Calf muscle area and strength changes after five weeks of horizontal bed rest

Nine male volunteers participated in a 10 week metabolic study in which subjects underwent 5 weeks of ambulatory control and 5 weeks of complete horizontal bed rest. Bed rest is a model commonly used to simulate space flight. The changes in muscle area and strength of the calf dorsiflexors and plantar flexors were measured before and after bed rest using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a Cybex II dynamometer. The muscle area of the plantar flexors (gastrocnemius and soleus) decreased 12%, whereas the muscle area of the dorsiflexors was not significantly decreased. The maximal muscle strength of the plantar flexors decreased 26%; the muscle strength of the dorsiflexors was not significantly decreased. These results, which demonstrate differential muscle atrophy and a larger loss in strength relative to muscle area, have important implications in the development of exercise counter-measures to be implemented during space flight. The results also have implications for patients who have severe orthopaedic disorders and must be bed rested for long periods of time, and for persons who are voluntarily inactive (a large number of the elderly).     

Prediction accuracy of body density, lean body weight, and total body volume equations

The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of percent fat estimates derived from regression equations with functions of predicting body density (BD), lean body weight (LBW), and total body volume (TBV) from anthropometric variables. BD, LBW, and TBV equations were derived from the data of 95 young, adult men (percent fat X = 13.4%). The multiple correlations for these equations were: BD, 0.86-0.83; LBW, 0.96-0.95; and TBV, 0.99. The zero order correlations between laboratory determined percent fat and percent fat derived by the BD, LBW, and TBV equations ranged from 0.80 to 0.86 with standard errors from 3.1% to 3.7%. This shows that BD, LBW, and TBV equations have similar accuracy when transformed to percent fat. The derived equations were cross validated with three additional, but diverse, samples (percent fat X = 5.1%; 16.7%; 27.1%). The cross validations results revealed that all equations exhibited similar accuracy. With samples differing in percent fat, systematic prediction errors occurred. The results further confirm population specificity of prediction equations.     

不同碘流率时体重、体重指数、去脂体重、体脂量及体表面积对CTPA图像质量的影响

目的:评估不同碘流率时体重、体重指数、去脂体重、体脂重量及体表面积是否影响肺动脉血管成像(CTPA)的图像质量,以及其与CTPA肺动脉强化程度的关系.方法:纳入行CTPA检查的疑似肺栓塞患者181例,按随机数字表法分配到4.0 mL/s(62例)、3.5 mL/s(66例)及3.0 mL/s(53例)三个不同流率组.测量肺动脉主干、右肺上叶动脉及右肺下叶后基底段动脉CT值,计算并比较三个流率组的肺动脉平均CT值,分析其与体重、体重指数、去脂体重、体脂重量及体表面积的相关性.结果:随着碘流率的降低,三组肺动脉平均CT值依次递减,但总体差异无统计学意义(P=0.096).体重、体重指数、去脂体重、体脂重量及体表面积与4.0 mL/s组肺动脉平均CT值的相关性均有统计学意义(r=-0.253～～-0.349),与3.5 mL/s组及3.0 mL/s组间的相关性均无统计学意义(分别为r=一0.126～一0.186,r=-0.014～-0.244).结论:随着碘流率的降低,虽然肺动脉平均CT值有所下降,但均可以满足诊断需求;且碘流率越低,体重、体重指数、去脂体重、体脂重量及体表面积与肺动脉平均CT值的相关度越低.     

Effects of water immersion on cardiac output of lean and fat male subjects at rest and during exercise

To investigate the combined effect of water immersion (WI) and lean body mass on cardiac output (Q), 12 healthy young men, 6 lean (fat less than 9%) and 6 fat (fat greater than 18%), were studied at rest and during steady state exercise approximating 30-40% Vo2 max under three experimental conditions. There were on land at 24 degrees C (LND), and immersed in water at 33-34 degrees C to hip level (HIP), and to the xiphoid (XIP). Metabolic measures were determined during 30-s periods from the average breath measurements. Mixed venous PCO2 (PVCO2) was estimated using rebreathing equilibration technique. Cardiac output was calculated by the indirect Fick's principle. In the lean individuals the average Q rose from a resting value of 5.43 +/- 0.43 (LND) to an exercise value of 7.25 +/- 0.40 L/min (XIP), and from resting value of 5.62 +/- 0.40 to an exercise 6.47 +/- 0.5 L/min in the fat individuals. During exercise, the associated increase in Q with increasing WI was significantly (p less than 0.05) higher compared with the land experiments. Inspection of the mean profile corresponding to this increase indicated that an increase in the level of immersion results in a significant (p less than 0.05) increase in the average Q for the lean group. For the fat group, the average Q was significantly (p less than 0.05) larger only at XIP level. At rest, heart rate dropped from 67 +/- 3.36 (LND) to 60 +/- 4.13 (XIP), and from 79 +/- 3.73 to 73 +/- 4.10 BPM for the lean and fat group, respectively. MANOVA analysis showed a significant (p less than 0.05) interaction between WI and group membership, indicating that the effect of WI is significantly different between the two groups. These data indicate that the change in central blood volume with WI depends, in part, on the lean mass of the body.     

