Habitual Activity Levels Research Articles

Young people’s perceptions of the objective physical activity monitoring process: A qualitative exploration

Objective: To explore young people’s perceptions of pedometers and investigate behaviours exhibited while being monitored. Design: Qualitative design using six focus groups with participants (mean age 14.7 years). Setting: Study participants ( n = 24) were randomly selected from a previous study of 123 young people aged 14–15 years from three secondary schools in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Methods: Participants wore pedometers (Yamax CW700) and accelerometers (ActiGraph GT3X+) simultaneously for 7 days. Accelerometer output was used to categorise participants into one of six focus groups (three boys groups and three girls groups): (1) low active (<30 minutes moderate to vigorous physical activity [MVPA]/day), (2) medium active (30–60 minutes MVPA/day), and (3) high active (≥60 minutes MVPA/day). Participants were questioned on their perceptions of the monitoring process and the behaviours that they exhibited while wearing pedometers. A hybrid approach to data analysis identified key concepts, which were thematically analysed. Results: The two main themes identified were (1) participants’ perceptions of the monitoring process and (2) behaviour exhibited while being monitored. Overall, participants’ attitudes towards objective monitoring were positive. A large proportion reported changing their levels of physical activity during the monitoring process, and 87.5% of focus group participants reported shaking their pedometers to increase their step counts. The medium and high active groups reported changing their activity patterns more than the low active groups. Conclusion: Our findings are consistent with previous quantitative studies that suggest reactivity and tampering are commonplace among young people. Pedometers may have more utility as an intervention strategy for increasing activity rather than as a method for assessing habitual activity levels.

Coronary heart disease mortality in treated Familial Hypercholesterolaemia: Update of the UK Simon Broome FH Register

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is associated with reduced physical function and early disability. We hypothesized that changes in physical function occur early and differ by age. Our aims were to determine and compare differences in and predictors of physical function in older and younger adults with T2DM.Eighty adults completed six-minute walk distance (6MWD) tests, wore wrist actigraphy for 5 days and completed diabetes health and symptom surveys. Comparative and bivariate analyses were completed to assess differences between age groups determined by serial Box's M-plot analyses.6MWD was low (476.9 ± 106.2 m), and negatively associated with female gender, age, neuropathic pain, diabetes duration, BMI, poor sleep quality, and fatigue and positively with habitual activity and education (p < 0.05). Covariance matrices changed at age 59. In subjects age < 58, 6MWD was predicted by gender, sleep quality, and neuropathic pain (R2 = 0.593, p < 0.001). In those age ≥ 59, 6MWD was predicted by diabetes duration, education, and habitual activity (R2 = 0.554, p < 0.001). There were no shared predictors of 6MWD between groups.T2DM is associated with early declines in physical function; the predictors of which change in midlife. Therapies to maintain or improve physical function should be tailored by age, pain symptoms, and habitual activity levels.

Effects of physical exercise on Body Mass Index in Binge Eating Disorder

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food in a brief period. Bouts of binge are commonly associated with a lack of control on stop eating or on what or how much one is eating. The binge eating is not associated with recurrent use of inappropriate compensatory behavior as bulimia nervosa and occurs, on average, at least once a week for 3 months [1]. BED is also associate with obesity and motor inactivity [2]. Aim of this study was to estimate the effectiveness of a structured physical activity program on the Body Mass Index (BMI) in BED patients. 19 BED women were recruited for this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: Intervention Group (IG, n=10) and Control Group (CG, n=9). All participants underwent the following measurements: height and weight, to calculate BMI (kg/m²) and participated into the weekly multidisciplinary program, constituted by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and diet. In addition, the IG carried out a structured physical activity program for 6 months. The exercise session consisted of aerobic, balance and strength activity performed in four weekly sessions of 90 minutes. At baseline and after 6 months BMI was assessed in both groups. Both groups improved their BMI for the influence of diet and changes in body composition but the IG achieved greater results probably for the effects of structured physical activity program. The combination of traditional BED treatment and physical activity seem to improve the quality of life, to increase habitual activity level and to reduce Body Mass Index in BED patients.

