Resistance Exercise Program in Cognitively Normal Older Adults : CERT-Based Exercise Protocol of the AGUEDA Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives To provide a comprehensive CERT (Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template)-based description of the resistance exercise program implemented in the AGUEDA (Active Gains in brain Using Exercise During Aging) study, a randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of a 24-week supervised resistance exercise program on executive function and related brain structure and function in cognitively normal older adults. Design and Participants 90 cognitively normal older adults aged 65 to 80 were randomized (1:1) to a: 1) resistance exercise group; or a 2) wait-list control group. Participants in the exercise group (n = 46) performed 180 min/week of resistance exercise (3 supervised sessions per week, 60 min/session) for 24 weeks. Intervention The exercise program consisted of a combination of upper and lower limb exercises using elastic bands and the participant’s own body weight as the main resistance. The load and intensity were based on the resistance of the elastic bands (7 resistances), number of repetitions (individualized), motor complexity of exercises (3 levels), sets and rest (3 sets/60 sec rest), execution time (40–60 sec) and velocity (as fast as possible). Settings The maximum prescribed-target intensity was 70–80% of the participants’ maximum rate of perceived exertion (7–8 RPE). Heart rate, sleep quality and feeling scale were recorded during all exercise sessions. Those in the wait-list control group (n = 44) were asked to maintain their usual lifestyle. The feasibility of AGUEDA project was evaluated by retention, adherence, adverse events and cost estimation on the exercise program. Results and Conclusions This study details the exercise program of the AGUEDA trial, including well-described multi-language manuals and videos, which can be used by public health professionals, or general public who wish to implement a feasible and low-cost resistance exercise program. The AGUEDA exercise program seems to be feasible by the high retention (95.6%) and attendance rate (85.7%), very low serious adverse event (1%) and low economic cost (144.23 € /participant/24 weeks). We predict that a 24-week resistance exercise program will have positive effects on brain health in cognitively normal older adults.peerReviewe

Identifying signatures of natural selection in cork oak (Quercus suber L.) genes through SNP analysis

Cork oak (Quercus suber L.) is an evergreen tree species endemic to the western Mediterranean Basin with a major economical, social and ecological relevance, associated withcorkextractionandexploitation.In the last years,corkoak stands have been facing a significant decline, which may be aggravated by the climate changes that are predicted to occur within cork oak distribution range during this century. Under this scenario, the assessment of adaptive genetic variation is essential to understand how cork oak may cope with these threats and to delineate strategies for the management of its genetic resources. In this study, six candidate genes possibly significant for environmental adaptation were analysed in cork oak populations from its entire distribution range. Signatures of natural selection were investigated using population genetic statistics and environmental association tests under alternative scenarios of population genetic structure. Signals of balancing selection were detected in the putative non-expressor of pathogenesis-related gene 1 (NPR1), involved in plant defence response against pathogens, in auxin response factor 16 (ARF16), a gene implicated in root development, in RAN3, also involved in developmental processes, and in glutamine synthetase nodule isozyme (GS), involved in nitrogen fixation. Furthermore, for ARF16,aclass I heat shock protein (sHSP) and GS, associations were found between SNP allele and haplotype frequencies and several spatial and climatic variables, suggesting that these genes may have a role on cork oak local adaptation. In this study, the first steps were taken into gathering information on cork oak adaptation to environmental conditions