Lower Strength Levels Research Articles

Poor physical fitness is associated with impaired memory, executive function, and depression in institutionalized older adults: a cross-sectional study

Objective:To analyze the association between physical fitness, cognitive function, and depressive symptoms among older adults in long-term care facilities (LTCFs).Methods:Seventy-six institutionalized male and female elderly individuals (65 years and older) living in LTCFs participated of this study. Physical fitness (aerobic capacity and strength), cognitive functions (global cognition, short-term and working and semantic memories, and executive function), and depressive symptoms were assessed. Linear regression and contingency analyses were performed. Significance was accepted at p-values ≤ 0.05.Results:Aerobic capacity predicted 32% of variance in global cognition (p < 0.01) and 25% of variance in semantic fluency/executive function (p < 0.01). Low levels of upper limb strength, lower limb strength, and aerobic capacity were associated with semantic fluency/executive function (OR = 1.38, p = 0.01, OR = 1.26, p = 0.03, and OR = 1.07, p = 0.01, respectively) and depressive symptoms (OR = 1.06, p < 0.01).Conclusion:Poor physical fitness is associated with cognition and depressive symptoms in institutionalized older adults. Low levels of strength and aerobic fitness increase the odds of presenting with impaired semantic fluency and executive function, possibly denoting an increased risk of developing dementia.

Body composition, physical capacity, and immuno-metabolic profile in community-acquired pneumonia caused by COVID-19, influenza, and bacteria: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundDifferent pathogens can cause community-acquired pneumonia (CAP); however, the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has re-emphasized the vital role of respiratory viruses as a cause of CAP. The aim was to explore differences in metabolic profile, body composition, physical capacity, and inflammation between patients hospitalized with CAP caused by different etiology.MethodsA prospective study of Danish patients hospitalized with CAP caused by SARS-CoV-2, influenza, or bacteria. Fat (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were assessed with bioelectrical impedance analysis. Physical activity and capacity were assessed using questionnaires and handgrip strength. Plasma (p)-glucose, p-lipids, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), p-adiponectin, and cytokines were measured.ResultsAmong 164 patients with CAP, etiology did not affect admission levels of glucose, HbA1c, adiponectin, or lipids. Overall, 15.2% had known diabetes, 6.1% had undiagnosed diabetes, 51.3% had pre-diabetes, 81% had hyperglycemia, and 60% had low HDL-cholesterol, with no difference between groups. Body mass index, FM, and FFM were similar between groups, with 73% of the patients being characterized with abdominal obesity, although waist circumference was lower in patients with COVID-19. Physical capacity was similar between groups. More than 80% had low handgrip strength and low physical activity levels. Compared to patients with influenza, patients with COVID-19 had increased levels of interferon (IFN)-γ (mean difference (MD) 4.14; 95% CI 1.36–12.58; p = 0.008), interleukin (IL)-4 (MD 1.82; 95% CI 1.12–2.97; p = 0.012), IL-5 (MD 2.22; 95% CI 1.09–4.52; p = 0.024), and IL-6 (MD 2.41; 95% CI 1.02–5.68; p = 0.044) and increased IFN-γ (MD 6.10; 95% CI 2.53–14.71; p < 0.001) and IL-10 (MD 2.68; 95% CI 1.53–4.69; p < 0.001) compared to patients with bacterial CAP, but no difference in IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-8, IL-18, IL-12p70, C-reactive protein, and adiponectin.ConclusionDespite higher inflammatory response in patients with COVID-19, metabolic profile, body composition, and physical capacity were similar to patients with influenza and bacterial CAP.

Building Parties’ Grassroots: Electoral Systems, Party Organizations, and Social Linkages from a Cross-National Perspective

This article explores the connection between the proportional electoral system (PR) and party organizations as a key institutional determinant of party-group linkages from cross-party and national perspectives. Developing a nuanced framework, we propose an integrated model to address two questions: 01. Do candidate-centred electoral systems affect the development of party-group linkages? 02. In the case that electoral systems do have an impact, is it a direct impact or is it mediated by party organizations? Using V-Party (2020) and V-Dem (2020) databases, we selected and analyzed 617 parties in 48 countries covering third-wave democracies, post-communist countries, and the most extensive proportional democracies in Europe (Western and Eastern Europe) and Latin America between 1989 and 2019 – Large- N cross-national comparative analysis (JANDA, 1980). Based on panel models, we found that the candidate-centred electoral system is negatively related to the development of strong ties between parties and groups, but only in the case of party organizations with low levels of party strength, intraparty cohesion, and financial linkages with non-party groups. When decision-making powers are concentrated in the hands of powerful party elites, these elites can solve coordination problems, mitigate intraparty conflicts, and deal with the consequences of personalization. Therefore, intraparty politics varies empirically since parties respond to their contextual challenges (electoral rules) strategically, with consequences for party-group linkages.

