BACKGROUND: Higher circulating levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which is a metabolite that can be produced by the gut microbiota from L-carnitine (LC), have been associated with bone mineral density (BMD). Because LC supplementation can improve bone density and microstructural properties in animal models, this study aimed to examine the effects of 12 weeks of LC supplementation on BMD and selected blood markers involved in bone metabolism of postmenopausal women participating in a resistance training (RT) program. METHODS: Twenty-seven postmenopausal women, who had not been treated for osteoporosis, with a total T-score above - 3.0 and no diet differences completed 12 weeks of RT. The participants' diets were supplemented with either 1 g of LC-L-tartrate and 3 g of leucine per day (LC group) or 4 g of leucine per day as a placebo (PLA group), in a double-blind fashion. RESULTS: After the intervention in the LC group, plasma total carnitine and serum decorin levels were higher than the corresponding preintervention values (p = 0.040 and p = 0.042, respectively). Moreover, plasma TMAO and serum SPARC levels were higher in the LC group than the corresponding postintervention values in the PLA group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.030, respectively). No changes in the BMD were observed after 3 months of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Twelve weeks of LC supplementation during RT program increased plasma TMAO levels and appeared to affect signaling molecules, as indicated by the increase in the resting SPARC and decorin levels, with no significant modification in the BMD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered at the ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05120011).
BACKGROUND: Menopause is a time when women experience a number of physiological and anatomical changes resulting from a decline in ovarian function. It can be concluded that cardiovascular disease increases in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, irrespective of age-related changes. Engaging in the amount of moderate physical activity recommended by the World Health Organization helps reduce the risk of death and adverse health events. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of a 6-month aqua aerobics programme on cardiometabolic (anthropometric and biochemical) parameters in perimenopausal women. METHODS: In this study, 30 women (control group-16, study group-14) participated in the 6-month aqua aerobics training programme. The mean age of women was 47.67 ± 6.79 year and BMI 26.33 ± 3.64 kg/m2. At the beginning and at the end of the study, anthropometric and blood samples analysis were performed. In the blood, lipid profile, morphotic elements were determined. Body composition, waist-hip ratio (WHR), visceral adiposity index (VAI), blood pressure (BP) were measured. RESULTS: The aqua aerobics programme resulted in a significant decrease in the WHR (p < 0.05; ES: 2.143), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p < 0.05; ES: 1.005), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PRL) (p < 0.05; ES: 0.460) and an increase in haemoglobin (HGB) concentration (p < 0.05; ES: 0.643). CONCLUSIONS: The type of physical activity described in the present study is a great way for perimenopausal women to take care of their overall well-being. The reduction in selected cardiometabolic parameters is important from the point of view of the protection of women's health.
BACKGROUND: Age-related reduction in exercise capacity is manifested by a rapid development of fatigue. Research confirmed the adverse prognostic value of red blood cell distribution width (RDW-CV), an independent factor in heart failure, coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction. Physical exercise improves and helps to maintain cardiorespiratory fitness. The aim of our study was to examine the impact of 8 weeks' Nordic walking training with classic poles (NW) and NW training with poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber (NW with RSA) on RDW-CV levels and to assess correlations between RDW-CV levels and cardiorespiratory performance in postmenopausal women. METHODS: In this study, 32 postmenopausal women (NW-16, NW with RSA-16) participated in eight weeks of walking training. The mean age of women was 66.56 ± 4.23 year. and BMI 26.99 ± 3.86 kg/m2. At the beginning and at the end of the study, spirometry and exercise tests were performed. Haematological parameters were determined in the venous blood. RESULTS: Statistical analysis of differences in post-training changes in the parameters between the groups studied showed a significant difference in change in body weight (∆body weight) (p < 0.05; ES: 0.778), BMI (∆BMI) (p < 0.05; ES: 0.778), waist circumference (∆WC) (p < 0.05; ES: 1.225) and (∆RDW-SD) (p < 0.05; ES: 1.215). There were no changes in electrocardiographic and spirometric parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings from the present study, it can be assumed that endurance and resistance exercise can significantly reduce disease severity and mortality. A clinical analysis of RDW levels, together with other cardiological and biochemical parameters, can provide practical prognostic information relating to cardiovascular disease, mortality risk and treatment outcomes.
Deterioration of the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system represents a significant problem during aging and intervention with a suitable load of physical activity may improve the quality of life. Nordic walking (NW) has become a popular and easily accessible form of activity, especially for older adults people around the world. Thus, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of an Nordic walking training program with classic poles (NW) and with integrated resistance shock absorber (RSA) on bone mineral density and the peak torques of upper limb muscles and to compare the effects of both intervention programs. 25 women were randomly assigned to two training groups: 10 subjects using RSA (68 ± 4.19 years) and 15 subjects using NW poles (65 ± 3.40 years), which completed 8 weeks of training program. The hip, spine and forearm areal bone mineral density, torques of the flexors and extensors at the elbow and shoulder joints were measured before starting the training programs and after their completion. The most significant effect was found in differences between the two groups of women with respect to the femur strength index (p = 0.047) and the ratio of the flexors to extensors in the elbow (p = 0.049) and shoulder (p = 0.001) joints and peak torque of flexors in the shoulder joint (p = 0.001) for the left arm. A significant difference was also found in the index of torque asymmetry of flexors in the shoulder joint (p = 0.002). The study shows that Nordic walking with RSA poles for postmenopausal women led to beneficial changes in the femur strength index. However, we found no significant influence on bone mineral density values measured on the whole body, the femoral neck, forearm or lumbar spine regions. The occurrence of asymmetry in biomechanical muscle parameters, which was observed using RSA poles, may suggest the necessity of systematic controlling the gait technique to avoid the adverse consequences of asymmetrical rotation of the lumbar spine.
