Effects of circuit resistance training on muscle power, functional agility, and bones' mineral content in people with spinal injury.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise is one of the main agents when it comes to rehabilitation and changes in health aspects of people with SCI. This study aimed to establish the effects of circuit resistance training (CRT) on people with spinal cord injury (SCI), specifically on their body composition, muscle strength, anaerobic power, and functional capacity. METHODS: Sample consisted of five people with SCI: both sexes, ages between 25 and 62 years, and 12 weeks of CRT, twice a week. Before and after the 12 weeks of intervention, this research adopted clear-cut tests (medicine ball pitch, Wingate, zigzag, and dual-energy X-ray densitometry) to analyze the desired variables (muscle strength, anaerobic power, functional capacity, and body composition). RESULTS: Showed muscle strength improvement (P=0.028), agility increase (P=0.028), and equal levels of lean mass, bone mineral content, and bone loss index throughout life (T-score). CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, one can consider that CRT is an alternative to develop the upper limbs muscle power and functional agility. Together, all these variables may imply an overall improvement of the functional capacity in people with SCI. Additionally, these 12 weeks of CRT were responsible for helping the maintenance of lean mass, bone mineral content and T-score in this study's sample.

The comparative measurement of body segment parameters using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry between sexes.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to determine the proportion of the body segments in relation to the total body mass in healthy people, as well as analyze the composition of each segment and compare these results between sexes. METHODS: A total of 60 young adults (30 men and 30 women) were subjected to a full-body scan by dual energy X-rays absorptiometry (DXA) under standardized conditions. The regions of interest (ROI) were determined by a single trained evaluator. The body was divided into 16 segments to obtain values of total mass, lean mass (LM), fat mass, bone mineral content (BMC), lean mass percentage (%LM) and fat mass percentage (%FM) of each body segment represented by the 16 ROI. RESULTS: Men presented higher absolute mass in the upper limbs (Δ=32.87%; P<0.05). The proportion of the lower limbs (Δ=6.83%; P<0.05) and trunk (Δ=5.07%; P<0.05) of men is higher than women. In addition, males have more LM in the upper limbs (Δ=42.19%; P<0.05) and trunk (Δ=26.46%; P<0.001), and more BMC in the trunk (Δ=18.78%; P<0.05) and forearms (Δ=32.21%; P<0.05). They also present higher %LM (Δ=6.48%; P<0.001) and lower %FM (Δ=54.43%; P<0.001) than women in the forearms. CONCLUSIONS: The different body segments represent a different percentage of the total body mass in men than in women, as well as men present more LM and BMC in the trunk and upper limbs.

Impact of two hydrogymnastics class methodologies on the functional capacity and flexibility of elderly women.

BACKGROUND: Activities in the aquatic environment can be an interesting alternative of physical exercise for the elderly, due to several properties of water, which can favor the physiological, metabolic, perceptive, and musculoskeletal effects. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of performing two hydrogymnastic class methodologies on the functional capacity and flexibility in elderly women. METHODS: Ninety women, aged 55-70 years, were divided into three groups, the control group (CG; N.=30) who did not exercise during the 12 weeks, experimental group 1 (EG1; N.=30), who performed water gymnastics classes with emphasis on lower limb exercises for 12 weeks, and experimental group 2 (EG2; N.=30), who performed conventional hydrogymnastics classes for 12 weeks. The volunteers were evaluated through the 30-second chair stand (30CST), 2-minute step test (2MST), timed up and go (TUG), static balance (SB) and chair sit-and-reach (CSR) tests. RESULTS: In the intragroup comparison, there were significant improvements in the performance of 30CST tests (F=5.5, P=0.022), TUG (F=19.3, P<0.001), SB (F=5.3, P=0.025), and CSR (F=12.0, P=0.001) in EG1 and EG2. For intergroup comparisons, the EG1 presented better results than CG in CST (P<0.05). The EG2, presented better results than CG in CST, TUG, SB and CSR (P<0.05). There were no significant differences for the comparison between EG1 and EG2. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that 12 weeks of hydrogymnastics practice improved the functional capacity and flexibility of the elderly women evaluated, and no differences were found between the two types of methodologies used.

