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O treinamento esportivo impõe um elevado grau de estresse físico e mental, os quais têm sido relacionados ao aumento do hormônio cortisol, classificando-o como um indicador do estresse psicofisiológico. Objetivou-se analisar o estresse psicofisiológico através do cortisol salivar em tenistas de elite de 16 e 18 anos, do sexo feminino, durante uma etapa do torneio internacional de tênis. Participaram deste estudo 48 atletas, inscritas na Copa Guga-Kuerten. As amostras de cortisol foram coletadas através da saliva e analisadas pelo método Elisa. As coletas ocorreram durante o meeting (Cpré) e logo após o término (C-pós) do jogo. Os dados foram descritos pela média e desvio padrão, e analisados pela ANCOVA (2x2: categorias: 16 e 18 anos; e, vencedores e perdedores), utilizando as medidas de C-pré como covariante (p < 0.05). As concentrações da C-pré (8.0±3.6 nmol/L) apenas diferiram da C-pós (13.0±6.2 nmol/L) quando as duas categorias foram analisadas agrupadas (t = -7.526; p < 0.000), indicando uma elevação do cortisol durante o evento esportivo. Não houve diferenças das concentrações de cortisol entre perdedores e vencedores (F1,98 = 2.686; p = 0.104). A associação da C-pré com o ranking (0.083; p = 0.602) e entre C-pós com o ranking (-0.037; p = 0.818) não foi significativa, sugerindo que o posicionamento do atleta não influência nas concentrações de cortisol. Concluímos que as atletas apresentaram maior concentração de cortisol após o jogo. Contudo, ainda são escassas as pesquisas que avaliaram a influência inerente ao esporte no cortisol, reportando resultados controversos. Sendo assim, recomenda-se que futuros estudos quantifiquem outros fatores associados ao estresse, como variáveis fisiológicas, psicológicas e sociais, possibilitando uma melhor compreensão da interferência dos mesmos sobre o desempenho de atletas. El entrenamiento deportivo es un grado elevado de estrés físico y mental, los cuales se han relacionado con el aumento del cortisol, el indicador del estímulo psicofisiológico. Objetivo analizar el estrés psicofisiológica por el cortisol salivar en los tenistas de la élite de 16 años y 18 años, del sexo femenino, durante una etapa de torneo internacional del tenis. Participaran en este estudio 48 atletas, inscritas en Copa Guga-Kuerten. Como muestras del cortisol se recogieron por la saliva y se analizaron por el método Elisa. Como coletas durante el encuentro (C-pré) e logo después del término (C-pós) del juego. (P < 0.05). Los datos obtenidos se basan en el análisis de la calidad y el patrón de desviación, y se analizaron en la ANCOVA (2x2: categorías: 16 y 18 años; e, vencedores y perdedores). Como concentraciones de C-pré (8.0 ± 3.6 nmol / L) apenas diferirán de C-pós (13.0 ± 6.2 nmol / L) cuando se comparan y se agrupan (t = -7.526; p < 0.000), indicando una elevación del cortisol durante el evento deportivo. No hay estimaciones de las concentraciones de cortisol entre perdedores y vencedores (F1,98 = 2.686; p = 0.104) (0.083; p = 0.602) y entre C-pós con o ranking (-0.037; p = 0.818) no fue significativo, sugiriendo que el posicionamiento de la atleta no influye en las concentraciones de cortisol. Concluimos que los atletas presentaron la mayor concentración de cortisol después del juego. Recomiendo-se que futuros estudios cuantifican otros factores asociados al estrés, posibilitando una mejor comprensión de la interferencia de los mismos sobre el rendimiento de atletas. A high degree of physical and mental stress is inherent to competitive training, which have been associated with an elevation of cortisol hormone, classifying it as a psychophysiologic stress indicator. To analyze psychophysiologic stress by saliva cortisol in female tennis athletes, 16 and 18 years-old, during a circuit of an international tournament. Participated forty-eight female tennis players, enrolled in the Copa Guga-Kuerten. Cortisol samples were collected by saliva, using a Salivette® tube, and analyzed by ELISA method. Samples were collected during the meeting (C pre) and immediately post-game (C-post). Data are described by mean and standard deviation, and analyze by an ANCOVA (2x2: categories: 16 and 18 years; and, winners and losers), using C pre measures as covariant (< 0.05). C-pre (8.0±3.6 nmol/L) differed from C-post (13.0±6.2 nmol/L) when the two categories were analyzed simultaneously (t = -7.526; p < 0.000), indicating an elevation of cortisol during the sportive event. There were not differences of cortisol concentrations between winners and losers had a higher cortisol concentration after the game. However, only a few studies evaluated the (F1,98 = 2.686; p = 0.104). There were not significant associations between athletes' ranking with C-pre (0.083; p = 0.602) and C-post (-0.037; p = 0.818), which may indicates that athletes' rank position do not influence on cortisol concentration. This study showed that female tennis athletes influences of sportive competition on cortisol reporting controversial results. Therefore, it is suggested that further studies quantifying other factors related to stress, purposing a better understanding of its influences on athletes' performance.

