The Association of Obesity and Overweight with Executive Functions in Community-Dwelling Older Women.

Among the risk factors reported for cognitive decline, the literature highlights changes in body composition. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between obesity/overweight and executive functions in cognitively normal older adult women. This cross-sectional study included 224 individuals (60-80 years), stratified into normal weight (n = 45), overweight (n = 98), and obesity (n = 81). As outcomes, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and Trail Making Test Parts A and B were assessed. We found positive correlations of BMI and WC with completion times of TMT-A and TMT-B, and a negative correlation of BMI and WC with education. ANCOVA showed an association between higher BMI and slower completion time of TMT-A, TMT-B, and ΔTMT (B-A). Impairment of executive functions of cognitively normal older women may be positively associated with obesity and negatively associated with years of education. The findings may contribute to designing strategies that make it possible to prevent cognitive decline in women during aging.

Effects of two different dual-task training protocols on gait, balance, and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults: a 24-week randomized controlled trial.

Background: Although alternating dual-task (ADT) training is functionally easier for older adults, a large part of the motor and cognitive tasks is simultaneously performed, especially during activities of daily living that require maintaining body balance. Objective: To evaluate the effects of mixed dual-task training on mobility, cognitive function, and balance in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: Sixty participants were randomly allocated at a 1:1 ratio into the experimental group-single motor task (SMT) and simultaneous dual task (SDT) interchangeably in stage 1 (for 12 weeks) and after strictly with SDT in stage 2 (the last 12 weeks)-or into the control group-only SMT and SDT interchangeably in stages 1 and 2. Gait parameters were acquired by two inertial sensors. Physical and cognitive performance were acquired by specific questionnaires. Generalized linear mixed models were used for analyzing interaction and main effects. Results: No between-group difference was observed for gait performance. Both protocols improved mobility (mean change ((MC) = 0.74)), dual-task effect (MC = -13.50), lower limb function (MC = 4.44), static (MC = -0.61), and dynamic balance (MC = -0.23), body sway (MC = 4.80), and cognitive function (MC = 41.69). Conclusion: Both dual-task training protocols improved these outcomes.

Sensory assessment of balance regulation of physically active women, 60-79 years old / Avaliação sensorial da regulação do equilíbrio de mulheres fisicamente ativas, 60-79 anos

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of sensory regulation of static and dynamic balance in older women, and to verify the sensitivity and specificity levels of the Body Balance Test (Teste de Equilíbrio Corporal, TEC) in relation to its reference standard, determining the best cutoff point for identifying risk of falling. METHODS: 74 women (age 67.59 ± 5.26 years) participated in the study, divided into fallers (n = 18) and non-fallers (n = 56). RESULTS: Comparatively, non-fallers had higher performance scores on static balance exteroceptive regulation (SBER), dynamic balance exteroceptive regulation (DBER), and dynamic balance interoceptive regulation (DBIR). Statistically significant differences were found in DBER (p = ≤0.001) and DBIR (p = 0.031). The area under the ROC curve was 0.73 (95%CI 0.58 ­ 0.88; p = 0.003), with a sensitivity level of 42.30% and specificity of 84.80%. CONCLUSIONS: The greatest chance of falling was found for dynamic balance in situations of exteroceptive and interoceptive regulation for older women with and without a history of falls. Deficits in sensory regulation of body balance are common in older women, both fallers and non-fallers

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o desempenho da regulação sensorial do equilíbrio estático e dinâmico de mulheres idosas e verificar os níveis de sensibilidade e especificidade do Teste de Equilíbrio Corporal (TEC) em relação ao seu padrão de referência, determinando o melhor ponto de corte para a identificação do risco de queda. METODOLOGIA: participaram do estudo 74 mulheres (67,59 ± 5,26 anos), divididas em caidoras (n = 18) e não-caidoras (n = 56). RESULTADOS: Comparativamente, não-caidoras indicaram escores de desempenho mais elevados para equilíbrio estático regulação exteroceptiva (EERE), equilíbrio dinâmico regulação exteroceptiva (EDRE) e equilíbrio dinâmico regulação interoceptiva (EDRI). Diferenças estatisticamente significativas foram encontradas na regulação EDRE (p = ≤0,001) e EDRI (p = 0,031). A área verificada sob a curva ROC foi de 0,73 (IC95% 0,58 ­ 0,88; p = 0,003) e nível de sensibilidade de 42,30% e especificidade de 84,80%. CONCLUSÕES: A maior chance de queda foi encontrada para o equilíbrio dinâmico em situação de regulação exteroceptivo e interoceptivo para mulheres idosas com e sem histórico de queda. Déficits na regulação sensorial do equilíbrio corporal são comuns em mulheres idosas caidoras e não-caidoras

