The smoking habits of young soldiers.

In a survey of the smoking habits of over 6,000 young soldiers, it was found that the prevalence of regular smoking was 45%. Though the prevalence of regular smoking in young soldiers is higher than the general prevalence rate for smoking in 16 to 19-year olds in the civilian population, the excess is considered to be a reflection of the social and geographical background of Army recruits. The survey found that young soldiers who smoke, smoke heavily. Eighty two percent smoked more than 20 cigarettes per week, 58% more than 40 cigarettes per week. This is higher than has been recorded by any previous survey of young soldiers. The proportion of young soldiers who have never smoked has risen markedly over the years. This survey found that 34% had never smoked.     

Age and temporal trends of total physical activity among Swedish women

PURPOSE: Few epidemiological studies have been conducted among middle-aged women on long-term total and specific physical activity (PA) trends. We studied in a cross-sectional setting the relationship of self-reported total daily PA with age and calendar time. METHODS: In a population-based cohort of 38,988 women aged 49-83 yr in central Sweden, information was collected on physical activity, such as work or occupation, household work, walking or bicycling, exercise, watching TV or reading, and other lifestyle factors through a self-administered questionnaire. Total and specific daily PA levels at ages 15, 30, and 50 yr were recalled retrospectively and measured as metabolic equivalents (MET.h.d(-1)). RESULTS: Total PA level linearly decreased with calendar time in all three age groups (slope for 5-yr change in calendar time among those 15 yr of age = -0.82; 95% confidence interval (CI), -0.86 to -0.78; among those 30 yr of age=-0.42; 95% CI, -0.45 to -0.38; and among those 50 yr of age = -0.62; 95% CI, -0.66 to -0.58). High-intensity activities such as walking or bicycling decreased by 0.21 MET.h.d(-1) (95% CI, -0.22 to -0.20) every 5-calendar-year change among adolescents between the 1930s and 1960s. Total activity level decreased in all age groups by an average of approximately 3MET.h(-1).d(-1), corresponding to approximately 45 min of brisk walking. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that intervention efforts aimed at engaging in healthful amounts of physical activity are needed throughout the life cycle.     

Profile of physical activity behaviors among Swedish women aged 56-75 years.

The aim of this study was to assess profiles of physical activity (PA) behavior using accelerometers among middle-aged and elderly women in free-living conditions. A subset of 133 women aged 56-75 years from the population-based Swedish Mammography Cohort with valid accelerometer data was included in the analysis. The proportion of women who met the PA recommendation of accumulating 30 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), in either one continuous bout or several shorter bouts lasting 8-10 min, on five or more days/week was 31%. The precision of mean daily estimates of MVPA and of inactivity based on 7 days monitoring was 0.80 and 0.86, respectively. On average, participants spent 103 min/day on MVPA, but only about a third of that time was accumulated in the recommended pattern of bouts lasting at least 8-10 min. Obese women had, on average, one bout of MVPA less than normal-weight women (mean 3.6 bouts/day). The mean MVPA decreased 10 min/day with every 5-year increase in age. A low proportion of women accumulated MVPA in the pattern recommended for health benefits. The proportion would increase considerably if women maintained their current amount of MVPA but increased the duration of each bout of MVPA.     

Hypercholesterolemia and smoking habits of Lithuanian military personnel

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease, namely, hypercholesterolemia and current smoking, among 25- to 54-year-old men and women among Lithuanian active duty military personnel. METHODS: Serum cholesterol levels were measured enzymatically for 200 persons (126 men and 74 women). Interviews regarding smoking habits were performed for 82.5% of those persons (98 men and 67 women). RESULTS: Hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol level of > or = 6.2 mmol/L) was determined for 45.2% of men and 40.5% of women. After distribution of men and women into three age groups (25-34, 35-44, and 45-54 years), it was determined that the rate of hypercholesterolemia increased with age (among groups of men, 29.6%, 46.7%, and 74.0%; among groups of women, 18.8%, 51.5%, and 40.0%, respectively). The proportion of current smokers among men was 2.6 times higher than that among women (45.9% vs. 17.9%; p < 0.001). The highest rate of current smoking was in the 35- to 44-year group of men (64.5%). The coexistence of hypercholesterolemia and current smoking among men was 3.1 times higher than that among women (23.5% vs. 7.5%; p < 0.01). The highest rates of current smoking with hypercholesterolemia were in the 35- to 44-year and 45- to 54-year groups of men (32.2% and 31.8%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The data demonstrated a relatively high rate (32.1%) of coexistence of two independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease (hypercholesterolemia and current smoking) among men 35 to 54 years of age from Lithuanian military personnel.     

