Validity of the two-minute step test for healthy older adults.

BACKGROUND: In healthy older adults, the two-minute step test (2MST) does not have its concurrent validity tested against the six-minute walk test (6MWT), which is a valid cardiorespiratory fitness test frequently applied in geriatric samples. OBJECTIVE: To derive an equation to predict 6MWT from 2MST and to observe the agreement between observed and estimated 6MWT distances. METHODS: 6MWT and 2MST were measured in 51 older adults (72.9±4.6 years) from community multicomponent exercise programs. Multiple linear regression derives the predictive equation of 6MWT walked distance (dependent outcome) from steps obtained in 2MST, age, sex, and body mass index (independent outcomes). RESULTS: Correlation between 6MWT and 2MST was strong (r=0.696, p<0.001). The regression equation showed good agreement with measured values, when 6MWT was below 600 m. CONCLUSION: The equation stands as a novel approach to obtaining a valid 6MWT estimation from the 2MST. 2MST is easier and faster, representing an alternative approach when time and space are limited.

Pharmacists' Perceptions on Nutritional Counseling of Oral Nutritional Supplements in the Community Pharmacy: An Exploratory Qualitative Study.

Malnutrition has important health impacts, especially in the elderly. Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) are effective strategies to help balance the nutritional needs of malnourished persons. Multiple ONS are available at community pharmacies, enabling pharmacists to have the possibility to implement strategies for prevention and monitoring of malnourished patients. The aim of this study was to characterize the experience of community pharmacists with the counseling and follow-up of users of ONS. A sample of 19 pharmacists from 19 different community pharmacies were interviewed. Apart from dispensing ONS to support patients that are preparing for diagnostic tests, the most frequently mentioned clinical condition for ONS counseling was malnutrition and dysphagia. When pharmacists consider dispensing ONS, three themes emerge: patient care, related to counselling tailored ONS to each patient's needs; interprofessional collaboration, with a special focus in the collaboration with registered dietitians; and training and education on ONS, looking to improve their knowledge and skills in ONS counselling and follow-up. Future studies exploring new forms of interaction between pharmacists and dietitians in this context should be developed, aiming to determine the workflow of an interdisciplinary service addressing the needs of community dwelling malnourished patients.

Tactical Knowledge by Decision Making and Motor Efficiency of Young Football Players in Different Playing Positions during a Three-a-Side Small-Sided Game.

The aim of this study was to compare the tactical knowledge of young football players in different playing positions during a three-a-side small-sided game (SSG). Observational data was collected from 71 players (M = 12.16; SD = 1.55 years): 11 goalkeepers, 22 defenders, 15 midfielders, and 23 forwards. In total, 4 min of three-a-side SSGs (GR + 3 vs. 3 + GR) were recorded to assess tactical performance using a digital camera (GoPro Hero 6® version 02.01). The SSGs were performed on a field with a constant area (36 × 27 m). Video analyses were performed using LongoMatch® version 1.5.9 to record football performance; we then assessed tactical performance by using the Football Tactical Assessment System (Fut-Sat). This instrument evaluates the average of well-defined action indexes for each game in decision making principle and motor skills, specifically: (i) Decision Making Index (DMI); (ii) Motor Effectiveness Index (MEI); (iii) Effectiveness Index (I). The indexes were calculated by the ratio between the correct actions and the total. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to evaluate differences between playing positions. The results showed that tactical performance by principles seems to be significantly different according to playing position. Differences were found between defenders and forwards (H = -11.92; p = 0.03) and defenders and midfielders (H = -16.13; p = 0.01) in contention principle. In conclusion, tactical knowledge of training based on the principles of the game can help coaches and players better understand and predict each player's actions during the game.

Kefir and the Gut-Skin Axis.

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a dynamic system influenced by various environmental factors, including diet and exposure to ingested probiotics, and prone to various functional impairments. These impairments are mostly related to any combination of motility alterations, visceral hypersensitivity, and changes in the mucosa, immune function, and intestinal microbiota. Intestinal microbial imbalance and immunological dysfunction have been linked to several chronic inflammatory disease states, including atopic dermatitis (AD). Disruption of the intestinal microbial balance, known as gut dysbiosis, has been demonstrated to negatively impact skin function by increasing the intestinal permeability. Consequently, the gut-skin axis may be receptive to modulation via dietary modification, namely, via ingestion of probiotics, thus representing interesting potential as an AD therapy. Kefir is an ancient probiotic food that has been demonstrated to positively impact the general condition of the digestive system, including the intestinal microbiota. However, the literature is still scarce on the impact on the gut-skin relationship of a diet containing kefir. This study, continuing research in our group, aimed to evaluate the impact of kefir intake on GI symptoms in healthy and AD skin subjects. Results showed a significant improvement in GI status, namely, in functional constipation, abdominal pain intensity, and abdominal distension, thus supporting the hypothesis that kefir intake is positively associated with improvement in GI status. The existence of a relationship between the improvement in skin parameters and the improvement in GI status after kefir consumption was established, thus reinforcing the role of homemade kefir as a potential modulator of the gut-skin axis in both healthy and atopic individuals.

