Fat-free Mass Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Predictive Equation for Athletes using a 4-Compartment Model.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis equations for fat-free mass prediction in healthy populations exist, nevertheless none accounts for the inter-athlete differences of the chemical composition of the fat-free mass. We aimed to develop a bioimpedance-based model for fat-free mass prediction based on the four-compartment model in a sample of national level athletes; and to cross-validate the new models in a separate cohort of athletes using a 4-compartment model as a criterion. There were 142 highly trained athletes (22.9±5.0 years) evaluated during their respective competitive seasons. Athletes were randomly split into development (n=95) and validation groups (n=47). The criterion method for fat-free mass was the 4-compartment model. Resistance and reactance were obtained with a phase-sensitive 50 kHz bioimpedance device. Athletic impedance-based models were developed (fat-free mass=- 2.261+0.327*Stature2/Resistance+0.525*Weight+5.462*Sex, where stature is in cm, Resistance is in Ω, Weight is in kg, and sex is 0 if female or 1 if male). Cross validation revealed R2 of 0.94, limits of agreement around 10% variability and no trend, as well as a high concordance correlation coefficient. The new equation can be considered valid thus affording practical means to quantify fat-free mass in elite adult athletes.

Impact of combined training with different exercise intensities on inflammatory and lipid markers in type 2 diabetes: a secondary analysis from a 1-year randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Exercise is a well-accepted strategy to improve lipid and inflammatory profile in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, the exercise intensity having the most benefits on lipids and inflammatory markers in patients with T2DM remains unclear. We aimed to analyse the impact of a 1-year combined high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with resistance training (RT), and a moderate continuous training (MCT) with RT on inflammatory and lipid profile in individuals with T2DM. METHODS: Individuals with T2DM (n = 80, aged 59 years) performed a 1-year randomized controlled trial and were randomized into three groups (control, n = 27; HIIT with RT, n = 25; MCT with RT, n = 28). Exercise sessions were supervised with a frequency of 3 days per week. Inflammatory and lipid profiles were measured at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Changes in inflammatory and lipid markers were assessed using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: After adjusting for sex, age and baseline moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), we observed a time-by-group interaction for Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in both the MCT with RT (ß = - 0.70, p = 0.034) and HIIT with RT (ß = - 0.62, p = 0.049) groups, whereas, only the HIIT with RT group improved total cholesterol (ß = - 0.03, p = 0.045) and LDL-C (ß = - 0.03, p = 0.034), when compared to control. No effect was observed for C-reactive protein (CRP), cortisol, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), soluble form of the haptoglobin-hemoglobin receptor CD163 (sCD163), triglycerides and HDL-C in both groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Favorable adaptations on IL-6 were observed in both the HIIT and MCT combined with RT groups following a long-term 1-year exercise intervention in individuals with T2DM. However, only the HIIT with RT prevented further derangement of total cholesterol and LDL-C, when compared to the control group. Therefore, in order to encourage exercise participation and improve inflammatory profile, either exercise protocols may be prescribed, however, HIIT with RT may have further benefits on the lipid profile. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT03144505.

Usefulness of Reflection Scanning in Determining Whole-Body Composition in Broadly Built Individuals Using Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry.

Whole-body composition analysis by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) requires subjects to fit within the width limits of the DXA bed. To overcome this limitation, the aim of this study was to validate a partial scanning technique at which the upper left limb is deliberately left unscanned and measurements are "reflected" from the right-side upper limb. A Hologic Explorer-W densitometer was used in a sample of 189 participants, including athletes and nonathletes, ranging from underweight to obese (body mass index: 17.0-40.1 kg/m2). A whole-body scan was analyzed as the reference procedure to determine bone mineral content (BMC), lean soft tissue (LST), and fat mass (FM), and reanalyzed using a partial reflection scanning (RS) technique. RS estimates of BMC were associated with athletic status and differed significantly from reference estimates (p < 0.05). Also, the RS estimates of LST and FM were different (p < 0.05) from those of the reference whole-body scan, although differences were small (0.17 kg, -0.02 kg, and -0.10% for BMC, LST, and FM, respectively). The alternative procedure explained more than 99% of the reference scan variance with low limits of agreement (BMC: -13.8 to 23.9 g [athletes] and -6.3 to 18.0 g [nonathletes]; LST: -0.11 to 0.45 kg; FM: -0.22 to 0.17 kg). Regardless of body mass index, athletic status, and gender, RS is a useful and simple solution to be used in individuals wider than the DXA scan area. However, individual errors for BMC may be higher in athletes engaged in lateral dominant sports practice.

