The impact of different loading sports and a jumping intervention on bone health in adolescent males: The PRO-BONE study

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from BMJ Publishing Group via the DOI in this record European Union Seventh Framework Programm

Desaturation during exercise is not a sufficient mechanism for prediction of osteoporosis in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

This is the final version. Available on open access from BMC via the DOI in this recordBackground: Recent research has proposed an association between desaturation during a six minute walking test (6MWT) and osteoporosis in an elderly group of individuals with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. A causative pathway through activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) has been proposed. Commentary: Queries regarding the statistical approaches used are identified and discussed within this correspondence. These predominate around the use of linear regression models to predict osteoporosis in a group that is already osteoporotic, presenting with extreme values for bone mineral density (BMD). Further queries are raised regarding the HIF-1α pathway, and physical activity (PA) is proposed as an upstream mechanism for both reduced exercise tolerance and low BMD. Conclusions: It is suggested that osteoporosis cannot be predicted in a group that is already osteoporotic, and that PA is likely to be the causative mechanism between desaturation in the 6MWT and low BMD in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

How Different Loading Sports and a 9-Month Plyometric Intervention Programme Affect Bone Turnover Markers During Adolescence: The PRO-BONE Study

This is the final version. Available on open access from MDPI via the DOI in this recordPresented at the 9th Greek Conference of Biochemistry and Physiology of Exercise, Thessaloniki, Greece, 18–20 October 2019Aim: The purpose of the present study was to (1) investigate the cross-sectional (baseline) and longitudinal (12 months) effects of football (weight-bearing sport), swimming and cycling (non-weight-bearing sports), and an active control group on bone turnover markers in adolescent males and (2) examine the effect of a 9-month progressive jumping intervention programme on bone turnover in the sports groups of adolescent males. Materials & Methods: A total of 105 adolescent males (30 footballers, 37 swimmers, 26 cyclists, and 12 active controls), aged 12 to 14 years at baseline, were measured at baseline (T0), after 1 year of sport-specific training (T1) and following a 9-month progressive jumping intervention programme (T2). Bone turnover was measured using serum N-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I (PINP) as bone formation marker and isomer of the carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX-I) as bone resorption marker. Bone turnover rate and balance were estimated using the multiple of medians logarithmic equations of PINP and CTX-I. Results: At T0 there were no significant differences between groups in any of the biochemical markers. At T1 PINP was significantly higher in footballers than swimmers (3.3%) and cyclists (6.0%). Cyclists had significantly lower PINP (5.1%) and CTX-I (14.8%) than controls. In swimmers, there was a significant decrease in PINP (5.8%) and a significant increase in CTX-I (9.8%) from T0 to T1. In cyclists, PINP significantly decreased (7.2%) and CTX-I non-significantly increased (4.3%) from T0 to T1. At T2, PINP was reduced in all non-intervention sport groups (4.4% in swimmers, 3.3% in footballers, and 4.2% in cyclists). CTX-I was reduced by 3.8% in swimmers and cyclists who did not perform the intervention. Conclusions: The present study showed that at baseline there were no differences between groups in bone turnover, but after 1 year of sport-specific training bone turnover was significantly improved in footballers and controls compared to swimmers and cyclists. Following the 9-month jumping intervention bone turnover significant declined in the intervention groups of cycling and swimming. By contrast, bone formation significantly decreased in footballers and the control groups, and bone resorption significantly decreased in the non-intervention groups of cycling and swimming

The effect of a high-impact jumping intervention on bone mass, bone stiffness and fitness parameters in adolescent athletes

