Cross-calibration of a GE iDXA and Prodigy for total and regional body bone parameters: the importance of using cross-calibration equations for longitudinal monitoring after a system upgrade.

We aimed to determine if cross-calibration equations could be applied to convert GE Lunar Prodigy total and regional bone measurements to the GE iDXA model to support longitudinal monitoring of subjects. The cross-calibration group comprised 63 adults (age 45.1 [12.

In-vivo precision of the GE Lunar iDXA densitometer for the measurement of appendicular and trunk lean and fat mass.

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is considered to be a reference standard for the assessment of body composition, and one particular advantage is its provision of regional body composition parameters. The objective of this study was to determine the in vivo precision of the Lunar iDXA for the measurement of appendicular and trunk lean and fat mass in a heterogeneous group of adults (n=39; age 33.5 (8.

A cross-calibration study of the GE-Lunar iDXA and prodigy for the assessment of lumbar spine and total hip bone parameters via three statistical methods.

This study assessed agreement between the GE Lunar iDXA and Prodigy densitometers for bone measurements and used 3 statistical methods to derive cross-calibration equations: linear regression, the Deming method, and multivariate analysis. Compatibility of machines for the measurements of bone mineral density, bone mineral content, and bone area also was explored. Eighty-five adults, age: 45.

Cypriot and greek army military boot cushioning: ground reaction forces and subjective responses.

Lower limb injuries are a continual and serious issue for military personnel. Such injuries have been associated with the requirement to train in military boots (MBs) and might be offset with commercial insoles. In this study, ground reaction forces were measured in seven male participants wearing running shoes (RS), MBs commonly used by Cypriot and Greek Army personnel, and the MBs with two types of shock-absorbing insole.

Year 7 dietary intake: a comparison of two schools with middle-high socio-economic status.

Background: With an established, yet avoidable, link between dietary intake and poor health, the nutritional habits of adolescents remains a public health concern. Previous studies report an inverse relationship between dietary intake and socio-economic status (SES), although few studies have considered the influence of the SES gradient. The present study compared the nutritional profiles of neighbouring schools with pupils from middle to high economic backgrounds.

An individualized longitudinal approach to monitoring the dynamics of growth and fitness development in adolescent athletes.

This study evaluated the development of anthropometric and fitness characteristics of 3 individual adolescent junior rugby league players and compared their characteristics with a cross-sectional population matched by age and skill level. Cross-sectional anthropometric and fitness assessments were conducted on 1,172 players selected to the Rugby Football League's talent development program (i.e.

Considering maturation status and relative age in the longitudinal evaluation of junior rugby league players.

This study longitudinally evaluated whether maturation and relative age interact with time during adolescence to differentially affect the development of anthropometric and fitness characteristics in junior rugby league players. Anthropometric and fitness characteristics of 81 junior players selected into the UK Rugby Football League's talent identification and development process were assessed over three consecutive occasions (i.e.

A longitudinal evaluation of anthropometric and fitness characteristics in junior rugby league players considering playing position and selection level.

Objectives: The current study provided a longitudinal evaluation of the anthropometric and fitness characteristics in junior rugby league players across three annual-age categories (i.e., under 13s, 14s and 15s) considering playing position and selection level.

In vivo precision of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-derived hip structural analysis in adults.

Precision is integral to the monitoring of bone mineral density (BMD) change using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Hip structural analysis (HSA) is a relatively recent method of assessing cross-sectional geometrical strength from the 2-dimensional images produced by DXA scans. By performing serial scans, we evaluated the in vivo precision of DXA-derived HSA in adults using a GE Lunar iDXA absorptiometer (GE Medical Systems, Madison, WI) in males and females (n=42), mean age of 34.

The ethos of physical activity delivery in mental health: a narrative study of service user experiences.

Our research into the physical activity experiences of people with severe mental illness has led us to take seriously the social and cultural environment in which physical activity is delivered. In this study, through narrative methodology, we examine service user accounts of physical activity to illuminate the characteristics of physical activity groups that are experienced as positive, helpful, or beneficial. We present several qualities and show how effective leadership and coaching is central to these qualities being present.

Case study of a female ocean racer: prerace preparation and nutritional intake during the Vendée Globe 2008.

The Vendée Globe is a solo round-the-world sailing race without stopovers or assistance, a physically demanding challenge for which appropriate nutrition should maintain energy balance and ensure optimum performance. This is an account of prerace nutritional preparation with a professional and experienced female racer and assessment of daily nutritional intake (NI) during the race using a multimethod approach. A daily energy intake (EI) of 15.

Sexual dimorphism of femoral neck cross-sectional bone geometry in athletes and non-athletes: a hip structural analysis study.

