Changes in Lean Mass and Serum Myostatin with Habitual Protein Intake and High-Velocity Resistance Training.

OBJECTIVES: Examine the associations between dietary protein intake, lean mass (LM), and serum myostatin (Mstn) levels among community-dwelling older adults participating in a 20-week high-velocity resistance training (HVRT) program. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This longitudinal study consisted of 33 community-dwelling, older adults (mean age 77.0 years, SD = 6.4); all of which obtained physician clearance prior to study participation. MEASUREMENTS: Twenty-five females and eight males were randomized to a control (CON) or HVRT group. Anthropometric measures were obtained via dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and peripheral venous blood draw used for serum myostatin analysis. Exercise was performed twice per week for 20 consecutive weeks. Food intake estimation with a diet history questionnaire (DHQ) was used for protein intake comparison to the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). All measures were recorded both prior to and following study participation. RESULTS: Altogether, protein was consumed in amounts more generous (1.01 ± 0.47 g·kg-1·d-1) than that of the RDA (0.8 g·kg-1·d-1). As a result of significant LM differences among men and women (p < 0.01), additional data were analyzed specific to sex. Serum myostatin was greater among females (6681.8 ± 3155.0 pg·mL-1) than males (5560.0 ± 2946.1 pg·mL-1); however, these values were not significantly different (p = 0.39). Combined, protein consumption and serum myostatin did not significantly influence LM among males (p = 0.09) or females (p = 0.71). Irrespective of training group, significant changes were not exhibited in dietary intake patterns, LM, or serum myostatin. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to the proposed hypothesis, results suggest protein consumption and circulating serum myostatin levels did not significantly influence LM among older adults. Although HVRT positively impacts LM, neither exercise group displayed significant changes in LM. Therefore, further research is needed examining dietary intake, exercise modality, and myostatin downregulation as non-pharmacological approaches to combating sarcopenia.

The effects of power and strength training on bone mineral density in premenopausal women.

AIM: The purpose of this 48-week exercise intervention was designed to examine the effects of power and resistance training on bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: Premenopausal women were recruited and randomly assigned to either a power (N.=8) or resistance (N.=11) training group. The power exercises included jumping rope, skipping, hopping, and other power-type exercises. The resistance training group performed 8-10 whole-body strengthening exercises at 70% one-repetition maximum (1RM). Before and after the exercise intervention, BMD was measured via dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for the total-body, lumbar spine, left femoral neck, and left greater trochanter. Muscular strength was measured by hand grip dynamometer and 1RM of chest press and leg press. Muscular power was assessed by the Margaria-Kalamen stair climb test. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences between the two training groups for any of the BMD measurements. Chest press strength was different between the two groups, increasing 6.41 and 1.1kg for the resistance and power groups, respectively over the course of the training period (F[1.15]=9.44, P<0.01). There was a significant time effect for leg press 1RM (F[1.15]=6.04, P=0.03). The participants increased by 12.37kg after the 48-week intervention. Hand grip strength also increased after the study intervention (F[1.16]=46.32, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that power and resistance training are comparable techniques for maintaining bone density.

Comorbidity and clinical features in elderly patients with dementia: differences according to dementia severity.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate comorbidity and clinical features in elderly patients with dementia to determine differences according to dementia severity. DESIGN: Observational study with medical record review. SETTING: Eight hospitals in the Barcelona area. PARTICIPANTS: 515 consecutive admissions aged > 64 years with dementia, 89.1% of whom lived in the community. MEASUREMENTS: We collected data on sociodemographic variables, type of dementia, Barthel Index (BI), Lawton and Brody Index (LI), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Charlson Index and the total number of drugs chronically prescribed. We stratified the population into two groups according to disease severity with the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS): mild-moderate (GDS 3-5) and severe (GDS 6-7). RESULTS: There were a total of 515 participants of which 364 females (70%) and 151 males with a mean age of 81 +/- 6 years old. The total number of chronic prescription drugs was 5.6 +/- 2.4. The mean Charlson Index score was 2 +/- 1.2. The 270 (52.5%) patients with a GDS score of 3-5 were compared with the 245 patients with a GDS score of 6-7. In the multivariate analysis, a GDS score of 6-7 was associated with poorer LI, BI, and MMSE scores and greater neuroleptic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Important comorbidity conditions are common in elderly individuals with dementia. The patients with more severe dementia had poor functional status and higher frequency of neuroleptic use. Medical comorbidities should be taken into account in the management of patients with dementia.

