1,721,182 research outputs found
Body composition and physical health in sports practice: An editorial
Full text link: The assessment of the health status of athletes, at all ages, is an aspect of fundamental importance, and, in recent years, the analysis of body composition has become a fundamental and essential part in its evaluation, such as in the optimization of sports performance [...]
The physical structure of basketball players: Comparison between young and adult athletes
No full textThe aims of the present study were to investigate if the physical characteristics of adult basketball players are already present in teenage players, and to identify the anthropometric features that characterize the different playing positions. The sample consists of 40 teenage athletes and 40 adult athletes playing in the same basketball league and on teams occupying the same position in the standings. By analyzing and comparing subjects grouped by age and playing position, it was possible to identify characters present at a young age and also in adulthood, as well as those present in one sample but not in the other. This allowed us to establish the reliability of a character as a predictor of a certain playing position. In the young athletes, the centers have larger dimensions than the other three positions. The differences among the latter are smaller, although the forwards have a longer-limbed structure than the guards and better memorization and associative abilities than the playmakers. In the adults, the playmakers have the smallest dimensions while the centers have the largest ones. The values of the forwards and guards are intermediate, although the former are taller and have a wider pelvis. In adulthood, there seems to be a closer relationship between the physical characteristics and the playing position. This could be due to the fact that the developing body structure determines a choice of position most suitable to the player's physical characteristics. On the other hand, the body structure is also influenced by the requirements of the position
Estimation of body composition from bioelectrical impedance of body segments
No full textThis study provides values of anthropometric measurements and specific impedance, for a sample of 104 adults. The hypothesis that the body composition can be estimated more accurately from measurements of lengths and impedance values of the body segments than from the whole body was tested. The impedance of upper and lower extremities (arm and leg) and trunk were used to compute estimates of body composition parameters (FFM, FM, %F, TBW, ECW). The results were compared with those estimated by the impedance of the whole body. These comparisons demonstrated that significative differences resulted from body composition obtained by segmental impedance and by the whole body
Influence of various factors on the measurement of multifrequency bioimpedance
No full textBody impedance values at various frequencies (from 1 to 100 kHz) were determined in 104 subjects on seven separate days over a two-week period. The variability of body impedance in different measurement conditions was studied. In particular, the effects of the electrode locations, the ingestion of some substances (sugar, alcohol, mineral salts), body spatial geometry, the time spent in the supine position and the menstrual cycle were assessed. Under standardized conditions (in the morning, in the fasting state, with an empty bladder and with the body in a standardised spatial position), the within-subject day-to-day variability was 3-14 Ohms. Under different experimental conditions, the within-subject variability was generally much higher. This was particularly evident for female subjects. We observed significant mean variations in relation to the different experimental factors introduced one at a time, with the exception of the menstrual cycle. For example, half an hour after the intake of various substances, body impedance had generally increased by 6-17 Ohms in comparison with values in the fasting state. Changes in body impedance during the menstrual cycle, however, were small and never statistically significant. The impedance variations obviously caused significant changes in estimated parameters of body composition. It is concluded that controlled conditions and standardization of multifrequency bioimpedance analysis (MBIA) methods are indispensable for the application of this technique
Remarks on methods for estimating body composition parameters: reliability of skinfold and multiple frequency bioelectric impedance methods
No full textA sample of 104 adults underwent testing of body composition by multiple frequency bioelectric impedance analysis (MBIA) under controlled conditions, by anthropometric methods (skinfold thicknesses and BMI) and by the urinary creatinine method. The statistical comparison of body composition parameters (Fat, FFM, TBW), estimated by different methods for the same subjects, pointed out significant differences in mean values. The precision of skinfold and MBIA measurements was evaluated by a second control measurement. Concerning the MBIA, the reliability increased with increasing frequencies. Nevertheless, measurement reliability is higher for skinfolds than for MBIA. Under the condition that there is a real anthropometric technical ability, we affirm that the body composition parameters may at present be better estimated by the skinfold method
Length of residence and obesity risk among North African immigrant women in Italy