A high degree of physical and mental stress is inherent to competitive training, which have been associated with an elevation of cortisol hormone, classifying it as a psychophysiologic stress indicator. To analyze psychophysiologic stress by saliva cortisol in female tennis athletes, 16 and 18 years-old, during a circuit of an international tournament. Participated forty-eight female tennis players, enrolled in the Copa Guga-Kuerten. Cortisol samples were collected by saliva, using a Salivette® tube, and analyzed by ELISA method. Samples were collected during the meeting (C pre) and immediately post-game (C-post). Data are described by mean and standard deviation, and analyze by an ANCOVA (2x2: categories: 16 and 18 years; and, winners and losers), using C pre measures as covariant (< 0.05). C-pre (8.0±3.6 nmol/L) differed from C-post (13.0±6.2 nmol/L) when the two categories were analyzed simultaneously (t = -7.526; p < 0.000), indicating an elevation of cortisol during the sportive event. There were not differences of cortisol concentrations between winners and losers had a higher cortisol concentration after the game. However, only a few studies evaluated the (F1,98 = 2.686; p = 0.104). There were not significant associations between athletes’ ranking with C-pre (0.083; p = 0.602) and C-post (-0.037; p = 0.818), which may indicates that athletes’ rank position do not influence on cortisol concentration. This study showed that female tennis athletes influences of sportive competition on cortisol reporting controversial results. Therefore, it is suggested that further studies quantifying other factors related to stress, purposing a better understanding of its influences on athletes’ performance.

Purpose: The present study analyzed the effects of chronological aging and the practice of regular exercise (PRE) on the cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) of older women. Methods: A descriptive study of 78 participants was performed, with longitudinal design and an initial evaluation in 2005 and a second in 2011. The PRE defined groups as Inactive (I), Insufficiently-Active (IA), and Sufficiently-Active (SA). The six-minute walking test measured CRF. MANOVA with repeated-measures was used to verify the effect of time and the PRE groups on CRF (p0.05). Post hoc analysis indicated that the effect of time was significant between all groups (I: t=3.786, p0.05; Second Evaluation: F2.77=3.239; p0,05). Posteriores análises indicaram que as diferenças entre as avaliações ocorreram para todos os grupos (I: t=3.786, p0,05; Segunda Avaliação: F2,77 = 3.239; p

