Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Muscular Strength Do Not Predict Social Cognitive Capacity in Older Age.

OBJECTIVES: Social cognitive function often declines in older age but the mechanisms underlying these declines are not completely clear. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscular strength are positively associated with broader cognitive function in older adults, yet surprisingly, no study has examined whether a similar relationship exists between CRF or muscular strength and social cognition in older age. METHODS: We assessed whether higher CRF and muscular strength were associated with enhanced social cognitive function in a sample of fifty older adults (Mage = 70.08, standard deviation = 3.93). Participants completed a gold-standard cardiopulmonary exercise test to assess CRF, an isometric handgrip strength test to index muscular strength, and validated measures of social cognition to index emotion perception and theory of mind (ToM). RESULTS: The results showed that CRF and muscular strength did not explain any unique variance in older adults' social cognitive performance. Bayesian analyses confirmed that the evidence for the null hypothesis was moderate for all tested relationships, except for the relationship between CRF and cognitive ToM where the evidence for the null was anecdotal. DISCUSSION: This study has provided the first evidence to suggest that CRF and muscular strength-two important modifiable lifestyle factors-are not associated with social cognition in healthy older adults. However, replication studies are now needed to cross-validate these findings and to clarify whether any moderating variables may be important for understanding the relationship between fitness and social cognition in older age.

Comparison Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Functions of Cognitive Control in Adolescents: A Tracking Study of 3 Years.

PURPOSE: Compare tracking groups with cognitive control functions and plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factors concentrations from childhood to adolescence. METHODS: This is a prospective study with 3 years of follow-up. At baseline, data from 394 individuals were collected (11.7 y), and data were obtained from 134 adolescents (14.9 y) at the 3-year follow-up. At both time points, anthropometric and maximal oxygen uptake data were collected. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) groups were classified into high or low CRF. At follow-up, cognitive outcomes were collected via the Stroop and Corsi block test; plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factors concentrations were also analyzed. RESULTS: Comparisons demonstrated that maintaining high CRF over 3 years results in shorter reaction time, better inhibitory control, and higher working memory values. Likewise, the group that moved from low to high CRF over 3 years presented better reaction time. Plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factors concentrations were higher for the group that increased its CRF over the 3 years in relation to the low-low group (90.58 pg·mL-1; P = .004). However, after scaling by an allometric approach, differences were only found for reaction time and working memory between high-high and high-low groups. CONCLUSION: Maintaining high CRF over 3 years was positively related to reaction time and working memory in relation to adolescents that decreased their levels of CRF.

Mental Health in Adults With ADHD: Examining the Relationship With Cardiorespiratory Fitness.

OBJECTIVE: The mental health of adults with ADHD was compared to neurotypical controls, and associations between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and mental health were examined. METHOD: Seventy-two participants (n = 36 with ADHD) completed demographic questions assessing ADHD and mental health symptoms. CRF was estimated using the 6-Minute Walk Test and a self-perception question. RESULTS: Those with ADHD had significantly poorer mental health outcomes than controls (p < .001), with 50% of adults with ADHD reporting severe to extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Critically, lower CRF was associated with worse depression, anxiety, and stress (all p ≤ .03) across both groups. Within the ADHD group, those with higher estimated CRF had significantly lower stress. Among participants with less severe ADHD symptoms, those with higher perceived CRF had significantly lower depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: In our cross-sectional study, participants with ADHD had poorer mental health than neurotypical controls, and higher fitness was associated with better mental health.

Relationship between health-related quality of life and physical fitness in Norwegian adolescents.

AIMS: This cross-sectional study investigated the association between health-related quality of life (HRQoL), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscular fitness in 14-year-old adolescents. METHODS: Norwegian adolescents (N = 1985) carried out a 10-min running test to assess cardiorespiratory fitness and three different muscular fitness tests (handgrip, sit-ups, and standing broad jump) and answered the KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire to provide HRQoL data. Linear-mixed effect models were applied to detect relationships among the variables. RESULTS: Running-test results were positively associated with higher scores in the following KIDSCREEN domains: physical well-being, psychological well-being, autonomy and parent relationships, and school environment (ß = 0.01-0.04; p < .01 for all). Performance in sit-ups test was positively associated with higher scores in three out of five KIDSCREEN domains: physical well-being (ß = 0.31; p < .001), social support and peers (ß = 0.16; p = .023), and school environment scores (ß = 0.19; p = .006). An inverse association was found between the handgrip test results and the score on psychological well-being domain (ß = - 0.10; p = .013). CONCLUSIONS: The associations between HRQoL and physical fitness were trivial (abdominal strength and handgrip strength) to small (CRF) but confirmed that earlier findings from children also are applied to adolescents. Explosive strength in the lower body showed no association with HRQoL. Further research should investigate the direction of causality. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov ID nr: NCT03817047. Registered 01/25/2019 'retrospectively registered'.

