Assessment of the physical development and physical fitness of children and youths with simple body height deficiency

The aim of this work is an analysis of the process of growth and an assessment of the physical fitness of children and youths with short stature. The material contains results of a long-term investigation of the growth of boys and girls with the diagnosis: simple body height deficiency (hypostatura simplex). The investigation was carried out in Swietokrzyskie Province, Poland, in the years 1980-1997. It comprised 471 individuals: 143 girls aged 5-18 years and 328 boys aged 5-19 years. A different degree of the skeleton age is connected with a different dynamic of growth of short-stature girls and boys. Pubescent increase in the rate of growth occurs in individuals with a considerable retardation of the bone age later, particularly among boys. The growth process lasts longer in them, therefore, the final body height is achieved later and it is greater in individuals whose bone age is concordant with the calendar age. The level of physical working capacity of short-stature children does not show any significant difference in comparison with that in individuals with correct body height, and relative values of the indicators of physical fitness, related to body mass, are even higher in short-stature children. Individuals with a greater body height deficiency are characterised by a lower level of physical fitness.     

Effects of high-rise living on physical and mental development of children

Effects of high-rise living on infants' development were investigated in 1987-1988 in a high-rise residential area in Tokyo, using questionnaires on the daily behaviors of a total of 1,045 infants, completed by mothers and kindergarten teachers. Infants of high-rise living showed a delayed independence in fundamental daily customs compared with those of low-rise living. This could be ascribed to an over-attachment of mothers of high-rise living with their infants resulting from a reduced number of outings.     

Programming living sensors for environment,health and biomanufacturing

Synthetic biology offers new tools and capabilities of engineering cells with desired functions for example as new biosensing platforms leveraging engineered microbes. In the last two decades, bacterial cells have been programmed to sense and respond to various input cues for versatile purposes including environmental monitoring, disease diagnosis and adaptive biomanufacturing. Despite demonstrated proof-of-concept success in the laboratory, the real-world applications of microbial sensors have been restricted due to certain technical and societal limitations. Yet, most limitations can be addressed by new technological developments in synthetic biology such as circuit design, biocontainment and machine learning. Here, we summarize the latest advances in synthetic biology and discuss how they could accelerate the development, enhance the performance and address the present limitations of microbial sensors to facilitate their use in the field. We view that programmable living sensors are promising sensing platforms to achieve sustainable, affordable and easy-to-use on-site detection in diverse settings.     

Comparing jumping ability among athletes of various sports: vertical drop jumping from 60 centimeters

Drop jumping performance (DJP) is of high importance in order to achieve sporting performance in both team and individual sports. The purpose of the present study was to compare DJP among athletes from various sports. One hundred thirty-eight male athletes (age: 22.3 +/- 3.6 years, body height: 1.87 +/- 0.08 m, body mass: 81.8 +/- 10.8 kg) from 6 different sports performed drop jumps from 60 cm (DJ60) on a force plate. Results revealed that volleyball players jumped higher (p < 0.001) than other athletes. However, track and field athletes produced higher peak force and higher power output using a shorter upward phase (p < 0.001). Further examination using principal components analysis (PCA) revealed that team sport athletes and single scull rowers exhibited DJP utilizing force and time parameters differently than track and field athletes. Conclusively, DJP was different among athletes of various sports. Furthermore, PCA can be a useful method for evaluating the above mentioned differences and for monitoring drop jumping training programs.     

Relationship between physical fitness and playing ability in rugby league players

This study investigated the physiological, anthropometric, and skill characteristics of rugby league players and determined the relationship between physical fitness and playing ability in these athletes. Eighty-six rugby league players (mean +/- SD age, 22.5 +/- 4.9 years) underwent measurements of standard anthropometry (height, body mass, and sum of 4 skinfolds), muscular power (vertical jump), speed (10-, 20-, and 40-m sprint), agility (L run), and estimated maximal aerobic power (multistage fitness test). In addition, 2 expert coaches independently assessed the playing ability of players using standardized skill criteria. First-grade players had significantly greater (p < 0.05) basic passing and ball-carrying ability and superior skills under fatigue, tackling and defensive skills, and evasion skills (i.e., ability to beat a player and 2 verse 1 skills) than second-grade and third-grade players. While no significant (p > 0.05) differences were detected among playing levels for body mass; skinfold thickness; height; 10-, 20-, or 40-m speed; agility; vertical jump height; or estimated maximal aerobic power, all the physiological and anthropometric characteristics were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with at least 1 measure of playing ability. The results of this study demonstrate that selected skill characteristics but not physiological or anthropometric characteristics discriminate between successful and less successful rugby league players. However, all physiological and anthropometric characteristics were related to playing ability. These findings suggest that while physiological and anthropometric characteristics do not discriminate between successful and less successful rugby league players, a high level of physical fitness contributes to effective playing ability in these athletes. A game-specific training program that incorporates both physical conditioning and skills training may facilitate a greater transfer of physical fitness to competitive performances in rugby league.     

