Body Composition, Physical Fitness, Physical Activity and Nutrition in Polish and Spanish Male Students of Sports Sciences: Differences and Correlations

Modern software and physical education: can online training enhance gym training?

BACKGROUND

This study discusses the effectiveness of a 12-week intervention aimed at improving squat jump and sprint performance among second-year sports students.

METHODS

The students were randomly divided into experimental (n = 89) and control (n = 92) groups. In addition to gym training, students of the experimental group also underwent online PE training. The students' performance in Squat Jumps, 30 m sprint, and Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER), as well as their situational motivation, were assessed before and after the intervention. Furthermore, the students assessed their physical activity weekly using self-reports.

RESULTS

The implementation of online training has positively impacted intrinsic and identified motivation, as well as external regulation; however, it was less effective in reducing amotivation compared to traditional gym-based training.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the study contribute to the data synthesis on the expediency of using modern software in physical education.

Emotional Intelligence, Physical Activity Practice and Mediterranean Diet Adherence-An Explanatory Model in Elementary Education School Students

Currently, there is a global concern with regard to the lifestyles of young people. This study aims to study the association between Mediterranean diet adherence, emotional intelligence and physical activity practice in teenagers in the last cycle of elementary education. In turn, this objective is divided into (a) developing an explanatory model of the practice of physical activity, Mediterranean diet adherence and emotional intelligence; and (b) developing a multi-group model according to the gender of the participants. A descriptive, cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted in a sample of 293 elementary school students (M = 11.45; S.D = 0.31). The instruments used were an ad hoc socio-demographic questionnaire, the Trait Meta Mood Scale-24, the KIDMED questionnaire and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children. The results show that males show a positive relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and emotional intelligence and between emotional intelligence and physical activity. In contrast, in the case of females, a negative relationship was observed between emotional intelligence and physical activity. In conclusion, it can be seen that gender plays a fundamental role in adolescence, being a key factor influencing an active and healthy lifestyle.

The Role of Dietary Patterns and Dietary Quality on Body Composition of Adolescents in Chinese College

There is limited evidence regarding the effects of dietary pattern and dietary quality on the risk of unhealthy weight status and related body composition in Chinese adolescence. In particular, studies using bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA) in these subjects are rare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of diet in body composition, to find a healthy dietary pattern for Chinese youth, and to promote the application of BIA among this population. A total of 498 participants aged from 18 to 22 years old were included. Dietary patterns were identified by principal components analysis. Energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (DII) and diet balance index (DBI) were calculated based on semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Multivariate linear regression and logistic regression analysis were used to examine the relationship of dietary patterns, dietary quality with body mass index (BMI), fat mass index (FMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), and the effect of dietary factors on BMI levels. The majority of participants with overweight and obesity had abdominal obesity, and there was 3.7% abdominal obesity in normal BMI individuals. Four dietary patterns were detected in the subjects. The pattern with the higher energy intake, which was close to the Western diet, was positively correlated with BMI (β = 0.326, p = 0.018) and FMI (β = 0.201, p = 0.043), while being negatively correlated with FFMI (β = −0.183, p = 0.021). Individuals who followed the pattern similar to the Mediterranean diet had a higher basal metabolic rate (BMR), and the highest fat free mass, soft lean mass, and skeletal muscle mass (p < 0.05) but the lowest FMI, visceral fat area (VFA), waist−hip ratio, and FMI/FFMI ratio (p < 0.05). Higher energy-adjusted DII was associated with high BMI. Higher bound score (HBS) (β = −0.018, p = 0.010) and diet quality distance (DQD) (β = −0.012, p = 0.015) were both negatively correlated with FFMI. In conclusion, fat or muscle indexes, such as BMR, FMI, and FFMI, had an important role in predicting overweight and obesity, which suggested the importance of applying BIA among Chinese college students. Students who followed healthful dietary patterns or the high-quality diet that is similar to the Mediterranean diet but not close to the Western diet were more likely to have a healthy BMI and normal body composition.

