Peripheral blood samples were aseptically collected using an intravenous catheter inserted into an antecubital vein. The blood was separated by centrifugation. Serum cortisol levels were assessed in serum samples using standard laboratory techniques after an 8-hour fasting period.

Unit of Measure: µg/dL. Sample collection was conducted at the Clinical Analysis Laboratory (Cápsula) of PPC-UERJ, always during the same shift, no later than 8:00 AM.

The measure of the Total Body Water of the body composition will be analyzed using a Tetrapolar Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer (InBody 370, BIOSPACE, Republic of Korea). The analyzer performs impedance measurements across five body segments (right arm, left arm, trunk, right leg, and left leg) using three different frequencies (5, 50, and 500 kHz), and provides separate body mass readings for each segment.

Unit of Measured: in liters (L).

The measures of body composition will be analyzed using a Tetrapolar Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer (InBody 370, BIOSPACE, Republic of Korea). The analyzer performs impedance measurements across five body segments (right arm, left arm, trunk, right leg, and left leg) using three different frequencies (5, 50, and 500 kHz), and provides separate body mass readings for each segment. The following body composition components will be measured:

Lean Body Mass: Measured in kilograms (kg). Fat Mass: Measured in kilograms (kg). Skeletal Muscle Mass: Measured in kilograms (kg).

The Body fat percentage of the body composition will be analyzed using a Tetrapolar Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer (InBody 370, BIOSPACE, Republic of Korea). The analyzer performs impedance measurements across five body segments (right arm, left arm, trunk, right leg, and left leg) using three different frequencies (5, 50, and 500 kHz), and provides separate body mass readings for each segment.

Unit of measure: Expressed as a percentage (%).

The visceral fat area of the body composition will be analyzed using a Tetrapolar Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer (InBody 370, BIOSPACE, Republic of Korea). The analyzer performs impedance measurements across five body segments (right arm, left arm, trunk, right leg, and left leg) using three different frequencies (5, 50, and 500 kHz), and provides separate body mass readings for each segment.

Unit of measure: square centimeters (cm²).

Basal Metabolic Rate will be analyzed using a Tetrapolar Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer (InBody 370, BIOSPACE, Republic of Korea). The analyzer performs impedance measurements across five body segments (right arm, left arm, trunk, right leg, and left leg) using three different frequencies (5, 50, and 500 kHz), and provides separate body mass readings for each segment. The device provides separate body mass readings for different body segments, being able to estimate the basal metabolic rate. The basal metabolic rate is directly proportional to the weight and amount of muscle. It was calculated from predictive formulas using the results of the body composition, and involves the data of age, sex and physical activity that is entered into the scale.

Unit of measure: kilocalories per day (kcal/day).

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a clinical index that is used in bioimpedance to assess a person's weight. BMI is calculated by dividing the weight (in kg) by the height (in meters) squared.

Unit of measure: kilograms per square meter (kg/m²).

The ratio of the circumference of the waist to the circumference of the hips, used as an indicator of cardiovascular risk. WHR was calculated by dividing the waist circumference in centimeters by the hip circumference. It is an element for the prognosis of cardiovascular events in adults. The cut-off index for cardiovascular risk is less than 0.85 for women and 0.90 for men. The unit of measurement is unitless.

The ratio of the circumference of the waist to height, used as an indicator of metabolic and cardiovascular risk. Height was measured using a vertical stadiometer graduated in centimeters and millimeters. Waist circumference was assessed using a tape measure graduated in centimeters and millimeters. The tape measure was placed midway between the iliac crest and the last rib. This anatomical point has the strongest correlation with abdominal adiposity. The values obtained were stratified into three categories: between 0.40 and 0.44 (lowest % fat, below the risk threshold); between 0.45 and 0.50 (moderate risk); between 0.50 and 0.56 (above the risk threshold). The unit of measurement is unitless.

Conicity index is a measure of body fat distribution, particularly visceral fat, calculated using body circumference measurements. The C Index (CI) was determined based on the measurement of body mass, height and waist circumference, in meters, representing an indicator of abdominal obesity, and is based on the principle that some people accumulate fat around the abdomen, with the consequent change in body shape. This index is calculated using the formula:

C Index = waist circumference (m)/(0.109 x (√ body mass (kg)/height (m))). For the classification of cardiovascular risk, values ≥ 1.18 for women and ≥ 1.25 for men are determined. The unit of measurement is unitless.

Anthropometric measurements, as circumferences were assessed to evaluate the distribution of fat and other physical characteristics. The circumference measurements will be taken at the following sites, measured in centimeters (cm): neck, waist, hip, arm, and ankle.

The Schober Test is used to evaluate lumbar spine flexibility. The examiner marks a horizontal line at the level of the posterior-superior iliac spines and a second line 10 cm above the first. The participant then performs forward trunk flexion, and the difference between the measurements in the standing and flexed positions indicates lumbar flexion. This difference is measured in centimeters (cm). A result of 15 cm is considered indicative of good trunk flexibility and lumbar spine mobility.

