The causal relationship of human blood metabolites with the components of Sarcopenia: a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is a progressive loss of muscle mass and function. Since skeletal muscle plays a critical role in metabolic homeostasis, identifying the relationship of blood metabolites with sarcopenia components would help understand the etiology of sarcopenia. METHODS: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study was conducted to examine the causal relationship of blood metabolites with the components of sarcopenia. Summary genetic association data for 309 known metabolites were obtained from the Twins UK cohort and KORA F4 study (7824 participants). The summary statistics for sarcopenia components [hand grip strength (HGS), walking pace (WP), and appendicular lean mass (ALM)] were obtained from the IEU Open GWAS project (461,089 participants). The inverse variance weighted method was used, and the MR-Egger, weighted median, and MR-PRESSO were used for the sensitivity analyses. Metabolic pathways analysis was further performed. RESULTS: Fifty-four metabolites associated with sarcopenia components were selected from 275 known metabolites pool. Metabolites that are causally linked to the sarcopenia components were mainly enriched in amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, galactose metabolism, fructose and mannose metabolism, carnitine synthesis, and biotin metabolism. The associations of pentadecanoate (15:0) with ALM, and 3-dehydrocarnitine and isovalerylcarnitine with HGS were significant after Bonferroni correction with a threshold of P < 1.82 × 10- 4 (0.05/275). Meanwhile, the association of hyodeoxycholate and glycine with the right HGS, and androsterone sulfate with ALM were significant in the sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: Blood metabolites from different metabolism pathways were causally related to the components of sarcopenia. These findings might benefit the understanding of the biological mechanisms of sarcopenia and targeted drugs development for muscle health.

Longitudinal association of grip strength with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in older urban Lithuanian population.

BACKGROUND: Ageing populations experience greater risks associated with health and survival. It increases the relevance of identifying variables associated with mortality. Grip strength (GS) has been identified as an important biomarker for all cause and cardiovascular mortality, however, its prognostic value has not been studied in Lithuania. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the relationship of GS to vital status in a representative sample of the Lithuanian 45-72-year-old urban population during the period of 12 years of follow-up and to explore associations of GS with all-cause mortality and mortality from cardiovascular diseases (CVD). METHODS: Within the framework of the international study Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial Factors in Eastern Europe (HAPIEE) 7,115 men and women 45-72 years of age were examined in the baseline survey (2006 to 2008). Data from the Official Lithuanian Mortality Register were used to evaluate CVD and all-cause mortality from follow-up till 2020. Cox proportional hazards regression was used, and four models for all-cause and CVD mortality were assessed. RESULTS: The mean GS was significantly higher among survivors' men and women as compared to individuals deceased from CVD and other causes of death. In survivor men and women groups, minimal values of GS in all terciles were higher as compared to all three deceased groups. In both men and women groups, the lowest GS (1st tercile) was associated with a significantly higher risk of all-cause and CVD mortality as compared to the highest levels of GS (3rd tercile) in three Cox regression models. In both men and women were found to have a 1.34- and 1.35-fold higher risk of all-cause mortality, respectively, at lower GS, but no significant difference in the risk of CVD mortality. When GS was treated in all models as decrement per 1 kg and decrement per 1 SD, in both men and women, the risk of all-cause mortality significantly increased with decreasing of GS. CONCLUSIONS: The mean GS was significantly higher among survivors' men and women as compared to deceased from CVD and other causes of death. Risk of all-cause mortality significantly increased with decreasing of GS.

