Physical activity levels and sedentary behaviour according to sex, age, BMI, academic year, and country among medical students in Latin America.

Physical inactivity represents a global challenge in public health, being the second most significant factor contributing to mortality. In Latin America, the prevalence of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour is notable, affecting medical students as well, who play a crucial role as behavioural role models for the population. This study addresses the prevalence of physical activity and sedentary behaviour among medical students in Latin America during the year 2023. A total of 864 participants from 12 institutions across eight countries were surveyed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Significant variations in physical activity and sedentary behaviour were observed according to sex, age, body mass index, academic year, and country. Notably, Costa Rica exhibited the highest levels of moderate physical activity in leisure time (90 min/day). Strength training was more common among men (60 min/day) and in Argentina (60 min/day). Sedentary behaviour was higher in women (420 min/day) and during the first academic year (485 min/day). Uruguay stood out with high levels of sedentary behaviour (600 min/day). Correlations indicated positive moderate associations between academic year and moderate leisure-time PA (r:0,128, p:0,007). In conclusion, there are associations between the level of physical activity and sedentary behaviour with the variables studied in this research, with the main findings being that the female sex has more time spent in sedentary behaviour (minutes/day) and less time spent in strength training (minutes/day). Additionally, there are higher levels of sedentary behaviour in the early years of medical study compared to the later years of the program.

Association between cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive impairment in adults aged 60 years or older from Chile: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Few studies in Latin America have examined the association between cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive impairment (CI) in a nationally representative sample. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of CI in a nationally representative sample of adults aged 60 years or older from Chile and to investigate the association between cardiovascular risk factors and CI. METHODS: Data from the cross-sectional 2016-2017 National Health Survey of Chile, which included 2031 adults (63.7% women) was used. Body mass index, metabolic syndrome (blood pressure, triglycerides, fasting glucose or treatment for diabetics, waist circumference, and HDL cholesterol), risk of cardiovascular disease (history and measured variables, using the Framingham risk score), tobacco use, and physical activity were measured. CI was assessed using the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE). RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of CI was 12.2% at the national level. Significant differences in CI were observed by age, education level, risk of cardiovascular disease, and smoking. High risk of cardiovascular disease was associated with higher odds of CI (OR: 2.04; 95%CI: 1.20-3.45) compared to low risk. Smoking was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of CI (OR: 0.56; 95%CI: 0.36-0.87) compared to never smoking. Body mass index, metabolic syndrome, and physical activity were not associated with CI. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided additional support for previous findings on the relationship between cognitive decline and an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. Worse CI was associated with the group with the highest risk of cardiovascular disease, and the presence of lifestyle factors, such as obesity and physical inactivity, exacerbate this relationship, but not being a current smoker.

Patterns of neighborhood environment attributes related to physical activity across 11 countries: a latent class analysis.

BACKGROUND: Neighborhood environment studies of physical activity (PA) have been mainly single-country focused. The International Prevalence Study (IPS) presented a rare opportunity to examine neighborhood features across countries. The purpose of this analysis was to: 1) detect international neighborhood typologies based on participants' response patterns to an environment survey and 2) to estimate associations between neighborhood environment patterns and PA. METHODS: A Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was conducted on pooled IPS adults (N=11,541) aged 18 to 64 years old (mean=37.5±12.8 yrs; 55.6% women) from 11 countries including Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Hong Kong, Japan, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and the U.S. This subset used the Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Survey (PANES) that briefly assessed 7 attributes within 10-15 minutes walk of participants' residences, including residential density, access to shops/services, recreational facilities, public transit facilities, presence of sidewalks and bike paths, and personal safety. LCA derived meaningful subgroups from participants' response patterns to PANES items, and participants were assigned to neighborhood types. The validated short-form International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) measured likelihood of meeting the 150 minutes/week PA guideline. To validate derived classes, meeting the guideline either by walking or total PA was regressed on neighborhood types using a weighted generalized linear regression model, adjusting for gender, age and country. RESULTS: A 5-subgroup solution fitted the dataset and was interpretable. Neighborhood types were labeled, "Overall Activity Supportive (52% of sample)", "High Walkable and Unsafe with Few Recreation Facilities (16%)", "Safe with Active Transport Facilities (12%)", "Transit and Shops Dense with Few Amenities (15%)", and "Safe but Activity Unsupportive (5%)". Country representation differed by type (e.g., U.S. disproportionally represented "Safe but Activity Unsupportive"). Compared to the Safe but Activity Unsupportive, two types showed greater odds of meeting PA guideline for walking outcome (High Walkable and Unsafe with Few Recreation Facilities, OR=2.26 (95% CI 1.18-4.31); Overall Activity Supportive, OR=1.90 (95% CI 1.13-3.21). Significant but smaller odds ratios were also found for total PA. CONCLUSIONS: Meaningful neighborhood patterns generalized across countries and explained practical differences in PA. These observational results support WHO/UN recommendations for programs and policies targeted to improve features of the neighborhood environment for PA.

