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The aim of this study was to analyze the association between muscle quality index (MQI) and phase angle (PhA) after a program of progressive resistance training (RT) in older women. Sixty-six older women with previous RT experience (68.8 ± 4.6 years, 156.6 ±5.3 cm, 66.0 ± 13.0 kg, and 26.7 ± 4.6 kg/m²) underwent 12 weeks of RT (3 x/week, eight exercises, and 10-15 repetition maximum). Anthropometry, muscular strength (one-repetition maximum tests), and body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and spectral bioimpedance) were measured pre- and posttraining. There were observed significant increases for PhA, MQI, muscular strength, muscle mass, and reactance, whereas no significant changes in body fat and resistance were found. A significant correlation was observed between the RT-induced relative changes in PhA and MQI (r = .620). We conclude that improvements in MQI induced by RT are associated with increases in PhA. Therefore, PhA may be a valid tool to track changes in MQI after 12 weeks of RT in older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of protein intake beyond habitual intakes associated with resistance training on metabolic syndrome (MetS)-related parameters, isokinetic strength, and body composition in health older women. A total of 30 older women (68.8 ± 4.3 years) participated in this investigation and were assigned to receive 35 g of whey protein or placebo combined with resistance training, over 12-weeks, three times per week. Blood samples, blood pressure, dietary intake, strength, and body composition were assessed before and after the intervention period. Two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures was applied for comparisons. Both groups improved the skeletal muscle mass, muscular strength, waist circumference, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, glucose, resistance, reactance, and MetS Z-score risk. However, the improvements in skeletal muscle mass, waist circumference, and MetS Z-score risk were significantly greater in protein group when compared with control group. Moreover, protein group significantly decreased %body fat when compared with control group. Higher protein intake combined with resistance training promoted greater improvements in skeletal muscle mass, %body fat, waist circumference, and MetS Z-score risk in older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of whey protein (WP) supplementation on muscular strength, hypertrophy, and muscular quality in older women preconditioned to resistance training (RT). In a randomized, double-blind, and placebo (PLA)-controlled design, 31 older women (67.4 ± 4.0 years, 62.0 ± 6.9 kg, 155.9 ± 5.7 cm, and 25.5 ± 2.4 kg/m2) received either 35 g of WP (n = 15) or 35 g of PLA (n = 16) over a 12-week study period while performing an RT program three times a week. Dietary intake, one-repetition maximum test, and skeletal muscle mass by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were assessed before and after the intervention period. Both groups showed significant (p <.05) improvements in skeletal muscle mass and total strength, and the WP group realized greater increases (p <.05) in these measures compared with PLA (skeletal muscle mass: WP = +4.8% vs. PLA = +2.3%; strength: WP = +8.7% vs. PLA = +4.9%). Muscular quality increased (p <.05) in both groups (WP = +2.9% vs. PLA = +1.5%) without statistical differences (p >.05) noted between conditions. We conclude that WP supplementation in combination with RT induces higher increases in both strength and hypertrophy in older women preconditioned to RT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of two different resistance training (RT) systems on oxidative stress biomarkers in older women. Fifty-nine older women (67.9 ± 5.0 years) were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Two training groups performed an 8 week RT program either in traditional (TD, n = 20) or a pyramid (PR, n = 20) system 3 times per week, or a control group (CG, n = 19). The TD program consisted of 3 sets of 8-12 RM with constant load for the 3 sets, whereas the PR training consisted of 3 sets of 12/10/8 RM with incremental loads for each set. As compared with the CG, both TD and PR achieved upregulation of the antioxidant system as evidenced by higher (p < .05) values of total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter plasma concentration after intervention (TD= 930.4 ± 160.0 µmolTrolox, PR= 977.8 ± 145.2 µmolTrolox, CG= 794.4 ± 130.2 µmolTrolox). For the protein oxidation adducts, TD and PR presented lower (p < .05) scores compared with CG (TD= 91.2 ± 25.0 µmol/L, PR= 93.0 ± 30.3 µmol/L, CG= 111.0 ± 20.4 µmol/L). However, there were no differences (p > .05) between trained groups in the antioxidant capacity markers and in the protein oxidation adducts markers. The results suggest that 8 weeks of progressive RT promotes an improvement in markers of oxidative stress