Global Matrix 4.0 Physical Activity Report Card Grades for Children and Adolescents: Results and Analyses From 57 Countries

Background: The Global Matrix 4.0 on physical activity (PA) for children and adolescents was developed to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the global variation in children’s and adolescents’ (5–17 y) PA, related measures, and key sources of influence. The objectives of this article were (1) to summarize the findings from the Global Matrix 4.0 Report Cards, (2) to compare indicators across countries, and (3) to explore trends related to the Human Development Index and geo-cultural regions. Methods: A total of 57 Report Card teams followed a harmonized process to grade the 10 common PA indicators. An online survey was conducted to collect Report Card Leaders’ top 3 priorities for each PA indicator and their opinions on how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted child and adolescent PA indicators in their country. Results: Overall Physical Activity was the indicator with the lowest global average grade (D), while School and Community and Environment were the indicators with the highest global average grade (C+). An overview of the global situation in terms of surveillance and prevalence is provided for all 10 common PA indicators, followed by priorities and examples to support the development of strategies and policies internationally. Conclusions: The Global Matrix 4.0 represents the largest compilation of children’s and adolescents’ PA indicators to date. While variation in data sources informing the grades across countries was observed, this initiative highlighted low PA levels in children and adolescents globally. Measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, local/international conflicts, climate change, and economic change threaten to worsen this situation

Muscle oxygenation during incremental arm and leg exercise in professional rugby union players

Muscle Oxygenation during Incremental Arm and Leg Exercise in Professional Rugby Union Players Silvia Pogliaghi, Gabriela De Roia. Faculty of Motor Sciences, University of Verona, Italy PURPOSE: The study was aimed to compare modifications of muscle oxygenation during arm and leg incremental exercise in rugby players. METHODS: 22 male players from a single professional team of the Italian senior A championship (25 \ub1 5 years; body mass 89 \ub1 14 Kg; high 177 \ub1 6 cm; Body fat 15 \ub1 7 %) performed incremental exercises to exhaustion on arm crank (ARM) and cycle ergometer (CYC). Ventilation, gas exchange and heart rate (HR) were measured breath by breath with a metabolic chart. Changes in concentration of deoxygenaed hemoglobin (\uf044[deoxyHb], an index of the ratio between O2 utilization and O2 delivery, that is conceptually similar to O2 extraction, were monitored non-invasively by near infrared spectroscopy at the vastus lateralis (for CYC) and at the biceps brachii (for ARM) and data were expressed as % of the values obtained during limb ischemia. Submaximal and maximal values were calculated as an average of the last 10s of each work load and upon exhaustion and data were compared by paired t test. RESULTS: VO2 increased as a function of power output (W), with a significantly higher slope in ARM test compared to CYC test. Oxygen pulse (O2p) and O2 extraction also increased as a function of workload in both ARM and CYC tests. At equal submaximal levels of VO2, O2p was significantly lower and O2 extraction was significantly higher in ARM compared to CYC exercise. Upon exhaustion maximal values of HR (overall average 176 \ub1 14 b*min-1) and respiratory quotient (1,11 \ub1 0,07) were reached, with no significant differences between testing modalities. Significantly higher values of maximal power W (172 \ub1 13 watt vs 263 \ub1 21) and VO2 (36 \ub1 6 ml*kg-1*min-1 vs 46 \ub1 6) were reached in CYC vs ARM, ARM VO2max representing 79\uf0b19% of CYC value. Maximal O2p was lower (18 \ub1 3 ml*b-1 vs 23 \ub1 3) and O2 extraction was significantly higher (81 \uf0b1 8 % of ischemia vs 70 \uf0b1 19%) in ARM compared to CYC exercise. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest, at both maximal and submaximal exercise intensity, a higher O2 extraction compared to O2 delivery in ARM vs CYC exercise in rugby players

Effect of a medium-term high fat diet on muscle oxidative metabolism in healthy males.

