Comparison of different VO2max scaling models in male and female non-obese and obese adults.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to identify the most appropriate allometric scaling model for expressing aerobic fitness, determined by maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), that would allow comparisons across differing body types. METHODS: VO2max and body composition data were collected from untrained non-obese and obese participants (N.=126). Allometric models were created using body mass (BM), fat-free mass (FFM), and leg FFM (LFFM) to determine the goodness-of-fit using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). RESULTS: Allometric scaled exponents adjusted for BM, FFM and LFFM were 0.67, 0.68 and 0.55, respectively. VO2max scaled to BM was 22% higher in non-obese individuals. Scaled to LFFM, V VO2max was only 7.5% higher in non-obese individuals as compared to obese individuals. Data showed a positive correlation (r=0.28; P=0.009) between VO2max and BM for non-obese participants and a negative correlation (r=-0.39; P=0.014) for obese participants. AIC values showed the LFFM model as the best fit (AICc = 0 "substantial support) and the AIC differences for FFM and BM were both >10 "no support" for the model (12.1 and 28.2, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Interpretation of aerobic power and comparisons would be most appropriate when allometrically scaled to the metabolically active tissue (LFFM). Bias is introduced when scaling to BM and comparing individuals of various body compositions.

External Training Load Monitoring and the Impact on Training Load Management in Collegiate Male Soccer Players.

ABSTRACT: Gdovin, JR, Galloway, R, Tomasiello, LS, Seabolt, M, and Booker, R. External training load monitoring and the impact on training load management in collegiate male soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 37(7): 1434-1439, 2023-Soccer is a physically demanding sport within the National Collegiate Athletic Association and continuously increases in popularity. To ensure athletes are adequately prepared for weekly physical stressors, coaches can use global positioning system technology to monitor external workloads and exercise intensity. These data can subsequently help coaches and practitioners better implement individualized training programs to ensure athletes are properly balancing the overreaching and overtraining paradigm. Therefore, the purpose of this observational study was to retrospectively analyze 3 consecutive seasons of external workload (total and high intensity distance) and injury data, which were derived from all training sessions and matches in 46 Division-I collegiate male soccer players. A coach's interpretation sought to provide practical insight into the functionality behind load management and how it prepares athletes for the physical stressors placed on them throughout a season. Two separate 3 × 3 repeated measures ANOVAs were conducted to determine differences between total distance and distance at high-intensity with an alpha level set at 0.05. Total distance between preseason and in-season ( p = 0.003), acute high-intensity distance ( p < 0.001), and chronic high-intensity distance ( p < 0.001) yielded significant differences. These results conclude the demands of each athlete change weekly and between seasons. It is recommended that sport coaches and practitioners develop individualized training programs by workload monitoring while considering variables such as a team's style of play, experience, position, role within a program, training intensity, and the length of time between conditioning sessions, practices, and matches.

Aortic stiffness increases during prolonged sitting independent of intermittent standing or prior exercise.

INTRODUCTION: Adverse vascular responses can occur during prolonged sitting, including stiffening of the aortic artery which may contribute to cardiovascular disease. Few studies have investigated the impact of intermittent standing and/or prior exercise as strategies to attenuate these potentially deleterious vascular changes. PURPOSE: To investigate central vascular health responses during prolonged sitting, with and without intermittent standing and/or prior exercise. METHODS: Fifteen males aged 18 to 31 years were recruited. Subjects completed a control condition [Sitting Only (SO)], and three randomized strategy conditions [Sitting Plus Standing (SSt), Exercise Plus Sitting (ES), Exercise Plus Sitting Plus Standing (ESSt)]. For all conditions, measurements of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) were taken at pre- and post-intervention, and brachial and central blood pressure (BP) at pre-, 1-h, 2-h, and 3-h intervention. RESULTS: cfPWV significantly increased from pre- to post-intervention for all conditions (all p ≤ 0.043), as did brachial mean arterial pressure (MAP) and diastolic BP, and central MAP and diastolic BP for the control condition (all p ≤ 0.022). Brachial and central systolic BP were significantly higher during SO compared to ESSt at 1 h, and compared to ES for central systolic BP (all p ≤ 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: Strategies of intermittent standing and/or prior exercise may not prevent aortic stiffening during sitting but may attenuate BP elevations in the brachial and aortic arteries. Future research should investigate causal mechanistic links between sitting and aortic stiffening, and other attenuation strategies.

Differences between preemptive and non-preemptive physical activity among 'drunkorexia'-positive college students.

Objective: 'Drunkorexia' is characterized by compensating for alcohol-related calories using physical activity (PA). Drunkorexia is common on college campuses but little is known about the PA behaviors within the drunkorexia paradigm. Methods: First-year college students living on campus completed an online survey collecting drunkorexia, PA, and alcohol consumption data. A total of 127 participants reported engaging in drunkorexia behaviors. Results: Fifty-three participants were classified as preemptively physically active (e.g., PA and drink on Tuesday) compared to 74 as non-preemptively physically active. Preemptively physically active participants consumed more alcohol on Fridays and Saturdays than those non-preemptively physically active. Preemptively physically active participants engaged in significantly greater amounts PA. Females accounted for all significant differences between groups. Discussion: Among drunkorexia-positive participants, many made preemptive efforts to control their calories before consuming alcohol, which may predispose them to higher incidences of adverse outcomes such as alcohol poisoning, unwanted sexual advances, and death.

Relationship between physical activity intensities and drunkorexia severity among first-year college students.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate the relationship between intensities of physical activity and severity of drunkorexia behaviors. Participants: First-year college students living in residence halls (n = 127) completed an online survey comprising drinking, drunkorexia, and physical activity. Methods: Multiple hierarchical linear regressions were implemented to examine if physical activity intensity correlates to drunkorexia severity. Results: Vigorous physical activity was the only physical activity intensity significantly associated with severity of drunkorexia behaviors. Conclusions: First-year college students' duration of vigorous physical activity in relation to severity of drunkorexia behaviors may vary contingently on the motivation for vigorous physical activity. Practitioners need to consider physical activity can be a co-occurring risk behavior in combination with alcohol misuse.

The Case for Vigorous Physical Activity in Youth.

Although it is widely recognized that regular physical activity is associated with a variety of health-related benefits in youths, the extent to which vigorous physical activity, as opposed to moderate or light physical activity, may be especially beneficial for youths is not completely understood. This review will examine the evidence for the efficacy of vigorous physical activity for promoting the well-being of youths as indicated by body composition, physical fitness, cardiometabolic biomarkers, and cognitive function. Potential caveats associated with the promotion of vigorous physical activity among youths will also be discussed, as will the inclusion of vigorous physical activity in current recommendations by national organizations for physical activity among youths.

Childhood obesity and the metabolic syndrome.

Although research published during the past year suggests the prevalence of childhood obesity in the USA may have plateaued, it remains unacceptably high and places large numbers of youths at elevated risk of chronic diseases. The concept of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is frequently used to help capture this increased risk. Use of the MetS concept with children remains controversial, however. Addressing issues related to the definition of the MetS and its utility in clinical and research settings has generated a variety of recent investigative efforts. At the same time, the past year revealed a number of promising prevention and treatment interventions for childhood obesity and the MetS. Still unknown, however, is the optimal combination of diet, exercise, and other behavioral changes for improving the obesity and MetS status of children. These issues are the subject of this review.