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PubMed1991

Withdrawal predictors among physical and performance characteristics of female competitive gymnasts.

Future drop-outs (n = 27) and continuing (n = 41) female competitive gymnasts were compared with respect to their physical, performance and injury characteristics measured through a large battery of tests completed while they were participants in competition. Included were anthropometric variables, body composition and somatotype, strength, flexibility, endurance, power, speed and balance measurements, and previous injury information. Differences were examined through t-tests and through discriminant analyses of principal components. The results indicate that the drop-outs were as a group distinguishable from the continuing gymnasts: they were significantly older, taller and heavier which may account for the finding that they were significantly stronger, more powerful and faster, and had greater endurance. They also had a slightly more linear/ectomorphic physique with less muscularity, and performed better on most flexibility tests. Only in a gymnastic-specific flexibility variable did the continuing gymnasts out-perform the drop-outs. It was concluded that it was mainly the age factor, and presumably the social and psychological factors associated with it, that distinguished the future drop-outs from the continuing gymnasts, and that factors related to the physical make-up and performance capacities of gymnasts cannot readily predict withdrawal from the sport.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sheldon's trunk index and the growth of the thoracic and lumbar trunk.

The trunk index (TI), a ratio of the area of the thoracic trunk to that of the lumbar trunk, is measured on a somatotype photograph marked according to defined criteria. Photographs of 82 boys from the Harpenden Growth Study were measured at ages 5 to 18 years, in an order that obscured which photographs were of the same boy at different ages. Remeasurement two months later of 12 boys at each of ages 5, 11, and 18 years showed retest correlations of 0.97 or higher for thoracic and lumbar areas separately and of about 0.95 for their ratio. When 57 boys aged 17 to 20 years were measured by another worker, their TI values correlated 0.90 with those used in this study. Inter-age correlations among the unedited TI values were approximately 0.9 between ages a year apart and declined as age differences increased. Correlations with values at age 18 increased from about 0.7 at age 5 to 0.9 by age 16. Editing was done by remeasuring all values that deviated by more than 0.05 TI units from a regression line based on each subject's total array of values. In the edited data, correlations with TI values at age 18 increased, ranging from 0.8 at age 5 to 0.95 by age 16. Mean TI was quite stable, ranging only between 1.45 and 1.51 for the whole age span, with the lowest values appearing from 11 to 14 years. In 43 of the 59 boys whose series allowed determination of peak height velocity (PHV), a 'TI dip' appeared: one to three TI values fell more than 0.05 TI units below the boy's overall regression line shortly before PHV. Distance and velocity curves are given for growth of the thoracic and lumbar trunk areas. Peak velocity of growth of the lumbar area occurred on average a little earlier than that for the thoracic area; the TI dip was in part a result of this. Alterations of fat distribution as seen by skinfolds probably also contributed. Judging by their individual regression lines, about 80% of the boys showed no more than chance variation from a horizontal slope, their TI neither increasing nor decreasing overall. An additional 10% appeared to show significant slopes only because their series started or ended too near their TI dips. The remaining 10% of boys appeared to show real changes in TI as they grew. Examples of the most extreme changes are shown.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Stability of anthroposcopic and anthropometric estimates of physique in Belgian boys followed longitudinally from 13 to 18 years of age.

The stability of physique determined by the anthroposcopic 'Atlas' technique and the anthropometric Health-Carter method was examined in a sample of 210 healthy Belgian schoolboys studied longitudinally at yearly intervals from 13 to 18 years of age. The two rating systems were also compared. Results indicate that components of the same type in the two methods do not measure the same underlying factors, particularly for mesomorphy (anthroposcopic technique) and the second component (Health-Carter method). The methods cannot be considered as equivalent. The stability analysis reveals that the 'athletic' component tends to be less stable than the other two components, especially in the anthroposcopic Sheldon technique. In general, however, the constancy of the three somatotype components is fairly high during the growth period considered.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The distribution of body fat from childhood to adulthood in a longitudinal study population.

