Eva Kohlíková

PPARA intron polymorphism associated with power performance in 30-s anaerobic Wingate Test.

To date, polymorphisms in several genes have been associated with a strength/power performance including alpha 3 actinin, ciliary neurotrophic factor, vitamin D receptor, or angiotensin I converting enzyme, underlining the importance of genetic component of the multifactorial strength/power-related phenotypes. The single nucleotide variation in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha gene (PPARA) intron 7 G/C (rs4253778; g.46630634G>C) has been repeatedly found to play a significant role in response to different types of physical activity. We investigated the effect of PPARA intron 7 G/C polymorphism specifically on anaerobic power output in a group of 77 elite male Czech ice hockey players (18–36 y). We determined the relative peak power per body weight (Pmax.kg−1) and relative peak power per fat free mass (W.kg−1 FFM) during the 30-second Wingate Test (WT30) on bicycle ergometer (Monark 894E Peak bike, MONARK, Sweden). All WT30s were performed during the hockey season. Overall genotype frequencies were 50.6% GG homozygotes, 40.3% CG heterozygotes, and 9.1% CC homozygotes. We found statistically significant differences in Pmax.kg−1 and marginally significant differences in Pmax.kg−1 FFM values in WT30 between carriers and non-carriers for C allele (14.6±0.2 vs. 13.9±0.3 W.kg−1 and 15.8±0.2 vs. 15.2±0.3 W.kg−1 FFM, P = 0.036 and 0.12, respectively). Furthermore, Pmax.kg−1 FFM strongly positively correlated with the body weight only in individuals with GG genotypes (R = 0.55; p<0.001). Our results indicate that PPARA 7C carriers exhibited higher speed strength measures in WT30. We hypothesize that C allele carriers within the cohort of trained individuals may possess a metabolic advantage towards anaerobic metabolism.

Assessment of diagnostics tools for sarcopenia severity using the item response theory (IRT)

ObjectiveTo use the item response theory (IRT) methods to examine the degree to which the four selected tools reflect sarcopenia and to arrange them according to their ability to estimate sarcopenia severity.DesignA cross-sectional study aimed at verifying the possibilities of using diagnostic tools for sarcopenia.Setting and ParticipantsThe study included residents living in an assisted living unit at the Senior Centre in Blansko (South Moravia, Czech Republic) (n=77). Sarcopenia was estimated according to the proposals of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) using calf circumference, the EWGSOP algorithm, hand grip strength, and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB).ResultsThe results from the IRT model showed that these four methods indicate strong unidimensionality so that they measure the same latent variable. The methods ranked according to the discrimination level ranging from high to low discrimination where the calf circumference was the most discriminatory (Hi = 0.86) and the SPPB together with hand grip strength were the least discriminatory (both Hi = 0.44).ConclusionWe are recommending to identify mild sarcopenia by SPPB or hand grip strength, moderate sarcopenia by the EWGSOP algorithm and severe sarcopenia by the calf circumference.

The Role of Supplemented Creatine in Human Metabolism

This review is focused on creatine (CR) (methyl guanidine acetic acid) and its application in the form of a dietary supplement. It has been especially utilized by athletes, but its pronounced therapeutic potential is also discussed in the present article. It is supposed that human body uses CR for the formation of creatine phosphate (PCr), which is necessary for muscular work as a source of energy. The effects of supplemented CR on dynamics of methionine cycle and other related metabolic pathways have not been fully explained yet. The review is focused on the description of affects caused by its application on human body and metabolism. Already the application of small amounts of CR rapidly increases levels of thiodiglycolic acid (TDGA) in urine after its supplementation, which phenomenon can serve as a sensitive marker of disturbance in metabolic pathways of 2C units and of thiolic compounds. Strong differences between initial and terminal TDGA levels in urine indicate that CR disturbed the equilibria of redox processes, catalyzed by folates and vitamin B12. Some theories for explanation of these effects are described in this manuscript. Nevertheless, similarly as in other metabolic studies, the results are significantly affected by the probands’ individual responses, which reflect their individual genetic make-

Association between clinical measures of sarcopenia in a sample of community-dwelling women

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is defined as a loss of muscle mass and strength as well as a reduction in physical performance with aging. This study was undertaken to examine the association between specific measures of muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in older women. METHODS: Sixty-nine community-dwelling women with an average age of 66 years (range 60–79) participated in this study. Their muscle mass was described using bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA), their muscle strength was characterized using hand-grip dynamometry (HGD) and their physical performance was denoted using gait speed. Associations between the measures were examined using Pearson correlations and factor analysis. RESULTS: The correlation between muscle mass and muscle strength was strong and significant (p < 0.001), whereas the correlation between both variables and gait speed was poor and not significant. The factor analysis showed that gait speed (loading = −0.235) was not part of the same component as muscle mass and grip strength. CONCLUSIONS: Muscle mass and muscle strength were very closely linked with one another but not with gait speed. Muscle mass and strength represent a different component of sarcopenia than physical performance, at least as represented by gait speed.

Selected Problems with Diagnostics of Sarcopenia in Long-term-care Facilities for the Elderly

As the current population gets older, we are learning that some of the diseases and conditions which were formerly perceived as a natural part of the ageing process are actually preventable and curable. Sarcopenia is one of these; it is currently one of the most challenging problems of clinical gerontology. Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome that presents as gradual muscle mass loss and decreases in physical performance. It is one of the important factors of frailty. Its treatment is as any other treatment highly dependent on the correct diagnostics. Nevertheless, it seems that latest guidelines for sarcopenia diagnostics considerably neglect real conditions in a number of medical facilities for the elderly, despite the vast increase in the number of studies on its prevalence and the options of sarcopenia treatment carried out in recent years. In this mini review, we shall discuss various diagnostic methods and the possibilities of their real use in clinical practice for the institutionalized elderly.