Effects of a Real-Life Park-Based Physical Activity Interventional Program on Cardiovascular Risk and Physical Fitness.

INTRODUCTION: Regular physical activity (PA) practice is a way to combat cardiovascular disease, and a PA interventional program, including individualized prescription of walking with limited supervision of execution, may be a strategy to be applied in public parks. Thus, our study tested the effects of a real-world program like this on cardiovascular risk and cardiorespiratory fitness (CF) of the users of a public park. METHODS: Data came from the Exercise and Heart Project, a real-life park-based PA interventional program. The study phases were 1) a preintervention evaluation; 2) the individualized prescription of PA; 3) the supervision of the first practice sessions; 4) the unsupervised execution of the prescription; and 5) a postintervention evaluation. RESULTS: Data from 152 participants (mainly women and aged 40 to 80 years) were analyzed. The intervention significantly increased CF (mean [standard deviation], 99 [19] steps vs 110 [21] steps, P < .001) and reduced body mass index, waist circumference, and systolic blood pressure, decreasing global cardiovascular risk (mean [standard deviation], 0.15 [2.84] vs -0.52 [2.60]; P < .001). The effects of intervention on cardiovascular risk were not different between the participants with low and high initial CF or PA levels. CONCLUSION: The proposed real-life park-based PA interventional program decreased cardiovascular risk of the participants independently of their initial PA or CF levels.

Separate aftereffects of morning and evening exercise on ambulatory blood pressure in prehypertensive men.

BACKGROUND: Clinic postexercise hypotension (PEH) is different after aerobic exercise performed in the morning and in the evening. Thus, ambulatory PEH should also differ after exercises conducted at different times of day. However, because of the circadian pattern of blood pressure (BP), ambulatory PEH should be assessed considering a control condition. Thus, this study was designed to verify the effects of morning and evening exercises on postexercise ambulatory BP averages and circadian parameters by comparing responses obtained at each time of day after an exercise and a control session. METHODS: Thirteen prehypertensive men underwent four sessions (randomized order): two in the morning (9 am) and two in the evening (6:30 pm). At each time of day, a control (C) and an exercise (E: cycle ergometer 45 min, 50% VO2peak) sessions were performed. After the sessions, an ambulatory BP and heart rate (HR) monitoring was started for 24 h. Paired t-test or Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test were used to compare the E and the C sessions at each time of day. RESULTS: In the morning, 24 h, daytime and nighttime HR were higher after the E than the C session. In the evening, nighttime systolic BP (116±11 vs. 120±10 mmHg, P=0.04) and rate pressure product (7981±1294 vs. 8583±1523 mmHg.bpm, P=0.04), as well as MESOR (128±11 vs. 130±10 mmHg, P=0.03) were lower in the E than the C session. CONCLUSIONS: In prehypertensive men, morning exercise increased ambulatory HR, while evening exercise decreased nighttime BP and cardiac work, reducing the MESOR of systolic BP.

Captopril does not Potentiate Post-Exercise Hypotension: A Randomized Crossover Study.

To evaluate whether captopril (3×50 mg/day) potentiates post-resistance exercise hypotension (PREH) in hypertensives (HT), 12 HT men received captopril and placebo for 4 weeks each in a double-blinded, randomized-crossover design. On each therapy, subjects underwent 2 sessions: Control (C - rest) and Resistance Exercise (RE - 7 exercises, 3 sets to moderate fatigue, 50% of 1 RM -repetition maximum). Measurements were taken before and after 30-60 min (Post1) and 7 h (Post2), and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) was monitored for 24 h. There were no differences in PREH characteristics and mechanisms between the placebo and captopril periods. At Post1, systolic/diastolic BP decreased significantly and similarly after RE with both therapies (Placebo=-13±2/-9±1 mmHg vs. Captopril=-12±2/-10±1 mmHg, P<0.05). RE reduced cardiac output in some subjects and systemic vascular resistance in others. Heart rate and cardiac sympathetic modulation increased, while stroke volume and baroreflex sensitivity decreased after RE (Placebo: +13±2 bpm, +21±5 nu, -11±5 ml, -4±2 ms/mmHg; Captopril: +13±2 bpm, +35±4 nu, 17±5 ml, -3±1 ms/mmHg, P<0.05). At Post2, all variables returned to pre-intervention values. Ambulatory BP was similar between the sessions. Thus, captopril did not potentiate the magnitude and duration of PREH in HT men, and it did not influence PREH mechanisms.