in older women independent of the load-management RT system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cunha, PM, Ribeiro, AS, Padilha, C, Nunes, JP, Schoenfeld, BJ, Cyrino, LT, Tomeleri, CM, Nascimento, MA, Antunes, M, Fernandes, RR, Barbosa, DS, Venturini, D, Burini, RC, Sardinha, LB, and Cyrino, ES. Improvement of oxidative stress in older women is dependent on resistance training volume: Active aging longitudinal study. J Strength Cond Res 36(4): 1141-1146, 2022-The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of resistance training (RT) performed with a higher versus lower training volume on oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers in older women. Thirty-eight older women (>=60 years) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: a group that performed 1 set per exercise (low volume [LV], n = 18) or 3 sets per exercise (high volume [HV], n = 20). The whole-body RT consisted of a 12-week RT program involving 8 exercises performed with sets of 10-15 repetitions maximum, 3 days per week. Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP), and ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange (FOX) were used as OS biomarkers. The composite Z-score of the percentage changes from pre- to posttraining of OS biomarkers according to groups was calculated. A significant main effect of time (p < 0.05) was found for AOPP (LV = -7.3% vs. HV = -12.2%) and TRAP (LV = +1.5% vs. HV = +15.5%) concentrations, without a statistical difference between the groups (p > 0.05). A significant group vs. time interaction (p < 0.001) was revealed for FOX (LV = +6.4% vs. HV = -8.9%). The overall analysis indicated higher positive changes for HV than LV (composed Z-score: HV = 0.41 +/- 1.22 vs. LV = -0.37 +/- 1.03; p < 0.05). Our results suggest that a greater volume of RT seems to promote superior improvements on OS biomarkers in older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of resistance training (RT) performed with 2 different volumes on body fat and blood biomarkers in untrained older women. Sixty-five physically independent older women (≥60 years) were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups: low-volume (LV) training group, high-volume (HV) training group, and a control group. Both training groups performed RT for 12 weeks, using 8 exercises of 10-15 repetitions maximum for each exercise. The low-volume group performed only a single set per exercise, whereas the HV group performed 3 sets. Anthropometric, body fat (%), trunk fat, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very LDL-c (VLDL-c), glucose (GLU), C-reactive protein (CRP), and composite Z-score were measured. The HV group obtained greater improvements compared with the LV group (p < 0.05) for TG (LV = -10.5% vs. HV = -16.6%), VLDL-c (LV = -6.5% vs. HV = -14.8%), GLU (LV = -4.7% vs. HV = -11.1%), CRP (LV = -13.2% vs. HV = -30.8%), % body fat (LV = -2.4% vs. HV = -6.1%), and composite Z-score (LV = -0.13 ± 0.30 vs. HV = -0.57 ± 0.29). Trunk fat was reduced (p < 0.05) only in the HV group (-6.8%). We conclude that RT performed in higher volume seems to be the most appropriate strategy to reduce body fat (%), trunk fat, improve blood biomarkers, and reduce composite Z-score in older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of three resistance exercise orders on muscular strength, body composition, and functional fitness in trained older women. Forty-five women (aged ≥60 years), after performing 12 weeks of a pre-conditioning resistance-training program were randomly assigned in one of the following groups that performed the exercises in the following orders: multi-joint to single-joint order (MJ-SJ, n=15), single-joint to multi-joint order (SJ-MJ, n=15), and alternating between upper and lower body order (ALT, n=15). Specific training intervention lasted 12 weeks (3x/week) and was composed of eight exercises performed in three sets of 15/10/5 repetitions, with increasing load through the sets. Muscular strength was estimated by one-repetition maximum tests; body composition was assessed by whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and functional fitness was analyzed with a sequence of four motor tests. All groups improved similarly in muscular strength (Cohen's effect size: MJ-SJ=0.45; SJ-MJ=0.48; ALT=0.45), skeletal muscle mass (MJ-SJ=0.08; SJ-MJ=0.07; ALT=0.09), and functional test performance (MJ-SJ=0.38; SJ-MJ=0.20; ALT=0.31), but no change was observed for body fat (P >0.05). The results suggest that 12 weeks of resistance training induce positive changes in muscle morphofunctionality, regardless of the exercise order employed in trained older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of resistance training (RT) exercise order on muscle strength, hypertrophy, and anabolic hormones in older women. Forty-four older women were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: a nonexercise control group (CON, n = 15) and two RT groups that