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Abstract Long COVID has been linked to a decline in physical activity and functional capacity. However, it remains unclear which physical symptoms are associated with specific aspects of movement behaviors and functional capacity. We aimed to investigate the associations of fatigue, dyspnea, post-exertional malaise, myalgia, and the co-occurrence of symptoms with movement behaviors and functional capacity in individuals with Long COVID. A cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted. Questionnaires were used to assess fatigue, dyspnea, post-exertional malaise, and myalgia. Accelerometry was employed to assess sedentary time, steps per day, light physical activity, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The six-minute walk test, 30-s chair stand test, and timed up and go were used to assess functional capacity. One hundred and two community-dwelling individuals who had been living with Long COVID for 15 ± 10 months participated in the study. Fatigue, post-exertional malaise, and the co-occurrence of physical symptoms showed a negative association with step count, while post-exertional malaise was also negatively associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Dyspnea showed a negative association with the functional score, including all tests. Our findings suggest that fatigue, post-exertional malaise, and the co-occurrence of physical symptoms are negatively associated with physical activity, while dyspnea is negatively associated with functional capacity in individuals with Long COVID.

Abstract Background Lifestyle and habits, cardiovascular risk factors (CRF), bone and mental health, dietary habits, physical activity, among others are developed in childhood and adolescence. Family environment has shown to play an important role in these outcomes. However, whether the parent-child relationship lifestyle habits and health parameters can be influenced by physical activity patterns still unclear. The objective of this study will be to monitor and investigate the associations between lifestyle habits between parents and their children longitudinally, as well as verify whether in more active parents, the possible associations with lifestyle habits are different from those of parents considered less active. Methods The sample will consist of parents (father, mother, or both) and their children /adolescents. The participants will be recruited through public call by flyers spread across all the regions of the city and also through social media. The health parameters will include cardiovascular (cardiac autonomic modulation, blood pressure and resting heart rate), bone mineral density, anthropometric indices, handgrip strength, mental health (quality of life, anxiety and depression symptoms and stress), self-reported morbidities and musculoskeletal pain. Lifestyle habits will include physical activity levels, sedentary behavior, sleep parameters, eating patterns, smoking and alcohol consumption. Sociodemographic variables of age, sex, ethnicity and socioeconomic status will be considered as covariates. The follow-up visits of data collection will be scheduled after a period of 12 months from the baseline assessment during every twelve months. Discussion The family environment has great potential to determine lifestyle habits in children and adolescents. Based on the results presented in the present study, we hope that health promotion actions can be better designed in the family environment.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the association between the time spent in sedentary behavior and physical activity of different intensities with cardiovascular health in men and women with peripheral artery disease. Methods: Two hundred and sixty patients with peripheral artery disease and claudication symptoms (65.7% men; 66±1 years; ankle brachial index 0.57±0.18) were evaluated. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were assessed using an accelerometer. Physical activity was classified into light and moderate-vigorous intensities. The cardiovascular outcomes included blood pressure (oscillometric method), cardiac autonomic modulation (heart rate variability), and arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity). Results: Women spent more time engaged in light physical activity than men (341±14 min/day versus 306±9 min/day; p=0.040, respectively). There was no significant difference in the time spent on sedentary behavior and moderate-vigorous physical activity. Women had a higher systolic blood pressure (p=0.025), higher augmentation index (p

ABSTRACT Objective: This study analyzed the impact of sex on self-reported health and lifestyle parameters in peripheral artery disease patients at two periods of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In this longitudinal study, 99 patients with peripheral artery disease (53 men and 46 women) were evaluated during two periods of the COVID-19 pandemic ( i.e ., at onset: May to August 2020, and on follow-up: May to August 2021). Patients were interviewed via telephone, and information regarding lifestyle and health parameters was obtained. Results: At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, health and habit parameters were similar between women and men, with 63.0% and 45.3% indicating frequent fatigue, 73.9% and 84.9% reporting increased sitting time, and 23.9% and 39.6% practicing physical activity, respectively. At follow-up, difficulties in physical mobility (women: from 26.1% to 73.9%, p

ABSTRACT Objective Peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), anaerobic threshold, walking economy, and cardiovascular responses during walking are used to guide and monitor walking training in patients with peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication. Women with peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication present greater impairments than men, and evaluating training markers according to sex for decisions regarding walking prescription in this population is important. This study aimed to compare VO2peak, walking economy, anaerobic threshold, and cardiovascular responses during walking in men and women with peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication. Methods Forty patients (20 men and 20 women with similar baseline characteristics) underwent a cardiopulmonary treadmill test (3.2km/h and 2% increase in slope every 2 minutes until maximal leg pain). The VO2 and rate-pressure product were assessed. Data from men and women were compared using t-tests. Results There were no significant differences between men and women (VO2peak: 15.0±4.8 versus 13.9±2.9mL∙kg-1∙min-1, p=0.38; walking economy: 9.6±2.7 versus 8.4±1.6mL∙kg-1∙min-1, p=0.09; anaerobic threshold: 10.5±3.2 versus 10.5±2.2mL∙kg-1∙min-1, p=0.98; rate pressure product at 1st stage: 13,465± 2,910 versus 14,445±4,379bpm∙mmHg, p=0.41; and rate pressure product at anaerobic threshold:13,673±3,100 versus 16,390±5,870bpm∙mmHg, p=0.08 and rate pressure product at peak exercise: 21,253±6,141 versus 21,923±7,414bpm∙mmHg, p=0.76, respectively). Conclusion Men and women with peripheral artery disease and similar baseline characteristics presented similar responses to walking, suggesting that decisions regarding walking prescription and monitoring can be made regardless of sex in this specific population.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o efeito da estimulação elétrica transcutânea do nervo vago (EETNV) na inflamação, modulação autonômica cardíaca e evolução clínica dos pacientes com COVID-19. Trata-se de um ensaio clínico, controlado por sham, randomizado e cego, no qual participarão 52 indivíduos hospitalizados com diagnóstico de COVID-19, que serão randomizados em dois grupos de tratamento: grupo experimental (tratamento médico usual associado à EETNV ativa) ou grupo-controle (tratamento médico usual associado à EETNV sham). A EETNV será realizada por meio de um estimulador elétrico neuromuscular (modelo Dualpex 071 da Quark Medical Products), com o eletrodo de estimulação posicionado sobre o tragus esquerdo, com corrente alternada, frequência de 30Hz e variação de 50%, intensidade ajustada para o limiar sensorial do paciente, com duração de 90 minutos cada sessão de estimulação, duas vezes ao dia, durante sete dias consecutivos, totalizando 14 sessões. Serão avaliados pré e pós-intervenção o nível de interleucina-6 (IL-6) e interleucina-10 (IL-10), cortisol e proteína C reativa (PCR), pressão arterial, variabilidade da frequência cardíaca pelos parâmetros de baixa frequência (BF), alta frequência (AF) e pela razão da baixa e alta frequência (BF/AF), além de evolução clínica dos pacientes, incluindo o nível de ansiedade e depressão, cujos dados serão obtidos por meio de prontuários e questionários. Será realizado também um acompanhamento 7 e 14 dias após o término das intervenções para verificar a evolução clínica, incluindo nível de ansiedade e depressão, e durante seis meses serão avaliadas memória e atenção.

