14-Week exercise training modifies the DNA methylation levels at gene sites in non-Alzheimer's disease women aged 50 to 70 years.

Exercise training emerges as a key strategy in lifestyle modification, capable of reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) due to risk factors such as age, family history, genetics and low level of education associated with AD. We aim to analyze the effect of a 14-week combined exercise training (CT) on the methylation of genes associated with AD in non-alzheimer's disease women. CT sessions lasted 60 min, occurring three times a week for 14 weeks. Forty non-Alzheimer's disease women aged 50 to 70 years (60.7 ± 4.1 years) with a mean height of 1.6 ± 0.1 m, mean weight of 73.12 ± 9.0 kg and a mean body mass index of 29.69 ± 3.5 kg/m2, underwent two physical assessments: pre and post the 14 weeks. DNA methylation assays utilized the EPIC Infinium Methylation BeadChip from Illumina. We observed that 14 weeks of CT led to reductions in systolic (p = 0.001) and diastolic (p = 0.017) blood pressure and improved motor skills post-intervention. Among 25 genes linked to AD, CT induced differentially methylated sites in 12 genes, predominantly showing hypomethylated sites (negative ß values). Interestingly, despite hypomethylated sites, some genes exhibited hypermethylated sites (positive ß values), such as ABCA7, BDNF, and WWOX. A 14-week CT regimen was adequate to induce differential methylation in 12 CE-related genes in healthy older women, alongside improvements in motor skills and blood pressure. In conclusion, this study suggest that combined training can be a strategy to improve physical fitness in older individuals, especially able to induce methylation alterations in genes sites related to development of AD. It is important to highlight that training should act as protective factor in older adults.

Comparing Fourteen Weeks of Multicomponent Training Versus Combined Training in Physically Inactive Older Women: A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Combined (CT) and multicomponent training (MT) presents several benefits for aging individuals. However, the literature does not provide evidence on which of the two physical training models can better enhance improvements in physical capacity and health parameters in middle-aged and older women. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of MT and CT on physical capacity, cognitive, behavioral, and psychosocial assessment, and biochemical profile of physically inactive women aged between 50 and 70 years. METHODS: Participants were randomized into two groups: MT (32 women, 64.2 ± 6.4 years) and CT (39 women, 61.4 ± 4.3 years). Both training sessions had a weekly volume of 180 min, for 14 weeks, with assessments at baseline and after the training period. RESULTS: CT showed better results when compared to MT. In the four evaluation blocks, we noticed differences in the effect size (L = large, M = moderate, S = small, and T = trivial) between the groups in 26 variables in total, highlighting the CT group (L = 11, M = 5, S = 2, and T = 8) compared to the MT group (L = 8, M = 7, S = 7, and T = 4). Our findings showed group-time differences for strength variables using the maximum dynamic repetition test in upper and lower limbs and for agility. The multicomponent training showed improvement in the functional strength of the upper limbs evaluated through the elbow flexion and extension test (p = 0.037), and HDL (p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Fourteen weeks of CT showed better benefits when compared to MT.

Effects of Combined Versus Multicomponent Training in Physically Active Women Aged 50-75 Years.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effects of combined training (CT) and multicomponent training (MT) on different health parameters in physically active women aged between 50 and 75 years. Method: The participants were randomly divided into two training groups (CT and MT), lasting 180 min per week, for 14 consecutive weeks of training with the level of physical activity, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, strength, cardiorespiratory skills, coordination, flexibility, agility, and quality of life. Results: Participants who underwent CT and MT training showed positive responses regarding the assessment of body mass, waist circumference, lower limb resistance and strength, upper limb strength, and mental domain related to the quality of life. However, only participants undergoing CT were able to increase agility and cardiorespiratory capacities. Conclusion: 14 weeks of CT were more efficient to improve physical capacities in physically active women aged between 50 and 75 years when compared to MT.

