Persons With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and High Levels of Activation Improved Their Physical Activity Skills After an Educational Session.

Background: Daily physical activity is part of the self-management of COPD patients, didactic information sessions may be insufficient for provision of these skills. Prior activation can determine sensitivity to these sessions. We evaluated whether the activation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as measured by the Patient Activation Measure (PAM)-13 questionnaire, determined their responses to an educational group session on physical activity (PA), which were measured with actigraphy by the amount of steps/day. Methods: We conducted an uncontrolled clinical trial in outpatient clinic with 75 patients with non-exacerbating COPD (FEV1 30-80%) who were selected consecutively. Patients were provided with an actigraph that they used for 15 days and completed the PAM-13 questionnaire. On the eighth day, they attended a group educational session where they were given PA information. We compared the changes in activity after the session by pooled MAP levels and the correlation between the change in the number of steps/day and the PAM-13 questionnaire. Results: 26 patients had activation levels of 1-2, while 49 patients had levels of 3-4. After the session, patients in levels 1-2 decreased their number of steps (-596±42), while those in levels 3-4 increased them (680±253, p<0.01). The level of activation was positively correlated with change in the number of steps/day (p<0.05). Conclusion: COPD patients with greater activation showed greater improvements in daily PA after a group educational session.

Endurance running prevents the age-related decline of calcaneal bone stiffness.

This investigation presents a comparison of calcaneus bone stiffness of endurance runners of different ages and age-matched controls. We found that there was an age-associated decline in calcaneus bone stiffness in the control group while endurance runners prevented this decline, with a higher effect as the participants increased their age. PURPOSE: Previous investigations have found that endurance runners have higher bone mineral density and other bone quality variables in mechanically loaded bones. However, it is unknown if endurance running might counteract the decline in bone stiffness that occurs with age. The purpose of this study was to compare calcaneus bone stiffness of endurance runners of different ages to age-matched controls. METHODS: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 182 endurance-trained male runners and 116 healthy untrained male controls underwent an ultrasonographic assessment of the calcaneus bone in the right and left heels. Calcaneal bone stiffness was calculated from assessments of the broadband ultrasound attenuation and the speed of sound. RESULTS: The line of best fit for the association between age and calcaneus stiffness was different between marathoners and controls (Z = - 2.1, P = 0.02). A two-way ANCOVA (condition × age) with body mass, and body mass index as covariates, revealed that there were main effects of condition (F = 26.8, P < 0.01) and age (F = 4.2, P < 0.01) for calcaneus stiffness, with a significant interaction between these two factors (F = 2.8, P = 0.03). The post hoc analysis revealed that calcaneus stiffness was significantly higher in marathoners of 40-44 years (121.5 ± 18.2 vs 101.1 ± 21.3 arbitrary units [A.U.], P = 0.01), 45-49 years (121.5 ± 19.7 vs 104.3 ± 13.4 A.U., P = 0.04), and > 50 years (111.2 ± 17.9 vs 92.4 ± 16.0 A.U., P < 0.01) than their untrained counterparts of the same age with no statistically significant differences in the remaining age groups. CONCLUSION: Endurance runners of > 40 years had higher values of calcaneus stiffness than controls, providing evidence to support the potential effect of endurance running to reduce the age-related decline on calcaneus bone stiffness.

Strength Improvements of Different 10-Week Multicomponent Exercise Programs in Elderly Women.

The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the effects of various muscle strength sessions performed during 10 weeks physical conditioning programs and 4 weeks of detraining on the physical conditioning, body composition and hematology of elderly women. 48 women were randomly distributed in four groups: a physical conditioning group (PCG; n = 12) with two sessions per week; a PCG with an extra-session focus on hypertrophy (PCGH; n = 12), a PCG with an extra-session in a shallow pool (PCGP; n = 12); and a control group (CG; n = 12). PCGH achieved a significant increase in Abalakov. Significant differences between the CG and the other groups were found in Countermovement Jump. There were significant improvements in the chair-stand test in the PCG and PCGH. The training programs suspected improvements in HDL, LDL, baseline glucose and glycated hemoglobin. In conclusion, a training program with an extra-session focus on hypertrophy achieved a greater improvement in strength in elderly women.

