Effects of age and starting age upon side asymmetry in the arms of veteran tennis players: a cross-sectional study

Summary While tennis playing results in large bone strength benefits in the racquet arm of young players, the effects of tennis playing in old players have not been investigated. Large side asymmetries in bone strength were found in veteran players, which were more pronounced in men, younger players and childhood starters. Introduction Regular tennis results in large racquet arm bone and muscle strength advantages; however, these effects have not been studied in old players. The non-racquet arm can act as an internal control for the exercising racquet arm without confounding factors, e.g. genotype. Therefore, veteran tennis player side asymmetries were examined to investigate age, sex and starting age effects on bone exercise benefits. Methods Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) scans were taken at the radius, ulna and humerus mid-shaft and distal radius in both arms of 88 tennis players (51males, 37 females;mean age 63.8±11.8 years). Thirty-two players began playing in adulthood, thereby termed ‘old starters’; players were otherwise termed ‘young starters’. Results Muscle size and bone strength were greater in the racquet arm; notably, distal radius bone mineral content (BMC) was 13±10 % higher and humeral bone area 23± 12 % larger (both P<0.001). Epiphyseal BMC asymmetry was not affected by age (P=0.863) or sex (P=0.954), but diaphyseal asymmetries were less pronounced in older players and women, particularly in the humerus where BMC, area and moment of resistance asymmetries were 28–34 % less in women (P<0.01). Bone area and periosteal circumference asymmetries were smaller in old starters (all P<0.01); most notably, no distal radius asymmetry was found in this group (0.4±3.4 %). Conclusions Tennis participation is associated with large side asymmetries in muscle and bone strength in old age. Larger relative side asymmetries in men, younger players and young starters suggest a greater potential for exercise benefits to bone in these groups

Physical Activity and Exercise

International audienc

Exercise and Peripheral Arteriosclerosis

Adaptation of a healthy lifestyle including adequate daily physical activity is shown to reduce 80% of cardiovascular mortality and 40% of cancer-related deaths. A large body of evidence exists proving that this relationship is dose dependent, and even half of the recommended normal physical activity yields significant risk reduction. There has been no medical therapy that would provide such high percentages of reduction in mortality to date. The World Health Organization, therefore, has started an initiative to implement exercise into daily life as a primary prevention measure. Herein, we will focus on the effects of exercise on the vasculature, mainly the peripheral vasculature, in the context of atherosclerotic disease. Exercise has a fundamental role in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of atherosclerotic vascular disease. It exerts a protective effect against the development of atherosclerosis irrespective of other cardiovascular risk factors. Additionally, exercise induces changes in vascular hemodynamics helping us to elucidate the presence of obscure vascular involvement. Once again, exercise is the main treatment modality in peripheral arterial disease with accumulating evidence to reduce symptoms and improve both exercise capacity and cardiovascular symptoms