Additional Health Benefits Research Articles

Exploring a mother's engagement in team sport: An application of an extended theory of planned behaviour

ObjectivesMothers of young children are at-risk for low physical activity. Organised team sport provides additional social and mental health benefits above that of physical activity. To better understand engagement in team sport, this study aimed to apply the theory of planned behaviour, with the addition of maternal identity and social support. DesignA prospective two-part online study was conducted two weeks apart to collect data from 122 mothers in Australia (M = 32.22, SD = 4.42). MethodsTwo hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to predict intention and engagement in team sports. A moderation was conducted to determine the effect of social support on the intention–behaviour relationship. ResultsResults indicated that 65.1 % of the variance in intention was explained, with years since previously played (β = −0.17), attitudes (β = 0.20), subjective norms (β = 0.41), and perceived behavioural control (β = 0.16) being significant, and level of team sport social support, and maternal identity being non-significant. Additionally, 65.7 % of the variance in behaviour was explained, with perceived behavioural control (β = 0.28) and intention (β = 0.50) being significant, and years since previously played and social supportbeing non-significant. Social support moderated the relationship between intention and engagement, such that social support facilitated engagement. ConclusionsThe findings show support for the predictive ability of the theory and mothers within a sporting context. Behaviour change techniques related to strengthening intention and personal agency could be used to inform interventions intending to increase team sports participation.

Current Prospects of Nutraceuticals in Rabbit Productivity and Health – an Updated Review

Abstract Weaned rabbits become extremely vulnerable to enteric infections as a result of the ban of using antibiotics as growth promoters. Recently, there is a growing interest in natural alternatives of antibiotics that could be used in rabbit production. Nutraceuticals are dietary components that offer additional health benefits beyond their nutritive benefits. Nutraceuticals include vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, enzymes, organic acids, fatty acids, medicinal plants, etc. Due to their potential impacts on maintaining the normal physiological status, strengthening the immune system, and preventing illness, which ultimately led to an increase in productivity, nutraceuticals have recently attracted a lot of attention in rabbit farms. The objective of the present review is to provide information on recent findings about the advantages of dietary supplementation of nutraceuticals on performance, digestibility, meat quality, antioxidative properties, and immunological response in rabbits.

Cultivating Health: Traditional Alcoholic Drink 'Tuak' as a Potential Functional Drink for Regulating Blood Glucose Levels while Keeping Cultural Significance Intact

This research examines the potential for developing traditional alcoholic drinks using Raru (Cotylelobium melanoxylon Pierre) as an additional ingredient in the fermentation of tuak. Tuak, as a traditional alcoholic drink that is popular in many regions in Indonesia, plays an important cultural role in traditional celebrations. The advantages of palm wine as a traditional alcoholic drink include its natural sweet taste, good nutritional content, low alcohol content and affordable price. By analyzing the potential of Raru as an additional ingredient in making palm wine, this research seeks to develop traditional alcoholic drinks that not only maintain cultural and traditional aspects, but also provide additional health benefits, especially in lowering blood sugar levels, by launching a new product called ' 'RaruReserve: Healthy Tuak”

Cross-sectional association of physical activity levels with risks of sarcopenia among older Taiwanese adults