Body fat distribution, its continuity from childhood (4-6 years) to 30 years of age, and its link to that of parents is described in a longitudinal study population. A computer-assisted image analysis technique was used to measure body fat distribution (as measured by waist and hip diameters) from somatotype photographs. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to assess the association between the waist/hip diameter ratio (WHDR) and the body mass index (BMI) at all ages and between the WHDR of parents and offspring. Both Pearson correlation coefficients and the Foulkes-Davis tracking index were used to assess tracking of the WHDR from childhood to age 30 years. Stepwise regression analyses were performed to determine the predictability of the WHDR at age 30 years from WHDRs in childhood and adolescence. Among both sexes the WHDR decreased and BMIs increased with age from childhood to 18 years, then both increased from age 18 to 30 years. The correlation between the WHDR and BMI was significant only at 30 years for males (r = 0.37; p < 0.05) and during all stages of adolescence in females (p < 0.05). Age-to-age correlations were high for both sexes (p < 0.0001), and remained significant over a span of up to 25 years. Using the Foulkes-Davis tracking index, tracking from the year of peak height velocity to 30 years (a span of approximately 20 years) was strong for both sexes. Parent and child WHDRs were correlated and differed by sex. Father-son correlations were not significant in childhood, but reached significance in early adolescence (2 years before the year of peak velocity) and remained significant to 30 years (p < 0.05). Mother-daughter correlations were significant at all ages (p < 0.05). The level of the WHDR at the peak of the pubertal growth spurt (year of peak height velocity) predicted up to 58% of the variance in males and 51% of the variance in females of the WHDR at 30 years. We conclude that the adult WHDR (a proxy for the waist/hip ratio) becomes evident by the year of the pubertal growth spurt in height.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1990

Diet and insulinlike growth factor I in relation to body composition in women with exercise-induced hypothalamic amenorrhea.

To assess the potential influence of diet and endogenous peptide anabolic hormone secretion on exercise-related differences in body composition, we compared levels of macronutrient intake, insulinlike growth factor I (IGF-I), and fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) in matched groups of exercising women with and without secondary hypothalamic amenorrhea. Women were tightly matched according to somatotype and grouped into those with exercise amenorrhea (EXam, n = 6), exercise eumennorhea (EXeu, n = 5), and sedentary eumennorheic controls (SED, n = 5). Although no between-group difference was observed in FFM, the EXeu subjects had a significantly lower fat fraction and a significantly elevated FFM/FM ratio. Kilocaloric and protein intakes did not differ between groups, but dietary fat intake was lowest and carbohydrate intake highest in the EXam subjects. Dietary macronutrients were not correlated with the FFM/FM ratio. However, levels of insulinlike growth factor I were significantly correlated to the FFM/FM ratio and there was a clear trend for the hormone to be highest in the EXeu subjects. We conclude that differences in body composition between exercising women with and without exercise-induced hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction were related to an alteration in IGF-I secretion, although differences in macronutrient intake might also be a factor. Further studies are warranted to elaborate upon the dietary and hormonal factors regulating the body composition response to exercise.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1985

Physical, psychological, social, and lifestyle differences among adolescents classified according to cigarette smoking intention status.

This study was conducted to determine the extent to which multiple physical, psychological, social, and lifestyle measures differ among high school males classified according to cigarette smoking intention status including nonintenders, mild intenders, and strong intenders. The Physical Performance Test for California, to measure six traits of physical fitness and Cattell's 16PF Questionnaire to assess manifold dimensions of personality were administered to 386 high school males. Self-concept was measured by Rosenberg's Self-esteem Scale and body build was assessed using Tucker's Perceived Somatotype Scale and the Body Mass Index. Data relative to marital status of parents, exercise experience, church attendance, participation in athletics, alcohol drinking habits, television viewing behavior, intention to attend college, dating behavior, as well as general demographic information and intention to smoke cigarettes were assessed by a written questionnaire. Results indicated that nonintenders were significantly more self-confident, intelligent, emotionally stable, moralistic, conservative, group oriented, self-controlled, relaxed, and more likely to respond in a socially desirable manner than were strong intenders. Nonintenders reported less dating, less television viewing, less alcohol consumption, and perceived themselves as and were determined to be less obese than strong intenders. Nonintenders also reported greater intentions to attend college, greater varsity athletic participation, were more likely to be residing with their natural mothers, and were more physically fit than were strong intenders. Possible health education and youth smoking prevention strategies are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Factors relating to the strength of male adolescents.

Factors relating to the strength of 53 postpubertal adolescent males have been examined. A strength index, composed of left and right handgrip and back strengths, was related to the following: anthropometric measurements and their derivatives; level of habitual activity; body shape as characterized by Heath-Carter and Sheldonian somatotype ratings; and anthropometric ratios. Strength was found to be positively related to all anthropometric measurements with the exception of skinfold thicknesses. When body weight was held constant, strength was positively related to arm circumference, bicondylar diameters of the humerus and femur, thigh volume, and biacromial diameter, and negatively related to percentage of fat. Strength was not related to the level of habitual activity. The relative contributions of overall body size and body shape to predictions of strength are approximately 57 and 47%. Measures of overall size appear to make no independent contribution to strength, beyond that contributed by limb segment volumes, or a combination of linear limb dimensions and measures of body shape.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Natural history of male psychological health, XIII: Who develops high blood pressure and who responds to treatment.

OBJECTIVE: This study was an effort to clarify both the psychological contributions to and the long-term consequences of uncomplicated essential hypertension. METHOD: The subjects were 193 healthy college students selected as sophomores and prospectively followed for over 50 years. Independent assessments of physical and mental health were made. RESULTS: Although objective indices of psychopathology predicted both physical morbidity and mortality, they did not predict hypertension. When pyknic somatotype, college diastolic blood pressure, and well-integrated personality in college were controlled, no other preadult variable predicted hypertension. As expected, heart disease, obesity, and alcohol abuse were each correlated with hypertension. After roughly 20 years, 14 of the 41 men with treated hypertension were in stable remission, and 13 men had developed cardiac complications. No differences between these groups could be discerned. CONCLUSIONS: Over time, hypertension appeared to be more a product of biological than of psychosomatic variables. Good psychological health did not diminish the risk of hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Physiological aspects of surfboard riding performance.

Surfboard riding (surfing) has experienced a 'boom' in participants and media attention over the last decade at both the recreational and the competitive level. However, despite its increasing global audience, little is known about physiological and other factors related to surfing performance. Time-motion analyses have demonstrated that surfing is an intermittent sport, with arm paddling and remaining stationary representing approximately 50% and 40% of the total time, respectively. Wave riding only accounts for 4-5% of the total time when surfing. It has been suggested that these percentages are influenced mainly by environmental factors. Competitive surfers display specific size attributes. Particularly, a mesomorphic somatotype and lower height and body mass compared with other matched-level aquatic athletes. Data available suggest that surfers possess a high level of aerobic fitness. Upper-body ergometry reveals that peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) values obtained in surfers are consistently higher than values reported for untrained subjects and comparable with those reported for other upper-body endurance-based athletes. Heart rate (HR) measurements during surfing practice have shown an average intensity between 75% and 85% of the mean HR values measured during a laboratory incremental arm paddling VO2peak test. Moreover, HR values, together with time-motion analysis, suggest that bouts of high-intensity exercise demanding both aerobic and anaerobic metabolism are intercalated with periods of moderate- and low-intensity activity soliciting aerobic metabolism. Minor injuries such as lacerations are the most common injuries in surfing. Overuse injuries in the shoulder, lower back and neck area are becoming more common and have been suggested to be associated with the repetitive arm stroke action during board paddling. Further research is needed in all areas of surfing performance in order to gain an understanding of the sport and eventually to bring surfing to the next level of performance.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2005

Preferred body type of fitness instructors among university students in exercise classes.

This study examined the relationship between participants' physique anxiety, eating behaviors, somatotype, and the preferred qualifications and body type of a fitness instructor. Subjects were 171 students attending fitness classes at a university. Analysis indicated that the women preferred a thinner fitness instructor than men and that enthusiasm, motivation, and being physically fit were considered the most important characteristics overall. No significant racial differences in key variables were found.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Body weight--a quantity integrated with the development of multidirectional signs characterizing the human body].

