Competitive swimming is a sport in which "the need to succeed" is stressed and the desire to reach the optimal level of performance--physically, emotionally, and nutritionally is strong. This research sought to investigate whether there were differences in nutrient intakes, percent body fat, and body image between male and female swimmers and their non-athletic counterparts at Muncie Central High School in Muncie, Indiana.The accessible population for this study included those male and female athletes and non-athletes, ages 14 to 18, who attended Muncie Central High School during the 1989-1990 school year.The data indicated that athletes did not differ from non-athletes while males and females did differ significantly in significant differences in height between athletes and non-athletes, primarily due to the differences in the height of female athletes as males appeared to be similar, but female athletes were one-half inch taller, on the average, than female non-athletes. There were no significant differences between the weights of male between athletes and non-athletes,male non-athletes were and female athletes and non-athletes; however, male athletes were 13 lbs. lighter, on the average, than their male counterparts. There was a significant interaction, in percent body fat, significantly fatter than male athletes. There was a tendency for males to have lower scores on the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) than females, suggesting that males were at lower risks for disorders than females.These data suggest that nutrition education programs should be planned to ensure good diets for all students, athletes, and non-athletes. / Department of Home Economics

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only / School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Science

Age at the initiation of puberty and at menarche are key maturational indicators. They reflect health both within and between populations; in that a declining average age is associated with improving health, nutrition, and socio-economic conditions. Knowledge of the timing of pubertal development and menarche is important as earlier development within a population, in particular, has been linked with an increased risk of negative sequelae including overweight and obesity, development of risk factors for non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and insulin resistance, and engagement in risk behaviours such as early sexual debut and substance abuse. The main aims of this study were to investigate the timing of, and the early life factors (such as body composition and growth velocities) associated with pubertal development and age at menarche in Black and White urban South African adolescents. Mixed-longitudinal data (n = 401) from the Birth to Twenty (Bt20) birth-cohort study, initiated in 1990 and set in SowetoJohannesburg, South Africa were used. Median age at the initation of puberty and at menarche was derived by fitting logistic curves to cumulative frequency plots. Logistic regression models were constructed to examine the early life predictors of the timing of puberty and menarche. Data were also collected from adolescents and Bt20 staff (n = 72) using focus groups to explore views on the pubertal development questionnaire used in the Bt20 study. Median age at the initiation of genitalia development was 10.4 years (95% Cl = 8.4, 12.4) for Black boys and 9.8 years (95% Cl = 9.4, 10.2) for White boys. Median age for the initiation of pubic hair development for Black males was 10.8 years (95% Cl = 9.6, 12.0) compared to White males, which was 10.2 years (95% Cl = 8.4, 12.0). Median age at the initiation of breast development in Black females was 10.1 years (95% Cl = 9.3, 10.9) compared to White females which was 10.2 years (95% Cl = 8.2, 12.2). Median age for the initiation of pubic hair was 10.3 years (95% Cl = 9.3, 11.3) and 10.5 years (95% Cl = 8.7, 12.3) for Black and White girls, respectively. Results from logistic regression showed that a greater weight and height velocity in late childhood significantly increased the odds of achieving early breasU genitalia development. Furthermore, a low socio-economic status (SES) index at 9/10 years significantly reduced the odds of achieving early breasUgenitalia development. A greater weight, height, body mass index (BM I), and growth rate during infancy and childhood significantly increased the odds of achieving early pubic hair development. Median age at menarche for Black females was 12.4 years (95% Cl = 12.2, 12.6) and 12.5 . years (95% Cl = 11.7,13.3) for White females. Average menarcheal age for Black girls has declined by 0.56 years per decade and 0.32 years for White girls in South Africa, when comparing the current study findings with those from previous studies. Results from logistic regression showed that being taller, fatter and heavier in late childhood significantly increased the odds of achieving earlier menarche. The focus groups provided a range of opinions relating to the Bt20 pubertal development questionnaire and procedure. The majority of views were positive and included the ease of understanding and completion of the tool. Negative views revolved around the language used and privacy issues. These qualitative results provided a unique insight into the way in which pubertal development data are assessed and how these methods can potentially be improved to enhance the reliability and accuracy of pubertal development data collection. The results from this study provide the most recent estimates of age at the. initiation of puberty and age at menarche for urban Black and White South African adolescents. This is particularly important given the social, nutritional, and economic transition currently occurring in this country as these key maturity indicators reflect population health. This study has also added to our knowledge of the factors that are associated with pubertal development, showing that proximate rather than distal factors are the most sensitive indicators in this urban transitioning environment. In addition, the results from the focus groups provided a unique insight into how pubertal development data are assessed and how these methods could be improved. The negative health outcomes which have been associated with earlier pubertal development and age at menarche are major public health concerns, particularly in the South African context given the HIV/AIDS epidemic and rising levels of obesity. This study highlights the need for renewed research and resources for intervention strategies and policy programmes which target appropriate sex and obesity education in urban South African children.

