Sex Differences in Body Composition Changes after Preseason Training in Elite Handball Players.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the estimated body composition of elite female and male Polish handball players during a five-week preseason training camp. Height and weight were measured, while body composition was estimated with bioelectrical impedance in 18 male and 17 female handball players before and after the five-week training protocol. Components of body composition included total body water (TBW), fat-free mass (FFM), muscle mass (MM), and absolute and relative fat mass (FM). Weight and body mass index (BMI) did not change in males, but declined in females after five weeks of training. FM and %FM declined, while estimated TBW, FFM, and MM increased significantly after training in both males and females. In contrast, comparisons of log transformed ratios for changes in weight, the BMI and body composition in males and females, respectively, suggested that estimated TBW, FFM, and MM increased relatively more in females than in males, while FM and %FM decline relatively more in males than females. Overall, the five-week preseason training program modified the body composition of male and female handball players. FM and %FM decreased, while estimated TBW, FFM, and MM increased, in both males and females after the preseason training program. Comparisons of log transformed ratios for changes in body composition in males and females suggested sexual dimorphism in response to intensive preseason training.

Efficacy of Physiotherapy in Reducing Back Pain and Improve Joint Mobility in Older Women.

BACKGROUND: Pain of the spine and large appendicular joints may limit the functional mobility of elderly persons and affect their biological fitness. This paper assesses the effects of comprehensive physical therapy in women with lumbar and cervical pain and compares flexibility in the upper and lower body and the range of motion in selected joints. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-three women aged 60-75 years completed a 6-week intervention involving group gymnastics to prevent back pain, relaxation techniques, classic massage, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and ultrasound therapy to the lumbosacral and cervicothoracic regions. Patient outcomes were assessed by measuring upper and lower body flexibility, upper and lower extremity joint and spinal ROM, and self-reported back pain using a Visual Analogue Scale. Differences in means between successive measurements were calculated with a Student t test for dependent groups, while differences in the range of motion in the joints of the right and left limbs were calculated with the NIR test. RESULTS: The physical therapy significantly improved flexibility of the upper and lower body by increasing the range of motion in selected joints of the limbs and the spine. On completion of the intervention, the intensity of back pain was reduced by 2.9 points in the VAS scale. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The 6-week physical therapy programme desig-ned by us constitutes an effective therapy for pain relief in patients with degenerative changes of the spine. 2. The proposed combination of sonotherapy, elec-tro-therapy and classic massage procedures with general fitness exercises in low positions and au-to-genic training contributed significantly to im-provement in flexibility of the upper and lower part of the body and increasing the range of mo-tion in joints of the lower and upper extremities and the spine in women over 60 years of age. 3. The proposed set of procedures and exercises may be used in women over 60 years of age with the aim of improving selected components of biolo-gical fitness.

[Health behaviours in children and youth based on perception own's proportions of body]. / Zachowania zdrowotne dzieci i mlodziezy zwiazane z postrzeganiem wlasnych proporcji ciala.

The aim of this work is analyse perceptions, intentions and actions related with own proportions of body conections with assessment to actual weight and height proportions (BMI) children and youth from Polkowice. Material examination includes measurement from research conducted in autumn of 2008 of Polkowice (Lower Silesia). Refine material includes measurement and survey 816 pupils (362 boys and 454 girls) aged 10 - 15 of primary schools and secondary school. Body height and weight were measured and calculated on the basis of Body Mass Index (BMI). According to the international standards--cut off points for overweight and obesity by Cole et al. (2000). Estimate the frequency of overweight and obesity among the examined population. Some information about self-body proportions and activities undertaken to change them was obtained from a survey titled Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The frequency of overweight among the examined population is more common by boys (17.7%) than by girls (12.8%). Obesity was observed among 4.7% of boys and 4.4% of girls. In the group of children and youth with overweight 42.2% boys and 67.2% girls correctly describes to actual weight and height proportions. Among the children and young people classified as overweight 88.9% boys and 75% girls perceived themselves as "too fat". Among the respondents with overweight and obesity 67.9% boys and 85.9% have declared trying to lose weight. The most popular methods used to regulating body weight are physical exercises and low-calories diet. Girls in comparing to boys they more often declare for lowering the body weight. The most popular method used to accomplish this aim is physical activity. One should explain to pupils of the appropriate body mass for the health and acquaint objective methods of estimation of the weight and height proportions and safe methods of their regulation.

[Health behaviours in children and youth aged 7 to 16 years]. / Zachowania zdrowotne dzieci i mlodziezy w wieku 7-16 lat.

The study aimed at describing selected health behaviors of 470 subjects aged 7 to 16 years from Jedlina Zdrój. The frequency of the meals eaten and physical activity were estimated by means of a standardized multiple choice questionnaire. In both sexes the number of hours spent on physical activity rose significantly with age. The time of physical activity in older boys was significantly higher than in their female peers. Similarly, the percentage of children skipping breakfast and the second breakfast increased with age. The amount of fruit and vegetables eaten decreased with age of the subjects. At school milk was drunk by very few boys only.