ObjectivesTo compare laboratory test results and lung function of adolescent organised sports par... more ObjectivesTo compare laboratory test results and lung function of adolescent organised sports participants (SP) with non-participants (NP).MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, laboratory tests (haemoglobin, iron status), and flow-volume spirometry were performed on SP youths (199 boys, 203 girls) and their NP peers (62 boys, 114 girls) aged 14–17.ResultsHaemoglobin concentration <120/130 g/L was found in 5.8% of SP and 5.1% NP (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.54 to 2.68). Ferritin concentration below 15 µg/L was found in 22.7% of both SP and NP girls. Among boys ferritin <30 µg/L was found in 26.5% of SP and 30.2% of NP (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.40 to 1.47). Among SP iron supplement use was reported by 3.5% of girls and 1.5% of boys. In flow-volume spirometry with bronchodilation test, 7.0% of SP and 6.4% of NP had asthma-like findings (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.54 to 2.54); those using asthma medication, that is, 9.8% of SP and 5.2% of NP were excluded from the analysis.ConclusionsScreening for iron def...
Exercise has been shown to affect gut the microbiome and metabolic health, with athletes typicall... more Exercise has been shown to affect gut the microbiome and metabolic health, with athletes typically displaying a higher microbial diversity. However, research on the gut microbiota and systemic metabolism in elite athletes remains scarce. In this study, we compared the gut microbiota profiles and serum metabolome of national team cross-country skiers at the end of an exhausting training and competitive season to those of normally physically-active controls. The gut microbiota were analyzed using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Serum metabolites were analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance. Phylogenetic diversity and the abundance of several mucin-degrading gut microbial taxa, including Akkermansia, were lower in the athletes. The athletes had a healthier serum lipid profile than the controls, which was only partly explained by body mass index. Butyricicoccus associated positively with HDL cholesterol, HDL2 cholesterol and HDL particle size. The Ruminococcus torques group was less abu...
Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour, 2021
Background: Studies measuring physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior on a 24/7 basis are s... more Background: Studies measuring physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior on a 24/7 basis are scarce. The present study assessed the feasibility of using an accelerometer at the hip while awake and at the wrist while sleeping to describe 24/7 patterns of physical behavior in working-aged adults by age, sex, and fitness. Methods: The study was based on the FinFit 2017 study where the physical behavior of 20- to 69-year-old Finns was assessed 24/7 by triaxial accelerometer (UKKRM42; UKK Terveyspalvelut Oy, Tampere, Finland). During waking hours, the accelerometer was kept at the right hip and, during time in bed, at the nondominant wrist. PA variables were based on 1-min exponential moving average of mean amplitude deviation of the resultant acceleration signal analyzed in 6-s epochs. The angle for the posture estimation algorithm was used to identify sedentary behavior and standing. Evaluation of time in bed was based on the wrist movement. Fitness was estimated by the 6-min walk t...
Objective: The aerobic part of the recently updated physical activity (PA) guidelines for adults ... more Objective: The aerobic part of the recently updated physical activity (PA) guidelines for adults no longer requires the minimum 10-minute bouts for the accumulated time. In this study, the adherence of Finnish adult population to the new PA guidelines was evaluated using both absolute and relative cut-points describing the individual cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in relation to the intensity of PA.Methods: Totally, 1645 adults aged 20-64 years, participated in this study. The participants were instructed to wear a triaxial hip-worn accelerometer for one week. The participants with estimated maximal oxygen uptake less than 7.9 MET were categorized as low CRF group and the others as adequate CRF group. Results: The adequate CRF group had higher adherence to PA guidelines with the absolute thresholds, but the use of relative thresholds inverted the results. The adherence varied from 16 % to 100 % depending on the fitness group and the analysis parameters of accelerometer data.Conclus...
