Body Density Research Articles

Response of Zooplankton Size Structure to Multiple Stressors in Urban Lakes

Urban lakes are important environmental assets that contribute significant ecosystem services in urbanised areas around the world. Consequently, urban lakes are more exposed to anthropogenic pressures. Zooplankton communities play a central role in lake processes and, as such, are very sensitive to the impacts of human activities both through in-lake and catchment processes. Understanding their ecological function in urban lakes and how they respond to urbanisation is essential for environmental sustainability. In this study, we investigated the reliability of zooplankton size structure as indicators of anthropogenic stressors in urban lakes. We examined the relationship between environmental variables and zooplankton community size spectra derived as mean body size, density, and biomass. Our study showed that the overall mean body size was within the small size group ranged from 416 to 735 µm equivalent spherical diameter (ESD). Despite no significant difference in total zooplankton density between lakes, there was variability in the total density of the five different size classes. Total biomass was characterised by a significant proportion of size >750 µm. As the specific parameter of normalised biomass size spectra (NBSS), the slopes of the NBSS varied from moderate (−0.83 to −1.04) for a community with higher biomass of the larger size zooplankton to steeper slopes (from −1.15 to −1.49) for a community with higher biomass of smaller size. The environmental variables, represented by total phosphorus (TP) and chlorophyll a (chl-a), had a strong effect on zooplankton biomass and NBSS, where TP and chl-a were significantly correlated with the increase of total biomass and corresponded well with a less negative slope. Our results indicated that the community metric was sensitive to nutrient input and that size-based metrics have the potential to serve as key indicators for the management of urban lakes.

Shade coffee or native forest? Indicators of winter habitat quality for a long-distance migratory bird in the Colombian Andes

Neotropical migratory songbirds overwintering at mid elevations in the Andes of northern South America depend on remnants of native forest and shade-grown coffee plantations. The quality of such habitats is one of the primary ecological factors limiting survival of migratory birds during the non-breeding season. We assessed the relative quality of shade-grown coffee plantations vs. forest in the Colombian Andes as winter habitat for Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus). We hypothesized that native forest has a higher intrinsic value (i.e., food abundance) than shade-coffee plantations, as native forest was the original habitat for Swainsońs Thrush. We compared thrush physical condition, density, feather corticosterone values, and apparent annual survival as indicators of habitat quality in these two habitats. Measures of body condition and density were higher in forest than in shade-grown coffee, while survival was similar between habitats. This implies that forest had a higher carrying capacity than shade coffee and therefore had higher intrinsic value. Seasonal trends in body condition revealed a decline in the quality of forest with the onset of the dry season in early winter and an increase during late winter in line with increasing rainfall, suggesting that the timing of the rainy season likely offsets the negative effects of seasonal drought. Feather corticosterone levels were higher in forest, possibly as a result of a density-dependent stress response, however, we cannot rule out the effects of food availability or its distribution in space on stress levels. Our indicators suggested that native forest is a higher-quality winter habitat than shade-grown coffee. Our findings highlight how individual indicators of habitat quality can be misleading and emphasize the value of using multiple measures. While shade coffee is a critical habitat in the absence of native forest and its importance for the conservation of migratory birds is widely accepted, our results indicate that the conservation of native forest must be a conservation priority wherever possible.

Effect of total body water estimates via bioimpedance on bod pod-based three-compartment body fat models.

Previous research has compared 2- and 3-compartment (2C and 3C, respectively) models against criterion 4-compartment (4C) models while utilizing the same body density (Db) method for all measures. This design induces an inherent bias and obscures the added benefit of a 3C model over the simpler 2-compartment (2C) models. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of total body water estimates via single-frequency (SF-BIA) and multi-frequency (MF-BIA) bioimpedance analysis on body fat estimates derived from air displacement plethysmography (ADP)-derived 3C models. A sample of 95 females and 82 males (n = 177) participated in this study. Underwater weighing, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and bioimpedance spectroscopy were used to calculate percent fat (%Fat) via a criterion 4C model (4CCRITERION). %Fat was predicted via 3CMFBIA (ADP and MF-BIA), 3CSFBIA (ADP and SF-BIA), and a stand-alone 2-compartment (2C) model, based upon ADP, when using Siri and Brozek body density conversion formulas (2CSIRI and 2CBROZEK. respectively). The standard error of estimate (SEE) was lowest for 3CSFBIA when evaluated in females and males (2.72% and 2.31%, respectively) and highest for 2CSIRI (3.98% and 3.84%, respectively). Similarly, the total error (TE) for females and males was lowest for 3CSFBIA (3.21% and 2.67%, respectively) and highest for 2CSIRI (4.58% and 4.48%, respectively) and 2CBROZEK (4.65% and 4.33%, respectively). Results suggest that SF-BIA and MF-BIA can improve the estimation of %Fat, beyond simpler 2C models, when integrated with ADP in a more advanced 3C model. Furthermore, the present study revealed that 3CSFBIA was the best overall prediction model based upon TE values. The current study results support the integration of ADP and bioimpedance technology as part of a 3C model for the improvement of %Fat estimates over simpler 2C models.

