scholarly journals Influence of Physical Activity Levels and Functional Capacity on Brain β-Amyloid Deposition in Older Women

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel Pedrero-Chamizo ◽  
Cassandra Szoeke ◽  
Lorraine Dennerstein ◽  
Stephen Campbell

Physical activity (PA) and Alzheimer's disease are associated. However, how PA influences the cerebral β-amyloid (Aβ) burden remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine if PA levels and/or functional capacity (FC) are associated with Aβ plaque deposition, and whether these associations differed according to APOE-ε4 genotype. A total of 117 women (69.7 ± 2.6 years; 33.3% APOE-ε4-carriers) from the Women's Healthy Ageing Project cohort (WHAP) were analyzed. PA was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and, FC was evaluated using the Timed Up and Go test (TUGt). Positron emission tomography with F-18 Florbetaben was carried out to assess cerebral Aβ burden, and quantified using standardized uptake value rations. The sample was split into PA and TUGt tertiles (T1, T2 and T3), and compared according to APOE-ε4 genotype (positive/negative). There were no significant differences in Aβ accumulation according to PA tertiles and APOE-ε4 genotype. Regarding FC, APOE-ε4+ participants in the first TUGt tertile (high performance) obtained significant lower Aβ accumulations compared with the other two tertiles (p < 0.05). Comparing between genotypes, greater Aβ depositions were found between T2 and T3 in APOE-ε4+ compared with those who were APOE-ε4– (p < 0.05). Values of TUGt ≥ 6.5 s (APOE-ε4+) and 8.5 s (APOE-ε4–) were associated with an increased risk of having higher Aβ retention. In conclusion, low performance in TUGt is associated with a negative effect on brain pathology with increasing cerebral Aβ depositions in older women who are APOE-ε4+. In physically active older women (> 600 METs·min/week), higher PA levels are not associated with reduction in Aβ depositions.

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-70
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Orsega-Smith ◽  
Nancy Getchell ◽  
Lindsay Palkovitz

How does gender influence physical and psychosocial characteristics in physically active older adults? Much of the previous research on physical function in older women focuses on either the frailty of older women or on physical function irrespective of gender. These studies leave unknown the specific influence of regular physical activity on older women.Furthermore, few studies have examined the relationship between physical activity and psychosocial characteristics in older exercisers. We wanted to investigate whether differences exist between groups of older female and male adults who maintain a physically active lifestyle. Twenty-three female and 14 male physically active older adults performed physical function tests (i.e., chair stands, timed up-and-go, 6-minute walk) and filled out questionnaires related to psychosocial measures (i.e., social support, self-esteem, satisfaction with life). There were no differences in any physical function between the groups, and only one psychosocial measure (guidance) statistically differed (F (1, 31) = 4.14, p = .044). These results suggest that physically active women may not necessarily follow the trajectory towards frailty. More research needs to be done with a greater range of ages and physical activity levels.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 204062232110159
Author(s):  
Jung Eun Yoo ◽  
Dahye Kim ◽  
Hayoung Choi ◽  
Young Ae Kang ◽  
Kyungdo Han ◽  
...  

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether physical activity, sarcopenia, and anemia are associated an with increased risk of tuberculosis (TB) among the older population. Methods: We included 1,245,640 66-year-old subjects who participated in the National Screening Program for Transitional Ages for Koreans from 2009 to 2014. At baseline, we assessed common health problems in the older population, including anemia and sarcopenia. The subjects’ performance in the timed up-and-go (TUG) test was used to predict sarcopenia. The incidence of TB was determined using claims data from the National Health Insurance Service database. Results: The median follow-up duration was 6.4 years. There was a significant association between the severity of anemia and TB incidence, with an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 1.28 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.20–1.36] for mild anemia and 1.69 (95% CI, 1.51–1.88) for moderate to severe anemia. Compared with those who had normal TUG times, participants with slow TUG times (⩾15 s) had a significantly increased risk of TB (aHR 1.19, 95% CI, 1.07–1.33). On the other hand, both irregular (aHR 0.88, 95% CI 0.83–0.93) and regular (aHR 0.84, 95% CI, 0.78–0.92) physical activity reduced the risk of TB. Male sex, lower income, alcohol consumption, smoking, diabetes, and asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease increased the risk of TB. Conclusion: The risk of TB among older adults increased with worsening anemia, sarcopenia, and physical inactivity. Physicians should be aware of those modifiable predictors for TB among the older population.


