Is Dance Closer to Physical Activity or Spirituality? A Philosophical Exploration

Dancing is inevitably associated with kinesthetics of the body, including movements, gestures, poses, jumps, turnings, transferring body weight, etcetera. Thus, dance is a manifestation of an amateur or the skilled behavior of a fully trained athletic performance. At the same time, dance is accompanied by emotions as an effect of expression, narration of choreography. Dance is also pre-planned and designed to produce numerous styles and techniques. It is a unique type of improvisation. However, in certain situations, styles and techniques that will be discussed below, the dancing body can bring the dancer closer to his/her emotionality and even spirituality. Thus, the aim of this philosophical exploration is to analyze the impact of spirituality on dance performance.

Protective Effects of Exercise Become Especially Important for the Aging Immune System in The Covid-19 Era

Aging is a complex, multietiological process and a major risk factor for most non-genetic, chronic diseases including geriatric syndromes that negatively affect healthspan and longevity. In the scenario of "healthy or good aging", especially during the COVID-19 era, the proper implementation of exercise as "adjuvant" or "polypill" to improve disease-related symptoms and comorbidities in the general population is a top priority. However, there is still a gap concerning studies analyzing influence of exercise training to immune system in older people. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide a brief summary of well-established findings in exercise immunology and immunogerontology, but with a focus on the main exercise-induced mechanisms associated with aging of the immune system (immunosenescence). The scientific data strongly supports the notion that regular exercise as a low-cost and non-pharmacological treatment approach, when adjusted on an individual basis in elderly, induce multiple rejuvenating mechanisms: (1) affects the telomere-length dynamics (a "telo-protective" effect), (2) promote short- and long-term anti-inflammatory effects (via e.g., triggering the anti-inflammatory phenotype), 3) stimulates the adaptive immune system (e.g., helps to offset diminished adaptive responses) and in parallel inhibits the accelerated immunosenescence process, (4) increases post-vaccination immune responses, and (5) possibly extends both healthspan and lifespan.

Exercise in Aging: Be Balanced

The beneficial effects of exercise are recognized for preventing physical and cognitive decline during the aging process. However, there is still a gap concerning recommended intensity, volume, frequency and mode of exercise especially for older people. The aim of this study was to investigate an appropriate type of physical activity (PA) model for healthy aging. A commentary of the influence of PA and exercise on healthy aging through an online search of the databases Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar. Two living groups can be considered as potential references: modern hunter-gatherer small-scale population and master athletes. Greater physical activity is proposed for healthy aging than that recommended by WHO. Additionally, mindfulness meditation techniques during exercise are recommended especially for persons practicing long-duration exercises. Complex and compound exercise and workouts should include challenging exercises adjusted and balanced to provide clients, especially older people, with noticeable changes and progress.

Body adaptation to Dance: A Gerontological Perspective

A number of studies have investigated the effectiveness of dance in older adults in the context of healthy aging. Analysing results across studies is important to understand whether dance in older adults is an effective adjunctive intervention for the healthy aging. To summarize the current research results about the effectiveness of dance in older adults in the context of healthy aging, and to identify key areas for future research. The search was conducted in Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar databases, using the following search string and Boolean logic (‘AND’, ‘OR’) locating studies published between database inception and September 2018: Dance OR contemporary dance OR ballroom dance OR Latin dance OR standard dance OR hip-hop dance OR tango AND Cardiovascular OR circulation AND Emotion OR well-being OR blood pressure OR disease OR thrombosis OR vascular OR glucose OR blood OR cardiac OR mental OR heart rate. Two reviewers independently extracted studies data. Eight suitable publications were included. The results showed that dance promote improvements in cognitive parameters when compared to other types of exercise or no-exercise. Significant effects were found on some physiological parameters, even after a short intervention period. Dance proved to be able to assist older adults in the context of healthy aging. The improvements in the cognitive, physiological and motor control parameters are very relevant for this population, due to the impact in a better quality of life.

