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ABSTRACT: Abstract We investigated the mechanical properties of the triceps surae between professional, junior, and non-football players. Fifty-nine men participated in this study. The mechanical properties of the right legs' triceps surae were measured in vivo using a free oscillation technique; no significant differences existed between the groups. The mean results for musculo-articular stiffness, damping coefficient, and damping ratio were as follows: professional football players (21523 N· m(-1), 330.8 N · s · m(-1), and 0.201); junior football players (21063 N · m(-1), 274.4 N · s · m(-1), and 0.173); and non-players (19457 N · m(-1), 281.5 N · s · m(-1), and 0.184). When analysed according to position, the results were as follows: defender (21447 N · m(-1), 308.6 N · s · m(-1), and 0.189); midfielder (20762 N · m(-1), 250.7 N · s · m(-1), and 0.157); winger (21322 N · m(-1), 335.1 N · s · m(-1), and 0.212); forward (22085 N · m(-1), 416.2 N · s · m(-1), and 0.254); and non-players (19457 N · m(-1), 281.5 N · s · m(-1), and 0.184). Thus, football training, football games, and the position played had no effect on triceps surae mechanical properties. These results may be attributed to opposing adaptations between different types of training that are usually implemented in football. Alternatively, the minimum strain amplitude and/or frequency threshold of the triceps surae required to trigger adaptations of mechanical properties might not be achieved by football players with football training and matches.
Journal of Sports Sciences 05/2013; · 1.93 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purposes of the present study were to assess the factorial structure and reliability of the Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS), and provide normative data for a sample of postmenopausal Portuguese women.
A sample of 401 Caucasian women, with ages between 47 and 91 years, divided into four age groups (47-57: 31.4%, 58-68: 40.4%, 69-79: 21.4% and ≥80: 6.7%), voluntarily participated in the study. The Greene Climacteric Scale aims to measure psychological symptoms divided into anxiety and depression, somatic and vasomotor symptoms with a total of 21 items. Data were analyzed by reliability, correlation and confirmatory factor analyses. Age group differences in the raw and the standardized scores of symptoms clusters were investigated by means of ANOVA procedures.
The CFA performed supported the 4-factor structure specified by Greene (*CFI=0.937; SRMR=0.046; *RMSEA (90%IC)=0.050 (0.042-0.058). The computed internal consistency estimates ranged from 0.73 to 0.90. Vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes and sweating at night) were experienced most frequently by the younger age group (47-57 years) while nonspecific symptoms (e.g. difficulty in concentrating, feeling tired or lacking in energy, breathing difficulties) were reported more frequently by the older age groups.
Our results suggest that the Portuguese version of the GCS is a reliable and a valid instrument for the measurement of climacteric-related factors in postmenopausal women.
Maturitas 05/2012; 72(3):256-62. · 2.77 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purposes of this study were to develop age- and sex-specific waist circumference reference data for Portuguese children and adolescents aged 10-18 years and to compare them with those from other countries. This was a school-based study performed in Portugal. A total of 22,003 children and adolescents aged 10-18 years were included in the study. Smoothed sex- and age-specific 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 95th percentile curves of waist circumference were estimated using Cole's lambda-mu-sigma method. Waist circumference values increased with age in both boys and girls, and boys had higher values than girls at every age and percentile. In both sexes, the Portuguese values in the 90th percentile were closer to the Bolivian values and considerably lower than those of the American children for all age groups. CONCLUSION: The data presented provide information for abdominal risk assessment and clinical and lifestyle intervention; our results also provide useful baseline data information for the implementation of a surveillance system required to monitor trends and factors associated with abdominal obesity in children and adolescents.
European Journal of Pediatrics 03/2012; 171(3):499-505. · 1.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study determined the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and abdominal obesity in the Portuguese adults and examined the relationship between above mentioned prevalences and educational level. Body mass, stature, and waist circumference were measured in a representative sample of the Portuguese population aged 18-103 years (n = 9,447; 18-64 years: n = 6,908; ≥65 years: n = 2,539). Overweight and obesity corresponded to a body mass index ranging between 25-29.9 kg/m(2) and ≥30 kg/m(2), respectively. Abdominal obesity was assessed as >102 cm for males and >88 cm for females. After adjusting for educational level, the combined prevalences of overweight and obesity were 66.6% in males and 57.9% in females (18-64 years). Respective values in older adults (≥65 years) were 70.4% for males and 74.7% for females. About 19.3% of adult males and 37.9% of adult females presented abdominal obesity. Correspondent values in older adults were 32.1%, for males, and 69.7%, for females. In adults, low educational level was related to an increased risk for overweight (OR = 2.54; 95% CI: 2.08-3.09), obesity (OR = 2.76; 95% CI: 2.20-3.45), and abdominal obesity (OR = 5.48; 95% CI: 4.60-6.52). This reinforces the importance of adjusting public health strategies for educational level.