Resumo Fundamento: Estudos transversais anteriores demonstraram que a atividade física está associada a menor risco cardiovascular em pacientes com doença arterial periférica (DAP). No entanto, não é possível estabelecer causalidade e estudos com desenho longitudinal são necessários. Objetivo: Analisar as alterações nos parâmetros de risco cardiovascular e níveis de atividade física após 2 anos de acompanhamento em pacientes com DAP sintomática. Métodos: O presente estudo teve início em 2015. Na primeira fase, foram incluídos 268 pacientes. Na segunda fase, após 2 anos (mediana = 26 meses), foram reavaliados 72 pacientes. Parâmetros de risco cardiovascular, como pressão arterial, modulação autonômica cardíaca e rigidez arterial, e níveis de atividade física foram medidos na linha de base e após 2 anos de acompanhamento. A associação entre as alterações delta (valores após 2 anos – valores da linha de base) na atividade física e nos parâmetros cardiovasculares foi analisada por meio de regressão linear múltipla. O nível de significância foi estabelecido em p < 0,05 com DAP. Resultados: Pacientes reduziram seus níveis totais de atividade física em comparação com a linha de base (linha de base = 2.257,6 ± 774,5 versus acompanhamento = 2.041 ± 676,2 min/semana, p = 0,001). Após o acompanhamento, o índice tornozelo-braquial (0,62 ± 0,20 versus 0,54 ± 0,20, p = 0,003) e o desvio padrão de todos os intervalos RR (43,4 ± 27,0 versus 25,1 ± 13,4 ms, p < 0,001) foram menores, enquanto a velocidade da onda de pulso carotídeo-femoral foi maior (9,0 ± 3,0 versus 10,7 ± 3,4 m/s, p = 0,002) em relação aos valores basais. Não observamos associação entre os valores delta dos níveis de atividade física e os parâmetros de risco cardiovascular. Conclusão: Pacientes com DAP tiveram níveis reduzidos de atividade física e comprometimento em relação aos parâmetros de risco cardiovascular após 2 anos de acompanhamento.

Abstract Background Somatic maturation and the age at onset of puberty are closely related to bone mineral density (BMD), and are potential confounders of the associations between physical activity, sedentary behavior (SB) and BMD in adolescents. Thus the aim was compare BMD at different anatomical sites according to different domains of SB. Methods The sample consisted of 88 young people (54 boys and 34 girls; 9.5 ± 1.5 years). The self-reported SB was measured by the time spent on TV, computer, video game and smartphone. BMD at each location and throughout the body was assessed by DEXA. Physical activity was assessed by a questionnaire. The comparison of the different types of BMD sites according to the SB levels for each screen device and the total SB were analyzed by Covariance Analysis (ANCOVA). Results Whole-body BMD was higher in young people with low total SB (Total BMD = 0.957 ± 0.042) than in those with moderate (Total BMD = 0.921 ± 0.053) and high SB (Total BMD = 0.929 ± 0.051) (p-value = 0.011). Children and adolescents with low total SB had higher BMD legs (0.965 ± 0.056) than young people with high total SB (BMD legs = 0.877 ± 0.209), but this relationship was attenuated when the analyzes were adjusted for physical activity (p-value = 0.068). Conclusion Adolescents with high sedentary behavior tend to have lower whole body bone mineral density than those with low sedentary behavior.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Meta-analyses have demonstrated that isometric handgrip training (IHT) decreases blood pressure in hypertensive individuals. Nonetheless, most studies were conducted in laboratory settings and its effects in real-world settings remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of IHT on office and ambulatory blood pressure in hypertensive patients attended within primary healthcare. DESIGN AND SETTING: Randomized controlled trial conducted in primary healthcare units within the Family Health Program, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil. METHODS: 63 hypertensive patients (30-79 years old; 70% female) were randomly allocated into IHT or control groups. IHT was performed three times per week (4 x 2 minutes at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction, one-minute rest between bouts, alternating the hands). Before and after the 12-week training period, office and ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate variability were obtained. The significance level was set at P < 0.05 (two-tailed testing) for all analyses. RESULTS: IHT significantly decreased office systolic blood pressure (IHT: 129 ± 4 versus 121 ± 3 mmHg, P < 0.05; control: 126 ± 4 versus 126 ± 3 mmHg, P > 0.05), whereas there was no effect on diastolic blood pressure (IHT: 83 ± 3 versus 79 ± 2 mmHg, P > 0.05; control: 81 ± 3 versus 77 ± 3 mmHg, P > 0.05). Heart rate variability and ambulatory blood pressure were not altered by the interventions (P > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: IHT reduced office systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients attended within primary care. However, there were effects regarding diastolic blood pressure, ambulatory blood pressure or heart rate variability. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT03216317.

ABSTRACT Physical inactivity is associated with low heart rate variability (HRV) in adolescents. However, whether the number of physical education (PE) classes impact HRV remains unclear. This cross-sectional study verified the association between the frequency of PE classes and HRV parameters in male adolescents. This study included 1152 boys (16.6 ± 1.2 years). The quantity of PE classes was assessed though questionnaire and the adolescents were stratified accordingly (no PE class; one PE class/wk; ≥2 PE classes/wk). Time- (SDNN, RMSSD, PNN50) and frequency-domains (LF, HF, sympathovagal balance) of HRV were obtained. Generalized Linear Models were used for comparing the HRV parameters according to the quantity of PE classes, adjusting for confounders. There was no difference in HRV measures of time: (SDNN, p = 0.77; RMSSD, p=0.72; PNN50, p=0.83) and frequency (LF, p=0.61; HF, p=0.61; sympathovagal balance, p=0.60) between the different frequencies of PE classes. The frequency of PE classes in not associated with HRV parameters of male adolescents.