ObjectivesThe updated World Health Organization 2020 guidelines strongly recommend an optimal physical activity level of 150–300 min/week for older adults. However, few studies have examined the relationship between different levels of physical activity and sarcopenia. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the cross-sectional associations between overall physical activity levels, gender, intensity, and the risk of sarcopenia among older Taiwanese adults.MethodsA nationwide cross-sectional telephone survey of older adults (≥ 65 years) was conducted in Taiwan from October 2019 to January 2020. Participants were interviewed to collect self-reported data on their level of physical activity (measured by the Taiwanese version of the IPAQ-SF), sarcopenia risk (measured by the SARC-F questionnaire), and sociodemographics.ResultsA total of 1068 older adults were surveyed. Compared with the optimal physical activity level recommendations in the WHO guidelines and after adjusting for potential confounders and proposing an association independent of sedentary behavior, older adults with insufficient physical activity levels (< 150 min/week) were more likely to have a higher risk of sarcopenia (OR: 3.24; CI: 1.67–6.27), whereas older adults who exceeded physical activity guidelines (> 300 min/week) were more likely to have a lower risk of sarcopenia (OR: 0.39; CI: 0.20–0.78). Maintaining moderate-intensity physical activity is essential for older adults, as physical activity that exceeds the guidelines can significantly lower the risk of sarcopenia; meanwhile, insufficient physical activity can greatly increase it. Also, there seems to be a similar association between sarcopenia risk across different physical activity levels in vigorous-intensity physical activities in older adults. However, due to the small number of sarcopenia-risk participants who met or exceeded vigorous-intensity physical activity levels, further comparisons between different vigorous-intensity physical activity levels did not show significant differences in sarcopenia risk. Additionally, insufficient physical activity was found to be an important risk factor for sarcopenia in both genders, while physical activity that exceeded the guidelines prevented sarcopenia in females.ConclusionsThe findings of this study highlight the potential dose-response relationship related to physical activity. The 2020 WHO guidelines provide the public with minimum recommendations for physical activity. However, exceeding these recommended levels appears to be more effective in preventing sarcopenia in older adults and may offer even greater health benefits. Future research should further explore whether exceeding these guidelines could result in additional health benefits.

The UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy and childhood hospital admissions for asthma in England

Sugar sweetened beverage consumption has been suggested as a risk factor for childhood asthma symptoms. We examined whether the UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL), announced in March 2016 and implemented in April 2018, was associated with changes in National Health Service hospital admission rates for asthma in children, 22 months post-implementation of SDIL. We conducted interrupted time series analyses (2012-2020) to measure changes in monthly incidence rates of hospital admissions. Sub-analysis was by age-group (5-9,10-14,15-18 years) and neighbourhood deprivation quintiles. Changes were relative to counterfactual scenarios where the SDIL wasn’t announced, or implemented. Overall, incidence rates reduced by 20.9% (95%CI: 29.6-12.2). Reductions were similar across age-groups and deprivation quintiles. These findings give support to the idea that implementation of a UK tax intended to reduce childhood obesity may have contributed to a significant unexpected and additional public health benefit in the form of reduced hospital admissions for childhood asthma.

Herbal Extracts for Hair Growth and Skin Rejuvenation: A Potential Solution for Hair Fall and Enhancing Skin Glow

Hair loss can have significant psychological and sociological impacts on individuals, affecting how they perceive themselves and are perceived by others. Globally, there has been a rise in the proportion of both men and women experiencing hair loss or thinning hair. Dermatological disorders, including alopecia, are common causes of hair loss, leading to a constant search for natural products that may promote hair growth. Several factors contribute to hair loss, including stress, major illnesses, medication use, depression, autoimmune diseases, family history, hormonal imbalances, and nutritional deficiencies. In India, approximately 50% of the population is experiencing hair loss at an accelerated rate, partly due to the use of inferior hair products in the beauty industry. Various herbs have been identified for their potential to promote skin renewal and hair development. These include Ficus religiosa, Ficus bengalensis, coriander seeds, rock sugar, and Chlorophytum borivilianum. These herbs contain nutritional components that can help manage hormonal imbalances and stimulate hair growth. Herbal formulations offer a natural and potentially effective solution for hair loss management. They can be tested for quality control and evaluation to ensure their safety and efficacy. These formulations may serve as immunoboosters or highly nutritious compositions, providing additional health benefits beyond hair care. Importantly, such remedies are typically associated with minimal or no negative side effects, making them a preferred option for individuals seeking natural approaches to address hair loss and related concerns.

