Physical activity guidelines and cardiovascular risk in children: a cross-sectional analysis to determine whether 60 minutes is enough

Background Physical activity reduces cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends children engage in 60 min daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The effect of compliance with this recommendation on childhood cardiovascular risk has not been empirically tested. To evaluate whether achieving recommendations results in reduced composite-cardiovascular risk score (CCVR) in children, and to examine if vigorous PA (VPA) has independent risk-reduction effects. Methods PA was measured using accelerometry in 182 children (9–11 years). Subjects were grouped according to achievement of 60 min daily MVPA (active) or not (inactive). CCVR was calculated (sum of z-scores: DXA body fat %, blood pressure, VO2peak, flow mediated dilation, left ventricular diastolic function; CVR score ≥1SD indicated ‘higher risk’). The cohort was further split into quintiles for VPA and odds ratios (OR) calculated for each quintile. Results Active children (92 (53 boys)) undertook more MVPA (38 ± 11 min, P  0.05). CCVR in the lowest VPA quintile was significantly greater than the highest quintile (3.9 ± 0.6, P < 0.05), and the OR was 4.7 times higher. Conclusion Achievement of current guidelines has positive effects on body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness, but not CCVR. Vigorous physical activity appears to have beneficial effects on CVD risk, independent of moderate PA, implying a more prescriptive approach may be needed for future VPA guidelines

The effects of moderate sleep loss on sleepiness levels and neuromuscular function in healthy males

Sleep loss studies have traditionally focused on cognitive tasks involving alertness, memory, learning and reaction time as well as mood changes and increases in daytime sleepiness. The effects of sleep loss on neuromuscular performance are less well described and understood. Moderate sleep, i.e. loss of a few hours sleep a night, has not been studied with regard to muscular performance. This study examined the effect of moderate sleep loss on sleepiness levels and neuromuscular performance. Nine male subjects (30-50 yr) participated in a cross-over design study and were assessed for sleepiness levels by subjective sleep scales, central nervous system (CNS) arousal by critical flicker fusion (CFF), muscle strength and estimates of submaximal force production for both handgrip and the quadriceps muscle group, and finally fatigue was assessed by repeated maximum voluntary contractions (MVCs) for the quadriceps muscle group. The study was conducted over a five week period and each subject reduced their sleep by 2 hr i.e. from 8 hr to 6 hr for one week. The subjects also completed a daily sleep log that reflected their sleep behavior over the study period. The neuromuscular performance assessments were conducted at the same time of day for each subject to minimise circadian rhythm affects. The results showed with moderate sleep loss, a significant increase in daytime levels of sleepiness as assessed by the Stanford Sleepiness and Epworth Sleepiness scales. There was an increase in negative mood states and a decrease in daily exercise times during the week of moderate sleep loss for those subjects who had normal daily exercise times that exceeded an hour. CFF did not change with moderate sleep loss. There was a 9% decrease in quadriceps maximal force and this was greater than the 2% decrease for handgrip maximal force. The decreases in muscle strength showed greater response from some individuals. Subjects were able to estimate submaximal force production and this estimation did not change with moderate sleep loss. There was no change in the rate of force decline (i.e. fatigue) for repeated MVCs. The conclusions from the study suggest that moderate sleep loss does increase levels of daytime sleepiness and the effect on neuromuscular performance is limited to some effects on maximal force production

The Effects of Moderate Sleep Loss on Sleepiness Levels and Neuromuscular Function in Healthy Males