Perceived neighborhood environment and physical activity in 11 countries: do associations differ by country?

BACKGROUND: Increasing empirical evidence supports associations between neighborhood environments and physical activity. However, since most studies were conducted in a single country, particularly western countries, the generalizability of associations in an international setting is not well understood. The current study examined whether associations between perceived attributes of neighborhood environments and physical activity differed by country. METHODS: Population representative samples from 11 countries on five continents were surveyed using comparable methodologies and measurement instruments. Neighborhood environment × country interactions were tested in logistic regression models with meeting physical activity recommendations as the outcome, adjusted for demographic characteristics. Country-specific associations were reported. RESULTS: Significant neighborhood environment attribute × country interactions implied some differences across countries in the association of each neighborhood attribute with meeting physical activity recommendations. Across the 11 countries, land-use mix and sidewalks had the most consistent associations with physical activity. Access to public transit, bicycle facilities, and low-cost recreation facilities had some associations with physical activity, but with less consistency across countries. There was little evidence supporting the associations of residential density and crime-related safety with physical activity in most countries. CONCLUSION: There is evidence of generalizability for the associations of land use mix, and presence of sidewalks with physical activity. Associations of other neighborhood characteristics with physical activity tended to differ by country. Future studies should include objective measures of neighborhood environments, compare psychometric properties of reports across countries, and use better specified models to further understand the similarities and differences in associations across countries.

[Profile and indicators of long-stay establishments for older adults in Chile]. / Perfil e indicadores de los establecimientos de larga estancia para adulto mayor en Chile.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In this article we sought to characterize the Long Stay Establishments for the Elderly in Chile, besides presenting the services offered in the public and private. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It is a quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive study, with secondary information source. We analyze all establishments in the country registered with the National Service of the Elderly. As of November 2015, a total of 724 establishments were registered and distributed in 169 neighborhoods throughout the country in which 16,985 adults aged 60 and over were institutionalized. RESULTS: Most of the establishments (65.9% [n=246/724]) are private, 47.5% of them (n=344/724) are located in the metropolitan region of Santiago. Of the residents' health, only 26.5% are considered functional brave, 28.3% are physically handicapped and 8.8% are mentally handicapped. Most establishments offer manual activities, physical exercises, memory classes, cultural classes and recreational or touristic tours. Proportionally of the activities offered were mostly private ones. CONCLUSIONS: In Chile, most of the establishments are private, located in the metropolitan region where there is the largest supply deficit of this type of service, with an occupancy rate of 90.7%, with 72.4% women and almost half 47.7% with some physical or psychic dependence.

