Late-Life Exercise and Difficulty with Activities of Daily Living: The Magic Metric is 30 Minutes

 

Posted on October 24, 2015 by Stone Hearth News

 

Ann Behav Med. 2015 Oct 22. [Epub ahead of print]

Late-Life Exercise and Difficulty with Activities of Daily Living: an 8-Year Nationwide Follow-up Study in Taiwan.

Ku PW1,2, Fox KR3, Gardiner PA4, Chen LJ5,6.

Author information

1Graduate Institute of Sports and Health, National Changhua University of Education, Changhua City, Taiwan. powen.ku@gmail.com.
2Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK. powen.ku@gmail.com.
3Centre for Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. k.r.fox@bris.ac.uk.
4School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. p.gardiner@uq.edu.au.
5Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK. ljchen@ntupes.edu.tw.
6Department of Exercise Health Science, National Taiwan University of Sport, Taichung, Taiwan. ljchen@ntupes.edu.tw.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Many studies have shown that low levels of exercise in later life are associated with the progression of difficulties with activities of daily living. However, few have assessed the independent effect of exercise components on difficulty in performing activities of daily living and explored whether the relationship between exercise and activities of daily living is reciprocal.

PURPOSES:

This study aimed to examine, in a nationally representative sample of older Taiwanese, the independent effect of the frequency, duration, and intensity of exercise on difficulty with activities of daily living. A secondary objective was to explore the degree to which the relationship of late-life exercise with activities of daily living is bi-directional.

METHODS:

Data from a fixed cohort (n = 1268, aged 70+) in 1999 with 8 years of follow-up were analyzed. Generalized estimating equation models with multivariate adjustment were performed.

RESULTS:

Participants engaging in higher levels of exercise had less difficulty with subsequent activities of daily living. Among the components of exercise, only duration, especially 30 min or more per session, was associated with fewer difficulties with activities of daily living. The relationship between exercise and activities of daily living was reciprocal, although the influence of activities of daily living on subsequent exercise levels was weaker.

CONCLUSIONS:

Exercise in later life may be able to minimize the difficulties in activities of daily living and help maintain the mobility and independence of older adults.
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New top 10 fitness trends for 2016 from the ACSM

 

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Stone Hearth News

 

Newswise — INDIANAPOLIS – Are you tracking your running mileage, calories burned or average heart rate using a wearable device? The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has announced its annual fitness trend forecast and for the first time, exercise pros say wearable technology will be the top trend in fitness next year. The results were released in the article “Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2016: 10th Anniversary Edition” published today in the November/December issue of ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal®.

“Wearable technology has overtaken activities like body weight training and high-intensity interval training to claim the number one spot in this year’s survey,” said Walter R. Thompson, Ph.D., FACSM, the lead author of the survey and associate dean in the College of Education & Human Development at Georgia State University in Atlanta. “Consumer interest in fitness technology may signal that the low-cost, DIY exercise trend is waning.”

Now in its tenth year, the survey was completed by more than 2,800 health and fitness professionals worldwide, many certified by ACSM, and was designed to reveal trends in various fitness environments. Forty potential trends were given as choices, and the top 20 were ranked and published by ACSM, including a few new additions to last year’s list, one of which rose immediately to the number one spot.

“Tech devices are now central to our daily lives and have changed the way we plan and manage our workouts,” said Thompson. “Wearable devices also provide immediate feedback that can make the wearer more aware of their level of activity and can motivate the user to achieve their fitness goals.”

The top 10 fitness trends for 2016 are:

1. Wearable Technology: includes fitness trackers, smart watches, heart rate monitors, and GPS tracking devices.

2. Body Weight Training: Body weight training uses minimal equipment making it more affordable. Not limited to just push-ups and pull-ups, this trend allows people to get “back to the basics” with fitness.

2. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): HIIT involves short bursts of activity followed by a short period of rest or recovery. These exercise programs are usually performed in less than 30 minutes.

4. Strength Training. Strength training remains a central emphasis for many health clubs.
Incorporating strength training is an essential part of a complete exercise program for all physical activity levels and genders. (The other essential components are aerobic exercise and flexibility.)

5. Educated and Experienced Fitness Professionals. Given the large number of organizations offering health and fitness certifications, it’s important that consumers choose professionals certified through programs that are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), such as those offered by ACSM. ACSM is one of the largest and most prestigious fitness-certification organizations in the world.