Bone, Biomarker, Body Composition, and Performance Responses to 8 Weeks of Reserve Officers' Training Corps Training.

Military personnel engage in vigorous exercise, often resulting in higher bone mineral density; however, leg bone injuries occur frequently in this population. Predictors of change in tibial bone quality and strength need to be characterized in this high-risk population. To examine the effects of an 8-week military training intervention on total body and site-specific bone density and tibial bone quality, serum biomarkers (parathyroid hormone and sclerostin), body composition, and physical performance and to investigate which outcome variables (biomarkers, body composition, and physical performance) predict estimated tibial bone strength in college-aged Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) participants. Prospective cohort study. University of Oklahoma. The ROTC participants (14 males, 4 females) were matched for sex, age, and mass to physically active control participants (14 males, 4 females). The ROTC participants engaged in an 8-week training intervention, while the physically active control group made no changes to their exercise routines. Preintervention general health questionnaires were completed. Pre-, mid-, and postintervention bone scans (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and peripheral quantitative computed tomography); serum blood draws (parathyroid hormone and sclerostin); and physical performance measures (muscle strength and aerobic capacity) were obtained. The ROTC participants exhibited increased hip bone density mineral and content (both P values ≤ .02) after the 8-week intervention. Sclerostin, but not parathyroid hormone, was a positive correlate and predictor in all ROTC models for estimated bone strength at the fracture-prone 38% tibial site (ie, 38% of the tibial length proximal to the distal end of the tibia). Both groups displayed decreased total body and regional fat mass, and ROTC participants' aerobic capacity increased (all P values ≤ .05). All bone, body composition, and performance measures either improved or were maintained in response to ROTC training. Sclerostin should be further investigated as a potential early indicator of changes in estimated tibial bone strength in military cohorts.

Which Body Density Equations Calculate Body Fat Percentage Better in Olympic Wrestlers?—Comparison Study with Air Displacement Plethysmography

Although skinfold-derived equations seem to be practical for field application in estimating body fat percentage (BF%) and minimum body mass in Olympic wrestlers, prediction equations applied first need to be cross-validated in Olympic wrestlers to define the best prediction equation. This study aimed to evaluate the most accurate field method to predict BF% in Olympic wrestlers compared to BF% estimated by air displacement plethysmography (ADP). Sixty-one male (body mass 72.4 ± 13.5 kg; height 170.3 ± 7.0 cm; body mass index (BMI) 24.9 ± 3.5 kg.m−2; BF% 8.5 ± 4.9%) and twenty-five female wrestlers (body mass 60.3 ± 9.9 kg; height 161.3 ± 7.1 cm; BMI 23.1 ± 2.5 kg.m−2; BF% 18.7 ± 4.7%) undertook body composition assessments including ADP and nine-site skinfold measurements. Correlations, bias, limits of agreement, and standardized differences between alterations in BF% measured by ADP and other prediction equations were evaluated to validate measures, and multiple regression analyses to develop an Olympic wrestlers-specific prediction formula. The Stewart and Hannan equation for male wrestlers and the Durnin and Womersley equation for female wrestlers provided the most accurate BF% compared to the measured BF% by ADP, with the lowest bias and presented no significant differences between the measured and predicted BF%. A new prediction equation was developed using only abdominal skinfold and sex as variables, predicting 83.2% of the variance. The findings suggest the use of the new wrestler-specific prediction equation proposed in the study as a valid and accurate alternative to ADP to quantify BF% among Olympic wrestlers.

