Sarcopenic obesity does not impair lower limb strength and physical performance in sufficiently active older adults: a cross-sectional study.

This study investigated the associations of sarcopenic obesity (SO) with muscle strength and physical performance in sufficiently active older adults. Data from 72 older sarcopenic obese adults classified as sufficiently active were analyzed. Participants were categorized into four groups based on sex and SO status. Muscle strength/physical performance tests were compared using independent sample t-tests. Multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression were performed to examine the associations between SO and muscle strength and physical performance, adjusting for confounding variables. Only handgrip strength showed differences between SO groups, regardless of sex (p < 0.05). SO negatively explained the variability of handgrip strength (p < 0.05). An increase in handgrip strength values was associated with a decrease in the chances of older adults being classified as SO (p < 0.05). The findings suggest that even with SO, sufficiently active older adults did not present a significant reduction in muscle strength in the lower limbs and physical performance.

Creation of a Holistic Platform for Health Boosting Using a Blockchain-Based Approach: Development Study.

BACKGROUND: Low adherence to healthy habits, which is associated with a higher risk of disease and death, among citizens of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries is a serious concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the physical activity (PA) guidelines for Americans provide recommendations on PA and healthy diets. To promote these habits, we suggest using a blockchain-based platform, using the PA Messaging Framework to deliver messages and rewards to users. Blockchain is a decentralized secure platform for data management, which can be used for value-added controls and services such as smart contracts (SCs), oracles, and decentralized applications (dApps). Of note, there is a substantial penetration of blockchain technologies in the field of PA, but there is a need for more implementations of dApps to take advantage of features such as nonfungible tokens. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to create a comprehensive platform for promoting healthy habits, using scientific evidence and blockchain technology. The platform will use gamification to encourage healthy PA and eating habits; in addition, it will monitor the activities through noninvasive means, evaluate them using open-source software, and follow up through blockchain messages. METHODS: A literature search was conducted on the use of blockchain technology in the field of PA and healthy eating. On the basis of the results of this search, it is possible to define an innovative platform for promoting and monitoring healthy habits through health-related challenges on a dApp. Contact with the user will be maintained through messages following a proposed model in the literature to improve adherence to the challenges. RESULTS: The proposed strategy is based on a dApp that relies on blockchain technology. The challenges include PA and healthy eating habits based on the recommendations of the WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization. The system is constituted of a blockchain network where challenge-related achievements are stored and verified using SCs. The user interacts with the system through a dApp that runs on their local device, monitors the challenge, and self-authenticates by providing their public and private keys. The SC verifies challenge fulfillment and generates messages, and the information stored in the network can be used to encourage competition among participants. The ultimate goal is to create a habit of healthy activities through rewards and peer competition. CONCLUSIONS: The use of blockchain technology has the potential to improve people's quality of life through the development of relevant services. In this work, strategies using gamification and blockchain are proposed for monitoring healthy activities, with a focus on transparency and reward allocation. The results are promising, but compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation is still a concern. Personal data are stored on personal devices, whereas challenge data are recorded on the blockchain.

Postural balance under sensory manipulation predicted fine and gross motor skills in children from 5 to 6 years of age.

AIM: Our aim was to identify predictors of fine and gross motor skills at 5-6 years of age using postural balance under sensory manipulation. METHODS: This study was conducted during the 2021-2022 academic year and focused on 112 children from three preschools in Tunisia, with roughly the same socio-economic status. Postural balance was assessed with their eyes open and closed on both firm and foam surfaces and motor skills were measured using the short version of Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition (Bot-2). Multiple linear regression analysis with stepwise backward selection was used to find a simplified model that best explained the data. RESULTS: Postural balance accounted for 11% of the total variation in fine motor skills, except for the eyes open firm condition, 10% of the gross motor skills and about 14% of the total Bot-2 score. The eyes open foam condition was the only significant contributor to the gross motor skills model and the overall motor score. CONCLUSION: Assessing postural balance assessment at 5-6 years of age may predict motor skills. It may be useful for monitoring early child development and designing physical activity programmes for this age group.

