Eight weeks of high-intensity interval vs. sprint interval training effects on overweight and obese adolescents carried out during the cool-down period of physical education classes: randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sprint interval training (SIT) and [high intensive interval training (HIIT)] carried out during the cool-down period of the physical education classes on body composition, blood pressure variables (BP) and pulse rate (PR), and cardiorespiratory fitness of adolescents who are overweight and obese, and to compare the differences in enjoyment in response to SIT vs. HIIT. Methods: For this randomized controlled trial, forty-five adolescents were recruited from a high school and were randomly placed into three groups. SIT and HIIT trained for 8 weeks, twice a week, for 12 min/session. Experimental group (EG) 3 was the control, and they maintained their regular physical education class schedule. The SIT group performed 6 sets of 60 s of work (90-95%HRmax) / 60 s of rest (50-55%HRmax), and the HIIT group performed 3 sets of 2 min of work (80-85%HRmax) / 2 min of rest (50-55%HRmax). Results: Both experimental groups showed a significant improvement in fat mass (FM) (%) and trunk FM (kg). In addition, EG2 reported a significance improvement in lean mass (kg), blood pressure BP (mmHG), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (mmHg), PR (bpm), and VO2max (ml/kg/min). Conclusion: The present study found that a HIIT protocol performed during the cool-down period of the physical education classes generated adaptations such as improvement in body composition, BP variables and PR, and cardiorespiratory fitness, in overweight and obese adolescents. In contrast, the group of overweight and obese adolescents who performed SIT showed limited benefits, with changes in fat mass only.

The Effect of Resistance Training with Outdoor Fitness Equipment on the Body Composition, Physical Fitness, and Physical Health of Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study examined the effect of outdoor-fitness-equipment-based resistance training on the health parameters of middle-aged and older adults, as well as analyzing the effect of age on the results found. A total of 149 volunteers were randomly assigned to the training (TG) and control (CG) groups. The TG performed two weekly sessions of resistance training for 8 weeks using outdoor fitness equipment, while the CG continued with their regular daily activities. Body composition was measured using DXA, and the maximal isometric voluntary contraction in knee extension, elbow flexion, and hand grip were assessed, along with the 4 m walk test, the Timed Up and Go Test, and the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire. The TG showed a significant increase in the lean mass index (p = 0.002) and maximal isometric voluntary contraction in both legs (p < 0.001) and arms (p < 0.001), as well as in physical functioning (p < 0.001) and the role physical dimension (p = 0.006) of the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire, compared to the CG, which showed a decrease in all these variables. In addition, the TG showed a greater decrease in fat mass (p < 0.001), fat mass index (p = 0.003), and the Timed Up and Go Test (p < 0.001) than the CG. Age conditioned the evolution of most of the variables analyzed (p < 0.05). In conclusion, resistance training with outdoor fitness equipment may be useful for improving the health of middle-aged and older adults, although age is a factor that could influence the adaptations found.

Optimizing outdoor fitness equipment training for older adults: Benefits and future directions for healthy aging.

Regular physical activity is vital for the health and disease prevention of older adults. Outdoor fitness equipment has gained popularity for natural exercise spaces among middle-aged and older individuals. This narrative review demonstrates that these programs have the potential to improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and reduce falls, while also enhancing quality of life, alleviating depression and anxiety, and boosting self-esteem. However, our understanding is hindered by limited rigorous experimental studies. Future directions include implementing standardized measurements, conducting long-term studies, and addressing equipment limitations to enable better adjustment of training intensity and promote correct postures on machines. New, more rigorous research is needed to comprehensively understand the psychophysiological and social effects on health. Additionally, suggested modifications could render the machines more effective and safer. The primary objective is to enhance this type of machinery to encourage its use in outdoor spaces, thus aiding adults and older individuals in achieving overall health and enjoying a healthy aging process.

Physical and psychological effects of outdoor fitness equipment training on middle-aged and older adults: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial.

