Body Composition and Energy Expenditure in Youth With Spina Bifida: Protocol for a Multisite, Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Obesity prevalence in youth with spina bifida is higher than in their typically developing peers. Obesity is associated with lifelong medical, psychological, and economic burdens. Successful prevention or treatment of obesity in individuals with spina bifida is compromised by (1) the lack of valid and reliable methods to identify body fat in a clinical setting and (2) limited data on energy expenditure that are necessary to provide daily caloric recommendations. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study will be to develop 2 algorithms for use in youth with spina bifida in a clinical setting, one to model body fat and one to predict total daily energy expenditure. In addition, physical activity and dietary intake will be described for the sample. METHODS: This multisite, prospective, national clinical study will enroll 232 youth with myelomeningocele aged 5 to 18 years (stratified by age and mobility). Participants will be enrolled for 1 week. Data obtained include 4 measures of body composition, up to 5 height measures, a ramped activity protocol, and a nutrition and physical activity screener. Participants will wear an accelerometer for the week. On the final study day, 2 samples of urine or saliva, which complete the doubly labeled water protocol, will be obtained. The analysis will include descriptive statistics, Bland-Altman plots, concordance correlation, and regression analysis. RESULTS: The study received extramural federal funding in July 2019. Data collection was initiated in March 2020. As of April 2024, a total of 143 (female participants: n=76, 53.1%; male participants: n=67, 46.9%) out of 232 participants have been enrolled. Data collection is expected to continue throughout 2024. A no-cost extension until November 2025 will be requested for data analysis and dissemination of findings. CONCLUSIONS: This study furthers previous pilot work that confirmed the acceptability and feasibility of obtaining alternate height, body composition, and energy expenditure measures. The findings from this study will enhance screening, prevention, and treatment of abnormal weight status by facilitating the accurate identification of youths' weight status category and recommendations of daily caloric needs for this population that is at higher risk of obesity. Furthermore, the findings have the potential to impact outcomes for youth diagnosed with disabilities other than spina bifida who experience similar challenges related to alterations in body composition or fat distribution or measurement challenges secondary to mobility issues or musculoskeletal problems. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/52779.

Postural balance and functional mobility in relation to BMI and body composition among female students at a College of Applied Medical Sciences: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to compare different Body Mass Index (BMI) categories, body composition parameters, postural balance, and functional mobility among female students at a College of Applied Medical Sciences; and examine the relationship between BMI and body composition with postural balance and functional mobility among female students at the college of applied medical sciences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female students, aged 18‒25 years old. They were subdivided into four groups according to their BMI category: underweight, normal, overweight, or obese, with n = 20 participants in each group. A Bioelectrical Impedance Human Body Analyzer (BIA) was used to assess the following body composition parameters: Fat Percentage (FATP), fat mass, muscle mass, and Total Body Water (TBW). A NeuroCom Balance Master was used to assess postural balance and functional mobility. A Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was employed to assess functional mobility. All data were analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: Participants' ages and heights were matched (p > 0.05). However, there were variables that were statistically significantly higher in terms of weight, BMI and body composition, including FATP, fat mass, muscle mass, and TBW (p = 0.000), among the obese group. Moreover, postural balance was lower among the obese group. There was a significant relationship between BMI and body composition variables in respect of postural balance but not in relation to functional mobility. CONCLUSION: Postural instability but not functional mobility was related to higher BMI and body composition values among the study groups.

