Level In Older Adults Research Articles

The impact of different step rate threshold methods on physical activity intensity in older adults

BackgroundOlder adults benefit most from engaging in higher-intensity physical activity, which is often determined using step rate thresholds. Fixed step rate thresholds that correspond to moderate (MPA) and vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA) have been developed for heuristic activity promotion. The activPAL monitor uses step rate thresholds to determine activity intensity. Stepping thresholds may also vary based on body mass index (BMI) or aerobic fitness level in older adults. Despite the various thresholds used in the literature, it is unclear whether they produce similar outcomes. Research QuestionHow does time spent in physical activity intensities compare between different step rate thresholds in older adults? MethodsThirty-eight participants (24♀; 67 ± 4 years; BMI: 26.6 ± 4.4 kg/m2) wore an activPAL monitor 24-hr/day for up to 7-d (total: 205-d). Aerobic fitness (V̇O2max: 23 ± 8 ml/kg/min) was determined via indirect calorimetry during a maximal, graded cycling test. Time spent in each intensity category (light-physical-activity [LPA], MPA, VPA) was determined using the fixed (MPA/VPA) 100/130, 110/130, and activPAL step rate thresholds (74/212), as well as BMI-adjusted absolute (108.5 ± 2.5/134.0 ± 4.8) and BMI-adjusted relative (40%/60% V̇O2max; 111.4 ± 14.7/132.0 ± 19.0) cut-offs. Times spent in each intensity category were compared between methods. ResultsThe activPAL and 100/130 thresholds yielded less LPA and more MPA than all other methods. The activPAL had no time spent in VPA at all. The BMI-adjusted absolute and relative thresholds produced statistically equivalent time in LPA and MPA (via equivalence testing), but not VPA. No two methods yielded similar time spent in LPA, MPA, or VPA. SignificanceThe choice of step rate threshold has a major impact on physical activity intensity outcomes in older adults. Inherently, strategies that adjust for older adults’ body size and/or aerobic fitness level provide a more individualized data processing strategy than fixed thresholds that assume the same threshold for all older adults

Clinical Correlates Identify ProBDNF and Thrombo-Inflammatory Markers as Key Predictors of Circulating p75NTR Extracellular Domain Levels in Older Adults.

The p75NTR receptor binds all neurotrophins and is mostly known for its role in neuronal survival and apoptosis. Recently, the extracellular domain (ECD) of p75NTR has been reported in plasma, its levels being dysregulated in numerous neurological diseases. However, the factors associated with p75NTR ECD levels remain unknown. We investigated clinical correlates of plasma p75NTR ECD levels in older adults without clinically manifested neurological disorders. Circulating p75NTR levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in plasma obtained from participants in the BEL-AGE cohort (n = 1,280). Determinants of plasma p75NTR ECD levels were explored using linear and non-linear statistical models. Plasma p75NTR ECD levels were higher in male participants; were positively correlated with circulating concentrations of pro-brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and inflammatory markers interleukin-6 and CD40 Ligand; and were negatively correlated with the platelet activation marker P-selectin. While most individuals had p75NTR levels ranging from 43 to 358 pg/ml, high p75NTR levels reaching up to 9,000 pg/ml were detectable in a subgroup representing 15% of the individuals studied. In this cohort of older adults without clinically manifested neurological disorders, there was no association between plasma p75NTR ECD levels and cognitive performance, as assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score. The physiological relevance of high p75NTR ECD levels in plasma warrants further investigation. Further research assessing the source of circulating p75NTR is needed for a deeper understanding of the direction of effect, and to investigate whether high p75NTR ECD levels are predictive biomarkers or consequences of neuropathology.

