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Teixeira A, Gabriel R, Martinho J, Pinto G, Quaresma L, Faria A, Oliveira I, Moreira H. Connectedness to Nature Does Not Explain the Variation in Physical Activity and Body Composition in Adults and Older People. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:11951. [PMID: 34831707 PMCID: PMC8619523 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182211951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Connectedness to nature (CN) is a significant predictor of pro-environmental behaviours, human health and well-being. However, research on how this connection to the natural world might promote a more active lifestyle and improve body mass composition according to gender is lacking. This study investigated the influence of CN on physical activity (PA) and body composition in adults and older people. We recruited a sample of 219 individuals (77 men and 142 women), and a self-administered questionnaire was used to measure CN and obtain demographic data. Body composition was assessed by bioimpedance, and PA was assessed by accelerometry. Correlations and stepwise multiple regressions were used in data analysis. CN's association with other variables was more pronounced in women than in men, and we only identified significant associations with steps/day and body composition. However, this variable would not be included in the regression models that we developed. Adiposity levels and muscle status were significant predictors of PA in women. In both genders, age, percentage of fat mass and fat-free mass were selected as regressors in the models developed for visceral fat area and muscle condition (R2 Adjusted ≥ 0.908).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Teixeira
- University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Ronaldo Gabriel
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Department of Sports Science, Exercise and Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
| | - José Martinho
- Geosciences Centre (CGeo), Department of Geology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
| | - Graça Pinto
- Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Department of Sports Science, Exercise and Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
| | - Luís Quaresma
- Department of Sports Science, Exercise and Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
| | - Aurélio Faria
- Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Department of Sport Science, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal;
| | - Irene Oliveira
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Department of Mathematics, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
- Center for Computational and Stochastic Mathematics, CEMAT-IST-UL, University of Lisbon, 1600-214 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Helena Moreira
- Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Department of Sports, Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Department of Sports, Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
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Fang H, Liu C, Cavdar O. The relation between submaximal aerobic exercise improving vascular elasticity through loss of visceral fat and antihypertensive. Clin Exp Hypertens 2021; 43:203-210. [PMID: 33233955 DOI: 10.1080/10641963.2020.1847127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: We sought to observe the effect of submaximal aerobic exercise on abdominal obesity in hypertension patients and to clarify a correlation between blood pressure improvement and visceral fat, along with arterial elasticity. Materials and Methods: According to the treatment plan, the patients were divided into two groups: the combined treatment group and the single drug group. During the training period, the subjects in the combined treatment group performed a 60 min treadmill exercise at 65% of Pmax. PWV was measured using blood pressure pulse-wave detectors before and after treatment. We assessed carotid stiffness and visceral fat area by B‑mode ultrasonography. Results: The 24-h SBP and DBP changed significantly in the two groups in the pre- and post-treatment comparison. Significant statistical differences among SBP and DBP in the two groups of combination therapy and drug therapy after 12 months were demonstrated. Visceral fat area was significantly reduced in the combination therapy group compared to the drug therapy group at the last assessment. Compared with the drug group, arterial compliance in the combination therapy group was higher after treatment. Blood pressure showed significant positive correlation with visceral fat area, PWV, β‑stiffness, Ep, and PWVβ in the combination therapy group. Conclusion: The combination of drug therapy and is more effective than just pursuing single drug treatment of hypertension in patients with abdominal obesity. Submaximal aerobic exercise contributes to anti-hypertension. The main mechanism of anti-hypertension in combination with drug therapy and submaximal aerobic exercise is the improvement of vascular elasticity and decreased central body-fat distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Fang
- Department of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University , Shanghai, China
| | - Chi Liu
- National clinical research center for aging and medicine, Jing an district Central Hospital , Shanghai, China
| | - Omer Cavdar
- Department of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University , Shanghai, China
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Lucas K, Fröhlich-Nowoisky J, Oppitz N, Ackermann M. Cinnamon and Hop Extracts as Potential Immunomodulators for Severe COVID-19 Cases. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:589783. [PMID: 33719281 PMCID: PMC7952639 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.589783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Lucas
- Multiphase Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany
- *Correspondence: Kurt Lucas
| | | | - Nicole Oppitz
- Multiphase Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany
| | - Maximilian Ackermann
- Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, Helios University Clinic Wuppertal, University of Witten/Herdecke, Wuppertal, Germany
- Institute of Functional and Clinical Anatomy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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Ayabe T, Fukuda T, Ano Y. Improving Effects of Hop-Derived Bitter Acids in Beer on Cognitive Functions: A New Strategy for Vagus Nerve Stimulation. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E131. [PMID: 31940997 PMCID: PMC7022854 DOI: 10.3390/biom10010131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Dementia and cognitive decline are global public health problems. Moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages reduces the risk of dementia and cognitive decline. For instance, resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound found in red wine, has been well studied and reported to prevent dementia and cognitive decline. However, the effects of specific beer constituents on cognitive function have not been investigated in as much detail. In the present review, we discuss the latest reports on the effects and underlying mechanisms of hop-derived bitter acids found in beer. Iso-α-acids (IAAs), the main bitter components of beer, enhance hippocampus-dependent memory and prefrontal cortex-associated cognitive function via dopamine neurotransmission activation. Matured hop bitter acids (MHBAs), oxidized components with β-carbonyl moieties derived from aged hops, also enhance memory functions via norepinephrine neurotransmission-mediated mechanisms. Furthermore, the effects of both IAAs and MHBAs are attenuated by vagotomy, suggesting that these bitter acids enhance cognitive function via vagus nerve stimulation. Moreover, supplementation with IAAs attenuates neuroinflammation and cognitive impairments in various rodent models of neurodegeneration including Alzheimer's disease. Daily supplementation with hop-derived bitter acids (e.g., 35 mg/day of MHBAs) may be a safe and effective strategy to stimulate the vagus nerve and thus enhance cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuhiro Ayabe
- Research Laboratories for Health Science & Food Technologies, Kirin Company Ltd., 1-13-5 Fukuura Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 236-0004, Japan; (T.F.); (Y.A.)
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