Connectedness to Nature Does Not Explain the Variation in Physical Activity and Body Composition in Adults and Older People.

Connectedness to nature (CN) is a significant predictor of pro-environmental behaviours, human health and well-being. However, research on how this connection to the natural world might promote a more active lifestyle and improve body mass composition according to gender is lacking. This study investigated the influence of CN on physical activity (PA) and body composition in adults and older people. We recruited a sample of 219 individuals (77 men and 142 women), and a self-administered questionnaire was used to measure CN and obtain demographic data. Body composition was assessed by bioimpedance, and PA was assessed by accelerometry. Correlations and stepwise multiple regressions were used in data analysis. CN's association with other variables was more pronounced in women than in men, and we only identified significant associations with steps/day and body composition. However, this variable would not be included in the regression models that we developed. Adiposity levels and muscle status were significant predictors of PA in women. In both genders, age, percentage of fat mass and fat-free mass were selected as regressors in the models developed for visceral fat area and muscle condition (R2 Adjusted ≥ 0.908).

Obesity and Natural Spaces in Adults and Older People: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is an important public health issue that has increased globally in the last decade and continues to be one of the main causes of morbidity and premature mortality. An accumulating body of evidence suggests that contact with nature is a valuable resource for the promotion of a more active lifestyle and seems to have a central role in maintaining a healthy weight. The authors conducted a systematic review to summarize the findings of studies that investigated the relationship between natural spaces and obesity. METHODS: Following Primary Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a literature search was conducted using 11 databases for studies fully available in English and published between 2010 and 2020, with adults (18-64 y) and/or older people (≥65 y). RESULTS: Fifty studies were found that met all the inclusion criteria. The majority (68%) of papers found that higher availability and less distance to green and blue spaces are associated with lower levels of adiposity. These associations were positive, even after adjusting for the demographic and socioeconomic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Exploring the characteristics of green and blue spaces seems to be a promising tool for urban planning and health policies. The authors suggest the implementation of exercise programs in contact with nature for future interventions.

The primary closure approach of dog bite injuries of the nose.

The nose holds an outstanding position on the face, acquiring great importance within the context of facial aesthetics. Because of the functional, psychological, and social aspects of trauma in a society increasingly demanding about aesthetics, treatment institution must reduce, as accurate as possible, the sequelae that hinder social integration. This clinical report relates an immediate nasal reconstruction of a complex animal bite wound. A 7-year-old patient was victim of a dog bite with avulsion of the left nasal ala and part of the ipsilateral nasal tip. The treatment was immediate nasal reconstruction with auricular composite graft. After 1 year of follow-up, the shape of nasal ala was stable, and the color was consistent with the surrounding tissue. The 2 nasal sides exhibited satisfactory symmetry when evaluated. It can be concluded that the composite graft derived from the auricular helix is a safe option for reconstruction of nasal ala defects with compromised margins in pediatric patients when conditions of reimplantation do not exist.

Can a single session of a community-based group exercise program combining step aerobics and bodyweight resistance exercise acutely reduce blood pressure?

This study aimed to analyze the acute effects of a single session of a community-based group exercise program combining step aerobics and bodyweight resistance exercise on blood pressure in healthy young adult women. Twenty-three healthy young adult women (aged 31.57 ± 7.87 years) participated in two experimental sessions (exercise and control) in a crossover study design. Blood pressure was monitored before, immediately after and at 10, 20 and 30 min of recovery. The exercise session consisted of four phases: 1) a warm-up (5 min of dance aerobics); 2) aerobic exercise training (30 min of step aerobics); 3) resistance exercise training (six sets of 12 repetitions of three bodyweight exercises in a circuit mode, 10 min); and 4) a cool-down (5 min of breathing and flexibility exercises); totaling 50 min of duration. Systolic blood pressure after exercise was significantly lower compared to control at the 10th min (-10.83 ± 2.13 vs. -2.6 ± 2.13 mmHg; p = 0.009), 20th min (-11.26 ± 2.13 vs. -3.04 ± 2.13 mmHg; p = 0.009) and 30th min of recovery (-10.87 ± 2.39 vs. -0.48 ± 2.39 mmHg; p = 0.004). A single session of a community-based group exercise program combining step aerobics and bodyweight resistance exercise was effective in inducing significant post-exercise hypotension in healthy young adult women. This type of low-cost exercise interventions may have an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and in community health promotion.

Estudo comparativo da estratégia da Federação Portuguesa de Atividades Subaquáticas entre os ciclos 2003/2006 e 2007/2010 / Comparative study of the Portuguese Federation of Sports Diving strategy between cycles 2003/2006 and 2007/2010

O presente estudo tem como objetivo fazer a análise estratégica e de decisões dos corpos diretivos da Federação Portuguesa de Atividades Subaquáticas (FPAS) entre os quadriênios 2003/2006 e 2007/2010. Para atender este objetivo utilizamos o modelo iconográfico de análise proposto por Correia (1999) que contempla quatro dimensões (recursos; análise estratégica; natureza de decisão e resultados) nas quais são utilizados indicadores que nos permitiram chegar a valores quantificáveis. A amostra foi constituída por 82 instrutores de mergulho que são stakeholders¹ desse processo. Foi aplicado um questionário em dois momentos (início e fim de cada ciclo presidencial). Os resultados obtidos indicam uma tendência de falibilidade do processo de tomada de decisão. Esta incapacidade deve-se essencialmente ao fato do processo não estar assente em instrumentos robustos. Os objetivos da estratégia, ainda que conseguidos, não o foram de forma sustentada, potenciando conflitos, que hipotecam de forma clara a sedimentação das linhas estratégicas.

This study aims to make the strategic analysis and decisions of the executive bodies of the Portuguese Federation of Underwater Activities (PFUA) between the quadrennials 2003/2006 and 2007/2010. For this purpose we use the iconographic analysis model proposed by Correia (1999) which includes four dimensions (resources; strategic analysis; nature of decision and results) in which are used indicators that enabled us to reach measurable values. The sample consisted of 82 diving instructors who are stakeholders of this process. A questionnaire was applied in 2 times (start and end of each presidential cycle). The obtained results indicate a trend of fallibility of the decision-making process. This inability is due essentially to the fact that the process not be based on robust instruments. The goals of the strategy, even if achieved, would not have been in a sustained manner, leveraging conflicts, which mortgage clearly sedimentation of strategic lines.