Associations Between Depressive Symptoms and Physical Activity Intensity in an Older Adult Population During COVID-19 Lockdown.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic led to the implementation of physical-social distancing measures-including self-isolation, home confinement, and quarantine around the world, with psychological consequences such as depression. Older adults are especially likely to develop depressive symptomatology. This study aims to investigate the association between physical activity intensities and sedentary behavior with depression levels among previously active older adults during the COVID-19 lockdown. METHODS: A total of 1,123 physically active older Brazilian adults (67.68 ± 5.91 years, 91.00% female) were interviewed by telephone in regard to sociodemographic, general health status, depression (GDS-15), and physical activity (IPAQ-SV) after being home-confined for 11.59 ± 2.42 weeks. Participants were also asked to self-report changes in their physical activity levels and time spent sitting. Descriptive statistics (mean, frequencies), between-groups comparisons (t-tests and chi-square), and hierarchical regression analysis were used. RESULTS: About 83.80% of older adults self-reported a decrease in daily physical activity levels and 73.90% increased sitting time. Overall, depressive symptoms were observed in 30.40, and 20.80% met physical activity recommendations. Daily moderate (ß = -0.174; 95% CI = -0.026; -0.012) and moderate-to-vigorous (ß = -0.183; 95% CI = -0.023; 0.011) physical activity intensities were negatively associated with depression score explaining 2.6 and 2.9% of depression variability, respectively, after adjusting for age, gender, education level, body mass index, and polypharmacy. Daily walking and sitting time were not associated with the depression score (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results provide empiric suggestion supporting moderate to vigorous physical activity as a way to reduce depressive levels among older adults during COVID-19 confinement. Supervised home-based exercise programs, specifically designed for older adults, might be an important strategy to maintain and improve older adults' mental health.

Active Older Adults Keep Aerobic Capacity and Experience Small Reductions in Body Strength During Confinement Due to COVID-19 Outbreak.

The objective of this study was to observe the home-confinement effects on physical fitness, physical activity (PA), and body composition in active older adults, and to compare physical fitness and PA according to quality of life (QoL) during confinement. A total of 72 physically active older adults (61.1% females; 74.24 ± 5.57 years) were assessed pre- and postconfinement for aerobic capacity (6-min walk test), lower (30-s sit-to-stand), and upper (30-s arm-curl) body strength, PA (short-version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire), and QoL (EQ-5D-visual analogue scale). The pre- and postconfinement comparisons show declines in upper (-2.24 ± 0.45 repetitions; p < .001; η2 = .276) and lower body strength (-2.65 ± 0.42 repetitions; p < .001; η2 = .378) in both genders, but not in aerobic capacity. Ninety percentage of older adults perceived a decline in PA. Older adults reporting high QoL increased 19.27 ± 97.04 m in the 6-min walk test, while the participants with low QoL reduced 28.32 ± 63.27 m (p = .018; η2 = .090). Previously active older adults did not have their aerobic capacity decrease significantly despite a decline in upper and lower body strength during an 11-week home confinement period.

Walking as a Mediator of the Relationship of Social Support With Vitality and Psychological Distress in Older Adults.

This study examined the mediating effect of walking on the relationship of social support with vitality and psychological distress. Data from a sample of 2,859 older adults were used. The older adults completed the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey vitality scale, the Global Health Questionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and a social support attributes questionnaire. All social support variables were positively associated with vitality and negatively associated with psychological distress. Walking mediated the associations of appreciation for (3%) and frequency of (8%) social contacts, participation in group activities (19%), closeness from family and friends (8%), and concern from people around (6%) with vitality. Walking also mediated 33% of the association between participation in group activities and psychological distress. The main findings of this study suggest that participation in group activities, as part of social support, in later life is beneficial to improve older adults' vitality and reduces psychological distress, with walking being a strong mediator of these relationships.

Physical benefits and reduction of depressive symptoms among the elderly: results from the Portuguese "National Walking Program".

The aim of this study was to investigate alterations in physical fitness and anthropometric parameters as well as depression symptoms among the elderly after participation in the "National Walking Program" (Portugal). The sample consisted of 26 elderly people over six months with a total of 72 exercise sessions. The exercise sessions consisted of aerobics (walking and running) and strength and flexibility exercises. Participants were assessed pre- and post-intervention for physical fitness with the Rikli & Jones test. The anthropometric measurements were assessed with a bioimpedance scale and a stadiometer, and depression with Yesavage's Geriatric Depression Scale. Physical activity was only assessed with an accelerometer at the pre-intervention phase. For statistical analysis, the student t test for paired samples was performed using SPSS 21 software. Statistically significant improvements were found in depressive symptoms (p ≤ 0.001), and in all physical fitness tests (p ≤ 0.05) except for flexibility tests (p ≥ 0.05). Waist circumference reduction also showed the positive effects of the intervention (p = 0.031). The conclusion drawn is that participation in the "National Walking Program" for 6 months was effective in improving the physical and psychological health of the elderly.

