RESUMEN
Building, bridge or wind turbine maintenance requires manual dexterity tasks by a specialist rope-access trained workforce via two principal means: harness suspension of individual workers from above, or deployment of a suspended platform or cradle from which workers access the structure to be maintained. Currently no published research compares accuracy and efficiency of simulated maintenance tasks between these modalities. This study investigated manual dexterity task performance of peg placement and shape delineation in seated, standing and suspended environments in 16 healthy controls and 26 professional rope-access trained individuals. Both seated and standing assessments were superior to those suspended, and height of suspension, total mass and years of experience had no influence on the task outcome. These findings suggest that, where feasible, cradle suspension mechanisms which permit standing maintenance are favourable in terms of task efficacy and where feasible, should be considered for deployment in wind energy and other engineering applications.
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Industrias , Energía Renovable , Humanos , Análisis y Desempeño de TareasRESUMEN
Our aim was to identify the best anthropometric index associated with waist adiposity. The six weight-status indices included body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHTR), and a new waist-by-height0.5 ratio (WHT.5R). The association between three waist skinfolds and the six anthropometric indices was conducted using ANCOVA, MANCOVA, allometric modelling and non-linear regression. The strongest predictors of waist adiposity were (1st) WHT.5R, (2nd) WHTR, (3rd) waist circumference (WC), (4th) BMI, (5th) WHR, and lastly (6th) a body shape index ABSI = WC/(BMI2/3 * height1/2). The allometric and non-linear regression analyses identified the optimal waist-to-height ratio associated with waist adiposity to be (waist * height -0.6). The 95% confidence intervals of the height exponents encompassed -0.5 but excluded -1.0 assumed by WHTR. Assuming that excess waist adiposity is an important cardiovascular risk factor, we recommend that the new WHT.5R be used to advise people how to maintain a "healthy" weight.
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Adiposidad , Antropometría/métodos , Relación Cintura-Estatura , Grasa Abdominal , Adulto , Atletas , Femenino , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Fat is a metabolic fuel, but excess body fat is ballast mass, and therefore, many elite athletes reduce body fat to dangerously low levels. Uncompressed subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) thickness measured by brightness-mode ultrasound (US) provides an estimate of body fat content. METHODS: The accuracy for determining tissue borders is about 0.1-0.2 mm and reliability (experienced measurers) was within ± 1.4 mm (95% limit of agreement, LOA). We present here inter- and intra-measurer scores of three experienced US measurers from each of the centres C1 and C2, and of three novice measurers from each of the centres C3-C5. Each of the five centres measured 16 competitive adult athletes of national or international level, except for one centre where the number was 12. The following sports were included: artistic gymnastics, judo, pentathlon, power lifting, rowing, kayak, soccer, tennis, rugby, basketball, field hockey, water polo, volleyball, American football, triathlon, swimming, cycling, long-distance running, mid-distance running, hurdles, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and ice hockey. SAT contour was detected semi-automatically: typically, 100 thicknesses of SAT at a given site (i.e., in a given image), with and without fibrous structures, were measured. RESULTS: At SAT thickness sums DI (of eight standardised sites) between 6.0 and 70.0 mm, the LOA of experienced measurers was 1.2 mm, and the intra-class correlation coefficient ICC was 0.998; novice measurers: 3.1 mm and 0.988. Intra-measurer differences were similar. The median DI value of all 39 female participants was 51 mm (11% fibrous structures) compared to 17 mm (18%) in the 37 male participants. DISCUSSION: DI measurement accuracy and precision enables detection of fat mass changes of approximately 0.2 kg. Such reliability has not been reached with any other method. Although females' median body mass index and mass index were lower than those of males, females' median DI was three times higher, and their percentage of fibrous structures was lower. The standardised US method provides a highly accurate and reliable tool for measuring SAT and thus changes in body fat, but training of measurers is important.
