The comparative measurement of body segment parameters using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry between sexes.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to determine the proportion of the body segments in relation to the total body mass in healthy people, as well as analyze the composition of each segment and compare these results between sexes. METHODS: A total of 60 young adults (30 men and 30 women) were subjected to a full-body scan by dual energy X-rays absorptiometry (DXA) under standardized conditions. The regions of interest (ROI) were determined by a single trained evaluator. The body was divided into 16 segments to obtain values of total mass, lean mass (LM), fat mass, bone mineral content (BMC), lean mass percentage (%LM) and fat mass percentage (%FM) of each body segment represented by the 16 ROI. RESULTS: Men presented higher absolute mass in the upper limbs (Δ=32.87%; P<0.05). The proportion of the lower limbs (Δ=6.83%; P<0.05) and trunk (Δ=5.07%; P<0.05) of men is higher than women. In addition, males have more LM in the upper limbs (Δ=42.19%; P<0.05) and trunk (Δ=26.46%; P<0.001), and more BMC in the trunk (Δ=18.78%; P<0.05) and forearms (Δ=32.21%; P<0.05). They also present higher %LM (Δ=6.48%; P<0.001) and lower %FM (Δ=54.43%; P<0.001) than women in the forearms. CONCLUSIONS: The different body segments represent a different percentage of the total body mass in men than in women, as well as men present more LM and BMC in the trunk and upper limbs.

Effects of circuit resistance training on muscle power, functional agility, and bones' mineral content in people with spinal injury.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise is one of the main agents when it comes to rehabilitation and changes in health aspects of people with SCI. This study aimed to establish the effects of circuit resistance training (CRT) on people with spinal cord injury (SCI), specifically on their body composition, muscle strength, anaerobic power, and functional capacity. METHODS: Sample consisted of five people with SCI: both sexes, ages between 25 and 62 years, and 12 weeks of CRT, twice a week. Before and after the 12 weeks of intervention, this research adopted clear-cut tests (medicine ball pitch, Wingate, zigzag, and dual-energy X-ray densitometry) to analyze the desired variables (muscle strength, anaerobic power, functional capacity, and body composition). RESULTS: Showed muscle strength improvement (P=0.028), agility increase (P=0.028), and equal levels of lean mass, bone mineral content, and bone loss index throughout life (T-score). CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, one can consider that CRT is an alternative to develop the upper limbs muscle power and functional agility. Together, all these variables may imply an overall improvement of the functional capacity in people with SCI. Additionally, these 12 weeks of CRT were responsible for helping the maintenance of lean mass, bone mineral content and T-score in this study's sample.

Circuit strength training improves muscle strength, functional performance and anthropometric indicators in sedentary elderly women.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effects of circuit strength training on the muscle strength, functional autonomy and anthropometric indicators of the elderly. METHODS: Were included 65 women divided in two groups: strength training (TG, N.=34) and control group (CG, N.=31). The strength-training group was subjected to a circuit shaped training program, three days per week, for a period of 12 weeks. In each training session, the circuit was repeated three times. In each circuit, all exercises were performed once, with 8 to 12 repetitions per exercise, with 30-second intervals between each exercise. RESULTS: TG showed significantly changes in body composition post 12 weeks, as decreases in body weight (Δ-1.5±1.8 kg) and BMI (Δ-0.57±0.74 kg/m²), and decreases in abdominal (Δ-3±1.61 cm), waist (Δ-1 ± 1.61 cm), hip (Δ-2.75±1.44 cm) and waist-hip ratio circumference (Δ-0.02±0.15 cm). For functional autonomy, TG showed increases post 12 weeks by 30-second chair stand (Δ 3.5±0.4 reps), six minute walk (Δ60.95±7.91 m), back scratch (Δ3.2±1.36 cm), and time up and go tests (Δ-1.62±0,15 s). TG also showed increases in muscle strength post 12 weeks in both leg press (Δ11±1.29 kg) and lat pulldown (Δ11±0.75 Kg). For CG, body composition, functional autonomy and muscle strength did not improved in any moment. CONCLUSIONS: Hence, circuit strength training provides significant improvements in muscle strength, functional performance and anthropometric indicators in sedentary elderly women.

