Mechanisms underpinning age-related decreases in muscle strength and muscle mass relate to chronic inflammation. Physical activity induces an anti-inflammatory effect, but it is modulated by additional factors. We hypothesized that vitamin D, which has also anti-inflammatory activity will modify adaptation to exercise and reduce inflammation in elderly women. Twenty-seven women aged 67 ± 8 years were included and divided into groups with baseline vitamin D concentration more than 20 ng mL−1 (MVD) and less than 20 ng mL−1 (LVD). Both groups performed 1 h Nordic Walking (NW) training combined with vitamin D supplementation for 12 weeks. Serum concentrations of inflammation markers, branched amino acids, vitamin D, muscle strength and balance were assessed at the baseline and three days after intervention. The training caused the significant decrease in concentration of pro-inflammatory proteins HMGB1 (30 ± 156%; 90% CI) and IL-6 (−10 ± 66%; 90% CI) in MVD group. This effects in group MVD were moderate, indicating vitamin D as one of the modifiers of these exercise-induced changes. Rise of myokine irisin induced by exercise correlated inversely with HMGB1 and the correlation was more pronounced at the baseline as well as after training among MVD participants. Although the intervention caused the leucine level to rise, a comparison of the recorded response between groups and the adjusted effect indicated that the effect was 20% lower in the LVD group. Overall the applied training program was effective in reducing HMGB1 concentration. This drop was accompanied by the rise of myokine irisin and better uptake of leucine among women with higher baseline vitamin D.

The aims of this study were (1) to assess the relationship between joint position (JPS) and force sense (FS) and muscle strength (MS) and (2) to evaluate the impact of long-term gymnastic training on particular proprioception aspects and their correlations. 17 elite adult gymnasts and 24 untrained, matched controls performed an active reproduction (AR) and passive reproduction (PR) task and a force reproduction (FR) task at the elbow joint. Intergroup differences and the relationship between JPS, FS, and MS were evaluated. While there was no difference in AR or PR between groups, absolute error in the control group was higher during the PR task (7.15 ± 2.72°) than during the AR task (3.1 ± 1.93°). Mean relative error in the control group was 61% higher in the elbow extensors than in the elbow flexors during 50% FR, while the gymnast group had similar results in both reciprocal muscles. There was no linear correlation between JPS and FS in either group; however, FR was negatively correlated with antagonist MS. In conclusion, this study found no evidence for a relationship between the accuracy of FS and JPS at the elbow joint. Long-term gymnastic training improves the JPS and FS of the elbow extensors.

The report of the World Health Organization (WHO) of 2008 defines osteoporosis as a disease characterized by low bone mass and an increased risk of fracture. Postmenopausal osteoporosis is connected to the decrease in estrogens concentration as a result of malfunction of endocrine ovarian function. Low estrogens concentration causes increase in bone demineralization and results in osteoporosis. Physical activity, as a component of therapy of patients with osteoporosis, has been used for a long time now. One of the forms of safe physical activity is the vibration training. Training is to maintain a static position or execution of specific exercises involving the appropriate muscles on a vibrating platform, the mechanical vibrations are transmitted to the body of the patient. According to the piezoelectric theory, pressure induces bone formation in the electrical potential difference, which acts as a stimulant of the process of bone formation. Whole body vibration increases the level of growth hormone and testosterone in serum, preventing sarcopenia and osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to review the literature on vibration exercise in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis based on the PubMed and Medline database. While searching the database, the following key words were used ‘postmenopausal osteoporosis’ and ‘whole-body vibration exercise’.

Purpose: While an increasing number of studies demonstrate the importance of vitamin D for athletic performance, the effects of any type of exercise on vitamin D metabolism are poorly characterized. We aimed to identify the responses of some vitamin D metabolites to ultra-marathon runs. Methods: A repeated-measures design was implemented, in which 27 amateur runners were assigned into two groups: those who received a single dose of vitamin D3 (150,000 IU) 24 h before the start of the marathon (n = 13) and those (n = 14) who received a placebo. Blood samples were collected 24 h before, immediately after, and 24 h after the run. Results: In both groups of runners, serum 25(OH)D3, 24,25(OH)2D3, and 3-epi-25(OH)D3 levels significantly increased by 83%, 63%, and 182% after the ultra-marathon, respectively. The increase was most pronounced in the vitamin D group. Body mass and fat mass significantly decreased after the run in both groups. Conclusions: Ultra-marathon induces the mobilization of vitamin D into the blood. Furthermore, the 24,25(OH)2D3 and 3-epi-25(OH)D3 increases imply that the exercise stimulates vitamin D metabolism.

