Physical benefits and reduction of depressive symptoms among the elderly: results from the Portuguese "National Walking Program"

Ciência & saúde coletiva
Jeronimo Costa BrancoRicardo Azevedo da Silva

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate alterations in physical fitness and anthropometric parameters as well as depression symptoms among the elderly after participation in the "National Walking Program" (Portugal). The sample consisted of 26 elderly people over six months with a total of 72 exercise sessions. The exercise sessions consisted of aerobics (walking and running) and strength and flexibility exercises. Participants were assessed pre- and post-intervention for physical fitness with the Rikli & Jones test. The anthropometric measurements were assessed with a bioimpedance scale and a stadiometer, and depression with Yesavage's Geriatric Depression Scale. Physical activity was only assessed with an accelerometer at the pre-intervention phase. For statistical analysis, the student t test for paired samples was performed using SPSS 21 software. Statistically significant improvements were found in depressive symptoms (p ≤ 0.001), and in all physical fitness tests (p ≤ 0.05) except for flexibility tests (p ≥ 0.05). Waist circumference reduction also showed the positive effects of the intervention (p = 0.031). The conclusion drawn is that participation in the "National Walking Program" for 6 months was effective in improvi...Continue Reading

References

Jan 1, 1990·European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology·U J Harries, E J Bassey
Jan 1, 1996·International Psychogeriatrics·I Montorio, M Izal
Nov 5, 1999·Archives of Internal Medicine·J A BlumenthalK R Krishnan
Jan 22, 2000·Preventive Medicine·P HassménA Uutela
Aug 16, 2002·American Journal of Epidemiology·William J StrawbridgeGeorge A Kaplan
Sep 16, 2003·Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise·Amy A EylerRobyn A Housemann
Nov 15, 2003·Journal of Clinical Epidemiology·Milton HollenbergIra B Tager
Jun 30, 2004·Psychology and Aging·Yasuyuki FukukawaHiroshi Shimokata
May 16, 2006·Revista latino-americana de enfermagem·Maria Alice Amorim GarciaSilvia Stahl Merlin
Dec 9, 2008·American Journal of Preventive Medicine·Charlotte M McKercherAlison J Venn
Mar 21, 2009·Journal of Aging and Physical Activity·Jennifer L Copeland, Dale W Esliger
Aug 11, 2011·Revista brasileira de psiquiatria : orgão oficial da Associação Brasileira de Psiquiatria, Asociación Psiquiátrica de la América Latina·César L ReichertRoberta R Dalacorte
Oct 12, 2011·Ciência & saúde coletiva·João Felipe MotaRoberto Carlos Burini
Aug 18, 2012·Ciência & saúde coletiva·Ana Claudia Antonio Maranhão SáRuth Losada de Menezes
Sep 25, 2012·Ageing Research Reviews·Jana VolkertSylke Andreas
Feb 1, 2013·Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing·Yeon Hee Choi, Choon Ji Lee
May 15, 2013·Ciência & saúde coletiva·Eveline Fronza da SilvaIraci Lucena da Silva Torres
Jul 4, 2013·BMC Psychiatry·Mehreen Anwar BhamaniMurad Moosa Khan
Jun 1, 2000·Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport·R E Rikli

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

May 29, 2015·Ciência & saúde coletiva·Everton Alex Carvalho ZanutoRomulo Araújo Fernandes
Oct 28, 2019·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Yecheng YaoWeigang Fan
Nov 20, 2021·Medicine·Bruno Araújo da Silva DantasGilson de Vasconcelos Torres

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.