A century of trends in adult human height

Being taller is associated with enhanced longevity, and higher education and earnings. We reanalysed 1472 population-based studies, with measurement of height on more than 18.6 million participants to estimate mean height for people born between 1896 and 1996 in 200 countries. The largest gain in adult height over the past century has occurred in South Korean women and Iranian men, who became 20.2 cm (95% credible interval 17.5–22.7) and 16.5 cm (13.3–19.7) taller, respectively. In contrast, there was little change in adult height in some sub-Saharan African countries and in South Asia over the century of analysis. The tallest people over these 100 years are men born in the Netherlands in the last quarter of 20th century, whose average heights surpassed 182.5 cm, and the shortest were women born in Guatemala in 1896 (140.3 cm; 135.8–144.8). The height differential between the tallest and shortest populations was 19-20 cm a century ago, and has remained the same for women and increased for men a century later despite substantial changes in the ranking of countries

Cosmology with X-ray Cluster Baryons

X-ray cluster measurements interpreted with a universal baryon/gas mass fraction can theoretically serve as a cosmological distance probe. We examine issues of cosmological sensitivity for current (e.g. Chandra X-ray Observatory, XMM-Newton) and next generation (e.g. Con-X, XEUS) observations, along with systematic uncertainties and biases. To give competitive next generation constraints on dark energy, we find that systematics will need to be controlled to better than 1% and any evolution in f_gas (and other cluster gas properties) must be calibrated so the residual uncertainty is weaker than (1+z)^{0.03}.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures; v2: 13 pages, substantial elaboration and reordering, matches JCAP versio

Rising rural body-mass index is the main driver of the global obesity epidemic in adults

Body-mass index (BMI) has increased steadily in most countries in parallel with a rise in the proportion of the population who live in cities1,2. This has led to a widely reported view that urbanization is one of the most important drivers of the global rise in obesity3,4,5,6. Here we use 2,009 population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight in more than 112 million adults, to report national, regional and global trends in mean BMI segregated by place of residence (a rural or urban area) from 1985 to 2017. We show that, contrary to the dominant paradigm, more than 55% of the global rise in mean BMI from 1985 to 2017—and more than 80% in some low- and middle-income regions—was due to increases in BMI in rural areas. This large contribution stems from the fact that, with the exception of women in sub-Saharan Africa, BMI is increasing at the same rate or faster in rural areas than in cities in low- and middle-income regions. These trends have in turn resulted in a closing—and in some countries reversal—of the gap in BMI between urban and rural areas in low- and middle-income countries, especially for women. In high-income and industrialized countries, we noted a persistently higher rural BMI, especially for women. There is an urgent need for an integrated approach to rural nutrition that enhances financial and physical access to healthy foods, to avoid replacing the rural undernutrition disadvantage in poor countries with a more general malnutrition disadvantage that entails excessive consumption of low-quality calories

The positional technical and running performance of sub-elite Gaelic football

Introduction The current research examines the positional technical and running performance of sub-elite Gaelic football match-play and compares technical and running performance between Division 1 and Division 2 teams. Methods Sixty eight sub-elite Gaelic football players from two teams were monitored via global positioning system (GPS) microtechnology (GPEXE LT 18 Hz, Exelio, Udine, Italy) and a video camera across 30 competitive matches (n = 336). Comparisons between teams and playing positions were examined for selected technical and running performance variables. Results Playing position had large effects on several variables including number of possessions (ES = 0.18), number of shots (ES = 0.45), total m per minute (ES = 0.403), average speed (ES = 0.40), number of power events (ES = 0.3) and recovery time between power events (ES = 0.31). Playing standard had trivial to small effects on all technical performance variables (ES ≤ 0.47) and trivial to small effects (ES ≤ 0.48) on all running performance variables. Conclusion The current study demonstrates that there are distinct positional demands in sub-elite Gaelic football. The findings of this research also demonstrate that there is little difference in the technical and running performance of Division 1 and Division 2 sub-elite teams

A Tactical Periodisation Model for Gaelic Football

Tactical Periodisation is a training methodology, originally developed for soccer, that focuses primarily on the systems of play that a team intends to use in competition. It has been popularised by successful European coaches and subsequently has been proposed as a model to follow for other sports such as rugby union and tennis in more recent times. Gaelic football is an amateur sport that has similarities to soccer and rugby union. To date no training periodisation model has been proposed for Gaelic football. The aim of this article was to present a Tactical Periodisation model for Gaelic football, taking the sport’s game structure, physical and technical demands and amateur status into account

Influence of team rating on running performance in elite Gaelic football

It is currently unknown how team rating influences running performance in Gaelic football. Global positioning system technologies were used to quantify match-running performance within 5 elite Gaelic football teams over a period of 5 years (2012-2016). In total 780 player data sets were collected over 95 matches. Running performance variables included total distance, high-speed distance (≥17 km·h), and the percentage of high-speed distance. Team ratings were determined objectively using the Elo rating system for Gaelic football. Reference team rating had trivial effects on total distance (p = 0.011, partial η = 0.008) and high-speed distance (p = 0.011, partial η = 0.008). Opposition team rating had small effects on total distance (p = 0.005, partial η = 0.016) and high-speed distance (p = 0.001, partial η = 0.020). Top-tier teams cover greater total distances and high-speed distance than lower tier teams. Players cover considerably less total distance and high-speed distance against tier-3 and tier-4 teams. Tier-1 players ran a significantly higher percentage of distance at high speed than players who played for tier-2 teams (p = 0.020). The competitive advantage of top-tier Gaelic football teams is closely linked with their ability to demonstrate a higher physical intensity than lower tier teams

Socio-cultural determinants of physical activity across the life course: a 'Determinants of Diet and Physical Activity' (DEDIPAC) umbrella systematic literature review

