Association between vitamin D status, physical performance, sex, and lifestyle factors: a cross-sectional study of community-dwelling Kosovar adults aged 40 years and older.

PURPOSE: Vitamin D status and its association with age-related decline in physical performance and strength have already been highlighted in various ways, but data on the situation in developing countries are scarce. This study aimed to investigate vitamin D status, its association with muscle mass and function, and other potential determinants such as age, sex, lifestyle factors (physical activity, dietary behavior), self-perceived health status, medication intake, education and financial situation in adults from Kosovo. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 297 participants (54.5% women), aged ≥ 40 years. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration, hand grip strength and physical performance tests, body composition, vitamin D dietary intake and knowledge were assessed. The interaction between serum 25(OH)D status, lifestyle factors and muscle traits was investigated. RESULTS: Vitamin D deficiency (< 50 nmol/L) was observed in 47.5% of the total population, of whom 14.7% of them were severely deficient (< 30 nmol/L). No associations were found between 25(OH)D concentration and age. Daily dietary intake of vitamin D was low (1.89 ± 0.67 µg) and 87.6% of individuals did not take vitamin D supplements. However, vitamin D supplementation was the only variable that added statistical significance (p < 0.05) to the prediction of vitamin D status (3.8%). On the other hand, age, medication intake and vitamin D level contributed significantly to the overall regression model, explaining 24.9% of the 30-s chair stand performance as an indicator of lower-body strength endurance. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among community-dwelling adults in Kosovo and low serum 25(OH)D has been associated with low muscle strength. This implies an urgent need for the development of comprehensive prevention strategies, focusing on pharmacological (supplementation) but also on non-pharmacological strategies such as education, food fortification or lifestyle advices.

Nutritional supplementation alters associations between one-carbon metabolites and cardiometabolic risk profiles in older adults: a secondary analysis of the Vienna Active Ageing Study.

PURPOSE: Cardiovascular diseases and cognitive decline, predominant in ageing populations, share common features of dysregulated one-carbon (1C) and cardiometabolic homeostasis. However, few studies have addressed the impact of multifaceted lifestyle interventions in older adults that combine both nutritional supplementation and resistance training on the co-regulation of 1C metabolites and cardiometabolic markers. METHODS: 95 institutionalised older adults (83 ± 6 years, 88.4% female) were randomised to receive resistance training with or without nutritional supplementation (Fortifit), or cognitive training (control for socialisation) for 6 months. Fasting plasma 1C metabolite concentrations, analysed by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, and cardiometabolic parameters were measured at baseline and the 3- and 6-month follow-ups. RESULTS: Regardless of the intervention group, choline was elevated after 3 months, while cysteine and methionine remained elevated after 6 months (mixed model time effects, p < 0.05). Elevated dimethylglycine and lower betaine concentrations were correlated with an unfavourable cardiometabolic profile at baseline (spearman correlations, p < 0.05). However, increasing choline and dimethylglycine concentrations were associated with improvements in lipid metabolism in those receiving supplementation (regression model interaction, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Choline metabolites, including choline, betaine and dimethylglycine, were central to the co-regulation of 1C metabolism and cardiometabolic health in older adults. Metabolites that indicate upregulated betaine-dependent homocysteine remethylation were elevated in those with the greatest cardiometabolic risk at baseline, but associated with improvements in lipid parameters following resistance training with nutritional supplementation. The relevance of how 1C metabolite status might be optimised to protect against cardiometabolic dysregulation requires further attention.

Remodeling the Skeletal Muscle Extracellular Matrix in Older Age-Effects of Acute Exercise Stimuli on Gene Expression.

