Five-year changes in objectively measured cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, and sedentary time in mid-to-late adulthood

Consumer Acceptance of Texture-Modified Mackerel Stew Products in Older Adults

Along with concerns regarding societal aging, the dietary requirements of older adults have become a priority. Older adults in Korea experience difficulties consuming animal protein sources as they age. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a senior-friendly food product using mackerel. Accordingly, carbohydrates and proteins were added to the brine solution before saturated vapor treatment. Calcium lactate and poly-gamma-glutamic acid were added to the sauce, and when compared to four commercial products (GT_R, GT_K, PC_K, and AC_G) in an acceptance test, the product was found to exhibit the highest overall liking score (p < 0.001). Higher flavor-liking and familiarity ratings were found to increase purchase intention, while higher flavor-liking, overall-liking, and familiarity ratings increased recommendation intention. Those in mid-to-late adulthood preferred the GT_R and PC_K samples, whereas the AC_G sample was preferred by those in very late adulthood. AC_G sample analysis suggested that those in the very late adulthood group had a relatively higher acceptance of spiciness. In this study, a calcium-added mackerel stew product was manufactured, meeting the standards for senior-friendly food in Korea. It will serve as a baseline for further research on fish- and mackerel-based foods for older adults, which is in its early stages.

Associations between physical activity and autonomic function during deep breathing test: the Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS)

PURPOSE

The deep breathing test (DBT) is a sensitive test of cardiovagal function. The aim of this study was to explore associations between physical activity and sedentary time, measured by accelerometer, and autonomic function, using DBT.

METHODS

In the Swedish Cardio-Pulmonary bioImage Study, men and women aged 50-64 were randomly invited from the general population. A total of 4325 subjects who underwent DBT and assessment of physical activity and sedentary time by accelerometery were included. ECG files from 1-min DBT were used to calculate measures of respiratory sinus arrhythmia [RSA; expiration-inspiration (E-I) difference and E/I ratio], heart rate variability [HRV; root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), standard deviation of heart rates and mean circular resultant]. Low RSA and HRV was defined as the lowest 10% in the population.

RESULTS

For accelerometer-assessed physical activity, there were significant associations between high percentage of sedentary time and low E/I (p < 0.01), and low RMSSD (p < 0.01) in an age- and sex-adjusted model, and between percentage of sedentary time and low RMSSD (p = 0.04) in a risk factor-adjusted model. Low RMSSD was less common in those with a high percentage of moderate to vigorous physical activity (p = 0.04, after risk-factor adjustment). These associations became non-significant when further adjusting for heart rate.

CONCLUSION

We report associations between degree of physical activity and indices of autonomic dysfunction in a large population. The relationships were no longer significant after adjustments for heart rate, indicating that the relationship between physical activity and cardiovagal function partly is accounted for by reduced heart rate.

Factors Associated with Age-Related Declines in Cardiorespiratory Fitness from Early Adulthood Through Midlife: CARDIA

PURPOSE

This study aimed to describe maximal and submaximal cardiorespiratory fitness from early adulthood to midlife and examine differences in maximal fitness at age 20 yr and changes in fitness overtime by subcategories of sociodemographic, behavioral, and health-related factors.

METHODS

Data include 5018 Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults participants (mean (SD) age, 24.8 (3.7) yr; 53.3% female; and 51.4% Black participants) who completed at least one maximal graded exercise test at baseline and/or the year 7 and 20 exams. Maximal and submaximal fitness were estimated by exercise duration and heart rate at the end of stage 2. Multivariable adjusted linear-mixed models were used to estimate fitness trajectories using age as the mechanism for time after adjustment for covariates. Fitness trajectories from ages 20 to 50 yr in 5-yr increments were estimated overall and by subgroups determined by each factor after adjustment for duration within the less favorable category.

RESULTS

Mean (95% confidence interval) maximal fitness at age 20 and 50 yr was 613 (607-616) and 357 (350-362) s; submaximal heart rate during this period also reflected age-related fitness declines (126 (125-127) and 138 (137-138) bpm). Compared with men, women had lower maximal fitness at age 20 yr (P < 0.001), which persisted over follow-up (P < 0.001); differences were also found by race within sex strata (all P < 0.001). Differences in maximal fitness at age 20 yr were noted by socioeconomic, behavioral, and health-related status in young adulthood (all P < 0.05), which persisted over follow-up (all P < 0.001) and were generally consistent in sex-stratified analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Targeting individuals experiencing accelerated fitness declines with tailored intervention strategies may provide an opportunity to preserve fitness throughout midlife to reduce lifetime cardiovascular disease risk.