6. Personal Training. More and more students are majoring in kinesiology, which indicates that they are preparing themselves for careers in allied health fields such as personal training. Education, training and proper credentialing for personal trainers have become increasingly important to the health and fitness facilities that employ them.

7. Functional Fitness. This is a trend toward using strength training to improve balance and ease of daily living. Functional fitness and special fitness programs for older adults are closely related.

8. Fitness Programs for Older Adults. As the baby boom generation ages into retirement, some of these people have more discretionary money than their younger counterparts. Therefore, many health and fitness professionals are taking the time to create age-appropriate fitness programs to keep older adults healthy and active.

9. Exercise and Weight Loss. In addition to nutrition, exercise is a key component of a proper weight loss program. Health and fitness professionals who provide weight loss programs are increasingly incorporating regular exercise and caloric restriction for better weight control in their clients.

10. Yoga. Based on ancient tradition, yoga utilizes a series of specific bodily postures practiced for health and relaxation. This includes Power Yoga, Yogalates, Bikram, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Kripalu, Anurara, Kundalini, Sivananda and others.

The full list of top 20 trends is available in the article “Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2016: 10th Anniversary Edition.” An infographic of the trends study results is available here.
The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 50,000 international, national and regional members and certified professionals are dedicated to advancing and integrating scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine.

ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal® is an official publication of the American College of Sports Medicine, visit www.acsm-healthfitness.org for more information. This journal is available from Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins at 1-800-638-3030.

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Low-weight, high-repetition exercise increases bone density up to 8 percent in adults

 

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Stone Hearth News

     

BALTIMORE – October 26, 2015 – A new research study published in The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness finds that low-weight, high-repetition resistance training increases bone mineral density in adults, challenging assumptions that heavy weight-training is required to build bone mineral density. Participants who completed the study experienced up to 8 percent bone mineral density increases in the legs, pelvis, arms and spine.

 The findings indicate that this type of strength training may be an effective and maintainable method of increasing bone mineral density in older people and sedentary groups. A secondary finding indicates postmenopausal women and osteopenic individuals (those with low bone mineral density) would benefit most from a low-weight, high-repetition exercise regimen.

“These findings challenge the traditional thought that high-weight, low-repetition exercise is the ideal way to increase bone mineral density,” said Jinger Gottschall, Associate Professor and lead researcher of the study conducted at Penn State. “This is such a profound finding because low-weight, high-repetition exercise is easily attainable by anybody and everybody. This approach could help at-risk populations minimize the risk of osteoporosis.”

In the study, 20 untrained adults (people who completed less than 30 minutes of exercise per week for the previous six months) completed a 27-week group exercise program. Participants were assigned to one of two groups that either completed full-body weight-training workouts or workouts focused on building core muscles, in addition to cardiovascular workouts. The weight-training group completed two to three BODYPUMP(R); classes per week, a low-weight, high-repetition resistance training program in which the participants used a bar and self-selected weights.
The study analysis found:

• Participants in the weight-training group demonstrated an 8 percent increase in leg bone mineral density, a 7 percent increase in pelvis bone mineral density, a 4 percent increase in arm bone mineral density and a 4 percent increase in spine bone mineral density. The core group’s bone mineral density did not change significantly.
• Postmenopausal women and osteopenic individuals experienced significant bone mineral density increases of up to 29 percent.
• A positive correlation between squat strength and pelvis bone mineral density, a link that indicates the exercises used in the study could effectively decrease the risk of a hip fracture.

Significant bone mineral density increases for osteopenic and postmenopausal people
Two osteopenic individuals and three postmenopausal women participated in the study, and both groups experienced much higher increases in bone mineral density than the rest of the group. Individuals with osteopenia experienced leg and pelvis bone mineral density increases of 29 percent, more than triple the results other participants experienced. The postmenopausal participants’ bone mineral density increases ranged from 10 to 22 percent.

Pelvis and leg strength prevent fractures

In the study, people in the weight-training group experienced 25 percent greater increase in leg strength than those in the core group. Changes in leg strength were also strongly correlated with changes in pelvic bone mineral density.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, by 2020 approximately 14 million people over the age of 50 are expected to have osteoporosis and another 47 million to have low bone mass.(1) After age 40, bone mineral density declines at an accelerated rate;(2) therefore, it is crucial to build a peak bone mass before this rapid decline and to maintain bone mass later in life.

