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Background Chronic heart failure is a complex syndrome manifested by hemodynamic disturbances, exercise intolerance, increased mortality and reduced quality of life (Heidenreich et al., 2006). Besides impaired cardiac function, a variety of changes in peripheral skeletal muscles may contribute to the major and debilitating symptoms of chronic heart failure, dyspnea and fatigue (Coats et al., 1994). The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of quality of life and physical performance in patients with heart failure. Methods A total of 47 patients, of both genders, with chronic heart failure, were recruited (55,5±12,3 years), and divided into two groups. One group (n=28) clinical and another group (n=19) surgical. Fifty five percent of the patients had NYHA class III and forty five percent NYHA class III. Quality of life was assessed, in both groups, with the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (Rector et al; 1992). The physical activity level was measured by an accelerometer (number of steps) during seven consecutive days. Results For the quality of life, were found significant differences (p≤0.05), in the physical dimensions of chronic heart failure patients. The surgical group showed a better quality of life. Considering the physical activity, the clinical group appear with better performance (p≤0,01). In the daily activities, there weren't observed vigorous or very vigorous intensity activities. Conclusions These results indicate that chronic heart failure patients differ in their daily physical activity, especially in high-impact activities, due to age, gender, and disease progression (Rector, 2005). Further investigation should be directed towards the impact of the different components of the rehabilitation process upon quality of live improvement in patients with chronic heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is characterized by brief periods of high-intensity aerobic exercise interspersed with periods of rest or active recovery and has been reported to be more effective than moderate-intensity continuous training for improving several health outcomes. However, safety and efficacy of HIIT in high-risk patient populations, like type 2 diabetic patients, needs to be established. This study aims to analyze the acute effects of HIIT in postprandial blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods This was a randomized crossover study . Twelve individuals with type 2 diabetes (diagnosed at 5.83±3.13 years; six men and six women; age 58.67±5.35 years; glycated hemoglobin 7.08±1.18 %; body mass index 30.07±5,64 kg/ m2) treated with oral hypoglycemic agents (metformin, N=5; metformin+sitagliptin, N=4; metformin+vildagliptin, N=3) underwent a single exercise session of high-intensity interval training on treadmill and a control session of seated rest with one week apart in a random order. Exercise session consisted in a 5-min warm-up followed by 5 series of 3-min brisk walking at 70% of heart rate reserve (HRR), interspersed with 3-min at 30% HRR. In the end a 5-min cool-down was carried, totaling a 40-min exercise session. Treadmill speed and grade were adjusted to induce the defined intensity . Training zones were calculated with Karvonen HRR method. Sessions were held in the morning period during standardized breakfast postprandial state. Capillary blood glucose was measured at baseline (fasting state), immediately before sessions (0 min), during sessions (10, 20 and 30 min) immediately after sessions (40 min) and during recovery (50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 min). Results After exercise start, blood glucose levels were always lower compared to control. However, two-way ANOVA (conditionxtime) with repeated measures only identified statistically significant diferences at minute 20 (155.92±51.13 vs. 110.58±47.07 mg/dl, p=0.034), 30 (148.50±55.58 vs. 95.08±44.77 mg/dl, p=0.017), 40 (137.42±48.60 vs. 91.17 ±38.71 mg/dl, p=0.017) and 50 (134.00±52.91 vs. 94.25 ±38.33 mg/dl, p=0.047). No acute adverse events occurred during exercise or recovery: no symptomatic hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, no symptoms of myocardial ischemia or stroke and no musculoskeletal injuries. Conclusions HIIT appears to be an effective and safe exercise strategy to acutely control blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes. Trial funding and registration Diabetes em Movimento® is funded by Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology with reference SFRH/BD/47733/2008 and is registered in Current Controlled Trials with reference ISRCTN09240628. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Delayed onset muscle soreness has been consistently studied, and special attention has been given to possible techniques capable to prevent it or to accelerate muscle recovery. This study aimed to assess the acute effects of classic muscle massage before a session of strength training on biochemical markers of delayed onset muscle soreness. Methods Twenty-four healthy men with no history of strength training were randomized into two groups, one submitted to a classic muscle massage technique before strength training exercises (n=12; 23.54±1.94 years, 21.57±2.64kg/m²); and a control group with no muscle massage before the strength training exercises (n=12; 22.57±1.65 years, 22.25±1.23kg/m²). Classical manual massage was applied to muscle groups involved in strength exercises (biceps brachii and quadriceps femoris) with 10-min duration for each muscle group. Strength training session consisted in two exercises: elbow flexion and knee extension at an intensity of 85% of one maximum repetition (6 to 10 repetitions, four sets). Muscle damage biochemical markers (creatine kinase; lactate dehydrogenase, and C reactive protein) were assessed by venous blood samples from the antecubital vein before exercise (1st collect), immediately after exercise (2nd collect), 24 and 48 hours later (third and fourth collect). Experimental protocol was conducted in the laboratory of the Center of Experimental Design of the University Hospital Lauro Wanderley, Brazil. Results No significant differences were observed between muscle massage before the strength training exercises and control for the creatine kinase (p=0.380), lactate dehydrogenase (p=0.700), and C reactive protein (p=0.292) at all moments. Conclusions The presents results suggest that delayed onset muscle soreness induced by two classical strength training exercises, is not prevented or attenuated by muscle massage before exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Aquatic programs have gained popularity in therapy programs for a number of diseases or physical conditions. However, evidences about the effect of such programs on posture remain scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a 12-wks aquatic program on body posture and balance of sedentary women. Methods 128 females were divided in experimental group (EG; N=85; 55.56±12.92-y; 159.21±6.11-cm of height; 65.28 ±8.76-kg) and control group (CG; N=43; 60.67±13.48-y; 159.19±4.87-cm of height; 63.86±8.64-kg). The program was conducted throughout 12 weeks, two sessions per week with 40 minutes each. Posture measurements were conducted before starting the program and at the end of the 12th week. The static posture, including bodýs centre of mass position (CoM), was assessed based on photogrammetry, unipodal support (US), functional reaching (FR) and Romberg test (RT) with parallel feet. The dynamic posture was obtained by applying the Time Up & Go test (TUG). The functional posture was assessed based on the Berg's balance scale (BBS). Data variation was analyzed with ANOVA two-ways (group vs program duration) measures (P=0.05). Results A significant effect from the program duration was observed in US (p<0.01), FR (p<0.01), RT (p=0.05), TUG (p<0.01) and BBS (p<0.01). The only exception was the CoM where a non-significant effect was determined (p=0.32). A significant effect from the group was observed for the TUG (p<0.01) and for the BBS (p=0.04) having the EG lower and higher values at the post-test than the CG, respectively . A non-significant effect was observed for the remaining assessments. The interaction between program duration vs group presented non-significant values for all the tests conducted. Discussion/Conclusions Several selected variables presented a significant time effect (i.e., a posture and balance enhancement from the beginning to the end of the training program). So a 12-wks aquatic program is enough to provide an improvement in the body posture and balance of sedentary women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Physical fitness is an important indicator of health and quality of life in all population groups, and particularly in institutionalized elderly . In contrast, increased fat mass is associated with poor physical fitness and an increase in cardiovascular risk. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two short-term training programs on body composition and physical fitness in institutionalized elderly women. Methods Thirty-two women (aged 72.9±6.6 years) from three institutions of the north of Portugal, were randomly assigned into a resistance training group (n=12), a multicomponent training group (n=10), and a control group (n=10). Before and after training, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat mass, fat-free mass, and six independent physical fitness tests (back scratch, chair sit-and-reach, 30-s chair stand, arm curl, 8-foot up-and-go and 6-min walk) were assessed. Both training programs consisted of two weekly sessions during 12 weeks and were planned for moderate intensity (perceived exertion of 12--13 points on Borg scale, and a range on 50--69% of one repetition maximum). The resistance training protocol included leg press, leg extensions and curls, chest press, lateral pull-down, overhead press, arm curls and abdominal exercises. The multicomponent training protocol included aerobic exercise (walking and dancing), muscular endurance exercises (using elastic bands and free weights), balance and flexibility exercises. Two-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used to examine the effects of training programs. Results ANOVA indicated a significant main effect of group (p=0.000) for all physical fitness tests, with significant differences between both training groups and control. There were no differences between resistance training and multicomponent training. ANOVA also identified a significant main effect of time for 30-s chair (p=0.000), arm curl (p=0.002) and 6-min walk (p=0.000) in both training groups (baseline vs post-test). No significant changes were observed in body mass index, waist circumference, body fat mass and fat-free mass. Conclusions The data suggest that 12 weeks of multicomponent training were so effective in increasing physical fitness in institutionalized elderly, as resistance training. Further, multicomponent training demonstrated a wide practical applicability, and low cost development, unlike resistance training resources that need more expensive and complex logistics in such institutions. In contrast, 12 weeks of either resistance or multicomponent moderate training were not enough to induce changes in body composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Drowning is the third leading cause of death worldwide (WHO, 2010). According to Brenner et al (2009) participating in swimming lessons (SL) can reduce by 88% the risk of drowning in children 1-4 years old, despite some controversy regarding the most appropriate swimming programs (Ward, 2009). On the other hand no studies tested the skills acquired in SL in drowning prevention. So we proposed a test to evaluate the survivability of a child that accidentally falls into the water. Methods Twenty two children (4.68±0.82yrs) who practice SL (2.01±0.91yrs/practice) were subjected to two tests: aquatic readiness (AR) (Stallman et al, 2008); and survival test (ST), which consisted of an inflatable boat ride (unknown pool; presence of the usual swim teacher; wearing t-shirt) which 'accidentally' turns. Recorded images were later observed by 6 field experts whose observations obtained an overall index of concordance (IC) of 89%. Results In ST 15 children had positive responses (n=10, 100% IC; n=1, 66% IC; n=1, 83% IC; n=3, 50% IC) and 7 (n=6, 100% IC; n=1, 66% IC) would be in danger. Conclusions Through this test, we found that not all children whose result was positive in AR had a positive performance in the ST. This brings us to observe according to Langendörfer (2011) that the positive or negative response of the subject depends on the interaction of various constraints such as individual characteristics, the environment conditions, and the state in which the swimmer is. The application of ST suggests that the inclusion of safety and prevention activities in swimming lessons, aiming to develop attitudes and motor skills as a defense to drowning, must be taken into account. More studies are necessary to provide valid information to assist pediatricians in advising parents regarding what type of SL are more appropriate to reduce drowning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]