The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of whole body vibration training (WBVT) as a modality for inducing changes in body composition and muscular strength in sedentary, overweight/obese post-menopausal women. The WBVT program was compared to other training regimens commonly used as weight loss strategies or to increase muscular strength. These training regimens were aerobic training (AT) and circuit resistance training (CT). The postmenopausal women (48 to 60 years of age) were randomly assigned to one of the following exercise training regimens: WBVT, CT or AT. Participants performed their training regimens three times per week for 8 weeks. The training regimens were progressive in nature with increases in training intensity and duration occurring throughout the 8-week period. Body composition and bone mineral density data were obtained by DEXA analyses. Upper and lower body strengths were determined by one repetition maximum (1-RM) chest press and leg press, respectively. A treadmill VO2peak test was performed to assess aerobic capacity. The following statistical analyses were performed: a 3 x 2 repeated measures ANOVA, with three levels of exercise modalities (WBVT, AT, and CT) and two levels of time (pre and post); one-way ANOVA on change scores; and, because sample size was small, non-parametric analyses. There were no significant effects of any of the training modalities for percent body fat, lean body mass, bone mineral density, or VO2peak. The 1-RM for lower body strength increased for all three training modalities. The 1-RM for upper body strength increased for the CT modality. The results indicate that 8 weeks of WBVT is as effective as CT and AT training regimens for increasing lower body strength in post-menopausal women. None of the 8-week training modalities influenced changes in body composition, bone mineral density, or VO2peak. / Kinesiology

No description available.

The effects of two hypocaloric diets on body weight (BW), percent body fat (%BF), lean body mass (LBM) and static muscular endurance were studied in college aged experienced male weightlifters for 7 days. Nineteen (X age = 20.6) volunteers were randomly assigned to one of three groups: control (n=5), High Protein/Moderate Carbohydrate - HP/MC (n=7) or Moderate Protein/High Carbohydrate - MP/HC (n=7). The two hypocaloric groups consumed 18 kcal/kg body weight for 7 days. The HP/MC group's diet contained 1.6 g/kg body weight/day of protein while the MP/HC group consumed 0.8 g/kg body weight/day of protein. Fat content of both diets was approximately equal so that carbohydrate content varied inversely with protein content. The control group was asked to follow a weight maintenance diet. All groups followed a similar supervised weight training regimen approximately 2 hours per day, six of the seven days of the study. Analysis of variance revealed that weight loss for the control group was not significant over the seven day experiment but that the two experimental groups showed a similar significant decrease in body weight of 3.6 kg for the HP/MC group and 4.0 kg for the MP/HC group. %BF of all subjects was significantly lower over the 7 day study using both skinfold measurements and hydrostatic weighing but there was no significant difference between the groups. LBM losses calculated from skinfold measurements were seen over time for all subjects and a significant interaction showed the 2 experimental groups to lose significantly more LBM over the 7 day study. LBM determined from hydrostatic weighing produced losses as well, but no differences were noted between the groups. All groups experienced quadricep endurance decrements over the 7 day study, but did not differ from each other. No significant changes were found for bicep endurance. It was concluded that neither the HP/MC diet nor the MP/HC diet was effective for maintaining LBM or quadricep endurance. However, both diets did produce significant losses in BW and %BF over the week long study. / M.S.

This study compared chemical, physical and sensorial properties of wild and farmed fish. Farmed yellow perch fillets showed higher lipid contents (2.78% vs. 1.39%); softer texture (0.41 J/g vs. 0.53 J/g); whiter color (higher L* and lower b* values); different fatty acid profile (higher n-3/n-6 ratio), and mineral composition, when compared to their wild counterparts. Similar amino acid profiles and flavor were found between treatments. Dietary protein by itself influenced color and flavor of yellow perch fillets. Yellow perch fed the highest protein concentrations exhibited higher b* (yellow) values and overall flavor was significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) between fish fed a 45% and 55% crude protein (CP) diet. A 12-week feeding trial determined that southern flounder protein requirement to achieve maximum weight was around 50% CP. Farmed southern flounder were found to be higher in lipid content (3.04 % vs. 1.61%), softer (0.24 J/g vs. 0/33 J/g), different in color (lower a* [green to red]), mineral, fatty acid composition (higher n-3/n-6 ratio) and flavor, than wild. The effect of a crab meal-supplemented diet, on flavor and body composition of flounder was analyzed. The inclusion of crab meal as a flavor enhancer affected the flavor and also influenced color of the fillets (lower L* [lightness] and higher b* values). Wild, farmed and growth-enhanced transgenic coho salmon (market-size) were compared, regarding their body composition and nutritional value. All treatments showed highest lipid levels in the ventral frontal sections and lowest in the tail (p ≤ 0.05). Overall wild fish showed lower lipid levels and firmer values in the tail sections (p ≤ 0.05). The insertion of the growth hormone gene affected lipid deposition, texture and color, since transgenic fish showed firmer texture than farmed and similar lipid contents even when fed a high-energy diet. L*, a* and b* values were similar for wild and transgenic coho in most of the body zones. Fillet mineral and amino acid profiles were similar across all groups. No differences were observed in flavor between farmed and wild coho, while panelists preferred the appearance of farmed, when compared to transgenic coho. / Ph. D.

