Physical Fitness Parameters Research Articles

A Functional Drink Containing Kaempferia parviflora Extract Increases Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Physical Flexibility in Adult Volunteers.

Owing to the reputation of Kaempferia parviflora and the crucial role of oxidative stress on the disturbance of physical fitness, the effect of a functional drink containing K. parviflora extract (KP) on the physical fitness of healthy adult volunteers was assessed. Healthy male and female volunteers (19-60 years old) were randomly divided into placebo, KP90, and KP180 groups. All the subjects in KP90 and KP180 were directed to consume a functional drink containing K. parviflora extract at doses of 90 and 180 mg per serving per 80 mL, respectively. Parameters of physical fitness, including cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition, together with changes in lactate, creatinine kinase, and oxidative stress markers were assessed before the intervention, and at 6 and 12 weeks of intervention. The oxidative stress markers, creatine kinase, and lactate were also measured. Subjects who consumed the developed drink had increased VO2 max and improved performance in a timed shuttle run test and 5 min distance run, and exhibited decreased oxidative stress and lactate; therefore, K. parviflora extract can be successfully used for developing a KP drink to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and physical performance by improving oxidative stress and lactate.

Establishment of hypertension risk nomograms based on physical fitness parameters for men and women: a cross-sectional study.

This study aims to establish hypertension risk nomograms for Chinese male and female adults, respectively. A series of questionnaire surveys, physical assessments, and biochemical indicator tests were performed on 18,367 adult participants in China. The optimization of variable selection was conducted by running cyclic coordinate descent with 10-fold cross-validation through the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. The nomograms were built by including the predictors selected through multivariable logistic regression. Calibration plots, receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC), decision curve analysis (DCA), clinical impact curves (CIC), and net reduction curve plots (NRC) were used to validate the models. Out of a total of 18 variables, 5 predictors-namely age, body mass index, waistline, hipline, and resting heart rate-were identified for the hypertension risk predictive model for men with an area under the ROC of 0.693 in the training set and 0.707 in the validation set. Seven predictors-namely age, body mass index, body weight, cardiovascular disease history, waistline, resting heart rate, and daily activity level-were identified for the hypertension risk predictive model for women with an area under the ROC of 0.720 in the training set and 0.748 in the validation set. The nomograms for both men and women were externally well-validated. Gender differences may induce heterogeneity in hypertension risk prediction between men and women. Besides basic demographic and anthropometric parameters, information related to the functional status of the cardiovascular system and physical activity appears to be necessary.

Effects of Yoga Training Applied with Telerehabilitation on Core Stabilization and Physical Fitness in Junior Tennis Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effects of yoga training applied with telerehabilitation on core stability, and strength, balance, flexibility, upper extremity stability, body awareness, and quality of life in tennis players aged 6–18 years. Methods: Forty tennis players were randomly divided into two groups to participate in this study. The control group (n = 20) continued tennis training and was informed about the importance of the core region. The yoga group (n = 20) received yoga training with telerehabilitation 2 days a week for 8 weeks. Athletes were evaluated with sport-specific core muscle strength and stability tests, the back scratch test, the sit and reach test, the flamingo balance test, the y-balance test (lower quarter), the upper extremity closed kinetic chain stability test, the SF-36, and body awareness questionnaires. Measurements have been done in the tennis club before and after the 8 weeks of training. Results: A significant increase was determined in core strength and stability, sit and reach, back scratch test, upper extremity stability, and body awareness questionnaire in the yoga group (p < 0.001). Flamingo and Y balance test results were significant (p < 0.002). Positive improvements were found in SF-36s energy-fatigue level, mental well-being, social function (p < 0.042), pain (p < 0.005), and general health (p < 0.001). A significant increase was observed in the core strength measurement mean score in the control group (p < 0.018). Sit and reach test, flamingo test, and body awareness questionnaire were found to be significant after the intervention (p < 0.001). Significant improvements were found in the pain (p < 0.042), and mental well-being (p < 0.001) sub-parameters of the SF-36. Conclusion: In the study, it was concluded that yoga training applied with telerehabilitation in tennis players aged 6–18 has a positive effect on core strength, and stabilization, physical fitness parameters, quality of life, and body awareness.