Multicompartment body composition analysis in older adults: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: During aging, changes occur in the proportions of muscle, fat, and bone. Body composition (BC) alterations have a great impact on health, quality of life, and functional capacity. Several equations to predict BC using anthropometric measurements have been developed from a bi-compartmental (2-C) approach that determines only fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM). However, these models have several limitations, when considering constant density, progressive bone demineralization, and changes in the hydration of the FFM, as typical changes during senescence. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to propose and validate a new multi-compartmental anthropometric model to predict fat, bone, and musculature components in older adults of both sexes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 100 older adults of both sexes. To determine the dependent variables (fat mass [FM], bone mineral content [BMC], and appendicular lean soft tissue [ALST]) whole total and regional dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) body scans were performed. Twenty-nine anthropometric measures and sex were appointed as independent variables. Models were developed through multivariate linear regression. Finally, the predicted residual error sum of squares (PRESS) statistic was used to measure the effectiveness of the predicted value for each dependent variable. RESULTS: An equation was developed to simultaneously predict FM, BMC, and ALST from only four variables: weight, half-arm span (HAS), triceps skinfold (TriSK), and sex. This model showed high coefficients of determination and low estimation errors (FM: R2adj: 0.83 and SEE: 3.16; BMC: R2adj: 0.61 and SEE: 0.30; ALST: R2adj: 0.85 and SEE: 1.65). CONCLUSION: The equations provide a reliable, practical, and low-cost instrument to monitor changes in body components during the aging process. The internal cross-validation method PRESS presented sufficient reliability in the model as an inexpensive alternative for clinical field use.

Use of Blockchain Technology in the Domain of Physical Exercise, Physical Activity, Sport, and Active Ageing: A Systematic Review.

Blockchain technology provides a distributed support for information storage and traceability. Recently, it has been booming in a wide variety of domains: finance, food, energy, and health. In the field of physical activity, physical exercise, sport, and active ageing, this technology could also originate some interesting services introducing support for reliable repository of results, for gamification, or for secure data interchange. This systematic review explores the use of blockchain in this context. The objective is to determine to which extent this technology has fulfilled the potential of blockchain to bring these new added-value services. The authors explored 5 repositories in search of papers describing solutions applied to the above-mentioned frame. 17 papers were selected for full-text analysis, and they displayed diverse applications of blockchain, such as Fitness and healthcare, Sport, and Active ageing. A detailed analysis shows that the solutions found do not leverage all the possibilities of blockchain technology. Most of the solutions analyzed use blockchain for managing, sharing, and controlling access to data and do not exploit the possibilities of Smart Contracts or oracles. Additionally, the advantages of the blockchain model have not been fully exploited to engage users using approaches such as gamification.

Effects of an Eccentric Training Protocol Using Gliding Discs on Balance and Lower Body Strength in Healthy Adults.

Impaired balance and lower body weakness are the main causes of falls, which are considered to be the major cause of fractures and head injuries in the elderly and are recognised as a serious health problem. The aim of this study is to observe the effect of eccentric training, introducing new technologies (gliding discs), on body composition, lower body strength, balance and quality of life. A quasi-experimental study was carried out with 56 healthy participants who were divided into an experimental group (n = 31) who underwent the protocol consisting of 12 training sessions and a control group (n = 25) who did not undergo the training. Before and after the intervention, all participants underwent a measurement of body composition, the SJ jump, balance with accelerometry and quality of life with the Short Form 12 Health Survey. In the experimental group, statistically significant improvements were found in the variables balance and lower body strength. The application of this training protocol improves lower body strength and the ability to control balance in the adult population.

Prevention of Low Back Pain in Adults with a Back School-Based Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain is highly prevalent and has a major socio-economic impact worldwide. Among the rehabilitation options is the Back School, which consists of programmes that include exercise and educational interventions to treat and prevent back pain. The effects of this type of programme are usually evaluated in patients with low back pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects on low back functionality and the prevention of medical visits due to low back pain during one year of follow-up in a healthy adult population. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 56 healthy participants who were divided into an experimental group (n = 30), who underwent the programme consisting of a total of 16 sessions, and a control group (n = 26), who did not undergo the intervention. All participants were administered the Partial Curl-up Test, Biering Sorense Test, Modified Schöber Test, and Toe Touch Test, and they completed the Short Form 36 Health Survey before and after the intervention. In addition, a telephone call was made to ask whether they attended a doctor for low back pain in the following year post-intervention. RESULTS: In the experimental group, statistically significant improvements were observed in trunk muscle strength, spinal flexion joint range of motion, and hamstring flexibility, and they had fewer visits to the doctor for low back pain in the following year. CONCLUSIONS: The theoretical-practical programme based on the Back School seems to have beneficial effects on low back functionality by increasing its strength and flexibility in an adult population. In addition, this programme reduced the number of medical visits due to low back pain during the following year after the intervention.