Investigating the potential of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) juice in the development of organic apple-based snacks

This study investigates the potential of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) juice for the development of prebiotic-rich organic apple-based snacks. Yacon syrup, primarily composed of fructan, inulin, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and free sugars, represents a promising nutraceutical product. Its great potential in food processing, particularly as an innovative source of prebiotics, has been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo since it is fermented specifically by lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Our objective was to explore the feasibility of employing vacuum impregnation process to incorporate yacon juice into organic apples, followed by hot air drying for the formulation of dried organic apple-based snacks with health-enhancing attributes. We assessed the prebiotic and physicochemical characteristics of the impregnated snacks, also considering 50 days of storage at room temperature. Vacuum impregnation and air drying produced dried apple slices impregnated with yacon juice with good quality and stability. Higher levels of fructan (16-fold difference compared to non-impregnated apples) in the apple slices increased their prebiotic potential, promoting the growth and viability of cells within simulated intestinal fluid, including strains of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB -12, Bifidobacterium breve DSM 20091, Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis DSM 20088, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus C112, even after prolonged storage. Remarkably, the physicochemical parameters of the impregnated and dried apple slices remained nearly constant and akin to the control samples. Therefore, the combination of vacuum impregnation and air drying has the potential to be used to produce enriched prebiotic organic apple snacks, providing consumers with additional health benefits, including enhanced gut health, with its associated implications, and increased satiety. This innovation could contribute to the development of health-promoting food products with improved nutritional profiles.

Development of carminative syrup to improve gastrointestinal prophylaxis

The carminative qualities of spices like asafoetida, clove, cumin, cardamom, fennel, honey, cinnamon and black pepper are highlighted in particular. Medicinal plants are widely recognized as a crucial and valuable resource for the development of pharmaceutical products. These herbal products possess carminative properties and offer additional health benefits in a wide range of therapeutic uses of carminative like as Anti-microbial, Diuretic, Irritable bowel syndrome, etc. To enhance their effects, formulations were made utilizing a geometrical approach and different weights of these powders were combined and evaluated. To confirm the quality and safety of the carminative syrup, organoleptic evaluation, physicochemical characteristics, rheological evaluation, and carminative potential were evaluated.

Emerging Parameters Justifying a Revised Quality Concept for Cow Milk.

Milk has become a staple food product globally. Traditionally, milk quality assessment has been primarily focused on hygiene and composition to ensure its safety for consumption and processing. However, in recent years, the concept of milk quality has expanded to encompass a broader range of factors. Consumers now also consider animal welfare, environmental impact, and the presence of additional beneficial components in milk when assessing its quality. This shifting consumer demand has led to increased attention on the overall production and sourcing practices of milk. Reflecting on this trend, this review critically explores such novel quality parameters, offering insights into how such practices meet the modern consumer's holistic expectations. The multifaceted aspects of milk quality are examined, revealing the intertwined relationship between milk safety, compositional integrity, and the additional health benefits provided by milk's bioactive properties. By embracing sustainable farming practices, dairy farmers and processors are encouraged not only to fulfill but to anticipate consumer standards for premium milk quality. This comprehensive approach to milk quality underscores the necessity of adapting dairy production to address the evolving nutritional landscape and consumption patterns.

The effect of fishmeal replacement with organic acid fermented black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal on growth, nutrient utilization, metabolic enzyme activity, antioxidant status and immunity in Pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus)

Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal is emerging as an alternative protein source and good substitute of fishmeal (FM). In an 8-week feeding trial, three hundred pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus,7.44 ± 0.01 g) fingerlings were randomly allocated over five treatments in triplicate tanks and fed five isoprotein (CP, 35%) and isolipidic (CL, 10%) diets formulated by replacing 0% (FBSFL0), 25% (FBSFL25), 50% (FBSFL50), 75% (FBSFL75) and 100% (FBSFL100) FM with organic acid (formic acid) fermented black soldier fly larvae meal (FBSFL). The inclusion of FBSFL did not affect growth, feed conversion ratio, nutrients utilization and survival rate of pangasius even when FM was completely replaced. The pangasius body protein content increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing FBSFL level in the diets while, body lipid content was unaffected (P > 0.05). The haematological indices were not (P > 0.05) affected with the FBSFL inclusion levels. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher and alike protease activity was recorded in FBSFL50, FBSFL75, and FBSFL100 groups. However, activity of amylase and lipase were similar among treatments. The liver antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase, and GST) did not show significant (P > 0.05) difference among the treatments. However, pangasius fed with FBSFL75 and FBSFL100 showed significantly higher and similar total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC). The FBSFL in the diet of pangasius did not affect the liver metabolic enzyme (MDH, G-6-PDH and GDH) activities. Relative gene expression of growth hormone (GH1) did not substantially differ among the groups (P < 0.05). No differences were observed in the immune gene expressions of complement (C3) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) but the expression level of transferrin was up-regulated significantly (P < 0.05) in FBSFL25 group. No damage was observed in hepatic tissues in histomorphometry examination due to the inclusion of FBSFL. The study concludes that formic acid fermented BSFL can be employed as a complete substitute for FM in the pangasius diet, offering additional health benefits without any adverse effects.

