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Background Physiological dysregulation/allostatic load and the geriatric syndrome frailty increase with age. As a neurophysiological response system, allostasis supports survival by limiting stressor-related damage. Frailty reflects decreased strength, endurance, and physical abilities secondary to losses of muscle and bone with age. One suggestion, based on large cohort studies of person’s ages 70 + years, is that frailty contributes to allostatic load at older ages. However, small community-based research has not confirmed this specific association. Methods To further explore possible associations between allostatic load and frailty, we enrolled 211 residents of Greater Poland aged 55–91 years living in a small village (Nekla, N  = 104) and an urban center and capital of Greater Poland (Poznan, N  = 107). For each, we recorded age, self-reported sex, and residence and estimated a 10-biomarker allostatic load score (ALS) and an 8-biomarker frailty index. We anticipated the following: higher ALS and frailty among men and rural residents; for frailty but not ALS to be higher at older ages; significant associations of ALS with sex and place of residence, but not with age or frailty. The significance of observed associations was evaluated by t -tests and multivariate regression. Results ALS did not vary significantly between men and women nor between Nekla and Poznan residents overall. However, women showed significantly higher frailty than men. Nekla men showed significantly higher ALS but not frailty, while Nekla women showed nonsignificantly higher ALS and lower frailty than Poznan. In multivariate analyses, neither age, nor sex, nor residence was associated with ALS. Conversely, age, sex, and residence, but not ALS, are associated significantly with frailty. In Nekla, both age and sex, but in Poznan only age, are associated with ALS. Among women, both age and residence, but among men, neither associated with ALS. In no case did ALS associate significantly with frailty. Conclusion In this sample, lifestyle factors associated with residence, age, and sex influence stress-related physiology, less so in women, while ALS and frailty do not covary, suggesting their underlying promoters are distinct. Similar complex associations of physiological dysregulation with frailty, age, sex, and residence likely exist within many local settings. Knowledge of this variation likely will aid in supporting health and healthcare services among seniors.

Sodium bicarbonate (SB) has been proposed as an ergogenic aid, as it improves high-intensity and resistance exercise performance. However, no studies have yet investigated SB application in CrossFit. This study examined the effects of chronic, progressive-dose SB ingestion on CrossFit-like performance and aerobic capacity. In a randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial, 21 CrossFit-trained participants were randomly allocated to 2 groups and underwent 2 trials separated by a 14-day washout period. Participants ingested either up to 150 mg∙kg-1 of SB in a progressive-dose regimen or placebo for 10 days. Before and after each trial, Fight Gone Bad (FGB) and incremental cycling (ICT) tests were performed. In order to examine biochemical responses, blood samples were obtained prior to and 3 min after completing each exercise test. No gastrointestinal (GI) side effects were reported during the entire protocol. The overall FGB performance improved under SB by ~6.1% (p<0.001) and it was ~3.1% higher compared to post placebo (PLApost) (p = 0.040). The number of repetitions completed in each round also improved under SB (mean from baseline: +5.8% to +6.4%). Moreover, in ICT, the time to ventilatory threshold (VT) (~8:25 min SBpost vs. ~8:00 min PLApost, p = 0.020), workload at VT (~218 W SBpost vs. ~208 W PLApost, p = 0.037) and heart rate at VT (~165 bpm SBpost vs. ~161 bpm PLApost, p = 0.030) showed higher SBpost than PLApost. Furthermore, the maximum carbon dioxide production increased under SB by ~4.8% (from ~3604 mL∙min-1 to ~3776 mL∙min-1, p = 0.049). Pyruvate concentration and creatine kinase activity before ICT showed higher SBpost than PLApost (~0.32 mmol∙L-1 vs. ~0.26 mmol∙L-1, p = 0.001; ~275 U∙L-1 vs. ~250 U∙L-1, p = 0.010, respectively). However, the small sample size limits the wide-application of our results. Progressive-dose SB ingestion regimen eliminated GI side effects and improved CrossFit-like performance, as well as delayed ventilatory threshold occurrence.

The study aimed to analyze the dietary–physical activity patterns (D-PAPs) in the health context of Polish people aged 60+ years. A total of 418 respondents across Poland were recruited; however, the final analysis included 361 women and men aged 60–89 years old. D-PAPs were derived using a principal component analysis (PCA); input variables were the frequency of consumption of 10 food groups and physical activity. Finally, three D-PAPs were identified: ‘Pro-healthy eating and more-active’, ‘Sweets, fried foods and sweetened beverages’, and ‘Juices, fish and sweetened beverages’. We developed the Functional Limitations Score (FLS) using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA®). A logistic regression was applied to verify the association between the D-PAPs and health-condition outcomes. Older adults were more likely to adhere to the upper tertile of the ‘Pro-healthy eating and more-active’ pattern, with good/better self-reported health status in comparison with their peers (OR = 1.86) or with good/very good self-assessed appetite (OR = 2.56), while this was less likely for older adults with malnutrition risk (OR = 0.37) or with a decrease in food intake (OR = 0.46). Subjects with a decrease in food intake (OR = 0.43), who declared a recent weight loss (OR = 0.49), or older adults in the upper tertile of the FLS (OR = 0.34) were less likely to adhere to the upper tertile of the ‘Sweets, fried foods and sweetened beverages’ pattern. The decrease in food intake due to a loss of appetite or chewing or swallowing difficulties was inversely associated with the ‘Pro-healthy eating and more-active’ pattern characterized by a relatively high frequency of consumption of vegetables, fruit, water, dairy, and grains and a high physical activity. In the interest of the good nutritional status and health of older adults, special attention should be paid to removing limitations in meal consumption, including improved appetite.