Effects of combined cognitive and resistance training on physical and cognitive performance and psychosocial well-being of older adults ≥65: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: With increasing life expectancy of older adult population, maintaining independence and well-being in later years is of paramount importance. This study aims to investigate the impact of three distinct interventions: cognitive training, resistance training and a combination of both, compared with an inactive control group, on cognitive performance, mobility and quality of life in adults aged ≥65 years. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This trial will investigate healthy older adults aged ≥65 years living independently without cognitive impairments. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: (1) cognitive training, (2) resistance training, (3) combined cognitive and resistance training, and (4) control group (n=136 participants with 34 participants per group). The interventions will be conducted over 12 weeks. The cognitive training group will receive group-based activities for 45-60 min two times a week. The resistance training group exercises will target six muscle groups and the combined group will integrate cognitive tasks into the resistance training sessions. Primary outcomes are: Short Physical Performance Battery, Sit-to-Stand Test, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Trail Making Test and Stroop Test combined with gait on a treadmill (dual task). Life satisfaction will be measured by the Satisfaction With Life Scale. Secondary outcomes encompass hand grip strength and the Functional Independence Measure. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was provided by the local Ethics Committee at the University of Hamburg (no. 2023_009). Informed consent will be obtained from all study participants. The results of the study will be distributed for review and discussion in academic journals and conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: DRKS00032587.

Selective plasticity of layer 2/3 inputs onto distal forelimb controlling layer 5 corticospinal neurons with skilled grasp motor training.

Layer 5 neurons of the neocortex receive their principal inputs from layer 2/3 neurons. We seek to identify the nature and extent of the plasticity of these projections with motor learning. Using optogenetic and viral intersectional tools to selectively stimulate distinct neuronal subsets in rat primary motor cortex, we simultaneously record from pairs of corticospinal neurons associated with distinct features of motor output control: distal forelimb vs. proximal forelimb. Activation of Channelrhodopsin2-expressing layer 2/3 afferents onto layer 5 in untrained animals produces greater monosynaptic excitation of neurons controlling the proximal forelimb. Following skilled grasp training, layer 2/3 inputs onto corticospinal neurons controlling the distal forelimb associated with skilled grasping become significantly stronger. Moreover, peak excitatory response amplitude nearly doubles while latency shortens, and excitatory-to-inhibitory latencies become significantly prolonged. These findings demonstrate distinct, highly segregated, and cell-specific plasticity of layer 2/3 projections during skilled grasp motor learning.

Identifying characteristics and clinical conditions associated with hand grip strength in adults: the Project Baseline Health Study.

Low hand grip strength (HGS) is associated with several conditions, but its value outside of the older adult population is unclear. We sought to identify the most salient factors associated with HGS from an extensive list of candidate variables while stratifying by age and sex. We used data from the initial visit from the Project Baseline Health Study (N = 2502) which captured detailed demographic, occupational, social, lifestyle, and clinical data. We applied MI-LASSO using group methods to determine variables most associated with HGS out of 175 candidate variables. We performed analyses separately for sex and age (< 65 vs. ≥ 65 years). Race was associated with HGS to varying degrees across groups. Osteoporosis and osteopenia were negatively associated with HGS in female study participants. Immune cell counts were negatively associated with HGS for male participants ≥ 65 (neutrophils) and female participants (≥ 65, monocytes; < 65, lymphocytes). Most findings were age and/or sex group-specific; few were common across all groups. Several of the variables associated with HGS in each group were novel, while others corroborate previous research. Our results support HGS as a useful indicator of a variety of clinical characteristics; however, its utility varies by age and sex.

Towards humanlike grasp in robotic hands: mechanical implementation of force synergies.

In the field of robotic hands, finger force coordination is usually achieved by complex mechanical structures and control systems. This study presents the design of a novel transmission system inspired from the physiological concept of force synergies, aiming to simplify the control of multifingered robotic hands. To this end, we collected human finger force data during six isometric grasping tasks, and force synergies (i.e. the synergy weightings and the corresponding activation coefficients) were extracted from the concatenated force data to explore their potential for force modulation. We then implemented two force synergies with a cable-driven transmission mechanism consisting of two spring-loaded sliders and five V-shaped bars. Specifically, we used fixed synergy weightings to determine the stiffness of the compression springs, and the displacements of sliders were determined by time-varying activation coefficients. The derived transmission system was then used to drive a five-finger robotic hand named SYN hand. We also designed a motion encoder to selectively activate desired fingers, making it possible for two motors to empower a variety of hand postures. Experiments on the prototype demonstrate successful grasp of a wide range of objects in everyday life, and the finger force distribution of SYN hand can approximate that of human hand during six typical tasks. To our best knowledge, this study shows the first attempt to mechanically implement force synergies for finger force modulation in a robotic hand. In comparison to state-of-the-art robotic hands with similar functionality, the proposed hand can distribute humanlike force ratios on the fingers by simple position control, rather than resorting to additional force sensors or complex control strategies. The outcome of this study may provide alternatives for the design of novel anthropomorphic robotic hands, and thus show application prospects in the field of hand prostheses and exoskeletons.

