesiotherapy and electrothermotherapy in the treatment of elderly with knee osteoarthrosis: a comparative study / Aplicação da cinesioterapia e eletrotermoterapia no tratamento de idosas com osteoartrose de joelho: estudo comparativo

Abstract Introduction Among the treatment modalities in this disease , the surgical and conservative means stand out through therapy resources such as electro-thermotherapy and kinetic therapy. The general objective of this study was to evaluate the effects from two protocols of physical therapy in elder women with knee osteoarthritis. Methods An experimental clinical trial type study consisting of pre and post tests was performed, in which 30 female patients were selected, all between 61 and 80 years old, diagnosed with primary knee OA, treated at the Center for Comprehensive Health Care for the Elder (CAISI - Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde do Idoso). They were divided into 2 groups of 15 persons for each type of treatment: Group I was treated with kinetic therapy, and group II was treated with electro-thermotherapy. Patients from both groups underwent 36 physical therapy sessions during 12 weeks. For data collection, protocol sheets with socio-demographic data, Body Mass Index (BMI) at kg/m2, visual analogue scale (VAS) and measurement of motion range (ADM) were used. For statistics analysis, the Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon and Chi-square's non-parametric tests were used. Student's parametric tests were also applied as independent samples. Results The tests performed in both groups contributed to the reduction in the level of pain. There were differences in group I and II on the increase of ADM, except in bending the left knee in group II. Conclusion It was concluded that both treatment modalities showed effective therapeutic responses, but these benefits were even higher in OA treatment by kinetic therapy.

Resumo Introdução Dentre as modalidades de tratamento na Osteoartrose, destacam-se a forma cirúrgica e conservadora através dos recursos fisioterapêuticos como a eletrotermoterapia e a cinesioterapia. Objetivo Verificar os efeitos de dois protocolos terapêuticos em mulheres idosas com Osteoartrose de joelho. Métodos Realizou-se um estudo do tipo ensaio clínico não controlado com delineamento pré-teste e pós-teste, onde foram selecionadas para a pesquisa 30 pacientes do sexo feminino, com idade entre 61 a 80 anos, com diagnóstico de Osteoartrose de joelho primária, atendidas em um Centro de Referência Integral à Saúde do Idoso (CAISI), que foram divididas em 2 grupos de 15 pessoas para cada modalidade de terapias: o grupo I foi tratado com a cinesioterapia, e o grupo II foi tratado com eletrotermoterapia. Pacientes de ambos os grupos realizaram 36 atendimentos fisioterapêuticos durante 12 semanas. Para a coleta dos dados foi utilizada ficha protocolo contendo dados sócio-demográficos, índice de massa corporal (IMC), escala visual analógica (EVA) e medida da amplitude do movimento (ADM). Para análise estatística, foram utilizados os testes não paramétricos de Mann-Whitney e Wilcoxon, o teste paramétrico t de Student para amostras independentes e para verificar as associações o teste qui-quadrado. Resultados Os tratamentos realizados nos dois grupos contribuíram para a redução do nível de dor. Houveram diferenças nos grupo I e II quanto ao aumento da ADM, exceto na flexão do joelho esquerdo no grupo II. Conclusões Conclui-se que ambas as modalidades de terapias demonstraram respostas terapêuticas pela redução da dor e melhora da ADM, porém o grupo que foi tratado pela cinesioterapia obteve uma melhora mais acentuada.