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Running as a Key Lifestyle Medicine for Longevity
Abstract
Running is a popular and convenient leisure-time physical activity (PA) with a significant impact on longevity. In general, runners have a 25-40% reduced risk of premature mortality and live approximately 3years longer than non-runners. Recently, specific questions have emerged regarding the extent of the health benefits of running versus other types of PA, and perhaps more critically, whether there are diminishing returns on health and mortality outcomes with higher amounts of running. This review details the findings surrounding the impact of running on various health outcomes and premature mortality, highlights plausible underlying mechanisms linking running with chronic disease prevention and longevity, identifies the estimated additional life expectancy among runners and other active individuals, and discusses whether there is adequate evidence to suggest that longevity benefits are attenuated with higher doses of running.
... Especialmente, correr, incluso de 5 a 10 min / día y a velocidades lentas <6 millas / h, se asocia con riesgos marcadamente reducidos de muerte por todas las causas y enfermedades cardiovasculares, en comparación con los no corredores, los corredores tenían un 30% y un 45% menos de riesgo de mortalidad por todas las causas independientemente del sexo, la edad, el índice de masa corporal, las condiciones de salud, el tabaquismo y el consumo de alcohol (Lee et al., 2014). En general, los corredores viven aproximadamente 3 años más que los no corredores (Lee et al., 2017). ...
... Figura 1. Beneficios de la carrera de resistencia, así como su efecto en la prevención de enfermedades. Adaptado de Lee et al. (2017). ...
... Desde un punto de vista de la salud pública, correr puede ser la actividad más beneficiosa para el estilo de vida saludable, más importante que la prevención de otros factores de riesgo como el tabaquismo, la obesidad, la hipertensión y la diabetes (Duck chul Lee et al., 2017). Lee et al., (2014) comenta que no está claro qué cantidad de entrenamiento de la carrera es seguro y eficaz y si es posible realizar una cantidad excesiva de ejercicio; además, correr no es el mejor ejercicio para todos, ya que las condiciones médicas, ortopédicas u otras pueden restringir su uso por parte de muchas personas. ...
In recent years there has been a great increase in the practice of endurance sports such as long-distance running, cycling,
triathlon, etc., practiced mainly by adults between 35 and 55 years of age. The majority of this population has not practiced sports
before and is associated with habits that are harmful to health. They face this practice without any prior study and if prescribed by
professionals, this being a risk with undesirable consequences. In this article, the profile of this type of brokers and their characteristics,
benefits and risks are determined. Competition should be an expendable consequence of the love of endurance running as an
instrument to improve health, however, when competition is the cause of adherence to this sport, the runner may be exposed to
risks even in the psychosocial.
... Running is characterized by its nature of ease and simplicity, affordability of participation, and by the opportunity it provides to practice whenever and wherever possible (Janssen et al., 2017;Jungmalm et al., 2018). Running provides many health benefits, such as lower risks of cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, pulmonary, and even psychological and psychiatric diseases (Lee et al., 2014;Lee et al., 2017). Furthermore, sustained running over the longer term is related to reduced disability at higher ages as well as a significant survival advantage (Lee et al., 2014;Chakravarty et al., 2008;Samitz et al., 2011). ...
... Running is one of the most popular sports across the globe (Hulteen et al., 2017), a fortunate situation since running alleviates some of the adverse effects of the global physical inactivity pandemic (Guthold et al., 2018). Running also promotes longevity, helps to prevent chronic disease (Daskalopoulou et al., 2017;Fields et al., 2010;Lee et al., 2017), and has the potential to improve mood and mental health (Mikkelsen et al., 2017;Oswald et al., 2020;Pereira et al., 2021;Roeh et al., 2020). The underlying mechanisms have been proposed to relate to healthy behaviors and increased fitness (Fields et al., 2010;Lee et al., 2017), as well as through neurosteroid blood level changes (Pereira et al., 2021). ...
... Running also promotes longevity, helps to prevent chronic disease (Daskalopoulou et al., 2017;Fields et al., 2010;Lee et al., 2017), and has the potential to improve mood and mental health (Mikkelsen et al., 2017;Oswald et al., 2020;Pereira et al., 2021;Roeh et al., 2020). The underlying mechanisms have been proposed to relate to healthy behaviors and increased fitness (Fields et al., 2010;Lee et al., 2017), as well as through neurosteroid blood level changes (Pereira et al., 2021). ...
This dissertation discusses whether specific psychological factors contribute to our ability to understand and optimize the health outcomes of running. It provides information on coping, psychological risk profiles, an app intervention, and a self-assessment tool to determine one's risk for adverse health outcomes as a runner.
... It is assumed that outdoor competitions will resume faster than indoor, and this is especially true for competitions held in nature, that is, outside the stadiums. Given this, running events, which are very popular all over the world (Lee et al., 2017;Nowak, 2015;Zach et al., 2017;Scheer et al., 2020), might be a reasonable option to start with. Still, the attitudes of people belonging to the running community towards their participation in post covid-19 running events and towards their perception of safety protective measures have not been analysed to date. ...
... For many, running constitutes a permanent component of a healthy lifestyle; for others, it is a way of life and satisfactory leisure activity (Nowak, 2015). According to Lee et al. (2017), running is a popular and convenient leisure-time physical activity with a significant impact on longevity and in general, runners have a 25-40 reduced risk of premature mortality and live approximately 3 years longer than non-runners. ...
... An active lifestyle respects the environment and induces behaviours that can preserve and improve environmental health [7,9]. Regular running has confirmed health benefits [10][11][12][13][14], and a recent systematic review and meta-analysis indicates that running reduces the risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality by 27%, 30% and 23%, respectively [9]. The same research identifies a literature gap in studies that would include sustained running participation, reproducible assessment of running habits and accurate evaluation of running performance. ...
... When the cardiovascular and respiratory fitness of physically active subjects is evaluated, it can be helpful from motivational and financial perspectives to produce, besides health indices, data that can predict or proclaim individual performance determinants [39,40]. Furthermore, physical fitness as a health determinant can help in defining tools for public health improvement, as it has been proven that regular physical activity can prevent and manage non-communicable diseases [7,11]. ...
Background:
Running is a common recreational activity, and the number of long-distance-race participants is continuously growing. It is well-established that regular physical activity can prevent and manage non-communicable diseases and benefit public health. Training for a long-distance race requires development of specific aerobic abilities and should generate the desired race performance. The purpose of this study was to support the training design and motivation of recreational endurance runners, by investigating whether a 14.5 km race performance of long-distance runners correlates with their cardiopulmonary indices measured in the laboratory.
Methods:
To examine the relationships of a 14.5 km running performance with the cardiopulmonary parameters of amateur runners, a cross-sectional study design was applied. Fifteen (eleven men and four women) recreational long-distance runners (aged 41.3 ± 9.2 years) from Northern Greece were included in the study and were evaluated in the laboratory within one week before an endurance running race-the 14.5 km Philip Road race, in Greece. The laboratory-based examinations of the athletes consisted of a comprehensive medical pre-participation screening and maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
Results:
The results showed that the 14.5 km race performance time (73.8 ± 9.7 min) significantly correlated with the cardiopulmonary-exercise-testing speed-related indices at specific submaximal and maximal workloads (p < 0.01, p < 0.05), while the cardiopulmonary indices of oxygen uptake did not reliably predict race running time (p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
There is a better correlation of the 14.5 km running performance of recreational long-distance runners with the cardiopulmonary-exercise-testing speed-related indices at specific workloads than with the indices of oxygen uptake, running economy or respiratory economy. When preparing a training strategy, amateur long-distance runners should mostly rely on specific running-speed-related laboratory data rather than on oxygen-uptake values.
... Running benefits physical and mental health [1], reduces mortality from all causes [2] and is a low investment to start and stay physically active [3]. For these reasons, there is a continuous growth in adhesion and permanence in running training programs and a range of different configurations of competitions [4]. ...
... The reduced head acceleration contributes to keeping a stable visual field that may help avoid stumbling or other unexpected circumstances when running on an uneven track [36]. We speculate that the highest mass addition may have improved perception of load, and therefore con- [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] tributed to the adjustments in the running gesture aiming to mitigate the transmission of impact to the head by altering leg stiffness, as discussed in Silder et al. [37]. Additional measurements considering lower extremity angular kinematics could support this hypothesis. ...
Background: Different supports for hydration can influence total body mass and affect running biomechanics.
Research question: Do different hydration supports affect the perceived exertion and comfort, stride kinematics, and impact accelerations during running?
Methods: This was a crossover study design. Thirteen trail runners completed a treadmill running test divided into four different durations and randomized hydration supports conditions, lasting 8 min each at moderate intensity: A) waist bag (0.84 kg); B) medium load backpack (0.84 kg); C) full load backpack (3.40 kg); and D) a control condition without water support. Impact accelerations were measured for 30 s in 4, 6, and 8 minutes. The rate of perceived exertion and heart rate were registered on minutes 4 and 8. At the last minute of each condition, comfort perception was registered
Results and Significance: No condition affected the stride kinematics. Full load backpack condition reduced head acceleration peak (-0.21 g; p=0.04; ES=0.4) and head acceleration magnitude (-0.23 g; p=0.03; ES=0.4), and increased shock attenuation (3.08 g; p=0.04; ES=0.3). It also elicited higher perceived exertion (p<0.05; ES>0.8) being considered heavier (p < 0.01; ES > 1.1). The waist bag condition was more comfortable in terms of noise (p=0.006; ES=1.3) and humidity/heat (p=0.001; ES=0.8). The waist bag was the most comfortable support. On the other hand, the full backpack elicited lower comfort and was the only generating compensatory adjustments. These results may help to improve design of full load backpack aiming at comfort for runners.
... Recreational athletes may indeed reap the countless health benefits associated with running, including weight loss, cardiorespiratory fitness, lipoprotein profiles, mental health, and increased lifespan [5][6][7], but these rewards are concomitant with a high running-related injury (RRI) risk-defined herein as "running-related (training or competition) musculoskeletal pain in the lower limbs that causes a restriction or stoppage of running (distance, speed, duration, or training) for at least 7 days or 3 consecutive scheduled training sessions, or that requires the runners to consult a physician or other health professional" [8] (p. 375). ...
This study aimed to characterize running-related injuries (RRIs), explore their relationship with run and resistance training (RT) parameters, and identify perceived prevention measures among adult recreational runners. An anonymous online survey was designed and distributed via social media and email. Data were analyzed with chi-square, t-test, or analysis of variance (ANOVA), with significance accepted at p ≤ 0.05. Data from 616 participants (76.8% female, age: 42.3 ± 10.5 y) were analyzed. Most runners (84.4%) had an injury history, with 44.6% experiencing one in the past year. The most common RRI sites included the foot/ankle (30.9%) and knee (22.2%). RRI prevalence was higher in those running >19 miles weekly (48.4%, p = 0.05), but there were no differences based on RT participation status. Among those using RT, relatively more RRIs were observed in runners who trained the hip musculature (50.3%, p = 0.005) and did not include the upper body (61.6%, p < 0.001). A disproportionately high RRI prevalence was found for several of the other risk-reduction strategies. RRIs remain a substantial problem, particularly around the ankle/foot and knee. Higher run volume and performance motives were positively associated with RRIs. Most runners incorporated RRI risk-reduction techniques, with over half using RT. The current study did not determine whether preventative strategies were implemented before or after injury; therefore, prospective studies controlling for previous injuries are required to evaluate the effectiveness of RT in preventing future RRIs.
... Running has become increasingly popular mainly for its health benefits. [1][2][3] The number of runners has increased to more than 60 million people worldwide in recent years. 4 However, runningrelated injuries (RRI) are reported by up to 79% of recreational runners and often result in individuals stopping or limiting their running. ...
There are relatively few running studies that have attempted to prospectively identify biomechanical risk factors associated with Achilles tendon (AT) injuries. Therefore, the aim was to prospectively determine potential running biomechanical risk factors associated with the development of AT injuries in recreational, healthy runners. At study entry, 108 participants completed a set of questionnaires. They underwent an analysis of their running biomechanics at self-selected running speed. The incidence of AT running-related injuries (RRI) was assessed after 1-year using a weekly questionnaire standardized for RRI. Potential biomechanical risk factors for the development of AT RRI injury were identified using multivariable logistic regression. Of the 103 participants, 25% of the sample (15 males and 11 females) reported an AT RRI on the right lower limb during the 1-year evaluation period. A more flexed knee at initial contact (odds ratio = 1.146, P = .034) and at the midstance phase (odds ratio = 1.143, P = .037) were significant predictors for developing AT RRI. The results suggested that a 1-degree increase in knee flexion at initial contact and midstance was associated with a 15% increase in the risk of an AT RRI, thus causing a limitation of training or a stoppage of running in runners.