Exploring the link between functional connectivity of ventral tegmental area and physical fitness in schizophrenia and healthy controls

Decreased physical fitness and being overweight are highly prevalent in schizophrenia, represent a major risk factor for comorbid cardio-vascular diseases and decrease the life expectancy of the patients. Thus, it is important to understand the underlying mechanisms that link psychopathology and weight gain. We hypothesize that the dopaminergic reward system plays an important role in this. We analyzed the seed-based functional connectivity (FC) of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in a group of schizophrenic patients (n=32) and age-, as well as gender-, matched healthy controls (n=27). We then correlated the resting-state results with physical fitness parameters, obtained in a fitness test, and psychopathology. The FC analysis revealed decreased functional connections between the VTA and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), as well as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which negatively correlated with psychopathology, and increased FC between the VTA and the middle temporal gyrus in patients compared to healthy controls, which positively correlated with psychopathology. The decreased FC between the VTA and the ACC of the patient group further positively correlated with total body fat (p = .018, FDR-corr.) and negatively correlated with the overall physical fitness (p = .022). This study indicates a link between decreased physical fitness and higher body fat with functional dysconnectivity between the VTA and the ACC. These findings demonstrate that a dysregulated reward system might also be involved in comorbidities and could pave the way for future lifestyle therapy interventions.

Physical Fitness Parameters of Elite Chinese Male Canoe Slalom Paddlers

Physical Fitness Parameters of Elite Chinese Male Canoe Slalom Paddlers

Personalized remotely guided preventive exercise therapy for a healthy heart (PRIORITY): protocol for an assessor-blinded, multicenter randomized controlled trial.

A key treatment for patients with varying stages of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is exercise. Yet, despite a Class 1A recommendation, only one-third of patients exercise sufficiently. A huge treatment gap exists between guidelines and clinical practice. PRIORITY aims to establish the feasibility, clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a hybrid centre and home-based personalized exercise and physical activity intervention for patients along the HFpEF continuum. An assessor-blinded, multicenter randomized controlled trial will be conducted among 312 patients along the HFpEF continuum. Participants will be randomized (1:1) to the PRIORITY intervention or a comparator group receiving only a written exercise prescription. Participants in the PRIORITY group will receive 18 supervised centre-based exercise sessions during one year, supplemented with a remotely guided home-based physical activity program. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 4 months, one and two years. The primary outcome is the peak oxygen uptake (pVO2) at 1-year. Secondary outcomes include physical activity, other physical fitness parameters, cardiovascular health, echocardiographic parameters, health-related quality of life and costs at 1-year FU. Machine learning algorithms will analyse big data on physical activity collected during the 1-year intervention to develop models that can predict physical activity uptake and adherence as well as changes in fitness and health. A cost-utility analysis will be performed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the PRIORITY intervention compared to the control condition. We anticipate that participants in the supervised home-based exercise intervention group will have a greater increase in pVO2 compared to those receiving a written exercise prescription. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04745013) and is currently in the recruitment stage.

Physical fitness in patients with diabetic dyslipidemia: Diabetes or dyslipidemia to blame?

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Diabetic dyslipidemia is common in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), as a result of the atherogenic lipid profile seen due to deficiency in insulin hormone. Metabolic disorders such as poor glycemic control, endothelial dysfunction and increased free fatty acids may affect health-related physical fitness parameters in diabetic dyslipidemia. Purpose The aim of our study is to examine health-related physical fitness parameters in T2DM patients with and without dyslipidemia. Methods 65 T2DM patients (mean age=51.9±6.5/years, F:48, M:17) diagnosed with diabetic dyslipidemia (low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) ≥ 100 mg/dL) and 36 T2DM patients (mean age=52.8±6.4/years, F:25, M:11) without dyslipidemia were included in the study. All patients with diabetic dyslipidemia were on statin treatment. Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), high-density (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), triglyceride, and total cholesterol were noted. Body composition (TANITA), right and left quadriceps muscle strength (J-Tech Commander Muscle Tester), grip strength for dominant hand (Jamar dynamometer), functional capacity (6 Minute Walk Test) and physical activity level (pedometer, Omron HJ 321E Walking Style) were assessed. Results HbA1c, FBG, body composition, muscle strength, functional capacity and physical activity levels of the groups were all similar in T2DM patients with or without dyslipidemia (p&amp;gt;0.05) (Table 1). LDL-C and triglyceride were significantly higher in T2DM patients with dyslipidemia (p&amp;lt;0.0001). There was a significant negative correlation between LDL-C and right (r=-0.349, p=0.004) and left quadriceps (r=-0.354, p=0.004) muscle strength in T2DM patients with dyslipidemia. Conclusions In this study, it was observed that dyslipidemia did not have a distinctive effect on health-related physical fitness parameters in individuals with T2DM. It was also observed that LDL-C was associated with lower extremity muscle strength in diabetic dyslipidemia.

