Impact of functional training on geometric indices and fractal correlation property of heart rate variability in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the influence of functional training on the geometric indices of heart rate variability (HRV) and fractal correlation properties of the dynamics of heart rate in menopausal women. METHODS: Of 39 women who were in the period of menopause for more than a year and who did not practice any regular physical activity were divided into: Functional training group (FTG = 50 ± 4.5 years; 67.64 ± 11.64 kg; 1.5 ± 0.05 m) that executed the functional training (FT) and all proposals by reviews and the Control group (58.45 ± 4.8 years; 66.91 ± 13.24 kg; 1.55 ± 0.05 m) who performed all assessments but not FT. The training consisted of 18 weeks (three times a week) and the volunteers performed three sets of 11 functional exercises followed by a walk in each of the sessions. The autonomic nervous system modulation was evaluated by analysis of HRV and the indices obtained were: RR intervals, RRTRI, TINN, SD1, SD2, SD1/SD2, qualitative analysis of Poincaré plot and DFA (alfa-1, alfa-2 and alfa-1/alfa-2). The Student's t-test for unpaired samples (normal data) or Mann-Whitney test nonnormal data) were used to compare the differences obtained between the final moment and the initial moment of the studied groups (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Were observed in the FTG: increased SD1 (CG 0.13 ± 4.00 vs. 3.60 ± 8.43), beat-to-beat global dispersion much greater as an increased in the dispersion of long-term RR intervals and increased fractal properties of short-term (α1) (CG -0.04 ± 0.13 vs. 0.07 ± 0.21). FT promoted a beneficial impact on cardiac autonomic modulation, characterized by increased parasympathetic activity and short-term fractal properties of the dynamics of the heart rate.

Concurrent Training Promoted Sustained Anti-atherogenic Benefits in the Fasting Plasma Triacylglycerolemia of Postmenopausal Women at 1-Year Follow-up.

Rossi, FE, Diniz, TA, Fortaleza, ACS, Neves, LM, Picolo, MR, Monteiro, PA, Buonani, C, Lira, FS, and Freitas, IF Jr. Concurrent training promoted sustained anti-atherogenic benefits in the fasting plasma triacylglycerolemia of postmenopausal women at 1-year follow-up. J Strength Cond Res 32(12): 3573-3582, 2018-The aim of this study was to compare the effects of aerobic and concurrent training (aerobic plus strength training) on the lipid profiles of normotriacylglycerolemic and hypertriacylglycerolemic postmenopausal women and to verify whether the benefits of aerobic and concurrent training were sustained after 1 year. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triacylglycerol (TAG), and glucose were assessed in 46 normotriacylglycerolemic (TAG < 150 mg·dl) postmenopausal women divided into 3 groups: aerobic training, concurrent training (CT), and a control group. For CT group, hypertriacylglycerolemic postmenopausal women were recruited (TAG ≥ 150 mg·dl, n = 14). Total daily caloric consumption and free-living physical activity were evaluated by dietary questionnaires and accelerometer, respectively, and fat mass by DXA. In 16 weeks, CT was effective in increasing HDL-c (normotriacylglycerolemic: pre = 57.1 ± 17.3 mg·dl × post = 64.3 ± 16.1 mg·dl p = 0.020 and hypertriacylglycerolemic: pre = 44.7 ± 9.6 mg·dl × post = 50.3 ± 15.3 mg·dl; p = 0.012) and reducing the atherogenic index in normotriacylglycerolemic (pre = 3.6 ± 0.9 mg·dl × post = 3.0 ± 0.6 mg·dl; p = 0.003) and hypertriacylglycerolemic (pre = 5.2 ± 1.1 mg·dl × post = 4.7 ± 1.2 mg·dl; p = 0.018) postmenopausal women. In addition, the effects were sustained at the 1-year follow-up only among the hypertriacylglycerolemic postmenopausal women. The anti-atherogenic status in normotriacylglycerolemic and hypertriacylglycerolemic postmenopausal women was changed by CT but without significant differences between groups. Furthermore, these benefits are sustained at the 1-year follow-up among the hypertriacylglycerolemic subjects.

Combined Training (Aerobic Plus Strength) Potentiates a Reduction in Body Fat but Demonstrates No Difference on the Lipid Profile in Postmenopausal Women When Compared With Aerobic Training With a Similar Training Load.

