Effects of concurrent exercise on health-related quality of life in middle-aged women.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of a 16-week concurrent exercise program on health-related quality of life in middle-aged women. METHODS: A total of 150 middle-aged women from the FLAMENCO project (age range 45-60 years) were randomized into a counseling (n = 75) or an exercise (n = 75) group. The exercise group followed a 16-week (3 days/week, 60 min/session) concurrent exercise program (aerobic + resistance training). The counseling group attended conferences on a healthy lifestyle. Participants' health-related quality of life was assessed with the EuroQol plus, a visual analog scale and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), where greater values indicate a better health-related quality of life. RESULTS: The visual analog scale increased by 9.0% in the exercise group, whereas it only increased by 3.5% in the counseling group (p = 0.040). The SF-36 physical function, physical role, bodily pain, vitality and emotional role increased by 5.5%, 11.3%, 10.8%, 9.6% and 8.9%, respectively, in the exercise group, whereas these only increased by 0.6%, decreased by 0.7% and increased by 1.4%, 3.8% and 0.6% in the counseling group (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a 16-week concurrent exercise program adapted for midlife women improved their health-related quality of life. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT02358109. Date of registration: 05/02/2015.

Effects of concurrent exercise on cardiometabolic status during perimenopause: the FLAMENCO Project.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of a 4-month concurrent exercise training program on cardiometabolic status in perimenopausal women. METHODS: The participants (n = 150) were randomized into counseling (n = 75) and exercise (n = 75) groups. The exercise group followed 4-month (3 days/week, 60 min/session) concurrent training. The counseling group attended conferences on a healthy lifestyle. We determined plasma glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, and C-reactive protein, and measured blood pressure and the resting heart rate. RESULTS: In the per-protocol analyses, the exercise group showed lower LDL-C concentrations than the counseling group when the model was further adjusted for the baseline values and diet (10.2 mg/dl; 95% confidence interval -19.4, -0.96; p = 0.031). Borderline significant total cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure were reduced in both groups with better results in exercise group (p = 0.068 and p = 0.090, respectively). CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that the concurrent exercise training program could improve plasma glucose, lipid profile, CRP, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures in the exercise group. These results also suggest the importance of a healthy diet and active behavior during menopause, as improvements in both the exercise and the counseling group were observed. Future analysis should combine both interventions in search of better results.

Association of objectively measured physical activity and physical fitness with menopause symptoms. The Flamenco Project.

OBJECTIVE: The primary aim was to analyze the association of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with menopause symptomatology and its overall impact. A secondary/exploratory aim was to assess the association of different components of physical fitness with menopause symptomatology. METHODS: This cross-sectional study comprised 191 perimenopausal women from Southern Spain (age range 45-60 years, mean age 52.6 ± 4.5 years). The Blatt-Kupperman Menopausal Index was used to evaluate menopause symptomatology. Objectively measured MVPA was registered with accelerometry. Physical fitness was assessed with the Senior Fitness Test battery plus handgrip strength and sit-and-reach tests. RESULTS: After adjustment for multiple confounders, MVPA was only inversely associated with vertigo (r = -0.185, p < 0.05) and palpitations (r = -0.148, p < 0.05). Upper-body flexibility was inversely associated with the Blatt-Kupperman Menopausal Index global score (r = -0.147, p < 0.05). This test was also inversely associated with vertigo (r = -0.230, p < 0.01) and arthralgia (r = -0.168, p < 0.05). Lower-body muscle strength was associated with lower nervousness (r = -0.171, p < 0.05). Cardiorespiratory fitness was inversely associated with paresthesia (r = -0.158, p < 0.05), vertigo (r = -0.219, p < 0.01), fatigue (r = -0.159, p < 0.05) and arthralgia (r = -0.180, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The main findings of the present study indicate a weak association of objectively measured MVPA with menopause symptomatology. Exploratory analyses suggest that upper-body flexibility was associated with slightly lower overall menopause impact whereas neither MVPA nor any physical fitness components studied were associated with vasomotor symptoms.

