Exercise, the diurnal cycle of cortisol and cognitive impairment in older adults.

Exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of developing Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's disease as well as to improve cognition in healthy and cognitively impaired individuals. However, the mechanisms of these benefits are not well understood. The stress hypothesis suggests that the cognitive benefits attributed to exercise may partially be mediated by changes in the cortisol secretion pattern. Chronic stress may increase the risk of AD and exacerbate the cognitive deficits and brain pathology characteristic of the condition while physical activity has been shown to attenuate most of stress consequences and risk factors for AD. Initially, research on the effects of cortisol on cognition and physical activity focused on cortisol levels at one time point but the circadian pattern of cortisol secretion is complex and it is still unclear which aspects are most closely associated with cognitive function. Thus, the aim of this review was to analyze the exercise/stress/cognition hypothesis focusing on the effects of the diurnal cycle of cortisol on cognitive function and physical activity in older adults with and without cognitive impairment.

Efectos de un año de entrenamiento con bandas elásticas sobre el dolor en mujeres menopáusicas / Effects of one year of training with elastic bands on the pain in menopausal women

Antecedentes y objetivos: En la literatura, la relación entre el entrenamiento de la fuerza con banda elástica, la proteína C reactiva y el dolor musculoesquelético en mujeres posmenopáusicas aún no esta claro. El objetivo del presente estudio fue investigar los efectos de un año de entrenamiento de resistencia progresiva con bandas elásticas en los parámetros de la proteína C reactiva, el dolor y la composición corporal en mujeres posmenopáusicas. Población: Mujeres posmenopáusicas sedentarias (>12 meses de amenorrea). Método: Cuarenta mujeres realizaron un entrenamiento de resistencia progresivo durante 12 meses (6 ejercicios para todo el cuerpo, 3 series x 10 repeticiones y la intensidad del ejercicio se estableció de acuerdo con la escala de esfuerzo percibida OMNI-Resistance Exercise (OMNI-RES). También se llevó a cabo: control del peso corporal, análisis de sangre y escala de evaluación visual del dolor, determinada al inicio y un año después de la intervención. Resultados: Los resultados comparados con los niveles iniciales muestran una reducción del 45% en la proteína C reactiva y en el dolor del 30% además de una reducción del peso corporal del 2,78%, todos ellos con un nivel de significación de p≤0,05. Conclusiones: Un año de entrenamiento de resistencia progresivo con bandas elásticas tiene efectos beneficiosos antiinflamatorios y sobre la composición corporal, reduciendo el dolor musculoesquelético en mujeres posmenopáusicas

Background and aims: In the literature, the relationship between elastic band resistance training, C-reactive protein responses, and skeletal pain in post-menopausal women it is not yet clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 1-year of progressive resistance training using elastic bands on CRP parameters, pain assessment, and body composition in post-menopausal women. Population: Sedentary post-menopausal (>12 months amenorrhoea) women. Method: A total of 40 women took part in a progressive resistance training program using elastic bands for 12 months (6 exercise for whole body training; 3 sets of 10 repeats). The intensity of exercise was established using the perceived effort scale OMNI-Resistance Exercise (OMNI-RES). A record was made of the body weight, blood analysis, and pain visual assessment scale, determined at baseline and one year after intervention. Results: When compared with the initial levels, the results showed a reduction of 45% in the C-reactive protein and 30% in the level of pain, as well as a reduction in body weight, all of them with a level of significance of P<.05. Conclusion: One year of progressive resistance training with elastic bands has beneficial effects on inflammation and body composition, and reducing musculoskeletal pain in post-menopausal women

Abordaje de un caso de incontinencia urinaria posprostatectomía radical mediante ejercicio hipopresivo adaptado / A case study of hypopressive exercise adapted for urinary incontinence following radical prostactetomy surgery

