Olli Heinonen | University of Turku (original) (raw)

Papers by Olli Heinonen

Journal of science in sport and exercise, Sep 19, 2022

Purpose Whether elite athletes, who have been exposed to vigorous-intensity exercise combined wit... more Purpose Whether elite athletes, who have been exposed to vigorous-intensity exercise combined with other stressors, have elevated systemic low-grade inflammation, remains largely unclear. To address this question, we studied the levels of six inflammatory cytokines as potential biomarkers of a low-grade inflammatory state in elite athletes after an 11-month training and competition season. Methods We collected sera from 27 Finnish elite crosscountry skiers and 27 gender-and age-matched, moderately-exercising controls. The serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA), interleukin 10 (IL-10), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) cytokines were quantified as surrogate markers of low-grade inflammation. Results The athletes were found to have significantly lower concentrations of CRP (P = 0.0232) and higher concentrations of IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ (P = 0.0097, P = 0.0256, and P = 0.0185, respectively) than the controls. No significant differences between athletes and controls were detected in the concentrations of IL-6 and GlycA. The inflammatory score (IS) did not differ significantly between athletes and controls. Conclusion The results of this study argued against the hypothesis of a significant chronic low-grade inflammation in response to prolonged high-performance exercise among elite endurance athletes.

Sports Medicine, Mar 30, 2022

Upper respiratory tract infections ("common cold") are the most common acute illnesses in elite a... more Upper respiratory tract infections ("common cold") are the most common acute illnesses in elite athletes. Numerous studies on exercise immunology have proposed that intense exercise may increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. Virological data to support that view are sparse, and several fundamental questions remain. Immunity to respiratory viral infections is highly complex, and there is a lack of evidence that minor short-or long-term alterations in immunity in elite athletes have clinical implications. The degree to which athletes are infected by respiratory viruses is unclear. During major sport events, athletes are at an increased risk of symptomatic infections caused by the same viruses as those in the general population. The symptoms are usually mild and self-limiting. It is anecdotally known that athletes commonly exercise and compete while having a respiratory viral infection; there are no virological studies to suggest that such activity would affect either the illness or the performance. The risk of myocarditis exists. Which simple mitigation procedures are crucial for effective control of seasonal respiratory viral infections is not known.

Preventive Medicine, Jul 1, 2018

This study aims to examine the association between change in physical activity levels over time a... more This study aims to examine the association between change in physical activity levels over time and accumulation of cardiometabolic risk factors. Four consecutive surveys (Time 1 to 4) were conducted with 4-year intervals in 1997-2013 (the Finnish Public Sector study). Physical activity of 15,634 cardio-metabolically healthy participants (mean age 43.3 (SD 8.7) years, 85% women) was assessed using four-item survey measure and was expressed as weekly metabolic equivalent (MET) hours in Time 1, 2, and 3. At each time point, participants were categorised into low (<14 MET-h/week), moderate (≥14 to <30 METh/week), or high (≥30 MET-h/week) activity level and change in physical activity levels between Time 1 and 3 (over 8-years) was determined. The outcome was the number of incident cardiometabolic risk factors (hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and obesity) at Time 4. Cumulative logistic regression was used for data analysis. Compared to maintenance of low physical activity, increase in physical activity from low baseline activity level was associated with decreased accumulation of cardiometabolic risk factors in a dose-response manner (cumulative odds ratio [cOR]=0.73, 95% CI 0.59-0.90 for low-to-moderate and cOR=0.67, 95% CI 0.49-0.89 for low-to-high, P for trend 0.0007). Decrease in physical activity level from high to low was associated with increased accumulation of cardiometabolic risk factors (cOR=1.60, 95% CI 1.27-2.01) compared to those who remained at high activity level. Thus even a modest long-term increase in physical activity was associated with reduction in cardiometabolic risk whereas decrease in physical activity was related to increased risk.

