RESUMEN

CONTEXT: Understanding former professional football players engagement with health promoting behaviors (physical exercise, high quality diet, and good sleep hygiene) will be helpful for developing lifestyle interventions to improve their feelings of well-being, a relatively understudied facet of health among this population. OBJECTIVE: Examine associations among health-promoting behaviors and subjective outcomes related to well-being among former National Football League (NFL) players. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Online or hard-copy survey. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Former NFL players. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported health-promoting behaviors (exercise frequency, diet quality, sleep duration and disturbance) and factors related to well-being (PROMIS ® Meaning and Purpose [MP], Self-Efficacy [SE], Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities [SRA]). Multivariable linear regression models were fit for each well-being-related factor with health-promoting behaviors as explanatory variables alongside select demographic, behavioral, and functional covariates. Models were fit for the full sample and separately for individual age groups: <30 years; 30-39 years; 40-49 years; 50-59 years; 60-69 years; and 70+ years. RESULTS: A total of 1,784 former NFL players (aged 52.3±16.3 years) completed the survey. Lower sleep disturbance was associated with better MP (ß[standard error]=-0.196[0.024]), SE (ß[standard error]=-0.185[0.024]), and SRA (ß[standard error]=-0.137[0.017]) in the full sample and almost all the individual age groups. More frequent moderate-to-vigorous exercise was associated with higher MP (ß[standard error]=0.068[0.025]) and SRA (ß[standard error]=0.151[0.065]) in the full sample, and with better MP, SE, and SRA among select middle-aged groups (between 40-69 years old). Diet quality, resistance training exercise frequency, other wellness activity frequency, and sleep duration were not associated with well-being-related factors in the full-group and sparse significant associations were observed in individual age group models. CONCLUSIONS: Lower sleep disturbance and more frequent moderate-to-vigorous exercise frequency may be important targets for improving overall health and well-being among former NFL players.

RESUMEN

Background: Sedentary behavior (SB) is detrimental to cardiometabolic disease (CMD) risk, which can begin in young adulthood. To devise effective SB-CMD interventions in young adults, it is important to understand which context-specific sedentary behaviors (CS-SB) are most detrimental for CMD risk, the lifestyle behaviors that co-exist with CS-SBs, and the socioecological predictors of CS-SB. Methods: This longitudinal observational study will recruit 500 college-aged (18-24 years) individuals. Two laboratory visits will occur, spaced 12 months apart, where a composite CMD risk score (e.g., arterial stiffness, metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers, heart rate variability, and body composition) will be calculated, and questionnaires to measure lifestyle behaviors and different levels of the socioecological model will be administered. After each visit, total SB (activPAL) and CS-SB (television, transportation, academic/ occupational, leisure computer, "other"; ecological momentary assessment) will be measured across seven days. Discussion: It is hypothesized that certain CS-SB will show stronger associations with CMD risk, compared to T-SB, even after accounting for coexisting lifestyle behaviors. It is expected that a range of intra-individual, inter-individual, and physical environment socioecological factors will predict CS-SB. The findings from this study will support the development of an evidence-based, multi-level intervention to target SB reduction and mitigate CMD risk in CBYA.

RESUMEN

Background: Estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) is mathematically calculated from age and mean arterial pressure (MAP). We examined the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) vs. moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on ePWV and MAP in insufficiently active overweight adults. Methods: Using the randomized controlled trial design, thirteen males (27.46 ± 3.80 years old; body mass index (BMI) = 29.61 ± 5.52) randomly completed either two-week HIIT (n = 7) or MICT (n = 6). HIIT consisted of 8 sessions of cycling, 20 min/session with an exercise-to-rest ratio of 10/50 s at ≥ 90% peak heart rate ( HR peak ). MICT consisted of 8 cycling sessions, 40 min/session at 60-75% HR peak . Oscillometric brachial MAP was measured pre- and post-intervention, and ePWV was calculated. Two-way repeated measure analysis of variance examined the effects of time, intervention, and their interactions on ePWV and MAP. Results: Significant time effects were observed for ePWV and MAP, where both measures comparably decreased over time in HIIT and MICT groups (p < 0.05 for all). However, no significant intervention or interaction effects were detected, indicating no superiority of either exercise modality for ePWV or MAP improvements. Conclusions: This study uniquely revealed that two weeks of HIIT or MICT resulted in significant, comparable, and clinically meaningful decreases in ePWV and MAP among insufficiently active overweight adults. As such, overweight adults who have time as a constraint to engage in traditional exercise (i.e., MICT) can accomplish comparable vascular benefits by performing HIIT.