Factors that alter body fat, body mass, and fat-free mass in pediatric obesity

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of exercise treatment programs on changes in body mass, fat-free mass, and body fat in obese children and adolescents. METHODS: By using the meta-analytic approach, studies that met the following criteria were included in our analyses: 1) at least six subjects per group; 2) subject groups consisting of children in the 5- to 17-yr age range; 3) pretest and posttest values for either body mass, percent body fat, or fat-free mass (FFM); 4) used exercise as a mode of treatment (e.g., walking, jogging, cycle ergometry, high-repetition resistance exercise, and combinations); 6) training programs >or= 3 wk; 7) full-length publications (not conference proceedings); 8) apparently "healthy" children (i.e., free from endocrine diseases and disorders); and 9) published studies in English language journals only. RESULTS: A total of 120 investigations were located that addressed the issue of exercise as a method of treatment in pediatric obesity. Of those, 30 met our criteria for inclusion. Across all designs and categories, fixed-effects modeling yielded significant decreases in the following dependent variables: 1) percent body fat (mean = 0.70 +/- 0.35; 95% CI = 0.21 to 1.1); 2) FFM (mean = 0.50 +/- 0.38; 95% CI = 0.03 to 0.57); 3) body mass (mean = 0.34 +/- 0.18; 95% CI = 0.01 to 0.46); 4) BMI (mean = 0.76 +/- 0.55; 95% CI = 4.24 to 1.7), and 5) VO2max (mean = 0.52 +/- 0.16; 95% CI = 0.18 to 0.89), respectively. Significant differences were found as a function of the type intervention groups (exercise vs exercise + behavioral modification; P < 0.04); body composition assessment methods (skinfold vs hydrostatic weighing, DEXA, and total body water; P < 0.006); exercise intensity (60-65%, vs >or= 71% VO2max; P < 0.01); duration ( 30 min; P < 0.03); and mode (aerobic vs aerobic + resistance training; P < 0.02). Stepwise linear regression suggested that initial body fat levels (or body mass), type of treatment intervention, exercise intensity, and exercise mode accounted for most of the variance associated with changes in body composition after training. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise is efficacious for reducing selected body composition variables in children and adolescents. The most favorable alterations in body composition occurred with 1) low-intensity, long-duration exercise; 2) aerobic exercise combined with high-repetition resistance training; and 3) exercise programs combined with a behavioral-modification component.     

Orthostatic tolerance and hormonal changes in women during 120 days of head-down bed rest

BACKGROUND: Women will be included as mission specialists in the upcoming International Space Station program. This paper describes the changes in volume-regulating hormones and determines the degree of degradation in orthostatic tolerance in a group of women after 120 d of bed rest. The aim of this study was to test a countermeasure program to be used by women during long-duration spaceflights. METHODS: For 120 d of -6 degrees head-down bed rest (HDBR), eight healthy women were assigned either to a no-countermeasure (No-CM, n = 4), or to a countermeasure (CM, n = 4) group. In the countermeasure group, exercise began after 2 wk, pharmacological agents were given during the 1st and 3rd mo, and the "Centaur" suit was worn on the last day of bed rest and during the day time for several days after bed rest. Diet supplements were taken during the 1st and 4th mo of HDBR. Tilt tests were run before and after HDBR. RESULTS: After the HDBR, none of the CM subjects, had pre-syncopal or syncopal symptoms during tilt tests: BP was well maintained in the CM group, while heart rate and BP changed in the No-CM group. In plasma, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) increased in both groups and remained high throughout HDBR, while aldosterone increased and remained elevated in the No-CM group. Natriuresis was decreased during HDBR. CONCLUSION: The CM protocols used during this study were efficient and prevented orthostatic intolerance for the four CM subjects. It would be necessary to obtain more data regarding this set of CM protocols on female subjects to lead to statistical and formal conclusions.     

Whole-body bone mineral content, lean body mass, and fat mass measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in a population of normal Canadian children and adolescents.