Association between Cardiopulmonary Capacity and Body Mass Composition in Children and Adolescents with High Body Weight: A Cross-Sectional Study

(1) Background: Excessive body weight is a global problem in the 21st century. Children and adolescents, in particular, are at risk. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in the relationship between aerobic capacity and body composition. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between the individual parameters of cardiopulmonary capacity obtained in cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and selected parameters of body mass composition in high-BMI children and children over the 85th percentile according to the WHO growth reference. (2) Materials and Method: The research included 100 children of school-age (7–15 years) with an excessive BMI, i.e., over the 85th percentile as per the WHO Growth Reference (BMI percentile 95.21 ± 4.65; Z-score BMI: 2.07 ± 0.94). The study consisted of three parts: anthropometric measurements, measurement of body mass composition using a body composition analyzer (TANITA MC-780 S MA) using the bioimpedance method, and a cardiopulmonary exercise test on a pediatric cycle ergometer (Corival Pediatric, Lode BV) using the Godfrey protocol; (3) Results: The correlation between BMI and fat mass (FM) was very high (rho = 0.83; p = 0.00) with moderate body fat percentage (BF%) (rho = 0.48; p = 0.00). There was a relevant correlation between the amount of fat-free mass in total body mass and cardiopulmonary capacity expressed as the absolute aerobic capacity (VO_2peak) (rho = 0.55; p = 0.00). (4) Conclusions: In the case of children and youth with higher BMI, there was a correlation between the amount of fat-free mass in total body mass and cardiopulmonary capacity in terms of absolute aerobic capacity.

Personality-Related Determinants of Physical Activity Among Polish and Spanish Physical Education Students

We aimed to analyze personality-related determinants of physical activity among Polish and Spanish physical education (PE) students. The study was conducted among 219 Polish and 280 Spanish PE students, using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the NEO-FFI Personality Inventory. Compared with Spanish PE students, their Polish counterparts are characterized by a higher level of extraversion and conscientiousness and a lower level of neuroticism. The level of total physical activity for all students was 8,697.21 METs, and this value was higher among Polish students. Among Polish and Spanish PE students, the level of total, vigorous, and moderate physical activity increased along with the increase in extraversion, while a decrease occurred along with the increase in neuroticism. The level of each domain of physical activity also increased in line with the intensification of student conscientiousness. In moderation analyses, it was shown that the home country of students may be considered a moderator of the relationship between conscientiousness and total exercise in such a way that the physical activity increased along with the increase in conscientiousness only among the Polish students. In addition, the country is a moderator of the correlation between moderate physical activity and neuroticism (p = 0.031), openness (p = 0.049), and conscientiousness (p = 0.019), with moderate activity only decreasing among Polish students and increasing along with the increase in openness and conscientiousness. Positive correlations among physical activity, extraversion, and conscientiousness, as well as negative ones with neuroticism, were demonstrated among Polish and Spanish students, and also the moderating impact of the country on the correlation between personality-related dimensions and physical activity.

Pro-Healthy Diet Properties and Its Determinants among Aging Masters Athletes

Qualitative dietary assessments are not common in aging athletes. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate diet quality and its determinants among aging masters athletes. Eighty-six participants of the 8th World Masters Indoor Athletics Championships were enrolled in the study (age range 36-65 years). Three subgroups were distinguished to represent countries with different eating habits. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance. Eating habits and diet quality were assessed using the Dietary Habits and Nutrition Beliefs Questionnaire (KomPAN®, Warszawa, Poland), and the Pro-healthy Diet Index (pHDI-10). Dietary quality determinants were identified by a multiple regression model conducted for each subgroup separately (Great Britain, France, and Poland). The results showed that none of the subgroups adhered to the reference intake of products with beneficial health outcomes. This was particularly noticeable in the insufficient consumption of whole grain products, dairy, and fish. The fish and vegetables consumption frequency significantly differentiated the eating habits of the studied groups. Diet quality determinants varied depending on the group. However, in each of them, fruit consumption was one of the components of a good-quality diet. The obtained results can be used by institutions providing health education among the elderly to develop an appropriate strategy aimed at changing inappropriate eating habits.

