Urho Kujala - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Urho Kujala

PLoS ONE, 2010

High physical activity/aerobic fitness predicts low morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to ident... more High physical activity/aerobic fitness predicts low morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to identify the most up-regulated gene sets related to long-term physical activity vs. inactivity in skeletal muscle and adipose tissues and to obtain further information about their link with cardio-metabolic risk factors. We studied ten same-sex twin pairs (age range 50-74 years) who had been discordant for leisure-time physical activity for 30 years. The examinations included biopsies from m. vastus lateralis and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue. RNA was analyzed with the genome-wide Illumina Human WG-6 v3.0 Expression BeadChip. For pathway analysis we used Gene Set Enrichment Analysis utilizing active vs. inactive co-twin gene expression ratios. Our findings showed that among the physically active members of twin pairs, as compared to their inactive co-twins, gene expression in the muscle tissue samples was chronically up-regulated for the central pathways related to energy metabolism, including oxidative phosphorylation, lipid metabolism and supportive metabolic pathways. Up-regulation of these pathways was associated in particular with aerobic fitness and high HDL cholesterol levels. In fat tissue we found physical activity-associated increases in the expression of polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism and branched-chain amino acid degradation gene sets both of which associated with decreased 'high-risk' ectopic body fat and plasma glucose levels. Consistent with other findings, plasma lipidomics analysis showed up-regulation of the triacylglycerols containing the polyunsaturated fatty acids. Our findings identified skeletal muscle and fat tissue pathways which are associated with the long-term physical activity and reduced cardio-metabolic disease risk, including increased aerobic fitness. In particular, improved skeletal muscle oxidative energy and lipid metabolism as well as changes in adipocyte function and redistribution of body fat are associated with reduced cardio-metabolic risk.

Twin Research and Human Genetics, 2009

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

Purpose: Polygenic risk scores (PRS) summarize genome-wide genotype data into a single variable t... more Purpose: Polygenic risk scores (PRS) summarize genome-wide genotype data into a single variable that produces an individual-level risk score for genetic liability. PRS has been used for prediction of chronic diseases and some risk factors. As PRS has been studied less for physical activity (PA), we constructed PRS for PA and studied how much variation in PA can be explained by this PRS in independent population samples. Methods: We calculated PRS for self-reported and objectively measured PA using UK Biobank genome-wide association study summary statistics, and analyzed how much of the variation in selfreported (MET-hours per day) and measured (steps and moderate-to-vigorous PA minutes per day) PA could be accounted for by the PRS in the Finnish Twin Cohorts (FTC; N = 759-11,528) and the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (NFBC1966; N = 3263-4061). Objective measurement of PA was done with wrist-worn accelerometer in UK Biobank and NFBC1966 studies, and with hip-worn accelerometer in the FTC. Results: The PRS accounted from 0.07% to 1.44% of the variation (R 2) in the self-reported and objectively measured PA volumes (P value range = 0.023 to <0.0001) in the FTC and NFBC1966. For both self-reported and objectively measured PA, individuals in the highest PRS deciles had significantly (11%-28%) higher PA volumes compared with the lowest PRS deciles (P value range = 0.017 to <0.0001). Conclusions: PA is a multifactorial phenotype, and the PRS constructed based on UK Biobank results accounted for statistically significant but overall small proportion of the variation in PA in the Finnish cohorts. Using identical methods to assess PA and including less common and rare variants in the construction of PRS may increase the proportion of PA explained by the PRS.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

British Journal of Sports Medicine

There are discrepant findings between (A) observational follow-ups and (B) interventional studies... more There are discrepant findings between (A) observational follow-ups and (B) interventional studies that investigate possible causal association between high physical activity and low mortality. Participation in vigorous physical activity at a specific time-point is an indicator of good fitness and health, and is associated with a reduced risk of death. However, neither randomised controlled trials nor experimental animal studies have provided conclusive evidence to show that physical activity started during adulthood extends lifespan. Consequently, the undisputed health-related benefits of exercise have yet to translate into any proven causal relationship with longevity. Physical activity improves fitness and physical function, and confers other health-related effects. These outcomes have a greater basis in evidence-based data than any claims of a reduced risk of death, especially when recommending physical activity for previously physically inactive middle-aged and elderly adults.

