GENDER DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BODY COMPOSITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG FACULTY OF SPORTS SCIENCE AND RECREATION STUDENTS

Retrospective studies have suggested that the prepubertal years may be an important window of opportunity to increase bone mass, but there have been few direct studies and little exploration of gender differences in this age group. In this study, we report the associations among physical activity measures, sunlight exposure, body composition, and bone mass in 8-yr-old children. We studied 330 children in 1996 (115 girls and 215 boys; response rate, 60%) who had previously taken part in a cohort study of cot death in 1988. They had measurement of anthropometrics (height, weight, and body composition), sunlight exposure (by questionnaire), and physical activity[ questionnaire, muscle strength by dynamometry, and bicycle ergometric physical work capacity at a pulse of 170 beats/min (PWC170)]. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed at the spine, femoral neck, and total body by a Hologic QDR2000 densitometer. In females only, PWC170[ hip, 2.4%/quartile (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.3–4.5); spine, 1.7%/quartile (95% CI, 0.0–3.4); size adjusted] was associated with BMD, whereas in males only, BMD was associated with both sports participation (hip, 4.2% (95% CI, 1.1–7.3); spine, 4.3% (95% CI, 0.9–7.7)] and muscle strength [hip, 1.7%/quartile (95% CI, 0.0–3.4); but not spine; size adjusted]. Winter sunlight exposure was associated with BMD in girls [hip, 2.9%/category (95% CI, 0.7–5.0); spine, 3.6%/category (95% CI, 1.4–5.8)], but not in boys [hip, 0.3%/category (95% CI, −1.4 to +2.0); spine, 1.4%/category (95% CI, −0.7 to +3.5)]. Males and females were very similar in body size. However, males had higher size-adjusted BMD at the hip (9.6%; 95% CI, 6.9–14), whereas females had higher size-adjusted BMD at the spine (3.2%; 95% CI, 0.8–5.6%). In conclusion, this study has suggested that physical activity and exposure to sunlight are important in the bone mineralization of prepubertal male and female children. The magnitude of both gender and environmental differences in bone mass in this age group is substantial, suggesting that modification at this stage of life may influence peak bone mass and possibly fracture risk in later life.

Download Full-text

Gender differences in postural balance, physical activity level, BMI, and body composition in athletes with visual impairment

British Journal of Visual Impairment ◽

10.1177/02646196211009921 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026461962110099

Author(s):

Ferhat Esatbeyoglu ◽

Ayse Kin-İsler

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Gender Differences ◽

Body Composition ◽

Postural Balance ◽

Female Athletes ◽

Anthropometric Measurements ◽

Male And Female ◽

Compliant Surface ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Eyes Open

The aim of this study was to examine the gender differences in postural balance, physical activity (PA), and body mass index (BMI) and body composition in visually impaired (VI) athletes. A total of 66 athletes took part in this study. After anthropometric measurements, the PA level was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. The modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance tool was used to assess postural balance in four standing conditions: (1) eyes-open on a firm surface, (2) eyes-closed on a firm surface, (3) eyes-open on a compliant surface, and (4) eyes closed on a compliant surface. Findings revealed gender differences in anthropometric measurements ( p < .05). No statistically significant differences were found in fat mass and fat free mass between sighted male and VI male athletes and between sighted female and VI female athletes ( p > .05). Weekly, high and moderate PA levels as well as walking were found to be different across the four groups ( p < .05). Assessment of postural balance in four standing conditions revealed no gender differences in sighted athletes ( p > .05). Postural balance scores in conditions 1 and 3 showed significant gender differences ( p < .05), whereas conditions 2 and 4 showed no gender differences in athletes with VI ( p > .05). Gender-matched differences were also apparent in conditions 1 and 3, revealing that VI male and female athletes scored worse in these conditions than their sighted male and female counterparts ( p < .05). There is a delay in balance parameter in VI athletes even if their fitness levels are similar with their sighted counterparts. The present findings could also be useful for gender-specific training session preparations in VI sports.

Download Full-text

Descripción de la práctica de actividad física, habilidades motrices básicas y composición corporal en niños y jóvenes de espectro autista. Diferencias por sexo (Description of physical activity, motor skills and body composition in children and young wi)

Retos ◽

10.47197/retos.v0i28.34817 ◽

2015 ◽

pp. 61-65

Author(s):

Diana Ruiz-Vicente ◽

Juan José Salinero ◽

Cristina González-Millán ◽

Mª Lledó Soriano ◽

Teresa García Pastor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Gender Differences ◽

Body Composition ◽

Motor Skills ◽

Total Sample ◽

Descriptive Study ◽

Special Focus ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Motor Tests ◽

Spectrum Disorders

El objetivo de este estudio es describir los niveles de práctica de actividad física, habilidades motrices básicas y la composición corporal en niños y jovenes con Trastornos de Espectro Autista que se encuentran escolarizados en centros de educación especial en la Comunidad de Madrid y analizar diferencias entre sexos, por ser una población de la que existe una carencia de información sobre estos parámetros. Participaron 53 niños y jóvenes (11.9 + 3.4 años) y sus familias. Se empleó un diseño descriptivo y comparativo entre sexos donde se utilizó acelerometría para medir su actividad física, test motores para las habilidades motrices y bioimpedancia para la composición corporal. Los niños presentan mayores tasas de actividad moderada frente a las niñas, tanto en los días laborables (62.8±33.5 vs 36.1±34.1 minutos respectivamente; p=.02) como en los días festivos, donde estas diferencias se incrementan (75.4±56.0 vs 31.5±36.7; p=.02). Los festivos incrementan el tiempo que dedican a la televisión (40.9±45.0 vs 87.7±102.8 min. en las niñas; 59.7±80.2 vs 88.8±144.0 en los niños; p=.01), sin diferencias entre sexos (p>.05). En el total de la muestra, se ha encontrado un 27.3% de incidencia de sobrepeso siendo más elevada en las niñas (55.6% niñas vs 20.0% niños; p=.03). Igualmente, las niñas han mostrado menores niveles de habilidad motriz. Se hace necesario implementar programas de actividad física para este colectivo, prestando especial atención a las niñas.Abstract. The purpose of this study was to describe the physical activity levels, motor skills and body composition in children and young with Autistic Spectrum Disorders and analyze gender differences. Fifty-three students from special education schools and their families from Madrid (11.9 + 3.4 years) took part in this descriptive study. Triaxial accelerometers were used to assess their physical activity (PA) levels, motor tests were used to measure their motor skills and bioimpedance was used to calculate body composition. Boys have higher rates of moderate PA than girls, both on weekdays (62.8±33.5 vs. 36.1±34.1 min, respectively; p=.02) and on weekends, when these differences are increased (75.4±56.0 vs 31.5±36.7; p=.02). On weekends, time they spend watching television are increased (40.9±45.0 vs. 87.7±102.8 min for girls; 59.7±80.2 vs. 88.8±144.0 for boys; p=.01), without gender differences (p>.05). For the total sample, has been identified 27.3% the overweight’s incidence, that is higher in girls (55.6% girls vs. 20.0% boys; p=.03). Likewise, girls had lower motor skills levels. It is necessary to introduce PA programs to this group, with special focus on girls.

Download Full-text