Evaluation of Indoor Tanning Facilities in American Fitness Centers.

BACKGROUND: Indoor tanning (IT) in fitness facilities encourages a misleading positive relationship between tanning and health. While IT in Canadian fitness facilities has been studied, American literature regarding this topic is lacking. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to evaluate availability, cost, reported risks, and adherence to legislation of IT in American fitness clubs. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study utilizing a telephone questionnaire to survey gyms across all 50 states. The key term "fitness club" was searched in the Yellow Pages and 20 facilities from each state were randomly included into the study. Data were described descriptively and Pearson χ2 tests were used to compare IT prevalence and rates of noncompliance between population groups. Regression analysis examined potential relationship between cost and prevalence of IT. RESULTS: Of the 1000 fitness clubs surveyed, 44.4% (444/1000) offered IT. The overall noncompliance rates for age, rest time, and eye protection were 13.8% (54/390), 26.0% (20/77), and 27.8% (85/225), respectively. The most common risk reported was skin cancer (61.6%), but many facilities were unsure of risks (27.0%) and some described no risk associated with IT (3.2%). The average cost for monthly unlimited tanning was 33 ± 13.96 USD. A state-to-state comparison showed a statistically significant inverse relationship between mean cost and prevalence of IT (P = .013, [r]= -0.35). CONCLUSION: The prevalence and noncompliance rates of IT in fitness clubs contradict the healthy lifestyles they are working to promote. To limit harms, legislations should be standardized and more strictly enforced. Additionally, public education on IT risks and the use of higher costs may help minimize IT use.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Indoor Tanning in Fitness Centres.

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a human carcinogen and is associated with the development of skin cancer. The promotion of indoor tanning (IT) at fitness centres is of particular concern as it reinforces the idea that a tan is associated with health and fitness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of IT in fitness centres, with an emphasis on determining the financial costs, adherence to regulations, and safety precautions. METHODS: Ten cities, representing 9 different Canadian provinces, were chosen for the study. From each province, a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 30 fitness centres were randomly selected from the Yellow Pages website. Each fitness centre was contacted by the principal investigator and inquiries were made from a consumer's perspective. RESULTS: Of the 203 gyms surveyed, 43% (88/203) offered tanning facilities. Of these, 10.23% (9/88) were found to be noncompliant with the provincial IT regulations for age and/or time between tanning sessions. INTERPRETATION: Despite the known risks of IT, not all fitness centres are compliant with provincial legislations regarding IT, and some continue to promote tanning access to minors.

A Corrida de Revezamento do Fogo Simbólico da Pátria em Porto Alegre (1938-1947): estudo sobre a participação dos clubes esportivos / Carrera de Relevo del Fuego Simbólico de La Nación en Porto Alegre (1938-1947): estudio sobre la participación de los clubes deportivos / The National Torch Relay in Porto Alegre city (1938-1947): study on the sports clubs participation

Este estudo tem como objetivo compreender a participação dos clubes esportivos porto-alegrenses na invenção da Corrida de Revezamento do Fogo Simbólico da Pátria (CFS) em Porto Alegre (RS – Brasil) no período de 1938 a 1947. Fontes impressas e fontes orais foram utilizadas nesse estudo. Os clubes esportivos porto-alegrenses, na figura dos seus atletas e dirigentes, ajudaram a inventar e fixar a CFS em Porto Alegre. Além disso, os clubes construíram representações da identidade nacional brasileira através da CFS.

This study aims to understand the portoalegrenses sports clubs participation in the invention of the National Torch Relay (NTR) in Porto Alegre city (RS – Brazil) in the period from 1938 to 1947. Printed and oral sources were used in it. Porto-alegrenses sports clubs, in the figure of their athletes and sports leaders, helped to invent and set the NTR in Porto Alegre city. Moreover, the sports clubs constructed representations of the Brazilian national identity through the NTR.

Este estudio tiene como objetivo entender la participación de los clubes deportivos portoalegrenses en la invención de la “Carrera de relevo del Fuego Simbólico de la Nación¼ (CFS) en la ciudad de Porto Alegre (RS – Brasil) en el período comprendido entre 1938 a 1947. Fuentes impresas y fuentes orales fueron utilizadas en ese estudio. Los clubes deportivos porto-alegrenses, en la figura de sus atletas y dirigentes, han ayudado a inventar y establecer la CFS en Porto Alegre. Por otra parte, los clubes esportivos construiran representaciones de la identidad nacional brasileña a través de la CFS.

Normativa para la regulación, autorización, acreditación y control de centros para la práctica del deporte / Regulations for the regulation, authorization, accreditation and control of centers for the practice of sport

El documento está con la tinta muy opaca (apagado), no muy adecuada para la lectura. Es de carácter obligatorio, por lo que se aplica en todo el territorio nacional. Contiene además, las definiciones de los conceptos relacionados al tema principal, además de la infraestructura que deberá tener cada clínica, incluidos el equipo y recurso humano y técnico. Están incluidos: clubs deportivos, federaciones y/o asociaciones, gimnasios en los que se practica y desarrollan actividades físicas, gimnastas, escuelas de danza o baile, institutos de yoga, y los destinados a la práctica de artes marciales.