Association between Tobacco Consumption and Problematic Internet Use and the Practice of Physical Activity in Spanish Adolescents.

The practice of physical activity (PA) is a healthy habit that offers health benefits. In contrast, the lack thereof may be associated with an increase in diseases, even at an early age. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between unhealthy behaviors, such as tobacco consumption and problematic internet use, and the practice of PA in adolescents. Protective factors (physical activity and sport) and risk factors (leading a sedentary life, tobacco use, and problematic internet use) were evaluated. Other variables such as sex, the intensity of physical activity, and being a member of a sports federation were also evaluated. The sample consisted of a total of 1222 Spanish adolescents. Univariate descriptive analysis and multiple linear regression were used, and confirmatory factor analyses and structural models were also estimated. The results confirm a significant positive association between physical activity, intensity, and being a member of a sports federation, as well as between cigarette consumption and internet use. It is advisable to implement public policies that promote the practice of sports as a direct investment in health, preventing the consumption of tobacco and other habits that are harmful to the health of adolescents.

Relación entre parámetros cardiovasculares y el Índice de Masa Corporal en mujeres perimenopáusicas / Relationship between cardiovascular parameters and body mass index in perimenopausal women

Introducción: Las enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV) son la causa de muerte más frecuente en las mujeres en todo el mundo. La deficiencia de estrógenos debido a la menopausia se asocia con un mayor riesgo a padecer esta patología.Objetivo: Analizar los factores de riesgo cardiovascular en mujeres perimenopausicas con al menos un factor de riesgo cardiovascular modificable mayor (diabetes, hipertensión, dislipemia) con edades comprendidas entre los 45 y 60 años de dos servicios de atención primaria urbanos.Metodología: Estudio descriptivo transversal en dos centros de salud de la ciudad de Ourense (Centro de Salud Novoa Santos y Centro de Salud A Ponte). Las variables analizadas fueron: Actividad estrogénica, tratamiento farmacológico, hábito tabáquico, calidad de vida, índice de masa corporal (IMC), colesterol total, lipoproteína de alta densidad (cHDL), lipoproteína de baja densidad (cLDL) y triglicéridos, tensión arterial sistólica (TAS), tensión arterial diastólica (TAD), frecuencia cardíaca (FC). El estudio contó con la aprobación del Comité Ético de Galicia. El análisis de los datos se efectuó a través del software libre R.Resultados: Participaron 316 mujeres, de las cuales el 64,9% eran menopáusicas. La edad media de la muestra fue de 53,35 ± 4,35 años. El valor medio del IMC fue de 28,125 ± 5,54 Kg/m2. Un 27,8% afirmó presentar hábito tabáquico. El 77,2% de las mujeres de la muestra presentaban niveles de colesterol total ≥200 mg/dl. En relación al cLDL, en el 72,6% de la población estudiada era ≥130 mg/dl. Se observó una correlación estadísticamente significativa entre el IMC y los niveles de triglicéridos, cHDL, TAS, TAD y FC.Conclusiones: Las mujeres perimenopáusicas presentaban una elevada prevalencia hábito tabáquico, obesidad y sobrepeso, a pesar de sufrir al menos un factor de riesgo cardiovascular. Por otra parte mostraron una baja calidad de vida tanto en la dimensión física como mental

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of death in women worldwide. Estrogen deficiency due to menopause is associated with an increased risk of this pathology.Objective: To analyze cardiovascular risk factors in perimenopausal women with at least one major modifiable cardiovascular risk factor (diabetes, hypertension, dyslipemia) between the ages of 45 and 60 of two urban primary care services.Methodology: Cross-sectional descriptive study in two health centers in the city of Ourense (Novoa Santos Health Center and A Ponte Health Center). The variables analyzed were: estrogenic activity, pharmacological treatment, smoking habit, quality of life, body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (cHDL), low-density lipoprotein (cLDL) and triglycerides, systolic blood pressure (TAS), diastolic blood pressure (TAD), heart rate (FC). The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Galicia. Data analysis was performed through the free R software.Results: 316 women participated, of whom 64.9% were menopausal. The average age of the sample was 53.35 ± 4.35 years. The average BMI value was 28,125 ± 5.54 Kg/m2. 27.8% said they had a smoking habit. 77.2% of the women in the sample had total cholesterol levels ≥200 mg/dL. In relation to the cLDL, in 72.6% of the population studied it was ≥130 mg/dL. A statistically significant correlation was observed between BMI and triglyceride, cHDL, TAS, TAD and FC levels.Conclusion: Perimenopausal women had a high prevalence of smoking habit, obesity and overweight, despite suffering at least one cardiovascular risk factor. On the other hand they showed a low quality of life in both the physical and mental dimensión.

