Is the frequency of breakfast consumption associated with life satisfaction in children and adolescents? A cross-sectional study with 154,151 participants from 42 countries.

BACKGROUND: The promotion of daily breakfast consumption and the importance of making appropriate breakfast choices have been underscored as significant public health messages. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between breakfast frequency and life satisfaction in large and representative samples of school-going children and adolescents aged 10-17 years from 42 different countries. METHODS: This study used information from the 2017/2018 Health Behavior in School-aged Children study, comprising nationally representative samples of children and adolescents aged 10-17 years who were attending school. The total number of participants from the 42 countries included in the study was 155,451 (51.3% girls). The evaluation of breakfast consumption in this study involved a specific question: "How often do you typically have breakfast (more than a glass of milk or fruit juice)?". To measure life satisfaction, a subjective assessment scale was used in the form of a ladder, visually spanning from 0 to 10. On this scale, the topmost point (10) denotes the highest conceivable quality of life, whereas the bottom point (0) represents the worst imaginable quality of life. RESULTS: After adjusting for several covariates, the lowest estimated marginal mean of life satisfaction was identified in those participants who skipped breakfast (mean [M] = 5.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.5 to 5.8). Conversely, the highest estimated marginal mean of life satisfaction was observed in those who had breakfast every day (M = 6.5, 95% CI 6.3 to 6.6). Overall, a nearly linear relationship between higher frequency of breakfast and greater life satisfaction in children and adolescents was identified (p-for-trend < 0.001). In addition, the highest estimated marginal mean of life satisfaction score was identified in those participants from Portugal who had breakfast every day (M = 7.7; 95% CI 6.9 to 8.5 points). Conversely, the lowest estimated marginal mean of life satisfaction was observed in those participants from Romania who no breakfast (M = 3.5; 95% CI 2.6 to 4.4 points). CONCLUSIONS: There is a nearly linear relationship between higher frequency of breakfast and greater life satisfaction in children and adolescents. Considering the potential health advantages associated with breakfast during this critical age phase, these findings imply the necessity for additional global efforts to promote increased breakfast consumption among children and adolescents.

Secular trends and sociodemographic, biological, and behavioural factors associated with handgrip strength in adolescents in southern Brazil: An allometric approach.

The purpose of this study was to analyse secular trend in handgrip strength (HGS) in adolescents using an allometric approach and identify the factors associated. The sample comprised 657 and 1004 adolescents (14 to 19 years) in 2007 and 2017/2018, respectively, of public schools in Florianópolis, Brazil. The dependent variable was HGS normalised to body mass and height. Covariance analysis was used to examine secular trends in HGS, and multiple linear regression was used to identify associated factors. The independent variables were sociodemographic, biological, and behavioural factors. Comparison of HGS between surveys indicated a negative secular trend in both sexes (p < 0.001). In boys, there was a positive association of HGS with age and FFM in both surveys. In 2017/18, there was a positive association with sexual maturation and a negative association with sitting time and fat percentage. In girls, FFM was positively associated with HGS in both surveys. In 2007, there were positive associations of HGS with age and vigorous physical activity, whereas, in 2017/18, negative associations were observed with economic level and sitting time. The findings of the present study show a decline in adolescent HGS. And behavioural changes appear to be contributing to declines in HGS.

Are more physical education classes related to less time in leisure-time sedentary behavior? An analysis including adolescents from 73 countries.

This study aimed to verify the association between the weekly frequency of physical education (PE) classes and leisure sitting time among adolescents. We analyzed data from 73 countries using the Global School-based Student Health Survey (283,233 adolescents between 11 and 18 years of age). Leisure sitting time and weekly frequency of PE classes were self-reported. Sex, age, and food insecurity were used as covariates and the analyses were stratified by world regions and country income level. Poisson regression models (random-effects meta-analysis) were used for the main analyses. In comparison with 1 PE class per week (reference group), those with no PE classes presented a lower prevalence of ≥ 3 h/d of leisure sitting time (PR [95%CI] = 0.94 [0.91; 0.98]). On the other hand, adolescents with 2 days (PR [95%CI] = 1.06 [1.02; 1.26]), 3-4 days (PR [95%CI] = 1.17 [1.12; 1.22]), and 5 days (PR [95%CI] = 1.08 [1.04; 1.11]) of PE classes presented a higher likelihood of ≥ 3 h/d of leisure sitting time. No clear differences were observed for the different world regions and country income levels. We conclude that a higher weekly frequency of PE classes is associated with increased leisure sitting time among adolescents worldwide.