With advancing age, the skeletal muscle extracellular matrix (ECM) undergoes fibrotic changes that may lead to increased muscle stiffness, injury susceptibility and strength loss. This study tested the potential of different exercises to counter these changes by stimulating the activity of genes associated with ECM remodeling. Twenty-six healthy men (66.9 ± 3.9 years) were stratified to two of four groups, performing unilateral (i) conventional resistance exercise, (ii) conventional resistance exercise followed by self-myofascial release (CEBR), (iii) eccentric-only exercise (ECC) or (iv) plyometric jumps (PLY). The non-trained leg served as control. Six hours post-exercise, vastus lateralis muscle biopsy samples were analyzed for the expression of genes associated with ECM collagen synthesis (COL1A1), matrix metallopeptidases (collagen degradation; MMPs) and peptidase inhibitors (TIMP1). Significant between-group differences were found for MMP3, MMP15 and TIMP1, with the greatest responses in MMP3 and TIMP1 seen in CEBR and in MMP15 in ECC. MMP9 (3.24-3.81-fold change) and COL1A1 (1.47-2.40-fold change) were increased in CEBR and PLY, although between-group differences were non-significant. The expression of ECM-related genes is exercise-specific, with CEBR and PLY triggering either earlier or stronger remodeling than other stimuli. Training studies will test whether execution of such exercises may help counter age-associated muscle fibrosis.

Medium-term effects of a two-desk sit/stand workstation on cognitive performance and workload for healthy people performing sedentary work: a secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial.

Implementing sit/stand workstations in sedentary work environments is a common way to reduce sedentary time, but their medium-term effect on cognitive performance is unclear. To address this circumstance, eighteen office workers participated in a two-arm, randomised controlled cross-over trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02825303), either working at a traditional (sit) or an interventional (sit/stand) workplace for 23 weeks. Cognitive performance (working speed, reaction time, concentration performance, accuracy), workload and relevant covariates (salivary cortisol level, heart rate, physical activity, sitting time) were measured pre- and post-intervention under laboratory conditions. MANOVA and RMANOVA results did not show differences in performance parameters and workload, respectively, between sit/stand and traditional workplace users. Differences in text editing accuracy and cortisol levels for sit/stand workstation users indicate potential connectivity to cognitive parameters which should be further examined with large-scale studies. Practitioner summary: Medium-term effects of working at sit/stand workstations on cognitive performance and workload are unexplored. This randomised controlled trial suggests that cognitive performance and workload are unaffected for sit/stand workstation users after 23 weeks of use. However, accuracy appeared to improve and physiological stress appeared to be altered. Abbreviations: BMI: body mass index; IPAQ: International physical activity questionnaire; MET: metabolic equivalent of task; MANOVA: multivariate ANOVA; NASA TLX: NASA task load index; RMANOVA: repeated measures ANOVA.

Long-term follow-up on biological risk factors, adiposity, and cardiorespiratory fitness development in a physical education intervention: a natural experiment (CHAMPS-study DK).

BACKGROUND: Schools are a key setting for large-scale primordial non-communicable disease prevention in young people, but little data on sustainability of impacts on cardiometabolic risk markers is available. METHODS: Six and a half year follow-up of a natural experiment. In 2008, six public schools in the municipality of Svendborg (Denmark) augmented their curricular physical education (intervention) and four matched schools served as controls. At long term follow up in 2015 n = 312 participants aged 5-11 years had complete data (33% of children providing necessary baseline data). The intervention, that consisted of a trebling of weekly physical education lessons and courses provided to physical education teachers, was provided at intervention schools up until 6th grade. Participants attended 6th to 10th grade at follow-up. Differences in the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol ratios, cardiorespiratory fitness, waist-circumference, and a composite score of these, between participants attending intervention and control schools were analysed by mixed linear regression models. Differences in physical activity at follow-up was analysed cross-sectionally (no baseline available) in n = 495. RESULTS: Compared to controls, children at intervention schools had a non-significant - 0.07 (- 0.32 to 0.18) standard deviations lower composite risk score 6.5 years after project initiation. Likewise, no statistically significant differences between intervention and control schools were found for any of the other outcomes (p-values ≥ 0.41). However, six of seven outcomes were in a direction favouring intervention schools. No statistically significant differences between intervention and control schools were observed for physical activity outcomes (p-values ≥ 0.13). CONCLUSIONS: An augmented physical activity program including 270 min of weekly physical education provided for three to seven years did not materialize in statistically significant differences in established risk markers in children from intervention compared to control schools. As the intervention was discontinued after 6th grade, the post-intervention effect of augmented physical education throughout adolescence is unknown. School-based physical activity programs may benefit from incorporating instruments for behaviour translation to leisure time in their intervention models to increase the probability of achieving public health relevance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03510494 .

