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Sedentary Behaviour and Women’s Health

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2021) | Viewed by 59769

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Antonio Martinez-Amat

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Guest Editor

Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain
Interests: exercise; gait speed; sarcopenia; strength; quality of life; risk of falls in older adults; anxiety; depression; fatigue; sleep quality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Fidel Hita-Contreras

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Assistant Guest Editor

Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain
Interests: menopause; older adults; sarcopenia; fall prevention; exercise; active aging
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A Special Issue on "Sedentary Behavior and Women’s Health”, in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, is being organized.

A sedentary lifestyle is defined as a lifestyle that includes very little physical activity or no physical activity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2018), a minimum of physical activity is recommended to protect our health (i.e., 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week). However, nowadays, more than 20% of the adult population is insufficiently active as a result of a lack of physical activity practice during free time, as well as a high prevalence of sedentary behavior in the workplace and throughout the whole day (i.e., prolonged time sitting or lying position while working, reading, watching television, playing video games, socializing through social networks, extensive use of mobile phones of computers, or motorized modes of transport). As reported by the WHO, women are more physically inactive than men, in both high-income (35% women versus 26% men) countries and in low-income countries (24% women versus 12% men).

A woman's health is influenced by biological and other gender-related social determinants, such as physical activity patterns and sedentary behaviors. Postmenopausal status is associated, among others, with changes in body composition, an increase in falls and fall-related injuries and comorbidities, and cardiovascular diseases. Pregnancy has been also shown to have implications in the development of cardiometabolic complications (i.e., gestational diabetes and hypertension) or mental wellbeing. Therefore, a sedentary lifestyle could negatively affect women’s health and exacerbate these adverse health outcomes.

This Special Issue is on the subject area of sedentary behavior and women's health. The keywords listed below provide an outline of some of the possible areas of interest.

Prof. Martinez-Amat Antonio
Prof. Hita-Contreras Fidel
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Physical inactivity
Menopause
Metabolic health
Cardiovascular health
Obesity
Fat mass
Depression
Anxiety
Emotional health
Risk of Falls

Published Papers (14 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 330 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Qualitative Study of Barriers and Enablers of Physical Activity among Female Emirati University Students

by Nicola W. Burton, Bonnie L. Barber and Asaduzzaman Khan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(7), 3380; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073380 - 24 Mar 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3478

Abstract

Interventions to promote physical activity participation should reflect social and culturally relevant influences of the target demographic. The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of barriers to and enablers of physical activity participation among female Emirati university students. Five semi-structured focus groups were conducted (n = 25). Participants were asked open-ended questions about benefits, barriers and enablers of physical activity, and recommendations to promote participation. Emergent themes were identified using Nvivo software. Commonly identified benefits included improved health, weight management, improved mood, and stress reduction. The main barriers were low family support, competing time demands from domestic and academic activities, lack of convenient access to women-only facilities, and hot weather. The main enablers and recommendations related to social support from family and friends, accessible and low-cost women-only facilities, and structured supervised sessions. Findings suggest that there are specific social-cultural influences of physical activity among female Emirati university students. Approaches to promote participation could include identifying benefits consistent with family and cultural values, using social media for education, support and modelling, on campus supervised physical activity sessions integrated with the academic timetable, low-cost women-only opportunities in the local residential area, and support for home-based activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedentary Behaviour and Women’s Health)

12 pages, 577 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Adherence to Physical Exercise on Cardiometabolic Profile in Postmenopausal Women

by Valentina Bucciarelli, Francesco Bianco, Francesco Mucedola, Andrea Di Blasio, Pascal Izzicupo, Desiree Tuosto, Barbara Ghinassi, Ines Bucci, Giorgio Napolitano, Angela Di Baldassarre and Sabina Gallina

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(2), 656; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020656 - 14 Jan 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2727