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Atletas , Composición Corporal , Peso Corporal , Grasa Subcutánea , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Grasa Subcutánea/diagnóstico por imagenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To determine minimum egress apertures in healthy adults of different body size. BACKGROUND: Body space requirements have traditionally been considered from an industrial perspective, facilitating safe confined-space working. However, increased typical body size resulting from global obesity renders traditional assumptions of body size inappropriate. This has potentially far-reaching consequences for evacuation planning, due to diminished clearance space, slower movement, and increased chance of physical entrapment. Critically, no current literature describes the minimum apertures adults can negotiate. METHOD: Forty-eight men and 40 women underwent anthropometric and 3-D scanning assessments from which anatomical dimensions were extracted. Additionally, a wall egress task was undertaken through an aperture that was progressively narrowed until individuals failed to pass. Minimum egress aperture was predicted from anatomical variables using backwards elimination regression. RESULTS: Minimum wall egress was best predicted from mass, abdominal depth, bideltoid breadth and chest depth. Passes and fails, discriminated using binary logistic regression, identified chest depth and abdominal depth as influential for wall egress success at selected apertures, with a gender interaction manifest at abdominal depth. CONCLUSION: Minimum egress aperture relates to body size and can be predicted from anatomical variables; however, men and women display subtle differences in egress capability. APPLICATION: In public and industrial settings, egress capability in restricted spaces is affected by size and gender, with profound implications for safety, which relate to increased typical body size associated with global obesity.
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Tamaño Corporal , Espacios Confinados , Arquitectura y Construcción de Instituciones de Salud , Movimiento , Obesidad , Abdomen/anatomía & histología , Adolescente , Adulto , Antropometría , Peso Corporal , Femenino , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Factores Sexuales , Tórax/anatomía & histología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to model the egress of visitors from a Neolithic visitor attraction. BACKGROUND: Tourism attracts increasing numbers of elderly and mobility-impaired visitors to our built-environment heritage sites. Some such sites have very limited and awkward access, were not designed for mass visitation, and may not be modifiable to facilitate disabled access. As a result, emergency evacuation planning must take cognizance of robust information, and in this study we aimed to establish the effect of visitor position on egress. METHOD: Direct observation of three tours at Maeshowe, Orkney, informed typical time of able-bodied individuals and a mobility-impaired person through the 10-m access tunnel. This observation informed the design of egress and evacuation models running on the Unity gaming platform. RESULTS: A slow-moving person at the observed speed typically increased time to safety of 20 people by 170% and reduced the advantage offered by closer tunnel separation by 26%. Using speeds for size-specific characters of 50th, 95th, and 99th percentiles increased time to safety in emergency evacuation by 51% compared with able-bodied individuals. CONCLUSION: Larger individuals may slow egress times of a group; however, a single slow-moving mobility-impaired person exerts a greater influence on group egress, profoundly influencing those behind. APPLICATION: Unidirectional routes in historic buildings and other visitor attractions are vulnerable to slow-moving visitors during egress. The model presented in this study is scalable, is applicable to other buildings, and can be used as part of a risk assessment and emergency evacuation plan in future work.
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Arquitectura , Personas con Discapacidad , Planificación en Desastres , Medición de Riesgo , Conducta Espacial , Adulto , Anciano , HumanosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: In 1984, male UK offshore workers had greater overweight and obesity prevalence and fat content than the general population. Since then, body weight has increased by 19%, but, without accompanying anthropometric measures, their size increase, current obesity, and fatness prevalence remain unknown. This study therefore aimed to acquire contemporary anthropometric data, profile changes since the original survey, and assess current obesity prevalence in the male offshore workforce. METHODS: A total of 588 men, recruited via quota sampling to match the workforce weight profile, underwent stature, weight, and 3D photonic scanning measurements from which anatomical girths were extracted, enabling computation of body mass index (BMI), total fat, and visceral adipose tissue (VAT). RESULTS: On average, UK male offshore workers are now 8.1 y older, 3.1 cm taller, 13.9 kg heavier, and have greater girths than in 1984, which are >97% attributable to increased weight, and <3% to age difference. Mean BMI increased significantly from 24.9 to 28.1 kg/m2 and of the contemporary sample, 18% have healthy weight, 52% are overweight, and 30% obese, representing an increase in overweight and obesity prevalence by 6% and 24%, respectively. Waist cutoffs identify 39% of the contemporary sample as healthy, 27% at increased health risk, and 34% at high risk. CONCLUSIONS: UK offshore workers today have higher BMI than Scottish men, although some muscular individuals may be misclassified by BMI. Girth data, particularly at the waist, where dimensional increase was greatest, together with predictions of total and visceral fatness, suggest less favorable health status in others.
