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 ).

Combined aerobic and strength training for fitness outcomes in heart failure: meta-analysis and meta-regression.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of combined training (CT) versus aerobic training (AT) or versus control on VO2 peak and quadriceps muscle strength in patients with heart failure (HF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Major electronic databases were searched, from inception to November 2020, for randomized clinical trials comparing the effects of CT against AT or control on VO2 peak and/or quadriceps muscle strength in patients with HF. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted, calculating the standardized mean difference (SMD). RESULTS: Twenty-eight articles were included. An increase on VO2 peak (SMD = 0.77, 95%CI 0.39-1.14, I2=80.1%) and quadriceps muscle strength (SMD = 0.67, 95%CI 0.18-1.16, I2=0%) was found in CT compared to control. CT increased quadriceps muscle strength, versus AT (SMD = 0.44, 95%CI 0.15-0.74, I2=0%). There were no differences between CT and AT on VO2 peak (SMD=-0.01, 95%CI -0.36 to 0.34, I2=65%). Time of session and training duration moderate the effects of CT over control on VO2 peak. CONCLUSIONS: CT promotes increases on quadriceps muscle strength and aerobic capacity over control and provides additional gains on quadriceps muscle strength, having the same effects on VO2 peak compared to AT. A longer time of session is associated with greater benefits to aerobic capacity.Implications for rehabilitationCombining aerobic and strength training increases the functional capacity and quadriceps muscle strength in heart failure patients.Using longer sessions of training has a greater impact on aerobic capacity.

Methodological quality and reporting standards in systematic reviews with meta-analysis of physical activity studies: a report from the Strengthening the Evidence in Exercise Sciences Initiative (SEES Initiative).

BACKGROUND: Several resources have been developed (e.g., reporting guidelines) to promote high-standard practices in health research. However, there was no continuous and systematic assessment of recommended practices in published systematic reviews with meta-analysis (SRMAs), which increases the usability of the available resources. Therefore, we aimed to assess the methodological and reporting standards in SRMAs of physical activity studies. This report presents the main results of the SEES Initiative in 2019. METHODS: Our approach is based on a prospective systematic review methodology to implement post-publication surveillance of research practices in exercise sciences. Briefly, during the year 2019, pre-specified searches were conducted monthly (PubMed/MEDLINE) in journals from the exercise sciences (n = 9) and medicine (n = 5). The assessments were independently conducted by two authors, based on 36 items/practices derived from established statements/tools (PRISMA, AMSTAR 2, ROBIS). To be eligible, SRMAs should summarize studies that had, at least, one arm consisting of physical activity interventions/exposures and one health or behavioral outcome. RESULTS: Out of 1028 studies assessed for eligibility, 103 SRMAs were included. The minimum adherence was 13/36 items, whereas only one SRMA adhered to all items. Some highly contemplated items included identification of title as SRMA (97.1%) and descriptions of the main outcome in the abstract (95.1%) and risk of bias (RoB) assessment (95.1%). Some poorly contemplated items included publicly available protocol (4.9%), discussion of the results in light of RoB in studies included (32.0%), and data sharing statements (35.9%). CONCLUSION: In summary, there is a suboptimal adherence to recommended practices on methodological quality and reporting standards in the SRMAs of physical activity intervention/exposure evaluated from the selected journals in 2019, which likely reduce the reproducibility and usefulness of these studies. This incipient evidence from our first 12 months of post-publication surveillance should serve as a call for attention and action for multiple stakeholders (e.g., authors, reviewers, editors, funders, academic institutions) in this important health research field.

Health profile of elderly users of a town public program of physical activity: a cross-sectional study / Perfil da situação de saúde dos idosos participantes de um programa municipal de atividades físicas: um estudo transversal

The assessment of health profile in users attending such public programs may optimize tailoring of interventions oriented to reduce the risk or incidence of lifestyle-driven diseases, resulting in a potential impact on public health. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the health profile of the elderly participants in the physical activity public program in southern Brazil. Therefore, we included 11 community exercise centers managed by the city of Porto Alegre (Brazil). We used simple random sampling, with sample size weight by the number of participants in each individual center. Several health domains were measured by self-reported questionnaires (e.g., cardiovascular risk factors and quality of life), office blood pressure measurements, blood assessments (i.e., lipid profile and HbA1c) and functional tests (i.e., 6-minute walk test and handgrip strength) between April/2018 to February/2019. The results are mostly reported using descriptive statistics. We observed that high self-reported prevalences regarded to cardiovascular risk factors, more specifically for sleep disorder (55%), hypercholesterolemia (54%) and hypertension (49%). Among self-reported diseases, the participants listed cardiovascular diseases (14%), previous cancer (15%), diabetes (13%), arthritis (30%), and depression (19%). The results observed in the 6-minute walk test (mean±sd 498±78.95 m) and handgrip test (mean±sd 27±8.13 kg) showed the expected levels for active elderly. Overall, the prevalences presented herein allow to contrast the estimated prevalences of older adults using a public program of physical activity to other populational estimates or single studies, fostering the future monitoring of assessments and interventions in sensible conditions (e.g., hypertension, sleep disorder) for this population. 