Resumo Fundamento: O treinamento de caminhada (TC) melhora a capacidade de caminhar e reduz a pressão arterial (PA) clínica em pacientes com doença arterial periférica (DAP), mas seus efeitos na PA ambulatorial permanecem desconhecidos. Objetivo: Investigar o efeito de 12 semanas de TC na PA ambulatorial e sua variabilidade em pacientes com DAP. Métodos: Trinta e cinco pacientes do sexo masculino com DAP e sintomas de claudicação foram alocados aleatoriamente em dois grupos: controle (n = 16, 30 min de alongamento) e TC (n = 19, 15 séries de 2 minutos de caminhada na frequência cardíaca em que ocorreu limiar de dor intercalados por 2 minutos de repouso em pé). Antes e depois de 12 semanas, a PA ambulatorial de 24 horas foi avaliada. Os índices de variabilidade da PA ambulatorial avaliados em ambos os momentos incluíram o desvio-padrão de 24 horas (DP24), o desvio-padrão ponderado de vigília e sono (DPvs) e a variabilidade real média de 24 horas (VRM24). Os dados foram analisados por ANOVAs mistas de dois fatores, considerando significativo P

ABSTRACT Objective To verify the association of changes on physical activity levels during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak of individuals with normal weight and overweight/obesity, and the influence of sex in this relationship. Methods This cross-sectional study (survey research) was conducted in Brazil between May 5 and May 17, 2020. Participants (n=1,828 / 1,062 women >18 years) were invited through social media to answer a structured questionnaire via Google Forms. The online assessment included self-reported responses to questions on physical activity, overall health, weight, and height. Binary logistic regression analyzed the relationship between overweight/obesity (body mass index ≥25kg/m2), the impact of COVID-19 on physical activity level, and the influence of sex. Results Compared to normal weight people, those with overweight/obesity practice less moderate to vigorous physical activity (p

Resumo Fundamento a caminhada não supervisionada em solo tem sido indicada para pacientes com doença arterial periférica (DAP) sintomática. No entanto, a magnitude do esforço exigido por essa atividade e as características dos pacientes que a praticam com mais intensidade não estão claras. Objetivos determinar se a caminhada em solo excede o limiar ventilatório (LV), um reconhecido marcador de intensidade de exercício, em pacientes com DAP sintomática. Métodos Foram recrutados 70 pacientes (61,4% do sexo masculino e com idade entre 40 e 85 anos) com DAP sintomática. Os pacientes realizaram um teste ergométrico em esteira para definir o LV. Em seguida, foram submetidos ao teste de caminhada de 6 minutos para determinar o alcance do LV durante deambulação no solo. Realizou-se regressão logística múltipla para identificar preditores de LV durante o teste de caminhada de 6 minutos, e o valor de p

BackgroundArm-crank exercise training (ACT) is an alternative exercise strategy for patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) due to the attenuation of pain symptoms during the exercise, as well as the benefits to functional capacity.PurposeThe aim of this study is to describe the study protocol to analyze the effects of ACT exercise on cardiovascular function, functional capacity, cognition and quality of life in patients with symptomatic PAD.MethodsThis is a three-armed randomized, prospective, single-blind data collection, single-center, controlled study enrolling 45 patients with symptomatic PAD who will be randomized into 3 intervention groups: walking training (WT), ACT and control group. The WT and ACT will perform 2 sessions/week, 15 to 10 sets of 2 to 5 minutes at values of 13 to 15 on the Borg scale. Before and after 12 weeks of intervention, cardiovascular function (ambulatory blood pressure, office blood pressure, central blood pressure, heart rate variability, arterial stiffness and vascular function), functional capacity (six-minute walk test, 2 minute step test, handgrip test, Walking impairment questionnaire, Walking estimated limitation calculated by history, Baltimore activity scale for intermittent claudication, and short physical performance battery), cognition (executive function and memory), and quality of life (vascular quality of life questionnaire and World Health Organization Quality of Life) will be assessed.ResultsThis is the first trial to evaluate the effects of ACT on regulatory mechanisms of the cardiovascular system in PAD patients. If the results are as expected, they will provide evidence the ability of ACT to promote cardiovascular benefits in the symptomatic PAD population.

ABSTRACT Objective: To examine the impact of hypertension on cardiovascular health in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease and to identify factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension. Methods: A cross-sectional study including 251 patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (63.9% males, mean age 67±10 years). Following hypertension diagnosis, blood pressure was measured to determine control of hypertension. Arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity) and cardiac autonomic modulation (sympathovagal balance) were assessed. Results: Hypertension was associated with higher carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, regardless of sex, age, ankle-brachial index, body mass index, walking capacity, heart rate, or comorbidities (ß=2.59±0.76m/s, b=0.318, p=0.003). Patients with systolic blood pressure ≥120mmHg had higher carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity values than normotensive individuals, and hypertensive patients with systolic blood pressure of ≤119mmHg (normotensive: 7.6±2.4m/s=≤119mmHg: 8.1±2.2m/s 120-129mmHg:9.8±2.6m/s=≥130mmHg: 9.9±2.9m/s, p0.05). Conclusion: Hypertensive patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease have increased arterial stiffness. Arterial stiffness is even greater in patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure.

Transcranial auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has shown effectiveness in reducing inflammation and depression. Thus, this study evaluated its effect on inflammation, cardiac autonomic modulation, and clinical symptoms in individuals affected by COVID-19. Methods: There were 52 randomized participants hospitalized with COVID-19 diagnosis who were to receive active (a-taVNS) or sham taVNS (s-taVNS) for 90 min twice a day for seven consecutive days. Interleukin 6 (IL-6), 10 (IL-10), cortisol, C-reactive protein (CRP), heart rate variability (HRV), and clinical symptoms were assessed before and after seven days of treatment. There were also seven- and fourteen-day follow-ups for clinical symptoms, including anxiety and depression levels, as well as a six-month follow-up for memory and attention levels. Results: There was significant reduction in CRP −23.9%, (95% CI −46.3 to −1.4) and IL-6 −37.7%, (95% CI −57.6 to −17.7) for the a-taVNS group. There were no changes in IL-10, cortisol levels, or in HRV results (p > 0.05) in both groups. There were no changes regarding clinical symptoms, except for a significant decrease in depression level (−2.85, 95% CI −5.44 to −0.27) in the a-taVNS group. Conclusion: taVNS showed effects on CRP, IL-6, and depression levels; however, it did not affect other clinical symptoms.

