Associations between vigorous physical activity and chronic diseases in older adults: a study in 13 European countries

Background

This study aimed to assess cross-sectional and prospective relationships between vigorous physical activity (VPA) and the risk of major chronic diseases among European older adults.

Methods

Participants were 37 524 older adults who responded to the fourth (in 2011) and fifth (in 2013) wave of the SHARE project, from 13 European countries. Participants answered interview questions about the presence of chronic conditions and VPA. The cross-sectional and prospective association between PA and the number of chronic diseases was assessed using logistic regression models.

Results

Among men and women, the prevalence of chronic diseases was significantly lower among those who reported VPA once a week or more than once a week. For men, VPA once a week was prospectively related with lower odds of heart attack, chronic lung disease, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. VPA more than once a week was prospectively related with lower odds of having all chronic diseases. Women who engaged in VPA once a week presented lower odds of having chronic diseases, except for hypertension, high blood cholesterol and cancer. For VPA more than once a week, cancer was the only disease not associated with physical activity.

Conclusion

VPA is associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases in men and women. Even the practice of VPA once a week seems to be sufficient to reduce risks of chronic diseases.

Reference equation for the incremental shuttle walk test in Portuguese children and adolescents

BACKGROUND

The incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) is one of the most widely used field tests to assess cardiorespiratory fitness in clinical and research settings. Reference equations to predict ISWT distance in different populations and age cohorts have been established. However, an equation for the Portuguese pediatric population is not available. This study aimed to develop a reference equation for predicting ISWT in Portuguese children and adolescents.

METHOD

Healthy children and adolescents aged between 5 and 17 years old were recruited. Sociodemographic (sex, age), anthropometric (height, weight) and physical activity (Physical Activity Index) data were collected. Lung function was assessed through spirometry and quadriceps muscular strength through hand-held dynamometry. The ISWT was performed twice. A reference equation was established with a multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

130 (60 male; 13.66±2.61y) participants with normal lung function (forced expiratory volume in one second 102.73±15.09% predicted), body mass index (BMI) (20.27±3.59kg/m²) and quadriceps muscular strength (19.75±6.84kgf), completed the assessment. 50.8% (n=66) of the participants were moderately active. Participants walked on average 1165.08±327.19m in the ISWT. Sex, age and BMI were independent contributors to the ISWT, explaining 54% of its variability (p<0.001). The derived reference equation was: ISWT=342.06+(283.07×sex)+(83.61×age)-(22.22×BMI), with female=0 and male=1.

CONCLUSION

Sex, age and BMI were found to be contributors to the ISWT predictive equation for pediatric population, providing a simple reference to assess their cardiorespiratory fitness.

DNA and chromosomal damage in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) as side effects of ozone-based water treatment - Contribution to optimization of fish-farming practices

The progressive growth of aquaculture implicates a dependence on large water amounts, which are submitted to disinfection processes, namely ozonation. Considering the importance of genomic integrity, it is critical to improve the knowledge on ozone-related genotoxic hazard to organisms reared in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) applying ozonation. Therefore, genetic damage induced by ozone exposure in the Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) was assessed, combining the comet and the erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENA) assays, reflecting different damage levels, i.e. DNA and chromosomal damage, respectively. Fish were subjected to a daily 6-h ozone (0.15 mg L^-1) exposure, repeated for 3 consecutive days, simulating a short-term event of overozonation. To assess the temporal impact of the previous event, the progression of damage was evaluated 7 days later, following transference to ozone-free water or to 0.07 mg L^-1 ozone, a routinely adopted level in RAS. Both endpoints pointed to the ozone genotoxic potential, displaying DNA oxidation as a possible mechanism of damage. Overall, the present findings pointed out the genotoxic hazard of ozone to fish, highlighting the importance of these types of studies and contributing to improve aquaculture practices, namely in RAS systems. These early genotoxic signals may be a prelude to negative repercussions on fish health, which may affect the aquaculture productivity. The present findings recommend precautions in relation to accidental or intentional overozonation in fish-farming, even when short-term events are considered. The strategies to mitigate the impact of ozonation in S. senegalensis may include a dietary extra supplementation of antioxidants (regularly, or punctually in cases of overozonation).

