Decline In Fitness Research Articles

Costly involved? An examination of latent motivational profiles in physical education

ABSTRACT Situated Expectancy-Value Theory (SEVT) posits that expectancy for success, task value, and perceptions of cost are pivotal motivational factors influencing learning in a specific educational setting. The purpose of this study was to examine the profiles of expectancy, value, and cost beliefs pertaining to participation in physical education. Additionally, this study aimed to explore the longitudinal associations between these belief profiles and students’ demographics (gender, grade), class engagement and cardiorespiratory fitness throughout a school year. A total of 455 students from two urban public middle schools in China participated in this study, with latent profile analyses employed for the analysis. Three distinct profiles were identified: a high cost with moderate attainment value profile, a high expectancy-value with moderate effort cost profile, and a moderate mixed motivation profile. Further analyses demonstrated associations between gender and grade level with latent profile memberships (b = 1.13, SE = .31, p < .01). The high expectancy-value with moderate effort cost profile exhibited higher initial class engagement compared to the other two profiles (χ²(2) = 18.74, p < .01), while the decline in cardiorespiratory fitness over time was most pronounced in the high cost with moderate attainment value profile (χ²(2) = 5.10, p < .05). This study enhances our comprehension of the amalgamation of various motivational beliefs within student groups and emphasises the importance of taking into account diverse perceptions of cost. Tailored support may be crucial for students with differing motivational beliefs to foster continuous development in physical education.

Leisure-time physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and cognitive decline in middle-aged and older adults - The ELSA-Brasil study

ObjectivesDementia is a fast-growing public health problem. This study examined the association of physical activity and estimated cardiorespiratory fitness (eCRF) with the risk of cognitive impairment. Study designMulticentric, prospective cohort study. MethodsWe analyzed 10,121 participants of the ELSA-Brasil study. We assessed leisure-time physical activity using the long version of the IPAQ questionnaire and defined moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per week. We applied a non-exercise prediction equation to estimate eCRF and classified participants as unfit (lowest tertile) and fit. Leisure-time MVPA and eCRF were measured at baseline and follow-up. Incident cognitive impairment was based on memory, language, and executive function assessed at baseline and follow-up. ResultsDuring a median of 8.1 (7.8–8.5) years of follow-up, we identified 396 (3.9 %) incident cases of cognitive impairment. There was an inverse, non-linear association between the incidence of cognitive impairment and both leisure time MVPA and eCRF. Low eCRF (IRR: 1.29; 95%CI: 1.02, 1.64) and low MVPA (IRR: 1.40; 1.09, 1.82) were independently associated with an increased incidence. Increasing 1 MET in eCRF from baseline to follow-up visit was associated with a lower incidence of cognitive impairment (IRR: 0.80; 95%CI: 0.71, 0.91), while a decrease of 13.7 min per day in leisure time MVPA is associated with an increased incidence (IRR: 1.16; 95%CI: 1.01, 1.33) of cognitive impairment. These associations remained statistically significant in adults under 65 but not in older adults. ConclusionLow eCRF and leisure time MVPA are strong and independent predictors of incident cognitive impairment especially in middle-aged adults.

Whole-body-electro-myostimulation for the care of inclusion body myositis-A case report.

External muscle stimulation, possibly combined with active muscle contraction, could improve physical functioning and performance in inclusion body myositis. Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is a chronic, progressive inflammatory muscle disease with largely unknown causes. It typically affects men more than women, usually beginning in the latter half of life. IBM leads to muscle weakness and wasting, especially in the arms and legs, which significantly impairs daily functioning and complicates participation in exercise training. Few studies have examined the impact of physical training on fitness, inflammation markers, and quality of life in IBM patients. The patient, a Caucasian male (78.3 kg, 174.0 cm, born October 1948), was diagnosed with IBM in October 2011. From October 2017 to September 2019, he underwent exercise training focused on external muscle stimulation combined with active muscle contractions. Regular assessments included cardiopulmonary exercise testing, functional tests (6-min walking test, modified timed up and go test, modified chair rise test), lung function exams, blood parameters, body composition, and quality of life questionnaires. The decline in physical fitness may have been slowed during the intervention period, as indicated by some improvements like peak oxygen uptake and the functional test results while other parameters remained unchanged or declined like peak power output, fat-free mass or lung functioning. However, a recurrence of his prostate cancer after treatment with androgen deprivation therapy may have led to further declines and thus increased muscle wasting. The data may suggest that supportive exercise programs focusing on external muscle stimulation, possibly combined with active muscle contraction, might improve physical functioning, exercise performance, and quality of life in IBM management.