Quality of Movement Is Associated With Cognitive Function in Physically Inactive Older Women.

The relationship between the quality of movement, considering different global and universal basic patterns of movement and cognition domains in older adults remain unclear. The current study explored this association in physically inactive older women. In total, 187 participants, aged 60-70 years (mean = 64.9, SD = 6.9 years), were recruited from a physical education program in a public university. The older adults performed the following tests: Functional Movement Screen, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and Modified Baecke Questionnaire for the Older Adults. The regression analysis showed an association between age (ß = -0.11, 95% confidence interval, CI, [-0.10, 0.30], p = .03); visuospatial abilities (ß = 0.36, 95% CI [0.24, 1.23], p < .001); language (ß = 0.23, 95% CI [0.20, 1.08], p < .001); and orientation domains (ß = 0.13, 95% CI [0.11, 1.22], p = .016) of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and the Functional Movement Screen. The quality of movement was related to both age and cognitive performance, such as the visuospatial abilities, language, and orientation domains, in physically inactive older women.

Subjective cognitive impairment, cognitive disorders and self-perceived health: The importance of the informant.

There is great divergence of results in the literature regarding the clinical relevance and etiology of subjective cognitive impairment (SCI). Currently, SCI is studied as a pre-clinical symptom of Alzheimer's disease, before establishing a possible diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The hypothesis was that SCI is associated with low cognitive performance and poor self-perceived health. OBJECTIVE: to investigate the relationship of SCI with objective cognitive impairment and self-perceived health in older individuals and to compare SCI reported by the elderly subjects and by their respective informants. METHODS: 83 subjects participated in the study, divided between the forms of the Memory Complaint Scale (MCS). Cognition was evaluated by the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination - Revised and self-perceived health by the Short Form Health Survey-8. RESULTS: there was no association between SCI and self-perceived health. SCI reported by the older adults was associated with executive functions. SCI reported by the informant was associated with overall cognitive performance, memory, verbal fluency and visuospatial functions. CONCLUSION: we found more robust results between SCI reported by the informant and cognitive impairment in the elderly assessed. There is a need to include and value the perception of someone who knows the older individual well enough to evaluate SCI globally.

Há grande divergência de resultados na literatura em relação à relevância clínica e à etiologia do comprometimento cognitivo subjetivo (CCS). Atualmente, o CCS é estudado como um sintoma pré-clínico da doença de Alzheimer, antes de se estabelecer um possível diagnóstico de CCL. A hipótese é que o CCS pode estar associado a um desempenho inferior em testes cognitivos ou a uma autopercepção de saúde ruim. OBJETIVO: O objetivo do estudo foi investigar a relação do CCS com o comprometimento cognitivo objetivo e a autopercepção de saúde em idosos e comparar o CCS relatado pelos idosos e o CCS relatado pelo informante. MÉTODOS: 83 sujeitos participaram do estudo, divididos entre as formas da Escala de Queixa de Memória para as análises. A cognição foi avaliada pelo Exame Cognitivo de Addenbrooke - Revisado e autopercepção da saúde pelo Short Form Health Survey-8. RESULTADOS: não houve associação entre CCS e autopercepção de saúde. O CCS relatado pelos idosos foi associado com funções executivas. O CCS reportado pelo informante esteve associado ao desempenho cognitivo global, memória, fluência verbal e função visual espacial. CONCLUSÃO: neste estudo encontramos resultados mais robustos entre CCS relatado pelo informante e o comprometimento cognitivo objetivo dos idosos, evidenciando a necessidade de incluir e valorizar a percepção de um indivíduo que conheça o idoso bem o suficiente para avaliar o CCS de maneira integrada.

Subjective memory complaint and its relationship with cognitive changes and physical vulnerability of community-dwelling older adults.