Exercise for health for early postmenopausal women: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials

Women who pass menopause face many changes that may lead to loss of health-related fitness (HRF), especially if sedentary. Many exercise recommendations are also relevant for early postmenopausal women; however, these may not meet their specific needs because the recommendations are based mainly on studies on men. We conducted a systematic review for randomised, controlled exercise trials on postmenopausal women (aged 50 to 65 years) on components of HRF. HRF consists of morphological fitness (body composition and bone strength), musculoskeletal fitness (muscle strength and endurance, flexibility), motor fitness (postural control), cardiorespiratory fitness (maximal aerobic power, blood pressure) and metabolic fitness (lipid and carbohydrate metabolism). The outcome variables chosen were: bodyweight; proportion of body fat of total bodyweight (F%); bone mineral density (BMD); bone mineral content (BMC); various tests on muscle performance, flexibility, balance and coordination; maximal oxygen consumption (V-dotO(2max)); resting blood pressure (BP); total cholesterol (TC); high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol; low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol; triglycerides; blood glucose and insulin.The feasibility of the exercise programme was assessed from drop-out, attendance and injury rates. Twenty-eight randomised controlled trials with 2646 participants were assessed. In total, 18 studies reported on the effects of exercise on bodyweight and F%, 16 on BMD or BMC, 11 on muscular strength or endurance, five on flexibility, six on balance or coordination, 18 on V-dotO(2max), seven on BP, nine on lipids and two studies on glucose an one on insulin. Based on these studies, early postmenopausal women could benefit from 30 minutes of daily moderate walking in one to three bouts combined with a resistance training programme twice a week. For a sedentary person, walking is feasible and can be incorporated into everyday life. A feasible way to start resistance training is to perform eight to ten repetitions of eight to ten exercises for major muscle groups starting with 40% of one repetition maximum. Resistance training initially requires professional instruction, but can thereafter be performed at home with little or no equipment as an alternative for a gym with weight machines. Warm-up and cool-down with stretching should be a part of every exercise session. The training described above is likely to preserve normal bodyweight, or combined with a weight-reducing diet, preserve BMD and increase muscle strength. Based on limited evidence, such exercise might also improve flexibility, balance and coordination, decrease hypertension and improve dyslipidaemia.     

Exercise effects on fitness and bone mineral density in early postmenopausal women: 1-year EFOPS results

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of an intense exercise training on physical fitness, coronary heart disease (CHD), bone mineral density (BMD), and parameters related to quality of life in early postmenopausal women with osteopenia. METHODS: Fifty-nine fully compliant women (55.1 +/- 3.4 yr) without any medication or illness affecting bone metabolism took part in intensive exercise training (>2 sessions per week); 41 women served as nontraining control. Both groups received calcium and vitamin D (cholecalciferol) up to a maximum of 1500 mg x d(-1) calcium and 500 IU x d(-1) vitamin D. Bone density of the lumbar spine and hip (DXA Hologic QDR 4500), maximum isometric and dynamic strength (Schnell M3, Schnell-Trainer), VO2max (ZAN 600), and quality of life parameters including vasomotor symptoms related to menopause were measured at baseline and after 14 months. RESULTS: After 14 months, there were significant differences between exercise and control groups concerning changes of bone density (LS exercise: +1.3%, P < 0.001 vs control: -1.2%, P < 0.001), maximum isometric strength (exercise: +11 to +32% (P < 0.001) vs control: -1.1 to +3.9%), VO2max (exercise: +11% (P < 0.001) vs control: -4% (P < 0.05)), and quality of life parameters (e.g., lower back pain). Dynamic strength (1RM tests) at four exercises, which was assessed in the exercise group only, increased significantly by 15-43% (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The intense exercise training program presented here was effective in improving strength, endurance, quality of life parameters, and even BMD in women in their critical early postmenopausal years.     

A lifetime of fitness. Exercise in the perimenopausal and postmenopausal woman

The peri- and postmenopausal woman experiences physiologic changes of aging that include alterations in hormone levels. Research has shown that the perimenopausal and postmenopausal woman can benefit significantly from exercise, whether endurance or strength training. Exercise can improve the quality of life and attenuate some of the physiologic changes associated with aging. Additionally, exercise can ameliorate the decline in fitness and bone, prevent chronic disease, and promote functional independence. Women who exercise regularly throughout life are physiologically 20 to 30 years younger than their sedentary counterparts. Fitness is a lifetime endeavor that has many positive benefits. Weightbearing activities are especially important as bone loss increases in the perimenopausal phase of life. Women should perform aerobic exercise 3 to 7 days per week for 15 to 60 minutes at 65% to 70% HRreserve. Strengthening exercises should be done 2 to 3 days per week at 40% to 80% 1RM with appropriately selected exercises. An exercise program should be functional and enjoyable. There is no better motivation to exercise than having a partner to work out with and keep the motivation alive. Most important, age itself is not a deterrent to exercise.     

