Effect of race and resistance training status on the density of fat-free mass and percent fat estimates.

The impact of race and resistance training status on the assumed density of the fat-free mass (D(FFM)) and estimates of body fatness via hydrodensitometry (%Fat(D)) vs. a four-component model (density, water, mineral; %Fat(D,W,M)) were determined in 45 men: white controls (W; n = 15), black controls (B; n = 15), and resistance-trained blacks (B-RT; n = 15). Body density by hydrostatic weighing, body water by deuterium dilution, and bone mineral by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were used to estimate %Fat(D,W,M). D(FFM) was not different between B and W (or 1.1 g/ml); however, D(FFM) in B-RT was significantly lower (1.091 +/- 0.012 g/ml; P < 0.05). Therefore, %Fat(D) using the Siri equation was not different from %Fat(D,W,M) in W (17.5 +/- 5.0 vs. 18.3 +/- 5.4%) or B (14.9 +/- 5.6 vs. 15.7 +/- 5.7%) but significantly overestimated %Fat(D,W,M) in B-RT (14.0 +/- 5.9 vs. 10.4 +/- 6.0%; P < 0.05). The use of a race-specific equation (assuming D(FFM) = 1.113 g/ml) did not improve the agreement between %Fat(D) and %Fat(D,W,M), resulting in a significantly greater mean (+/-SD) discrepancy for B (1.7 +/- 1.8% fat) and B-RT (6.2 +/- 4.3% fat). Thus race per se does not affect D(FFM) or estimates of %Fat(D); however, B-RT have a D(FFM) lower than 1.1 g/ml, leading to an overestimation of %Fat(D).

Use of air displacement plethysmography for estimating body fat in a four-component model.

PURPOSE: To compare measurements of body density (D(b)) obtained from air displacement plethysmography (AP) and hydrostatic weighing (HW) and to determine the accuracy of substituting D(b) via AP (D(b)-AP) for D(b) via HW (D(b)-HW) in estimating body fatness (%Fat(4C)) and the composition and density of the fat-free mass (Dffm) from a four-component model (fat, mineral, water, and protein). METHODS: D(b) was measured in 50 young adults using AP and HW. Total body water via deuterium dilution, bone mineral content via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and D(b) were used to estimate %Fat(4C). RESULTS: D(b)-AP and D(b)-HW were highly correlated (r = 0.89, SEE = 0.008 g x mL(-1)), but D(b)-AP (1.065 +/- 0.003 g x mL(-1)) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than D(b)-HW (1.058 +/- 0.003 g x mL(-1)), resulting in a mean difference of 2.8%fat. Differences between %Fat(4C-AP) (17.8 +/- 1.2%) and %Fat(4C-HW) (19.3 +/- 1.2%) were significant (P < 0.05), but the SD of the differences (2.3%) was low. When D(b)-AP was used in a four-component model in place of D(b)-HW, the calculated Dffm was significantly higher (1.109 +/- 0.002 vs 1.105 +/- 0.002 g x mL(-1)) based on a higher (P < 0.05) protein fraction (22.0 +/- 0.4% vs 20.6 +/- 0.4%) and lower (P < 0.05) water (71.1 +/- 0.4% vs 72.4 +/- 0.4%) and mineral fractions (7.0 +/- 0.1% vs 7.1 +/- 0.1%). CONCLUSIONS: AP yields a higher D(b) than HW and may not be a valid method for measuring D(b) or estimating %fat using densitometry. However, due to relatively small bias and low individual error, D(b)-AP is an acceptable substitute for D(b)-HW when estimating %fat with a four-component model in young adults.

Strength loss after eccentric contractions is unaffected by creatine supplementation.

This study's objective was to determine whether 14 days of dietary creatine supplementation preceding an injurious bout of eccentric contractions affect the in vivo strength loss of mouse anterior crural muscles. Three groups of nine mice each were fed a meal diet for 14 days, one group at each of three levels of creatine supplementation (i.e., 0, 0.5, and 1% creatine). Electrically stimulated concentric, isometric, and eccentric contraction torques produced about the ankle were measured both before and after a bout of 150 eccentric contractions. Tibialis anterior muscle creatine concentration was significantly increased by the supplementation, being 12% higher in the mice fed the 1% creatine diet compared with control mice. After the bout of eccentric contractions, the reductions in torque (i.e., 46-58%) were similar for the isometric contraction, all eccentric contractions, and the slow (i.e., /= 0.62). In conclusion, a moderate increase in muscle creatine concentration induced by dietary supplementation in mice does not affect the strength loss after eccentric contractions.

