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This systematic meta-review evaluated the effects of exercise with and without protein interventions on muscle strength and function in older adults with sarcopenic obesity. PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases were searched through February 2021 for relevant systematic reviews and meta-analyses with aerobic, resistance, and/or combined training interventions with and without protein supplementation in older adults ≥ 65 years with sarcopenic obesity. This meta-review showed that exercise with and without protein supplementation improved body composition (i.e., decreased percentage body fat) and functional outcomes (i.e., gait speed and grip strength). Because the current literature is limited, determining the effects of exercise and combined protein supplementation in this population requires further investigation. In the meantime, protein recommendations should align with general sarcopenia recommendations. Based upon available findings, tentative exercise recommendations to optimize health outcomes in this population are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although trauma is closely linked with hyperarousal and cardiovascular health, little research has examined the effects of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) on cardiovascular reactivity to trauma reminders among sexual trauma survivors. One type of negative appraisal after trauma, self‐blame, is common after sexual trauma, but its relation to cardiovascular reactivity is unknown. The present study aimed to examine the influence of both PTSS and self‐blame on blood pressure and heart rate (HR) reactivity to a trauma reminder. Cardiovascular reactivity was measured before, during, and after a laboratory‐based sexual trauma reminder among 72 young adult women who have experienced sexual trauma. Higher PTSS predicted lower diastolic blood pressure (DBP) reactivity during the trauma reminder. Higher levels of self‐blame predicted higher HR and systolic blood pressure (SBP) reactivity during and after the trauma reminder. Overall, these findings suggest that survivors of sexual trauma with higher levels of PTSS experience a blunting reaction of DBP when exposed to trauma reminders, as opposed to a more typical cardiovascular stress reaction that may elevate and then extinguish to baseline levels. Meanwhile, individuals with higher levels of self‐blame have heightened cardiovascular SBP and HR responses during trauma reminders that do not return to baseline levels, perhaps due to self‐blame leading individuals to be more 'on guard' to prevent future threats. Longitudinal studies are needed to explore the potential long‐term cardiovascular impacts of heightened self‐blame and PTSS and their associated cardiovascular reactivity patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanisms for the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and cardiovascular diseases remain poorly understood. The present study examined associations among PTSD symptoms, appraisals of a current stressor, baseline cardiovascular indices, and cardiovascular responses to the stressor, including appraisals as a potential mediator of PTSD symptoms and cardiovascular responses. A sample of 125 undergraduates provided information about demographics, physical health, trauma history, and PTSD symptoms. Weight, height, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) measurements were obtained. During a modified Trier Social Stress Task, appraisals of the stressor were assessed and BP and HR were measured again. Findings suggest that PTSD symptoms are associated with current physical health (resting BP and HR) and more negative appraisals of the stressor; in turn, more negative appraisals were associated with increases in cardiovascular response. In particular, threat appraisal mediated the relationship between PTSD symptoms and increases in systolic BP response., Author(s): Sharon Y. Lee [sup.1] , Crystal L. Park [sup.1] , Linda S. Pescatello [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.63054.34, 0000 0001 0860 4915, Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, [...]

Previous studies have reported associations of polymorphisms in the IGF1 gene with phenotypes of body composition (BC). The purpose of this study was to identify phenotypes of BC and physical function that were associated with the IGF1 promoter polymorphism (rs35767, −C1245T). Subjects from the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study, white males and females (n = 925/836) and black males and females (533/705) aged 70–79 years were genotyped for the polymorphism. Phenotypes of muscle size and function, bone mineral density, and BC were analyzed for associations with this polymorphism. To validate and compare these findings, a cohort of young (mean age = 24.6, SD = 5.9) white men and women (n = 173/296) with similar phenotypic measurements were genotyped. An association with BC was identified in elderly females when significant covariates (physical activity, age, smoking status, body mass index) were included. White women with C/C genotype had 3% more trunk fat and 2% more total fat than those with C/T (P

Background: Systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) have proliferated with a concomitant increase in reviews of SRs/MAs or "meta-reviews" (MRs). As uncovered by the 2018 US Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee (PAGAC), there is a paucity of best practice guidance on MRs on physical activity health-related research. This manuscript aims to fill this gap. Methods: In total, the PAGAC conducted 38 literature searches across 3 electronic databases and triaged 20,838 titles, 4913 abstracts, and 2139 full texts from which 1130 articles qualified for the PAGAC Scientific Report. Results: During the MR process, the following challenges were encountered: (1) if the SR/MA authors had limited experience in synthesis methodology, they likely did not account for risk of bias in the conclusions they reached; (2) many SRs/MAs reviewed the same primary-level studies; (3) many SRs/MAs failed to disclose effect modifier analyses; (4) source populations varied; (5) physical activity exposures were nonstandardized; and (6) dose–response effects or effect modification of the physical activity exposure could not be identified. Conclusions: Using examples from the PAGAC Scientific Report, we provide (1) a high-level introduction to MRs; (2) recommended steps in conducting a MR; (3) challenges that can be encountered; and (4) guidance in addressing these challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]