Changes In Body Shape Research Articles

Effects of Body Fat and Dominant Somatotype on Explosive Strength and Aerobic Capacity Trainability in Prepubescent Children

The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of body fat and somatotype on explosive strength and aerobic capacity trainability in the prepubertal growth spurt, marked by rapid changes in body size, shape, and composition, all of which are sexually dimorphic. One hundred twenty-five healthy children (58 boys, 67 girls), aged 10-11 years (10.8 ± 0.4 years), who were self-assessed in Tanner stages 1-2, were randomly assigned into 2 experimental groups to train twice a week for 8 weeks: strength training group (19 boys, 22 girls), endurance training group (21 boys, 24 girls), and a control group (18 boys, 21 girls). Evaluation of body fat was carried out using the method described by Slaughter. Somatotype was computed according to the Heath-Carter method. Increased endomorphy reduced the likelihood of vertical jump height improvement (odds ratio [OR], 0.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01-0.85), increased mesomorphy (OR, 6.15; 95% CI, 1.52-24.88) and ectomorphy (OR, 6.52; 95% CI, 1.71-24.91) increased the likelihood of sprint performance, and increased ectomorphy (OR, 3.84; 95% CI, 1.20-12.27) increased the likelihood of aerobic fitness gains. Sex did not affect the training-induced changes in strength or aerobic fitness. These data suggest that somatotype has an effect on explosive strength and aerobic capacity trainability, which should not be disregarded. The effect of adiposity on explosive strength, musculoskeletal magnitude on running speed, and relative linearity on running speed and aerobic capacity seem to be crucial factors related to training-induced gains in prepubescent boys and girls.

Body composition of lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most frequent endocrine and metabolic disorders in reproductive age women, and it is related to changes in body size, shape and composition. Anthropometric somatotype is a quantitative description of the individual’s body shape and composition classified as endomorphy, mesomorphy or ectomorphy. Since PCOS somatotype has never previously been studied, here we evaluate body shape and composition phenomena in lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome and assess relationships with metabolic parameters. The study of 20–35 year-old women was carried out at the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Anthropology at Vilnius University. Standard anthropometric instruments and methods were used, and J. Matiegka’s equations calculated skeletal mass, skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue and muscles and internal organs. In addition, Heath – Carter’s somatotypes were computed, and the participants’ glucose, insulin, testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin and lipid levels were established. We analysed data from 120 women with a mean age of 27.30 ± 3.68 years. Lean women with PCOS had greater skeletal mass by 0.47 kg (p<0.05, Cohen’s d=1.14), greater skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue mass by 2.79 kg (p<0.05, Cohen’s d=6.07) and lower muscle mass by 1.47 kg (p<0.05, Cohen’s d=2.84) compared to control women (p<0.05). The mean PCOS somatotype ratio was 4.96–4.38–3.00 (SD 1.50–1.26–1.11). This classified women with PCOS as mesomorphic endomorphs, in contrast to healthy women who were endomorphic mesomorphs. The PCOS subjects’ skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue and endomorphy/mesomorphy somatotype positively correlated with insulin levels and the HOMA-IR. It was established that lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome had a mesomorphic endomorph somatotype and higher skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue mass, but less muscle mass than healthy lean women. In addition, skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue positively correlated with insulin level and HOMA-IR in lean PCOS women.

Volumetric differences in body shape among adults with differing body mass index values: An analysis using three‐dimensional body scans

This study quantified differences in body shape of people differing in body mass index (BMI), using three-dimensional (3D) scan-extracted segmental body volumes. Eight segmental volumes were measured on 340 young adults (169 males and 171 females) aged 18-30 years, using the Vitus Smart 3D whole body scanner. Body volumes were also expressed as a ratio of the sex-specific mean volume (segmental or whole body) and compared to BMI using simple linear regression, multiple-segment-linear regression and Lowess curves. While all segmental volumes increased significantly as BMI increased, the BMI-related patterns of increase varied among different body segments. For example, pelvis and abdomen volumes increased at a significantly greater rate than whole body volume, with the rates of increase greatest in the overweight and obese. Body shape changes due to variations in body volume could have important implications in a range of fields that currently use 1D anthropometric measurements that do not capture body shape differences in the same detail.

