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.

Trends in anthropometric and somatotype profiles of Brazilian female futsal players: a 20 year study

This study describes the anthropometric measurements and somatotype of the elite female futsal players from Brazil in 2021 and analyse the changes and trends over time in these physical characteristics. Data were collected from the 396 female futsal players, of whom; 169 players were assessed in 2021 then compared to those assessed in 2001 (n=112) and 2011 (n-115). Anthropometric measurements, including body weight, height, breadths, girths, and skinfolds were assessed. The somatotype was calculated and graphically represented. The changes between 2021 and the previous years were analysed using ANOVA and multiple linear regression. A jointpoint regression was performed to verify the annual percentage change. The comparison between 2021 data versus the other time points showed a higher age and lower fat content (2001: 22.7 ± 5.1 BF%; 2011: 22.2 ± 5.2 BF%; 2021: 19.0 ± 5.1 BF%). Players from 2021 had higher tensed arm and relaxed calf girths. All the positions, excluding pivots, significantly decreased their body fat units between 2021 and 2001 (goalkeeper: b=-4.49; defender: b=-2.78; winger: b=-4.48). Over the last 20 years, body fat reduced, and tensed arm and relaxed calf girths increased, suggesting an increase in fat-free mass content from the limbs.

Clustering of Obesogenic Behaviors Associated With Bullying Roles Among 100,794 Adolescents

Obesogenic behaviors have been individually associated with bullying during adolescence. However, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and diet manifest themselves in synergy and even behavioral profiles in which positive and negative behaviors coexist can be more positively associated with psychosocial outcomes. The present study aimed to analyze the association between clusters of obesogenic behaviors and different bullying roles in Brazilian adolescents. This cross-sectional study used data from the Brazilian School-based Health Survey-PENSE, 2015. A total of 100,794 male and female adolescents of the ninth-grade elementary school participated in the study. Students responded to an electronic questionnaire. Clusters of obesogenic behavior consisted of physical activity, exposure to sedentary behavior, and diet, and the different roles in bullying were: participant, victim, bully, and bully-victim. Binary logistic regression with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used for data analysis (p < .05). Multiple adjustments and complex sampling procedures were employed. Adolescents in the cluster "Health-promoting sedentary behavior and Diet" had reduced chances of participating in bullying (odds ration [OR] = 0.70; 95% CI [0.64, 0.76]), of being a victim (OR = 0.87; 95% CI = 0.76-0.99), and being the bully (OR = 0.65; 95% CI [0.59, 0.71]); and those from the cluster "Health-promoting physical activity and Diet" had reduced chances of participating (OR = 0.81; 95% CI [0.76, 0.87]), being a victim of bullying (OR = 0.86; 95% CI [0.76, 0.98]), being the bully (OR = 0.79; 95% CI [0.72, 0.85]), and being a bully-victim (OR = 0.74; 95% CI [0.61, 0.90]), when compared to those from the "health-risk" cluster in the adjusted analysis. Clusters of obesogenic behavior may reduce adolescent bullying: victim, bully, and bully-victim benefit when exposed to healthier behavioral profiles. The school setting must recognize bullying as a problem and therefore simultaneously promote multi-component interventions to tackle physical activity, sedentary behavior, and eating behavior. Outcomes other than obesity should be acknowledged when promoting obesogenic behaviors.

Age and Sex-Related Associations between Marital Status, Physical Activity and TV Time

Marital status mediates an association between physical activity (PA) and TV time with health outcomes. However, population-based studies have revealed that the health effect of marriage or divorce is age-dependent and differs between women and men. The study aimed to identify the age and sex-related associations between marital status with PA and TV time. We used data from Vigitel, an annual telephone survey started in 2006 in Brazil. We applied a complex sample logistic regression model to estimate the odds for PA and TV time comparing marital statuses according to age and sex subgroups, independent of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, self-assessed poor health, and smoking. Our sample included 561,837 individuals from 18 to 99 years, with a TV time > 3 h/day (prevalence = 25.2%) and PA > 150 min/week (prevalence = 35%). Later, we divided our sample in seven age groups by marital status and sex. Compared to single individuals, married men and women were less likely to watch TV more than 3 h/day in participants >30 years old. When compared to single, married participants were less likely to do more than 150 min of PA/week at younger age groups. Married women older than 40 years were more likely to do more than 150 min of PA/week than the single ones, while there were no differences among married men by age group. In conclusion, our study suggests that the investments in public policies to encourage the practice of PA and reduction of TV time could be based on the marital status, sex, and age, prioritizing less active groups.

Association between cognitive performance and sarcopenic obesity in older adults with Alzheimer's disease

Sarcopenic obesity (SO), the co-occurrence of sarcopenia and obesity, is associated with functional loss, frailty, and incapacity in older adults. Recently, SO was associated with reduced cognitive performance in adults. However, no SO studies have been done with older adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Objective

The objective of this study was to verify the occurrence of SO and associated factors in 43 older adults with AD.

Methods

We applied the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). SO was verified by using dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry.