This project will investigate the effectiveness of an 8-week outdoor fitness equipment (OFE) programme on health parameters in healthy community-dwelling middle and older adults, corresponding to the present paper to the study protocol, which follows a single-blind randomised controlled trial design. The training intervention will involve participation in an OFE programme implemented over 8 weeks, two sessions/week. Rating of perceived exertion, heart rate, training volume and adherence to the exercise programme will be registered each session. The control group will not receive any structured exercise programme. Blinded examiners will evaluate before and after the training programme muscle strength with both maximum knee extension and elbow flexion isometric tests, handgrip strength test and five time sit-to-stand test; cardiovascular fitness with 400-metre walking test; postural stability with the balance tests of the short physical performance battery (SPPB) battery; dynamic balance with Timed Up and Go (TUG) test; body composition with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; functional performance by gait speed, TUG and SPPB battery; blood pressure; and sagittal spine disposition and pelvic tilt. Information will also be collected about demographic characteristics, health-related quality of life, satisfaction with life and adherence to the Mediterranean diet questionnaires. After that, sarcopenia, osteoporosis and fracture risk will be calculated. The results derived from this research will increase the knowledge of the effectiveness of OFE training for improving the health of healthy community-dwelling middle and older adults.

Changes in life satisfaction, depression, general health and sleep quality of Spanish older women during COVID-19 lockdown and their relationship with lifestyle: an observational follow-up study.

OBJETIVES: To analyse the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on mental well-being variables of older women, and to determine the influence of lifestyle and age on such effects. The hypothesis of the study was that all parameters related to mental well-being would worsen in older women during the COVID-19 lockdown. DESIGN: Observational follow-up study. Pre lockdown measurements were taken before the lockdown. Post lockdown measurements were taken as soon as began the de-escalation. SETTING: Senior centres in the Region of Murcia (Spain). PARTICIPANTS: The sample was composed of 40 older women volunteers, over 54 years of age (mean age=62.35±8.15 years). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Pre lockdown and post lockdown evaluations were carried out face to face. The following questionnaires were completed: Satisfaction with Life Scale, The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, The Short Form 36 Health Survey, The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and Prevention with Mediterranean Diet. RESULTS: Post lockdown, a worsening was found in the variables of life satisfaction (p=0.001); depression (p<0.001), quality of life in physical role (p=0.006), pain (p=0.004), emotional role (p<0.001) and mental health (p<0.001); and sleep quality (p=0.018), sleep latency (p=0.004), sleep disturbances (p=0.002) and global sleep quality score (p=0.002). It was found how age influenced the variables of pain (p=0.003) and social role (p=0.047), as well as the influence of a healthy lifestyle on the variables analysed (F=6.214; p=0.017). Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was shown to be a protective factor against increased depression (p=0.03). Spending time sitting was shown to be a risk factor for physical role health (p=0.002), as was advanced age on health due to worsening pain (p=0.005), or an unhealthy lifestyle on increased consumption of sleeping aids (p=0.017). CONCLUSION: The lockdown had a great negative impact on Spanish older women on mental well-being variables. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04958499.

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on health parameters and muscle strength of older women: A longitudinal study.

OBJETIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of a 13-week COVID-19 lockdown on health-related parameters in women aged 60-70 years. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty women participated in this longitudinal study. All the assessments were performed before and 13 weeks after the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain (March to June 2020). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A sociodemographic questionnaire was provided, and tests were performed to assess muscle strength, anthropometric measurements, densitometry, blood pressure, blood parameters, Mediterranean diet adherence, and physical activity levels. RESULTS: After the lockdown, both healthy and unhealthy lifestyle groups showed a significant worsening of HDL, cholesterol/HDL lipids, and isometric knee extension strength parameters. However, individuals with an unhealthy lifestyle also showed a significant worsening in LDL lipids, Non-HDL lipids, bone mineral density of the femoral neck, fat mass/height (%), truncal fat mass (absolute and percentage), total fat mass (absolute and percentage) and handgrip strength. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the overall health status of Spanish older women, potentially increasing their susceptibility to comorbidities, such as lipid cholesterol, body fat, and decreased muscle strength.

Sagittal spine disposition and pelvic tilt during outdoor fitness equipment use and their associations with kinanthropometry proportions in middle-aged and older adults.