O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar as respostas fisiológicas e perceptuais entre os sexos durante a caminhada na esteira em ritmo autosselecionado. Participaram 17 homens e 17 mulheres, fisicamente ativos, com média de idade de 23,32 ± 3,06 anos, submetidos a duas sessões experimentais: (I) avaliação antropométrica e teste incremental máximo, e (II) um teste de 20 minutos de caminhada na esteira em ritmo autosselecionado. Para a análise estatística, empregou-se teste t de Student para medidas independentes no intuito de verificar as possíveis diferenças entre os sexos, adotando p < 0,05. A velocidade de caminhada autosselecionada pela amostra masculina foi superior à verificada na feminina (1,65 ± 0,18 e 1,50 ± 0,12m·seg-1, respectivamente) o que consequentemente resultou em maior O2 absoluto nos homens comparado às mulheres (21,2 ± 5,5 e 18,3 ± 2,7, respectivamente). No entanto, ambos os sexos buscaram caminhar em mesma intensidade relativa % O2máx, (37,5 ± 10,7 homens e 40,3 ± 7,2 mulheres). Em relação à percepção subjetiva de esforço (PSE), podemos verificar que ambos os sexos não demonstraram diferenças significativas (10,2 ± 1,0 homens e 9,8 ± 1,2 mulheres). Os achados do presente estudo demonstram que, independente do sexo, jovens adultos fisicamente ativos autosselecionaram similar intensidade relativa que refletiu em similar PSE. Além disso, a caminhada em intensidade autosselecionada demonstra-se como estímulo insuficiente para proporcionar melhora no condicionamento cardiorrespiratório nesta população.The aim of this study was to compare physiological and perception responses between genders during treadmill walking at self-selected pace. 17 men and 17 women aged 23.32 ± 3.06 yr were investigated: (I) anthropometric assessment and incremental exhaustion test, (II) a 20-minute walking bout on treadmill at their self-selected pace. The independent t test was utilized to verify any gender differences, with a level of p < 0.05. The self-selected walking pace was significantly greater in men than women (1.65 ± 0.18 and 1.50 ± 0.12 m·sec-1, respectively), and consequently resulted in higher absolute O2 for men compared to women (21.2 ± 5.5 and 18.3 ± 2.7, respectively). However, both genders self-selected a similar relative exercise intensity %O2max (37.5 ± 10.7 and 40.3 ± 7.2 for men and women, respectively). The subjective perceived exertion (SPE) did not differ between genders (10.2 ± 1.0 and 9.8 ± 1.2 for men and women, respectively). The results of the present study demonstrated that regardless of gender, physically active young adults self-selected a similar relative exercise intensity that reflected in similar SPE. Furthermore, gait at self-selected intensity was insufficient to improve cardiorespiratory fitness in this sample.

Purpose: To verify general and abdominal obesity, systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) and diabetes mellitus (DM) prevalence, and to analyze their association with general and abdominal adiposity in elderly women. Methods: Study participants were 1,040 elderly. General and abdominal adiposity were estimated by body mass index and waist circumference, respectively. SAH and DM were determined through interview. Data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA, Chi-square e logistic regression tests. Results: The relative frequencies of abdominal obesity were significantly different among the city’s districts (x2=21.78, p Objetivo: Verificar a prevalência de obesidade geral e abdominal, hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) e diabetes mellitus (DM), e analisar sua associação com a adiposidade geral e abdominal em mulheres idosas. Métodos: Participaram do estudo 1.040 idosas. A adiposidade geral e abdominal foram estimadas através do índice de massa corporal e circunferência de cintura, respectivamente. A determinação de HAS e DM foram realizadas por entrevista. Os dados foram analisados pelos testes one-way ANOVA, Chi-square e regressão logística. Resultados: As freqüências relativas da obesidade abdominal diferiram entre os distritos da cidade (x2=21,78, p

