scholarly journals Health consequences of exercise and inactivity: The endurance athlete: high aerobic capacity and improved longevity

2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 20-23
Author(s):  
Christopher Shaw ◽  
Anton Wagenmakers
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Endurance Athlete ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Endurance Performance ◽  
Endurance Athletes ◽  
World Record ◽  
Average Speed ◽  
Tour De France ◽  
Average Longevity ◽  
Do So

Adaptations to the cardiovascular, pulmonary and skeletal muscle systems allow endurance athletes to perform exercise for prolonged periods and delay the onset of fatigue. These adaptations explain why the current men's marathon world record holder can run 42.195 km (26.2 miles) in a little over 2 hours at an average speed of over 20 km/h. The adaptations which enable sustained endurance performance also offer protection against many chronic diseases and increase average lifespan. For example, former cyclists who competed in the Tour de France before 1964 demonstrated a 17% increase in average longevity compared with the general population1. Therefore studying the elite endurance athlete can give us clues as to how partaking in regular physical activity, or failure to do so, alters disease risk and life expectancy.

scholarly journals Physical activity, sedentary behavior and risk of coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Bahls ◽  
Michael F. Leitzmann ◽  
André Karch ◽  
Alexander Teumer ◽  
Marcus Dörr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Coronary Artery Disease ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Mendelian Randomization ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Artery Disease

Abstract Aims Observational evidence suggests that physical activity (PA) is inversely and sedentarism positively related with cardiovascular disease risk. We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to examine whether genetically predicted PA and sedentary behavior are related to coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke. Methods and results We used single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with self-reported moderate to vigorous PA (n = 17), accelerometer based PA (n = 7) and accelerometer fraction of accelerations > 425 milli-gravities (n = 7) as well as sedentary behavior (n = 6) in the UK Biobank as instrumental variables in a two sample MR approach to assess whether these exposures are related to coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction in the CARDIoGRAMplusC4D genome-wide association study (GWAS) or ischemic stroke in the MEGASTROKE GWAS. The study population included 42,096 cases of coronary artery disease (99,121 controls), 27,509 cases of myocardial infarction (99,121 controls), and 34,217 cases of ischemic stroke (404,630 controls). We found no associations between genetically predicted self-reported moderate to vigorous PA, accelerometer-based PA or accelerometer fraction of accelerations > 425 milli-gravities as well as sedentary behavior with coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke. Conclusions These results do not support a causal relationship between PA and sedentary behavior with risk of coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke. Hence, previous observational studies may have been biased. Graphic abstract

scholarly journals Efficacy of Popular Diets Applied by Endurance Athletes on Sports Performance: Beneficial or Detrimental? A Narrative Review

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 491
Author(s):  
Aslı Devrim-Lanpir ◽  
Lee Hill ◽  
Beat Knechtle
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Endurance Performance ◽  
Endurance Athletes ◽  
Intermittent Fasting ◽  
Nutritional Strategy ◽  
Current Perspective ◽  
Vegetarian Diets ◽  
Fat Diets ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Harsh Conditions

Endurance athletes need a regular and well-detailed nutrition program in order to fill their energy stores before training/racing, to provide nutritional support that will allow them to endure the harsh conditions during training/race, and to provide effective recovery after training/racing. Since exercise-related gastrointestinal symptoms can significantly affect performance, they also need to develop strategies to address these issues. All these factors force endurance athletes to constantly seek a better nutritional strategy. Therefore, several new dietary approaches have gained interest among endurance athletes in recent decades. This review provides a current perspective to five popular diet approaches: (a) vegetarian diets, (b) high-fat diets, (c) intermittent fasting diets, (d) gluten-free diet, and (e) low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diets. We reviewed scientific studies published from 1983 to January 2021 investigating the impact of these popular diets on the endurance performance and health aspects of endurance athletes. We also discuss all the beneficial and harmful aspects of these diets, and offer key suggestions for endurance athletes to consider when following these diets.