... Ageing is associated with normal and significant changes in musculoskeletal function (Hall et al., 2017;McKean et al., 2006;Mckendry et al., 2018). Masters runners demonstrate a natural slowing of the musculoskeletal and physiological systems that are typically seen with normal ageing (Lee et al., 2017;Trappe, 2001). While these changes may begin as early as 30 years of age, more significant declines are seen between 50 and 75 years of age (Hall et al., 2017;Knobloch et al., 2008;McKean et al., 2006;Willy & Paquette, 2019). ...
The number of individuals over 50 years of age participating in recreational and competitive running has increased over the past ten years. It has been established that older runners experience a reduction in strength and power. These changes may contribute to different running biomechanics from younger runners. The purpose of this study was to synthesise the current evidence on running biomechanical differences in the lower extremity between masters runners over 50 years and younger runners under 40 years. The systematic data search included CINAHL, MEDLINE, and SPORTDiscus databases. Fourteen cross-sectional studies that compared lower extremity biomechanics of masters runners to younger runners were included. Masters runners demonstrated increased peak hip extension, with mixed results at the knee and ankle. Masters runners demonstrated decreased horizontal, peak propulsive, and active vertical peak ground reaction forces compared to younger runners. Joint powers and moments were consistently decreased at the ankle with no significant differences at the knee or hip. Masters runners demonstrate different kinematics and kinetics compared to younger runners with the greatest changes at the ankle. The results of this review may be beneficial for future studies investigating whether these differences are reversible.
... In European countries, between 12.5 and 31% of the population practice running for pleasure with no fixed distance and probably do not participate in any running competitions; hence, they are referred to as recreational runners (RRs) [2]. This sport has gained popularity because of multiple advantages: it does not need a special place or equipment for practice, and it has great beneficial effects on physical and mental health, which might decrease the mortality rate by 25-40% [3]. Moreover, running has been considered a contributing factor in normalizing lean/fat body mass, improving resting heart rate, enhancing cardiovascular fitness, and helping in the cessation of smoking [4]. ...
Hussein, H.M.; Kamel, W.M.; Kamel, E.M.; Attyia, M.R.; Acar, T.; Kanwal, R.; Ibrahim, A.A. The Effect of Kinesio Taping on Balance and Dynamic Stability in College-Age Recreational Runners with Ankle Instability. Healthcare 2023, 11, 1749. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/healthcare11121749
... Running distance was used as a categorical variable (≤5 km/week; 6-20 km/week; 21-40 km/week; > 40 km/ week). Since an increased risk of all running-related injuries when running was reported with distances of more than 64 km per week, and the recommended upper limit of running distance for longevity benefits was suggested to be 48 km per week, we established a reference group of physically active individuals whose training distance was in the range of 21-40 km per week (Lee et al., 2017;Nielsen et al., 2012). All models were controlled for age (continuous) and sex (male; female). ...
Achilles tendinopathy was reported to have the highest incidence proportion of all running-related injuries. The purpose of this study was to analyse the association between the Achilles tendon structure and running activity status. 350 healthy participants (runners and inactive controls, 30-50 years) participated in this research. Each participant completed questionnaires: socioeconomic, psychological, physical activity habits, running status and history and VISA-A. Magnetic resonance imaging, anthropological, running biomechanics and 14 days of physical activity monitoring assessments were performed. There was a higher odd of being in the upper quartile of the Achilles tendon T2* relaxation time with higher maximal knee extension moment independent of age and sex. Compared with runners who ran 21-40 km per week, non-runners and those who ran more than 40 km per week had increased odds of having longest the Achilles tendon T2* relaxation time. Regular running of 21 to 40 km per week is related to the Achilles tendon T2* relaxation time indicating possibly better water content and collagen orientation in these runners with compare to inactive non-runners or highly active individuals. In addition, Achilles tendon T2* relaxation time as indirect indicator of the Achilles tendon structure was positively related to the maximal knee extension moment during running.
... R unning has grown in popularity in the past six decades because of its accessibility, major health benefits, and low cost (1,2). On the other hand, running poses a major injury risk, with injury prevalence numbers of 44.6% on average (3). ...
Purpose:
Patellofemoral pain syndrome and patellar tendinopathy are important running-related overuse injuries. This study investigated the interaction of running speed and step frequency alterations on peak and cumulative patellofemoral joint stress (PFJS) and patellar tendon force (PTF) parameters.
Methods:
Twelve healthy individuals completed an incremental running speed protocol on a treadmill at habitual, increased and decreased step frequency. Peak PFJS and PTF, peak rate of PFJS and PTF development and PFJS and PTF impulse per kilometre (km) were calculated using musculoskeletal modelling.
Results:
With increasing running speed, peak PFJS (p < 0.001) and PTF (p < 0.001) and peak rate of PFJS (p < 0.001) and PTF (p < 0.001) development increased, while PFJS (p < 0.001) and PTF (p < 0.001) impulse per km decreased. While increasing step frequency by 10%, the peak PFJS (p < 0.001) and PTF (p < 0.001) and the PFJS (p < 0.001) and PTF (p < 0.001) impulse per km decreased. No significant effect of step frequency alteration was found for the peak rate of PFJS (p = 0.008) and PTF (p = 0.213) development. A significant interaction effect was found for PFJS (p < 0.001) and PTF (p < 0.001) impulse per km suggesting that step frequency alteration was more effective at low running speed.
Conclusions:
The effectiveness of step frequency alteration on PFJS and PTF impulse per km is dependent on the running speed. With regard to peak PFJS and PTF, step frequency alteration is equally effective at low and high running speeds. Step frequency alteration was not effective for peak rate of PFJS and PTF development. These findings can assist the optimisation of patellofemoral joint and patellar tendon load management strategies.
... Running is one of the most popular modes of physical activity and has numerous health benefits. 1 However, running-related injuries (eg, stress fractures, patellofemoral pain) 2 are common, especially among female runners. 3 As a result, it is important to develop effective approaches to prevent and treat running-related injuries. ...
Context:
Previous studies have found that instructions promoting an external focus (EF) tend to be more effective for movement pattern retraining compared to instructions promoting an internal focus (IF), for a variety of movement tasks. However, few studies have examined how different types of instructions affect running mechanics associated with running-related injury risk. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the effects of instructions promoting different attentional foci on impact forces during running.
Design:
Cross-sectional study.
Methods:
Twenty uninjured female recreational runners ran at a self-selected speed with their typical pattern (no instructions condition) on an instrumented treadmill that measured ground reaction forces. Next, they were given 2 sets of instructions intended to alter their running pattern; one promoted an IF and the other promoted an EF. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare impact peaks and loading rates across the conditions (no instructions, IF, and EF), with post hoc tests conducted in the case of a significant omnibus test.
Results:
There were differences among the conditions in the impact peaks (P < .001) and loading rates (P < .001). Impact peaks were lower for the IF (P = .002) and EF (P < .001) conditions compared to the no instructions condition. Loading rates were lower for the EF condition compared to the no instructions (P < .001) and IF (P < .001) conditions; there was no difference between the IF and no instructions conditions (P = .24).
Conclusions:
Our findings indicate that instructions promoting an EF may be more effective at reducing loading rates during running compared to instructions promoting an IF. Clinicians should consider these findings when attempting to retrain a runner's running pattern.
... Nowadays, there are hundreds of millions of runners all over the world and the number is constantly increasing (Breuer et al., 2011;Hulteen et al., 2017;Leslie et al., 2004). Running demonstrates positive impacts on both physical and mental health, including dramatical reduction of cardiovascular disease, depression, and anxiety disorders (Chakravarty et al., 2008;Lavie et al., 2015;Lee et al., 2017;Lee et al., 2014;Oja et al., 2017). Thus, the running-friendly SE is becoming more important for urban residents. ...
The built environment is found to relate to running behaviors. However, the impacts of the street environment on running were less addressed due to the lack of running data in large geospatial urban regions, while the potential of semi-open data sources like Strava Heatmap for running studies is rarely verified. Moreover, how objective features and subjective perceptions of the street environment are related to running is still largely unknown. We hypothesize that the eye-level subjective and objective streetscapes may complement the macro-scale built environment factors to better inform running amount prediction. Therefore, we evaluated the associations between running and street attributes by applying multi-sourced data, street view imagery (SVI) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, taking Boston as an example. We found that, first, the street environment is significantly correlated with running. Accounting for the spatial effects, the collective strength of street attributes was almost the same as the counterpart of the built environment, validating the value of including subjective and objective streetscapes measures in running studies. Second, street factors can complement built environment factors, indicating the necessity of using both macro-scale and eye-level environmental features to interpret running. Third, in addition to higher accessibility and more public transportation, the safer, wider and relatively open streets with more natural views, street lights, amenities and furniture, could promote running, while the enclosed environment, dense and overwhelming buildings, and excessive interruptions on streets might hinder running. Our study provides an important example of using semi-open running data and integrating multi-sourced data and AI to bring new insights into running and urban environmental studies. The findings could provide instructive suggestions for the establishment of a running-friendly urban environment and ultimately help to improve public health.
... It is well known that running has a significant impact on health and overall well-being, and it is feasible to include it in everyday life [1]. In the last couple of years, breaking the barriers of human performance in road running has been the central focus of many researchers [2,3]. ...
This paper compares cardiopulmonary and neuromuscular parameters across three running aerobic speeds in two conditions that differed from a treadmill’s movement: flat condition (FC) and unpredictable roll variations similar to mountain trail running (URV). Twenty well-trained male runners (age 33 ± 8 years, body mass 70.3 ± 6.4 kg, height 1.77 ± 0.06 m, V˙O2max 63.8 ± 7.2 mL·kg−1·min−1) voluntarily participated in the study. Laboratory sessions consisted of a cardiopulmonary incremental ramp test (IRT) and two experimental protocols. Cardiopulmonary parameters, plasma lactate (BLa−), cadence, ground contact time (GT) and RPE values were assessed. We also recorded surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals from eight lower limb muscles, and we calculated, from the sEMG envelope, the amplitude and width of peak muscle activation for each step. Cardiopulmonary parameters were not significantly different between conditions (V˙O2: p = 0.104; BLa−: p = 0.214; HR: p = 0.788). The amplitude (p = 0.271) and width (p = 0.057) of sEMG activation peaks did not change between conditions. The variability of sEMG was significantly affected by conditions; indeed, the coefficient of variation in peak amplitude (p = 0.003) and peak width (p < 0.001) was higher in URV than in FC. Since the specific physical demands of running can differ between surfaces, coaches should resort to the use of non-traditional surfaces, emphasizing specific surface-related motor tasks that are normally observed in natural running environments. Seeing that the variability of muscle activations was affected, further studies are required to better understand the physiological effects induced by systematic surface-specific training and to define how variable-surface activities help injury prevention.
... Lari adalah salah satu kegiatan fisik yang populer dimasyarakat dan diyakini berpengaruh besar untuk menjaga kesehatan (De Jonge et al., 2020;Lee et al., 2017). Selain itu, masyarakat dapat merasakan manfaat latihan berlari dalam melaksanakan kegiatan kesehariannya (De Jonge et al., 2020). ...
Kecepatan lari adalah produk dari panjang langkah dan frekuensi langkah dan oleh karena harus dipahami oleh atlet. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis penampilan lari 100 meter atlet sprinter elit Indonesia. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian deskriptif kuantitatif-kualitatif. Desain penelitian ini adalah komparasi. Subjek dari penelitian ini adalah Lalu Muhammad Zohri pada saat Kejuaraan Atletik Junior di Finlandia 2018, Asian Games 2018, dan Olimpiade Tokyo 2020. Komponen variabel pada penelitian ini adalah Stride, Arm extension, Elbow flexion, trunk flexion, Knee height. Instrumen dalam penelitian ini menggunakan software kinovea. Hasil dari penelitian ini tidak ada perbedaan yang signifikan antara stride pada ketiga kejuaraan dan ada perbedaan yang signifikan pada komponen arm extension, elbow flexion, trunk flexion, dan knee height pada kejuaraan dunia junior 2018, Asian Games 2018, dan Olimpiade Tokyo 2020. Analisis data menggunakan uji friedman test. Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah tidak ada perbedaan yang signifikan antara stride pada ketiga kejuaraan. Perbedaan signifikan ditemukan pada arm extension, elbow flexion, trunk flexion, dan knee height antara ketiga kejuaraan yang diikuti oleh Lalu Muhammad Zohri. Hasil capaian Lalu Muhammad Zohri pada Kejuaraan dunia Junior 2018 dengan catatan waktu 10.18 detik menunjukkan arm extension (100,68 ± 21,60º) dan trunk flexion (117,96 ± 14,50º) lebih besar dari yang dua kejuaraan lainnya. Sehingga kecepatan maksimum merupakan kombinasi dari kemampuan motorik dan teknik lari sprint yang sangat rasional.
