Predictors of competitive achievement among pubescent synchronized swimmers: an analysis of the solo-figure competition.

AIM: This study examined the applicability of sport-specific fitness tests (SSTs), anthropometrics, and respiratory parameters in predicting competitive results among pubescent synchronized swimmers. METHODS: A total of 25 synchronized swimmers (16-17 years; 166.2 ± 5.4 cm; and 58.4 ± 4.3 kg) volunteered for this study. The independent variables were body mass, body height, Body Mass Index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%), lean body mass percentage, respiratory variables, and four SSTs (two specific power tests plus one aerobic- and one anaerobic-endurance test). The dependent variable was competitive achievement in the solo figure competition. The reliability analyses, Pearson's correlation coefficient and forward stepwise regression were calculated. RESULTS: The SSTs were reliable for testing fitness status among pubescent synchronized swimmers. The forward stepwise regression retained two SSTs, BF% and forced vital capacity (FVC, relative for age and stature) in a set of predictors of competitive achievement. Significant Beta coefficients are found for aerobic-endurance, SST and FVC. CONCLUSION: The sport-specific measure of aerobic endurance and FVC appropriately predicted competitive achievement with regard to the figures used in the competition when competitive results (the dependent variable) were obtained. Athletes and coaches should be aware of the probable negative influence of very low body fat levels on competitive achievement.

Fetal macrosomia--pregnancy and delivery.

The authors have studied pregnancy, delivery and early neonatal status of macrosomic infants (> or = 4000 g) delivered between January 1, 1984, and December 31, 1992. The control group comprised age--and parity--matched pregnant women and their newborns weighing 3000 to 3999 g. From 9980 singleton pregnancies, 2021 (20.3%) macrosomics were delivered. The incidence of macrosomia was 16.7% in the primiparous group, 23.1% in the parity 2-4 group, and 28.2% in the multiparous group (parity > or = 5) (P < 0.001). The rates of macrosomic infants for pregnant adolescents (aged < or = 19 years), pregnant women aged 20-34 years and old pregnant women (> or = 35 years) were 12.0%, 20.6% and 21.5%, respectively (P < 0.001). Macrosomia was not influenced by occupation and antenatal visits (P > 0.05). The rates of > or = 16 kg weight gain in the macrosomic and control groups were 36.2% (mean 14.30 +/- 4.66 kg) and 16.7% (mean 12.18 +/- 4.82 kg), respectively (t = 12.05; P < 0.001). Of 546 pregnant women with fetal macrosomia subjected to oral GT testing, glucose intolerance was found in 20.0% and gestational diabetes in 4.8%. The rates of glucose intolerance and gestational diabetes in 259 control subjects were 13.9% and 2.3%, respectively (P < 0.05). Light (index 1-4) and moderate (index 5-7) forms of EPH gestosis were more common in the macrosomic group, whereas no difference was observed for severe forms (index > or = 8) between the groups (P > 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Use of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs in specialty polyclinic practice]. / Primjena nesteroidnih antiinflamatornih lijekova u specijalistickoj poliklinickoj praksi.

A retrospective investigation of the prescription of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSA) was performed in the Rheumatologic out-patient-institute in Zagreb, including 1000 patients of both sexes, aged 20-70 years. 500 outpatients were treated by NSA during 1987 and 1989 respectively for lumbosacral syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and coxarthrosis. The kind of NSA as well as the registered side-effects were analysed from case histories. During 1987, NSA were applied to 365 (73%) and during 1989 to 390 (78%) of the 500 patients. In both groups a phenyl-acetic acid derivative (diclophenac) was most often applied, followed by propionic acid derivatives and oxycams. The most rarely applied drugs were indol-acetic acid derivatives. Pyrazolones were given only to 2 patients with an acute flare of ankylosing spondylitis in 1987. A gastro-duodenal ulcer was the absolute counterindication for this kind of treatment. The number of side-effects in this investigation was relatively small (6.5% in 1987 and 5% in 1989), probably because this investigation was a retrospective one. The most common among them appeared in the gastro-intestinal tract.

Endoscopic studies of nabumetone in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A comparative endoscopic and histologic evaluation.

Gastric tolerance to 1 g of nabumetone administered in a single nightly dose was assessed in two trials in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Gastroscopy and histology of mucosal biopsy specimens were performed before and after the end of treatment in both trials. Trial 1 was an open study that compared the effects of 1 g of nabumetone at night with those of naproxen (dose, 500 mg twice daily) and indomethacin (dose, 50 mg three times daily) in 41 hospitalized patients. After three weeks of treatment, nabumetone was significantly better tolerated than naproxen or indomethacin. Trial 2 was a randomized trial with 24 patients per group that compared 1 g of nabumetone given at night with 250 mg of naproxen given in the morning and 500 mg given at night for a period of three months. This single-blind study revealed that the number of patients with microscopic or macroscopic mucosal lesions was significantly smaller following intake of nabumetone. Concerning efficacy, as judged clinically by a rheumatologist, treatment with nabumetone was superior as well.