Forced mild physical training improves blood volume in the motor and hippocampal cortex of old mice

Objectives

To assess the effect of mild forced physical training on cerebral blood volume (CBV) and other brain parameters in old mice.

Setting

Treadmill in the animal house.

Participants

Thirty old (>25 mo) male mice were randomly assigned to one of three groups, exercise (E), exercise plus testosterone (T) (ET), and rest (C).

Intervention

Mild physical training on treadmill (30 min a day at belt speed = 8 m/min, five days a week) with or without one weekly injection of testosterone.

Measurements

CBV, quantitative transverse relaxation time (T2) maps, and cortical thickness were measured by magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

A significant increase of CBV was found in the motor and hippocampal cortex of E and ET mice; cortical thickness was not affected. T2 maps analysis suggested that water distribution did not change. T administration did not add to the effect of physical training.

Conclusion

This work provides first quantitative evidence that exercise initiated at old age is able to improve the hemodynamic status of the brain cortex in key regions for movement and cognition without inducing edema.     

Effect of exercise on the quality of life in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review

Purpose

Diabetic patients tend to have a poor quality of life. A sedentary lifestyle is considered to be a modifiable risk factor for type 2 diabetes and an independent predictor of poor quality of life. Exercise is a key treatment for people living with diabetes. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review to assess the effect of exercise on the quality of life of people with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and three Chinese databases were searched for studies published until January 2016. The review included all clinical trials that evaluated the effect of exercise on quality of life compared with that of usual care for people with type 2 diabetes. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of all the included studies, by using the Downs and Black Quality Index (QI).

Results

Thirty studies met inclusion criteria, with 2785 participants. We divided the exercise into four modes: aerobic, resistance, a combination of aerobic and resistance and yoga. Aerobic exercise showed a significant effect between groups. Resistance and combined exercise showed mixed results. Yoga also showed good intervention effects on quality of life.

Conclusions

The effect of aerobic exercise on the quality of life in people with type 2 diabetes was safe and effective. Then, most of the studies on aerobic exercise were of good methodological quality. The effects of resistance exercise and combined exercise on the quality of life in people with type 2 diabetes were mixed, and the effect of yoga on quality of life still need more research.

     

Coenzyme Q10 supplementation ameliorates inflammatory signaling and oxidative stress associated with strenuous exercise

Background

Exhausting exercise induces muscle damage associated with high production of free radicals and pro-inflammatory mediators.

Aim

The objective of this study was to determine for the first time and simultaneously whether oral coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) supplementation can prevent over-expression of inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress associated with strenuous exercise.

Methods

The participants were classified in two groups: CoQ₁₀ group (CG) and placebo group (PG). The physical test consisted in a constant run (50?km) that combined several degrees of high effort (mountain run and ultra-endurance), in permanent climbing.

Results

Exercise was associated with an increase in TNF-α, IL-6, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and isoprostane levels, revealing the degree of inflammation and oxidative stress induced. Oral supplementation of CoQ₁₀ during exercise was efficient reducing oxidative stress (decreased membrane hydroperoxides, 8-OHdG and isoprostanes generation, increased catalase, and total antioxidant status), which would lead to the maintenance of the cell integrity. Data obtained also indicate that CoQ₁₀ prevents over-expression of TNF-α after exercise, together with an increase in sTNF-RII that limits the pro-inflammatory actions of TNF. Moreover, CoQ₁₀ supplementation reduced creatinine production.

Conclusions

CoQ₁₀ supplementation before strenuous exercise decreases the oxidative stress and modulates the inflammatory signaling, reducing the subsequent muscle damage.     

Messung der motivationalen Bereitschaft zu körperlicher Aktivität

Background

The central construct of the transtheoretical model conceptualises behaviour change as a progression through a series of five stages. The aim of the current study was to examine the behavioural validity of these stages with two different physical activity (PA) recommendations.

Design and methods

Students (14–16 years; n=560) completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing stages of change for exercise and PA, PA, and sedentary behaviour. Validity was evaluated by the association between stages and PA as well as sedentary behaviour, respectively.

Results

The stages were mainly differentiated by exercise but only marginally by PA. The correct stage assignment with respect to recommended PA levels was low for PA compared with exercise. Findings for discriminant validity were acceptable.

Conclusions

The behavioural validation of two German-language scales with regard to stages of change suggests that only the exercise stage allocation is valid.     

