scholarly journals Physical Fitness Index of Non-Vegetarian and Lacto-Vegetarian Adults: A Comparative Study of Harvard Step Test

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-172
Author(s):  
Renu Yadav ◽  
S Mukhopadhyay ◽  
S Yadav

A pure vegetarian, consumes the food of plant origin, reportedly has lower risk of chronic diseases and may have enhanced athletic performance compared to omnivorous. Lacto-vegetarian consumes dairy products and plant-based foods where as lacto-ovo-vegetarians, being categorized as vegetarian, consumes egg as well. Considering vegan diet as healthy food habit and appropriate medication, world is directing towards vegan diet. Lacto-vegetarian and non-vegetarian participants were included in this study based on inclusion criteria from various streams; MBBS, BDS, CTEVT and a randomized cross-sectional study was performed among selected students and independent sample ‘t’ was used for analysis. Total enrolled participants (n=100), lacto-vegetarians (LV=50, male= 15, female=35) group and non-vegetarians (NV=50, male= 22, female=28) group were separated, age 16-27 years. Comparing the variables, result showed (NV=18.28±2.09, LV=19.14±1.43yrs, P=0.01), weight (NV=53.76±9.02, LV=50.16±4.82kg, P=0.01) and BMI (NV=29.63±4.49, LV=28.03±2.52kg/m2, P=0.03). Lacto-vegetarians reported greater exercise duration (NV=224.24± 52.13s, LV=248.50±42.33s, P=0.01) and physical fitness index score (NV=62.14±14.86, LV=72.41±16.80, P=0.002) which was statistically significantly. Waist circumference (77.32±4.22, 70.48±3.95, P=0.00), hip circumference (86.97±3.7, 81.76±5.65, P=0.00), waist hip ratio (0.88 ±0.04, 0.86±0.05, P=0.01), exercise duration (263.51±43.5, 220.43±44.76) and physical fitness index score (74.03±14.42, 63.3±16.61) were significantly greater in male (n=37) than female (n=63). The present study concludes, lacto-vegetarians are physically fit compared to non-vegetarian so as male compared to female.

Author(s):  
Po-Fu Lee ◽  
Chien-Chang Ho ◽  
Nai-Wen Kan ◽  
Ding-Peng Yeh ◽  
Yun-Chi Chang ◽  
...  

The present study aims to investigate the associations between physical fitness performance and abdominal obesity risk among Taiwanese adults. We conducted a cross-sectional study and reviewed the data derived from the National Physical Fitness Survey in Taiwan (HPFSIT). Data from a total of 62,486 respondents aged 23–64 years were collected in this study. The participants completed a standardized structural questionnaire and a series of anthropometric characteristics (body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio) and physical fitness (3-min step tests, 1-min sit-up tests, and sit-and-reach tests) assessments. Waist circumference was used to define abdominal obesity status. A multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted. Our results presented almost entirely significant associations (except for women) on the 3-min step test. Moreover, the results suggest that muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility may be effective predictors of abdominal obesity among men and women, whereas cardiorespiratory fitness predicted abdominal obesity only in men. According to the results of this study, the fitness–abdominal obesity associations are minor based on a mixed population analysis. However, dose–response relationships have been observed. The present study provides a new perspective by using different types of fitness performance to predict abdominal obesity.


