Response of skin temperature, blood ammonia and lactate during incremental exercise until exhaustion in elite athletes.

The study aimed to evaluate the lower limb skin temperature (Tsk) and blood concentrations of lactate (LA) and ammonia (NH3) during exercise and recovery. Eleven elite sprint athletes (25 ± 3.4 yrs) and 11 elite endurance athletes (24.45 ± 5.4 yrs) performed an incremental running test until exhaustion. Body composition was estimated using the DXA method. Thermograms of the anterior and posterior surfaces of the lower limbs were recorded at rest, before each test stage (every 3 min, starting from 10 km h-1 and increasing by 2 km h-1), and in the 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, and 30th minute of recovery. Endurance athletes had a higher maximum oxygen uptake than sprint athletes (5.0 ± 0.7 vs 4.3 ± 0.4 l·kg-1, p = 0.018), lower percentage of lean content (79 ± 2 vs 83 ± 2%, p < 0.001), and a higher percentage of fat content in the lower limbs (17 ± 2 vs 12 ± 2%, p < 0.001). In both groups, a significant decrease in Tsk was observed compared to resting value (endurance athletes-31.5 ± 0.6 °C; sprint athletes-32.3 ± 0.6 °C), during exercise (p < 0.001) and rewarming during recovery (p < 0.001). However, endurance athletes had a lower Tsk than sprint athletes at the exhaustion point (30.0 ± 1.1 vs 31.6 ± 0.8 °C, p < 0.05) and the pattern of change in Tsk differed between groups (p < 0.001). Tsk in the endurance athletes group decreased throughout the exercise protocol and returned more rapidly to initial values during recovery, while Tsk in the sprint group stabilised between moderate intensity and exhaustion, recovering more slowly after exercise. Both LA (endurance athletes-max 10.2 ± 1.5; sprint athletes-max 10.1 ± 1.4 mmol⋅L-1, p < 0.001) and NH3 (endurance athletes-max 75.6 ± 11.5; sprint athletes-max 76.7 ± 9.0 mmol⋅L-1, p < 0.001) increased during exercise and decreased during recovery (p < 0.001). During exercise, lower levels and slower increases in LA were observed during exercise in the endurance athletes' group (p < 0.05). A negative correlation was revealed between Tsk and fat percentage (r = -0.43 to -0.71, p < 0.05). Tsk was positively correlated with LA during recovery (r = 0.43 to 0.48, p < 0.05), and negatively during recovery (r = -0.45 to -0.54, p < 0.05). Differences between groups in maximum aerobic capacity, the pattern of change in Tsk, and the correlation between Tsk and LA suggest that individuals who decrease less Tsk during exercise and higher Tsk during recovery are those with better aerobic capacity. In addition, athletes with less body fat dissipate heat from their tissues more efficiently.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Contextual Body Image Questionnaire for Athletes for young physically active Polish adults.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Individuals who are not professional and competitive athletes but who engage in regular (even daily) physical activity may experience a different body image in the context of physical activity compared with that in everyday life. The Contextual Body Image Questionnaire for Athletes (CBIQA) has been developed to assess aspects of body image within these two dimensions, but has not yet been validated in the Polish population. This study aimed to conduct a cross-cultural adaptation of the CBIQA for physically active Polish adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study sample comprised 90 young Polish adults (49 women and 41 men). All respondents regularly participated in recreational sports. The average age of the sample was 21.4 years. All participants engaged in physical activity at least 3 times per week. The average training experience was 8.6 years. A 3-phase study was conducted: 1) translation of the CBIQA for use in a Polish sample, 2) pretesting and cognitive debriefing, and 3) evaluation of the test-retest reliability. The test-retest interval was 7 days. Interclass correlation coefficients were calculated. RESULTS: The 1-week test- retest results (ICC) ranged from 0.83-0.94 in the daily life subscales and from 0.86-0.95 in the athletic subscales among all participants. The reliability of the CBIQA was high. The alpha value for the internal consistency of the translated and adapted instrument was 0.91. After the translation and cognitive interview, 3 sentences were reworded to adapt the instrument to Polish culture. CONCLUSIONS: The CBIQA exhibited a high tes-retest reliability and good validity for assessing daily and physical activity-related body image in a Polish population.