Frailty and testosterone level in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the relationship between total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (fT), or sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and frailty in older adults. We systematically searched nine databases (e.g. MEDLINE, Embase, ACP Journal Club, and the Cochrane library et al.) for papers on frailty and androgen levels published up to October 10, 2021. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) for the relationship between testosterone level and frailty by performing meta-analysis. The search strategy yielded 311 hits in all databases combined. Eleven (seven cross-sectional studies and four cohort studies) met the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. Among cross-sectional studies, meta-analysis revealed a significant association between TT and frailty in men (OR = 1.37 [95% CI 1.09, 1.72]) not women (OR = 1.06 [0.84, 1.34]). The fT was also significantly association with frailty in men (OR = 1.55 [1.06, 2.25] not women (OR = 1.35 [0.91, 2.01]). Cohort studies showed the same result in TT (OR = 1.09 [1.02, 1.18]) and fT (OR = 1.15 [1.02, 1.30]) for men. We did not find a significant association between SHBG and frailty. The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that TT and fT were significantly associated with frailty in older men but not women.

The genetic and epigenetic profile of serumS100β in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 and its relationship to Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Circulating S100 calcium-binding protein (S100β) is a marker of brain inflammation that has been associated with a range of neurological conditions. To provide insight into the molecular regulation of S100β and its potential causal associations with Alzheimer's disease, we carried out genome- and epigenome-wide association studies (GWAS/EWAS) of serum S100β levels in older adults and performed Mendelian randomisation with Alzheimer's disease. Methods: GWAS (N=769, mean age 72.5 years, sd = 0.7) and EWAS (N=722, mean age 72.5 years, sd = 0.7) of S100β levels were performed in participants from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936. Conditional and joint analysis (COJO) was used to identify independent loci. Expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analyses were performed for lead loci that had genome-wide significant associations with S100β. Bidirectional, two-sample Mendelian randomisation was used to test for causal associations between S100β and Alzheimer's disease. Colocalisation between S100β and Alzheimer's disease GWAS loci was also examined. Results: We identified 154 SNPs from chromosome 21 that associated (P<5x10 -8) with S100β protein levels. The lead variant was located in the S100β gene (rs8128872, P=5.0x10 -17). We found evidence that two independent causal variants existed for both transcription of S100β and S100β protein levels in our eQTL analyses . No CpG sites were associated with S100β levels at the epigenome-wide significant level (P<3.6x10 -8); the lead probe was cg06833709 (P=5.8x10 -6), which mapped to the LGI1 gene. There was no evidence of a causal association between S100β levels and Alzheimer's disease or vice versa and no evidence for colocalisation between S100β and Alzheimer's disease loci. Conclusions: These data provide insight into the molecular regulators of S100β levels. This context may aid in understanding the role of S100β in brain inflammation and neurological disease.

The prevalence of anemia and its associations with other geriatric syndromes in subjects over 65 years old: data of Russian epidemiological study EVKALIPT

A low hemoglobin level in older adults impairs cognitive ability and functional status and associates with risk of falls and fractures, sarcopenia, malnutrition, depression, frailty, and decreased autonomy. Epidemiological data on the anemia prevalence in the geriatric population in our country is not available. To assess the prevalence of anemia and analyze its associations with geriatric syndromes (GS) in subjects aged 65 years. 4308 subjects (30% of men) aged 65107 years, living in 11 regions of the Russian Federation, were examined and divided into age groups (6574 years, 7584 years and 85 years). All the participants underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment and determined hemoglobin level. The anemia prevalence in older adults was 23.9%. It has been shown that with an increase in age per 1 year, the risk of anemia detection increases by 4%. The incidence of anemia was higher in males than females (28.1% versus 22.1%; p0.001). In most cases, anemia was mild. The results of a comprehensive geriatric assessment show that patients with anemia had lower hand grip force, Barthel Index, the sum of points on Lawton instrumental activities of daily living scale, Mini Nutritional Assessment scale, the Mini-Cog test and higher the sum of points on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) and the Age Is No Barrier scale. Patients with anemia were more likely to use hearing aids, absorbent underwear, and assistive devices during movement. Patients with anemia had a higher incidence of all GS, except for orthostatic hypotension and chronic pain syndrome. The presence of GS is associated with an increased risk of anemia by 1.33.4 times. EVKALIPT study obtained domestic data on the prevalence of anemia in older patients and examined its associations with other GS.