Rendimiento académico y su relación con niveles de actividad física y de condición física en adolescentes / Academic Performance Relation with Physical Fitness in Adolescents

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar si existe una relación entre los hábitos de actividad física (HAF) y el nivel de condición física sobre el rendimiento académico en alumnos de Segundo Ciclo de Educación Secundaria de Leganés. La muestra estaba compuesta por 1348 adolescentes de ambos sexos con un rango de edad comprendido entre los 14 y los 18 años= 15.65±.97), alumnos de 13 institutos de la población de Leganés en Madrid. La evaluación de los hábitos de actividad física se realizó mediante la versión modificada del cuestionario Assessment of Physical Activity Level Questionnaire (APALQ). La valoración de la condición física se realizó mediante la administración de la batería de test FITNESSGRAM. El rendimiento académico se evaluó en cuestionario, mediante el número de asignaturas suspensas en la última evaluación. Encontramos diferencias significativas entre los alumnos que suspendieron una o más de una asignatura, respecto los que no suspendieron ninguna, en capacidad cardiorrespiratoria (p=0.016). No encontramos diferencias significativas en fuerza prensil, flexibilidad o hábitos de actividad física. En conclusión, los alumnos con mejor rendimiento académico tienen mejores niveles de capacidad cardiovascular

The aim of the study was to determine whether there is a relationship between the physical activity level and fitness condition over the academic performance of secondary school students in Leganes. The sample consisted of 1348 adolescents of both sexes aged between 14 and 18 years (M =15.65±.97), all of them students from 13 schools of the town of Leganes, Madrid. To measure the physical activity level, a modified version of the Assessment of Physical Activity Level Questionnaire (APALQ) was utilized. The assessment of their fitness condition was performed via the administration of the FITNESSGRAM test battery. The academic performance was measured by the number of failed subjects during the last term. Regarding their level of cardio respiratory fitness, we found significant differences between students who failed one or more subjects and those who did not fail any subjects (p=0.016). There were no significant differences in grip strength, flexibility or physical activity level. In conclusion, students who perform better academically have higher levels of cardiovascular fitness

Body fat percentage is more associated with low physical fitness than with sedentarism and diet in male and female adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a multifactorial disease and our understanding of this disease is still incomplete. PURPOSE: The aim of this investigation was to examine the associations between body fat percentage and physical fitness, diet and active/sedentary behaviors in female and male adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 1389 Spanish adolescents (706 boys and 683 girls) aged between 14 and 17years. Individual body fat percentage was measured by means of bioelectrical impedance analysis and participants' physical fitness was determined by measuring cardiorespiratory fitness (20-m shuttle run test), muscular strength (handgrip dynamometry), muscular endurance (curl-up and 90° push up repetition tests) and muscular flexibility (sit-and-reach test). Daily physical activity, sedentary time and diet were estimated using validated and self-reported questionnaires. The participants were divided into quartiles based on their body fat percentage. RESULTS: Boys and girls included in Q3 and Q4 presented lower values for cardiorespiratory fitness than Q1 (P<0.05). Boys and girls included in Q4 also presented lower values for muscular endurance than Q1 (P<0.05). Only boys in Q4 presented lower levels of physical activity than Q1 (P<0.05). Physical activity, physical fitness and diet can explain 30% of the variance for body fat percentage in boys and 17% in girls. CONCLUSIONS: Female and male adolescents with a higher body fat percentage presented lower cardiorespiratory and muscular endurance fitness than leaner counterparts.

Obesity and physical activity patterns in children and adolescents.