Eating disorder risk in adolescent and adult female athletes: the role of body satisfaction, sport type, BMI, level of competition, and training background.

BACKGROUND: Eating disorders negatively influence athletes' health and performance. To achieve a high level of performance and conform to cultural expectations regarding an athletic body type, female athletes often restrict their diets, which can lead to eating disorders. In addition to factors related to the sports environment, adolescent athletes are subject to changes caused by the maturation process. Therefore, the same factors may have different effects on eating disorder risk among adolescent and adult athletes. This study examined the relationship between eating disorder risk, specific aspects of the sports environment (sport type, level of competition [national and international], and training background), and individual aspects (body satisfaction and body mass index) in two groups of athletes: adolescents and adults. METHODS: The sample included 241 highly trained female athletes aged 12-30 years (M = 20.68, SD = 4.45) recruited from different sports clubs in Poland. The subgroup of adolescents consisted of 82 athletes, while the number of adult athletes was 159. The Eating Attitudes Test questionnaire was used to assess the eating disorder risk among the athletes. Body satisfaction was measured using the Feelings and Attitudes Toward Body Scale incorporated into the Body Investment Scale. RESULTS: Eating disorder risk was prevalent among 14.6% of the adolescent and 6.9% of the adult athletes. Significant associations between eating disorder risk and the studied variables were noted only among adolescent athletes. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the occurrence of eating disorder risk was associated with participation in lean non-aesthetic sports (OR = 11.50, 95% CI: 3.58-37.09). Moreover, eating disorder risk was associated with athletes' lower body satisfaction (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.70-0.92). Body mass index was not included in the final regression model. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicated that eating disorder risk in adolescent female athletes was related to sport type and body satisfaction. The findings showed that, in adolescent athletes, eating disorder risk was the most associated with practicing lean non-aesthetic sports. Coaches and athletes should be aware that eating disorder risk increases among individuals with a lower body image.

Moderate Effects of School-Based Time Increasing Physical Education Intervention on Physical Fitness and Activity of 7-Year Pupils-A Report from a Follow-Up of a HCSC Study.

We evaluated the effectiveness of a 15-week intervention that increased from three to five lessons of physical education (PE) a week on 7-year-old boys' and girls' physical fitness (PF), physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour on week and weekend days. A total of 212 first grade pupils (mean age 6.95 ± 0.43) from two urban schools in Poznan were randomly assigned to the experimental or control groups. The PF was measured with a battery of field tests, while health-related behaviours were assessed with the Healthy Children in Sound Communities questionnaire. There were some interaction effects noticed in the PF scores in the case of a 20-min run for boys (F2,196 = 5.29, p = 0.0058) and for girls (F2,220 = 3.31, p = 0.0382) and the sit-ups test for boys (F2,196 = 1.93, p = 0.1478) and for girls (F2,220 = 3.98, p = 0.0201) and for the sit and reach test in the case of girls (F2,220 = 3.98, p = 0.0201). In terms of outdoor PA levels, there were no major differences between any of the examined groups. Differences were found between girls from the experimental and control groups in the post-test (p = 0.0107) and follow-up (p = 0.0390) during the weekdays, with no differences between the groups of boys. Despite the moderate effects of the extended PE time programme right after the intervention, there were some indications of progress in the follow-up experiments.

Victims and Perpetrators of Bullying in Physical Education Lessons: The Role of Peer Support, Weight Status, Gender, and Age in Polish Adolescents.

