Both Baseline and Change in Lower Limb Muscle Strength in Younger Women Are Independent Predictors of Balance in Middle Age: A 12-Year Population-Based Prospective Study

Longitudinal associations of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time with leg muscle strength, balance and falls in middle-aged women

We examined the longitudinal associations of accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary time with leg muscle strength (LMS), balance, and falls in middle-aged women. This was a 5-year cohort study among 308 women aged 36-56 years. We used linear mixed-effects models to examine associations of baseline and change in accelerometer-measured sedentary time, light physical activity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with baseline and 5-year change in LMS and balance (timed up and go test [TUG], functional reach test [FRT], lateral reach test [LRT], and step test [ST]), and negative binomial/Poisson and log-binomial regression as appropriate to assess associations with falls after 5-year follow-up. Greater baseline MVPA was associated with better baseline LMS (β = 4.65 kg/SD, 95% CI: 1.37, 7.93) and TUG (β = -0.09 s/SD, 95% CI: -0.18, -0.01) but not with change in them over 5 years. Baseline MVPA was not associated with FRT at baseline but associated with a greater decrease in FRT (β = -0.87 cm/SD, 95% CI: -1.57, -0.17). Increased MVPA over 5 years was associated with less deterioration in FRT (β = 0.88 cm/SD, 95% CI: 0.14, 1.61). Increased sedentary time over 5 years was associated with a larger decrease in FRT (β = -0.82 cm/SD, 95% CI: -1.58, -0.07). Higher baseline LPA was associated with higher falls risk (IRR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.57). Higher baseline MVPA may benefit LMS and balance, while increasing MVPA in the medium term has little effect on change in these outcomes in mid-life. Detrimental association of LPA with falls may be due to greater exposures to environmental hazards.HighlightsOur study for the first time examined the longitudinal associations of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time with leg muscle strength, balance and falls in middle-aged women.Higher baseline moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) may be beneficial for muscle strength and balance at baseline but increasing MVPA in the medium term has little effect on change in LMS or balance outcomes in middle-aged women.Higher baseline light physical activity (LPA) was associated with an increased risk of falls.The detrimental association of LPA with falls may be due to a greater exposure to environmental hazards in midlife, which needs to be clarified in future research.

Dietary patterns from youth to adulthood and cognitive function in midlife: The cardiovascular risk in Young Finns Study

OBJECTIVES

Diet plays an important role in cognitive health, but the long-term association of diet early in life with cognitive function in adulthood has not, to our knowledge, been rigorously studied. The aim of this study was to examine the association of youth, adulthood, and long-term dietary patterns from youth to adulthood with cognitive function in midlife.

METHODS

This was a population-based cohort study that assessed dietary intake in 1980 (baseline, participants 3-18 y of age), 1986, 2001, 2007, and 2011 and cognitive function in 2011. Six dietary patterns were derived from 48-h food recall or food frequency questionnaires using factor analysis. The dietary patterns were traditional Finnish, high-carbohydrate, vegetables and dairy products, traditional Finnish and high-carbohydrate, red meat, and healthy. Scores of long-term dietary patterns were calculated as the average between youth and adulthood. Cognitive function outcomes assessed included episodic memory and associative learning, short-term working memory and problem solving, reaction and movement time, and visual processing and sustained attention. Standardized z-scores of exposures and outcomes were used for analyses.

RESULTS

Participants (n = 790, mean age 11.2 y) were followed up for 31 y. Multivariable models showed that both youth and long-term vegetable and dairy products and healthy patterns were positively associated with episodic memory and associative learning scores (β = 0.080-0.111, P < 0.05 for all). Both youth and long-term traditional Finnish patterns were negatively associated with spatial working memory and problem solving (β = -0.085 and -0.097, respectively; P < 0.05 for both). Long-term high-carbohydrate and traditional Finnish and high-carbohydrate patterns were inversely associated with visual processing and sustained attention, whereas the vegetable and dairy products pattern was positively associated with this cognitive domain (β = -0.117 to 0.073, P < 0.05 for all). Adulthood high-carbohydrate and traditional Finnish and high-carbohydrate patterns were inversely associated with all cognitive domains except for reaction and movement time (β = -0.072 to -0.161, P < 0.05 for all). Both long-term and adulthood red meat pattern were positively associated with visual processing and sustained attention (β = 0.079 and 0.104, respectively; P < 0.05 for both). These effect sizes correspond to approximately 1.6 to 16.1 y of cognitive aging on these cognitive domains.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher adherence to traditional Finnish, high-carbohydrate, and traditional Finnish and high-carbohydrate patterns across the early life course was associated with poorer cognitive function in midlife, whereas higher adherence to healthy and vegetable and dairy product patterns was associated with better cognitive function. The findings, if causative, highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy dietary pattern from early life to adulthood in an attempt to promote cognitive health.

