Anthropometric characteristics of people 21 to 35 years of age from Moscow and the Moscow region who participate in physical culture and popular sports on a regular basis

By means of certain anthropometrical methods, in accordance with 56 initial data, 262 men and 274 women, Russian nationality, students of Institute of Physical Culture at the age of 21-35 years have been examined. They all are third-grade and second-grade athletes in popular sport games and regularly go in for physical culture. Morphofunctional characteristics, including 74 parameters, that are summarized in three tables (absolute anthropometrical, body proportions and morphofunctional) are presented. The total dimensions of the body (mass--69 +/- 7 kg in the men and 61 +/- 7 kg in the women and body length--174 +/- 7 and 163 +/- 6 sm, respectively) and its parts changed but little during last 20 years, nevertheless, are noticably higher than the standards accepted in the 50s. A slight variability is revealed (in the women a little greater) in most of the anthropometrical parameters, body proportions are near the classical forms. The results of the work reflect favourable role of regular physical exercises for formation of optimal morphofunctional human status, interrelations of muscular, fatty and osseous body components. The low variability of the characteristics obtained demonstrates their typicalness; therefore, it is possible to recommend them as standards for estimation physical development and body built of persons in the given age group.     

Sleep duration and BMI in a sample of young adults

We examined the association between sleep duration and BMI in young adults, and, specifically, in possible gender differences. The population-based sample included 955 young men and 1051 young women (mean age = 25.3 years, s.d. = 1.7) who participated in Project EAT-III (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults)-III. In 2008-2009, study participants completed a survey, on which they reported their weight, height, and typical bed and awakening times. Gender-specific regression models estimated cross-sectional associations between sleep duration and weight status, adjusting for age, race, SES, family structure, depressive symptoms, physical activity, and sedentary and dietary behaviors. In multivariable-adjusted linear regression models, an hour increase in sleep was associated with a -0.38 (-0.70, -0.048) BMI in men. Men who slept <7 h had a 1.4 unit higher mean BMI (27.9; 95% confidence interval (CI): 26.9, 28.9) than men who slept 7-9 h/day (26.5; 95% CI: 26.1, 27.0). Prevalence estimates of overweight (BMI ≥ 25) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30) were also inversely associated with sleep duration among men. Sleep duration was not associated with BMI, overweight, or obesity in women. Among women, but not men, there was a statistically significant positive association between trouble falling or staying asleep and mean BMI. Sleep may be an important modifiable risk factor for obesity, particularly in young adult men.     

Adaptation potential of students and smoking

A relationship between the level of the body adaptation resources as an indicator of human individual health and smoking was established by means of examining 304 first-year university students. A trend for the number of smoking young men to increase with an increase in their adaptation potential is interpreted from the point of view of the social adaptation of first-year students in group activity.     

Changes in neurodynamic parameters of the human brain during an individual annual cycle

Neurodynamic parameters of the human brain and their changes depending on the trimester of an individual annual cycle (IAC), which lasts from one birthday to the next, were studied. In the course of a year, fourfold examination (in February, April, July, and October) of 124 men and 242 women aged from 18 to 20 years was carried out. According to psychological characteristics, the examined subjects were divided into introverts and extroverts. The strength and mobility of nervous processes in extrovert men tended to decrease in the fourth trimester of the IAC, simultaneously with a decrease in the overall state of health. Introvert men exhibited a lower brain efficiency than extrovert men; changes in their brain functional mobility during an IAC were more pronounced than in the case of extrovert men; the lowest parameters were recorded in the second trimester. Annual changes in neurodynamic parameters in women were smaller than in men.     

