Moderate-intensity continuous training and high-intensity interval training modulate the composition of the oral microbiota of elderly adults: Randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: We investigates the effects of 16-week high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training on the composition of the oral microbiota. To the best of our knowledge, at the time of writing this paper no other scholars had described the oral metagenomic changes associated with prescribed exercise in older adults. METHODS: Forty-three participants aged 60-74 years were randomized 1:1:1 to a control group, high-intensity interval training or moderate-intensity continuous training twice weekly for 16 weeks. Saliva samples were sequenced at baseline, week 8 and week 16 of intervention. RESULTS: High-intensity interval training produced significant differences over time in Richness and a clear trend to decreased Simpson and Shannon diversity indices. In contrast, Simpson and Shannon indices showed an upward trend over time with moderate-intensity continuous training, which also decreased Firmicutes and increased Bacteroidetes levels. Significant differences in the abundance of pathogenic species were also observed after the participants completed the exercise interventions of either type. CONCLUSIONS: Both types of exercise promoted subtle changes in the oral microbiota, confirming the modulatory effect of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training on the oral microbiome. Clinical trial registration NCT05220670.

Childhood obesity and its impact on the characteristics of gait stance phases: a cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to investigate the variations in foot type, laxity, dynamic characteristics of gait, and the characteristics of the stance phase of gait, in relation to body mass index (BMI) and groups of children of different ages. Additionally, it aimed to explore the correlations between BMI and these variables across children groups of different ages. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 196 infants aged between 5 and 10 years old. The variables assessed included BMI, foot type, laxity, dynamic variables, and characteristics of the stance phase of gait. Significant variations were observed in foot type, laxity, certain dynamic variables, and characteristics of the stance phase of gait between normoweight (NW) and overweight/obese (OW/OB) groups among children aged between 5 and 10 years old (p ranged between 0.019 and 0.050). Moreover, BMI was also positively associated with the initial forefoot contact, heel off, total duration of the step, and forefoot contact phase of children 7 to 10 years of age (p ranged between < 0.010 and 0.040).   Conclusion: Children who are OW/OB had alterations at different stages of gait. Being OW/OB is related to alterations of the phases of gait mainly from 7 to 10 years of age, and spending more time in each of the phases of walking. This could indicate that children who are OW/OB, in addition to walking slower, overload the musculoskeletal system, subjecting their joints and muscles to greater stress. What is Known: • Children who are overweight (OW) and obese (OB) can experience changes in their musculoskeletal systems, posture, and gait due to increased body mass index. • OW and OB children experience additional stress on their musculoskeletal systems, impacting posture, biomechanics, mobility, physical activity, and daily tasks. Excessive plantar loading is linked to foot pain in adults. What is New: • Body mass index was positively associated with initial forefoot contact, heel off, total duration of the step, and forefoot contact phase in children aged 7 to 10 years old. OW/OB children aged 5-6 exhibited less ankle dorsiflexion and smaller relaxed calcaneal stance position (RCSP) as compared to normal-weight children. • Obese children aged 5-6 showed less pronation excursion, suggesting altered frontal plane movement due to RCSP differences. Children aged 7-8 who are OW/OB spent more time in certain gait phases, particularly in the forefoot contact phase. Being OW/OB is linked to altered gait parameters such as initial forefoot, heel off, total step duration, and forefoot contact phase. Being OW/OB was associated with a longer forefoot contact phase, particularly in the right foot.

Influence of Nutritional Status and Physical Fitness on Cognitive Domains among Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: The health issues presented by the aging population can result in reduced muscle mass, poorer physical function, and cognitive impairment. The goal of this study was to determine how nutritional status and physical fitness relate to cognitive impairment in older adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study involving 100 participants was carried out to analyze the impact of nutritional status and physical fitness on cognitive impairment. Nutritional status was assessed with the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) and The Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF); physical fitness via the implementation of manual grip evaluation, the 4-m walking test (4-MWT), and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test; and cognitive impairment evaluation was conducted using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Boston Naming Test (BNT) and the Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT). RESULTS: Data analysis revealed that higher malnutrition status was associated with fewer correct responses in the COWAT (R2 = 0.421), while a correlation between higher MMSE and BNT scores, faster completion times for the 4-m walking and TUG tests, and an increase in handgrip strength load was also observed. CONCLUSION: The analysis of the data revealed that those individuals with superior nutritional status and greater levels of physical fitness outperformed others on the cognitive evaluation.

