Background:: Although habitual physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) and cardio‐respiratory fitness (CRF) are now well‐established determinants of metabolic disease, there is scarcity of such data from Africa. The aim of this study was to describe objectively measured PAEE and CRF in different ethnic populations of rural Kenya.Methods:: A cross‐sectional study was done among 1,099 rural Luo, Kamba, and Maasai of Kenya. Participants were 17–68 years old and 60.9% were women. Individual heart rate (HR) response to a submaximal steptest was used to assess CRF (estimated VO₂max). Habitual PAEE was measured with combined accelerometry and HR monitoring, with individual calibration of HR using information from the step test.Results:: Men had higher PAEE than women (∼78 vs. ∼67 kJ day⁻¹ kg⁻¹, respectively). CRF was similar in all three populations (∼38 and ∼43 mlO₂·kg⁻¹ min⁻¹ in women and men, respectively), while habitual PAEE measures were generally highest in the Maasai and Kamba. About 59% of time was spent sedentary (<1.5 METs), with Maasai women spending significantly less (55%). Both CRF and PAEE were lower in older compared to younger rural Kenyans, a difference which was most pronounced for PAEE in Maasai (−6.0 and −11.9 kJ day⁻¹ kg⁻¹ per 10‐year age difference in women and men, respectively) and for CRF in Maasai men (−4.4 mlO₂·min⁻¹ kg⁻¹ per 10 years). Adjustment for hemoglobin did not materially change these associations.Conclusion:: Physical activity levels among rural Kenyan adults are high, with highest levels observed in the Maasai and Kamba. The Kamba may be most resilient to age‐related declines in physical activity. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2012.

Due to the association between diabetes and pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), diabetes may threaten the control of TB. In a prospective cohort study nested in a nutrition trial, we investigated the role of diabetes on changes in anthropometry, grip strength, and clinical parameters over a five months follow-up period.

SUMMARY We described levels of habitual physical activity and physical capacity in HIV patients initiating antiretroviral treatment in Ethiopia and assessed the role of HIV and nutritional indicators on these outcomes. Physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) and activity levels were measured with combined heart rate and movement sensors. Physical capacity was assessed by grip strength, sleeping heart rate and heart rate economy. Grip strength data was also available from a sex- and age-matched HIV-negative reference group. Median PAEE was 27·9 (interquartile range 17·4–39·8) kJ/kg per day and mean±s.d.grip strength was 23·6 ± 6·7 kg. Advanced HIV disease predicted reduced levels of both physical activity and capacity; e.g. each unit viral load [log(1+copies/ml)] was associated with –15% PAEE (P < 0·001) and –1·0 kg grip strength (P < 0·001). Grip strength was 4·2 kg lower in patients compared to HIV-negative individuals (P < 0·001). Low body mass index (BMI) predicted poor physical activity and capacity independently of HIV status, e.g. BMI <16 was associated with −42% PAEE (P < 0·001) and −6·8 kg grip strength (P < 0·001) compared to BMI ⩾18·5. The study shows that advanced HIV and malnutrition are associated with considerably lower levels of physical activity and capacity in patients at initiation of antiretroviral treatment.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine to what extent extreme endurance exercise results in changes of plasma markers associated with cardiac and renal damage, as well as hemolysis in male, Mexican Tarahumara runners.Methods: Ten Tarahumara runners (mean (sd) age of 38 (12) years) participated in a 78 km race in Chihuahua, Mexico at 2,400 m above sea level. Cardiac, kidney, and hematology plasma markers were measured pre‐race and <5 min, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 24 h, and 48 h post‐race. Anthropometry, blood pressure, pulse rate, electrocardiography, HbA1c, hemoglobin and VO_2max (estimated from heart rate following step test) were assessed pre‐race, while physical activity energy expenditure and intensity were estimated during the race, and oxygen partial pressure saturation (SpO₂) <30 min post‐race.Results: Estimated mean VO_2max was 48 (9) mLO₂ min⁻¹ kg⁻¹ and relative intensity during the race was 68 (11)%VO₂max. Mean SpO₂ was 92 (3)% <30 min post‐race. Plasma concentrations of especially total creatine kinase, creatine kinase‐MB isoform, and haptoglobin changed significantly from pre‐race values (P < 0.001) up to 24 h post‐race, but had returned to pre‐race values after 48 h. The plasma concentrations of mid‐regional proatrial natiuretic peptide and copeptin returned to pre‐race concentrations after 1 and 6 h, respectively.Conclusions: Altered cardiac, renal, and hemolysis plasma markers were normalized after 48 h following 78 km of running, suggesting that the impact of exercise‐induced cardiac and kidney damage as well as hemolysis in the Mexican Tarahumara is low. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 26:836–843, 2014. © 2014 The Authors American Journal of Human Biology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.