Highly transparent copper iodide thin film thermoelectric generator on a flexible substrate

Simultaneously transparent and flexible conductive materials are in demand to follow the current trend in flexible technology. The search for materials with compliant optoelectronic properties, while simultaneously retaining their electric conductivity at high strain deformation, comprises promising opportunities in modern nanotechnology. Copper iodide (CuI) is not only the most transparent and highly conductive p-type material, but its optimization has contributed to improved ZT values in planar thin-film thermoelectrics. In this work, the readiness of CuI thin films to transparent, flexible technology is evidenced. A maximum ZT value of 0.29 for single CuI thin films of ca. 300 nm in thickness is reported. Values of open-circuit voltage V_oc, short circuit current I_sc and power output of p–n thermoelectric modules of Gallium-doped zinc oxide (GZO) and CuI thin films deposited on a transparent flexible Kapton® (type CS) substrate are reported, and a prototype of a flexible transparent thermoelectric generator based on 17 p–n modules was constructed. Bending analysis of CuI thin films reveals interesting, distinct results when submitted to compression and tension analysis – a behaviour not seen in conventional semiconducting thin films under equivalent strain conditions. A plausible account for such diversity is also included.

Simultaneously transparent and flexible conductive materials are in demand to follow the current trend in flexible technology. A highly transparent and flexible thermoelectric generator of 17 p–n modules was constructed based on copper iodide thin films.

The Cognitive Telephone Screening Instrument (COGTEL): a reliable and valid tool for the assessment of cognitive functioning in the Brazilian elderly

Abstract Objectives: To study the reliability/stability of the Cognitive Telephone Screening Instrument (COGTEL) for the assessment of cognitive functions, and to investigate the concurrent validity (that is, the relationship between the COGTEL scores and external variables, such as level of education and MMSE results) in a pilot study of elderly persons residing in the community in the municipal regions of Apuí, Fonte Boa and Manaus (Amazonas, Brazil). Method: This pilot study included 90 elderly persons (29 men and 61 women) aged 60-85 years of age [68.2 (± 6.7)]. The COGTEL, the MMSE and socio-economic survey were applied in the form of two interviews, a week apart and under the same conditions. Results: The test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient of the COGTEL total score (and respective six subtests), MMSE and educational level ranged from acceptable to high (0.708 < R <0.946). There was a strong positive correlation between the total score of the COGTEL with the MMSE (r =0.682; p <0.001), as well as with educational level (r =0.604; p <0.001). Conclusion: This study presents preliminary evidence of the reliability/stability and concurrent validity of the COGTEL in the evaluation of cognitive functions in elderly persons residing in the community. The results of this study support the use of COGTEL as a short, reliable and valid instrument for analyzing differences in cognitive functioning in inter-individual studies with elderly persons.

Sleep in adolescence: sex matters?

Objective

Sleep is of upmost importance for everybody and especially for adolescents who face life and leisure challenges that may impair their sleep. This study aimed to verify if girls are at a higher risk to present sleep problems and if associations of a sleep perception are different between sexes even when accounting for biological maturation.

Methods

Data is from the HBSC Portuguese survey 2014, all variables were self-reported. Participants were 3869 adolescents (2057 girls), mean age 14.8 years. Participants' socio-demographic characteristics included sex, age, school grade, father and mother education; besides participants were inquired about sleep duration and characteristics of their sleep quality.

Results

Sleep deprivation was reported by 13.1% of the adolescents (girls 14.3%, boys 11.7%, p<0.05). The most prevalent characteristics of poor sleep quality were waking up tired (50.8%) and difficulties falling asleep (19.5%), for both girls presented higher prevalence than boys. Overall, girls presented a poorer sleep health with low quality and quantity of sleep. Furthermore, associations of an enough and good sleep were different between boys and girls, even when controlling for the impact of delayed pubertal maturity.

