Background The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among the worldwide population has been associated with a range of adverse health consequences such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiometabolic abnormalities that occur more commonly in overweight individuals. Time-restricted feeding (TRF) is a dietary approach used for weight loss and overall health. TRF may be an option for those subjects who struggle with extreme restriction diets with foods that generally do not belong to an individual's habits. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of TRF on body composition and the association of weight loss with metabolic and cardiovascular risks in obese middle-aged women. Methods A non-randomized controlled clinical trial was performed over 3 months in obese women (TRF group, n = 20, BMI 32.53 ± 1.13 vs. Control n = 12, BMI 34.55 ± 1.20). The TRF protocol adopted was 16 h without any energy intake followed by 8 h of normal food intake. Main outcomes and measures Anthropometric measurements, body composition, blood biomarkers, cardiovascular risk in 30 years (CVDRisk30y), and quality of life were evaluated at baseline and after the 3 months. Results TRF was effective in reducing weight (~ 4 kg), BMI, % of body fat (%BF), waist circumference from baseline without changes in blood biomarkers associated with MetS. TRF promoted a reduction in CVDRisk30y (12%) wich was moderately correlated with %BF (r = 0.62, n = 64, p < 0.001) and %MM (r = − 0.74, n = 64, p < 0.001). Conclusions TRF protocol reduces body weight without changes in biomarkers related to MetS. In addition, the anthropometric evaluation that predicts %BF and %MM could be used as an approach to follow individuals engaged in the TRF regimen since they correlate with cardiovascular risk.

Systemic arterial hypertension has been associated with the majority deaths from cardiovascular disease, especially among the elderly population, and the imbalance between antioxidant and pro-oxidants has been associated with hypertension. This study analyzed the acute responses of cardiorespiratory and oxidative stress parameters to low intensity aerobic exercise (LIAE) with blood flow restriction (BFR) in hypertensive elderly women. The experimental group consisted of 16 hypertensive women (67.2 ± 3.7 years) who underwent a progressive treadmill test and performed three exercise protocols in random order: high intensity (HIAE), low intensity aerobic exercise (LIAE) and low intensity aerobic exercise with blood flow restriction (LIAE + BFR). Data analysis showed that blood pressure and heart rate augmented from rest to post effort (p < 0.05) and reduced from post effort to recovery (p < 0.05) in all protocols. The values of lipid peroxidation were higher after 30 min of recovery when compared to the moment at rest in the LILIAE + BFR (p < 0.05). The same occurred with glutathione-S-transferase and superoxide dismutase activity. However, non-protein thiols levels (NPSH) reduced after 30 min of recovery when compared to the moment at rest in the LILIAE + BFR protocol (p < 0.05). In the HIAE and LIAE + BFR protocols, the levels of NPSH were lower at 30 min of recovery when compared to the same moment in the LIAE protocol (p < 0.05). LIAE + RBF produces an oxidative status and hemodynamic stimulus similar to HIAE. Taken together, these results support the indication of LIAE with BFR in chronic intervention protocols, with potential benefits for the hypertensive elderly population.

The development of non-pharmacological approaches to hypertension (HA) is critical for both prevention and treatment. This study examined the hemodynamic and biochemical responses of medicated hypertensive women to resistance exercise with blood flow restriction (vascular occlusion). Twenty-three women were randomly assigned to one of three groups: High intensity strength training (n = 8); low-intensity resistance exercise with occlusion (n = 8); and control (n = 7). The first two groups underwent eight weeks of training performed twice a week, including three series of wrist flexion exercises with or without vascular occlusion. The exercised with occlusion group showed pre-to post-test reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and double product, whereas the other groups showed no significant hemodynamic changes. In conclusion, resistance exercise during 8 weeks was effective in lowering blood pressure in medicated hypertensive subjects.

Objective: To analyze quality of life (QOL) according to level of physical activity among elderly persons living in rural (RA) and urban (UA) areas. Method: A descriptive crosssectional study, analyzing 358 elderly residents of RA and 139 of UA, in the municipal region of Palmas, Paraná, Brazil was performed. Quality of life, level of physical activity and economic condition were evaluated. For the analysis of the continuous variables, the student's t-test or the Mann-Whitney test were used, based on the normality or otherwise of the data. Pearson's chi-squared or Fischer's exact test were used to analyze the categorical variables. Results: The general perception of QOL reported in RA was better than in UA ( p<0.05). The analysis of the level of physical activity according to place of residence showed that the elderly are more physically active in RA ( p<0.05), whereas insufficiently active or sedentary subjects prevail in UA. The variables age and gender were not associated with QOL ( p>0.05), irrespective of place of residence, and active elderly persons had better QOL scores than insufficiently active or sedentary individuals, again irrespective of place of residence ( p<0.05). Conclusion: The present study provides evidence that QOL is positively influenced by both maintaining satisfactory levels of physical activity and by residing in RA. It is important to establish public policies aimed at ensuring a more active and independent old age, thus generating greater health and quality of life.