Efectos del ejercicio aeróbico interválico, combinado con entrenamiento de fuerza y de la restricción calórica, sobre la composición corporal de ratas obesas / Efeitos do exercício aeróbico intervalado combinado com o treinamento de Resistencia e restrição calórica, na composição de ratas obesas / Effects of aerobic interval exercise combined with resistance training and caloric restriction, on body composition in obese rats

Objetivo. Investigar los efectos de un programa de ejercicio aeróbico interválico, combinado con entrenamiento de fuerza, y de la restricción calórica, sobre el peso y la composición corporal de ratas genéticamente obesas. Método. Un total de 32 ratas genéticamente obesas fueron divididas aleatoriamente en dos grupos (n=16) con o sin ejercicio aeróbico interválico combinado con entrenamiento de fuerza. A su vez, cada grupo, con o sin ejercicio aeróbico interválico combinado con entrenamiento de fuerza, fue dividido en dos grupos, con o sin restricción calórica, resultando cuatro grupos de intervención (n=8). El programa de ejercicio aeróbico interválico combinado con entrenamiento de fuerza se llevó a cabo en una misma sesión de 60min, cinco días por semana, durante dos meses. Los grupos con restricción calórica consumieron un 30% menos de alimento que los ad libitum. Se determinó el peso corporal y la masa de la carcasa mediante una balanza de precisión y la masa grasa, muscular y el agua corporal, mediante un analizador de composición corporal, basado en resonancia magnética nuclear, de diseño especial para ratas. Resultados. El peso corporal final fue menor en aquellos animales que realizaron restricción calórica frente a aquellos cuya alimentación fue ad libitum (p<0.001). La masa grasa fue menor y la masa muscular mayor en aquellos animales que desarrollaron el ejercicio aeróbico interválico combinado con entrenamiento de fuerza, frente a los sedentarios (p<0.001), sin diferencias atendiendo a la restricción calórica (p>0.05). Hemos observado interacciones entrenamiento versus restricción calórica, en masa muscular y agua total. Los animales que incrementaron más su masa muscular y agua corporal, fueron los que combinaron el entrenamiento con la restricción calórica (ambos p<0.01). Conclusiones. Tanto el programa de ejercicio aeróbico interválico, combinado con entrenamiento de fuerza desarrollado, como la restricción calórica, fueron eficaces, mejorando la composición corporal de ratas obesas, pero el ejercicio lo hizo en mayor magnitud (AU)

Objetivo. Investigar os efeitos de um programa de treinamento baseado no exercício aeróbico intervalado combinado com treinamento de resistência e restrição calórica sobre o peso corporal final e composição corporal de ratas geneticamente obesas. Método. Trinta e duas ratas obesas foram divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos (n=16) divididos com ou sem exercício aeróbico intervalado, que por sua vez foram divididos em mais dois grupos (com ou sem restrição calórica), resultando em quatro grupos de intervenção (n=8). O programa de exercício aeróbico intervalado foi realizado em uma sessão de 60 min, cinco dias por semana, durante dois meses. A ingestão de alimentos do grupo restrição calórica foi 30% menor que os ad libitum. O peso corporal total e a massa gorda foi mensurada mediante uma balança de precisão e a massa muscular e água corporal foram medidas utilizando a análise de composição corporal baseado na ressonância magnética nuclear especialmente concebido para ratos. Resultados. O peso corporal final foi menor nos animais que realizaram o restrição calórica frente aqueles cuja alimentação foi ad libitum (p<0.001). A gordura corporal foi menor e a massa muscular maior naqueles animais que realizaram o exercício aeróbico intervalado frente aos sedentários (p<0.001) sem diferenças em relação ao restrição calórica (todos p>0.05). Interações do treinamento vs restrição calórica foram observadas na massa muscular e água corporal. O alto volume da massa muscular e água corporal foi observado nos animais que combinaram o protocolo restrição calórica (ambos p<0.01). Conclusão. Ambos os programas de exercício aeróbico intervalado desenvolvidos com restrição calórica foram eficazes, melhorando a composição corporal de ratas obesas, entretanto o exercício o fez em maior magnitude (AU)

