Prescribing and Self-Regulating Heated Water-Based Exercise by Rating of Perceived Exertion in Older Individuals With Hypertension.

We aimed to analyze the usefulness of the 6-20 rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale for prescribing and self-regulating high-intensity interval (HIIE) and moderate-intensity continuous (MICE) aerobic exercise performed in a heated swimming pool (32 °C). Fifteen older individuals (65 ± 3 years) treated for hypertension underwent a symptom-limited maximal graded exercise test to determine their heart rate at anaerobic threshold, and respiratory compensation point. On different days, participants were randomized to HIIE (walking/jogging between 11 and 17 of RPE; 25 min) and MICE (walking at 11-13 of RPE; 30 min). Heart rate during the low-intensity intervals of HIIE and MICE remained below the graded exercise test's heart rate at anaerobic threshold (-7 ± 18 bpm/-16 ± 15 bpm) and respiratory compensation point (-18 ± 18 bpm/-30 ± 16 bpm), respectively, and maintained in the aerobic training zone during the high-intensity intervals of HIIE (+8 ± 18 bpm/-4 ± 19 bpm). The RPE scale at 15-17 is a useful tool for prescribing and self-regulating heated water-based HIIE and may have important implications for water-based exercise in older individuals with hypertension.

Hypotensive Effect of Heated Water-based Exercise in Older Individuals with Hypertension.

Blood pressure (BP) and hemodynamic response to heated water-based (HEx) vs. land-based exercise (LEx) were assessed in 15 (6 men) older hypertensives (age 66.4±4.9 yr) under pharmacological treatment. Participants were randomly assigned to perform 30 min of moderate-intensity HEx (walking inside the pool), LEx (walking on a treadmill) and non-exercise control (CON) intervention. Resting BP, arterial stiffness, endothelial reactivity and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured before, immediately after, and 45 min after interventions. 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring was performed after interventions. Resting systolic (but not diastolic) BP reduced 9.9±3.1 mmHg (P<0.01) 45 min after HEx only. 24-h systolic and diastolic, daytime diastolic and nightime systolic BP were lower (P<0.05) after HEx than both LEx and CON. Daytime systolic BP was also lower (P<0.05) after HEx than CON. Nighttime diastolic was not different between interventions. HEx-induced ambulatory BP reduction ranged 4.5±1.3 mmHg (24-h diastolic BP) to 9.5±3.0 mmHg (nighttime systolic BP), and persisted for 18/11 h in systolic/diastolic BP, when compared with CON. No significant changes in arterial stiffness, endothelial reactivity and HRV were found during any intervention. These results suggest that HEx may have important implications for managing BP in older hypertensive under pharmacological treatment.

High-Intensity Interval Training as a Tool for Counteracting Dyslipidemia in Women.

Sedentary overweight or obese adult (age<60 years) women, allocated in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, n=13), dyslipidemia alone (DYS, n=12), dyslipidemia associated with hyperglycaemia (DYSHG, N=12), or healthy control (CON, n=10) groups, had their lipid, glucose, blood pressure, endurance performance, and anthropometry variables assessed before and after 16 weeks of a thrice-weekly high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program. Triglycerides reduced significantly (P<0.05) in all groups, and high-density lipoprotein increased (P<0.01) in T2DM, DYS and DYSHG; however, low-density lipoprotein reduced (P<0.05) only in DYSHG, and total cholesterol reduced (P<0.01) only in DYS and DYSHG. Fasting glucose reduced (P<0.05) significantly in T2DM, DYS and DYSHG, but with higher decreases in T2DM and DYSHG. Blood pressure, endurance performance and body composition improved (P<0.05) in all groups. The HIIT program was effective for restoring lipid profile of DYS and DYSHG, and fasting glucose of DYSHG to levels similar to those of CON, with a weekly time commitment 25% to 56% lower than the minimum recommended in current exercise guidelines. These findings suggest that HIIT may be a time-efficient intervention for counteracting dyslipidemia.

