The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that individuals with an increase in HbA1c (i.e. above the regular but below the diabetic threshold) exhibit an impairment in the Achilles tendon structure and walking capacity, due to the adverse effect of the advanced glycation end-product. One hundred fifty-eight participants matched for gender, age, physical activity and BMI, were divided in two cohorts based on the HbA1c level: normal HbA1c (NGH; <39 mmol/molHb; n = 79) and altered HbA1c (AGH; >=39 mmol/molHb; n = 79). Each participant performed several walking trials to evaluate the kinematic parameters during walling at the self-selected speed and a quantitative MRI scan of the Achilles tendon (AT) to obtain its intrinsic characteristics (i.e. T2* relaxation time short and long component). The AT T2* relaxation time short component (a parameter related to the tendon collagen quality) was reduced in AGH compared to NGH. Furthermore, AGH exhibited a slower self-selected walking speed (NGH: 1.59 ± 0.18 m/s; AGH:1.54 ± 0.16 m/s) and a shorter stride length (NGH: 1.59 ± 0.13 m; AGH:1.55 ± 0.11 m). Our data suggest that a non-pathological increase in HbA1c is able to negatively affect AT collagen quality and walking capacity in healthy people. These results highlight the importance of glycemic control, even below the pathological threshold. Since diabetes could alter several biological pathways, further studies are necessary to determine which mechanisms and their timing, regarding the HbA1c rise, affect tendon composition and, consequently, walking capacity.

• Keywords
• Achilles tendon, Gait, HbA1c, MRI, Tendon degeneration,
• MeSH
• Achilles Tendon * diagnostic imaging   physiology   metabolism   MeSH
• Biomechanical Phenomena MeSH
• Walking * physiology   MeSH
• Diabetes Mellitus diagnosis   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Glycated Hemoglobin * metabolism   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging MeSH
• Glycation End Products, Advanced metabolism   MeSH
• Healthy Volunteers MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Glycated Hemoglobin * MeSH
• hemoglobin A1c protein, human MeSH Browser
• Glycation End Products, Advanced MeSH

INTRODUCTION: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is one of the most common running-related injuries. PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective study was to determine the incidence of PF and identify potential risk or protective factors for PF in runners and non-runners. METHODS: Data from 1206 participants from the 4HAIE cohort study (563 females/643 males; 715 runners/491 non-runners; 18–65 yr of age) were included in the analysis. We collected biomechanical data during overground running using a three-dimensional motion capture system at the baseline and running distance data via retrospective questionnaires and followed the participants for 12 months following the baseline data collection. Participants were asked weekly about any sports-related injury (including PF). A binary logistic regression was performed to reveal potential associations between running distance and biomechanical risk factors and PF while controlling for running distance, sex, and age. RESULTS: The total incidence of PF was 2.3% (28 PF from 1206 participants), 2.5% in runners and 2.0% in non-runners (P = 0.248). Runners who ran more than 40 km·wk−1 had six times higher odds of suffering PF than individuals who ran 6–20 km·wk−1 (P = 0.009). There was a significant association between maximal ankle eversion and PF; that is, runners with a greater eversion angle during the stance period had higher risk of PF (P = 0.024). No other biomechanical variables indicated significant associations with PF. CONCLUSIONS: Regular running with a moderate weekly volume and more toeing out of the foot relative to the shank may reduce the risk against PF in runners, which may be useful for researchers, runners, coaches, and health professionals to minimize PF injury risk.

• MeSH
• Running * injuries   physiology   MeSH
• Biomechanical Phenomena MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Fasciitis, Plantar * epidemiology   prevention & control   etiology   MeSH
• Incidence MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• Risk Factors MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

BACKGROUND: The main objective of the present cross-sectional cohort study was to determine whether there is an association between cardiac autonomic regulation, as expressed through heart rate variability (HRV), and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and over the long-term living in areas with low or high air pollution. METHODS: The study sample included 1036 (487 females) healthy runners (603) and inactive participants (age 18-65 years) who had lived for at least 5 years in an area with high (Moravian-Silesian; MS) or low (South Bohemian; SB) air pollution in the Czech Republic. A multivariable regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations between multiple independent variables (CRF (peak oxygen consumption), VAT, sex, socioeconomic status (education level), and region (MS region vs. SB region) with dependent variable HRV. The root mean square of successive RR interval differences (rMSSD) was employed for the evaluation of HRV. RESULTS: The multivariable linear regression model revealed that cardiac autonomic regulation (rMSSD) was significantly associated with CRF level (p < .001) and age (p < .001). There were no associations between rMSSD and region (high or low air-pollution), sex, education level or VAT (p > 0.050). CONCLUSIONS: We showed that living in an area with low or high air pollution is not associated with cardiac autonomic modulation in healthy runners and inactive individuals. CRF and age significantly directly and inversely, respectively, associated with HRV. There were no other significant associations.

• MeSH
• Autonomic Nervous System physiology   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Cardiorespiratory Fitness * physiology   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Intra-Abdominal Fat * MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Heart physiology   MeSH
• Heart Rate * physiology   MeSH
• Air Pollution * adverse effects   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

The purpose of the study was to determine whether running is associated with greater bone mineral density (BMD) by comparing the BMD of regularly active male runners (AR) with inactive nonrunner male controls (INC). This cross-sectional study recruited 327 male AR and 212 male INC (aged 18-65) via a stratified recruitment strategy. BMD of the whole body (WB) and partial segments (spine, lumbar spine (LS), leg, hip, femoral neck (FN), and arm for each side) were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and lower leg dominance (dominant-D/nondominant-ND) was established by functional testing. An ANCOVA was used to compare AR and INC. The AR had greater BMD for all segments of the lower limb (p<0.05), but similar BMD for all segments of the upper limb (p>0.05) compared with INC. Based on the pairwise comparison of age groups, AR had greater BMD of the ND leg in every age group compared with INC (p<0.05). AR had grater BMD of the D leg in every age group except for (26-35 and 56-65) compare with INC (p<0.05). In the youngest age group (18-25), AR had greater BMD in every measured part of lower extremities (legs, hips, femoral necks) compared with INC (p<0.05). In the 46-55 age group AR had greater BMD than INC (p < 0.05) only in the WB, D Leg, D neck, and ND leg. In the 56-65 age group AR had greater BMD than INC (p<0.05) only in the ND leg. Overall, AR had greater BMD compared with INC in all examined sites except for the upper limbs, supporting the notion that running may positively affect bone parameters. However, the benefits differ in the skeletal sites specifically, as the legs had the highest BMD difference between AR and INC. Moreover, the increase in BMD from running decreased with age.

• MeSH
• Absorptiometry, Photon * MeSH
• Lumbar Vertebrae physiology   diagnostic imaging   MeSH
• Running * physiology   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Bone Density * physiology   MeSH
• Femur Neck diagnostic imaging   physiology   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), long-term air pollution exposure and biochemical markers of oxidative status and inflammation. This is a cross-sectional investigation focusing on biochemical markers of oxidative status and inflammation. Participants were Caucasian (N = 1188; age 18-65 years) who lived for at least 5 years in a high air-polluted (Moravian-Silesian; MS) or low air-polluted (South Bohemia; SB) region of the Czech Republic. Healthy runners and inactive individuals were recruited. A multiple regression analysis was used to explain the relationship between multiple independent variables (CRF, trunk fat mass, sex, socioeconomic status, and region (MS region vs. SB region) and dependent variables (oxidative status, inflammation). CRF, trunk fat mass, age and sex significantly predicted almost all selected markers of oxidative status and inflammation (except GSSG, GSH/GSSG and BDNF). Participants living in the MS region presented significantly higher GPx (by 3.1%) and lower BDNF values (by 4.5%). All other investigated biochemical markers were not significantly influenced by region. We did not find meaningful interactions between long-term air-pollution exposure versus markers of oxidative status and inflammation. However, we showed various significant interactions with sex, age, CRF and body composition. The significant association of living in the high air polluted MS region with the BDNF level warrants further attention.

