Exergames have already been used as therapeutic tools to enhance both physical and cognitive functions in older adults. Aim To evaluate the effects of a Kinect‐based physical activity program on the quality of life, depression, functional fitness and body composition in institutionalized older adults. Methods A total of 50 older adults aged >60 years were selected and randomized to a control and video game group. Body composition was determined by means of anthropometric measurements. Quality of life was assessed using the WHOQOL‐BREF questionnaire, and depression was classified using the Beck Depression inventory. Functional fitness was assessed using the Arm Curl, Chair Stand, 8‐foot up‐and‐go, sit and reach, and the aerobic endurance test. Results After 12 weeks of protocol, we observed a significant improvement in all functional fitness parameters. Conclusions Our findings suggest that a Kinect‐based physical activity program seems to positively impact the three domains related to quality of life and directly associated with age (physical, social and psychological domains), and to promote a more active lifestyle in institutions housing older individuals. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; ••: ••–••.

Family history of hypertension is an important predictive factor for hypertension and is associated with hemodynamic and autonomic abnormalities. Previous studies reported that strength training might reduce arterial blood pressure (AP), as well as improve heart rate variability (HRV). However, the benefits of strength training in the offspring of hypertensive parents have not been fully evaluated. Here, we analyzed the impact of strength training on hemodynamics and autonomic parameters in offspring of hypertensive subjects. We performed a cross-sectional study with sedentary or physically active offspring of normotensives (S-ON and A-ON) or hypertensives (S-OH and A-OH). We recorded RR interval for analysis of HRV. AP was similar between groups. Sedentary offspring of hypertensives presented impairment of total variance of RR interval, as well as an increase in cardiac sympathovagal balance (S-OH: 4.2±0.7 vs S-ON: 2.8±0.4 and A-ON: 2.4±0.1). In contrast, the strength-trained group with a family history of hypertension did not show such dysfunctions. In conclusion, sedentary offspring of hypertensives, despite displaying no changes in AP, showed reduced HRV, reinforcing the hypothesis that autonomic dysfunctions have been associated with higher risk of hypertension onset. Our findings demonstrated that strength-trained offspring of hypertensives did not present impaired HRV, thus reinforcing the benefits of an active lifestyle in the prevention of early dysfunctions associated with the onset of hypertension in predisposed populations.

Familial history of hypertension is associated with autonomic dysfunction and increase in blood pressure (BP). However, an active lifestyle has been found to improve a number of health outcomes and reduce all-cause mortality. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of an active lifestyle on hemodynamics, heart rate variability (HRV) and oxidative stress markers in offspring of hypertensive parents. One hundred twenty-seven subjects were assigned into four groups: sedentary offspring of normotensives (S-ON) or hypertensives (S-OH); and physically active offspring of normotensives (A-ON) or hypertensives (A-OH). Diastolic BP and heart rate were reduced in the physically active groups when compared to S-OH group. A-ON and A-OH groups presented increased values of RR total variance when compared to the sedentary ones (A-ON: 4,912 ± 538 vs. S-ON: 2,354 ± 159; A-OH: 3,112 ± 236 vs. S-OH: 2,232 ± 241 ms 2 ). Cardiac sympato-vagal balance (LF/HF), systemic hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion were markedly increased in S-OH group when compared to all other studied groups. Additionally, important correlations were observed between LF/HF with diastolic BP (r = 0.30) and hydrogen peroxide (r = 0.41). Thus, our findings seem to confirm an early autonomic dysfunction in offspring of hypertensive parents, which was associated with a systemic increase in reactive oxygen species and blood pressure. However, our most important finding lies in the attenuation of such disorders in offspring of physically active hypertensives, thus emphasizing the importance of a physically active lifestyle in the prevention of early disorders that may be associated with onset of hypertension.

Background Alterations of the circadian rhythm negatively impact several aspects of the health, including the lung function. Chronic shiftwork scale classically induces alterations in the circadian rhythm. However, its effects on pulmonary immune response are unknown. Aims To evaluate the impact of chronic alteration of circadian rhythm on pulmonary function and immune response. Methods In this context, a 12 × 24 hours and 12 × 48 hours work scale in shiftwork scale policemen (n = 25; 38.73 ± 6.92 years old) were compared with fixed work scale (8 h/d) civil men (n = 25; 34.00 ± 9.60 years old) who were evaluated for perceived stress, sleepiness, physical activity levels, anthropometric characteristics, lung function, pulmonary and systemic cellular and humoral immune response. Results Policemen presented increased levels of perceived stress (P < .0008), impaired sleepiness (P < .04) and lung function as demonstrated by reduced forced vital capacity (FVC) (P < .053) and FEV1 (P < .043) when compared with civil men. In addition, increased levels of exhaled nitric oxide (P < .037) and of IL‐2 (P < .0046) in the breath condensate revealed that policemen presented chronic lung inflammation compared with civil men. Although the whole blood analysis did not showed any differences between the two groups concerning the number of leucocytes, the humoral response revealed that policemen presented increased levels of IL‐2 (P < .002) and lower levels of IL‐10 (P < .001), clearly displaying a clinical status of low‐grade inflammation. Conclusions Chronic alteration of circadian rhythm in shiftwork scale policemen results in impaired lung function, beyond to impair pulmonary and systemic immune function.

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