RAMB - JUNHO 2017

ernandes

and

arreto

unior

552

ssoc

ras

2017; 63(6):550-556

and 2 diabetes, and autoimmune dermatological and thy-

roid diseases. Obesity has a negative correlation with plas-

ma vitamin D levels, and vitamin D deficiency causes an

increased risk for the development of metabolic syndrome,

as well as increased oxidative burden.

hysical

activity

Although physical activity is thought to be synonymous

with physical exercise, it is actually any movement caused

by a muscle contraction resulting in increased energy ex-

penditure than at rest.

Physical exercise is defined as well-

-structured, planned and repetitive physical activity, aiming

at improving health, well-being, and maintaining physical

fitness.

The purpose of their use is what sets them apart.

Physical activity is therapeutic and its purpose is treatment,

while physical exercise improves physical fitness.

13,14

Physical fitness, in turn, is defined by the amount of

energy that a person has while performing physical work,

according to physical valences, and involves flexibility,

strength, endurance and motor coordination.

From a

physical point of view, an inactive individual is one who

does not practice physical activity for at least 150 minutes

per week.

There is a type of exercise called green, which is given

to activity practiced in nature, with behavioral results in

stress relief in acute exercise sessions.

Outdoor physical activity would be its accomplishment

in squares, parks and field environments.

The most pop-

ular of these activities is walking, practiced by the elderly

with the goal of improving health and preventing diseases.

Studies show that some cities joined the creation of

outdoor fitness centers, with the incorporation and adapta-

tion of gymnastics and bodybuilding equipment, with a view

to physical, mental and social improvement

(Figure 4).

ssociation

between

physical

activity

and

vitamin

Regular practice of physical activity has several benefits

to the human being, but it is regulated by innumerable

demographic, social, physical, environmental, economic

and psychological factors that can be both stimulating

and inhibiting.

Vitamin D, important in the absorption of calcium

at the intestinal level, also acts in the immune, cardiovas-

cular and musculoskeletal systems. Solar exposure in

outdoor environment allows the synthesis of this vitamin,

with a consequent process of gain of bone tissue through

its mineralization. According to current knowledge, the

skin is the only organ capable of producing vitamin D,

which is also absorbed from dietary intake.

There is research indicating the practice of physical

activity in outdoor settings, but they do not mention the

importance of vitamin D.

17,23

Similarly, there are studies

on the synthesis of vitamin D from the incidence of sun

rays on the skin, but they do not mention physical activ-

ity with sun exposure.

Why not consider outdoor phys-

ical activity in view of the benefits of such activity along

with the possibility of vitamin D synthesis from skin

exposure to ultraviolet B? It is important to establish if

this type of activity, in outdoor environment, would be

the only one capable of increasing vitamin D plasma

levels (Figure 2).

Sela and Sela identified the beneficial results of out-

door sports, with elderly individuals having better dispo-

sition for this activity, as well as less depression, and a

reduction in body weight and medication intake, favoring

their quality of life.

A systematic review by Mochcovitch

et al. also demonstrated that regular physical activity may

be effective for the improvement of anxiety symptoms in

older adults; however, they concluded that more research

would be necessary to identify the modality, frequency,

duration and intensity to optimize the positive effects of

this activity on anxiety in the study population.

The

authors did not mention physical activity with sun ex-

posure for vitamin D synthesis, as seen in the study by

Al-Eisa et al., who reported the improvement of the in-

dividual’s physical performance associated with vitamin

D and calcium levels as factors to prevent muscle fatigue.

Vitamin D sufficiency related to physical activity pro-

vides better neuromuscular performance, including with

increased type II muscle fibers, and also improves the

regulatory role of the immune system. Indoor environ-

ments, more pigmented skin and excessive use of sports

equipment favor vitamin D deficiency.

FIGURE 4

Outdoor fitness Center.