The Effect of Aerobic Physical Activity in Adrenaline Level in White Laboratory Rats.

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity is one important factor in the nervous system of animals, it may affect the structure also the function of the brain. Regular aerobic exercises have a good effect on the whole body and thus improves the sense of well-being. AIM: The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of aerobic physical activity in white laboratory rats for 21 days. METHODS: The experimental animals used were twenty Wistar rats, divided into 2 groups of 10 animals they were subjected to forced swim test for 21 days for 60-90 min swim. The evaluation of levels of Adrenaline was performed on 1st, 7th, 14th day and on the last day of the experiment day 21 using ELISA kit protocol, also body mass was compared between groups. RESULTS: Our results showed that inducing aerobic physical activity for 21 days on the rats affects their levels of adrenaline. Comparatively, the control group of rats had significantly higher levels of adrenalin compared with day 21 (p=0.435) but lower compared with day 7 and 14 (p=0.231). There was also a difference in body mass which demonstrates adaptability to the surroundings and better coping with physical stress. CONCLUSION: Regular aerobic activity for 21 days, for 60-90 min swim has a positive impact on adrenaline level also this aerobic exercise protocol could have a positive impact on reducing and maintaining body weight, thus preventing overweight.

Physical fitness reference standards in Macedonian children and adolescents: the MAKFIT study.

BACKGROUND: physical fitness is a powerfull indicator of the health coindition in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. This research is performed in order to determine the age and gender stratified reference values for healthy physical fitness for Macodonian children and adolescents and to identify signicicant gender differences. METHODS: a descriptive cross-sectional and population-based study examined the physical fitness among a random and large national representative sample of schoolchildren aged six to 14 years in Macedonia. A sample of 9,241 children and adolescents (4,716 boys and 4,525 girls) was assessed by the EUROFIT fitness test battery. The LMS statistical method was used. RESULTS: smoothed gender and age-specific percentiles for the physical fitness tests in boys and girls aged six to 14 years are reported and expressed as both tabulated and curves values (P5, P10, P25, P50, P75, P90, P95). Figures showed greater physical fitness levels in boys, except for the sit-and-reach test, in which girls performed slightly better. There was also a trend towards increased physical fitness levels as the age increased in both boys and girls. CONCLUSION: the percentile values provided will enable the correct interpretation and monitoring of fitness status of Macedonion children.

Physical fitness reference standards in Macedonian children and adolescents: the MAKFIT study / Estándares de referencia de aptitud física en niños y adolescentes de Macedonia: el estudio MAKFIT

Background: physical fitness is a powerfull indicator of the health coindition in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. This research is performed in order to determine the age and gender stratified reference values for healthy physical fitness for Macodonian children and adolescents and to identify signicicant gender differences. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional and population-based study examined the physical fitness among a random and large national representative sample of schoolchildren aged six to 14 years in Macedonia. A sample of 9,241 children and adolescents (4,716 boys and 4,525 girls) was assessed by the EUROFIT fitness test battery. The LMS statistical method was used. Results: smoothed gender and age-specific percentiles for the physical fitness tests in boys and girls aged six to 14 years are reported and expressed as both tabulated and curves values (P5, P10, P25, P50, P75, P90, P95). Figures showed greater physical fitness levels in boys, except for the sit-and-reach test, in which girls performed slightly better. There was also a trend towards increased physical fitness levels as the age increased in both boys and girls. Conclusion: the percentile values provided will enable the correct interpretation and monitoring of fitness status of Macedonion children

Antecedentes: la aptitud física es un poderoso indicador del estado de salud en la infancia, la adolescencia y la edad adulta. La investigación se realizó con el fin de determinar los valores de referencia de una aptitud física saludable estratificados por edad y género para niños y adolescentes de Macedonia, así como para identificar diferencias significativas entre géneros. Métodos: mediante un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal y basado en la población se examinó la condición física de una muestra representativa nacional aleatoria y amplia de escolares de seis a 14 años de Macedonia. Se evaluó una muestra de 9.241 niños y adolescentes (4.716 niños y 4.525 niñas) mediante la batería de pruebas de aptitud física de EUROFIT. Se utilizó el método estadístico LMS. Resultados: se informaron los percentiles suavizados de género y edad para las pruebas de aptitud física en niños y niñas de seis a 14 años y se expresaron como valores tabulados y de curvas (P5, P10, P25, P50, P75, P90, P95). Las cifras mostraron mayores niveles de aptitud física en los niños, a excepción de la prueba sit and reach, en la cual las niñas obtuvieron resultados ligeramente mejores. También se observó una tendencia al aumento de los niveles de aptitud física a medida que aumentaba la edad tanto en niños como en niñas. Conclusión: los valores percentiles proporcionados permitirán la correcta interpretación y monitoreo del estado físico de los niños macedonios

