The postpartum period represents a high-risk period for body weight retention and obesity. Several studies have investigated the role of aerobic exercise on postpartum weight retention and other body composition outcomes; however, there has been little attention given to resistance training in postpartum women. Thus, the purpose of this four-month randomized study was to determine the effectiveness of resistance training on strength, body composition, return to pre-pregnancy weight, and bone mineral density (BMD) in postpartum women. Sixty postpartum women were randomly assigned to either a resistance training group or a comparison group. The resistance training group participated in a progressive resistance training program twice weekly for four months. The comparison group participated in a flexibility program twice weekly for four months. Strength changes were assessed for the upper body (bench press), lower body (leg press), and the core (abdominal curl-ups). Body composition, including BMD, was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Over the four-month study, the resistance training group demonstrated a 36.7% increase in bench press, a 31.1% increase in leg press, and a 222.6% increase in abdominal curl-ups (p < 0.05). The flexibility group improved by 7.7% for bench press, 6.6% for leg press, and by 43.0% for abdominal curl-ups (p < 0.05). Group*period interactions were significant for the leg press, bench press, and abdominal curl-ups (p < 0.05). Both groups decreased in body weight, body fat percentage, and fat tissue (p < 0.05). Neither group significantly changed in lean tissue, whole body BMD, and hip BMD (p > 0.05). Group*period interactions were not significant for any body composition outcome (p > 0.05). These results suggest that a twice weekly resistance training program is superior to flexibility training to increase strength; however, resistance training may not be enough to influence body composition to a greater extent than flexibility training in postpartum women. More research is warranted.

The deregulation of snacks by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) permits institutions to provide enhanced snacks incidental to participation. Athletes may now have the opportunity to improve their diet quality. The purpose of this research was to assess the consumption of fruits and vegetables as well as body composition of Division I collegiate athletes. The sample included 19 American football players and 8 volleyball players. Paired t-tests were performed to compare fruit intake, vegetable intake, and body fat percentage pre- and post-deregulation of snacks. Linear regression models were used to determine correlations between change in fruit intake and change in body fat percentage and change in vegetable intake and change in body fat percentage. There were no significant differences in the paired t-tests; however, there was a significant correlation in increasing fruit intake, vegetable intake, and decreasing body fat percentage among football players. Results suggest that regular contact with a Registered Dietitian may improve diet quality, and providing nutrient-dense foods planned by a Registered Dietitian to college athletes may improve body fat percentage.

Nutrition and recovery go hand in hand. After a resistance training workout, it is extremely important for athletes to rebuild and refuel their bodies with the proper nourishment to obtain maximal results. In doing so, they consume different recovery aids or ergogenic aids for gains in muscle mass, an aid in hydration, and a speedy recovery. Ergogenic aids can include many things (i.e., improved equipment, training program), but one of the most popular types of ergogenic aids is nutritional supplements such as protein, carbohydrates, creatine, and vitamins. A nutritional supplement that has recently grown in popularity is chocolate milk. Currently, no studies exist comparing the effects of fat-free chocolate milk and 2% chocolate milk on muscular strength and body composition in collegiate softball players. The purpose of this study will be to determine the effects of fat-free and 2% chocolate milk ingestion on body composition and muscular strength following eight weeks of resistance training. In a randomized (matched according to strength and bodyweight), double blind experimental design, 18 female, collegiate softball players (18.5 +_ .7 yrs; 65.7 +_ 1.8 inches; 156.2 +_ 21.6 lbs) ingested either fat-free chocolate milk or 2% chocolate milk immediately after resistance exercise workouts for an 8-week period. Dependent variables included body fat percentage, lean muscle mass, bench press 1RM, and leg press 1RM. Data was analyzed via a paired samples t-test (to detect difference across both groups over the 8-week training period) and an independent samples t-test (to detect differences between the groups) using SPSS for Windows 15.0. No statistically significant differences were found in bench press strength, leg press strength, body fat %, and lean body mass between the fat-free group and the 2% chocolate milk group. The major finding of this study is that there is no difference between fat-free chocolate milk and 2% chocolate milk in regards to body fat percentage, lean body mass, bench press maximal strength, and leg press maximal strength following an eight week exercise program where the chocolate milk was ingested immediately after each workout. However, there was a significant difference in both groups combined after the eight week training program. Therefore, from a practical sense, consumption of either fat-free chocolate milk or 2% chocolate milk in conjunction with a periodized resistance training program does improve exercise performance in regards to maximal strength as well as improvements in body fat percentage and lean body mass.