PLoS ONE 01/2012; 7(10):e47883. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Purpose. The aim of this research was to report the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a representative sample of Portuguese youth. Methods. This was a school-based study performed in Portugal. A total of 22 048 children and adolescents aged 10–18 years were included in the study. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut-offs were used to categorise overweight and obese participants. Results. Using IOTF cut-offs the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 17.0 and 4.6% in girls, and 17.7 and 5.8% in boys, respectively (p < 0.001 for overweight and p > 0.05 for obesity), whereas WHO cut-offs resulted in overweight and obesity prevalence scores of 23.1 and 9.6% in girls, and 20.4 and 10.3% in boys, respectively (p < 0.001 for overweight and p >0.05 for obesity). With IOTF cut-offs, a lower prevalence of obesity and overweight was observed at higher ages, in both genders. With the WHO cut-offs, a lower prevalence of obesity and overweight was observed at higher ages, in boys. In girls, the prevalence of overweight and obesity increases from 10 to 12 years of age and decreases from the age of 13 to 18 years. Conclusion. The prevalence for overweight/obesity among Portuguese children and adolescents vary according to the cut-off points used and are also of concern requiring strategies to promote healthy weight gain among children and adolescents.
International journal of pediatric obesity: IJPO: an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity 10/2011; 6(2 Part 2):e124 - e128. · 2.00 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Physical activity has many health benefits, and to implement strategies, mainly in those groups with insufficient levels of practice, it is important to evaluate physical activity. The main purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of physical activity in the Portuguese population aged 10 yr and older using accelerometry.
The accelerometers were worn for four consecutive days, and a valid record was defined as at least 3 d with 10 h of wear time, including one weekend day. Considering these conditions, 4696 participants were included.
According to the recommendations of 60 min·d(-1) of physical activity, 36% of participants age 10-11 yr (boys = 51.6%, girls = 22.5%) and 4% age 16-17 yr (boys = 7.9%, girls = 1.2%) were considered sufficiently active. In adulthood, ∼70% of participants age 18-64 yr (men = 76.6%, women = 65.2%) and 35% age older than 64 yr (men = 46%, women = 29%) reached the recommendation of 30 min·d(-1) of physical activity, when counting every minute of moderate or greater intensity. Considering bouts of 10 min or more of moderate or greater intensity in participants older than 17 yr, the prevalence was 4%-6% at 18-39 yr, 7%-9% at 40-64 yr, and ∼3% in persons age 65 yr or older.
The design and implementation of strategies to promote physical activity for health among children and adolescents and older adults, particularly girls/women, should be encouraged.
Medicine and science in sports and exercise 08/2011; 44(3):466-73. · 3.71 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Abstract Purpose. The aim of this research was to report the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a representative sample of Portuguese youth. Methods. This was a school-based study performed in Portugal. A total of 22 048 children and adolescents aged 10–18 years were included in the study. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut-offs were used to categorise overweight and obese participants. Results. Using IOTF cut-offs the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 17.0 and 4.6% in girls, and 17.7 and 5.8% in boys, respectively (p < 0.001 for overweight and p > 0.05 for obesity), whereas WHO cut-offs resulted in overweight and obesity prevalence scores of 23.1 and 9.6% in girls, and 20.4 and 10.3% in boys, respectively (p < 0.001 for overweight and p >0.05 for obesity). With IOTF cut-offs, a lower prevalence of obesity and overweight was observed at higher ages, in both genders. With the WHO cut-offs, a lower prevalence of obesity and overweight was observed at higher ages, in boys. In girls, the prevalence of overweight and obesity increases from 10 to 12 years of age and decreases from the age of 13 to 18 years. Conclusion. The prevalence for overweight/obesity among Portuguese children and adolescents vary according to the cut-off points used and are also of concern requiring strategies to promote healthy weight gain among children and adolescents.
06/2011; 6(2-2):e124-e128.