This is the final version. Available on open access from Springer via the DOI in this record.This study demonstrates that a 9-month jumping intervention can improve bone mass gains and physical fitness performance in adolescent males participating in non-osteogenic sports, such as swimming and cycling. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of a jumping intervention on bone mass, bone stiffness and fitness parameters in adolescents involved in different sports. METHODS: Ninety-three adolescent male swimmers (SWI), footballers (FOO) and cyclists (CYC) were randomised to intervention (INT) and sport (INT-SWI = 19, INT-FOO = 15, INT-CYC = 14) or sport only (CON-SWI = 18, CON-FOO = 15, CON-CYC = 12) groups. The 9-month jumping intervention consisted of 3 levels (12 weeks each) of 20 repetitions per set of counter movement jumps (CMJ) using adjustable weight vests (level 1 = 20 CMJ jumps/set, 0 kg, 3 sets/day, 3 times/week; level 2 = 20 CMJ jumps/set, 2 kg, 4 sets/day, 3 times/week; level 3 = 20 CMJ jumps/set, 5 kg, 4 sets/day, 4 times/week). Total body bone mineral content (BMC) at total body less head (TBLH) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and bone stiffness using quantitative ultrasound. Fitness was assessed using the 20-m shuttle run (20mSRT), CMJ and standing long jump (SLJ) tests. RESULTS: INT-SWI had significantly higher increase in BMC legs and bone stiffness compared to CON-SWI (4.2-12.7%). INT-CYC had significantly higher increase in BMC at TBLH and legs and bone stiffness compared to CON-CYC (5.0-12.3%). There were no significant differences between INT-FOO and CON-FOO in any bone outcomes (0.9-3.9%). The increase in CMJ performance was significantly higher in INT-SWI (3.1 cm) and INT-CYC (3.2 cm) compared to CON-SWI and CON-CYC groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A 9-month jumping intervention can improve bone mass, bone stiffness and muscular fitness in adolescent males participating in non-osteogenic sports, such as swimming and cycling. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN17982776.European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013

A 9-month Jumping Intervention to Improve Bone Acquisition in Adolescent Male Athletes: The PRO-BONE Study

This is the author acepted manuscript. The final version is available via the DOI in this recordAnnual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), 29 May - 2 June 2018, Minneapolis, USA. G-21 Thematic Poster - Bone Quality in Athletes and Special Population

A 9-month jumping intervention to improve bone geometry in adolescent male athletes

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins via the DOI in this record.PURPOSE: Sports have different effects on bone development and effective interventions to improve bone health of adolescent athletes are needed. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of a 9-month jumping intervention on bone geometry and metabolism in adolescent male athletes METHODS: Ninety-three adolescent (14.1 years old) male swimmers (SWI), footballers (FOO) and cyclists (CYC) were randomized to an intervention and sport (INT-SWI=19, INT-FOO=15, INT-CYC=14) or sport only (CON-SWI =18, CON-FOO =15, CON-CYC =12) groups. Cross-sectional area (CSA), cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI) and section modulus (Z) at the femoral neck were assessed using hip structural analysis, and trabecular texture of the lumbar spine using trabecular bone score (TBS). Bone mineral content (BMC) at femoral neck and lumbar spine was assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Serum N-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I (PINP), isomer of the Carboxi-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX-I), total serum calcium and 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] were analysed. RESULTS: INT-CYC acquired significantly higher lumbar spine BMC (4.6 %) and femoral neck BMC (9.8 %) than CON-CYC. INT-CYC acquired significantly higher CSA (11.0 %), CSMI (10.1 %) and TBS (4.4 %) than CON-CYC. INT-SWI acquired significantly higher femoral neck BMC (6.0 %) and CSMI (10.9 %) than CON-SWI. There were no significant differences between INT-FOO and CON-FOO in any bone outcomes. PINP significantly decreased in CON-SWI, INT-FOO, CON-FOO and CON-CYC. CTX-I significantly decreased in CON-SWI and CON-CYC. 25(OH)D significantly increased in INT-CYC, CON-CYC, INT-FOO and CON-FOO. CONCLUSIONS: A 9-month jumping intervention improved bone outcomes in adolescent swimmers and cyclists, but not in footballers. This intervention might be used by sports clubs to improve bone health of adolescent athletes.The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme ([FP7/2007-2013] under grant agreement n°. PCIG13-GA-2013-618496

Effect of a program of short bouts of exercise on bone health in adolescents involved in different sports: the PRO-BONE study protocol

