93 research outputs found
Effects of a concurrent exercise training program on low back and sciatic pain and pain disability in late pregnancy
Objective: The aim of the present study was to explore the influence of a concurrent
exercise (aerobic + resistance) training program, from the 17th gestational
week (g.w.) until birth on low back and sciatic pain, and pain disability. A total
of 93 pregnant women divided into exercise (n = 49) and control (n = 44) groups
followed a 60-min,
3 days/week, concurrent exercise training.
Methods: Low back and sciatic pain were measured with a Visual Analogic
Scale (VAS). The disability resulting from pain was assessed with the Oswestry
Disability Index (ODI). Measures were performed at the 16th and 34th g.w.
Results: The exercise group increased 21.9 mm less the VAS low back (between-group
differences (B): 95% CI: −33.6 to −10.2; p < 0.001) and 12.9 mm less the
VAS sciatica score (between-group
differences: 95% CI (B): −21.8 to −4.0;
p = 0.005) than the control group. Regarding the ODI questionnaire, the exercise
group increased 0.7, 0.5, and 0.7 less than the control group in pain while sleeping
(between-group
differences (B): 95% CI: −1.4 to −0.01; p = 0.025), pain while lifting
weight (between-group
differences (B): 95% CI: −0.9 to −0.01; p = 0.016), and
limitations of the social life due to pain (between-group
differences(B): 95% CI:
−1.3 to −0.06; p = 0.032). Furthermore, the exercise group suffered 6.9% less pain than the control group in the ODI total score (between-group
differences (B): 95%
CI: −13.9 to 0.053; p = 0.052).
Conclusion: This concurrent exercise training program adapted to pregnant
women improved pain compared to controlsThe Regional Ministry
of Health of the Junta de Andalucía (PI-0395-
2016)University of Granada, Excellence actions: Units of
Excellence; Unit of Excellence on Exercise and HealthJunta de Andalucía, Consejería
de Conocimiento, Investigación y UniversidadesEuropean Regional Development Fund (ERDF), REF.
SOMM17/6107/UGRMFA was additionally funded by
the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports
(Grant number FPU17/03715
Premenstrual and menstrual changes reported after COVID-19 vaccination: The EVA project
Background: Menstrual disorders were not reported as a possible secondary effect in any of the clinical trials for the
SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
Aim: To describe the prevalence of perceived premenstrual and menstrual changes after COVID-19 vaccine
administration.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Methods: A total of 14,153 women (mean age 31.5 ± 9.3 years old) who had received the full course of vaccination at
least three months earlier were included in this cross-sectional study. Data including the type of vaccine administered,
perceived changes in the amount and duration of menstrual bleeding, presence of clots, cycle length, and premenstrual
symptoms were collected through a retrospective online survey from June to September 2021.
Results: Of the women who participated in this study, 3136 reported no menstrual changes and 11,017 (78% of the
study sample) reported experiencing menstrual cycle changes after vaccination. In summary, women who reported
menstrual changes after vaccination were older (overall p < 0.001) and slightly more smokers (p = 0.05) than women
who did not report any changes. The most prevalent changes in relation to premenstrual symptoms were increased
fatigue (43%), abdominal bloating (37%), irritability (29%), sadness (28%), and headaches (28%). The most predominant
menstrual changes were more menstrual bleeding (43%), more menstrual pain (41%), delayed menstruation (38%), fewer
days of menstrual bleeding (34.5%), and shorter cycle length (32%).
Conclusion: Women vaccinated against COVID-19 usually perceive mild menstrual and premenstrual changes. Future
studies are warranted to clarify the physiological mechanisms behind these widely reported changes.Antonio Chamorro-Alejandro Otero Research Chair, University of Granad
A 16-week multicomponent exercise training program improves menopause-related symptoms in middle-aged women. The FLAMENCO project randomized control trial
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the influence of a supervised multicomponent exercise training program on menopause-related symptoms, particularly vasomotor symptoms (VMS), in middle-aged women.
Methods: A total of 112 middle-aged women (mean age 52 4 y old, age range 45-60 y) from the FLAMENCO
project (exercise [n ¼ 59] and counseling [n ¼ 53] groups) participated in this randomized controlled trial (perprotocol basis). The exercise group followed a multicomponent exercise program composed of 60-minute sessions
3 days per week for 16 weeks. The 15-item Cervantes Menopause and Health Subscale was used to assess the
frequency of menopause-related symptoms.