Regular physical activity eliminates the harmful association of television watching with multimorbidity. A cross-sectional study from the European Social Survey.

The aims of the study were to analyse the association of television viewing, physical activity (PA), and multimorbidity; and to understand if PA attenuates or eliminates the detrimental associations between television viewing and multimorbidity. This is a cross-sectional study based on data from the European Social Survey round 7, 2014. Participants were 32,931 adults (15,784 men), aged 18-114 years old, from 18 European countries. Self-reported information regarding chronic diseases (CD), PA and time watching television were collected through interview. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyse the association between watching television and PA with the presence of multimorbidity (≥1 CD). Men and women who watched television had increased odds of having multimorbidity. When considering PA it was observed that, independently of television viewing, compared to engaging in PA for ≤1 day/week, engaging in 2-4 days/week and in ≥5 days/week was inversely associated with multimorbidity. Increased odds of multimorbidity were observed for men spending >3 h/day watching television in the 2-3 days/week and ≤1 day/week categories of PA. For women engaged in 30 min of physical activity 2-3 days/week, spending >3 h/day watching television was associated with higher odds for multimorbidity. For adults who practiced physical activity on ≥ 5 days/week watching television was not associated with multimorbidity. Time spent watching television is associated with multimorbidity. However, physical activity participation can attenuate or even eliminate this association.

Pulse pressure tracking from adolescence to young adulthood: contributions to vascular health.

PURPOSE: We examined whether exposure to high PP in adolescence predicts carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and stiffness indices at young adulthood. METHODS: Seventy-nine participants had their brachial systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood (DBP) pressures taken at the age of 15-16 years and later at young adulthood (29-31 years). Carotid IMT, distensibility and stiffness index ß were measured at young adulthood. Linear and logistical regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: PP at adolescence and at young adulthood predicted vascular health independently of sex, body mass index, and mean arterial pressure, explaining up to 37% of the variance. When analyzing its single constituents, at adolescence DBP was more predictive of vascular health, whereas DBP and SBP were equally important at young adulthood. Adolescents with high PP were at risk for increased carotid IMT (OR: 4.04-4.09), even if PP decreased at young adulthood. Young adults with high PP were at risk for increased stiffness regardless of adolescence PP (OR: 4.64-7.35). CONCLUSION: PP at adolescence and young adulthood may be a better predictor of early pathological changes in carotid artery structure and stiffness. Whereas carotid IMT in young adults appears to be influenced by PP at adolescence, carotid stiffness depends primarily on current PP.

How does academic achievement relate to cardiorespiratory fitness, self-reported physical activity and objectively reported physical activity: a systematic review in children and adolescents aged 6-18 years.