Relationship between the 30-second wingate test and characteristics of isometric and explosive leg strength in young subjects

The aim of this study was to investigate a possible relation between power performance of the Wingate test (WT) and isometric leg strength (ILS) and explosive leg strength (ELS) characteristics in young men and women with different physical fitness levels. A total of 166 subjects, including 98 young men and 68 young women, were included in the study. The subjects were divided into a regular exercise group and a sedentary group. The physical and body mass index characteristics of the subjects were not different, and they had not taken part in the directed jumping. When the regular exercise and sedentary groups were considered together with men, women, and total population groups, no significant correlation existed between WT anaerobic fatigue index and ILS and ELS (p > 0.05), but significant positive correlations existed among peak power, peak power per weight, mean power, mean power per weight, and WT power, which were recorded in 5-second intervals (p < 0.001). Although the 5-second WT parameters were significantly correlated with ILS and ELS for the first 15-second period, this correlation was more pronounced for the last 15 seconds for all groups (p < 0.01). As a result, this study indicated that regular physical activity has a positive significant relation on WT power, ILS, and ELS in both sedentary men and women and those engaged in regular sports activities.     

Psychosocial functioning, self-perception and body image and their auxologic correlates in growth hormone and oestrogen-treated young adult women with Turner syndrome

BACKGROUND: Few data are available on the psychosocial status of growth hormone (GH) and oestrogen treated women with Turner syndrome (TS). In this study, we evaluated psychosocial functioning, self-concept and body image in GH and oestrogen treated young adult women with TS and we studied the relationship with auxological parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty women with TS (mean +/- SD age: 22.1 +/- 2.4 years), all treated with GH and oestrogens if indicated, and an age-matched reference group of 44 non-Turner female students (age: 20.5 +/- 2.1 years) completed 3 questionnaires evaluating, respectively, behavioural and emotional problems (Young Adult Self Report), self-concept (Self Perception Profile for College Students) and body-image (Body Attitude Scale). RESULTS: TS patients did not report more behavioural and emotional problems compared to the non-TS females except for attention problems; they even reported fewer problems on some subscales (somatic complaints, thought problems, delinquent behaviour). TS patients did not differ from the non-TS female group in their bodily satisfaction. TS patients, particularly patients with a 45,X karyotype, perceived themselves as less socially competent. BMI was significantly related to the appraisal score of the Body Attitude Scale, whereas height was not related to any of the evaluated psychosocial parameters. CONCLUSION: The psychosocial adaptation of young adult women with TS, diagnosed at an early age and treated during childhood with GH and oestrogens if indicated, appears to be quite satisfactory. Follow-up of adult TS patients should not neglect the problem of overweight and associated psychosocial consequences.     

Critical years and stages of puberty for radial bone mass apposition during adolescence.

The acquisition of radial mineral density was evaluated in relation to anthropometric characteristics, menarche status, calcium intake and physical activity in a healthy young female population (200 girls and 100 women, respectively aged 11-16 yrs and 20-24 yrs) living in an area of Southern Italy. We performed bone mineral density (BMD) by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry on the ultradistal and middistal radius. Dietary calcium intake was evaluated by a detailed Food Frequency Questionnaire and confirmed by a 3-day record. A questionnaire on energy expenditure was used to assess physical activity in each participant. Morning blood samples were drawn from fasting girls to measure 25-hydroxycalciferol (25 OH-D). We found current calcium above the levels reported by Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) in only 31% of women and 6% of girls. BMD steadily increased up to the age of 16 and was increased in postmenarcheal girls compared to premenarcheals of the same pubertal stage. Bone density was also significantly related to age, weight and height in postmenarcheal adolescents, while in girls before and after menarche, no relation was observed between radial BMD and calcium intake or physical activity. In the presence of comparable calcium-intake values recorded in pre- and in postmenarcheal girls, the latter subgroup displayed a marked increase of 25 OH-D serum levels. Our study revealed a calcium intake lower than the RDA in a large percentage of healthy girls and young women, and emphasized the importance of menarche occurrence in bone mass acquisition during pubertal development.     