Distribution and predictors of exercise habits among pregnant women in the Danish National Birth Cohort

Physical activity is recommended during pregnancy, although strong evidence on reproductive health is lacking. We present exercise habits and predictors of exercise during pregnancy. From the Danish National Birth Cohort (1996–2002), 88 200 singleton pregnancies were analyzed in logistic regression. About one‐third of the women exercised in early/mid pregnancy and slightly less in late pregnancy. Bicycling, swimming, and low‐impact activities were most common. Exercising more than three times per week was strongly correlated with older age, being a student or out of work, eating disorders, moderate alcohol consumption, and a healthy diet. Multiparity, a normal or less good self‐rated health, smoking, and a less health conscious diet were the strongest predictors of not doing exercise. Women of 25 years or older, with metabolic or psychiatric disorders, or who had received subfecundity treatment were more likely to increase their activity level substantially from early to late pregnancy than comparison groups. In conclusion, exercising during pregnancy correlated with a number of maternal characteristics. The findings may be used to identify pregnant women not likely to exercise, to target activities that may fit their needs, and, for research purposes, to identify adjustment variables or guide sensitivity analyses when data on confounders are lacking.     

Concussion among Swedish elite ice hockey players.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of concussion in Swedish ice hockey and to establish a uniform grading and treatment model for concussions of different severity. METHODS: Frequency of concussion was investigated in two studies, one retrospective and one prospective. In the retrospective study, all Swedish elite ice hockey players (n = 265) were asked to answer a questionnaire on the number and treatment of previous concussions. Only concussions diagnosed by a doctor were recorded. The questionnaire was completed by 227 players (86%). In the prospective study, all injuries including concussions occurring during game and practice in the Swedish Elite League (n = 12 teams) were recorded during four years. The causes of injury, referees judgements, diagnosis, treatment, and time absent from ice hockey were registered on special cards. RESULTS: In the retrospective study, 51 out of 227 players (22%) in the Swedish Elite League reported at least one concussion. In the prospective study, 52 concussions were reported. The incidence of a concussion is at least one concussion every year/team or a yearly risk of about 5% for a player to sustain a concussion. Most concussions occurred during league play (81%). Body contact (checking or boarding) was the most common cause of concussions. The players were absent from full training and play on a mean of 6 d. CONCLUSIONS: As this injury is potentially dangerous it must be treated seriously according to a simple treatment model presented. In cases of repeated concussions during the same season, a longer period of time away from play is suggested. In players who have sustained several concussions over the years a thorough medical examination including EEG, CT/MRI, and neuropsychological tests should be performed. If any of these is pathological the player should be advised to give up ice hockey.     

Profile of physical activity behaviors among Swedish women aged 56–75 years

The aim of this study was to assess profiles of physical activity (PA) behavior using accelerometers among middle-aged and elderly women in free-living conditions. A subset of 133 women aged 56–75 years from the population-based Swedish Mammography Cohort with valid accelerometer data was included in the analysis. The proportion of women who met the PA recommendation of accumulating 30 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), in either one continuous bout or several shorter bouts lasting 8–10 min, on five or more days/week was 31%. The precision of mean daily estimates of MVPA and of inactivity based on 7 days monitoring was 0.80 and 0.86, respectively. On average, participants spent 103 min/day on MVPA, but only about a third of that time was accumulated in the recommended pattern of bouts lasting at least 8–10 min. Obese women had, on average, one bout of MVPA less than normal-weight women (mean 3.6 bouts/day). The mean MVPA decreased 10 min/day with every 5-year increase in age. A low proportion of women accumulated MVPA in the pattern recommended for health benefits. The proportion would increase considerably if women maintained their current amount of MVPA but increased the duration of each bout of MVPA.     

Exercise in women. Effects on reproductive system and pregnancy

Exercise may have a significant effect on the reproductive system in women; however, it is doubtful if exercise alone causes the hypothalamic amenorrhea, which is probably multifactorial in origin. Pregnancy is also affected by exercise, although long-term or deleterious effects have not been documented.     

