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Biomedical subjects

S Taimela

Publications and source records attributed to S Taimela.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Effects of persistent physical activity and inactivity on coronary risk factors in children and young adults. The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study.

The tracking of physical activity and its influence on selected coronary heart disease risk factors were studied in a 6-year (original survey in 1980, with follow-ups in 1983 and 1986) study of Finnish adolescents and young adults as part of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. The subjects in this analysis were aged 12, 15, and 18 years at baseline. Physical activity was assessed with a standardized questionnaire, and a sum index was derived from the product of intensity, frequency, and duration of leisure time physical activity. Complete data on physical activity index from each study year were available on 961 participants. Significant tracking of physical activity was observed with 3-year correlations of the index ranging from 0.35 to 0.54 in boys and from 0.33 to 0.39 in girls. Tracking was better in older age groups. Two groups of adolescents (active and sedentary groups) were formed at baseline according to high and low values of the index, respectively. Approximately 57% of those classified as inactive remained inactive after a 6-year follow-up. The corresponding value for active subjects was 44% (p < 0.01, active vs. inactive). The long-term effects of physically active and sedentary life-styles were studied by comparing groups of young adults who had remained active or inactive in every three examinations. Serum insulin and serum triglyceride concentrations were significantly lower in active young men. They had a more beneficial high density lipoprotein to total cholesterol ratio and thinner subscapular skinfolds. Among young women, significant differences were seen in adiposity (subscapular skinfold) and in serum triglyceride concentration. Physical activity was also related to less smoking in both sexes and, among young men, to lower consumption of saturated fatty acids and to higher polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids ratio of the diet. In regression analyses adjusted for the 6-year change in obesity, smoking status, and diet, the change in physical activity was inversely associated with changes in serum insulin and triglycerides in boys. Independent association with triglycerides disappeared when insulin change was added to the model, suggesting that the effect may partly be mediated through insulin metabolism. The authors conclude that the level of physical activity tracks significantly from adolescence to young adulthood. Physical inactivity shows better tracking than does physical activity, and subjects who are constantly inactive express a less beneficial coronary risk profile compared with those who are constantly active.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease in former elite athletes.

Diabetes, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease are less frequent among physically active subjects. The aim of the present national population-based study was to compare the prevalence of these three diseases between former Finnish elite athletes and referents. The subjects consisted of surviving former male athletes who represented Finland between the years 1920 and 1965 at least once in international competitions and referents who at the age of 20 were classified as completely healthy at a medical examination, and who responded to a questionnaire in 1985 (athletes, n = 1,282; referents n = 777). In 1985, they completed a questionnaire with medical, life-style, and psychosocial items; at that time, the leisure physical activity was greater in previous athletes than in referents. The presence or absence of the three diseases was identified from the questionnaire or from at least one of three registers: Finnish hospital inpatient discharge register, reimbursable medication register, and disability pension register. When compared with referents, both endurance and mixed-sports athletes had lower age-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for all studied diseases. Compared with referents, power-sports athletes had a higher risk for high body mass index (BMI) but a lower risk for ischemic heart disease. Subjects with high BMI had an increased risk for all three diseases. Smokers had a higher risk for diabetes and ischemic heart disease compared with those who were never smokers. After adjustments for age, BMI, smoking history, and occupational group, compared with referents, former endurance athletes had the lowest ORs for diabetes (OR 0.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.07 to 0.81) and ischemic heart disease (OR 0.33; 0.18 to 0.61).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Variability gene effects of DNA polymorphisms at the apo B, apo A I/C III and apo E loci on serum lipids: the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study.

We studied the influence of selected genetic markers on the intra-individual long-term variability in serum lipid levels. The study cohort consisted of a sub-sample from a large follow-up study of atherosclerosis precursors in children and young adults. A total of 320 subjects had determinations of apo B XbaI RFLP genotypes, 305 subjects had apo AI/CIII SstI RFLP genotype determinations and 1581 subjects had their apo E phenotypes determined. Complete data on serum lipids were available at 3-year intervals over a 6-year follow-up period. The subjects were healthy and aged 3-18 years at baseline. Intra-individual variability was assessed with a nested analysis of variance procedure. Each of the genetic markers studied here significantly affected intra-individual variability of serum lipid levels. No clear sex influence was observed, although the differences in variability tended to be more significant in males. Apo B XbaI genotypes significantly influenced intra-individual variability of total and LDL-cholesterol levels in both sexes. A marked effect of the XbaI genotype was also found on triglyceride variability. In males the standardized intra-individual triglyceride variances were 0.71 and 0.34 in genotypes X1X1 and X2X2, respectively (p < 0.001), with a clear gene dosage effect. The apo AI/CIII genotype had an influence only on the variability of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels and only in males. The apo E phenotypes were associated with intra-individual variability in total and LDL-cholesterol levels but again, only in males.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Lipoprotein (a) levels in children and young adults: the influence of physical activity. The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study.