Antecedentes y objetivos: La incontinencia urinaria posprostatectomía radical es la complicación secundaria a la cirugía más común y afecta negativamente a la calidad de vida. A pesar de que el entrenamiento de la musculatura del suelo pélvico es una de las opciones más recomendadas de tratamiento conservador para la incontinencia urinaria posprostatectomía, en los últimos años el ejercicio hipopresivo (EH) ha cobrado popularidad como método de fisioterapia alternativo. El objetivo del estudio fue describir los resultados y el protocolo de intervención basado en EH con contracción añadida de la musculatura del suelo pélvico en un caso de incontinencia urinaria posprostatectomía. Descripción del caso: Se presenta un paciente de 46 años con incontinencia urinaria persistente 6 meses después de una prostatectomía radical por neoplasia de próstata. Inicialmente, el paciente requiere del uso de 3 compresas diarias y presenta incontinencia urinaria severa al esfuerzo al puntuar 15 en el cuestionario International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form. Intervención: Se aplicó un protocolo de 30 semanas consistente en una sesión semanal supervisada de 8 EH con contracción añadida de la musculatura del suelo pélvico. A partir de las semana 12 se añade una sesión domiciliaria semanal de 3 EH combinados. Resultados: Tras completar 48 sesiones a lo largo de 30 semanas, el paciente no requiere el uso de compresas y se reducen la sintomatología y la severidad de la incontinencia urinaria, obteniendo una puntuación de 6 en el International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form. Discusión: La evolución tras el tratamiento de fisioterapia ha sido favorable tras 30 semanas de intervención

Background and objective: Post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence is the most common secondary complication from surgery and negatively affects quality of life. Although the training of the pelvic floor muscles is one of the most recommended options for the conservative treatment of post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence, in the past few years hypopressive exercise (HE) has gained popularity as an alternative method. The purpose of this study was to describe the protocol and clinical outcomes of an intervention based on HE combined with contraction of the pelvic floor muscles in a case of post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence. Case report: The patient was a 46-year-old male with persistent incontinence 6 months after surgery. Initially, the patient used up to 3 incontinence pads daily and presented with severe stress urinary incontinence. The assessment, based on the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form, revealed a score of 15. Intervention: The 30-week protocol consisted of one weekly supervised session of 8 HE combined with contraction of the pelvic floor muscles. In addition to the supervised sessions, after 12 weeks of training, 3 HE were performed at home once per week. Results: Following 48 sessions over 30 weeks, the patient no longer used pads and reduced the symptoms and severity of urinary incontinence with a score of 6 on the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form

Does the diurnal cycle of cortisol explain the relationship between physical performance and cognitive function in older adults?

BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity is a promising strategy to treat and prevent cognitive decline. The mechanisms that mediate these benefits are not fully clear but physical activity is thought to attenuate the harmful effects of chronic psychological stress and hypercortisolism on cognition. However, the circadian pattern of cortisol secretion is complex and it is not known which aspects are most closely associated with increased cognitive function and better physical performance. This is the first study to simultaneously measure cognitive function, the diurnal cycle of salivary cortisol and physical performance in older adults, without cognitive impairment (n = 30) and with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) (n = 30). RESULTS: Regression analysis showed that better cognitive function was associated with better physical performance. A greater variance in cortisol levels across the day from morning to evening was associated with better cognitive function and physical performance. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the idea that a more dynamic cortisol secretion pattern is associated with better cognitive function and physical performance even in the presence of cognitive impairment, but our results could not confirm a mediating role in this relationship.

Posicionamiento de la National Strength and Conditioning Association-Spain. Entrenamiento con electroestimulación de cuerpo completo / / Posicionamento da National Strength and Conditioning Association-Spain. Treinamento com eletroestimulação do corpo completo / National Strength and Conditioning Association-Spain position stand. Whole-body electromyostimulation training

