Effects of 4 Weeks of Active Exergames Training on Muscular Fitness in Elderly Women.

ABSTRACT: Gallardo-Meza, C, Simon, K, Bustamante-Ara, N, Ramirez-Campillo, R, García-Pinillos, F, Keogh, JWL, and Izquierdo, M. Effects of 4 weeks of active exergames training on muscular fitness in elderly women. J Strength Cond Res 36(2): 427-432, 2022-To analyze the effects of 4 weeks of an active exergames training program on muscular fitness in older women, 2 groups of community dwelling physically active subjects were formed by block-design randomization. One was deemed the control group (CG, n = 37; age 68.1 ± 3.3 years), and a second group completed 4 weeks of an active exergames training program (ExG, n = 35; age, 69.2 ± 3.7 years). Training included active exergames (Wii Fit Plus) performed on the Wii Balanceboard, 2 sessions per week. The exergames required mainly balance-related movements, such as leaning forward, leftward, and rightward, also requiring isometric squat positions and explosive leg extension. A supervisor-to-subject ratio method of 2:1 was used. An intensity-based individual progressive overload was applied. There were no significant (all p > 0.05, d = 0.01-0.07) baseline differences between-groups for all dependent variables. For the ExG, significant improvements were observed in static balance right leg test (Δ75.5%, d = 0.89), static balance left leg (Δ33.7%, d = 0.57), timed up-and-go test (Δ14.8%, d = 0.85) and sit-to-stand velocity test (Δ83.8%, d = 1.62). For the control group, trivial to small decrements in performance were observed across all tests (Δ -2.1 to -8.4%, d = -0.08 to 0.32). Group × time interactions were observed for the static balance right and left leg, timed up-and-go test, and the mean velocity achieved in the 5-repetition sit-to-stand test (all p < 0.001; d = 0.33-0.60). In conclusion, exergames training improves muscular fitness in older women. These results should be considered when designing appropriate and better exercise training programs for older women.

Relationship between physical fitness and academic achievement in Chilean schoolchildren of 8th grade. / Condición física de escolares chilenos de 8° año básico y su relación con el rendimiento académico.

INTRODUCTION: Good physical fitness (PF) is related, among many benefits, to functional and structu ral brain changes that favor learning. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between PF and academic performance (AP) in Chilean schoolchildren according to sex, and to determine if the kind of school dependency influences this association. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Cross-sectional study analyzing po pulation data of 8th-grade students evaluated by the SIMCE-2011 test. The sample included only 13 and 14 years old students, of both sexes, with all PF and AP tests taken. The results of PF and AP tests were categorized as poor, regular, and good. A binary logistic regression was performed explaining a good AP from the PF categories according to sex, and kind of school dependency, adjusting for age, nutritional status, parents' educational level, and school socioeconomic level. RESULTS: Out of 19,929 records, 12,338 schoolchildren were considered, where 47.9% were female. 33.4% of girls and 49.5% of boys presented good PF, and 16.9% and 21.5% presented good AP respectively. Schoolchildren with good PF had more chances of achieving good AP than those with poor PF (girls 84% and boys 78%, both p < 0.001). Considering the kind of school dependency, good PF in girls attending public schools increased the chances of achieving good AP by 334% (p < 0.001) and in boys attending sub sidized private schools by 91% (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Both girls and boys with good PF have more chances of achieving a good AP. By including the kind of school dependency, the association persists in girls attending public schools and boys attending subsidized private schools.

Activity in GEriatric acute CARe (AGECAR): rationale, design and methods.