Educational program promoting regular physical exercise improves functional capacity and daily living physical activity in subjects with knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise and educational programs promote several benefits for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, little is known about the effects of educational programs promoting the regular practice of physical exercise. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of an interdisciplinary educational program, emphasizing the recommendation for regular practice of physical exercise, on functional capacity and daily living physical activity in individuals with knee OA. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-nine individuals (50 men) with an established diagnosis of knee OA (degree I to IV in the Kelgreen and Lawrence scale) were randomly allocated into a multidisciplinary educational program (EDU; n = 112) or control group (CON; n = 127). Functional capacity (sit and reach, 6-min walking test (6MWT), timed up and down stairs test, timed up and go test (TUGT), and five times sit-to-stand test (FTSST)) and daily living physical activity (IPAQ, short version) were measured before, during (6 months) and after 12 months of follow-up. RESULTS: Body mass index reduced significantly (P < 0.05) after 6 months, and remained reduced after 12-month of follow-up in EDU, but not in CON. EDU group improved (P < 0.05) timed up and down stairs (19%), TUGT (32.5%) and FTSST (30%) performance after 6 months of follow-up, which remained improved after 12 months of follow-up. Functional capacity did not change in CON, excepted for the timed up and down stairs performance that increased after 6 months (12%, P < 0.05), but returned to levels similar to baseline after 12 months of follow-up. There was also an increase (P < 0.05) in the prevalence of active and very active individuals, as well as a reduction (P < 0.05) in the prevalence of sedentary individuals in EDU group during follow-up. There were no significant changes on sit and reach and 6MWT performance during follow-up in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that an educational program emphasizing the recommendation for regular practice of physical exercise may be an effective tool for improving functional capacity and daily physical activity in individuals with knee OA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT 02335034 , December 22, 2014.

Can Previous Levels of Physical Activity Affect Risk Factors for Cardiorespiratory Diseases and Functional Capacity after COVID-19 Hospitalization? A Prospective Cohort Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of previous levels of physical activity on hemodynamic, vascular, ventilatory, and functional outcomes after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalization. Methods: Sixty-three individuals with COVID-19 had their clinical status and previous levels (12 month) of physical activity (Baecke Questionnaire of Habitual Physical Activity) assessed at hospital admission. Individuals were then allocated to lower levels of physical activity (ACTLOWER; N = 22), intermediate levels of physical activity (ACTINTERMEDIATE; N = 22), or higher levels of physical activity (ACTHIGHER; N = 19) groups, according to tertiles of physical activity. Resting hemodynamic (heart rate and brachial/central blood pressures) and vascular (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation) variables, pulmonary function (spirometry), respiratory muscle strength (maximal respiratory pressures), and functional capacity (handgrip strength, five-time sit-to-stand, timed-up and go, and six-minute walking tests) were measured at 30 to 45 days after hospital discharge. Results: ACTLOWER showed lower levels (P < 0.05) of forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second, maximal voluntary ventilation, and maximal expiratory pressure than ACTHIGHER. ACTLOWER also had lower (P = 0.023) walking distance (~21%,) and lower percentage of predicted walking distance (~20%) at six-minute walking test during follow-up than ACTINTERMEDIATE. However, hemodynamic and vascular variables, handgrip strength, five-time sit-to-stand, and timed-up and go were not different among groups. Conclusion: ACTLOWER showed impaired ventilatory parameters and walking performance when compared with ACTHIGHER and ACTINTERMEDIATE, respectively. These results suggest that previous levels of physical activity may impact ventilatory and exercise capacity outcomes 30 to 45 days after COVID-19 hospitalization discharge.

Characterizing the interindividual postexercise hypotension response for two order groups of concurrent training in patients with morbid obesity.

