Different types of physical exercise in brain activity of older adults: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: To verify the effects of different modalities of physical exercise on brain activity of older adults. METHODS: Systematic searches were conducted according to the PICOS strategy and the following databases were searched: PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo and Scielo. Two independent evaluators performed the initial selection from reading the title and abstract based on the stipulated eligibility criteria. RESULTS: The searches resulted in 1935 titles, of which 97 were duplicated and 1793 were excluded based on reading the titles and abstracts. This phase resulted in 45 articles for detailed analysis. At this stage, 35 articles were excluded because they did not meet the eligibility criteria. The information for qualitative analysis was extracted from 10 articles that met the criteria. CONCLUSION: There was improvement in the brain activity of older adults regardless of the type of physical exercise performed (aerobic, neuromuscular, flexibility or neuromotor), but with a discrete advantage for balance and coordination exercises (neuromotor).

Effect of myofascial release on lower limb range of motion, sit and reach and horizontal jump distance in male university students.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effects of Myofascial release (MR) on lower limb ROM, sit and reach and horizontal jump distance in male university students. STUDY DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study. BACKGROUND: MR is a technique that aims to stretch fascia to increase range of motion (ROM), relieve pressure points and improve performance. However, there is limited evidence of its actual effects on flexibility and physical performance. METHODS: Twenty-one uninjured, male university students received MR (11 on the first session and the other 10 on the second session 24 h later), completed lower limb ROM assessments, the sit and reach and the horizontal jump tests in a randomized order. MR was performed before the tests with a myofascial stick in the anterior and posterior aspects of the right and left thigh and calf muscles. Each muscle group was massaged for 90 s, totaling 9 min of MR. The testing conditions with MR and without MR were compared using Student t-tests and the effect sizes (ES) were calculated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the testing conditions on horizontal jump distance. However, the sit and reach distance (28 ± 9 vs. 32 ± 9 cm, p = 0.001; ES = 0.44), left hip extension (10 ± 2 vs. 8 ± 2°, p = 0.006; ES = 1.00) and left plantar flexion (36 ± 7 vs. 39 ± 7°, p = 0.044; ES = 0.43) were higher with MR. CONCLUSIONS: MR increased sit and reach distance, left hip extension and plantar flexion, but it did not affect horizontal jump distance in uninjured, male university students.