Five-year cumulative incidence of physical inactivity in adult Croatian population: the CroHort study

The aim of this study was to analyze gender and age differences in physical inactivity in Croatia and physical inactivity pattern changes during the five-year period. The study is based on the data obtained from the Croatian Adult Health Cohort Study which was carried out in 2003 and 2008. The prevalence of physical inactivity in 2008 was 37.7%, 36.8% in men and 38.1% in women. In both study waves the prevalence was increasing with age in both men and women. The prevalence is statistically significantly higher in subjects older than 64 years than in younger age groups. The incidence of physical inactivity in the five-year period in total was 29.9%, 27.2% in men and 31.1% in women. The increase in prevalence of physical inactivity despite the number of preventive activities carried out periodically emphasizes the need for systematic and comprehensive approach in increasing the number of regularly physically active individuals.     

Influence of aging on sex differences in muscle fatigability.

The purpose of this study was to compare time to task failure for a sustained isometric contraction performed at a submaximal intensity with elbow flexor muscles by young and old men and women. Twenty-seven young (14 men and 13 women, 18-35 yr) and 18 old (10 men and 8 women, 65-80 yr) adults sustained an isometric contraction at 20% of maximal voluntary contraction torque until target torque could no longer be achieved for > or = 5 s. Young adults were stronger than old adults (66.8 +/- 17.9 vs. 47.7 +/- 18.1 N x m, P < 0.05), and men were stronger than women (69.8 +/- 17.9 vs. 47.1 +/- 15.3 N x m, P < 0.05), with no interaction between age and sex (P > 0.05). Time to task failure was longer for old than for young adults (22.8 +/- 9.1 vs. 14.4 +/- 7.6 min, P < 0.05) and for young women than for young men (18.3 +/- 8.0 vs. 10.8 +/- 5.2, P < 0.05), but there was no difference between old women and men (21.3 +/- 10.7 and 24.1 +/- 8.0 min, respectively, P > 0.05) or between young women and old adults (P > 0.05). Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, average electromyographic (EMG) activity, and torque fluctuations of elbow flexor muscles increased during the fatiguing contraction (P < 0.05) for all subjects. Rates of increase in mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and torque fluctuations were greater for young men and old adults, with no differences between old men and women (P > 0.05). Similarly, the rate of increase in EMG activity was greater for young men than for the other three groups. EMG bursts were less frequent for old adults (P < 0.05) at the end of the fatiguing contraction, and this was accompanied by reduced fluctuations in torque. Consequently, time to task failure was related to target torque for young, but not old, adults, and differences in task duration were accompanied by parallel changes in the pressor response.     

Testosterone levels in women and men who are single, in long-distance relationships, or same-city relationships

Research points to an association between testosterone (T) and partnering in some women and men, and this association has been interpreted as an effect of either relationship status (i.e. differences in relationship status lead to differences in T) or relationship orientation (i.e. T is associated with the likelihood of entering relationships). To address whether physical partner presence was associated with decreased T, we examined T levels in people (72 women; 49 men) who were single, in long-distance relationships, or in same-city relationships. No participants were using exogenous hormones, including hormonal contraceptives. Participants provided a saliva sample and responded to questions about their relationship status. Single men had higher T than long-distance and same-city partnered men, which supports the relationship orientation interpretation. In contrast, same-city partnered women had lower T than single women and women in long-distance relationships, which supports the relationship status interpretation. We conclude that physical partner presence is not necessary to see an association between partnering and hormones in men (since same-city and long-distance partnered men had similar T levels), but may be necessary in women (since same-city partnered women had lower T than long-distance partnered women).     

Haematopoietic stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells in healthy men: effect of aging and training