BACKGROUND Marathon running is associated with transient risk of sudden cardiac death and high ca... more BACKGROUND Marathon running is associated with transient risk of sudden cardiac death and high cardiac troponin levels are common after race. There is limited data whether coronary atherosclerosis or skeletal muscle injury are related to troponin release caused by strenuous exercise. We aimed to assess whether coronary artery calcification (CAC), plaque vulnerability or skeletal muscle injury relate to cardiac troponin T (cTnT) elevations after marathon race. METHODS In this observational study, 40 male runners participating in Paavo Nurmi 2018 Marathon were recruited with an open email invitation to evaluate the prevalence of post-race cTnT elevations and their predictors. In addition to baseline and post-race laboratory investigations, 28 runners aged >44 years underwent CAC measurement with computed tomography. Coronary plaque vulnerability was evaluated by free pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (fPAPP-A) concentration and skeletal muscle injury by skeletal troponin I (skTnI) measurement. RESULTS The post-marathon cTnT concentrations rose above the normal reference limit in 38 (95%) participants. A 10-fold increase in skTnI concentrations was observed and elevated post-race values were seen in all participants. The correlation between the post-race cTnT and post-race skTnI (rs = -0.26, p = 0.11) was non-significant. CAC was detected (Agatston score > 0) in 15 (53.6%) participants, with a median score of 2.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 80). There was no correlation between cTnT with CAC score or post-race fPAPP-A levels. CONCLUSIONS Asymptomatic cardiac troponin elevations are common after prolonged strenuous exercise, but are not related to markers of coronary atherosclerosis, plaque vulnerability or skeletal muscle injury.
Scandinavian journal of surgery : SJS : official organ for the Finnish Surgical Society and the Scandinavian Surgical Society, 2021
OBJECTIVES Hamstring injuries are common and can now be accurately diagnosed. In addition, novel ... more OBJECTIVES Hamstring injuries are common and can now be accurately diagnosed. In addition, novel surgical indications have been introduced. However, evidence-based guidelines on the hamstring injuries in management of top-level athletes are missing. METHODS The management methods and outcomes of treatment are classically based on relatively small case series. We discuss a novel concept based on the fact that each tendon of the hamstrings muscle should be managed in an individual fashion. Furthermore, suitable indications for hamstring surgery in athletes are introduced. RESULTS The present study introduces modern treatment principles for hamstring injury management. Typical clinical and imagining findings as well as surgical treatment are presented based on a critical review of the available literature and personal experience. CONCLUSION Hamstring injuries should not be considered to be all equal given the complexity of this anatomical region: The three separate tendons are differen...
A follow-up data on electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure (BP) changes in adolescent athlete... more A follow-up data on electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure (BP) changes in adolescent athletes are scarce. We compared ECG and BP between adolescent athletes and non-athletes in a 4-year follow-up. A total of 154 youth sports clubs (SC) in Finland and 100 secondary schools for comparison data participated in this observational follow-up study. Those who maintained or adopted SC participation are referred to as "Always athletes" (n=137), those who never participated in SC as "Never athletes" (n=108) and those who dropped out of SC during the follow-up as "Changers" (n=116). The mean age of the participants was 15.5 (0.6) years in all study groups at baseline. Resting ECG including heart rate, PR interval, QRS duration, QRS axis, QRS amplitude, T axis and QT interval and BP were measured from all participants at baseline and after follow-up. "Always athletes" had lower resting heart rate, more negative T-wave axis and higher QRS amplitude than "Never athletes" at baseline and at 4-years (P < 0.05). "Changers" had lower resting heart rate, more negative T-wave axis and higher QRS amplitude, systolic BP and pulse pressure than "Never athletes" at baseline (P < 0.05). None of the observed differences at baseline, were visible at 4-years (P > 0.05) except the difference in T-wave axis (P = 0.028). The significant group x time interaction between "Changers" and "Never athletes" was found for QRS amplitude (P = 0.017). Adolescent athletes have several training-induced cardiovascular adaptations, which return towards the levels of non-athletes after cessation of regular training. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
ObjectivesTo compare laboratory test results and lung function of adolescent organised sports par... more ObjectivesTo compare laboratory test results and lung function of adolescent organised sports participants (SP) with non-participants (NP).MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, laboratory tests (haemoglobin, iron status), and flow-volume spirometry were performed on SP youths (199 boys, 203 girls) and their NP peers (62 boys, 114 girls) aged 14–17.ResultsHaemoglobin concentration <120/130 g/L was found in 5.8% of SP and 5.1% NP (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.54 to 2.68). Ferritin concentration below 15 µg/L was found in 22.7% of both SP and NP girls. Among boys ferritin <30 µg/L was found in 26.5% of SP and 30.2% of NP (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.40 to 1.47). Among SP iron supplement use was reported by 3.5% of girls and 1.5% of boys. In flow-volume spirometry with bronchodilation test, 7.0% of SP and 6.4% of NP had asthma-like findings (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.54 to 2.54); those using asthma medication, that is, 9.8% of SP and 5.2% of NP were excluded from the analysis.ConclusionsScreening for iron def...
