Effects of Weighted Hula-Hooping Compared to Walking on Abdominal Fat, Trunk Muscularity, and Metabolic Parameters in Overweight Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Study

Pilot testing of a simplified dance intervention for cardiorespiratory fitness and blood lipids in obese older women

INTRODUCTION

Dance interventions require long learning periods and exert high joint loading. Therefore, a simple dance intervention is required.

AIMS

To examine the effects of simplified dance on body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, and blood lipid levels in obese older women.

METHOD

Twenty-six obese older women were randomly assigned to exercise and control groups. The dance exercise involved pelvic tilt and rotation with basic breathing techniques. Anthropometry, cardiorespiratory fitness, and blood lipid levels were measured at baseline and after the 12-week training.

RESULTS

The exercise group had lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and improved VO₂max after the 12-week training than at baseline; however, no significant difference was observed for the control group. Additionally, the exercise group had lower triglycerides and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol than the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Simplified dance interventions have the potential to improve blood composition and aerobic fitness in obese older women.

Changes over time in the Chronic Liver Disease risk score predict liver-related outcomes: longitudinal analysis of the Whitehall II study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The Chronic Liver Disease (CLivD) risk score was recently shown to predict future advanced liver disease in the general population. We here investigated the impact of individual CLivD-score changes over time.

METHODS

Participants of both phase 3 (baseline, 1991-1994) and phase 5 (follow-up, 1997-1999) examinations of the Whitehall II study were followed for liver-related outcomes (hospitalization, cancer, death) until December 2019 through linkage with electronic healthcare registers. The CLivD score, its modifiable components (alcohol use, waist-hip ratio [WHR], diabetes, and smoking), and their individual changes were studied.

RESULTS

Among 6590 adults (mean age 50 years, 30% women) with a median 21-year follow-up, there were 80 liver outcomes. A rise in the CLivD score between baseline and follow-up examinations significantly increased the risk for liver-related outcomes (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-2.60), more so in subjects with baseline intermediate-high CLivD scores (HR 2.4 for a CLivD-change) compared to minimal-low CLivD scores. Adverse changes over time in alcohol use and WHR, and new-onset diabetes also predicted liver outcomes. In contrast to WHR, changes in body weight (kg) showed a U-shaped association with liver outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

A change in the CLivD score over time corresponds to a true change in the risk for liver-related outcomes, suggesting the usefulness of the CLivD score for assessing response to liver-directed lifestyle interventions. Changes in WHR predicted liver outcomes better than changes in body weight or waist circumference, independent of body mass index, supporting the WHR in assessing risk for future liver disease.

Pediatric strength training: benefits, concerns, and current trends

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

With the advent of social media combined with several large-scale promotions by nationwide gym chains, pediatric interest in strength training has reached new heights during the past few years. While this is a healthy way for young gym users to build strength and stay active, there are significant risks associated with improper utilization of exercise resources. Lack of adult supervision and guidance in the gym can lead to physical injury, inappropriate use of supplements, and body image issues. The purpose of this review is to provide pediatricians with up-to-date information about well tolerated exercise practices for pubertal and prepubertal youth.

RECENT FINDINGS

Current exercise trends may negatively impact both the physical and mental health of participants. Various physical injuries may occur when adolescents use gym equipment incorrectly under inadequate adult supervision. Use of unproven equipment such as waist trainers may cause bodily injury, and social media content on exercising and weight loss can negatively influence adolescent body image. Potential consequences include low self-esteem and uncommon body dysmorphic disorders, such as muscle dysmorphia. Further, the intense marketing of supplements can induce pediatric gym users to engage in inappropriate consumption behaviors. The increasing accessibility of commercial gyms to youth has increased the potential for children and adolescents to be exposed to such physical and mental health hazards.

SUMMARY

Greater knowledge regarding strength training techniques will help pediatricians guide their patients toward well tolerated and healthy gym habits. Caregivers and medical professionals should recognize the necessity of supervision, as well as the dangers of incorrect equipment use and unsafe trends to mitigate risks and maximize benefits of pediatric gym use.

Wand Stretching Exercise Decreases Abdominal Obesity Among Adults With High Body Mass Index Without Altering Fat Oxidation

Rationale

We designed a wand-based muscle stretching (WE) exercise program, which has become increasingly popular in physical therapy and has been used for elderly patients with adhesive capsulitis. However, studies regarding the effects of WE training on abdominal obesity and measures of cardiovascular risk factors among overweight/obese adults aged ≥55 years are rare.

Purpose

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of a 15-week wand stretching exercise program on waist circumference and cardiovascular risk factors in sedentary adults aged 55–70 years.

Methods

A total of 124 participants were randomly assigned to either participate in wand stretching exercise (WE) over a 15-week period or a control group (n = 62 each). Sixty participants in the WE group (26 overweight and 34 obese) and 51 in the control group (29 overweight and 22 obese) completed the study. The WE program included wand-assisted muscle stretching exercise on both the upper body and lower body for 40 min per day, 5 days per week, whereas the control group maintained their sedentary lifestyle.

Results

No significant improvements were observed in plasma glucose, insulin, and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) after exercise training. Compared with the control group, the WE group had more significant reductions in waist circumference among participants with a body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m² (−2.6 cm, 95% CI: −4.19 to −0.97 cm, d = 0.48) and BMI > 25 kg/m² (−2.5 cm, 95% CI: −4.1 to −0.9 cm, d = 0.59) (both P < 0.01). Furthermore, within groups, a significant increase in % fat free mass was observed after WE training. The basal metabolic rate was slightly increased, but the fat oxidation rate remained unaltered in the WE group. Improvements in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were minimal after WE. Significant reductions in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were observed after WE only for participants with a BMI <25 kg/m².

Conclusion

The results suggest redistribution of a carbon source from the abdominal region to challenged skeletal muscle, following prolonged WE training. This abdominal fat reducing outcome of the WE is unlikely to be associated with fatty acid oxidation.