Can Resistance Training Contribute to the Aerobic Components of the Physical Activity Guidelines?

International Journal of Exercise Science 7(4) : 278-285, 2014. To evaluate if resistance training can reach Moderate to Vigorous Intensity (MVI) and contribute to the aerobic component of the international physical activity guidelines. Sixteen participants aged between 20 and 35 were recruited. Heart rate was recorded by heart rate monitor during a resistance training program. Based on maximal heart rate, time spent at MVI (55-69% of maximal heart rate) was calculated. Participants displayed a HR equal or above MVI for 51.5% ± 21.7% of time. When stratifying by lower and upper body sessions, that proportion was median (25-75th); 75.0% (32.5%-89.2%) and 45.8% (30.0%-66.8%) respectively. Body mass (r=.68; p\u3c.01), body mass index (r=.54; p=.03), and leg press strength (r=.59; p=02) were positively associated with time spent at MVI. Assuming 10-minute bouts of aerobic exercise are not needed to achieve health benefits, it is possible to reach MVI with resistance training. Emphasis on the importance of performing resistance training should be done to reach the aerobic component of the physical activity guidelines and optimize health benefits. This provides an alternative option to those who may have difficulty or be unable to reach the required aerobic intensity by traditional aerobic exercises

Seasonal changes in whole body, and regional body composition profiles of elite collegiate hockey players

The monitoring of a collegiate hockey player’s body composition can reflect fitness characteristics, and may help players, coaches or strength & conditioning professionals optimize physiologic gains during an off-season, while simultaneously preventing performance decrements in-season. Two separate studies took place in this investigation. The first study’s purpose was to examine changes in the whole-body, and regional-body composition profiles of elite collegiate hockey players in regards to fat and lean tissue mass during an off-season and the first half of a competitive season. The purpose of the second study was to evaluate if collegiate players could accurately perceive their fluctuations in body composition. In the first study, the body composition profiles of nineteen elite Canadian collegiate hockey players were assessed using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry at three different time-points (i.e. end of season, pre-season and mid-season). A repeated measures anova was used to compare the player’s changes in body composition at the different time-points. Statistically significant changes in body composition profiles were observed as players showed various tissue gains/losses depending on the region assessed. Overall, players gained (1.38kg, p < .01) and lost (.79kg, p < .01) fat tissue during the off-season and in-season, respectively. Players also showed a significant gain of leg lean tissue (.29 kg, p = .02) and loss of arm tissue mass (-.25 kg, p = .02) during the first-half of the competitive season. Several correlations emerged that may provide insight into potential trends that could be more pronounced during longer and more demanding schedules. In the second study, a total of 24 players completed pre-season and mid-season assessments. Immediately before each scan, players answered questionnaires regarding their off-season and in-season training, and perceived change in their body composition and strength of particular regions during the 3-month time period. Two thirds of players and one-half of players accurately detected changes in arm-lean and arm-fat tissue respectively. Approximately two-thirds of players did not accurately perceive gains or losses of lean or fat tissue within their leg and overall body region. The findings from each study can have important implications for the performance and development of collegiate athletes. The accuracy of a player’s perceived change in body composition may affect their acceptance and adherence to a dietary or training intervention. Overall, the understanding of body composition profiles, body composition fluctuations, and potential variables that may influence the composition of collegiate hockey players can help coaches and athletic programs tailor their team’s training, nutrition, lifestyle and informative resources to further support their athletes.Le suivi de la composition corporelle des joueurs de hockey universitaires peut faire ressortir certaines de leurs caractéristiques physiques et peut aider les joueurs, comme les entraîneurs en préparation physique à optimiser les gains physiologiques durant l’entre-saison tout en évitant une diminution des performances durant la saison. Deux études distinctes ont pris place lors de cette grande recherche. La première étude avait pour but d’observer les changements de la composition corporelle du corps en entier, puis par région spécifique du joueur de hockey élite universitaire prenant en considération les tissus adipeux et maigres durant l’entre-saison et la première moitié de saison. Le but de la deuxième étude était de voir si les athlètes universitaires pouvaient précisément déterminer les changements de leur composition corporelle. Dans la première étude, le profil de la composition corporelle de dix-neuf joueurs élites de hockey universitaire canadien a été évalué utilisant l’absorption de l’énergie double des rayons-x à trois différents moments (fin de la saison, pré-saison et mi-saison). La répétition de mesures d’anova a été utilisée pour comparer le changement de composition corporelle des joueurs à différents moments. Des changements signifiants de la composition corporelle ont été observés, alors que les joueurs ont montré différent gains/pertes de tissus tout dépendant de la région évaluer. Globalement, les joueurs ont gagné (1.38kg, p < .01) de tissus adipeux durant l’entre-saison et perdu (.79kg, p < .01) durant la saison. Les joueurs ont aussi montré des gains signifiant au niveau des tissus maigres des jambes (.29 kg, p = .02) et des pertes au niveau de la masse des tissus des bras (-.25 kg, p = .02) durant la première moitié de la saison régulière. Plusieurs corrélations émergent ce qui donnent un aperçu des tendances potentielles qui pourraient être davantage prononcées durant une plus longue et plus demandant cédule. Dans la deuxième étude, un total de 24 joueurs a complété les évaluations de pré-saison et de mi-saison. Immédiatement avant le scan, les joueurs ont répondu à un questionnaire sur leurs entraînements durant la saison ainsi qu’hors-saison sur comment ils évaluaient l’évolution de leur composition corporelle et de leur force par rapport aux régions spécifiques désignées. Le deux tiers des joueurs on précisément perçue les changements dans leurs tissus maigres des bras et la moitié pour leurs tissus adipeux. Les deux tiers des joueurs n’ont pas précisément perçue les gains ou les pertes de leurs tissus maigres ou adipeux de leurs jambes et de leur corps en entier. Les résultats de chacune des études peuvent avoir d’importantes implications pour la performance et le développement des athlètes universitaires. La précision des joueurs à percevoir les changements de leur composition corporelle peut affecter leur acceptation et leur adhésion à une diète ou à un programme d’entraînement. Globalement, la compréhension d’un profile de la composition corporelle, des variations et des autres variables potentiels qui peuvent influencer la composition corporelle des joueurs de hockey universitaires peut aider les entraîneurs et les programmes sportifs à adapter les entraînement d’équipe, la nutrition, le mode de vie et les sources d’informations de leurs joueurs de manière à mieux supporter leurs athlètes

