Factors Contributing to Non-Communicable Diseases in a Selected Low Socio-Economic Status Community in Kedah, Malaysia

@#Introduction: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are evolving as the leading cause of death worldwide, including in Malaysia. Changes in a socio-economic status have increased at-risk populations with NCDs. The objective of this study is to describe the prevalence of self-reported NCDs and its contributing factors in a selected low socio-economic status community in Kedah, Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a self-administered questionnaire was done among convenience samples of 139 adults (age more than 18 years old) living in a selected low socio-economic status community in Kedah. Results: Among 139 respondents with a mean (SD) age 48.5 (13.1), there were 40.3% of respondents reported to have chronic illnesses with a prevalence of hypertension (25.9%), diabetes mellitus (21.6%), hypercholesterolemia (7.2%), chronic respiratory diseases (5.0%), heart disease (2.9%) and stroke (1.4%). The significant contributing factors of NCDs by multiple logistic regression were age, marital and working status. A person with an increase in 1 year of age has 1.05 times the odds to have NCDs (95% CI: 1.01 to 1.09, p-value=0.007). A divorcee has 3.55 times the odds compared to a married person to have NCDs (95% CI: 1.28 to 9.80, p-value=0.015). The non-working individual has 2.27 times the odds compared to working individuals to have NCDs (95% CI: 1.03 to 5.01, p-value=0.042). Conclusion: The prevalence of NCDs is high in this selected low socio-economic status community. The contributing factors are age, marital and working status.

USM ExerHunt: A Building Image Recognition-Based Exergame

@#Introduction: Exergames is defined as a technology-driven physical activity, which is an innovative way of physical activity that integrates interactive gameplay in the exercise process. The exergames may provide enjoyable experiences that could motivate people to participate and continue playing the game play, while also exercising at the same time. Methods: This article presents a treasure hunt-based walking exergames on android platform with the implementation of intelligence-based image recognition. The exergame, termed USM ExerHunt uses images of Universiti Sains Malaysia buildings as the hints. The participant of the game supposes to find a building shown in the hint, and once reaching the destination captures the image of the building. Then, the application will calculate the total steps taken and calories burnt by the participant using an implementation of accelerometer from the mobile phone. Results: The developed USM ExerHunt application is able to achieve accurate image recognition of USM building, with the accuracy rate of 92%. Besides that, the application is capable of calculating the number of total steps and calories burnt after an exercise routine is completed. Conclusion: This android application has shown a proof of concept in incorporating machine intelligence into an exergame application, with pilot study within the USM community.

A Brief Review on ACE I/D Gene Polymorphism and Blood Pressure Response to Exercise Training

@#Exercise has been suggested as the best and the most affordable way for managing blood pressure. The insertion/ deletion of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D gene polymorphism had been reported to be linked with several diseases such as hypertension and diabetic nephropathy. Several studies showed that blood pressure response to exercise training for health management also vary among individuals with different genotypes of ACE I/D gene polymorphism. A study of 9 months of endurance exercise training at 75 to 85 % of VO2max showed that the decrease of resting blood pressure in I allele carriers wass greater than D allele carriers. In contrast, other study discovered that adult women with D allele had greater reduction in resting blood pressure than those with I allele, following a 12-week combined aerobic and resistance exercise training. Despite the inconsistencies of some findings, it has remained unknown if the ACE I/D gene polymorphism would also influence blood pressure response to isometric handgrip training that had been found to be superior to the dynamic resistance exercise training in controlling and preventing high blood pressure. Thus, this article was to review the literature on ACE I/D gene polymorphism and blood pressure response to exercise training that could serve as the basis for future research to identify individuals who will lower resting blood pressure the most with exercise training program for health management.

effects of progressive muscle relaxation and autogenic relaxation on young soccer players' mood states

This study was designed to compare the effects of two different relaxation techniques, namely progressive muscle relaxation [PMR] and autogenic relaxation [AGR] on moods of young soccer players. Sixteen adolescent athletes [mean age: 14.1 +/- 1.3] received either PMR or AGR training. Using Profile of Mood States-Adolescents, their mood states were measured one week before relaxation training, before the first relaxation session, and after the twelfth relaxation session. Mixed ANOVA revealed no significant interaction effects and no significant main effects in any of the subscales. However, significant main effects for testing sessions were found for confusion, depression, fatigue, and tension subscales. Post hoc tests revealed post-intervention reductions in the confusion, depression, fatigue, and tension subscale scores. These two relaxation techniques induce equivalent mood responses and may be used to regulate young soccer players mood states

Factorial validation of Malaysian adapted Brunel mood scale in an adolescent sample

The present study investigated the psychometric properties of a Malaysian adapted Brunel Mood Scale. The questionnaire was administered to 355 young sport athletes with a mean age of 14.69 + 1.70 years. Confirmatory factor analysis [CFA] and Cronbach's alpha were used to determine the factorial validity and the internal consistency of the questionnaire respectively. CFA results revealed adequate model fit, best represented by a 6-factor model with one of the items removed [item 24]. Internal consistency of the questionnaire was marginally supported through alpha reliability method. Alpha coefficients of 0.72, 0.64, 0.73, 0.69, 0.65, and 0.58 were obtained for tension, depression, anger, vigour, fatigue and confusion subscales respectively. Closer inspection of items for confusion revealed a 'problematic' item [item 24/uncertain]. Removing this item increased the alpha coefficient to 0.67 for this subscale. It was concluded that this questionnaire may be used to measure differentiated negative and positive mood states among Malaysian adolescent athletes. However, further analyses involving independent samples are needed to confirm the present findings