Associations of muscular fitness with psychological positive health, health complaints, and health risk behaviors in Spanish children and adolescents

We examined the association of muscular fitness with psychological positive health, health complaints, and health risk behaviors in 690 (n = 322 girls) Spanish children and adolescents (6-17.9 years old). Lower body muscular strength was assessed with the standing long jump test, and upper-body muscular strength was assessed with the throw basketball test. A muscular fitness index was computed by means of standardized measures of both tests. Psychosocial positive health, health complaints, and health risk behaviors were self-reported using the items of the Health Behavior in School-aged Children questionnaire. Psychological positive health indicators included the following: perceived health status, life satisfaction, quality of family relationships, quality of peer relationships, and academic performance. We computed a health complaints index from 8 registered symptoms: headache, stomach ache, backache, feeling low, irritability or bad temper, feeling nervous, difficulties getting to sleep, and feeling dizzy. The health risk behavior indicators studied included tobacco use, alcohol use, and getting drunk. Children and adolescents with low muscular fitness (below the mean) had a higher odds ratio (OR) of reporting fair (vs. excellent) perceived health status, low life satisfaction (vs. very happy), low quality of family relationships (vs. very good), and low academic performance (vs. very good). Likewise, children and adolescents having low muscular fitness had a significantly higher OR of reporting smoking tobacco sometimes (vs. never), drinking alcohol sometimes (vs. never), and getting drunk sometimes (vs. never). The results of this study suggest a link between muscular fitness and psychological positive health and health risk behavior indicators in children and adolescents.     

Effects of hippotherapy on brain function,BDNF level,and physical fitness in children with ADHD

[Purpose]

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of hippotherapy on brain function and levels of blood-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in children with attention deficit and/or hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

[Methods]

The hippotherapy group (HRG) included twenty children with ADHD and the control group (CG) included 19 children. All participants’ physical fitness, fMRI brain scans, and blood BDNF levels were measured at baseline and after 32 weeks of participating in hippotherapy.

[Results]

After 32 weeks of participating in hippotherapy, the body fat of the HRG was significantly decreased (-1.12 ± 4.20%) and the body fat of the CG was increased (2.38 ± 6.35%) (p=0.049). There was no significant difference of physical fitness in both groups (p>0.05). Although there was a higher decrease in the activated insular area in the HRG (-1.59 ± 0.99) than in the CG (-1.14 ± 1.41), there was no significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05) Also, there was a higher increase in the activated cerebellum area in the HRG (1.97 ± 1.45) than in the CG (1.92 ± 1.81). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). BDNF levels showed an increased tendency in the HRG (166.29 ± 277.52pg) compared to the CG (21.13 ± 686.33pg); otherwise, there was not any significant difference in these blood levels between the two groups (p>0.05). It can be assumed that big individual differences in the level of ADHD in the study participants might not cause any significant results, although there might be positive changes in the brain function of children with ADHD.

[Conclusion]

Therefore, this study suggests that hippotherapy training would need to be modified and developed to increase the efficacy of hippotherapy in children with ADHD.     

Direct fitness of group living mammals varies with breeding strategy, climate and fitness estimates

1. Understanding how variation in fitness relates to variation in group living remains critical to determine whether this major aspect of social behaviour is currently adaptive. 2. Available evidence in social mammals aimed to examine this issue remains controversial. Studies show positive (i.e. potentially adaptive), neutral or even negative fitness effects of group living. 3. Attempts to explain this variation rely on intrinsic and extrinsic factors to social groups. Thus, relatively more positive fitness effects are predicted in singularly breeding as opposed to plural breeding species. Fitness effects of sociality in turn may depend on ecological conditions (i.e. extrinsic factors) that influence associated benefits and costs. 4. We used meta-analytic tools to review how breeding strategy or ecological conditions influence the effect size associated with direct fitness-sociality relationships reported in the mammalian literature. Additionally, we determined how taxonomic affiliation of species studied, different fitness and sociality measures used, and major climatic conditions of study sites explained any variation in direct fitness effect size. 5. We found group living had modest, yet positive effects on direct fitness. This generally adaptive scenario was contingent not only upon breeding strategy and climate of study sites, but also on fitness measures examined. Thus, positive and significant effects characterized singular as opposed to plural breeding strategies. 6. We found more positive fitness effects on studies conducted in tropical as opposed to temperate or arid climates. More positive and significant effects were noted on studies that relied on group fecundity, male fecundity and offspring survival as measures of fitness. 7. To conclude, direct fitness consequences of mammalian group living are driven by interspecific differences in breeding strategy and climate conditions. Other factors not examined in this study, namely individual variation in direct and indirect fitness benefits and potential interactions between social and ecological conditions, may be important and require further studies.     

