Sophie E. Berthouze

Relationship between mean habitual daily energy expenditure and maximal oxygen uptake

A population of 120 healthy voluntary subjects of both genders aged 16-88 was studied using the QAPSE (Saint-Etienne Physical Activity Questionnaire) with the purpose of investigating the factors influencing the relation between MHDEE (mean habitual daily energy expenditure) and VO2max (maximal oxygen uptake) to elucidate the factors accounting for individual variation. The mean of MHDEE obtained was 12,181.9 +/- 4041.9 kJ.d-1. The mean VO2max obtained was 39.9 +/- 13.8 ml.kg-1.min-1. A strong relationship between MHDEE and VO2max (r = 0.916; N = 120; P < 0.0001) was found. Further, MHDEE seemed to be the greater determinant in the variation of VO2max (89.35%). Other variables were found to be involved in the relation between MHDEE and VO2max for a smaller, but still substantial part: age (6.92%), PAST (exathletes who had considerably reduced or stopped their training) (2.45%), body mass (0.85%), and gender (0.43%). Two variables regarding maximal intensity of activity were not included in the multiple-linear regression analysis. These results suggested that the most important factor in the variation of VO2max is the total quantity of energy expenditure and not only the maximal intensity that could reach the subject.

Leg extensor power and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, insulin-like growth factor-I and testosterone in healthy active elderly people

Abstract We examined the association between quadriceps muscle function and serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and testosterone in a group of healthy elderly people. Fifty-three independent, community-dwelling elderly subjects (26 men and 27 women) aged from 66 to 84 years volunteered to participate in the study. Physical activity (PA) was evaluated by a questionnaire. Quadriceps maximal muscle power (W˙max) and optimal shortening velocity (vopt) were measured on a friction-loaded non-isokinetic cycle ergometer. The W˙max is expressed in relation to body mass (W˙max/kg, W · kg−1), and in relation to the mass of the two quadriceps muscles (W˙max/Quadr, W · kgQuadr−1). In women, when adjusted for age, anthropometric measurements and PA indices, IGF-I correlated significantly with W˙max/kg (partial correlation: r=0.59; P=0.001), W˙max/Quadr (r=0.58; P=0.002) and vopt (r=0.53; P=0.004), whereas DHEAS was correlated significantly with W˙max/kg (r=0.54; P=0.003) and W˙max/Quadr (r=0.58; P=0.002). No such correlation was found in men. These findings indicate that in healthy elderly women lower values for quadriceps muscle W˙max and vopt are related, independently of age, anthropometric measurements and PA indices, to lower circulating levels of DHEAS and IGF-I.

A new tool for evaluating energy expenditure : the QAPSE development and validation

The objective of this study was to design and validate a working tool for the objective evaluation of daily energy expenditure (DEE) by means of a simple, noninvasive method: the QAPSE (Saint-Etienne Physical Activity Questionnaire), a questionnaire about physical activity (PA) over a period of 7 d (168 h). This eight-page questionnaire is designed to provide a complete picture of the subjects habitual PA without any restriction concerning the activities investigated, nor any specialization in relation to health components. It investigates the five areas of PA during daily life: work or way of keeping occupied, leisure activity (sports and nonsports activities), housework, basic everyday activity, moving about from place to place. Assessment of physical activity was conducted in 115 healthy volunteer subjects of both sexes aged 20-88. The values of mean habitual daily energy expenditure (MHDEE) obtained varied between 6,510 and 24,331 kJ.d-1. The MHDEE were in agreement with the data reported in the literature for various groups differing in respect to level of activity, sex, and age. The study demonstrated the reproducibility of the QAPSE (r = 0.997; N = 20; P < 0.0001). Its validity was tested in a comparative study between MHDEE and caloric intake (r = 0.576; N = 20; P < 0.01).

Peak anaerobic power in elderly men

Abstract The relationship of maximal anaerobic power (Pmax) of the quadriceps muscle and corresponding optimal shortening velocity (vopt) with age, habitual physical activity (PA) and maximal oxygen consumption (V˙O2max) were assessed in 37 healthy older [71.1 (SD 3.8) years] men and compared to those of 16 young [22.7 (SD 3.4) years] men. The PA was evaluated using a questionnaire. The Pmax and vopt were measured on a friction loaded non-isokinetic cycle ergometer. The Pmax was expressed relative to body mass –Pmax · kg−1, and relative to the mass of the two quadriceps muscles –Pmax· kgquad−1. The decline of Pmax· kg−1 from youth to advanced age (8.3% per decade) was greater than the decrease in quadriceps muscle mass (3.8% per decade), in Pmax· kgquad−1 (5.9% per decade) and in vopt (4.3% per decade). In the older men, a negative relationship of Pmax· kg−1 (r = −0.33) and Pmax· kgquad−1 (r = −0.44) with age was found. Ergometer measurements were not correlated with PA activity indices or V˙O2max, while V˙O2max was positively associated with PA. In a multiple stepwise regression analysis age was the only variable that contributed significantly to Pmax· kg−1 and Pmax· kgquad−1 variances. Our findings indicated that in these healthy elderly men, unlike the fall in V˙O2max, habitual PA did not attenuate the decline in Pmax of the quadriceps muscle with age. This finding was different from a previously described relationship in older women and would suggest sex differences in determining Pmax in healthy older subjects.