Influence of environmental variables over multiple spatial scales on the population structure of a key marine invertebrate

Quantifying scale-dependent patterns and linking ecological to environmental variation is required to understand mechanisms regulating biodiversity. We conducted a large-scale survey in rocky shores along the SE Brazilian coast to examine spatial variability in body size and density of an intertidal barnacle (Chthamalus bisinuatus) and its relationships with benthic and oceanographic predictors. Both the size and density of barnacles showed most variation at the smallest spatial scales. On average, barnacle body size was larger on shores located in areas characterised by higher chlorophyll levels, colder waters, low wave action and low influence of freshwater. Barnacles were more abundant at wave-exposed shores. We identified critical scales of spatial variation of an important species and linked population patterns to essential environmental predictors. Our results show that populations of this barnacle are coupled to scale-dependent oceanographic variation. This study offers insights into the mechanisms regulating coastal populations along a little studied coastline.

Long surgical waiting list times are associated with an increased rate of negative ureteroscopies.

Negative ureteroscopy (NURS) is "a ureteroscopy in which no stone is found during the procedure." We aimed to determine the association between the surgical waiting list time (WLT) and the NURS rate. We retrospectively analyzed all patients scheduled for ureteroscopy in our center between January 2017 and July 2019. The inclusion criterion was unilateral, semirigid ureteroscopy for a single ureteral stone; exclusion criteria were renal-only stones, incomplete ureteroscopy, and stones >10 mm. We analyzed age; gender; body mass index; stone size, density, and location; presence of a temporary double-J (DJ) stent; use of medical expulsive therapy; and WLT. Complications while waiting for surgery were also collected and analyzed. We included 219 patients, 41 (18.7%) of whom had NURS. The median WLT was 74 days (interquartile range [IQR] 45-127). Variables protective against NURS were large stone size (odds ratio [OR] 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66-0.93), presence of a temporary DJ stent (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.2-0.8), and radiopaque stones (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21-0.88). A long WLT ((≥60 days) increased the risk of NURS (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.02-4.61). Complications requiring emergency department visits while waiting for surgery were documented in 58/137 (42.3%) patients with indwelling DJ stents; nonetheless, a WLT greater than the median was not associated with an increased risk of complications (p=0.38). Long WLT has an independent, direct, and linear correlation with NURS rates. Patients at higher risk of NURS, may be offered preoperative re-evaluation with a computed tomography scan in a resource-limited setting.

Resource availability drives variation in a marsupial glider’s home‐range size

AbstractNumerous studies have detailed the home‐range size of a variety of species. However, few have been able to determine the underlying contribution of species' traits (e.g. body mass and diet) versus the external environment (e.g. resource availability) on variation in home‐range size. We investigated the importance of body mass and resource availability on the home‐range size of a marsupial, the savanna glider (Petaurus ariel), in the tropical savannas of northern Australia. A strong rainfall gradient occurs over the region, resulting in substantial variation in resource availability throughout the geographic range of P. ariel. To determine P. ariel home‐range size, we radio‐tracked individuals from populations at the climatic extremes of the species’ geographic range, representing areas of high and low rainfall (mean annual rainfall: 1695 mm and 1074 mm, respectively). Additionally, we conducted spotlight surveys at each site to determine population density and collated live‐trapping data to model the body mass of P. ariel over its geographic range. We found an almost 10‐fold increase in P. ariel’s seasonal home‐range size between the two study areas (high rainfall: 2.5 ha vs. low rainfall: 23.0 ha). Body mass (67.5 g vs. 101.1 g) and density (1.1 individuals ha–1 vs. 0.2 individuals ha–1) also varied significantly between the high and low rainfall populations, respectively. The mean seasonal home‐range size of P. ariel was larger than any other similar‐sized Australian Petaurid and was in the top 6% of home‐range size, relative to body mass, of terrestrial, omnivorous mammals globally. The disproportionately large home‐range size of P. ariel is most likely driven by low resource availability within the species' geographic range. Our findings highlight that when resources are limiting, home‐range size can far exceed what is predicted by body mass and diet alone.

Multicomponent density models for body composition: Review of the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry volume approach.

Accurate and precise body composition estimates, notably of total body adiposity, are a vital component of in vivo physiology and metabolic studies. The reference against which other body composition approaches are usually validated or calibrated is the family of methods referred to as multicomponent "body density" models. These models quantify three to six components by combining measurements of body mass, body volume, total body water, and osseous mineral mass. Body mass is measured with calibrated scales, volume with underwater weighing or air-displacement plethysmography, total body water with isotope dilution, and osseous mineral mass by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Body density is then calculated for use in model as body mass/volume. Studies over the past decade introduced a new approach to quantifying body volume that relies on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements, an advance that simplifies multicomponent density model development by eliminating the need for underwater weighing or air-displacement plethysmography systems when these technologies are unavailable and makes these methods more accessible to research and clinical programs. This review critically examines these new dual-energy X-ray approaches for quantifying body volume and density, explores their shortcomings, suggests alternative derivation approaches, and introduces ideas for potential future research studies.

