The relationship between depression and cardiovascular disease

Evidence from epidemiological studies has established that depression is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and that the comorbidity of depression with pre-existing CVD worsens the prognosis for sufferers of CVD. Depression has also been associated with other behaviours that impact on CVD, such as medication non-compliance, and an unwillingness to adopt an exercise program, that reduce the likelihood of successful rehabilitation from CVD. Published literature on the current knowledge of the association between depression and CVD is reviewed in this paper.

Reducing psychological distress and obesity in Australian farmers by promoting physical activity

Background: Studies have confirmed that the rate of mental illness is no higher in rural Australians than that of urban Australians. However, the rate of poor mental health outcomes, and in particular suicide, is significantly raised in rural populations. This is thought to be due to lack of early diagnosis, health service access, the distance-decay effect, poor physical health determinants and access to firearms. Research conducted by the National Centre for Farmer Health between 2004 and 2009 reveals that there is a correlation between obesity and psychological distress among the farming community where suicide rates are recognised as high. Chronic stress overstimulates the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis that is associated with abdominal obesity. Increasing physical activity may block negative thoughts, increase social contact, positively influence brain chemistry and improve both physical and mental health. This paper describes the design of the Farming Fit study that aims to identify the effect of physical activity on psychological distress, obesity and health behaviours such as diet patterns and smoking in farm men and women.
Methods/Design: For this quasi-experimental (convenience sample) control-intervention study, overweight (Body Mass Index ≥25 kg/m2) farm men and women will be recruited from Sustainable Farm Families™ (SFF) programs held across Victoria, Australia. Baseline demographic data, health data, depression anxiety stress scale (DASS) scores, dietary information, physical activity data, anthropometric data, blood pressure and biochemical analysis of plasma and salivary cortisol levels will be collected. The intervention group will receive an exercise program and regular phone coaching in order to increase their physical activity. Analysis will evaluate the impact of the intervention by longitudinal data (baseline and post intervention) comparison of intervention and control groups.
Discussion: This study is designed to examine the effect of physical activity on psychological health and other comorbidities such as obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, hypertension and dyslipidaemia within a high-risk cohort. The outcomes of this research will be relevant to further research and service delivery programs, in particular those tailored to rural communities.

Physical activity participation and barriers for people with multiple myeloma

Purpose

This study aims to examine, for people treated for multiple myeloma, (1) differences between prediagnosis and postdiagnosis levels of physical activity, (2) perceived barriers and likelihood of attending a physical activity program, and (3) factors that influence whether or not respondents are meeting physical activity guidelines.
Methods

This was a quantitative cross-sectional study; data were gathered from a larger Australian population-wide survey. Respondents completed the survey in hard copy, online, or over the telephone. Demographic and clinical variables included age, gender, locality, time since diagnosis, and marital status. The Godin Leisure-Time Questionnaire measured physical activity; barriers and likelihood of participating in a physical activity program were assessed using a five-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses.
Results

Of the 229 respondents, 53.1 % were male, 42 % aged 60–69 years, and 75.7 % were married or in a de facto relationship. Participation in physical activity declined significantly from prediagnosis levels. Fatigue, injuries, and pain were the strongest perceived barriers to participation; 41 % reported they were likely to attend an exercise program if offered. Respondents who were sufficiently active before diagnosis were 4.79 times more likely to be sufficiently active posttreatment.
Conclusions

People with multiple myeloma reported very low levels of physical activity across all levels of intensity; however, they were interested in attending a physical activity program. To increase physical activity among people with multiple myeloma, interventions should target perceived barriers with a particular focus on those who were not physically active prior to diagnosis.

Exercício aeróbico, resistência de artéria carótidae autonomia funcional em mulheres idosas