A hardware proof of concept for a remote-controlled glacier-surveying boat

The design of a prototype remote-controlled glacier-surveying robot, capable of taking accurate above- and below-water measurements of calving glacier fronts, using swath bathymetry and laser scanning hardware is presented. Data captured using the remote control system during field trials on the Lille Gletscher in western Greenland are informally compared with data captured using the same sensors from the same glacier using a much larger manned vessel during the same time period. The potential use of such a device during extended repeat survey missions is discussed and the implications in terms of both the improvement in data quality and the logistics in the field are also outlined. Future improvements to the robot and in particular the control system are described, as well as mechanical and electrical design considerations that became apparent during trials. The transition to a more autonomous system and the possibility of full autonomy are considered

Variable radiological lung nodule evaluation leads to divergent management recommendations

Radiological evaluation of incidentally detected lung nodules on computed tomography (CT) influences management. We assessed international radiological variation in 1) pulmonary nodule characterisation; 2) hypothetical guideline-derived management; and 3) radiologists' management recommendations.107 radiologists from 25 countries evaluated 69 CT-detected nodules, recording: 1) first-choice composition (solid, part-solid or ground-glass, with percentage confidence); 2) morphological features; 3) dimensions; 4) recommended management; and 5) decision-influencing factors. We modelled hypothetical management decisions on the 2005 and updated 2017 Fleischner Society, and both liberal and parsimonious interpretations of the British Thoracic Society 2015 guidelines.Overall agreement for first-choice nodule composition was good (Fleiss' κ=0.65), but poorest for part-solid nodules (weighted κ 0.62, interquartile range 0.50-0.71). Morphological variables, including spiculation (κ=0.35), showed poor-to-moderate agreement (κ=0.23-0.53). Variation in diameter was greatest at key thresholds (5 mm and 6 mm). Agreement for radiologists' recommendations was poor (κ=0.30); 21% disagreed with the majority. Although agreement within the four guideline-modelled management strategies was good (κ=0.63-0.73), 5-10% of radiologists would disagree with majority decisions if they applied guidelines strictly.Agreement was lowest for part-solid nodules, while significant measurement variation exists at important size thresholds. These variations resulted in generally good agreement for guideline-modelled management, but poor agreement for radiologists' actual recommendations