BACKGROUND: The Activity in GEriatric acute CARe (AGECAR) is a randomised control trial to assess the effectiveness of an intrahospital strength and walk program during short hospital stays for improving functional capacity of patients aged 75 years or older. METHODS/DESIGN: Patients aged 75 years or older admitted for a short hospital stay (≤ 14 days) will be randomly assigned to either a usual care (control) group or an intervention (training) group. Participants allocated in the usual care group will receive normal hospital care and participants allocated in the intervention group will perform multiple sessions per day of lower limb strength training (standing from a seated position) and walking (10 min bouts) while hospitalized. The primary outcome to be assessed pre and post of the hospital stay will be functional capacity, using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and time to walk 10 meters. Besides length of hospitalization, the secondary outcomes that will also be assessed at hospital admission and discharge will be pulmonary ventilation (forced expiratory volume in one second, FEV1) and peripheral oxygen saturation. The secondary outcomes that will be assessed by telephone interview three months after discharge will be mortality, number of falls since discharge, and ability to cope with activities of daily living (ADLs, using the Katz ADL score and Barthel ADL index). DISCUSSION: Results will help to better understand the potential of regular physical activity during a short hospital stay for improving functional capacity in old patients. The increase in life expectancy has resulted in a large segment of the population being over 75 years of age and an increase in hospitalization of this same age group. This calls attention to health care systems and public health policymakers to focus on promoting methods to improve the functional capacity of this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01374893.

Association between Sleep Quality and Physical Activity in Physical Education Students in Chile in the Pandemic Context: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Due to the health restrictions put in place to face the pandemic, a decrease in the levels of physical activity and an alteration in the quality of sleep have been observed. One group susceptible to these changes is represented by students of physical education pedagogy, who, under normal conditions, present high levels of physical activity. However, the correlation between these variables has not been studied in the context of a pandemic lockdown. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the quality of sleep and physical activity level as a function of gender and evaluate the association between quality of sleep and physical activity level in physical education pedagogy students during the COVID-19 pandemic considering sociodemographic and health characteristics. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. An online questionnaire was applied to 280 Chilean university students of physical education pedagogy. The survey considered sociodemographic information, healthy habits, and self-reported health and included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) for physical activity levels and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep quality. Results: The prevalence of good sleep quality was 20.4%. Furthermore, 52.9% of students had a high level of physical activity. Regression analysis between PSQI global score and age-adjusted physical activity levels indicated that being male and presenting a high level of physical activity favored a better PSQI global score. Conclusions: The prevalence of good sleep quality was low in general and significantly lower in women. Being male and having a high level of physical activity during quarantine benefits good sleep quality, regardless of age.

Air Pollution and Cardiorespiratory Changes in Older Adults Living in a Polluted Area in Central Chile.

One recognized cause of cardiorespiratory diseases is air pollution. Older adults (OA) are one of the most vulnerable groups that suffer from its adverse effects. The objective of the study was to analyze the association between exposure to air pollution and changes in cardiorespiratory variables in OA. Observational prospective cohort study. Health questionnaires, blood pressure (BP) measurements, lung functions, respiratory symptoms, physical activity levels, and physical fitness in high and low exposure to air pollution were all methods used in evaluating OAs in communes with high contamination rates. Linear and logistic models were created to adjust for variables of interest. A total of 92 OA participated in this study. 73.9% of the subjects were women with 72.3 ± 5.6 years. 46.7% were obese, while 12.1% consumed tobacco. The most prevalent diseases found were hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Adjusted linear models maintained an increase for systolic BP of 6.77 mmHg (95% CI: 1.04-12.51), and diastolic of 3.51 mmHg (95% CI: 0.72-6.29), during the period of high exposure to air pollution. The adjusted logistic regression model indicated that, during the period of high exposure to air pollution increase the respiratory symptoms 4 times more (OR: 4.43, 95% CI: 2.07-10.04) in the OA. The results are consistent with an adverse effect on cardiorespiratory variables in periods of high exposure to air pollution in the OA population.

Individual Responsiveness to Physical Exercise Intervention in Acutely Hospitalized Older Adults.