Combining Anthropometry and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis to Predict Body Fat in Female Athletes.

Accurate methods for predicting the percentage of body fat (%Fat) in female athletes are needed for those who lose weight before competition. Methods mandated by sport governing bodies for minimal weight determination in such athletes lack validation. To (1) determine whether combining anthropometry using skinfold (SF) thicknesses and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in a 3-compartment (3C) model would improve the prediction of %Fat in female athletes and (2) evaluate the Slaughter SF equation. Cross-sectional study. Laboratory-based study during the preseason for collegiate sports. A total of 18 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I female athletes were recruited from swim and gymnastics teams. We measured %Fat based on a 4-compartment (4C) criterion incorporating body density (air-displacement plethysmography), total body water (D2O dilution), and bone mineral mass (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) compared with predicted %Fat using SF alone (Slaughter equation), BIA (single frequency for total body water estimate), and combined SF and BIA (3C model). For the %Fat determined using the 4C criterion, the highest adjusted coefficient of determination and lowest prediction error (r2; ±standard error of estimate) were for the 3C model (r2 = 0.87; ±2.8%), followed by BIA (r2 = 0.80; ±3.5%) and SF (r2 = 0.76; ±3.8%; P values < .05 for all). Means differed for the %Fat determined using BIA (26.6% ± 7.5%) and the 3C (25.5% ± 7.2%) versus 4C model (23.5% ± 7.4%; analysis of variance and post hoc analyses: P values < .05). The SF estimate (24.0% ± 7.8%) did not differ from the 4C value. Combining SF and BIA might improve the prediction and lower the prediction error for determining the %Fat in female athletes compared with using SF or BIA separately. Regardless, the Slaughter equation for SF appeared to be accurate for determining the mean %Fat in these female athletes.

Many-body entanglement in fermion systems

We introduce a general bipartite-like representation and Schmidt decomposition of an arbitrary pure state of $N$ indistinguishable fermions, based on states of $M<N$ and $(N-M)$ fermions. It is directly connected with the reduced $M$- and $(N-M)$-body density matrices (DMs), which have the same spectrum in such states. The concept of $M$-body entanglement emerges naturally in this scenario, generalizing that of one-body entanglement. Rigorous majorization relations satisfied by the normalized $M$-body DM are then derived, which imply that the associated entropy will not increase, on average, under a class of operations which have these DMs as post-measurement states. Moreover, such entropy is an upper bound to the average bipartite entanglement entropy generated by a class of operations which map the original state to a bipartite state of $M$ and $N-M$ effectively distinguishable fermions. Analytic evaluation of the spectrum of $M$-body DMs in some strongly correlated fermionic states is also provided.

Neuroprotective effect of roflumilast under cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion injury in juvenile rats through NLRP-mediated inflammatory response inhibition.

This study aims to investigate the protective effect of roflumilast, a phosphodiesterase (PDE)-4 enzyme inhibitor, and demonstrate its possible role in the development prevention of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CI/RI) after stroke induced by carotid artery ligation in juvenile rats. The rats were randomly divided into five groups: healthy group without any treatment, healthy group administered with 1 mg/kg roflumilast, CI group not administered with roflumilast, CI group administered with 0.5 mg/kg roflumilast, and CI group administered with 1 mg/kg roflumilast. In the CI groups, reperfusion was achieved 2h after ischemia induction; in the roflumilast groups, this drug was intraperitoneally administered immediately after reperfusion and at the 12th hour. At the end of 24h, the rats were sacrificed and their brain tissues removed for examination. The mRNA expressions obtained with real-time PCR of IL-1β, TNF-α, and NLRP3 significantly increased in the CI/RI-induced groups compared with the control group, and this increase was significantly lower in the groups administered with roflumilast compared with the CI/RI-induced groups. Moreover, ELISA revealed that both IL-1 β and IL-6 brain levels were significantly higher in the CI/RI-induced groups than in the controls. This increase was significantly lower in the groups administered with roflumilast compared with the CI/RI-induced groups. Histopathological studies revealed that the values closest to those of the healthy group were obtained from the roflumilast groups. Nissl staining revealed that the Nissl bodies manifested normal density in the healthy and roflumilast-administered healthy groups, but were rare in the CI/RI-induced groups. Roflumilast treatment increased these decreased Nissl bodies with increasing doses. Observations indicated that the Nissl body density was close to the value in the healthy group in the CI/RI-induced group administered with 1 mg/kg roflumilast. Overall, roflumilast reduced cellular damage caused by CI/RI in juvenile rats, and this effect may be mediated by NLRP3.

