Inter-individual variations in response to aerobic and resistance training in hypertensive older adults.

BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic responses to physical training are not homogenous and uniform, and considerable inter-individual variations in the blood pressure of hypertensive individuals are noted in both aerobic and resistance training protocols. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of resistance and aerobic exercise on the blood pressure responses of hypertensive older adults. METHODS: Groups were randomly divided into resistance training, n = 20; aerobic training, n = 20; control group, n = 21). After the first intervention period (12 weeks), individuals underwent a washout period (six detraining weeks), followed by a second intervention. This process is called the 'cross-over' model, where individuals who performed the aerobic exercise protocol also performed resistance training and vice-versa, constituting another 12 weeks of intervention. Blood pressure, functional performance, glycated hemoglobin and lipid profiles were evaluated preintervention and postintervention. RESULTS: Varying responses to resistance training or aerobic training stimuli were observed in the hypertensive older adult participants. Both resistance training (pre 133.2 ±â€Š14.1; post 122.4 ±â€Š7.3; P < 0.05) and aerobic training (pre 134.2 ±â€Š14.4; post 123 ±â€Š9.4; P < 0.0.5) were effective in decreasing SBP, but only aerobic training (pre 9955.3 ±â€Š1769.4; post 8800.9 ±â€Š1316.1; P < 0.05) resulted in a decreased double product, and only the resistance training group improved functional performance. CONCLUSION: Responses to resistance training or aerobic training stimuli varied noticeably between hypertensive older adults and both resistance training and aerobic training were effective in reducing SBP. This knowledge may be useful in providing individually tailored exercise prescriptions for hypertensive older adults.

Is resistance training alone an antihypertensive therapy? A meta-analysis.

Evidence concerning the prescription of isolated resistance training (RT) to hypertensive individuals is limited. Guidelines are divergent concerning RT inclusion for prehypertensive and hypertensive persons. A meta-analysis investigating data with larger sample sizes provides more robust effect size estimates and allows for inferences on clinical choices concerning the effectiveness of RT alone. In this context, the aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the effects of RT alone on the systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures in prehypertensive and hypertensive individuals. Data from 13 studies involving 417 participants (207 assigned to RT and 210 controls) were obtained. The results indicate significant reductions in SBP (-6.16 mmHg CI -8.27 to -4.04; I2: 31.0% P value for heterogeneity = 0.136 and effect size = -0.59) and DBP (-3.70 mmHg CI -5.19 to -2.21; I2: 18.3% P value for heterogeneity = 0.106 and effect size = -0.55) when compared to control groups. In conclusion, RT alone is able to reduce SBP and DBP in prehypertensive and hypertensive subjects, especially in elderly individuals.

Parkinson Anxiety Scale: A Validation Study for the Brazilian Population.

OBJECTIVE: The Parkinson Anxiety Scale (PAS) was developed to measure the severity of anxiety symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), and it has not yet been adapted and validated in Portuguese. Thus, this study evaluated the reliability and validity of a translated and adapted version of the PAS for the Brazilian population of PD patients. METHODS: The Parkinson Anxiety Scale - Brazilian Version (PAS-BV) was completed by 55 patients with PD. The reliability (test-retest reliability, interrater reliability and internal consistency) and construct validity of the PAS-BV were assessed by comparing it with the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Parkinson's Disease Fatigue Scale (PFS) and the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part III. RESULTS: Patients with PD had an average age of 64.51 ± 9.20 years and had PD for an average of 6.98 ± 5.02 years. The reliability of the PAS-BV was 0.83, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (retest-test) was 0.88. The scale presented good convergent validity with the BAI (rs = 0.82, p < 0.05). It also presented good divergent validity with the PFS (rs = 0.24, p > 0.05) and the UPDRS part II (rs = -0.10, p > 0.05), part III (rs = -0.21, p > 0.05), and part IV (rs = 0.03, p > 0.05), as indicated by the absence of significant correlations. However, there was a significant correlation between the PAS-BV and part I of the UPDRS (rs = 0.67, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The PAS-BV presents substantial reliability and validity for patients with PD without dementia.

Resistance training reduces depressive symptoms in elderly people with Parkinson disease: A controlled randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Depression affects up to 40% of individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). PURPOSE: To assess resistance training effects on the depressive symptoms of elderly PD patients. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized control study. METHODS: Thirty-three patients (aged ≥ 60 years) were randomly divided into two groups: (a) control group: n = 16 and (b) resistance training group (RTG): n = 17. All patients with Parkinson's disease (stage 1-3 on the Hoehn and Yahr scale). The RTG, in addition to maintaining their pharmacological treatments, performed 20 weeks of resistance training. The control group maintained their pharmacological treatments. Depressive symptoms, quality of life, unified Parkinson's Disease scale, and functional capacity were evaluated in both groups. RESULTS: The RTG presented a significant reduction (P < .05) of depressive symptoms (pre = 17.9 ± 8 score; post = 10.3 ± 6 score; effect size: -0.48), improved quality of life (pre = 40.3 ± 21.1 score; post = 30.2 ± 16.8 score; effect size: -0.26), and improved UPDRS (pre = 64 ± 34.6 score; post = 49.1 ± 24.1 score; effect size: -0.24). No significant changes in the control group regarding depressive symptoms (pre = 18.7 ± 5.4 score; post = 19.4 ± 5.2 score; effect size: 0.07), quality of life (pre = 39 ± 16.1 score; post = 40.6 ± 15.6 score; effect size: 0.05), and UPDRS (pre = 61.1 ± 24.3 score; post = 64.9 ± 23.4 score; effect size: 0.08) after 20 weeks. CONCLUSION: Resistance training reduces depressive symptoms and improves the quality of life and functionality of elderly with PD.