No full textObesity is one of the major risks for chronic health conditions. Immigrants from low- and middle-income to high-income countries show a tendency to weight gain, with the country of origin, lifestyle habits, socioeconomic status and length of residence as the main factors involved. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the association between fat distribution and obesity with length of residence and other socio-demographic variables in a sample of North African women migrated to Italy. Socio-demographic variables were collected by structured face-to-face interview. For the assessment of weight status and body composition, various anthropometric traits were directly measured by an expert anthropometrist. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA adjusted for age to test the differences between length of residence (divided into three groups) and logistic regression models adjusted for covariates to test the association between overweight and/or obesity and length of residence. Significant differences between the three groups were observed in waist circumference (p = 0.004), waist-to-hip ratio (p = 0.001), and upper arm muscularity (p = 0.025), with higher values in those with longer duration of residence. In the crude logistic regression model length of residence resulted positively associated with obesity with the odds of being obese increased by 2.4 times in long term immigrants [OR 2.364 (0.766; 7.296)]. After adjusting for covariate the association remained significant [OR 3.584 (0.779; 16.480)], and being poorly educated [OR 5.737 (0.641; 51.363)], unemployed [OR 6.892 (0.940; 50.528)] and not practicing regular physical activity [OR 17.736 (1.569; 200.418)] increased the odds ratio of being obese. In conclusion, length of residence, socioeconomic status, and physical activity were significantly correlated with obesity, with a longer duration of residence being positively associated with central fat adiposity and upper arm muscle area in North African migrant women
Physical activity during covid-19 lockdown in italy: A systematic review
Full text linkThe recent COVID-19 pandemic has imposed a general lockdown in Italy, one of the most affected countries at the beginning of the outbreak, between 9 March and 3 May 2020. As a conse-quence, Italian citizens were confined at home for almost two months, an unprecedented situation, which could have negative effects on both psychological and physical health. The aim of this study was to review the published papers concerning the effects of the lockdown on physical activity and the consequences on general health. As expected, most studies highlighted a significant reduction in the amount of performed physical activity compared to before lockdown, in both the general population and in individuals with chronic conditions. This fact had negative consequences on both general health, in terms of increased body mass, and on specific chronic conditions, especially obesity and neurological diseases
Ethnic differences in body image perception in patients with type 2 diabetes
No full textBackground: The present study compared the prevalence of obesity, fat distribution, body image perception and lifestyle among diabetic African and Albanian immigrants living in Italy, as well as diabetic Italians, aiming to identify health risks and their possible causes. Methods: The study sample consisted of 200 diabetic subjects living in Italy. A questionnaire regarding socio-demographic and lifestyle information was administered to participants, and anthropometric measurements and body image perception were assessed. Proper perception of weight status and the degree of dissatisfaction in body image perception were valued. Results: Italians showed a higher health risk, both with regard to anthropometric characteristics and lifestyle, whereas African immigrants showed a lower one. All of the male groups underestimated their weight and Albanians were the most dissatisfied. Women perceived their current body image as heavier than their desired body image, showing a dissatisfaction toward their weight. Subjects of both sexes belonging to the overweight and obese categories generally underestimated themselves; this was particularly true in obese Africans. People with a higher body mass index were more likely to be dissatisfied than those with a lower one. Body image dissatisfaction increased when people estimated themselves as being overweight. Among lifestyle habits, being an ex-smoker increased body image dissatisfaction. Conclusions: The underestimation of weight detected in the present study requires attention. Nevertheless, the high percentage of overweight/obese people, coupled with the higher frequency of people dissatisfied with their high weight, suggests an awareness of the problem that could be more effective for weight loss
Psychosocial indicators and distress in immigrants living in Italian reception centres.
No full textDespite the high rate of migration to Italy, there are still no comprehensive studies of psychosocial
distress in the different groups of immigrants. The objective of the present study was to
investigate the psychosocial status of immigrants living in Bologna (Italy). We conducted a crosssectional
survey of 396 immigrants (313 males and 83 females) from Africa, Asia and eastern
Europe (Senegalese, Moroccans, Tunisians, Pakistanis, Kosovars and Roma) using questionnaires
administered by trained anthropologists. Except for Tunisians, the psychological distress and
discomfort of the immigrant groups are low, and the perception of their quality of life and wellbeing
is good. In the groups that have spent more time in Italy, the percentage of subjects wishing
to return to their native country is generally higher. Immigrants living in Bologna exhibit a good
psychosocial state and seem to have positively interacted with their new environment
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