- Harri Selänne (MD, PhD) is a specialist in Sports Medicine and General Medicine. Based on his extensive practical ex... moreHarri Selänne (MD, PhD) is a specialist in Sports Medicine and General Medicine. Based on his extensive practical experience of working with talented and elite athletes, he can offer practice-based insights into the medical screenings and assessment of athletes. He has published nearly 50 peer reviewed articles and over 100 conference abstracts in the field of Sports and Exercise medicine. His main scientific interest lies in muscle metabolism, athlete overtraining and burnout, injury prevention and treatment.edit
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Neuromuscular responses to fatiguing stretch-shortening cycle exercise in different muscle actions
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Exercise induced muscle damage increases skeletal muscle blood flow during dynamic exercise
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To investigate the effects of exercise on patellar cartilage using T2 relaxation time mapping of MRI in postmenopausal women with mild patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis (OA). Eighty postmenopausal women (mean age: 58 y (SD 4.2)) with... more
To investigate the effects of exercise on patellar cartilage using T2 relaxation time mapping of MRI in postmenopausal women with mild patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis (OA). Eighty postmenopausal women (mean age: 58 y (SD 4.2)) with mild knee osteoarthritis were randomized to either a supervised progressive impact exercise program three times a week for 12 months (n = 40) or to a non-intervention control group (n = 40). The biochemical properties of cartilage were estimated using T2 relaxation time mapping, a parameter sensitive to collagen integrity, collagen orientation and tissue hydration. Leg muscle strength and power, aerobic capacity and self-rated assessment by the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) were also measured. Post intervention the full-thickness patellar cartilage T2 values had medium size effect (d= 0.59; 95% CI: 0.16 to 0.97, p=0.018), the change difference was 7% greater in the exercise group compared to the control group. In the deep half of tissue, the significant exercise effect was in medium size (d= 0.56; 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.99, p=0.013), the change difference was 8% greater in the exercise group compared to the controls. Also, significant medium size T2 effects were found in the total lateral segment, lateral deep and lateral superficial zone in favor of the exercise group. Extension force increased by 11% (d=0.63, p=0.006) more and maximal aerobic capacity by 4% (d=0.55, p=0.028) more in the exercise group than controls. No changes in KOOS emerged between the groups. Progressively implemented high-impact and intensive exercise created enough stimuli and had favorable effects both on patellar cartilage quality and physical function in postmenopausal women with mild knee OA.
Research Interests: Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Treatment Outcome, Exercise therapy, Medicine, Osteoarthritis, and 14 moreHumans, Cartilage, Female, Physical Fitness, Aged, Middle Aged, Knee Osteoarthritis, Articular Cartilage Wear, Medicine and Science In Sports and Exercise, Confidence Interval, Biomechanical Phenomena, Patella, Patellofemoral joint, and postmenopause
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For women, menopausal transition is a time of significant hormonal changes, which may contribute to altered body composition and regional adipose tissue accumulation. Excess adiposity, and especially adipose tissue accumulation in the... more
For women, menopausal transition is a time of significant hormonal changes, which may contribute to altered body composition and regional adipose tissue accumulation. Excess adiposity, and especially adipose tissue accumulation in the central body region, increases women's risk of cardiovascular and metabolic conditions and affects physical functioning. We investigated the associations between menopausal progression and total and regional body adiposity measured with dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry and computed tomography in two longitudinal cohort studies of women aged 47–55 (n = 230 and 148, mean follow‐up times 1.3 ± 0.7 and 3.9 ± 0.2 years, mean baseline BMI 25.5 kg/m2). We also examined associations between menopausal progression and skeletal muscle fiber characteristics, as well as adipose tissue‐derived adipokines. Relative increases of 2%–14% were observed in regional and total body adiposity measures, with a pronounced fat mass increase in the android area (4% and 14% ...