Post-Exercise Hypotension Is Mediated by a Decrease in Sympathetic Nerve Activity in Stages 2-3 CKD.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at evaluating the after effects of a single bout of aerobic exercise on muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), peripheral vascular resistance and blood pressure (BP) in stages 2-3 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. We hypothesized that CKD patients present a greater decline in these variables after the exercise than healthy individuals. METHODS: Nine patients with stages 2-3 CKD (50 ± 8 years) and 12 healthy volunteers (50 ± 5 years) underwent 2 sessions, conducted in a random order: exercise (45 min, cycle ergometer, 50% of peak oxygen uptake) and rest (seated, 45 min). Sixty minutes after either intervention, MSNA (by microneurography), BP (by oscillometry), and forearm vascular resistance (FVR) were measured. A 2-way analysis of variance with group (between) and session (within) as main factors was employed, accepting p < 0.05 as significant. RESULTS: Diastolic BP and MSNA were higher in the CKD than the control group in both sessions. Responses after exercise were similar in both groups. Systolic BP, diastolic BP, MSNA and FVR were significantly lower after the exercise than after the rest session in both the CKD and the control groups (162 ± 15 vs. 152 ± 23 and 155 ± 11 vs. 145 ± 16 mm Hg, 91 ± 11 vs. 85 ± 14 and 77 ± 5 vs. 71 ± 10 mm Hg, 38 ± 4 vs. 31 ± 4 and 34 ± 2 vs. 27 ± 4 burst/min, 59 ± 29 vs. 41 ± 29 and 45 ± 20 vs. 31 ± 8 U, respectively, all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results showed that aerobic exercise may produce hemodynamic and neural responses that can be beneficial to these patients in spite of CKD.

Time of day affects heart rate recovery and variability after maximal exercise in pre-hypertensive men.

Heart rate (HR) recovery (HRR) and variability (HRV) after exercise are non-invasive tools used to assess cardiac autonomic regulation and cardiovascular prognosis. Autonomic recovery is slower after evening than morning exercise in healthy individuals, but this influence is unknown in subjects with autonomic dysfunction, although it may affect prognostic evaluation. This study compared post-exercise HRR and HRV after maximal morning and evening exercise in pre-hypertensive men. Ten volunteers randomly underwent two maximal exercise tests conducted in the morning (8-10 a.m.) and evening (6-8 p.m.). HRR60s (HR reduction at 60 s of recovery - prognostic index), T30 (short-term time-constant of HRR - parasympathetic reactivation marker), rMSSD30s (square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between adjacent R-R intervals on subsequent 30 s segments - parasympathetic reactivation marker), and HRRτ (time constant of the first order exponential fitting of HRR - marker of sympathetic withdraw and parasympathetic reactivation) were measured. Paired t-test and two-way ANOVA were used. HRR60s and HRRτ were similar after exercise in the morning and evening (27 ± 7 vs. 29 ± 7 bpm, p = 0.111, and 79 ± 14 vs. 96 ± 29 s, p = 0.119, respectively). T30 was significantly greater after evening exercise (405 ± 215 vs. 295 ± 119 s, p = 0.002) and rMSSD30s was lower in the evening (main factor session, p = 0.009). In conclusion, in pre-hypertensive men, the prognostic index of HRR, HRR60s, is not affected by the time of day when exercise is conducted. However, post-exercise parasympathetic reactivation, evaluated by T30 and rMSSD30s, is blunted after evening exercise.

Post-Exercise Hypotension and Its Mechanisms Differ after Morning and Evening Exercise: A Randomized Crossover Study.

Post-exercise hypotension (PEH), calculated by the difference between post and pre-exercise values, it is greater after exercise performed in the evening than the morning. However, the hypotensive effect of morning exercise may be masked by the morning circadian increase in blood pressure. This study investigated PEH and its hemodynamic and autonomic mechanisms after sessions of aerobic exercise performed in the morning and evening, controlling for responses observed after control sessions performed at the same times of day. Sixteen pre-hypertensive men underwent four sessions (random order): two conducted in the morning (7:30 am) and two in the evening (5 pm). At each time of day, subjects underwent an exercise (cycling, 45 min, 50%VO2peak) and a control (sitting rest) session. Measurements were taken pre- and post-interventions in all the sessions. The net effects of exercise were calculated for each time of day by [(post-pre exercise)-(post-pre control)] and were compared by paired t-test (P<0.05). Exercise hypotensive net effects (e.g., decreasing systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure) occurred at both times of day, but systolic blood pressure reductions were greater after morning exercise (-7±3 vs. -3±4 mmHg, P<0.05). Exercise decreased cardiac output only in the morning (-460±771 ml/min, P<0.05), while it decreased stroke volume similarly at both times of day and increased heart rate less in the morning than in the evening (+7±5 vs. +10±5 bpm, P<0.05). Only evening exercise increased sympathovagal balance (+1.5±1.6, P<0.05) and calf blood flow responses to reactive hyperemia (+120±179 vs. -70±188 U, P<0.05). In conclusion, PEH occurs after exercise conducted at both times of day, but the systolic hypotensive effect is greater after morning exercise when circadian variations are considered. This greater effect is accompanied by a reduction of cardiac output due to a smaller increase in heart rate and cardiac sympathovagal balance.