The hip is the most common and devastating fracture site for elderly people with osteoporosis.(3) According to Gottschall, a large proportion of fall-related deaths are due to complications following a hip fracture. One out of five hip fracture patients die within a year of their injury. Maintaining a healthy bone mineral density in the pelvis and legs can help prevent these life-altering breaks, says Gottschall. High-repetition exercise is a great way for people to build full-body strength.

“Heavy weightlifting has been shown to increase bone mineral density, however many older and inactive adults cannot safely participate in this type of strenuous activity. The exercise regimen used in this study is a more feasible option,” said Bryce Hastings, Group Fitness Research Officer, Les Mills International. “The beauty of LES MILLS BODYPUMP is that it is built on high-repetition choreography and instructors can identify progressive movement options for participants of any fitness level so they can build strength and bone density.”

###

 

Les Mills International funded this research study. Participants completed BODYPUMP classes at FITOLOGY, a fitness studio located in State College, PA.

About Les Mills

Les Mills International is the creator of 13 global group fitness and team training programs, including BODYPUMP(R); (weights), BODYCOMBAT(R); (martial arts), RPM(R); (indoor cycling) and LES MILLS GRIT(R); (30-minute high intensity interval training). Every week, millions of people get fit in more than 16,000 clubs across 80 countries with the help of 100,000 passionate Les Mills instructors. The company’s SMART TECH(TM); equipment line combines innovative ergonomic design with quality construction to help people get better results from their workouts in less time, while Les Mills Good Protein, a simple and functional protein powder, helps people fuel their bodies right. For more information, visit Les Mills at http://www.LesMills.com.
(1) National Osteoporosis Foundation. America’s Bone Health: the State of Osteoporosis and Low Bone Mass in our Nation. 2002
(2) Riggs, B.L., Wahner, H.W., Dunn, et al. Differential changes in bone mineral density of the appendicular and axial skeleton with aging. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 1981; 67:328-335
(3) Niu K, Aloha R, Guo H, et al. Effect of office based brief high-impact exercise on bone mineral density in healthy premenopausal women: the Sendai Bone Health Concept Study. Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism. 2010; 28:568-77.
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Muscle relaxant or opioid combined with NSAID does not improve low back pain

 

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Stone Hearth News

 

Among patients with acute, low back pain presenting to an emergency department, neither the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) naproxen combined with oxycodone/acetaminophen or the muscle relaxant cyclobenzaprine provided better pain relief or improvement in functional outcomes than naproxen combined with placebo, according to a study in the October 20 issue of JAMA.

Low back pain (LBP) is responsible for 2.4 percent of visits to U.S. emergency departments, resulting in more than 2.5 million visits annually. These patients are usually treated with NSAIDs, acetaminophen, opioids, or skeletal muscle relaxants, often in combination. Pain outcomes for these patients are generally poor.

Benjamin W. Friedman, M.D., M.S., of the Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, N.Y., and colleagues randomly assigned 323 patients who presented to an emergency department with nontraumatic, nonradicular LBP of 2 weeks’ duration or less to receive a 10-day course of naproxen + placebo (n = 107); naproxen + cyclobenzaprine (5 mg) (n = 108); or naproxen + oxycodone, 5 mg/acetaminophen, 325 mg (n = 108). Participants were instructed to take 1 or 2 of these tablets every 8 hours, as needed for LBP; naproxen, 500 mg, was to be taken twice a day. Patients also received a standardized 10-minute LBP educational session prior to discharge.
The researchers found that neither naproxen combined with oxycodone/acetaminophen nor naproxen combined with cyclobenzaprine provided better pain relief or better improvement in functional outcomes than naproxen combined with placebo. Measures of pain, functional impairment, and use of health care resources were not different between the study groups at 7 days or at 3 months after the emergency department visit.