Physical benefits and reduction of depressive symptoms among the elderly: Results from the Portuguese "National Walking Program" / Benefícios físicos e redução de sintomas depressivos em idosos: resultados do Programa Nacional de Caminhada Português

The aim of this study was to investigate alterations in physical fitness and anthropometric parameters as well as depression symptoms among the elderly after participation in the "National Walking Program" (Portugal). The sample consisted of 26 elderly people over six months with a total of 72 exercise sessions. The exercise sessions consisted of aerobics (walking and running) and strength and flexibility exercises. Participants were assessed pre- and post-intervention for physical fitness with the Rikli & Jones test. The anthropometric measurements were assessed with a bioimpedance scale and a stadiometer, and depression with Yesavage's Geriatric Depression Scale. Physical activity was only assessed with an accelerometer at the pre-intervention phase. For statistical analysis, the student t test for paired samples was performed using SPSS 21 software. Statistically significant improvements were found in depressive symptoms (p ≤ 0.001), and in all physical fitness tests (p ≤ 0.05) except for flexibility tests (p ≥ 0.05). Waist circumference reduction also showed the positive effects of the intervention (p = 0.031). The conclusion drawn is that participation in the "National Walking Program" for 6 months was effective in improving the physical and psychological health of the elderly.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar as alterações nos idosos após a participação no Programa Nacional de Marcha e Corrida de Portugal, em relação ao nível de aptidão física, medidas antropométricas, bem como os sintomas depressivos. Fizeram parte da amostra 26 idosos por um período de 6 meses com total de 72 aulas, que foram conduzidas com exercícios aeróbicos (marcha e corrida), de força e flexibilidade. Os dados de aptidão física foram mensurados pelo teste de Rikli & Jones, os dados antropométricos através de balança de bioimpedância/estadiômetro e a depressão pela Escala de Depressão Geriatria de Yesavage, estas informações foram coletadas pré e pós-intervenção. O nível de atividade física foi avaliado por acelerômetro apenas na pré-intervenção. Para as análises estatísticas foi utilizado o programa SPSS através do teste t-Student para amostras pareadas. Encontramos uma melhora significativa no pré para o pós-teste nos sintomas depressivos (p ≤ 0.001) e em todos os testes de aptidão física (p ≤ 0.05), com exceção dos de flexibilidade (p ≥ 0.05). A redução da circunferência da cintura também demonstrou os efeitos positivos da intervenção (p = 0.031). Podemos concluir que a participação no programa de Marcha e Corrida durante 6 meses foi eficaz na melhora da saúde física e psicológica do idoso.

Association between sodium intake and hydration status amongst community-dwelling elderly people / Asociación entre la ingesta de sodio y el estado de hidratación en personas mayores que viven en centros comunitarios

Dehydration is a common condition in older people and it has been associated with the development of many diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the association between hydration status in community-dwelling elderly people. Data were gathered in 74 community-dwelling elderly individuals (28 males) and included the collection of 24-h urine samples, which were screened for validity using 24-h urinary creatinine excretion in relation to body weight, anthropometric, physical activity, and sociodemographic variables. Hydration status was assessed using urinary indicators (24-h volume, osmolality and urine specific gravity) and sodium intake was assessed by 24-h urinary sodium excretion. Linear regression analysis was performed to quantify the association between sodium excretion (independent variables) and hydration biomarkers (dependent variables). No significant differences were found between males and females in 24-h urine volume (1,982.5 ± 654.5 mL vs 1,832.0 ± 655.8 mL, p = 0.341), 24-h urine osmolality (454.0 ± 158.5 mOsm/kg vs 402.7 ± 149.4 mOsm/kg, p = 0.204) and 24-h urine specific gravity (1.015 ± 0.006 vs 1.013 ± 0.005, p = 0.131). Urine volume and osmolality showed a positive and significant association with sodium excretion (= 0.314, 95%CI: 0.095,0.562 and = 0.390, 95%CI: 0.195,0.679, respectively), even after adjusting for confounders (age, sex, body mass index, and physical activity). Our findings showed that community-dwelling elderly individuals with a higher level of sodium intake had a higher 24-h urine volume and a higher 24-h urine osmolality. These findings suggest that a higher sodium intake is associated with a poorer hydration status in this elderly population, assessed by urine osmolality (AU)

La deshidratación es un problema común en las personas mayores y ha sido asociado con el desarrollo de muchas enfermedades. El objetivo de este estudio consiste en la evaluación de la asociación entre la ingesta de socio y el estado de hidratación en personas mayores que viven en centros comunitarios. Los datos fueron recopilados a partir de 74 personas mayores que vivían en centros comunitarios (28 varones) e incluyeron tomas de muestras de orina de 24h, que fueron examinadas para determinar su validez empleando excreción urinaria de creatinina de 24h en relación con variables de peso corporal, antropometría, actividad física y variables sociodemográficas. El estado de hidratación fue evaluado empleando indicadores urinarios (volumen en 24h, osmolalidad y gravedad específica de la orina) y la ingesta de sodio fue evaluada mediante excreción urinaria de sodio de 24h. Se realizó un análisis de regresión lineal para cuantificar la asociación entre excreción de sodio (variables independientes) y biomarcadores de hidratación (variables dependientes). No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre varones y mujeres en el volumen de orina de 24h (1.982,5 ± 654,5 mL vs 1.832,0 ± 655,8 mL, p = 0,341), 24-h orina osmolalidad (454,0 ± 158,5 mOsm/kg vs 402,7 ± 149,4 mOsm/kg, p= 0,204) y gravedad específica de la orina en 24h (1,015 ±0,006 vs 1,013 ± 0,005, p = 0,131). El volumen de orina y la osmolalidad mostraron una asociación positiva y significativa con la excreción de sodio (= 0,314, 95% CI: 0,095, 0,562 y = 0,390, 95% CI: 0,195, 0,679, respectivamente), incluso después de ajustar factores de distorsión (edad, sexo, índice de masa corporal y actividad física). Nuestros resultados demostraron que las personas mayores en centros comunitarios, con un mayor nivel de ingesta de sodio, tenían un mayor volumen de orina de 24h y una mayor osmolalidad de la orina de 24-h. Estos resultados sugieren que una mayor ingesta de sodio estaría asociada a un peor estado de hidratación en esta población de mayores, evaluado mediante la osmolalidad de la orina (AU)