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Physical activity (PA) has a variety of well-established benefits for physical and mental health. However, there are PA disparities based on numerous sociodemographic characteristics, including sexual orientation. Mapping of PA interventions tailored to sexual minorities (ie, nonheterosexual) is currently absent from the literature. Purpose: The purpose of this scoping review was to summarize the existing interventions focused on promoting PA among sexual minority (SM) adults. Methods: A search strategy was developed in consultation with a research librarian for PubMed, Web of Science, SportDiscus, and CINAHL. The scoping review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Randomized and nonrandomized interventions that focused on increasing PA among SM adults were included. Data on study design, sample demographics, purpose of research, methodology, intervention components, theory-based constructs used, PA measures, and outcomes of the intervention were extracted. Results: Our search yielded 7289 articles, with 26 articles requiring full-text review. Four interventions were identified that focused on increasing PA among SM adults, with 2 focusing on lesbian/bisexual women, 1 focusing on lesbian/gay cancer survivors, and 1 focusing on men who have sex with men. Two of the 4 studies were successful at increasing PA, with varying psychosocial theories (ie, social cognitive theory and theory of reasoned action) and intervention strategies (ie, PA counseling, group meetings, and pedometers). Conclusion: Findings of this review demonstrate a clear lack of PA interventions targeting SM adults, limiting the available knowledge required for preventionists, practitioners, and health care professionals to effectively promote PA through behavioral modification among this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify the sex-specific prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors and their physiological, psychosocial, and behavioral correlates in a college-aged population. Participants and methods: Cross-sectional assessment of MetS risk factors and potential correlates occurred in 379 first-year students (aged 18.34 ± 0.49 years, 67.3% female). Multivariable linear regression assessed the relationships between potential correlates and continuous MetS risk scores, derived from principal component analysis. Results: MetS risk factors were present in 58.4% of females and 68.5% of males, with 2.4% and 3.2% having defined MetS. In females, percent body fat ([beta] = 0.46, p < 0.001), stress ([beta] = 0.12, p = 0.031), % kcal from sugar ([beta] = 0.18, p = 0.001), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity ([beta]=-0.12, p = 0.036) were associated with risk score. Whereas, correlates in males included percent body fat ([beta] = 0.54, p < 0.001), C-reactive protein ([beta] = 0.15, p = 0.045), and AUDIT alcohol consumption score ([beta] = 0.15, p = 0.033). Conclusion: The sex-specific prevalence of MetS risk factors and correlates suggest that primary prevention strategies on college campuses should also follow a sex-specific approach.

Higher relative adiposity is independently associated with adverse health consequences. As such, accurate estimates of body composition in field settings are of utmost importance. The aim of this study was to examine the validity of the Body Adiposity Index (BAI) and Relative Fat Mass (RFM) as measures of total body adiposity. BAI and RFM were assessed in young adults (n = 188, 48.4% female, 21.8 ± 4.8 years, 24.4 ± 4.6 kg/m[superscript 2]). Adiposity was assessed using the 4C model (%Fat[subscript 4C]) and derived from underwater weighing for body density, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for bone mineral content, and bioimpedance spectroscopy for total body water. Bivariate correlations between BAI, RFM, and %Fat[subscript 4C] were assessed using Pearson's r. Differences between measures were assessed using a repeated-measures ANOVA. BAI and RFM were associated with %Fat[subscript 4C] (r = 0.668 and 0.827 respectively, both p < 0.001). BAI and RFM overestimated %Fat4C (+4.3 ± 6.1 versus +4.3 ± 4.6, respectively, p < 0.001). The large error limits the practical utility of these anthropometric indices.