Physical and Chemical Properties of Boiled Oil: A Traditional Method of Extracting Oil from Boiled Olive Fruits

Background In some villages in Northern Jordan, farmers boil part of their olive fruit harvest before oil extraction to increase the quantity of oil, get a desirable acquired taste, as they claim, and get additional health benefits. Locals call this oil Boiled oil (BO), and its price is about 20% higher than virgin olive oil (VOO) produced by the same farmer. Objective The hypothesis was that boiling olive fruits may affect the quality of the produced oil. Therefore, our study aimed to determine the chemical and physical characteristics of boiled oil in comparison with VOO and the effect of storage of both types of oils for one year. Methods Total phenolic compounds, ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), and radical scavenging activity (RSA) were evaluated. Moreover, the quality indices of BO and VOO were also evaluated. Results Total phenolic compounds decreased significantly (p &lt;0.05) from 8.7 mg GAE/100g in VOO to 2.47 mg GAE/100g in BO. The antioxidant activity measured using FRAP assay also decreased significantly (p &lt;0.05) from 962 to 379 micromole/kg. Half-maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the RSA was significantly higher (p &lt;0.05) in BO samples (414 mg/ml) in comparison with VOO samples (38.9 mg/ml). Moreover, there was a significant increase (p &lt;0.05) in acid value in BO samples (0.943%) in comparison with VOO samples (0.518%). However, the increase in acid value after one year of storage was higher in VOO than in BO. The peroxide value also increased significantly in boiled oil (500 meq/kg) in comparison with VOO (19 meq/kg). Additionally, a significant increase in ultraviolet absorption was observed in BO at k232 and k270 (3.5), which is considered unsuitable for human consumption compared with VOO (2.43). Conclusion In conclusion, these results showed that boiling olive fruits before oil extraction deteriorates oil quality as expected, and consumers should be educated that this type of oil is hazardous to human health and is a waste of effort and money.

A comparative analysis of the nutrient and phytochemical richness among different varieties of quinoa in China.

Quinoa is a nutrient-dense pseudocereal that has garnered global attention for its potential to bolster food security and nutrition. Despite its celebrated status, the detailed nutritional profiles of various quinoa varieties remain poorly understood, which poses a significant barrier to the strategic cultivation and utilization of quinoa's genetic diversity to combat malnutrition. The impetus for this research lies in the urgent need to identify superior quinoa strains that can be tailored to meet specific nutritional requirements and adapt to diverse agro-ecological zones. Our findings reveal substantial variation in nutrient content across different quinoa varieties, highlighting the variety ZLZX-8 as a particularly nutrient-rich strain with the highest levels of protein, fat, essential fatty acids, amino acids, and key minerals such as Mg, K, and Zn. Moreover, ZLZX-8's exceptional antioxidant capacity suggests it may have additional health benefits beyond its macronutrient profile. In contrast, ZLZX-7 stands out for its dietary fiber and phenolic content, which are critical for digestive health and disease prevention, respectively. Meanwhile, ZLZX-5, with its high starch content, could be better suited for energy production in dietary applications. Notably, the study also uncovers a correlation between grain color and nutrient profile, with colored quinoa varieties exhibiting superior fiber, inositol, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity compared to their white counterparts. This work lays the groundwork for an informed selection of quinoa varieties that can enhance dietary quality, support local and global food systems, and contribute to the fight against malnutrition.

