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The United States Marines Corps (USMC) have installed a Physical Fitness Test (PFT) to measure physical fitness levels and a Combat Fitness Test (CFT) to assess a Marine's functional fitness as it relates to the demands of combat operations. The PFT involves three events; pull-ups/push-ups (PU), two-minute abdominal crunches/sit-ups (AC), and a timed three-mile run (RUN). The CFT also involves three events; Movement to Contact (MTC), two-minute Ammunition Lift (AL), and Maneuver-Under-Fire (MANUF). It is of interest to determine if the PFT and CFT are both necessary. As such, the purpose of this study was to determine the degree of relationships between PFT (PU, AC, RUN, and total) and CFT (MTC, AL, MANUF, and total) scores of active duty Marines. The PFT and CFT scores from 19,678 active duty enlisted USMC males (age 22.5±1.3 years, height 1.77±0.07 m, body mass 79.4±10.3 kg) were analyzed. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were calculated between the PFT and CFT total scores as well as individual events. The PFT mean±sd scores were as follows: PU=18.0±5.0 (pull-ups), AC=111.2±9.0 (repetitions), RUN=1377.0±131.4 sec, PFT total=249.6±29.6. The CFT mean±sd scores were as follows: MTC=172.5±16.3 sec, AL=113.2±10.4 repetitions, MANUF=138.3±17.2 sec, CFT total=271.6±25.6. Moderate significant (p<0.01) correlations were found between: the PFT total and MTC (r=-0.47), PFT total and MANUF (r=-0.42), PFT total and CFT total (r=0.50), RUN and MTC (r=0.46), RUN and CFT total (r=-0.43), & PU and CFT total (r=0.41). Other correlations between variables yielded "no to low" association but were also significant due to the large sample size. Within the parameters of this study, PFT and CFT event scores demonstrated no to moderate correlations suggesting that different fitness characteristics are being assessed and supports the need for both the PFT and CFT assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine if cold-water swimmers have substantial differences in BMI, which might have a protective effect against heat loss during swims in cold water without wetsuits, and to determine if obesity is more or less prevalent in cold-water swimmers, we compared the body mass index (BMI) values of 103 recreational open-water swimmers (mean age 54.3 ±10.8 years) to data from various population groups. Swimmers swam consistently throughout the winter months, in the San Francisco Bay (water temperature range: 9.6° C [49.3 ° F] to 12.6° C [54.7 ° F]), without wetsuits. After matching for age and sex, the average BMI of cold-water swimmers (25.9 kg/m²) was lower than the corresponding predicted U.S. average BMI (29.2 kg/m²; p<.001), the predicted California state average BMI (28.0 kg/m²; p<.001), and the predicted San Francisco city average BMI (26.6 kg/m²; p=.047). The average BMI value for cold-water swimmers (25.9 kg/m²) was not significantly different from values of North American masters pool swimmers (25.1 kg/m²; p=.15) or international masters pool swimmers (25.3 kg/m²; p=.16). 10.7% of cold-water swimmers were classified as obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) vs. 35.7%, 25.8%, and 11.8% of the U.S., California, and San Francisco populations, respectively. The lower or similar BMI values of our swimmers suggest that successful recreational swimming in cold water is influenced by factors other than body habitus, such as acclimatization, heat production while swimming, and most importantly, limiting immersion time. The relatively low prevalence of obesity in our swimmers suggests that cold-water swimming could contribute to a healthy lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addressed the role of chronic exercise to enhance physical self-description as measured by self-estimated percent body fat. Accuracy of physical self-description was determined in normal-weight, regularly exercising and non-exercising males with similar body mass index (BMI)'s and females with similar BMI's (n=42 males and 45 females of which 23 males and 23 females met criteria to be considered chronic exercisers). Statistical analyses were conducted to determine the degree of agreement between self-estimated percent body fat and actual laboratory measurements (hydrostatic weighing). Three statistical techniques were employed: Pearson correlation coefficients, Bland and Altman plots, and regression analysis. Agreement between measured and self-estimated percent body fat was superior for males and females who exercised chronically, compared to nonexercisers. The clinical implications are as follows. Satisfaction with one's body can be influenced by several factors, including self-perceived body composition. Dissatisfaction can contribute to maladaptive and destructive weight management behaviors. The present study suggests that regular exercise provides a basis for more positive weight management behaviors by enhancing the accuracy of self-assessed body composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Push-ups have been used in many fitness tests to measure upper body strength and endurance, also known as arm and shoulder girdle strength and endurance (ASGSE). However, there is a need for a valid and reliable push-up test protocol for younger