... Running is the most popular type of exercise for people of all ages. Furthermore, running benefits total functional performance, including cardiorespiratory capacity development (1) . On the other hand, it can result in injuries to the body structure due to accidents or the usage of the wrong shoes or field. ...
Chronic ankle instability can affect speed, plantar flexion reaction time and, dynamic balance, all of which are important aspects of running performance. Core muscle activity on both a stable and an unstable exercise can directly enhance performance. However, there remains a paucity of understanding about the effects of different types of exercise on running performance. Thus, the purpose of this research was to compare the effects of sling and floor exercise on running speed, plantar flexion reaction time, and dynamic balance. Twenty-two participants with chronic ankle instability were enrolled in this study. Participants were split into two groups, each receiving core muscle training three times per week for four weeks. Running speed, plantar flexion reaction time, and dynamic balance were assessed using a single beam photocell timer, electromyography, and Y Balance Test™ at baseline and after four weeks of training. As a result, statistical improvements in running speed, plantar flexion reaction time and dynamic balance were shown in the sling group (11.50 vs. 10.95, p-value = 0.016, 369.08 vs. 240.15, p-value = 0.006 and 79.61 vs. 86.27, p-value = 0.036, respectively). However, the floor group showed only dynamic balance (84.98 vs. 96.53, p-value < 0.001) compared to the baseline. Further, there was a statistical difference after exercise in plantar flexion reaction time and dynamic balance (240.15 vs. 334.19, p-value = 0.042 and 86.27 vs. 96.53, p-value = 0.005, respectively). Thus, the results showed that four weeks of a sling and floor-based core muscle training program could increase running performance. To summarize, sling exercise focuses on speed, whereas floor exercise emphasizes balance.
... Running is a sports activity that provides great health benefits, improves the general physical condition [1], prevents cardiovascular diseases [2], and has a positive impact on mental health [3]. Various factors related to the foot and its support, such as the ergonomics of the shoe or the running technique, have been exhaustively studied, but the type of sock used has received little attention in the literature. ...
Socks with the same three-dimensional plantar design but with different compositions in the separation of their weaves could have different thermoregulatory effects. The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate the temperatures on the sole of the foot after a 10-km run using two models of socks with different weave separations. In a sample of 20 individuals (14 men and 6 women), plantar temperatures were analyzed using a Flir E60bx® (Flir Systems) thermographic camera before and after a run of 10 km wearing two models of socks that had different separations between the fabric weaves (5 mm versus 3 mm). After the post-exercise thermographic analysis, the participants responded to a Likert-type survey to evaluate the physiological characteristics of the two models of socks. There was a significant increase of temperature (+4 °C, p < 0.001) after the 10-km run with both models of sock. However, the temperature under the 1st metatarsal head was higher with the AWC 2.1 model than with the AWC 1 (33.6 ± 2.0 °C vs. 33.2 ± 2.1 °C, p = 0.014). No significant differences were found in the scores on the physiological characteristics comfort survey (p > 0.05 in all cases). The two models presented similar thermoregulatory effects on the soles of the feet, although the model with the narrowest weave separation generated greater temperatures (+0.4 °C) under the first metatarsal head.
... Running is a popular physical exercise, as it requires little equipment, is time-efficient and health beneficial (Mehl et al., 2011). Accordingly, there is evidence that running exercise can improve cardiorespiratory fitness and bone strength (Lee et al., 2017), brain function (Vivar and van Praag, 2017) and psychological well-being (Nezlek et al., 2018). At the same time, running is a demanding exercise for the cardiorespiratory system, and compromised energy supply and/or oxygen transport to the muscles might accelerate the fatigue process during exercising. ...
Background: There is evidence that fully recovered COVID-19 patients usually resume physical exercise, but do not perform at the same intensity level performed prior to infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 infection and recovery as well as muscle fatigue on cardiorespiratory fitness and running biomechanics in female recreational runners. Methods: Twenty-eight females were divided into a group of hospitalized and recovered COVID-19 patients (COV, n = 14, at least 14 days following recovery) and a group of healthy age-matched controls (CTR, n = 14). Ground reaction forces from stepping on a force plate while barefoot overground running at 3.3 m/s was measured before and after a fatiguing protocol. The fatigue protocol consisted of incrementally increasing running speed until reaching a score of 13 on the 6–20 Borg scale, followed by steady-state running until exhaustion. The effects of group and fatigue were assessed for steady-state running duration, steady-state running speed, ground contact time, vertical instantaneous loading rate and peak propulsion force. Results: COV runners completed only 56% of the running time achieved by the CTR (p < 0.0001), and at a 26% slower steady-state running speed (p < 0.0001). There were fatigue-related reductions in loading rate (p = 0.004) without group differences. Increased ground contact time (p = 0.002) and reduced peak propulsion force (p = 0.005) were found for COV when compared to CTR. Conclusion: Our results suggest that female runners who recovered from COVID-19 showed compromised running endurance and altered running kinetics in the form of longer stance periods and weaker propulsion forces. More research is needed in this area using larger sample sizes to confirm our study findings.
... As a convenient, comparatively low-cost and non-organized exercise for all ages (Hodgson & Hitchings, 2018;Janssen et al., 2017), running activity has become one of the most popular sport activities in Europe (Scheerder & Breedveld, 2015). Running exercise is beneficial to reduce risks of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity and cancers, as well as boosting emotional wellness by releasing stress, avoiding cognitive decline and preventing memory disorders (Lee et al., 2017;Oja et al., 2017). Overlapping with the ideas of walkability and cycle-friendly cities, running-friendly cities also require superior accessibility, linkages, safety, esthetic and design considerations (Boakye et al., 2021;Schuurman et al., 2021). ...
Understanding the influence of built environment on running behaviour is a significant step towards developing related landscape strategies. This paper adopted a volunteered geographic information (VGI) approach to measure urban runnability by quantifying environmental features that encourage or hinder running activities. The GPS-based routes collected from Strava were used to compute the running intensity of street segments in Helsinki, Finland. We applied multilevel regression models to assess the spatial-varied impacts of street environment on running intensity, so as to elicit runner's preferences and investigate their associations with sociodemographic characteristics at higher hierarchical level (neighbourhood). The results showed street greenery assessed by Green View Index (GVI) represented the greenness exposure to runners better than top-down greenness assessed by Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and thus can be considered as a more reliable predictor for running behaviours. Blue space density was the predominant factor and associated with running intensity positively. Running intensity negatively correlated with urban density, connectivity and traffic accidents, and positively correlated with traffic noise and air pollution. Population density and income level were positively associated with running intensity. These results provide profound insights and boost our capacity to design more attractive and sustainable streets for physical activity.
... El ejercicio físico reporta beneficios sustanciosos para la salud, lo que repercute positivamente en la calidad de vida. Niveles adecuados de actividad física disminuyen el riesgo de desarrollar patologías cardiovasculares, reducen el riesgo de muerte y contribuyen a la salud mental (Penedo y Dahn, 2005; Lollgen y Knapp, 2009; Lee et al., 2017). Sin embargo, su relación descontrolada e inocente con las redes sociales puede traducirse en efectos físicos y emocionales perniciosos, por lo que se precisa de un conocimiento previo y de un análisis maduro de las posibles consecuencias. ...
Numerous scientific studies have observed how digital social networks significantly affect the users' mental health. This research sought to investigate whether new sports technology tools, which record multiple activity data but also enhance social interaction within digital communities, have a detrimental effect on athletes' emotional health as they are under the pressure of constant self-improvement due to social scrutiny. Strava has become the world's largest sports community and research is largely focused on its users.
... Running has attracted extensive participation over the past decades for the benefits of physical fitness and health improvement. Due to the easy accessibility, running has become the most convenient physical activity around the globe, showing lower risks of all-cause mortality and increased life longevity [1,2]. Specifically, being a most efficient form of exercise, running was proven with positive effect in prevention of chronic disease, such as over-weight (high BMI), cardiovascular disease, cancer mortality and several other healthy issues [2,3,4,5]. ...
This study presents a database of joint angles, moments, and forces of the lower extremity from distance running at a submaximal speed in recreational runners. Twenty recreational runners participated in two experimental sessions, specifically pre and post a 5k treadmill run, with a synchronous collection of markers trajectories and ground reaction forces for both limbs in walking and running trials. The raw data in C3D files could be used for musculoskeletal modelling. Extra datasets of joint angles, moments, and forces are presented ready-for-use in MAT files, which could be as reference for study of biomechanical alterations from distance running. Applying advanced data processing techniques (Machine Learning algorithms) to these datasets (C3D & MAT), such as Principal Component Analysis, could extract key features of variation, thus potentially being applied for correlation with accelerometric and gyroscope parameters from wearable sensors during field running. Dataset of multi-segmental foot could be another contribution for the investigation of foot complex biomechanics from distance running. The dataset from Asian males may also be used for population-based studies of running biomechanics.
... 362,363 Exercise has been demonstrated to be an effective geroprotector to improve the lifespan and healthspan in humans. Vigorous exercise, such as running, at middle and older ages, is associated with reduced disability in later life and reduced mortality, 364,365 and leisure time physical activity of moderate to vigorous intensity is associated with longer life expectancy. 366 In clinical intervention studies, exercise is found to reverse a series of aging-related diseases, including heart failure, 367-371 cognitive decline, 372,373 atherosclerosis, 374 and insulin resistance. ...
Aging is accompanied by the decline of organismal functions and a series of prominent hallmarks, including genetic and epigenetic alterations. These aging-associated epigenetic changes include DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodeling, non-coding RNA (ncRNA) regulation, and RNA modification, all of which participate in the regulation of the aging process, and hence contribute to aging-related diseases. Therefore, understanding the epigenetic mechanisms in aging will provide new avenues to develop strategies to delay aging. Indeed, aging interventions based on manipulating epigenetic mechanisms have led to the alleviation of aging or the extension of the lifespan in animal models. Small molecule-based therapies and reprogramming strategies that enable epigenetic rejuvenation have been developed for ameliorating or reversing aging-related conditions. In addition, adopting health-promoting activities, such as caloric restriction, exercise, and calibrating circadian rhythm, has been demonstrated to delay aging. Furthermore, various clinical trials for aging intervention are ongoing, providing more evidence of the safety and efficacy of these therapies. Here, we review recent work on the epigenetic regulation of aging and outline the advances in intervention strategies for aging and age-associated diseases. A better understanding of the critical roles of epigenetics in the aging process will lead to more clinical advances in the prevention of human aging and therapy of aging-related diseases.
... Running is a sports activity that provides great health benefits, improves the general physical condition [1], prevents cardiovascular diseases [2], and has a positive impact on mental health [3]. Various factors related to the foot and its support, such as the ergonomics of the shoe or the running technique, have been exhaustively studied, but the type of sock used has received little attention in the literature. ...
Socks with the same three-dimensional plantar design, but with different compositions in the separation of their weaves could have different thermoregulatory effects. The objective of this study was therefore to evaluate the temperatures on the sole of the foot after a 10-km run, using two models of socks with different weave separations. In a sample of 20 individuals (14 men and 6 women), plantar temperatures were analysed using a Flir E60bx® (Flir Systems) thermographic camera before and after a run of 10 km wearing two models of socks that had different separations between the fabric weaves (5 mm versus 3 mm). After the post-exercise thermographic analysis, the participants responded to a Likert type survey to evaluate the physiological characteristics of the two models of socks. There was a significant increase in temperature in the areas of interest (p<0.001) after the 10-km run with both models of sock. The temperature under the 1st metatarsal head was higher with the AWC 2.1 model than with the AWC 1 (33.6±2.0°C vs 33.2±2.1°C) (p = 0.014). No significant differences were found in the scores on the physiological characteristics comfort survey (p>0.05 in all cases. The two models presented similar thermoregulatory effects on the soles of the feet, although the model with the narrowest weave separation generated greater temperatures (+0.4°C) under the first metatarsal head.
... Furthermore, distance running offers much potential to improve physical (e.g., increases in HDL cholesterol 7 , reduced resting blood pressure 8 ) and mental well-being 9 . Pedisic et al. (2020) pointed out that increasing running participation, regardless of the dose, would already lead to improvements in population health and longevity as long as it is performed regularly for a lifetime 11 . Therefore, minimizing the factors that force people to stop running is vital to maintain the health benefits of running. ...
... Running is one of the most popular types of exercise (Lee et al., 2017), and individuals seeking a healthier lifestyle often (re)start with running (Ottesen et al., 2010). A large number of those who initiate exercising do so after long periods of sedentary living or physical inactivity (i.a. ...