Associations between whole and low-fat dairy products consumption, physical performance and mental health

BACKGROUND: Military staff are required to be in a proper condition of mental health and weight standards and have a specific level of physical performances (PP). Dairy products are rich sources of essential nutrients. It was demonstrated that Iranians consume much less milk and its products and there is no exception in the military staff. OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between consumption of low or whole-fat dairy and psychological disorders and PP in military personnel. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in four military zones of Iran. Dairy products intake were evaluated by using a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The Persian version of Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were used to assess participants’ depression, anxiety and stress and PP were assessed by a 2-mile run, sit-up, push-up and pull-up. RESULTS: There was a significant negative relationship between the tertiles of total and low-fat dairy consumption and depression (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.79, P < 0.05), and low-fat dairy consumption and stress (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.93, P < 0.05). Also, there was a positive association between the last tertiles of low-fat dairy consumption and suitable PP (OR 5.28, 95% CI 1.08 to 25.71, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that consumption of dairy products and particularly low-fat products are related to less psychological problems and a better PP level.

A Comparison in Physical Fitness Attributes, Physical Activity Behaviors, Nutritional Habits, and Nutritional Knowledge Between Elite Male and Female Youth Basketball Players

Background: Limited evidence exists comprehensively assessing physical fitness attributes, physical activity behaviors, nutritional habits, and nutritional knowledge according to sex in basketball players during early adolescence. Insight of this nature could be used to optimize the training process and lifestyles in young basketball players. Objective: To compare physical fitness attributes, physical activity levels, nutritional habits, and nutritional knowledge between elite male and female basketball players under 14 years of age (U-14). Methods: Twenty-three U-14 basketball players (male, n = 13 and female, n = 10) from the same elite basketball academy (Spanish Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto [ACB] League) participated in this study. Physical fitness attributes were assessed using a basketball-specific test battery (countermovement jump, drop jump, linear sprint, Lane Agility Drill, 505 change-of-direction, and repeated-change-of-direction tests), while physical activity levels (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents, PAQ-A), nutritional habits (Turconi questionnaire), and nutritional knowledge (Turconi questionnaire) were assessed using questionnaires. Results: Male players exhibited better physical fitness in all tests (p <0.001 to 0.036, effect size = -0.44 to -0.76, intermediate to strong) compared to female players. Male players also performed more physical activity in their leisure time (p = 0.036) than females. No significant differences in nutritional habits and nutritional knowledge were evident between sexes (p > 0.05). Of note, a high proportion of players declared never or only sometimes eating fruit (males: 23%; females: 40%) and vegetables (males: 46%; females: 70%). In addition, relatively poor nutritional knowledge was evident in all players with the group correctly answering <50% of nutritional questions overall (4.57 ± 1.88 out of 11 points, 42%) and according to sex (males: 4.07 ± 2.10, 37%; females: 5.20 ± 1.40, 47%). Conclusion: These findings emphasize the necessity to perform individualized prescription of training stimuli across sexes to optimize the physical preparedness and development of youth basketball players. Additionally, strategies such as nutrition-focused education interventions may be necessary in this population given the low consumption of fruits and vegetables, as well as the poor nutritional knowledge observed in players.

Effects of Water Restriction and Water Replenishment on the Content of Body Water with Bioelectrical Impedance among Young Adults in Baoding, China: A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