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of an aerobic exercise program on the internal right carotid resistive index (IRCRI) and the functional autonomy levels of elderly women. The sample was composed of 25 elderly sedentary women, aged between 60 and 75 years, allocated into two groups: an experimental group consisting of 14 women submitted to aerobic treatment and a control group (n=11). Carotid artery resistance assessment was conducted using Doppler ultrasound and functional autonomy by the following tests: 10m walk (10mW), rising from a sitting position (RSP), rising from a chair and moving about the house (RCMH), rising from the ventral decubitus position (RVDP) and putting on and removing a t-shirt (PRTS). Aerobic training consisted of walking 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week, for 3 months. To control the intensity of the walk, the index of perceived exertion was used, with standardized Borg scale values corresponding to 13-15 points, characterized as slightly tiring exercise with training heart rate (TRH) between 50% and 80% of heart rate reserve (HRR). Repeated measures ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Compared to the control, the experimental group obtained a statistically significant decrease in right internal carotid resistance (p = 0.021) and a significant increase in the following tests: 10mW (p=0.000), RSP (p=0.035) and RCMH (p=0.016). These results suggest that engaging in aerobic exercises was effective in decreasing IRCRI and improving functional autonomy inelderly women

Efeito do método pilates no desempenho muscular e no equilíbrio corporal de mulheres idosas: ensaio clínico controlado randomizado

Background: The Pilates Method is a modality of exercise that has been growing in recent decades, but few researches has been conducted with elderly and little is known about its benefits in this population. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a program of Mat Pilates exercises in muscle performance and postural balance in elderly women. Materials and Method: This is a randomized controlled trial that evaluated the muscle performance (isokinetic dynamometer Biodex System 3 Pro®) and postural balance (Balance Master System®) of 33 women aged 65-80 years. The experimental group (EG) participated of a 12-week program of Mat Pilates exercises with two weekly sessions. Data normality was verified by the Shapiro - Wilk test and were adopted p value < 0.05 as significance level. Results: There were no differences between groups after training. However, the EG showed an increase in the values of extension and flexion average power to 60 ° / s after training (32.19 W to 37.04 W and 14.48 W to 17.56 W, respectively). Conclusion: The proposed exercise program was not effective in the total work and average power of flexor and extensor of the knee, as well as static and dynamic balance of participants

Custos e benefícios de um programa de exercício aeróbios na doença pulmonar obstrutica crônica: ensaio cliníco aleatório controlado

Pulmonary Rehabilitation, especially due to aerobic exercise, positive impact in reducing morbidity/mortality of patients with COPD, however the economic impact with costs of implementing simple programs of aerobic exercise are scarce. This is a blind randomized clinical trials, which aimed to evaluate the costs and benefits of a simple program of aerobic exercise in individuals with COPD, considering the financial costs of the Public Health System and its secondary endpoints. We evaluated lung function, the distance walked during six minutes of walking, the respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, quality of life related to health (QLRH), body composition and level of activity of daily living (ADL) before and after eight weeks of an aerobic exercise program consisting of educational guidance for both groups, control and intervention and supervised walks to the intervention group. The health costs generated in both groups were calculated following table Brazilian Public Health System. The sample consisted of forty patients, two being excluded in the initial phase of desaturation during the walk test six minutes. Were randomized into control and intervention group thirty-eight patients, three were excluded from the control group and one was excluded from the intervention group. At the end, thirty-four COPD comprised the sample, 16 in the control group and 18 in the intervention group (FEV1: 50.9 ± 14% pred and FEV1: 56 ± 0.5% pred, respectively). After for intervention, the intervention group showed improvement in meters walked, the sensation of dyspnea and fatigue at work, BODE index (p <0.01) in QLRH, ADL level (p <0.001) as well as increased strength lower limbs (p <0.05). The final cost of the program for the intervention group was R $ 148.75, including: assessments, hiking supervised by a physiotherapist and reassessments. No patient had exacerbation of IG, while 2 patients in the CG exacerbated, generating an average individual cost of R $ 689.15. The aerobic exercises in the form of walking showed significant clinical benefits and economic feasibility of its implementation, due to low cost and easy accessibility for patients, allowing them to add their daily practice of aerobic exercises

Estudo comparativo da evolução e sobrevida de pacientes com claudicação intermitente, com ou sem limitação para exercícios, acompanhados em ambulatório específico

