BackgroundGlucose and lipid tolerance reportedly exhibit diurnal variations, being lower in the evening than in the morning. Therefore, the effects of exercise on glucose and blood lipid levels at different times of the day may differ. This study aimed to investigate the effects of short-term endurance exercise intervention in the morning versus late afternoon on 24-h blood glucose variability and blood lipid levels.MethodsTwelve healthy young men participated in a randomized crossover trial. The participants were assigned to morning (09:00–11:00) or late afternoon (16:00–18:00) endurance exercise for a week, consisting of supervised exercise sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. In the morning and evening trials, the participants walked for 60 min on a treadmill at approximately 60% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Following a 2-week wash-out period, the participants performed the exercise training regimen at another time point. Continuous glucose monitoring was used to evaluate blood glucose fluctuations during each 24-h trial period. Blood samples were collected before and after each intervention to examine blood lipid and hormonal responses.ResultsExamination of the area under the curve (AUC) of the glucose level changes for 24 h after the late afternoon versus morning exercise intervention revealed significantly lower values for the former versus the latter (P < 0.01). The AUC of glucose level changes after each meal was also lower after the late afternoon versus morning intervention, and significantly lower values were observed in the late afternoon versus morning trial for breakfast and dinner (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In addition, a significant decrease in triglycerides (TG) and TG/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was noted after versus before the late afternoon intervention (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThese results suggest that late afternoon endurance exercise is more effective than morning endurance exercise at improving 24-h glucose and triglyceride levels.

DNA methylation‐based age estimators (DNAm ageing clocks) are currently one of the most promising biomarkers for predicting biological age. However, the relationships between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), measured directly by expiratory gas analysis, and DNAm ageing clocks are largely unknown. We investigated the relationships between CRF and the age‐adjusted value from the residuals of the regression of DNAm ageing clock to chronological age (DNAmAgeAcceleration: DNAmAgeAccel) and attempted to determine the relative contribution of CRF to DNAmAgeAccel in the presence of other lifestyle factors. DNA samples from 144 Japanese men aged 65–72 years were used to appraise first‐ (i.e., DNAmHorvath and DNAmHannum) and second‐ (i.e., DNAmPhenoAge, DNAmGrimAge, and DNAmFitAge) generation DNAm ageing clocks. Various surveys and measurements were conducted, including physical fitness, body composition, blood biochemical parameters, nutrient intake, smoking, alcohol consumption, disease status, sleep status, and chronotype. Both oxygen uptake at ventilatory threshold (VO2/kg at VT) and peak oxygen uptake (VO2/kg at Peak) showed a significant negative correlation with GrimAgeAccel, even after adjustments for chronological age and smoking and drinking status. Notably, VO2/kg at VT and VO2/kg at Peak above the reference value were also associated with delayed GrimAgeAccel. Multiple regression analysis showed that calf circumference, serum triglyceride, carbohydrate intake, and smoking status, rather than CRF, contributed more to GrimAgeAccel and FitAgeAccel. In conclusion, although the contribution of CRF to GrimAgeAccel and FitAgeAccel is relatively low compared to lifestyle‐related factors such as smoking, the results suggest that the maintenance of CRF is associated with delayed biological ageing in older men.

[Purpose] Little is known about the effectiveness of daily physical activity on depression biomarkers in older adults. This study aimed to investigate the effects of increased daily physical activity for 8 weeks on depression biomarkers in postmenopausal women. [Participants and Methods] Thirty-eight postmenopausal females were randomly assigned into a control or an active group and were asked to wear a uniaxial accelerometer for 8 weeks. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and at the end of the intervention. During the intervention, the active group was asked to increase their physical activity level above their usual lifestyle whereas those in the control group maintained their daily lifestyle. [Results] After the 8-week intervention, the step counts of the participants in the active group increased. The serum concentration of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor and serotonin increased significantly in the active group, but not in the control group, as compared with baseline values. The serum concentration of derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites and biological antioxidant potential did not change after the intervention in either group. [Conclusion] These findings may suggest that promotion of daily physical activity in postmenopausal women has a positive impact on depression without any change in oxidative stress.

