Frontiers in aging最新文献

{"title":"Omega-3 fatty acids as modulators of advanced glycation end products in aging: mechanistic pathways and clinical implications - a narrative review.","authors":"Anna Cortesi, Irene P Tzanetakou, Konstantinos Giannakou, Aikaterini Bograkou-Tzanetakou, Elena Hadjimbei","doi":"10.3389/fragi.2026.1872170","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fragi.2026.1872170","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Aging is characterised by the progressive accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), formed through non-enzymatic glycation reactions between reducing sugars and proteins, lipids, or nucleic acids. AGEs contribute to tissue damage through irreversible protein cross-linking and receptor-mediated inflammatory signalling via the receptor for AGEs (RAGE). Elderly individuals are disproportionately affected due to cumulative oxidative stress, chronic low-grade inflammation (inflammaging), impaired renal and enzymatic clearance, and prolonged exposure to dietary AGEs. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), may modulate these pathways through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and metabolic mechanisms.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To synthesise available preclinical, <i>in vitro</i>, and clinical evidence on the mechanistic and therapeutic relationships between omega-3 PUFA supplementation and AGE formation, accumulation, and signalling, and to evaluate the effects of omega-3 supplementation on key age-related clinical outcomes in elderly populations, including cardiometabolic health, cognitive function, mental health, functional capacity, and quality of life.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A narrative review was conducted using searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Eligible study designs included <i>in vitro</i> experiments, animal models, randomised controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, and systematic reviews published in English. Evidence was synthesised thematically across mechanistic and clinical domains, with priority given to studies addressing AGE-related pathways and clinically relevant endpoints.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Preclinical evidence demonstrates that omega-3 PUFAs attenuate oxidative stress and inflammatory signalling, partly through RAGE axis regulation and PPARγ activation. Clinical studies report reductions in circulating AGEs, RAGE, and pentosidine following supplementation, alongside upregulation of protective scavenger receptors such as AGER1. Omega-3 supplementation has also been associated with improvements in inflammatory markers, cardiometabolic risk, cognitive function, and physical capacity in older adults. However, RCT evidence assessing tissue-level AGE accumulation using non-invasive measures such as skin autofluorescence remains limited in elderly populations.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Omega-3 PUFAs demonstrate therapeutic potential in modulating AGE-related mechanisms and improving age-associated outcomes. Well-designed RCTs targeting tissue AGE accumulation and long-term endpoints in elderly cohorts are warranted.</p>","PeriodicalId":73061,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in aging","volume":"7 ","pages":"1872170"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13407384/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148610770","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association between life's essential 8 and activities of daily living disability in Chinese adults aged 80 years and older: a cross-sectional study from the CLHLS.","authors":"Jiaxin Huang, Bing Feng, Ge Chang, Chaoqun Geng, Weimin Bai, Jianchao Li","doi":"10.3389/fragi.2026.1845642","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fragi.2026.1845642","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Maintaining functional independence is a major goal of healthy ageing in the oldest-old, yet evidence on the association between Life's Essential 8 (LE8)and activities of daily living (ADL) disability in this population remains limited. We examined the associations between LE8 and ADL disability among Chinese adults aged ≥80 years.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional studyincluded 909 adults aged ≥80 years from the 2014 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey biomarker sub-study. Cardiovascular health was assessed using the American Heart Association's LE8framework. ADL disability was defined as at least one limitation across six basic activities, and disability severity was categorized as 0, 1, or ≥2 limitations. Multivariable logistic regression and proportional odds ordinal logistic regression were used to examine associations of LE8 with ADL disability and disability severity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the fully adjusted model, each 10-point higher LE8 score was associated with reduced odds of ADL disability [odds ratio (OR): 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.62-0.95], and participants in the highest tertile had reduced odds than those in the lowest tertile (OR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.34-0.95). Similar associations were observed for disability severity (per 10-point increase: OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.62-0.94). Restricted cubic spline analysis showed a significant overall association without strong evidence of nonlinearity. In component-level analyses, physical activity and diet showed the most prominent inverse associations with ADL disability.