Effect of a medium-term high fat diet on muscle oxidative metabolism in healthy males. Gabriela De Roia, Silvia Pogliaghi Faculty of Motor Sciences, University of Verona, Italy PURPOSE: The study tested the hypothesis that a high fat diet (HFD) enhances oxidative metabolism, by augmenting the muscle capacity to extract oxygen. METHOD: 23 healthy males (28\ub15 yrs, 53\ub16 ml*kg-1*min-1) consumed either (#12) a 10-day normocaloric HFD (55, 30, 15% of the total calories from fat, carbohydrate and protein) or (#11) continued their habitual diet (control subjects, C). Before and after the diet, oxidative metabolism was tested non-invasively during an incremental cycling exercise and 3 repetitions of a square-wave exercise of moderate intensity (80% of the first ventilatory threshold). Cardio-respiratory variables were measured breath by breath. Muscle oxygen extraction was measured, at the vastus lateralis, by multiple distance, intensity modulated, near infrared spectroscopy. Maximal (VO2max, muscle oxygen extraction (HHbmax)) and kinetics parameters were calculated at the lung (\uf074p, TDp and mean response time (MRTp) of the primary component) and at the muscle levels (\uf074m, TDm, MRTm). Means and standard deviations were calculated and compared by t test and Bonferroni correction (p<0.05). RESULTS: HFD and C groups were not different at baseline. No changes were detected in C. After the diet, antropometric values remained unchanged (74\ub19 Kg, 1,8\ub10,1 cm, 11\ub14 % of body fat). While VO2max was unaffected, HHbmax was significantly higher after the HFD (37\ub19 vs 41\ub110). During metabolic transitions, at the lungs, \uf074p and MRTp were significantly shorter after HFD (21\ub16 vs 19\ub16 s; 108\ub124 vs 96\ub126 s), with an unchanged TDp (22 \ub1 4 s). Also at muscle level, MRTm was significantly lower after the HFD (18\ub13 vs 17\ub12 s) despite non significant changes in \uf074m (9\ub14 vs 8\ub15s) and TDm (9\ub13 vs 9\ub13). CONCLUTIONS: As a result of HFD, maximal muscle oxygen extraction was significantly increased, yet insufficiently so to affect VO2max. The speed of adaptation of muscle oxidative metabolism, during exercises of moderate intensity (known to be limited primarily by metabolic inertia), was also significantly enhanced by HFD, as evidenced both at the lung and at the muscle levels. Therefore, our data support the hypothesis that a medium-term high fat diet (HFD) enhances oxidative metabolism, in young healthy males, by augmenting the muscle capacity to extract oxygen (peripheral factor). The study was supported by Enervit, Italy

Anthropometrics of elite senior male Italian rugby union players

Anthropometric evaluation of athletes is essential to assist talent selection, guide training, monitor seasonal variations and quantify the evolving demands of the game. Evaluation requires a specific normative database that accounts for different geographical, technical and age contexts. Yet, scientific data on rugby union players are relatively scarce, dated and mainly referred to the southern hemisphere, therefore limiting their applicability to different contexts. To fill in this gap, this descriptive study was aimed at providing normative data on anthropometric characteristics of elite senior male rugby players of the northern hemisphere.MethodsIn 123 male players from the National Italian senior rugby union team body weight, stature and % body fat (plicometry) were measured between 2006 and 2009. Mean and standard deviation were calculated for forwards (FW) and backs (BK) and for positional subgroups and compared by t test (p< 0.05). Results & DiscussionFW were significantly heavier (108\ub18 vs 91\ub16 Kg), taller (190\ub17 vs 183\ub15 cm), had a larger % body fat (16\ub14 vs 11\ub14%) and fat free mass (91\ub15 vs 80\ub16 Kg) compared to BK. Group FW BKrole Props(#18) Hoocker(#6) Locks(#14) 3rd row(#22) half scrum (#10) fly-half,centre (#30) wings, fullback (#27)age (yrs) 27\ub15 26\ub13 24\ub13 25\ub13 26\ub15 24\ub13 24 \ub13Mass (kg) 116\ub17 103\ub11* 109\ub16*\ub0 103\ub1 6*\ub0\ua7 87\ub1 4 92\ub16 90\ub1 6height (cm) 185\ub1 3 181\ub11* 197\ub12*\ub0 190\ub15*\ub0\ua7 178\ub13 183\ub1 5 185\ub15body fat (%) 20\ub1 3 17\ub12* 17\ub1 3* 13\ub13*\ub0\ua7 12\ub13 11\ub14 11\ub13Fat Free Mass (Kg) 93\ub1 5 86\ub13* 90\ub14 90\ub14*\ub0 77\ub14 81\ub1 5 80\ub1 6FFM/height (Kg/m) 50.3\ub1 2.5 47.4\ub11.5* 45.6\ub12.4* 47.1\ub11.9*\ub0\ua7 43.2\ub12.0 44.5\ub1 2.0 43.5\ub1 2.3*, \ub0 and \ua7 indicate, respectively, a significant difference vs props, hoockers and locks. No differences were detected among BK subgroups. ConclusionOur study provides a large normative database for elite male rugby union players in the northern hemisphere. Furthermore, it confirms previous data on elite senior players of the southern hemisphere and role differences, in all the measured parameters, between FW and BK and between FW subgroups. While these data may not be representative of the Italian national senior championship, they confirm the specificity in the physical requirements of rugby union in individual playing positions at the international level