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ABSTRACT: Insufficient and excessive stiffness may increase the risk of soft tissue and bone injuries, respectively, while the resonance frequency seems to be related with energy expenditure and stiffness. With aging and menopause muscle weakness, physical fragility and mobility limitations are also expected. Therefore this study addresses the differences of biomechanical properties of the triceps surae muscle-tendon unit between young and postmenopausal women.
39 young and 37 postmenopausal women participated. The biomechanical properties of the triceps surae muscle-tendon unit were assessed in vivo using a free oscillation technique involving 30% of the maximal voluntary isometric contraction load.
The postmenopausal women in this study show significant higher values in the damped natural frequency of oscillation (young 3.84Hz vs. postmenopausal 4.68Hz, P<0.001), muscle-tendon unit stiffness (young 16,446N/m vs. postmenopausal 23,229N/m, P<0.001), and muscle-tendon unit stiffness normalized by mass (young 286.3N/m vs. postmenopausal 325.1N/m, P<0.05). The postmenopausal study group shows significant lower values in the damping ratio (young 0.190 vs. postmenopausal 0.150, P<0.01) than young women.
The postmenopausal subjects may not be able to take advantage of resonance as the young subjects, or, the relationship between these frequencies is adjusted according to the musculoskeletal characteristics of each group. The decrease in damping properties and the increase in muscle-tendon unit stiffness suggest that postmenopausal women might be at a greater risk of injury.
Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon) 01/2011; 26(5):523-8. · 1.76 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this research was to report the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a representative sample of Portuguese youth.
This was a school-based study performed in Portugal. A total of 22 048 children and adolescents aged 10-18 years were included in the study. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut-offs were used to categorise overweight and obese participants.
Using IOTF cut-offs the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 17.0 and 4.6% in girls, and 17.7 and 5.8% in boys, respectively (p < 0.001 for overweight and p > 0.05 for obesity), whereas WHO cut-offs resulted in overweight and obesity prevalence scores of 23.1 and 9.6% in girls, and 20.4 and 10.3% in boys, respectively (p < 0.001 for overweight and p >0.05 for obesity). With IOTF cut-offs, a lower prevalence of obesity and overweight was observed at higher ages, in both genders. With the WHO cut-offs, a lower prevalence of obesity and overweight was observed at higher ages, in boys. In girls, the prevalence of overweight and obesity increases from 10 to 12 years of age and decreases from the age of 13 to 18 years.
The prevalence for overweight/obesity among Portuguese children and adolescents vary according to the cut-off points used and are also of concern requiring strategies to promote healthy weight gain among children and adolescents.
International journal of pediatric obesity: IJPO: an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity 10/2010; 6(2-2):e124-8. · 2.00 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Low- or high-arched feet and insufficient or excessive muscle-tendon stiffness have been identified as risk factors for lower extremity injuries. Additionally, increased body mass index and age may be responsible for structural changes of the foot, which might adversely affect the functional capacity of the longitudinal arch. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of body mass, age and triceps-surae musculotendinous stiffness with the foot arch structure of postmenopausal women.
81 post menopausal women (58.0 (SD 6.0) years) participated. An in vivo free oscillation technique was used to assess musculotendinous stiffness of the ankle. The two-step protocol was used to acquire gait plantar pressure data. Dynamic arch index was calculated as the ratio of the midfoot area to the area of the entire foot excluding the toes. Three groups were formed (cavus, normal and planus).
Significant differences (P<0.05) between the groups cavus and planus were found for age using the ANOVA test. Using Kruskal-Wallis tests significant differences were found for body mass index between the cavus-normal groups and cavus-planus (P<0.001) but no significant differences were found for triceps-surae musculotendinous stiffness between foot-type groups.
Since obese subjects present greater downward vertical forces, they might be more prone to overload foot structures leading to the collapse of the medial longitudinal arch affecting adversely the functional capacity of the foot. Deterioration of the musculoskeletal system, due to age, may also affect foot arch structure. No relationship between musculotendinous stiffness and foot arch structure appears to exist.
Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon) 07/2010; 25(6):588-93. · 1.76 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: There is a lack of research into the relationship between obesity and muscle-tendon unit stiffness in postmenopausal women. Muscle-tendon unit stiffness appears to affect human motion performance and excessive and insufficient stiffness can increase the risk of bone and soft tissue injuries, respectively. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between muscle-tendon unit stiffness and obesity in postmenopausal women.