Physical education is a space in which adolescents may become the victims or perpetrators of bullying. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between being a victim or perpetrator of physical, verbal, or social bullying in physical education, and peer support, gender, weight status, and age. The sample consisted of 2, 848 adolescents (1, 512 girls and 1, 336 boys) aged 14-16 from Poland. The participants' body mass index was determined based on their measured height and weight. The Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children questionnaire was used to assess whether the participants were victims or perpetrators of bullying. Peer support during physical education was assessed using the modified Teacher and Classmate Support Scale. The analysis of logistic regressions revealed that low peer support increased the probability of being the victim of physical, verbal, and social bullying (odds ratio [OR], 1.58-2.91) and becoming a perpetrator of bullying (OR, 1.14-1.37) in physical education. Additionally, being overweight increased the likelihood of being a verbal victim (OR, 1.39) and being obese raised the probability of becoming social victim (OR, 1.60). Boys more often experienced (OR, 1.12-2.06) and caused bullying (OR, 1.25-1.89) than girls. Moreover, victims were mainly younger (14-year-old) students (OR, 1.16-1.21), while perpetrators were more often older (15- and 16-year-old) adolescents (OR, 1.12-1.20). This research indicated that peer support can play a key role in preventing bullying in physical education. Physical education teachers should pay special attention to unpopular and rejected students because they most often become the victims and perpetrators of bullying. Creating a climate that fosters the development of high peer support might protect adolescents from becoming a victim-and a perpetrator-of bullying in physical education.

Temperature and creatine kinase changes during a 10d taper period in sprinters.

Objective.The aim of this prospective cohort study, performed during a 10 d training camp, was to analyze the effect of a series of successive speed-power training sessions on the concurrent circadian changes in resting leg skin temperature and blood creatine kinase (CK) levels and to determine the correlation between them.Approach. Seventeen elite sprinters, aged 22-31 years, were examined. Every morning and evening, capillary blood samples were drawn to assay CK levels. Lower limb skin temperature was measured simultaneously, and thermal images were taken using an infrared camera.Main results. From the first day of the training camp, the base temperature levels began to drop to obtain a significant reduction from the 6th day (male) and from the 8th day (female) to the end of the camp. Simultaneously, CK levels increased in the male group from 8th to the end of the camp, but it did not change significantly in females. Regarding the circadian rhythm, the CK levels always rose during the day and declined during the night. The temperature decreased during the day and increased during the night until the 6th day. After that, the temperature changed oppositely till the end of camp, i.e. it increased during the day and decreased during the night. This could suggest that the training microcycle should last about a week because after this time there may be a disturbance in the temperature circadian rhythm and a significant CK accumulationSignificance. Multi-day speed-power training induced a progressive reduction in resting skin temperature and an elevation in CK levels. It also altered the circadian rhythm of the body skin temperature, which may indicate that after about 6 d of regular exercise, physiological deregulation may occur.

Physical activity of children and adolescents from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Systematic monitoring of physical activity of young populations from different regions may be useful for making international comparisons, better understanding trends in physical activity and designing public health interventions to increase physical activity. Thus, the aim of the study was to comprehensively review studies examining the level of physical activity of children and adolescents from the Visegrád countries, and indicate the percentage of children and adolescents meeting the recommended level of physical activity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic search of the published literature was conducted. Included were reports with original research that consisted of the proportion of children and adolescents who met physical activity recommendations or guidelines. To provide a current picture of physical activity of children and adolescents, the review was restricted to studies published between January 2015 - November 2018. RESULTS: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity recommendations were met by between 7.5% - 69.4% of children and adolescents. Vigorous physical activity recommendations were met by between 33.6% - 64.5% of children and adolescents. Daily recommendations for the number of steps taken were fulfilled by between 11.6% - 69.0% of children and adolescents. Differences between age categories, genders and countries were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Public health interventions to increase physical activity are required to decrease insufficient levels of physical activity in children and adolescents, especially in girls. The review also highlights the need for studies with representative random samples that use validated measurement methods.

Effects of Velocity-Based Training on Strength and Power in Elite Athletes-A Systematic Review.

Due to drawbacks of the percentage-based approach, velocity-based training was proposed as a method to better and more accurately prescribe training loads to increase general and specific performance. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review of the studies that show effects of velocity-based resistance training on strength and power performance in elite athletes. Electronic searches of computerized databases were performed according to a protocol that was agreed by all co-authors. Four databases-SportDiscus with Full Text and MEDLINE via EBSCO, SCOPUS, and Web of Science-were searched. Seven studies were found which researched the effects of velocity-based resistance training on athletes after a given training period. The analyzed studies suggest that applying velocity losses of 10-20% can help induce neuromuscular adaptations and reduce neuromuscular fatigue. Using velocity zones as part of a separate or combined (e.g., plyometric) training program can elicit adaptations in body composition and performance parameters. Moreover, velocity zones can be programmed using a periodized or non-periodized fixed velocity zones protocol. Lastly, obtaining instantaneous feedback during training is a more effective tool for increasing performance in sport-specific parameters, and should be used by sport practitioners to help keep athletes accountable for their performance.