Resumo Contexto A pandemia do Coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19) tem afetado negativamente o comportamento da população. Nesse contexto, o impacto da pandemia da COVID-19 no tratamento medicamentoso dos pacientes com doença arterial periférica (DAP) e claudicação intermitente (CI) permanece obscuro. Objetivos Analisar o impacto da pandemia da COVID-19 no tratamento medicamentoso dos pacientes com DAP e CI. Métodos Neste estudo observacional transversal, 136 pacientes com DAP e CI, recrutados do nosso banco de dados, responderam por telefone um questionário envolvendo as seguintes questões: a) cuidados com a COVID-19; b) saúde global; c) tratamento das doenças. Posteriormente, os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos, de acordo com a dificuldade para a aquisição dos medicamentos (DAM: dificuldade e SDAM: sem dificuldade), para a comparação da saúde global entre os dois grupos. Resultados Dezessete porcento dos pacientes reportaram dificuldades para a aquisição dos medicamentos durante a pandemia. Uma maior prevalência desses pacientes reportou estar mais triste (56,5% versus 24,8%, p < 0,01) e com mais dificuldades para dormir (56,5% versus 24,8%, p < 0,01) em relação aos pacientes do grupo SDAM. Os grupos não apresentaram diferenças para o declínio na capacidade de caminhada, ansiedade, estresse e depressão (p > 0,05). Conclusões Uma maior prevalência de pacientes do grupo DAM reportou estar mais triste e com mais dificuldade para dormir em comparação ao grupo SDAM durante a pandemia da COVID-19.

Background: Elevated screen time has been associated with addictive behaviors, such as alcohol and sugar intake and smoking. Considering the substantial increase in screen time caused by social isolation policies, this study aimed to analyze the association of increased screen time in different devices during the COVID-19 pandemic with consumption and increased desire of alcohol, smoking, and sweetened foods in adults.Methods: A sample of 1,897 adults with a mean age of 37.9 (13.3) years was assessed by an online survey, being composed by 58% of women. Participants were asked whether screen time in television, cell phone, and computer increased during the pandemic, as well as how much time is spent in each device. Closed questions assessed the frequency of alcohol and sweetened food consumption, smoking, and an increased desire to drink and smoke during the pandemic. Educational level, age, sex, feeling of stress, anxiety, depression, and use of a screen device for physical activity were covariates. Binary logistic regression models considered adjustment for covariates and for mutual habits.Results: Increased television time was associated with increased desire to drink (OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.12; 1.89) and increased sweetened food consumption (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.18; 1.99), while an increase in computer use was negatively associated with consumption of alcohol (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.53; 0.86) and sweetened foods (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.62; 0.98). Increased cell phone time was associated with increased sweetened food consumption during the pandemic (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.18; 2.67). Participants with increased time in the three devices were less likely to consume sweetened foods for ≥5 days per week (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.39; 0.99) but were twice as likely to have sweetened food consumption increased during pandemic (OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.07; 3.88).Conclusion: Increased screen time was differently associated with consumption and desire for alcohol and sweets according to screen devices. Increased time in television and cell phones need to be considered for further investigations of behavioral impairments caused by the pandemic.

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the impact of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic on physical activity levels and sedentary behavior among Brazilians residents aged ≥18 years. Methods An online survey was distributed through a social media platform between May 5 and 17, 2020. Participants completed a structured questionnaire in Google Forms, which assessed the physical activity level and sedentary behavior of adults in Brazil during the pandemic. Results Age (OR: 0.98; 95%CI: 0.97-0.99), chronic disease (OR: 1.29; 95%CI: 1.03-1.63), physical inactivity before the coronavirus 2019 pandemic (OR: 2.20; 95%CI: 1.78-2.72) and overweight (OR: 1.34; 95%CI: 1.09-1.65) showed higher risk of impact on physical activity levels. Increased sitting time was associated with older individuals (OR: 0.97; 95%CI: 0.96-0.98), inactivity (OR: 1.51; 95%CI: 1.16-1.96), chronic disease (OR: 1.65; 95%CI: 1.23-2.22), higher number of days in social isolation (OR: 1.01; 95%CI: 1.00-1.02) and higher schooling levels (OR: 1.87; 95%CI: 1.26-2.78). Conclusion Our results demonstrated that advanced age, chronic disease and physical inactivity before social isolation had a greater risk of impact on reduced physical activity levels and increased sitting time during the coronavirus 2019 disease pandemic.

Purpose: Low-intensity resistance exercise with moderate blood-flow restriction (LIRE-BFR) is a new trending form of exercises worldwide. The purpose of this study was to compare the acute effect of a single bout of traditional resistance exercise (TRE) and LIRE-BFR on arterial stiffness in older people with slow gait speeds. Methods: This was a randomized, controlled clinical study. Seventeen older adults (3 men; 14 women; 82 ± 5 years old) completed a session of TRE (n = 7) or LIRE-BFR (n = 10). At baseline and after 60 min post-exercise, participants were subject to blood pressure measurement, heart rate measurements and a determination of arterial stiffness parameters. Results: There was no significant difference between the TRE and LIRE-BFR group at baseline. Pulse-wave velocity increased in both groups (p < 0.05) post-exercise with no between-group differences. Both exercise modalities did not produce any adverse events. The increase in systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, augmentation pressure and pulse wave velocity (all p > 0.05) were similar after both TRE and LIRE-BFR. Conclusion: TRE and LIRE-BFR had similar responses regarding hemodynamic parameters and pulse-wave velocity in older people with slow gait speed. Long-term studies should assess the cardiovascular risk and safety of LIRE-BFR training in this population.

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the efficacy of a behavior change program named Vida Ativa Melhorando a Saúde on cardiovascular parameters in hypertensive patients. Methods Ninety hypertensive patients aged over 40 years were randomly allocated to one of two groups: Vida Ativa Melhorando a Saúde or Control (n=45 respectively). Patients in the Vida Ativa Melhorando a Saúde group took part in a behavior change program aimed to encourage changes in physical activity levels and eating habits, according to the Social Cognitive Theory. The program consisted of 90-minute weekly group meetings conducted by a physical therapist and a dietitian. One chapter of the educational material (workbook) provided was discussed per meeting. Participants in the Control Group attended a single educative lecture on lifestyle changes. Brachial and central blood pressure, arterial stiffness and endothelial function parameters were measured pre- and post-intervention. Results Vida Ativa Melhorando a Saúde led to reduction of brachial (131.3±15.8mmHg to 125.1±17.3mmHg; p0.05). Conclusion Vida Ativa Melhorando a Saúde program improved blood pressure and microvascular reactivity in hypertensive patients. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02257268