Which one? A comparative study of traditional and sports uniforms on academic achievement, cognitive performance, playtime, bullying, and discrimination in adolescents: The Cogni-Action Project.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare academic achievement, cognitive performance, playtime, bullying, and discrimination in adolescents according to traditional uniforms (TUs) and sports uniforms (SUs) worn at school, while simultaneously exploring the influence of the school vulnerability index. Methods: A total of 988 Chilean adolescents (52.6% boys) aged 10-14 years participated in this cross-sectional study. Academic achievement was evaluated by the average grade in maths, language, and science grades, while cognitive performance was assessed through eight cognitive tasks. TUs affecting physical activity, playtime, bullying, and discrimination were queried. Mixed model analyses were performed. Results: No differences were observed in academic achievement (TU: 5.4 ± 0.1 vs. SU: 5.5 ± 0.2, p = 0.785) or in cognitive performance (TU: 99.6 ± 0.8 vs. SU: 98.9 ± 1.8, p= 0.754) according to the school uniformtype. Moreover, 64.1 % of participants declared that wearing TU affects their physical activity (traditional uniforms: + 8 min and sports uniforms: + 20 min), and those who believed so spent more time playing than those who answered negatively (14.5 min, p = 0.012). Finally, adolescents wearing SU displayed a lower feeling of bullying and discrimination; this finding depended mainly on the school's vulnerability. Conclusion: It is concluded that wearing TU does not show an educational advantage at an academic and cognitive level that justifies its obligation. In addition, it could be suggested that schools consider adolescents' opinions in adopting a more comfortable uniform, such as the SU. This feasible and low-cost measure would help to increase adolescents' physical activity during the school day, and, contrary to belief, it would not be related to increased feelings of bullying and discrimination.

How many steps/day are enough? For adults.

Physical activity guidelines from around the world are typically expressed in terms of frequency, duration, and intensity parameters. Objective monitoring using pedometers and accelerometers offers a new opportunity to measure and communicate physical activity in terms of steps/day. Various step-based versions or translations of physical activity guidelines are emerging, reflecting public interest in such guidance. However, there appears to be a wide discrepancy in the exact values that are being communicated. It makes sense that step-based recommendations should be harmonious with existing evidence-based public health guidelines that recognize that "some physical activity is better than none" while maintaining a focus on time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Thus, the purpose of this review was to update our existing knowledge of "How many steps/day are enough?", and to inform step-based recommendations consistent with current physical activity guidelines. Normative data indicate that healthy adults typically take between 4,000 and 18,000 steps/day, and that 10,000 steps/day is reasonable for this population, although there are notable "low active populations." Interventions demonstrate incremental increases on the order of 2,000-2,500 steps/day. The results of seven different controlled studies demonstrate that there is a strong relationship between cadence and intensity. Further, despite some inter-individual variation, 100 steps/minute represents a reasonable floor value indicative of moderate intensity walking. Multiplying this cadence by 30 minutes (i.e., typical of a daily recommendation) produces a minimum of 3,000 steps that is best used as a heuristic (i.e., guiding) value, but these steps must be taken over and above habitual activity levels to be a true expression of free-living steps/day that also includes recommendations for minimal amounts of time in MVPA. Computed steps/day translations of time in MVPA that also include estimates of habitual activity levels equate to 7,100 to 11,000 steps/day. A direct estimate of minimal amounts of MVPA accumulated in the course of objectively monitored free-living behaviour is 7,000-8,000 steps/day. A scale that spans a wide range of incremental increases in steps/day and is congruent with public health recognition that "some physical activity is better than none," yet still incorporates step-based translations of recommended amounts of time in MVPA may be useful in research and practice. The full range of users (researchers to practitioners to the general public) of objective monitoring instruments that provide step-based outputs require good reference data and evidence-based recommendations to be able to design effective health messages congruent with public health physical activity guidelines, guide behaviour change, and ultimately measure, track, and interpret steps/day.

How many steps/day are enough? For older adults and special populations.

