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.

Lack of validity of free-living physical activity energy expenditure estimated from ActiGraph equations in severely obese women: A doubly labelled water study.

The current study aimed to investigate the validity of three ActiGraph predictive equations that are available to estimate free-living physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) in women with severe obesity. The study included 20 women with class III obesity (age: 22-38 years). During 14 days of free-living conditions, total energy expenditure was measured using the doubly labelled water method; in addition, participants wore a triaxial accelerometer (model GT3X+) on the hip. The resting metabolic rate was measured by indirect calorimetry. At group level, the Freedson VM3 Combination was found to be more precise (bias = -61 kcal/day) than the Williams Work-Energy (bias = -283 kcal/day) and the Freedson Combination equations (bias = -186 kcal/day) for estimating PAEE. However, the three predictive equations had a wider limit of agreement (Williams Work-Energy [258, -824 kcal/day], Freedson Combination equations [324, -697 kcal/day] and Freedson VM3 Combination [424, -546 kcal/day]), indicating great uncertainty of the estimate. In conclusion, a wide variation was observed in the performance of different ActiGraph equations in estimating free-living PAEE among women with class III obesity. Therefore, our data do not support the use of these equations, and more studies are needed to improve predictive performance in free-living conditions.

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.

Compliance of the Physical Activity Guidelines Accumulated in Bouts ≥10 Min and Nonbouts and Its Association With Body Composition and Physical Function: A Cross-Sectional Study in Brazilian Older Adults.

This study aimed to investigate the association between compliance with the guidelines of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) accumulated in bouts of ≥10 min or nonbouts with body composition and physical function in older adults. The authors evaluated 230 noninstitutionalized older adults. Body composition was estimated using bioimpedance, and physical function was assessed using four physical tests. Physical activities were monitored for 7 days using an accelerometer. Older adults who were physically active according to MVPA in bouts of ≥10 min were less likely to have low appendicular skeletal muscle mass (odds ratio [OR] = 0.12), excess body fat (OR = 0.30), and abdominal obesity (OR = 0.34) and more likely to have a higher physical function (OR = 5.78). No significant association was observed with MVPA nonbout. Our findings indicate that older adults who accumulate MVPA in bouts of  ≥10 min have better parameters for body composition and physical function.

Níveis de estresse, ansiedade, depressão e fatores associados durante a pandemia de COVID-19 em praticantes de Yoga / Levels of stress, anxiety, depression and associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Yoga practitioners

A pandemia do novo coronavírus (COVID-19) e a crise de saúde pública tem gerado estresse em toda a população. O presente estudo teve como objetivo examinar a prática de Yoga e a sua relação com os níveis de ansiedade, depressão e estresse durante a pandemia de COVID-19. O estudo foi baseado em um questionário on-line anônimo aplicado entre 19 e 26 de maio de 2020, com questões sociodemográficas, sobre a prática de Yoga durante a pandemia e a Escala de Ansiedade Depressão e Estresse (DASS-21). Duzentos e treze participantes completaram o questionário. No geral, foram observados 12,2%, 12,2% e 8,0% de sintomas severos para estresse, ansiedade e depressão, respectivamente. Na análise de regressão logística (expressos em odds ratio; intervalo de confiança de 95%), participantes mais velhos tiveram menores chances de apresentar sintomas severos de estresse (OR = 0,30; IC95%: 0,13 ­ 0,70) e depressão (OR = 0,34; IC95%: 0,12 - 0,92), enquanto o tabagismo aumentou as chances (OR = 7,71; IC95%: 2,36 - 25,21) de sintomas severos de ansiedade. Uma maior experiência na prática de Yoga reduz significativamente as chances de apresentar sintomas severos de estresse (OR = 0,34; IC95% 0,14 - 0,83) e ansiedade (OR = 0,37; IC95% = 0,15 - 0,91). Ademais, houve menores chances de apresentar sintomas severos de estresse em praticantes que realizam um maior número de sessão semanal durante a pandemia (OR = 0,09; IC95% = 0,01 - 0,88), e de sintomas depressivos para aqueles que conseguiram manter a frequência da prática em relação ao período antes da pandemia (OR = 0,23; IC95%: 0,06 - 0,84). Nossos dados observacionais sugerem que praticantes mais experientes e que realizam mais sessões semanal reportam menor impacto psicológico durante a pandemia por COVID-19

The pandemic of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) and the public health crisis has generated stress in the entire population. The present study aimed to examine the practice of Yoga and its relationship with the levels of anxiety, depression, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was based on an anonymous online questionnaire applied between 19 and 26 May 2020, with sociodemographic questions, on the prac-tice of Yoga during the pandemic and the Depression and Stress Anxiety Scale (DASS-21). Two hundred and thirteen participants completed the questionnaire. Overall, 12.2%, 12.2%, and 8.0% of severe symptoms for stress, anxiety, and depression were observed, respectively. In the logistic regression analysis (considering odds ratio; 95% confidence interval), older participants were less likely to have severe symptoms of stress (OR = 0.30; 95%CI: 0.13 ­ 0.70) and depression (OR = 0.34; 95%CI: 0.12 - 0.92), while smoking increased the chances (OR = 7.7; 95%CI: 2.36 - 25.21) of severe anxiety symptoms. Greater experience in Yoga practice significantly reduces the chances of experiencing severe symptoms of stress (OR = 0.34; 95%IC 0.14 - 0.83) and anxiety (OR = 0.37; 95%IC: 0.15 - 0.91). Also, there is a reduction in the chances of experiencing severe symptoms of stress in practitioners who perform a greater number of weekly sessions during the pandemic (OR = 0.09; 95%IC: 0.01 - 0.88) and a reduction in depressive symptoms for those who managed to maintain the frequency of the practice in relation to the period before the pandemic (OR = 0.23; 95%IC: 0.06 - 0.84). Our observational data suggest that more experienced practitioners who have more weekly sessions report less psychological impact during the COVID-19 pandemic

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.

Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Renal Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Creatine supplements are intended to improve performance, but there are indications that it can overwhelm liver and kidney functions, reduce the quality of life, and increase mortality. Therefore, this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis study that aimed to investigate creatine supplements and their possible renal function side effects. After evaluating 290 non-duplicated studies, 15 were included in the qualitative analysis and 6 in the quantitative analysis. The results of the meta-analysis suggest that creatine supplementation did not significantly alter serum creatinine levels (standardized mean difference = 0.48, 95% confidence interval 0.24-0.73, P = .001, I2 = 22%), and did not alter plasma urea values (standardized mean difference = 1.10, 95% confidence interval 0.34-1.85, P = .004, I2 = 28%). The findings indicate that creatine supplementation does not induce renal damage in the studied amounts and durations.