Insufficient water intake may affect body composition. The purpose of this research was to explore the effects of water restriction and replenishment on body composition and to evaluate the optimum amount of water that improves body composition. A total of 76 young adults aged 18-23 years old (40 males and 36 females) in Baoding, China, were recruited in this randomized controlled trial, with a 100% completion rate. After fasting overnight for 12 h, at 8:00 a.m. of day 2, a baseline test, including anthropometric indices and collection of urine and blood samples, was explored. Participants were then subjected to water restriction for 24 h, and three meals with ≤75% water content were provided. At 8:00 AM of day 3, the same indices were determined as a dehydration test. Then, participants were randomly assigned into four groups: three water replenishment groups (WR groups 1, 2, and 3 given 1000, 500, and 200 mL of purified water, respectively) and one non-replenishment group (NR group, with no water). After 90 min, the same measurements were performed as a rehydration test. Compared with the baseline test, during the dehydration test, the intracellular water to total body water ratio (ICW/TBW) increased; and extracellular water (ECW), ECW/TBW (extracellular water to total body water ratio), and TBW decreased (all p < 0.05). For males, significant differences were found in ECW, ECW/ICW (extracellular water to intracellular water ratio), ICW/TBW, and ECW/TBW (all p < 0.05); for females, significant reductions were found in ICW, ECW, TBW, ECW/ICW, ICW/TBW, and ECW/TBW (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, significant differences were found in ICW, ECW, ICW/TBW, ECW/TBW, ECW/ICW, TBW, and TBW/BW between males and females during the baseline and dehydration test (all p < 0.05). Comparing the dehydration test with the rehydration test, there were significant interactions between time × volume in ICW and TBW (F = 3.002, p = 0.036; F = 2.907, p = 0.040); in males, these were only found in ICW (F = 3.061, p = 0.040); in females, they were found in ICW and TBW (F = 3.002, p = 0.036; F = 2.907, p = 0.040). The ICW levels in WR groups 1 and 2 were all higher than in the NR group (all p < 0.05); the TBW was higher in WR group 1 than in the NR group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between WR groups 1 and 2, either in males or in females (all p > 0.05). In the rehydration test, significant differences in body composition were found between males and females among the four groups (all p < 0.05). Water restriction had adverse effects on body composition, and females were more susceptible to water restriction than males. Water replenishment improved the water content of body composition, alleviating the adverse effects of water restriction on ICW and TBW. After water restriction for 36 h, the optimum volume of water to improve body composition among young male adults was 1000 mL, but this was not the case for females.

Personality Determinants of Diet Quality among Polish and Spanish Physical Education Students

The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and diet quality indexes among Polish and Spanish physical education students. The study was conducted among students from Poland (n = 219) and Spain (n = 280), using the Dietary Habits and Nutrition Beliefs Questionnaire and the NEO-FFI (NEO Five-Factor Inventory) questionnaire. Two indexes were used: the Pro-healthy Diet Index (pHDI-10) and the Non-healthy Diet Index (nHDI-14). For statistical analysis, the t-test with independent estimation of variance as well as both Spearman’s and Pearson’s correlation analysis and moderation analysis with simple slopes were used. Polish and Spanish physical education students demonstrated low levels of healthy (pHDI-10) and unhealthy (nHDI-14) diet indexes, with Polish students showing significantly higher intensities of both indicators (p < 0.001). As extraversion intensified, the levels of pHDI-10 and nHDI-14 increased (p < 0.05). The nHDI-14 index for all students decreased along with increasing openness to experiences (p < 0.01) and agreeableness (p < 0.05), and the pHDI-10 index increased with the rise in conscientiousness (p < 0.01). Analyses have indicated that the home country is an important moderator of personality relationships with the Non-healthy Diet Index (nHDI-14), which, along with the increase in conscientiousness, increased in students from Spain, while it decreased among students from Poland (p < 0.001). Polish and Spanish physical education students showed a low level of healthy (pHDI-10) and unhealthy (nHDI-14) diets depending on country of origin. Additionally, significant correlations were noted between the Big Five personality traits and pHDI-10 and nHDI-14 indexes, and a moderating impact was observed by the home country on the relationships of selected personality traits with the Non-healthy Diet Index (nHDI-14).

The association of dietary patterns and cardiorespiratory fitness: A systematic review

AIMS

In comparison to the traditional risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, little is known about the interaction between diet and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). The present systematic review aimed to provide comprehensive evidence regarding the relationship between the dietary patterns (DPs) with CRF in both children and adults.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception up to December 2019. All observational studies that had extracted DPs using a posteriori and/or a priori methods, as well as had assessed CRF as the outcome, were eligible for inclusion in the review. Eleven studies (1 longitudinal and 10 cross-sectional studies) comprising a total of 198,271 subjects were included. There was considerable heterogeneity between studies in terms of the extracted DPs, their food items as well as the statistical reporting outcomes; which all made comparisons between the studies difficult. Despite some inconsistent results, overall there was a positive association between the DPs that were highly loaded with fruits and vegetables, as well as closer adherence to the high-quality diets particularly the Mediterranean diet, with higher values of CRF. While, an inverse association was found for unhealthy DPs that were generally characterized by a high intake of refined grains, sweets, meats, processed foods, and high-fat dairy products.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the evidence indicates the high-quality diets that are highlighted in the national dietary guidelines are associated with an optimal CRF. However, these findings should be confirmed by rigorous prospective and interventional studies.