A high lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) level is an independent and predominantly genetically determined risk factor for coronary heart disease and other vascular diseases. We studied the levels of Lp(a) and the influence of physical activity on Lp(a) in the young Finnish population. The study cohort comprised children and young adults aged 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 years (n = 2464) participating in a large multicenter follow-up study of cardiovascular risk factors in children and young adults. Data were available on physical activity, anthropometric variables, serum Lp(a), insulin and lipid levels. A physical activity index was calculated based on several physical activity variables. Lp(a) was determined by radioimmunoassay with a detection threshold of 3 mg/dl. Differences were assessed with non-parametric statistical analyses. The observed range of Lp(a) was from < 3 to 90.8 mg/dl. The distribution of Lp(a) was highly skewed as 88% of the population (89% males and 87% females) had Lp(a) concentrations less than 25 mg/dl. A total of 35% of the subjects had Lp(a) levels less than 3 mg/dl. There were no significant differences in Lp(a) levels with respect to age or gender. The serum concentration of Lp(a) was statistically significantly correlated with the level of physical activity. Other behavioral variables studied did not have a significant contribution to the variability of Lp(a) levels. These results demonstrate that levels of Lp(a) are not related to age, gender or many of the known coronary heart disease risk factors. However, physical activity is associated with favorable Lp(a) levels, as high levels of Lp(a) (> 25 mg/dl) were less frequent in the physically most active subjects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Accelerated bone degradation in thyroid carcinoma patients during thyroxine treatment, measured by determination of the carboxyterminal telopeptide region of type I collagen in serum.

We studied the effects of long-term suppressive thyroxine treatment on serum markers of bone collagen synthesis and degradation in thyroid carcinoma patients, and the relationship of these effects to the serum concentrations of thyrotropin, free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine were investigated. Thirty-seven thyroid carcinoma patients receiving a stable thyroxine dose, and thirty-five controls participated in a cross-sectional study. Bone collagen synthesis and degradation were measured by using specific radioimmunoassays to determine the serum concentrations of carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen, and carboxyterminal telopeptide region of type I collagen, respectively. Serum thyrotropin, free T4 and free T3 were measured by time-resolved fluoroimmunoassays (Delfia). Serum carboxyterminal telopeptide region of type I collagen concentrations of thyroid carcinoma patients were significantly higher than those of the controls (p = 0.0012). Serum carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen concentrations did not differ significantly between the patients and controls (p = 0.85). Significant associations between age or physical activity, and carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen or carboxyterminal telopeptide region of type I collagen were found in the controls, but not in the patients. Thyrotropin, free T4 or free T3 were not significantly associated with carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen or carboxyterminal telopeptide region of type I collagen in either the control or patient group. From these results it is concluded that long-term suppressive thyroxine treatment seems to accelerate bone degradation, but not bone formation, and therefore carries a risk for osteoporosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Physical activity, VO2max, and jumping height in an urban population.

We studied the interrelations between, on the one hand, the physical activity (frequency, duration, intensity, and mode) measured by a questionnaire and, on the other, VO2max (submaximal bicycle ergometer test) and the explosive muscle strength (vertical jumping height). A random sample of 774 healthy subjects from the city of Turku participated in this study; the subjects were 25, 35, 45, or 55 yr of age. The VO2max of physically active 55-yr-old female subjects was on the same average level as of 25-yr-old females, who were physically inactive. Correspondingly, the average VO2max of physically active 55-yr-old male subjects was above the average level of 25-yr-old males, who were physically inactive. With the exception of the oldest female study group, the jumping test of physically active subjects gave similar results as those of their inactive counterparts who were 10 yr younger. On the basis of the sports events reported by the subjects, we classified the subjects into five activity mode categories. The mode of activity was significantly associated with VO2max in a three-way ANOVA (P = 0.0027) as well as with the jumping test result (P = 0.0001). Mixed training (includes varied types of exercise for the neuromuscular system) was the most beneficial mode of exercise for developing jumping height. The study suggests that the intensity, frequency, and duration of regular physical activity habits during leisure are associated with both VO2max and the jumping height, and that the jumping height results, in particular, are increased by mixed training.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Ability of two new thyrotropin (TSH) assays to separate hyperthyroid patients from euthyroid patients with low TSH.

