Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a new type of exercise that has been increasingly tested for the ability to prevent bone fractures and osteoporosis in frail people. There are two currently marketed vibrating plates: a) the whole plate oscillates up and down; b) reciprocating vertical displacements on the left and right side of a fulcrum, increasing the lateral accelerations. A few studies have shown recently the effectiveness of the up-and-down plate for increasing Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and balance; but the effectiveness of the reciprocating plate technique remains mainly unknown. The aim was to compare the effects of WBV using a reciprocating platform at frequencies lower than 20 Hz and a walking-based exercise programme on BMD and balance in post-menopausal women. Twenty-eight physically untrained post-menopausal women were assigned at random to a WBV group or a Walking group. Both experimental programmes consisted of 3 sessions per week for 8 months. Each vibratory session included 6 bouts of 1 min (12.6 Hz in frequency and 3 cm in amplitude with 60° of knee flexion) with 1 min rest between bouts. Each walking session was 55 minutes of walking and 5 minutes of stretching. Hip and lumbar BMD (g·cm^-2) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and balance was assessed by the blind flamingo test. ANOVA for repeated measurements was adjusted by baseline data, weight and age. After 8 months, BMD at the femoral neck in the WBV group was increased by 4.3% (P = 0.011) compared to the Walking group. In contrast, the BMD at the lumbar spine was unaltered in both groups. Balance was improved in the WBV group (29%) but not in the Walking group. The 8-month course of vibratory exercise using a reciprocating plate is feasible and is more effective than walking to improve two major determinants of bone fractures: hip BMD and balance.

Lation aged 10 yr and older using accelerometry. Methods The accelerometers were worn for four consecutive days, and a valid record was defined as at least 3 d with 10 h of wear time, including one weekend day. Considering these conditions, 4696 participants were included. Results According to the recommendations of 60 min·d−1 of physical activity, 36% of participants age 10–11 yr (boys = 51.6%, girls = 22.5%) and 4% age 16–17 yr (boys = 7.9%, girls = 1.2%) were considered sufficiently active. In adulthood, ∼70% of participants age 18–64 yr (men = 76.6%, women = 65.2%) and 35% age older than 64 yr (men = 46%, women = 29%) reached the recommendation of 30 min·d−1 of physical activity, when counting every minute of moderate or greater intensity. Considering bouts of 10 min or more of moderate or greater intensity in participants older than 17 yr, the prevalence was 4%–6% at 18–39 yr, 7%–9% at 40–64 yr, and ∼3% in persons age 65 yr or older. Conclusions The design and implementation of strategies to promote physical activity for health among children and adolescents and older adults, particularly girls/women, should be encouraged....

Purpose. The aim of this research was to report the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a representative sample of Portuguese youth. Methods. This was a school-based study performed in Portugal. A total of 22 048 children and adolescents aged 10–18 years were included in the study. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut-offs were used to categorise overweight and obese participants. Results. Using IOTF cut-offs the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 17.0 and 4.6% in girls, and 17.7 and 5.8% in boys, respectively (p < 0.001 for overweight and p > 0.05 for obesity), whereas WHO cut-offs resulted in overweight and obesity prevalence scores of 23.1 and 9.6% in girls, and 20.4 and 10.3% in boys, respectively (p < 0.001 for overweight and p >0.05 for obesity). With IOTF cut-offs, a lower prevalence of obesity and overweight was observed at higher ages, in both genders. With the WHO cut-offs, a lower prevalence of obesity and overweight was observed at higher ages, in boys. In girls, the prevalence of overweight and obesity increases from 10 to 12 years of age and decreases from the age of 13 to 18 years. Conclusion. The prevalence for overweight/obesity among Portuguese children and adolescents vary according to the cut-off points used and are also of concern requiring strategies to promote healthy weight gain among children and adolescents.

This study determined the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and abdominal obesity in the Portuguese adults and examined the relationship between above mentioned prevalences and educational level. Body mass, stature, and waist circumference were measured in a representative sample of the Portuguese population aged 18–103 years (n = 9,447; 18–64 years: n = 6,908; ≥65 years: n = 2,539). Overweight and obesity corresponded to a body mass index ranging between 25–29.9 kg/m² and ≥30 kg/m², respectively. Abdominal obesity was assessed as >102 cm for males and >88 cm for females. After adjusting for educational level, the combined prevalences of overweight and obesity were 66.6% in males and 57.9% in females (18–64 years). Respective values in older adults (≥65 years) were 70.4% for males and 74.7% for females. About 19.3% of adult males and 37.9% of adult females presented abdominal obesity. Correspondent values in older adults were 32.1%, for males, and 69.7%, for females. In adults, low educational level was related to an increased risk for overweight (OR = 2.54; 95% CI: 2.08–3.09), obesity (OR = 2.76; 95% CI: 2.20–3.45), and abdominal obesity (OR = 5.48; 95% CI: 4.60–6.52). This reinforces the importance of adjusting public health strategies for educational level.

Objective. To evaluate whether changes in muscle strength due to 32 weeks of supervised aquatic training predicted improvements on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Methods. Thirty women with FM aged 50.8 ± 8.7 years were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15), performing 3 weekly sessions of 60 min of warm-water exercise; or to a control group (n = 15). HRQOL was evaluated using the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). Maximal unilateral isokinetic strength was measured at 60°/s and 210°/s in the knee extensors and flexors in concentric action and at 60°/s in knee extensors eccentric action. Postural balance was evaluated using the one-leg stance, eyes closed. Results. After 32 weeks of water exercise therapy, statistically significant improvements occurred in concentric knee flexors and extensors strength at 60°/s, in eccentric knee extensors and in postural balance. The treatment led to additional improvements in physical function, role physical problems, body pain, general health, vitality, role emotional problems and mental health dimensions of SF-36. Gains in the concentric knee flexors strength predicted improvements in role of physical problems, whereas those in concentric knee extensors did the same for mental health and role emotional problems. Gains in eccentric knee extensors strength predicted improvements in postural balance. Conclusions. A long-lasting exercise therapy in warm water produced relevant gains in muscle strength at low velocities of movements, some of which predicted improvements in physical problems, emotional problems, mental health and balance. Trial registration. International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number ISRCTN53367487, information available in http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN53367487.