Appendicular lean mass index and motor function in ambulatory patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Appendicular lean mass index (ALMI) has been linked to motor function in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). However, quantification of the relationship between ALMI and disease-specific clinical outcome assessment trajectories is needed. The purpose of this study was to determine associations between dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) derived estimates of ALMI and motor function in ambulatory patients with DMD. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of longitudinal clinical visit data from 137 glucocorticoid-treated patients with DMD collected via structured motor assessment protocol evaluated associations between ALMI and motor function indexed by the North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) and 10 Meter Walk/run Test (10MWT). Body composition was assessed using DXA. ALMI was calculated by dividing arm and leg lean mass by height in m2; fat mass index (FMI) was calculated by dividing whole body fat mass by height in m2. Linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate associations between ALMI and motor function, controlling for age and FMI. RESULTS: The full prediction model (age, age,2 ALMI, and FMI) explained 57% of the variance in NSAA scores and 63% of the variance in 10MWT speed. A 1 kg/m2 higher ALMI value predicted a 5.4-point higher NSAA score (p < .001) and 0.45 m/s faster 10MWT speed (p < .001). A 1 kg/m2 higher FMI value predicted a 1.5-point lower NSAA score (p < .001) and 0.14 meters/second slower 10MWT speed (p < .001). DISCUSSION: DXA-derived estimates of ALMI and FMI are associated with motor function in DMD and may explain variation in DMD disease progression.

Association of Sarcopenia and Oxygen Uptake Efficiency Slope in Male Patients With Heart Failure.

PURPOSE: Sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass and function, is a common comorbidity in patients with heart failure (HF). The skeletal muscle modulates the respiratory response during exercise. However, whether ventilatory behavior is affected by sarcopenia is still unknown. METHODS: We enrolled 169 male patients with HF. Muscle strength was measured by a handgrip dynamometer. Body composition was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Sarcopenia was defined by handgrip strength <27 kg and appendicular lean mass divided by height squared (ALM/height 2 ) <7.0 kg/m 2 . Oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES), ventilation (VE), oxygen uptake (VO 2 ), and carbon dioxide output (VCO 2 ) were measured by a cardiopulmonary exercise test. RESULTS: Sarcopenia was identified in 29 patients (17%). At the first ventilatory threshold, VE/VO 2 (36.9 ± 5.9 vs 32.7 ± 6.5; P = .003) and VE/VCO 2 (39.8 ± 7.2 vs 35.3 ± 6.9; P = .004) were higher in patients with sarcopenia compared to those without sarcopenia. At the exercise peak, compared to patients without sarcopenia, patients with sarcopenia had lower OUES (1186 ± 295 vs 1634 ± 564; P < .001), relative VO 2 (16.2 ± 5.0 vs 19.5 ± 6.5 mL/kg/min; P = .01), and VE (47.3 ± 10.1 vs 63.0 ± 18.2 L/min; P < .0001), while VE/VCO 2 (42.9 ± 8.9 vs 38.7 ± 8.4; P = .025) was increased. OUES was positively correlated with ALM/height 2 ( r = 0.36; P < .0001) and handgrip strength ( r = 0.31; P < .001). Hemoglobin (OR = 1.149; 95% CI, 0.842-1.570; P = .038), ALM/height 2 (OR = 2.166; 95% CI, 1.338-3.504; P = .002), and VO 2peak (OR = 1.377; 95% CI, 1.218-1.557; P < .001) were independently associated with OUES adjusted by cofounders. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that sarcopenia is related to impaired ventilatory response during exercise in patients with HF.

