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PubMed2005

Behavioral versus genetic correlates of lipoproteins and adiposity in identical twins discordant for exercise.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein and weight differences between vigorously active and sedentary monozygotic (MZ) twins were used to (1) estimate the effects of training while controlling for genotype and (2) estimate genetic concordance (ie, similarity) in the presence of divergent lifestyles. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-five pairs of MZ twins (25 male, 10 female) were recruited nationally who were discordant for vigorous exercise (running distances differed by > or =40 km in male and > or =32 km in female twins). The active twins ran an average (mean+/-SD) of 63.0+/-20.4 km/wk, whereas the mostly sedentary twins averaged 7.0+/-13.5 km/wk. The active twins had significantly lower body mass index (difference+/-SE, -2.12+/-0.57 kg/m2, P=0.0007) and significantly higher HDL cholesterol (0.14+/-0.04 mmol/L, P=0.004), HDL2 (2.71+/-1.04 U, P=0.01), and apolipoprotein (apo) A-I (0.10+/-0.03 g/L, P=0.004). Despite the difference in lifestyle, when adjusted for sex, the correlations between the discordant MZ twin pairs were significant (P<0.01) for HDL cholesterol (r=0.69), apoA-I (r=0.58), and HDL2 (r=0.67). There was no significant MZ twin correlation for body mass index (r=0.17). None of the active twins having an overweight twin were themselves overweight. CONCLUSIONS: Behavior (vigorous exercise) may reduce genetic influences on body mass index. In contrast, genetics (or shared environment) substantially influences HDL cholesterol and HDL subclasses, even in the presence of extreme behavioral differences. There may be greater individual control over moderate degrees of obesity, whereas low HDL cholesterol may be largely predetermined and less effectively treated by vigorous exercise.

Adiposity↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Patients receiving glutamine-supplemented intravenous feedings report an improvement in mood.

Nutritional effects have traditionally focused on outcomes, such as nitrogen balance, wound healing, or muscle strength. Little emphasis has been placed on how biochemical or physical improvements translate into functional changes as perceived by the patient. Because glutamine (GLN)-supplemented nutrition promotes protein synthesis and improves nitrogen balance, we assessed the mood of individuals participating in a randomized controlled blinded trial receiving GLN solutions. Patients (n = 23) undergoing marrow transplantation were randomized by the research pharmacist to receive either standard total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (control) or GLN-containing TPN (40 g of glutamine total). The solutions were isocaloric and isonitrogenous and were administered until the patient was eating 50% of estimated requirements. Before TPN and on admission to the hospital, the patient completed the Profile of Mood States questionnaire, a standardized test quantifying the degree of tension, depression, anger, vigor, fatigue, and confusion. The patient completed the questionnaire again at the end of TPN near discharge. The tests were scored and the change from baseline for each mood for both groups of patients was calculated at the completion of TPN. The scores for vigor in the control group (delta scores) decreased over the course of hospitalization as would be expected with a serious illness. The group receiving glutamine TPN, however, essentially showed little change in vigor from baseline and the delta score was significantly different from the control group (delta vigor score -0.85 +/- 2.1 in the glutamine group vs. -5.90 +/- 1.7 in the control group; p = .07).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Agreement between participant-rated and compendium-coded intensity of daily activities in a triethnic sample of women ages 40 years and older.

Participant-rated and compendium-coded intensity of daily physical activities were compared in 148 African American, 144 Native American, 51 non-Hispanic White women ages 40 to 91 years who completed 4 days of activity records. For compendium-coded intensity, reported activities were classified as light (< 3 metabolic equivalents [METS]), moderate (3-6 METS), or vigorous (> 6 METS) using the Compendium of Physical Activities (1), whereas these categories were self-assigned for participant-rated intensity. Minutes per day (min/d) spent in activities at each intensity level were computed. Relative to compendium-coded min/d, participants reported significantly greater time spent in light (+10 min/d; p < .01) and vigorous (+17 min/d; p < .001) activities, and less time spent in moderate activities (-27 min/d; p <.001). Similarly, compendium-coded estimates yielded higher rates ofparticipants meeting Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention-American College of Sports Medicine and Surgeon General recommendations than participant-rated estimates (11-18% differences) but substantially lower rates meeting American College of Sports Medicine vigorous recommendations (22% difference). Further, 247 greater kilocalories per day were estimated based on compendium-coded intensity. Kilocalories per day estimates based on compendium codings were more highly associated with pedometer counts than those based on participant ratings (p < .05). Studypatterns were generally seen across all sample subgroups. Discrepancies between participant and compendium estimates are likely to be most meaningful in studies estimating energy expenditure as it relates to health outcomes and in studies estimating vigorous activities.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2004