RESUMEN

PURPOSE: To investigate whether venous blood pooling in the lower limbs from prolonged sitting induces harmful cardiovascular effects by reducing stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO). METHODS: A randomized crossover trial involving 16 participants (mean age = 24.8 years ± 6.0 years, 44% women, 1 dropout) was conducted. The trial consisted of 2 conditions: cuff and noncuff, both involving 2 hours of prolonged sitting with tourniquets placed proximal to each knee. In the cuff condition, the tourniquets were inflated to subdiastolic pressure, allowing arterial inflow but preventing venous outflow. Venous blood pooling was assessed by measuring calf circumference. Cardiac Doppler sonography was used to measure CO, SV, and heart rate (HR) before and after the sitting period. RESULTS: Although the interaction effect between venous blood pooling and CO was not statistically significant (P = .190), there was a significant main effect for time (effect size [ES] = 0.36, ß = -0.238, 5.42% decrease). A medium-sized time-by-condition interaction effect for SV was observed (ES = 0.37, ß = 6.165), with a 5.87% decrease in the cuff condition and a 2.81% increase in the noncuff condition. Furthermore, there was a large interaction effect for venous blood pooling as measured by calf circumference (ES = 1.98, ß = -0.987), with a 3.69% increase in the cuff condition and a 0.03% increase in the noncuff condition. DISCUSSION: Understanding the physiological adaptations that occur during prolonged sitting can provide insight into how and how often to interrupt sitting to prevent deleterious cardiovascular effects. SV decreased during the sitting period of 120 minutes in the cuff condition and increased slightly during in the noncuff condition. However, the changes in CO and HR were more variable and were not perfectly in line with the authors' hypotheses. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that as venous blood pooling increases during prolonged sitting, SV decreases, suggesting venous blood pooling influences certain hemodynamic changes associated with prolonged sitting.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Prolonged uninterrupted sitting of >3 h has been shown to acutely cause central and peripheral cardiovascular dysfunction. However, individuals rarely sit uninterrupted for >2 h, and the cardiovascular response to this time is currently unknown. In addition, while increased cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and habitual physical activity (HPA) are independently associated with improvements in central and peripheral cardiovascular function, it remains unclear whether they influence the response to uninterrupted sitting. This study sought to 1) determine whether 2 h of uninterrupted sitting acutely impairs carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), femoral ankle PWV (faPWV), and central and peripheral blood pressure and 2) investigate the associations between CRF and HPA versus PWV changes during uninterrupted sitting. Following 2 h of uninterrupted sitting, faPWV significantly increased [mean difference (MD) = 0.26 m·s-1, standard error (SE) = 0.10, P = 0.013] as did diastolic blood pressure (MD = 2.83 mmHg, SE = 1.08, P = 0.014), however, cfPWV did not significantly change. Although our study shows 2 h of uninterrupted sitting significantly impairs faPWV, neither CRF (r = 0.105, P = 0.595) nor HPA (r = -0.228, P = 0.253) was associated with the increases.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We demonstrate that neither cardiorespiratory fitness nor habitual physical activity influence central and peripheral cardiovascular responses to a 2-h bout of uninterrupted sitting in healthy young adults.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Central adiposity, which is visceral and subcutaneous adiposity in the abdominal region, is a known risk factor for developing chronic cardiometabolic diseases. Central adiposity can be measured relatively inexpensively using ultrasound. Ultrasound has been shown to be precise and reliable, with measurement accuracy comparable to computed tomography and magnetic resonance. Despite the advantages conferred by ultrasound, widespread adoption has been hindered by lack of reliable standard operating procedures. To consolidate the literature and bring clarity to the use of ultrasound-derived measures of central adiposity, this review outlines (i) the [patho]physiological importance of central adiposity to cardiometabolic disease risk; (ii) an overview of the history and main technical aspects of ultrasound methodology; (iii) key measurement considerations, including transducer selection, subject preparation, image acquisition, image analysis, and operator training; and (iv) guidelines for standardized ultrasound protocols for measuring central adiposity.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) is a leading cause of premature death and hospitalization which places a significant strain on health services and economies around the World. Evidence from decades of empirical and observational research demonstrates clear associations between physical activity (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) which can offset the risk of mortality and increase life expectancy and the quality of life in patients. Whilst well documented, the narrative of increased CRF remained pertinent during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, where individuals with lower levels of CRF had more than double the risk of dying from COVID-19 compared to those with a moderate or high CRF. The need to better understand the mechanisms associated with COVID-19 and those that continue to be affected with persistent symptoms following infection (Long COVID), and CV health is key if we are to be able to effectively target the use of CRF and PA to improve the lives of those suffering its afflictions. Whilst there is a long way to go to optimise PA and CRF for improved health at a population level, particularly in a post-pandemic world, increasing the understanding using a cellular-to-systems approach, we hope to provide further insight into the benefits of engaging in PA.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