We evaluated the ability of new thyrotropin (TSH) assays to separate hyperthyroid (n = 50) patients from clinically euthyroid subjects with low TSH values (nodular goiter, n = 20, and nonthyroidal illness, n = 22). Only patients whose serum TSH was < 0.1 mIU/L by immunoradiometric assay were included. We used a new immunofluorometric method based on time-resolved fluorescence (TR-IFMA) and a new immunochemiluminometric assay (ICMA) to measure TSH in serum. Although the differences between the hyperthyroid patients and the euthyroid patients differed from each other by both methods (P = 0.0012 for TR-IFMA and P < 0.0001 for ICMA), there was no cutoff point that could definitely separate the groups. Thus, it is not possible to draw any definite conclusions on whether a patient is hyperthyroid or not, solely on the basis of TSH concentration measured with these new TSH assays.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Magnetic resonance imaging of patellofemoral relationships.

Patellofemoral relationships were analyzed in 11 patients (13 knees) with patellar dislocation and 15 asymptomatic subjects (15 knees) at 0 degree and 20 degrees of flexion. The measurements were made from five consecutive axial images through the patellofemoral joint. The six indices measured were lateral patellar tilt (LPT), lateral patellofemoral angle (LPA), lateral patellar displacement (LPD), patella-lateral condyle index (L/PW), congruence angle (CA), and sulcus angle (SA). The reproducibility of the method was evaluated. The difference between the two study groups was more evident at 0 degree than at 20 degrees of knee flexion. Significant differences were noted between measurements made at different levels of the joint, particularly in the controls. Isometric contraction of the quadriceps muscle lateralized and tilted the patella slightly in both groups. L/PW with and without quadriceps muscle contraction, and LPA with reference to the anterior condyles differentiated between the two study groups most clearly. LPT and LPA with reference to the anterior condyles differentiated the study groups better than LPT and LPA with reference to the posterior condyles. The reproducibility was good except for inter-observer comparison of CA and SA. The use of an imaging plane selected at the midpoint of the patellar articular cartilage increases the sensitivity of the measurements, since it takes into account both the height of the patella and the tendency towards lateralization. These results indicate that patellar tilt is best measured with the LPA index and patellar lateralization with the L/PW index at 0 degree knee flexion. This study should always include isometric contraction of the quadriceps muscle.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Scoring of patellofemoral disorders.

A new questionnaire was used to evaluate subjective symptoms and functional limitations in patellofemoral disorders. The questionnaire was completed independently by four groups of female subjects: controls (N = 17), and subjects with anterior knee pain (N = 16), patellar subluxation (N = 16), and patellar dislocation (N = 19). The questionnaire mean scores for the groups were 100, 83, 68, and 62 points, respectively (p < 0.0001). The items dealing with abnormal painful patellar movements (subluxations) (p < 0.0001), limp (p < 0.0001), pain (p < 0.0001), running (p < 0.0001), climbing stairs (p < 0.0001), and prolonged sitting with the knees flexed (p < 0.0001) differentiated the study groups most clearly. We recommend that these questions be asked when taking a standardized clinical history of an anterior knee pain patient. We also analyzed lateral patellar tilt and displacement by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 28 subjects with patellar subluxation or dislocation. Low questionnaire sum score correlated best with increased lateral patellar tilt measured during quadriceps contraction in 0 degree knee flexion. It seems that a tendency to lateral patellar tilt during quadriceps contraction causes anterior knee pain and can be imaged in knee extension when the patella is not fully supported by femoral condyles.

Cartilage Diseases↗
PubMed1993

Pituitary-gonadal response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation is enhanced in men after strenuous physical exercise.

The effects of strenuous physical exercise were studied on the pituitary-testicular response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation and on growth hormone (GH) and cortisol secretion. Eight healthy adult males were injected twice intravenously with 0.1 mg of GnRH at intervals of 21 days. At the time of the first injection (exercise trial) the subjects had been bicycling for 4 h on the road, and at the time of the second injection (rest trial) they had been resting in a sitting position for 4 h. Blood samples were taken before and after the 4-h period and 30, 60 and 120 min after the GnRH injection. Both testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) decreased during the exercise by 18% (p = 0.037) and 29% (p = 0.0028), respectively, but increased after the GnRH injection by 1.4- and 12.9-fold (p = 0.0001 for both). The areas under the testosterone and LH response curves after GnRH were significantly larger in the exercise trial than in the rest trial, threefold (p = 0.013) and 1.3-fold (p = 0.0007), respectively. Growth hormone and cortisol increased during the exercise trial. In the rest trial, the GnRH injection increased serum GH concentrations (p = 0.027). In conclusion, the diminished hypothalamic GnRH secretion seems to be the major cause of the post-exercise decrease in LH and testosterone, but altered sensitivity of the pituitary to GnRH also may be involved. Apparently, the build-up of pituitary LH stores during exercise explains the enhanced LH and testosterone response to GnRH challenge after exercise in comparison to control GnRH challenge.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Long psychomotor reaction time in patients with chronic low-back pain: preliminary report.

