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Biomedical subjects

P Bale

Publications and source records attributed to P Bale.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Bias and limits of agreement between hydrodensitometry, bioelectrical impedance and skinfold calipers measures of percentage body fat.

Previous research has often used correlations as a statistical method to show agreement; however, this is not a valid use of the statistic. The purpose of this study was to investigate the bias and limits of agreement for three methods of estimating percentage body fat for 117 male and 114 female university athletes: hydrodensitometry (HYD), bioelectrical impedance (BIA) and skinfold calipers (SKF). The mean (SD) percentage body fat for males as assessed by HYD, BIA and SKF methods, respectively, were 13.2 (3.3)%, 14.1, (3.3)% and 13.0 (3.2)%. Female body fat measurements were 22.5 (3.9)%, 23.7 (4.3)% and 23.8 (4.2)%, respectively. Pearson product moment correlations for male and female body fat percentages between the three methods were high, ranging from 0.81 to 0.86 (P < 0.05). However, compared to the criterion measure of body fat percentage (HYD), the magnitude of agreement BIA and SKF revealed a different pattern. The mean absolute difference between HYD and BIA measurements of body fat for males was -0.8 (2.0)% fat, and between HYD and SKF was it was 0.2 (1.7)% fat. The mean absolute difference for females between HYD and BIA was -1.2 (2.5)%; for HYD and SKF it was -1.4 (2.2)%. Compared to the HYD measures for males and females, the BIA and SKF measures were as much as a 3.8% underestimation and a 6.2% overestimation of body fat. This study provides evidence that the strength of a correlation does not indicate agreement between two methods. In future, reliability and validity studies should examine the absolute differences between two variables and calculate limits of agreement around which a practitioner can appreciate the precision of the methodologies.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1996

Gymnasts, distance runners, anorexics body composition and menstrual status.

Ten top class female distance runners, ten female anorexics and twenty female gymnasts of a similar age were compared for height, mass, %fat, fat mass, lean body mass, age of menarche and incidence of amenorrhoea. The mean age of the distance runners, anorexics, and gymnasts was 13.6 years, 14.7 years, and 13.3 years respectively. In comparison to normal data on females of a similar age they were shorter, lighter, had lower fat masses, and %fat, and the gymnasts and anorexics had lower lean body masses. However, the gymnasts and runners had higher lean body masses compared with the anorexic group. There were no significant differences in body composition by hydrostatic weighing but of these three groups the anorexics tended to have the highest total skinfold, %fat and fat masses. Only 20% of the gymnasts, 40% of the runners and 70% of the anorexics had started menstruating compared with 95% of girls of a similar age. Of the girls in our study who had started menstruating one gymnast, (25% of sub-group) two runners (50% of sub-group) and seven anorexics (100% of sub-group) had developed secondary amenorrhoea. The low body masses, low fat masses, delayed menarche and secondary amenorrhoea in athletes are discussed in relation to low caloric intake, stress, hormone levels, high training loads and genetic factors. Our data demonstrating no significant differences in body composition variables between the three groups of young girls, support the main contention that this type of physique may arise through different mechanisms leading to a common outcome, but without a proven causal link between anorexia and athletic performance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Renal failure due to BK virus infection in an immunodeficient child.

We report a child with cartilage-hair hypoplasia and Hodgkin's disease who developed progressive renal failure and died following infection with a polyomavirus, BK virus. Renal biopsy showed interstitial inflammation, tubular atrophy, and intranuclear inclusions in tubular epithelium, with large numbers of papovavirus particles within the cells. BK virus infection was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction on renal biopsy material and in urine and the demonstration of a high titre of haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and IgM antibody to the virus in the patient's serum. This case emphasises the need to study in depth any unusual clinical manifestation in immunocompromised patients to delineate better the full clinical impact of less well-established pathogens such as BK virus.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1994