Impact of pulmonary rehabilitation on patients with different chronic respiratory diseases during hospitalization.

The impact of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on patients with different chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) during hospitalization has not been thoroughly evaluated before. The objectives of the current research were to assess the effect of comprehensive PR management on inpatients' self-management skills, exercise capacity, nutrition assessment and mental health issues and explore whether impacts of PR vary in different CRDs. This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data from 272 inpatients with CRDs receiving PR management during hospitalization between October 2020 and March 2022 in Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital. Significant improvements were found in the patients' ability of daily living (ADL), dyspnea (assessed by modified medical research council dyspnea scale (MMRC)), handgrip strength, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure, anxiety (using the 7-item generalized anxiety disorder scale (GAD-7)) and depression (the 9-item patient health questionnaire score (PHQ-9)). There was no significant change in nutrition assessment pre-post PR management during hospitalization. The subgroup analyses were conducted on hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, asthma, interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) and other CRDs (e.g., lung cancer, diaphragm hemiparesis, obesity, etc.). The results showed that ADL, MMRC score, MIP, MEP, PHQ-9 score improved in all subgroups with CRDs. Handgrip strength of left hand was increased in COPD inpatients and anxiety was improved in all subgroups except for ILDs. Comprehensive PR management was necessary and beneficial for patients with different CRDs during hospitalization.

Carpal tunnel syndrome prediction with machine learning algorithms using anthropometric and strength-based measurement.

OBJECTIVES: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) stands as the most prevalent upper extremity entrapment neuropathy, with a multifaceted etiology encompassing various risk factors. This study aimed to investigate whether anthropometric measurements of the hand, grip strength, and pinch strength could serve as predictive indicators for CTS through machine learning techniques. METHODS: Enrollment encompassed patients exhibiting CTS symptoms (n = 56) and asymptomatic healthy controls (n = 56), with confirmation via electrophysiological assessments. Anthropometric measurements of the hand were obtained using a digital caliper, grip strength was gauged via a digital handgrip dynamometer, and pinch strengths were assessed using a pinchmeter. A comprehensive analysis was conducted employing four most common and effective machine learning algorithms, integrating thorough parameter tuning and cross-validation procedures. Additionally, the outcomes of variable importance were presented. RESULTS: Among the diverse algorithms, Random Forests (accuracy of 89.474%, F1-score of 0.905, and kappa value of 0.789) and XGBoost (accuracy of 86.842%, F1-score of 0.878, and kappa value of 0.736) emerged as the top-performing choices based on distinct classification metrics. In addition, using variable importance calculations specific to these models, the most important variables were found to be wrist circumference, hand width, hand grip strength, tip pinch, key pinch, and middle finger length. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrated that wrist circumference, hand width, hand grip strength, tip pinch, key pinch, and middle finger length can be utilized as reliable indicators of CTS. Also, the model developed herein, along with the identified crucial variables, could serve as an informative guide for healthcare professionals, enhancing precision and efficacy in CTS prediction.

Association between postoperative fall history and toe grip strength in patients after total knee arthroplasty: A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Factors associated with falls after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have been rarely reported. The aim of this study was to identify factors that influence the incidence of falls after TKA, focusing on toe grip strength (TGS) in particular, which has been associated with falls in older adults. METHODS: 217 patients who underwent TKA were included and followed up for 1 year. Main study outcome measures were the presence or absence of falls within 1 year after TKA. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used with postoperative falls as the dependent variable and preoperative falls and postoperative TGS on the affected sides as independent variables. RESULTS: 170 (43 and 127 in the fall and non-fall groups) patients were included in the analysis. The presence of a preoperative falls history before TKA and a weak postoperative affected TGS indicated an increased susceptibility of the patient to fall postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the current study revealed the association between postoperative TGS and postoperative falls. We highlight the importance of preoperative fall monitoring and postoperative TGS evaluation to prevent falls after TKA.