Author(s):  
Zvonar ◽  
Kasović ◽  
Štefan

Background: The main aim of the study was to explore the association between objectively measured physical fitness and the level of pain intensity. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included 1036 adolescents (mage ± SD = 16.3 ± 1.1 years; mheight ± SD = 1.74 ± 0.1 m; mweight ± SD = 64.7 ± 12.4 kg; mbody-mass index ± SD = 21.3 ± 3.0 kg/m2) from 11 secondary schools located in the city of Zagreb (Croatia). Physical fitness was determined by using waist circumference, sit-ups in 1 min, standing long jump and sit-and-reach tests. Overall physical fitness index was calculated by summing the z-score values of each physical fitness test. The level of pain intensity was assessed with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, a one-dimensional measure of pain intensity. Associations were calculated with correlation analyses. Results: In boys, pain intensity was associated with sit-ups in 1 min (r = −0.16, p < 0.001), standing long jump (r = −0.14, p = 0.003) and overall physical fitness index (r = −0.13, p = 0.004), while no significant associations with waist circumference (r = 0.04, p = 0.438) and sit-and-reach test (r = −0.01, p = 0.822) were observed. In girls, pain intensity was associated with standing long jump (r = −0.17, p < 0.001) and overall physical fitness index (r = −0.10, p = 0.018), while no significant associations with waist circumference (r = 0.01, p = 0.735), sit-ups in 1 min (r = −0.06, p = 0.126) and sit-and-reach test (r = −0.05, p = 0.232) were observed. When we adjusted for self-rated health, sleep duration, smoking status, alcohol consumption, screen-time and psychological distress, similar associations remained. Conclusions: Our study shows a weak association between physical fitness and pain intensity in a large sample of adolescents. Although a cross-sectional design, health-professionals should use physical fitness as a screening tool to assess the level of pain intensity.


Author(s):  
Hui-Ling Chen ◽  
Po-Fu Lee ◽  
Yun-Chi Chang ◽  
Fu-Shu Hsu ◽  
Ching-Yu Tseng ◽  
...  

The purpose of the present study was to determine the association between health-related physical fitness (HRPF) performance and perceived happiness status among adults in Taiwan. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and data derived from the National Physical Fitness Survey in Taiwan 2014–2015 were reviewed. The participants included 27,930 men and 30,885 women, aged 23 to 64 years. Each participant completed a standardized, structured questionnaire and underwent anthropometric variable and HRPF measurements. The happiness outcome of an individual was obtained using the questionnaire, and the results were stratified into happy (very happy, quite happy, and fair) and unhappy (unhappy and not at all happy) groups for perceived happiness status. HRPF measurements were evaluated using cardiorespiratory endurance (3 min step test), muscle strength and endurance (1 min sit-up test), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), and body composition (body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio). To determine the existence of a dose–response relationship between HRPF component levels and happiness status, four quartiles of HRPF components were analyzed using multiple logistic regression models. Multiple logistic regression results indicated that with the worst performance level of HRPF components as a baseline, significant associations were observed for the sit-and-reach test (third level: OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.02–1.49) and BMI (second level: OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.64–0.95) among men. For women, significant associations were observed for the 1 min sit-up test (second level: OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.03–1.60; third level: OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.04–1.67; fourth (the best) level: OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.12–1.95) and BMI (third level: OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.58–0.92). The current study suggested that higher values in flexibility and body composition, happiness-related factors, potentially improve the occurrence of happiness among men. Moreover, this positive effect of higher values of muscle strength, endurance, and BMI was observed for the occurrence of happiness in women. However, the relevant mechanism underlying this phenomenon must be further explored.


2022 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-88
Author(s):  
Sailesh Chaudhary ◽  
Rita Khadka ◽  
Karishma Rajbhandari Pandey ◽  
Bishnu Hari Paudel ◽  
Gaurav Jung Shah ◽  
...  

Introduction: Physical activity promotes cerebral blood flow during cognitive tasks and possibly enhances performance. It is relevant to find relationship between post exercise recovery heart rate (RHR) and resting pulse rate in medical students. Aims: To assess physical fitness in medical students. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 57 consenting healthy medical students, age 1730 years, underwent 3-Minutes Step Test to assess their physical fitness. Students were divided into four fitness groups based on RHR; good (n=9, RHR=50-84 bpm), satisfactory (n=17, RHR=88-100 bpm), poor (n=12, RHR=102-107 bpm), and very poor (n= 19, RHR=111-157 bpm) groups. The groups were compared using one-way ANOVA. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Results showed that there were few numbers of students who fall in good fitness group (n= 9, Resting pulse rate mean 72.00 ± 9.29) in comparison to satisfactory fitness group (n= 17, Resting pulse rate mean (68.35 ± 5.95), poor fitness group (n= 12, Resting pulse rate mean 75.67 ± 6.88) and very poor fitness group (n=19, Resting pulse rate mean 78.89 ± 7.67). The level of significance between satisfactory fitness group and very poor fitness group, p <0.05 was statistically significant. Conclusion: Most of the medical students fall under very poor fitness group. Satisfactory fitness group have less resting pulse rate in compare to very poor fitness group of medical students.


