Magnitude and Composition of Sedentary Behavior in Older Adults Living in a Retirement Community.

High amount of sedentary behavior (SB) has been associated with a multitude of adverse health events in older adults. There are limited data regarding SB in older adults living in retirement communities (RC). This study described the magnitude and composition of SB [non-screen sedentary time (NSST) and screen sedentary time (SST)] in older adults living in a RC and documented variation in this behavior as a function of demographic, health, health behavior and clinical variables. This cross sectional descriptive study enrolled and assessed 100 older males and females living a RC located in the Midwest region of United States. Participants completed a questionnaire for sample characterization and a SB questionnaire. Metric of SB (i.e., TST, NSST and SST) were analyzed overall and separated by the variables of interest. Participants reported on average 10 h/day of sedentary activity (65% on NSST and 35% on SST). Older adults reported to spend most of their awaking hours in activities such as reading, watching TV and computer use. Significant variations on NSST and SST were observed for gender, BMI, perceived health, mobility aid use and number of chronic diseases. These findings may help in the development of tailored strategies and interventions focusing on reducing SB in this particular under-researched subgroup.

Effect on physical fitness of a 10-year physical activity intervention in primary health care settings.

BACKGROUND: Interventions in primary health care settings have been effective in increasing physical fitness. In 2001, the Programa de Exercício Físico em Unidades de Saúde (Physical Exercise in Health Primary Care Program-PEHPCP) was launched in Rio Claro City, Brazil. The intervention consisted of biweekly, 60-minute group sessions in all primary health care settings in the city. This study evaluated the effect of PEHPCP on physical fitness and on the aging process after a decade of ongoing implementation. METHODS: There were 409 women (50 ± 26 y old) and 31 men (64 ± 10 y old) who were eligible for this study. Every 4 months, participants completed the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance standardized tests. RESULTS: Program participation was associated with a reduced effect, compared with baseline, of the natural decline of physical fitness caused by aging, as represented by changes in the following measures: coordination test time, -0.44 seconds; agility and dynamic balance test time; -1.81 seconds; aerobic capacity test time, 3.57 seconds; and muscle strength exercises, +0.60 repetitions. No significant effect on flexibility was found. CONCLUSIONS: The PEHPCP showed potential in improving muscle strength, coordination, aerobic capacity, and agility and dynamic balance in participants and in maintaining flexibility in participants.

Influencia del ejercicio físico en el metabolismo proteico de ratas con hipertiroidismo / Influence of physical exercise on proteins metabolism in rats with Hyperthyroidism

Introducción y objetivo: Una de las funciones de las hormonas tiroideas es regular el metabolismo corporal, incluso el aumento de la síntesis proteica. Así, disfunciones de estas hormonas pueden acarrear disminución a tolerancia en esfuerzos físicos, pues envuelven el sistema cardiovascular y musculoesqueletico. El objetivo de este estudio fue verificar la influencia del ejercicio físico en el metabolismo de proteínas en ratas inducidas al hipertiroidismo. Material y métodos: Fueron utilizadas 45 ratas Wistar jóvenes, divididas en 4 grupos: Control Sedentario, Control Entrenado, Hipertiroidismo Sedentario, Hipertiroidismo Entrenado. El hipertiroidismo experimental fue inducido con administración diaria de levotiroxina sodica (t4), durante el periodo de 10 días que antecedieron al test de lactato mínimo. El entrenamiento se realizó con ejercicio de natación (1 hora/duración/día), cinco días de la semana durante 4 semanas, con sobrecarga de 80% del resultado del test de lactato mínimo. Fueran realizadas prueba de normalidad de Shapiro-Wilk, análisis de varianza (ANOVA), fijado nivel crítico de significación de 5% (p<0,05). Resultados: El análisis de la Razón Proteína/DNA mostro que la inducción al hipertiroidismo promovió hipertrofia hepática, pero el ejercicio físico fue capaz de evitar la atrofia del hígado. No hubo alteración en el metabolismo de proteínas plasmáticas en los tejidos muscular cardiaco y esquelético. Conclusión: En conclusión, el modelo utilizado fue capaz de inducir los animales al hipertiroidismo. Fue observada tendencia al aumento de las proteínas en el hígado cuando se asoció el hipertiroidismo al ejercicio físico. Destacase la necesidad de estudios que investiguen los efectos de diferentes tipos de ejercicio, bien como su intensidad y periodos de entrenamiento

Background: One of functions of the thyroid hormones is to regulate body metabolism, including the increase of the protein synthesis. Thus, dysfunction in these hormones can lead to decreased physical exertion tolerance, because include the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal system. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of physical exercise in the protein metabolism in rats induced to hyperthyroidism. Methods: The sample was composed of 45 young Wistar rats, divided into 4 groups: Sedentary Control, Trained Control, Hyperthyroidism Sedentary and Hyperthyroidism Trained. Experimental hyperthyroidism was induced with daily administration of levothyroxine (T4) during 10 days preceding the lactate minimum test. The training protocol consisted of swimming exercise (1 hour/day), 5 days per week for 4 weeks, with overload corresponding to 80% load obtained from the lactate minimum test. Were performed normality test with Shapiro-Wilk, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and critical level of significance fixed on 5% (p<0,05). Results: The analysis of Ratio Protein/DNA showed that the induction of hyperthyroidism promoted liver hypertrophy, but the exercise protocol used in our study was able to prevent hepatotrophy. There were no changes in the metabolism of plasma and tissues proteins in cardiac and skeletal muscle tissues. Conclusion: In conclusion, the model used was able to induce the animals to hyperthyroidism. The results showed an increase in hepatic tissue proteins when the hyperthyroidism was associated with physical exercise. Is important to highlight the need for further studies to investigate the effects of different types of exercise, as well as the intensity and periods of training

Effects of preferred and nonpreferred music on continuous cycling exercise performance.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of preferred and nonpreferred music on exercise distance, Heart Rate (HR), and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) during continuous cycling exercise performed at high intensity. Fifteen participants performed five test sessions. During two sessions, they cycled with fixed workload on ergometer to determine the Critical Power (CP) intensity. Then, they performed three more sessions cycling at CP intensity: listening to Preferred Music, listening to Nonpreferred Music, and No Music. The HR responses in the exercise sessions did not differ among all conditions. However, the RPE was higher for Nonpreferred Music than in the other conditions. The performance under Preferred Music (9.8 +/- 4.6 km) was greater than under Nonpreferred Music (7.1 +/- 3.5 km) conditions. Therefore, listening to Preferred Music during continuous cycling exercise at high intensity can increase the exercise distance, and individuals listening to Nonpreferred Music can perceive more discomfort caused by the exercise.