Research Interests: Medicine and Sarcopenia
Background Some behaviors can influence compliance to physical activity and exercise during aging. Nutritional status, health risk behaviors, and eating habits may be associated with recommended amounts of physical activity and exercise... more
Background Some behaviors can influence compliance to physical activity and exercise during aging. Nutritional status, health risk behaviors, and eating habits may be associated with recommended amounts of physical activity and exercise in healthy older adults. However, these associations are still not clear for older hypertensive adults, that require greater care from health professionals. We aimed to associate the nutritional status, health risk behaviors, and eating habits with recommended amounts of physical activity and exercise practice of older hypertensive adults. Methods 10,789 older hypertensive adults (70.9 ± 7.4 years) from VIGITEL survey were classified according to physical activity/exercise practice. Binary logistic regression was used to observe the odds ratio (OR) between nutritional status, risk behaviors (screen time, alcohol, and tobacco consumption), and eating habits (minimally/ultra-processed foods consumption score) with recommended amounts of physical activity/exercise. Results Highest nutritional status (ORPHYSICAL−ACTIVITY=-2.7%; OREXERCISE=-2.1%), screen time (ORPHYSICAL−ACTIVITY=-10.2%), alcohol consumption (ORPHYSICAL−ACTIVITY=-31.1%; OREXERCISE=-29.4%), tobacco (ORPHYSICAL−ACTIVITY=-38.4%; OREXERCISE=-53.2%) and ultra-processed foods consumption score (ORPHYSICAL−ACTIVITY=-10.1%; OREXERCISE=-11.2%) reduced the odds of being sufficiently active/practicing exercise (p < 0.05). Minimally processed foods consumption score increased the odds of being sufficiently active/practicing exercise (ORPHYSICAL−ACTIVITY=13.2%; OREXERCISE=16.8%, respectively; p < 0.05). Conclusion Nutritional status, health risk behaviors, and eating habits influence the odds of older hypertensive adults complying with physical activity and exercise recommendations. The results help outline the adoption of objective strategies aimed at risk factor behaviors in the treatment/control of arterial hypertension in older adults.
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Introduction: The time spent in different physical activity (PA) intensities is associated with sarcopenia risk for community-dwelling older women. Aim: To evaluate the role of sitting time and physical activity (PA) level as predictors... more
Introduction: The time spent in different physical activity (PA) intensities is associated with sarcopenia risk for community-dwelling older women. Aim: To evaluate the role of sitting time and physical activity (PA) level as predictors of sarcopenia odds. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, physically independent older women (n = 67) performed the six-minute walk test to identify functional limitation (≤ 400 m). Sedentary time (as sitting time) and PA (light, moderate and vigorous) were obtained with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Sarcopenia was diagnosed as recommended by the Society of Sarcopenia, Cachexia and Wasting Disorders (SCWD). Sarcopenia odds (low muscle mass and functional limitation) was predicted by binary logistic regression, considering the weekly sitting time and PA as independent variables. Results: Sarcopenia prevalence was 7.5% (n = 5), with functional limitation present in 38.8% (n = 26), and low muscle mass in 22.4% (n = 15). The predictive model (p = 0.014) involved moderate PA as the only significant predictor (OR = 0.999; p = 0.005; 95% CI: 0.998-1.000) of functional limitation. Moderate PA prevents sarcopenia odds. Each weekly hour of moderate PA decreased sarcopenia odds by 6%. Conclusion: Time spent in moderate PA can prevent sarcopenia.