Measurements of body composition have evident value in evaluating growing children and adolescents, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is a tool that provides accurate measurements of whole-body bone mineral content (WBBMC), lean body mass (LBM), and fat mass (FM). To interpret such measurements in the context of ill health, normative values must be available. Such information could be expected to be regionally specific because of differences in ethnic, dietary, and physical activity determinants. In this study, DXA was performed with Hologic densitometers in normal girls (n = 91) and boys (n = 88) between 3 and 18 years of age. The derivation of normal ranges is presented for boys and girls. The correlation of the sum of WBBMC, LBM, and FM with directly measured body weight was almost perfect (r > 0.997). As expected, FM and body mass index correlated strongly. The normal values for WBBMC, LBM, and FM from this study are compared with other Canadian data and with published normative data from Argentina and the Netherlands, all of which use different densitometers. The results of this study allow the calculation of z scores for each facet of body composition and facilitate the use of DXA to report routine evaluations of body composition in children and adolescents.     

卧床中及卧床后头高位倾斜对心率及血压变异谱的变化

观察了男性青年２１ｄ头低位６°卧床过程中以及卧床前、后７５°头高位倾斜（ＨＵＴ）时心率变异（ＨＲＶ）与动脉收缩压变异（ＳＢＰＶ）谱变化。卧床期间，完成者ＨＲＶ和ＳＢＰＶ谱的低，高频谱峰功率（ＬＦ和ＨＦ）均显著减小，ＨＲＶ谱低，高频谱峰功率比值（ＬＦ：ＨＦＨＲＶ）在卧床第１６ｄ有增大趋势，未完成者的相应谱指标有类似变化趋向，在卧床后ＨＵＴ初始６ｍｉｎ，所有被试者心率显著快于卧床前ＨＵＴ时相应值，而Ｌ     

Vitamin C and E supplementation blunts increases in total lean body mass in elderly men after strength training

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin C and E supplementation on changes in muscle mass (lean mass and muscle thickness) and strength during 12 weeks of strength training in elderly men. Thirty‐four elderly males (60–81 years) were randomized to either an antioxidant group (500 mg of vitamin C and 117.5 mg vitamin E before and after training) or a placebo group following the same strength training program (three sessions per week). Body composition was assessed with dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry and muscle thickness by ultrasound imaging. Muscle strength was measured as one‐repetition maximum (1RM). Total lean mass increased by 3.9% (95% confidence intervals: 3.0, 5.2) and 1.4% (0, 5.4) in the placebo and antioxidant groups, respectively, revealing larger gains in the placebo group (P = 0.04). Similarly, the thickness of m. rectus femoris increased more in the placebo group [16.2% (12.8, 24.1)] than in the antioxidant group [10.9% (9.8, 13.5); P = 0.01]. Increases of lean mass in trunk and arms, and muscle thickness of elbow flexors, did not differ significantly between groups. With no group differences, 1RM improved in the range of 15–21% (P < 0.001). In conclusion, high‐dosage vitamin C and E supplementation blunted certain muscular adaptations to strength training in elderly men.     

套带与下体负压对-6°头低位卧床21天的健康男性心脏X线变化的影响

目的　探讨头低位卧床模拟失重过程中心脏 X线形态变化及四肢加压套带、下体负压的作用。　方法　 18名健康男性青年 ,自愿接受试验 ,随机分为对照组、套带组和下体负压组 ,进行- 6°头低位卧床 2 1d试验。对照组卧床中不用任何对抗措施 ;套带组卧床期间每天 0 8∶ 30～ 2 0∶ 30 ,四肢戴加压套带 ,压力维持在 5 .3k Pa;下体负压组卧床期间第 1周和最后 1周每天下午使用 1h下体负压裤 ,压力维持在 - 4k Pa。分别于卧床前 1d和卧床后 1d摄取 X线胸片 1张 ,按有关标准测量胸廊横径、心脏横径、长径和宽径 ,并计算反映心脏形态大小的心胸比和心脏面积。　结果　对照组卧床后较卧床前心脏横径减小 0 .5 4cm,心胸比减小 0 .0 2 4,心脏面积减小 9cm2 ,差异有显著性意义。套带组和下体负压组心脏面积前后比较差异无显著性意义。　结论　头低位卧床 2 1d模拟失重过程可使心脏体积变小 ,这可能是心脏功能降低的结果 ,与有关实验结果相符 ;使用四肢加压套带和下体负压等对抗措施可以防止心脏形态改变 ,而下体负压作用效果及可操作性均优于四肢加压套带。     

The relationship of changes in blood fatty acids and calcium during 370-day head-down bed rest]

Serum calcium and serum and erythrocyte higher fatty acids (HFA) in 8 male subjects in a 370-d head-down bed rest experiment were different in group-A (applying preventive physical training and pharmacy) and group-B (control). On day 46 of the experiment, HFA content in all lipid fractions decreased sharply in both groups; however, HFA level in serum exceeded baseline values in 2-6 times and remained low in erythrocytes. Difference between the groups became appreciable on HDT day 110.     

