Reliability of anthropometric measurements in young male and female artistic gymnasts

Body dimensions and body composition of children participating in artistic activities, such as gymnastics and many types of dancing, are important factors in performance improvement. The present study aimed to determine the reliability of a series of selected anthropometric measurements in young male and female gymnasts. Segment lengths, body breadths, circumferences, and skinfold thickness were measured in 20 young gymnasts by the same experienced examiner, using portable and easy-to-use instruments. All parameters were measured twice (test-retest) under the same conditions within a week's period. The high intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) values ranging from 0.87 to 0.99, as well as the low coefficient of variation (CV) values (<5.3%), affirmed that the selected measurements were highly reliable. The technical error of measurement (TEM) values for lengths and breadths were 0.15 to 0.80 cm, for circumferences 0.22 to 1 cm, and for skinfold thickness 0.33 to 0.58 mm. The high test-retest ICC and the low CV and TEM values confirmed the reliability of all anthropometric measurements in young artistic gymnasts. Therefore, these measurements could contribute to further research in this field of investigation, helping to monitor young artistic gymnasts' growth status and identify specific characteristics for increased performance in this sport.

Effects of long-term exercise training on cardiac baroreflex sensitivity in patients with coronary artery disease: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To investigate whether a structured long-term exercise training programme in patients with coronary artery disease affects baroreflex function and cardiorespiratory efficiency.

Patients: Twenty-five elderly male patients with coronary artery disease.

Methods: The patients were randomized into exercise (group A) or control group (group B). Group A followed a seven-month supervised exercise programme, consisting of three sessions of aerobic interval training weekly at moderate intensity. Twenty patients completed the study (group A: 10 patients and group B: 10 patients). At the beginning and end of the study, all subjects underwent a tilt test for the baroreflex sensitivity assessment and a graded exercise treadmill test with spiroergometry for the evaluation of their cardiorespiratory efficiency.

Results: There were no differences between the two groups for any baseline variable. After training in group A, peak oxygen consumption, maximal treadmill tolerance time and anaerobic threshold were significantly increased by 21.9% ( P < 0.001), 19.8% ( P < 0.001) and 18.6% ( P < 0.05), respectively. There were also significant increases in baroreflex sensitivity by 21.2% ( P < 0.01), in baroreflex effectiveness index by 23.9% ( P < 0.01), in event count by 45.1% ( P < 0.01) and in ramp count by 13.2% ( P < 0.05). Moreover, significant correlations were observed between the autonomic and cardiorespiratory parameters in group A at the end.

Conclusion: The results suggest that long-term exercise training leads to beneficial effects on baroreflex activity and cardiorespiratory performance in coronary patients, and thus could constitute an efficient nonpharmacological intervention in this population.