PURPOSE: Prolonged sitting acutely increases arterial stiffness, with interruption strategies only providing limited success in offsetting these rises. Acute aerobic exercise is a potent stimulus to decrease arterial stiffness. However, limited information exists on the effectiveness of acute exercise to maintain arterial stiffness when performed prior to prolonged sitting, particularly within physically active individuals. METHODS: Using a randomized crossover design, 22 young, active individuals (50% female) performed two conditions 30 min of walking at 55-65% of heart rate reserve (EX) and 30 min of standing (STAND) followed by 2.5-h of sitting. Brachial-femoral (bfPWV) and femoral-ankle pulse wave velocity (faPWV) were assessed at Baseline, post-exercise and pre-sitting (Pre), and post-sitting (Post) as estimates of central and peripheral arterial stiffness, respectively. RESULTS: For bfPWV, no interaction, condition, or time effects were observed. For faPWV, an interaction was present (p < 0.001); compared to Baseline, there was a 6.1% decrease for EX (- 0.4 m/s, p < 0.001) and a 4.6% increase for STAND (0.3 m/s, p = 0.016) for STAND such that there was an 11.3% difference between conditions at Pre (0.7 m/s, p < 0.001). From Pre to Post, EX then increased by 11.7% (0.9 m/s p < 0.001) while STAND remained unchanged, resulting in no difference between conditions (0.1 m/s, p = 0.569). CONCLUSIONS: While aerobic exercise resulted in a significant decrease in faPWV prior to sitting, the prior exercise bout did not confer a protective effect against the deleterious effects of uninterrupted sitting. Future work should investigate the combined effect of prior exercise and sitting interruption strategies on markers of arterial stiffness.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: A previous meta-analysis reported that: (i) an acute bout of prolonged uninterrupted sitting induces a significant increase in peripheral blood pressure (BP) and (ii) the increase in BP can be offset by interrupting the sitting bout with light aerobic activities such as walking. However, the temporal association between prolonged uninterrupted sitting and BP was not determined. A better understanding of temporality, for example, how long it takes BP to increase, will assist in prescribing sitting interruption strategies. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine: (1) the temporal association between the duration of uninterrupted sitting and BP and (2) whether regular sitting interruptions moderate the association between uninterrupted sitting and BP. DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus) were searched from inception to July 2022. Reference lists of eligible studies and relevant reviews were also screened. STUDY SELECTION: Inclusion criteria for objective (1) were: (i) participants aged ≥ 18 years; (ii) a prolonged sitting bout ≥ 1 h; and (iii) peripheral BP measurements (systolic BP, diastolic BP, and/or mean arterial pressure) at more than two timepoints during the sitting bout. Additional criteria for objective (2) were: (i) the sitting interruption strategy was implemented during the sitting bout (i.e., not prior to engaging in sitting) and (ii) the study included a control (uninterrupted sitting) condition or group. APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: There were 1555 articles identified, of which 33 met inclusion criteria for objective (1). Of those articles, 20 met inclusion criteria for objective (2). To investigate the effect of sitting duration on the BP response, unstandardized b coefficients (mmHg/h) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a three-level mixed-effect meta-regression. RESULTS: Increased sitting duration was positively associated with systolic BP (b = 0.42 mmHg/h, 95% CI 0.18-0.60), diastolic BP (b = 0.24 mmHg/h, 95% CI 0.06-0.42), and mean arterial pressure (b = 0.66 mmHg/h, 95% CI 0.36-0.90). In trials where sitting was interrupted, there was a significant decrease in systolic BP (b = - 0.24 mmHg/h, 95% CI - 0.42 to - 0.06) and diastolic BP (b = - 0.24 mmHg/h, 95% CI - 0.42 to - 0.12), and a non-significant change in mean arterial pressure (p = 0.69). CONCLUSIONS: Increased uninterrupted sitting duration results in greater increases in BP; however, regularly interrupting sitting may offset negative effects.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Social media usage has soared in the last decade, with the majority of adults having an account on at least one platform. Sites such as LinkedIn, X, and TikTok allow users to share content using different forms, for example, written or video, long form or short form. Social media can be used by researchers to forge collaborations, rapidly disseminate new research, and demonstrate societal impact. This opinion piece aims to highlight the value of social media, in particular for early career researchers, and offer suggestions on how early career researchers can strategically use social media to build a network and an online presence. We reflect on our own experiences of social media and include some of the reasons we have been deterred from it in the past, such as fear of making a mistake, being misunderstood, or painted as being an overconfident "know it all." As the demonstration of impact and engagement becomes ever more important in grant applications and job security, social media competency is a powerful professional skill that will be important for all scientists.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Emerging evidence indicates that acute bouts of uninterrupted prolonged sitting decrease cerebral blood flow and impair executive function. Few studies have investigated the use of feasible sedentary behavior interruptions to attenuate these effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of intermittent half-squat exercises during prolonged sitting on executive function. Twenty participants (45% women, 21 ± 1 yr) were randomized to sit for 3 h 1) without any interruptions (control) or 2) with 1 min half-squats every 20 min (exercise). Executive function was determined using the Color Word Stroop Test (CWST) and Trail Making Test-B (TMT-B). Subjective feelings of arousal and measures of fatigue, concentration, and motivation were evaluated. Internal carotid artery (ICA) blood flow was measured using Doppler ultrasound. There was a significant interaction effect for correct response times with the incongruent CWST (P < 0.01), which were 3.5% faster in the exercise and 4.2% slower in the control over 3 h of sitting. There was also a significant interaction effect for TMT-B completion times (P < 0.01), which were 10.0% faster in the exercise and 8.8% slower in the control. Exercise suppressed decreases in concentration with a significant interaction effect (-28.7% vs. -9.2% for control vs. exercise, P = 0.048) and increases in mental fatigue with a significant interaction effect (285% vs. 157% for control vs. exercise, P < 0.04). These changes may have been related to changes in ICA blood flow, which had a significant interaction effect (P = 0.087). These results suggest that a simple strategy like intermittent squat exercises could help to maintain executive function during prolonged sitting.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We assessed executive function, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular responses during 3-h prolonged sitting, with or without an exercise interruption (1 min squats every 20 min). Compared to uninterrupted sitting, exercise interruption suppressed sitting-induced reductions in cerebral blood flow and impairments in executive function. These results demonstrated the efficacy of a half-squat intervention for individuals seeking to preserve cognition during prolonged sitting, which may be useful in environments with limited resources such as the workplace.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The goal of this paper is to introduce Sciducio, a practical framework for guiding the development and leadership of an academic research environment. The principal audience for this framework is new academics, that is individuals beginning a tenure-track position in the U.S or a lecturing position elsewhere in the world. However, we also believe this framework will be of use to established academics searching for structure, academics moving to a new institution, and can serve as a training tool for doctoral and postdoctoral mentees. We briefly describe the theory supporting Sciducio, outline the framework and its individual components (blocks), then provide suggested instructions for use. We provide suggested instructions (i.e., descriptive rather than prescriptive), because there is no one-size-fits-all approach for ensuring success. Sciducio incorporates three domains (Plan, Manage, and Deliver), encompasses eight blocks, and is intended to fit on one-sheet of paper or one screen. The Plan domain includes the blocks: value, strategy, and leadership. The Manage domain includes the blocks: activities, key resources, and finances. The Deliver domain includes the blocks: solution and channels. Considering each of the framework blocks is complex, we cannot provide full justice to each component. This paper serves as a general overview and subsequent papers will be more topic specific. Additionally, we encourage others to contribute to and advance this framework.