[Features differentiating comorbidity in elderly patients with Alzheimer-type dementia or with vascular dementia]. / Aspectos diferenciales de comorbilidad en pacientes ancianos con demencia tipo Alzheimer o con demencia vascular.

INTRODUCTION: Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD) are the two most common forms of dementia. In the elderly subjects with dementia, there is a significant comorbidity associated and often cause greater morbidity and mortality. AIM: To investigate some aspects of comorbidity in the patients with these two types of dementia in order to analyze possible differences. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 365 patients > 64 years old were prospectively evaluated. Of them 289 patients (79.1%) had probable AD, and 76 patients probable VD. Data were collected on sociodemographic variables, Barthel index, Lawton index), Minimental State Examination, total number of drugs, history of high blood pressure (HBP), diabetes mellitus (DM), dyslipidemia (DL), heart failure (HF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cancer. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 264 women (72.3%) and 101 men. Mean age was 81.1 +/- 6 years. Patients were taken an average of 5.5 +/- 2.5 drugs. 54% had HBP, 26.6% DM, 25.8% DL, 12.1% HF, 13.7% COPD and 8.2% cancer. When in multivariate analysis differences were analyzed according the type of dementia, we found a higher percentage of men, taken more than three drugs and lower percentage of taken specific dementia therapy in the VD group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed the presence of high comorbidity and chronic drugs prescription in elderly people with dementia. There are some differences according the type of dementia, highlighting a higher percentage of polypharmacy in patients with vascular dementia group.

[Medical comorbidity in elderly patients with dementia. Differences according age and gender]. / Aspectos de comorbilidad en pacientes ancianos con demencia. Diferencias por edad y género.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of dementia in elderly patients is high. The goal of the study was to assess some aspects of comorbidity in the patients with dementia. We also analyzed comorbidity differences according to age and gender. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 311 patients older than 64 years old with dementia were prospectively evaluated. Data were collected on sociodemographic endpoints, type of dementia, Barthel Index (BI), Lawton Index (LO), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Charlson Index, total number of drugs, history of high blood pressure (HT), diabetes (DM), dyslipidemia (DL), heart failure (HF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cancer. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 222 women (71.4%) and 89 men. Mean age (standard deviation [SD]) was 80.6 (6) years. Patients were taking an average of 5.8 (2.6) drugs. The mean of Charlson Index was of 2.1 (1.3). Fifty-one percent had HT, 24% DM, 24% DL, 13% HF, 11% COPD and 8% cancer. We found better scores in the MMSE, higher comorbidity and percentage of married people and prevalence of vascular dementia in men with respect to women, who had higher percentage of Alzheimer disease, and widowers. When differences were analyzed according to age, we found a higher percentage of widowers and HF diagnosis, a lower LI values and DL percentage in the patients older than 84 years with respect to younger subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed the presence of high comorbidity and chronic drugs prescription in elderly people with dementia. There are some differences in comorbidity according to age and gender that must be taken into account.

Aspectos de comorbilidad en pacientes ancianos con demencia. Diferencias por edad y género / Medical comorbidity in elderly patients with dementia. Differences according age and gender