Author(s):  
Daniel Bressington ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Sabina Hulbert ◽  
Yim Wah Mak

People with schizophrenia have an increased risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases and a reduced life expectancy. Studies conducted mainly in Western settings report low amounts of activity and poor levels of fitness in this population. This study aims to compare physical fitness and activity levels between people with schizophrenia/healthy matched controls and investigate potential associations between these variables. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 57 community-dwelling people with schizophrenia and 57 age-, gender- and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls. Participants completed the international physical activity questionnaire and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) fitness assessment protocol with accompanying cardiovascular/lung function tests. Cardiorespiratory fitness was significantly better in healthy matched controls than individuals with schizophrenia in all areas (all p < 0.05, d = 0.38 to 1.06). Performance in best trunk flexion, half sit-ups and one-minute pulse recovery following the three-min step test were significantly worse in the schizophrenia group (all p < 0001, d = 0.76 to 1.04). Higher levels of weekly moderate activity (t = −2.66, p = 0.009) and total weekly activity levels (t = −2.013, p = 0.047) were reported by the healthy controls. Levels of vigorous activity were significantly correlated with some areas of lung functioning in the schizophrenia group (all p < 0.05). The findings show that Chinese people with schizophrenia have significantly poorer fitness than matched healthy controls, demonstrating the need to provide timely effective exercise-based interventions as a matter of routine to attenuate the risk of developing chronic physical illnesses.


Author(s):  
Osama Abdelkarim ◽  
Julian Fritsch ◽  
Darko Jekauc ◽  
Klaus Bös

Physical fitness is an indicator for children’s public health status. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the construct validity and the criterion-related validity of the German motor test (GMT) in Egyptian schoolchildren. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 931 children aged 6 to 11 years (age: 9.1 ± 1.7 years) with 484 (52%) males and 447 (48%) females in grades one to five in Assiut city. The children’s physical fitness data were collected using GMT. GMT is designed to measure five health-related physical fitness components including speed, strength, coordination, endurance, and flexibility of children aged 6 to 18 years. The anthropometric data were collected based on three indicators: body height, body weight, and BMI. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted with IBM SPSS AMOS 26.0 using full-information maximum likelihood. The results indicated an adequate fit (χ2 = 112.3, df = 20; p < 0.01; CFI = 0.956; RMSEA = 0.07). The χ2-statistic showed significant results, and the values for CFI and RMSEA showed a good fit. All loadings of the manifest variables on the first-order latent factors as well as loadings of the first-order latent factors on the second-order superordinate factor were significant. The results also showed strong construct validity in the components of conditioning abilities and moderate construct validity in the components of coordinative abilities. GMT proved to be a valid method and could be widely used on large-scale studies for health-related fitness monitoring in the Egyptian population.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 995
Author(s):  
Israa M. Shatwan ◽  
Eiman A. Alhinai ◽  
Balqees Alawadhi ◽  
Shelini Surendran ◽  
Najlaa M. Aljefree ◽  
...  

The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is considered as a good example of a healthy dietary pattern that has protective effects on obesity. The aim of the present study was to assess the adherence of adults from three Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait) to the MedDiet and its association with obesity risk. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 961 men and women (75.7%) aged 20–55 years old. Waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC) were measured waist/hip ratio (WHR) and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. A validated 14-item Questionnaire was used to measure adherence to MedDiet. The mean of the adherence to MedDiet score was 5.9 ± 2.03 for the total sample. An inverse association was observed between the adherence to MedDiet and BMI after adjusting for potential confounders (p = 0.0003 in total participants, and p = 0.001 in women only). A protective effect was seen with a higher adherence to the MedDiet on HC, suggesting that a greater adherence to the MedDiet was associated with a decreased HC (p = 0.04 in total participants, and p = 0.01 in women only). In conclusion, low adherence to the MedDiet among participants from three gulf countries was associated with increased obesity indicators, BMI, and HC.


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