Subject(s)
COVID-19/prevention & control , Delivery of Health Care/methods , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Psychotic Disorders/therapy , Telemedicine , COVID-19 Vaccines/therapeutic use , Early Medical Intervention , Humans , London , Metabolic Syndrome/prevention & control , Metabolic Syndrome/therapy , Psychotic Disorders/prevention & control , SARS-CoV-2 , Secondary Prevention , Smoking Cessation , State Medicine , United Kingdom , Vitamin D Deficiency/diagnosis , Vitamin D Deficiency/therapy , Weight GainABSTRACT
The menopausal transition is a critical period in women's lives. Exercise might be the most promising non-pharmaceutic intervention to address the large variety of risk factors related to the pronounced estradiol decline during peri- and early-postmenopause. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an 18-month multipurpose exercise program on risk factors and symptoms related to the menopausal transition. Fifty-four women 1-5 years postmenopause with osteopenia or osteoporosis were randomly assigned 1) to a high impact weight-bearing/high-intensity/velocity resistance training group (EG: n=27) exercising three times a week or 2) to an attendance control group (CG: n=27) that performed low-intensity exercise once a week. Both groups were supplemented with cholecalciferol and calcium. The primary study endpoint was bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine (LS) and total hip, secondary outcomes were lean body mass (LBM), total and abdominal body percentage, metabolic syndrome Z-Score (MetS-Z), menopausal symptoms and muscle strength and power. Due to COVID-19, the study was stopped after 13 months. We observed significant effects for BMD-LS (EG: 0.002±.018 versus CG: -.009±0.018 mg/cm2, p=0.027) but not for BMD total hip (EG: -0.01±.016 versus CG: -.009±0.020 mg/cm2, p=0.129). LBM improved significantly in the EG and decreased in the CG (0.39±1.08 vs -0.37±1.34 kg, p=0.026). Total and abdominal body fat improved significantly in the EG and was maintained in the CG (-1.44±1.49 vs -0.02±1.55 kg, p=0.002 and -1.50±2.33 vs 0.08±2.07 kg, p=0.011). Significant effects in favor of the EG were also determined for menopausal symptoms (p=0.029), hip/leg extension strength (p<0.001) and power (p<0.001). However, changes of the MetS-Z did not differ significantly (p=0.149) between EG and CG. In summary, with minor exceptions, we demonstrated the effectiveness of a multipurpose exercise protocol dedicated to early-postmenopausal women on various risk factors and complaints related to the menopausal transition.
Subject(s)
Bone Density Conservation Agents/therapeutic use , Bone Diseases, Metabolic , High-Intensity Interval Training/methods , Metabolic Syndrome/prevention & control , Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal , Postmenopause , Bone Density , Bone Diseases, Metabolic/diagnosis , Bone Diseases, Metabolic/therapy , COVID-19/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Lumbar Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging , Middle Aged , Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/diagnosis , Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/therapy , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Risk Factors , Risk Reduction BehaviorABSTRACT
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic exposes unexpected cardiovascular vulnerabilities and the need to improve cardiometabolic health. Four cardiometabolic drivers-abnormal adiposity, dysglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension-are examined in the context of COVID-19. Specific recommendations are provided for lifestyle change, despite social distancing restrictions, and pharmacotherapy, particularly for those with diabetes. Inpatient recommendations emphasize diligent and exclusive use of insulin to avert hyperglycemia in the face of hypercytokinemia and potential islet cell injury. Continuation of statins is advised, but initiating statin therapy to treat COVID-19 is as yet unsubstantiated by the evidence. The central role of the renin-angiotensin system is discussed. Research, knowledge, and practice gaps are analyzed with the intent to motivate prompt action. An emerging model of COVID-related cardiometabolic syndrome encompassing events before, during the acute phase, and subsequently in the chronic phase is presented to guide preventive measures and improve overall cardiometabolic health so future viral pandemics confer less threat.
Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections/complications , Metabolic Syndrome/virology , Pneumonia, Viral/complications , COVID-19 , Humans , Metabolic Syndrome/prevention & control , PandemicsABSTRACT
Whilst current public health measures focused on good hygiene practices and limiting person-to-person transmission contribute effectively in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, they will not prevent all individuals from becoming infected. Thus, it is of importance to explore what individuals could do to mitigate adverse outcomes. The value of beneficial health behaviours and a healthy lifestyle to improve immune functioning and lower adverse consequences of COVID-19 are increasingly being emphasized. Here we discuss seven key health behaviours and corresponding recommendations that may assist in reducing unfavourable COVID-19 outcomes.