Improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength and body composition to modest weight loss are similar in those with adult- versus childhood-onset obesity.

Adults who have had obesity from childhood are at greater risk of obesity-related comorbidities compared to those who only develop obesity in adulthood. The main way of mitigating these risks in obesity is with weight loss, which has been shown to positively affect the cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and body composition of adults. However, it is unclear whether the response of these outcomes to weight loss may be influenced by age of obesity onset. The objective of our study was to investigate how age of obesity onset mitigates the responsiveness of CRF, muscle strength and body composition to modest weight loss. Measurements were conducted at baseline and 12 weeks. In total, 37 participants (childhood-onset = 19, adult-onset = 18) lost 3.7% ± 0.4% through aerobic exercise and diet. The YMCA cycle ergometer test (YMCA) and the 20-m shuttle run test (20MSR) were used to estimate CRF (mL kg-1 min-1 ) and a handgrip dynamometer was used to estimate muscle strength. Total body composition was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Overall, CRF and body composition improved (time effect: p < 0.05) after 12 weeks. There was no group-by-time interaction for YMCA, 20MSR, muscle strength and body composition variables. Therefore, the present study suggests that individuals with childhood-onset obesity and adult-onset obesity can improve their CRF and body composition similarly after mild weight loss.

Pilates training reduces blood pressure in older women with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: The study investigated the effect of 12 weeks of pilates training on the hemodynamic responses of older women with type-2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS: 22 individuals with T2D were randomly allocated into two groups: CONTROL (n = 11; 67.5 ± 6.3 years; 154.7 ± 6.1 cm; 73.5 ± 6.1 kg; calorie intake: 1487.5 ± 360.6 kcal/day) and PILATES (n = 11; 65.5 ± 5.5 years; 155.0 ± 4.5 cm; 66.2 ± 5.4 kg; calorie intake: 1289.3 ± 385.0 kcal/day). The PILATES group executed a 12-week PILATES training program at moderate intensity, 3x/week with each session lasting 60-min. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), and postprandial blood glucose were assessed at four timepoints: i) baseline; ii) 4th week; iii) 8th week; and iv) 12th week (s) of intervention. Two-way ANOVA for repeated measures and the Pearson's correlation coefficient were adopted. The alpha level was set at 0.05. RESULTS: A time∗group interaction effect was found for SBP (F = 4.206; η2 = 0.17; p = 0.02) and DBP (F = 2.624; η2 = 0.12; p = 0.05) with significant reductions (mmHg) in the 4ths and 8ths in the PILATES (PILATES SBP baseline: 134.9 ± 27.6; 4ths: 112.4 ± 15.7; 8ths: 115.8 ± 18.3; 12ths: 124.3 ± 19.1 vs. CONTROL SBP baseline: 126.5 ± 15.7; 4ths: 126.3 ± 16.2; 8ths: 124.5 ± 13.1; 12ths: 126.3 ± 21.4 | PILATES DBP baseline: 72.9 ± 11.3; 4ths: 65.1 ± 12.2; 8ths: 65.8 ± 12.2; 12ths: 67.6 ± 7.5 vs. CONTROL DBP baseline: 74.6 ± 12.0; 4ths: 73.9 ± 11.5; 8ths: 75.3 ± 11.9; 12ths: 74.5 ± 9.2). CONCLUSION: Four and eight weeks of PILATES training promotes reduction in the SBP and DBP of older women with T2D. The exercises performed in this study were mainly body weight exercises and required a few auxiliary materials, which turns this method of training accessible.

Anthropometric profile and functional performance of capoeira competitors in the world games / Perfil antropométrico y desempeño funcional de los competidores de capoeira en los juegos mundiales

SUMMARY: This study aimed to characterize the anthropometric profile and functional performance of elite competitors in different categories in the world championship of the ABADÁ-Capoeira School. Fifty high level male athletes were divided according to their weight categories, being: light category (VIOLA: ≤ 76.9 kg; n = 15); intermediate category (MEDIO: > 77.0 kg until ≤ 85.9 kg; n = 25) and heavy category (GUNGA: ≥ 86.0 kg; n = 10). Two evaluation batteries were performed: 1) anthropometry and somatotype determination; 2) physical performance in tests of push-up, sit-up, sit-and-reach, quadrant jump test, squat jump (SJ), and counter movement jump (CMJ). The "endo-mesomorph" classification predominated in the three categories. There was a difference in the quadrant jump test between VIOLA and GUNGA subgroups (F[2.47] = 4.299; p = 0.019). Endomorphism had a negative correlation (p < 0.01) with the performance in the sit-up (r = -0.51), push-up (r = -0.39), SJ (r = -0.45), and CMJ (r = -0.49). Male elite competitors at the international level, regardless the weight category, have a predominance of the mesomorphic component of the somatotype. Moreover, all capoeira athletes were classified as excellent for the sit-and-reach, sit-up, and push-up, and the latter were positively correlated with mesomorphism. However, endomorphism was inversely associated with the sit-up, push-up, SJ, and CMJ. In this way, the present study assists coaches in the formulation of appropriate training programs aiming the development of an ideal physical composition, which will be associated with high-level performance in capoeira.

RESUMEN: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo caracterizar el perfil antropométrico y el desempeño funcional de los competidores de élite en diferentes categorías en el campeonato mundial de la Escuela de Capoeira ABADÁ. Cincuenta deportistas masculinos de alto nivel se dividieron según sus categorías de peso: categoría ligera (VIOLA: ≤ 76,9 kg; n = 15); categoría intermedia (MEDIO: > 77,0 kg hasta ≤ 85,9 kg; n = 25) y categoría pesada (GUNGA: ≥ 86,0 kg; n = 10). Se realizaron dos baterías de evaluación: 1) antropometría y determinación del somatotipo; 2) rendimiento físico en pruebas de flexiones, abdominales, sentadillas y estiramientos, prueba de salto en cuadrante, salto en cuclillas y salto con contramovimiento. La clasificación "endo-mesomorfo" predominó en las tres categorías. Hubo una diferencia en la prueba de salto de cuadrante entre los subgrupos VIOLA y GUNGA (F [2,47] = 4,299; p = 0,019). El endomorfismo tuvo una correlación negativa (p <0.01) con el desempeño en los abdominales (r = - 0,51), lagartijas (r = -0,39), SJ (r = -0,45) y CMJ (r = - 0,49). Los competidores de élite masculinos a nivel internacional, indepen- dientemente de la categoría de peso, tienen predominio del componente mesomórfico del somatotipo. Además, todos los atletas de capoeira fueron clasificados como excelentes para sit-and-reach, sit-up y push-up, y estos últimos se correlacionaron positivamente con el MESO. Sin embargo, el ENDO se asoció inversamente con los abdominales, lagartijas, SJ y CMJ. De esta manera, el presente estudio ayuda a los entrenadores en la formulación de programas de entrenamiento adecuados que apunten al desarrollo de una composición física ideal, que estará asociada con un rendimiento de alto nivel en la capoeira.