Periodized combined training in physically active overweight women over 50 years

Abstract Aim: This quasi-experimental study, analyzes if periodized combined training's influence on plasma cytokine levels, muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness in physically active women with overweight and/or obesity over 50 years. Methods: The sample was composed of 33 physically active women who were randomly allocated to three groups: Non-Periodized (NP) (n = 11); Undulating Periodization (UP) (n = 9); and Flexible Undulating Periodization (FUP) (n = 13). This study was conducted for 17 weeks, which included adaptation (weeks 1-3), baseline testing (week 4), training program (weeks 5-16), and post-evaluation (week 17). The training frequency comprised of three weekly sessions, with 30 min of aerobic exercise and 45 min of strength exercises. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. The level of significance was p ≤ 0.05. Results: No differences were observed in weight parameters, plasma levels of cytokines, and biochemical parameters in any group, before and after the completion of the training period. Participants demonstrated increase in strength of the upper limbs in the UP (p = 0.032) and FUP (p = 0.021) groups, an increase in aerobic fitness in the NP (p = 0.041) and UP (p = 0.005) groups, and an increase in the amount of time of vigorous activity per week in the NP group (p = 0.019). Conclusion: This study shows that periodized combined training in physically active women with overweight and/or obesity over 50 years proved to be beneficial for all groups; although, the UP group exhibited better performance.

Association of genetic polymorphisms with physical capacities and body composition in older women / Associação de polimorfismos genéticos com capacidades físicas e composição corporal em idosas

Abstract The elderly population has grown substantially, and the decline in physical capacities and increase in the body fat percentage are important characteristics of aging. Genetic factors may explain these declines and studies related to this issue are justified because they predict what physical capacities present larger declines in different individuals and enable the adoption of strategies to slow them. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ACE I / D and ACTN3 R / X genetic polymorphisms on body fat, muscle strength and power levels, aerobic capacity, flexibility and agility in older women. Sixty-six older women were genotyped with respect to ACTN3 and ACE polymorphisms for the division of groups and submitted to anthropometric measurements, physical tests in the AAHPERD and RIKLI and JONES test batteries and IPAQ to determine the level of physical activity and the Food Consumption Marker Form. Older women with XX genotype in relation to ACTN3 genotype had lower levels of flexibility of upper and lower limbs and lower cardiorespiratory fitness. Moreover, in relation to the ACE genotype, ID individuals exhibited higher cardiorespiratory fitness and lower body fat percentages. In relation to the other variables, there was no statistical difference among groups. It was concluded that the genetic variants under study play a role in some of the physical capacities and body composition in elderly women. In the future, data of this nature will enable each individual to have specific health interventions directed to the variables showing higher genetic potential for decline.

Resumo A população idosa tem crescido de forma substancial e o declínio nas capacidades físicas, além do aumento na porcentagem de gordura corpórea, são características importantes do envelhecimento. Fatores genéticos podem explicar estes declínios e pesquisas relacionadas a essa temática se justificam porque predizer quais capacidades físicas apresentarão maiores declínios em cada indivíduo possibilita a adoção de estratégias para retardá-los. Assim objetivamos avaliar o efeito dos polimorfismos genéticos ECA I/D e ACTN3 R/X nos níveis de gordura corporal, força e potência muscular, capacidade aeróbia, flexibilidade e agilidade em idosas. 66 idosas foram genotipadas em relação aos polimorfismos da ACTN3 e da ECA para divisão dos grupos e submetidas a medidas antropométricas, testes físicos da bateria de testes da AAHPERD e RIKLI E JONES, IPAQ para determinar o nível de atividade física e o Formulário de Marcadores de Consumo Alimentar. Mulheres idosas com o genótipo XX em relação ao gene da ACTN3 apresentaram menores níveis de flexibilidade dos membros superiores e menor capacidade cardiorrespiratória. Por outro lado, em relação ao gene da ECA, os indivíduos ID apresentaram maior capacidade cardiorrespiratória e menor porcentagem de gordura. Em relação às outras variáveis não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos. Concluímos que as variantes genéticas estudadas têm influência em algumas das capacidades físicas e na composição corporal em idosas. No futuro dados desta natureza possibilitarão cada indivíduo ter suas intervenções em saúde direcionadas às variáveis que ele apresenta maior potencial genético para declínio.