Testing the concurrent validity and reliability of a lipowise digital skinfold caliper to assess muscle mass in healthy young adults.

The aim of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of a novel tool to assess skinfolds and to compare the muscle mass measured through dual-x-ray-absorptiometry (DXA) and estimated using the Lee equation from the values of the skinfolds and girths in a healthy young adult population. Methods: The present study followed a cross-sectional design, including 38 participants, with 27 males (22.04 ± 5.20 years) and 11 females (21.55 ± 2.39 years). The measurement protocol included a DXA evaluation, basic measurements of body mass and stature, eight skinfolds with two skinfold calipers of different brands (Harpenden and Lipowise), and three girths. The order in which the skinfold calipers were used was randomized. The muscle mass was then calculated using the formula established by Lee et al. Results: No significant differences were found between the two skinfold calipers considering all the outcomes (p > 0.05). The correlation coefficients were between 0.724 and 0.991, which suggest very-large to nearly perfect correlations. The correlations performed revealed that muscle mass estimated from DXA is nearly perfectly correlated with both muscle mass estimated from the data obtained with the Harpenden skinfold caliper (r = 0.955) and muscle mass estimated from the data obtained with the Lipowise skinfold caliper (r = 0.954). From the results, we conclude that Lipowise caliper is an accurate skinfold caliper and it can be an alternative tool for the technician that need to assess body fat or muscle mass in precise, valid and time efficient evaluation. It should be noted that the caution to use skinfold calipers interchangeable with each other when evaluating skinfolds remains a necessity and is advisable to perform the measurements with the same brand and model of skinfold caliper when the purpose is to perform follow-up assessments.

The Long-Term Benefits of a Multicomponent Physical Activity Program to Body Composition, Muscle Strength, Cardiorespiratory Capacity, and Bone Mineral Density in a Group of Nonagenarians.

Promotion of physical activity among older adults is considered to be one of the main actions that can result in more successful aging. Currently, there are few studies focusing on the effects of long-duration physical activity interventions in older adults. This study examined the effects of an 8-month multicomponent intervention on cardiorespiratory capacity (6-minute walking test), body composition (body-mass index), muscle strength (handgrip and knee extension), and bone mineral density (femoral neck) in a group of nonagenarians. A secondary aim was to determine the impact of the program according to the participant's way of life (institutionalized vs. community dwelling). A total of 14 institutionalized nonagenarians (years: 93.1 ± 1.6; female: 100%) and 16 community-dwelling nonagenarians (years: 93.1 ± 1.6; female: 75%) participated in this study. Our analysis suggested that the multicomponent program significantly improved the levels of strength in handgrip and leg extension in all participants. Intergroup analysis showed that the changes experienced were greater in community-dwelling people. Improvements in the cardiorespiratory capacity of older adults-more distance walked in 6 minutes-who were living in the nursing home (mean distance traveled: 238.5 ± 96.0 vs. 250.7 ± 99.0 m) were observed. Our findings found that an 8-month, multicomponent intervention program results in significant improvements in the levels of strength (handgrip and knee extension) in nonagenarians. This effect is greater in community-dwelling people.

Psychological Distress, Family Support and Employment Status in First-Year University Students in Spain.

Mental disorders are consistently and closely related to psychological distress. At the start of the university period, the relationship between a student's psychological distress, family support, and employment status is not well-known. The aims of this study were: To determine the prevalence of psychological distress in first-year university students and to analyze its relationship with family support and the student's employment status. Data from 4166 first-year university students from nine universities across Spain were considered. The prevalence of psychological distress was obtained using the GHQ-12, a valid and reliable screening tool to detect poor mental health. To analyze the relationship between psychological distress, family support, and employment status, logistic regression models were fitted. Regarding the prevalence found, 46.9% of men and 54.2% of women had psychological distress. In both genders, psychological distress levels increased as family support decreased. Among women, psychological distress was associated with their employment status. The prevalence of psychological distress among first-year university students in Spain is high. In addition, family support, and employment status for women, could be factors to take into account when developing psychological distress prevention strategies at the beginning of the university period.

Drug use, family support and related factors in university students. A cross-sectional study based on the uniHcos Project data.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of illegal drug use in college students on any previous occasion, during the previous year and the previous month, and to analyze the relationship between illegal drug use and family support and other factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using data from students participating in the uniHcos project (n = 3767) was conducted. The prevalence and age of onset of consumption of cannabis, non-prescription sedatives, stimulants and depressants was evaluated. Polyconsumption was also assessed. The independent variables were: family support, age, residence, and employment status. To determine the factors related to drug use multivariate logistic regression models stratified by gender were fitted. RESULTS: Differences between men and women in prevalence of illegal drug use except non-prescription sedatives were observed. In both genders, less family support was associated with higher consumption of all drugs, except depressants, and with polyconsumption. To be studying and looking for work was related to cannabis and stimulant use and to polyconsumption among women, but only to cannabis use among men. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the notion that the start of university studies is a particularly relevant stage in the onset of illegal drug use and its prevention, and that consumption may be especially associated with family support.