Correlations between glycosylated hemoglobin and glucose levels in Chinese older adults with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus.

To explore the correlations between glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and glucose levels in older adults with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 783 participants aged ≥60 years were enrolled. The 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was conducted and HbA1c was measured. The participants were divided into normal glucose tolerance (NGT)HbA1c, Pre-DMHbA1c, and T2DMHbA1c groups based on the HbA1c diagnostic criteria. The correlations between HbA1c and glucose levels of the OGTT were analyzed. When HbA1c ≥ 6.5% in older people, HbA1c was positively correlated with Glucose 0 min and 120 min of the OGTT (r = 0.335, 0.247; all p < 0.05, respectively). When HbA1c was between 5.7% and 6.4%, HbA1c was positively correlated with Glucose 0 min and 120 min (r = 0.298, 0.474; all p < 0.01, respectively). When HbA1c ≤ 5.6%, HbA1c was positively correlated with Glucose 0 min and 120 min (r = 0.301, 0.357; all p < 0.01, respectively). HbA1c was positively correlated with HOMA-IR (r = 0.368, p < 0.01), while it was negatively correlated with HOMA-β, ΔI30/ΔG30, IG120, and GDI(r = -0.267, -0.397,-0.364,-0.397; all p < 0.01, respectively). After adjustment for confounders, the correlations of HbA1c with Glucose 0 min and 120 min, insulin sensitivity and β-cell function indexes still existed. When HbA1c ≥ 6.5%, there were 93.3% T2DMOGTT and 6.7% Pre-DMOGTT subjects. When HbA1c < 6.5%, there were 17.7% T2DMOGTT, 39.5% Pre-DMOGTT (including 2.5% IFGOGTT, 36.1% IGTOGTT and 0.9% IGROGTT), and 42.8% NGTOGTT subjects. When HbA1c ≥ 6.5% in older people, HbA1c shows the highest correlation with Glucose 0 min of the OGTT. When HbA1c < 6.5%, postprandial hyperglycemia is a main characteristic of older people, and HbA1c shows the highest correlation with Glucose 120 min of the OGTT.

Clinical Application of Plasma Neurofilament Light Chain in a Memory Clinic: A Pilot Study.

Background and PurposeNeurofilament light chain (NfL) has been considered as a biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We measured plasma NfL levels in older adults with cognitive complaints and evaluated their clinical usefulness in AD.MethodsPlasma levels of NfL, measured by using the single molecule array method, were acquired in a total of 113 subjects consisting of subjective cognitive decline (SCD; n=14), mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n=37), or dementia of Alzheimer type (DAT; n=62). Plasma NfL level was compared among three groups, and its association with cognitive and functional status was also analyzed.ResultsAfter adjusting for age, plasma NfL level was higher in subjects with DAT (65.98±84.96 pg/mL), compared to in subjects with SCD (16.90±2.54 pg/mL) or MCI (25.53±10.42 pg/mL, p=0.004). NfL levels were correlated with scores of the mini-mental state examination (r=−0.242, p=0.021), clinical dementia rating (CDR) (r=0.291, p=0.005), or CDR-sum of boxes (r=0.276, p=0.008). Just for participants who performed amyloid positron emission tomography (PET), the levels were different between subjects with PET (−) (n=17, 25.95±13.25 pg/mL) and PET (+) (n=16, 63.65±81.90 pg/mL, p=0.010). Additionally, plasma NfL levels were different between vascular dementia and vascular MCI, and between Parkinson’s disease- dementia and no dementia.ConclusionsThis pilot study shows that in subjects with DAT, plasma NfL levels increase. Plasma NfL level correlated with cognitive and functional status. Further longitudinal studies may help to apply the plasma NfL levels to AD, as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and predicting progression.

