Bone Mineral Density in Mountain, Road Cyclists and Untrained Controls: Exercise, Diet and Hormones.

: The aim of the study was to compare bone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar spine (LS) and the femoral neck (F) in male road cyclists (RC  = 39), mountain cyclists (MC  = 30) and controls (C  = 27) and to determine the factors associated with BMD in the same group of participants. : BMD, fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were measured using DXA. Calcium intake (Cal), exercise energy expenditure (EEE) and energy availability (EA) were assessed using self-reported questionnaires.

Effect of a tailored home-based exercise program in patients with systemic sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the effect of a home-based exercise program on functional capacity, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and disability, in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: A 6-month randomized controlled trial was conducted on SSc patients by comparing a home-based minimally supervised exercise program (exercise on a stationary cycle and strengthening of upper limbs; stretching of the hands) with usual care. At baseline and after 3 and 6 months, the patients underwent: 6 minutes walking test; hand mobility in scleroderma test; maximal exercise test on an ergocycle; strength measures (handgrip, quadriceps, and biceps).

Vegetable but not animal protein intake is associated to a better physical performance: a study on a general population sample of adults.

Background: The research was conducted in the frame of a population-based, case control study, called Genes Environment Interaction in Respiratory Disease.

Objective: To assess the association between protein intake and physical performance in a general population sample.

Design: Researchers investigated the association between the participants' dietary information and their physical performance using the 6-min walking test and the distance walked in metres (6MWD) as main outcome measure.

Physical Exercise Modulates miR-21-5p, miR-129-5p, miR-378-5p, and miR-188-5p Expression in Progenitor Cells Promoting Osteogenesis.

Physical exercise is known to promote beneficial effects on overall health, counteracting risks related to degenerative diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), short non-coding RNAs affecting the expression of a cell's transcriptome, can be modulated by different stimuli. Yet, the molecular effects on osteogenic differentiation triggered by miRNAs upon physical exercise are not completely understood.

Can half-marathon affect overall health? The yin-yang of sport.

Unlabelled: Physical activity improves overall health and counteracts metabolic pathologies. Adipose tissue and bone are important key targets of exercise; the prevalence of diseases associated with suboptimal physical activity levels has increased in recent times as a result of lifestyle changes. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiation in either osteogenic or adipogenic lineage is regulated by many factors.

Anemia and hemoglobin serum levels are associated with exercise capacity and quality of life in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Little is known about the relationship between hemoglobin concentrations, functional status and health related quality of life (HRQL) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of anemia and the association of hemoglobin with shortness of breath, exercise capacity, muscle strength and HRQL, in COPD patients.

Methods: A total of 105 COPD patients (77 males, 71.