Reductions in systolic blood pressure achieved by hypertensives with three isometric training sessions per week are maintained with a single session per week.

Isometric handgrip or (wall) squat exercise performed three times per week produces reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP) in adults with hypertension. We aimed to compare these interventions and the potential to retain benefits with one exercise session per week. We compared blood pressure changes following handgrip and squat isometric training interventions with controls in a randomized controlled multicentre trial in 77 unmedicated hypertensive (SBP ≥ 130 mmHg) adults. Exercise sessions were performed in the workplace and consisted of four repetitions-three sessions per week for the first 12 weeks (phase 1), and one session per week for the subsequent 12 weeks (phase 2). Office blood pressure (BP) was measured at baseline, post-phase 1 and post-phase 2. Post-phase 1, mean reductions in SBP were significantly greater in handgrip (-11.2 mmHg, n = 28) and squat (-12.9 mmHg, n = 27) groups than in controls (-.4 mmHg; n = 22) but changes in DBP were not. There were no significant within-group changes during phase 2 but SBP was 3.8 mmHg lower in the wall squat than the handgrip group-a small magnitude but clinically important difference. While both interventions produced significant SBP reductions, the wall squat appears to be more effective in maintaining benefits with a minimal training dose. The low time investment to achieve and retain clinically significant SBP reductions-42 and 12 min, respectively-and minimal cost, particularly of the wall squat, make it a promising intervention for delivery in public health settings.

Handgrip Strength Is Associated with Specific Aspects of Vascular Function in Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a disorder associated with an increased risk for the development of diabetes mellitus and its complications. Lower isometric handgrip strength (HGS) is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases. However, the association between HGS and arterial stiffness parameters, which are considered the predictors of morbidity and mortality in individuals with MetS, is not well defined. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between HGS and HGS asymmetry on components of vascular function in adults with MetS. METHODS: We measured handgrip strength normalized to bodyweight (HGS/kg), HGS asymmetry, body composition, blood glucose, lipid profile, blood pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV), reflection coefficient (RC), augmentation index @75 bpm (AIx@75) and peripheral vascular resistance (PVR) in 55 adults with a diagnosis of MetS between 25 and 54 years old. RESULTS: Mean age was 43.1 ± 7.0 years, 56.3% were females. HGS/kg was negatively correlated with AIx@75 (r = -0.440), p < 0.05, but these associations were not significant after adjusting for age and sex. However, when interaction effects between sex, HGS/kg and age were examined, we observed an inverse relationship between HGS/kg and AIx@75 in the older adults in the sample, whereas in the younger adults, a weak direct association was found. We also found a significant association between HGS asymmetry and PVR (beta = 30, 95% CI = 7.02; 54.2; p <0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that in people with MetS, maintaining muscle strength may have an increasingly important role in older age in the attenuation of age-related increases in AIx@75-a marker of vascular stiffness-and that a higher HGS asymmetry could be associated with a greater vascular resistance.

Calidad de vida en adultos mayores con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica / Quality of life in older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / Qualidade de vida em idosos com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica

Introducción: Laenfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica es una importante causa de mortalidad y morbilidad a nivel mundial y tiene efectos psicosociales y fisiopatológicos que repercuten de manera significativa en la calidad de vida de quienes la padecen. Objetivo:Evaluar la calidad de vida de pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica a través del instrumento SF-36, versión en español para Colombia (SF-36 v2), en un servicio de consulta externa de Floridablanca, Colombia, durante el año 2015. Metodología: Estudio de corte transversal descriptivo realizado en 40 pacientes con diagnóstico de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica que asistieron al servicio de consulta externa por Neumología entre los meses de febrero y noviembre de 2015. El cuestionario SF-36 v2 fue diligenciado por todos los participantes; previamente, se firmó el consentimiento informado. La base de datos fue digitada, bajo licencia, en QualityMetric Health Outcomes™ Scoring Software 4.0. Resultados: Participaron 40 pacientes, con una edad media de 73 (DE ± 8.4) años. En las dimensiones de funcionamiento físico se encontraron valores inferiores a 50; por otra parte, las dimensiones Funcionamiento Social y Rol Emocional presentaron valores superiores y cercanos a los reportados por población sana. Conclusiones:Los pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica mostraron una disminución en la calidad de vida comparado con los valores de referencia en población en general en sus dos componentes: físico y mental. Se ratifica el impacto que tiene esta enfermedad en todas las subescalas que componen este constructo, especialmente en el componente físico

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is one the most significant causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. It has psychosocial and pathophysiological effects that impact in a significant way to those who suffer from it. Objective: To evaluate quality of life from patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease through the SF-36 survey (Spanish version for Colombia (SF-36 v2)) made during an external medical appointment made in Floridablanca, Colombia in 2015. Methodology:Descriptive cross sectional study performed to 40 patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These patients attended to external pulmonology medical appointments between February and November of 2015 and filled out the short form SF-36 v2 after signing informed consent. The database was created under license using QualityMetric Health Outcomes™ Scoring Software 4.0. Results: 40 patients, with an average age of 73 years (DE ± 8.4), participated in this study. When analyzing data, it was found that the physical functioning dimensions were values lower than 50. On the other hand, it was found that dimensions related to social functioning and emotional role had higher values and close to the ones reported by healthy population. Conclusions: Patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease showed a decrease in quality of life, in both of its dimensions: physical and mental, compared to healthy population's reference values. It is ratified that this disease impacts all sub-scales of this construct, specially the ones related to the physical component

Introdução: Adoença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica é uma importante causa de mortalidade e morbidade em todo o mundo e tem efeitos psicossociais e fisiopatológicos que têm um impacto significativo na qualidade de vida daqueles que sofrem com ela. Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade de vida de pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica através do instrumento SF-36, versão em espanhol para a Colômbia (SF-36 v2), em um serviço ambulatorial de Floridablanca, Colômbia, durante 2015. Metodologia:Estudo descritivo de corte transversal feito em 40 pacientes com diagnóstico de doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica que compareceram ao ambulatório de Pneumologia entre os meses de fevereiro e novembro de 2015. O questionário SF-36 v2 foi preenchido por todos os participantes; anteriormente, o consentimento informado foi assinado. O banco de dados foi digitado, sob licença, em Quality Metric Health Outcomes™ Scoring Software 4.0. Resultados:Participaram 40 pacientes, com média de idade de 73 (DE ± 8.4) anos. Nas dimensões do funcionamento físico, valores menores que 50 foram encontrados; por outro lado, as dimensões do Funcionamento Social e do Papel Emocional apresentaram valores superiores e próximos aos relatados pela população saudável. Conclusões: Os pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica apresentaram diminuição da qualidade de vida em relação aos valores de referência na população geral em seus dois componentes: físico e mental. O impacto desta doença em todas as subescalas que compõem este construto, especialmente no componente físico, é confirmado