Youth fitness linked to lower atherosclerosis risk in middle-aged men

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1 year ago

February 22, 2024

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Feb 22 2024 Linköping University

Men who were physically fit when they were young had a lower risk of atherosclerosis almost 40 years later, according to a study led by researchers at Linköping University, Sweden. The findings, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, suggest that atherosclerosis is one of the mechanisms behind the link between physical fitness and cardiovascular disease. Our results strengthen the notion that physical fitness is linked to health outcomes much later in life. The findings are worrying in the sense that there is a clear global trend indicating that young people are less fit now than when these study participants were young in the 1970s and 80s. Therefore, I believe that these findings may be even more important for those growing up now."

Pontus Henriksson, Senior Associate Professor, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University

It is well-known that being physically unfit at a young age is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease much later in life. But the mechanism behind this finding is not fully understood. An important risk marker for future cardiovascular disease is the occurrence of atherosclerosis, which involves the accumulation of plaques in the arteries. The international research team behind the current study therefore wanted to investigate whether physical fitness in adolescence is linked to atherosclerosis much later, which in that case would indicate that atherosclerosis is a likely mechanism behind the observed link to cardiovascular disease.

In the study, the researchers linked information from the Swedish Military Conscription Register to SCAPIS (the Swedish Cardiopulmonary Bioimage Study), a large population study on heart and lung health in individuals aged 50 to 64 years. For almost 9,000 men who participated in SCAPIS, data on them at conscription at age 18 from 1972 to 1987 were also available. One of the strengths of the study is that it is based on the general population and that the men have been followed for a long time, an average of 38 years.

The researchers examined the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle, using coronary CT angiography, CCTA. The study is the first to use this state-of-the-art technology to examine plaques in the coronary arteries in relation to physical fitness at a young age. In addition, the researchers studied two different types of plaques in the coronary arteries. Plaques with calcium deposits are easy to measure and have long been the focus.

"We measured not only calcified plaques in the coronary arteries, but also non-calcified plaques, which are considered more problematic. They may be more likely to rupture, which can cause heart attacks, and have a worse prognosis," says ángel Herraiz-Adillo, postdoc in the same research group.

"We see in our study that both good cardiorespiratory fitness and good muscle strength in youth are associated with a lower risk of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries almost 40 years later," says Pontus Henriksson.

The researchers also examined atherosclerosis in the large arteries from the heart up to the brain with ultrasound.

Since only men did military service in Sweden at the time, the researchers have only been able to investigate the association between physical fitness and atherosclerosis in men. It is therefore not possible to draw conclusions for women from this particular study.

The study was funded by, among others, the Heart-Lung Foundation, which is the main funder of SCAPIS, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, the Swedish Research Council, Vinnova and the Joanna Cocozza Foundation for Children's Medical Research. Several other researchers from Linköping University also participated in the work on the study: Karin Rådholm, Carl Johan östgren, Kristofer Hedman and Sara Higueras-Fresnillo. Source:

Linköping UniversityJournal reference:

Herraiz-Adillo, Á., et al. (2024). Physical fitness in male adolescents and atherosclerosis in middle age: a population-based cohort study. British Journal of Sports Medicine. doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2023-107663.

Politics

Patrick Spencer: Suspended Tory MP denies sexually assaulting two women at private members’ club

Published

2 hours ago

June 16, 2025

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Patrick Spencer: Suspended Tory MP denies sexually assaulting two women at private members' club

An MP has denied two counts of sexual assault allegedly carried out at a private members’ club in central London.

Patrick Spencer, who represents Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, is accused of cupping the breasts of two women over their clothes at the Groucho Club in August 2023.

The 37-year-old confirmed his full name and date of birth before pleading not guilty to the offences at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

Politics Hub: Starmer attends day two of G7 summit

He is due to appear at Southwark Crown Court on 14 July.

Spencer was suspended from the Conservative Party and had the whip withdrawn after the charges were brought.

The politician was first elected to parliament last year with a majority of 4,290.

Lawyers acting for the MP have previously said he “categorically denies the charges” and would defend against the allegations “robustly in court”.

The Groucho Club, on Dean Street, opened in 1985 and became a renowned meeting place for A-list celebrities and others, including actors, comedians and media executives.

The club was named after the comedian and actor Groucho Marx, who reportedly once said he would refuse to join any club that would have him as a member.

World

Israel had ‘no choice’ but to attack Iran because it was ‘rushing’ to nuclear bomb, president Isaac Herzog claims

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2 hours ago

June 16, 2025

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Israel had 'no choice' but to attack Iran because it was 'rushing' to nuclear bomb, president Isaac Herzog claims

Israel had “no other choice” but to attack Iran because it was proceeding “dramatically” towards a nuclear bomb, Israeli President Isaac Herzog has claimed.

