Comparative Study Regarding the Extracurricular Sports Activity among Primary and Middle Schoolers

The extracurricular sports activity among schooler children plays a significant role in the elimination of their sedentary behaviour. The purpose of this study was to analyse on a sample of 408 students aspects related to the following: the body mass index (BMI), the type of physical activities practiced, the parameters of the physical efforts made, the level of performance attained and the access to sports bases. The subjects within the research were divided into 4 groups: female primary schoolers (FP, n=126, 9.83 ±1.30 years old), male primary schoolers (MP, n=103, 10,04 ± 1.22 years old), female middle schoolers (FM, n=98, 12.40 ± 1.36 years old) and male middle schoolers (MM, n=81, 12.22 ± 1.33 years old). The subjects underwent anthropometric and interrogative analyses, through the survey method. By using the Anova One – Way (p˂0.05), we obtained significant differences of the BMI between FP- MM, MP–MM and FM–MM. The type of preferred sports activities differentiated MP – MM, the last group being centred on cyclical activities. The duration of the session presents significant differences between MP – FM. The weekly frequency and the annual durationof sports activity features a similar level. The volume of annual physical activities is differentiated between BP and FG. The performance level attained is different between MP – FM and MP – MM. Consequently, it may be stated that the preferences of schoolers regarding extracurricular sports activity are practiced with a frequency of 8 months per year, 3 times a week, each session lasting for 90 minutes, while their natureis cyclical at leisure level, too.

Exploring Psychosocial Determinants of Eating Behavior: Fruit and Vegetable Intake Among Brazilian Adolescents

In most Western countries, children and adolescents do not eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables (FVs). Theoretical frameworks on social psychology of eating, such as the Reason Action Approach, Social Cognitive Theory, and Theory of Normal Conduct have been applied to understand how psychosocial variables can explain FV intake. However, considering those predictors is still rare on the understanding of FV intake among adolescents (particularly in Brazil) despite its importance within eating behavior. Therefore, this study explored important psychosocial determinants of weekly frequency of FV intake among Brazilian adolescents in a model testing socioeconomic status (SES) and body mass index (BMI). A cross-sectional design was performed with 429 students (58% female), mean age 14.45 (SD 1.86). Key variables of theoretical framework on social psychology of food were investigated by structural equation modeling. The model included self-efficacy, attitudes, and social norms (with its subcomponents descriptive and injunctive) as psychosocial predictors of weekly frequency of FV intake along with SES and BMI. An instrument developed for Brazilian Portuguese was used to collect psychosocial variables as well as to verify FV reported intake. The total model explained 45.5% of weekly frequency of FV intake, and self-efficacy was the only significant psychosocial determinant (λ = 0.51, p = 0.001). SES also showed an important effect on the model (λ = 0.21, p = 0.001), while for BMI no significance was observed. In conclusion, the model was adequate to understand psychosocial determinants of weekly frequency of FV intake for Brazilian adolescents, with self-efficacy and SES as the major determinants of this eating behavior.

PHYSIOLOGICAL VOCAL WARMING UP PROGRAM IN RELIGIOUS SINGERS

Purpose: To analyze the effectiveness of a physiological vocal warm-up program focused on religious singers. Method: longitudinal study involving 39 subjects male and female, aged at least 18 and at most 50, the participants underwent an evaluation vocal pre-warm-up and vocal post-warm-up, results being compared to both evaluations. The evaluation was applied questionnaire vocal habits and symptoms, acoustic analysis and auditory perceptual analysis. The study was conducted in Catholic Churches of Várzea Grande City in the state Mato Grosso. Results: They said participants to use the corner of a median of 87.3 months with weekly frequency of 2.4 times per week. However, 89.7% of the singers reported not warm up the voice before the corner and not desaquecerem 94.9% after the corner. In inadequate vocal habits most said talking aplenty. Already in vocal symptoms the three most prevalent were: voice worse in the morning (59.0%), loss of treble (54.4%) and hoarseness constant (51.3%). After application of vocal warm-up program improvement was observed in vocal self assessment and auditory perceptual analysis. There was also a significant increase in the fundamental frequency of the sustained vowel, but for the singing voice there was no change in acoustic parameters analyzed. Conclusion: The vocal heating program was effective with positive changes in voice adjustments, providing a more comfortable voice output this being noticed by singers themselves.