OBJETIVO: Investigar a prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade geral e central em uma amostra representativa da população de mulheres idosas do município de Curitiba, Paraná. MÉTODOS: Este estudo apresentou delineamento observacional, transversal e descritivo. As variáveis índice de massa corporal e da circunferência de cintura foram obtidas para a determinação do sobrepeso e obesidade geral e central, respectivamente. Medidas de tendência central, variabilidade, freqüências relativas e absolutas em cada faixa etária, dentro das categorias de índice de massa corporal e circunferência de cintura, foram verificadas. RESULTADOS: Participaram deste estudo 1069 mulheres com idade superior a 60 anos (média=69,5, desvio-padrão=6,1 anos). Em relação às categorias do índice de massa corporal, a maioria dos sujeitos teve seu estado nutricional classificado como sobrepeso (43,5%), seguido por obesidade (34,0%) e normalidade (22,5%). Por sua vez, a obesidade (45,1%) foi a condição nutricional prevalente em relação às categorias para a circunferência de cintura, seguida por sobrepeso (33,1%) e normalidade (21,8%). Além disso, o sobrepeso e a obesidade geral diminuíram da primeira para a última faixa etária (-20,4% e -11,6%, respectivamente), enquanto a normalidade elevou-se substancialmente (+75,3%). Resultados similares foram verificados em relação à adiposidade central, nos quais as condições de sobrepeso e obesidade declinaram 14,3% e 8,3%, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: Uma elevada prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade geral e central foi verificada entre as mulheres idosas da cidade de Curitiba (PR), independentemente da idade. Programas públicos visando à prevenção e à redução do excesso de adiposidade corporal a partir de intervenção nos padrões de ingestão dietética e gasto energético, como a prática regular de exercício físico, tornam-se necessários nesta população.OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of general and central overweight and obesity in a representative sample of the population of elderly women living in Curitiba, Paraná. METHODS: The experimental design of this study was observational, cross-sectional and descriptive. The variables body mass index and waist circumference were obtained to determine general and central overweight and obesity, respectively. Measurements of central tendency, variability, relative and absolute frequencies in each age group within the body mass index and waist circumference categories were verified. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 1069 women aged above 60 years (mean=69.5; standard deviation=6.1 years). In relation to body mass index, most of the subjects were classified as overweight (43.5%), followed by obese (34.0%) and normal (22.5%). On the other hand, obesity (45.1%) prevailed in relation to the categories for waist circumference, followed by overweight (33.1%) and normal (21.8%). Furthermore, general overweight and obesity decreased from the first to the last age group (-20.4% and -11.6%, respectively), while normal weight increased substantially (+75.3%). Similar results were verified in relation to central adiposity, where overweight and obesity decreased 14.3% and 8.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: An elevated prevalence of general and central overweight and obesity was verified among elderly women from Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, regardless of age. Public health programs that aim to prevent and reduce excess body fat by intervening on dietary intake patterns and energy expenditure by recommending regular physical activity are necessary for this population.