AIM: The aim of this study is to measure objectively and accurately the physical activity (PA) patterns in Spanish children and adolescents according to their obesity status, gender and age groups. METHODS: A sample of 487 children and 274 adolescents from the European Youth Heart Study participated in the study. The variables measured were anthropometric characteristics (height, weight and body mass index), and PA was measured during 6 consecutive days using the GT1M accelerometer. RESULTS: Three-way analysis of variance (age × gender × obesity status) showed significant differences in the interaction effect in age, gender and obesity status (normal-weight and overweight/obesity) for mean of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) (P = 0.02) and vigorous PA (VPA) (P = 0.014) within the sample. Nine-year-old normal-weight children achieved significantly (P < 0.05) more MVPA on weekdays than 9-year-old overweight/obesity children. During weekend days, all sample achieved significant more MVPA (P < 0.01) and significant more VPA (P < 0.05) than during weekdays. Few children (37.5% of 9-year-old normal-weight and 34.0% of 9-year-old overweight/obese) and adolescents (16.4% and 27.3% normal-weight and overweight/obese, respectively) met the current health-related recommendations of 60 min of MVPA daily. CONCLUSIONS: It is clear that activity levels are insufficient for all children, in particular overweight/obese children and adolescents, although the precise nature of the relationship appears to differ between boys and girls.

Comparación de la capacidad de fuerza funcional entre tres grupos de ejercicio: participantes regulares de clases dirigidas de fitness, de método Pilates y sedentarios / Regular Pilates and fitness class participants vs non exercisers. A comparison of functional strength capacity

Introducción y objetivos: El método Pilates es un sistema de ejercicio mente-cuerpo con cadavez más popularidad y reconocimiento en al ámbito de la actividad física encaminada a lamejora de la salud, pero las evidencias científicas, por el momento, son escasas. El objetivo deeste estudio fue valorar y comparar la capacidad de fuerza funcional en tres grupos diferentes:practicantes habituales de método Pilates, practicantes habituales de clases colectivas de fitness,y sedentarios (practicantes habituales = 2 días por semana durante los últimos tres mesesconsecutivos).Métodos: La muestra completa comprendía 54 sujetos, 14,5% hombres (n = 8) y 85,5% mujeres(n = 47), con una media de edad de 41,11±7,75 años. Todos los participantes completaron labatería de test Functional Strength Capacity Battery (Yeoman & Liebeson, 1996).Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias significativas en el test de sentadillas (F[2,51]=4,67;p<0,05) y en el test de fuerza de la espalda (F[2,52]=4,54; p < 0,05) entre los tres grupos. Losanálisis post-hoc indicaron que el grupo que practicó Pilates tuvo un nivel significativamente másalto que el grupo sedentario en dos pruebas: sentadillas (Pilates [M = 41,67; SD = 9,52] vs sedentario[M = 30,65; SD = 14,24]) y fuerza-resistencia de espalda (Pilates [M = 158,52; SD = 56,92] vssedentario [M = 115,04; SD = 34,58]).Conclusiones: La práctica regular de método Pilates se asoció con mejores resultados en laspruebas de fuerza funcional(AU)

Introduction: Pilates is a mind-body exercise program gaining in popularity and acceptanceby health and physical activity professionals, but there is a scarcity of scientific research.The aim of this study was to evaluate functional strength capacity between three groups:regular exercisers of Pilates Method, regular fitness class participants, and a non-exercisersgroup (regular exercise = at least 2 days per week for three consecutive months).Method: The total sample comprised 54 subjects, 14,5% men (n = 8) and 85,5% women (n = 47).The mean age of the sample was 41,11 (SD = 7.75) years. All volunteers completed the StrengthFunctional Capacity battery.Results: There were significant differences in squat test (F[2,51]=4.67, P < .05) and back endurancetest (F[2,52]=4.54, P < .05) among the three groups. Post-hoc analyses showed thatPilates Method participants scored higher vs non-exercisers in Squat test (Pilates [M = 41.67;SD = 9.52] vs non-exercisers [M = 30.65; SD = 14.24]) and back endurance test (Pilates [M = 158.52;SD = 56.92] vs non-exercisers [M = 115.04; SD = 34.58]).Conclusions: Pilates Method is associated with good scores in the functional strength capacitybattery(AU)

Práctica del método Pilates: cambios en composición corporal y flexibilidad en adultos sanos / Pilates Method: changes in body composition and spinal flexibility in healthy adults

