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Introduction: There is a paucity of information on the clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors in young adults and how this clustering may vary based on whether or not they perform sufficient levels of physical activity. Methods: We analyzed baseline data from 346 young adults (23.3 ± 4.4 yr) participating in the Healthy Body Healthy U clinical trial from 2015 to 2018. Cardiometabolic risk factors were measured according to standard procedures and moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) was determined by accelerometry. A cardiometabolic clustering score (ranging from 0 to 5) was created from five biomarkers according to whether or not a standard clinical risk cut point was exceeded (0, no; 1, yes): abdominal circumference (>102 cm (men) or >88 cm (women)), hemoglobin A1c (≥5.7%), HDL cholesterol (<40 mg·dL−1 (men) or <50 mg·dL−1 (women)), systolic blood pressure (≥130 mm Hg), and diastolic blood pressure (≥85 mm Hg). Cardiometabolic dysregulation (CD) was defined as a cardiometabolic clustering score ≥3. Multiple logistic regression determined the independent association between level of MVPA and CD, while adjusting for sex, race/ethnicity, sedentary time, and smoking. Results: The prevalence of CD was 18% (22% in men, 17% in women). We observed a nonlinear graded association between MVPA and CD. Participants performing 150–300 min·wk−1 of MVPA significantly lowered their odds of CD by 66% (odds ratio, 0.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.16–0.75), whereas those exceeding 300 min·wk−1 lowered their odds by 61% (odds ratio, 0.39; 95% confidence interval, 0.18–0.86) compared with those performing <150 min·wk−1, independent of obesity and the other covariables. Conclusion: Recommended levels of moderate-intensity physical activity is significantly associated with lower odds of CD and thus may prevent or diminish the need for expensive pharmaceutical treatment over the remainder of the life-span. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Purpose: This study aimed to summarize the evidence from the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report , including new evidence from an updated search of the effects of physical activity on maternal health during pregnancy and postpartum. Methods: An initial search was undertaken to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between 2006 and 2016. An updated search then identified additional systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between January 2017 and February 2018. The searches were conducted in PubMed®, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library and supplemented through hand searches of reference lists of included articles and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Results: The original and updated searches yielded a total of 76 systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Strong evidence demonstrated that moderate-intensity physical activity reduced the risk of excessive gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes, and symptoms of postpartum depression. Limited evidence suggested an inverse relationship between physical activity and risk of preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and antenatal anxiety and depressive symptomology. Insufficient evidence was available to determine the effect of physical activity on postpartum weight loss, postpartum anxiety, and affect during both pregnancy and postpartum. For all health outcomes, there was insufficient evidence to determine whether the relationships varied by age, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or prepregnancy weight status. Conclusions: The gestational period is an opportunity to promote positive health behaviors that can have both short- and long-term benefits for the mother. Given the low prevalence of physical activity in young women in general, and the high prevalence of obesity and cardiometabolic diseases among the U.S. population, the public health importance of increasing physical activity in women of childbearing age before, during, and after pregnancy is substantial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Purpose: To review and update the evidence of the relationship between physical activity, risk of fall-related injury, and physical function in community-dwelling older people that was presented in the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report (PAGAC Report). Methods: Duplicate independent screenings of 1415 systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between 2006 and 2016 identified from PubMed®, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL databases yielded 111 articles used for the PAGAC Report. The PAGAC Aging Subcommittee members graded scientific evidence strength based upon a five-criteria rubric and assigned one of four grades: strong, moderate, limited, or not assignable. An updated search of 368 articles published between January 2017 and March 2018 yielded 35 additional pertinent articles. Results: Strong evidence demonstrated that physical activity reduced the risk of fall-related injuries by 32% to 40%, including severe falls requiring medical care or hospitalization. Strong evidence also supported that physical activity improved physical function and reduced the risk of age-related loss of physical function in an inverse graded manner among the general aging population, and improved physical function in older people with frailty and with Parkinson's disease. Aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and/or multicomponent physical activity programs elicited the largest improvements in physical function in these same populations. Moderate evidence indicated that for older adults who sustained a hip fracture or stroke, extended exercise programs and mobility-oriented physical activity improved physical function. Conclusions: Regular physical activity effectively helps older adults improve or delay the loss of physical function and mobility while reducing the risk of fall-related injuries. These important public health benefits underscore the importance of physical activity among older adults, especially those living with declining physical function and chronic health conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huntsman, HD, DiPietro, L, Drury, DG, and Miller, TA. Development of a rowing specific o2max field test. J Strength Cond Res 25(6): 1774-1779, 2011-The purpose of this study was to develop an aerobic capacity test for rowers using minimal equipment that could be used in the field. Thirty rowers (15 men and 15 women) between the ages of 18 and 26 years were recruited on a volunteer basis from the District of Columbia metro area. The testing protocol consisted of a maximum of 7 2-minute stages on a rowing ergometer, separated by 30-second breaks where lactic acid concentrations were analyzed. Starting intensity for men was 200 W, although women started at 150 W, and each stage increased by 50 W. Expired gasses were collected during the test, and athletes were asked to row until maximal volition so that the directly measured o2max could be compared to predicted values. Peak heart rates from each completed stage were plotted, and regression equations were calculated to predict o2max. Separate regression equations were calculated for men and women. The predicted o2max values were approximately 23 and 25% lower than what was actually achieved for men and women, respectively. Heart rate was a stronger correlate of o2max in men compared with in women. Among men, we observed a moderate and statistically significant correlation (r = 0.55; p = 0.05), whereas among women, no such agreement was observed (r = -0.05; p > 0.85). The principle finding of this study was that the test was adequate in predicting o2max in men but was inadequate in its prediction in women. With slight modifications to the testing protocol, stronger correlations and a more accurate prediction of o2max is expected in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that examined whether a test protocol consisting of seven, two-minute exercise stages on rowing ergometer, with each stage separated by 30 seconds of rest, could serve as an effective test for the aerobic capacity of rowers. Results indicated the regimen was an accurate means of predicting aerobic capacity for men, but not for women.