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Higher LE8 scores were associated with a lower ADL disability burden among Chinese adults aged ≥80 years. These fingdings support the potential value of LE8 as an integrated framework for characterizing functional vulnerability in the oldest-old.</p>","PeriodicalId":73061,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in aging","volume":"7 ","pages":"1845642"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13395931/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148586144","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hip-hop dance participation and cognitive, gait, and muscle mass outcomes in community-dwelling older adults: a multi-site longitudinal study.","authors":"Atsuko Miyazaki, Takashi Okuyama, Hayato Mori, Kazuhisa Sato, Sawako Ono, Atsushi Hiyama","doi":"10.3389/fragi.2026.1862298","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fragi.2026.1862298","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Dance-based interventions show promise for maintaining function in older adults, but long-term effects on body composition remain unclear. This study examined the effects of a hip-hop dance program on cognitive function, gait, and muscle mass over up to 3 years.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This multi-site longitudinal study included 102 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 74.2 years, 93% female) from six sites in Japan. The dance group (<i>n</i> = 74) participated in weekly hip-hop dance sessions and competed in the FIDA GOLD CUP, a competition for older adults. Controls (<i>n</i> = 28) maintained usual activities. Outcomes included cognitive function (MMSE, MoCA visuospatial), gait parameters, physical function, and body composition (SMI, segmental lean mass, BMI). Linear mixed models examined group × time interactions, and ANCOVA with permutation tests compared change scores in participants with complete data (<i>n</i> = 59).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant group × time interactions favoring the dance group were observed for MMSE (<i>β</i> = 0.58 points/year, <i>p</i> = 0.007) and MoCA visuospatial (<i>β</i> = 0.27/year, <i>p</i> = 0.023). Gait improved through temporal parameters: left contact time decreased (<i>β</i> = -0.018 s/year, <i>p</i> = 0.005) and gait speed increased (<i>β</i> = 0.065 m/s/year, <i>p</i> = 0.031), while stride length remained unchanged (<i>p</i> = 0.243). Right hip abduction strength (<i>β</i> = 1.22 kg/year, <i>p</i> = 0.016) and right single-leg stance time (<i>β</i> = 10.3 s/year, <i>p</i> = 0.026) improved. However, the dance group showed greater decline in skeletal muscle mass index (<i>β</i> = -0.064 kg/m²/year, <i>p</i> = 0.020) and leg segmental lean mass (left: <i>β</i> = -0.108 kg/year, <i>p</i> < 0.001; right: <i>β</i> = -0.088 kg/year, <i>p</i> = 0.004), while BMI remained unchanged (<i>p</i> = 0.949). ANCOVA confirmed these patterns for cognition, gait, and body composition outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Hip-hop dance participation was associated with better preservation of cognitive function and more favorable gait-related change, characterized by enhanced temporal control rather than increased stride length. Specifically, reduced contact time and faster cadence suggest rhythm-based motor learning as the underlying mechanism. However, dance participation alone was not sufficient to prevent age-related muscle loss, indicating the need for combined interventions incorporating resistance training and adequate protein intake.</p>","PeriodicalId":73061,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in aging","volume":"7 ","pages":"1862298"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13395872/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148586218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predictive value of preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio for prognosis in aortic dissection patients without hypertension following TEVAR.","authors":"Shun Yu, Xinghua Liu, Kunyu Guan, Liang Chen, Hao Zhang, Dengqun Sun, Yanjun Sun, Lixue Zhu, Lijun Weng, Biao Wu","doi":"10.3389/fragi.2026.1875447","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fragi.2026.1875447","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) serves as a potential inflammatory biomarker for aortic dissection (AD), with elevated levels predicting adverse postoperative outcomes. Nevertheless, the prognostic significance of preoperative NLR in non-hypertensive AD patients receiving thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) remains undefined.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the predictive value of preoperative NLR for clinical prognosis in this specific cohort following TEVAR.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study retrospectively analyzed 116 non-hypertensive AD patients undergoing TEVAR at our medical center (December 2014-December 2020). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis determined the optimal NLR cutoff, area under the curve (AUC), and 95% confidence interval (CI) for predicting the primary endpoint (all-cause mortality). Patients were stratified into low-NLR and high-NLR groups based on the cutoff. Survival differences were assessed using <i>Kaplan-Meier</i> analysis with <i>log-rank</i> testing. Associations between NLR and mortality risk were evaluated via univariate and multivariate Cox regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The cohort comprised 77.6% males, with 52.6% aged >55 years, 30.2% reporting smoking history, 13.8% alcohol use, and 14.7% comorbidities. Anatomical classification included Stanford type A (5.2%) and type B (94.8%); temporal classification was acute (12.1%), subacute (30.2%), and chronic (57.8%). Branch artery reconstruction was performed in 47.4% of patients. Postoperative outcomes included all-cause mortality (1.7%), dissection recurrence (3.4%), endoleak (6.0%), and secondary intervention (9.5%). NLR demonstrated strong predictive efficacy (cutoff: 7.69; sensitivity: 96.4%; specificity: 65.9%; AUC = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.76-0.90). The high-NLR group exhibited significantly reduced survival compared to the low-NLR group (<i>P</i> < 0.001). Univariate Cox regression identified high NLR (HR = 30.766, 95% CI: 4.177-226.611, <i>P</i> = 0.001) and branch reconstruction (HR = 2.335, 95% CI: 1.090-5.001, <i>P</i> = 0.029) as mortality risk factors. Multivariate analysis confirmed high NLR as an independent risk factor for all-cause death (HR = 2.033, 95% CI: 1.004-3.221).