• Keywords
• , Air pollution, Inflammation, Oxidative status, Trunk fat mass,
• MeSH
• Biomarkers * blood   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Cardiorespiratory Fitness * MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Oxidative Stress * MeSH
• Cross-Sectional Studies MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Environmental Exposure adverse effects   MeSH
• Inflammation * MeSH
• Air Pollution * adverse effects   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Biomarkers * MeSH

OBJECTIVE: The menopausal transition is accompanied by transient symptoms that have been linked to subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD); CVD has also been linked to air pollution. Physical activity (PA) reduces CVD, improves body composition, and can reduce menopausal symptoms. The purpose of this study was to assess the links between PA and menopausal symptoms and whether obesity, fitness, and air pollution status play a role in this relationship. METHODS: Women (40-60 y; N = 243; mean [SD] age, 47.8 [5.6] y) from areas with high versus low air pollution enrolled in the Healthy Aging in Industrial Environment Program 4 prospective cohort study completed psychological, cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, and menopausal status screening followed by a 14-day prospective assessment of menopausal symptoms (Menopause Rating Scale) using a mobile application. Daily PA was assessed objectively across 14 days via Fitbit Charge 3 monitor. General linear mixed models were conducted and controlled for age, menopausal status, day in the study, wear time, and neuroticism. RESULTS: Peri/postmenopausal women ( β = 0.43, P < 0.001) and those residing in a high-air-pollution environment ( β = 0.45, P < 0.05) reported more somatovegetative symptoms. Hot flashes alone were associated with peri/postmenopausal status ( β = 0.45, P < 0.001), and for women residing in a high-air-pollution environment, lower reporting of hot flashes was observed on days when a woman was more physically active than usual ( β = -0.15, P < 0.001). No associations were found for cardiorespiratory fitness and visceral fat with any of the symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: PA may enhance resilience to hot flashes, especially when residing in high-air-pollution environments where we also observed higher reporting of somatovegetative menopausal symptoms.

• MeSH
• Exercise MeSH
• Cardiovascular Diseases * MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Menopause psychology   MeSH
• Hot Flashes psychology   MeSH
• Obesity MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• Air Pollution * adverse effects   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Intention is a proximal predictor of behavior in many theories of behavior change, but intentions to be physically active do not always translate to actual physical activity. Little research has examined intensive longitudinal changes in physical activity and corresponding within-person moderators needed to elucidate the mechanisms, hurdles, and facilitators of individuals' everyday physical activity behaviors. The present study set out to evaluate the possible moderators of the intention-physical activity relationship across within-person and between-person levels, including cross-level interactions. Data comprise the first intensive measurement burst (14 days) of the longitudinal prospective Healthy Aging in Industrial Environment (HAIE) study, with N = 1135 participants (N = 10,030 person-days), aged 18-65. Physical activity was operationalized as step counts measured objectively using Fitbit Charge 3/4 fitness monitor. Intention, barriers to physical activity, and social support for physical activity were measured daily via smartphone surveys. Stable characteristics, i.e., physical activity habit and exercise identity, were measured using an online questionnaire. A multilevel moderation regression model with Bayesian estimator was fitted. At the within-person level, the relation between intention and steps was weaker on days when barriers were more severe than usual for a given person (Estimate = -0.267; CI95 = [-0.340, -0.196]) and social support was below average for a given person (Est = 0.143; CI95 = [0.023, 0.262]). Additionally, the daily intention-behavior relationship was stronger for people with lower average severity of barriers (Est = -0.153; CI95 = [-0.268, -0.052]), higher exercise identity (Est = 0.300; CI95 = [0.047, 0.546]), men (Est = -1.294, CI95 = [-1.854, -0.707]), and older individuals (Est = 0.042, CI95 = [0.017, 0.064]). At the between-person level, only physical activity habit strengthened the intention-behavior link (Est = 0.794; CI95 = [0.090, 1.486]). Our results underscore the need to separate the between-person differences from the within-person fluctuations to better understand the individual dynamics in physical activity behaviors. Personalized interventions aimed at helping individuals translate intentions to actual physical activity could be tailored and become more intensive when there is a higher risk of intention-behavior gap on a given day for a specific individual (i.e., a day with more severe barriers and less social support), by increasing the dosage or deploying more precisely targeted intervention strategies and components. In addition, interventionists should take gender and age into account when tailoring everyday strategies to help individuals act on their intentions.

