Biological and environmental determinants of 12-minute run performance in youth.

Background: The 12-minute run is a commonly used indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness in youth. Variation in growth and maturity status as potential correlates of test performance has not been systematically addressed.

Aim: To evaluate biological and environmental determinants of 12-minute run performance in Portuguese youth aged 7-17 years.

Skeletal maturation, fundamental motor skills and motor coordination in children 7-10 years.

Relationships between skeletal maturation and fundamental motor skills and gross motor coordination were evaluated in 429 children (213 boys and 216 girls) 7-10 years. Skeletal age was assessed (Tanner-Whitehouse 2 method), and stature, body mass, motor coordination (Körperkoordinations Test für Kinder, KTK) and fundamental motor skills (Test of Gross Motor Development, TGMD-2) were measured. Relationships among chronological age, skeletal age (expressed as the standardised residual of skeletal age on chronological age) and body size and fundamental motor skills and motor coordination were analysed with hierarchical multiple regression.

Does ulnar variance change with age and what is the influence of training and biological characteristics in this change? A short-term longitudinal study in Portuguese artistic gymnasts.

Objective: To analyze the variability and longitudinal stress-related changes in ulnar variance (UV) in a group of immature artistic gymnasts. The relationship between UV and a group of biological and training variables was also investigated.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Internal social processes of discipline formation: the case of kinanthropometry.

In 1972, the term 'kinanthropometry', derived from the Greek words 'kinein' (to move), 'anthropos' (human) and 'metrein' (to measure), was launched in the international, Francophone journal Kinanthropologie by the Canadian William Ross and the Belgians, Marcel Hebbelinck, Bart Van Gheluwe and Marie-Louise Lemmens. The authors defined this neologism as 'the scientific discipline for the study of the size, shape, proportion, scope and composition of the human being and its gross motor functions'. Presenting a theoretical framework for the analysis of the internal social processes of discipline formation - derived from the social history-of-science tradition - this article critically examines whether kinanthropometry was indeed promoted and developed by its community members as a scientific discipline.

The left hand second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is not related to any physical fitness component in adolescent girls.

Introduction: The second to fourth-digit-ratio (2D:4D), a putative marker of prenatal androgen action and a sexually dimorphic trait, has been suggested to be related with fitness and sports performance, although results are not univocal. Most studies however focus on a single aspect of physical fitness or one sports discipline.

Methods: In this study the 2D:4D ratio of 178 adolescent girls (age 13.

Digit ratio (2D:4D) and competition level in world-class female gymnasts.

In this study the relationship between the digit ratio (2D:4D) and artistic gymnastics performance and competition level was investigated in a sample of Caucasian world-class female gymnasts (n = 145). The sample was divided into three competition events (compulsories, free work, final score). Within each event three performance groups (lowest, middle, and highest) were based on the competition scores gathered at the World Championships at Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in 1987.

The left hand second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) does not discriminate world-class female gymnasts from age matched sedentary girls.

Introduction: The second to fourth-digit-ratio (2D:4D), a putative marker of prenatal androgen action and a sexually dimorphic trait, has been suggested to be related with sports performance, although results are not univocal. If this relation exists, it is most likely to be detected by comparing extreme groups on the continuum of sports performance.

Methods: In this study the 2D:4D ratio of world-class elite female artistic gymnasts (n = 129), competing at the 1987 Rotterdam World-Championships was compared to the 2D:4D ratio of sedentary age-matched sedentary girls (n = 129), alongside with other anthropometric characteristics including other sexually dimorphic traits such as an androgyny index (Bayer & Bayley) and Heath-Carter somatotype components (endomorphy, mesomorphy, ectomorphy) using AN(C)OVA.

Short-term secular change in height, body mass and Tanner-Whitehouse 3 skeletal maturity of Madeira youth, Portugal.

Background: Secular trends in height and weight are reasonably well documented in Europe. Corresponding observations for skeletal maturation are lacking.

Aim: To assess secular trends in height, body mass and skeletal maturity of Portuguese children and adolescents and to provide updated reference values for skeletal maturity scores (SMSs).

Prediction of adult height in girls: the Beunen-Malina-Freitas method.

The purpose of this study was to validate and cross-validate the Beunen-Malina-Freitas method for non-invasive prediction of adult height in girls. A sample of 420 girls aged 10-15 years from the Madeira Growth Study were measured at yearly intervals and then 8 years later. Anthropometric dimensions (lengths, breadths, circumferences, and skinfolds) were measured; skeletal age was assessed using the Tanner-Whitehouse 3 method and menarcheal status (present or absent) was recorded.

Tracking of fatness during childhood, adolescence and young adulthood: a 7-year follow-up study in Madeira Island, Portugal.

Aims: Investigating tracking of fatness from childhood to adolescence, early adolescence to young adulthood and late adolescence to young adulthood.

Subjects And Methods: Participants from the Madeira Growth Study were followed during an average period of 7.2 years.

Changes in balance, functional performance and fall risk following whole body vibration training and vitamin D supplementation in institutionalized elderly women. A 6 month randomized controlled trial.

Falls in the elderly constitute a growing public health problem. This randomized controlled trial investigated the potential benefit of 6 months of whole body vibration (WBV) training and/or vitamin D supplementation on balance, functionality and estimated fall risk in institutionalized elderly women. A total of 113 women (mean age: 79.

Effect of different swim caps on the assessment of body volume and percentage body fat by air displacement plethysmography.

Isothermal air trapped in scalp hair generates an underestimation of body volume when it is measured by air displacement plethysmography. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of wearing different types of swim caps on the measurement of body volume and percentage body fat by air displacement plethysmography. It was hypothesized that wearing a silicone swim cap would more thoroughly compress scalp hair compared with a lycra swim cap, yielding higher estimates of body volume and percent body fat.

