Body Composition Components Research Articles

Bioimpedance analysis of human body composition: medical applications, terminology

To diagnose and dynamically monitor patients with diseases accompanied by changes in body composition, data from a number of hardware analytical methods are required. Non-invasive, without radiation and chemical loads, fast and patientfriendly bioimpedance analysis of body composition comprehensively solves the problem of obtaining quantitative estimates of all components of body composition at the same time.
 This article discusses the terminology features of bioimpedance analysis of body composition and the most common mistakes in the use of terms. In the Russian-speaking medical environment, you can often find the use of a number of inaccurate terms related to bioimpedance analysis of the human body composition. At the same time, the terminology of bioimpedance analysis of human body composition in English-language publications has long been established. The article presents the Russian and English terms of bioimpedance analysis of the human body composition with corresponding abbreviations, as well as the hierarchy of the terms body composition components, body composition parameters, parameters of bioimpedance analysis of body composition and bioimpedance parameters.
 The most developed areas of application of bioimpedance analysis in medical practice are discussed: assessment of nutrition and dynamic observations of changes in body composition, assessment of the body mineral mass, assessment of the body hydration parameters, assessment of blood supply to tissues and organs, including in the monitoring mode, assessment of the asymmetry of paired organs and limbs, assessment of pre-start readiness, physical development and the level of fitness of the athletes muscular system.

Çocuklarda Vücut Kompozisyonunun Belirlenmesi: Biyoelektrik İmpedans Analizi

Çocukluk döneminde vücut kompozisyonunun etkisi, yetişkinlik dönemi risk faktörleri hakkında bilgi vermektedir. Bu nedenle, çocukluk döneminde, vücut suyu, kemik kütlesi, yağ kütlesi ve yağsız vücut kütlesindeki değişimin takip edilmesi ve egzersizin bu değişimlere olan etkisi klinik sağlık ve spor bilimlerinin araştırma alanı olmuştur. Çocukların vücut ağırlığını oluşturan bileşenler farklı büyüme ve gelişim döneminde değişmektedir. Büyüme ve gelişme döneminde vücut kompozisyonu ölçülmesi ve değerlendirilmesinde, kullanışlı, geçerli ve güvenilir yöntemin seçilmesi en kritik noktadır. En doğru sonuca ulaşabilmek için kullanılan laboratuvar yöntemlerinin çoğu uzmanlık gerektirmektedir. Laboratuvar ortamı olmayan büyük çalışma gruplarının ölçümünde kolay saha yöntemleri tercih edilmektedir. Çoğu zaman kullanım kolaylığı ve taşınabilir olması nedeniyle bilimsel çalışmalarda sıklıkla Biyoelektrik İmpedans Analizi (BİA) seçilmektedir. Popülasyona uygun BİA modelinin ve formülünün belirlenmesiyle doğru ve kesin sonuçlar elde edilmesi oldukça kolaydır. Bu derlemede, çocukların neden yetişkinlerden farklılaştığı, ölçümlerde kullanılan yöntem ve geliştirilmiş formüllerin sınırlılıkları ortaya konulmuştur. Vücut kompozisyonu bileşenlerinin belirlenmesinde kullanılan yöntemlere ait çalışmalar tartışılmıştır. BİA’dan elde edilen ham verinin kullanımındaki yaklaşımlar ve modele ait yazılımdaki formül yerine popülasyona özel uygun regresyon formülünün seçimi ele alınmıştır. Bu derlemede ayrıca, oldukça özel bir grup olan sporcu çocuklardaki farklılıklar analiz edilmiştir. Ayrıca fizyolojik ve performans faktörlerini etkileyen yağ ve yağsız vücut kütlesinin belirlenmesinde doğru sonuçlara ulaşmak için hangi verilerin dikkate alınması gerektiği bu derlemede özetlenmiştir.

