Geraniol is a monoterpene present in several essential oils, and it is known to have a plethora of pharmacological activities. In this study, we explored the contractile and electrophysiological properties of geraniol and its antiarrhythmic effects in the heart. The geraniol effects on atrial contractility, L-type Ca 2+ current, K + currents, action potential (AP) parameters, ECG profile and on the arrhythmia induced by ouabain were evaluated. In the atrium, geraniol reduced the contractile force (~98%, EC = 1,510 AE 160 lM) and diminished the positive inotropism of CaCl 2 and BAY K8644. In cardiomyocytes, the I Ca,L was reduced by 50.7% (n = 5) after perfusion with 300 lM geraniol. Moreover, geraniol prolonged the AP duration (APD) measured at 50% (n = 5) after repolarization, without changing the resting potential. The increased APD could be attributed to the blockade of the transient outward K + current (I to ) (59.7%, n = 4), the non-inactivation K + current (I ss ) (39.2%, n = 4) and the inward rectifier K + current (I K1 ) (33.7%, n = 4). In isolated hearts, geraniol increased PRi and QTi without affecting the QRS complex (n = 6), and it reduced both the left ventricular pressure (83%) and heart rate (16.5%). Geraniol delayed the time to onset of ouabain-induced arrhythmias by 128%, preventing 30% of the increase in resting tension (n = 6). Geraniol exerts its negative inotropic and chronotropic responses in the heart by decreasing both L-type Ca 2+ and voltage-gated K + currents, ultimately acting against ouabain-induced arrhythmias.

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Quercetin is a plant flavonoid with several biological activities. This study aimed to describe quercetin effects on contractile and electrophysiological properties of the cardiac muscle as well as on calcium handling. Quercetin elicited positive inotropism that was significantly reduced by propranolol indicating an involvement of the sympathetic nervous system. In cardiomyocytes, 30 μM quercetin increased I at 0 mV from -0.95 ± 0.01 A/F to -1.21 ± 0.08 A/F. The membrane potential at which 50% of the channels are activated (V ) shifted towards more negative potentials from -13.06 ± 1.52 mV to -19.26 ± 1.72 mV and did not alter the slope factor. Furthermore, quercetin increased [Ca ] transient by 28% when compared to control. Quercetin accelerated [Ca ] transient decay time, which could be attributed to SERCA activation. In resting cardiomyocytes, quercetin did not change amplitude or frequency of Ca sparks. In isolated heart, quercetin increased heart rate and decreased PRi, QTc and duration of the QRS complex. Thus, we showed that quercetin activates β-adrenoceptors, leading to increased L-type Ca current and cell-wide intracellular Ca transient without visible changes in Ca sparks.

Introduction: Several strength training protocols have been tested in the search for systemic adaptations to improve functionality in the elderly. For this purpose, integrated exercises aimed at improving essential movements can be an interesting strategy to improve the performance of activities of the daily living. Objective: To compare the effects of eight weeks of functional training with traditional strength training on the physical fitness of sedentary elderly women. Methods: Thirty-two elderly women were divided into functional training group (FT, n=16) and traditional training group (TT, n=16). For the verification of functional responses, the Senior Fitness Test battery was used, as well as complementary tests of strength and muscular power. The data were analyzed using a 2x2 ANOVA with post hoc Sidak test to verify the differences between the groups. Results: At the end of eight weeks, when compared to TT group, the FT group showed significant increases in balance/ agility variables (p=0.01; +7.6%), lower limbs strength (p=0.04; +15.3%), upper limbs strength (p=0.05; +11.7%), and cardiorespiratory power (p=0.05; +10.7%). However, in relation to flexibility tests and conventional tests of maximum dynamic force and muscular strength, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups. Conclusions: Both interventions are efficient to improve physical fitness of sedentary elderly women; however, functional training induces better adaptive responses to functionality when compared with traditional training. Level of Evidence I; Randomized clinical trial.

Objective. The aim of this study was to analyze the reproducibility of a protocol using the maximal isometric strength test of the trunk in elderly women aged above 60 years, without low back pain. Methods. Twenty-one physically inactive elderly women, who had not engaged in any activity or exercise program in the past three months, participated in the cross-sectional study that consisted of two days of evaluations for the maximal isometric strength of the extensor and flexor muscles of the trunk, with a 48 h interval between the sessions. A platform with fixed seating was used, which allowed the fixation of the hip and lower limbs, with a load cell connected to a linear encoder. To verify the reliability of the test, the interclass correlation coefficient, variation coefficient, minimum detectable difference (MDD), standard error of measurement, and Bland–Altman graphs were calculated. Results. No statistical difference was observed between the first and second evaluation, which indicates that there was no learning effect. Interclass correlation coefficient values were classified as very high and high for extensor (0.98) and flexor (0.86) muscles, respectively, besides low variation (9% for both muscle groups) and acceptable values for minimum detectable difference (extensors = 51.1 N, flexors = 48.9 N). In addition, the Bland–Altman analysis revealed low bias and values within the limits of agreement. Conclusion. It is concluded that the test of maximum isometric strength of the trunk in healthy and trained elderly people presents high reliability. These values proved to be reliable if performed in at least two evaluation sessions, which confirms the hypothesis of the authors by the consistency of the measurement test.

