Progressive Resistance Training Improves Bradykinesia, Motor Symptoms and Functional Performance in Patients with Parkinson's Disease.

PURPOSE: Bradykinesia and muscle weaknesses are common symptoms of Parkinson's Disease (PD) and are associated with impaired functional performance, increased risk of falls, and reduced quality of life. Recent studies have pointed to progressive resistance training (PRT) as an effective method to control and reduce these symptoms, increasing possibilities to treat the disease. However, few studies have focused on assessing the PRT effects in the short-term. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the short-term PRT effects on people with PD, in order to offer new parameters for a better understanding of its effects, so as an adequation and PRT use as a complementary therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty individuals diagnosed with PD from stage 1 to 3 on the Hoehn and Yahr scale took part on the study and were allocated into 2 groups; Training Group (TG) performed a 9-week RT program twice a week, and the Control Group (CG) attended disease lectures. Bradykinesia UPDRS subscale (BSS), knee extensors isokinetic strength, Ten Meters Walk Test (TMW), Timed Up&Go Test (TUG) and 30-Second Chair Stand (T30) were measured before and after the intervention period. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Significant time was noted by the group interaction for all functional tests (TUG, T30, and TWM; all p < 0.01) and BSS (p < 0.01). Post hoc analyses revealed that these differences were driven by significant improvements in these dependent variables (all p < 0.01) while the CG remained unchanged (all p > 0.05). Moreover, TUG, T30, TWM, and BSS were significantly different between TG and CG in the post-training assessments (all p < 0.01). Isokinetic muscle strength was slightly increased in the TG (2.4%) and decreased in the CG (-2.2%), but statistical analyses did not reach significance for interaction but only a trend (p = 0.12). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that 9 weeks of PRT reduces bradykinesia and improves functional performance in patients with mild to moderate PD. These findings reinforce this mode of exercise as an important component of public health promotion programs for PD.

Metabolic syndrome impact on pulmonary function of women.

BACKGROUND: The presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components may induce structural and physiological changes that exacerbate the impairment of the respiratory function. The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of metabolic syndrome and its components on lung function in women. METHODS: This is cross-sectional study. A total of 121 women aged 20-75 years were assisted in two primary health centers of Brazil. These women were divided into two groups according to the presence of metabolic syndrome. Waist circumference and blood pressure measurements, high density low-cholesterol (HDL-c) and triglycerides analysis and pulmonary function tests by spirometry were performed. RESULTS: Metabolic syndrome prevalence was 46.3%. Systemic arterial pressure (BP) and waist circumference (WC) were identified with higher eigenvalues in the main components explaining 26.78% of the variance. The multiple regression analysis showed an inverse relationship between forced expiratory volume in the first second predicted (FEV1%) (ß = -6.0, p = 0.03) and predicted forced vital capacity (FVC%) (ß = -7, 02, p = 0.004) with the presence of MetS. PA (ß = -8.50, p = 0.003) and WC (ß = -0.24, p = 0.001) it presented an inverse relationship with FVC% when was adjusted for age, smoking history, menopausal BMI. CONCLUSIONS: WC and PA were considered the parameters most related to MetS by principals components analysis. The diagnosis of MetS presented an inverse relation with the spirometrics parameters. Elevation of BP and WC were the predictors of the CFV% reduction.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and quality-of-life analysis posttreatment in breast cancer survivors.

This study compared VO(2peak), treatment frequency and dosage, and QOL between 22 post-treated breast cancer survivors (CATotal) and 22 apparently healthy, age-matched women (CO). The CATotal group included 11 with no history of any other co-morbidities (CA) and 11 with controlled hypertension (CA + H). VO(2peak) was measured using the Bruce Protocol. QOL was measured using the SF-36 survey. Significant differences were observed in VO(2peak) between CATotal and CO (p = 0.014), CA and CA + H (p = 0.001), and CA + H and CO (p = 0.001). Physical, emotional, and mental health domains of the SF-36 were significantly different between CATotal and CO (p = 0.006, 0.001, and 0.05 respectively). These results suggest that breast cancer survivors with controlled hypertension can experience a significant reduction in VO(2peak) when compared to apparently healthy, age-matched controls. Also, treatment frequency and dosage affected QOL in this group of survivors.

Câncer de mama e exercício físico / Breast cancer and physical exercise

O câncer de mama é uma das neoplasias mais comuns entre mulheres, cuja terapia se baseia na combinação de cirurgia, quimioterapia, radioterapia e hormonioterapia. O diagnóstico dessa neoplasia determina repercussões fisiológicas negativas, enquanto seu tratamento, além de afetar aspectos psicológicos, pode associar-se à morbidade física. Após a conclusão da fase ativa do tratamento, o objetivo é reabilitar a paciente para que possa retornar o mais breve possível às suas atividades diárias. Nesse sentido, a prática de exercícios físicos se constitui num dos recursos disponíveis para a reabilitação. A prática regular de exercícios físicos pode contribuir para o bem-estar físico e psicológico e para uma melhor qualidade de vida. A despeito desses benefícios, observa-se que a recomendação e a prática de exercícios físicos não são comuns entre mulheres com antecedente de câncer de mama. Buscando informar e atualizar os profissionais de saúde envolvidos nos cuidados dessas mulheres, aspectos atuais da relação entre câncer de mama e exercícios físicos são apresentados e discutidos, incluindo conceitos, potenciais benefícios e contraindicações.