Relationship between biological age, body dimensions and cardiorespiratory performance in young soccer players

Background: During adolescence, performance in competitive sport is influenced not only by the levels of physical activity, but also by the biological state and body dimensions. Objective: The purpose of our study was to compare cardiorespiratory performance between groups with different biological age in male adolescent soccer players. Methods: Eighty-eight young soccer players (age = 15.9 ± 0.5 years, body height = 176.1 ± 5.6 cm, body weight = 65.4 ± 7.2 kg) performed a vita-maxima protocol on a treadmill. Starting speed was 6 km/h and inclination 1.4%, which were increased linearly every minute, to 11 km/h and to 3.5% respectively (first 5 minutes). Then we increased inclination by 2% every minute until exhaustion. The effect of the biological age on functional indices was examined based on two grouping methods. First, the participants were classified into sub-groups by their morphological (or developmental) age, which is an expression of biological age and evaluates the developmental state of specific body dimensions (body height, body weight, shoulder width, lower arm girth, and hand circumference). Then, from anthropometric and body composition measures three clusters were created, according to the participants' developmental state. For both grouping methods, the groups were: late-maturing, average-maturing, early-maturing. Results: Based on the morphological age grouping method, biologically more advanced athletes achieved greater cardiorespiratory performance (late-maturing: 337 ± 33 W, average maturing: 363 ± 48 W, early maturing: 386 ± 43 W) with higher oxygen uptake (late-maturing: 3529 ± 336 ml/min, average-maturing: 3798 ± 436 ml/min, early-maturing: 3983 ± 541 ml/min) and oxygen pulse (late-maturing: 18.1 ± 1.8 ml/beat, average-maturing: 19.6 ± 2.5 ml/beat, early-maturing: 20.8 ± 2.8 ml/beat). There were no differences in time spent on the treadmill, maximal lactic acid levels, relative power, maximal heart rate, respiratory rate, tidal volume, relative maximal oxygen uptake, maximal ventilation. There were significant differences in weight, plastic index and muscle mass between all the three groups. Differences in cardiorespiratory indices between groups of different maturity status were larger when we grouped the athletes based on cluster analysis compared to the morphological age-based grouping method. Conclusions: During growth and maturation Body dimensions and body (and muscle) mass significantly affect maximal oxygen uptake in young athletes. The inclusion of body composition components in addition to body dimensions increases the explanatory power of biological age on cardiorespiratory performance.

Diet analysis, blood plasma biochemical indicators and body compositions of first year university students in the context of adaptation to the new educational environment

Introduction. The article examines the problem of adaptation to the new educational environment and pedagogical support for first-year university students. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the body composition, nutrition and biochemical parameters of blood plasma of first-year students who are adapting to living in a university dormitory. Materials and Methods. The methods of empirical research of physical development (length, weight, body mass index), body component composition (total fat content, muscle component), nutrition structure (macronutrient composition and caloric content of the daily diet), biochemical analysis of blood plasma (plasma content of triglycerides, cholesterol, low-and high-density lipoproteins, glucose), as well as statistical methods of data comparison were used. Results. The body length of males (175.4 cm), in contrast to females (162 cm) aged between 18 and 19 years is not a definitive indicator and can increase during 2 or 3 years. The percentage of overweight and obesity among first-year students was 16.1%; total fat content exceeding the limit values was found in 35.5% of females and 6.7% of males, and insufficient fat content was found only in 10% of males. The muscle component, both in girls and boys, corresponded to the indicators of the norm. The actual nutrition of first-year students living in a university dormitory was characterized by a lack of calories, fats, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, and insufficient consumption of carbohydrates, including dietary fibers. This deficiency was more pronounced among females, who also had a deficit in the consumption of proteins, especially of animal origin. The biochemical parameters of the blood plasma of all students did not exceed the normal limits, except for the values of high-density lipoproteins. The percentage of students with low values of high-density lipoproteins was 8.3%. The content of CCS in the blood plasma was inversely proportional to the caloric content of the diet and the amount of fat consumed. The predisposition to disorders of lipid metabolism in first-year students living in a university dormitory was due to insufficient replenishment of the body's energy expenditure and an unbalanced diet. Conclusions. Early adulthood is characterized by the formation of a definitive level and the predominance of assimilation processes, so the issues of healthy nutrition, especially in the conditions of a high rhythm of students’ life, insufficient replenishment of energy consumption and unbalanced consumption of nutrients, are relevant and require attention from the group leaders for first-year students. Pedagogical support of first-year students should contain methods and techniques aimed at promoting healthy nutrition and financial literacy.

Sex Differences in the Association of Body Composition and Cardiovascular Mortality.

