The Impact Of A Modera TE Excercise Programme On Serum Interleukin-2 And Interleukin-4 Levels Among Secondary School Children

Cytokines are soluble glycoproteins that mediate cOlntnunication between and within imnlune and non-imtl1une cells. An alteration of cytokine production will impair the ilnrl1Une response and function. Previous studies on the ill1pact of exercise on cytokines have not been conclusive. Most studies were centered on adults and there is a lack of data about the correlation between exercise and cytokines on adolescents. The purpose of this investigation therefore, was to detennine the effect of Illoderate exercise on some cytokine levels in adolescence. Thirt

The association between physical fitness with successful ageing and risk of cognitive impairment among malaysian older adults

The expansion of ageing population has gained much public attention on the importance of healthy and successful ageing, which is absence of major chronic diseases, preserved physiological and cognitive functioning and active engagement with life. Previous studies have found there was a significant correlation between physical fitness with cognition. However, the relationship between physical fitness with successful and unsuccessful cognitive ageing groups are very limited. This study was aimed to identify the significant physical fitness components that contribute in reducing risk of cognitive decline represented as different cognitive ageing groups. A total of 300 community-based elderly aged 60 and above from the states of Selangor, Perak and Kelantan were recruited using multistage random sampling method in this cross-sectional study. Cognitive function of subjects was categorized into three groups, namely Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) (n = 100), Usual Ageing (UA) (n = 100) and Successful Ageing (SA) (n = 100) based on defined criteria. Senior Fitness Tests included 2-minute step, handgrip strength, chair stand, chair sit-and-reach, 8 foot up-and-go and back scratch were measured to determine the cardiorespiratory fitness; muscle strength; agility and flexibility of subjects. SA group had significantly better performance than non-SA groups in all fitness components, except for chair sit-and-reach. After controlling for age, gender, education years and smoking status, handgrip strength and chair stand tests were associated with a reduced risk of MCI by 7% [OR: 0.93, 95% C.I: 0.88-0.99, p < 0.05] and 15% [OR: 0.85, 95% C.I: 0.75-0.95, p < 0.01], respectively. These findings suggest that older adults with higher upper and lower body muscular strength could serve as protective factors for cognitive impairment. Further research is warranted to evaluate the mechanism of physical and cognitive decline such as Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCR) in more detailed for the purpose for promoting healthy and successful ageing

Breathing exercise for hypertensive patients: A scoping review

Background: Non-pharmacological management of hypertension includes weight loss, alcohol and sodium restriction, regular exercise, and relaxation. In people with overweight hypertension, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) can be decreased via exercise and weight loss together. Breathing exercises are one method of relaxing.Objectives: The aim of this scoping review is to map the information that is currently available about the advantages of breathing exercises in decreasing blood pressure in hypertension patients.Methods: This scoping review adheres to Arksey and O’Malley’s framework, which entails identifying review questions, seeking pertinent evidence, choosing pertinent studies, mapping data, and discussing, concluding, and reporting the findings. The PRISMA flowchart is used to show how the evidence search process works.Results: As a result, 339 articles in total were retrieved from the three databases. 20 papers total were included in this review after screening. In 14 of the 20 investigations, participants with stage 1 and stage 2 essential hypertension, two with pre-hypertension, and four with Isolated Systolic Hypertension (ISH) were studied. The respondents’ ages ranged from 18 to 75. The systolic blood pressure declined by 4–54.22 mmHg, while the diastolic blood pressure dropped by 3–17 mmHg.Conclusion: Slow breathing can be used as an alternate, non-pharmacological therapy for hypertension individuals to reduce blood pressure.Systematic Review Registration: (https://osf.io/ta9u6/)