Background We hypothesized that an intervention designed to increase the energy and nutrient intake could serve as an efficacious method to restore normal menstrual functions in athletes and ballet dancers. Methods In this study, a 9-month nutritional intervention (NI) was conducted in 21 dancers and 31 athletes with menstrual disorders. Analyses of the body composition were performed, and the levels of LH, FSH, P, E2, TSH, T, PRL, SHBG, leptin, resting metabolic rate (RMR), energy and nutrient intake, total energy expenditure were estimated. The NI was based on an individual diet. The effects of the NI were controlled after 3, 6 and 9 months of use. Results The NI resulted in a significant change of the energy and nutrient intake. After 9 months, a significant increase in the LH level among dancers was observed, while in female athletes this effect was seen after 3 months of the NI use. The 9-month NI resulted in the restoration of regular menses in 3 dancers and 7 athletes, respectively. Women with regular cycles had a higher percentage of the fat mass (FM). Conclusions A non-pharmacological intervention in female athletes and ballet dancers with menstrual disorders can restore regular menstrual cycles, although restoration of menses may take more than 1 year. An increase in the body fat mass may be one of the most important predictors of restoration of menses.

The aim of this study was to verify the effect of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation on physical capacity, body composition and the value of biochemical parameters in highly-trained combat sports athletes. Forty-two males highly-trained in combat sports were subjected to 12 weeks of supplementation with HMB and a placebo in a randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind crossover manner. Over the course of the experiment, aerobic and anaerobic capacity was determined, while analyses were conducted on body composition and levels of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, testosterone, cortisol and lactate. Following HMB supplementation, fat-free mass increased (p = 0.049) with a simultaneous reduction of fat mass (p = 0.016) in comparison to placebo. In turn, after HMB supplementation, the following indicators increased significantly in comparison to the placebo: the time to reach ventilatory threshold (p < 0.0001), threshold load (p = 0.017) and the threshold HR (p < 0.0001), as well as anaerobic peak power (p = 0.005), average power (p = 0.029), maximum speed (p < 0.001) and post-exercise lactate concentrations (p < 0.0001). However, when compared to the placebo, no differences were observed in blood marker levels. The results indicate that supplying HMB promotes advantageous changes in body composition and stimulates an increase in aerobic and anaerobic capacity in combat sports athletes.

Background β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyric acid (HMB) is an interesting supplement in sports. However, literature sources present a limited number of studies that verify the efficacy of HMB intake over a longer time period among endurance athletes. For this reason, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of HMB supplementation on physical capacity, body composition and levels of biochemical markers in rowers. Methods Sixteen elite male rowers were administered a 12-week HMB supplementation (3×1 g HMB  · day −1 ) and placebo administration (PLA) following the model of a randomised, placebo controlled, double-blind crossover study with a 10 days washout period. Over the course of the experiment, aerobic (maximal oxygen uptake, ventilatory threshold) and anaerobic (anaerobic power indices) capacity were determined, while analyses were conducted on body composition as well as levels of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, testosterone, cortisol and the T/C ratio. A normal distribution of variables was tested using the paired 2-tailed t-tests; the Mann–Whitney U -test or the Wilcoxon-signed rank test were applied for non-normally distributed variables. Results Following HMB supplementation, V ˙ O 2 max increased (+2.7 mL · min −1  · kg −1 ) significantly ( p  < 0.001) in comparison to its reduction after PLA (−1.0 mL · min −1  · kg −1 ). In turn, at the ventilatory threshold, a longer time was required to reach this point (+1.2 min HMB vs. −0.2 min PLA , p  = 0.012), while threshold load (+0.42 W · kg −1 HMB vs. −0.06 W · kg −1 PLA , p  = 0.002) and threshold heart rate (+9 bpm HMB vs. +1 bpm PLA , p  < 0.001) increased. After HMB supplementation, fat mass decreased (−0.9 kg HMB vs. +0.8 kg PLA , p  = 0.03). In relation to the initial values after HMB supplementation, the refusal time to continue in the progressive test was extended ( p  = 0.04), maximum load ( p  = 0.04) and anaerobic peak power ( p  = 0.02) increased. However, in relation to the placebo, no differences were observed in anaerobic adaptation or blood marker levels. Conclusions The results indicate that HMB intake in endurance training has an advantageous effect on the increase in aerobic capacity and the reduction of fat mass. It may also stimulate an increase in peak anaerobic power, while it seems to have no effect on other indices of anaerobic adaptation and levels of investigated markers in the blood.

