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Selected physiological responses, including lactate kinetics, to cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) were evaluated among a group of cancer survivors (CS, n = 55) and healthy controls (HC, n = 213). It was uncertain if lactate testing in a group of cancer survivors could provide useful information about training intensity. It was hypothesized that chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, physical inactivity or some combination thereof would alter the normal lactate kinetics (curvilinearity) in the relationship of lactate concentration versus power. Physiologic responses of CS (heart rate, blood pressure, O(2) saturation, RPE, lactate, VO(2peak), and peak power) during cycle ergometry were compared to HC. Comparisons (t tests and Chi-square) were made between the groups and shape of lactate plots were analyzed for determination of a breakpoint. Multiple logistical regressions were then utilized to identify factors related to the inability to determine lactate breakpoints. Lactate breakpoints were common to all but one HC whereas among the CS there was a small subset of subjects (n = 5) who did not show a lactate breakpoint. Group differences indicated that female CS were significantly older, had greater BMI's, and lower work capacity than HC. Males CS had significantly lower work capacity than HC. Multiple logistical regression analyses, in all instances, yielded no statistically significant models predictive of the inability to determine a lactate breakpoint. In this sample of CS and HC, physiological responses and lactate kinetics during CPET were similar while work capacity among the CS was lower. Because lactate breakpoints were found, lactate threshold could be determined for all but a few individuals. For those working with CS, CPET with ECG monitoring and lactate threshold measures should be considered for those wishing for precise and safe training intensities.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine commonly used in studies as a means of assessing chronic inflammatory status. Despite the use of plasma IL-6 as a marker of chronic inflammation few studies exist that examine the variability of plasma IL-6 within and between individuals. The purpose of this study was to assess inter- and intra-variability of plasma IL-6 concentration in men and postmenopausal women. Sixteen healthy postmenopausal women and 5 men completed the 2-week study. Fasted venous blood samples were obtained on three consecutive mornings for two consecutive weeks (six blood draws per participant). Mean plasma IL-6 values were 2.00+/-1.74 pg/mL. Intra-variability was not significantly different (p>0.05) however inter-variability was significantly different (p<0.05). The index of individuality (II) was 0.20 and the standard error of the mean (SEM) was determined to equal 0.16 pg/mL (0.32 pg/mL; 1.96 SEM). An II of 0.20 demonstrates the need to carefully evaluate changes in plasma IL-6 concentration instead of utilizing population-based reference norms. In an older adult population until plasma IL-6 differences exceed 0.32 pg/mL such values could be considered normal fluctuation between trials and most likely not attributable to a nutrition intervention.

Soy isoflavones may impede atherogenic processes associated with cardiovascular disease. Research suggests that the postprandial generation of TG-rich remnants contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. The purpose of the current study was to determine if 39 g soy (85 mg aglycone isoflavones, treatment) compared with 40 g milk protein (0 mg aglycone isoflavones, control) in combination with a high-fat meal can modify postprandial, atherogenic-associated events and biomarkers for oxidative stress, inflammation, and thrombosis. Fifteen healthy men (20-47 yr) participated in a double-blind cross-over meal-challenge study occurring on two nonconsecutive days. The study meals consisted of two high-fat apple muffins consumed with either a soy or milk shake (229 mL, 41% fat, 41% carbohydrate, and 18% protein). Blood samples were obtained at baseline (fasted) and hours two, four, and six postprandial. Plasma TG significantly increased in both treatment and control meal challenges compared with baseline. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between treatment (soy) and control (milk) for ex vivo copper-induced LDL oxidation, serum C-reactive protein, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), serum fibrinogen, or plasma lipids (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, TG). IL-6-concentrations significantly decreased as a function of time during either meal challenge (P = 0.005). These data suggest that consumption of soy or milk protein in conjunction with a high-fat meal does not acutely modify postprandial oxidative stress, inflammation, or plasma lipid concentrations in young, healthy men.

