Abstract Aims: This article is a methodological description of a randomized clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov U1111-1181-4455) aiming to evaluate the time-course (monthly) and associations between blood pressure changes and other health-related adaptations in response to exercise training in hypertensive elderly. Methods: The patients will be randomized to a control or combined training group interventions (aerobic and resistance exercise), with monthly assessments in four months. Although, the changes in baseline blood pressure is the primary clinical outcome, the secondary outcomes include: body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, arterial stiffness, baroreceptor sensitivity, cardiovascular autonomic modulation, inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, growth factors, tissue remodeling markers, metabolic profile, renal function, cognitive function and quality of life. Results: To support the understanding of the blood pressure changes in hypertensive elderly, a time-course of exercise-induced adaptations including cardiovascular and immunological adaptations are fundamental for research in this field. Conclusion: To investigate the time-course of combined training-induced adaptations including all the diverse aspects of health in hypertensive elderly a well-controlled protocol design is necessary, mainly to clarify the relationship between cardiovascular and immunological exercise-induced adaptations.

Introduction: correlates of physical activity (PA) have not been explored in adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). Understanding correlates of PA could provide information to develop strategies to increase levels of PA in this target population. Objective: the aim of this study was to identify potential correlates of PA in adolescents with DS. Method: information about levels of PA and their potential correlates was collected in 98 adolescents with DS (63 males, aged 11-20 years) using accelerometers and proxy-reported questionnaires. Analysis of covariance and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine correlates of PA. Result: our findings showed that participant's age and socioeconomic status were associated with levels of PA as non-modifiable correlates. Also, parental support, father PA, television-viewing time with siblings and with friends were associated with levels of PA as modifiable correlates. Discussion and conclusion: both modifiable and non-modifiable factors are associated with levels of PA in adolescents with DS. Therefore, a better understanding of correlates of PA could contribute to develop strategies on PA promotion in adolescents with DS.

Introducción: los correlatos de actividad física (AF) no han sido estudiados en adolescentes con síndrome de Down (SD). Entendiendo los correlatos de AF se podría aportar información para desarrollar estrategias para incrementar los niveles de AF en esta población diana. Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue identificar correlatos de AF en adolescentes con SD. Métodos: la información de los niveles de AF y sus potenciales correlatos fue recogida en 98 adolescentes con SD (63 hombres, con edades comprendidas entre 11-20 años), usando acelerómetros y cuestionarios proxy-reportados. Se utilizó análisis de covarianza y análisis de regresión lineal múltiple para examinar los correlatos de AF. Resultados: nuestros resultados muestran que la edad y el estatus socioeconómico de los participantes fue asociado con niveles de AF como correlatos no modificables. Además, el apoyo de los padres, la AF del padre y el tiempo dedicado a ver la televisión con hermanos y amigos fueron asociados con niveles de AF como correlatos modificables. Discusión y conclusión: ambos factores modificables y no modificables se asocian con niveles de AF en adolescentes con SD. Por lo tanto, una mejor comprensión de los correlatos de AF podría contribuir a desarrollar estrategias de promoción de la AF en adolescentes con SD.

Objectivo: O objectivo do estudo consistiu em avaliar a eficácia de um programa de treino combinado (exercícios aeróbios e exercícios de força muscular dinâmica) comparativamente com um programa de treino aeróbio, e de fisioterapia respiratória, ao nível do estado de saúde de indivíduos com DPOC, durante 10 semanas. Métodos: Cinquenta indivíduos com DPOC moderada e grave foram distribuídos aleatoriamente por dois grupos. Grupo CG (n=25) submetido a treino combinado, grupo AG (n=25) submetido a treino aeróbio, os quais foram comparados com cinquenta indivíduos com DPOC, que realizaram exercícios de reeducação respiratória e técnicas de desobstrução brônquica, grupo FR (n=50). Foi avaliado o estado de saúde através de Questionário do Hospital St.George na Doença Respiratória (SGRQ) e do Questionário SF-36 no início da intervenção e 10 semanas após. Resultados: O grupo CG apresentou diferenças (p<0,0001) nas taxas de modificação no estado de saúde relativamente, aos grupos AG e FR, nos domínios da actividade (64±9%; 19±7%; 1±15%), impacto (35±5%; 20±18%; 1±14%), e total (41±9%; 26±17%; 1±15%), avaliados pelo SGRQ; e nas dimensões da função física (109±74%; 22±12%; 0,1±18%), desempenho físico (52±36%; 11±15%; 1,3±21%) e vitalidade (83±39%; 14±38%) avaliadas pelo SF-36. Conclusão: Estes resultados sugerem que o treino combinado, em indivíduos com DPOC, parece ser um método mais eficaz, que promoveu alterações clinicamente significativas, com uma melhoria ao nível da percepção do estado de saúde.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 10-week combined training programme (aerobic and strength exercise) compared to an aerobic training programme, and respiratory physiotherapy on COPD patients’ health. Methods: Fifty subjects with moderate to severe COPD were randomly assigned to two groups. Combined group (CG, n=25) who underwent combined training, and aerobic group (AG, n=25) who underwent aerobic training. These were compared with fifty COPD subjects who underwent respiratory physiotherapy, breathing control and bronchial clearance techniques (RP group, n = 50). We evaluated health state through two questionnaires, St.George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and SF-36, at the beginning and at the end of the programme. Results: The CG group showed differences (p<0.0001) in modification rates in state of health compared to the AG and RP groups in the activity (64 ± 9%, 19 ± 7%, 1 ± 15%) , impact (35 ± 5%, 20 ± 18%, 1 ± 14%) and total (41 ± 9%, 26 ± 17%, 1 ± 15%) domains assessed by the SGRQ, and the physical function (109 ± 74%, 22 ± 12%, 0.1 ± 18%), physical role (52 ± 36%, 11 ± 15%, 1.3 ± 21%) and vitality (83 ± 39%, 14 ± 38%) domains assessed by SF-36. Conclusion: These results suggest that combined training in subjects with COPD appears to be a more effective method, with better clinical changes, and improvements in health state perception.