OBJECTIVE: This report aimed to systematically review the evidence for a differential association between objective and self-reported physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness on academic achievement. DESIGN: Systematic review. DATA SOURCES: Studies were identified from searches in Embase, Education Resources Information Center, PubMed, PsycINFO, SPORTdiscus and Web of Science databases from January 2000 to December 2016. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: Eligibility criteria included cross-sectional, longitudinal and interventional study designs. Outcomes included students' school grade or a standardised test or measure of academic achievement. Explanatory variables were cardiorespiratory fitness and objective and self-reported physical activity. Inclusion criteria included school-aged children and adolescents aged-18 years (or students from primary to secondary school when student's participants age was not described) and articles published in English, Portuguese or Spanish. RESULTS: A total of 51 articles met inclusion criteria: 41 cross-sectional, 2 intervention and 8 longitudinal studies. Results from 11 studies were inconsistent regarding the relationship between objectively measured physical activity and academic achievement. Ten of the 16 articles reported positive associations between self-reported physical activity and academic achievement. From the 22 studies that analysed the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and academic achievement, it was verified that they all generally support the beneficial effect of cardiorespiratory fitness on students' academic achievement. CONCLUSION: Higher cardiorespiratory fitness may be important to enhance children and adolescents' health and, additionally, academic achievement. Due to a lack of consensus across studies, methodological issues associated with the assessment of physical activity should be considered when investigating physical activity and academic achievement.

A cross-sectional and prospective analyse of reallocating sedentary time to physical activity on children's cardiorespiratory fitness.

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with health benefits in children, improving cardiac morphology, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and biological outcomes. This study aimed to examine the substitution effects of displaying a fixed duration of sedentary time with a fixed duration of physical activity (PA) at different intensities on children's CRF. A total of 315 children (136 boys) were assessed (age: 10.6 ± 0.6 years old). Outcomes at baseline and follow-up (16-months) were CRF determined using a maximal cycle test and sedentary time and PA measured with accelerometers. Data were analysed by isotemporal substitution analyses estimating the effect of reallocating 30 min/day of sedentary time by light (LPA), moderate (MPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) on CRF. VPA was positively and significantly associated with CRF cross-sectional (ß = 0.026, p < 0.001) and prospectively (ß = 0.010, p < 0.001). Reallocating 30 min/day of sedentary time into VPA was positively cross-sectionally (ß = 0.780, p < 0.001) and prospectively (ß = 0.303, p < 0.05) associated with CRF. Conversely, relocating 30-minutes of sedentary time into 30 minutes of LPA and MPA was not associated with CRF. These results suggest that reallocating an equal amount of time from sedentary into VPA is cross-sectional and prospectively associated with a favourable CRF.

Patterns of accelerometer-derived sedentary time across the lifespan.

We aimed to describe ST and its patterns on a national level. A hip-worn accelerometer (ActiGraph GT1M) was used to collect data during waking hours from 4575 Portuguese' participants from 2007-2009 (2683 females) aged 10-102 years old. Data was presented by sex, in 5-years age intervals, and by adolescents (n=2833), adults (n=1122), and older adults (n=620). Lambda-mu-sigma (LMS) smoothed percentile curves were estimated. Girls, women, and older women spent 61, 57, and 64% of wear time in ST, respectively. In males, ST represented 57, 60, and 62% of wear time respectively for boys, men, and older men. Comparing to other age groups, older adults spent a larger amount of ST in bouts ≥30-min (women: 33%, men: 39% of total ST). The number of breaks/ST hour were: 10.6 in girls, 11.7 in women, and 9.6 in older women. In males, the number of breaks/ST hour were: 11.2, 10.5, and 8.5 for boys, men, and older men. In conclusion, ST was not consistently higher at older ages. Instead, we found that the potential critical moments in which ST may be higher are during adolescence and in the transition from adulthood into older adulthood, which represents critical periods for interventions.

Characterization and Comparison of Nutritional Intake between Preparatory and Competitive Phase of Highly Trained Athletes.