The role of physical activity, body mass index and maturity status in body-related perceptions and self-esteem of adolescents

Background: Adolescence represents a transitional period which is marked by physical, social and psychological changes. Changes in body shape and physical activity especially alter and shape the psychological well-being of adolescents.Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the role of physical activity level, body mass index and maturity status in body-related perception and self-esteem of 11–18 years old adolescents.Subjects and methods: A total of 1012 adolescents participated in this study. The “Social Physique Anxiety Scale”, “Body Image Satisfaction Scale”, “Physical Self-Perception Profile for Children” and “Rosenberg Self-Esteem Inventory” were administered. Physical activity level and body mass index were assessed using the “Physical Activity Questionnaire” and “Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer”, respectively.Results: Regression analysis indicated that body mass index was the only predictor of perceived body attractiveness, social physique anxiety, body image satisfaction and self-esteem for female adolescents. For male adolescents, both physical activity and body mass index were correlated with perceived body attractiveness and social physique anxiety. Pubertal status were not correlated with self-esteem and body-related perceptions for both males and females adolescents.Conclusion: In summary, body mass index and physical activity plays an important role in body-related perceptions and self-esteem of adolescents.

The Morphometry of Solenopsis Fire Ants

Size-related changes of body shape were explored in 15 polymorphic species of Solenopsis fire ants by analyzing body weight along with linear measurements of 24 body parts. Log regression slopes were used to detect changes of shape with increasing size. Within species, the largest workers weighed from about 5 to 30-fold as much as the smallest. The range of within-species body lengths varied from 1.6 mm to 4 mm. As worker size increased, the gaster tended to make up a larger proportion of body length, usually at the cost of the petiole, and rarely at the cost of head length or mesosoma length. In most, the relative volume of the gaster increased and that of the head and mesosoma decreased. Most also showed an increasingly “humped” mesosoma. For all species, head shape changed from barrel-shaped to heart-shaped as worker size increased. Antennae became relatively shorter as the relative size of the club decreased. Shape changes of the legs were more variable. S. geminata was exceptional in the extreme nature of its head shape change, and was the only species in which relative head volume increased and gaster volume decreased with increasing body size. With the exception of S. geminata, the allometric rules governing shape are remarkably similar across species, suggesting a genus-level developmental scheme that is not easily modified by evolution. It also suggests that the evolution of shape is highly constrained by these conserved growth rules, and that it acts primarily (perhaps only) through allometric growth. The results are discussed in light of the growth of imaginal discs in a resource-limited body (the pupa). The substantial variation of allometries within species and across localities is also discussed in relation to using allometric patterns to identify species or to construct phylogenies.

Is pregnancy a trigger for recovery from an eating disorder?

Pregnancy produces significant changes in a woman's body weight and shape. This study examines changes in body mass index (BMI) and quality of life related to eating disorders (QOLED) prior to, during and after pregnancy in both women with and without eating disorders. Prospective study. Royal North Shore Hospital, Northshore Private and Northside Clinic, Sydney. The study comprised 178 pregnant women. Women completed the QOLED questionnaire retrospectively before pregnancy, prospectively for each trimester of pregnancy and at 3, 6 and 12 months postpartum. The QOLED is a validated questionnaire used to assess quality of life related to eating disorders, including physical health, social function and psychological state. Changes in current BMI and QOLED were examined across the stages of pregnancy. The women with eating disorders (n = 19) had significantly lower BMIs before, during and after pregnancy. Both women with and without eating disorders had significant weight gain in the second and third trimesters compared with pre-pregnancy. There were significant interactions between stage of pregnancy and eating disorder status on global QOLED scores. These scores improved significantly during second and third trimesters compared with pre-pregnancy but varied after pregnancy, particularly among women with eating disorders. The QOLED scores for women with eating disorders remained within the eating disorder range throughout the study. Pregnancy is not associated with recovery from eating disorders. Women with eating disorders need support during pregnancy and the postnatal year, and should not be told that their eating disorder will improve during this time.