The effect of two multi-component behavior change interventions on cognitive functions.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported the effects of two cluster-randomized 6-month multi-component workplace interventions, targeting reducing sedentary behavior or increasing physical activity among office workers, on movement behaviors and cardiorespiratory fitness. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effects of these interventions on cognitive functions compared to a wait-list control group. The secondary aims were to examine if changes in cognition were related to change in cardiorespiratory fitness or movement behaviors and if age, sex, or cardiorespiratory fitness moderated these associations. METHODS: Both interventions encompassed multi-components acting on the individual, environmental, and organizational levels and aimed to change physical activity patterns to improve mental health and cognitive function. Out of 263 included participants, 139 (mean age 43 years, 76% females) completed a neuropsychological test battery and wore accelerometers at baseline and 6-month follow-up. The intervention effect (aim 1) on cognitive composite scores (i.e., Executive Functions, Episodic Memory, Processing Speed, and Global Cognition) was investigated. Additionally, associations between changes in movement behaviors and cardiorespiratory fitness, and changes in cognition were examined (aim 2). Moreover, age, sex, and cardiorespiratory fitness level were investigated as possible moderators of change associations (aim 3). RESULTS: Overall, cognitive performance improved from baseline to follow-up, but the change did not differ between the intervention groups and the control group. Changes in cardiorespiratory fitness or any movement behavior category did not predict changes in cognitive functions. The association between changes in time in bed and changes in both Executive Function and Global Cognition were moderated by age, such that a more positive relation was seen with increasing age. A less positive association was seen between changes in sedentary behavior and Processing Speed for men vs. women, whereas higher cardiorespiratory fitness was related to a more positive association between changes in moderate-intensity physical activity and Global Cognition. CONCLUSION: The lack of an intervention effect on cognitive functions was expected since the intervention did not change movement behavior or fitness. Age, sex, and cardiorespiratory fitness level might moderate the relationships between movement behaviors and cognitive functions changes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN92968402 . Registered 09/04/2018.

A Randomized Trial of the Effects of Exercise on Anxiety, Fear of Cancer Progression and Quality of Life in Prostate Cancer Patients on Active Surveillance.

PURPOSE: We examined the effects of exercise on prostate cancer-specific anxiety, fear of cancer progression, quality of life and psychosocial outcomes in patients with prostate cancer on active surveillance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ERASE (Exercise during Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer) Trial randomized 52 patients with prostate cancer undergoing active surveillance to high-intensity interval training (HIIT, 26 patients) or usual care (UC, 26 patients). The HIIT group performed a 12-week, thrice weekly, supervised, aerobic HIIT program. The UC group did not exercise. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed at baseline and after intervention, including prostate cancer-specific anxiety (Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer), fear of cancer progression (Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory), prostate cancer symptoms (Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite), quality of life (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core) and psychological health outcomes (eg fatigue, stress and self-esteem). Analysis of covariance was used to compare between-group differences. RESULTS: Fifty of 52 participants (96%) completed patient-reported outcome assessments at 12 weeks. Adherence to HIIT was 96%. Compared to UC, HIIT significantly improved total prostate cancer-specific anxiety (adjusted between-group mean difference -2.7, 95% confidence interval, range -5.0 to -0.4, p=0.024), as well as the fear of progression subscale (p=0.013), hormonal symptoms (p=0.005), perceived stress (p=0.037), fatigue (p=0.029) and self-esteem (p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: A 12-week supervised HIIT program may improve prostate cancer-specific anxiety, fear of cancer progression, hormone symptoms, stress, fatigue and self-esteem in men with prostate cancer on active surveillance. Larger trials are needed to confirm the effects of HIIT on patient-reported outcomes in the active surveillance setting.

Getting Fit to Counteract Cognitive Aging: Evidence and Future Directions.

Physical activity has shown tremendous promise for counteracting cognitive aging, but also tremendous variability in cognitive benefits. We describe evidence for how exercise affects cognitive and brain aging, and whether cardiorespiratory fitness is a key factor. We highlight a brain network framework as a valuable paradigm for the mechanistic insight needed to tailor physical activity for cognitive benefits.

Behaviours involved in the role of victim and aggressor in bullying: Relationship with physical fitness in adolescents.