Effects of a 4–Week Detraining Period After 12 Weeks of Combined Training Using Different Weekly Frequencies on Health–Related Physical Fitness in Older Adults

Background: Detraining refers to the decline in physical fitness that occurs after the cessation of exercise, compromising the adaptations resulting from regular exercise training. To understand how long the benefits acquired from an exercise program can be maintained, the present study evaluated the detraining effects of a 4–week exercise cessation period in older adults who performed combined training at various weekly frequencies for 12 weeks. Methods: This randomized controlled trial assigned participants to one of two training programs: a combined training program twice a week (CT2) or four times a week (CT4) over a period of 12 weeks, followed by a four–week detraining period. The resistance training consisted of six bodyweight exercises, while the aerobic training involved either walking or running. Both the CT2 and CT4 groups completed the same total training volume and overload each week; the only difference was the number of training sessions per week. Assessments were conducted at baseline, after the training period, and after the detraining period, and included the 30–s and five–repetition chair–stand tests, isometric handgrip strength, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and waist–to–height ratio. Results: Thirty–one participants completed the study (CT2: 17 and CT4: 14). The groups presented similar attendance records during the training period (CT2: 96 ± 18% versus CT4: 94 ± 19%). After the 12–week training period, CT2 and CT4 improved lower limb strength, CT2 improved upper limb strength, and CT4 reduced waist circumference and waist–to–height ratio compared to baseline. After the 4–week detraining period, the lower limb strength remained improved in both groups (CT2: 4 ± 1 repetition; p &lt; 0.001 and CT4: 4 ± 1 repetition; p &lt; 0.001) when compared to the corresponding baseline values. The handgrip strength decreased in CT2 compared to post–training values. And the body composition benefit in CT4 was not sustained after detraining. Conclusions: The effects of 4 weeks of detraining after 12 weeks of training performed two or four times per week are similar on some but not all health-related physical fitness parameters.

Physical fitness in youth: a systematic review of changes during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Background Restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic induced changes in the fitness behavior of children and adolescents, which may be associated with long-term public health challenges. This systematic review analyses how physical fitness has changed during the pandemic and to what extent the changes remain in the aftermath of the pandemic. Methods We conducted a systematic search in seven databases with a peer-reviewed search string for studies until Dec 2023. Our inclusion criteria encompassed studies with children and adolescents ≤19 years living in the WHO European Region and in which validated measurements were used (single measurements or test batteries). Eligibility screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment (using ROBINS-E instrument) were all carried out independently by two reviewers. We published an a priori protocol in a peer-review journal and conducted reporting in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 statement. Trial registration: PROSPERO: CRD42023395871. Results Our search retrieved 28 studies from 15 WHO European Region countries with an age range from 5 to 19 years. Physical fitness was reported in 21 validated single measurements (e.g. 20 m shuttle run, handgrip strength, standing long jump) and 9 validated test batteries (e.g. Alpha-Fitness Battery, German Motor Test, International Physical Performance Test Profile). The preliminary analyses pointed to a sharp decline in youth physical fitness during the COVID-19 pandemic. After restrictions were eased, physical fitness improved, but remained under pre-pandemic levels, particularly in boys. Conclusions The findings indicate a potential suboptimal behavioral adaptation of children and adolescents after the COVID-19 pandemic. Medium and long-term programs to change passive behavior and improve physical fitness are urgently needed. In addition to individual prevention programs, stronger consideration should also be given to schools and sport clubs regarding activities promoting physical fitness. Key messages • Physical fitness in children and adolescents remains below pre-pandemic levels after restrictions removal. • Initiating immediate public health action to increase physical fitness is urgently needed.

