No abstract

The aquatic exercise is an effective non-pharmacological therapy for prevention and control of hypertension. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of aquatic exercise on mental health, functional autonomy, and oxidative dysfunction in hypertensive adults. Methodologically 29 adults (mean age 53 ± 7.5 years) were included in the study, and were randomly grouped as hypertensive (n = 16) and non-hypertensive (n = 13). Both groups underwent low-intensity aquatic exercise program for 12 weeks. Outcomes were evaluated at week 0 and 12. The values for the following parameters decreased in the hypertensive group post training: anxiety (-6.2 ± 2 score; 60%), Timed Up and Go test (-7.4 ± 0.3 sec; 30%), protein carbonylation (-0.15 ± 0.03 nmol/mg protein; 50%), nitric oxide (12.4 ± 6 nmol/mg protein; 62%), interleukin-6 (-27.6 ± 5.7 pg/mg protein; 46%), and tissue necrosis factor-alpha (-52.4 ± 3.8 pg/mg protein; 40%); however, the values of the following parameters increased before training: Berg score (56 ± 2; 7.8%), flexibility (27 ± 1 cm; 71%); glutathione (3.1 ± 1.3 nmol/mg protein; 138%), and superoxide dismutase (1.6 ± 0.4 nmol/mg; 166%). In conclusion, we suggest that low-intensity aquatic exercise program improved anxiety, functional autonomy, and oxidative dysfunction in hypertensive adults.

The increasing popularity of street racing combined with the psychophysical demands of racing competitions present new challenges for sports mental health. The objective of this study was to investigate psychophysiological changes after an uphill race. Twenty-three runners were recruited, eleven men (35 ± 5.6 years; 1.7 ± 0.2 m; 76.6 ± 10 kg; 11.5 ± 4.5% fat) and twelve women (39 ± 9.2 years; 1.61 ± 0.1 m; 58.8 ± 3.8 kg; 20.1 ± 3.1% fat), who participated in an uphill race (distance 24.6 km, altimetry 2142 m, slope 11%, temperature 13°C, humidity 97%). Every runner was submitted to evaluations, physiological, muscular strength and mental health, before and after of the race. After an uphill race, there was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in muscle resistance (22%), power (27%) and force (30%). There was a significant increase (p< 0.05) in lactate levels (100%) and perceived effort (200%). Regarding mental health, there was a reduction (p<0.05) in anxiety (competitive 10% and trace 40%) and a significant increase (p< 0.05) in self-esteem (29%) and Happiness (43%). We conclude that after an uphill race there is a significant increase in the alterations in the psychophysiology, improving the mental health of runners.