The Effect of Twelve-Week Karate and Salsa Dance Training on the Physical Fitness Performance of University Students

This study was performed to determine the effect of 12-weeks Karate and Salsa Dance training on the physical fitness performances of university students. A total of 124 students (age: 21.35 ± 1.59 year; height: 1.70 ± 0.08 cm; body weight: 67.1 ± 10.78 kg) have voluntarily participated in the study. The participants were divided into three groups using a random coin toss. The numbers of Karate group (KG), the Salsa Dance Group (SDG) and Control Group (COG) are 43 people (20 female, 23 male), 40 people (17 female, 23 male) and 41 people (12 female, 29 male), respectively. Technical training programs including two days a week and 90 minutes a day for 12 weeks were applied to the KG and SDG members accepting to the study. Body weight, height measurement, BMI calculation, bass stick balance test, handgrip strength test in upper and lower extremity strength measurements, wall squat leg strength test and plate tapping test for movement speed were performed to all participants before and after 12 weeks training. Since the data did not show normal distribution, Kruskal Wallis test was used in more than two groups and Mann Whitney-U test was used in binary comparisons. Looking at the results of KG and SDG, it was found that the BMI and muscle strength values of KG were better than the SDG values (p= .00). It was determined that the static balance values of SDG were higher than KG (p= 0.00). However, there was no significant difference between the movement speed of both groups (p&amp;gt; .05). All physical fitness parameters of both groups were found to be better than COG. We can suggest that sedentary individuals can benefit from karate technique training in gaining muscle strength. In addition, we can emphasize that it may be more appropriate to use salsa dance training in the development of static balance.

Exploring the Effect of Yoga on Exercise Endurance As Assessed by Cardiorespiratory Efficiency Tests in Exercise Physiology Laboratory: A Pilot Study.

Background Today's world of cut-throat competition is boggling with stress as the most common problem among the modern generation, and reduction in stress demands a radical solution. Yoga comes as a rescuer that focuses on improving one's physical and spiritual well-being. It can increase one's strength and flexibility. Yoga practitioners have asserted the effect of physical exercise involved in it on balancing physical and spiritual health for decades, but only recently has there been a move to substantiate these claims through research. This study aimed at assessing the effect of yogic practice on exercise endurance and physical fitness as assessed by important physical fitness parameters through cardiorespiratory efficiency tests in an Exercise Physiology Laboratory. Methodology A total of 60 Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) studentsfrom a rural medical college in central India were recruited for the study.Thirty MBBS students who had undergone yogic training for six months comprised the trained or the case group, and another group of 30 students comprising the untrained group were recruited for the study from different levels of the course within the age group of 17-25 years. Body mass index (BMI) and body surface area (BSA) were calculated. Resting pulse rate and blood pressure, resting respiratory rate, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), physical fitness index (PFI), breath holding time (BHT), and 40 mm Hg endurance test time was measured. Results The mean PFI (%) in males was 88.82±5.56 and 96.05±7.44, and that in females was 82.06±8.95 and 96.55±6.47 in the control and case groups, respectively. The mean 40 mm Hg endurance test (in seconds) in males was 36.47±8.45 and 48.88±8.64 and in females was 29.79±10.30 and 38.4±10.69 in the control and test groups, respectively. The mean BHT (in seconds) in males was 44.80±14.18 and 58.91±12.35, and that in females was 42.29±15.37 and 54.60±13.36 as in controland case groups, respectively. The VO2max evaluated by the modified Harvard step test was 2.41±0.58 L/min in control males and 3.6±0.90 L/min in the case group of males, and it was 2.14±0.49 L/min in the control group of females, and 3.76±0.69 L/min in case group of females. Conclusion By studying the dynamics of the various cardiorespiratory responses, we have determined the values of fitness parameters in the case group. It was found that the yoga group had statistically significantly higher VO2 max per minute and better PFI, BHT, and 40 mm Hg endurance values (p<0.05).

