Effect of lifelong football training on the expression of muscle molecular markers involved in healthy longevity.

PURPOSE: We investigated whether lifelong football training affects the expression of healthy longevity-related muscle molecular markers. METHODS: Biopsies were collected from the vastus lateralis muscle of 10 lifelong football-trained men (68.2 ± 3.0 years) and of 10 active untrained healthy men (66.7 ± 1.3 years). Gene and protein expression was measured by RTqPCR on RNA and by western blotting on protein extracts from muscle biopsies, respectively. RESULTS: The expression of AMPKα1/α2, NAMPT, TFAM and PGC1α, which are markers of oxidative metabolism, and MyHC ß isoform expression was higher in the muscle of football-trained men vs untrained men. Also citrate synthase activity was higher in trained than in untrained men (109.3 ± 9.2 vs 75.1 ± 9.2 mU/mg). These findings were associated with a healthier body composition in trained than in untrained men [body weight: 78.2 ± 6.5 vs 91.2 ± 11.2 kg; body mass index BMI: 24.4 ± 1.6 vs 28.8 ± 4.0 kg m-2; fat%: 22.6 ± 8.0 vs 31.4 ± 5.0%)] and with a higher maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max: 34.7 ± 3.8 vs 27.3 ± 4.0 ml/min/kg). Also the expression of proteins involved in DNA repair and in senescence suppression (Erk1/2, Akt and FoxM1) was higher in trained than in untrained men. At BMI- and age-adjusted multiple linear regression analysis, fat percentage was independently associated with Akt protein expression, and VO2max was independently associated with TFAM mRNA and with Erk1/2 protein expression. CONCLUSIONS: Lifelong football training increases the expression of key markers involved in muscle oxidative metabolism, and in the DNA repair and senescence suppression pathways, thus providing the molecular basis for healthy longevity.

Efficacy of recreational football on bone health, body composition, and physical functioning in men with prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy: 32-week follow-up of the FC prostate randomised controlled trial.

UNLABELLED: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer (PCa) impairs musculoskeletal health. We evaluated the efficacy of 32-week football training on bone mineral density (BMD) and physical functioning in men undergoing ADT for PCa. Football training improved the femoral shaft and total hip BMD and physical functioning parameters compared to control. INTRODUCTION: ADT is a mainstay in PCa management. Side effects include decreased bone and muscle strength and increased fracture rates. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of 32 weeks of football training on BMD, bone turnover markers (BTMs), body composition, and physical functioning in men with PCa undergoing ADT. METHODS: Men receiving ADT >6 months (n = 57) were randomly allocated to a football training group (FTG) (n = 29) practising 2-3 times per week for 45-60 min or to a standard care control group (CON) (n = 28) for 32 weeks. Outcomes were total hip, femoral shaft, femoral neck and lumbar spine (L2-L4) BMD and systemic BTMs (procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide, osteocalcin, C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen). Additionally, physical functioning (postural balance, jump height, repeated chair rise, stair climbing) was evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-two-week follow-up measures were obtained for FTG (n = 21) and for CON (n = 20), respectively. Analysis of mean changes from baseline to 32 weeks showed significant differences between FTG and CON in right (0.015 g/cm(2)) and left (0.017 g/cm(2)) total hip and in right (0.018 g/cm(2)) and left (0.024 g/cm(2)) femoral shaft BMD, jump height (1.7 cm) and stair climbing (-0.21 s) all in favour of FTG (p < 0.05). No other significant between-group differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to standard care, 32 weeks of football training improved BMD at clinically important femoral sites and parameters of physical functioning in men undergoing ADT for PCa.

Direct sampling of electric-field vacuum fluctuations.

The ground state of quantum systems is characterized by zero-point motion. This motion, in the form of vacuum fluctuations, is generally considered to be an elusive phenomenon that manifests itself only indirectly. Here, we report direct detection of the vacuum fluctuations of electromagnetic radiation in free space. The ground-state electric-field variance is inversely proportional to the four-dimensional space-time volume, which we sampled electro-optically with tightly focused laser pulses lasting a few femtoseconds. Subcycle temporal readout and nonlinear coupling far from resonance provide signals from purely virtual photons without amplification. Our findings enable an extreme time-domain approach to quantum physics, with nondestructive access to the quantum state of light. Operating at multiterahertz frequencies, such techniques might also allow time-resolved studies of intrinsic fluctuations of elementary excitations in condensed matter.