Efeito da prescrição de caminhada não supervisionada sobre o risco cardiovascular global / Effect of non-supervised walking prescription on global cardiovascular risk

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da prescrição de caminhada, sem supervisão da prática, sobre o risco cardiovascular global (RCG) de usuários de um parque público. A amostra foi constituída por 87 indivíduos que foram orientados a realizar caminhadas, sem supervisão profissional, pelo menos 3 vezes/semana, por pelo menos 30 min, em intensidade moderada. Antes e após a intervenção (até 6 meses), o RCG foi avaliado pelo Escore de Framingham. Considerando-se a amostra total, o RCG não se modificou significantemente após a intervenção (14,9±12,6 vs 14,5±11,4%, P=0,250). Entretanto, numa segunda análise, avaliou-se o efeito da intervenção nos indivíduos com alto (AR, n=24) e baixo (BR, n=42) RCG. Nesta análise, o RCG diminuiu no grupo AR (31,5±11,6 vs 29,0±10,7%, P=0,000) e não se alterou no BR (5,8±2,6 vs 6,6±3,6%, P=0,178). Com esta redução de risco, a frequência de indivíduos com AR diminuiu na amostra total (27,6 vs. 24,1%, P<0,05). Em conclusão, a prática da caminhada sem supervisão reduz o RCG de indivíduos com risco mais elevado. Estes resultados sustentam a recomendação de caminhada para a melhora da saúde cardiovascular, especialmente para indivíduos com alto risco, mesmo que ela seja realizada sem a supervisão de um profissional, como ocorre em parques públicos.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of walking training prescription without supervision of practice on global cardiovascular risk (GCR) in users of a public park. Eighty-seven subjects were instructed to walk at moderate intensity for 30 min at least 3 times/week without professional supervision. Before and after the intervention, GCR was evaluated by Framingham Score. Considering the entire sample, GCR did not change after the intervention (14.9±12.6 vs 14.5±11.4%, P=0.250). However, in a second analysis, the effects of the intervention on subjects with high (HR, n=24) and low (LR, n=42) GCR were evaluated. In this analysis, GCR decreased in HR group (31.5±11.6 vs 29.0±10.7%, P=0.000) and did not change in LR group (5.8±2.6 vs 6.6±3.6%, P=0.178). This reduction resulted in a lower frequency of HR subjects in the entire sample after the intervention (27.6 vs. 24.1%, P<0.05). In conclusion, the prescription of unsupervised walking decreases GCR in subjects with higher risk. These results support the recommendation of walking prescription for improving cardiovascular health, especially for subjects with elevated risk, and even if walking is performed without professional supervision, as usually happens in public parks.

Hipotensão pós-exercício resistido entre homens jovens e de meia idade / Post-resistance exercise hypotension is similar between Young and middle-aged men

A hipotensão pós-exercício foi extensivamente descrita em jovens. Entretanto, os parâmetros hemodinâmicos mudam com a idade e as respostas pós-exercício também podem variar. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a hipotensão pós-exercício resistido em sujeitos jovens e de meia idade. Método: Nove homens jovens (24 ± 1 anos) e oito de meia idade (42 ± 3 anos) participaram de duas sessões experimentais realizadas em ordem aleatória: controle (C: 40 minutos sentado em repouso) e exercício (E: seis exercícios, três séries, repetições até a fadiga moderada, em 50% de uma repetição máxima). Antes e 60 minutos após as intervenções, a pressão arterial clínica (PA) e frequência cardíaca (FC) foram medidas. Além disso, a PA e FC ambulatoriais foram mensuradas por 24 h após as sessões. O duplo produto (DP) foi calculado. Resultados: Os valores pré-intervenções foram semelhantes entre as sessões e os grupos. As respostas ao exercício também não diferiram entre os jovens e idosos. Assim, as PAs sistólica, diastólica e média diminuíram significante e similarmente pós-exercício nos dois grupos (valores combinados = -6,4 ± 1,6; -4,5 ± 1,8; -5,1 ± 1,5 mmHg, respectivamente, p ≤ 0,05) enquanto que a FC e o DP aumentaram (valores combinados = +11 ± 2 bpm e +803 ± 233 mmHg.bpm, respec¬tivamente, p ≤ 0,05). A PA e FC ambulatoriais pós-exercício foram semelhantes nas duas sessões e nos dois grupos. Conclusão: Uma única sessão de exercício resistido promove hipotensão pós-exercício semelhante em homens jovens e de meia-idade. A redução da PA se acompanha de aumento da FC e do trabalho cardíaco pós-exercício. Porém, estas respostas não se mantêm em condições ambulatoriais...

Post-resistance exercise hypotension has been extensively described in young subjects. However, hemodynamic parameters change with aging, and post-exercise responses may also vary. Thus, this study was designed to compare post-resistance exercise hypotension in young and middle-aged subjects. Method: Nine young (24 ± 1years) and eight middle-aged (42 ± 3years) healthy subjects underwent 2 experimental sessions conducted in a randomized order: control (C: 40 minutes of seated rest) and exercise (E: 6 exercises, 3 sets, repetitions until moderate fatigue, at 50% of 1-repetition maximum). Before and 60 minutes after the interventions, clinic blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were measured. In addition, ambulatory BP and HR were assessed for 24h after both sessions. Rate pressure product (RPP) was calculated. Results: Pre-interventions values were similar in both sessions and groups. Physiological responses to exercise were also similar between young and middle-aged subjects. Thus, clinic systolic, diastolic and mean BP decreased significantly and similarly after exercise in both groups (combined values = -6.4 ± 1.6, -4.5 ± 1.8, -5.1 ± 1.5 mmHg, respectively, p ≤ 0.05), while HR and RRP increased (combined values = +11 ± 2 bpm and +803 ± 233 mmHg. bpm, respectively, p ≤ 0.05). Ambulatory data were similar between sessions and groups. Conclusion: A single bout of resistance exercise promotes similar post-exercise hypotension in young and middle aged men. BP response is accompanied by an increase in HR and cardiac work. All these responses are not sustained under ambulatory conditions...