Sleep loss studies have traditionally focused on cognitive tasks involving alertness, memory, learning and reaction time as well as mood changes and increases in daytime sleepiness. The effects of sleep loss on neuromuscular performance are less well described and understood. Moderate sleep, i.e. loss of a few hours sleep a night, has not been studied with regard to muscular performance. This study examined the effect of moderate sleep loss on sleepiness levels and neuromuscular performance. Nine male subjects (30-50 yr) participated in a cross-over design study and were assessed for sleepiness levels by subjective sleep scales, central nervous system (CNS) arousal by critical flicker fusion (CFF), muscle strength and estimates of submaximal force production for both handgrip and the quadriceps muscle group, and finally fatigue was assessed by repeated maximum voluntary contractions (MVCs) for the quadriceps muscle group. The study was conducted over a five week period and each subject reduced their sleep by 2 hr i.e. from 8 hr to 6 hr for one week. The subjects also completed a daily sleep log that reflected their sleep behavior over the study period. The neuromuscular performance assessments were conducted at the same time of day for each subject to minimise circadian rhythm affects. The results showed with moderate sleep loss, a significant increase in daytime levels of sleepiness as assessed by the Stanford Sleepiness and Epworth Sleepiness scales. There was an increase in negative mood states and a decrease in daily exercise times during the week of moderate sleep loss for those subjects who had normal daily exercise times that exceeded an hour. CFF did not change with moderate sleep loss. There was a 9% decrease in quadriceps maximal force and this was greater than the 2% decrease for handgrip maximal force. The decreases in muscle strength showed greater response from some individuals. Subjects were able to estimate submaximal force production and this estimation did not change with moderate sleep loss. There was no change in the rate of force decline (i.e. fatigue) for repeated MVCs. The conclusions from the study suggest that moderate sleep loss does increase levels of daytime sleepiness and the effect on neuromuscular performance is limited to some effects on maximal force production

Relationship Property Appeals in the New Zealand Court of Appeal 1958-2008: The Elusiveness of Equality

This paper addresses the lack of equality in relationship property appeals in the New Zealand Court of Appeal. The authors consider the historical development of legislative and common law relationship property appeals in New Zealand and find that a consistent theme in both marital and non-marital relationships has been a reluctance to grasp the significance of non-financial contributions to a marriage or de facto relationship. The paper concludes that until the New Zealand Court of Appeal is fully able to comprehend those economics advantages for the principal earner and the economic disadvantages for the primary home-maker and child-carer, equality will remain elusive

Relationship Property Appeals in the New Zealand Court of Appeal 1958-2008: The Elusiveness of Equality

This paper addresses the lack of equality in relationship property appeals in the New Zealand Court of Appeal. The authors consider the historical development of legislative and common law relationship property appeals in New Zealand and find that a consistent theme in both marital and non-marital relationships has been a reluctance to grasp the significance of non-financial contributions to a marriage or de facto relationship. The paper concludes that until the New Zealand Court of Appeal is fully able to comprehend those economics advantages for the principal earner and the economic disadvantages for the primary home-maker and child-carer, equality will remain elusive

Children's Interests in Division of Property on Relationship Breakdown

The breakdown of a marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship inevitably affects children of the relationship. The question this paper addresses is whether the interests of children should be taken into account in the division of property between their parents and, if so, how those interests should be accommodated. The authors focus solely on relationships ending during the joint lives of the parties. The paper begins with a brief historical overview of property consequences on divorce and how children’s interests were accommodated in that context. The authors then outline the family-centered approach to property division in the current law of England and Wales, and Australia, before providing a more detailed analysis of the current law in New Zealand in which conceptual and practical barriers to a family-centered approach are addressed. The paper concludes by suggesting options for reform

Children's Interests in Division of Property on Relationship Breakdown

The breakdown of a marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship inevitably affects children of the relationship. The question this paper addresses is whether the interests of children should be taken into account in the division of property between their parents and, if so, how those interests should be accommodated. The authors focus solely on relationships ending during the joint lives of the parties. The paper begins with a brief historical overview of property consequences on divorce and how children’s interests were accommodated in that context. The authors then outline the family-centered approach to property division in the current law of England and Wales, and Australia, before providing a more detailed analysis of the current law in New Zealand in which conceptual and practical barriers to a family-centered approach are addressed. The paper concludes by suggesting options for reform