Contribution of Physical and Motor Characteristics to Functional Performance in Children and Adolescents with Down Syndrome: A Preliminary Study.

BACKGROUND Down syndrome (DS) is the most frequent genetic mental disability. Individuals with DS experience a variety of physical, motor, and functional challenges throughout the lifespan. However, the inter-relatedness between these domains is relatively unexplored in children with DS. This study aimed to determine which physical and motor characteristics contribute to functional performance in children and adolescents with DS. It also investigated the relationship between physical, motor, and functional domains. MATERIAL AND METHODS We enrolled 44 children and adolescents with DS, ages 3-18 years, in this cross-sectional study. The participants were assessed for functional skills (PEDI-CAT), gross motor skills (GMFM-88), balance (PBS), fine motor skills (Nine-hole peg test), grip strength (hand-held Jamar dynamometer), and body mass index (BMI). Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and stepwise linear regression were employed for statistical analysis. RESULTS Fine motor skills and grip strength were found to be significant predictors of functional performance. All measures, except BMI, were significantly correlated with each other. The participants scored below standard values in all 4 domains of PEDI-CAT, with the social/cognitive skills being most impaired, while mobility proficiency was found to be participants' strongest asset. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated fine motor skills and grip strength to be predictors of functional performance in children and adolescents with DS. It also showed a high level of inter-relatedness between the variables of physical, motor, and functional domains in this population.

Attainment of gross motor milestones in children with Down syndrome in Kosovo - developmental perspective.

Aim To investigate the age (in months) at which motor skills are developed in children with Down syndrome (DS), and compare it to the age of the development of the same skills in both, children with typical development (TD), and children with DS reported by four other studies. Methods Sixteen children (7 girls and 9 boys) were monthly assessed for the development of nineteen motor skills between 2008 and 2011. The mean ages when the skills were accomplished were presented using descriptive statistics. Independent T-samples test (significance < 0.05) was used to compare the mean developmental ages from our study with those seen in children with TD (Comparison 1) and also in children with DS reported by four other authors (Comparison 2a-2d). Results Children with DS developed at a significantly slower pace compared to children with TD (p=0.005). Generally, delay and variance of developmental age in children with DS increased chronologically with the complexity of the skills. No significant difference was found between developmental age in children from the present study and children with DS from other studies. Conclusion The rate of attainment of motor skills is delayed in children with DS in comparison to children with TD, however, the developmental sequence is the same. The delayed development is more prominent in more complex skills.

The association between high blood pressure, physical fitness and fatness in adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is a health problem that is of national importance. It is a major risk factor for the occurrence of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and renal diseases that are leading or among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity as in ours, as in the most developed and less developed countries. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to analyze the relation of cardiorespiratory fitness and obesity, blood pressure and hypertension for adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research was realized on a sample of 4,051 boys and girls at the age of 11 to 14 years. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by using a three minute step test, while the percentage of body fat was determined by bioelectrical impedance method. Blood pressure was measured three times at intervals of 60 seconds, and the result was the median value of the three measurements. The measurements were performed in a separate room with optimum ambient conditions. The relation between hypertension, cardiorespiratory fitness and fat was determined by correlation and multi-nominal logistic regressive analysis. RESULTS: Boys had higher systolic pressure and lower diastolic pressure compared to girls. The low level of cardiorespiratory fitness and high percentage of body fat were independently associated with an increased risk of blood pressure and hypertension for both boys and girls. The interaction was established between the percentage of body fat and fitness. CONCLUSION: The results should be taken into account for building strategies and recommendations for improvement of lifestyle and health for adolescents.