Regulation of Metabolic Disease-Associated Inflammation by Nutrient Sensors.

Visceral obesity is frequently associated with the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D), a highly prevalent chronic disease that features insulin resistance and pancreatic ß-cell dysfunction as important hallmarks. Recent evidence indicates that the chronic, low-grade inflammation commonly associated with visceral obesity plays a major role connecting the excessive visceral fat deposition with the development of insulin resistance and pancreatic ß-cell dysfunction. Herein, we review the mechanisms by which nutrients modulate obesity-associated inflammation.

Physical fitness and anthropometric characteristics among adolescents living in urban or rural areas of Kosovo.

BACKGROUND: High physical fitness levels in childhood and adolescence are associated with positive health-related outcomes later in life. Albeit many researchers investigated rural-urban differences in physical fitness, the outcomes of these studies are inconsistent and data on Kosovo are widely missing. Thus, this study aims to examine anthropometric and physical fitness parameters in 14 to 15 year old Kosovan adolescents living in rural and urban areas. METHODS: Two schools from Pristina (mostly urban population) and two schools in the surrounding villages of the district of Deçan (mostly rural population) were selected. Anthropometric and physical fitness parameters were determined from a total of 354 adolescents (216 urban: 14.5 ± 0.4 years, 138 rural: age 14.5 ± 0.4 years) who volunteered to participate in this cross-sectional study performed in 2013/14. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 18.9% in girls and 28.2% in males and excess body fat was detected in 18.2% of the girls and 15.9% of the boys with no differences between rural and urban adolescents. Rural adolescents performed slightly better in relative handgrip strength (+4.7%, p = 0.032) and running speed (10 m: +2.2%, p = 0.012; 20 m: +1.9%, p = 0.035), but no other differences were detected in standing long jump, counter movement jump, cardiorespiratory fitness and sit and reach test. A multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that being a female was associated with a lower relative risk for overweight (RR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.03-0.34, p < 0.001) and high body fat content (RR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.05-0.56, p < 0.001). In addition, higher handgrip strength, longer sprinting time and lower aerobic fitness were associated with a higher relative risk for overweight and excess body fat. In contrast, lower handgrip strength increased the risk for experiencing thinness (RR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.89-0.96, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It could be shown that there is a high prevalence of overweight and obesity, especially in 14 to 15 year old boys in Kosovo which does not differ between rural and urban areas. Worse physical performance is associated with a higher risk for overweight and obesity highlighting the importance for interventions in this area and for starting longitudinal observations of a secular trend.

Elastic band resistance training influences transforming growth factor-ß receptor I mRNA expression in peripheral mononuclear cells of institutionalised older adults: the Vienna Active Ageing Study (VAAS).