Combined Analysis of Blood Ammonia and Lactate Levels as a Practical Tool to Assess the Metabolic Response to Training Sessions in Male and Female Sprinters.

ABSTRACT: Kantanista, A, Kusy, K, Pospieszna, B, Korman, P, Wielinski, D, and Zielinski, J. Combined analysis of blood ammonia and lactate levels as a practical tool to assess the metabolic response to training sessions in male and female sprinters. J Strength Cond Res 35(9): 2591-2598, 2021-Previous research has mainly focused on blood ammonia and lactate concentration changes in response to exercise in laboratory settings. The aim of this study was to present a combined analysis of blood ammonia and lactate levels obtained during various training sessions performed under real training conditions. Differences between the sexes were also analyzed. The study subjects included 9 male and 8 female sprinters competing at the international level. The two-way analyses of variance, with repeated measures (time × sex), for lactate and blood ammonia concentrations during strength, speed (only lactate), speed with baton exchange, and speed endurance training sessions were significant. Blood ammonia and lactate levels obtained during repeated sprints were higher in male than female athletes. Peak lactate concentrations obtained from different training sessions were different in the female (F(3, 18) = 49.82, p ≤ 0.001, η2 = 0.893) and male (F(3, 21) = 312.26, p ≤ 0.001, η2 = 0.978) athletes; post hoc analyses of the men and women showed differences in maximum lactate concentration between training sessions, except in the speed and strength sessions. Peak ammonia concentrations obtained in the different training sessions were also different in the female (F(3, 18) = 121.06, p ≤ 0.001, η2 = 0.953) and male (F(3, 21) = 196.04, p ≤ 0.001, η2 = 0.965) athletes; in both the men and women, significant differences in maximum blood ammonia concentrations were found between the training sessions, except for the speed and speed with baton exchange training sessions. The results of this study indicate that the combined analysis of lactate and blood ammonia concentration provides the coach with valuable additional information about the level of adenosine triphosphate breakdown, the energy system contribution involved in muscle energy coverage during very short, repeated maximal sprints, and, most importantly, allows the coach to check whether preworkout goals were actually met.

Are There Any Differences between First Grade Boys and Girls in Physical Fitness, Physical Activity, BMI, and Sedentary Behavior? Results of HCSC Study.

The transition from kindergarten to school is associated with a variety of negative changes. After entry to elementary school physical activity level decreases. Moreover, physical fitness level of children over the past decades have rapidly declined. Children are spending an increasing amount of time in the environments that require constant sitting. We evaluated the differences between boys and girls in physical fitness, frequency of undertaking of different forms of physical activity, prevalence of underweight and overweight, and time spent on sedentary behavior. A total of 212 first grade pupils (mean age 6.95 ± 0.43) from two standard urban schools in Poznan participated in the study. Compared to girls, boys obtained better results in 20-meter run (4.9 s and 5.0 s, p < 0.01), sit-ups (16.8 and 15.3, p < 0.05), six-minute run (829.7 m and 766.4 m, p < 0.001), and standing broad jump (106.8 cm and 99.7 cm, p < 0.01). In the sit-and-reach test girls achieved higher results than boys (17.0 cm and 14.4 cm, p < 0.001). There were no gender differences in prevalence of underweight and overweight. In conclusions, difference between genders should be taken into consideration during designing physical activity programs in the aspects of intensity and forms of physical activities.

The Breast Size Satisfaction Survey (BSSS): Breast size dissatisfaction and its antecedents and outcomes in women from 40 nations.

