Proximity to Sports Facilities and Sports Participation for Adolescents in Germany

Objectives - To assess the relationship between proximity to specific sports facilities and participation in the corresponding sports activities for adolescents in Germany. Methods - A sample of 1,768 adolescents aged 11–17 years old and living in 161 German communities was examined. Distances to the nearest sports facilities were calculated as an indicator of proximity to sports facilities using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Participation in specific leisure-time sports activities in sports clubs was assessed using a self-report questionnaire and individual-level socio-demographic variables were derived from a parent questionnaire. Community-level socio-demographics as covariates were selected from the INKAR database, in particular from indicators and maps on land development. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between proximity to the nearest sports facilities and participation in the corresponding sports activities. Results - The logisitic regression analyses showed that girls residing longer distances from the nearest gym were less likely to engage in indoor sports activities; a significant interaction between distances to gyms and level of urbanization was identified. Decomposition of the interaction term showed that for adolescent girls living in rural areas participation in indoor sports activities was positively associated with gym proximity. Proximity to tennis courts and indoor pools was not associated with participation in tennis or water sports, respectively. Conclusions - Improved proximity to gyms is likely to be more important for female adolescents living in rural areas

The influence of minimum sitting period of the ActivPAL™ on the measurement of breaks in sitting in young children

Sitting time and breaks in sitting influence cardio-metabolic health. New monitors (e.g. activPAL™) may be more accurate for measurement of sitting time and breaks in sitting although how to optimize measurement accuracy is not yet clear. One important issue is the minimum sitting/upright period (MSUP) to define a new posture. Using the activPAL™, we investigated the effect of variations in MSUP on total sitting time and breaks in sitting, and also determined the criterion validity of different activPAL™ settings for both construct

Clinical characteristics, etiology and antimicrobial susceptibility among overweight and obese individuals with diarrhea: observed at a large diarrheal disease hospital, Bangladesh

Background:The present study aimed to determine the clinical characteristics and etiology of overweight and obese (OO) individuals with diarrhea attending an urban Dhaka Hospital, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research (icddr,b), Bangladesh.Methods:Total of 508 under-5 children, 96 individuals of 5-19 years and 1331 of >19 years were identified as OO from the Diarrheal Disease Surveillance System (DDSS) between 1993-2011. Two comparison groups such as well-nourished and malnourished individuals from respective age stratums were selected.Results:Isolation rate of rotavirus was higher among OO under-5 children compared to malnourished group (46% vs. 28%). Rotavirus infection among OO individuals aged 5-19 years (9% vs. 3%) (9% vs. 3%) and >19 years (6% vs. 4%) (6% vs. 3%) was higher compared to well-nourished and malnourished children. Conversely, Vibrio cholerae was lower among all OO age groups compared to well-nourished and malnourished ones. Shigella (4% vs. 6%) (4% vs. 8%), and Campylobacter (3% vs. 5%) (3% vs. 5%) were lower only among OO in >19 years individuals compared to their counterparts of the same age stratum. Salmonella was similarly isolated in all age strata and nutritional groups. In multinomial logistic regression among under-5 children, significant association was observed only with use of antimicrobials at home [OR-1.97] and duration of hospital stay [OR-0.68]. For individuals aged 5-19 years, use of antimicrobials at home (OR-1.83), some or severe dehydration (OR-3.12), having received intravenous saline (OR-0.46) and rotavirus diarrhea (OR-2.96) were found to be associated with OO respectively. Moreover, significant associations were also found for duration of diarrhea before coming to hospital (>24 hours) (OR-1.24), Shigella (OR-0.46), and Campylobacter (OR-0.58) among >19 years OO individuals along with other associated co-variates in 5-19 years group (all

TCD4+ Lymphocyte are Related to Muscle Strength Parameters in HIV-1 Positive Adolescents: A Preliminary Study

Introduction: Catabolism of muscle and loss of function are complications that can occur during the course of HIV infection, and are commonly seen in a majority of adolescents with vertically transmitted Human Immunodeficiency Virus-type 1 (HIV-1). The levels of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes, reference markers for the treatment of vertically transmitted HIV-1, also decline as the disease progresses. Alterations on these reference markers may be associated with neuromuscular force parameters in sedentary adolescents that have potential as prognostic indicators for treatment administration. Objective: To investigate the relationship between maximal isometric muscular contraction force and levels of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in sedentary, vertically transmitted HIV-1 positive adolescents. Methods: The sample consisted of twenty individuals, adolescents (N= 9 males, 11 females, age 15-17 years), vertically transmitted HIV-1 patients from Institute of Infectious Diseases Emilio Ribas in São Paulo, Brazil, who were undergoing HAART therapy randomly selected to participate in the study. The number of CD4+ and CD8+ cells was determined by flow cytometry using BD FacsCalibur Multitest Equipment, and Multiset-BD software. Viral load was determined using b-DNA methodology, on Siemens System Versátil 440 equipment. All analyses followed standard procedures approved by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Muscular strength measurements were completed in the morning after blood collection and weight and height measurements. Prior to starting, patients were familiarized with all testing procedures and strength exercises that were used for testing. After the warm up, maximum voluntary isometric muscular strength of the elbow flexors and knee extensors were assessed using an electric dynamometer (EMG210C, EMGLAB System of Brazil). Each patient made three attempts with a rest interval of two minutes between trials. The highest isometric force and torque value were recorded and used for analyses. Results: Upper body force (r=0.70, p=0.001) and maximal torque (r=0.69, p=0.001) were significant correlated with CD4+ count. Similar observations between CD4+ count and lower body muscular force (r=0.62, p=0.005) and maximum torque (r=0.61, p=0.007) were also observed. CD8+ was not associated with any strength measures. Conclusion: CD4+ lymphocytes showed a strong correlation with force parameters in sedentary HIV-1 positive adolescents. Given that those individuals with higher TCD4+ counts showed a tendency towards manifesting higher muscle strength, this may be used as a predictor to indicate the level of physical capacity of patients and consequently help optimize treatment. Further research is needed to explore the potential prognostic value of muscle strength parameters in HIV-1 positive adolescents

