Sports and recreational injuries: regional rural injury study-II: impact on agricultural households and operations.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the incidence, severity, and potential risk factors for sports/recreational injuries incurred by children and adults in a five state, rural, Midwest, agricultural household population. METHODS: Computer assisted telephone interviews that included questions about all injuries were completed for eligible, participating households for 1999; 16,538 people participated, including 8488 children less than 20 years of age. Rates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and causal models guided multivariate models. RESULTS: Of a total of 2586 injuries, 1301 (50%) were not related to agricultural activity. Among these, 733 (28%) were associated with sports/recreational activities including multiple person sports (64%), general play activities (19%), and single person sports (14%). The overall rate was 46.4 injury events per 1000 persons per year. Rates for children were 99.4 for boys and 64.3 for girls. For adults (aged 20 and above), rates were 11.9 for men and 4.8 for women. For children, 93% received health care, 44% were restricted for seven or more days, and 18% lost agricultural work time of seven or more days; the respective proportions for adults were 88%, 45%, and 17%. Multivariate analysis for children showed increased risks for Nebraska residents, males, and those 10-14 or 15-19 years. For adults, increased risks were identified for males and those 20-24 years; decreased risks were observed for Nebraska residents and those 45-54 years. CONCLUSIONS: Sports/recreational activities are an important source of injury with relevant consequences for this population, including significant restricted daily activity and lost agricultural work time. Key findings provide a basis for further study to address these burdens.

Effects of a vigorous walking program on body composition, and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism of obese young men.

With no attempt made to influence their diet, six sedentary obese men ages 19 to 31 completed 16 weeks of vigorous walking 90 min, 5 days/week, on a treadmill at up to 3.2 mph on a 10% grade, expending about 1100 kcal per session. Body composition studies indicated a loss of 5.9 kg of body fat and a gain of 0.2 kg of lean tissue for a net loss of 5.7 kg. Percentage body fat decreased from 23.3 to 17.4. Monitored food intake initially increased, then progressively decreased below pretraining levels. Work capacity and cardiovascular efficiency improved with training. Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were not significantly changed; however, high density lipoprotein cholesterol progressively increased to 15.6% above pretraining levels and the high/low density lipoprotein ratio increased 25.9%. Fasting blood sugar was significantly lower after training. Blood glucose concentrations after a glucose challenge did not significantly change, but a 43% reduction in plasma radioimmunoassay insulin levels and a 36% decrease in the ratio of insulin/glucose concentration occurred. Thus, vigorous regular walking resulted in a reduction of body fate stores, endogenous insulin requirements, and food intake, and perhaps improved the ability to eliminate cholestrol by increasing the plasma high density lipoprotein fraction.

Evaluation of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for determination of deuterium abundance in body fluids: application to measurement of total-body water in human infants.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to quantitate abundance of 2H in body water of human infants. This method provides precise measurement of total-body water without the extensive sample preparation requirements of previously described methods for determination of 2H content in body fluids. 2H2O (1 g/kg body weight) was administered to infants and saliva and urine were collected for up to 5 h. An internal standard was added directly to the fluid specimen and 2H enrichment in water was measured by NMR spectroscopy. Working range of deuterium abundance was 0.04-0.32 atom %. Coefficients of variation for saliva samples at 0.20 atom % 2H was 1.97%. 2H content in urine and saliva water reached a plateau by 4 h after administration, and amounts in the two fluids were virtually identical. Mean total-body water determination for six infants was 58.3 +/- 5.8% of body weight (range 53-66%).

Zinc absorption in women: comparison of intrinsic and extrinsic stable-isotope labels.

Fractional absorption of extrinsic and intrinsic zinc from milk-based formulated diets was measured in 10 young women by using a simultaneous triple-isotope method based on fecal monitoring of unabsorbed enriched stable-isotope labels. Zinc intake was held nearly constant (mean zinc intake = 1.48 mumol.kg body wt-1.d-1) throughout the 18-d controlled feeding phase of the study by addition of extrinsic 64Zn to all formula feedings, with substitution of the extrinsic 67Zn label for some of the 64Zn when formula intrinsically labeled with 70Zn was given. Fractional absorption values of intrinsic and extrinsic zinc labels, 0.267 +/- 0.092 (mean +/- SD) and 0.282 +/- 0.086, respectively, were highly correlated (r = 0.83, P less than 0.05) and did not differ significantly. The ratio of fractional absorption of the extrinsic to that of the intrinsic label, 1.08 +/- 0.20 (mean +/- SD), was not significantly different from unity. The results show that extrinsic labeling by use of enriched stable isotopes is a valid means of determining zinc absorption from milk-based diets in adult humans.