Background: Postexercise hypotension (PEH) is a common physiological phenomenon occurring immediately after endurance training (ET), resistance training (RT), and ET plus RT, also termed concurrent training (CT); however, there is little knowledge about the interindividual and magnitude response of PEH in morbidly obese patients. Aim: The aims of this study were (1) to investigate the effect of CT order (ET + RT vs. RT + ET) on the blood pressure responses; 2) characterize these responses in responders and nonresponders, and 3) identify potential baseline outcomes for predicting blood pressure decreases as responders. Methods: A quasi-experimental study developed in sedentary morbidly obese men and women (age 43.6 ± 11.3 years; body mass index [BMI] ≥40 kg/m2) was assigned to a CT group of ET plus RT (ET + RT; n = 19; BMI 47.8 ± 16.7) or RT plus ET order group (RT + ET; n = 17; BMI 43.0 ± 8.0). Subjects of both groups received eight exercise sessions over four weeks. Primary outcomes include systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), mean arterial pressure [MAP], heart rate at rest [HR], and pulse pressure [PP] measurements before and after 10 min post-exercise. Secondary outcomes were other anthropometric, body composition, metabolic, and physical fitness parameters. Using the delta ∆SBP reduction, quartile categorization (Q) in "high" (Rs: quartile 4), "moderate" (MRs: quartile 3), "low" (LRs: quartile 2), and "nonresponders" (NRs: quartile 1) was reported. Results: Significant pre-post changes were observed in ET + RT in session 2 for SBP (131.6 vs. 123.4 mmHg, p = 0.050) and session 4 (131.1 vs. 125.2 mmHg, p = 0.0002), while the RT + ET group showed significant reductions in session 4 (134.2 vs. 125.3 mmHg, p < 0.001). No significant differences were detected in the sum of the eight sessions for SBP (∑∆SBP) between ET + RT vs. RT + ET (-5.7 vs. -4.3 mmHg, p = 0.552). Interindividual analyses revealed significant differences among frequencies comparing Q1 "NRs" (n = 8; 22.2%), Q2 "LRs" (n = 8; 22.2%), Q3 "MRs" (n = 9; 25.0%), and Q4 "HRs" (n = 11; 30.5%), p < 0.0001. Quartile comparisons showed significant differences in SBP changes (p = 0.035). Linear regression analyses revealed significant association between ∑∆SBP with body fat % (ß -3.826, R 2 0.211 [21.1%], p = 0.031), skeletal muscle mass [ß -2.150, R 2 0.125 (12.5%), p = 0.023], fasting glucose [ß 1.273, R 2 0.078 (7.8%), p = 0.003], triglycerides [ß 0.210, R 2 0.014 (1.4%), p = 0.008], and the 6-min walking test [ß 0.183, R 2 0.038 (3.8%), p = 0.044]. Conclusion: The CT order of ET + RT and RT + ET promote a similar 'magnitude' in the postexercise hypotensive effects during the eight sessions of both CT orders in 4 weeks of training duration, revealing "nonresponders" and 'high' responders that can be predicted from body composition, metabolic, and physical fitness outcomes.

Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Functional Effects of Home-Based Exercise Training after COVID-19 Hospitalization.

INTRODUCTION: The present randomized, single-center, and single-blinded clinical trial tested the hypothesis that tele-supervised home-based exercise training (exercise) is an effective strategy for improving cardiovascular, respiratory, and functional capacity parameters in individuals who were hospitalized due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: Thirty-two individuals (52 ± 10 yr; 17 were female) randomly assigned to exercise ( n = 12) or control groups ( n = 20) had their anthropometric (weight, body mass index), hemodynamic (brachial and central blood pressure), vascular (arterial stiffness), ventilatory (pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength), and functional parameters (handgrip strength, five-time sit to stand, timed up and go test, and 6-min walking test) assessed at baseline (30-45 d of hospital discharged) and after 12 wk of follow-up. RESULTS: Both groups similarly increased ( P < 0.001) forced vital capacity (absolute and percent of predicted), forced expiratory volume in the first second (absolute and percent of predicted), and handgrip strength during follow-up. However, only the exercise group reduced carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (-2.0 ± 0.6 m·s -1 , P = 0.048) and increased ( P < 0.05) resting oxygen saturation (1.9% ± 0.6%), mean inspiratory pressure (24.7 ± 7.1 cm H 2 O), mean expiratory pressure (20.3 ± 5.8 cm H 2 O), and percent of predicted mean expiratory pressure (14% ± 22%) during follow-up. No significant changes were found in any other variable during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Present findings suggest that tele-supervised home-based exercise training can be a potential adjunct therapeutic to rehabilitate individuals who were hospitalized due to COVID-19.