Yes / In this study the effects of photoperiod and diet, and their interaction, were examined for their effects on growth and body composition in juvenile F344 rats over a 4-week period. On long (16L:8D), relative to short (8L:16D), photoperiod food intake and growth rate were increased, but percentage adiposity remained constant (ca 3-4%). On a high fat diet (HFD), containing 22.8% fat (45% energy as fat), food intake was reduced, but energy intake increased on both photoperiods. This led to a small increase in adiposity (up to 10%) without overt change in body weight. These changes were also reflected in plasma leptin and lipid levels. Importantly while both lean and adipose tissue were strongly regulated by photoperiod on a chow diet, this regulation was lost for adipose, but not lean tissue, on HFD. This implies that a primary effect of photoperiod is the regulation of growth and lean mass accretion. Consistent with this both hypothalamic GHRH gene expression and serum IGF-1 levels were photoperiod dependent. As for other animals and humans, there was evidence of central hyposomatotropism in response to obesity, as GHRH gene expression was suppressed by the HFD. Gene expression of hypothalamic AgRP and CRH, but not NPY nor POMC, accorded with the energy balance status on long and short photoperiod. However, there was a general dissociation between plasma leptin levels and expression of these hypothalamic energy balance genes. Similarly there was no interaction between the HFD and photoperiod at the level of the genes involved in thyroid hormone metabolism (Dio2, Dio3, TSHβ or NMU), which are important mediators of the photoperiodic response. These data suggest that photoperiod and HFD influence body weight and body composition through independent mechanisms but in each case the role of the hypothalamic energy balance genes is not predictable based on their known function. / Scottish Government (Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division, http://www.scotland.gov.uk/), AWR LR LMT PJM and the BBSRC, (http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/home/home.aspx, grant BB/K001043/1), AWR GH PJM

<p dir="ltr">The production cycle of lactating dairy cattle consists of physiological adaptations and changes in body tissue reserves as energy and protein requirements shift and may not be able to be met by feed intake. Tissue reserves are mobilized in early lactation and accreted thereafter, which can be used as a pool of labile amino acids and energetic substrates used at the beginning of the subsequent lactation. Nutritional strategies can be employed to mitigate extensive tissue loss and gain as a management tool to enhance dairy performance. The first study's objective was to evaluate the effects of high oleic soybean oil (HOSO) supplementation on milk production, body composition, and apparent total tract digestibility variables. A cross-over design with 21-d periods was employed with thirty Holstein cows (n = 16 primiparous, n = 14 multiparous at 87 ± 26 DIM at start of trial). Treatments consisted of a control (CON) with no added soybean oil and a HOSO diet with 1.5% diet dry matter (DM) of high oleic soybean oil added. Milk production and DM were collected on the last 7 d of each period. Body weights (BW), milk, and fecal samples were collected on the last 3 d of each period. Ultrasound scans of the <i>longissimus dorsi </i>muscle and body condition scores (BCS) were collected on the last d of each period. Dry matter intake, milk production, and milk component yields were not impacted by HOSO supplementation, although milk fat concentration tended to be greater for HOSO cows. A treatment by parity interaction and treatment by parity tendency were observed for BCS and BW, respectively, with multiparous HOSO cows having increased BCS and BW compared to CON with no effect on primiparous cows. Compared with CON, HOSO increased backfat depth (BFD) by 0.44 mm as well as apparent total tract fat digestibility by 12 percentage units with no differences observed in muscle<i> </i>depth. The second study’s objective was to evaluate changes in <i>longissimus dorsi </i>depth and its impact on production parameters in cows with two muscle phenotypes. Forty multiparous dairy cows were categorized into two muscle phenotype groups of high muscle (HM; n = 18) and low muscle (LM; n = 22) as determined by <i>longissimus dorsi </i>depth immediately after parturition. Ultrasound images of the <i>longissimus dorsi </i>and body weights were collected monthly from 0 to 300 DIM. Blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vessels on d 7, 150, and 300 and analyzed for 3-methylhistidine (3-MH), creatinine, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and insulin. Milk weight data was collected daily using AfiFarm and milk components were collected from monthly DHIA test day data. Neither BW nor BFD were different between HM and LM cows at any timepoint, although, a DIM effect was observed. Cows lost BW from 0 to 60 DIM and BFD from 0 to 90 DIM and began increasing thereafter until 300 DIM. A muscle group by DIM interaction was observed where HM cows had more <i>longissimus dorsi </i>depth (LDD) at 0 and 300 DIM and tended to have more at 60 DIM compared to LM cows, with no differences at any other timepoint. In both muscle groups, LDD was decreased from 0 to 60 DIM but substantial LDD accretion did not occur until 240 DIM. No differences were observed between muscle groups for blood analytes; however, significant DIM effects were observed and corresponded to the observed changes in body tissue reserves. Daily milk production was grouped by stage of lactation with DIM groups consisting of early lactation from 0 to 60 DIM, mid-lactation from 60-240 DIM, and late lactation from 240 to 300 DIM. There was a muscle group by DIM group interaction for daily milk yield as HM cows produced more milk/d in early and mid-lactation but produced less milk in late lactation compared to LM cows. The results of these studies indicate that oleic acid can be supplemented to lactating dairy cattle to increase adipose tissue reserves with no effect on muscle reserves. This could potentially be caused by the lack of muscle accretion throughout mid-lactation whereas adipose tissue is gained. These results also describe that nutrition and muscle phenotype play a role in body composition throughout lactation.</p>

