Effects of home-based physical exercise programs on cognition in older adults: an integrative review / Efeitos de programas de exercícios físicos domiciliares na cognição de idosos: uma revisão integrativa

This study sought to review randomized clinical trials of home-based physical exercises and their effects on cognition in older adults. An integrative review was carried out after searching the PubMed, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, LILACS, SciELO, and PEDro databases. The risk of bias of the included randomized controlled trials was assessed using the PEDro Scale. Fourteen studies were included, with an average PEDro score of 6.1±1.7 (range, 3 to 9) points. Overall, the studies found that interventions consisting of home-based physical exercise programs, whether strength training alone or combined with aerobic and balance exercises, performed three times a week in 60-minute sessions for a minimum duration of 8 weeks, contribute to cognitive performance in older adults, with particular impact on executive function. We conclude that home-based physical exercises constitute a strategy to minimize the negative implications associated with cognitive impairment in older adults

Este estudo buscou revisar ensaios clínicos randomizados com exercícios físicos domiciliares e seus efeitos na cognição de idosos. Foi feita uma revisão integrativa com seleção nas bases de dados PubMed, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, LILACS, SciELO e PEDro. A avaliação do risco de viés dos ensaios clínicos randomizados incluídos foi feita usando a Escala PEDro. Catorze estudos foram incluídos, cuja pontuação dos artigos na escala PEDro foi em média de 6,1±1,7 pontos, com a pontuação total variando de 3 a 9. De forma geral, os estudos apontaram que a intervenção com programas de exercícios domiciliares de treino de força isolado ou combinado com exercícios aeróbio e de equilíbrio, realizado três vezes na semana com 60 minutos por sessão e duração mínima de oito semanas, contribui para o desempenho cognitivo de idosos, especialmente sobre a função executiva. Concluiu-se que exercícios domiciliares se apresentam como uma estratégia para minimizar as consequências negativas associadas ao déficit cognitivo em idosos

Analysis of physical activity and plasma levels of soluble CD40 and CD40L in older people with gastrointestinal tract cancer.

Regular physical activity prevents and treats cancer patients by assisting and improving the immune system. Co-stimulatory molecules that activate the immune system have been studied in cancer, such as immune checkpoint molecules of the CD40/CD40L pathway. This study aimed to characterize plasma levels of soluble CD40 (sCD40) and CD40 ligand (sCD40L) in older people with gastrointestinal tract (GIT) cancer and associate results with physical activity. This prospective and exploratory cohort study was performed with 24 older people with GIT cancer and 23 healthy elderly individuals as controls. Physical activity level was classified as active or sedentary according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Plasma levels of sCD40 and sCD40L were determined using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Plasma levels of sCD40 were higher, while sCD40L were lower (p = 0.0171) in older people with GIT cancer than controls (p = 0.0038). Regarding physical activity, active older people with GIT cancer presented lower plasma levels of sCD40 and sCD40L than those sedentary with GIT cancer (p = 0.0228 and p = 0.0236), respectively. Our findings suggest that GIT cancer stimulates the immune system in older people, elevates levels of sCD40, and reduces levels of sCD40L. Physical activity may be a protective factor for the immune system of these patients since it acts on sCD40/sCD40L pathway.