Association Between Somatotype Profile and Health-Related Physical Fitness in Special Police Unit.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize somatotype profile and analyze the association between somatotype components, physical, and physiological variables in special police unit (SPU) officers. METHODS: One hundred eight male SPU officers, aged 42.5 ±â€Š4.1 years. Somatotype profile, predicted maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), and physical performance tests were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean somatotypes were 4.04-6.38-1.22. All values clustered amongst the endo-mesomorphism (86%) while mesomorphy was the dominant component (98%). The mean of predicted VO2max was 50.3 ±â€Š5.2 mL kg min. The body mass index (BMI) is more than or equal to 30 was associated to a lowest predicted VO2max (r = 0.613). The VO2max negatively correlated with mesomorphy (r = -0.251). Mesomorphy somatotype was positively associated with maximal and explosive strength tests. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that somatotype profile can be used as an accurate method to assess body physique and shape in SPU officers and an ecto-mesomorphism profile was associated to superior performance in physical and physiological measures.

Effects of Physical Exercise on the P300 of Elderly With Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Evidence regarding the benefits of physical activity on the mental processing information of patients with Alzheimer's disease assessed objectively is scarce and can be observed through event-related potentials, such as the P300. The aim of the study was to identify the effects of physical exercises on mental processing information in the elderly with Alzheimer's disease through neurophysiological measures (P300 amplitude and latency) and reaction time. METHODS: A total of 31 patients with Alzheimer's disease participated in this study: 14 in functional exercise (FE) group and 17 in social gathering (SG) group who carried out three 1-hour sessions per week of FE and SG activities, respectively, for a 12-week period. All groups performed an auditory oddball task. A healthy elderly control group also participated. RESULTS: Significant (P < .05) improvements were observed as a reduction of reaction time after intervention in the FE group (pre = 421.5 ms and post = 360.9 ms). Also, an increase of P300 amplitude at central midline (pre = 5.9 µV and post = 6.9 µV) and parietal midline (pre = 4.7 µV and post = 5.7 µV) was observed in the FE. Finally, a decrease in the P300 latency at frontal midline (pre = 377 ms and post = 367 ms) was observed in the SG after the intervention. CONCLUSION: Physical exercise decreases reaction time and suggests a recovery in cortical activity, whereas SG activities could probably facilitate information processing.

Feasibility and Efficacy of Mat Pilates on People with Mild-to-Moderate Parkinson's Disease: A Preliminary Study.

This pilot study aimed at assessing the feasibility and efficacy of a Mat Pilates program in people with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease (PD). The participants carried out a Mat Pilates program twice a week for 12 weeks. The Senior Fitness Test battery and the 39-item PD Questionnaire were used to assess the effects of the program on the participants' fitness level and quality of life. A total of 16 patients with mild-to-moderate PD volunteered for and finished the study. The Mat Pilates program proved to be feasible. Adherence to the program was excellent, and no adverse effects were observed. The program had a positive effect on the participants' fitness levels, except for shoulder range of motion and dynamic balance, and on their quality of life. Assessments at follow-up indicated a regression in the improvements obtained by the end of the intervention, even though the sample still showed higher levels of fitness and quality of life than those tested at baseline. Mat Pilates is feasible and may be a beneficial rehabilitation strategy to improve fitness and quality of life in people with mild-to-moderate PD. Future randomized controlled trials might determine the extent of such benefits.

Effects of Water-Based Exercise Training on the Cognitive Function and Quality of Life of Healthy Adult Women.

BACKGROUND: Research regarding the impact of aquatic exercise on cognition is scarce. This study aimed at identifying the effects of water-based exercise training on the cognitive function and quality of life of healthy adult women. METHODS: Fifty-one healthy women [mean age: 46.5 (12.3) y] were assigned to group A or B and followed a water-based exercise program for 6 months. During the first 3 months, the sessions performed by group A were focused on stimulating cognitive function. For the next 3 months, the sessions were mainly aimed at improving physical fitness. Participants in group B followed the same program in reverse order. The trail making and symbol digit modality tests were used to assess the impact of the program on cognition. The effects of the intervention on the participants' physical and mental health were measured by means of the medical outcomes study 36-item short-form health survey. RESULTS: Once the intervention ended, significant improvements were observed in the participants' cognitive function and mental health domain, regardless of the group in which they were initially included. CONCLUSION: Water-based exercise is a training modality capable of enhancing cognitive function and quality of life through improvements in mental health in healthy adult women.