Anthropometry,standing posture,and body center of mass changes up to 28 weeks postpartum in Caucasians in the United States

BackgroundAnthropometric models are used when body center of mass motion is calculated for assessment of dynamic balance. It is currently unknown how body segments and posture change in the postpartum period. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the longitudinal changes in anthropometry, center of mass, and standing posture postpartum.MethodsSeventeen pregnant women were tested at nine different times: 16–20 weeks and 36–40 weeks gestation, and then in 4-week intervals from childbirth to 28 weeks postpartum. Anthropometry was measured and then participants conducted a static standing and static laying trial. Force plate data and motion capture data were used in combination with anthropometry to calculate the masses of individual segments and the body center of mass. Change over time was determined through a linear mixed model analysis.ResultsAnthropometric changes related to the abdomen or fluid retention during pregnancy immediately regress to early pregnancy levels following childbirth. However, other changes related to breast tissue and fat deposits persist postpartum. As such, masses of different segments affect an anthropometric model for center of mass calculation, and body center of mass changes in the lateral and anterior directions postpartum. Vertical body center of mass position was unaffected.SignificanceIncreased postpartum breast mass may be the cause of persistent lordotic curvature changes in the lumbar spine. There is potential that this affects postpartum back pain. Future research should explore how body center of mass changes postpartum for individuals that do not breast feed, and thus may not have significant breast mass postpartum.     

高尿酸血症与血脂、血压及体重指数的相关性研究

目的分析高尿酸血症与脂代谢异常、血压、体重指数及血糖的相关性。方法入选2009年1月～2011年10月在我院诊疗的3122例健康体检者,对其血尿酸、血脂、血压、体重指数以及血糖进行统计学分析。结果高尿酸血症总发生率为18.39%。男性与女性之间的高尿酸血症发生率具有统计学差异（21.03%vs 13.96%,P〈0.05）。在女性高尿酸组中,收缩压水平较尿酸正常组明显增高[（139.5±25.5）vs（133.4±221.3）mmHg,P〈0.05]。在男性高尿酸组中,BMI较尿酸正常组明显增高[（26.02±4.38）vs（25.11±3.24）kg/m2,P〈0.05]。男性人群中,高尿酸组患者的TC和TG均较尿酸正常组患者明显升高（P〈0.05）;在女性人群中,高尿酸组患者的TG较尿酸正常组患者明显升高,而高尿酸组患者的HDL较尿酸正常组明显降低（P〈0.05）。结论高尿酸血症与脂代谢异常、血压、体重指数具有一定的相关性,且具有性别差异。     

Influence of previous body mass index and sex on regional fat changes in a weight loss intervention

Objectives: Men and women may lose weight in a different fashion. This study compares the changes in different anatomical regions after a well-controlled weight loss program by sex and initial BMI.

Methods: A total of 180 subjects (48 overweight women, 36 overweight men, and 48 obese women and 48 obese men) were recruited to participate in a 22-week weight loss programme (diet + exercise).

Results: Regarding percentage body weight change from baseline, there was no triple interaction (BMI, sex and anatomical region), but there was interaction between BMI and anatomical region (F2,840 = 34.5; p < 0.001), and between sex and anatomical region (F2,840 = 98.8; p < 0.001). Usually, the arms and legs are the regions that lose more weight in obese participants, but men lose the highest percentage of mass from the trunk. There were differences between men and women for the areas of left trunk mass (750g), right trunk mass (700g), total mass of the trunk (1400g), android mass (350g), and finally in the total mass in overweight participants (1300g), with higher values for men than for women. The region that loses more weight and fat is the trunk, followed by the legs, and then the arms, when the loss is observed in function of the total weight or fat lost.

Conclusion: Both BMI and sex exert a definite influence fat loss, especially in some anatomical regions.     

Effects of arginine and ornithine on strength, lean body mass and urinary hydroxyproline in adult males

Twenty-two adult males participated in a 5 week progressive strength training program. One half the subjects received the amino acids L-arginine and L-ornithine and the other half, a placebo. The study used a double blind protocol so that subjects as well as investigators had no knowledge of which substances were being administered. Dosages amounted to 2 grams or 1 gram each of L-arginine and L-ornithine, and 600 mg of calcium and 1 gram of Vitamin C as placebos. These supplements were taken orally for a total of 25 administrations. Following the short term strength program using progressively high intensities, tests were taken for total strength (TS), lean body mass (LBM) and urinary hydroxyproline (UH). The results from ANOVA showed that subjects who were taking the arginine-ornithine combination scored significantly higher in TS and LBM (p less than .05), and significantly lower in UH (p less than .05), than subjects on placebos. It was concluded that arginine and ornithine taken in prescribed doses can, in conjunction with a high intensity strength training program, increase TS and LBM in a relatively short period of time. Arginine and ornithine also aid in recovery from chronic stress by quelling tissue breakdown as evidenced by lower UH levels.