Longer durations for near-work activities, such as studying, worsen eyesight. In contrast, outdoor exercise is effective in reducing the risk of developing myopia. Despite these findings, however, the interaction between studying and exercise in eyesight has not been quantitatively evaluated. Moreover, since there is a culture of attending lessons in Japan, it is important to investigate the relationship between elementary school activities, such as cram schools or sports clubs, and vision. Therefore, in this study, we examined whether attending cram schools and/or sports clubs is associated with the use of glasses among elementary school students. We conducted a survey among 7419 elementary school students in Tokyo, Japan using a food education questionnaire. A logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between wearing glasses, an objective variable, and attending sports clubs and cram schools. Sex and school year were considered confounding factors. The results of this study showed that students who attended only sports clubs were more likely to be categorized into the “not wearing glasses” group (p = 0.03, OR = 1.45), whereas those who attended only cram schools were more likely to be categorized into the “wearing glasses” group (p = 0.008, OR = 0.67). In addition, students who attended both cram schools and sports clubs were more likely to be categorized into the “not wearing glasses” group than those who only attended cram schools (p = 0.28, OR = 0.85). Our findings indicate that attending not only cram schools but also sports clubs may prevent deterioration of eyesight. Parents and health care providers need to take these findings into account in order to prevent visual impairment in children.

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Aim This study aimed to examine the effect of lunches with different caloric contents (Study 1) and nutrient balances (Study 2) on dinner-induced postprandial glucose fluctuation. Methods Energy trial (Study 1): Thirteen healthy young participants (n = 10 men, n = 3 women) were investigated to determine the effects of different caloric intakes at lunch on glucose level variability. The study was comprised of four trials (no lunch, low lunch, standard lunch, and high-energy lunch). Energy balance trial (Study 2): Fourteen healthy young adults (n = 8 men, n = 6 women) were investigated to determine the effect of different nutrient balances during lunch on glucose level variability. The study consisted of four trials (standard, protein-rich, fat-rich, and carbohydrate-rich). In studies 1 and 2, each trial was spaced at least 24 full hours apart, and breakfast and dinner were tested as meals. The mealtimes for each trial were then aligned. Continuous glucose monitoring was used to assess the blood glucose fluctuations. Results Study 1: The no-lunch (95% CI 95.5–149.7) and low-energy lunch (95% CI 90.8–143.1) trials had significantly higher values in the incremental area under the curve (iAUC) of postprandial blood glucose at dinner compared to the standard (95% CI 55.4–90.0) and high-energy lunch (95% CI 29.3–54.6) trials (P = 0.006, P = 0.001 vs. none), (P = 0.004, P = 0.001 vs. low-energy trial). Study 2: A significantly higher postprandial blood glucose iAUC for dinner was found in the fat-rich trial (95% CI 58.5–114.0) than that in the protein-rich (95% CI 25.6–63.9) and standard (95% CI 25.6–112.4) trials, (P = 0.006, P = 0.035 vs. fat-rich trial). Conclusions Our findings indicate that skipping lunch and low-calorie or high-lipid intake increased postprandial blood glucose levels after dinner.

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Background: The effects of different intake patterns of meal protein on muscle mass have not been clarified. We cross-sectionally and longitudinally examined the effect of different timing of protein intake on sarcopenia-related factors in older adults.Methods: This cross-sectional study 1 included 219 (male, n = 69, female, n = 150) elderly subjects aged ≥65 years. Subjects who consumed more protein at breakfast than at dinner were grouped into the morning group (MG, n = 76; male, n = 26; female, n = 50), and those who consumed more protein at dinner than at breakfast were grouped into the evening group (EG, n = 143; male, n = 43; female, n = 100). In cross-sectional study 2-1 (female, n = 125), the subjects were classified into four groups according to the number of meals with sufficient protein intake. In cross-sectional studies 2-2 (female, n = 125) and 2-3 (female, n = 27), the subjects were classified into eight groups and three groups according to whether they had consumed sufficient protein at three meals; sarcopenia-related factors were compared. The intervention study was a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized controlled trial that included 40 elderly women with low daily breakfast protein intake. The subjects were divided into four groups: morning protein and placebo intake groups and evening protein and placebo intake groups. Each group consumed the test food (containing 10 g milk protein) or placebo in the morning or evening for 12 weeks. Blood indices and physical function were assessed before and after the intervention.Results: Comparing all subjects, MG showed significantly higher handgrip strength than did EG (P < 0.05). The higher ratio of morning protein intake relative to the total protein intake, the better the muscle mass (r = 0.452, P < 0.05) and handgrip strength (r = 0.383, P < 0.05). The intervention study showed an increase in muscle mass with the intake of milk protein in the morning rather than in the evening (P < 0.05).Conclusions: Protein intake at breakfast might have relatively stronger effects on skeletal muscle mass than at lunch and dinner.