Background and objective: For a high level athlete, it is essential to ensure optimal energy as well as macro- and micro-nutrient and fluid intakes, in order to improve their performance during training and competition. Protein intake should be 1.2⁻2.1 g/kg/d, whereas the requirements for carbohydrate and fat intakes should be >5g/kg/d and 20⁻35% of energy, respectively. The micronutrient and fluid intakes in athletes were compared to the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommendations, respectively. This study aimed to characterize and compare the nutritional habits of athletes at the preparatory and competitive phase, and to test if their nutritional intakes were in accordance with the recommendations. Materials and methods: A total of 276 professional athletes were assessed. To evaluate their nutritional intake, the athletes completed a 7 days food record. Under reporting was defined using a ratio of energy intake to basal metabolic rate (BMR) of 1.1. Body composition was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Results: Almost half (49%) of the athletes from the final sample reported lower measured intakes of carbohydrates and 27% reported a higher consumption of proteins than what was recommended. In both the preparatory and competitive phases, the micronutrients with a higher mismatch between the actual and recommended intakes were vitamins D and E, magnesium, folate, calcium, and zinc for both sexes, and iron intake for females. A large proportion of athletes reported a lower water intake. Compared to the recommendations, males reported a higher intake of carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins E, calcium, and magnesium (p <0.05) in the competitive phase, while females reported a lower ingestion of water, vitamins A and D, and calcium (p <0.05) in the preparatory phase. Conclusions: Overall, in the preparatory and competitive phases of the season, athletes reported a macro- and micro-nutrient intake below the recommendations, especially in the female athletic population. Dietary intakes in athletes need to be optimized and adjusted to their requirements, according to sex and sport, so as to avoid compromising health and performance.

Abdominal obesity in adolescents: Development of age-specific waist circumference cut-offs linked to adult IDF criteria.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to develop age- and sex-specific waist circumference (WC) cut-off points, linked to older adolescent and adult criteria for abdominal obesity, to be applied to children in the clinical setting. METHODS: A total of 16,788 adolescents aged 10 to 16 years were assessed for WC. Smoothed age and sex-specific WC curves were obtained using Cole's LMS method. RESULTS: Percentiles that corresponded to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) recommendations used for older adolescents and adults (16+ years old) were the 97th percentile for boys and the 87th percentile for girls. Using these cutoffs, a total of 368 boys and 1138 girls were categorized as abdominally obese, in contrast to 1654 boys and 987 girls that were identified using the current IDF pediatric criteria (90th percentile). CONCLUSIONS: We provide age- and sex-specific cut-off points that can be used to identify abdominal obesity in adolescents. The present findings provide a tool that can be used in the clinical setting for the early detection and prevention of adult obesity. Population-specific cutoffs may be required for pediatric ages to diagnose children at risk.

Suitability of Bioelectrical Based Methods to Assess Water Compartments in Recreational and Elite Athletes.

OBJECTIVE: It is important for highly active individuals to easily and accurately assess their hydration level. Bioelectrical impedance (BIA) can potentially meet these needs but its validity in active individuals is not well established. We aim to validate total body water (TBW), extracellular water (ECW), and intracellular water (ICW) estimates obtained from 50 kHz BIA, bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS), and BIA-based models against dilution techniques in 2 populations: active adults and elite athletes. METHODS: Active males (N = 28, 20-39 years) involved in recreational sports and elite athletes (females: N = 57, 16-35 years; males: N = 127, 16-38 years) participated in this study. TBW and ECW were assessed with deuterium and bromide dilution, respectively. ICW was assessed as their difference. Body water compartments were also assessed by BIA (BIA-101), BIS (model 4200), and BIA-based equations. RESULTS: Small but significant differences were observed between alternative methods and the criterion in all subsamples. In female athletes, r(2) > 0.69, r(2) > 0.57, and r(2) > 0.65 were observed between methods in the TBW, ECW, and ICW estimates. In males, r(2) > 0.75, r(2) > 0.65, and r(2) > 0.68 were found between alternative and reference methods in the TBW, ECW, and ICW estimates, respectively, whereas for male recreational exercisers, r(2) > 0.58, r(2) > 0.73, and r(2) > 0.75 were observed. Pure errors ranged between 0.19 to 3.32 kg for TBW, 0.64 to 1.63 for ECW, and 1.98 to 2.64 in ICW. The highest limits of agreement (LoA) were observed in Van Loan and Mayclin equation and the BIA method, respectively, for TBW and ECW assessment and the lowest LoA were observed in BIS for both TBW and ECW estimates. CONCLUSIONS: The higher accuracy of BIS in predicting individual TBW, ECW, and ICW highlights its utility in water assessment of recreational and elite athletes.