Influence of Visual Information and Sex on Postural Control in Children Aged 6-12 Years Assessed with Accelerometric Technology.

The performance of postural control is believed to be linked to how children use available sensory stimuli to produce adequate muscular activation. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to thoroughly explore postural stability under normal conditions and without visual information in postural control in children aged 6-12 years during static single-leg support. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 316 children (girls = 158). The analyzed variables were the mean and maximum values obtained in each of the three body axes and their root mean square during two static single-leg support tests: one with eyes open and one with eyes closed. Girls showed lower magnitudes in the recorded accelerations at all ages and in all the variables of both tests. Accelerations during the tests showed progressively lower values from 6 to 12 years of age. The sex had a significant influence on the magnitude obtained in the accelerations recorded during the tests. Improvements in balance with increasing age were greater with visual information than without visual information. The tests of single-leg support showed preferential sensorimotor strategies in boys and girls: boys tend to rely more on visual inputs, and girls process somesthetic information in a preferential way.

Injuries Associated with the Practice of Calm Water Kayaking in the Canoeing Modality.

Knowing the most frequent injuries in canoeists is important, considering the consequences for the athlete's sports career, health, and labour, social and economic life. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the most frequent injuries among high-level canoeists and the intrinsic variables of the sport's practice (years of practice, number of training sessions per week, and stretching habit) that can influence the appearance of such injuries. An observational, transversal, and retrospective epidemiological study was carried out with 122 canoeists that completed a sport injuries questionnaire (number, body area, type, and severity of injuries). The ratio of injuries per participant was 1.1 injuries/year in men; and 1.5 injuries/year in women. Shoulder injuries were the most frequent, followed by knee injuries (in women) and lower back (in men), and the other segments of the upper limbs. In men, injuries occurred more frequently in the central period of training sessions and in women during the last 15 min of training sessions. Then, there is a common profile of injuries in canoeists: Being a female, having more years of sports practice, and never executing stretching exercises are associated with predisposing factors to injuries.

¿Los menores españoles, en su tiempo libre, prefieren dispositivos electrónicos o actividad física? / Do Spanish minors, in their free time, prefer electronic devices or physical activity?

Las nuevas generaciones viven expuestos diariamente a estímulos provenientes de dispositivos electrónicos y diversos instrumentos de ocio que llevan asociado su uso al mantenimiento de una conducta sedentaria. Hasta el momento no se han explorado las posibles relaciones existentes entre los diferentes componentes del estilo de vida en una muestra representativa de la población de menores españoles. Por ello, se diseñó la presente investigación con los objetivos de examinar el grado de exposición a pantallas de los niños españoles e identificar posibles relaciones en su estilo de vida entre dicho aspecto y otros hábitos como la práctica de ejercicio y las horas de descanso, así como, determinar si alguno de ellos influye en su salud mental. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que la exposición a pantallas de los niños españoles es de 15 horas semanales, y que su estilo de vida, aunque mejorable, entra dentro de los estándares de salud en cuanto a horas de descanso y hábitos de actividad física. Las políticas preventivas de abuso de dispositivos electrónicos en menores en España deberían poner especial énfasis en el sector que peores resultados en las variables de salud mental obtuvieron en la presente investigación: niños menores de 7 años y con malos hábitos de descanso nocturno y/o más horas de exposición a pantallas

The new generations live exposed daily to stimuli from electronic devices that are associated with maintaining sedentary behavior. So far, the possible relationships between the different components of lifestyle have not been explored in a representative sample of the population of Spanish minors. For this reason, this research was designed with the objectives of examining the degree of exposure to screens of Spanish children and identifying possible relationships in their lifestyle and other habits such as exercising and resting hours, as well as determining whether some of them influence your mental health. The results obtained showed that the exposure of Spanish children to screens is 15 hours a week, and that their lifestyle, although it could be improved, falls within health standards in terms of hours of rest and physical activity habits. The preventive policies of abuse of electronic devices in minors in Spain should place special emphasis on the sector with the worst results in the variables of mental health obtained in the present investigation: children under 7 years of age and with poor night-time rest habits and / or more hours of exposure to screens

Percentiles and Reference Values for the Accelerometric Assessment of Static Balance in Women Aged 50-80 Years.

