Peak oxygen uptake (V'O2peak) is recognised as the best expression of aerobic fitness. Therefore, it is essential that V'O2peak reference values are accurate for interpreting a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). These values are country specific and influenced by underlying biological ageing processes. …

Ongoing demographic changes are challenging health systems worldwide especially in relation to increasing longevity and the resultant rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). To meet these challenges, a paradigm shift to a more proactive approach to health promotion, and maintenance is needed. This …

Canalization, an intrinsic robustness of development to external (environmental) or internal (genetic) perturbations, was first proposed over half a century ago. However, whether the robustness to environmental stress (environmental canalization [EC]) and to genetic variation (genetic canalization) are …

Keynote speech delivered at the Family care over the lifespan conference in Groningen.

The presentation focussed on demographic transition, unbalanced population decline and their influence on family, kin and other social support systems for the elderly in the North of the Netherlands.

The country of Curaçao, a Small Island Developing State, is currently dealing with the challenge of waste mismanagement. Inhabitants generate approximately 2.5 kilograms of waste per day per capita, and the majority of this generated waste is landfilled at the Malpais landfill. The current issue is …

This paper presents the results of a study regarding the cyclic bending over sheave fatigue life of five different type of small diameter cables (d <=2.5 mm) in a simple bending test around a D = 10 mm sheave. The goal of the study is to estimate the lifespan of cables in prosthetic applications. Three …

In this column we look at influences on lifespan and autism.