Introducción: El método Pilates (MP) es un tipo de ejercicio que combina aspectos de técnicasorientales y occidentales y es conocido como una técnica que ayuda a mejorar los niveles defuerza, flexibilidad y en general el desarrollo de las actividades de la vida diaria. El objetivode este trabajo fue valorar si existían cambios en flexibilidad de columna y en composicióncorporal en sujetos sanos tras una práctica de 20 semanas (2 días por semana) del MP vs ungrupo control.Método: El diseño de este estudio fue experimental controlado en el que se valoraron a 41sujetos (83,3% mujeres, 16,7% hombres) con una edad entre 28 y 58 años (x = 42,37±7,86años) divididos en dos grupos: intervención y grupo control. La composición corporal se valorómediante la medición de peso, talla y 6 pliegues cutáneos, y la flexibilidad de columna medianteel test de Schober Modificado. La intervención del MP fue de dos sesiones semanales con unaduración de 20 semanas.Resultados: Encontramos diferencias significativas pre y post en el grupo intervención respectoal grupo control en: sumatorio de 6 pliegues (p = 0,028), porcentaje de grasa (p = 0,016), movilidadde la columna lumbar en extensión (p = 0,000) y movilidad de columna dorsal en flexión(p = 0,013).Conclusiones: La práctica de MP durante 20 semanas consecutivas, 2 días por semana, influyede forma positiva en la composición corporal y la movilidad de la columna en un grupo de 41adultos de Boadilla del Monte, Madrid(AU)

Introduction: Pilates Method (PM) can be described as an exercise based on Oriental and Westernphilosophies intended to improve general body flexibility, strength and overall wellbeing.The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in body composition and spinal flexibility inhealthy adults after 20 weeks of PM intervention (2 hours/week) versus a control group.Method: The study design was a controlled trial with a total sample of 41 subjects (83.3%women and 16.7% men); ages between 28 and 58 years old (X=42.37±7.86). The sample wasdivided into two groups: intervention (PMg) and control group (Cg). Body composition measureswere: body weight, height and body fat measured from 6 skin-fold thicknesses. To asses spinalflexibility we used the Modified Schober Test. PM intervention included 20 weeks PM Matworksessions (2 sessions of 60 minutes per week).Results: After completing the 20 weeks PM intervention significant changes (P < .05) were foundin the PMg: lower sum of skinfold thicknesses in 6 sites (P = .028), lower body fat % (P = .016)and greater lumbar extension mobility (p = .000) and thoracic flexion mobility (p = .013).Conclusions: A PM intervention of 20 consecutive weeks (2 days/week) positively affects bodycomposition and spinal flexibility in a sample of 41 adults from Boadilla del Monte, Madrid(AU)

Effects of vibration training and detraining on balance and muscle strength in older adults.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of 2 days/week versus 4 days/week of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) during eight weeks of WBV training on health-related quality of life (SF-36), balance and lower body strength, as well as short-term detraining (3 weeks) on balance and lower body strength among older adults. Thirty-four older adults were randomly assigned to a control group (Control; n = 11) or to one of the vibration training groups: WBV 2 days/week (WBV_2d; n = 11) or WBV 4 days/week (WBV_4d; n = 12). The WBV groups exercised for 8 weeks, following 3 weeks of detraining. Lower body strength increased significantly (p < 0.05) for both groups, WBV_2d and WBV_4d, after 8-week training. A significant reduction in strength was observed following 3 weeks of detraining only in WBV_2d group (p < 0.05). All variables of the SF-36 and the balance test did not change after intervention in any group. 2 days/week and 4 days/week of WBV during 8 weeks showed the same improvements on muscle strength. 3 weeks of detraining did not reverse the gains in strength made during 32 sessions of WBV. Key points2 days and 4 days per week of WBV training during 8 weeks showed the same improvements on muscle strength.3 weeks of detraining did not reverse the gains in strength made during 32 sessions of WBV exercise.3 weeks of detraining did reverse the gains in strength made during 16 sessions of WBV exercise.