Physical function and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in dialysis patients - lessons learned from the Slovenian DIAGIB study.

Vitamin D stores in dialysis patients may be associated with their muscle function and physical performance. We analyzed associations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with functional test results in prevalent hemodialysis patients and healthy controls. Study sample included 54 dialysis patients and 81 healthy controls who performed a 6-minute walk test, sit-to-stand test, handgrip strength measurement, and self-rated habitual adjusted activity score with Human Activity Profile questionnaire. Adjusted general linear models were used to analyze association of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with test results. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration was 73.1±35.4 nmol/L in dialysis patients and 64.6±22 nmol/L in controls (p=0.12). When adjusted for age, sex, body height, spontaneous gait speed, and dialysis dependence, 25-hydroxyitamin D was significantly positively associated with 6-minute walk test result, explaining 5% of variability in walked distance (B=0.6m/nmol/L, p=0.008) and 12% of variability in adjusted activity score (B=0.1 point/nmol/L, p<0.001). There was no significant association with handgrip strength or sit-to-stand performance in adjusted models. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are significantly positively associated with submaximal aerobic physical performance and habitual activity level in dialysis patients. .

Are There Clinical Cardiac Complications From Too Much Exercise?

The dose-response association between physical activity and cardiovascular outcomes is well described (10). As little as 15 min·d−1 of moderate-intensity exercise significantly lowers the risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Greater volumes yield greater cardiovascular benefit. However, the impact of extreme volumes of exercise on cardiovascular health is under debate (9), because some studies present evidence of adverse clinical outcomes in endurance athletes who perform exercise volumes at the extreme upper end of the physical activity continuum. These observations raise the possibility that high doses of exercise have deleterious cardiac effects.

Physical Activity Levels and Performance in Italian Adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis: A Multicenter Cross-sectional Study

The aim of this study was to compare physical performance in Italian adolescents with different habitual activity levels and to examine its relationship with peripheral muscle strength and quality of life. At regular clinic visits in 5 cystic fibrosis (CF) Centres in Italy, 35 subjects performed spirometry, incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), one-repetition maximum (1 RM) and completed the Habitual Activity Estimation Scale (HAES). Subjects were divided into two groups, based on activity levels derived from the HAES. More active subjects achieved higher ISWT distance (ISWD) (1040.4 m vs.851.3 m, p=0.2) and described better body image perception (75.7% vs. 66.7% p=0.3) than subjects in the less active group, but these results did not reach a statistical significance. There was no correlation between ISWD, lung function and quality of life, but we observed a moderate correlation between ISWD and upper limb strength (r=0.46). Our data showed that more active subjects did not differ from less- active ones. Further studies should choose alternative tools to assess physical activity levels in order to detect the real engagement in vigorous activities, making it easier to compare and combine results and promote educational intervention.

Does chronic physical activity level modify the airway inflammatory response to an acute bout of exercise in the postprandial period?

Recent studies have confirmed that a single high-fat meal (HFM) leads to increased airway inflammation. However, exercise is a natural anti-inflammatory and may modify postprandial airway inflammation. The postprandial airway inflammatory response is likely to be modified by chronic physical activity (PA) level. This study investigated whether chronic PA modifies the airway inflammatory response to an acute bout of exercise in the postprandial period in both insufficiently active and active subjects. Thirty-nine nonasthmatic subjects (20 active, 13 males/7 females) who exceeded PA guidelines (≥150 min moderate-vigorous PA/week) and 19 insufficiently active (6 males/13 females) underwent an incremental treadmill test to exhaustion to determine peak oxygen uptake. Subjects were then randomized to a condition (COND), either remaining sedentary (CON) or exercising (EX) post-HFM. Exercise was performed at the heart rate corresponding to 60% peak oxygen uptake on a treadmill for 1 h post-HFM (63% fat, 10 kcal/kg body weight). Blood lipids and exhaled nitric oxide (eNO: marker of airway inflammation) were measured at baseline and 2 h and 4 h post-HFM. Sputum differential cell counts were performed at baseline and 4 h post-HFM. The mean eNO response for all groups increased at 2 h post-HFM (∼6%) and returned to baseline by 4 h (p = 0.03). There was a time × COND interaction (p = 0.04), where EX had a greater eNO response at 4 h compared with CON. Sputum neutrophils increased at 4 h post-HFM (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that airway inflammation occurs after an HFM when exercise is performed in the postprandial period, regardless of habitual activity level.

Early declines in physical function among aging adults with type 2 diabetes

AimsType 2 diabetes (T2DM) is associated with reduced physical function and early disability. We hypothesized that changes in physical function occur early and differ by age. Our aims were to determine and compare differences in and predictors of physical function in older and younger adults with T2DM. MethodsEighty adults completed six-minute walk distance (6MWD) tests, wore wrist actigraphy for 5days and completed diabetes health and symptom surveys. Comparative and bivariate analyses were completed to assess differences between age groups determined by serial Box's M-plot analyses. Results6MWD was low (476.9±106.2m), and negatively associated with female gender, age, neuropathic pain, diabetes duration, BMI, poor sleep quality, and fatigue and positively with habitual activity and education (p<0.05). Covariance matrices changed at age 59. In subjects age <58, 6MWD was predicted by gender, sleep quality, and neuropathic pain (R2=0.593, p<0.001). In those age ≥59, 6MWD was predicted by diabetes duration, education, and habitual activity (R2=0.554, p<0.001). There were no shared predictors of 6MWD between groups. ConclusionsT2DM is associated with early declines in physical function; the predictors of which change in midlife. Therapies to maintain or improve physical function should be tailored by age, pain symptoms, and habitual activity levels.

Directional asymmetry of upper limbs in a medieval population from Poland: A combination of linear and geometric morphometrics.

Degrees of upper-limb bilateral asymmetry reflect habitual behavior and activity levels throughout life in human populations. The shoulder joint facilitates a wide range of combined motions due to the simultaneous motion of all three bones: clavicle, scapula, and humerus. Accordingly, we used three-dimensional geometric morphometrics to analyze shape differences in the glenoid cavity and linear morphometrics to obtain the degree of directional asymmetry in a medieval population. To calculate directional asymmetry, clavicles, humeri, and scapulae from 100 individuals (50 females, 50 males) were measured. Landmarks and semilandmarks were placed within a three-dimensional reconstruction of the glenoid cavity for analysis of shape differences between sides of the body within sexes. Linear morphometrics showed significant directional asymmetry in both sexes in all bones. Geometric morphometrics revealed significant shape differences of the glenoid cavity between sides of the body in females but not in males. Both indicators of directional asymmetry (%DA and %AA) did not show significant differences between sexes. PLS analysis revealed a significant correlation between glenoid shape and two humeral head diameters only in females on the left side of the body. The studied population, perhaps due to a high level of activity, exhibited slightly greater upper-limb bone bilateral asymmetry than other agricultural populations. Results suggest that the upper limbs were involved in similar activity patterns in both sexes but were characterized by different habitual behaviors. To obtain comprehensive results, studies should be based on sophisticated methods such as geometric morphometrics as well as standard measurements. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:817-824, 2016. © 2016Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Habitual and Low-Intensity Physical Activity in People with Multiple Sclerosis

People with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) undertake insufficient physical activity based on current guidelines. Recent work points to the benefits of increasing the amount of time spent in all non-sedentary physical activity. The current study sought to explore the potential benefits to community participation, as well as examine factors predictive, of engagement in ‘habitual’ and/or low-intensity physical activity. Seventy-four people with MS were compared to 67 healthy controls using the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI). Findings revealed differences in habitual activity level (p &lt; .001), and low-intensity physical activity (p &lt; .001), with people with MS having a lower level of engagement than healthy people. After controlling for the impact of MS on mobility, years since symptom onset, physical fatigue and reduced positive affect were the most significant predictors of engagement in ‘at least weekly’ low-intensity physical activity. Higher frequency of low-intensity physical activity was significantly associated with greater home, social and occupational participation (all p &lt; .05), and physical health status (p &lt; .01), but not mental health status (p = .964) in people with MS. Results suggest that improving habitual activity level and engagement in low-intensity physical activity may be of benefit for people with MS.

