121 Telomere attrition is attenuated in ultra-marathon runners
- Authors: Denham, Joshua , Nankervis, Scott , Debiec, Radek , Harvey, Jack , Pascoe, Deborah , Marques, Francine , O’Brien, Brendan , Zukowska-Szczechowska, Ewa , Tomaszewski, Maciej , Charchar, Fadi
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Hypertension Vol. 30, no. e-Supplement (September 2012), p. e37
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Background: Leukocyte telomere length is a marker of biological ageing and its shortening is associated with cardiovascular disease. Engagement in regular moderate-intensity physical activity is a recognised method of cardiovascular disease prevention. However, it is not clear whether repeated exposure to ultra-strenuous physical exercise is beneficial long-term and whether it may attenuate biological ageing. Methods: We compared leukocyte telomere length in context of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction between 67 male ultra-marathon runners and 67 age-, sex- and BMI-matched apparently healthy controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and leukocyte telomere length was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays. Adhesion molecules (sICAM-1, sE-selectin) and inflammatory markers (IL-6, C-reactive protein) concentrations were measured in 67 ultra-marathon runners by quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique, high-sensitive immunoassay and ultra-sensitive double antibody sandwich ELISA, respectively. Results: Adjusted (for age, BMI, blood pressure and lipids) leukocyte telomere length was approximately 13.8% greater in the ultra-marathon runners than in the controls (P<0.001). This translates into approximately 32.9 years difference in age-related telomere length attrition. There was a strong negative linear correlation between sICAM-1 and leukocyte telomere length in the ultra-marathon runners (r=-0.33; P=0.007) and this association retained its statistical significance after adjustment for age, BMI, blood pressure and lipids in multiple regression (P=0.026). Conclusion: Prolonged, intense physical exercise may attenuate cellular ageing possibly through a protective effect on endothelial function.
- Description: C1
How healthy is Australian sport?
- Authors: Eime, Rochelle , Harvey, Jack
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australasian Epidemiologist Vol. 22, no. 1 (2015), p. 9-10
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Behavioural epidemiology in health promotion has been defined as having five phases: establishing links between behaviours and health; developing measures of the behaviour; identifying influences on the behaviour; evaluating interventions to change the behaviour; and translating the research into practice. This article outlines some recent developments in the application of behavioural epidemiology to the issue of sport participation in Australia and its consequential health benefits.
Hospitalised hot tap water scald patients following the introduction of regulations in NSW, Australia : Who have we missed?
- Authors: Harvey, Lara , Poulos, Roslyn , Finch, Caroline , Olivier, Jake , Harvey, Jack
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Burns Vol. 36, no. 6 (2010), p. 912-919
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565900
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Scalds from hot tap water are serious injuries that are potentially preventable by restricting the temperature of hot tap water delivery. In July 1999, regulations were introduced in NSW to require that all new hot water installations deliver water at temperatures not exceeding 50 °C to sanitary fixtures. This study investigates trends in hot tap water scald injury hospitalisations following the introduction of these regulations. Hot tap water scald cases for 1999-2007 were identified from hospitalisation data for all public and private hospitals in NSW. To investigate hot tap water scald hospitalisations over time, negative binomial regression analysis was performed. There were 845 hospitalisations for hot tap water scalds in NSW over the period of the study. Hospital admission rates for hot tap water scalds decreased by an estimated 6% (3.2-8.5, 95%CI) per year since the introduction of regulations. While those most at risk were infants, toddlers and the elderly, almost a third of hospitalisations were for adults (25-64 years). The majority of hot tap water scalds were sustained at home and a further 4% occurred in a residential institute or school. The majority of scalds were severe, and a quarter required admission for longer than a week. The introduction of regulations in NSW appears to have had a positive impact on the rates of hospitalisations for hot tap water scalds; however, scalds continue to cause significant morbidity and mortality. This highlights the need for a review of the scope and implementation of the existing regulations and ongoing education of the general public to the dangers of hot tap water. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI.
