Effect of aquatic resistance interval training and dietary education program on physical and psychological health in older women: Randomized controlled trial.

Due to demographic changes, the world's population is progressively aging. The physiological deterioration of the older adult may lead to reduced balance capacity and increased risk of falls, among others, due to the prevalence of degenerative diseases. Physical exercise can be effective in reducing the risk of disease and slowing functional decline in older people. The aim of the research is to test the effects of aquatic resistance training and dietary education on health indicators, strength, balance, functional autonomy, perception of satisfaction with life. Thirty-four participants aged 69 ± 4 years were randomly assigned into two groups: experimental (aquatic resistance interval training) and control group (no intervention). The intervention consisted of resistance training in an aquatic environment carried out for 14 weeks (three sessions per week: 60 min each). All variables were analyzed twice; pre - post intervention. Aquatic resistance training has positive effects on strength (p < 0.001), functional self-sufficiency (p < 0.001) and aerobic capacity (p < 0.001), however, no significant differences were observed in the perception of satisfaction with life and balance. Research results suggest that older women who engage in regular, scheduled aquatic resistance training have greater autonomy in performing activities of daily living, agility, gait control, and body composition variables (lower fat compartment and greater muscle mass).

Bodyweight and Combined Training Reduce Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation and Improve Functional Fitness of Postmenopausal Women.

Exercise is an important tool against the deleterious effects of aging. Among the possibilities of exercise, bodyweight training (BWT) has been highlighted in the last years as a safe option to improve the health of older people. We compared the effects of 24 weeks of BWT and combined training (CT) on low-grade systematic inflammation and functional fitness in postmenopausal women. For this, 40 women were allocated and submitted to CT (n = 20, 64.43 ± 3.13 years, 29.56 ± 4.80 kg/m²) and BWT (n = 20, 65.10 ± 4.86 years, 28.76 ± 4.26 kg/m²). We measured inflammation by the interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) assessments. For functional fitness, we used tests similar to activities of daily living. At the end of the 16 weeks, data from 24 women were analyzed, CT (n = 14) and BT (n = 10). Both groups reduced TNF-α and IL-6 levels, without differences in IL-10. Regarding functional fitness, both groups demonstrated improvements in all tests after 24 weeks, except for rise from prone position and the 400-meter walk test for CT. In summary, CT and BWT are effective in reducing the plasma concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines and improving functional fitness in postmenopausal women.

Benefits of Adding an Aquatic Resistance Interval Training to a Nutritional Education on Body Composition, Body Image Perception and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Older Women.

The human population is increasing due to lengthening life expectancy, but the quality of life and health of people is moving in the opposite direction. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how aquatic resistance interval training can influence body composition, body image perception and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) in older women participants in a nutrition education program and to study the relation between these variables. Thirty-four participants aged 69 ± 4 years were randomly assigned into two groups: experimental (aquatic resistance interval training plus nutritional intervention) and control (nutritional intervention). The intervention consisted of resistance training in an aquatic environment carried out for 14 weeks (three sessions per week; 60 min each). Body composition, body image perception and adherence to MD diet were evaluated at baseline and 14 weeks. No significant differences were found between groups regarding body image perception and adherence to the MD. There was a significant increase in muscle mass (kg) (p < 0.001) and a significant decrease in fat mass (kg) (p < 0.001) in the intervention group when compared to the control group. The addition of aquatic resistance interval training to a nutritional intervention was not sufficient to change body image perception and adherence to MD but produced improvement in body composition (through an increase in muscle mass and decrease on fat mass) in older women.

Sarcopenia, Diet, Physical Activity and Obesity in European Middle-Aged and Older Adults: The LifeAge Study.

The revised European consensus defined sarcopenia as a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder that is associated with an increased likelihood of adverse outcomes including falls, fractures, physical disability and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia and analyse the influence of diet, physical activity (PA) and obesity index as risk factors of each criteria of sarcopenia. A total of 629 European middle-aged and older adults were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometrics were assessed. Self-reported PA and adherence to the Mediterranean diet were evaluated with the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and Prevention with Mediterranean Diet questionnaire (PREDIMED), respectively. The functional assessment included handgrip strength, lower body muscle strength, gait speed and agility/dynamic balance. Of the participants, 4.84% to 7.33% showed probable sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was confirmed in 1.16% to 2.93% of participants. Severe sarcopenia was shown by 0.86% to 1.49% of participants. Male; age group ≤65 years; lower body mass index (BMI); high levels of vigorous PA; and the consumption of more than one portion per day of red meat, hamburgers, sausages or cold cuts and/or preferential consumption of rabbit, chicken or turkey instead of beef, pork, hamburgers or sausages (OR = 0.126-0.454; all p < 0.013) resulted as protective factors, and more time of sedentary time (OR = 1.608-2.368; p = 0.032-0.041) resulted as a risk factor for some criteria of sarcopenia. In conclusion, age, diet, PA, and obesity can affect the risk of having low muscle strength, low muscle mass or low functional performance, factors connected with sarcopenia.

Pilates training induces changes in the trunk musculature of adolescents / Treinamento com pilates induz alterações na musculatura do tronco de adolescentes / Entrenamiento de pilates induce cambios en la musculatura del tronco de adolescentes

ABSTRACT Introduction The Pilates Method may be an appropriate form of exercise for improving trunk muscle strength, which can be a predictor of pain and musculoskeletal problems. Objective The objective of this study was to assess the effects of the Pilates Method on muscle strength and endurance of the extensor and flexor muscles of the trunk in a group of adolescents. Methods The sample consisted of 101 high-school students divided into two groups: an experimental group (EG=81) and a control group (CG=20). The intervention was carried out twice a week for six weeks. Each session lasted 55 minutes, and was divided into three parts: warm-up, main part, and cool down. Muscle strength was assessed by the Sörensen Test and the Bench Trunk-curl Test. The paired sample T-test, the T- test for independent samples, and Pearson's correlation coefficient were applied. The size of the effect (d) was determined. Results The EG showed significant improvements in both tests (+34.77 points; +18.55 points, respectively). No changes were observed in the CG. The effect size was high (d>1.15) for both tests, which means that the results were improved in a large proportion of the participants. The control group showed a decline in strength of the trunk musculature. In the experimental group, both boys and girls showed significant improvements in both tests. This strength increase was enhanced for a large proportion of boys and girls (d>1.15). The effect size was high (d>1.15) for both tests and for both sexes. Conclusion Six-weeks after implementing the Pilates Method in Physical Education lessons, the muscle strength of the flexor and extensor muscles of the trunk in adolescents was improved. Level of Evidence II; Therapeutic studies-Investigation of treatment results.

RESUMO Introdução O método Pilates pode ser uma forma adequada de exercício para melhorar a força dos músculos do tronco, que podem ser um preditor de dor e problemas musculoesqueléticos. Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do método Pilates sobre a força muscular e resistência dos músculos extensores e flexores do tronco em um grupo de adolescentes. Métodos A amostra foi composta de 101 estudantes do ensino médio divididos em dois grupos: um grupo experimental (GE = 81) e um grupo controle (GC = 20). A intervenção foi realizada duas vezes por semana durante seis semanas. Cada sessão durou 55 minutos e foi dividida em três partes: aquecimento, parte principal e relaxamento. A força muscular foi avaliada com o teste de Sörensen e o teste de flexão abdominal com apoio de pernas. Para a análise de dados, foram empregados o teste t de amostras pareadas, o teste t para amostras independentes e o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson. O tamanho do efeito (d) foi determinado. Resultados O GE apresentou melhoras significativas em ambos os testes (+34,77 pontos; +18,55 pontos, respectivamente). Não foram observadas alterações no GC. O tamanho do efeito foi alto (d > 1,15) para ambos os testes, o que significa que os resultados foram melhores em uma grande proporção de participantes. O grupo controle apresentou declínio da força muscular do tronco. No grupo experimental, meninos e meninas apresentaram melhoras significativas em ambos os testes. Esse aumento de força foi atingido por uma alta proporção de meninos e meninas (d > 1,15). O tamanho do efeito foi alto (d > 1,15) nos dois testes e sexos. Conclusão Seis semanas depois da implantação do método Pilates nas aulas de educação física, a força muscular dos flexores e extensores do tronco aumentou nos adolescentes. Nível de Evidência II; Estudos Terapêuticos - Investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción El método Pilates puede ser una forma apropiada de ejercicio para la mejora de la fuerza de la musculatura del tronco, la cual puede ser un predictor de dolor y problemas musculoesquéticos. Objetivo El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los efectos del método Pilates sobre la fuerza muscular y la resistencia de los músculos extensores y flexores del tronco en un grupo de adolescentes. Métodos La muestra consistió en 101 estudiantes de secundaria divididos en dos grupos: un grupo experimental (GE = 81) y un grupo control (GC = 20). La intervención se realizó dos veces a la semana durante seis semanas. Cada sesión duró 55 minutos y se dividió en tres partes: calentamiento, parte principal y relajación. La fuerza muscular se evaluó mediante la prueba de Sörensen y la prueba de flexión abdominal con apoyo de piernas. Se aplicaron pruebas t de muestras pareadas t de muestras independientes y el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson. Se determinó el tamaño del efecto (d). Resultados El GE mostró mejoras significativas en ambas pruebas (+34,77 puntos; +18,55 puntos, respectivamente). No se observaron cambios en el GC. El tamaño del efecto fue alto (d > 1,15) para ambas pruebas, lo que significa que los resultados mejoraron en una gran proporción de participantes. El grupo control mostró una disminución en la fuerza de la musculatura del tronco. En el grupo experimental, tanto los niños como las niñas mostraron mejoras significativas en ambas pruebas. Este aumento de la fuerza fue mayor para una alta proporción de niños y niñas (d > 1,15). El tamaño del efecto fue alto (d > 1,15) para ambas pruebas y para ambos sexos. Conclusión Después de seis semanas de implementar el método Pilates en las clases de educación física, se mejoró la fuerza muscular de los flexores y extensores del tronco en adolescentes. Nivel de evidencia II; Tipo de estudio: Estudios terapéuticos - Investigación de resultados de tratamiento.