Microhabitat use, daily activity pattern, and diet of Laurent, 1998 (Reptilia: Liolaemidae) in the Andean forests of Arequipa, Peru.

This study describes the microhabitat use, daily activity pattern, and diet of Laurent, 1998 in the El Simbral and Tuctumpaya forests in Arequipa, Peru. El Simbral is a fragmented forest, whereas Tuctumpaya is unfragmented. Our results reveal that shows no positive selection for any of the microhabitats we identified in forests; on the contrary, it selects negatively against trees and nonthorny bushes.

Objective and subjective measures of sleep in men with Muscular Dystrophy.

Purpose: Despite poor sleep quality being recognised in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, reports from milder forms of Muscular Dystrophy (MD), and accompanied associations with quality of life (QoL), pain and fatigue, remain limited however.

Methods: Adult males (n = 15 Beckers MD (BMD), n = 12 Limb-Girdle MD (LGMD), n = 12 Fascioscapulohumeral (FSHD), n = 14 non-MD (CTRL)) completed assessments of body composition (Bio-electrical impedance), sleep (7-day 24-hour tri-axial accelerometer, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index, QoL (SF36-v2), pain (Visual analogue scale), fatigue (Modified Fatigue Index Scale) and functional assessments (Brookes and Vignos).

Results: FSHD and BMD reported worse sleep than CTRL on the PSQI.

Quantitative assessment of sitting time in ambulant adults with Muscular Dystrophy.

Background: Current investigations into physical behaviour in Muscular Dystrophy (MD) have focussed largely on physical activity (PA). Negative health behaviours such as sedentary behaviour (Physical Behaviour) and sitting time (Posture Classification) are widely recognised to negatively influence health, but by contrast are poorly reported, yet could be easier behaviours to modify.

Methods: 14 ambulant men with MD and 12 healthy controls (CTRL) subjects completed 7-days of free-living with wrist-worn accelerometry, assessing physical behaviour (SB or PA) and Posture Classification (Sitting or Standing), presented at absolute (minutes) or relative (% Waking Hours).

12-Month changes of muscle strength, body composition and physical activity in adults with dystrophinopathies.

Purpose: Muscular dystrophy (MD) is an umbrella term for muscle wasting conditions, for which longitudinal changes in function and body composition are well established in children with Duchenne (DMD), however, changes in adults with DMD and Beckers (BMD), respectively, remain poorly reported. This study aims to assess 12-month changes in lower-limb strength, muscle size, body composition and physical activity in adults with Muscular Dystrophy (MD).

Methods: Adult males with Duchenne MD (DMD;  = 15) and Beckers MD (BMD;  = 12) were assessed at baseline and 12-months for body composition (Body fat and lean body mass (LBM)), Isometric maximal voluntary contraction (Knee-Extension (KEMVC) and Plantar-Flexion (PFMVC)) and physical activity (tri-axial accelerometry).

The Effects of Resistance Exercise Training on Strength and Functional Tasks in Adults With Limb-Girdle, Becker, and Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophies.

The inclusion of resistance training in the treatment and management of muscular dystrophy has previously been discouraged, based on mainly anecdotal evidence. There remains a lack of experimental investigation into resistance training in individuals with muscular dystrophy. The aim of the current study was therefore, to determine the effect of a 12-week resistance training programme on muscle strength and functional tasks in ambulatory adults with muscular dystrophy.

Impaired Glucose Tolerance in Adults with Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy.

The aim of this study was to determine the response to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in adult males with Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and to investigate whether body composition contributes to any variance in the glucose response. Twenty-eight adult males with dystrophinopathy (BMD, = 13; DMD, = 15) and 12 non-dystrophic controls, ingested 75 g oral anhydrous glucose solution. Fingertip capillary samples were assessed for glucose at 30-min intervals over 2-h post glucose ingestion.