Abstract

Background: Menopause is associated with negative cardiovascular adaptations related to estrogen depletion, which could be counteracted by physical exercise (PhE). However, the impact of total adherence-rate (TA) to PhE and sedentary time (SedT) on cardiometabolic profile in this population has not been elucidated. Methods: For 13-weeks, 43 women (57.1 ± 4.7 years) participated in a 4-days-a-week moderate-intensity walking training. They underwent laboratory, anthropometric and echocardiographic assessment, before and after training (T0–T1). Spontaneous physical activity (PhA) was assessed with a portable multisensory device. The sample was divided according to TA to PhE program: <70% (n = 17) and ≥70% (n = 26). Results: TA ≥ 70% group experienced a significant T1 improvement of relative wall thickness (RWT), diastolic function, VO2max, cortisol, cortisol/dehydroandrostenedione-sulphate ratio and serum glucose. After adjusting for SedT and 10-min bouts of spontaneous moderate-to-vigorous PhA, TA ≥ 70% showed the most significant absolute change of RWT and diastolic function, body mass index, weight and cortisol. TA ≥ 70% was major predictor of RWT and cortisol improvement. Conclusions: In a group of untrained, postmenopausal women, a high TA to a 13-weeks aerobic PhE program confers a better improvement in cardiometabolic profile, regardless of SedT and PhA levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedentary Behaviour and Women’s Health)

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13 pages, 658 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Female Sexual Function and Its Association with the Severity of Menopause-Related Symptoms

by Isabel Pérez-Herrezuelo, Agustín Aibar-Almazán, Antonio Martínez-Amat, Raquel Fábrega-Cuadros, Esther Díaz-Mohedo, Rosemary Wangensteen and Fidel Hita-Contreras

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(19), 7235; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17197235 - 03 Oct 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3336

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine female sexual functioning and its association with the impact of the symptoms of menopause among Spanish postmenopausal women. A total of 182 postmenopausal women (65.59 ± 7.93 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. The female sexual function index (FSFI) and the menopause rating scale (MRS) were used to analyze sexual function and severity of menopausal symptoms, respectively. Age, education, area of residence, occupation, and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) were considered as possible confounders. The results of a linear multivariate regression analysis showed that the severity of urogenital menopause-related symptoms was associated with lower values in the FSFI total score and the lubrication, satisfaction, arousal, and orgasm domains. These last three subscales were also linked to severe psychological impact, while the MRS total score was only related to the desire domain. Regarding confounders, being younger, working, and residing in a rural area were all linked to better sexual function. All effect sizes were large (adjusted R² > 0.35). In conclusion, after controlling for possible confounders, postmenopausal women who experience a severe impact of menopausal symptoms endure poorer sexual function, particularly when said symptoms are urogenital or psychological in nature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedentary Behaviour and Women’s Health)

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11 pages, 869 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship between Leisure-Time Sedentary Behaviors and Metabolic Risks in Middle-Aged Chinese Women

by Jing Fan, Caicui Ding, Weiyan Gong, Fan Yuan, Yanning Ma, Ganyu Feng, Chao Song and Ailing Liu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(19), 7171; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17197171 - 30 Sep 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1899

Abstract

The prevalence of metabolic diseases has increased over the past few decades, and epidemiological studies suggest that metabolic diseases may be associated with lifestyle. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between leisure-time sedentary behaviors (LTSBs) and metabolic risks in middle-aged women in China. Data came from the China National Nutrition and Health Surveillance (CNNHS) in 2010–2012. A total of 2643 women aged 46 to 53 years were involved. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the association of leisure-time sedentary duration (LTSD) with total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), waist circumference (WC), and body mass index (BMI). Restrictive cubic splines (RCS) were used to plot the curves between LTSD and the risk of metabolic diseases. Region, education, income, alcohol consumption, exercise, daily energy intake, and fat energy ratio were adjusted for all models. After adjusting for potential influencing factors, the results of multiple linear regression showed that for each additional hour increase in LTSD, TC and TG increased by 0.03 mmol/L and 0.04 mmol/L, respectively. The results of RCS curves showed that the risks of MetS (p for trend = 0.0276), obesity (p for trend = 0.0369), hypertension (p for trend = 0.0062), and hypercholesteremia (p for trend = 0.0033) increased with the increase in LTSD. LTSB was associated with the risks of MetS, obesity, hypertension, and hypercholesteremia in middle-aged women. Reducing LTSD may be an effective way of preventing metabolic diseases in middle-aged women. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedentary Behaviour and Women’s Health)