Overweight and Obesity: Its Impact on Foot Type, Flexibility, Foot Strength, Plantar Pressure and Stability in Children from 5 to 10 Years of Age: Descriptive Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Overweight (OW) and childhood obesity (OB) may cause foot problems and affect one's ability to perform physical activities. The study aimed to analyze the differences in descriptive characteristics, foot type, laxity, foot strength, and baropodometric variables by body mass status and age groups in children and, secondly, to analyze the associations of the BMI with different physical variables by age groups in children. METHODS: A descriptive observational study involving 196 children aged 5-10 years was conducted. The variables used were: type of foot, flexibility, foot strength and baropodometric analysis of plantar pressures, and stability by pressure platform. RESULTS: Most of the foot strength variables showed significant differences between the normal weight (NW), OW and OB groups in children aged between 5 and 8. The OW and OB groups showed the highest level of foot strength. In addition, the linear regression analyses showed, in children aged 5 to 8 years, a positive association between BMI and foot strength (the higher the BMI, the greater the strength) and negative association between BMI and stability (lower BMI, greater instability). CONCLUSIONS: Children from 5 to 8 years of age with OW and OB show greater levels of foot strength, and OW and OB children from 7 to 8 years are more stable in terms of static stabilometrics. Furthermore, between 5 and 8 years, having OW and OB implies having more strength and static stability.

Does participation in therapeutic exercise programs after finishing oncology treatment still ensure an adequate health status for long-term breast cancer survivors? A ≥ 5 years follow-up study.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to evaluate whether the effects of two therapeutic exercise programs are sustained over time (≥ 5 years) in long-term breast cancer survivors (LTBCS). Second, to determine the influence of the current level of physical activity (PA) performed on cancer-related fatigue (CRF) that these patients may present ≥5 years later. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted with a cohort of 80 LTBCS in Granada during 2018. Firstly, considering their participation in one of the programs, they were allocated into two groups: usual care and therapeutic exercise program, to assess CRF, pain and pressure pain sensitivity, muscle strength, functional capacity, and quality of life. Secondly, they were also classified into 3 groups according to current level of weekly PA performed: ≤ 3, 3.1-7.4, and ≥ 7.5 (MET-hour/week) respectively, to assess its impact over CRF. RESULTS: Although the positive effects of the programs are not sustained over time, a trend toward significance can be observed for a greater reduction in overall CRF levels, lower intensity of pain in the affected arm and cervical region, and greater functional capacity and quality of life in the group that underwent therapeutic exercise. Additionally, 66.25% of LTBCS are inactive ≥ 5 years after completion of the program and furthermore, such inactivity is accompanied by higher CRF levels (P .013 to .046). CONCLUSION: The positive effects of therapeutic exercise programs are not maintained over time for LTBCS. Additionally, more than half of these women (66.25%) are inactive ≥ 5 years after completion of the program, this inactivity being accompanied by higher levels of CRF.

Impact of Qigong exercises on the severity of the menopausal symptoms and health-related quality of life: A randomised controlled trial.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of a Qigong exercise programme on the severity of the menopausal symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of community-dwelling postmenopausal women. This was done by means of a randomised clinical trial with a sample of 125 women who were assigned to either a control (n = 62) or an experimental group (n = 63). The severity of their menopause-related symptoms and HRQoL were assessed through the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) respectively, before and after the intervention period. The main findings of our study reveal significant improvement in the severity of menopausal symptoms at the somatic, psychological, and urogenital levels, as well as in the total score of the MRS. Additionally, participants assigned to the Qigong group experienced improvement in the general health, physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, vitality, and mental health domains of the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey, as well as in its physical component and mental component summaries. We can therefore conclude that, among Spanish postmenopausal women, a twelve-week Qigong exercise programme has beneficial effects on the severity of menopausal symptoms and HRQoL.HighlightsWe have studied the effects of Qigong on menopause-related quality of life.Qigong is a useful tool in the management of the severity of menopausal symptoms.A 12-week Qigong programme showed benefits on health-related quality of life.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03989453.

Time course and predictors of persistent cancer-related fatigue in long-term breast cancer survivors: a prospective observational study.