MP79-16 ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF TESTOSTERONE REPLACEMENT ON BODY COMPOSITION, PHYSICAL FITNESS AND THE CORRELATION WITH HYPOGONADAL SYMPTOMS IN THE TESTOSTERONE DEFICIENCY

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP79-16 ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF TESTOSTERONE REPLACEMENT ON BODY COMPOSITION, PHYSICAL FITNESS AND THE CORRELATION WITH HYPOGONADAL SYMPTOMS IN THE TESTOSTERONE DEFICIENCY Tae Yong Park, Dong Su Kim, Jeong Kyun Yeo, and Min Gu Park Tae Yong ParkTae Yong Park More articles by this author , Dong Su KimDong Su Kim More articles by this author , Jeong Kyun YeoJeong Kyun Yeo More articles by this author , and Min Gu ParkMin Gu Park More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003356.16AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate how testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) change body composition and physical fitness, and which those changes correlate with serum testosterone level and hypogonadal symptoms. METHODS: Seventy patients with testosterone deficiency (TD) were divided into group I (n: 23) and group II (n :47). Only group II was given testosterone enanthate intramuscularly for 6 months. Both groups were investigated following items at the beginning and end of the study: Baseline demographics and serologic test; questionnaires of aging male symptom (AMS) scale and international prostate symptom score (IPSS); BMI, waist circumference, body composition; and physical fitness. Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Seven types of basic exercise tests were used to measure physical fitness. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in baseline measurements between the two groups before treatment. After 6 months, group I showed no significant change in all measurements. Group II showed significant improvement in IPSS and AMS scales. Hematocrit, and prostate specific antigen slightly increased, while total cholesterol significantly decreased after treatment. As to body composition parameters, TRT significantly decreased body fat mass, visceral fat mass and waist circumference. Skeletal muscle mass was significantly increased by TRT although upper body muscle appeared to be more responsive. Most parameters of physical fitness resulted in improvement except for flexibility and endurance. The decrease of waist circumference was significantly correlated with serum testosterone level changes. AMS scale improvement was correlated with the changes of IPSS, cardiorespiratory fitness and agility. CONCLUSIONS: TRT improved hypogonadal and lower urinary tract symptoms. TRT also resulted in overall improvement in metabolic syndrome components, body composition and physical fitness. Testosterone increment and hypogonadal symptom improvement are correlated with waist circumference, cardiorespiratory fitness, and agility, respectively. Combined adjunctive exercise program that improve those parameters, might maximize the effect of TRT. Source of Funding: No conflict of interests © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e1147 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Tae Yong Park More articles by this author Dong Su Kim More articles by this author Jeong Kyun Yeo More articles by this author Min Gu Park More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Relationships of BMI, muscle-to-fat ratio, and handgrip strength-to-BMI ratio to physical fitness in Spanish children and adolescents

This study aimed to determine the relationship of body mass index (BMI), muscle-to-fat ratio (MFR), and handgrip strength-to-BMI ratio to physical fitness parameters in an active young population according to sex across four different time points. A total of 2256 Spanish children and adolescents (aged 5–18) from rural areas participating in an extracurricular sport in different municipal sports schools participated in this study. Participants were divided into children (5–10 years) and adolescents (11–18 years), boys and girls, and across four different time points (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021). Data on anthropometric measures (BMI, MFR, appendicular skeletal muscle mass) and physical fitness (handgrip strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and vertical jump) were collected. Boys who were overweight, but especially boys with obesity, had higher absolute handgrip strength in children and adolescents than their normal weight counterparts in 2020 and 2021. Boys and girls with normal weight presented higher cardiorespiratory fitness and vertical jump than their overweight and obese peers over the years. The MFR was directly correlated with the cardiorespiratory fitness and vertical jump variables, but not with handgrip strength, in boys and girls. The handgrip strength-to-BMI ratio in both sexes was positively correlated to the different physical fitness parameters. Conclusion: BMI, MFR, and handgrip strength-to-BMI can be used as health and physical fitness indicators in this population.What is Known:• BMI is the main indicator commonly used as a proxy for obesity for many years. Nevertheless, it cannot differentiate between fat mass and fat-free mass.• There are other indicators such as MFR and handgrip strength-to-BMI that might be more accurate and can serve to monitor the health and fitness of children and adolescents.What is New:• MFR showed a positive and significant correlation with cardiorespiratory fitness and vertical jump in both sexes. On the other hand, the handgrip strength-to-BMI presented a positive correlation with cardiorespiratory fitness, vertical jump, and handgrip strength.• The use of these indicators obtained through different parameters of body composition and physical fitness can serve as a tool to identify the relationships of the paediatric population with physical fitness.