The identification of factors that alter postural stability is fundamental in the design of interventions to maintain independence and mobility. This is especially important for women because of their longer life expectancy and higher incidence of falls compared to men. The objective of this study was to construct the percentile box charts and determine the values of reference for the accelerometric assessment of the static balance in women. For this, an observational and cross-sectional study with a sample composed of 496 women (68.8 ± 10.4 years old) was conducted. The measurement of accelerations used a triaxial accelerometer during three tests: two tests on the ground in monopodal support and a test on a mat with monopodal support for 30 s each. In all of the variables, an increase in the magnitude of the accelerations was detected as the age advanced. The box charts of the percentiles of the tests show the amplitude of the interquartile ranges, which increased as the age advanced. The values obtained can be used to assess changes in static balance due to aging, trauma and orthopaedic and neurodegenerative alterations that may alter postural stability and increase the risk of falling.

Post-graduate education requirements for access to jobs in physical therapy / Requerimientos de educación de postgrado para el acceso a puestos de trabajo en fisioterapia

OBJECTIVE: To identify if physiotherapist employers require them to have some postgraduate training and, if there are such requirements, to identify them. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For this study, a specific survey was designed, in which the clinic director had to answer questions about the training of the professionals hired. RESULTS: The demands of 114 job bidders were analysed. Clinical directors (21.6%), require some postgraduate training so that the professional is able to adapt to the needs of the users of the centre. The most in-demand specialties were sports physiotherapy, gynaecology and obstetrics, osteopathy, neurology, and Pilates. CONCLUSIONS: The acquisition of skills and competencies, such as information management skills, problem solving and decision making, are not being adequately integrated into the degree course. Interventions are needed by educational institutions and professionals in the sector to achieve training that meets the needs of the physiotherapy employment market

OBJETIVO: Identificar si los contratantes de fisioterapeutas exigen como requisito tener alguna formación de posgrado y, de existir dichas exigencias, identificarlas. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Se diseñó una encuesta específica para este trabajo. En ella, el director de clínica debía responder a preguntas sobre la formación de los profesionales contratados. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron las demandas de 114 ofertantes de empleo. Los directores de clínica, en un 21,6%, exigen alguna formación de posgrado para que el profesional se adecúe a las necesidades de los usuarios del centro. Las especialidades más demandadas fueron la fisioterapia deportiva, ginecología y obstetricia, osteopatía y terapia manual, neurología y Pilates. CONCLUSIONES: La adopción de habilidades y competencias como la capacidad de gestión de la información, resolución de problemas y toma de decisiones no están siendo integradas durante la formación de la carrera de manera adecuada. Son necesarias intervenciones por parte de las instituciones educativas y profesionales del sector para alcanzar una formación que satisfaga las necesidades del mercado laboral en fisioterapia

Intervención educativa sobre parámetros cardiovasculares en mujeres perimenopáusicas con un factor de riesgo cardiovascular. Ensayo clínico aleatorizado / Educational intervention on cardiovascular parameters in perimenopausal women with a cardiovascular risk factor. Randomised clinical trial