Purpose: Maximal heart rate (MHR) is an important physiologic tool for prescribing and monitoring exercise in both clinical and athletic settings. However, prediction equations developed in adults may have limited accuracy in youth. The purpose of this study was to systematically review and analyze the available evidence regarding the validity of commonly used age-based MHR prediction equations among children and adolescents. Methods: Included articles were peer-reviewed, published in English, and compared measured to predicted MHR in male and female participants <18 years old. The standardized mean difference effect size (ES) was used to quantify the accuracy of age-predicted MHR values and a priori moderators were examined to identify potential sources of variability. Results: The cumulative results of 20 effects obtained from seven articles revealed that prediction equations did not accurately estimate MHR (ES= 0.44, p < 0.05) by 6.3 bpm (bpm). Subgroup analyses indicated that the Fox equation (MHR = 220-age) overestimated MHR by 12.4 bpm (ES = 0.95, p < 0.05), whereas the Tanaka equation (MHR = 208--0.7*age) underestimated MHR by 2.7 bpm (ES = -0.34, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Age-based MHR equations derived from adult populations are not applicable to children. However, if the use of age-based equations cannot be avoided, we recommend using the Tanaka equation, keeping in mind the range of error reported in this study. Future research should control for potential pubertal influences on sympathetic modulation during exercise to facilitate the development of more age-appropriate methods for prescribing exercise intensity.

Although a variety of tools to monitor recovery have been developed, many are impractical for daily use due to cost, time, and challenges with interpretation. The Perceived Recovery Status (PRS) scale was recently developed as an expeditious, noninvasive tool to assess recovery status. While PRS has been strongly associated with repeated sprinting performance, a paucity of research exists relating PRS and performance recovery following resistance exercise. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of PRS as a subjective marker of recovery up to 72 hours after a high-volume back-squat protocol. Methods: Eleven resistance-trained men reported to the laboratory on 5 separate occasions (1 familiarization session and 4 testing sessions). The first testing session was considered the baseline session and consisted of a nonfatiguing performance assessment (ie, countermovement jumps and back squats) and a fatiguing back-squat protocol of 8 sets of 10 at 70% 1-repetition maximum separated by 2 minutes of recovery. Participants returned 24, 48, and 72 hours following baseline to provide a PRS rating and complete the performance assessment. Results: Repeated-measures correlations revealed strong associations between PRS countermovement jump (r =.84) and mean bar velocity (r =.80) (both P <.001). Conclusions: The current findings suggest that PRS can be used as a method to effectively assess daily recovery following a fatiguing bout of resistance exercise. Practitioners are cautioned that the relationship between PRS and performance recovery is individualized, and equivalent PRS scores between individuals are not indicative of similar recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The parasympathetically derived marker of heart rate variability, root mean square of successive R-R differences (RMSSD), and the daily fluctuations as measured by the coefficient of variation (RMSSDCV) may be useful for tracking training adaptations in athletic populations. These vagally derived markers of heart rate variability may be especially pertinent when simultaneously considering a female athlete's menstrual cycle. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to observe the perturbations in RMSSDCV, while considering RMSSD, across a season in the presence and absence of menses with training load in female collegiate rowers. Methods: Thirty-six (20 [1] y, 25.6 [3.4] kg·m−2) National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I female rowers were monitored for 18 consecutive weeks across a full season. Seated, ultrashortened RMSSD measurements were obtained by the rowers on at least 3 mornings per week using a smartphone photoplethysmography device. Following the RMSSD measurement, athletes indicated the presence or absence of menstruation within the application. Individual meters rowed that week and sessions rate of perceived exertion were obtained to quantify training load. Results: Longitudinal mixed-effects modeling demonstrated a significant effect of menses and time, while also considering RMSSD, such that those who were on their period had a significantly greater RMSSDCV than those who were not (11.2% vs 7.5%, respectively; P <.001). These changes were independent of meters rowed, sessions rate of perceived exertion, body mass index, birth-control use, and years of rowing experience, which were all nonsignificant predictors of RMSSDCgV (P >.05). Conclusion: The