Factors Influencing Life Space Mobility in Cancer Survivors Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation - Physical Function, Depression, Fatigue, Neighborhood Walkability, and Employment Status.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The level of physical activity in the daily lives of cancer survivors following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is crucial for maintaining their physical and mental health. Considering that life space mobility (LSM) may limit physical activity, maintaining and expanding LSM is particularly essential for post-HSCT survivors. This study aimed to identify factors influencing LSM in post-HSCT survivors. METHODS: Thirty cancer survivors after HSCT (14 women, mean age 52.0 ± 12.3 years, 196-3017 days post-HSCT) were included in this cross-sectional study. The assessment encompassed patient characteristics, employment status, life space (Life Space Assessment; LSA), physical function (handgrip strength, isometric knee extension strength, 5 chair standing test, walking speed), depression (Self-rating Depression Scale; SDS), fatigue (Cancer Fatigue Scale), and neighborhood walkability (Walk Score®). The association between LSA and each factor was compared by correlation analysis. Subsequently, multiple regression analysis was conducted, with LSA as the dependent variable and independent variables being outcome measures exhibiting a significant correlation with LSA. RESULTS: Variables significantly correlated with LSA included SDS (r =-0.65, p < .01), employment status (r=-0.60, p < .01), handgrip strength (r = 0.43, p = .02), and isometric knee extension strength (r = 0.40, p = .03). Results of multiple regression analysis show that SDS (ß = -0.53, p < .01), employment status (ß = 0.48, p < .01), and isometric knee extension strength (ß = 0.27, p = .02) were significantly associated with LSA (R2 = 0.74). CONCLUSION: Depression, employment status, and isometric knee extension strength were identified as factors related to LSM in post-HSCT survivors.

Low Hand Grip Strength, Mid-Upper Arm Muscle Area, Calf Circumference, Serum Albumin Level, and Muscle Fiber Diameter as Risk Factors for Independent Walking Inability in Patients with Hip Fracture 6 Weeks after Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty Surgery.

Background: Bipolar hemiarthroplasty, one of the main treatment modalities for hip fracture, does not always promise the ability to walk independently after surgery. Patients with the same fracture characteristics and comorbidities, implants, and operators may also have different outcomes. Sarcopenia is thought to be one of the causes of the inability to walk independently after this operation; however, it has not been widely studied and is often overlooked. Methods: This study used a case-control design with 23 patients in the case group (patients unable to walk independently) and 23 patients in the control group (patients able to walk independently). Sampling was carried out consecutively according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria based on the medical records of patients with hip fractures after bipolar hemiarthroplasty at our hospital. In the preoperative period, hand grip strength (HGS), mid-upper arm muscle area (MUAMA), calf circumference (CC), serum albumin level, and total lymphocyte count were measured. A muscle biopsy was performed intraoperatively from the gluteus muscle with the amount of 200-350 mg. The patient's walking ability was assessed in the polyclinic using the Timed Up and Go test 6 weeks postoperatively. The statistical tests used were descriptive statistics, proportion comparison analysis with the chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression test. Results: Univariate analysis using chi-square test proved HGS, MUAMA, CC, serum albumin level, and muscle fiber diameter as risk factors for inability to walk independently 6 weeks after bipolar hemiarthroplasty (p = 0.003, p = 0.003, p = 0.006, p = 0.044, and p = 0.000, respectively). Logistic regression test proved 3 direct risk factors for the inability to walk independently 6 weeks after bipolar hemiarthroplasty, namely MUAMA, serum albumin level, and muscle fiber diameter, as the strongest predictive factor (adjusted odds ratio, 63.12). Conclusions: Low MUAMA, serum albumin levels, and muscle fiber diameter are direct risk factors for the inability to walk independently in hip fracture patients 6 weeks after bipolar hemiarthroplasty.