The genetic predisposition increases the chances of schoolchildren maintaining higher adiposity levels after three years.

BACKGROUND: The behavior of anthropometrics and the relationship with genetic factors through a long-term perspective should be better explored. This study aims to verify the odds of maintaining the nutritional status classification after three years, according to the rs9939609 polymorphism (FTO gene). METHODS: It was a retrospective longitudinal study with 355 schoolchildren (7-17 years). Body mass index, body-fat percentage (BF%), and waist circumference (WC) were measured at baseline and follow-up. The FTO gene was evaluated from blood collection and genotyping performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: For those homozygous with the A allele, the odds of being at less favorable classification at follow-up were 2.29 (1.24; 4.22) and 4.05 (2.08; 7.86) times higher than expected for BF% and WC, respectively, whereas the odds of being in the more favorable classification at follow-up were 0.34 (0.12; 0.93) and 0.11 (0.01; 0.78) for BF% and WC, respectively. The odds of being at less favorable classification were higher for AA carriers with less favorable classification at baseline for BF% and WC compared to AT and TT carriers. CONCLUSIONS: Schoolchildren with a genetic predisposition to obesity and unfavorable anthropometric profile at baseline had more chances of maintaining their nutritional status after three years of follow-up.

Results From Spain's 2022 Para Report Cards on Physical Activity of Children and Adolescents With Disabilities.

This report aims to provide a better understanding of physical activity (PA) and related factors among Spanish children and adolescents living with disabilities. The 10 indicators used for the Global Matrix on Para Report Cards of children and adolescents living with disabilities were evaluated based on the best available data in Spain. An analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats based on data provision was drafted by three experts and critically reviewed by the authorship team to provide a national perspective for each evaluated indicator. Government was the indicator with the highest grade (C+), followed by Sedentary Behaviors (C-), School (D), Overall PA (D-), and Community & Environment (F). The remaining indicators received an incomplete grade. There were low levels of PA in Spanish children and adolescents living with disabilities. Yet, opportunities to improve the current surveillance of PA among this population exist.

Results from the Uruguay's 2022 report card on physical activity for children and adolescents.

Background/objective: Uruguay was enrolled in the fourth edition of the Global Matrix on physical activity-related indicators in children and adolescents with the aim of producing its second Report Card and analyses on the ten core indicators. Methods: A harmonized development process proposed by the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance was followed. The best available scientific and grey literature was systematically searched for all the indicators included in the Report Card (Overall Physical Activity, Organized Sport Participation, Active Play, Active Transportation, Sedentary Behavior, Physical Fitness, Family and Peers, School, Community and Environment, and Government). A grading scale ranging from A to F was used. A new approach was used to grade the Government indicator according to the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance guidance. Results: New information was identified and 7 out of 10 indicators were graded, while there were 3 out of 10 indicators with incomplete information to be graded. An gender-based analysis was included in this second Report Card, providing separate grades for 5 of the indicators [girls/boys]: Overall Physical Activity [F/F], Organized Sport Participation [F/D], Active Transportation [C/C], Sedentary Behavior [D+/D+], and Community and Environment [D+/C-]. The comparison between 2018 and 2022 analysis showed a decrease in Overall Physical Activity and Organized Sport Participation, while the sources of influence School and Government obtained a higher grade in comparison with the previous Report Card. Conclusion: Uruguay has developed its second version of the Report Card on physical activity-related indicators in children and adolescents. The gender analysis showed inequalities between girls and boys. In summary, behavioral indicators have decreased while sources of influence have risen along the time.