scholarly journals Reducing cardiovascular disease risk among families with familial hypercholesterolaemia by improving diet and physical activity: a randomised controlled feasibility trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e044200
Author(s):  
Fiona Jane Kinnear ◽  
Fiona E Lithander ◽  
Aidan Searle ◽  
Graham Bayly ◽  
Christina Wei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Familial Hypercholesterolaemia ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Sedentary Behaviours ◽  
Diet And Physical Activity ◽  
Randomised Controlled

ObjectiveFamilial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) elevates low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and increases cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study aimed to provide evidence for the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of an intervention designed to improve diet and physical activity in families with FH.DesignA parallel, randomised, waitlist-controlled, feasibility pilot trial.SettingThree outpatient lipid clinics in the UK.ParticipantsFamilies that comprised children (aged 10–18 years) and their parent with genetically diagnosed FH.InterventionFamilies were randomised to either 12-week usual care or intervention. The behavioural change intervention aimed to improve dietary, physical activity and sedentary behaviours. It was delivered to families by dietitians initially via a single face-to-face session and then by four telephone or email follow-up sessions.Outcome measuresFeasibility was assessed via measures related to recruitment, retention and intervention fidelity. Postintervention qualitative interviews were conducted to explore intervention acceptability. Behavioural (dietary intake, physical activity and sedentary time) and clinical (blood pressure, body composition and blood lipids) outcomes were collected at baseline and endpoint assessments to evaluate the intervention’s potential benefit.ResultsTwenty-one families (38% of those approached) were recruited which comprised 22 children and 17 adults with FH, and 97% of families completed the study. The intervention was implemented with high fidelity and the qualitative data revealed it was well accepted. Between-group differences at the endpoint assessment were indicative of the intervention’s potential for improving diet in children and adults. Evidence for potential benefits on physical activity and sedentary behaviours was less apparent. However, the intervention was associated with improvements in several CVD risk factors including LDL-C, with a within-group mean decrease of 8% (children) and 10% (adults).ConclusionsThe study’s recruitment, retention, acceptability and potential efficacy support the development of a definitive trial, subject to identified refinements.Trial registration numberISRCTN24880714.

scholarly journals Liver-Metabolizing Genes and Their Relationship to the Performance of Elite Spanish Male Endurance Athletes; a Prospective Transversal Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Varillas Delgado ◽  
Juan José Tellería Orriols ◽  
Carlos Martín Saborido
Keyword(s):  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Endurance Performance ◽  
Endurance Athletes ◽  
Genetic Profile ◽  
Glutathione S Transferase ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Genotypic Distribution ◽  
Endurance Runner ◽  
Cytochrome P450 Family ◽  
First Time

Abstract Background The genetic profile that is needed to define an endurance athlete has been studied during recent years. The main objective of this work is to approach for the first time the study of genetic variants in liver-metabolizing genes and their role in endurance performance by comparing the allelic and genotypic frequencies in elite endurance athletes to the non-athlete population. Methods Genotypic and allelic frequencies were determined in 123 elite endurance athletes (75 professional road cyclists and 48 endurance elite runners) and 122 male non-athlete subjects (sedentary). Genotyping of cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily D member 6 (CYP2D6 rs3892097), glutathione-S transferase mu isoform 1 (GSTM1), glutathione S-transferase pi (GSTP rs1695) and glutathione S-transferase theta (GSTT) genes was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The combination of the polymorphisms for the “optimal” polygenic profile has been quantified using the genotype score (GS). Results Statistical differences were found in the genetic distributions between elite endurance athletes and non-athletes in CYP2D6 (p < 0.001) and GSTT (p = 0.014) genes. The binary logistic regression model showed a favourable OR (odds ratio) of being an elite endurance runner against a professional road cyclist (OR: 2.403, 95% CI: 1.213–4.760 (p = 0.002)) in the polymorphisms studied. Conclusions Genotypic distribution of liver-metabolizing genes in elite endurance athletes is different to non-athlete subjects, with a favourable gene profile in elite endurance athletes in terms of detoxification capacity.

scholarly journals Supporting active ageing before retirement: a systematic review and meta-analysis of workplace physical activity interventions targeting older employees