Retrospective analysis of scaphoid trapezium pyrocarbon implant intervention in STT arthritis: a 3-year follow-up study.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical, patient rated and radiological outcome of the scaphoid trapezium pyrocarbon implant (STPI) at a minimum of three years follow-up. METHODS: Consecutive patients operated with the STPI due to scaphotrapeziotrapezoidal (STT) arthritis between 2012 and 2019 were included. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and annually after surgery for range of motion, grip strength, key pinch, quick-DASH, pain, and satisfaction. Radiographs were evaluated for implant position, signs of dorsal intercalated segment instability (DISI), capitolunate (CL) angle, scapholunate (SL) distance, and presence of osteophytes. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (29 implants) were included. Seven implants were revised during the follow up, mainly due to pain: three implants were removed, four patients received a new STPI of a different size, leaving 22 implants in 20 patients available for follow up, 9 males and 11 females. Median age was 61.7 years (51-78 years). Median follow-up time was 68 months (37-105 months). Comparing preoperative status to the last follow-up, wrist extension and deviation, thumb abduction, and grip strength did not change. Key Pinch, quick DASH, pain, and patient satisfaction improved significantly at last follow-up. Radiographic signs of DISI were seen in six cases preoperatively and in 12 cases at last follow-up. CONLUSION: At a minimum of three years follow-up, the STPI used for STT-arthritis improve pain, quick-DASH result, and patient satisfaction significantly. ROM and grip strength did not change compared to preoperative values. Radiographic signs of carpal instability were common at the follow-up and the revision rate was high.

Study protocol and rationale of "the UP project": evaluating the effectiveness of active breaks on health indicators in desk-based workers.

Background: Excessive sedentary time has been negatively associated with several health outcomes, and physical activity alone does not seem to fully counteract these consequences. This panorama emphasizes the essential of sedentary time interruption programs. "The Up Project" seeks to assess the effectiveness of two interventions, one incorporating active breaks led by a professional and the other utilizing a computer application (self-led), of both equivalent duration and intensity. These interventions will be compared with a control group to evaluate their impact on physical activity levels, sedentary time, stress perception, occupational pain, and cardiometabolic risk factors among office workers. Methods: This quasi-experimental study includes 60 desk-based workers from universities and educational institutes in Valparaiso, Chile, assigned to three groups: (a) booster breaks led by professionals, (b) computer prompts that are unled, and (c) a control group. The intervention protocol for both experimental groups will last 12 weeks (only weekdays). The following measurements will be performed at baseline and post-intervention: cardiometabolic risk based on body composition (fat mass, fat-free mass, and bone mass evaluated by DXA), waist circumference, blood pressure, resting heart rate, and handgrip strength. Physical activity and sedentary time will be self-reported and device-based assessed using accelerometry. Questionnaires will be used to determine the perception of stress and occupational pain. Discussion: Governments worldwide are addressing health issues associated with sedentary behavior, particularly concerning individuals highly exposed to it, such as desk-based workers. Despite implementing certain strategies, there remains a noticeable gap in comprehensive research comparing diverse protocols. For instance, studies that contrast the outcomes of interventions led by professionals with those prompted by computers are scarce. This ongoing project is expected to contribute to evidence-based interventions targeting reduced perceived stress levels and enhancing desk-based employees' mental and physical well-being. The implications of these findings could have the capacity to lay the groundwork for future public health initiatives and government-funded programs.