To assess the optimal development of the human body at different stages of postnatal ontogenesis, the body mass-volume index is proposed. This index, in contrast to body mass-height index, may be used in the studies aimed at the evaluation of human somatotypes. The quantitative characteristics of body mass variability obtained for the different age groups (from neonates to long-livers) provide general evidence that the body mass as a taxonomic species characteristic is a constant value that, however, possesses age, sex and individual differences.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

The contribution of anthropometric characteristics to performance scores in elite female gymnasts.

BACKGROUND: Aims of this study were: a) to identify anthropometric variables correlated with gymnastic performance, and b) to predict performance scores from a combination of anthropometric dimensions. METHODS EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: correlational analysis and a stepwise multiple regression were used. SETTING: Subjects were participants at the 24th World Championships Artistic Gymnastics, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, in 1987. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 168 female gymnasts (mean age: 16.5 +/- 1.8 years) were investigated. Each gymnast participated in all events. MEASURES: An extensive battery of anthropometric dimensions was taken on each athlete. The somatotype was estimated. Skeletal maturation of the hand-wrist was assessed. Competition scores for the four individual gymnastic events (balance beam, floor exercise, vault, uneven bars) and a composite score for each gymnast were the dependent variables. RESULTS: Moderately high, significant correlations (p < 0.01) were observed between skinfolds and endomorphy, and gymnastics performance scores, r varying from -0.38 to -0.60, for biceps skinfold and the score on balance beam, and for endomorphy and the total score, respectively. The correlations suggest that gymnasts with more subcutaneous fat and higher endomorphy have lower performance scores. About 32% to 45% of the variance in gymnastic performance scores could be explained by anthropometric dimensions and/or derived variables, but endomorphy and chronological age are the most important predictors. CONCLUSIONS: There is a relatively strong relationship between several anthropometric variables and gymnastic performance in a sample of elite female gymnasts, but the associations are not sufficiently high to predict performance scores on an individual basis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Investigation of anthropometric and work-rate profiles of elite South American international soccer players.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current investigation was to determine the movement profiles of elite South American soccer players during international competition and examine the relationship between anthropometric profile and work-rate variables. METHODS: Seventeen full-time professional soccer players were filmed while competing for their countries. Anthropometric profiles were obtained for eleven of these players. Six full-time professional players from the English Premier League were also filmed for comparative purposes. RESULTS: The South American international players covered significantly less (p<0.05) total distance during match-play than English Premier League players (International, 8638+/-1158 m; English Premier League, 10104+/-703 m). The total distance covered during the second half of the game was significantly reduced (p<0.05) compared to the first half distance for both groups of players (mean+/-SD first half 4605+/-625 m; mean+/-SD second half 4415+/-634 m). The data for both groups of players were combined to evaluate positional differences in the workrate profile. Midfield players covered a significantly greater (p<0.05) distance than forward players (midfield, 9826+/-1031 m; forwards, 7736+/-929 m) and defenders covered a greater (p<0.05) distance jogging backwards than forward players (defenders, 276+/-155 m; forwards, 68+/-25 m). Forwards sprinted a greater distance (p<0.05) than defensive players (defenders, 231+/-142 m; forwards, 557+/-142 m). Mean somatotype was a balanced mesomorph (2-5 1/2-2). Body mass and muscle mass was related to the total distance covered (r=0.43, r=0.53, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on these data, it seems that an individual's work-rate profile is dependent upon the type of competition and the playing position. Relationships between anthropometric profile and work-rate are complex due to the interaction between the variables that determine work-rate.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Comparisons of personality for selected groups of fifteen-year-old males.

Cattell's High School Personality Questionnaire and Gough's Adjective Checklist were administered to 73 15-yr.-old boys to compare personality for groups selected on the basis of extreme scores on maturation (skeletal development, age at achievement of peak height velocity), body type (body somatotype, body skinfolds), performance (body reaction time), strength, physical fitness and socioeconomic status. Multiple discriminant analyses indicated that the only significant difference in personality between groups was for early versus late maturers (skeletal development) on Cattell's scale. The personality scores for the remaining extreme groups did not differ on either of the scales, Cattell's or Gough's.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Somatometric characteristics of normal young children and children with endocrine pathology].