Validation of the RT3 triaxial accelerometer for the assessment of physical activity.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to assess and compare the validity of the RT3 accelerometer for the assessment of physical activity in boys and men, to compare RT3 and Tritrac accelerometer counts, and to determine count cut-off values for moderate (> or =3 < 6 METs) and vigorous (> or =6 METs) activity. METHODS: Nineteen boys (age: 9.5 +/- 0.8 yr) and 15 men (age: 20.7 +/- 1.4 yr) walked and ran on a treadmill, kicked a ball to and fro, played hopscotch, and sat quietly. An RT3 was worn on the right hip; boys also wore a Tritrac on the left hip. Oxygen consumption was expressed as a ratio of body mass raised to the power of 0.75 (S VO2). RESULTS: RT3 counts correlated significantly with S VO2 in boys (r = 0.87, P < 0.01) and men (r = 0.85, P < 0.01). However, during treadmill activities, RT3 counts were significantly higher for boys (P < 0.05). RT3 counts corresponding to "moderate" and "vigorous" activity were similar for boys and men for all activities (moderate = 970.2 for boys and 984.0 for men; vigorous = 2333.0 for boys and 2340.8 for men) but approximately 400 counts lower in men when only treadmill activities were considered. Tritrac counts correlated significantly with S VO2 in boys (r = 0.87, P < 0.01), but were significantly lower than RT3 counts across most activities (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The RT3 accelerometer is a good measure of physical activity for boys and men. However, moderate and vigorous intensity count thresholds differ for boys and men when the predominant activities are walking and running. RT3 counts are significantly higher than Tritrac counts for a number of activities. These findings have implications when comparing activity counts between studies using the different instruments.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Validation of the PDPAR as an adolescent diary: effect of accelerometer cut points.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the validity of the Previous Day Physical Activity Recall (PDPAR) as a physical activity diary in adolescents using two accelerometer intensity classifications. METHODS: One hundred eighth graders (47 boys, 53 girls) used the PDPAR as a daily diary and wore MTI accelerometers for four consecutive days. Measured time spent in moderate (> or = 3 METs) and vigorous (> or = 6 METs) activity was based on two published MTI cut-point limits (that of Freedson et al./Trost et al. and that of Puyau et al.). Spearman rank order correlations and Bland-Altman plots were used to examine agreement between MTI and PDPAR diary estimates of activity. RESULTS: MTI estimates of mean minutes per day of total moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were 65.2 (+/-43.2) using the Freedson et al./Trost et al. cutoffs and 17.5 (+/-18.5) using those of Puyau et al., while students self-reported 105.1 (+/-80.1) min.d(-1). Significant relationships were observed between the diary and MTI for total MVPA using either the Freedson et al./Trost et al. (r = 0.42) or Puyau et al. (r = 0.41) cutoff as well as raw counts (r = 0.44). Plots showed reasonable agreement between the diary and Freedson et al./Trost et al. MTI estimates of MVPA for daily totals of < or = 60 min, but the Puyau et al. estimates were consistently lower. Diaries overestimated activity as time increased when compared to either MTI cut point, especially on vigorous activity. CONCLUSIONS: Time estimates of MVPA differed by assessment tool, but diary estimates showed adequate association with the MTI. Diaries reflected intensity-specific activity, corresponding most closely with the Freedson et al./Trost et al. classification of moderate, but substantially overestimated vigorous activity regardless of cut-point method. This is likely due to the measurement characteristics of the PDPAR, which classifies activities in 30-min blocks, as well as the nature of common activities in which high levels of intensity are not sustained.