BACKGROUND: Ageing, inactivity and obesity are associated with chronic low-grade inflammation contributing to a variety of lifestyle-related diseases. Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) is a multimodal protein with various cellular functions ranging from tissue remodelling to the regulation of inflammation and immune functions. While it is generally accepted that aerobic exercise exerts beneficial effects on several aspects of immune functions, even in older adults, the effect of resistance training remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether progressive resistance training (6 months) with or without nutritional supplementation (protein and vitamins) would influence circulating C-reactive protein and TGF-ß levels as well as TGF-ß signalling in peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of institutionalised adults with a median age of 84.5 (65.0-97.4) years. RESULTS: Elastic band resistance training significantly improved performance as shown by the arm-lifting test (p = 0.007), chair stand test (p = 0.001) and 6-min walking test (p = 0.026). These results were paralleled by a reduction in TGF-ß receptor I (TGF-ßRI) mRNA expression in PBMCs (p = 0.006), while circulating inflammatory markers were unaffected. Protein and vitamin supplementation did not provoke any additional effects. Interestingly, muscular endurance of upper and lower body and aerobic performance at baseline were negatively associated with changes in circulating TGF-ß at the early phase of the study. Furthermore, drop-outs of the study were characterised not only by lower physical performance but also higher TGF-ß and TGF-ßRI mRNA expression, and lower miRNA-21 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Progressive resistance training with elastic bands did not influence chronic low-grade inflammation but potentially affected TGF-ß signalling in PBMCs through altered TGF-ßRI mRNA expression. There appears to be an association between physical performance and TGF-ß expression in PBMCs of older adults, in which the exact mechanisms need to be clarified.

The acute effects of graded physiological strain on soccer kicking performance: a randomized, controlled cross-over study.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to examine the acute effects of graded physiological strain on soccer kicking performance. METHODS: Twenty-eight semi-professional soccer players completed both experimental and control procedure. The experimental protocol incorporated repeated shooting trials combined with a progressive discontinuous maximal shuttle-run intervention. The initial running velocity was 8 km/h and increasing for 1 km/h every 3 min until exhaustion. The control protocol comprised only eight subsequent shooting trials. The soccer-specific kicking accuracy (KA; average distance from the ball-entry point to the goal center), kicking velocity (KV), and kicking quality (KQ; kicking accuracy divided by the time elapsed from hitting the ball to the point of entry) were evaluated via reproducible and valid test over five individually determined exercise intensity zones. RESULTS: Compared with baseline or exercise at intensities below the second lactate threshold (LT2), physiological exertion above the LT2 (blood lactate > 4 mmol/L) resulted in meaningful decrease in KA (11-13%; p < 0.05), KV (3-4%; p < 0.05), and overall KQ (13-15%; p < 0.01). The light and moderate-intensity exercise below the LT2 had no significant effect on soccer kicking performance. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that high-intensity physiological exertion above the player's LT2 impairs soccer kicking performance. In contrast, light to moderate physiological stress appears to be neither harmful nor beneficial for kicking performance.

Effects of elastic band resistance training and nutritional supplementation on muscle quality and circulating muscle growth and degradation factors of institutionalized elderly women: the Vienna Active Ageing Study (VAAS).

PURPOSE: Regular resistance exercise training and a balanced diet may counteract the age-related muscular decline on a molecular level. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of elastic band resistance training and nutritional supplementation on circulating muscle growth and degradation factors, physical performance and muscle quality (MQ) of institutionalized elderly. METHODS: Within the Vienna Active Ageing Study, 91 women aged 83.6 (65.0-92.2) years were randomly assigned to one of the three intervention groups (RT, resistance training; RTS, resistance training plus nutritional supplementation; CT, cognitive training). Circulating levels of myostatin, activin A, follistatin, IGF-1 and GDF-15, as well as MQ and functional parameters were tested at baseline as well as after 3 and 6 months of intervention. RESULTS: MQ of lower extremities significantly increased in the RT group (+14 %) and RTS group (+12 %) after 6 months. Performance improved in the RT and RTS groups for chair stand test (RT: +18 %; RTS: +15 %). Follistatin increased only in the RT group (+18 %) in the latter phase of the intervention, accompanied by a decrease in the activin A-to-follistatin ratio (-7 %). IGF-1, myostatin and GDF-15 levels were not affected by the intervention. CONCLUSION: Our data confirm that strength training improves physical performance and MQ even in very old institutionalized women. This amelioration appears to be mediated by blocking muscle degradation pathways via follistatin rather than inducing muscle growth through the IGF-1 pathway. As plasma levels of biomarkers reflect an overall status of various organ systems, future studies of tissue levels are suggested.