Com o avanço da idade ocorre diminuição das atividades cotidianas e redução da funcionalidade, em que a aptidão cardiorrespiratória pode ser considerada um dos componentes mais afetados. O objetivo deste estudo foi examinar a associação entre o nível de atividade física e a aptidão cardiorrespiratória em mulheres idosas. Foram avaliadas 960 mulheres com idade superior a 60 anos, não institucionalizadas, divididas em cinco faixas etárias: F1 (60-64 anos; n = 286), F2 (65-69 anos; n = 295), F3 (70-74 anos; n = 207), F4 (75-79 anos; n = 120) e F5 (> 80 anos; n = 52). O nível de atividade física foi determinado a partir do questionário Modified Baecke Questionnaire for Older Adults, constituído pelas atividades domésticas, esportivas e recreativas, em que o nível de atividade física total foi classificado pela soma desses três componentes. A aptidão cardiorrespiratória foi mensurada com o teste de caminhada de seis minutos. A aptidão cardiorrespiratória declinou em média 24,5% e o nível de atividade física, 18,0%, neste estudo. Ao examinar as influências dos tercis do nível de atividade física em relação à aptidão cardiorrespiratória, a análise de variância demonstrou que o tercil superior do nível de atividade física total foi o que apresentou menor declínio na aptidão cardiorrespiratória, de 16,7%. Entretanto, a categoria esportiva do nível de atividade física demonstrou valores diferenciados na redução da aptidão cardiorrespiratória, em que o subgrupo não-praticante de exercícios físicos apresentou o maior declínio, de 18,6%, enquanto que o subgrupo praticante moderado declinou 16,3%, revelando a influência positiva da prática de exercícios físicos moderados sobre a aptidão cardiorrespiratória (p < 0,05). Maior atividade física e, principalmente, a maior atividade física esportiva podem atenuar o declínio da aptidão cardiorrespiratória em idosas, pois as mulheres praticantes de exercícios físicos moderados apresentaram menor redução dessa aptidão. Aconselham-se iniciativas para o aumento das atividades físicas, especialmente de exercícios físicos regulares, para a atenuação do declínio da aptidão cardiorrespiratória, conseqüentemente auxiliando a manutenção da vida independente.As age progresses, a decrease of daily activities and reduction of functionality where the cardiorespiratory capacity may be considered one of the most affected components, is faced. The aim of this study was to examine the association between level of physical activity and cardiorespiratory capacity in older women. Nine hundred and sixty women age above 60 years, non-institutionalized, divided in five age groups were evaluated: F1 (60-64 years; n = 286); F2 (65-69 years; n = 295); F3 (70-74 years; n = 207); F4 (75-79 years; n = 120) and F5 (> 80 years; n = 52). The level of physical activity was determined from the Modified Baecke Questionnaire for Older Adults, consisting of domestic, sports and recreational activities, in which the level of total physical activity was classified by the sum of these three components. The cardiorespiratory capacity was measured with the Six-Minute Gait Test. The cardiorespiratory capacity decreased an average of 24.5% and the level of physical activity 18.0% in this study. When examining the influences of the terciles of the level of physical activity concerning the cardiorespiratory capacity, the analysis of variance demonstrated that the superior tercile of the total physical activity level was the one which presented the lowest decrease in