Experiencing negative affect during exercise partially explains high levels of physical inactivity. An important direction for research is to better understand how and why interindividual differences in affective experiences occur while exercising. The dual-mode theory suggests that the interaction of cognitive processes and interoceptive cues influence the affective response. Hence, attentional control in form of adopting an external or internal attentional focus could lead to different affective responses depending on intensity. This study examines possible interactions between self-selected running intensities and attentional focus on affect. Fifty-eight inexperienced runners (30.14 ± 9.19 years; 38% female) ran 9 × 3 min outdoors around a large pond. While running at three intensities, they were instructed to focus on their breathing, on the environment, or did not receive an instruction. Dependent measures were affect, heart rate, and speed. The results revealed a significant interaction between attentional focus and intensity on affect (p = .01, η²p = .08). At subjectively perceived light intensity, participants’ affective outcomes benefit from non-focusing attention, whereas during hard intensity the opposite seems helpful: to focus on breathing or to the environment. These findings shed new light on the interaction of focusing attention and running intensity to improve the affective experience.
... Running is popular, easily accessible and provides significant physiological and psychological health benefits, 1 2 including a 40% lower risk of premature mortality. 3 Running is also associated with a high incidence of musculoskeletal pain and injury, 4 leading to considerable burden to individuals 5 and healthcare systems. 1 The knee is the most common site for running-related injury, with prevalence rates reported to be as high as 31% across all runners. 6 Patellofemoral pain is the most common runningrelated injury, [7][8][9] accounting for 17% of all injuries. ...
Objective
To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to prevent and manage knee injuries in runners.
Design
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Data sources
MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science and SPORTDiscus up to May 2022.
Eligibility criteria for selecting studies
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with a primary aim of evaluating the effectiveness of intervention(s) to prevent or manage running-related knee injury.
Results
Thirty RCTs (18 prevention, 12 management) analysed multiple interventions in novice and recreational running populations. Low-certainty evidence (one trial, 320 participants) indicated that running technique retraining (to land softer) reduced the risk of knee injury compared with control treadmill running (risk ratio (RR) 0.32, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.63). Very low-certainty to low-certainty evidence from 17 other prevention trials (participant range: 24 –3287) indicated that various footwear options, multicomponent exercise therapy, graduated running programmes and online and in person injury prevention education programmes did not influence knee injury risk (RR range: 0.55–1.06). In runners with patellofemoral pain, very low-certainty to low-certainty evidence indicated that running technique retraining strategies, medial-wedged foot orthoses, multicomponent exercise therapy and osteopathic manipulation can reduce knee pain in the short-term (standardised mean difference range: −4.96 to −0.90).
Conclusion
There is low-certainty evidence that running technique retraining to land softer may reduce knee injury risk by two-thirds. Very low-certainty to low-certainty evidence suggests that running-related patellofemoral pain may be effectively managed through a variety of active (eg, running technique retraining, multicomponent exercise therapy) and passive interventions (eg, foot orthoses, osteopathic manipulation).
PROSPERO registration number
CRD42020150630
... [4] A RRI can be a source of immense psychological and psychosocial stress for runners, [5] especially when considering the physical, mental, and social benefits of running. [6] Runners therefore tend to engage in various untested and ill-advised practices to continue running despite injury. The use of analgesics, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), is one option that runners may consider to facilitate continued participation in running. ...
Background:
The use of analgesics is prevalent in runners, with the associated potential for serious harm. However, there is limited information regarding runners' knowledge and attitudes towards the use of analgesics in relation to running.
Objectives:
To describe South African-based runners' knowledge and attitudes regarding running-related analgesic use.
Methods:
This study has a descriptive, cross-sectional design. South African-based runners, over the age of 18 who ran at least one race in the year preceding the study were included in this study. Participants completed an online questionnaire, including sections on demographic information, training and competition history, pain medication use, and knowledge and attitudes regarding running-related analgesic use.
Results:
Data from 332 participants were analysed. Attitudes regarding the use of analgesics in relation to running were generally positive; however, knowledge was poor, with only 20% of participants achieving adequate knowledge scores (75% or above). Very few (n=49; 15%) had both adequate knowledge and positive attitudes, with most respondents (n=188; 58%) having inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes. Negative attitudes towards the use of analgesics were found to increase the odds of running-related analgesic use (OR 2.32; 95% CI:1.31-4.11).
Conclusion:
Knowledge regarding running-related use of analgesics was inadequate. Despite a lack of knowledge, attitudes were positive. Participants displayed positive attitudes towards safe practice regarding running-related analgesic use, but these did not translate into good practice. Targeted interventions are required to educate runners and improve their knowledge of all the effects associated with running-related analgesic use.
... Running is an increasingly popular form of exercise that provides numerous health benefits. 1 In aging runners, running has been associated with decreased disability and mortality. 2 However, aging is associated with several physiological and biomechanical changes that may interfere with aging adults participating in the sport of running. ...
Sex-based analyses are important when studying running kinematics. Females experience a unique aging process and demonstrate differences in running biomechanics from males. The purpose was to determine the relationship between age and running kinematics in female runners. Forty-six female runners (18–65 y) ran at self-selected jogging and maximal speed on a treadmill. Lower-extremity joint kinematics were calculated, and 2 principal component analyses (jogging speed and maximal speed) were performed from kinematic variables. Regression was used to examine the relationship between age and identified components, and between age and the variables with the highest loadings within these components. For jogging speed, there was a positive relationship between age and ankle varus at initial contact and a negative relationship between age and peak eversion, hip adduction, knee flexion, dorsiflexion, and hip adduction at initial contact ( P s < .05). For maximal speed, initial contact ankle frontal plane angle became more positive with age, and there was a negative relationship with age and peak eversion, dorsiflexion and knee flexion, and knee flexion and hip adduction at initial contact ( P s < .05). Primarily distal joint angles decreased with increasing age in female recreational runners at self-selected running speeds.
... Individuals who meet the physical activity (PA) guidelines live 3 to 4 years longer on average than their inactive counterparts (1). While impressive, these longevity estimates are generated from studies that assessed mortality outcomes among people who actually met only half the PA guidelinesthe aerobic half. ...
The Physical Activity Guidelines recommend performing 150 min of moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity (MVPA) per week. These guidelines also recommend muscle-strengthening physical activity (MSPA) on ≥2 d·wk−1 for additional benefits including muscular fitness and bone health. The majority of the scientific evidence supporting the PA recommendations for health comes from studies of MVPA while the possible contributions of MSPA in these findings have been overlooked historically. Emerging evidence suggests that MSPA can independently protect against major cardiometabolic risk factors, chronic diseases, and mortality. Additional data from clinical trials indicate that many of the well-known health benefits of exercise, like improvements in cardiovascular disease risk factors, are more robust with combined MVPA and MSPA. This review will clarify the relative benefits of MSPA versus MVPA on health-related outcomes to determine the best type of PA for health.
... Running is a popular physical exercise, as it requires little equipment, is time-efficient and health beneficial (Mehl et al., 2011). Accordingly, there is evidence that running exercise can improve cardiorespiratory fitness and bone strength (Lee et al., 2017), brain function (Vivar and van Praag, 2017) and psychological well-being (Nezlek et al., 2018). At the same time, running is a demanding exercise for the cardiorespiratory system, and compromised energy supply and/or oxygen transport to the muscles might accelerate the fatigue process during exercising. ...
Background: There is evidence that fully recovered COVID-19 patients usually resume physical exercise, but do not perform at the same intensity level performed prior to infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 infection and recovery as well as muscle fatigue on cardiorespiratory fitness and running biomechanics in female recreational runners.
Methods: Twenty-eight females were divided into a group of hospitalized and recovered COVID-19 patients (COV, n = 14, at least 14 days following recovery) and a group of healthy age-matched controls (CTR, n = 14). Ground reaction forces from stepping on a force plate while barefoot overground running at 3.3 m/s was measured before and after a fatiguing protocol. The fatigue protocol consisted of incrementally increasing running speed until reaching a score of 13 on the 6–20 Borg scale, followed by steady-state running until exhaustion. The effects of group and fatigue were assessed for steady-state running duration, steady-state running speed, ground contact time, vertical instantaneous loading rate and peak propulsion force.
Results: COV runners completed only 56% of the running time achieved by the CTR ( p < 0.0001), and at a 26% slower steady-state running speed ( p < 0.0001). There were fatigue-related reductions in loading rate ( p = 0.004) without group differences. Increased ground contact time ( p = 0.002) and reduced peak propulsion force ( p = 0.005) were found for COV when compared to CTR.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that female runners who recovered from COVID-19 showed compromised running endurance and altered running kinetics in the form of longer stance periods and weaker propulsion forces. More research is needed in this area using larger sample sizes to confirm our study findings.
... Trail runners are often exposed to significant elevation changes and variable running surfaces in natural environments, such as mountains, forests and deserts (ITRA, 2020). Running has numerous health benefits (Lee et al., 2017), but trail running also has a high incidence of up to 61.2 injuries per 1000 h reported (Viljoen et al., 2021b). ...
Objective
To develop a trail running injury screening instrument (TRISI) for utilisation as clinical decision aid in determining if a trail runner is at an increased risk for injury.
Design
Multiple methods approach.
Methods
The study utilised five phases 1) identification of injury risk factors 2) determining the relevance of each identified risk factor in a trail running context, 3) creating the content of the Likert scale points from 0 to 4, 4) rescaling the Likert scale points to determine numerical values for the content of each Likert scale point, and 5) determining a weighted score for each injury risk factor that contributes to the overall combined composite score.
Results
Of the 77 identified injury risk factors, 26 were deemed relevant in trail running. The weighted score for each injury risk factor ranged from 2.21 to 5.53 with the highest calculated score being 5.53. The final TRISI includes risk categories of training, running equipment, demographics, previous injury, behavioural, psychological, nutrition, chronic disease, physiological, and biomechanical factors.
Conclusion
The developed TRISI aims to assist the clinician during pre-race injury screening or during a training season to identify meaningful areas to target in designing injury risk management strategies and/or continuous health education.
... Despite its well-known health benefits (3,4), the incidence of running-related injuries (RRI) is high (5,6), causing runners to interrupt their training program or even abandon running as a leisure activity (7). The majority of these RRI are overuse injuries which occur when a repetitive load exceeds the structure-specific musculoskeletal capacity, i.e. the load a tissue can withstand before an injury occurs (8,9). ...
Purpose:
Running with increased duty factors (DF) has been shown to effectively reduce external forces during running. In this study, we investigated whether running with increased DFs (INCR) also reduces internal musculoskeletal loading measures, defined as peak muscle forces, muscle force impulses and peak joint contact forces compared to a runners' preferred running pattern (PREF).
Methods:
Ten subjects were instructed to run with increased DFs at 2.1 m•s-1. Ground reaction forces and three-dimensional kinematics were simultaneously measured. A musculoskeletal model was used to estimate muscle forces based on a dynamic optimization approach, which in turn were used to calculate muscle force impulses and (resultant and three-dimensional) joint contact forces of the ankle, knee and hip joint during stance.
Results:
Runners successfully increased their DF from 40.6% to 49.2% on average. This reduced peak muscle forces of muscles that contribute to support during running, i.e. the ankle plantar flexors (-19%), knee extensors (-18%) and hip extensors (-15%). As a consequence, peak joint contact forces of the ankle, knee and hip joint reduced in the INCR condition. However, several hip flexors generated higher peak muscle forces near the end of stance.
Conclusions:
Running with increased DFs lowers internal loading measures related to support during stance. Although some swing-related muscles generated higher forces near the end of stance, running with increased DFs can be considered as a preventive strategy to reduce the occurrence of running-related injuries, especially in running populations that are prone to overuse injuries.
... Despite the positive effect of running on general health [6], the incidence of running-related injuries (RRI) of the lower extremity is fairly high, varying between 11% and 85% per 1000 hours of running [7]. Several risk factors have been identified that contribute to the occurrence of running-related injuries [8,9]. ...
Objectives:
Iliotibialis syndrome is one of the most common types of running injury of the lateral knee. Earlier studies have mainly focused on the relationship between iliotibialis syndrome and hip muscle forces, since the latter are often the target of intervention during rehabilitation. The results suggest that a curved shoe sole may affect lower limb mechanics during running. The main purpose of this study was to assess the effects of different curves of rocker shoes on activation of the musculus gluteus medius and maximus under various running conditions.
