The effects of standing in tutorial group meetings on learning: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Standing desks have been brought into the education environment to reduce sedentary behavior among students. The current study explored the effects of standing in tutorial group meetings on learning among undergraduate students.

Methods: Ninety-six participants were randomly allocated to a Sit or Stand group, with 2 h tutorial group meetings scheduled, once or twice per week, for nine weeks.

The association between cardio-respiratory fitness and incident depression: The Maastricht Study.

Background: Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) can help to prevent depression, but identification of the most important psycho-biological pathways involved is unclear. The improvement of cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF) in response to MVPA can vary markedly, we therefore examined the association between CRF and the incidence of depressive symptoms.

Methods: We used data from The Maastricht Study, a large population-based prospective-cohort study.

Pedal power measurement as a diagnostic tool for functional vascular problems.

Background: Cyclists with flow limitations in the iliac arteries complain of pain and loss of power. To investigate whether pedal power measurement has added value in diagnosing the underlying cause of flow limitations in the iliac arteries, we explored the sensitivity and specificity of various pedal power measurement variables. Moreover, it was assessed what the added value of pedal power measurement is compared to diagnosis based on the conventional ankle-brachial blood pressure index.

The association between insulin use and volumetric bone mineral density, bone micro-architecture and bone strength of the distal radius in patients with type 2 diabetes - The Maastricht study.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been associated with an increased risk of fractures, despite normal to increased bone mineral density (BMD). Insulin use is one of the factors linked to this increased fracture risk. However, direct negative effects of insulin on bone quality are not expected since insulin is thought to be anabolic to bone.