The Impact of Kefir on Epidermal Water Homeostasis in Healthy Human Skin.

Kefir, a symbiotic consortium of diverse bacteria and yeasts, is one of the most popular probiotic foods on the market. Its consumption has been referred to as beneficial in human skin health, namely in the reinforcement of skin's barrier function. This benefit likely results from the productive activity of lactic acid bacteria during kefir fermentation. Lactic acid is naturally present in the skin, and actively contributes to epidermal water dynamics and "barrier." Few studies have been conducted regarding the impact of probiotic consumption in human epidermal water homeostasis. Therefore, this study was designed to explore the impact of the regular consumption of kefir on the skin water dynamics in a group of participants with healthy skin. Participants (n = 27) were healthy female volunteers from whom twelve consumed 100 mL of kefir every day for eight weeks as part of their diet. The remaining (untreated) participants served as the control group. Epidermal water balance was assessed by measuring transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum (SC) hydration on three different occasions-at baseline (T0), after four weeks (T4) and after eight weeks (T8) of interventive kefir consumption. Our study revealed a significant reduction in TEWL (p = 0.043) in the kefir group after eight weeks of regular consumption. In the same period, no differences were found for TEWL in the control group (p = 0.997). Regarding hydration, skin dryness was progressive in the control group, with a significant reduction in SC hydration (p = 0.002) at T8 in comparison to T0. In the kefir group, SC hydration was preserved between T0 and T8 (p = 0.997), which we believe to be related to epidermal "barrier" reinforcement. Our study seems to confirm that the regular consumption of kefir does improve cutaneous water balance even in healthy skin.

Homemade Kefir Consumption Improves Skin Condition-A Study Conducted in Healthy and Atopic Volunteers.

Diet has a fundamental role in the homeostasis of bodily functions, including the skin, which, as an essential protective barrier, plays a crucial role in this balance. The skin and intestine appear to share a series of indirect metabolic pathways, in a dual relationship known as the "gut-skin axis". Hence, the gut-skin axis might be receptive to modulation via dietary modification, where probiotics can be included, thus representing a potential therapeutic target in inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis (AD), in order to control and/or ameliorate symptoms. Kefir is one of the most ancient fermented foods, with probiotic characteristics that have been associated with a wide variety of health-promoting benefits, and it presents a microbiological diversity that makes its application as a probiotic in the gut-skin relationship of the utmost interest. However, the impact of a diet containing kefir on skin health has yet to be reported in scientific literature. This study aimed to assess the impact of the intake of homemade kefir in the skin of healthy and atopic volunteers. The intervention resulted in a boost on barrier function in both skin types verified only in the respective kefir intake groups. An improvement in the degree of severity of AD was also confirmed for the kefir intake group. Atopic individuals may benefit from kefir intake, especially in regard to their skin hydration. Finally, the effects observed on skin barrier function in this study probably culminate from the effects of all the ingredients in kefir, including the complex microbiota, its metabolites and macro- and micronutrients resulting from the fermentation. This work opens the way for more advanced research on the impact of the probiotic kefir on cutaneous health, further clarifying its mechanism of action namely via gut-skin axis.

Characterization of Kefir Produced in Household Conditions: Physicochemical and Nutritional Profile, and Storage Stability.

Kefir, a traditional fermented food, has numerous health benefits due to its unique chemical composition, which is reflected in its excellent nutritional value. Physicochemical and microbial composition of kefir obtained from fermented milk are influenced by the type of the milk, grain to milk ratio, time and temperature of fermentation, and storage conditions. It is crucial that kefir characteristics are maintained during storage since continuous metabolic activities of residual kefir microbiota may occur. This study aimed to examine the nutritional profile of kefir produced in traditional in use conditions by fermentation of ultra-high temperature pasteurized (UHT) semi-skimmed cow milk using argentinean kefir grains and compare the stability and nutritional compliance of freshly made and refrigerated kefir. Results indicate that kefir produced under home use conditions maintains the expected characteristics with respect to the physicochemical parameters and composition, both after fermentation and after refrigerated storage. This work further contributes to the characterization of this food product that is so widely consumed around the world by focusing on kefir that was produced in a typical household setting.