Regardless of allocation, nearly two-thirds of patients demonstrated clinically significant improvement in LBP and function 1 week later. However, 40 percent of the cohort reported moderate or severe pain, half reported functionally impairing LBP, and nearly 60 percent were still using medication for their LBP 1 week later. By 3-month follow-up, nearly one-fourth of the cohort reported moderate or severe pain and use of medications for LBP. Three months after the emergency department visit, regardless of study group, opioid use for LBP was uncommon, with fewer than 3 percent of patients reporting use of an opioid within the previous 72 hours.

“These findings do not support the use of these additional medications in this setting,” the authors write.

Source

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Why You Bulk Up with Resistance Training, Not Endurance Training: New Study

 

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Stone Hearth News

 

Newswise — Bethesda, Md. (October 20, 2015)—Resistance and endurance exercises affect the body very differently. These differences suggest that adapting to exercise involves many processes, but scientists have observed that one gene in particular, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator PGC-1α, controls many of them. New research in Physiological Reports shows that although both resistance and endurance exercises activate the PGC-1α gene
, the adaptation processes stimulated are not the same and depend on the type of exercise.
Proteins run the body: They turn processes on or off or speed them up or slow them down. The body has many different proteins, and the instructions to make them are written on sections of DNA, referred to as genes. Different genes code for different proteins, but different proteins can also come from the same gene. Called isoforms, these proteins are produced when only part of the gene’s code is read.

The PGC-1α protein turns on other genes. Several studies have shown that isoforms of PGC-1α exist and that the isoform produced depends on the exercise. In this new study, researchers at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland comprehensively examined the isoforms present shortly after exercising and the genes those isoforms turned on.

Samples were taken from the thigh muscles of healthy men after they performed high-intensity resistance exercises or moderate-intensity endurance exercises. The researchers found that both endurance and resistance exercises produced isoforms PGC-1α exon 1b, PGC-1α exon 1b’ and truncated PGC-1α, while only endurance exercise produced PGC-1α exon 1a isoform. Endurance exercise activated genes that stimulated growth of new blood vessels and increased endurance. Resistance exercise also activated a gene that promoted blood vessel growth, along with a gene that encouraged muscle growth.

“Our results support that gene expression responses of PGC-1α isoforms may have an important role in exercise-induced muscle adaptations,” the researchers stated.

The study “PGC‐1 isoforms and their target genes are expressed differently in human skeletal muscle following resistance and endurance exercise” is published in the October issue of Physiological Reports, a joint journal of the Physiological Society and American Physiological Society.

NOTE TO JOURNALISTS:
To schedule an interview with a member of the research team, please contact the APS Communications Office at communications@the-aps.org or 301-634-7209. Find more research highlights in the APS Press Room.

About the American Physiological Society

 Physiology is the study of how molecules, cells, tissues and organs function in health and disease. Established in 1887, the American Physiological Society (APS) was the first U.S. society in the biomedical sciences field. The Society represents more than 11,000 members and publishes 14 peer-reviewed journals with a worldwide readership.

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8 Fresh Ways Fruits and Vegetables Are Getting Into Our Diet

 

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Stone Hearth News

 

Newswise — CHICAGO— Half of Americans are determined to eat more fruits and vegetables this year according to Innova Market Insights. Because fruits and vegetables are now in just about every food and beverage category, consumers shouldn’t have a problem doing so. In the October issue of Food Technology magazine published by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), senior associate editor Karen Nachay looks at eight different ways fruits and vegetables are turning up in unexpected places.

1. Cauliflower: From 2013 to 2014 Innova Market Insights found a 22 percent increase in global product launches containing cauliflower. It can be roasted, mashed, pureed and included in everything from pizza to ice cream.

2. Exotic Fruits and Vegetables: Consumers are becoming more willing to try more than just apples and oranges these days and fruits and vegetables like kohlrabi, rhubarb, dragon fruit, passion fruit, sour cherry, prickly pear, and celeriac are easier to find in your local grocery store.

3. Cruciferous Vegetables: Now that consumers are realizing that these types of vegetables can taste good when properly prepared (CCD Innovation Culinary Trend Mapping Report, 2014), chefs are turning to unique preparations of parsnips, turnips, rutabagas, dinosaur kale and sea vegetables.

4. Coconut Water: New blends of coconut water with other fruit and vegetable juices highlight tropical fruits like mango and even spinach, red beet, and carrot juices.

5. Yogurt: Yogurt is taking on a savory twist with the addition of new flavors like sweet potato, beet, butternut squash, tomato, kimchi, coconut lemongrass, fig and parsnip.