Physical fitness is related to well-being and health. Adolescence is a key period in the psychological and social development of the person, in which interpersonal relationships gain strength, being bullying a type of violence that can affect the personality of those involved. At present, there is not enough research to determine the relationships between bullying and physical condition. The purpose of this study is to find out if there are any relationships among physical fitness, victimisation, and aggression in bullying, and to identify these behaviours. This is a descriptive study done in 1035 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years (M = 14.67, SD = 1.49). The European Bullying Intervention Project Questionnaire (EBIPQ) scale was used, and anthropometric characteristics of weight and height were measured. In addition, physical fitness tests from the Eurofit battery, sit-and-reach, 30-second sit-ups, horizontal jump, manual dynamometry, and 20-meter Multistage Shuttle Run Test (SRT) were included. The relationships between variables were analysed using Spearman correlations, linear regressions, and ordinal regressions. The most relevant findings indicate an inverse relationship between being a victim of bullying and having a better cardiorespiratory cardiovascular endurance. These also show a direct relationship between being a bully and skeletal muscle strength measured through the horizontal jump, 30-second sit-ups, and manual dynamometry tests. Theoretically, we can conclude that physical condition can be considered a predictor to consider in bullying. Specifically, cardiorespiratory fitness, in addition to its multiple physical and mental benefits, may be a protective element against bullying victimisation. In contrast, muscular strength, especially in boys, may be an important predictor, especially in the physical component, of aggression in bullying.

The social and psychological health of children is associated with Mediterranean diet adherence items, cardiorespiratory fitness, and lifestyle / La salud social y psicológica de los niños está asociada a los ítems de la adherencia a la dieta mediterránea, la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria y el estilo de vida

Background: Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence, physical activity (PA) patterns, and physical fitness are associated with physical, social, and psychological health in children. Objective: the purpose of this study was to determine the association of items of MD adherence, fitness components, and lifestyle with psychological and social health in Chilean schoolchildren. Material and methods: this cross-sectional study included 615 schoolchildren, both girls (n = 271, 11.7 ± 1.00 years old) and boys (n = 344, 11.8 ± 1.1 years old). Anthropometric parameters, fitness components, lifestyle, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and self-esteem were measured. Results: HRQoL showed an association with cardiorespiratory fitness (β: 0.12, p < 0.001) and PA (β: 0.32, p = 0.023). Self-esteem was inversely associated with screen time (β: -1.35, p < 0.001). Moreover, social health presented a positive association with PA after school (β: 0.06, p = 0.037). In relation to MD adherence items, HRQoL was linked to the items “Takes a fruit or fruit juice every day” (β: 1.93, p = 0.004) and “Consumes fresh or cooked vegetables > 1 time/day” (β: 1.12, p = 0.018). Self-esteem was associated to “Consumes a dairy product > 1 time/day” (β: 3.30, p = 0.030). Social health was inversely related to “Eats at a fast food restaurant ≥ 1 time/week” (β: -0.26, p = 0.003) and positively to “Consumes pasta or rice almost every day” (β: 0.35, p = 0.049). Conclusion: MD adherence items, fitness, and lifestyle were linked to psychological and social health, therefore it is necessary to develop preventive strategies for schoolchildren to change in a positive way these modifiable lifestyle behaviors. (AU)

Antecedentes: la adherencia a la dieta mediterránea (DM), los patrones de actividad física (AF) y la condición física están asociados a la salud física, social y psicológica de los niños. Objetivo: el propósito de este estudio fue determinar la asociación entre ítems de adherencia a la DM, componentes de la condición física y el estilo de vida con la salud psicológica y social de los escolares chilenos. Material y métodos: este estudio transversal incluyó a 615 escolares, niñas (n = 271, 11,7 ± 1,00 años) y niños (n = 344, 11,8 ± 1,1 años). Se midieron parámetros antropométricos, componentes de la condición física, estilo de vida, calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) y autoestima. Resultados: la CVRS mostró asociación con la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria (β: 0,12, p < 0,001) y la PA (β: 0,32, p = 0,023). La autoestima, por su parte, se relacionó de manera inversa con el tiempo frente a la pantalla (β: -1,35, p < 0,001). Además, la salud social presentó una asociación positiva con la AF después de la escuela (β: 0,06, p = 0,037). En relación a los ítems de adherencia a la DM, la CVRS se vinculó a los ítems “Toma una fruta o jugo de fruta todos los días” (β: 1,93, p = 0,004) y “Consume verduras frescas o cocidas > 1 vez/día” (β: 1,12, p = 0,018). La autoestima se asoció a “Consume un producto lácteo > 1 vez/día” (β: 3,30, p = 0,030). La salud social se vinculó inversamente con “Come en un restaurante de comida rápida ≥ 1 vez/semana” (β: -0,26, p = 0,003) y positivamente con “Consume pasta o arroz casi todos los días” (β: 0,35, p = 0,049). Conclusión: los ítems de adherencia a la DM, la condición física y el estilo de vida se relacionaron con la salud psicológica y social de los escolares, por lo que es necesario desarrollar estrategias preventivas para modificar de manera positiva estas conductas de estilo de vida modificables. (AU)