Bias in self-reported height and weight in preadolescents.

Objectives: To examine the validity of self-reported height and weight and factors related to misreporting in preadolescents. The accuracy of screening for underweight (thinness), overweight, and obesity using self-reported data was also tested.

Study Design: Self-reported height and weight was administered and then measured in 798 fourth graders age 8 to 11 years.

The effects of whole-body vibration training and vitamin D supplementation on muscle strength, muscle mass, and bone density in institutionalized elderly women: a 6-month randomized, controlled trial.

Sarcopenia and osteoporosis represent a growing public health problem. We studied the potential benefit of whole-body vibration (WBV) training given a conventional or a high dose of daily vitamin D supplementation in improving strength, muscle mass, and bone density in postmenopausal women. In a 2 × 2 factorial-design trial, 113 institutionalized elderly females aged over 70 years (mean age 79.

Cross-validation of the Beunen-Malina method to predict adult height.

The purpose of this study was to cross-validate the Beunen-Malina method for non-invasive prediction of adult height. Three hundred and eight boys aged 13, 14, 15 and 16 years from the Madeira Growth Study were observed at annual intervals in 1996, 1997 and 1998 and re-measured 7-8 years later. Height, sitting height and the triceps and subscapular skinfolds were measured; skeletal age was assessed using the Tanner-Whitehouse 2 method.

Timing of adolescent somatic maturity and midlife muscle function: a 34-yr follow-up.

Unlabelled: Midlife muscle function is associated with disability and premature mortality later in life. Biological maturity is associated with muscle function during growth; however, it is unknown whether biological maturity during adolescence is associated with muscle mass and function in middle-aged healthy men.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate if late maturation during adolescence is associated with better muscle function in middle-aged men.

Effects of whole body vibration training on cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength in older individuals (a 1-year randomised controlled trial).

Background: whole body vibration (WBV) training appears to be an efficient alternative for conventional resistance training in older individuals. So far, no data exist about the vibratory effect on cardiorespiratory fitness.

Objectives: this randomised controlled trial assessed the effects of 1-year WBV training on cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength in community-dwelling adults over the age of 60.

Genetic and environmental determination of tracking in subcutaneous fat distribution during adolescence.

Background: The distribution of fat and adipose tissue is an important predictor of disease risk. Variation in fat distribution during adolescence is correlated with fat distribution in adulthood.

Objective: The objective was to gain insight into the relative contribution of genes and environment to the stability of subcutaneous fat distribution from early adolescence into young adulthood.

Impact of whole-body vibration training versus fitness training on muscle strength and muscle mass in older men: a 1-year randomized controlled trial.

Background: This randomized controlled study investigated the effects of 1-year whole-body vibration (WBV) training on isometric and explosive muscle strength and muscle mass in community-dwelling men older than 60 years.

Methods: Muscle characteristics of the WBV group (n = 31, 67.3 +/- 0.

Covariance of isometric and dynamic arm contractions: multivariate genetic analysis.

The purpose of the present study was to examine genetic and environmental contributions to individual differences in maximal isometric, concentric and eccentric muscle strength and muscle cross-sectional area (MCSA) of the elbow flexors. A generality versus specificity hypothesis was explored to test whether the 4 strength variables share a genetic component or common factors in the environment or whether the genetic/environmental factors are specific for each strength variable. The 4 variables under study were measured in 25 monozygotic and 16 dizygotic male Caucasian twin pairs (22.

Socio-economic status, growth, physical activity and fitness: the Madeira Growth Study.

Background: Within a country social conditions change over time and these conditions vary from country to country. The associations between these conditions, somatic growth, physical activity and fitness reflect these changes.

Aim: The study documented variation in somatic growth, physical activity and fitness associated with socio-economic status (SES).

Methodological issues associated with longitudinal research: findings from the Leuven Longitudinal Study on Lifestyle, Fitness and Health (1969 - 2004).

Longitudinal studies provide unique opportunities but are also faced with several limitations. The purpose of this study was to document three of these issues ("imperfect" design, evolution of data collection methods, representativeness) by means of the Leuven Longitudinal Study on Lifestyle, Fitness and Health (LLSLFH). The LLSLFH (1969 - 2004) comprises observations on males between 12 and 18 years and at 30, 35, 40, and 47 years, and on females at 16 and 40 years.

Secular trends in anthropometric characteristics, physical fitness, physical activity, and biological maturation in Flemish adolescents between 1969 and 2005.

In this study, secular trends in anthropometric characteristics, physical fitness, physical activity, and biological maturity over the past 25-35 years in Flemish adolescents were investigated. Representative cross-sectional samples of 12-18-year-old secondary school children (11,899 assessments in boys in 1969-1974, 4,899 girls in 1979-1980, 1,429 boys and 1,772 girls in 2005) and parent-offspring pairs tested at approximately the same age during adolescence (55 father-son pairs, mean age fathers = 15.47 years, mean age sons = 15.

Effects of whole body vibration training on postural control in older individuals: a 1 year randomized controlled trial.

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of a 12 month whole body vibration training program on postural control in healthy older adults. Two hundred and twenty people were randomly assigned to a whole body vibration group (n=94), a fitness group (n=60) or a control group (n=66). The whole body vibration and fitness groups trained three times a week for 1 year.

Maturity offset in gymnasts: application of a prediction equation.

Purpose: To verify the applicability of the prediction equation for maturity offset in a sample of female gymnasts followed longitudinally through adolescence.

Methods: Fifteen gymnasts were followed longitudinally for 6-7 yr across adolescence. Weight, height, and sitting height were measured at annual intervals.