Athanasios Zakas

Physical training, growth hormone and testosterone levels and blood pressure in prepubertal, pubertal and adolescent boys

The purpose of this study was to determine the resting values of growth hormone (GH) and testosterone (T) within prepubertal, pubertal and adolescence ages and to compare the effects of physical training in each age, in 2 groups. The exercise group (A) consisted of 10 ten‐year‐old boys, 10 thirteen‐year‐old boys and 9 sixteen‐year‐old boys. The control group (B) consisted of approximately the same number of subjects of the same ages. Group A, in addition to the school activity, trained with intervals (3 months, 50 mid/day, 3 days/week). at high intensity (80–85% of max) and at light intensity (30–40% of max). Group B participated only in the school physical education program 2–3 times/week. Venous blood samples were taken at rest by intravenous catheter before and after training. Levels of GH and T in blood serum was determined by radioimmunoassay. Before training, the levels of T differed between the 3 ages, but there were no significant differences in GH (group A and B). After training, the levels of GH and T in group A were significantly higher in the 13‐year‐old boys and in the 16‐year‐old boys, but were unchanged in the 10‐year‐old boys. In group B the levels of GH and T were unchanged in all 3 ages. The conclusion is that neither high nor mild intensity training can change the levels of GH and T in prepubertal boys. However, high intensity training can be a stimulus for increasing GH and T levels in puberty and adolescence

Nutrient intake and anthropometry in children and adolescents with Down syndrome–a preliminary study

Objective: To assess nutrient intake and anthropometrical characteristics of children and adolescents with DS, in Northern Greece. Study design: Cross-sectional study of 34 youngsters with DS. The sample was divided into two age groups, children aged 2–9 years and adolescents aged 10–18 years old. A 3-day food record was used to assess dietary intake. Body weight, height, WHR,% body fat, BMI, FMI, FFMI and z-scores were recorded for each participant. Results: All participants exhibited a high CHO and low fat diet. More than half of the participants reported having five meals daily and the majority exercised twice a week. A great majority was stunted and overweight according to general population growth charts and 22% of the adolescents were also obese. %Body fat, BMI, FMI and FFMI was higher in adolescents. Generally, younger participants presented lower overweight rates and consumed a diet more sufficient in micronutrients; however, WHR was similar in both age-groups, indicating a constant trend in weight distribution of DS patients. Conclusions: Although children with DS are born with a genetic predisposition to become overweight, obesity is actually nurtured throughout childhood when they develop food choices and become more independent.

The effect of interval training in children with exercise-induced asthma competing in soccer.

A lot of emphasis has been placed in screening individuals with exercise-induced bronchospasm in order to avoid persistence bronchial hyperactivity and consequent chronic silent inflammation of the respiratory tract. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of interval training on the respiratory function and endurance in children with exercise-induced asthma (EIA) participating in the sport of soccer. Twenty-nine boys ages 10–14, who developed EIA after a 6-minute free running test (decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second: FEV110%), participated in the study. They were divided into 2 groups (experimental: n = 18, and control: n = 11), fulfilling the same criteria (i.e., age, body height and weight, and severity of asthma). The experimental group exercised with the interval training method for a period of 8 weeks, (3 sessions per week), whereas the control group exercised with the usual football program. Measurements were made for FEV1 and endurance in both groups, before and after the application of training (8 weeks). Following the implementation of the training program, a significant improvement in FEV1 and endurance was documented in the experimental group, as well as significant differences between the 2 groups. In conclusion, duration and aerobic training via the interval method seems to be beneficial to soccer players with EIA.

Atrial natriuretic factor responses to submaximal and maximal exercise.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the plasma concentration of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), K+, Na+, blood lactate, heart rate, and blood pressure in moderately trained women. Ten healthy women were studied on a cycle ergometer during 20 min of constant submaximal and maximal exercise, as well as during recovery. The ANF concentration was determined by radioimmunoassay. The results show that, except for Na+, all the other variables increased significantly with an increase in the duration and intensity of the exercise (P < 0.05, P < 0.001). In recovery, the values fell (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). Submaximal and maximal exercise both cause increases in ANF and this increase is due to the duration and intensity of exercise. However, maximal exercise, rather than submaximal exercise, is the major stimulus for the concentration of plasma ANF. ANF concentration may be a useful test for evaluating the releasing function of ANF in the heart.