The hypothesis in this study was that slow psychomotor reaction time is related to low-back pain. A total of 73 people with chronic low-back pain (CLBP) were studied. Simple reaction time (SRT) and choice reaction time (CRT) were measured. CRT was also fractionated into decision and movement times. Each four variables measured were analyzed by using analysis variants and covariants with two grouping factors (CLBP and gender) with age and height serving as covariates. The CLBP group had longer SRT, decision time, and total CRT than the control group on average. The results did not conflict with our hypothesis. Slow psychomotor speed of reaction may be one factor in the development of CLBP, or slow reaction in CLBP may have resulted from fear responses, depression, or anxiety. Longitudinal studies are needed in the cause-and-effect evaluation of the relation between speed of reaction and CLBP.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Reaction times with reference to musculoskeletal complaints in adolescence.

Recent studies have related long reaction times and various musculoskeletal complaints in different groups of adults. The aim here was to analyze reaction times with reference to musculoskeletal complaints in adolescent athletes and controls. Simple reaction time and choice reaction time were measured, and inquiries made about various musculoskeletal injuries of 119 subjects aged 11 to 14 years. Gender, age, maturational age, body composition, and participation in sports were included in the analyses as subject-related factors affecting reaction times. Prolonged simple reaction time was related to low-back and lower extremity complaints in a two-way analysis of variance. The finding agreed with data of previous studies suggesting that slow psychomotor speed of reaction is associated with the outcome of musculoskeletal injuries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Subject characteristics and low back pain in young athletes and nonathletes.

Factors associated with low back pain (LBP) were sought by means of a questionnaire and physical measurements in 138 adolescents. One-hundred athletes and 38 nonathletes, 138 subjects total (58 boys and 80 girls; age range 10.3-13.3 yr), were studied. The questionnaire included questions on physical activity and LBP. Quantitative measurements on anthropometry, flexibility (joint hypermobility and muscular tightness), and strength were performed. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of LBP between athletes and nonathletes. Among the athletes, the duration of training during the past 12 months (min.wk-1) was higher in subjects with the experience of LBP during the past 12 months (N = 23) compared with nonsymptomatic subjects (N = 76) (mean 493 +/- 308 min.wk-1 vs 354 +/- 160 min.wk-1; P less than 0.0001). Similar differences were also seen between subjects with positive lifetime histories of LBP and nonsymptomatic subjects. Various differences were seen in the measurements of anthropometry, flexibility, and strength between boys and girls as well as between athletes and nonathletes. In a multivariate analysis, the cumulative incidence of lifetime history of LBP was associated with tightness of hip flexor muscles only (P = 0.014). LBP during the past 12 months was associated only with the amount of training during the past 12 months (min.wk-1) (P = 0.0066). Our study suggests that high training duration predisposes young athletes to LBP. However, e.g., the flexibility measurements cannot be used to determine athletes at high risk.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

The relation of low grade mental ability to fractures in young men.

Reaction time, choice reaction time and mental ability were measured in a sample of 123 young men. Previous musculoskeletal injuries were noted. Eight subjects who had experienced a bone fracture in the preceding 20 months had significantly longer choice reaction time and poorer mental ability test results than the non-injured. This preliminary result shows that long choice reaction time and poor performance on mental ability tests are associated with accidental musculoskeletal injuries.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Stress injury proneness: a prospective study during a physical training program.

A sample of 108 army conscripts answered two personality questionnaires and performed a series of motor ability and mental ability tests at the beginning of their military service. Occurrence of stress injuries was followed for a twelve-week period after the tests. The period included programmed physical training similar for all the subjects. On average, the subjects who experienced a stress fracture during the follow-up were tall and they also turned out to have been inactive in sports. The average personality profile in the stress fracture group showed low scores in achievement, dominance and exhibition traits. In addition to knowing the risk of a sudden increase in training intensity in stress injury development, height and the above mentioned personality factors should be known in order to be able to recognize a high risk patient in optimal stress injury prophylaxis, e.g. when planning training programs.

Adolescent↗