the cardiorespiratory capacity of 16.7%. However, the sports category of the physical activity level demonstrated differentiated values in the reduction of the cardiorespiratory capacity, where the non-practitioner of physical exercises sub-group presented the highest decrease of 18.6%, while the moderate practitioner sub-group decreased 16.3%, revealing hence the positive influence of moderate physical exercises practice over the cardiorespiratory capacity (p < 0.05). Higher physical activity, especially higher sports physical activity, may attenuate the decrease of cardiorespiratory capacity in older women, since women practitioners of moderate physical activities presented lower reduction of such capacity. Increase of physical activities is recommended, especially regular physical exercises, in order to attenuate the decrease of cardiorespiratory capacity, consequently aiding the maintenance of an independent life.

Immune function changes with ageing and is influenced by physical activity (strength training, ST) and diet (fish oil, FO). The present study investigated the effect of FO and ST on the immune system of elderly women. Forty-five women (64 (sd 1·4) years) were assigned to ST for 90 d (ST; n 15), ST plus 2 g/d FO for 90 d (ST90; n 15) or 2 g/d FO for 60 d followed by ST plus FO for 90 d (ST150; n 15). Training was performed three times per week, for 12 weeks. A number of innate (zymosan phagocytosis, lysosomal volume, superoxide anion, peroxide of hydrogen) and adaptive (cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4), CD8, TNF-α, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-2, IL-6 and IL-10 produced by lymphocytes) immune parameters were assessed before supplementation (base), before (pre-) and after (post-) training. ST induced no immune changes. FO supplementation caused increased phagocytosis (48 %), lysosomal volume (100 %) and the production of superoxide anion (32 %) and H2O2 (70 %) in the ST90. Additional FO supplementation (ST150) caused no additive influence on the immune system, as ST150 and ST90 did not differ, but caused greater changes when compared to the ST (P+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in the ST150, which remained unchanged when training was introduced. The combination of ST and FO reduced TNF-α in the ST150 from base to post-test. FO supplementation (ST150, base–pre) when combined with exercise (ST150, pre–post) increased IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-6 and IL-10 production. The immune parameters improved in response to FO supplementation; however, ST alone did not enhance the immune system.

OBJECTIVE: To verify prevalence of falls and fear of falling, and to compare functional fitness among elderly women fallers and non-fallers. METHODS: Seventy-eight elderly women participated in this study. Cases of falls and the fear of falling were self-reported by the elderly women, while the functional fitness was measured by a set of functional tests. Mean and standard deviation were used to describe the sample. Independent t-test was used to compare functional fitness between groups. RESULTS: The prevalence of falls in this sample was 32.4%. Among women fallers, 40% self-reported a high fear of falling. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that functional and resistance exercises are included in the preventive strategies for reducing risk factors for falls and its determinants in elderly women. Level of Evidence II, Prognostic-Prospective Study.