FemHab: The effects of bed rest and hypoxia on oxidative stress in healthy women.

Independently, both inactivity and hypoxia augment oxidative stress. This study, part of the FemHab project, investigated the combined effects of bed rest-induced unloading and hypoxic exposure on oxidative stress and antioxidant status. Healthy, eumenorrheic women were randomly assigned to the following three 10-day experimental interventions: normoxic bed rest (NBR;n= 11; PiO2 = 133 mmHg), normobaric hypoxic bed rest (HBR;n= 12; PiO2 = 90 mmHg), and ambulatory hypoxic confinement (HAMB;n= 8: PiO2 = 90 mmHg). Plasma samples, obtained before (Pre), during (D2, D6), immediately after (Post) and 24 h after (Post+1) each intervention, were analyzed for oxidative stress markers [advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitrotyrosine], antioxidant status [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and uric acid (UA)], NO metabolism end-products (NOx), and nitrites. Compared with baseline, AOPP increased in NBR and HBR on D2 (+14%; +12%;P< 0.05), D6 (+19%; +15%;P< 0.05), and Post (+22%; +21%;P< 0.05), respectively. MDA increased at Post+1 in NBR (+116%;P< 0.01) and D2 in HBR (+114%;P< 0.01) and HAMB (+95%;P< 0.05). Nitrotyrosine decreased (-45%;P< 0.05) and nitrites increased (+46%;P< 0.05) at Post+1 in HAMB only. Whereas SOD was higher at D6 (+82%) and Post+1 (+67%) in HAMB only, the catalase activity increased on D6 (128%) and Post (146%) in HBR and HAMB, respectively (P< 0.05). GPX was only reduced on D6 (-20%;P< 0.01) and Post (-18%;P< 0.05) in HBR. No differences were observed in FRAP and NOx. UA was higher at Post in HBR compared with HAMB (P< 0.05). These data indicate that exposure to combined inactivity and hypoxia impairs prooxidant/antioxidant balance in healthy women. Moreover, habitual activity levels, as opposed to inactivity, seem to blunt hypoxia-related oxidative stress via antioxidant system upregulation.

Habitual Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Bone Health in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Associations between habitual physical activity levels and bone health in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were assessed. Twenty nine female patients with RA were assessed for bone mineral density (BMD), and classified as having low or normal hip BMD. Habitual physical activity levels were assessed using accelerometry, and disease activity was assessed using the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI). Twenty one patients had normal bone mass, while 8 had low bone mass. There was no difference in age in the normal bone mass group (51(8)) compared to the low bone mass group (57(12)), p=0.19. Patients with normal bone mass spent on average 2 h less per day in sedentary activity (65(4)% vs. 73(2)%, p<0.01), over 70 min more time in light activity (23(1)% vs. 18(2)%, p<0.01), and over 50 min more in moderate activity per day (12(3)% vs. 8(2)%, p<0.01) than did patients with low bone mass, independently of disease activity or duration. Patients with normal bone mass broke up their sedentary time more frequently per day (72(21) vs. 53(18) times per day, p=0.03). The results of this study indicate that higher habitual activity levels may be protective of bone health in patients with RA, and should be encouraged.

Assessing Nutritional and Vitamin D Status of Postmenopausal Obese and Osteosarcopenic Obese Women

Osteosarcopenic obesity (OSO) is newly identified syndrome which reconciles osteopenia/osteoporosis with sarcopenia and adiposity. Neither complete diagnostic criteria nor full clinical characteristics of this syndrome are defined or understood. Our objective was to examine various nutritional parameters in women with OSO and compare them to obese‐only (OB, without sarcopenia or osteopenia) women. 225 obese postmenopausal women were evaluated for bone, muscle and fat mass by iDXA to identify osteopenia/osteoporosis, sarcopenia and obesity (body fat&gt;30%). OSO was identified in 37 women who were compared to n=53 OB women. Diet and physical activity were assessed as well. Fasting serum vitamin D (25(OH)D) was analyzed by ELISA. Women with OSO had significantly lower calcium (930±469 vs 1293±667 mg/day) and vitamin D, but higher protein (76.1±17.6 vs 74.3±18.1g/day) and energy intake. Their habitual activity was also significantly higher (7.9±4.8 vs 5.9±5.8 hr/week). 25(OH)D, although in an adequate range, was significantly lower in OSO than in OB women (78.8±71.8 vs 130.1±108.4nmol/L); all p&lt;0.05. Although women with OSO were significantly younger and had higher protein and energy intake, and higher level of sustained habitual activity, compared to OB women, their bone and muscle profile was inferior, resulting in the OSO diagnosis. The OB women had higher calcium and vitamin D intake, as well as better vitamin D status, possibly contributing to more favorable bone and muscle profile. Future research is warranted to investigate OSO syndrome and subsequent therapeutic measures for prevention/treatment, as these findings suggest it is a complex condition.

Live, eat, sleep football? Body size and composition and beliefs about physical activity in an international cohort of school-aged boys participating in regular team sport

and participation inteam sports may be specifically in decline despite the potential benefits, which extend beyond physical health. The DanoneNations Cup (DNC) is an annual football tournament and nutrition education programme involving 32 nations which focuses onthe promotion of “an inspiring and healthy future”. This study aimed to undertake a cross-country comparison of body size and com-position, activity levels and beliefs in children who are engaged in team sport to better understand its role in promoting healthylifestyles.The 2013 DNC final took place in England and participating children completed questionnaires at the beginning and end of theweek-long event, with self-report of habitual food intake and activity levels and knowledge of general nutrition and activity recom-mendations. Subject to parental informed consent and child assent anthropometric measurements (weight, height, body fat via bio-electric impedance and waist and hip circumferences) were also taken on one occasion using standard paediatric methodologies.Pre-questionnaires were completed by 190 children (sample A, 16 countries) and anthropometric data was collected from 183 chil-dren (sample B, 16 countries, all male, mean age 12·3[0·4] years). Fifty two percent of the children in sample A (n=93) used activetransport to school and 73% (n=139) were active during school breaks. Sixty six percent (n=125) reported 5 or more hours of sportper week but only 23% (n=43) cited the recommendation for children of their age to be active for at least one hour per day with over athird (n=61, 35%) believing the recommendations did not include daily activity. Modal screen time was 30 minutes per day (n=46,24%). The majority of the children (57%) reported having televisions but not computer consoles in their bedrooms. Mean BMI insample B was 18·3[2·0] kg/m