Surveillance to improve physical activity of children and adolescents.

The global transition to current low levels of habitual physical activity among children and adolescents began in the second half of the last century. Low physical activity harms health in both the short term (during childhood and adolescence) and long term (during adulthood). In turn, low physical activity could limit progress towards several sustainable development goals, undermine noncommunicable disease prevention, delay physical and mental health recovery from the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, increase health-care costs and hinder responses to climate change. However, despite the importance of physical activity, public health surveillance among children and adolescents is very limited globally and low levels of physical activity in children is not on the public health agenda in many countries, irrespective of their level of economic development. This article details proposals for improvements in global public health surveillance of physical activity from birth to adolescence based on recent systematic reviews, international collaborations and World Health Organization guidelines and strategies. Empirical examples from several countries illustrate how improved surveillance of physical activity can lead to public health initiatives. Moreover, better surveillance raises awareness of the extent of physical inactivity, thereby making an invisible problem visible, and can lead to greater capacity in physical activity policy and practice. The time has arrived for a step change towards more systematic physical activity surveillance from infancy onwards that could help inform and inspire changes in public health policy and practice globally.

Durant la seconde moitié du siècle dernier, l'activité physique des enfants et adolescents a commencé à baisser à l'échelle mondiale pour atteindre le faible niveau actuel. La sédentarité a des effets néfastes sur la santé, tant à court terme (pendant l'enfance et l'adolescence) qu'à long terme (à l'âge adulte). Elle peut également entraver la progression vers de nombreux objectifs de développement durable, compromettre les efforts de prévention des maladies non transmissibles, retarder la guérison physique et mentale liée à la pandémie de maladie à coronavirus 2019, accroître les dépenses en soins de santé et freiner les réactions au changement climatique. Pourtant, malgré l'importance que revêt l'activité physique, rares sont les dispositifs de surveillance de la santé publique mis en place pour les enfants et adolescents dans le monde. En outre, la lutte contre la sédentarité chez les plus jeunes ne figure pas parmi les priorités de santé publique dans la plupart des pays, quel que soit le niveau de développement économique de ces derniers. Le présent article détaille une série de propositions visant à améliorer la surveillance de la santé publique en matière d'activité physique de la naissance à l'adolescence, fondées sur des revues systématiques récentes, des collaborations internationales ainsi que des stratégies et lignes directrices de l'Organisation mondiale de la Santé. Des exemples empiriques provenant de plusieurs pays illustrent comment cette amélioration peut déboucher sur des initiatives de santé publique. De plus, une meilleure surveillance permet de sensibiliser à l'ampleur de cette inactivité, donnant ainsi de la visibilité à un problème jusqu'alors invisible, et peut renforcer les capacités politiques et pratiques relatives à l'activité physique. Il est temps de procéder à un changement en profondeur afin de surveiller plus systématiquement l'activité physique dès le plus jeune âge, en vue d'orienter et d'encourager l'évolution des politiques et pratiques en la matière dans le monde.

La transición mundial hacia los niveles bajos actuales de actividad física regular entre niños y adolescentes comenzó en la segunda mitad del siglo pasado. La disminución de la actividad física perjudica la salud tanto a corto plazo (durante la infancia y la adolescencia) como a largo plazo (durante la edad adulta). A su vez, la falta de actividad física podría limitar el progreso hacia varios objetivos de desarrollo sostenible, socavar la prevención de enfermedades no transmisibles, retrasar la recuperación de la salud física y mental tras la pandemia de la enfermedad por coronavirus de 2019, aumentar los costes de la atención sanitaria y dificultar las respuestas al cambio climático. No obstante, a pesar de la importancia de la actividad física, la vigilancia de la salud pública entre los niños y los adolescentes es muy limitada a nivel mundial y los niveles bajos de actividad física en los niños no se incluyen en la agenda de salud pública de muchos países, sea cual sea su nivel de desarrollo económico. En este artículo, se detallan propuestas para mejorar la vigilancia de la actividad física en la salud pública a nivel mundial, desde el nacimiento hasta la adolescencia, a partir de recientes revisiones sistemáticas, colaboraciones internacionales y directrices y estrategias de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Ejemplos empíricos de varios países ilustran cómo una mejor vigilancia de la actividad física puede conducir a iniciativas de salud pública. Asimismo, una mejor vigilancia aumenta la concienciación sobre el alcance de la inactividad física, haciendo evidente un problema poco visible, y puede conducir a una mayor capacidad en la política y la práctica de la actividad física. Ha llegado el momento de dar un paso adelante hacia una vigilancia más sistemática de la actividad física desde la infancia que podría ayudar a informar e inspirar cambios en la política y la práctica de la salud pública en todo el mundo.

Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of physical activity and sitting time among South American adolescents: a harmonized analysis of nationally representative cross-sectional surveys.

BACKGROUND: To identify the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of different domains of physical activity (PA) and higher sitting time among South American adolescents. METHODS: Data from national surveys of 11 South American countries were analyzed, and comprised information on 166,901 adolescents. PA (≥ 60 min/day of moderate-vigorous PA), physical education classes (PEC) (≥ 3 classes/wk), active commuting to school (≥ 1 d/wk), and higher sitting time (≥ 3 h/d) were self-reported. Sociodemographic correlates, such as gender, age, and food security status were explored using a random effect meta-analysis for logistic parameters. RESULTS: Recommended PA ranged between 7.5% (Brazil) and 19.0% (Suriname). Peru (2.2%) and Guyana (43.1%) presented the lowest prevalence of PEC and active commuting to school, respectively. Higher sitting time was less prevalent in Bolivia (24.6%) and more prevalent in Argentina (55.6%). Compared to girls, boys were more prone to reach recommendations for PA [OR = 1.94(1.65;2.28)]; to reach ≥ 3 PEC [OR = 1.17(1.04;1.33)] and to be active in commuting to school [(OR = 1.14(1.06;1.23)], but less prone to higher sitting time [OR = 0.89(0.82;0.96)]. Older adolescents had less odds of reach PA guidelines [OR = 0.86(0.77; 0.97)] and accumulated higher sitting time [OR = 1.27(1.14;1.41)]. Adolescents with food insecurity reported more PEC [OR = 1.12(1.04;1.21)] and active commuting to school [OR = 1.12(1.02;1.22)] but had less higher sitting time than their food security pairs [OR = 0.89(0.81;0.98)]. CONCLUSIONS: Few adolescents reach the PA recommendation. Actions aiming the promotion of PA and the reduction of sitting time must consider girls and older adolescents as target groups, as well as the specifics of each country.

Relationship between rs9939609 FTO polymorphism with waist circumference and body fat is moderated by ponderal index at birth in youth.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to analyze whether the relationship between the rs9939609 polymorphism of the fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) with nutritional status is moderated by the ponderal index (PI) at birth in children and adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study evaluated 382 schoolchildren aged 6-17 years. Anthropometric variables such as waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BF%) were used to assess nutritional status. Weight and height at birth were used for the PI calculation, which was divided into tertiles (lower, middle and upper). To compare the continuous variables between genotypes of the rs9939609 polymorphism, a recessive model (TT/AT vs. AA) and covariance analysis (ANCOVA) were used. RESULTS: The AA genotype of the rs9939609 polymorphism was associated with higher WC in schoolchildren born with lower PI (ß = 4.40; p = .048). However, for BF%, the genotype association was found in the upper PI tertile (ß = 7.35; p = .040). CONCLUSION: The relationship between WC and BF% with rs9939609 polymorphism (FTO) seems to be moderated by PI at birth. This is an important insight, since the data for intrauterine growth, genetic factors and the presence of obesity in children and adolescents are still contradictory.

Haematological responses to repeated sprints in hypoxia across different sporting modalities.