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Research Interests: Medicine and Hemodynamics
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Reduced levels of children’s physical activity (PA) and fundamental motor skills (FMS) along with increased sedentary behaviors have been observed in recent years. Yet, associations between these variables are not yet well established.... more
Reduced levels of children’s physical activity (PA) and fundamental motor skills (FMS) along with increased sedentary behaviors have been observed in recent years. Yet, associations between these variables are not yet well established. This study aimed to observe the associations between FMS, PA and sedentary time in elementary school children. We evaluated 148 children (70 boys; Mage = 8.7, SD = 1.4 years old) from a private school using the Test of Gross Motor Development – Second Edition (TGMD-2) to measure FMS and examine locomotor, object control, and gross motor skills. We used accelerometry to measure PA performed on weekdays, weekends and total PA. We used descriptive statistics, partial correlations controlling for sex and age, and linear regression adjusted for sex and equivalent motor age to explain the relationships. Total moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) (β: 0.153; p = .009) and weekend MVPA (β: 0.171; p = .003) were significantly associated with FMS, regardless of gender and equivalent motor age. Sedentary time was not significantly associated with FMS ( p = .065). Girls and boys who met PA recommendations (≥60 minutes/day of moderate to vigorous PA) had higher frequencies of high ratings on the TGMD-2 ( p < .001 e p = .001, respectively). MVPA was associated with children’s FMS development, possibly affecting the quality of movement performed in children's daily lives.
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background: It is plausible that depression symptoms and disrupting sleep quality were differently affected according to the rigidity of social distancing during the covid-19 outbreak. objective: To describe and compare depression... more
background: It is plausible that depression symptoms and disrupting sleep quality were differently affected according to the rigidity of social distancing during the covid-19 outbreak. objective: To describe and compare depression symptoms and sleep quality amongst older Brazilian and Chinese women who were submitted to different social distancing measures (less rigid (Brazil) versus more rigid (China)). methods: This observational cross-sectional study assessed urban older women who underwent home confinement with less (Brazil; n=1015) or more (China; n=644) rigidity. Socio-demographic correlates, general health information, depression symptoms [Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15)], and sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)] were assessed through interviews. results: 1659 older women (66.74 ± 5.48 years old; 38.8% Chinese; 61.2% Brazilian) were included for analysis. 22% of Brazilians and 19.6% of Chinese women presented depression symptoms. The frequency of bad slee...
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Background The implementation of social distancing measures during covid-19 influenced health outcomes and population´s behaviors, and its rigidity was very different across countries. We aimed to verify the association between the... more
Background The implementation of social distancing measures during covid-19 influenced health outcomes and population´s behaviors, and its rigidity was very different across countries. We aimed to verify the association between the rigidity of social distancing measures of covid-19 first wave with depression symptoms, quality of life and sleep quality in older adults. Methods This is a cross-sectional study including 1023 older adults (90% women; 67.68 ± 5.92 years old) of a community-based program in Fortaleza (Brazil). Dependent variables (depression symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life) were measured through phone calls along June 2020, during the first covid-19 wave. Confinement rigidity (non-rigorous and rigorous) was considered as independent variable. Sociodemographic characteristics (sex, marital status, scholarity, and ethnicity), number of health conditions, nutritional status, movement behavior (physical activity and sitting time), technological skills, and pet ow...
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Control and monitor the training load program and training responses in athletes is important to avoid negative consequences of high training loads, such as injuries, illness and performance decay. Specifically in American football teams,... more
Control and monitor the training load program and training responses in athletes is important to avoid negative consequences of high training loads, such as injuries, illness and performance decay. Specifically in American football teams, there is a large number of athletes to monitor and depending on the sports team, they may or may not have easy access to a certain type of instrument. A reference material about instruments already used to monitor training load and training responses in American football athletes is interesting. This could help coaches and researchers to choose better instruments to use in their clinical practice or to cover some gap in the literature, advancing the state of the art. In this sense, the objective of this scope review is to indicate which tools have already been used to monitor training response and training load, thus indicating the limitations and gaps that researchers can advance. This study is a scoping review of the literature to be performed ba...