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Tamaño Corporal , Obesidad/epidemiología , Sobrepeso/epidemiología , Adulto , Anciano , Humanos , Peso Corporal Ideal , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prevalencia , Reino Unido/epidemiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
RATIONALE: It is currently unknown how body size affects buoyancy in submerged helicopter escape. METHOD: Eight healthy males aged 39.6 ± 12.6 year (mean ± SD) with BMI 22.0-40.0 kg m-2 wearing a standard survival ('dry') suit undertook a normal venting manoeuvre and underwent 3D scanning to assess body volume (wearing the suit) before and after immersion in a swimming pool. RESULTS: Immersion-induced volume loss averaged 14.4 ± 5.4 l, decreased with increasing dry density (mass volume-1) and theoretical buoyant force in 588 UK offshore workers was found to be 264 ± 46 and 232 ± 60 N using linear and power functions, respectively. Both approaches revealed heavier workers to have greater buoyant force. DISCUSSION: While a larger sample may yield a more accurate buoyancy prediction, this study shows heavier workers are likely to have greater buoyancy. Without free-swimming capability to overcome such buoyancy, some individuals may possibly exceed the safe limit to enable escape from a submerged helicopter. Practitioner Summary: Air expulsion reduced total body volume of survival-suited volunteers following immersion by an amount inversely proportional to body size. When applied to 588 offshore workers, the predicted air loss suggested buoyant force to be greatest in the heaviest individuals, which may impede their ability to exit a submerged helicopter.
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Tamaño Corporal , Industria Procesadora y de Extracción , Inmersión/efectos adversos , Ropa de Protección , Natación/fisiología , Adulto , Aeronaves , Espacios Confinados , Voluntarios Sanos , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
Male UK offshore workers have enlarged dimensions compared with UK norms and knowledge of specific sizes and shapes typifying their physiques will assist a range of functions related to health and ergonomics. A representative sample of the UK offshore workforce (n = 588) underwent 3D photonic scanning, from which 19 extracted dimensional measures were used in k-means cluster analysis to characterise physique groups. Of the 11 resulting clusters four somatotype groups were expressed: one cluster was muscular and lean, four had greater muscularity than adiposity, three had equal adiposity and muscularity and three had greater adiposity than muscularity. Some clusters appeared constitutionally similar to others, differing only in absolute size. These cluster centroids represent an evidence-base for future designs in apparel and other applications where body size and proportions affect functional performance. They also constitute phenotypic evidence providing insight into the 'offshore culture' which may underpin the enlarged dimensions of offshore workers.
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Tamaño Corporal , Industria del Petróleo y Gas , Somatotipos , Adulto , Antropometría , Análisis por Conglomerados , Humanos , Imagenología Tridimensional , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Océanos y Mares , Yacimiento de Petróleo y Gas , Imagen Óptica , Ropa de Protección , Reino UnidoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Applying geometric similarity predictions of body dimensions to specific occupational groups has the potential to reveal useful ergonomic and health implications. This study assessed a representative sample of the male UK offshore workforce, and examined how body dimensions from sites typifying musculoskeletal development or fat accumulation, differed from predicted values. METHODS: A cross sectional sample was obtained across seven weight categories using quota sampling, to match the wider workforce. In total, 588 UK offshore workers, 84 from each of seven weight categories, were measured for stature, mass and underwent 3D body scans which yielded 22 dimensional measurements. Each measurement was modeled using a body-mass power law (adjusting for age), to derive its exponent, which was compared against that predicted from geometric similarity. RESULTS: Mass scaled to stature 1.73 (CI: 1.44-2.02). Arm and leg volume increased by mass0.8 , and torso volume increased by mass1.1 in contrast to mass 1.0 predicted by geometric similarity. Neck girth increased by mass 0.33 as expected, while torso girth and depth dimensions increased by mass0.53-0.72 , all substantially greater than assumed by geometric similarity. CONCLUSIONS: After controlling for age, offshore workers experience spectacular "super-centralization" of body shape, with greatest gains in abdominal depth and girth dimensions in areas of fat accumulation, and relative dimensional loss in limbs. These findings are consistent with the antecedents of sarcopenic obesity, and should be flagged as a health concern for this workforce, and for future targeted research and lifestyle interventions.