A population-based survey of knowledge of first aid for burns in New South Wales
- Authors: Harvey, Lara , Barr, Margo , Poulos, Roslyn , Finch, Caroline , Sherker, Shauna , Harvey, Jack
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Medical Journal of Australia Vol. 195, no. 8 (2011), p. 465-468
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Objective: To determine the current level of knowledge of first aid for a burn injury and sources of this knowledge among the general population of New South Wales. Design, setting and participants: People aged 16 years or older were interviewed as part of the 2007 NSW Population Health Survey, a continuous telephone survey of NSW residents. Main outcome measure: Weighted proportion of the population with optimal first aid knowledge for burns. Results: In total, 7320 respondents were asked questions related to burn injuries and first aid. Of the surveyed population, 82% reported that they would cool a burn with water, and 9% reported that they would cool the burn for the recommended 20 minutes. Few respondents reported that they would remove the patient’s clothing and keep the injured person warm. The most common sources of first aid information were a first aid book (42%) and the internet (33%). Speaking a language other than English at home, and being over 65 years of age were associated with a lack of first aid knowledge. Conclusions: A minority of people living in NSW know the optimal time for cooling a burn injury and other appropriate first aid steps for burns. This study demonstrates a gap in the public’s knowledge, especially among non-English speaking people and older people, and highlights the need for a clear, consistent first aid message.
A mixed-methods case study exploring the impact of participation in community activity groups for older adults on physical activity, health and wellbeing
- Authors: Lindsay-Smith, Gabrielle , Eime, Rochelle , O'Sullivan, Grant , Harvey, Jack , van Uffelen, Jannique
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Bmc Geriatrics Vol. 19, no. 1 (2019), p. 1-15
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- Description: Background Regular physical activity (PA) has many health benefits but declines with age. Community multi-activity groups offering volunteer-led socially-oriented activity programs could provide an opportunity for older people to maintain or increase PA levels and promote their health. The aim of this study was to examine the potential effect of becoming a member of an existing community activity group on PA levels, physical and mental health-related quality of life (HR QoL), comparing any impacts associated with participation in physical activity or social activity programs. Methods This mixed-methods case study, combining a longitudinal quantitative-survey with qualitative focus groups to contextualise the survey results, focused on an Australian community organisation called Life Activities Clubs (LACs). LACs provide various physical activities (e.g. walking, cycling, dancing) and social activities (e.g. book groups, dine-outs, craft). Data were collected using a self-report survey administered at baseline, six and twelve-months after joining and group differences between participants of PA programs (PA group) and social programs (social group) were analysed using linear mixed-models. Two focus groups with LAC members were held, one representing each activity type and analysed using content and thematic analysis. Results 35 people (mean age 67) completed the surveys and 11 people participated in the focus groups. PA levels and physical health-related QoL were maintained over 1 year in the PA group, and declined between baseline and 12-months in the social group. Focus groups suggested social aspects of PA programs increased motivation to maintain regular attendance and do more PA than participants would on their own and that physical activities provided health benefits. Mental HR QoL did not change in either group, focus groups suggested this was because the social aspects of both types of program provide benefits relating to mental health including stress relief, enjoyment and adapting to major life events, to prevent a decline in QoL. Conclusions Community PA programs appear to maintain PA levels and physical HR QoL in older adults, and both social and PA programs may maintain mental HR QoL. Incorporating both types of program into one organisation may also encourage less physically active members to try physical activities.
A mixed methods case study exploring the impact of membership of a multi-activity, multicentre community group on social wellbeing of older adults
- Authors: Lindsay-Smith, Gabrielle , O'Sullivan, Grant , Eime, Rochelle , Harvey, Jack , van Uffelen, Jannique
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMC Geriatrics Vol. 18, no. 1 (2018), p. 1-14
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- Description: Background: Social wellbeing factors such as loneliness and social support have a major impact on the health of older adults and can contribute to physical and mental wellbeing. However, with increasing age, social contacts and social support typically decrease and levels of loneliness increase. Group social engagement appears to have additional benefits for the health of older adults compared to socialising individually with friends and family, but further research is required to confirm whether group activities can be beneficial for the social wellbeing of older adults. Methods: This one-year longitudinal mixed methods study investigated the effect of joining a community group, offering a range of social and physical activities, on social wellbeing of adults with a mean age of 70. The study combined a quantitative survey assessing loneliness and social support (n = 28; three time-points, analysed using linear mixed models) and a qualitative focus group study (n = 11, analysed using thematic analysis) of members from Life Activities Clubs Victoria, Australia. Results: There was a significant reduction in loneliness (p = 0.023) and a trend toward an increase in social support (p = 0.056) in the first year after joining. The focus group confirmed these observations and suggested that social support may take longer than 1 year to develop. Focus groups also identified that group membership provided important opportunities for developing new and diverse social connections through shared interest and experience. These connections were key in improving the social wellbeing of members, especially in their sense of feeling supported or connected and less lonely. Participants agreed that increasing connections was especially beneficial following significant life events such as retirement, moving to a new house or partners becoming unwell. Conclusions: Becoming a member of a community group offering social and physical activities may improve social wellbeing in older adults, especially following significant life events such as retirement or moving-house, where social network changes. These results indicate that ageing policy and strategies would benefit from encouraging long-term participation in social groups to assist in adapting to changes that occur in later life and optimise healthy ageing.