Abstract Background Patients with major depression disorder presents increased rates of cognitive decline, reduced hippocampal volume, poor sleep quality, hypertension, obesity, suicidal ideation and behavior, and decreased functionality. Although continuous aerobic exercise (CAE) improves some of the aforementioned symptoms, comorbidities, and conditions, recent studies have suggested that performing aerobic exercise with motor complexity (AEMC) may be more beneficial for cognitive decline, hippocampal volume, and functionality. Therefore, this randomized controlled trial will compare the effects of CAE and AEMC on depression score, cognitive function, hippocampal volume, brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression, sleep parameters, cardiovascular risk parameters, suicidal behavior, functionality, and treatment costs in patients with depression. Methods/design Seventy-five medicated patients with depression will be recruited from a Basic Healthcare Unit to participate in this prospective, parallel group, single blinded, superiority, randomized controlled trial. Patients with depression according to DSM-V criteria will be balanced and randomly assigned (based on depression scores and number of depressive episodes) to a non-exercising control (C), CAE, and AEMC groups. The CAE and AEMC groups will exercise for 60 min, twice a week for 24 weeks (on non-consecutive days). Exercise intensity will be maintained between 12 and 14 points of the rating of perceived exertion scale (~ 70–80% of the maximum heart rate). The CAE group will perform a continuous aerobic exercise while the AEMC group will perform exercises with progressively increased motor complexity. Blinded raters will assess patients before and after the intervention period. The primary outcome measure will be the change in depression score measured by the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Secondary outcomes will include measures of cognitive function, hippocampal volume, brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression, sleep parameters, cardiovascular risk parameters, suicidal behavior, functionality, and treatment costs. Discussion This study was selected in the call of public policy programs for the Brazilian Unified National Health System – “PPSUS 2015”. To our knowledge, this is the first pragmatic trial to test the effect of adding AEMC to the pharmacological treatment of patients with depression and to evaluate the possible reductions in depression symptoms and healthcare costs. Trial registration Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBec) - RBR-9zgxzd - Registered on 4 Jan. 2017.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether parents’ current and previous physical activity practice is associated with adolescents’ physical activity. Methods: The sample was composed of 1,231 adolescents (14‐17 years), and 1,202 mothers and 871 fathers were interviewed. Weight and height of the adolescents were measured. Self‐reported parents’ weight and height were obtained. The current and previous physical activity levels (Baecke's questionnaire) of parents (during childhood and adolescence) and adolescents’ physical activity levels were obtained using a questionnaire. The magnitude of the associations between parent and adolescent physical activity levels was determined by binary logistic regression (adjusted by sex, age, and socioeconomic level of adolescents and education level of parents). Results: The current physical activity practice by parents was associated with adolescents’ physical activity (p < 0.001). The physical activities reported by parents in their childhood and adolescence were also associated with higher physical activity levels among adolescents. Adolescents whose parents were both physically active in the past and present were six times (OR = 6.67 [CI = 1.94‐22.79]) more likely to be physically active compared to adolescents with no parents who were physically active in the past. Conclusions: The current and previous physical activities of parents were associated with higher levels of physical activity in adolescents, even after controlling for confounding factors.

Excess body fat is an important risk factor for the development of arterial hypertension. The aim of this study was to verify the diagnostic performance of anthropometric indicators in the prediction of excess body fat estimated by Dual-energy Radiometric Absorptiometry (DXA) in hypertensive women. A cross-sectional study with 71 hypertensive women (57.9 ± 10.1 years; 77.8 ± 15.1 kg; 156.8 ± 5.2 cm) was carried out. he anthropometric indicators analyzed were: Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC), Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR), Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) and Conicity Index (C Index). Body fat measured by DXA was used as the reference method. Descriptive statistics and ROC curve were used for data analysis. Comparing the anthropometric indicators with the percentage of total fat estimated by DXA, signiicant diferences were observed in BMI, WC and WHR (P

ABSTRACT Randomized controlled trials are known to be the best tool to determine the effects of an intervention; however, most healthcare professionals are not able to adequately understand the results. In this report, concepts, applications, examples, and advantages of using visual data as a complementary tool in the results section of original articles are presented. Visual simplification of data presentation will improve general understanding of clinical research.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between gait speed and measurements of physical function in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD). METHODS: One hundred sixty-nine patients (age 66.6±9.4 years) with symptomatic PAD were recruited. Usual and fast gait speeds were assessed with a 4-meter walk test. Objective (balance, sit-to-stand, handrip strength, and six-minute walk test) and subjective (WIQ - Walking Impairment Questionnaire and WELCH - Walking Estimated-Limitation Calculated by History) measurements of physical function were obtained. Crude and adjusted linear regression analyses were used to confirm significant associations. RESULTS: Usual and fast gait speeds were significantly correlated with all objective and subjective physical function variables examined (r

Embora o exercício isométrico esteja sendo usada para redução da pressão arterial (PA). Os estudos são divergentes quantos aos efeitos agudos, que é uma medida de risco cardiovascular, além de não ser conhecido os efeitos da intensidade do exercício.Analisar as respostas cardiovasculares aguda após exercício isométrico com handgrip com diferentes intensidades. Fizeram parte deste estudo cross-over, 23 homens saudáveis, os quais foram submetidos, a três sessões experimentais: 4x2 minutos de contração a 30% (S30) e 50% (S50) da contração voluntária máxima e controle (SC). A PA e os parâmetros da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca do domínio do tempo (SDNN, RMSSD e PNN50) e da frequência (LF, HF e LF/HF) foram obtidos antes e após 30 minutos das sessões. Não foram observadas diferenças significantes na PA sistólica (S50:115±9vs.117±9 mmHg; S30:112±10vs.114±9 mmHg; SC:115±9vs.113±8 mmHg, p>0,05) e diastólica (S50:61±5vs.65±5 mmHg; S30:60±4vs.63±6 mmHg; SC:62±8vs.63±8 mmHg, p>0,05). Após a S50, houve menor aumento do PNN50 (S50:+1±5; S30:+7±7;SC:+6±8%, p=0,012) e maior aumento do LF/HF (S50:+1,59±2,55;S30:-0,49±1,84;SC:+0,37±1,49, p=0,049) comparado as demais sessões. Após a realização do exercício isométrico, não houve alterações pressóricas, enquanto que o exercício com maior intensidade gerou aumento da modulação simpática e redução da modulação parassimpática após exercício.

The aim of the study was to verify the effects of creatine (Cr) supplementation on functional capacity (walking capacity; primary outcome) and calf muscle oxygen saturation (StO2) (secondary outcome) in symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients. Twenty-nine patients, of both sexes, were randomized (1:1) in a double-blind manner for administration of placebo (PLA, n = 15) or creatine monohydrate (Cr, n = 14). The supplementation protocol consisted of 20 g/day for 1 week divided into four equal doses (loading phase), followed by single daily doses of 5 g in the subsequent 7 weeks (maintenance phase). Functional capacity (total walking distance) was assessed by the 6 min walk test, and calf muscle StO2 was assessed through near infrared spectroscopy. The measurements were collected before and after loading and after the maintenance phase. The level of significance was p < 0.05. No significant differences were found for function capacity (total walking distance (PLA: pre 389 ± 123 m vs. post loading 413 ± 131 m vs. post maintenance 382 ± 99 m; Cr: pre 373 ± 149 m vs. post loading 390 ± 115 m vs. post maintenance 369 ± 115 m, p = 0.170) and the calf muscle StO2 parameters (p > 0.05). Short- and long-term Cr supplementation does not influence functional capacity and calf muscle StO2 parameters in patients with symptomatic PAD.