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / As the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps looks for efficiencies in Force End Strength Management and improvement to Sailor and Marine quality of life, Semper Fit may provide some answers. This research specifically focuses on the Marine Corps Body Composition Program (BCP) and Remedial Physical Conditioning Program (RPCP). The purpose is to qualitatively analyze a program for Marines who are overfat or on remedial physical training (PT) programs, focusing on the feasibility of Marines obtaining professional assistance from Semper Fit. The scope of this research evaluates existing programs and analyzes their beneficial affects in improving retention and attrition of RPCP Marines. The research shows that Semper Fit professionals would provide overfat and poorly conditioned Marines by USMC standards a consistent program through mandatory training in health, nutrition, and fitness. Semper Fit would directly support unit commanders with classes in nutrition, health, and fitness tailored for each RPCP Marine. Furthermore, this study validates the newly established Department of Defense Physical Readiness Test Standards recently adapted by the Department of the Navy as highly accurate. This study recommends the Marine Corps further expand Semper Fits role in support of the Marine and unit commander. / Captain, United States Marine Corps

INTRODUCTION - Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) has a known relationship with obesity and more specifically with central obesity. Traditionally the physiological contribution of PAI-1 is seen as an indicator of fibrinolysis with increased PAI-1 levels contributing to decreased fibrinolysis. In more recent years, assays have been developed that not only uses proxy markers, such as PA-1, which is considered to be representative of fibrinolysis , but global assays that report on the global fibrinolytic potential of an individual, often reported as clot lysis time (CLT). Investigations into the relationship of CLT with obesity are scarce. Preliminary evidence shows that the relationship of CLT with obesity may differ from that of PAI-1 with obesity although in depth investigations in this regard are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between fibrinolysis markers (PAI-1act and CLT) and various markers of body composition in the South African Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) data collected during 2010. METHODS - Data collected in the PURE study in 2010 were cross-sectionally analysed. The participants (n = 1288) were apparently healthy black South-African men and women 35 years and older, residing in urban and rural settlements in the North-West Province. Experimental methods included anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, hip circumference, waist circumference, skinfolds (triceps, chest, abdominal, thigh and supra iliac skinfolds) and body composition measurements by means of air-displacement plethysmography and biolelectrical impedance analysis. Laboratory analysis of fibrinolysis markers, PAI-1act and CLT were also performed. MAIN FINDINGS - In men, similarities were seen regarding the relationship between PAI-1act and body composition markers and the relationships observed between CLT and body composition markers. In contrast, in the women more and stronger associations were observed between CLT and body composition markers compared to that observed between PAI-1act and body composition markers. CLT showed a linear relationship with body composition markers where PAI-1act levels plateaued at higher body composition categories. Possible reasons for the observed differences may be related to differences in adipose tissue distribution and sequence of accumulation between men and women. PAI-1 is associated with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) where high amounts of stromal cells are found. In men preferential accumulation of VAT may explain similarities in the relationship of PAI-1act with body composition and that of CLT with body composition. Proportionally less VAT, but more subcutaneous adipose tissue in women may explain the observed increase in CLT compared to PAI-1act levels that plateaued over body composition tertiles and categories. CONCLUSION - PAI-1act has a stronger association with central obesity while CLT has a stronger association with total body fat. In women PAI-1act and CLT showed different associations with body composition markers, whereas associations of PAI-1act and CLT with body composition were similar in men. PAI-1act is strongly influenced by type of body fat accumulation whereas CLT is associated with obesity independent of type and sequence of body fact accumulation. Significant associations observed between CLT and body composition variables are, therefore, at least in part, independent of PAI-1act. Additional factors such as, thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), α-2-antiplasmin, plasminogen, prothrombin and fibrin clot structure that influence CLT and are also related to obesity may additionally contribute to the link between CLT and obesity. / MSc (Dietetics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