Resilience and Mental Health Among Male Older Adults in Extreme Poverty in Long-term Care Facilities in Rural China

BackgroundThe number of older adults in the United States is growing rapidly. The percentage of individuals from ethnic minority groups that make up this population is also rapidly increasing, with Latinx older adults comprising the fastest growing subgroup. However, Latinx older adults historically underutilize mental health services, in large part due to the lack of culturally sensitive and informed care provided by mental health professionals (de Guzman et al., 2015). However, to date, comprehensive, evidence-based best practices for mental healthcare for Latinx older adults do not exist. Method: A literature review was conducted of research on the developmental, social, cognitive, biological, and affective bases of behavior among Latinx older adults.ResultsTaking an integrated, evidence-based psychological approach with cultural considerations, we found that the literature could broadly be organized into six best practice guidelines. We propose assessing for and incorporating the following topics into mental health treatment of Latinx older adults: immigration status, acculturation, attitudes towards mental health, physical and cognitive health disparities, discrimination, and unique preferences for care structure in later life.DiscussionThese guidelines are intended to represent basic principles to incorporate into practice and do not represent an exhaustive list of factors to consider for a heterogenous group of older adults. Instead, the six, empirically-based guidelines proposed in this study can serve as a starting point for increasing mental health providers’ awareness of the unique experiences of Latinx older adults, with the aim of improving the experience of this historically underserved population in mental healthcare treatment.

A built-up type horizontally corrugated steel plate shear wall with a special shape

A built-up type specially shaped corrugated steel shear wall (BS-CSSW) that can be concealed within enclosure walls was proposed for applications in residential buildings. Quasi-static tests were performed on two specially shaped corrugated steel shear wall specimens (S-CSSW and BS-CSSW) and refined finite element simulations were conducted. With the verified modeling method, a parametric study was performed on BS-CSSWs with different wall configurations and interior column positions. The results indicated that the corrugated shear plates in the S-CSSW underwent premature elastic buckling, thus leading to a sudden drop in strength upon buckling and low strength levels after buckling. Shear panels in the BS-CSSW successfully entered the shear yielding mode and remained in a stable in-plane shearing state until reaching 2% drift. The BS-CSSW had higher elastic and plastic strength levels, better ductility, slower stiffness reduction, lower out-of-plane plate deformation and a wider hysteretic relationship than those of the S-CSSW. The position of the interior columns primarily influenced the slenderness of the side and interior corrugated panels and affected the strength development modes. The BS-CSSWs had separate bearing modes between lateral loads and axial loads and could withstand high axial load conditions with little influence on shear strengths.

Strength and fracture resistance of quartz fibers with polyimide coatings

Polyimide coatings currently provide the highest performance properties of quartz fibers. The purpose of this research is to determine the strength, hardness, dynamic fatigue, performance period and crack resistance of optical fibers with polyimide coatings. The strength limit of fibers determined by the method of axial stretching over the distance between capstans of 500 mm was 4.8–6.0 GPa at a loading speed of 10–500 mm/min. W. Weibull distribution curves were plotted in coordinates that relate the probability of failure to the strength, fiber length, and parameter describing the ultimate strength. The dynamic fatigue parameter n was found, which in physical sense corresponds to the slope tgα equal to 1/(1+n) in double logarithmic coordinates. Hardness and crack resistance values of quartz fibers were measured by indentation. Crack resistance K1c was calculated using the A. Niihara semi-empirical dependence, which connects the indentation size, radial crack length, and crack resistance. The initial crack length was calculated and the size of the characteristic defect was determined using scanning electron microscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that polyimide coated fibers maintain thermal stability up to 450 °С. The service life of optical fibers was determined based on the dynamic fatigue data, and it amounted to at least 25 years at a load of 0.2 GPa. The greater the difference between the lower strength level and the upper one in the stretch tests of fiber segments, the higher the distribution parameter m describing the ultimate strength of optical fibers. The values of this parameter are determined by the fiber quality: m = 50÷100 for coated fibers and m = 1÷5 for uncoated ones.

