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.

S.P.O.T.: Sensações, paixões, ódios e taras - a vida em palco: Relatório de estágio em assistência de encenação do espectáculo

Este estágio permitiu-me reflectir sobre questões fundamentais para a minha formação em Dramaturgia e Encenação. A capacidade de trabalho e coordenação requeridas a um encenador tomaram-se preocupações concretas no meu trabalho. Ter a noção de todos os elementos a ter em conta para criar um espectáculo permitiu-me compreender a importância individual de cada um, bem como a minúcia da harmonização entre eles. Esta viagem começa na origem e compreensão do texto, passando pela análise do trabalho do encenador, e culminando na observação da evolução do meu trabalho. Executar o que até agora apenas conhecia das linhas escritas por Peter Brook, Artaud, Stanislavki, António Damásio e Erving Goffman, entre outros, significa levantar um véu e ver com os meus olhos as texturas que compõem a arte do Teatro. ABSTRACT: This training period opened the field for broader reflection on fundamental issues related to Dramatology and Staging Techniques. The skills acquired, the coordination, and the endurance demanded from a stage director showed the actual dimension of the whole that one must consider when creating a show. namely. by understanding the importance of each and every individual on stage as well as the difficult minute details necessary to develop a sense of harmony with different parts. My voyage starts with the work, ending with the criticism of my own work. With practical staging experience - unveiling the most significant textures in the art of Theatre - I fully realized the writing of authors such as Brook. Artaud. Stanislavski, Damacio and Goffman.