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Estatura , Peso Corporal , Obesidad/epidemiología , Adulto , Estudios Transversales , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Industria del Petróleo y Gas , Reino Unido/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
'Climb assist' claims to reduce strain when climbing ladders; however, no research has yet substantiated this. The purpose of this study was to assess the physiological and psychophysical effects of climb assist on 30 m ladder climbing at a minimum acceptable speed. Eight participants (six male and two female) climbed a 30 m ladder at 24 rungs per minute with and without climb assist, and were monitored for heart rate (HR), [Formula: see text]O2 and rate of perceived exertion (RPE). All three variables decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with climb assist with [Formula: see text]O2 decreasing by 22.5%, HR by 14.8% and RPE decreasing by a mean of 2.3 units on the 10-point Borg scale. When descending the ladder [Formula: see text]O2 decreased by a mean of 42% compared to that ascending. At the minimal acceptable climbing speed climb assist decreases the physiological strain on climbers, as demonstrated by reduced [Formula: see text]O2, HR and perceived exertion. Practitioner Summary: 'Climb assist' systems claim to reduce strain when climbing, however; no research has yet been published to substantiate this. A crossover study compared [Formula: see text]O2, HR and RPE at a minimal acceptable climbing speed with and without climb assist. Climb assist significantly reduced all variables confirming it reduces strain when climbing.
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Dispositivo Exoesqueleto , Esguinces y Distensiones/prevención & control , Subida de Escaleras/fisiología , Adulto , Estudios Cruzados , Femenino , Frecuencia Cardíaca/fisiología , Humanos , Masculino , Consumo de Oxígeno/fisiología , Esfuerzo Físico/fisiología , Esguinces y Distensiones/etiología , Esguinces y Distensiones/fisiopatologíaRESUMEN
404 male offshore workers aged 41.4 ± 10.7 y underwent 3D body scanning and an egress task simulating the smallest helicopter window emergency exit size. The 198 who failed were older (P < 0.01), taller (P < 0.05) and heavier (P < 0.0001) than the 206 who passed. Using all extracted dimensions from the scans, binary logistic regression identified a model (refined using backward elimination) which predicted egress outcome with 75.2% accuracy. Using only weight, bideltoid breadth and maximum chest depth, the model achieved â¼70% accuracy. When anatomical dimensions categorise individuals for small window egress, 25% or more will be misclassified, with false positives (those predicted to fail, but pass) slightly outnumbering false negatives (those predicted to pass, but fail), highlighting the limitations of a predictive approach which treats the body as a rigid object. Differences in flexibility and technique may explain these observations, which may be important considerations for future research.
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Tamaño Corporal , Espacios Confinados , Industria Procesadora y de Extracción , Movimiento , Análisis y Desempeño de Tareas , Adulto , Aeronaves , Antropometría/métodos , Peso Corporal , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Reino UnidoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Precise and accurate field methods for body composition analyses in athletes are needed urgently. AIM: Standardisation of a novel ultrasound (US) technique for accurate and reliable measurement of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). METHODS: Three observers captured US images of uncompressed SAT in 12 athletes and applied a semiautomatic evaluation algorithm for multiple SAT measurements. RESULTS: Eight new sites are recommended: upper abdomen, lower abdomen, erector spinae, distal triceps, brachioradialis, lateral thigh, front thigh, medial calf. Obtainable accuracy was 0.2 mm (18 MHz probe; speed of sound: 1450 m/s). Reliability of SAT thickness sums (N=36): R(2)=0.998, SEE=0.55 mm, ICC (95% CI) 0.998 (0.994 to 0.999); observer differences from their mean: 95% of the SAT thickness sums were within ± 1 mm (sums of SAT thicknesses ranged from 10 to 50 mm). Embedded fibrous tissues were also measured. CONCLUSIONS: A minimum of eight sites is suggested to accommodate inter-individual differences in SAT patterning. All sites overlie muscle with a clearly visible fascia, which eases the acquisition of clear images and the marking of these sites takes only a few minutes. This US method reaches the fundamental accuracy and precision limits for SAT measurements given by tissue plasticity and furrowed borders, provided the measurers are trained appropriately.
