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PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the age-related changes in diastolic filling parameters in the aging hearts of active C57Bl/6J mice throughout the life span to indicate optimal age periods for improvements in resting diastolic parameters. METHODS: Fourteen C57Bl/6J mice (seven males and seven females) were individually housed at 8 wk of age in cages with a running wheel, magnetic sensor, and digital odometer. Duration, distance, and running velocity were recorded daily. Fourteen additional mice C57Bl/6J mice (seven males and seven females) were placed in individual cages without running wheels at 8 wk of age. Pulsed-wave Doppler transmitral inflow recordings with a SONOS 5500 ultrasound and 15-6L ultrasound probe were used to image the left ventricle every 4 wk throughout the life span. RESULTS: Peak E wave filling velocities were significantly greater by the start of the second quarter of the life span in the mice with access to running wheels (P < 0.0001). Peak E wave velocities improved in both groups during the first half of the life span (P < 0.0001) and declined throughout the second half of the life span (P < 0.0001). Early-to-late (E:A) filling ratio was significantly greater for the physically active mice by the start of the second quarter of the life span (P < 0.0001) and continued throughout most of the remainder of the life span (P < 0.0001). No differences were observed between the two groups of mice with peak A wave filling velocities (P > 0.05). Similar findings were observed when corrected for resting heart rate. CONCLUSIONS: Lifelong physical activity resulted in greater diastolic filling parameters by the second quarter of the life span, highlighting the clinical importance of regular aerobic activity in young adulthood as a mechanism for improved left ventricular performance with aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: Older adults are known to gain the benefits of improved cognition, reduced risk of falls, and decreased mortality when participating in regular physical activity. Nearly sixty percent of older adults suggest they are not involved with regular physical activity or exercise, but those who are regularly active participate in different structured and unstructured programming options. Our investigation studied the influence of different physical activity options on perceived quality of life, step counts, and sleep behaviors in the older adult population. METHODS: Forty-five older adult volunteers answered a questionnaire that asked "Do you exercise?" If answered "Yes", then participants were asked "Is it structured (SE-Structured Exercise) or independent (IE-Independent Exercise)?". If answered "No", then participants were asked "Do you lead an active lifestyle (AL-Active Lifestyle) or not (C-Control)?" Nine men and 36 women participated in the current study, with group mean ages (±SD) of SE: 73.9±6.6yrs (n=13), IE: 76.5±6.1yrs (n=13), AL: 79.9±9.6yrs (n=10), C: 69.8±5.8yrs (n=9). Perceived health status and sleep quality were assessed with the SF-36 & PSQI, respectively, while daily energy expenditure and sleep quality were measured through a wrist worn Fitbit Charge HR for seven days. RESULTS: Groups were similar in height and weight (p>0.05), but SE and C were found to be younger (p=0.02) than the IE and AL groups. No group differences were observed for energy expenditure, sleep quality, or sleep efficiency (p>0.05). Pain (p= 0.002) and physical functioning (p=0.01) were lesser in the AL group compared to the remaining groups. Perceived health (p= 0.07) and daily step count (p= 0.07) trended towards group differences but were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Physical functioning and daily pain were influenced by physical activity programming with older adults, yet daily step counts and energy expenditure was found to not be influenced by type of activity programming with older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To examine thickness of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and if that thickness relates to physical activity levels one year after an ankle sprain. METHODS: Twenty college students (8 males and 12 females, age=21.2 ± 2.4yr., mass=80.9±21.6kg, ht=173.3±10.6cm) with an acute LAS and 20 healthy matched controls (8 males and 12 females, age=21.9± 2.8yr., mass=79.1±20.2kg, ht=172.5±9.8cm) participated in the study. ATFL thickness was measured with a LOGIQ Book (GE Healthcare, Waukesha, WI) diagnostic ultrasound. The examiner orientated the probe to view the cross sectional view of the lateral malleolus and the lateral talar articular surface cartilage and the neck of the talus. Measurements of ATFL thickness were made using ImageJ software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD). Thickness of the ATFL was measured at the midpoint of the ligament between the attachments of the lateral malleolus and talus. The main outcome measures were the thickness of the ATFL (mm) at 3 days post LAS and 1 year post LAS, and physical activity levels as measured by the IPAQ and NASA physical activity scales. RESULTS: There was a significant relationship between ATFL thickness and both the IPAQ and NASA physical activity scales. As ligament thickness increased, "average time spent performing vigorous physical activity" significantly decreased (p=.04, r²=-.86) and "average time spent performing moderate physical activity" (p=.02, r²=-.84) one year after injury. Subjects with a LAS also had a significant relationship with time spent walking (p=.01, r²=-.92), and days per week where they pursued vigorous activity (p=.02, r²=-.81) or moderate activity (p=.04 r²=-.85) one year after their sprain. As ligament thickness increased, overall subjective physical activity scores significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS: One year after a LAS subjects had a significant relationship with ATFL thickness and activity levels. The changes in ATFL morphology may lead to the decreased physical activity levels due to the feeling of the ankle being unstable. Future research needs to focus on early interventions to ensure proper ligament healing occurs to restore joint function after an ankle sprain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]