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from BioMed Central via the DOI in this record.Background: Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease associated with high morbidity, mortality and increased economic costs. Early prevention during adolescence appears to be one of the most beneficial practices. Exercise is an effective approach for developing bone mass during puberty, but some sports may have a positive or negative impact on bone mass accrual. Plyometric jump training has been suggested as a type of exercise that can augment bone, but its effects on adolescent bone mass have not been rigorously assessed. The aims of the PRO-BONE study are to: 1) longitudinally assess bone health and its metabolism in adolescents engaged in osteogenic (football), non-osteogenic (cycling and swimming) sports and in a control group, and 2) examine the effect of a 9 month plyometric jump training programme on bone related outcomes in the sport groups. Methods/Design: This study will recruit 105 males aged 12-14 years who have participated in sport specific training for at least 3 hours per week during the last 3 years in the following sports groups: football (n=30), cycling (n=30) and swimming (n=30). An age-matched control group (n=15) that does not engage in these sports more than 3 hours per week will also be recruited. Participants will be measured on 5 occasions: 1) at baseline; 2) after 12 months of sport specific training where each sport group will be randomly allocated into two sub-groups: intervention group (sport + plyometric jump training) and sport group (sport only); 3) exactly after the 9 months of intervention; 4) 6 months following the intervention; 5) 12 months following the intervention. Body composition (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, air displacement plethysmography and bioelectrical impedance), bone stiffness index (ultrasounds), physical activity (accelerometers), diet (24 h recall questionnaire), pubertal maturation (Tanner stage), physical fitness (cardiorespiratory and muscular) and biochemical markers of bone formation and resorption will be measured at each visit. Discussion: The PRO-BONE study is designed to investigate the impact of osteogenic and non-osteogenic sports on bone development in adolescent males during puberty, and how a plyometric jump training programme is associated with body composition parameters.European Union Seventh Framework Programme [FP7/2007-2013

Effect of maturational timing on bone health in male adolescent athletes engaged in different sports: The PRO-BONE study

This is the author accepted manuscript. the final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordObjectives: To describe differences in bone outcomes according to biological age in male athletes participating in osteogenic (OS) or non-osteogenic (NOS) sports. Design: Longitudinal (12-months). Methods: 104 adolescents (12–14 years) were measured at baseline and after 1y: OS group (n = 37 football or soccer players) and NOS group (n = 39 swimmers, n = 28 cyclists). Years from peak height velocity (PHV, −2 to +2) was used as a maturational landmark. Bone mineral content (BMC) was assessed using DXA. Hip structural analysis estimated cross-sectional area (CSA), cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI) and section modulus (Z) at the femoral neck (FN). Trabecular bone score (TBS) estimated lumbar spine (LS) texture. Quantitative ultrasound measured bone stiffness. Multilevel regression models adjusted by hours of training were fitted. Results: Compared to NOS, OS had significantly greater total body (less head) BMC from PHV to +2 years from PHV (from 9.5% to 11.3%, respectively); LS BMC from −1 years from PHV to PHV (from 9.8% to 9.9%); hip BMC (from 11.6% to 22.9%), FN BMC (from 12.0% to 15.9%), TBS (from 4.2% to 4.8%) and stiffness index (from 11.9% to 23.3%) from −1 years from PHV to +2 years from PHV; and CSA (from 8.4% to 18.8%), Z (from 5.5% to 22.9%) and CSMI (from 10.6% to 23.3%) from −2 years from PHV to +2 years from PHV. There was a significant trend for the between-group differences to increase with biological age except for LS BMC and TBS. Conclusions: These findings underline the differential bone response to different sports throughout the years surrounding PHV in male adolescent athletes. Clinical trial registration: ISRCTN17982776.European Union Seventh Framework ProgrammeUniversity of Castilla-La ManchaUniversity of Granad

Tutor perception on personal and institutional preparedness for online teaching-learning during the COVID-19 crisis: The case of Ghanaian Colleges of Education

This paper looks at Ghanaian Colleges of Education tutors’ perception on the personal and institutional preparedness for online teaching-learning during the COVID-19 crisis. The study selected 24 tutors from 9 Colleges of Education (CoEs) in the Eastern and Greater Accra Regions. 7 CoEs are in Eastern while 2 are in Greater Accra. Using the convenience sampling technique, 24 tutors were selected as the accessible population. The research design used was the qualitative with a semi-structured interview conducted over the telephone because of social distancing. The data collected was analysed manually. The results indicate that only 33.3% of the respondents could teach confidently online, while 66.7% needed more training to confidently deliver lessons online. Furthermore, none of the 9 colleges had policies on online teaching even though each college had at least 16 policies regarding the good governance of the colleges. It is therefore recommended that tutors of CoEs should be given support in ICT and online skills and competencies through continuous training

GeoTriples: a Tool for Publishing Geospatial Data as RDF Graphs Using R2RML Mappings

In this paper we present the tool GeoTriples that allows the transformation of Earth Observation data and geospatial data into RDF graphs, by using and extending the R2RML mapping language to be able to deal with the specificities of geospatial data. GeoTriples is a semi-automated tool that transforms geospatial information into RDF following the state of the art vocabularies like GeoSPARQL and stSPARQL, but at the same time it is not tightly coupled to a specific vocabulary