Reliability of novel postural sway task test

The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability of parameters obtained from a novel postural sway task test based on body movements controlled by visual feedback. Fifty-nine volunteers were divided into two groups. The first group consisted of young (n = 32, 16 females and 16 males, age: 25.2 3.4 years) and the second group of elderly individuals (n = 27, 17 females and 10 males, age: 75.7 6.9 years). Participants stood in parallel on a computer based stabilographic platform with the feet approximately a shoulder width apart, the toes slightly pointing outwards, the hands placed on the hips. The computer screen was placed approximately 1.5 meter from the platform at a height of subjects eyes. An instantaneous visual feedback of participants centre of pressure (COP) was given in a form of a blue cross visible on the screen. Participants were instructed to keep the blue cross driven by movements of their hips as close as possible to a predefined curve flowing on the screen. Out of the 6 parameters studied, only the average distance of COP from the curve line and the sum of the COP crossings through the curve line showed high reliability. Correlation between these two highly reliable parameters was -0.89. There was also a statistical difference (p<0.001) between young and elderly in both the average distance of COP from the curve line and the sum of the COP crossings through the curve. To conclude, the novel postural sway task provides a simple tool with relatively low time burden needed for testing. The suggested output parameters measured are highly reliable and easy to interpre

Can lifelong endurance exercise improve ageing through beneficial effects on circadian timing function, muscular performance and health status in men? Protocol for a comparative cross-sectional study

A well-synchronized circadian system is a manifestation of an individual's health. A gradual weakening of the circadian timing function characterizes aging. Regular exercise has been suggested as a modality to improve many detrimental changes associated with aging. Therefore, we aim to examine the benefits and risks of lifelong endurance exercise on age-dependent changes in the circadian time-keeping function, the performance of the muscular system and health status. The study protocol has a comparative cross-sectional design, including groups of senior (65 to 75 years old, n=16) and young (20-30 years old, n=16) endurance runners and triathletes. Age-matched groups of young and elderly sedentary men are included as controls. The circadian function is evaluated mainly by measurement of urinary 6-sulphatoxymelatonin, a metabolite of the hormone melatonin shown to participate in the modulation of sleep cycles. The 6-sulphatoxymelatonin will be assessed in urine samples collected upon awakening in the morning and in the late evening, as a marker of melatonin production. In addition, sleep/activity rhythms and sleep quality will be measured by wrist actigraphy. Performance of the muscular system will be assessed by examination of muscular strength and quantifying of gene expression in the skeletal muscle tissue samples. Health status and age-induced reduction in immune function are to be analysed via the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory immune markers in the plasma and skeletal muscle, body composition, bone density and physical fitness

Aging and Possible Benefits or Negatives of Lifelong Endurance Running: How Master Male Athletes Differ from Young Athletes and Elderly Sedentary?

Regular physical activity, recommended by the WHO, is crucial in maintaining a good physical fitness level and health status and slows down the effects of aging. However, there is a lack of knowledge of whether lifelong endurance running, with a volume and frequency above the WHO limits, still brings the same benefits, or several negative effects too. The present study aims to examine the protentional benefits and risks of lifelong endurance running training in Master male athletes, as this level of physical activity is above the WHO recommendations. Within the study, four main groups of participants will be included: (1) endurance-trained master athletes, (2) endurance-trained young athletes, (3) young sedentary adults, and (4) elderly sedentary. Both groups of athletes are strictly marathon runners, who are still actively running. The broad spectrum of the diagnostic tests, from the questionnaires, physical fitness testing, and blood sampling to muscle biopsy, will be performed to obtain the possibility of complexly analyzing the effects of lifelong endurance physical activity on the human body and aging. Moreover, the study will try to discover and explain new relationships between endurance running and diagnostic parameters, not only within aging