Determinantes de la salud en la adolescencia: capacidad cardiorrespiratoria y composición corporal / Determinants of health in adolescence: cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition

Introducción: la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria y la composición corporal son indicadores determinantes del estado de salud durante la adolescencia. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la relación de ambos parámetros con indicadores de salud mental y psicosocial, hábitos de vida y variables sociodemográficas, estableciendo sus factores predictores. Método: se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal sobre una muestra representativa de 761 estudiantes de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria de todos los centros educativos de La Rioja. Para ello se valoraron el índice de masa corporal, el consumo máximo de oxígeno, la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud, la autoestima, las horas de sueño nocturno, la adherencia a la dieta mediterránea, el nivel de actividad física, el rendimiento académico y diferentes factores sociodemográficos. Resultados: los resultados determinaron que ser chico, tener una menor edad, dormir menos horas por la noche y presentar un rendimiento académico inferior son predictores de padecer obesidad, mientras que una menor edad y ser migrante lo fueron de poseer sobrepeso. Por su parte, un menor nivel de actividad física, un peor rendimiento académico, ser migrante y la no realización de actividades deportivas extraescolares fueron factores predictores de una capacidad cardiorrespiratoria en zona de riesgo. Además, el entorno para la realización de la actividad física y el nivel socioeconómico también demostraron asociaciones con dicha capacidad cardiorrespiratoria. Conclusiones: dada la influencia de la composición corporal y la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria sobre la salud física y psicosocial de los adolescentes, se precisan estrategias de promoción que tengan en consideración los predictores identificados, con especial atención al fomento de estilos de vida saludables. (AU)

Introduction: cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition are determining indicators of health status during adolescence. The objective of the study was to analyze the relationship of both parameters with indicators of mental and psychosocial health, lifestyle habits, and sociodemographic variables, establishing their predictive factors. Method: a cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of 761 students (14.51 ± 1.63 years old) from 25 educational centers in a northern region of Spain. Body mass index, maximum oxygen uptake, health-related quality of life, self-esteem, hours of nightly sleep, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, physical activity engagement, academic performance, and different sociodemographic factors were analyzed for all participants. Results: the results determined that being a boy, being younger, sleeping fewer hours at night, and presenting a lower academic performance were predictors of suffering from obesity, while being younger and being a migrant were predictors of being overweight. On the other hand, lower physical activity engagement, poorer academic performance, being a migrant, and not practicing extracurricular sports activities were predictive factors of cardiorespiratory fitness in the risk zone. In addition, the environment for performing physical activity and socioeconomic level also showed associations with cardiorespiratory fitness. Conclusions: given the influence of body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness on the physical and psychosocial health of adolescents, promotion strategies are required that take into account the identified predictors, with special attention to promoting healthy lifestyles. (AU)

The social and psychological health of children is associated with Mediterranean diet adherence items, cardiorespiratory fitness, and lifestyle.

