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The article discusses the role of nitric oxide (NO) in maintaining homeostasis in the body and the challenges of preserving endogenous NO production during aging. It highlights the potential benefits of dietary inorganic nitrate (NO₃⁻) found in vegetables in restoring NO production, particularly in cardiovascular and physical performance in middle-aged and older adults. The article presents findings from interventional studies and systematic reviews that suggest NO₃⁻ intake can lead to improvements in blood pressure, cardiovascular function, and physical performance, especially in populations with deficient NO synthesis. However, the need for long-term studies to establish the sustained effects of NO₃⁻ intake and its potential in enhancing cardiovascular and physical health outcomes is emphasized. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: To verify the influence of different volumes and intensities of aerobic exercise on cardiac autonomic function (CAF) through heart rate variability (HRV) analysis as well the influence of β2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) variants in overweight/obese individuals.Methods: 70 physically inactive adults were randomly allocated into the following 16-week training: 1-high-intensity interval training (HIIT) (n = 25, 1 × 4 min bout at 85-95%HR peak, 3×/week), 4-HIIT (n = 26, 4 × 4 min bouts at 85-95%HR peak, interspersed with 3 min of recovery at 50-70%HR peak, 3×/week), and moderate continuous training (MCT) (n = 19, 30 min at 60-70%HR peak, 5×/week). Before and after the exercise training, anthropometric, BP, cardiorespiratory fitness, and HRV measures were evaluated. R-R intervals recorded for 10 min in a supine position at pre- and post-intervention were used to analyze HRV in the plot-Poincare indexes (SD1, SD2), and frequency-domain (LF, HF, LF/HF). Full blood samples were used for genotyping.Results: 4-HIIT and MCT showed positive outcomes for almost all variables while 1-HIIT had a positive influence only on SBP and SD2 index. No associations were observed between isolated ADRB2 variants and changes in HRV. In the analysis of the interaction genotypes, all groups responded positively for the SD1 index of HRV and only the H1 (GG and CC) and H2 (GG and CG + GG) groups presented increases in the RMSSD index. Furthermore, there was an increase in the LF index only in the H3 (CC and AA + AG) and H4 (AA + AG and CG + GG) groups.Conclusions: ADRB2 variants and aerobic exercise training are important interacting variables to improve autonomic function and other health variables outcomes in overweight or obese individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive training and physical activity provide mental, social and physical stimulation that may reduce dementia risk. However, there is limited evidence on the benefits of interventions to increase cognitive engagement among healthy elderly. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of combined cognitive training and physical activity on cognitive function and psychosocial well‐being among healthy middle‐aged and older adults. Method: 114 adults with age between 50 to 80 years, recruited by advertisements in the local media, were randomized into four intervention arms: 1) cognitive training + physical activity, 2) cognitive training only, 3) physical activity only, or 4) no‐intervention control group. The interventions had 12 weeks of duration with 90 minutes of cognitive training (groups 1 and 2), and 180 minutes of physical activity (groups 1 and 3) per week. Participants were assessed for cognitive performance (MoCA), social support, depressive and anxiety symptoms, at baseline and follow‐up. Data were analyzed through Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape ‐ GAMLSS, controlling for age, sex and years of schooling. Result: Most of the subjects were female, mean age of 64.5 years (SD=7.0), and average schooling of 12.1 years (SD=3.7). After 12 weeks we conclude the follow‐up with 88 participants. Following the intervention, MoCA increased in all groups (Coef=.98, 95%CI=.00;1.95, p<.01). There was no evidence of differences between the intervention groups for MoCA (1x2 p=.99, 1x3 p=.94, 1x4 p=.92, 2x3 p=.97, 2x4 p=.95, 3x4 p=.99). Subjects from group 1 and 2 increased the number of people to provide social support comparing to the control group (Coef=.27, 95%CI=.00;.54, p=.04/ Coef=.27, 95%CI=.00;.55, p=.03). There was no evidence of differences between the intervention groups for social support (1x2 p=.99, 1x3 p=.53, 1x4 p=.20, 2x3 p=.50, 2x4 p=.18, 3x4 p=.88). Depression and anxiety symptoms did not show effects or interactions (p=.73/ p=.68). There was no evidence of differences between the intervention groups for depression and anxiety (1x2 p=.99, 1x3 p=.94, 1x4 p=.92, 2x3 p=.97, 2x4 p=.95, 3x4 p=.99/ 1x2 p=.99, 1x3 p=.76, 1x4 p=.74, 2x3 p=.78, 2x4 p=.76, 3x4 p=.99). Conclusion: Social support showed positive results for combined interventions and cognitive training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exercise training emerges as a key strategy in lifestyle modification, capable of reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) due to risk factors such as age, family history, genetics and low level of education associated with AD. We aim to analyze the effect of a 14-week combined exercise training (CT) on the methylation of genes associated with AD in non-alzheimer's disease women. CT sessions lasted 60 min, occurring three times a week for 14 weeks. Forty non-Alzheimer's disease women aged 50 to 70 years (60.7 ± 4.1 years) with a mean height of 1.6 ± 0.1 m, mean weight of 73.12 ± 9.0 kg and a mean body mass index of 29.69 ± 3.5 kg/m2, underwent two physical assessments: pre and post the 14 weeks. DNA methylation assays utilized the EPIC Infinium Methylation BeadChip from Illumina. We observed that 14 weeks of CT led to reductions in systolic (p = 0.001) and diastolic (p = 0.017) blood pressure and improved motor skills post-intervention. Among 25 genes linked to AD, CT induced differentially methylated sites in 12 genes, predominantly showing hypomethylated sites (negative β values). Interestingly, despite hypomethylated sites, some genes exhibited hypermethylated sites (positive β values), such as ABCA7 , BDNF , and WWOX. A 14-week CT regimen was adequate to induce differential methylation in 12 CE-related genes in healthy older women, alongside improvements in motor skills and blood pressure. In conclusion, this study suggest that combined training can be a strategy to improve physical fitness in older individuals, especially able to induce methylation alterations in genes sites related to development of AD. It is important to highlight that training should act as protective factor in older adults. • For 14 weeks acted on 12 genes, that may be protective factor in the development of AD; • Exercise training improved functional capacity, physical performance and blood pressure in women aged between 50 and 70 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]