Fundamento y objetivo: Ensayo clínico aleatorizado realizado en 2 centros de salud urbanos de España. Evaluar si una intervención educativa en mujeres en edad perimenopáusica con hipertensión, diabetes mellitus y/o dislipidemia podría conseguir cambios significativos en la reducción de parámetros bioquímicos y hemodinámicos de riesgo. Pacientes y métodos: Participaron 320 mujeres con edades comprendidas entre los 45 y 60 años y diagnosticadas de hipertensión, diabetes mellitus y/o dislipidemia. Fueron asignadas de forma aleatoria a grupo experimental (n=160) y a grupo control (n=160). El grupo intervención recibió 3 sesiones educativas y el grupo control recibió un folleto informativo enviado por correo postal. Fueron evaluadas variables hemodinámicas y bioquímicas al inicio del estudio y un año después en ambos grupos. Resultados: Las mujeres del grupo intervención mostraron, de forma significativa, una disminución de las lipoproteínas de baja densidad (p=0,034) (-5,89±29,8; IC 95%: -13,1/0,27) y un aumento de las lipoproteínas de alta densidad (p=0,013) (2,71±10,6; IC 95%: -1,36/6,20), así como mejoras en la presión arterial sistólica (p=0,016) (-2,16±11,8; IC 95%: -4,4/0,01) y la frecuencia cardíaca (p=0,003) (-1,46±10,3; IC 95%: -3,34/0,42) en comparación con las mujeres del grupo control. Estas últimas aumentaron significativamente los niveles de glucosa (p=0,04) (4,84±15,5; IC 95%: -0,75/31,3) y gamma-glutamiltransferasa (p=0,031) (3,61±14,7; IC 95%: 0,87/6,36) en comparación con las del grupo experimental. Conclusiones: Una intervención educativa puede ser un método eficaz para reducir los parámetros asociados a un aumento de probabilidad de sufrir una enfermedad cardiovascular en mujeres en edad perimenopáusica con hipertensión, diabetes mellitus y/o dislipidemia (AU)

Background and objective: Randomised clinical trial performed in two urban health centres in Spain. To evaluate if educational intervention in women of perimenopausal age with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and/or dyslipidaemia could achieve significant changes in the reduction of biochemical and haemodynamic risk parameters. Patients and methods: The study included 320 women aged between 45 and 60 years old who were diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and/or dyslipidaemia. They were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=160) and the control group (n=160). The intervention group received three educational sessions and the control group received an informative leaflet sent by mail. Haemodynamic and biochemical variables were evaluated at baseline and one year later in both groups. Results: Women in the intervention group showed a decrease in low density lipoprotein (P=.034), (-5.89±29.8; 95% CI: -13.1/0.27) and an increase in high density lipoprotein (P=.013), (2.71±10.6; 95% CI: -1.36/6.20), as well as improvements in systolic blood pressure (P=.016), (-2.16±11.8; 95% CI: -4.4/0.01) and frequency (P=.003), (-1.46±10.3; 95% CI: -3.34/0.42) compared to women in the control group. Women in the control group significantly increased glucose (P=.04), (4.84±15.5; 95% CI: -0.75/31.3) and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (P=.031), (3.61±14.7; 95% CI: 0.87/6.36) levels more than those in the experimental group. Conclusions: An educational intervention can be an effective method of reducing the parameters associated with an increased likelihood of cardiovascular disease in women at perimenopausal age with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and/or dyslipidaemia (AU)

Educational intervention on cardiovascular parameters in perimenopausal women with a cardiovascular risk factor. Randomised clinical trial. / Intervención educativa sobre parámetros cardiovasculares en mujeres perimenopáusicas con un factor de riesgo cardiovascular. Ensayo clínico aleatorizado.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Randomised clinical trial performed in two urban health centres in Spain. To evaluate if educational intervention in women of perimenopausal age with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and/or dyslipidaemia could achieve significant changes in the reduction of biochemical and haemodynamic risk parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 320 women aged between 45 and 60 years old who were diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and/or dyslipidaemia. They were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=160) and the control group (n=160). The intervention group received three educational sessions and the control group received an informative leaflet sent by mail. Haemodynamic and biochemical variables were evaluated at baseline and one year later in both groups. RESULTS: Women in the intervention group showed a decrease in low density lipoprotein (P=.034), (-5.89±29.8; 95% CI: -13.1/0.27) and an increase in high density lipoprotein (P=.013), (2.71±10.6; 95% CI: -1.36/6.20), as well as improvements in systolic blood pressure (P=.016), (-2.16±11.8; 95% CI: -4.4/0.01) and frequency (P=.003), (-1.46±10.3; 95% CI: -3.34/0.42) compared to women in the control group. Women in the control group significantly increased glucose (P=.04), (4.84±15.5; 95% CI: -0.75/31.3) and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (P=.031), (3.61±14.7; 95% CI: 0.87/6.36) levels more than those in the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: An educational intervention can be an effective method of reducing the parameters associated with an increased likelihood of cardiovascular disease in women at perimenopausal age with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and/or dyslipidaemia.