Acceleration↗
PubMed2005

Correlates of physical activity among pregnant women in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity recommendations for pregnant and nonpregnant women have been issued, but little data exist to compare the extent that these women are meeting the recommendation levels. METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional study using data from the 1994, 1996, 1998, and 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System evaluated the physical activity recommendations met by pregnant and nonpregnant women. The study population included women who were 18-44 yr of age. Random digit dialing, telephone surveys were used to assess all information. Pregnant and nonpregnant women were categorized into five mutually exclusive groups based upon their level of physical activity in the past month: vigorous activity (meeting guidelines) moderate activity (meeting guidelines), moderate or vigorous activity (not meeting guidelines), irregular activity, or no physical activity. RESULTS: Nonpregnant women were more likely than pregnant women to meet the vigorous or moderate physical activity recommendations. Walking was the most common activity among pregnant and nonpregnant women (52 and 45%, respectively). Pregnant women meeting the moderate or vigorous physical activity recommendations were more likely to be younger, nonhispanic white, more educated, not married, nonsmokers, and to have higher incomes. CONCLUSION: Many pregnant women do not appear to be meeting the physical activity recommendations. Healthcare providers should further encourage the promotion of physical activity during uncomplicated pregnancies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Associations of body size and composition with physical activity in adolescent girls.

PURPOSE: To examine whether components of body composition (size, fat mass, and fat-free mass) were related to physical activity. METHODS: A random sample of 60 eligible sixth grade girls at each of 36 schools (six schools per region and six regions in total sample); complete measurements on 1,553 girls. Physical activity was assessed over 6 d in each girl using an accelerometer, and body composition was assessed using a multiple regression equation using body mass index and triceps skinfold. Minutes of moderate-to-vigorous and vigorous physical activity were estimated from accelerometer counts per 30 s above threshold values determined from a previous study. RESULTS: Significant inverse relationships were found for all measures of body size and composition and all physical activity indices. The combination of fat and fat-free mass expressed as a weight and as an index (divided by height squared) along with race, SES, site, and school were most highly associated with physical activity in multiple regression analysis, accounting for 14-15% of the variance in physical activity. Fat mass was more closely related to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) than fat-free mass with higher standardized regression coefficients. CONCLUSION: We conclude that both fat mass or fat mass index as well as fat-free mass or fat-free mass index make independent contributions in association with physical activity levels. These indices are recommended for future studies.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2006

Effect of physical education and activity levels on academic achievement in children.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the effect of physical education class enrollment and physical activity on academic achievement in middle school children. METHODS: Participants were 214 sixth-grade students randomly assigned to physical education during either first or second semesters. Moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (number of 30-min time blocks) outside of school was assessed using the 3-d physical activity recall (3DPAR). The 3DPAR time blocks were converted to ordinal data with scores of 1 (no activity), 2 (some activity), or 3 (activity meeting Healthy People 2010 guidelines). Academic achievement was assessed using grades from four core academic classes and standardized test scores (Terra Nova percentiles). RESULTS: Grades were similar regardless of whether students were enrolled in physical education during first or second semesters. Physical education classes averaged only 19 min of MVPA. Students who either performed some or met Healthy People 2010 guidelines for vigorous activity had significantly higher grades (P < 0.05) than students who performed no vigorous activity in both semesters. Moderate physical activity did not affect grades. Standardized test scores were not significantly related to physical education class enrollment or physical activity levels. CONCLUSION: Although academic achievement was not significantly related to physical education enrollment, higher grades were associated with vigorous physical activity, particularly activity meeting recommended Healthy People 2010 levels.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMed2007

Discrepancies between methods of identifying objectively determined physical activity.