6. Chilled Soups: While most people think of gazpacho as tomato-based cold soup, the addition of new fruits and vegetables like papaya, watermelon, cucumber, and lemon coriander give this classic soup a new appeal.

7. Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes are no longer just ingredients in pies and side dishes; companies are using sweet potatoes as ingredients in juices, muffins, cheesecake, sauces, and even beer.
8. Natural Food Coloring: As consumers are scrutinizing food labels with synthetic ingredients, manufacturers are turning to fruits and vegetables for naturally derived coloring options. Fruits and vegetables can be minimally processed into purees or juice concentrates to extract the pigments that give them their color.

Read the abstract in Food Technology here

About IFT

Founded in 1939, the Institute of Food Technologists is committed to advancing the science of food. Our non-profit scientific society—more than 17,000 members from more than 95 countries—brings together food scientists, technologists and related professionals from academia, government and industry. For more information, please visit ift.org.
 

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Vibration Therapy to Prevent Bone Loss and Falls: Mechanisms and Efficacy

 

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Stone Hearth News

                

Curr Osteoporos Rep. 2015 Oct 12. [Epub ahead of print]
Vibration Therapy to Prevent Bone Loss and Falls: Mechanisms and Efficacy.
Beck BR1.

Author information

1School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, 4222, Australia. B.Beck@griffith.edu.au.

Abstract

A considerable volume of evidence has accumulated to suggest that whole-body vibration (WBV) may have a therapeutic role to play in the prevention of osteoporotic fracture, particularly for individuals who are unable to tolerate vigorous exercise interventions.

There is moderate to strong evidence that WBV will prevent falls (likely due to enhanced neuromuscular function), but also some indication that the effects of WBV do not outstrip those of targeted exercise.

Animal data indicates that WBV will also improve bone mass, including preventing loss due to hormone withdrawal, disuse and glucocorticoid exposure.

Human trials, however, have produced equivocal outcomes for bone.

Positive trends are apparent at the hip and spine, but shortcomings in study designs have limited statistical power.

The mechanism of the vibration effect on bone tissue is likely to be mechanical coupling between an oscillating cell nucleus and the cytoskeleton.

More robust dose-response human data are required before therapeutic guidelines can be developed.

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Benefit of early physical therapy for low-back pain appears modest

 

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Stone Hearth News

                  

Early physical therapy for recent-onset low back pain resulted in statistically significant improvement in disability compared to usual care, but the improvement was modest and did not achieve a difference considered clinically important at the individual patient level, according to a study in the Oct. 13 issue of JAMA.

Lifetime prevalence of low back pain (LBP) is about 70 percent and accounts for 2 percent to 5 percent of all physician visits. The effect of early physical therapy for LBP is unclear. Guidelines advise delaying referral to physical therapy or other specialists for a few weeks to permit spontaneous recovery. Findings from recent observational studies suggest that some patients may benefit from early physical therapy.

Julie M. Fritz, Ph.D., P.T., of the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, and colleagues randomly assigned 220 patients with recent-onset LBP to early physical therapy (n = 108; consisted of 4 physical therapy sessions [manipulation and exercise]), or usual care (n = 112; no additional interventions during the first 4 weeks). All participants received back pain related education. One-year follow-up was completed by 207 participants (94 percent).

For the primary study outcome, early physical therapy showed improvement compared to usual care on a measure of disability after 3 months. A significant difference was not found for disability between groups at 1-year follow-up. There was no improvement in pain intensity at 4-week, 3-month, or 1-year follow-up. Most differences between groups were modest. There were no differences in health care utilization at any point.

“We found that patients in both groups improved rapidly. Rapid and substantial improvement by most patients with acute LBP limits treatment effects in early intervention studies. We detected a modest difference favoring early physical therapy that was better than the natural history of acute LBP for the primary outcome at 3-month follow-up. However, the between-group difference did not achieve the threshold for minimum clinically important difference. Furthermore, differences were mostly undetectable by 1 year,” the authors write.
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Low Vitamin C and Oxidative Stress in Healthy Young Adults

 

Posted on October 14, 2015 by Stone Hearth News

                  

Prev Nutr Food Sci. 2015 Sep;20(3):198-203. doi: 10.3746/pnf.2015.20.3.198. Epub 2015 Apr 13.
Low Nourishment of Vitamin C Induces Glutathione Depletion and Oxidative Stress in Healthy Young Adults.
Waly MI1, Al-Attabi Z1, Guizani N1.

Author information

1Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Sultanate of Oman.

Abstract

The present study was conducted to assess the status of vitamin C among healthy young adults in relation to serum antioxidant parameters [glutathione (GSH), thiols, and total antioxidant capacity, (TAC)], and oxidative stress markers [malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitrites plus nitrates (NN)].
A prospective study included 200 young adults, and their dietary intake was assessed by using food diaries.

Fasting plasma vitamin C, serum levels of GSH, thiols, TAC, MDA, and NN were measured using biochemical assays.

It was observed that 38% of the enrolled subjects, n=76, had an adequate dietary intake of vitamin C (ADI group).

Meanwhile, 62%, n=124, had a low dietary intake of vitamin C (LDI group) as compared to the recommended dietary allowances.

The fasting plasma level of vitamin C was significantly higher in the ADI group as compared to the LDI group.

Oxidative stress in the sera of the LDI group was evidenced by depletion of GSH, low thiols levels, impairment of TAC, an elevation of MDA, and increased NN.

In the ADI group, positive correlations were found between plasma vitamin C and serum antioxidant parameters (GSH, thiols, and TAC).

Meanwhile, the plasma vitamin C was negatively correlated with serum MDA and NN levels.
This study reveals a significant increase of oxidative stress status and reduced antioxidant capacity in sera from healthy young adults with low intake of the dietary antioxidant, vitamin C.

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Exercise eases knee osteoarthritis, temporarily

Posted on October 3, 2015 by Stone Hearth News

     

(Reuters Health) – A therapeutic program of weight-bearing exercise reduces pain and improves joint function, at least for two to six months, for people with osteoarthritis, according to a review of previous trials.

“We had a systematic review for Cochrane from 2008 and 2009, but there were much less articles,” said Dr. Martin Van der Esch, who coauthored the review. Since then, many more studies have been published, and confirm the benefits of exercise for arthritis pain, he told Reuters Health by phone.
Osteoarthritis, the breakdown of joint cartilage over time, causes pain, swelling and reduced motion, usually of the hands, knees, hips or spine. Joint injury, excess weight and older age increase the risk for osteoarthritis, which affects more than 50 million adults in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For the new Cochrane review, Van der Esch, of the Reade Centre for Rehabilitation and Rheumatology in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and colleagues analyzed 55 randomized controlled trials comparing a land-based exercise program with no exercise among subjects with osteoarthritis. The trials varied in type, duration and intensity of exercise programs.

In general, the exercise programs significantly reduced pain and moderately improved physical function of the knee immediately after treatment. Some studies also found that general quality of life improved.

More
 

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Why exercise will (probably) never be replaced by a pill

 

Posted on October 3, 2015 by Stone Hearth News

 

Everyone knows that exercise improves health, and ongoing research continues to uncover increasingly detailed information on its benefits for metabolism, circulation, and improved functioning of organs such as the heart, brain, and liver. With this knowledge in hand, scientists may be better equipped to develop “exercise pills” that could mimic at least some of the beneficial effects of physical exercise on the body. But a review of current development efforts, publishing October 2 in Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, ponders whether such pills will achieve their potential therapeutic impact, at least in the near future.

“We have recognized the need for exercise pills for some time, and this is an achievable goal based on our improved understanding of the molecular targets of physical exercise,” says coauthor Ismail Laher, of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

Several laboratories are developing exercise pills, which at this early stage are being tested in animals to primarily target skeletal muscle performance and improve strength and energy use–essentially producing stronger and faster muscles. But of course the benefits of exercise are far greater than its effects on only muscles.

“Clearly people derive many other rewarding experiences from exercise–such as increased cognitive function, bone strength, and improved cardiovascular function,” says Laher. “It is unrealistic to expect that exercise pills will fully be able to substitute for physical exercise–at least not in the immediate future.”

While exercise pills may provide some benefits for people in the general population, they might be especially helpful for those who are unable to exercise for a variety of reasons, as the review by Laher and his coauthor Shunchang Li notes. “For example, a pill for people with spinal cord injury could be very appealing given the difficulties that these individuals face in exercising due to paralysis–in such patients, a large number of detrimental changes occur in cardiovascular and skeletal muscle function,” explains Laher.

