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Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a chronic disease with a notable health burden; regular exercise may improve specific health outcome measures. Objective: The objective of this meta-analysis was to estimate the effectiveness of exercise training for PH patients. Data sources: PubMed, CINAHL, SportDiscuss and Google Scholar databases and reference lists of included studies were searched. Study selection: The selection criteria were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) employing an exercise training intervention. Data were extracted from the entered studies for analysis. The primary outcomes were peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), anaerobic threshold (AT), 6-minute walk distance (6-MWD), and quality of life (QoL) measures (physical component score and mental component score). The analysis included 9 articles with a total of 302 participants: intervention (n = 154), and control (n = 148). Results: In the pooled analysis, improvements were seen in: VO2peak, mean difference (MD) 2.79 ml/kg/min (95% CI 2.00 to 3.59, p < 0.00001); AT, MD 107.83 ml/min (95% CI 39.64 to 176.00, p = 0.002); and 6-MWD, MD 46.67 meters (95% CI 32.39 to 60.96, p < 0.00001). Differences were found in the SF-36 physical component score MD 3.57 (95% CI 2.04 to 5.10, p < 0.00001) and the SF-36 mental component score MD 3.92 (95% CI 1.92 to 5.91, p = 0.001). Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrates exercise training has a beneficial effect on fitness, walking performance, and self-reported QoL in PH patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated effects of a 16-week progressive resistance training program (RTP) with elastic bands at two different intensities on systemic redox state, DNA damage, and physical function in healthy older women. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to the high-intensity group (HIGH; n = 39), moderate-intensity group (MOD; n = 31), or control group (CG; n = 23). The exercise groups performed an RTP twice a week with three to four sets of 6 (HIGH) or 15 (MOD) repetitions of six overall body exercises at a perceived exertion rate of 8–9 on the OMNI-Resistance Exercise Scale for use with elastic bands. Thiol redox state was determined by reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and GSSG/GSH in blood mononuclear cells. Degree of DNA damage was assessed by presence of the oxidized DNA base molecule 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in urine. Physical function monitoring was based on the arm curl, chair stand, up and go, and 6-min walk tests. Results: The HIGH group showed a significant increase in 8-OHdG (+71.07%, effect size [ES] = 1.12) and a significant decrease in GSH (−10.91, ES = −0.69), while the MOD group showed a significant decrease in 8-OHdG levels (−25.66%, ES = −0.69) with no changes in thiol redox state. GSH levels differed significantly between the HIGH and CG groups posttest. The exercise groups showed significant improvements in physical function with no differences between groups. Conclusion: RTP at a moderate rather than high intensity may be a better strategy to reduce DNA damage in healthy older women while also increasing independence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of heart failure (HF) is increasing as the population ages. Pharmacotherapy is an important component of treatment and yields significant improvements in survival and quality of life. In recent decades, exercise has gradually become accepted as an intervention beneficial to patients with HF, but more information is needed to clarify the effects of exercise and optimize interventions. Therefore, a systematic review of randomized controlled trials published from 1966 to October 2006 was carried out via PubMed. About 69 trials were reviewed, which used as main outcome measures: (a) central hemodynamic parameters, (b) peripheral blood flow, (c) endothelial function, (d) activation of neurohormones and cytokine systems, (e) structure of and metabolism in skeletal muscles, and/or (f) quality of life. Study findings suggest that the favorable physiological responses to exercise might slow some of the pathophysiological progression of HF. However, most of the trials reviewed here were based on relatively small samples and selected participant groups, and the exercise programs varied widely. These limitations and inconsistencies need to be addressed through further studies. Furthermore, reliable strategies for maintaining the positive effects of exercise and extending them to patients' daily life and quality of life are scarce in these trials. These domains need further exploration through rationally designed, large-scale randomized controlled trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]