The Breast Size Satisfaction Survey (BSSS) was established to assess women's breast size dissatisfaction and breasted experiences from a cross-national perspective. A total of 18,541 women were recruited from 61 research sites across 40 nations and completed measures of current-ideal breast size discrepancy, as well as measures of theorised antecedents (personality, Western and local media exposure, and proxies of socioeconomic status) and outcomes (weight and appearance dissatisfaction, breast awareness, and psychological well-being). In the total dataset, 47.5 % of women wanted larger breasts than they currently had, 23.2 % wanted smaller breasts, and 29.3 % were satisfied with their current breast size. There were significant cross-national differences in mean ideal breast size and absolute breast size dissatisfaction, but effect sizes were small (η2 = .02-.03). The results of multilevel modelling showed that greater Neuroticism, lower Conscientiousness, lower Western media exposure, greater local media exposure, lower financial security, and younger age were associated with greater breast size dissatisfaction across nations. In addition, greater absolute breast size dissatisfaction was associated with greater weight and appearance dissatisfaction, poorer breast awareness, and poorer psychological well-being across nations. These results indicate that breast size dissatisfaction is a global public health concern linked to women's psychological and physical well-being.

The Physical Activity Questionnaire for the Elderly (PAQE): A Polish Adaptation.

The aim of the study is to assess the reliability and validity of the Polish adaptation of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for the Elderly (PAQE-PL). One hundred and four older adults (75 women and 29 men) aged 65 to 89 (mean 72.2 ± 5.7 years) participated in the study. The test-retest procedure was used to evaluate the reliability of the PAQE-PL. Validity was assessed by comparing the results of the PAQE-PL with the measurements from an accelerometer (ActiGraph wGT3X+) and two questionnaires: the Polish version of the Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS-PL) and the Polish version of the Yale Physical Activity Survey (YPAS-PL). All test-retest interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were significant (ranged from 0.64 to 0.92). The long-term stability showed significant ICCs (ranged from 0.38 to 0.87) for all participants. In regard to validity, the obtained correlation coefficients were relatively low but statistically significant for all participants between the PAQE-PL scores and energy expenditure (r ranging from 0.25 to 0.26) measured by the accelerometer. The PAQE-PL correlated with almost all CHAMPS-PL indices, YPAS-PL energy expenditure, and total physical activity time. The results suggest that the adaptation of the PAQE-PL is an acceptable tool to estimate the physical activity level among older adults in the Polish population. We recommend the cautious and well-thought-out use of the PAQE-PL with a population of older women.

Consumption of dietary supplements to support weight reduction in adults according to sociodemographic background, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, body fat and physical activity.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyse the use of dietary supplements to support weight reduction (DSSWR) in adults according to sociodemographic background, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), body fat percentage (%BF) and level of physical activity (PA). METHOD: Participants (n = 1130) were recruited from a region of Poland with a high rate of adult overweight and obesity. Based on anthropometric data, BMI and WHR were calculated. %BF was assessed using a bioimpedance method. To examine the association between DSSWR use and sociodemographic factors, BMI, WHR, %BF and PA multiple logistic regression were conducted. RESULTS: The rate of DSSWR use in the group studied was high (69.5%). A higher proportion of women, individuals aged 18-35 years, those who had completed higher education, those who did not report financial status as "poor", with a BMI < 18.5, normal %BF and individuals with a high level of PA used DSSWR. In complete case analysis (n = 1108), primarily financial status reported as "good" (OR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.69, 2.81) or "hard to say" (OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.86, 3.12) (vs. "poor") and female sex (OR = 2.59, 95% CI: 2.17, 3.08) were associated with DSSWR intake. CONCLUSION: It seems that primarily financial status and sex, but also age, education, and level of PA, have significance in DSSWR use in adults and may be considered when developing appropriate strategies for body weight management and health promotion.

Polish Adaptation of the Yale Physical Activity Survey: Measurement Properties.