Results: After adjusting for body mass index and Mediterranean diet adherence, the subscales measuring
menopause-related symptoms and VMSs decreased 4.6 more in the exercise group compared to the counseling
group (between-group differences [B]: 95% CI: -8.8 to -0.2; P ¼ 0.040). The exercise group also showed significant
improvements in the subscales of couple relationships (between-group differences [B]: -1.87: 95% CI: -3.29 to -
0.45; P ¼ 0.010), psychological state (between-group differences [B]: -2.3: 95% CI: -5 to -0.2; P ¼ 0.035), and
VMSs (between-group differences [B]: -4.5: 95% CI: -8.8 to -0.2; p ¼ 0.040) in the Cervantes Menopause and
Health Subscale compared with the counseling group.
Conclusions: A 16-week multicomponent physical exercise program showed a positive effect on menopauserelated symptoms especially in couple relationships, psychological state, and VMS, among 45 to 60 year old women
Exercise, Mediterranean Diet Adherence or Both during Pregnancy to Prevent Postpartum Depression—GESTAFIT Trial Secondary Analyses
Targeting lifestyle behaviors during pregnancy is crucial to prevent the highly prevalent postpartum depression and its consequences. In these secondary analyses of an intervention trial to investigate the effects of concurrent exercise training on postpartum depression, we aimed to investigate the potential role of Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence on the exercise effects. A total of 85 pregnant women met the per-protocol criteria (exercise n = 46, control n = 39). The exercise program was delivered in 60 min sessions, 3 days/week, from the 17th gestational week until birth. Women's dietary habits were assessed with a food frequency questionnaire. The Mediterranean Food Pattern (an MD index) was derived from it to assess MD adherence. We used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to assess postpartum depression. The postpartum depression score was not statistically different between control and exercise groups (p > 0.05). A higher consumption of fruits (beta = -0.242, p = 0.022), lower intake of red meat and subproducts (beta = 0.244, p = 0.020), and a greater MD adherence (beta = -0.236, p = 0.027) were associated with lower levels of postpartum depression. Greater adherence to the MD during pregnancy was associated with fewer depressive symptoms and a lower risk of postpartum depression. Postnatal depression was not reduced by prenatal exercise. Promoting fruit consumption while controlling the intake of red meat during pregnancy might prevent postnatal depression.Regional Ministry of Health of the Junta de Andalucia PI-0395-2016Research and Knowledge Transfer Fund (PPIT) 2016, Excellence Actions Programme: Scientific Units of Excellence (UCEES)Regional Ministry of Economy, Knowledge, Enterprises, and UniversityEuropean Regional Development Funds of the University of Granada SOMM17/6107/UGRSpanish Government FPU17/0371
Associations of Mediterranean diet with psychological ill‑being and well‑being throughout the pregnancy course: The GESTAFIT project
Purpose The relation between diet and maternal mental health during pregnancy might be relevant to prevent adverse
materno-foetal outcomes. This study examined the association of Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence and MD components
with mental health during pregnancy.
Methods This secondary analysis of the GESTAFIT trial included longitudinal data from 152 pregnant women. Dietary
habits were assessed with a food frequency questionnaire, and MD adherence was derived from it using the Mediterranean
Food pattern. Psychological ill-being (i.e., negative affect, anxiety, and depression) and well-being (i.e., emotional intelligence,
resilience, positive affect) were assessed with the Spanish version of well-established self-reported questionnaires.
Cross-sectional (16th gestational week [g.w.]) and longitudinal associations (34th g.w.) between MD and mental health were
studied using linear regression models.
Results A greater MD adherence was inversely associated with negative affect and anxiety; and positively associated with
emotional regulation, resilience and positive affect at the 16th and 34th g.w. (|β| ranging from 0.179 to 0.325, all p < 0.05).
Additionally, a higher intake of whole grain cereals, fruits, vegetables, fish, olive oil and nuts, and a lower intake of red meat
and subproducts and sweets were associated with lower negative affect, anxiety, depression and higher emotional regulation,
resilience and positive affect throughout gestation (|β| ranging from 0.168 to 0.415, all p < 0.05).