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Objective: To test the cross-validation of anthropometric prediction equations for appendicular muscle mass (AMM) in older Brazilian women. Methods: Sixty-seven older women (69.84 ± 5.95 years old) underwent anthropometric measurements.... more
Objective: To test the cross-validation of anthropometric prediction equations for appendicular muscle mass (AMM) in older Brazilian women. Methods: Sixty-seven older women (69.84 ± 5.95 years old) underwent anthropometric measurements. AMM (kg) reference values obtained by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (AMMDXA) were compared to 20 anthropometric equations for estimating AMM in older adults. A paired t-test (p > 0.05), standard error of estimate (SEE < 3.50 kg), and r2 > 0.70 confirmed the validity of the equations. The agreement between predictions and the reference was also verified (Bland-Altman). Results: Four American equations and one Mexican equation were not statistically different from AMMDXA (p > 0.05) but did not present suitable r2 values for validation. The American equation from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), AMM (kg) = (-0.04 × age [years]) + (0.46 × calf circumference [cm]) + (0.32 × arm circumference [cm]) + (0.11 × thi...
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Evidence is warranted to attest the therapeutic role of exercise as a non‐pharmacological adjuvant treatment for dementia. Multicomponent Training (MT) characterizes exercise sessions combining two or more physical fitness components... more
Evidence is warranted to attest the therapeutic role of exercise as a non‐pharmacological adjuvant treatment for dementia. Multicomponent Training (MT) characterizes exercise sessions combining two or more physical fitness components (i.e. endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility), and it has been suggested as a feasible training modality for dementia patients. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of a MT intervention on cognitive function, quality of life and functional capacity of older adults diagnosed with dementia.
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BACKGROUND Frailty phenotype has been extensively modified. Among the five criteria, the low physical activity (PA) is often changed, however, it is still uncertain how this modification might impact frailty classification. AIMS To... more
BACKGROUND Frailty phenotype has been extensively modified. Among the five criteria, the low physical activity (PA) is often changed, however, it is still uncertain how this modification might impact frailty classification. AIMS To examine the variance in the prevalence of frailty by modifying PA criterion using different cut-points of both subjective and objective measures, and to determine the agreement between these on classifying individuals with low PA. Finally, a surrogate PA criterion of frailty phenotype was proposed using objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). METHODS This cross-sectional study comprised a convenience sample of 135 community-dwelling older adults. Frailty was evaluated using a modified frailty phenotype. PA was assessed using International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form (IPAQ-SF) and objectively measured using a uniaxial accelerometer for 7 days. Four different low PA criteria were created and compared (population dependent and independent cut-points) using subjective and objective measures. RESULTS Different measures and cut-points resulted in an overall variation of 12.5% on frailty prevalence. The agreement in the categorization of participants with low PA between population dependent cut-points of both IPAQ-SF and accelerometer was none to slight (%Overallagreement = 43.70%; Kappa = 0.082, p = 0.114). Results from ROC curve analysis showed an optimal threshold of 15.13 min/day of MVPA to discriminate between non-frail and pre-frail individuals. CONCLUSION Modifications of the low PA criterion of frailty phenotype can greatly impact frailty classification. MVPA measured through an accelerometer may present a possible solution to standardize this criterion, and improve frailty screening and between-studies comparability.
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AimThe aim of our study was to analyze physical activity levels, sitting time, physical fitness, and their relationship with depressive symptoms after home confinement in previously active older adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional study... more
AimThe aim of our study was to analyze physical activity levels, sitting time, physical fitness, and their relationship with depressive symptoms after home confinement in previously active older adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional study sample comprised 68 older adults (74.24 ± 5.67 years) from a community-based exercise program conducted in Porto, Portugal. After home confinement, participants were assessed in person for lower-body strength (30-s chair stand test), cardiorespiratory fitness (6-min walking test), agility/dynamic balance (8-ft up-and-go test), handgrip strength, and anthropometry. Telephone interviews were performed to evaluate depressive symptoms with the Geriatric Depression Scale – 15 items (GDS-15) and physical activity levels through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SV). Individuals were also asked to self-report changes in their physical activity levels and time spent sitting.ResultsNinety percent of older adults self-reported a decrease i...