INTRODUCTION: Background: Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence, physical activity (PA) patterns, and physical fitness are associated with physical, social, and psychological health in children. Objective: the purpose of this study was to determine the association of items of MD adherence, fitness components, and lifestyle with psychological and social health in Chilean schoolchildren. Material and methods: this cross-sectional study included 615 schoolchildren, both girls (n = 271, 11.7 ± 1.00 years old) and boys (n = 344, 11.8 ± 1.1 years old). Anthropometric parameters, fitness components, lifestyle, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and self-esteem were measured. Results: HRQoL showed an association with cardiorespiratory fitness (ß: 0.12, p < 0.001) and PA (ß: 0.32, p = 0.023). Self-esteem was inversely associated with screen time (ß: -1.35, p < 0.001). Moreover, social health presented a positive association with PA after school (ß: 0.06, p = 0.037). In relation to MD adherence items, HRQoL was linked to the items "Takes a fruit or fruit juice every day" (ß: 1.93, p = 0.004) and "Consumes fresh or cooked vegetables ˃ 1 time/day" (ß: 1.12, p = 0.018). Self-esteem was associated to "Consumes a dairy product ˃ 1 time/day" (ß: 3.30, p = 0.030). Social health was inversely related to "Eats at a fast food restaurant ≥ 1 time/week" (ß: -0.26, p = 0.003) and positively to "Consumes pasta or rice almost every day" (ß: 0.35, p = 0.049). Conclusion: MD adherence items, fitness, and lifestyle were linked to psychological and social health, therefore it is necessary to develop preventive strategies for schoolchildren to change in a positive way these modifiable lifestyle behaviors.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Antecedentes: la adherencia a la dieta mediterránea (DM), los patrones de actividad física (AF) y la condición física están asociados a la salud física, social y psicológica de los niños. Objetivo: el propósito de este estudio fue determinar la asociación entre ítems de adherencia a la DM, componentes de la condición física y el estilo de vida con la salud psicológica y social de los escolares chilenos. Material y métodos: este estudio transversal incluyó a 615 escolares, niñas (n = 271, 11,7 ± 1,00 años) y niños (n = 344, 11,8 ± 1,1 años). Se midieron parámetros antropométricos, componentes de la condición física, estilo de vida, calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) y autoestima. Resultados: la CVRS mostró asociación con la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria (ß: 0,12, p < 0,001) y la PA (ß: 0,32, p = 0,023). La autoestima, por su parte, se relacionó de manera inversa con el tiempo frente a la pantalla (ß: -1,35, p < 0,001). Además, la salud social presentó una asociación positiva con la AF después de la escuela (ß: 0,06, p = 0,037). En relación a los ítems de adherencia a la DM, la CVRS se vinculó a los ítems "Toma una fruta o jugo de fruta todos los días" (ß: 1,93, p = 0,004) y "Consume verduras frescas o cocidas ˃ 1 vez/día" (ß: 1,12, p = 0,018). La autoestima se asoció a "Consume un producto lácteo ˃ 1 vez/día" (ß: 3,30, p = 0,030). La salud social se vinculó inversamente con "Come en un restaurante de comida rápida ≥ 1 vez/semana" (ß: -0,26, p = 0,003) y positivamente con "Consume pasta o arroz casi todos los días" (ß: 0,35, p = 0,049). Conclusión: los ítems de adherencia a la DM, la condición física y el estilo de vida se relacionaron con la salud psicológica y social de los escolares, por lo que es necesario desarrollar estrategias preventivas para modificar de manera positiva estas conductas de estilo de vida modificables.

Associations of physical activity, sedentary time, and physical fitness with mental health during pregnancy: The GESTAFIT project.

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to analyze the associations of objectively measured physical activity (PA), sedentary time, and physical fitness with mental health in the early second trimester (16 ± 2 gestational weeks) of pregnancy. METHODS: From 229 women initially contacted, 124 pregnant women participated in the present cross-sectional study. Data were collected between November 2015 and March 2017. The participants wore Actigraph GT3X+ Triaxial accelerometers for 9 consecutive days to objectively measure their PA levels and sedentary time. A performance-based test battery was used to measure physical fitness. Self-report questionnaires assessed psychological ill-being (i.e., negative affect, anxiety, and depression), and psychological well-being (i.e., emotional intelligence, resilience, and positive affect). Linear regression analyses were adjusted for age, educational level, accelerometer wear time, miscarriages, and low back pain. RESULTS: Moderate-to-vigorous PA was negatively associated with depression (ß = -0.222, adjusted R2 = 0.050, p = 0.041). Higher levels of sedentary time were negatively associated with positive affect (ß = -0.260, adjusted R2 = 0.085, p = 0.017). Greater upper-body flexibility was positively associated with better emotional regulation (ß = 0.195, adjusted R2= 0.030, p = 0.047). The remaining associations were not significant (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: An active lifestyle characterized by higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous PA and lower levels of sedentary time during pregnancy might modestly improve the mental health of pregnant women. Although previous research has focused on the benefits of cardiorespiratory exercise, the present study shows that only upper-body flexibility is related to emotional regulation in early pregnant women. If the present findings are corroborated in further experimental research, physical exercise programs should focus on enhancing flexibility to promote improvements in emotional regulation during early second-trimester of pregnancy.

The relationship between white matter microstructure, cardiovascular fitness, gross motor skills, and neurocognitive functioning in children.