[Metabolic syndrome and visceral fat in women with cardiovascular risk factor]. / Síndrome metabólico y grasa visceral en mujeres con un factor de riesgo cardiovascular.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in women after menopause, since after this stage there are profound metabolic and hormonal changes which favor the development of metabolic syndrome. An increase in the percentage of visceral fat may be related to the onset of this syndrome. OBJECTIVE: To establish the relationship between visceral fat and parameters of the metabolic syndrome and to determine the optimal cut-off point for the variables related to obesity in women with a cardiovascular risk factor. METHOD: Cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in two urban health centers in Spain. We evaluated 320 women aged 45 to 60 years with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and/or dyslipidemia. Age, estrogenic activity, visceral fat and body fat measured through a bioimpedance device, body mass index, abdominal perimeter, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, glucose and the presence or absence of syndrome metabolic were considered. RESULTS: There is a significant correlation between visceral fat and all metabolic syndrome defining parameters (p < 0.05). The optimum cut-offs for obesity-related variables were visceral fat (8 kg), abdominal perimeter (93.5 cm), body mass index (26.9 kg/m2 ) and total body fat (24.3 kg). CONCLUSIONS: Menopausal women showed more visceral fat. An association between visceral fat and the parameters that define the metabolic syndrome is observed. It would be advisable to perform a more complex research to study the utility of visceral fat as a possible screening parameter in the metabolic syndrome.

INTRODUCCIÓN: las enfermedades cardiovasculares son la primera causa de muerte en las mujeres tras la menopausia, ya que después de esta etapa se producen profundos cambios metabólicos y hormonales que favorecen el desarrollo de síndrome metabólico. Un aumento en el porcentaje de la grasa visceral puede estar relacionado con la aparición de dicho síndrome. OBJETIVO: establecer la relación entre la grasa visceral y los parámetros del síndrome metabólico y determinar el punto de corte óptimo para las variables relacionadas con la obesidad, en mujeres con un factor de riesgo cardiovascular. MÉTODO: estudio descriptivo transversal realizado en dos centros de salud urbanos de España. Fueron evaluadas 320 mujeres de edades comprendidas entre 45 y 60 años con hipertensión, diabetes mellitus y/o dislipemia. Se estudiaron edad, actividad estrogénica, grasa visceral y grasa corporal medida a través de un dispositivo de bioimpedancia, índice de masa corporal, perímetro abdominal, presión arterial sistólica y diastólica, triglicéridos, lipoproteínas de alta densidad, glucosa y presencia o no de síndrome metabólico. RESULTADOS: las mujeres menopáusicas presentaban mayor cantidad de grasa visceral (p = 0,011). Se observó una correlación significativa entre la grasa visceral y todos los parámetros definitorios del síndrome metabólico (p < 0,05). El punto de corte óptimo para las variables relacionadas con la obesidad fue: grasa visceral (8 kg), perímetro abdominal (93,5 cm), índice de masa corporal (26,9 kg/m2) y grasa corporal total (24,3 kg). CONCLUSIONES: mostraron mayor cantidad de grasa visceral las mujeres menopáusicas. Se observa una asociación entre la grasa visceral y los parámetros que definen el síndrome metabólico. Sería recomendable realizar un estudio más complejo que estudiase la utilidad de la grasa visceral como posible parámetro de cribado en el síndrome metabólico.

Síndrome metabólico y grasa visceral en mujeres con un factor de riesgo cardiovascular / Metabolic syndrome and visceral fat in women with cardiovascular risk factor