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Background: Examining the interrelationships between symptoms of depression and sociodemographic and behavioral correlates is challengeful using traditional regression analysis. Objective: to identify the sociodemographic, movement... more
Background: Examining the interrelationships between symptoms of depression and sociodemographic and behavioral correlates is challengeful using traditional regression analysis. Objective: to identify the sociodemographic, movement behaviors, and sleep correlates that contribute the most to symptoms of depression in Brazilian older females, using a network analysis approach. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed 1019 older females from Brazil. Data (sociodemographic, height (meters), weight (kilograms), symptoms of depression, physical activity, sleep) were self-reported via phone calls. The relationships between symptoms of depression and their correlates were assessed using the Network Analysis (qgraph package of the Rstudio) for entire sample and age groups (60-69; 70-79 and 80+ years old). Results: 60-69 and 70-79 groups have more weekly home exits, with aging “single, widowed or divorced” was progressively higher, and “married or stable union” and Overweight/obesity were...
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Background Nutritional status, health risk behaviors, eating habits, and other comorbidities (such as diabetes) may be associated with recommended amounts of physical activity (PA) and exercise (EX) in healthy older adults. However, these... more
Background Nutritional status, health risk behaviors, eating habits, and other comorbidities (such as diabetes) may be associated with recommended amounts of physical activity (PA) and exercise (EX) in healthy older adults. However, these associations are still unclear for older hypertensive adults, who require greater care from health professionals. The purpose of this study was to associate the nutritional status, health risk behaviors, eating habits, and the presence of diabetes with recommended amounts of physical activity and exercise practice of older hypertensive adults. Methods Ten thousand seven hundred eighty-nine older hypertensive adults (70.9 ± 7.4 years) from the VIGITEL telephone survey were classified according to PA levels (insufficiently active/sufficiently active) and EX practice (non-practitioners/practitioners). Binary logistic regression was used to observe the odds ratio (OR) between independent variables (nutritional status [body mass index], sociodemographic...
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The regular practice of physical activity helps in the prevention and control of several non-communicable diseases. However, evidence on the role of physical activity in mitigating worsening clinical outcomes in people with COVID-19 is... more
The regular practice of physical activity helps in the prevention and control of several non-communicable diseases. However, evidence on the role of physical activity in mitigating worsening clinical outcomes in people with COVID-19 is still unclear. The aim of this study was to verify whether different levels of physical activity provide protection for clinical outcomes caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 509 adults (43.8 ± 15.71 years; 61.1% female) with a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 residing in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Participants were interviewed by telephone to determine the severity of the infection and the physical activity performed. Binary logistic regression was used to indicate the odds ratio (OR) of active people reporting less harmful clinical outcomes from COVID-19. Active people had a lower chance of hospitalization, fewer hospitalization days, less respiratory difficulty and needed less oxygen support. The results ...
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A solidão é uma percepção de insatisfação que parece resultar da carência de relacionamentos significativos, sendo múltiplos os seus potenciais fatores causais. A atual evidência não é robusta no que diz respeito à associação da solidão... more
A solidão é uma percepção de insatisfação que parece resultar da carência de relacionamentos significativos, sendo múltiplos os seus potenciais fatores causais. A atual evidência não é robusta no que diz respeito à associação da solidão com a atividade física (AF) e aptidão física (ApF) em adultos 50+. O objetivo deste estudo transversal é caracterizar a AF e ApF de acordo com a solidão. Os 62 indivíduos portugueses (64,68 ± 6,85 anos; 68% mulheres) foram avaliados para solidão (Escala de Solidão de 16 itens da Universidade da Califórnia em Los Angeles - UCLA-16) e classificados como Isolamento Social ou Afinidades, i.e., presença de relações socias significativas. A AF foi estimada por questionário (Questionário Internacional de AF - Versão Curta - IPAQ-SV) e a ApF medida pela bateria Senior Fitness Test (força de membros superiores e inferiores, flexibilidade de membros superiores e membros inferiores, aptidão cardiorrespiratória e agilidade e equilíbrio dinâmico. Foram utilizadas...