Effects of aerobic exercise and dietary flavonoids on cognition: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Studies have shown that exercise increases angiogenesis and perfusion in the hippocampus, activates neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus and increases synaptic plasticity, as well as increases the complexity and number of dendritic spines, all of which promote memory function and protect against cognitive decline. Flavonoids are gaining attention as antioxidants in health promotion due to their rich phenolic content, particularly for their modulating role in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Despite this, there has been no comprehensive review of cognitive improvement supplemented with flavonoid and prescribed with exercise or a combination of the two interventions has been conducted. The purpose of this review is to determine whether a combined intervention produces better results when given together than when given separately.Methods: Relevant articles assessing the effect of physical exercise, flavonoid or in combination on cognitive related biomarkers and neurobehavioral assessments within the timeline of January 2011 until June 2023 were searched using three databases; PubMed, PROQUEST and SCOPUS.Results: A total of 705 articles were retrieved and screened, resulting in 108 studies which are in line with the objective of the current study were included in the analysis.Discussion: The selected studies have shown significant desired effect on the chosen biomarkers and neurobehavioral assessments.Systematic Review Registration: identifier: [CRD42021271001]

Effects of a 16-week, home-based, high-intensity, progressive resistance training program on glucose homeostasis, cardiovascular disease risk factors and functional capacity of older Malaysians with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Ageing is an inevitable process and it is associated with multiple chronic diseases,one of which is Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). An increasing ageing population in Malaysia means that medical problems which affect the elderly are on the rise. Research has proven that aerobic exercise improves glucose homeostasis. However,the dose and setting in which tests were applied in current research are not viable for implementation on the elderly especially within the general population. Homebased Progressive Resistance Training (PRT) could be an alternative solution, as it promotes favourable improvement on the conditions of the elderly with T2DM. The hypothesis of this study which was a 16-week home-based PRT is associated with a significant improvement on T2DM management among the elderly. In this regard,the aim of this study was to measure the effects of a 16-week home-base high intensity PRT on glucose homeostasis, risk factors and functional capacity among elderly subjects with T2DM. The study also intends to assess the occurrence of adverse events following the exercise protocol. The sample size calculation was done using G-power with Type I and Type II errors set at 5%, effect size f at 0.25. To achieve the predetermined study power, a total of 70 patients, aged 61.7 ± 5.5 years (intervention, n = 35 vs. control, n = 35) attending the Serdang Hospital participated in this quasi-experimental trial. The whole body exercise training regime consisted of 2 main parts: a one-to-one training session for the first two weeks for familiarization and a home-based exercise program for the remaining 14 weeks with monthly follow-ups. Glucose homeostasis (HbA1c and fasting blood glucose level, FBG), body composition (body mass, BMI, fat and muscle mass),cardiovascular risk factors (blood lipid profile, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP), resting heart rate, and ankle-brachial index and functional capacity (Sit-to-Stand Test, Stair Climb Test, 6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT), static balance and muscle strength) were measured before and after intervention. With the exception of systolic blood pressure (p < .05), the results revealed no significant difference between intervention and control groups in all variables observed at the baseline prior to commencement of training. The post-intervention measurements showed significant reduction in HbA1c (14.3%, p < .001), FBG (14.1%, p < .001),body mass (0.8%, p < .05), body fat mass (0.9%, p < .05) and systolic blood pressure (1.1%, p < .05). There were significant improvements in functional capacity, i.e. Sitto-Stand (15.2%, p < .001), Stair Climb (11.4%, p < .001) and 6MWT (9.1%, p < .001). Muscle strength also improved significantly, i.e. hand grip strength (7.2%, p < .01),upper body strength (34.0%, p < .05) and lower body strength (48.3%, p < .05). No significant improvements were observed in diastolic blood pressure, heart rate,BMI, lipid profile, static balance and ankle brachial index. There were no significant complications or adverse events reported. This study suggests the exercise regime implemented is effective and caused no adverse events in improving glycemic control, and the functional capacity among the Malaysian elderly with T2DM

Identification of Neuroprotective Factors Associated with Successful Ageing and Risk of Cognitive Impairment among Malaysia Older Adults