Objective Regular physical activity (PA) reduces the risk of disease and premature death. Knowing factors associated with PA might help reducing the disease and economic burden caused by low activity. Studies suggest that socio-cultural factors may affect PA, but systematic overviews of findings across the life course are scarce. This umbrella systematic literature review (SLR) summarizes and evaluates available evidence on socio-cultural determinants of PA in children, adolescents, and adults. Methods This manuscript was drafted following the recommendations of the ‘Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses’ (PRISMA) checklist. The MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases were searched for SLRs and meta-analyses (MAs) on observational studies published in English that assessed PA determinants between January 2004 and April 2016. The methodological quality was assessed and relevant information on socio-cultural determinants and any associations with PA was extracted. The available evidence was evaluated based on the importance of potential determinants and the strength of the evidence. Results Twenty SLRs and three MAs encompassing 657 eligible primary studies investigated potential socio-cultural PA determinants, with predominantly moderate methodological quality. Twenty-nine potential PA determinants were identified that were primarily assessed in children and adolescents and investigated the micro-environmental home/household level. We found probable evidence that receiving encouragement from significant others and having a companion for PA were associated with higher PA in children and adolescents, and that parental marital status (living with partner) and experiencing parental modeling were not associated with PA in children. Evidence for the other potential determinants was limited, suggestive, or non-conclusive. In adults, quantitative and conclusive data were scarce. Conclusions A substantial number of SLRs and MAs investigating potential socio-cultural determinants of PA were identified. Our data suggest that receiving social support from significant others may increase PA levels in children and adolescents, whereas parental marital status is not a determinant in children. Evidence for other potential determinants was limited. This was mainly due to inconsistencies in results on potential socio-cultural determinants of PA across reviews and studies

The influence of match outcome on running performance in elite Gaelic football

Introduction: Match outcome has been linked to running performance in many sports; however, the association has not yet been examined in Gaelic football. Methods: GPS technologies (4-Hz, VX Sport, Lower Hutt, New Zealand) were used with 5 elite Gaelic football teams over a period of 5 years (2012–2016), amounting to 95 matches. In total, 780 full match data sets were collected. Game movements were divided into total distance and high-speed distance (≥17 km h−1). Match outcomes were divided into big losses (≥6 points), small losses (≤5points), draws, small wins (≤5 points) and big wins (≥6 points). Results: Team (P ≤ 0.001), playing position (P ≤ 0.001) and match outcome (P ≤ 0.034) had a significant effect on total and high-speed distance. In the first (P = 0.008) and second (P = 0.002) quarters of games players ran significantly less high-speed distance in big losses in comparison to draws. In the fourth quarter, players ran significantly less high-speed distance in big losses than in draws (P = 0.001), small wins (P = 0.044) and big wins (P = 0.011). Conclusion: The current study confirms that running performance is a contributing factor to match outcome in Gaelic football. Coaches should be aware how contextual factors can influence running performance

The relationship between technical performance indicators and running performance in elite Gaelic football

The aim of the current study was to assess whether technical performance relates to positional running demands of elite Gaelic football players. Over a period of three years (2014–2016), four elite Gaelic football teams were monitored using GPS technologies. Four hundred and thirty-two individual player samples were collected from 52 competitive matches. Video analysis software was used to code technical performance indicators in all games. Pearson’s correlations were performed between all technical variables and total distance (m) and high-speed distance (≥17 km h−1). Total ball in play time had small to medium effects (r = .233 to .390, p ≥ 0.190) on increasing the amount of total distance and high-speed distance run. Similarly, the percentage of short kick-outs taken by the opposition team and total opposition possession time had small to medium effects (r = .146–.410, p ≥ 0.202) in increasing the amount of total distance and high-speed distance run. The number of fouls made in the middle third had the largest negative effect (r = −.89 to −.325, p ≥ 0.439) on running demands. The results of this study give coaches information on how kick-out strategies, passing strategies and defensive strategies impact on running performance

Behavioural determinants of physical activity across the life course: a "Determinants of Diet and Physical Activity" (DEDIPAC) umbrella literature review

Background Low levels of physical activity (PA) are a global concern and increasing PA engagement is becoming a priority in current public health policies. Despite the large number of studies and reviews available, the evidence regarding the behavioral determinants of PA is still inconclusive. Thus, the aim of this umbrella systematic literature review (SLR) was to summarize the evidence on the behavioral determinants of PA across the life course. Methods A systematic online search was conducted on MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases. The search was limited to studies published in English from January, 2004 to April, 2016. SLRs and meta-analyses (MAs) of observational studies that investigated the behavioral determinants of PA were considered eligible. The extracted data were assessed based on the importance of the determinants, the strength of evidence, and the methodological quality. The full protocol is available from PROSPERO (PROSPERO 2014:CRD42015010616). Results Seventeen reviews on 35 behavioral determinants of PA were eligible for this umbrella SLR. Regardless of age, the most investigated determinants were those related with ‘screen use’ and ‘smoking’. For youth, probable positive evidence emerged for ‘previous PA’ and ‘independent mobility and active transport’ among children and adolescents. For the adult population, ‘transition to university’ and ‘pregnancy/having a child’ showed probable negative associations. Conclusions Although the majority of the evidence was limited and most of the determinants were not associated with PA, this umbrella SLR provided a comprehensive overview of the associations between behavioral determinants and PA. Youth should be physically active in the early years and increase active transportation to/from school, independent mobility, and ‘free-range activities’ without adult supervision, whilst adult PA behaviors are mostly influenced by the life events. Finally, more research is needed that incorporates prospective study designs, standardized definitions of PA, objective measurement methods of PA assessment, and the use of interactionist and mediational approaches for the evaluation of different behavioral determinants influencing PA behaviors