Elite athletes have longer telomeres than sedentary subjects: A meta-analysis.

The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of high levels of physical activity (in elite athletes) and sedentary lifestyle on telomere length. Our meta-analysis was carried out using the following electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, LILACS, Science Direct and EBSCO. After study selection, nine articles were included in our meta-analysis. All of the included subjects were elite athletes (with experience in national or international competitions) or sedentary subjects, which served as the control group. The analysis showed that elite athletes (n = 306) had longer telomeres (P = 0.001) compared with the control group (n = 322). The difference in the standardized means was 0.91 (95% CI = 0.43-1.33; I2 83.4% P value for heterogeneity = 0.001), favoring the athlete group. The analysis of the funnel plot did not detect any risk of publication bias in the studies that reported differences in means. Our results suggest that high level chronic physical training may provide protective effects on telomere length.

The effect of resistance training on the anxiety symptoms and quality of life in elderly people with Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of resistance training on the anxiety symptoms and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease. METHODS: Thirty-five elderly patients were randomly divided into two groups: 17 patients in the control group and 18 in the intervention group. All patients maintained standard pharmacological treatment for Parkinson's disease, but the intervention group participated in a 24-week resistance training program. The anxiety symptoms were assessed through the Beck's Anxiety Inventory, and quality of life by the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in anxiety level and increase in quality of life after 24 weeks of resistance training. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that resistance training is an effective intervention in the reduction of anxiety symptoms and improves the quality of life in elderly people with Parkinson's disease.

The effect of resistance training on the anxiety symptoms and quality of life in elderly people with Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled trial / O efeito do treinamento resistido sobre sintomas de ansiedade e qualidade de vida em idosos com doença de Parkinson's: ensaio randomizado controlado

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the effects of resistance training on the anxiety symptoms and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods: Thirty-five elderly patients were randomly divided into two groups: 17 patients in the control group and 18 in the intervention group. All patients maintained standard pharmacological treatment for Parkinson's disease, but the intervention group participated in a 24-week resistance training program. The anxiety symptoms were assessed through the Beck's Anxiety Inventory, and quality of life by the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39. Results: There was a significant reduction in anxiety level and increase in quality of life after 24 weeks of resistance training. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that resistance training is an effective intervention in the reduction of anxiety symptoms and improves the quality of life in elderly people with Parkinson's disease.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar os efeitos do treinamento resistido nos sintomas de ansiedade e na qualidade de vida em pacientes com doença de Parkinson. Métodos: Trinta e cinco pacientes idosos foram divididos randomicamente em dois grupos: 17 indivíduos no grupo controle e 18 no grupo de intervenção. Todos os sujeitos mantiveram o tratamento farmacológico padrão para a doença de Parkinson, mas o grupo de intervenção participou de um programa de treinamento resistido de 24 semanas. Os sintomas de ansiedade foram avaliados através do inventário de ansiedade de Beck e a qualidade de vida pelo questionário da doença de Parkinson-39. Resultados: Houve redução significativa no nível de ansiedade e melhora da qualidade de vida após 24 semanas de treinamento resistido. Conclusão: Os resultados do presente estudo indicam que o treinamento resistido é uma intervenção efetiva na redução dos sintomas de ansiedade e melhora a qualidade de vida em idosos com doença de Parkinson.

Does the Polymorphism in the Length of the Polyalanine Tract of FOXE1 Gene Influence the Risk of Thyroid Dysgenesis Occurrence?

Background. Recent data have suggested that polymorphisms in the length of the polyalanine tract (polyA) of FOXE1 gene may act as a susceptibility factor for thyroid dysgenesis. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of polyA of FOXE1 gene on the risk of thyroid dysgenesis. Method. A case-control study was conducted in a sample of 90 Brazilian patients with thyroid dysgenesis and 131 controls without family history of thyroid disease. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples and the genotype of each individual was determined by automated sequencing. Results. More than 90% of genotypes found in the group of patients with thyroid dysgenesis and in controls subjects were represented by sizes 14 and 16 polymorphisms in the following combinations: 14/14, 14/16, and 16/16. Genotypes 14/16 and 16/16 were more frequent in the control group, while genotype 14/14 was more frequent in the group of patients with thyroid dysgenesis. There was no difference between agenesis group and control group. Genotype 14/14 when compared to genotypes 14/16 and 16/16A showed an association with thyroid dysgenesis. Conclusion. PolyA of FOXE1 gene alters the risk of thyroid dysgenesis, which may explain in part the etiology of this disease.

Evaluation of the tshr gene reveals polymorphisms associated with typical symptoms in primary congenital hypothyroidism.

Primary congenital hypothyroidism (PCH) has an incidence of approximately 1 in each 3000-4000 live births. In the last two decades, nearly 50 types of the distinct inactivating mutations have already been described in the coding region of the tshr gene. The aim of present study was to investigate tshr gene mutations in patients with primary congenital hypothyroidism, analyzing a sample of 106 patients that were diagnosed with PCH. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples, and 10 exons from the TSH receptor were automatically sequenced. Five nucleotide alterations (P52T, N187N, A459A, L645L, and D727E. N187N and D727E polymorphisms) were associated with positive medical history. In view of the clinical, biochemical and molecular heterogeneity of the etiology of the PCH, the study of polymorphisms is critical for investigating the possible associations with prevailing symptoms of this disorder.