105 postmenopausal women (58 [SD 5.5] years) participated. Four groups (normal weight, pre-obese, obesity class I and obesity class II) were defined according World Health Organization classification of body mass index. The ankle muscle-tendon unit stiffness was assessed in vivo with a free oscillation technique using a load of 30% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction.
ANOVA shows significant difference in muscle-tendon unit stiffness among the groups defined (P<0.001). Post hoc analysis reveals significant differences between the following groups: normal weight-pre-obese; normal weight-obesity class I and normal weight-obesity class II. The normal weight group had stiffness of 15789 (SD 2969) N/m, pre-obese of 19971 (SD 3678) N/m, obesity class I of 21435 (SD 4295) N/m, and obesity class II of 23497 (SD 1776) N/m.
Obese subjects may have increased muscle-tendon unit stiffness because of fat infiltration in leg skeletal muscles, range of motion restrictions and stability/posture reasons and might be more predisposed to develop musculoskeletal injuries. Normal weight group had identical stiffness values to those reported in studies where subjects were not yet menopausal, suggesting that stiffness might not be influenced by menopause.
Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon) 08/2009; 24(10):866-71. · 1.76 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Hiking trails have been growing in popularity in the health and well-being promotion. Consequently, the foot became an object of study in order to understand the discomfort and pain in the lower limb. The aims of the work were: 1) to detect tendencies for behaviour of maximum values of plantar pressure (MaxP) during the walk on different slopes, 2) to contribute to the methodology of the difficulty level of hiking trails. Equations show strong tendencies (R2 > 0.8) of behaviour of MaxP in the lateral zones of the heel, 4th and 5th metatarsus as well as in the plantar zone of the hallux. The analysis of the difficulty level of the hiking trails branches deserves a separate presentation, including the technical difficulty analysis (with a compulsory emphasis on the biomechanics) and information on the caloric consumption and on the slopes of each branch.
Acta of bioengineering and biomechanics / Wroclaw University of Technology 01/2008; 10(3):51-4. · 0.45 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to determine the association between magnesium (Mg), body composition and insulin resistance in 136 sedentary postmenopausal women, 50 to 77 years of age.
Diabetics, hypertensives and women on hormonal replacement therapy were excluded and the remaining 74 were divided according to BMI> or =25 (obese: OG) and BMI<25 kg/m(2) (non-obese: NOG). Nutritional data disclosed that intakes were high for protein and saturated fat, low for carbohydrates, polyunsaturated fat and Mg and normal for the other nutrients, according to recommended dietary allowances (RDA). Mg values in red blood cells (RBC-Mg) and plasma (P-Mg), were determined, as were fasting glucose, and insulin levels, Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA), body mass index (BMI), body fat percent (BF %), abdominal fat (AF) and free fat mass (FFM).
RBC-Mg values were low in both groups when compared with normal values. There were significant differences in body composition parameters, HOMA and insulin levels, with higher basal insulin levels in OG. RBC-Mg was directly correlated with insulin, HOMA and FFM in both groups, according to Pearson correlations. HOMA in OG was also directly correlated with BMI, FFM and AF. In NOG, HOMA was only correlated with FFM. The low RBC-Mg levels observed were probably due to low Mg intake and to deregulation of factors that control Mg homeostasis during menopause.
Both Mg deficit and obesity may independently lead to a higher risk for insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease.
Journal of the American College of Nutrition 10/2004; 23(5):510S-513S. · 2.29 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Am J Hypertens (2003) 16, 78A–78A; doi:10.1016/S0895-7061(03)00273-5
P-107: Association of methilenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism C677T with hypertension development
Marilia Fatela1, Luisa Breitenfeld1, Paula Alcantara1, Helena Moreira1, José Braz-Nogueira1, Luis Sardinha1, Maria J. Laires1 and Manuel Bicho11Metabolism and Endocrinology Centre-Genetic Laboratory, Medical School University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; Metabolism and Endocrinology Centre- Genetic Laboratory, Medical School University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; Medicine I, Santa Maria Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal; Health and Exercise department, Physical Education Faculty, Lisbon, Portugal; Medicine I, Santa Maria Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal; Health and Exercise department, Physical Education Faculty, Lisbon, Portugal; Biochemistry laboratory, Medical School University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; Metabolism and Endocrinology Centre- Genetic Laboratory, Medical School University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
American Journal of Hypertension 04/2003; · 3.18 Impact Factor