Label-Free LC-MS Profiling of Skeletal Muscle Reveals Heart-Type Fatty Acid Binding Protein as a Candidate Biomarker of Aerobic Capacity.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis provides robust comparative analysis of skeletal muscle, but this technique is laborious and limited by its inability to resolve all proteins. In contrast, orthogonal separation by SDS-PAGE and reverse-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) affords deep mining of the muscle proteome, but differential analysis between samples is challenging due to the greater level of fractionation and the complexities of quantifying proteins based on the abundances of their tryptic peptides. Here we report simple, semi-automated and time efficient (i.e., 3 h per sample) proteome profiling of skeletal muscle by 1-dimensional RPLC electrospray ionisation tandem MS. Solei were analysed from rats (n = 5, in each group) bred as either high- or low-capacity runners (HCR and LCR, respectively) that exhibited a 6.4-fold difference (1,625 ± 112 m vs. 252 ± 43 m, p < 0.0001) in running capacity during a standardized treadmill test. Soluble muscle proteins were extracted, digested with trypsin and individual biological replicates (50 ng of tryptic peptides) subjected to LC-MS profiling. Proteins were identified by triplicate LC-MS/MS analysis of a pooled sample of each biological replicate. Differential expression profiling was performed on relative abundances (RA) of parent ions, which spanned three orders of magnitude. In total, 207 proteins were analysed, which encompassed almost all enzymes of the major metabolic pathways in skeletal muscle. The most abundant protein detected was type I myosin heavy chain (RA = 5,843 ± 897) and the least abundant protein detected was heat shock 70 kDa protein (RA = 2 ± 0.5). Sixteen proteins were significantly (p < 0.05) more abundant in HCR muscle and hierarchal clustering of the profiling data highlighted two protein subgroups, which encompassed proteins associated with either the respiratory chain or fatty acid oxidation. Heart-type fatty acid binding protein (FABPH) was 1.54-fold (p = 0.0064) more abundant in HCR than LCR soleus. This discovery was verified using selective reaction monitoring (SRM) of the y5 ion (551.21 m/z) of the doubly-charged peptide SLGVGFATR (454.19 m/z) of residues 23–31 of FABPH. SRM was conducted on technical replicates of each biological sample and exhibited a coefficient of variation of 20%. The abundance of FABPH measured by SRM was 2.84-fold greater (p = 0.0095) in HCR muscle. In addition, SRM of FABPH was performed in vastus lateralis samples of young and elderly humans with different habitual activity levels (collected during a previous study) finding FABPH abundance was 2.23-fold greater (p = 0.0396) in endurance-trained individuals regardless of differences in age. In summary, our findings in HCR/LCR rats provide protein-level confirmation for earlier transcriptome profiling work and show LC-MS is a viable means of profiling the abundance of almost all major metabolic enzymes of skeletal muscle in a highly parallel manner. Moreover, our approach is relatively more time efficient than techniques relying on orthogonal separations, and we demonstrate LC-MS profiling of the HCR/LCR selection model was able to highlight biomarkers that also exhibit differences in trained and untrained human muscle.

Lifelong endurance training attenuates age-related genotoxic stress in human skeletal muscle

BackgroundThe aim of the present study was to determine the influence of age and habitual activity level, at rest and following a single bout of high-intensity exercise, on the levels of three proteins poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), cleaved-PARP-1 and poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG), involved in the DNA repair and cell death responses to stress and genotoxic insults. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis of young trained (22 ± 3 years, n = 6), young untrained (24 ± 4 years, n = 6), old trained (64 ± 3 years, n = 6) and old untrained (65 ± 6 years, n = 6) healthy males before, immediately after and three days following a high-intensity interval exercise bout.ResultsPARP-1, which catalyzes poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of proteins and DNA in response to a range of intrinsic and extrinsic stresses, was increased at baseline in old trained and old untrained compared with young trained and young untrained participants (P ≤ 0.05). Following exercise, PARP-1 levels remained unchanged in young trained participants, in contrast to old trained and old untrained where levels decreased and young untrained where levels increased (P ≤ 0.05). Interestingly, baseline levels of the cleaved PARP-1, a marker of apoptosis, and PARG, responsible for polymer degradation, were both significantly elevated in old untrained compared with old trained, young trained and young untrained (P ≤ 0.05). Despite this baseline difference in PARG, there was no change in any group following exercise. There was a non-significant statistical trend (P = 0.072) towards increased cleaved-PARP-1 expression post-exercise in younger but not old persons, regardless of training status.ConclusionsCollectively, these results show that exercise slows the progression towards a chronically stressed state but has no impact on the age-related attenuated response to acute exercise. Our findings provide valuable insight into how habitual exercise training could protect skeletal muscle from chronic damage to macromolecules and may reduce sarcopenia in older people.