The Decline in Mastery Goal Orientation and Person-Environment Fit and the Preventive Effect of Classroom Community: Examining Transitions Using Latent Growth Curve Modelling

&lt;p style="text-align:justify"&gt;Students’ mastery goal orientation tends to decline over the course of compulsory school, especially after the transition to lower secondary school. According to stage-environment fit theory, secondary school is less accommodating to students' needs, interests, and abilities than primary school. In consequence, the perceived person-environment fit declines as well. It is assumed that a strong sense of classroom community in primary school can counteract a potential decline in both of these important individual aspects. Using data from the Swiss longitudinal research project WiSel (“Wirkungen der Selektion”; “Effects of Tracking”), we conducted a latent growth curve model (LGCM) to examine the correlation between the development of students' mastery goal orientation and the development of their person-environment fit during the transition from primary school to lower secondary school. Perceived classroom community was assumed to benefit from these developments. The results show that both mastery goal orientation and person-environment fit decrease during the transition to lower secondary school. A strong sense of classroom community in fifth grade leads to a smaller decline in both constructs. Implications for educational practice are discussed.&lt;/p&gt;

Genomic signatures of inbreeding and mutation load in tree ferns.

Ferns (Pteridophyta), as the second largest group of vascular plants, play important roles in ecosystem functioning. Homosporous ferns exhibit a remarkable range of mating systems, from extreme inbreeding to obligate outcrossing, which may have significant evolutionary and ecological implications. Despite their significance, the impact of genome-wide inbreeding on genetic diversity and mutation load within the fern lineage remain largely unexplored. In this study, we utilized whole-genome sequencing to investigate the genomic signatures of inbreeding and genetic load in three Alsophila tree fern species. Our analysis revealed extremely high inbreeding in A. spinulosa, in contrast to the predominantly outcrossing observed in A. costularis and A. latebrosa. This difference likely reflects divergent mating systems and demographic histories. Consistent with its extreme inbreeding propensity, A. spinulosa exhibits reduced genetic diversity and a pronounced decline in effective population size. Comparison of genetic load revealed an overall reduction in deleterious mutations in the highly inbred A. spinulosa, highlighting that long-term inbreeding may have contributed to the purging of strongly deleterious mutations, thereby prolonging the survival of A. spinulosa. Despite this, however, A. spinulosa carries a substantive realized genetic load that may potentially instigate future fitness decline. Our findings illuminate the complex evolutionary interplay between inbreeding and mutation load in homosporous ferns, yielding insights with important implications for the conservation and management of these species.

The effect of age on musculoskeletal injury compensation costs in South Australian professional urban firefighters: A cohort study.

Firefighting is recognised as a physically demanding occupation involving exposure to hazardous environments and activities. An aging workforce combined with the age-related decline in physical fitness may result in increased future workers' compensation expenditure for fire service organisations. The objective of this research was to investigate the costs associated with musculoskeletal sprain and strain injury and the impacts of age and injury location on Workers' Compensation claims submitted by professional urban firefighters. Claim rates, direct costs, and days lost were extracted from a professional Fire Service organisation's workers' compensation claim database for financial years between 2011 to 2018. The mean cost per claim increased with age, with a mean claim cost of the 60-70-year-old group over 10 times more than the 20-29-year-old group. The mean days lost per claim were also higher for claims submitted by firefighters aged over 50. Older firefighters miss more workdays when injured and are associated with increased claims costs, particularly those in the 60-70-year group. With an aging workforce, Fire Service organisations must implement appropriate management and prevention strategies to reduce the potential risks associated with an aging workforce.

Roles of chromatin and genome instability in cellular senescence and their relevance to ageing and related diseases.

Ageing is a complex biological process in which a gradual decline in physiological fitness increases susceptibility to diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. Cellular senescence, a state of irreversible cell-growth arrest accompanied by functional deterioration, has emerged as a pivotal driver of ageing. In this Review, we discuss how heterochromatin loss, telomere attrition and DNA damage contribute to cellular senescence, ageing and age-related diseases by eliciting genome instability, innate immunity and inflammation. We also discuss how emerging therapeutic strategies could restore heterochromatin stability, maintain telomere integrity and boost the DNA repair capacity, and thus counteract cellular senescence and ageing-associated pathologies. Finally, we outline current research challenges and future directions aimed at better comprehending and delaying ageing.