Health-related determinants of happiness in Korean adults

Objectives

Happiness has been associated with a range of favorable health outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between happiness and health behaviors, stress, and environmental aspects of exercise in a Korean national representative sample.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted using multiple-stratified random sampling on the Korea Census of 2005. In October 2009, investigators conducted 15-min face-to-face interviews with 1,530 South Korean volunteers aged between 30 and 69 years. The questionnaire included questions about sociodemographic factors, perceived stress, smoking, drinking, healthy diet, exercise, exercise environment, and happiness levels.

Results

The multivariate analysis revealed that middle-aged participants were less likely to be happy than younger and older participants, and higher happiness was associated with being part of a couple, higher income, lower stress, healthy diet, exercise, and certain exercise environments (e.g., mountain trails).

Conclusions

Besides individual-level sociodemographic conditions, such as income or psychological status, community-level conditions, such as environment, should be considered when national and community public welfare policy is established.     

Tea drinking and cognitive function in oldest-old Chinese

Objective

We examined the longitudinal association between tea drinking frequency and cognitive function in a large sample of oldest-old Chinese.

Design

population-based longitudinal cohort study.

Setting

The Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS).

Participants

7139 participants aged 80 to 115 (mean age 91.4 years) who provided complete data at baseline (year 1998).

Measurements

Current frequency of tea drinking and past frequency at age 60 were ascertained at baseline, and baseline and follow-up cognitive assessments were performed in the years 1998 (n=7139), 2000 (n=4081), 2002 (n=2288) and 2005 (n=913) respectively. Verbal fluency test was used as measure of cognitive function.

Results

Tea drinking was associated at baseline with higher mean (SD) verbal fluency scores: daily=10.7 (6.6), occasional=9.2 (5.8), non-drinker=9.0 (5.5). In linear mixed effects model that adjusted for age, gender, years of schooling, physical exercise and activities score, the regression coefficient for daily drinking (at age 60) and occasional drinking was 0.72 (P<0.0001) and 0.41(P=0.01) respectively. Tea drinkers had higher verbal fluency scores throughout the follow-up period but concurrently had a steeper slope of cognitive decline as compared with non-drinkers (coefficient for the interaction term Time*Daily drinking= ?0.12, P=0.02; ??Time?? was defined as the time interval from baseline to follow-up assessments in years). Similar results were found for current tea drinking status at study baseline year (1998) as predictor variable.

Conclusion

Regular tea drinking is associated with better cognitive function in oldest-old Chinese.     

Antioxidant effect of zinc supplementation on both plasma and cellular red-ox status markers in a group of elderly Italian population

Objectives

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of long term supplementation with two moderate dose of Zn on plasma and cellular red-ox status markers in elderly volunteers.

Design, setting and subjects

In a double blind study 108 healthy volunteers, aged 70–85 years, were enrolled. They were randomly divided in 3 groups of treatment, receiving placebo, 15 mg/day and 30 mg/day of Zn for 6 months. Red-ox status markers were assessed at baseline and after 6 months evaluating carotenoids, vitamin A and E in plasma; glutathione (GSH), thiol groups (RSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), percentage of haemolysis and methemoglobin in erythrocytes.

Results

Zn supplementation had no significant effects on red-ox status markers except for vitamin A levels (from 1.94±0.44 to 2.18±0.48 μM in volunteers receiving 15 mg of Zn and from 1.95±0.46 to 2.26±0.56 μM in volunteers receiving 30 mg of Zn), which increased proportionally to zinc dose.

Conclusions

It appears that, differently from unhealthy populations, long-term supplementation with two moderate doses of Zn in a healthy elderly population, with an adequate Zn nutritive status and macro and micronutrients intakes in the range of normality, is an inefficient way to increase antioxidant defences.     

Clinical effects of yoga on asthmatic patients: a preliminary clinical trial

Background

Asthma is one of the commonest respiratory diseases in Jimma area as well as a significant disease burden worldwide costing billions of dollars. Anti-asthmatic drugs that are available in the market are expensive and have adverse effects. Thus, it is wise to look for an adjunct therapy to alleviate these problems. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to see the effect of yoga on patterns of clinical features, peak expiratory flow rates and use of drugs in asthmatic patients.

Methods

A preliminary controlled clinical trial study was conducted on 24 volunteer asthmatic patients who were getting support at the missionary of charity. They were grouped in yoga and control groups. An Indian yoga expert through a translator conducted the training on yogic practice, yogic posture, breath slowing technique and discussion at the end. Then, the yoga groups were supervised for four weeks taking yoga exercise daily for 50 minutes. Peak expiratory flow rate was taken using the mini Wright peak flow meter and vital signs were measured in both groups. Data were analyzed using web based Graph pad quick calcs statistical software.