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19 pages, 751 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Reversal of the Association between Education Level and Obesity Risk during Ageing: A Gender-Specific Longitudinal Study in South Korea

by Woojin Chung and Roeul Kim

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(18), 6755; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186755 - 16 Sep 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2521

Abstract

This study aimed to examine and quantify obesity risk across different education levels during ageing using the dataset of a nationally representative longitudinal survey. A total of 45,391 observations of 9991 individuals aged ≥45 years were included in this study. Obesity was defined as a body mass index of ≥25, according to a guideline for Asians by the World Health Organization, and education level was grouped into three categories. Socio-demographics, lifestyles, and health conditions were used as covariates. Adjusted odds ratios and predicted probabilities of obesity were computed and adjusted for a complex survey design. With respect to gender, education level and age were significantly associated with obesity risk, and the association was stronger in women than in men. Furthermore, education level was negatively associated with obesity risk in the middle age in each gender. However, the association became positive in the old age, specifically among highly educated women. Therefore, policy efforts to reduce obesity risk and the resulting education gradients should be established based on studies considering their old age. Further longitudinal studies are required to examine whether these findings are valid in other socio-cultural or economic settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedentary Behaviour and Women’s Health)

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10 pages, 710 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sleep Alterations in Female College Students with Migraines

by Daniel Rodríguez-Almagro, Alexander Achalandabaso-Ochoa, Esteban Obrero-Gaitán, María C. Osuna-Pérez, Alfonso Javier Ibáñez-Vera and Rafael Lomas-Vega

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(15), 5456; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17155456 - 29 Jul 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2787

Abstract

Background: Many factors are thought to potentially trigger migraines, among which sleep disturbances are one of the most frequently reported. Both sleep disorders and migraines affect more women than men. This study aims to analyze sleep alterations in young adult women with migraines and how they are related to the presence, frequency, intensity, and disability of migraines in this population. Methods: Fifty-one female university students with physician-diagnosed migraines and 55 healthy female university students completed surveys assessing demographic information and frequency, intensity, and disability of migraines and sleep quality variables. Results: No differences in sleep quality were found between migraine subjects and healthy women (p = 0.815), but women with migraines presented higher daytime somnolence (p = 0.010), greater sleep disruptions (p = 0.002), and decreased sleep adequacy (p = 0.019). The presence of a migraine was significantly related to daytime somnolence (p = 0.003) and sleep disruptions (p = 0.021). Migraine-related disability was associated with sleep disruptions (p = 0.002), snoring (p = 0.016), and a decreased quantity of sleep (p = 0.040). Migraine frequency was related to sleep disturbance (p = 0.003) and snoring (p < 0.001). The intensity of migraines was associated with sleep disruptions (p = 0.004). Conclusions: Our results suggest a relationship between migraines and sleep alterations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedentary Behaviour and Women’s Health)

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11 pages, 833 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sleep Quality, Anxiety, and Depression Are Associated with Fall Risk Factors in Older Women

by Rodrigo Serrano-Checa, Fidel Hita-Contreras, José Daniel Jiménez-García, Alexander Achalandabaso-Ochoa, Agustín Aibar-Almazán and Antonio Martínez-Amat

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(11), 4043; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17114043 - 05 Jun 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3926

Abstract

Gait, dynamic balance, and functional mobility problems are well-known fall risk factors. Furthermore, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression are prevalent among older women. This study aimed to analyze the associations of sleep quality, anxiety, and depression with functional mobility, gait speed, and dynamic balance in community-dwelling postmenopausal women aged ≥ 60 years. A total of 271 women (69.18 ± 5.69 years) participated in this study. Functional mobility (Timed Up-and-Go Test), dynamic balance (3-meter tandem walk test), gait speed (OptoGait® optical detection system), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) were assessed. Our results showed that poor sleep efficiency and the use of sleeping medication were related to decreased gait speed (R² = 0.072). Poor functional mobility was linked to depression and the use of sleeping medication (R² = 0.159). Additionally, increased symptoms of anxiety and depression were associated with worsened dynamic balance (R² = 0.127). In conclusion, poorer sleep quality is associated with slower gait speed and reduced functional mobility, which is also related, along with impaired dynamic balance, to higher levels of anxiety and depression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedentary Behaviour and Women’s Health)