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A follow‐up data on electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure (BP) changes in adolescent athletes are scarce. We compared ECG and BP between adolescent athletes and nonathletes in a 4‐year follow‐up. A total of 154 youth sports clubs... more
A follow‐up data on electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure (BP) changes in adolescent athletes are scarce. We compared ECG and BP between adolescent athletes and nonathletes in a 4‐year follow‐up. A total of 154 youth sports clubs (SC) in Finland and 100 secondary schools for comparison data participated in this observational follow‐up study. Those who maintained or adopted SC participation are referred to as ‘Always athletes’ (n = 137), those who never participated in SC as ‘Never athletes’ (n = 108) and those who dropped out ofSC during the follow‐up as ‘Changers’ (n = 116). The mean age of the participants was 15.5 (0.6) years in all study groups at baseline. Resting ECG including heart rate, PR interval, QRS duration, QRS axis, QRS amplitude, T axis and QT interval and BP were measured from all participants at baseline and after follow‐up. ‘Always athletes’ had lower resting heart rate, more negative T‐wave axis and higher QRS amplitude than ‘Never athletes’ at baseline and at 4 years (p < 0.05). ‘Changers’ had lower resting heart rate, more negative T‐wave axis and higher QRS amplitude, systolic BP and pulse pressure than ‘Never athletes’ at baseline (p < 0.05). None of the observed differences at baseline, were visible at 4 years (p > 0.05) except the difference in T‐wave axis (p = 0.028). The significant group × time interaction between ‘Changers’ and ‘Never athletes’ was found for QRS amplitude (p = 0.017). Adolescent athletes have several training‐induced cardiovascular adaptations, which return towards the levels of nonathletes after cessation of regular training.
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ObjectivesTo compare laboratory test results and lung function of adolescent organised sports participants (SP) with non-participants (NP).MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, laboratory tests (haemoglobin, iron status), and flow-volume... more
ObjectivesTo compare laboratory test results and lung function of adolescent organised sports participants (SP) with non-participants (NP).MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, laboratory tests (haemoglobin, iron status), and flow-volume spirometry were performed on SP youths (199 boys, 203 girls) and their NP peers (62 boys, 114 girls) aged 14–17.ResultsHaemoglobin concentration <120/130 g/L was found in 5.8% of SP and 5.1% NP (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.54 to 2.68). Ferritin concentration below 15 µg/L was found in 22.7% of both SP and NP girls. Among boys ferritin <30 µg/L was found in 26.5% of SP and 30.2% of NP (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.40 to 1.47). Among SP iron supplement use was reported by 3.5% of girls and 1.5% of boys. In flow-volume spirometry with bronchodilation test, 7.0% of SP and 6.4% of NP had asthma-like findings (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.54 to 2.54); those using asthma medication, that is, 9.8% of SP and 5.2% of NP were excluded from the analysis.ConclusionsScreening for iron def...
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With the rising globalization of the sports economy, athletic careers have become increasingly transnational. In comparison with an international career, a transnational athletic career is more open-ended regarding the countries of one’s... more
With the rising globalization of the sports economy, athletic careers have become increasingly transnational. In comparison with an international career, a transnational athletic career is more open-ended regarding the countries of one’s origin, settlement, and retirement. The production of mobility and adaptation to a cultural transition are critical phases for initiating and maintaining the transnational career. In this paper, we conceptualize cultural transition as a quasi-normative career transition, typically coinciding with other within-career transitions and career termination. In other words, cultural transitions are normative or predictable in the course of transnational athletic careers. The paper is based on data gathered for the research of transnational athletes’ career development and transitions in Nordic countries—that is, participants had at least one migration to or from Finland, Sweden, Norway, or Denmark during the duration of their career. The participants were ...
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Table S4. Anatomical site of at least one overuse injury in boys and girls among sports club members and non-members. (DOC 67â kb)
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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.... 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)
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Within the North American intercollegiate (school-based) sport context, the career development of student-athletes is an established research area focused on athletes’ transition to the university ...
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Context Much information is available on electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure (BP) changes in senior athletes. However, corresponding data on adolescent athletes are scarce. Objective To study the differences in resting ECG and BP... more
Context Much information is available on electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure (BP) changes in senior athletes. However, corresponding data on adolescent athletes are scarce. Objective To study the differences in resting ECG and BP values among adolescent endurance athletes, nonendurance athletes, and nonathletes. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting A total of 154 youth sports clubs in Finland and 100 secondary schools for comparison data. Patients or Other Participants We recruited young athletes (n = 410) aged 14 to 16 years in 10 popular sport disciplines, including winter and summer as well as team and individual sports, and categorized them as endurance or nonendurance sports. Comparison data for age-matched, non–sports club participants (n = 164) were collected via secondary schools. Main Outcome Measure(s) Resting ECG, including heart rate, PR interval, QRS duration, QRS axis, QRS amplitude, T axis, and QT interval as well as systolic and diastolic BPs. Results No diff...