Cardiovascular function is better in veteran football players than age-matched untrained elderly healthy men.

The aim of the study was to determine whether lifelong football training may improve cardiovascular function, physical fitness, and body composition. Our subjects were 17 male veteran football players (VPG; 68.1 ± 2.1 years) and 26 healthy age-matched untrained men who served as a control group (CG; 68.2 ± 3.2 years). Examinations included measurements of cardiac function, microvascular endothelial function [reactive hyperemic index (RHI)], maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), and body composition. In VPG, left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume was 20% larger (P < 0.01) and LV ejection fraction was higher (P < 0.001). Tissue Doppler imaging revealed an augmented LV longitudinal displacement, i.e., LV shortening of 21% (P < 0.001) and longitudinal 2D strain was 12% higher (P < 0.05), in VPG. In VPG, resting heart rate was lower (6 bpm, P < 0.05), and VO2max was higher (18%, P < 0.05). In addition, RHI was 21% higher (P < 0.05) in VPG. VPG also had lower body mass index (P < 0.05), body fat percentage, total body fat mass, android fat percentage, and gynoid fat percentage (all P < 0.01). Lifelong participation in football training is associated with better LV systolic function, physical fitness, microvascular function, and a healthier body composition. Overall, VPG have better cardiovascular function compared with CG, which may reduce their cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

A preliminary study: effects of football training on glucose control, body composition, and performance in men with type 2 diabetes.

The effects of regular football training on glycemic control, body composition, and peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) were investigated in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Twenty-one middle-aged men (49.8 ± 1.7 years ± SEM) with T2DM were divided into a football training group (FG; n = 12) and an inactive control group (CG; n = 9) during a 24-week intervention period (IP). During a 1-h football training session, the distance covered was 4.7 ± 0.2 km, mean heart rate (HR) was 83 ± 2% of HRmax, and blood lactate levels increased (P < 0.001) from 2.1 ± 0.3 to 8.2 ± 1.3 mmol/L. In FG, VO2 peak was 11% higher (P < 0.01), and total fat mass and android fat mass were 1.7 kg and 12.8% lower (P < 0.001), respectively, after IP. After IP, the reduction in plasma glucose was greater (P = 0.02) in FG than the increase in CG, and in FG, GLUT-4 tended to be higher (P = 0.072) after IP. For glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1), an overall time effect (P < 0.01) was detected after 24 weeks. After IP, the number of capillaries around type I fibers was 7% higher (P < 0.05) in FG and 5% lower (P < 0.05) in CG. Thus, in men with T2DM, regular football training improves VO2 peak, reduces fat mass, and may positively influence glycemic control.

Health promotion: the impact of beliefs of health benefits, social relations and enjoyment on exercise continuation.

The aim of this study was to explore how and why participants in structured exercise intervention programs continue or stop exercising after the program is finished. We conducted four focus group interviews with four groups of middle-aged and elderly men (total n = 28) who had participated in exercise interventions involving playing either a team sport (football) or a more individually focused activity (spinning and crossfit). Our results show that different social, organizational and material structures inherent in the different activities shape the subjects' enjoyment of exercise participation, as well as their intention and ability to continue being active. In conclusion, team sport activities seem to be intrinsically motivating to the participants through positive social interaction and play. They are therefore more likely to result in exercise continuation than activities that rely primarily on extrinsic motivation such as the expectation of improved health and well-being.

Football training improves lean body mass in men with prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) remains a cornerstone in the management of patients with prostate cancer (PCa) despite adverse effects on body composition and functional parameters. We compared the effects of football training with standard care in PCa patients managed with ADT (> 6 months). Fifty-seven men aged 67 (range: 43-74) were randomly assigned to a football group (FG, n = 29) or a usual care control group (CON, n = 28). The primary outcome was change in lean body mass (LBM) assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning. Secondary outcomes included changes in knee-extensor muscle strength (one repetition maximum), fat percentage, and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max ). Mean heart rate during training was 137.7 (standard deviation 13.7) bpm or 84.6 (3.9)% HRmax. In FG, LBM increased by 0.5 kg [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1-0.9; P = 0.02] with no change in CON (mean group difference 0.7 kg; 95% CI 0.1-1.2; P = 0.02). Also, muscle strength increased in FG (8.9 kg; 95% CI 6.0-11.8; P < 0.001) with no change in CON (mean group difference 6.7 kg; 95% CI 2.8-10.7; P < 0.001). In FG, VO2max increased (1.0 mL/kg/min; 95% CI 0.2-1.9; P = 0.02) and fat percentage tended to decrease (0.7%; 95%CI 1.3-0.0; P = 0.06), but these changes were not significantly different from CON. In conclusion, football training over 12 weeks improved LBM and muscle strength compared with usual care in men with prostate cancer receiving ADT.