Results

The male to female ratio was 1:1 in both cases and control groups, 8(66.7%) were Christian and 9 (75.0%) were farmers. The yoga group showed 66.7% reduction in the use of salbutamole puff and 58.3% salbutamole tablets. There was a 10% increment in the PEFR in the yoga group while only 2% in the control group. There was statistically significant reduction in day and night asthma attacks in the yoga group.

Conclusion

Yoga exercise among asthmatic patients resulted in a decreased number of day and night attacks and use of drugs. It also shows significant improvement in the peak expiratory flow rate. Further large scale study is recommended.     

The anthropometric status of elderly women in rural Ghana and factors associated with low body mass index

Objectives

To describe the anthropometric and physical status of a sample of elderly women in rural Ghana and examine factors associated with a low body mass index (BMI).

Design

A cross-sectional survey.

Setting

Two rural villages in Ashanti Region, Ghana.

Participants

Fifty-nine elderly women aged 60 to 92 years.

Measurements

The weight, height, half armspan and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of each woman was measured; body mass index (BMI) and body mass for armspan (BMA) were calculated. The state of each woman??s teeth and visual acuity was assessed. Data on food security, eating habits and socio-economic status were collected by questionnaire.

Results

41% (95%CI 27.8, 53.6) of women were underweight and 16.9% (95%CI 7.18, 26.8) were overweight or obese. Factors associated with a low BMI (<18.5 kg/m²) were: age (P=0.001), chewing tobacco (P=0.002), drinking alcohol (P=0.012), a visual acuity score of <30% (P=0.038), using a walking aid (P=0.016) and the number of children who gave the women cash (P=0.005). BMI was strongly positively correlated with BMA (r=0.999, P<0.001) and with MUAC (r=0.91, P<0.001), and a BMI of 18.5 was equivalent to a MUAC of about 23cm.

Conclusion

Elderly women in Ghana with poor teeth and eyesight are at risk of undernutrition. Measurements of MUAC, which is simple, or BMA, which is based on weight and half armspan and is more easily measured and calculated than height and BMI, could be used to identify undernourished elderly women in rural Africa.     

Intramuscular adipose tissue attenuates gains in muscle quality in older adults at high risk for falling. A brief report

Objective

To examine the influence of intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) on muscle quality (MQ) changes in older adults after 12 weeks of exercise training.

Design

Prospective cohort design.

Setting

Academic health science center clinical exercise facility.

Participants

70 older (mean age 73.4 ± 6.3 years) adults with a history of falls.

Intervention

Resistance, endurance and balance exercise three times weekly for 12 weeks.

Measurements

Quadriceps strength was determined by maximum voluntary isometric contraction. An MRI of the thigh was used to determine cross-sectional area of lean tissue and IMAT. MQ was calculated as the force per unit area of lean tissue. Individuals were stratified into tertiles (Low IMAT, Middle IMAT, High IMAT) based on pre-IMAT levels. Changes in MQ, lean and IMAT were compared across groups.

Results

No significant changes in lean or IMAT occurred in any group with training. MQ increased only in the Low IMAT group. The Middle and High IMAT groups did not demonstrate a significant change in MQ following 12 weeks of training. Low IMAT, pre = 2.7 [0.6] post= 3.0 [0.6]; Middle IMAT, pre =2.54 [0.8] post =2.75 [0.7]; High IMAT, pre =2.6 [0.6] to post =2.5 [0.6].

Conclusion

High levels of thigh IMAT appear to blunt the adaptive MQ response to training. High levels of thigh IMAT may be a potential reason why some older adults do not change their MQ following training. Future research should confirm these results and determine why IMAT impairs MQ and the adaptive response to training in older adults.     

Health impact of sport and exercise in emerging adult men: a prospective study

Purpose

Health benefits of sport and exercise are well documented in children, adolescents and adults, but little is known about emerging adulthood—a period of life characterized by significant demographic and developmental changes. The present study aimed to assess the health impact of changes in sport and exercise levels during that specific period of life.

Methods

The analysis used baseline and 15-month follow-up data (N = 4,846) from the cohort study on substance use risk factors. Associations between baseline exercise levels or changes in exercise levels and health indicators (i.e., health-related quality of life, depression, body mass index, alcohol dependence, nicotine dependence and cannabis use disorder) were measured using chi-squared tests and ANOVA. Direction of effects was tested using cross-lagged analysis.

