Quality of Movement Is Associated With Cognitive Function in Physically Inactive Older Women.

The relationship between the quality of movement, considering different global and universal basic patterns of movement and cognition domains in older adults remain unclear. The current study explored this association in physically inactive older women. In total, 187 participants, aged 60-70 years (mean = 64.9, SD = 6.9 years), were recruited from a physical education program in a public university. The older adults performed the following tests: Functional Movement Screen, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and Modified Baecke Questionnaire for the Older Adults. The regression analysis showed an association between age (ß = -0.11, 95% confidence interval, CI, [-0.10, 0.30], p = .03); visuospatial abilities (ß = 0.36, 95% CI [0.24, 1.23], p < .001); language (ß = 0.23, 95% CI [0.20, 1.08], p < .001); and orientation domains (ß = 0.13, 95% CI [0.11, 1.22], p = .016) of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and the Functional Movement Screen. The quality of movement was related to both age and cognitive performance, such as the visuospatial abilities, language, and orientation domains, in physically inactive older women.

Physical exercise is essential for increasing ventricular contractility in hypertensive rats treated with losartan.

The treatment of hypertensive patients with losartan is very common. Despite the reduction in blood pressure, its effects on cardiac contractility and sympathetic autonomic drive are still controversial. In turn, aerobic physical training (APT) also presents an important therapeutic option, providing significant improvements in cardiovascular autonomic control, however little is known about its effects on cardiac contractility, especially when associated with losartan. Therefore, we investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) the effects of losartan and APT on cardiac hemodynamics and functionality, with emphasis on autonomic tonic balance and cardiac contractility. Sixty-four SHR (18 weeks old) were divided into four groups (N = 16): vehicle; vehicle submitted to APT through swimming for 12 weeks; treated with losartan (5 mg·kg-1·d-1) for 12 weeks; and treated with losartan associated with APT. The groups were submitted to cardiac morphological and functional analysis by echocardiography; double blockade of cardiac autonomic receptors with atropine and propranolol; and coronary bed reactivity and left ventricular contractility analyses by the Langendorff technique. APT improved functional parameters and autonomic balance by reducing sympathetic drive and/or increasing vagal drive. In contrast, it promoted a concentric remodeling of the left ventricle (LV). Treatment with losartan reduced sympathetic autonomic drive and cardiac morphological parameters, but there were no significant gains in cardiac functionality and contractility. When combined, the concentric remodeling of the LV to APT was abolished and gains in cardiac functionality and contractility were observed. Our findings suggest that the effects of losartan and APT are complementary and should be applied together in the treatment of hypertension. In spontaneously hypertensive rats, the combination of aerobic physical training with losartan treatment was crucial to greater blood pressure reductions and an increase in left ventricular contractility. Furthermore, losartan treatment prevented the concentric left ventricular remodeling caused by aerobic physical training.

Chronic acetylcholinesterase inhibition reduces the effects of physical training on ventricular contractility and coronary bed reactivity in hypertensive rats.

Systemic arterial hypertension is accompanied by autonomic impairments that, if not contained, promotes cardiac functional and morphological damages. Pyridostigmine bromide (PYR) treatment results in positive effects on autonomic control and beneficial cardiac remodeling. These findings were also observed after aerobic physical training (APT). However, little is known about PYR effects on left ventricular contractility, mainly when it is combined with APT. We aimed to investigate the effects of chronic acetylcholinesterase inhibition on cardiac autonomic tone balance, coronary bed reactivity, and left ventricular contractility in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) submitted to APT. Male SHR (18 weeks) were divided into two groups (N = 16): untrained and submitted to APT for 14 weeks (18th to 32nd week). Half of each group was treated with PYR (15 mg/kg/day) for two weeks (31st to 32nd week). The experimental protocol consisted of recording hemodynamic parameters, double autonomic blockade with atropine and propranolol, and assessment of coronary bed reactivity and ventricular contractility in isolated hearts using the Langendorff technique. PYR and APT reduced blood pressure, heart rate, and sympathetic influence on the heart. The Langendorff technique showed that APT increased coronary perfusion pressure and left ventricle contractility in response to coronary flow and ß-agonist administration. However, treatment with PYR annulled the effects of APT. In conclusion, although chronic treatment with PYR reduces cardiac sympathetic tonic influence, it does not favor coronary bed reactivity and cardiac contractility gains. PYR treatment in the trained SHR group nullified the coronary vascular reactivity and cardiac contractility gains.