The impact of six months strength training, nutritional supplementation or cognitive training on DNA damage in institutionalised elderly.

Aging and its aligned loss of muscle mass are associated with higher levels of DNA damage and deteriorated antioxidant defence. To improve the body's overall resistance against DNA damage, maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle is desirable, especially in the elderly. As people age, many have to change their residence from home living to an institution, which is often accompanied by malnutrition, depression and inactivity. The current study aimed at investigating the effect of a 6-month progressive resistance training (RT), with or without protein and vitamin supplementation (RTS), or cognitive training (CT), on DNA strand breaks in 105 Austrian institutionalised women and men (65-98 years). DNA damage was detected by performing the single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay. Physical fitness was assessed using the chair rise, the 6-min-walking and the handgrip strength test. In addition, antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) were analysed. Basal DNA damage (lysis) increased significantly after 3 months of intervention in the RT group (T1 - T2 + 20%, P = 0.001) and the RTS group (T1 - T2 + 17%, P = 0.002) and showed a similar tendency in the CT group (T1 - T2 + 21%, P = 0.059). %DNA in tail decreased in cells exposed to H2O2 significantly in the RT (T1 - T2 - 24%, P = 0.030; T1 - T3 - 18%, P = 0.019) and CT (T1 - T2 - 21%, P = 0.004; T1 - T3 - 13%, P = 0.038) groups. Only RT and RTS groups showed significant differences overtime in enzyme activity (RT + 22% CAT-activity T1 - T3, P = 0.013; RTS + 6% SOD-activity T2 - T3, P = 0.005). Contrary to the time effects, no difference between groups was detected for any parameter at any time point. Our results suggest that both CT and RT improve resistance against H2O2 induced DNA damage and that a nutritional supplement has no further protective effect in institutionalised elderly.

Influence of age and physical fitness on miRNA-21, TGF-ß and its receptors in leukocytes of healthy women.

The TGF-ß superfamily has been shown to play an important role in a wide range of physiological as well as pathological processes including ageing, immune modulation, atherosclerosis and cancer development. The aim of the current study was to investigate (i) whether TGF-ß signalling in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) would differ between young and old females and (ii) whether physical performance parameters of elderly women would be related to the expression of TGF-ß or its receptors. Sixteen healthy young (22-28 years; YF) and 90 healthy older (65-92 years; OF) females participated in the study. In addition to several components of health-related physical fitness, circulating CRP and TGF-ß levels were determined together with the mRNA expression of TGF-ß, TGF-ßRI, TGF-ßRII, and miRNA-21 (known to interfere with TGF-ß signalling) in PBMCs. Physical fitness as determined by 6-minutes walking test (YF:median 932 (range 573-1254) m; OF:360 (114-558) m), handgrip strength (YF: 32 (24-39) kg; OF:18(10-30) kg), relative isokinetic peak torque of knee extensors (YF:1.9 (1.2- 2.3) Nm/kg; OF:1.0 (0.2-1.9) Nm/kg and flexors (YF: 1.1 (0.7- 1.5) Nm/kg; OF: 0.5 (0.2-1.0) Nm/kg was substantially lower in older women (p<0.001 for all comparisons). These changes were paralleled by an increase in hs-CRP (YF: 0.9 (0.1-4.3)mg/L; OF: 2.3 (0.3-56.7)mg/L,p<0.001). Serum levels of TGF-ß and TGF-ß mRNA levels from PBMCs did not differ between young and old women whereas, both TGF- ßRI/GAPDH (YF: 4.07 (1.38-14.60); OF: 2.08 (0.14-28.81); p=0.020) and TGF-ßRII/GAPDH levels (YF: 3.16 (1.14- 10.25); OF: 1.71 (0.51-14.86); p=0.020) were lower with respect to old age. In elderly women, only TGF-ßRΙ expression correlated negatively with miRNA-21 expression in PBMCs (ρ=-0.315; p=0.004). Interestingly, hs-CRP and miRNA correlated positively with handgrip strength (ρ=0.237 and ρ=243, p<0.05), while none of the TGF-ß-related parameters were related to physical performance. The results suggest that age affects TGF-ß signalling in leukocytes by altering the expression levels of its receptors. These changes seem to occur independently of physical fitness of old women.