Effects of estrogen therapy and aerobic training on sympathetic activity and hemodynamics in healthy postmenopausal women: a double-blind randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the isolated and associated effects of aerobic training and estrogen therapy on sympathetic nerve activity and hemodynamics in healthy postmenopausal women. METHODS: Forty-five postmenopausal women (mean [SD] age, 51 [3] y) were randomly divided into four groups: sedentary-placebo (SED-PLA; n = 11), sedentary-estrogen therapy (SED-ET; n = 14), aerobic training-placebo (AT-PLA; n = 12), and aerobic training-estrogen therapy (AT-ET; n = 8). The ET groups received oral estradiol valerate (1 mg/d), whereas the PLA groups received placebo. The AT groups performed aerobic exercise three times a week on a cycle ergometer for 50 minutes, whereas the SED groups remained sedentary. All participants were evaluated before and after 6 months. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA; microneurography), forearm blood flow (plethysmography), blood pressure (oscillometry), and heart rate (HR) were measured at rest for 10 minutes. Data were analyzed by three-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Estrogen administration itself did not change any of the studied parameters. AT improved forearm blood flow (AT-PLA, 2.02 [0.85] vs 2.92 [1.65] mL min(-1) 100 mL(-1), P = 0.03; AT-ET, 1.68 [1.11] vs 2.27 [0.76] mL min(-1) 100 mL(-1), P = 0.03), reduced MSNA in the AT-PLA group (39 [6] vs 34 [5] bursts/min(-1), P = 0.01), and decreased HR in the AT-ET group (65 [8] vs 62 [7] beats/min, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: AT reduces sympathetic nerve activity and improves muscle blood flow in healthy hysterectomized postmenopausal women. Moreover, AT decreases HR when combined with ET. However, ET abolishes the reducing effect of AT on MSNA.

Oral estrogen therapy may mitigate the effects of aerobic training on cardiorespiratory fitness in postmenopausal women: a double-blind, randomized clinical pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the isolated and associated effects of oral estrogen therapy and aerobic training on cardiorespiratory fitness in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Forty-two hysterectomized healthy postmenopausal women were randomly divided (in a double-blind manner) into four groups: placebo-control (n = 9), estrogen therapy-control (n = 12), placebo-aerobic training (PLA-AT; n = 11), and estrogen therapy-aerobic training (ET-AT; n = 10). The estrogen therapy groups received estradiol valerate (1 mg/day) and the aerobic training groups trained on a cycle ergometer three times per week at moderate intensity. Before and 6 months after the interventions, all women underwent a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test on a cycle ergometer. RESULTS: Regardless of hormone therapy, aerobic training increased oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold (P = 0.001), oxygen uptake at respiratory compensation point (P = 0.043), and oxygen uptake at peak exercise (P = 0.020). The increases at respiratory compensation point and peak exercise were significantly greater in the groups receiving placebo than in the groups receiving estrogen (oxygen uptake at respiratory compensation point: PLA-AT +5.3 [2.8] vs ET-AT +3.0 [2.5] mL kg(-1) min(-1), P = 0.04; oxygen uptake at peak exercise: PLA-AT +5.8 [3.4] vs ET-AT +2.8 [1.4] mL kg(-1) min(-1), P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Oral estrogen therapy may mitigate the cardiorespiratory fitness increase induced by aerobic training in hysterectomized healthy postmenopausal women.

Betabloqueio com atenolol não reduz potência aeróbia nem muda limiares ventilatórios em hipertensos sedentários / Atenolol beta-block does not decrease aerobic power or alter ventilatory thresholds in sedentary hypertensive subjects

INTRODUÇÃO: O exercício aeróbio é recomendado para o tratamento da hipertensão. Sua intensidade pode ser prescrita com base na porcentagem da frequência cardíaca máxima (%FCmáx) ou no consumo pico de oxigênio (%VO2pico) em que os limiares ventilatórios (LV) são alcançados. Entretanto, alguns hipertensos que iniciam o treinamento podem estar tomando betabloqueadores, o que pode influenciar esses parâmetros. OBJETIVO: verificar os efeitos do atenolol sobre os LV de hipertensos sedentários. MÉTODOS: Nove voluntários realizaram dois testes ergoespirométricos máximos após quatro semanas de tratamento com atenolol (25 mg administrado por via oral duas vezes por dia) e com placebo, administrados em ordem fixa e de forma cega. Durante os testes, a frequência cardíaca (FC), a pressão arterial (PA) e o VO2 no repouso, limiar anaeróbio (LA), ponto de compensação respiratória (PCR) e pico do esforço foram analisados. RESULTADOS: O VO2 aumentou progressivamente no exercício e seus valores foram semelhantes nos dois tratamentos. A PA sistólica e a FC também aumentaram no exercício, mas seus valores absolutos foram significativamente menores com o atenolol. Porém, o aumento da PA sistólica e da FC no exercício foi semelhante com os dois tratamentos. Assim, o percentual da FCmáx e o percentual do VO2pico em que LA e PCR foram alcançados não diferiram entre o placebo e o atenolol. CONCLUSÃO: O atenolol na dosagem de 50 mg/dia não afetou o percentual do VO2pico e da FCmáx em que os LV são atingidos, o que confirma que a prescrição de intensidade de treinamento com base nessas porcentagens pode ser mantida em hipertensos que recebem betabloqueadores.