The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the interrelationships of several important fitness characteristics in Division 1 athletes. Sport performance magnitude is the summation of an individual athlete’s technical, psychological, and fitness characteristics. Athletes who excel in any or all characteristics perform better in their chosen sports. General fitness characteristics that are important to almost all sports include strength, power, vertical jump height, shortdistance sprinting ability, muscularity, and body fat percentage. These variables have been shown in previous research to independently affect athletic performance outcomes, but their relationships to one another are less clear. Eighty Division I athletes from 4 sports were examined in a variety of fitness characteristics as part of a continuous athlete monitoring program. Data on strength, power, vertical jump height, short-distance sprinting speed, muscularity, and body fat percentage were collected and analyzed. Analysis revealed several important relationships. Firstly, strength is highly related to muscularity, with lean body mass as one of the most important determinants of strength. Secondly, athletes who can produce high relative (scaled per body mass) forces and powers tend to be considerably higher jumpers and much faster sprinters. Lastly, leaner athletes out-perform less lean athletes in almost every metric, especially relative strength and power, vertical jumping ability, and sprinting ability.

Objective. Determine the relationship between dietary quality and body weight/composition in college women. Specific emphasis was made regarding adherence to current MyPyramid guidelines, fruit, vegetable and junk food consumption. Design/Participants. The study used a cross-sectional design. One hundred and sixty three women were recruited to participate in the study. All participants were university students (20.4 ± 1.6 y). Diet intake was measured using the Dietary History Questionnaire (DHQ) and the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) was calculated to assess diet quality. Body fat percentage was assessed using the Bod Pod and BMI was calculated using height and weight measurements. Physical activity was measured objectively using accelerometers over seven consecutive days. Results. There was no significant difference in BMI or body fat percentage across university year. There was no relationship between diet quality (as measured using the Healthy Eating Index) and percent body fat or BMI. The number of MyPyramid equivalents of fruit was negatively correlated to body fat percentage (r = -0.2, p ≤ 0,05) but not BMI (r = -0.093, p =0.26). The number of MyPyramid equivalents of dairy was also negatively related to both body fat percentage (r = -0.21, p ≤ 0.05) and BMI (r = -0.21, p ≤ 0.05). Percentage of calories from Non Nutrient Dense Foods (NNDF) was positively related to percent body fat ( r= 0.179, p = 0.029). For every 1-percentage increase in NNDF, there was a 0.12 percentage point increase in body fat. Conclusion. Increasing fruit, dairy, and vegetable intake, and reducing intake from Non Nutrient Dense Foods (NNDF) such as French fries, cookies, and candy, may have a beneficial influence on body composition in college women.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-10T10:53:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ROBERTO MENDES RAMALHO.pdf: 8922799 bytes, checksum: 527c28b11b6605a54382f1d802a94a54 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-06-21 / Soccer is a sport characterized by the alternation of short duration and intense motor actions, indicating the importance of physical preparation for the game's performance. The physical training is associated with the control of the variation of fat percentage, which can affect the athlete's performance. Several studies demonstrate the incompatibility between the competitive excellence and high levels of subcutaneous fat. Another important point is the practice of soccer in hot and humid environments, because is needed a systematic care with the liquids intake, which should be observed like a strategy to minimize heat-related problems. The general objective of this study were to determine the variations of the fat percentage of soccer players in a certain team during a championship. Also the specific objectives are: a) compare the fat percentage found in the different positions of the players; b) verify if there are other studies about this subject and compare the fat percentage; c) examine whether and climatic conditions such as heat and high humidity can affect the range of the results during the tournament; compared to other data collections and other published studies related of fat percentage in different conditions of heat and humidity. Four data collection were made to evaluate the fat percentage by Jackson and Pollock 7 skinfold protocol. It was analyzed Twenty-five professional soccer players from Marabá s Eagle Team (Brazil), who competed in the 2011 C Series Brazilian Soccer Championship. In the average, participant athletes were 27.53 ± 4.96 years old, 1.76 ± 0.07 of height and initial weight of 73.81 ± 8.35. Analyzing the data collection for months, there was no