Values of the body mass index of adolescents from Romania reported to the number for hours of physical education practiced

Purpose: The objective of this research is to show the values of the body mass index (BMI) of adolescents in Romania, Brasov county, reported to the number hours of physical education practiced. Material: The experiment was conducted between October 2016 - January 2017 in four high schools in Brasov county: Andrei Şaguna High School, Andrei Mureşanu High School, Unirea High School and Sports High School. This research was conducted on 470 pupils, of whom 224 are boys and 246 are girls, aged between 14 and 18. All the subjects (n=470) had their BMI calculated, depending on gender/grade/age and high school. Results: The results of the ANOVA One-Way analysis have shown a significant statistical difference between the four high schools in terms of BMI average level (F=36.493; p<0.001), in both boys and girls (F=33.100; p<0.001). Furthermore, also in terms of age, there are significant statistical differences between boys (F=6.085; p<0.001) and girls (F=3.920; p=0.004). The results of the Tukey test presented significant differences between the four high schools, as far as subjects’ gender is concerned as well. Conclusions: The study has shown that the values of the BMI are higher in pupils from Andrei Şaguna, Andrei Mureşanu, Unirea high schools and lower in pupils from the Sports High School, both in boys and in girls

Comparison of the effect of different resistance training frequencies on phase angle and handgrip strength in obese women: A randomized controlled trial

Phase angle (PA) is a strong predictor of sarcopenia, fragility, and risk of mortality in obese people, while an optimal muscular function and handgrip strength (HS) are required to perform different daily activities. Although there is a general agreement that resistance training improves health status in obese people, the optimal weekly training frequency forPA and physical performance parameters is not clear.This study aimed to compare the effects of different weekly resistance training frequencies performed over a 24week exercise program on PA and HSin obese people. Forty-two women (56.2 \ub1 9.1 years, body mass index (BMI) 37.1 \ub1 4.9 kg/m2) were randomly allocatedto one of two groups: a group with a highweekly training frequency of three times a week (HIGH, n= 21) and a group that performed only one weekly session (LOW, n= 21). The groups trained with an identical exercise intensity and volume per session for 6 months. Before and after the intervention period, the participants were assessed for anthropometric measures, bioimpedance analysis, and HS. There was a significant group 7 time interaction (p&lt;0.05) for waist circumference, bioimpedance reactance divided by body height (Xc/H), PA, and HS measures. In addition, only the HIGH group increased Xc/H, PA, and HS after the intervention period (p&lt;0.05), even after adjusting for weight loss and menopausal status. Physical exercise performed three times a week promotes better adaptations in PA and HSwhen compared with the same program performed once a week in obese women

Body fat assessment in international elite soccer referees

Soccer referees are a specific group in the sports population that are receiving increasing attention from sports scientists. A lower fat mass percentage (FM%) is a useful parameter to monitor fitness status and aerobic performance, while being able to evaluate it with a simple and quick field-based method can allow a regular assessment. The aim of this study was to provide a specific profile for referees based on morphological and body composition features while comparing the accuracy of different skinfold-based equations in estimating FM% in a cohort of soccer referees. Forty-three elite international soccer referees (age 38.8 ± 3.6 years), who participated in the 2018 Russian World Cup, underwent body composition assessments with skinfold thickness and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Six equations used to derive FM% from skinfold thickness were compared with DXA measurements. The percentage of body fat estimated using DXA was 18.2 ± 4.1%, whereas skinfold-based FM% assessed from the six formulas ranged between 11.0% ± 1.7% to 15.6% ± 2.4%. Among the six equations considered, the Faulkner's formula showed the highest correlation with FM% estimated by DXA (r = 0.77; R2 = 0.59 p < 0.001). Additionally, a new skinfold-based equation was developed: FM% = 8.386 + (0.478 × iliac crest skinfold) + (0.395 × abdominal skinfold, r = 0.78; R2 = 0.61; standard error of the estimate (SEE) = 2.62 %; p < 0.001). Due to these findings, national and international federations will now be able to perform regular body composition assessments using skinfold measurements. (c) 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

The effects of weekly motivational phone calls on the amount of leisure sports activities and changes in physical fitness

