RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise influences homocysteine (Hcy) concentrations, cognitive function and the metabolic profile. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of regular physical exercise on Hcy levels, the metabolic profile and cognitive function in healthy elderly males before and after an endurance exercise program. METHODS: Forty-five healthy and sedentary volunteers were randomized into 2 groups: (1) a control group asked not to change their normal everyday activities and not to start any regular physical exercise program and (2) an experimental group trained at a heart rate intensity corresponding to ventilatory threshold 1 (VT-1) for 60 min/day 3 times weekly on alternate days for 6 months using a cycle ergometer. All volunteers underwent cognitive evaluations, blood sample analyses and ergospirometric assessments. RESULTS: A significant improvement in cognitive function was observed in the experimental group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). No significant changes in Hcy levels were observed in the experimental group (p > 0.05), but there was a significant increase in peak oxygen consumption and workload at VT-1 as well as a significant improvement in cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, glucose, alkaline phosphatase, urea, T3, T4 and prostate-specific antigen compared with the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The data suggest that a physical exercise program does not reduce Hcy levels in healthy elderly males, although it improves the cardiovascular and metabolic profile as well as cognitive function.

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Changes arising from the aging process, particularly changes in body composition, contribute to the functional decline of the elderly. OBJECTIVE: To compare the body composition and muscle strength, mobility and quality in active elderly women according to the distance walked during the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). METHOD: The study included 77 active elderly women aged 65 to 80 years, who were divided into tertiles (A, B and C) according to the distance covered in the 6MWT. We performed anthropometric and clinical evaluations. Body composition was determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Handgrip strength (HGS) was measured with a portable dynamometer (Saehan), and knee extension strength (KES) was measured with the one repetition maximum test (1-RM). Functional mobility was assessed by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and body balance was assessed by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Muscle quality was defined by the ratio between muscle strength (kgf) and muscle mass (kg). RESULTS: The group that walked the shortest distance in the 6MWT had a higher BMI (A=30.8±7.0, B=27.2±4.2 and C=25.9±3.5 kg/m2), greater amount of fat mass (A=31.3±10.7, B=25.9±6.7 and C=23.81±6.46 kg) lower HGS (A=21.8±5.1, B=22.1±3.5 and C=25.5±5.1 kgf), lower knee extension strength (A=30.6±10.9, B=40.4±12.5 and C=47.2±10.1 kgf), lower arm muscle quality (A=10.1±3.7, B=11.6±2 and C=12.7±2.2 kg) and lower leg muscle quality (A=1.78±1, B=2.84±0.98 and C=3.31±0.77 kg). There was no significant difference between muscle mass (p=0.25) and lean mass (p=0.26). CONCLUSION: Body fat has a negative influence on functional performance, even among active elderly women. .

Assuntos

RESUMO

Objetivou-se criar dados normativos para a população idosa no teste das figuras complexas de Rey (FCR), avaliar a relação entre as estratégias de cópia e a reprodução de memória, e verificar a inclusão da evocação após 30 minutos da figura. O FCR foi aplicado em 70 idosos que realizaram a cópia e as evocações após três minutos e após 30 minutos da Figura Complexa de Rey dentro do sistema avaliativo de Osterrieth. Na cópia da figura Percentil 50 (P50)= 30,5 pontos, Memória após 3 minutos P50= 12 pontos e após 30 minutos P50= 12,5. Predominaram as estratégias do tipo IV (“justaposição de detalhes”) na cópia da figura. Os resultados atuais mostraram-se inferiores aos obtidos na adaptação brasileira. O predomínio do tipo IV revela estratégias de cópia pouco desenvolvidas que possivelmente influenciaram a reprodução de memória. Não foram observadas diferenças entre as memórias de curto (após 3 minutos) e longo prazo (após 30 minutos) para esses participantes.

The objective of the present study was to create normative data for the elderly population in the Rey complex figure test, to assess the relationship between the copying strategies and memory reproduction, and to determine the inclusion of figure retrieval after 30 minutes. The FCR was applied to 70 elderly subjects who copied the Rey complex figure and performed evocation after three and 30 minutes within the Osterrieth evaluation system. In the copy of the figure, the 50th percentile (P50) was = 30.5 points, in the Memory after 3 minutes, P50 = 12 points and in the memory after 30 minutes, P50 = 12.5. Type IV (additive details approach) strategies predominated in the copy of the figure. The present results were lower than those obtained by the Brazilian version. The predominance of type IV revealed poorly developed copying strategies that possibly influenced the reproduction of memory. Differences between short-term (3 minutes) and long-term (30 minutes) memory for these individuals were not found.

RESUMO

Objetivou-se criar dados normativos para a população idosa no teste das figuras complexas de Rey (FCR), avaliar a relação entre as estratégias de cópia e a reprodução de memória, e verificar a inclusão da evocação após 30 minutos da figura. O FCR foi aplicado em 70 idosos que realizaram a cópia e as evocações após três minutos e após 30 minutos da Figura Complexa de Rey dentro do sistema avaliativo de Osterrieth. Na cópia da figura Percentil 50 (P50)= 30,5 pontos, Memória após 3 minutos P50= 12 pontos e após 30 minutos P50= 12,5. Predominaram as estratégias do tipo IV (ôjustaposição de detalhesõ) na cópia da figura. Os resultados atuais mostraram-se inferiores aos obtidos na adaptação brasileira. O predomínio do tipo IV revela estratégias de cópia pouco desenvolvidas que possivelmente influenciaram a reprodução de memória. Não foram observadas diferenças entre as memórias de curto (após 3 minutos) e longo prazo (após 30 minutos) para esses participantes.(AU)

The objective of the present study was to create normative data for the elderly population in the Rey complex figure test, to assess the relationship between the copying strategies and memory reproduction, and to determine the inclusion of figure retrieval after 30 minutes. The FCR was applied to 70 elderly subjects who copied the Rey complex figure and performed evocation after three and 30 minutes within the Osterrieth evaluation system. In the copy of the figure, the 50th percentile (P50) was = 30.5 points, in the Memory after 3 minutes, P50 = 12 points and in the memory after 30 minutes, P50 = 12.5. Type IV (additive details approach) strategies predominated in the copy of the figure. The present results were lower than those obtained by the Brazilian version. The predominance of type IV revealed poorly developed copying strategies that possibly influenced the reproduction of memory. Differences between short-term (3 minutes) and long-term (30 minutes) memory for these individuals were not found.(AU)

Assuntos