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Resumo Objetivo: Apresentar um protocolo ensaio clínico randomizado avaliando o efeito dos treinamentos funcional e tradicional na dor, na aptidão física, na composição corporal, na saúde cardiovascular e na qualidade de vida em idosas sedentárias, como também para analisar o comportamento da dor muscular tardia ao longo das intervenções. Método: Ensaio clínico controlado, randomizado e cruzado, em indivíduos da terceira idade. As participantes serão subdivididas em três grupos distintos, a saber: grupo 1 - Treinamento funcional; grupo 2 – Treinamento tradicional; e grupo 3 – Alogamentos e praticas de relaxamento. Para análise da dor durante o periodo de intervenção, será utilizado um algômetro e a escala numérica de 11 pontos. Para avaliar a aptidão física, será utilizada a bateria Senior Fitness Test e testes complementares de força dinâmica máxima, isométrica e potência muscular. A composição corporal será avaliada por meio de bioimpedância tetrapolar. Bioquímica sanguínea será utilizada para a determinação das concentrações plasmáticas de glicose e insulina, perfil inflamatório, perfil lipídico e variáveis hemostáticas. A qualidade de vida será avaliada a partir do questionário (Whoqool-bref). Todas as variáveis serão analisadas na linha de base, após 8 e 12 semanas de acompanhamento em cada etapa. Resultados esperados: Antecipamos com este projeto uma possível alteração paradigmática nos modelos vigentes associados às orientações para exercício físico e manejo da dor muscular tardia, com a inclusão de recomendações direcionadas para a funcionalidade do indivíduo. Assim, nossa hipótese é que o Treinamento Funcional causará menor incidência de dor muscular tardia e será mais eficazes nas respostas adaptativas à aptidão funcional em idosas sedentárias. Resumen: Objetivo: Presentar un protocolo de ensayo clínico aleatorizado evaluando el efecto de los entrenamientos funcional y tradicional en el dolor muscular, la aptitud física, en la composición corporal, en la salud cardiovascular y en la calidad de vida en mayores sedentarios, como también para analizar el comportamiento del dolor muscular tardío a lo largo de las intervenciones. Métodos: Ensayo clínico controlado, aleatorizado y cruzado, en mujeres mayores. Las participantes serán subdivididas en tres grupos distintos, a saber: grupo 1 - Entrenamiento funcional; grupo 2 - Entrenamiento tradicional; y grupo 3 - Estiramientos y prácticas de relajación. Para el análisis del dolor durante el período de intervención, se utilizará un algómetro y la escala numérica de 11 puntos. Para evaluar la aptitud física, se utilizará la batería Senior Fitness Test y pruebas complementarias de fuerza dinámica máxima, isométrica y potencia muscular. La composición corporal será evaluada por medio de bioimpedancia tetrapolar. La bioquímica sanguínea se utilizará para la determinación de las concentraciones plasmáticas de glucosa e insulina, perfil inflamatorio, perfil lipídico y variables hemostáticas. La calidad de vida se evaluará a partir del cuestionario (Whoqool-bref). Todas las variables se analizar en la línea de base, después de 8 y 12 semanas de seguimiento en cada etapa. Resultados esperados: Esperamos que este proyecto con un posible cambio de paradigma en los modelos actuales directrices para el ejercicio y la gestión de los departamentos de ultramar asociados, con la inclusión de recomendaciones dirigidas a la funcionalidad del individuo. Así, nuestra hipótesis es que el Entrenamiento Funcional causará menor incidencia de dolor muscular tardío y será más eficaz en las respuestas adaptativas a la aptitud funcional en ancianas sedentarias. Abstract Objective: To present a randomized clinical trial protocol evaluating the effect of functional and traditional training on muscle pain, physical fitness, body composition, cardiovascular health and quality of life in sedentary elderly women, as well as to analyze the behavior of late muscle pain throughout the interventions. Method: Controlled, randomized, crossover clinical trial in elderly individuals. Participants will be subdivided into three distinct groups, namely: group 1 - Functional training; group 2 - Traditional training; And group 3 - Practices and relaxation practices. To analyze the pain during the intervention period, an algometer and a numerical scale of 11 points will be used. To evaluate the physical fitness, the Senior Fitness Test and complementary tests of maximum dynamic force, isometric and muscular power will be used. The body composition will be evaluated by means of a four-pole bioimpedance. Blood chemistry will be used to determine the plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin, inflammatory profile, lipid profile and hemostatic variables. Quality of life will be assessed from the questionnaire (Whoqool-bref). All variables will be analyzed at the baseline, after 8 and 12 weeks of follow-up at each stage. Expected results: We anticipate with this project a possible paradigmatic change in the current models associated to the guidelines for physical exercise and management of late muscle pain, with the inclusion of recommendations directed to the individual's functionality. Thus, our hypothesis is that Functional Training will cause lower incidence of late muscle pain and will be more effective in the adaptive responses to functional fitness in sedentary elderly women.