INTRODUCTION: Aerobic exercise is recommended for the treatment of hypertension. Its intensity can be prescribed based on the percentage of maximum heart rate (% MHR) or peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak%) in which the ventilatory thresholds (VT) are achieved. However, some hypertensive patients who begin aerobic training may be receiving beta-blockers, which can influence these parameters. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of atenolol on VT of sedentary hypertensive patients. METHODS: Nine volunteers performed two cardiopulmonary exercise tests until exhaustion after 4 weeks of treatment with atenolol (25 mg orally twice daily) and with placebo, administered in a fixed order and in a blinded manner. During the tests, heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), VO2 at rest, anaerobic threshold (AT), respiratory compensation point (RCP) and peak effort were analyzed. RESULTS: VO2 increased progressively throughout the exercise and the values were similar for both treatments. Systolic blood pressure and heart rate also increased progressively during the exercise, but their absolute values were significantly lower with atenolol. However, the increase in systolic BP and HR during exercise was similar in both treatments. Thus, the % of MHR and %VO2peak at which LA and PCR were achieved were not different between placebo and atenolol. CONCLUSION: Atenolol, at a dosage of 50mg/day, did not affect the % of VO2peak and % of MHR corresponding to the VTs, which confirms that prescription of training intensity based on these percentages is adequate to hypertensive patients receiving beta-blockers.

Fase do treinamento esportivo não afeta a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca em atletas de jiu-jitsu / Phase of sports training does affect the heart rate variability in a athletes of jiu-jitsu

O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a modulação autonômicacardíaca de atletas de jiu-jitsu, comparando-os com sedentáriose avaliando as alterações dessa modulação ao longo dasdiferentes fases de treinamento. Foram avaliados sete atletas esete indivíduos sedentários do sexo masculino (23 ± 4 e 24 ± 3anos, respectivamente). A frequência cardíaca (FC) e o sinalrespiratório foram coletados por 10 minutos na posição deitadaem três fases do treinamento dos atletas (preparatória, competitivae transitória) e num único momento nos sedentários.A modulação autonômica cardíaca foi avaliada pela análiseespectral da variabilidade da FC (VFC) utilizando-se o modeloautorregressivo. A comparação entre os grupos foi feitapelos testes t não pareado ou Mann-Whitney. A comparaçãoentre as fases de treinamento no grupo de atletas foi realizadapela ANOVA de um fator para amostras repetidas (p < 0,05).Os grupos apresentaram características físicas e funcionaissemelhantes, mas a força máxima foi significantemente maiornos atletas. Todos os índices de VFC foram semelhantes entreos atletas e os sedentários. Além disso, esses índices não sealteraram significantemente entre as fases preparatória, competitivae transitória do treinamento dos atletas. Em conclusão, osatletas de jiu-jitsu apresentam modulação autonômica cardíacasemelhante à de sedentários, e essa modulação não se alteranas diferentes fases de periodização do treinamento.

The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiac autonomic modulationin jiu-jitsu athletes, comparing with sedentary individuals,and evaluating changes that may happen throughout the differentphases of training. Seven athletes and seven sedentary males (23± 4 e 24 ± 3 years, respectively) were evaluated. Heart rate (HR)and respiratory signal were collected for 10 min in the supineposition in the three phases of training (preparatory, competitiveand transient) in the athletes and at one moment in the sedentarysubjects. Cardiac autonomic modulation was evaluated by thespectral analysis of HR variability (HRV) using the autoregressivemodel. Comparisons between groups were performed byunpaired t-test or Mann-Whitney test. Comparisons among thetraining phases were performed by one-way ANOVA for repeatedmeasures (p < 0.05). Athletes and sedentary subjects presentedsimilar physical and cardiovascular characteristics, althoughmaximal strength was significantly higher in the athletes. All ofthe HRV indexes were similar between athletes and sedentarysubjects. In addition, HRV indexes did not change among thepreparatory, competitive and transition phases of training. Inconclusion, jiu-jitsu athletes have cardiac autonomic modulationsimilar to sedentary subjects and this modulation is not changedthroughout the different periodization phases of training.