Recent evidence indicates that both cardiovascular fitness and gross motor skill performance are related to enhanced neurocognitive functioning in children by influencing brain structure and functioning. This study investigates the role of white matter microstructure in the relationship of both cardiovascular fitness and gross motor skills with neurocognitive functioning in healthy children. In total 92 children (mean age 9.1 years, range 8.0-10.7) were included in this study. Cardiovascular fitness and gross motor skill performance were assessed using performance-based tests. Neurocognitive functioning was assessed using computerized tests (working memory, inhibition, interference control, information processing, and attention). Diffusion tensor imaging was used in combination with tract-based spatial statistics to assess white matter microstructure as defined by fractional anisotropy (FA), axial and radial diffusivity (AD, RD). The results revealed positive associations of both cardiovascular fitness and gross motor skills with neurocognitive functioning. Information processing and motor response inhibition were associated with FA in a cluster located in the corpus callosum. Within this cluster, higher cardiovascular fitness and better gross motor skills were both associated with greater FA, greater AD, and lower RD. No mediating role was found for FA in the relationship of both cardiovascular fitness and gross motor skills with neurocognitive functioning. The results indicate that cardiovascular fitness and gross motor skills are related to neurocognitive functioning as well as white matter microstructure in children. However, this study provides no evidence for a mediating role of white matter microstructure in these relationships.

Epidemiological profile, cardiopulmonary fitness and health-related quality of life of patients with heart failure: a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a severe and self-limiting syndrome. Its signs and symptoms are believed to predict poorer health-related quality of life scores, which are mainly influenced by deterioration in physical capacity. In the present study we try to analyze the influence of clinical and socioeconomic characteristics and physical capacity on the quality of life of people with HF diagnosis. METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted over 2 years with patients diagnosed with HF. To evaluate the patients the method of face-to-face visit and telephone monitoring was used. In the evaluations were applied: the Clinical and Socioeconomic Characterization Questionnaire, the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) for quality of life evaluation and the Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire (VSAQ) for cardiopulmonary fitness analysis. Measures of central tendency, proportion, normality test, confidence intervals, comparison of data through paired Student t test and Wilcoxon or Mann Whitney test were performed and correlations were verified through Spearman coefficient. RESULTS: The study included 108 patients, most of them female (50.90%) and mean age of 66.62 ± 11.33 years. The median time of HF diagnosis was 5 ± 6 years, being Chagas' disease the main etiologic cause for the disease (57.40%). As for the clinical condition, functional classes II (44.40%) and III (48.10%) of the New York Heart Association (NYHA) were the most frequent. There was a low cardiopulmonary fitness, with loss of capacity to perform daily activities (3 ± 1 to 3 ± 3) over the time of clinical follow-up. There was an increase in the MLHFQ instrument scores, from 50.98 ± 15.52 to 61.76 ± 19.95, over the analysis time. The analysis of correlations demonstrated that variables such as schooling, NYHA class, echocardiographic alterations and the drug profile have a significant relationship with the constructs of quality of life and physical fitness. CONCLUSION: Individuals in HF have significant impairment of cardiorespiratory capacity and tend to present worsening of QL along the evolution of the disease.

Relationship between both cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness and health-related quality of life in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

BACKGROUND: No review to date has evaluated the association between physical fitness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in healthy children and adolescents. The aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to examine the relationship between both cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscular fitness (MF) and HRQoL in healthy subjects under 18 years of age and to describe the dimensions of HRQoL in which these relationships are more robust. METHODS: The Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, SCIELO, SPORTDiscus and PEDro databases were systematically searched to collect observational studies that examined the relationship between CRF and HRQoL and between MF and HRQoL in participants under 18 years of age without any diagnosed medical condition. Pooled effect sizes (ES) were estimated for the associations between both CRF and MF and the various HRQoL dimensions. RESULTS: The pooled ES (95% CI) estimates for the relationship between CRF and HRQoL were as follows: 0.19 (0.10 to 0.27) for physical well-being, 0.19 (0.07 to 0.32) for psychological well-being, 0.20 (- 0.14 to 0.55) for perceived health status, 0.10 (0.00 to 0.20) for self-perception/self-esteem, 0.07 (- 0.05 to 0.19) for quality of family relationship, 0.14 (0.04 to 0.25) for quality of peer relationship, 0.17 (0.04 to 0.29) for everyday functioning at school and 0.20 (0.12 to 0.28) for total HRQoL score. The pooled ES (95% CI) estimates for the relationship between MF and HRQoL were: 0.25 (0.12 to 0.37) for physical well-being, 0.11 (0.04 to 0.17) for psychological well-being, 0.08 (0.01 to 0.15) for quality of family relationship, 0.14 (0.03 to 0.25) for quality of peer relationship, and 0.09 (0.03 to 0.14) for total HRQoL score. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that both CRF and MF are positively associated with HRQoL, mainly in physical, psychological and peer relationships. Moreover, CRF is positively associated with school dimensions and MF is positively associated with family relationships. Trail registration Protocol PROSPERO registration number: CRD42015025823.