Effect of deep learning image reconstruction in the prediction of resectability of pancreatic cancer: Diagnostic performance and reader confidence

ObjectiveTo assess the diagnostic performance and reader confidence in determining the resectability of pancreatic cancer at computed tomography (CT) using a new deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) algorithm. MethodsA retrospective review was conduct of on forty-seven patients with pathologically confirmed pancreatic cancers who underwent baseline multiphasic contrast-enhanced CT scan. Image data sets were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP), hybrid model-based adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASiR-V) 60 %, and DLIR "TrueFidelity" at low(L), medium(M), and high strength levels(H). Four board-certified abdominal radiologists reviewed the CT images and classified cancers as resectable, borderline resectable, or unresectable. Diagnostic performance and reader confidence for categorizing the resectability of pancreatic cancer were evaluated based on the reference standards, and the interreader agreement was assessed using Fleiss k statistics. ResultsFor prediction of margin-negative resections(ie, R0), the average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was significantly higher with DLIR-H (0.91; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.79, 0.98) than FBP (0.75; 95 % CI:0.60, 0.86) and ASiR-V (0.81; 95 % CI:0.67, 0.91) (p = 0.030 and 0.023 respectively). Reader confidence scores were significantly better using DLIR compared to FBP and ASiR-V 60 % and increased linearly with the increase of DLIR strength level (all p < 0.001). Among the image reconstructions, DLIR-H showed the highest interreader agreement in the resectability classification and lowest subject variability in the reader confidence. ConclusionsThe DLIR-H algorithm may improve the diagnostic performance and reader confidence in the CT assignment of the local resectability of pancreatic cancer while reducing the interreader variability.

Number of teeth and masticatory function are associated with sarcopenia and diabetes mellitus status among community-dwelling older adults: A Shimane CoHRE study.

We aimed to examine the number of teeth and masticatory function as oral health indices and clarify their roles in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia and diabetes mellitus in community-dwelling older adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 635 older adults in Ohnan, Shimane Prefecture, in rural Japan. The number of teeth and masticatory function (measured by the number of gummy jelly pieces collected after chewing) were evaluated by dental hygienists. Sarcopenia status was assessed using handgrip strength, skeletal muscle index, calf circumference, and a possible sarcopenia diagnosis based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019. Diabetes mellitus status was defined as a hemoglobin A1c level ≥6.5% or self-reported diabetes. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between oral health, sarcopenia, and diabetes mellitus after adjusting for confounders. After adjusting for all confounders, logistic regression analysis showed that the number of remaining teeth was negatively associated with a low level of handgrip strength (odds ratio [OR], 0.961; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.932-0.992) and possible sarcopenia (OR, 0.949; 95% CI, 0.907-0.992). Higher levels of masticatory function were also negatively associated with a low level of handgrip strength (OR, 0.965; 95% CI, 0.941-0.990) and possible sarcopenia (OR, 0.941; 95% CI, 0.904-0.979). Logistic regression analysis showed that the number of remaining teeth and a higher level of masticatory function were negatively associated with diabetes mellitus (OR, 0.978; 95% CI, 0.957-0.999; OR, 0.976; 95% CI, 0.960-0.992, respectively). Our findings suggest that improvement in oral health, including the maintenance of masticatory function and remaining teeth, may contribute to the prevention of sarcopenia and diabetes mellitus in older adults.

Patients With Becker Muscular Dystrophy Have Severe Paraspinal Muscle Involvement.