Is Weekly Frequency of Yoga Practice Sufficient? Physiological Effects of Hatha Yoga Among Healthy Novice Women

Beneficial physical and physiological health outcomes of yoga practice are well-supported by empirical data. However, whether weekly frequency of training is sufficient to evoke positive changes, is still an open question. The present intervention study investigated the effects of 10 weekly sessions of beginner level hatha yoga with respect to indicators of physical fitness and physiological markers. 82 young women (mean age of 22.0 ± 3.83 years) participated in the study. The yoga group (N = 49) attended a yoga course consisting of 10 sessions (1.5 h each) on a weekly basis. The control group (N = 33) did not receive any intervention. BMI, body fat percentage, balance (one-leg-stand test with open and closed eyes, functional reach test), flexibility (side bend test, modified sit and reach test) core muscle strength (plank test) as well as resting heart rate (HR), and heart rate variability (HRV) were assessed 1 week before and after the course. Both frequentist and Bayesian analysis showed an improvement in flexibility and balance in the yoga group compared to the control group. The yoga group showed also increased core muscle strength. No changes with respect to BMI, body fat percentage, resting HR and HRV were found. Ninety minute beginner level hatha yoga classes were characterized by 93.39 HR and 195 kcal energy consumption on average. The present findings suggest that weekly setting of a 10-session long hatha yoga training leads to improvements in balance, flexibility and core muscle strength among healthy young women. However, for changes in BMI, body fat percentage, resting HR and HRV longer, and/or more intense interventions are needed.

Protein, Creatine, and Dieting Supplements Among Adolescents: Use and Associations With Eating Disorder Risk Factors, Exercise-, and Sports Participation, and Immigrant Status

Objective: This study aimed to estimate the number of weekly users of protein, creatine, and dieting supplements and to explore whether weekly use was related to eating disorder (ED) risk factors, exercise, sports participation, and immigrant status.Methods: In total, 629 and 1,060 high school boys and girls, respectively, self-reported weekly frequency of protein, creatine, and dieting supplement use, and weight and shape concerns, appearance internalization and pressure, self-esteem, mental distress, physical activity level, exercise context, and the type and weekly frequency of sport played. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses were performed to investigate explanatory factors for supplement use.Results: More boys than girls used protein and creatine supplements. Immigrant boys had more frequent use of all supplements than non-immigrant boys, and immigrant girls used creatine supplements more frequently than non-immigrant girls. In total, 23–40 and 5–6% of the variation in the weekly frequency of supplement use in boys and girls, respectively, was explained by immigrant status, ED risk factors, and exercise and sports participation. More frequent use of protein, creatine and dieting supplements in boys was significantly explained by more weight and shape concerns, fitness center exercise, and weight-sensitive sports participation. Depending on the type of supplement, more frequent use of supplements in girls was significantly explained by lower self-esteem, more engagement in weight-sensitive sports, and less engagement in general sport and exercise activities.Conclusion: Weekly supplement use was common and more frequent among boys than girls. The weekly use of protein, creatine, and dieting supplements was related to ED risk factors, exercise and sports participation, and immigrant status in boys but not in girls.

Higher Frequency of Fish Intake May Be Associated with a Lower Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio: Anti-Atherosclerotic Effects of Fish Consumption

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Higher fish consumption has been reported to be associated with a lower incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD). An elevated neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a marker of systemic inflammation, is reportedly associated with the development of adverse CAD events. We hypothesized that a higher fish intake was associated with a lower NLR. <b><i>Methods and Results:</i></b> This cross-sectional study was conducted in a cohort of 8,237 Japanese subjects who had no history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease registered at the Health Planning Center of Nihon University Hospital between April 2018 and March 2019. The average weekly frequency of fish intake was 2.32 ± 1.31 days. The NLR decreased significantly as the weekly frequency of fish intake (0 day, 1–2 days, 3–4 days, or 5–7 days) increased (<i>p</i> = 0.001). A multiple stepwise regression analysis identified the weekly frequency of fish intake (β = −0.045, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.0001) and habitual alcohol intake (β = −0.051, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.0001) as significant but weak, negative, and independent determinants of the NLR. Conversely, the presence of metabolic syndrome (β = 0.046, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.0001), the presence of treatment for diabetes mellitus (β = 0.054, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.0001), and the presence of treatment for hypertension (β = 0.043, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.0001) were significant positive and independent determinants of the NLR. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The present results suggest that a higher frequency of fish intake appears to be associated with a lower NLR, suggesting an anti-systemic inflammation effect. This association may partially explain the preventive effects of a higher fish intake on CAD events.