Determinants of endothelial dysfunction in noncritically ill hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify determinants of endothelial dysfunction in patients hospitalized with acute COVID-19. METHODS: A total of 109 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in noncritical status were cross-sectionally studied. Clinical data (age, sex, comorbidities, and medications) and BMI were assessed. Laboratory tests included serum hemoglobin, leukocytes, lymphocytes, platelets, C-reactive protein, ferritin, D-dimer, and creatinine. Physical status was evaluated using a handgrip dynamometer. Endothelial function was assessed noninvasively using the flow-mediated dilation (FMD) method. RESULTS: The sample average age was 51 years, 51% of patients were male, and the most frequent comorbidity was obesity (62%). Univariate analysis showed association of lower FMD with higher BMI, hypertension, use of oral antihypertensive, higher blood levels of creatinine, and larger baseline artery diameter. After adjusting for confounders, the multivariate analysis showed BMI (95% CI: -0.26 to -0.11; p < 0.001) as the major factor associated with FMD. Other factors associated with FMD were baseline artery diameter (95% CI: -1.77 to -0.29; p = 0.007) and blood levels of creatinine (95% CI: -1.99 to -0.16; p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Increased BMI was the major factor associated with endothelial dysfunction in noncritically hospitalized COVID-19 patients. This may explain one of the pathways in which obesity may increase the risk for severe COVID-19.

Short-term community-based exercise programs in low-income older women: Does exercise intensity and modality matters?

Our aim was to evaluate the effect of community-based exercise program (CBEP) intensity and modality on anthropometric, hemodynamic, and functional capacity parameters in low-income older women. Forty insufficiently active older women (68.2 ± 7.9 years) were randomly assigned to perform 12 weeks of twice-weekly high-intensity interval training combined with resistance training (HIIT+RT/n = 12), moderate-intensity continuous training combined with resistance training (MICT+RT/n = 13), or resistance training alone (RT/n = 15). Anthropometric (body mass index and waist circumference), hemodynamic (blood pressure and heart rate), and functional capacity variables (flexibility, upper and lower limb muscle strength, and mobility) were assessed before and after training programs. Waist circumference reduced similarly after all CBEP (~3 to ~4 cm; P < 0.05). Tendency toward reduction in diastolic blood pressure (~4 mm Hg; P = 0.073), and improvements in flexibility (14.5%, P = 0.011) and handgrip strength (15.8%; P = 0.02) were found only in HIIT+RT. Indeed, only RT was effective to improve five-time sit to stand (14.1%; P = 0.013). No significant difference between groups was found during follow-up in any variable. The results of present study suggest that low-income older women may improve anthropometric, hemodynamic and functional capacity variables by participating in twice-weekly short-term (i.e.: 12 weeks) CBEP. However, the CBEP-effects on hemodynamic and functional capacity appears to be affected by exercise intensity (only HIIT+RT tended toward improving diastolic BP) and modality (only RT improved significantly five-time sit to stand), respectively.

Post-exercise Hypotension Following a Single Bout of High Intensity Interval Exercise vs. a Single Bout of Moderate Intensity Continuous Exercise in Adults With or Without Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Background: Post-exercise hypotension (PEH) is an important tool in the daily management of patients with hypertension. Varying the exercise parameters is likely to change the blood pressure (BP) response following a bout of exercise. In recent years, high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) has gained significant popularity in exercise-based prevention and rehabilitation of clinical populations. Yet, to date, it is not known whether a single session of HIIE maximizes PEH more than a bout of moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE). Objective: To compare the effect of HIIE vs. MICE on PEH by means of a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic search in the electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, and SPORTDiscus was conducted from the earliest date available until February 24, 2020. Randomized clinical trials comparing the transient effect of a single bout of HIIE to MICE on office and/or ambulatory BP in humans (≥18 years) were included. Data were pooled using random effects models with summary data reported as weighted means and 95% confidence interval (CIs). Results: Data from 14 trials were included, involving 18 comparisons between HIIE and MICE and 276 (193 males) participants. The immediate effects, measured as office BP at 30- and 60-min post-exercise, was similar for a bout of HIIE and MICE (p > 0.05 for systolic and diastolic BP). However, HIIE elicited a more pronounced BP reduction than MICE [(-5.3 mmHg (-7.3 to -3.3)/ -1.63 mmHg (-3.00 to -0.26)] during the subsequent hours of ambulatory daytime monitoring. No differences were observed for ambulatory nighttime BP (p > 0.05). Conclusion: HIIE promoted a larger PEH than MICE on ambulatory daytime BP. However, the number of studies was low, patients were mostly young to middle-aged individuals, and only a few studies included patients with hypertension. Therefore, there is a need for studies that involve older individuals with hypertension and use ambulatory BP monitoring to confirm HIIE's superiority as a safe BP lowering intervention in today's clinical practice. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42020171640).