The number of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) is thought to be a marker for neovascularization and vascular repair. Because physical inactivity and aging are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, these factors may influence the numbers of HSCs and EPCs. Therefore, we examined baseline and exercise-induced levels of HSCs and EPCs in sedentary and trained young and older men. To study the role of aging in eight sedentary young (19-28 years) and eight sedentary older men (67-76 years), baseline and acute exercise-induced numbers of HSCs (CD34+-cells) and EPCs (CD34+/VEGFR-2+-cells) were quantified by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis. To examine the effect of chronic training, eight age-matched trained young men (18-28 years) were compared with sedentary young men, whereas older men performed an 8-week endurance training. Older men showed significantly lower baseline and exercise-induced levels of HSCs/EPCs than the young men (P < 0.05). In young and older men, acute exercise significantly increased HSCs (P < 0.01), but not EPCs. The absolute increase in numbers of HSCs was attenuated in older men (P = 0.03). Apart from the lower baseline numbers of EPCs after chronic training in older men, training status did not alter baseline or exercise-induced levels of HSCs/EPCs in young and older men. We concluded that advancing age results in lower circulating numbers of HSCs and EPCs and attenuates the acute exercise-induced increase in HSCs. Interestingly, in young as well as in older men chronic endurance training does not affect baseline and exercise-induced numbers of HSCs and EPCs.     

Characteristics of skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis induced by moderate-intensity exercise and weight loss in obesity.

There are fewer mitochondria and a reduced oxidative capacity in skeletal muscle in obesity. Moderate-intensity physical activity combined with weight loss increase oxidative enzyme activity in obese sedentary adults; however, this adaptation occurs without a significant increase in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is unlike the classic pattern of mitochondrial biogenesis induced by vigorous activity. The objective of this study was to examine the hypothesis that the mitochondrial adaptation to moderate-intensity exercise and weight loss in obesity induces increased mitochondrial cristae despite a lack of mtDNA proliferation. Content of cardiolipin and mtDNA and enzymatic activities of the electron transport chain (ETC) and tricarboxylic acid cycle were measured in biopsy samples of vastus lateralis muscle obtained from sedentary obese men and women before and following a 4-mo walking intervention combined with weight loss. Cardiolipin increased by 60% from 47 +/- 4 to 74 +/- 8 microg/mU CK (P < 0.01), but skeletal muscle mtDNA content did not change significantly (1,901 +/- 363 to 2,169 +/- 317 Rc, where Rc is relative copy number of mtDNA per diploid nuclear genome). Enzyme activity of the ETC increased (P < 0.01); that for rotenone-sensitive NADH-oxidase (96 +/- 1%) increased more than for ubiquinol-oxidase (48 +/- 6%). Activities for citrate synthase and succinate dehydrogenase increased by 29 +/- 9% and 40 +/- 6%, respectively. In conclusion, moderate-intensity physical activity combined with weight loss induces skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis in previously sedentary obese men and women, but this response occurs without mtDNA proliferation and may be characterized by an increase in mitochondrial cristae.     

Clinical applications of radioimmunoassay of the alpha-subunit of glycoprotein hormones.

The radioimmunoassay of alpha-subunit adapted in our laboratory was widely evaluated. Three different antisera (anti-pituitary alpha-subunit, anti-alpha-TSH and anti-alpha-hCG), the labelled preparations of pituitary alpha-subunit and alpha-hCG, and cross-reactivity with intact glycoprotein hormones (MRC standards of LH, FSH, hCG and TSH) were tested for their potential influence on the results of the assay. The basal levels of alpha-subunit were measured in 48 healthy young men, 48 normally menstruating women, 33 menopausal women, 37 pregnant women and 70 patients with pituitary adenoma. In addition a possibility of pulsatile secretion of alpha-subunit was investigated in 9 healthy young women, the ranges of alpha-subunit concentrations found were as follow (means +/- SD): 1.2 +/- 0.4 micrograms/l--in young men, 1.1 +/- 0.4 micrograms/l--in young women, 3.2 +/- 0.7 micrograms/l--in postmenopausal women, 1-54 micrograms/l--in pregnant women, and between 2.6 and 44.0 micrograms/l in 14 of 70 patients with pituitary adenoma. There were good correlations of results for 3 different antisera and their cross-reactivity with LH, FSH, hCG and TSH were just as low. In conclusion, the alpha-subunit assay appears clinically useful and should be widely applied in routine endocrinological diagnostics.     