Nordic Walking , Postmenopause , Humans , Female , Aged , Torque , Quality of Life , Femur/physiology , Muscles/physiology
Background: Regular and individualised physical activities have been shown to prevent adverse changes associated with the aging process. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and white blood cell (WBC) subpopulations in postmenopausal women participating in Nordic walking (NW) training and to compare the use of poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber (RSA) with the use of classic poles. Materials & Methods: A total of 23 postmenopausal women participated in a 8-week programme of systematic physical activity between February and April. Before and after the training programme, somatic features and serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, glucose, and insulin, were assessed, as well as lipid profile and WBC count and its specific subpopulations. Results: Analysis of differences in somatic features and biochemical indices before and after training in the group of women who used RSA poles showed significant decreases in fat mass content (p < 0.05), insulin (p < 0.05), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (p < 0.05), triglycerides (p < 0.05), total cholesterol (p < 0.05) and monocytes (p ≤ 0.01). In the group of women who used classic poles (NW), there was a significant decrease in WBC (p ≤ 0.01), lymphocytes (p < 0.05), monocytes (p ≤ 0.01) and granulocytes (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Increasing the training load through the use of RSA poles resulted in greater changes in carbohydrate and lipid metabolic indices compared to the use of classic NW poles. In turn, the more significant effect on WBC and its specific subpopulations count in the NW, compared to the RSA training programme, may indicate that specificity of training load is an important factor in modifying the immune system response.
Insulins , Walking , Humans , Female , Walking/physiology , Nordic Walking , Postmenopause/metabolism , Calcifediol , Glucose , Leukocytes
Aging is a complex, multietiological process and a major risk factor for most non-genetic, chronic diseases including geriatric syndromes that negatively affect healthspan and longevity. In the scenario of "healthy or good aging", especially during the COVID-19 era, the proper implementation of exercise as "adjuvant" or "polypill" to improve disease-related symptoms and comorbidities in the general population is a top priority. However, there is still a gap concerning studies analyzing influence of exercise training to immune system in older people. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide a brief summary of well-established findings in exercise immunology and immunogerontology, but with a focus on the main exercise-induced mechanisms associated with aging of the immune system (immunosenescence). The scientific data strongly supports the notion that regular exercise as a low-cost and non-pharmacological treatment approach, when adjusted on an individual basis in elderly, induce multiple rejuvenating mechanisms: (1) affects the telomere-length dynamics (a "telo-protective" effect), (2) promote short- and long-term anti-inflammatory effects (via e.g., triggering the anti-inflammatory phenotype), 3) stimulates the adaptive immune system (e.g., helps to offset diminished adaptive responses) and in parallel inhibits the accelerated immunosenescence process, (4) increases post-vaccination immune responses, and (5) possibly extends both healthspan and lifespan.
The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent self-isolation exacerbated the problem of insufficient amounts of physical activity and its consequences. At the same time, this revealed the advantage of vitamin D. Thus, there was a need to verify the effects of those forms of training that can be performed independently. In this study, we examined the effects of Nordic walking (NW) and high intensity interval training (HIIT) with regard to the impact of the metabolite vitamin D. We assigned 32 overweight adults (age = 61 ± 12 years) to one of two training groups: NW = 18 and HIIT = 14. Body composition assessment and blood sample collection were conducted before starting the training programs and a day after their completion. NW training induced a significant decrease in myostatin (p = 0.05) concentration; however, the range was dependent on the baseline concentrations of vitamin D metabolites. This drop was accompanied by a significant negative correlation with the decorin concentration. Unexpectedly, NW caused a decrement in both forms of osteocalcin: undercarboxylated (Glu-OC) and carboxylated-type (Gla-OC). The scope of Glu-OC changes was dependent on a baseline concentration of 25(OH)D2 (r = -0.60, p = 0.01). In contrast, the HIIT protocol did not induce any changes. Overall results revealed that NW diminished the myostatin concentration and that this effect is more pronounced among adults with a sufficient concentration of vitamin D metabolites.