Studies have shown that resistance exercise reduces 24-hour blood pressure to levels below resting values, although this is not a universal finding. The number of repetitions has been shown to influence this response. Thus, the aim of the study was to analyze the effects of resistance exercise performed until failure (UF) on 24-hour blood pressure in hypertensive women. Thirteen hypertensive women underwent three experimental sessions in random order: UF, resistance exercise with repetitions before concentric failure (BF) and control (C). Prior to and up to 24 hours after the sessions, cardiovascular variables, as well as the nocturnal fall in blood pressure, the morning surge, and the presence or absence of a blood pressure dip pattern were established using an ambulatory blood pressure monitor. In both wakefulness and sleep there was no significant difference among the three groups. However, after UF and C fewer patients presented a dip in blood pressure (46% and 38%, respectively) compared BF (77%), p=0.047. In conclusion, the UF attenuated blood pressure dips at night in hypertensive patients.

The aims of study were to analyze the relationship between muscle mass and anthropometric parameters in elderly women and to develop a mathematical model to predict muscle mass based on anthropometric parameters. The study included 63 elderly women (71.4 ± 4.4 years). Body weight, height, arm, waist, hip and calf circumferences were measured. Muscle mass was estimated using a densitometry. The muscle mass index was calculated using the equation (muscle mass index = muscle mass [kg] / height [m]²). A significant correlation was found between muscle mass and body weight (r = 0.782), arm (r=0.688), waist (r=0.467), hip (r=0.629) and calf circumferences (r=0.592) with p0.05). The results of this study indicated that body mass, body mass index, arm, waist, hip and calf circumferences are related to muscle mass elderly women. The muscle mass can be adequately predicted based on data from body mass and calf circumference.

BACKGROUND: Resistance training has been used for the treatment of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). However, cardiovascular responses during this type of exercise have not been fully elucidated in these patients. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the cardiovascular responses during resistance exercise and to verify whether there are any correlations between these responses and disease severity or blood pressure levels in patients with PAD. METHODS: Seventeen PAD patients performed one set of 10 repetitions of knee extension exercise with an intensity of 50% of one repetition maximum. The responses of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR) were continuously monitored using the finger photoplethysmography technique. The rate-pressure product (RPP) was obtained by multiplication of SBP and HR. RESULTS: During the resistance exercises there were significant increases in SBP (126 ± 14 vs. 184 ± 20 mmHg, p

A hipertensão arterial é o principal fator de risco cardiovascular, principalmente na população idosa, tendo o excesso de peso como um fator predisponente para sua ocorrência e a prática de exercício como uma ferramenta não farmacológica para o seu controle. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar entre os indicadores antropométricos de obesidade geral e abdominal, o que apresenta uma maior associação com a hipertensão arterial em idosas ativas. Foi avaliada a pressão arterial e a antropometria de 71 mulheres ativas (65,5 ± 4,38anos) e posteriormente calculados o índice de massa corporal, circunferência da cintura, relação cintura/quadril, Índice de conicidade e razão cintura/estatura. Para análise dos dados, cada índice antropométrico foi categorizado em tercís, utilizando a regressão logística binária para análise da magnitude das associações. A prevalência de hipertensão arterial, sobrepeso e obesidade encontrada foram de 32,4%, 49,3% e 15,5%, respectivamente. Após o ajuste pela idade, apenas a circunferência da cintura e a razão cintura/estatura, obtiveram associação significante com a hipertensão (P94) e da razão cintura/estatura (>0,62) tiveram 5,93 e 4,39 mais chances de serem hipertensas respectivamente.

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature on studies that estimated the prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP) or systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) in Brazilian adolescents, considering the employed methodological procedures. METHODS: Bibliographical research of prevalence studies of HBP/SAH in adolescents from 1995 to 2010. The search was conducted in the electronic databases PubMed/Medline, Lilacs, SciELO, and Isi Adolec. The descriptors "hypertension", "BP", "teen", "students", "cross-sectional", "prevalence" and "Brazil" were used in Portuguese and English. Furthermore, a score ranging from 0 to 18 based on Recommendations for Blood Pressure Measurement in Humans and Experimental Animals and the VI Brazilian Guidelines of Hypertension was elaborated, in order to analyze the procedures used to measure BP in studies. RESULTS: Twenty-one articles were identified, mostly published in the last 10 years, and 90.5% were performed in school-based and regions of the Southeast, Northeast and South. The prevalence of HBP/SAH ranged from 2.5 to 30.9%. The score of the studies ranged from 0 to 16. A significant negative correlation (rho = -0.504; p = 0.020) was observed between the prevalence of HBP/SAH and the score of BP measurement quality. CONCLUSION: The great variability of PAE/SAH estimates appears to be influenced by methodological procedures used in the studies.

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of the manipulation of two different exercise orders using the tn-set system on the motor performance in exercises for the chest. Ten male (25.6 ± 5.7 years, 77.0 ± 5.8 kg, 172.9 ± 5.0 cm, 25.7 ± 1.4 kg/m2) with experience in resistance training underwent two experimental sessions, in which the subjects performed two sequences of exercises for the chest: SEQA (bench press, incline bench press, and peck deck) and SEQB (peck deck, incline bench press, and bench press). The load used allowed 8 to 12 repetitions (80% of 1RM) in each exercise. A higher number of repetitions (29 ± 2 reps vs. 26 ± 3 reps, P < 0.001) and a greater total overload (resistance used x repetitions performed = 1,942 ± 172 kg vs. 1,728 ± 234 kg, P < 0.001) were observed in SEQB. The results suggest that in the tn-set system the higher number of repetitions and a greater training volume occur when the single-joint exercise is included before multiple-joint exercises.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the acute metabolic and cardiovascular responses to walking exercise at an intensity corresponding to the heart rate of claudication pain onset and to investigate the effects of a 12-week walking training program at this intensity on walking capacity. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with intermittent claudication were randomly allocated to the walking training (n = 17) or control (CO, n = 12) group. The walking training group performed an acute exercise session comprising 15×2-min bouts of walking at the heart rate of claudication pain onset, with 2-min interpolated rest intervals. The claudication symptoms and cardiovascular and metabolic responses were evaluated. Walking training was then performed at the same intensity twice each week for 12 weeks, while the control group engaged in twice weekly stretching classes. The claudication onset distance and total walking distance were evaluated before and after the interventions. Brazilian Registry Clinical Trials: RBR-7M3D8W. RESULTS: During the acute exercise session, the heart rate was maintained within tight limits. The exercise intensity was above the anaerobic threshold and >80% of the heart rate peak and VO2peak. After the exercise training period, the walking exercise group (n = 13) showed increased claudication onset distance (309±153 vs. 413±201m) and total walking distance (784±182 vs. 1,100±236m) compared to the control group (n = 12) (p