Individual identification and visual indicators of breeding condition of banded kōkopu (Galaxias fasciatus) in an urban New Zealand stream

Banded kōkopu body patterns are visible in 6-month-old individuals, are unique and remain unchanged over an extended time period. This allows for reliable individual identification and was confirmed by known age captive individuals and from individuals re-trapped in the wild. Body pattern types were specific to particular habitats, with lighter more spotted individuals found in forested habitats compared with darker more striped individuals found in backwater habitats. Breeding condition, which was determined by substantial weight loss through the expression of genital products, was confirmed by fin colour change, visibility of gonads through the body wall, the presence of a pectoral patch and post spawning change of body shape.

Retraction Note: Advancements in morphometric differentiation: a review on stock identification among fish populations

Identifying intraspecific units or stocks of a species with unique morphological characteristics has now become more powerful and enables a better management of these subunits of species and ensures better management and conservation of the fishery resources. These morphometric characteristics typically show ontogenic changes in body shape particularly rapid at key life history stages. For about the past 50 years, traditional multivariate morphometrics, accounting for variation in size and shape, have successfully discriminated many fish stocks throughout the world, however, they have always been criticized because of several biases and weaknesses. To contribute to the advancement of fish stock identification, a new technology based on “Truss Network System” has emerged as a new tool with more effective strategies for descriptions of shape, better data collection and diversified analytical tools. In the present communication, recent developments made in the discipline of morphometric differentiation in body shape among fish populations are briefly reviewed and it appears that the truss based techniques has now been proved to be more effective than manual distance measurement for the management of fishery resources throughout the world. However in India, these techniques have not been commonly applied in fisheries research to discriminate fish stocks. The study expands the potential through various advancements in morphometric differentiation analysis which could serve as a tool for stock identification among fish populations.

An interspecific comparison between morphology and swimming performance in cyprinids

Flow regimes are believed to be of major evolutionary significance in fish. The flow regimes inhabited by cyprinids vary extensively from still flow regimes to riptide flow regimes. To test (i) whether flow-driven swimming performance and relevant morphological differentiation are present among fish species and (ii) whether evolutionary shifts between high-flow and low-flow habitats in cyprinids are associated with evolutionary trade-offs in locomotor performance, we obtained data on both steady and unsteady swimming performance and external body shape for 19 species of cyprinids that typically occur in different flow regimes (still, intermediate and riptide). We also measured the routine energy expenditure (RMR) and maximum metabolic rate (MMR) and calculated the optimal swimming speed. Our results showed that fish species from riptide groups tend to have a higher critical swimming speed (Ucrit ), maximum linear velocity (Vmax ) and fineness ratio (FR) than fish from the other two groups. However, there was no correlation between the reconstructed changes in the steady and unsteady swimming performance of the 19 species. According to the phylogenetically independent contrast (PIC) method, the Ucrit was actively correlated with the MMR. These results indicated that selection will favour both higher steady and unsteady swimming performance and a more streamlined body shape in environments with high water velocities. The results suggested that steady swimming performance was more sensitive to the flow regime and that for this reason, changes in body shape resulted more from selective pressure on steady swimming performance than on unsteady swimming performance. No evolutionary trade-off was observed between steady and unsteady swimming performance, although Ucrit and MMR were found to have coevolved. However, a further analysis within each typically occurring habitat group suggested that the trade-off that may exist between steady and unsteady swimming performance may be concealed by the effect of habitat.