Cardiovascular adaptations to 4 and 12 months of football or strength training in 65- to 75-year-old untrained men.

The study examined the effects of 1 year of football or strength training on cardiovascular function in 65- to 75-year-old men. Twenty-six untrained men (age: 68.2 ± 3.2 years) were randomized to football training (FTG; n = 9), strength training (STG; n = 9), or control (CG; n = 8). In FTG, left ventricular (LV) internal diastolic diameter, end-diastolic volume, and mass index were 8%, 21%, and 18% higher (P < 0.01), respectively, after 12 months, with no changes in STG and CG. After 12 months, LV ejection fraction was increased (P < 0.05) by 8% and 5% in FTG and STG, respectively, and systolic longitudinal two-dimensional strain by 8% and 6%, whereas right ventricular systolic function improved (P < 0.05) by 22% in FTG, but not in STG and CG. In FTG, LV diastolic mitral inflow (E/A) ratio and peak early diastolic velocity (E') improved (P < 0.05) by 25% and 12%, respectively, after 12 months, with no changes in STG and CG. In FTG, maximum oxygen uptake was 16% and 18% higher (P < 0.001) after 4 and 12 months, respectively, and resting heart rate was 6 and 8 beats per minute lower (P < 0.001), respectively, with no changes in STG and CG. In conclusion, football training elicited superior cardiovascular effects compared with strength training in elderly untrained men.

Structural and functional cardiac adaptations to 6 months of football training in untrained hypertensive men.

We investigated the effects of 3 and 6 months of regular football training on cardiac structure and function in hypertensive men. Thirty-one untrained males with mild-to-moderate hypertension were randomized 2:1 to a football training group (n = 20) and a control group receiving traditional recommendations on healthy lifestyle (n = 11). Cardiac measures were evaluated by echocardiography. The football group exhibited significant (P < 0.05) changes in cardiac dimensions and function after just 3 months: Left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume increased from 104 ± 25 to 117 ± 29 mL. LV diastolic function improved measured as E/A ratio (1.15 ± 0.32 to 1.54 ± 0.38), early diastolic velocity, E' (11.0 ± 2.5 to 11.9 ± 2.6 cm/s), and isovolumetric relaxation time (74 ± 13 to 62 ± 13 ms). LV systolic function improved measured as longitudinal displacement (10.7 ± 2.1 to 12.1 ± 2.3 mm). Right ventricular function improved with respect to tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (21.8 ± 3.2 to 24.5 ± 3.7 mm). Arterial blood pressure decreased in both groups, but significantly more in the football training group. No significant changes were observed in the control group. In conclusion, short-term football training improves LV diastolic function in untrained men with mild-to-moderate arterial hypertension. Furthermore, it may improve longitudinal systolic function of both ventricles. The results suggest that football training has favorable effects on cardiac function in hypertensive men.

Recreational football improves bone mineral density and bone turnover marker profile in elderly men.

This study examined the effect of recreational football and resistance training on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers (BTMs) in elderly men. Twenty-six healthy sedentary men (age 68.2 ± 3.2 years) were randomized into three groups: football (F; n = 9) and resistance training (R; n = 9), completing 45-60 min training two to three times weekly, and inactive controls (C; n = 8). Before, after 4 months, and after 12 months, BMD in proximal femur (PF) and whole body (WB) were determined together with plasma osteocalcin (OC), procollagen type-1 amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP), and carboxy-terminal type-1 collagen crosslinks (CTX-1). In F, BMD in PF increased up to 1.8% (P < 0.05) from 0 to 4 months and up to 5.4% (P < 0.001) from 0 to 12 months; WB-BMD remained unchanged. After 4 and 12 months of football, OC was 45% and 46% higher (P < 0.001), and P1NP was 41% and 40% higher (P < 0.001) than at baseline, respectively. After 12 months, CTX-1 showed a main effect of 43% (P < 0.05). In R and C, BMD and BTM remained unchanged. In conclusion, 4 months of recreational football for elderly men had an osteogenic effect, which was further developed after 12 months, whereas resistance training had no effect. The anabolic response may be due to increased bone turnover, especially improved bone formation.