RESUMEN

This review proposes a biologically plausible working model for the relationship between the 24-h activity cycle (24-HAC) and cardiovascular disease. The 24-HAC encompasses moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light physical activity, sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep. MVPA confers the greatest relative cardioprotective effect, when considering MVPA represents just 2% of the day if physical activity guidelines (30 min/day) are met. While we have well-established guidelines for MVPA, those for the remaining activity behaviors are vague. The vague guidelines are attributable to our limited mechanistic understanding of the independent and additive effects of these behaviors on the cardiovascular system. Our proposed biological model places arterial stiffness, a measure of vascular aging, as the key intermediate outcome. Starting with prolonged exposure to SB or static standing, we propose that the reported transient increases in arterial stiffness are driven by a cascade of negative hemodynamic effects following venous pooling. The subsequent autonomic, metabolic, and hormonal changes further impair vascular function. Vascular dysfunction can be offset by using mechanistic-informed interruption strategies and by engaging in protective behaviors throughout the day. Physical activity, especially MVPA, can confer protection by chronically improving endothelial function and associated protective mechanisms. Conversely, poor sleep, especially in duration and quality, negatively affects hormonal, metabolic, autonomic, and hemodynamic variables that can confound the physiological responses to next-day activity behaviors. Our hope is that the proposed biologically plausible working model will assist in furthering our understanding of the effects of these complex, interrelated activity behaviors on the cardiovascular system.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