The Mechanism of Physical Activity-induced Amelioration of Parkinson's Disease: A Narrative Review

Physical activity, together with its ameliorative effects on Parkinson's disease (PD) symptoms, remains a relatively unappreciated factor which may be beneficial for the treatment outcome. Contemporary evidence supports the positive effects of non-pharmacological approaches to PD symptom management, in particular the effects of the exercise on both, motor and non-motor symptoms. The aim of the study was to review the mechanisms of exercise-induced amelioration of PD symptoms. Methods: Electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar) were searched using the following key words: "Parkinson and physical activity" OR "Parkinson disease and exercise" OR "Parkinson disease and lifestyle factors" OR "Parkinson disease and longevity". A total of 97 studies which investigated PD genetics and various forms of exercise and their etiologic impact on PD were reviewed. The studies were subdivided into four topic groups: 1) genetics of PD, 2) exercise and the brain, 3) physical activity and PD, 4) mind-body interventions, and discussed accordingly. Adequate levels of physical activity are associated with higher quality of life in PD patients. Physical activity may have protective and stimulatory effects for better functional efficiency in higher-level cognitive networks. It can also improve balance and motor functions by improving muscle strength. Given the etiologic evidence of the beneficial effects of physical activity on PD, albeit tentative, a concerted effort to elucidate the processes and outcomes of physical activity on ameliorating symptoms of PD must be undertaken.

Hepatic glycogen storage diseases: pathogenesis, clinical symptoms and therapeutic management

Glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) are genetically determined metabolic diseases that cause disorders of glycogen metabolism in the body. Due to the enzymatic defect at some stage of glycogenolysis/glycogenesis, excess glycogen or its pathologic forms are stored in the body tissues. The first symptoms of the disease usually appear during the first months of life and are thus the domain of pediatricians. Due to the fairly wide access of the authors to unpublished materials and research, as well as direct contact with the GSD patients, the article addresses the problem of actual diagnostic procedures for patients with the suspected diseases. Knowledge and awareness of the problem among physicians seem insufficient, and research on the diagnosis and treatment of GSD is still ongoing, resulting in a heterogeneous GSD typology and a changing way of its diagnosis and treatment.

A Review of Exercise as Medicine in Cardiovascular Disease: Pathology and Mechanism

Background

Physical inactivity and resultant lower energy expenditure contribute unequivocally to cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary artery disease and stroke, which are considered major causes of disability and mortality worldwide.

Aim

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of physical activity (PA) and exercise on different aspects of health - genetics, endothelium function, blood pressure, lipid concentrations, glucose intolerance, thrombosis, and self - satisfaction. Materials and.

Methods

In this article, we conducted a narrative review of the influence PA and exercise have on the cardiovascular system, risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, searching the online databases; Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar, and, subsequently, discuss possible mechanisms of this action.

Results and Discussion

Based on our narrative review of literature, discussed the effects of PA on telomere length, nitric oxide synthesis, thrombosis risk, blood pressure, serum glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides levels, and indicated possible mechanisms by which physical training may lead to improvement in chronic cardiovascular diseases.

Conclusion

PA is effective for the improvement of exercise tolerance, lipid concentrations, blood pressure, it may also reduce the serum glucose level and risk of thrombosis, thus should be advocated concomitant to, or in some cases instead of, traditional drug-therapy.

Physical Activity and Alzheimer's Disease: A Narrative Review

Although age is a dominant risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), epidemiological studies have shown that physical activity may significantly decrease age-related risks for AD, and indeed mitigate the impact in existing diagnosis. The aim of this study was to perform a narrative review on the preventative, and mitigating, effects of physical activity on AD onset, including genetic factors, mechanism of action and physical activity typology. In this article, we conducted a narrative review of the influence physical activity and exercise have on AD, utilising key terms related to AD, physical activity, mechanism and prevention, searching the online databases; Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar, and, subsequently, discuss possible mechanisms of this action. On the basis of this review, it is evident that physical activity and exercise may be incorporated in AD, notwithstanding, a greater number of high-quality randomised controlled trials are needed, moreover, physical activity typology must be acutely considered, primarily due to a dearth of research on the efficacy of physical activity types other than aerobic.

