Effects of social distancing provoked by COVID-19 pandemic in the functional capacity and cognitive function in nonagenarians and centenarians.

INTRODUCTION: Due to the rapid advance of coronavírus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020, social distancing was the main way to reduce the transmission of the virus. Although this measure was efficient and necessary, the social distancing had severe consequences for physical function, mainly in older individuals. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of social distancing in the functional and cognitive capacity of community-dwelling oldest-old adults. METHODS: The present study is part of a larger prospective cohort study. Fifteen participants aged 90 years old or older were assessed in the 8-foot-timed-up-and-go test (8-footTUG), sit-to-stand-up test (STS), handgrip strength test (HGS), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Katz Index and Lawton Scale before and after one year of social distancing. RESULTS: A significant worsening in the 8-footTUG and MMSE score was observed, while there were no significant changes in the other variables. When analyzing the decreases in relation to previous functional capacity, it was observed that individuals categorized as dependent by STS cut-off points had the worst decreases in functional capacity. CONCLUSION: The social distancing provoked by COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the 8-footTUG and cognition. Moreover, individuals dependents showed greater decline in their functional capacity.

Acute effects of different proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stabilization techniques on the balance of elderly women.

AIM: To compare the acute effects of rhythmic stabilization (RS) and stabilizer reversal (SR) techniques of PNF on the balance of sedentary elderly women. METHODS: Women aged (≥70) were allocated into three groups: RS, SR and control (CR). The experimental groups (RS and SR) performed balance exercises with the addition of rhythmic stabilization techniques (RS group) or with stabilizers reversal (SR group) for 15 min. The CR group performed the exercises without adding the PNF stabilization techniques. Participants performed the Time Up and Go (TUG) test, the Functional Reach Test (FRT) and static and dynamic stabilometry pre and post intervention. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used for comparison between groups and post hoc analysis, respectively, with p ≤ 0.05. For the effect size measurements, the r for Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney signal were used. RESULTS: For functional tests intra-group analysis, a reduction in TUG time and an increase in FRT range (p ≤ 0.05) were observed in RS e SR groups. Stabilometry analysis showed a significant difference only for the RS group, with reduced average velocity of the centre of pressure (COP), and an increased in the left foot pressure. CONCLUSIONS: A single RS or SR session reduced the TUG time and the range distance in the FRT in elderly women. A single session of the RS technique was also able to reduce the mean velocity of the COP and the maximum pressure on the left foot. IMPACT: This study shows an easy-to-apply methods without additional materials that can help prevent falls in the elderly.

Effects of Protein Supplementation Associated with Resistance Training on Body Composition and Muscle Strength in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews with Meta-analyses.

BACKGROUND: There are some controversial findings regarding the benefits of combining protein supplementation with resistance training in order to optimize adaptations to training in older adults. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to summarize the evidence from meta-analyses assessing the effects of protein supplementation combined with resistance training on body composition and muscle strength in the older population. METHODS: We included systematic reviews with meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials that examined the effects of protein and/or amino acid supplementation associated with resistance training compared with resistance training alone on lean body mass, muscle mass, and muscle strength in older people. The search was performed using the MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Google Scholar, and OpenGrey databases. Methodological quality was assessed using the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews 2 checklist, and the quality of evidence was determined using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. The pooled effect estimates were computed from the standardized mean difference and the 95% confidence interval achieved by each meta-analysis, using random effects models. RESULTS: Five reviews were included, all of moderate methodological quality. In the analyses, protein supplementation combined with resistance training was associated with greater increases in lean body mass and muscle mass when compared with resistance training alone. However, no differences were observed between the interventions on muscle strength increases. The quality of evidence ranged from moderate to very low. CONCLUSION: Protein supplementation associated with resistance training induces greater increases in lean body mass compared with resistance training alone. In addition, it is suggested that the use of protein supplementation enhances gains in muscle mass but does not promote greater increases in muscle strength.

Effects of different strength training volumes and subsequent detraining on strength performance in aging adults.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the volume-dependence of upper-body strength performance improvement and the retention effects after detraining in aging adults. Eighteen healthy, untrained, middle-aged volunteers were randomized into two groups: low volume (LV), mean = 494 kg. and high volume (HV), mean = 686 kg. load. Participants were tested and retested before a 12-week (2 times/week) period of RT for baseline values (pre-); after 6 weeks (middle) and 12 weeks of training (post-), and 12 weeks after interruption (detraining - no systematic exercise). On each test day, a five-repetition maximum (5-RM) for the seated row; handgrip strength test (HGS); and local muscular endurance for elbow flexors (LME) were carried out. Participants performed seated row training 2 times per week with a rest interval of at least 48 h between sessions. After 24 sessions of RT (resistance training), LME significantly increased in both groups (p < 0.05), without differences between groups (14 vs. 18%, for LV and HV, respectively). In addition, 5-RM increased in both the LV (22%) and HV (20%) groups. There were no significant increases in HGS in either group (LV 3% and HV 6%). After detraining, both groups lost up to 15% of LME and 5-RM. In untrained, middle-aged adults, there is an increase in maximal dynamic strength and local muscular endurance, independent of volume chosen. Furthermore, after 12 weeks detraining, the loss does not decrease to baseline values.