BackgroundTo determine whether differences in body composition contribute to sex differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, we investigated the relationship between components of body composition and CVD mortality in healthy men and women.Methods and ResultsDual energy x‐ray absorptiometry body composition data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2004 and CVD mortality data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2014 were evaluated in 11 463 individuals 20 years of age and older. Individuals were divided into 4 body composition groups (low muscle mass–low fat mass—the referent; low muscle–high fat; high muscle–low fat, and high muscle–high fat), and adjusted competing risks analyses were performed for CVD versus non‐CVD mortality. In women, high muscle/high fat mass was associated with a significantly lower adjusted CVD mortality rate (hazard ratio [HR], 0.58; 95% CI, 0.39–0.86; P=0.01), but high muscle/low fat mass was not. In men, both high muscle–high fat (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.53–1.04; P=0.08) and high muscle–low fat mass (HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.21–0.77; P=0.01) were associated with lower CVD. Further, in adjusted competing risks analyses stratified by sex, the CVD rate in women tends to significantly decrease as normalized total fat increase (total fat fourth quartile: HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.34–0.94; P<0.03), whereas this is not noted in men.ConclusionsHigher muscle mass is associated with lower CVD and mortality in men and women. However, in women, high fat, regardless of muscle mass level, appears to be associated with lower CVD mortality risk. This finding highlights the importance of muscle mass in healthy men and women for CVD risk prevention, while suggesting sexual dimorphism with respect to the CVD risk associated with fat mass.

Both muscle quantity and quality are predictors of waiting list mortality in patients with end-stage liver disease.

Malnutrition is highly prevalent in patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) and associated with impaired clinical outcome. Previous studies focused on one component of body composition and not in combination with nutritional intake, while both are components of the nutritional status. We aimed to evaluate the most important risk factors regarding body composition (muscle mass, muscle quality and fat mass) and nutritional intake (energy and protein intake) for waiting list mortality in patients with ESLD awaiting liver transplantation (LTx). Consecutive patients with ESLD listed for LTx between 2007 and 2014 were investigated. Muscle mass quantity (Skeletal Muscle Mass Index, SMI), and muscle quality (Muscle Attenuation, MA), and various body fat compartments were measured on computed tomography using SliceOmatic. Nutritional intake (e.g. energy and protein intake) was assessed. Multivariable stepwise forward Cox regression analysis was used for statistical analysis. 261 Patients (mean age 54 years, 74.7% male) were included. Low SMI and MA were found to be statistically significant predictors of an increased risk for waiting list mortality in patients with ESLD, with a HR of 2.580 (95%CI 1.055-6.308) and HR of 9.124 (95%CI 2.871-28.970), respectively. No association between percentage adipose tissue, and protein and energy intake with waiting list mortality was found in this study. Both low muscle quantity and quality, and not nutritional intake, were independent risk factors for mortality in patients with ESLD.

Sarcopenia and visceral adiposity predict poor overall survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients after curative hepatic resection.

BackgroundThis study investigated the association of 3 components of body composition (sarcopenia, intramuscular fat deposition and visceral adiposity) with the overall or recurrence-free survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who underwent curative hepatic resection.MethodsOne hundred sixty newly diagnosed and surgically treated HCC patients were retrospectively enrolled from 2003 to 2011. Three items of body composition were measured using the 3rd lumbar level image of preoperative computed tomography (CT): psoas muscle index (PMI), psoas muscle attenuation (PMA), and visceral adipose tissue index (VATI). Sex-specific optimal cut-off for each item was determined from receiver-operating characteristic curves.ResultsThe HCC patients showed a median age of 55 years, 75% of male, 78% of hepatitis B surface antigen positivity, and 96% of Child-Pugh A. The sarcopenic group (PMI less than the sex-specific cutoff of 3.33 cm2/m2 for men and 2.38 cm2/m2 for women) had 17.5% of the patients with a lower PMA (more fat deposition) but similar VATI compared to the non-sarcopenic group. PMI showed a positive correlation with PMA (ρ=0.493, P<0.001), while there was no significant correlation between PMI and VATI, and between PMA and VATI. On the multivariate analysis, a high PMI and low VATI were independent factors affecting overall survival while PMA was not. Nevertheless, PMI and VATI were not independent factors for recurrence-free survival.ConclusionsIn curatively resected HCC patients, sarcopenia and high visceral adiposity predict poor overall survival but not recurrence-free survival, while PMA did not predict overall survival.

Is body composition linked to prostate cancer survival?

Adiposity and skeletal muscle mass have been shown to be prognostic for mortality in several cancers. In a recent study, CT imaging at diagnosis was used to determine whether components of body composition were associated with survival in men with advanced prostate cancer.

Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) in university athletes

BackgroundBioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) is able to identify differences in hydration status and body composition components, such as body cell mass (BCM) by means of plotting individuals in ellipses, when comparing groups with different characteristics.ObjectiveCompare the confidence and tolerance ellipses of BIVA in individual and team sports athletes with a non-athlete reference population.Design and participantsOne hundred sixty-seven college athletes (team sports: 117 athletes, individual sports: 50 athletes) aged between 18 and 35 years. Bioelectrical impedance was used to measure resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) values that were used in the BIVA analysis to identify hydration status and BCM, respectively. Hotelling’s t-test was used to identify differences between groups in the confidence ellipses and the comparison was made with a non-athlete Italian reference population.ResultsThere were no differences between male team sports and individual athletes (p = 0.151) and for female athletes (p = 0.624). Most athletes were located in the 50% tolerance ellipses, indicating adequate hydration. Compared to the Italian a non-athlete population, athletes of both sexes presented left impedance vector deviation in the minor axis (Xc) of the tolerance ellipses, indicating higher BCM.ConclusionThere were no differences in BIVA between team and individual sports athletes, but most athletes presented an adequate hydration state and, compared to a non-athlete population, the athletes of the present study presented higher BCM.

Nutritional status and body composition in individuals with overweight or obesity using usual and unusual indicators

Objective: the aim of this study is to explore the nutritional status in adults according to usual and non-usual components of body composition. Methods: this is a descriptive study involving a sample of 274 Brazilians adults from the south of the country. The participants had their body composition assessed by an octapolar bioimpedanciometer (InBody 520 - Biospace) and the anthropometric parameters according to the WHO standard. The data was analyzed by the descriptive and inferential statistic with the software SPSS version 22.0. Results: The participants were grouped by nutritional status and sex. There were statistical differences between the groups (both nutritional status and sex) in all the variables, except age and stature. The correlation among the variables were also significant, except for the Lean Body Mass and Body Fat Percentage (LBM vs BFP) and for the Lean-to-Fat-Ratio and Lean Body Mass (LFR vs LBM). Final considerations: The results has shown that the usual and the non-usual parameters of body composition are related (most of them) and were more strongly related in the female group.

Behavioral components of pro-healthy lifestyle and bioelectrical impedance body composition in Polish young adults: Preliminary results

Introduction: Adverse health behaviors changes are reported during emerging adulthood, inter alia the reduced level of physical activity (PA), worse diet quality etc. There are only very few studies concerned with the relationship between health behaviors and body composition in healthy young adults. Aim: The aim was to investigate the relationship between behavioral components of prohealthy lifestyle and body composition assessed by bioelectrical impedance (BIA) in the cohort of Polish young adults. Material and methods: A cross-sectional observational study of health behaviors, anthropometric indices and BIA body composition was conducted in Polish young adults (n = 92) aged 18–24 (mean 19.33, SD 0.915), 71 females. Behavioral variables included: general health behaviors, PA, eating behaviors and nutritional knowledge. Body composition was analyzed by means of the BIA phase-sensitive 8-electrode medical SECA mBCA 525 device. Results and discussion: A higher level of PA was associated with a lower volume of visceral adipose tissue in females (r = –0.27; P &lt; 0.05). In the males, the intensification of unhealthy diet was negatively correlated with the muscle mass (r = 0.65; P &lt; 0.01), and the higher level of nutritional knowledge resulted in a smaller waist circumference (r = –0.45; P &lt; 0.05). Behavioral components of pro-healthy lifestyle were not significant predictors of body composition/anthropometric indices such as waist circumference, fat mass index, fat free mass index and body mass index. Conclusions: The reported studies provide an important insight into the sex-specific correlations between the behavioral components of the pro-healthy lifestyle and body composition in healthy young adults.

Prediction of changes in central hemodynamics in overweight men with further development of obesity