PURPOSE: The present study investigated whether the level of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) after finishing oncology treatment was related to higher levels of persistent CRF and its relationship with both functional and psychological disturbances. Second, to identify potential predictors of persistent CRF. METHODS: Eighty BC survivors were classified into non-fatigued (≤ 3.9) or fatigued (≥ 4), according to their Piper Fatigue Scale total score after finishing oncology treatment. The time course of fatigue and the impact on its domains, pain, mood state, perceived physical fitness, the level of physical activity, and quality of life were assessed at ≥ 5 years. RESULTS: Women classified as fatigued after finishing oncology treatment had not only a higher prevalence of persistent CRF (41.2%) at the reassessment, but also greater levels of pain (P = .006 to .048) and mood disturbances (P = .007 to .015), and lower levels of physical fitness condition (P = .002 to .039) and quality of life (P < .001 to < .05) over time. Regression analyses revealed that "sadness/depression," "global health status," "physical activity level," and "type of treatment" were significant predictors of persistent CRF (r2 = .692). CONCLUSION: Higher levels of CRF implied greater levels of persistent CRF and a lower functional and psychological profile over time. 69.2% of of persistent CRF was explained.

High-intensity interval training among middle-aged and older adults for body composition and muscle strength: A systematic review.

Background: The aging of population is leading to the investigation of new options to achieve healthy aging. One of these options is high-intensity interval training (HIIT), although its effects on body composition and muscle strength are currently unclear. The objective of this systematic review is to examine the scientific publications on the effects of HIIT on the body composition and muscle strength of middle-aged and older adults. Methods: The search was carried out in the PubMed, Cochrane Plus, Web of Science, CINAHL and SciELO databases without limitation of publication dates. The literature search, data extraction and systematic review were performed following the PRISMA standards and the risk of bias of the selected studies was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk-of-Bias. Results: Initially 520 publications were identified, out of which a total of 8 articles were finally selected to be included in this systematic review. Improvements in body composition were seen in six of the selected items and an increase in muscle strength in seven of the eight. Regarding physical function, improvements were found in both gait speed and balance. Conclusions: This systematic review found that HIIT is effective in improving body composition and increasing muscle strength. However, when comparing HIIT to moderate-intensity continuous training, it is not clear that HIIT is more beneficial; a firm conclusion cannot be drawn due to the scarcity of published studies, their variety in methodology and the ambiguity of their results, so it is suggested to carry out more research in this area.

Qigong for mental health and sleep quality in postmenopausal women: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Menopause is one of the stages in a woman's life that affects her psychological health, the most frequent being anxiety and depression. In addition, another problem related to this stage is the lack of sleep that causes a decrease in the quality of sleep. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to analyze the effectiveness of a Qigong exercise program on sleep quality, anxiety, and depression in Spanish postmenopausal women. METHODS: A total of 125 women were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG) (n = 63) that carried out a Qigong exercise program for 12 weeks, or a control group (CG) (n = 62), which did not perform any type of intervention. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS: Women who underwent an intervention program experienced significant improvements for all measured variables, except for the use of sleeping medication and daytime dysfunctions that did not show any significant effect with respect to the group and group × time interaction. CONCLUSIONS: After an intervention based on a BaDuanJin Qigong exercise program for 12 weeks, improvements were observed in sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, the total score of the PSQI, anxiety and depression in postmenopausal Spanish women.

Associations between Muscle Strength, Physical Performance and Cognitive Impairment with Fear of Falling among Older Adults Aged ≥ 60 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study.

(1) Background: Fear of falling has become a significant health problem in older adults and is already considered as important as falling because of its long-term detrimental effects on older adults' physical and psychosocial functioning. The aim of this study was to analyze the associations between both upper and lower limb strength, gait parameters and cognitive impairment with fear of falling in older adults. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 115 older-adult participants was used to assess the impact of both upper (Handgrip dynamometer, TKK 5401 Grip-D, Takey, Tokyo, Japan) and lower limb strength (Chair stand test), gait parameters (OptoGait-System Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy) and cognitive impairment (COWAT word association test) with fear of falling in older adults (Falls Efficacy Scale-International FES-I). (3) Results: Multivariate linear regression analysis showed several independent associations with the fear of falling. A higher time to perform the Chair Stand test was associated with higher scores in FES-I (R2 = 0.231), while a lower score in both Semantic Fluency (S COWA) and Phonologic Fluency (P COWA) was associated with a decreased score in FES-I (R2 = 0.052 and 0.035). (4) Conclusions: Both higher step and stride length (OptoGait), lower body strength (Chair test) and both poorer semantic (S COWA) and phonologic (P COWA) fluency were all associated with fear of falling.