• Keywords
• Barriers, Intention, Intention-behavior gap, Physical activity, Social support,
• MeSH
• Bayes Theorem MeSH
• Exercise * MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Motor Activity MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• Intention * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH

BACKGROUND: Age and reduction in performed physical activity cause physiological changes that include an increase in body fat (BF) and visceral fat (VF) during aging. These parameters, together with increased body mass (BM), are some of the risk factors of several noninfectious diseases. However, changes in body composition can be influenced by regular physical activity. Running is a suitable, accessible, and the most effective physical activity cultivating people. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of long-term, regular PA, specifically recreational running, on changes in body composition among recreational adult runners covering a weekly distance of at least 10 km, compared with inactive adult individuals within the same age bracket. METHODS: The study included 1296 runners and inactive individuals (691 male and 605 female), divided into 5 age groups: 18-25, 26-35, 36-45, 46-55, and 56-65 years. Runners are as follows: ran ≥ 10 km/week, and inactive is as follows: did not follow the WHO 2020 physical activity recommendations. The measured parameters included BM, BF, and VF. To check statistical significance, the Mann-Whitney U-test was used. Practical significance was assessed using the effect of size. RESULTS: All age groups of runners were selected to include individuals who run at least 10 km per week. In fact, they ran, on average, from 21.6 to 31.4 km per week in relation to age and showed significantly lower values of BM, BMI, BF, and VF (p < 0.05) than inactive individuals. Exceptions included insignificant differences (p > 0.05) in BM and BMI in males in the age category of 18-25 and in females in the age category of 18-25 and 26-35. CONCLUSION: The selected runners had to run at least 10 km per week. Their actual average volume was significantly higher (from 21.6 to 31.4 km/week), and the results showed that it could lead to significantly better body composition values. It may lead to significant changes in body mass, body fat, and visceral fat. It may meet the contemporary societal expectations for physical activities that are both achievable and effective at the lowest possible volume.

• Keywords
• Body fat, Inactive individuals, Running, Visceral fat, Weight status,
• MeSH
• Running * physiology   MeSH
• Exercise MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Body Composition MeSH
• Body Weight MeSH
• Adipose Tissue MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Introduction: The heart rate performance curve (HRPC) in maximal incremental cycle ergometer exercise demonstrated three different patterns such as downward, linear or inverse versions. The downward pattern was found to be the most common and therefore termed regular. These patterns were shown to differently influence exercise prescription, but no data are available for running. This study investigated the deflection of the HRPC in maximal graded treadmill tests (GXT) of the 4HAIE study. Methods: Additional to maximal values, the first and second ventilatory thresholds as well as the degree and the direction of the HRPC deflection (kHR) were determined from 1,100 individuals (489 women) GXTs. HRPC deflection was categorized as downward (kHR < -0.1), linear (-0.1 ≤ kHR ≤ 0.1) or inverse (kHR > 0.1) curves. Four (even split) age- and two (median split) performance-groups were used to investigate the effects of age and performance on the distribution of regular (= downward deflection) and non-regular (= linear or inverse course) HR curves for male and female subjects. Results: Men (age: 36.8 ± 11.9 years, BMI: 25.0 ± 3.3 kg m-2, VO2max: 46.4 ± 9.4 mL min-1. kg-1) and women (age: 36.2 ± 11.9 years, BMI: 23.3 ± 3.7 kg m-2, VO2max: 37.4 ± 7.8 mL min-1. kg-1) presented 556/449 (91/92%) downward deflecting, 10/8 (2/2%) linear and 45/32 (7/6%) inverse HRPC´s. Chi-squared analysis revealed a significantly higher number of non-regular HRPC´s in the low-performance group and with increasing age. Binary logistic regression revealed that the odds ratio (OR) to show a non-regular HRPC is significantly affected by maximum performance (OR = 0.840, 95% CI = 0.754-0.936, p = 0.002) and age (OR = 1.042, 95% CI = 1.020-1.064, p < 0.001) but not sex. Discussion: As in cycle ergometer exercise, three different patterns for the HRPC were identified from the maximal graded treadmill exercise with the highest frequency of regular downward deflecting curves. Older subjects and subjects with a lower performance level had a higher probability to show a non-regular linear or inverted curve which needs to be considered for exercise prescription.

• Keywords
• exercise intensity, exercise prescription, heart rate turnpoint, performance diagnostics, thresholds,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH