Marcela Rojas-Vargas

Introduction: Metabolic inflexibility is a hallmark of cardiometabolic disease characterized by deficiency in mitochondrial substrate selection. Objective: To estimate the potential effects of eight weeks of resistance training (RT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on metabolic flexibility (METf) and body composition in people with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF). Results: after the intervention, both groups showed changes in metabolic flexibility estimators: respiratory exchange ratio de-creased (RT: Δ=-0.100 [95%CI -0.179, -0.021]; HIIT: Δ=-0.038 [95%CI -0.060, -0.017]), fat oxidation increased (RT: Δ=19.0 g/d [95%CI 1.9, 36.1]; HIIT: Δ=13.0 g/d [95%CI 1.6, 24.4]) and energy expenditure derived from lipids increased (RT: Δ=7.57 kcal/h [95%CI 0.76, 14.39]; HIIT: Δ=4.83 kcal/h [95%CI 0.72, 8.95]), with estimates suggesting favorable effects for RT but with wide confidence intervals (ΔΔ=-0.062 [95%CI -0.141, 0.018], g=-0.89 for RER). Changes in body composition were modest in both groups. Discussion: these results suggest that both RT and HIIT are strategies that could improve metabolic flexibility in people with cardiovascular risk, regardless of substantial changes in body composition. Conclusions: both modalities represent potential therapeutic tools to counteract metabolic inflexibility, although studies with larger sample sizes are required to obtain conclusive evidence on possible differences between them.

Este artículo presenta una investigación cuyo objetivo es evaluar la experiencia formativa de los/as estudiantes de una casa de estudios de nivel superior tras su participación en una instancia de Aprendizaje y Servicio (A+S). Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo que incluyó a 30 estudiantes (20 mujeres, 10 hombres) que tenían una edad promedio de 22,2 ± 3,3 años y pertenecían a las carreras de Kinesiología, Enfermería y Nutrición y Dietética de la Universidad San Sebastián, sede Valdivia. La recolección de datos se llevó a cabo mediante un cuestionario en línea previamente validado, con valores de 1 a 5 (donde 1 es poco y 5 es mucho) que evaluaba las áreas de servicio, competencias, participación y transversal. Este cuestionario fue completado tras finalizar la participación en el proyecto de vinculación con el medio “Vínculos, vivamos sin dolor” y aplicar la metodología de A+S. Los resultados de la investigación indican que la experiencia formativa de los/as estudiantes que participaron en una instancia de A+S fue altamente positiva. Estos resultados recomiendan la implementación de este tipo de actividades como metodología para la formación integral de los/as estudiantes.

Physical inactivity is associated with reduced physical fitness (PF) in older women with impaired cardiometabolic health. Although exercise has been shown to improve PF, interindividual variability in response and adaptation changes over time remain unclear. This study evaluated the effects of eight weeks of resistance training (RT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on body composition, isometric strength, and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in older women with impaired cardiometabolic health. Additionally, the study explored the reduction of non-responders (NRs) and adaptation changes over time. This randomized clinical trial involved 36 older women (64 ± 8.4 years; BMI: 31.8 ± 5.5) with impaired cardiometabolic health, divided into RT-G (n = 12; 62 ± 7 years; BMI: 32.2 ± 4.1), HIIT-G (n = 12; 66 ± 10 years; BMI: 31.2 ± 4.1), and CG (n = 12; 64 ± 9 years; BMI: 31.8 ± 6) groups. RT-G performed elastic band exercises, and HIIT-G performed cycle ergometer intervals. BMI, body fat, lean mass, isometric strength, and 6MWT were measured at baseline and at four and eight weeks. The Student’s t-test was applied for normally distributed variables and the Mann–Whitney U test for non-normal variables. Intra- and inter-group differences were analyzed using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA, considering group, time, and their interaction. Post-hoc comparisons were conducted using the Bonferroni test. Individual responses (IR) were calculated using the equation proposed by Hopkins: SDIR = √(SDExp2 − SDCon2). The prevalence of responders (Rs) and non-responders (NRs) was expressed as a percentage, and percentage changes from baseline to weeks four and eight were used to evaluate adaptations dynamics. By week eight, isometric strength in RT-G significantly improved from 21.3 ± 4.4 to 24.37 ± 3.99 kg (p = 0.027; 95% CI: 1.8, 4.3 kg; Cohen’s d = 0.731) and 6MWT distance in HIIT-G increased from 441.0 ± 48.9 to 480.0 ± 53.0 m. (p = 0.002; 95% CI: 22, 55 m; Cohen’s d = 0.757). Both protocols reduced NRs for body fat, lean mass, and 6MWT. Responders showed greater adaptations in the first four weeks, stabilizing by week eight. RT and HIIT improved PF in older women with impaired cardiometabolic health, reducing NRs in terms of body composition and 6MWT over eight weeks, with similar adaptation changes over time among the responders. These findings highlight the importance of individualized exercise interventions to maximize health benefits. This study was part of a trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT06201273). Date: 22/12/2023.

