Association between physical activity measured by accelerometry and cognitive function in older adults: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze studies that investigated the association between physical activity assessed by accelerometry and cognitive function in older people. METHODS: A systematic review was carried out in four electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and SportsDiscus). RESULTS: In total, 195 records were identified. Fifty-two studies were selected for a full evaluation; 23 were selected according to the inclusion criteria adopted and divided into four chapters (characteristics of the studies, the association between physical activity level and cognitive function decline, effects of physical activity in reducing the chances of cognitive function decline and effects of physical activity on brain plasticity. The cross-sectional studies had an average score of 7 points, and the cohort studies obtained 10 points, indicating the high quality of the selected studies. Seven studies indicated an association between Moderate to vigorous physical activities (MVPA) and cognitive function, two specifically indicated a reduction in the chances of cognitive function decline according to the interquartile of MVPA, and three studies indicated improvements in MVPA in brain plasticity. CONCLUSION: Measured by accelerometry, seems to be favorably associated with important outcomes in cognitive function assessed through questionnaires, imaging analyses, and biochemical markers with older adults.

Changes in anxiety and depression levels after two exercises programs with women attending the Health Academy Program / Mudanças nos níveis de ansiedade e depressão após dois programas de exercícios com mulheres participantes do Programa Academia de Saúde

This study investigated changes in anxiety and depression symptoms after two exercise programs with adult women attending the Health Academy Program. Based on non-probabilistic sampling, a total of 93 adult women (aged range: 19­77 years) were recruited into two health units, selected to receive exercise programs with continuous (CT; n = 53) or intermittent (IT; n = 40) characteristics. The activ-ities were supervised for six months (twice a week; ~60 min) by a physical education professional. The primary outcome of the study was the assessment of the level of changes of anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale. Physical function was assessed by a 1-mile walk test, handgrip strength, and sit-to-stand test. No significant group-by-time interaction was observed for any of the investigated outcomes. Regarding the comparisons between moments, there were sig-nificant improvements in anxiety (F = 16.52; p = <0.001; ηp2 = 0.15) and depression scores (F = 9.29; p = 0.003; ηp2 = 0.09). Furthermore, there were significant improvements in the one mile walk test (F = 70.36; p = <0.001; ηp2 = 0.44), sit-to-stand test (F = 141.53; p = <0.001; ηp2 = 0.61) and handgrip strength performance (F = 10.12; p = 0.002; ηp2 = 0.10). In conclusion, both exercise programs were equally effective in promoting beneficial changes on anxiety, depression levels, and improved physical function in women attending the Health Academy Program. Therefore, the decision to choose which protocol to use should be based on community preference and practical considerations

Este estudo investigou mudanças nos sintomas de ansiedade e depressão após dois programas de exercícios com mulheres adultas participantes do Programa Academia da Saúde. Com base em amostragem não probabi-lística, um total de 93 mulheres adultas (faixa etária: 19 a 77 anos) foram recrutadas em duas unidades de saúde, selecionadas para receber programas de exercícios físicos com características contínua (CT; n = 53) ou intermitente (IT; n = 40). As atividades foram supervisionadas durante seis meses (duas vezes por semana; ~60 min) por um profissional de educação física. O desfecho primário do estudo foi a avaliação do nível de alterações de ansiedade e depressão por meio da escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão. A função física foi avaliada por meio do teste de caminhada de 1 milha, força de preensão manual e teste de sentar e levantar. Nenhuma interação grupo-por-tempo significativa foi observada para qualquer um dos resultados investigados. Em relação às comparações entre os momentos, houve melhora significativa nos escores de ansiedade (F = 16,52; p = <0,001; ηp2 = 0,15) e depressão (F = 9,29; p = 0,003; ηp2 = 0,09). Além disso, houve melhorias significativas no teste de caminhada de 1 milha (F = 70,36; p = <0,001; ηp2 = 0,44), teste de sentar e levantar (F = 141,53; p = <0,001; ηp2 = 0,61) e desempenho de força de preensão manual (F = 10,12; p = 0,002; ηp2 = 0,10). Em conclusão, ambos os programas de exercícios foram igualmente eficazes na promoção de mudanças benéficas nos níveis de ansiedade, depressão e melhora da função física em mulheres participantes do Programa Academia de Saúde. Portanto, a decisão de escolher qual protocolo aplicar deve ser baseada na preferência da comunidade e em considerações práticas

The effect of physical activity on total homocysteine concentrations and cardiovascular risk in older Brazilian adults with type 2 diabetes.

A low level of physical activity has a potential association with high levels of homocysteine, which implies an increased chance of older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the effects of physical activity on homocysteine levels have been poorly explored in the literature. Therefore, this study compared homocysteine levels and cardiovascular risk among physically active and inactive older women with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Fifty-nine women with type 2 diabetes mellitus, between 60 and 91 years old, were evaluated. The level of physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) long version to identify active and inactive older women. Blood samples were collected and anthropometric, body composition, and blood pressure measurements were performed to determine homocysteine levels and cardiovascular risk. The results demonstrated that active older women with type 2 diabetes mellitus have lower homocysteine values (F = 17.79, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.238), cardiovascular risk scores (F = 15.84, p = p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.217), and waist circumferences (F = 2.95, p = 0.013, ηp2 = 0.049) when compared with inactive older women. It was concluded that there was a difference in the levels of homocysteine, cardiovascular risk, and waist circumference between active and inactive older women with type 2 diabetes. Active older women are less likely to have cardiovascular risk than inactive older women.