Influence of Drugs of Continuous Use on the Sensory Regulation of the Static Balance of Elderly Regular Practitioners of the Pilates Method / Influência de Fármacos de Uso Contínuo Sobre a Regulação Sensorial do Equilíbrio Estático de Idosas Praticantes Regulares do Método Pilates

The combination of types of medications can compromise the regulation of body balance in older adults. This study evaluated the effect of continuous use drugs on the sensory regulation of static balance in elderly women who regularly practice the Pilates method with and without a history of falls and estimate the risk of falls in this population. Cross-sectional study, carried out with 94 women (67.12±4.74 years) practicing Pilates, divided into: non fallers (n = 74) and fallers (n = 18). Sociodemographic data, comorbidities, medications, and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), Confidence in Balance Scale (ABC) were applied. The examination of static balance was performed by the Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance (CTSIB). The risk of falling was analyzed using an adjusted multiple logistic regression model, while the effect of drugs on falls was estimated by binary regression, results were presented using the odds ratio (OR). The CTSIB test revealed Condition 4 (OR = 3.038; 95% CI = 1.321­15.674) and Condition 5 (OR = 5.542; 95% CI = 1.678­18.303) as predictors of falls. Drugs showing an effect on fall were ß2 agonist associated with glucocorticoid (OR = 0.245; 95% CI = 1,233­2,400), thiazide diuretic (OR = 0.344; 95% CI = 1.122­2.234), statin (OR = 0.245; 95 % CI = 1,237­2,338), angiotensin II receptor antagonist (OR = 0,245; 95% CI = 1,236­2,339), beta blocker (OR = 0,245; 95% CI = 1,238­2,402) and anti-vertigo (OR = 0,245; 95 % CI = 1.230­2.399). Regardless of the history of falls, the risk of falling was present in older adult regular Pilates practitioners. Six different drugs for continuous use showed an effect on falls. (AU)

A combinação de tipos de medicamentos pode comprometer a regulação do equilíbrio corporal de idosos. Este estudo avaliou o efeito de fármacos de uso contínuo sobre a regulação sensorial do equilíbrio estático de mulheres idosas praticantes regulares do método Pilates com e sem histórico de queda e estimar o risco de queda dessa população. Estudo transversal, realizado com 94 mulheres (67,12±4,74 anos) praticantes de Pilates, divididas em: não-caidoras (n=74) e caidoras (n=18). Foram coletados dados sociodemográfico, comorbidades, medicamentos, e aplicado Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM), Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), Escala de Confiança no Equilíbrio (ABC). O exame do equilíbrio estático foi realizado pelo Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance (CTSIB). O risco de queda foi analisado pelo modelo de regressão logística múltipla ajustado, enquanto, que o efeito dos fármacos sobre queda foi estimado pela regressão binária, resultados foram apresentados pelo odds ratio (OR). O teste CTSIB revelou a Condição 4 (OR= 3,038; 95% IC= 1,321­15,674) e Condição 5 (OR= 5,542; 95% IC= 1,678­18,303) como previsora de quedas. As drogas que mostram efeito sobre queda foram agonista ß2 associada com glicocorticóide (OR=0,245; 95% IC= 1,233­2,400), diurético tiazídico (OR=0,344; 95% IC=1,122­2,234), estatina (OR=0,245; 95% IC=1,237 2,338), antagonista do receptor de angiotensina II (OR=0,245; 95% IC=1,236­2,339), betabloqueador (OR=0,245; 95% IC=1,238­2,402) e antivertiginoso (OR=0,245; 95% IC=1,230­2,399). Independente do histórico de quedas, o risco de cair esteve presente em idosas praticantes regulares do Pilates. Seis diferentes medicamentos de uso contínuo mostraram efeito sobre queda. (AU)