Prescrição de caminhada não supervisionada, risco cardiovascular e aptidão física / Unsupervised walking prescription, cardiovascular risk and physical fitness

OBJETIVO: Avaliar, numa situação real de atuação prática, o efeito da prescrição individualizada de caminhada sem supervisão da prática sobre o risco cardiovascular e a aptidão física de usuários de um parque público. MÉTODOS: 186 sujeitos (62 ± 10 anos) foram orientados a caminhar pelo menos 3x/sem, por 30 min, com intensidade de 50 a 80% da frequência cardíaca de reserva e a fazer alongamentos antes e após a caminhada. A aptidão física e os fatores de risco cardiovascular foram avaliados pré e pós-intervenção. A análise dos dados foi dividida em duas fases: 1) análise na amostra total; 2) análise nos indivíduos com fatores de risco alterados. Os dados foram comparados pelo teste t pareado. RESULTADOS: Na amostra total, a aptidão física melhorou nos testes de marcha estacionária (+8,1 ± 14,5 passos, p < 0,05), impulsão vertical (+0,5 ± 2,7 cm, p < 0,05), flexibilidade lombar (+1,1 ± 4,7 cm, p < 0,05) e flexibilidade de ombro (+1,2 ± 2,1 cm, p < 0,05). Não ocorreram alterações nos fatores de risco cardiovascular, com exceção da redução da pressão arterial diastólica (-0,9 ± 6,0 mmHg, p < 0,05). Entretanto, nos subgrupos com fatores alterados, observou-se reduções significantes das pressões arteriais sistólica e diastólica (-13,3 ± 16,9 e -5,8 ± 8,3 mmHg, p < 0,05, respectivamente) nos hipertensos, da colesterolemia total (-19,5 ± 33,5 mg/dl, p < 0,05) nos hipercolesterolêmicos e da circunferência da cintura (-1,0 ± 4,7 cm, p < 0,05) e do índice cintura-quadril (-0,01 ± 0,04, p < 0,05) nos com obesidade central. CONCLUSÃO: Numa situação real de atuação, a prescrição de caminhada sem supervisão da prática foi efetiva em melhorar a aptidão física da amostra geral e em diminuir o risco cardiovascular específico dos indivíduos com fatores de risco...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, at a real practical condition, the effects of individualized prescription of walking without supervision of practice on cardiovascular risk and fitness in users of a public park. METHODS: One hundred, eighty six subjects (62 ± 10 years) were instructed to walk at least 3 times/week, during 30min, at an intensity of 50-80% of heart rate reserve and encouraged to realize stretching exercises before and after walking. Physical fitness and cardiovascular risk factors were evaluated pre and post-intervention. Data analyze was divided in 2 phases: 1) role sample analysis; and 2) analysis on subjects with altered cardiovascular risk factors. Data were compared by paired t test. RESULTS: Considering the whole sample, physical fitness improved in the following tests: stationary gate (8.1 ± 14.5 paces, p < 0.05), vertical jump (0.5 ± 2.7 cm, p < 0.05), lumbar flexibility (1.1 ± 4.7 cm, p < 0.05) and shoulder flexibility (1.2 ± 2.1 cm, p < 0.05). No significant change was observed in cardiovascular risk factors, excepted by a reduction on diastolic blood pressure (-0.9 ± 6.0 mmHg, p < 0.05). On the other hand, considering the subjects with altered cardiovascular risk factors, a significant reduction was observed on systolic and diastolic blood pressures (-13.3 ± 16.9 and -5.8 ± 8.3 mmHg, p < 0.05, respectively) in hypertensive subjects, on total cholesterol (-19.5 ± 33.5 mg/dl, p < 0.05) in hypercholesterolemic subjects, and on waist circumference (-1.0 ± 4.7 cm, p < 0.05) and waist-hip index (0.01 ± 0.04, p < 0.05) in subjects with central obesity. CONCLUSION: Under real practical circumstances, the prescription of unsupervised walking was effective in improving physical fitness in general sample and in reducing the specific cardiovascular risk in subjects who have altered cardiovascular risk factors...

Efeito da prescrição de caminhada sem supervisão da prática num parque público de São Paulo / Effects of walking prescription executed without supervision in a public park of São Paulo

Este estudo objetivou avaliar o efeito da prescrição de caminhada, realizada sem supervisão da execução, na aptidão física e no risco cardiovascular de usuários de um parque público. Para tanto, 113 voluntários foram avaliados por um questionário de risco cardiovascular; medidas antropométricas, metabólicas e cardiovasculares; e testes de aptidão física. Em seguida, receberam uma prescrição individualizada de caminhada, que realizaram sem supervisão direta de um profissional e foram reavaliados entre 3 e 9 meses. Após a intervenção, 88 pessoas relataram ter seguido a prescrição. Nelas, houve redução do índice de massa corporal (-0,3 ± 1,0kg/m2, P<0,05) e da pressão arterial diastólica (-2,4 ± 8,1mmHg, P<0,05). Houve também aumento da aptidão aeróbica, potência abdominal e das flexibilidades de ombro e lombar (+10,3 ± 17,8 passadas, +1,3 ± 4,8 abdominais, +1,16 ± 2,45 cm, +1,15 ± 4,60 cm, respectivamente, P<0,05). No grupo que não seguiu as recomendações, não houve benefícios. Desta forma, foi possível concluir que a prescrição de caminhada sem supervisão da execução foi efetiva em melhorar o risco cardiovascular e a aptidão física dos usuários que seguiram as orientações.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of walking prescription, executed without direct supervision, on physical fitness and cardiovascular risk of the users of a public park. One hundred and thirteen volunteers were evaluated by a cardiovascular risk questionnaire; anthropometric, metabolic and cardiovascular measurements, and fitness tests. Afterwards, they received an individualized prescription of walking to execute without supervision, and were reevaluated between 3 and 9 months. After the intervention, 88 subjects reported to have followed the orientations. In them, body mass index (-0.3 ± 1.0kg/m2, P <0.05) and diastolic blood pressure decreased (-2.4 ± 8.1mmHg, P<0.05). In addition, aerobic fitness, abdominal power, and shoulder and lumbar flexibilities increased (+10.3±17.8 steps, +1.3±4.8 repetitions, +1.16±2.45 cm, +1.15±4.60 cm, respectively, P<0.05). In the subjects who did not follow the recommendations, no benefit was observed. Thus, it is possible to conclude that, in a public park, the prescription of unsupervised walking was effective for improving cardiovascular risk and physical fitness in subjects who followed the orientations.