Older adults and special populations (living with disability and/or chronic illness that may limit mobility and/or physical endurance) can benefit from practicing a more physically active lifestyle, typically by increasing ambulatory activity. Step counting devices (accelerometers and pedometers) offer an opportunity to monitor daily ambulatory activity; however, an appropriate translation of public health guidelines in terms of steps/day is unknown. Therefore this review was conducted to translate public health recommendations in terms of steps/day. Normative data indicates that 1) healthy older adults average 2,000-9,000 steps/day, and 2) special populations average 1,200-8,800 steps/day. Pedometer-based interventions in older adults and special populations elicit a weighted increase of approximately 775 steps/day (or an effect size of 0.26) and 2,215 steps/day (or an effect size of 0.67), respectively. There is no evidence to inform a moderate intensity cadence (i.e., steps/minute) in older adults at this time. However, using the adult cadence of 100 steps/minute to demark the lower end of an absolutely-defined moderate intensity (i.e., 3 METs), and multiplying this by 30 minutes produces a reasonable heuristic (i.e., guiding) value of 3,000 steps. However, this cadence may be unattainable in some frail/diseased populations. Regardless, to truly translate public health guidelines, these steps should be taken over and above activities performed in the course of daily living, be of at least moderate intensity accumulated in minimally 10 minute bouts, and add up to at least 150 minutes over the week. Considering a daily background of 5,000 steps/day (which may actually be too high for some older adults and/or special populations), a computed translation approximates 8,000 steps on days that include a target of achieving 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and approximately 7,100 steps/day if averaged over a week. Measured directly and including these background activities, the evidence suggests that 30 minutes of daily MVPA accumulated in addition to habitual daily activities in healthy older adults is equivalent to taking approximately 7,000-10,000 steps/day. Those living with disability and/or chronic illness (that limits mobility and or/physical endurance) display lower levels of background daily activity, and this will affect whole-day estimates of recommended physical activity.

Characteristics of Physical Exercise Programs for Older Adults in Latin America: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

AIM: To characterize physical exercise programs for older adults in Latin America. METHODS: This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement. A search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between the years 2015 and 2020 was performed in the Scopus, MedLine and SciELO databases. RESULTS: A total of 101 RCTs were included. A large percentage of the studies had an unclear risk of bias in the items: selection, performance, detection and attribution. Furthermore, a heterogeneous level of compliance was observed in the CERT items. A total sample of 5013 older adults (79% women) was included. 97% of the studies included older adults between 60-70 years, presenting an adherence to the interventions of 86%. The studies were mainly carried out in older adults with cardiometabolic diseases. Only 44% of the studies detailed information regarding the place of intervention; of these studies, 61% developed their interventions in university facilities. The interventions were mainly based on therapeutic physical exercise (89% of the articles), with a duration of 2-6 months (95% of the articles) and a frequency of 2-3 times a week (95% of the articles) with sessions of 30-60 min (94% of the articles) led by sports science professionals (51% of the articles). The components of physical fitness that were exercised the most were muscular strength (77% of the articles) and cardiorespiratory fitness (47% of the articles). Furthermore, only 48% of the studies included a warm-up stage and 34% of the studies included a cool-down stage. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review characterized the physical exercise programs in older adults in Latin America, as well the most frequently used outcome measures and instruments, by summarizing available evidence derived from RCTs. The results will be useful for prescribing future physical exercise programs in older adults.

Association between Active Transportation and Public Transport with an Objectively Measured Meeting of Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Daily Steps Guidelines in Adults by Sex from Eight Latin American Countries.

This study aimed to examine the associations between active transportation and public transport and the objectively measured meeting of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and steps per day guidelines in adults by sex from eight Latin American countries. As part of the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health (ELANS), data were collected from 2524 participants aged 18-65 years. MVPA and steps per day were evaluated using Actigraph GT3X accelerometers. The mode of transportation, its frequency and duration were collected using a self-reported questionnaire. The average time dedicated to active transportation was 12.8 min/day in men (IQR: 2.8-30.0) and 12.9 min/day in women (IQR: 4.3-25.7). A logistic regression analysis was conducted, showing that active transportation (≥10 min) was associated with higher odds of meeting MVPA guidelines (men: OR: 2.01; 95%CI: 1.58-2.54; women: OR: 1.57; 95%CI: 1.25-1.96). These results show a greater association when considering active transportation plus public transport (men: OR: 2.98; 95%CI: 2.31-3.91; women: OR: 1.82; 95%CI: 1.45-2.29). Active transportation plus public transport was positively associated with meeting steps per day guidelines only in men (OR: 1.55; 95%CI: 1.15-2.10). This study supports the suggestion that active transportation plus public transport is significantly associated with meeting the MVPA and daily steps recommendations.