Effects of resistance training on the physical condition of people with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of resistance training on the functional capacity of people with multiple sclerosis. Two groups were defined intentionally and divided based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS): an experimental group (EG) consisting of 11 individuals, 18.2% with an EDSS Score of 0-3.0, 72.8% with a score of 3.5-5.5 and 9.1% with a score of 6.0-7.5; and a control group (CG) consisting of 12 subjects, 25.0% with a score of 0-3.0, 58.3% with a score of 3.5-5.5 and 16.7% with a score of 6.0-7.5. METHODS: The EG underwent 12 weeks of resistance training, while the CG did not. The Timed "Up & Go" test was used to measure the function of the lower limbs. The Timed 7.62 Meters Walk test and the Sit-to-stand test were used to assess the strength of the lower limbs. Balance, and the risk of falling, were assessed through the Berg Balance Test. RESULTS: At the beginning of the study, there were no differences between EG and CG in lower limb function. However, after the 12 weeks of resistance training, significant differences were found between the EG and the CG in the Timed "Up and Go" test (P=0.021), Timed 7.62 Meters Walk (P=0.027), Sit-to-stand (P=0.017) and Balance test (P=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: This study's results indicate that this type of training can improve muscle strength and functional capacity in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Métodos de evaluación de la composición corporal: una revisión actualizada de descripción, aplicación, ventajas y desventajas / Methods of assessment of body composition: an updated review of description, application, advantages and disadvantages

El estudio de la composición corporal es un tema de interés creciente que puede ser utilizado tanto para la investigación como para fines clínicos. Para los profesionales de las ciencias de la salud es importante conocer las características de los diferentes métodos de evaluación y análisis de la composición corporal, ya que cambios en esta guardan relación directa con la salud y el riesgo de enfermedades. Actualmente, los métodos de análisis de la composición corporal son divididos en tres grupos, donde están el directo, los indirectos y los doblemente indirectos. El método directo es la disección de cadáveres. Entre los indirectos encontramos la tomografía axial computarizada, la resonancia magnética nuclear (RMN), la absorciometría dual de rayos X y la plestimografía; y en lo referente a los métodos doblemente indirectos destacan la antropometría y la impedancia bioelectrica. Asi, este trabajo tiene como objetivo revisar los métodos mas utilizados para el análisis de la composición corporal, describiéndoles, analizando sus aplicaciones, ventajas y desventajas. Se llevo a cabo una búsqueda de artículos en las bases de datos PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SportDiscus y Google Academico. Las palabras usadas fueron, body composition, body mass, body fat, muscle mass, fat mass, measurement, assessment y evaluation, aisladas o combinadas, y sus respectivos sinónimos en castellano y portugués. Fueron encontrados 221 artículos, de los cuales fueron seleccionados 59 para esta revisión. Se concluye que los diferentes métodos para evaluar la composición corporal presentan ventajas y desventajas, que deben ser analizados cuando se elige el método a ser empleado, para intentar minimizar sus desventajas y potencializar sus ventajas (AU)

The study of body composition is a topic of growing interest that can be used both for research and for clinical purposes. For professionals of health sciences is important to know the characteristics of the different methods of evaluation and analysis of body composition because, it changes are directly related to health and disease risk. Currently, methods of analysis of body composition are divided into three groups, which are direct, indirect and double indirect. The direct method is the dissection of cadavers. Indirect find computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, dual X-ray absorptiometry and plethysmography and in terms of the doubly indirect methods include anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance. Thus, this paper is aimed to review the most used for analysis of body composition by describing, analyzing their applications, advantages and disadvantages methods. Was conducted a search of article in databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SportDiscus and Google Scholar. The words used were, body composition, body mass, body fat, muscle mass, fat mass, measurement, assessment and evaluation, isolated or combined and their alternatives in Castilian and Portuguese. Were selected articles that were in English, Castilian and portuguese. They were found 221 articles, of which 59 were selected for this review. It is concluded that the different methods for assessing body composition have advantages and disadvantages, which should be analyzed when choosing the method to be used to try to minimize the disadvantages and empower its advantages (AU)