Around the world Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is on the rise. Previous studies have shown the default mode network (DMN) sees changes with AD progression as the disease erodes away cortical areas. Aerobic exercise with significant increases to cardiorespiratory fitness could show neuro-protective changes to delay AD. This study will explore if functional connectivity changes in the DMN can be seen in a young adult sample by using group independent component analysis through FSL MELODIC. The young adult sample of 19 were selected from a larger study at the Brain Plasticity and Neuroimaging Laboratory at Boston University. The participants engaged in a twelve-week exercise intervention in either a strength training or aerobic training group. They also completed pre-intervention and post-intervention resting-state fMRI scans to evaluate change in functional connectivity in the default mode network. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using a modified Balke protocol with pre-intervention and post-intervention VO2 max percentiles being used. Through two repeated-measure ANOVA analyses, this study found no significant increase in mean functional connectivity or cardiorespiratory fitness in the young adult sample. While improvements in mean VO2 max percentile and functional connectivity would have been seen with a larger sample size, this study adds to the literature by suggesting if fitness does not improve significantly, neither will functional connectivity in the default mode network.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-06T17:07:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao completa Juan.pdf: 6505760 bytes, checksum: 7d127797d401c25baf0f73c7c1254948 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-03-04 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The most accurate tool to assess cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is the cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). However, for its use are required expensive equipment, trained technicians and time, restricting their use in population studies. Given this problem, this study aims to develop regression equations for predicting CRF of adults, using simple measurement variables. The study used data from 8293 subjects, 5291 men and 3235 women belonging to social classes A, B and C, aged between 18 and 65 years of Florianópolis, SC. In order to develop equations to predict the CRF, the data analyzed were: gender, age, height, body weight, resting heart rate, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and smoking. After the statistical analyzes procedures seven equations were developed. The model GN3 (VO2peak = 71,147- 0,338 (age) +10,081 (genre) 0,766 (BMI) 0,103 (HRrest) + 1,452 (conditioning) 3,150 (smoking) 1,962 (dyslipidemia) 1,585 (hypertension) 2,134 (diabetes)) showed the highest statistical significance because this was the only model developed in which the cross-validation was performed and showed values of correlation (0.746), adjusted R2 (0.561) and SEE (6.88 ml / kg / min.) similar to the other two models that also showed good results in these three parameters. It is concluded that the models developed to predict CRF are feasible and practical for prediction of VO2peak in large populations and epidemiological studies or initial assessment of a single person when a CPET is not possible to be performed / A ferramenta mais precisa para avaliação da aptidão cardiorrespiratória (ACR) é o teste cardiopulmonar de esforço (TCPE). Entretanto, para sua utilização, são necessários equipamentos de custo elevado, técnicos bem treinados e tempo, restringindo sua utilização em estudos populacionais. Tendo em vista essa problemática, este estudo tem por objetivo o desenvolvimento de equações de regressão para predição da ACR de adultos, por meio de variáveis de simples mensuração. Foram utilizados os dados de 8.293 sujeitos, sendo 5.291 homens e 3.235 mulheres, pertencentes às classes sociais A, B e C, com idades entre 18 e 65 anos da cidade de Florianópolis, SC. Foram analisados os dados de: gênero, idade, estatura, massa corporal, frequência cardíaca pré-esforço, índice de massa corporal, hipertensão arterial, diabetes, dislipidemia e tabagismo. Após a realização dos procedimentos estatísticos, foram