Iron Status in Elderly Women Impacts Myostatin, Adiponectin and Osteocalcin Levels Induced by Nordic Walking Training

Impaired iron metabolism is associated with increased risk of many morbidities. Exercise was shown to have a beneficial role; however, the mechanism is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between exerkines and iron metabolism in elderly women before and after 12 weeks of Nordic Walking (NW) training. Exerkines like myostatin, adiponectin, and osteocalcin have been shown to have several positive effects on metabolism. Thirty-six post-menopausal women (66 ± 5 years old, mean ± SD) were randomly assigned to a NW intervention group (n = 18; body mass, 68.8 ± 11.37 kg; fat, 23.43 ± 7.5 kg; free fat mass, 45.37 ± 5.92 kg) or a control group (n = 18; body mass, 68.34 ± 11.81 kg; fat, 23.61 ± 10.03 kg; free fat mass, 44.73 ± 3.9 kg). The training was performed three times a week for 12 weeks, with the intensity adjusted to 70% of the individual maximum ability. Before and one day after the 12-weeks intervention, performance indices were assessed using a senior fitness test. Blood samples (5 mL) were obtained from the participants between 7 and 8 AM, following an overnight fast, at baseline and one day immediately after the 12-week training program. A significant and large time × group interaction was observed for iron (NW: 98.6 ± 26.68 to 76.1 ± 15.31; CON: 100.6 ± 25.37 to 99.1 ± 27.2; p = 0.01; η p 2 = 0.21), myostatin (NW: 4.42 ± 1.97 to 3.83 ± 1.52; CON: 4.11 ± 0.95 to 4.84 ± 1.19; p = 0.00; η p 2 = 0.62), adiponectin (NW: 12.0 ± 9.46 to 14.6 ± 10.64; CON: 12.8 ± 8.99 to 11.9 ± 8.53; p = 0.00; η p 2 = 0.58), and osteocalcin (NW: 38.9 ± 26.04 to 41.6 ± 25.09; CON: 37.1 ± 33.2 to 37.2 ± 32.29; p = 0.03; η p 2 = 0.13). Furthermore, we have observed the correlations: basal ferritin levels were inversely correlated with changes in myostatin (r = −0.51, p = 0.05), change in adiponectin, and change in serum iron (r = −0.45, p = 0.05), basal iron, and osteocalcin after training (r = -0.55, p = 0.04). These findings indicate that iron modulates NW training-induced changes in exerkine levels.

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Positive Effects of Practical Nutrition Lessons in a Primary School Setting with a High Proportion of Migrant School Children

Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes ◽

10.1055/a-0661-1919 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 128 (02) ◽

pp. 111-118

Author(s):

Katharina S. Weber ◽

Jessica Eitner ◽

Laura Dauben ◽

Olaf Spörkel ◽

Klaus Strassburger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

School Setting ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Migration Background ◽

Control Group ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Children's Nutrition

Abstract Background Children with migration background are at increased risk for overweight, partly due to less favorable dietary habits compared to their German counterparts. We examined the effects of practical nutrition lessons among children with a high proportion of migration background in a primary school setting. Methods Ten 3rd and 4th grade classes (n=166 children, 73% with migration background) received the intervention and nine school classes (n=139 children, 76% with migration background) served as control. Before, shortly after (only among the intervention group) and three months after the three-day practical nutrition lessons, the nutrition-related skills, behavior, attitudes, and knowledge of the children were assessed using a questionnaire. Changes between baseline and 1st follow-up among children of the intervention group were calculated using linear mixed models. Differences between the two groups for changes between baseline and 2nd follow-up were tested using linear regression analyses. Models were adjusted for potential confounders. Results Shortly after the practical nutrition lessons, the children of the intervention group had improved their knowledge (β=1.7; 95% CI: 1.0; 2.4, P<0.001) and skills (β=1.8; 95% CI: 1.4; 2.2, P<0.001). These changes were sustainable and larger in the intervention compared to the control group (knowledge: β=1.6; 95% CI: 0.7; 2.5, P<0.001; skills: β=1.3; 95% CI: 0.7; 1.9, P<0.001). Changes in nutrition-related behavior and attitudes did not differ between the groups. Conclusions Providing practical nutrition lessons in a primary school setting with a high proportion of children with immigrational background improved the children’s nutrition-related knowledge and skills.

