Ignacio Ara

Soccer is one of the most widely practiced and studied sports worldwide. The increasing professionalization of women’s soccer has raised interest in bone health. This study aimed to analyze the mediating role of lean body mass in the association between muscle strength, jump height, and bone mineral density (BMD) in elite female soccer players. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 28 players from the Spanish national soccer team. Muscle strength was assessed using estimated 1RM in the deadlift, jump height through the countermovement jump (CMJ) test, and BMD using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Lean body mass exhibited a significant indirect effect on the association between muscle strength and BMD at the lumbar spine (β = 0.2848, B = 0.0020, 95% CI for B [0.0001–0.0049]), femoral neck (β = 0.2562, B = 0.0020, 95% CI for B [0.0003–0.0052]), and whole body (β = 0.3769, B = 0.0019, 95% CI for B [0.0005–0.0038]). These results suggest that muscle strength alone may not fully explain inter-individual differences in bone mass and that lean body mass may play an important role in this relationship. Combining soccer training with targeted strength training could help maximize peak bone mass and mitigate future bone loss in these female athletes. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Soccer is one of the most widely practiced and studied sports worldwide. The increasing professionalization of women’s soccer has raised interest in bone health. This study aimed to analyze the mediating role of lean body mass in the association between muscle strength, jump height, and bone mineral density (BMD) in elite female soccer players. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 28 players from the Spanish national soccer team. Muscle strength was assessed using estimated 1RM in the deadlift, jump height through the countermovement jump (CMJ) test, and BMD using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Lean body mass significantly mediated the association between muscle strength and BMD at the lumbar spine (B = 0.0020, 95% CI [0.0001–0.0049]), femoral neck (B = 0.0020, 95% CI [0.0003–0.0052]), and whole body (B = 0.0019, 95% CI [0.0005–0.0038]). These results suggest that muscle strength alone may not fully explain inter-individual differences in bone mass and that lean body mass may play an important role in this relationship Combining soccer practice with appropriate strength training may contribute to optimizing bone health, preventing injuries and fractures, and reducing future age-related bone loss. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Background: Urinary incontinence is a prevalent condition among middle-aged women, yet its relationship with activity behaviours remains underexplored. This study aimed to explore the longitudinal associations between objectively measured sedentary behaviour and physical activity intensities with urinary incontinence and its types in middle-aged Finnish women. Methods: A total of 224 women aged 47–55 years at baseline, drawn from the ERMA and EsmiRs studies were included. The prevalence of stress, urgency and mixed urinary incontinence symptoms was assessed using a structured questionnaire. Sedentary behaviour and physical activity were objectively measured using hip-worn accelerometers at baseline and at 4-year follow-up. Logistic generalized estimating equation models were used to analyse the associations between sedentary behaviour and different physical activity intensities with urinary incontinence, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Higher light-intensity physical activity was associated with slightly increased odds of urinary incontinence (OR = 1.004, 95% CI: 1.000 to 1.008, p = 0.043), specifically stress urinary incontinence (OR = 1.007, 95% CI: 1.002 to 1.0011, p = 0.002). Sedentary behaviour showed an inverse relationship with urinary incontinence and stress urinary incontinence that disappeared when accounting for all activity behaviours. No significant associations were observed for moderate or vigorous physical activity. Conclusions: No consistent harmful or beneficial associations of physical activity or sedentary behaviour with urinary incontinence were found in middle-aged women. The marginal link between light physical activity and stress urinary incontinence may reflect behavioural adaptations among symptomatic women. Future research should investigate how the type of physical behaviour, rather than its intensity, and long-term activity patterns, as opposed to short- or medium-term, may influence urinary incontinence in this population.

