The effect of smoking on visceral fat accumulation in Czech men and women

Many studies indicate that smoking is one of risk factors influencing the accumulation of visceral fat (VFA). The mechanism by which smoking contributes to the accumulation of visceral fat is not yet fully understood, but it is assumed that smoking increases the level of plasma cortisol, causes imbalance between male and female sex hormones in women, and decreases testosterone levels in men (Chiolero et al., 2008). The objection of this study was to evaluate the effect of smoking on the accumulation of VFA in the population of the Czech Republic. The research included 1,412 individuals of both genders divided into categories of smokers vs nonsmokers and physically active vs. physically inactive. VFA was measured by the device InBody 720 and information about physical activity and smoking was collected via a questionnaire. We supposed that smokers would have a higher percentage of VFA than non-smokers. The results showed that smokers had a higher amount of VFA, but the difference was not statistically significant. In contrast, statistically significant differences were found in the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and total % body fat. Physically active individuals had a much more favourable results than physically inactive individuals. Remarkably, the amount of VFA, WHR and % body fat tended to be smaller in smoking men than in non-smoking men, but higher in smoking women than in non-smoking women.

Evaluación de la ingesta de líquido, pérdida de peso y tasa de sudoración en jóvenes triatletas

Introducción: El triatlón es un deporte de resistencia que comprende tres disciplinas: natación, ciclismo y carrera a pie. Es necesario establecer pautas de hidratación para prevenir deshidrataciones durante entrenamientos o competiciones y mantener un buen estado de hidratación antes, durante y después del ejercicio. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la ingesta de líquido, pérdida de peso y tasa de sudoración en jóvenes triatletas, durante diferentes entrenamientos. Material y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo-observacional en 14 triatletas (7 chicos y 7 chicas) durante una sesión de natación, otra de ciclismo y otra de carrera a pie. Se valoró la ingesta de líquido, pérdida de peso, % agua corporal total, % deshidratación y tasa de sudoración. Los triatletas bebieron agua en sus respectivos bidones de 750 ml y se realizó una medición de orina en containers. Resultados: Los resultados del estudio siguiendo el orden de natación, ciclismo y carrera a pie fueron: ingesta agua 2,66±1,94ml/min, 7,91±7,69ml/min y 7,08±4,13ml/min en chicos y 3,43±1,53ml/min, 6,39±5,36ml/min y 8,33±2,74ml/min en chicas; pérdida de peso 0,83±0,5kg, 0,47±0,3kg y 0,98±0,4kg en chicos y 0,79±0,3kg, 0,47±0,58kg y 0,28±0,21kg en chicas; y tasa sudoración 4,44±4,9ml/min, 11,81±6,46ml/min y 5,29±3,13ml/min en chicos y 3,89±2,4ml/min, 4,69±4,20ml/min y 7,96±5,06ml/min en chicas. Conclusiones: Se comparó el porcentaje de agua corporal y deshidratación, la pérdida de peso y la tasa de sudoración con otros estudios y se observa que nuestros resultados son inferiores a los estudios comparados, además están por debajo de la media de recomendaciones de líquido establecidas por el consenso de hidratación.

Role of potassium orbitals in the metallic behavior of K3picene

Detailed electronic structure calculations of picene clusters doped by potassium modeling the crystalline K3picene structure show that while two electrons are completely transferred from potassium atoms to the lowest-energy unoccupied molecular orbital of pristine picene, the third one remains closely attached to both material components. Multiconfigurational analysis is necessary to show that many structures of almost degenerate total energies compete to define the cluster ground state. Our results prove that the 4s orbital of potassium should be included in any interaction model describing the material. We propose a quarter-filled two-orbital model as the most simple model capable of describing the electronic structure of K-intercalated picene. Precise solutions obtained by a development of the Lanczos method show low-energy electronic excitations involving orbitals located at different positions. Consequently, metallic transport is possible in spite of the clear dominance of interaction over hopping.

Water polo throwing speed and body composition: an analysis by playing positions and opposition level

The aim of this study was to develop an anthropometric profile on highly skilled male water polo players by specific playing positions. Also, to identify significant relationships between these features an overhead throwing speed in highly skilled male Water Polo players by specific playing positions. Methods: A total of 94 male water polo players (24.5±5.3 yrs) who were playing in the Spanish King´s cup were studied. Subjects were grouped according to their specific playing positions: 15 goalkeepers, 45 offensive wings, 20 center backs and 14 center forwards. Anthropometric assessment was made following ISAK protocols. Hand grip and throwing speed in several situations were also assessed. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine if significant differences existed among the four playing positions. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients (r) were used to determine the relationships of all anthropometric measures with throwing speed and hand grip. The total player’s somatotype was endomorphic-mesomorphic (2.9–5.8–2.3). Center forwards exhibit important anthropometric differences compared with the other specific playing positions in elite male water polo players, but no differences were found in throwing speed by specific playing positions in each throwing conditions. Moreover, a higher number of relationships between anthropometric and throwing speed were found in wings and also in center backs but no relationships were found in center forwards. The data reflects the importance of muscle mass and upper body in the throwing skill. Coaches can use this information in order to select players for the different specific positions.