Introduction: Paraspinal muscles are important for gross motor functions. Impairment of these muscles can lead to poor postural control and ambulation difficulty. Little knowledge exists about the involvement of paraspinal muscles in Becker muscular dystrophy.Objective: In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the involvement of paraspinal muscles with quantitative trunk strength measure and quantitative muscle MRI.Methods and Materials: Eighteen patients with Becker muscular dystrophy underwent trunk, hip, and thigh strength assessment using a Biodex dynamometer and an MRI Dixon scan. Fourteen age- and body mass index-matched healthy men were included for comparison.Results: Muscle fat fraction (FF) of the paraspinal muscles (multifidus and erector spinae) was higher in participants with Becker muscular dystrophy vs. healthy controls at all three examined spinal levels (C6, Th12, and L4/L5) (p < 0.05). There was a strong and inverse correlation between paraspinal muscle FF and trunk extension strength (ρ = −0.829, p < 0.001), gluteus maximus FF and hip extension strength (ρ = −0.701, p = 0.005), FF of the knee extensor muscles (quadriceps and sartorius) and knee extension strength (ρ = −0.842, p < 0.001), and FF of the knee flexor muscles (hamstring muscles) and knee flexion strength (ρ = −0.864, p < 0.001). Fat fraction of the paraspinal muscles also correlated with muscle FF of the thigh muscles and lower leg muscles.Conclusion: In conclusion, patients with Becker muscular dystrophy demonstrate severe paraspinal muscular involvement indicated by low back extension strength and high levels of fat replacement, which parallel involvement of lower limb muscles. Assessment of paraspinal muscle strength and fat replacement may serve as a possible biomarker for both the clinical management and further study of the disease.

Level of Effort: A Reliable and Practical Alternative to the Velocity-Based Approach for Monitoring Resistance Training.

Hernández-Belmonte, A, Courel-Ibáñez, J, Conesa-Ros, E, Martínez-Cava, A, and Pallarés, JG. Level of effort: A reliable and practical alternative to the velocity-based approach for monitoring resistance training. J Strength Cond Res 36(11): 2992-2999, 2022-This study analyzed the potential of the level of effort methodology as an accurate indicator of the programmed relative load (percentage of one-repetition maximum [%1RM]) and intraset volume of the set during resistance training in the bench press, full squat, shoulder press, and prone bench pull exercises, through 3 specific objectives: (a) to examine the intersubject and intrasubject variability in the number of repetitions to failure ( n RM) against the actual %1RM lifted (adjusted by the individual velocity), (b) to investigate the relationship between the number of repetitions completed and velocity loss reached, and (c) to study the influence of the subject's strength level on the aforementioned parameters. After determining their individual load-velocity relationships, 30 subjects with low ( n = 10), medium ( n = 10), and high ( n = 10) relative strength levels completed 2 rounds of n RM tests against their 65, 75, 85, and 95% 1RM in the 4 exercises. The velocity of all repetitions was monitored using a linear transducer. Intersubject and intrasubject variability analyses included the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and the the standard error of measurement ( SEM ), respectively. Coefficient of determination (R 2 ) was used as the indicator of relationship. n RM showed a limited intersubject (CI ≤ 4 repetitions) and a very low intrasubject ( SEM ≤1.9 repetitions) variability for all the strength levels, %1RM, and exercises analyzed. A very close relationship ( R2 ≥ 0.97) between the number of repetitions completed and the percentage of velocity loss reached (from 10 to 60%) was found. These findings strengthen the level of effort as a reliable, precise, and practical strategy for programming resistance training.

STUDY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE IN THE RECOVERY AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION OF PUPILS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Children in the category of people with special needs must, because they have the right, benefit from an educational approach that ensures their develop- ment and recovery, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, social integra- tion or reintegration under non-discriminatory conditions regarding capabili- ties, skills, abilities or personality. The study aims to integrate knowledge, methods, forms and means specific to the field of motion science into activities that are meant to optimize health status, growth and physical development and the possibilities for their recovery and social integration of the children with special needs The study took place in the on a group of 10 students and 26 teachers and physiotherapists. Methods that are part of the category of those specific to the educational field were used, namely: scientific documentation, observa- tion, pedagogical experiment, opinion questionnaire, statistical-mathematical processing, graphic representation. Considering the heterogeneity of the subjects, following the application of the physical exercise program and the tests of evaluation of the motricity, an appreciable progress is observed in 8 of them, which represents 80%; for the remaining 20%, the progress made does not change the status of people with a low level of motor ability, namely speed, strength and endurance.