BACKGROUND: Outdoor fitness training has become popular as a tool for improving the health, especially middle-aged and older adults. For this purpose, outdoor fitness equipment (OFE) have been installed in public areas. However, their safety and effectiveness are still unknown. The aim of the present research was to analyze the sagittal disposition of the spine and pelvic tilt during the use of OFE, and to determine the influence of anthropometric variables on these factors in middle-aged and older adults. METHODS: Seventy healthy volunteers, 56 women and 14 men (age: 63.14 ± 8.19 years) participated in the study. Sagittal spine disposition and pelvic tilt were measured using a Spinal Mouse®, in the relaxed standing position, and during the use of the OFE. In addition, kinanthropometry variables were also measured according to the guidelines of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry. RESULTS: Regarding thoracic kyphosis, a significant decrease was found in thoracic kyphosis in the initial position (IP) in single bonny rider (SBR) (p = 0.006) and row (p = 0.046), and a significant increase in the final position (FP) in the row (p = 0.011), surfboard (p < 0.001) and air walker (p = 0.027) machines. In relation to the lumbar curvature and pelvic tilt, a significant decrease in lumbar lordosis and a decrease in pelvic anteversion were observed in the IP and FP in SBR and row; and in the bike (p < 0.001) machine. In the surfboard machine, a significant decrease in lumbar lordosis was found (p = 0.002), with no changes in pelvic tilt. According to the multiple linear regression analysis, the subjects with a higher cormic index and height were more at risk of increasing their thoracic kyphosis, decreasing lumbar lordosis and/or decreasing pelvic anteversion towards pelvic retroversion. CONCLUSIONS: Middle-aged and older adults show spinal misalignments when using the OFE with respect to the standing position, showing a decrease in the thoracic kyphosis in IP of SBR and ROW, and a significant increase in the surfboard and air walker, and in the FP of Row, in the lumbar lordosis in all the OFE in sitting and some in standing, and in the pelvic anteversion in all the OFE in sitting. The variables height and the cormic index explained most of the changes in sagittal spine disposition.

COVID-19 and Social Isolation: A Case for Why Home-Based Resistance Training Is Needed to Maintain Musculoskeletal and Psychosocial Health for Older Adults.

The coronavirus disease outbreak in China has become the world's leading health headline and is causing major panic and public concerns. Public health guidelines in many countries are suggesting that people stay at home to avoid human-to-human transmission of the virus, which may lead to reduced physical activity and greater feelings of isolation. Such effects may be particularly problematic in older adults due to their reduced physical capacities and their potential for increased mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. A potential way to minimize many of these side effects of stay-at-home guidelines may be progressive home-based resistance training. A simple way to provide progressive overload in home-based resistance training may involve elastic resistance, which has been demonstrated to provide similar benefits to traditional resistance training equipment typically found in gymnasiums. Recommendations on how older adults can safely and effectively perform elastic resistance training at home are provided.

Association among Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Cardiovascular, Obesity, and Anthropometric Variables of Overweight and Obese Middle-Aged and Older Adults.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the independent and combined associations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (AMedDiet), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and different parameters of overweight and obese middle-aged and older adults. Sixty-two participants were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Fat mass was measured with Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. AMedDiet and physical activity (PA) were assessed with the PREDIMED and Global PA Questionnaire (GPAQ). Maximal aerobic power was assessed using the 6-min walk test. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure (BP) were measured with Omron M6, and double product (DP) and mean BP (MBP) were calculated. Kinanthropometry proportionality variables related to obesity were also calculated. Participants with a low CRF as an independent factor or together with a low AMedDiet obtained significantly higher BP, total and trunk fat mass, and proportionality variables (all p ˂ 0.0001). According to the multiple nonlinear regression analysis, Vo2max, AMedDiet, and sex explained 53.4% of SBP, with this formula: 238.611 - (3.63*Vo2max) + (0.044*Vo2max2) - (13.051*AMedDiet) + (0.68*AMedDiet2) + (12.887*sex). SBP and p rediction SBP with the new formula showed a correlation of 0.731 (p ˂ 0.0001); showing a difference between the values of -0.278 (p = 0.883). In conclusion, CRF as an independent factor and combined with AMedDiet can be associated with BP, body composition, and proportionality in overweight and obese middle-aged and older adults.