Impact of high fat and low lean mass phenotype on bone mineral content: A cross-sectional study of Chinese adolescent population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Research on body composition phenotypes and bone health in adolescents is limited. Hence, this study aimed to analyze the relationship between different body composition phenotypes, bone mineral content, and bone metabolism markers in Chinese adolescents. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 1852 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years were selected from six schools in Yinchuan City between 2017 and 2020 using stratified cluster random sampling. The participant's body composition and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Serum bone metabolic markers (OC, CTX, and Ca) were measured. Based on their FMI and LMI, individuals were categorized into four body composition phenotypes: low fat mass-low lean mass (LFMI-LLMI), low fat mass-high lean mass (LFMI-HLMI), high fat mass-high lean mass (HFMI-HLMI), high fat mass-low lean mass (HFMI-LLMI). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the four different body composition phenotypes with BMC, CTX and Ca in boys (all P < 0.05), similar conclusions were found in girls, except the OC and CTX. After adjusting for age, gender, smoking, drinking, and others, compared with the LFMI-HLMI reference group, the two high FMI groups (HFMI-LLMI and HFMI-HLMI) had a greater negative correlation with BMC, while the low BMC risk of the HFMI-LLMI group was the highest (OR = 33.28; 95%CI: 11.12-99.63; P < 0.001). The correlation between BMC of different body composition phenotypes in boys was greater than that in girls. HFMI-HLMI is a risk phenotype negatively associated with Ca content (ß = -0.12; 95%CI: -0.19 to -0.04; P < 0.05). Regardless of body composition level, BMC was always negatively correlated with fat mass (LLMI: ß = -0.27; 95%CI: -0.32-0.21; HLMI: ß = -0.52, 95%CI: -0.65-0.40) and positively correlated with lean mass (LFMI: ß =0.24; 95%CI: 0.20-0.28; HFMI: ß =0.23, 95%CI:0.13-0.33) (all P < 0.001). The fat mass showed different correlations with OC and CTX in girls and boys based on LLMI or HLMI (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: HFMI-LLMI is a risk phenotype of low BMC in Chinese adolescents, and the relationship between fat mass and bone metabolism markers is affected by lean body mass and gender.

Agreement and differences between the equations for estimating muscle and bone mass using the anthropometric method in recreational strength trainees.

Introduction: The interest in estimating muscle mass (MM) and bone mass (BM) has grown in the sporting arena, and more specifically in recreational strength trainees, leading to the creation of different strategies to assess them. The aims were: 1) to investigate the agreement between different MM and BM formulas, and the muscle-bone index (MBI), and to establish the differences between them, in a healthy young adult population; and 2) to analyze if there are differences between males and females in the comparison of MM, BM and MBI formulas. Methods: This study followed a descriptive cross-sectional design. A total of 130 adult active recreational strength trainees were evaluated according to the procedures described by the International Society for the Advancement in Kinanthropometry (ISAK). Estimations were made in kilograms of MM and BM by following the equations by different authors. Results: The results showed significant differences between the values obtained by all the MM and BM formulas in the general sample (p < 0.001), and by the majority of formulas for male and female samples. In the general sample, Lin's coefficient indicated a strong agreement between Kerr, Lee, and Poortmans' MM estimation equations (concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) = 0.96-0.97). However, when stratifying by sex, this agreement persisted only in males (CCC = 0.90-0.94), in contrast with a lack of agreement observed in females (CCC < 0.90). Discrepancies in bone mass agreement were noted both in the general sample (CCC < 0.15) and when stratified by sex (CCC < 0.12). Conclusions: In general, differences were found between the values reported by the MM and BM formulas in recreational strength trainees, without an agreement between them. Sex was shown to significantly influence the differences found. The practical implications are that when comparing an individual with reference tables, other studies, or if analyzing an individual's evolution, the same estimation equation should be used, as they are not interchangeable.

High muscular fitness level may positively affect bone strength and body composition in children with overweight and obesity.

Muscular fitness plays a major role in bone health and body composition in overweight and obese children. It is key that the development of this muscle fitness is affected by absolute isometric strength and dynamic strength. PURPOSE: To compare bone health and body composition between overweight/obese children considering muscular fitness (MF) levels, and to investigate whether weight-bearing dynamic or absolute isometric strength, both involved in the development of this muscular fitness, are more related with bone health. METHODS: MF of 59 overweight or obese children (10.1 ± 0.9 years, 27 females) was measured by a countermovement jump (CMJ), handgrip, and maximal isometric strength of knee extension. Participants were divided into four groups depending on their MF level performing a cluster analysis: 16 children with high MF (HMF) in all tests, 18 with high performance in isometric strength (HIS), 15 with high performance in CMJ (HCMJ) and 10 low isometric and low dynamic force values (LMF). Body composition values were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and bone strength values were assessed by peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Motor skills were evaluated using TGMD-3. Multivariate analysis of covariance test was applied to analyse bone strength differences between children in the different MF groups, using maturity offset, height and weight as covariates, and correlations were investigated. RESULTS: HMF excelled in bone health. HIS had higher cortical bone area, periosteal circumference, bone mass, polar strength strain index and fracture load than LMF, while HCMJ only showed better results in trabecular bone area than LMF. HMF had significantly better values of fracture load and periosteal and endosteal circumferences than HCMJ, but not than HIS. CONCLUSIONS: High MF level shows positive effects on bone health in overweight/obese children. Those with highest isometric strength had better bone health compared to those with higher dynamic strength. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The research project was registered in a public database Clinicaltrials.gov in June 2020 with the identification number NCT04418713.

