Twelve Weeks of Capoeira Training Decrease Plasma Triglycerides in Advanced-age Frail Adults of a Long-term Institution

Background: Among the risk factors associated with aging, a special highlight has been attributed to cardiovascular dysfunctions, insulin resistance, central obesity and dyslipidemia, which is marked by low levels of cholesterol (high density lipoprotein) and in particular by high levels of plasma triglycerides. Individuals with high levels of plasma triglycerides tend to have a prolonged postprandial hypertriglyceridemia after a fat-meal challenge, which would potentially further increase the risk associated with cardiovascular disease. Due to the impact of aging and its associated risk factors on the older adults health, several strategies have been proposed to avoid the progression of chronic diseases. These diseases are frequent in this population, especially the ones that resides in long-term institutions and they are mainly characterized by sedentary lifestyle and functional inability. Systematic reviews have shown that the implementation of physical activity programs associated with a favorable dietary pattern may benefit the lipid profile of the older adults. Moreover, it is suggested as a primary strategy, the realization of physical exercise as a therapy for this disease. In the physical exercise programs aspects, unconventional modalities such as Capoeira, which is practiced in more than 150 countries, it has aroused interest in the scientific research. Characterized by a system composed by attack and defense movements and from Afro-Brazilian origin, Capoeira combines sports elements of the fight, gymnastics, dance and musicality. However, there is no study investigating the effect of Capoeira training on the lipid profile of older adults, which would have an important clinical application in the health of this population, especially living in conditions of sedentarism and frailty in long-term institutions.

Aim: The present study analyzed the effects of twelve weeks of Capoeira training on the lipid profile of advanced-age frail adults of a long-term institution, which are characterized by sedentary lifestyle and affected by several diseases.

Methods: Participants were assigned into two groups (CONTROL: n = 07; 82.4±13.6 years and CAPOEIRA: n = 07; 79.4±6.9 years). The CAPOEIRA group performed twelve weeks of Capoeira training program, being twice a week lasting 60 minutes each at light to moderate intensity. Samples of 10 ml of blood were collected from participants' antecubital vein at the pre- and post-intervention moments in both groups. Plasma concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were evaluated using the enzymatic colorimetric method. Anthropometry measures were performed and to internal control the energy consumption evaluations were carried out through daily food diaries during intervention period.