Effects of Backpack Frame Length, Pack Load, and Participation Time on the Physical Performance of Men and Women

Aim. The aim of this study was to assess the vitamin status of athletes involved in various sports before important competitions. Materials and Methods. Athletes (n = 176) from six sports (сross-country skiing, biathlon, cycling, track-and-field, taekwondo, basketball) living in the territory of the Komi Republic were examined. Blood sampling was performed from the cubital vein 5–7 days before important competitions. Results. The results of this study showed widespread inadequate levels of some of the vitamins in athletes. The greatest number of people with hypovitaminosis (especially vitamins B1 and E) was among cross-country skiers, biathletes and taekwondo athletes. In general, the situation was similar for men and women. Comparative analysis of the vitamin status in athletes and people from this area (not athletes) showed that women-athletes had a generally higher incidence of deficiency than nonathletic women, and men-athletes had a similar vitamin status to nonathletic men. Conclusion. The results of this study showed that highly skilled athletes, regardless of the sport, were characterized by a high risk of vitamin deficiency. It is necessary to pay attention to the vitamin status of athletes, so as not to put at risk their health and physical performance.

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Daily sitting time and physical performance in oldest adults

Revista Brasileira de Educação Física e Esporte ◽

10.11606/1807-5509201800010017 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 17-24

Author(s):

Lucélia Justino Borges ◽

Renata Da Conceição ◽

Vandrize Meneghini ◽

Tiago Rosa de Souza ◽

Aline Rodrigues Barbosa

Keyword(s):

Physical Performance ◽

Age Groups ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Limiting Factor ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Men And Women ◽

Stand Test ◽

Sit To Stand ◽

The Mean

The aim of this study was to verify the physical performance (PP) and daily sitting time in the oldest population in a rural community dwelling in southern Brazil. In addition, to analyze the association between physical performance tests (PPT) and daily sitting time (ST). This was a cross-sectional, population-based household study. All residents aged 80 years and older were examined in 2010. PPT included standing balance (four measures of static balance), five times “sit-to-stand” test and “pick up a pen” test (assessed by time). Daily ST was estimated by questionnaire. Women of the younger age groups displayed better results in the PPT compared to older women. The men had good results in the tests, independent from their age group (except for 95-100 years of age). For women, the mean time in the “sit to stand” test decreased with the advancing age, whereas for men, we observed the opposite. Men and women displayed similar means in the “pick up a pen” test. The mean daily ST increased with the advancement of age. After adjustment for sex, age, and number of morbidities, the daily ST was ~52 minutes lower for those with better balance (β -52.6; p = 0.001). For those with better performance in the “sit to stand” test, the time was ~35 minutes lower (β -35.8; p = 0.001). Men and women differ in the rate of decline in PPT. The results suggest that longer sitting time is a limiting factor of good performance in tests for the oldest of the population.

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Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and physical performance measures in middle-aged and old Japanese men and women: The Unzen study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0261639 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (12) ◽

pp. e0261639

Author(s):

Michiko Uchiyama ◽

Satoshi Mizukami ◽

Kazuhiko Arima ◽

Takayuki Nishimura ◽

Yoshihito Tomita ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Japanese Men ◽

Men And Women ◽

Chair Stand ◽

Hydroxyvitamin D ◽

Functional Reach ◽

Old Japanese ◽

25 Hydroxyvitamin D

Purpose Regarding epidemiological studies, the role of vitamin D in musculoskeletal functionality (muscle weakness and physical performance) among elderly people is still controversial. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the associations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and physical performance among community-dwelling middle-aged and old Japanese men and women. Methods The subjects were community-dwelling 297 men and 415 women aged 50 years and over. Data on height (m) and weight (kg) were collected. Serum 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone, calcium, and albumin levels were measured. Serum 25(OH)D was classified into deficiency group: < 20 ng/mL, insufficiency group: 20–30 ng/mL, and sufficiency group: ≧ 30 ng/mL. Physical performance was assessed by grip strength, chair stand time, and functional reach. Information on current smoking, alcohol drinking, regular exercise, any comorbidities (hypertension, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, lung disease, and stroke), and pain (lumbar and knee) was collected. Results Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency based on serum 25(OH)D levels were observed in 15.2% and 56.9% of men and 52.0% and 43.6% of women, respectively. In men, higher serum 25(OH)D levels were associated with better grip strength (p for trend = 0.003), chair stand time (p for trend = 0.042), and functional reach (p for trend <0.001). On the other hand, these parameters were not associated with serum 25(OH)D levels in women. Conclusion A higher level of serum 25(OH)D was associated with better physical performance in men but not in women.

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