Effect of football or strength training on functional ability and physical performance in untrained old men.

The effects of 16 weeks of football or strength training on performance and functional ability were investigated in 26 (68.2 ± 3.2 years) untrained men randomized into a football (FG; n = 9), a strength training (ST; n = 9), or a control group (CO; n = 8). FG and ST trained 1.6 ± 0.1 and 1.5 ± 0.1 times per week, respectively, with higher (P < 0.05) average heart rate (HR) (∼140 vs 100 bpm) and time >90%HRmax (17 vs 0%) in FG than ST, and lower (P < 0.05) peak blood lactate in FG than ST (7.2 ± 0.9 vs 10.5 ± 0.6 mmol/L). After the intervention period (IP), VO2 max (15%; P < 0.001), cycle time to exhaustion (7%; P < 0.05), and Yo-Yo Intermittent Endurance Level 1 performance (43%; P < 0.01) were improved in FG, but unchanged in ST and CO. HR during walking was 12% and 10% lower (P < 0.05) in FG and ST, respectively, after IP. After IP, HR and blood lactate during jogging were 7% (P < 0.05) and 30% lower (P < 0.001) in FG, but unchanged in ST and CO. Sit-to-stand performance was improved (P < 0.01) by 29% in FG and 26% in ST, but not in CO. In conclusion, football and strength training for old men improves functional ability and physiological response to submaximal exercise, while football additionally elevates maximal aerobic fitness and exhaustive exercise performance.

Long-term outcome after neurosurgically treated spinal epidural abscess following epidural analgesia.

BACKGROUND: A recent investigation demonstrated a high incidence of epidural abscess secondary to epidural catheterization and a 50% frequency of neurologic deficits. We studied short- and long-term neurologic outcome in patients operated for spinal epidural abscess after epidural analgesia. METHODS: Nineteen patients who had undergone neurosurgical decompression and drainage of a spinal epidural abscess during a 5-year period at three neurosurgical departments in East Denmark were identified by manual review of operating lists. RESULTS: Median epidural catheterization time was 8 days (range 3-44). Preoperatively 12 patients suffered from inferior paraparesis, one had irradiating pain from the back, and 6 patients had no neurologic deficits. Postoperatively 2 patients had recovered, but 3 other patients had deteriorated; therefore, 13 patients were discharged with paresis/plegia. Seven patients died during a median follow-up time for all patients of 41.6 months. One patient recovered completely, and one suffered from minor deficits. The remaining patients suffered from paraparesis/plegia or bladder/bowel dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Overall recovery rate for patients with paresis/plegia after epidural abscess was 20%. No patients with paresis/plegia following a thoracic abscess recovered in contrast to a 50% recovery rate for patients with lumbar epidural abscess. The majority of long-term survivors had severe neurologic deficits. Abscess formation contributed to one death.

[Epidural abscess after epidural catheterization. Frequency and case reports]. / Epidural absces efter epiduralkateter. Hyppighed og sygehistorier.

Spinal epidural abscess is considered a rare but serious complication after epidural analgesia. In a recently published prospective study the incidence was found to be one in 1,930 catheters. Two case reports are presented and the high incidence of epidural abscess is discussed.

No effect of insulin on glucose blood-brain barrier transport and cerebral metabolism in humans.

The effect of hyperinsulinemia on glucose blood-brain barrier (BBB) transport and cerebral metabolism (CMRglc) was studied using the intravenous double-indicator method and positron emission tomography using [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose as tracer (PET-FDG). Sixteen normal healthy control subjects (25 +/- 4 years old) were studied twice during a euglycemic and a euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic condition. Our hypothesis was that high physiologic levels of insulin did not affect the BBB transport or net metabolism of glucose. During insulin infusion, arterial plasma insulin levels increased from 48.5 to 499.4 pmol/l. The permeability-surface area products for glucose and FDG BBB transport obtained with the double-indicator method remained constant during hyperinsulinemia. Similarly using PET-FDG, no changes were observed in the unidirectional clearance of FDG from blood to brain. k2* (FDG transport from brain to blood) increased significantly by 15 and 18% (gray and white matter, respectively), and k4* (dephosphorylation of FDG) increased by 18%. The increase in k2* may be caused by insulin inducing a decrease in the available FDG brain pool. The increase in k4* may be related to an increased loss of labeled products during insulin fusion. Irrespective of these changes, CMRglc remained unchanged in all brain regions. We conclude that hyperinsulinemia within the normal physiologic range does not affect BBB glucose transport or net cerebral glucose metabolism.