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether motivational weekly phone calls are able to promote overall and/or leisure physical activity levels and fitness in an urban population of Romania. Material: Sixty-five adult subjects (30 males and 35 females) were randomly selected and followed over the 8-month study period. Total physical activity and changes in body mass and body mass index (kg/m2) were recorded on a monthly basis. Fitness level was assessed by the participants themselves using three standardized motor tests: push-up test, 1-minute sit-up test and 3-minute step test. Results: The intervention resulted in an increase of physical activity level by approximately 70% in males and females aged 25-39 years. In those aged 40-49 years physical activity levels were enhanced by 77% in males and 18% in females. These changes were associated with improvements (25-31%; p < 0.01) in fitness levels. Changes in physical activity over the 8-month intervention period were negatively correlated with body mass index (r = - 0.721, p < 0.01). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that motivation by regular phone calls was highly effective in increasing leisure sports activities and improving fitness levels in young and middle-aged adults of both sexes

The effects of exercise order on the psychophysiological responses, physical and technical performances of young soccer players: Combined small-sided games and high-intensity interval training

This study aimed to compare the order effects of combined small-sided games (SSGs) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on the psychophysiological responses and physical and technical performances of young soccer players. Twenty-four soccer players (aged 14.63 ± 0.71 years) were randomly divided into SSGs + HIIT (n = 12) and HIIT + SSGs (n = 12) for 6 weeks. The SSGs consisted of two 4–16 min rounds of 2, 3, and four-a-side games with 2 min of passive resting, whereas the HIIT consisted of 6–10 min of high-intensity runs at varying intensities (from 90 to 100%). Pre-test and post-test elements included a 5–30 m sprint test, countermovement jump test, zigzag agility test with the ball and without the ball, repeated sprint ability test, speed dribbling ability test, three-corner run test, and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1. Both combined training interventions produced similar improvements in physical performance and technical responses (p ? 0.05, d values ranging from 0.40 to 1.10). However, the combined HIIT + SSGs training produced meaningfully lower perceived exertion (p = 0.00, d = 2.98) and greater physical enjoyment (p = 0.00, d = 4.28) compared with the SSGs + HIIT intervention. Furthermore, the SSGs + HIIT group showed a higher training load than those from the HIIT + SSGs group for all weeks (p ? 0.05, d values ranging from 1.36 to 2.05). The present study’s results might be used by coaches and practitioners to design training programmes for youth soccer players. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.UIDB/EEA/50008/2020Funding: Filipe Manuel Clemente: This work is funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnolo-gia/Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior through national funds and when applicable co-funded EU funds under the project UIDB/EEA/50008/2020

Are sEMG, Velocity and Power Influenced by Athletes’ Fixation in Paralympic Powerlifting?

The bench press is performed in parapowerlifting with the back, shoulders, buttocks, legs and heels extended over the bench, and the use of straps to secure the athlete to the bench is optional. Thus, the study evaluated muscle activation, surface electromyography (sEMG), maximum velocity (MaxV) and mean propulsive velocity (MPV), and power in paralympic powerlifting athletes under conditions tied or untied to the bench. Fifteen experienced Paralympic powerlifting male athletes (22.27 ± 10.30 years, 78.5 ± 21.6 kg) took part in the research. The sEMG measurement was performed in the sternal portion of the pectoralis major (PMES), anterior deltoid (AD), long head of the triceps brachii (TRI) and clavicular portion of the pectoralis major (PMCL). The MaxV, MPV and power were evaluated using an encoder. Loads of 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% 1RM were analyzed under untied and tied conditions. No differences were found in muscle activation between the tied and untied conditions; however, sEMG showed differences in the untied condition between AD and TRI (F (3112) = 4.484; p = 0.005) in the 100% 1RM load, between PMCL and AD (F (3112) = 3.743; p = 0.013) in 60% 1RM load and in the tied condition, between the PMES and the AD (F (3112) = 4.067; p = 0.009). There were differences in MaxV (F (3112) = 213.3; p &lt; 0.001), and MPV (F (3112) = 248.2; p &lt; 0.001), between all loads in the tied and untied condition. In power, the load of 100% 1RM differed from all other relative loads (F (3112) = 36.54; p &lt; 0.001) in both conditions. The tied condition seems to favor muscle activation, sEMG, and velocity over the untied condition