Neither leg muscle strength nor balance are associated with the incidence of falls in middle-aged women: A 5-year population-based prospective study

BACKGROUND

Muscle strength and balance are major modifiable factors of falls in older adults, but their associations with falls in middle-aged adults are under investigated. We aimed to examine the association of baseline and change in leg muscle strength (LMS) and balance with the incidence of falls in a cohort of middle-aged women.

METHODS

This was a five-year follow-up of a population-based sample of 273 women aged 36-57 years at baseline (2011-2012). Data on LMS (by dynamometer) and balance (timed up and go test [TUG], step test [ST], functional reach test [FRT], and lateral reach test [LRT]) were obtained at baseline and five years later (2017-2018). After five years, falls were recorded monthly for one year by questionnaire (2017-2019). Negative binomial/Poisson and log binomial regressions were used as appropriate to assess associations of baseline and change in LMS and balance with any falls, injurious falls and multiple falls.

RESULTS

Over one-year, 115 participants (42%) reported at least one fall. Neither baseline nor 5-year change in LMS and balance measures were associated with the risk of any falls, injurious falls, or multiple falls five years later, with or without adjusting for confounders at baseline (incidence rate ratio/relative risk ranging from 0.85 to 1.19, 0.90 to 1.20, and 0.82 to 1.36, respectively; P>0.05 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

Baseline or change in LMS and balance measures are not associated with incident falls among middle-aged women. The contributions of environmental and other intrinsic factors such as chronic conditions and gait/mobility problems need to be investigated.

Dietary Pattern Trajectories from Youth to Adulthood and Adult Risk of Impaired Fasting Glucose: A 31-year Cohort Study

CONTEXT

The influence of dietary pattern trajectories from youth to adulthood on adult glucose metabolism is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To identify dietary pattern trajectories from youth to adulthood and examine their associations with adult impaired fasting glucose (IFG).

METHODS

Thirty-one-year population-based cohort study among 1007 youths aged 3-18 years at baseline in Finland. Diet intake was assessed in 1980, 1986, 2001, 2007, and 2011. Group-based trajectory modelling was used to identify dietary pattern (identified by factor analysis) trajectories. Adult IFG was measured by the latest available data from 2001, 2007, and 2011.

RESULTS

Among 1007 participants, 202 (20.1%) developed IFG and 27 (2.7%) developed type 2 diabetes in adulthood (mean follow-up of 30.7 years; mean [SD] age 40.5 [5.0] years). Three dietary patterns were identified at baseline and were retained in 1986 and 2001: "Traditional Finnish," "High carbohydrate," and "Vegetables and dairy products." Three different patterns were identified in 2007, which remained similar in 2011: "Traditional Finnish and high carbohydrate," "Red meat," and "Healthy." Trajectories of increased or stably medium "red meat" pattern scores from youth to adulthood were detrimentally associated with IFG (relative risk 1.46, 95% CI 1.12-1.90 for Medium (M)-stable/M-large increase vs low-stable trajectory) after adjusting for confounders. This association was slightly reduced after further adjusting for long-term dietary fiber intake.

CONCLUSION

Trajectories of an increased or stably moderate adherence to a "red meat" dietary pattern from youth to adulthood are associated with higher risk of adult IFG. This association is partly explained by low dietary fiber intake.

Predictive factors of functional mobility in older women after 12 weeks of resistance training

To analyze the association between functional mobility and anthropometric and functional characteristics of older women after 12 weeks of resistance training. METHODS: Forty-seven community-dwelling older women underwent 12 weeks of supervised resistance training twice a week. The dependent variable (mobility measured by the Timed Up and Go test) and the independent variables (age, body mass index, fat-free mass of the lower limbs, waist circumference, peak knee torque at 60º/s, peak knee torque at 180º/s, functional reach test, and 30-second chair stand test) were measured before and after the intervention. RESULTS: A multivariate analysis showed that age, body mass index, waist circumference, and the 30-second stand test predicted 30% (R2 = 0.30; p = 0.001; F = 5.53) of the total variance regarding an improvement in mobility after resistance training (p < 0.0001; [95% CI 0.72–1.20]; the effect size was considered large [0.90]) when comparing women before and after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Age, body mass index, waist circumference, and the 30-second stand test predicted 30% of the increase in functional mobility.

Comparison of balance performance between masters Olympic weightlifters and runners

Balance disorders are a common problem among older adults that greatly increase susceptibility for falls and fractures. Aerobically trained older (masters) athletes tend to exhibit superior balance abilities compared to that of healthy age-matched counterparts. Olympic weightlifting involves tremendous power production and motor skill coordination throughout the body which may prompt unique sensory information acquisition and integration adaptations. The purpose of this investigation was to compare a modified clinical test of sensory interaction and balance performance between middle-aged (~40-60 years) masters Olympic weightlifters (OWL, n = 48) and runners (RUN, n = 42). Average mediolateral center of pressure velocity (MLCPV) was computed during completion of 2 double leg trials (30-s) completed on firm (FI) and foam (FO) surfaces with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC). While there were no significant differences between the groups for either the EO-FI (P = .143, d = 0.34) or EO-FO (P = .209, d = 0.26), the OWL demonstrated significantly better balance (lower MLCPV) than the RUN for both the EC-FI (P = .009, d = 0.59) and EC-FO (P = .001, d = 0.70). The most salient result of this investigation was the identification of better balance performance by the OWL, particularly when visual inputs were unavailable (ie, EC), compared to the RUN. These results suggest that Olympic weightlifting may provide a superior training stimulus for somatosensory and vestibular function compared to running in middle-aged adults, a benefit that may help to offset archetypal age-related balance deficits.