Discussion

Together with screen time, substance use, poorer nutrition, sedentary behaviours and abuse of screen time, sleep is an issue that must be addressed by professionals, families and public policies with impact in family life and family routines. Modelling a health education in schools should include the sleep topic. In addition, yes, sex matters and must be included on board.

Balance and mobility relationships in older adults: A representative population-based cross-sectional study in Madeira, Portugal

BACKGROUND

Balance and mobility impairments are important modifiable risk factors associated with falls in older people.

PURPOSE

To investigate how different functional fitness components relate to balance and mobility, after controlling for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and different physical activity (PA) domains.

METHODS

This representative cross-sectional study included 802 individuals, 401 males and 401 females (69.8 ± 5.6 years) from Madeira, Portugal. The Fullerton Advance Balance (FAB) scale was used to assess balance. Mobility in terms of gait velocity, cadence, stride length, and gait stability ratio (GSR) were assessed using the 50-foot Walk test. PA was assessed through a face-to-face interview using the Baecke questionnaire, and functional fitness was assessed with Senior Fitness tests (strength, flexibility, and aerobic endurance).

RESULTS

Balance and mobility were negatively associated with age and BMI, and positively related to PA and functional fitness. Moreover, male presented better performance in balance and mobility. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that functional fitness explained the highest amount of variance in balance and all mobility parameters (over and above age, sex, BMI, and PA). Specifically, entering functional fitness components significantly increased explained variance in FAB (+19%), gait velocity (+25%), cadence (+15%), stride length (+9%), and GSR (+ 31%). In these models, aerobic endurance consistently had the strongest contribution.

CONCLUSION

Strength, flexibility, and especially aerobic endurance, over and above non-modifiable variables like age and sex, are crucial for maintaining or improving balance and mobility and, thereby, prevent falls in older people.

Predictors of walking capacity in obese adults with knee osteoarthritis

INTRODUCTION

Knee osteoarthritis(KOA) has a considerable prevalence in obese individuals and recommendations of weight loss for KOA management are gaining greater importance. Exercise is recommended to interrupt the cycle obesity-KOA-pain-inactivity, where walking is the most common exercise pattern recommended for obese individuals who initiate a weight loss exercise program. Thus this study aimed to analyse the factors which can affect the walking capacity in obese adults with symptomatic KOA.

METHODS

48 obese adults (age=55±7years; BMI=35±5 Kg/m2) with clinical and radiological KOA completed self-reported questionnaires (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Brief Pain Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory), physical function tests (Six Minutes Walking Test-6MWT, chair sit and reach-CSRT, five repetition sit-to-stand test-FRSTST, handgrip strength-HST, isokinetic knee strength) and body composition was determined.

RESULTS

The best model (F= 41.485; p<.001) explained 73% of the 6MWT's variance, where fat mass of the most painful limb, knee pain severity and lower limb strength were the strongest predictors of the 6MWT.

CONCLUSION

Despite the importance of lower limb fat mass and strength, pain was the only variable that appeared as a predictor of 6MWT in the three tested models. The existence of knee pain affects the capacity to walk or to perform weight bearing exercises and consequently the exercise's adherence, compromising the objective of body composition improvement. Thus, authors suggest that, additionally to the lower limb strengthening, knee pain should be screened, controlled and acknowledged for exercise prescription. This study is inserted in the PICO Project (Clinical trial: NCT01832545).

Cross-Sectional and Prospective Relationship Between Low-to-Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity and Chronic Diseases in Older Adults From 13 European Countries

AIM

To assess the relationship between low-to-moderate-intensity physical activity (LMPA) in 2011 and chronic diseases in 2011 and 2013 among older European adults.

METHODS

Participants (16,157 men and 21,260 women) from 13 European countries were interviewed about the presence of chronic conditions and LMPA. The association between LMPA and number of chronic diseases was assessed using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Most of the older adults participated in LMPA more than once a week (81.9%), 8.4% participated once a week, and 9.3% did not participate. The prevalence of chronic diseases was significantly lower among those who reported engaging in LMPA. The LMPA in 2011 was related with lower odds of having several chronic diseases in 2013.