Muscle Strength and Balance Training in Sarcopenic Elderly: A Pilot Study with Randomized Controlled Trial

In aging, there is a gradual decrease in muscle mass (sarcopenia) and muscle strength which contributes to a decline in physical functions, increased disability, frailty, and loss of independence. Physical activity can reduce functional decline due to aging. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) are needed to determine the effectiveness of different exercise stimuli on muscle strength and balance in the sarcopenic elderly. Forty male volunteers diagnosed with sarcopenia (CDCP) (70.9±5.2yrs) were enrolled in this study. A randomized, controlled trial, with blind assessment, was designed to study the effect of global sensorimotor, high intensity focused vibrational (intensity: 300Hz) and resistance training (intensity: 60–80% of maximum theoretical force, 10–12 repetitions for 3 sets) stimuli on muscle strength and balance confidence. The subjects were randomly assigned to three different training programs or a control group which was encouraged to maintain their habitual activity level. The training was performed for 12 weeks in all groups: 2 sessions/week in Gsm and Ret groups; 1 session/week for the first 8 weeks and 3 sessions/week for the last 4 weeks in Vam group. The main outcome was maximal force contraction of the lower limbs, and secondary outcomes were static and dynamic balance confidence. All the training regimens increased isometric strength. Both the sensorimotor and the vibrational training increased stability with a reduction of sway area and of ellipse surface (p&lt;0.01). Gait analysis showed a significant increase in the length of the half-step in all three groups (respectively 108%, p &lt;0.01; 92% p&lt; 0.01; 65% p &lt;0.05). AH the training programs implemented in the present investigation increase muscle strength. In addition, sensorimotor and vibrational training intervention aims to transfer these peripheral gains to the functional and more complex task of balance, in order to reduce the risk of falls.

Inflammatory factors and exercise in chronic kidney disease.

Patients with chronic kidney disease frequently present with chronic elevations in markers of inflammation, a condition that appears to be exacerbated by disease progression and onset of haemodialysis. Systemic inflammation is interlinked with malnutrition and muscle protein wasting and is implicated in a number of morbidities including cardiovascular disease: the most common cause of mortality in this population. Research in the general population and other chronic disease cohorts suggests that an increase in habitual activity levels over a prolonged period may help redress basal increases in systemic inflammation. Furthermore, those populations with the highest baseline levels of systemic inflammation appear to have the greatest improvements from training. On the whole, the activity levels of the chronic kidney disease population reflect a sedentary lifestyle, indicating the potential for increasing physical activity and observing health benefits. This review explores the current literature investigating exercise and inflammatory factors in the chronic kidney disease population and then attempts to explain the contradictory findings and suggests where future research is required.

Physical activity, cognitive function, and brain health: what is the role of exercise training in the prevention of dementia?

The population of elderly adults in the US is growing, and the prevalence of age-related cognitive decline and dementia is expected to increase in turn. Effective and inexpensive interventions or preventive measures are necessary to attenuate the increased economic and social burden of dementia. This review will focus on the potential for physical activity and exercise training to promote brain health and improve cognitive function via neurophysiological changes. We will review pertinent animal and human research examining the effects of physical activity on cognitive function and neurophysiology. We will discuss cross-sectional and longitudinal studies addressing the relationship between neurocognitive health and cardiorespiratory fitness or habitual activity level. We will then present and discuss longitudinal investigations examining the effects of exercise training on cognitive function and neurophysiology. We will conclude by summarizing our current understanding of the relationship between physical activity and brain health, and present areas for future research given the current gaps in our understanding of this issue.

Adaptive changes in the lipid peroxidation-antioxidative defense system in children with different levels of motor activity in the course of study at school

The parameters of the lipid peroxidation-antioxidative defense (LPO-AOD) system were studied in 1st- to 11th-year pupils of comprehensive secondary schools of the city of Chelyabinsk, Russia, with different levels of habitual motor activity in order to determine the possible relationship between these parameters and motor activity.