Evaluation of Designer Chicken Eggs Enriched with Vitamin D3 and Zinc

Designer poultry eggs can be produced in various ways. In the present study chicken eggs were enriched with vitamin D3 and zinc by UVB (Ultra Violet Blue) light exposure (3 h/day) and dietary zinc supplementation (75 mg/kg) respectively. The study was conducted in thirty-two crossbred (White Leghorn N strain and Desi) layer birds. The trial was commenced from 29 weeks of age and conducted for 12 weeks. The current research work pointed out the enriching influence of UVB radiation and dietary zinc supplementation on concentration of vitamin D3 and zinc in eggs. Vitamin D3 and zinc concentrations in egg and serum were significantly higher (p&lt;0.01) compared to the control group. UVB exposure and zinc supplementation also had a significant (p&lt;0.01) impact on serum calcium and phosphorus levels. However, Liver enzyme activities of birds were not influenced either by UVB light exposure or by zinc supplementation. The dietary supplementation of hens with zinc is an effective approach to supply consumers with foods from animal sources that are enriched with zinc. Current findings showed that feeding of zinc supplemented diet to chickens offered a promising alternative to fortify egg with zinc. Furthermore, UVB light exposure would be a better choice for enhancing vitamin D3 content of eggs and to produce designer eggs enriched with vitamin D3. It increased the serum vitamin D3 level which was indicative of its transport from skin to ovaries after synthesis. The use of UVB exposure and zinc supplementation as an easy, cheap and safe procedure for producing dual enriched designer eggs with vitamin D3 and zinc is recommended as this would offer additional health benefits to consumers.

A systematic review on cost-effectiveness of diagnostic methods and treatments for tuberculosis in India

ObjectiveCost-effectiveness of a treatment is based on additional health benefits offered and for a test it is determined by fast and improved diagnosing capacity. Evidence on cost-effectiveness can help in identifying interventions that give optimal value for money and catalyse the effort of eliminating tuberculosis burden. Our objective is to evaluate and identify the cost-effectiveness of diagnostics and treatments for tuberculosis practiced in India from costing studies. MethodsElectronic databases like PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, and PlosOne are searched, from Jan 1995 to Jan 2023 based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines. Quality of the selected studies is assessed using a consensus health economic criteria checklist. ResultsAmong the twelve studies selected after quality assessment seven studies were on testing methods and five were on treatment interventions. The included, model-based studies used either state transition or decision tree model for cost analysis primarily in a health system perspective. Sputum smear microscopy test being dominated by other testing methods, strategies like public-private with right diagnostic method yields cost-effective results in tuberculosis healthcare. ConclusionFull economic evaluations on interventions for tuberculosis in India are scarce, particularly from patients’ perspective. The study provides holistic knowledge about the economic evaluations of tuberculosis tests and treatments, highlighting its applications and implemental complications for further development of improved strategies and economic evaluation.

A survey of the knowledge, attitude, and practice of using probiotics for oral health among dental students in Kerala

Background: Widespread prevalence of dental caries, particularly in developing countries, poses a major public health challenge. Traditional approaches using fillings and remineralizing agents have limitations. Probiotics offer a potentially self-administered, multifaceted alternative for both preventing and managing caries, with additional health benefits beyond oral health. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a validated questionnaire was conducted among 308 final-year students and 292 interns from dental colleges in Kerala. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Over 74% of interns and final-year students recognized probiotic benefits. Awareness about prebiotics was limited in both groups (59.7% and 62.3%, respectively). Notably, 65.6% of students and 72.6% of interns demonstrated knowledge about the probiotic potential of streptococcus strains. Almost 43% of students and 55% of interns reported current or past probiotic use and recommendations. A substantial majority in both groups (over 87%) expressed willingness to try recommended probiotic products. Notably, 47.4% of final-year students and 44.5% of interns had not used probiotics therapeutically, with gastrointestinal issues being the primary indication for those who did. Conclusions: High awareness of probiotics with knowledge gaps in certain areas (e.g., prebiotics) was observed. The majority showed a willingness to utilize probiotics in their practice. Educational interventions focused on these areas could equip dental professionals to provide informed advice and recommendations about probiotics to their patients.