Pediatric Research, Sep 1, 1994

long-chain fatty acids is impaired (13). Carnitine suptow. Deoartrnent of Clinical Chernistrv, Tu... more long-chain fatty acids is impaired (13). Carnitine suptow. Deoartrnent of Clinical Chernistrv, Turku University Hospital, Kiinamvl-plementation to a patient with low carnitine has stirnu-< .-. lynkatu a, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland. lated fat oxidation in muscle homogenate (13), and Supported in part by grants from the Ministry of Education of Finland, The Medical Council of the Acadernv of Finland. the Paulo Foundation. and the Turku fat in vitro is reported to University Foundation. with carnitine concentration (14).

Springer eBooks, 2011

Physical inactivity is one of the leading risks for mortality worldwide. One of future main drive... more Physical inactivity is one of the leading risks for mortality worldwide. One of future main drivers for physical activity could be information and communication technology (ICT) gadgets and services that support active way of living. This study is the first attempt to model ICT adaption and awareness matrix to motivate and use ICT to support daily physical activity. This is important for individuals and also for information society and healthcare organizations to cope with physical inactivity challenge. They urgently require new approaches and to reshape their customers' inactive lifestyle. End-user experience data for this research was collected with semi-structured questionnaire from subjects who used pedometers for a three-month-period. In the questionnaire there were questions related to motivation, awareness and also use of information technology connected to physical activity. Based on the results, usage habits and patterns of pedometers, this paper classifies the end-users into four distinctive groups. This classification is called TAMPA-model (Technology Adaption Matrix for Physical Activity-model).

Innovation in Aging, Dec 1, 2020

Patterns of physical activity (PA) may be associated with physical function independently of tota... more Patterns of physical activity (PA) may be associated with physical function independently of total volume. The study aim was to explore associations of PA fragmentation (PAF) and function in ≥65-year-old European adults (SITLESS study: n=1360). The ActiGraph wGT3X+ accelerometer was worn for seven consecutive days at the dominant hip. PAF was assessed as the ratio of the number of ≥10-second PA bouts divided by an individual's total minutes in PA. Physical function was assessed using the 2-minute maximum walk test (2MWT) and short physical performance battery test (SPPB). Multiple linear regression was utilized adjusting for relevant covariates. Lower PA fragmentation was significantly (p<0.01) associated with longer 2MWT distances and better SPPB scores. The model explained 54% and 41% of the variance in the 2MWT distance and in SPPB score, respectively. Increased PAF seems associated with reduced physical function; independent of sedentary behavior and numerous important health and socio-demographic covariates.

Background Wrist injuries are the most common type of injury sustained while snowboarding, with 2... more Background Wrist injuries are the most common type of injury sustained while snowboarding, with 2500 Swiss snowboarders injuring their wrist or forearm annually. The effectiveness of wrist protectors in preventing these injuries is scientifically proven, yet the use of wrist protectors has decreased 17% over the last 10 years, to 25% in 2018. Objective To identify barriers to the use of wrist protectors among Swiss snowboarders in order to promote their use in the future via specific measures. Design Face-to-face interviews were conducted on the slopes of 21 ski resorts in Switzerland in the 2017/18 winter season using a standardized questionnaire including information about demographics, snowboarding skills, and snowboarders' behaviour regarding the use of wrist protectors. Setting Recreational sport. Participants 721 snowboarders (mean age: 28±9.1 years, 34% females) residing in Switzerland (aged !15 years) were included in the study. The response rate was 79%. Main Outcome Measurements The prevalence of and barriers to wrist protector use. Results In this study, a total of 16% of the snowboarders used wrist protectors. We found a difference between adolescents (15-17 years) and adults (!18 years): 28% vs. 15% (p=0.001). However, no difference was found concerning sex or skill level. The most important barriers to the use of wrist protectors were a belief that they increase injury risk (22%), that they aren't effective (18%), or that they are uncomfortable (16%). Conclusions In Switzerland, snowboarders are badly informed about the efficacy of wrist protectors and a minority of snowboarders use them. Therefore, further efforts will be taken in Switzerland to adequately inform non-users. Future prevention measures are planned to ensure that only effective protectors are available on the market and to target the lack of knowledge among snowboarders and suppliers.