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Deportes/fisiología , Grasa Subcutánea/anatomía & histología , Rendimiento Atlético/fisiología , Composición Corporal/fisiología , Distribución de la Grasa Corporal , Femenino , Estado de Salud , Humanos , Masculino , Músculo Esquelético/anatomía & histología , Músculo Esquelético/diagnóstico por imagen , Variaciones Dependientes del Observador , Grasa Subcutánea/diagnóstico por imagen , UltrasonografíaRESUMEN
Offshore workers are subjected to a unique physical and cultural environment which has the ability to affect their size and shape. Because they are heavier than the UK adult population we hypothesized they would have larger torso dimensions which would adversely affect their ability to pass one another in a restricted space. A sample of 210 male offshore workers was selected across the full weight range, and measured using 3D body scanning for shape. Bideltoid breadth and maximum chest depth were extracted from the scans and compared with reference population data. In addition a size algorithm previously calculated on 44 individuals was applied to adjust for wearing a survival suit and re-breather device. Mean bideltoid breadth and chest depth was 51.4 cm and 27.9 cm in the offshore workers, compared with 49.7 cm and 25.4 cm respectively in the UK population as a whole. Considering the probability of two randomly selected people passing within a restricted space of 100 cm and 80 cm, offshore workers are 28% and 34% less likely to pass face to face and face to side respectively, as compared with UK adults, an effect which is exacerbated when wearing personal protective equipment.
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Tamaño Corporal , Espacios Confinados , Industria Procesadora y de Extracción , Movimiento , Adulto , Humanos , Imagenología Tridimensional , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Petróleo , Ropa de Protección , Equipos de Seguridad , Valores de Referencia , Reino UnidoRESUMEN
Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is rapidly becoming more accessible and popular as a technique to monitor body composition, especially in athletic populations. Although studies in sedentary populations have investigated the validity of DXA assessment of body composition, few studies have examined the issues of reliability in athletic populations and most studies which involve DXA measurements of body composition provide little information on their scanning protocols. This review presents a summary of the sources of error and variability in the measurement of body composition by DXA, and develops a theoretical model of best practice to standardize the conduct and analysis of a DXA scan. Components of this protocol include standardization of subject presentation (subjects rested, overnight-fasted and in minimal clothing) and positioning on the scanning bed (centrally aligned in a standard position using custom-made positioning aids) as well as manipulation of the automatic segmentation of regional areas of the scan results. Body composition assessment implemented with such protocol ensures a high level of precision, while still being practical in an athletic setting. This ensures that any small changes in body composition are confidently detected and correctly interpreted. The reporting requirements for studies involving DXA scans of body composition include details of the DXA machine and software, subject presentation and positioning protocols, and analysis protocols.
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Atletas , Composición Corporal , Ejercicio Físico , Modelos Biológicos , Deportes , Absorciometría de Fotón/métodos , Humanos , Reproducibilidad de los ResultadosRESUMEN
It was the aim of the present study to expand on previous correlation analyses that have attempted to identify factors that influence performance of jumping, sprinting, and changing direction. This was achieved by using a regression approach to obtain linear models that combined anthropometric, strength, and other biomechanical variables. Thirty rugby union players participated in the study (age: 24.2 ± 3.9 years; stature: 181.2 ± 6.6 cm; mass: 94.2 ± 11.1 kg). The athletes' ability to sprint, jump, and change direction was assessed using a 30-m sprint, vertical jump, and 505 agility test, respectively. Regression variables were collected during maximum strength tests (1 repetition maximum [1RM] deadlift and squat) and performance of fast velocity resistance exercises (deadlift and jump squat) using submaximum loads (10-70% 1RM). Force, velocity, power, and rate of force development (RFD) values were measured during fast velocity exercises with the greatest values produced across loads selected for further analysis. Anthropometric data, including lengths, widths, and girths were collected using a 3-dimensional body scanner. Potential regression variables were first identified using correlation analyses. Suitable variables were then regressed using a best subsets approach. Three factor models generally provided the most appropriate balance between explained variance and model complexity. Adjusted R values of 0.86, 0.82, and 0.67 were obtained for sprint, jump, and change of direction performance, respectively. Anthropometric measurements did not feature in any of the top models because of their strong association with body mass. For each performance measure, variance was best explained by relative maximum strength. Improvements in models were then obtained by including velocity and power values for jumping and sprinting performance, and by including RFD values for change of direction performance.