UNLABELLED: Current methods for validating physical activity (PA) questionnaires typically use accelerometers as objective measures for comparison with questionnaire responses and obtain low correlations or agreement. PURPOSE: We examined possible reasons for weak associations in validation studies by comparing published ActiGraph accelerometer intensity cut points with cut points based on intensity thresholds for heart rate response to PA. METHODS: Twelve adults (five men, seven women; age 31.0 +/- 14.3 yr) wore an ActiGraph accelerometer and a Polar Vantage NV heart watch simultaneously for seven consecutive days during their waking hours. We identified PA bouts from the minute-by-minute ActiGraph data using published accelerometer thresholds for defining moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA. We then compared PA bout intensities identified with these criteria with intensity classifications of the PA bouts using mean percent heart rate reserve (HRR). RESULTS: Most of the moderate-intensity PA bouts identified by the Freedson (78.3%), Swartz (88.0%), and Hendelman (94.7%) ActiGraph cut points were associated with a mean %HRR < 45% (very light and light intensities). The estimated mean frequency with which study participants engaged in moderate-intensity PA varied with the cut points and type of bouts used and ranged from 1.1 d.wk(-1) (45-60%HRR) to 7.0 d.wk(-1) (Hendelman cut points). The mean total duration on active days ranged from 17.9 min.d(-1)(45-60%HRR) to 139.2 min.d(-1) (Hendelman cut points). Fewer bouts of vigorous PA were found in the accelerometer data, and most were in the vigorous-intensity category of > or = 60%HRR. CONCLUSIONS: The method used for analyzing ActiGraph activity data can result in large differences in the summary measure of minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

How much activity do youth get? A quantitative review of heart-rate measured activity.

OBJECTIVE: Recommendations for adult physical activity have shifted from 20 to 60 minutes of continuous vigorous activity 3 to 5 times a week to accumulation of 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity most days of the week. Variations of these guidelines also have been suggested for children, based on the idea of accumulating moderate to vigorous physical activity throughout the day, rather than attaining vigorous physical activity in continuous blocks. The goal of this study was to assess accumulated amounts of physical activity at different intensities in children. METHODS: We reviewed 26 studies (n = 1883) in youth aged 3 to 17 years that used heart-rate recording to measure physical activity in children to determine accumulated daily activity. Included were studies that provided time being active for at least 2 heart rate intensities at or above 120 beats/minute. Descriptive characteristics of the study groups were determined, and the influence of age, gender, and hours and days of observation on the slope of activity time as a function of percentage of heart rate reserve (HRR) was determined using hierarchical linear regression. RESULTS: Youth attained 128.0 +/- 45.6, 47.1 +/- 14.9, 29.3 +/- 13.7, and 14.7 +/- 6.0 minutes/day between 20% to 40%, 40% to 50%, 50% to 60%, and greater than 60% HRR, respectively. Age was a significant predictor of the intercept and slope of the physical activity and %HRR relationship. CONCLUSION: Youth of all ages attain >60 minutes/day of low-intensity physical activity and approximately 30 minutes/day of activity at traditional cardiovascular fitness training levels of 50% or more of HRR. Recommendations for youth activity are discussed.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Kinematic changes during the cryopreservation of boar spermatozoa.

The present study evaluates the effect that various steps of a conventional cycle of cryopreservation have on the patterns of movement exhibited by boar spermatozoa. Sperm-rich ejaculate fractions collected from 24 mature fertile boars (1 ejaculate per boar) were cryopreserved following a standard freeze-thaw procedure with 0.5-mL plastic straws. Overall sperm motility and the individual kinematic parameters of motile spermatozoa (assessed by the computer-aided sperm analysis system Sperm Class Analyzer [SCA]) were recorded in 5 steps of the cryopreservation procedure. These steps were as follows: 1) at the time that the fresh semen was extended, 2) at 17 degrees C, after sperm concentration by centrifugation and re-extension of the pellet with lactose-egg yolk extender; 3) at 5 degrees C, after added freezing extender; 4) at the time that thawed semen was held in a water bath at 37 degrees C for 30 minutes; and 5) at the time that thawed semen was held in a water bath at 37 degrees C for 150 minutes. Data from individual motile spermatozoa, defined by 7 kinematic parameters (curvilinear velocity [VCL], straight-line velocity [VSL], average path velocity [VAP], linearity [LIN], straightness [STR], mean amplitude of lateral head displacement [ALH], and beat cross frequency [BCF]), were analyzed using a pattern analysis technique (PATN) to identify and quantify populations and subpopulations of motile sperm within the semen samples. After the first cluster analysis, 3 motile sperm populations (P) were identified (P1: progressive and/or vigorous cells [90.4%], P2: poorly progressive cells [8.3%], and P3: nonprogressive cells [1.3%]). These populations remained constant (P > .05) throughout the 5-step cryopreservation procedure. A second PATN was carried out within the P1 sperm population, which identified 3 sperm subpopulations (sP) (eg, sP1: cells with progressive and vigorous movement [58.7%], sP2: progressive cells only [24.6%], and sP3: vigorous cells only, hyperactive-like [16.7%]). Although the relative frequency of these 3 subpopulations varied among ejaculates (boars), there was no interaction with any cryopreservation step we examined. Whereas sP1 remained constant (P > .05), sP2 and sP3 varied significantly (P < .05) through the cryopreservation procedure, with the increase in sP3 after centrifugation at 17 degrees C and during cooling at 5 degrees C considered particularly relevant. In conclusion, the present study confirms the heterogeneity of sperm movement patterns in boar semen, patterns that vary through the cryopreservation procedure, especially after removal of the seminal plasma by centrifugation and subsequent extension at 17 degrees C and after the slow cooling at 5 degrees C, when obvious increases in hyperactivated movement appeared. The vast majority of spermatozoa, those exhibiting progressive and vigorous movement, remained constant during the cryopreservation procedure, although the proportion differed among boars.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Engagement and burnout: analysing their association patterns.