Effect of 11 Weeks of Physical Exercise on Physical Fitness and Executive Functions in Children

The aim of our study was to evaluate and compare the effects of physical exercise interventions on physical fitness and executive functions in children. Six-year-old children participated in the study and were randomly divided into physical exercise group (PE group, n = 43) and control group (C group, n = 46). The children in the PE group participated in a physical exercise program for 45 min daily, four days a week for 11 weeks. The children in the C group continued with their usual routines. Then, all the children were tested before and after the experiment for body composition (height, weight, BMI), physical fitness (20-m shuttle run test, standing long jump test, grip strength test, 4 × 10 m shuttle run test and sit and reach tests), and executive functions test (animal go/no-go task, working memory span task, simple reaction test and flexible item selection task) before and after the 11-week period. The 11 weeks of physical exercise did not significantly affect the body composition of the children (p > 0.05). The physical fitness and executive functions test results showed that 11 weeks of physical exercise interventions improves physical fitness (cardiopulmonary fitness, muscle strength, speed sensitivity and flexibility quality) and executive functions parameters (inhibitory control, working memory, the reaction time, and cognitive flexibility) in children (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). 11 weeks of physical exercise can improve the physical fitness and executive functions of six-year-old children.

Validity and reliability of upper extremity star excursion balance test in adolescent swimmers

Background/ObjectivesUpper limb balance is one of the important physical fitness parameters for all populations, especially overhead athletes like swimmers. Upper extremity star excursion balance test (UESEBT) is a comprehensive dynamic balance assessment, this study aims to explore the reliability and validity of UESEBT among adolescent swimmers. MethodsThis cross-sectional study recruited 70 adolescent swimmers. All participants were required to complete UESEBT, upper quarter Y-balance test (UQYBT), maximal isometric strength (MIS) tests in upper limb, closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test (CKCUEST), trunk flexor endurance test (TFET) and lateral trunk endurance test (LTET). The intra- and inter-operator reliability and the correlation of UESEBT with other physical performances were conducted. ResultsFor reliability, the intra- and inter-operator reliability of all directions and composite score were high-to-excellent (ICC = 0.706−1.000) among all participants. For validity, the UESEBT has a moderate-to-strong correlation with UQYBT (r = 0.42−0.72, p < 0.001), and a weak-to moderate one with CKCUEST (r = 0.25−0.42, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the UESEBT performance showed weak-to-moderate correlations with MIS (r = 0.24−0.44, p < 0.05). UESEBT was correlated to LTET (r = 0.24−0.33, p < 0.05) whereas no relationship was found with TFET. ConclusionsUESEBT was a reliable and valid tool to screen upper extremity dynamic balance among adolescent swimmers. UESEBT provides more detailed information in eight directions to assess the upper limb sport performance. Further study should explore the prediction ability of UESEBT for injury.

New insights on the release and self-healing model of stimuli-sensitive liposomes

The mixing of conventional and pH-sensitive lipids was exploited to design novel stimuli-responsive liposomes (fliposomes) that could be used for smart drug delivery. We deeply investigated the structural properties of the fliposomes and revealed the mechanisms that are involved in a membrane transformation during a pH change. From ITC experiments we observed the existence of a slow process that was attributed to lipid layers arrangement with changing pH. Moreover, we determined for the first time the pKa value of the trigger-lipid in an aqueous milieu that is drastically different from the methanol-based values reported previously in the literature. Furthermore, we studied the release kinetics of encapsulated NaCl and proposed a novel model of release that involves the physical fitting parameters that could be extracted from the release curves fitting. We have obtained for the first time, the values of pores self-healing times and were able to trace their evolution with changing pH, temperature, the amount of lipid-trigger.