The aim of this study was to verify the effects of aerobic and combined training on the body composition and lipid profile of obese postmenopausal women and to analyze which of these models is more effective after equalizing the training load. Sixty-five postmenopausal women (age = 61.0 ± 6.3 years) were divided into 3 groups: aerobic training (AT, n = 15), combined training (CT [strength + aerobic], n = 32), and control group (CG, n = 18). Their body composition upper body fat (TF), fat mass (FM), percentage of FM, and fat-free mass (FFM) were estimated by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The lipid profile, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were assessed. There was a statistically significant difference in the TF (AT = -4.4%, CT = -4.4%, and CG = 1.0%, p = 0.001) and FFM (AT = 1.7%, CT = 2.6%, and CG = -1.4%, p = 0.0001) between the experimental and the control groups. Regarding the percentage of body fat, there was a statistically significant difference only between the CT and CG groups (AT = -2.8%, CT = -3.9%, and CG = 0.31%; p = 0.004). When training loads were equalized, the aerobic and combined training decreased core fat and increased FFM, but only the combined training potentiated a reduction in percentage of body fat in obese postmenopausal women after the training program. High-density lipoprotein-c levels increased in the combined group, and the chol/HDL ratio (atherogenic index) decreased in the aerobic group; however, there were no significant differences between the intervention programs. Taken together, both the exercise training programs were effective for improving body composition and inducing an antiatherogenic status.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Psychophysiological Response in Youth Badminton Athletes During the Season.

PURPOSE: To analyze peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and psychophysiological parameters in youth badminton athletes during the season and to determine the relationship between variables. METHODS: Fourteen young badminton athletes were assessed over the season (preseason, middle season, and final season). Serum BDNF (sBDNF) was determined during the preseason and final season. Sleep time, total physical activity, and time in vigorous activity were measured using an accelerometer. The fat-free mass, skeletal muscle mass, fat mass, handgrip strength, cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), and dietary intake were evaluated during the season. The Stroop Color and Word Test was employed to assess cognitive tasks. To evaluate the mood, the Brunel Mood Scale was used. RESULTS: There  were lower sBDNF levels (-16.3% [46.8%]; P = .007) and sleep time (final season = 5.7 [1.1] vs preseason = 6.6 [1.1] h·night-1, P = .043) during the end of the season. The total calories and carbohydrate intake decreased across the season (P < .05). Conversely, better cognitive function was found in the final season with respect to the preseason (P < .05). There were significant correlations between BDNF and VO2max only in the preseason (r = .61, P = .027), but no significant relationship was found among sBDNF and cognitive performance, sleep time, and percentage of won games. CONCLUSIONS: Youth badminton athletes decreased their sBDNF levels, sleep time, carbohydrate, and calorie intake across the season. The athletes improved in cognitive function; however, only the females improved in body composition, and the males improved their VO2max in the middle season. The sBDNF levels were positively correlated with the VO2max in the preseason, and no correlations were observed among the sBDNF and psychological parameters, sleep time, and sport performance during the season.

Functional training in postmenopause: Cardiac autonomic modulation and cardiorespiratory parameters, a randomized trial.

AIM: To evaluate the influence of functional training on cardiorespiratory parameters and cardiac autonomic modulation in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A total of 39 apparently healthy postmenopausal women were randomized into two groups and analyzed: the group that carried out the functional training (FTG; n = 19; age 60 ± 4.5 years; weight 67.64 ± 11.64 kg) for 18 weeks, and the control group (CG) who did not undergo the training (n = 20; age 58.45 ± 4.8 years; weight 66.91 ± 13.24 kg). Blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and autonomic modulation trough heart rate variability were evaluated. The Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney test were used to compare the differences (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The results obtained from the training showed improvement of the following cardiac parameters in the FTG: systolic blood pressure (CG -5.50 ± 12.76 vs FTG -18.36 ± 18.05, P = 0.021), diastolic blood pressure (CG 5.00 ± 20.13 vs FTG -9.47 ± 10.25, P = 0.002), heart rate (CG 7.00 ± 9.79 vs FTG -4.73 ± 8.41, P = 0.000), root mean square of the successive differences index (CG -0.18 ± 5.66 vs FTG 5.10 ± 11.93, P = 0.035) and RR intervals (CG -22.66 ± 75.75 vs FTG 70.17 ± 104.30, P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Functional training promoted beneficial effects on cardiac autonomic modulation and cardiorespiratory parameters in postmenopausal women. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 823-828.

