Balasekaran, Govindasamy

In the modern era, health professional including scientists. health workers and researchers from different disciplines are focusing on body composition in the area of assessments. physiology. psychology. nutrition, etc. These valuable information garnered from research. and clinical practices is becoming an important factor in determining obesity such as formulation of an exercise programme and diet regiment. psychological profiles based on body image, nutritional status. functional capacity and risk for chronic diseases. Body composition is necessary for an individual to maintain proper work capacity, muscular strength. and the ability to perform daily tasks such as walking and lifting. Negative changes in body composition can lead to decline in physical performance capabilities of the individual. Currently there are number of indirect ways to assess body composition such as dual energy x-ray absorptiometry ( DEXA), under water weighing. body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio ( WHR). bioelectric impedance ( BIA). skin fold measurement, circumference and girth measurements. These methods differ in accuracy and precision. Body composition is also affected by factors like hydration. This chapter focuses on the components of body composition and the various body composition techniques. In addition. it discusses the effects of hydration status on body composition.

This study investigated the physiological difference in recreational runners between a non continuous and a continuous endurance training protocol. It also aimed to determine physiological surrogate that could monitor metabolic demand of prolonged running in real-time. For data collection, a total of 18 active male recreational runners were recruited. Physiological (HR, RR, RER, ṼO2, BLa), and overall perceptual (RPEO) responses were recorded against three designed test sessions. Session 1 included ṼO2submax test to determine critical speed (CS) at anaerobic threshold (AT). Session 2 was the non continuous CS test until exhaustion, having 4:1 min work-to-rest ratio at CS, whereas session 3 was the continuous CS test till exhaustion. As 1-min recovery during session 2 may change fatigue behavior, it was hypothesized that it will significantly change the physiological stress and hence endurance outcomes. Results reported average time to exhaustion (TTE) was 37.33(9.8) mins for session 2 and 23.28(9.87) mins for session 3. Participants experienced relatively higher metabolic demand (BLa) 6.78(1.43) mmol.l 1 in session 3 as compared to session 2 (5.52(0.93) mmol.l 1). RER was observed to increase in session 3 and decrease in session 2. Student’s paired t-test only reported a significant difference in TTE, ṼO2, RER, RPEO, and BLa at “End” between session 2 and 3. Reported difference in RPEO and %HRmax at “AT” were 5 (2.2) and 89.8 (2.60)% during session 2 and 6 (2.5) and 89.8 (2.59)% during session 3, respectively. Regression analysis reported strong correlation of %HRmax (adj.R-square = 0.588) with BLa than RPEO (adj. R-square = 0.541). The summary of findings suggests that decreasing RER increased TTE and reduced BLa toward “End” during session 2 which might have helped to have better endurance. The %HRmax was identified to be used as a better noninvasive surrogate of endurance intensity estimator.

The study examined the motion sensor outputs of Singaporean children and adolescents of both sexes to walking and running on a motorized treadmill (Quinton Series 90) under controlled laboratory conditions. 58 youths of normal body mass (N=58, age: 13.2±3.0 y; height: 1.53±0.02 m; body mass: 45.5±14.2 kg; BMI: 18.8± 3.0 kg/m2; Tanner rating: 2.5±1.3) were recruited for the study. Accelerometer (ActiGraph GT 1 M) activity (ActiCounts in counts/min) and step rate (ActiSteps in steps/min) and pedometer (Omron HJ 005-E) step rate (PedoSteps in steps/min), oxygen uptake (in ml/kg/min) and heart rate (in bpm) were obtained from 5-minutes stages of 0 % gradient of treadmill walking at 4 km/hr and running at 6 km/hr and 8 km/hr. Walking at 4 km/hr was estimated at 4.0-6.0 METs, whilst running at 6 km/hr and 8 km/hr was estimated at 6.3-8.6 and 10.0-11.4 METs, respectively. Motion sensor outputs increased significantly with treadmill speeds (76-101 % for ActiCounts; 22-24 % for ActiSteps and18-25 % for PedoSteps, all p<0.01) as did oxygen uptake (48-55 %) and heart rate (27-28 %) but there was no sex difference in activity or step rate or physiological responses (p>0.01). No meaningful relationships were obtained between accelerometer activity rate and oxygen uptake or heart rate. There was acceptable agreement between accelerometer and pedometer step rate for the walking and running on the treadmill but the difference between accelerometer and pedometer step rate was smallest at a treadmill running speed of 6 km/hr. These results show that accelerometer and pedometer step rates are useful and suitable measurements of physical activity involving walking and running among Singaporean children and adolescents of normal body mass. Further investigations are necessary to fully exploit the use of accelerometer data in physical activity research among young people.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of soy protein supplementation to improve performance and recovery during repeated running anaerobic sprint test (RAST). Ten males (age: 23.2 ± 1.23 yrs) performed two RAST with a soy milk intervention (SOY; 500 mL soy milk + 4 g stevia sweetener) and a placebo control (CON; 500 mL water + 4 g stevia sweetener) over 7 days. The RAST consisted of six 35-m sprints with a 10-sec recovery between each sprint. The total effort time (sec) was not significant between SOY (32.77 ± 1.23) and CON (33.28 ± 1.71) (P = 0.179). Fatigue index in SOY (31.64 ± 5.20) was significantly lower than CON (37.30 ± 5.70) (P = 0.023). Mean power (Watts) (Soy: 499.27 ± 62.72, Con: 486.39 ± 86.13) (P = 0.410), relative power (Watts) (Soy: 9.34 ± 1.02, Con: 9.55 ± 1.51) (P = 0.461), peak blood lactate (mmol·L-1) (Soy: 9.75 ± 1.61, Con: 10.24 ± 1.90) (P = 0.488), and peak blood glucose (mmol·L-1) (Soy: 23.94 ± 3.90, Con: 25.09 ± 4.61) (P = 0.497) between trials were not significant. Peak blood lactate (r = -0.654) and glucose (r = -0.662) concentrations were inversely associated with mean power in the SOY trial. The results indicate that the soy milk intervention in RAST significantly lowered the fatigue index and, therefore, may be used to enhance sports performance involving anaerobic activities.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led to an acceleration of innovative technological ideas in the sporting industry. People had to learn to adapt and make changes in their sporting habits or physical activity (PA) during lockdown. Purpose: This study investigated the effects of COVID-19 on the levels of PA and sporting industry in Singapore. A total of 1,000 participants (≥21 years old) volunteered in this virtual survey. The survey collected participants’ levels of PA according to exercise intensity and type of PA. The findings revealed that 61.5% of participants (n = 795) participated in PA and expended more than 500 METs-minute/week. 23.8% of participants had an increase in PA, 40.3% of participants maintained their PA and 25.5% of participants had a decrease in PA. 49.6% of participants used online visual programmers (OVP) as part of their PA. More individuals are utilising OVP and home sporting equipment in place of their usual exercise facilities. Sporting industries are switching to virtual platforms to further engage consumers, which may have ensued in the increase in PA for 23.8% of participants. Therefore, this may have resulted in an increase or sustainability of revenue for certain sporting industries (e.g., gym equipment).