Cognitive behaviour therapy for older adults experiencing insomnia and depression in a community mental health setting: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
- Authors: Sadler, Paul , McLaren, Suzanne , Klein, Britt , Jenkins, Megan , Harvey, Jack
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Trials Vol. 16, no. 1 (2015), p.1-12
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- Description: Background: Cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a well-established treatment; however, the evidence is largely limited to homogenous samples. Although emerging research has indicated that CBT-I is also effective for comorbid insomnia, CBT-I has not been tested among a complex sample of older adults with comorbid insomnia and depression. Furthermore, no study has explored whether modifying CBT-I to target associated depressive symptoms could potentially enhance sleep and mood outcomes. Therefore, this study aims to report a protocol designed to test whether an advanced form of CBT for insomnia and depression (CBT-I-D) is more effective at reducing insomnia and depressive symptoms compared to a standard CBT-I and psychoeducation control group (PCG) for older adults in a community mental health setting. Methods/Design: We aim to recruit 150 older adults with comorbid insomnia who have presented to community mental health services for depression. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated via block/cluster randomisation to one of three group therapy conditions: CBT-I, CBT-I-D, or PCG. Participants who receive CBT-I will only practice strategies designed to improve their sleep, whereas participants who receive CBT-I-D will practice additional strategies designed to also improve their mood. This trial will implement a mixed-methods design involving quantitative outcome measures and qualitative focus groups. The primary outcome measures are insomnia and depression severity, and secondary outcomes are anxiety, hopelessness, beliefs about sleep, comorbid sleep conditions, and health. Outcomes will be assessed at pre-intervention (week 0), post-intervention (week 8), and 3-month follow-up (week 20). Discussion: This CBT study protocol has been designed to address comorbid insomnia and depression for older adults receiving community mental health services. The proposed trial will determine whether CBT-I is more effective for older adults with comorbid insomnia and depression compared to a PCG. It will also establish whether an advanced form of CBT-I-D generates greater reductions in insomnia and depression severity compared to standard CBT-I. The results from the proposed trial are anticipated to have important clinical implications for older adults, researchers, therapists, and community mental health services. Trial registration: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN: 12615000067572 , Date Registered 12 December 2014. © 2015 Sadler et al.
Reliable assessment of faecal loading in older adults by abdominal radiograph
- Authors: Yates, Mark , Day, K , Mullany, J , Harvey, Jack
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australasian Journal on Ageing Vol. 23, no. 1 (2004), p. 13-18
- Full Text: false
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- Description: Objective: To produce a measure of faecal loading using plain abdominal radiograph that has both face validity and reliability. This formed part of the Ballarat Constipation Study, which aimed to establish a suite of objective assessment tools for the identification of constipation in residential and extended care facilities. Methods: A 20-point loading scale (five levels of loading × four segments of colon) was evaluated using 75 plain abdominal films of patients older than 65 years that were taken for various purposes. These were randomly ordered and five radiologists, following appropriate training, rated the films. Each was blinded to the others' responses. To establish intra-rater reliability, each radiologist rated 25 of the films for a second time. Results: Reliability was assessed using Q-type correlations for raw scores and Cohen's kappa for dichotomised scores. Inter-rater correlations ranged from 0.57 confidence interval (CI) (0.38, 0.72) to 0.83 CI (0.74, 0.90). Inter-rater kappas ranged from 0.28 CI (0.06, 0.50) to 0.72 CI (0.50, 0.94). Intra-rater correlations ranged from 0.68 CI (0.38, 0.84) to 0.92 CI (0.82, 0.96) and intra-rater kappas ranged from 0.26 CI (−0.08, 0.60) to 0.90 CI (0.70, 0.99). Conclusion: This method of assessing and reporting faecal loading in older people has an acceptable level of reliability for four of the five radiologists. The scale was considered appropriate for use in the larger study, where its validity was tested.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003007688
- Description: 2003000881