Efekat suplemenata cinka na kvalitet sna kod starijih - randomizovana klinička studija

Introduction/Aim: The use of macronutrient and micronutrient foods is associated with the duration of sleep. This study aimed to determine the effect of zinc supplements on the sleep quality of older adults. Methods: The current parallel randomized clinical trial study was performed using a convenience sampling method. One hundred and fifty older adults who met the inclusion criteria were assigned to intervention and control group. The participants in the intervention group received a daily dose of 30 mg zinc supplementation pill for 70 days and the control group did not receive any supplement. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Serum zinc level in both groups was measured through the auto-analysis method. The questionnaire was completed and the serum level of zinc was measured twice, before the intervention and 70 days after the intervention. Results: Both groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic variables, sleep quality, and serum zinc level before the intervention. Of all, 73.3% of older adults in the intervention group and 74.7% of older adults in the control group had poor sleep quality. Sleep quality in the intervention group, as compared with the control group, significantly improved after the intervention. Furthermore, serum zinc levels in older adults in the intervention group, as compared with the control group, significantly increased after the intervention. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it is recommended to utilize zinc supplementation as a new therapeutic approach for improving sleep quality in older adults.

Effectiveness of Cognitive Stimulation Personalized by the Preexisting Cognitive Level in Older Adults

This randomized clinical trial analyzed whether a personalized cognitive stimulation based on the individual's preexisting cognitive levels may be more effective in the short and long terms than a standard cognitive stimulation program. In total, 288 older adults were randomized into an intervention group and a control group, stratified according to their cognitive levels. There were significant differences between groups, with a small effect size at postintervention (10 weeks), follow-up I (26 weeks), and follow-up II (52 weeks) (P &lt; .001, 0.2 &lt;r &lt; 0.4) and in the cognitive category (P &lt; .001). The personalization of cognitive stimulation is effective to maintain normal cognitive functioning and to delay cognitive decline.

The genetic and epigenetic profile of serum S100β in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 and its relationship to Alzheimer’s disease

Background: Circulating S100 calcium-binding protein (S100β) is a marker of brain inflammation that has been associated with a range of neurological conditions. To provide insight into the molecular regulation of S100β and its potential causal associations with Alzheimer’s disease, we carried out genome- and epigenome-wide association studies (GWAS/EWAS) of serum S100β levels in older adults and performed Mendelian randomisation with Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: GWAS (N=769, mean age 72.5 years, sd = 0.7) and EWAS (N=722, mean age 72.5 years, sd = 0.7) of S100β levels were performed in participants from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936. Conditional and joint analysis (COJO) was used to identify independent loci. Expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analyses were performed for lead loci that had genome-wide significant associations with S100β. Bidirectional, two-sample Mendelian randomisation was used to test for causal associations between S100β and Alzheimer’s disease. Colocalisation between S100β and Alzheimer’s disease GWAS loci was also examined. Results: We identified 154 SNPs from chromosome 21 that associated (P<5x10 -8) with S100β protein levels. The lead variant was located in the S100β gene (rs8128872, P=5.0x10 -17). We found evidence that two independent causal variants existed for both transcription of S100β and S100β protein levels in our eQTL analyses . No CpG sites were associated with S100β levels at the epigenome-wide significant level (P<3.6x10 -8); the lead probe was cg06833709 (P=5.8x10 -6), which mapped to the LGI1 gene. There was no evidence of a causal association between S100β levels and Alzheimer’s disease or vice versa and no evidence for colocalisation between S100β and Alzheimer’s disease loci. Conclusions: These data provide insight into the molecular regulators of S100β levels. This context may aid in understanding the role of S100β in brain inflammation and neurological disease.

Task-Related Modulation of Sensorimotor GABA+ Levels in Association with Brain Activity and Motor Performance: A Multimodal MRS-fMRI Study in Young and Older Adults.