Relação entre a obesidade e hipertensão arterial com a força de preensão palmar relativa em mulheres adultas usuárias do sus: um estudo transversal / Relationship between obesity and arterial hypertension with relative handgrip strength in adult women users of sus: a cross-sectional study

A avaliação da força de preensão palmar é considerada um indicador simples, de baixo custo e que pode ser utilizada como um marcador de saúde geral de pessoas atendidas pela atenção básica. O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar a associação entre os índices de obesidade e hipertensão arterial sistêmica com a força de preensão palmar relativa em mulheres adultas. Foi realizado um estudo transversal com 258 mulheres, com idade entre 18 e 59 anos, usuárias do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Foram avaliadas a pressão arterial de repouso, força de preensão palmar, medidas antropométricas e obtidas informações sociodemográficas. A força de preensão palmar relativa pelo peso corporal (kgf/kg) foi categorizada como baixa (tercil inferior) e normal (tercil intermediário e superior). Análise de regressão logística múltipla usando a classificação de baixa força muscular como variável dependente, foi utilizada para verificar a relação com as variáveis de obesidade e hipertensão arterial. A prevalência de obesidade (IMC ≥ 30 kg/m2 ), obesidade abdominal (circunferência de cintura ≥ 88 cm), níveis pressóricos alto em repouso (≥ 130/80 mmHg) e uso de medicamento anti-hipertensivo foi de 58,9%, 58,5%, 42,2% e 32,6%, respectivamente. Foi observado associação positiva entre obesidade (OR: 9,36 [IC 95%: 3,07 - 28,51]) e obesidade abdominal (OR: 21,75 [IC 95%: 4,90 - 96,43]) com baixa força muscular relativa, após ajustes de idade e fatores sociodemográficos. Mulheres que apresentavam níveis pressóricos alto em repouso tiveram 2,02 (IC 95% 1,03; 3,96) vezes mais chances de ter baixa força muscular relativa, independentemente da idade, fatores sociodemográficos e obesidade. Em adição, mulheres que utilizavam anti-hipertensivos apresentaram 2,77 (IC 95%: 1,42; 5,41) vezes mais chances de ter baixa força muscular relativa. Em conclusão, mulheres adultas que possuem maiores índices de obesidade, pressão arterial em repouso e que usam anti-hipertensivo tendem apresentar baixa força de preensão palmar relativa.(AU)

The assessment of handgrip strength is considered a simple, low-cost indicator that can be used as a general health marker for people assisted by primary care. The current study aims to analyze the association between obesity index and systemic arterial hypertension with the relative handgrip strength in adult women. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 258 women aged between 18 and 59 years, users of the Unified Health System (SUS). Resting blood pressure, handgrip strength, anthropometric measurements, and sociodemographic information were assessed. The relative handgrip strength by body weight (kgf/kg) was categorized as low (lower tertile) and standard (intermediate and upper tertile). Multiple logistic regression analysis using the classification of low muscle strength as a dependent variable was used to verify the relationship between obesity and hypertension. The prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 ), abdominal obesity (waist circumference ≥ 88 cm), high blood pressure levels at rest (≥ 130/80 mmHg), and use of antihypertensive medication was 58.9%, 58.5%, 42.2%, and 32.6%, respectively. A positive association was observed between obesity (OR: 9.36 [95% CI: 3.07 - 28.51]) and abdominal obesity (OR: 21.75 [95% CI: 4.90 - 96.43]) with low relative muscle strength, after age adjustments and sociodemographic factors. Women who had high blood pressure levels at rest were 2.02 (95% CI 1.03; 3.96) times more likely to have low relative muscle strength, regardless of age, sociodemographic factors, and obesity. Besides, women who used antihypertensive drugs were 2.77 (95% CI: 1.42; 5.41) times more likely to have low relative muscle strength. In conclusion, adult women who have higher obesity rates, resting blood pressure, and who use antihypertensive drugs tend to have low relative handgrip strength.(AU)

Associations between sociodemographic factors and physical activity and sedentary behaviors in adults with chronic diseases during COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) may be affecting the physical activity (PA) level in much of the population. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of physical inactivity and sedentary behavior (SB) among adults with chronic diseases and their associations with sociodemographic factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study included 249 participants (age: 18-91 years; 61.4% female) with chronic conditions and attended the Family Health Strategy program in a small town in Brazil. Data were collected between 2020-07-13 and 2020-07-24 by face-to-face interviews. Self-reported PA, sitting time, chronic diseases, medication use, sociodemographic data, and self-isolation adherence were obtained by questionnaire. During this specific time point of the COVID-19 pandemic, 71.5% of participants did not meet the PA recommendations (≥500 METs-min/week), and the prevalence of SB risk (≥4 h sitting) was 62.7%. Adjusted logistic regression indicated that male participants (odds ratio [OR]: 1.89 [95% CI 1.02-3.53]), living alone (OR: 2.92 [95% CI 1.03-8.30]) or in a two-person household (OR: 2.32 [95% CI 1.16-4.63]), and those who reported sometimes performing self-isolation (OR: 3.07 [95% CI 1.47-6.40]) were more likely to meet the minimum PA recommendations. Current smokers had a lower odds (OR: 0.36 [95% CI 0.14-0.95]) of meeting the PA recommendations. Older participants (OR: 2.18 [95% CI 1.06-4.50]) and those who had multimorbidity (OR: 1.92 [95% CI 1.07-3.44]) were more likely to have a higher degree of SB. There is an urgent need to mitigate physical inactivity and SB, and public health interventions must take into account sociodemographic status.