Mat Pilates improves lower and upper body strength and flexibility in breast cancer survivors undergoing hormone therapy: a randomized controlled trial (HAPiMat study).

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of 24 weeks of Mat Pilates in breast cancer survivors (BCS) undergoing hormone therapy on lower and upper body muscle strength parameters and flexibility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three BCS (≥40 years) with confirmed breast cancer stage 0-III undergoing hormone therapy were included. Participants were randomized into Mat Pilates (three times/week, 60 min session) or control group (relaxation activities every two weeks). The difficulty and number of exercise repetitions were increased over the weeks. Assessments were performed at three times points (baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks). The generalized estimating equations (GEE) model was used to compare each outcome measure during the analysis of intention to treat (ITT) and "Per protocol analysis" (PPA). RESULTS: The Pilates group presented significantly increased (p < 0.05) isometric flexor-extensor PT, and concentric and eccentric flexor PT and mechanical work (MW) after the intervention. Most of the upper body strength parameters, time to achieve maximal force (TFmax), maximal force (Fmax), and rapid force index (RFI) and right-left upper and lower body flexibility (p < 0.05) also improved. CONCLUSIONS: From our findings, we conclude that 24 and 12-weeks of Mat Pilates induced strength and flexibility gains for lower and upper body, respectively.Implications for rehabilitationMat Pilates can be adapted to the fitness level of breast cancer survivors, with a great variety of exercises that can be performed using a mat only or a few pieces of equipment.Patients can practice at home to gain different health benefits (i.e., increasing strength, flexibility, and functional capacity level), which could positively impact on quality of life.Mat Pilates performed three times per week with systematized increments in exercise level, load, and volume throughout the intervention was effective to improve hip extensor-flexor muscles peak torque and mechanical work at different muscle contractions, as well as upper and lower body flexibility.Mat Pilates was also able to improve right-left shoulder abductor and trunk extensor muscles strength parameters after 12 weeks of intervention, as well as both surgery and non-surgery sides of the upper body.

Resistance training using different elastic components offers similar gains on muscle strength to weight machine equipment in Individuals with COPD: A randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: To compare the effects of three modalities of resistance training, two using elastic components and one using conventional weight machine on peripheral muscle strength in Individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Effects on exercise capacity, impact of disease on health status, body composition and daily level of physical activity were investigated as secondary endpoints.Methods: Forty-eight participants were randomly allocated (Trials Registry #RBR-6V9SJJ) into Elastic band group (Theraband®) (EBG), Elastic tubes training using Lemgruber® (ETG), and Conventional training with weight machine equipment (CG). Participants were evaluated before and after 12 weeks of training regarding peripheral muscle strength by dynamometry; impact of disease on health status via COPD Assessment Test, CAT; exercise capacity by 6-min walk test, 6MWT; body composition by bioelectrical impedance; and daily level of physical activities via accelerometry.Results: Inter-group comparison of training effects did not elucidate significant differences between the modalities in muscle strength (p ≥ .2). Likewise, all training modalities showed similar effects on CAT, body composition and daily physical activity variables with no statistical significance observed (p ≥ .15).Conclusions: Modalities of resistance training using elastic components presented similar effects on muscle strength, health status, exercise capacity, body composition and daily level of physical activity in individuals with COPD. The effects of elastic resistance were similar to conventional resistance training.

Occupational and leisure-time physical activity decreases the odds of disability in older adults: Prospective study.

AbstractAging decreases physical function which can increase dependence in activities of daily living (ADL) and disability. However, physical activity (PA) may improve physical function and prevent disability in older adults. In addition, it is important to emphasize that research concerning the domains in which PA is practiced and the benefits for physical function of older adults is also important for the elaboration of preventative health measures for this population. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyse the association of total PA and PA in different domains and odds of disability in older adults in a 24-month follow-up. The study included 211 older adults, aged ≥60 years (72 ± 7 years, 72% women). Handgrip strength was measured using a digital dynamometer, gait speed and chair stand by functional tests. PA and dependence in ADL were self-reported. Older adults who remained sufficiently active in the occupational (OR:0.11;CI95%:0.01-0.93, OR:0.21;CI95%:0.07-0.69, and OR:0.13;CI95%:0.05-0.34) domain presented protection for high dependence in basic (BADL), instrumental (IADL) and advanced (AADL), respectively, as well as in total ADL (OR:0.25;CI95%:0.07-0.92). Older adults who remained sufficiently active in the leisure-time exercise (OR:0.28;CI95%:0.11-0.72, OR:0.44;CI95%:0.20-0.93 and OR:0.15;CI95%:0.04-0.49) domain presented protection for high dependence in IADL, AADL and total ADL, respectively. Moreover, older adults who remained sufficiently active in total PA (OR:0.11;CI95%:0.01-0.94, OR:0.30;CI95%:0.11-0.80 and OR:0.21CI95%:0.10-0.46) presented protection for high dependence in BADL, IADL and AADL, respectively, as well as in total ADL (OR:0.28;CI95%:0.09-0.86). The odds of disability are lower in older adults who are sufficiently active, especially in occupational and leisure-time exercise domains.

Physical Activity Decreases the Risk of Sarcopenia and Sarcopenic Obesity in Older Adults with the Incidence of Clinical Factors: 24-Month Prospective Study.

Background/Study: The occurrence of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity (SO) may be associated with modifiable behavioral factors such as insufficient physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the association of total physical activity (PA) and its different domains, as well as sedentary behavior with sarcopenia and SO in older adults with the incidence of clinical factors.Methods: Body composition was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), handgrip strength by dynamometer, physical function by physical tests, and PA and sedentary behavior were self-reported.Results: Older adults with low gait speed (HR = 5.99, 95%CI = 2.07-17.24 and HR = 4.44, 95%CI = 1.37-14.41) and insufficiently active in the occupational domain presented a higher risk of sarcopenia, independent of others PA domains, total PA and sedentary behavior. Older adults with low muscle mass (HR = 3.71, 95%CI = 1.15-11.96), low gait speed (HR = 4.15, 95%CI = 1.38-12.50), and high body fat (HR = 3.82; 95%CI = 1.18-12.37) and insufficiently active in the locomotion domain presented a higher risk of SO, independent of sex and age.Conclusion: The risk of sarcopenia and SO is higher in older adults with the incidence of clinical factors who are insufficiently active in the occupational and locomotion domains, respectively.