[Determinants of health in adolescence: cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition]. / Determinantes de la salud en la adolescencia: capacidad cardiorrespiratoria y composición corporal.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition are determining indicators of health status during adolescence. The objective of the study was to analyze the relationship of both parameters with indicators of mental and psychosocial health, lifestyle habits, and sociodemographic variables, establishing their predictive factors. Method: a cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of 761 students (14.51 ± 1.63 years old) from 25 educational centers in a northern region of Spain. Body mass index, maximum oxygen uptake, health-related quality of life, self-esteem, hours of nightly sleep, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, physical activity engagement, academic performance, and different sociodemographic factors were analyzed for all participants. Results: the results determined that being a boy, being younger, sleeping fewer hours at night, and presenting a lower academic performance were predictors of suffering from obesity, while being younger and being a migrant were predictors of being overweight. On the other hand, lower physical activity engagement, poorer academic performance, being a migrant, and not practicing extracurricular sports activities were predictive factors of cardiorespiratory fitness in the risk zone. In addition, the environment for performing physical activity and socioeconomic level also showed associations with cardiorespiratory fitness. Conclusions: given the influence of body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness on the physical and psychosocial health of adolescents, promotion strategies are required that take into account the identified predictors, with special attention to promoting healthy lifestyles.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria y la composición corporal son indicadores determinantes del estado de salud durante la adolescencia. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la relación de ambos parámetros con indicadores de salud mental y psicosocial, hábitos de vida y variables sociodemográficas, estableciendo sus factores predictores. Método: se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal sobre una muestra representativa de 761 estudiantes de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria de todos los centros educativos de La Rioja. Para ello se valoraron el índice de masa corporal, el consumo máximo de oxígeno, la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud, la autoestima, las horas de sueño nocturno, la adherencia a la dieta mediterránea, el nivel de actividad física, el rendimiento académico y diferentes factores sociodemográficos. Resultados: los resultados determinaron que ser chico, tener una menor edad, dormir menos horas por la noche y presentar un rendimiento académico inferior son predictores de padecer obesidad, mientras que una menor edad y ser migrante lo fueron de poseer sobrepeso. Por su parte, un menor nivel de actividad física, un peor rendimiento académico, ser migrante y la no realización de actividades deportivas extraescolares fueron factores predictores de una capacidad cardiorrespiratoria en zona de riesgo. Además, el entorno para la realización de la actividad física y el nivel socioeconómico también demostraron asociaciones con dicha capacidad cardiorrespiratoria. Conclusiones: dada la influencia de la composición corporal y la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria sobre la salud física y psicosocial de los adolescentes, se precisan estrategias de promoción que tengan en consideración los predictores identificados, con especial atención al fomento de estilos de vida saludables.

Neurocognitive Plasticity Is Associated with Cardiorespiratory Fitness Following Physical Exercise in Older Adults with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment.

BACKGROUND: Aerobic training has been shown to promote structural and functional neurocognitive plasticity in cognitively intact older adults. However, little is known about the neuroplastic potential of aerobic exercise in individuals at risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore the effect of aerobic exercise intervention and cardiorespiratory fitness improvement on brain and cognitive functions in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). METHODS: 27 participants with aMCI were randomized to either aerobic training (n = 13) or balance and toning (BAT) control group (n = 14) for a 16-week intervention. Pre- and post-assessments included functional MRI experiments of brain activation during associative memory encoding and neural synchronization during complex information processing, cognitive evaluation using neuropsychological tests, and cardiorespiratory fitness assessment. RESULTS: The aerobic group demonstrated increased frontal activity during memory encoding and increased neural synchronization in higher-order cognitive regions such as the frontal cortex and temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) following the intervention. In contrast, the BAT control group demonstrated decreased brain activity during memory encoding, primarily in occipital, temporal, and parietal areas. Increases in cardiorespiratory fitness were associated with increases in brain activationin both the left inferior frontal and precentral gyri. Furthermore, changes in cardiorespiratory fitness were also correlated with changes in performance on several neuropsychological tests. CONCLUSION: Aerobic exercise training may result in functional plasticity of high-order cognitive areas, especially, frontal regions, among older adults at risk of AD and dementia. Furthermore, cardiorespiratory fitness may be an important mediating factor of the observed changes in neurocognitive functions.

Socioeconomic status relates to exercise habits and cardiorespiratory fitness among workers in the Tokyo area.