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Effectiveness of a web-based medication adherence tool with patient centered communication: Results of a clustered randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.16141 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Jan van Lieshout ◽

Joyca Lacroix ◽

Aart van Halteren ◽

Martina Teichert

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Medication Adherence ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Community Pharmacies ◽

Web Based ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Tailored Interventions ◽

Increased Risk

BACKGROUND Growing numbers of people use medication for chronic conditions; non-adherence is common, leading to poor disease control. A newly developed web-based tool to identify an increased risk for non-adherence with related potential individual barriers might facilitate tailored interventions and improve adherence. OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of the newly developed tool to improve medication adherence. METHODS A cluster randomized controlled trial assessed the effectiveness of this adherence tool in patients initiating cardiovascular or oral blood glucose lowering medication. Participants were included in community pharmacies. They completed an online questionnaire comprising an assessments of their risk for medication non-adherence and subsequently of barriers to adherence. In pharmacies belonging to the intervention group, individual barriers displayed in a graphical profile on a tablet were discussed by pharmacists and patients at high non-adherence risk in face to face meetings and shared with their general practitioners and practice nurses. Tailored interventions were initiated by the healthcare providers. Barriers of control patients were not presented or discussed and these patients received usual care. The primary outcome was the difference in medication adherence at 8 months follow-up between patients with an increased non-adherence risk from intervention and control group, calculated from dispensing data. RESULTS Data from 492 participants in 15 community pharmacies were available for analyses (intervention 253, 7 pharmacies; control 239, 8 pharmacies). The intervention had no effect on medication adherence (-0.01; 95%CI -0.59 – 0.57; P= .96), neither in the post hoc per protocol analysis (0.19; 95%CI -0.50 – 0.89; P=.58). CONCLUSIONS This study showed no effectiveness of a risk stratification and tailored intervention addressing personal barriers for medication adherence. Various potential explanations for lack of effect were identified. These explanations relate for instance to high medication adherence in the control group, study power and fidelity. Process evaluation should elicit possible improvements and inform the redesign of intervention and implementation. CLINICALTRIAL The Netherlands National Trial Register: NTR5186. Date: May 18, 2015 (http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=5186)

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The Association of Obesity and Liver Enzyme Activities in a Student Population at Increased Risk for Cardiovascular Disease / Veza Između Gojaznosti I Aktivnosti Jetrenih Enzima U Studentskoj Populaciji Sa Povećanim Rizikom Za Nastanak Kardiovaskularnih Bolesti

Journal of Medical Biochemistry ◽

10.2478/v10011-012-0024-z ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 26-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Emina Čolak ◽

Dragana Pap ◽

Nada Majkić-Singh ◽

Ivana Obradović

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Liver Enzyme ◽

Body Mass ◽

Statistical Processing ◽

The Body ◽

Control Group ◽

Anthropometric Parameters ◽

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver ◽

Increased Risk

Summary Background: It has been reported that obesity is associated with metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, cardiovascular risk but also with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents is increasing rapidly all over the world. The aim of this study was to analyze the value of liver enzymes: AST, ALT and γGT in a group of obese students in order to establish their correlation to anthropometric parameters such as: BMI (body mass index), WC (waist circumference), HC (hip circumference), and WHR (waist-to-hip ratio) compared to non-obese students who comprised the control group (CG). Methods: In this study, 238 students from the University of Novi Sad of both sexes (126 men and 112 women) with a mean age of 22.32 ± 1.85 years were included. According to the body mass index (BMI) lower and higher than 25 kg/m2 and waist circumference (WC) lower and higher than 94 cm (80 cm for females) the whole group of 238 students was divided into 2 subgroups: the obese group at increased risk for CVD (Group 1) and the group at lower risk for CVD (Group 2). AST, ALT and γGT activities were determined in fasting blood samples. Results: Statistical processing data revealed significantly higher values of AST, ALT and γGT in the group of students with BMI>25 kg/m2, WC>94 cm for males and WC>80 cm for females, HC>108 cm for males and HC>111 cm for females, and WHR>0.90 for males and WHR>0.80 for females (P<0.001). Significant association was established between anthropometric parameters and liver enzyme levels (P<0.0001). Conclusions: Obese students with higher BMI, WC, HC and WHR values have higher liver enzyme activites and a higher chance to develop NAFLD in the future.