Equipment and methods:
Fifteen recreational runners (1.77 ± 0.44 m height, 74.25 ± 6.68 kg weight, 23.73 ± 1.79 kg/m2 BMI) were recruited to test three rocker shoes with different forefoot curvatures on a flat laboratory floor and a treadmill at flat, uphill, and downhill gradients. Surface electromyography data were collected for musculus gluteus medius and maximus, resulting in a three-way within-subject design (running condition (4) x shoe (3) x muscle (2)) with 24 measurement combinations for each runner. A linear mixed model was fitted to the data to quantify running condition, shoe curve and muscle effects.
Results:
The main effects of running condition, shoe and muscle were estimated. While running uphill, significant decreases were observed in both peak (P = 0.021, log%MVC) and duration (P = 0.015, log%MVC) compared to running on a flat laboratory surface. Both average (0.033 log%MVC) and peak muscle activation (0.069 log%MVC) were increased with a smaller radius of shoe curvature.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the study shows that rocker shoes appear to affect gluteal muscle activation and could potentially assist in stabilising the pelvis during running. This knowledge might be of interest for runners with an increased risk of ITBS and may therefore gain health benefits from wearing rocker shoes.
... Like walking and cycling, running is a widespread alternate type of physical activity and with hundreds of millions of runners and constantly increasing all over the world (Breuer, Hallmann & Wicker, 2011;Hulteen et al., 2017;Leslie et al., 2004). It demonstrates positive impacts on both physical and mental health, including dramatical reduction of cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety disorders (Chakravarty, Hubert, Lingala & Fries, 2008;Lavie et al., 2015;Lee et al., 2014;Lee et al., 2017;Oja et al., 2017). Thus, the sustainable street environment that is suitable for running is becoming more important for urban runners. ...
The running environment is found to relate to running behaviors. Prior studies focused more on the mental benefits of runners' perceived quality of the natural environment. However, how built environment factors, especially the micro-level streetscapes and corresponding perceptions affect running intensity is less addressed. This might be due to the limited availability of large-scale per-ception and running data. Additionally, the spatial interaction effects on running are also less known. We hypothesize that the physical features and the perceptions of streetscapes both can af-fect runners’ route choices, which in turn can be reflected via the running intensity. To test our hy-pothesis, we explored the associations between the number of runners on streets and six groups of environmental factors (i.e., sociodemographic factors, safety attributes, land use and built environ-ment factors, traffic-related factors, objective street environment features, and subjective street envi-ronment perceptions) in Boston. To tackle the gap of lacking runner data, we took advantage of the semi-open-source Strava Heatmap to extract running intensity information. We then applied geo-graphic information system (GIS), deep learning, and computer vision to measure the key indices for streetscape quality and perceptions. The associations between running intensity and streetscape quality and perceptions were tested, while other variables are controlled. In addition to the ordinary least squares model (OLS), the spatial autoregressive combined model (SAC) and geographically weighted regression model (GWR) were also conducted to account for the spatial dependence and heterogeneity effects. The results indicated that: 1) the objective and subjective eye-level streetscape were both significant for runners’ route choices; 2) the proximity of natural elements including nat-ural land, tree density, green open space area, vegetation, and terrains alongside the streets could encourage running; 3) other built environment factors such as the points of interests (POIs), street light density and length of the street segment had positive impacts on running amount; 4) accessi-bility to running environment and transportation facilities could increase running amount; 5) safer street conditions (perceived safer streets and less crime) had positive impacts on running and; 6) the indices hindering running are crime density, population density, motorcycles and traffic lights on streets. The proposed framework based on semi-open data sources like Strava maps is effective and can be applied to larger geospatial contexts and even comparison studies between various cities, which significantly fill the gap of missing data on running and outdoor sports. Our findings also enrich the literature on the interaction between micro-level street environment and human behavior and can be used for urban environment improvement to facilitate running and promote public health.
Keywords: Street View Image; Deep Learning; Street Measures; Running; Route Choice; Boston
... Collegiate track and field (T&F) athletes engage in demanding aerobic and muscular-strengthening activities that can improve health and well-being. 1,2 However, as with most sports, T&F has inherent injury risks and the highly repetitive and intense nature of its activities may increase previously injured athletes' risk of sustaining a recurrent in-jury. [3][4][5] Recurrent injuries occur when an athlete experiences the same injury they have previously recovered from, either in the same season or a previous one. ...
Background
As with most sports, participating in Track and Field (T&F) has inherent injury risks and a previous injury often predisposes athletes to a greater future injury risk. However, the frequency and burden of recurrent injuries in collegiate T&F have not been closely examined.
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency and burden of recurrent injuries in collegiate T&F and compare differences in the time loss associated with initial and recurrent injuries by sex and T&F discipline.
Study Design
Descriptive Epidemiology Study
Methods
Data from the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program were analyzed to describe the frequency and burden of recurrent injuries in collegiate T&F between 2009 and 2014. Comparisons of recurrent injury proportions by T&F discipline were made using Injury Proportion Ratios (IPR) and injury-associated time loss comparisons by injury type and sex were made using Negative Binomial Regression.
Results
Four hundred and seventy-four injuries were reported, 13.1% of which were classified as recurrent injuries. T&F athletes who competed in jumps experienced a lower proportion of recurrent injuries (6.1%) than runners (14.6%) and throwers (19.2%) (Recurrent IPR 0.40, 95% CI 0.18-0.88, p<0.05). When controlling for sex and injury diagnosis, T&F athletes experienced 50% greater time loss from sport following a recurrent injury than an initial injury (95% CI 17%-107%, p<0.01).
Conclusions
Recurrent injuries in T&F athletes account for greater time loss than initial injuries, despite sex or injury diagnosis. The current study indicates a need for further research to assess factors contributing to time loss.
Level of Evidence
Level 3
Background:
Long-distance running is a popular form of cardiovascular exercise with many well-described health benefits, from improving heart health to the management of obesity, diabetes, and mental illness. The impact of long-distance running on joint health in recreational runners, however, remains inconclusive.
Hypothesis:
The prevalence of osteoarthritis in runners is not associated with an athlete's running-related history, including the number of marathons completed, cumulative years of running, average weekly mileage, and average running pace.
Study design:
Prospective cohort study.
Level of evidence:
Level 3.
Methods:
A survey was distributed to all participants registered for the 2019 or 2021 Chicago marathon (n = 37,917). Surveys collected runner demographics and assessed for hip/knee pain, osteoarthritis, family history, surgical history, and running-related history. Running history included the number of marathons run, number of years running, average running pace, and average weekly mileage. The overall prevalence of osteoarthritis was identified, and a multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify variables associated with the presence of hip and/or knee osteoarthritis.
Results:
Surveys were completed by 3804 participants (response rate of 10.0%). The mean age was 43.9 years (range, 18-83 years) and participants had completed on average 9.5 marathons (median, 5 marathons; range, 1-664 marathons). The prevalence of hip and/or knee arthritis was 7.3%. A history of hip/knee injuries or surgery, advancing age, family history, and body mass index (BMI) were risk factors for arthritis. Cumulative number of years running, number of marathons completed, weekly mileage, and mean running pace were not significant predictors for arthritis. The majority (94.2%) of runners planned to run another marathon, despite 24.2% of all participants being told by a physician to do otherwise.
Conclusion:
From this largest surveyed group of marathon runners, the most significant risk factors for developing hip or knee arthritis were age, BMI, previous injury or surgery, and family history. There was no identified association between cumulative running history and the risk for arthritis.
BACKGROUND: Running-related injuries (RRI) are common among recreational runners, but research exploring lived experiences of a RRI is limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the psychosocial aspects experienced by recreational runners hindered in usual running because of RRI. METHODS: Individual semi-structured interviews based on a qualitative phenomenological methodology explored injured recreational runners experiences, reactions, thoughts, and feelings. Systematic text condensation was used as the analysis method. RESULTS: Three main codes were identified: Reasons for running: ‘Calm for me is a feeling of my body just relaxing. It may sound a bit weird because you run, but it is kind of a feeling of just being able to unplug‘, Daily life during an injury - besides running: ‘When I couldn’t run at all, it was super annoying. Several months it was completely empty. It was like there was a hole. There seemed to be missing something because I usually ran‘, Running while injured: ‘Do I feel pain? Or is it something else? And should I navigate regarding the length of the route and where I run, how fast I run, and with whom I run? ‘. CONCLUSION: The recreational runners experiences explored in this study support the importance of bio-psycho-social awareness when physiotherapists meet runners hindered in usual running because of RRI.
Running is a convenient physical activity that has gained popularity. However, little is known about runners' running environments and how they differ from their residential environments. To fill this gap, this study examines runners' exposure to natural and built environments along their running routes and assesses the difference between running and residential environments. We collected running track data from Endmondo, a fitness data platform, and used it to determine runners' residency. Moreover, we used open geographical data to calculate a range of environmental variables within their residential areas and along their running trajectories. We applied t-tests to assess differences across objectively measured environmental variables between urban and rural runners, considering geographic, temporal and track-specific strata. We found that the running environments of urban and rural runners were diverse and had distinct characteristics. The results suggest policies to promote running acknowledging these differences between running environments in urban and rural areas.
The pivotal role of biomechanics in the past 50 years in consolidating the basic knowledge that underpins prevention and rehabilitation measures has made this area a great spotlight for health practitioners. In clinical practice, biomechanics analysis of spatiotemporal, kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic data in various chronic conditions serves to directly enhance deeper understanding of locomotion and the consequences of musculoskeletal dysfunctions in terms of motion and motor control. It also serves to propose straightforward and tailored interventions. The importance of this approach is supported by myriad biomechanical outcomes in clinical trials and by the development of new interventions clearly grounded on biomechanical principles. Over the past five decades, therapeutic interventions have been transformed from fundamentally passive in essence, such as orthoses and footwear, to emphasizing active prevention, including exercise approaches, such as bottom-up and top-down strengthening programs for runners and people with osteoarthritis. These approaches may be far more effective inreducing pain, dysfunction, and, ideally, incidence if they are based on the biomechanical status of the affected person. In this review, we demonstrate evidence of the impact of biomechanics and motion analysis as a foundation for physical therapy/rehabilitation and preventive strategies for three chronic conditions of high worldwide prevalence: diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, knee osteoarthritis, and running-related injuries. We conclude with a summary of recommendations for future studies needed to address current research gaps.
Long-distance running events have gained more popularity worldwide over the years. However, the number of participants at such events, as well as the age and sex distribution of the participants may vary by country. We have examined participation and performance trends of the finishers in the three biggest running events in Hungary (Budapest Marathon; Budapest Half Marathon and Vivicittá Half Marathon) between 1984-2020 (N=70). For all three races, there was a significant increase in the number of all participants pertaining to men, women and foreign runners completing the race over the years (p<0.05). The increase in participation rates did not result in an increase in performance. Half-marathon races produced more participants and the proportion of women was also higher. The number and proportion of foreigners during the Budapest Marathon was significantly higher during the decades compared to the half-marathon competitions. In all three races, more male runners competed than women and more domestic runners than foreign runners. Women and recreational runners are the reason for the great rise in the number of participants in the long-distance road running races in Hungary. The question concerning this growing motivation is important .
Keywords: long-distance running, Hungary,
marathon, half marathon
Objetivo: Analizar los efectos de diferentes tipos de entrenamiento para la prevención de lesiones en corredores de diferentes niveles. Materiales y método: Revisión sistemática sin metaanálisis. Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica limitada a ensayos clínicos, estudios controlados no aleatorizados y estudios controlados aleatorizados realizados en corredores de todos los niveles y publicados entre enero de 2002 y enero 2022. Se analizaron los efectos de la aplicación de entrenamiento para la prevención de lesiones, en comparación con el entrenamiento normal o la no intervención, y su efectividad en la incidencia de lesiones en esta población. Resultados: Se incluyeron 10 artículos (N=7960 corredores) para la lectura completa y el análisis de datos. Múltiples intervenciones fueron aplicadas para la prevención de lesiones en corredores, con hallazgos contrapuestos en cuanto a la efectividad en la disminución de lesiones relacionadas con la carrera (en total, 3134). Los métodos más efectivos fueron los programas dirigidos y monitoreados por profesionales, enfocados en el fortalecimiento de los músculos del pie; los programas multicomponente y el entrenamiento funcional con reeducación neuromuscular del valgo dinámico de rodilla y reentrenamiento de la carrera. Los programas que no demostraron un impacto significativo en la reducción de lesiones relacionadas con la carrera fueron los programas en línea y autorregulados por el corredor. Conclusión: No puede establecerse con evidencia sólida que una estrategia sea significativamente más efectiva, en comparación con otras estrategias, para la disminución de la incidencia de lesiones en corredores. Existe una inferencia posible relacionada a la efectividad de programas individualizados y programas multicomponente que están enfocados en lo neuromuscular y la corrección de la carrera y monitoreados regularmente por profesiona-les; sin embargo, la cantidad de trabajos de buena calidad es limitada para establecer conclusiones confiables. Se necesitan más estudios en este campo.