Volume of the whale shark and their mechanism of vertical feeding

The present study provides a noninvasive method to estimate the body volume of sharks (Elasmobranchii, Selachii) using a computational geometric model. This method allows the volume of sharks to be estimated from lateral and ventral photographs assuming an elliptical body cross-sectional geometry. A comparison of the estimated and actual body volumes of several shark species showed that the estimation error was < 0.5%. The accuracy of the model decreased if photographs that were inclined to the orthogonal plane were used, although this error was on average < 2.3% if the inclination angle was 10° or less.Applying this model to captive whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) that were 8.0 and 8.8 m in total length revealed that their body volumes were 3.5 and 4.5 m3, respectively. These estimates allowed for the quantitative evaluation of our hypothesis, that the whale shark uses suctioned air for buoyancy control during vertical feeding—a behavior unique to this species among elasmobranchs. The volume estimates of the captive whale sharks, together with the density estimates from their liver proportions, revealed that the air occupying a part of oro-pharyngeal and branchial cavities can help the whale sharks to keep their body floating. This hypothesis may explain how the whale shark sometimes stays at the water surface without fin motion during vertical feeding, even though their body density is greater than that of seawater.

The Effect of Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Insulin Resistance on Bone Health in Hispanic Children

Obesity appears to have a negative impact on pediatric bone health, and insulin resistance may mediate this relationship. It is unclear if cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has a protective effect on bone in obese children. We tested the hypothesis that CRF attenuates the negative effect of obesity and insulin resistance on skeletal health in a large cohort of Hispanic youth.We studied 413 (193 males and 220 females) children and adolescents from the Viva la Familia Study. They were all pubertal; mean age (SD) 13.4 ± 2.3 years; 27% were normal weight (NW), 19% overweight (OW) and 54% obese (OB). They underwent measurement of body composition, total body bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) by DXA scan; VO2peak using the ramp protocol on a treadmill for CRF; fasting glucose and insulin. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. BMC increased from NW to OW to OB (mean 1.35 ± 0.4, 1.41 ± 0.4, and 1.49 ± 0.4 kg, respectively, p=.005). Peak VO2 decreased from NW to OW to OB (41.3 ± 9.7, 35.5 ± 7.7, 28.9. ± 5.5 mL/kg per min, respectively, p <.001). After adjusting for sex, age and lean body mass, BMC was inversely related to fat mass (r = -0.34, p <.001) and HOMA-IR (r = -0.29, p <.001). Similar relationships were found for BMD. In a regression model with BMC as the dependent variable, lean body mass (standardized coefficient (β)=0.95, p <.001) was positively and fat mass (β=-0.18, p <0.001) negatively associated with BMC (model R2=0.88, p<.001). HOMA-IR (β=-0.07, p =0.001) and VO2peak (β=0.09, p =0.003) had significant and opposite associations with BMC (model p<.001) but fat mass was no longer a significant contributor. With BMD as the dependent variable, lean body mass (β=0.82, p <.001), HOMA-IR (β=-0.06, p =0.04) and peak VO2 (β=0.17, p <.001), but not fat mass, contributed to the variance in BMD (R2=0.79, p<.001).In conclusion, lean body mass is the major determinant of BMC and BMD in Hispanic youth. Adiposity associated insulin resistance has a negative effect on BMC and BMD. CRF contributes positively to the variance in BMC and BMD. This suggests that CRF and higher lean mass attenuate the adverse effects of insulin resistance on bone health in children.

