ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate energy balance and body composition in 42 gymnasts (mean age = 15.5 yr) and 20 runners (mean age = 26.6 yr), all of whom were on national teams or were nationally ranked. METHODS: Athletes were assessed for body composition using DEXA and skinfolds, and energy balance was determined with a Computerized Time-Line Energy Analysis (CTLEA) procedure. RESULTS: Results from the CTLEA were assessed as the number of within-day energy deficits (largest and frequency) and within-day energy surpluses (largest and frequency). There was a significant difference (P = 0.000) in the mean number of hourly energy deficits > 300 kcal experienced by gymnasts (9.45 +/- 6.00) and runners (3.70 +/- 5.34). There was also a significant difference (P = 0.001) in the mean number of hourly energy surpluses > 300 kcal experienced by gymnasts (1.40 +/- 3.04) and runners (6.20 +/- 5.50). The mean largest daily energy deficit was 743 (+/- 392) kcal for gymnasts and 435 (+/- 340) kcal for runners. The mean largest daily energy surplus was 239 (+/- 219) kcal for gymnasts, and 536 (+/- 340) kcal for runners. There was a significant relationship between the number of daily energy deficits > 300 kcal and DEXA-derived body fat percent for gymnasts (r = 0.508; P = 0.001) and for runners (r = 0.461; P = 0.041). There was also a negative relationship between the largest daily energy surplus and DEXA-derived body fat percentage for gymnasts (r = -0.418; P = 0.003). Using the energy balance variables, age, and athlete type (artistic gymnast, rhythmic gymnast, middle-distance runner, long-distance runner) as independent variables in a forward stepwise regression analysis, a small but significant amount of variance was explained in DEXA-derived (P = 0.000; R2 = 0.309) and skinfold-derived (P = 0.000; R2 = 0.298) body fat percent by the number of energy deficits > 300 kcal and age. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that within-day energy deficits (measured by frequency and/or magnitude of deficit) are associated with higher body fat percentage in both anaerobic and aerobic elite athletes, possibly from an adaptive reduction in the REE. These data should discourage athletes from following restrained or delayed eating patterns to achieve a desired body composition.
Subject(s)
Body Composition/physiology , Energy Metabolism , Gymnastics/physiology , Running/physiology , Adolescent , Adult , Exercise/physiology , Feeding Behavior , Female , HumansSubject(s)
Food Handling/standards , Internet , Safety Management , Directories as Topic , United StatesABSTRACT
Research is ongoing to develop improved birth control methods and additional contraceptive methods to increase reproductive choices for both men and women. To date, limited male contraceptive choices are available. Immunocontraceptives, injectables, implants, and pills are in developmental stages to become future male contraceptive options. Researchers are pursuing several new birth control ideas for women such as new intrauterine devices, improved barrier methods, biodegradable and non-biodegradable implants with fewer rods, new injectables, vaginal rings, and vaccines. To meet this challenge of developing new, safer, more effective birth control products, support from the private and public sectors is going to be essential.
Subject(s)
Contraception/methods , Contraception/trends , Choice Behavior , Contraception/psychology , Contraception Behavior , Female , Humans , Male , Research/organization & administration , Research Support as Topic/organization & administration , Technology Assessment, BiomedicalSubject(s)
Child Day Care Centers , Environmental Exposure , Giardia lamblia/isolation & purification , Giardiasis/transmission , Interior Design and Furnishings , Animals , Child, Preschool , Equipment Contamination , Feces/parasitology , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Humans , Reagent Kits, DiagnosticABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To determine what proportion of oncology patients receiving conventional medical treatment also use complementary treatments; to assess which complementary treatments are the most popular and to assess patients' motivation for using them; to evaluate associated advantages and risks. DESIGN: Postal screening questionnaire followed by semistructured interview. SETTING: Two hospitals in inner London. SUBJECTS: 600 unselected oncology patients aged 18 or over who had known their diagnosis of cancer for at least three months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence and demography of use of complementary therapies; patients' motivation and expectations of complementary therapies; areas of satisfaction and dissatisfaction associated with conventional and complementary therapies. RESULTS: 415 (69%) patients returned the questionnaire. 16% had used complementary therapies. The most popular were healing, relaxation, visualisation, diets, homoeopathy, vitamins, herbalism, and the Bristol approach. Patients using complementary therapies tended to be younger, of higher social class, and female. Three quarters used two or more therapies. Therapies were mostly used for anticipated antitumour effect. Ill effects of diets and herb treatments were described. Satisfaction with both conventional and complementary therapies was high, although diets often caused difficulties. Patients using complementary therapies were less satisfied with conventional treatments, largely because of side effects and lack of hope of cure. Benefits of complementary therapies were mainly psychological. CONCLUSIONS: A sizeable percentage of patients receiving conventional treatments for cancer also use complementary therapies. Patient satisfaction with complementary therapies, other than dietary therapies, was high even without the hoped for anticancer effect. Patients reported psychological benefits such as hope and optimism.
