Differences in anthropometric variables and muscle strength in relation to competitive level in male handball players

Somatic characteristics manifested in different body morphology have great importance for the selection of athletes in most sports. The aim of our study is to evaluate the differences in anthropometric variables and isometric strength of handball players presenting different levels of sports competence, and to study the discriminative power of selected morphological characteristics that do not change in the training process. The study included the results of anthropometric measurements routinely used to monitor athletes, and body proportion indices were calculated. Fat percentage was assessed using the BIA, whereas body build was assessed using the Heath-Carter method. Measurements of right and left hand grip strength and back strength were taken. The results of measurements and calculations were analyzed using statistical methods. It was shown that players presenting the highest level dominate by the overall size and massiveness of the body, characteristics ensuring an advantage in direct confrontation. The size of subcutaneous fat tissue and percentage of body fat varied poorly between athletes in each group. Muscle strength assessed under static conditions shows a gradient in magnitude across teams from higher to lower rank, but the differences are not statistically significant. The same somatotype (balanced mesomorph) was present in all groups. Athletes presenting high sports level are characterized by body proportions that determine biomechanical conditions conducive to optimizing the structure of movements important in handball. Stepwise discriminant analysis showed that throwing-related characteristics (hand length, upper arm length, upper limb span, lower limb length) account for 88% of the variance in team ranking and can be used to identify the morphological predisposition of adepts to play handball.

Associations between second to fourth digit ratio, cortisol, vitamin D, and body composition among Polish children

Associations between body characteristics (body composition: fat mass, muscle mass, cell, and water mass as well as body proportion—BMI), the 2D:4D digit ratio, and the concentrations of cortisol and vitamin (25-OH)D among Polish children have not been studied before. A total of 133 (73 girls and 60 boys) healthy Polish children aged 7–11 years were examined. The investigation was divided into three parts: measuring (the length of the second and fourth fingers in both hands, body composition, and body height and mass), questionnaires (socioeconomic status), and laboratory investigations (25-OH vitamin D and cortisol concentrations in saliva measured with ELISA methods). Boys with digit ratios below 1 had lower vitamin D concentration than those with digit ratios equal to or higher than 1 (Z = − 2.33; p = 0.019). Only boys with the male-typical pattern of 2D:4D digit ratio tended to have a lower 25-OH vitamin D concentration in saliva. Thus, it might indicate an effect of prenatal programming on the concentrations of steroid hormones in later life. Neither vitamin D, 2D:4D digit ratio nor the cortisol level was associated with the body components or proportions. More studies are needed to evaluate the molecular and genetic background of this phenomenon.

Multiple-Phase Biometric Relationships and Sexual Maturity in the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus thynnus (Osteichthyes: Scombridae)

Most fish undergo distinct growth phases during ontogenesis. An extremely important passage from the juvenile to adult phase occurs at the onset of sexual maturity, which shows in body proportion and/or growth rate changes. These can be detected as change-points in biometric relationships. In this paper, the Atlantic bluefin tuna was analyzed to verify whether its somatic proportions show any sign of discontinuity during growth, i.e., whether any change-points may be detected in its somatic proportions. This fish has never been examined in this respect, and single-phase models, which are indeed easier to both compute and apply, are used in stock analyses. The following somatic relationships were analyzed in Atlantic bluefin tuna captured in the Mediterranean Sea between 1998 and 2010: “fork length–weight” regression, the von Bertalanffy growth equation, and “first dorsal spine cross section surface–fork length” regression. All of the examined relationships were found to be best modelled by multiple-phase regression equations, and all of them showed a change-point within the range of 101–110 cm fork length, which corresponds to 3–4 years of age. The present results, based on reproductive state-independent analyses, corroborate the disputed hypothesis that Atlantic bluefin tuna from the eastern stock in fact reproduce for the first time at this age.

Stunting, wasting, overweight and their coexistence among children under 7 years in the context of the social rapidly developing: Findings from a population-based survey in nine cities of China in 2016

The prevalence of stunting, wasting, overweight and their coexistence are various in different populations and they also have changed with social developing and environmental improving. In this paper, we aimed to analyze the prevalence of stunting, wasting, overweight and their coexistence in some developed regions of China. Data were collected in a population-based cross-sectional survey by a multi-stage cluster sampling method in nine cities located in the northern, central, and southern region of China in 2016. Children under seven years (n = 110,491) were measured. WHO growth standards were used to assess the growth status. Stunting, underweight, wasting, overweight and obesity were considered as the primary forms of malnutrition (includes undernutrition and overnutrition) for infant or young children at population-levels. The prevalence of stunting, underweight, wasting, and overweight or obesity were respectively 0.7%, 0.6%, 1.2%, and 7.6%. Most of these children (95.4%) suffered from one form of malnutrition, and only 0.2% of them concurrently stunted and wasted, 0.4% concurrently stunted and overweight, 1.7% concurrently stunted and underweight, 2.3% concurrently underweight and wasted. Among stunted children, 91.2% were appropriate body proportion, and only 2.3% were wasted, 6.5% were overweight or obesity. Among overweight or obese children, only 0.6% were stunted, whereas, 15.8% were high stature and 83.6% were the appropriate ranges of stature. Sex, age, urban/suburban, and region were associated with these primary forms of malnutrition in the multivariate logistic analysis. In conclusion, we found that the coexistence of stunting and overweight was not common at both population-level and individual-level. The situation for undernutrition had significantly improved, and overweight may be the leading public health issue for children under seven years in the nine cities of China.