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13 pages, 1414 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dance Fitness Classes Improve the Health-Related Quality of Life in Sedentary Women

by Yaira Barranco-Ruiz, Susana Paz-Viteri and Emilio Villa-González

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(11), 3771; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17113771 - 26 May 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5761

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to analyze the effect of two dance-focused and choreographic fitness classes on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in sedentary worker women. Methods: 65 sedentary middle-aged worker women (38 ± 7.3 years old) completed a 16-week intervention randomly assigned to: (1) dance fitness group based on Zumba Fitness classes (DF group, n = 25)], (2) dance fitness + functional strength training group (DFFT group, n = 20), and (3) control group (n = 20). HRQoL was assessed by the 36-Item Short-Form Health-Survey (SF-36), which evaluates 8 dimensions of health [General Health (GH), Physical Functioning (PF), Social Functioning (SF), Physical Role (PR), Emotional Role (ER), Bodily Pain (BP), Vitality (V), and Mental Health (MH)] scored from 0 (worst) to 100 (best health status). Results: The control group statistically differed from both exercise groups in PF and PR, and from the DF group in SF and MH showing a lower score. No statistical differences were observed between exercise groups post-intervention, except in V. DF group showed increases in GH, PF, SF, V, PR, and MH post-intervention. Conclusions: A 16-week dance fitness intervention based on Zumba Fitness classes generates notable improvements in a wide range of HRQoL dimensions in sedentary middle-aged worker women, especially in V, PR and MH dimensions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedentary Behaviour and Women’s Health)

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12 pages, 583 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effectiveness of A Pilates Training Program on Cognitive and Functional Abilities in Postmenopausal Women

by Patricia Alexandra García-Garro, Fidel Hita-Contreras, Antonio Martínez-Amat, Alexander Achalandabaso-Ochoa, José Daniel Jiménez-García, David Cruz-Díaz and Agustín Aibar-Almazán

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(10), 3580; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103580 - 20 May 2020

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 6224

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a Pilates exercises program on the cognitive and physical functioning of older Spanish women. This study is a randomized clinical trial; a total of 110 women aged ≥60 years were initially allocated to either a Pilates group (PG, n = 55), who underwent a 12-week Pilates exercise program, or to a control group (CG, n = 55), who did not receive any intervention. Global cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination), verbal fluency (Isaacs test), executive function (Trail Making Test), functional flexibility (Back Scratch Test and Chair Sit-and-Reach Test), and lower-body strength (30 s Chair-Stand Test) were assessed before and immediately after the intervention period. The main findings of this study suggest that women in the PG (within-group differences) experienced improvements across all the variables examined except for global cognitive function. When compared with the CG (between-group differences), our analysis revealed significant benefits in the PG for all measures except for global cognitive function and functional flexibility (Back Scratch Test). In conclusion, our results suggest that Pilates has the potential to improve both cognitive and functional abilities among Spanish women aged 60 years and over. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedentary Behaviour and Women’s Health)

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12 pages, 531 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impaired Balance in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: Predictors of the Impact of This Disorder and Balance Confidence

by Ana Peinado-Rubia, María C. Osuna-Pérez, Daniel Rodríguez-Almagro, Noelia Zagalaz-Anula, María C. López-Ruiz and Rafael Lomas-Vega

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(9), 3160; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17093160 - 01 May 2020

