Normal aging is characterized by muscular atrophy and a loss of force-generating capacity. The goal of this research was to investigate the age and sport activity type on postural (vastus lateralis) and non postural (biceps femoris) muscles’ contraction time in 170 master athletes (athletic events) and 51 non athletes. We found significant age effect in postural muscle (P = 0.032) and also in non postural muscle (P < 0.001). However, we found sport activity type effect significant just in non postural muscle (P < 0.001). The interaction effect of age * sport was significant in both observed muscles. Sprinters/jumpers deteriorate with age the most in postural muscle, while non athletes in non postural muscle. We could conclude that non postural muscle deteriorate the most without regular sport activity, while postural muscle have enough daily stimuli to be prevented from major deterioration. 

The aim of the present study was to determine habitual physical activity differences between adult women residing in an urban area and adult women residing in a rural area in Greece. Additionally differences in physical activity of high intensity, moderate intensity physical activity as well as walking were also assessed. Subjects in this study were 198 adult women (41.2 + 8.3 years), 98 of them resided at the city of Arta and 100 resided in villages in the respective prefecture. Physical activity was recorded with the long version of the self administered International Physical Activity Questionnaire (Craig et al., 2003). The dependent variables that were included in data analysis included the total score of physical activity, the score of high intensity physical activity, moderate intensity physical activity and walking. “Place of residence” was the constant factor used in the analysis of data. According to the results of the ANOVA Multiple Analysis of Variance a significant residence effect was reported for the factor area of residence for total physical activity score (F(1,196) = 6,075, p = .05) in favor of women residing in urban districts. Additionally, according to the results of Multiple Analysis of Variance adult women residing in urban districts were significant more active in physical activity related to work (F(1,196) = 14,908, p = .000) and to recreation (F(1,196) = 7,230, p = .008). Women residing in rural areas scored higher in physical activity related to taking care of others and the house (F(1,196) = 83,667, p = .000). No differences were detected in physical activity related to transportation (F(1,196) = 1,127, p = .290). In conclusion women residing in villages in rural districts of Arta Prefecture were more active when compared to adult women residing in the city of Arta only when taking care of others or the house.

Physical inactivity is the second most significant risk factor for chronic non-infectious contagious diseases in developed countries. However, conditions have slightly improved in the past few years; still, only 20 % of the population is being active in a fashion to reduce the probability of cardiovascular complications. Epidemiological research has confirmed that regular physical activity and nutrition containing sufficient quantities of folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12, reduce the level of homocysteine in blood. In our research, we studied the influence of long-lasting inactivity on the level of homocysteine and folic acid levels in blood. Ten male subjects were resting in horizontal position for 35 days in a clinical setting. After 35 days of resting we documented a statistically relevant increase in homocysteine level and decrease of folic acid concentration, despite supervised nutrition. We can conclude that prolonged physical inactivity is an autonomous, independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases.