Physical Exercise in the Management of Erectile Dysfunction in Patients with Heart Failure

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a highly prevalent problem that affects the quality of life, prognosis and survival of patients with heart failure (HF). In the management of ED, physical exercise is a therapeutic strategy that reduces disease-related symptoms and optimizes drug use. However, the repercussions of physical exercise on ED in individuals with HF still need to be elucidated. In this sense, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of physical exercise on erectile function (EF) in HF patients. This was a systematic review conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Patients with HF, male and ejection fraction ≤ 45% were submitted to physical exercise of different modalities. The search for scientific articles was conducted in the electronic databases (PubMed, LILACS, Cochrane-Library, Science Direct) from the inception until October 2018, according to the MeSH dictionary descriptors, which were suitable for all databases. Results: Three studies were analyzed, includinng 99 male subjects, age ranging from 53 years (± 7.48) to 58 years (± 12). Seventy subjects were submitted to a physical exercise program and 29 were in the control group. In all studies, physical exercise showed positive results in the management of ED regardless of erectile dysfunction (ED) classification status and intensity of exercise used. It was concluded that physical exercise of different intensities was considered an effective therapeutic intervention to improve EF in individuals with HF and ED

O uso de academias da terceira idade por idosos modifica parâmetros morfofuncionais? / Does the use of third age fitness centers by the elderly modify morphofunctional parameters?

O objetivo do estudo foi analisar as características morfofuncionais de usuários de Academias da Terceira Idade (ATIs) na cidade de Maringá, Estado do Paraná. O estudo contou com 86 indivíduos (28 homens (67,8 ± 5,4 anos) e 58 mulheres (67,6 ± 6,0 anos)). Os parâmetros morfofuncionais foram divididos em antropométricos (Índice de Massa Corporal - IMC e a Relação Cintura-Quadril - RCQ) e funcionais (níveis pressóricos - PA). Foi usada a estatística descritiva para tratamento dos dados. Em relação ao estado nutricional, homens apresentaram valores maiores de IMC em comparação às mulheres. Quanto à distribuição regional de gordura, as mulheres apresentaram RCQ mais alto quando separados pelos diferentes estratos, embora em valores absolutos a média masculina tenha sido maior. Quanto a PA, homens mostraram tendência de valores mais elevados, mas ambos os gêneros tiveram reduções nos valores de PA na reavaliação, especialmente as mulheres. É possível concluir que o período de três a seis meses de prática nas ATIs não foi capaz de produzir mudanças significativas nos parâmetros morfológicos de indivíduos acima de 60 anos, independente do gênero. Modificações na função cardiovascular sinalizam importantes reduções nos níveis pressóricos, indicando que a prescrição individualizada e a regularidade de atividade física são essenciais para a obtenção de melhoras mais expressivas.

The objective of the study was to analyze the morphofunctional characteristics from users of Third Age Fitness Centers (TAFC) in the city of Maringá, Parana State. The study involved 86 individuals ­ 28 men (67.8 ± 5.4 years of age old) and 58 women (67.6 ± 6.0 years old). The morphofunctional parameters were divided into anthropometric (Body Mass Index ­ BMI and Waist-Hip Ratio ­ WHR) and functional (blood pressure ­ BP). The method used for data processing was descriptive statistics. With regard to nutritional status, men showed higher BMI values compared to women. As for regional body fat distribution, women had higher WHR when separated by different strata, although in absolute values the male average was higher. As for BP, men showed a trend for higher values, but both genders had reductions in BP values in the reassessment, especially women. We can conclude that the three to six-month period of practice at ATA was not able to produce significant changes in the morphologic parameters of individuals over 60 years of age old, regardless of gender. Changes in cardiovascular function indicate important reductions in blood pressure levels, indicating that individualized prescription and regular physical activity are essentials to achieving most significant improvements.