Correlates of functional physical capacity in physically active older adults: a conceptual-framework-based cross-sectional analysis of social determinants of health and clinical parameters.

BACKGROUND: Functional decline in older adults may be affected by clinical status, physical fitness, and social determinants of health. AIMS: This study aimed to explore social determinants of health and health/clinical determinants on two outcomes of functional physical capacity. METHODS AND RESULTS: Therefore, a population-based sample of 327 older adults (69 ± 7 years; 83.5% women) underwent demographical and clinical questionnaires, risk factors assessments, 6-min walk testing (walking capacity), and handgrip strength testing. Based on multivariable linear regression models, age ( - 4.05 m; - 5.3 to - 2.8), being men (71.40 m; 50.5-92.3), body mass index ( - 3.88 m; - 5.6 to - 2.1), and quality of life (18.48 m; 6.3-30.6) remained as predictive variables for walking capacity (R2 = 30.8%). In the final model for handgrip strength, age ( - 0.6% kgf; 0.89-0.2) and male sex (65.2% kgf; 55.3-75.8) remained as predictive variables. DISCUSSION: The mean values for our predicted outcomes were similar to those of healthy and physically active ones, which may be a consequence of the engagement of our sample in a lifestyle program. Also, although using the conceptual framework model to choose explanatory variables with a solid rationale, some of them may present reverse causality in this study setting, regardless of our efforts to annulate this type of bias. CONCLUSIONS: Despite exploratory analyses including contextual factors as potential predictors of walking capacity and handgrip strength, only outcomes at the individual levels were associated, either positively or negatively, with the variations presented by this studied sample of older adults.

Acute and chronic effects of muscle power training on blood pressure in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of 12 weeks of muscle power training (MPT) on casual blood pressure (BP) (before and after each training session) and resting BP (pre- and post-training program) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) elderly.Methods: Twelve T2DM elderly individuals (68.75 ± 7.83 years), non-insulin-dependents participated in the present study and performed the MPT program twice a week. Casual BP was measured before and after training sessions, and resting BP was measured 48 h before the first and 48 h after the last training session.Results: Significant decrease in casual systolic (SBP) (-7.08 ± 4.12 mm Hg [effect size [ES]: -1.42 to -0.11]; p < 0.01) and diastolic (DBP) BP (-3.14 ± 1.24 mm Hg [ES: -1.24 to -0.18]; p > 0.01) was found after training sessions, without significant effect (p > 0.05) of the week along time or casual BP × week interaction. No significant change in resting SBP (-5.08 ± 8.93 mm Hg [ES: -0.41]; p = 0.07) and DBP (0.47 ± 6.06 mm Hg [ES: +0.11]; p = 0.79) was found.Conclusion: MPT was able to reduce casual BP after training sessions. However, there was no significant reduction in resting BP after MPT. Nevertheless, although not statistically significant, there were important clinical reductions in resting SBP in T2DM elderly patients.

The "Hypertension Approaches in the Elderly: a Lifestyle study" multicenter, randomized trial (HAEL Study): rationale and methodological protocol.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a clinical condition highly prevalent in the elderly, imposing great risks to cardiovascular diseases and loss of quality of life. Current guidelines emphasize the importance of nonpharmacological strategies as a first-line approach to lower blood pressure. Exercise is an efficient lifestyle tool that can benefit a myriad of health-related outcomes, including blood pressure control, in older adults. We herein report the protocol of the HAEL Study, which aims to evaluate the efficacy of a pragmatic combined exercise training compared with a health education program on ambulatory blood pressure and other health-related outcomes in older individuals. METHODS: Randomized, single-blinded, multicenter, two-arm, parallel, superiority trial. A total of 184 subjects (92/center), ≥60 years of age, with no recent history of cardiovascular events, will be randomized on a 1:1 ratio to 12-week interventions consisting either of a combined exercise (aerobic and strength) training, three times per week, or an active-control group receiving health education intervention, once a week. Ambulatory (primary outcome) and office blood pressures, cardiorespiratory fitness and endothelial function, together with quality of life, functional fitness and autonomic control will be measured in before and after intervention. DISCUSSION: Our conceptual hypothesis is that combined training intervention will reduce ambulatory blood pressure in comparison with health education group. Using a superiority framework, analysis plan prespecifies an intention-to-treat approach, per protocol criteria, subgroups analysis, and handling of missing data. The trial is recruiting since September 2017. Finally, this study was designed to adhere to data sharing practices. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03264443 . Registered on 29 August, 2017.