Much more research is needed to fully understand the side effects of candidate exercise pills, in addition to determining their optimal dosages, and the potential for misuse in humans and animals (e.g., races). (The first doping case regarding one candidate pill was reported in a cycling competition in 2013.)

“We are at the early stages of this exciting new field,” says Laher. “Further development of exercise pills that act in combination may be more effective than single compounds. We just don’t know anything about their long-term use in humans yet.”

###

 

Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, Li and Laher: “Exercise Pills: At the Starting Line?” http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tips.2015.08.014

Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, published by Cell Press, is a monthly review journal that contains succinct articles on the most exciting recent developments in pharmacology and toxicology research. Topics covered in the journal range from molecular to behavioral pharmacology, and from current techniques to theoretical pharmacology. For more information, please visit

http://www.cell.com/trends/pharmacological-sciences.
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Omega-3 fatty acids, exercise and Alzheimer’s: new study

 

Posted on October 4, 2015 by Stone Hearth News

 

Neuroimage. 2015 Sep 30. pii: S1053-8119(15)00872-1. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.09.050. [Epub ahead of print]

Combined omega-3 fatty acids, aerobic exercise and cognitive stimulation prevents decline in gray matter volume of the frontal, parietal and cingulate cortex in patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Köbe T1, Witte AV2, Schnelle A3, Lesemann A3, Fabian S3, Tesky VA4, Pantel J4, Flöel A5.

Author information

1Department of Neurology, Charité – University Medicine Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité – University Medicine Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: theresa.koebe@charite.de.
2Department of Neurology, Charité – University Medicine Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité – University Medicine Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Stephanstraße 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; SFB 1052 Obesity Mechanism subproject A1, University of Leipzig, Germany.
3Department of Neurology, Charité – University Medicine Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité – University Medicine Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
4Institute of General Practice, Goethe-University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
5Department of Neurology, Charité – University Medicine Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité – University Medicine Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité – University Medicine Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: agnes.floeel@charite.de.

Abstract

Previous studies in older adults suggested beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acid (FA) supplementation, aerobic exercise, or cognitive stimulation on brain structure and function. However, combined effects of these interventions in patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are unknown. Using a randomized interventional design, we evaluated the effect of combined omega-3 FA supplementation, aerobic exercise and cognitive stimulation (target intervention) versus omega-3 FA supplementation and non-aerobic exercise (control intervention) on cognitive function and gray matter volume in patients with MCI. Moreover, we analyzed potential vascular, metabolic or inflammatory mechanisms underlying these effects. Twenty-two MCI patients (8 females; 60-80 years) successfully completed six months of omega-3 FA intake, aerobic cycling training and cognitive stimulation (n = 13) or omega-3 FA intake and non-aerobic stretching and toning (n = 9). Before and after the interventions, cognitive performance, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain at 3 Tesla (n = 20), intima-media thickness of the internal carotid artery and serum markers of glucose control, lipid and B-vitamin metabolism, and inflammation were assessed. Intervention-related changes in gray matter volume of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-related brain regions, i.e., frontal, parietal, temporal and cingulate cortex were examined using voxel-based morphometry of high resolution T1- weighted images. After the intervention period, significant differences emerged in brain structure between groups: Gray matter volume decreased in the frontal, parietal and cingulate cortex of patients in the control intervention, while gray matter volume in these areas was preserved or even increased after the target intervention. Decreases in homocysteine levels in the target intervention group were associated with increases in gray matter volume in the middle frontal cortex (p = 0.010). No significant differences in cognitive performance or other vascular, metabolic and inflammatory parameters were observed between groups. This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that omega-3 FA intake combined with aerobic exercise and cognitive stimulation prevents atrophy in AD-related brain regions in MCI patients, compared to omega-3 FA intake plus the control condition of stretching and toning. These promising findings should now be validated in a larger interventional trial.