Impact of bone mineral estimates on percent fat estimates from a four-component model.

PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this study was to determine the impact of bone mineral content (BMC) from QDR 1000/W and DPX-L dual-energy x-ray absorptiometers (DXA(QDR) and DXA(DPX-L) on percent fat (%fat) estimates from a four-component model. A secondary purpose was to test the accuracy of %fat estimates from DXA(QDR) and DXA(DPX-L) using %fat estimates from a four-component model as the criterion. METHODS: Percent fat, fat mass, and fat-free mass (FFM) were determined from DXA(QDR) and DXA(DPX-L) and from a four-component model based on measures of body density from underwater weighing, body water from deuterium dilution, and BMC from DXA(QDR) (4C(QDR)) or DXA(DPX-L) (4C(DPX-L)) in young men (N = 14) and women (N = 10). RESULTS: BMC was significantly lower using DXA(QDR) compared with DXA(DPX-L) (approximately 11%), resulting in slightly lower estimates of %fat and fat mass and slightly higher estimates of FFM from 4C(QDR) than 4C(DPX-L). Although estimates of %fat, fat mass, and FFM from DXA(QDR) and DXA(DPX-L) were not different than those from a four-component model, there was considerable individual variability between methods. Furthermore, %fat from DXA(QDR) was lower than %fat from 4C(DPX-L). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that using BMC from different DXA instruments has a minimal impact on %fat, fat mass, and FFM estimates from a four-component model. The large variability in %fat estimates between the two DXA instruments and those from a four-component model does not support DXA as a criterion method of body composition. Further studies involving larger sample sizes and specific population groups are needed to assess the validity of body composition measurements from DXA.

Evaluation of the BOD POD for assessing body fat in collegiate football players.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the accuracy of a new air displacement plethysmograph, BOD POD Body Composition System, for determining %fat in collegiate football players. METHODS: Body fatness was estimated from body density (Db), which was measured on the same day using the BOD POD and hydrostatic weighing (HW) in 69 Division IA football players. In addition, 20 subjects were whole body scanned using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, DXA (Lunar DPX-L) to assess total body mineral content and %fat. Mineral content and HW determined Db were used to compute %fat from a three-component model (3C; fat, mineral, and residual). RESULTS: Test-retest reliability for assessing %fat using the BOD POD (N = 15) was 0.994 with a technical error of measurement of 0.448%. Mean (+/- SEM) Db measured with the BOD POD (1.064 +/- 0.002 g x cc(-1) was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than HW (1.060 +/- 0.002 g x cc(-1)), thus resulting in a lower %fat for the BOD POD (15.1 +/- 0.8%) compared with HW (17.0 +/- 0.8%). Similar results (N = 20) were found for DXA (12.9 +/- 1.2%) and the 3C (12.7 +/- 0.8%) where %fat scores were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than scores determined using the BOD POD (10.9 +/- 1.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Db measured with the BOD POD was higher than the criterion HW, thus yielding lower %fat scores for the BOD POD. In addition, BOD POD determined %fat was lower than DXA and 3C determined values in a subgroup of subjects. Assessment of %fat using the BOD POD is reliable and requires minimal technical expertise; however, in this study of collegiate football players, %fat values were underpredicted when compared to HW, DXA, and the 3C model.

Monitoring core temperature during exercise: ingestible sensor vs. rectal thermistor.