Speaking to Sky News’ Yalda Hakim, he said Iran was “rushing” to the bomb “under disguise”.

He also suggested the Israeli war cabinet was discussing Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, amid reports that President Donald Trump vetoed a plan to kill him.

It comes as Israel and Iran continue to fire missiles at each other after Israel launched an unprecedented strike on Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities.

Tehran has long denied that its nuclear program has been attempting to obtain a nuclear weapon.

Mr Herzog was asked why Israel attacked Iran when it did.

“When you take such decisions of historic magnitude and proportions, you have to analyse all facets and all facts,” he replied.

“The truth of the matter is there was no other choice.”

He claimed Iran was proceeding “dramatically” towards the bomb, both in terms of the enrichment of uranium and, “clandestinely”, the armament part of the process.

“I’ve always been very crystal clear with regards to a nuclear capability of our enemies – it has to be removed at once.”

Mr Herzog added: “We have to remove the Iranian nuclear program because we see the negotiating process as being futile because they are lying whilst talking to us.

“They are lying whilst talking to the United States and other allies.”

He was questioned whether the strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure could provoke a response that causes a mass casualty event in Israel.

“(We are) very much aware of the risks of this war,” he replied. “Every night there are missile attacks, heavy missile attacks on Israel.

“We have our air defence systems, which are excellent.

“Unfortunately, we have casualties. Brothers and sisters of ours from toddlers all the way up to the age of 94.”

He continued: “No, we don’t accept it at all… That’s why we are fighting also, to eliminate their capability of firing at us.”

He also suggested the Israeli war cabinet was discussing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after reports Mr Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to kill him.

“Let’s just remember that the Supreme Leader of Iran has for years called for the annihilation of Israel.”

Environment

The new Hyundai IONIQ 6 has some seriously impressive range, more than the Kia EV4

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2 hours ago

June 16, 2025

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The new Hyundai IONIQ 6 has some seriously impressive range, more than the Kia EV4

Hyundai’s electric fastback is due for some major upgrades that could finally make it the Tesla Model 3 challenger it was designed to be. The new Hyundai IONIQ 6 is better than ever, featuring a stylish new look both inside and out, an NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers, and even more driving range than expected.

The new Hyundai IONIQ 6 is a long-range, stylish EV

It’s been just about three years since Hyundai unveiled the IONIQ 6 for the first time at the 2022 Busan International Motor Show.

Hyundai’s “electrified streamliner” arrived as what was expected to be a genuine rival to the Tesla Model 3, boasting over 350 miles of driving range, fast charging in under 20 minutes, and an affordable price tag.

Despite this, the electric sedan has failed to live up to its hype. In the US, IONIQ 6 sales fell 6% last year, with only 12,264 units sold. According to Cox Automotive, Tesla sold 189,903 Model 3s in the US last year, a decrease from 2023, partly due to the launch of the refreshed model.

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With the upgraded IONIQ due out later this year, Hyundai’s EV might finally match the Model 3 as another long-range, fast-charging, affordable electric sedan.

The new Hyundai IONIQ 6 has just become Korea’s longest-range electric sedan. It was officially certified by the Ministry of Environment with a range of up to 568 km (353 miles), surpassing the Kia EV4 at 549 km (341 miles).

On the WLTP scale, that could translate to nearly 700 km (430 miles) range. The current IONIQ 6 is rated with a WLTP range of up to 614 km (382 miles).

For those in the US, the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 6 already provides an EPA-estimated range of up to 342 miles. The new model is expected to achieve a range of over 350 miles.

The new IONIQ 6 features an upgraded 84 kWh battery, similar to the 2025 IONIQ 5, providing increased driving range. Hyundai’s new IONIQ 5 is now rated with an EPA-estimated driving range of 318 miles, up from 303 miles in the 2024 model.

Like the IONIQ 5 refresh, the new IONIQ 6 is expected to arrive with a built-in NACS port, allowing access to Tesla Superchargers.

Hyundai unveiled the new IONIQ 6 design at the Seoul Mobility Show in April, saying it “enhanced every line and detail to make the IONIQ 6 simpler and more progressive.” And last week, Hyundai teased a sporty “N” line mode coming soon. We got a sneak peek of it in public a few days later after it was spotted driving in Korea. You can tell, it’s already shaping up to be a significant upgrade.

As for prices and final specs, we’ll have to wait until closer to launch later this year. Check back soon for more info. We’ll keep you updated with the latest.

Will Hyundai’s electric sedan finally compete with the Model 3? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: Yucca Post Korea

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