The biological clock keeps ticking, but exercise may turn it back

Daily moderate-intensity physical activities and optimism promote healthy ageing in rural northern Sweden: a cross-sectional study

The aim of our study was to explore the association between self-reported health factors and self-rated health (SRH) among an older rural population in northern Sweden and whether confounders optimistic outlook or daily moderate-intensity physical activity could moderate the association between self-reported health factors and SRH, controlling for age. The study is based on a sample (N = 1946) from the “Health on Equal Terms” Västernorrland survey 2018 aged 65–84. Prevalence and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. The results indicated most rural older people perceived very good or good SRH, though physical and mental health issues and impaired mobility increased with advanced age. Mental well-being exhibited a stronger association with poor SRH than physical health or impaired mobility. In addition, confounders optimistic outlook and daily moderate-intensity physical activity, separately and together could moderate the association between health factors and poor SRH. In conclusion, older people in a rural setting perceived good health, despite common physical and mental health issues. Promoting daily moderate-intensity physical activity and activities contributing to an optimistic outlook can protect against poor SRH in old age.

Perception on facilitators and benefits of participation in body practice groups

Abstract The practice of physical activity has been considered as an important factor in the area of public health, as it helps in the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Thus, understanding the facilitators for participation and benefits from healthy lifestyle can contribute to population awareness. The aim of this study was to analyze facilitators for body practice and benefits perceived by participants of body practice groups of two basic family health units of Santa Rosa/RS. This qualitative research included 25 participants. Data were obtained by the focal group technique. Motivation/incentive, mainly linked to family support, the pedagogical practice of the Physical Education professional, good health status and social life were aspects considered facilitators for adherence to body practice groups. Physical and psychological gains, prevention and control of diseases, lifestyle changes, cognitive improvement and decreased use of medications were pointed as benefits. Motivating participants to participate in body practice programs is an important factor for adherence and participation in these activities can provide biopsychosocial benefits that can contribute to health promotion and quality of life of users of basic family health units.

Improvement in muscular strength and aerobic capacities in elderly people occurs independently of physical training type or exercise model

OBJECTIVES

Progressive decline of physiological processes with aging is normal. Aging is also associated with decreased functional capacity and onset of many diseases. This study evaluated the changes in physical fitness (PF), body composition (BC), and lipid profile (LP) in elderly men completing different training protocols.

METHODS

Fifty-five men (age 60-80 years) were randomized into the following groups: without training, aerobic training on dry land, combined training on dry land, and combined training in water. Training was conducted for 8 weeks, and PF, LP, and BC were assessed at the beginning and end of the intervention.

RESULTS

Significant improvements were observed in all parameters; however, combined programs on land or in water were more effective at improving strength and aerobic fitness. Combined exercise produced greater effects on BC and LP and some muscle fitness parameters; however, improvements in muscular and aerobic capacities occurred independently of exercise type or model.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that the effects of training occur regardless of training type or model, and are directly associated with training periodization, adherence, and regularity.

The Role of SIRT3 in the Brain Under Physiological and Pathological Conditions

Sirtuin enzymes are a family of highly seven conserved protein deacetylases, namely SIRT1 through SIRT7, whose enzymatic activities require the cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺). Sirtuins reside in different compartments within cells, and their activities have been shown to regulate a number of cellular pathways involved in but not limited to stress management, apoptosis and inflammatory responses. Given the importance of mitochondrial functional state in neurodegenerative conditions, the mitochondrial SIRT3 sirtuin, which is the primary deacetylase within mitochondria, has garnered considerable recent attention. It is now clear that SIRT3 plays a major role in regulating a host of mitochondrial molecular cascades that can contribute to both normal and pathophysiological processes. However, most of the currently available knowledge on SIRT3 stems from studies in non-neuronal cells, and the consequences of the interactions between SIRT3 and its targets in the CNS are only beginning to be elucidated. In this review, we will summarize current advances relating to SIRT3, and explore how its known functions could influence brain physiology.