Metabolic Rate Suppression and Maintenance of Flight Muscle Metabolic Capacity during Diapause in Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens) Queens.

AbstractThe common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) queens endure cold winter months by entering a diapause state. During this overwintering period, these animals use stored energy reserves while maintaining a low metabolic rate. This study investigates changes in the metabolic rate of bumble bee queens during diapause-like laboratory conditions and the potential reorganization of the flight muscle metabolic properties during this period. We first confirmed the hypometabolic state of queens during diapause in the laboratory, which lowered their resting metabolic rate to less than 5% of normal resting values. Body mass decreased during diapause, body composition changed where carbohydrates decreased initially, and later protein declined, with a similar trend for lipid content. Using cellular respirometry, we determined the capacity of the flight muscle cells of bumble bee queens to use various metabolic fuels and whether this capacity changes during the progression of diapause to favor stored lipid-derived substrates. Queens showed a low capacity to oxidize the amino acid proline, compared with workers, and their capacity to oxidize all metabolic substrates did not change during a 4-mo diapause period in the laboratory. We also show no detectable ability to oxidize fatty acid by flight muscle mitochondria in this species. The metabolic properties of flight muscle tissue were further characterized using metabolic enzyme activity profiles showing little change during diapause, indicating that profound metabolic suppression is induced without major changes in muscle metabolic phenotypes. Overall, B. impatiens queens undergo diapause while maintaining flight muscle capacity under the conditions used.

Predicting sports performance of elite female football players through smart wearable measurement platform.

Recent development of information technology and wearable devices has led to the analysis of multidimensional sports information and the enhancement of athletes' sports performance convenient and potentially more efficient. In this study, we present a novel data platform tailored for capturing athletes' cognitive, physiological, and body composition data. This platform incorporates diverse visualization modes, enabling athletes and coaches to access data seamlessly. Fourteen elite female football players (average age=20.6±1.3years; 3 forwards, 5 midfielders, 4 defenders, and 2 goalkeepers) were recruited from National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan, as the primary observational group, and 12 female university students without regular sport/exercise habits (average age=21.6±1.3years) were recruited as control group. Through multidimensional data analysis, we identified significant differences in limb muscle mass and several cognitive function scores (e.g., reaction times of attention and working memory) between elite female football varsity team and general female university students. Furthermore, 1-month heart rate data obtained from wearable devices revealed a significant negative correlation between average heart rate median and cognitive function scores. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of this platform as an efficient multidimensional data collection and analysis platform. Therefore, valuable insights between cognitive functions, physiological signals and body composition can be obtained via this multidimensional platform for facilitating sports performance.

Association between physical activity, body composition, and cognitive performance among female office workers.

Regular physical activity can potentially prevent cognitive decline. While most studies focused on the general decline of the elderly and child and adolescent population, aging is a gradual process and cognitive decline can commence in middle age. Other than the middle-aged working population, gender-specific nuances are another overlooked area regarding the relationship between physical activity and cognitive performance. Therefore, this study examines the associations and benefits of maintaining regular physical activity habits with cognitive function and body composition in middle-aged female office workers. The results show that middle-aged females exhibited age-related declines in working memory, while no significant age-related changes are observed in reaction time and executive function. However, the regular exercise group demonstrates the ability to maintain their cognitive performance across age, unlike the sedentary group, who experiences declines in reaction time and executive function with age. Our findings highlight the significant impact of age on specific cognitive functions in middle-aged females and the positive influence of regular exercise on cognitive performance. Furthermore, this study demonstrates the potential of "the Brain Gym" App for efficient cognitive function assessment. The findings underscore the importance of regular exercise for cognitive well-being in middle-aged females and provide valuable insights into the relationship between body composition and cognitive function.