desenvolvidas sete equações, o modelo GN3 (VO2pico = 71,147 0,338 (idade) +10,081 (gênero) 0,766 (IMC) 0,103 (FCpré-esf) + 1,452 (condicionamento) 3,150 (tabagismo) 1,962 (dislipidemia) 1,585 (hipertensão) 2,134 (diabetes)) apresentou maior significância estatística por ser a única das equações desenvolvidas em que o procedimento de validação cruzada foi realizado e por apresentar valores de correlação (0,746), R2 ajustado (0,561) e EPE (6,88 ml/kg/min.) semelhantes aos outros dois modelos que também apresentaram bons resultados nesses três parâmetros. Conclui-se que os modelos desenvolvidos de predição da ACR são alternativa viável e prática para predição do VO2pico em grandes populações e estudos epidemiológicos ou avaliação inicial de uma única pessoa quando um TCPE não for possível

Fundação de Apoio a Pesquisa e à Inovação Tecnológica do Estado de Sergipe - FAPITEC/SE / Introduction: Physical fitness related to health is considered an indicator of health, both in childhood and in adolescence, being widely associated with the reduction of health risk. Objective: to analyze the behavior of physical fitness components flexibility and cardiopulmonary fitness in children and adolescents. Methodology: The study was divided in two stages organized as follows: the first one was to analyze the existing evidence regarding the physical capacity flexibility in Brazilian children and adolescents, based on a Systematic Review carried out on studies in Brazil. The second stage consists of a manuscript that aimed to verify the behavior of cardiorespiratory capacity, according to age group and sex, in children and adolescents of the Northeast Region of Brazil. Results: the first manuscript shows that, apparently, flexibility is not adequately analyzed in the studies, since it has been treated as a coadjuvant suggesting the masking of its real importance. When analyzing these studies, it was evidenced that there is a lack of information regarding the adequate use of flexibility in the references of the works, since there is no comparison with a reference standard. The second manuscript indicated that, in the age group up to 13 years of age, the behavior of cardiorespiratory fitness was random in both sexes. For the age group above 13 years of age, the behavior of cardiorespiratory fitness tends to grow in both sexes, but in the female sex, it is limited until the age of 17 years. Males presented higher values at all ages when compared to the opposite sex. Conclusion: it may be necessary to map physical fitness levels with children and adolescents in Brazil, using the results to create a benchmark for physical fitness. / Introdução: A aptidão física relacionada à saúde é considerada um indicador de saúde, tanto na infância quanto na adolescência, estando amplamente associada à redução do risco à saúde. Objetivo: analisar o comportamento da flexibilidade e da aptidão cardiorrespiratória em crianças e adolescentes. Metodologia: O trabalho foi dividido em duas partes organizadas da seguinte forma: a primeira teve o intuito de analisar a evidência quanto ao comportamento da flexibilidade em crianças e adolescentes brasileiros. Já a segunda, objetivou verificar o comportamento da capacidade cardiorrespiratória, conforme grupo etário e sexo, em crianças e adolescentes da cidade de Aracaju/SE. Resultados: Os resultados foram apresentados na forma de dois manuscritos, onde o primeiro apresentou uma lacuna nas análises e trabalhos que abordam a flexibilidade, indicando que esta vem sendo tratada como coadjuvante da aptidão física, sugerindo o mascaramento de sua real importância. Ao analisar estes estudos, ficou evidenciado que faltam informações quanto ao uso adequado da flexibilidade nas referências dos trabalhos, visto que não existe uma comparação com um padrão de referência. Já o segundo manuscrito indicou que até os 13 anos de idade o comportamento da aptidão cardiorrespiratória foi aleatório em ambos os sexos, no entanto, para os adolescentes com idades maiores de 13 anos de idade, o comportamento da aptidão cardiorrespiratória tende a aumentar em ambos os sexos. O sexo masculino apresentou valores superiores na capacidade cardiorrespiratória em todas as idades quando comparados ao sexo oposto. Conclusão: conclui-se que talvez seja necessária a elaboração de um critério de referência tanto para a flexibilidade quanto para a aptidão cardiorrespiratória com crianças e adolescentes brasileiros. / São Cristóvão, SE