This study explored the negative patterns of association between Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization with the dimensions of Engagement, while it was hypothesized a positive link with Personal Accomplishment. The sample was composed by 112 Spanish human services professionals who work with mentally retarded people. The analysis showed moderate negative correlations among scores on Emotional Exhaustion and on all three Engagement scales (-.55 for Vigor; -.41 for Dedication; -.24 for Absorption), positive correlations among scores on Personal Accomplishment and Engagement dimensions (Vigor .57; Dedication .54; Absorption .50), and only significant correlations between scores on Depersonalization and Vigor (-.39) and on Dedication (-.22). The data obtained using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey did not support the hypothesis of stronger negative correlations between the measures, Emotional Exhaustion-Vigor and Depersonalization-Dedication, hypothesized in the conceptual model developed by Schaufeli, Salanova, González-Romá, and Bakker.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Effects of feeding supplemental fat to beef cows on cold tolerance in newborn calves.

Our objectives were to examine the effects of added fat in late-gestation cow diets on neonatal response to cold. In Exp. 1, pregnant fall-calving heifers received control (n = 5), safflower seed (n = 5), or whole cottonseed (n = 5) diets. The hay-based, isonitrogenous, and isocaloric diets, fed for 47 d prepartum, contained 1.5, 4.0, and 5.0% fat for control, safflower, and whole cottonseed diets, respectively. At calving, calf BW and vigor score, as well as fat, lactose, and IgG in colostrum were not affected (P > 0.30) by diet. Heifers fed the safflower diet tended to have greater colostral solids (P < 0.10) than heifers fed the control or whole cottonseed diets. At 6.5 h of age, calves were placed in a 5 degrees C cold room for 90 min. Calf vigor, shivering, body temperature, and blood samples were taken every 15 min. During cold stress, calf body temperature decreased 0.7 degrees C (P < 0.03). Across all diets, shivering and serum glucose concentrations increased (P < 0.05), whereas calf vigor and cortisol concentrations decreased (P < 0.02) during cold exposure. In Exp. 2, pregnant spring-calving cows (n = 98) received a control (n = 47) or whole cottonseed (n = 51) supplement. Hay-based diets fed for 68 d prepartum contained 2.0 and 5.0% fat for control and whole cottonseed diets, respectively. Calf BW, vigor, shivering, dystocia score, time to stand, time to nurse, serum glucose concentrations, and serum IgG were not affected (P > 0.50) by diet. Between 30 and 180 min, body temperature of calves from dams fed the whole cottonseed supplement decreased (P < 0.05) more than calves from dams fed the control supplement. Serum glucose concentrations in calves were not affected by diet (P > 0.30). Serum cortisol concentrations tended (P < 0.09) to be greater for calves from dams fed whole cottonseed than control calves. When ambient temperature was < 6 degrees C, calves born to dams fed whole cottonseed had greater (P < 0.05) BW, tended (P < 0.1) to stand earlier, and had greater serum IgG concentrations. We conclude that calves from dams fed high-fat diets containing safflower or whole cottonseed respond similarly to cold stress, but these responses may not be consistent with greater cold resistance. In addition, high-fat dietary supplementation of late-gestation cows may only be beneficial during calving seasons with prolonged cold weather.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2002

Current perspective on the cardiovascular effects of coxibs.