Memory complaint (MC) is common in older adults and can be confirmed by people close to them, such as family members and caregivers. Studies show an association between MC and cognitive impairment and, hence, physical vulnerability may exacerbate MC. However, the relationship between MC and physical vulnerability is not yet clear in the literature.\. OBJECTIVE: to investigate the association between MC, cognitive impairment, and physical vulnerability. METHODS: this is a cross-sectional study. We evaluated 100 older adults with a mean age of 65 years or over. The Memory Complaint Scale (MCS), Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Vulnerable Elderly Research-13 (VES-13), Geriatric Depression Scale and a sociodemographic questionnaire were applied. RESULTS: participants were divided into two groups according to results on the MCS-A (elderly) and MCS-B (informant). Correlations were found between the MCS-A and the MMSE (p=.045/ρ=.201), ACE-R/Visual-Spatial (p=.048/ρ=.199), and ACE-R/Attention-Orientation (p=.026/ρ=.223). For the MCS-B, correlations were found with total score on the ACE-R (p=.044/ρ=-.202) and the ACE-R/Visual-Spatial (p=0.003/ρ=-.291). CONCLUSION: MC reported by the informant indicate the need to assess, in more depth, the cognition of the older adult. Thus, for clinical practice, screening of MC through an informant is advised.

A queixa de memória (QM) é comum em idosos e pode ser confirmada por pessoas próximas a ele, como familiares e cuidadores. Estudos apontam associação entre QM e alterações cognitivas e, nesse sentido, a vulnerabilidade física poderia exacerbá-la. Porém, a relação entre QM e vulnerabilidade física ainda não está clara na literatura. OBJETIVO: investigar a relação entre QM, alterações cognitivas e vulnerabilidade física. MÉTODOS: trata-se de um estudo transversal. Foram avaliados 100 idosos com idade igual ou superior a 65 anos. Utilizou-se a Escala de Queixa de Memória (EQM), Exame Cognitivo de Addenbrooke - Revisado (ACE-R), Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM), Vulnerable Elders Survey-13 (VES-13), Escala de Depressão Geriátrica e questionário sociodemográfico. RESULTADOS: os participantes foram divididos em dois grupos de acordo com os resultados da EQM formas A (idoso) e B (informante). Encontrou-se correlação entre a EQM-A e MEEM (p=.045/ρ=.201), ACE-R Atenção e Orientação (p=.026/ρ=.223) e ACE-R/Visual-Espacial (p=.048/ρ=.199). Na EQM-B encontrou-se correlação entre pontuação total do ACE-R (p=.044/ρ=-.202) e ACE-R/Visual-Espacial. (p=.003/ρ=-.291). CONCLUSÃO: o relato de QM a partir do informante aponta a necessidade de avaliação mais aprofundada da cognição dos idosos. Assim, para a prática clínica, o rastreio de QM do informante é aconselhado.

Studies About Physical Activity Interventions Including Follow-Up Analysis: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Some studies have used the follow-up method to analyze real behavioral changes in research involving physical activity (PA) interventions. This has great scientific value; however, it is hard to apply without satisfactory resources and research funding. Little is known about how many studies have used this method to analyze PA interventions in low-income and middle-income countries, especially Brazil. PURPOSE: To describe Brazilian studies using follow-up analysis after PA interventions. METHODS: A systematic review was performed including Brazilian studies with follow-up analysis after PA interventions; the analyzed papers were from the previous 10 years. The search was carried out in Portuguese, English, and Spanish in the following databases: SciELO, Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Literature, PubMed, and Scopus. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis method was used. RESULTS: In total, 6 of the 7 studies analyzed were from the southeast region, with the intervention time ranging from 2 to 12 months, carrying out follow-up every 5.3 months with 2.2 observations on average. The interventions had a behavioral approach and were generally carried out in universities, hospitals, and ambulatory care. CONCLUSION: Studies on PA interventions using follow-up analysis are scarce. Considering the relevance of follow-up studies to measure behavior changes, the results suggest that more studies about this topic are essential in Brazil.