The aim was to determine the effects of repeated-sprint training in hypoxia on haematocrit and haemoglobin in different sporting modalities. Seventy-two participants were randomly allocated to Active-Repeated sprint in hypoxia (A-RSH, n= 8); Active-Repeated sprint in normoxia (A-RSN, n= 8); Active-Control (A-CON, n= 8); Team Sports-RSH (T-RSH, n= 8); Team Sports-RSN (T-RSN, n= 8); Team Sports-Control (T-CON, n= 8); Endurance-RSH (E-RSH, n= 8); Endurance-RSN (E-RSN, n= 8); Endurance-Control (E-CON, n= 8). Sessions consisted of two sets of five sprints of 10 swith recovery of 20 sbetween sprints and 10 min between sets. Blood samples for haematocrit and haemoglobin concentrations were obtained before and after, and 2 weeks after cessation. Haematocrit and haemoglobin were lower for the E-RSN group following 2 weeks of cessation of protocol compared with E-RSH (p = 0.035) and E-CON (p = 0.045). Haematocrit of the A-RSH group was higher compared with baseline (p = 0.05) and Post (p = 0.05). Similarly, the T-RSH group demonstrated increases in haematocrit following 2 weeks of cessation compared with Post (p = 0.04). Repeated Sprint Training in Hypoxia had different haematological effects depending on sporting modality.

Systematic review of the correlates of outdoor play and time among children aged 3-12 years.

BACKGROUND: Due to the myriad of benefits of children's outdoor play and time, there is increasing concern over its decline. This systematic review synthesized evidence on the correlates of outdoor play and outdoor time among children aged 3-12 years. METHODS: A total of 12 electronic databases in five different languages (Chinese, English, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese) were searched between October 28, 2019 and July 27, 2020. Covidence software was used for screening and Microsoft Excel with a predesigned coding form was used for data extraction. Evidence was synthesized and correlates were categorized using the socioecological model framework. RESULTS: Based on 107 studies representing 188,498 participants and 422 childcare centers from 29 countries, 85 studies examined potential correlates of outdoor play while 23 studies examined that of outdoor time (one examined both). The duration of outdoor play and outdoor time ranged between 60 and 165 min/d and 42-240 min/d, respectively. Out of 287 (outdoor play) and 61 (outdoor time) potential correlates examined, 111 correlates for outdoor play and 33 correlates for outdoor time were identified as significant correlates. Thirty-three variables were identified as key/common correlates of outdoor play/time, including eight correlates at the individual level (e.g., sex/gender, race/ethnicity, physical activity), 10 correlates at the parental level (e.g., parental attitude/support/behavior, parenting practice), nine at the microsystem level (e.g., proximal home/social environment such as residence type, peer influence), three at the macrosystem/community level (e.g., availability of space children can play), and three at the physical ecology/pressure for macrosystem change level (e.g., seasonality, rurality). No key correlates were found at the institutional level. CONCLUSIONS: Individual, parental, and proximal physical (home) and social environments appear to play a role in children's outdoor play and time. Ecological factors (i.e., seasonality, rurality) also appear to be related to outdoor play/time. Evidence was either inconsistent or lacking at institutional and macrosystem/community levels. Standardizing terminology and measures of outdoor play/time is warranted. Future work should investigate the interactions and processes of multiple variables across different levels of socioecological modelling to better understand the mechanisms through which outdoor play/time opportunities can be optimized for children while paying special attention to varying conditions in which children are born, live, and play.

Global prevalence of physical activity for children and adolescents; inconsistencies, research gaps, and recommendations: a narrative review.