Exercise has been shown to affect gut the microbiome and metabolic health, with athletes typicall... more Exercise has been shown to affect gut the microbiome and metabolic health, with athletes typically displaying a higher microbial diversity. However, research on the gut microbiota and systemic metabolism in elite athletes remains scarce. In this study, we compared the gut microbiota profiles and serum metabolome of national team cross-country skiers at the end of an exhausting training and competitive season to those of normally physically-active controls. The gut microbiota were analyzed using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Serum metabolites were analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance. Phylogenetic diversity and the abundance of several mucin-degrading gut microbial taxa, including Akkermansia, were lower in the athletes. The athletes had a healthier serum lipid profile than the controls, which was only partly explained by body mass index. Butyricicoccus associated positively with HDL cholesterol, HDL2 cholesterol and HDL particle size. The Ruminococcus torques group was less abu...
Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour, 2021
Background: Studies measuring physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior on a 24/7 basis are s... more Background: Studies measuring physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior on a 24/7 basis are scarce. The present study assessed the feasibility of using an accelerometer at the hip while awake and at the wrist while sleeping to describe 24/7 patterns of physical behavior in working-aged adults by age, sex, and fitness. Methods: The study was based on the FinFit 2017 study where the physical behavior of 20- to 69-year-old Finns was assessed 24/7 by triaxial accelerometer (UKKRM42; UKK Terveyspalvelut Oy, Tampere, Finland). During waking hours, the accelerometer was kept at the right hip and, during time in bed, at the nondominant wrist. PA variables were based on 1-min exponential moving average of mean amplitude deviation of the resultant acceleration signal analyzed in 6-s epochs. The angle for the posture estimation algorithm was used to identify sedentary behavior and standing. Evaluation of time in bed was based on the wrist movement. Fitness was estimated by the 6-min walk t...
Objective: The aerobic part of the recently updated physical activity (PA) guidelines for adults ... more Objective: The aerobic part of the recently updated physical activity (PA) guidelines for adults no longer requires the minimum 10-minute bouts for the accumulated time. In this study, the adherence of Finnish adult population to the new PA guidelines was evaluated using both absolute and relative cut-points describing the individual cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in relation to the intensity of PA.Methods: Totally, 1645 adults aged 20-64 years, participated in this study. The participants were instructed to wear a triaxial hip-worn accelerometer for one week. The participants with estimated maximal oxygen uptake less than 7.9 MET were categorized as low CRF group and the others as adequate CRF group. Results: The adequate CRF group had higher adherence to PA guidelines with the absolute thresholds, but the use of relative thresholds inverted the results. The adherence varied from 16 % to 100 % depending on the fitness group and the analysis parameters of accelerometer data.Conclus...