Recent studies suggest an important role of the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA for motor performance in the context of aging. Nonetheless, as previous magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies primarily reported resting-state GABA levels, much less is known about transient changes in GABA levels during motor task performance and how these relate to behavior and brain activity patterns. Therefore, we investigated GABA+ levels of left primary sensorimotor cortex (SM1) acquired before, during, and after execution of a unimanual/bimanual action selection task in 30 (human) young adults (YA; age 24.5 ± 4.1, 15 male) and 30 older adults (OA; age 67.8 ± 4.9, 14 male). In addition to task-related MRS data, task-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were acquired. Behavioral results indicated lower motor performance in OA as opposed to YA, particularly in complex task conditions. MRS results demonstrated lower GABA+ levels in OA as compared with YA. Furthermore, a transient task-related decrease of GABA+ levels was observed, regardless of age. Notably, this task-induced modulation of GABA+ levels was linked to task-related brain activity patterns in SM1 such that a more profound task-induced instantaneous lowering of GABA+ was related to higher SM1 activity. Additionally, higher brain activity was related to better performance in the bimanual conditions, despite some age-related differences. Finally, the modulatory capacity of GABA+ was positively related to motor performance in OA but not YA. Together, these results underscore the importance of transient dynamical changes in neurochemical content for brain function and behavior, particularly in the context of aging.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Emerging evidence designates an important role to regional GABA levels in motor control, especially in the context of aging. However, it remains unclear whether changes in GABA levels emerge when executing a motor task and how these changes relate to brain activity patterns and performance. Here, we identified a transient decrease of sensorimotor GABA+ levels during performance of an action selection task across young adults (YA) and older adults (OA). Interestingly, whereas a more profound GABA+ modulation related to higher brain activity across age groups, its association with motor performance differed across age groups. Within OA, our results highlighted a functional merit of a task-related release from inhibitory tone, i.e. lowering regional GABA+ levels was associated with task-relevant brain activity.

The Mediating Role of Self-Regulation and Self-Efficacy on Physical Activity Change in Community-Dwelling Older Adults (≥65 Years): An Experimental Cross-Lagged Analysis Using Data From SITLESS.

Improving the capacity for physical activity interventions to maintain behavior change is a key public health concern and an important strategy for the health and independence of older adults. Ways of ensuring effective maintenance of physical activity levels in older adults are unclear. This study includes the objective measure of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA); self-reported self-efficacy; and self-regulation at four timepoints (baseline, intervention completion at 4 months, 12-, and 18-month follow-up) from the SITLESS study, a clinical trial conducted with a cohort of community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years) from Denmark, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom. A cross-lagged analysis found that self-regulation and self-efficacy may be key determinants of MVPA behavior in community-dwelling older adults. More specifically, the use of behavioral support strategies represents an important correlate of MVPA behavior, and its association with MVPA may be mediated by self-regulation and self-efficacy in older adults in the short and long term.

The genetic and epigenetic profile of serumS100β in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 and its relationship to Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Circulating S100 calcium-binding protein (S100β) is a marker of brain inflammation that has been associated with a range of neurological conditions. To provide insight into the molecular regulation of S100β and its potential causal associations with Alzheimer's disease, we carried out genome- and epigenome-wide association studies (GWAS/EWAS) of serum S100β levels in older adults and performed Mendelian randomisation with Alzheimer's disease. Methods: GWAS (N=769, mean age 72.5 years, sd = 0.7) and EWAS (N=722, mean age 72.5 years, sd = 0.7) of S100β levels were performed in participants from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936. Conditional and joint analysis (COJO) was used to identify independent loci. Expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analyses were performed for lead loci that had genome-wide significant associations with S100β. Bidirectional, two-sample Mendelian randomisation was used to test for causal associations between S100β and Alzheimer's disease. Colocalisation between S100β and Alzheimer's disease GWAS loci was also examined. Results: We identified 154 SNPs from chromosome 21 that associated (P<5x10 -8) with S100β protein levels. The lead variant was located in the S100β gene (rs8128872, P=5.0x10 -17). We found evidence that two independent causal variants existed for both transcription of S100β and S100β protein levels in our eQTL analyses . No CpG sites were associated with S100β levels at the epigenome-wide significant level (P<3.6x10 -8); the lead probe was cg06833709 (P=5.8x10 -6), which mapped to the LGI1 gene. There was no evidence of a causal association between S100β levels and Alzheimer's disease or vice versa and no evidence for colocalisation between S100β and Alzheimer's disease loci. Conclusions: These data provide insight into the molecular regulators of S100β levels. This context may aid in understanding the role of S100β in brain inflammation and neurological disease.