Objective. To investigate the effects of a training program based on aerobic interval exercise combined with resistance training and caloric restriction, on final body weight and body composition of genetically obese rats. Methods. Thirty-two genetically obese rats were randomly divided into two groups (n = 16) with or without aerobic interval exercise combined with resistance training. In turn, each group, with or without aerobic interval exercise combined with resistance training, was divided into two groups, with or without caloric restriction, resulting 4 intervention groups (n = 8). The training groups conducted an aerobic interval exercise combined with resistance training program in a 60min session, five days/week for two months. Calorie-resticted groups consumed 30% less food than ad libitum groups. Body weight and carcass was determined with a precision balance and fat, muscle mass and body water was assessed using a body composition analyzer based in nuclear magnetic resonance, especially designed for rats. Results. Final body weight was lower in animals that followed the caloric restriction compared to those fed ad libitum (P<.001). Fat mass was lower and muscle mass higher in those animals that developed aerobic interval exercise combined with resistance training compared to the sedentary groups (P<.001) without differences attending to the caloric restriction (all P>.05). Interactions of caloric restriction versus training were observed on muscular mass and total body water. The highest value of muscle mass and body water was observed in those animals that combined the training protocol with the caloric restriction (both, P<.01). Conclusion. Both, the aerobic interval exercise program combined with resistance training program developed and caloric restriction enhanced body composition in obese rats, but exercise improved it further (AU)

Influence of the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on the cardiometabolic risk in peri and menopausal women. The Flamenco project.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The Mediterranean diet (MD) has been associated with reduced morbidity from cardiovascular diseases in the general population. The aim of this study was to assess whether different degrees of adherence to the MD were associated with the cardiometabolic risk in peri and menopausal women. METHODS AND RESULTS: This cross-sectional study included 198 peri and menopausal women participating in the Flamenco project. Validated questionnaires were used to assess menopause health-related quality of life and degree of adherence to the MD (low, medium and high). The following cardiometabolic risk factors were assessed: fat mass percentage, waist circumference, blood pressure and resting heart rate, plasma markers (total cholesterol, high and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C and LDL-C, respectively], total cholesterol/HDL ratio, triglycerides, C-reactive protein and fasting glucose), Physical activity levels and smoking status. The degree of adherence to the MD among the study sample was 27%, 40% and 30% for low, medium and high adherence, respectively. After controlling for potential confounders, women with a high adherence to the MD showed lower plasma total cholesterol (p = 0.025), resting heart rate (p = 0.005), LDL-C (p = 0.019), triglycerides (p = 0.046) and C-reactive protein (p = 0.009) compared to those with a low adherence. Likewise women with high adherence to the MD showed lower total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio (p = 0.020) compared to those with a medium adherence. The high MD adherence group also showed lower clustered cardiometabolic risk (p = 0.004). Moreover, when analysing specific MD components, whole grain cereals, pulses (both p < 0.05) and red wine (p < 0.01) consumption were inversely associated with the clustered cardiometabolic risk. CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that a high but not medium adherence to the MD is associated with a cardioprotective effect in peri and menopausal women. As a low percentage of the sample showed a high adherence to the MD, future research aimed at increasing the adherence to this dietary pattern for a better cardiometabolic status during peri and menopause is warranted.

Interval aerobic training combined with strength-endurance exercise improves metabolic markers beyond caloric restriction in Zucker rats.

AIMS: To investigate the effects of interval aerobic training combined with strength-endurance exercise (IASE) and caloric restriction (CR) on body composition, glycaemic and lipid profile and inflammatory markers. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-two Zucker diabetic fatty rats were randomised into 4 groups (sedentary + CR; sedentary + adlibitum; IASE + CR; and IASE + adlibitum). Training groups conducted an IASE programme in the same session, 5 days/week for 2 months. Body weight, fat and muscle mass and body water were measured using a body composition analyser. Plasma total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides, insulin, adiponectin, tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 and 10 were measured. Blood fasting and postprandial glucose were assessed. Body weight was lower in the CR compared to the adlibitum groups (p < 0.001). Fat mass was lower in the CR compared to the adlibitum (p < 0.05) and in the IASE compared to the sedentary groups (p < 0.001), but IASE increased lean mass (p < 0.001). Triglycerides were lower in the CR compared to the adlibitum groups (p < 0.001) whereas total and LDL-cholesterol and fasting glucose were reduced only in the IASE groups (all, p < 0.001). Phospholipids decreased in the CR compared to the adlibitum (p < 0.05) and the IASE compared to the sedentary groups (p < 0.001). The area under the curve after oral glucose tolerance test, insulin and homoeostatic model assessment were lower in the IASE and the CR compared to the sedentary and adlibitum groups, respectively (all, p < 0.001). Adiponectin was lower in the CR groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Overall, IASE as well as CR were both useful interventions, especially when combined. However, IASE showed greater improvements on body composition, inflammatory and glycaemic profile than CR did.