The association between high blood pressure, physical fitness and fatness in adolescents / Asociación entre presión arterial alta, aptitud física y obesidad en los adolescentes

Introduction: Hypertension is a health problem that is of national importance. It is a major risk factor for the occurrence of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and renal diseases that are leading or among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity as in ours, as in the most developed and less developed countries. Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyze the relation of cardiorespiratory fitness and obesity, blood pressure and hypertension for adolescents. Material and methods: The research was realized on a sample of 4,051 boys and girls at the age of 11 to 14 years. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by using a three minute step test, while the percentage of body fat was determined by bioelectrical impedance method. Blood pressure was measured three times at intervals of 60 seconds, and the result was the median value of the three measurements. The measurements were performed in a separate room with optimum ambient conditions. The relation between hypertension, cardiorespiratory fitness and fat was determined by correlation and multi-nominal logistic regressive analysis. Results: Boys had higher systolic pressure and lower diastolic pressure compared to girls. The low level of cardiorespiratory fitness and high percentage of body fat were independently associated with an increased risk of blood pressure and hypertension for both boys and girls. The interaction was established between the percentage of body fat and fitness. Conclusion: The results should be taken into account for building strategies and recommendations for improvement of lifestyle and health for adolescents (AU)

Introducción: la hipertensión es un problema de la salud y es de importancia nacional. Es un factor de riesgo importante para la aparición de la aterosclerosis y enfermedades cardiovasculares, cerebrovasculares y enfermedades renales que están liderando o están entre las principales causas de mortalidad y la morbilidad como en la nuestra, también en los países más desarrollados y menos desarrollados. Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio es analizar la relación de la aptitud cardiorrespiratoria y la obesidad, la presión arterial y la hipertensión en los adolescentes. Material y métodos: la investigación se realizó sobre una muestra de 4.501 niños y niñas de 11 a 14 años. La capacidad cardiorrespiratoria se evalúo con el uso de una prueba de paso que dura tres minutos, mientras que el porcentaje de grasa corporal se determinó con un método de impedancia bioeléctrica. La presión arterial se midió tres veces a intervalos de 60 segundos. El resultado fue el valor medio de las tres mediciones. Las mediciones se realizaron en una habitación separada con condiciones ambientales óptimas. La relación entre la hipertensión, la aptitud cardiorrespiratoria y la grasa se determina con un análisis de correlación y multinominal regresión logística. Resultados: los niños tenían una mayor presión sistólica y diastólica que las niñas. El nivel bajo de aptitud cardiorrespiratoria y el porcentaje alto de grasa corporal se asociaron independientemente con un mayor riesgo de hipertensión arterial e hipertensión para niños y niñas. La interacción se establece entre el porcentaje de grasa corporal y la forma física. Conclusión: los resultados obtenidos se deben tener en cuenta para la construcción de estrategias y recomendaciones para la mejora del estilo de vida y la salud de los adolescentes (AU)

Anthropometrical characteristics and somatotype of young Macedonian soccer players / Características antropométricas y somatotipo de jugadores jóvenes de fútbol macedonios

The success in sport performance is closely related to the physical condition of the sportsman. In the assessment of the physical status except physiological and fitness parameters, significant influence have the anthropometric parameters. The aim of the study was dual: to assess the changes in the anthropometric characteristics and the somatotype of young soccer players at different ages and to compare these characteristics with the general population. The analyzed measurements of 486 young soccer players who play in teams of the First national league, with an average age 15.8±1.4. The soccer players were divided into five subgroups, at age difference of 1 year. In the sample height, weight, BMI index, diameters, volumes and skin folds were measured, also the body composition and the somatotype were calculated. Boys from 14 years were lower and had less tendencies of other age groups. From 16 years onwards there were no differences in the measurements which means that the respondents gradually get the look of adult players. All skin folds for young Macedonian players (except the skin folds of the scapula) decrease with age and compared to the peers from normal population are lower. For young players in all age groups dominate the mesomorphic component, and lower values have the endomorphic component, in regards to peers in the general population. The obtained results can serve as normative anthropometric indicators for regular sports medical examinations of young players in our country, or can be used as a template for comparison of the anthropometric and somatotype information of young players at a similar level of different countries.