significant statistical difference in body mass and body fat percentage between assessments. A significant difference was detected only in body mass and body fat percentage among goalies and wide midfielders during all researched months. In September there was also a difference in body mass between defenders and wide midfielders. Thus, this study observed that the weather conditions had no significant influence in the variation in the fat percentage in this studied group of soccer athletes. / O futebol é um desporto caracterizado pela alternância de ações motoras intensas e de curta duração, evidenciando a importância da preparação física para o desempenho do jogo. Aliado à preparação física está o controle da variável percentual de gordura, variável esta que pode afetar no desempenho do atleta. Vários estudos demonstram a incompatibilidade entre a excelência competitiva e altos índices de adiposidade subcutânea. Outro ponto que deve ser observado é a prática do futebol em ambientes considerados quentes e úmidos, pois cuidados com a ingestão sistemática de líquidos devem ser observados com vistas a minimizar problemas relacionados ao calor. Os objetivos deste estudo foram verificar a variação do percentual de gordura de jogadores de futebol de uma determinada equipe durante um campeonato; comparar o percentual de gordura nas diferentes posições dos jogadores; verificar se existem outros estudos nesse âmbito e comparar o percentual de gordura; analisar se existe influência das condições climáticas de calor e umidade elevados, na variação do percentual de gordura encontrados durante o campeonato, comparado a outras coletas de dados e outros estudos existentes relacionados à percentual de gordura em jogadores de futebol em diferentes condições de calor e umidade. Foram feitas quatro coletas de dados para avaliar o percentual de gordura que foi determinado através do protocolo de Jackson e Pollock (7 dobras).Foram avaliados vinte e cinco jogadores de futebol profissional da equipe do Águia de Marabá que disputaram o campeonato brasileiro da série C de 2011. Os atletas apresentaram média de idade de 27,53 ± 4,96; média de estatura de 1,76 ± 0,07 e média de massa corporal inicial de 73,81 ± 8,35. Analisando as quatro coletas de dados por meses, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante de massa corporal e percentual de gordura entre as avaliações. Detectou-se diferença significativa apenas na massa corporal e percentual de gordura entre goleiros e laterais em todos os meses avaliados e na massa corporal entre zagueiros e laterais na coleta do mês de setembro. Dessa forma, observou-se nesse estudo que as condições climáticas a que foram submetidos, não influenciou significativamente na variação do percentual de gordura desse grupo de atletas.

Title: Lifestyle changes to lifestyle modification for people with multiple sclerosis Aim: Designing a program that affects lifestyle, fitness and physiological parameters in subjects of different age and different sex of people who have a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Method: A literary review to make a summary of knowledge on MS and use of physical activities as opportunities to influence the overall lifestyle of people with MS. Results: The result is an overview of the programs and its evaluation - changes in physiological parameters, condition and subjective feelings. We found that when respecting the state of health programs may be implemented in the long term. Conclusion: The success of interventions depends on collaboration, time availability, but also the respecting of the designed programs of people involved. At the same time, however, assumes that an active lifestyle affects the mental aspect of individuals and their subjective feelings. Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, physical condition, subjective feelings, body fat percentage, body water percentage, body weight, muscle dysbalance

Title: Monitoring of influence of individual segments of a teaching unit of physical education on fitness of girls from seventh grade of elementary school. Aim: The aim of the empirical part is to monitor the proportional representation of the motoric activities during the time given in the lessons of physical education of the seventh grade girls, and along with the chosen methods of testing of these individuals, to prove or disprove possible influence of the composition of the P.E. lessons on the chosen segments of their fitness. Methods: Various methods were used for testing the considered sample. These were the standardized motoric tests (intense forward bend when sitting, place-jump with legs together, endurance in a pull-up, hand grip) which investigate the chosen segments of the fitness. Another method used was the bioimpedance which measures the parameters of body composition. The data were recollected quantitatively and the results were also processed quantitatively by means of statistic parameters, such as arithmetic mean, variation span and determinative deviation. Results: From the results of the work emerged that as far as the chosen motoric activities and their influence on the chosen segments of the fitness are concerned, during the time given only the segment of flexibility in...

