Sleep behavior and daily activity levels in people with metabolic syndrome: effect of 1 year of metformin treatment

Impaired sleep and low daily activity levels increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MS). Metformin (MET), an insulin sensitizer drug, is effective in regressing MS and has been recently studied as an adjuvant agent for managing sleep disorders. The present study aimed to assess whether 1,700 mg/day of MET treatment modifies sleep and daily activity levels in people with MS evaluated by Rest-Activity circadian Rhythm (RAR), which is the expression of 24 h of spontaneous activity parameters. A total of 133 subjects with MS, randomized into the MET (n = 65) or placebo (PLA, n = 68) group, underwent a clinical/anthropometric examination and carried out a continuous 7-day actigraphic monitoring to investigate sleep and RAR parameters at baseline and after 1 year of intervention. After 1 year of intervention, 105 subjects were analyzed. The MET group showed greater anthropometric and metabolic improvements compared with placebo, with a significant reduction in weight (p = 0.01), body mass index (p = 0.01), waist circumference (p = 0.03), and glucose (p < 0.001). With regard to sleep parameters, the MET group showed a significant increase in actual sleep time (p = 0.01) and sleep efficiency (p = 0.04) compared with placebo. There were no significant changes reported in the RAR parameters. Our study suggests that MET might be used as an adjuvant treatment for sleep disorders in people with MS

The student academic performance in Anatomy is related to Circadian Typology?

In human species, circadian rhythmic expression differs among individuals and may be classified with the concept of Circadian Typology (CT), which consists of three chronotypes: i) Morning-type (M-types), subjects that go to bed early and wake up early and achieve their peak of mental and physical performance in the early part of the day; ii) Evening-type (E-types), subjects that go to bed and wake up late, and perform at their best toward the end of the day, during evening hours; iii) Neither-type (N-types), subjects that show intermediate characteristics between the previous samples. Circadian preferences may change during the life span and can influence academic and sport performance and job activities [1]. We collected data considering 427 students, 294 males and 133 females (age 18-25 years), attending the School of Sport Science, University of Milan. All participants compiled the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) for the assessment of chronotype; subsequently they have been evaluated taking into consideration their anatomy test marks. The chronotype distribution of the students was: 44 M-types, 280 N-types and 103 E-types. For M-types, the result in Anatomy exam was significantly higher compared to Evening-types (p< .01). Even the comparison between M-types and N-types showed a significant difference (p< .01). Instead, the performance for E- and N-types was similar. The present results provide a clear indication of a better academic performance for M-types students compared to E-types referring to Anatomy exam. In this way, the italian academic organization seems to be less favorable for E-types

Morningness-Eveningness preferences and academic results: correlation between practical and theoretic discipline

Human beings organize most of their biological and behavioural activities according to a 24h period. The biological rhythms show differences between individuals and this variability is known as Circadian Typology (CT). Morning-types (M-types), are active early in the morning and soon reach their peak in mental and physical performance but tire early in the evening. Evening-types (E-types) find difficult to get up in the morning and require more time to reach their optimal status. Neither-types (N-types) show intermediate characteristics. Many studies indicate that age and sex may influence: morningness preference increases with age in adults, and women show a stronger trend toward morningness than men [1]. Student chronotype can represent one of the factors that may affect academic achievement. This study investigates whether the CT of the students is related to the final exam grades of two different disciplines, theoretic (Anatomy) and practical (Athletics). Anatomy and Athletics grades are good indicators of the overall academic performance of the undergraduates. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the performance in Anatomy is correlated with Athletics for the three chronotypes. Participants were recruited among students of the School of Sport Science, University of Milan. They were 427 (294 males; 133 females). They completed the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ): 44 students were classified as M-types, 280 as N-types and 103 as E-types. Individual performance in the final exams of Anatomy and Athletic were collected among them. M-type students achieved better results on final exams in Anatomy and Athletic than either E-type or N-type students. Moreover for M-types (R2= 0.187), it was observed a higher correlation concerning the results of the two disciplines than E-types (R2=0.0727) and N-types (R2=0.0236)

Anthropometric indices of adiposity and fasting glucose metabolism in breast cancer survivors: effects of aerobic physical activity