BACKGROUND: One of the strategic actions identified in the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (PA) 2018-2030 is the enhancement of data systems and capabilities at national levels to support regular population surveillance of PA. Although national and international standardized surveillance of PA among children and adolescents has increased in recent years, challenges for the global surveillance of PA persist. The aims of this paper were to: (i) review, compare, and discuss the methodological inconsistencies in children and adolescents' physical activity prevalence estimates from intercontinental physical activity surveillance initiatives; (ii) identify methodological limitations, surveillance and research gaps. METHODS: Intercontinental physical activity surveillance initiatives for children and adolescents were identified by experts and through non-systematic literature searches. Prevalence of meeting PA guidelines by country, gender, and age were extracted when available. A tool was created to assess the quality of the included initiatives. Methods and PA prevalence were compared across data/studies and against the methodological/validity/translation differences. RESULTS: Eight intercontinental initiatives were identified as meeting the selection criteria. Methods and PA definition inconsistencies across and within included initiatives were observed, resulting in different estimated national prevalence of PA, and initiatives contradicting each other's cross-country comparisons. Three findings were consistent across all eight initiatives: insufficient level of PA of children and adolescents across the world; lower levels of PA among girls; and attenuation of PA levels with age. Resource-limited countries, younger children, children and adolescents not attending school, with disability or chronic conditions, and from rural areas were generally under/not represented. CONCLUSIONS: There are substantial inconsistencies across/within included initiatives, resulting in varying estimates of the PA situation of children and adolescents at the global, regional and national levels. The development of a new PA measurement instrument that would be globally accepted and harmonized is a global health priority to help improve the accuracy and reliability of global surveillance.

Biological and socioeconomic factors as moderator in relationship between leisure-time physical activity and cardiometabolic risk in adolescents from southern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Given the important repercussions that sociodemographic factors can have on physical activity, especially in the field of leisure, and cardiometabolic risk, it seems relevant to analyze the implications of these variables on the relationship between physical activity in leisure time (LTPA) and cardiometabolic risk. In this sense, the present study aims to verify the moderating role of biologic and socioeconomic factors in the relationship between LTPA and cardiometabolic risk in adolescents in southern Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that included 1596 adolescents selected at random (58.2% girls), aged between 10 and 17 years. LTPA, biological and socioeconomic factors were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire and the cardiometabolic risk score (total cholesterol/HDL-c ratio, triglycerides, fasting glucose, systolic blood pressure, and waist circumference, considering the participant's age and sex) was included as an outcome. Associations and moderations were tested by multiple linear regression models. RESULTS: It was observed a positive interaction of LTPA and sex (p = 0.048) and LTPA and school system (p = 0.037), and negative interaction of LTPA and skin color (p = 0.040), indicating that these factors were moderators in the relationship between LTPA and clustered cardiometabolic risk score (cMetS) in adolescents. A reduction in cardiometabolic risk was observed according to the increase in weekly minutes of LTPA among boys, non-white adolescents, and students from municipal schools. CONCLUSIONS: The association between LTPA and cardiometabolic risk was moderated by sex, skin color, and school system in adolescents from southern Brazil.

Repeated sprint in hypoxia as a time-metabolic efficient strategy to improve physical fitness of obese women.

PURPOSE: To investigate the training and detraining effects of two different hypoxic high-intensity protocols on cardiorespiratory fitness, maximal fat oxidation and energy contribution in obese women. METHODS: 82 obese women completed a 12-week training of: (1) interval training in hypoxia (IHT; n = 19; 3 min at 90%Wmax: 3 min at 55-65%Wmax; FiO2 = 17.2%), (2) interval training in normoxia (INT; n = 20; 3 min at 90%Wmax: 3 min at 55-65%Wmax), (3) repeated sprint training in hypoxia (RSH; n = 22; 30 s at 130%Wmax: 3 min at 55-65%Wmax; FiO2 = 17.2%), and (4) repeated sprint training in normoxia (RSN; n = 21; 30 s at 130%Wmax: 3 min at 55-65%Wmax). VO2max, workload, time to exhaustion and heart rate were assessed at baseline, after completion of 36 training sessions over 12 weeks and after 4 weeks of detraining. RESULTS: Hypoxic training (IHT and RSH) showed a significant positive effect on absolute (p < 0.001) and relative maximal oxygen uptake (p < 0.001) as well as VT2 (%VO2max; p < 0.001). Both IHT and RSH showed significantly higher values of absolute VO2max (IHT: + 26.63%; RSH: + 19.79%) and relative VO2max (IHT: + 27.95%; RSH: + 19.94%) between baseline and post-exercise (p < 0.001). VO2max (IHT: + 21.74%; RSH: + 17.65%) and relative VO2max (IHT: + 23.53%; RSH: + 17.15%) remained significantly higher after detraining in IHT and RSH (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A larger improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness has been observed after high-intensity interval training under normobaric hypoxia. As interval training or repeated sprint training did not show a significant effect, RSH might provide a time-metabolic effective strategy in this population.