[Dance as an intervention to improve mobility and balance in elderly: a literature review]

The aim of the present review was to identify whether dance protocols can benefit mobility and balance in elderly. A literature review was conducted in which 927 potentially relevant studies were identified (published in Portuguese, English, French, German, Spanish or Italian). There was no publication period restriction. After reading the titles, abstracts and review of the exclusion criteria, 15 randomized controlled trials were included. Most of the studies evaluated female subjects, using heterogeneous protocols of intervention and unspecific control groups. In addition, the period of exposure to dance was generally short: 2.6 weekly practices, of 59.1 minutes each, performed through 12.1 weeks. Dance was shown to be beneficial in 77.6% of the evaluated outcomes, exhibiting a moderate effect size for static balance and functional balance; and small effect size for mobility and strength/resistance of the lower limbs. However, future studies with the use of specific control groups and adoption of longer lasting protocols are necessary to evaluate the actual size effect that dance has on the maintenance of mobility and balance in elderly.

Age-Specific Estimates and Comparisons of Youth Tri-Ponderal Mass Index and Body Mass Index in Predicting Adult Obesity-Related Outcomes

OBJECTIVES

To estimate and compare tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) and body mass index (BMI) at each age from childhood to young adulthood in the prediction of adulthood obesity-related outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

Participants of this observational study (n = 432) were from a 20-year infancy-onset randomized atherosclerosis prevention trial. BMI and TMI were calculated using weight and height measured annually from participants between ages 2 and 20 years. Outcomes were aortic intima-media thickness (at the age of 15, 17, or 19 years), impaired fasting glucose and elevated insulin levels, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index, serum lipids, and hypertension at the age of 20 years. Poisson regressions, Pearson correlation, logistic regression, and area under the curve (AUC) were used to estimate and/or compare associations and predictive utilities between BMI and TMI with all outcomes.

RESULTS

The associations and predictive utilities of BMI and TMI with all outcomes were stronger at older ages. BMI had significantly stronger correlations than TMI with insulin (at age 16 years), systolic blood pressure (age 5-20 years), and triglycerides (age 18 years). BMI had significantly greater predictive utilities than TMI for insulin resistance (at age 14-16 years; difference in AUC = 0.018-0.024), elevated insulin levels (age 14-16 years; difference in AUC = 0.018 and 0.025), and hypertension (age 16 to 20 years; difference in AUC = 0.017-0.022) but they were similar for other outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

TMI is not superior to BMI at any ages from childhood to young adulthood in the prediction of obesity-related outcomes in young adulthood.

Physical Activity Assessment and Counseling in Pediatric Clinical Settings

Physical activity plays an important role in children's cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal health, mental and behavioral health, and physical, social, and cognitive development. Despite the importance in children's lives, pediatricians are unfamiliar with assessment and guidance regarding physical activity in children. With the release of the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines by the US Department of Health and Human Services, pediatricians play a critical role in encouraging physical activity in children through assessing physical activity and physical literacy; providing guidance toward meeting recommendations by children and their families; advocating for opportunities for physical activity for all children in schools, communities, and hospitals; setting an example and remaining physically active personally; advocating for the use of assessment tools and insurance coverage of physical activity and physical literacy screening; and incorporating physical activity assessment and prescription in medical school curricula.

Low Skeletal Muscle Mass is Associated with the Risk of Low Bone Mineral Density in Urban Dwelling Premenopausal Women

To evaluate the relationship between skeletal muscle mass and bone mineral density (BMD) and to determine the association between low skeletal muscle mass and low BMD in urban dwelling young adults. This study was based on data from the 2008-2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. The subjects were 1702 20-49-year-old men and 2192 premenopausal women (age 20-55 years). BMD at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip and the appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was defined as weight-adjusted ASM. Mildly and severely low muscle skeletal mass were defined as SMI that was 1-2 and >2 standard deviations below the sex-specific mean ASM of young adults, respectively. Low BMD was defined as T score of less than -1.0 at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and/or total hip. After adjusting for confounders, skeletal muscle mass was positively associated with BMD at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip in both men and women. Mildly and severely low skeletal muscle mass increased the risk of low BMD in premenopausal women [OR (95% CI) = 1.4 (1.1-1.9) and 2.4 (1.2-4.6), respectively] but not men. In women, low skeletal muscle mass independently was associated with the risk of low BMD at the femoral neck and total hip but not the lumbar spine. Skeletal muscle mass was independently associated with BMD in urban dwelling young men and women, but low skeletal muscle mass was associated with the risk of low BMD in premenopausal women only.