performed a 12-week RT program in a multijoint to single-joint order (MJ-SJ, n = 14), or in a single-joint to multijoint order (SJ-MJ, n = 15). The RT protocol (33/week) encompassed 8 exercises, with 3 sets of 10-15 repetitions performed per exercise. One repetition maximumtests were used to evaluate muscle strength; dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to estimate lean soft tissue. Both training groups showed significant and similar increases in muscle strength (MJ-SJ = 16.4%; SJ-MJ = 12.7%) and mass (MJ-SJ = 7.5%; SJ-MJ = 6.1%), whereas there were no significant changes in testosterone and insulin-like growth factor 1. The results suggest that both approaches are similarly effective in eliciting morphofunctional improvements in older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase angle (PhA) is a viable indicator of cellular health, with higher values reflecting better cellularity, cell membrane integrity, and cell function. Adaptive responses to resistance training (RT) on PhA may be important in obese older people. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of RT on PhA in obese older women. Thirty-three obese older women (68.1 ± 5.7 years, 71.6 ± 10.1 kg, 154.5 ± 6.7 cm, 30.0 ± 4.1 kg⋅m-2, and 45.0 ± 6.0% body fat) were randomly allocated into 1 of 2 groups: a training group that performed the RT program (TG, n = 18) or a nonexercise control group (CG, n = 15). The whole-body RT consisted of an 8-week RT program involving 8 exercises performed for 3 sets of 8-12 repetitions 3 times a week. Anthropometric, body fat and fat-free mass, PhA, total body water (TBW), intracellular water (ICW), and extracellular water compartments were performed at before and after training. After the intervention period, the TG presented greater increases (p < 0.05) than CG for fat-free mass (TG = +1.3% and CG = -0.3%), TBW (TG = +2.0% and CG = -1.7%), ICW (TG = +3.1% and CG = -1.9%), and PhA (TG = +3.4% and CG = -1.4%), and lower values for percentage of body fat (TG = -1.3% and CG = +0.9%) and bioimpedance resistance (TG = -4.6% and CG = +2.3%). Our results suggest that 8 weeks of RT improves PhA-a cellular health parameter-in obese older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects between single set vs. multiple sets of resistance training (RT) on measures of muscular strength, muscle mass, muscle quality (MQ), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in untrained healthy older women. Sixty-two older women were randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 groups: single-set RT (SS, n = 21), multiple-sets RT (MS, n = 20), or nontraining control (CG, n = 21). Both training groups performed RT for 12 weeks, using 8 exercises of 10-15 repetitions maximum for each exercise. The SS group performed only 1 set per exercise, whereas MS performed 3 sets. Anthropometry, muscle strength (1RM tests), lean soft tissue (LST), and MQ from upper limbs (UL) and lower limbs (LL), and IGF-1 were measured before and after training. Both training groups showed significant pre-training to post-training increases for UL1RM (SS: 37.1%, MS: 27.3%, CG: -3.0%), LL1RM (SS: 16.3%, MS: 21.7%, CG: -0.7%), ULLST (SS: 7.8%, MS: 8.8%, CG: -1.1%), LLLST (SS: 5.6%, MS: 6.3%, CG: -0.8%), upper-limb muscle quality (SS: 25.2%, MS: 16.7%, CG: -0.2%), lower-limb muscle quality (SS: 10.5%, MS: 15.4%, CG: -3.5%), and IGF-1 (SS: +7.1%, MS: +10.1%, CG: -2.2%). We conclude that both SS and MS produce similar increases in muscular strength, LST, and MQ of upper and lower limbs, and IGF-1 after 12 weeks of RT in untrained older women. Our results suggest that, in the early stages, the RT regardless number of sets is effective for improving muscular outcomes in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 2 resistance exercise order on postexercise blood pressure (BP) in trained nonhypertensive older women. Sixteen women (68.3 ± 3.3 years, 63.5 ± 11.6 kg, 157.5 ± 5.1 cm) performed 2 sessions with 8 exercises (3 sets of 8-12 repetitions) in distinct orders (from multi- to single-joint exercises [MS] or from single- to multijoint exercises [SM]) and a control session (CS), without exercise. Blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were obtained pre- and postsessions (60 minutes). Postexercise hypotension was observed for systolic BP (SBP) and mean BP in both the MS session (SBP: -6.9 mm Hg, mean BP: -3.3 mm Hg, p ≤ 0.05) and SM session (SBP: -4.6 mm Hg; mean BP: -1.1 mm Hg). Postexercise HR was higher than presession values until 30 minutes of recovery in both training sessions. Furthermore, SBP and mean BP, and HR were lower than the values obtained in the CS (30-60 minutes and 0 minutes, respectively; p ≤ 0.05). There were no differences between the SM and MS sessions in any variable or at any moment. In conclusion, resistance exercise order does not interfere in the magnitude and duration of postexercise hypotension in trained nonhypertensive older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the