El objetivo de este artículo fue establecer, a partir de una revisión sistemática sobre la metodología del entrenamiento y los efectos sobre el organismo de la electroestimulación de cuerpo completo (en inglés, whole body electromyostimulation [WB-EMS]), el posicionamiento de la National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)-Spain al respecto. Se buscaron en PubMed, Web of Science, Physiotherapy Evidence Database y Google Académico estudios que aplicasen WB-EMS en miembro superior e inferior, describiendo claramente el protocolo. Se analizaron 9 artículos. El protocolo habitual de entrenamiento con WB-EMS consistió en 3 sesiones de 20-30 min cada 2 semanas (85 Hz y ratio contracción-reposo de 4-4 o 6-4 s). La WB-EMS parece un medio poco eficaz para mejorar la fuerza máxima y no hay evidencias rigurosas que indiquen que disminuya la grasa corporal. La relación entre riesgo asumido y beneficio aportado hace que sean más recomendables otros medios de entrenamiento para la mejora de la fuerza muscular y para la modificación de la composición corporal (AU)

The aim of this paper was to establish the position of the Spanish delegation of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)-Spain about the methodology of training and the effects on the body of whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS), from a systematic review. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Physiotherapy Evidence Database and Google Scholar studies applying WB-EMS in the upper and lower limbs, which clearly described the protocols. Nine studies were analyzed. The usual WB-EMS training protocol consisted of 3 sessions every two weeks, lasting 20-30 min (85 Hz with a contraction-rest ratio of 4-4 or 6-4 s). The WB-EMS seems few effective to improve maximum strength and there is lack of evidence about its benefit to decrease body fat. The relationship between risk and profit makes other training methods more appropriate to improve muscle strength and body composition (AU)

O objetivo deste artigo foi estabelecer, a partir de uma revisão sistemática sobre a metodologia do treinamento e os efeitos sobre o organismo da eletroestimulação de corpo completo (WB-EMS), o posicionamento do National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)-Spain, a respeito. Buscou-se no PubMed, Web of Science, Physiotherapy Evidence Database e Google Acadêmico estudos que aplicassem WB-SEM em membro superior e inferior, descrevendo claramente o protocolo. Se analisaram 9 artigos. O protocolo habitual de treinamento com WB-EMS consistiu em 3 sessões de 20-30 min cada 2 semanas (85 Hz e relação de contração-repouso de 4-4 ou 6-4 s) A WB-EMS parece ser um meio pouco eficaz para melhorar a força máxima e não há evidencias rigorosas que indiquem que diminua a gordura corporal. A relação entre o risco assumido e benefício apontado faz com que outros métodos de treinamento sejam mais adequados para melhorar a força muscular e composição corporal (AU)

Análisis electromiográfico del efecto de relajación en el bíceps femoral en sujetos sometidos a estiramientos vs. facilitación neuromuscular propioceptiva / Electromyographic analysis of the relaxation effect on the femoral biceps in subjects undergoing stretching vs. proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching

Objetivo Analizar el nivel de relajación del bíceps femoral en individuos sometidos a una sesión aguda de estiramientos y de facilitación neuromuscular propioceptiva. Material y métodos Los sujetos fueron divididos aleatoriamente en: a) grupo de facilitación neuromuscular propioceptiva (GFNP n=15; 22,13±2,70 años; IMC 24,12±3,69) que realizaron la técnica de contracción-relajación; b) grupo de estiramientos (GE; n=15; 22,87±4,07 años; IMC 24,51±4,33) que ejecutó estiramientos submáximos mantenidos durante 6 s. Estos estiramientos fueron ejecutados con la cadera flexionada y la rodilla extendida, y c) grupo de control (GC n=15; 24,67±4,30 años; IMC 23,91±3,09). Se realizó un análisis electromiográfico pre y postintervención. Resultados Un ANOVA con medidas repetidas reveló la existencia de una reducción significativa de la actividad muscular en el GFNP (Δ%= –46,95%, p=0,0001) y en GE (Δ%= –30,71%, p=0,034). Los registros para el GC no desvelaron ninguna diferencia significativa. Las comparaciones intergrupo desvelaron que el GFNP presentó valores significativamente menores que el GC en el postest (%= –41,57%, p=0,004), no existiendo más diferencias significativas. Conclusiones Ambos métodos de entrenamiento de la flexibilidad investigados desencadenan efectos similares sobre la relajación en el músculo analizado (bíceps femoral), aunque el grupos GFNP fue el único que mostró una diferencia significativa con respecto al grupo control (AU)