Comprehensive evaluation of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire.

The accuracy of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity (LTPA) Questionnaire (a 1-year survey of non-occupational activity used in MRFIT) was studied in 78 men and women, age 20-59 years, by comparing survey results to the following measures obtained over a year's duration: six 48-hour physical activity records; fourteen 48-hour Caltrac accelerometer readings (Caltrac); 14 administrations of a 4-week version of the LTPA Questionnaire (FWH); 3 VO2peak determinations and percent body fat (% BF). The LTPA Questionnaire demonstrated: weak to moderate associations with % BF (r = -0.24) and with VO2peak (r = 0.47); a weak association with Caltrac readings expressed as MET.minutes.day-1 (r = 0.23); strong associations with corresponding activities reported on the FWH; and moderate associations with total and heavy activities reported in the physical activity record, but no associations with moderate and light activities. Furthermore, several types of LTPA were found to be either under-represented or not currently included in the Minnesota LTPA Questionnaire. It is concluded that although validation results were found to be quite good, several possible refinements were identified, which should improve the accuracy of the Minnesota LTPA Questionnaire in assessing habitual physical activity.

Cardiac troponin T alterations in myocardium and serum of rats after stressful, prolonged intense exercise.

The goal of this study was to determine whether the stress of forced exercise would result in injury to the myocardium. Male rats with 8% of body weight attached to the tail were forced to swim 3.5 h (3.5S), forced to swim 5 h (5S), or pretrained for 8 days and then forced to swim 5 h (T5S). Rats were killed immediately after they swam (0 h PS) and at 3 h (3 h PS), 24 h (24 h PS), and 48 h after they swam (48 h PS). Tissue homogenates of the left ventricle were analyzed by Western blot analysis for cardiac troponin T (cTnT). Serum cTnT was quantified by immunoassay. Results indicated that, in the 3.5S, 5S, and T5S groups, serum cTnT was significantly (P < 0.01) increased at 0 and 3 h PS. The 5S group demonstrated a greater increase in serum cTnT than the 3.5S group (P < 0.01) and the T5S group (P < 0.01) at 0 h PS. Western blot analysis indicated significant decreases (P < 0. 01) in myocardial cTnT in the 5S group only at 0 h PS (P < 0.01) and 3 h PS (P < 0.05). Histological evidence of localized myocyte damage demonstrated by interstitial inflammatory infiltrates consisting of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and histiocytes, as well as vesicular nuclei-enlarged chromatin patterns, was observed in left ventricle specimens from the 5S group at 24 and 48 h PS. Our findings demonstrate that stressful, forced exercise induces alterations in myocardial cTnT and that training before exercise attenuates the exercise-induced heart damage.

Use of high-precision gas isotope ratio mass spectrometry to determine natural abundance 13C in lutein isolated from C3 and C4 plant sources.

A method was developed for high-precision stable carbon isotope ratio analysis of lutein isolated from a C3 (marigold flower) and a C4 (corn gluten meal) plant source using gas chromatography-combustion interfaced isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The natural abundance of 13C (expressed as delta 13C versus the international standard, Pee Dee Belemnite, in per mil units, denoted /1000) in lutein isolated from marigold flower and corn gluten meal was determined to be -29.90 +/- 0.20/1000 and -19.77 +/- 0.27/1000 (mean +/- S.D.), respectively. The high precision of gas isotope ratio mass spectrometry is potentially applicable to detect differences of isotopic composition of lutein in the blood, tissues, or excreta of animal models or humans that result from differences in the natural abundance of 13C in C3 and C4 plant foods.

Responses to training in cross-country skiers.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated whether cross-country skiers who did not respond positively to a training program consisting of high volume and low intensity would improve if high-intensity training volume was doubled during a subsequent training year. METHODS: During the first year of the study, cross-country skiers (N = 14) were evaluated for VO2max, VO2threshold, lactate response, max arm power, and competitive results after a standard training program. During the second year, the athletes were divided into a control group (athletes who had responded well to the training) and a treatment group (athletes who had responded poorly to the training). The control group (N = 7) repeated the previous year's training program. The treatment group (N = 7) was given a modified training program which increased high-intensity training time as a percentage of total training from < 17% to > 35% and decreased low-intensity training volume 22%. RESULTS: The treatment group, using the high-intensity training program, demonstrated significantly improved VO2max, VO2threshold, max arm power, and competitive results (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Increased volume of high-intensity training may improve competitive results in cross-country skiers who fail to respond to increased volume of low-intensity training.