Relationship between the percentage of body fat and surrogate indices of fatness in male and female Polish active and sedentary students

Background

Limited data have indicated that body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) of athletes and young adults provide misleading results concerning body fat content. This study was aimed at the evaluation of the relationship between different surrogate indices of fatness (BMI, WC, WHR, WHtR and body adiposity index (BAI)) with the percentage of body fat in Polish students with respect to their sex and physical activity.

Methods

A total of 272 students volunteered to participate in the study. Of these students, 177 physical education students (90 males and 87 females) were accepted as active (physical activity of 7 to 9 hours/week); and 95 students of other specializations (49 males and 46 females) were accepted as sedentary (physical activity of 1.5 hours/week). Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured, and BMI, WHR, WHtR and BAI were calculated. Body fat percentage was assessed using four skinfold measurements.

Results

Classification of fatness according to the BMI and the percentage of body fat have indicated that BMI overestimates fatness in lean subjects (active men and women, sedentary men), but underestimates body fat in obese subjects (sedentary women). In all groups, BMI, WHR, WHtR and BAI were significantly correlated with the percentage of body fat (with the exception of WHR and hip circumference in active and sedentary women, respectively). However, coefficients of determination not exceeding 50% and Lin’s concordance correlation coefficients lower than 0.9 indicated no relationship between measured and calculated body fat.

Conclusion

The findings in the present study support the concept that irrespective of physical activity and sex none of the calculated indices of fatness are useful in the determination of body fat in young adults. Thus, it seems that easily calculated indices may contribute to distorted body image and unhealthy dietary habits observed in many young adults in Western countries, but also in female athletes.     

Sports anthropology investigation on female participants of the German Sports-Aerobic-Masters compared to non-sports participating young females

This investigation is based on the sports anthropology of 50 female participants of the German championships of Sport Aerobics (age range 16-35 years), whose constitutional body build parameters were compared to 50 female physical education students (age range 18-30 years) and 40 women (age range 18-35), who did not engage in sportive activities at all. Somatotyping and other sports anthropological techniques were performed according to Parnell (1958). Heath & Carter (1967), Conrad (1963) and Knussmann (1961a, 1961b) as well as proportion figures and phantom stratagem. In the North-American somatocharts the aerobic athletes were classified as ectomesomorph, whereas the physical education female students were found in the ectoendomorph area according to Parnell and the non-sportive subjects remained on the mesoendomorph part. In the Heath-Carter somatochart, the physical education students and the non-sportive women were registered in the mesoendomorph and ectoendomorph areas. In the German systems the young women were placed in the leptomorph direction and mesoplastic in the Conrad typology. According to Knussmann, all the investigated groups were classified as ultramacrosom and superleptomorph. Some morphological differences can be detected by means of proportion figures and phantom stratagem. The aerobic athletes display a more athletic somatotype with an accentuated radio-ulnar breath. The aerobic group is also characterised by the smallest body fat percentage, whereas the non-exercising group shows the opposite. This is also proven by the body mass index.     

Human skeletal muscle responses vary with age and gender during fatigue due to incremental isometric exercise.

The purpose of this study was to compare the magnitude and mechanisms of ankle dorsiflexor muscle fatigue in 20 young (33 +/- 6 yr, mean +/- SD) and 21 older (75 +/- 6 yr) healthy men and women of similar physical activity status. Noninvasive measures of central and peripheral (neuromuscular junction, sarcolemma) muscle activation, muscle contractile function, and intramuscular energy metabolism were made before, during, and after incremental isometric exercise. Older subjects fatigued less than young (P < 0.01); there was no effect of gender on fatigue (P = 0.24). For all subjects combined, fatigue was modestly related to preexercise strength (r = 0.49, P < 0.01). Neither central (central activation ratio) nor peripheral (compound muscle action potential) activation played a significant role in fatigue in any group. During exercise, intracellular concentrations of P(i) and H(2)PO increased more and pH fell more in young compared with older subjects (P < 0.01) and in men compared with women (P < 0.01). These varied metabolic responses to exercise suggest a greater reliance on nonoxidative sources of ATP in young compared with older subjects and in men compared with women. These results suggest that the mechanisms of fatigue vary with age and gender, regardless of whether differences in the magnitude of fatigue are observed.     

