Guillermo Felipe López Sánchez

Genetic and Environmental Influences on Developmental Milestones and Movement: Results From the Gemini Cohort Study

ABSTRACT Purpose: Variability in the timing of infant developmental milestones is poorly understood. We used a twin analysis to estimate genetic and environmental influences on motor development and activity levels in infancy. Method: Data were from the Gemini Study, a twin birth cohort of 2,402 families with twins born in the United Kingdom in 2007. Parents reported motor activity level for each of the twins at age 3 months using the Revised Infant Behavior Rating Scale and reported the ages at which they first sat unsupported, crawled, and walked unaided. Results: Activity level at 3 months and ages when first sitting and crawling were about equally influenced by the shared family environment (45%–54%) and genes (45%–48%). Genetic influences dominated for age when children took their first independent steps (84%). Conclusion: Aspects of the shared family environment appear to be important influences on motor activity levels and early milestones, although the timing of walking may have a stronger genetic influence. Further research to identify the specific environmental and genetic factors that promote early activity may be important for longer-term health outcomes.

Correlates of children's independent outdoor play: Cross-sectional analyses from the Millennium Cohort Study

Time spent outdoors is associated with higher levels of physical activity. To date, correlates of independent outdoor play have not been investigated. This study aimed to identify potential demographic, behavioural, environmental and social correlates of childrens independent outdoor play. Data were from the Millennium Cohort Study when children were aged 7 years. Parents reported whether their children played out unsupervised (yes/no) as well as the above mentioned correlates of unsupervised outdoor play. Childrens physical activity levels were measured using waist worn accelerometry. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine associations between correlates and odds of independent (unsupervised) outdoor play. Adjusted multiple linear regression was used to estimate associations between independent outdoor play and objective measures of physical activity. Activity was measured as average daily moderate-to-vigorous activity, steps, and sedentary behaviour. 3856 (n = 29%) participants were categorised as engaging in independent outdoor play. Older age, being white British, being in poverty, living in close proximity to both family friends and family, having fewer internalising problems, having more externalising conduct problems and fewer pro-social behaviours were associated with higher odds of independent outdoor play. Independent outdoor play was associated with > 2 additional minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity (B = 2.21 95% CI, 1.09 to 3.34), > 330 additional steps per day (B = 336.66 95% CI 209.80 to 463.51), and nearly 5 min less time spent sedentary per day (B = − 4.91 95% CI − 7.54, − 2.29) Younger children, those from a higher socio-economic-status, those isolated in location from family friends and family, and those with high levels of prosocial behaviour have lower levels of independent outdoor play. Independent outdoor play was associated with higher levels of physical activity and less time sedentary. Future interventions to promote independent outdoor play should target such populations.

Efectos de un programa de actividad física en la imagen corporal de escolares con tdah

Resumen: Este artículo se centra en estudiar los efectos de un programa de actividad física sobre la imagen corporal de un grupo de escolares con TDAH. Han participado 12 escolares (12 niños), entre los 7 y los 12 años de edad. La imagen corporal se ha medido mediante las siluetas de Stunkard. El procedimiento ha sido: pre-test, intervención y pos-test. La intervención ha consistido en 2 días a la semana de actividad física, 60 minutos al día, durante 12 semanas. Se han producido mejoras significativas en la imagen corporal (p=0,039). El programa utilizado es eficaz para mejorar la imagen corporal de niños con TDAH. Palabras clave: Imagen Corporal, Actividad Física, Educación Física, Educación Primaria, TDAH. Abstract: This paper focuses on studying the effects of a physical activity program on body image of a group of schoolchildren with ADHD. This investigation involved 12 students (12 boys), aged between 7 and 12 years. The body image was measured by Stunkard’s silhouettes. The procedure was as follows: pre-test, intervention and post-test. The intervention consisted of 2 days per week of physical activity, 60 minutes per day, during 12 weeks. There have been significant improvements in body image (p=0,039). The program used is effective to improve the body image of children with ADHD.Este articulo se centra en estudiar los efectos de un programa de actividad fisica sobre la imagen corporal de un grupo de escolares con TDAH. Han participado 12 escolares (12 ninos), entre los 7 y los 12 anos de edad. La imagen corporal se ha medido mediante las siluetas de Stunkard. El procedimiento ha sido: pre-test, intervencion y pos-test. La intervencion ha consistido en 2 dias a la semana de actividad fisica, 60 minutos al dia, durante 12 semanas. Se han producido mejoras significativas en la imagen corporal (p=0,039). El programa utilizado es eficaz para mejorar la imagen corporal de ninos con TDAH.

Hand grip strength and cognitive function among elderly cancer survivors

Background We evaluated the associations of handgrip strength and cognitive function in cancer survivors ≥ 60 years old using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods Data in two waves of NHANES (2011–2014) were aggregated. Handgrip strength in kilogram (kg) was defined as the maximum value achieved using either hand. Two cognitive function tests were conducted among adults 60 years and older. The Animal Fluency Test (AFT) examines categorical verbal fluency (a component of executive function), and the Digital Symbol Substitution test (DSST) assesses processing speed, sustained attention, and working memory. Survey analysis procedures were used to account for the complex sampling design of the NHANES. Multiple linear regression models were used to estimate associations of handgrip strength with cognitive test scores, adjusting for confounders (age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, marital status, smoking status, depressive symptoms and leisure time physical activity). Results Among 383 cancer survivors (58.5% women, mean age = 70.9 years, mean BMI = 29.3 kg/m2), prevalent cancer types were breast (22.9%), prostate (16.4%), colon (6.9%) and cervix (6.2%). In women, each increase in kg of handgrip strength was associated with 0.20 (95% CI: 0.08 to 0.33) higher score on AFT and 0.83 (95% CI: 0.30 to 1.35) higher score on DSST. In men, we observed an inverted U-shape association where cognitive function peaked at handgrip strength of 40–42 kg. Conclusions Handgrip strength, a modifiable factor, appears to be associated with aspects of cognitive functions in cancer survivors. Prospective studies are needed to address their causal relationship.