Conclusion A higher intake of whole grain cereals, fruits, vegetables, fish, olive oil and nuts, together with a lower intake of
red meat and sweets, resulted in a higher MD adherence, which was associated with a better mental health during pregnancy.Universidad de Granada /CBUA
The Regional Ministry of Health of the Junta de Andalucía (PI-0395–2016)
The Research and Knowledge Transfer Fund (PPIT) 2016, Excellence Actions Programme: Scientific Units of Excellence (UCEES), and the Regional Ministry of Economy, Knowledge, Enterprises and University, European Regional Development Funds (SOMM17/6107/UGR) of the University of Granada.
Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (Grant number FPU17/03715).
The Swedish Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare (2021-00036)
Assessment of different spent mushroom substrates to bioremediate soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons
Bioremediation techniques are being developed as substitutes for physical–chemical methodologies that are expensive and not sustainable. For example, using the agricultural waste spent mushroom substrate (SMS) which contains valuable microbiota for soil bioremediation. In this work, SMSs of four cultivated fungal species, Pleurotus eryngii, Lentinula edodes, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Agaricus bisporus were evaluated for the bioremediation of soils contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs). The bioremediation test was carried out by mixing the four different SMSs with the TPH-contaminated soil in comparison with an unamended soil control to assess its natural attenuation. To determine the most efficient bioremediation strategy, hydrolase, dehydrogenase, and ligninolytic activities, ergosterol content, and percentage of TPHs degradation (total and by chains) were determined at the end of the assay at 40 days. The application of SMS significantly improved the degradation of TPHs with respect to the control. The most effective spent mushroom substrate to degrade TPHs was A. bisporus, followed by L. edodes and P. ostreatus. Similar results were obtained for the removal of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. The results showed the effectiveness of SMS to remove aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons from C10 to C35. This work demonstrates an alternative to valorizing an abundant agricultural waste as SMS to bioremediate contaminated soil
Effects of a concurrent exercise training program on low back and sciatic pain and pain disability in late pregnancy
Objective: The aim of the present study was to explore the influence of a concurrent exercise (aerobic + resistance) training program, from the 17th gestational week (g.w.) until birth on low back and sciatic pain, and pain disability. A total of 93 pregnant women divided into exercise (n = 49) and control (n = 44) groups followed a 60-min, 3 days/week, concurrent exercise training. Methods: Low back and sciatic pain were measured with a Visual Analogic Scale (VAS). The disability resulting from pain was assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Measures were performed at the 16th and 34th g.w. Results: The exercise group increased 21.9 mm less the VAS low back (between-group differences (B): 95% CI: −33.6 to −10.2; p < 0.001) and 12.9 mm less the VAS sciatica score (between-group differences: 95% CI (B): −21.8 to −4.0; p = 0.005) than the control group. Regarding the ODI questionnaire, the exercise group increased 0.7, 0.5, and 0.7 less than the control group in pain while sleeping (between-group differences (B): 95% CI: −1.4 to −0.01; p = 0.025), pain while lifting weight (between-group differences (B): 95% CI: −0.9 to −0.01; p = 0.016), and limitations of the social life due to pain (between-group differences(B): 95% CI: −1.3 to −0.06; p = 0.032). Furthermore, the exercise group suffered 6.9% less pain than the control group in the ODI total score (between-group differences (B): 95% CI: −13.9 to 0.053; p = 0.052). Conclusion: This concurrent exercise training program adapted to pregnant women improved pain compared to controls.Funding information Regional Ministry of Health of the Junta de Andalucía, Grant/Award Number: PI-0395-2016; Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports, Grant/Award Number: FPU17/03715; University of Granada, Excellence actions: Units of Excellence; Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES), and by the Junta de Andalucía, Consejería de Conocimiento, Investigación y Universidades and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Grant/ Award Number: REF. SOMM17/6107/UGR10 página
Association of Self-Reported Physical Fitness during Late Pregnancy with Birth Outcomes and Oxytocin Administration during Labour—The GESTAFIT Project
We explored (a) the associations between self-reported maternal physical fitness and birth
outcomes; (b) whether self-reported maternal physical fitness (PF) is related to the administration of
oxytocin to induce or stimulate labour. Pregnant women from the GESTAFIT project randomized
controlled trial (n = 117) participated in this prospective longitudinal study. Maternal physical
fitness was assessed through the International Fitness Scale at the 34th gestational week. Maternal
and neonatal birth outcomes and oxytocin administration were collected from the obstetric medical
records. Umbilical arterial and venous cord blood gas were analysed immediately after birth. Selfreported overall fitness, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and flexibility were not related
to any maternal and neonatal birth outcomes (all p > 0.05). Greater speed-agility was associated with
a more alkaline arterial (p = 0.04) and venous (p = 0.02) pH in the umbilical cord blood. Women who
were administered oxytocin to induce or stimulate labour reported lower cardiorespiratory fitness
(p = 0.013, Cohen’s d = 0.55; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.14, 0.93) and flexibility (p = 0.040, Cohen´s
d = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.89) compared to women who were not administered oxytocin. Greater
maternal physical fitness during pregnancy could be associated with better neonatal birth outcomes
and lower risk of needing oxytocin administration.Regional Ministry of Health of the Junta
de Andalucía (PI-0395-2016)Research and Knowledge Transfer Fund (PPIT) 2016, Excellence Actions Programme: Scientific Units of Excellence (UCEES)Regional Ministry of
Economy, Knowledge, EnterprisesUniversity, European Regional Development Funds (ref.