[Severe infections after epidural catheterization]. / Svaere infektioner efter epidurale katetre.

The paper reviews the literature relevant to the formation of spinal epidural abscess with or without concurrent meningeal infection following epidural catheterisation. The incidence of spinal epidural abscess lies probably in the area of 1:5000 catheterisations. Immunocompromised patients and patients with catheters in situ for more than 48 hrs. are particularly prone to develop epidural abscesses. S. aureus is isolated in 35-82% of the cases. The diagnosis based upon clinical findings, laboratory studies and MRI or CT plus myelography. The mortality is 5-10%. The treatment consists of removal of the catheter, microbiological studies, surgical decompression of the spinal cord, and prolonged antibiotic treatment. It is suggested that insertion of epidural catheters is performed under strict sterility, and that disposable syringes and unbroken vials are used for each injection, which should be administered through an epidural filter. The dressing should be changed daily simultaneously with review of the patient and the insertion site.

Effect of aclacinomycin A on in vitro cultures of porcine lens epithelial cells.

As a potential drug for the prevention of secondary cataract formation (SCF), we investigated the effect of Aclacinomycin A (ACM) on the growth of cultures of porcine lens epithelial cells in vitro. ACM is an anthracycline that has been used in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in the human for many years. It has been shown to be non-mutagenic and non-carcinogenic in in vitro and in animal models. Subconfluent cell cultures were exposed to different concentrations of ACM for 5 minutes. The drug effect was evaluated by cell counts after various lengths of culture time (between 1 and 10 weeks). No cells survived the treatment with 12 or 16 microg ml-1. Cultures treated with concentrations between 0.5 and 8 microg ml-1 showed a marked decrease in cell number when compared to controls. However, reproliferation occurred at concentration up to 8 microg ml-1 after 2-6 weeks. Intraocular application of ACM might be suitable in the prevention of SCF. However, with regard to reproliferation, long-term cultures (or long-term animal models, respectively) have to be used in further evaluating the appropriate dosage for this purpose.

Radiation response of porcine RPE cells in vitro.

PURPOSE: To investigate the antiproliferative effect of ionizing radiation on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells that are supposed to play a major role in the pathogenesis of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). METHODS: RPE cells from pig eyes were irradiated with doses ranging from 4 to 16 Gy (1 Gray = 1 Joule/kilogram). Cells were counted at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks (Experiment 1) or 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks (Experiment 2) after treatment. In Experiment 3, cells were trypsinized 24 h after radiation and seeded again. Colonies were counted 10 days later, and the surviving fraction was determined. RESULTS: The numbers of cells and colonies were inversely correlated to the doses applied. In Experiment 2, cell numbers of radiated cultures remained stable during the time of follow-up, whereas, in Experiment 1, significant proliferation occurred in treated cultures as well as in controls. This may be due to the higher growing rate that was found in the cultures of Experiment 2, compared to those of Experiment 1, at the time of radiation. In Experiment 3, a D0 value of 0.72 Gy was found. CONCLUSIONS: Proliferation of RPE cells can be suppressed by irradiation in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, radiotherapy may be useful in the treatment of PVR. Its effect probably depends on the stage or activity of PVR at the time of radiation.

Central nervous side effects after lumbar puncture. A review of the possible pathogenesis of the syndrome of postdural puncture headache and associated symptoms.

The mechanism of central nervous side effects of lumbar puncture is reviewed on the basis of the literature. The most frequent adverse effect of lumbar puncture remains the postdural puncture headache; dysfunction of certain cranial nerves occurs less frequently. Laboratory studies have shown that the production rate of CSF. Several reports suggest that lumbar CSF leakage may affect the intracranial CSF volume. There are no reports of measurement of the intracranial pressure in patients with postdural puncture headache, but there are several indications of a reduced CSF pressure that may explain postdural puncture headache and vestibulocochlear dysfunction following lumbar puncture. Recent audiometric studies suggest that hearing loss may be a sensitive indicator of CSF leakage, and larger series indicate that the needle size and the shape of the needle tip are important determinants of the incidence of central nervous side effects. Epidural blood patch may give immediate relief of postdural puncture headache and cranial nerve dysfunction after lumbar puncture, but the reason for the rapid and impressive effect of epidural blood patch has not been fully elucidated.