Assessment of total body water and its compartments in elite judo athletes: comparison of bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy with dilution techniques.

Bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) is an inexpensive and non-invasive technique to measure total body water (TBW), extracellular water (ECW), and intracellular water (ICW). The purpose of this study was to validate TBW, ECW and ICW assessed by BIS, using dilution techniques as the reference method (REF) in elite judo athletes. Thirty-two Portuguese elite male judo athletes were evaluated during a period of weight stability. TBW, ECW and ICW were assessed by BIS (Xitron 4000). Deuterium and bromide dilution techniques were used as the criterion method for measuring TBW and ECW, while ICW was calculated as the difference between the two. BIS explained 96%, 77% and 94% of the total variability from REFs for TBW, ECW and ICW, respectively. BIS also demonstrated high precision (ρ ≥ 0.88) and accuracy (Cb = 0.98), with a minimum concordance coefficient correlation of 0.87 for ECW. The mean bias demonstrated that BIS slightly overestimated the REF in 1.1 kg (2.3%), 0.3 kg (1.6%) and 0.8 kg (2.7%) for TBW, ECW and ICW, respectively. The 95% limits of agreement ranged from -1.2 to 3.3 kg in TBW, from -1.8 to 2.4 kg in ECW and from -1.0 to 2.6 kg in ICW. A non-significant trend was found between the difference and the mean of reference and alternative methods. These findings highlight the efficacy of BIS as a valid non-biased tool for the assessment of TBW and its compartments in elite male judo athletes, during a period of weight stability.

Physical fitness percentiles for Portuguese children and adolescents aged 10-18 years.

This study aimed to produce age- and sex-specific physical fitness reference data for Portuguese youth; to report the prevalence of youth in the healthy zone of physical fitness according to the FITNESSGRAM(®) criteria; to verify the agreement between the Portuguese physical fitness percentiles and the FITNESSGRAM(®) healthy zones. In 2008, 22,048 Portuguese children and adolescents (10-18 years) were evaluated. Physical fitness (curl-ups, push-ups, 20-m shuttle run and modified-back-saver-sit-and-reach tests) was evaluated using the FITNESSGRAM(®) Test Battery 8.0. Smoothed percentile curves were estimated using Cole's LMS method. Boys consistently outperformed girls in every physical fitness test, except for the modified-back-saver-sit-and-reach tests. In both sexes and for all physical fitness tests, higher percentile values were observed at older ages. The 50th percentile of all physical fitness tests had the highest accuracy to discriminate between under healthy zone and healthy zone of the FITNESSGRAM(®). Portuguese schools and physical education teachers may considerer the 50th percentile for age and sex or the FITNESSGRAM(®) criteria for classifying participants in the healthy zone as acceptable cut-offs, above which youth should be considered fit. These reference values can be used as normative data and for baseline values for subsequent surveillance of the physical fitness of Portuguese youth.

Normative functional fitness standards and trends of Portuguese older adults: cross-cultural comparisons.

This cross-sectional study was designed to develop normative functional fitness standards for the Portuguese older adults, to analyze age and gender patterns of decline, to compare the fitness level of Portuguese older adults with that of older adults in other countries, and to evaluate the fitness level of Portuguese older adults relative to recently published criterion fitness standards associated with maintaining physical independence. A sample of 4,712 independent-living older adults, age 65-103 yr, was evaluated using the Senior Fitness Test battery. Age-group normative fitness scores are reported for the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles. Results indicate that both women and men experience age-related losses in all components of functional fitness, with their rate of decline being greater than that observed in other populations, a trend which may cause Portuguese older adults to be at greater risk for loss of independence in later years. These newly established normative standards make it possible to assess individual fitness level and provide a basis for implementing population-wide health strategies to counteract early loss of independence.