Designs for Development of Bra Tops for the New Senior Generation

Due to recent changes in increased life expectancy, economic power and social development, the new senior generation (focusing on people in their fifties) represents a new market power with strong competitiveness. The new senior generation is the generation after the baby boomers, with characteristics that include a high-level of education, increased income, a high-level of consumption, increased assets, self-fulfillment desires and individuality. Demands in the senior fashion industry are expected to gradually increase and the underwear industry that targets the new senior generation is expected to grow rapidly. These demands will require product development for the new senior generation based on emotional and socio-cultural characteristics. The current new senior underwear market is under the process of R&D with a focus on body shape changes; however, there are limited studies on emotional and socio-cultural approaches. This study formulates a basic design plan for different age groups based on an analysis of the situation of bra wear (current inconveniences, demand and needs) by women in their fifties and over. Subsequently, a functional active bra top that considers activity and comfort was proposed for women in their fifties, an all-in-one foundation bra top that shapes the body was proposed for women in their sixties, and comfort bra tops that are comfortable and easy to put on and take off were proposed for women in their seventies and over.

Percepção corporal e cirurgia bariátrica: o ideal e o possível

Bariatric surgery helps significantly in weight loss. Little is known whether the change in body shape and size is enough to meet the expectations created preoperatively. To evaluate the different perceptions of body size and shape before and after bariatric surgery. A total of 423 patients were evaluated by Nine-figure Outline Scale. Of these, 32% were pre-surgery (PreS), 20% were evaluated between 10 and 12 months after surgery (PO-1), 13% between 18 and 24 months (PO-2), 15% between 30 and 36 months (PO-3) and 20% after 42 months of operation (PO-4). Groups were compared using one-way analysis of variance. When choosing figures that represented a man and a woman of normal size, no differences were observed between groups. Regarding the choice of figures representing the own size, differences were observed between groups PreS and all other groups (p<0.001), and PreS chosen larger figures. In choosing figures that represented a size that believed they could achieve, PreS differed from the PO-1, PO-2 and PO-3 (p <0.001), showing a tendency to choose larger silhouettes after surgery. When choosing figures that represented a size that would like to have PO-4 differed from PO-1 and PO-2 (p <0.05), showing that in the PO-4 there was a tendency to choose larger figures. The body perception seems to comply with own body size, even after weight loss. As longer postoperative period, the participants were more aware of the real possibilities of weight loss. There were signs of dissatisfaction with the body size and shape, mainly in the PO-1 and PO-2, which can lead to frustration and little use of the benefits of the surgery for health and quality of life.

Optimization of Local Body Shape about A Minibus Based on CFD and Wind Tunnel Test

In the development stage of a domestic minibus styling, the detail optimization method was used to make some changes about the car body for the purpose to get much lower value of drag coefficient combined with the detailed flow field messages reflected by the CFD analysis and wind tunnel liquid display test. Also this paper discussed the local flow structure specially, as well as the different changes of drag coefficient. The study shows that detail changes of body shape based on CFD analysis and wind tunnel liquid display test can obviously reduce the drag coefficient and optimize the aerodynamic characteristic of the minibus, which provides object basis for minibus, and also have a meaningful value in engineering application in the future.

Intertidal sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus) alter body shape in response to wave action

Sea stars are some of the largest mobile animals able to live in the harsh flow environment of wave-exposed, rocky intertidal shores. In addition, some species, such as the northeastern Pacific Pisaster ochraceus, are ecologically significant predators in a broad range of environments, from sheltered lagoons to the most wave-exposed shorelines. How they function and survive under such an extreme range of wave exposures remains a puzzle. Here we examine the ability of P. ochraceus to alter body form in response to variation in flow conditions. We found that sea stars in wave-exposed sites had narrower arms and were lighter per unit arm length than those from sheltered sites. Body form was tightly correlated with maximum velocity of breaking waves across four sites and also varied over time. In addition, field transplant experiments showed that these differences in shape were due primarily to phenotypic plasticity. Sea stars transplanted from a sheltered site to a more wave-exposed site became lighter per unit arm length, and developed narrower arms, after 3 months. The tight correlation between water flow and morphology suggests that wave force must be a significant selective factor acting on body shape. On exposed shores, narrower arms probably reduce both lift and drag in breaking waves. On protected shores, fatter arms may provide more thermal inertia to resist overheating, or more body volume for gametes. Such plastic changes in body shape represent a unique method by which sea stars adapt to spatial, seasonal and possibly short-term variation in flow conditions.