The characterisation of bone geometry in male and female athletes may increase our understanding of how physical loading may enhance bone strength in both sexes. This study investigated sexual dimorphism in hip geometry of athletes and age- and sex-matched non-athletes. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry of the left proximal femur was performed in 62 male (n = 31; 30.

Reliability of a high-intensity endurance cycling test.

This study assessed the reproducibility of performance and selected metabolic variables during a variable high-intensity endurance cycling test. 8 trained male cyclists (age: 35.9 ± 7.

Gateway to doping? Supplement use in the context of preferred competitive situations, doping attitude, beliefs, and norms.

Nutritional supplement (NS) use is widespread in sport. This study applied an integrated social cognitive approach to examine doping attitudes, beliefs, and self-reported doping use behavior across NS users (n = 96) and nonusers (n = 116). Following ethical approval, 212 competitive athletes (age mean = 21.

Five-year follow-up investigation of bone mineral density by age in premenopausal elite-level long-distance runners.

Objective: To evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) by age in premenopausal elite long-distance runners at 2 time points, 5.02 ± 0.5 years apart.

The pre-adoption demographic and health profiles of men participating in a programme of men's health delivered in English Premier League football clubs.

Objectives: To investigate the pre-adoption demographic and health profiles of men participating in a programme of men's health delivered in English Premier League (EPL) football clubs.

Study Design: A series of match day and programmed health promotion interventions held in EPL clubs (n = 16), including awareness-raising activity days for supporters, weekly healthy lifestyle classes, and outreach activities targeted in local communities. Interventions were delivered at football stadia, club training venues and community facilities.

Benefit of adding lifestyle-related risk factors for prediction of cardiovascular death among cardiac patients.

Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of the addition of lifestyle related variables to the existing Framingham risk score (FRS) for predicting cardiovascular death in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Design: Survey analysis.

Methods: Participants were recruited from the Health Survey for England and Scottish Health Survey, both representative population-based studies sampling adults in each country.

Bone cross-sectional geometry in male runners, gymnasts, swimmers and non-athletic controls: a hip-structural analysis study.

Loading of the skeleton is important for the development of a functionally and mechanically appropriate bone structure, and can be achieved through impact exercise. Proximal femur cross-sectional geometry was assessed in the male athletes (n = 55) representing gymnastics, endurance running and swimming, and non-athletic controls (n = 22). Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (iDXA, GE Healthcare, UK) measurements of the total body (for body composition) and the left proximal femur were obtained.

Caffeine ingestion, affect and perceived exertion during prolonged cycling.

Caffeine's metabolic and performance effects have been widely reported. However, caffeine's effects on affective states during prolonged exercise are unknown. Therefore, this was examined in the present study.

Doping in sport: a review of medical practitioners' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs.

Background: Central to the work of many medical practitioners is the provision of pharmaceutical support for patients. Patients can include athletes who are subject to anti-doping rules and regulations which prohibit the use of certain substances in and out of competition. This paper examines the evidence on medical practitioners' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards doping in sport.

Using anthropometric and performance characteristics to predict selection in junior UK Rugby League players.

Research examining the factors influencing selection within talented junior Rugby League players is limited. The aims of this study were firstly to determine whether differences existed for anthropometric and performance characteristics between regional and national selection in high performance UK junior Rugby League players, and secondly to identify variables that discriminated between these selection levels. Regional representative (n=1172) selected junior players (aged 13-16 years) undertook an anthropometric and fitness testing battery with players split according to selection level (i.

Experiences of air travel in patients with chronic heart failure.

Aim: To conduct a survey in a representative cohort of ambulatory patients with stable, well managed chronic heart failure (CHF) to discover their experiences of air travel.

Methods: An expert panel including a cardiologist, an exercise scientist, and a psychologist developed a series of survey questions designed to elicit CHF patients' experiences of air travel (Appendix 1). The survey questions, information sheets and consent forms were posted out in a self-addressed envelope to 1293 CHF patients.

Prognostic significance of different measures of the ventilation-carbon dioxide relation in patients with suspected heart failure.

Aims: We studied the prognostic significance of the ventilatory equivalent of carbon dioxide production (VEqCO(2)) at different time-points of a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) in patients with suspected heart failure (HF).

Methods And Results: The VEqCO(2) was calculated at three different time-points; VEqCO(2) (rest) was calculated following 30 s of resting data immediately prior to the start of exercise; VEqCO(2) (nadir) was the lowest 30-s average over the duration of the test; VEqCO(2) (peak) was calculated using the mean value of the final 30 s of exercise. We included a healthy control group who had no evidence of cardiorespiratory disease.

Hydration status of rugby league players during home match play throughout the 2008 Super League season.

The hydration status of rugby league players during competitive home match play was assessed throughout the 2008 Super League season. Fourteen players from 2 Super League clubs were monitored (72 observations). On arrival, 2 h prior to kick off, following normal prematch routines, players' body mass were measured following a urine void.