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a prevalência e a associação entre inatividade física no lazer e comportamento sedentário com a percepção negativa de estresse em industriários. Para tanto, 1910 trabalhadores foram selecionados mediante amostragem em dois estágios entre os industriários pernambucanos. Dados foram obtidos mediante uso de questionário previamente validado (Estilo de Vida e Hábitos de Lazer do Trabalhador da Indústria). Percepção negativa de estresse foi referida por 13,2% e 45,2% dos trabalhadores eram fisicamente inativos no lazer. A proporção de sujeitos que relatou despender > 2 horas/dia assistindo televisão foi de 31,8% e 57,4%, respectivamente, em dias da semana e no final de semana. Observou-se, entre os homens, uma associação positiva entre o tempo de assistência à televisão em dias de semana e a percepção negativa de estresse. Conclui-se que a exposição a comportamento sedentário nos homens está associada à maior chance de percepção negativa de estresse.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the acute effect of rest interval length on cardiovascular response after resistance exercise. METHODS: Twenty young eutrophic men (23.9 ± 0.7 years;23.8 ± 0.5 kg/m²) performed two experimental sessions in a random order: resistance exercise with a 30-second (I30) and with a 90-second (I90) rest interval between sets. Both sessions included five exercises with 50% of the one-repetition maximum. Before and 24 hours after the experimental sessions, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), and rate-pressure product (RPP) were obtained. RESULTS: The SBP, DBP and RPP responses were similar between the I30 and I90 sessions (p>0.05), while the HR after I30 was significantly higher than after I90 (p0.05). CONCLUSION: Different recovery intervals did not promote post-exercise hypotension, however, a short rest interval increases heart rate for 1 hour after exercise. In addition, within 24 hours of the responses were similar between groups.

CONTEXT: Over the past few years, several clinical trials have been performed to analyze the effects of exercise training on walking ability in patients with intermittent claudication (IC). However, it remains unclear which type of physical exercise provides the maximum benefits in terms of walking ability. OBJECTIVE: To analyze, by means of a meta-analysis, the effects of walking and strength training on the walking capacity in patients with IC. METHODS: Papers analyzing the effects of walking and strength training programs in patients with IC were browsed on the Medline, Lilacs, and Cochrane databases. Randomized clinical trials scoring >4 on the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale and assessing claudication distance (CD) and total walking distance (TWD) were included in the review. RESULTS: Walking and strength training yielded increases in CD and TWD (P < 0.05). However, walking training yielded greater increases than strength training (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Walking and strength training improve walking capacity in patients with IC. However, greater improvements in TWD are obtained with walking training.

OBJECTIVE: Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is a phenomenon in which a short period of sub-lethal ischemia in one organ protects against subsequent bouts of ischemia in another organ. We hypothesized that RIPC in patients with intermittent claudication would increase muscle tissue resistance to ischemia, thereby resulting in an increased ability to walk. METHODS: In a claudication clinic, 52 ambulatory patients who presented with complaints of intermittent claudication in the lower limbs associated with an absent or reduced arterial pulse in the symptomatic limb and/or an ankle-brachial index

The objective of this study was to systematically review the literature on blood pressure response after strength training in hypertensive subjects, trying to identify the effect of failure in this response. We performed a literature search in SciELO, LILACS, PubMed / MedLine databases. Out of 9377 studies, only six met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Five studies (83.3%) reported a reduction in systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Regarding failure, 66.7% (n = 4) of the studies performed the sets until failure while 33.3% (n = 2) interrupted exercise before failure. Out of the four studies that used protocols until failure, 75% (n=3) observed a reduction in blood pressure, and the two studies who discontinued before the series also showed a reduction of failure. The magnitude of blood pressure reduction was similar among studies that employed both protocols. Thus, the results indicated that the reduction in blood pressure after strength training in subjects with hypertension is independent of the occurrence of failure.

CONTEXTO: O teste de caminhada de seis minutos e o teste de esforço em esteira têm sido frequentemente utilizados para quantificação da limitação funcional dos pacientes com doença arterial periférica. Todavia, ainda não está bem estabelecido se os resultados desses testes são correlacionados. OBJETIVOS: Relacionar a distância total de caminhada (DTC) obtida nos testes de seis minutos e de esforço em esteira em pacientes com doença arterial periférica e sintomas de claudicação intermitente. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi composta por 34 pacientes (65,5 ± 8,9 anos) de ambos os gêneros (26 homens e 8 mulheres). Os indivíduos realizaram o teste de seis minutos em corredor de 30 metros e o teste de esforço em esteira ergométrica utilizando-se protocolo específico para essa população, com intervalo de pelo menos sete dias entre os testes. Para a análise dos dados, foi utilizada a análise de correlação de Pearson. RESULTADOS: Houve correlação significante na DTC obtida nos testes de seis minutos e de esforço em esteira (r=0,48, pBACKGROUND: Six minute walk test and treadmill test have been used to evaluate the functional limitations of peripheral artery disease patients. However, whether these tests are correlated remain poorly known. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between the total walk distance (TWD) assessed in the six minute walk test and in the treadmill test in patients with peripheral artery disease and symptoms of intermittent claudication. METHODS: Thirty-four patients (65.5 ± 8.9 yrs) of both genders (26 men 8 women) participated of the study. They performed the 6 minute walk test in a 30 meters hall and the treadmill test with a specific protocol, with an interval of at least 7 days between the tests. Pearson correlation coefficient was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Significant correlation was observed between TWD assessed in the six minute walk test and in the treadmill test. (r=0.48, p