Developing the optimal gross movement interventions to improve the physical fitness of 3-10 year-old children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To identify the optimal parameters of gross movement interventions to yield the strongest effects on physical fitness among children aged 3-10 years and to provide a reference for the development of gross movement interventions to improve the physical fitness of children. There has been a global decline in children's physical fitness. Previous studies have shown that gross movement interventions can improve children's physical fitness, but the optimal intervention parameters for achieving the strongest effects have yet to be determined. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to determine the optimal intervention parameters for yielding the strongest effects on children's physical fitness. We searched the Web of Science, PubMed, China Biology Medicine, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, and China Science and Technology Journal databases to identify randomized controlled trials on the effects of gross movement interventions (walking, running, jumping, throwing, batting, rolling, spinning, catching, and leg lifting) on children's physical fitness (upper-body strength, lower-body strength, explosive power, speed, flexibility, and balance). We included studies published up to September 2023. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were developed based on the PICOS framework, and the quality of the included studies was evaluated. Subgroup analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3, and the data were pooled using a random effects model to obtain the SMD (or WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of 23 studies involving 2007 healthy children aged 3-10 years met the inclusion criteria. Gross movement interventions significantly improved the explosive power of children aged 3-10 years [WMD, 6.2]. The most effective intervention duration was 16-18 weeks [WMD, 0.45]. The most effective intervention frequency was one session per week [WMD, 1.06]. The optimal duration of single sessions was 60 min [WMD, 0.47]. Children aged 7-10 years [WMD, 1.41] showed the most significant improvements in physical fitness after gross movement interventions. Gross movement interventions had a positive effect on the physical fitness of children aged 3-10 years. The optimal intervention parameters include 60-min sessions once a week across a total duration of 16-18 weeks.

Sport participation, weight status, and physical fitness in French adolescents.

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the associations between sport participation and weight status with physical fitness among French adolescents. The secondary aim was to establish sex- and age-specific physical fitness percentiles for French adolescents. The sample comprised 8084 adolescents (4126 boys, 3958 girls), aged 10-14years. Participants were tested on cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength using the following tests: 20-m shuttle run test and handgrip strength test. A questionnaire on organized sport participation was completed. Physical fitness levels were better in boys (P < 0.005). Handgrip strength increased with age whereas 20-m shuttle run performance decreased with age. Overweight and obese adolescents had significantly lower cardiorespiratory fitness levels than their normal-weight peers (P < 0.005), whereas normal-weight adolescents had lower cardiorespiratory fitness than thin adolescents (P < 0.005). Sport participation was higher for boys (57.2% boys vs. 52.8% girls) (P < 0.001). Adolescents who participated in at least one organized sport (either through a club or at school) were fitter than those who did not participate in organized sports (P < 0.005). Adolescents who engaged in organized sports were more active and physically fit than those who did not participate. The fitness benefits of club sports are greater than those provided by school-based sports, highlighting the potential of sports clubs as a key setting for promoting health. What is Known: • Physical fitness is a strong marker of health in children and adolescents. • The last French Report Card highlighted the lack of fitness data and the need for nationwide programs, while showing a significant decline in cardiorespiratory fitness among youth in recent decades.. What is New: • This study reveals that adolescents participating in organized sports have better physical fitness compared to their peers who do not, emphasizing the potential advantages of club sports over school-based activities. • We highlight the need for targeted strategies, particularly for overweight or obese adolescents and girls, to increase participation in organized sports and enhance health outcomes. • The study emphasizes the need to develop policies that improve access to organized sports clubs and expand physical education in schools, aiming to improve CRF in adolescents.

Secular trends in underweight, overweight, and physical fitness of girls and boys aged 16–18 in eastern Poland from 2006 to 2016–2021

Introduction: Significant changes in the nutrition and physical fitness of children and adolescents have been observed in many countries around the world. The purpose of this study is to determine the changes in the prevalence of underweight, normal BMI, and overweight, as well as in the physical fitness of girls and boys from eastern Poland. Materials and methods: The study was conducted over the years 2006–2021. BMI was calculated, and physical fitness was assessed using the EUROFIT test. The results were statistically analyzed. Results: Minor changes in underweight were observed, and even a re-duction in its prevalence among girls was noted. However, a significant increase in the frequency of overweight was identified. Meanwhile, a decrease in the level of physical fitness in both girls and boys was recorded. These changes, however, were not uniform across all fitness abilities. Conclusions: The systematic decline in physical fitness among the examined girls and boys, particularly in cardiovascular-respiratory endurance, underscores the necessity for continued regular monitoring of the health of children and adolescents.