Background: This study evaluated the effects of resistance training (RT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in hypertensive older adults undergoing pharmacological therapy over four and eight weeks. We compared the efficacy of RT and HIIT in reducing non-responders (NRs) between weeks 4 and 8 and analyzed time-course adaptations in NRs and responders (Rs). Methods: Thirty-nine participants were randomized into RT-G (n = 13), HIIT-G (n = 13), or control (CG, n = 13) groups. RT utilized elastic bands, and HIIT involved cycle ergometers, with three weekly 30 min sessions for 8 weeks. SBP and DBP were measured before intervention and at weeks 4 and 8, respectively. Individual responses were classified as NRs or Rs using the Hopkins method (SDIR = √[SDExp2–SDCon2]). Time-course adaptations were evaluated. Results: Both the RT-G and HIIT-G reduced SBP at 8 weeks (RT-G: −13 mmHg; [ES: 1.12]; HIIT-G: −12 mmHg [ES: 0.8]; both p < 0.05). The proportion of NRs for SBP decreased from 46% to 38% in RT-G and 69% to 46% in HIIT-G. Rs showed a peak SBP reduction at 4 weeks (−14.7 and −25.5 mmHg), stabilizing by week 8 (−22.8 and −19.6 mmHg) in RT-G and HIIT-G, respectively. Conclusion: Eight weeks of RT and HIIT effectively reduced SBP and NR prevalence, with time-course adaptations favoring Rs.

Purpose: It aimed at describing the perception of the clinical educational environment by physiotherapy students based on the Postgraduate Hospital Educational Environment Measurement Questionnaire in Chile.Methods: The clinical education environment was evaluated according to the Postgraduate Hospital Educational Environment Measure (PHEEM) by 192 students originally enrolled in the fifth year of the physiotherapy career at 3 different headquarters of the academic institution: Santiago, Viña del Mar, and Concepcion Campus (Metropolitan, Valparaiso, and Bio Bio region, respectively), from March to October 2018. The Cronbach’s α was applied to measure the reliability of the instrument and the Student-t and analysis of variance tests were used to compare the differences of PHEEM scores by headquarters, environmental areas, and experience of internship.Results: A total overall average score of 125.88 was obtained, which meant an excellent educational environment. The overall score was 127.6±22.7 for headquarters 1, 125.6±21.6 for headquarters 2, and 122.5±26.9 for headquarters 3. According to the type of establishment, the scores were of 127.1±22.1 for private and 123.5±26.3 for public institutes. According to the type of area, the score was cataloged as an excellent educational environment in all cases, except in the respiratory care area (lowest score, 117.5±29.1). Finally, the score was 126.9±20.5 for the first internship, 121.7±29.3 for the second, and 129.4±19.6 for the third.Conclusion: There is relative homogeneity of the clinical educational environment for different headquarters, types of establishment, or type of area; but there are significant differences in the number of the internship. The promotion of a good clinical educational environment can have an important impact on the development and performance of the future professional, being the detection of negative aspects an opportunity to improve the hidden curriculum.