Relationship of physical activity and fitness to lipid and lipoprotein (a) in elderly subjects.

PURPOSE To determine, both by a cross-sectional and longitudinal study design, the relationship of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and physical activity (PA) to blood lipids and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] in a population of healthy and weight-stable elderly volunteers aged 66-84 yr. METHODS In a cross-sectional study in 52 subjects (23 men and 29 women), all independent variables (age, anthropometric, VO2max, and PA indices) were used in a multiple stepwise regression analysis to select variables influencing lipid and lipoprotein parameters. In a prospective nonintervention study, 38 subjects (17 men and 21 women) were reexamined after 6 months. RESULTS In a cross-sectional study, sports activity index contributed significantly to total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C), TC/high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio variance in men, whereas VO2max accounted for 23% variance of apolipoprotein A-I in women. In a prospective study, there was no indication that any measured variable was correlated with absolute or relative changes in PA indices in the total group or when analyzed by gender. CONCLUSIONS These data confirm that favorable relationship between PA/fitness and blood lipid profile is visible in elderly people but spontaneous changes in habitual PA are not a sufficient stimulus to alter serum lipid and lipoprotein levels in this population. Furthermore, there is no direct association between Lp(a) levels and PA, fitness, or body composition in the elderly men and women.

Nutritional status and physical fitness of elderly sportsmen

Abstract The nutritional status of elderly sportsmen has not been reported on, neither has the nutritional balance nor the precise relationship between nutritional status and physical fitness been detailed for this population. Thus, group of 18 sportsmen [age 63 (SD 4.5) years] was monitored by weighing their food during a 6-day period. Macro nutrient, mineral and vitamin content was derived from tables. Daily energy expenditure (DEE) and sport activity (DSA) were quantified over a 7-day period using a questionnaire. Physical fitness was assessed by maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) measurements. The DEE was 11 429 (SD 1890) kJ · day−1. The DSA corresponded to 38% of DEE and V˙O2max to 35.9 (SD 6.1) ml · min−1 · kg−1. When compared with French recommended dietary allowances (RDA) intakes were higher for energy (+24%), macro nutrients, and most minerals and vitamins. Despite high energy intakes, some subjects had mineral and vitamin deficits. Energy intakes were significantly related to intakes of magnesium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins B2, B6, C and to V˙O2max, but not to age. Stepwise regressions indicated that vitamin C intake was the only determinant to have a relationship with V˙O2max. Thus, most elderly sportsmen had higher nutritional status than RDA, although some had mineral and vitamin deficits. It is therefore suggested that elderly sportsmen should be encouraged to consume food with higher mineral and vitamin contents.

Influence of acute and chronic exercise on insulin-like growth factor-I in healthy active elderly men and women

We examined the influence of physical activity (PA) and acute resistance exercise on insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in 39 healthy, independent, community-dwelling elderly volunteers (14 men and 25 women) aged from 66 to 84. In a longitudinal non-interventional study, we compared the fluctuations in IGF-I levels and changes in habitual PA over a 6-month period. PA was evaluated by a questionnaire QAPSE (Questionnaire d’Activité Physique Saint-Etienne), and expressed by two activity indices: mean habitual daily energy expenditure (MHDEE), and daily energy expenditure corresponding to leisure time sports activities (sports activity index). In an experimental design we compared IGF-I levels before, at 1 and 15 minutes after short quadriceps muscle exertion (10 consecutive repetitions) carried out with optimal muscle power development. Changes in IGF-I levels over a 6-month period were positively related to changes in MHDEE (r=0.41; p<0.01), and sports activity (r=0.40; p<0.02). When analyzed by gender, these correlations were still statistically significant in women (r=0.39; p=0.05 and r=0.41; p<0.05), but not in men (r=0.36; p=0.21 and r=0.20; p=0.50). No changes (p=0.17) were observed in serum IGF-I concentrations after the acute exercise protocol. These findings indicate that IGF-I levels are positively related to fluctuations in habitual PA, at least in women. Further research is needed to establish the best intensity and duration of exercise training to induce these changes.