A 12-Week Ballroom Dance Training Improves Physical Fitness Performance More Than Walking Training in Older Women, Regardless of Vitamin B12 or D Adequacy.

AIM: This study aimed to compare the effects of Ballroom Dancing (BD) versus Walking Training (WT) on the physical fitness performance in physically independent older women with adequate or inadequate levels of vitamins B12 and D. METHODS: Forty-three sedentary women aged 68.5 ± 6.5 years, were allocated to the BD (n = 23) or WT (n = 20) groups. They took part in a 12-week intervention, performed 3 times a week, for about 50 minutes with moderate effort intensity. Data were collected through Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), 6 minutes Walk Test (6MWT), Hand Grip Test (HGT), Isokinetic tests for lower limbs and blood tests to detect serum levels of vitamins B12 and D. RESULTS: The BD group performed better after the intervention in relation to the WT in the Sit and Stand Test (SST) (BD pre = 3.1 score vs post = 3.8 score; WT pre = 2.8 score vs post = 3.4 score; P = .02) and in the Peak Torque 180° extension (PKTOQ 180° extension) (BD pre = 56.7 Nm vs post = 61.2 Nm, WT pre = 56.7 Nm vs post = 56.1; P < .01). CONCLUSION: A time effect was observed in all other variables, with the exception of HGT. Both interventions improved physical fitness performance, regardless of the adequacy of vitamins B12 and D, but the older women from BD obtained significant improvements in more variables than the WT.

Effect of resistance training with different frequencies and subsequent detraining on muscle mass and appendicular lean soft tissue, IGF-1, and testosterone in older women.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the effect of resistance training (RT) frequency on muscle mass, appendicular lean soft tissue, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), testosterone, and their changes with detraining in older women. METHODS: Forty-five physically independent older women (≥ 60 years) were randomly assigned to perform RT either two (G2X, n = 21) or three times/week (G3X, n = 24), during 12 weeks (8 exercises, 1 set of 10-15 repetition maximum). Muscle mass and appendicular lean soft tissue, IGF-1, testosterone, and dietary intake were measured at pre-training, post-training, and after detraining (12 weeks). RESULTS: Muscle mass and appendicular lean soft tissue significantly increased post-training (G2X = +5.5% and G3X = +5.8%, P < .0001) with no differences between groups, and gains were retained after detraining (G2X = 100% and G3X = 99%, P < .0001). IGF-1 and dietary intake did not change for the groups during the study. Testosterone did not change post-training but significantly decreased after detraining (G2X = -21% and G3X = -50%, P < .0001). CONCLUSION: We conclude that lower RT frequency is as effective as higher frequency to improve muscle mass and appendicular lean soft tissue, and to maintain testosterone and IGF-1. Additionally, detraining may reduce testosterone regardless of RT frequency. These results are specifically for community-dwelling older women and may not be generalized to other populations.

Ordem do treinamento com pesos, capacidade funcional e carga de treino em idosos treinados: ensaio clínico aleatorizado / Order of resistance training, functional capacity and training load in trained elderly: randomized clinical trial

Introdução: a ordem do treinamento com pesos (TP) pode estar relacionada aos benefícios observados nesta modalidade. Objetivo: avaliar a ordem de TP na capacidade funcional e carga de treino. Métodos: dezoito idosos treinados foram aleatorizados: sequência A (SEQ A), dos grandes para os pequenos grupos musculares e sequência B (SEQ B), ordem inversa a SEQ A. A flexibilidade, tarefas funcionais, resistência muscular e carga de treino foram verificados. Resultados: interação foi observada para a flexibilidade, em que a SEQ B (+ 18,7%) apresentou resultado significativo, quando comparada à SEQ A (- 18,4%). Efeito do tempo foi encontrado para tarefa funcional (SEQ A = - 2,9% e SEQ B = - 1,9%), resistência muscular (SEQ A = + 11,5% e SEQ B = + 8,9%) e carga de treino (SEQ A = + 54,0% e SEQ B = + 74,3%). Conclusão: TP é efetivo para a melhora da tarefa funcional, da resistência muscular e da carga de treino, porém a ordem pode influenciar na flexibilidade.

Introduction: The order of resistance training (RT) may be related to the benefits observed in this modality. Objective: To evaluate the order of RT in functional capacity and training load. Methods: Eighteen trained elderly were randomized: sequence A (SEQ A), from large to small muscle groups and sequence B (SEQ B), reverse order to SEQ A. Flexibility, functional tasks, muscle endurance and training load were verified. Results: Interaction was observed for flexibility, where the SEQ B (+ 18.7%) presented significant result when compared to SEQ A (- 18.4%). Effect of time was found for functional task (SEQ A = - 2.9% and SEQ B = - 1.9%), muscle endurance (SEQ A = + 11.5% and SEQ B = + 8.9%) and training load (SEQ A = + 54.0% and SEQ B = + 74.3%). Conclusion: RT is effective for improving functional task, muscular endurance and training load, but order can influence flexibility.