International Journal of Sports Medicine, 1997

Ischial tuberosity pain in athletes may be caused by several clinical entities, which include acu... more Ischial tuberosity pain in athletes may be caused by several clinical entities, which include acute and old bony or periosteal avulsions and apophysitis. We studied the natural course of these injuries based on our clinical case series of fourteen patients with apophysitis and twenty-one with avulsion of the ischial tuberosity. Only patients with the diagnosis confirmed by X-ray finding were included. The clinical diagnostic criteria by ischial apophysitis consisted of gradually increasing functional and palpatory pain at the ischial tuberosity without any major trauma at the beginning of the symptoms. Typically there was asymmetry on plain radiographs of the ischial tuberosities in apophysitis; the involved apophyseal area became sclerotic, wider than the non-symptomatic apophysis, osteoporotic patches developed and the lower margin of the ischial tuberosity became irregular. The patients with avulsion reported an acute trauma at the beginning of the symptoms and an avulsion fragment was immediately after injury or later seen in plain radiographs. The mean age of the patients with apophysitis (14.1 yrs) was lower than that of the subjects with avulsions (18.9 yrs). Apophysitis of the ischial tuberosity usually healed well without complications. Avulsions often caused more prolonged pain with referral pain to the posterior parts of the thigh which often required operative interventions. A small bony or periosteal avulsion sometimes grew to a pseudotumor calcification. We recommend conservative treatment as the primary treatment modality for both ischial tuberosity apophysitis and avulsion fractures.

Health psychology and behavioral medicine, 2014

Participating in competitive sport increases the risk for injuries and musculoskeletal pain among... more Participating in competitive sport increases the risk for injuries and musculoskeletal pain among adolescent athletes. There is also evidence that the use of prescription drugs has increased among sport club athletes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of painkillers among young male ice hockey players (IHP) in comparison to schoolboys (controls) and its relation to the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and problems during activities and sleeping. Information was gathered through a questionnaire, completed by 121 IHP and compared to the responses of 618 age-matched controls. Results showed that monthly existing pain was at 82% for IHP, and 72% for controls, though IHP had statistically more musculoskeletal pain in their lower limbs (56% vs. 44%), lower back (54% vs. 35%), and buttocks (26% vs. 11%). There were no group differences in the neck, upper back, upper limb, or chest areas. The disability index was statistically similar for both groups, as musculoskeletal pa...

Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 2015

Metabolism, 2014

Rinnankoski-Tuikka, Rita The effects of physical activity and diet change on intracellular lipids... more Rinnankoski-Tuikka, Rita The effects of physical activity and diet change on intracellular lipids and metabolism in mice with diet-induced obesity Jyväskylä:

The Journal of Physiology, 2008

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2009

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 2014

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2013

Background: Symptoms associated with osteoarthritis of the knee result in decreased function, los... more Background: Symptoms associated with osteoarthritis of the knee result in decreased function, loss of working capacity and extensive social and medical costs. There is a need to investigate and develop effective interventions to minimise the impact of and even prevent the progression of osteoarthritis. Aquatic exercise has been shown to be effective at reducing the impact of osteoarthritis. The purpose of this article is to describe the rationale, design and intervention of a study investigating the effect of an aquatic resistance exercise intervention on cartilage in postmenopausal women with mild knee osteoarthritis. Methods: A minimum of 80 volunteers who meet the inclusion criteria will be recruited from the local population through newspaper advertisements. Following initial assessment volunteers will be randomised into two groups. The intervention group will participate in a progressive aquatic resistance exercise program of 1-hour duration 3 times a week for four months. The control group will be asked to maintain normal care during this period. Primary outcome measure for this study is the biochemical composition of knee cartilage measured using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging; T2 relaxation time and delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques. In addition, knee cartilage morphology as regional cartilage thickness will be studied. Secondary outcomes include measures of body composition and bone traits using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and peripheral quantitative computed tomography, pain, function using questionnaires and physical performance tests and quality of life. Measurements will be performed at baseline, after the 4-month intervention period and at one year follow up. Discussion: This randomised controlled trial will investigate the effect a progressive aquatic resistance exercise program has on the biochemical composition of cartilage in post-menopausal women with mild knee osteoarthritis. This is the first study to investigate what impact aquatic exercise has on human articular cartilage. In addition it will investigate the effect aquatic exercise has on physical function, pain, bone and body composition and quality of life. The results of this study will help optimise the prescription of aquatic exercise to persons with mild knee osteoarthritis. Trial registration: ISRCTN65346593.