We analyzed inter-individual variability in response to exercise among acutely hospitalized oldest-old adults. In this ancillary analysis of a randomized controlled trial, 268 patients (mean age 88 years) were assigned to a control (n = 125, usual care) or intervention group (n = 143, supervised exercise, i.e., walking and rising from a chair [1-3 sessions/day]). Intervention group patients were categorized as responders, non-responders, or adverse responders (improved, no change, or impaired function in activities of daily living [ADL, Katz index] from hospital admission to discharge, respectively). We analyzed the association between responsiveness to exercise and variables assessed at baseline (2 weeks pre-admission), admission, during hospitalization, at discharge, and during a subsequent 3-month follow-up. An impaired ADL function and worse nutritional status at admission were associated to a greater responsiveness, whereas a better ADL function at admission, longer hospitalization and lower comorbidity index were associated with a poorer response (p < 0.05). Adverse responders had worse outcomes at discharge and during the follow-up (e.g., impaired physical performance and greater fall number) (p < 0.05). Although exercise intervention helps to prevent ADL function decline in hospitalized oldest-old people, a number of them-particularly those with a better functional/health status at admission and longer hospitalization-are at higher risk of being adverse responders, which can have negative short/middle-term consequences.

Effect of a Simple Exercise Program on Hospitalization-Associated Disability in Older Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Hospitalization-associated disability [HAD, ie, the loss of ability to perform ≥1 basic activities of daily living (ADLs) independently at discharge] is a frequent condition among older patients. The present study assessed whether a simple inpatient exercise program decreases HAD incidence in acutely hospitalized very old patients. DESIGN: In this randomized controlled trial (Activity in Geriatric Acute Care) participants were assigned to a control or intervention group and were assessed at baseline, admission, discharge, and 3 months thereafter. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: In total, 268 patients (mean age 88 years, range 75-102) admitted to an acute care for older patients unit of a public hospital were randomized to a control (n = 125) or intervention (exercise) group (n = 143). METHODS: Both groups received usual care, and patients in the intervention group also performed simple supervised exercises (walking and rising from a chair, for a total duration of ∼20 minutes/day). We measured ADL function (Katz index) and incident HAD at discharge and after 3 months (primary outcome) and Short Physical Performance Battery, ambulatory capacity, number of falls, rehospitalization, and death during a 3-month follow-up (secondary outcomes). RESULTS: Median duration of hospitalization was 7 days (interquartile range 4 days). The intervention group had a lower risk of HAD with reference to both baseline [odds ratio (OR) 0.36; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17-0.76, P = .007] and admission (OR 0.29; 95% CI 0.10-0.89, P = .030). A trend toward an improved ADL function at discharge vs admission was found in the intervention group compared with controls (OR 0.32; 95% CI ‒0.04 to 0.68; P = .083). No between-group differences were noted for the other endpoints (all P > .05). CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: A simple inpatient exercise program decreases risk of HAD in acutely hospitalized, very old patients.

Health enhancing strength training in nonagenarians (STRONG): rationale, design and methods.

BACKGROUND: The Health Enhancing Strength Training in Nonagenarians (STRONG) is a randomised control trial to assess the effectiveness of an aerobic and strength training program for improving muscle strength, functional capacity and quality of life in nonagenarians. METHODS: Sixty (51 women) nonagenarians (age range: 90-102 years) who live in a geriatric nursing home will be randomly assigned to either a usual care (control) group (n = 30) or an intervention (training) group (n = 30). Participants allocated in the usual care group will receive general physical activity guidelines and participants allocated in the intervention group will also enroll in three weekly non-consecutive individualized training sessions (approximately 45-50 min each) during 8 weeks. The exercise program will consist of muscular strength [with a special focus on leg press at 30% (start of the program) to 70% 1 repetition maximum (end)] and aerobic exercises (cycle-ergometry during 3-5 to 15 minutes at 12-14 points in the rate of perceived exertion scale). RESULTS: Results from STRONG will help to better understand the potential of regular physical activity for improving the well-being of the oldest population groups. CONCLUSION: The increase in life expectancy together with the dramatic decrease in birth rates in industrialized countries calls the attention to health care systems and public health policymakers to focus attention on promoting healthy lifestyle in the highest sector of the population pyramid. Our study attempts to improve functional capacity and QOL of nonagenarians by implementing an individualised aerobic and strength training program in a geriatric residential care. Results from STRONG will help to better understand the potential of regular physical activity for improving the well being even in persons aged 90 years or over.

Frailty and health risks in an agricultural population, Chile 2014-2017.