Tube equal channel angular extrusion (tECAE) of Mg–3Al–1Zn alloy

This study describes a severe plastic deformation processing technique for tubular materials, in the interest of enhancing mechanical properties via grain refinement and crystallographic texture control. The process, dubbed as tube equal channel angular extrusion (tECAE), is used to process the Mg–3Al–1Zn (AZ31) magnesium alloy at low temperatures. Mg alloys often suffer from low strength levels derived from coarse grain size, strong crystallographic texture, and mechanical anisotropy; hence, AZ31 acts as an ideal candidate for tECAE, as AZ31 and other Mg alloys tubes have excellent potential application in various industries. Here, the texture evolution of one pass of tECAE processing at 200 °C, 175 °C, and 120 °C was assessed, where tECAE produced drastically refined grains and increased strength levels after only one pass. The texture evolution and the active deformation modes, and their relative activities, were successfully predicted using a viscoplastic self-consistent (VPSC) crystal plasticity model as a function of processing temperature, for the first time for the tECAE process. Overall, tECAE is shown to be a useful technique for quickly obtaining improved mechanical properties in Mg alloy tubes, and it can be applied to other materials in tubular form as well. • Tube ECAE processing successfully produced fine grained Mg-3Al-1Zn tubes. • Tube ECAE SPD processed AZ31 directly at 120 °C. • Improvement in mechanical properties and texture modification are obtained via tECAE. • VPSC modeling predicted texture and deformation mode activities.

Urban Families in Southern Angola: What Makes Them Work? The Empirical Validation of a Family Life Cycle Model

In this study, we sought to empirically validate the model of development of urban families in Southern Angola. The study was carried out with a sample of 256 participants ( n = 130, 50.78% women; n = 126, 49.22% men) from urban centers of Southern Angola, aged between 18–79 years. We aimed, particularly, to identify women’s and men’s perceptions of their family functioning (SCORE-15), family vulnerability to stress (FILE), family strengths (FSQ), and family investment in rituals and routines (FRQ-R). The results from the structured additive regression models (STAR) demonstrated the adequacy of this model to explain and organize the data from the sample studied. Moreover, the results identified the perception of an adjusted family functioning, despite the high levels of family vulnerability to stress and low levels of family strength, compared with international studies. This study also showed a great investment in family rituals and routines. Results from STAR highlight the consistency of women throughout family evolution, and greater fluctuations in the results presented by men, particularly those who are in the stages of families with an adolescent or a young adult child and families in the “sandwich” generation. These results contribute to the enrichment of Simões and Alberto’s model and a better understanding of the family reality in urban Southern Angola.

What do novice faculty need to transition successfully to the nurse faculty role? An integrative review.

The objective was to describe and illustrate what is known about the needs of novice nursing faculty as they transition into the faculty role. The worldwide nursing shortage is partly due to the lack of faculty, and one reason for that lack is the reported difficulty of transitioning into the faculty role. An integrative review of the literature was conducted. Results demonstrated that new faculty are either intentionally supported in their new environment, with successful development of their skills and career, or they are unintentionally unsupported, which leaves them languishing and reduces intent to stay. Despite gaps in the literature and a low level of strength of evidence, the review offers implications for managing and maintaining relationships with novice faculty to facilitate their ultimate success. Institutions should aim to have in place identified elements that ensure novice faculty are intentionally supported rather than unintentionally unsupported.

Comparison of Body Composition, Physical Capacity, and Immuno-Metabolic Profile in Community-Acquired Pneumonia Caused by COVID-19, Influenza, and Bacteria: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Different pathogens can cause community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), however the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has re-emphasized the important role of respiratory viruses as a cause of CAP. The aim was to explore differences in metabolic profile, body composition, physical capacity, and inflammation between patients hospitalized with CAP caused by different etiology.Methods: A prospective study of Danish patients hospitalized with CAP caused by SARS-CoV-2, influenza, or bacteria. Fat (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were assessed with bioelectrical impedance analysis. Physical activity and capacity were assessed using questionnaires and grip strength. Plasma (p)-glucose, p-lipids, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), p-adiponectin, and cytokines were measured. Findings: Among 164 patients with CAP, etiology did not affect admission levels of glucose, HbA1c, adiponectin, or lipids. Overall, 15·2% had known diabetes, 6·1% had undiagnosed diabetes, 51·3% had pre-diabetes, 81% had hyperglycemia, and 60% had low HDL-cholesterol, with no difference between groups. Body mass index, FM, and FFM were similar between groups with 73% being abdominal obese, although waist circumference was lower in COVID-19. Physical capacity was similar between groups. More than 80% had low grip strength and low physical activity level. Compared to influenza, COVID-19 had increased levels of interferon (IFN)- , interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-6 and increased IFN- and IL-10 compared to bacterial CAP, but no difference in IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-8, IL-18, IL-12p70, C-reactive protein, and adiponectin.Interpretation: Despite higher inflammatory response in COVID-19, metabolic profile, body composition, and functional capacity was similar to patients with influenza and bacterial CAP.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03795662)Funding Statement: Nordsjællands Hospital.Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interests.Ethics Approval Statement: The study was approved by the scientific Ethics Committee at the Capital Region of Denmark (H- 18024256), and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Oral and written informed consent was obtained from all patients before enrolment.

