High-Intensity Interval and Resistance Training Improve Health Outcomes in Older Adults With Coronary Disease

Objective: Both high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and resistance exercises (R) are used in cardiac rehabilitation in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the combined effect of an HIIT þ R exercise program in older adults with CAD is not well investigated. The study's purpose was to assess the changes in anthropometric parameters, physical activity, functional capacity, physiological parameters, and quality of life (QoL) in this population following a combined HIIT þ R program. Design: The study was a 2-group (n ¼ 45 each) randomized controlled single-blinded trial. Setting and Participants: The study was done at a treatment clinic of a tertiary hospital. The mean age of participants was 69.23 4.9 years. The HIIT þ R group performed 8 sessions (1/wk) of HIIT þ R training. The 30 minutes of the active exercise phase consisted of ten 3-minute bouts. Each bout comprised of 1 minute of high-intensity treadmill walking at 85% to 90% maximum heart rate (MHR), followed by a low-intensity walking at 60%-70% MHR, followed by low-to moderate-intensity resistance training. The Usual Care group underwent conventional medical treatment. Measures: Anthropometric measurements [weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, body fat percentage, lean body mass], physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), functional capacity (Incremental Shuttle Walking Test), physiologic measurements (blood pressure, heart rate), and QoL (36-Item Short Form Health Survey) were measured pre- and postintervention. Results: Significant group and time interaction were found for the participants in the HIIT þ R Group for BMI (P ¼.001), body fat percentage (P ¼.001), waist circumference (P <.001), physical activity (P <.001), functional capacity (P <.001), and QoL (P ¼.001) compared with the UC Group. Significant improvement in systolic blood pressure (P ¼ .001) was seen in the HIIT þ R group. Conclusions and Implications: A combined HIIT þ R training protocol in older adults with CAD can be useful in producing desired health outcomes. Further evaluation of longer duration exercise programs with more frequent dosing needs to be evaluated for their benefits and sustainability

Deep sequencing of organ- and stage-specific micrornas in the evolutionarily basal insect Blattella germanica (L.) (Dictyoptera, Blattellidae)

Background: microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported as key regulators at post-transcriptional level in eukaryotic cells. In insects, most of the studies have focused in holometabolans while only recently two hemimetabolans (Locusta migratoria and Acyrthosiphon pisum) have had their miRNAs identified. Therefore, the study of the miRNAs of the evolutionarily basal hemimetabolan Blattella germanica may provide valuable insights on the structural and functional evolution of miRNAs