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4145

Abstract

Patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) have a nonspecific postural balance disorder and a greater prevalence of falls. Objective: to clarify which aspects of maintaining balance are associated with the impact of the disorder and with balance confidence. Methods: A total of 182 persons with FMS agreed to participate in this study. After re-evaluation, 57 fully met inclusion criteria: age 40–70 years and moderate-severe impact of the illness according to the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). All participants underwent a posture control analysis with a stabilometric platform, an evaluation of the perception of verticality and an exploration of the vestibular system via functional tests. Additionally, they self-completed questionnaires about balance confidence, central sensitization, pain catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, dizziness and days with episodes of instability. Results: The FIQ was associated with central sensitization and dizziness, which explained 56% of its variance (AdjR2 = 0.566), while days with instability, kinesiophobia and dizziness also explained more than half of the variance of the balance confidence scale (AdjR2 = 0.527). A high percentage of positive responses was found for functional tests (>50%) and a high dispersion in the stabilometric parameters. Conclusion: the detection of factors susceptible to intervention, such as disability due to dizziness, takes on special relevance in patients with FMS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedentary Behaviour and Women’s Health)

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12 pages, 319 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Length and Number of Sedentary Bouts Predict Fibrinogen Levels in Postmenopausal Women

by Pascal Izzicupo, Andrea Di Blasio, Andrea Di Credico, Giulia Gaggi, Anastasios Vamvakis, Giorgio Napolitano, Fabrizio Ricci, Sabina Gallina, Barbara Ghinassi and Angela Di Baldassarre

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(9), 3051; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17093051 - 28 Apr 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2334

Abstract

Menopause is associated with adverse changes in coagulation homeostasis. We aimed to investigate the association between objectively measured sedentary behavior (SB) and SB bouts (i.e., number and length of SB bouts) vs. fibrinogen levels in post-menopausal women. Fifty-three post-menopausal women (age 59.8 ± 6.2 years, BMI 27.3 ± 4.4) wore a multisensory device (Sensewear Mini Armband, BodyMedia, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA) for 5 days, to measure SB and physical activity (PA). Blood samples were collected to measure serum fibrinogen. Fibrinogen was directly correlated with SB (r = −0.48, p < 0.01), lying down during awake time (r = −0.50, p < 0.01), and both medium (11–30 mins) and very long bouts (>1 h) of SB (r = −0.59, p < 0.01; r = −0.51, p < 0.01, respectively), and inversely correlated with moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity (r = −0.39, p < 0.01). Furthermore, fibrinogen was also directly correlated with BMI (r = −0.28, p < 0.05). In postmenopausal women without prevalent cardiovascular disease, the number of prolonged and uninterrupted sedentary bouts is directly correlated with increased fibrinogen levels, regardless of PA and BMI. This result suggests the importance of delivering new strategies to counteract the increase of sedentariness and inactivity of the postmenopausal population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedentary Behaviour and Women’s Health)

16 pages, 1320 KiB

Open AccessArticle

by Yaira Barranco-Ruiz and Emilio Villa-González

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(8), 2632; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17082632 - 11 Apr 2020