Association between lean mass and handgrip strength with bone mineral density in physically active postmenopausal women.

The present study evaluated 117 physically active postmenopausal women (67.8+/-7.0yr) who performed neuromotor physical tests (strength, balance, and mobility). Body composition (lean mass [g], fat mass [g], and % fat) and bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine (L1-L4), femoral neck, and total body were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Following the World Health Organization criteria, osteoporosis was found in at least 1 analyzed site in 33 volunteers (28.2%): 30 (25.6%) in lumbar spine and 9 (7.7%) in femoral neck. Body weight was strongly and positively related to BMD in all sites, but the most important component of body composition was lean mass, also significantly related to all BMD sites, whereas fat mass was weakly related to the femoral neck BMD. Percent fat did not correlate with any BMD site. Of all the physical tests, the handgrip strength was most importantly related to lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total body (r=0.49, p<0.001; r=0.56, p<0.001; and r=0.52, p<0.001, respectively). The static body balance presented a weak but significant positive correlation only with lumbar spine. Our results suggest that strategies aiming to improve muscle strength and lean mass must contribute to the bone health of physically active postmenopausal women.

Health-related factors correlate with behavior trends in physical activity level in old age: longitudinal results from a population in São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity in leisure time is common among elderly in Brazil and this finding is particularly alarming considering that this population is greatly affected by chronic diseases. The identification of health factors that influence physical activity level (PAL) will help in the development of strategies for increasing PAL older adults. The current research aimed to identify variables that independently affect behavior trends in PAL over the course of two years among elderly. METHODS: A survey entitled the Epidoso Project ("Epidemiology of aging") studied 1,667 community-based older individuals in São Paulo city, Brazil over the course of two years. Physical activity level was determined through questions about frequency and duration of physical activities. Body Mass Index was calculated; functional capacity was assessed through the ADL (activities of daily living) scale; cognition was assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination; and mental health was assessed through the Dysthymia Screening. Experiences of falls and fractures were also assessed. Subjects were divided into three groups according to their self-report of Physical Activity Level: a--Regularly Active; b--Insufficiently Active and c--Physically Inactive. Behavior trends in PAL were also measured after two years. Multivariate regression model methodology was used to test associations longitudinally. RESULTS: Results from the final model demonstrated that the risk of a not favorable behavior trend in PAL, which included the group who remained physically inactive and the group that displayed decreased PAL, in this cohort of older adults was significantly increased if the individual was female (OR = 2.50; 95% CI = 1.60-3.89; P < 0.01), older (80 y vs. 65 y, OR = 6.29, 95% CI = 2.69-14.67; P < 0.01), dependent on help from others for activities in the ADL scale (moderate-severe = 4-7+ vs. 0 ADLs) (OR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.20-4.21; P < 0.011) or had experienced a history of falls with consequences (OR = 6.88, 95% CI = 0.91-52.01; P < 0.062). CONCLUSIONS: Age, gender, ADL scores and falls were associated with a not favorable behavior trend in PAL. Promotion programs should target these factors, reducing barriers to achieve desired changes in PAL.