Perfil da prática de atividade física dos frequentadores de um parque público de São Paulo / Physical activity profile among the users of a public park in São Paulo

A prática regular de atividade física (AF) é recomendada para a população, devido a seus benefícios sobre a saúde. Como consequência, o número de pessoas se exercitando em espaços públicos tem crescido. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar as características da prática de AF de lazer da população que frequenta um parque público. Foram avaliados por entrevista sobre sua prática de AF de lazer 165 indivíduos adultos. Dos avaliados, 77% eram mulheres e 37% tinham entre 40-60 anos. 78% eram praticantes de AF. Desses 48% realizavam a AF sem supervisão, 60% faziam de duas a três modalidades distintas, 67% praticavam pelo menos três vezes por semana e 81% praticavam 30 ou mais minutos por sessão. Assim, 68% dos praticantes faziam 150 minutos ou mais de AF por semana. Quanto a intensidade, 39% dos praticantes não souberam responder e 36% disseram praticar atividades moderadas. Dos que responderam, apenas 35% disseram controlar essa intensidade de alguma forma e as formas relatadas eram válidas em somente 22 indivíduos. A maior parte dos frequentadores do parque pratica AF regular sem supervisão. Essa prática envolve usualmente mais de uma modalidade, pelo menos três sessões por semana e 30 minutos de prática; totalizando 150 minutos ou mais por semana, o que está de acordo com as recomendações para a saúde. Entretanto, a intensidade da prática não é adequadamente controlada...

Sedentarismo, exercício físico e doenças crônicas / Physical inactivity, exercise and chronic diseases

A inatividade física é fortemente relacionada à incidência e severidade de um vasto número de doenças crônicas. Assim sendo, o exercício físico torna-se uma das ferramentas terapêuticas mais importantes na promoção de saúde e o profissional de Educação Física, o responsável por sua ampla disseminação. Nesse artigo, discorremos sobre as seguintes questões: Qual o impacto - biológico e socioeconômico - da inatividade física na saúde dos indivíduos?; 2) Qual o impacto da inserção da atividade física vida dos indivíduos?; 3) Qual o papel da profissional de Educação Física na promoção de saúde e quais os desafios que a Educação Física, enquanto ciência ("lato sensu") e profissão, deve enfrentar nas próximas décadas? Tendo como ponto de partida o papel da inatividade física sobre a etiologia das doenças crônicas, pretendemos revelar o imenso potencial do exercício físico como agente terapêutico.

Physical inactivity is strongly related to the incidence and severity of a number of chronic diseases. Hence, physical exercise emerges as one of the most important therapeutic tool to health promotion, with the Physical Education professional being the responsible for disseminating it widely. In this manuscript, we will discuss the following questions: 1) What is the social and biological impact of physical inactivity on overall health? 2) What is the impact of physical activity on people's lives? 3) What is the role of the Physical Education professional in the promotion of health and what are the challenges that Physical Education Discipline, as a science ("lato sensu") and profession, will face in the next decades? Having in mind the role of physical inactivity upon the etiology of chronic diseases, we intend to reveal the large potential of physical exercise as a therapeutic agent.

Cardiovascular and autonomic responses after exercise sessions with different intensities and durations.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported the phenomenon of post-exercise hypotension. However, the factors that cause this drop in blood pressure after a single exercise session are still unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of aerobic exercise on the acute blood pressure response and to investigate the indicators of autonomic activity after exercise. METHODS: Ten male subjects (aged 25 ± 1 years) underwent four experimental exercise sessions and a control session on a cycle ergometer. The blood pressure and heart rate variability of each subject were measured at rest and at 60 min after the end of the sessions. RESULTS: Post-exercise hypotension was not observed in any experimental sessions (P > 0.05). The index of parasympathetic neural activity, the RMSSD, only remained lower than that during the pre-exercise session after the high-intensity session (Δ = -19 ± 3.7 for 15-20 min post-exercise). In addition, this value varied significantly (P < 0.05) between the high- and low-intensity sessions (Δ = -30.7 ± 4.0 for the high intensity session, and Δ = -9.9 ± 2.5 for the low intensity session). CONCLUSION: The present study did not find a reduction in blood pressure after exercise in normotensive, physically active young adults. However, the measurements of the indicators of autonomic neural activity revealed that in exercise of greater intensity the parasympathetic recovery tends to be slower and that sympathetic withdrawal can apparently compensate for this delay in recovery.