Retos ◽  
2015 ◽  
pp. 48-52
Author(s):  
Joaquín Reverter Masià ◽  
Dani Plaza Montero ◽  
María del Carmen Jové Deltell ◽  
Vicenç Hernández González

En los últimos años se está creando un importante problema de sedentarismo en la infancia. A la hora de diseñar programas de intervención para fomentar la práctica de actividad física es necesario obtener información precisa sobre los niveles de práctica de la población infantil así como de los posibles determinantes de la práctica. Para ello se ha diseñado un estudio donde se evalúan los niveles de práctica de niños y niñas de 6 a 12 años de actividad física. Las conclusiones que se desprenden del estudio realizado son: un alto porcentaje de sujetos no realizan ejercicio físico (34,4%), observándose diferencias entre niños y niñas; se puede afirmar que las niñas practican menos que los niños (35,4% versus 24,9%). Por otro lado, el porcentaje de sujetos físicamente activos es de un 31,2% cuando se considera la recomendación más extendida, de tres o más horas a la semana. Los resultados obtenidos confirman la necesidad de incentivar programas de intervención en niños y jóvenes, aconsejando la práctica de actividad física, prestando especial interés a las chicas.Palabras clave: Salud. Actividad física. Deportes. Niños y adolescentes.Abstract: In recent years, is creating a major problem of physical inactivity in childhood. To design intervention programs that promote physical activity is necessary to obtain accurate information about levels of practice of the child population as well as the possible determinants of the practice. This was carried out a cross-sectional and descriptive. The sample is representative of students attending school in the city of Torrevieja and was selected by a pro rata basis. Participants in the study were 1248 students from thirteen primary schools offering primary education in the city of Torrevieja. The study evaluated physical activity levels of children aged 6 to 12 years. The instrument used in this study is a questionnaire (Latorre, 2006). The version used shows adequate factorial structure (Latorre, 2006). It is an instrument designed to assess the variables of healthy lifestyle among young people and teenagers. The results confirm the need to provide adequate education about healthy lifestyles and enhance the development of intervention programs for children and youth, counseling on diet and physical activity with particular interest in the girls, who are less physically active group and increased risk of disorders.Keywords: Health. Physical activity. Sports. Children and adolescents.


2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 457
Author(s):  
Janaine Cunha Polese ◽  
Thaianne Servio ◽  
Gabriela Chaves ◽  
Luci Fuscaldi Teixeira-Salmela

Introduction: People with stroke commonly show low levels of physical activity and reduced functional capacity, independent of the severity of the impairments. The use of simple measures that are able to produce transferable information from clinical practice to life in society is crucial within clinic contexts. Objective: To compare the functional capacity of patients with chronic stroke based upon their physical activity levels. Methods: For this cross sectional study, functional capacity and levels of physical activity were assessed by the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) and the adjusted activity score (AAS) of the Human Activity Profile (HAP), respectively. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by LSD post-hoc tests were employed to investigate differences between the physical activity groups regarding their DASI scores. Results: Fifty-one individuals with mean age 58.8 ± 13.5 and a mean time since the onset of stroke of 25.5 ± 13.9 months participated. According to their HAP AAS, 18 individuals were classified as impaired, 28 as moderately active, and five as active. Between-group differences were observed for the DASI scores [F(2,48)=13.72; p < 0.01]. Conclusion: Increases in functional capacity were observed with increases in physical activity levels.Key-words: stroke, motor activity, activities of daily living.