The effects of melatonin and magnesium in a novel supplement delivery system on sleep scores, body composition and metabolism in otherwise healthy individuals with sleep disturbances.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a novel dietary supplement, including melatonin and magnesium, delivered via coffee pods on sleep quality, resting metabolic rate (RMR), and body composition in individuals with poor sleep quality disturbances. Using a double-blinded, randomized, crossover trial, we recruited 35 participants to a 4-week intervention with both supplements (1.9 mg melatonin + 200 mg elemental magnesium before sleep) and placebo conditions, considering a 7d washout period between treatments. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire was applied, RMR (kcal) was measured using indirect calorimetry (canopy ventilated open-circuit system) and body composition was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Decreases in PSQI and anger - hostility scores, as well as in energy intake and fat mass, were observed (p < 0.05) for both conditions, from baseline to the end of each 4-week intervention. Differences between conditions were also observed for these parameters along with energy spent in activity, number of sedentary breaks, sleep efficiency, latency time, time in bed, total sleep time, awakening time, and movement index (p < 0.05) favouring the supplement condition. However, the final PSQI questionnaire scores still indicated poor sleep quality on average (PSQI > 5), in both conditions, with no changes regarding RMR. A melatonin-magnesium supplement, in a coffee pod format, showed improvements in sleep quality in otherwise healthy individuals with sleep disturbances, however PSQI questionnaire scores still indicated poor quality on average (PSQI > 5).

Body composition in taller individuals using DXA: A validation study for athletic and non-athletic populations.

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) cannot be used to evaluate participants taller than the scan area. We aimed to analyse the accuracy of bone mineral content, fat mass, and lean mass assessed with DXA whole-body scan and from the sum of two scans (head and trunk plus limbs). Participants were 31 athletes (13 males and 18 females) and 65 non-athletes (34 males and 31 females), that fit within the DXA scan area. Three scans were performed using a Hologic Explorer-W fan-beam densitometer: a whole-body scan used as the reference; a head scan; and a trunk and limbs scan. The sum of the head scan and the trunk and limbs scan was used as the alternative procedure. Multiple regression and agreement analysis were performed. Non-significant differences between methods were observed for fat mass (0.06 kg) and lean mass (-0.07 kg) while bone mineral content from the alternative procedure differed from the reference scan (0.009 kg). The alternative procedure explained > 99% of the variance in the reference scan and low limits of agreement were observed. Precision analysis indicated low pure errors and the higher coefficients of variation were found for fat mass (whole-body: 3.70%; subtotal: 4.05%). The method proposed is a valid and simple solution to be used in individuals taller than the DXA scan area, including athletes engaged in sports recognised for including very tall competitors.

Is bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy accurate in estimating total body water and its compartments in elite athletes?

BACKGROUND: Bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) provides an affordable assessment of the body's various water compartments: total body water (TBW), extracellular water (ECW) and intracellular water (ICW). However, little is known of its validity in athletes. AIM: To validate TBW, ECW and ICW by BIS in elite male and female Portuguese athletes using dilution techniques (i.e. deuterium and bromide dilution) as criterion methods. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixty-two athletes (18.5 ± 4.1 years) had TBW, ECW and ICW assessed by BIS during their respective pre-season. RESULTS: BIS significantly under-estimated TBW by 1.0 ± 1.7 kg and ICW by 0.9 ± 1.9 kg in relation to the criterion methods, with no differences observed for ECW. The values for the concordance correlation coefficient were 0.98 for TBW and ECW and 0.95 for ICW. Bland-Altman analyses revealed no bias for the various water compartments, with the 95% confidence intervals ranging from - 4.8 to 2.6 kg for TBW, - 1.5 to 1.6 kg for ECW and - 4.5 to 2.7 kg for ICW. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these findings demonstrate the validity of BIS as a valid tool in the assessment of TBW and its compartments in both male and female athletes.