presence of menses appears to significantly impact RMSSDCV when also considering RMSSD, which may allow coaches to consider individualized training plans accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examined the agreement between %Fat measurements using a smartphone‐based application (IMAGE) across different environmental conditions. Methods: A single reference image was obtained using an 8 MP smartphone camera under Ambient Light in front of a white background. Additional photos were obtained using a 0.7 MP, 5 MP, and 12 MP smartphone cameras; low‐, moderate‐, and bright‐lighting conditions; and various color backgrounds including black, green, orange, and gray. Results: %Fat measured using the 0.7 MP camera (27.8 ± 6.2 %Fat) was higher than the reference (26.8 ± 6.1 %Fat) (p < 0.001). The black (32.0 ± 12.0 %Fat), green (27.5 ± 6.3 %Fat), and gray (27.8 ± 6.3 %Fat) backgrounds yielded higher %Fat than the white (p = 0.03, 0.01, and 0.001). All camera, lighting, and background conditions were strongly correlated with the reference (all intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] >0.98, all standard error of the estimate [SEE] <1.5 %Fat, all p < 0.001), except the black background which yielded poorer agreement with the white background (ICC = 0.69, SEE = 4.5%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: %Fat from IMAGE were strongly correlated across various environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Author(s): Michael R. Esco [sup.1] , Brett S. Nickerson [sup.2] , Michael V. Fedewa [sup.1] , Jordan R. Moon [sup.3] , Ronald L. Snarr [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) Department of [...], Background/objectives The purpose was to determine if skinfolds (SF) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) could provide accurate estimates of body volume (BV) and total body water (TBW), respectively, for use in a 3-compartment (3-C) model to estimate percent body fat (BF%) when compared to laboratory derived measures. Subjects/methods A sample of sixty-four men (age = 22.9 [plus or minus] 5.4 years) and 59 women (age = 21.6 [plus or minus] 4.3 years) participated in the study. Laboratory 3-C (3C.sub.LAB) model BF% was determined with underwater weighing for body volume (BV) and bioimpedance spectroscopy for total body water (TBW). The 3-C field (3C.sub.FIELD) estimates of BF% included BV from the 7-site SF technique and TBW from hand-to-foot BIA. Results A significant difference in BF% (p < 0.01) was found between the 3C.sub.LAB and 3C.sub.FIELD in the entire sample and within the men, but the effect sizes (ES) were small (0.09 and 0.17, respectively). The difference between means was not significant in the women (ES = 0.05, p = 0.332). Compared to the 3C.sub.LAB, the total error (TE) ranged 2.2-2.4% for 3C.sub.FIELD, 5.7-5.8% for SF, and 4.0-4.6% for BIA. Conclusions The findings suggest that BV and TBW derived from SF and BIA, respectively, can be used in a 3C.sub.FIELD model to increase the accuracy of BF% estimates over SF and BIA alone.

Purpose: To assess the agreement of the root mean square of successive R-R interval (RMSSD) values when recorded immediately upon waking to values recorded later in the morning prior to practice, and to determine the associations of the RMSSD recordings with performance outcomes in female rowers. Methods: A total of 31 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I rowers were monitored for 6 consecutive days. Two seated RMSSD measurements were obtained on at least 3 mornings using a smartphone-based photoplethysmography application. Each 1-minute RMSSD measure was recorded following a 1-minute stabilization period. The first (T1) measurement occurred at the athlete's home following waking, while the second (T2) transpired upon arrival at the team's boathouse immediately before practice. From the measures, the RMSSD mean and coefficient of variation were calculated. Two objective performance assessments were conducted on an indoor rowing ergometer on separate days: 2000-m time trial and distance covered in 30 minutes. Interteam rank was determined by the coaches, based on subjective and objective performance markers. Results: The RMSSD mean (intraclass correlation coefficient =.82; 95% CI,.63 to.92) and RMSSD coefficient of variation (intraclass correlation coefficient =.75; 95% CI,.48 to.88) were strongly correlated at T1 and T2, P <.001. The RMSSD mean at T1 and T2 was moderately associated with athlete rank (r = −.55 and r = −.46, respectively), 30-minute distance (r =.40 and r =.41, respectively), and 2000 m at T1 (r = −.37), P <.05. No significant correlations were observed for the RMSSD coefficient of variation. Conclusion: Ultrashort RMSSD measurements taken immediately upon waking show very strong agreement with those taken later in the morning, at the practice facility. Future research should more thoroughly investigate the relationship between specific performance indices and the RMSSD mean and coefficient of variation for female collegiate rowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]