The "home-based exercise for breast and prostate cancer patients during treatment-a feasibility trial" (BENEFIT CA trial): rationale and methodological protocol.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity has been shown to benefit patients undergoing adjuvant cancer therapy. Although exercise interventions may be applied in several settings, most trials have focused on specialized facilities for their interventions. While these approaches benefit the access for individuals living near exercise centers, it hampers the assessment of real-world effectiveness. Therefore, evaluating the feasibility and implementation of home-based models of exercise training, especially in low-to-middle-income settings, may inform future physical activity trials and programs. In this article, we present the protocol for the BENEFIT CA trial, which aims to assess the implementation of a remote exercise intervention for patients with breast cancer or prostate cancer, primarily quantifying adherence to an exercise program. METHODS: This is a 12-week study, utilizing a non-randomized, single-arm design to assess the feasibility of a home-based exercise training. The intervention is remotely guided, and participants also receive an educational component about cancer and exercise. The study aims to recruit 40 patients diagnosed with breast cancer and 40 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, all of whom undergoing active hormonal treatment. The primary outcome is the level of adherence, indicated as the proportion of performed exercise episodes. Secondary outcomes include recruitment rates, fatigue, quality of life, and functional capacity. Adverse events will be monitored throughout the study. Because this is a feasibility trial, the statistical analysis plan is based on descriptive statistics, which encompasses an intention-to-treat analysis and a plan for handling missing data. DISCUSSION: This is a low-cost feasibility study to orient the design of a wide-range, pragmatic phase 3 trial based on remote exercise intervention. With this study, we aim to better understand the adherence and implementation strategies regarding home-based exercise for the proposed population and, in the near future, move forward to a randomized clinical trial. In addition, this trial may contribute to engage patients with cancer in exercise programs throughout their treatment and beyond. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial has been approved by the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre Ethics Committee/IRB (48,869,621.9.0000.5327), and it is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05258526), registered on February 25, 2022, prior to the beginning of the study.

Association Between Physical Exercise Interventions Participation and Functional Capacity in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus increases with age, and people with type 2 diabetes are more affected by reductions in functional performance. Although exercise interventions are recommended for people with diabetes, it is relevant to assess the effects of different training modes on the available functional outcomes. Therefore, our purpose was to systematically assess the effect of different physical exercise modalities in patients with type 2 diabetes with an average age of 45 years or older on outcomes used to measure functional capacity. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials was conducted. Seven databases were searched from January 1987 to December 2021 (PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Cochrane Library, SPORTDiscus, and in grey literature: Open Grey and Google Scholar). Eligible studies should last 8 weeks or longer, comparing structured exercise training and non-exercise control for one out of six pre-specified functional capacity outcomes (Timed Up and Go test, chair stands, walking performance, upper-limb muscle strength, lower-limb muscle strength, physical fitness parameter), in patients with type 2 diabetes, aged ≥ 45 years. The risk of bias was assessed with the Downs & Black checklist. Pooled mean differences were calculated using a random-effects model, followed by sensitivity and meta-regression analyses. RESULTS: Of 18,112 references retrieved, 29 trials (1557 patients) were included. Among these, 13 studies used aerobic training, 6 studies used combined training, 4 studies used resistance training, 3 studies had multiple intervention arms and 3 studies used other types of training. Exercise training was associated with an increase in functional capacity outcomes, as reflected by changes in 6-min walk test (n = 8) [51.6 m; 95% CI 7.6% to 95.6%; I2 92%], one-repetition maximum leg-press (n = 3) [18.0 kg; 95% CI 4.0% to 31.9%; I2 0%], and maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) (n = 20) [2.41 mL/kg·min; 95% CI 1.89% to 2.92%; I2 100%] compared with control groups. In sensitivity and subgroup analyses using VO2max as outcome and stratified by type of study (randomized and non-randomized controlled clinical trials), duration of diabetes diagnosis, and sex, we observed overlapping confidence intervals. Meta-regression showed no association between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) levels and VO2max [p = 0.34; I2 99.6%; R2 = 2.6%]. In addition, the quality of the included studies was mostly low. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that structured physical exercise programs might improve functional capacity in patients with type 2 diabetes, except for the upper-limb muscle strength. However, we could not identify potential effect predictors associated with directional summary estimates. Trial registration This systematic review was registered in the PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews (CRD42020162467); date of registration: 12/15/2019. The review protocol is hosted at the Open Science Framework (OSF) (Preprint https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/kpg2m ).

Análise da situação de saúde dos idosos usuários de uma política municipal de atividades físicas / Analysis of health status of older adults users of a municipal physical activity program / Análisis de la situación de salud de los adultos ancianos de una política municipal de actividad física

