It may be that resistance exercise can be used to prevent the degenerative processes and inflammation associated with ageing. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of resistance training on cytokines, leptin, resistin, and muscle strength in post-menopausal women. Thirty-five sedentary women (mean age 63.18 years, s = 4.8; height 1.64 m, s = 0.07; body mass 57.84 kg, s = 7.70) were recruited. The 16 weeks of periodized resistance training consisted of two weekly sessions of three sets of 6–14 repetition maximum. Maximal strength was tested in bench press, 45° leg press, and arm curl. Plasma tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-15, leptin, and resistin were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Maximal strength on all measures was increased after 16 weeks. There were minor or no modifications in tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-15. Interleukin-6 was decreased 48 h after compared with baseline and declined after 16 weeks. Leptin decreased 24 h after compared with baseline and was reduced at baseline and 48 h after compared with pre-training. There was a decrease in resistin after 24 and 48 h compared with baseline and a decline in baseline and immediately after levels compared with pre-training. A possible explanation of the results of the present study is a lower production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by the innate immune system. Periodized resistance training seems to be an important intervention to reduce systemic inflammation in this population.

Sarcopenia refers to the age-related loss of muscle strength and muscle mass, which is associated with a reduced quality of life, particularly in older females. Resistance training (RT) is well established to be an effective intervention to counter indices of sarcopenia. Accumulating research indicates that the addition of creatine supplementation (Cr) to RT augments gains in muscle strength and muscle mass, compared to RT alone. However, some evidence indicates that sex differences may alter the effectiveness of Cr. Therefore, we systematically reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the efficacy of Cr + RT on measures of upper- and lower-body strength and muscle mass in older females. A systematic literature search was performed in nine electronic databases. Ten RCTs (N = 211 participants) were included the review. Overall, Cr significantly increased measures of upper-body strength (7 studies, n = 142, p = 0.04), with no effect on lower-body strength or measures of muscle mass. Sub-analyses revealed that both upper-body (4 studies, n = 97, p = 0.05) and lower-body strength (4 studies, n = 100, p = 0.03) were increased by Cr, compared to placebo in studies ≥ 24 weeks in duration. In conclusion, older females supplementing with Cr experience significant gains in muscle strength, especially when RT lasts for at least 24 weeks in duration. However, given the level of evidence, future high-quality studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Objective To investigate the impact of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic on physical activity levels and sedentary behavior among Brazilians residents aged ≥18 years. Methods An online survey was distributed through a social media platform between May 5 and 17, 2020. Participants completed a structured questionnaire in Google Forms, which assessed the physical activity level and sedentary behavior of adults in Brazil during the pandemic. Results Age (OR: 0.98; 95%CI: 0.97-0.99), chronic disease (OR: 1.29; 95%CI: 1.03-1.63), physical inactivity before [...] ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the impact of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic on physical activity levels and sedentary behavior among Brazilians residents aged ≥18 years. Methods An online survey was distributed through a social media platform between May 5 and 17, 2020. Participants completed a structured questionnaire in Google Forms, which assessed the physical activity level and sedentary behavior of adults in Brazil during the pandemic. Results Age (OR: 0.98; 95%CI: 0.97-0.99), chronic disease (OR: 1.29; 95%CI: 1.03-1.63), physical inactivity before

Prestes, J, Nascimento, DdC, Neto, IVS, Tibana, RA, Shiguemoto, GE, Perez, SEA, Botero, JP, Schoenfeld, BJ, and Pereira, GB. The effects of muscle strength responsiveness to periodized resistance training on resistin, leptin, and cytokine in elderly postmenopausal women. J Strength Cond Res 32(1): 113–120, 2018—The aim of this study was to evaluate muscle strength responsiveness and to determine whether interleukin 4 (IL-4), leptin, and resistin would be affected by the individual pattern of response to a resistance training (RT) periodization program. Twenty-six elderly postmenopausal women participated in the present study (mean age = 62.57 ± 6.69 years and body mass index = 28.09 ± 4.83 kg·m⁻²). Four-month longitudinal training program was performed consisting of 2 whole-body sessions per week with increasing intensity and decreasing volume by using 6–14 repetitions maximum (RM). Two acute whole-body RT sessions (before and after chronic training) were also performed comprising 3 sets of 12–14RM. The responsiveness was determined based on their relative muscle strength gains in 45° leg press. High responders were defined as relative muscle strength gains ≥32% and low responders <32% (n = 13 in each group). Muscle strength increased by a higher amount in the high-responsive group as compared with the low-responsive group in the 45° leg press and bench press, whereas muscle strength increased for both groups when compared with pretraining evaluation (p = 0.001). Low responders displayed higher plasma leptin levels when compared with high responders at baseline (p = 0.001), and after 16 weeks of training, leptin levels were significantly lower when compared with baseline (pretraining period). Both groups displayed a decrease in baseline resistin values after 16 weeks of RT, but only a statistically simple main effect was observed for low responders. In addition, there were no effect of time and no significant interaction between the responsiveness and time on IL-4 concentration. In conclusion, RT is effective in improving upper and lower limb muscle strength in elderly women, with higher magnitudes of increase seen for those classified as high responders. Resistin and leptin displayed a decrease over time, regardless of responsiveness classification.