Using a short-duration step protocol and continuous indirect calorimetry, whole-body rates of fat and carbohydrate oxidation can be estimated across a range of exercise workloads, along with the ...individual maximal rate of fat oxidation (MFO) and the exercise intensity at which MFO occurs (Fat
). These variables appear to have implications both in sport and health contexts. After discussion of the key determinants of MFO and Fat
that must be considered during laboratory measurement, the present review sought to synthesize existing data in order to contextualize individually measured fat oxidation values. Data collected in homogenous cohorts on cycle ergometers after an overnight fast was synthesized to produce normative values in given subject populations. These normative values might be used to contextualize individual measurements and define research cohorts according their capacity for fat oxidation during exercise. Pertinent directions for future research were identified.
Healthy biological systems exhibit complex patterns of variability that can be described by mathematical chaos. Heart rate variability (HRV) consists of changes in the time intervals between ...consecutive heartbeats called interbeat intervals (IBIs). A healthy heart is not a metronome. The oscillations of a healthy heart are complex and constantly changing, which allow the cardiovascular system to rapidly adjust to sudden physical and psychological challenges to homeostasis. This article briefly reviews current perspectives on the mechanisms that generate 24 h, short-term (~5 min), and ultra-short-term (<5 min) HRV, the importance of HRV, and its implications for health and performance. The authors provide an overview of widely-used HRV time-domain, frequency-domain, and non-linear metrics. Time-domain indices quantify the amount of HRV observed during monitoring periods that may range from ~2 min to 24 h. Frequency-domain values calculate the absolute or relative amount of signal energy within component bands. Non-linear measurements quantify the unpredictability and complexity of a series of IBIs. The authors survey published normative values for clinical, healthy, and optimal performance populations. They stress the importance of measurement context, including recording period length, subject age, and sex, on baseline HRV values. They caution that 24 h, short-term, and ultra-short-term normative values are not interchangeable. They encourage professionals to supplement published norms with findings from their own specialized populations. Finally, the authors provide an overview of HRV assessment strategies for clinical and optimal performance interventions.
Stress perception depends on cultural and social aspects that vary from one country to another. One of the most widely disseminated methods of assessing psychological stress is the Perceived Stress ...Scale (PSS-4). Therefore, in order to identify these factors and their impact on mental health, the present study compares the PSS-4 results among three European countries (Great Britain, France and Spain). This study focuses on PSS-4 results within a Spanish sample to determine: (1) normative data, reliability and validity of PSS-4 in a Spanish sample and (2) how stress perception changes depending on cultural and social factors.
The data were obtained from a website representing a service of a smoking cessation program, the study represented a service that was open to all individuals. The number of participants were 37,451. They reported their age, gender, nationality, marital status, education and employment status, and completed two psychological questionnaires (PPS-4 and the anxiety and depression scales of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, SCL 90-R).
The PSS-4 scores could differentiate between relevant sociodemographic variables (such as sex, age, nationality, marital status, education, parental status, employment status, and income class). The PSS-4 scores showed a positive correlation with the SCL 90-R anxiety and depression scales. The normed values for interpreting the PSS-4 scores are presented. The PSS-4 showed adequate internal consistency and reliability.
The PSS-4 is a useful instrument for assessing stress perception levels in the general population in different countries. Its internal consistency is sufficient for a 4-item scale.
The utilization of non-invasive techniques for liver fibrosis and steatosis assessment has gained acceptance as a viable substitute for liver biopsy in clinical practice. This study aimed to ...establish normative data for the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by age and gender, as well as to explore the relationship between anthropometric measures, clinical status, and biochemical profile according to the 90th percentile cut-off values for CAP/LSM in a U.S. adult population.