Muscle strength and body composition in obese adults following nine months of yoga or nutrition advice: A comparative controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Muscle strength is impaired in obese persons due to low physical activity, obesity-related modifications in muscle morphology and as a consequence of calorie regulation (where applicable). Previously decreased BMI and increased hand grip strength was reported following a short duration yoga intervention in obese adults. METHODS: The present comparative controlled study was conducted on two hundred and ninety seven obese adults (BMI ≥25 Kg/M2) aged between 20 and 59 years, to determine the effects of nine months of yoga or nutrition advice on muscle strength and body composition. Participants were assessed for bilateral hand grip strength, leg and back strength, and body composition at baseline, after 3 months, 6 months and 9 months of yoga or nutrition advice. BMI-adjusted bilateral hand grip strength and leg and back strength were calculated. RESULTS: In the linear mixed model analyses, there was a significant interaction effect of Time X Groups for (i) right hand grip strength (F3,668.465 = 9.297, p < 0.001), (ii) left hand grip strength (F3,673.408 = 14.469, p < 0.001), (iii) BMI-adjusted right hand grip strength (F3,650.542 = 9.954, p < 0.001) and (iv) BMI-adjusted left hand grip strength (F3,655.518 = 13.853, p < 0.001). Bonferroni corrected post-hoc analyses (padj < 0.05; in all cases) showed a significant increase in (i) bilateral hand grip strength and (ii) BMI-adjusted right and left hand grip strength in the yoga group while a decrease in (i) bilateral hand grip strength and (ii) BMI-adjusted right and left hand grip strength in the nutrition advice group. CONCLUSION: Yoga practice appears to protect and increase upper limb muscle strength in obese adults.

Validation of assessments to accurately analyze the body composition of highly trained sitting volleyball players: A pilot study.

Body composition is a fundamental component of physical fitness related to the performance of Sitting volleyball (SV) players. Also, establishing the best method for evaluating the body composition of these para-athletes would be highly necessary for this field. The purpose of this study was (1) to describe the body composition of male and female highly trained SV players, (2) to compare the values obtained from this population by two different methods and (3) to establish validity on one of these methods. Thirteen Brazilian SV national team players (five males and eight females) participated in this study. The air-displacement plethysmography (ADP) method as the criterion assessment and the skinfolds (SF) method were conducted for each player. Results showed that there were no significant differences between the values of all players, which ADP and SF measured for body fat percentage (BF%) and body density (BD) (p > 0.05). We found significantly different values between male and female players for BF% by SF (p = 0.04) and BD by SF (p = 0.04). A high degree of reliability was found between ADP and SF measures for BF% and BD. There were statistically significant positive correlations between BF% and BD in all values for both methods (p < 0.01). This pilot study suggests that considering the magnitude of space, expense, and other limitations related to the ADP method against the SF method, we recommend using the SF method, which is a valid, viable and reliable method for measuring body composition in elite SV players.

Effects of different resistance training programmings on the relative strength, body composition, anthropometric variables, and metabolic risk of elderly women.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of two different programming models of resistance training (RT) on metabolic risk, anthropometric variables, and relative strength in elderly women. The research was a prospective and comparative longitudinal study with a non-probabilistic random sample. Twenty-two elderly women (64 ± 3 years) was divided into two experimental groups being the Linear programming (LP, n = 12) and Daily undulatory programming (DUP, n = 10), with 3 sessions/week for 12 weeks. Submaximal strength (10RM) was evaluated in the horizontal leg press (HL), pulldown (PD), leg curl (LC), vertical bench press (BP), and leg extension (LE). Anthropometric variables, food intake (R24h) and submaximal strength (10RM) was analyzed. Participants were initially classified as overweight or obese evaluated by body mass index (BMI) and percentual of fat mass (%FM) and with moderate to high risk to develop metabolic diseases evaluated by hip-waist ratio (HWR), waist-height ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (WC). There is no change for metabolic risk and anthropometric variables after the intervention period. There was a significant improvement for relative strength accessed by 10RM and body weight (10RM/BW), and lean body mass (10RM/LBM) (p < 0.05), with large or medium effect size for most of variables after 12 weeks of RT. As a conclusion, both programmings increased relative strength after 12 weeks of RT with attenuated change in body composition and metabolic risk in elderly women in both programming groups and all those strategies can be used in elderly women to improve strength.