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Preoperative NLR elevation is significantly linked to decreased survival following TEVAR in AD patients with aortic dissection, and it may function as an independent predictor of all-cause mortality. This parameter may be used as a reliable prognostic marker for this specific patient group.</p>","PeriodicalId":73061,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in aging","volume":"7 ","pages":"1875447"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13391812/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148581361","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative evaluation of deep learning models for three-class frailty assessment using gait metrics.","authors":"Charmayne Mary Lee Hughes, Yan Zhang","doi":"10.3389/fragi.2026.1873618","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fragi.2026.1873618","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Frailty assessment in older adults typically relies on subjective clinical tools that are time-consuming and require trained personnel, limiting their use in routine or large-scale screening. Wearable sensor-based gait analysis offers a promising objective alternative; however, comprehensive evaluations of deep learning models for multi-class frailty classification using structured gait metrics remain limited.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study evaluates multiple deep learning architectures for three-class frailty classification using structured gait features derived from a single wearable inertial measurement unit (IMU). Four architectures (Transformer, ShapeFormer, InceptionTime, and LSTM-CNN) were evaluated using the publicly available GSTRIDE dataset, comprising 163 older adults (non-frail: <i>n</i> = 65, pre-frail: <i>n</i> = 77, frail: <i>n</i> = 21). Eleven clinically interpretable stride-level gait variables, extracted from a single IMU, were used as model input. A 10-fold participant-level cross-validation scheme, matching the default configuration of the original implementation (cv_seed = 1), was applied to ensure robust performance estimation and prevent data leakage.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The four architectures yielded comparable mean accuracy under a unified protocol (ShapeFormer 73.1% ± 10.6%, Transformer 72.6% ± 6.0%, InceptionTime 70.5% ± 9.5%, LSTM-CNN 65.9% ± 9.8%). A Friedman omnibus test on the per-fold scores did not reject the null of equal performance (borderline on accuracy and macro-F1 (<i>p</i> = 0.050 and 0.056 respectively), with no significant difference for macro-AUC [<i>p</i> = 0.840]), indicating that the apparent ranking is within sampling variability. Performance was higher for non-frail and pre-frail individuals, while classification of frail individuals remained challenging across all models.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Multi-class frailty classification using structured gait metrics from a single wearable sensor is feasible, though performance varies across models and frailty classes. Model stability and sensitivity to specific classes represent important trade-offs.</p><p><strong>Significance: </strong>These findings support the development of scalable, objective approaches to frailty assessment and underscore the importance of selecting models based on clinical priorities.</p>","PeriodicalId":73061,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in aging","volume":"7 ","pages":"1873618"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13385184/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148551418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sex-specific remodeling of proteasome complexes in lymph nodes of aged BTBR mice.","authors":"Francesca Monittola, Michela Bruschi, Sofia Masini, Domenico Pio Losito, Mauro Magnani, Luigia Rossi, Alessandra Fraternale, Rita Crinelli","doi":"10.3389/fragi.2026.1864375","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fragi.2026.1864375","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lymph node architecture and function are markedly altered with aging. We previously demonstrated that the lymph nodes of old C57BL/6 and BTBR male mice contain reduced levels of PA28αβ-capped proteasomes compared to young mice. Here, we examined aged BTBR females relative to aged males and found that proteasome remodeling occurs in a sex-specific manner. Specifically, old female exhibited higher immunoproteasome activity than old male, despite similar levels of proteasome and immunoproteasome subunit expression and proteasome complex assembly. In female mice activity was mostly driven by PA28αβ-capped 20S proteasomes that declined with age in males. These results highlight intriguing differences in proteasome assembly and activity between males and females providing evidence for sex-dependent changes in immunosenescence.