Acute Effects of High-Intensity Functional Training and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Cognitive Functions in Young Adults.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to compare the influence of an acute bout of high-intensity functional training (HIFT) with an acute bout of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on measures of cognitive function. METHODS: Sixty-nine young adults (Mean ± SD: age = 21.01 ± 2.79 yrs; body mass = 69.65 ± 6.62 kg; height = 1.74 ± 0.05 m; Body Mass Index = 22.8 ± 1.41) gave informed consent and were randomly divided into three groups. The HIFT group, with 27 participants, performed a high-intensity (>85% Max. HR) circuit of functional exercises for 30 min. The MICT group, with 28 participants, performed moderate-intensity (70-80% Max. HR) continuous training on a cyclo-ergometer. The control group did not perform any activity. The Stroop Test, Word Recall and N-Back Test were completed to assess during the familiarization period, immediately before and immediately after the training's bouts. RESULTS: The repeated measures ANOVA did not show significant mean differences for any group. However, the T-Test for the paired samples demonstrated very significant differences in the Stroop Test, in terms of fastest response time (FRT; mean difference (MD) = -1.14, p < 0.01, d = 0.9), mean response time (MRT; MD = -2.16, p < 0.01, d = 0.66) and the number of correct answers (NCA; MD = 1.08, p < 0.05, d = 0.5) in the HIFT group and in the MICT group (FRT; MD = -1.79, p < 0.01, d = 0.9), (MRT; MD = -3.07, p < 0.01, d = 0.9) (NCA; MD = 1.54, p < 0.05, d = 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: There were no differences in the control group. HIFT and MICT may elicit specific influences on cognitive function, mainly in executive function and selective attention.

Traditional and Undulating Periodization on Body Composition, Strength Levels and Physical Fitness in Older Adults.

INTRODUCTION: Undulating training has been investigated in sedentary and trained adults, but less is known about the influence of undulating training in older adults. PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate body composition, strength levels, and physical fitness in response to traditional or undulating training in older adults. METHODS: A controlled, double-arm trial was conducted in eighteen older adults (10 males, 8 females; 64 ± 2.1 years; 165.12 ± 7.5 cm; 72.5 ± 11.4 kg; 26.5 ± 3.2 k·gm-2) who were randomly assigned to traditional (n = 9, TT) or undulating training (n = 9, UT) for eight weeks. Dual X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), and bone mineral density (BMD). Strength levels were evaluated by the handgrip strength and the one-repetition maximum in vertical chest press, rowing machine, squat, monopodal horizontal leg press, and leg extension. In addition, functional capacity was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT). Statistical analysis included mean/median comparisons to establish the difference after the intervention (paired Student's t-test or Wilcoxon test), and effect size calculations based on estimates. RESULTS: After correction for fat-free adipose tissue, a significant increase in FFM was observed in both groups, while no significant changes were found in FM and BMD. Upper- and lower-limbs strength showed significant increases in both groups, although clinical significance varied among exercises. Favorable results were seen on the cardiorespiratory fitness and strength components of the SFT in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The 8-week UT and TT protocols are valid options for improving FFM and increasing strength and functional capacity in women and men over 60 years of age.

Changes in satisfaction with female genital self-image and sexual function after a Qigong exercise intervention in Spanish postmenopausal women: a randomized-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness of a Qigong exercise program on satisfaction with female genital self-image and female sexual function in postmenopausal Spanish women. METHODS: A total of 49 women were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 22) that carried out training based on Qigong exercises for 12 weeks and a control group (n = 27) that did not carry out any type of intervention. Female genital self-image was measured through the Female Genital Self-Tmage Scale and female sexual function through the Female Sexual Function Tndex; both variables were measured before and just after the intervention. RESULTS: Results showed that women who participated in the Qigong exercise program showed significant improvements with respect to female genital self-image, as well as in the domains of desire, arousal, lubrication, satisfaction, and pain and the total score of the Female Sexual Function Index, but, on the contrary, were not found in the orgasm domain. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Qigong has the potential to improve female genital self-image and female sexual function among postmenopausal Spanish women.

Handgrip Strength-Related Factors in a Colombian Hypertensive Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.