Sleep, May 19, 2017

Study Objectives: Menopausal transition is associated with increased dissatisfaction with sleep, ... more Study Objectives: Menopausal transition is associated with increased dissatisfaction with sleep, but the effects on sleep architecture are conflicting. This prospective 6-year follow-up study was designed to evaluate the changes in sleep stages and sleep continuity that occur in women during menopausal transition. Methods: Sixty women (mean age 46.0 years, SD 0.9) participated. All women were premenopausal at baseline, and at the 6-year follow-up, women were in different stages of menopausal transition. Polysomnography was used to study sleep architecture at baseline and follow-up. The effects of aging and menopause (assessed as change in serum follicle-stimulating hormone [S-FSH]) on sleep architecture were evaluated using linear regression models. Results: After controlling for body mass index, vasomotor, and depressive symptoms, aging of 6 years resulted in shorter total sleep time (B −37.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] −71.5 to (−3.3)), lower sleep efficiency (B −6.5, 95%CI −12.7 to (−0.2)), as well as in increased transitions from slow-wave sleep (SWS) to wakefulness (B 1.0, 95%CI 0.1 to 1.9), wake after sleep onset (B 37.7, 95%CI 12.5 to 63.0), awakenings per hour (B 1.8, 95%CI 0.8 to 2.8), and arousal index (B 2.3, 95%CI 0.1 to 4.4). Higher S-FSH concentration in menopausal transition was associated with increased SWS (B 0.09, 95%CI 0.01 to 0.16) after controlling for confounding factors. Conclusions: A significant deterioration in sleep continuity occurs when women age from 46 to 52 years, but change from premenopausal to menopausal state restores some SWS.

Frontiers in Physiology, Feb 16, 2023

Introduction: This is one of the first intervention studies to examine how low-(LIT) and high-int... more Introduction: This is one of the first intervention studies to examine how low-(LIT) and high-intensity endurance training (HIT) affect durability, defined as 'time of onset and magnitude of deterioration in physiological-profiling characteristics over time during prolonged exercise'. Methods: Sedentary and recreationally active men (n = 16) and women (n = 19) completed either LIT (average weekly training time 6.8 ± 0.7 h) or HIT (1.6 ± 0.2 h) cycling for 10 weeks. Durability was analyzed before and after the training period from three factors during 3-h cycling at 48% of pretraining maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2max): 1) by the magnitude and 2) onset of drifts (i.e. gradual change in energy expenditure, heart rate, rate of perceived exertion, ventilation, left ventricular ejection time, and stroke volume), 3) by the 'physiological strain', defined to be the absolute responses of heart rate and its variability, lactate, and rate of perceived exertion. Results: When all three factors were averaged the durability was improved similarly (time x group p = 0.42) in both groups (LIT: p = 0.03, g = 0.49; HIT: p = 0.01, g = 0.62). In the LIT group, magnitude of average of drifts and their onset did not reach statistically significance level of p < 0.05 (magnitude: 7.7 ± 6.8% vs. 6.3 ± 6.0%, p = 0.09, g = 0.27; onset: 106 ± 57 min vs. 131 ± 59 min, p = 0.08, g = 0.58), while averaged physiological strain improved (p = 0.01, g = 0.60). In HIT, both magnitude and onset decreased (magnitude: 8.8 ± 7.9% vs. 5.4 ± 6.7%, p = 0.03, g = 0.49; onset: 108 ± 54 min vs. 137 ± 57 min, p = 0.03, g = 0.61), and physiological strain improved (p = 0.005, g = 0.78). VO 2max increased only after HIT (time x group p < 0.001, g = 1.51). Conclusion: Durability improved similarly by both LIT and HIT based on reduced physiological drifts, their postponed onsets, and changes in physiological strain. Despite durability enhanced among untrained people, a 10-week intervention did not alter drifts and their onsets in a large amount, even though it attenuated physiological strain.