CONCLUSION

Engaging in LMPA is associated with reduced risk for chronic diseases in older European men and women. Even the practice of LMPA once a week seems to be enough to diminish the risk of having chronic diseases.

Few European Adults are Living a Healthy Lifestyle

PURPOSE

This study aimed to measure healthy lifestyle for European adults.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTINGS

In 20 European countries.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 34 993 (16 749 men, 18 244 women) European adults.

MEASURES

Data were from the 2014 European Social Survey (n = 34 993) on 4 modifiable behaviors (physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, not drinking alcohol to excess, and not smoking) as well as sleep quality.

ANALYSIS

Behaviors were combined and formed a healthy lifestyle measure. Binary logistic regression was done to determine associations of healthy lifestyle and sociodemographic characteristics.

RESULTS

Only 5.8% of the adults reported a healthy lifestyle. The prevalence of having a healthy lifestyle varied among European countries. The lowest rates were in Hungary (1.3%) and Czech Republic (1.9%). The highest rates were in United Kingdom (8.6%) and Finland (9.2%). Those who presented a higher likelihood of having a healthy lifestyle were middle age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.20), older people (OR = 1.34), having higher household income (OR = 1.33), being a student (OR = 1.38), and retired (OR = 1.31). Those less likely to have a healthy lifestyle were lived without a partner (OR = 0.82), unemployed (OR = 0.73), and lived in rural areas (OR = 0.86).

CONCLUSIONS

Few European adults were practicing 5 healthy behaviors. This should be a message for governments and be considered in the establishment of preventive public policies in the areas of health and health education.

Performance analysis of both sex marathon runners ranked by IAAF

Running a marathon has become the motivation to achieve success and economic independence for athletes, mainly from African countries. This feeling is more evident among the black community, considering that they have been presenting better results than white athletes. The objective of the study was to analyse the ranking of marathon runners around the world, in the last 15 years considering: 1) nationality; 2) best average time of the 100 best classified runners from the Top 100, Top 50, Top 25, Top 10 and Top 3. An analysis was made to the ranking available on the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) website, for the 100 best world results for both sexes, focusing on records from 2000 to 2014. The analysis was subdivided into ranking groups (Top 3, 10, 25, 50 and 100), resulting in 3000 records. African runners, Kenyan and Ethiopian, dominate the male ranking representing 70% of the total of runners in Top 100, keeping this proportion up to Top 3. African runners, Kenyan and Ethiopian, dominate the male ranking representing 70% of the total of runners in Top 100, keeping this proportion up to Top 3. The same is observed for females, however with a significantly lower percentage (34%), with Japanese, Ethiopian and Kenyan (17%) and an English athlete as the world record. The average time of a marathon has been decreasing in males more than in female competitions, both in Top 3 and Top 10, however still presenting a large gap from world records. 

Self-rated wellbeing and physical activity associations in European older adults

BACKGROUND

Physical activity and self-rated wellbeing have important benefits to health. However, scientific knowledge regarding their relationship among older adults is scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the associations between physical activity frequency and several dimensions of self-rated wellbeing, in a representative sample of European older adults from 28 countries.

METHODS

This study is based on the European Social Survey round 6, 2012. It had a total sample size of 12,341 older adults (5100 men, 7241 women) with mean age 73.8 ± 6.6 years. Information was collected through a questionnaire, filled-in during an hour-long face-to-face interview. Physical activity was accessed using the question "On how many of the last 7 days you were physically active continuously for 20 minutes or longer?" and six dimensions of self-rated wellbeing were used.

RESULTS

Physical activity in the last 7 days was linearly related with all dimension of the self-rated wellbeing and with wellbeing total score for both sexes (men, β = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.10, p < .001; women, β = 0.10, 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.11, p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Physical activity promotion should be stressed as a meaningful strategy to improve people's wellbeing overall. This strategy has special importance when considering the older adult population.