Validity and reliability of combining three methods to determine ventilatory threshold.

PURPOSE: This research was undertaken to validate a combination of methodologies to determine ventilatory threshold (VT). METHODS: Three methods were used individually and then combined to determine VT as follows: 1) ventilatory equivalencies, 2) excess CO2 production, and 3) a modified V-slope method. Three groups of participants-endurance athletes (N = 132), healthy, aerobically active adults (N = 31), and healthy, sedentary/low-active adults (N = 22)-were independently evaluated for VT and compared with the criterion standard lactate threshold (LT) defined as the first rise in blood lactate with increasing intensity of exercise. RESULTS: VT and LT were significantly correlated using the combined VT method within each study group (r = 0.98, 0.97, and 0.95, respectively; P < 0.001). Mean VO2 values at VT and LT were not significantly different between the three groups (P > 0.20). The combined method improved the determination rate of VT and reduced the standard deviation of the LT - VT difference by 80-170% over the individual methods. During test-retest procedures VO2lt and VO2vt determined by the combined method met criteria demonstrating further reliability. CONCLUSION: The combined method to determine VT is valid and reliable across a wide fitness range in healthy individuals and improves the determination rate and accuracy of VT determination over the use of single methods.

The effect of wearing the complete Lenox Hill Derotation Brace on energy expenditure during horizontal treadmill running at 161 meters per minute.

Ten volunteer subjects (means age = 26.6 +/- 4.9 years, means height = 177.9 +/- 5.6 cm, and means weight = 76.9 +/- 11.2 kg) who had been wearing the Lenox Hill Derotation Brace (LHB) for a mean time of 23.9 +/- 28.0 months were familiarized with horizontal treadmill running at 161 m/min with and without the LHB. They were then tested randomly for four runs, two with the LHB and two without the LHB. Metabolic measurements using a device that counted footstrikes on the treadmill were taken during the 3rd and 6th minutes of each run. Regardless of sampling time, wearing the LHB produced significantly higher values for VO2 (4.58%, P less than 0.025) and heart rate (5.10%, P less than 0.004) compared to the no brace condition. Regardless of whether or not the subjects were wearing the LHB, 6 minute values were significantly higher than 3 minute values for VO2 (5.89%, P less than 0.0004), VE (10.8%, P less than 0.004), heart rate (5.35%, P less than 0.0000), and R (2.17%, P less than 0.038). The mean 6 minute values of VO2 with (37.42 +/- 3.55 ml/kg/min) and without (35.54 +/- 2.17 ml/kg/min) the brace fall within the range of expected values of 28.1 to 39.3 ml/kg/min derived from regression equations from the literature which predict VO2 response to horizontal treadmill running. Mean stride lengths while wearing the LHB (97.85 cm) were not significantly different from mean stride lengths without the LHB (98.56 cm). It is concluded that wearing the LHB produces a 4.58% increase in energy expenditure during horizontal treadmill running at 161 m/min which cannot be attributed to changes in stride length or to time of sampling during the run.

Use of a 13C tracer to quantify the plasma appearance of a physiological dose of lutein in humans.

Increased intake of lutein from vegetables promotes increased density of the macular pigment and therefore may protect against age-related macular degeneration. Our objective was to use a 13C tracer and high-precision gas chromatography-combustion interfaced-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS) to investigate metabolism of a lutein dose equivalent to that absorbed from vegetables. Biosynthetic per-labeled (>99% 13C) lutein was purified from a commercially available extract of algal biomass. Subjects (n = 4) ingested 3 mg of [13C]lutein with a standardized low-carotenoid breakfast. Blood samples were collected at baseline and then hourly for 12 h; additional blood samples were drawn at 16, 24, 48, 72, 96, 192, 360, and 528 h. To produce perhydro-beta-carotene suitable for analysis by GC-C-IRMS, the plasma lutein fraction was hydrogenated on palladium-on-carbon catalyst with acid-catalyzed hydrogenolysis. The stable carbon isotope (13C/12C) ratio measured by GC-C-IRMS was used to calculate the plasma concentration of [13C]lutein. There was a rapid increase in [13C]lutein in plasma until peak enrichment at 16 h followed by a decline to the next measurement at 24 h. At 528 h, small changes in 13C enrichment from baseline could still be measured in plasma lutein. High-precision GC-C-IRMS enables complete definition of the appearance and disappearance of [13C]lutein in plasma after ingestion of a dose similar to that absorbed from foods.

