Aim To evaluate the effects of low‐volume resistance training on the physical and functional capacity of older patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods A total of 54 patients (aged ≥60 years) were randomly divided into two groups: (i) a control group comprising 13 men and 14 women; and (ii) a resistance training group with 14 men and 13 women. The resistance training group, in addition to maintaining their pharmacological treatments, carried out 6 months of resistance training twice a week, whereas the control group maintained their pharmacological treatments. Handgrip strength, flexibility, aerobic endurance, gait speed and balance were assessed in both groups. Results After 6 months, patient functionality in the control group was reduced, whereas patients who carried out low training volumes showed significantly improved flexibility (Pre × Post: P = 0.008), aerobic resistance (Pre × Post: P = 0.006), gait speed (Pre × Post: P = 0.006) and balance (Pre × Post: P = 0.043). Significant improvement (P = 0.042) was also observed in right handgrip strength in the resistance training group. Conclusions The results of the present study showed that low‐volume resistance training improves the physical capacity of older people with Parkinson's disease. Therefore, we suggest that resistance training be a central component in exercise programs for patients with Parkinson's disease. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 635–640.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of resistance training alone on the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in prehypertensive and hypertensive individuals. Our meta-analysis, followed the guidelines of PRISMA. The search for articles was realized by November 2016 using the following electronic databases: BIREME, PubMed, Cochrane Library, LILACS and SciELO and a search strategy that included the combination of titles of medical affairs and terms of free text to the key concepts: 'hypertension' 'hypertensive', 'prehypertensive', 'resistance training', 'strength training', and 'weight-lifting'. These terms were combined with a search strategy to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and identified a total of 1608 articles: 644 articles BIREME, 53 SciELO, 722 PubMed, 122 Cochrane Library and 67 LILACS. Of these, five RCTs met the inclusion criteria and provided data on 201 individuals. The results showed significant reductions for systolic blood pressure (-8.2 mm Hg CI -10.9 to -5.5;I: 22.5% P valor for heterogeneity=0.271 and effect size=-0.97) and diastolic blood pressure (-4.1 mm Hg CI -6.3 to -1.9; I: 46.5% P valor for heterogeneity=0.113 and effect size=-0.60) when compared to group control. In conclusion, resistance training alone reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure in prehypertensive and hypertensive subjects. The RCTs studies that investigated the effects of resistance training alone in prehypertensive and hypertensive patients support the recommendation of resistance training as a tool for management of systemic hypertension.

Osteoporosis is considered a common metabolic bone disease and its prevalence is increasing worldwide. In this context, physical activity has been used as a non-pharmacological tool for prevention and auxiliary treatment of this disease. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of cycling and swimming practice on bone mineral density (BMD). This research was conducted in accordance with the recommendations outlined by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The studies were consulted in the period from 2004 to 2014, through major electronic databases: PubMed(®), SciELO(®) and LILACS(®). Ten studies evaluated the effects of cycling on BMD, and the results showed that nine studies have linked the practice of professional cycling with low levels of BMD. Another 18 studies have reported that swimming has no positive effects on bone mass. We conclude that cycling and swimming do not cause positive effects on BMD; thus, these are not the most suitable exercises for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.