girls. Aims: The intent of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of a modified push-up test as a measure of ASGSE in 11-12 year old girls. Methods: Twenty girls of 11-12 years of age participated in this study (body mass - 44.0 ± 10.7 kg, height -149.9 ± 8.9 cm). The participants completed two push-up testing sessions using a modified pushup test protocol, and a seated bench press machine test consisting of a repetition maximum-RM at 40% of body weight. An intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to quantify the stability reliability between the two push-up testing sessions. A Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) was used to quantify the criterion validity between the average of the push-up tests and the seated bench press scores. Results: Trial 1 and 2 modified push-up results were 24.2±9.3 and 25.4±9.0 respectively. The seated bench press at 40% of body weight was 15.6±7.8 repetitions. A stability reliability coefficient of ICC = 0.89 was found for the modified push-up test. The criterion validity between the average of the two push-up test sessions and seated bench press was r = 0.52. Conclusion: Within the parameters of this study, the modified push-up protocol demonstrated an acceptable level of reliability and should be considered a reliable test for ASGSE in 11-12 year old girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the nexus between aging, physical activity, and obesity has been a source of ongoing investigation. A considerable amount of research has focused on Masters athletes in this regard, suggesting a beneficial relationship between Masters sport participation and a healthy body mass index (BMI). Some consider Active Duty military personnel as tactical athletes. As such, it is of interest to determine if aging Active Duty military personnel (or Masters Tactical Athletes) might have a similar BMI as other Masters athletes (MA). As such, this investigation examined previously recorded data of Active Duty Enlisted United States Marines (n = 402, male, 46–50 years old). The BMI of the Marines was stratified into categories of: underweight, normal, overweight, and obese. The Marines obesity prevalence was compared to US adult males (40–59 years) as well as male North American MA who competed at the 2009 Sydney World Masters Games. The Marines obesity prevalence was significantly lower than US adult males (p < 0.001) and those MA that competed in softball (p < 0.001); however, it was similar to MA that competed in football, track/field, swimming, and volleyball (p > 0.05). The average Marine BMI = 26.7 kg/m2 was similar to MA who competed in football, swimming, and volley ball (p > 0.05); however, it was higher than MA who competed in track/field (p < 0.05) and lower than MA who played softball (p < 0.05). It should be noted that the average BMI for the Marines and all MA sport categories were classified as being overweight. Within the parameters of this investigation, Tactical MA (i.e., aging US Marines) enjoy a similar beneficial BMI as other North American MA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thousands of masters athletes participate quadrennially in the World Masters Games (WMG). However, this unique cohort remains under-investigated. With a need for multifaceted solutions to the global obesity epidemic, investigating special populations such as those competing in sport at older ages may further understanding of the nexus between aging, physical activity and obesity. Research question: To investigate body mass index (BMI) within the WMG competitors in context with national populations and health guidelines. To test the hypotheses prevalence of obesity in the WMG cohort would be less than comparative national populations and males would demonstrate a higher level of obesity than females. Type of study: Cross-sectional comparative study. Methods: 592 (44.3% male, 55.7% female) WMG soccer players aged 29-66yrs (mean 47.6, SD ± 6.9) were investigated via an online survey and compared to national populations, primarily a representative sample (n=9,501) of the Australian population (aged 30-65yrs). Results: Analysis demonstrated a significantly (p<0.001) reduced classification of obesity compared to Australian and other national populations. The investigation revealed, amongst other findings, that male soccer players had higher BMI than females (p<0.001).Conclusions: This study indicated that one key index of health, namely obesity, was on average far lower in WMG soccer players compared to a representative sample of population controls. This finding may indicate a lower risk for many diseases, such as type 2 diabetes or heart diseases, in masters soccer players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which aims to establish the relationship of plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) to physiologic parameters and cardiac morphologic characteristics of young athletes. The study found that the physiologic parameters and cardiac morphologic characteristics of young athletes have no correlation between BNP, mean arterial pressure, body mass index, and left ventricular (LV) mass index. The study also assessed that the plasma BNP levels in healthy young athletes have no correlation to body mass index or LV mass.