Physical Activities, Antioxidants, Thalassotherapy, and Health

A special issue of Geriatrics (ISSN 2308-3417).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 2261

Special Issue Editors

1. ESTESC, IPC, Coimbra, Portugal
2. Laboratory for Applied Health Research (LabinSaúde), ESTESC, IPC, Coimbra, Portugal
3. Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: health sciences; biotechnology; aging; exercise; seaweeds
FA2 Research Group, Department of Applied Physics, University of Vigo, Campus Lagoas-Marcosende s/n, 36310 Vigo, Spain
Interests: thermalism; thalassotherapy; peloids; cosmetics; microalgae
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Aging is a natural biological process characterized by the decline in functional capacity associated with changes in the autonomy, physical disability, social isolation and health of the elderly.

Instituting a generalized and controlled physical activity practice in the elderly is essential for physical and cognitive balance. It should be noted that the practice of exercises in water showed a lower risk of bone fractures and a reduction in the exposure of the joints to stress and impact in relation to exercises practiced on land. This activity is highly recommended for the elderly, especially those with movement limitations. Hydrotherapy involves a set of exercises with therapeutic, physiological and kinesiological effects obtained by immersing the body in a swimming pool with heated water. Considering the physical properties and the temperature of the water, the exercises contribute to improving and maintaining the range of motion of the joints, the relaxation and reduction of muscle tension, the improvement of cardiovascular fitness and the reduction of pain. It is known that low-intensity aquatic exercise programs benefit levels of oxidative stress, anxiety, functional autonomy, and inflammation, in addition to alleviating symptoms in individuals with musculoskeletal diseases.

One consequence of oxidative stress is cellular aging due to the accumulation of tissue damage caused by free radicals. The regular practice of physical activity counteracts the harmful effects caused by aging, exerting antioxidant functions. The antioxidant system is divided into enzymatic and non-enzymatic aspects. The enzymatic system is composed of enzymes: superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase constitute the main system against reactive oxygen species. The non-enzymatic antioxidant system provides direct protection to the body against oxidative damage and enhances the function of the enzyme system.

Thalassotherapy is defined as the combined use of the preventive and therapeutic purposes of seawater and sea-derived products under counseling and medical supervision inside the adequate facilities of establishments located nearby the sea. Human health benefits provided by thalassotherapy result from the minerals, either dissolved in seawater or participating in the chemical composition of sea-derived products: seaweeds, marine peloids, salts, as well as the marine environment and climatotherapy. Thalassotherapy includes different techniques, such as marine aerosols, bathtubs, jets, swimming pool exercises, and seaweed or marine mud wraps, among others.

With the positive effects on the prevention, therapy, and rehabilitation of diseases, research on physical activity is considered interesting as evidence to be applied in effective health promotion programs for the benefit of the general population.

Prof. Dr. Ana Valado
Prof. Dr. Leonel Pereira
Prof. Dr. María Lourdes Mourelle
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • hydrotherapy
  • aging
  • ROS
  • exercise
  • seawater treatments
  • nutrition

Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

12 pages, 1017 KiB  
Article
A Novel Approach to Assess Balneotherapy Effects on Musculoskeletal Diseases—An Open Interventional Trial Combining Physiological Indicators, Biomarkers, and Patients’ Health Perception
by Jani Silva, José Martins, Cristina Nicomédio, Catarina Gonçalves, Cátia Palito, Ramiro Gonçalves, Paula Odete Fernandes, Alcina Nunes and Maria José Alves
Geriatrics 2023, 8(3), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics8030055 - 16 May 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1737
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate whether a 14-day period of balneotherapy influences the inflammatory status, health-related quality of life (QoL) and quality of sleep, underlying overall health state, and clinically relevant benefits of patients with musculoskeletal diseases (MD). The health-related QoL was [...] Read more.
The present study aimed to evaluate whether a 14-day period of balneotherapy influences the inflammatory status, health-related quality of life (QoL) and quality of sleep, underlying overall health state, and clinically relevant benefits of patients with musculoskeletal diseases (MD). The health-related QoL was evaluated using the following instruments: 5Q-5D-5L, EQ-VAS, EUROHIS-QOL, B-IPQ, and HAQ-DI. The quality of sleep was evaluated by a BaSIQS instrument. Circulating levels of IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured by ELISA and chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay, respectively. The smartband, Xiaomi MI Band 4, was used for real-time sensing of physical activity and sleep quality. MD patients improved the health-related QoL measured by 5Q-5D-5L (p < 0.001), EQ-VAS (p < 0.001), EUROHIS-QOL (p = 0.017), B-IPQ (p < 0.001), and HAQ-DI (p = 0.019) after balneotherapy; the sleep quality was also improved (BaSIQS, p = 0.019). Serum concentrations of IL-6 were markedly decreased after the 14-day balneotherapy (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed regarding the physical activity and sleep quality data recorded by the smartband. Balneotherapy may be an effective alternative treatment in managing the health status of MD patients, with a decrease in inflammatory states, along with positive effects on pain reduction, patient’s functionality, QoL, quality of sleep, and disability perception status. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activities, Antioxidants, Thalassotherapy, and Health)
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