Resistance training with blood flow restriction (RTBFR) allows physically impaired people living with HIV (PWH) to exercise at lower intensities than traditional resistance training (TRT). But the acute and chronic cardiac and metabolic... more
Resistance training with blood flow restriction (RTBFR) allows physically impaired people living with HIV (PWH) to exercise at lower intensities than traditional resistance training (TRT). But the acute and chronic cardiac and metabolic responses of PWH following an RTBFR protocol are unknown. The objective was to compare the safety of acute and chronic effects on hemodynamic and lipid profiles between TRT or RTBFR in PWH. In this randomized control trial, 14 PWH were allocated in RTBFR (GRTBFR; n = 7) or TRT (GTRT; n = 7). Both resistance training protocols had 36 sessions (12 weeks, three times per week). Protocol intensity was 30% (GRTBFR) and 80% (GTRT). Hemodynamic (heart rate, blood pressure) and lipid profile were acutely (rest and post exercise 7th, 22nd, and 35th sessions) and chronically (pre and post-program) recorded. General linear models were applied to determine group * time interaction. In the comparisons between groups, the resistance training program showed acute a...
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Background : Handgrip strength (HGS) is a well-established clinical biomarker that assesses functional capacity in older populations. In addition, HGS is a diagnostic tool that forecasts aging health conditions, such as sarcopenia. Aims :... more
Background : Handgrip strength (HGS) is a well-established clinical biomarker that assesses functional capacity in older populations. In addition, HGS is a diagnostic tool that forecasts aging health conditions, such as sarcopenia. Aims : This paper provides HGS statistical tolerance regions and presents the need to establish HGS reference values according to patients' characteristics. Methods : For this purpose, we used a conditional tolerance algorithm for HGS, and we observed the tolerances regions in different age strata and sex of non-sarcopenic individuals from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, wave 2011-2012). Results and Discussion : Our results have critical implications for sarcopenia since conventional and available HGS cut-offs do not consider age range. Conclusions : This paper offers new perspectives on the evolution of traditional definitions of sarcopenia according to the principles of precision medicine.
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ABSTRACTIntroductionWeakness is a natural age-related condition meaning the loss of muscle strength that impairs older adults’ mobility and quality of life. Because the relationship between muscle strength and body-size variables is... more
ABSTRACTIntroductionWeakness is a natural age-related condition meaning the loss of muscle strength that impairs older adults’ mobility and quality of life. Because the relationship between muscle strength and body-size variables is non-linear, weakness is misclassified in older adults with extreme body size (e.g., light, short, heavy, or tall). This misclassification can be overcome using the allometric approach.ObjectivesTo propose cut-off points for older adults’ weakness for upper and lower limbs muscle strength normalized by body size with the ratio standard and allometric scaling.MethodsNinety-four community-dwelling older adults (69.1% women) were assessed for 49 body-size variables (anthropometry, body composition and body indexes), handgrip strength (HGS), one maximum repetition measurement for knee extensors (1RMknee extensors), isokinetic knee extension peak torque at 60°/s (knee extensionPT60°/s), and six-minute walk test (6MWT). Ratio standard (muscle strength/body size...
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Additional file 1. SUPPLEMENT A - Body size variables (n = 49) to normalize muscle strength. SUPPLEMENT B - Non-significant correlations between body-size variables and muscle strength tests. SUPPLEMENT C - Linear regressions to obtain... more
Additional file 1. SUPPLEMENT A - Body size variables (n = 49) to normalize muscle strength. SUPPLEMENT B - Non-significant correlations between body-size variables and muscle strength tests. SUPPLEMENT C - Linear regressions to obtain allometric exponents for handgrip strength (HGS), one maximum repetition measurement for knee extensors (1RM) and isokinetic knee extension peak torque at 60º/s (PT) in older men and women (n = 94). SUPPLEMENT D - Cut-off points to identify muscle weakness in older adults of the handgrip strength (HGS), one maximum repetition measurement for knee extensors (1RM) and isokinetic knee extension peak torque at 60º/s (PT) (non-normalized, ratio standard/muscle quality and allometric scaling), and the correlation of muscle strength with body size.