Association Between Kidney Function and Lipid Levels in Older Adults

Association Between Kidney Function and Lipid Levels in Older Adults

The relationship between multisite peripheral joint pain and physical activity levels in older adults: A cross-sectional survey.

Research on levels of physical activity (PA) in those with peripheral joint pain have only focused on single sites, in the knee or hips. This study investigated the levels of PA in adults with single-site and multisite peripheral joint pain compared to adults with no joint pain. Analysis of a cross-sectional population survey mailed to adults aged ≥45years (n=28,443) was conducted. Respondents reported any peripheral joint pain in the last 12months in either the hands, hips, knees or feet; PA levels were self-reported using the short telephone activity rating scale. The association between PA levels, peripheral joint pain and outcomes of health status (physical and mental component scores, using SF-12) pain intensity (10-point scale) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (EQ-5D) were investigated using analysis of variance and ordinal regressions. Compared to those with no joint pain, all pain groups reported lower levels of PA: joint pain in one site (odds ratio=0.91, 95% CI: 0.83-0.99); two sites (0.74, 0.67-0.81), three sites (0.65, 0.59-0.72) and four sites (0.47, 0.42-0.53). Across all joint pain groups, levels of PA were associated with pain intensity, physical health status, mental health status and HRQoL. Adults with more sites of peripheral joint pain were more likely to report lower levels of PA. Those with more sites of pain and lower levels of PA reported poorer outcomes. Health care providers should be aware that those with multisite joint pain are most likely to have low levels of PA.

The effects of fear of COVID-19, loneliness, and resilience on the quality of life in older adults living in a nursing home

This study aimed to evaluate the fear of COVID-19, loneliness, resilience, and quality of life levels in older adults in a nursing home during the pandemic, and the effects of these variables and descriptive characteristics on their quality of life.Data were collected using a participant information form, the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE), the Brief Resilience Scale, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), the Loneliness Scale for Elderly (LSE), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF Turkish Version (WHOQOL-BREF-TR). Regarding the WHOQOL-BREF-TR scale, being male, history of chronic disease, MMSE score, and the changes in sleep pattern significantly affected the physical dimension (R2=0.353, p<0.01) while age, and MMSE and LSE scores significantly affected the psychological dimension (R2=0.364, p<0.01). Also, the MMSE, FCV-19S, and LSE scores significantly affected the social relations dimension (R2=0.234, p<0.01) while MMSE, FCV-19S, and LSE scores significantly affected the environmental dimension (R2=0.351, p<0.01).