Combined training (strength plus aerobic) potentiates a reduction in body fat but only functional training reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in postmenopausal women with a similar training load.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of combined (CT; strength plus aerobic) and functional training (FT) on the body composition and metabolic profile with a similar training load in postmenopausal women. The participants were divided into three groups: CT (n=20), FT (n=17), and control group (CG, n=15). The trunk FM, fat mass (FM), percentage of FM (FM%), and fat-free mass were estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The metabolic profile, glucose, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) were assessed. There were main effects of time in trunk fat, FM, and FM% (P<0.05). There were statistically significant interaction for FM (P=0.015), FM% (P=0.017) with lower values for CT group. For LDL-c, there was significant interaction (P=0.002) with greater values for FT group in relation to CG and CT. Furthermore, when performed the post hoc test on the "mean absolute differences" (Δ), it can observed statistically significant difference between FT, CT, and CG (-13.0±16.5 mg/dL vs. 4.8±18.4 mg/dL vs. 9.2±18.8 mg/dL, P<0.05). In conclusion, when training loads are equivalent CT potentiated a reduction in FM and FM%, however, only FT reduced LDL-c in postmenopausal women.

Functional training reduces body fat and improves functional fitness and cholesterol levels in postmenopausal women: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: This randomized clinical trial with concealed allocations, and blinding of the assessors and the data analyst, was aimed at determining the effects of 16 weeks of functional training on the body composition, functional fitness and lipid profiles in postmenopausal women. METHODS: The study began with 64 subjects (N.=32 functional training and N.=32 control group) and ended with 50 subjects (N.=28 functional training and N.=22 control group). The exercise was conducted in circuit training format with 8 stations related to the development of muscular strength (using elastic bands for resistance) plus 3 stations focused on balance, coordination, and agility. The training session also incorporated an 18 to 30 minute walk. The control group did not participate in the exercise programs during the period of study. The participants were evaluated before and after the training period as regards their body composition (fat and lean mass), functional fitness, abdominal strength and blood chemistry variables. RESULTS: Significant reductions were observed in all body composition variables related to fat (FM= -3.4 and Android FM= -7.7%) (P<0.05). The functional fitness components had significant improvements in coordination (-33.3%), strength (66.5%), agility (-19.5%) and aerobic capacity (-7%), and significant improvement in abdominal strength (188.2%). We observed significant improvements in total cholesterol (-4.4%) and HDL (-9.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The observed data lead us to conclude that functional training utilizing with elastic bands and unstable bases causes significantly improved in body composition, functional fitness and lipid profiles.

Weekly time spent in the standing position is independently related to a better quality of life in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the relationship between standing, sitting and reclining behaviors and quality of life in postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study composed of forty postmenopausal women (aged 59.58±5.32) who do not practice regular physical exercise. Body composition was measured using Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and quality of life by the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). Physical activity level was assessed using an accelerometer (Actigraph GTX3x) and is reported as minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Inclinometer analysis was also measured using this accelerometer model and reported as a weekly percentage of time spent standing, sitting and reclining. All analyses were performed using SPSS 17.0 software with the significance level set at 5%. RESULTS: The percentage of time in the standing position was lower among women with poor quality of life (p<0.05). Adjusted analysis (age, years since menopause, percentage of fat mass, MVPA and occupation status) was used to evaluate the relationship between quality of life and accelerometer inclinometer measures. The relationship between time standing and general health status (ß=0.353; 95%CI=0.017; 0.377), social function (ß=0.429; 95%CI=0.060; 0.396) and overall score (ß=0.336; 95%CI=0.015; 0.442) were statistically significant. The relationship between the reclining position and both overall score (ß=-0.320; 95%CI=-0.492; 0.006) and emotional aspects (ß=-0.337; 95%CI=-0.191; 0.001) showed a tendency to present statistical significance. CONCLUSION: In summary, our results suggest that postmenopausal women who spend more time in the standing position have a better overall quality of life regardless of confounders.