Biological age in Italian adults: influence of social and behavioural factors

Biological age and lifestyle in the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome: the NHIS health screening data, 2014-2015

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is diagnosed using absolute criteria that do not consider age and sex, but most studies have shown that the prevalence of MS increases with age in both sexes. Thus, the evaluation of MS should consider sex and age. We aimed to develop a new index that considers the age and sex for evaluating an individual's relative overall MS status. Data of 16,518,532 subjects (8,671,838 males and 7,846,694 females) who completed a validated health survey of the National Health Insurance Service of the Republic of Korea (2014‒2015) were analyzed to develop an MS-biological age model. Principal component score analysis using waist circumference, pulse pressure, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride levels, and high-density lipoprotein level, but not age, as independent variables were performed to derive an index of health status and biological age. In both sexes, the age according to the MS-biological age model increased with rising smoking and alcohol consumption habits and decreased with rising physical activity. Particularly, smoking and drinking affected females, whereas physical activity affected males. The MS-biological age model can be a supplementary tool for evaluating and managing MS, quantitatively measuring the effect of lifestyle changes on MS, and motivating patients to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Biological characteristics and ageing in former elite volleyball players

To date, there is very little information about the effects of ageing and sport selection on the characteristics of former athletes. The aim of this study was to analyse anthropometric and physiological characteristics of 146 former elite volleyball players in Italy. The possible effect of an active or inactive lifestyle on ageing was assessed by comparing the biological profiles of subsamples of former athletes with and without regular sport activity. All the former athletes underwent measurements of standard anthropometry (height, sitting height and body mass; skinfold thicknesses; bi-acromial and bi-cristal breadths; upper limb length; upper arm, calf and chest girths), cardio-respiratory function (vital capacity, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1s; systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart rate), muscle strength (handgrip strength), and cognitive function (visual and auditory simple reaction times; Digit-Symbol subtest). Body composition parameters were estimated from anthropometric measurements. Data on lifestyle were collected by questionnaires. The results show that the former players differ from current players in several anthropometric and physiological traits. Selection pressure seems to be more responsible for these differences than ageing. This study underlines the particular performance of former players in cognitive functions. Moreover, it confirms that an active lifestyle has beneficial effects on the biological age profiles of former athletes.

Variation in biological status among Polish males and underlying socio-economic factors

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the socio-economic and lifestyle factors associated with biological status of Polish men. Data were collected during a cross-sectional survey carried out in Poznań and several localities in Western Poland, between 2000 and 2002. The sample consisted of 2509 men ranging from 30 to 90 years of age. Biological status was expressed in terms of functional-biological age (BA) computed as a composite z-score of 11 biomarkers according to the method proposed by Borkan and Norris [1980a], and physiological reserve index (PR) developed by Goffauxet al.[2005]. The average biological age profiles (BAP) were compared in several subgroups of participants. The subgroups were categorized based on demographic, socio-economic and lifestyle characteristics. It was found that values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, BMI, physical and emotional aging indicators and perceived satisfaction with life were significantly associated with most of the study factors, except for smoking habit and education level. The multivariate logistic regression models revealed that two factors, financial situation and physical activity, were significantly associated with the physiological reserve index estimation. The study confirmed the role of the socio-economic and lifestyle factors likely to play in men's biological status and aging rates.

Cardiovascular reactivity patterns elicited by the cold pressor test as a function of aging

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The cold pressor test has been widely used in previous cardiovascular reactivity studies as a predictor of hypertension. However, the influence of the physical adaptations of the arterial wall with increasing age on reactivity has not been delineated.

METHODS

64 men divided into 5 different age groups participated in a laboratory protocol consisting of submerging one hand in ice water for one minute while changes in blood pressure were continuously measured.

RESULTS

The results indicated that with increasing age, the systolic blood pressure change, especially the rate of change (slope) is more pronounced than changes in diastolic blood pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

With increasing age, there is a shift from a diastolic blood pressure reactivity pattern to a more systolic blood pressure reactivity pattern during application of the cold pressor test. This could be ascribed to a decrease in arterial compliance.

Descrição e construção do questionário senior de atividades físicas para idosos (QSAP)

A avaliação da autonomia do idoso focaliza-se habitualmente nas atividades desempenhadas ou na aptitude funcional. Raros são os instrumentos que levam em conta ambos os aspectos. Este estudo descreve o desenvolvimento de uma das partes de um sistema de avaliação que tenta cobrir esta lacuna _ o Questionário Senior de Atividades Físicas (QSAP). Trata-se de uma entrevista em quatro partes, quantificando as necessidades para uma vida autônoma em termos de força (FO) e de produção de energia para o trabalho (PA). A Parte I considera as atividades cotidianas no domicílio, profissionais e de tempo livre. A Parte II avalia o contexto de vida do entrevistado. A Parte III aprecia as dificuldades para tarefas cotidianas e os sentimentos quanto às atividades que se gostaria de fazer. A Parte IV considera o ponto de vista do entrevistador. Obtêm-se para cada parte dois índices parciais _ TOT (FO) e TOT (PA). Os índices gerais são três: ITOT (FO), ITOT (PA) e IAE. Aplicaram-se 164 questionários a belgas de 60 a 90 anos (X = 69,9 ± 7,12). Determinou-se o IAE por: a) análise de componentes principais para os índices TOT; b) cálculo dos escores fatoriais referentes ao primeiro fator; c) regressão múltipla entre os escores fatoriais e os ITOT; d) transformação dos resultados da regressão em unidades correspondentes à idade cronológica. Testaram-se a representatividade e a estabilidade do IAE por: a) comparação aos resultados parciais do questionário; b) comparação com a idade cronológica; c) validação cruzada para 20 indivíduos (X = 67,40 ± 5,39 anos). Resultados: a) o IAE representa bem o conjunto das questões do QSAP; b) as necessidades para uma vida autônoma, traduzidas pelo IAE, guardam correlação inversa moderada com a idade; c) a equação de regressão parece ser estável. Conclui-se que o QSAP como um todo _ e o IAE especificamente _ têm boa validade de conteúdo. Recomenda-se, contudo, a verificação posterior da pertinência e da reprodutibilidade do método, antes da generalização de sua aplicação.

Measuring human functional age: a review of empirical findings

A review of empirical functional age studies published in English was conducted. Types of biomarkers used in functional age studies included sensorimotor, cognitive, psychosocial, behavioral, anthropometric, biomedical, physiological, and dental variables. Previous criticisms of the validity and utility of functional age research were evaluated with reference to empirical studies. While some of these criticisms remain valid, areas of research currently using established biomarkers to predict functional outcomes were identified, including driving, falls, and cognitive functioning. It was concluded that the success of functional age research is dependent on the relevance of biomarkers to specific functional outcomes.