A telemetry monitoring system using an ingestible temperature sensor has recently become available commercially, but to our knowledge no published data on exercise applications have been reported. Consequently, core temperature was measured by both ingestible capsule sensors and standard rectal thermistors in six trained subjects (three cyclists, three runners) during 30 to 90 min of progressive cycling or treadmill exercise. Testing was conducted 3-9 h after ingestion of the capsule. The telemetered temperature was lower than the rectal temperature both at rest and during exercise in every subject, with resulting significant (p < 0.005) mean differences (+/- S.D.) of 36.91 (+/- 0.41) vs. 37.50 (+/- 0.21) and 38.01 (+/- 0.33) vs. 38.94 degrees C (+/- 0.24), respectively. The mean temperature difference increased by 58% from rest (0.59 degrees C) to peak exercise (0.93 degrees C). These preliminary findings demonstrate a consistently lower temperature from the capsule sensor located within the GI tract compared to rectal thermistors. Replication of these results and investigation into this disparity are necessary before these ingestible capsules should be used for routine monitoring of core temperature.

Carbohydrate-electrolyte replacement improves distance running performance in the heat.

The effects of a 7% carbohydrate-electrolyte drink (CE) and an artificially sweetened placebo (P) on performance and physiological function were compared during a 40-km run in the heat. Eight highly trained male runners completed two runs on a measured outdoor course. The first 35 km of each run was performed at self-selected training pace and the last 5 km at race effort. Under a counterbalanced, double-blind design, subjects consumed 400 ml of either CE or P 30 min prior to exercise, and 250 ml every 5 km thereafter during the run. Rectal temperature, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, sweat rate, and respiratory exchange ratio were similar during the run for CE and P. Serum Na+, K+, Cl-, total protein, osmolality, blood lactate, urea nitrogen, and % change in plasma volume were also similar for both drink conditions; however, blood glucose was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) with CE. Running performance in the last 5 km was significantly faster (P less than 0.03) during CE (21.9 min) compared with P (24.4 min). Subjects reported no differences in stomach upset, bloating, or nausea between P and CE. Results indicate that CE replacement elicits similar thermoregulatory and physiological responses during prolonged running in the heat but increases run performance and blood glucose when compared with P.

Peak heart rates during maximal running and swimming: implications for exercise prescription.

Thirty-four college-age fitness swimmers, 19 males and 15 females, were maximally tested during treadmill running (TR) and tethered swimming (TS). A discontinuous, graded test protocol was used for both TR and TS with 2-min stages and 1-min rest periods. Peak HRs were obtained via a UNIQ CIC monitor during the last 120 s of each stage. Blood lactate was measured at 3 min post exercise using a YSI Model 27 Analyzer. TS peak HR was significantly lower (p less than 0.05) than both the age-predicted HRmax (220-age) and TR peak HR by 13 and 11 bt.min-1, respectively. Blood lactate for TS (8.0 mmol.l-1) and TR (8.1 mmol.l-1) were similar. Mean target heart rate range (THRR) calculated from TS peak HR (144-176 bt.min-1) was significantly lower than THRR calculated from age-predicted max HR (151-187 bt.min-1) and TR peak HR (151-186 bt.min-1). For young adult fitness swimmers, we suggest reducing the HRmax obtained from treadmill exercise or predicted from age by 12 bt.min-1. This correction appears to be a reasonable estimate of swimming HRmax that can be used for calculating exercise intensity.

Effect of glucose polymer diet supplement on responses to prolonged successive swimming, cycling and running.

Fifteen male endurance athletes were studied to determine the effect of a glucose polymer (GP) diet supplement on physiological and perceptual responses to successive swimming, cycling and running exercise. Thirty min of swimming, cycling and running at 70% VO2max, followed by a run to exhaustion at 90% VO2max was performed after one week of training under two dietary conditions: 1) GP (230 g of GP consumed daily) and 2) placebo (P, saccharin-sweetened supplement consumed daily). During GP, daily carbohydrate (CHO) intake was higher (p less than 0.05) by 173 g or 14% of energy intake than during P, but total energy intake was not significantly different. During 90 min of exercise, CHO utilization and blood glucose were significantly higher under GP than P by an average of 20.2% and 14.5%, respectively, but heart rate, ventilation, oxygen uptake, ratings of perceived exertion, and plasma lactate were not different. Run time to exhaustion at 90% VO2max was significantly longer by 1.2 min (23%) under GP. The results suggest that a GP diet supplement may be of value during endurance exercise by increasing the availability of CHO.