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Despite the extensive research into coaches’ roles in supporting athletic development and motivation for sport, few studies have examined coaches’ attitudes and practices towards athletes’ dual careers. The present study extends European... more
Despite the extensive research into coaches’ roles in supporting athletic development and motivation for sport, few studies have examined coaches’ attitudes and practices towards athletes’ dual careers. The present study extends European research into athletes’ dual careers by examining Finnish ice hockey coaches’ attitudes and practices surrounding players’ education. Ten male coaches aged 27–52 participated in semi-structured interviews. The data were analysed with an existential-narrative theoretical framework and with thematic and structural narrative analysis. Three composite vignettes were created entitled ‘supporting athletic development and players in reaching their own goals’, ‘enjoyment and physically active lifestyle’ and ‘developing good persons’. The analysis revealed that although all coaches embraced the official rhetoric where school is a priority over ice hockey, most of them had few practical examples of how this view had informed their coaching practice. It is con...
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Physical activity is associated with several health benefits, including lower cardiovascular disease risk. The independent influence of physical activity on cardiac and vascular function in the community, however, has been sparsely... more
Physical activity is associated with several health benefits, including lower cardiovascular disease risk. The independent influence of physical activity on cardiac and vascular function in the community, however, has been sparsely investigated. We related objective measures of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA, assessed by accelerometry) to cardiac and vascular indices in 2376 participants of the Framingham Heart Study third generation cohort (54% women, mean age 47 years). Using multivariable regression models, we related MVPA to the following echocardiographic and vascular measures: left ventricular mass, left atrial and aortic root sizes, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, and forward pressure wave. Men and women engaged in MVPA 29.9±21.4 and 25.5±19.4 min/day, respectively. Higher values of MVPA (per 10-minute increment) were associated with lower carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (estimate -0.53 ms/m; P=0.006) and lower forward pre...
Research Interests: Cardiology, Medicine, Linear models, Multivariate Analysis, Humans, and 15 moreInternal Medicine, Female, Male, Cohort, Body Mass Index, Health Status, Actigraphy, Middle Aged, Adult, Age Factors, Cross Sectional Studies, Predictive value of tests, Pulse Wave Velocity, Motor activity, and Pulse wave analysis
Research Interests: Endocrinology, Nutrition, Biology, Medicine, Biological Sciences, and 15 moreHumans, Internal Medicine, Male, Exercise, Applied Physiology, Phosphorylation, Protein kinase B, Ingestion, Physical Exercise, Muscle hypertrophy, Physical Training, Milk proteins, Myostatin, Medical and Health Sciences, and Muscle fibers skeletal
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Muscle strength and mass decline in sedentary individuals with aging. The present study investigated the effects of both age and 21 weeks of progressive hypertrophic resistance training (RT) on skeletal muscle size and strength, and on... more
Muscle strength and mass decline in sedentary individuals with aging. The present study investigated the effects of both age and 21 weeks of progressive hypertrophic resistance training (RT) on skeletal muscle size and strength, and on myostatin and myogenin mRNA expression in 21 previously untrained young men (26.0 ± 4.3 years) and 18 older men (61.2 ± 4.1 years) and age-matched controls. Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were taken before and after RT. Type I and type II muscle fiber cross-sectional areas increased more in young men than in older men after RT (P &lt; 0.05). Concentric leg extension increased (P &lt; 0.05) more after 10.5 weeks in young men compared to older men, but after 21 weeks no statistical differences existed. The daily energy and protein intake were greater (P &lt; 0.001) in young subjects. Both myostatin and myogenin mRNA expression increased in older when compared with young men after RT (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, after RT, muscle fiber size increased less in older compared to young men. This was associated with lower protein and energy intake and increases in myostatin gene expression in older when compared to young men.