Changes in Physical Fitness Parameters in a Portuguese Sample of Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A One-Year Longitudinal Study.

Due to a worldwide response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many changes were imposed on individuals' daily lives, including those related to the physical activity of children and adolescents. The present study aims to comprehend the impact of early COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on Portuguese adolescents' physical fitness parameters during two school years. A total of 640 students from the 5th to the 12th grades participated in the longitudinal study. Data on body composition, aerobic fitness, speed, agility, lower and upper body strength, and flexibility were collected at three moments: 1. before the COVID-19 pandemic (December 2019); 2. after the COVID-19 lockdown when the schools reopened delivering in-person classes (October 2020), and 3. two months after the in-person classes started (December 2020). To analyze the overall changes between the three moments and between two age groups, we conducted repeated measure ANOVAs. The main findings indicate that participants' body composition (i.e., waist circumference) and aerobic fitness (i.e., maximal oxygen uptake) deteriorated after the first lockdown but improved two months after the in-person classes started. However, the same did not happen to neuromuscular fitness (i.e., horizontal Jumps and Sit and Reach). These findings suggest that the COVID-19 lockdown may have negatively impacted adolescents' physical fitness, particularly older adolescents. Altogether, data reinforce the importance of in-person classes and school context in promoting adolescents' physical health.

SOMATIC PARAMETERS AND PHYSICAL FITNESS LEVEL DETERMINATION BY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ATTITUDES OF SLOVAK UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Introduction: Regular whole life recreational movement activity plays irreplaceable role for increasing individual health and prolonging active life. From the point of the view the childhood and adolescent age are the decisive periods for performing physical activities and its integration into life of each man. University students are specific and numerous social groups. Hey are in critical age from the point of performing recreational activities and thus their physical fitness level can often decrease. In this contribution authors deal with relationships of physical activity attitudes with somatic and physical fitness parameters of Slovak universities students. Material and methods: In this research are involved 606 students, 344 males and 262 females from two Bratislava Universities (8 faculties). Attitudes were estimated by Lickert scale in three components (cognitive, emotional and tendency to act), from somatic parameters were measured body height and body weight, physical fitness was evaluated with reduced Eurofit and former Czechoslovak battery tests: sit and reach, standing broad jump, medicine ball throw, shuttle run 10x5m, sit-ups and endurance shuttle run. We have available students from the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports (FSPORT) and from 8 different faculties (not physical education and sport study orientation). Differences and relationships were evaluated by t-test and correlative coefficients; we used •p&lt;0.05, ••p&lt;0.01 significance level. Results: We found that there are not great differences between somatic parameters FSPORT and others faculties, both male and female. In physical fitness factors reached clear majority FSPORT students. In attitudes reached significantly higher levels FSPORT students in all three components, mainly in component tendency to act. Gender differences in attitudes were not very different. Components of attitudes relate to physical fitness level mostly in groups of other faculties students, more often among females. Conclusions: We proved that lower like average values in component tendency to act in other faculties courses often lack of physical activity and it influences also lower level of physical fitness. We suppose that entrance in FSPORT studies also means that attitudes components must reach relatively higher levels.

The Effectiveness of Wearable Devices in Non-Communicable Diseases to Manage Physical Activity and Nutrition: Where We Are?

Wearable devices are increasingly popular in clinical and non-clinical populations as a tool for exercise prescription, monitoring of daily physical activity and nutrition, and health-related parameters management. In this regard, smart devices not only assist people in pursuing a healthier lifestyle, but also provide a constant stream of physiological and metabolic data for management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Although the benefits of lifestyle-based interventions (exercise and nutrition) for NCDs are well known, the potential of wearable devices to promote healthy behaviors in clinical populations is still controversial. In this narrative review, we aimed to discuss the current application of wearable devices in NCDs, highlighting their role in prescribing and monitoring daily physical activity and dietary habits in the population living with chronic diseases. None of the studies considered specifically addressed the efficacy of the use of wearable devices, and limited are those that incorporate monitoring of both physical activity and nutrition for NCDs. However, there is evidence that such devices have helped improve physical activity levels, physical fitness, body composition, and metabolic and psychological parameters. Therefore, the authors believe that the benefits obtained from the use of wearable devices are likely to translate to public health and represent one of the important tools for the development of prevention plans in everyday life and clinical practice for optimal patient management.

