ABSTRACT
Objectives: The study was conducted to assess the autonomic status of women with mild PMS using shortterm heart rate variability (HRV) analysis and conventional autonomic function tests (CAFT). Methods: Sixty females in the age group 17-25 years with mild premenstrual syndrome were identified using a self-report questionnaire, the shortened premenstrual assessment form. HRV and CAFTs were recorded 1- 5 days prior and 8-10 days after menstruation. Results: The subjects showed a significant increase in HR and SBP in luteal phase. In HRV, an increase in mean HR and LF-HF ratio were seen in the luteal phase whereas an increase in the NN50, RMSSD and pNN50, HF, HF(nu) and TP were seen in the follicular phase. In CAFT, no change in HRB, 30:15 and E/ I ratios but increase in ?DBP(ihg) in the luteal phase was seen. Conclusion: The increase in HR and SBP in the luteal phase could be because increased water and salt retention due to the ovarian steroids. A decrease in HRV, increase in ?DBPihg with no change in 30:15 ratio in the luteal phase could be attributed to delayed withdrawal of ovarian hormones in the luteal phase.
ABSTRACT
Anthropometry is generally considered as the single most easily obtainable, inexpensive, and noninvasive method that reflects body composition and VO2max is an indication of the physical fitness of the subject. There is a paucity of data on t3he age related changes in the body composition parameters and VO2max, and the association between them in the Indian adolescent population. Hence, the present study was conceived to assess and find the association between these parameters in the students in the age group of 12-17 years. Body composition was assessed using anthropometric measures (Height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and skin fold thickness) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) was assessed using estimated VO2max from Rockport Walk Fitness Test. We observed that the anthropometric measures were normal for the respective age groups and VO2max (mL/kg/min) in all the age groups in both the genders were in superior category according to Heywood classification. We observed higher body fat percentage (BF%) in girls of all the age groups compared to the boys and higher fat free mass (FFM) and VO2max in the boys of all age groups when compared to girls. VO2max showed a strong correlation with FFM (r=0.891, P<0.001) and a weak correlation with BF% (r=–0.322, P<0.0001). Optimal body composition and CRF can be attributed to the regular structured physical activity of one hour duration daily and the provision of adequate nutrition. FFM can be put forth as a stronger determinant of CRF than BF% in the adolescents.
ABSTRACT
Visual Evoked Potentials (VEPs) are evoked potentials generated in response to visual stimuli. The flash VEP (FVEP) is used less frequently than pattern-reversal VEP (PR-VEP) because; it shows great variations in both latency and amplitude in normal subjects. The advantage of FVEP is its feasibility in non-cooperative subjects, which circumvents the major limitation of PR-VEP. The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of change of color of flashlight on variability of FVEP latencies. Healthy subjects in the age group of 18-30 years underwent the standard stimulus using white light, followed by altered stimuli done with red and blue light. 2 trials were given for each eye, for each type of stimulus. The same set of studies was repeated at the same clock time the following day. The inter-individual and intra-individual variability in the peak latency of P2 and N2 waveforms was assessed using coefficient of variation (COV). Both inter-individual and intra-individual variability was less when monochromatic light was used. Between red and blue FVEP, inter-individual variability was less in blue FVEP and the results of intra-individual variability was inconclusive. Monochromatic stimulation preferably with blue light reduced both inter-individual and intra-individual variability seen in latency of P2 and N2 waveforms in FVEP and hence recommended in preference to standard white stimulus for FVEP recording.