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Background/Objectives: This study aimed to assess and compare the effects of an adapted taekwondo (TKD) program, multicomponent training (MCT), walking exercise (WE), and inactive control group (CG) on blood pressure, morphological variables, frequency of food consumption, cognitive status, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), physical fitness tests, and postural balance in independent older females. Methods: A randomized controlled trial study was conducted with the following groups: TKD (n = 13), MCT (n = 12), WE (n = 12), and CG (n = 14), considering three/weekly 60-min/sessions for 16-weeks. A two-factor mixed analysis of the variance model with repeated measures was performed. Results: TKD improved significantly more in phonetic fluency (p = 0.021; ES = 1.89) than WE and in general health (p = 0.033; ES = 1.11) than CG. Both TKD and MCT improved significantly more than CG in the 30 s chair stand, arm curl, chair sit-and-reach, timed up-and-go, maximal isometric handgrip strength, and postural balance for the eyes closed condition in the area and anteroposterior velocity (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Only TKD improved the area (p = 0.008; ES = 1.00) and mediolateral velocity (p = 0.019; ES = 0.79) for the eyes open condition, and mediolateral velocity (p = 0.021; ES = 1.57) for the eyes closed condition. Blood pressure, morphological variables, and food consumption frequency showed no significant intragroup or intergroup interactions. TKD equivalently improved HRQoL and physical fitness to MCT, with better postural balance in older females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to analyze the effects of elastic band training (EBT) versus multicomponent training (MCT) and group-based dance (GBD) on waist circumference, body composition (body fat percentage and fat-free mass), and physical performance (handgrip strength, HGS; 30-s chair stand; timed up-and-go, TUG) in Chilean older women. Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial with three parallel groups: EBT (n = 10), MCT (n = 10), and GBD (n = 10). Two 60-min sessions per week for 8 weeks were dedicated to the interventions with pre- and post-assessments. A two-factor mixed ANOVA model with repeated measures was performed to measure the time × group effect. Results: Multiple comparisons revealed significant differences between EBT and MCT in the body fat percentage (p = 0.001; ES = 2.488, large effect) in favor of MCT, while HGS in the non-dominant hand (p = 0.044; ES = 0.158) was in favor of EBT. In the intragroup results, only the MCT significantly decreased the body fat percentage (p = 0.044; ES = 0.426, small effect), and EBT significantly increased HGS in the dominant (p < 0.001; ES = 0.977, large effect) and non-dominant (p < 0.001; ES = 0.583, moderate effect) hands and improved the 30-s chair stand (p = 0.003; ES = 1.612, large effect) test. The GBD did not report significant changes. Conclusions: MCT significantly reduced the body fat percentage regarding EBT, and EBT significantly improved HGS in the non-dominant hand regarding MCT, with no differences reported in the rest of the analyzed variables between the groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tinnitus refers to a common disorder affecting older adults frequently. This condition can disturb mental health and psychological well-being and contribute to cognitive decline. Despite recent advances in research, its pathophysiology remains incompletely understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the sensation of tinnitus, its consequences on the quality of life of older adults, and its correlation with cytokine levels. Methods and material: This cross-sectional study included a sample of 103 independent older adults. Information regarding clinical history, tinnitus, and hearing loss was obtained through interviews. Assessment of tinnitus intensity and resulting impairments was conducted using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Tinnitus Handicap Index (THI), respectively. Subjects underwent audiological evaluation and were measured for inflammatory markers. Statistical analyses included chi-square, Mann–Whitney, and Kruskal–Wallis tests and calculation of the effect size (Φ). Results: The condition of older adults with tinnitus (51.5%) was associated with hearing loss and previous noise exposure. No differences were observed in the cytokines between groups with and without tinnitus (P > 0.05), whereas a difference was found in the interleukin-10 (IL-10) of the male group (P = 0.016; r = 0.69). In those with tinnitus, VAS had a median and (interquartile range) of 5 (2–7), and the values were 21 (10–38) for THI. In addition, VAS and minimum masking level exhibited a significant correlation with IL-6 (P = 0.018; rs = 0.335) and IL-2 (P = 0.035; rs = 0.299), respectively. Furthermore, the groups with intense and mild VAS presented different levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (P = 0.041; E 2R = 0.12). Conclusion: The results reveal an association between tinnitus and hearing loss and previous noise exposure. Moreover, increased sound-masking levels and VAS correlated with IL-2 and IL-6, respectively. TNF-α levels varied between the mild and intense VAS groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of Xbox Kinect Sports (XKS) regarding Nintendo Switch Sports (NSS) and an inactive control group (CG) on body composition (body fat percentage, BFP; and fat-free mass) and physical performance (maximal isometric handgrip strength, MIHS; 30-s chair stand, 30-S; timed up-and-go, TUG; sit-and-reach; and 2-min step) in physically inactive older females. Methods: A randomized controlled trial study was conducted with three parallel groups: XKS (n = 13), NSS (n = 14), and CG (n = 16) considering three weekly 60-min sessions for 12 weeks with pre- and post-assessments. Results: A two-factor mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA) model with repeated measures was performed to measure the time × group effect. Multiple comparisons revealed significant differences in BFP (F(2,18) = 6.12; p = 0.005; ηp2 = 0.226, large effect), 30-S (F(2,18) = 20.7; p = 0.000; ηp2 = 0.496, large effect), TUG (F(2,18) = 10.0; p = 0.000; ηp2 = 0.323, large effect), sit-and-reach (F(2,18) = 37.3; p = 0.000; ηp2 = 0.640, large effect), and 2-min step (F(2,18) = 9.85; p = 0.000; ηp2 = 0.319, large effect) in favor of XKS regarding NSS and CG. The intragroup results only present in XKS a significant decrease in BFP (p = 0.02; d = 0.98) and significant improvements in the 30-S (p = 0.000; d = 1.88), TUG (p < 0.01; d = 2.00), sit-and-reach (p = 0.003; d = 2.58), and 2-min step (p = 0.004; d = 1.05). Conclusions: training using XKS significantly decreases BFP and improves 30-S, TUG, sit-and-reach, and 2-min step in physically inactive older females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Objective: the objective of the present study was to analyze the relationship between vigorous physical activity and body composition in older people who attend primary care centers. Material and methods: this study is characterized by being a descriptive, cross-sectional epidemiological study in 654 older adults (288 men and 366 women), most of them between 60 and 69 years of age (59 %), attending primary care centers in the city of Maringá, Brazil. The participants were evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), anthropometric measurements, and a sociodemographic questionnaire to characterize the sample. Results: older adults who practice physical activities in primary care centers with vigorous intensity are associated with lower abdominal circumference, waist, hip, quadriceps, and calf measurements when compared to older people with low or moderate levels of physical activity. Conclusions: the practice of vigorous physical activity is related to low body perimeters (abdominal, hip, waist, calf) in older adults who attend primary care centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]