SOMM17/6107/UGR)Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture
and Sports (Grant number FPU17/03715
Physical fitness and maternal body composition indices during pregnancy and postpartum: the GESTAFIT project
ABSTRACT
We explored the association of physical fitness (PF) during pregnancy with maternal body
composition indices along pregnancy and postpartum period. The study comprised 159
pregnant women (32.9 ± 4.7 years old). Assessments were carried out at the 16th and 34th
gestational weeks (g.w.) and six weeks postpartum. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscular
strength (absolute and relative values) and flexibility were measured. Body composition indices
were obtained by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at postpartum. The results, after
adjusting for potential covariates at the 16th g.w., indicated that greater CRF was associated
with lower postpartum indices total fat mass, android and gynoid fat mass (all, p < 0.05). Greater
absolute upper-body muscular strength was associated with greater pre-pregnancy body mass
index (BMI), gestational weight gain (GWG); and postpartum indices body weight, BMI, lean
mass, fat free mass, fat mass, gynoid fat mass, T-score and Z-score bone mineral density (BMD)
(all, p < 0.05). Greater upper-body flexibility was associated with lower pre-pregnancy BMI; and
postpartum indices body weight, BMI, lean mass, fat free mass, fat mass, android fat mass and
gynoid fat mass, and with greater GWG (all, p < 0.05). At the 34th g.w., greater CRF was
additionally associated with greater postpartum T-score and Z-score BMD (both, p < 0.05). In
conclusion, this study reveals that greater PF levels, especially during early pregnancy, may
promote a better body composition in the postpartum period. Therefore, clinicians and health
promoters should encourage women to maintain or improve PF levels from early pregnancy.
KEYWORDS
Cardiorespiratory fitness;
strength; flexibility; bone
density; gestation
Highlights
. Given that obesity is on the rise today, it is important to find strategies to cope with it, especially
during pregnancy.
. The results of the present study suggest that greater physical fitness during early pregnancy is
key to promoting better body composition in the postpartum period.
. It should be of clinical interest to encourage pregnant women to maintain or improve their
physical fitness levels
Influence of an exercise intervention plus an optimal Mediterranean diet adherence during pregnancy on the telomere length of the placenta. The GESTAFIT project
We aimed to investigate whether the effects of exercise on placental relative telomere length (RTL) after delivery
are modulated by the Mediterranean diet [MD] adherence in 65 pregnant women (control n = 34, exercise n =
31). No differences were found in placental RTL between the exercise and the control groups (p = 0.557). The
interaction-term between exercise and MD adherence with placental RTL was significant (p = 0.001). Specifically,
women in the exercise group showed longer placental RTL after birth compared to controls (referent
group), only for those women with a high MD adherence (mean difference = 0.467, p=0.010). A concurrentexercise
training plus an optimal MD adherence during pregnancy might prevent the placental RTL shorteningRegional Ministry of Health of the Junta de Andalucia PI -0395-2016Research and Knowledge Transfer Fund (PPIT) 2016Excellence Actions Programme: Scientific Units of Excellence (UCEES)European Commission 2021 - 00036Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life & Welfare (Forte) 101027215European Commission FPU17/03715Regional Ministry of Economy, Knowledge, Enterprises and Universit
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