Introduction. There is a wide range of anthropometric methods for determination overweight and obesity. The most popular are body mass index, waist and hip circumference or waist-hip ratio and the measurement of body composition using bioimpendance method. Each of these methods has a lot of pros and cons, but none of them is the «gold standard». Therefore, it is not enough to rely only on the results of indirect methods to assess the state of the human body. They should be taken into account with laboratory or diagnostic methods, to better assess the morpho-functional features of the human body. The aim. To determine the relationship between central hemodynamic parameters and indices obtained by bioimpedance and anthropometric methods in order to predict changes in central hemodynamics in overweight men with the further development of obesity. Materials and methods of the research. 49 men aged 18–25 were examined. Body component composition was measured using Tanita BC-601 analyzer scales. Also body mass index and waist, hip circumference were measured. The indices of the cardiovascular system were determined using the rheographic complex «REOKOM», the method of tetrapolar rheography according to Kubicek. The results of the study were statistically processed using correlation and multifactor regression analysis. Results. According to the results of multifactor regression analysis, it was found that waist circumference and the index of visceral fat were associated with indices of cardiac index and the index of workload of left ventricular and the index of the peripheral vascular resistance (p &lt; 0.05). Waist circumference and index of visceral fat had negative correlations with total peripheral resistance (r = -0,351 and r = -0,34, p &lt; 0,01). Moreover, waist circumference and the index of visceral fat have positive correlation with cardiac output and the workload of left ventricle (r = 0,543, p &lt; 0,001; r = 0,378, p &lt; 0,001). Conclusions. Waist circumference and indices of visceral fat and subcutaneous fat in the trunk are the most accurate methods for predicting in future not only abdominal obesity but also an increase in workload of the left ventricle, cardiac output, and decreased vascular resistance.

Body Composition and Selected Nutritional Indicators in Healthy Adults-A Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundBody mass composition is subject to constant change and is multifactorially determined. Its analysis in different age groups allows a better understanding of the determinants of the human organism in health and disease.AimThe study was aimed to conduct cross-sectional assessment of body composition and selected nutritional indicators in healthy adults.MethodsThe cross-sectional study carried out from March 2016 to April 2018 was preceded by a monthly pilot study. All 1333 adults (women 795, 59.6%) aged 20–59 included in the study were from the urban and rural area of the Podkarpackie Province (Poland). These adults were classified into four 10-year age bands. To obtain reliable assessment, selected screening (anthropometry) and in-depth (bioelectrical impedance including phase angle and bioelectrical impedance vector analysis) methods were used.ResultsIn women, the proportion of individuals affected by overweight and obesity increases significantly with age, with a less pronounced trend in men, as reflected in the observed differences in individual body composition components. A slight (0.45–0.60) correlation was also observed between body mass index (BMI) and percentage of fat mass (FM %) among men with an increasing strength of the association with age, decreasing in the 50–59 years group. In the female group, the correlations described are at a much higher level (0.80 or higher). The described changes in body composition were reflected in body type from athletic to obese, measured by means of the bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) method.ConclusionsAge and gender significantly differentiate body composition of the adult human body. The body composition analysis should be considered as complement screening assessment method, especially as a support for the assessment of nutritional status expressed by BMI.

Comparative effects of circuit training and plyometric training programms on selected physical fitness and body composition components of obese school boys

The purpose of the study was to investigate the “Comparative Effects of Circuit Training and Plyometric Training Programs on Selected Physical Fitness and Body Composition Components of Obese School Boys” To achieve the purpose 60 male students were selected as subjects randomly from various school of Mahemdabad Town. The age of the subjects will ranged from 13 to 17 years. It was hypothesized that there would be significant improvement in the Comparative Effects of Circuit Training And Plyometric Training Programs On Selected Physical Fitness And Body Composition Components of Obese School Boys. They were divided in three equal groups, Group-A: Circuit training group, Group B: Plyometric training group and Group C: Control group. The subjects had tested on selected variables at the before (pre - test) and at the end of the Experimental training (post - test) was taken after a 12 weeks. The obtained data’s were analyzed by ANCOVA. Based on the result of the study it was concluded that circuit training and Plyometric training program produced a significant development on the Selected Physical Fitness and Body Composition Components of Obese School Boys.

Relación entre las características de la Composición Corporal y el Rendimiento Físico en atletas hombres de karate: Un estudio observacional