Background and methods: Essential arterial hypertension triggers a chronic inflammatory process that seems to be linked to purinergic signaling. Physical exercise exhibit anti-inflammatory properties and is able to modulates purinergic system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 6 months of resistance training on inflammatory markers, purinergic system components, hemodynamic and anthropometric parameters in hypertensive woman. Methods: A total of 31 hypertensive group and 28 normotensive (control group) middle-aged sedentary women were submitted to 6 months of resistance training. All measurements and blood collection were carried out before (pretest), after 3 months and after 6 months (posttest) of training. Purinergic enzymes [nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (NTPDase) and adenosine deaminase] were assessed in lymphocytes; IL-6, IL-10, ATP and C-reactive protein levels were measured in serum. Results: Six months of resistance training was able to significantly reduce blood pressure (BP), IL-6, C-reactive protein, ATP levels as well as NTPDase and adenosine deaminase activities in hypertensive group. Physical training was also able to increase IL-10 levels in hypertensive group. A positive correlation was found between BP, enzyme activities and levels of ATP and IL-6. A negative correlation was found between BP and IL-10. Positive correlation was found between NTPDase and IL-6 levels (P < 0.05) as well as ATP levels and IL-6 levels. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated the relationship between purinergic signaling and inflammation in hypertension and suggests that resistance training serve as tool to reduce inflammation in hypertensive woman by modulating purinergic system.

<p><strong>Objetivo</strong> Verificar o impacto de um programa de educação em saúde no conhecimento de idosos sobre doenças cardiovasculares.</p><p>Métodos: Pesquisa qualitativa, com abordagem participativa. A população foi composta por sete idosos que realizaram oito intervenções educativas sobre temas vinculados à saúde cardiovascular. Os dados foram tratados por análise de conteúdo temática.</p><p><strong>Resultados</strong> A análise do conteúdo evidenciou que as intervenções participativas promoveram ampliação dos conhecimentos e que, após as intervenções, os sujeitos se mostraram mais seguros quanto às atitudes preventivas mais adequadas para evitar riscos cardiovasculares. Constatou-se, ainda, que a educação em saúde com abordagem participativa impacta positivamente na formação de sujeitos mais críticos, capacitados a argumentar e fazer escolhas mais saudáveis.</p><p><strong>Conclusão</strong> O estudo evidenciou que a abordagem participativa é uma estratégia eficaz quando se pretende agregar conhecimento significativo para minimizar os riscos à saúde. </p>

Trata-se de um estudo transversal e descritivo de abordagem quantitativa, com 127 policiais militares lotados num município do oeste catarinense. O estudo visou a avaliar o risco de desenvolvimento da Síndrome de Burnout em policiais militares, por meio do Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey. Os dados foram coletados nos meses de outubro a dezembro de 2014. Houve predomínio do sexo masculino, entre 18 e 39 anos de idade, com companheiro, graduado, sem filhos, que não trabalha em outro lugar fora da corporação e atua em escala de plantão. Nenhum indivíduo foi identificado com a Síndrome de Burnout, não estavam com nível baixo de Realização Profissional, associado níveis elevados de Exaustão Emocional e Despersonalização. O estudo evidenciou que não há incidência da Síndrome entre os policiais, contudo, aponta que se encontram em prevalência de risco para seu desenvolvimento.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic pain is associated with functional limitations in the elderly, negatively affecting the health of this population. The activity and/or physical exercise has been proposed as a non-drug intervention with positive effects in the treatment of chronic pain. Thus, this study aimed to identify the prevalence of chronic pain in the elderly, analyze the factors associated with pain and its relationship with the level and volume of physical activity practice. METHODS: Quantitative and cross-sectional research with 385 elderly (67.3% women and 32.7% men) who were evaluated regarding the level and volume of physical activity practice, the presence of chronic diseases, presence and intensity of chronic pain. RESULTS: The prevalence of chronic pain in the sample was 58.2% and was associated with the gender and the presence of chronic diseases (p<0.001). The median pain intensity was higher in sedentary women (p=0.005), as they presented a lower volume of physical activity practices (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of chronic pain among the evaluated elderly is high and associated with the presence of chronic diseases and to gender, being more prevalent among women. Sedentary or insufficiently active elderly women report higher pain intensity than active and very active women. There is poor correlation indicating that the level of physical activity decreases with increasing pain intensity and the number of chronic diseases. Elderly people with chronic pain have significantly lower volumes of physical activity practice than those who do not.