Osteopenia and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Assessment by radiogrammetric measurement

PURPOSE: To compare the ability of the medial cortical thickness ratio to the width of the second metacarpal bone at the midshaft (MCR) in discriminating patients as normal, osteopenic or osteoporotic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: MCR was calculated from radiographs of 120 postmenopausal women. By dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, the mineral density was measured in the lumbar spine, the wrist and the femoral neck. Patients were grouped in accordance with the diagnostic criteria of WHO on the basis of t-scores. MCR values were compared with t-scores and the ability of the MCR technique in discriminating the patient groups was evaluated. RESULTS: Analysis of radiogrammetric data revealed significant differences in MCR value between the 3 groups. The MCR was lower in patients with osteoporosis and osteopenia compared with the normal group. The mean value of MCR was also slightly lower in patients with osteoporosis than in those with osteopenia. Accuracy assessment (ROC analysis) of MCR in the discrimination of patients with osteoporosis showed that test accuracy was acceptable, but less accurate than spinal, wrist and femoral neck t-scores. Compared with t-scores, this test was found to fairly discriminate those with and without osteopenia. CONCLUSION: The MCR method can discriminate patients as osteoporotic or normal. However, it seems that the MCR method should not be used for decisions concerning treatment of osteoporosis because of its low accuracy and thereby a risk for misclassification.     

Resistance exercise and lipoproteins in postmenopausal women

The specific aims of this study were to quantify the effects of 12 weeks of resistance training, as well as a single session of resistance exercise on lipids and lipoproteins in obese, postmenopausal women. 21 obese, postmenopausal women, not on hormone replacement therapy (age=65.9 ± 0.5 yr; BMI=32.7 ± 0.8 kg/m(2)), were randomly assigned to control (n=12) and exercise (n=9) groups matched for age and BMI. For 12 weeks, 3 days/week, the exercise group performed 10 whole body resistance exercises (3 sets at 8-RM). Fasting (10 h) blood samples were collected immediately prior to and 24 h after the first and last exercise and control session. Serum was assayed for concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C, HDL 2-C, HDL 3-C, non-HDL-C and TC:HDL and LDL:HDL ratios. The exercise group exhibited a significant (P<0.01) improvement in muscular strength, but no change in BMI, body mass or body composition post-training. Total cholesterol, LDL-C and non-HDL-C were significantly (P<0.05) lower in the exercise compared to the control group following the 12 weeks of resistance training. Whole body resistance training provides obese, postmenopausal women a non-pharmacological approach for the reduction of lipid and lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations.     

Kyphosis in active and sedentary postmenopausal women

EAGAN, M. S., and D. A. SEDLOCK. Kyphosis in active and sedentary postmenopausal women. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 33, No. 5, 2001, pp. 688-695. PURPOSE: This study examined kyphosis in relation to self-reported activity level (sedentary, active) and activity type (weight-bearing land, nonweight-bearing water) in 61 postmenopausal women aged 60-78 yr. METHODS: Specifically, we measured kyphosis, muscle strength (defined as back extensor (BES) and grip (GS) strength), total calcium intake, body fat, height lost since age 30 (HtLost), current activity level for household, leisure and sport activities and their total, as well as occupational and physical activity history and their total. RESULTS: No significant differences (P > 0.05) were found for any variables when subjects were divided into sedentary (N = 18), land (N = 29), and water (N = 14) groups; exercisers (N = 43) and nonexercisers (N = 18); or between the top and bottom tertiles of lifetime active (N = 20) and inactive (N = 20) women. Stepwise multiple regression yielded body fat as the single best predictor of kyphosis accounting for 6.9% of the total variance (P < 0.04) with the resulting equation: kyphosis (degrees) = 22.919 + 0.627*body fat (%) + 0.852*HtLost (cm) + 2.881E-0.03*total calcium intake (mg) (r2 = 0.22, SEE = 7.7). Significant relationships (P < 0.05) included kyphosis with body fat (r = 0.26) and HtLost with age (r = 0.50). Relationships (P < 0.05) regarding muscle strength included: GS and BES with age (r = -0.38, -0.30), HtLost (r = -0.39, -0.36), and occupational activity history (r = 0.28, 0.35), as well as BES with household activity and total activity history (r = 0.28, 0.30). Physical activity history was related (P < 0.05) to current sport, leisure, and total activity history (r = 0.37, 0.42, 0.93, respectively). CONCLUSION: Women who are active when younger seem to be active and stronger as older adults. However, this does not seem to impact kyphosis. The measured variables accounted for a small proportion of kyphosis variance, suggesting that more potent causative factors of this spinal malformation exist.     

Increasing daily walking lowers blood pressure in postmenopausal women.