Quantitative evaluation reveals taxonomic over-splitting in extinct marine invertebrates: implications in conserving biodiversity

Till date, morphology in general was characterized qualitatively to support the traditional classification system. This study for the first time uses an integrated approach to explore the appropriateness of traditional classification by superposing quantitative characters on qualitative classification using advanced mathematical techniques. Here, a quantitative method was applied that calculates changes in body shape by digitizing the inferred ecological niche and functional attributes of relevant morphological traits. Subsequently, absolute values were assigned to structural–functional traits of extinct atrypids to determine their taxonomy at a higher resolution. Investigating phenotypic diversity in these once abundant Paleozoic brachiopods from deep time is important for predicting future marine biodiversity of their closest living relatives and in conserving the marine ecosystem at large. Results show taxonomic over-splitting, a possible consequence of qualitative taxonomy. This study highlights the necessity of revisiting prior taxonomy by incorporating quantified traits and elicits the hazards of proposing classification based on qualitative traits alone. Perhaps, this study can be a starting point to improve the biological classification system in places where it must be based on morphology alone.

Body shape changes during the early development of the Beluga (Huso huso)

Early body shape changes of beluga sturgeon were studied using landmark-based geometric morphometric approach to recognize its allometric growth pattern. Sampling was done from hatching up to 50 days post hatching (DPH). Left side of specimens were photographed using digital camera and nine landmark points were digitized on two-dimensional images. Total length (TI) was measured using the software ImageJ. To study of the body shape changes during early development, the mean procrustes distance between all specimens of same age, for all age groups, was calculated. The scores of relative warp analysis (RW) were used as descriptors for the variation in shape. RW analysis revealed a sharp body shape change during early ontogeny on 18 DPH. Growth trajectory was computed by plotting RW against TL. The inflection point of body shape corresponds to a TL of 23.3 mm (18 DPH). Results showed that ontogenetic shape changes encompassed a pre-inflection shape changes, which included the elongation of the head and tail regions i.e. positive allometric growth pattern and post-inflection shape changes, with a nearly isometric growth pattern.

The relationship between body roundness, exercise dose, and exercise type

PurposeThe body roundness index is a newly developed geometrically induced body shape index. This study determined changes to BRI in response to exercise administrated in varying doses, and types (aerobic versus resistance).MethodsData was pooled from three exercise interventions (N=600) that included measurements which allowed for BRI calculation. The exercise interventions ranged in prescribed exercise dose and type (aerobic versus resistance). Changes in BRI were calculated and compared to changes in body weight, fat mass, insulin levels, and BRI predicted visceral adipose tissue.ResultsAlthough many subjects experienced little or no weight change, the majority of subjects lost body roundness. Although changed BRI was only weakly correlated to changed body fat in women and men, we found a stronger correlation in BRI predicted baseline visceral adipose tissue and exercise induced changed insulin levelsConclusionsAlthough changes in BMI and weight are often the gold standard of providing patients with information in response to exercise, many patients fail to see any change. Changes in BRI reflect an increased improved health and indicate a positive change in body shape, which can motivate patients for continued application of exercise despite no observed weight loss.