Polygenic Study of Endurance-Associated Genetic Markers NOS3 (Glu298Asp), BDKRB2 (-9/+9), UCP2 (Ala55Val), AMPD1 (Gln45Ter) and ACE (I/D) in Polish Male Half Marathoners

The purpose of this study was to investigate individually and in combination the association between the ACE (I/D), NOS3 (Glu298Asp), BDKRB2 (-9/+9), UCP2 (Ala55Val) and AMPD1 (Gln45Ter) variants with endurance performance in a large, performance-homogenous cohort of elite Polish half marathoners. The study group consisted of 180 elite half marathoners: 76 with time < 100 minutes and 104 with time > 100 minutes. DNA of the subjects was extracted from buccal cells donated by the runners and genotyping was carried out using an allelic discrimination assay with a C1000 Touch Thermal Cycler (Bio-Rad, Germany) instrument with TaqMan® probes (NOS3, UCP2, and AMPD1) and a T100™ Thermal Cycler (Bio-Rad, Germany) instrument (ACE and BDKRB2). We found that the UCP2 Ala55Val polymorphism was associated with running performance, with the subjects carrying the Val allele being overrepresented in the group of most successful runners (<100 min) compared to the >100 min group (84.2 vs. 55.8%; OR = 4.23, p < 0.0001). Next, to assess the combined impact of 4 gene polymorphisms, all athletes were classified according to the number of 'endurance' alleles (ACE I, NOS3 Glu, BDKRB2 -9, UCP2 Val) they possessed. The proportion of subjects with a high (4-7) number of 'endurance' alleles was greater in the better half marathoners group compared with the >100 min group (73.7 vs. 51.9%; OR = 2.6, p = 0.0034). These data suggest that the likelihood of becoming an elite half marathoner partly depends on the carriage of a high number of endurance-related alleles.

Aerobic and concentration training and allele 7 in the dopamine receptor D4 (D4DR) gene increase chances of smoking cessation in young Polish women

INTRODUCTION

One reason for the limited effectiveness of the available smoking cessation methods is the fact that the causes of tobacco addiction have not been adequately explained yet. Numerous anti-smoking programs aimed at women involve intense physical activity. The goal of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of health training for smoking cessation by young women in connection with the dopamine receptor gene (D4DR) in their genetic profile.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty-eight adult female smokers were randomly assigned to: 1) a concentration training group, or 2) an aerobic and concentration training group. Genetic and phenotypic data were obtained from 48 participants. Genotyping was performed for allele 7 in the D4DR gene.

RESULTS

Individuals with allele 7 in the dopamine receptor D4 gene have two times greater chances (OR = 2.13: 95% CI: 0.91-4.96) of quitting smoking than individuals without allele 7. No statistical significance was revealed (p = 0.0805). Individuals undertaking aerobic training in combination with concentration training are three times more likely (OR = 3.06: 95% CI: 1.03-9.05) to quit smoking than individuals who do not perform aerobic training (p = 0.0439).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study show that an intensive, 6-week health training program had a significant influence on smoking cessation. Smoking quitters, who are genetically predisposed and decide to take up aerobic training in combination with concentration training, have much greater chances of quitting smoking.

Genetic and non-genetic determinants of aggression in combat sports

Human aggression/impulsivity-related traits are influenced by complex genetic and non-genetic factors. The aggression/anxiety relationship is controlled by highly conserved brain regions including the amygdala, hypothalamus and periaqueductal gray of the midbrain, which is responsible for neural circuits triggering defensive, aggressive, or avoidant behavioral models. The social behavior network consists of the medial amygdala, medial hypothalamus and periaqueductal gray, and it positively modulates reactive aggression. An important role in the incidence of aggressive behavior is played by secreted factors such as testosterone, glucocorticoids, pheromones, as well as by expression of genes such as neuroligin-2, monoamine oxidase A, serotonin transporters, etc. The authors deliberate whether aggression in sport is advantageous (or even indispensable), or to what extent it can hamper attainment of sport success. Methods of reducing and inhibiting expression of aggression in athletes are indicated.