Comment on \u201cOn the method of fitting cardiac output kinetics in severe exercise.\u201d

no abstract availabl

Oxygen uptake, cardiac output and muscle deoxygenation at the onset of moderate and supramaximal exercise in humans.

VO2, Q and muscular deoxyhaemoglobin (HHb) kinetics were determined in 14 healthy male subjects at the onset of constant-load cycling exercise performed at 80% of the ventilatory threshold (80%VT) and at 120% of VO2max (120%Wmax). An innovative approach was applied to calculate the time constant (\u3c42) of the primary phase of VO2 and Q kinetics at 120%Wmax. Data were linearly interpolated after a semilogarithmic transformation of the difference between required/steady state and measured values. Furthermore, VO2, Q and HHb data were fitted with traditional exponential models. \u3c42 of VO2 kinetics was longer (62.5 \ub1 20.9 s) at 120%Wmax than at 80%VT (27.8 \ub1 10.4 s). The \u3c42 of Q kinetics was unaffected by exercise intensity and, at 120% of VO2max it was significantly faster (\u3c42 = 35.7 \ub1 28.4 s) than that of VO2 response. The time delay of HHb kinetics was shorter (4.3 \ub1 1.7 s) at 120%Wmax than at 80%VT (8.5 \ub1 2.6 s) suggesting a larger mismatch between O2 uptake and delivery at 120%Wmax. These results suggest that VO2 at the onset of exercise is not regulated/limited by muscle\u2019s O2 utilisation and that a slower adaptation of capillary perfusion may cause the deceleration of VO2 kinetics observed during supramaximal exercise

Physiological and anthropometric characteristics of elite women's rugby union players

Since the first World Cup open to woman in 1991, rugby union is increasingly practiced, non-professionally, by female athletes. Yet, the knowledge of the physiological and anthropometric characteristics of women players is scarce (1) and, due to the evolution of this sport in the recent years, it is also dated. To fill in this gap, this descriptive study was aimed at providing normative data on selected, physiological and anthropometric variables in elite women players.Methods11 forwards (FW) and 11 backs (BK) from the Italian National team, regularly engaged in elite training and international competitions were tested. Body mass, stature, % body fat and lean body mass, maximum oxygen consumption and vertical jump height were measured. Mean and standard deviation were calculated in FW and BK and in positional subgroups (front row FW, back row FW, inside BK, outside BK) (2) and compared by t test (p< 0.05). Results & DiscussionThe athletes were 24\ub14 years old, with a 9\ub16 years playing experience. FW were significantly taller, heavier, had a larger lean mass, VO2max and squat jump ability compared to BK. Front row FW were significantly taller, heavier, fatter and had a larger lean mass compared to back row FW. No differences were detected within BK. group # mass(Kg) height(m) fat(%) lean mass(Kg) VO2max(l*min-1) SJ(cm) CMJ(cm)FW 11 71\ub112* 1.68\ub10.1* 24\ub16 53\ub15 * 3.0\ub10.4* 26\ub14* 29\ub13BK 11 63\ub16 1.63\ub10.1 24\ub14 47\ub14 2.7\ub10.5 24\ub13 29\ub14FR FW 5 79\ub114\ua7 1.71\ub10.1\ua7 28\ub16\ua7 56\ub15\ua7 3.1\ub10.3 25\ub12 28\ub12BR FW 6 65\ub15 1.64\ub10.0 22\ub16 51\ub13 2.9\ub10.4 27\ub15 30\ub14I BK 6 64\ub16 1.63\ub10.1 26\ub14 47\ub14 2.8\ub10.5 23\ub13 29\ub13O BK 4 61\ub17 1.63\ub10.1 22\ub14 48\ub15 2.6\ub10.3 24\ub14 29\ub15* and \ua7 indicate, respectively, a significant difference vs BK and within FW subgroups.ConclusionIn elite women players, role differences appear between forwards and backs and between forwards subgroups. This suggest that specificity in the physical requirements of rugby union in individual playing positions is present in women as well as in males playing at the international level