Contemporary review of exercise in heart transplant recipients.

Heart transplantation (HTx) is a therapeutic option for a selected group of patients with end-stage heart failure. Although secondary prevention including exercise therapy is recommended in the management of patients following HTx, little information is available on their metabolic and physiological consequences in HTx. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a contemporary review the effectiveness of exercise therapy on functional capacity, cardiovascular health and health-related quality of life for adult HTx patients. We searched the database MEDLINE for articles published between January 2015 and October 2020 and were able to include 6 studies involving 202 patients. Larger improvements in exercise capacity were seen after high-intensity interval training and in patients with evidence of cardiac reinnervation. Clinically relevant reductions were observed for daytime and 24 h ambulatory blood pressure after exercise training and following a single bout of aerobic exercise. Finally, limited data suggest that quality of life is higher in HTx patients following high-intensity training. In summary, the available evidence shows the potential for exercise as a vital treatment in patients following HTx. Yet, the scant data calls for more well-designed and adequately powered studies to support its effectiveness and to unravel optimal exercise characteristics, which would allow for more effective and person-tailored exercise prescription.

Residual Impact of Concurrent, Resistance, and High-Intensity Interval Training on Fasting Measures of Glucose Metabolism in Women With Insulin Resistance.

We sought to assess the residual effects (post 72-h training cessation) on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and fasting insulin (FI) after 12-weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), resistance training (RT), or concurrent training (CT) in women with insulin resistance (IR). We also aimed to determine the training-induced, post-training residual impact of CT. A total of adult 45 women (age 38.5±9.2years) were included in the final analysis and were assigned to a control (CG; n=13, BMI 28.3±3.6kg/m2), HIIT [n=14, BMI 28.6±3.6kg/m2, three sessions/wk., 80-100% of the maximum heart rate (HRmax)], RT [n=8, BMI 29.4±5.5kg/m2, two sessions/wk., 8-10 points of the modified Borg, corresponding to 20 to 50% range of one maximum repetition test (1RM)], or CT group (n=10, BMI 29.1±3.0kg/m2, three sessions/wk., 80-100% of HRmax, and 8-10 Borg, or 20 to 50% range of 1RM, to each HIIT and RT compounds), with the latter including both HIIT and RT regimens. Training interventions lasted 12-weeks. The main outcomes were FPG and FI measured at pre- and 24-h and 72-h post-training (FPG24h, FI24h, and FPG72h, FI72h, respectively). Secondary endpoints were body composition/anthropometry and the adiposity markers waist circumference (WC) and tricípital skinfold (TSF). The residual effects 72-h post-training [delta (∆)] were significantly poorer (all p<0.01) in the CT group (∆FPG72h+6.6mg/dl, η 2: 0.76) than in the HIIT (∆FPG72h+1.2mg/dl, η 2: 0.07) and RT (∆FPG72h+1.0mg/dl, η 2: 0.05) groups. These findings reveal that HIIT reduces FPG and RT reduces FI 24-h post-training; both exercise interventions alone have remarkably better residual effects on FPG and FI (post-72h) than CT in women with insulin resistance.

The Urgent Need for Recommending Physical Activity for the Management of Diabetes During and Beyond COVID-19 Outbreak.