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Short-term balance training and acute effects on postural sway in balance-deficient older adults: a randomized controlled trial

BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation ◽

10.1186/s13102-021-00251-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Niklas Sörlén ◽

Andreas Hult ◽

Peter Nordström ◽

Anna Nordström ◽

Jonas Johansson

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Postural Sway ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Control Group ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Balance Exercise

Abstract Background We aimed to determine the effectiveness of 4 weeks of balance exercise compared with no intervention on objectively measured postural sway. Methods This was a single-center parallel randomized controlled, open label, trial. A six-sided dice was used for allocation at a 1:1-ratio between exercise and control. The trial was performed at a university hospital clinic in Sweden and recruited community-dwelling older adults with documented postural instability. The intervention consisted of progressively challenging balance exercise three times per week, during 4 weeks, with follow-up at week five. Main outcome measures were objective postural sway length during eyes open and eyes closed conditions. Results Sixty-five participants aged 70 years (balance exercise n = 32; no intervention n = 33) were randomized. 14 participants were excluded from analysis because of early dropout before follow-up at week five, leaving 51 (n = 22; n = 29) participants for analysis. No significant differences were detected between the groups in any of the postural sway outcomes. Within-group analyses showed significant improvements in hand grip strength for the intervention group, while Timed Up & Go improvements were comparable between groups but only statistically significant in the control group. Conclusions Performing balance exercise over a four-week intervention period did not acutely improve postural sway in balance-deficient older adults. The lower limit in duration and frequency to achieve positive effects remains unclear. Trial registration Clinical trials NCT03227666, July 24, 2017, retrospectively registered.

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Effects of gait retraining with focus on impact versus gait retraining with focus on cadence on pain, function and lower limb kinematics in runners with patellofemoral pain: Protocol of a randomized, blinded, parallel group trial with 6-month follow-up

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0250965 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (5) ◽

pp. e0250965

Author(s):

José Roberto de Souza Júnior ◽

Pedro Henrique Reis Rabelo ◽

Thiago Vilela Lemos ◽

Jean-Francois Esculier ◽

João Pedro da Silva Carto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lower Limb ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Patellofemoral Pain ◽

Control Group ◽

Gait Retraining ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Clinical Applicability ◽

Limb Kinematics ◽

Lower Limb Kinematics

Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is one of the most prevalent injuries in runners. Unfortunately, a substantial part of injured athletes do not recover fully from PFP in the long-term. Although previous studies have shown positive effects of gait retraining in this condition, retraining protocols often lack clinical applicability because they are time-consuming, costly for patients and require a treadmill. The primary objective of this study will be to compare the effects of two different two-week partially supervised gait retraining programs, with a control intervention; on pain, function and lower limb kinematics of runners with PFP. It will be a single-blind randomized clinical trial with six-month follow-up. The study will be composed of three groups: a group focusing on impact (group A), a group focusing on cadence (group B), and a control group that will not perform any intervention (group C). The primary outcome measure will be pain assessed using the Visual Analog Pain scale during running. Secondary outcomes will include pain during daily activities (usual), symptoms assessed using the Patellofemoral Disorders Scale and lower limb running kinematics in the frontal (contralateral pelvic drop; hip adduction) and sagittal planes (foot inclination; tibia inclination; ankle dorsiflexion; knee flexion) assessed using the MyoResearch 3.14—MyoVideo (Noraxon U.S.A. Inc.). The study outcomes will be evaluated before (t0), immediately after (t2), and six months (t24) after starting the protocol. Our hypothesis is that both partially supervised gait retraining programs will be more effective in reducing pain, improving symptoms, and modifying lower limb kinematics during running compared with the control group, and that the positive effects from these programs will persist for six months. Also, we believe that one gait retraining group will not be superior to the other. Results from this study will help improve care in runners with PFP, while maximizing clinical applicability as well as time and cost-effectiveness.