Introduction:
Running is one of the most popular recreational activities worldwide, due to its low cost and accessibility. However, little is known about the impact of running on knee joint health in runners with and without a history of knee surgery. The primary aim of this longitudinal cohort study is to compare knee joint structural features on MRI and knee symptoms at baseline and 4-year follow-up in runners with and without a history of knee surgery. Secondary aims are to explore the relationships between training load exposures (volume and/or intensity) and changes in knee joint structure and symptoms over 4 years; explore the relationship between baseline running biomechanics, and changes in knee joint structure and symptoms over 4 years. In addition, we will explore whether additional variables confound, modify or mediate these associations, including sex, baseline lower-limb functional performance, knee muscle strength, psychological and sociodemographic factors.
Methods and analysis:
A convenience sample of at least 200 runners (sex/gender balanced) with (n=100) and without (n=100) a history of knee surgery will be recruited. Primary outcomes will be knee joint health (MRI) and knee symptoms (baseline; 4 years). Exposure variables for secondary outcomes include training load exposure, obtained daily throughout the study from wearable devices and three-dimensional running biomechanics (baseline). Additional variables include lower limb functional performance, knee extensor and flexor muscle strength, biomarkers, psychological and sociodemographic factors (baseline). Knowledge and beliefs about osteoarthritis will be obtained through predefined questions and semi-structured interviews with a subset of participants. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models, adjusting for potential confounding factors, will explore changes in knee joint structural features and symptoms, and the influence of potential modifiers and mediators.
Ethics and dissemination:
Approved by the La Trobe University Ethics Committee (HEC-19524). Findings will be disseminated to stakeholders, peer-review journals and conferences.
Objective:
To identify the incidence and characteristics associated with a higher injury risk in recreational runners who suffered a running-related injury (RRI) in the previous 12 months.
Design:
Prospective cohort study among recreational runners who registered for a Dutch running event (5-42.2 km) and suffered an RRI in the 12 months before inclusion.
Setting:
Open population.
Participants:
Recreational runners with a previous reported injury.
Assessment of risk factors:
At baseline, information on demographics, training characteristics, health complaints, and RRI history was collected.
Main outcome measures:
With 3 follow-up questionnaires (2 weeks before, 1 day after, and 1 month after the running event), the occurrence of new RRIs was registered.
Results:
In total, 548 participants (55.1%) sustained a new RRI during follow-up. In total, 20.5% of the new RRIs was located at the same anatomical location as the previous RRI. Runners who registered for a marathon had a higher chance to sustain a new RRI [odd ratio (OR) 1.72; 95% confidence intervals (CIs), 1.17-2.53]. Also previous RRIs in the upper leg (OR 1.59; 95% CI, 1.15-2.19) and lower leg (OR 1.61; 95% CI, 1.18-2.21) were associated with an increased injury risk.
Conclusions:
Especially being a marathon runner and the anatomical location of previous RRIs seem to be associated with the injury risk in recreational runners with a previous RRI.
Rekreasyonel koşu giderek daha yaygın hale gelen, egzersiz aracılığıyla toplum sağlığını daha fazla teşvik etmeyi umut edenler için bariz bir hedef olarak görülebilir. Rekreasyonel koşucular, koşu sporuna farklı anlamlar yüklemektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı rekreasyonel koşucuların koşu kavramıyla ilgili algılarını metafor metodu kullanarak belirlemektir. Bu çalışma koşu kavramına yönelik algıları ortaya çıkarması yönüyle nitel araştırma desenlerinden olan olgu bilim kapsamında yapılmıştır. Çalışma grubu, Ankara, İstanbul, İzmir, Bursa ve Antalya illerinde ikamet eden gönüllülük esasına göre araştırmaya katkı sağlamak isteyen 229 rekreasyonel koşucudan oluşmaktadır. Verilerin elde edilmesinde, rekreasyonel koşuculara kişisel bilgi formu uygulanmış ve koşuculardan “koşu benim için ...... gibidir; çünkü ......” cümlesini tamamlamaları istenmiştir. Toplanan nitel veriler, içerik analizi yöntemi ile incelenmiştir. İçerik analizi yoluyla birbirine benzer ifadeler uygun kategoriler altında bir araya getirilerek sunulmuştur. Verilerin değerlendirilmesiyle, rekreasyonel koşucuların toplam 229 metafor ürettikleri görülmüştür. Üretilen bu metaforlar 4 farklı kategoride toplanmıştır. Katılımcılar koşu kavramına ilişkin en çok “iyileştirme unsuru” ve “eğlence-mutluluk unsuru” kategorisinde metaforlar geliştirdikleri belirlenirken, bu kategorileri “önem/gereklilik unsuru”, “odaklanma unsuru” kategorileri izlemiştir.
Altering running cadence is commonly done to reduce the risk of running-related injury/reinjury. This study examined how altering running cadence affects joint kinetic patterns and stride-to-stride kinetic variability in uninjured female runners. Twenty-four uninjured female recreational runners ran on an instrumented treadmill with their typical running cadence and with a running cadence that was 7.5% higher and 7.5% lower than typical. Ground reaction force and kinematic data were recorded during each condition, and principal component analysis was used to capture the primary sources of variability from the sagittal plane hip, knee, and ankle moment time series. Runners exhibited a reduction in the magnitude of their knee extension moments when they increased their cadence and an increase in their knee extension moments when they lowered their cadence compared with when they ran with their typical cadence. They also exhibited greater stride-to-stride variability in the magnitude of their hip flexion moments and knee extension moments when they deviated from their typical running cadence (ie, running with either a higher or lower cadence). These differences suggest that runners could alter their cadence throughout a run in an attempt to limit overly repetitive localized tissue stresses.
Aim
This research sought to identify the process by which women who identify as fat or as not having a typical athletic body construct an athletic identity and persist in their running and other athletic endeavors despite body size-related barriers.
Methods
From an online recruitment effort, 19 North American women runners in larger bodies completed interviews in which they told the story of how they had become runners. A narrative analysis with a feminist, constructivist approach was conducted to identify story types.
Results
Four narrative types were identified: reclaiming the body, reclaiming health, space-making, and future-imagining. Through finding a size- and pace-inclusive running community, running persistently, and completing races, women relinquished the stories they’d believed that their bodies were not athletic since childhood and constructed an identity of runner in a fat body.
Conclusions
These women’s engagement in running is a personal form of resistance against those who define athletic and healthy as “thin” or “fit.” They have found a welcoming athletic community and have moved on to leadership where they are working to make running accessible to other women in bodies like theirs. Those reading these narratives should consider ways in which fat bodies have been excluded from athletics, as well as ways to support the work being done by women runners in fat bodies to redefine health and athleticism.
Like any sport, running is affected by biological development, the body process of maturity and degeneration. Each phase of our lives, childhood, adolescence, and old age plays an essential role in this physiological development—lifetime effect. Therefore, to evaluate the development of sports skills, the sports physician must systematically assess the neurological, cognitive, somatic, and psychological functions before classifying a runner or athlete as a sports talent without considering the individual’s maturation phase. For most runners, the passion for running is born after overcoming their own physical limits for the first time. However, some of them will go beyond, dreaming of new physical challenges and, consequently, developing a trigger to adopt a non-stop behavior of faster-increasing training and running to reach their self-imposed goals—the “perfect” scenario for injuries. It may affect children, adolescents, and elderly runners indistinctly, where lower limb injuries are prevalent. The sports physician should be aware of inadequate running program regarding the volume, intensity, frequency of training, and muscle imbalances. Moreover, injuries prevention should identify runner’s biological body development, physical and psychological stress related to running or other sports practice, and its mental balance status—“Forrest Gump” runner’s behavior syndrome”.
One of the main benefits of exercise is the impact on metabolic regulation. The substances produced during metabolism are called metabolites. These are the intermediaries of the complex metabolic mechanism of the body and can characterize metabolic health and its variation in response to exercise. The human body was designed for movement. Human locomotion is the most natural way to exercise. Our whole body is adapted for walking and running. Therefore, it is not surprising that running is strongly associated with several health benefits, both physically and mentally. In some pathologies running works as a “medication” without severe contraindications. It is well established that physical inactivity influences the development of chronic metabolic diseases. In turn, regular exercise prevents or delays the progression of a significant number of conditions, including metabolic dysfunctions. In addition, many metabolic disorders are known—cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity and dyslipidaemia. Thus, the lack of physical activity is strongly linked to the development of many chronic and metabolic disorders. Running and the resulting physiological adaptations may have a beneficial effect on disease prevention and on the individual’s health status. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the impact of running on health, particularly in the prevention and treatment of some metabolic diseases.
Background/Aim
Evidence for the long-term health effects of specific sport disciplines is scarce. Therefore, we examined the associations of six different types of sport/exercise with all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality risk in a large pooled Scottish and English population-based cohort.
Methods
Cox proportional hazards regression was used to investigate the associations between each exposure and all-cause and CVD mortality with adjustment for potential confounders in 80 306 individuals (54% women; mean±SD age: 52±14 years).
Results
Significant reductions in all-cause mortality were observed for participation in cycling (HR=0.85, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.95), swimming (HR=0.72, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.80), racquet sports (HR=0.53, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.69) and aerobics (HR=0.73, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.85). No significant associations were found for participation in football and running. A significant reduction in CVD mortality was observed for participation in swimming (HR=0.59, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.75), racquet sports (HR=0.44, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.83) and aerobics (HR=0.64, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.92), but there were no significant associations for cycling, running and football. Variable dose–response patterns between the exposure and the outcomes were found across the sport disciplines.
Conclusions
These findings demonstrate that participation in specific sports may have significant benefits for public health. Future research should aim to further strengthen the sport-specific epidemiological evidence base and understanding of how to promote greater sports participation.
Habitual physical activity and regular exercise training improve cardiovascular health and longevity. A physically active lifestyle is, therefore, a key aspect of primary and secondary prevention strategies. An appropriate volume and intensity are essential to maximally benefit from exercise interventions. This document summarizes available evidence on the relationship between the exercise volume and risk reductions in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, the risks and benefits of moderate- versus high-intensity exercise interventions are compared. Findings are presented for the general population and cardiac patients eligible for cardiac rehabilitation. Finally, the controversy of excessive volumes of exercise in the athletic population is discussed.
Introduction:
Physical fitness is an important prognostic factor in heart failure (HF). To improve fitness, different types of exercise have been explored, with recent focus on high-intensity interval training (HIT). We comprehensively compared effects of HIT versus continuous training (CT) in HF patients NYHA II-III on physical fitness, cardiovascular function and structure, and quality of life, and hypothesize that HIT leads to superior improvements compared to CT.
Methods:
Twenty HF patients (male:female 19:1, 64±8 yrs, ejection fraction 38±6%) were allocated to 12-weeks of HIT (10*1-minute at 90% maximal workload-alternated by 2.5 minutes at 30% maximal workload) or CT (30 minutes at 60-75% of maximal workload). Before and after intervention, we examined physical fitness (incremental cycling test), cardiac function and structure (echocardiography), vascular function and structure (ultrasound) and quality of life (SF-36, Minnesota living with HF questionnaire (MLHFQ)).
Results:
Training improved maximal workload, peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) related to the predicted VO2peak, oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold, and maximal oxygen pulse (all P<0.05), whilst no differences were present between HIT and CT (N.S.). We found no major changes in resting cardiovascular function and structure. SF-36 physical function score improved after training (P<0.05), whilst SF-36 total score and MLHFQ did not change after training (N.S.).
Conclusion:
Training induced significant improvements in parameters of physical fitness, although no evidence for superiority of HIT over CT was demonstrated. No major effect of training was found on cardiovascular structure and function or quality of life in HF patients NYHA II-III.
Trial registration:
Nederlands Trial Register NTR3671.
Purpose:
To compare the effects of six weeks of high intensity interval training (HIIT) vs continuous moderate intensity training (MIT) for improving body composition, insulin sensitivity (SI), blood pressure, blood lipids, and cardiovascular fitness in a cohort of sedentary overweight or obese young men. We hypothesized that HIIT would result in similar improvements in body composition, cardiovascular fitness, blood lipids, and SI as compared to the MIT group, despite requiring only one hour of activity per week compared to five hours per week for the MIT group.
Methods:
28 sedentary overweight or obese men (age, 20 ± 1.5 years, body mass index 29.5 ± 3.3 kg/m2) participated in a six week exercise treatment. Participants were randomly assigned to HIIT or MIT and evaluated at baseline and post-training. DXA was used to assess body composition, graded treadmill exercise test to measure cardiovascular fitness, oral glucose tolerance to measure SI, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to assess lipoprotein particles, and automatic auscultation to measure blood pressure.
