ABSTRACT Objectives To analyze the role of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in mediating the relationship between central adiposity and immune and metabolic profile in postmenopausal women. Materials and methods Cross-sectional study comprising 49 postmenopausal women (aged 59.26 ± 8.32 years) without regular physical exercise practice. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Fasting blood samples were collected for assessment of nonesterified fatty acids, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), adiponectin, insulin and estimation of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Physical activity level was assessed with an accelerometer (Actigraph GTX3x) and reported as a percentage of time spent in sedentary behavior and MVPA. All analyses were performed using the software SPSS 17.0, with a significance level set at 5%. Results Sedentary women had a positive relationship between trunk fat and IL-6 (rho = 0.471; p = 0.020), and trunk fat and HOMA-IR (rho = 0.418; p = 0.042). Adiponectin and fat mass (%) were only positively correlated in physically active women (rho = 0.441; p = 0.027). Physically active women with normal trunk fat values presented a 14.7% lower chance of having increased HOMA-IR levels (β [95%CI] = 0.147 [0.027; 0.811]). Conclusions The practice of sufficient levels of MVPA was a protective factor against immunometabolic disorders in postmenopausal women.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a relação da atividade física (AF) e massa corporal magra total (BLM), de pernas (LLM) e braços (ALM) em mulheres na menopausa. Participaram do estudo 62 mulheres (61.2±7.6 anos). A pratica habitual de AF foi avaliada através do acelerômetro marca Actigraph GT3X e foi expressa em minutos por semana de AF leve e moderada-vigorosa, e AF total. A amostra foi dicotomizada em dois grupos de acordo com a prática semanal de AF moderada-vigorosa; grupo fisicamente ativo (>=150 minutos) e insuficientemente ativo (<150 minutos). A medidas de composição corporal foram estimadas utilizando o DEXA e foi reportada como percentual. A comparação entre os grupos de AF e a massa corporal magra total e segmentar foram realizadas pelo test t independente. A associação entre os tercis de BLM e os grupos de AF foi realizado pelo Qui-quadrado. O grupo fisicamente ativo apresentou maiores valores médios para BML (52.8±5.4 vs 49.8±4.7; p=0.028) e LLM (17.1±2.2 vs 15.9±1.8; p=0.026), enquanto que a diferença para ALM não foi estatisticamente diferente. Quando o BLM foi categorizado em tercis, 44.7% das mulheres fisicamente ativas se encontravam no tercil superior, enquanto que apenas 16.7% das insuficientemente ativas se encontravam nesse tercil. Mulheres na menopausa que despende maior tempo tempo em AF moderada-vigorosa podem apresentar maiores valores de massa corporal magra total e segmentar.

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between physical activity (PA) and total body (BLM), leg (LLM) and arm lean mass (ALM) in menopausal women. Sixty two 62 menopausal women were included (61.2±7.6 years). Their practice of PA was assessed by Actigraph GT3X accelerometer, and is reported as minutes per week of light or moderate-vigorous PA, and total PA. The sample was dichotomized into two groups according to their weekly practice of PA moderate-vigorous; physically active (>=150 minutes) and insufficiently active (<150 minutes). Body composition measures were assessed by DXA and were reported as percentages. Comparisons between the groups of PA and total and segmental lean body mass were performed by independent t test. Association between the tertile of BLM and the groups of PA were performed by chi-square test. Physically active women showed significantly higher mean values for BLM (52.8±5.4 vs 49.8±4.7; p=0.028) and LLM (17.1±2.2 vs 15.9±1.8; p=0.026), whereas the difference in the ALM was not significant. When the BLM was categorized into tertiles, it was significantly greater in physically active women (higher tertile=44.7%), compared with the insufficiently active women (higher tertile=16.7%). Menopausal women who spent more minutes engaged in moderate-vigorous PA can showed higher BLM and LLM.