Dietary Intake of Free-Living Elderly in Northern Greece

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the nutrient intake of a non-institutionalized Greek elderly population. Dietary intake and anthropometric data were investigated in 100 elderly subjects from Grevena, Greece, all belonging to the race of “Hasiotes.” According to BMI classification, 48% of the subjects are considered overweight and 20% obese. WHR for women and men was 0.91 and 0.98, respectively. Both genders presented insufficient energy intake (7.27 ± 3.49MJ/d) in 3 ± 0.9 feeding sessions daily. Mean protein and fiber intake was 0.82 ± 0.43 and 0.29 ± 0.2g/kg BW, respectively. The diet presented insufficient amounts of vitamins A, B6, D, E, K, Biotin, Pantothenic acid, Cu, I, Mg, Mn and Zn. Female subjects exhibited low dietary intake of vitamins B2, B3 and Ca. The diet had many characteristics of the traditional Mediterranean diet and comprised of a high intake of goat-milk yoghurt, olive oil, goat cheese, traditional alcohol drinks, pies, legumes, fruits and meat. The majority of the sample (70%), reported fasting on Orthodox celebrations. Further research should assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet with the use of scores and compare diet characteristics to other regions in Greece, in order to present regional differences in Greek diet variations.

The Effect of Static Stretching in the Initial Part of the Attack Spike Movement in High Level Female Volleyball Players

Introduction: Childhood is a vital period of life undergoing process of socialization involving transmission of attitudes, customs and behaviors through in uence of family and community on the adult for all needs .A discerning adults can understand and meet these needs and help the child to a make a smooth transition through journey into adulthood . India is a home to almost 19% of world’s children. More than one third of the country population around 440 million is below 18 years However in India, which has the largest number of child population in the world, nearly 40% of the its population 69% of Indian children are victims of child abuse .According to WHO: ‘’Child abuse or maltreatment Constitutes all forms of physical and/or emo- tional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent Treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health . Child abuse includes, physical violence 75%, sex- ual molestation 20%, mental and emotional 5%, maltreatment with negligence, deprivation and lack of opportunity . A recently conducted survey revealed shocking facts pertaining to child abuse in India. More than 53% su ered with sexual abuse, while 54% with physical and 48% with emotional abuse at the hands of par- ents and family members. Sexual abuse is one of the most devastat- ing type of child maltreatment and estimates that it has increased significantly during past decade. According to a 2007 survey sponsored by the Ministry of Women and Child Development over 53% of the children have been sexually abused . Children between 5 and 12 years old are the most vulnerable age group and boys out number girls with 52.94% reporting abuse. In February 2011, the times of India re- ported that every 2.5 hours a child below 16 years of age and every 13 hours a child below 10 years of age is raped in India making it the country with the highest number of child sexual abuse of any country. The global prevalence of child sexual abuse has been estimated at 19.7% for females and 7.9% for males according to a 2009 study pub- lished in Clinical Psychology .According to the study done by Chithra M (2011), regarding mothers knowledge regarding child abuse re- vealed that majority of mothers (82%) have inadequate knowledge child abuse. The mother is the primary care giver for the child hence has a major role to play in this arena. This prompted the researcher to undertake this study focusing on mothers. Language: enIt is highly recommended that age-appropriate education in protective behavior begin in childhood and be reinforced throughout the life of the person with Down syndrome. Individual with Down syndrome must be taught the boundaries of normal Physical interactions in the social sphere, as we as the designating trusted individuals in settings that are frequented with whom to prevention training. In this regards these research had taken place, to participate in awareness program, with Simple Random Awareness of parents on sexual abuse among Down syndrome children sampling of 100 parents of children with Down syndrome will be collected through descriptive survey using a standard awareness inventory whether this parents are aware of educating their children about this sexual appeal and how to overcome the physical need. It gives an idea about the importance of sex education and it should be imparted to Down syndrome children at early stage. Language: en