Reduced daytime intramuscular blood flow in patients with restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine possible signs of impairment of the microcirculation in the lower extremities of female patients suffering from primary restless legs syndrome (RLS)/Willis-Ekbom disease.

Methods: This study was performed in eight female patients, mean age 48 years (range 21-65), diagnosed with primary RLS but otherwise healthy. Eight healthy female control subjects, mean age 47 years (range 27-64), were also included in the study.

The effects of regular strength training on telomere length in human skeletal muscle.

Purpose: The length of DNA telomeres is an important parameter of the proliferative potential of tissues. A recent study has reported abnormally short telomeres in skeletal muscle of athletes with exercise-associated fatigue. This important report raises the question of whether long-term practice of sports might have deleterious effects on muscle telomeres.