Background: Although home confinement reduces the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections, it may negatively impact the psychological and physical health of older adults. Objective: The present study attempted to describe the quality of life... more
Background: Although home confinement reduces the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections, it may negatively impact the psychological and physical health of older adults. Objective: The present study attempted to describe the quality of life (QoL) of older adults before and during the COVID-19 outbreak, focusing on evaluating QoL, physical activity, sitting time, and sleep quality during home confinement. Method: The present study was conducted in 1,063 older adults (91 % females) enrolled in a Brazilian social program. They were interviewed for QoL (EQ-5D), physical activity (international physical activity questionnaire-short), and sleep quality [Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI)] after 11.6 ± 2.4 weeks of confinement. Logistic regression confirmed changes in QoL. Results: The QoL (86.5 ± 14.7) decreased significantly during confinement (66.0 ± 21.0; P < 0.001), whereas the PSQI global score was 6.8 ± 3.9 points. Older adults spent 18.7 ± 29.8 min/day in moderate to vigorous physic...
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OBJECTIVES Absolute handgrip strength and adjusted by body mass index are useful to identify geriatric syndromes. However, these values are not accurate for older adults with extreme body size because of the nonlinear relationship between... more
OBJECTIVES Absolute handgrip strength and adjusted by body mass index are useful to identify geriatric syndromes. However, these values are not accurate for older adults with extreme body size because of the nonlinear relationship between strength, height, and body mass. The purpose of this study was to determine cut-off points for geriatric syndromes of older adults using allometric coefficients to normalize grip strength by body size. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Data from 13,235 older adults of Study on Global Aging and Adult Health conducted in 6 low- and middle-income countries were analyzed. METHODS Country- and sex-specific allometric exponents for body-size variables (mass and height) were computed with log-linear models. Partial correlation verified whether allometric normalization removed the effect of body size on grip strength. Cut-off points were established (<20th percentile) for low allometrically adjusted grip strength. RESULTS Allometric exponents for normalization of grip strength were provided for body-size variables, ranging from 0.19 to 2.45. Allometric normalization removed the effect of body size on grip strength (r < 0.30). Overall, frequencies of low muscle strength were overestimated with international criteria (absolute grip strength) compared with the cut-off points proposed in this study. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The proposed allometric exponents normalized grip strength according to body-size variables. These exponents improved the accuracy in identifying geriatric syndromes in older adults with extreme body size. The variability between strength reveals the need for developing specific cut-off points for low- and middle-income countries. New cut-off points of low normalized grip strength with automatized applicability were proposed for health care providers use in clinical practice.
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BackgroundThe role of food type consumption on nutritional status (NS) transition from overweight (OW) to obesity (OB), represents a higher risk in the development of chronic diseases, morbidity, premature mortality, and health services... more
BackgroundThe role of food type consumption on nutritional status (NS) transition from overweight (OW) to obesity (OB), represents a higher risk in the development of chronic diseases, morbidity, premature mortality, and health services burden compared to normal weight to OW. In this sense, minimally and ultra-processed foods can impact on NS transition. However, the influence of quantity consumption has not yet been investigated. We aimed to investigate the magnitude of the impact of ultra-processed food and minimally processed food consumption in the change of NS from OW to OB.MethodsWe included 15.024 participants (9.618 OW [body mass index 25.0-29.9kg/m2], 5.406 OB [body mass index ≥30kg/m2]) with age ranging from 18 to 59 years-old from the 2019 baseline survey of the Surveillance of Risk Factors and Protection for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (VIGITEL). Minimally processed and ultra-processed food daily consumption and other confounding variables (age, sex, scholarity,...
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Absolute muscle strength or adjusted by body mass index (BMI) are useful to identify sarcopenia. However, these values are not accurate for older adults with extreme body sizes because the nonlinear relationship between strength and body... more
Absolute muscle strength or adjusted by body mass index (BMI) are useful to identify sarcopenia. However, these values are not accurate for older adults with extreme body sizes because the nonlinear relationship between strength and body size. The purpose was to determine cut-off points for identify sarcopenia in older adults using allometric coefficients to normalise handgrip strength (HGS) and 30-sec chair stand test (30-s CST) by body size. Allometric exponents were proposed with log-linear models for body-size variables (body mass, height and BMI). The remotion of body-size effect on muscle strength with allometric normalisation was tested by partial correlation. Cut-off points for low muscle strength were established by ROC curve and Youden index considering functional limitation (six-minute walk test<400m). Allometric exponents provided for body-size variables range from -0.01 to 2.28 (HGS) and -0.27 to 0.21 (30-s CST). The effect of body size on muscle strength was removed...