OBJECTIVES: This survey aims to investigate consciousness regarding habitual exercise among workers in urban areas and to analyze the associations of workers' socioeconomic status with their habitual exercise and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). METHODS: Ten thousand participants, who worked in the Tokyo area of Japan, were recruited for the questionnaire-based survey. The questionnaire elicited participant's characteristics, socioeconomic status (eg, employment status and annual income), habitual exercise status, and consciousness regarding exercising. After the data-cleaning procedure, 9406 participants were selected for analyses. CRF was estimated by a validated equation model. RESULTS: Some (32.9%) participants had an exercise habit, and 93% recognized that exercise is good for health. Of the nonexercise habit group (n = 6308), 73% wanted to develop an exercise habit, and "spare time (40%)" and "financial capability (16%)" were the two most necessary conditions for habituating exercise. As socioeconomic statuses increased, the odds ratios (ORs) for engaging in habitual exercise increased among full-time (1.22) versus part-time (reference) employees and those having high (1.76) versus low (reference) incomes, whereas the ORs for low CRF risk decreased among full-time (0.78) versus part-time (reference) employees and those having high (0.53) versus low (reference) incomes. CONCLUSIONS: Although most workers recognized the benefits of exercise, many were unable to develop exercise habits and believed that they could develop exercise habits if they had the time and financial capabilities. The survey suggests that workers with a higher socioeconomic status more likely to obtain favorable physical fitness, indicating a health disparity among workers in urban areas.

Sex Matters in the Association between Physical Activity and Fitness with Cognition.

PURPOSE: The benefits from physical activity (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) on normal age-related cognitive decline might be sex dependent. Our aim was to explore the relationship between different types of PA, CRF, and cognition and to identify the mediating effects of CRF in the association between PA and cognition in women and men. METHODS: We recruited 115 healthy adults 50-70 yr of age. We obtained demographic, cognitive, and PA status data based on the Projecte Moviment protocol. We calculated cognitive domains by grouping z-sample scores. We obtained self-reported total energy expenditure during the last month and grouped it into sportive PA (S-PA) and nonsportive PA (NS-PA). CRF was estimated using the Rockport 1-Mile Walk Test. We applied regression models and mediation analyses in a final sample of 104 individuals (65 women and 39 men). RESULTS: In the total sample, CRF was positively associated with executive function, verbal memory, and attention-speed. S-PA was positively related to executive function and attention-speed, whereas NS-PA was unrelated to cognitive domains. Greater amounts of S-PA were associated with executive function and attention-speed for both women and men. Higher CRF was associated with executive function, memory, language, and attention-speed only in men. Mediation analyses showed that CRF was a significant mediator of the positive effects of S-PA on executive function and attention-speed in men but not in women. CONCLUSIONS: Both women and men show cognitive benefits from greater S-PA, but not from NS-PA. However, there were sex differences in the mediating effects of CRF in this relationship, showing that CRF was mediating these benefits only in men.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of High-Intensity Exercise and Executive Functioning in Cognitively Normal Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of interventional research that systematically assesses the role of exercise intensity and cardiorespiratory fitness, and their relationship with executive function in older adults. To address this limitation, we have examined the effect of a systematically manipulated exercise intervention on executive function. METHODS: Ninety-nine cognitively normal participants (age = 69.10 ± 5.2 years; n = 54 female) were randomized into either a high-intensity cycle-based exercise, moderate-intensity cycle-based exercise, or no-intervention control group. All participants underwent neuropsychological testing and fitness assessment at baseline (preintervention), 6-month follow-up (postintervention), and 12-month postintervention. Executive function was measured comprehensively, including measures of each subdomain: Shifting, Updating/ Working Memory, Inhibition, Verbal Generativity, and Nonverbal Reasoning. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured by analysis of peak aerobic capacity; VO2peak. RESULTS: First, the exercise intervention was found to increase cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) in the intervention groups, in comparison to the control group (F =10.40, p≤0.01). However, the authors failed to find mean differences in executive function scores between the high-intensity, moderate intensity, or inactive control group. On the basis of change scores, cardiorespiratory fitness was found to associate positively with the executive function (EF) subdomains of Updating/Working Memory (ß = 0.37, p = 0.01, r = 0.34) and Verbal Generativity (ß = 0.30, p = 0.03, r = 0.28) for intervention, but not control participants. CONCLUSION: At the aggregate level, the authors failed to find evidence that 6-months of high-intensity aerobic exercise improves EF in older adults. However, it remains possible that individual differences in experimentally induced changes in cardiorespiratory fitness may be associated with changes in Updating/ Working Memory and Verbal Generativity.