Effects of resistance training on the physical condition of people with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of resistance training on the functional capacity of people with multiple sclerosis. Two groups were defined intentionally and divided based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS): an experimental group (EG) consisting of 11 individuals, 18.2% with an EDSS Score of 0-3.0, 72.8% with a score of 3.5-5.5 and 9.1% with a score of 6.0-7.5; and a control group (CG) consisting of 12 subjects, 25.0% with a score of 0-3.0, 58.3% with a score of 3.5-5.5 and 16.7% with a score of 6.0-7.5. METHODS: The EG underwent 12 weeks of resistance training, while the CG did not. The Timed "Up & Go" test was used to measure the function of the lower limbs. The Timed 7.62 Meters Walk test and the Sit-to-stand test were used to assess the strength of the lower limbs. Balance, and the risk of falling, were assessed through the Berg Balance Test. RESULTS: At the beginning of the study, there were no differences between EG and CG in lower limb function. However, after the 12 weeks of resistance training, significant differences were found between the EG and the CG in the Timed "Up and Go" test (P=0.021), Timed 7.62 Meters Walk (P=0.027), Sit-to-stand (P=0.017) and Balance test (P=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: This study's results indicate that this type of training can improve muscle strength and functional capacity in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Circuit strength training improves muscle strength, functional performance and anthropometric indicators in sedentary elderly women.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effects of circuit strength training on the muscle strength, functional autonomy and anthropometric indicators of the elderly. METHODS: Were included 65 women divided in two groups: strength training (TG, N.=34) and control group (CG, N.=31). The strength-training group was subjected to a circuit shaped training program, three days per week, for a period of 12 weeks. In each training session, the circuit was repeated three times. In each circuit, all exercises were performed once, with 8 to 12 repetitions per exercise, with 30-second intervals between each exercise. RESULTS: TG showed significantly changes in body composition post 12 weeks, as decreases in body weight (Δ-1.5±1.8 kg) and BMI (Δ-0.57±0.74 kg/m²), and decreases in abdominal (Δ-3±1.61 cm), waist (Δ-1 ± 1.61 cm), hip (Δ-2.75±1.44 cm) and waist-hip ratio circumference (Δ-0.02±0.15 cm). For functional autonomy, TG showed increases post 12 weeks by 30-second chair stand (Δ 3.5±0.4 reps), six minute walk (Δ60.95±7.91 m), back scratch (Δ3.2±1.36 cm), and time up and go tests (Δ-1.62±0,15 s). TG also showed increases in muscle strength post 12 weeks in both leg press (Δ11±1.29 kg) and lat pulldown (Δ11±0.75 Kg). For CG, body composition, functional autonomy and muscle strength did not improved in any moment. CONCLUSIONS: Hence, circuit strength training provides significant improvements in muscle strength, functional performance and anthropometric indicators in sedentary elderly women.

Cardiovascular Responses to Unilateral, Bilateral, and Alternating Limb Resistance Exercise Performed Using Different Body Segments.

Moreira, OC, Faraci, LL, de Matos, DG, Mazini Filho, ML, da Silva, SF, Aidar, FJ, Hickner, RC, and de Oliveira, CEP. Cardiovascular responses to unilateral, bilateral and alternating limb resistance exercise performed using different body segments. J Strength Cond Res 31(3): 644-652, 2017-The aim of this study was to verify and compare the cardiovascular responses to unilateral, bilateral, and alternating limb resistance exercise (RE) performed using different body segments. Fifteen men experienced in RE were studied during biceps curls, barbell rows, and knee extension exercises when performed bilaterally, unilaterally, and using alternating limbs. The protocol consisted of 3 sets of 10 repetitions at 80% of 10 repetition maximum with 2-minute rest between sets. Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were measured after the last repetition. There was a statistically significant increase in HR, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and rate pressure product (RPP), from rest to postexercise. The RPP was higher in the third set of all exercises and in all 3 forms of execution, when compared with the first set. Bilateral biceps curls caused a greater increase in RPP (first and second sets) and HR, compared with the same exercise performed unilaterally. Furthermore, the performance of bilateral biceps curls induced greater HR and RPP, in all sets, compared with bilateral knee extension and barbell rows. There was also a significantly higher SBP for the alternating second and third sets and also for the bilateral third set of the knee extensions as compared with the barbell rows. It was concluded from the data of this study that the cardiovascular response was increased from rest to postexercise in all forms of exercise, especially immediately after the third set of RE. For exercises performed bilaterally with the upper body (biceps curls), there was a greater cardiovascular response when compared with the same exercise performed unilaterally or with lower-body exercise performed bilaterally.