Introducción: El propósito de este estudio fue examinar la relación entre las características de la composición corporal y los componentes del rendimiento físico en atletas de karate hombres juveniles de Chile. Material y métodos: Diseño observacional con 18 atletas hombres juveniles que compiten habitualmente en diferentes categorías de edad en competencias regionales y nacionales. Se evaluó la masa corporal (MC), la masa grasa (MG), % masa grasa (% MG), masa muscular (MM), el salto Squat jump (SJ), el countermovement jump (CMJ), la velocidad lineal en 0-5 m, el cambio de dirección (COD) y la prueba 20meters shuttle run (20MSR). Resultados: La muestra presentó las siguientes características: 16,4 (3,5) años; 167,3 (7,3) cm; 69,5 (11,8) kg; 3 (1) años de experiencia. Entre los principales hallazgos de este estudio en términos de promedio se documentó un incremento de la MC y la MM a medida que avanza la edad. La MG fluctuó y se documentó una menor MG y %MG en la categoría 6-17 años. En términos del RF en SJ, CMJ, COD, se observó un rendimiento superior en la categoría 16-17 años. Además, se documentaron relaciones significativas (p &lt;0,05) entre la MG y SJ (r = -0,49), CMJ (r = -0,55) y 10-M (r = 0,53). Así también entre el% MG y SJ (r = -0,61), CMJ (r = - 0,64). En tanto relaciones moderadas a bajas se documentaron entre la MM y las variables analizadas. Conclusiones: Los datos del presente estudio que la masa grasa y el % de masa grasa se relacionarán más que la masa muscular y la masa corporal con el rendimiento físico en atletas de karate juveniles. Los técnicos podrían considerar estrategias para disminuir la masa grasa y mantener la masa muscular para optimizar el rendimiento en atletas de karate.

Growth and metabolic responses of grouper juveniles (Epinephelus coioides) fed diets containing varying levels of leucine

We conducted an 8-week feeding trial to evaluate the effects of dietary leucine on growth performance, body and muscle composition, hepatic and plasma components, gut morphology, and relative expression levels of genes in the mTOR pathway. Six isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets with increasing levels of Leu (1.88%, 2.84%, 3.51%, 4.45%, 5.27%, and 6.06%, respectively) were formulated. Each diet was fed to 4-replicate groups of 20 groupers (average initial body weight of 35.0 g/fish) twice daily, to apparent satiety. Weight gain and specific growth rates; feed intake; body protein, lipid, and muscle protein content; and liver GOT and branched chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase kinase activities showed positive linear and/or quadratic responses to dietary Leu levels. In contrast, body moisture and ash content, liver triglyceride and total-cholesterol content, and plasma GOT and GTP activity had negative linear and/or quadratic responses to different dietary Leu levels. There were no differences in the feed conversion ratio and hepatosomatic index, condition factor, plasma GOT activity, and plasma triglyceride and total-cholesterol content among treatments. The mucosal fold number in three gut segments (proximal intestine (PI), middle intestine (MI), and distal intestine (DI)) and mucosal fold length and muscle layer thickness in the DI showed positive quadratic responses to dietary Leu levels. In addition, mucosal fold length and number, and muscle layer thickness in the PI were greater that those observed for the MI and DI. The mRNA level of SLC3A2, SLC7A5, RagC/D, Ragulator, Raptor, mTOR, mLST8, and Tel2 in the muscle and/or gut showed positive quadratic responses to dietary Leu levels, whereas negative quadratic responses were observed for mRNA levels of RagA/B and V-ATPase in the muscle and/or gut, and SLC7A5 in the liver. The optimal amount of Leu required for this fish was estimated to be 8.88% of the dietary protein content, based on the regression analysis of percent weight gains against dietary Leu levels. The results indicate that appropriate dietary Leu levels (range 3.51%–4.45%) could help to improve growth performance and nutrient deposition, maintain gut structural integrity and positively regulate genes in the mTOR signaling pathway in the fish.

Can Singing in a Choir Be a Key Strategy for Lifelong Health? A Cross-sectional Study

Singing in a choir can play a significant role in a strategy for lifelong health. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status and the quality of life of healthy adults singing in a choir. The cross-sectional study, carried out from August 2017 to June 2018, was preceded by a weekly pilot study. A total of 100 choristers (72 women, 72.0%) aged 19-70 years (mean age was 38.30 ± 15.99 years) were included in the study. The control group consisted of 100 healthy adults (68 women, 68.0%) aged 19-70 years (mean age was 38.48 ± 16.09). Significantly lower body weight and body mass index and significantly lower results of selected body composition components (P< 0.05) were found in the study group in comparison with the control group. The choristers showed significantly lower values of basal metabolic rate (P= 0.004) and metabolic age (P< 0.001). In addition, a significantly higher quality of life was observed in the group of choristers in each of the domains tested (P < 0.05). Singing in the choir may have effect on lifelong health, defined as better nutritional status and better perception of quality of life and health.