El éxito en el rendimiento deportivo está estrechamente relacionado con el estado físico del deportista. En la evaluación de la condición física, excepto los parámetros fisiológicos y de acondicionamiento físico, los parámetros antropométricos tienen una influencia significativa. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar los cambios en las características antropométricas y de somatotipo de jugadores jóvenes de fútbol de diferentes edades y comparar estas características con la población general. Las mediciones analizadas fueron de 486 futbolistas jóvenes que juegan en equipos de la Primera Liga Nacional, con una edad media de 15,8±1,4. Los futbolistas fueron divididos en cinco subgrupos, con diferencias de edad de un año. En la muestra se midieron altura, peso, índice de masa corporal (IMC), diámetros, volúmenes y pliegues de la piel. También se calcularon la composición corporal y somatotipo. Estos fueron menores en niños de 14 años y tuvieron menores tendencias que otros grupos etarios. De 16 años en adelante, no hubo diferencias en las mediciones, lo que indica que los encuestados obtienen gradualmente el aspecto de jugadores adultos. Todos los pliegues de la piel en los jugadores jóvenes macedonios (excepto los pliegues de la piel de la escápula) disminuyen con la edad y en comparación con los compañeros pertenecientes a la población normal, son más bajos. Para los jugadores jóvenes de todas las edades domina el componente mesomórfico, y los valores más bajos tienen el componente endomorfo, en lo que respecta a sus compañeros de la población general. Los resultados obtenidos pueden servir de indicadores antropométricos para establecer normativas para los exámenes médicos en jugadores jóvenes de Macedonia, pudiendo también ser utilizados como una plantilla para la comparación del somatotipo antropométrico de los jugadores jóvenes en niveles similares de diferentes países.

Analysis of body mass components in national club football players in Republic of Macedonia.

AIM: This study aims to analyze body composition in adult male football players and its changes during adulthood. METHODS: Adult male football players (n = 942, mean age 24.11 +/- 4.69 y), all members of national competitive clubs from Macedonia were included in the study. The absolute and the relative body components were calculated: lean body mass (LBMkg), muscle mass (MMkg; MM%), bone mass (BMkg; BM%) and fat components (FMkg; FM%), using the anthropometric protocol by Matiegka. RESULTS: Mean values of anthropometric measures for all included participants were as follows: height = 178.39 +/- 6.11 cm; weight = 77.02 +/- 7.57; LBM = 65.65 +/- 6.38; MM% = 53.23 +/- 2.78; BM% = 17.05 +/- 1.27; FM% = 14.58 +/- 1.48. Descriptive statistics for these parameters was made for age specific groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained could be used as reference values for adult football players in Republic of Macedonia. In the examined age span (18-35 years) a slight increase of absolute values of all three body components has been registered with advancing age. The most significant increase in the absolute values was registered for the muscle component, followed by the fat and bone components, respectively. Regarding the relative values (%), the muscle and the fat components showed an equally slight positive correlation with the age increase of 1 year, whilst the bone component decreased with advancing age.

Analysis of body mass components in national club football players in republic of macedonia.

AIM: This study aims to analyze body composition in adult male football players and its changes during adulthood. METHODS: Adult male football players (n=942, mean age 24.11 ±4.69y), all members of national competitive clubs from Macedonia were included in the study. The absolute and the relative body components were calculated: lean body mass (LBMkg), muscle mass (MMkg; MM%), bone mass (BMkg; BM%) and fat components (FMkg; FM%), using the anthropometric protocol by Matiegka. RESULTS: Mean values of anthropometric measures for all included participants were as follows: height=178.39±6.11cm; weight=77.02±7.57; LBM=65.65±6.38; MM%=53.23±2.78; BM%=17.05±1.27; FM%=14.58±1.48. Descriptive statistics for these parameters was made for age specific groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained could be used as reference values for adult football players in Republic of Macedonia. In the examined age span (18-35 years) a slight increase of absolute values of all three body components has been registered with advancing age. The most significant increase in the absolute values was registered for the muscle component, followed by the fat and bone components, respectively. Regarding the relative values (%), the muscle and the fat components showed an equally slight positive correlation with the age increase of 1 year, whilst the bone component decreased with advancing age.