Inacio, M, Dipietro, L, Visek, AJ, and Miller, TA. Influence of upper-body external loading on anaerobic exercise performance. J Strength Cond Res 25(4): 896-902, 2011-The purpose of this study was to assess the threshold where simulated adipose tissue weight gain significantly affects performance in common anaerobic tasks and determine whether differences exist between men and women. Forty-six subjects (men = 21; women = 25) were tested for vertical jump, 20- and 40-yd dash, and 20-yd shuttle tests under 6 different loading conditions (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% of added body weight). Results were compared to each subject's baseline values (0% loading condition). Results demonstrate significant decrements in performance, starting at the 2% loading condition, for both genders, in every performance test (p < 0.05). On average, subjects jumped 4.91 ± 0.29 to 9.83 ± 0.30 cm less, increased agility test times from 5.49 ± 0.56 to 5.86 ± 0.61 seconds, and increased sprint times from 7.80 ± 0.96 to 8.39 ± 1.07 seconds (2-10%, respectively; p < 0.05). When lower-body power was corrected for total body mass, men exerted significantly more power than women did in every loading condition. Conversely, when lower-body power was corrected for lean body mass, men exerted significantly more power than did women only at the 2% loading condition. This study demonstrates that for the specific anaerobic performance tests performed, increases in external loading as low as 2% of body weight results in significant decreases in performance. Moreover, for these specific tests, men and women tend to express the same threshold in performance decrements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of a study which investigated the effect of weight training on competitive rowing ability. An overview of related previous research is provided, along with details of the experimental protocol, which involved comparing two types of weight training with one type of aerobic training. It was found that all three programs produced improvements.

The article presents two different views concerning the significance of maintaining enough energy availability by women athletes. One view defines energy availability as a dietary energy intake minus exercise energy expenditure. Moreover, it has been pointed out that low energy availability impairs reproductive function in women as discovered in a study. However, another view emphasizes that low energy availability does not affect the reproductive health of female athletes. All athletes who are considering to lose body weight or body fat should monitor energy availability.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "The Female Athlete Triad: Are Elite Athletes at Increased Risk?," by Monica Klungland Torstveit and Jorunn Sundgot-Borgen in the previous issue of the journal.

Background: It is essential to understand factors influencing young adult cardiovascular health (CVH) to reduce morbidity and mortality., Objective: Evaluate longitudinal changes in CVH among young adults in a weight management intervention., Methods: Life's Essential 8 (LE8) metrics were calculated for young adults with overweight and obesity enrolled in a randomized controlled trial (n = 459). Outcomes included LE8 total, LE8 behavior, LE8 health, and each LE8 metric. Linear mixed effects models evaluated associations between LE8 and intervention group and demographics and assessed longitudinal changes for 18 months., Results: Although no composite LE8 scores changed over time, LE8 diet and blood glucose improved. Low socioeconomic status and non-White participants had lower scores for many LE8 metrics when controlling for time. A significant positive intervention effect on LE8 total was observed among those with baseline body mass index <27.5., Conclusion: Identifying factors associated with LE8 in young adulthood can support CVH, prevent future disease, and minimize health disparities., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)