Derek M. Peters

Bio: Derek M. Peters is an academic researcher from University of Worcester. The author has contributed to research in topics: Coaching & Social loafing. The author has an hindex of 20, co-authored 86 publications receiving 2113 citations. Previous affiliations of Derek M. Peters include University of Bristol & University of Agder.

Crossvalidation of anthropometry against magnetic resonance imaging for the assessment of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue in children.

Abstract: Background: The study of the relationship between anthropometry and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is of great interest because VAT is associated with many risk factors for noncommunicable diseases and anthropometry is easy to perform in clinical practice. The studies hitherto available for children have, however, been performed on small sample sizes. Design: Pooling of the data of studies published from 1992 to 2004 as indexed on Medline. Aims: To assess the relationship between anthropometry and VAT and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) as measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children and to analyze the effect of age, gender, pubertal status and ethnicity. Subjects and methods: Eligible subjects were 7–16 year-old, with availability of VAT and SAT, gender, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). A total of 497 subjects were collected from seven different investigators and 407 of them (178 Caucasians and 229 Hispanics) were analyzed. Results: Despite ethnic differences in MRI data, BMI, WC and age, no difference in VAT was found between Caucasians and Hispanics after correction for SAT and BMI. Univariate regression analysis identified WC as the best single predictor of VAT (64.8% of variance) and BMI of SAT (88.9% of variance). The contribution of ethnicity and gender to the unexplained variance of the VAT–WC relationship was low (3%) but significant (P0.002). The different laboratories explained a low (4.8%) but significant (P<0.0001) portion of the unexplained variance of the VAT–WC and SAT–BMI relationships. Prediction equations for VAT (VAT (cm2)=1.1 WC (cm)-52.9) and SAT (SAT (cm2)=23.2 BMI (kg/m2)-329) were developed on a randomly chosen half of the population and crossvalidated in the remaining half. The pure error of the estimate was 13 cm2 for VAT and 57 cm2 for SAT. Conclusions: WC can be considered a good predictor of VAT as well as BMI of SAT. The importance of ethnicity and gender on VAT estimation is not negligible.

PEDIATRIC HIGHLIGHT Crossvalidation of anthropometry against magnetic resonance imaging for the assessment of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue in children

Abstract: Department of Pediatrics, Scientific Institute H San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Centro Studi Fegato, AREA Science Park, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy; Escuela Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain; Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of South California, CA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Prevention Institute, Augusta, GA, USA; Exercise and Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; School of Sport & Exercise Science, University of Worcester, Worcester, UK; Department of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Pediatrics, University of L’Aquila, Italy and Pediatric Unit, Verona University Medical School, Verona, Italy

Seasonal variation in physiological fitness of a semiprofessional soccer team.

Abstract: The physiological demands of football require players to be competent in several aspects of fitness, including aerobic fitness, anaerobic power, muscular strength, agility, and flexibility (Reilly & Williams, 2003: Science and soccer, 2nd edn. London: Routledge). While research has investigated seasonal changes in these parameters in professional footballers, there is a paucity of research with part-time, semi-professional players. The aim of this study was to investigate seasonal variations in the physiological fitness of semi-professional footballers over a 12- month period. After receiving institutional ethical approval, 13 male footballers from the English Nationwide Conference North League participated in the study (mean age 24.4 years, s¼4.8; body mass 75.6 kg, s¼6.1; height 1.78 m, s¼0.06). Each player was tested five times over a 12-month period (end season 2004 – 2005; pre pre-season 2005 – 2006, post pre-season, mid-season, and end season 2005 – 2006) with data gathered using bio-electrical impedance, the 20-m multi-stage fitness test, countermovement standing vertical jump (SVJ) with arm-swing, 15-m sprint, the Illinois agility test, and the sit-and-reach test. Repeated-measures analysis of variance followed by paired samples t-tests with Bonferroni correction (P50.01) was used to identify significant differences in progressive stages of the season (see Table I). The de-conditioning apparent in all fitness parameters in the off-season, in conjunction with progressive improvement in most players from post pre-season to mid-season, would support these parameters as sport-specific fitness requirements. Such improvements suggest that the short-term demands of playing and training in the first half of the season develop fitness and these trends are similar to those for professional players (Brady et al., 1995: Journal of Sports Sciences, 13, 499). Further research is needed to identify if the plateau in fitness from mid-season is due to attaining the required level of fitness, fatigue, allied training or even relative success. Enhancing off-season training may enable yearly fitness increases by at least maintaining fitness levels for next year’s pre-season.