</p>","PeriodicalId":73061,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in aging","volume":"7 ","pages":"1864375"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13381488/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148610750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of a multicomponent exercise program on the gross and fine motor skills of healthy, sporting inactive older adults aged 60.","authors":"Anneke Schumacher, Marlene Krumpolt, Lucas Sannemann, Kerstin Witte","doi":"10.3389/fragi.2026.1819415","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fragi.2026.1819415","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a multicomponent exercise program with integrated popular sports on the gross and fine motor coordination of healthy but sporting inactive adults aged 60 and above. Coordinative abilities are a key determinant of maintaining independence in later life. From February 2022 until December 2024 a 6-month pre-post intervention study with three measurement points: at baseline (t0), after 3 months (t1), and after completion of the intervention (t2) was conducted. The intervention groups started quarterly during the intervention period. In the intervention group (IG) a total of 161 older adults (68.23 ± 4.47 years; f = 107, m = 54) participated in a twice-weekly 90-min training program integrating popular sports. Gross motor skills were assessed using the Karlsruhe Health-Oriented Coordination Test (KHCT), and fine motor skills via the Motor Performance Series (MLS). Results were compared with an inactive control group (CGinactive: n = 32) and an active reference group of senior dancers (CGactive: n = 23), which was assessed cross-sectionally at baseline only. Compared to the CGinactive, the IG demonstrated significant improvements in six of the seven gross motor tasks and in two of the four fine motor tasks (group*time interaction: p < 0.05; Relative Treatment Effect = ΔRTE ≥0.12). Post-intervention, the IG's performance approached that of the CGactive. The findings suggest that the low-threshold, multicomponent exercise program may improve coordinative abilities in previously inactive older adults. However, results should be interpreted with caution due to the non-randomized design and variability within the sample.</p>","PeriodicalId":73061,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in aging","volume":"7 ","pages":"1819415"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13376075/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148581375","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Aging and vaccines: impact of immunosenescence and inflammaging in vaccine response.","authors":"Jalnar Albaloshi, Alhussain Alnakhli, Lamin B Cham","doi":"10.3389/fragi.2026.1797166","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fragi.2026.1797166","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Historically, effective vaccination has saved millions of lives and made an enormous contribution to addressing global public health threats. However, aging is an inevitable factor that negatively affects vaccine effectiveness and efficacy. With age, humans develop dysregulation of innate immune pathways, increased levels of proinflammatory markers, thymic involution, declines in T- and B-cell numbers and function, dysregulated metabolism, and epigenetic alterations. Immunosenescence, the gradual deterioration of host immunity with age, plays a critical role in susceptibility to infection, disease progression, and vaccine efficacy. Immunosenescence is often accompanied by inflammaging, an age-related increase in proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine levels. This multifactorial and dynamic process can lead to poor vaccine responses, potentially resulting in higher morbidity and mortality in older adults. Therefore, research focused on understanding the impact of immunosenescence and inflammaging on vaccine response will undoubtedly help optimize vaccine delivery among elderly individuals. In this review, we summarize the most recent knowledge on the multifactorial effects of age-induced immunosenescence and inflammaging and their role in vaccine efficacy against respiratory tract infections. The review further discusses strategic approaches such as IL-7 therapy, senolytic therapy, increasing telomerase activity, use of mTOR inhibitors, B cell therapy, development of broader vaccines and new adjuvants, and positive lifestyle changes, to enhance vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy in older adults. This could provide theoretical insights to improve vaccine effectiveness in the elderly and help address major global health issues.</p>","PeriodicalId":73061,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in aging","volume":"7 ","pages":"1797166"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13375807/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148581345","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of an 8-month intergenerational adapted taekwondo training on functional fitness in senior novice practitioners.","authors":"Francesca Di Rocco, Andrea Perazzetti, Emanuel Festino, Olga Papale, Simone Ciaccioni, Philip X Fuchs, Veronica Del Duca, Salvatore Chiodo, Laura Capranica, Cristina Cortis, Andrea Fusco","doi":"10.3389/fragi.2026.1849400","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fragi.2026.1849400","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Aging is commonly associated with declines in functional fitness that can be effectively attenuated through mid-to long-term, multifaceted physical activity. However, physical activity performed by older adults often aims to maintain, rather than improve, physical fitness. Martial arts are increasingly recognized as suitable multimodal interventions for older adults, as they integrate balance, flexibility, motor control, and cognitive engagement. Within this framework, taekwondo may represent a feasible activity to preserve and enhance functional fitness. Moreover, intergenerational approaches (combining younger and older participants in shared training sessions) may further support adherence, motivation, and social-cognitive stimulation. Despite this potential, long-term programs involving novice older adults remain largely unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of an 8-month intergenerational adapted taekwondo training program for older novice practitioners.