Plus-size 성인여성의 의복패턴 설계를 위한 상반신 체형 연구

The percentage of overweight people has increased in older people due to the change of body shape (including pregnancy and giving birth for women). Obesity is accompanied by body shape changes; subsequently, there are more pattern design considerations compared to standard body shapes. This paper classifies the upper body shape of overweight women in Korea, analyzes features by body shape and proposes basic pattern design data that reflects the features of plus-size women body shapes. The data on 540 subjects in the overweight group (from 20 to 69 years old)whose BMI was over 25 was selected. The following features by shape were identified in accordance with the upper body shape classification of overweight women. Body Shape1 had lower body obesity with long stature and arms in proportion to the trunk length and represented 22.2% of the subjects. Body Shape2 had most parts near average sizes for overweight body shapes with short height and arms that represented 37.6% of the subjects (the highest ratio). Body Shape3 was the smallest body shape in the four groups with the most distinct body figure and represented 30.7% of the subjects. Body Shape4 (9.4% of the subjects)was the upper body obesity type (the fattest group)and with of the waist bigger abdominal obesity type.

일상생활 수준 향상에 기여하는 실버웨어 제작을 위한 설문조사 연구

The demand to complement the elderly body shape with comfortable clothing has greatly increased with the growing elderly population and their improved social-economic level. However, apparel industries have not provided significant production and sale strategies that reflect and consider elderly body shape characteristics. This study investigated the demand and complaints of current silver wear. This study was conducted on 100 elderly people 65 and over. The questionnaires were composed of Korean Activities of Daily Living (K-ADL) that reflect the general characteristics of the respondents related to clothing (clothing requirements and demands) and free comments on each question. Subsequently, we found that the most uncomfortable clothing parts were 'sleeve length' and 'crotch' in women and 'neck circumference' and 'pocket' in men when wearing shirts and pants respectively. Respondents felt that the button and zipper knob sizes were too small with the buttons too numerous. The results suggest that we should consider body shape changes caused by aging in order to develop elderly clothing patterns to improve the level of ADL. We anticipate apparel industries for the elderly to expand due to the rapid increase in the elderly population.

Odor enrichment sculpts the abundance of olfactory bulb mitral cells

Mitral cells are the primary output cell from the olfactory bulb conveying olfactory sensory information to higher cortical areas. Gene-targeted deletion of the Shaker potassium channel Kv1.3 alters voltage-dependence and inactivation kinetics of mitral cell current properties, which contribute to the “Super-smeller” phenotype observed in Kv1.3-null mice. The goal of the current study was to determine if morphology and density are influenced by mitral cell excitability, olfactory environment, and stage of development. Wildtype (WT) and Kv1.3-null (KO) mice were exposed to a single odorant (peppermint or citralva) for 30 days. Under unstimulated conditions, postnatal day 20 KO mice had more mitral cells than their WT counterparts, but no difference in cell size. Odor-enrichment with peppermint, an olfactory and trigeminal stimulus, decreased the number of mitral cells in three month and one year old mice of both genotypes. Mitral cell density was most sensitive to odor-stimulation in three month WT mice. Enrichment at the same age with citralva, a purely olfactory stimulus, decreased cell density regardless of genotype. There were no significant changes in cell body shape in response to citralva exposure, but the cell area was greater in WT mice and selectively greater in the ventral region of the OB in KO mice. This suggests that trigeminal or olfactory stimulation may modify mitral cell area and density while not impacting cell body shape. Mitral cell density can therefore be modulated by the voltage and sensory environment to alter information processing or olfactory perception.

Body Mass Index and Body Shape

Background: Human body shape is associated with the distribution of body fat and obesity-related diseases. The objectives of the study were to investigate the distribution of body shape by age and sex. Also to examine associations between body mass index (BMI) and body shape using Three-dimensional (3-D) data in Korean adults. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study involving 3,548 adults aged 20 years and over who participated in the Size Korea 2004. Body girths were obtained with the use of a 3-D body scan and the associations between body mass index and body shape were also obtained. Results: BMI was significantly associated with waist in men and with bust in women after adjustment for age. Waist circumference was significantly associated with hip in men and with bust in women after adjustment for age. Conclusion: Gender difference was noted in the change of body shape with age and the associations of body shape with BMI and waist circumference in Korean adults.