Allometric scaling of faunal-mediated ecosystem functioning: A case study on two bioturbators in contrasting sediments

Soft-sediment biogeochemistry is influenced by the bioturbation activity of benthic invertebrates. We investigated whether the effect of two macrobenthos bioturbators, Limecola balthica and Hediste diversicolor, on sediment oxygen uptake can be described by allometric principles of metabolic activity scaling with animal body size and population biomass. Microcosms containing reconstructed populations to control density and individual body size were used to compare bioturbation effects and allometric scaling principles between a sandy and muddy sediment. Both species facilitated oxygen uptake in both sediment types, and a major portion of the variance in sediment metabolism (60–98%) could be explained by the per capita body size and density, and total population biomass. The allometric relationship with the stimulated sediment metabolism was similar in sand and mud for Hediste and strongly related to the increasing burrow ventilation rate with population biomass. Limecola irrigated less in mud but stimulated sediment metabolism more in mud in comparison to in sand. We discuss how physico-chemical differences between both sediment types, possible changes in activity, and size-dependent irrigation dynamics can explain the variable effects of Limecola on sediment metabolism. Overall, we provide empirical evidence that allometric laws can be used to upscale bioturbation effects on ecosystem functioning in marine soft sediments from the individual to the population level.

ANATOMICAL AND FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LEVEL OF PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE COMPONENT COMPOSITION OF THE BODY OF STUDENTS IN MORDOVIA REPUBLIC OF YOUTHFUL AGE

The study of the basic laws of the formation of students' physical health is of great importance for the state not only as an economic, but also as a labor and defense potential of the country. The study of age dynamics is necessary also for the development of regional standards of physical development, physical fitness of population of young people, as well as for improving the system of health-saving technologies in the organization and conduct of the educational process in educational institutions. The aim of the study was to study the level of physical development and body composition of 1612 young men aged 17-21 living in the Republic of Mordovia. In the course of the work, 48 absolute anthropometric indicators were analyzed, characterizing the anatomical and functional characteristics of an individual. It was found that among young people a normosthenic type of constitution with a proportional chest, with a medium-sized head and andromorph body type is widespread. In the population of student’s males, the prevalence of persons with an average level of physical development, an average value of the vital index is characteristic, however, the strength index of the hand in most of the studied had an indicator below normal. The majority of students showed a normal body mass index with an average level of body density, with an increased relative mass of fat and muscle components and a reduced mass of the bone component, which is possibly a consequence of the body's response to the negative influences of environmental factors, as well as reduced motor activity and insufficient physical activity.

Investigation of Physical and Motor Characteristics Between University Students Who Participate and Students Who Don’t Participate in Sport Activities

The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences between physical and some motoric characteristics of university students who participate in regular sports training and those who do not. A total of 20 volunteer students, 10 students with an average age of 20.80 &amp;plusmn; 1.69 and 10 students with an average age of 19.90 &amp;plusmn; 1.45 without any exercise habits were included in the study. Body circumference measurements, vertical-horizontal jump and strength, flexibility, body mass index, body fat ratio, body circumference measurements, vertical-horizontal jump and claw-back-leg strengths, flexibility, peak and average power values of the participant groups were determined and compared. SPSS 20.0 package program was used to analyze the data. Athlete Students&amp;#39; body density, shoulder circumference, chest circumference, biceps (extension-flexion) circumference, average-peak strength, long-vertical jump, hand claw-back-leg strength were determined to be higher than non-athlete students (p&amp;lt;0.05). Besides, students doing sports; body weight, body mass index, body fat ratio and waist circumference measurement averages were found to be lower than non-athletes (p&amp;lt;0.05). As a result; it has been observed that the participation of young students in regular sports educations can be effective in preventing the risk of obesity and increases their motoric characteristics.

Aerial photogrammetry and tag-derived tissue density reveal patterns of lipid-store body condition of humpback whales on their feeding grounds.

Monitoring the body condition of free-ranging marine mammals at different life-history stages is essential to understand their ecology as they must accumulate sufficient energy reserves for survival and reproduction. However, assessing body condition in free-ranging marine mammals is challenging. We cross-validated two independent approaches to estimate the body condition of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) at two feeding grounds in Canada and Norway: animal-borne tags (n = 59) and aerial photogrammetry (n = 55). Whales that had a large length-standardized projected area in overhead images (i.e. whales looked fatter) had lower estimated tissue body density (TBD) (greater lipid stores) from tag data. Linking both measurements in a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate the true underlying (hidden) tissue body density (uTBD), we found uTBD was lower (−3.5 kg m−3) in pregnant females compared to adult males and resting females, while in lactating females it was higher (+6.0 kg m−3). Whales were more negatively buoyant (+5.0 kg m−3) in Norway than Canada during the early feeding season, possibly owing to a longer migration from breeding areas. While uTBD decreased over the feeding season across life-history traits, whale tissues remained negatively buoyant (1035.3 ± 3.8 kg m−3) in the late feeding season. This study adds confidence to the effectiveness of these independent methods to estimate the body condition of free-ranging whales.