COVID-19 , High-Intensity Interval Training , Myostatin/blood , Nordic Walking , Overweight , SARS-CoV-2/metabolism , Vitamin D/blood , Aged , COVID-19/blood , COVID-19/physiopathology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Overweight/blood , Overweight/physiopathology
BACKGROUND: Some studies indicate vitamin D's significant contribution to metabolic processess. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism indices in relation to seasonal changes in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Sixteen postmenopausal women meeting health criteria and not using vitamin D supplementation were included in the study. Seasonal variation of somatic features and the serum concentration of 25(OH)D, glucose, insulin, parathormon, sclerostin and lipid profile were determined on two terms (autumn-winter). RESULTS: Comparative analysis of the variables between the study terms revealed a marked decrease in the concentration of 25(OH)D (p ≤ 0.0001), insulin (p < 0.05), insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), (p < 0.05). The significant positive correlations of changes (Δ) between autumn and winter in 25(OH)D with body mass (p < 0.05), and fat mass (p ≤ 0.01), measured in the first study term, in the group of women with normal body mass index (BMI), and negative correlation with fat mass (p < 0.05) in women with a BMI value above the reference values, were found. The relationship analysis showed that in women with normal BMI, the decrease in 25(OH)D concentrations was greater when the body fat percentage was higher, whereas in women with a BMI value above the reference values, the higher the fat percentage, the smaller was the decrease in 25(OH)D concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Seasonal changes in 25(OH)D concentration did not significantly affect the concentration of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism indices. The magnitude of decline in 25(OH)D levels depends on the fat mass. We suppose that environmental or lifestyle-related factors, e.g., nutritional behaviours, may have had more influence on metabolic indices than changes in 25(OH)D.
Late adulthood is associated with atrophy of brain areas, which contribute to cognitive deterioration and increase the risk of depression. On the other hand, aerobic exercise can improve learning and memory function, ameliorate mood, and prevent neurodegenerative changes. This study demonstrates the effect of Nordic walking (NW) and NW with poles with an integrated resistance shock absorber (NW with RSA) on aerobic capacity and body composition in postmenopausal women. It also measures the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) serum levels and determines correlations with cognitive functions and depression symptoms. These relationships with the use of NW with RSA as a new form of exercise have not been described thus far. In this study, 31 women (NW - 16, NW with RSA - 15) participated in eight weeks of training. The findings showed that only NW with RSA training caused a significant decrease in body mass and body mass index (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in GDNF levels between groups studied. Regarding BDNF, a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the NW group and an increase (not statistically significant) in the NW with RSA group was found. A comparative analysis of cognitive and depression outcomes and changes in BDNF and GDNF concentration showed no significant differences in the efficacy of either form of training. Training loads resulted in a significant increase in VO2max in both the NW (p < 0.01) and NW with RSA (p < 0.05) groups. This indicates an improvement in cardiopulmonary efficiency of the examined women.
The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of aqua fitness training in deep water on bone tissue. The study was performed with 18 postmenopausal women separated into two groups: training and control groups. Before and after the training program, the hip and spine areal bone mineral density were measured along with the biochemical parameters of serum concentration of osteocalcin (OC) and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX). The most significant effect was found in differences between the two groups of women in terms of femur strength index (p < 0.05) during the period of the training program. The study demonstrated that an aqua fitness training program caused favorable changes in femur strength index in postmenopausal women, and this kind of exercise could be a useful form of physical activity for postmenopausal women.
Bone Density , Bone Remodeling , Exercise , Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/blood , Postmenopause/blood , Biomarkers/blood , Bone and Bones/metabolism , Collagen Type I/blood , Female , Femur , Humans , Middle Aged , Osteocalcin/blood
BACKGROUND: Nutrition and lifestyle factors play an important role in the development and maintenance of peak bone mass and the prevention of bone degradation. The aim of the present study was to assess 25-hydroxy- cholecalciferol [25(OH)D] serum concentration in postmenopausal women during the winter period and the supply of selected components in their diet. METHODS: The study was conducted on a group of 35 women aged 54–77, using a question- naire, including a 24-hour recall related to a subject’s nutrient consumption. Serum concentrations of 25(OH) D were determined. Body composition was assessed with bioelectrical impedance analysis. RESULTS: Mean 25(OH)D serum concentration was found to be 61.2% of the minimum healthy level, according to the reference values. The supply of vitamin D and calcium covered 36.2% and 56.7% of RDA respectively. Correlation analysis has shown a significant inverse relationship between 25(OH)D serum con- centration and body fat (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study indicates a decreased serum concentration of 25(OH)D in postmenopausal women during the winter period and a low supply of vitamin D and calcium in their diet. Nutrition education should be introduced to the adult population to prevent bone fractures.
Diet , Postmenopause , Vitamin D/analogs & derivatives , Aged , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Vitamin D/blood
The study aimed to examine changes in selected angular characteristics and duration of the stroke cycle in the back crawl and the front crawl in children learning to swim. Nine boys and two girls, aged 8-13 years, performed seven consecutive swimming tests. The children's movement technique was recorded with the use of three video cameras. The studied parameters included the angle of incidence between the trunk long axis and the waterline, elbow angle, shoulders roll, stroke cycle duration and stroke length. The results illustrate the development of swimming technique in youth swimmers. The results of the present study indicate the variability and phasing of learning of swimming technique by children.