Introdução: Políticas públicas intersetoriais em saúde são intervenções populacionais (e de cunho ecológico) muito utilizadas para a redução da carga global de doença e otimização de recursos tanto financeiros quanto humanos. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a situação de saúde de usuários idosos de uma política municipal de atividades físicas. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal com amostragem baseada em centros comunitários (N dispositivos comunitários=11), que disponibilizam práticas de movimentos corporais e outros, subsidiados pela Secretaria Municipal de Desenvolvimento Social e Esporte (SMDSE), Prefeitura Municipal de Porto Alegre (RS). A amostragem de usuários foi ponderada para o total de usuários atendidos por centro, adotando seleção aleatória simples. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre abril de 2018 e fevereiro de 2019, em que a equipe de coleta se deslocou ao território adscrito dos usuários para a condução de inquérito de saúde autoaplicado e a avaliação funcional; de forma contrária, os usuários compareceram a um centro de coleta para a série laboratorial (sem jejum). Resultados: Foram incluídos e analisados 351 usuários (média±desvio padrão, 70±6 anos). Para fatores de risco cardiovasculares, a prevalência de hipercolesterolemia foi de 54,2% e de 49,3% para hipertensão arterial sistêmica ­ as mais elevadas. O transtorno de sono foi prevalente em 55,3% da amostra. Entre as doenças autorrelatadas, os participantes listaram as cardiovasculares (14,3%), câncer prévio (14,6%), diabetes (13,2%), artrite reumatoide/ reumatismo (29,6%) e depressão (sem discriminador de depressão maior/ menor) (18,6%). A capacidade funcional, estimada pelo teste de caminhada em 6 minutos e a força de preensão manual, preditores de mortalidade cardiovascular e agravos, tiveram valores médios encontrados de 498,05±78,96 m e 27,08±8,14 kg, respectivamente. Conclusão: Os achados do presente estudo permitem contrastar prevalências estimadas em idosos participantes de um programa público de atividades físicas com outras estimativas em grupos de comparação, possibilitando a análise de situação de saúde com base em diferentes comportamentos e fatores de risco. Por fim, o trabalho viabilizou a monitorização de intervenções públicas para idosos em nível comunitário, sendo um ponto de base para acompanhamento futuro.

Introduction: Intersectoral public policies on health are population (and ecological) interventions widely used to reduce the global burden of disease and optimize both financial and human resources. Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the health status of older adults users of a municipal policy on physical activities. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with a sample based on community centers (N community centers=11), which provide body movement practices and others, funded by the Municipal Department of Social Development and Sports (SMDSE), City Hall of Porto Alegre (state of Rio Grande do Sul ­ RS, Brazil). The users' sample was weighted by the number of users of each center, by simple random sampling. Data collection took place between April 2018 and February 2019, in which the collection team went to the users' assigned territory to conduct a self-administered health survey and functional assessment; conversely, the users attended a collection center for laboratory tests (without fasting). Results: A total of 351 users (mean±SD, 70±6 years old) were included. For cardiovascular risk factors, the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was 54.2% and 49.3% for systemic arterial hypertension ­ the highest levels. Sleep disorder was prevalent in 55.3% of the sample. Among the self-reported diseases, participants listed cardiovascular (14.3%), previous cancer (14.6%), diabetes (13.2%), rheumatoid arthritis/rheumatism (29.6%), and depression (without major/minor depression discrimination) (18.6%). Functional capacity, estimated by the six-minute walk test, and handgrip strength, predictors of cardiovascular mortality and injuries, had mean values of 498.05±78.96 m and 27.08±8.14 kg, respectively. Conclusions: The findings of this study allow contrasting prevalence rates estimated in older adults participants of a public physical activity program with other estimates in comparison groups, enabling the analysis of health status based on different behaviors and risk factors. All in all, our study enabled to monitor public interventions for older adults at the community level, serving as a baseline for future monitoring.

Introducción: Las políticas de salud pública intersectoriales tienen el potencial de destacar la reducción de la carga global de enfermedad y la optimización de los recursos financieros y humanos. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la situación de salud de los usuarios, ancianos, de una política municipal de actividades físicas. Métodos: Se trata de un estudio transversal con muestreo a partir de centros comunitarios (N dispositivos comunitarios=11), que brindan prácticas de movimiento corporal y otras, subsidiadas por la Secretaria Municipal de Desenvolvimento Social e Esporte (SMDSE), Prefeitura Municipal de Porto Alegre (RS). El muestreo de usuarios fue ponderado por el total de usuarios atendidos por centro, adoptando selección aleatoria simple. La recolección de datos ocurrió entre abril/2018 y febrero/2019, cuando el equipo de recolección viajó al territorio asignado de los usuarios para realizar una encuesta de salud auto aplicada y evaluación funcional; por el contrario, los usuarios acudían a un centro de recogida de series de laboratorio (sin ayuno). Resultados: Se incluyeron y analizaron 351 usuarios (media±DP, 70±6 años). Para los factores de riesgo cardiovascular, la prevalencia de hipercolesterolemia fue de 54,2% y de hipertensión arterial sistémica de 49,3%, la más alta. El trastorno del sueño fue prevalente en el 55,3% de la muestra. Entre las enfermedades auto informadas, los participantes enumeraron enfermedades cardiovasculares (14,3%), cáncer previo (14,6%), diabetes (13,2%), artritis reumatoide/reumatismo (29,6%) y depresión (sin discriminación de depresión mayor/menor) (18,6%). La capacidad funcional, estimada por la prueba de la marcha de 6 minutos, y la fuerza de prensión manual, predictores de mortalidad y lesiones cardiovasculares, tuvieron valores medios de 498,05±78,96 m y 27,08±8,14 kg, respectivamente. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos de este estudio permiten contrastar las prevalencias estimadas en participantes ancianos de un programa público de actividades físicas con otras estimaciones en grupos de comparación, lo que permite el análisis de la situación de salud basado en diferentes comportamientos y factores de riesgo. Por último, el trabajo ha facilitado la monitorización de intervenciones públicas para personas mayores a nivel comunitario, sirviendo como punto de partida para un seguimiento futuro.