Impacts of lockdown on dietary patterns among youths in China: the COVID-19 Impact on Lifestyle Change Survey

Objective: To assess changes in dietary patterns among youths in China after COVID-19 lockdown. Design: This study was based on the COVID-19 Impact on Lifestyle Change Survey (COINLICS), a national retrospective survey established in early May 2020. The questionnaire was distributed through social media platforms. The sociodemographic information and routine dietary patterns before and after lockdown of participants were investigated. t tests and χ2 tests were used to compare the differences in consumption patterns of twelve major food groups and beverages between sex and across educational levels before and after lockdown. Factor analysis was employed to obtain the main dietary patterns. Settings: China. Participants: A total of 10 082 youths. Results: A significant decrease was observed in the average weekly frequency of rice intake, while significant increases were observed in the frequency of intake of wheat products, other staple foods, fish, eggs, fresh vegetables, preserved vegetables, fresh fruit and dairy products (all P values < 0·01). Heterogeneities of average weekly frequency existed between sex and across educational levels to different extents. The three main dietary patterns derived were loaded most heavily on dairy products, rice and wheat products, separately; the rice pattern became more dominant than the wheat products pattern after lockdown. The frequency of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption had decreased, while the frequency of other beverages had increased. Conclusions: Our timely survey would inform policymakers and health professionals of these significant changes in youths’ dietary patterns after lockdown, with heterogeneities observed to different extents between sex and across educational levels, for better policy-making and public health practice.

Back School Postural Education Program: Comparison of Two Types of Interventions in Improving Ergonomic Knowledge about Postures and Reducing Low Back Pain in Adolescents

This study aimed to compare the impact of two Back School Postural Education Programs on improving ergonomic knowledge of postures adopted at school and home, as well as on reducing low back pain (LPB) in adolescents. The sample was constituted by 153 students, aged 10–16 years, with 96 (62.7%) girls, divided into 2 intervention groups (GA, GB). Two tests (theoretical and practical) and LBP questionnaire were applied 1 week before and 1 year after the end of the program. In GA, three sessions were performed for each class separately, on theoretical and practical issues, lasting 45 min and at intervals of 1 week, and in GB, only one theoretical session (90 min) was given to all students. Statistically differences on GA were obtained between the values 1 week before and after 1 year of evaluation in both theoretical and practical tests (p ≤ 0.001). In GB, only the values of the practical test present a statistical difference (p ≤ 0.001). GA obtained higher values on both tests after 1 year of follow-up compared with GB (p ≤ 0.001). The number of students with LBP decreased on GA (p ≤ 0.001). The program with longer duration, higher weekly frequency, and more practical and individualized character promotes better effects.

Time Series Dynamics of Short Term Interest Rates in Turkey

Interest rate functions as the cornerstone for the heavy majority of the financial models. The high volatility in interest rates in the financial crisis of 2008/09 and resulting increased uncertainty led many researchers to focus on modeling the dynamics of changes in short term interest rates. This study aims to analyze the volatility of short-term interest rate in Turkey in terms of overnight repo rate and to forecast this rate for the next six months by modelling this volatility. For this purpose, the ARCH family models like ARCH, GARCH and EGARCH were preferred to use since they are the most common methods in the literature. Using the weekly frequency data for the period of January 2002 - January 2021, the model that best describes the stochastic volatility in the data was found to be the GARCH (1.1) model. As a result of the fact that the in-sample estimates were found sufficient, the interest rate estimates for the next 6 months were realized.