This review critiques the literature supporting clinical assessment and management of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular disease risk stratification with brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). First, we outline what baPWV actually measures-arterial stiffness of both large central elastic arteries and medium-sized muscular peripheral arteries of the lower limb. Second, we argue that baPWV is not a surrogate for carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity. While both measures are dependent on the properties of the aorta, baPWV is also strongly dependent on the muscular arteries of the lower extremities. Increased lower-extremity arterial stiffness amplifies and hastens wave reflections at the level of the aorta, widens pulse pressure, increases afterload, and reduces coronary perfusion. Third, we used an established evaluation framework to identify the value of baPWV as an independent vascular biomarker. There is sufficient evidence to support (1) proof of concept; (2) prospective validation; (3) incremental value; and (4) clinical utility. However, there is limited or no evidence to support (5) clinical outcomes; (6) cost-effectiveness; (8) methodological consensus; or (9) reference values. Fourth, we address future research requirements. The majority of the evaluation criteria, (1) proof of concept, (2) prospective validation, (3) incremental value, (4) clinical utility and (9) reference values, can be supported using existing cohort datasets, whereas the (5) clinical outcomes and (6) cost-effectiveness criteria require prospective investigation. The (8) methodological consensus criteria will require an expert consensus statement. Finally, we finish this review by providing an example of a future clinical practice model.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Background: Reduced testosterone levels can influence immune system function, particularly T cells. Exercise during cancer reduces treatment-related side effects and provide a stimulus to mobilize and redistribute immune cells. However, it is unclear how conventional and unconventional T cells (UTC) respond to acute exercise in prostate cancer survivors compared to healthy controls. Methods: Age-matched prostate cancer survivors on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and those without ADT (PCa) along with non-cancer controls (CON) completed ∼45 min of intermittent cycling with 3 min at 60% of peak power interspersed by 1.5 min of rest. Fresh, unstimulated immune cell populations and intracellular perforin were assessed before (baseline), immediately following (0 h), 2 h, and 24 h post-exercise. Results: At 0 h, conventional T cell counts increased by 45%-64% with no differences between groups. T cell frequency decreased by -3.5% for CD3+ and -4.5% for CD4+ cells relative to base at 0 h with CD8+ cells experiencing a delayed decrease of -4.5% at 2 h with no group differences. Compared to CON, the frequency of CD8+CD57+ cells was -18.1% lower in ADT. Despite a potential decrease in maturity, ADT increased CD8+perforin+ GMFI. CD3+Vα7.2+CD161+ counts, but not frequencies, increased by 69% post-exercise while CD3+CD56+ cell counts increased by 127% and were preferentially mobilized (+1.7%) immediately following the acute cycling bout. There were no UTC group differences. Cell counts and frequencies returned to baseline by 24 h. Conclusion: Following acute exercise, prostate cancer survivors demonstrate normal T cell and UTC responses that were comparable to CON. Independent of exercise, ADT is associated with lower CD8+ cell maturity (CD57) and perforin frequency that suggests a less mature phenotype. However, higher perforin GMFI may attenuate these changes, with the functional implications of this yet to be determined.

RESUMEN

Chronically short (<7 h) and long (>9 h) sleep duration may increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk relative to the recommended sleep duration (7-9 h). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of short and long sleep duration on arterial stiffness, a marker of CVD risk, in adults. Eleven cross-sectional studies were reviewed with a total sample size of 100,050 participants (64.5% male). Weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated and pooled using random effects models, and standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated to determine effect size magnitude. Compared to the recommended sleep duration, both short (WMD = 20.6 cm/s, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 13.8-27.4 cm/s, SMD = 0.02) and long sleep duration (WMD = 33.6 cm/s, 95% CI: 20.0-47.2 cm/s, SMD = 0.79) were associated with higher (detrimental) pulse wave velocity (PWV). The associations between short sleep and higher PWV in adults with cardiometabolic disease, and long sleep and higher PWV in older adults, were also significant in sub-group analysis. These findings indicate short and long sleep duration may contribute to subclinical CVD.

Asunto(s)