BACKGROUND: Aging presents an emerging health and social challenge. We report the prevalence of frailty, its association with chronic diseases and the risk of hospitalization or death within 29 months. METHODS: Cross-sectional and prospective study. From 2014 to 2017, we examined frailty in an agricultural population in Chile. We enrolled 619 individuals aged 60-74 years from the Maule Cohort. Measured frailty prevalence, based the presence of ≥3 of the five factors (unintentional weight loss, weakness, slowness, self-reported exhaustion, low physical activity). We explored chronic diseases as predictors of frailty with multinomial regression models (sex, age, and schooling adjusted), and the risk of hospitalization and mortality by frailty status, with Cox regression models and Kaplan-Meier survival curves. RESULTS: 6% of participants were frail; women had higher prevalence of frailty (8.2%) than men (2.3%, <0.001). Diabetes was a risk factor of frailty (Relative Risk Ratio: 3.91; 95% CI: 1.84-8.32). The incidence of hospitalization was 32% in frail (Hazard Ratio, HR: 3.68; 95% CI: 1.77-7.63), 16% in pre-frail (HR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.19-3.08) and 9% in robust participants. Among the participants, men had higher risk of hospitalization than women (7.1 and 4.1 per 1000 person-month, p = .014). In all mortality was higher among men than women (1.0 and 0.2 per 1000 person-month, p = .031). CONCLUSIONS: In this agricultural population, diabetes was main chronic disease as risk factor of frailty. Frail older adults had higher risk of hospitalization than robust people, and especially men, had higher risk of adverse health event in a short-term.

Condición física de escolares chilenos de 8° año básico y su relación con el rendimiento académico / Relationship between physical fitness and academic achievement in Chilean schoolchildren of 8th grade

Resumen: Introducción: Una buena condición física (CF) se relaciona, entre muchos beneficios, a modifica ciones funcionales y estructurales cerebrales que favorecen el aprendizaje. Objetivo: Analizar la aso ciación entre CF y rendimiento académico (RA) en escolares chilenos según sexo y determinar si la dependencia administrativa de la escuela influye en dicha asociación. Sujetos y Método: Estudio transversal sobre datos poblacionales de escolares de 8° básico evaluados por SIMCE-2011. La mues tra incluyó solo escolares de 13 y 14 años, de ambos sexos, con todas las pruebas de CF y RA rendidas. Los resultados de CF y RA fueron categorizados en malo, regular y bueno. Se realizó una regresión logística binaria explicando un buen RA a partir de las categorías de CF según sexo y dependencia administrativa, ajustando por edad, estado nutricional, nivel educacional de los padres y nivel so cioeconómico de la escuela. Resultados: De 19.929 registros se consideraron 12.338 escolares donde 47,9% fueron mujeres. Presentaron buena CF 33,4% de las mujeres y 49,5% de los hombres, y buen RA 16,9% y 21,5%, respectivamente. Escolares con buena CF presentaron más chances de alcanzar buen RA que escolares con mala CF (mujeres: 84% y hombres 78% más; p < 0,001). Considerando la dependencia administrativa, buena CF en mujeres de colegios municipales aumentó las posibilidades en 334% (p < 0,001) y en hombres de colegios particulares subvencionados, en 91% (p = 0,01). Con clusión: Tanto mujeres como hombres con buena CF tienen más posibilidades de alcanzar un buen RA. Al incluir la dependencia administrativa la asociación persiste en mujeres de colegios municipa les y en hombres de colegios particulares subvencionados.

Abstract: Introduction: Good physical fitness (PF) is related, among many benefits, to functional and structu ral brain changes that favor learning. Objective: To analyze the association between PF and academic performance (AP) in Chilean schoolchildren according to sex, and to determine if the kind of school dependency influences this association. Subjects and Method: Cross-sectional study analyzing po pulation data of 8th-grade students evaluated by the SIMCE-2011 test. The sample included only 13 and 14 years old students, of both sexes, with all PF and AP tests taken. The results of PF and AP tests were categorized as poor, regular, and good. A binary logistic regression was performed explaining a good AP from the PF categories according to sex, and kind of school dependency, adjusting for age, nutritional status, parents' educational level, and school socioeconomic level. Results: Out of 19,929 records, 12,338 schoolchildren were considered, where 47.9% were female. 33.4% of girls and 49.5% of boys presented good PF, and 16.9% and 21.5% presented good AP respectively. Schoolchildren with good PF had more chances of achieving good AP than those with poor PF (girls 84% and boys 78%, both p < 0.001). Considering the kind of school dependency, good PF in girls attending public schools increased the chances of achieving good AP by 334% (p < 0.001) and in boys attending sub sidized private schools by 91% (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Both girls and boys with good PF have more chances of achieving a good AP. By including the kind of school dependency, the association persists in girls attending public schools and boys attending subsidized private schools.