Comparing Fourteen Weeks of Multicomponent Training Versus Combined Training in Physically Inactive Older Women: A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Combined (CT) and multicomponent training (MT) presents several benefits for aging individuals. However, the literature does not provide evidence on which of the two physical training models can better enhance improvements in physical capacity and health parameters in middle-aged and older women. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of MT and CT on physical capacity, cognitive, behavioral, and psychosocial assessment, and biochemical profile of physically inactive women aged between 50 and 70 years. METHODS: Participants were randomized into two groups: MT (32 women, 64.2 ± 6.4 years) and CT (39 women, 61.4 ± 4.3 years). Both training sessions had a weekly volume of 180 min, for 14 weeks, with assessments at baseline and after the training period. RESULTS: CT showed better results when compared to MT. In the four evaluation blocks, we noticed differences in the effect size (L = large, M = moderate, S = small, and T = trivial) between the groups in 26 variables in total, highlighting the CT group (L = 11, M = 5, S = 2, and T = 8) compared to the MT group (L = 8, M = 7, S = 7, and T = 4). Our findings showed group-time differences for strength variables using the maximum dynamic repetition test in upper and lower limbs and for agility. The multicomponent training showed improvement in the functional strength of the upper limbs evaluated through the elbow flexion and extension test (p = 0.037), and HDL (p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Fourteen weeks of CT showed better benefits when compared to MT.

Physical training improves physical activity levels but is associated with amplification of sedentary behavior in older women.

Physical activity level (PAL) and sedentary behavior (SB) are independent predictors of mortality. It is unclear how these predictors interact with each other and health variables. Investigate the bidirectional relationship between PAL and SB, and their impact and health variables of women aged 60 to 70 years. One hundred forty-two older adults women (66.3 ± 2.9 years) considered insufficiently active were submitted to 14 weeks of multicomponent training (MT), multicomponent training with flexibility (TMF), or the control group (CG). PAL variables were analyzed by accelerometry and QBMI questionnaire, physical activity (PA) light, moderate, vigorous and CS by accelerometry, 6 min walk (CAM), SBP, BMI, LDL, HDL, uric acid, triglycerides, glucose and cholesterol total. In linear regressions, CS was associated with glucose (B:12.80; CI:9.31/20.50; p < 0.001; R2:0.45), light PA (B:3.10; CI:2, 41/4.76; p < 0.001; R2:0.57), NAF by accelerometer (B:8.21; CI:6.74/10.02; p < 0.001; R2:0.62), vigorous PA (B:794.03; CI:682.11/908.2; p < 0.001; R2:0.70), LDL (B:13.28; CI:7.45/16.75; p < 0.002; R2:0.71) and 6 min walk (B:3.39; CI:2.96/8.75; p < 0.004; R2:0.73). NAF was associated with mild PA (B:0.246; CI:0.130/0.275; p < 0.001; R2:0.624), moderate PA (B:0.763; CI:0.567/0.924; p < 0.001; R2:0.745), glucose (B:-0.437; CI:-0.789/-0.124; p < 0.001; R2:0.782), CAM (B:2.223; CI:1.872/4.985; p < 0.002; R2:0.989) and CS (B:0.253; CI: 0.189/0.512; p < 0.001; R2:1.94). The NAF can enhance CS. Build a new look at how these variables are independent but dependent simultaneously, being able to influence the quality of health when this dependence is denied.

Effects of Combined Versus Multicomponent Training in Physically Active Women Aged 50-75 Years.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effects of combined training (CT) and multicomponent training (MT) on different health parameters in physically active women aged between 50 and 75 years. Method: The participants were randomly divided into two training groups (CT and MT), lasting 180 min per week, for 14 consecutive weeks of training with the level of physical activity, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, strength, cardiorespiratory skills, coordination, flexibility, agility, and quality of life. Results: Participants who underwent CT and MT training showed positive responses regarding the assessment of body mass, waist circumference, lower limb resistance and strength, upper limb strength, and mental domain related to the quality of life. However, only participants undergoing CT were able to increase agility and cardiorespiratory capacities. Conclusion: 14 weeks of CT were more efficient to improve physical capacities in physically active women aged between 50 and 75 years when compared to MT.

Memantine associated with ventricular-subcutaneous shunt promotes behavioral improvement, reduces reactive astrogliosis and cell death in juvenile hydrocephalic rats.

Hydrocephalus is defined as the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain ventricles. The usual treatment of hydrocephalus is surgical (shunt), but not all patients can undergo treatment immediately after diagnosis. Thus, neuroprotective measures were tested to minimize the tissue damage involved. Memantine is a non-competitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, which has shown a neuroprotective action in neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective response of memantine in animals treated with or without a ventricular-subcutaneous shunt. Seven-day-old male Wistar rats induced by intracisternal injection of kaolin were used, divided into five groups: intact control (n = 10), hydrocephalic (n = 10), hydrocephalic treated with memantine (20 mg/kg/day) (n = 10), hydrocephalic treated with shunt (n = 10), hydrocephalic treated with shunt and memantine (20 mg/kg/day) (n = 10). Memantine administration was started on the day after hydrocephalus induction and continued until the last day of the experimental period, totaling 21 consecutive days of drug application. The CSF shunt surgery was performed seven days after hydrocephalus induction. Behavioral tests (open field, and modified Morris water maze), histological, and immunohistochemical evaluations were performed. Treatment with memantine resulted in significant improvement (p < 0.05) in sensorimotor development, preservation of spatial memory, reduction of astrocytic reaction in the corpus callosum, cortex, and germinal matrix. When associated with the shunt, it has also been shown to reduce the cell death cascade. It is concluded that memantine is a promising adjuvant drug with beneficial potential for the treatment of lesions secondary to hydrocephalus.

