The Effects of Smoking on the Diagnostic Characteristics of Metabolic Syndrome: A Review.

Metabolic syndrome is a growing epidemic that increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, and mortality. It is diagnosed by the presence of three or more of the following risk factors: 1) obesity, with an emphasis on central adiposity, 2) high blood pressure, 3) hyperglycemia, 4) dyslipidemia, with regard to reduced high-density lipoprotein concentrations, and 5) dyslipidemia, with regard to elevated triglycerides. Smoking is one lifestyle factor that can increase the risk for metabolic syndrome as it has been shown to exert negative effects on abdominal obesity, blood pressure, blood glucose concentrations, and blood lipid profiles.

Cigarette Smoking: An Accessory to the Development of Insulin Resistance.

Insulin resistance is a condition characterized by decreased sensitivity of a skeletal or adipose cell to insulin, resulting in decreased glucose uptake by the cell. This can lead to hyperinsulinemia and further reduce insulin sensitivity. Insulin resistance is one of the primary factors contributing to metabolic syndrome (MetS), causing elevated glucose and fatty acid concentrations in the blood.

Accuracy of Physical Self-Description Among Chronic Exercisers and Non-Exercisers.

This study addressed the role of chronic exercise to enhance physical self-description as measured by self-estimated percent body fat. Accuracy of physical self-description was determined in normal-weight, regularly exercising and non-exercising males with similar body mass index (BMI)'s and females with similar BMI's (n=42 males and 45 females of which 23 males and 23 females met criteria to be considered chronic exercisers). Statistical analyses were conducted to determine the degree of agreement between self-estimated percent body fat and actual laboratory measurements (hydrostatic weighing).

Effect of functional isometric squats on vertical jump in trained and untrained men.

Functional isometrics (FIs) combine dynamic and isometric muscle actions and may hyperstimulate the nervous system leading to an enhanced postactivation potentiation (PAP) and improved subsequent performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of an FI squat on the countermovement vertical jump (CMVJ) in resistance trained and untrained men. Thirteen trained men (age: 22.

Smoking and smoking cessation -- the relationship between cardiovascular disease and lipoprotein metabolism: a review.

Cigarette smoking is generally accepted as the most preventable cause of death in the United States today. Individuals who smoke experience a wide range of physiologic side effects that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including insulin resistance, elevated catecholamine levels which contribute to an elevated heart rate and blood pressure, and hypercholesterolemia. The link between hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular disease has been extensively researched and is undeniable.

Anabolic androgenic steroids: use and perceived use in nonathlete college students.

Objective: The authors investigated the use and perceived use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) among nonathlete college students.

Participants: The authors surveyed a sample of 485 nonathlete college students at a major metropolitan university.

Methods: They administered a survey on use and perceived use of AAS to the students.

Metabolic demands of "junkyard" training: pushing and pulling a motor vehicle.

Junkyard training involves heavy, cumbersome implements and nontraditional movement patterns for unique training of athletes. This study assessed the metabolic demands of pushing and pulling a 1,960-kg motor vehicle (MV) 400 m in an all-out maximal effort. Six male, strength-trained athletes (29 +/- 5 years; 89 +/- 12 kg) completed 3 sessions.

Cold exposure and exercise metabolism.

Research regarding the effect of cold exposure on metabolism and substrate utilisation during exercise has produced inconsistent results. Intensity of exercise and training status of subjects are known to impact metabolism and substrate utilisation regardless of environmental conditions. Duration and intensity of cold exposure during exercise also may exert impact.

Anabolic steroid usage in athletics: facts, fiction, and public relations.

Anecdotal evidence suggests the widespread usage of anabolic steroids among athletes (20-90%), particularly at the professional and elite amateur levels. In contrast, scientific studies indicate that usage is rare and no higher than 6%. Conclusions from scientific studies suggest that anabolic steroid usage declines progressively from high school to college and beyond; however, anecdotal evidence claims the opposite trend.

Acute exposure to environmental tobacco smoke reduces HDL-C and HDL2-C.

Background: Chronic environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure increases individuals risk of coronary artery disease by reducing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Currently, there is limited research on the acute effects of ETS on HDL-C. This study examined the acute influence of ETS on HDL-C and its subfractions.