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation on glucose and insulin metabolism in overweight and obese subjects. The search process was based on the selection of publications listed in the databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Knowledge, Embase and the Cochrane library that met the inclusion criteria. Twelve randomized controlled trials were included. The analysed population consisted of 1181 individuals with BMIs >23 kg/m2. Changes in the concentration of 25(OH)D, fasting glucose, insulin and the HOMA-IR index were assessed. In the meta-regression analysis, a restricted maximum likelihood method was applied. To combine individual study results, a meta-analysis was performed. Vitamin D supplementation did not have an effect on glucose concentrations, insulin level and HOMA-IR values when the supplemented dose, time of supplementation and baseline of 25(OH)D concentration were taken under consideration in subgroup-analysis. This meta-analysis provides evidence that vitamin D supplementation has no significant effect on glucose and insulin metabolism in overweight and obese individuals.

Background From the viewpoint of human physiological adaptability, we previously investigated seasonal variation in the amount of unabsorbed dietary carbohydrates from the intestine after breakfast in Japanese, Polish and Thai participants. In this investigation we found that there were significant seasonal variations in the amount of unabsorbed dietary carbohydrates in Japanese and Polish participants, while we could not find significant seasonal variation in Thai participants. These facts prompted us to examine seasonal variations in the respiratory quotient after an overnight fast (an indicator of the ratio of carbohydrate and fat oxidized after the last meal) with female university students living in Osaka (Japan), Poznan (Poland) and Chiang Mai (Thailand). Methods We enrolled 30, 33 and 32 paid participants in Japan, Poland and Thailand, respectively, and measurements were taken over the course of one full year. Fasting respiratory quotient was measured with the participants in their postabsorptive state (after 12 hours or more fasting before respiratory quotient measurement). Respiratory quotient measurements were carried out by means of indirect calorimetry using the mixing chamber method. The percent body fat was measured using an electric bioelectrical impedance analysis scale. Food intake of the participants in Osaka and Poznan were carried out by the Food Frequency Questionnaire method. Results There were different seasonal variations in the fasting respiratory quotient values in the three different populations; with a significant seasonal variation in the fasting respiratory quotient values in Japanese participants, while those in Polish and Thai participants were non-significant. We found that there were significant seasonal changes in the percent body fat in the three populations but we could not find any significant correlation between the fasting respiratory quotient values and the percent body fat. Conclusions There were different seasonal variations in the fasting respiratory quotient values in the three different populations. There were significant seasonal changes in the percent body fat in the three populations but no significant correlation between the fasting respiratory quotient values and the percent body fat.

Purpose The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation on selected inflammatory biomarkers in obese and overweight subjects. Methods The search process was based on the selection of publications (DB-RCT and RCT) listed in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, the Cochrane Library and Embase. To assess the study quality, a nine-point scoring system according to the Newcastle–Ottawa scale was used, and a high-quality study was defined by a threshold of ≥7 points. Thirteen randomized controlled trials were included. The analysed population consisted of 1955 overweight and obese subjects. The mean age ranged from 13.6 to 71.7 years. Changes in the concentration of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were assessed. To combine individual study results, a meta-analysis was performed. Results The baseline levels of 25(OH)D suggested vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency in the analysed population. The vitamin D supplementation did not influence on CRP (std. mean differences −0.11; 95 % CI −0.27–0.04; p  = 0.15), TNF-α (std. mean differences −0.13; 95 % CI −0.38–0.12; p  = 0.31) and IL-6 concentrations (std. mean differences 0.1; 95 % CI −0.43–0.63; p  = 0.71). Conclusions This meta-analysis suggests that supplementation with vitamin D does not have a significant influence on changes in the concentration of selected inflammatory biomarkers in the obese and overweight subjects.

Gastrointestinal side effects are the main problem with sodium bicarbonate (SB) use in sports. Therefore, our study assessed the effect of a new SB loading regimen on anaerobic capacity and wrestling performance. Fifty-eight wrestlers were randomized to either a progressive-dose regimen of up to 100 mg∙kg−1 of SB or a placebo for 10 days. Before and after treatment, athletes completed an exercise protocol that comprised, in sequence, the first Wingate, dummy throw, and second Wingate tests. Blood samples were taken pre- and post-exercise. No gastrointestinal side effects were reported during the study. After SB treatment, there were no significant improvements in the outcomes of the Wingate and dummy throw tests. The only index that significantly improved with SB, compared to the placebo (p = 0.0142), was the time-to-peak power in the second Wingate test, which decreased from 3.44 ± 1.98 to 2.35 ± 1.17 s. There were also no differences in blood lactate or glucose concentrations. In conclusion, although the new loading regimen eliminated gastrointestinal symptoms, the doses could have been too small to elicit additional improvements in anaerobic power and wrestling performance. However, shortening the time-to-peak power during fatigue may be particularly valuable and is one of the variables contributing to the final success of a combat sports athlete.