Research Interests: Sarcopenia and Allometry
Background Physical fitness is an important determinant of quality of life (QoL) in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients. However, how the different physical fitness components correlate with the specific... more
Background Physical fitness is an important determinant of quality of life (QoL) in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients. However, how the different physical fitness components correlate with the specific dimensions of QoL in HFpEF patients remains unknown. Objective To evaluate the association between different physical fitness components and QoL dimensions in HFpEF patients, and, assess which physical fitness components were independently associated to QoL. Methods Patients with HFpEF were assessed for physical fitness [dynamic balance and mobility (8-foot-up-and go test), upper body strength (handgrip), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) (6-minute-walking test) and body composition (body mass index)] and for QoL (Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire). Partial correlation was used to verify the association between physical fitness components and QoL dimensions. The determination of independent predictors in QoL dimensions was assessed through s...
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Background To propose cut-off points for older adults’ weakness for upper and lower limbs muscle strength normalized by body size with the ratio standard/muscle quality and allometric scaling. Methods Ninety-four community-dwelling older... more
Background To propose cut-off points for older adults’ weakness for upper and lower limbs muscle strength normalized by body size with the ratio standard/muscle quality and allometric scaling. Methods Ninety-four community-dwelling older adults (69.1% women) were assessed for 49 body-size variables (anthropometry, body composition and body indexes), handgrip strength (HGS), one maximum repetition measurement for knee extensors (1RM), isokinetic knee extension peak torque at 60°/s (PT), and six-minute walk test (6MWT). Ratio standard or muscle quality (muscle strength/body size) and allometric scaling (muscle strength/body sizeb; when b is the allometric exponent) were applied for body-size variables significantly correlated with HGS, 1RM and PT. Cut-off points were computed according to sex based on mobility limitation (6MWT < 400 m) with ROC curve and Youden index. Results Absolute HGS, 1RM and PT cut-off points were not adequate because they were associated with body size (r &g...
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The European Regional Development Fund through the Operational Competitiveness Program, and the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) of Portugal support this study and the research unit CIAFEL within the projects... more
The European Regional Development Fund through the Operational Competitiveness Program, and the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) of Portugal support this study and the research unit CIAFEL within the projects FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-020180 (References FCT: PTDC/DES/122763/2010,UID/DTP/00617/2013,UID/BIM/04501/2013,UID/MAT/04106/2013). The FCT supported the author Lucimere Bohn (SFRH/BD/78620/2011).
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Background Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to adverse mental health consequences, such as depression, among older adults. This study aimed to investigate the predictors of lower depression scores in older adults... more
Background Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to adverse mental health consequences, such as depression, among older adults. This study aimed to investigate the predictors of lower depression scores in older adults living under lockdown. Methods 1,123 older Brazilian adults were cross-sectionally assessed for depression, physical activity (PA), pet ownership (dogs, cats, and birds), ability to make video calls, leaving home during lockdown, and not living alone. The statistical procedures included linear regression and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results After adjusting for age, sex, and race, moderate to vigorous PA (β = −0.014, p < .001), it was found that PA (β = −0.905, p < .001) and dog ownership (β = −0.545, p = .004) were associated with lower depression. No association was observed between depression and other conditions. Conclusions With the likelihood of subsequent COVID-19 waves, remotely delivered PA programs might be a strategy to counter...