ObjectiveDifferent studies have demonstrated that regular exercise can induce changes in the lipid profile, but results remain inconclusive. Available data suggest that correction of vitamin D deficiency can improve the lipid profile. In this study, we have hypothesized that Nordic Walking training will improve lipid profile in elderly women supplemented with vitamin D.MethodsA total of 109 elderly women (68 ± 5.12 years old) took part in the study. First group [experimental group (EG): 35 women] underwent 12 weeks of Nordic Walking (NW) training combined with vitamin D supplementation (4,000 IU/day), second group [supplementation group (SG): 48 women] was only supplemented with vitamin D (4,000 IU/day), and third group [control group (CG): 31 women] was not subject to any interventions. Blood analysis of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and 25-OH-D3 was performed at baseline and after the 12 weeks of NW training. Additionally, a battery of field tests specifically developed for older adults was used to assess the components of functional fitness. The same blood analysis was repeated for the EG 6 months after the main experiment.ResultsAfter 12 weeks of NW training and vitamin D supplementation, in the EG a decrease in TC, LDL-C, and TG was observed. In the SG, no changes in the lipid profile were observed, whereas in the CG an increase in the HDL-C level was noticed. Positive physical fitness changes were only observed in the EG.ConclusionOur obtained data confirmed baseline assumption that regular exercise induces positive alternations in lipid profile in elderly women supported by supplementation of vitamin D.

The literature reports indicating a link between plasma levels of adiponectin and body fat, bone mineral density, sex hormones, and peri- and postmenopausal changes, draw attention to the possible use of adiponectin as an indicator of osteoporotic changes, suggesting that adiponectin may also modulate bone metabolism. In this study, we attempted to analyze the available in vitro and in vivo results which could verify this hypothesis. Although several studies have shown that adiponectin has an adverse effect on bone mass, mainly by intensifying resorption, this peptide has also been demonstrated to increase the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts, inhibit the activity of osteoclasts, and reduce bone resorption. There are still many ambiguities; for example, it can be assumed that concentrations of adiponectin in plasma do not satisfactorily reflect its production by adipose tissue, as well as conflicting in vitro and in vivo results. It seems that the potential benefit in the treatment of patients with osteoporosis associated with the pharmacological regulation of adiponectin is controversial.

Purpose: A growing number of studies indicate the importance of vitamin D supplementation for sports performance. However, the effects of a single high-dose vitamin D supplementation on ultramarathon-induced inflammation have not been investigated. We here analyzed the effect of a single high-dose vitamin D supplementation on the inflammatory marker levels in ultramarathon runners after an ultramarathon run (maximal run 240 km). Methods: In the study, 35 runners (amateurs) were assigned into two groups: single high-dose vitamin D supplementation group, administered vitamin D (150,000 IU) in vegetable oil 24 h before the start of the run (n = 16); and placebo group (n = 19). Blood was collected for analysis 24 h before, immediately after, and 24 h after the run. Results: Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly increased after the ultramarathon in both groups. The increase was greater in the vitamin D group than in the control group. Based on post-hoc and other analyses, the increase in interleukin 6 and 10, and resistin levels immediately after the run was significantly higher in runners in the control group than that in those in the supplementation group. Leptin, oncostatin M, and metalloproteinase tissue inhibitor levels were significantly decreased in both groups after the run, regardless of the supplementation. Conclusions: Ultramarathon significantly increases the serum 25(OH)D levels. Attenuation of changes in interleukin levels upon vitamin D supplementation confirmed that vitamin D has anti-inflammatory effect on exercise-induced inflammation.

The use of herbal medicinal products and supplements in amateur and professional sports has increased in the last decades. This is because most of these products and supplements contain bioactive compounds with a variety of biological properties that exert a physiological effect on the human body. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of dietary supplementation with lyophilized black chokeberry extract on the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, hepcidin, and selected markers of iron metabolism in a group of young football players. This double-blind study included 22 male football players (mean = 19.96 ± 0.56), divided into two groups: supplemented and placebo. Before and after a 90-day period of training combined with supplementation (6 g of lyophilized black chokeberry extract), participants performed maximal multistage 20-m shuttle run tests at the beginning and at the end of the supplementation period, with blood sampled for analysis at different times before and after exercise. The levels of IL-6, IL-10, ferritin, myoglobin, hepcidin, 8-OHdG, albumin, and TAC were analyzed. The analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of 90-day supplementation with the lyophilized extract on changes in the IL-6 and IL-10 levels, and TAC induced by maximal aerobic effort. In conclusion, supplementation with lyophilized black chokeberry extract improves the performance and antioxidant status of serum in humans and induces protective changes in inflammatory markers.