Exercise and physical performance in older adults with sarcopenic obesity: a systematic review

Sarcopenic obesity is characterized by low muscle mass and high body fat; prevalence increases with age, particularly after age 65 years. For this systematic literature review we searched scientific databases for studies on exercise interventions for improving physical performance in adults with sarcopenic obesity; also, we identified potential gaps in clinical practice guidelines that need to be addressed

Microwave ablation of renal tumors: state of the art and development trends

In the last decades an increased incidence of new renal tumor cases has been for clinically localized, small tumors <2.0 cm. This trend for small, low-stage tumors is the reflection of earlier diagnosis primarily as a result of the widespread and increasing use of non-invasive abdominal imaging modalities such as ultrasound, computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Renal tumors are often diagnosed in elderly patients, with medical comorbidities whom the risk of surgical complications may pose a greater risk of death than that due to the tumor itself. In these patients, unsuitable for surgical approach, thermal ablation represents a valid alternative to traditional surgery. Thermal ablation is a less invasive, less morbid treatment option thanks to reduced blood loss, lower incidence of complications during the procedure and a less long convalescence. At present, the most widely used thermal ablative techniques are cryoablation, radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation (MWA). MWA offers many benefits of other ablation techniques and offers several other advantages: higher intratumoral temperatures, larger tumor ablation volumes, faster ablation times, the ability to use multiple applicators simultaneously, optimal heating of cystic masses and tumors close to the vessels and less procedural pain. This review aims to provide the reader with an overview about the state of the art of microwave ablation for renal tumors and to cast a glance on the new development trends of this technique

The effects of exercise and diet program in overweight people \u2013 Nordic walking versus walking

Purpose: Nordic walking (NW) has been recommended as a form of exercise for clinical populations. Despite intervention programs designed to face a clinical status may last several months, no longitudinal studies have compared the effect of NW to another usual form of exercise, like walking (W). We evaluated the effects of diet combined with a long-supervised NW versus W training on body composition, aerobic capacity and strength in overweight adults. Patients and methods: Thirty-eight participants, randomized into a NW (n=19, 66\ub17 years, body mass index (BMI) 33\ub15)) and a W (n=19, 66\ub18 years, BMI 32\ub15) group, followed a diet and a supervised training routine 3 times/week for 6 months. The variables assessed at baseline, after 3 and 6 months were: anthropometric indexes (ie, BMI and waist circumference (WC)), body composition, aerobic capacity (oxygen consumption (VO2peak), peak power output (PPO), 6-min walking test (6MWT)) and strength (maximal voluntary contraction of biceps brachialis (MVCBB) and quadriceps femoris (MVCQF), chair stand and arm curl (AC)). Results: After 6 months both NW and W group decreased significantly BMI (6% and 4%, respectively) and WC (8% and 4%, respectively), but only the NW group reduced (P&lt;0.05) total body fat (8%), android fat (14%) and leg fat (9%). After 6 months, PPO increased (P&lt;0.05) in both groups, but VO2peak improved (P&lt;0.05) only in the NW group (8%). After 6 months, 6MWT increased (P&lt;0.001) in both groups and only the NW group improved (P&lt;0.05) in MVCBB (14%), MVCQF (17%) and AC (35%). Conclusion: Our results suggest that NW can give in some relevant health parameters, greater and faster benefits than W. Thus, NW can be a primary tool to counteract the obesity and overweight state in middle-aged adults

Exploring the association between handgrip, lower limb muscle strength, and physical function in older adults: a narrative review

Widely used in daily practice, handgrip strength (HGS) is a low cost, easy-to-use, and portable test to assess overall muscle and physical function. It can be used as a stand-alone or a first-line tool for evaluating muscle weakness, though controversy surrounds its use for assessing global or lower limb muscle function. Lower limb mobility and physical activity are reduced with advancing age. This decline is difficult to quantify with isokinetic or isometric devices in routine settings (hospital and nursing home). For this narrative review we explored and summarized the findings of studies that investigated the association between HGS, lower limb muscle strength, and physical performance in older adults. The review also provides directions for future research. We noted contrasting findings for an association between HGS, lower limb strength, and physical performance. We found insufficient evidence for endorsing the handgrip dynamometer as a definitive tool for measuring overall muscle strength and physical function. More evidence is needed from comparable studies involving larger samples of men and women and investigating other areas such as lifestyle, daily physical activity levels, and health-related disorders

Heteronormativity, homophobia and transphobia in sport.

Sexism, heteronormativity and homo/transphobia are pervasive in every social institutions. In sport such culture is evident because the cultural frame is represented by a very strong sex-segregation. The marked difference between males and females can produce dangerous gender stereotypes facilitating the development of a heterosexist culture. Heterosexism is an integral part of the male identity and seems to be particularly evident in team sports. Men socialize their own identity in opposition to the feminine one perceiving themselves as stronger and more powerful. This dynamic creates serious problems for sexual minority youths who are affected by homophobia and genderism. The purpose of this study was to explore knowledge, opinions and attitudes related to gender and sexual issues in sport among 111 undergraduates attending the faculty of Movement Science at Parthenope University of Naples. Participants completed a questionnaire containing many questions about gender and sexual issues and homophobia and transphobia in sports field. In addition they completed also the Genderism and Transphobia Scale (GTS), the Homophobia Scale (HS) and the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI). Forty% of respondents have wrong notions about gender and sexual issues. Despite that and even though most of them have not directly experienced or witnessed homophobic or transphobic episodes in sport, homophobia and transphobia were considered as significant barriers to participation in sport. Furthermore, more than one third of both males and females showed high levels of sexism, although males had higher levels than females in sexist attitudes. As in sexism, males showed high levels than females in transphobia and homophobia too. Our results suggest the need of introducing specific training in the degree courses of Movement Science aimed to deconstruct gender and sexual stereotypes and prejudices

Is handgrip strength a marker of muscle and physical function of the lower limbs? Sex differences in older adults with obesity

Background and aims: In this cross-sectional study we investigate the association between handgrip strength (HGS) and muscle function of the lower limbs and the predictors of the appendicular lean mass index (ALMI) in older adults with obesity of both sexes. Methods and results: Eighty-four older (67 ± 5 years) men (N = 44) and women (N = 40) with obesity (body mass index (BMI) 33 ± 4 kg/m2) performed: the HGS, isokinetic knee extensors (KE) and flexors (KF) muscle strength and power and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). The correlation between HGS and lower limbs muscle function was evaluated, and four multiple hierarchical linear models were built to assess the contribution of each ALMI predictor (i.e., HGS, BMI, SPPB, muscle strength and power). In men, HGS was weakly-to-moderately associated (p &lt; 0.05) with KE, KF muscle function and physical performance. In women, HGS showed a weak association (p &lt; 0.05) with KE muscle function. The significant predictors of ALMI were only the BMI in women, whereas in the group of men BMI, KE maximal strength and power better explain the variance in ALMI than HGS alone. Conclusion: Our results suggest that HGS should not be used alone as a marker of lower muscle nor physical function. Sex differences exist with the BMI that is a contributor of ALMI both in men and women. However, at least in the group of men, markers related to strength and power of the lower limbs can better describe variations in ALMI compared to HGS in this kind of population