Adiposity and hypersinsulinemia are factors involved in cancer mortality including BC (1). Physical activity (PA) has the potential to counterbalance these risk factors. In fact, PA has been shown to produce beneficial effects on adiposity and glucose metabolism (2). We thus designed a randomized controlled trial to test the effect of an aerobic PA program on anthropometric indices of adiposity and fasting glucose metabolism in BC women included in a dietary intervention trial for prevention of BC recurrences. 42 BC women, aged 35-70 years, were randomized into an intervention (IG=19) and control group (CG=23). The IG had to participate in a 3-month active PA program that included two sessions of one-hour brisk walking per week. At baseline and after 3-month, all women were requested to undergo an anthropometric visit and to collect a blood sample for determination of fasting insulin and glucose levels. At the end of the 3-month PA a significant reduction in waist circumference (p&lt;0.05) and percentage fat mass (p&lt;0.01) were observed in IG, but not in CG. In addition, only IG increased significantly their Metabolic Equivalent of Task (METs) (p&lt;0.05). Although fasting glucose and insulin levels don’t show any significant change in either group, it is nevertheless encouraging that the two groups displayed an opposite trend as far as the changes in fasting insulin were concerned: fasting insulin shows a mean reduction (-0.9 U//ml) in the IG group and a mean increment in the CG (+0.7 U/ml). The results suggest that a standardized PA program in BC survivors reduces anthropometric indices of adiposity and may prove useful in preventing the development of hyperinsulinemic levels

Anthropometric and performance differences among playing positions between Italian and American high school football players

Height, body weight and body composition are different among American football players and this is due to the different movement demands for each playing position (1). The results of the National Football League (NFL) Combines are different for playing position and they are used by coaches and scouts to assess players’ physical abilities as a determinant of their success in the professional level (2). The purpose of this study was to examine anthropometric and performance differences among young football players of a top Italian team (Rhinos Milan) and to compare these values with the American high school football players. Participants (N=62) were categorized by position in 3 groups based on playing position: Skill players (SP) included wide receivers, cornerbacks, safeties, and running backs; Big skill players (BSP) consisted of fullbacks, linebackers, tight ends, and defensive ends; Lineman (LM) included centers, offensive guards, offensive and defensive tackles. Body weight and percentage of body fat were determined using the TANITA Body Composition Monitor BC-418 and we obtained performance results of the following Nike SPARQ Combine drills: 40-yard dash, vertical jump, 20-yard shuttle and the kneeling power ball toss (KPBT). The one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey-Kramer post-hoc test showed significant differences for all the variables among the 3 playing categories: LM had higher anthropometric and body composition values than SP (

Polyamines and Physical Activity in Musculoskeletal Diseases: A Potential Therapeutic Challenge

Autophagy dysregulation is commonplace in the pathogenesis of several invalidating diseases, such as musculoskeletal diseases. Polyamines, as spermidine and spermine, are small aliphatic cations essential for cell growth and differentiation, with multiple antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. Remarkably, they are emerging as natural autophagy regulators with strong anti-aging effects. Polyamine levels were significantly altered in the skeletal muscles of aged animals. Therefore, supplementation of spermine and spermidine may be important to prevent or treat muscle atrophy. Recent in vitro and in vivo experimental studies indicate that spermidine reverses dysfunctional autophagy and stimulates mitophagy in muscles and heart, preventing senescence. Physical exercise, as polyamines, regulates skeletal muscle mass inducing proper autophagy and mitophagy. This narrative review focuses on the latest evidence regarding the efficacy of polyamines and exercise as autophagy inducers, alone or coupled, in alleviating sarcopenia and aging-dependent musculoskeletal diseases. A comprehensive description of overall autophagic steps in muscle, polyamine metabolic pathways, and effects of the role of autophagy inducers played by both polyamines and exercise has been presented. Although literature shows few data in regard to this controversial topic, interesting effects on muscle atrophy in murine models have emerged when the two “autophagy-inducers” were combined. We hope these findings, with caution, can encourage researchers to continue investigating in this direction. In particular, if these novel insights could be confirmed in further in vivo and clinical studies, and the two synergic treatments could be optimized in terms of dose and duration, then polyamine supplementation and physical exercise might have a clinical potential in sarcopenia, and more importantly, implications for a healthy lifestyle in the elderly population