Results

At baseline, all health indicator scores were observed to be better for regular exercisers than for other exercise levels. At follow-up, participants who had maintained regular exercise over time had better scores than those who had remained irregular exercisers or had discontinued, but their scores for health-related quality of life and depression were close to those of participants who had adopted regular exercise after the baseline questionnaire. Cross-lagged analysis indicated that regular exercise at baseline was a significant predictor of health-related quality of life and substance use dependence at follow-up, but was itself predicted only by health-related quality of life.

Conclusions

From a health promotion perspective, this study emphasizes how important it is for emerging adult men to maintain, or adopt, regular sport and exercise.     

Different components of nutritional status in older inpatients with cognitive impairment

Objectives

To evaluate different components of nutritional status in older patients with cognitive deficit, particularly in those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting and participants

560 elderly subjects aged ?? 65 years consecutively admitted to an acute Geriatric Unit of Apulia region of southern Italy.

Measurements

A standardized comprehensive geriatric assessment was used to evaluate medical, cognitive, affective and social aspects. Nutritional status was assessed using the mini nutritional assessment (MNA). The cognitive function was categorized into three levels ?? MCI, dementia or normal cognition (NoCI) ?? according to the neuropsychological test score.

Results

Subjects with cognitive decline had significantly lower frequency of well-nourished (MCI=10%, dementia=8%, NoCI=22%, p<0.05) and higher frequency of malnourished (MCI=47%, dementia=62%, NoCI=19%, p<0.001) than patients with normal cognition. Similarly, MNA total score, MNA-3 and MNA-4 subscores were significantly lower in patients with MCI and dementia than patients with normal cognition (p<0.001).

Conclusions

These results suggest that cognitive decline may be associated with malnutrition in this sample of hospitalized older patients. Dietary habits (MNA-3) and subjective assessment of self-perceived quality of health and nutrition (MNA-4) are particularly poor also in patients with MCI and could be. very important variables to be considered in the multidimensional evaluation of subjects with cognitive impairment.     

Dietary protein and beef consumption predict for markers of muscle mass and nutrition status in older adults

Objective

To determine the relationship of beef and protein intake to nutrition status, body composition, strength, and biochemical measures of vitamin and mineral status, inflammation and blood lipids in older adults.

Design

Cross-sectional observational study.

Setting

State of Ohio, U.S A.

Participants

142 adults ages 60?C88.

Measurements

Subjects completed a Diet History Questionnaire, and questionnaires related to nutrition status and activity. Subjects also underwent measurements of body composition and strength, and a subset took part in a blood draw for biochemical measurements.

Results

Beef intake (g/d) was positively correlated to muscle mass measured by mid-arm muscle area (R=0.128, p=0.030). From multiple linear regression analysis, a loz/d (??28g/d) increase in beef consumption predicts for a 2.3cm² increase in mid-arm muscle area. Beef intake was negatively correlated to total (R=?0.179, p=0.035) and HDL (R=?0.247, p=0.004) cholesterol, and there was no association between beef and LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, liver enzymes, or inflammatory markers. Protein intake (% of total energy) was positively correlated to nutrition status measured by the Mini Nutrition Assessment (R=0.196, p=0.020), and calf circumference (R=0.190, p=0.024), and these correlations remained when potential confounders were accounted for in multiple linear regression models. Protein intake was also positively correlated with BMI when analyzed with multiple linear regression.

Conclusions

Beef intake was positively associated with mid-arm muscle area, and protein intake was positively associated with nutrition status, calf circumference, and BMI in older adults. Consuming lean cuts of beef in moderation may be a healthy way in which older adults can increase protein intake, preserve muscle mass and improve nutrition status.     

Serum level of under-carboxylated osteocalcin and bone mineral density in early menopausal Norwegian women

Purpose

Serum level of under-carboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) is considered a sensitive measure of vitamin K status, and ucOC levels are associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk in elderly persons. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between ucOC and BMD in early menopausal women.

Methods

The data reported here come from the enrolment in a double-blinded placebo-controlled randomized trial comprising 334 healthy Norwegian women between 50 and 60 years, 1–5 years after menopause, not using warfarin or medication known to affect bone metabolism. Total hip, femoral neck, lumbar spine, and total body BMD and serum level of ucOC and total osteocalcin were measured, and information of lifestyle was collected through questionnaires. The association between ucOC and BMD at all measurement sites was assessed by multiple regression analyses adjusting for possible confounding variables.

Results

The absolute serum level of ucOC was significantly and negatively associated with BMD at all measurements sites, both in univariate analyses (p < 0.01) and in multivariate analyses adjusting for years since menopause, smoking status and weight (p < 0.01). However, serum ucOC, expressed as percentage of the total osteocalcin level, was not associated with BMD at any site.