PURPOSE: The American College of Sports Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ACSM-CDC) recommend 30 min of daily moderate-intensity physical activity for health; however, the effectiveness of this recommendation in lowering blood pressure (BP) in hypertensives is unclear. The present study tested the hypothesis that walking activity following the ACSM-CDC physical activity recommendation would lower BP in postmenopausal women with high BP. METHODS: Resting BP was measured in 24 postmenopausal women with borderline to stage 1 hypertension at baseline, 12 wk, and 24 wk. Fifteen women in the exercise (EX) group walked 3 km.d-1 above their daily lifestyle walking, whereas 9 women in the control (CON) group did not change their activity. Walking activity was self-measured with a pedometer in both groups. RESULTS: Resting systolic BP was reduced in the EX group after 12 wk by 6 mm Hg (P < 0.005) and was further reduced by 5 mm Hg at the end of 24 wk (P < 0.005). There was no change in diastolic BP with walking. The CON group experienced no change in BP at either 12 or 24 wk. Body mass was modestly reduced by 1.3 kg in the EX group after 24 wk (P < 0.05); however, it was not correlated with the change in BP. There were no changes in selected variables known to impact BP including percent body fat, fasting plasma insulin, or dietary intake. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, a 24-wk walking program meeting the ACSM-CDC physical activity recommendation is effective in lowering systolic BP in postmenopausal women with borderline to stage 1 hypertension.     

Prevalence of smoking among Israeli male athletes.

A survey of smoking habits was carried out on 2447 males age 14-40 years. The subjects were athletes trained in a wide variety of sports. Overall 15.5% of the athlete population were smokers. When broken down into training groups, the highest smoking prevalence was reported by subjects not engaged in specific training, while the lowest prevalence was reported by endurance trained athletes. When divided into specific sports, the highest percent of group smoking was found in soccer players. Smoking prevalence increased with increasing age. No significant differences in smoking prevalence existed between groups of varying ethnic origin. This study provides data on groups of athletes to target in smoking intervention programs.     

催乳素水平与女性绝经前后乳腺癌的相关性研究

目的研究血清催乳素(prolactin,PRL)水平与女性绝经前后发生乳腺癌的关系。方法选取在我院手术治疗的乳腺癌96例及乳腺良性增生144例,将其分为绝经前乳腺癌组(RⅠ组,48例)、绝经后乳腺癌组(RⅡ组,48例)、绝经前乳腺良性增生组(ZⅠ组,88例)与绝经后乳腺良性增生组(ZⅡ组,56例)。采用电化学发光法检测患者外周静脉血血清的催乳素水平。结果RⅠ组催乳素水平明显增高,与RⅡ组及ZⅠ组比较差异均有统计学意义(P＜0001)。RⅠ组催乳素阳性率均高于RⅡ组、ZⅠ组,且差异均有统计学意义(P＜0001);RⅡ组与ZⅡ组间阳性率比较差异无统计学意义（P=0776）。PRL检测在女性绝经前乳腺癌和绝经后乳腺癌对比中,敏感性（P＜0001）及准确性（P=0003）均高。结论催乳素在女性绝经前乳腺癌发生、发展中有一定意义,检测催乳素有助于乳腺癌的早期诊断与预防。     

Exercise effects on menopausal risk factors of early postmenopausal women: 3-yr Erlangen fitness osteoporosis prevention study results

PURPOSE: To determine the impact of multipurpose exercise training on bone, body composition, blood lipids, physical fitness, and menopausal symptoms in early postmenopausal women with osteopenia. METHODS: Forty-eight fully compliant (more than two sessions per week for 38 months) women (55.1 +/- 3.3 yr) without any medication or illness affecting bone metabolism took part in the exercise training (EG); 30 women (55.5 +/- 3.0 yr) served as the nontraining control group (CG). Both groups were individually supplemented with calcium and vitamin D. Bone mineral density (BMD) at various sites (lumbar spine, hip, forearm, calcaneus) was measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative ultrasound (QUS). Maximal isometric and dynamic strength, maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2max)), CHD risk factors (blood lipids, body composition), and menopausal symptoms were determined. RESULTS: After 38 months, significant differences between EG and CG were observed for the BMD at the lumbar spine (0.7% vs -3.0%) and the femoral neck (-0.7% vs -2.6%), body composition (waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio), blood lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides), and menopausal symptoms (insomnia, migraines, mood changes). Maximal isometric strength increased significantly by 10-36% in the EG, whereas, with one exception, changes in the CG were all negative. One-repetition maximum increased significantly at all sites measured (15-43%, P < 0.001). VO(2max) of the EG increased throughout the study with a significant 13.9 +/- 15.6% net increase after 3 yr. No significant changes after 3 yr could be observed in the CG. CONCLUSIONS: Our mixed high-intensity exercise program effectively compensates for most negative changes related to the menopausal transition.