The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of being overweight or underweight on proprioception at rest and after muscle damaging eccentric exercise. Twelve lean, 12 overweight, and 8 underweight female participants performed an eccentric exercise session using the knee extensor muscles of the dominant leg. Muscle damage indices and proprioception were assessed up to 3 days postexercise. The results indicated that proprioception at baseline of the lean individuals was superior to that of the other 2 groups. The overweight individuals exhibited a smaller knee joint reaction angle to release than did the lean group, whereas the underweight individuals exhibited a larger reaction angle to release than did the lean group. After eccentric exercise, proprioception was affected more in the overweight and the underweight groups than in the lean group. The greater exercise-induced muscle damage appeared in the overweight group, and the deficient muscle mass of the underweight participants could explain in part the greater disturbances that appeared in proprioception in these 2 groups than for the lean counterparts. In conclusion, deviating from the normal body mass is associated with significant disturbances in the proprioception of the legs at rest and after participation in activities involving eccentric actions.

A 12-month moderate resistance training program increases muscle strength, but it does not change immune phenotypic and functional parameters of previously sedentary, clinically healthy, elderly women.

OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to compare aerobic function [anaerobic threshold (%V˙O2-AT), respiratory compensation point (%V˙O2-RCP) and peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2peak)] between physically active patients with HIV/AIDS and matched controls and to examine associations between disease status, poor muscle strength, depression (as estimated by the profile of mood states questionnaire) and the aerobic performance of patients.METHODS:Progressive treadmill test data for %V˙O2-AT (V-slope method), RCP and (V˙O2peak) were compared between 39 male patients with HIV/AIDS (age 40.6±1.4 years) and 28 male controls (age 44.4±2.1 years) drawn from the same community and matched for habitual physical activity. Within-patient data were also examined in relation to CD4+ counts (nadir and current data) and peak isokinetic knee torque.RESULTS:AT, RCP and (V˙O2peak) values were generally similar for patients and controls. Within the patient sample, binary classification suggested that AT, RCP and (V˙O2peak) values were not associated with either the nadir or current CD4+ count, but treadmill test variables were positively associated with peak isokinetic knee torque.CONCLUSION:The aerobic performance of physically active patients with HIV/AIDS is generally well conserved. Nevertheless, poor muscle strength is observed in some HIV/AIDS patients, which is associated with lower anaerobic power and (V˙O2peak), suggesting the possibility of enhancing the aerobic performance of patients with weak muscles through appropriate muscle-strengthening activities.

Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar o efeito da interrupção de um programa de exercícios com pesos livres sobre a força muscular de mulheres idosas através do teste de uma repetição máxima (1-RM). Para tanto, a amostra foi constituída por oito mulheres idosas saudáveis (x: 64,3 ± 7,6 anos) que foram envolvidas, previamente à interrupção, em um programa de exercícios com pesos livres durante 12 semanas, três vezes por semana, três séries de 10 repetições a 50% 1-RM para seis tipos de exercícios para os membros superiores e inferiores. O teste 1-RM foi realizado imediatamente após a interrupção do programa e subseqüentemente a cada quatro semanas (4ª, 8ª e 12ª semanas). Os valores demonstraram decréscimo estatisticamente significativo na força muscular de ambas as extremidades corporais, principalmente após a 8ª semana de pausa. O decréscimo percentual na 12ª semana variou de 27,5% a 35,1% para a força muscular de membros inferiores e superiores, respectivamente; aconteceu, principalmente, nos membros superiores. Os membros inferiores preservaram mais a capacidade de manutenção da força muscular após a interrupção do treinamento (22,9% a 71,9%) que os membros superiores (-14,8% a 16,1%) quando os valores absolutos finais do período de destreinamento foram comparados com os valores iniciais do treinamento. Esses resultados permitem concluir que a interrupção de um programa de exercícios com pesos livres produz efeito negativo na força muscular de mulheres idosas, especialmente após a 8ª semana.

No abstract

Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar o efeito da idade, peso, altura, índice de massa corporal e adiposidade corporal na capacidade funcional de mulheres acima de 47 anos para realizar as atividades da vida diária. Para tanto, a amostra foi constituída por 129 mulheres na faixa etária de 47 a 77 anos de idade. A adiposidade total (Adp T) foi considerada por meio do somatório das dobras cutâneas bíceps (BI), tríceps (TRI), subescapular (SB), axilar média (AM), supra-ilíaca (SI), abdominal (ABD), coxa anterior (CA) e panturrilha medial (PM). A adiposidade central (Adp C) representou o somatório de SB, AM, SI e ABD, e a adiposidade periférica (Adp P), o somatório de BI, TRI, CA e PM. A capacidade funcional para realizar as atividades da vida diária foi predita mediante os testes: velocidade para se levantar de uma posição sentada (VLPS) e para se levantar de uma posição deitada (VLPD), velocidade para calçar e amarrar o tênis (VCAT) e velocidade para subir escada (VSE). Foi calculado o quartil (Q) para todas as variáveis independentes (idade, peso, altura, índice de massa corporal e adiposidade corporal [total, central e periférica]). A análise estatística utilizada foi a ANOVA one way e os coeficientes de correlação linear de Pearson e Spearman rank-order. As diferenças estatisticamente significativas ocorreram principalmente entre os quartis das extremidades (Q1 x Q4) para VLPS e VLPD (exceção para peso e IMC), enquanto para VSE foi entre Q2 x Q4 (idade). As variáveis independentes exerceram efeito nulo sobre VCAT. A magnitude de variação percentual ocorreu entre a amplitude de 14,1% (idade [VLPD: Q3 x Q4]) e 36,1% (Adp T [VLPS: Q2 x Q4]). Em ordem, as variáveis independentes que exerceram maior repercussão negativa sobre a performance nos testes de capacidade funcional (VLPS, VLPD, VSE) para realizar as atividades da vida diária foram Adp C, idade, Adp T, Adp P, IMC e peso.

No abstract

OBJECTIVE:To compare and examine relationships between body image (BI), body composition and physical function in overweight and normal weight active older women. METHOD: We measured body mass (BM), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WAIST), grip strength (GS), lower limb muscle strength [LLMS], arm curl, balance, step-in-place test (SIPT), usual walk (WALK), fast walking (fastWALK), single chair stand (CHAIRtime) and repeated chair stand (CHAIRreps) in 398 overweight or obese women (67.2 ± 8.5 years; BMI > 27 kg•m 2 ) and 302 women with a BMI < 27 kg•m 2 (67.3 ± 8.5 years). Current (CBI) and ideal body image (IBI), and body dissatisfaction (DS; current -ideal) were determined by participant's responses to standardized silhouettes. RESULTS: Multiple regression analyses verified positive (CBI) and negative associations (DS) for balance in obese category. A positive association with WALK and fastWALK was observed for current (normal weight and obesity categories) and IBI (overweight). There were positive associations for SIPT, arm curl and CHAIRreps. CONCLUSION: Physically active older women showed an elevated prevalence of dissatisfaction regardless of BMI which was mediated by age, and associated with worsened physical function; similar associations were seen for current body image.