The aim of this study was to assess the measurement properties of a Polish adaptation of the Yale Physical Activity Survey (YPAS-PL). The Polish cultural adaptation of the YPAS was administered to a group of 104 people aged 65 to 89 years (mean age 72 ± 5). To assess the reliability of the YPAS-PL, a test-retest procedure was applied. Validity was assessed by comparing the results of the YPAS-PL with accelerometery (ActiGraph wGT3X+). The indicators based on the YPAS-PL activities checklist were characterized by high repeatability and had better reliability values than the YPAS-PL activity dimension indices (energy expenditure interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.81, total time physical activity ICC = 0.86). We noted a significant positive relationship between energy expenditure measured by an accelerometer and the YPAS-PL (r = 0.23). We can conclude that the YPAS-PL is an adequate tool for assessing energy expenditure related to physical activity in a Polish population of older adults. We also recommend the cautious and well thought-out use of the YPAS-PL activity dimension indices (summary, vigorous, leisurely walking, moving, standing, and sitting indexes).

The Effect of Exercise on the Skin Content of the Reduced Form of NAD and Its Response to Transient Ischemia and Reperfusion in Highly Trained Athletes.

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) is synthesized in the cellular nucleus, cytoplasm and mitochondria but oxidized into NAD+ almost exclusively in mitochondria. Activation of human skin by the 340 nm ultraviolet light triggers natural fluorescence at the light length of 460 nm, which intensity is proportional to the skin NADH content. This phenomenon is used by the Flow Mediated Skin Fluorescence (FMSF) which measures changes in the skin NADH content during transient ischemia and reperfusion. We examined the effects of exercise to exhaustion on the skin changes of NADH in response to 200 s forearm ischemia and reperfusion in 121 highly trained athletes (94 men and 27 women, long-distance running, triathlon, taekwondo, rowing, futsal, sprint running, fencing, and tennis). We found that exercise until exhaustion changes the skin content of NADH, modifies NADH turnover at rest, during ischemia and reperfusion in the most superficial living skin cells. Compared to the pre-exercise, there were significant increases in: mean fluorescence recorded during rest as the baseline value (B mean) (p < 0.001), the maximal fluorescence that increased above the baseline during controlled forearm ischemia (FImax) (p < 0.001, only in men), the minimal fluorescence after decreasing below the baseline during reperfusion (FRmin) (p < 0.001 men; p < 0.01 women) and the difference between B mean and FRmin (R min) (p < 0.01), and reductions in the difference between FImax and B mean (I max) (p < 0.001) and I max/IRampl ratio (CImax) (p < 0.001) after the incremental exercise test. There was no statistical difference between pre- and post-exercise the maximal range of the fluorescence change during ischemia and reperfusion (IRampl). In conclusion, exercise to exhaustion modifies the skin NADH content at rest, during ischemia and reperfusion as well as the magnitude of changes in the NADH caused by ischemia and reperfusion. Our findings suggest that metabolic changes in the skin NADH accompanying exercise extend beyond muscles and affect other cells and organs.

Validity and Reliability of the Polish Adaptation of the CHAMPS Physical Activity Questionnaire.

The aim of the study was to investigate the reliability and construct validity of the Polish adaptation of the Community Health Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) physical activity questionnaire among the elderly. The sample included 104 volunteers, 75 women (age = 71.0 ± 5.0 years) and 29 men (age = 75.1 ± 6.6 years). To assess the reliability of the Polish version of the CHAMPS physical activity questionnaire, measurements were conducted by one-week test-retest. The construct validity of the CHAMPS physical activity questionnaire was evaluated using accelerometers. Criterion validation was verified by self-reported measurements (health self-assessment, life satisfaction, and wellbeing) and body composition analysis. Intraclass correlation coefficients of the one-week test-retest ranged from 0.79 to 0.85. Significant Pearson's correlations were found between caloric expenditure measured by accelerometer and CHAMPS caloric expenditure in all listed physical activities (r = 0.33) and caloric expenditure in at least moderate intensity physical activities (r = 0.37) of the CHAMPS physical activity questionnaire. Moderate and greater intensity physical activities of CHAMPS measure were significantly related to total bone mass, health self-assessment, life satisfaction as a whole, and personal wellbeing (r ranged from 0.26 to 0.34). The findings of the study allow us to conclude that the Polish version of the CHAMPS physical activity questionnaire has acceptable reliability and validity to assess physical activity of older adults.