Results:
A greater improvement in VO2peak was observed in MIT compared to HIIT (11.1% vs 2.83%, P = 0.0185) in the complete-case analysis. No differences were seen in the intention to treat analysis, and no other group differences were observed. Both exercise conditions were associated with temporal improvements in % body fat, total cholesterol, medium VLDL, medium HDL, triglycerides, SI, and VO2peak (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Participation in HIIT or MIT exercise training displayed: 1) improved SI, 2) reduced blood lipids, 3) decreased % body fat, and 4) improved cardiovascular fitness. While both exercise groups led to similar improvements for most cardiometabolic risk factors assessed, MIT led to a greater improvement in overall cardiovascular fitness. Overall, these observations suggest that a relatively short duration of either HIIT or MIT training may improve cardiometabolic risk factors in previously sedentary overweight or obese young men, with no clear advantage between these two specific regimes (Clinical Trial Registry number NCT01935323).
Trial registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01935323.
The aim of this meta-analysis was to quantify the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on markers of glucose regulation and insulin resistance compared to control conditions (CON) or continuous training (CT). Databases were searched for HIIT interventions based on the inclusion criteria: training ≥2 weeks, adult participants, and outcome measurements that included insulin resistance, fasting glucose, HbA1c or fasting insulin. Dual interventions and participants with type 1 diabetes were excluded. Fifty studies were included. There was a reduction in insulin resistance following HIIT compared to both CON & CT, (HIIT vs. CON: standardised mean difference (SMD)=-0.49, confidence intervals (CI) -0.87 to -0.12, p=0.009; CT: SMD=-0.35, -0.68 to -0.02, p=0.036). Compared to CON, HbA1c decreased by 0.19% (-0.36 to -0.03, p=0.021) and body weight decreased by 1.3kg (-1.9 to -0.7, p<0.001). There were no statistically significant differences between groups in other outcomes overall. However, participants with or at risk of Type 2 diabetes experienced reductions in fasting glucose (-0.92mmol.L-1, -1.22 to -0.62, p<0.001) compared to CON. HIIT appears effective at improving metabolic health, particularly in those at risk of or with Type 2 diabetes. Larger randomised controlled trials of longer duration than those included in this meta-analysis are required to confirm these results.
In order to implement running to promote physical activity, it is essential to quantify the extent to which running improves health.
The aim was to summarise the literature on the effects of endurance running on biomedical indices of health in physically inactive adults.
Electronic searches were conducted in October 2014 on PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, PEDro, the Cochrane Library and LILACS, with no limits of date and language of publication.
Randomised controlled trials (with a minimum of 8 weeks of running training) that included physically inactive but healthy adults (18-65 years) were selected. The studies needed to compare intervention (i.e. endurance running) and control (i.e. no intervention) groups.
Two authors evaluated study eligibility, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias; a third author resolved any uncertainties. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to summarise the estimates for length of training and sex. A dose-response analysis was performed with random-effects meta-regression in order to investigate the relationship between running characteristics and effect sizes.
After screening 22,380 records, 49 articles were included, of which 35 were used to combine data on ten biomedical indices of health. On average the running programs were composed of 3.7 ± 0.9 sessions/week, 2.3 ± 1.0 h/week, 14.4 ± 5.4 km/week, at 60-90 % of the maximum heart rate, and lasted 21.5 ± 16.8 weeks. After 1 year of training, running was effective in reducing body mass by 3.3 kg [95 % confidence interval (CI) 4.1-2.5], body fat by 2.7 % (95 % CI 5.1-0.2), resting heart rate by 6.7 min(-1) (95 % CI 10.3-3.0) and triglycerides by 16.9 mg dl(-1) (95 % CI 28.1-5.6). Also, running significantly increased maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) by 7.1 ml min(-1) kg(-1) (95 % CI 5.0-9.1) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol by 3.3 mg dl(-1) (95 % CI 1.2-5.4). No significant effect was found for lean body mass, body mass index, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol after 1 year of training. In the dose-response analysis, larger effect sizes were found for longer length of training.
It was only possible to combine the data of ten out the 161 outcome measures identified. Lack of information on training characteristics precluded a multivariate model in the dose-response analysis.
Endurance running was effective in providing substantial beneficial effects on body mass, body fat, resting heart rate, VO2max, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol in physically inactive adults. The longer the length of training, the larger the achieved health benefits. Clinicians and health authorities can use this information to advise individuals to run, and to support policies towards investing in running programs.
To help public health practitioners promote physical activities with a low risk of injury, this study determined the relation among type and duration of physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and musculoskeletal injury in a sample of adults enrolled in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study. Subjects included 4,034 men and 967 women who underwent a baseline physical examination between 1970 and 1985 and who returned a mailed follow-up survey in 1986. At baseline, a treadmill graded exercise test was used to measure cardiorespiratory fitness. At follow-up, subjects reported injuries and type and duration of physical activity in the preceding 12 months. Polytomous logistic regression was used to estimate the association among physical activity type and duration, cardiorespiratory fitness, and injury. The risk of sustaining an activity-related injury increased with higher duration of physical activity per week and cardiorespiratory fitness levels. Results suggest that cardiorespiratory fitness may be a surrogate for unmeasured components of physical activity, such as exercise intensity. Among walkers, increasing duration of activity per week was not associated with an increased risk of injury. Results suggest that, for most adults, walking is a safe form of physical activity associated with a lower risk of injury than running or sport participation.
People who are physically active have at least a 30% lower risk of death during follow-up compared with those who are inactive. However, the ideal dose of exercise for improving longevity is uncertain.
The aim of this study was to investigate the association between jogging and long-term, all-cause mortality by focusing specifically on the effects of pace, quantity, and frequency of jogging.
As part of the Copenhagen City Heart Study, 1,098 healthy joggers and 3,950 healthy nonjoggers have been prospectively followed up since 2001. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed with age as the underlying time scale and delayed entry.
Compared with sedentary nonjoggers, 1 to 2.4 h of jogging per week was associated with the lowest mortality (multivariable hazard ratio [HR]: 0.29; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.11 to 0.80). The optimal frequency of jogging was 2 to 3 times per week (HR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.69) or ≤1 time per week (HR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.72). The optimal pace was slow (HR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.24 to 1.10) or average (HR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.22 to 0.66). The joggers were divided into light, moderate, and strenuous joggers. The lowest HR for mortality was found in light joggers (HR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.47), followed by moderate joggers (HR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.32 to 1.38) and strenuous joggers (HR: 1.97; 95% CI: 0.48 to 8.14).
The findings suggest a U-shaped association between all-cause mortality and dose of jogging as calibrated by pace, quantity, and frequency of jogging. Light and moderate joggers have lower mortality than sedentary nonjoggers, whereas strenuous joggers have a mortality rate not statistically different from that of the sedentary group.
Copyright © 2015 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Background
Limited data exist directly comparing the relative benefits of moderate‐ and vigorous‐intensity activities with all‐cause and cardiovascular (CV) disease mortality rates when controlling for physical activity volume.
Methods and Results
We followed 7979 men (Harvard Alumni Health Study, 1988–2008) and 38 671 women (Women's Health Study, 1992–2012), assessing their physical activity and health habits through repeated questionnaires. Over a mean follow‐up of 17.3 years in men and 16.4 years in women, there were 3551 deaths (1077 from CV disease) among men and 3170 deaths (620 from CV disease) among women. Those who met or exceeded an equivalent of the federal guidelines recommendation of at least 150 minutes of moderate‐intensity activity, 75 minutes of vigorous‐intensity activity, or a combination of the 2 that expended similar energy experienced significantly lower all‐cause and CV disease–related mortality rates (men, 28% to 36% and 31% to 34%, respectively; women: 38% to 55% and 22% to 44%, respectively). When comparing different combinations of moderate‐ and vigorous‐intensity activity and all‐cause mortality rates, we observed sex‐related differences. Holding constant the volume of moderate‐ to vigorous‐intensity physical activity, men experienced a modest additional benefit when expending a greater proportion of moderate‐ to vigorous‐intensity physical activity in vigorous‐intensity activities (Ptrend=0.04), but women did not (Ptrend<0.001). Moderate‐ to vigorous‐intensity physical activity composition was not associated with further cardiovascular mortality rate reductions in either men or women.
Conclusions
The present data support guidelines recommending 150 minutes of moderate‐intensity activity per week, 75 minutes of vigorous‐intensity activity per week, or an equivalent combination for mortality benefits. Among men, but not women, additional modest reductions in all‐cause mortality rates are associated with a greater proportion of moderate‐ to vigorous‐intensity physical activity performed at a vigorous intensity.
In this review, we explore the association among physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and exercise on gray matter volume in older adults. We conclude that higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels are routinely associated with greater gray matter volume in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus and less consistently in other regions. We also conclude that physical activity is associated with greater gray matter volume in the same regions that are associated with cardiorespiratory fitness including the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Some heterogeneity in the literature may be explained by effect moderation by age, stress, or other factors. Finally, we report promising results from randomized exercise interventions that suggest that the volume of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex remain pliable and responsive to moderate intensity exercise for 6 months-1 year. Physical activity appears to be a propitious method for influencing gray matter volume in late adulthood, but additional well-controlled studies are necessary to inform public policies about the potential protective or therapeutic effects of exercise on brain volume.
AimsWe aimed to investigate the association of number of completed races and finishing time with risk of arrhythmias among participants of Vasaloppet, a 90 km cross-country skiing event.Methods and resultsAll the participants without cardiovascular disease who completed Vasaloppet during 1989-98 were followed through national registries until December 2005. Primary outcome was hospitalization for any arrhythmia and secondary outcomes were atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF), bradyarrhythmias, other supraventricular tachycardias (SVT), and ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation/cardiac arrest (VT/VF/CA). Among 52 755 participants, 919 experienced arrhythmia during follow-up. Adjusting for age, education, and occupational status, those who completed the highest number of races during the period had higher risk of any arrhythmias [hazard ratio (HR)1.30; 95% CI 1.08-1.58; for ≥5 vs. 1 completed race], AF (HR 1.29; 95% CI 1.04-1.61), and bradyarrhythmias (HR 2.10; 95% CI 1.28-3.47). Those who had the fastest relative finishing time also had higher risk of any arrhythmias (HR 1.30; 95% CI 1.04-1.62; for 100-160% vs. >240% of winning time), AF (1.20; 95% CI 0.93-1.55), and bradyarrhythmias (HR 1.85; 95% CI 0.97-3.54). SVT or VT/VF/CA was not associated with finishing time or number of completed races.Conclusions
Among male participants of a 90 km cross-country skiing event, a faster finishing time and a high number of completed races were associated with higher risk of arrhythmias. This was mainly driven by a higher incidence of AF and bradyarrhythmias. No association with SVT or VT/VF/CA was found.
Leisure time physical activity reduces the risk of premature mortality, but the years of life expectancy gained at different levels remains unclear. Our objective was to determine the years of life gained after age 40 associated with various levels of physical activity, both overall and according to body mass index (BMI) groups, in a large pooled analysis.
We examined the association of leisure time physical activity with mortality during follow-up in pooled data from six prospective cohort studies in the National Cancer Institute Cohort Consortium, comprising 654,827 individuals, 21-90 y of age. Physical activity was categorized by metabolic equivalent hours per week (MET-h/wk). Life expectancies and years of life gained/lost were calculated using direct adjusted survival curves (for participants 40+ years of age), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) derived by bootstrap. The study includes a median 10 y of follow-up and 82,465 deaths. A physical activity level of 0.1-3.74 MET-h/wk, equivalent to brisk walking for up to 75 min/wk, was associated with a gain of 1.8 (95% CI: 1.6-2.0) y in life expectancy relative to no leisure time activity (0 MET-h/wk). Higher levels of physical activity were associated with greater gains in life expectancy, with a gain of 4.5 (95% CI: 4.3-4.7) y at the highest level (22.5+ MET-h/wk, equivalent to brisk walking for 450+ min/wk). Substantial gains were also observed in each BMI group. In joint analyses, being active (7.5+ MET-h/wk) and normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9) was associated with a gain of 7.2 (95% CI: 6.5-7.9) y of life compared to being inactive (0 MET-h/wk) and obese (BMI 35.0+). A limitation was that physical activity and BMI were ascertained by self report.
More leisure time physical activity was associated with longer life expectancy across a range of activity levels and BMI groups. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.