relationship between PhA and short-term maximal intensity efforts in soccer players, and was conducted in 99 male soccer players, ages 19–36 years. Bioelectrical impedance was used to assess body fat, fat free mass (FFM) and PhA (phase angle). Running Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) was used to evaluate physical performance. Food consumption was assessed through the 24-hour dietary recall method. Pearson correlation and multiple regressions were used for statistical analysis. Phase angle exhibited a positive relationship with maximum power (β=0.66; P<0.001), even after adjustment for the co-variables FFM and body fat (β=0.52; P=0.02). Phase angle was inversely related with fatigue index (β=− 0.61; P=0.04), even after adjusting for FFM (β=− 0.70; P=0.020). Our results indicated that independently of FFM and body fat, PhA was inversely associated with fatigue index and positively related with maximum power, revealing the PhA appeared as a valid predictor of fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oxidative stress is an imbalance between antioxidant system and production of free radicals and has been associated with the age‐related deleterious changes. The defense system can be modulated by exercise and nutrition. Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of whey protein supplementation pre‐ or post‐resistance training on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activity in pre‐conditioned older women. Methods: In a randomized, double‐blind, and placebo‐controlled design, 70 older women (≥60 years) were randomly assigned to one of the following three groups: whey protein‐placebo (WP‐PLA, n = 24), placebo‐whey protein (PLA‐WP, n = 23), and placebo‐placebo (PLA‐PLA, n = 23). Each group received 35 g of whey product or placebo pre‐ and post‐training. The RT program was carried out over 12 weeks (3x/week; 3x 8‐12 repetitions maximal). Oxidative stress and blood markers were assessed before and after intervention period. ANOVA for repeated measures was used for data analysis. Results: There was a significant time effect (P < 0.05), with all groups showing improvements in all oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activity. A significant (P < 0.001) interaction time vs group was observed for uric acid, with both WP‐PLA and PLA‐WP presenting greater reductions compared with the PLA‐PLA, without differences between the timing of protein intake (WP‐PLA: −8.3%; PLA‐WP: −11.0%; PLA‐PLA:‐2.0%). Conclusion: In already pre‐conditioned older women, whey protein supplementation reduces plasma uric acid concentration with no further effect on antioxidant enzyme activity and oxidative stress markers. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03247192. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this study was to compare the effects of resistance training (RT) performed with different training volumes on phase angle (PhA), body water components, and muscle quality (MQ) in untrained older adult women. A second purpose was to assess the relationship between PhA and MQ. Sixty-two older adult women (68.6 ± 5.0 years, 65.2 ± 13.3 kg, 156.1 ± 6.2 cm) were randomly assigned into one of the three groups: two training groups performed either 1 set (G1S) or 3 sets (G3S), or a control group (CG). Body water components and PhA were estimated by bioelectrical impedance (BIA). MQ was determined by dividing skeletal muscle mass estimated by dual-energy absorptiometry (DXA) by total muscle strength from three exercises. After the intervention period, both training groups demonstrated improvements (P < 0.05) when compared with CON for intracellular water, total body water, PhA, and MQ. These results suggest that RT can improve PhA, body water components, and MQ after 12 weeks of RT in untrained older women, regardless of training volume. Furthermore, changes in MQ were positively correlated with changes in PhA (r = 0.60, P < 0.01). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of resistance training (RT) performed with 1 or 3 sets per exercise on osteosarcopenic obesity (OSO) syndrome parameters in older women. Sixty-two older women (68.0 ± 4.3 years, 26.8 ± 4.4 kg/m2) participated in a 12-week RT program. Participants were randomly assigned into one of the three groups: two training groups that performed either 1 set (G1S, n = 21) or 3 sets (G3S, n = 20) 3 times weekly, or a control group (CG, n = 21). Body composition was assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry, strength was evaluated by 1 repetition maximum testing. The G3S presented significantly higher strength changes than G1S. The changes for percentage of body fat were higher for G3S compared to G1S. There was no difference in skeletal muscle mass between G3S and G1S, however both training groups displayed greater increases in this outcome compared to CG. There was no effect for bone mineral density. The overall analysis indicated higher (P < 0.05) positive changes for G3S than G1S (composed Z-score: G3S = 0.62 ± 0.40; G1S = 0.11 ± 0.48). The results suggest that a 12-week RT period is effective to improve the risk factors of OSO, and that 3 sets induce higher improvements than a single set. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim This study compared the effect of different resistance training (RT) frequencies on total, android, gynoid and trunk body fat in overweight/obese older women. Methods Fifty-seven overweight/obese older women (66.9 ± 5.3 years and 39.9 ± 4.9 % body fat) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a group performing RT twice a week (G2X), a group performing RT three times a week (G3X), or a non-exercise control group (CG). Both training groups performed the same 12-week RT program consisting of 8 exercises that trained all major muscle groups. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to assess body composition. Results After the intervention period, both G2X and G3X demonstrated significant (P < 0.05) reductions in adiposity compared to the CG for total body fat (G2X = --1.7 %, G3X = --2.7 %, CG = + 2.1 %), android fat (G2X = --6.2 %, G3X = --7.0 %, CG = + 8.6 %), gynoid fat (G2X = --2.5 %, G3X = --2.9 %, CG = + 1.0 %), and trunk fat (G2X = --2.5 %, G3X = --3.0 %, CG = + 2.9 %), with no significant differences between training groups. Conclusion These results demonstrate that a low-volume 12- week RT program performed two or three times per week causes decreases in total and regional fat deposition with the greatest reductions occurring in the android region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of two different resistance training (RT) prescription methods on phase angle (PA) in older women. Seventy-six older women (68.5 ± 5.7 years) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: two training groups that performed an eight-week RT programme either in a constant load (CT, n = 25) or an ascending pyramidal load (PR, n = 26) routine three times per week, or a control group (CG, n = 25) that performed no exercise. The CT programme consisted of three sets of 8--12 repetition maximum (RM) with a constant load for the three sets, whereas the PR training consisted of three sets of 12/10/8 RM with incremental loads for each set. PA was assessed by whole-body spectral bioelectrical impedance. After the RT period, both CT and PR achieved higher (P < .05) values of PA (CT = 5.76 ± 0.59°, PR = 5.63 ± 0.61°, CG= 5.48 ± 0.46°) compared to the CG; however, there was no difference (P > .05) between trained groups. The results suggest that eight weeks of RT based on a PR and CT load routines promote an improvement in PA, and both prescription methods performed similarly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to analyze whether improvements in fast walking speed induced by resistance training (RT) are associated with changes in body composition, muscle quality, and muscular strength in older women.Methods: Twenty-three healthy older women (69.6 ± 6.4 years, 64.95 ± 12.9 kg, 1.55 ± 0.07 m, 27.06 ± 4.6 kg/m²) performed a RT program for 8 weeks consisting of 8 exercises for the whole body, 3 sets of 10–15 repetitions maximum, 3 times a week. Anthropometric, body composition (fat-free mass [FFM], skeletal muscle mass [SMM], legs lean soft tissue [LLST], fat mass), knee extension muscular strength (KE1RM), muscle quality index (MQI [KE1RM/LLST]), and 10-meter walking test (10-MWT) were performed before and after the intervention.Results: Significant (P < .05) changes were observed from pre- to post-training for FFM (+1.6%), MQI (+7.2%), SMM (+2.4%), LLST (+1.8%), KE1RM (+8.6%), fat mass (−1.4%), and time to perform 10-MWT (−3.7%). The percentage change in 10-MWT was significantly associated with percentage change in MQI (r = −0.46,P = .04) and KE1RM (r = −0.45,P = .04), however not associated percentage of changes in SMM (r = 0.01,P = .97), LLST (r = −0.22,P = .33), and body fat (r = 0.10,P = .66).Conclusion: We conclude that the improvement in the 10-MWT after an 8-week RT program is associated with increases in lower limb muscular strength and muscle quality, but not with muscle mass or body fat changes in older women. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study analyzed the effects of 12 weeks of resistance training (RT) on resting blood pressure (BP) and plasma levels of nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) in pre- and hypertensive older women, and evaluated the relationship between these 2 parameters. Thirty-five older women (68.2 ±5.7 years, 70.0 ±14.4 kg, 157.1 ±6.4 cm, 28.3 ±5.0 kg.m-2) were randomly allocated into a training group (TG; n = 17), which performed a 12-week RT program, and a control group (CG; n = 18), which did not perform any physical exercise. Anthropometry, one repetition maximum (1RM), body composition analysis by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, blood samples, and resting BP were measured. There was a