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Rendimiento Atlético/fisiología , Tamaño Corporal , Fuerza Muscular , Carrera/fisiología , Adulto , Fenómenos Biomecánicos , Prueba de Esfuerzo , Fútbol Americano/fisiología , Humanos , Modelos Lineales , Masculino , Movimiento/fisiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Over 12 weeks, supervised physical activity (PA) interventions have demonstrated improvements in morphological and health parameters, whereas community walking programmes have not. The present study piloted a self-guided programme for promoting PA and reducing sedentary behaviour in overweight individuals and measured its effect on a range of health outcomes. Six male and 16 female sedentary adults aged 48.5 ± 5.5 years with body mass index (BMI) 33.4 ± 6.3 kg m(-2) were assessed for anthropometric variables, blood pressure, functional capacity, well-being and fatigue. After an exercise consultation, participants pursued their own activity and monitored PA points weekly. At baseline, mid-point and 12 weeks, eight participants wore activity monitors, and all participants undertook a 5-day food diary to monitor dietary intake. In 17 completers, mass, BMI, sit-to-stand, physical and general fatigue had improved by 6 weeks. By 12 weeks, waist, sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD), diastolic blood pressure, well-being and most fatigue dimensions had also improved. Throughout the intervention, PA was stable, energy intake and lying time decreased and standing time increased; thus, changes in both energy intake and expenditure explain the health-related outcomes. Observed changes in function, fatigue and quality of life are consistent with visceral fat loss and can occur at levels of weight loss which may not be considered clinically significant.
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Composición Corporal , Índice de Masa Corporal , Ejercicio Físico/fisiología , Salud , Grasa Intraabdominal/metabolismo , Obesidad/terapia , Conducta Sedentaria , Adulto , Presión Sanguínea , Ingestión de Energía , Metabolismo Energético , Fatiga/complicaciones , Fatiga/terapia , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Obesidad/complicaciones , Obesidad/metabolismo , Sobrepeso , Satisfacción Personal , Aptitud Física , Proyectos Piloto , Calidad de Vida , Circunferencia de la Cintura , Pérdida de Peso , Programas de Reducción de PesoRESUMEN
A focus on low body weight and body fat content, combined with regulations in some weight-sensitive sports, are considered risk factors for extreme dieting, eating disorders (EDs) and related health consequences among athletes. At present there are, from a health perspective, no generally accepted optimum values for body weight or percentage of fat mass in different sports and there is no 'gold standard' method for body composition assessment in athletes. On the basis of health considerations as well as performance, medical support teams should know how to approach elite athletes who seek to achieve an unrealistic body composition and how to prevent restrictive eating practices from developing into an ED. In addition, these teams must know when to raise the alarm and how to advice athletes who are affected by extreme dieting or clinical EDs. However, there is no consensus on when athletes struggling with extreme dieting or EDs should be referred for specialist medical treatment or removed from competition. Based on the present review, we conclude that there is a need for (1) sport-specific and gender-specific preventive programmes, (2) criteria for raising alarm and 'does not start' (DNS) for athletes with EDs and (3) modifications to the regulations in some sports. Further, the key areas for research identified include the development of standard methods for body composition assessment in elite athletes; screening measures for EDs among athletes; development and testing of prevention programmes; investigating the short and long-term effects of extreme dieting; and EDs on health and performance.
