Introduction: Health problems may negatively affect the psychological and physical aspects of life, influencing the quality of life of older adults. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of physical activity on quality of life, anxiety, and depression in the elderly population. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 200 elderly people of both genders. Subjects were divided into two groups: one with 100 senior citizens engaged in physical activities in a social center for the elderly; and another composed of 100 subjects who lived in the community but were not engaged in physical activities. The instruments used to assess physical activities, quality of life, and anxiety and depression were, respectively: the modified Baecke questionnaire; the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36); and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The data were analyzed using the Student's t test, Pearson's r, and analysis of variance (ANOVA), with odds ratio and a 5% significance level (p<0.05). Results: We observed that the active group showed higher scores of physical activity and quality of life. Conversely, the sedentary group revealed higher scores of anxiety and depression. Data assessment revealed a strong correlation between the domains quality of life, level of vitality, and mental health (r=0.77). The prevalence ratio showed that physical activity is a protective factor against anxiety and depression in the elderly. Conclusion: The findings suggest a correlation between low levels of physical activity and symptoms of anxiety and depression in the elderly living in the community.

The aim of this study was to validate the quantification of internal training load (session rating perceived exertion, sRPE) and the effect of recall timing of sRPE during high-intensity functional training (HIFT) sessions. Thirteen male HIFT practitioners (age 27.2 ± 33 years, height 177.1 ± 4.0 cm, body mass 81.1 ± 9.0 kg) were monitored during two common HIFT training sessions: Fight Gone Bad (FGB) and Fran. The Edwards summated heart-rate-zone method was used as a reference measure of internal training load. The session-RPE rating was obtained using the CR-10 scale modified by Foster. The training load calculated by the Edwards-TRIMP index was significantly higher (p < 0.05) during the FGB (77.7 ± 4.9) than the Fran (19.8 ± 8.4) workout. There was a strong correlation (p < 0.05) between the Edwards-TRIMP index and the training load calculated by the sRPE in all time frames (0, 10, 20, and 30 min post-exercise). The RPE and sRPE measured at 30 min post-exercise time frame was significant lower than 0, 10, and 20 min post-exercise for both workouts. The session-RPE method is an easy and valid tool to evaluate internal training load for high intensity functional training practitioners.

The dietary intake of professional soccer players was adequate in energy, but inadequate in macro and micronutrients, which suggests the need to improve nutritional practices to sustain the physical demands of soccer during pre-season.

The intervillous pH profiles along the crypt villus axis in different regions of the rat small intestine were measured in vitro by using pH-sensitive liquid ion-exchanger microelectrodes. A characteristic pH profile was observed in the duodenum and jejunum. A region of low pH was detected in the upper parts of the villi (pH 6.65 +/- 0.06 to 6.85 +/- 0.07), whereas pH at the villus base was always higher. In the ileum no gradient was observed (pH 7.26 +/- 0.05 to 7.31 +/- 0.05). Preincubation of the tissue in situ with 10 mM theophylline for 1 h caused an increase in the villus base pH in the jejunum (pH 7.24 +/- 0.04) and ileum (7.44 +/- 0.04) followed by a subsequent increase of the pH in the upper part of the villi. These results indicate that the low pH in the upper intervillous space may be related to H+ secretion occurring from the mature enterocytes, whereas the crypt cells may secrete a rather neutral or slightly alkaline fluid. Alkaline secretion from the crypts may be increased by theophylline, which changes the levels of cyclic nucleotides in the mucosa.

ObjectivesThis study evaluated the relationship between the skeletal muscle mass (SMM), obtained by predictive equations, and the body composition, nutritional aspects, functionality and physical performance in elderly people.MethodsThe sample consisted of adults aged 65 years or over from the cross-sectional study of the Brazilian Elderly Frailty Study Network, in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. The anthropometric parameters, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and handgrip strength (HGS) were evaluated. The SMM was estimated by 2 predictive anthropometric equations.ResultsBoth SMM equations correlated with age, anthropometric indices, SPPB, IADL, and HGS. However, only HGS and neck circumference strongly correlated in both equations, being higher in SMM II.ConclusionsIt seems that both equations are sensitive to obtain the SMM, contributing to the diagnosis of sarcopenia, nutritional status, and a physical performance condition.