CONTEXTO: Os fatores de risco para doença aterosclerótica, que influenciam na evolução natural dessa doença, estão bem estabelecidos, assim como o benefício do programa de exercícios para pacientes claudicantes. Entretanto, faltam informações sobre a relação entres limitações clínicas e fatores de risco, com desempenho do programa de caminhadas e suas implicações na evolução e mortalidade destes pacientes. OBJETIVO: Comparar, ao longo do tempo, a distância de claudicação e sobrevida de pacientes claudicantes em ambulatório específico, com ou sem limitação para exercícios. MÉTODOS: Foi feito um estudo tipo coorte retrospectivo de 185 pacientes e 469 retornos correspondentes, no período de 1999 a 2005, avaliando-se dados demográficos, distância média de claudicação (CI) e óbito. Os dados foram analisados nos programas Epi Info, versão 3.2, e SAS, versão 8.2. RESULTADOS: A idade média foi de 60,9±11,1 anos, sendo 61,1% do sexo masculino e 38,9% do sexo feminino. Oitenta e sete por cento eram brancos, e 13%, não-brancos. Os fatores de risco associados foram: hipertensão (69,7%), tabagismo (44,3%), dislipidemia (32,4%) e diabetes (28,6%). Nos claudicantes para menos de 500 m, a CI inicial em esteira foi de 154,0±107,6 m, e a CI final, de 199,8±120,5 m. Cerca de 45% dos pacientes tinham alguma limitação clínica para realizar o programa de exercícios preconizado, como: angina (26,0%), acidente vascular cerebral (4,3%), artropatia (3,8%), amputação menor ou maior com prótese (2,1%) ou doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (1,6%). Cerca de 11,4% dos pacientes tinham infarto do miocárdio prévio, e 5,4% deles usavam cardiotônico. O tempo de seguimento médio foi de 16,0±14,4 meses. A distância média de CI referida pelos pacientes aumentou 100% (de 418,47 m para 817,74 m) ao longo de 2 anos, nos grupos não-limitante (p < 0,001) e não-tabagista (p < 0,001). A sobrevida dos claudicantes foi significativamente menor no grupo com limitação. A análise de regressão logística mostrou que a limitação para realização de exercícios, isoladamente, influenciou significativamente na mortalidade (p < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: A realização correta e regular dos exercícios e o abandono do fumo melhoram a distância de claudicação, além de reduzir a mortalidade nesses casos, seja por meio de efeitos positivos próprios do exercício, seja por meio de controle dos fatores de risco e de seus efeitos adversos.

Efeito de um programa de treinamento de facilitação neuromuscular proprioceptiva sobre a mobilidade torácica

A proposta deste estudo foi analisar o efeito de um programa de treinamento de membros superiores baseado nas técnicas de facilitação neuromuscular proprioceptiva (FNP) sobre a mobilidade torácica. Foram estudadas 24 voluntárias sedentárias, idade 22,9 ± 2,9 anos, divididas em grupo controle (GC), que não participou do treinamento, e grupo treinado (GT). O protocolo de treinamento físico foi constituído por um programa de exercícios de FNP, realizado três vezes por semana, durante quatro semanas. Os dois grupos foram submetidos à avaliação da mobilidade torácica por meio de cirtometria, antes e após o período de treinamento. Os dados colhidos foram analisados estatisticamente, com nível de significância α = 5%. Os valores da cirtometria axilar e xifoideana do GC antes e após o período de intervenção não apresentaram alterações significativas (p>0,05). No GT os valores das variáveis foram significantemente maiores após a intervenção (p<0,05). em conclusão, o protocolo de FNP utilizado parece ser um programa de exercícios eficiente, por promover aumento na cirtometria em um curto período de tempo, sugerindo que pode ser utilizado como recurso fisioterapêutico para o desenvolvimento da mobilidade torácica.

Effects of swimming training at the intensity equivalent to aerobic/anaerobic metabolic transition in alloxan diabetic rats

The present study was designed to determine the exercise intensity equivalent to the metabolic aerobic/anaerobic transition of alloxan diabetic rats, through lactate minimum test (LMT), and to evaluate the effects of swimming exercise at this intensity (LM) on the glucose and protein metabolism of these animals. Adult male Wistar rats received alloxan (SD, alloxan-injected rats that remained sedentary) intravenously (30 mg kg(-1) body weight) for diabetes induction. As controls (SC, vehicle-injected rats that remained sedentary), vehicle-injected rats were utilized. Two weeks later, the animals were submitted to oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) and LMT. After the tests, some of the animals were submitted to swimming exercise training [TC (vehicle-injected rats that performed a 6-week exercise program) and TD (alloxan-injected rats that performed a 6-week exercise program)] for I h day(-1), 5 days week(-1), with an overload equivalent to LM determined by LMT, for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the animals were submitted to a second LMT and oGTT, and blood and skeletal muscle assessments (protein synthesis and degradation in the isolated soleus muscle) were made. The overload equivalent to LM at the beginning of the experiment was lower in the SID group than in the SC group. After training, the overload equivalent to LM was higher in the TC and TD groups than in the SC and SD groups. The blood glucose of TD rats during oGTT was lower than that of SD rats. Protein degradation was higher in the SD group than in other groups. We conclude that LMT was sensitive to metabolic and physiologic alterations caused by uncontrolled diabetes. Training at LM intensity improved aerobic condition and the glucose and protein metabolism of alloxan diabetic rats. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Efetividade de um programa de exercícios no condicionamento físico, perfil metabólico e pressão arterial de pacientes hipertensos