Aspirin and nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. In addition, aspirin is documented to reduce cardiovascular events in selected populations, presumably because of inhibition of platelet aggregation. Yet these drugs are not without toxicity, particularly adverse effects on the gastric mucosa. The gastrointestinal toxicity of nonselective NSAIDs and aspirin derives from the inhibition of the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme, COX-1, which synthesizes gastroprotective prostaglandins, while the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects are largely derived from inhibition of COX-2-derived prostaglandins. Available data indicate that the harmful gastric effects of nonselective NSAIDs are reduced by substitution of agents that only inhibit the COX-2 protein. The COX-2-selective inhibitors, however, have also been shown to inhibit the production of vascular prostacyclin, which has vasodilatory effects and inhibits platelet aggregation; unlike nonselective NSAIDs, they do not inhibit the production of thromboxane, an eicosanoid that promotes platelet aggregation. Whether these effects could potentially contribute to a prothrombotic environment is the subject of current, intensive debate. In the Vioxx Gastrointestinal Outcomes Research (VIGOR) trial, there was a higher incidence of cardiovascular thrombotic events in the rofecoxib- vs the naproxen-treated group: 1.67 vs 0.70 per 100 patient years. However, in a pooled analysis of rofecoxib studies, the risk of sustaining a thrombotic cardiovascular event was similar when comparing patients receiving rofecoxib with those receiving placebo, or when comparing patients receiving rofecoxib with those receiving nonnaproxen nonselective NSAIDs. These findings are likely to result, at least in part, from the antiplatelet action of naproxen, which has been shown to be potent and sustained during a typical dosing regimen (500 mg twice daily in VIGOR). In contrast, the other NSAID comparators effect weaker and/or nonsustained antiplatelet action. In the Celecoxib Long-term Arthritis Safety Study (CLASS) trial, there was no difference between celecoxib and the nonselective NSAIDs explored (which did not include naproxen) in cardiovascular event rates. Unlike those in VIGOR, patients in the CLASS trial were allowed to take low-dose aspirin. Thus, despite concerns raised by results of VIGOR, other existing data, including those pooled from existing placebo-controlled trials, do not support a clinically relevant prothrombotic effect of the COX-2 inhibitors. Additional placebo-controlled data, from patients at both high and low risk for cardiovascular events, are warranted to clarify the cardiovascular effects of this class of agents.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed1997

Intensity of physical activity related to incidence of hypertension and all-cause mortality: an epidemiological view.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity, obesity, and other personal characteristics predispose subjects to hypertension and premature mortality. We investigated the quantity and intensity of energy expenditure required to deter hypertension and to prevent premature death. METHODS: Harvard College alumni had returned questionnaires on their health habits and health status in the l960s, in 1977, and in 1988. We computed incidence rates of hypertension and all cause mortality rates, standardized for age and other confounding variables, according to specific physical activities and other personal characteristics during 1977-1988. RESULTS:We identified 885 cases of hypertension cases 6390 men during 72 544 man-years, and 2343 deaths among 14 786 men during 165 402 man-years. Moderately vigorous sports play led to a reduced risk of hypertension, but walking, stair climbing, and light sports play did not alter that risk. Being overweight, parental hypertension, alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking increased the risk of hypertension. A combination of these characteristics accounted for one-quarter to one-half of the cases among alumni. Both beginning moderately vigorous sports play and losing weight between the l960s and 1977 led to a lower incidence of hypertension. Sedentary living, especially the lack of moderately vigorous recreational activities, early parental mortality, cigarette smoking, hypertension, and preexisting chronic diseases predisposed subjects to premature death. CONCLUSION: The lack of moderately vigorous sports play, being overweight, and a parental history of hypertension independently increased the risk of developing hypertension, which itself was a strong predictor of premature death. The intensity of effort was more important than the quantity of energy output in deterring hypertension and preventing premature mortality.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Validity and reproducibility of a questionnaire on physical activity and non-activity for school children in Mexico City].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity and reproducibility of a self-reported questionnaire on physical activity and inactivity, developed for children aged 10-14 in Mexico City. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between May and December 1996, a self-reported physical activity and inactivity questionnaire was developed and applied twice to a sample of 114 students aged 10 to 14, from a low and middle income population of Mexico City. The children's mothers completed the same questionnaire, and two 24-hour recalls of physical activity were used for comparison. Statistical analysis consisted of central tendency and dispersion measures and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Correlations between hours per day spent in physical activity and inactivity from the children's questionnaire and the 24-hour recall data, were 0.03 for moderate activity, 0.15 for vigorous activity, and 0.51 (p = 0.001) for watching television, adjusted by age, gender, town, and illness prior to the administration of the questionnaire. Compared to the 24-hour recall data, the questionnaire overestimated the time spent watching television, reading or participating in vigorous activity, and underestimated the time engaged in moderate activity. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) six-month reproducibility values were observed for watching television (r = 0.53), sleeping (r = 0.40), moderate (r = 0.38), and vigorous activity (r = 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: Among children of Mexico City aged 10-14, the questionnaire showed acceptable validity in estimating the time watching television, and acceptable reproducibility of the time watching television, vigorous and moderate activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Characterization of pressor and visceromotor reflex responses to bladder distention in rats: sources of variability and effect of analgesics.