The influence of age and aerobic fitness on chromosomal damage in Austrian institutionalised elderly.

Ageing goes hand in hand with altered DNA repair and defence mechanisms against DNA damage. To improve the body's overall resistance against chromosomal damage, maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle is of great concern, especially in the elderly. As more and more people are getting older, they change from home living to an institutionalised situation, which is often accompanied by malnutrition, depression and inactivity. So far, there is a lack of data on chromosomal damage in relation to age and fitness status. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of age and aerobic fitness on endpoints of DNA damage in 105 institutionalised women and men (65-98 years) living in Vienna. Chromosomal damage was measured by conducting the cytokinesis block micronucleus cytome assay. Aerobic fitness of the participants was assessed using the 6-min walking test. To investigate the effect of age on micronuclei (MN) frequency and evaluate the particular age group, our data were merged with data from a recent study by Wallner et al. (Effects of unconjugated bilirubin on chromosomal damage in individuals with Gilbert's syndrome measured with the micronucleus cytome assay. Mutagenesis 2012; 27: 731-735). Age and MN frequency correlated significantly for squared regression (r = 0.577; P = 0.000) and showed a levelling-off at ~60 years of age. Furthermore, we observed a significant negative linear correlation (r = -0.222; P = 0.03) between MN frequency and 6-min walking performance. There was a plateau-like effect of the MN frequency above the age of 60-70 years, indicating a higher resistance against chromosomal damage of the 'survivors' of the regular lifespan. This study suggests that aerobic fitness 'protects' against chromosomal damage at high age.

The oral contraceptive cycle and its influences on maximal and submaximal endurance parameters in elite handball players.

The usage of the oral contraceptive pill is widespread among athletes of various levels. However, there is limited knowledge on how the intake of the pill alters the submaximal and maximal endurance parameters between the oral contraceptive phases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine potential differences between the pill intake and withdrawal phase on endurance-related parameters in first-division handball players. In total, 15 female team handball players performed two graded exercise tests until volitional exhaustion on a motorized treadmill. Tests were performed during the pill intake (days 16-17) and withdrawal phase (day 2-3). Throughout the test, respiratory gases were measured breath-by-breath, and the heart rate was measured continuously. Before and after the graded exercise test, blood samples were obtained in order to assess the blood lactate concentration. Before each test, venous blood samples were taken to determine endogenous sex hormone levels. Ventilatory parameters (V˙O2, V˙CO2, and V˙E, and respiratory equivalents for V˙O2 and V˙CO2) were measured, and the oxidation of fat and carbohydrates was calculated. A paired-sample t-test was used to assess differences between the two time points, and the significance was accepted as p < 0.050. Significant differences with lower values during the consumption phase were found for absolute (mean difference ± SD: 88 ± 131 mL∙min-1; p = 0.021) and relative V˙O2peak (mean difference ± SD: 1 ± 2 mL∙min-1∙kg-1; p = 0.012). Higher values during the consumption phase were found for submaximal respiratory equivalents for V˙O2 (mean difference ± SD: -1.1 ± 1.7; p = 0.028) and V˙CO2 (mean difference ± SD: -0.9 ± 1.5; p = 0.032). No differences were found for all other parameters, including differences for endogenous sex hormones (p > 0.050). The results of the current study suggest only marginal and physiologically insignificant differences in endurance-related parameters between oral contraceptive phases.

Multimodal and conventional resistance training interventions improve muscle function in older adults: Findings from the Training IMCT study.