Effect of combined physical exercise on inflammatory markers and the relationship with body composition in young women.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of eight weeks of combined physical exercise of moderate intensity on inflammatory markers, as well as its relationship with body composition in young women recently admitted to a Public Institution of Higher Education. METHODS: Longitudinal, intervention study, in which 59 female participants aged 18-25 years were evaluated before and after a combined physical exercise program for eight weeks. Blood samples were collected before and after the intervention for analysis of C-reactive protein and inflammatory cytokines. Weight and height were measured to calculate body mass index and body composition was evaluated by Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry before and after the intervention. Statistical analyzes performed were t-test, Willcoxon test and Spearman's correlation. This study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee and the Free and Informed Consent Form was signed by all participants. RESULTS: After the intervention, there was a reduction in the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF and IL-12), while the anti-inflammatory (IL-10) and CRP did not change; reduction in the total body gynoid fat mass and in the percentage of body fat; increased trunk and total muscle mass. Body composition was negatively correlated with the pro-inflammatory interleukins IL-1ß and IL-6 and positively correlated with CRP. CONCLUSIONS: Combined physical exercise for eight weeks acted to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, fat mass and increase in muscle mass. Inflammatory markers correlated with body fat before the intervention, suggesting the participation of visceral adipose tissue in the release of these markers in female university students.

Lower levels of plasma syndecan-4 are associated with loss of body weight and fat-free mass after bariatric surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Bariatric surgery induces a significant loss of both fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM). The proteoglycan receptor syndecan-4 (SDC4) plays a crucial role in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle functions. Thus, this study was performed (i) to assess plasma SDC4 levels after both Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) surgeries, and (ii) to explore potential associations with changes in body composition variables. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (17 females) with severe obesity underwent SG (n = 13) or RYGB (n = 13) and were followed up to 1 year (1Y). Body weight, FM, FFM, and SCD4 were measured at baseline (BL), and at week 11 (W11) and 1Y after surgery. Independently of procedure, there was a significant body weight loss at W11, with an average FM and FFM reduction of 13.7 ± 0.6 kg and 5.3 ± 0.5 kg, respectively. Participants continued to lose weight afterwards, with a total weigth loss of 38.2 ± 1.5 kg at 1Y. No associations were found at BL between SDC4 levels and any anthropometric variable; however, SDC4 levels were lower than BL at both W11 and 1Y, independently of type of surgery. Additionally, changes in SDC4 between BL and 1Y were positively correlated with weight and FFM loss during the same period. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04051190 on 09/08/2019.

Use of electrical bioimpedance in the assessment of sarcopenia in the older aldults: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: to map and synthesize the main evidence on the use of bioelectrical impedance (BIA) and its variables in the assessment of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: This is a scoping review carried out by searching for articles available in four databases: PUBMED, LILACS, Web of Science and CINAHL, with the following search strategy: Body Composition AND Sarcopenia AND ″electric impedance'' OR ″bioelectrical impedance analysis'' AND Aged. RESULTS: A total of 27,660 older adults made up the sum of the samples of the included studies. Most studies included participants of both sexes (75.6%), used the variable skeletal and/or appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) (75.6%), followed by body fat (8.1%), and phase angle (8.1%) in the assessment of the body composition of subjects with sarcopenia. CONCLUSION: The data from this research show that ASMM and phase angle are the main variables related to sarcopenia screening in community-dwelling older adults. Whereas total extracellular water/body water is still considered a confounding variable in the screening of sarcopenia in the elderly, but it can be considered useful regarding the health conditions of the elderly in the community.