Current physical activity recommendations assume that different activities can be exchanged to produce the same weight-control benefits so long as total energy expended remains the same (exchangeability premise). To this end, they recommend calculating energy expenditure as the product of the time spent performing each activity and the activity's metabolic equivalents (MET), which may be summed to achieve target levels. The validity of the exchangeability premise was assessed using data from the National Runners' Health Study.Physical activity dose was compared to body mass index (BMI) and body circumferences in 33,374 runners who reported usual distance run and pace, and usual times spent running and other exercises per week. MET hours per day (METhr/d) from running was computed from: a) time and intensity, and b) reported distance run (1.02 MET • hours per km).When computed from time and intensity, the declines (slope±SE) per METhr/d were significantly greater (P
Endurance training may be associated with arrhythmogenic cardiac remodelling of the right ventricle (RV). We examined whether myocardial dysfunction following intense endurance exercise affects the RV more than the left ventricle (LV) and whether cumulative exposure to endurance competition influences cardiac remodelling (including fibrosis) in well-trained athletes.
Forty athletes were studied at baseline, immediately following an endurance race (3-11 h duration) and 1-week post-race. Evaluation included cardiac troponin (cTnI), B-type natriuretic peptide, and echocardiography [including three-dimensional volumes, ejection fraction (EF), and systolic strain rate]. Delayed gadolinium enhancement (DGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) was assessed as a marker of myocardial fibrosis. Relative to baseline, RV volumes increased and all functional measures decreased post-race, whereas LV volumes reduced and function was preserved. B-type natriuretic peptide (13.1 ± 14.0 vs. 25.4 ± 21.4 ng/L, P = 0.003) and cTnI (0.01 ± .03 vs. 0.14 ± .17 μg/L, P < 0.0001) increased post-race and correlated with reductions in RVEF (r = 0.52, P = 0.001 and r = 0.49, P = 0.002, respectively), but not LVEF. Right ventricular ejection fraction decreased with increasing race duration (r = -0.501, P < 0.0001) and VO(2)max (r = -0.359, P = 0.011). Right ventricular function mostly recovered by 1 week. On CMR, DGE localized to the interventricular septum was identified in 5 of 39 athletes who had greater cumulative exercise exposure and lower RVEF (47.1 ± 5.9 vs. 51.1 ± 3.7%, P = 0.042) than those with normal CMR.
Intense endurance exercise causes acute dysfunction of the RV, but not the LV. Although short-term recovery appears complete, chronic structural changes and reduced RV function are evident in some of the most practiced athletes, the long-term clinical significance of which warrants further study.
The dose-response relation between physical activity and all-cause mortality is not well defined at present. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the association with all-cause mortality of different domains of physical activity and of defined increases in physical activity and energy expenditure.
MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched up to September 2010 for cohort studies examining all-cause mortality across different domains and levels of physical activity in adult general populations. We estimated combined risk ratios (RRs) associated with defined increments and recommended levels, using random-effects meta-analysis and dose-response meta-regression models.
Data from 80 studies with 1 338 143 participants (118 121 deaths) were included. Combined RRs comparing highest with lowest activity levels were 0.65 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.60-0.71] for total activity, 0.74 (95% CI 0.70-0.77) for leisure activity, 0.64 (95% CI 0.55-0.75) for activities of daily living and 0.83 (95% CI 0.71-0.97) for occupational activity. RRs per 1-h increment per week were 0.91 (95% CI 0.87-0.94) for vigorous exercise and 0.96 (95% CI 0.93-0.98) for moderate-intensity activities of daily living. RRs corresponding to 150 and 300 min/week of moderate to vigorous activity were 0.86 (95% CI 0.80-0.92) and 0.74 (95% CI 0.65-0.85), respectively. Mortality reductions were more pronounced in women.
Higher levels of total and domain-specific physical activity were associated with reduced all-cause mortality. Risk reduction per unit of time increase was largest for vigorous exercise. Moderate-intensity activities of daily living were to a lesser extent beneficial in reducing mortality.
To evaluate whether in a population of patients with 'lone atrial flutter', the proportion of those engaged in long-term endurance sports is higher than that observed in the general population.
An age and sex-matched retrospective case-control study.
A database with 638 consecutive patients who underwent ablation for atrial flutter at the University of Leuven. Sixty-one patients (55 men, 90%) fitted the inclusion criteria of 'lone atrial flutter', ie, aged 65 years or less, without documented atrial fibrillation and without identifiable underlying disease (including hypertension). Sex, age and inclusion criteria-matched controls, two for each flutter patient, were selected in a general practice in the same geographical region.
Sports activity was evaluated by detailed questionnaires, which were available in 58 flutter patients (95%). A transthoracic echocardiogram was performed in all lone flutter patients.
Types of sports, number of years of participation and average number of hours per week.
The proportion of regular sportsmen (≥3 h of sports practice per week) among patients with lone atrial flutter was significantly higher than that observed in the general population (50% vs 17%; p<0.0001). The proportion of sportsmen engaged in long-term endurance sports (participation in cycling, running or swimming for ≥3 h/week) was also significantly higher in lone flutter patients than in controls (31% vs 8%; p=0.0003). Those flutter patients performing endurance sports had a larger left atrium than non-sportsmen (p=0.04, by one-way analysis of variance).
A history of endurance sports and subsequent left atrial remodelling may be a risk factor for the development of atrial flutter.
This study examined the cardiac structure and function of a unique cohort of documented lifelong, competitive endurance veteran athletes (>50 yr). Twelve lifelong veteran male endurance athletes [mean ± SD (range) age: 56 ± 6 yr (50-67)], 20 age-matched veteran controls [60 ± 5 yr; (52-69)], and 17 younger male endurance athletes [31 ± 5 yr (26-40)] without significant comorbidities underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging to assess cardiac morphology and function, as well as CMR imaging with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) to assess myocardial fibrosis. Lifelong veteran athletes had smaller left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes (P < 0.05), but maintained LV and RV systolic function compared with young athletes. However, veteran athletes had a significantly larger absolute and indexed LV and RV end-diastolic and systolic volumes, intraventricular septum thickness during diastole, posterior wall thickness during diastole, and LV and RV stroke volumes (P < 0.05), together with significantly reduced LV and RV ejection fractions (P < 0.05), compared with veteran controls. In six (50%) of the veteran athletes, LGE of CMR indicated the presence of myocardial fibrosis (4 veteran athletes with LGE of nonspecific cause, 1 probable previous myocarditis, and 1 probable previous silent myocardial infarction). There was no LGE in the age-matched veteran controls or young athletes. The prevalence of LGE in veteran athletes was not associated with age, height, weight, or body surface area (P > 0.05), but was significantly associated with the number of years spent training (P < 0.001), number of competitive marathons (P < 0.001), and ultraendurance (>50 miles) marathons (P < 0.007) completed. An unexpectedly high prevalence of myocardial fibrosis (50%) was observed in healthy, asymptomatic, lifelong veteran male athletes, compared with zero cases in age-matched veteran controls and young athletes. These data suggest a link between lifelong endurance exercise and myocardial fibrosis that requires further investigation.
Aging is intrinsically associated with a progressive decline in muscle strength and mass, and aerobic capacity. This contributes to reduced mobility and impaired quality of life (QoL) among seniors. Regular physical activity, and more particularly aerobic training (AT), has demonstrated benefits on adults’ health. The aim of this review was to assess the current level of evidence regarding the health benefits of AT in the population aged 70 years and over. A comprehensive, systematic database search for manuscripts was performed. Two reviewers independently assessed interventional studies for potential inclusion. Cardiovascular, metabolic, functional, cognitive, and QoL outcomes were targeted. Fifty-three studies were included totalling 2051 seniors aged 70 years and over. Studies selected were divided into 5 categories according to their main outcomes: cardiovascular function (34 studies), metabolic outcomes (26 studies), functional fitness (19 studies), cognitive functions (8 studies), and QoL (3 studies). With a good level of evidence but a wide heterogeneity between study designs, a significant and beneficial effect of AT was measured on the 5 outcomes. For QoL results
showed a significant but slighter improvement. This systematic review highlights the benefits of AT on seniors’ health outcome such as cardiovascular, functional, metabolic, cognitive, and QoL outcomes although the optimal program remains unclear. When more studies regarding this specific population are needed to determine the most favourable exercise program, clinicians should nevertheless encourage older adults over 70 to participate in AT programs to favour active and healthy ageing.
Objective:
To examine the associations of physical activity (PA) frequency (both moderate and vigorous intensity) and PA levels with cognitive function.
Patients and methods:
Data of individuals 50 years or older, from 20 European countries (along with Israel), were collected from 2004 to November 2013 in the biannual Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. A total of 104,909 participants were assessed for cognitive function at least once (mean follow-up length, 29.5±35.7 months). Baseline moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA were reported by participants as more than once a week, once a week, one to three times a month, or hardly ever or never. With regard to PA frequency, participants were categorized as inactive, low active, intermediate active, or high active. The main outcome measure is a cognitive composite score created by summing the z scores of 4-item temporal orientation, 10-word list for delayed recall, and verbal fluency.
Results:
Adjusted, 2-level mixed-effect regressions found that compared with doing no PA, doing PA more than once a week, once a week, or one to three times a month was positively associated with the composite score (β coefficients varied from 0.52 to 0.75 for moderate-intensity PA and from 0.26 to 0.33 for vigorous-intensity PA). Similarly, compared with the inactive category, high-active, intermediate-active, and low-active categories had positive associations with the composite score (β varied from 0.77 to 1.10). Positive associations were also obtained between PA variables and the raw scores of cognitive tests.
Conclusion:
Physical activity has dose-response associations with cognitive function, with even low PA frequencies (few times per month) being positively associated with cognitive function during aging.
The role of psychological risk factors has been under-recognized in most subspecialties of medicine, as well as in general medicine practices. However, considerable evidence indicates that psychosocial factors are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Emerging data from cardiac rehabilitation (CR) settings and CR-based exercise training (CRET) programs have demonstrated the value of comprehensive CR and exercise training to improve psychological functioning and reduce all-cause mortality. Recent evidence also supports the role of CRET and the added value of stress management training in the secondary prevention of CVD.
Considerable evidence has established the link between high levels of physical activity (PA) and all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-specific mortality. Running is a popular form of vigorous PA that has been associated with better overall survival, but there is debate about the dose-response relationship between running and CVD and all-cause survival. In this review, we specifically reviewed studies published in PubMed since 2000 that included at least 500 runners and 5-year follow-up so as to analyze the relationship between vigorous aerobic PA, specifically running, and major health consequences, especially CVD and all-cause mortality. We also made recommendations on the optimal dose of running associated with protection against CVD and premature mortality, as well as briefly discuss the potential cardiotoxicity of a high dose of aerobic exercise, including running (eg, marathons).
As the world's population ages, the occurrence of osteoporosis-related fractures is projected to increase. Low areal bone mineral density (aBMD), a well-known risk factor for fractures, may be influenced by physical activity (PA). In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to investigate potential associations between objective measures of PA and bone properties, in a population-based cohort of 1228 70-year-old men and women. We measured volumetric BMD (vBMD, mg/cm(3)) together with cross-sectional area (CSA, mm(2)) by peripheral quantitative computed tomography at sites located 4% and 66% in the distal-proximal trajectory at the tibia and radius. We also measured aBMD (g/cm(2)) by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at the femoral neck, lumbar spine (L1-L4) and radius. Participants wore triaxial accelerometers for 7 consecutive days to obtain objective estimates of PA. The intensity of the objective PA was divided into light (100-1951counts/min [CPM]), moderate (1952-5724cpm) and vigorous (≥5725cpm). Maximal accelerations for the anterior-posterior (z), medio-lateral (x), and vertical (y) axes were also separately assessed. Associations were investigated using bivariate correlations and multiple linear regression, adjusted for height, weight and sex. Vigorous PA showed the strongest association with femoral neck aBMD (β=0.09, p<0.001), while both moderate and vigorous PAs were associated with cortical area and trabecular vBMD in the weight-bearing tibia (all p<0.05). Peak vertical accelerations were associated significantly with cortical area (β=0.09, p<0.001) and trabecular vBMD (β=0.09, p=0.001) of the tibia, whereas peak anterior-posterior accelerations showed no correlation with these properties. No positive association was found between objectively measured PA and bone parameters of the radius. In conclusion, vertical accelerations and moderate to vigorous PA independently predict bone properties, especially in the weight-bearing tibia, in 70-year-old men and women.
Substantial evidence has established the value of high levels of physical activity, exercise training (ET), and overall cardiorespiratory fitness in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This article reviews some basics of exercise physiology and the acute and chronic responses of ET, as well as the effect of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness on cardiovascular diseases. This review also surveys data from epidemiological and ET studies in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, particularly coronary heart disease and heart failure. These data strongly support the routine prescription of ET to all patients and referrals for patients with cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary heart disease and heart f