Regular physical activity eliminates the harmful association of television watching with multimorbidity. A cross-sectional study from the European Social Survey

The aims of the study were to analyse the association of television viewing, physical activity (PA), and multimorbidity; and to understand if PA attenuates or eliminates the detrimental associations between television viewing and multimorbidity. This is a cross-sectional study based on data from the European Social Survey round 7, 2014. Participants were 32,931 adults (15,784 men), aged 18-114 years old, from 18 European countries. Self-reported information regarding chronic diseases (CD), PA and time watching television were collected through interview. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyse the association between watching television and PA with the presence of multimorbidity (≥1 CD). Men and women who watched television had increased odds of having multimorbidity. When considering PA it was observed that, independently of television viewing, compared to engaging in PA for ≤1 day/week, engaging in 2-4 days/week and in ≥5 days/week was inversely associated with multimorbidity. Increased odds of multimorbidity were observed for men spending >3 h/day watching television in the 2-3 days/week and ≤1 day/week categories of PA. For women engaged in 30 min of physical activity 2-3 days/week, spending >3 h/day watching television was associated with higher odds for multimorbidity. For adults who practiced physical activity on ≥ 5 days/week watching television was not associated with multimorbidity. Time spent watching television is associated with multimorbidity. However, physical activity participation can attenuate or even eliminate this association.

Prevalence and trends of overweight and obesity in older adults from 10 European countries from 2005 to 2013

Aims: Overweight and obesity are clinical public-health concerns worldwide. Amongst older adults, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is considered high. The purpose of this study was to provide current data regarding the prevalence and trends of overweight and obesity of adults from 2005 to 2013 in 10 European countries. Methods: The data used in the present study were derived from the first, second, fourth and fifth waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. The present study includes individuals aged ⩾50 years from 10 European countries. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from self-reported height and weight (kg/m2). Results: The general prevalence of overweight (BMI ⩾25 kg/m2) was slightly above 60% and remained stable between 2005 (60.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 59.3–60.9%) and 2013 (60.3%, 95% CI: 59.7–60.9%). On the other hand, the prevalence of obesity (BMI ⩾30 kg/m2) increased significantly (1.6 points, 95% CI: 0.7–2.6) from 17.5% in 2005 to 19.2% in 2013. Although the prevalence of obesity increased in most countries, the only significant increase was observed in Germany (5.8 points, 95% CI: 1.8–9.9). Spain was the only country where the prevalence of obesity decreased significantly (−4.7 points, 95% CI: −8.8 to −0.5). Sex and age differences are reported. Conclusions: Although the prevalence of overweight was stable, the prevalence of obesity rose. Based on the data currently available for Europe, the prevalence of obesity in European older adults has already reached epidemic proportions, which reinforces the need for the development of effective healthy lifestyle programs.

Socio-demographic correlates of physical activity among European older people

From a public health perspective, identifying factors related to attaining the physical activity (PA) recommendations is important in order to identify subgroups for intervention programs. The aim of this study is to identify the socio-demographic correlates of attaining the recommended levels of PA in the older European population. Using data from the European Social Survey round 6, PA and socio-demographic characteristics were collected from 10,148 participants (4556 men, 5592 women), aged 65 years and over, from 28 countries in 2012. PA was accessed using the question "On how many of the last seven days did you walk quickly, do sports, or other PA for 30 min or longer?" and meeting PA guidelines was assessed using World Health Organization criteria. Overall, 59.7% of the participants attained the PA-recommended levels. The likelihood of attaining PA recommendations was higher among older people with higher education levels (p < 0.05; p < 0.01; p < 0.001). Men who lived in a town or small city (p < 0.05) and lived in a rural area (p < 0.001) were more likely to attain the PA recommendations. Women who lived with a partner were more likely to attain the PA recommendations (p < 0.001). Promotion of PA is critical to health among older people; therefore, intervention programs must consider these socio-demographic factors when planning an increase in PA.