This study determined the validity of previously published or newly derived equations to predict fat-free body mass (FFB) in high school wrestlers from the midwestern United States. Five laboratories participated in the data-pooling study (total sample of 860 subjects). Measures included body composition by underwater weighing and anthropometric measurements of body mass, stature, and selected circumferences, diameters, and skinfolds. Cross-validation of selected equations to predict FFB revealed the lowest levels of error from the equations of Lohman, Thorland et al., Katch and McArdle, and Behnke and Wilmore. Modification of the constants in these equations or generation of new equations did not substantially reduce prediction error. Overall, total error for these top equations ranged from 2.44 to 2.59 kg. However, based on observed trends, this error was of lower magnitude with the younger and lighter subjects and of higher magnitude with the older and heavier subjects. We conclude that these equations could be used singularly or collectively to determine FFB, and a minimal weight could then be derived and assigned to a scholastic wrestler.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of age and body weight on anthropometric estimations of minimal wrestling weight (MWW) in high school wrestlers. Five hundred and twenty-two high school wrestlers (M age +/- SD = 16.45 +/- 1.03 years) volunteered as subjects for this study. The total sample (N = 522) was dichotomized by age (less than 16 years, n = 171; greater than or equal to 16 years, n = 351) and body weight (less than or equal to 62.60 kg, n = 252; greater than 62.60 kg, n = 270). Cross-validation analyses included examination of the constant error (CE), standard error of estimate (SEE), r, and total error (TE). The results indicated that the quadratic skinfold equation of Lohman (EQ1; Table 2) most accurately estimated MWW in each group. Furthermore, it was recommended that MWW be calculated from EQ1 using the conversion constants of Lohman ([(5.03/BD)-4.59] x 100) to estimate relative fat from body density.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of exercise intensity on lipoprotein responses. Eleven normolipidemic male volunteers (X +/- SD = 23.1 +/- 2.4) participated in the study. The subjects were assessed for VO2max and ventilatory threshold (VT), matched for VO2max and then randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group A, which exercised for 12 minutes at an intensity 15% below VT (n = 5), and Group B, which exercised for 12 minutes at an intensity 15% above VT (n = 6). The lipoprotein measures HDL-C, LDL-C, total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG) were assessed from blood samples taken pre-exercise and immediately post-exercise as well as one, 24, and 48 hours post-exercise. A 2 X 5 split plot ANCOVA (controlling for pre-exercise values), revealed no significant differences between groups for HDL-C, TC or LDL-C. However, when means were collapsed across groups, TC levels measured immediately post-exercise were significantly higher than those taken 24 and 48 hours post-exercise (168.0, 159.1, and 159.9 mg.dl-1, respectively; p less than 0.05). A significant interaction was found for the TG measurements. For Group A, TG levels were elevated immediately post-exercise, but decreased significantly at the 1 and 24 hours post-exercise sampling, before returning to baseline levels at the 48 hour post-exercise measurement (93.2 +/- 3.1, 69.5 +/- 4.2, 66.8 +/- 6.7 and 99.5 +/- 2.1 mg.dl-1, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of exercise duration on lipoprotein responses. Twenty two normolipidemic male volunteers, ages 19-31 yrs (X +/- SEM = 23.1 +/- 2.94) participated in the study. Each was novice a runner (training less than 5 mi/wk). Subjects were assessed for baseline lipid measures of high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG). They were then evaluated for VO2max and ventilatory threshold (VT). Later they were matched for VO2max and randomly assigned to one of three groups which exercised for 15, 30 or 45 min respectively at a VO2 20% below VT. Subjects were evaluated again for HDL-C, LDL-C, TC and TG from blood samples taken pre-exercise and immediately post-exercise, as well as 1, 24 and 48 hrs post-exercise. A 3 X 4 split plot ANOVA found no difference for any lipid measure during the baseline period. A 3 X 5 split-plot ANOVA (covarying for pre-exercise measures) and post-hoc comparisons of pre- and post-exercise lipid levels indicated no significant differences occurred for either TC, TG or LDL-C measures (p less than 0.05). With respect to HDL-C, the 30 min group had significantly lower HDL-C at the 24 hr measure than did 45 min group (46.41 +/- 1.70 vs 53.34 +/- 1.73 mg.dl-1 respectively). No other differences were found. These findings indicate exercise duration will have an effect on acute responses of lipoprotein following exercise of low intensity.