Nutraceutically-enhanced oral delivery of vitamin D3 via Bio-SNEDDS: Demonstrating in vivo superiority over pediatric formulations

BackgroundVitamin D3 (VD3) deficiency among children in Saudi Arabia remains a pressing concern due to its poor bioavailability and the limitations of current pediatric formulations. To address this challenge, we developed a groundbreaking pediatric self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (Bio-SNEDDS) for VD3, fortified with black seed oil and moringa seed oil for dual therapeutic benefits. Through meticulous formulation optimization using ternary phase diagrams and comprehensive testing, our Bio-SNEDDS demonstrated exceptional performance. MethodsBio-SNEDDS were manufactured by incorporating Black seed oil and moringa seed oil as bioactive nutraceutical excipients along with various cosurfactant and surfactants. Bio-SNEDDS were systematically optimized through ternary phase diagrams, visual tests, droplet size analysis, drug solubilization studies, dispersion assessments, and pharmacokinetic testing in rats compared to Vi-De 3®. ResultsPseudoternary phase diagrams identified oil blends producing large nanoemulsion regions optimal for SNEDDS formation. The optimized F1 Bio-SNEDDS showed a mean droplet diameter of 33.7 nm, solubilized 154.46 mg/g VD3 with no metabolite formation, and maintained >88% VD3 in solution during 24 h dispersion testing. Notably, in vivo pharmacokinetic evaluation at a high VD3 dose demonstrated an approximately two-fold greater relative bioavailability over Vi-De 3®, validating the superb oral delivery performance of Bio-SNEDDS even under challenging high-dose conditions. ConclusionsThe Bio-SNEDDS provides an effective VD3 delivery strategy with established in vivo superiority over marketed products, along with offering additional health benefits from the natural oils.

Development of a Fermented Probiotic Beverage Inoculated with Kefir Grain

Background: Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer to have health benefits when consumed directly or processed. Regular administration of Probiotics would help in improving the gut microflora that has gained importance as bacteriotherapy which prevents the gastro-intestinal disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms. Vegans who are allergic or intolerant to dairy products can have the benefits of organic acids that are produced through fermentation. The present study was carried out to know the benefits of fermented products using kefir grains and fruits. Methods: The fermented product was tested for the evaluation of flavours, sensory, and shelf life which seemed to be very promising. In context to biomolecules, the product had a high concentration of absorbable protein, carbohydrate, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. Result: The production of fermented beverages of certain fruits on a large scale, and its consumption may promote additional health benefits. The kefir beverage that is produced in this work may help to fill the gap between actual and innovative consumption of the fruits and kefir that may be recommended in the human diet with concern for their health.

Muscle Oxygen Extraction during Vascular Occlusion Test in Physically Very Active versus Inactive Healthy Men: A Comparative Study.

An increase in the delivery and use of oxygen to the musculature in physically active subjects are determinants of improving health-related aerobic capacity. Additional health benefits, such as an increase in the muscle mass and a decrease in fat mass, principally in the legs, could be achieved with weekly global physical activity levels of more than 300 min. The objective was to compare the muscle vascular and metabolic profiles of physically very active and inactive subjects. Twenty healthy men participated in the study; ten were assigned to the physically very active group (25.5 ± 4.2 years; 72.7 ± 8.1 kg; 173.7 ± 7.6 cm) and ten to the physically inactive group (30.0 ± 7.4 years; 74.9 ± 11.8 kg; 173.0 ± 6.4 cm). The level of physical activity was determined by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). A resting vascular occlusion test (5 min of an ischemic phase and 3 min of a reperfusion phase) was used, whereas a near-field infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device was used to evaluate the muscle oxygenation in the right vastus lateralis of the quadriceps muscle. The area under the curve of the deoxyhemoglobin (HHb) during the ischemic phase and above the curve of the tissue saturation index (TSI) during the reperfusion phase were obtained to determine muscle metabolic and vascular responses, respectively. Physically very active group showed a higher absolute HHb (3331.9 ± 995.7 vs. 6182.7 ± 1632.5 mmol/s) and lower TSI (7615.0 ± 1111.9 vs. 5420.0 ± 781.4 %/s) and relative to body weight (46.3 ± 14.6 vs. 84.4 ± 27.1 mmol/s/kg and 106.0 ± 20.6 vs. 73.6 ± 13.8 %/s/kg, respectively), muscle mass (369.9 ± 122.2 vs. 707.5 ± 225.8 mmol/kg and 829.7 ± 163.4 vs. 611.9 ± 154.2 %/s/kg) and fat mass (1760.8 ± 522.9 vs. 2981.0 ± 1239.9 mmol/s/kg and 4160.0 ± 1257.3 vs. ±2638.4 ± 994.3 %/s/kg, respectively) than physically inactive subjects. A negative correlation was observed between HHb levels and TSI (r = -0.6; p < 0.05). Physically very active men (>300 min/week) present better muscle oxidative metabolism and perfusion and perform significantly more physical activity than physically inactive subjects. Extra benefits for vascular health and muscle oxidative metabolism are achieved when a subject becomes physically very active, as recommended by the World Health Organization. In addition, a higher level of physical activity determined by GPAQ is related to better vascular function and oxidative metabolism of the main locomotor musculature, i.e., the quadriceps.

