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The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 12 weeks of step aerobics (SA) training on the functional fitness of apparently healthy older women. Thirteen previously sedentary elderly women (mean age 63.14 years) participated in this study. Subjects performed 3 training sessions per week for 30-60 minutes per session. All measurements were assessed at baseline, after 12 weeks of training (posttest), and after 1 month of detraining. Assessments included the evaluation of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), strength of the upper (arm-curl [AC] test) and lower body (30-second chair-stand test [CS]), dynamic balance and agility (8 foot up and go [8 ft]), flexibility (chair sit-and-reach [CSR]), and cardiorespiratory fitness (6-minute walk test [6MW]). Step aerobics significantly improved all functional fitness components except for BMI. The 12 weeks of SA promoted a large effect size in the following measurements: WC (d = 1.6); CSR (d = 1.51); CS (d = 1.49); AC (d = 1.41); 8 ft (d = 1.32); and 6MW (d = 1.06) (p < 0.05). These results indicate that 12 weeks of SA had a positive effect on the functional fitness components of these older women. Furthermore, these findings were confirmed by the reverse effect observed after 1 month of detraining, except for upper body strength (AC test). In conclusion, 12 weeks of SA training can promote improvements in the functional fitness of apparently healthy older women. Therefore, SA can be considered an effective exercise modality to prevent the loss of functional fitness and its associated consequences. KEY WORDS physical function, exercise, aging

Abstract Background In adults, there is a substantial body of evidence that physical inactivity or low cardiorespiratory fitness levels are strongly associated with the development of metabolic syndrome. Although this association has been studied extensively in adults, little is known regarding this association in adolescents. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness levels with metabolic syndrome in Brazilian adolescents. Methods A random sample of 223 girls (mean age, 14.4 ± 1.6 years) and 233 boys (mean age, 14.6 ± 1.6 years) was selected for the study. The level of physical activity was determined by the Bouchard three-day physical activity record. Cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated by the Leger 20-meter shuttle run test. The metabolic syndrome components assessed included waist circumference, blood pressure, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting plasma glucose levels. Independent Student t-tests were used to assess gender differences. The associations between physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness with the presence of metabolic syndrome were calculated using logistic regression models adjusted for age and gender. Results A high prevalence of metabolic syndrome was observed in inactive adolescents (males, 11.4%; females, 7.2%) and adolescents with low cardiorespiratory fitness levels (males, 13.9%; females, 8.6%). A significant relationship existed between metabolic syndrome and low cardiorespiratory fitness (OR, 3.0 [1.13-7.94]). Conclusion The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is high among adolescents who are inactive and those with low cardiorespiratory fitness. Prevention strategies for metabolic syndrome should concentrate on enhancing fitness levels early in life.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to generate a functional-fitness profile for older women from the south of Brazil and to compare their functional profile with an age-matched cohort of American women. The Fullerton Functional Fitness Test (body-mass index, 6-min-walk test, chair sit-and-reach, chair stand, arm curl, and 8-ft up-and-go) was administered to 1,033 participants. Z scores indicate that older American women performed better in all functional tests than age-matched Brazilians. This fact could be explained by the delayed establishment of specific health policies for older adults in Brazil. In conclusion, the findings provide guidelines about the normal variation of functional fitness in older women from the southern region of Brazil. In addition, these data can be used to help identify older women with functional losses, thereby assisting in the diagnosis of early disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the effects of 12-weeks of walk training with self-selected intensity on lipid profile and anthropometric variables in women with obesity. Forty-eight women volunteers with obesity were randomly assigned into two training groups: self-selected walking group (SSWG; n = 25) and control group (CG; n = 23). There was improvement in biochemical markers only in the SSWG post-intervention (p < 0.05), however no changes were verified in anthropometric variables (p > 0.05). This study demonstrates that walking at self-selected intensity improved the lipid profile in women with obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a walking program at self-selected or an imposed intensity on maximal fat oxidation (Fatmax) in obese women. The study included 12 obese female volunteers (mean age 44.3 ± 8.3 yrs) who were randomly divided into two groups: self-selected or imposed intensity. A test until exhaustion was performed to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max), ventilatory threshold, and Fatmax before and after intervention. The study duration was 12 wks with three exercise sessions per week on nonconsecutive days. There was no difference in Fatmax between the groups in the pre-intervention test. Only the self-selected intensity group showed a significant increase in Fatmax between the pre- and post-intervention testing. However, the VO2 at Fatmax was similar in both groups in the post-intervention test. Thus, while the self-selected training program induced changes in Fatmax, VO2 at Fatmax was similar in both groups. This latter finding suggests that the changes arising from the different training programs appear to be related more to the VO2 at Fatmax than the percentage of VO2 max. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the perceptual and affective responses of different muscle actions during weight training in older women. Fourteen women between 60 and 75 yrs of age participated in this research. All subjects completed four exercise sessions. During the first session, maximum strength was determined (1RM) in the following exercises: lying supine, leg extension, front pulley, leg curl, and side lifting. In the second, third and fourth exercise sessions, concentric (CONC), eccentric (ECC), and dynamic (DYN) training were randomly performed. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and affective responses were determined after each series of exercises. To analyze RPE and affective responses between the exercises during the same training session, ANOVA with repeated measures was used with a significance level of P⩽0.05. No significant effects were found for perceptual and affective responses between sessions with different muscle actions. Regarding exercises during the sessions, significant effects were found for RPE (F(4,52) = 6.272, P=0.003, n2p = 0.325) only between exercises: supine x pulley (P=0.007) and leg extension x pulley (P=0.004) in ECC. The RPE and affective responses were similar between the different muscle actions. However, the ECC exercise sessions promoted better perceptual and affective responses (depending on the exercises used). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adults engage in exercise programs not only to improve health, but also to lose or maintain body fat mass. There is the tendency for subjects to exercise at a self-selected a pace rather than a prescribed intensity. The purpose of this study was to determine if sedentary women could self-select a walking intensity that corresponds to Fatmax. This study consisted of 22 adult women with an average age of 42.91 ± 44 y rs. Each subject performed a maximal incremental test to exhaustion and a session of exercise at their self-selected walking pace. Data from the maximal test were used to determine Fatmax and Fatzone. The t test was used to determine differences between the subjects' self-selected walking pace and the predicted walking speed at Fatmax. Fatmax occurred at 51.3 ± 7.2% of VO2 max and Fatzone between 46% and 56% of VO2 max. The intensity of the self-selected walking pace was 5.06 ± 0.65 km·h-1, which corresponded to 51.3% VO2 max and to 66.8% HR max. These findings indicate that sedentary women can self-select a walking intensity that corresponds to an exercise intensity that elicits maximal fat oxidation (Fatmax). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]