This study assessed strength and muscular power of elite young male runners in order to determine the relationship of these characteristics to age and specialization in either sprint or middle distance events. Forty-eight national junior-level sprint and middle distance runners were evaluated for isokinetic peak torque for leg extension as well as muscular power and fatiguability. Peak torque values were greater for the older runners and for the sprinters when measured at higher velocities. However, when adjusted for body weight, the peak torque values of the sprinters became significantly greater at all testing velocities. Muscular power values were also greater for the older runners, but event-related differences only appeared for peak power and mean power measures (being greater in the sprinters).

Body composition and somatotype were determined in Junior Olympic competitors to evaluate the structural characteristics concomitant to high proficiency in various athletic activities. Underwater weighings and anthropometric determinations of somatotype were performed on 145 male and 133 female adolescent participants in national meet competition in the sports of track and field, gymnastics, diving, and wrestling. The most frequent differences within either the male or female Junior Olympic samples involved the performers in throwing events (shot put, discus, and javelin), who were taller, heavier, fatter, and of unique somatotype when compared to all or most other competitors. Additional structural differences, generally of a lesser magnitude, also existed between other groups of Junior Olympians. Differences in body composition characteristics were also noted when Junior Olympians were compared with other adolescent athletes or non-athletes.

The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of 23 anthropometric equations for estimating body composition and minimal wrestling weight in high school wrestlers. A total of 409 high school wrestlers (M age +/- SD = 16.42 +/- 1.03 yrs) volunteered for this study. Twenty-three anthropometric measures including eight skinfolds, nine circumferences, and six diameters were obtained from each subject. The mean body density, determined from underwater weighing, was 1.0748 +/- 0.0100 g.cm-3. The crossvalidation analyses indicated that the quadratic skinfold equation of Lohman resulted in the most accurate estimation of body density. The total error, constant error, standard error of estimate, and r for this equation were 0.0077 g.cm-3, -0.0003 g.cm-3, 0.0076 g.cm-3 and .65, respectively. Furthermore, the results of this investigation indicated that the minimal wrestling weight equations of Tcheng and Tipton resulted in total error values (5.54 to 6.06 kg) which were too large to be of practical use for high school wrestlers.

Evaluations of 55 pre-adolescent males were made to determine if differences existed in the serum levels of total triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, or HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratios between groups with contrasting levels of body fatness and physical activity habits. Underwater weighing revealed a median body fatness of 13.8% and 5-d physical activity records revealed a median of 3.9 h for daily participation in moderate to very high intensity activities. These values were respectively employed to stratify the sample into groups characterized as "lower fatness" or "higher fatness," as well as "lower active" or "higher active." Statistical comparisons between these groups indicated an absence of body fatness effects on any of the serum lipids. However, in contrast to similarities in physical characteristics, body composition, and nutritional intake (except total calories) between the "lower active" and "higher active" groups, physical activity effects were noted for two of the four serum lipid traits. Greater exposure to activities classified as moderate to very highly intense was consistent with lower total triglycerides (52.1 mg/dl vs 68.2 mg/dl) and higher HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratios (0.33 vs 0.29) in these 8- to 11-year-old males.