Associação entre variáveis antropométricas e desempenho esportivo de atletas da seleção masculina de Pentatlo Militar do Exército Brasileiro: um estudo transversal

Introdução: O Pentatlo Militar (PMil) é uma modalidade ímpar por possuir características específicas da profissão militar. Identificar o perfil associado ao bom desempenho pode auxiliar na seleção de atletas e na identificação de variáveis importantes para acompanhar a eficácia do treinamento.&#x0D; Objetivo: Investigar a associação entre variáveis antropométricas e desempenho esportivo em atletas de elite de PMil.&#x0D; Métodos: Participaram da pesquisa cinco atletas da equipe de PMil masculina do Exército Brasileiro. Calculou-se os componentes da composição corporal: percentual de gordura (%G), massa gorda (MG) e massa livre de gordura (MLG). Foram considerados os melhores resultados de competições oficiais (2017) em análise de Clusters e teste de correlação de Spearman.&#x0D; Resultados: Houve correlação muito forte positiva de MLG com o desempenho da prova de corrida através-campo (8km) (r=0,90,p=0,04). Não houve correlação significativa com as demais provas da modalidade (tiro, pista de natação utilitária, pista de pentatlo militar e lançamento de granada).&#x0D; Conclusão: A correlação positiva e muito forte de MLG com o desempenho na prova de corrida indica a destacada relevância desse componente corporal para o desempenho dos pentatletas militares de alto rendimento.

Muscle alterations are independently associated with significant fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Anthropometric data are associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) development and progression. We investigated whether the quantity and quality of muscle and visceral fat assessed by computed tomography (CT) are associated with fibrosis severity in NAFLD. In a prospective biopsy-confirmed NAFLD cohort of 521 patients, we measured skeletal muscle index (SMI), muscle attenuation (MA) and visceral adipose tissue index (VATI) via CT. Low skeletal muscle mass (LSMM) was defined using previously validated cut-offs. Myosteatosis and visceral adiposity were defined as the lowest and highest quartile, respectively. Significant fibrosis was defined as F2-F4 in liver histology. Patients with significant fibrosis had lower SMI and MA and higher VATI than those without. The significant fibrosis prevalence was significantly higher in subjects with LSMM (45.1% vs 30.8%, P=.005), myosteatosis (46.1% vs 29.7%, P=.001) and visceral adiposity (46.9% vs 29.9%, P=.001) than those without. The significant fibrosis risk increased with increasing numbers of body composition components (24.5%, 35.6%, 53.0% and 72.7% in patients with 0, 1, 2 and 3 components respectively). Multivariable analysis revealed that LSMM (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.05-2.84), myosteatosis (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.01-2.68) and visceral adiposity (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.09-2.83) were independent predictors of significant fibrosis. Subjects with sarcopenia had a higher risk of significant fibrosis (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.03-4.56). Muscle alterations and visceral adiposity assessed by CT are associated with significant fibrosis in NAFLD. LSMM and myosteatosis have additive values in prediction of significant fibrosis.

Relationships Between Level and Change in Sarcopenia and Other Body Composition Components and Adverse Health Outcomes: Findings from the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study

We investigated how baseline values and rates of decline in components of sarcopenia and other body composition parameters relate to adverse clinical outcomes using the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study. 2689 participants aged 70–79 years were studied. Appendicular lean mass, whole body fat mass, and total hip BMD were ascertained using DXA; muscle strength by grip dynamometry; and muscle function by gait speed. Baseline values and 2–3 year conditional changes (independent of baseline) in each characteristic were examined as predictors of mortality, hospital admission, low trauma fracture, and recurrent falls in the subsequent 10–14 years using Cox regression (generalized estimating equations used for recurrent falls) with adjustment for sex, ethnicity, age, and potential confounders. Lower levels and greater declines in all parameters (excluding hip BMD level) were associated (p < 0.05) with increased rates of mortality; fully-adjusted hazard ratios per SD lower gait speed and grip strength were 1.27 (95% CI 1.19, 1.36) and 1.14 (1.07, 1.21), respectively. Risk factors of hospital admission included lower levels and greater declines in gait speed and grip strength, and greater declines in hip BMD. Lower levels and greater declines in fat mass and hip BMD were associated with low trauma fracture. Lower gait speed, higher fat mass, and both lower levels and greater declines in grip strength were related to recurrent falls. Lower baseline levels and greater declines in musculoskeletal parameters were related to adverse outcomes. Interventions to maximize peak levels in earlier life and reduce rates of age-related decline may reduce the burden of disease in this age group.