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Several therapies have been developed to reduce cognitive decline associated with aging. Aquatic exercises, which are widely used to enhance functional capacity, may play a role in stimulating cognitive functions. This study investigated the effects of a 3-month aquatic exercise program on cognitive functions in community-dwelling older adults. In this prospective, single-blinded, controlled clinical trial, 31 participants were allocated to either the experimental (aquatic exercises) or control (no-exercise) group. The intervention program consisted of exercises conducted twice a week in a 1.2 m deep indoor pool. The main outcome measures were cognitive functions, assessed using Raven's Progressive Matrices test and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. A repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to assess the impact of the exercise program. The effect sizes (η2p) were reported when a level of significance was achieved (p < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the participants who underwent aquatic exercises showed positive outcomes in Raven's Progressive Matrices test (p = 0.046; η2p = 0.131) and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (p = 0.001, η2p = 0.589). Complementary analyses of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test indicated that the benefits of the aquatic exercise were observed in terms of the number of trials (p = 0.001, η2p = 0.478), number of errors (p = 0.001, η2p = 0.458), and number of non-perseverative errors (p = 0.001, η2p = 0.302). The results indicate that a period of three months of aquatic exercise was beneficial for stimulating specific aspects of the cognitive function of community-dwelling older individuals. Aquatic exercise should be prescribed to this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: School performance encompasses several forms of representation, and this has been identified as stressing factors with negative repercussions on teachers' health. In 2020 this scenario was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with yet unknown consequences on teachers' health. Our hypothesis is that the disease affected both the quality of life and work ability of teachers. OBJECTIVE: To identify the association between burnout syndrome, work ability, quality of life and physical activity in basic education teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the city of Campo Grande, Brazil. METHODS: Data collection took place from April 2020 to April 2021 through an online form linked to Google Forms. Quality of life was measured using the WHOQOL-bref, Work Ability through Work Ability Index (WAI) and burnout syndrome aspects through MBI-HSS. The association between variables was assessed by Pearson's correlation test with p < 0,05. RESULTS: Teachers self-rated their quality of life positively (good/very good = 55.9%), showed good (43,1%) or very good (27,7%) work ability, and had low emotional fatigue (41.6%), low depersonalization (75.7%) and high personal fulfillment (58.4%). The highest correlations indicate that the greater the emotional fatigue, the lower the WAI (r = – 0.60); and the higher the WAI, the higher the quality of life (all p < 0,05). CONCLUSION: The associations indicate that those teachers who showed greater emotional fatigue showed less ability to work. In addition, a negative association between emotional fatigue and physical, social and environmental domain of quality of life was also expressed, which may be relevant to the work environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common in women with multiple sclerosis. To investigate the impact of LUTS on pelvic floor muscle contraction, sexual function, and quality of life in women with multiple sclerosis. Thirty-nine women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis were enrolled in this study. Participants were divided into the presence or not of LUTS. Assessments involved the Expanded Disability Status Scale score, the NEW PERFECT scheme, the Female Sexual Function Index, and the Qualiveen Questionnaire. Statistical procedures involved Student t-tests, chi-squared, and regression analyses (R2). Nineteen women (48.7%) presented LUTS. Women with LUTS were in a more advanced stage of multiple sclerosis (p =.029), presented weaker pelvic muscle contraction (p =.009), less sexual function satisfaction (p =.018), and more limitations in the quality of life (p =.001) than women without LUTS. Regression analyses pointed out that the quality of life and sexual function of women with multiple sclerosis are affected by intercourse pain (R2 = 12.9) and perineal contraction force (R2 = 19.2). LUTS affects pelvic floor muscle contraction, sexual function, and quality of life in women with multiple sclerosis. A multi-professional rehabilitation team should assist women with multiple sclerosis, taking special care of LUTS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Falls when using wheelchairs can have serious consequences for users. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate wheelchair types, daily movement and environmental factors associated with concerns about falls among wheelchair users. METHODS: Fifty-two wheelchair users (36 male and 16 female, mean age of 44.3 ± 10 years) were interviewed online and responded to questions about the characteristics of their wheelchair, their experiences and concerns about falling while using their wheelchair. RESULTS: It was found that the highest levels of concern about falling when using wheelchairs were associated with the use of rigid frame wheelchairs; and with activities such as moving on sidewalks and ramps. Half of the sample reported that they did not receive training on wheelchair usage and had concerns about performing wheelie maneuvers. Reported falls caused by wheelchair failure were associated with increased concerns about falls. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that wheelchair type, daily movements and environments all influence wheelchair users' concerns about falls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People with Parkinson's disease (PD) present cognitive impairments, which deteriorate their quality of life and increase disability. Acute aerobic exercise has demonstrated favorable effects on cognitive function in healthy neurologically individuals, but these effects have a dose–response relationship. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the acute effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus continuous moderate-intensity training (MICT) on cognitive functions in people with PD. Methods: A total of 14 individuals with PD performed cognitive tests, before and after 3 sessions—control session (CON), HIIT, and MICT. HIIT and MICT were performed on a stationary bicycle. HIIT consisted of a 25-minute exercise of high-intensity intervals (1 min) alternated with moderate-intensity intervals (2 min). MICT consisted of a 30-minute moderate-intensity exercise. CON was 30 minutes of seated resting. The cognitive parameters were compared by a mixed-model analysis for repeated measures. Results: Acute effects of exercise were according to its type: MICT—improved immediate auditory memory (P <.01); HIIT—improved immediate auditory memory (P <.02), attention (P <.001), and sustained attention (P <.01); and CON—no effects on cognitive function. Conclusions: Acute aerobic exercise was able to promote better cognitive performance in people with PD. The effects on cognition were exercise intensity dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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