Fundamento y objetivo. La prevalencia de demencia en pacientes ancianos es alta. El objetivo del estudio es evaluar algunos aspectos de comorbilidad en los pacientes con demencia. Además se explora si existen diferencias según la edad (mayores o no de 84 años) y el género de los pacientes. Pacientes y métodos. Se evaluaron prospectivamente 311 pacientes mayores de 64 años con demencia. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, el tipo de demencia, el índice de Barthel (IB), el índice de Lawton (IL), el Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), el índice de Charlson, el número total de medicamentos, los antecedentes de hipertensión (HTA), diabetes (DM), dislipidemia (DL), insuficiencia cardíaca (IC), enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) y neoplasia. Resultados. Se trataba de 222 mujeres (71,4%) y 89 varones, con una edad media (desviación estándar [DE]) de 80,6 (6) años. La media del número total de medicamentos fue de 5,8 (2,6). La media del índice de Charlson fue de 2,1 (1,3). Existía en el 51% de los casos HTA, en 24% DM, en 24% DL, en 13% IC, en 11% EPOC y en el 8% neoplasia. Respecto al género, destacaba mejor puntuación en el MMSE, mayor comorbilidad, mayor porcentaje de casados y mayor prevalencia de demencia vascular en hombres en comparación con las mujeres, donde había mayor presencia de enfermedad de Alzheimer y mayor porcentaje de viudas. En relación a la edad había mayor número de viudos, peor IL, más IC y menos DL en los mayores de 84 años. Conclusiones. Los pacientes ancianos con demencia tienen una alta comorbilidad y un importante consumo de fármacos de prescripción crónica. Existen variaciones en la comorbilidad según la edad y el género, que deben tenerse en cuenta (AU)

Background. Prevalence of dementia in elderly patients is high. The goal of the study was to assess some aspects of comorbidity in the patients with dementia. We also analyzed comorbidity differences according to age and gender. Patients and methods. A total of 311 patients older than 64 years old with dementia were prospectively evaluated. Data were collected on sociodemographic endpoints, type of dementia, Barthel Index (BI), Lawton Index (LO), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Charlson Index, total number of drugs, history of high blood pressure (HT), diabetes (DM), dyslipidemia (DL), heart failure (HF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cancer. Results. The sample consisted of 222 women (71.4%) and 89 men. Mean age (standard deviation [SD]) was 80.6 (6) years. Patients were taking an average of 5.8 (2.6) drugs. The mean of Charlson Index was of 2.1 (1.3). Fifty-one percent had HT, 24% DM, 24% DL, 13% HF, 11% COPD and 8% cancer. We found better scores in the MMSE, higher comorbidity and percentage of married people and prevalence of vascular dementia in men with respect to women, who had higher percentage of Alzheimer disease, and widowers. When differences were analyzed according to age, we found a higher percentage of widowers and HF diagnosis, a lower LI values and DL percentage in the patients older than 84 years with respect to younger subjects. Conclusions. Our results showed the presence of high comorbidity and chronic drugs prescription in elderly people with dementia. There are some differences in comorbidity according to age and gender that must be taken into account (AU)

La promesa publicitaria de salud en las marcas de alimentación. Una visión estratégica / No disponible

No disponible

Risperidona y acontecimientos adversos cerebrovasculares en los pacientes ancianos con demencia / Risperidone and cerebrovascular adverse in elderly patients with dementia

No disponible

[Differences in health-related quality of life between male and female hemodialysis patients]. / Diferencias en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud entre hombres y mujeres en tratamiento en hemodíalisis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies in renal patients have reported that women perceive a lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL) than men: however, these studies have been carried out without taking into account the gender-related differences shown in general population samples. The aims of the present study are: a) to define the HRQOL dimensions in which there are differences between men and women on chronic hemodialysis (HD), correcting then the differences on the generic dimensions by means of standardization by age and gender of the obtained scores, using Spanish normative data, and b) to identify the variables that cause these possible gender-related differences on HRQOL. METHODS: A cross-sectional multi-center study was carried out with 152 patients (69 men and 83 women) receiving HD treatment in 43 Spanish centers, using the KDQOL-SF to evaluate their HRQOL. The generic KDQOL-SF scores were standardized by age and gender using Spanish normative data. Sociodemographic, clinical and psychosocial variables were also collected on each patient. A MANOVA was carried out to study the variables associated with the gender-related differences on HRQOL. The sociodemographic, clinical and psychosocial variables showing significant differences between men and women in the previous univariate analysis were entered as covariates. RESULTS: The KDQOL-SF scores showed statistically significant differences between men and women in four scales: physical functioning, emotional role limitation, social function and emotional well-being. In contrast, standardized scores showed no differences between men and women in the profile or degree of HRQOL impairment. Although statistically significant gender-related differences were shown in educational level, employment, haemoglobin, Kt/V, trait anxiety and depressive symptoms, only the last two variables showed an independent effect on the differences in HRQOL. CONCLUSION: Impaired HRQOL in women on HD reflects the gender-related differences that are also shown in the general population, and they are related to the higher prevalence of trait anxiety and depressive symptoms in women.

Physical activity and osteoporotic fracture among older women.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the importance of physical activity in the occurrence of osteoporotic fracture and to examine the impact of exercise frequency on osteoporotic fracture among a national sample of women aged 50 years and older. DESIGN AND SETTING: This study involved female participants in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), Phase 1. SUBJECTS: The sample consisted of 2,325 women aged 50 years and older who were interviewed for Phase 1 of NHANES III. MEASUREMENTS: Predictor variables that were examined in this study included heredity, age, race, body mass index, physical activity, smoking status, alcohol use, and dairy product intake. Multivariate analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Race, age, body mass index, and inactivity were significant risk factors Predicting the occurrence of osteoporotic fracture. CONCLUSIONS: Athletic trainers in clinical settings are in an ideal position to educate female patients about risk factors for osteoporotic fracture. The clinical athletic trainer may incorporate balance training, generalized strengthening, and other fall-prevention activities into rehabilitation programs in order to help prevent osteoporotic injuries.

Relationships among strength, endurance, weight and body fat during three phases of the menstrual cycle.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among body weight, body fat, and dynamic strength and muscular endurance during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Twenty-one female subjects, ages 18-36, with normal menstrual cycles and no dysfunction were tested for strength and endurance of the knee flexors and extensors on a Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer. Body weight and percent body fat were also assessed. Each subject was tested at three speeds (60 degrees, 180 degrees, and 240 degrees/sec) during three phases of the menstrual cycle: mensus (within 24 hours of onset); ovulation (13-14 days from onset); and luteal (10 days from ovulation). The data were analyzed descriptively and by Pearson Product-Moment Correlations with each phase of the cycle and between cycle phases. Results indicated high correlations among most strength measures at the three test speeds for each phase during the cycle and between the cycle phases. Overall, the different phases of the menstrual cycle had little or no effect upon the relationships among body weight, percent body fat, knee extension and flexion strength or endurance.

The relationship of maternal exercise on labor, delivery and health of the newborn.

Thirty women were interviewed and divided into active and sedentary groups. Pre-delivery data, information regarding labor and delivery, Apgar scores of the newborn and perceived exertion during labor were recorded and statistically analyzed. Neonates of active women showed slightly higher one-minute Apgars and no difference in fetal weight or five-minute Apgars. Active women indicated lower perceived exertion during labor, longer delivery times and no differences in gestational length, maternal weight gain and time during the first stage of labor. Maternal weight gain in both groups correlated positively with fetal weight. A higher fetal weight indicated a slightly higher five-minute Apgar. Primaparas showed no difference in the first stage of labor although longer delivery time was noted. No differences in levels of medication during labor were revealed although the youngest and oldest subjects required cesarean delivery. Obese women labored longer, indicated higher perceived exertion and higher fetal weights.

Dynamic strength and work variations during three stages of the menstrual cycle.

The purpose of this article was to investigate the effects of three different phases of the menstrual cycle on dynamic strength and work performance of the knee flexors and extensors. Twenty-one women (18-36 years of age) were tested for dynamic strength and endurance on a Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer at speeds of 60, 180, and 240 degrees /sec. Each subject was tested within 24 hours from the onset of the menses, at the time of ovulation, and during the luteal phase. Strength was determined by peak torque values of knee flexion and extension at the three speeds. Flexion and extension endurance ratios and a work ratio was determined at a speed of 240 degrees /sec. ANOVA failed to show any significant differences among the strength variables during the three phases of the menstrual cycle. The endurance ratios indicated that peak torque values were less than two-thirds of original strength at the end of 20 repetitions. Flexors fatigued slightly less than extensors. There were no significant differences in work ratios among the three phases. Thus it was concluded that the active woman with a normal cycle should experience no discernible change in strength and work performance as a result of cycle changes.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1988;10(4):113-116.