BACKGROUND Marathon running is associated with transient risk of sudden cardiac death and high ca... more BACKGROUND Marathon running is associated with transient risk of sudden cardiac death and high cardiac troponin levels are common after race. There is limited data whether coronary atherosclerosis or skeletal muscle injury are related to troponin release caused by strenuous exercise. We aimed to assess whether coronary artery calcification (CAC), plaque vulnerability or skeletal muscle injury relate to cardiac troponin T (cTnT) elevations after marathon race. METHODS In this observational study, 40 male runners participating in Paavo Nurmi 2018 Marathon were recruited with an open email invitation to evaluate the prevalence of post-race cTnT elevations and their predictors. In addition to baseline and post-race laboratory investigations, 28 runners aged >44 years underwent CAC measurement with computed tomography. Coronary plaque vulnerability was evaluated by free pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (fPAPP-A) concentration and skeletal muscle injury by skeletal troponin I (skTnI) measurement. RESULTS The post-marathon cTnT concentrations rose above the normal reference limit in 38 (95%) participants. A 10-fold increase in skTnI concentrations was observed and elevated post-race values were seen in all participants. The correlation between the post-race cTnT and post-race skTnI (rs = -0.26, p = 0.11) was non-significant. CAC was detected (Agatston score > 0) in 15 (53.6%) participants, with a median score of 2.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 80). There was no correlation between cTnT with CAC score or post-race fPAPP-A levels. CONCLUSIONS Asymptomatic cardiac troponin elevations are common after prolonged strenuous exercise, but are not related to markers of coronary atherosclerosis, plaque vulnerability or skeletal muscle injury.
Scandinavian journal of surgery : SJS : official organ for the Finnish Surgical Society and the Scandinavian Surgical Society, 2021
OBJECTIVES Hamstring injuries are common and can now be accurately diagnosed. In addition, novel ... more OBJECTIVES Hamstring injuries are common and can now be accurately diagnosed. In addition, novel surgical indications have been introduced. However, evidence-based guidelines on the hamstring injuries in management of top-level athletes are missing. METHODS The management methods and outcomes of treatment are classically based on relatively small case series. We discuss a novel concept based on the fact that each tendon of the hamstrings muscle should be managed in an individual fashion. Furthermore, suitable indications for hamstring surgery in athletes are introduced. RESULTS The present study introduces modern treatment principles for hamstring injury management. Typical clinical and imagining findings as well as surgical treatment are presented based on a critical review of the available literature and personal experience. CONCLUSION Hamstring injuries should not be considered to be all equal given the complexity of this anatomical region: The three separate tendons are differen...
A follow-up data on electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure (BP) changes in adolescent athlete... more A follow-up data on electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure (BP) changes in adolescent athletes are scarce. We compared ECG and BP between adolescent athletes and non-athletes in a 4-year follow-up. A total of 154 youth sports clubs (SC) in Finland and 100 secondary schools for comparison data participated in this observational follow-up study. Those who maintained or adopted SC participation are referred to as "Always athletes" (n=137), those who never participated in SC as "Never athletes" (n=108) and those who dropped out of SC during the follow-up as "Changers" (n=116). The mean age of the participants was 15.5 (0.6) years in all study groups at baseline. Resting ECG including heart rate, PR interval, QRS duration, QRS axis, QRS amplitude, T axis and QT interval and BP were measured from all participants at baseline and after follow-up. "Always athletes" had lower resting heart rate, more negative T-wave axis and higher QRS amplitude than "Never athletes" at baseline and at 4-years (P < 0.05). "Changers" had lower resting heart rate, more negative T-wave axis and higher QRS amplitude, systolic BP and pulse pressure than "Never athletes" at baseline (P < 0.05). None of the observed differences at baseline, were visible at 4-years (P > 0.05) except the difference in T-wave axis (P = 0.028). The significant group x time interaction between "Changers" and "Never athletes" was found for QRS amplitude (P = 0.017). Adolescent athletes have several training-induced cardiovascular adaptations, which return towards the levels of non-athletes after cessation of regular training. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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