Physiological demands and physical performance determinants of a new firefighting simulation test

: The study aimed to examine physiological responses of firefighters performing a firefighting simulation test (FST) and to determine the relationship between physical fitness parameters and FST performance. Aerobic fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and anaerobic capabilities were evaluated in 37 firefighters (21-profesionals and 16-volunteers firefighters). Furthermore, participants carried out the FST during which we measured performance, respiratory gas exchange, heart rate (HR), perceived exertion and blood lactate concentrations. Males were significantly faster than females for all tasks of the FST (p < 0.01); however, final performance score (16.5 ± 2.9 and 14.5 ± 2.6 points for males and females, respectively), HR (94.0 ± 2.0% and 93.7 ± 2.3% of HRmax) and perceived exertion (8.1 ± 0.9 and 7.1 ± 1.3) were not significantly different. Prediction of FST performance by LASSO regression revealed a model that included mainly aerobic capacity and maximal strength. In conclusion, FST challenged both aerobic and anaerobic energy metabolisms for both males and females and requires various physiological abilities to perform.

Comparison of the Effect of Dressage Rider Skill Level on Physical Fitness Parameters and Posture on an Equestrian Simulator.

In dressage riding, rider posture plays an important role in the performance of the exercises. The purpose of this study was to compare physical fitness and posture on an equestrian simulator between different competitive dressage rider skill levels. Participants (ten expert and twelve novice competitive dressage riders) performed a physiotherapeutic screening test and an equestrian simulator test. The expert rider group (G2) had less variability in both left (P=.002) and right (P=.021) rein force during medium canter on the simulator compared to the novice rider group (G1). The shoulder angle of the expert riders was larger in all gaits. These findings indicate that the ability to maintain a constant force on the reins and a dynamically stable hand position during riding on a simulator are important indicators for good rider performance. Expert riders presented a trend toward a more stable posture on the simulator as indicated by the reduced trunk variability (P=.034 vs. CV=0.011) and smaller trunk ROM (P=.012 vs. CV=0.011) and knee ROM (P=.033 vs. CV=0.011) in the collected canter and collected walk respectively. These kinematic differences underscore their capability of maintaining a continued and constant force on the reins, but these findings require further research. No significant differences were found between groups in the physiotherapeutic screening. This underlines the difficulty in identifying the physical factors contributing to better rider performance. In conclusion, the current study shows that "stable rein contact" is the main difference between novice and expert competitive dressage riders on the simulator.

Anthropometry, Body Composition, and Physical Fitness in Semi-Professional Soccer Players: Differences between Sexes and Playing Position

Performance in soccer has been associated with specific morphological characteristics. Few studies have simultaneously compared the relationships between physical fitness and body composition in both sexes. This study aimed (i) to analyze the differences in anthropometric parameters, body composition, and physical fitness between sexes and playing position in soccer players and (ii) to determine the relationship among anthropometric and body composition parameters to physical fitness parameters according to sex. A total of 50 soccer players (men: n = 26; women: n = 24), participated in the study. Assessments of nutritional intake, anthropometry, body composition, and physical fitness (isometric strength, maximal aerobic capacity, and vertical jump) were carried out. Differences between sexes were observed in all anthropometric and body composition parameters (p &lt; 0.001). There were differences between midfielders and forwards in fat percentage (p &lt; 0.05). Regarding physical condition, differences were found between sexes in all tests performed (p &lt; 0.001). In men soccer players, there were significant correlations between body composition and aerobic capacity (p &lt; 0.05), while in women soccer players, there were correlations with isometric strength tests (p &lt; 0.05). Anthropometry, body composition, and physical fitness differed between sexes. Fat percentages were different among playing positions. There were relationships between anthropometry and body composition with physical fitness. Knowledge of anthropometric and fitness characteristics by playing position and gender in soccer players could help develop specific training programs.