Effect of acute downhill running on bone markers in responders and non-responders

Summary: This study showed that procollagen type 1 amino-terminal pro-peptide and N-MID osteocalcin significantly increased after exercise independent of the form of muscle contraction. Thus, these preliminary results will be useful for future studies that will consider bone turnover characteristics of responders and non-responders to acute and chronic aerobic exercise. Introduction: The aim of the current study was to compare the effects of acute flat running (FR) and downhill running (DHR) on bone turnover markers in men. Methods: Fourteen healthy young active men performed three exercise tests in a ounterbalanced order, including rest condition, FR, and DHR, at 60% maximal aerobic capacity on a treadmill with 0 and − 12% inclines. Blood samples were taken in the preexercise, immediately post-exercise, and 24-h post-exercise periods, and bone markers included total procollagen type 1 aminoterminal pro-peptide (total PINP) and N-MID osteocalcin. Results: Total P1NP significantly increased after exercise independent of the form of muscle contraction (p > 0.05). N-MID osteocalcin increased after DHR by 17% compared to after pre-exercise, but the difference did not reach significance (p =0.07; partial eta square, 0.21). Biomarker responses to exercise were dependent on the exercise form and independent of hormone type in half of the participants who were classified as responders. Physiological parameters and changes in muscle voluntary contraction did not explain the differences between responders and non-responders. Conclusion: The effect of acute DHR on bone turnover is determined by biomarker type and participant characteristics. Future studies should discriminate between the characteristics of responders and those of non-responders

Coexistence of pre-sarcopenia and metabolic syndrome in Arab men

Objective: The present single-center observational study determined the prevalence and coexistence of sarcopenia, presarcopenia, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) among apparently healthy Arab men and whether having both conditions present a unique cardiometabolic profile that is distinct than having the conditions separately. Methods: A total of 471 out of 530 Arab men aged 20–77 years old were included after screening for the presence of presarcopenia (ALM/ht2 < 7.26 kg/m2), sarcopenia (presence of both low muscle mass and low function), and MetS. MetS screening was done using the definition by the NCEP-ATP III. Based on the screening results, the participants were classified as control (normal) group (N = 328), MetS only (N = 73), pre-sarcopenia only (N = 64), and MetS + pre-sarcopenia (N = 6). Results: Pre-sarcopenia without MetS was observed in 64 participants (13.6%), while MetS without pre-sarcopenia was observed in 73 participants (15.5%). MetS + pre-sarcopenia was observed only in 6 participants (1.3%). None of the participants had sarcopenia. Age- and BMI-adjusted comparisons showed that those with MetS + pre-sarcopenia had the highest diastolic blood pressure and triglyceride levels as compared to all groups (p values < 0.001). MetS + pre-sarcopenia group also had the highest levels of glucose and the lowest lean arms–legs/BMI ratio than control and pre-sarcopenia groups (p values < 0.001 and 0.005, respectively). Conclusion: The prevalence of pre-sarcopenia + MetS is low among young adult Arab men, but shows a unique cardiometabolic profile that is worse than those having only one of the conditions. Further investigations should be done among Arab women and the elderly