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of strength training on oxidative stress and the correlation of the same with forearm vasodilatation and mean blood pressure of hypertensive elderly women, at rest (basal) and during a static handgrip exercise. Insufficiently active hypertensive elderly women (N = 25; mean age = 66.1 years) were randomized into a 10 week strength training group (n = 13) or control (n = 12) group. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), plasma nitrite (NO2-), forearm blood flow (FBF), mean blood pressure (MBP) and vascular conductance ([FBF / MBP] x 100) were evaluated before and after the completion of the interventions. The strength training group increased the TAC (pre: Median = 39.0; Interquartile range = 34.0-41.5% vs post: Median = 44.0; Interquartile range = 38.0-51.5%; p = 0.006) and reduced the MDA (pre: 4.94 ± 1.10 μM vs post: 3.90 ± 1.35 μM; p = 0.025; CI-95%: -1.92 --0.16 μM). The strength training group increased basal vascular conductance (VC) (pre: 3.56 ±0.88 units vs post: 5.21 ±1.28 units; p = 0.001; CI-95%: 0.93-2.38 units) and decreased basal MBP (pre: 93.1 ±6.3 mmHg vs post: 88.9 ±5.4 mmHg; p = 0.035; CI-95%: -8.0 --0.4 mmHg). Such changes were also observed during static handgrip exercise. A moderate correlation was observed between changes in basal VC and MBP with changes in NO2- (ΔVC → r = -0.56, p = 0.047; ΔMBP → r = -0.41, p = 0.168) and MDA (ΔVC → r = 0.64, p = 0.019; ΔMBP → r = 0.31, p = 0.305). The strength training program reduced the oxidative stress of the hypertensive elderly women and this reduction was moderately correlated with their cardiovascular benefits.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br RBR-48c29w.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2012v14n4p450The auscultatory method has been suggested as a viable option for blood pressure (BP) measurement during resistance exercise. However, indicators of reproducibility of this method during resistance exercise have not been established. This study aimed to analyze intra- and inter-examiner reproducibility of auscultatory BP measurements obtained du­ring resistance exercise. Fourteen subjects (24 ± 5 years; 22.0 ± 2.4 kg/m2; systolic BP, 116 ± 7 mmHg; diastolic BP, 75 ± 4 mmHg) performed three sets of 15 repetitions of the knee extension exercise at 50% of their 1-repetition maximum at two different time points (T1 and T2). Before and during exercise, systolic and diastolic BP were measured simultaneously in both arms by two examiners. The intra-examiner intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for systolic BP was 0.75 (0.57-0.86) and 0.76 (0.59-0.87) for examiners 1 and 2, respectively. In addition, systolic BP values were similar at T1 and T2 both for examiner 1 (144 ± 9 vs. 146 ± 18, p = 0.08) and examiner 2 (152 ± 9 vs. 153 ± 12, p = 0.32). Inter-examiner ICC was 0.68 (0.46-0.82) for systolic BP and 0.21 (0.11-0.50) for diastolic BP. It can be conclu­ded that auscultatory systolic BP measurement during resistance exercise shows intra- and inter-examiner reproducibility ranging from 0.68 to 0.76, whereas diastolic BP measurement during resistance exercise shows low reproducibility.

O método auscultatório tem sido sugerido como opção viável para a medida da pressão arterial (PA) durante o exercício de força. Todavia, os indicadores de reprodutibilidade deste método durante o exercício de força ainda não foram estabelecidos. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar a reprodutibilidade intra e interavaliadores da medida da PA auscultatória obtida durante o exercício de força. Quatorze sujeitos (24±5 anos; 22,0±2,4 kg/m2; PA sistólica: 116±7 mmHg e PA diastólica: 75±4 mmHg) realizaram três séries de 15 repetições, com 50% de 1-repetição máxima no exercício extensão de joelhos em dois momentos distintos (M1 e M2). Antes e durante os séries, a PA sistólica e diastólica foram medidas em ambos os braços simultaneamente por dois avaliadores. O coeficiente de correlação intraclasse (ICC) intra-avaliador da PA sistólica foi de 0,75 (0,57–0,86) e 0,76 (0,59–0,87) para os avaliadores 1 e 2, respectivamente. Além disso, os valores da PA sistólica foram similares entre o M1 e M2, tanto para o avaliador 1 (144±9 vs 146±18, p=0,08), como para o avaliador 2 (152±9 vs. 153±12, p=0,32). O ICC interavaliadores da PA sistólica foi 0,68 (0,46 – 0,82) e o da PA diastólica foi de 0,21 (0,11–0,50). Pode-se concluir que a medida auscultatória da PA sistólica durante o exercício de força apresenta reprodutibilidade intra e interavaliadores, variando de 0,68 a 0,76, ao passo que a medida PA diastólica, durante o exercício de força, apresenta baixos níveis de reprodutibilidade.

CONTEXTO: Indivíduos com doença arterial periférica (DAP) apresentam níveis de atividade física diminuídos. Os estudos sobre essa temática apresentam diferenças metodológicas, que variam em relação às características dos indivíduos estudados, aos instrumentos utilizados para a medida da atividade física e as estratégias empregadas para classificação do nível de atividade física e os desfechos analisados. OBJETIVO: Descrever o nível de atividade física de indivíduos com DAP e analisar a relação do nível de atividade física nos indicadores de saúde desses indivíduos. MÉTODOS: Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática de estudos originais publicados, em periódicos indexados nas bases de dados eletrônicas MEDLINE, LILACS e ScIELO, até 2010. RESULTADOS: Dos 16 artigos incluídos na revisão, 94% foram publicados a partir do ano 2000. O método mais utilizado para quantificação dos níveis de atividade física foi o acelerômetro. Foram verificados menores níveis de atividade física nos indivíduos com DAP em comparação a indivíduos sem a doença. Dentre os indivíduos com DAP, o maior nível de atividade física foi associado a melhores indicadores hemorreológicos, hemodinâmicos e de composição corporal. CONCLUSÃO: Indivíduos com DAP apresentam menores níveis de atividade física que indivíduos sem a doença. Dentre os indivíduos com a doença, aqueles que são mais ativos fisicamente apresentam melhores indicadores de saúde.BACKGROUND: Individuals with peripheral artery disease (PAD) have reduced levels of physical activity. Studies on this theme have important methodological differences that vary in relation to the characteristics of the individuals, the instruments used to measure physical activity, the strategies employed to their classified level of physical activity and outcome measures. OBJECTIVE: To describe physical activity level of individuals with PAD and to analyze the influence of physical activity level in healthy markers in these patients. METHODS: Systematic review of original studies published, up to 2010 in MEDLINE, LILACS, and SciELO databases. RESULTS: Of the 16 articles included in this review, 94% were published from the year 2000. The method more used for quantification of the levels of physical activity was the accelerometer. It was verified lower physical activity level among the individuals with PAD in comparison with individuals without the disease. Among individuals with PAD, highest levels of physical activity were associated with better hemorheological, hemodynamic, and body composition indicators. CONCLUSION: Individuals with PAD have lower levels of physical activity than individuals without the disease. Among individuals with the disease, those who are more physically active have better health markers.