Effect of resistance training on inflammatory markers of older adults: A meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Low-grade inflammation is associated with several deleterious health outcomes and may aggravate sarcopenia and dynapenia during aging. A strategy to alleviate these conditions is resistance training (RT). Thus, the aim was to critically examine the effects of regular RT on inflammatory markers of older adults from previous studies. METHODS: The search was conducted on MEDLINE, July 2017. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing RT effects on C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and/or interleukin-6 (IL-6) of adults over 50 years-of-age were selected by two independent reviewers. RESULTS: The main meta-analyses showed RT reduced CRP in older adults (standard mean difference [SMD] = -0.61, 95%CI = -0.83; -0.31, p < 0.001), tended to reduce IL-6 (SMD = -0.19, 95%CI = -0.42; 0.02, p = 0.07) and did not change TNF-α. Further exploratory sub-group analyses showed a potential association of muscle mass for both CRP and TNF-α changes. Reductions in CRP and TNF-α only occurred in RCTs performing a higher number of exercises (>8), higher weekly frequency (3 times/week) and longer durations than 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-inflammatory effects of RT were significant only for CRP with a tendency for a decrease in IL-6 as well. The exploratory analyses suggested the reduction in inflammatory markers could be dependent on increases in muscle mass and higher volume of RT protocols. These potential mediators of RT anti-inflammatory effects should be addressed in future meta-analyses to clarify the effects of RT on inflammatory markers of older adults with very specific conditions and larger numbers of studies.

Impact of nutritional status on body composition and muscle strength of older women enrolled in a resistance training program / Impacto do estado nutricional na composição corporal e força muscular de idosas inseridas em um programa de treinamento com pesos

Abstract Overweight among older adults has increased considerably, and resistance training (RT) is a very attractive intervention strategy for positive changes associated with its practice. The aim was to evaluate the impact of nutritional status on body composition and muscle strength of older women in a RT program. Forty-eight older women were divided into three groups: eutrophic (EUT, BMI ≤ 24.9 kg/m2), overweight (OVE, BMI between 25.0 and 29.9 kg/m2) and obese (OBE, BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2). RT was performed for 12 weeks, one set of 10 to 15 repetitions, eight exercises, three weekly sessions. Body composition assessments (muscle mass, fat mass and trunk fat), strength and muscle quality were performed. Interaction for muscle mass in EUT had significant effect (+ 4.0%) when compared to OVE (+ 1.4%) and OBE (+ 1.4%). Time effect was observed for muscle strength (EUT = + 10.6%, OVE = + 7.5% and OBE = + 11.0%), muscle quality (EUT = + 6.1%, OVE = + 6.3% and OBE = + 9.8%), trunk fat (EUT = - 3.3%, OVE = - 0.7% and OBE = - 0.7%) and fat mass (EUT = - 3.0%, OVE = - 1.5% and OBE = - 0.5%). The results suggest that RT is effective for improving strength, muscle quality, muscle mass, trunk fat and fat mass of older women, but nutritional status may be determinant in muscle mass changes.

Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o impacto do estado nutricional na composição corporal e força muscular de idosas inseridas em um programa de treinamento com pesos (TP). Quarenta e oito idosas foram divididas em três grupos: eutróficas (EUT, IMC ? 24,9 kg/m²), sobrepeso (SOB, IMC entre 25,0 e 29,9 kg/m²) e obesas (OBE, IMC ? 30,0 kg/m2). O TP foi realizado por 12 semanas, uma série de 10 a 15 repetições, oito exercícios, três sessões semanais. Avaliações da composição corporal (massa muscular, massa gorda e gordura de tronco), força e qualidade muscular foi realizado. Interação foi encontrada para a massa muscular onde o grupo EUT apresentaram efeito significativo (+ 4,0%) quando comparado ao SOB (+ 1,4%) e OBE (+ 1,4%). Efeito do tempo foi observado para a força muscular (EUT = + 10,6%, SOB = + 7,5% e OBE = + 11,0%), qualidade muscular (EUT = + 6,1%, SOB = + 6,3% e OBE = + 9,8%), gordura de tronco (EUT = - 3,3%, SOB = - 0,7% e OBE = - 0,7%) e massa gorda (EUT = - 3,0%, SOB = - 1,5% e OBE = - 0,5%). Os resultados sugerem que o TP é efetivo para a melhora da força, qualidade muscular, massa muscular, gordura de tronco e massa gorda de mulheres idosas, porém o estado nutricional pode ser determinante nas modificações da massa muscular.

Phase angle is related with inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in older women.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the relation between phase angle (PhA) and inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in older women. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-five physically independent older women participated in this study (67.7±5.7years, 27.0±4.4kg/m2). Inflammatory markers included interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and acute phase reactive protein (CRP). Oxidative stress biomarkers comprised superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and total radical-trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP). A spectral bioelectrical impedance device was used to estimate resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) at frequency 50kHz, and subsequently PhA was calculated as arc-tangent (Xc/R)×180°/π. The covariates appendicular lean soft-tissue (ALST), trunk fat mass, and total body fat were determined by whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Linear regression analysis was conducted to further test if PhA is related with the dependent variables, after adjusting for potential covariates. RESULTS: After controlling for the potential covariates (age, trunk fat mass, ALST, and number of diseases) PhA exhibited a significant inverse relation with IL-6 (ß=-0.97; P<0.01), TNF-α (ß=-0.84; P<0.01), and CRP (ß=-0.58; P<0.01). Conversely, PhA was significantly related to CAT (ß=7.27; P<0.01), SOD (ß=10.55; P<0.01) and TRAP (ß=73.08; P<0.01). The AOPP did not demonstrate a significant correlation with PhA (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings show that PhA is a simple and relevant explanatory variable which is related inflammatory and stress oxidative markers in physically independent older women, regardless of age, number of diseases, and body composition.