Background and objective: It has been shown that aerobic exercise is useful to reduce arterial pressure, however, the effectiveness of an exercise program is still controversial and not very well analyzed among populations with low-income. The objective of the present study was to set up an individualized physical fitness program - Projeto Hipertensão - focused on hypertensive people, patients from a Health Basic Unit (HBU) and, after that, to investigate the effects of this program on physical fitness, metabolic profile and pressure levels. Methods: Sixteen hypertensive women (56 ± 3yrs) under regular pharmacological treatment underwent 4 months of a supervised aerobic and stretching exercise program (3 sessions/wk, 90 min/session, 60% of V̇O 2 max). Several physical and metabolic variables were compared before and after 4 months of training. Results: Training significantly reduced systolic arterial pressure (SAP, -6%), improved cardio-respiratory fitness (+42% of V̇O2max), flexibility (+11%) and plasma glucose content (-4%). BMI and % fat did not change. Besides modifying metabolic profile, it was found that training presented significant correlations between individual initial values of cholesterol total level (CT), high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and its responses after exercise. Conclusions: The study shows that exercise programs can be personalized for hypertensive patients from a HBU and confirms the effectiveness of exercise on AP, physical fitness, flexibility and lipid profile on hypertensive patients. The expressive reduction of AP in hypertensive subjects suggests that this exercise intervention should be emphasized on other health centers which assist low-income population.

Os efeitos de um programa de atividade física de carga progressiva nas propriedades físicas e na força óssea de ratas osteopênicas

Background: Many studies have shown that physical exercises are able to stimulate bone formation and increase bone mass, constituting a therapeutic modality to treat bone loss due to osteoporosis. However, some points about the intensity, duration and frequency of the exercises remain confusing and contradictory. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of a progressive loading exercise program on femur of osteopenic rats. To induce osteopenia we used the animal model of ovariectomy (OVX). Forty animals was studied and divided into 4 groups: sham-operated sedentary (SS); ovariectomy-sedentary (OS); sham-operated training (ST) and ovariectomy training (OT). The trained groups performed jumps into water: 4 series of 10 jumps each, with an overload of 50% to 80% of the animal's body weight, during 8 weeks. Femora were submitted to a physical properties evaluation, a biomechanical test, calcium and phosphorus content measurement and a morphometric histological evaluation. Results: osteopenic animals showed a decrease of bone strength and lower values of bone weights, bone density and calcium content. The exercised osteopenic rats showed higher values of geometrical, physical properties, bone strength and calcium content compared to controls. The results of the present study indicate that the progressive loading exercise program had stimulatory effects on femora of osteopenic rats. It seems that the intensity and duration of the protocol used produced bone structural adaptations, which contributed to reverse bone loss due to ovariectomy.

El ejercicio físico y su prescripción en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas degenerativas

Chronic degenerative diseases constitute one of the main causes of death at a global level, and their significant increase has alerted many countries, which are taking measures to reduce risk factors, some of which are modifiable; being the regular exercise a means of prevention and rehabilitation of these diseases. The objective of this revision is to analyze the necessary parameters to take into account for the prescription of an exercise program in patients with obesity, high blood pressure dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus type 2.

Efeitos do treinamento resistido sobre a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca, capacidade funcional e força muscular periférica na DPOC

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Influência do exercício físico em memória e funções executivas de pessoas com doença de Parkinson

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Resposta cardiorrespiratória ao treinamento físico aeróbico moderado em hipertensos essenciais não medicados

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)