Biological Rhythm and Chronotype: New Perspectives in Health

The circadian rhythm plays a fundamental role in regulating biological functions, including sleep–wake preference, body temperature, hormonal secretion, food intake, and cognitive and physical performance. Alterations in circadian rhythm can lead to chronic disease and impaired sleep. The circadian rhythmicity in human beings is represented by a complex phenotype. Indeed, over a 24-h period, a person’s preferred time to be more active or to sleep can be expressed in the concept of morningness–eveningness. Three chronotypes are distinguished: Morning, Neither, and Evening-types. Interindividual differences in chronotypes need to be considered to reduce the negative effects of circadian disruptions on health. In the present review, we examine the bi-directional influences of the rest–activity circadian rhythm and sleep–wake cycle in chronic pathologies and disorders. We analyze the concept and the main characteristics of the three chronotypes

Lifestyle of Italian University Students Attending Different Degree Courses: A Survey on Physical Activity, Sleep and Eating Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The current study aimed to evaluate the Italian university students’ lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic, considering the degree courses, chronotype, and sex. Five-hundred thirty-three participants (21.46 ± 0.18 yrs, 335 females) filled out: Godin-Shephard Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (GSL-TPAQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED), Reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ) to assess physical activity, sleep, nutrition and chronotype. Use of electronic devices, smoking, and drinking habits were also evaluated. Sports science students were more active (60.92 ± 2.96), slept better (4.40 ± 0.15), showed greater Mediterranean diet adherence (5.98 ± 0.31), and smoked less (smokers: 14.5%) than nursing students (GSL-TPAQ: 38.62 ± 2.92, PSQI: 5.29 ± 0.18, KIDMED: 4.23 ± 0.33, smokers: 27.9%). They displayed a higher percentage of beer drinkers (40% vs. 28.7%) and lower use of electronic devices (5.92 ± 0.17 vs. 9.07 ± 1.17). Evening-type students showed worse sleep (5.96 ± 0.30) and lower Mediterranean diet adherence (4.32 ± 0.52) than Neither- (PSQI: 4.58 ± 0.13, KIDMED: 5.13 ± 0.28) and Morning-types (PSQI: 4.33 ± 0.33, KIDMED: 6.71 ± 0.64). Evening-types also showed a higher percentage of smokers (29.9%) and drinkers (beer: 53.3%, wine: 45.8%, alcohol: 40.2%) than Neither- (smokers: 20.3%, beer: 31.4%, wine: 31.4%, alcohol: 23.5%) and Morning-types (smokers: 8.9%, beer: 19.6%, wine: 19.6%, alcohol: 8.9%). Evening-type males used electronic devices longer (9.10 ± 3.05) than females (6.71 ± 0.41). Females showed fewer drinkers (beer: 26.6%, wine: 29.6%) than males (beer: 49.0%, wine: 38.9%). Maintaining a correct lifestyle even in this unusual condition is essential, in particular among the Evening-type students

Effect of sleep and fatigue on cardiovascular performance in young, healthy subjects

Physical performance could be negatively affected by sleep deficiency and fatigue. The present study assesses the role of sleep quality, fatigue and motivation on cardiovascular performance (VO(2)peak, Wmax, and HRmax) in a sample of active young subjects. The current study is a cross-sectional design. Ninety-six university students (males 54.2%; 21.5 +/- 2.9 yrs) completed an incremental exercise test on a bicycle ergometer. Sleep, fatigue, and motivation were assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and two visual analogue scales, respectively. Differences in VO2peak, Wmax, HRmax, self-perceived fatigue and motivation were compared between good and bad sleepers and sleep duration >/< 7.5 h, while regression analysis defined the predictors of VO(2)peak, Wmax, and HRmax.In the male sample, good and bad sleepers' differences were significant only for self-perceived fatigue (p = 0.04). The female sample showed no statistically significant differences between good and bad sleepers and different sleep durations. In the male sample, linear regression analysis showed a significant inverse correlation between Wmax and the PSQI score (-0.4, p = 0.004). The stepwise regression model indicated that sleep (beta =-0.3, p = 0.02) was a significant predictor of VO(2)peak in males accounting for 20% of the variance, whereas physical performance seems more affected by fatigue (beta=-0.4, p = 0.03) in females. In conclusion, chronic inadequate and self-reported sleep quality seems to be one of the factors compromising cardiovascular performance in males