[Validity of the 24-h previous day physical activity recall (PDPAR-24) in Spanish adolescents]. / Validez del cuestionario de recuerdo de la actividad física realizada durante las 24h del día previo (PDPAR-24) en adolescentes españoles.

INTRODUCTION: The monitoring of physical activity levels in adolescent population, its determinant factors and susceptibility to change is essential to intervene on the obesity epidemic affecting Spanish society. However, the number of validated questionnaires to assess physical activity in Spanish adolescents is scarce. OBJECTIVES: To assess the validity of the 24h Previous Day Physical Activity Recall (PDPAR-24) questionnaire when it is administered to the Spanish adolescent population. METHODS: The participants of the study were students, aged between 14 and 15 years, from two secondary schools in the north of Galicia. The measurement of physical activity by the accelerometer Actigraph GT3X was used as criterion. Participants were asked to wear the accelerometer during waking hours for one day and the questionnaire was administered the day after. RESULTS: A total of 79 students (15.16 ± 0.81 years, 36% women) completed the study. Statistically significant positive correlations of high and moderate nature(r=0.50-0.98) were observed for low and moderate intensity physical activity in both sexes. Correlation coefficients were higher as physical activity intensity increased. CONCLUSIONS: The PDPAR-24 can be deemed as a valid tool for the assessment of physical activity in Spanish adolescents.

Introducción: El control del nivel de práctica de actividad física que realizan los adolescentes, de sus factores determinantes y susceptibilidad al cambio resulta indispensable para intervenir sobre la epidemia de obesidad que afecta a la sociedad española. Sin embargo, el número de cuestionarios validados para valorar la actividad física en adolescentes españoles es escaso. Objetivos: Evaluar la validez del cuestionario24hPrevious Day Physical Activity Recall (PDPAR-24) cuando es aplicado a la población de adolescentes españoles. Método: Participaron en este estudio estudiantes de 14-15 años de dos centros de educación secundaria del norte de Galicia. Como criterio objetivo de la actividad física realizada se utilizó el registro proporcionado por el acelerómetro Actigraph GT3X.Se monitorizó a los sujetos durante un día por medio del acelerómetro y al día siguiente se administró el cuestionario de auto-informe. Resultados: Un total de 79 alumnos (15.16 ± 0.81 años, 39% mujeres) finalizaron el estudio. Se observan correlaciones positivas estadísticamente significativas de tamaño medio a grande en ambos sexos (r=0.50-0.98), para la actividad física ligera y moderada. Las correlaciones observadas son más elevadas a medida que aumenta la intensidad de la actividad física realizada. Conclusiones: El cuestionario de auto-informe PDPAR-24 puede ser considerado como una herramienta válida a la hora de valorar el nivel de actividad física en adolescentes españoles.

Physical exercise in MCI elderly promotes reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and improvements on cognition and BDNF peripheral levels.

The benefits of physical exercise to reduce low-grade inflammation and improve Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels and cognitive function became a growing field of interest. Low-grade inflammation is common during aging and seems to be linked to neurodegenerative process. Regular physical exercises can help to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines levels and to improve BDNF peripheral concentrations. The main goal of this research was to analyze the effects of a 16-week multimodal physical exercise program on peripheral BDNF levels and on Tumor Necrosis-α (TNF-α) and Interleukin- 6 (IL-6) as pro-inflammatory markers in cognitive healthy elderly individuals and in elderly with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Cognitive functions were assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) prior to and after the intervention. Thirty cognitively healthy participants and thirty-seven MCI participants were assigned to the control (CG) and trained (TG) groups. The TG participated in a multimodal physical training program for a 16-week period. The results showed a significant between-subjects interaction, which indicates the beneficial contribution of training on the reduction of TNF-α (p=0.001) and IL-6 (p<0.001) and on the improvement of BDNF (p<0.001) peripheral concentrations. Cognitive functions also presented significant improvements for MCI trained group (p=0.03). In conclusion, physical exercise was effective to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines and to improve BDNF peripheral levels, with positive reflexes on cognition. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluated longitudinally the effects of a multimodal physical exercises protocol on peripheral concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and cognition performance in elderly MCI individuals.

Effect of a multimodal exercise program on sleep disturbances and instrumental activities of daily living performance on Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease patients.