Positive and negative affect are associated with salivary cortisol in the everyday life of older adults: A quantitative synthesis of four aging studies

Research on time-fluctuating links between positive affect and cortisol is inconsistent and mostly based on young to middle-aged samples. The current project investigated how moment-to-moment changes in positive and negative affect are associated with moment-to-moment changes in cortisol levels in older adults’ daily lives and whether those associations are moderated by differences in health status (as indicated by the number of comorbidities). Affect and cortisol data collected in four separately conducted momentary assessment studies with parallel protocols were pooled to obtain a sample of N=476 individuals aged 56–88 years (Mage=71.9, SD=6.6; 52% female). Participants provided affect reports and collected salivary cortisol 5–7 times a day for a 7-day period and reported the presence of 13 different health conditions. Data were analyzed using multilevel models, with time since waking, daily behaviors associated with cortisol secretion, age, and sex controlled. Feeling more positive affect than usual was associated with lower momentary cortisol. In contrast, feeling more negative affect than usual was associated with higher momentary cortisol. Associations of momentary positive and negative affect with cortisol were weaker among participants in worse as compared to those in better health. Trait positive affectivity was associated with more curvature of waking cortisol profiles and trait negative affectivity was associated with smaller cortisol awakening responses. Findings suggest that HPA axis responses fluctuate with everyday changes in positive and negative affect in older adults, and that higher HPA reactivity may indicate preserved health in this age group.

Physiological stress in safer cycling in older age (SiFAr-stress): effect of a multicomponent exercise intervention\u2014a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundSiFAr-Stress investigates the impact of cycling on stress levels in older adults. Uncertainty due to change to motorized bicycle or fear of falling can be perceived as stressors for cyclists. Stress activates different physiological signal cascades and stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which leads to the release of the stress hormone cortisol and further effects such as the development of low-grade inflammation. Both can—in the long term—be associated with negative health outcomes. The aim of the study SiFAr-Stress is to analyze inflammatory processes as well as the activity of stress systems before and after a cycling intervention for older adults.MethodsIn this study, community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older will be randomly assigned to either a cycling or a control intervention in a parallel-group design. Objective HPA axis–related measures (saliva cortisol and hair cortisol) will be assessed before, after, and 6–9 months after the cycling and control intervention (T0, T1, and T2). Furthermore, changes in cortisol reactivity in response to the cycling intervention will be investigated at the second and seventh training lessons. Furthermore, secondary outcomes (fear of falling, perceived stress, salivary alpha amylase, and C-reactive protein) will be assessed at T0, T1, and T2.DiscussionThe study will be the first, in which stress- and health-related bio-physiological outcomes will be assessed in the context of a multicomponent exercise intervention, addressing cycling in older adults. It will enable us to better understand the underlying patho-physiological and psychological mechanisms and will help to improve interventions for this target group.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.govNCT04362514. Prospectively registered on 27 April 2020

Skin Carotenoid Concentration and C-reactive Protein Levels in Older Adults: A Cross-sectional Study

Skin Carotenoid Concentration and C-reactive Protein Levels in Older Adults: A Cross-sectional Study

Effect of session order in combined aerobic and resistance training on glycemic control in older adults with type 2 diabetes: a crossover study

The session order of aerobic and resistance training seems to be important for glycemic behavior, as when performed in isolation they help to reduce glycosylated hemoglobin. The purpose of the present study was to compare the acute effect of aerobic and resistance training session orders on glycemia levels of older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A counterbalanced crossover design was used in this study. Eighteen older adults with type 2 diabetes, 13 men and 5 women, non-insulin and beta-blocker dependents, were recruited. All participants performed two training sessions in different orders: aerobic + resistance (AER) and resistance + aerobic (RES). There was a seven-day interval between sessions. In the AER session, a significant (p &lt; 0.001) decrease in blood glucose was observed between training (Mid moment: p &lt; 0.001) and after each session (Post moment: p = 0.003) compared to the baseline (Pre moment). In the RES session, no difference (p = 0.731) was found at the Mid moment in relation to the Pre moment, but a significant (p &lt; 0.001) decrease in blood glucose was observed in the Post moment. A comparison of the different training sessions showed a significant difference (p = 0.012) at the Mid moment, whereas the blood glucose showed a sharper reduction the AER session. In conclusion, we observed that combined training, regardless of the order, was effective for acute glycemic behavior in older people with type 2 diabetes, and aerobic training was the main factor responsible for the reduction blood glucose.