Results

We found five women with SO. Women had higher body fat and lower muscle mass compared with men. There was a significant relationship between body fat and cognitive performance only in men (r=0.65; p<0.01) adjusted by age and education. Men with obesity and aged >75 years had better cognitive performance compared with non-obese men aged <75 years (p=0.010) and women with obesity aged >75 years (p=0.033).

Conclusions

Women with AD had higher body fat and lower muscle mass than men. SO occurs in older women with AD. Men with higher body fat showed better cognitive performance, independent of age and education.

Characterization of Reproductive and Morphological Variables in Female Elite Futsal Players

We aimed to characterize the age of onset of training, age at menarche, menstrual periodicity, and performance perception during the menstrual cycle and examined the impact of these reproductive variables on body composition, morphology, and body weight satisfaction in Brazilian elite futsal players. The study consisted of 115 female Brazilian elite futsal players from the top national teams. Data were collected during the twentieth Women's Brazil Futsal Cup. Players were interviewed and self-reported their age of onset of training, age at menarche, menstrual periodicity, and the menstrual period, where they performed best. We also asked for what they considered to be their ideal body weight as well as information related to their training (i.e., volume and frequency). Subsequently, anthropometric measurements (i.e., body mass, height, circumferences, diameters, and skinfold thickness) were performed to estimate the body composition and determine morphological characteristics (e.g., somatotype). Fifty-nine (53.2%) players were postmenarche-trained and 52 (46.8%) were premenarche-trained. Eighteen (16.2%), 65 (58.6%), and 28 (25.2%) were classified as early, normal, and late menarche, respectively. Only 11 (9.6%) and 1 (0.9%) had irregular menstrual cycles and were amenorrheic, respectively. Seventy-three (69.5%), 23 (21.9%), and 9 (8.6%) reported that their game performance was the best at the follicular phase, menses, and luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, respectively. No associations between the four reproductive-related variables were found. Postmenarche-trained players had significant lower age at menarche and higher percentage body fat. The somatotype profile registered lower ectomorphy rate for the postmenarche-trained participants after controlling for covariates. Early menarche group presented higher sum of six skinfold thickness and endomorphy rate compared to normal and late menarche groups. No differences were found when menstrual periodicity groups and best performance groups were compared, except for higher femur width in the regular menstrual cycle group compared to the irregular one. The association between body weight satisfaction and the four reproductive-related variables were not observed. Premenarche-trained Brazilian elite futsal players had the menarche later than the postmenarche-trained athletes. Most of the participants had menarche age classified as "normal," presented "regular" menstrual cycles and perceived to perform better during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.

Effects of a multimodal physical exercise program on physical and mental health indicators in males with substance use disorder

Introduction: Substance use disorder (SUD) is seen as a serious and growing public safety and health problem worldwide. Long-term sequelae may involve permanent damage to physical fitness, body balance, and coordination skills, with a severe motor, functional, and emotional consequences. Objective: To verify the effect of 16 sessions of a multimodal physical exercise program on physical fitness, body balance, and internalized stigma of inpatients for the treatment of Substance use disorder. Methods: Forty-three males with Substance use disorder (aged 33.9 ±12.4 years) were divided into an Intervention Group (IG, n=21) and Control Group (CG, n=22). The IG was submitted to eight weeks of training with physical exercises. Participants were submitted to the evaluation of internalized stigma, body balance, agility, and flexibility, before and after the intervention period. Results: Positive results were observed in physical fitness (agility, p=0.001) and body balance variables (center of pressure path with closed eyes, p=0.050, and ellipse area with closed eyes, p=0.031). The time of substance use correlated with lower performance in agility and body balance tests. Conclusion: The data seem to support the potential benefit of physical exercise as an adjunct in Substance use disorder rehabilitation process, particularly for physical fitness and body balance variables.

RELATIVE AGE IN FEMALE FUTSAL ATHLETES: IMPLICATIONS ON ANTHROPOMETRIC PROFILE AND STARTER STATUS

ABSTRACT Introduction: Evidence suggests that a higher distribution of elite athletes have birth dates in the first few months of the year. However, the advantages of birth month on performance related to starter status, structure and body composition in female futsal (5-a-side football played on a hard court, mainly indoors), are unknown. Objective: To determine the effect of relative age (ERA) on competitive female futsal athletes, and its influence on anthropometric profile and starter status. Methods: One hundred and fifteen athletes, participants in the 20th Brazilian Cup of Adult Futsal Clubs, special division, were submitted to measurements of body mass, height, skinfold thickness, body perimeters and bone diameters, in order to characterize the anthropometric profile and determine the body somatotype. The athletes were distributed in semesters and quartiles of the months of the year, according to their birth dates. Differences in the distribution of expected and observed birth dates were tested using Chi-square tests (χ2). Comparisons between semesters and birth quartiles were performed using parametric and non-parametric tests. Results: There was no ERA in distribution (p=0.248), anthropometric profile (p=0.872 to 0.912), or starter status between athletes born from January to June (p=0.352) and those born between July and December (p=0.744). On the other hand, those born in the first months of the year showed longer practice times than those born in the latter months of the year. Conclusion: Although the ERA in this study reveals longer practice times favoring female futsal athletes born in the first quartile of the year, it did not influence the starter status, the distribution in the teams, or any advantage in anthropometric profile. Level of evidence III, Case-Control Study.

