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Age (Dordrecht, Netherlands) Apr 2014Several investigations have demonstrated that running performance gradually decreases with age by using runners >25 years grouped in 5-year age brackets. The aim of this...
Several investigations have demonstrated that running performance gradually decreases with age by using runners >25 years grouped in 5-year age brackets. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between race time in marathon and age in elite marathoners by including all ages and 1-year intervals. Running times of the top ten men and women at 1-year intervals (from 18 to 75 years) in the New York City marathon were analyzed for the 2010 and 2011 races. Gender differences in performance times were analyzed between 18 and 70 years of age. The relationship between running time and runner's age was U-shaped: the lowest race time was obtained at 27 years (149 ± 14 min) in men and at 29 years (169 ± 17 min) in women. Before this age (e.g., 27 years for men and 29 years for women), running time increased by 4.4 ± 4.0 % per year in men and 4.4 ± 4.3 % per year in women. From this age on, running time increased by 2.4 ± 8.1 % per year in men and 2.5 ± 9.9 % per year in women. The sex difference in running time remained stable at ~18.7 ± 3.1 % from 18 to 57 years of age. After this, sex difference progressively increased with advancing age. In summary, endurance runners obtained their best performance in the marathon at 27 years in men and 29 in women. Thus, elite marathon runners should program their long-term training to obtain maximal performance during their late 20s.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aging; Athletes; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Physical Endurance; Retrospective Studies; Running; Sex Factors; Time Factors; Young Adult
PubMed: 24407890
DOI: 10.1007/s11357-013-9614-z -
Age (Dordrecht, Netherlands) Dec 2016Improving healthspan, defined as the period where organisms live without frailty and/or disease, is a major goal of biomedical research. While healthspan measures in...
Improving healthspan, defined as the period where organisms live without frailty and/or disease, is a major goal of biomedical research. While healthspan measures in people are relatively easy to identify, developing robust markers of healthspan in model organisms has proven challenging. Studies using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans have provided vital information on the basic mechanisms of aging; however, worm health is difficult to define, and the impact of interventions that increase lifespan on worm healthspan has been controversial. Here, we describe a marker of population healthspan in C. elegans that we term age-associated vulval integrity defects, or Avid, frequently described elsewhere as rupture or exploding. We connect the presence of this phenotype with temperature, reproduction, diet, and longevity. Our results show that Avid occurs in post-reproductive worms under common laboratory conditions at a frequency that correlates negatively with temperature; Avid is rare in worms kept at 25 °C and more frequent in worms kept at 15 °C. We describe the kinetics of Avid, link the phenotype to oocyte production, and describe how Avid involves the ejection of worm proteins and/or internal organ(s) from the vulva. Finally, we find that Avid is preventable by removing worms from food, suggesting that Avid results from the intake, digestion, and/or absorption of food. Our results show that Avid is a significant cause of death in worm populations maintained under laboratory conditions and that its prevention often correlates with worm longevity. We propose that Avid is a powerful marker of worm healthspan whose underlying molecular mechanisms may be conserved.
Topics: Aging; Animals; Caenorhabditis elegans; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; Diet; Female; Health; Longevity; Mutation; Oocytes; Phenotype; Reproduction; Temperature; Transcription Factors; Vulva
PubMed: 27566309
DOI: 10.1007/s11357-016-9936-8 -
Age (Dordrecht, Netherlands) Dec 2013Although aging is commonly linked to a reduction in joint range of motion, it is unclear if all body joints behave similarly. To address this issue, the main purpose of...
Although aging is commonly linked to a reduction in joint range of motion, it is unclear if all body joints behave similarly. To address this issue, the main purpose of this study was to compare age-related loss of mobility of seven body joints. A total of 6,000 participants (3,835 men and 2,165 women) aged 5 to 92 years took part in this study. The maximal passive range of motion of 20 movements was evaluated by Flexitest, and each movement was scored from 0 to 4. Composite scores were obtained for each of seven joints and for overall flexibility (Flexindex (FLX)) by adding individual movement scores. Confirming previous findings, FLX systematically decreased with aging (p < .001), with female participants being more flexible for all ages (p < 0.001) and having a more gradual, 0.6% vs. 0.8%/year, age reduction (p < .001). Starting at 30 and 40 years, respectively, for male and female participants, the relative contribution of each composite joint score to FLX dramatically changed. Shoulder contribution to FLX male's score went from 13.9% at 28 years of age to only 5.2% at 85 years of age. In general, proportionally, shoulder and trunk became less flexible, while elbow and knee mobility was preserved to a greater extent. Our findings indicated that age-related loss of mobility is rather joint-specific, which could be related to distinct routine usage patterns of the major body joints along life.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Brazil; Child; Child, Preschool; Elbow Joint; Female; Humans; Incidence; Knee Joint; Male; Middle Aged; Mobility Limitation; Movement; Movement Disorders; Physical Fitness; Range of Motion, Articular; Young Adult