Author(s):  
Aisling McGrath ◽  
Niamh Murphy ◽  
Noel Richardson

Summary COVID-19 disproportionately affects males especially those who are older and more socio-economically disadvantaged. This study assessed wellbeing outcomes among men’s shed members (Shedders) in Ireland at baseline (T1), 3 (T2), 6 (T3) and 12 months (T4) in response to a 10-week health promotion program ‘Sheds for Life’ (SFL). Two cohorts participated in SFL commencing in March and September 2019. This study compares the T3 findings from one cohort carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic [COVID cohort (n = 185)] with T3 findings from a comparator cohort [pre-COVID cohort (n = 195)], completed pre-COVID-19. Questionnaires assessing wellbeing [life satisfaction, mental health, loneliness, physical activity (PA), self-rated health and other lifestyle measures] were analyzed in both cohorts T1, T2 and T3. Self-rated Health and life satisfaction decreased in the COVID cohort at T3 (p &lt; 0.001), while loneliness scores increased (p &lt; 0.0005). Higher loneliness scores were correlated with lower health ratings, life satisfaction and PA during COVID-19 (p &lt; 0.001). Days PA decreased in the COVID cluster at T3 from T2 (p &lt; 0.01) with those in urban areas reporting lower activity levels than rural areas (p &lt; 0.05). Those sufficiently active at baseline managed to maintain PA during COVID-19 while those not meeting guidelines were more likely to report decreases (p &lt; 0.001). Shedders experiencing COVID-19 restrictions are at an increased risk of poorer wellbeing and increased levels of loneliness. Support and guidance are needed to safely encourage this cohort back into men’s sheds, settings that protect against loneliness and positively promote health and wellbeing. Lay summary The COVID-19 pandemic will have wide-reaching implications on wellbeing, particularly on those who are older and more vulnerable. Evidence also suggests that COVID-19 disproportionately affects males. This study aimed to understand the impact that COVID-19 has had on men in the setting of Men’s Sheds in Ireland. Two cohorts of men who were participating in a 10-week health and wellbeing program (Sheds for Life) at different stages were followed over time. At 6 months follow-up the first Cohort had not experienced COVID-19 whereas the second cohort was actively experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic. We measured wellbeing using questionnaires, comparing both groups of men for differences. We found that the men who were experiencing COVID-19 had lower self-rated health, physical activity and life satisfaction as well as higher rates of loneliness, with those who were more lonely reporting lower wellbeing scores. We also found that men in rural areas were more physically active during COVID-19 and that those were not active were more likely to become more inactive during COVID-19. This study suggests that support and guidance is needed to safely encourage this cohort back into Men’s Sheds, settings that protect against loneliness and positively promote health and wellbeing.


Author(s):  
Steven C. Moore ◽  
Charles E. Matthews ◽  
Sarah Keadle ◽  
Alpa V. Patel ◽  
I-Min Lee

Current physical activity guidelines recommend that adults perform at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity (e.g., brisk walking), or 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity activity (e.g., jogging), or an equivalent combination of these. In the United States and worldwide, many adults fail to meet these recommended activity levels, with deleterious consequences for health, including increased risk of some cancers. This chapter reviews the epidemiologic evidence for links between physical activity and cancer, emphasizing published meta-analyses and the results of a recent large consortium-based study. The authors find the evidence to be convincing that physical activity reduces risk of colon and female breast cancers, and probable that it reduces risk of kidney and endometrial cancers. Moreover, physical activity has been associated with lower risk of cancers of the bladder, liver, gastric cardia, head and neck, esophagus (adenocarcinoma), and myeloma, myeloid leukemia, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.


Heart ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabiha Gati ◽  
Aneil Malhotra ◽  
Sanjay Sharma

Valvular heart disease affects 1%–2% of young individuals, many of whom aspire to partake in competitive sport or high intensity recreational exercise. There are limited reports on the impact of intensive physical activity on the progression of valvular heart disease; therefore, current recommendations are based on consensus opinion. The management of exercising individuals with valvular heart disease requires a structured approach that incorporates several key factors including symptomatic status, functional capacity, type and nature of the valvular lesion, impact on ventricular structure and function and effect on pulmonary artery pressure. Asymptomatic individuals with minor valvular abnormalities may engage in all forms of competitive sport, whereas those with lesions of moderate severity may exercise intensively if an exercise stress test tailored to the relevant physical activity reveals good functional capacity without myocardial ischaemia, haemodynamic disturbances or arrhythmia. Symptomatic athletes and those with severe valvular heart disease, impaired ventricular function, pulmonary hypertension and arrhythmias should refrain from most competitive sports. Athletes with a bicuspid aortic valve and aortic root diameter >40 mm should avoid sport with a strong isometric component even with minimal valvular dysfunction. There is an association between mitral valve prolapse and sudden cardiac death in the general population; however, there is limited evidence of increased risk with competitive sport. Athletes undergoing corrective surgery may return to exercise after 3 months if ventricular function and exercise capacity are preserved. Individuals anticoagulated for mechanical bioprosthetic valves should avoid contact or collision sport to minimise the risk of bleeding.


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