PURPOSE: We assessed the usefulness of cardiovascular and visceromotor responses to bladder distention as measures of acute visceral nociception in rats by determining the reliability of these responses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Halothane anesthetized male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were acutely instrumented with tracheal, jugular venous, carotid arterial and bladder cannulas. Wires were inserted into the abdominal musculature to enable myoelectrical activity measurement. Anesthesia was decreased until flexion reflexes were present. Repeat phasic and graded bladder distention was administered, and arterial blood pressure and abdominal electromyography activity were continuously monitored. We determined the effects of gender, vaginal smear estrous cycle stage and drug treatment on the measured responses. RESULTS: Bladder distention produced reliable pressor and visceromotor (abdominal contractile) responses. There was great inter-animal variability in response vigor but good reproducibility was noted within individual animals. During slow bladder filling bladder contractions were not noted at this level of anesthesia. Sex differences included a more vigorous reflex response in females than in males, which was most vigorous in females in proestrus. Repeat bladder distention led to increasingly vigorous pressor responses and the improved reliability of visceromotor responses. Intravenous morphine and lidocaine dose dependently inhibited the reflex responses. CONCLUSIONS: Pressor and visceromotor responses to bladder distention in halothane anesthetized rats are reliable measures of acute bladder nociception that may prove useful for analgesic screening and in studies of hormonal effects on nociception.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMedDate not supplied

COX-2 inhibitors and the cardiovascular system.

Cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors (coxibs) represent a new class of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that exhibit preference for inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the COX isoform thought to account largely for prostanoid formation in inflammation. We review the divergent incidence of cardiovascular events derived from the two large clinical trials of coxibs, the Vioxx Gastrointestinal Outcomes Research Trial (VIGOR) and the Celecoxib Long-term Arthritis Safety Study (CLASS), in the context of current understanding of relevant clinical and basic pharmacology. The incidence of cardiovascular events was higher in patients receiving rofecoxib than in those receiving naproxen in VIGOR and did not differ between the groups in CLASS. By contrast, while the primary gastrointestinal (GI) endpoint comparison favored rofecoxib in VIGOR, no significant difference in the incidence of the primary GI endpoint was evident between celecoxib and two NSAID comparators not attained in CLASS. The cardiovascular results in VIGOR may have resulted from chance, a cardioprotective effect of naproxen, or suppression of prostacyclin but not thromboxane on rofecoxib. Differences in cardiovascular outcome between the two trials may also have resulted either from chance, or from aspects of the trial design (such as the use of aspirin by roughly one-fifth of the participants in CLASS), or from differences in the COX-2 selectivity or other pharmacology of the coxibs. Individuals who warrant low-dose aspirin for cardioprotection may have less likelihood of a GI event if they combine aspirin with rofecoxib, rather than a traditional NSAID. However, evidence addressing directly this hypothesis is currently unavailable. On the other hand, coxib consumption alone does not currently warrant initiation of a cardioprotective regimen, such as low-dose aspirin.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