PubMed: 23529505
DOI: 10.1007/s11357-013-9525-z -
Age (Dordrecht, Netherlands) Aug 2013Falls represent a significant health risk in the elderly and often result in injuries that require medical attention. Reduced ability to control motion of the whole-body... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Falls represent a significant health risk in the elderly and often result in injuries that require medical attention. Reduced ability to control motion of the whole-body center of mass (COM) has been shown to identify elderly people at risk of falling. To explore effective preventive strategies and interventions, we studied adult age-related differences in multijoint coordination to control the COM during balance recovery. We used the uncontrolled manifold (UCM) analysis, which can decompose movement variability of joints into good movement variability (motor equivalent) and bad movement variability (nonmotor equivalent). The good variability does not affect the COM position, while the bad variability does. Twenty-nine subjects, including 16 healthy young (26.1 ± 4.5 year) and 13 older (74.6 ± 5.6 year) adults without systematic disease, neurological disease, or a severe degenerative condition stood on a flat platform, and received an unexpected backward translation. The older adults had similar amounts of joint movement as the young adults during balance recovery except for the thoracic-lumbar joint. However, the UCM analysis showed that the older adults changed their joint coordination pattern to control the COM and had a lower motor equivalent index with increased nonmotor equivalent variability (bad variability). We conclude that normal aging adults lose the compensatory strategy of flexibly controlling multiple joints when stabilizing the COM after receiving a balance perturbation.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aging; Female; Humans; Joints; Male; Middle Aged; Models, Theoretical; Postural Balance; Recovery of Function
PubMed: 22618298
DOI: 10.1007/s11357-012-9422-x -
Age Apr 1997Reactive oxygen species have been implicated in oxidative modifications of proteins, in many cases represented as carbonyls, which can lead to a variety of diseases and...
Reactive oxygen species have been implicated in oxidative modifications of proteins, in many cases represented as carbonyls, which can lead to a variety of diseases and the age-associated decline of physiological functions. Considerable progress, as well as controversy, about oxidatively modified proteins and aging has unfolded in the last few years. In this article we critically evaluate changes in protein carbonyl content as a marker of the oxidative stress associated with age and other relevant issues on the degradation of oxidatively modified proteins. A definitive conclusion on the age-related increase of protein carbonyls is currently viewed as having to await further confirmation using detailed analysis with new methodologies. Controversial methodological measurements and characterizations of protein carbonyls are discussed, emphasizing the merits of immunoblot analysis using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The degradation of oxidatively modified proteins has not yet been studied in depth in relation to their possible accumulation in old tissues. Recent efforts to establish a causal relation between the effect of oxidative stress on proteins and physiological declines with age are discussed briefly.
PubMed: 23604294
DOI: 10.1007/s11357-997-0008-y -
Age (Dordrecht, Netherlands) Feb 2012Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an evolutionary conserved energy sensor sensitive to changes in cellular AMP/ATP ratio which is activated by... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an evolutionary conserved energy sensor sensitive to changes in cellular AMP/ATP ratio which is activated by phosphorylation (pAMPK). pAMPK levels decrease in peripheral tissues with age, but whether this also occurs in the aged brain, and how this contributes to the ability of the aged brain to cope with ischemic stress is unknown. This study investigated the activation of AMPK and the response to AMPK inhibition after induced stroke in both young and aged male mice. Baseline levels of phosphorylated AMPK were higher in aged brains compared to young mice. Stroke-induced a robust activation of AMPK in young mice, yet this response was muted in the aged brain. Young mice had larger infarct volumes compared with aged animals; however, more severe behavioral deficits and higher mortality were seen in aged mice after stroke. Inhibition of AMPK with Compound C decreased infarct size in young animals, but had no effect in aged mice. Compound C administration led to a reduction in brain ATP levels and induced hypothermia, which led to enhanced neuroprotection in young but not aged mice. This work demonstrates that aging increases baseline brain pAMPK levels; aged mice have a muted stroke-induced pAMPK response; and that AMPK inhibition and hypothermia are less efficacious neuroprotective agents in the aged brain. This has important translational relevance for the development of neuroprotective agents in preclinical models and our understanding of the enhanced metabolic stress experienced by the aged brain.
Topics: AMP-Activated Protein Kinases; Aging; Animals; Biomarkers; Brain; Disease Models, Animal; Male; Mice; Predictive Value of Tests; Sensitivity and Specificity; Stroke
PubMed: 21360073
DOI: 10.1007/s11357-011-9214-8 -
Age (Dordrecht, Netherlands) Oct 2013Age-related declines in central processing may affect corticospinal (CS) excitability that underlies the emergence of voluntary responses to external stimuli. We used...