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 6718

Abstract

Background: The protective properties of high physical fitness levels on health are manifest independently of age, sex, fatness, smoking, alcohol consumption, and other clinical factors. However, women are less active than men, which contributes to low physical fitness and a high risk of CVD. Thus, the objective of this study is to analyze the effect of two exercise interventions on health-related physical fitness in sedentary employed females. Methods: A total of 98 physically inactive adult women were randomly assigned to 3 study groups: the control group (CG) = 31, the endurance training group based on Zumba Fitness^® classes (ET; n = 39), and the concurrent training group that had an extra muscle-strengthening workout after the Zumba Fitness^® class (CnT; n = 28). Body composition (BMI, waist circumference), motor fitness (one-leg stand test), musculoskeletal fitness (shoulder–neck mobility, handgrip strength test, jump and reach test, and dynamic sit-up test), and cardiorespiratory fitness (2-km test and estimated VO₂ max) were assessed with the ALPHA-Fit test battery for adults. Results: Both interventions showed a significant improvement in the majority of health-related fitness and body composition variables/test (waist circumference: ET = −2.275 ± 0.95, p = 0.02, CnT = −2.550 ± 1.13, p = 0.03; one-stand leg test: ET = 13.532 ± 2.65, p < 0.001; CnT = 11.656 ± 2.88, p < 0.001; shoulder–neck mobility: ET = 1.757 ± 0.44, p < 0.001, CnT = 2.123 ± 0.47, p < 0.001; handgrip test: 0.274 ± 0.08, p < 0.001, CnT = 0.352 ± 0.08, p < 0.001; dynamic sit-up: ET = 1.769 ± 0.45, p < 0.001, CnT = −1.836 ± 0.49, p < 0.001; 2-km test time: −1.280 ± 0.25, p < 0.001, CnT = −1.808 ± 0.28, p < 0.001; estimated VO₂ max: ET = 1.306 ± 0.13, p < 0.001, CnT = 1.191 ± 0.15, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences after the intervention between the two exercise intervention groups. Conclusions: Exercise interventions based on Zumba fitness^® or Zumba fitness^® combined with an extra muscle-strengthening workout based on bodyweight training exercises are effective strategies to improve the health-related physical fitness in sedentary women employees. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedentary Behaviour and Women’s Health)

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13 pages, 1844 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Monopolar Dielectric Radiofrequency Signals on the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

by Alfonso Javier Ibáñez-Vera, Jerónimo Carmelo García-Romero, José Ramón Alvero-Cruz and Rafael Lomas-Vega

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(7), 2465; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072465 - 03 Apr 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3011

Abstract

Monopolar dielectric radiofrequency (MDR) is a non-invasive treatment for pain based on the local application of electromagnetic signals. The study’s goal was to analyze the effects of MDR on the symptoms of fibromyalgia. For this aim, a randomized controlled trial was conducted on 66 female participants (aged 47 ± 17.7) diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Participants were randomly allocated to either an experimental group (n = 23), which received eight 20-minute sessions of MDR; a sham group, which received the same number of sessions of a sham MDR therapy (n = 22); or a control group (n = 21), which received usual care. The outcome variables included pain measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS), score on the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and quality of life measured by the combined index of fibromyalgia severity (ICAF). A large effect size was observed for the local pain (R² = 0.46), total ICAF (R² = 0.42) and ICAF physical factor scores (R² = 0.38). Significant mean differences were found for the local pain (p = 0.025) and ICAF physical factor (p = 0.031) scores of the experimental group in comparison with the sham group. No statistically significant differences between groups were found in HADS. In conclusion, MDR is more effective than either sham treatment or usual care in the short-term improvement of pain and the physical wellbeing of participants with fibromyalgia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedentary Behaviour and Women’s Health)

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Review

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16 pages, 727 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effects of Physical Exercise on Sexual Function and Quality of Sexual Life Related to Menopausal Symptoms in Peri- and Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review

by María del Carmen Carcelén-Fraile, Agustín Aibar-Almazán, Antonio Martínez-Amat, David Cruz-Díaz, Esther Díaz-Mohedo, María Teresa Redecillas-Peiró and Fidel Hita-Contreras

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(8), 2680; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17082680 - 14 Apr 2020

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 8739

Abstract

During the menopausal period, sexual dysfunction is associated with the development or worsening of psychological conditions, causing deterioration in women’s mental health and quality of life. This systematic review aims to investigate the effects of different exercise programs on sexual function and quality of sexual life related to menopausal symptoms. With this purpose, a systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Plus. A total of 1787 articles were identified in the initial search and 11 prospective studies (including 8 randomized controlled trials) were finally included. The most commonly recommended training programs are based on exercising pelvic floor muscles, as they seem to have the largest impact on sexual function. Mind–body disciplines also helped in managing menopausal symptoms. However, as far as the most traditional programs were concerned, aerobic exercises showed inconsistent results and resistance training did not seem to convey any benefits. Although positive effects have been found, evidence supporting physical exercise as a strategy to improve sexual function and quality of sexual life related to menopausal symptoms is limited, and further studies on this topic are needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sedentary Behaviour and Women’s Health)

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