In the light of the facts given in literature it is evident that players in the game of netball need to meet specific anthropometric (body length, body mass, percentage body fat and percentage muscle mass), physical (pliancy, abdominal power, aerobic endurance and anaerobic endurance) and motor (speed over 5 m and 10 m, agility and explosive power) requirements. This consequently necessitates specific attention to be given to the mentioned requirements. In spite of the fact that a few studies do exist that enter into the requirements of the profile of netball players in different positions, as well as into what the effect of a periodization programme is on anthropometric, physical and motor requirements, voids do exist regarding the positional profile of 15 to 17 year old netball players and as to what the effect is of a sport specific periodization programme in the course of a season on 15 to 17 year old netball players. In the light of the above–mentioned, this study was undertaken with the aim to: 1) Determine the requirements for 15 to 17 year old netball players; 2) Compile positional profile scales of netball specific requirement for 15 to 17 year old players in the Tlokwe region; 3) Establish the effect of a sport specific periodization programme on anthropometric, physical and motor requirements for 15 to 17 year old female netball players, of a specific school in the Tlokwe region, in the course of a season. 96 players (28 goalkeepers, 44 centre court players and 24 defenders) between ages 15 and 17 years from two high schools in the North–West Province were used in the study to determine positional differences. A group of only 22 player of one school was exposed to a sport specific periodization programme for purposes of the study, since the coach and players from only one school’s teams were prepared to participate in the sport scientific intervention programme for the full duration of the netball season. The afore–mentioned group was evaluated over a period of two years, namely prior to the start of the season (T1), after conclusion of the season once the sport specific periodization programme was completed (T2), prior to the start of the season in the subsequent year (T3) and after conclusion of the season without the sport specific being followed. The data is processed on the basis of descriptive statistics. Furthermore, the practical significance of test result changes between the respective groups and different test sessions were compared using Cohen’s effect size. Literature was consulted to determine whether specific requirements exist for netball players and whether differences occur in the three positional groups. However, no literature could be traced in which only netball specific requirements for 15 to 17 year old players were focused on. The literature did indeed point out clear anthropometric differences between the three positional groups, namely attacking, centre court and defence players in club and elite netball players. The goalkeeper and defence players are, according to literature, considerably taller and heavier than the centre court players. Literature also indicated that differences do indeed occur regarding physical and motor requirements. Centre court players are significantly faster and more agile than the goalkeeper and defenders. However, there were components of which the differences were not prominent concerning the three positional groups. Where a specific positional profile of anthropometric, physical and motor requirements for 15 to 17 year old female netball players was composed from available data of players in the North–West Province, Tlokwe region, the results of the anthropometric requirements indicated that body length showed a large significant difference between the three positional groups, with defenders being the tallest, followed by goalkeepers, and the centre court players being the shortest. Body mass also showed a medium significant difference between goalkeepers and centre court players as well as between centre court players and defence players. Goalkeepers were heavier than centre court players, and defenders also showed a higher body mass than centre court players. The other two variables, namely percentage fat and percentage muscle mass, only showed small practically significant differences, in this group of netball players, between the test sessions. With the physical and motor requirements, results indicated that large practically significant differences occurred in vertical jumping, 5 m speed, 10 m speed and agility between the groups. The general trend observed in the profiles was that the largest significant differences occurred between goalkeepers and defence players on the one hand and centre court players on the other. Vertical jump and speed showed a large significant difference between goalkeepers and centre court players as well as between centre court players and defenders, although the goalkeepers and defenders’ results corresponded considerably. Other large significant differences occurred in the 10 m speed as well as in 505–agility to the left between centre court players and defenders. In summary it can be mentioned that the most and the largest significant differences occurred between goalkeepers and centre court players as well as between defenders and centre court players. Only one medium significant difference occurred between the goalkeepers and defenders, which is ankle dorsiflexion and which can be ascribed to injuries. From this it can be inferred that a positional profile can indeed be compiled for the different positional groups in netball, but that the requirements of positional variables between goalkeepers and defenders correspond largely and that the large difference between the last–mentioned two groups occur when compared with those of the centre court players of this specific group. The results of the group of twenty–two players that were evaluated twice during the course of both netball seasons indicate that the variable that showed a large significant difference between T1 and T2, following the sport specific periodization program, was body mass (inverted difference). Although there was no large significant difference, it can clearly be deduced from the graphs presented in the study that a visible difference (improvement) was observed in most of the variables. The variables that showed a large practically significant difference with the training of the coach’s general programme, were ankle dorsiflexion on the left, abdominal power and 5 m speed (inverted effect). A number of variables indeed existed that also showed medium and small significant differences during the course of both seasons, but it will not be mentioned here. A number of shortcomings and recommendations did indeed come to the fore during and after the course of the study. It should, however, be borne in mind that such a structured periodization programme is very important for the development of netball potential. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