Exome-Wide Association Study of Competitive Performance in Elite Athletes

The aim of the study was to identify genetic variants associated with personal best scores in Turkish track and field athletes and to compare allelic frequencies between sprint/power and endurance athletes and controls using a whole-exome sequencing (WES) approach, followed by replication studies in independent cohorts. The discovery phase involved 60 elite Turkish athletes (31 sprint/power and 29 endurance) and 20 ethnically matched controls. The replication phase involved 1132 individuals (115 elite Russian sprinters, 373 elite Russian endurance athletes (of which 75 athletes were with VO2max measurements), 209 controls, 148 Russian and 287 Finnish individuals with muscle fiber composition and cross-sectional area (CSA) data). None of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) reached an exome-wide significance level (p < 2.3 × 10−7) in genotype–phenotype and case–control studies of Turkish athletes. However, of the 53 nominally (p < 0.05) associated SNPs, four functional variants were replicated. The SIRT1 rs41299232 G allele was significantly over-represented in Turkish (p = 0.047) and Russian (p = 0.018) endurance athletes compared to sprint/power athletes and was associated with increased VO2max (p = 0.037) and a greater proportion of slow-twitch muscle fibers (p = 0.035). The NUP210 rs2280084 A allele was significantly over-represented in Turkish (p = 0.044) and Russian (p = 0.012) endurance athletes compared to sprint/power athletes. The TRPM2 rs1785440 G allele was significantly over-represented in Turkish endurance athletes compared to sprint/power athletes (p = 0.034) and was associated with increased VO2max (p = 0.008). The AGRN rs4074992 C allele was significantly over-represented in Turkish sprint/power athletes compared to endurance athletes (p = 0.037) and was associated with a greater CSA of fast-twitch muscle fibers (p = 0.024). In conclusion, we present the first WES study of athletes showing that this approach can be used to identify novel genetic markers associated with exercise- and sport-related phenotypes

Середземноморська дієта і фізична активність у румунських та іспанських студентів університетів - порівняльне дослідження