Total energy expenditure assessment in elite junior basketball players: a validation study using doubly labeled water.

An accurate assessment of total energy expenditure (TEE) during a competitive season is required. We aimed to validate TEE estimated by self-reported energy intake (EI) and the dietary reference intake (DRI) method in 19 elite basketball players (aged 16-18 years) using doubly labeled water (DLW) as the reference method. The DRI models and EI from dietary records over a 7-day period were simultaneously assessed for TEE estimation. Resting energy expenditure was assessed by indirect calorimetry. Fat and fat-free mass (FFM) were determined by a 4-compartment model (body volume by air displacement plethysmography, bone mineral by DXA, and water by deuterium dilution). Fat and FFM ranged from 4 to 19 kg and from 47 to 81 kg, respectively. The physical activity level ranged from 2.2 to 3.7 with a mean value of 2.8 ± 0.4. Total energy expenditure from DLW (17,598 ± 3,298 kJ·d) was significantly underestimated by EI (11,274 ± 2,567 kJ·d), whereas no differences were found using DRI (17,008 ± 3,206 kJ·d). The EI and DRI methods explained TEE from DLW by 34% (p = 0.057) and 44% (p = 0.002), respectively, and wide limits of agreement were observed. Our findings suggested that EI is not a valid tool for TEE assessment. The DRI method may be valid at a group level but inaccurate for estimating individual TEE in young players during a demanding competitive season period.

Intensity matters: impact of physical activity energy expenditure at moderate and vigorous intensity on total and abdominal obesity in children.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Physical activity (PA) guidelines advocate that children should accumulate at least 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA daily. Still, it is not clear how body fat may differ if the same dose of PA is accumulated at different intensities. We aimed to determine the independent associations of energy expenditure (EE) at moderate (MPA) and vigorous (VPA) PA intensity on total and abdominal fat in children and if these associations were moderated by cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 326 children (girls = 171, boys = 151) aged 10-12 years had PA assessed with accelerometers. Total fat mass index (FMI) and abdominal FMI were assessed with DXA. CRF was assessed by a cycle ergometer test. Linear regression models were used to model the outcomes with the inclusion of an interaction term to test for moderation effects. RESULTS: An inverse association was found between VPA EE and FMI (ß = -0.013, p < 0.001) and abdominal FMI (ß = -0.0014, p < 0.001) independent of MPA EE. In contrast, MPA EE was not related to adiposity independent of VPA EE (p > 0.05). The relationships between the PA intensities and FMI and abdominal FMI were moderated by CRF. MPA EE was positively associated with adiposity in children with high levels of CRF, whereas VPA EE remained inversely associated with adiposity regardless of CRF level, although the strength of the association was lower in those with higher CRF levels. CONCLUSION: PA programs should provide opportunities for children to perform VPA in order to achieve healthier body fat profiles and avoid excess adiposity.

Are cardiorespiratory fitness and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity independently associated to overweight, obesity, and abdominal obesity in elderly?

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the independent association of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and physical activity (PA) with overweight and total and abdominal obesity in an elderly population. METHODS: A total of 112 males and 185 females, 65-103 years, were assessed for PA with accelerometers and results from six-minute walk test were used as a CRF marker. Waist circumference was dichotomized into normal or abdominal obesity and BMI was categorized into normal, overweight, or obesity. Binary logistic regression models were performed. RESULTS: Binary logistic regressions showed that, moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) predicted OR for abdominal obesity (OR = 1.4%; P = 0.026), obesity (OR = 2.9%; P < 0.001), and both conditions coupled (OR% = 4.0%; P < 0.001). Even adjusting for CRF, MVPA remained a significant predictor. CRF was associated with OR for abdominal obesity (OR = 0.4%; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, higher CRF is associated with lower risk for abdominal obesity in elderly. Independently MVPA predicts OR for obesity, abdominal obesity, and the cluster of both conditions.