Effects of whole-body vibration under hypoxic exposure on muscle mass and functional mobility in older adults.

BACKGROUND: Ageing is accompanied by a loss of muscle mass and function, which are associated with decrease of functional capacity. Combination of WBV training with normobaric hypoxic exposure could augment the beneficial effects due to synergic effects of both treatments. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 36 sessions of the combined WBV training and normobaric hypoxic exposure on muscle mass and functional mobility in older adults. METHODS: Nineteen elderly people were randomly assigned to a: vibration normoxic exposure group (NWBV; n = 10; 20.9% FiO2) and vibration hypoxic exposure group (HWBV; n = 9). Participants developed 36 sessions of WBV training along 18 weeks, which included 4 bouts of 30 s (12.6 Hz in frequency and 4 mm in amplitude) with 60 s of rest between bouts, inside a hypoxic chamber for the HWBV. The "Timed Up and Go Test" evaluated functional mobility. Percentages of lean mass were obtained with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Neither statistically significant within group variations nor statistically significant differences between both groups were detected to any parameter. DISCUSSION: Baseline characteristics of population, training protocol and the level of hypoxia employed could cause different adaptations on muscle mass and function. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of WBV training and hypoxic exposure did not cause any effect on either legs lean mass or functional mobility of older adults.

Detraining effect on overweight/obese women after high-intensity interval training in hypoxia.

PURPOSE: Promising benefits on fat mass and biochemical components may be reported after applying programs of cyclic hypoxia and HIIT. AIM: To investigate the effect of a month of detraining on cardiometabolic risk markers after active hypoxia exposure. METHODS: Participants included 59 overweight/obese women, who started a 12-week program of 36 sessions, and were randomly divided into four groups: (a) aerobic interval training in hypoxia (AitH; FiO2  = 17.2%; n = 13), (b) aerobic interval training in normoxia (AitN; n = 15), (c) sprint interval training in hypoxia (SitH; FiO2  = 17.2%; n = 15), and (d) sprint interval training in normoxia (SitN; n = 18). Body composition, anthropometric, and biochemical parameters were assessed at baseline (A), after 36 training sessions (B) and after 4 weeks of detraining (C). RESULTS: Hypoxia conditions showed a significant positive effect on waist circumference (P = 0.01), WHR (P = 0.04), and percentage of trunk fat mass (P < 0.001). The percentage of trunk fat continued to decrease significantly after training cessation in both AitH and SitH groups. CONCLUSION: After 4 weeks of detraining with a previous 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training under cyclic normobaric hypoxia, the percentage of fat mass located in the trunk decreases significantly and this effect was not observed in the normoxia groups.

Effects training in hypoxia on cardiometabolic parameters in obese people: A systematic review of randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present review is to evaluate effects of intermittent hypoxia and exercise therapy in cardiometabolic parameters on adult obese people. DATABASE: Three well-known databases were selected: EMBASE, MEDLINE and Web of Science. Studies selection: Inclusion criteria were: (a) human healthy overweight or obese adults, (b) study randomized controlled trial, (c) original experimental study, (d) English languages and (e) therapy with intermittent hypoxia and exercise. DESIGN: The assessment of the methodological quality of each study was based upon the risk of bias (PEDro scale) and level of evidence (CBO Guidelines). DATA EXTRACTION: five articles clearly met inclusion criteria and were reviewed to data extraction. RESULTS: In the hypoxia groups, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, fat mass and lean mass improved in at least two studies in comparison with the baseline. Systolic blood pressure improved in one study. The lipid profile and the aerobic capacity were not reduced significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that combined hypoxia with exercise may help to improve cardiometabolic parameters in obese people.