Unit of Measure: Centimeters (cm).

The Anterior trunk flexion test measures the distance between the tip of the middle finger and the floor after the participant performs forward trunk flexion with feet together and knees straight. The result is recorded in centimeters (cm) and uses the distance between the third finger and the floor.

Unit of Measure: Centimeters (cm).

Each participant will complete the World Health Organization Quality of Life - Bref Questionnaire (WHOQOL-Bref) before the first and after the last session. The WHOQOL-Bref is a 26-item instrument that produces scores in four domains (physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment) and two items related to overall quality of life (QoL) and general health. The response scales, all five-point Likert-type, range from 1 (not at all/never/very dissatisfied/very poor) to 5 (extremely/always/very satisfied/very good). The average score in each domain reflects the individual's perception of their satisfaction in each aspect of their life, relating to their QoL. The higher the score, the better the perception.

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality and disturbances over a one-month period. This questionnaire consists of 19 self-assessment questions and 5 questions to be answered by bed or room partners. The 19 questions are categorized into 7 components, each scored from 0 to 3. These components include subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction. The scores for each component are summed to produce a global score ranging from 0 to 21, where higher scores indicate poorer sleep quality. A global PSQI score >5 suggests significant difficulties in at least two components or moderate difficulties in more than three components.

Unit of Measure: Unitless, scale from 0 to 21. Self-reported questionnaires were administered at two-time points (pre- and post-treatment).

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) consists of 8 self-reported questions and was used to assess self-reported levels of daytime sleepiness. The questionnaire questions are related to daily activities and have a four-point scale (zero indicating "never dozing off" and 3 indicating "strong chance of dozing off"). The questionnaire scores range from zero to 24. Higher total scores are related to greater sleepiness.

Self-reported questionnaires administered at two time points (pre- and post-treatment).

The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a screening instrument to assess the domains (spatial and temporal orientation, immediate and recall memory, calculation, language-naming, repetition, comprehension, writing, and copying of drawings). The MMSE is a cognitive screening test that assesses cognitive function and may indicate dementia. The total score ranges from 0 to 30, with scores above 25 indicating normal cognitive function.

Score Interpretation:

26-30 points: Normal cognitive function. 21-24 points: Mild cognitive impairment. 10-20 points: Moderate cognitive impairment. Less than or equal to 9 points: Severe cognitive impairment. Low or very low scores: Strong correlation with dementia, but other mental disorders may also affect the result.

Assessing the level of physical activity is essential to assess an individual's current health conditions and helps to determine which exercises can be part of their routine. This assessment allows the identification of physical and biological limitations, in addition to finding signs of some diseases. Thus, to classify the level of physical activity of the individual, duly validated questionnaires will be used, such as the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), which allows the estimation of the weekly time spent in moderate and vigorous physical activities in different contexts of daily life. The short version will be applied, consisting of 7 open questions, and its information allows the estimation of the time spent per week in different dimensions of physical activity (walking and physical efforts of moderate and vigorous intensity) and physical inactivity (sitting position).

Systemic arterial pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation and respiratory rate. Resting, training, and recovery heart rates: These will be investigated to assess the intensity of physical effort in terms of the percentage of training achieved. Subjective perception of effort: This will be measured using the Modified Borg Scale. Individuals will be asked about their perception of effort during the interventions. The Borg scale is a numerical scale from "0" to "10", where the patient will indicate a score for their level of dyspnea, at the beginning and end of each session, with "0" being no dyspnea and "10" being maximum dyspnea. The risk of cardiovascular diseases will be calculated using this score. The method provides a prediction of the probability of coronary disease in the population evaluated in ten years, according to age group, sex, systolic and diastolic blood pressure values, values of the ratio between total cholesterol and HDL fraction, presence of smoking and diabetes.

A surface electromyograph will be used, which consists of a system with eight analog channels (Miotec™, Biomedical Equipments, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil) that will continuously record biological signals. The surface electrodes will be positioned on the muscles to be evaluated, and a ground electrode will be positioned on a bony prominence. The standardization proposed by the Surface Electromyography for Non-Invasive Muscle Assessment (SENIAM - http://seniam.org/shoulder\_location.htm) guideline will be followed. The evaluated electromyographic signals will be processed through the Miotec Suite™ software (Miotec™, Biomedical Equipments, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil) and the pertinent analyses will be performed.

The Lafayette dynamometer (hand grip dynamometers model j00105) will be used. Participants will be seated with their feet on the floor, their arm in adduction and elbow flexed at 90°, their forearm in a neutral position and their wrist extended between 0° and 30°. Three repetitions of maximum grip of 3 seconds will be performed, with a recovery period of 60 seconds between repetitions.

It is essential to know the participant's pain, and to assess pain, scales such as the visual analogue scale (VAS) will be used, which consists of a ruler divided into eleven equal parts from zero to ten, where the individual is expected to make the equivalence according to the level of their pain through the numerical classification (zero corresponding to the least and ten to the greatest pain).