AIM: To assess the contribution of a multimodal exercise program on the sleep disturbances (SD) and on the performance of instrumental activities daily living (IADL) in patients with clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease patients (PD). METHODS: A total of 42 consecutive patients (23 training group, 19 control group) with PD and 35 demented patients with AD (19 trained group, 16 control group) were recruited. Participants in both training groups carried out three 1-h sessions per week of a multimodal exercise program for 6 months. The Pfeffer Questionnaire for Instrumental Activities and the Mini-Sleep Questionnaire were used to assess the effects of the program on IADL and SD respectively. RESULTS: Two-way ancova showed interactions in IADL and SD. Significant improvements were observed for these variables in both intervention groups, and maintenance or worsening was observed in control groups. The analysis of effect size showed these improvements. CONCLUSION: The present study results show that a mild to moderate intensity of multimodal physical exercises carried out on a regular basis over 6 months can contribute to reducing IADL deficits and attenuating SD.

Exercícios físicos generalizados capacidade funcional e sintomas depressivos em idosos brasileiros / Physical exercises, functional capacity and depressive symptoms in Brazilian elderly

O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar os efeitos de 16 semanas de exercícios físicos generalizados sobre componentes da capacidade funcional, aptidão funcional geral e sintomas depressivos em idosos. Cinquenta e cinco idosos (67,3±5,8 anos) participaram do estudo. Os grupos foram distribuídos de acordo com a participação no protocolo proposto: a) grupo treinado (GT), composto de 27 participantes que atenderam pelo menos 75% do total de sessões de exercícios físicos generalizados por 16 semanas e; b) grupo controle (GC), participantes que não estiveram participando de nenhum tipo de programa regular de atividades físicas. A capacidade funcional foi avaliada por meio da bateria de testes para idosos da AAHPERD que é composta por cinco testes: coordenação, flexibilidade, resistência de força, agilidade e equilíbrio dinâmico e resistência aeróbia geral. Os sintomas depressivos foram medidos por meio da Escala de Depressão e Geriatria- versão curta (GDS-15). Os resultados demonstraram que os idosos do GT apresentaram melhor desempenho nos testes motores. Os sintomas depressivos não sofreram alterações em ambos os grupos. Desta maneira, nossos resultados indicam que 16 semanas são suficientes para promover benefícios na aptidão funcional geral de idosos, enquanto que idosos que permanecem sedentários tendem a apresentar decréscimo em sua aptidão física geral. O programa proposto não foi capaz de provocar alterações significativas em idosos com baixos valores relatados de sintomas depressivos para esta variável. As evidências do presente estudo possibilitam predizer que um programa generalizado pode auxiliar na prevenção de doenças crônicas, evitar declínios funcionais e produzir efeitos positivos na qualidade de vida.

The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of 16 weeks of multimodal exercise on functional capacity components, general functional fitness and depressive symptoms in the elderly. Fifty-five elderly (67.3 ± 5.8 years) participated in the study. The groups were distributed according to the participation on the proposed protocol: a) trained group (TG) composed of 27 participants who attended at least 75% of the total generalized physical exercise sessions for 16 weeks; and b) control group (CG), participants who did not attend any regular physical activity program. Functional capacity was assessed using the AAHPERD battery of motor tests for elderly, which consists of five tests: coordination, flexibility, muscular resistance, agility/dynamic balance, and overall aerobic endurance. Depressive symptoms were measured using the short version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). The results showed that elderly on TG had better performance on motor tests. Depressive symptoms did not change for both groups. Thus, our results indicate that 16 weeks is sufficient to improve general functional fitness in elderly, while those who remain sedentary tend to decrease their overall physical fitness. The proposed program could not induce significant changes in the elderly with low levels of depressive symptoms reported for this variable. The evidence of this study allows the prediction that a generalized program can help prevent chronic diseases, reduce functional decline and produce positive effects on quality of life.

Validity of a combined fibromyalgia (FM) questionnaires to asses physical activity levels in Spanish elderly women: an experimental approach.

Questionnaires designed to assess the level of physical activity among elderly Spanish speaking women usually have problems of reproducibility and are difficult to administer. This study aims to validate a Spanish combined version of two questionnaires originally designed to assess physical activity levels in fibromyalgia women. The leisure time physical activity instrument (LTPAI) and the physical activity at home and work instrument (PAHWI). Both questionnaires were translated to Spanish using translation/back translation methodology, and then were administered to 44 women aged 60-80 twice, with an interval of 2 weeks. During the first administration, participants answered the Yale physical activity questionnaires (YPAS) and performed the 6-min walking test (6MWT). Although the Spanish version of the LTPAI and the PAWHI showed poor test-retest reliability and poor construct validity, the sum of the two questionnaires showed much better associations. The results suggest that the Spanish combined version of LTPAI and PAHWI would seem to be useful tools for assessing the level of physical activity among elderly Spanish speaking women. Nevertheless, such considerations as the cultural adaptation of their content or the link between the intensity of physical activity as perceived and that actually done must be adjusted for greater efficiency.