"Efeito do treinamento aeróbico e resistência combinada na composição corporal de mulheres obesas pós-menopáusicas." O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os efeitos de 16 semanas de treinamento aeróbio e resistido combinados na composição corporal de mulheres na pós-menopausa. As participantes foram divididas em dois grupos: grupo treinamento (GT, n = 37) e grupo controle (GC, n = 18). A gordura de tronco, massa gorda, percentual de gordura e massa livre de gordura foram estimadas pelo DEXA. O recordatório alimentar de 24 h foi realizado três dias não consecutivos para controle alimentar. O protocolo de treinamento consistiu de 50 minutos de treinamento resistido seguido por 30 minutos de treinamento aeróbio. Após 16 semanas de treinamento diferenças foram observadas na gordura de tronco (GC= 0,064 x GT= -0,571 Kg; p-valor= 0,020), massa gorda (GC= -0,088 x GT= -1,037 Kg; p-valor= 0,020) e massa livre de gordura (GC= -0,388 x GT= 1,049 Kg; p-valor=0,001). Assim, 16 semanas de treinamento aeróbio e resistido combinado em mulheres obesas na pós-menopausa é efetivo em aumentar a massa livre de gordura e reduzir adiposidade total e abdominal.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a 16-week program of combined aerobic and resistance training on the body composition of postmenopausal women who are obese. The participants were divided into two groups: training group (TG, n = 37) and non-trained control group (CG, n = 18). The trunk fat, fat mass, percentage of fat mass and fat-free mass were estimated using DXA. Three nonconsecutive 24-hour dietary recalls were conducted. The training protocol consisted of 50 minutes of resistance training followed by 30 minutes of aerobic training. After the 16-week training program, differences were observed in trunk fat (CG= 0.064 x TG= -0.571 Kg; p-value = .020), fat mass (CG= -0.088 x TG= -1.037 Kg; p-value = .020) and fat-free mass (CG= -0.388 x TG= 1.049 Kg; p = .001). Therefore, a 16-week program of systematic combined aerobic and resistance training in obese postmenopausal women was effective in improving fat-free mass and decreasing both whole and abdominal adiposity.

"Efecto del entrenamiento aeróbico y resistencia combinada en la composición corporal de mujeres posmenopáusicas obesas." El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar los efectos de 16 semanas de entrenamiento aeróbico y de resistencia combinada en la composición corporal en mujeres posmenopáusicas obesas. Los participantes fueron divididos en dos grupos: grupo de entrenamiento (GE, n = 37) y control (C, n = 18). La grasa del tronco, la masa grasa, porcentaje de masa grasa y masa libre de grasa se utilizó el DXA. El recordatorio de 24 horas se realizó tres días no consecutivos para el control de los alimentos. El protocolo de entrenamiento consistió en 50 minutos de entrenamiento de resistencia, después 30 minutos de entrenamiento aeróbico. Después de 16 semanas de entrenamiento, no se observaron diferencias en la grasa del tronco (C= 0,064 x GE= -0,571 Kg; p-valor= 0,020), la masa grasa (C= -0,088 x GE= -1,037 Kg; p-valor = 0,020 Kg) y libre de grasa (C= -0,388 x GE= 1,049 Kg; p= 0,001). Así, 16-semana de entrenamiento aeróbico y de resistencia combinada en las mujeres posmenopáusicas con obesidad es eficaz en la mejora de la masa libre de grasa y la disminución de la masa grasa y la adiposidad abdominal.

Background: It is unclear whether early physical activity has a greater influence on intima-media thickness and metabolic variables than current physical activity. Objective: To analyze the relationship between current and early physical activity, metabolic variables, and intima-media thickness measures in adults. Method: The sample was composed of 55 healthy subjects of both sexes (33 men and 22 women). Total body fat and trunk fat were estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Carotid and femoral intima-media thickness were measured using a Doppler ultrasound device. A 12-hour fasting blood sample collection was taken (fasting glucose and lipid profile). Early physical activity was assessed through face-to-face interview, and the current physical activity was assessed by pedometer (Digi-Walker Yamax, SW200), which was used for a period of seven days. Results: Current physical activity was negatively related to total cholesterol (rho=-0.31), while early physical activity was negatively related to triglycerides (rho=-0.42), total cholesterol (rho=-0.28), very low density lipoprotein (rho=-0.44), and carotid intima-media thickness (rho=-0.50). In the multivariate model, subjects engaged in sports activities during early life had lower values of very low density lipoprotein (b=-8.74 [b=-16.1; -1.47]) and carotid intima-media thickness (b=-0.17 [95%CI: -0.28; -0.05]). Conclusion: Early 95%CI physical activity has a significant influence on carotid intima-media thickness, regardless of the current physical activity.