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A proposta deste estudo foi determinar a relação entre a área de secção transversa muscular ASTm) estimada e a força máxima dinâmica de extensores de joelho e flexores do cotovelo. A amostra foi constituída de adultos jovens do sexo... more
A proposta deste estudo foi determinar a relação entre a área de secção transversa muscular ASTm) estimada e a força máxima dinâmica de extensores de joelho e flexores do cotovelo. A amostra foi constituída de adultos jovens do sexo masculino, sedentários e aparentemente saudáveis (n = 10). A força máxima dinâmica foi avaliada através do teste de uma repetição máxima (1-RM). As estimativas da ASTm de coxa e braço foram calculadas a partir da equação de Gurney (1973). Os resultados não mostraram correlação entre as variáveis força máxima dinâmica e a estimativa da área de secção transversa muscular (p > 0,05) e uma grande variabilidade amostrai. Essa pode ter sido in-fluenciada por fatores como o nível de atividade física (que influenciaria na coordenação neuromuscular e nos mecanismos inibitórios) e pela predominância dos diferentes tipos de fibras musculares em cada sujeito. Estes resultes impossibilitam a modulação da carga de treinamento a partir da ASTm, tendo em vista a gran...
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(12/31/2011) or time of death. Estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) adjusted for sex, age, education, race, and BMI, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, smoking, health status, and history of cancer or... more
(12/31/2011) or time of death. Estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) adjusted for sex, age, education, race, and BMI, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, smoking, health status, and history of cancer or cardiovascular disease at T2. RESULTS: At T2, the sample was 58% male, average age was 70.6 y (SD=5.3 y), and average BMI was 26.8 (SD+4.9 kg/m2). We observed 18,759 deaths over an average follow-up of 6.7 y. Prolonged TV viewing at T1 and T2 was associated with greater mortality risk. Among those watching <3 h/d at T1, those who increased viewing to 3-4 h/d at T2 had a 13% greater risk (HR[CI]]) (1.13 [1.06-1.20]) and those increasing to 5+ h/d had a 46% greater risk (1.46[1.33-1.59]). Conversely, those who reduced TV viewing from T1 to T2 had lower mortality risk. Among those watching 5+h/d at T1, those who reduced viewing to 3-4 h/d at T2 had an 11% lower risk (0.89[0.80-0.99]) and those reduced to <3 h/d at T2 had a 13% lower risk (0.87[0.820.93]). Slightly stronger results were observed for cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that reducing TV viewing decreases mortality risk in older adults. Prolonged TV viewing over the long-term or increasing TV viewing was associated with a graded increase in mortality risk. Recommendations and public health interventions to reduce TV viewing among older adults may be warranted.
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IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic led to the implementation of physical–social distancing measures–including self-isolation, home confinement, and quarantine around the world, with psychological consequences such as depression. Older... more
IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic led to the implementation of physical–social distancing measures–including self-isolation, home confinement, and quarantine around the world, with psychological consequences such as depression. Older adults are especially likely to develop depressive symptomatology. This study aims to investigate the association between physical activity intensities and sedentary behavior with depression levels among previously active older adults during the COVID-19 lockdown.MethodsA total of 1,123 physically active older Brazilian adults (67.68 ± 5.91 years, 91.00% female) were interviewed by telephone in regard to sociodemographic, general health status, depression (GDS-15), and physical activity (IPAQ-SV) after being home-confined for 11.59 ± 2.42 weeks. Participants were also asked to self-report changes in their physical activity levels and time spent sitting. Descriptive statistics (mean, frequencies), between-groups comparisons (t-tests and chi-square), and ...
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The objective of this study was to observe the home-confinement effects on physical fitness, physical activity (PA), and body composition in active older adults, and to compare physical fitness and PA according to quality of life (QoL)... more
The objective of this study was to observe the home-confinement effects on physical fitness, physical activity (PA), and body composition in active older adults, and to compare physical fitness and PA according to quality of life (QoL) during confinement. A total of 72 physically active older adults (61.1% females; 74.24 ± 5.57 years) were assessed pre- and postconfinement for aerobic capacity (6-min walk test), lower (30-s sit-to-stand), and upper (30-s arm-curl) body strength, PA (short-version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire), and QoL (EQ-5D-visual analogue scale). The pre- and postconfinement comparisons show declines in upper (−2.24 ± 0.45 repetitions; p