Short- and long-term prognostic value of graded exercise testing soon after myocardial infarction.

We attempted to determine whether graded exercise testing (GXT) soon after a myocardial infarction (MI) using an unlimited metabolic equivalent (MET) level and target heart rate (HR) of 90% of the age-predicted maximal HR is a safe procedure and yields prognostic results different from tests that use lower level end points. We administered GXT to a random sample of 85 patients at a mean of 14.8 days post-MI. End points that included ST-segment depression (STD), angina pectoris (AP), ventricular ectopic activity, and achieved MET level during testing were evaluated as predictors of cardiac events that include death, recurrent nonfatal MI, and coronary artery bypass graft surgery. We conducted short-term follow-up monitoring for one year after the initial MI and long-term follow-up monitoring for a mean of 864.7 days. No serious complications occurred during testing. Angina pectoris, STD accompanied by AP, and achieved MET level were predictive (p less than .05) of future fatal and nonfatal cardiac events during the first year of follow-up monitoring. Fifty-nine percent of the patients with AP suffered a subsequent cardiac event within one year, whereas only 17% of those without AP experienced another cardiac event. Sixty-seven percent of the patients with both STD and AP had a subsequent cardiac event within one year, but only 22% of those without AP and STD had a subsequent cardiac event. For the long-term follow-up monitoring, the presence of AP and a low achieved MET level during testing were associated with subsequent cardiac events.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Health and metabolic responses of young calves housed at -30 degrees C to -8 degrees C.

Newborn, male, Holstein calves, were continuously housed for three weeks in calf hutches at 17 degrees C or in a thermal environment which varied rhythmically on a daily basis either between -20 degrees C and -8 degrees C (experiment A) or between -30 degrees C and -18 degrees C (experiment B). Compared to warm-housed calves, cold-housed calves in experiment A had metabolic rates which were significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in a standing position but which were not significantly different (p less than 0.05) in a recumbent position. Recumbent and standing cold-housed calves in experiment B had an increased (p less than 0.05) metabolic rate compared to warm-housed controls. Heat loss was less (p less than 0.05) for recumbent cold-housed calves in experiment B than for standing calves in a thermoneutral environment. Localized subcutaneous hemorrhages of hindlimbs were a consistent necropsy finding among all cold-housed calves. Average daily gains of cold-housed calves were not significantly different from warm-housed controls. Clinical, physiological and pathological findings indicated that cold treatments used in the present study did not cause serious harm to calves. It was concluded that calves housed in properly managed hutches are remarkably cold tolerant.

Skeletal muscle sorbitol levels in diabetic rats with and without insulin therapy and endurance exercise training.

Sorbitol accumulation is postulated to play a role in skeletal muscle dysfunction associated with diabetes. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of insulin and of endurance exercise on skeletal muscle sorbitol levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Rats were assigned to one experimental group (control sedentary, control exercise, diabetic sedentary, diabetic exercise, diabetic sedentary no-insulin). Diabetic rats received daily subcutaneous insulin. The exercise-trained rats ran on a treadmill (1 hour, 5X/wk, for 12 weeks). Skeletal muscle sorbitol levels were the highest in the diabetic sedentary no-insulin group. Diabetic sedentary rats receiving insulin had similar sorbitol levels to control sedentary rats. Endurance exercise did not significantly affect sorbitol levels. These results indicate that insulin treatment lowers sorbitol in skeletal muscle; therefore sorbitol accumulation is probably not related to muscle dysfunction in insulin-treated diabetic individuals. Endurance exercise did not influence intramuscular sorbitol values as strongly as insulin.

Exercise for optimal health: strategies and motivational considerations.