(1) Background: This study determined the factors associated with manual grip strength in people with high blood pressure (HBP); (2) Methods: 219 subjects participated in this cross-sectional study, which evaluated muscle strength (manual dynamometer), sociodemographic factors, clinical characteristics, level of physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-IPAQ score), and depression (Zung's Depression Self-Rating Scale); (3) Results: The bivariate analysis found that handgrip strength in people with HPB was associated with sex (p = 0.000), age (p = 0.000), ethnicity (p = 0.019), smoking habits (p = 0.037), alcohol consumption (p = 0.004), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.012), weight (p = 0.000), height (p = 0.000), measurement of waist circumference (p = 0.002), depression (p = 0.041), and IPAQ score (p = 0.000). Regardless of being male or female, handgrip strength was associated with age (p = 0.009), IPAQ (p = 0.000), weight (p = 0.038), height (p = 0.000), DPB units (p = 0.043), and depression (p = 0.020). The multivariate generalized linear gamma regression model showed that the coefficient with the greatest weight, regardless of sex, was age (p = 0.043), level of physical activity (24% more at high level than at low level, p = 0.031), and depression (moderate/severe depression level) associated with lower handgrip strength (p = 0.025); (4) Conclusions: Handgrip strength showed an association with level of physical activity, age, and level of depression in a middle-aged population with HBP.

The Influence of Pilates Exercises on Body Composition, Muscle Strength, and Gait Speed in Community-Dwelling Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACT: Aibar-Almazán, A, Martínez-Amat, A, Cruz-Díaz, D, Jesús de la Torre-Cruz, M, Jiménez-García, JD, Zagalaz-Anula, N, Redecillas-Peiró, MT, Mendoza-Ladrón de Guevara, N, and Hita-Contreras, F. The influence of Pilates exercises on body composition, muscle strength, and gait speed in community-dwelling older women: a randomized controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res 36(8): 2298-2305, 2022-Population aging is a global phenomenon that has wide-ranging consequences for the health of individuals, including age-related obesity, muscle loss, and a decline in muscle strength and gait speed. These alterations are associated with disability, functional decline, and mortality in older adults. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of Pilates exercises on body composition, handgrip strength, and physical performance among community-dwelling Spanish women aged 60 and older. A randomized controlled trial of a 12-week Pilates training program was conducted. A total of 109 women were randomly allocated to either a control ( n = 54) or a Pilates ( n = 55) group. Body composition was evaluated by bioelectrical impedance. Body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat, and height-adjusted skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) were assessed before and immediately after the intervention, as were physical performance, estimated by gait speed (timed up-and-go test), and handgrip strength. Statistically significant improvements ( p < 0.05) were observed both within and between groups for handgrip strength (Cohen's d = 0.40 and 0.52 respectively) and gait speed (Cohen's d = 0.86 and 0.87 respectively). After 12 weeks, BMI significantly decreased (Cohen's d = 0.07) only in the Pilates group. No significant differences were observed regarding SMI. In conclusion, a 12-week Pilates exercise intervention on community dwelling women over 60 years old shows beneficial effects on muscle strength, physical performance, and BMI, but failed to induce any changes on body composition.

Qigong for Muscle Strength and Static Postural Control in Middle-Aged and Older Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

In the present study, we aimed to determine the effects of a Qigong exercise program on the muscle strength and postural control in middle-aged and older postmenopausal women. This is a randomized clinical trial (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03989453) conducted on 125 women who were initially assigned to either an experimental group (n = 63) that performed a Qigong exercise program for 12 weeks or to a control group (n = 62) that did not receive any intervention. Muscle strength (dynamometer) and postural control (stabilometric platform) were evaluated before and immediately after an intervention period. The main findings of this study suggest that the women in the experimental group had improvements in muscle strength, mean velocity of the displacement of the center of pressure (CoP) with both eyes open and closed, and the surface sway area covered by the CoP, as well as the mediolateral and anteroposterior oscillations of the CoP, only with eyes open. The results of the present study determined that a 12 week Qigong exercise program has beneficial effects on muscle strength and postural control of middle-aged and older postmenopausal Spanish women.

SARC-F and the Risk of Falling in Middle-Aged and Older Community-Dwelling Postmenopausal Women.

(1) Background: The objective of the present study was to determine the ability of the SARC-F questionnaire to identify individuals at risk of falling among middle-aged and older community-dwelling postmenopausal women. (2) Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 157 women (70.80 ± 8.37 years). The SARC-F questionnaire was used to screen for risk of sarcopenia. Fear of falling and balance confidence, as measured by the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) and the Activities-Specific balance Scale-16 items (ABC-16) respectively, were used to assess risk of falling. Anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale), body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and sleep duration were also determined. (3) Results: Logistic regression showed that higher risk of falling as assessed by FES-I was associated with higher SARC-F scores (OR = 1.656), anxiety levels (OR = 1.147), and age (OR = 1.060), while increased SARC-F scores (OR = 1.612), fatigue (OR = 1.044), and shorter sleep duration (OR = 0.75) were related to ABC-16 scores. In addition, a SARC-F cutoff of 1.50 (83.33% sensitivity and 59.13% specificity) and 3.50 (44.44% sensitivity and 89.26% specificity) were shown to be able to discriminate participants at risk of falling according to the FES-I and the ABC-16, respectively. (4) Conclusions: our results show that SARC-F is an independent predictor of the risk of falling among middle-aged and older community-dwelling postmenopausal women.