Qualidade de sono e saúde mental de universitários da área da saúde durante a covid-19 / Sleep quality and mental health of university students in healthcare during COVID-19 / Calidad del sueño y salud mental de estudiantes universitarios en el ámbito salud durante el covid-19

Em universitários, comprometimentos na qualidade de sono e na saúde mental estão relacionados com maior disfunção diurna e menor desempenho acadêmico. O contexto causado pela covid-19 prejudicou a qualidade de sono e a saúde mental de diversos grupos populacionais. Entretanto, mais estudos são necessários para avaliar essas variáveis em estudantes universitários matriculados em diferentes cursos da área da saúde durante a referida pandemia. Com esta pesquisa, objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade de sono e saúde mental de estudantes universitários da área da saúde durante a pandemia da covid-19, bem como investigar possíveis correlações entre os referidos aspectos nessa população. Trata-se de estudo transversal que empregou um formulário eletrônico contendo tanto perguntas para caracterização da amostra quanto questionários específicos. O índice de qualidade de sono de Pittsburgh (PSQI) foi empregado para avaliar a qualidade de sono. Já o questionário de saúde geral (QSG-12) e a escala hospitalar de ansiedade e depressão (HAD) para avaliar, respectivamente, o bem-estar psicológico e ansiedade e depressão. 324 estudantes da área da saúde participaram deste estudo. Entre eles, 87.3% apresentaram uma qualidade de sono pobre (≥ 5), 74.1% apresentaram prejuízo na saúde mental e 73.7% apresentaram quadro de ansiedade possível ou provável. Além disso, evidenciou-se correlação moderada positiva entre os valores do PSQI, do QSG-12 e da escala HAD. Nesse contexto, estudos são necessários para investigar opções terapêuticas capazes de atenuar esses impactos.

In university students, sleep quality and mental health impairments are related to greater daytime dysfunction and lower academic performance. COVID-19 has harmed the quality of sleep and mental health of several population groups. However, more studies are needed to evaluate the quality of sleep and mental health of university students enrolled in health courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. To evaluate the quality of sleep and mental health of university students in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic and to investigate possible correlations between the aforementioned aspects in this population. An electronic form containing questions to characterize its sample and other specific questionnaires were used in this cross-sectional study. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate sleep quality and the General Health Questionnaire (QSG-12) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) were used to evaluate psychological well-being, anxiety, and depression, respectively. Overall, 324 health students participated in this study. Of these, 87.3% of students had poor sleep quality (≥ 5), 74.1% had impaired mental health, and 73.7% had possible or probable anxiety. Furthermore, the PSQI, QSG-12, and HAD scale values showed a moderately positive correlation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, university students in healthcare experienced significant losses in their sleep quality and mental health. In this context, studies must investigate therapeutic options to mitigate these impacts.

Las alteraciones en la calidad del sueño y la salud mental de estudiantes universitarios se relacionan con una mayor disfunción diurna y menor rendimiento académico. El contexto provocado por el covid-19 ha perjudicado la calidad del sueño y la salud mental de varios grupos de la población. Sin embargo, se necesitan más estudios para evaluar la calidad del sueño y la salud mental de estudiantes universitarios matriculados en diferentes carreras de salud durante la pandemia del covid-19. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la calidad del sueño y la salud mental de estudiantes universitarios en el campo de la salud durante la pandemia del covid-19, así como investigar posibles correlaciones entre los aspectos antes mencionados en esta población. Se trata de un estudio transversal que utilizó un formulario electrónico que contenía preguntas para caracterizar la muestra y cuestionarios específicos. Se utilizó el Índice de Calidad del Sueño de Pittsburg (PSQI) para evaluar la calidad del sueño. El Cuestionario de Salud General (CSG-12) y la Escala Hospitalaria de Ansiedad y Depresión (HADS) se utilizaron para evaluar, respectivamente, el bienestar psicológico y la ansiedad y depresión. En este estudio participaron 324 estudiantes del campo de la salud. De estos, el 87,3% de los estudiantes tenía mala calidad del sueño (≥ 5), el 74,1% presentaban problemas de salud mental y el 73,7% tenía posible o probable ansiedad. Además, hubo una correlación positiva moderada entre los valores de las escalas PSQI, CSG-12 y HADS. Durante la pandemia del covid-19, los estudiantes universitarios del campo de la salud experimentaron pérdidas significativas en su calidad de sueño y salud mental. En este contexto, son necesarios estudios que investiguen opciones terapéuticas capaces de mitigar estos impactos.