It appears that most people who engage in exercise for 20-60 min per day, 3 days per week, at an intensity level of 70-80% of maximal heart rate will derive at least some health-related benefits associated with improved cardiorespiratory fitness and optimal body weight. Individuals exhibiting extremely low cardiorespiratory fitness can probably derive benefits from even less exercise, while higher intensity and/or longer duration may be required to optimize some desired changes, particularly in areas associated with metabolic adaptation relative to blood lipids, diabetes, and psychological affect. While there is some evidence that it may take less exercise to maintain fitness levels already attained, a lifelong pattern of regular physical activity is recommended to optimize health-related benefits. Strategies which have been successful in combating high attrition rates in exercise programs include educational efforts to increase the participants' awareness pf exercise benefits; assessment procedures which determine the participants' needs, provide continuous motivational reinforcement, and accurately record improvement; and written contracts which hold participants accountable for reaching realistic goals within specified time periods.

Developmental changes of selected minerals in Zucker rats.

Effects of obesity and age on copper, iron, zinc, sodium, potassium, and protein were compared in liver, kidney, brain, and muscle of obese (fa/fa) and nonobese (non-fa/fa) male Zucker rats. Blood plasma cerulopasmin, copper, zinc, sodium, and potassium were also determined. Mean brain weight of fa/fa rats was less than that of non-fa/fa rats at 12 weeks of age; mean brain protein concentration was greater in fa/fa than in non-fa/fa at 5 and 12 weeks of age. At 18-19 days of age, mean sodium concentration (mg/g protein) in liver of fa/fa was less than that of non-fa/fa. At 5 weeks of age, mean copper concentration (microgram/g protein) in kidney was greater in fa/fa. Mean total copper, iron, zinc, sodium, and potassium in liver and kidney were greater in fa/fa than in non-fa/fa at 5 weeks because of the larger livers and kidneys of fa/fa. Mean concentrations of copper, zinc, sodium, and potassium per gram of brain protein were slightly (6-10%) less in fa/fa than in non-fa/fa at 5 weeks. By 12 weeks, mean concentrations of copper in liver, kidney, (tibialis) muscle, and blood plasma, ceruloplasmin in blood plasma, zinc in liver and muscle, iron in muscle, and sodium in liver were greater in fa/fa than in non-fa/fa. However, total amount of each mineral in muscle at 12 weeks was less in fa/fa than in non-fa/fa because of the smaller mean muscle weight of fa/fa. Mean concentrations of copper and zinc in brain and of iron in liver and brain were less in fa/fa than in non-fa/fa at 12 weeks. The major age-related changes in fa/fa that were not observed in non-fa/fa were large increases in liver and kidney copper between 5 and 12 weeks of age. It seems that the abnormal mineral metabolism is a consequence of the obesity, but the mechanisms are not identified.

Effects of recovery duration and blood lactate level on power output during cycling.

This study identifies the quickest recovery between consecutive anaerobic tests to maintain power output (PO) on the repeated test. Sixteen male cyclists finished three sessions of max rpm initial and repeated 45-s cycling tests at 53.9 N. Tests were separated by 6, 9, or 12 min of recovery cycling (80 rpm, 9.8 N). Results showed no significant differences in PO between initial tests (M = 578.5 +/- 50 watts). PO was significantly less on the 6-min repeated test (M = 551.2 +/- 51) compared to the 9- (M = 575.1 +/- 53) and 12-min tests (M = 581.7 +/- 49.9) (p > 0.05). Net blood lactate [HLa] (repeated test-recovery) was significantly related to net PO (repeated test-initial test) on the 9- (r = 0.60, p < 0.05) and 12-min (r = 0.64, p < 0.001) trials, but not on the 6-min trial (r = 0.35, p = 0.19). In summary, at least 9 min of recovery cycling maintains PO on a repeated 45-s cycling test. Elevated [HLa] at the onset of high-intensity sprint exercise is moderately associated with PO on repeated cycle ergometer tests.

The effects of a hockey-specific training program on performance of Bantam players.

Few studies have attempted to identify the effects of training on performance measures related to ice hockey. The present study was designed to examine the effects of a 7-week hockey-specific training program on the on- and off-ice test performance scores of 14- and 15-year-old (Bantam) hockey players. Pre- and post-training tests of percent fat (ultrasound), center of gravity location, 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and on-ice tests of top speed, acceleration, and concerning ability were completed on 28 male subjects (16 in a training group, 12 in a control group of summer league participants). The training group showed significant improvements (p less than .01) in percent fat, top speed, acceleration, and cornering test performance whereas only percent fat was significantly improved for the control group. The results suggest that performance on tests related to ice hockey can be improved by training specifically for hockey but that performance is not affected by summer league play alone.