INTRODUCTION - Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) has a known relationship with obesity and more specifically with central obesity. Traditionally the physiological contribution of PAI-1 is seen as an indicator of fibrinolysis with increased PAI-1 levels contributing to decreased fibrinolysis. In more recent years, assays have been developed that not only uses proxy markers, such as PA-1, which is considered to be representative of fibrinolysis , but global assays that report on the global fibrinolytic potential of an individual, often reported as clot lysis time (CLT). Investigations into the relationship of CLT with obesity are scarce. Preliminary evidence shows that the relationship of CLT with obesity may differ from that of PAI-1 with obesity although in depth investigations in this regard are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between fibrinolysis markers (PAI-1act and CLT) and various markers of body composition in the South African Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) data collected during 2010. METHODS - Data collected in the PURE study in 2010 were cross-sectionally analysed. The participants (n = 1288) were apparently healthy black South-African men and women 35 years and older, residing in urban and rural settlements in the North-West Province. Experimental methods included anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, hip circumference, waist circumference, skinfolds (triceps, chest, abdominal, thigh and supra iliac skinfolds) and body composition measurements by means of air-displacement plethysmography and biolelectrical impedance analysis. Laboratory analysis of fibrinolysis markers, PAI-1act and CLT were also performed. MAIN FINDINGS - In men, similarities were seen regarding the relationship between PAI-1act and body composition markers and the relationships observed between CLT and body composition markers. In contrast, in the women more and stronger associations were observed between CLT and body composition markers compared to that observed between PAI-1act and body composition markers. CLT showed a linear relationship with body composition markers where PAI-1act levels plateaued at higher body composition categories. Possible reasons for the observed differences may be related to differences in adipose tissue distribution and sequence of accumulation between men and women. PAI-1 is associated with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) where high amounts of stromal cells are found. In men preferential accumulation of VAT may explain similarities in the relationship of PAI-1act with body composition and that of CLT with body composition. Proportionally less VAT, but more subcutaneous adipose tissue in women may explain the observed increase in CLT compared to PAI-1act levels that plateaued over body composition tertiles and categories. CONCLUSION - PAI-1act has a stronger association with central obesity while CLT has a stronger association with total body fat. In women PAI-1act and CLT showed different associations with body composition markers, whereas associations of PAI-1act and CLT with body composition were similar in men. PAI-1act is strongly influenced by type of body fat accumulation whereas CLT is associated with obesity independent of type and sequence of body fact accumulation. Significant associations observed between CLT and body composition variables are, therefore, at least in part, independent of PAI-1act. Additional factors such as, thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), α-2-antiplasmin, plasminogen, prothrombin and fibrin clot structure that influence CLT and are also related to obesity may additionally contribute to the link between CLT and obesity. / MSc (Dietetics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

A growing number of factors, including the costs, technological advancements, an ageing population, and medical errors are leading industrialised countries to invest in research on alternative solutions to improving their health care systems and increasing patients’ life quality. Personal Health System (PHS) solutions envision the use of information and communication technologies that enable a paradigm shift from the traditional hospital-centred healthcare delivery model toward a preventive and person-centred approach. PHS offers the means to follow patient health using wearable, portable or implantable systems that offer ubiquitous, unobtrusive bio-data acquisition, allowing remote access to patient status and treatment monitoring.Electrical Bioimpedance (EBI) technology is a non-invasive, quick and relatively affordable technique that can be used for assessing and monitoring different health conditions, e.g., body composition assessments for nutrition. EBI technology combined with state-of-the-art advances in sensor and textile technology are fostering the implementation of wearable bioimpedance monitors that use functional garments for the implementation of personalised healthcare applications.This research studies the development of a portable EBI spectrometer that can use dry textile electrodes for the assessment of body composition for the purposes of clinical uses. The portable bioimpedance monitor has been developed using the latest advances in system-on-chip technology for bioimpedance spectroscopy instrumentation. The obtained portable spectrometer has been validated against commercial spectrometer that performs total body composition assessment using functional textrode garments.The development of a portable Bioimpedance spectrometer using functional garments and dry textile electrodes for body composition assessment has been shown to be a feasible option. The availability of such measurement systems bring closer the real implementation of personalised healthcare systems. / 2013-04-29 Licentiatseminarium kl.10-11.30 The presentation will be broadcast using Adobe Connect. For more information contact javier.ferreira@hb.se