Diabetes is the second most prevalent non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is highly associated with increased incidence of disease severity and mortality. Individuals with diabetes and poor glycemic control have an even worse prognosis. Despite of the need/effectiveness of social distancing measures (i.e.: home confinement, quarantine and/or lockdown) during COVID-19 outbreak, preliminary findings showed an increase in negative behaviors during COVID-19 home confinement (i.e.: ~33.5% reduction in physical activity, ~28.6% (~3.10h) increase in sedentary behavior (i.e.: daily sitting, reclining and lying down time), and more unhealthy food consumption and meal pattern), which may have important clinical implications. For example, we estimated that this reduction in physical activity can increase the cases of type 2 diabetes (from ~7.2% to ~9.6%; ~11.1 million cases per year) and all-cause mortality (from ~9.4% to ~12.5%; ~1.7 million deaths per year) worldwide. Few weeks of reduction in physical activity levels result in deleterious effects on several cardiometabolic (i.e.: glycemic control, body composition, inflammatory cytokines, blood pressure, vascular function…) and functional parameters (i.e.: cardiorespiratory/muscle fitness, balance, agility…). In contrast, physical activity and exercise are important tools for preventing and treating diabetes and others NCDs. Home-based exercise programs are useful, safe and effective for the management of diabetes, and could be widely used during COVID-19 outbreak. In this context, there is an urgent need for recommending physical activity/exercise, during and beyond COVID-19 outbreak, for improving the management of diabetes, as well as to prevent the increase in global burden of COVID-19, diabetes and others NCDs.

Physical Exercise as an Immunomodulator of Chronic Diseases in Aging.

BACKGROUND: The progressive dysfunction of the immune system during aging appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of several age-related disorders. However, regular physical exercise can present "antiaging" effects on several physiological systems. METHODS: A narrative review of studies investigating the chronic effects of exercise and physical activity on the immune system and its association with age-related chronic diseases was carried out according to the guidelines for writing a narrative review. RESULTS: There is compelling evidence suggesting that age-related immune system alterations play a key role on the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, hypertension, chronic heart failure, type 2 diabetes, obesity, arthritis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. On the other hand, the regular practice of physical activity appears to improve most of the inflammatory/immunological processes involved in these diseases. CONCLUSION: Epidemiological, experimental, and clinical studies permit us to affirm that regular physical activity improves immunomodulation and may play a key role in the prevention and treatment of several age-related chronic diseases. However, further studies are needed to better describe the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of physical exercise in specific organs of older individuals, as well as the mechanisms involved in such response.

High-Intensity Interval Versus Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training in Individuals With Parkinson's Disease: Hemodynamic and Functional Adaptation.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus moderate-intensity continuous exercise training (MICE) on hemodynamic and functional variables in individuals with Parkinson's disease. METHODS: Twenty participants (13 men) were randomly assigned to a thrice-weekly HIIT (n = 12) or MICE (n = 8) for 12 weeks. Hemodynamic (resting heart rate and blood pressure, carotid femoral pulse wave velocity, endothelial reactivity, and heart rate variability) and functional variables (5-time sit-to-stand, timed up and go, and 6-min walking tests) assessed before and after training. RESULTS: Demographic, hemodynamic and functional variables were similar between groups at baseline. Endothelial reactivity tended to increase after HIIT, but not after MICE, resulting in improved level (∼8%, P < .01) of this variable in HIIT versus MICE during follow-up. Six-minute walking test improved after HIIT (10.4 ± 3.8%, P < .05), but did not change after MICE. Sit to stand improved similarly after HIIT (27.2 ± 6.1%, P < .05) and MICE (21.5 ± 5.4%, P < .05). No significant changes were found after HIIT or MICE in any other variable assessed. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that exercise intensity may influence training-induced adaptation on endothelial reactivity and aerobic capacity in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

Prescribing high-intensity interval exercise by RPE in individuals with type 2 diabetes: metabolic and hemodynamic responses.