Aerobic training abolishes ambulatory blood pressure increase induced by estrogen therapy: a double blind randomized clinical trial.

Emerging data reveal that oral estrogen therapy can increase clinic blood pressure (BP) in post-menopausal women; however, it is important to establish its effects on ambulatory BP, which is a better predictor for target-organ damage. Besides estrogen therapy, aerobic training is widely recommended for post-menopausal women, and it can decrease ambulatory BP levels. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of aerobic training and estrogen therapy on the ambulatory BP of post-menopausal women. Forty seven healthy hysterectomized women were randomly divided (in a double-blind manner) into 4 groups: placebo-control (PLA-CO=12), estrogen therapy-control (ET-CO=14), placebo-aerobic training (PLA-AT=12), and estrogen therapy-aerobic training (ET-AT=09). The ET groups received estradiol valerate (1 mg/day) and the AT groups performed cycle ergometer, 3×/week at moderate intensity. Hormonal status (blood analysis), maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (VO(2) peak) and ambulatory BP (24-h, daytime and nighttime) was evaluated before and 6 months after interventions. A significant increase in VO(2) peak was observed only in women who participated in aerobic training groups (+4.6±1.0 ml kg(-1) min(-1), P=0.00). Follicle-stimulating hormone was a significant decreased in the ET groups (-18.65±5.19 pg/ml, P=0.00), and it was accompanied by an increase in circulating estrogen (56.1±6.6 pg/ml). A significant increase was observed in the ET groups for daytime (P=0.01) and nighttime systolic BP (P=0.01), as well as nighttime diastolic BP (P=0.02). However, daytime diastolic BP was increased only in the ET-CO group (+3.4±1.2 mmHg, P=0.04), and did not change in any other groups. No significant effect was found in ambulatory heart rate. In conclusion, aerobic training abolished the increase of daytime ambulatory BP induced by estrogen therapy in hysterectomized, healthy, normotensive and postmenopausal women.

Post-concurrent exercise hemodynamics and cardiac autonomic modulation.

Concurrent training is recommended for health improvement, but its acute effects on cardiovascular function are not well established. This study analyzed hemodynamics and autonomic modulation after a single session of aerobic (A), resistance (R), and concurrent (A + R) exercises. Twenty healthy subjects randomly underwent four sessions: control (C:30 min of rest), aerobic (A:30 min, cycle ergometer, 75% of VO(2) peak), resistance (R:6 exercises, 3 sets, 20 repetitions, 50% of 1 RM), and concurrent (AR: A + R). Before and after the interventions, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), and HR variability were measured. Systolic BP decreased after all the exercises, and the greatest decreases were observed after the A and AR sessions (-13 ± 1 and -11 ± 1 mmHg, respectively, P < 0.05). Diastolic BP decreased similarly after all the exercises, and this decrease lasted longer after the A session. CO also decreased similarly after the exercises, while systemic vascular resistance increased after the R and AR sessions in the recovery period (+4.0 ± 1.7 and +6.3 ± 1.9 U, respectively, P < 0.05). Stroke volume decreased, while HR increased after the exercises, and the greatest responses were observed after the AR session (SV, A = -14.6 ± 3.6, R = -22.4 ± 3.5 and AR = -23.4 ± 2.4 ml; HR, A =+13 ± 2, R =+15 ± 2 vs. AR =+20 ± 2 bpm, P < 0.05). Cardiac sympathovagal balance increased after the exercises, and the greatest increase was observed after the AR session (A = +0.7 ± 0.8, R = +1.0 ± 0.8 vs. AR = +1.2 ± 0.8, P < 0.05). In conclusion, the association of aerobic and resistance exercises in the same training session did not potentiate post-exercise hypotension, and increased cardiac sympathetic activation during the recovery period.

Cardiovascular and autonomic responses after exercise sessions with different intensities and durations

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported the phenomenon of post-exercise hypotension. However, the factors that cause this drop in blood pressure after a single exercise session are still unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of aerobic exercise on the acute blood pressure response and to investigate the indicators of autonomic activity after exercise. METHODS: Ten male subjects (aged 25 ± 1 years) underwent four experimental exercise sessions and a control session on a cycle ergometer. The blood pressure and heart rate variability of each subject were measured at rest and at 60 min after the end of the sessions. RESULTS: Post-exercise hypotension was not observed in any experimental sessions (P > 0.05). The index of parasympathetic neural activity, the RMSSD, only remained lower than that during the pre-exercise session after the high-intensity session (Δ = -19 ± 3.7 for 15-20 min post-exercise). In addition, this value varied significantly (P < 0.05) between the high- and low-intensity sessions (Δ = -30.7 ± 4.0 for the high intensity session, and Δ = -9.9 ± 2.5 for the low intensity session). CONCLUSION: The present study did not find a reduction in blood pressure after exercise in normotensive, physically active young adults. However, the measurements of the indicators of autonomic neural activity revealed that in exercise of greater intensity the parasympathetic recovery tends to be slower and that sympathetic withdrawal can apparently compensate for this delay in recovery.