Fifty-six NCAA Division I female athletes (age +/- SD = 19.82 +/- 0.59 years) from the swimming (SW), track (TR), volleyball (VB), gymnastics (GYM) and basketball (BB) teams were measured preseason and postseason to determine the effects of a season's training on their body composition. Body density (BD), relative fat (RF), fat-weight (FW), and fat-free weight (FFW) were obtained via hydrostatic weighing. The TR and GYM athletes showed significant increases and the VB players significant decreases in BD and FFW across season, respectively. No significant changes were found for the SW and BB teams. Preseason comparisons showed greater BD for TR than for BB, VB or SW. The GYM and VB had lower BD values than SW. Fat-free weight was higher in BB and VB teams, while TR and SW teams had greater FFW than GM. The BB, VB and SW teams had greater preseason FW than the TR and GYM groups. Postseason comparisons showed greater BD in TR and GYM than in the other three groups. Although FW differences were consistent with preseason data, all groups differed significantly in FFW with BB players having the greatest amount followed by VB, SW, TR and GYM.

The effect of high intensity physical training (HIPT), conducted in an unsupervised (group A) or supervised (group B) setting, was studied in 23 middle-aged men with Type IV hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP). Following 10 weeks of HIPT intervention, significant metabolic changes were observed such as reductions in both fasting triglyceride and insulin levels, but no changes in fasting serum cholesterol or glucagon levels were found. Other favorable results noted included a significant improvement in physical fitness, as measured by increases in aerobic power, and a decrease in body fatness with only minimal weight losses. There were no significant differences in the results when groups A and B were compared. It was concluded that HIPT is an effective means of lowering fasting triglyceride and insulin levels in Type IV HLP individuals. In addition, such physical training programs can be conducted in either an unsupervised or supervised setting, provided the subjects are highly motivated.

One hundred forty-one adolescent male (age: X +/- SD = 17.43 +/- 0.96 yr) and 133 adolescent female (16.51 +/- 1.39 yr) athletes were studied to determine the validity of available anthropometric equations for estimating body density (BD). Anthropometric measures were taken of eight skinfolds, nine circumferences, and four diameters. Body density, determined by underwater weighing (corrected for residual lung volume), was 1.080 +/- 0.010 g X ml-1 for the males and 1.066 +/- 0.010 g X ml-1 for the females. Cross-validation of 17 selected equations on the males revealed validity coefficients ranging from R2 = 0.29-0.67 and total-error scores ranging from 0.0062-0.0277 g X ml-1. Among the females, cross-validation of 15 selected equations revealed validity coefficients ranging from R2 = 0.31-0.67 and total-error scores ranging from 0.0064-0.0214 g X ml-1. While equations of either linear or quadratic form demonstrated acceptable accuracy in the estimation of male BD values, only quadratic equations displayed similar levels of accuracy among the females. Based on these results, as well as consideration of characteristics related to inter-tester error and the variance of predicted scores, the quadratic equations of Jackson and Pollock, Lohman, and Pollock et al., as well as the linear equation of Forsyth and Sinning, were found to be particularly appropriate for the estimation of BD in adolescent athletes.

The purpose of this study was to assess the strength and anaerobic responses of elite young female runners, in order to determine the relationship of these characteristics to age and high proficiency in sprint events. Thirty-one national junior-level sprint and middle distance runners were evaluated for isokinetic peak torque for leg extension at velocities ranging for 30 degrees to 300 degrees X s-1, anaerobic power and capacity based on the Wingate test, and body composition based on underwater weighing. Age-related and event-related differences were noted for both the peak torque and anaerobic response measures. Peak torques were greater for the older (greater than 11.67 yr) runners and greater for the sprinters when measured at the higher testing velocities. Anaerobic power and capacity were also greater for the older runners, but event-related differences only appeared when anaerobic power was adjusted for fat-free weight (adjusted anaerobic power was greater in the older sprinters). These results indicate that both age and fat-free weight influence strength and anaerobic responses in young female runners and that exceptional levels of such characteristics only appear for sprinters within the upper age groups of youth competition.