In this study twenty-two commercial real estate salespeople were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions: (1) pretest, training, posttest; (2) pretest, no training, posttest; (3) no pretest, training, posttest; (4) no pretest, no training, posttest. The training groups participated in a monitored aerobics training program designed by the Institute for Aerobics Research, Dallas, Texas. In conclusion, it appears that an improvement in employee cardiorespiratory fitness does not necessarily lead to an improvement in job satisfaction or job performance. It is important to note, however, several possible explanations for these results. First, the pretest scores for the Job Descriptive Index were already quite high indicating there was not much room for improvement on posttest scores. Secondly, with regard to performance scores the; small number of subjects may have contributed to the lack of statistical significance. The study had a 46 percent subject loss rate. Thirdly, it would have been more useful to have had subjects who earned approximately the same amount or, at least, did not have the enormous differences in earnings found in this study. Finally, it is suggested that commissions be watched for more than one sales cycle. By incorporating these changes, future studies will have a better chance of determining whether employee fitness affects employee performance or employee satisfaction.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of nonexercise (N-EX) data, specifically, the Perceived Functional Ability (PFA) and Physical Activity Rating (PA-R) questionnaires, with the treadmill walk-jog-run protocol to estimate VO2max in 12 to 17 year old boys and girls. Ninety-one participants (49 males and 42 females) took part in this study. Data were collected via PFA and PA-R questionnaires, a walk-jog-run submaximal treadmill test, and a maximal graded exercise test (GXT). Data collected included gender, age, height, weight, PFA and PA-R scores, heart rate (HR), treadmill speed, maximal treadmill grade, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and VO2max. Regression analysis resulted in the development of two valid and reliable models to predict VO2max. Nonexercise and submaximal exercise test data were used to build the following model: VO2max (mL∙kg-¹∙min-¹) = 11.201 + (6.877 x Gender; 0 = female; 1 = male) + (3.573 x treadmill speed; mph) – (0.174 x kg) + (0.405 x PFA score) + (0.653 x PA-R score) + (1.019 x age). The model resulted in an R2 = 0.69 and a SEE = 5.16 mL∙kg-¹∙min-¹. Maximal exercise test data were used to build the following model: VO2max (mL∙kg-¹∙min-¹) = -3.264 + (3.359 x Gender; 0 = female; 1 = male) – (0.082 x kg) + (7.351 x treadmill speed; mph) + (1.750 x maximal treadmill grade). The model resulted in an R2 = 0.88 and a SEE = 3.16 mL∙ kg-¹∙min-¹. The cross-validation PRESS statistics for both models demonstrated minimal shrinkage in the accuracy of the regression model. The results of this study demonstrate, for the first time, that N-EX data can be used to accurately predict VO2max in youth. The submaximal and maximal exercise tests validated in this study can be used to assess cardiorespiratory fitness of youth having a wide range on interests and fitness levels. In addition, the use of PFA and PA-R questionnaires enforces initiatives to increase physical activity among youth. Both exercise tests use a self-selected treadmill speed that elicits a steady-state HR of 70% of the participants age-predicted maximal HR. The use of a self-selected walking, jogging, or running speed accommodates youth with different levels of physical fitness, motivation, and interests. The exercise test protocol presented in this study is practical for use in schools, athletic facilities, and community fitness centers. The equipment required to administer the exercise test presented in this study is limited to a treadmill and a HR monitor. Together with the use of PFA and PA-R questionnaires, the submaximal and maximal exercise tests are efficacious to coaches, fitness professionals, and physical educators in a variety of settings.

No description available.