In the light of the facts given in literature it is evident that players in the game of netball need to meet specific anthropometric (body length, body mass, percentage body fat and percentage muscle mass), physical (pliancy, abdominal power, aerobic endurance and anaerobic endurance) and motor (speed over 5 m and 10 m, agility and explosive power) requirements. This consequently necessitates specific attention to be given to the mentioned requirements. In spite of the fact that a few studies do exist that enter into the requirements of the profile of netball players in different positions, as well as into what the effect of a periodization programme is on anthropometric, physical and motor requirements, voids do exist regarding the positional profile of 15 to 17 year old netball players and as to what the effect is of a sport specific periodization programme in the course of a season on 15 to 17 year old netball players. In the light of the above–mentioned, this study was undertaken with the aim to: 1) Determine the requirements for 15 to 17 year old netball players; 2) Compile positional profile scales of netball specific requirement for 15 to 17 year old players in the Tlokwe region; 3) Establish the effect of a sport specific periodization programme on anthropometric, physical and motor requirements for 15 to 17 year old female netball players, of a specific school in the Tlokwe region, in the course of a season. 96 players (28 goalkeepers, 44 centre court players and 24 defenders) between ages 15 and 17 years from two high schools in the North–West Province were used in the study to determine positional differences. A group of only 22 player of one school was exposed to a sport specific periodization programme for purposes of the study, since the coach and players from only one school’s teams were prepared to participate in the sport scientific intervention programme for the full duration of the netball season. The afore–mentioned group was evaluated over a period of two years, namely prior to the start of the season (T1), after conclusion of the season once the sport specific periodization programme was completed (T2), prior to the start of the season in the subsequent year (T3) and after conclusion of the season without the sport specific being followed. The data is processed on the basis of descriptive statistics. Furthermore, the practical significance of test result changes between the respective groups and different test sessions were compared using Cohen’s effect size. Literature was consulted to determine whether specific requirements exist for netball players and whether differences occur in the three positional groups. However, no literature could be traced in which only netball specific requirements for 15 to 17 year old players were focused on. The literature did indeed point out clear anthropometric differences between the three positional groups, namely attacking, centre court and defence players in club and elite netball players. The goalkeeper and defence players are, according to literature, considerably taller and heavier than the centre court players. Literature also indicated that differences do indeed occur regarding physical and motor requirements. Centre court players are significantly faster and more agile than the goalkeeper and defenders. However, there were components of which the differences were not prominent concerning the three positional groups. Where a specific positional profile of anthropometric, physical and motor requirements for 15 to 17 year old female netball players was composed from available data of players in the North–West Province, Tlokwe region, the results of the anthropometric requirements indicated that body length showed a large significant difference between the three positional groups, with defenders being the tallest, followed by goalkeepers, and the centre court players being the shortest. Body mass also showed a medium significant difference between goalkeepers and centre court players as well as between centre court players and defence players. Goalkeepers were heavier than centre court players, and defenders also showed a higher body mass than centre court players. The other two variables, namely percentage fat and percentage muscle mass, only showed small practically significant differences, in this group of netball players, between the test sessions. With the physical and motor requirements, results indicated that large practically significant differences occurred in vertical jumping, 5 m speed, 10 m speed and agility between the groups. The general trend observed in the profiles was that the largest significant differences occurred between goalkeepers and defence players on the one hand and centre court players on the other. Vertical jump and speed showed a large significant difference between goalkeepers and centre court players as well as between centre court players and defenders, although the goalkeepers and defenders’ results corresponded considerably. Other large significant differences occurred in the 10 m speed as well as in 505–agility to the left between centre court players and defenders. In summary it can be mentioned that the most and the largest significant differences occurred between goalkeepers and centre court players as well as between defenders and centre court players. Only one medium significant difference occurred between the goalkeepers and defenders, which is ankle dorsiflexion and which can be ascribed to injuries. From this it can be inferred that a positional profile can indeed be compiled for the different positional groups in netball, but that the requirements of positional variables between goalkeepers and defenders correspond largely and that the large difference between the last–mentioned two groups occur when compared with those of the centre court players of this specific group. The results of the group of twenty–two players that were evaluated twice during the course of both netball seasons indicate that the variable that showed a large significant difference between T1 and T2, following the sport specific periodization program, was body mass (inverted difference). Although there was no large significant difference, it can clearly be deduced from the graphs presented in the study that a visible difference (improvement) was observed in most of the variables. The variables that showed a large practically significant difference with the training of the coach’s general programme, were ankle dorsiflexion on the left, abdominal power and 5 m speed (inverted effect). A number of variables indeed existed that also showed medium and small significant differences during the course of both seasons, but it will not be mentioned here. A number of shortcomings and recommendations did indeed come to the fore during and after the course of the study. It should, however, be borne in mind that such a structured periodization programme is very important for the development of netball potential. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.