Twenty-six males (26.5 +/- 6.0 yr; X +/- SD) were studied before and after a fourteen week endurance training program to determine the validity of anthropometric equations for estimating changes in body composition (BC). Anthropometric measures included skinfolds (SF), circumferences, and diameters. Body density (BD) was determined by underwater weighing corrected for residual lung volume. Training resulted in an increase in BD (1.061 +/- 0.002 to 1.067 +/- 0.002 g/ml; X +/- SEM) and decreases in body weight (73.0 +/- 2.1 to 71.4 +/- 2.0 kg), relative fat (16.6 +/- 0.9 to 14.1 +/- 0.8%), fat weight (12.4 +/- 1.0 to 10.2 +/- 0.8 kg), and seventeen of the anthropometric measures (p less than 0.05). Cross-validation of twenty-four equations revealed validity coefficients (r2) and total error in relative fat (RFE) of r2 = 0.40-0.77 and RFE = 2.60-10.15% before training and r2 = 0.14-0.61 and RFE = 2.62-9.45% after training. Linear and base 10 logarithmic (log10) equations using primarily SF measures tended to have higher r2 and lower RFE than equations based on quadratic and natural logarithmic (loge) models and other anthropometric measures. Paired t-tests revealed that of these equations with higher r2 and lower RFE, only the linear equation by Forsyth & Sinning (BD = 1.10647--0.00162(scapSF)--0.00144(abdSF)--0.00077(triSF++ +) + 0.00071(midaxSF] was a stable predictor of BD during training. These results suggest that many existing equations may not be accurate predictors of changes in BC during training.

This study evaluated field methods for establishing minimal body weight in wrestlers based upon estimates of fat-free body weight (FFB): 239 high school wrestlers were measured for height, weight, 13 diameters, 24 circumferences, and 7 skinfolds, as well as for underwater weight to determine body density and resultant FFB. To estimate FFB, anthropometric models were used which were based upon diameters, circumferences, and/or skinfolds. Correlations between actual and predicted FFB were high, ranging from r = 0.89 to 0.92 for the models employing diameters and r = 0.96 for those employing circumferences, which respectively increased to r = 0.96 and r = 0.97 when body weight was included in theses models. The skinfold-based and mixed model estimates of FFB were r = 0.97 and r = 0.91 to 0.97, respectively. The corresponding total error (TE) in these estimates for the diameter-based models ranged from 6.54 to 3.80 kg (inclusion of body weight further reduced TE to 2.77 kg). Among the circumference models, TE ranged from 2.50 to 2.33 kg, with inclusion of body weight accounting for the lower value. Skinfold-based estimates of FFB demonstrated a TE level ranging from 2.48 to 2.33 kg. The lowest TE (2.32 kg) was demonstrated by a mixed model which included skinfolds, diameter, height, and body weight. Cross-validation of these new equations revealed the lowest TE values (less than 2.2 kg) for the skinfold and the mixed model equations, thereby identifying highly valid field techniques for determining the present level of FFB, which can serve as the basis upon which minimal body weight estimates can be made.

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the intertester error in anthropometry and its effect on estimations of actual body density (ABD), as well as to assess the validity of predicted body density (PBD) from selected anthropometric equation. Sixteen adult males X +/- SD = 21.98 +/- 1.65 years) volunteered to be measured by three experienced and reliable testers at eight circumference, two diameter, and eight skinfold sites as well as by underwater weighing. Eighteen commonly used anthropometric equations which predict body density were selected for evaluation. Repeated measures ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc comparisons were used to determine differences between testers for each anthropometric measure and the PBD values, as well as between the PBD values and ABD. There were significant (p less than 0.01) differences between testers for all anthropometric measures except bi-iliac diameter and hips circumference. However, the magnitude of the differences between testers were considered to be quite small and of no practical concern. There were significant differences among the PBD values and ABD for all equations except the base 10 logarithmic transformations of Durnin and Womersley. Seven of the equations, however, resulted in a constant error of less than or equal to 0.0085 g.ml-1. Overall, there was no single anthropometric equation which satisfied all of the cross-validation criteria suggested by previous investigators, however the linear equation of Forsyth and Sinning which included the scapular and abdominal skinfolds, as well as the bitrochanteric diameter resulted in an extremely small constant error (0.0024 g.ml-1) and an appropriate standard deviation of the PBD values (0.0127 g.ml-1).