<p>The merits of low-volume high-intensity interval exercise (HIT) have been established in healthy populations; however, no studies have examined this exercise prescription in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The present thesis examined the acute and chronic effects of HIT in patients with CAD.</p> <p>The first study demonstrated transient improvements in brachial artery endothelial-dependent function, assessed using flow-mediated dilation (FMD), 60-minutes following a single bout of either HIT or moderate-intensity endurance exercise (END) in habitually active patients. The second study demonstrated no effects of training status on the acute endothelial responses to exercise; following 12-weeks of either HIT or END training. However, there was a significant reduction in endothelial-independent function immediately post-exercise, at both pre- and post-training, which requires further examination. The third study demonstrated comparable increases in fitness and resting FMD following 12-weeks of END and HIT, lending support to the notion that favorable adaptations are obtainable with a smaller volume of exercise. Lastly, the fourth study demonstrated no change in heart rate recovery following 12-weeks of END and HIT. However, pre-training heart rate recovery values reported by our sample were in a low risk range, which suggests training induced improvements may only be achievable in populations with attenuated pre-training values.</p> <p>The results of this thesis provide preliminary evidence supporting the use of HIT in patients with CAD. The findings of favorable transient and chronic improvements following HIT are notable, especially given the HIT protocol involves less time and work than END, which was modeled after the current exercise prescription in cardiac rehabilitation. Further investigations are necessary, including the assessment of additional physiological indices, the feasibility and adherence to HIT, the inclusion of CAD populations with co-morbidities including heart failure and diabetes, as well as other forms of HIT training including HIT combined with resistance training.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Despite known associations between fitness and recurrent cardiovascular events, changes in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscle strength with long-term cardiac rehabilitation (CR) have not been extensively examined in men, and data in women is absent in the literature. The purpose of this thesis was to estimate changes in CRF and muscle strength associated with long-term CR program enrollment in men and women, and to examine the influence of baseline fitness and age on these fitness trajectories in men. Our methods and interpretations of the findings are discussed in the thesis, but in brief, using mixed model analyses we observed important fitness benefits over long-term CR enrollment in men and women and influences of baseline fitness and age on the trajectories in men. Our data provide new evidence of improved fitness trajectories in men and women after long-term CR enrollment and highlight the importance of long-term exercise-based CR after the completion of short-term programs. Larger prospective cohort studies are warranted to confirm the observations, and to identify potential mechanisms underlying these findings. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Os objetivos do presente estudo foram analisar os efeitos dos videogames interativos Kinect Adventures comparados com a fisioterapia convencional por meio de um treinamento multimodal no controle postural, na marcha, na aptidão cardiorrespiratória e na cognição de idosos da comunidade e verificar a duração dos efeitos das intervenções após 30 dias de seguimento. Tratou-se de um ensaio clínico aleatorizado e cego. Participaram do estudo 50 idosos que foram aleatorizados entre grupo controle e grupo experimental, 25 em cada grupo. Todos os sujeitos foram submetidos a 14 sessões de intervenção, duas vezes por semana, por sete semanas. O grupo controle realizou treinamento multimodal, que incluiu aquecimento, treinamento de equilíbrio estático e dinâmico, condicionamento físico, treinamento de força muscular, treinamento de coordenação motora, flexibilidade muscular e desaquecimento. O grupo experimental praticou quatro jogos do Kinect Adventures, cinco tentativas de cada jogo por sessão. Todos os participantes foram submetidos a três avaliações: inicial (pré), final (pós) e trinta dias após as intervenções (seguimento), realizadas por um avaliador cego em relação ás intervenções. O desfecho primário do estudo foi o controle postural, avaliado por meio do Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test. Os desfechos secundários foram: (1) marcha, avaliada por meio Functional Gait Assessment; (2) aptidão cardiorrespiratória, avaliada por meio do Teste do Degrau de seis minutos e (3) cognição, avaliada por meio da Avaliação Cognitiva de Montreal. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio da ANOVA de medidas repetidas e do teste de pós hoc de Tukey para a verificação de possíveis diferenças entre os grupos e avaliações. Foi adotado alfa de 0,05. Não houve diferença entre os grupos após as intervenções e no seguimento em todos os desfechos. Ambos os grupos apresentaram melhora no controle postural, na marcha e na cognição após as intervenções (testes de Pós hoc de Tukey, P < 0,05). Em relação à aptidão cardiorrespiratória, o grupo experimental apresentou melhora após a intervenção e manutenção dos resultados no período de seguimento. Já o grupo controle apresentou melhora somente no período de seguimento. Conclui-se que ambas as intervenções podem proporcionar efeitos positivos no controle postural, na marcha na aptidão cardiorrespiratória e na cognição de idosos da comunidade, sem superioridade entre elas / The objectives of the present study were to analyze the effects of Kinect Adventures interactive videogames compared to conventional physiotherapy through multimodal training in postural control, gait, cardiorespiratory fitness and cognition of the elderly in the community and to verify the duration of the effects of the interventions after 30 days of follow-up. It was a randomized, blinded clinical trial. Fifty elderly individuals who were randomized between the control group and the experimental group participated in the study, 25 in each group. All subjects underwent 14 intervention sessions, twice a week, for seven weeks. The control group performed multimodal training, which included warm-up, static and dynamic balance training, physical conditioning, muscle strength training, motor coordination training, muscle flexibility and cooling. The experimental group practiced four games of Kinect Adventures, five attempts of each game per session. All participants were submitted to three evaluations: initial (pre), final (post) and thirty days after the interventions (follow-up), performed by a blind evaluator in relation to the interventions. The primary endpoint of the study was postural control, evaluated through the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test. The secondary outcomes were: (1) gait assessed by Functional Gait Assessment; (2) cardiorespiratory fitness assessed by the Six-Minute Step Test and (3) cognition assessed through the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test to verify possible differences between groups and evaluations. Alpha of 0.05 was adopted. There was no difference between the groups after the interventions and in the follow-up in all the outcomes. Both groups showed improvement in control, gait and cognition after the interventions (Tukey Post hoc tests, P < 0.05). Regarding cardiorespiratory fitness, the experimental group presented improvement after the intervention and maintenance of the results in the follow-up period. The control group showed improvement only in the follow-up period. It is concluded that both interventions can provide positive effects on postural control, gait in cardiorespiratory fitness and on the cognition of elderly in the community, without any superiority between them

A síndrome de Down (SD) é a alteração cromossômica mais comum nos seres humanos e traz consigo algumas co-morbidades como: hipotonia muscular, baixo condicionamento cardiorrespiratório e obesidade. A prática de exercícios físicos diminui o risco desses fatores, o que pode contribuir para melhora da qualidade de vida e autonomia dessas pessoas. Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o impacto de um programa de exercícios físicos para pessoas com síndrome de Down. Participaram desse estudo 21 pessoas com SD com idades entre 18 e 32 anos. Foram avaliados: adesão ao programa, condicionamento cardiorrespiratório, força muscular, composição corporal, equilíbrio postural, nível de atividade física diário dos participantes da pesquisa e de seus principais cuidadores e a correlação entre estes, o risco para Síndrome da Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono (SAOS) e as principais barreiras que influenciavam essas famílias a adotarem a prática de exercício físico. Houve boa adesão ao programa. Os resultados mostraram aumento da força muscular, melhora no condicionamento cardiorrespiratório e equilíbrio postural. Não houve diferença para composição corporal e no nível de atividade física dos participantes e de seus principais cuidadores no pós-programa. Houve correlação moderada em atividade física moderada e vigorosa (AFMV) e correlação forte em passos diários entre os participantes e seus principais cuidadores. A falta de tempo disponível, de condições financeiras, falta de incentivo e de interesse em praticar exercício foram fatores mencionados pelos principais cuidadores como os mais impeditivos para inclusão do exercício físico em seu cotidiano. Conclui-se que a prática de exercícios traz benefícios à saúde das pessoas com SD, e que há correlação positiva no nível de atividade física das pessoas com SD e de seus principais cuidadores / The Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal alteration in humans and brings some comorbidities such as muscle hypotonia, low physical conditioning and obesity. Physical exercise reduces these risk factors, which can contribute to the improvement of quality of life and autonomy of DS individuals. This study aim evaluate the impact of physical exercise program in individuals with DS. Twenty one DS individuals with 18-32 years old were evaluated in: adherence to the program, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, body composition, balance, level of physical activity, the risk for sleep apnea syndrome and the information about the obstacles that influenced these caregivers and the DS to adhere to regular exercise in their daily. After physical exercise program, were observed increase in muscle strength, cardiorespiratory fitness and balance. The body composition and physical activity level of the participants and their caregivers not changed, and there was a moderate correlation between in the moderate vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and strong correlation steps day between the participants and the carevigers. The lack of available time, financial conditions, lack of incentive and interest in practicing exercise was factors impeding to include exercise in their daily. It was concluded that the practice of exercise brings benefits to the health of people with DS, and that there is a correlation of physical activity and people of their caregivers