Evaluation attempt of own body sensing amongst persons with and without scoliosis

BACKGROUND: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a common structural spine deformity affecting 2%–4% of adolescents. Due to the unknown cause of idiopathic scoliosis, its therapy is a long-term and often unsatisfactory process. In the literature, it is often suggested that problems related to the feeling of one’s own body are caused by AIS. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the feeling of one’s own body among children with and without scoliosis on the example of feeling the head position, pelvis shape and balance. METHOD: The research included 62 children: 30 with scoliosis and 25 without diagnosed scoliosis with an age range between 11 to 19 years. The minimum scoliosis value was 7∘ and the maximum was 53∘. The average value was 25∘. During the study, three functional tests were used: Cervical Joint Position Error Test (CJPET), Clinical Test of Sensory Integration on Balance (CTSIB) and Body proportion demonstration test (BPDT). RESULTS: The results of the tests showed statistically significant differences (CJPET p= 3.54* 10-14, CTSIB p= 0.0376, BPDT p= 0.0127). However, none of the studies showed a correlation between the results of people with scoliosis and the value of their Cobb angles.

Human Body Dimensions for Biomechanical Modelling: A Review

The knowledge of human body proportion and segmental properties of limbs, head and trunk are of fundamental importance in biomechanical research. As many methods are employed, it is important to know which they are currently available, which data on human body masses, lengths, center of mass (COM) location, weights and moment of inertia are available and which methods are most suitable for a specific research purposes. The present review examines the literature concerning human body segments properties for biomechanical purposes. It emerges that data obtained in studies on cadaveric specimens are still the most accurate, whilst technological tools currently available are manifolds, each one with proper advantages and disadvantages. Classical studies were focused mainly on white men, while in recent year the available data of body segments has been extended to children, woman, and other races. Also, data on special population (obese, pregnant women) are starting to appear in the scientific literature.

East & West: Searching out for the Beauty Ideal

This article describes the results of a comparative analysis of the ancient Greek sculpture Doryphoros in the western and eastern art canons, as well as the selected sculptures of the Bodhisattva Bodhisattva Maitreya from Gandharan, Indian, Nepalese, and Mongolian art. The authors also explore and integrate the aspects of the artistic notion of an ideal beauty, including aspects of oriental philosophy, aesthetics, human body’s proportion and compilation theory. This comparative analysis is based on G. Zanabazar’s sculpturing features and his skills through theoretical aspects. Studies have shown that Zanabazar’s Bodhisattva Maitreya is fully compatible with the classic western proportions and Buddhist strict canon. We show that both western and eastern artistic iconography have been developed to produce perfection in anthropomorphic expression. The classic correspondence was in religious art, as the western mentality seems to be the opposite and the imitation of both nature and the beauty of one’s sense of beauty. Keywords: human body proportion relevance with art, corporeality, Buddhist art, Zanabazar, Bodhisattva Bodhisattva Maitreya, golden ratio, artistic canon

Simulation of three-dimensional female body shapes with proportional representation for various weights and heights

Obesity is a significant factor in health information and increases the risk of health problems. Hence, an application that can help users to monitor their body mass index (BMI) timelines is needed. The simulation of a personalized 3D body shape may encourage women to control their BMI for a healthy body and pleasant appearance. Therefore, this paper aims to develop computerized 3D models of female shapes for various weights and heights, and consists of three important parts. First, the preparation of six avatars is described. Second, the body proportions of 6767 female datasets are analyzed to find the relationship of variables in various weights and heights. Last, 3D morphing of different female shapes is developed and analyzed experimentally for appropriate morphing parameters. Accuracy tests are carried out in three ways. First, body proportions calculated using the Z-Size Ladies application, called “Z-Size calculations,” are compared with the body proportions of data obtained from 3D scanners. Second, the Z-Size calculations are compared with tape measurements. Last, the Z-Size calculations are compared with measurements of Z-Size 3D morph models. The results of accuracy tests are shown as the relationship graphs between the BMI and body proportion measurements of chest, waist, hip, and inseam. Bland–Altman plots and Pearson correlation calculation show high correlation. In conclusion, the data obtained from the Z-Size calculations, 3D Scanner, tape measurements, and Z-Size morph models’ measurements are in good agreement and are highly correlated. The simulation of 3D female shapes for different weights and heights as proposed shows good performance and high accuracy.

Age and Gender Differences in the Relationship Between Actual and Perceived Body

We analyzed the relationship between actual and perceived body, the effect of body shape on this relationship, and age and gender differences within it. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using body measurement data of 6,172 Koreans aged 15–69 years, in addition to a survey about perceived body types. We determined the body perception type according to the congruence between perceived and actual body. Using the body proportion index, we identified whether there were physical features depending on perception type. Women perceived their bodies more objectively than did men and eased their physical evaluation standards in their 50s. On the other hand, men tended to underestimate their obesity levels since their youth. In addition, participants underestimating their bodies had a high body mass index. These results provide an overall understanding of the tendency to perceive the body differently by age and gender and may be used as a reference in clothing design.