Socio-economic determinants of health and physical fitness in southern Ethiopia

The dependence of health and physical fitness on the socio-economic factors of rural families in southern Ethiopia is investigated, with particular emphasis on the role of inequality. This paper contributes to our knowledge of the effect of inequality on health in several ways: it compares the results of objective and subjective health measures, it distinguishes between wealth inequality and nutrition inequality, and it evaluates the impact of nutrition inequality both at the village level and at the household level. The subjective health measures are the number of days respondents were ill during the last month, their ability to walk distances, their ability to carry heavy loads, and their ability to work in the field. The objective health measure is having Body Mass Index (BMI) lower than 18.5. Males are healthier than females. Height has a positive and significant effect on health and fitness and the same is true for per-capita wealth measured at the village level. Availability of satisfactory health facilities has a negative effect on morbidity. Per-capita wealth inequality is positively associated with morbidity and with a low BMI. Within-household nutrition inequality has a complex effect on health and physical fitness: the effect is negative, but only for household members whose nutritional status is above the household mean. The results indicate a clear positive effect of economic well-being on health and physical fitness. The role of inequality is less clear, and certainly deserves further analyses at both the theoretical and empirical levels.     

Parental education and living environmental influence on physical development, nutritional habits as well as level of physical activity in Polish children and adolescents

The aim of this work was to evaluate the physical development and nutritional status, the nutrition habits as well as level of physical activity of boys and girls in relation to the socio-economic status of their families. The study was conducted on a group of 529 boys and 535 girls aged 7-16 years from Swietokrzyskie Province in Poland. Boys and girls from high SES families had the greatest body height, BMI, upper arm muscle area, as well as upper arm fat tissue area, while the lowest values of these features occurred among those studied coming from families of a low SES. The higher the family SES, the higher habitual frequency of consuming vegetables and fruit as well as fish. The diet of children coming from higher SES families was also linked with a higher total protein content as well as animal protein, all analysed minerals and some vitamins, but there were no significant differences of energetic value in daily food rations as well as fat content. The longer time spent on some sedentary activities was connected with a higher family SES. The girls coming from a high status families also declared a higher level of physical activity, whereas such relationship was not observed among boys. A more rational set of nutritional habits observed among children from a higher SES families can be the basic reason for their higher advancement in development. A shorter time devoted to sedentary activities is assumed to be the main cause of a smaller relative body mass and less obesity among girls and boys from low SES families.     

Role of the interaction between lumbar kinematics and accelerometer-measured physical activity in bodily pain,physical functioning and work ability among health care workers with low back pain

The aim of this study was to examine the associations of spinal kinematics and physical activity (PA) with bodily pain, physical functioning, and work ability among health care workers with low back pain (LBP). Spinal kinematics and PA were measured with a wireless Inertial Measurement Unit system (ValedoMotion®) and a waist-worn tri-axial accelerometer (Hookie AM20), respectively. Their association was assessed in relation to Work Ability Index (WAI), bodily pain and physical functioning (RAND-36) in 210 health care workers with recurrent LBP. Greater lumbar movement variability/less deterministic lumbar movement (in angular velocity) during a “Pick Up a Box” functional task was correlated with higher amounts of step counts (r = -0.29, p = 0.01) and moderate PA (r = -0.24, p = 0.03). A higher amount of PA (p = 0.03) as well as less movement control impairment (p = 0.04) and movement variability (p = 0.03) were associated with greater work ability, whilst greater vigorous PA was the only parameter to explain higher physical functioning (p = 0.02). PA and movement variability were relative to each other to explain bodily pain (p = 0.01). These findings show the importance of considering the interaction between lumbar kinematics and physical activity while planning strategies to improve bodily pain, physical functioning and work ability among health care workers with LBP.     

Prepubertal children with suitable fitness and physical activity present reduced risk of oxidative stress

To assess the impact of fitness status and physical activity on oxidative stress in prepubertal children, we measured selected biomarkers such as protein carbonyls (PC), lipid peroxidation products, and total nitrites, as well as the antioxidant system: total glutathione (TG), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase activity, and glutathione peroxidase. A total of 132 healthy children ages 7-12, at prepubertal stage, were classified into two groups according to their fitness level: low fitness (LF) and high fitness (HF). They were observed while engaged in an after-school exercise program, and a questionnaire was created to obtain information on their physical activity or sedentary habits. Plasma and red blood cells were obtained to analyze biomarkers. Regarding oxidative stress markers, the LF group and the sedentary group showed higher levels of TG and GSSG and a lower GSH/GSSG ratio than the HF group and the children engaged in physical activity. A negative association was found between PC and GSSG and TG and between TG and the GSH/GSSG ratio. Moreover, a negative correlation was found between GSSG and fitness, with a positive correlation with the GSH/GSSG ratio. TG, GSSG, and the GSH/GSSG ratio seem to be reliable markers of oxidative stress in healthy prepubertal children with low fitness or sedentary habits. This research contributes to the recognition that an adequate level of fitness and recreational physical activity in childhood leads to better health and oxidative status.     

Physical and motor development of children with different social origins

The aim of the study is the analysis of body composition and motor development of 3 years old children due to their social status. In 2001/2002 a longitudinal study started in 17 nursery schools in Berlin. The results of the first investigation on 224 children are demonstrated here. There are no differences in body development and body composition in 3 years old children due to the social level in Germany, there are, however, differences in motor development due to the social level. Children with a low social level had lower outcomes in all motor skills.