Purpose: The main purpose of this research was to show if there are differences between the Mediterranean diet and physical activity in students from Romania and Spain. Material: The study was carried out on a sample of 567 participants, 149 of which (24.69%) are from Romania (Transilvania University of Braşov) and 427 (75.31%) are students from Spain (University of Granada ). To evaluate adherence to the Mediterranean diet we used The Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED), and for the assessment of the level of physical activity, we used the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). The reliability of the KIDMED was good (Cronbach’s α = 0.83) and for PAQ-A is 0.874. Statistical analyses were done through program IBM SPSS Statistics 22. The statistical indicators used in this study, were the following: standard deviation (SD), arithmetic average (X), chi-square test, Student’s T-test (t), percent%, Levene’s test, ANOVA One-Way. Results: The results of the variance analysis showed that there is no statistically significant relationship between the adherence to the Mediterranean diet and physical activity in Romanian students (F=0.517; p=0.598), or in Spanish students (F=0.255; p=0.775). Also, the results regarding adherence to the MD and PA was: poor adherence , n=31, (mean=29.06; standard deviation=3.723), average adherence , n=275, (mean=28.62; standard deviation=3.386), and high adherence, n=261 (mean=28.50; standard deviation=3.779). Conclusions: This study highlighted the fact that there are no significant differences regarding the adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the level of physical activity between the two countries (Romania and Spain). Unlike Spanish students, we found that Romanian students have a poor adherence to the MD.Цель : Основная цель этого исследования состояла в том, чтобы показать, есть ли различия между средиземноморской диетой и физической активностью у студентов из Румынии и Испании. Материал : исследование было проведено на выборке из 567 участников, 149 из которых (24,69%) были из Румынии (Университет Трансильвании в Брашове) и 427 (75,31%) - студенты из Испании (Университет Гранады). Для оценки приверженности средиземноморской диете мы использовали Индекс качества средиземноморской диеты (KIDMED), а для оценки уровня физической активности мы использовали опросник физической активности для подростков (PAQ-A). Надежность KIDMED была хорошей (α Кронбаха = 0,83), а для PAQ-A - 0,874. Статистический анализ проводился с помощью программы IBM SPSS Statistics 22. Статистические показатели, использованные в этом исследовании, были следующими: стандартное отклонение (SD), среднее арифметическое (X), критерий хи-квадрат, T-критерий Стьюдента (t), процент% Тест Левена, ANOVA Односторонний. Результаты . Результаты дисперсионного анализа показали, что не существует статистически значимой связи между соблюдением средиземноморской диеты и физической активностью у румынских студентов (F = 0,517; p = 0,598) или у испанских студентов (F = 0,255; p = 0,775). Кроме того, результаты, касающиеся соблюдения MD и PA, были следующими: плохая приверженность, n = 31 (среднее = 29,06; стандартное отклонение = 3,723), среднее соблюдение, n = 275 (среднее = 28,62; стандартное отклонение = 3,386) и высокая адгезия, n = 261 (среднее = 28,50; стандартное отклонение = 3,779). Выводы : в этом исследовании подчеркивается тот факт, что нет никаких существенных различий в отношении соблюдения средиземноморской диеты и уровня физической активности между двумя странами (Румыния и Испания). В отличие от испанских студентов, мы обнаружили, что румынские студенты плохо соблюдают MD.Мета: Основна мета цього дослідження полягала в тому, щоб показати, чи є відмінності між середземноморською дієтою і фізичною активністю у студентів з Румунії та Іспанії. Матеріал: дослідження було проведено на вибірці з 567 учасників, 149 з яких (24,69%) були з Румунії (Університет Трансільванії в Брашові) і 427 (75,31%) - студенти з Іспанії (Університет Гранади). Для оцінки прихильності середземноморської дієти ми використовували Індекс якості середземноморської дієти (KIDMED), а для оцінки рівня фізичної активності ми використовували опитувальник фізичної активності для підлітків (PAQ-A). Надійність KIDMED була хорошою (α Кронбаха = 0,83), а для PAQ-A - 0,874. Статистичний аналіз проводився за допомогою програми IBM SPSS Statistics 22. Статистичні показники, використані в цьому дослідженні, були наступними: стандартне відхилення (SD), середнє арифметичне (X), критерій хі-квадрат, T-критерій Стьюдента (t), відсоток% Тест Левена, ANOVA Односторонній. Результати. Результати дисперсійного аналізу показали, що не існує статистично значущою зв'язку між дотриманням середземноморської дієти і фізичною активністю у румунських студентів (F = 0,517; p = 0,598) або у іспанських студентів (F = 0,255; p = 0,775). Крім того, результати, що стосуються дотримання MD і PA, були наступними: погана прихильність, n = 31 (середнє = 29,06; стандартне відхилення = 3,723), середнє дотримання, n = 275 (середнє = 28,62; стандартне відхилення = 3,386 ) і висока адгезія, n = 261 (середнє = 28,50; стандартне відхилення = 3,779). Висновки: в цьому дослідженні підкреслюється той факт, що немає ніяких істотних відмінностей щодо дотримання середземноморської дієти і рівня фізичної активності між двома країнами (Румунія та Іспанія). На відміну від іспанських студентів, ми виявили, що румунські студенти погано дотримуються MD

Variations of the Locomotor Profile, Sprinting, Change-of-Direction, and Jumping Performances in Youth Soccer Players: Interactions between Playing Positions and Age-Groups

The purpose of this study was two-fold: (i) analyze the variations of locomotor profile, sprinting, change-of-direction (COD) and jumping performances between different youth age-groups; and (ii) test the interaction effect of athletic performance with playing positions. A cross-sectional study design was followed. A total of 124 youth soccer players from five age-groups were analyzed once in a time. Players were classified based on their typical playing position. The following measures were obtained: (i) body composition (fat mass); (ii) jump height (measured in the countermovement jump; CMJ); (iii) sprinting time at 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 25-and 30-m; (iv) maximal sprint speed (measured in the best split time; MSS); (v) COD asymmetry index percentage); (vi) final velocity at 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (VIFT); and (vii) anaerobic speed reserve (ASR = MSS − VIFT). A two-way ANOVA was used for establishing the interactions between age-groups and playing positions. Significant differences were found between age-groups in CMJ (p &lt; 0.001), 5-m (p &lt; 0.001), 10-m (p &lt; 0.001), 15-m (p &lt; 0.001), 20-m (p &lt; 0.001), 25-m (p &lt; 0.001), 30-m (p &lt; 0.001), VIFT (p &lt; 0.001), ASR (p = 0.003), MSS (p &lt; 0.001), COD (p &lt; 0.001). Regarding variations between playing positions no significant differences were found. In conclusion, it was found that the main factor influencing changes in physical fitness was the age group while playing positions had no influence on the variations in the assessed parameters. In particular, as older the age group, as better was in jumping, sprinting, COD, and locomotor profile