The Effects of Physical Training are Varied and Occur in an Exercise Type-Dependent Manner in Elderly Men

Regular exercise can decrease the deleterious effects of aging and limit the development and progression of chronic disease in elderly people, depending on the type, intensity, frequency, and duration of exercise. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of different physical training programs on oxidative stress parameters and inflammatory and neurotrophic mediators in the serum of elderly men. Healthy male volunteers [60 to 80 years; n=55] were divided into four groups: control [Ctr, n=14], aerobic training on dry land [ATdl, n=12]; and combined training on dry land [CTdl, n=12] or in water [CTw, n=17]. The training protocols were performed over 8 weeks, three times per week. Each 1 h session included 5 min warming-up exercise, 50 min specific training [aerobic, strength, or combined], and 5 min stretching. Blood samples were drawn 72 h before [baseline] the beginning of the 8 weeks’ protocol and 48 h after the last training session, processed, and the serum was aliquoted and stored at -70 °C until biochemical assessment of oxidative damage, antioxidant system and neurotrophic, growth and inflammatory factors. Elevated BDNF or IGF-1 levels were observed in the ATdl or CTdl groups, respectively. Overall oxidative stress parameters were improved including reduced lipid oxidative damage and increased thioredoxin reductase and glutathione peroxidase activities and total glutathione. Significant decreases in the inflammatory mediators IL-6 and IL-8 were observed; IL-6 was more susceptible to the effects of type of physical training. Thus, the effects of training in elderly men vary in an exercise type-dependent manner.

The effects of strength training on cognitive performance in elderly women

Aging is a degenerative process marked by recognized functional, physiological, and metabolic impairments, such as dynapenia and diminished cognitive capacity. Therefore, the search for innovative strategies to prevent/delay these physiological and cognitive disorders is essential to guarantee the independence and life quality of an elderly population. The aim of this work is to verify the effect of a 12-week resistance exercise program on the general physical aptitude and cognitive capacities of elderly and sedentary women. Twenty-nine women (65.87±5.69 years) were divided into two groups. The control group was composed of eight elderly women who met the same inclusion criteria of the study and the strength training group was composed of 29 elderly women who were subjected to a resistance exercise program defined by 12 upper and lower limb exercises combined in 3×10 repetitions with 1-minute interval between repetitions and two resting minutes between exercises (three times/week). Weight loads were fixed between 60% and 75% of the apparent 1 repetition maximum, which was estimated by the test of 10 maximum repetitions. The direct curl was performed for upper body strength evaluation with 2.3 kg dumbbells for 30 seconds, whereas the chair test was used for lower body evaluation (total sit–stand movements in 30 seconds). The cognitive capacities of subjects were evaluated by “The Montreal Cognitive Assessment” questionnaire. After 12 weeks, the elderly group showed significant increases in the average upper body strength (58%), lower body strength (68%), and cognitive capacity (19%). The present study demonstrated that regular resistance exercises could provide significant gains on the upper and lower body strength concomitant to positive improvements on cognitive capacities of elderly women, bringing enhanced life quality.

Environmental variables and levels of exhaled carbon monoxide and carboxyhemoglobin in elderly people taking exercise

This article aims to analyze levels of exhaled carbon monoxide, carboxyhemoglobinand cardiopulmonary variables in old people practicing exercise in external environments, and correlate them with climate and pollution factors. Temporal ecological study with118 active elderly people in the city of Cuiabá, in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Data were obtained on use of medication, smoking, anthropometric measurements, spirometry, peak flow, oxygen saturation, heart rate, exhaled carbon monoxide, carboxyhemoglobin, climate, number of farm fires and pollution. Correlations were found between on the one hand environmental temperature, relative humidity of the air and number of farmers' fires, and on the other hand levels of carbon monoxide exhaled and carboxyhemoglobin (p < 0.05).There was a correlation between heart rate and changes in environmental temperature, time of exposure to the sun and relative humidity (p < 0.05). In elderly people, environmental factors influence levels of exhaled carbon monoxide, carboxyhemoglobin and heart rate. There is thus a need for these to be monitored during exercise. The use of a carbon monoxide monitor to evaluate exposure to pollutants is suggested.

Feasibility of an Exercise Program for Older Depressive Inpatients

Abstract. Twelve older inpatients (M age = 66.8) with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) participated in this controlled pilot trial either in a physical exercise group (PEG; n = 6; aerobic, strength, and coordination exercises) or an active control group (ACG; n = 6; relaxation exercises) twice a week for four weeks. While depressive symptoms decreased in both groups, reduction of symptoms was significantly larger in the PEG. However, the PEG had higher BDI scores compared to the ACG at pretest. Neurocognitive functioning and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration did not change significantly. A four-week exercise program may be a feasible adjunct therapy in older MDD patients but the efficacy of the program needs to be proven with larger samples.