COVID-19's Impact on Athletes: Reduced Cardiorespiratory fitness after a SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

This study aimed to identify potential changes in cardiorespiratory fitness among athletes who had previously been infected with SARS-CoV-2. In this prospective observational multicenter hybrid study (CoSmo-S), cardiopulmonary exercise testing on treadmills or bicycle ergometers involving 2314 athletes (39.6% female) was conducted. German federal squad members (59.6%) and non-squad athletes were included in the study. 1170 (37.2% female) subjects were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 via PCR from which we had pre-SARS-CoV-2 infection examinations available for 289 subjects. Mixed effect models were employed to analyze amongst others the following dependent variables: Power output at individual anaerobic threshold (POIAT/kg), maximal power output (POmax/kg), measured V̇O2max/kg, heart rate at individual anaerobic threshold (HRIAT) and maximal heart rate (HRmax). A SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with a decrease in POIAT/kg (-0.123 W/kg, p < 0.001), POmax/kg (-0.099 W/kg, p = 0.002), measured V̇O2max/kg (-1.70 ml/min/kg, p = 0.050) and an increase HRIAT (2.50 b/min, p = 0.008), HRmax (2.59 b/min, p < 0.001) within the first 60 days after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Using the pandemic onset in Germany as longitudinal reference point, the healthy control group showed no change over time in these variables respectively an increase in POmax (+0.126 W/kg, p = 0.039) during the first 60 days after the reference point. Subgroup analyses showed that both squad members and endurance athletes experienced greater decreases in cardiorespiratory fitness compared to non-squad members respectively athletes from explosive power sports. A SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with a decline in cardiorespiratory fitness in athletes for approximately 60 days. Potential factors contributing to this outcome seem to be cardio-pulmonary and vascular alterations in consequence of SARS-CoV-2. A minor effect on cardiorespiratory fitness has training interruption due to acute symptoms and/or quarantine.

Changes in Catalan Adolescents’ Agility over Two Decades: A Temporal Trend Study

Physical fitness is considered an important indicator of health in adolescents. Despite the recognized benefits of regular physical activity, recent studies indicate a decline in physical fitness among adolescents, including agility, a key component of fitness often overlooked in research. This study aimed to investigate trends in agility among urban Catalan adolescents over two decades. A total of 1439 students, aged 13–15 years, participated in the 8 × 10 m shuttle run test between 2002 and 2022. The results revealed a significant decline in agility performance across both boys (F(3,839) = 392, p &lt; 0.001, ηp2 = 0.584) and girls (F(3,593) = 414, p &lt; 0.001, ηp2 = 0.677) over time, with notable differences observed between consecutive five-year periods. The findings underscore the urgency of addressing declining physical fitness among adolescents and advocate for enhanced physical education programs and community-based interventions to promote regular physical activity. Recognizing the importance of agility and other aspects of physical fitness in adolescent health, policymakers, educators, and healthcare professionals are urged to collaborate on initiatives to mitigate the risk of future health issues. Further research is recommended to explore the multifaceted influences on adolescent physical fitness and develop targeted interventions to improve overall health outcomes in this population.

212 Multi-trajectory analysis of changes in physical activity, BMI and cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescence

Abstract Purpose Over the past four decades, the worldwide prevalence of obesity has nearly tripled, with childhood obesity being now more common than ever. Furthermore, children and adolescents with overweight or obesity are at a higher risk of retaining this condition into adulthood (Lobstein et al., 2015). Previous studies have shown that larger increase in body mass index (BMI) during adolescence is associated with less improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and steeper decline in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (Kolunsarka et al., 2021). However, the trajectories of these three variables during adolescence are diverse. Therefore, this study aimed to identify and investigate adolescents with similar concurrent changes in MVPA, CRF and BMI throughout adolescence. Methods In this four-year longitudinal study (2017-2021), device-measured MVPA, BMI and CRF data were collected annually from 1157 participants (Mage = 11.37 ± 0.37). A multivariate trajectory analysis was used to identify adolescents who share similar BMI, MVPA and CRF trajectories over four years. Results Three distinct groups were identified and labelled according to BMI trajectories. The ‘persistently normal’ group (86%) exhibited the highest baseline levels of CRF and MVPA, with significant increases in CRF and a concurrent decrease in MVPA. Conversely, the ‘improving from high’ group (5%) demonstrated a significant increase in CRF and a non-significant (p = 0.07) increase in MVPA. In contrast, the ‘progressing to very high’ group (9%) showed no significant changes in either MVPA or CRF. Conclusion These findings underscore the critical importance of early identification and targeted interventions to mitigate the risk of accelerated weight gain, insufficient physical activity and declining fitness during adolescence. Funding Source This study was funded by the Strategic Research Council within the Academy of Finland within the project SchoolWell, and the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture.

Effects of physical inactivity behavior during COVID-19 pandemic on physical fitness, body composition, inflammatory cytokine, and immunocytes in older adults: A retrospective and prospective study

The prolonged period of COVID-19 has ingrained physical inactivity as a habit, leading to a reluctance to move. This has resulted in a decline in physical fitness and the loss of a healthy body composition. While this trend is particularly noticeable among the older adults, its impact on the immune cell defense system, which is crucial for minimizing viral infections, remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the physical fitness, body composition, cytokines and immunocytes of older adults who engaged in physical activity (PA) before the COVID-19 pandemic but had to stop it due to the lockdown. A total of 172 older adults aged 61 to 85 years participated in this study: 90 in non-PA group (NPAG, 34 men and 56 women), and 82 in PA group (PAG, 29 men and 53 women). Physical inactivity was 45.13 ± 5.67 weeks in the NPAG and 1.70 ± 0.43 weeks in the PAG. Although there was no significant difference in calorie intake, PA volume showed a significant decrease in NPGA (P < 0.001). VO₂max, strength, and sit-ups decreased in NPAG, whereas they maintained or increased in PAG (Ps < 0.001). NPAG experienced an increase in fat mass (∼33.0 %), along with a decrease in muscle mass (∼10.4 %), but PAG showed slight increases (∼1.1 % vs. ∼1.5 %, Ps < 0.001). Interleukin-6 (∼38.9 %), tumor necrosis factor-α (∼38.3 %), and C-reactive protein (∼33.6 %) increased, whereas immunocytes decreased in NPAG (Ps < 0.001). In contrast, those in PAG showed the opposite phenomenon. This study indicates that even during the COVID-19 situation, maintaining active PA in the older adults helps retain beneficial physical fitness and body composition, reduces inflammatory factors, and contributes to preserving or enhancing the function of immunocytes.

Effects of fermented milk intake and physical activity on the suppression of age-related decline in physical fitness among the elderly.

Physical deterioration in the elderly can lead to disability and mortality. Although the intake of fermented milk has been recently attracting attention as a proposed measure to prevent physical weakness, studies and findings are limited. Here, we investigated the effect of intake of fermented milk products on suppression of age-related decline in physical fitness through a long-term epidemiological study of community-dwelling elderly people who are capable of independent living. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 581 elderly people aged 65-92 years from the Nakanojo Study, with the addition of a 5-year prospective analysis on 240 elderlies. Subjects were arbitrarily grouped on the basis of questionnaire estimates of fermented milk products intake (<3 or ≥3 days/week) and pedometer/accelerometer-determined patterns of physical activity (<7,000 or ≥7,000 steps/day). After adjustment for potential confounders, the retrospective study showed that the group consuming fermented milk products ≥3 days/week showed significantly faster walking speeds than the <3 days/week group. The group taking ≥7,000 steps/day had a significantly faster walking speed than the group taking <7,000 steps/day. Those who did both walked the fastest, indicating an additive effect. Adding protein or energy intake as a covariate to the potential confounders found a correlation between the intake of fermented milk products and walking speed, suggesting that the effect of fermented milk products consumption is independent of nutritional intake status, due to the beneficial properties of bacteria included in fermented milk. The 5-year prospective study confirmed a clear relationship between the frequency of consumption of fermented milk products and the suppression of preferred walking speed decline. Our findings suggest that habitual intake of fermented milk contributes to the suppression of walking speed decline in elderly people.