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Peso Corporal/fisiología , Trastornos de Alimentación y de la Ingestión de Alimentos/prevención & control , Medicina Deportiva/métodos , Deportes , Adolescente , Rendimiento Atlético/fisiología , Composición Corporal/fisiología , Niño , Diagnóstico Precoz , Conducta Alimentaria , Trastornos de Alimentación y de la Ingestión de Alimentos/diagnóstico , Estado de Salud , Humanos , Educación del Paciente como Asunto/métodos , Guías de Práctica Clínica como Asunto , Prevención Primaria/métodos , Conducta de Reducción del Riesgo , Prevención Secundaria/métodos , Medicina Deportiva/legislación & jurisprudencia , Pérdida de Peso/fisiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Successful performers in weight-sensitive sports are characterised by low body mass (BM) and fat content. This often requires chronic energy restriction and acute weight loss practices. AIM: To evaluate current use of body composition (BC) assessment methods and identify problems and solutions with current BC approaches. METHODS: A 40-item survey was developed, including demographic and content questions related to BC assessment. The survey was electronically distributed among international sporting organisations. Frequencies and χ(2) analyses were computed. RESULTS: 216 responses were received, from 33 countries, representing various institutions, sports and competitive levels. Of the sample, 86% of respondents currently assess BC, most frequently using skinfolds (International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK): 50%; non-ISAK, conventional: 40%; both: 28%), dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (38%), bioelectrical impedance (29%), air displacement plethysmography (17%) and hydrostatic weighing (10%). Of those using skinfolds, more at the international level used ISAK, whereas conventional approaches were more reported at regional/national level (p=0.006). The sport dietitian/nutritionist (57%) and physiologist/sports scientist (54%) were most frequently the professionals assessing BC, followed by MDs and athletic trainers, with some reporting coaches (5%). 36% of 116 respondents assessed hydration status and more (64%) did so at international than regional/national level (36%, p=0.028). Of 125 participants answering the question of whether they thought that BC assessment raised problems, 69% said 'yes', with most providing ideas for solutions. CONCLUSIONS: Results show high use of BC assessment but also a lack of standardisation and widespread perception of problems related to BM and BC in sport. Future work should emphasise standardisation with appropriate training opportunities and more research on BC and performance.
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Rendimiento Atlético/fisiología , Composición Corporal/fisiología , Medicina Deportiva/métodos , Absorciometría de Fotón , Antropometría/métodos , Imagen Corporal , Índice de Masa Corporal , Peso Corporal/fisiología , Humanos , Práctica Profesional , Grosor de los Pliegues Cutáneos , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Very low body mass, extreme mass changes, and extremely low per cent body fat are becoming increasingly common in many sports, but sufficiently reliable and accurate field methods for body composition assessment in athletes are missing. METHODS: Nineteen female athletes were investigated (mean (SD) age: 19.5 (± 3.3) years; body mass: 59.6 (± 7.6) kg; height: 1.674 (± 0.056) m; BMI: 21.3 (± 2.3) kg/m(2)). Three observers applied diagnostic B-mode-ultrasound (US) combined with the evaluation software for subcutaneous adipose tissue measurements at eight ISAK sites (International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthrometry). Regression and reliability analyses are presented. RESULTS: US measurements and evaluation of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) thicknesses (including fibrous structures: D(included); n=378) resulted in an SE of estimate SEE=0.60 mm, R(2)=0.98 (p<0.001), limit of agreement LOA=1.18, ICC=0.968 (0.957-0.977). Similar values were found for D(excluded): SEE=0.68 mm, R(2)=0.97 (p<0.001). D(included) at individual ISAK sites: at biceps, R(2)=0.87 and intraclass-correlation coefficient ICC=0.811 were lowest and SEE=0.79 mm was highest. Values at all other sites ranged from R(2): 0.94-0.99, SEE: 0.42-0.65 mm, and ICC: 0.917-0.985. Interobserver coefficients ranged from 0.92 to 0.99, except for biceps (0.74, 0.83 and 0.87). Evaluations of 20 randomly selected US images by three observers (D(included)) resulted in: SEE=0.15 mm, R(2)=0.998(p<0.001), ICC=0.997 (0.993, 0999). CONCLUSIONS: Subject to optimal choice of sites and certain standardisations, US can offer a highly reliable field method for measurement of uncompressed thickness of the SAT. High accuracy and high reliability of measurement, as obtained with this US approach, are essential for protection of the athlete's health and also for optimising performance.