Age-associated remodeling processes affect the intramuscular connective tissue (IMCT) network, which may significantly impair muscle function. Thus, we aimed to test whether including exercises shown to efficiently target the IMCT to a conventional resistance exercise intervention (CONV) would result in greater functional gains as compared to CONV alone. Fifty-three men and women (66.2 ± 3.3 years) were assigned to either CONV (n = 15), multimodal training (MULTI; n = 17) or a control (CTRL; n = 21) group. All subjects were tested at baseline, and those assigned to CONV or MULTI underwent a 16-week training intervention. The CONV group followed a progressive resistance training program, in which the number of weekly training sessions gradually increased from 1 to 3. In the MULTI group, one of these sessions was replaced with plyometric training, followed by self-myofascial release. Testing included maximal strength and power, imaging-based muscle volume, architecture, and functional performance. The intervention effects were analyzed using two- or three-way repeated measures ANOVA models (α = 0.05). Briefly, the maximal knee extension isometric contraction, one-repetition maximum, and isokinetic peak torque increased in all groups (p < 0.05), albeit to a lesser extent in CTRL. On the other hand, quadriceps femoris muscle volume (p = 0.019) and vastus lateralis pennation angle (p < 0.001) increased only in the MULTI group. Handgrip strength did not change in response to the intervention (p = 0.312), whereas Sit-to-Stand performance improved in all groups after the first 8-wks, but only in MULTI and CONV after 16-wks (all p < 0.001). In conclusion, we found that a resistance training intervention in which one weekly training session is replaced by plyometric training is feasible and as effective as a program consisting solely of conventional strength training sessions for inducing gains in muscle strength and function in older adults. Muscle size and architecture improved only in the MULTI group. German Clinical Trials: DRKS00015750.

Association of Bioelectrical Impedance Phase Angle with Physical Performance and Nutrient Intake of Older Adults.

In recent years, the phase angle (PhA) as a raw bioelectrical impedance analysis variable has gained attention to assess cell integrity and its association to physical performance in either sports-related or clinical settings. However, data on healthy older adults are scarce. Therefore, data on body composition, physical performance and macronutrient intake from older adults (n = 326, 59.2% women, 75.2 ± 7.2 years) were retrospectively analyzed. Physical performance was evaluated by the Senior Fitness Test battery, gait speed, timed up and go and handgrip strength. Body composition was determined by the BIA and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (from a subgroup of n = 51). The PhA was negatively associated with the timed up and go test and age (r = -0.312 and -0.537, p < 0.001), and positively associated with the 6 min walk test, 30 s chair stand, handgrip strength, gait speed and physical performance score (r = 0.170-0.554, p < 0.05), but not protein intake (r = 0.050, p = 0.386). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that especially age, sex, BMI, but also the PhA predicted the performance test outcomes. In conclusion, the PhA seems to be an interesting contributor to physical performance, but sex- and age-specific norm values still need to be determined.

The influence of vitamin D supplementation and strength training on health biomarkers and chromosomal damage in community-dwelling older adults.

Older adults lack of proper physical activity which is often accompanied by vitamin D deficiency. Those factors are known to contribute to health issues in the later years of life. The main goal of this intervention study was to investigate the effect of different vitamin D supplementation strategies for 4 weeks solely or combined with a 10-week strength training program on chromosomal stability in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in community-dwelling older people. One hundred women and men (65-85 years) received either vitamin D3 daily (800 IU), a monthly dose (50.000 IU) or placebo for 17 weeks. All groups received 400 mg calcium daily. The fitness status of the study participants was measured using the 30- second chair stand test, the handgrip strength test and the 6-min walk test. The cytokinesis block micronucleus cytome (CBMN) assay was applied to analyze chromosomal anomalies, including cytotoxic and genotoxic parameters. Changes in antioxidant markers were measured in plasma. Walking distance and chair stand performance improved significantly. Increased levels of the parameters of the CBMN assay were detected for all intervention groups at study end. At baseline micronuclei (MNi) frequency correlated significantly with BMI in both sexes (females: r = 0.369, p = 0.034; males: r = 0.265, p = 0.035), but not with vitamin D serum levels. In females, body fat (r = 0.372, p < 0.001) and functional parameter using the 30-s chair stand test (r = 0.311, p = 0.002) correlated significantly with MNi frequency. Interestingly, not vitamin D supplementation but 10 weeks of resistance training increased MNi frequency indicating elevated chromosomal instability and also adverse effects on antioxidant markers including glutathione and FRAP were detected in the group of community-dwelling older adults.