Objective To assess the level of relaxation of the biceps femoris in individuals carrying out an acute session of stretching and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. Material and methods The subjects were randomly divided into: a) group of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (GFNP n=15; 22.13±2.70 years, BMI 24.12±3.69) who performed the contraction-relaxation technique; b) stretching group (SG, n=15; 22.87±04.07 years; BMI 24.51±4.33) who performed submaximal stretch held for 6seconds. These stretches were performed with the hip flexed and knee extended, c) control group (CG n=15; 24.67±4.30 years, BMI 23.91±3.09). Electromyographic analysis was performed pre and post intervention. Results A repeated measures ANOVA revealed that there was a significant reduction in muscle activity GFNP (Δ %=–46.95%, P=.0001) and GA (Δ %=–30.71%, P=.034). The results for the GC did not reveal any significant difference. The intergroup comparison revealed that the GFNP had significantly lower values than the GC in the post-test (Δ %=–41.57%, P=.004), no significant differences being found. Conclusions Both flexibility training methods studied cause similar effects on relaxation in the analyzed muscle (biceps femoris), although the GFNP group was the only one that showed a significant difference compared to the control group (AU)

Fatiga de los erectores lumbares tras un maratón: estudio de caso único / Fatigue in lumbar erectors after a marathon: a single case study

El presente trabajo ha sido diseñado para comprobar la pérdida de fuerza en la musculatura erectora lumbar tras la consecución de un maratón, valorando la importancia del entrenamiento de ésta. El sujeto valorado es un experimentado corredor popular al que se le aplicó el protocolo de valoración isométrica lumbar con la tecnología de la MedX Lumbar Extension(R) antes y después del Maratón de Valencia. La pérdida de fuerza media resultante fue del 30,86%. Este resultado debería comprobarse en estudios futuros con un mayor número de sujetos(AU)

The present work has been designed to verify the loss of force in the erector muscle of the spine after a marathon, evaluating the importance of training for it. The subject evaluated is an experienced popular runner who underwent a lumbar isometric evaluation protocol using the MedX Lumbar Extension technology before and after the Marathon rare of Valencia. Loss of average resultant force was 30.86%. This result should be verified in future studies(AU)

Revisión narrativa del rol de la sentadilla en los programas de acondicionamiento neuromuscular y rehabilitación / Narrative review of the role of the squatting in neuromuscular conditioning and rehabilitation programs

La sentadilla es un ejercicio ampliamente utilizado en los programas de entrenamiento y rehabilitación. Su aplicación está fundamentada en las similitudes mecánicas que posee con las acciones deportivas y de la vida cotidiana. Sin embargo, se trata de un ejercicio que ha estado envuelto de discusión. El objetivo de esta revisión narrativa fue investigar la aplicación de la sentadilla en los programas de acondicionamiento neuromuscular saludable. Se realizó una búsqueda electrónica en las principales bases de datos. La estrategia de búsqueda se centró en criterios de eficacia y seguridad del ejercicio junto a consideraciones metodológicas para su aplicación. Fueron encontrados 77 artículos para la inclusión del presente trabajo. Puede concluirse que la sentadilla es un ejercicio funcional adecuado para los programas de fortalecimiento saludable de los miembros inferiores. Debido a su complejidad técnica deberían establecerse unos criterios de progresión técnica para reducir patrones de ejecución inadecuados (AU)

Squatting is a widely-used exercise in strengthening and rehabilitation programs. Its application is based on the mechanical similarities it has with sports actions and daily activities. Nevertheless, it is an exercise that has been involved in discussion. This systematic review has aimed to investigate the application of squatting in programs for healthy neuromuscular conditioning. An electronic search was conducted in the principal databases. The search strategy was focused on efficiency and safety criteria of the exercise along with methodological considerations for its application. Seventy-seven articles were found for their inclusion in the present work. It can be concluded that squatting is a functional exercise that is appropriate for use in programs of healthy strengthening of the lower limbs. Due to its technical complexity, some criteria of technical progression must be established in order to reduce inadequate patterns of execution (AU)