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e045818
Author(s):  
Dafna Merom ◽  
Fiona Stanaway ◽  
Klaus Gebel ◽  
Joanna Sweeting ◽  
Anne Tiedemann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Active Ageing ◽  
Older Employees ◽  
Health And Fitness

ObjectiveWith the growing representation of older adults in the workforce, the health and fitness of older employees are critical to support active ageing policies. This systematic review aimed to characterise and evaluate the effects on physical activity (PA) and fitness outcomes of workplace PA interventions targeting older employees.DesignWe searched Medline, PreMedline, PsycInfo, CINAHL and the Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials (CENTRAL) for articles published from inception to 17 February 2020. Eligible studies were of any experimental design, included employees aged ≥50 years, had PA as an intervention component and reported PA-related outcomes.ResultsTitles and abstracts of 8168 records were screened, and 18 unique interventions were included (3309 participants). Twelve studies were randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Seven interventions targeted multiple risk factors (n=1640), involving screening for cardiovascular disease risk factors, but had a non-specific description of the PA intervention. Four interventions targeted nutrition and PA (n=1127), and seven (n=235) focused only on PA. Interventions overwhelmingly targeted aerobic PA, compared with only four interventions targeting strength and/or balance (n=106). No studies involved screening for falls/injury risk, and only two interventions targeted employees of low socioeconomic status. Computation of effect sizes (ESs) was only possible in a maximum of three RCTs per outcome. ESs were medium for PA behaviour (ES=0.25 95% CI −0.07 to 0.56), muscle strength (ES=0.27, 95% CI −0.26 to 0.80), cardiorespiratory fitness (ES=0.28, 95% CI −22 to 0.78), flexibility (ES=0.50, 95% CI −0.04 to 1.05) and balance (ES=0.74, 95% CI −0.21 to 1.69). Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria-rated quality of evidence was ‘low’ due to high risk of bias, imprecision and inconsistency.ConclusionsThe lack of high-quality effective workplace PA interventions contrasts the importance and urgency to improve the health and fitness in this population. Future interventions should incorporate strength and balance training and screening of falls/injury risk in multi risk factors approaches.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018084863. (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=84863).

scholarly journals Physical activity counselling in Ireland: a survey of doctors’ knowledge, attitudes and self-reported practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e000572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah O'Brien ◽  
Lucia Prihodova ◽  
Mairéad Heffron ◽  
Peter Wright
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Royal College ◽  
Patient Preference ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Pharmaceutical Intervention ◽  
And Training ◽  
Do So

ObjectivePhysical activity (PA) counselling has been shown to raise awareness of the importance of PA and to increase the rate of PA engagement among patients. While much attention has been paid to examining the knowledge, attitudes and practice of general practitioners in relation to PA counselling, there is less literature examining such issues in hospital-based doctors in Ireland and further afield. This study aimed to explore doctors’ PA counselling practices and to analyse how this related to their level of PA knowledge, training and attitudes.MethodsAn invitation to participate in an online survey was sent to 4692 members of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland who were listed as having an address in Ireland. Descriptive and explorative analyses of the data were performed using IBM SPSS V.22.0.ResultsA total of 595 valid responses were included (response rate 12.7%; 42.7% male, 42.6±12.1 years). The majority reported enquiring about PA levels (88.0%) and providing PA counselling (86.4%) in at least some of their patients. Doctors who saw it as their role and those who felt more effective/confident in providing PA counselling were significantly more likely to do so. A perceived lack of patient interest in PA and patient preference for pharmaceutical intervention were significant barriers to undertaking PA counselling.ConclusionThis study demonstrates the need for further education and training in PA counselling in Ireland with a particular focus on improving the attitudes and self-efficacy of doctors in this area at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

scholarly journals Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Profile in Women

1997 ◽  
Vol 146 (4) ◽  
pp. 322-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Pols ◽  
P. H. M. Peeters ◽  
J. W. R. Twisk ◽  
H. C. G. Kemper ◽  
D. E. Grobbee
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Risk Profile
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