Short-term, light- to moderate-intensity exercise training improves leg muscle strength in the oldest old: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of an 8-week exercise training program with a special focus on light- to moderate-intensity resistance exercises (30-70% of one repetition maximum, 1RM) and a subsequent 4-week training cessation period (detraining) on muscle strength and functional capacity in participants aged 90 and older. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial performed during March to September 2009. SETTING: Geriatric nursing home. PARTICIPANTS: Forty nonagenarians (90-97) were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group (16 women and 4 men per group). INTERVENTION: Eight-week muscle strength exercise intervention focused on lower limb strength exercises of light to moderate intensity. PRIMARY OUTCOME: 1RM leg press. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: handgrip strength, 8-m walk test, 4-step stairs test, Timed Up and Go test, and number of falls. RESULTS: A significant group by time interaction effect (P=.02) was observed only for the 1RM leg press. In the intervention group, 1RM leg press increased significantly with training by 10.6 kg [95% confidence interval (CI)=4.1-17.1 kg; P=.01]. Except for the mean group number of falls, which were 1.2 falls fewer per participant in the intervention group (95% CI=0.0-3.0; P=.03), no significant training effect on the secondary outcome measures was found. CONCLUSION: Exercise training, even of short duration and light to moderate intensity, can increase muscle strength while decreasing fall risk in nonagenarians.

The K153R variant in the myostatin gene and sarcopenia at the end of the human lifespan.

We studied the A55T, E164K, I225T, K153R and P198A variants in the myostatin (GDF8) gene, muscle strength and mass, and physical function during daily living in 41 nonagenarians [33 women, age range, 90, 97]. No participant carried a mutant allele of the aforementioned variants, except three participants (all women), who carried the R allele of the K153R polymorphism, with one of them (woman aged 96 years) being homozygous. Overall, in KR women muscle phenotype values (1RM leg press and estimated muscle mass) were low-to-normal compared to the whole group (approximately 25th-50th percentile), and their functional capacity (Barthel and Tinetti tests) was normal. In the woman bearing the RR genotype, values of muscle mass and functional capacity were below the 25th percentile. She is the first RR Caucasian whose phenotype has been characterised specifically. In summary, heterozygosity for the GDF8 K153R polymorphism does not seem to exert a negative influence on the muscle phenotypes of women who are at the end of the human lifespan, yet homozygosity might do so. More research on larger cohorts of nonagenarians is needed to corroborate the present findings.

Does resistance training improve the functional capacity and well being of very young anorexic patients? A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: We determined the effects of a 3-month low-moderate-intensity strength training program (2 sessions/week) on functional capacity, muscular strength, body composition, and quality of life (QOL) in 22 young (12-16 yrs) anorexic outpatients. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to a training or control group (n=11 [10 females] each). Training sessions were of low intensity (loads for large muscle groups ranging between 20%-30% and 50%-60% of six repetitions maximum [6RM] at the end of the program). We measured functional capacity by the time up and go and the timed up and down stairs tests. Muscular strength was assessed by 6RM measures for seated bench and leg presses. We estimated percent body fat and muscle mass. We assessed patients' QOL with the Short Form-36 items. RESULTS: The intervention was well tolerated and did not have any deleterious effect on patients' health, and did not induce significant losses in their body mass. The only studied variable for which a significant interaction (group x time) effect was found (p=.009) was the 6RM seated lateral row test. CONCLUSIONS: Low-moderate-intensity strength training does not seem to add major benefits to conventional psychotherapy and refeeding treatments in young anorexic patients.