Active Transportation and Obesity Indicators in Adults from Latin America: ELANS Multi-Country Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the association between active transportation and obesity indicators in adults from eight Latin American countries. METHODS: Data from the ELANS study, an observational multi-country study (n: 8336; 18-65 years), were used. Active transportation (walking and cycling) and leisure time physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (long version). The obesity indicators considered were: body mass index, and waist and neck circumference. RESULTS: In the total sample, the average time dedicated to active transportation was 24.3 min/day, with the highest amount of active transportation being Costa Rica (33.5 min/day), and the lowest being Venezuela (15.7 min/day). The countries with the highest proportion of active transportation were Ecuador (71.9%), and the lowest was Venezuela (40.5%). Results from linear regression analyses suggest that active transportation was significantly and independently associated with a lower body mass index (ß: -0.033; 95% CI: -0.064; -0.002), but not with waist circumference (ß: -0.037; 95% CI: -1.126; 0.390 and neck circumference (ß: -0.007; 95% CI: -0.269; 0.130). CONCLUSIONS: Active transportation is significantly associated with a lower body mass index. Governments should incentivize this type of transportation as it could help to reduce the obesity pandemic in Latin America.

Associação de dinapenia, sarcopenia, aptidão física e capacidade funcional em adultos fisicamente ativos no Brasil

Contexto e objetivo: O envelhecimento está associado a diversas alterações fisiológicas que podem afetar a aptidão física e a capacidade funcional, como a sarcopenia e a dinapenia. O presente estudo teve como objetivo descrever e comparar aspectos físicos e funcionais de adultos em relação aos critérios de sarcopenia e dinapenia. Desenho e local: Os participantes faziam parte do Projeto Misto Longitudinal de Aptidão Física e Capacidade Funcional de São Caetano do Sul, que busca avaliar e acompanhar a saúde e o desempenho físico de idosos na região. A amostra foi composta por 1480 participantes com idade acima de 50 anos e média de 66,5 anos. Métodos: Para a classificação da sarcopenia e dinapenia, foram adotados os critérios do Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia e do European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Uma análise estatística foi realizada utilizando a análise de covariância ANCOVA não paramétrica, ajustada pelo sexo, idade e índice de massa corporal (IMC), buscando comparar a capacidade funcional entre os grupos. Foi adotado um nível de significância de P < 0,05 e o software utilizado para as análises foi o SPSS versão 25. Resultados: A prevalência de sarcopenia na amostra foi de 3% e de dinapenia, 62,3%. Foram identificadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas nas variáveis de aptidão física e capacidade funcional. Conclusão: A massa muscular isoladamente pode não ser um critério adequado para definir sarcopenia em adultos, pela não-linearidade da relação entre massa muscular e capacidade físico-funcional.

Questionnaire-Based Prevalence of Physical Activity Level on Adults According to Different International Guidelines: Impact on Surveillance and Policies.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization recommends 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (PA) throughout the week. However, the weekly frequency of PA and how to combine moderate and vigorous PA to define who reaches the recommended PA are controversial. PA level might be highly different based on the recommendation and/or the criteria employed. METHODS: Demographic data and PA level evaluated by International Physical Activity Questionnaire from 3 random and representative samples from 1 state, 1 city, and 1 local organization in Brazil were analyzed (n = 2961). Nine criteria from different recommendations were used to define PA level. Prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals of sufficient PA were calculated for each criterion and compared with the referent (World Health Organization guideline). Total agreement, sensitivity, and specificity were also calculated with 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: When a weekly frequency of PA was required, the prevalence of sufficient PA decreased by 11% (P < .05). For all criteria, doubling the vigorous PA minutes was similar to simply adding them to moderate PA. These findings are consistent regardless of sex, age, and educational level. CONCLUSION: Prevalence estimates and agreement between different PA recommendations were significantly affected when a minimum frequency was required but did not change when vigorous PA minutes were doubled.