significant interaction for all variables analyzed, in which reductions of systolic BP (-8.5%), diastolic BP (-8.4%), and mean arterial pressure (-8.5%), and increases of NOx (+ 35.2%) were observed only for the TG. Moreover, a negative and significant correlation was observed (P<0.05; r= -0.63) between NOx and systolic BP in the TG. Results suggest that a 12-week RT program is sufficient to induce reductions in BP in pre- and hypertensive older women and that the decrease in systolic BP is associated w ith an increase in plasma NOx concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between risk behaviors and adiposity indicators in adolescents and to discuss some methodological aspects related to this relationship. We evaluated 1,321 adolescents (55.2% female) aged 10–16 years. Relative body fat (%fat) by measurement of triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness and waist circumference (WC) were used as total and central adiposity indicators, respectively. Physical inactivity, time spent in front of the TV, the consumption of soda and/or chocolate, alcohol, and tobacco smoking were analyzed as risk behaviors. Information about the socioeconomic status (categorized into three levels) and nutritional status of the mother (overweight or normal weight) were used as adjustment factors in the analyses of prevalence ratio (PR) of the outcomes and their associated 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The chi-square test and Poisson regression were used for statistical analyses. Low associations were found between risk behaviors and adiposity indicators. Tobacco smoking was the most positively correlated behavior with adiposity in girls (%fat: PR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.04–2.47; WC: PR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.17–3.08) and in adolescents whose mothers were normal weight (%fat: PR = 2.31; 95% CI = 1.33–4.03; WC: PR: 2.31; CI: 1.19–4.46). Additionally, as an important methodological issue, we highlighted the assessment of risk behaviors in adolescents as crucial to producing more robust evidence on the subject. Of the investigated behaviors, we concluded that tobacco smoking is the behavior most associated with adiposity indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Our aim was to determine the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and metabolic risk in adolescents from Southern Brazil. Methods We performed a school-based cross-sectional study in 1,037 adolescents (436 boys) aged 10-16 years from Londrina, PR, Brazil. CRF was determined by 20-m shuttle run test. A continuous metabolic risk score was obtained from the mean of fasting glucose, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, blood pressure, and waist circumference z-scores. Age, physical activity (Baecke questionnaire), body mass index (BMI; weight/stature2), and somatic maturity (Mirwald method) were included as covariates in multiple linear regression analyses. Results CRF was related to metabolic risk in boys ( β = −0.02, P < 0.01) and girls ( β = −0.01, P = 0.02) after adjusting for chronological age, BMI, and somatic maturity. However, when adjusted for physical activity, CRF failed to explain metabolic risk in girls ( β = −0.01, P = 0.24). Conclusion We conclude that CRF is independently and inversely related to metabolic risk in boys, but physical activity either mediates or confounds the association between CRF and metabolic risk in girls. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:534-538, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of blood pressure (BP) according to somatic maturation in Southern Brazilian adolescents. A total of 1321 adolescents participated in the study (732 girls), aged between 10 and 16 years, enrolled in public schools. The assessment of BP was performed using oscillometric equipment. Measurements of body weight, height, waist circumference, and skinfold thickness were performed. Somatic maturation was estimated by the age at peak height velocity. Behavioral and hereditary variables were obtained using a questionnaire. Early-maturing adolescents had the highest prevalence of high BP (28%; 95% confidence interval, 24.6-33.5) compared with other maturational groups (P=.003). In late-maturing adolescents, the variables associated with BP were paternal hypertension (systolic BP: β=4.9; diastolic BP: β=5.3) and early physical activity (systolic BP: β=-4.0; diastolic DBP: β=-3.6). In average-maturing adolescents, waist circumference (systolic BP: β=0.3), body mass index (diastolic BP: β=0.5), and mother's hypertension (diastolic BP: β=1.8) were positively related to BP. In early-maturing adolescents, only waist circumference (systolic BP: β=0.3; diastolic BP: β=0.3) was associated with BP. The authors conclude that the prevalence of high BP is greater in adolescents with early maturity and the outcome appears to be related to biological indicators in this group. On the other hand, in