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Nutritional support for lactating women with or without Azithromycin for infants compared to breast-feeding counselling alone, to improve six-month growth outcomes among infants of peri-urban slums of Karachi, Pakistan – a protocol of multi-arm assessor blinded randomized controlled trial (Mumta LW trial)

10.21203/rs.3.rs-24814/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ameer Muhammad ◽

Yasir Shafiq ◽

M Imran Nisar ◽

Benazir Baloch ◽

Amna Tanweer Yazdani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Low Income ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Relative Length ◽

Trial Registration ◽

Control Group ◽

Lactating Women ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract BackgroundGlobally, 45% of under-five deaths are, directly or indirectly, attributable to malnutrition, most of these deaths are in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Children in the first 6 months of life are particularly vulnerable. An estimated 4.7 million infants under the age of 6 months are moderately wasted whereas 3.8 million are severely wasted. Despite the increased risk to a child of a mother with nutritional decompensation, there are discrepancies in guidance in this area. MethodsThis is a community-based, open-label factorial randomized controlled trial, using parallel assignment with 1:1:1 allocation ratio, in low-income squatter settlements of urban Karachi, Pakistan. In the control group (Arm A), women are randomized to standard counseling only; whereas in the first intervention group (Arm B), lactating women receive two sachets of balanced energy-protein (BEP) supplementation per day from enrollment till the infant reaches six months of age, in the second intervention group (Arm C), lactating women receive same BEP as in intervention Arm B while their babies also receive a single stat dose (20mg/kg orally) of azithromycin at 42 days. The primary outcome is relative length velocity from 0 to 6 months by the limb of allocation. The primary analysis will be Intention-to-treat analysisTrial registrationRegistration of the trial is done at ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT03564652, registered on June 21, 2018. Trial registration data is available through https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03564652

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Bone Metabolism Markers and their Correlation with Body Mass Index in Aerobic Physical Activity

SCRIPTA MEDICA ◽

10.7251/scmed1802092b ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Zorislava Bajić ◽

Nela Rašeta ◽

Nenad Ponorac

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Bone Formation ◽

Body Mass ◽

Young Women ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Positive Influence ◽

Control Group ◽

Bone Resorption Marker

Introduction: Bone formation marker osteocalcin (OC) and bone resorption marker C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) can be used to detect or to monitor the early responses of the skeleton to physical activity. Literature suggests that it is likely that higher body mass index (BMI) has positive effect on bones and can postpone onset of osteoporosis.Aim of the Study: The aim of this study is to:1.Determine the effect of aerobic physical acitivity on OC and CTX in young women2.Investigate correlation of OC, CTX and BMI in young women engaged into structured aerobic excerciseMaterial and methods: Study included 64 healthy young women, aged 19 to 25 years, devided into two groups: intervention group (n=32) and control group (n=32). The study duration was six weeks with follow-up period of four weeks. The intervention group underwent structured aerobic physical activity program for six weeks, but the control group did not receive such program. Level of OC, CTX and BMI were measured at baseline, after 6-week aerobic program, and after 4-week follow up (only intervention group).Results: There was significant increase of OC level after 6-week aerobic program, while level of CTX did not changed. OC level was at its maximum immediately after finishing the program in the participants with normal BMI (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant interaction of BMI and CTX level.Conclusion: Aerobic physical activity increases level of osteocalcin, suggesting that it has positive influence on bone formation in young women, primarily in women with normal BMI.

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Association of protein intake with the change of lean mass among elderly women: The Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Prevention – Fracture Prevention Study (OSTPRE-FPS)

Journal of Nutritional Science ◽

10.1017/jns.2015.31 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Masoud Isanejad ◽

Jaakko Mursu ◽

Joonas Sirola ◽

Heikki Kröger ◽

Toni Rikkonen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Lean Mass ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Total Population ◽

Elderly Women ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Fracture Prevention ◽