Significant Association between Physical Performance and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Older Adults with Frailty in Rural Thailand

Background: The etiology of frailty is complex and incompletely understood, and is associated with alterations in the immune system, resulting in chronic low-grade inflammation. However, few studies have explored the inflammatory biomarkers related to physical performance in the elderly. Methods: We evaluated the prevalence of frailty with a cross-sectional study among older adults in rural communities in Thailand (n = 457, mean age of 71.4 ± 5.8 years) with Fried’s frailty phenotype including five criteria: weight loss, exhaustion, slowness, weakness, and inactivity. The association between inflammatory biomarkers (serum interleukin-6, IL-6 and C-reactive protein, CRP levels) and physical performance (grip strength, walk times and VO2Max) was examined in frail participants (n=64). Results: The prevalence of frailty and pre-frailty in this population was 37.4% (95% CI, 32.9-42.0) and 54% (95% CI, 49.4-58.7). Multiple linear regression analysis found that serum IL-6 level was significantly elevated in frail older adults with low grip strength (beta = -0.348, SE= 0.155, p = 0.029). Serum CRP level was also elevated significantly in frail older adults with low grip strength (beta = -0.049, SE= 0.023, p = 0.04) and low VO2Max (beta = -0.047, SE= 0.019, p = 0.016) after adjustment for sex, age, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease, and BMI. Conclusion: Our findings support a low level of grip strength as predictor of inflammatory biomarkers in older adults with frailty. Primary care practitioners could use frailty indicators and performance combined with serum biomarkers for early health risk detection in older adults.

Behavior of Sunscreen Usage Among Medical Students

Background: Photoaging is an early skin aging process caused by sun exposure. Sunscreen is effective as a primary photo-protection to protect the skin from the dangers of ultraviolet radiation (UV) sunlight. However, sunscreen is often used in the wrong manner, so that it can reduce the effectiveness of the work of sunscreen. Purpose: To describe the knowledge and the practice of sunscreen usage among medical students of Universitas Airlangga and find out the relationship between the knowledge and the practice of sunscreen usage. Methods: This study is an analytic-observational study. Data were collected through questionnaire sheets that distributed to medical students of Universitas Airlangga class of 2016, 2017, and 2018. The results were analyzed using the Spearman test with a significance level of 1%. Result: Obtained total respondents that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were 159 respondents, with 88.68% were female and 11.32% were male. Based on Fitzpatrick skin type, 55.97% respondents found with skin type-IV. There were 59.12% respondents got score of knowledge in the medium category and 64.78% respondents got score of practice also in the medium category. Based on analytic statistic correlation test between knowledge and practice of sunscreen usage, known that the significance value is equal to 0,006 with coefficient correlation is equal to 0.216. Conclusion: The knowledge and the practice of sunscreen usage among medical students of Universitas Airlangga is already in a fairly good range. There is a parallel relationship between the knowledge and the practice of sunscreen usage among medical students of Universitas Airlangga but with a low level of correlation strength.