Conclusions

Achievement of adequate vitamin K nutritional intake is important, but ucOC expressed as percentage of total osteocalcin levels as reflection of vitamin K status does not seem to play a central role in determining BMD levels in early menopausal women.     

Dentition status,malnutrition and mortality among older service housing residents

Background

Oral health status and oral health problems can affect eating habits and thus consequently the nutritional status of frail older people.

Objectives

To assess older service house residents’ dentition and its associations with nutritional status and eating habits, and as well as to explore the prognostic value of dentition status for mortality.

Design

A cross-sectional study with a three-year follow-up.

Methods

In 2007, we assessed the nutritional status of all residents in service houses in the two cities of Helsinki and Espoo in Finland (N=2188). Altogether 1475 subjects (67%) participated in the study; dentition status data were available for 1369 of them. Using a personal interview and assessment, trained nurses familiar to the resident collected the subjects’ demographic data, medical history, functional and cognitive status, information on dentition status, oral symptoms, eating habits and diets. We assessed nutritional status with the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and retrieved information on mortality from central registers on 6 July 2010.

Results

Edentulousness was common; more than half of the residents (52%) had lost all their teeth: 7% (n=94) were totally edentulous without prosthesis (Group 1), 45% (n=614) had removable dentures (Group 2), and 48% (n = 661) of the residents, had some natural teeth left (Group 3). Dentition status was associated with age, gender, education and disability. According to the MNA, 13% were malnourished, 65% were at risk for malnutrition, and 22% were well nourished. Edentulousness without prosthesis was associated with malnutrition, oral symptoms and infrequent use of oral care services. In Group 1, 52% were deceased during follow-up period. The respective figures for Groups 2 and 3 were 48% and 40% (p=0.004). However, in Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, gender, comorbidity and MNA score, dentition status no longer predicted mortality.

Conclusion

Edentulousness is still common among older service housing residents. Edentulousness without prosthesis was associated with poor nutritional status, oral symptoms and infrequent use of dental services. These findings suggest the need for co-operation between nursing staff and oral care services.     

Health behavior change among breast cancer patients

Objectives

Changes in health behavior among women with breast cancer with respect to food intake, exercise and smoking habits are considered. We aimed to analyze (1) significant modifications of these behaviors about a year after breast cancer surgery and (2) the impact of social, medical and behavioral patient characteristics on these changes.

Methods

Data were derived from a longitudinal study of 229 women (age < 70) in Germany with a first manifestation of breast cancer. Food intake, physical activity and smoking were assessed by means of personal interviews immediately after surgery (T0) and 14 months later (T1).

Results

The intake of fruits and vegetables and physical exercise increased significantly over the observation period. Socio-demographic and medical parameters were largely irrelevant for behavioral changes while smoking status turned out as most important for changes in daily fruit consumption.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate that breast cancer patients change their lifestyle habits in a significant way even without intervention. Patients who smoke are in particular need of professional support to implement health-promoting behavior, and intervention should especially focus on this group.     

The BRIGHT Trial: What are the factors associated with nutrition risk?

Objectives

To determine the nutrition risk status and factors associated with nutrition risk among older adults enrolled in the Brief Risk Identification Geriatric Health Tool (BRIGHT Trial).

Design

A cluster randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Three main centres in New Zealand.

Participants

A total of 3,893 older adults were recruited from 60 general practices in three of the District Health Board (DHB) regions aged 75 years and older (or 65 years and older if Māori).

Measurements

Nutrition risk was assessed using the Australian Nutrition Screening Initiative (ANSI). Validated questionnaires were used to establish quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), physical function (the Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living) and depressive symptoms (15 item Geriatric Depression Scale). Demographic, standard of living and health data were established.

Results

Sixty two percent of participants were identified to be at moderate or high nutrition risk. The mean ANSI score was 4.9 (range 0–21, maximum 29). Factors which independently predicted moderate or high nutrition risk were female gender, being Māori and other ethnicities versus European, not being married, taking multiple medications, having more depressive symptoms, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Protective factors independently related to low nutrition risk were living with others, higher physical and social health related QOL and higher functional status. WHOQOL environmental and psychological factors were not associated with nutrition risk when other predictive factors were taken into account.

Conclusion

Nearly two thirds of participants were identified to be at higher nutrition risk. Women, living alone, taking multiple medications, with depressive symptoms, cardiovascular disease and ndiabetes were factors associated with higher nutrition risk. Those at low nutrition risk had a better functional status and physical and social health related QOL.