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Research Interests: Nutrition, Biology, Immunohistochemistry, Medicine, Gene expression, and 15 moreHumans, Testosterone, Male, Exercise, Middle Aged, Skeletal Muscle, Adult, Cross Section, Protein Expression, Age Factors, Androgen Receptor, Resistance Exercise, Biochemistry and cell biology, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and Muscle fibers skeletal
Research Interests: Aging, Muscle strength, Humans, Male, Resistance Training, and 15 moreClinical Sciences, Aged, Middle Aged, mRna expression levels, Adult, Protein Expression, Androgen Receptor, Resistance Exercise, Reference Values, Gene Expression Regulation, Gene expression profiling, Lean Body Mass, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, cross sectional area, and Leg press
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Signaling pathways sense local and systemic signals and regulate muscle hypertrophy. The effects of whey protein ingestion on acute and long-term signaling responses of resistance exercise are not well known. Previously untrained young... more
Signaling pathways sense local and systemic signals and regulate muscle hypertrophy. The effects of whey protein ingestion on acute and long-term signaling responses of resistance exercise are not well known. Previously untrained young men were randomized into protein ( n = 9), placebo ( n = 9), and control ( n = 11) groups. Vastus lateralis (VL) muscle biopsies were taken before and 1 h and 48 h after a leg press of 5 × 10 repetitions [resistance exercise (RE)] and after 21 wk (2 times per week) of resistance training (RT). Protein (15 g of whey) or nonenergetic placebo was ingested before and after a single RE bout and each RE workout throughout the RT. The protein group increased its body mass and VL muscle thickness (measured by ultrasonography) already at week 10.5 ( P < 0.05). At week 21, the protein and placebo groups had similarly increased their myofiber size. No changes were observed in the nonexercised controls. However, the phosphorylation of p70S6K and ribosomal prot...
Research Interests: Nutrition, Biology, Medicine, Signal Transduction, Biological Sciences, and 15 moreHumans, Protein Kinases, Male, Exercise, Applied Physiology, Phosphorylation, Ingestion, Physical Exercise, Resistance Exercise, Physical Training, Milk proteins, Myostatin, Signaling pathway, Medical and Health Sciences, and Muscle fibers skeletal
Myostatin decreases muscle mass and this is accomplished, in part, by inhibiting muscle satellite cell proliferation and differentiation by regulating the expression of cell cycle-related proteins (e.g. p21 and cdk2) and myogenic... more
Myostatin decreases muscle mass and this is accomplished, in part, by inhibiting muscle satellite cell proliferation and differentiation by regulating the expression of cell cycle-related proteins (e.g. p21 and cdk2) and myogenic regulatory factors (e.g. myogenin and MyoD). The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether protein ingestion before and after a resistance exercise (RE) bout affects myostatin and cell cycle-related gene expression. Strength-trained middle-aged to older men were divided into a protein group (61.4 +/- 4.3 years, n = 9) or a placebo group (62.1 +/- 4.2 years, n = 9). Muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle were taken at rest and 1 and 48 h after a 5 x 10 repetition leg press RE bout. Protein (15 g whey) or non-caloric placebo was taken immediately before and after the RE bout. mRNA expression levels of myostatin and related genes (AcvrIIb, FLRG, p21, p27, cdk2, myogenin and MyoD) were determined by Taqman probe-based real-time RT-PCR and normalized to GAPDH mRNA. Myostatin mRNA decreased after a RE bout, but only in the placebo group (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; or = 0.05). Conversely, myostatin-binding protein FLRG and cell-cycle kinase cdk2 mRNA increased only in the protein group (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; or = 0.05). p21 mRNA was increased at 1 h post-RE in placebo (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; or = 0.05) and tended to be increased in the protein group (P = 0.08). Myostatin, its binding protein and cell cycle-related gene expressions are affected by single RE bout and these responses are further modified by whey protein intake. Therefore, controlling nutrition intake is important when studying gene expression responses to exercise.