Follow these topics: Alzheimer's, Exercise: Benefits, Nutrition: Omega-3

 

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Exercise significantly benefits individuals living with dementia in nursing homes

 

Posted on October 4, 2015 by Stone Hearth News

 

J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2015 Sep 29. pii: S1525-8610(15)00555-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2015.08.016. [Epub ahead of print]

Effects of Physical Exercise on Health and Well-Being of Individuals Living With a Dementia in Nursing Homes: A Systematic Review.
Brett L1, Traynor V2, Stapley P2.
Author information

1Faculty of Science Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Wollongong, Australia. Electronic address: lkb267@uowmail.edu.au.
2Faculty of Science Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Wollongong, Australia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Physical exercise interventions have benefits for older individuals and improve the health and well-being of individuals living with a dementia, specifically those living in nursing homes.

PURPOSE:

Report evidence from randomized controlled trials and cluster randomized control trials that evaluated the effects of physical exercise interventions on individuals living with a dementia in nursing homes.

DATA SOURCES:

Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Academic Search Complete, Proquest Central, British Medical Journal Database, PubMed, Cochrane Library, PEDro, Informit, Informa, and Nursing Consult were searched for relevant clinical trials and snowballing of recommended studies.

STUDY SELECTION:

One reviewer screened articles on inclusion criteria and identified relevant studies.

DATA EXTRACTION:

Data extraction was performed by 1 reviewer and checked by second and third reviewers. Two authors assessed the methodological quality and risk of bias of the relevant studies.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

Twelve study populations consisting of individuals living with a dementia in nursing homes were included (n = 901). Different types of physical exercises were undertaken: multimodal (n = 6), walking (n = 5), music and movement (n = 2), and hand exercises (n = 1). The parameters of the interventions varied across the studies. Most of the studies reported significant positive effects of physical exercise on cognition, agitation, mood, mobility, and functional ability for individuals living with dementia in nursing homes.

LIMITATIONS:

The main limitations were the heterogeneity of design, small samples, and short interventions.

CONCLUSIONS:

There is emerging evidence that physical exercise significantly benefits individuals living with a dementia in nursing homes. Higher quality research is required adopting more rigorous methods, including longer interventions and larger samples to determine optimum parameters of the physical exercise interventions evaluated.

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Vitamin D3 supplementation helps women build muscle, avoid falls even after menopause

 

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Stone Hearth News

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CLEVELAND, Ohio (September 30, 2015)–The benefits of vitamin D supplementation for postmenopausal women have been widely debated. But a new study from Sao Paulo, Brazil, now documents that vitamin D supplementation can significantly increase muscle strength and reduce the loss of body muscle mass in women as late as 12+ years after menopause. The study results will be presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS), which begins September 30 in Las Vegas.

Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem in postmenopausal women worldwide, creating muscle weakness and a greater tendency for falling. The double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted over a nine-month period. Muscle mass was estimated by total-body DXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), as well as by handgrip strength and through a chair-rising test.

At the end of the trial, the women receiving the supplements demonstrated a significant increase (+25.3%) in muscle strength, while those receiving the placebo actually lost an average of 6.8% of muscle mass. Women not receiving Vitamin D supplements were also nearly two times as likely to fall.

“We concluded that the supplementation of Vitamin D alone provided significant protection against the occurrence of sarcopenia, which is a degenerative loss of skeletal muscle, says Dr. L.M. Cangussu, one of the lead authors of the study from the Botucatu Medical School at Sao Paulo State University.

“While this study is unlikely to decide the debate over Vitamin D, it provides further evidence to support the use of vitamin D supplements by postmenopausal women in an effort to reduce frailty and an increased risk of falling,” says NAMS Executive Director Wulf H. Utian, MD, PhD, DSc(Med).

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Drs. Cangussu and Utian are available for interviews in advance of the presentation at the annual meeting.

Founded in 1989, The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) is North America’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the health and quality of life of all women during midlife and beyond through an understanding of menopause and healthy aging. Its multidisciplinary membership of 2,000 leaders in the field–including clinical and basic science experts from medicine, nursing, sociology, psychology, nutrition, anthropology, epidemiology, pharmacy, and education–makes NAMS uniquely qualified to serve as the definitive resource for health professionals and the public for accurate, unbiased information about menopause and healthy aging. To learn more about NAMS, visit http://www.menopause.org.


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Follow these topics: Elder Care: Falls, Menopause, Nutrition is Medicine, Nutrition: Supplements, Nutrition: Vitamin D3

 

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