Performing isometric strength training (IST) can enhance various sports performance. This study compared the effects of including IST on sprint kayaking performance as compared to traditional strength training. Twenty sprint kayaking athletes (age 22 ± 4 year, stature 1.71 ± 0.09 m, body mass 72.0 ± 11.4 kg) performed a 200-m kayak ergometer time trial (200mTT), isometric squat (IsoSqT), isometric bench press (IsoPress) and isometric prone bench pull (IsoPull) during the pre- and post-tests. Athletes were randomly assigned to either traditional strength training (TRAD) or IST group. Both groups performed a similar strength training program twice a week for six weeks. However, half the volume for squat, bench press and prone bench pull were replaced by IsoSqT, IsoPress and IsoPull, respectively, for the IST group. IsoSqT was performed at 90° knee angle, while IsoPress and IsoPull were performed at 90° and 120° elbow angles, respectively. Each isometric contraction was performed with maximum intensity and sustained for three seconds. A significant main time effect was observed for 200mTT (p < 0.001, ƞ²_p = 0.68) and all isometric strength measures (p = 0.001–0.032, ƞ²_p = 0.24–0.76) except rate of force development at 0–90 ms (RFD90) obtained from IsoSqT120 and IsoPress90. A group main effect was observed in RFD90 obtained from IsoSqT120 and IsoPull120 (p = 0.003–0.004, ƞ²_p = 0.37–0.39). Time x Group interaction was observed for 200mTT (p = 0.027, ƞ²_p = 0.68), peak force obtained from IsoSqT90, IsoPress90, and IsoPull120 (p = 0.004–0.006, ƞ²_p = 0.36–0.38) and RFD90 obtained from IsoSqT120 and IsoPull120 (p = 0.012–0.015, ƞ²_p = 0.28–0.30). Inclusion of IST resulted in greater improvement for sprint kayaking and strength performances then TRAD alone.

Obesity has reached global epidemic proportions over the past 10 years. As countries become more affluent, their populations tend to adopt caloric balance problems that have plagued the USA and Western Europe. Obesity is classified as the second most serious reversible health problem, after smoking in the world today. The relationship between obesity and cardiovascular diseases is well documented. The increase in obesity in Asian countries is remarkable. In 2004, the prevalence of obesity in the adult population in Singapore increased upto 16% (high risk category: ≥ 27.5kg/m2) and prompted many forms of government action, encouraging collaboration between businesses, the educational system and non-governmental organizations. This paper reviews the rise of obesity in Singapore and some of the approaches being implemented to address this concern. Singapore, a multiethnic country, with Chinese, Indian and Malay populations, has to address diversity in customs, diet and religions to combat obesity. The collaborative efforts of various organizations such as the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Health Promotion Board (HPB) have successfully improved the health status of Singaporeans. The fact that the rise in obesity in Singapore is lower than in other neighboring Asian countries attests to the partial success of the collaborative efforts.

This study examined the effectiveness of Problem-based Learning (PBL) approach on enhancing graduate in-service physical education teachers' academic self-confidence, leadership and initiation. academic affect, and information processmg competence. A pre-test/post-test with quasi-experimental design was used. 27 graduate in-service physical education teachers from the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, in a health-related and wellness module participated in this study. The intervention comprised teaching participants using a PBL approach for 12 teaching weeks. Measuring scales of high validity and reliability were developed for this study to measure participants' self-concept, leadership, academic affect and their information processing competence. Averaged post-test scores in most of generic skill aspects ( 8 out of II) were significantly higher than pre-test scores. Students had in general more positive attitudes toward the module and themselves at post- test than they had at pre-test. The results strongly support that teaching using a PBL approach is beneficial to both students' generic skill development and academic affect to teaching and learning.