Background: Osteosarcopenia—the coexistence of osteopenia/osteoporosis and sarcopenia—is associated with numerous adverse health outcomes, but its association with intrinsic capacity (IC) remains unknown. We aimed to explore the associations of osteosarcopenia with IC and all-cause mortality in older adults. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of IC and a prospective analysis of all-cause mortality in 1142 participants from the Toledo Study for Healthy Aging (75.1 ± 6.0 years, 53.1% women). Participants were classified as having no musculoskeletal disorders, osteopenia/osteoporosis, sarcopenia, or osteosarcopenia (DXA- and EWGSOP2-based criteria). IC was operationalized as a composite score integrating locomotion, cognition, psychological, vitality, and sensory domains. Results: Older adults with osteosarcopenia exhibited lower total IC (76.6 ± 1.1 points) than those without musculoskeletal disorders (83.7 ± 0.5 points; p < .001) or with osteopenia/osteoporosis (81.3 ± 0.3 points; p < .001), with significant differences also found between the latter groups (p < .001). Specifically, osteosarcopenia was associated with poorer results in the locomotion, cognition, vitality, and sensory domains (all p < .01), but not in the psychological domain. Over a median 6.2-year follow-up, osteosarcopenia—but not osteopenia/osteoporosis—was associated with a higher risk of mortality compared to those without musculoskeletal disorders [HR (95% CI)=1.96 (1.02-3.77); p = .045]. In joint analyses with IC status (high vs low, segregated by the median), this association was specifically observed among participants with osteosarcopenia and low IC [HR = 2.55 (1.31-4.96); p = .004]. Conclusions: Osteosarcopenia is associated with lower total IC and impairments across most IC domains. This finding is of clinical relevance, as the combination of this condition and low IC is associated with an increased mortality risk.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of training intensity on contralateral adaptations following unilateral power‐oriented resistance training (PT) in older adults. This secondary analysis of a within‐person randomized controlled trial included 45 older adults (≥ 65 years; 25 women). After an 8‐week control period ( n = 45), part of the participants completed 12 weeks of a volume load‐matched PT on one lower limb using either light loads (40% 1‐RM, n = 9) or heavy loads (80% 1‐RM, n = 10), while the contralateral limb did not exercise. Unilateral performance was assessed before and after each period through isometric tests (maximal isometric force, rate of force development, and muscle excitation) and dynamic tests (1‐RM, maximal muscle power and maximal unloaded velocity determined through a force‐velocity relationship test). Additionally, mid‐thigh muscle mass and whole‐body physical function were assessed. Linear mixed models were conducted to compare the effect (Cohen's d ) of training intensity on the efficacy and magnitude of the contralateral adaptations and their impact on physical function. No contralateral adaptations were observed in any of the isometric tests. In contrast, untrained limbs showed comparable improvements in 1‐RM ( d = 0.35–0.42; p ≤ 0.001) and maximal muscle power ( d = 0.49–0.54; p ≤ 0.001) regardless of PT intensity. Only heavy‐load PT improved maximal unloaded velocity in the contralateral untrained limb ( d = 0.68; p ≤ 0.001), while mid‐thigh muscle mass ( d = 0.24; p ≤ 0.013) and whole‐body physical function assessed through the timed up‐and‐go test improved only after light‐load PT ( d = −0.74; p < 0.001). In conclusion, unilateral PT induced significant contralateral gains in dynamic muscle strength and power, regardless of training intensity, with heavier loads enhancing velocity‐specific adaptations. Notably, light‐load PT induced mild hypertrophy in the contralateral untrained limb and whole‐body physical function, which might be particularly relevant for enhancing the intrinsic capacity of older adults. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03724461

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate longitudinal changes in relative sit-to-stand power (STS_power) in older adults and investigate contributing factors to its decline. Methods 565 older adults (143 men and 422 women; ≥ 65 years) were tested at baseline and after 8 years of follow-up. Relative STS_power was estimated from the 30-s STS test using the Alcazar equation while body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. The basic components of relative STS_power (specific STS_power, leg muscle mass, body fat mass and fat-free mass) were calculated. Factors such as medication intake and daily walking and sitting time were recorded. Results Relative STS_power declined significantly in both sexes, with greater reductions in men than women (11.8 vs 8.0%, p = 0.024). Losses were greater in men and women aged ≥75 years (− 2.0% and − 2.0%∙year⁻¹, respectively) compared to those aged 65–69 years (− 1.1% and − 0.7% year⁻¹, respectively). Approximately 95% of the average decline in relative STS_power was attributed to reductions in specific STS_power, while the remaining 5% was explained by the loss of leg muscle mass. Medication intake was associated with an increased risk of decreasing power in women (OR = 1.87, p = 0.049), while a trend was shown in men (OR = 2.58; p = 0.052). Sedentary time showed a tendency only in women (OR = 1.73; p = 0.085). Conclusion Relative STS_power decreased progressively with aging, but differently in older men and women. This decline was primarily driven by reductions in specific STS_power, while the loss in leg muscle mass contributed to a lesser extent. Medication and sedentary time may influence power loss.