Sedentary Occupation Workers Who Meet the Physical Activity Recommendations Have a Reduced Risk for Metabolic Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that sedentary occupation workers who meet the physical activity recommendations present a lower risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS) than their nonactive counterparts. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 502 sedentary occupation workers. Physical activity level was self-reported. MetS was defined by International Diabetes Federation criteria. RESULTS: The active group showed lower odds for MetS [odds ratio (OR) 0.52, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.27 to 0.98], abdominal obesity (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.82), elevated blood pressure (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.84), and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.93) than the sedentary group after adjustments for age, time in job, body mass index, and tobacco use. CONCLUSIONS: Sedentary occupation workers who meet the physical activity recommendations have a reduced risk for MetS.

Effect of Strength Training on Oxidative Stress and the Correlation of the Same with Forearm Vasodilatation and Blood Pressure of Hypertensive Elderly Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of strength training on oxidative stress and the correlation of the same with forearm vasodilatation and mean blood pressure of hypertensive elderly women, at rest (basal) and during a static handgrip exercise. Insufficiently active hypertensive elderly women (N = 25; mean age = 66.1 years) were randomized into a 10 week strength training group (n = 13) or control (n = 12) group. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), plasma nitrite (NO2-), forearm blood flow (FBF), mean blood pressure (MBP) and vascular conductance ([FBF / MBP] x 100) were evaluated before and after the completion of the interventions. The strength training group increased the TAC (pre: Median = 39.0; Interquartile range = 34.0-41.5% vs post: Median = 44.0; Interquartile range = 38.0-51.5%; p = 0.006) and reduced the MDA (pre: 4.94 ± 1.10 µM vs post: 3.90 ± 1.35 µM; p = 0.025; CI-95%: -1.92 --0.16 µM). The strength training group increased basal vascular conductance (VC) (pre: 3.56 ±0.88 units vs post: 5.21 ±1.28 units; p = 0.001; CI-95%: 0.93-2.38 units) and decreased basal MBP (pre: 93.1 ±6.3 mmHg vs post: 88.9 ±5.4 mmHg; p = 0.035; CI-95%: -8.0 --0.4 mmHg). Such changes were also observed during static handgrip exercise. A moderate correlation was observed between changes in basal VC and MBP with changes in NO2- (ΔVC → r = -0.56, p = 0.047; ΔMBP → r = -0.41, p = 0.168) and MDA (ΔVC → r = 0.64, p = 0.019; ΔMBP → r = 0.31, p = 0.305). The strength training program reduced the oxidative stress of the hypertensive elderly women and this reduction was moderately correlated with their cardiovascular benefits. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ensaiosclinicos.gov.br RBR-48c29w.

Acute Effects of T'ai Chi Chuan Exercise on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate in Peripheral Artery Disease Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the acute effect of a t'ai chi chuan session on blood pressure and heart rate in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). DESIGN: Randomized crossover intervention study. SETTING: Outpatient therapy center. PARTICIPANTS: Seven patients with PAD, aged 50-79 years, not using ß-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, or nondihidropiridinic vasodilators. INTERVENTION: T'ai chi chuan and control session (both sessions lasted 40 minutes). OUTCOME MEASURES: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate, which were evaluated before and after the intervention (10, 30, and 50 minutes). RESULTS: T'ai chi chuan exercise acutely decreased systolic blood pressure at 30 minutes after exercise (p = 0.042) and increased diastolic blood pressure at 50 minutes after exercise (p = 0.041). Heart rate did not change after t'ai chi chuan exercise. CONCLUSION: T'ai chi chuan acutely decreases systolic blood pressure in patients with PAD.