O conhecimento do perfil de saúde dos usuários de programas públicos para promoção em saúde pode otimizar a elaboração e aperfeiçoamento de intervenções para controle doenças ou de eventos associados ao estilo de vida, com potencial impacto para a saúde pública. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar o perfil da situação de saúde dos usuários idosos do programa público de atividade física, em 11 centros comunitários da cidade de Porto Alegre (RS, Brasil). Entre abril/2018 e fevereiro/2019, foram medidos domínios de saúde por questionários autoaplicados, avaliações sanguíneas e testes funcionais. O tamanho amostral foi ponderado pela quantidade de alunos atendidos por centro, com amostragem por aleatorização simples. As análises basearam-se em estatística descritiva. No total, 351 idosos (69±6 anos) foram incluídos. Houve elevadas prevalências de fatores de risco, sendo transtorno do sono (55%), hipercolesterolemia (54%), e hipertensão arterial (49%) as mais altas. Entre as doenças autorrelatadas, os participantes listaram condições cardiovasculares (14%), câncer prévio (15%), diabetes (13%), artrite reumatóide (30%) e depressão (19%). A capacidade de caminhada em 6 minutos e força de preensão manual estiveram em níveis de pessoas ativas. Este estudo possibilita contrastar as condições prevalentes dos idosos usuários de um programa público de atividade física com estimativas populacionais, servindo como levantamento inicial para futuro monitoramento de avaliações e/ou intervenções específicas às condições sensíveis nesta população.

Effects of vitamin C on oxidative stress, inflammation, muscle soreness, and strength following acute exercise: meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) seems to attenuate the overproduction of reactive species during and after exercises. Yet, no meta-analysis has summarized the magnitude of this effect. The objective of this study was to systematically review the effects of vitamin C supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, damage, soreness, and the musculoskeletal functionality after a single bout of exercise. METHODS: Major electronic databases were searched, from inception to September 2019, for placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effects of vitamin C supplementation on oxidative stress parameters, inflammation markers, muscle damage, muscle soreness, and muscle functionality after a single bout of exercise in healthy volunteers. Random-effects modelling was used to compare mean changes from pre- to postexercise in participants that were supplemented with vitamin C versus placebo. Data were reported as standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: A total of 18 RCTs, accounting for 313 participants (62% males, median age = 24 years) were included. Vitamin C supplementation reduced lipid peroxidation immediately (SMD = - 0.488; 95% CI = - 0.888 to - 0.088), 1 h (SMD = - 0.521; 95% CI = - 0.911 to - 0.131) and between 1 and 2 h (SMD = - 0.449; 95% CI = - 0.772 to - 0.126) following exercise. Exercise induced interleukin-6 (IL-6) response was attenuated 2 h (SMD = - 0.764; 95% CI = - 1.279 to - 0.248) and between 1 and 2 h (SMD = - 0.447; 95% CI = - 0.828 to - 0.065) after exercise. No effects of vitamin C supplementation were found on creatine kinase (CK), C-reactive protein (CRP), cortisol levels, muscle soreness, and muscle strength. CONCLUSION: Vitamin C supplementation attenuates the oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation) and inflammatory response (IL-6) to a single bout of exercise. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (CRD42018094222).

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.

High-intensity interval training versus continuous training on physiological and metabolic variables in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis.

AIMS: To compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on functional capacity and cardiometabolic markers in individuals prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS: The search was performed in PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE, PEDro, CENTRAL, Scopus, LILACS database, and Clinical Trials from the inception to July 2017, included randomized clinical trials that compared the use of HIIT and MICT in prediabetes and T2D adults. The risk of bias was defined by Cochrane Handbook and quality of evidence by GRADE. RESULTS: From 818 relevant records, seven studies were included in systematic review (64 prediabetes and 120 T2D patients) and five with T2D were meta-analyzed. HIIT promoted significantly increased of 3.02 mL/kg/min (CI95% 1.42-4.61) of VO2max, measured for functional capacity, compared to MICT. No differences were found between two modalities of exercises considering the outcomes HbA1c, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, BMI, and waist-to-hip ratio. Most of the studies presented unclear risk of bias, and low and very low quality of evidence. CONCLUSION: HIIT induces cardiometabolic adaptations similar to those of MICT in prediabetes and T2D, and provides greater benefits to functional capacity in patients with T2D. PROSPERO: CRD42016047151.