European journal of public health, Aug 27, 2022

Twelve prototype exercises have been developed. Merging theoretical foundations of motor learning... more Twelve prototype exercises have been developed. Merging theoretical foundations of motor learning and wishes and needs of end-users made it possible to create exercises that serve both needs. Conclusions The development of these prototype exercises guides towards further validation and final development of innovative exercise routines where real-world aspects are incorporated. With this, we will better ensure real-world effects of injury reduction. Acknowledgements This project is financially co-funded by the Erasmus+ Sport

This is a self-archived version of an original article. This version may differ from the original... more This is a self-archived version of an original article. This version may differ from the original in pagination and typographic details.

Table S7. Odds ratios for the occurrence of acute and overuse injury (at least one injury) by spo... more Table S7. Odds ratios for the occurrence of acute and overuse injury (at least one injury) by sports club participation and by volume of reported leisure-time physical activity derived from logistic regression analysis adjusted for sex. (DOC 62â kb)

American Journal of Sports Medicine, Jul 1, 1985

During the period of 1976 to 1981, a total of 412 young athletes contacted the Turku Sports Medic... more During the period of 1976 to 1981, a total of 412 young athletes contacted the Turku Sports Medical Research Unit's (TSMRU) Outpatient Sports Clinic with 586 com plaints. These records included 68 athletes with Os good-Schlatter's disease (OSD), who were initially pre scribed an average of 2 months' rest from any physical activity causing pain. Symptoms of tibial tuberosity pain occurred first at the average age of 13.1 years. Accord ing to the retrospective questionnaire, the pain caused complete cessation of training for an average of 3.2 months, and the disease interfered with fully effective training for an average of 7.3 months. According to a retrospective questionnaire given to 389 students (191 girls and 198 boys), 50 (12.9%) had suffered from OSD. Nearly one-half of the students, 193 (49.6%), had been active in sports at the age of 13, and 41 (21.2%) of them had suffered from OSD. In those students who were not active in sports, the incidence was only nine (4.5%; P < 0.001). The incidence (32%) was higher in the siblings of the OSD patients of TSMRU who were active in sports than in the corresponding student group (21.2%). In a group of 22 patients from the TSMRU who had suffered from Sever's disease (calcaneal apophysitis), the inci dence of OSD (68%) was significantly higher than in students who were active in sports (P < 0.001).

Turun yliopiston kasvatustieteiden tiedekunta, 2003

European journal of public health, Aug 26, 2022

Background: The aerobic part of the recently updated physical activity (PA) guidelines for adults... more Background: The aerobic part of the recently updated physical activity (PA) guidelines for adults recommends at least 150 min of moderate or at least 75 of vigorous-intensity PA or an equivalent combination of both. PA can be accumulated of any bout duration. On an absolute scale, moderate-intensity threshold is 3 metabolic equivalents (METs) and vigorous 6 METs. On a scale relative to individual's personal capacity, moderate-intensity threshold is 40% and vigorous 60% of the oxygen uptake reserve. In this study, the adherence to the new guidelines was evaluated using both absolute and relative thresholds. Methods: Totally, 1645 adults aged 20-64 years, participated in this population-based study and their cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) was estimated with 6-min walking test. The participants with estimated maximal oxygen uptake <7.9 MET were categorized as low CRF group and the others as adequate CRF group. The participants were instructed to wear a triaxial hip-worn accelerometer for 1 week and their adherence to PA guidelines was assessed from the accelerometer data. Results: The adequate CRF group had higher adherence to PA guidelines with the absolute thresholds, but the use of relative thresholds inverted the results. The adherence varied from 20% to 99% in the total sample depending on the analysis parameters of accelerometer data. Conclusions: The absolute thresholds provide a more appropriate basis to assess the adherence to PA guidelines in population-based samples and interventions. The use of individually determined relative thresholds may be more useful for individual exercise prescriptions in PA counseling.

Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, May 30, 2023

PurposeTo examine the associations between longitudinal physical activity (PA) patterns and the d... more PurposeTo examine the associations between longitudinal physical activity (PA) patterns and the development of cardiometabolic risk factors from adolescence to young adulthood.MethodsThis cohort study encompassed 250 participants recruited from sports clubs and schools, and examined at mean age 15 and 19. Device‐measured moderate‐to‐vigorous PA was grouped into five patterns (via a data‐driven method, using inactivity maintainers as a reference). The outcomes were: glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI). Linear growth curve models were applied with adjustment for sex, age, fruit/vegetable consumption, cigarette/snuff use, and change in the device wear‐time.ResultsInsulin and BMI increased among decreasers from moderate to low PA (β for insulin 0.23, 95% CI 0.03–0.46; β for BMI 0.90; CI 0.02–1.78). The concentration of HDL cholesterol decreased (β −0.18, CI −0.31 to −0.05) and that of glucose increased (β 0.18, CI 0.02–0.35) among decreasers from high to moderate PA. By contrast, among increasers, blood pressure declined (systolic β −6.43, CI −12.16 to −0.70; diastolic β −6.72, CI −11.03 to −2.41).ConclusionsAlready during the transition to young adulthood, changes in PA are associated with changes in cardiometabolic risk factors. Favorable blood pressure changes were found among PA increasers. Unfavorable changes in BMI, insulin, glucose, and HDL cholesterol were found in groups with decreasing PA. The changes were dependent on the baseline PA and the magnitude of the PA decline.

Table S4. Anatomical site of at least one overuse injury in boys and girls among sports club memb... more Table S4. Anatomical site of at least one overuse injury in boys and girls among sports club members and non-members. (DOC 67â kb)

Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, Nov 16, 2022

ObjectivePhysical activity benefits cardiometabolic health, but little is known about its detaile... more ObjectivePhysical activity benefits cardiometabolic health, but little is known about its detailed links with serum lipoproteins, amino acids, and glucose metabolism at young age. We therefore studied the association of physical activity with a comprehensive metabolic profile measured repeatedly in adolescence.MethodsThe cohort is derived from the longitudinal Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project. At ages 13, 15, 17, and 19 years, data on physical activity were collected by a questionnaire, and circulating metabolic measures were quantified by nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics from repeatedly assessed serum samples (age 13: n = 503, 15: n = 472, 17: n = 466, and 19: n = 361).ResultsLeisure‐time physical activity (LTPA;MET h/wk) was directly associated with concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and inversely with the ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids to total fatty acids (−0.006SD; [−0.008, −0.003]; p < 0.0001). LTPA was inversely associated with very‐low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL) particle concentration (−0.003SD; [−0.005, −0.001]; p = 0.002) and VLDL particle size (−0.005SD; [−0.007, −0.003]; p < 0.0001). LTPA showed direct association with the particle concentration and size of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), and HDL cholesterol concentration (0.004SD; [0.002, 0.006]; p < 0.0001). Inverse associations of LTPA with triglyceride and total lipid concentrations in large to small sized VLDL subclasses were found. Weaker associations were seen for other metabolic measures including inverse associations with concentrations of lactate, isoleucine, glycoprotein acetylation, and a direct association with creatinine concentration. The results remained after adjusting for body mass index and proportions of energy intakes from macronutrients.ConclusionsPhysical activity during adolescence is beneficially associated with the metabolic profile including novel markers. The results support recommendations on physical activity during adolescence to promote health and possibly reduce future disease risks.

Chronobiology International, Jun 28, 2022