In this cross-sectional analysis, 7.522 US adults aged 20–80 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2017–2020) were included. CAP and LSM were quantified using the FibroScan® 502-v2 device. A comprehensive range of data was collected, including sociodemographic, anthropometric, biochemical, lifestyle, and clinical conditions. Participants were segmented by sex and age. The median ± standard deviation (SD) for CAP was significantly lower in women (258.27 ± 61.02 dB/m) than in men (273.43 ± 63.56 dB/m), as was the median ± SD for LSM (women: 5.50 ± 4.12 kPa, men: 6.36 ± 5.63 kPa). Although median CAP and LSM values displayed an upward trend with age, statistical significance was not achieved. Notably, higher liver CAP values (above the 90th percentile) correlated with more pronounced clinical and biochemical profile differences compared to lower CAP values (below the 90th percentile) (p < 0.001).
Our study provides age- and sex-stratified standard values for CAP and LSM in a sizeable, nationally representative cohort of adults. The evidence of sex-specific variations in TE test results from our study sets the stage for future research to further corroborate these findings.
•Transient Elastography (TE) with controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurement (LMS) are non-invasive techniques for quantifying liver fat.•Normative references for CAP and LSM may enhance the detection of at-risk individuals for liver steatosis through population-wide TE-based preventative programs.•CAP and LSM metrics were notably higher in men than in women.•Higher CAP values correspond with substantial differences in clinical and biochemical profiles.
Abstract Background The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scales GAD-7 and GAD-2 are instruments for the assessment of anxiety. The aims of this study are to test psychometric properties of these ...questionnaires, to provide normative values, and to investigate associations with sociodemographic factors, quality of life, psychological variables, and behavioral factors. Methods : A German community sample ( n = 9721) with an age range of 18–80 years was surveyed using the GAD-7 and several other questionnaires. Results Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the unidimensionality and measurement invariance of the GAD-7 across age and gender. Females were more anxious than males (mean scores: M = 4.07 vs. M = 3.01; effect size: d = 0.33). There was no linear age trend. A total of 5.9% fulfilled the cut-off criterion of 10 and above. Anxiety was correlated with low quality of life, fatigue, low habitual optimism, physical complaints, sleep problems, low life satisfaction, low social support, low education, unemployment, and low income. Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption were also associated with heightened anxiety, especially in women. When comparing the GAD-7 (7 items) with the ultra-short GAD-2 (2 items), the GAD-7 instrument was superior to the GAD-2 regarding several psychometric criteria.. Limitations The response rate (33%) was low. Because of the cross-sectional character of the study, causal conclusions cannot be drawn. A further limitation is the lack of a gold standard for diagnosing anxiety. Conclusions The GAD-7 can be recommended for use in clinical research and routine.
The degree of economic inequality may lead to different environments where people develop motives and behaviours that lend them higher chances of survival. However, the specific features attributed ...to an environment with a particular level of economic inequality have received little research attention. In this research, we explored how perceived economic inequality may influence the values inferred as normative in society. Results from three studies, one correlational and two experimental, showed that perceived normative values change according to the degree of perceived economic inequality in a given context: higher levels of perceived economic inequality are related to normative self-enhancement values, whereas lower levels of perceived economic inequality are related to normative self-transcendence values. These results are discussed in terms of how information on economic inequality is used to build a general perception of the normative climate in society and, accordingly, of the values that would best guide behaviours.
Event-related potentials (ERPs) are objective electrophysiological measuring instruments for cognitive function. The ERPs normative values have never been determined in children of our local ...population. We want to determine the normative values of ERPs for children in Manado, Indonesia.
A cross-sectional study examining auditory ERPs in 88 children from Manado. The eligibility criteria were healthy children aged 8 to 12 years old. Cognitive function was screened using pediatric mini-mental state examination. Subjects should have enough sleep before the examination. The values were assessed using Natus DantecTMKeypoint® Focus 6 channels machine. The results were read by an expert examiner. The median and interquartile range were used to describe the normative data across five age groups. Examined variables were the median latency and amplitude of ERPs components (N100, N200, and P300) and motor performance (reaction time, hits, omission error, and commission error). These variables were analyzed for between-group difference (age and sex).
Median latency values of P300 at Fz, Cz, Pz, and combined leads for the youngest and the oldest ages were as follow: 347ms, 402ms, 346ms, and 373.3ms on 8 years old subjects and 394ms, 303ms, 385ms, and 362ms on 12 years old subjects. There was no significant between-group difference for age groups and sex.
