Morphological Characteristics and Situational Precision of U15 and U16 Elite Male Players from Al-Ahli Handball Club (Bahrein).

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the differences in the morphological characteristics and situational precision among younger and older groups of handball players. The sample of participants consisted of 30 handball players, members of the younger category of the Al-Ahli handball club (Bahrein), divided into two groups: older (U16, n = 18) and younger (U15, n = 12). To evaluate their morphological characteristics, eight variables were measured, while two standardized tests were used to evaluate their situational precision. The results indicate that a statistically significant difference between the groups was noticeable for nine variables in total, seven in morphology (body height, p = 0.010; body mass index, p = 0.049; arm length, p = 0.009; upper arm length, p = 0.016; lower arm length, p = 0.040; the planimetric parameter of the hand, p = 0.005; hand length p = 0.004) and two in situational precision (the standing shot, p = 0.003; the jump shot, p = 0.17), and that the achieved difference ranges from a medium to a large effect. For only one variable (body mass, p = 0.734), significant difference was not determined between the groups. It was also determined (by Cohen's criterion) that handball players with higher longitudinal dimensionality achieve better results for specific precision. Therefore, when selecting young handball players, the aforementioned dimensions should be taken into consideration as predictors of success.

Stigmatization of 'psychiatric label' by medical and non-medical students.

BACKGROUND: Stigmatization of psychiatric patients is present both in the general population and among healthcare professionals. AIM: To determine the attitudes and behaviour of medical students towards a person who goes to a psychiatrist, before and after psychiatric rotation, and to compare those attitudes between medical and non-medical students. METHODS: The study included 525 medical students (second and sixth year of studies) and 154 students of law. The study instrument was a three-part self-reported questionnaire (socio-demographic data, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and a vignette depicting a young, mentally healthy person). The experimental intervention consisted of ascribing a 'psychiatric label' to only one set of vignettes. All the vignettes (with or without the 'psychiatric label') were followed by 14 statements addressing the acceptance of a person described by vignette, as judged by social distance (four-point Likert scale). RESULTS: Higher tendency to stigmatize was found in medical students in the final year, after psychiatric rotation (Z(U) = -3.12, p = .002), particularly in a closer relationship (Z(U) = -2.67, p = .007) between a student and a hypothetical person who goes to a psychiatrist. The non-medical students had a similar tendency to stigmatize as medical students before psychiatric rotation (Z(U) = -0.03, p = .975). Neither gender, nor the size of student's place of origin or average academic mark was associated with the tendency to stigmatize in our sample. However, student's elf-esteem was lower in those with a tendency to stigmatize more in a distant relationship (ρ = -0.157, p = .005). CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatric education can either reinforce stigmatization or reduce it. Therefore, detailed analyses of educational domains that reinforce stigma will be the starting point for anti-stigma action.

[Prevalence of renal insufficiency in individuals with obesity].

INTRODUCTION: The association of obesity with renal function disorders has been demonstrated by some studies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of renal insufficiency (RI), measured as glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 ml/min and impact of weight loss on kidney function in a cohort of 109 obese patients (body mass index - BMI > 25 kg/m2), without previous kidney disease, and who underwent the dietician's treatment. METHODS: According to body mass index (BMI), the patients were classified as overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2, 25 patients), obesity grade 1 (30-34.9 kg/m2, 37 patients), obesity grade II (35 to 39.9 kg/m2, 23 patients), and obesity grade III (> 40 kg/m2, 24 patients). Data on hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, family illness history on diabetes, obesity and hypertension, smoking and medications, lipid profile, serum creatinine (sCr) measured before and after diet, and urine examination were collected from the patients' records. GFR was estimated using MDRD formula (modification of diet in renal disease). RESULTS: The patients groups were similar in age and co-morbidities, lipids, and sCr values. In comparison to other obese patients, blood pressure was the highest in obesity grade III patients (p = 0.0001). Mean GFR rate before diet was satisfactory in all studied groups. RI was present in 12.8% patients. After diet nine patients still had GFR < 60 ml/min, while lipids decreased in all groups. Patients with the highest decrease of BMI also showed best improvement in GFR. The risk for the development of decreased GFR was higher in elderly patients (estimated rate: -0.434, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Obesity is a potentially reversible risk factor for the development of decreased GFR. The relationship between obesity and decreased GFR may be mediated by the presence of known cardiovascular risk factors. In order to clarify the obesity influence on renal functioning, further studies are needed.