The Role of Sports Club Participation on Stability of Motor Performance and Body Composition: A Longitudinal Study in Primary School Children.

Methods: MP and BC of 295 children (161 girls) with a mean age of 8.42 ± 0.36 years were measured annually with the German Motor Test 6-18. Based on self-reports, children were divided into three groups according to consistent (CON), partial (PAR), and nonparticipation (NO) in SC. NO and PAR were then combined into NO-PAR. The stability of MP and BC was determined using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). Associations of SC participation, MP, and BC were examined using robust mixed-model ANOVA (mmANOVA) additionally with first grade as covariate (ANCOVA). Results: More girls (39%) than boys (25%) were classified in PAR. The stability of MP (r = .755) and BMI (r = .889) was moderately high. Children in CON (r = .847) showed lower stability in BMI than NO-PAR (r = .923). mmANOVA revealed better overall MP for both sexes in CON except for balance and BMI. Boys in CON showed better performance in flexibility, endurance, and speed than NO-PAR. ANCOVA confirmed unadjusted results for boys. Conclusion: Lower stability of BMI due to CON indicates a greater variance in ranking and thus the chance to adjust weight management in childhood. Girls' MP benefited less from SC participation, which may be due to their more frequent rates in PAR. Therefore, interventions to increase engagement in SC should focus on a stepwise approach from none to partial and finally to long-term participation.

Strength training as a non-pharmacological alternative to improve body composition, and quality of life in people with spinal cord injury: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Spinal cord injuries (SCI) have physiological, emotional, and economic consequences in the lives of affected people. Resistance training (RT) is efficient in improving several physiological factors, quality of life, and body composition. Due to the scarce literature on the analysis of isolated RT, the objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the effects of RT without the association of other techniques, in aspects related to the quality of life and body composition of people with SCI. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The research was carried out in databases such as Pubmed, Cochrane, and Web of Science using the terms ("Spinal cord injury") AND (("Resistance Training") OR ("Strength training")). Given the lack of evidence on the subject, no deadline was set for the study to be eligible for analysis. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: The search for the articles was carried out in November of 2023 and returned 470 results, of which 315 remained after the elimination of duplicates, with 281 being excluded after title analysis. A total of 34 abstracts were analyzed and 29 studies were excluded, leaving 5 complete articles for thorough analysis. CONCLUSIONS: After analyzing the main results, we concluded that RT promotes significant improvements in body composition, pain, stress and depression symptoms, increased functionality, physical awareness, and quality of life.

Impact of a 16-week strength training program on physical performance, body composition and cardiac remodeling in previously untrained women and men.

Even if more and more women are involved in strength-training (ST) programs in fitness centers, studies on strength gain, body composition, and cardiac remodeling were mainly conducted in men and whether they are similar in women remains to be explored. In this context, the aim of our study was to assess the effect of a supervised ST program on strength gains, body composition, and cardiac remodeling in previously untrained women and men. 17 healthy and previously untrained young women and 17 young men participated in a supervised 16-week ST program built according to the recommendation of the American College of Sports Medicine in terms of intensity, and strictly using similar volume and intensity in both groups. Strength performance, body composition, and cardiac remodeling were evaluated every 4 weeks. Cardiac adaptations were assessed using resting echocardiography, including regional 2D-Strain analysis of the left atrium and ventricle (LA and LV, respectively). Despite lower values at baseline, women exhibited similar or even higher strength gains compared to men. ST induced a decrease of body and abdominal fat mass and an increase of lean body mass in both groups. Similar cardiac remodeling was observed in women, and women, including an early and progressive LV and LA enlargement throughout the ST program, without any alteration of LV diastolic and systolic functions. These findings underlie that ST programs are highly suitable for women to enhance their strength performance and their cardiovascular health.