We have determined the normative values of ERPs for children in Manado.
STUDY DESIGN.Cross-sectional cohort study.
OBJECTIVE.Describe age-stratified normative values of traditional and novel sagittal alignment parameters.
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.Full-body radiographic ...techniques can capture coronal and sagittal standing images from the occiput to the foot without stitching or vertical distortion. This provides an ideal method to evaluate measures of global alignment.
METHODS.Adults with no back or neck symptoms were recruited. Age, body mass index, Neck Disability Index, and Oswestry Disability Index scores were recorded. The following parameters were measuredcenter sacral vertebral line, Occiput-C2 (O-C2) lordosis, cervical lordosis (C2-C7, CL), thoracic kyphosis (T2-12, TK), T2-T5 kyphosis, T5-T12 kyphosis, thoracolumbar kyphosis (T10-L2), lumbar lordosis (L1-S1, LL), sacral slope, pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence (PI), knee flexion angle, global sagittal angle, T1-pelvis angle, C2-S1 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), C7-S1 SVA, Basion-C7 SVA, B-S1 SVA and Basion to the center of the femoral head SVA and PI minus LL. Comparisons of sagittal alignment parameters between different age groups were performed. A Pearson correlation was used to determine relationships.
RESULTS.One hundred fifteen volunteers had imaging suitable for analysis; average age as 50.1 years (range 22–78), average body mass index was 28, average Neck Disability Index was 3.4 ± 4.4, and average Oswestry Disability Index was 1.7 ± 4.9. CL (r = −0.34, P = 0.001), T1-pelvis angle (r = 0.44, P < 0.001), knee flexion angle (r = 0.42, P < 0.001), global sagittal angle (r = 0.56, P < 0.001), and C7 SVA (r = 0.46, P < 0.001) all increased with age. LL decreased with age (r = 0.212, P = 0.039). We were able to establish a chain of correlation extending from the toes to the occiput and report age-based normative values for all parameters.
CONCLUSION.We describe age-based normative sagittal alignment parameters in the adult spine with complete visualization from the occiput to the feet. We describe compensatory changes that occur to maintain sagittal balance. These values may be used as a reference for future studies.Level of Evidence4
Aging of skeletal muscles results in a cascade of events negatively affecting muscle mass, strength, and function, leading to reduced mobility, increased risk of falls, disability, and loss of ...independence. To date, different methods are used to assess muscle mechanical function, tensiomyography (TMG) being one of them. The aim of this review was twofold: to summarize the evidence-based usefulness of tensiomyography in older adults and to establish reference values for the main tensiomyography parameters in older adults.
The PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and tensiomyography databases were searched from inception until 25 December 2022. Studies investigating older adults (aged 60+ years) that reported tensiomyography-derived parameters such as contraction time (Tc) and/or maximal displacement (Dm) were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies.
In total, eight studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Tensiomyography has been used on different groups of older adults, including asymptomatic, master athletes, patients with peripheral arterial disease, and patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis with a mean age of 71.5 ± 5.38 (55.7% male subjects). The most evaluated were leg muscles such as vastus lateralis (VL), gastrocnemius medialis (GM), and biceps femoris (BF). The present review demonstrates that tensiomyography is used to assess neuromuscular function in asymptomatic and diseased older adults. When compared to asymptomatic individuals, power master athletes, knee osteoarthritis patients, and patients diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease have the shortest Tc in BF, VL, and GM muscles, respectively. On the other hand, endurance master athletes showed the longest Tc in all three evaluated muscles. Less mobile, nursing-home residents showed higher Dm in VL and BF, while lower Dm in GM than the asymptomatic group. The knee osteoarthritis group showed the largest Dm in BF and VL while having the smallest Dm in GM.
Tensiomyography can serve as a valuable tool for assessing neuromuscular function in older adults. The method is sensitive to muscle composition, architecture, and (pre) atrophic changes of the skeletal muscles and might be responsive to muscle quality changes in aging and diseased populations.
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=402345, identifier CRD42023402345.
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