Somatometry and somatotyping was performed in 570 healthy children in the first childhood period, attending preschool institutions, and in 78 children with pathology (including 59 children with diabetes mellitus and 19 with thyroid pathology) undergoing clinical investigation and treatment in the Department of Endocrinology of Rostov-on-Don Scientific Research Institute of Obstetrics and Pediatrics. The results obtained revealed that thyroid hyperplasia was most frequent in children of micromuscular type with the average development of bone and adipose somatic components. Congenital hypothyroidism was prevalent in children of macrocorpulent type having the average and high bone mass parameters. In children with diabetes mellitus low values were found for the indices characterizing the degree of development of all anatomical somatic components.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1992

Effect of musculoskeletal development on the prediction of body density in females.

The purpose of this study was to determine if musculoskeletal development had a significant effect on the prediction of body density in females. Subjects consisted of 156 females aged 17 to 44 years. Subjects were divided into three groups on the basis of musculoskeletal development as determined by the Heath-Carter Anthropometric Somatotype mesomorphy rating. Anthropometric measurements included eight skinfold measures (tricep, subscapula, chest, midaxillary, abdomen, suprailiac, thigh, and calf), body diameters of the humerus and femur, and circumferences at five locations (waist, forearm, upper arm, calf, and gluteal). Residual lung volume was determined by the closed circuit oxygen dilution method prior to the measurement of body density by hydrostatic weighing. A regression equation was developed to predict body density from the sum of seven skinfolds, sum of seven skinfolds squared, age, and mesomorphy rating. A similar regression equation was developed using the sum of three skinfolds, sum of three skinfolds squared, and the other variables. Results indicated that mesomorphy rating did not contribute significantly to the prediction of body density in females. It was concluded that musculoskeletal development did not have a significant effect on the prediction of body density in females.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Influence of anthropometric parameters on the body composition measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis or DXA in children.

AIM: To investigate the influence of anthropometric measures (skinfold thicknesses, girths, lengths and breadths/lengths) on (1) the whole body impedance and impedance index and (2) the body fat mass measured by means of DXA in children. METHODS: Nine skinfolds, 13 girths, eight lengths and eight breadths/lengths were measured in 26 boys and 27 girls, 11-12 y of age. The somatotype components-endomorphy, mesomorphy and ectomorphy--were assessed according to the method of Carter and Heath. Body impedance at 50 kHz was measured (Multiscan 5000, Bodystat Ltd, UK) and impedance index (height2 / impedance) was calculated. Four body components-total body fat mass and separate hands, legs and trunk fat mass--were determined using DXA. RESULTS: Skinfold thicknesses did not influence body impedance or impedance index according to stepwise multiple regression analysis. Impedance index was influenced more by the girth measures than was body impedance. The leg length measures highly influenced the impedance index (50-81%, R2 x 100). Different breadth/length parameters influenced body impedance and body impedance index (21-49%). Mesomorphy influenced body impedance only in boys (35%). Body fat mass measured by DXA was highly dependent on the measured skinfold thicknesses (59-92%). The influence of lengths and breadths/lengths on the total fat mass was significant (25-49%). Endomorphy characterized total fat mass as 86% and 52% in boys and girls, respectively. CONCLUSION: Variation in anthropometry highly determined the variance observed in impedance in children, and the girths were the best predictors of impedance. Selected skinfold thicknesses highly predicted fat mass measured by DXA for total body, trunk, arms and legs.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1992

Epidemiology of spinal stenosis.

Although spinal stenosis has been recognized for nearly 190 years, no exact definition has yet been agreed on, a fact that has made incidence and prevalence studies all but impossible to interpret. The age at onset clearly correlates with the underlying pathomechanics. The disease appears to affect more men than women, except for degenerative spondylolisthesis, which affects more women. Occupation and somatotype do not appear to correlate with the development of symptomatic spinal stenosis. Although they are statistically more likely to have a smaller canal diameter, the black population does not seem to have a high incidence of symptomatic stenosis. Finally, although many syndromes have been reported to be associated with the development of spinal stenosis, the concomitant presence of degenerative changes appears to be a prerequisite to the development of symptomatic spinal stenosis.

Adult↗