Efeitos de um programa de exercício multimodal em pessoas idosas institucionalizadas

Objetivo: Investigar os efeitos de um programa de exercício multimodal sobre o funcionamento cognitivo e aptidão física funcional em pessoas idosas institucionalizadas. Método: Os participantes foram selecionados por conveniência entre os utentes de duas instituições de apoio a pessoas idosas. O grupo inicial foi constituído por um total de 21 pessoas de ambos os sexos (77-92 anos). Inicialmente, foi garantido um “período de controlo” de 4 semanas, em que os participantes mantiveram as suas atividades de vida quotidianas normais. Posteriormente, todos os idosos integraram um programa de exercício multimodal durante 8 semanas. Para estudar os efeitos da intervenção foram recolhidos dados em 3 momentos distintos: previamente ao período de controlo, após o período de controlo e no final do programa de intervenção. Foram efetuados testes físicos/motores, cognitivos e de dupla-tarefa (motor-cognitivo). Durante as sessões de exercício, alternaram-se períodos constituídos por tarefas motoras com períodos em que as tarefas motoras implicavam uma mobilização simultânea de recursos cognitivos. Resultados: A análise estatística dos dados recolhidos nos três momentos de avaliação, revelou efeitos positivos da intervenção ao nível da atenção, tempo de reação, força muscular, agilidade e capacidade cardiorrespiratória. Nos testes realizados em dupla-tarefa, foram encontradas melhorias no teste timed up and go, mas não se verificaram melhorias no teste de tempo de reação. A análise estatística dos dados recolhidos nos três momentos de avaliação, revelou efeitos positivos (p<0.05). da intervenção ao nível da atenção, tempo de reação, força muscular, agilidade e capacidade cardiorrespiratória. Nos testes realizados em dupla-tarefa, foram encontradas melhorias no teste timed up and go (p<0.05), mas não se verificaram melhorias no teste de tempo de reação. Conclusões: Um programa de exercícios multimodal induz melhorias no funcionamento cognitivo e motor de pessoas idosas institucionalizadas. É aconselhada a divulgação deste tipo de intervenção para pessoas idosas institucionalizadas; Effects of a Multimodal Exercise Program for Elderly Institutionalized Abstract: Objective: To investigate wthe effects of a multimodal exercise program on cognitive functioning and physical fitness of institutionalized elderly. Method: Participants were selected by convenience among two nursing home residents. Twenty-one people (77-92 years old) of both genders participated. During the first 4 weeks (control period), participants were not engaged in the exercise program and continue with their normal daily life activities. After the control period, the group was engaged in a multimodal exercise program for 8 weeks (2 times per week). To study the effects of a multimodal exercise program, data were collected at three different times: prior to the control period, after the control period, and at the end of the intervention. Several motor tests (physical fitness), cognitive tests and dual-tasks (motor-cognitive) were performed. The exercise sessions alternated between periods of motor taks and periods with motor plus cognitive tasks performed simultaneously. Results: The analysis of the data collected in the three moments of evaluation, show positive effects of the exercise program in cognitive dimensions (information processing speed and attention) and functional physical fitness components (muscle resistance, cardiorespiratory fitness and dynamic balance). In tests carried out in dual-task conditions, the exercise program promoted improvements in the timed up and go test (with mental calculations). Statistical analysis of the data collected at the three evaluation moments revealed positive effects (p <0.05). Of attention intervention, reaction time, muscle strength, agility and cardiorespiratory capacity. In the double-task tests, improvements were found in the timed up and go test (p <0.05), but there were no improvements in the reaction time test. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that a multimodal exercise program can improve cognitive functioning and physical fitness in institutionalized older people. Thus, this type of intervention should be promoted among nursing home residents.

Increased physical activity and fitness above the 50th percentile prevents the institutionalization of elderly people: a cross-sectional pilot study.

Introduction Institutionalization in a nursing home restricts autonomy, most notably free will, free choice, and free action. Decreased physical activity and fitness are predictive of disability and dependence (Rikli & Jones, 2013; Tak, Kuiper, Chorus, & Hopman-Rock, 2014); however little is known about the impact of these factors on institutionalization. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the impact of physical activity and fitness and on the risk of elderly people without cognitive impairment become institutionalized. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 195 non-institutionalized (80.14.4yrs) and 186 institutionalized (83.85.2yrs) participants. Cognitive impairment was assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination, physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and measures of physical fitness were determined by the Senior Fitness Test. Results: Multivariate binary logistic analysis selected 4 main predictors of institutionalization in both genders. The likelihood of becoming institutionalized increased by +18.6% for each additional year of age, while it decreased by -24.8% by each fewer kg/m2 in BMI, by -0.9% for each additional meter performed in the aerobic endurance test and by -2.0% for each additional 100MET-min/wk of physical activity expenditure (p<0.05). Values ≤50th percentile (age ≥81yrs, BMI≥26.7kg/m2, aerobic endurance ≤367.6m, and physical activity ≤693MET-min/wk) were computed using Receiver Operating Characteristics analysis as cut-offs discriminating institutionalized from non-institutionalized elderly people. Conclusion The performance of physical activity, allied to an improvement in physical fitness (mainly BMI and aerobic endurance) may prevent the institutionalization of elderly people without cognitive impairment only if they are above the 50th percentile; the following is highly recommend: expending ≥693MET-min/wk on physical activity, being ≤26.7kg/m2 on BMI, and being able to walk ≥367.6m in the aerobic endurance test, especially above the age of 80 years. The discovery of this trigger justifies the development of physical activity programs targeting the pointed cut-offs in old, and very old people. References Rikli, R., & Jones, C. (2013). Development and validation of criterion-referenced clinically relevant fitness standards for maintaining physical independence in later years. Gerontologist, 53, 255-267. Tak, E., Kuiper, R., Chorus, A., & Hopman-Rock, M. (2014). Prevention of onset and progression of basic ADL disability by physical activity in community dwelling older adults: a meta-analysis. Ageing Res Rev, 12, 329-338.

Juniperus navicularis - a study of Portuguese population structure and fitness

Juniperus navicularis Gand. is a dioecious endemic conifer that constitutes the understory of seaside pine forests in Portugal, areas currently threatened by increasing urban expansion. The aim of this study is to assess the conservation status of previously known populations of this species located on its core area of distribution. The study was performed in south-west coast of Portugal. Three populations varying in size and pine density were analyzed. Number of individuals, population density, spatial distribution and individual characteristics of junipers were estimated. Female cone, seed characteristics and seed viability were also evaluated. Results suggest that J. navicularis populations are vulnerable because seminal recruitment is scarce, what may lead to a reduction of genetic variability due solely to vegetative propagation. This vulnerability seems to be strongly determined by climatic constraints toward increasing aridity. Ratio between male and female shrubs did not differ from 1:1 in any population. Deviations from 1:1 between mature and non-mature plants were found in all populations, denoting population ageing. Very low seed viability was observed. A major part of described Juniperus navicularis populations have disappeared through direct habitat loss to urban development, loss of fitness in drier and warmer locations and low seed viability. This study is the first to address J. navicularis conservation, and represents a valuable first step toward this species preservation.