Effects of a minor surgery on health related quality of life in children from different perspectives / Efectos de una intervención quirúrgica menor sobre la calidad de vida en niños desde diferentes perspectivas.

Objective: To compare the health related quality of life (HRQoL) perceptions in parents and physician regarding the patient undergoing ambulatory surgery, and to analyse the evolution of HRQoL before and after the ambulatory surgery. Method: 36 patients underwent ambulatory surgical interventions taken part in this study. The questionnaires EQ-5D-Y were administered to the patients and questionnaires EQ-5D-Y proxy to parents and physicians. Variable TTO was used. Results: Statistical differences were found at baseline between answers of patients and physicians (p < 0.05). However, after surgery, answers of patients and proxies were similar. Conclusions: Paediatric patients undergone to a minor surgery improve HRQoL after the operation and this improvement goes on a month after the surgery.

Objetivo: Comparar la percepción de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) de padres y médico con respecto al paciente en población infantil sometida a una intervención quirúrgica menor, y analizar la progresión de la CVRS tras un mes de someterse a la intervención. Método: Participaron 36 pacientes sometidos a intervenciones quirúrgicas menores. Se les administró el cuestionario EQ-5D-Y, y su versión proxy correspondiente a los padres y al médico. Se utilizó la variable TTO. Resultados: Los pacientes refirieron un peor estado de salud, sobre todo en la dimensión de preocupación/tristeza, que los médicos en el preoperatorio (p < 0.05), pero la percepción postoperatoria fue similar en pacientes y adultos, atribuible al efecto techo por buena salud postoperatoria. Conclusiones: Los pacientes pediátricos sometidos a cirugía menor mejoran su CVRS tras la intervención, y esta mejora se mantiene tras un mes de la cirugía.

Changes in physiological and performance variables in non-professional triathletes after taking part in an Olympic distance triathlon.

Given increasing popularity of triathlon, the objective of this study was to evaluate the acute effects upon the health of triathletes. To do so, with a sample of 23 male athletes (34.4 ± 7.9 years old), an assessment was carried out both before and after an Olympic distance triathlon, of the bodily composition, the jumping ability and the BORG and VAS scales, as well as a blood analysis of the following: Lactate (mmol/L), Hematrocrit (%), Glucose (mg/dL), Total proteins (mg/dL), Triglycerides (mg/dL), Bilirubin (mg/dL), GOT (IU/L), GPT (IU/L), LDH (IU/L), CPK (IU/L). The results showed an increase (p < 0.001) in the different markers of metabolic stress and muscular damage following the triathlon, but always within a normal range considered to be healthy, with the exception of CPK (IU/L) (PRE 149.33 ± 108.16 vs POST 290.10 ± 102.48). Therefore, it would seem that competing in an Olympic-distance triathlon does not pose health risks for trained subjects.

Identifying talented track and field athletes: The impact of relative age effect on selection to the Spanish National Athletics Federation training camps.

This study examined the impact of relative age effect (RAE) on selection to the Spanish National Athletics Federation (RFEA) training camps (TC) between 2006 and 2013. Overall, 1,334 selected athletes at U15 years (cadet) and U17 years (juvenile) were compared against 27,711 licensed but unselected athletes for the same age groups. The results highlighted the influential role of the RAE on selection to national level track and field training camp opportunities. Interestingly, this effect was mediated by age and gender, where effects were stronger for both males and younger athletes (U15), with no evidence of RAE for older (U17) female athletes. These results support the "maturation-selection" hypothesis as a mechanism for RAE. Particularly given the long-term goals of RFEA (e.g., production of successful senior elite athletes), these results highlight the need to consider the impact of current selection processes on effective provision of opportunities to those athletes with most potential to succeed in the long term. A number of possible context-relevant solutions are discussed, including education and awareness raising, using holistic selection criteria and correction adjustments techniques.