Effects of eight weeks of functional training in the functional autonomy of elderly women: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of eight weeks of practical training on the functional autonomy of the elderly. METHODS: The study included 52 elderly women, 65.42±10.31 years, 65.29±11.30 kg body mass, 1.58±0.07 height, 26.30±4.52 body mass index, 86.48±10.96 cm waist circumference. These elderly women received a specific functional training protocol where their functional autonomy was assessed at three specific times (0, 10 and 20 sessions). The evaluation consisted of a set of five tests defined by the Latin-American Development Group for the Elderly (GDLAM) to determine the functional autonomy of the elderly: walk 10 meters (C10m); stand up from a chair and walk straightaway (SUCWA); dress and undress a T-shirt (DUT); stand up from a sitting position (SUSP); stand up from a lying position (SULP). In each test, the time taken to complete the task was measured. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in all functional autonomy tests after 20 training sessions: C10m (pre: 8.10±1.27; post: 7.55±1.10); SUCWA (pre: 40.98±2.77; post: 38.44±2.57); DUT (pre: 13.25±0.88; post: 11.85±0.82); SUSP (pre: 10.74±0.52; post: 8.98±056) and SULP (pre: 3.86±0.37; post: 2.82±0.37). CONCLUSIONS: It was determined that 20 functional training sessions were enough to improve the functional autonomy of elderly women. However, we believe that higher volume and intensity of training could be interesting alternatives for even stronger results in future interventions.

Analisis bioquimico, antigenico y alergenico de extractos de Hemileia vastarix (Roya del cafe) / Biochemical, antigenic and allergenic analysis of extracts of Hemileia vastarix (Roya del cafe)

Los hongos Basidiomicetos son aeroalergenos todavía poco estudiados. El bacidiomiceto Hemileia vastatrix es conocido por causar la roya en las plantaciones del café. Este hongo produce abundantes esporas anemófilas que pueden alcanzar alturas superiores a mil metros sobre la tierra y propagarse por largas distancia en la atmósfera. Un estudio preliminar en Brasil, demostró que la inhalación de esas esporas puede sensibilizar a individuos que residen en zonas caficultoras. Con la finalidad de demostrar la presencia del IgE Específica a ese hongo y la posible relación con enfermedades respiratorias alérgicas, fueron realizadas pruebas cutáneas de lectura inmediata en 378 individuos, utilizando los extractos de Hemileia vastatrix. Los extractos fueron preparados con las esporas del hongo, utilizado líquido de Coca y tris HCL como solución extractora. Para las pruebas intradérmicas se utilizó extracto en concentración de 0,02 mg. de proteína por mL. Los individuos fueron divididos en cuatro grupos de acuerdo con la procedencia (regiones caficultoras y no caficultoras) y la aparición de síntomas alérgicos, y un grupo de 50 trabajadores rurales de haciendas cafeteras. Se observó que hubo un número significativamente mayor de pacientes sensibilizados en el grupo IV (atópicos de zona caficultoras). Por la técnica de Western blotting, fue detectada IgE Específica en 20 bandas proteicas de Hemileia vastatrix en el suero de individuos que presentaban pruebas positivas para ese hongo. Concluimos que ese basidiomiseto Hemileia vastatrix es capaz de sensibilizar al ser humano, induciendo síntesis de IgE Específica, y que hay mayor sensibilización en individuos atópicos residentes en regiones caficultoras