Understanding the Motives of Undertaking Physical Activity with Different Levels of Intensity among Adolescents: Results of the INDARES Study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the motives for undertaking physical activity (PA) and the intensity of PA in Polish adolescents. METHODS: The study included 1,231 students, 515 boys (age 16.2 ± 0.7 years) and 716 girls (age 16.3 ± 0.6 years). The participants were recruited from secondary schools in 20 conurbations throughout Poland. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form and the Motives for Physical Activity Measure-Revised were used. RESULTS: In boys, all motives predicted a 10.4% variance in vigorous intensity of PA (F(5, 509) = 11.822, p < .001). Higher scores on competence and appearance motives for PA were found to be predictors of higher level of vigorous intensity of PA. In girls, all motives explained a 7.4% variance in vigorous intensity of PA (F(5, 710) = 11.292, p < .001). Higher scores on competence and appearance motives for PA were found to be predictors of higher level of vigorous intensity of PA. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that competence and appearance related motives for PA are important motivations for Polish adolescent girls and boys in undertaking vigorous intensity PA.

Body Image of Highly Trained Female Athletes Engaged in Different Types of Sport.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate differences in body image across different types of sports in highly trained female athletes. METHODS: 242 female individuals, aged 13-30 years (M = 20.0, SD = 4.5), representing aesthetic sports (n = 56) and nonaesthetic sports (n = 186), were recruited from different sports clubs in Poland. Body image, BMI, age, the level of competition attained, and the training background of participants were recorded. RESULTS: One-way ANOVA showed differences in the body image of athletes engaged in different types of sport (F(11,230) = 4.10, p < 0.001, and η2 = 0.16). The model predicting the body image of female athletes was significant (F(5,236) = 10.40, p < 0.001); the adjusted R2 = 0.163. Type of sport explained 7.1% (ß = -0.263, p < 0.001), age explained 4.5% (ß = 0.341, p < 0.001), BMI explained 3.6% (ß = -0.230, p < 0.001), and level of competition explained 0.9% (ß = 0.153, p < 0.05) of variance in body image. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide vital new knowledge which can be used by researchers and practitioners in designing educational programs on weight-related behaviors in female athletes. Such programs should be implemented especially in young female athletes participating in high-level sporting activities at an early stage.

Physical activity in the therapy of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. Needs and recommendations for intervention programs.

Overweight and obesity may lead to serious health problems, and negatively affect everyday functioning in physical, psychological and social spheres. The high prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents constitutes a huge public health burden. One way of designing and implementing behavioral interventions aimed at the reduction of adipose tissue is to promote physical activity. In this review we present recommendations regarding the planning, monitoring and implementation of intervention programs involving controlled physical activity. Considering specific individual determinants and needs in terms of improving children's health, physical condition and physical performance, we have separately discussed recommendations for interventions involving aerobic and anaerobic exercises with moderate and high intensity, including high-intensity interval training (HIIT). We have also focused on the role of resistance training. Finally, we have emphasized that children and adolescents with overweight or obesity should also be motivated to undertake activities referred to as non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT).

Is Underweight Associated with more Positive Body Image? Results of a Cross-Sectional Study in Adolescent Girls and Boys.

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between body image and prevalence of underweight, normal weight, and overweight in adolescents. The study included 1702 girls and 1547 boys, aged 14-16 years, who completed questionnaire assessing body satisfaction. The participants' BMI status: underweight, normal weight or overweight was determined on the basis of BMI cut-off values. Results revealed that more girls (p < .001) showed low body satisfaction (44.8%) and fewer girls (p < .001) had high body satisfaction (17.6%) compared to boys (28.5% and 29.0%, respectively). A two-way ANOVA revealed a significant interaction between BMI status and gender on body satisfaction F(2, 3243) = 4.10, p = .017, η2 = .003. In boys, body satisfaction was higher in normal weight and underweight in comparison to overweight individuals (p < .001). Underweight girls presented higher body satisfaction than those who were normal weight and overweight (p < .001). Our findings indicated that, in relation to gender, BMI status can be associated with different body satisfaction in adolescents. This should be taken into consideration when designing programs aimed at obesity and disordered eating prevention and body image improvement. Due to the fact that underweight girls and boys have high body satisfaction, this can lead to behaviors that maintain low body weight in adolescents and in turn this may have negative health consequences.