Deep learning of movement behavior profiles and their association with markers of cardiometabolic health

BackgroundTraditionally, existing studies assessing the health associations of accelerometer-measured movement behaviors have been performed with few averaged values, mainly representing the duration of physical activities and sedentary behaviors. Such averaged values cannot naturally capture the complex interplay between the duration, timing, and patterns of accumulation of movement behaviors, that altogether may be codependently related to health outcomes in adults. In this study, we introduce a novel approach to visually represent recorded movement behaviors as images using original accelerometer outputs. Subsequently, we utilize these images for cluster analysis employing deep convolutional autoencoders.MethodsOur method involves converting minute-by-minute accelerometer outputs (activity counts) into a 2D image format, capturing the entire spectrum of movement behaviors performed by each participant. By utilizing convolutional autoencoders, we enable the learning of these image-based representations. Subsequently, we apply the K-means algorithm to cluster these learned representations. We used data from 1812 adult (20–65 years) participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2003–2006 cycles) study who worn a hip-worn accelerometer for 7 seven consecutive days and provided valid accelerometer data.ResultsDeep convolutional autoencoders were able to learn the image representation, encompassing the entire spectrum of movement behaviors. The images were encoded into 32 latent variables, and cluster analysis based on these learned representations for the movement behavior images resulted in the identification of four distinct movement behavior profiles characterized by varying levels, timing, and patterns of accumulation of movement behaviors. After adjusting for potential covariates, the movement behavior profile characterized as “Early-morning movers” and the profile characterized as “Highest activity” both had lower levels of insulin (P < 0.01 for both), triglycerides (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively), HOMA-IR (P < 0.01 for both), and plasma glucose (P < 0.05 and P < 0.1, respectively) compared to the “Lowest activity” profile. No significant differences were observed for the “Least sedentary movers” profile compared to the “Lowest activity” profile.ConclusionsDeep learning of movement behavior profiles revealed that, in addition to duration and patterns of movement behaviors, the timing of physical activity may also be crucial for gaining additional health benefits.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular fitness correlates in youth: A hierarchy of behavioral, contextual, and health-related outcomes

ObjectivesDespite the health importance of identifying correlates of physical fitness in youth, no investigation to date has explored the influence of behavioral, health-related, and contextual correlates simultaneously. We investigated the hierarchical relationship of multiple modifiable correlates favoring or diminishing cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness in youth. DesignCross-sectional investigation. MethodsIn a sample of 5174 children and adolescents, 31 correlates were hierarchized according to their impact on cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness assessed using the FITESCOLA® fitness battery. A Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection approach was employed and measures of correlation and association were used to investigate the relationship between physical fitness and correlates. ResultsIn children, body mass index was the most relevant factor to discriminate between high and low cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness of the upper, middle, and lower body. While body mass index was more important than any other correlate to differentiate levels of upper and lower body muscular fitness during adolescence, specific characteristics of sports participation emerged as key factors to discriminate between high and low cardiorespiratory fitness and middle body muscular fitness. Other correlates, including the self-report of active recess time, active commuting to school, favorable neighborhood conditions, and limited time on screens and cellphones, were demonstrative of favorable physical fitness levels. ConclusionsBoth body composition and sports-related characteristics emerged as the two most relevant factors of physical fitness in youth. Additional health benefits may be obtained from building supportive environments for sports and healthy exercise habits within the household and at different school education levels.