Capacidade motora de membros superiores em deficientes visuais praticantes de golbol

Objetivo: Avaliar a força de membros superiores em pessoas com deficiência visual praticantes de um projeto da modalidade de Golbol. Metodologia: A presente pesquisa trata-se de um estudo do tipo transversal, descritivo e com análises quantitativas. Participaram da pesquisa 10 alunos de uma instituição de ensino que atende pessoas com deficiência visual, praticantes da modalidade esportiva de Golbol. Quantos aos instrumentos e procedimentos de pesquisa, os participantes foram submetidos a dois protocolos de avaliação: 1) Teste de força de membros superiores (arremesso de Medicine Ball) e 2) Teste de força de membros superiores (dinamometria). Após as coletas os dados foram analisados em pacote estatístico. Resultados: Em linhas gerais, os resultados encontrados pelo teste de dinamometria manual revelaram baixos níveis de força, tanto para homens 68,7kg (±17,7) como para mulheres 47,1kg (±12,7), o que evidenciou uma condição física considerada precária para essa capacidade. Embora para o teste de arremesso de Medicine Ball os resultados tenham sido mais satisfatórios, ainda sim verificou-se que os participantes denotaram uma condição avaliada como regular, sendo os valores encontrados de 2,82m (±0,5) para mulheres e 3,67m (±0,8) para homens. Conclusão: A partir dos resultados, depreende-se que tanto a prática de atividades físicas como trabalhos de força adequados devem ser estimulados entre deficientes visuais, visto que a insuficiência de exercícios pode comprometer as capacidades funcionais dos indivíduos.

Determining the One Repetition Maximum in the Ballistic Bench Press Exercise.

Loturco, I, McGuigan, MR, Suchomel, T, Freitas, TT, Rodríguez-Rosell, D, Pereira, LA, and Pareja-Blanco, F. Determining the one repetition maximum in the ballistic bench press exercise. J Strength Cond Res 34(12): 3321-3325, 2020-The purpose of this study was to determine the relative load (% of one repetition maximum [1RM]) at which the concentric action becomes entirely propulsive in the bench press (BP) exercise and verify whether this relative load varies between athletes with different strength levels. Twenty-eight professional athletes (Olympic boxers, professional mixed martial arts fighters, and elite rugby players) performed a progressive loading test up to their 1RM in the BP exercise (BP-1RM). Athletes were ordered according to their relative strength values and equally divided into 2 different groups: "low" (≤1.34) and "high" (≥1.38) strength levels. An independent t-test was used to compare the variables between groups. Significance level was set at p < 0.05. No significant differences were observed between the groups for the mean propulsive velocity attained at 1RM and for the maximum load that required braking action during the execution of the traditional BP exercise (effect size = 0.27 and 0.15, respectively; p > 0.05). Our results revealed that at 80% 1RM the concentric action can already be considered as 100% propulsive in the BP exercise. Importantly, this occurrence was independent of strength level. Therefore, this relative strength measure (i.e., 80% BP-1RM) may be used as a reference for the 1RM in the BP throw.

High Levels of Physical Activity May Promote a Reduction in Bone Mineral Density in Peritoneal Dialysis.

Background and objectives: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients are expected to present lower levels of physical activity, unhealthy changes at the body composition level, and low levels of strength. Firstly, this study aimed to report the sex differences in physical activity, body composition and muscle strength and the relations among these variables. Secondly, we analyze the relationship between physical activity and biochemical parameters. Materials and Methods: Thirty-four patients (13 women and 21 men) participated in this study. Body composition was assessed by bioimpedance and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and maximum isokinetic unilateral strength, analytical parameters and physical activity levels were evaluated. Results: The men showed higher values for weight, height, lean body mass, bone mineral content, bone mineral density (BMD) and total body water, while women showed higher values for the percentage of fat mass and hydration of lean body mass (p < 0.05). No differences between the sexes were found in different levels of physical activity; however, males registered significantly higher values for isokinetic strength variables except for knee extensor strength. BMD was positively related to sedentary activity and negatively related to moderate and vigorous activity (r = 0.383 and r = −0.404, respectively). Light physical activity was negatively correlated with albumin (r = −0.393) and total protein (r = −0.410) levels, while moderate/vigorous activity was positively correlated with urea distribution volume (r = 0.446) and creatinine clearance (r = 0.359) and negatively correlated with the triglyceride level (r = −0.455). Conclusions: PD patients with higher levels of physical activity present better results in terms of body composition and biochemical parameters. Additional studies should be conducted to clarify the relation between physical activity level and BMD.