Whole body vibration improves cognition in healthy young adults

This study investigated the acute effects of passive whole body vibration (WBV) on executive functions in healthy young adults. Participants (112 females, 21 males; age: 20.5 +/- 2.2 years) underwent six passive WBV sessions (frequency 30 Hz, amplitude approximately 0.5 mm) and six non-vibration control sessions of two minutes each while sitting on a chair mounted on a vibrating platform. A passive WBV session was alternated with a control session. Directly after each session, performance on the Stroop Color-Block Test (CBT), Stroop Color-Word Interference Test (CWIT), Stroop Difference Score (SDS) and Digit Span Backward task (DSBT) was measured. In half of the passive WBV and control sessions the test order was CBT-CWIT-DSBT, and DSBT-CBT-CWIT in the other half. Passive WBV improved CWIT (p = 0.009; effect size r = 0.20) and SDS (p = 0.034; r = 0.16) performance, but only when the CBT and CWIT preceded the DSBT. CBT and DSBT performance did not change. This study shows that two minutes passive WBV has positive acute effects on attention and inhibition in young adults, notwithstanding their high cognitive functioning which could have hampered improvement. This finding indicates the potential of passive WBV as a cognition-enhancing therapy worth further evaluation, especially in persons unable to perform active forms of exercise

Psychological Characteristics of Beginner and Advanced Judokas

Several psychological benefits have been associated with judo training, including enhanced cognitive functioning, improved emotional regulation, and higher self-confidence, with training experience being associated with higher levels of several psychological characteristics. Purpose: The current study explored the differences in training and psychological  characteristics  between  beginner  and  advanced  judokas.  Methods:  A  sample  of  146  judokas (77.4% male), including 67 beginners and 79 advanced, between 18 and 45 years of age, completed the Brief Resilience Scale (α = .84), Grit Scale (α = .82), General Self-Efficacy Scale (α = .85), Brief Self-Control Scale (α = .82), Brief Aggression Questionnaire (α = .75), Satisfaction with Life Scale (α = .88), and Mental Health Disorders Screening Instrument for Athletes (α = .79). Results: Results showed that advanced judokas were significantly older (p\u3c .001), more experienced (p\u3c .001), and presented higher training frequency (p= .013) and volume (p= .004) than beginner judokas. Moreover, advanced judokas reported significantly higher resilience (p\u3c .001), grit (p=  .001),  self-efficacy  (p=  .004),  self-control  (p=  .009),  life  satisfaction  (p=  .025),  and  lower  mental health disorders (p\u3c .001) than beginner judokas. No significant differences were found between beginner and advanced judokas  in  aggression  (p=  .172).  Conclusions:  Advanced  judokas  were  older,  more  experienced,  and  trained more days and hours per week, and exhibited significantly higher resilience,grit, self-efficacy, self-control, and life  satisfaction,  and  lower  mental  health  disorders  than  beginner  judokas.  Moreover,  beginner  and  advanced judokas presented similar levels of aggression

Akt/mTOR pathway contributes to skeletal muscle anti-atrophic effect of aerobic exercise training in heart failure mice

Background: Exercise intolerance is one of the main clinical symptoms of heart failure (HF) and is associated with skeletal muscle wasting due to an imbalance between proteolysis and protein synthesis. In this study, we tested whether aerobic exercise training (AET) would counteract skeletal muscle atrophy by activating IGF-I/Akt/mTOR pathway in HF mice. Methods: Sympathetic hyperactivity induced HF mice were assigned into 8-week moderate intensity AET. Untrained wild type and HF mice were used as control. Soleus cross sectional area was evaluated by histochemistry and motor performance by rotarod. 26S proteasome activity was assessed by fluorimetric assay, and components of IGF-I/Akt/mTOR pathway or myostatin pathway by qRT-PCR or immunoblotting. A different subset of mice was used to evaluate the relative contribution of mTOR inhibition (rapamycin) or activation (leucine) on AETinduced changes in muscle mass regulation. Results: AET prevented exercise intolerance and impaired motor performance in HF mice. These effects were associated with attenuation of soleus atrophy. Rapamycin treatment precluded AET effects on soleus mass in HF mice suggesting the involvement of IGF signaling pathway in this response. In fact, AET increased IGF-I Ea and IGF-I Pan mRNA levels, while it reduced myostatin and Smad2 mRNA levels in HF mice. At protein levels, AET prevented reduced expression levels of IGF-I, pAkt (at basal state), as well as, p4E-BP1 and pP70S6K (leucine-stimulated state) in HF mice. Additionally, AET prevented 26S proteasome hyperactivity in HF mice. Conclusions: Taken together, our data provide evidence for AET-induced activation of IGF-I/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway counteracting HF-induced muscle wastin