Age-related declines in central processing may affect corticospinal (CS) excitability that underlies the emergence of voluntary responses to external stimuli. We used single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the primary motor cortex to explore the evolution of CS excitability in 14 young and ten elderly healthy right-handed participants. Motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) were elicited in the right or left first dorsal interosseus (FDI) during the preparatory and premotor periods of a choice reaction time (CRT) task, which required selection of left or right index finger responses. Both age groups showed significant suppression of CS excitability in the preparatory period. However, suppression was generally less pronounced in older than in young adults. Moreover, our data indicated that a reduced suppression in the right FDI during the preparatory period was associated with longer reaction times (RTs) in older adults only. In the premotor period, both age groups demonstrated comparable facilitation levels towards movement onset. Our findings indicate that increased RTs among older individuals could be directly associated with declines in preparatory processes.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aging; Electromyography; Evoked Potentials, Motor; Female; Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Motor Cortex; Muscle, Skeletal; Reaction Time; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Young Adult
PubMed: 23007962
DOI: 10.1007/s11357-012-9471-1 -
Age (Dordrecht, Netherlands) 2014Aging is associated with decline in cardiovascular, autonomic function, and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF). Reports are scanty regarding whether yoga can... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Aging is associated with decline in cardiovascular, autonomic function, and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF). Reports are scanty regarding whether yoga can improve age-related degenerative changes in healthy active men. This study is designed to appraise the role of yoga in improving age-related degenerative changes in cardiometabolic risk profile, autonomic function, stress, and BDNF. Healthy active males of three age groups (20-29, 30-39, and 40-49 years) were randomly assigned to practice yoga daily 1 h for 3 months. Significantly higher values of heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), load in heart (DoP), myocardial oxygen consumption (RPP), and total cholesterol (TC) were noted in senior age group. HR, BP, DoP, RPP, and TC decreased significantly following yogic practice. High frequency (HF), total power (TP), all time domain variables of heart rate variability (HRV), and skin conductance (SC) were significantly decreased with advancement of age. HF, TP, and time domain parameters of HRV and SC increased significantly following yogic practice. Higher levels of catecholamines and low frequency (LF) power of HRV was noted with advancement of age. Levels of catecholamines and LF significantly decreased following yogic practice. Cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) level raised in senior age group. BDNF, serotonin, and dopamine were low in higher age group. Significant decrement of cortisol; ACTH; and increment in serotonin, dopamine, and BDNF was noted following yogic practice. This study revealed that yogic practices might help in the prevention of age-related degeneration by changing cardiometabolic risk factors, autonomic function, and BDNF in healthy male.
Topics: Adult; Aging; Autonomic Nervous System; Blood Pressure; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; Healthy Volunteers; Heart Rate; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Stress, Physiological; Yoga; Young Adult
PubMed: 25012275
DOI: 10.1007/s11357-014-9683-7 -
Age Oct 1998Aging is accompanied by many changes in immune response, with the most consistent and dramatic alterations occurring within the T cell compartment. Since cytokines are...
Aging is accompanied by many changes in immune response, with the most consistent and dramatic alterations occurring within the T cell compartment. Since cytokines are central to immune cell communications, age-associated changes in cytokine production may contribute to these alterations. While data from murine studies suggest a switch from a Th1 (IL-2, IFNγ) to a Th2 (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10) cytokine response, this model has not been as clearly established in humans. In addition, this current review of over 50 studies in humans suggests that age-associated changes in cytokine production are not consistent.
PubMed: 23604376
DOI: 10.1007/s11357-998-0024-6 -
Age (Dordrecht, Netherlands) Apr 2014The purpose of this study was to examine the age-related site-specific muscle loss of the upper and lower extremities and trunk in men and women. Japanese nonobese... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
The purpose of this study was to examine the age-related site-specific muscle loss of the upper and lower extremities and trunk in men and women. Japanese nonobese adults aged 20-79 (n = 1559, 52 % women) had muscle thickness (MTH) measured by ultrasound at nine sites on the anterior and posterior aspects of the body. An MTH ratio located in the anterior and posterior aspects of the upper arm, upper leg, lower leg, and trunk was calculated. Site-specific muscle loss was defined as a ratio of MTH > 2 standard deviations below the mean for young adults in each segment. Age was inversely correlated (p < 0.001) to upper-leg MTH ratio in men (r = -0.463) and women (r = -0.541). Age was correlated positively to upper-arm MTH ratio and inversely to trunk MTH ratio in men (r = 0.191 and r = -0.238, both p < 0.001) and women (r = 0.102, p = 0.004 and r = -0.446, p < 0.001). Weak correlations were observed between age and lower-leg MTH ratios in men (r = 0.015, p = 0.682) and women (r = 0.086, p = 0.015). The prevalence of site-specific upper-leg muscle loss showed an age-related increasing pattern in men (6 % for ages 30-39, 21 % for ages 50-59, and 38 % for ages 70-79) and women (15 % for ages 30-39, 32 % for ages 50-59, and 50 % for ages 70-79). For other segments, however, the prevalence rate of site-specific muscle loss was relatively low throughout the age groups in men and women, although higher rates were observed in the older group. These results suggest that the anterior/posterior MTH ratio of the upper leg may be useful in providing an earlier diagnosis for site-specific muscle loss.
Topics: Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Aging; Body Composition; Electromyography; Female; Humans; Incidence; Japan; Lower Extremity; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle, Skeletal; Sarcopenia; Sex Distribution; Ultrasonography; Upper Extremity; Young Adult
PubMed: 24243442
DOI: 10.1007/s11357-013-9600-5