Effects of Body Hair on College-Age Males on Body Composition Measurements by BOD POD

Body composition measurements by BOD POD account for the effects of trapped isothermal air in hair on the scalp by having the subject wear a swim cap to compress the hair on the head. However, there are no recommendations that account for the effects of trapped isothermal air in hair elsewhere on the body. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of body hair on body composition measurements by BOD POD. To assess the impact of body hair on body composition measurements, BOD POD measurements were performed in two conditions: wearing single layer compression shorts (CS) apparel with a swim cap (recommended by manufacturer) and wearing single layer limb length compression (LC) apparel with the same swim cap. The order of apparel was conducted in random order to avoid any potential order effect. Fifty male college-age males (age 19.96 ± 1.32 years) volunteered to participate in this study. Body density and percent body fat were calculated from BOD POD measurements of body mass and body volume. Wearing single layer limb length compression apparel to compress body hair increased body mass by an average of 0.67 lb. (±0.05). Compared to wearing only compression shorts, covering exposed body hair resulted in a reduction in body volume measures; thus, body density was calculated as higher in the LC apparel condition. The mean percentage of body fat in the LC condition (13.99 ± 6.64%) was significantly lower than the mean percentage of body fat in the CS condition (16.76 ± 6.27%, p < 0.001). The results of this investigation demonstrate that covering exposed body hair by wearing single layer limb-length compression apparel can result in significantly different measurements of percent body fat in college-age males. These findings indicate that air displacement plethysmography for males while wearing limb-length compression apparel resulted in a lower assessment of body fat by an average of 2.77 percent. Based on the findings of this investigation, body hair needs to be accounted for when percent body fat is being assessed by BOD POD.

Relative influence of overall and central body adiposity on lung function and development of lung function predictive model for adolescents in Tripura

Background: Population-specific reference values are necessary for maintaining the reliability of pulmonary function evaluation. There are very few studies that have included body adiposity markers as the predictors of lung function, instead of age and height. Objectives: A gender-specific lung function predictive model of adolescents was developed using overall and central adiposity markers. The relative influences of both markers on pulmonary functions were also evaluated. Methods: Anthropometric and pulmonary function parameters of the subjects were recorded. The percentage body fat, fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), and body density were calculated. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 16.0. Results: Significant differences between sexes for anthropometric measures were observed. The mean values of waist circumference (71.94 ± 2.33 mm for female vs. 71.37 ± 2.25 mm for male; P < 0.0005), body composition (5.83 ± 1.27 mm for female vs. 4.71 ± 0.83 mm for male; P < 0.0005), and sum of skinfolds (35.71 ± 4.48 mm for female vs. 34.66 ± 3.01 mm for male; P < 0.0005) were higher in female in comparison to male. Males had significantly higher subscapular skinfold thickness (9.39 ± 1.05 mm, compared with 9.17 ± 1.05 mm for females; P = 0.003). Mean values of central adiposity markers such as waist-hip-ratio (0.88 ± 0.01 for female vs. 0.87 ± 0.01, for male; P < 0.0005) and waist-to-height ratio (0.47 ± 0.004 for female vs. 0.47 ± 0.01, for male; P = 0.002) as well as overall adiposity markers such as percentage body fat (23.81 ± 1.11 for female vs. 18.98 ± 1.20, for male; P = 0.001) and FM (11.27 ± 1.83 kg for female vs. 8.94 ± 1.16, kg for male; P < 0.0005) were significantly higher in female compared to male. Mean FFM (38.17 ± 4.38 mm for male vs. 35.81 ± 3.93 mm for female; P < 0.0005) was significantly higher in male. All the pulmonary function parameters were significantly higher in male compared to female. Results showed the existence of significant mean differences in pulmonary function measures across the three body fat percentage groups in both sexes, with linear decrease of mean values of lung function with the increase of body fat percentage. Post hoc pair-wise multiple comparisons were done to compare the lung function between groups. Conclusion: Overall adiposity marker would explain variation in the pulmonary function parameters better than central adiposity markers in adolescents of both sexes.