Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have numerous comorbidities due to trisomy 21. However, virtual reality-based therapy (VRT) has been used nowadays as a learning and visual motor tool in order to facilitate the development and learning process of this group. The aim of this article was to carry out an integrative review of the literature on the use of virtual and computational technologies in the stimulation of children with DS. A search was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) through single key words or their combinations using AND or OR operators: “Down syndrome” AND (“development” OR “cognition” OR “visomotor” OR “digital game” OR “virtual reality”). Eventually, 18 articles were included in our review. The games used in the research were able to stimulate, through the visual field, global motor skills, balance, body scheme and spatial organization, in addition to the learning of mathematical concepts, in order to directly influence the autonomous life activities, language skills, social skills and educational aspects of people with DS. Electronic games contribute to the teaching-learning relationship and stimulate neuropsychomotor and cognitive functions and development in children with DS.

Objective: The muscle quality index (MQI) is associated with numerous health outcomes in adults; however, the effects of distinct MQI on functional capacity in obese older women have not yet been fully investigated. Thus, we investigated the contribution of different muscle quality indices on TUG performance prediction in obese older women. We secondarily evaluated the association between MQI, aerobic capacity performance (Treadmill performance and 6-minute walk test), and obesity indices (BMI, body fat percentage, and neck, waist, and hip circumference). Methods: Participants included 64 obese older women (mean age 67.05 ± 5.46 years, body fat ≥ 35%). General anthropometric, health history, body composition, treadmill exercise, and functional test (Time up and go) measures were collected. A hydraulic dynamometer was used to assess muscle strength, and Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) to identify body fat percentage. The field MQI was defined as the highest reading divided by the subject’s body mass index (BMI), while the laboratory MQI was obtained by the ratio of grip strength to the entire arm muscle in kilograms measured by DXA. A hierarchical multiple regression was performed to predict TUG-test performance. Results: An increase in field MQI of one unit is associated with a decrease of 2.59 seconds in the TUG test (β = − 0.540; p = 0.004). There was no association between laboratory MQI and TUG performance (β = 0.067; p = 0.712). Furthermore, field MQI displays a positive correlation (p < 0.05) with aerobic capacity performance (6-minute walk test and peak O₂ consumption) and a negative correlation (p < 0.05) with diverse obesity indices (neck and waist circumference, body fat, and BMI). Conclusion: MQI displayed an important prediction with TUG-test, a positive correlation with aerobic capacity, and a negative correlation with obesity indices.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of isometric handgrip (IHG) training on the blood pressure (BP) reduction in prehypertensive and hypertensive elderly people, and the possible role of lactate and redox balance. Thirty-three older (75.3±1.3 years old) were allocated to a non-exercise control (CG, n=11), prehypertensive (PHG, n=10), and hypertensive (HG, n=12) groups. PHG and HG performed a total of 8 sets of 1-min bilateral contractions at 30% maximal voluntary isometric contraction, each separated by 1-minute rest-pause. IHG training was performed for 8-week, 3 times a week on non-consecutive days. Systolic BP (SBP) and heart rate (HR) decreased post-training on PHG (-10 mm Hg; -5 bpm) and HG (-16 mm Hg; -9 bpm), respectively. Diastolic BP (DBP) decreased for HG only (-9 mm Hg) (P < 0.05). In addition, the decrease in BP occurred in parallel to a better redox balance and increased bioavailability of nitric oxide in PHG and HG (P < 0.05). Also, the variables that most present association to SBP decrease were capillary blood lactate concentration and muscle strength (P < 0.05). In summary, IHG training may be practical in improving clinical status of prehypertensive and hypertensive patients, by improving BP control, NO- bioavailability and redox balance. Further studies are required to elucidate the pathways of lactate concentration in blood-flow during exercise.