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Muscle hypertrophy is likely to result from the cumulative effects of repeated bouts of resistance exercise (RE) on postexercise molecular responses. Therefore, we determined muscle growth- and regeneration-related mRNA expression in... more
Muscle hypertrophy is likely to result from the cumulative effects of repeated bouts of resistance exercise (RE) on postexercise molecular responses. Therefore, we determined muscle growth- and regeneration-related mRNA expression in response to a single RE bout both before and after a strength-training (ST) period. By means of this novel longitudinal setting, we examined whether postexercise gene expression at the transcriptional level is different in the trained and untrained state. Eleven untrained healthy older men and 11 controls (age 62.3 +/- 6.3 yr) volunteered as subjects. Muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle were taken at rest and 1 and 48 h after five sets of 10-repetition leg press RE both before and after 21 wk of supervised ST. Myostatin and myogenin mRNA expression, determined by real-time RT-PCR, increased (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05) after ST. Conversely, the single RE bout decreased myostatin mRNA after ST, with the decrease showing a negative correlation (r = -0.65, P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05) with the long-term increase in myostatin during ST. Furthermore, RE before ST increased myogenin mRNA (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05) and tended to increase after ST (P = 0.08). Myostatin receptor activin IIb mRNA levels were decreased at 1 h after RE in the pre-ST condition (P = 0.05) and also tended to decrease in the post-ST condition (P = 0.07). RE-induced downregulation in myostatin mRNA correlated with the ST-induced increase in total body muscle mass (r = -0.82, P = 0.002). A single bout of RE in older men can downregulate the expression of myostatin receptor activin IIb mRNA. ST influences the response of myostatin to RE, as short-term RE-induced downregulation of myostatin was observed only after ST. The results also indicate that RE-induced alterations in myostatin mRNA expression may have a role in ST-induced muscle hypertrophy.
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Participating in competitive sport increases the risk for injuries and musculoskeletal pain among adolescent athletes. There is also evidence that the use of prescription drugs has increased among sport club athletes. The purpose of this... more
Participating in competitive sport increases the risk for injuries and musculoskeletal pain among adolescent athletes. There is also evidence that the use of prescription drugs has increased among sport club athletes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of painkillers among young male ice hockey players (IHP) in comparison to schoolboys (controls) and its relation to the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and problems during activities and sleeping. Information was gathered through a questionnaire, completed by 121 IHP and compared to the responses of 618 age-matched controls. Results showed that monthly existing pain was at 82% for IHP, and 72% for controls, though IHP had statistically more musculoskeletal pain in their lower limbs (56% vs. 44%), lower back (54% vs. 35%), and buttocks (26% vs. 11%). There were no group differences in the neck, upper back, upper limb, or chest areas. The disability index was statistically similar for both groups, as musculoskeletal pa...
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We investigated the development of school and sport burnout in adolescent student-athletes (N Time 1 = 391, N Time 2 = 373) during their first year in upper secondary school using an embedded mixed-methods design. The questionnaire-based... more
We investigated the development of school and sport burnout in adolescent student-athletes (N Time 1 = 391, N Time 2 = 373) during their first year in upper secondary school using an embedded mixed-methods design. The questionnaire-based data were analyzed with growth mixture modeling and four burnout profiles were identified among student-athletes. From the found burnout profiles, two were typical for the interviewed subsample of elite athletes (n = 17), that is, burnout risk and non risk profiles. We generated rich descriptions of well-being and ill-being, showing that elite athletes in two burnout profiles differed in their experienced demands and resources related to individual and environmental factors. The results can be used to generate practical tools for burnout detection in student-athletes&#39; educational path.
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Diet composition influences acid-base status of the body. This may become more relevant as renal functional capacity declines with aging. We examined the effects of low (LD) versus high dietary acid load (HD) on blood acid-base status and... more
Diet composition influences acid-base status of the body. This may become more relevant as renal functional capacity declines with aging. We examined the effects of low (LD) versus high dietary acid load (HD) on blood acid-base status and exercise performance. Participants included 22 adolescents, 33 young adults (YA), and 33 elderly (EL), who followed a 7-day LD and HD in a randomized order. At the end of both diet periods the subjects performed a cycle ergometer test (3 × 10 min at 35%, 55%, 75%, and (except EL) until exhaustion at 100% of maximal oxygen uptake). At the beginning of and after the diet periods, blood samples were collected at rest and after all workloads. Oxygen uptake, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and heart rate (HR) were monitored during cycling. In YA and EL, bicarbonate (HCO3−) and base excess (BE) decreased over the HD period, and HCO3−, BE, and pH were lower at rest after HD compared with LD. In YA and EL women, HCO3− and BE were lower at submaximal work...