Efectividad de la Rehabilitación basada en Ejercicio Físico sobre la Sintomatología Prolongada de COVID-19 en Personas Mayores: Una Revisión Sistemática / Effectiveness of Rehabilitation based on Physical Exercise on Prolonged Symptoms of COVID-19 in Older People: A Systematic Review

Propósito. Sistematizar la evidencia respecto a la efectividad de los programas de rehabilitación, basados en la prescripción del ejercicio físico, aplicados en personas mayores con síntomas prolongados de COVID-19. Métodos. Se revisaron las bases de datos PubMed, Science Direct, SPORTDiscus, MEDLINE Complete y Web of Science. Se buscaron estudios de tipo ensayo controlado aleatorizado con fecha de publicación desde el año 2020 hasta octubre de 2022 centrados en programas de rehabilitación, o intervención terapéutica, basados en ejercicio físico en individuos mayores o igual de 60 años que manifiesten síntomas persistentes de COVID-19 posterior a la fase aguda. Resultados. Dos ensayos controlados aleatorizados, que midieron la eficacia de la rehabilitación con ejercicio físico en personas de edad avanzada (mayores o iguales a 60 años), fueron identificados. Los resultados mostraron mejoría de la tolerancia al esfuerzo, la función respiratoria y el bienestar psicológico en los adultos mayores con síntomas post-COVID-19. Sin embargo, la cantidad de estudios es baja y la representación de este grupo etario, también. Conclusión. Los programas de rehabilitación, en personas mayores, basados en ejercicio, son efectivos para tratar los síntomas post-COVID-19. Se necesitan más estudios comparativos de alta calidad, en personas mayores, para desarrollar programas de rehabilitación que permitan afrontar la fase prolongada de la enfermedad.

Purpose. To systematize the evidence regarding the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs, based on the prescription of physical exercise, applied in older people with persistent symptoms of COVID-19. Methods. The PubMed, Science Direct, SPORTDiscus, MEDLINE Complete and Web of Science databases were reviewed. Randomized controlled trial-type studies with a publication date from 2020 to October 2022 and that were focused on physical exercise-based rehabilitation programs that were applied to individuals over or equal to 60 years of age who manifest persistent COVID-19 symptoms post-acute phase. Results. Two randomized controlled trials, which measured the effectiveness of physical exercise-based rehabilitation in elderly people (over or equal to 60 years), were identified. The results showed improvement in exercise tolerance, respiratory function, and psychological well-being in older adults with post-COVID-19 symptoms. However, the number of studies is low and the representation of this age group, too. Conclusion. Physical exercise-based rehabilitation programs in older people are effective in treating post-COVID-19 symptoms. More high-quality comparative studies are needed, in older people, to develop rehabilitation programs that allow coping with the prolonged phase of the disease.

[Effects of the government's healthy living program on metabolic markers and physical capacity in Chilean women]. / Efectos del programa gubernamental vida sana en marcadores metabólicos y capacidad física en mujeres Chilenas.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of the government's healthy living plan on metabolic markers and physical capacity in sedentary women from Villa Alemana, Chile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 63 women who participated in the study (41.2±11.2 years) underwent 12 months of multi- and interdisciplinary intervention (doctor, nutritionist, psychologist and physical education teacher) of 180 minutes of physical activity per week. Mean and standard deviation were used for statistical analysis, while the t-test of related samples was used to determine the effects of the program. The level of significance was estimated with a value of p<0.05. RESULTS: There was a decrease in total cholesterol (p=0.003) and LDL cholesterol (p=0.048), improvement in the 6-minute test (p=0.000) and number of squats in thirty seconds (p=0.000) with a positive effect on delta recovery heart rate (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The government's strategy resulted in a decrease of cardiovascular risk due to improved metabolic markers and women's physical capacity.

OBJETIVO: Determinar los efectos del plan gubernamental vida sana en marcadores metabólicos plasmáticos y capacidad física en mujeres sedentarias de Villa Alemana. MÉTODOS: Participaron 63 mujeres (41,2 ± 11,2 años) que fueron sometidas a 12 meses de intervención multi e inter-disciplinaria (médico, nutricionista, psicólogo(a) y profesor de educación física) (180 minutos de ejercicio por semana). En el análisis estadístico descriptivo se utilizaron la media y desviación estándar, la prueba T de muestras relacionadas se usó para determinar los efectos del programa, el nivel de significancia se estimó con un valor p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Se apreció una disminución en el colesterol total (p=0,003) y colesterol LDL (p=0,048), mejora en el test de 6 minutos (p=0,000) y número de sentadillas en treinta segundos (p=0,000) con un efecto positivo en el delta de recuperación de la frecuencia cardíaca (p=0,001). CONCLUSIÓN: La estrategia gubernamental produjo una disminución en el riesgo cardiovascular debido a una mejora en los marcadores metabólicos y capacidad física de las mujeres.

Television viewing and its association with overweight in Colombian children: results from the 2005 National Nutrition Survey: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: There has been an ongoing discussion about the relationship between time spent watching television and childhood obesity. This debate has special relevance in the Latin American region were the globalization process has increased the availability of screen-based entertainment at home. The aim of this study is to examine the association between television viewing and weight status in Colombian children. METHODS: This cross sectional investigation included children aged 5 to12 yrs from the National Nutrition Survey in Colombia (ENSIN 2005). Weight and height were measured in 11,137 children in order to calculate body mass index. Overweight was defined by international standards. Time spent viewing television was determined for these children through parental reports. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted for different subgroups and adjusted for potential confounders in order to study the association between television viewing and weight status in this population. RESULTS: Among the surveyed children, 41.5% viewed television less than two hours/day; 36.8% between two and 3.9 hours/day and 21.7% four or more hours/day. The prevalence of overweight (obesity inclusive) in this population was 11.1%. Children who were classified as excessive television viewers (between two and 3.9 hours/day or 4 or more hours/day) were more likely to be overweight (OR: 1.44 95% CI: 1.41-1.47 and OR: 1.32 95% CI: 1.30-1.34, respectively) than children who reported to watch television less than 2 hours/day. Stratified analyses by age, gender and urbanization levels showed similar results. CONCLUSION: Television viewing was positively associated with the presence of overweight in Colombian children. A positive association between urbanization level and television viewing was detected. Considering that the majority of Colombian children lives in densely populated cities and appear to engage in excessive television viewing these findings are of public health relevance for the prevention of childhood obesity.

Fatores associados à baixa capacidade funcional em idosos institucionalizados: um estudo transversal / Factors associated with low functional capacity in institutionalized elderly: a cross-sectional study

Contexto: Há alta prevalência de dependência funcional entre os idosos institucionalizados, entretanto, poucos estudos utilizaram testes de desempenho físico para mensurar a capacidade funcional do idoso. Objetivo: Analisar a prevalência e os fatores associados à baixa capacidade funcional em idosos institucionalizados. Tipo de estudo e local: Estudo transversal, com amostra por conveniência composta por 153 idosos residentes de seis instituições de longa permanência filantrópica do município de São Caetano do Sul. Métodos: Para determinar a escala de capacidade funcional, foi utilizada a circunferência da perna, flexão de cotovelo, velocidade de andar e marcha estacionária. As variáveis independentes foram sexo, idade, tempo de internação, medicamentos, depressão, estado cognitivo e nível de atividade física. Utilizou-se análise de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta para estimar a razão de prevalência (RP). Resultados: A prevalência de baixa capacidade funcional foi de 57%. A faixa etária > 80 anos (RP: 1,66; intervalo de confiança, IC 95%: 1,13­2,44), presença de déficit cognitivo (RP: 2,19; IC 95%:1,08­4,41), e baixo número de passos (RP: 5,39; IC 95%: 1,44­20,10) se associaram diretamente com a baixa capacidade funcional. No entanto, o excesso de peso (RP: 0,59; IC 95%: 0,39­0,89) e a obesidade (RP: 0,42; IC 95%:0,22­0,81) se associaram inversamente com a baixa capacidade funcional. Conclusão: O nível de atividade física, o estado cognitivo e a idade foram associados à baixa capacidade funcional. O índice de massa corporal foi inversamente associado com a baixa capacidade funcional.