The aim of feed formulation in aquaculture is to supply a suitable diet that provides nutritional requirements at relatively low cost. Carbohydrates are the most economic energy source for animals compared to protein and lipid; however, fish have limited capacity for dietary carbohydrate utilization. Trivalent chromium is an essential micronutrient for carbohydrate metabolism in vertebrates. The primary objective of this thesis was to enhance understanding of the effects of organic and inorganic forms of Cr on carbohydrate utilization, growth performance, gene expression and activity of specific key liver enzymes in carp Cyprinus carpio. In addition, effects of dietary Cr on body composition, Cr tissue content, blood cells DNA damage, and tissue histopathology (liver and gut) were evaluated. The first experiment (Chapter 3) tested levels of dietary Cr (0, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 mg Cr kg-1 as Cr chloride) to determine Cr requirement; the second experiment (Chapter 4) compared bioavailability of different forms of Cr (Cr chloride, Cr picolinate, and Cr yeast); and the third experiment (Chapter 5) evaluated different levels of Cr yeast (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg Cr kg-1) on utilization of a starch or dextrin-based diet. A Cr supplementation of 0.5 mg Cr kg-1 (regardless of form of Cr) produced highest growth performance; whereas 2.0 mg Cr kg-1 did not differ from control. The 0.5 mg Cr kg-1 also enabled carp to utilize complex carbohydrates (e.g., starch) and did not affect final body composition. Only 2.0 mg Cr kg-1 caused DNA damage in blood cells and tissue damage (liver and gut histopathology). Cr content in whole body increased with dietary Cr, but Cr did not affect hexokinase gene expression. Overall, results indicate that Cr can improve growth performance of carp and that Cr supplementation can enhance utilization of carbohydrates in fish feed.

Thirty-five volunteers were randomized and twenty-nine completed the study. Mean plasma and red blood cell (RBC) total DHA concentrations, which were analyzed among all participants as a measure of adherence, increased significantly in the DHA-enriched treatment compared to control oil-control flour. The plasma and RBC n-6: n-3 ratio was reduced after consumption of HOCODHA-control flour compared to control oil- control flour. The present study failed to see differences in body composition with the HOCODHA-barley flour treatment versus control oil-control flour treatment. In conclusion, significant increases in plasma EPA and DHA levels, as well as the omega-3 index, provide evidence supporting the cardioprotective effects of HOCODHA. The present study demonstrated that in the context of current Western macronutrient intakes, altering the dietary fatty acid composition and adding β-glucan had no major effect on body composition during the 28 days controlled dietary intervention. / February 2017

Background: In 2014, there were nearly 2 billon overweight people around the world. This causes excessive costs for the society and is also a threat to the human condition. In recent time, there has been an increase of understanding the individual parts of the body composition. One method to measure body composition is using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. The current recommendation is to measure during fasting conditions. However, there are few studies that have investigated a meal’s effect on body composition measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis, and those studies have presented varying results. If a bioelectrical impedance analyzer could be used without previous fasting, it would increase the use and utility of bioelectrical impedance analyzers. This could in turn, for example, reduce waiting lists in hospitals where bioelectrical impedance analyzers are used. Aim: The main aim of this study was to investigate a meal’s effect on body composition when measured with a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. The secondary aim was to investigate the correlation between skeletal muscle mass and hand grip strength when using a bioelectrical impedance analysis and a hand-held dynamometer respectively, during fasting conditions. Methods: In this present study, 27 subjects in the age of 21-59 years old participated. The subjects arrived at the laboratory in the morning during fasting conditions. Firstly, a bioelectrical impedance analyze and a hand grip strength test were completed. Thereafter, all subjects ate a meal containing at least 500 kcal. The following bioelectrical impedance analysis were completed 60, 90 and 120 minutes’ post meal intake. The data was then analyzed in SPSS version 20 through a paired T-test and a Pearson correlation test respectively. Results: The results showed that all body composition parameters investigated in this present study, except for minerals, not were statistically different 90 minutes after a meal intake containing at least 500 kcal, compared to the fasting condition, when measured with a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Furthermore, a moderate correlation was found between hand grip strength and skeletal muscle mass for women. The same correlation was found weak for men. Conclusion: The results from this present study indicates that it is possible to measure body composition with a bioelectrical impedance analyzer 90 minutes’ post meal intake, except for minerals. Also, it indicates that a hand grip strength test is not a valid test for measuring skeletal muscle mass.