The purpose of the present study was to compare the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) at ventilatory threshold (VT) during graded treadmill exercise between men and women. Participated 17 men (24.0 ± 3.3 years) and 17 women (22.5 ± 2.6 years) were submitted to two experimental sessions with a minimum interval of 48 hours: (I) anthropometric evaluation and instructions regarding the procedures, and (II) graded treadmill exercise. For statistical analysis, was employed used t Student test to verify possible differences between genders (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences between genders to RPEVT (11.7 ± 1.8 and 12.2 ± 1.5, respectively). Although women had a higher RPE to exercise intensity based on absolute levels, these differences were minimized or disappeared when men and women were compared at similar relative exercise intensity. The result of present study showed that men and women had a similar RPEVT between 12 and 13 ("light" and "something hard") during graded treadmill exercise. O objetivo do estudo foi comparar a PSE no limiar ventilatório (LV) entre os gêneros. Participaram 17 homens (idade 24,05±3,3 anos) e 17 mulheres (idade 22,58±2,67 anos), submetidos a duas sessões experimentais com intervalo mínimo de 48 horas: (I) avaliação antropométrica e instruções referentes aos procedimentos e (II) teste máximo em esteira. Para análise estatística, empregou-se teste t Student para verificar possíveis diferenças entre gêneros (p

O objetivo do estudo foi comparar a PSE no limiar ventilatório (LV) entre homens e mulheres. Participaram 17 homens (24,0 ± 3,3 anos) e 17 mulheres (22,5 ± 2,6 anos), submetidos a duas sessões experimentais com intervalo mínimo de 48 horas: (I) avaliação antropométrica e instruções referentes aos procedimentos e (II) teste máximo em esteira. Na análise estatística empregou-se teste t Student para verificar possíveis diferenças entre gêneros (p < 0,05). Não foram verificadas diferenças significativas entre homens e mulheres para a PSE LV (11,1 ± 1,8 e 12,1 ± 1,5, respectivamente). Apesar de as mulheres demonstrarem PSE superior em intensidade de exercício baseada em níveis absolutos, estas diferenças desaparecem quando homens e mulheres são testados em intensidade relativa de exercício. Conclui-se que homens e mulheres apresentam valores de PSE LV entre 12 e 13 ("leve" e "algo difícil") durante teste de esforço máximo. The purpose of the present study was to compare the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) at ventilatory threshold (VT) during graded treadmill exercise between men and women. Participated 17 men (24.0 ± 3.3 years) and 17 women (22.5 ± 2.6 years) were submitted to two experimental sessions with a minimum interval of 48 hours: (I) anthropometric evaluation and instructions regarding the procedures, and (II) graded treadmill exercise. For statistical analysis, was employed used t Student test to verify possible differences between genders (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences between genders to RPE VT (11.7 ± 1.8 and 12.2 ± 1.5, respectively). Although women had a higher RPE to exercise intensity based on absolute levels, these differences were minimized or disappeared when men and women were compared at similar relative exercise intensity. The result of present study showed that men and women had a similar RPE VT between 12 and 13 ("light" and "something hard") during graded treadmill exercise.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar as respostas fisiológicas e perceptuais entre os sexos durante a caminhada na esteira em ritmo autosselecionado. Participaram 17 homens e 17 mulheres, fisicamente ativos, com média de idade de 23,32 ± 3,06 anos, submetidos a duas sessões experimentais: (I) avaliação antropométrica e teste incremental máximo, e (II) um teste de 20 minutos de caminhada na esteira em ritmo autosselecionado. Para a análise estatística, empregou-se teste t de Student para medidas independentes no intuito de verificar as possíveis diferenças entre os sexos, adotando p < 0,05. A velocidade de caminhada autosselecionada pela amostra masculina foi superior à verificada na feminina (1,65 ± 0,18 e 1,50 ± 0,12m·seg-1, respectivamente) o que consequentemente resultou em maior O2 absoluto nos homens comparado às mulheres (21,2 ± 5,5 e 18,3 ± 2,7, respectivamente). No entanto, ambos os sexos buscaram caminhar em mesma intensidade relativa % O2máx, (37,5 ± 10,7 homens e 40,3 ± 7,2 mulheres). Em relação à percepção subjetiva de esforço (PSE), podemos verificar que ambos os sexos não demonstraram diferenças significativas (10,2 ± 1,0 homens e 9,8 ± 1,2 mulheres). Os achados do presente estudo demonstram que, independente do sexo, jovens adultos fisicamente ativos autosselecionaram similar intensidade relativa que refletiu em similar PSE. Além disso, a caminhada em intensidade autosselecionada demonstra-se como estímulo insuficiente para proporcionar melhora no condicionamento cardiorrespiratório nesta população. The aim of this study was to compare physiological and perception responses between genders during treadmill walking at self-selected pace. 17 men and 17 women aged 23.32 ± 3.06 yr were investigated: (I) anthropometric assessment and incremental exhaustion test, (II) a 20-minute walking bout on treadmill at their self-selected pace. The independent t test was utilized to verify any gender differences, with a level of p < 0.05. The self-selected walking pace was significantly greater in men than women (1.65 ± 0.18 and 1.50 ± 0.12 m·sec-1, respectively), and consequently resulted in higher absolute O2 for men compared to women (21.2 ± 5.5 and 18.3 ± 2.7, respectively). However, both genders self-selected a similar relative exercise intensity %O2max (37.5 ± 10.7 and 40.3 ± 7.2 for men and women, respectively). The subjective perceived exertion (SPE) did not differ between genders (10.2 ± 1.0 and 9.8 ± 1.2 for men and women, respectively). The results of the present study demonstrated that regardless of gender, physically active young adults self-selected a similar relative exercise intensity that reflected in similar SPE. Furthermore, gait at self-selected intensity was insufficient to improve cardiorespiratory fitness in this sample.

