Effects of plyometric- and cycle-based high-intensity interval training on body composition, aerobic capacity, and muscle function in young females: a field-based group fitness assessment.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an effective alternative to moderate intensity continuous training for improvements in body composition and aerobic capacity; however, there is little work comparing different modalities of HIIT. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of plyometric- (PLYO) and cycle-oriented (CYC) HIIT on body composition, aerobic capacity, and skeletal muscle size, quality, and function in recreationally trained females. Young (21.7 ± 3.1 yrs), recreationally active females were quasi-randomized (1:1 ratio) to 8 weeks of twice weekly PLYO (n = 15) or CYC (n = 15) HIIT. Body composition (four-compartment model), VO2peak, countermovement jump performance, muscle size, and echo intensity (muscle quality), as well as strength and power of the knee extensors and plantar flexors were measured before and after training. Both groups showed a similar decrease in body fat percentage (p < 0.001; η p 2   = 0.409) and echo intensity (p < 0.001; η p 2 = 0.558), and an increase in fat-free mass (p < 0.001; η p 2   = 0.367) and VO2peak (p = 0.001; η p 2 = 0.318). Muscle size was unaffected (p > 0.05), whereas peak torque was reduced similarly in both groups (p = 0.017; η p 2 = 0.188) and rapid torque capacity was diminished only for the knee extensors after CYC (p = 0.022; d = -0.67). These results suggest that PLYO and CYC HIIT are similarly effective for improving body composition, aerobic capacity, and muscle quality, whereas muscle function may express moderate decrements in recreationally active females. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05821504).

Feasibility, acceptability and cost efficiency of using webinars to deliver first-line patient education for people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome as part of a dietetic-led gastroenterology service in primary care.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder. International research suggests dietary intervention as a first-line approach, although dietetic services are struggling to cope with demand. Digital technology may offer a solution to deliver appropriate patient education. The present study aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability and cost efficiency of using webinars to deliver first-line IBS advice to patients as part of a dietetic-led gastroenterology service in primary care. METHODS: Patients were directed to an IBS First Line Advice webinar on a specialist NHS website. Data were collected from patients pre- and post-webinar use using an online survey. RESULTS: In total, 1171 attendees completed the pre-webinar survey and 443 completed the post-webinar survey. Attendees ranged from under 17 years to over 75 years. Of the attendees, 95% found the webinar easy to access and 91% were satisfied with the content of the webinar. Those with excellent or good knowledge rose from 25% pre-webinar to 67% post-webinar, and confidence in managing their condition improved for 74% of attendees. Using the webinars led to a 44% reduction in referrals for one-to-one appointments with a specialist dietitian in the first year of use. The value of the clinical time saved is estimated at £3593 per annum. The one-off cost of creating the webinar was £3597. CONCLUSIONS: The use of webinars is a feasible, acceptable and cost-efficient way of delivering first-line patient education to people suffering with Irritable Bowel Syndrome as part of a dietetic-led gastroenterology service in primary care.

Gestational weight gain and preterm birth: disparities in adolescent pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To examine racial differences in the association between gestational weight gain and preterm birth subtypes among adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 211 403 adolescents using 2012 United States natality data. The outcome was preterm birth and the primary exposure was gestational weight gain. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios, stratified by race and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: Black and White mothers who gained below the recommendations had increased risks for spontaneous preterm birth in all BMI categories, except obese. All Hispanic mothers who gained below the recommendations had increased risks of spontaneous preterm birth. White normal and overweight mothers and Black, Hispanic and Other normal weight mothers who exceeded the recommendations had decreased risks of spontaneous preterm birth. CONCLUSION: The effect of gestational weight gain on spontaneous and medically indicated preterm birth is modified by race and BMI.

Timing of elective delivery in gastroschisis: a decision and cost-effectiveness analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the most cost-effective timing of delivery in pregnancies complicated by gastroschisis, using a decision-analytic model. METHODS: We created a decision-analytic model to compare planned delivery at 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 weeks' gestation. Outcomes considered were stillbirth, death within 1 year of birth and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Probability estimates of events (stillbirth, complex gastroschisis and RDS for each gestational age at delivery and risk of death with simple and complex gastroschisis), utilities and costs assigned to the outcomes were obtained from the published literature. Cost analysis was assessed from a societal perspective, using a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000 per surviving infant. Outcomes and costs were considered throughout 1 year of postnatal life. Multiway sensitivity analysis was performed to address uncertainties in baseline assumptions. RESULTS: In the base-case analysis, delivery at 38 weeks' gestation was the most cost-effective strategy. Planned delivery at 35 weeks was associated with the fewest stillbirths and deaths within 1 year of delivery, owing largely to a lower ongoing risk of stillbirth. In Monte Carlo simulation when every variable was varied over its entire range, delivery at 38 weeks was cost-effective compared to delivery at 39 weeks in 76% of trials and delivery at 37 weeks was cost-effective in 69% of trials. Delivery at 38 weeks resulted in three additional cases of RDS for every 100 stillbirths or deaths within 1 year that were prevented. CONCLUSIONS: For pregnancies complicated by gastroschisis, the most cost-effective timing of delivery is at 38 weeks. Few additional cases of RDS are caused for every one stillbirth or death within 1 year that was prevented with delivery at 37-38 weeks compared with at 39 weeks.

Comparison of tulathromycin and tilmicosin on the prevalence and severity of bovine respiratory disease in feedlot cattle in association with feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and economic factors.

The objectives of this study were to 1) quantify effects of metaphylactic treatment for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and lung lesion prevalence and severity; 2) evaluate the association of lung lesion prevalence and severity with carcass characteristics; and 3) evaluate effects of therapeutic treatment on carcass characteristics and lung lesion prevalence and severity. The study was conducted at a commercial feedlot in the Texas Panhandle in which steers (n = 2,336) initially weighing 312.1 ± 9.6 kg were sourced from auction markets and allocated in a randomized complete block design to 1 of 3 treatments (no metaphylactic [no antimicrobial drug {ND}] treatment, tilmicosin at 10 mg/kg BW [TIL], and tulathromycin at 2.5 mg/kg BW [TUL]). Lungs of all steers were evaluated during harvest to assess presence and severity of pneumonic lesions in the anteroventral lobes and the presence and severity of pleural adherences. Compared to the ND treatment, steers treated via metaphylactic therapy had greater (P < 0.05) metaphylactic cost, ADG, shrunk final BW, dressed carcass yield, HCW, 12th rib fat, calculated empty body fat (EBF), and gross revenue, concurrent with reduced (P < 0.05) BRD treatment costs and financial losses from BRD death and railed cattle, cumulatively resulting in greater financial returns. Lung lesions were present in 64.3% of lungs and were distributed similarly between metaphylactic treatments (63.9%) and ND (65.1%) cattle. Steers with advanced lung lesions present at harvest were associated with reduced (P < 0.05) HCW, KPH, 12th rib fat, calculated yield grades, marbling scores, and calculated EBF as compared to steers without lung lesions. Steers pulled for BRD had increased (P < 0.01) incidence of advanced lung lesions, mortality, and railers with decreased (P < 0.05) HCW, 12th rib fat, KPH, marbling score, calculated EBF, and percentage choice carcasses when compared to non-BRD event steers. From the results of this study, controlling BRD through the use of metaphylactic treatments on arrival in heavier cattle improved financial returns primarily driven by reductions in cost of death loss and railers.