Gordura corporal e perfil lipídico de gêmeos monozigóticos discordantes para resistência à insulina

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n6p690 The study investigated alterations in body fat and metabolic profile of adolescent monozygotic twins, resulting from discordance for insulin resistance, adjusted for physical activity, physical fitness and heredity. Thirty-eight pairs of monozygotic twins were assessed for anthropometric measurements to estimate body fat. Physical fitness was estimated with treadmill test and use of ergospirometer. Daily physical activity was estimated from the daily count of steps measured by a pedometer during 3 days. Fasting blood samples were used to determine blood glucose, insulin, lipid parameters. The Homa-IR and HOMA-β indexes were calculated. Twins with measures higher than 2.5 were considered insulin resistant. When both brothers were below or above cutoffs, the pair was allocated to the concordant group. When one brother was insulin resistant and the other was not, the pair was allocated in the discordant group. Twins were compared using paired test. In the discordant group, it was observed that insulin-resistant twins had higher birth weight values, bodyweight, BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage, body fat (sum of skinfolds), Homa-β index and lower HDL compared to their corresponding pair. Insulin-resistant twins showed higher values in anthropometry and body composition, as well as in the glycemia and insulin index and lower HDL. These events may have been unchained by metabolic alterations possibly originating from gestational stage, however, modulated by body composition. 

Nutritional status of children and adolescents based on body mass index: agreement between World Health Organization and International Obesity Task Force

Objective:

To investigate the agreement between two international criteria for classification of children and adolescents nutritional status.

Methods:

The study included 778 girls and 863 boys aged from six to 13 years old. Body mass and height were measured and used to calculate the body mass index. Nutritional status was classified according to the cut-off points defined by the World Health Organization and the International Obesity Task Force. The agreement was evaluated using Kappa statistic and weighted Kappa.

Results:

In order to classify the nutritional status, the agreement between the criteria was higher for the boys (Kappa 0.77) compared to girls (Kappa 0.61). The weighted Kappa was also higher for boys (0.85) in comparison to girls (0.77). Kappa index varied according to age. When the nutritional status was classified in only two categories - appropriate (thinness + accentuated thinness + eutrophy) and overweight (overweight + obesity + severe obesity) -, the Kappa index presented higher values than those related to the classification in six categories.

Conclusions:

A substantial agreement was observed between the criteria, being higher in males and varying according to the age.

Validity of the RAST for evaluating anaerobic power performance as compared to Wingate test in cycling athletes

The validity of the Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) was investigated to evaluate the anaerobic power performance in comparison to Wingate test in cycling athletes. Ten mountain-bike male cyclists (28.0±7.3 years) randomly performed Wingate Test and RAST with two trials each. After several anthropometric measurements, peak power (PP), mean power (MP) and fatigue index (FI) for RAST and Wingate Test were analyzed using Student's paired t-test, Pearson's linear correlation test (r) and Bland and Altman's plots. Results showed that, with the exception of FI (33.8±4.6% vs. 37.8±7.9%; r=0.172), significant differences were detected between the Wingate and RAST tests with regard to PP and MP. Although there was a strong correlation for PP and MP, or rather, 0.831 and 0.714 respectively, agreement of analysis between Wingate and RAST protocols was low. The above suggested that RAST was not appropriate to evaluate the performance of anaerobic power by Wingate test in cycling athletes.

Muscular static strength test performance: comparison between normotensive and hypertensive workers

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to compare static muscular strength test performance between hypertensive and normotensive workers, considering the hypothesis that hypertensive individuals have lower strength than normotensive individuals.

METHODS

The participants consisted of 354 workers (246 men and 108 women) who underwent height, body mass, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) measurements, as well as right and left handgrip, and scapular and lumbar strength tests. Assessments were performed during three days in all three shifts, with workers from a candy and sweets factory located in Rio Claro, SP, Brazil. BP measurements were performed with a 10-minute interval, with the subject in the sitting position. Before the strength tests were performed, the workers were familiarized with the equipment; the highest value was recorded after two attempts at each test.

RESULTS

The results showed significant differences between hypertensive and normotensive individuals for age, body mass, body mass index, and waist circumference greater for hypertensive individuals. Regarding static muscle strength tests performance, the hypertensive individuals did not differ significantly from normotensive individuals; however, this difference was observed when groups divided by body mass index (BMI) were compared. The obesity group had strength values above those of the normal weight/overweight group among normotensive individuals, but this was not observed among the hypertensive individuals. As for the intragender comparison, there were no significant differences for the strength tests.

CONCLUSION

Normotensive and hypertensive workers showed no significant differences in the performance of static muscular strength tests; however, body mass and gender seem to affect the association between muscle strength and blood pressure.