Dance has attracted little scientific interest on the effects of physical fitness improvements on performance and injury severity, particularly with respect to contemporary dance. The main aims of the current work were: a) to observe the physical demands of dance performance; b) to develop a reliable dance-specific performance tool; c) to assess the association between selected physical fitness parameters and performance in contemporary dance by using a new reliable method (AC test); d) to assess selected physical fitness parameters in relation to injury severity in contemporary dance; e) to study the effects of increased fitness parameters on performance through a randomized controlled trial. A total of 50 performances, performed by 20 dancers, were monitored by using a portable accelerometers (SWA armbands) and heart rate monitors while 45 performances in DVDs were video analysed. Six dancers and two dance teachers were recruited to test a newly developed performance tool. A sample made of 41 dancers were recruited and assessed for aerobic fitness (DAFT), lower body muscular power (jump height test), upper body muscular endurance (press-ups test), flexibility (active and passive hip ROM), body composition (skinfolds), performance (n=17) and injury severity (n=16). In order to investigate the effects of the supplementary fitness training on performance, 24 of the total 41 dancers, were randomly assigned to either an intervention (n=12) or control (n=12) group. The intervention group undertook a specifically designed exercise-training programme (circuit and WBV training) lasting six weeks. Both groups were re-tested for physical fitness levels and performance at the end of the intervention period. Results revealed that performance intensities varied from light to moderate while these were observed with the use of pliés and jumps as well as lifting other dancers. Based on the seven most frequently used criteria by selected pre-professional contemporary dance institutions and companies, a novel performance tool (AC tool) was developed with an inter-rater reliability of r=0.96. There was a significant correlation between aesthetic competence (AC) scores and jump ability (r=0.55) and press-ups (r=0.55), respectively. Stepwise backward multiple regression analysis revealed that the best predictor of AC was press-ups (R2=0.30, p=0.03, 95% confidence intervals=0.11–1.34). Univariate analyses also revealed that the interaction of press-ups and jump ability improved the prediction power of AC (R2=0.44, p=0.004, 95% confidence intervals=0.009–0.04). Pearson’s correlation coefficients detected significant negative correlations between the mean score recorded for injury severity (expressed as TDO) and lower body muscular power (r=-0.66; p=0.014); backward regression analysis also revealed that, from all studied parameters, the strongest predictor of TDO was lower body muscular power (p=0.014). For the intervention group repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant increases (pre vs. post) in aerobic fitness (p<0.05), lower body muscular power (p<0.05), upper body muscular endurance (p<0.05) and performance (p<0.05). Linear regression analyses indicated that the only significant predictor of AC was aerobic capacity (F=7.641; p=0.03); the interaction of press-ups and aerobic capacity (F=6.297; p=0.036), and lower body muscular power with aerobic capacity (F=5.543; p=0.05) demonstrated an improved prediction power. These results show that the observed contemporary dance performance is an intermittent type of activity of moderate intensity. Given the reliability of the AC tool, it is concluded that upper body muscular endurance and jump ability best predict AC of contemporary dancers. Reduced lower body muscular power is associated with increased severity of injuries. Finally, supplementary exercise training significantly increases lower body muscular power, upper body muscular endurance and aerobic fitness, which in turn are beneficial to improve AC of contemporary dancers.

An energy balance model of human metabolism developed by Hall et al. is extended to compare body composition outcomes among standard and proposed obesity interventions. Standard interventions include a drastic diet or a drastic diet with endurance training. Outcomes for these interventions are typically poor in clinical studies. Proposed interventions include a gradual diet and the addition of resistance training to preserve lean mass and metabolic rate. We see that resistance training, regardless of dietary strategy, achieves these goals. Finally, we observe that the optimal obesity intervention for continued maintenance of a healthy body composition following a diet includes a combination of endurance and resistance training.

Title: Effect of 12 week intervention programme on selected components of body composition of seniors Objectives: The main objective of this thesis is to determine whether the 12 week intervention programme can positively affect the selected components of body composition of seniors. Methods: For the needs of this thesis the measurements of body composition by using bioimpedance methods was used in this thesis. The questionnaire was used for gathering needful information concerning the implementation of physical activity of quality of life. Based on the collected data the 12 week intervention programme was recommended to seniors. After 12 weeks the output measurement and comparison of input and output data was done. The changes of maximum hand grip measured by using hand-held digital dynamometer were observed. Results: In the term of 12 week intervention, this study has not show either significant changes in amount of free fat mass of seniors, who increased the weekly volume of physical activity or significant changes in the percentage of fat mass of individuals, who performed aerobic activity. The study proved significant decrease in ECM/BCM ratio of individuals, who have gone through the resistance exercise. In general, the tendency of qualitative improvement of body composition of seniors was...

Charles University in Prague Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Biological and Medical Sciences Student: Lucie Sehnalová Supervisor of master thesis: PharmDr. Miroslav Kovařík Ph.D. Title of master thesis: Determination of body composition by bioelectrical impedance method in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the top leading causes of death and its morbidity and mortality worldwide is still increasing. Besides the respiratory symptoms there are often developed alterations in metabolism and body composition in COPD patients. Clinically important are mainly malnutrition and skeletal muscle protein loss. Especially if the respiratory muscles are affected, the lung function is negatively influenced. The main aim of this study was to compare the body composition between 15 patients with COPD 3rd and 4th stage and 9 patients of control group without respiratory impairment and comparable anthropometric characteristics (age, body height and weight). By means of bioelectrical impedance analysis we determined the composition of main body compartments. In patients with COPD was the mean amount of lean tissue of body weight (rel LTM) 47.2 ± 8.4 %, amount of fat mass (rel Fat) 37.8 ± 6.4 % and mean overhydration (OH) 0.31...