Mark A. Vaitkus

Physical activity and the presence and extent of calcified coronary atherosclerosis

PURPOSE Regular physical activity leads to a more favorable cardiovascular risk factor profile and a lower risk of developing incident coronary heart disease (CHD). These correlations suggest that higher levels of physical activity should also attenuate the presence and extent of coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS Physical activity was measured using the Baecke Physical Activity Index in 630 consecutive asymptomatic men and women ages 39-45 without known heart disease. The degree of physical activity was compared with the cardiovascular risk factor profile and the presence and extent of subclinical atherosclerosis measured using electron beam computed tomography. RESULTS Sports-related physical activity was associated with lower body mass index (r = -0.11; P = 0.001), higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (r = 0.13; P = 0.003) and less glucose resistance as assessed by fasting serum insulin levels (r = -0.16; P = 0.001). Leisure-time and work-related physical activity were unrelated to any coronary risk variables. Calcified subclinical atherosclerosis was unrelated to all physical activity dimensions. Comparing the most sedentary (lowest quartile) and most active (highest quartile) patients, the prevalence of coronary calcium (17.0% vs 18.5%; P = 0.92) and mean coronary calcium scores (8 +/- 31 vs 5 +/- 15; P = 0.87) were similar. In a multivariate model controlling for standard cardiovascular risk factors and physical activity level, only low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was associated with the presence of coronary calcium. CONCLUSION Physical activity, particularly high-intensity exercise in sports-related activities, promotes a healthy cardiovascular risk profile, including lower body mass index and insulin resistance, but is unrelated to coronary calcification. This suggests that the risk reduction associated with physical activity is mediated by factors other than retarding the development of calcified atherosclerosis.

“Out of Sight” But Not “Out of Mind”: Parent Contact and Worry Among Senior Ranking Male Officers in the Military Who Live Long Distances From Parents

This study explores variables that influence worry and parent contact among senior military officers who face frequent moves, restricted housing, and overseas assignments, and who have been geographically separated from their parents most of their adult lives. Data on predictors of officer worry and parent contacts were collected from 277 senior ranking male officers (40 to 49 years old). A structural equation model of worry and parent contact among male officers showed that previous parental illness, parent’s age, and the tendency among officers to have an angry temperament increased their worry. Conversely, number of siblings and satisfaction with a “parent care plan” decreased worry about parents. Number of siblings also decreased contact with parents. Quality of interpersonal relationships and branch of service (Army and Marine Corps) increased contacts with parents. This research underscores the importance of examining the invisible “anguish” of adult sons who are precluded from visiting their parents by distance or employment situations, lends quantitative support to previous qualitative findings, and indicates that satisfaction with a realistic parent care plan reduces worries about elderly parents.

US-Soldaten und die Anforderungen von Friedensmissionen — Sozialpsychologische Aspekte

Peacekeeping-Missionen und humanitare Hilfseinsatze nehmen an Haufigkeit und Bedeutung seit dem Ende des Kalten Krieges zu. Auch amerikanische Streitkrafte haben haufiger an Friedensmissionen der Vereinten Nationen teilgenommen, so zum Beispiel in Somalia (Operation Restore Hope) oder im ehemaligen Jugoslawien (Operation Provide Promise). Das gilt vor allem fur Truppenteile, die auserhalb der Vereinten Staaten, insbesondere in Europa, stationiert sind. Vom Ende des Golfkrieges 1991 bis Ende 1993 haben die US-Streitkrafte in Europa (USAREUR) an nicht weniger als 42 Unterstutzungseinsatzen teilgenommen, die meisten von ihnen konnen als Peacekeeping-Mission oder als humanitarer Einsatz bezeichnet werden; in den 44 Jahren zuvor — unter den Bedingungen des Kalten Krieges — waren es insgesamt nur 29 derartige Einsatze. Diese Entwicklung markiert eine deutliche Veranderung der bis dato gultigen Doktrin des Ost-West-Konflikts, nach der die beiden Supermachte von derartigen Missionen ausgeschlossen waren, eine Doktrin, die sich in fast vierzig Jahren erfolgreich verfestigt hatte (Segal 1993).