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This single-arm pre-post observational study used a volunteer convenience sample without a control group. Twenty-one seniors (14 females and 7 males: 63-83 years) participated twice-weekly 60-min taekwondo training for 8 months with one weekly session performed together with 21 children (6-13 years). The \"American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance\" test battery was used to assess the seniors' functional fitness before and after the intervention based on flexibility, upper-body strength, aerobic endurance, agility/dynamic balance, and coordination. Linear mixed-effects models for repeated measures examined time and sex effects.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant (p < 0.05) improvements were observed in aerobic endurance and coordination, with normative compliance increasing from 14.3% to 33.3% and from 66.7% to 95.2%, respectively. No significant changes were found in upper body strength, agility/dynamic, or flexibility, though males outperformed females in the Chair sit-and-reach and endurance tests.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Despite the limited sample size and the lack of a control group, which limit causal inference and generalizability, the program was associated with improvements in selected functional fitness domains, particularly aerobic endurance and coordination, whereas flexibility, agility/dynamic balance, and upper-body strength did not change significantly, suggesting that intergenerational adapted taekwondo may represent a feasible long-term physical activity option for novice older adults.</p>","PeriodicalId":73061,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in aging","volume":"7 ","pages":"1849400"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13377424/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148581407","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Weight-adjusted-waist index, inflammation, and cognitive performance in older adults: a cross-sectional analysis from the Hordaland Health Study.","authors":"Ingrid Revheim, Lasse M Giil, Ole Martin Steihaug, Hanne Rosendahl-Riise, Bård Erik Bogen, Ragnhild Eide Skogseth","doi":"10.3389/fragi.2026.1872693","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fragi.2026.1872693","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Obesity has been associated with reduced cognitive function, potentially through inflammatory and neuroinflammatory mechanisms. The weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) is a novel anthropometric measure capturing central adiposity. However, its association with cognitive performance has been scarcely studied, and it remains unclear whether inflammation influences this relationship. This study aims to examine the association between WWI and cognitive performance, and whether this association is explained by inflammatory markers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>WWI was calculated as waist circumference divided by the square root of body weight (cm/√kg). Cognitive performance was assessed using a test battery comprising the Controlled Oral Word Association test (COWAT; verbal fluency), the Kendrick Object Learning Test (KOLT; memory), and a modified Digit Symbol Test (m-DST; processing speed). Inflammatory markers included C-reactive protein and the kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to assess associations between WWI and cognitive test scores per standard deviation, and to evaluate potential attenuation by inflammatory markers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 2,066 community-dwelling older adults (55% women; median age 71 years [IQR 70-72]) from the Hordaland Health Study (1997-99) with complete data on WWI and cognitive tests were included in the cross-sectional analyses. Higher WWI was associated with lower cognitive performance across all tests: COWAT (ß -0.06 [95% CI -0.10, -0.02]), KOLT (ß -0.06 [95% CI -0.11, -0.02]), and m-DST (ß -0.09 [95% CI -0.12, -0.04]). Adjustment for inflammatory markers did not attenuate these associations. Body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage, and lean mass index were not significantly associated with cognitive performance.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Higher WWI, reflecting greater central adiposity, was associated with lower performance across multiple cognitive domains. Inflammatory markers did not attenuate this relationship. Other anthropometric and body composition measures were not associated with cognitive performance. These findings suggest that central adiposity relative to body weight may be more relevant for cognitive health than overall body adiposity in older adults.</p>","PeriodicalId":73061,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in aging","volume":"7 ","pages":"1872693"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13368758/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148457753","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}