Abdominal fat deposition in 11-year-old children

Abstract: Although the metabolic complications accompanying visceral deposition of fat are well-established, the onset and extent of such fat patterning in children has not been fully documented. This has been due to the problem of computerized tomography exposing children to a prohibitive radiation risk. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has provided a feasible alternative. Specifically, the purposes of this study were to use MRI (i) to assess the extent of intra-abdominal (IA) and subcutaneous abdominal (SA) fat deposition in 11-year-old boys and girls, and (ii) to identify the most useful anthropometric indicators of IA adiposity in children. Twenty-five boys and 25 girls were selected to represent, by quintiles, the body mass index range for their age. IA fat, SA fat, and total cross-sectional areas were measured from an MRI scan at the umbilicus. Body density was assessed by hydrostatic weighing, and skinfold thicknesses, circumferences and related ratios, and stage of sexual maturity were measured. Results showed that a wide variation in IA fat deposition was present with amounts ranging from 6 to 58 cm2 (mean = 17.8 +/- 10.0) for boys and 15 to 50 cm2 (mean = 24.8 +/- 8.8) for girls. Percentage of cross-sectional area taken up by visceral fat appears to be less than in normal weight adults. Fourteen children had intra-abdominal/subcutaneous abdominal fat ratios that have been associated with higher health risk in obese adults. Waist-hip circumference ratio (WHR), which is widely used as an indicator of IA deposition in adults, was not a useful predictor in these children.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age and Grip Strength Predict Hand Dexterity in Adults

Abstract: In the scientific literature, there is much evidence of a relationship between age and dexterity, where increased age is related to slower, less nimble and less smooth, less coordinated and less controlled performances. While some suggest that the relationship is a direct consequence of reduced muscle strength associated to increased age, there is a lack of research that has systematically investigated the relationships between age, strength and hand dexterity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the associations between age, grip strength and dexterity. 107 adults (range 18-93 years) completed a series of hand dexterity tasks (i.e. steadiness, line tracking, aiming, and tapping) and a test of maximal grip strength. We performed three phases of analyses. Firstly, we evaluated the simple relationships between pairs of variables; replicating the existing literature; and found significant relationships of increased age and reduced strength; increased age and reduced dexterity, and; reduced strength and reduced dexterity. Secondly, we used standard Multiple Regression (MR) models to determine which of the age and strength factors accounted for the greater variance in dexterity. The results showed that both age and strength made significant contributions to the data variance, but that age explained more of the variance in steadiness and line tracking dexterity, whereas strength explained more of the variance in aiming and tapping dexterity. In a third phase of analysis, we used MR analyses to show an interaction between age and strength on steadiness hand dexterity. Simple Slopes post-hoc analyses showed that the interaction was explained by the middle to older aged adults showing a relationship between reduced strength and reduced hand steadiness, whereas younger aged adults showed no relationship between strength and steadiness hand dexterity. The results are discussed in terms of how age and grip strength predict different types of hand dexterity in adults.

Experience and Education.

Abstract: Preparing the books to read every day is enjoyable for many people. However, there are still many people who also don't like reading. This is a problem. But, when you can support others to start reading, it will be better. One of the books that can be recommended for new readers is experience and education. This book is not kind of difficult book to read. It can be read and understand by the new readers.

Expert Committee Recommendations Regarding the Prevention, Assessment, and Treatment of Child and Adolescent Overweight and Obesity: Summary Report

Abstract: To revise 1998 recommendations on childhood obesity, an Expert Committee, comprised of representatives from 15 professional organizations, appointed experienced scientists and clinicians to 3 writing groups to review the literature and recommend approaches to prevention, assessment, and treatment. Because effective strategies remain poorly defined, the writing groups used both available evidence and expert opinion to develop the recommendations. Primary care providers should universally assess children for obesity risk to improve early identification of elevated BMI, medical risks, and unhealthy eating and physical activity habits. Providers can provide obesity prevention messages for most children and suggest weight control interventions for those with excess weight. The writing groups also recommend changing office systems so that they support efforts to address the problem. BMI should be calculated and plotted at least annually, and the classification should be integrated with other information such as growth pattern, familial obesity, and medical risks to assess the child’s obesity risk. For prevention, the recommendations include both specific eating and physical activity behaviors, which are likely to promote maintenance of healthy weight, but also the use of patient-centered counseling techniques such as motivational interviewing, which helps families identify their own motivation for making change. For assessment, the recommendations include methods to screen for current medical conditions and for future risks, and methods to assess diet and physical activity behaviors. For treatment, the recommendations propose 4 stages of obesity care; the first is brief counseling that can be delivered in a health care office, and subsequent stages require more time and resources. The appropriateness of higher stages is influenced by a patient’s age and degree of excess weight. These recommendations recognize the importance of social and environmental change to reduce the obesity epidemic but also identify ways healthcare providers and health care systems can be part of broader efforts.

Physical fitness in childhood and adolescence: a powerful marker of health

Abstract: This review aims to summarize the latest developments with regard to physical fitness and several health outcomes in young people. The literature reviewed suggests that (1) cardiorespiratory fitness levels are associated with total and abdominal adiposity; (2) both cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness are shown to be associated with established and emerging cardiovascular disease risk factors; (3) improvements in muscular fitness and speed/agility, rather than cardiorespiratory fitness, seem to have a positive effect on skeletal health; (4) both cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness enhancements are recommended in pediatric cancer patients/survivors in order to attenuate fatigue and improve their quality of life; and (5) improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness have positive effects on depression, anxiety, mood status and self-esteem, and seem also to be associated with a higher academic performance. In conclusion, health promotion policies and physical activity programs should be designed to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, but also two other physical fitness components such us muscular fitness and speed/agility. Schools may play an important role by identifying children with low physical fitness and by promoting positive health behaviors such as encouraging children to be active, with special emphasis on the intensity of the activity.