Control Group ◽

Prevention Study ◽

Osteoporosis Risk

AbstractLow protein intake can lead to declined lean mass (LM) in elderly. We examined the associations of total protein (TP), animal protein (AP) and plant protein (PP) intakes with LM. The association of TP intake with LM change was further evaluated according to weight change status. This cross-sectional and prospective cohort study included 554 women aged 68 (sd 1·9) years from the Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Prevention – Fracture Prevention Study (OSTPRE-FPS). The intervention group (n 270) received daily cholecalciferol (800 IU; 20 μg) and Ca (1000 mg) for 3 years while the control group received neither supplementation nor placebo (n 282). Participants filled out a questionnaire on lifestyle factors and a 3-d food record in 2002 and underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for body composition measurements at baseline and 3 years. Multiple linear regressions evaluated the association between protein intake and LM, adjusting for relevant covariates. At the baseline TP and AP intakes were positively associated with LM and trunk LM, TP was associated also with appendicular LM (aLM). Follow-up results showed that in the total population and the intervention group, higher TP and AP were associated with increased LM and aLM (P ≤ 0·050). No such associations were observed in the control group. PP intake was also associated with aLM change in the total population. Overall, the associations were independent of fat mass. Further, among weight maintainers, TP intake was positively associated with LM, aLM and trunk LM changes (P ≤ 0·020). In conclusion, dietary TP, especially AP, intake may be a modifiable risk factor for sarcopenia by preserving LM in the elderly.

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ASSESSMENT OF MORPHOFUNCTIONAL CHANGES IN ELDERLY WOMEN PERFORMING NORDIC WALKING EXERCISE

Journal of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0012.2312 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (80) ◽

pp. 77-85

Author(s):

Zofia Ignasiak ◽

Alicja Nowak ◽

Dorota Cichoń ◽

Anna Sebastjan ◽

Tomasz Ignasiak

Keyword(s):

Physical Fitness ◽

Elderly Women ◽

Measurement Data ◽

Positive Influence ◽

Control Group ◽

Mineral Density ◽

Nordic Walking ◽

Physically Active ◽

Health Training ◽

And Control

Aim: the purpose of the research was an assessment of increased physical activity influence on selected elements of elderly women biological condition. Basic procedures: the research material consisted of measurement data of 80 elderly women that were divided into two grups: active (n=31) which participated in a health training, and control (n=49). We measured: basic somaic features, BMI, WHR, BMD and functional physical fitness. Results: analysed parameters of bone mineral density were slightly better of the physically active women in comparison to the unactive women. During analysis of physical fitness tests, active achieved decidedly higher results, which indicates positive influence of the nordic walking health training on functional physical fitness of elderly women. Conclusions: Utilised health training was an optimal stimulus for the examined women – their functional physical fitness and BMD improved considerably. No similar changes were noted in the control group

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Evaluating the effects of a mindfulness mobile application on student pharmacists’ stress, burnout, and mindfulness

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy ◽

10.1093/ajhp/zxab467 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Angela Chu ◽

Tyler M Rose ◽

Danielle A Gundrum ◽

Tressa E McMorris ◽

Eytan A Klausner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mobile Application ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Control Group ◽

Intervention Period ◽

Entire Study ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Waitlist Control Group

Abstract Disclaimer In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Purpose Pharmacists report high levels of burnout. Mindfulness approaches have been demonstrated to have positive results in the general population and in other healthcare professions. However, limited studies have been performed evaluating mindfulness approaches in student pharmacists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of daily use of a mindfulness mobile application in improving student pharmacists’ perceived stress, burnout, and mindfulness. Methods This study was a randomized, longitudinal, waitlist-controlled trial. The intervention group was asked to meditate using the mindfulness application Headspace daily for at least 6 weeks. The waitlist control group was asked to abstain from using the application for the entire study. Stress, burnout, and mindfulness were assessed using validated survey instruments at baseline, 6 weeks, and 10 weeks. A secondary outcome was to assess the persistence of application use after the intervention period. Results Fifty-six participants completed the study. The intervention group reported significantly lower scores on stress and burnout at 6 weeks compared to the control group. The intervention group also reported significantly higher scores on mindfulness. The differences in stress, burnout, and mindfulness persisted at follow-up. The mean percentage of students in the intervention group who used the application each day was 90% over the intervention period and 62% over the follow-up period. Conclusion A mindfulness mobile application significantly improved student pharmacists’ stress, burnout, and mindfulness with daily use. Most participants continued to use the application for 4 weeks after the end of the intervention. Positive effects on stress and mindfulness persisted even with decreased use.

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