Comparison of strength training, aerobic training, and additional physical therapy as supplementary treatments for Parkinson's disease: pilot study

Introduction

Physical rehabilitation is commonly used in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) to improve their health and alleviate the symptoms.

Objective

We compared the effects of three programs, strength training (ST), aerobic training (AT), and physiotherapy, on motor symptoms, functional capacity, and electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in PD patients.

Methods

Twenty-two patients were recruited and randomized into three groups: AT (70% of maximum heart rate), ST (80% of one repetition maximum), and physiotherapy (in groups). Subjects participated in their respective interventions twice a week for 12 weeks. The assessments included measures of disease symptoms (Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale [UPDRS]), functional capacity (Senior Fitness Test), and EEG before and after 12 weeks of intervention.

Results

The PD motor symptoms (UPDRS-III) in the group of patients who performed ST and AT improved by 27.5% (effect size [ES]=1.25, confidence interval [CI]=−0.11, 2.25) and 35% (ES=1.34, CI=−0.16, 2.58), respectively, in contrast to the physiotherapy group, which showed a 2.9% improvement (ES=0.07, CI=−0.85, 0.99). Furthermore, the functional capacity of all three groups improved after the intervention. The mean frequency of the EEG analysis mainly showed the effect of the interventions on the groups (F=11.50, P=0.0001).

Conclusion

ST and AT in patients with PD are associated with improved outcomes in disease symptoms and functional capacity.

Tablet-based strength-balance training to motivate and improve adherence to exercise in independently living older people: part 2 of a phase II preclinical exploratory trial

BACKGROUND

Home-based exercise programs can improve physical functioning and health status of elderly people. Successful implementation of exercise interventions for older people presents major challenges and supporting elderly people properly while doing their home-based exercises is essential for training success. We developed a tablet-based system-ActiveLifestyle-that offers older adults a home-based strength-balance training program with incorporated motivation strategies and support features.

OBJECTIVE

The goal was to compare 3 different home-based training programs with respect to their effect on measures of gait quality and physical performance through planned comparisons between (1) tablet-based and brochure-based interventions, (2) individual and social motivation strategies, and (3) active and inactive participants.

METHODS

A total of 44 autonomous-living elderly people (mean 75, SD 6 years) were assigned to 3 training groups: social (tablet guided, n=14), individual (tablet guided, n=13), and brochure (brochure guided, n=17). All groups joined a 12-week progressive home-based strength-balance training program. Outcome measures were gait performance under single and dual task conditions, dual task costs of walking, falls efficacy, and physical performance as measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Furthermore, active (≥75% program compliance) and inactive (<75% program compliance) individuals were compared based on their characteristics and outcome measures.

RESULTS

The tablet groups showed significant improvements in single and dual task walking, whereas there were no significant changes observable in the brochure group. Between-groups comparisons revealed significant differences for gait velocity (U=138.5; P=.03, r=.33) and cadence (U=138.5, P=.03 r=.34) during dual task walking at preferred speed in favor of the tablet groups. The brochure group had more inactive participants, but this did not reach statistical significance (U=167, P=.06, r=.29). The active participants outperformed the inactive participants in single and dual task walking, dual task costs of walking, and SPPB scores. Significant between-groups differences were seen between the tablet groups and the brochure group, in favor of the tablet groups.

CONCLUSIONS

A tablet-based strength-balance training program that allows monitoring and assisting autonomous-living older adults while training at home was more effective in improving gait and physical performance when compared to a brochure-based program. Social or individual motivation strategies were equally effective. The most prominent differences were observed between active and inactive participants. These findings suggest that in older adults a tablet-based intervention enhances training compliance; hence, it is an effective way to improve gait.

Identification of potential or preclinical cognitive impairment and the implications of sophisticated screening with biomarkers and cognitive testing: does it really matter?

The last decade has seen an enormous growth in the interest in the recognition of and intervention in those diagnosed and living with the whole range of cognitive impairment and frank dementia. In the western world, the recognition of the impact on patients, families, health care systems, and societies that dementia poses has led to great efforts to help define the indicators for current and future dementia with the intention to treat those already afflicted even with the primarily symptomatic medications that exist and to recognize those at future risk with the hope of providing counselling to forestall its future development. The idea of "early diagnosis" appears at first glance to be attractive for the purposes of future planning and research studies, but it is not clear what the benefits and risks might be if screening processes define people at risk when beneficial interventions might not yet be determined. The ethical as well as financial implications must be explored and defined before implementation of such screening becomes a normal standard of practice.