We tested the hypothesis that rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is a tool as efficient as the heart rate (HR) response to the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) for prescribing and self-regulating high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE), and that metabolic and hemodynamic response to HIIE is superior than to continuous moderate-intensity exercise (MICE) in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Eleven participants (age = 52.3 ± 3 years) underwent HIIE prescribed and self-regulated by RPE (HIIERPE; 25 min), HIIE prescribed and regulated by an individual's HR response to CPX (HIIEHR; 25 min), MICE prescribed and self-regulated by RPE (30 min) and control (30 min of seated resting) intervention in random order. HR, blood pressure (BP), capillary glucose, endothelial reactivity, and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity were assessed before, immediately after, and 45 min after each intervention. Exercise HR, speed, and distance were measured during exercise sessions. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory BP was measured after each intervention. Exercise HR, speed, and distance were similar between HIIERPE and HIIEHR. BP response was not different among HIIERPE, HIIEHR, and MICE. Capillary glycaemia reduction was greater (P < 0.05) after HIIERPE (48.6 ± 9.6 mg/dL) and HIIEHR (47.2 ± 9.5 mg/dL) than MICE (29.5 ± 11.5 mg/dL). Reduction (P < 0.05) in 24-h (6.7 ± 2.2 mm Hg) and tendency toward reduction (P = 0.06) in daytime systolic (7.0 ± 2.5 mm Hg) ambulatory BP were found only after HIIERPE. These results suggest that HIIE is superior to MICE for reducing glycaemia and ambulatory BP, and that the 6-20 RPE scale is a useful tool for prescribing and self-regulating HIIE in individuals with T2DM.

Differential Acute Effect of High-Intensity Interval or Continuous Moderate Exercise on Cognition in Individuals With Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND: People with Parkinson's disease (PD) present cognitive impairments, which deteriorate their quality of life and increase disability. Acute aerobic exercise has demonstrated favorable effects on cognitive function in healthy neurologically individuals, but these effects have a dose-response relationship. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the acute effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus continuous moderate-intensity training (MICT) on cognitive functions in people with PD. METHODS: A total of 14 individuals with PD performed cognitive tests, before and after 3 sessions-control session (CON), HIIT, and MICT. HIIT and MICT were performed on a stationary bicycle. HIIT consisted of a 25-minute exercise of high-intensity intervals (1 min) alternated with moderate-intensity intervals (2 min). MICT consisted of a 30-minute moderate-intensity exercise. CON was 30 minutes of seated resting. The cognitive parameters were compared by a mixed-model analysis for repeated measures. RESULTS: Acute effects of exercise were according to its type: MICT-improved immediate auditory memory (P < .01); HIIT-improved immediate auditory memory (P < .02), attention (P < .001), and sustained attention (P < .01); and CON-no effects on cognitive function. CONCLUSIONS: Acute aerobic exercise was able to promote better cognitive performance in people with PD. The effects on cognition were exercise intensity dependent.

Muscular and Functional Capacity in Subjects Under Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis: Role of Physical Activity Status.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the role of physical activity (PA) in muscular and functional capacity in subjects under treatment for knee osteoarthritis submitted to an interdisciplinary educational program emphasizing the regular practice of PA and exercises. Methods: Subjects under treatment for primary knee osteoarthritis (N = 136; age = 66 [3]) were allocated in sedentary to sedentary (SED-SED, sedentary or insufficiently active at pre and post), active to sedentary (ACT-SED, active or very active at pre and sedentary or insufficiently active at post), sedentary to active (SED-ACT, sedentary or insufficiently active at pre and active or very active at post), and active to active (ACT-ACT, active or very active at pre and post) groups. Muscular capacity (isokinetic test), functional capacity (timed up and down stairs test, timed up and go test, and 5 times sit to stand test), and daily living PA (International PA Questionnaire short version) were assessed before and after (12 mo) the follow-up. Results: There were improvements in performance (P < .05) in the time to up and down stairs: 37% in SED-ACT and 27.5% in ACT-ACT; timed up and go test: 33.5% in SED-ACT, 19% in ACT-SED, and 40% in ACT-ACT; 5 times sit to stand test: 39% in SED-ACT and 51% in ACT-ACT groups after 12 months of follow-up. Conclusions: The present results suggest that high levels of daily living PA may have an important role in the prevention/management of knee osteoarthritis.