Food insecurity and increased BMI in young adult women

Food insecurity has been associated with weight status in children and adults although results have been mixed. We aimed to identify whether food insecurity was associated with BMI in young adults and whether this association differed by gender and was modified by food stamp use and the presence of children in the home. Cross-sectional data from wave 4 (2007-2008) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health were analyzed. Multiple linear regression was used to investigate the association between food insecurity and BMI in gender stratified models of young adult women (n = 7,116) and men (n = 6,604) controlling for age, race/ethnicity, income, education, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, the presence of children in the home, and food stamp use in young adulthood and/or adolescence. Food insecurity was more common in young adult women (14%) than young adult men (9%). After controlling for a variety of individual variables, food insecure women had a BMI that was on average 0.9 kg/m(2) units higher than women who were food secure. This difference in BMI persisted after controlling for recent or past food stamp use and was not different among women with or without children in the household. No relationship was found between food insecurity and BMI in young adult men. Providers should inquire about food insecurity, especially when treating obesity, and policy initiatives should address the role of access to healthy food in those facing food insecurity.     

Physical attractiveness and cooperation in a prisoner's dilemma game

The modulating role of age on the relationship between physical attractiveness and cooperativeness in a prisoner's dilemma game (PDG) was investigated. Previous studies have shown that physical attractiveness is negatively related to cooperative choices among young men but not young women. Following the argument that the negative relationship between physical attractiveness and cooperation is a product of short-term mating strategies among attractive men, we predicted that this relationship is unique to young men and absent among women and older men. We tested this hypothesis with 175 participants (aged 22–69 years). The results showed that physical attractiveness was negatively related to cooperative behavior among young men but not among women or older men. We further observed that the negative relationship between physical attractiveness and cooperation among young men was particularly strong when attractiveness was judged by women.     

Relationships between high-sensitive C-reactive protein and markers of arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients. Differences by sex

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to evaluate the relationship between high-sensitivity Creactive protein (hs-CRP) and arterial stiffness according to sex in patients with arterial hypertension. METHODS: A case-series study was carried out in 258 hypertensive patients without antecedents of cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus. Nephelometry was used to determine hs-CRP. Office or clinical and home blood pressures were measured with a validated OMRON model M10 sphygmomanometer. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed with the SpaceLabs 90207 system. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and central and peripheral augmentation index (AIx) were measured with the SphygmoCor system, and a Sonosite Micromax ultrasound unit was used for automatic measurements of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). Ambulatory arterial stiffness index and home arterial stiffness index were calculated as "1-slope" from the within-person regression analysis of diastolic-on-systolic ambulatory blood pressure. RESULTS: Central and peripheral AIx were greater in women than in men: 35.31 +/- 9.95 vs 26.59 +/- 11.45 and 102.06 +/- 20.47 vs 85.97 +/- 19.13, respectively. IMT was greater in men (0.73 +/- 0.13 vs 0.69 +/- 0.10). hs-CRP was positively correlated to IMT (r = 0.261), maximum (r = 0.290) and to peripheral AIx (r = 0.166) in men, and to PWV in both men (r = 0.280) and women (r = 0.250). In women, hs-CRP was negatively correlated to central AIx (r = 0.222). For each unit increase in hs-CRP, carotid IMT would increase 0.05 mm in men, and PWV would increase 0.07 m/sec in men and 0.08 m/sec in women, while central AIx would decrease 2.5 units in women. In the multiple linear regression analysis, hs-CRP explained 10.2 % and 6.7 % of PWV variability in women and men, respectively, 8.4 % of carotid IMT variability in men, and 4.9 % of central AIx variability in women. CONCLUSIONS: After adjusting for age, other cardiovascular risk factors and the use of antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drugs, hs-CRP was seen to be positively correlated to carotid IMT in men, and negatively correlated to central AIx in women. The association of hs-CRP to arterial stiffness parameters differs between men and women.