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BackgroundParticipation of older people in a program of regular exercise is an effective strategy to minimize the physical decline associated with age. The purpose of this study was to assess adherence rates in older women enrolled in two different exercise programs (one aerobic exercise and one strength training) and identify any associated clinical or functional factors.MethodsThis was an exploratory observational study in a sample of 231 elderly women of mean age 70.5 years. We used a structured questionnaire with standardized tests to evaluate the relevant clinical and functional measures. A specific adherence questionnaire was developed by the researchers to determine motivators and barriers to exercise adherence.ResultsThe adherence rate was 49.70% in the aerobic exercise group and 56.20% in the strength training group. Multiple logistic regression models for motivation were significant (P=0.003) for the muscle strengthening group (R2=0.310) and also significant (P=0.008) for the aerobic exercise group (R2=0.154). A third regression model for barriers to exercise was significant (P=0.003) only for the muscle strengthening group (R2=0.236). The present study shows no direct relationship between worsening health status and poor adherence.ConclusionFactors related to adherence with exercise in the elderly are multifactorial.

High levels of inflammatory mediators are associated with reduced physical capabilities and muscle function in the elderly. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may affect the expression and synthesis of these molecules, thus influencing the intensity of the inflammatory response and susceptibility to certain diseases. Physical exercise may attenuate age-related chronic inflammation and improve physical performance. This study evaluated the interaction between the SNP rs1800629 in TNF-α, rs1800795 in IL6, and rs1800896 in IL10 and the effect of physical exercise on physical performance and inflammation in elderly women. There was a significant interaction between rs1800629 and the effect of exercise on physical performance and between the combined 3-SNP genotype and changes in physical performance in response to exercise. These SNPs did not influence the effect of exercise on inflammatory parameters. Elderly women with a combination of genotypes associated with an anti-inflammatory profile (low TNF-α and IL-6 production, high IL-10 production) showed better physical performance independent of exercise modality, evidence of an interactive influence of genetic and environmental factors on improving physical performance in elderly women.

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(p<0.05) between oxygen consumption (VO 2 ) and oxygen pulse (r=0.76), age (r=0.35) and body mass index (r=0.45) were found. There was no significant correlation between ventricular ejection fraction and the others studied variables. Comparing the functional classes of NYHA, significantly differences were found to VO 2 and oxygen pulse (p<0.05). In this study, the correlations reflect the complexity in analyzing and understanding the process of disfunction in HF, once probably other factors influence each of the variables studied. The classification of NYHA was effective to differentiate the patients with HF, reinforcing the indication of this stratification to identify different groups of HF patients to scientific researches and therapeutic interventions.Keywords | exercise test; heart failure; classification. ) e pulso de oxigênio (r=0, 76), idade (r=0,35) e índice de massa corpórea (r=0, 45). Não houve correlação significativa entre fração de ejeção ventricular e as demais variáveis estudadas. Comparando as classes da NYHA, foram encontradas diferenças para VO 2 e pulso de oxigênio (p<0, 05). Nesta pesquisa, as correlações refletem a complexidade de se analisar e entender o processo de disfunção da IC, considerando que provavelmente há outros fatores influenciando cada uma das variáveis estudadas. A classificação da NYHA foi efetiva na diferenciação dos indivíduos nos diferentes grupos, reforçando sua utilidade na caracterização de grupos de indivíduos com IC para fins de pesquisas cientí-ficas, assim como para avaliação de terapêuticas. RESUMO |Descritores | teste de esforço; insuficiência cardíaca; classificação.Capacidade funcional de indivíduos com insuficiência cardíaca avaliada pelo teste de esforço cardiopulmonar e classificação da New York Heart Association