Associations of Sleep Quality, Anxiety, and Depression with Cognitive and Executive Functions among Community-Dwelling Women Aged ≥ 65 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study.

(1) Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the associations of sleep quality, anxiety, and depression with cognitive performance, executive functions, and verbal fluency among women aged ≥ 65 years; (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 241 women (72.52 ± 3.93 years). Cognitive performance (Mini-Mental State Examination) and impairment (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), verbal fluency (Isaacs test) and executive function (Trail Making Test), Sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep quality Index) and anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) were determined; (3) Results: The linear regression analysis indicated that anxiety, depression and age, were related to lower Mini-Mental State Examination score (adjusted R2 = 0.306), and age, anxiety and daytime dysfunction were linked to reduced Montreal Cognitive Assessment score (adjusted R2 = 0.248). Age and daytime dysfunction were associated with worse verbal fluency (adjusted R2 = 0.094). Finally, sleep latency, sleep disturbances, the Pittsburgh Sleep quality Index total score were associated with longer times in TMT-A (adjusted R2 = 0.758) and TMT-B (adjusted R2 = 0.508); (4) Conclusions: Sleep quality was associated with cognitive performance, verbal fluency and executive functions. Besides, both anxiety and depression were related with cognitive performance, while only anxiety was linked to executive functions. As for confounders, age was associated with cognitive performance and verbal fluency.

Associations between the Severity of Sarcopenia and Health-Related Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling Middle-Aged and Older Adults.

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the associations between severity of sarcopenia and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 304 older-adult participants was used to assess the severity of sarcopenia by measuring muscle strength (handgrip dynamometer), muscle mass (bioelectrical impedance analysis), and physical performance (Timed Up-and-Go test). The generic 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to evaluate HRQoL. Anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) as well as age were considered as possible confounders. Probable sarcopenia was determined by low muscle strength; confirmed sarcopenia was defined by the presence of both low muscle strength and muscle mass; and severe sarcopenia was defined by low muscle strength and mass along with poor physical performance. (3) Results: The linear regression analysis showed that the presence of probable sarcopenia was associated with the SF-36 domains physical role (adjusted R2 = 0.183), general health (adjusted R2 = 0.290), and social functioning (adjusted R2 = 0.299). As for the SF-36 mental (MCS) and physical (PCS) component summary scores, probable sarcopenia, as well as depression and anxiety, remained associated with MCS (adjusted R2 = 0.518), and these three variables, together with age, were linked to PCS (adjusted R2 = 0.340). (4) Conclusions: Probable sarcopenia, but not confirmed or severe sarcopenia, was independently associated with poor HRQoL. More precisely, it was related to PCS and MCS, as well as to the physical role, general health, and social functioning of SF-36 domains.

Muscle Strength and Physical Performance Are Associated with Reaction Time Performance in Older People.

BACKGROUND: Functional mobility and muscle strength are well known risk factors for sarcopenia. Furthermore, possible associations have been suggested between predisposing factors of sarcopenia and reaction time among the elderly. This study aims to analyze possible associations of functional mobility and muscle strength and reaction times in a population of people aged >60 years. METHODS: A total of 290 older people (69.35 ± 5.55 years) participated in this study. The following parameters were assessed: optoacoustic lower-limb reaction time (OALLRT); acoustic lower-limb reaction time (ALLRT); optic lower-limb reaction time (OLLRT, using an optical detection system), functional mobility (through the timed up-and-go test) and muscle strength (using a dynamometer). RESULTS: Our results show that lower values of muscle strength were associated with increased reaction times in OALLRT (ß = -0.170; 95% confidence interval -0.011-0.000; R2 = 0.237; p = 0.035) and in ALLRT (ß = -0.228; 95% confidence interval -0.011-0.002; R2 = 0.199; p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Increased muscle strength (which at low values are risk factors for sarcopenia) was associated with decreased reaction times in people >60 years of age.