Postmenopausal women with higher TSH values within the normal range present improved handgrip strength: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the possible association between thyroid function within the euthyroid range and musculoskeletal parameters as well as body composition in a sample of postmenopausal women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 96 postmenopausal women with serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) within the normal laboratory reference range. Fasting venous blood samples were obtained for biochemical/hormonal assessment. Bone status and body composition were measured using Dual Energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Physical activity was quantified using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) index. RESULTS: Serum TSH correlated with handgrip strength (HGS, r-coefficient = 0.233, p = .025), and total body bone mineral density (BMD) T-score values (r-coefficient = 0.321, p = .003). HGS measures were associated with BMD (r-coefficient = 0.415, p < .001), with bone mineral content (BMC, r-coefficient = 0.427, p < .001), and lean mass (r-coefficient = 0.326, p = .003). Women with low muscle strength, defined as HGS < 16 kg, had lower TSH levels than women with normal muscle strength (low vs. normal muscle strength, ANCOVA 1.13 ± 0.49 mU/L vs. 1.60 ± 0.83 mU/L, p = 0.024) independently of age, BMD, percentage of body fat or absolute lean mass. Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that HGS values were associated with TSH measurements (ß-coefficient = 0.246, p = .014) and BMD T-score values (ß-coefficient = 0.306, p = .002). All models were adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI), vitamin D, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, current smoking, physical activity, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of postmenopausal women, lower serum TSH values, within normal range, were associated with lower muscle strength compared to higher normal TSH values. Further research is needed to elucidate the significance of our preliminary findings.

Sarcopenia and Its Influencing Factors in Patients With Colorectal Cancer.

Sarcopenia can lead to more postoperative complications and poorer prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer; however there is limited research exploring the incidence and influencing factors of different stages of sarcopenia in patients with colorectal cancer. We investigated 312 patients with colorectal cancer. Sarcopenia was determined by measuring muscle mass, grip strength, and gait speed. According to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) 2010, patients were classified into four groups: nonsarcopenia, presarcopenia, sarcopenia, and severe sarcopenia. The incidence of sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia was 10.3% and 8.7%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, TNM stage smoking history, total protein, upper arm circumference, waist circumference, and Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) score were independently associated with sarcopenia at different stages. This study suggests that routine data should be used to provide targeted care during hospitalization for patients with colorectal cancer in order to reduce the incidence of sarcopenia and improve prognosis.

Effect of mental fatigue on hand force production capacities.

Mental fatigue is common in society, but its effects on force production capacities remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of mental fatigue on maximal force production, rate of force development-scaling factor (RFD-SF), and force steadiness during handgrip contractions. Fourteen participants performed two randomized sessions, during which they either carried out a cognitively demanding task (i.e., a visual attention task) or a cognitively nondemanding task (i.e., documentary watching for 62 min). The mental fatigue was evaluated subjectively and objectively (performances and electroencephalography). Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force, RFD-SF, and force steadiness (i.e., force coefficient of variation at submaximal intensities; 25, 50, and 75% of MVC) were recorded before and after both tasks. The feeling of mental fatigue was much higher after completing the cognitively demanding task than after documentary watching (p < .001). During the cognitively demanding task, mental fatigue was evidenced by increased errors, missed trials, and decreased N100 amplitude over time. While no effect was reported on force steadiness, both tasks induced a decrease in MVC (p = .040), a force RFD-SF lower slope (p = .011), and a reduction in the coefficient of determination (p = .011). Nevertheless, these effects were not explicitly linked to mental fatigue since they appeared both after the mentally fatiguing task and after watching the documentary. The study highlights the importance of considering cognitive engagement and mental load when optimizing motor performance to mitigate adverse effects and improve force production capacities.

Longitudinal associations of meeting the WHO physical activity guidelines and physical fitness, from preschool to childhood.

There is a well-established relationship between physical activity (PA) and physical fitness in children, being the latter an important marker for present and future health; however, there is still insufficient knowledge for the transition from the preschool age to early childhood. Therefore, this study in Swedish children aimed to investigate the estimated effect of meeting the aerobic component of the PA guidelines at 4 and/or 9 years of age on physical fitness measured at 9 years of age. PA was assessed using a wrist-worn ActiGraph accelerometer and identical data processing in 217 healthy children in Sweden (114 boys and 103 girls). Physical fitness test included cardiorespiratory (20 m shuttle run test), motor (4 × 10 m shuttle run), and muscular fitness (hand grip strength and long jump). A linear mixed model was run, investigating the interaction between meeting the PA guidelines and time (either 4 or 9 years of age) and each fitness component (at 4 and 9). Interactions by sex were also checked. Meeting the PA guidelines consistently (at 4 and 9 years) was significantly associated to better performance in physical fitness parameters for motor fitness (-0.76 s, p < 0.001) and lower body muscular fitness (+4.6 cm; p < 0.001) at 9 years. There was an interaction between meeting the PA guidelines and time point, for cardiorespiratory fitness (+4.58 laps; p < 0.001). This study shows that meeting the PA guidelines at 4 and 9 years of age is associated to higher physical fitness at 9 years of age.