Anthropometric and somatotype variables related to strength in American football players.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in somatotype, % fat, and strength in relation to body mass of two groups of American football players. One hundred and forty-three football players (85 high school and 58 college) were classified into five weight groups (< 73 kg, 73-82 kg, 83-91 kg, 91-100 kg, > 100 kg). Body composition was estimated from skinfold, and somatotype was determined using the Heath-Carter method. Strength was measured from one-repetition maximum (1-RM) lifts in the bench press and deadlift. Most of the somatotypes were dominant mesomorphs for the high school player and endomesomorphs for the college player. The weight groups in both the high school and college footballer showed significant differences in % fat, somatotype, and strength measures between the lower and higher weight categories. Weight was a greater factor dictating strength in either lift in the high school player than in the college player. A higher mesomorphic component was a more important factor determining strength in the college player while a lower ectomorphic component contributed more in the high school player. The proportion of the variance accounted for by regression equations for the bench press and deadlift was 17% to 41% in the high school player and 35% to 61% in the college player. Although football requires a large individual at certain positions, the question remains concerning overall size versus muscularity to achieve a superior performance level.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1992

Rare malignant mid-femoral tumours in the first decade of life. Report of three cases with short literature review.

The most common femoral shaft tumours in children are eosinophilic granuloma and Ewing's sarcoma. Three children in the first decade of life with rare femoral shaft tumours are reported. There was one osteosarcoma and two chondrosarcomas. Radiographic differential diagnosis of the femoral shaft tumours and microscopic diagnostic difficulties of chondrosarcoma are discussed.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1992

Biological and performance variables in relation to age in male and female adolescent athletes.

To observe the cross-sectional nature of the effect of age, height, and body mass on motor performance during adolescence (13-18 years), 103 boy and 65 girl athletes were measured for motor performance and anthropometric variables. Motor performances included tests of strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, aerobic capacity, anaerobic power, speed, and agility. Anthropometric determinations included height, body mass, lean body mass, %fat, and somatotype. Boys were significantly different from girls in all measurements except endomorphy, while girls were significantly superior to boys only in flexibility. Physical maturation, as reflected by height and body mass, was a major contributor to increases in motor performance. Somatotype did not differ greatly across the age groups. Boys were significantly more mesomorphic than girls, while girls were significantly more ectomorphic than boys. Higher %fat and more endomorphy were significantly related to poorer performance for relative aerobic capacity, 40-yd dash, and agility in boys but only for upper body muscular endurance in girls. Mesomorphy had higher relationships with performance variables among boys than among girls. Growth would appear to contribute significantly to enhanced motor performance with age, and its effect may be different in boys than in girls.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1991

Anthropometric, body composition and performance variables of young elite female basketball players.

The purpose of the study was to determine the physique and body composition of young female basketball players and to examine these variables in relation to their playing position. Eighteen members of the under seventeen England Basketball squad were measured on twenty different anthropometric sites from which somatotype and body composition were calculated. Four performance measures, vertical jump, anaerobic power, right and left grip strength and laterality were also measured. The variables of the basketball players grouped according to playing position were then compared statistically using ANOVA. Centres had the largest measures of physique and body composition followed by the forwards and then the guards. These differences were significant, particularly between the centres and the guards. The centres were much taller, had longer limb lengths, hip widths and were more muscular.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Giant parapox infection in a two year old child.

We report the case of a two year old boy who developed a large tumour on his face. The lesion resembled a pyogenic granuloma clinically and histologically. Viral studies indicated a parapox infection and a bovine source was supported on epidemiological grounds. The lesion was removed by shave excision and the area healed without significant scarring.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Who benefits from tricyclic antidepressants: a survey.

To determine what patients are likely to benefit from treatment with a tricyclic antidepressant, the authors surveyed American researchers, teachers of psychiatry, general psychiatric practitioners, and foreign researchers. Areas of agreement were appreciable and can serve as an index of accepted community practice and as guidelines for teaching. Responses indicated that patients most likely to benefit from a tricyclic antidepressant are those with primary depression; early morning awakening; motor retardation; loss of appetite; weight loss; prior positive response to a tricyclic antidepressant; loss of interest in work or hobbies; sad, blue, or depressed feelings; improved mood in evening; and loss of interest in sex. Amitriptyline was preferred for agitated depressions, and imipramine was preferred for retarded depressions.

Amitriptyline↗