The protective effect of cardiorespiratory fitness, regardless of obesity, has been recognized in adults. However, this association is still not clear in elderly individuals.To analyze the association between hypertension and cardiorespiratory fitness in 1,064 elderly Brazilian women.Central obesity was estimated by waist circumference and cardiorespiratory fitness by the 6-minutes walk test. ANOVA one way, chi-square and logistic regression were used for the statistical analysis.The prevalence of hypertension was 53.9%. The central obesity group had higher odds for hypertension when compared with the non-central-obesity group, in the same cardiorespiratory fitness group. Furthermore, both the central obesity and non-central obesity groups had a progressive increase in the odds ratio for hypertension, from the highest to lowest fitness groups, indicating an inverse relation between fitness and central adiposity. The non-central obesity group had the lowest odds ratios (OR), 1.49 (95%IC 0.97-2.28) and 1.54 (95%IC 0.94-2.51); whereas the central obesity group had an OR of 2.08 (95%IC 1.47-2.93), 2.79 (95%IC 1.79-4.33) and 3.09 (95%IC 1.86-5.12).Our findings indicated that the waist circumference measurement is a strong predictor of hypertension and suggested that the protective effect of cardiorespiratory fitness can be extended to elderly women, even to those with central obesity.

The purpose of the present study was to present the morphological profile of elderly women from different age groups. The sample was made of 1,016 women, with age greater than 60 years. The following anthropometric variables were measured: body mass, height, circumferences and skin folds and percent body fat was calculated. The mean values of the variables body mass, height, body mass index, circumferences and skin folds decreased in the younger women group when they were compared to the oldest women. More expressive declines occurred in arm, midthigh, and medial calf circumferences, indicating a possible smaller muscle mass in older populations. Despite the fact that the body mass index mean values classify elderly women, predominantly, as overweight, it seems that the individuals that reach older age are those that present less body fatness. It´s suggested that future studies investigate these modifications in different populations, as elderly men. O objetivo do presente estudo foi apresentar o perfil morfológico em diferentes faixas etárias de mulheres idosas. A amostra foi constituída de 1016 indivíduos do sexo feminino, com idade superior a 60 anos. Foram mensuradas as seguintes variáveis antropométricas: massa corporal, estatura e circunferências, dobras cutâneas e posterior cálculo do percentual de gordura. Os valores médios das variáveis: massa corporal, estatura, índice de massa corporal, circunferências e dobras cutâneas das mulheres mais jovens reduziram, quando comparadas às mais idosas. Os declínios mais expressivos ocorreram nas circunferências de braço, coxa média e panturrilha medial, indicando, possivelmente, uma menor massa muscular em populações mais idosas. Apesar dos valores médios do índice de massa corporal classificar em as mulheres idosas, predominantemente, com sobrepeso, parece que os indivíduos que alcançam as idades mais avançadas são aqueles que apresentam menor adiposidade corporal. Sugere-se que futuros estudos busquem investigar essas modificações em diferentes populações, como os idosos do sexo masculino.

To verify the association between lipid profiles and overall or central obesity in women over the age of 60.The sample was comprised of 388 women over the age of 60 (mean 69; standard deviation 5.9 years). The lipid profile was determined using total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) levels. Overall obesity was determined using the body mass index (BMI) and skin fold (SF) measurements. Central obesity was determined using the waist circumference (WC) and waist--hip ratio (WHR). Statistical analysis was conducted using age adjusted partial correlation and one way ANOVA (p0.05).The mean values found for the adiposity variables and lipid profile components indicate an elevated atherogenic risk. In addition, the indicators for overall and central obesity were directly related to TG levels and inversely related to HDL-C levels.The partial correlation analysis and the largest variance found for WC and WHR in comparison to the lipidogram components indicate that both methods could be useful in the early diagnosis of atherosclerosis.

To investigate how overall and abdominal adiposity, measured by waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), and sum of skinfolds (sigmaSK), affect plasma C-reactive protein levels (CRP) in elderly women.Study sample consisted of 387 women older than 60 years (mean age 68.9; standard deviation 5.9 years). BMI, WC, sigmaSK, and CRP levels were all measured. One-way ANOVA was performed to detect differences in study variables among the CRP levels investigated. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the influence of body fat measurements on CRP levels. The significance level was set at p0.05.The analysis of variance showed that mean WC was lower in women with normal CRP levels, as compared to those with high CRP levels. Logistic regression analysis examined the influence of BMI, WC, and sigmaSK quartiles on CRP levels, yielding the following results: only WC was predictive of elevated CRP levels, its highest quartile (cut-off point of 94.0 cm) showing levels nearly two times higher than its lowest quartile (odds ratio = 2.23; 95% confidence interval = 1.92-4.18; p = 0.012).The results of this study indicate that abdominal adiposity is a strong predictor of elevated CRP levels.

Orientador: Sérgio Gregório da Silva Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação Física. Defesa: Curitiba, 2006 Inclui bibliografia e anexos Área de concentração: Exercício e esporte

Objective: to examine the association between the performance of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and level of physical activity, physical and functional fi tness in elderly women. Methods: The sample was composed of 1,069 women, (≥60 years). Socioeconomic status, physical activity level, and activities of daily living were determined by questionnaires, while physical and functional fi tness were assessed through body composition, cardiorespiratory assessment and motor ability. Descriptive values, ANOVA one way, Tukey post hoc, Pearson correlation, and logistic regression analysis (pRESUMO Objetivo: examinar a associação do nível de atividade física e as variáveis da aptidão física e funcional com a performance das Atividades da Vida Diária (AVDs), em mulheres idosas. Metodologia: A amostra foi constituída por 1.069 mulheres (≥60 anos). O nível sócio-econômico, nível de atividade física, e atividades da vida diária foram determinados através de questionários, enquanto que a aptidão física e funcional foi avaliada através da composição corporal, aptidão cardio-respiratória e neuro-muscular. Foram utilizados valores descritivos, ANOVA one way, post hoc Tukey, correlação de Pearson e, análise de regressão logística (p