The increase of ageing population has raised public attention on the concept of successful ageing. Studies have shown that vitamin D, telomere length, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have been associated with cognitive function. Therefore, this study aimed to identify neuroprotective factors for cognitive decline in different ageing groups. A total of 300 older adults aged 60 years and above were recruited in this population based cross-sectional study. Participants were categorized into three groups: mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n=100), usual ageing (UA) (n=100), and successful ageing (SA) (n=100). Dietary vitamin D intake was assessed through Diet History Questionnaire (DHQ). Out of the 300 participants, only 150 were subjected to fasting blood sample collection. These samples were used for serum vitamin D and plasma BDNF measurements. Whole blood telomere length was measured using RT-PCR method. The results show that the reduction of the risk of MCI was achieved by higher serum vitamin D level (OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.92–0.99, p<0.05), higher plasma BDNF level (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.30–0.88,  p<0.05), and longer telomere (OR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95–0.99,  p<0.001). In conclusion, participants with higher vitamin D level, higher BDNF level, and longer telomere length were more likely to age successfully

The Effects of High Intensity Progressive Resistance Training on Psychological Stress and Biochemicals Parameters

Stress is a common problem among university students and studies showed that involvement in exercise could help in reducing stress. However, information regarding the effect of high intensity progressive resistance training (PRT) using a resistant tube on stress among inactive and moderate active young male university students is limited. Hence, the aim of this study is to examine the effect of high intensity PRT using a resistant tube on psychological stress level, cortisol, DHEA and physical fitness in this population. A total of 30 male university students were participated in this quasi-experiment study. Intervention group (n = 14, age: 21.50 ± 1.37 yr) was participaned to carry out high intensity PRT by using resistant tube 3 times per week for 10 weeks; control group (n = 16, age: 21.29 ± 1.86 yr) was asked to continue their current lifestyle as usual. Before and after 10 weeks of intervention, psychological stress was measured by using PSS and SLSI questionnaires; cortisol and DHEA level were measured by using ELISA method. Timed up-and-go (TUG) used to examine dynamic balance and handgrip strength test used to measure muscle strength. Findings showed that the increased of DHEA level after 10 weeks of intervention was significantly difference between control and intervention groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant group difference in changes over time in anthropometric and body composition measurements, stress scores, cortisol level and physical fitness. High intensity PRT using resistant tube may be beneficial in increasing DHEA level among young male adults, which can act as a stress biochemical indicator

Factors associated with motoric cognitive risk syndrome among low-income older adults in Malaysia

© 2019 The Author(s). Background: Motoric cognitive risk (MCR) syndrome is characterized by slow gait and memory complaints that could be used to predict an increased risk of dementia. This study aims to determine the MCR syndrome and its risk factors among low-income (B40) older adults in Malaysia. Methods: Data from TUA cohort study involving 1366 older adults (aged 60 years and above) categorized as low-income were analysed, for risk of MCR syndrome based on defined criteria. Chi-square analysis and independent t test were employed to examine differences in socioeconomic, demographic, chronic diseases and lifestyle factors between MCR and non-MCR groups. Risk factors of MCR syndrome were determined using hierarchical logistic regression. Results: A total of 3.4% of participants fulfilled the criteria of MCR syndrome. Majority of them were female (74.5%, p = 0.001), single/widow/widower/divorced (55.3%, p = 0.002), living in rural area (72.3%, p = 0.011), older age (72.74 ± 7.08 year old, p \u3c 0.001) and had lower years of education (3.26 ± 2.91 years, p = 0.001) than non-MCR group. After adjustment for age, gender and years of education, participants living in rural area (Adjusted OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.10-4.35, p = 0.026), with obesity (Adjusted OR = 3.82, 95% CI = 1.70-8.57, p = 0.001), diabetes (Adjusted OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.01-4.11, p = 0.046), heart disease (Adjusted OR = 2.50, 95% CI = 1.00-6.20, p = 0.049) and cancer (Adjusted OR = 6.57, 95% CI = 1.18-36.65, p = 0.032) were associated with increased risk of MCR syndrome. Conclusion: Only 3.4% of older adults from low-income group were identified as having MCR syndrome. Women, those living in rural areas, had obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer were more likely to have MCR syndrome. Further investigation on MCR as a predementia syndrome will help in development of preventive strategies and interventions to reduce the growing burden of dementia, especially among individuals with low socioeconomic status