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- Exercise training decreases proinflammatory profile in Zucker diabetic (type 2) fatty ratsPublication . Teixeira-Lemos, Edite; Reis, F.; Baptista, S.; Pinto, R.; Sepodes, B.; Vala, Helena; Rocha-Pereira, P.; et al.Objective In the present study we evaluated the effect of exercise on the plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and the anti-inflammatory molecule uric acid in the Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats that are more prone to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods Sixteen obese ZDF (Gmi fa/fa) rats (8 wk old, 228.40 ± 4.05 g) were randomly assigned to one of two groups (n = 8 each): an exercise-trained group and a sedentary one. In addition, 16 lean ZDF (Gmi +/+) rats (8 wk old, 199.00 ± 3.50 g) were subjected to identical sedentary and exercise conditioning (n = 8 each). Initially, rats swam 15 min/d (5 d/wk) in a 36°C bath. The exercise protocol was gradually increased by 15 min/d until a swimming period of 1 h/d (1 wk) was attained. Thereafter, rats swam 1 h/d, 3 d/wk, for an additional period of 11 wk. Rats were sacrificed 48 h after the last training period and the blood and pancreas were collected. Circulating levels of glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, uric acid, IL-6, and TNF-α were assessed. The concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines in the pancreas were also evaluated. Results In the diabetic ZDF (fa/fa) rats, exercise decreased hyperuricemia (−37.3%) and IL-6 and TNF-α levels (−16.9% and −12.7% respectively) and maintained the weight of the pancreas at near normal. Immunohistochemistry revealed a marked decrease in the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in the pancreatic islet cells of ZDF (fa/fa) rats. Conclusion These results indicate that aerobic exercise is anti-inflammatory in nature.
- The Impact of Dual-Career Support Systems on Perceived Barriers Among European Student-Athletes with DisabilitiesPublication . Alejandro Leiva-Arcas; Raquel Vaquero-Cristóbal; Lourdes Meroño; María José Maciá-Andreu; Juan Alfonso García-Roca; Lucía Abenza-Cano; et al.; Pereira, Antonino: The aim of this study was to compare the socio-demographic, sporting characteristics and perceptions of student-athletes with disabilities of perceived barriers according to the state system of dual career support. Two hundred and twelve student-athletes with disabilities from two European countries with state centralisation in dual career-related education competences (n = 97) and three European countries with a laissez-faire system (n = 115) participated in this research. The perceptions of dual-career student-athletes (ESTPORT) questionnaire, the exercise benefits/barriers scale (EBBS), and the athletic identity measurement scale (AIMS) were used for data collection. Student-athletes in countries with laissez-faire systems perceived the difficulty of combining family care (p = 0.024; ES = 0.31), the time required to practice sport (p = 0.005; ES = 0.38), as well as the limitation of timetables (p < 0.001; ES = 0.52) and places that make sport practice possible (p < 0.001; ES = 0.73) as barriers. In conclusion, when a country’s educational system does not have structured support systems for dual careers, student-athletes perceive more barriers, regardless of their sporting level.
- Impacto de um programa de competências parentais no stress e competências de atenção plenaPublication . Santos, Ana Isabel Pratas Martins dos; Martins, Emília; Magalhães, Cátia; Mendes, Francisco; Fernandes, Rosina; et al.Objective: To analyze the impact of the Adults and Children Together Raising Safe Kids (ACT-RSK) Program in parenting skills, parenting stress, and mindfulness skills in a group of parents and children. Methods: This investigative intervention was based on the application of a pre-test and a post-test before and after the implementation of the ACT-RSK Program. The program consisted of eight weekly 90-minute sessions conducted with a sample of 22 parents from Central Portugal. The ACT-RSK Program questionnaires, Parenting Stress Index (PSI), Interpersonal Mindfulness in Parenting (IM-P) scale, and a socio-demographic questionnaire were used. A descriptive and inferential analysis (Wilcoxon) was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS, v. 24) with a 95% confidence interval. Results: Participants showed improvement from pre-test to post-test in all four program dimensions: Parenting Style (M=36.32±6.61 vs. M=48.50±4.31; p<0.01); Electronic Media (M=24.73±3.90 vs. M=30.73±2.90; p≤0.01); Child Development (M=55.18±11.82 vs. M=73.55±4.04; p≤0.01); and Parental Behavior (M=34.23±7.83 vs. M=43.05±2.81; p≤0.01). Likewise, significant improvement was seen in the Interpersonal Mindfulness in Parenting (IM-P) scale’s results (Z=-3.929, p=0.000) and in parenting stress, which decreased from a very high (91.59) to a medium level (74.45). Conclusion: Data show the ACT-RSK had a positive effect and improved study variables.