Introducción: las enfermedades cardiovasculares son la primera causa de muerte en las mujeres tras la menopausia, ya que después de esta etapa se producen profundos cambios metabólicos y hormonales que favorecen el desarrollo de síndrome metabólico. Un aumento en el porcentaje de la grasa visceral puede estar relacionado con la aparición de dicho síndrome. Objetivo: establecer la relación entre la grasa visceral y los parámetros del síndrome metabólico y determinar el punto de corte óptimo para las variables relacionadas con la obesidad, en mujeres con un factor de riesgo cardiovascular. Método: estudio descriptivo transversal realizado en dos centros de salud urbanos de España. Fueron evaluadas 320 mujeres de edades comprendidas entre 45 y 60 años con hipertensión, diabetes mellitus y/o dislipemia. Se estudiaron edad, actividad estrogénica, grasa visceral y grasa corporal medida a través de un dispositivo de bioimpedancia, índice de masa corporal, perímetro abdominal, presión arterial sistólica y diastólica, triglicéridos, lipoproteínas de alta densidad, glucosa y presencia o no de síndrome metabólico. Resultados: las mujeres menopáusicas presentaban mayor cantidad de grasa visceral (p = 0,011). Se observó una correlación significativa entre la grasa visceral y todos los parámetros definitorios del síndrome metabólico (p < 0,05). El punto de corte óptimo para las variables relacionadas con la obesidad fue: grasa visceral (8 kg), perímetro abdominal (93,5 cm), índice de masa corporal (26,9 kg/m2) y grasa corporal total (24,3 kg). Conclusiones: mostraron mayor cantidad de grasa visceral las mujeres menopáusicas. Se observa una asociación entre la grasa visceral y los parámetros que definen el síndrome metabólico. Sería recomendable realizar un estudio más complejo que estudiase la utilidad de la grasa visceral como posible parámetro de cribado en el síndrome metabólico (AU)

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in women after menopause, since after this stage there are profound metabolic and hormonal changes which favor the development of metabolic syndrome. An increase in the percentage of visceral fat may be related to the onset of this syndrome. Objective: To establish the relationship between visceral fat and parameters of the metabolic syndrome and to determine the optimal cut-off point for the variables related to obesity in women with a cardiovascular risk factor. Method: Cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in two urban health centers in Spain. We evaluated 320 women aged 45 to 60 years with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and/or dyslipidemia. Age, estrogenic activity, visceral fat and body fat measured through a bioimpedance device, body mass index, abdominal perimeter, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, glucose and the presence or absence of syndrome metabolic were considered. Results: There is a significant correlation between visceral fat and all metabolic syndrome defining parameters (p < 0.05). The optimum cut-offs for obesity-related variables were visceral fat (8 kg), abdominal perimeter (93.5 cm), body mass index (26.9 kg/m2) and total body fat (24.3 kg). Conclusions: Menopausal women showed more visceral fat. An association between visceral fat and the parameters that define the metabolic syndrome is observed. It would be advisable to perform a more complex research to study the utility of visceral fat as a possible screening parameter in the metabolic syndrome (AU)

Ensayo clínico con intervención educativa en mujeres perimenopáusicas con un factor de riesgo cardiovascular / Clinical trial with educational intervention in perimenopausal women with cardiovascular risk factor

Objetivo: Evaluar si una intervención educativa en mujeres en edad perimenopáusica con diabetes mellitus, hipertensión o dislipidemia podría mejorar aspectos relacionados con la calidad de vida o el ejercicio físico. Métodos: Ensayo clínico aleatorizado. Variables: actividad física, calidad de vida y peso en mujeres de 45-60 años de edad (n = 320) en el momento 0 y 12 meses después de la intervención. Grupo de intervención: tres talleres interactivos sobre prevención de enfermedad cardiovascular. Grupo control: información por correo. Resultados: El grupo de intervención obtuvo mejores puntuaciones en el componente mental de la calidad de vida 1 año después (p <0,05) y mostró un aumento significativo de la actividad física (p <0,01). Las mujeres del grupo de intervención mantuvieron su peso, mientras que las del grupo control lo aumentaron (p <0,01). Conclusiones: Una sencilla intervención educativa en mujeres perimenopáusicas con un factor de riesgo cardiovascular mejora aspectos relacionados con la calidad de vida y con hábitos saludables como la actividad física (AU)

Objective: To assess whether an educational intervention in women in perimenopausal age with diabetes mellitus, hypertension and/or dyslipidemia could improve aspects of quality of life and exercise. Methods: A randomized clinical trial. Variables: physical activity, quality of life and weight in women aged 45-60 years (n = 320) at time 0 and 12 months after surgery. intervention group (IG): 3 interactive workshops on cardiovascular disease prevention and control group (CG): information by mail. Results: The IG obtained better scores on the mental component of quality of life one year later (p < 0.05) and showed a significant increase in physical activity (p < 0.01). GI women maintained their weight while in CG women it increased (p < 0.01). Conclusions: A simple educational intervention in premenopausal women with a cardiovascular risk factor improves aspects of quality of life and of healthy habits such as physical activity (AU)