Drivers of genomic diversity and phenotypic development in early phases of domestication in Hermetia illucens.

The black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens, has the ability to efficiently bioremediate organic waste into usable bio-compounds. Understanding the impact of domestication and mass rearing on fitness and production traits is therefore important for sustainable production. This study aimed to assess patterns of genomic diversity and its association to phenotypic development across early generations of mass rearing under two selection strategies: selection for greater larval mass (SEL lines) and no direct artificial selection (NS lines). Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data were generated using 2bRAD sequencing, while phenotypic traits relating to production and population fitness were measured. Declining patterns of genomic diversity were observed across three generations of captive breeding, with the lowest diversity recorded for the F3 generation of both selection lines, most likely due to founder effects. The SEL cohort displayed statistically significantly greater larval weight com the NS lines with pronounced genetic and phenotypic directional changes across generations. Furthermore, lower genetic and phenotypic diversity, particularly for fitness traits, were evident for SEL lines, illustrating the trade-off between selecting for mass and the resulting decline in population fitness. SNP-based heritability was significant for growth, but was low or non-significant for fitness traits. Genotype-phenotype correlations were observed for traits, but individual locus effect sizes where small and very few of these loci demonstrated a signature for selection. Pronounced genetic drift, due to small effective population sizes, is likely overshadowing the impacts of selection on genomic diversity and consequently phenotypic development. The results hold particular relevance for genetic management and selective breeding for BSF in future.

Relative breeding timing and reproductive success of a resident montane bird species.

Wild populations appear to synchronize their reproductive phenology based on numerous environmental and ecological factors; yet, there is still individual variation in the timing of reproduction within populations and such variation may be associated with fitness consequences. For example, many studies have documented a seasonal decline in reproductive fitness, but breeding timing may have varying consequences across different environments. Using 11 years of data, we investigated the relationship between relative breeding timing and reproductive success in resident mountain chickadees (Poecile gambeli) across two elevational bands in the Sierra Nevada mountains, USA. Chickadees that synchronized breeding with the majority of the population ('peak' of breeding) did not have the highest breeding success. Instead, birds that bred early performed best at high elevation, while at low elevation early and peak nests performed similarly. At both elevations, late nests consistently performed the worst. Overall, breeding success decreased with increasing relative timing at both high and low elevations, but the relationship between breeding success and timing differed among years. Our results suggest that in mountain chickadees, earlier breeding is associated with higher reproductive success, especially at high elevations, while late breeding is consistently associated with lower reproductive success at both elevations.

Assessment of the Potential of Elementary School Students in Terms of Physical Fitness

Primary education is an essential foundation for developing all the potential possessed by students, including physical fitness. The persistent inadequacy in children's physical fitness levels raises critical concerns regarding their overall health and well-being, necessitating urgent attention and intervention. This study aimed to assess the physical fitness of elementary school students, evaluate the effectiveness of the Indonesian Physical Fitness Test in measuring their physical fitness, and give policy recommendations. The quantitative descriptive method was used in this study due to its ability to provide numerical data analysis, facilitate systematic measurement, and allow comparative analysis and generalization. Incidental sampling was used to select 120 primary school learners in the Sidoarjo district. Two sets of fitness tests were administered based on child development phases: the Around the World Test for Phase B and a 600m running test for Phase C. Crosstabs analysis on SPSS revealed that male and female learners exhibited similar physical fitness levels, mainly within moderate and healthy categories. Differences were observed based on the phase or grade level (chi-squared=43.843, p=0.000), with Phase B learners generally having moderate to good fitness, while Phase C learners demonstrated lower and middle levels. Overall, there was a decline in fitness with higher grade levels, emphasizing the necessity to rejuvenate physical education for enhanced fitness. Instilling the importance of maintaining and enhancing physical fitness from a young age is crucial, and both teachers and students can actively contribute by enhancing their comprehension of physical literacy through training or by integrating it into the physical education curriculum.