AGE, 2010

At the moment, there is no clear molecular explanation for the steeper decline in muscle performa... more At the moment, there is no clear molecular explanation for the steeper decline in muscle performance after menopause or the mechanisms of counteractive treatments. The goal of this genome-wide study was to identify the genes and gene clusters through which power training (PT) comprising jumping activities or estrogen containing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may affect skeletal muscle properties after menopause. We used musculus vastus lateralis samples from early stage postmenopausal (50-57 years old) women participating in a yearlong randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial with PT and HRT interventions. Using microarray platform with over 24,000 probes, we identified 665 differentially expressed genes. The hierarchical clustering method was used to assort the genes. Additionally, enrichment analysis of gene ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways was carried out to clarify whether assorted gene clusters are enriched with particular functional categories. The

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 2011

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

This study examined the impact of high adherence to a neuromuscular training (NMT) warm-up on the... more This study examined the impact of high adherence to a neuromuscular training (NMT) warm-up on the risk of lower extremity (LE) injuries in children’s soccer. Twenty U11–U14 youth clubs (n = 92 teams, 1409 players) were randomized into intervention (n = 44 teams) and control (n = 48 teams) groups. The intervention group was advised to perform an NMT warm-up 2 to 3 times a week for 20 weeks. Team adherence, injuries, and exposure were registered throughout the follow-up. Primary outcomes were the incidence of soccer-related acute LE injuries and the prevalence of overuse LE injuries. Intervention teams conducted mean 1.7 (SD 1.0) NMT warm-ups weekly through follow-up. The seasonal trend for adherence declined significantly by −1.9% (95% CI −0.8% to −3.1%) a week. There was no difference in the incidence of acute injuries nor the prevalence of overuse LE injuries in high team adherence group (n = 17 teams) compared to controls. However, the risk for acute noncontact LE injuries was 31%...

Journal of sports science & medicine, 2015

A career as an elite-class male athlete seems to improve metabolic heath in later life and is als... more A career as an elite-class male athlete seems to improve metabolic heath in later life and is also associated with longer life expectancy. Telomere length is a biomarker of biological cellular ageing and could thus predict morbidity and mortality. The main aim of this study was to assess the association between vigorous elite-class physical activity during young adulthood on later life leukocyte telomere length (LTL). The study participants consist of former male Finnish elite athletes (n = 392) and their age-matched controls (n = 207). Relative telomere length was determined from peripheral blood leukocytes by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Volume of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) was self-reported and expressed in metabolic equivalent hours. No significant difference in mean age-adjusted LTL in late life (p = 0.845) was observed when comparing former male elite athletes and their age-matched controls. Current volume of LTPA had no marked influence on mean...

There is strong evidence that exercise therapy leads to better measured and self-reported physica... more There is strong evidence that exercise therapy leads to better measured and self-reported physical fitness and function in patients with chronic diseases, along with improvements in body composition. The evidence for other health benefits has not been summarized as systematically across different chronic diseases. Given the volume of research that has appeared in the past decade, this review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in patients with specific chronic diseases summarizes the evidence regarding exercise therapy for various outcomes to help practitioners in prescribing exercise therapy for their patients. Meta-analyses published before Jan 1, 2021, based on at least four RCTs, and investigating the effect of exercise therapy on the same outcome among patients with a specific chronic disease were screened. These meta-analyses show that, in addition to improvements in fitness and function, various cardio-metabolic risk factor levels are improved in most of t...

Nutrients

We constructed a food-based diet quality score (DQS) and examined its association with obesity me... more We constructed a food-based diet quality score (DQS) and examined its association with obesity measures, eating styles and nutrient intakes. Participants were 3592 individuals (764 dizygotic [DZ] and 430 monozygotic [MZ] twin pairs) from the FinnTwin16 study. The DQS (0–12 points) was constructed from a short 14 item food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric measures and eating styles were self-reported. Nutrient intakes were calculated from food diaries completed in a subsample of 249 individuals (45 same-sex DZ and 60 MZ twin pairs). Twins were analyzed both as individuals and as twin pairs. The DQS was inversely associated with body mass index (β = −0.12, per one-unit increase in DQS, p < 0.001), waist circumference (β = −0.34, p < 0.001), obesity (odds ratio [OR]: 0.95, p = 0.004) and abdominal obesity (OR: 0.88, p < 0.001), independent of sex, age, physical activity and education. A higher DQS was associated with health-conscious eating, having breakfast, less snack...