Association of relative hand grip strength with myocardial infarction and angina pectoris in the Korean population: a large-scale cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Low hand grip strength (HGS) is associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases, but the association between HGS and myocardial infarction/angina pectoris (MIAP) is unclear. Furthermore, there have been no studies examining the associations of MIAP with anthropometric indices, absolute HGS indices, and relative HGS indices calculated by dividing absolute HGS values by body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), or weight values. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the associations of MIAP with absolute and relative HGS combined with several anthropometric indices. METHODS: In this large-scale cross-sectional study, a total of 12,963 subjects from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the associations of MIAP with anthropometric indices, absolute HGS indices, and relative HGS indices were computed from binary logistic regression models. We built 3 models: a crude model, a model that was adjusted for age (Model 1), and a model that was adjusted for other relevant covariates (Model 2). RESULTS: For men, the average age was 61.55 ± 0.16 years in the MIAP group and 66.49 ± 0.61 years in the non-MIAP group. For women, the average age was 61.99 ± 0.14 years in the MIAP group and 70.48 ± 0.61 years in the non-MIAP group. For both sexes, the MIAP group had lower diastolic blood pressure, shorter stature, greater WC, and a greater WHtR than did the non-MIAP group, and women tended to have greater systolic blood pressure, weight, and BMI than in men. HGS was strongly associated with the risk of MIAP in the Korean population. In men, relative HGS indices combined with WC and the WHtR had greater associations with MIAP than did the anthropometric indices and absolute HGS indices. However, in women, anthropometric indices, including weight, BMI, WC, and WHtR, were more strongly associated with MIAP than were absolute and relative HGS indices, unlike in men. When comparing absolute and relative HGS indices in women, relative HGS indices combined with BMI and weight was more strongly related to MIAP than was absolute HGS indices. CONCLUSIONS: MIAP might be better identified by relative HGS than absolute HGS in both sexes. The overall magnitudes of the associations of MIAP with absolute and relative HGS are greater in men than in women.

A pulmonary rehabilitation program is an effective strategy to improve forced vital capacity, muscle strength, and functional exercise capacity similarly in adults and older people with post-severe COVID-19 who required mechanical ventilation.

BACKGROUND: It is internationally known that our population is aging. At the same time, some patients with COVID-19, due to their symptoms, required mechanical ventilation (MV) and subsequent pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). This study aimed to compare the effects of a multimodal PR program "ADULT" versus "OLDER" people with COVID-19 who were on MV. METHODS: The intervention consisted of an 8-week hybrid PR program (2x week). Forced vital capacity (FVC) was measured at the beginning and end of PR, upper and lower limb strength was obtained through hand grip strength (HGS) and the sit-to-stand test (STST), respectively, and functional exercise capacity was measured with the 6-minute walking test (6MWT). RESULTS: The main results were an increase in the FVC in the ADULT and OLDER groups (time effect, P = 0.000; η2 = 0.27), an increase in HGS in the ADULT and OLDER groups (time effect, P = 0.000; η2 = 0.52), in the same way, the number of repetitions on the STST increased in the ADULT and OLDER groups (time effect, P = 0.000; η2 = 0.55). Finally, the distance covered on the 6MWT increased in the ADULT and OLDER groups (time effect, P = 0.000; η2 = 0.65). CONCLUSIONS: The PR program is an effective strategy to improve FVC, muscle strength, and functional exercise capacity similarly in adults and older people with post severe COVID-19 who required MV.

Grasping objects with the aid of haptics.

A smart suction cup uses haptics to supplement vision for exploration of objects in a grasping task.