Impact of Using Population-Specific Cut-Points, Self-Reported Health, and Socio-Economic Parameters to Predict Sarcopenia: A Cross-Sectional Study in Community-Dwelling Kosovans Aged 60 Years and Older.

The age-related decline of muscle strength, mass, and physical performance (sarcopenia) has been raising concerns among the scientific and healthcare communities. This decline may differ between populations, age groups, and sexes. Therefore, we aimed to explore sarcopenia together with the impact of health and socio-economic parameters in mature Kosovans. A cross-sectional study was conducted on community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 60 years (n = 240, 47.1% female) from the Prishtina region. Sarcopenia was identified using the following criteria: (i) the European Working Group in Sarcopenia for Older People (EWGSOP1), (ii) the revised EWGSOP2 algorithms, and (iii) sex-specific cut-points derived from the Kosovan population. In males, pre-sarcopenia/probable sarcopenia was detected from the EWGSOP1, EWGSOP2 and Kosovan-specific criteria at values of 3.1%, 5.5%, and 28.3%; sarcopenia was detected at 1.6%, 5.5%, and 0.0%, and severe sarcopenia was detected at 4.7%, 2.4%, and 4.7%, respectively. Pre-sarcopenia was lower in females (0.9%, 5.3%, 16.8%), with no cases of sarcopenia or severe sarcopenia detected by either algorithm. Sarcopenic males were older, had a lower weight, BMI, skeletal muscle mass, performance score, nutritional status (p < 0.001), educational level (p = 0.035), and higher malnourishment risk (p = 0.005). It is notable that high overweight and obesity levels were also detected (93.8% of females, 77.1% of males). This study highlights the importance of using population-specific cut-points when diagnosing sarcopenia, as otherwise its occurrence may be underestimated, especially in obese persons. Age, body composition, physical performance, health, and socio-economic conditions can influence the occurrence of sarcopenia.

Does a Physical Activity Intervention on Classroom-Based Ergometers During Teaching Lessons Effect Physical Fitness, Body Composition, and Health-Related Blood Parameters? A Pilot Cluster Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Time constraints comprise one limiting factor for implementing school-based physical activity programs. The aim of this pilot cluster randomized controlled study was to explore the effects of a cycle ergometer intervention during regular lessons on physical fitness, body composition, and health-related blood parameters. METHODS: Participants attended one of 2 classes selected from one school, which were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 23, 11.2 [0.5] y) consisting of cycling on classroom-based ergometers during 3 lessons per week at a self-selected intensity and a control group (n = 21, 11.3 [0.5] y) not receiving any treatment. Prior to and after the 5-month intervention period, physical fitness (with ventilatory threshold as primary outcome), body composition, and parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism were assessed. RESULTS: A significant time × group interaction was revealed for ventilatory threshold (P = .035), respiratory compensation point (P = .038), gross efficiency (P < .001), maximal aerobic power (P = .024), triglycerides (P = .041), and blood glucose levels (P = .041) with benefits for the intervention group. Peak oxygen uptake and body composition were not affected. CONCLUSIONS: Children's aerobic capacity benefited from the low-intensity school-based cycling intervention, while body composition and most blood parameters were not affected. The intervention using cycle ergometers is a feasible and time-saving strategy to elevate submaximal physical fitness.