Effects of a 12-week-long program of vigorous-intensity physical activity on the body composition of 6-and 7-year-old children

The purpose was to study the effects of a program of vigorous-intensity physical activity (PA) on the body composition of children. This investigation involved 32 school children from 6 to 7 years old (14 males 6.57 ± 0.51 yr., and 18 females 6.33 ± 0.49 yr.). The variables measured were: body weight, fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), total body water (TBW), basal metabolic rate (BMR), body mass index (BMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI) and fat mass index (FMI). The body composition analysis was performed using bioelectrical impedance through the body fat monitor Tanita BC 418-MA Segmental. Stadiometer HM 250P Leicester was also used to obtain the height. The procedure was as follows: pre-test, intervention and post-test. The intervention consisted of 3 days per week of vigorous-intensity physical activity, 15 minutes per day, during 12 weeks. Data analysis was performed through SPSS 23 and significant improvements (Sig<0.05) were obtained in all the variables except for BMI. The physical activity program used in this study may be useful to improve body composition in 6-and 7-year-old children.

Can Supplementation of Vitamin D Improve Aerobic Capacity in Well Trained Youth Soccer Players

Abstract There is no clear evidence that vitamin D effectively improves physical capacity in high-level athletes. The aim of this study was to confirm that vitamin D supplementation of soccer players during eight-week high-intensity training would have a significant effect on their aerobic capacity. The subjects were divided into two groups: the experimental one that was supplemented with vitamin D (SG, n = 20), and the placebo group (PG, n = 16), not supplemented with vitamin D. All the players were subjected to the same soccer training described as High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). The data of the vitamin D level, PWC170, lactate threshold (LT) were collected just before and after the intervention. A significant increase in vitamin D concentration (119%) was observed in the supplemented group, while the non-supplemented group showed a decrease of 8.4%. The studied subjects improved VO2max results by 20% in the SG, and by 13% in the PG. The improvement in velocity at the LT was similar in both groups. Results of this study show that vitamin D can have a positive, though moderate, effect on aerobic performance in players subjected to high-intensity training in the form of small-sided games for 8 weeks.

Prospective associations between measures of gross and fine motor coordination in infants and objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior in childhood

Abstract One important determinant of childhood physical activity and sedentary behavior may be that of motor development in infancy. The present analyses aimed to investigate whether gross and fine motor delays in infants were associated with objective and self-reported activity in childhood. Data were from the UK Millennium Cohort Study, a prospective cohort study, involving UK children born on or around the millennium (September 2000 and January 2002). When children were 9 months old, parents reported childrens fine and gross motor-coordination, and at 7 years, sports club attendance and daily TV viewing time. Childrens physical activity was measured using accelerometers at 7 years. Adjusted regression models were used to examine associations between delayed motor development and accelerometry measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior, and parent-reported sport club attendance and TV viewing time. In this sample (n = 13,021), gross motor delay in infancy was associated with less time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (B −5.0 95% confidence interval [CI] −6.8, −3.2) and more time sedentary (B 13.5 95% CI 9.3, 17.8) in childhood. Gross and fine motor delays during infancy were associated with a reduced risk of having high attendance at sports clubs in childhood (both relative risk [RR] 0.7, 95% CI 0.6, 0.9). Fine motor delays, but not gross delays, were also associated with an increased risk of having high TV viewing time (RR 1.3 95% CI 1.0, 1.6). Findings from the present study suggest that delays in motor development in infancy are associated with physical activity and sedentary time in childhood.

Iron, Hematological Parameters and Blood Plasma Lipid Profile in Vitamin D Supplemented and Non-Supplemented Young Soccer Players Subjected to High-Intensity Interval Training

Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease and anemia. Vitamin D-related changes in lipid profile have been studied extensively but the relationship between vitamin D and lipid metabolism is not completely understood. As both vitamin D and intermittent training may potentially affect iron and lipid metabolism, the aim of the study was to evaluate whether a daily supplementation of vitamin D can modulate the response of hematological and lipid parameters to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in soccer players. Thirty-six young elite junior soccer players were included in the placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Participants were non-randomly allocated into either a supplemented group (SG, n=20, HIIT and 5,000 IU of vitamin D daily) or placebo group (PG, n=16, HIIT and sunflower oil). Hematological parameters were ascertained before and after the 8-wk training. The change score (post- and pre-training difference) was calculated for each individual and the mean change score (MCS) was compared between SG and PG using the t test and analysis of covariance. There were no differences between SG and PG at baseline. The red and white cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCHC, ferritin, and HDL-cholesterol changed significantly over the 8-wk HIIT. However, no significant differences in MCS were observed between SG and PG for any variable. A daily vitamin D supplement did not have any impact on alteration in hematological or lipid parameters in young soccer players in the course of high-intensity interval training.

Erratum to: Level of habitual physical activity in children and adolescents from the Region of Murcia (Spain)

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-2033-8.].