late-maturing adolescents, behavioral and hereditary variables are more related to BP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To analyze the relationship between different physical activity (PA) domains and sociodemographic, psychological, behavioral and biological factors in Brazilian adolescents. Methods 1,220 adolescents (55.1% female) aged between 10 and 16 years-old participated in this study. The Baecke questionnaire was used to evaluate different PA domains, namely occupational, sports and leisure-time. Socioeconomic status, number of siblings, friendships satisfaction, mother's and father's PA level and previous experience with sports were self-reported. Cardiorespiratory fitness, waist circumference, and somatic maturity were estimated by objective indicators. Linear regression was used for the main statistical analysis. Results The variables consistently related to all of the PA domains were gender (boys more active), friendship satisfaction (positive with sports and leisure-time PA and negative with occupational PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (positive). There were also domain-specific relationships for occupational (number of siblings [ β = 0.02] and father's PA [ β = 0.13]), sport practice (previous experience with sports [ β = 0.33], waist circumference [ β = 0.01] and somatic maturity [ β = −0.12]) and leisure-time PA (chronological age [ β = −0.15], mother's PA [ β = 0.47] and previous experience with sports [ β = 0.17]). Conclusions The different domains of PA are related to specific variables in adolescence. This information may be helpful in formulating strategies for physical activity promotion, particularly in adolescents from low-to-middle income countries. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:112-117, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of a progressive resistance training (RT) program on C-reactive protein (CRP), blood glucose (GLU), and lipid profile in older women with differing levels of RT experience. Sixty-five older women (68.9 ± 6.1 years, 67.1 ± 13.1 kg) were separated according to RT experience: an advanced group composed by 35 participants who previously carried out 24 weeks of RT and a novice group composed by 30 participants without previous experience in RT (n = 30). Both groups performed a RT program comprised of eight exercises targeting all the major muscles. Training was carried out 3 days/week for 8 weeks. Serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), GLU, and CRP concentrations were determined pre- and post- intervention after 12 h fasting. A significant group by time interaction (P < 0.05) for the TC (novice = −1.9 % vs. advanced = 1.0 %), and CRP (novice = −22.9 % vs. advanced = −54.5 %) was observed. A main effect of time (P < 0.05) was identified for the GLU (novice = −2.6 % vs. advanced = −6.6 %), TG (novice = −12.9 % vs. advanced = −5.7 %), HDL-C (novice = +6.7 % vs. advanced = +2.6 %), and LDL-C (novice = −34.0 % vs. advanced = −25.4 %). These results suggest that RT improves the metabolic profile of older women and that training for a longer period of time seems to produce more pronounced reductions mainly on CRP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging is associated with sarcopenia and dynapenia, with both processes contributing to functional dependence and mortality in older adults. Resistance training (RT) and increased protein intake are strategies that may contribute to health improvements in older adults. Therefore, the aim was to investigate the effects of whey protein (WP) supplementation consumed either immediately pre- or post-RT on skeletal muscle mass (SMM), muscular strength, and functional capacity in pre-conditioned older women. Seventy older women participated in this investigation and were randomly assigned to one of three groups: whey protein pre-RT and placebo post-RT (WP-PLA, n = 24), placebo pre-RT and whey protein post-RT (PLA-WP, n = 23), and placebo pre- and post-RT (PLA-PLA, n = 23). Each group ingested 35 g of WP or PLA. The RT program was carried out over 12 weeks (three times per week; 3 × 8–12 repetition maximum). Body composition, muscular strength, functional capacity, and dietary intake were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) for repeated measures, with baseline scores as covariates were used for data analysis. A time vs. group interaction (p < 0.05) was observed with WP-PLA and PLA-WP presenting greater increases compared with PLA-PLA for SMM (WP-PLA = 3.4%; PLA-WP = 4.2%; PLA-PLA = 2.0%), strength (WP-PLA = 8.1%; PLA-WP = 8.3%; PLA-PLA = 7.0%), and the 10-m walk test (WP-PLA = −10.8%; PLA-WP = −11.8%; PLA-PLA = −4.3%). Whey protein supplementation was effective in promoting increases in SMM, muscular strength, and functional capacity in pre-conditioned older women, regardless of supplementation timing. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03247192. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]