Physiological and anthropometric characteristics of the italian national women rugby union team

Physiological and anthropometric characteristics of the Italian national women rugby union team Da Lozzo Giorgio1, Ceradini Veronica1, De Roia Gabriela F1, De Cesaro Annalisa2, Pogliaghi Silvia1 1Facolt\ue0 di Scienze Motorie, Universit\ue0 degli Studi di Verona, ITALY 2Federazione Italiana Rugby, ITALY Purpose: The aim of this study was to provide up to date normative data on selected, laboratory-based, functional and anthropometric variables of elite rugby union women players. Methods: 11 forwards (FW) and 11 backs (BK) from the Italian National team, regularly engaged in elite training and international competitions were tested in March 2007. We measured body mass, stature, % body fat and lean body mass (5-site plicometry), maximum oxygen consumption (incremental cycling test to exhaustion) and lower extremities power (vertical jumping test: squat, SJ, and countermovement jump, CMJ). Mean and standard deviation were calculated in FW and BK and in positional subgroups (i.e. front row FW: props, locks; back row FW: flankers, number 8, hooker; inside BK: fly-half, centre; outside BK: wings, full back). Data were compared by t test and Bonferroni correction (significance p< 0.05). Results: The athletes were 24\ub14 years old with a 9\ub16 years playing experience. Results are presented in the table. * and \ua7 indicate, respectively, a significant difference between FW and BK and within forwards and backs subgroups. group # mass (Kg) stature (m) fat (%) lean mass (Kg) VO2max (l*min-1) VO2max (ml*Kg-1*min-1) SJ (cm) CMJ (cm) FW 11 71\ub112* 1.68\ub10.1* 24\ub16 53\ub15* 3.0\ub10.4* 43\ub15 26\ub14* 29\ub13 BK 11 63\ub16 1.63\ub10.1 24\ub14 47\ub14 2.7\ub10.5 43\ub15 24\ub13 29\ub14 FR FW 5 79\ub114\ua7 1.71\ub10.1\ua7 28\ub16\ua7 56\ub15\ua7 3.1\ub10.3 41\ub16 25\ub12 28\ub12 BR FW 6 65\ub15 1.64\ub10.0 22\ub16 51\ub13 2.9\ub10.4 44\ub15 27\ub15 30\ub14 I BK 6 64\ub16 1.63\ub10.1 26\ub14 47\ub14 2.8\ub10.5 42\ub17 23\ub13 29\ub13 O BK 4 61\ub17 1.63\ub10.1 22\ub14 48\ub15 2.6\ub10.3 42\ub12 24\ub14 29\ub15 Conclusion: The study provides normative functional and anthropometric data for elite female rugby union players, with special reference to positional role. As in male rugby, role differences appear between forwards and backs and between forwards subgroups. This normative database can support coaches for talent selection and to guide training to match the playing position demands. Furthermore, periodic monitoring of a variety of playing populations is necessary to quantify and compare the rapidly evolving demands of this game